their dayes Constantine the Great and other Christian Princes in later Ages Yea Isa 49.23 to be as Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers to Christs Church In the Primitive times the Church was exceeding vigilant for this duty of Catechizing they had their Catechumens Noble Theophilus was Catechized in the way of the Lord Luk. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the Greek importeth That thou maist know the truth of those things in which thou hast been Catechized Acts 18.25 And Apollos was Catechized and many Catechumens were after in the Church therefore they had their Catechists or Catechizers also after the Apostles times Cyprian Epist 24. Eusebius Eccl. hist lib. 3 c. 12 their Docto◠s audientium as St. Cyprian calls them Teachers of the Catechumens such a one was Pantenus such was Origen Clemens Alexandrinus and others And for this end divers holy and learned men have both in Ancient and Modern times composed Catechisms as helps and furtherances for this excellent work Heb. 5.12 6.1 2 3. The Apostle to the Hebrews sets down a brief Catechism containing the first Principles of the Oracles of God Learned Hierom tells us there was a Catechism written by Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem and another by John Bishop of the same place Betulaeus Com. ad Lact. lib. 2. cap. 11. which Betulaeus mentioneth in his Commentaries upon Lactantius I passe many other in after Ages our late learned Writers Mr. Calvin Musculus Peter Martyr Ursinus Bucanus Beza Danaeus Zanchius Alstedius Mr. Virel Our English Mr. Nowel Mr. Perkins Mr. Egerton Mr. Dod Mr. Baal Mr. Downame Mr. Allen Dr. Twisse Dr. Majer and many other laborious workmen in the Lords Vineyard What are their sums of Divinity but Catechisms some larger some lesse and all witnesse as their desire so their approbation of this most necessary work of Catechizing Now the great benefit that I have found by experience in this way of Catechizing excellent light somtimes communicated to poor aged people as well as Children And my experience of the present necessity of all that true light which is or may be afforded by any of the Lords Servants Labourers in his Vine-yard the better to prevent Ignorant and Scandalous persons from approaching the blessed Sacrament and to remove dark ignorance and give light to heal the diseases of poor wandring souls hath moved me to cast my Mite into Christs Treasury Luk. 21.1 c. and to hold forth in this Catechism following what Light I have received from Christ to lead unto Christ on whom waiting in use of all good means a fulness of light may be communicated in Gods good time to poor hungry souls and that to their joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 I most humbly present it to Your Honours not that I think any thing of mine in it is worthy of such an Honour but what is in it of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Spirit of Truth and Grace to whom all the Honour belongs Nor that I am not perswaded of Your Honorable and Religious care already for what is or may be fitting in this kinde Nor to prevent the learned and godly labours of any of my Reverend Brethren the Religious Assembly of Divines whose indefatigable endeavours I pray God to direct and blesse to his glory and the good of his Church but to be a light to those who stand in present need and want better directions And to conclude Luk. 2.32 Ioh. 1.9 that the true Light of Christ may more fully shine forth into darkned souls longing after Light Isa 8.20 and all false Lights daily and more duly be discovered that the true light Christ Jesus and his commands may be more fully followed Is 9.6 7. and all false light of Error or Heresie avoided that the light of the Sun of Righteousnesse may not only more richly enlighten Your Honours who are as so many glorious Stars in the firmament of the Common-wealth but may shine gloriously in all the dark corners of the Land Mat. 4.15 15. that as the glorious God hath so highly Honoured You already to begin and lay the foundation stone in the beautiful building of his House the blessed work of Reformation so he will Honour You further to lay the Top stone thereof Zac. 4.7 that all the Christian Princes and Churches in the world may with rejoycing cry Grace Grace unto it And all this by the strength of the great Jehovah For nor by might nor by power Zac. 4.6 but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts That Your Excellencies may be enabled in Gods due time to take particular notice of the Thousands of Churches or Congregations in the Kingdom which want not only learned able faithful and honorable Pastors and Teachers to Preach and Catechize and hold forth the light of Christ unto them but want honorable and comfortable maintenance or encouragement fit for so honorable and great a work of the Lord Christs Ambassadors the faithful Ministers of the most high and mighty Prince the Lord Jesus Christ In a word that if it be the will of God our Soveraign Lord King Charls may be truly enlightned by the light of Christ to see the false light of all evil counsels either from his own heart or any others and may return fully convinced in conscience and rest fully satisfied by his evident experience of the mighty works of Jehovah the great God of Battel in the most faithful Counsels of thi◠High Honorable and Highly Honoured Parliament that He and His Posterity may love and Honour You and Yours from Generation to Generation as those who have been His best and most faithful Counsellors that Gods blessing may be upon all the three Kingdoms that Truth Peace Unity and Unanimity in the true light of the Lord Jesus with the God of Truth and Peace of Love Unity and Unanimity may dwell amongst us in Grace until that great King Christ shall come in the Clouds of Heaven and translate us all with all his Saints unto Eternity in Glory All which is and shall be the most humble faithful sincere and hearty Prayer of Your Honours most unworthy most humble daily Orator at the Highest Throne of Grace IMMANUEL BOURN London from my Study in Sepulchres May 1. 1646. To the Right Honorable Thomas Adams Lord Mayor The Right Worshipful Sir Nicholas Rainton Knight Isaac Pennington Sir John Wollaston Knight Thomas Atkin Sir John Cordel Sir Thomas Soam Sir Iohn Gayer Sir Iacob Gerrard Knights Iohn Warner Abraham Reynardson Sir George Garret Sir George Clark Knights Iohn Langham Thomas Andrews Iohn Fowke Iames Bunce William Gibbe Richard Chambers Thomas Cullum Simon Edmons Samuel Avery Iohn Bide George Witham Aldermen Thomas Foot and Iohn Kendrick Aldermen and Sheriffs of the Honorable City of London With the several Families of and within the said City and the Lives of Communication and especially the Beloved Congregation and particular Families of
A LIGHT FROM CHRIST Leading unto Christ by the Star of his Word OR The rich Jewel of Christian DIVINITY Practically explained in the Principles enlightning the Children of God how to meet Christ in his Ordinances and by strength from Christ to walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of their Lives Divers chief Controversies of the times moderated Many Cases of Conscience resolved and in particular How Men and Women may know whether they have life of grace and be Gods Children or not Profitable for Parents to instruct their Families By way of Catechism or Dialogue not to Answer verbatim or by wrote as yong Children but each one according to his own sence and understanding of the QUESTION By IMMANUEL BOURN Of Ashover in the County of Derby now Preacher of the Gospel to the Congregation in Sepulchres C. L. London Printed for John Wright at the Kings head in the Old-Baily 1646. I Have perused this large Catechism intituled A Light from Christ leading unto Christ and finding it to be Orthodox Pious and Profitable I allow it to be Printed and Published JOHN DOVVNAME TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE Lords and Commons Assembled in the High and Honorable Court of this ever Memorable PARLIAMENT Right Honorable IT is the Observation of that Kingly Preacher Eccl. 11.7 Wise Solomon the Great Truly the Light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the Sun but certainly much more pleasant and precious is the light of the Lord Jesus Christ that most glorious Sun of Righteousnesse Mal. 4.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who doth arise to those that fear Jehovahs Name with healing in his wings Ioh. 1.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who was and is that Light that true Light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illuxit he hath shined forth that shining forth or enlightning Light which communicateth true Light to every one who hath been is or shall be truly enlightned with the light of Nature Grace or Glory for even that natural light of the understanding and heavenly wisdom which our first Parents had with the Image of God in Paradise before their fall Gen. 1.27 it was from God the Father of Lights Iam. 1.17 in and by the Eternal Son of God that increated Light Ioh. 10.31 Phil. 2.7 co-equal with the Father and by him together with the Father and the blessed Spirit was all other light as all things else created Ioh. 1.3 Gen. 1.3 for without him was nothing made that was made Outward light and inward they are both from the true Light Col. 2 3. in whom are hid all the Treasures of the Wisdom and knowledge of God and from that true Light and his fulnesse Ioh. 1.16 we all receive the light of whatsoever Grace we have whether of Gods Free grace and love in Christ of the grace of knowledge Faith or of Obedience to God or men to Princes Magistrates or Governours Ps 82 6. Ioh. 10.34 35. who are under God and as Gods upon Earth who Rule and govern to Judge Righteous and true Judgement for the Lord 2 Chron. 19.5 6. which if they do 2 Sam. 23.4 they shall be as the light of the Morning when the Sun ariseth as a Morning without Clouds as the tender grasse springing out of the Earth by clear shining after Rain But if they Judge unjustly as the great God sets them up 1 Sam. 2.6 c. Dan. 4.33 c. 5.30 so he pulls them down at his pleasure witnesse the Babylonian Persian Graecian and other Mighty Emperours Empires States and Kingdoms of the world And Right Honorable and Christian Senators as true light especially the light of Christ is excellent sweet pleasant and profitable directing the mindes of men in the Religious wayes of Truth and right obedience to the just and lawful commands of all Superiors So is darknesse and blinde ignorance as odious base and hurtful not only to men in particular but to Kingdoms and Nations in general The Pope and Papacy politickly made Ignorance the Mother of Devotion D. Aug. in Ps 33. Erat in illis regnum ignorantiae id est regnum Erroris but learned Augustine calleth it the Mother not of Devotion but of Error and that Kingdom where Ignorance raigneth the Kingdom of Error ignorance blindly leading men to blinde Obedience many times to the ruine of themselves and others The sad evidences of this deplorable ignorance I my self have found in not a few of that Congregation and County where above twenty years I lived a Preacher of the Gospel a presser and Practizer of this Duty of Catechizing and where I met such ignorance 1 Cor. 5.1 as is not fit to be named amongst Christians One affirming blindely upon Examination That none had died for him nor should any die for him he would stand between God and himself yet after when I told him that Christ died for him he wept for joy Another That the Sun shining in the Firmament was the Son of God that died for him A third averring There was no hell and that her soul should go to Heaven like a white Dove although she did not know the way to Heaven other hoped to be saved by our Lady And multitudes ignorant of the knowledge and light of Christ in any competent measure to meet Christ in the Sacrament or to walk comfortably with Christ in their lives or indeed necessary to salvation And the woful effects of this blinde Popish ignorance I my self have found by sorrowful experience also and that almost in the beginning of our English Troubles this lamentable Civil War The Kings Majesty no sooner set up His Royal Standard at Nottingham within twenty miles of my Habitation but divers of these blinde ignorant prophane and Popishly affected of the baser sort I speak nothing of the Superiours they prepare for War make haste towards the Standard and presently the ROUND-HEADS a name they quickly learned were threatned with Plundring Fire and Sword my self with divers other well-affected to Religion the Kings Majesty Parliament and Kingdom were constrained to flie our houses from whence ever since I have lived a banished man these having not yet been for any space of time either safe or comfortable abiding And if was not long after that but by such like Popish ignorant Souldiers and in particular by a Commander in the Earl of New-castles Army a Papist since dead I was Plundred not only of my Goods and Study of Books above twenty years in gathering and my house Barbarously torn in pieces spoiled standing to this day a spectacle to witnesse truth to the shame of blinde ignorant prophane and Popish malice of Malignant Enemies I am sure to my losse of more Hundreds of pounds then for present I am willing to glory in But which was worse Heb. 10.34 my Manuscripts near
unspeakable goodnes to the sons and daughters of men Exod. 18.11 2 King 5.14 2 Chron. 14.11 20.12 13. Luk. 19.6 c. Act. 2.22 and 9.1 c. 20 21. 1 Tim. 1.11 Eph. 1.17 c. 2 Cor. 6.9 10. Hebrews 11. the whole Chapter Quest 20. What Evidence is there from the light of glory Exo. 34.29 30. Isa 6.1 2 3 2 Cor. 12.3 4. 1 Cor. 13.9.10 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 1 Thes 4.17 Ans That beginning and part-light of glory which God hath caused to shine in or upon his Children in this life and the fulnesse of which the Lord assureth them they shall see and injoy in Heaven for ever Quest 21. What profit or comfort is this knowledge what God is and what a one he is to you Ans Great cause of rejoycing that Jehovah this Lord God Isa 43.1 2 3. Psa 52.1 2 10. Dan. 3.17 18 25. Ioh. 20.28 is my God in Christ infinite able and willing and wise and alwayes present to preserve protect and do me good in this life and that life to come even for ever and ever Amen The fourth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the word of God Or what ought a Christian to know concerning the word and will of God Ans The word of God in the manifestation of Gods will and pleasure 1. Gen. 1. 2. 3. 17.2 7 22.16 17. Exod. 19.20 Isa 8.20 Luke 11.28 Rom. 10.27 Ioh. 5.39 2 Pet. 1.19 c. Either immediatly by himself as his word of command concerning the Creation of the world in generall and man in particular before the fall and the manifestation of his good pleasure after the fall to Adam Abraham and other Saints and Sons of men Or mediatly in Scripture by holy men as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 2. Where is this revealed will and word of God written to be found Ans In the Canonicall Books of the Old and New Testament Ps 40.7 Mat. 1.1 Mar. 12.26 Dā 10.21 Mat. 21.42 Rom. 1.2 Ioh. 5.39 commonly called the Bible and Book of God and the holy Scriptures Quest 3. What is there to be known in the holy Scriptures concerning the will and pleasure of God Ans That the holy Scriptures are the most perfect rule of Faith and life above all other writings whatsoever and that they hold forth the good will of God by way of Covenant both in the Covenant of works to our first Parents before the fall and in the Covenant of Gods Free-grace in Christ since to and for the people of God to the end of the world Isa 8.20 2 Tim. 3.15 c. 1 Cor. 15.3 Joh. 5.39 Gen. 2.9.16 17. 3.15 17.7 Jer. 31.33 34. Matth. 17.5 John 3.16 Acts 2.28 22. Quest 4. Are the Scriptures the ancient and first written truths of God to be believed Ans Certainly they are most ancient of all written Divine truths preserved wonderfully so many hundred yea thousand years as witnesse them Divine and of most Divine Authority indeed Quest 5. By what means may you be assured that these Books of the holy Scriptures are the infallible truth of the most true God and that holy men writ them as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Mat. 4.4 22.29 30 c. Luk. 24.25 c. Mat 7.12 Ioh 15.35 17.17 Act. 2.17 17.11 24 14.2 Ans Not only by the witnesse of Christ the chief Prophet and of the Saints and Church of God and by Promises and Prophecies fulfilled by miracles and martyrdoms whereby the Doctrine hath been confirmed but by the Divine harmony perfection powerfull efficacy of the Scriptures themselves and the testimony of Gods Spirit in the souls of believers Quest 6. What necessity was there of the holy Scriptures and word of God written Ans The Lord did see it needfull to have his word written Isa 8.20 Rom. 15.4 Isa 59.20 21. Rom. 1.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.16 because men did not learn by the Book of Nature and work of Creation and government to keep God in their mindes but did run into Errors and fell to worship Creatures and false Gods and false Religions Therefore God gave Scriptures as a guide and rule of life and Doctrine to his Church Quest 7. But is the Old Testament needfull for Gods Children in the time of the Gospel Ans Yea certainly it is of excellent use for the Old Testament holdeth forth Christ and directs to Christ who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever And the whole Scripture is to be searched as profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished to every good work Gen. 3.15 Isa 9.6 and 53.1 2 3 c. Zach. 13.1 Mal. 4.2 Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13.8 Joh. 5.39 and 8.5 6. Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 2.16 17. Psal 119.105 Isa 8.20 Rom. 3.31 Matth. 5.17 18. Luk. 10.34 Heb. 8.10 11. Quest 8. In what languages were the holy Scriptures Originally written And whether may they be translated and read in our English and other tongues understood of the people Nehem. 8.8 1 Cor. 14.5 14.18 19 26 27. Ans The holy Scriptures of the Old Testament were chiefly written in the Hebrew tongue and the New Testament in the Greek as Originall copies evidence But they may be truly translated and read in other Languages and interpreted as the people of severall Nations may understand them for the perpetuall edification of the Church Quest 9. Are not the Scriptures subject to error Psa 19.7 8 c. Prov. 30.5 6. Ps 12.6 2 Pet 3.15 16. Ans No certainly the holy Scriptures are most true perfect and pure and free from error though some men not rightly understanding them have erred to their own destruction Quest 10. What rules may be observed for right understanding of the Scriptures Ans There are divers And first a competent knowledge in the Originall Languages and inspection into the fountains themselves Secondly Prayer for the assistance of Gods Spirit and to reveal truth Thirdly A deniall of self-opinion and Spirituall pride Quest 11. What is a fourth Rule Ans Fourthly a carefull observation of the chief scope of the holy Ghost Acts 8.20 Rom. 6.14 Eph. 1.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.10 Col. 3.6 1 Cor. 14.31 32. with the coherence and consequents of the Text and of proper and figurative speeches comparing of obscure and plain places together Fifthly a having respect to the Analogy of Faith and grounds of Divinity drawn out of Scripture Sixthly a humble submitting of the private Spirits to the Spirits of the Prophets Quest 12. What is a seventh Rule Ans To eye the chief Iudge of controversies namely the Spirit of God speaking in the Scriptures and by consent of plain places expounding the harder Quest 13. What is the principle knowledge to be learned out of the Scriptures Ans How to attain life Eternall by the true
