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

God exercised patience and did not presently punish the wicked man did he not hereupon imagine the Lord was altogether such an one as himself and because he loved his sin that God did not so much hate it And does it not follow Consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver Psal 50. 21 22. And may you not read in another place A brutish man knoweth not neither doth a fool understand this when the wicked spring as the grass and all the workers of iniquity flourish it is that they shall be destroyed for ever Psal 92. 6 7. A. You can talk to me of nothing but Destruction and that for ever Q. 8. Do I talk of Destruction to thee to any other end but to prevent thy being destroyed But pray let me ask thee Dost thou not believe that thou must die A. Yes and I am for a merry Life because I know not how short it may be Q. 9 But what is like to become of thy Soul after Death A. I never spake with any that came from the other World you talk of to inform me where the Souls of men do go Q. 10. Dost thou not believe the word of the God of Truth and what he says concerning the worth of thy Soul which thou so little mindest the irreparableness of its loss and what he tells thee concerning Hells Terrour and Heavens Glory A. I am certain of what is perceivable by my Senses therefore I pursue the good which my Senses are taken with and fly from the evil which distastes and dislikes them But as for things invisible as matters of Faith are I regard them not Q. 11. To mind only the things of sense is it not to play the bruit Dost thou not think thou art capable of an higher happiness and of greater misery than the beasts A. I must confess that if Souls at last should prove immortal and be found so precious and the things revealed in the Scriptures should be indeed realities I and such as I should be but in an ill case Q. 12. If there were but a probability of the Scriptures being the word of God and consequently the word of truth would it not be agreeable to prudence and right reason to be less concerned about things temporal and more about things that are Eternal But how much more when there is so great a certainty A. That certainty is not apparent unto me Q. 13. Was not the Gospel confirmed by the Miracles which Christ wrought and which he enabled his Apostles to work also And our Lord pretending to work Miracles and that openly if he had not indeed wrought them would his Doctrine have been at all received Would not he and his Doctrine have been derided especially since 't is so contrary to corrupt nature imposes such strict commands and requires self-denial and taking up the Cross also A. I must confess that the Gospel being so displeasing to mens fleshly and sensual inclinations would hardly have been embraced unless Christ who pretended to a power to do them had really done wonders to confirm the truth of it Q. 14. Besides Does not the Gospel shew it self to be of God by its effectual working at this day Does it not search the Heart and make the secrets of it manifest Does it not mortifie the strongest lusts does it not open the eyes of blind minds does it not change hearts that are hard as an Adamant and as foul as Hell into hearts clean and tender finally does it not raise them that are dead in sin and make them alive to God and to Righteousness A. I never felt this power of the Gospel which you speak of Q. 15. But have not many others A medicine that has cured multitudes dost thou not believe it a good one though thy self did never try it And let me further ask thee whether thou art now willing to feel this efficicacy of the Gospel A. It must be a powerful word indeed if it work upon such an heart as mine and turn such a Sinner such a Sot such a Devil incarnate into a Saint Q. 16. Is there any thing too hard for the Lord who is Almighty What gross sinners has his word been a means to convince and bring to Repentance A. Now my sinful delights and gains are represented to me as alluring and desirable and I cannot find in my heart to part with them Q. 17. The Rich man that lived in pleasure and fared sumptuously every day and was clothed in Purple which was the royal attire when he came to be tormented in Hell Flames did he then admire his former sensual happiness Nay did he not desire that his surviving Brethren might be warned not to take up with and be deceived still with such a poor felicity A. If I should change my course of life I should be derided and scorn'd and trampled on like dirt What Songs would my drunken Companions make of me Q. 18. Why should a man in his Wits be concerned to behold the mad Men in Bedlam laugh at him for his sober carriage And is it not better to break company with the wicked though they deride thee than to go along with them to that place of woe where their laughter will be at an end and end in eternal sorrow and mourning A. If I would be Religious I know not how to be so Q. 19. Art thou willing to be instructed Wilt thou cry to God for knowledge Wilt thou search into his Word where 't is to be found Wilt thou say to thy debauched Companions whether they laugh or chaff at