of workes Ye shal keep my statutes and my judgements which if a man do he shal live in them I am the Lord Levit. 18 y. Gal. 3.12 Had Adam power to fulfill that Covenant of works Answ Yes for he then had the morall law written in his heart for some remainders of it are yet left in man by nature The Gentiles which have not the written law do by nature the things contained in the law which shew the worke of the law written in their hearts Rom. 2.14 15. What is the sum of the morall law Answ The ten Commandements which are called the tables of the Covenant Deut. 9.9.11 In which are contained all duties both to God and man For what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to feare the Lord thy God to walk in all his wayes and to love him and to fear the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule to keep the Commandements of the Lord and his statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Deut. 10.12 13. What is the sum of the first Commandement Answ It forbids the having of more gods then one 1 Cor. 8.6 Also it forbids to chuse or to set up any thing for our God that is not God thou shalt have no other god Also it commands us to take the Lord for our God Chuse you whom you will serve I and my house will serve the Lord Josh 24.15 And to cleave unto him Deut. 10. â—0 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God Deut. 26.17 18. What is the sum of the second Commandement Answ It forbids al true divine worship to be given to any false god Thou shalt not bow down to 〈◊〉 nor worship them And it forbids all false worship to be given to him in 〈◊〉 They worship me teaching for doctrine the precepts of men Mar. 15.9 Being no more vain Oblations Also it commands all true divine worship to be given to the true God Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.10 What is the sum of the third Commandement Answ It forbids all unreverent speaking of the name of God or of his Attributes or swearing by him upon slight occasions Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain Also it forbids al unreverent corriage toward the Lord in the way of his worship in his Ordinances or towards the works of his providence Also it commands all reverent speaking of the name and attributes of God For holy and reverend is his Name Ps 111.9 As also towards him in his Ordinances God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints to be had in reverence of all that are about him Ps 89.7 Also in the works of God When I consider the heavens the workes of thy hands the Sun Moon and Stars which thou hast ordained What is man that thou art mindful of him Psal 8.3 4. What is the sum of the fourth Commandement Answ The sum of the fourth Commandement respects the time when God will chiefly be worshipped served honoured and reverenced and that is on his owne day by him appoynted for the same use and therfore it is called the Lords day Rev. 1.10 The Sabbath of the Lord thy God sanctified set apart for that use So that we must neither rob God of his day or any part of it to employ it about any other occasions not minding our own pleasures nor speaking our own words Isa 59.13 Also it forbids us to appoynt any days for divine worship to dedicate them to the Lord except it bee dayes of humiliation or thanks-giving to remove some judgement or to seek some mercy or to render prayse for some blessing received and for some certaine time and then to return to their first Institution which was to labour 6. dayes Thus we must chuse the true God and worship him with true worship and reverence in his owne time And this is the sum of our duty to the Lord immediatly as it is contained in the four first Commandements being the first Table of the law What is the sum of the fifth Commandement Answ It forbids all negligence and disobedience to Magistrates or Parents or any that the Lord hath put in authority over us such as those filthy draemers that despise dominion and speak evil of dignities Jud. 8. also it commands us to give them vivell honour and reverence and obedience see Rom. 13.1 Tit. 3.1 Eph. 6.2.1 Tim. 2.1 2. What is the summe of the sixth Commandement Answ It forbids all injuries done to the bodies or soules of others as envy hatred malice or stripes or murder it selfe thou shalt not kill also it commands all duties of love and charity which tend to their preservation either of body or soule What is the summe of the seventh Commandement Answ It forbids all unchast thoughts tending to adultery and adultery it selfe and all idle words and gestures tending that way let not fornication be ence named among you as becommeth Saints Eph. 5.3 also it commands to avoid all suspected places and persons abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5.22 Prov. 5.8 What is the summe of the eighth Commandement Answ It forbids all fraud or deceit or stealing or any wrong to others in their estate Thou shalt not steale also it commands all duties of neighbourhood and friendship that may preserve or increase it What is the summe of the ninth Commandement Answ I it forbids all reproaches and scandals unjustly cast upon them and should neither raise a false report against them Exod. 23.1 nor take up a false report raised by others Psal 15.3 but as the north-wind drives away raine so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue Prov. 25.23 also it commands all duties of love for love suffers long and is kind charity envieth not vanteth not it selfe is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her owne is not easily provoked thinketh no evill 1 Cor. 13.4 5. What is the summe of the tenth Commandement Answ It forbids the rising of sinfull lusts to any of the forenamed evils and it commands to suppresse those sinfull lusts in their first risings before consent be given to them now whereas all the Commandements forbid lusting with consent this forbids it before consent and commands to suppresse it before consent this is the summe of the morrall law the covenant of works How did the Lord try mans obedience to that covenant of works Answ By prohibiting onely one tree in the Garden saying of the tree of Knowledge of good and evill thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Gen. 2.17 When Adam was permitted to eat of all the rest would not he refraine that one at Gods command A. No although he had power sufficient given to him whereby he might have stood yet in case Adam lost that ability all new supplies were shut up from him it