to save himself or make a right use of those means of grace which tend to Salvation Ans Yea Eccles 7.29 Gen. 1.27 3.3 4 5. certainly there is great difference between the Covenant of works the Covenant of grace for in the first Covenant although God gave our first Parents a holy nature and ability if they would Isa 42.6 7. Acts 5.31 Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 3.8 to keep the Covenant and be happy Yet did not God give them a grace and confirmed will to persevere in that holinesse or be preserved from falling But in the Covenant of Grace the Lord gives Christ for a Covenant and in and by Christ his Spirit knowledge Faith Repentance love a new heart freedom from dominion and damning power of sin and perseverance in grace and all things that pertain to life and godlinesse God writes the Law not in Tables of stone as on Mount Sinai but in the heart and as he requireth Faith as with an empty hand to receive Christ so he giveth Faith Phil. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.3 4. and works it by his word and Spirit keeping the Saints by his power through Faith unto Salvation Gen. 3.15 17.17 Isa 5.3 Gen. 2.17 18. Ma. 1.21 Luke 2.10 c. Ioh. 1.14 1 Ioh. 3.14 c. Mat. 17.5 1 Tim. 1.1 5. Quest 14. What is the Covenant of grace Ans The Covenant of grace is that Covenant which God made with our first Parents in Paradice after their fall promising Christ the seed of the woman to break the Serpents head and in Christ life Eternall freely This Covenant renewed to Abraham held forth before Christ more darkly in Types and Figures but more fully since Christ in the glorious and clear Sun-shine of the Gospel Quest 15. You have explained what man was in the state of Creation and how miserable by nature after the fall Now what is mans condition by Grace and in the state of Grace when God hath drawn him to come into Christ and to seek Christ alone for Salvation by vertue of this Covenant Ans Man who could destroy Hos 13.9.14 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 2 Cor. 5.18 19. Phil. 1.29 Act. 5.31 Rom. 5.1 8.30 8.17 Gal. 5.4 5. but not save himself nor be Redeemed by silver and gold or by any other creature is now according to this Covenant of grace a Redeemed one by Christ reconciled to God in Christ called enabled to believe and Repent Iustified Sanctified Adopted to be a childe of God and in Christ an Heir of glory Quest 16. Are all men in this happy condition who live under the Gospel and hear the Preaching of this Covenant of Grace by Gods faithfull Ministers Ans No certainly not any in the ordinary way who are of years of discretion but only those who first waiting on Christ in his Ordinances in some measure by his Word and Spirit according to the working of Gods mighty power have their eyes opened Secondly Are made sensible of sin and misery by sin Thirdly Enabled to deny themselves Fourthly And by faith to apprehend apply Christ as their surety and redeemer Fifthly To rest on Christ alone for Salvation And Sixthly Declare their thankfulnesse by serving God in righteousnesse and true holinesse all the dayes of their lives 2 Chron. 34.19 c. Isa 66.2 Acts 2.37 38. and 16.17 18. Eph. 1.17 c. Rom. 7.23 24. Mat. 16.24 John 1.11 12. Mat. 11.28 29. Rom. 12.1 2. Luke 1.73 c. Quest 17. You have held forth and professed what you believe concerning the Providence of God in the state of man by Creation and his most miserable condition by the fall and declared in part what Gods Children are in the state of grace Now let me hear in brief what you believe concerning the Children of God in the state of glory And what is Gods works of Providence and government in the Heavenly Kingdom Ans First For the present Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord even so faith the Spirit they rest from their labours their immortall souls return to God that gave them and being dissolved from their bodies they are with their thâ—ir heavenly husband Christ Iesus in glory Revelation 14.13 Ecclesiastes 12.7 Phil. 1.21 c. Luke 23.43 Rev. 19.6 c. Secondly At the day of Iudgement their bodies being raised from the dead 1 Cor. 15.19 c. Mar. 25.34 Rev. 21.4 Mat. 5.8 1 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 17.20 c. 1 Thes 4 13. to 18. Ioh. 10.27 to 30. Mat. 25.46 Rev. 4.8 c. 5.11 c. 7.10 c. their souls and bodies re-united by the power of Christ the sentence of blessednesse shall be pronounced to them And Thirdly there shall be no more death but all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes God shall be all in all to them Fourthly They shall enjoy the vision of God in glory and by union and communion with God in Christ remain happy with the Lord in that Kingdom of glory in life everlasting praising and glorifying of God for ever and ever Quest 18. What shall become of unbelievers impenitent and wicked men and women who neglect Christ and Salvation tendred in the Gospel of grace and follow the course of this world and their own sinfull lusts ignorantly or presumptuously to their ends What is Gods government concerning them Ans When they die their souls desend presently to misery and the bodies shall be raised again at the last day by the power of God and appear before the Iudgement seat of Christ to receive that direfull sentence of condemnation Go ye cursed and be excluded Heaven and cast into the fire of Hell to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels in darknesse for evermore Luke 16.22 23. Heb. 2.2 3. Joh. 3.18 19 30. John 4.28 29. and 12.48 Acts 13.46 and 18.5 6. Rom. 2.8 9 12. 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal 5.19 c. Eph. 5.24 36. Phil. 3.18 19. Mat. 22.12 13. and 25.41 Rev. 21.15 Quest 19. But who shall be Judge of believers and unbelievers at that great Day to separate the precious from the vile the Wheat from the Tares the righteous from the wicked and to reward every man and woman according to their works Ioh. 1.12 Mat. 24.30 Iohn 5.22 23. Act. 10.42 Mat. 25.31 c. 1 Thes 1.9 c. Ans The Lord Iesus Christ who is the only begotten Son of God who stiled himselfe also as he is the Son of Man to whom God the Father hath committed all Iudgement and ordained him to be the Iudge of quick and dead He shall come in glory of his Father with his Angels and shall separate the sheep from the goats believers from unbelievers and pronounce the sentence of blessednesse to the one and of the curse and damnation to the other according to their works and the just rule of truth and righteousnesse Quest 20. But shall all both quick and dead good and bad be brought before Christ to receive
their Judgement at that Day Ans Yes 1 Thes 4.14 c. 1 Cor. 15.51 52 none excepted or priviledged but when the Trumpet shall sound and the voyce of the Archangel shall call the dead shall arise incorruptible the living shall be changed Rev. 20.12 and all shall appear before the Lord Christ to receive their sentence according to their works Quest 21. How shall the unbelievers and all wicked impenitent ones who have been enemies to the Lord Christ and to his wisdom holinesse and government stand affected at that Day Ans They shall tremble with horror Mat. 24.33 Rev. 1.7 2 Pet. 3.10 Rev. 3. 12 c. amazement and unspeakable sorrows when they shall see the Son of man the Lord Christ come in such glorious and terrible Majesty and though they cry to the Mountains to fall on them and to hide them yet they shall not escape the wrath of the then angry Lamb. Quest 22. How shall believers and the Saints of the most High be affected at the presence of Christ Luke 21.28 Act. 3.19 Mat. 1.21 Rev. 1.5 Ans They shall be affected with joy unspeakable at that day of Resurrection when they shall behold him to be their Iudge who is their Lord and Saviour and who hath washed them from all their sin in his own Blood Quest 23. What are or ought to be the affections of Saints towards Christ coming to Judgement Rom. 5.2 Heb. 9.28 1 Thes 1.10 Ans They should rejoyce in hope and look and wait daily for Christ who hath saved us from wrath to come Quest 24. Are not Gods Children then in a most happy condition above all other in the world being freely delivered from this damnable estate of the wicked and made Heirs of the grace of life Eternall Ans Yes verily the righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12.23 Isa 64.4 i Cor. 2.9 as it is written for the eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the hearts or men the things which God hath prepared for them that love him both in grace and glory Quest 25. By whom are we thus Redeemed from sin death and Eternall damnation and made partakers of life Eternall and to be Citizens in that Kingdom of glory Ans Only by Iesus Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith in whom God the Father is well pleased with us Acts 4.12 1 Pet. 1.11 19. Heb. 12. Matth. 17.5 The tenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared the knowledge of God and of our selves Now what should we know concerning Christ that we may draw near with comfort to this Sacrament of the Lords Supper And know more fully how the Lord doth govern us by Christ in Grace till he brings us to glory Ans We ought chiefly to know Christ First In his natures Ioh. 3.2 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.7 c. Divine and Humane Secondly In his Person and wonderfull union with our natures 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 1.16 2 Cor. 5 i9 c. Thirdly In his offices 1. Priest 2. Prophet 3. King exercised in Active and Passive obedience and application to both Fourthly In the glorious fruits and benefits which the Lord Iesus by his vertue and power as Mediator communicates to poor sinners for their everlasting Salvation Quest 2. How must Christ be known in respect of his nature Ans That he is perfect God and perfect Man both of a Divine and Humane nature that Immanuel God-man or God with us in our Humanity the Son of God and the Son of Man mighty to save full of grace and truth Isa 9.6 Joh. 1.14 Zach. 13.7 Isa 7.14 Joh. 3.16 Matth. 25.31 Isa 63.1 Mat. 1.21 Heb. 7.25 Iohn 1.16 Quest 3. How and when was Christ our Saviour God Ans He was God of God from all eternity not made but begotten of God the Father before all worlds and from everlasting very God of very God being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made the unchangeable wisdom and essentiall Word of God abiding God for ever Joh. 1.1.14 11. 1 Ioh. 5.20 Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 5.7 Joh. 1.2 3. Col. 1.15 c. Prov. 8.12 c. Tit. 1.3 Iude 23. Rev. 19.13 1 Tim. 1.16 17. Rev. 1.11 1 Tim. 6.14 15 16. Heb. 1.8 9. Quest 4. You say Christ the Son of God in his Divine nature was God of God How I pray you do you understand that the Son of God was God of God was it or is it in respect of his Divine Essence or in respect of his Person and his filiation or Sonship only Ans This is a great mystery as is the mystery of his Incarnation But I humbly conceive and believe that in respect of the Person of the Son or of his Sonship he was God of God the Father Iohn 8.42 and is said to be God of God Light of light very God of very God But in respect of his Divine Essence he is Auto-Theos God of himself Iohn 10.30 and by himself from all Eternity and one Essence with God the Father blessed for ever Quest 5. But how can the Son of God be said to be begotten of God the Father since God the Father is a Spirituall Essence and can one Spirit be said to beget another or how might this be Ans This is a great mystery more fit for Faith to believe then Reason to apprehend nor do I know any similitude can truly and fully expresse this mystery but the learned endeavoring to give some light of it have held forth the eternall generation of the Son of God in these and the like expressions First as the minde of a man when it thinketh of and understands it self by reflection upon it self doth form and beget in it self and as it were of it self some Image or likenesse of it self though not perfect or distinctly of it self subsisting So God the Father when as he fully knoweth and beholdeth himself in his Eternity and infinity After an unutterable manner he did beget in himself the most perfect Image and expresse likenesse of himself distinctly subsisting and yet wonderfully co-essentiall with himself from all eternity and to this effect Christ is called the brightnesse of Gods glory Heb. 1.3 and the expresse Image of his person Col. 1.15 and of the invisible God and the like in holy Scriptures Secondly As a word is the Image of the minde Iohn 1.1 2. and begotten of the minde so the essentiall word is the Image of God the Father Thirdly not far different from this others expresse it thus That as a man looking his naturall face in a glasse doth beget his own image or likenesse which so long as he looketh continueth as his own expresse image though that is not subsisting by it self So God the Father beholding himself from all Eternity in the eternall glasse of his own most glorious Essence he did eternally or from all eternity beget his own Son his own