thee Depart from me ye evil-doers for I will keep the commands of God A. All this you speak seems most truely for my good Q. 20. Wilt thou count that the time past of thy Life does more than suffice to have walked in lasciviousness lusts excess of Wine Revellings Banquettings and other abominable wickedness And wilt thou live the rest of thy time in the flesh to the will of God A. If I think seriously of Eternity I shall waste no more of my precious time of which perhaps there may be but very little remaining Q. 21. How hast thou been used to spend the Sabbath A. Alas that was a day always devoted to sins service in a special manner Upon other days I minded the work and business of my Calling but the Sabbath was wholly wasted in the works of wickedness I fear I have been guilty of more sin that day than upon all the six days of the Week besides Q 22. Is not thy sin exceedingly aggravated because then served most when God should have been served and worshipped Should it not trouble thee that none of thy time has yet been improved as it ought to have been but especially should it not afflict thee that Hallowed Time has been lavisht away most profanely A. This my way has been my folly and madness It were just with God speedily to put an end to

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

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

sin in them make satisfaction for the iniquities thou hast been guilty of Does not the Scripture say The Blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1. 7. And being justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him Rom. 5. 9. A. I thought not on Christs Blood neither know I how it comes to be of more worth than my own good prayers and doings Q. 26. Is not Christ God as well as Man And does not thinkest thou his Godhead put a greater worth and value upon his Sufferings and Blood which was shed upon the Cross for sin than is to be found in a sinners prayers and duties A. I do not very well apprehend this matter Q. 27. Is it not because thou dost not apprehend how great an evil sin is Did not the sin of Man strike so high as at God himself and to satisfie for it was it not necessary that the Son of God should humble himself and become Man and be obedient to the death of the Cross that he might make satisfaction and an atonement for this great evil A. I thought good duties and works had been of more worth than you make them Q. 28. Can either thou or thy duties be accepted any other way but in Christ the Beloved A. I see then I must do good duties without resting on them as if hereby I could deserve pardon And that forgiveness of sin is to be had by the Blood of Jesus who alone made satisfaction for iniquity Q. 29. Art thou willing now to attain to the saving knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent A. My Ignorance I perceive is dangerous I wish I were directed how to obtain sound and true knowledge Q. 30. Wilt thou allow time to get knowledge Wilt thou pray for wisdom VVilt thou attend upon the VVord preached VVilt thou study Catechisms and other good Books And above all Books wilt thou search the Bible that thou mayest be instructed A. Such counsel is very profitable and ought to be followed Q. 31. VVilt thou leave the Company of ignorant Fools since a companion of Fools shall be destroyed And wilt thou associate with them that are wise and godly that thou mayest become truly wise thy self A. I hope to receive much benefit by religious Company Q. 32. VVilt thou now keep holy the Sabbath day and come to the House of God with a design and desire that the Spirit may be given thee who can enlighten thy darkness and turn and change thy very heart A. O that God would forgive my iniquities and give to me his Holy Spirit to be my Guide Q. 33. Art thou willing presently to part with thy fleshly and worldly Lusts with thy most pleasing and gainful sins which hitherto have blinded thy mind and defiled thy Soul A. I now fully resolve upon all this which you have spoken to me about Q. 34. Dost thou not resolve in thy own strength Alas how weak art thou in thy self and if left to thy self how soon will all thy good purposes vanish A. The Lord strengthen me and give me an heart to know him so as to love and fear him and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind to the end of my days The Conscience of the gross notorious profane Sinner is thus to be dealt with that it may be startled Q. 1. Whither Oh whither art thou going VVhy dost thou make such speed in a pernicious way Does Eternal Damnation and Misery deserve all this pains and labour A. Talk not to me of damnation I have no fear of any such thing I live a gallant Life at present and trouble not my head about uncertainties hereafter Q. 2. Hadst thou never any checks of Conscience in thy vile and vicious courses A. Conscience has sometimes much disquieted me and was ready to spoil all the pleasure I took in sin but now that troublesom Devil is laid and I can sin without remorse with freedom and delight I can be very merry among my boon Companions and Ladies of pleasure My Sports and Pastimes make my days and nights too pass