me 1 Cor. 11.24.25 Neither did christ blot out the forth commandement when hee cleared them from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees but rather shewed his Disciples how they ought more strictly to observe and keep them But the Antinomians christ tells them this is legal teaching for the law is void to them and ought not to be observed see counsell to Laodicea Our Lord Christ commands us to grow in grace 2 Pet. 3.18 1 Thes 4.1 But the Antinomians christ saith they are as righteous as he in respect of degrees and therefore cannot grow in grace neither need they to receive the Sacrament for that purpose Our Christ was tempted of the Israelites in the wildernesse 1 Cor. 10.9 Yet he was reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 And afterwards when he came in our nature they cryed out crucifie him and murthered the Prince of life Acts 14.15 Yet he prayed for them and his prayeres was heard But the Antinomians christ tells them that they never did offend him but were reconciled to him from all eternity and pronounced them just before they were and so born as righteous as christ without any originall sinne Our Christ came to adopt all his sons that did receive him For as many as received him to them he gave power to become the sons of God to them that believe on his Name John 1.12 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3 26. But the Antinomians Christ tells them that they were adopted from all eternity Our Christ saith search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 And the noble Bereans are highly commended for searching the Scripture Acts 17.11 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that they neede not the written Word without they are so full of light within and that any thing is Scripture if it be but written and of an equall vallew with it see the tree of Knowledge But they rejecting the Word of the Lord what wisdome is in them Ier. 8.9 Our Christ said If ye beleeved Moses ye would have beleeved me But if yee beleeve not his writings how shall ye beleeve my words Iohn 6.47 48. But the Antinomians Christ Moses are at a perpetuall enmity because Moses requires obedience and they are led by an idle spirit which neither infuseth grace into them nor doe they desire it lest they should be bound to improve or to encrease it Our Christ saith by his Apostle If we or an Angell of heaven should preach any other Gospel then that we have preached unto you let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 9. But the Antinomians Christ by their own confession hath revealed to them a new light that Gods faithfull people never saw before But they that bring it are false Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and as Ministers of righteousnesse And no marvell for Satan himselfe is transformed into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11.13 14. But they that say they see by his light their sin remaineth John 9.41 They think of men above that which is written therefore they are puffed up one against another 1 Cor. 4.6 Our Christ is become a surety for us Heb. 7.22 And his righteousnesse is imputed to us and accounted ours But the Antinomians Christ tells them that he hath stripped them of their sins and they have stripped him of his righteousnesse so that they are deified he is degraded of his God-head and now they are made righteousnesse in the abstract See Hony-comb And he is made sin in the abfor them Our Christ by his Apostle bids us to strive together for the faith of the Gospell Phil. 1.27 And saith ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against firme Heb. 12.2 He said the time would come that he which hath no sword should sell his garment to buy one Luke 22.36 And when the Souldiers came to him to know what they should doe he bad them doe no violence by plundering any man but be content with your wages But he did not bid them leave fighting for the Gospell and Religion Luke 3.14 But the Antinomians Christ will not have them fight for the Gospell nor Religion yet hee will give way to fight for other things which sheweth him to be a carnall Christ framed in their own fancy and he and his Prosâ—lites are all alike who say that they will fight for carnall things but not for the Gospell nor Religion Our Christ is given for a Covenant of the people Isa 49.8 And saith the Lord they shall aske the way to Zion with their face thitherward saying come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant that shall never be forgotten Jer. 50.5 But the Antinomians Christ will cause them to despise all bonds and covenants to the Lord and to his Christ saying let us breake their bonds asunder cast away their cords from us Psal 2.3 Yea they abhor the very seales of that covenant already made with the Lords Christ lest by them they should grow in grace which is very hatefull to the Antinomians Christ These be those truce-breakers having aforme of godlinesse but deny the power of it from such turn away 2 Tim. 3.3.5 Our Christ is that good shepheard which gave his life for his sheep Ioh. 10.11 He saith I pray not for the world but for those that thou hast given me for they are thine John 17.9 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that he dyed for the whole world Therefore saith Dr. Crispe we may collect the universality of redemption of all and every particular person in the world see his book p. 296. Our Christ tells his followers afore-hand what it wil cost them to be a Christian saying he most sell all and give it to the poore Lu. 18.22 and denie himselfe Luke 9.23 And hate father and mother wife and children brethren and sisters and his own life also else he cannot be my Disciple Luke 14.26 But the Antinomians Christ tells them of â—at pastures and fulnesse of pleasures see Crispe p. 31. Our Christ was angry at the buyers sellers in the Temple whipped them out of it Math 21.12.13 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that afflictions for sin are the smiles of God his choycest imbraces and strokes are the greatest manifesting of Gods love to them p 43. Our Christ saith God spared not his only son but gave him up for us all Rom. 8.32 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that his Father broke out furiously against him and he was satisfied to see his son tormented Yea it did his soule good to behold it see blaspheming Crispe page 46 47. Our Christ requires of us thirsting comming buying eating hearkning seeking calling upon God Isa 55.1 2. But the Antinomians Christ requires nothing bâ—â— to take the offer of him in a carnall manner to keepe them from punishments Our Christ bids us to aske seek and knock Mat. 7. And to strive to enter into the straight gate