or division in the Body or Church of Christ as the Apostle St. Paul excellently holds forth unto us Quest 35. But may there not be a Separation from a true Church when corruptions and faults are found in it in Doctrine or practise of life and conversation Ans First I conceive there is a great deal of difference between the Errors or faults of a Church and of particular Members of a Church and also between failings of a Church in substantials and fundamentals which destroy the Essence and being of a Church and between failings and faults in circumstantials only If any Church or company of people should fall away the greater part of them in substantial truths and fundamental unto Error and Heresies which cannot stand with the foundation and being of a Church then I conceive such company may be rather said to have left the true Church though it be the lesser part in number then the lesser part to have left the Church The greater part Rom. 8.1 1 Tim. 1.19 20. as the seeming Church of Rome having left their first Faith and the truth of God in those Fundamental verities of Christ and his Offices and Graces without the holding and believing of which no company of people can be a Church of Christ Secondly If particular Members or a Church or company of professors fail in some particulars not Fundamentals but circumstantials only and such as it may yet be and is a true Church of Christ both in respect the Preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments Then I believe there ought not to be presently an unchurching or a Separation from this Church Eph. 4.1 c. but rather a labour and industry for a Reformation the preservation of unity and avoyding of Schisms and Rents and Divisions in the Church of Christ Quest 36. What do you call that company of people which fall away to Error and Heresies destroying the Foundation and in that respect separate from Saints Ans The name of Church cannot be given unto them but abusively and improperly only But these are a Heretical company rather then Church leaving the true Church of Christ 2 Ioh. 2.18 19. because they were never truly of the Church and so departing to their own destruction Quest 37. What do you call those who agree in the Fundamentals of Faith with the Orthodox and true Churches of Christ yet for some External Rites or things indifferent or some particular failings in manners or different Opinions in Dispensation of Ordinances or Discipline and these not Fundamental unchurch the Orthodox Reformed Churches of Christ and Separate themselves as if it were from Rome or Babylon Ans These are truly called Schismatical congregations who intentionally without cause do separate and unchurch the Churches of Christ and making Schismes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 so much complained against by the Apostle do divide themselves from the unity of the Churches condemning the true Churches as not Churches of Christ Quest 38. But whether is the Church of Christ subject to erre in fundamentals finally and totally or to perish for ever Ans Certainly no Mat. 16.18 Ioh. 10.27 c. Psa 125.1 2. howsoever particular Churches have erred in many particulars yet the universal Churches of Christ cannot erre in Fundamentals neither totally nor finally in any particular necessary to salvation nor can the Church of Christ perish it being built upon the Rock Christ but shall abide firm for ever Quest 39. Yet tell me I pray you what firm ground is there that the Church and Children of Christ shall be inabled to persevere and continue in grace unto Eternal glory and not fall from Christ and grace to perdition Ephes 1.4 14. 2 Thes 2.13 Matth. 24.24 2 Tim. 2.19 Acts 26.17 18. 2 Tim. 2.9 10. Rom. 8.28 Rom. 11.29 Isa 42.1 Luk. 17.5 Luke 22.32 Rom. 14.1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 15.10 Isa 53.11 Ier. 23.6 Acts 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.20 Answ We might hold forth unto you many grounds But you may observe these First The certainty and infallibility of our Election by God the Father in Jesus Christ both unto grace and glory Secondly The certainty of our vocation or calling from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world was Thirdly The certainty of our Faith being true though sometimes weak yet receiving relying and resting on Gods promise in Christ is sure to hold out not by our own power but by the grace of God in Christ Fourthly The certainty of our justification in and by Christs righteousnesse and merits by which we are freed from condemnation and have peace with God in Christ for ever Fifthly The certainty of our regeneration and new creation and glorification begun here and to be perfected in glory 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.17 and 3.18 Rom. 8.30 Phil. 1.6 Sixthly 2 Pet. 1.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Our entrance already into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ endeavouring by the grace of God in Christ to make our calling and election sure Seventhly 1 Thes 5.23 â—4 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. Iohn 10.29 30. Iude 4. Our assurance of faithfulnesse and mighty power of God to keep his children through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last times Quest 40. But doth not this Doctrine of Assurance open a way to Libertinism and so to sin Answ Certainly Iohn 8.31 32 36. the children of God have an excellent liberty and true freedom in and by Christ 1. Rom. 8.1 Gal. 3.13 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.12 c. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Rom. 14.1 2 3 23. 1 Cor. 14.26 40. Rom. 6.1 15. From the condemning or damning power of the Law sin and curse due to sin having our pardon sealed in Christ 2. From the commanding power of sin and Satan unto both which by nature we were in bondage 3. From tyranny and rigid imposition of things indifferent to binde the conscience where Christ bindes not Christian charity and order guiding us to our comfort and the peace of the Church Yet there is no liberty for a childe of God to commit the least sin What shall we sin that grace may abound Rom. 6.11 12. 2 Pet. 2.19 20. Psal 19.13 God forbid How shall we that are dead to sin take any liberty to sin as the wicked do but rather pray continually by the power of Christ to be kept from sin Quest 41. What should the childe of God do that wants this assurance of perseverance in grace to glory Gal. 1.16 Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 13.1 2 Cor. 1.20 Iob 44.14 Iohn 17.24 Answ Waite on God in Christ in all good means of grace till the Lord be pleased to reveal Christ in you and his love and assurance of his free-love in
Baptism that as you have said even now although it had been abolished as circumcision was which it was not yet it might be continued untill mens mindes were enlightned as circumcision was continued for a time and much more now be practised in the Church since it cannot be proved to be any where forbidden by Christ but rather approved and since there are such different and doubtful opinions of it in such as profess to be Saints how should Saints behave themselves one to another in the Church of Christ Ans Truly this may be a light from Christ to lead us unto Christ and learn from Christ and his Apostles not to un-Church the Churches of Christ Reformed and yet reforming for this difference of Poedobaptism and such like as some virulent and unchristianlike Adversaries to Infant-baptism have done and yet endeavour to do But to labour for Reformation rather then unlawful Schism and Separation from the Church Thus shall we declare our selves to be Christians indeed not seeking division but in a Christian Brotherly way endeavouring Union and Unity and Peace in the Church each one labouring for a true and pure Reformation 1 Cor. 13.11 rather then a separation one from another in the profession of the Gospel of peace that peace and the God of peace may dwell amongst us The seventeenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VErily I like well of your Christian conclusion for Peace and Vnity amongst Saints though there be some differences in opinion in lesser matters when as we all hold the Head Christ And since you have declared your knowledge and faith concerning the Sacrament of Baptism Now what do you know and believe concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and by whom and when was that instituted and what light is there from Christ to lead us to Christ therein 1 Cor. 10.16 Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. Ans This Sacrament of the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ himself in the same night that he endured his bitter Agony and also sweat drops of blood before he was betrayed by Judas and apprehended by the Officers of the High Priests and Elders to be condemned and put to death that cursed death of the Crosse which he suffered for our Redemption Quest 2. What is the outward visible sign seal or external material thing of the Lords Supper or of that Sacrament of the confirmation of our Faith and renewing of our Covenant again with God in Christ Ans The external or outward thing Mat. 26.27 c. 14.22 c. Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. sign seal badge or pledge in a Sacrament is that which being sanctified holdeth forth another thing to the inward ear or eye or hand or mouth of the soul which is Faith then it doth to the outward ear or eye or hand or mouth of the body and seals and assures another thing to the soul then that which the body partakes of and in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper this outward sign seal pledge and Symbol is the bread and wine consecrated or blessed and the bread broken and wine powred out the bread and wine given and received eaten and drunk of the faithful together with the whole Sacramental action according to the institution of Christ Quest 3. What is the inwrrd or internal grace and material thing in this Sacrament so signified sealed and communicated by Christ to every true and faithful receiver of these holy mysteries in this holy Ordinance Mat. 26.26 t. Iohn 6.55 c. 10.15 c. 1 cor 10.16 Eph. 5.25 c. Rom. 4.24 c. Heb. 9.25 c. 10.12 c. 1 Thes 1.10 Rom. 6.23 Ans The inward grace or inward material thing is Christ himself given for his Church with his body and blood spiritually received by Faith and all Christs merits with the graces procured by Christ in his death passion and Resurrection Ascention and all he hath done for our good both for this and a better life all which are lively represented sealed and communicated to the faithful in their souls according to the Covenant of grace held forth and confirmed in this communion of the body and blood of Christ Quest 4. But since Christ saith of the bread in the Sacrament This is my Body and of the wine This is my Blood do not the faithful receive corporally and carnally the Body and Blood of Christ in this Sacrament Ans No verily the Body and Blood of Christ cannot be received corporally and carnally with the hand and mouth of our bodies wratsoever the Capernaites of old or the Papists or any other since have imagined Quest 5. How then is the Body and Blood of Christ received in the Lords Supper Ans To understand this we must know that a body is divers wayes ascribed to Christ or Christ may be said to have a body in a fourfold respect or a fourfold body and spiritually and by faith the children of God do receive and partake of union and communion with Christ and Christs body in all these kindes Quest 6. What is the first kinde of body and how do the faithful receive and partake of that body of Christ in this Sacrament Ans The first was the Natural body of Christ Luke 1.15 Iohn 1.14 Mat. 27.21 c. 25.31.32 28.6 Acts 3.20 21. which was conceived and born of the blessed Virgin Mary crucified dead and buried and rose again for us and our salvation and ascended into Heaven and there is glorified and sits at the right hand of God the Father in power and glory where he shall remain making intercession for his Church till the day of Iudgement when he shall come with his glorious Angels in power to judge both the quick and the dead Quest 7. But how do we who are the Saints receive and partake of this Natural crucified and glorified body of Christ Ans We may be said to receive and partake of this natural body of Christ really and truly though not corporally and carnally by eating or receiving it by the hand or mouth of the body But 1 cor 10.16 First Spiritually and by Faith believing on Christ as our Lord and Saviour who gave his Natural body to be crucified and his Blood to be shed for our sins Gal. 2.20 Secondly Applying Christ and all his merits by Faith to our souls Iohn 6.5 6. Thirdly Receiving Christ to dwell in us and so having an union and communion with Christ as with our Lord and Head into whom we are ingrafted by Faith Fourthly To partake of Christ even the Divine Nature by our union and communion with Christ which is sealed in the Sacrament John 6.63 6.33 c. 10.18 Eph. 1.17 c. 3.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. 10.16 c. 2 Pet. 1.3 Quest 8. What is the second kinde of body which
6.8 Ephes 4. â—0 Answ First by the power of Christ dwelling in my soul I may endeavour to stir up and be affected with a holy reverence godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit in my heart quickned in or by a serious meditation or thinking 1. Of my great unthankfulnesse to God my Father in Christ for his Free grace and love to my soul in the Lord Iesus 1 Cor. 3.1 c. Heb. 5.12 who loved me and gave himselfe for me that I have grieved his Spirit by whom I am seal'd to the day of redemptioÌ„ 2. By meditation or thinking of my great unprofitablenesse in my former partaking of Christ in this and other sacred ordinances what small growth in knowledge faith love power over sin fruitfulnesse in good works and other graces 3. In meditating and thinking of my own weaknesse unworthiness and unfitnesse now to meet Christ Gen. 28. 26 17. Isa 6.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 11 28 29. Gal. 3.1 Luk. 2.19 Hest 5.2 Mark 5.27 c. my inability to examine my selfe or discerne the Lords body or by the eye of faith to see Christ crucified for me and meditate untill I be truly affected with a holy reverence and childe-like fear of offending my God in not comming rightly fitted for the Lords presence in this sacred Ordinance so that I durst not approach if I did not hope that in Christ the golden Scepter of grace shall be holden forth unto me for my comfort therefore presse to come to Christ for vertue from Christ to strengthen grace in my soul 4. In meditating and thinking of my former breach of covenant with my God and Father which I have renued time after time in this sacred Ordinance and too often broken againe for all which I should endeavour by the power of Christ and his Spirit to wait on Christ in meditation and prayer untill I finde my selfe affected with a holy godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit for that I have in the least measure offended my God and loving Father in Jesus Christ so that as I may so I can confesse truly with the Centurion Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under the roofe of the house of my heart Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 Rom. 8.26 27. Iudg. 10.15 16. Mat. 15.27 28. speak but the word and thy servant shall be healed Matth. 8.8 Or with the poor Publican stand a far off as scarce daring to look up to heaven had I not Christ my Mediator and smiting my breast say as the repenting Publican God be mercifull to me a sinner Luke 18.13 Lord once again seal the assurance of my pardon in and by Christ to my own soul Quest 3. What is a second immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection or sanctified act or motion of the soul as a preparative for the quickning of which you should wait on Christ immediately before you draw near to the Lords Table Answ I may and ought to wait on Christ and look up to Christ untill I finde by the power of Christs Spirit in my soul in sense and feeling of my great need of Christ A holy hunger and spirituall thirst-desiring-desire and earnest longing after Christ and his soul-cherisbing vertue and spirituall nourishment which my soul wants First to seal my assurance of Christs unchangeable love to me And secondly to strengthen and nourish in me my life of grace and my love and obedience to my God and my Father in the Lord Iesus Christ Psal 63.1 c. Ps 107.9 Ier. 44.3 Ier. 31.3 Mal. 3.6 Iohn 13.1 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 16.26 Gal. 2.20 my Lord and my Redeemer who loved me and gave himself for mee and will enliven me according to the rich promises of Christ in the Gospel as Psal 42.1 2 c. Luk. 22.15 as Christ so a Christian to meet Christ Quest 4. What is a third immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection of the soule for the quickning of which you must and ought to look up unto and wait on Christ and endeavour to enliven and exercise immediately before you draw near to the Lords table are invited by Christs Ministers to partake of that bread and drink that Cap in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper what light from Christ to reveal him unto you Answ I may and ought by strength from Christ to meditate of Christs gracious invitation of me 1. As a poor humbled sinner to come in to him and finde rest and refreshing to my soul as Mat. 11.22 2. Inviting me as one of his believing sons or daughters to come to his feast and to partake of his Supper as Cantic 5.1 Isa 55.1 2 c. Luke 14.17.24 Rev. 19 9 Mat. 22.1 c. 2 Chro. 30.18 c. 3. To meditate of this invitation untill by the spirit of Christ my heart be affected with joyfulnesse that I may come and have liberty to come with joy and rejoycing to the Lords Table as to a most free and rich mariage feast in which I hope to have a sweet union and communion with Christ my Lord the heavenly husband of my soul Quest 5. What is the fourth preparatory grace or gracious affection resolution or act of the soul to be renewed quickned and enlivened immediately before you are coming to the Lords Table Answ As the Lord is pleased in this holy Sacrament to seal and confirme his Covenant of free grace in Christ and of the communion and union of Christ with me and my soul so first by the power from Christ when I draw near to this blessed Sacrament I do not only resolve by the grace of God to renew out actually by his grace I do renew my Covenant vows protestations to with the Lord my God 2. And as the Lord doth take avouch and acknowledge me to be one of his people in Christ so I doe avouch witnesse and vow that the Lord is and shall be my God and Father in Christ Iesus by the same power and grace of Christ 3. And that I do and will renounce all my former sins and failings and all sinfull union and communion with those spirituall enemies Deut. 26.27 the World the Flesh and the Devill 4. And freely and fully offer up and render my self wholeman soul and body to do and suffer the will of God in every condition and state of life untill I be dissolved and be with Christ Psal 50.4 c. to live with him in glory and to do the will of God for ever Gather my Saints to me who have renewed a covenant with me as in the Sacrament Quest 6. Is there nothing further necessary that a poor soul may be assured he or she may with comfort meet Christ and feast with him at his Table Answ Yes the resolution of a great question by the light and strength of Christs Spirit to look into the glasse of Gods Word and of my own heart and soul comparing them together to see and examine and know 1. What