swiftly away and I am become a Stranger unto melancholy Q 3. How canst thou thus make a mock of sin why dost thou thus resemble the mad-man that casteth firebrands and arrows and death and yet sayest Am I not in sport Those Ladies of pleasure thou art so much taken with Do they not increase transgressours among men Is it not a sign of being abhorred of the Lord to fall into their hands Are not their hands as bands and their hearts as netts and snares will not the end be bitter as Wormwood and are not their houses the very Suburbs of Hell And as for thy boon Companions are they not incarnate Devils do they not entice thee to sin and endeavour to harden thee in it and continually further thee in the way to death and damnation A. My heart is proof and I can laugh at such talk as this speak of these things to silly Women or to Children to fright them or to Men that are childish I can enjoy my pleasures without the least check or fear and this does mightily increase them and makes them to be pleasures indeed Q 4. Does not this senslesness of heart argue thy condition more desperate who under such loads of guilt and wrath yet feelest and fearest nothing The Man that is sick of a Feaver and has lost the use of his understanding and says he is perfectly well and wonders they will not let him rise and go about his affairs and business does not this argue the disease more violent and dangerous and likely to prove more deadly A. You talk like a damn'd Fanatick 't will never be a good and a merry World till such sour and serious fellows as you be are out of it Q. 5. Is not this the raving of a man in a spiritual sense frantick and besides himself A. Pray cease to cant and prate in my company and preach to them that are willing to go to Conventicles and to be your Auditors a Romance a Stage-play a witty Song sung with an excellent voice and good musick such things as these take with me exceedingly Q. 6. This profane language which argues an heart most corrupt and wicked does not God hear it Does not the Psalmist say what no reasonable man can deny There is not a word in my tongue but Lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether Psal 139. 4. A. I will not believe every thing which rigid Dissenters speak of God Almighty I believe him to be better than they would make him I have pleased my flesh and go on in those courses which you make faces at and declaim against yet I prosper and rather thrive in the World than go down the Wind I hope God is not altogether such an One as you do represent him Q. 7. But does he not give a true representation of himself in his own Word When

will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. If thou wert in pain wouldst not thou be for present ease If thou wert in great danger wouldst not thou be for present security If sick of a death threatning malady wouldst thou not desire to be presently healed Why oh why shouldst thou not be willing to part with sin immediately which is the worst disease and which if not presently cured perhaps may never be cured but issue in eternal death A. Methinks I see that evil in sin I never saw and the bewitching pleasure of it is not so taking a thing as it was formerly Q. 18. Art thou willing to be directed to a Saviour who can deliver thee from Sin and Wrath A. I may die while I am young and when I come to die I shall prize a Saviour certainly I ought now to value him I am willing to be directed to him Q. 19. That thou may'st come to Christ wilt thou flee youthful lusts and pray that thy heart may be cleansed from them and that thou mayest possess thy vessel in sanctification and honour counting it an honour to thy body to have the members of it Instruments of Righteousness unto Holiness A. I perceive my Lusts are hurtful and 't is a foolish thing to serve them to my own ruine Q. 20. When Sinners thy companions entice thee wilt thou refuse to consent and rather reprove them though they call thee fool and fanatick than have any longer fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness A. 'T is better to leave them and be laught at than in hell to weep and despair with them to Eternity Q. 21. Thy wanton and defiling and ensnaring books such as Plays and Romances wilt thou cast away and give thy self to search the Scripture Catechisms and other good books which may help thee in the understanding and practice of the Word of God A. I hope I shall become a student in the Holy Bible labour to be well grounded in the doctrine of the Catechism and add practice to knowledge Q. 22. Art thou sensible that the pleasures of sin are but for a season And are the vanities of the world fallen in thy esteem A. I hope I shall be no longer a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God nor prefer sports and pastimes before Prayer his word and service Q. 23. Dost thou perceive that thy happiness lies in God in being favoured by him in being like unto him in holiness and in enjoying him both here and for ever A. My naughty heart is unsuited to God and looks upon happiness in him with a strange eye but I desire my heart may be circumcised to love him and that I may chuse God himself above all