doth punish some for the glory of his justice but not through any hatred of their sin This last reason affirmed by Mr. Banes is now revoaked Thus we see by what spirit these men are led being ashamed of his error And now I have set before you the Christ of the Legalists as they scornfully call us and the Christ of the Antinomians Now if it seem evil to you to serve the Lords Christ chuse you this day whom you will serve whether the Antinomians fained Christ or the true Christ of God But as for me and my house we wil serve the Lord Josh 24.15 Halt no longer between two opinions But if Baal be God follow him but if the Lord be God follow him And like Iehn destroy the name of Baal out of Israel 2 Kings 10.28 Hos 2.17 Let us not put the Lord to decide the controversie by fire from heaven having his word the true Judge of all controversies Therefore whosoever shall despise the Word shal be destroyed and he that feareth the Commandement shall be rewarded prov 13.13 Then be not led away with a fained Christ but cleave to the Lords Christ who is able to keep that which thou committest to his trust and to present thee faultlesse and unreprovable in his sight Coloss 1.22 Now the Lord open thine eyes to see clearly into all these things that differ and give thee grace to hold fast that which is good that thou maist be setled upon the true foundation and there stand like mount Zion unmoveable for ever Psalm 125.1 The grounds of true Christian Religion very necessary to build us on the true Rocke Iesus Christ WHat is the true Christian Religion Answ It is the way to worship God through Jesus Christ according to his own appoyntment First it is called the way of holinesse Isa 35.8 The new and living way Heb. 10 20. The narrow way Mat. 7. the way everlasting Ps 139.14 And it must be in Christ For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor 5.19 And according to his own appointment For all those Ceremonies Types of Christ were done as the Lord commanded Moses Exo. 40. Therefore Christ as a son over his owne house Heb. 3.6 Spake as having authority not as the Scribes Mat. 7.29 He saith all power in heaven earth is givento him ver 28.18 Therefore he in his own name saith Thus you have heard but I say thus unto you Math. 5.28 What are the parts of Religion to be known Answ They are two First is concerning truths to be known that you may prove what is that good acceptable perfect will of God Thou art a Iew knowst his wil Rom. 12.2 3.18 The 2 concerning truths to be practised Thy people shal be willing in the day of thy power Ps 110.3 If ye be willing obedient ye shal eat the good of the land Isa 3.19 Not he that saith Lord Lord but he that doth the will of my Father shal be saved Math. 7.21 The doer of the work shal be blessed in the deed Iam 1.25 Let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4.14.10.23 He that holdeth out to the end shall be saved Mark 13.13 What are the grounds of Religion Answ They are two First it is a right knowledge of God as hee hath revealed himselfe unto us in his word concerning his unity of essence in the Trinity of persons his names and attributes and works of Creation and providence The second maine ground of Religion is a right knowledg of our selves as we were first created righteous holy after Gods own Image Gen. 1.26 Since the fal none is righteous Rom. 3.10 Thirdly as we are in the state of â—race righteous in part Phil. 3 12.15.16 Fourthly in the state of glory perfect in degrees as creatures Heb. 12 23. How do you know there is a God Answ I know there is a God by the testimony of conscience accusing for sin committed and is â—â— were Gods deputy to arraign and condemn us for it which could not be but from a displeased God 1 Kings 17.8 John 8.9 Secondly from the comfortable refreshing wee finde in our soules when we are faithful and conscionable in our obedience to the Lord 2 Cor. 1.12 Rom. 9.1 Acts 22.1 Thirdly I know there is a God by the frame of the world By these vâ—â—ble things are clearly sâ—en his eternal power aâ—d God-head Rom. 1.20 The heavens could not make themselves because they cannot keep themselves from perishing Psal 102.25.26 Heb. 1.10.11 Neither could the earth make it self nor the silly creatures that are in it could not make it nor themselves they being all mortall and vanity which plainly shews that their first beginning was by a divine power Fourthly all nations do acknowledg that there is a God and that he ought to be worshipped although they cannot find out the true God nor truely how to worship him Fifthly I know there is a God that provideth food for all creatures and not onely so but in making their food nourishing being of it selfe without life yet without which they could not live although our cloaths being void of heate yet keepeth our bodies warm which could not be without a God also that all the creatures being at variance feed one upon another yet every kind preserved which could not be without a God How many Gods be there Ans There be many idol-gods which are nothing in the world and many that are called gods Lords But to us there is but one God There is none other Gods but one Cor. 8.4 5 6 In this God there are 3. real distinct Persons having subsistance in the same Essence The Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one â— John 5.7 How do you know the true God from all false gods Answ First the true God is known from all false gods by the simple purity of his divine nature being void of all composition the creatures are made up of the 4 Elements but God is not so and his essence is free from all division or parts We may not say this is one part of God and that is another as we say of the creature Again what is in God cannot be multiplyed or encreased as to have more wisedome or more strength Neither can there be any decrease of any thing that is in God Againe no accidents can cleave to him or adde any thing to his perfection but what ever he is he is the same essentially But are not the three Persons so many parts of his God-head Answ No the Father is God the Son is God the holy Ghost is God and yet not three Gods but one God This Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is a holy mistery and is rather to be religiously adored by faith then curiously searched by reason further then God hath revealed in his word The mean time let us neither confound the Persons nor divide the substance of his perfect Essence