9. Psa 119.17 75. 2. It may be it is to keep a childe of God from security to awaken us and help us to walk more watchfully with God as David was troubled for very faithfulnesse for good 2 Cor. 1.7 c. 12 7 c. 3. To prevent spiritual pride and self-confidence that our whole dependency may be on Gods Free-grace which is sufficient for us Cant. 3.1 2 3. 5.5 c. 4. Or because he would try our faith or wisdom or patience or obedience constancy or such other graces 5. To cause his sons or daughters to esteem better of the sense of Gods love Iob 1 2 3 4 c. or Christs presence in time to come Psal 51.7 c. Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 1.3 c Eph 4.30 6. Because we should be watchful not to grieve Gods spirit by our failings or any way dishonour God but at return of spirit be stablished to walk constantly with God in Christ for ever 7. Or that in greatest darknesse we may wait upon the Lord till he cause his Sun to shine and his beams of love to appear again to the soul Isa 50 10. For these and such like ends God suffers doubtings therefore your friend ought not to dispair because she is troubled with fears and doubtings Quest 2. But can such temptations and weaknesses befull Gods children Psal 73.12 c Ier. 20.2 Rom. 7.22 c. Ans Your friend must know that these temptations and corruptions or weaknesses may sometime be found in the best of Gods Saints who are very dear and precious jewels in the eyes of Christ bought with the price of his own most precious blood and upon whom he hath bestowed an excellent measure of grace as David Jeremiah Paul and others these weaknesses arising either from the first corruptions of nature not yet fully purged in which are the seeds of all sin Atheism Infidelity or the like Gen. 6 5. Rom. 7.18 8.7 2 Cor. 17.7 Mat. 26.74 Gen. 9.21 c. 20.2 Psal 51. Luke 22.31 Secondly or else from Satans temptations from which we cannot expect to be wholly free in this life for Paul was often buffetted with these temptations Peter was tempted and fell fearfully Noah Lot Abraham had their Resurrections from sin and David was constrained to pray Create in me a clean heart O God and therefore none of Gods Saints in this life must think to be free from assaults of spiritual Enemies and winowings lesse or more Quest 3. What more is to be considered Ans Thirdly to satisfie further let her consider she is yet a member of the Church Militant Gen. 3.1 c. Eph. 6.10 c. and must expect as a Souldier of Christ many skirmishes before she passeth the wildernesse of this world to the Canaan of Heaven temptation is one sign of the life of grace which the Devil cannot abide in any soul therefore seeks by temptations to destroy it and the Saints which enjoy it as he sought to destroy Christ Mat. 4.3 c. Fourthly You know Satan tempted the Son of God to grievous sins to Idolatry to distrust of Gods Providence to doubt whether he were the Son of God or not as your friend doth whether she be Gods childe yea to pride to vainglory nay which is more to lay violent hands upon himself and destroy his own life by casting himself down headlong from a Pinacle of the Temple and when the Devil left him it was but for a season Luke 4.13 And if Christ was tempted she must not despair in temptation because she is tempted but resist Satan by the word as Christ did 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Rom. 8.35 c. and so in time she shall be more then a conquerour through Christ that hath loved her Quest 4. But what if my friend fear she shall one day fall by the hand of Satan as David once feared he should fall by the hand of Saul 1 Sam. 27.1 Ans Fifthly In time of temptation put her in minde that God hath the Devil in chains and can bridle him as he doth the roaring waves of the Sea at his pleasure Iob 38.8 And if at any time she be ready to sink by the waves of temptation as Peter in the waves of the Sea then let her pray to Christ for strength to imitate Peter to call out to Christ for his right hand of power to preserve her soul as Peter was saved and he is ready and will be ready according to his promise to save her from drowning according to that gracious promise made to his Church when thou art in the water I will be with thee it shall not drown thee Isa 43.2 as he saved Peter Mat. 14.30 31. so will he save his servants that put their trust in him Psal 18.27 34.6 Quest 5. You have given a good direction how to seek to Christ in times of temptations But what shall she do in her doubtings concerning her Election that she may be sure that she is one of Gods Elect and chosen ones and hath life of grace in her soul as called of God in Christ to glory Ans I answer as she that would finde the Sea must take the River by the hand and follow that so she that would finde out Election must get the golden chain of Predestination and lay hold on those links first which are nearest unto her she must by the power and direction of Christ in his Word and by his Spirit first finde our the effects and fruits of Election before she can finde Election it self first finde out the consequents of Election before she can finde out the antecedents and know Gods Free-love the cause of all As the Sun rising is known by the light approaching the fire by the heat and the tree by the fruits so Election that prime grace by the effects or subsequent graces that follow the Apostle holds this forth Rom. 8.29 30. whom God did foreknow with the knowledge of approbation them he did Predestinate whom he did Predestinate them he calleth whom he calleth them he justifieth whom he justifieth them he glorifieth Now begin at Calling the first link we can take hold on and if she be inabled by the power Christ to see her effectual calling from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto Christ Phil. 3.6 c. Acts 26.18 19. and from sin and her self-righteousnesse unto his perfect righteousnesse and merits which was the end why the Lord sent Paul to Preach the Gospel Then she may be assured of her Election And therefore let her examine her calling Iohn 1.10 c. 1. Whether the Lord hath drawn her soul into Christ to receive Christ as her Eternal High-Priest Prophet and King a before 2. Cant. 3.1 2 3. Hos 2.12 20. Whether he hath affected her heart with a longing desire to be married to Christ to have union and communion with Christ as her Lord and Saviour and
14.22 23. the bodily ears must hear the bodily hand must receive and the bodily mouth must eat and feed on the outward Elements of Bread and Wine in the Sacrament And secondly the acts or operations of the soul or of the inward man The spiritual eye of the soul must see the ear of faith must hear the hand of faith must receive and apply Christ the mouth of faith must feed on Christ So you see there are two sorts of eyes the eys of the body the eys of the soul And two sorts of ears the ears of the body and the ears of the soul And two sorts of hands the hands of the body and the hands of the soul And two sorts of mouthes the mouth of the body and the mouth of the soul Rom. 10.6 c. Iohn 6.54 c. And so all the objects and Sacramental acts or actions at the Lords Table So by faith we spiritually feed on Christ Quest 3. Are there not two sorts of objects about which these bodily and spiritual senses are to be exercised Ans Yes there are first outward visible objects of Bread and Wine with all the audible and visible acts and operations of Christs Ministers Mat. 26.26 c. and Christs people in the several Sacramental actions and branches of the Lords Supper Secondly Inward invisible and heavenly acts of Christ and graces from Christ in the institution of this Sacrament and participation thereof presented and communicated to faithful receivers at the Lords Table and each of these corporal and spiritual answering one another in every particular object branch or Sacramental action in this sacred Ordinance in and about which the acts and operations of the soul and body and inward man are to be chiefly exercised in time of this solemn feast with the Lord Jesus Quest 4. What are these acts and operations of the soul and body thus to be exercised at the Lords Table Ans There are chiefly these three First diligent Observation of every Sacramental action and object of the soul or body The second Divine Meditation of every of them Thirdly spiritual and faithful Application of all to my own soul for my joy and comfort in this holy Ordinance Quest 5. What or how many are the Sacramental actions or objects of senses corporal or spiritual in which these senses and operations of the soul and body are to be exercised and these acts of the soul to be busied at the Lords Table Ans There are divers but chiefly these ten which follow First a Sacramental preparation of Bread and Wine on the Lords Table Secondly a Sacramental invitation to draw near to the Lords Table with eyes of body or soul when we are come rightly prepared Thirdly Sacramental Consecration first of the Bread to be received and after of the Wine to be drunk at the Lords Table Fourthly Sacramental Representation of Christs Death and Passion by breaking of the Bread and powring out of the Wine upon the Lords Table to shew the Lords death till he come Fifthly Sacramental Commemoration and doing this in memory of Christ with a thankful remembrance of Christs Death for my sins and for my salvation Sixthly Sacramental Congratulations or Christs welcom to his guests at his Table Take eat Take drink Seventhly Sacramental Foederation or Covenant-promises held forth by Christ when he took the Bread and said This is my Body and took the Cup and said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood shed for many for remission of sins Eigthly Sacramental Participation by the mouth of the body of the outward Elements and by the mouth of faith feeding on Christ himself and his benefits to my soul Ninthly Sacramental Vnion and Communion with Christ and all his merits and benefits with my head and with the Saints as my fellow-members of the same mystical body of Christ with whom I do partake and have communion at the Lords Table Tenthly Sacramental Obsignation or sealing and communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and of all graces from Christ to my believing-Covenanting-soul renewing my general and particular Vows and Protestations to God in Christ as Christ reneweth and re-confirms his Covenant of grace and love to my soul in this Sacrament at the Lords Table Matthew 22.1 2 3 4. and 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and 10.16 17. Quest 6 What is the first Sacramental action word or object of your bodily or spiritual sences about which the acts and operations of the soul or body are to be exercised when you are to draw near to the Lords Table Ans Sacramental invitation when the voyce of the Minister of Christ having expressed 1. The inestimable benefits communicated to the Saints in this Sacrament 2. The Author 3. The Institution 4. The ends 5. The use of it to Believers 6. The profit of it 7. The great preparation required And 8. The danger of coming unprepared 9. The solemn Admonition and Dehortation to all ignorant scandalous and prophane persons that they stand back and presume not to approach the Lords Table least they eat judgement to themselves and drink their own damnation as 1 Cor. 11.19 And 10. Invitation calling and embracing and emboldening me with all Saints truly prepared to draw neer and partake of that blessed feast which according to the institution example and command of Christ is there prepared for me and them at the Lords Table as Matthew 22.4 Quest 7. What must you do when you hear this voyce of the Minister of Christ sounding to the ears of your body and inviting you to draw near to the Lords Table Ans I should be careful by the power of Christ to wait on Christ in these three acts noted before 1. Rightly to observe and consider what is spoken by the Minister of Christ in this invitation 2. To meditate and think by the power of Christs spirit what this invitation is and what a joyful thing it is to be invited to the Table of the Lord Jesu 3. To labour by the same power of Christs spirit Psa 104.34 to apply this invitation to my own soul as to one believing and longing for refreshing from Christ to the joy and comfort of my soul and the reviving of my spirit in Christ Jesus Quest 8. How must you exercise the ear of your faith Ans In attention as if I heard the voyce of Christ from heaven Cant. 5.1 calling me spiritually to feast with him at his Table Quest 9. What is the second object or Sacramental action or object which answereth your corporal sence of Seeing in the Celebration of this holy Sacrament Ans The Sacramental preparation of the outward Elements of Bread and Wine which I see set upon the Table or made ready to be consecrated Mark 14.22 23. and set apart for that holy Ordnance when I am come to the Lords Table Quest 10. What is that spiritual sense and spiritual object which answereth the spiritual sense of
22.30 and more inabled to powre out my soul in prayer more assured that although I may passe through many aafflictions yet I shall one day feast with Christ in the Kingdom of glory Quest 7. What further may you stir up in your soul Ans To observe how I am delighted and fully satisfied with this heavenly and joyful feast yea that I am so satisfied as never any more to feast at Satans Table or to have the least communion with the Devil the World or the Flesh or any sinful feast of sinful profits or pleasures whatsoever Isa 55.3 Iohn 6.34 35. as being now fully contented with Christs presence in this life and with assurance of Christs presence in that life eternal which is to come Quest 8. How may you wait on Christ in the second of these Divine meditations Gantâ— 2.3 c. Ans In fixing the eye of my soul so fully upon Christ in this feast I may meditate by the power of Christs spirit so exactly upon every particular dainty which my soul meeteth with at the Lords Table Quest 9. What else mayyou meditate upon Ans Upon those glorious refreshings and strengthnings of my soul in grace by the lively holding forth of Christ and my so near union and communion with Christ and with all the Saints until my soul say Cant. 2.1 c. It is enough Lord I desire no more but still to enjoy thee the delight of my soul and most thankfully to remember thy love above all the delights and loves of the world for ever Quest 10. How may you wait on Christ in the third and last faithful application of all to your own soul in particular Ans By the power of Christs spirit and faith I now by secret medication in faith may and do apply Christ and the love of Christ in all this rich feast to my own soul Quest 11. What benefits do you enjoy by this Ans First now by the eye of faith I see evidently that God my Father so loved me that he gave his Son for me that I now believing shall not perish Iohn 3.16 but have everlasting life Quest 12. What is a second Ans Secondly I now see by the eye of faith that my Lord Christ loved me and gave himself for me thar he is now become the Author and finisher of my faith yea Gal. 2.20 Heb. 12.2 the Author of eternal life to and for me to whom he hath given power to obey him in and by believing Quest 13. What is a third Ans Thirdly I now see by the eye of faith that all this great feast was prepared for me and lor my refreshing and souls contentment and is a sure and infallible sign Mat. 22.1 c. Iob 19.25 26. and seal and pledge of God my Fathers love to me in the Lord Christ who is my strength and my Redeemer Quest 14. What is a fourth Acts 3.20 21. Psa 24.7 Can. 5 1. Luk. 22.23 c Ans Fourthly I now see that although my Lord and Saviour my great King of glory who hath entred into the everlasting door of my soul keep his residence in his most glorious Court of heaven yet he hath been present with my soul in this rich feast of grace he hath fed me with his delicates he hath cheered up my spirits with his wines of joyes O the sweet meats of comforts that have made my soul fat this day I am filled with the loves of my Lord my heavenly husband who hath married me to himself for ever and made me sit with him at his Table Quest 15. What may I consider further Ans Fifthly How great was my unworthinesse and how invaluable was his love and Free-grace to my soul when he saw me in my blood and said live yea when I was in my blood dead in my sinful blood he gave me life when I was an Infant new born Exek 16.3 4. cast out to the loathing my person when my Father an Amorice and my Mother was an Hittite could not relieve me then my Christ my Lord did graciously succour me he cherished me he bred me up while I was grown in grace he cast his skirt of love over me and I became his and he made me glorious in grace through the comelinesse that he hath put upon me Quest 16. what is the sixth grace or benefit Ans Surely as I may so I will greatly rejoyce in my Lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation Isa 61.10 and he hath covered me with the robes of righteousnesse as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Quest 17. What is the seventh benefit Answ Seventhly when I was in danger of my life through the plots and conspiracies of bloody enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil I drew near into the presence of my Lord with a true heart in full assurance of faith Est 5.2 Heb. 10.22 Can. 4.6 having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water my Lord held forth his golden Scepter of grace and revived my spirits which formerly hid been fainting for want of his gracious presence Quest 18. What may you conclade from these Ans Now I may truly and assuredly conclude I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine I will hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering Can. 6.4 Heb. 10.23 c. 1 Thes 4.16 c. Luk. 22.36 Ioh. 17.24 for he is faithful that promised I will consider my brethren and sisters in Christ to provoke unto love and to good works and I will not forsake the assembling of our selves together to meet our Lord at his Table as the manner of some is but exhort one another while it is called to day because the day approacheth when our Lord and King Jesus will call us all by his last Trumpet to feast at his Table in heaven where we shall be with him and see his glory for ever and ever Amen Quest 19. What is a second grace or gracious action to be put in present execution before your departure from the congregation and communion of Saints in this sacred feast Ans A present manifestation of my thankfulnesse and love to Christ my Lord and Saviour again in the work of charity Neh. 8.8 Acts 20.7 2.46 1 Cor. 16.1 2 3. 2. Tim. 1.16 3. Ioh. 5 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 9.4 c. Ioh. 2.34 c. according to my ability to the poor Saints my fellow-members of the same body of which Christ my Lord is the Head that I may refresh their hungry bodies as the Lord Christ hath refreshed my hungry soul with plentiful refreshings at his Table Quest 21. What is the third grace or gracious action to be acted and exercised by the power of Christ to Gods glory and your own comfort before the Congregation be dismissed after partaking this