Q. 24. Dost thou consent to receive Christ who is made known and offered to thee in the Gospel to justifie thee by his blood to sanctifie thee by his Spirit and to rule thee by his word and commandments A. I desire my heart may be opened to receive the Lord Jesus Q. 25. Dost thou rely on Christ alone to make thy peace with God as believing this truth there is but One God and One Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus A. I am perswaded that Christ alone is the Saviour of his Church and People and that there is not Salvation in any other Q. 26. Dost thou see thy inability to come to Christ except the Father who hath sent him draw thee A. The Lord make me willing in the day of his power and draw me to his Son Turn m● to himself that I may never return to my youthful vanity and folly or any wickedness more The meerly Moral Mans Conscience is thus to be Examined Q. 1. What are thy Apprehensions of thy Spiritual state A. I thank God I am not as other Men are Extortioners Vnjust Adulterers None can say black is my Eye I have the the good word and report of my Neighbours I do as I would be done unto I wrong I defraud no Man Q. 2. How dost thou perform thy duty towards God A. I pray and hear Sermons and come to the Communion Table and pay to the Church as well as to the Poor and therefore question not but all is and will be well with me Q. 3. Dost thou not believe that thou art descended from old Adam A. I have heard something of Adam I think he was the first Man but I do not well understand the meaning and intent of your question Q. 4. Dost thou not know that Adam was created innocent and upright but quickly fell from his integrity by believing Satan and eating the forbidden Fruit A. That was done several thousand years ago and I am not to concern my self about it Q. 5. Thinkest thou not that thou didst sin in Adam A. I cannot conceive how I should sin in Him so long a time before I was born Q. 6. Does not the Apostle expresly say that by one Mans disobedience many were made sinners This he speaks of Adam and does he not affirm that death passed upon all men because in Him all sinned Rom. 5. 12 19. A. I do not understand how this can be Q. 7. Dost thou not perceive in thy self the effects of Adam's sin And that thou hast derived from Him a corrupt and depraved Heart and Nature A. I thank God my heart is very true and good I believe that few if any have a better Q. 8. How long has thy Heart been thus true and good A. Ever since I can remember Q. 9. What thinkest thou of that black character which the Heart-searching God gives of the heart of man that it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17. 9. A. I never perceived any such wickedness in mine Q. 10. Is it not because thy Heart deceives thee and hides its wickedness from thy Eyes But for thy conviction let me ask thee What kind of thoughts does thy heart entertain A. Thoughts are free and I let them take their course it would be an endless piece of business to observe my thoughts Q. 11. Does not the Scripture say that sinful thoughts as well as ways must be forsaken if we will obtain mercy Isa 55. 7. And does not the Apostle give advice to a man to pray that the thought of his heart may be forgiven Acts 8. 22. Do not these places plainly signifie that thoughts may be sins and need pardon A. I never understood so much before Q. 12. When thou are praying or hearing where are thy thoughts A. I am very reverent and devout in my gestures and behaviour but as for my thoughts I can give no account for I very little if at all mind them Q. 13. Does not God himself say that they worship him in vain who draw nigh to him with their Bodies and honour him with their Lips but their Hearts are removed far from him A. My heart I must confess does rove and wander while I am in

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

ruin Q. 11. Is not being burthened with sin now the way to be eased of the load and to prevent thy sinking under it into Hell A. I fear my fears and that sin is not my burthen only the punishment threatned the vengeance of Eternal Fire does affright me Q. 12. Is there not a difference made between thee who fearest that God who can kill the Body and destroy the Soul in Hell and those stupid sinners who live without God in this World as if there were no Heaven or Hell in the next A. I grant there is some difference made for my Conscience that now is awakened and troubled was once very fast asleep and senseless Q. 13. Art thou still a worker of iniquity A. No I dare not sin presumptuously I dare not allow my self in the practice of any known wickedness but still in many things I am continually offending Q. 14. Dost thou think that none have true grace unless they are perfectly free from all sin Does not Solomon say There is not a just man upon Earth that does good and sins not Eccles 7. 20. Does not the Apostle acknowledge that sin dwelt in him and that when he would have done good evil was present with him Rom. 7. A. You little think how great the sins are which I have been guilty of though now I cease the practice of them I am exceedingly amazed at their nature number and aggravations Q. 15. Does not the Lord promise he will abundantly pardon the wicked man that forsakes his evil way Isa 55. 