Secondly we may know the true God from all false gods by this that he is infinite First in his unmeasurable greatnesse Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatnesse is unsearchable Psal 145.3 Behold God is great and we know him not Job 36.26 Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot containe thee 2 Chr. 6 18. He is omnipresent in all places Whither shall I goe from thy presence To heaven thou art there to hell thou art there to the bottom of the sea thou art there Ps 139.7 8.9 But no other God is so Secondly God is infinite in his unmeasurable age and time of his being there was none before him nor shal e any after him He is Alpha Omega the first and the last Rev. 1.8 His days cannot be searchen out Job 36.26 Thy yeaâ—es have no end Psa 202.27 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God Psal 90.2 The Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King Jer. 10.10 But no other God is so Thirdly God is infinite in his wisedome understanding Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledg of God how unsearchable are his judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11.33 Great is the Lord his understanding is infinite Psa 147.5 The Lord knows the hearts of men Psal 94.11 He seeth not as man seeth he looketh on the heart 1 Sam. 16.7 Hee knowes all things John 21.17 Thine eyes are open upon all the wayes of the sons of men Jer. 32.19 All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom wee have to do Heb. 4.13 Yea the darknesse hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darknesse and the light are both alike unto thee Psal 139.12 But thus no other God can do Fourthly God is infinite in this that he is unchangeable or immutable The finite creatures change daily But the Lord is the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 I am the Lord I change not Mal. 3.6 With him there is no variablenesse not shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 The heavens wax old as a garment and as a vesture shal be changed But thou art the same for ever Ps 102.27 Heb. 1.12 God said to Moses I am that I am Exo. 3.14 That men may know that thou whose name alone is Jehovah art the most high over all the earth Psal 83.18 Hee hath his being of and from himselfe being alone Independant who gives ceing to all his promises all creatures have their being from him In him we live move and have our being he giveth to all life and breath and all things Acts 17.25.28 Therefore he alone is unchangeable but all other Gods are vanity Zech. 10.2 Fifthly God is infinite in his righteousnesse and holinesse The Judge of all the earth will do right Gen. 18.25 The Almighty will nor pervert judgement he accepteth not the persons of Princes nor regardeth the rich more then the poore for they are all the work of his hands Iob 34.12.19 And his holinesse is such that cannot be defiled with sin although he is in all places where sin is committed and hath a hand in all finfull actions The hand that is stretched out to slay another is moved by the Lord and the tongue that blasphemes his holy Name is moved by him For in him we live move and have our being Acts 17.28 Yet he is righteous in all his wayes and holy in all his works Psal 145.17 His work is perfect for all his wayes are judgment a God of truth without iniquity just true is hee Deut. 32.4 Hee wil by no meanes cleare the guilty Exod. 34.7 Nor spare his owne Son when our sins were imputed to him Rom. 8.32 Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God 1 Sam. 6.20 The Angels cover their faces as not being able to behold the glory of his holinesse and they cover their feet being ashamed that he should behold their infirmity And they cry out one to another saying holy holy holy Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of thy glory And the Prophet cryes out saying Woe is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwel in the middest of a people of uncleane lips For mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Host Isa 6.2.3.5 For who among the Gods is like unto thee glorious in holinesse Exod. 15.11 Sixtly God is infinite in power he can do more then he wil do Mat. 3.9 Is any thing too hard for the Lord Gen. 18.14 Ier. 32.17 Who hath resisted his will Rom. 9.19 Our God is in the heaven and hath done whatsoever he pleased Psal 115.3.135.6 Our God in fixe dayes made the heavens the earth the sea and all the creatures in them Exod. 20. But those gods that have not made the heavens and the earth even they shal perish from the earth and from under those heavens But our God hath made the earth by his power he established the world by his wisedome and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion Ier. 10.11 12. Then let us not halt between two opinions When the people saw his power they fell on their faces and said the Lord he is the God the Lord he it the God 1 Kings 18.21.39 Of what did the Lord make the world and by what meanes is it continued and upheld Answ The Lord made all things of nothing Things that are seen were made of things which do not appeare Hebr. 11.3 And he upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 For the earth hangeth upon no thing Iob 26.7 But was man made of nothing Answ The first matter was made of nothing being the earth and the rest of the Elements And then the Lord God formed the body of man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrills the breath of life and man became a living soule Gen. 2.7 But had not the woman also a soule given to her Answ Yes Hannah poured out her soule before the Lord 1 Sam. 1.15 And saith Mary my soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour Luke 1.46 47. And the Lord opened Lidia's heart that she attended unto those things that were spoken by Paul Acts 16.14 And Mary kept the sayings of Christ in her heart Luke 2.19.51 In what estate or condition was man created Answ In a blessed estate In the image and likenesse of God which consisted in knowledge Col. 3 10. In righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 And in his soveraignty over all the creatures here below Gen. 1 28 Psalm 8.6 7 8. Wherefore did God create all things Answ God made all things for his own glory The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth sheweth forth his handy worke Ps 19 1 The Lord made all thing for himselfe Pro. 16.4 In what did God require that Adam should glorifie him Answ In fulfilling a Covenant
to a covenant of workes but they stand as a people redeemed not onely from Pharaoâ—â—s bondage but from the bondage of sin and satan Gods wrath and damnation figured out by that from Aegypt in the preface againe Adam was to stand by his perfect obedience to it or to fall if he failed in the least title but the law at Mount Sinai was a rule to square their obedience by but the penalty is taken off as I sayd before and they and we are bound to doe our utmost endeavour to obey it although we can never legally fulfill it but evangellically as we are in Christ to testifie our thankfulnesse and obedience to our Redeemer 1 cor 6.19 20. What are the maine differences between the covenant of workes and the covenant of grace A. The first covenant was of mans workes the second of Gods grace againe the first was made to Adam and in him to all his posterity the second was made with Christ and so in him for all the elect called the seed of the woman but not with the seed of the serpent Gen. 3.15 againe the first stood upon mans righteousnesse the second upon the righteousnesse of Christ made ours by imputation againe the first was soon broken standing upon the mutability of mans will but the second stands upon a sure foundation being Gods unchangeable will and so never can be broken for sayth the Lord I will establish with thee an everlasting covenant Ezek. 16.60 againe the first was a covenant of