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
matter of our Worship And therefore 1. Men may see their extreme need of Christ for salvation Iohn 5.40 Mat. 17.5 and come in to Christ for Iustification and life eternal and to rest not upon our best services or performances of holy duties Rev. 8.4 Mat. 17.5 or any our graces but upon Christ for our acceptance with the Lord. Iohn 15.5 Phil. 4.13 2. Even Saints themselves may learn to wait daily on Christ in his Ordinances for true light strength and vâ—rtue from Christ wisely faithfully spiritually and truly to perform our holy services in publike and private Mark 5.30 to Gods glory and our own comfort in Christ Iesus And to direct and help you further for a more comfortable walking with God in Christ by true light from Christ Gen. 5.24 in your duties general as a Christian and particular in your calling and so all Christians in theirs not onely as they respect this second but all other Commandments of the first or second Table yea and as they relate to what is to be received by Faith and believed in the Gospel take these meditations and directions following First consider that the Lord Iesus Christ Ioh. 1.9 he is that true Light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Light that true that is that true Light with an Emphasis that surpassing excellent Light that increated Light that Essential Light all one with the Fathers Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 1.5 Heb. 1.2 3. Iam. 1.17 Isa 45.7 and so that Light in whom there is no darknesse at all who is the brightnesse of his Fathers glory and the expresse Image of his person That Original Light as God the Father is the Father of Light with whom is no Variablenesse nor shadow of turning so is God the Son the Father and Creator of Light for all things were made by him Iohn 1.3 and without him was made nothing that was made and so he created the light also not as he was God and man but as he was the eternal and onely begotten Son of God As Jehovah is a Name attributed to God Acts 17.28 because he hath his being of himself and giveth being to all Creatures so light is attributed to Christ because he is light in himself and giveth light unto all He enlightneth every man or woman tht cometh into and is enlightned in the world all that receive any true light of nature grace or glory they receive it in or by the Eternal Son of God That external created light made in the beginning when God said Let there be light he was one person of that Elohim Gen. 1.13 Elohim Barah c. the strong Ones Father Son and holy Ghost of whom Moses saith Gen. 1.1 2 Cor. 4.6 Ioh. 1.2 He Created Heaven and Earth and who commanded that light to shine out of darknesse and that as he was with God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the beginning and was God with the Father And that internal light of natural reason and understanding created with Adams soul and communicated to the understanding of our first Parents before their fall that was created and communicated by this Son of God together with the Father and the blessed spirit Gen. 1.26 Luk. 10.30 Eph. 4.18 5.8 he was one of that Counsel who made man in the Image of God and give that light of reason unto man which was so wounded and the purity and rectitude lost by the fall our understanding being darkned and we being by nature darknesse not light And for the light of grace Ioh. 9.5 whosoever receiveth that light they received it from Christ this eternal Son of God not only as he is God Isa 7.14 but as he is Immanuel God-Man Theanthropos Ioh. 1.14 God and Man the Word made flesh in whom dwells the fulnesse of the God-head bodily yea all fulnesse Col. 1 19. 2.9 2.3 in whom are hid all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God he being not only the co-essential wisdom of the Father Prov. 8.1 22 c. Heb. 12.24 Acts 20.28 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Cor. 1.30 but the Mediator of the New Testament the eternal High-Priest Prophet and King of his Church who hath purchased us and light of grace and true heavenly wisdom for us and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel yea is made unto us of God wisdom and righteousnesse sanctification and Redemption communicating light unto us As the Moon receiveth her light from the Sun so the Church of Christ and every true Christian soul receiveth the light of grace from Christ Ioh. 1.16 As of Christs fulnesse of grace we receive grace for grace so of Christs fulnesse of light we receive light of grace to prepare us for light of glory 2 Cor. 4.6 light to see the glory of a reconciled God in the face of Christ Ioh. 17.1 2 24. And whosoever have or shall receive the light of glory and life eternal they have and do and shall receive and enjoy that light of glory and life in and by Christ Col. 1.12 God the Father maketh us meet to be made partakers of that inheritance with the Saints in light 2 Cor. 5.19 but is in and by his Son Christ in whom God was reconciling the World unto himself Christ is the true light the fountain Rev. 22.16 Luke 1.78 79. the well-spring the day-star of light who hath visited us To give light to them that sit in darknesse and shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace Now if you meditate and consider rightly and truly how Christ is thus the true Light and communicates true light of grace to sinners and to Saints and that all that are enlightned have and do and must receive their light of grace from Christ and every encrease of the light of grace in the soul is from Christ Then you may see a ground wherefore I call this Catechism A light from Christ leading unto Christ because whatsoever light is in it of God or grace it is from Christ And whatsoever light a poor soul stands in need of it is in and by and from God in Christ to be received And all light new or old which is contrary to the light ot Christ it is but a a false light leading out of the true way of life and light toward darknesse yea it is but error ignorance and darknesse it self and so not to be followed but by the light of Christ to be discovered and avoided yea and the publishers of such false lights to be rejected not entertained If there come any unto you and bring not this true Doctrine and light from Christ saith Saint John receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed 1 Iohn 10 11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds By this true light of Christ you may
appointed us to labour six dayes Secondly the Lords own example in Resting also from worke the seventh day and Rested the seventh day Thirdly the Lords institution and appointment of the seventh day to be a holy Rest for his service wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Quest 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of persons Answ I answer yes first workes of piety may be done by all in their severall places and in particular by the Ministers of Christ as of old time the Priests did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day Mat. 12.5 and were blamelesse and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worship Secondly workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame as being acceptable to God at all times in Christ Jesus Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2 Luke 14.5 and not condemned on that day but appointed Thirdly workes of necessity which require present helpe and could not have been done the day before nor stay untill the day following Mark 2.23 24 25 26 27. Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 13.15 15 16. these workes may also bee done upon the Sabbath day as necessary provision of meate for man or beast the necessary worke of the Phisitian or others for a sick or disseased person or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded or a Midwife or others for Women in travell all such workes of necessity in truth and without hypocrisie may be done upon the Sabbath day But other Workes which are neither workes of piety of Charity nor of true necessity I believe ought not to be done upon that day Quest But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall and so to be abolished Colos 2.16 17. or at least to be left at liberty now in the time of the Gospell since the Apostle seemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epistle to the Collossians and before to the Galatians he blameth them for observing dayes and moneths and yeares Gala. 4.10 Is not the Sabbath day then abolished by the Comming of Christ Ans First I answer it is certaine there were diverse Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to sanctifie Levit. 23.38 39 c. Ezek. 20.21 and not to prophane or pollute as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel they polluted my Sabbaths then I said I will poure out my fury upon them Thus in this sence the name Sabbath was applied to all those Ceremoniall Levit. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Feastivalls yea and daies of Fastings which were to be kept without doing any worke on those dayes as a Sabbath or Rest of the Lord. Levit. 23.15 16. Levit. 25.2 3. Lâ—vit 25.8 9. Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile and these were Ceremoniall Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and services herein And of these I conceive the Apostle speakes as abolished and in which the children of God in the Gospell are not to be condemned Colos 2.17 because Christ who is the body figured by all these is come But he doth not speake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be sanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements at least in no wise of the substance of the Commandement that a Seventh day is to be sanctified as holy to the Lord. Quest 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day or by what authority is this Seventh day now sanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day Ans First Isai 56.2 3 4 5. the keeping of a seventh day for a Sabbath is absolutely morall and perpetuall instituted in Paradise before the fall and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai and that Commandement bindes to a seventh day for ever Secondly although there be not an absolute command in the New Testament to change the day evidently held forth unto us yet there is Divine Authority sufficient in the constant practize of the Apostles and Saints to meete on this seventh day Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7 8 c 1 Cor. 16.1 2. being then called the first day of the weeke to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like as being the Lords owne day as the day of the Lords Resurrection and to be sanctified as the Lords day to meet Christ in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath Revel 1.10 as John the 〈◊〉 Divine was ravished in the spirit and met Christ on that day for the great comfort of himselfe and the Churches of Christ that day then called and esteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day and so to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Christ Quest 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath Isai 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10 Mark 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Rest from our own works and bodily labour and as a spirituall rest from the sinfull workes of our soules and bodies and to sanctifie it as a holy Rest in the performance of the Lords Workes of holinesse and his holy service to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a speciall manner on that Day Quest 10. What is the generall sinne forbidden in this Commandement Ans All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day Isaia 58.13 by ommission of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes or worldly businesse of this life outward in our bodies except in case of true extraordinary necessity or performing of any our owne workes of sinne in bodies or soules as all other dayes so especially onâ— the Lords day or the day of Gods Rest Heb. 4.9.10 and Sabbath Day Quest 11. What are the particular duties required for the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day what light from Christ for these Ans They are diverse wee may remember these especiall First a preparation for the right sanctification of this day by minding of it before it come that we may be more fit to serve the Lord in it when it is come and by rising early in the morning as bodily health will suffer that wee may have time to exercise preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances Quest 12. What is the sinne contrary unto this Ans To forget the Lords Day or be so unmindfull of it as either in our own persons or by compelling or suffering our children or servants so long to labour Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5 Ex. 19.10.15 Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12 so here and over-wearie our bodies or spirits on