7. Is thy sin too great for the righteousness of Christ to cover who in point of sufficiency is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world Where sin has abounded does not the grace of God much more abound A. Still the greatness of sin terrifies me Oh wretch that I am what have I been and done Q. 16. How great a sinner was David with what horrid aggravations did he sin being such an experienced Saint so wonderfully deliver'd and advanced and so great a Prophet besides and yet does he despair of mercy Does he say Because my sin is great I fear it will not be forgiven Nay does he not use the greatness of his sin as an argument to prevail for pardon because Divine mercy and the Name of God would be the more magnified in justifying one so guilty Did he not pray and prevail too when he prayed for thy names sake pardon my iniquity for it is great Psal 25. 11. A. God pardons not the sins of any whether great or small that repent not and I fear I never have sorrowed after a godly sort Q. 17. When thou confessest sin to God dost thou hide any because of the love thou bearest to it Art thou not grieved and displeased with thy self because thou hast sinn'd and art thou not willing to forsake all the sins thou doest know and acknowledge if so is not the promise very express That thou shalt have mercy Prov. 28. 13. A. You cannot imagine what vile thoughts and lusts and passions there are in my Heart which I cannot get rid of Q. 18. Are not these thoughts and lusts very unwelcome Guests wouldst not have them mortified and brought into captivity and obedience to Christ and don 't you desire a clean Heart may be created and a right Spirit renewed in you A. I think 't is meerly fear of Hell that is the principle from which such desires flow If there were no Hell 't is likely my longing after purity would be at an end Q. 19. Why shouldst thou make a supposition that there were no Hell Art thou not to look upon things as they are and are they not indeed as in Scripture they are represented If there were no future rewards and punishments who knows what the best would be and do the main foundation and reason of religion and goodness being gone Does not the Apostle himself say What advantageth it me if the dead rise not let us eat and drink for to morrow we die 2 Cor. 15. 32. A. Well but still I fear I am sincere in nothing which I do because I seem to be acted meerly by the fear of punishment Q. 20. Do not all Hypocrites and wicked men that are under awakening convictions and fear Hell most fear the loss of their sinful pleasures and gains more Do they not therefore endeavour to smother these convictions that they may serve their fleshly and worldly lusts without disturbance But art not thou of another mind fearing lest thy Conscience should fall asleep again and desiring it may be more thoroughly awakened A. I would fain have my Conscience made truely tender Q. 21. And wouldst thou not have thy heart thoroughly renewed A But my Will I think is influenced meerly by a dread of Eternal Damnation and Misery Q. 22. Is not Eternal Condemnation a thing that ought to be dreaded Why is Hell made naked before us in the Word but that we may fear the falling into it And while these fears are very high is it any wonder that the actings of love are not so evident VVhen a Child fears his Fathers anger though he has a true love to his Father yet is his love so plainly apparent in the very height of his fear A. Oh! how shall I be able to dwell with devouring Fire and to inhabit Everlasting Burnings Q. 23. Does the Scripture any where say that an Hypocrite by the fear of Hell may be carried so far as to be willing to be truely and thoroughly sanctified to be willing to be made right as to the principle manner and end of his obedience and yet remain a Hypocrite still A. I do not remember that ever any Hypocrite consented to be a Saint indeed for fear of punishment and yet still was branded for an Hypocrite Q. 24. Do we not read that the will to be sincere is wrought of God Phil. 2. 13. and that it is a Day of power when he thus makes a willing people Psal 110. 3. why then shouldst thou make light of this willingness in thee to part with all sin both in heart and life and to become an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile A. Christ saves Believers only he that believes not shall be damned I am afraid I have no saving Faith and that Christ never has indeed been received by me Q. 25. Art thou willing to receive Christ undivided Christ a Prophet effectually to instruct thee Christ a Priest to make reconciliation by his death for all thy iniquities and interceeding for thee to procure the acceptance of thy duties Christ a King to subdue thy lusts and Satan and to rule thee according to the holy Laws in the Bible which are the Laws of his Kingdom A. I must needs say I have no exception against any of Christs Offices and I should be glad if He would do all this for me that you have mention'd Q. 26. And as thou art willing to receive Christ undivided so art