justice without mercy the second was a covenant of mercy yet in Christ justice and mercy met together Psal 85.10.89.28 againe the first man is of the earth earthly the second man is of the Lord from heaven and as the earthly so were all they in that covenant and as the heavenly such are they also that are heavenly and as we have borne the image of the earthly we shall also beare the image of the heavenly 1 cor 15.47 48.49 What be the offices of Christ to make him an alsufficient saviour A. First he was a Priest as he was both God and man and he sacrificed his body Mat. 20 28. and his soule was made an offering for sinne Isa 53.10 upon the altar of his Godhead Heb. 13.16 so christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many Heb. 9.28 also by his integrity or purity of his humane nature and his obedience in performing all that the law requires as I shewed before thus Christ hath satisfied for our sinnes and he makes intercession for us How doth Christ make intercession foâ— us A. He appeares continually before his Father in heaven rom 8.34 Heb. 7.25 making their prayers acceptable to God by Iesus christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 5.2 by applying the merits of his owne perfect satisfaction to them rev 9.3.4 What other office hath Christ A. He is a Prophet to reveale unto his church the way and meanes of salvation it is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every man therefore he that hath heard and hath learned of the Father commeth to me Iohn 6.45 he teacheth continually by the ministery of word and by the inward teaching of his holy spirit Iohn 14.26.16.13 What other office hath Christ A. He is a King that he may bountifully bestow on us all the meanes of salvation he overcame the divell and hell and the grave and death as aconqueror see Acts 2.24.32.10.14 1 cor 15.55.57 all power in heaven and in earth is given to me goe ye therefore and teach all nations Mat. 28.18 19. on this rocke will I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 thus he is both a King to furnish and to defend his church You told me that faith was wrought in the soule by the fririt of God by the preaching of the Word now the question is how the Lord prepares the soule to receive that excellent grace of faith A. The Lord sayth I will give them one heart and I will put my spirit within you but the manner how this is wrought is this I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and then I will give them an heart of flesh then they shall walke in my statutes and keepe mine ordinances and doe them Ezek. 11.19 20. here you see the first worke is to take the stone out of the heart which in reason should be as painfull as to take the stone our of the bladder this is done by that sharp knife of the morall law when it bruiseth and humbleth us and worketh in us a sight of our sinne for by the law is the knowledge of sinne I had not knowne sinne but by the law for I had not knowne lust except the law had sayd thou shalt not lust rom 3 20.7 7. What is sorrow for sinne A. It is when a mans conscience is touched with a lively feeling of Gods displeasure for any sinne they were â—oricked in their hearts and sayd what shall we doe Acts 2.37 with an utter dispairing of salvation in regard of any thing in our selves O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death rom 7.24 and so acknowledge our deserved shame should be eternally czra 9.6 How doth God worke this sorrow in us A. By the terrible curse of the law thus he which breakes but one of the commandements of God though it be but once in all his life time and that onely but in thovght is subject too and in danger of eternall damnation for it Gal. 3.10 Jam. 2.10 When the heart is thus prepared how doth God ingrafâ— faith in it A. By casting into it inward motions which are the seeds of faith first when the heart is humbled under the burden of sin then to acknowledg to feel that we stand in need of christ this is the seed of faith for we see that we have spent our money for that which is not bread and our labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 secondly a hungry desire and a longing to be made partaker of christ his merits these also are the seeds of faith for such are blessed and promised to be filled Mat. 5.4 rev 21.6 thirdly using the meanes when we see the need of christ and have a longing desire after him flying from the sentence of the law pricking the conscience to the throne of grace such shall obtaine mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 How is this done A. First as the Prodigall did to think our sinnes pardonable and to say Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne make me as one of thy hâ—red servants Luk. 15.18 19. then with loud cryes for Gods savour in christ in pardoning sinnes with a fervent perseverance herein till the desire of our heart be granted as the woman of Canaan did Mat. 15.22 23. What followes after this A. Then God according to
the faith of the sonne of God Gal. 2.20 we which haâ—e the first fruits of the spirit doe groane within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our bodies rom 8.23 What is the efficient cause whereby these graces are wrought in us A. The holy Ghost applying the power of the death and resurrection of Christ worketh holinesse in us he will deliver his soule from going into the pit and his life shall see the light loe all these things worketh God oftentimes for man to bring back his soule from the pit to be enlightned with the light of the living Job 33.28 29.33 that the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost rom 15.16 How is this grace preserved in us A. It is preserved by the vertue of christs resurrection that I may know him and the vertue of his resrurection phil 3.10 first christ did in his own flesh overcome death and sin and live to God and was exalted above every name then he infuseth this power into us we receive it by faith wherby we dye unto sin daily and live to God in newnesse of life In what part of us is this grace of sanctification wrought A In every part of body and soule the very God or peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God yoâ—r whole spirit soule and body may be perfect and blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Jesus christ 1 Thes 5.23 How do you know when the mind is sanctified A. When spirituall understandding is given unto it to acknowledge the known truth of Gods word and when spirituall wisdome is given to apply that truth knowne to the well ordering both of things and actions as person place and time requires then we come to discerne both good and evill heb 5.14 and to discerne of things that are excellent phil 1.10 and to try the spirits whether they be of God 1 Joh. 4.1 and to try doctrines Joh. 7.17 1 Thes 5.21 Acts 17.11 and so we come to medâ—tate on the word and workes