Church of God requires Quest 24. What is a second duty in publike Ans To joyne devoutly and understandingly with the Minister and Congregation in Prayer not onely attending with the eare to every confession of sinne petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Ministers soule in Prayer but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Minister of Christ and to pour out thy soule with him and all the rest of the Congregation in every confession request or giving of thankes to God saying Amen in thy soule Psal 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time and this not in thy owne strength but by the assistance and strength of Christ and the spirit of Christ helping our infirmities and inabling the soule to wrastle with God in prayer Gen. 32. Quest 25. What is the sinne contrary to this duty declared Ans Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be distracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer or not to goe along with the Minister of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Christ or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer or not to pray in faith and in faith expect an answer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Christ John 19.23 Quest 26. What is a third duty in publike for sanctification of this blessed Sabbath and rest day of the Lord Ans This concerneth both the Ministers and People of God Ezra 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And first the Ministers duty is to Reade Expound Catechize and Preach the Word of God without respect of persons in faithfulnesse sincerity and godly wisedome not with intising words of mans wisdome but in evidence of the spirit and of power and as becomes the Ministers of Christ Quest 27. What is the Ministers sin contrary to this duty Ans To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing or to doe it unfaithfully with entising words of mans wisdome and otherwise then becommeth the Gospell of Christ Quest 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular and what light from Christ for this Ans To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Ministers Acts 15.14 15. or to the Word of God as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man and that without wandring or sleeping with hunger after the mind of Christ in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father Heb. 4.2 Quest 29. What is the sin contrary to this duty of the people Ans To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing or to heare it carelessely without devotion Faith Love or Obedience unprofitably either in respect of Gods glory or our owne salvation Quest 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this rest-day or Lords day is to be sanctified Ans In a right communicating and partaking of the blessed Sacrament according to Christs institution Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechisme Quest 31. What is the contrary sinne to this duty Ans To neglect the Sacrament 2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.28 29 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreshing in Christ Jesus Quest 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended Ans Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard Parents taking account of their children and Masters of their servants what they have remembred searching the Scriptures and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Minister of Christ Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing those under our charge meditation and earnest Prayer unto God for a blessing upon the Word and Sacraments received and strength from Christ to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteousnesse Isaia 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified Quest 33. What is the sinne contrary to this duty Ans A meer resting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament and publike ordinance without any care of profiting our selves or Families by Repetition Conference searching the Scripture Catechizing or Prayer in our Family oâ— closets for a blessing endeavouring by the power of Christ to practice in our lives what we have heard and learned as the truth is in Jesus the neglect of any of which is sin Quest 34. This is a strict rest indeed and a strict sanctification of this rest is there any more required Ans Yes a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy 1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability and as the necessities of the Saints require Quest 35. What is the sin contrary unto this duty of Charity Ans To give no Almes and neglect workes of charity and mercy though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede Quest 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed are there noâ— some inward and spirituall required also Ans Yes it is required that the childdren of God should make the Sabbath his delight and keepe a spirituall rest from sinne of omission or commission and so keepe a spirituall and holy restj indeed Heb. 4.9.10 11 c. Isai 58.13.14 as all the dayes of our lives from sinne so especially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and rest from all sinne and misery which we shall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven Quest 37 What is the sinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and spirituall rest from sin Ans To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day to say or thinke as those in Amos when will the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Isaia 1.12 13 14. when will the Sabbath be gone And not to rest from sin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day to swear to drinke tipling and distempering themselves to Whore Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots Jer. 5.7 or abuse Gods Day in any wickednesse whatsoever and so to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men Luke 13.25 26. endangerinâ— the soule and body to a restlesse condition in Hell fire for ever Luke 16.24 Quest 38. This is a most perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty Answ The Commandement it selfe holdeth forth this in the next words Thou thy Sonne thy Daughter thy Man-servant thy Maide-servant nor thy Ox nor thy Asse nor
the Stranger that is within thy Gates That is thou and all that are in thy power without exception Quest 39. But wherefore doth the Lord give this speciall command and direction to his people not onely for themselves but for all under their command Ans That Gods children being carefull and dutifull themselves and diligently performing their duties to all that are under their charge they might not be partakers of other Mens sins Quest 40. But how may one man be guilty of another mans sinne what light have you from Christ to reveile this Ans One may be guilty of another mans sin divers wayes First when a superior commands an inferior to commit a sinne and the sinne be committed of this the superior is guilty as Saul was of killing the Lords Priests 1 Sam. 22.18 2 Sam. 11.15 when hee commanded Doeg to do it and wicked Doeg did it accordingly David kild Vrias by Joab and the sword of the children of AmmoÌ„ And so Iezabell was guilty of that sin of the sons of Belial 1 Kings 21 10. who did beare false witns against Naboth for his Vineyard and thus Magistrates or masters or parents are guilty when they command their subjects or children or servants to prophane the Lords Sabbath Quest 41. What is a second way of being guilty Answ When superiors have power and doe not hinder but suffer inferiors to commit sinne 1 Sam. 3.13 as old Eli suffered his sonnes and did not punish them nor restraine them as hee ought and so when Parents suffer their children or Masters their servants to prophane the Lords Day They are guilty of their childrens sinne and servants sinne Quest 42. What is a third manner how one man may be guilty of another mans sinnes have you any light from Christ for this Ans Wen one man giveth another wicked councell to commit sinne as when Ahitophet counselled Absolom to commit wickednesse with his Fathers concubines 2 Sam. 16 21. or Herodias counselled her Daughter to aske the head of John Baptists Mark 6.24 or when a Master or Father adviseth or counselleth his sonne or servants or any under his charge to prophane the Sabbath Quest 43. What is a fourth manner Ans When Minister or people man or woman doth consent to sinne in others Acts 8.1 Eze. 3.18 or not reprove sin as Saul before his conversion consented to the death of blessed Stephen the Martyr of Christ and for Prophets not to warn the wicked Levit. 19.17 so when Parents or Masters consent to their childrens and servants prophanation of the Lords Day when as they should not suffer sin to lie upon them but reprove them rather So when unworthy Receivers are suffered without any admonition or reproofe Quest 44. What is a fift manner of being guilty Ans When one Man or Woman provokes and stirreth up another to sinne 1 Kings 21 25. as Jezabell provoked Ahab to commit wickednesse and Jobs Wife her Husband to curse God and die Job 2.9 And so when Parents or Masters provoke and stirre up their children or servants by Labour or Pastimes to prophane the Sabbath Quest 45. What is a sixt manner of becomming guilty of other mens sins Ans When men grow to such a height of impudency as to defend other mens sinnes Who call good evill and evill good Isai 5.20 1 Kings 22 6.11.24 1 Sam. 15.22 as wicked Zedechiah defended wicked Ahab in his sinfull course and Saul defended the peoples sin as Lawers plead in unjust causes or when Parents or Masters or any other will plead for Baal and defend the sinnes of their children or servants or Neighbours when they prophane the Lords Day all these ways at least may men be guilty of other mens sins Quest 46. Most certaine the Lord is a most holy God and is Law a most holy Law and perfect rule of holinesse which holdeth forth to us so many duties and so many sinnes in one Commandement of the Sabbath day and sanctification of the rest what use therefore my the knowledged of this truth be of unto the sons of men Ans First concerning wicked men out of Christ the many duties commanded Jer. 17.27 Gâ—lat 3.24 Acts 8.21 22. and sinns forbidden may cause them to tremble for feare of the curse and wrath of God due to them for their prophanation of the Lords day and so be a Schoolemaster to bring them to Christ to see if they may finde pardon and escape the curse and damnation Acts 13.38 39 1 Thess 10 Secondly concerning saints in Christ the Meditation of these things may likewise minde them of Christ First Christ as a justifyer without whose Righteousnesse and Merits they could not be saved 1 Cor. 1.30 and in whom salvation is their portion 2 Cor. 5.17 Secondly Christ as a sanctifyer in whom there is holinesse and power to sanctifie this holy rest this blessed Sabbath as the Lords day in all holinesse and righteousnesse to Gods glory and good of our own soules Quest 47. What benefit is this to the Church that the Lord hath ordained Mat. 28.6 9.17 18. and by his Resurrection and appearing to his Disciples so often one that day consecrated this holy Sabbath Mark 1â— 12 Luk. 24.13 as a day to and for himselfe and for his speciall service and ordinances wherein he now appeareth to his Church Ans A speciall cause of joy that the Saints may once a weeke be as it were in Heaven with Christ meeting Christ in his glorious Ordinances Luke 24.33 34.36 1 Cor. 16.1.2 Mat. 18.20 Ex. 25.21 22. Isai 66.11 John 15.4 5 6. Heb. 4.9 Revel 14.13 and sucking the brests of consolation in all his gracious promises so receiving the sweet juyce and sappe of the life of grace to nourish us in this time of trouble to that Kingdom of glory that eternall Sabbath of rest and peace for ever Quest 48. What is the principall motive or moving cause to stir up and draw the heart of a child of God and your soule in particular to desire and labour in all sincerity and faithfullnesse to glorifie God in a full obedience to every duty commanded and in a full avoyding of every sinne forbidden in these foure Commandemmts or first Table of the Law of God Ans The free love of God in Christ to my soule John 3.16 in the free gift of his onely begotten Sonne and the free love of God the Sonne John 10.15 the Lord Christ himselfe in giving himself and laying down his Life for mee 1 Cor. 5.14 15. to reconcile mee to God and to procure for mee grace and glory this doth constraine mee with a kind of holy and sweet violence or rather powerfull attractive or loadstone of love to love my God againe and to declare my love in a loving Isai 16.9 Psal 119.6 ready willing faithfull and cheerfull obedience yea sincere desire and endevour to fullfill every one of the
Commandements of my Heavenly Father and so these foure first Commandements or first Table of the Law of God Psal 119.101.128 and to refrain from every sinwhatsoever Quest 49. What is the finall cause or chiefe ends at which your soule doth or ought to aime at in this your obedience Ans The prime and chiefe end is the glorifying of God 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 5.10 11 12. my God and Father in Christ And the next the Declaration of my love and thankfulnesse to the Lord my God and to shew forth his praises who called me out of darknesse to light and hath freely given me life eternall and everlasting salvation in Christ Jesus The Thirty two Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have profitably and plainely endevoured to declare the duties commaded and the sinnes forbidden in the first Table of the Law of God and held them forth as a light to the feete of Gods Saints by the helpe of the spirit of Christ And in the performance of our Duties and Declaration of our more immediate love unto our God in Christ Now what I pray you do you call the second Table of the Law of God and what are the Commandemtnts comprehended in this second Table what light from Christ to teach this Ans This second Table is that which holdeth forth rules for the manifestation of our love to our Neighbour Mat. â—2 38 39 40. in and for God as our selves and these Rules are comprehended in the six last Commandements of the Decalogue or ten words of Gods Minde to his people Ex. 34.28 Quest 2. What then you doe conceive to be the generall duties of this second Taeble of the Law Ans That which the Lord Christ and the spirit of Christ in the Prophets Mat. 22.39 Levit. 19.18 Rom. 13.8 9. and Apostles holdeth forth unto us namely to love our Neighbour as our selves Quest 3. What is the sinne contrary to this duty of loving our Neighbour as our selves Ans Not to do as we would be done be done by Mat. 7.12 Levit. 19.17 18. Isai 58.7 or instead of love to hate our Neighbour and to hide our selves from our own flesh Quest 4. You say the Lord requireth that we should love our Neighbours as our selves Therefore it seemeth to mee that the Lord requireth his child to love himselfe Now what is this love of a mans selfe according to which hee ought to love his Neighhour Ans Certainly the Lord doth require that a man should in a right manner love himselfe Mâ—t. 22 37 38 39. Phâ—l 2.12 Eph. 5.29 and this love of a man towards himselfe is that love wherewith a Believer should in and for and after God love his owne soule and body in seeking the temporall and eternall good of both for Gods glory and his owne eternall happinesse and salvation Quest 5. What are sinnes contrary to this true and right ordered love of a Man or Womans selfe Ans There are diverse sins contrary to a right and true love of a mans self first a perverse and wicked hatred of Mans selfe Acts 18.6 either of a Mans soule and body by an obstinate rejecting of grace and meanes of grace or willfull Rebellion against God or hatred of his body and life by a Mans desperate rejecting and refusing the meanes of preserving the body and health and life of it or by a desparate destroying of the body and life by any meanes whatsoever An example of this I have seen in divers who in strength and violence of Satans temptations or a kinde of frensie and braine distemper have utterly rejected meanes of comfort some for the soule some for the body some for both as Francis Spira did in Germany after his fall from the Gospell History of Francis Spirra to subscribe to Popery continuing in that sad condition to the day of his death I say nothing of Ahitophel and Iudas 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.5 who wickedly destroyed themselves contrary to the sixt Commandement of which I shall speak in its place Quest 6. What is a second sinne contrary to the true love of a mans selfe Ans Philauty or corrupt and inordinate love of a mans selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either above God which is a wicked Idolatrous love making an Idoll of a mans selfe and setting up an Idoll in his heart and preferring that above God 2 Tim. 3.2 Or to be so inebriated and drunk with selfe love as to admire onely himselfe and turne his affections of love wholy into himselfe as that Misanthropâ—s who hated every man but himselfe â— Cor. 4.14 Thirdly to love a mans selfe from and for himselfe not from and for God in Christ or from Christ Quest 7. But may there not be a good and holy hatred of a mans selfe Ans We must distinguish of a mans selfe there is a threeford selfe First a mans soule and body or person consisting of both considered in themselves as Gods creatures 1 Thess 5.23 Secondly the old Adam in a mans selfe or the corruption of soule and body by sinne Rom. 6.6 either originall or actuall that Law or power of corruption in our members rebelling against the Law of our minds or Thirdly a mans spirituall selfe or the new Adam and image of Christ in the soule the regenerate part Galat. 5.14 the spirit that fighteth against the flesh Now to hate the first of these selfe our soule or body or person is against nature Ephes 5.29 no man ought to hate himselfe though he may loose himselfe for Christ which is love and no hatred And to hate the third the selfe of grace or grace of Christ in a mans selfe The life of grace in us this is against grace this self must be loved and cherished by all means in and through Christ But for the second selfe spoken of namely our corrupt old Adam in us our body of sinne Coloss 3.5 This ought to be hated as the enemy of the well being both of soule and bodie for ever Job 42.6 as Iob abhorred himself and Paul chastised his body and the converted People of God loathed themselves as they were loathsome to God in their sinnefull corruption Ezek. 36.31 Quest 8. You have satisfied mee in this question how a man ought to love and not to love himselfe now what say you in generall of the love of our Neighbour before we come to the Commandements in particular Ans I have described that in generall before That we must love our neighbour in God and for God as our selves Quest 9. Who is our Neighbour towards whom we ought to exercise our Christian love and Charity Ans All that stand in neede of our helpe or love whether they be our own kindred or strangers Luk. 10.36 37. 1 Tim. 5.8 Mat. 5.48 Prov. 25.21 Galat. 6.10 yea our very enemies and especially the household of faith but
the servants and apprentices Titus 2.9 is to be well pleasing to seek to please their Masters and Mistresses Gen. 13.8 and fellow servants in all lawfull and good things as Brethren and Sisters Gen. 24.33 34 35. Gen. 24.37 41. and keep quietnesse in the Family and to performe their Covenants to and with their Masters and Mistresss es when they are with them and to Respect them as their Fathers and late Antient a Masters when they are freemen and departed from them yet then to have an honourable respect of them as is comely in the Lord. Question 24. You have manifested the duties of Servants and Apprentices towards their Masters and Mistresses now declare I pray you what light the Lord Christ hath held forth in Scripture to discover the sinnes of servants and Apprentices contrary to these duties Answ The Scripture and Christ in the Scripture revealeth divers sins of servants and Apprentices as First the Servants and Apprentices doe sinne in not loving and honouring their Masters and Mistresses 1 Tim. 6.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 13.7 or in any way hating of them despising dishonouring or discrediting of them especially refusing or not receiving Instruction Pro. 13.18 Psal 50.17 but hating it from Masters and Mistresses or in not submitting to be Catechized by them in the truth of Christ and their duties Prov. 15.32 according to the word of God and that light their Masters and Mistresses have received from Christ Jesus If Abrahams duty be to Catechize his Family and command them to know the Lord and his will Gen. 18.18 19. Matt. 8.8 9. Job 19.16 Mâ—tt 24.48 49.50 c. Ephes 6. With good wâ—ll doe service as to the Lord not men 1 Cor. 15.33 Judg. 5 9 Titus 2 9. 2 Cor. 9 7. Matt. 25.26 Rom. 11.12 Prov. 10.4 Prov. 12.24 Prov. 18 9 Prov. 6.6 Prov. 10.26 Jerem. 23.24 Titus 2.10 Luke 16.1.2 8. Zacâ—ar 5.4 Ephes 4.28 Ephes 6.5.6 John 8.44 Psal 101.7 Levit. 19.11 Coloss 3.9 2 Sam. 16.3 2 Sam. 19 27. Jere. 17.9 Revel 2.23 Revel 21.8 Revel 22.15 Acts 5.31 then the servants and apprentices duty is to learn and submit to be Catechized and Instructed by them and the contrary is sinne in any whosoever Secondly it is a sinne in servants and apprentices to be rebellious or disobedient to the just commands of their Masters or Mistresses or to do their commands and directions unwillingly and grudgingly or with murmurings and repining with denyings or evill words which câ—rrupt good manners and manifeâ—â— their disobedience which is sinne as contrary to the Rule of Christ by the Apostle God cannot abide unwilling or grudging service Thirdly servants and apprentices sinne in being idle carelesse sluggards negligent or sloathfull to do service or to performe the will direction and lawâ—ull orders of their Masters and Mistresses without diligence and faithfull endevotr in absence as well as presence of Superiors Fourthly servants and apprentices sinne in doing their service unfaithfully and unâ—ustly when they purloine rob and steale from their Masters or Mistresses when they waste or mispend their Masters goods or embezell them any manner of way Fifthly the servants and apprentices sinne in not serving their Masters in sincerity and truth in word or deed but with lying fraud and deceit a servant must not tell his Master an untruth he must not lie for or against his Masters profit but speake truth as knowing that the Lord knoweth the heart least with lying Gehezi hee get the curse of a Leprosie to his shame and hell for his portion except God give graces of faith and Repentance in Christ Jesus Sixthly Malac. 1.6 the servants sinne in not keeping all their Masters counsells and secrets which ought not to be revealed or in dishonouring or seeking the discredit of their Masters or Mistresses 1 Pet. 2.18 19. or their disprofit contrary to the true and lawfull trust reposed in them and not subjecting to fit correction if they faile in duty Seventhly Titus 2.9 Ch istian example Rom. 15.1 2 3. Rom. 1.30 31. Hester 2.7.20 Hester 8.1 the servants and apprentices sinne in not endevouring to please but wilfully or carelessely displeasing them nor performing their covenants with their Masters while they are with them not honouring them when they are departed from them as good servants ought to honour those who have nourished taught and respected them as good and wise Masters ought to respect servants and apprentices and as children their foster Parents to honour them when they are from them as Queene Hester did to Mordecai Quest 25. You have given a light for servants and apprentices to see their duties and their sinnes and failings now what light have you from Christ to reveale how servants and apprentices may get not onely assurance of pardon for their sinnes but wisdome and power to performe these duties and avoid these sinnes and failings that so they may walke comfortably with Christ in their callings and course of their lives Ans Onely in and by Christ who is made unto us of God Wisedome 1 Cor. 1.30 and Righteousnesse and sanctification and Redemption Therefore Servants and apprentices must seeke unto and waite upon Christ in the Gospell as to the fountaine opened to the house of David for sinne Zâ—ch 13.1 1 Iohn 1.7 and for uncleannesse that by his Bloud they may be cleansed from all sinne Secondly they must seeke to Christ as to the Tree of life in the middest of the Paradise of God that beareth fruit every month Revel 2.22 and the leaves are good to heal the nations with Seek to Christ for health of soule and life power to strengthen and quicken them with wisdome and strength of grace to performe their duties Thirdly Gen. 24.12 26.27 servants and apprentices they must imitate that Religious practize of Abrahams faithfull servant John 16.23 pray to God to blesse their endeavours as he did O Lord God of my Master Abraham I pray thee send me good speed this day thus seeking in the name of Christ they shall finde a blessing to their comfort Quest 26. But what if in all these meanes and performances of duties on each part Husbands cannot find good Wives nor Wives finde good Husbands Parents not finde good children or children good Parents Masters not finde good servants nor servants although they performe their duties cannot find good masters what is the duty of each one in such condition Ans The Husband is to pray for his Wife and the Wife for her Husband the Parents are to seeke the Lord for their children and the children for their Parents the Masters for their servants and the servants for their Masters and to use all good meanes that in and by Christ their hearts may be changed their corruptions mortified Luke 9.23 and their infirmities healed and to beare their crosse Heb. 12.2 and endure the affliction with patience looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of
love and respect to the Ministers and Ambassadors of Christ as to harbour in their breasts much lesse to publish with their mouths such a prophane and irreligious an opinion but that a brother may erre and I have heard men of the same opinion my selfe and once had a paper in writing delivered unto mee before divers witnesses declaring the very same opinion in substance the writing I have yet in my Study to shew but this little volum is now growne so big In S. P. L. or meeting place that I cannot stand to prove the Divine right of Ministers maintenance so fully as it may be proved by infailible grounds of holy Scriptures and in particular from those places noted before Quest 32. But howsoever some Separatists have erred so far as to deny any Divine Right of Ministers maintenance Cor. 9.15 yet others more moderate acknowledge an Ordinance of Christ for it although they deny Tithes to be payd by Divine Right in the Gospell declare I pray you in briefe what you conceive may bee said for satisfaction herein Ans First for Divine right of Tithes as of old to be paid now in kinde of every increase by Divine right Levit. 19.30 31 32. I refer the Reader to those Bookes of learned men who have writ of this subject at large In particular to Doctor Willets Synopsis Papismi Carleton to Sir Iames Temple M. Slater and divers other which doe out of Scripture and learned Authors doe confirme the Divine right further then I could yet ever see any appearance of satisfaction in answer to the conscience of true Christians Gen. 14.15 Gen. 28.22 But in briefe for the Lords inheritance of Tithes or of a part of increase reserved to himselfe and manifested in Scripture long before Levi was borne howsoever Leviticall Tithes which were a Leviticall and ceremoniall Ordinance may seeme to be abolished by that place of this Apostle Eph. 2.15 Christ having abolished the Law of Commandements contained in Ordinances compared with that Deut. 12.5.6 and Deut. 14.22.23 Where the Lord ordaineth that they should pay Tithe of all their increase yeare by yeare and bring it up to the place which the Lord should choose and eate it there before the Lord which Tithe was Leviticall and so abolished and not needfull now Secondly if any man will consider that there was not onely that Tithe but a second Tithe to be tithed every third yeare for the poore as you may reade Deut. 26.12 called in this respect the yeare of tything to be eaten at home within their gates for widowes and Fatherlesse and the rest and this tenth though not required now as then yet the poore is not to be forgotten for ever Thirdly if you consider that besides these Leviticall tithes there was a third kinde of tith which was first in command Josephus li. Antiquit. 4. cap. 8. and which the Lord challengeth a speciall right in as a reserved part for his service to be disposed of at his pleasure and which hee gave to his Ministers for an inheritance as for their service for them and their househoulds to eate as a reward for their service as you may reade Numb 18.20.21.31 And of this third tithes as reward for Minisâ—ers labour I finde no colour nor ground of abolishment in the new Testament But rather a confirmation by Christ that they ought to be paid or that which is answerable to them for the maintenance of Christs Ministers for although Aaron be dead yet Melchisedeck in his Antitype Christ or Christ in his Ministers is still alive to receive the Lords portion to the end of the World as St. Paul declares Heb. 7.8 And as that learned Knight Sir James Semple proves evidently a Book I never yet saw answered by any man But to evidence this in a few words consider First that what reason the Lord giveth for the bestowing of this speciall tenth upon Levi his Ministers who expounded the Word of God and gave the sence of it to teach Gods people Nehe. 8.8 namely for a wages and reward for their labour and service as is evident in Numbers 18.21 and in other places the very same reason Our Saviour Christ giveth wherefore his Apostles and Ministers should bee maintained and have a comfortable livelyhood for their labour in Preaching of the Gospell as a reward for their labour by Christs appointment for the labourer is worthy of his reward saith Christ and so the Greeke word signifieth Luke 10.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Apostle St. Paul giveth the same reason and ground for the honorable maintenance of the Ministers of Christ in that 1 Tim. 5.17.18 and concludes the point that Ministers maintenance is an ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 9.14 And therfore certainly seeing the Lord Christ giveth the same ground for his Ministers maintenance in the new Testament as he did for this speciall first tithe for his Ministers maintenance in the old Testament The payment of this speciall tithe being commanded in the old Testament and nowhere forbidden in the new Testament the payment of this tithe for maintenance of Christ Ministers can never be proved to be unlawfull and therefore may lawfully be paid as a reward of Ministers labour or a due answerable in consideration thereof for Ministers maintenance without any scruple of conscience Malac. 3.8 9. and much more when it is confirmed by the Christian Magistrate Thus have I endeavored in briefe to satisfie your desire and herein to hold forth the duty of people to their Pastors and Teachers in the Churches of Christ to pay that honorable maintenance due by Christs Ordinance unto them Quest 33. Now you have declared their duties I pray you what are the sinnes of people and congregations contrary to these duties Ans The sins of the people are divers I will name them in brief First for a peple or congregation not to embrace a Minister sent of Christ rightly called Mat. 10.14 15. and approved by themselves and others in authority by Christ in his Church 1 Thess 5.12 and inabled by Christ and his spirit with gifts fit for the Ministeriall office and not to acknowledge him as over them in the Lord is sinne Secondly 1 Kings 22 8. Luk. 10.16 Gala. 4.16 John 15.18 19. 1 Cor. 16.22 for any to hate the Ministers of Christ or any of them for their worke sake especially or to disteeme or dishonour them or be enemies is a greivous sin and an evidence such a man or woman loveth not the Lord Jesus is subject to be cursed with the great curse Anathema Maranatha Thirdly 2 Chron. 36.16 17. 2 Kings 2.23 24. 1 Kings 13 Psal 105. for any man woman or child to make scorne taunt or any other wayes to abuse the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ is a fearfull sinne which brings Gods judgements upon such men weomen or children Fourthly for any to disobey Deut. 17.12 Hosea 4.4 Acts 5.39 Acts
in Jesus Christ who is our peace-maker and whose rest is glorious 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly as a sanctifyer and nourisher in grace by his spirit of faith and preserver to glory that receiving dayly refreshing nourishment from Christ by meeting Christ in his Ordinances Mat. 18.20 John 15.5 2 Pet. 3.18 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. wee may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and by his power be kept through Faith unto salvation The Thirty three Classis or company of Questions The second Section Question 1. YOu have opened the fift Commandement at large both in the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden with the use and application as by a light from Christ to leade us unto Christ both as a justifyer and a sanctifyer to enable us to walke comfortably with Christ in the course of our lives Now I pray you tell mee in briefe what are the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the sixt commandement Thou shalt not kill Ans This Commandement is negative as are the rest that follow Gen. 9.6 and this sixt Commandement God gave for preservation of the life of man as being Gods owne Image as hee did the seventh commandement for preservation of a holy seed Malac. 2.15 The eight coÌ„mandement for preservation of mens estated and that propriety which God hath given to men in their owne children or any thing else as goods Deut. 22.1 2 3. Psal 15.3 and the ninth Commandement was given for preservation of a man or womans good name and the Tenth to keepe the very heart and desires of the soule in a right order to the glory of God and the good of our Neighbour But in every one of these negative commandements the affirmative duties are required and a walking according to that rule of righteousnesse which God planted at first in man and woman when hee created them in his owne Image I will therefore first hold forth the duty and then the sinnes forbidden and some use of them In this sixt Commandement Thou shalt not kill or Thâ—u shalt doe no murther Prov. 4.23 In the affimaitive part the Lord requireth of every man woman or child to be carefull to preserve his or her owne life of soule and body Gen. 1.27 Mat. 4.6 7 Prov. 24.11 Job 29.12 and the life of his or her Father Mother Husband Wife Brother Sister Neighbour or of any Man Woman Job 29.13 Acts 19.30 31. Deut. 20.19 20. 2 Pet. 1.7 1 Sam. 15.2 3. 1 Pet. 3.8 9. Coloss 3.3 1 John 3.15 Eph. 4.27 Deur 30.35 Mat. 10.28 Rom. 3.15 16 17. or Child in the world by all lawfull and good meanes in heart word and deed in love meekenesse long-suffering and to avoide all occasion of murder lying in waite to destroy or the unlawfull destroying the life of any of whatsoever degree or condition they or any of them may be all malice hatred envy rash anger disdaine evill words or actions especially old grudges and drunkennesse all occasion of murders and forgtefulnesse of Gods presence or want of feare of offending the great God and sinning against Christ Jesus Quest 2. You havâ— held forth the duties in generall with divers particular meanes to preserve life and occasions of taking life away to be avoyded Now what are the contrary sinnes to bee avoided in generall or particular as briefe as you can Ans All selfe-murder of soule Gens 4.6 7 c. or body or any unlawfull killing of any of mankind much more of Husband Prov. 18.19 Wife Father Mother Brother Sister Neighbour or any other and all means and occasion of soule killing or unlawfull taking away the life of any Levit. 