of God and to delight in his law and to exercise our selves in it night and day Psal 1.119.15 and we discerne our owne want of knowledge by which meanes we shall entreat the Lord to teach us Psal 119.18.33 When is the memory sanctified A. When it is made a treasury of good things a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things Mat. 35. Mary kept all those sayings in her heart Luke 2.51 and David sayd thy word I have hid in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Psal 119.11 Secondly when we remember our sinnes to loath them then shall ye remember your owne evill wayes and your doing that were not good and shall â—â—â—th your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities and for your abominations Ezek. 36.31.16.63 When is the conscience sanctified A. When it doth excuse us for all sin when we are certaine that they are forgiven us in Christ having faith and a good conscience which some have put away 1 Tim. 1.19 I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not hereby justified 1 Cor. 4.4 I have in all good conscience served God untill this day Acts 23.1 herein I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men Acts 24.16 try me O Lord and prove me examine my raines and my heart for thy loving kindnesse is before mine eyes and I have walked in thy truth Psal 26.1 2.3 hence ariseth in us that peace of conscience that passeth all understanding which shall keepe our hearts and minds through Christ Iesus Phil. 4.7 this makes the righteous as bold as a lyon Pro. 28.1 if our hearts condemne us not then have we conscience towards God 1. Ioh. 3.21 When is the will sanctified A. When our wils is regulated by Gods revealed will when the spirit is willing though the flesh be weake Mat. 26.41 When to wil is present but how to performe that which is good we finde not rom 7.19 for it is God that worketh in us both to will and to doe of his own good 〈◊〉 Phil. 2 1â— When are the affections sanctified A. Our hope is sanctified when we wait for the accomplishment of our redemption rom 8.23 24 25. and when we shew the same diligence in full assurance of hope unto the end Heb. 6.11 Our feare is sanctified when we feare to offend the Lord because of his goodnesse Hosea 3.5 they shall feare and tremble for all the goodnesse and for all the prosperity that I will procure unto it Jer. 33.9 If ye call him father passe the time of your sojourning here in feare 1 Pet. 1.17 our love of God in Christ is sanctified when it is as a fire that cannot be quenched many waters cannot quench love nor the floods drowne it cant 8.7 when this love burnes up all other love and when we esteeme of all outward things but as losse and dung for the excellent knowledge of Christ and to win christ phil 3.7 8. our zeale is sanctified when we regard not what becomes of us so God may be glorified Exod. 32.32 rom 9.3 our sorrow and anguish of mind is sanctified when our eyes can gush out with teares because men keep not Gods law Psal 119.136 as Lots righteous soule was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked he dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their ungodly deeds 2 Pet. 2.7 8. our joy is sanctified when Gods countenance more rejoyceth our hearts then the increase of come and wine Psal 4.7 and when we rejoyce that the Gospell is preached phil 1.18 and when we rejoyce in the fruitfulnesse of is in the conversion of soules Luke 15.7 How doe you know when the body is sanctified A. Whâ—n it is a fit instrument for the soule to accomplish that which is good as ye have given your members servants to uncleanoesse and to iniquity to commit iniquity so now give your members servants unto righteousnesse in holinesse rom 6.19 Cannot we be saved without holinesse A. No for heaven is promised to them that are sanctified Acts 26.18 and no uncleane thing shall enter into it rev 21.27 without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 the pure in heart they shall see God mat 5.8 Are there degrees in holinesse or sanctification A. Yes that ye may grow up into him in all things which is the head even christ Eph. 4.15 being knâ—t together we may increase with the increase of God col 2.19 I beseech you brethren and exhort you by the lord Iesus christ that as you have received of us how you ought to walke and to please God so ye would abound more and more for this is the will of God even your sanctification that every one may know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour 1 Thes 4.1.3 4. May a man attain to perfection in
degrees of his sanctification theâ—e A. No saith Paul not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended â—n christ Iesus brethren I count not my selfe to have apprehended but this one thing I doe forgetting those things which are behind and reâ—ching fâ—rth unto thâ—â—se things which are before I presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.12 13 14. What meanes hath God appointed to helpe us in our groth of grace A. The sacraments and prayer What is a sacrament A. A sacrament is an outward signe whereby Christ and his saving graces are by certaine extetnall rights signified and sealed to a christian Abraham received the signe of circumcision and it was also the seale of the righteousnesse of faith which he had when he was yet uncircumcised rons 4.21 yee shaell circumcise the foreskin of your flesh and it shall be a signe of the covenant between me and you Gen. 17.11 Hath any others power to make a sacrament besides christ A No for the signe will consirme nothing at all but by the consent of him at whose hands the benefit promised must be received then none but christ can appoint signes of grace because none but he alone hath power to bestow grace christ is the author of our salvation therefore he alone may appoint the meanes which are the word and sacraments christ is the onely Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Iam. 4.12 and he alone can make a sacrament offectuall by his spirit and he by his wisedome best knowes of what to institute the sacramentall signes neither may any presume to adde or to diminish to that he hath done rev 22.38 19. How doth christ make a sacrament A. By bringing the word of institution to the element the word is two-fold either a word of command as in baptisme goe yee into all the world baptizing them In the name of the father sonne and holy Ghost and in the Lords supper take eat drinke doe ye this the other part of institution is a promise whereby christ ordained elements that they might be instruments and seales of his grace as in baptisme I baptize thee in the name of the father of the senne and of the holy Ghost and in the Lords supper this is my body which is given for you and this is my blood of the new Testament therefore the word of institution ought to be pronounced distinctly in the administration of it May the impiety of the Minister make a nullity of the sacrament to a worthy receiver A. No no more then the piety of a good Minister can profit an unworthy receiver because all the efficacy and worthinesse thereof dependeth onely upon Gods institution What be the parts of a sacrament A. They be two the outward signe or sensible matter of the element or the action conversant about the same Is there any naturall change in the signe or element after consecration A. No it is but severed from a common to a holy use therefore there is no force or efficacy in the externall signes to make us inherently holy as there is in Bathes naturally to purifie corrupt diseases but all the efficacy is appropriate to Gods holy spirit yet so as it is an inseparable companion of true faith and repentance in such as turne to the Lord therefore by Gods ordinance a certaine signification of grace and sealing thereof agreeth to the signe What is the thing signified by the outward element A. It is Christ and his graces first of Christ and then of his graces for as no man can receive fruit of any ground till first he have a just title to it no more can we have benefit by Christ before we have a true title to him by faith What is the action of God in the sacrament A. It is either the offering of Christ or the application of Christ and his graces to the faithfull receiver What is the action of Faith in the Sacrament A. It is the consideration desire apprehension and receiving of christ in the lawfull use of the Sacrament What is the end why Sacraments were ordained A. For the better confirmation of our faith for God doth as it were by certaine pledges bind 〈◊〉 â—selfe unto us yet the sacrament doth not strengthen us by any inherent power of it selfe as a soveraigne medicine doth cure a patient but rather by a certaine reasoning upon using the signes framed by the holy Ghost thus All such as are converted rightly using the sacraments shall receive christ and his graces But I am converted and either doe now or else heretofore I have rightly used the sacraments therefore I shall receive christ and his graces What is another end why the sacrament was ordained A. That it might be a badge of that profession by which the true church of God is distinguished from all other congregations a third end is that it might be a meanes to preserve and to spread the doctrine of the Gospell a fourth end is that it might preferve and bind the faithfull to continue loyall and thankfull to their Lord God fiftly it serves as a bond of mutuall amity among the faithfull Is a sacrament necessary to salvation A. No yet the covenant of grace is absolutely necessary to salvation for it comprehendeth christ Iesus who is the substance of that covenant so that we must of necessity receive it or we perish eternally now a sacrament is but a prop or stay for faith as an help to en crease it but it cannot intitle us into the inheritance of the sonnâ—s of God as the covenant doth but onely as a seale to that covenant that we by faith received before But doth not the want of a sacrament condemne A. No it is the contempt of it that is damnable so then the neglect of it is a grievous sinne to be repented of and there is hope of pardon but if some be justly hindred from it either by living in some place where it cannot be had or taken away by death to such God will have mercy not sacrifice What is the difference betwixt a sacrament and a sacrifice A. In a sacrament God bestowes his graces upon us but in a sacrifice we returne unto God faith and thankfull obedience How doth our sacraments and those in the old Testament differ A. They were many and ours but few secondly they pointed at christ to come but these shew that he is already come thirdly they were to the posterity of Abraham alone but these are to the whole church called out of both Iewe and Gentiles How many sacraments is there in the church of christ A. Two the first is baptisme wherein christians are admitted into the church of God the second is the Lords supper whereby the church is nourished and preserved to eternall life What is baptisme A. It is a washing with water as they are
command 〈◊〉 Mat. 28.19 In the name of the Father Son and holy Ghost that being in the covenant and ingrafted into christ they may have perpetuall fellowship with him he that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved Marke 16.16 Acts 2.38 May we baptize in no other name nor leave out any of the three persons in Trinity A. No christ is not divided nor Paul crucified for you neither were you baptized in the name of Paul I thanke God I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius least any should say that I did baptize in my own name 1 cor 13.14 15. Who are those within the covenant that are to be baptized A. They are of two forts first such as are growne in yeers and joyne themselves to the visible church testifying their faith and repentance and hold the foundation of Religion taught in the same church they are to be baptized in the Eunuch sayd to Phillip I beleeve that Christ is the sonne of God and so they went both into the water and he baptized him Acts 8.38 they were baptized of Iohn in Iordan confessing their sinnes Mat. 3.6 repent and be baptized everyone of you acts 2.38 if a stranger dwell with thee and will observe the Passover of the Lord let him circumcise all his males and then let him come and observe it and he shall be as one borne in the land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof Exod. 12.48 Who else are in in the covenant and ought to be baptized A. Infants born of christian parents the unbeleeving husband is sanctefied by the wife and the unbeleeving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children uncleanâ— but now they are holy 1 cor 7.14 if the first fruits be holy so is the whole lumpe if the root be holy so are the branches rom 11.16 I will establish my covenant with thee and with thy seed after thee for an everlasting covenant to be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee Gen. 17.7 How are children of christian parents in the covenant A. Not as they are the sinfull off-spring of the first Adam for so they beget them in their owne likenesse nor secondly as they are by grace the sonnes of God for they are not made the sonnes of God by naturall generation but by adoption yet they may beleeve for themselves and others according to the covenant of grace Gen. 17.7 as Adam did sinne both for himselfe and others and as parents in bargaines doe covenant both for themselves and their heires after them thus the parents being the first fruits sanctifies the whole lump of their posterity rom 11.16 What is it to be baptized In the name of the father sonne and holy Ghost A. It is to be made one of Gods family which is his church and to be made partaker of the priviledges thereof as Jacob sayd the Angel