19.17 is a sinne Mat. 5.22 Prov. 17.19 James 1.20 Mat. 5.21 c. Acts 5.31 as all hatred malice rash anger envie contempt emulation strife contentions and heartrisings wrath especially amongst brethren want of brotherly love or uncharitablenesse in any respect in thought word or deed especially evill reviling words giving the lie or any other provocations of quarrells all unlawfull duells or other occasions whatsoever all being a degree of murder Therefore is necessity to seek to Christ for Repentance and Remission of sins Quest 3. Now wee have heard the duties of the sixt what are the duties of the seventh Commandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery 2 Tim. 2.22 Heb. 13.4 Mat. 5.28 Job 31.1 1 Thess 4.2 3 4. Ephes 5.3 4. 5. Eph. 5.25 to 33. Answ The Lord requireth all true chastity both in the married and single estate both in minde and in body both inward holinesse and chastity of the heart and affections and outward holinesse and chastity of the Eyes Eares Tongue and whole man every one walking as Christians and as knowing how to possesse his vessell in holinesse and honour And waiting on Christ in use of all good meanes to prevent sinne in this as in other temptations the husband resting satisfyed with the love of his own Wife Prov. 5.18.19 and the Wife of her own Husband delighting in each others love constantly in the Lord. Quest 4. Now you have shewed the duty declare what are the sinnes contrary to this duly both in the single and in the Married estate and first in the single estate Ans All unchaste corrupt lusts of the heart Gen. 6.2 1 John 2.16 1 Pet. 2.11 Jam. 1.14.15 Gens 38.18 Gen. 39.9 2 Sam. 11.2 3 4. Jer. 5.7 Prov. 7.22 c. Isai 5.11 12. 1 Cor. 7.9 Levit. 20. â—0 Malac. 2.14 15 16. or lust of the eyes and all selfe pollution by speculative wantonnesse or wicked imaginations defiling the soule and all fornication or adultery in act or any meanes or occasions thereunto in heart word or deeds active or passive provoking God to anger and all keeping company with Harlots or mispending time in idlenesse drunkennesse or any manner of sin whatsoever Quest 5. What are the sins in the maried estate Answ Besides that all those sinnes noted in the single estate are sinnes likewise in the married all breach of wedlock or conjugall fidelity and promise made betweene man and wife either in thought Lev. 18.18 Mat. 19.9 Heb. 13.4 1 Cor 5.1 Mark 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 7.2 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Levit. 18.19 20. Levit. 20.18 Ezek. 18.6 Ezek. 16.49 Rom. 13.13 14. Eph. 5.5 6. Levit. 19.29 Deut. 23.17 18. Gens 34.25.31 Heb. 13.4 Reve. 21.8 word or deede and all Polygamy and also all unlawfull divorce or separation all whoredome adultery incest or any such wickednesse whatsoever all denyall of due benevolence which may occasion breach or decay of love or sinne otherwise all effeminatenesse and immodest immoderate or unseasonable use of the marriage-bed in times prohibited by the Law of nature of God or of lawfull consent betweene themselves all pampering of the flesh or surfeting and drunkennesse to nourish unlawful lusts and all force and rashnes all impudent behaviour or prostitution of
a comfortable walking with God in Christ in the whole course of our lives or for terrour of wicked and ungodly men Answ First for wicked and ungodly men out of Christ 2 Tim. 3.5 Mat. 5.20 Phil. 3.5 6 7. this declares their damnable condition be they never so civilly righteous or formally and outwardly because the very sinnefull thoughts and lusts and imaginations of their hearts Gen. 6.5 6 Gen 7. are enough to drowne them in the bottomlesse Sea of Gods wrath for ever as the wicked of the old World were drowned in the floud of waters Mark 9.44 yea to drowne them in a Sea of fire in hell where the Worme never dieth and the fire never goeth out Iohn 6.44 45. except God in time open their eyes to see their misery and not onely reveale but draw them to Christ that they may believe and repent and bee saved Secondly for Gods children who are Christ's and in Christ Rom. 7.7 Rom. 7.23 24 25. this by light from Christ may bee a glasse to see their many failings even in their thoughts Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. and teach them first to love and prize Christ more who hath freed them from condemnation and curse of this Law Christ himselfe being made a curse for them that they might be blessed secondly to presse dayly to meet Christ in his ordinances publike Mat. 18.20 and secret and that by his strength their hearts may be more and more purified in believing Acts 15.5 and that by Christs vertue this Law may be written in their hearts Isai 61.3 that they bring forth and abound in all fruits of Righteousnesse that God may be glorified by their walking as a people in covenant with God in Christ Jesus Quest 16. You have declared what a Christian should doe and what use to make of this Rule of a Christian life in respect of his failings and inability to keept this Law But what if the child of God finde himselfe inabled by Christ evangelically to walke after the commandements so as hee believes as his person Gen. 4.1 2 3 4. Heb. 11.4 so his actions and services and performances are accepted with God in Christ how now ought a Christian to behave himselfe Ans To rejoyce in all thankfulnesse in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 2.12 Phil. 4.4.13 1 Tim. 1.12 13 14. that hee is enabled by Christ in any measure to obey his Fathers will and to walke in those steps of holinesse wherin Christ walked in any the least degree in sincerity Isai 26.8.9 and endevour though not in perfection 2 Cor. 12.9 1 Cor. 4.4 Luke 17.9 1â— Titus 3.5 6.7 1 Cor. 1.30 Isai 11.10 Coloss 1.2 2 Pet. 3.18 19. But yet not to rest on our selves or in any or all his duties services or performances for justification before God or peace of conscience but to eye Christ in all as a justifyer and a sanctifyer and to rest in Christ as his peacemaker whose rest is a glorious rest dayly waiting on and seeking unto Christ for vertue and power to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in faith and holinesse praising God in all good workes of piety and charity Galat. 6.16 and by dayly light from Christ walking comfortably with Christ and all the Saints in grace according to Christs Rule untill hee or shee shall be translated to enjoy that full Communion with all the Saints yea with God the Father Sonne and blessed Spirt in Glory for ever Quest 17. Is there any further directory or light Christ for the attaining of power from Christ for this end both in my generall calling as a christian and in my speciall calling and particular relation wherein it hath pleased God to place mee Ans Certainly the best directory is to waite upon the Lord Jesus Christ who is both the way the truth and the life both for direction and power and this dayly as in private Reading Meditation Prayer and Christian conference and Chatechiseing or building up one another in our most holy faith improving our Christian Communion and society to this end for Gods glory and good edification one of another so in the publike ordinance of Christ as oft as may bee in the Preaching of the Word the administration of the Sacraments godly discipline and Prayer that all meanes may bee effectuall in and by Christs vertue to our soules for Gods glory and the good of Gods Church and children Iohn 14.6 Iohn 5.39 Coloss 3.16 as 1 Tim. 4.31 Iude. 2.15 Quest 17. What is the chiefe end of all Ans In all these the glory of God and Kingdome of the Lord Jesus is to be set up both in our hearts and lives untill wee come to Christs Kingdome of glory in the Heavens for ever And in these there are also many doubts questions and cases of conscience to bee resolved which may bee resolved in time if the Lord permit 1 Cor. 16.7 Quest 18. I shall desire the resolution but of a very few questions more and study to declare my thankefullnesse to God and you for what J am instructed in already What I pray you is the best directory for Prayer and Thanksgiving to God that J may receive all graces needfull from God in Christ and abilities to glorifie my God in every state and condition of life into which it shall please the Lord to call mee what light from Christ for this grace Ans First for the matter of Prayer in generall the Directory is that briefe forme which our Saviour himselfe taught his Disciples as it is recorded by the blessed Evangelist Mat. 6. and the 9.10 11 12 13. verses and in these words according to our English translation After this manner pray yee Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed by thy Name thy Kingdome come thy will bee done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our dayly Bread and forgive us our debts as wee forgive our debtors and leade us not into temptation but deliver us from evill for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory for ever Amen Quest 19. Js this sufficient direction for matter of Prayer Ans Yes certainly if the severall petitions in the Lords Prayer be rightly understood here is an excellent direction for a Christian to ground First his confession of sinne to God Secondly his petition for graces wanting And thirdly thanksgiving for grace received and to make his requests knowne to God upon all occasions both for attaining of good and avoyding of evill according to the Apostles direction Phil. 4.6 7. Quest 20. But doe you thinke that the repeating or saying of this or other Prayers as commonly people have used to doe to bee a sufficient manner of Prayer unto God Ans Certainely Prayer is not only a speaking of words with the mouth 1 Sam. 1.15 but a powering out of the heart and soule to God Zach. 12.10 and that by the strength
assistance of the spirit of Prayer and this rightly Rom. 8.26 in a right manner in the name of Christ and to a right end otherwise our Prayers are not right nor acceptable before God nor can we expect to be heard at Gods hand when we call upon him in Prayer Quest 21. J see then that a bare forme of Prayer is not sufficient to rest in but I must have the spirit of God inabling of mee to pray with the spirit or inner man as well as with the mouth and my soule must bee disposed in a right manner in Prayer and enabled by the Spirit of Christ but what graces are requisite in this dutie Ans Faith Repentance Humility Devotion See Classis 30. 2 Sect. in 2 Commandement pag. 502. 503 504. Zeale Fervency Perseverance and such like Graces and all in the name of Christ else all is nothing And therefore hee or shee prayeth best who hath the spirit of Prayer and can powre out his or her heart and soule to God in Prayer as Jacob and Hannab and other Saints of God have done and have beene heard in their Prayers with a gratious returne 1 Cor. 14.15 Iames 1.6 Isa 1.15 16. Acts. 10.2 Hosea 12.4 James 5.16 Psal 51.17 Iere. 50.4 5. 1 Thess 5.17 John 16.23 Quest 22. But how shall a man get the spirit of Prayer and ability to powre out his soule to God Ans I answer you must not rest in your Prayers nor in any duty you performe to God as if that did satisfie the Lord for your sins or meritoriously procured your peace with God but you must rest on Christ both for your acceptation of your selfe and your prayers upon the Golden Altar with the incense of Christs merits Revel 8.3.4 Quest 23. In what else must J wait for the spirit Ans Secondly you must waite upon God in Christ in all the meanes of grace till hee powre out the spirit of Prayer into your heart and soule that you may cry Abba Father and be heard as a child of God in Christ Gal. 4.6 Quest 24. What further direction can you give Ans Thirdly and lastly for your better enablement to expresse the desires and groans of your soule to the Lord aske your soule but these or the like foure questions to this or the like effect as speaking to your selfe Quest 25. What is the first Ans First Oh my soule to whom or to what glorious Majesty oughtest thou to direct thy Prayers at Morning or Evening or Noone day or whensoever in publike or private or secret thou desirest to gaine a blessing from the highest Heavens Psal 55.17 Quest 26. What shall I answer to this demand Ans Let thy soule answer and it will tell thee it is to the most high God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth the searcher of all hearts and the hearer of Prayer presented to him in the name and by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps 38.13 Psal 65.2 Psal 77.1 Iohn 16.23 Quest 27. What directions Ans Endeavour in all fear and humility to begin thy Prayer with the best expressions of the most glorious Name Nature Persons Properties of this great and glorious Lord God with the acknowledgement of his Truth Power and Majesty in his Words and Workes held forth in Scripture and of thy unworthinesse which may affect thy heart by the helpe of Christs Spirit with a right temper to powre out thy soule to God in Prayer 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Chron. 30.18.19 Ezra 9.6 Nehe. 9.32 and this in the best words thou canst but chiefly have regard to thy heart which the Lord hath a speciall eye unto And so begin thy Prayer as Exod. 15.11 12.13 Exodus 34.6 7. 1 Kings 8.23.27 or in the like manner Quest 28. What is second question Answ Secondly aske thy soule a second question to this or the like effect Oh! my soule Ezra 9.5 6 7. Prov. 28.13 Dan. 9.4.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. wherein hast thou offended this great God to whom thou desirest to lift up thy selfe in Prayer that thou mayst acknowledge thine offences and seeke for further assurance of pardon before thou beg any other favour at the Lords hand as 2 Chron. 6.36 Quest 29. What direction here Ans Let thy soule first looke into the glasse of thy owne conscience Rom. 2.14 15. Acts 24.16 Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.19 20.36 1 Iohn 3.23 Rom. 7.18 19 20. and secondly into the glasse of the Word of God both the commanding and promising part both Law and Gospell and finde out thy sinnes and accuse and condemne thy selfe for thy ingratitude for so many former mercies yea confesse and labour to be humble for thy fall in Adam for thy originall and actuall transgressions in state of nature but especially thy unthankefulnesse in dayes of grace Ephes 4.30 either in thought word or deede wereby thou hast grieved the spirit of God by whom thou art sealed to the day of Redemption and this in as good words as God makes thee able As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.17 and with the exercise of all those graces the Lord hath given thee to this end thou hast here a large field to powre out thy soule to God in if thou canst finde out thy manifold sinnes against God or the sinnes of others which thou desirest to confesse and bewaile before God thy Lord as Daniel and other Saints have done Daniel 9.7 8 9 10 11. Quest 30. What is the third question Ans Thirdly aske thy soule a third question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what dost thou want or what is thy request and the desire of thy heart to obtaine at the hands of thy God and loving Father in Christ Quest 31. And what wants may I expresse Ans Thy soule will tell thee thou wantest in the first place the assurance or more full assurance of the forgivenesse of all thy sinnes and of Gods free grace and love unto thee in the Lord Jesus thou wantest many favours from God for thy body for thy soule for this for a better life for thy wife thy husband for Parents children servants kindred accquaintance thy Neighbours thy friends thy enemies for the Kings Majesty for the Parliament the Kingdom the City and Country for Peace and Truth and a happy union and communion one with another and with the whole Church of Christ and here expresse thy minde as well as thou canst by the power of Christ the Lord careth not so much for fine words as for an honest sincere contrite heart sanctifyed by the spirit of Christ Isai 66.2 Quest 32 What is the fourth question Ans Lastly aske thy soule a fourth question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what hast thou received from this great and good God for which thou art bond to render him thankes and praise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Quest 33. What rule is there to finde this out Ans Let thy soule call to minde all or as many as thou canst of those unspeakable favours the Lord hath bestowed upon thee reckon them up imparticular out of the catalogue of Gods mercies both upon thy owne soule in particular and the Church in generall to thy selfe to thine to the people of God and what a sea of mercy mayst thou swim in and enlarge thy thankfulnesse above all for Gods free love in the Lord Jesus as Psalme 116.12 13. Quest 34. But did you ever know any man thus learne to pray Ans Yes did I know a Christian who could reade never a word upon the Booke and yet after hee had received these directions puting them carefully and constantly in practise in a secret place before God the onely searcher of hearts and the Teacher of the ignorant hee did in a short time attaine an excellent habit in Prayer and was inabled to pray dayly in his Family in a sweet comfortable manner and assuredly the Lord is the same God still to all his children in Christ and will be so to all who diligently waite on him in the use of the meanes I conclude with the Apostle now to him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you blamelesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24.25 to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS COurteous Reader there are some few Errata which the ingenuous may easily find and amend with their Pen.