which hath delivered me from all evil blesse the lads and let my name be named upon them and the name of my fathers Gen. 48.16 in that day shall seven women take hold of one man saying we will eat our owne bread and weare our owne garments onely let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach Isa 4.1 What doe we learne from hence A. We learne that in this washing of baptisme is sealed a solemne contract and covenant between God and the baptized first of God the father who vouchsafeth to receive him into favour and of God the sonne to redeem him and of God the holy Ghost to purifie and regenerate him What doth the baptized bind themselves unto A. He promiseth to acknowledge invocate and worship none other God but the true Iehovah which is the father sonne and holy Ghost VVhat is the visible or externall matter of baptisme A. It is water for the Minister may not baptize with any other liquor but only with naturall water according to those examples we have in Scripture of the primitive church What is the externall forme of baptisme A. It is the ministers washing the baptized according to the prescrpt of God Suppose it was the ancient custome to dip or dive all the body of the baptized in the water must their example of necessity be followed A. No for the word baptize signifies sprinkling as well as dipping or diving and sayth the Lord I will sprinkle cleane water upon you Ezek. 36.25 againe by reason of some cold countries and the weaknesse of young Infants necessity and charity may dispence with ceremonies and mittigate the sharpnesse of them What resemblance is there between the element of water and the thing signified thereby A. As water washeth away the filth of the body so the blood of Christ Iesus cleanseth us from all sinne 1 John 1.7 What doth the acâ—â—â— of the Minister waâ—â—ing the body of the baptized signifie A. This sealeâ— and I confirmeth a double action of God first the ingrafting or incorporating the baptized into Christ as many as are baptized into Christ 〈…〉 Christ Gal. 3.27 by one spirit we are all baptized into one body 〈…〉 secondly it sealeth to us our regeneration not he the worker 〈…〉 which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the 〈◊〉 king of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost â—â—tus 3.5 What doth 〈…〉 water or sprinkling it upon the baptized signifie A. It doth raâ—â—â— the shedding of the blood of Christ for the remission of all our sinne and the imputation of his righteousnesse arise and be baptiâ—â—d and waâ—â— away thy sinnes calling upon the name of the Lord Acts 22.16 and it signifies mortification of sinne by the power and death of Christ know ye not that all they which have been 〈◊〉 into Christ have been baptized into his death the 〈…〉 crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed rom 〈…〉 What doth the 〈◊〉 â—ancâ— in or under the water signifie unto us A. It signifies the buriall of sinne or a continuall encreaâ—â— of mortification both by the power of Christ's death and buriall we are buried with him by baptisme in oâ—â—is death rom â— 4 What doth the comming out of the water signifie unto us A. It concernes our spirituall vivification to newnesse of life in all holinesse and righteousnesse by the power of Christs resurrection for like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father so we all should walke in newnesse of life for if we be grafted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the 〈…〉 of his resurrection rom 6.4 5. What doth the action of the party baptized signifie when he offers himselfe before the Mâ—â—â—ter and the congregation to be baptized A. It signifies that he doth consecrate himselfe the Lord and that he utterly renounceth the flesh the world and the devill the like figure which now saveth us even baptisme not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God 1
all men after they have lived a while here A. All must dye and be as water spilt upon the ground 2 Sam. 14.14 death is passed upon all for that all have sinned rom 5.12 Why must Gods people dye hath not Christ taken away their sinne A. Christ hath forgiven their sinne and covered it with his righteousnesse Psal 32.1 but he doth not take away the being of sin til death Ro. 6.7 no man liveth and sinneth not 1 Kings 8.46 he is a lyar that saith he hath no sinne 1 Joh. 1.8 What followes the day of death A. A particular judgement it is appointed 〈◊〉 all mâ—n once to dye and from death to â—uâ—gement Heb. 9.27 the body returns to dust and the 〈◊〉 of all returne to God the spirit of man goes upward Eccl. 3.21.12.7 What followes the particular judgement A. The general day of judgement that day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the earth shall melt with fire and heat and the workes that are therein shaall be burnt up 2 Pet. â— 10.12 Who shall be the Judge A. Iesus Christ the Sonne of God we must all appeare before the Judgement-seat of Christ rom 14.10 12. 2 cor 5.10 What will be the manner of his comming A. The Sonne of man will come in a cloud with power and greatâ— glory Luke 21.27 and attended with his holy Aâ—gels Marke 8.38 and with all his Saints in heaven 1 Thes 3.13 and those that are alive at that day shall he changed in the twâ—nkling of an eye 1 Cor. 15.51 52. and caught up into the clouds to meet the Lord in the ayre 1 Thes 4.17 those in heaven shall come with Christ and those on earth shall meet him and they shall be ever with the Lord the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thes 4.16 What will Christ doe when he is come A. When the Sonne of man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory mat 24.31 and all Nations shall be brought before him and he shall seperate them as a Shepheard doth his sheep from the goats and set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left ver 32.33 How shall men at that day be summoned before the Judge A. He shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet mat 24.31 and when the Trumpet shall sound the dead shall be raised 1 Cor. 15.52 and the living changed 51. How will christ examine every mans cause A. The books of every mans doings shall be laid open and their consciences shall be made to accuse or to excuse them and every man shall be tryed by the workes which he did in his life time because that workes are manifest signes either of faith or unbeliefe Dan. 7.10 Rev. 20.12 2 cor 5.10 What followes their examination A. Then he will give sentence of absolution and salvation to the godly saying to them come ye blessed of my Father 〈◊〉 the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world and to the wicked he will say depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devill and his angels mat 25.34.41 What is the estate of the godly after the day of judgement A. The Saints shall them inherit all things rev 21.7 Dan. â— 27 2 Pet. 3.13 14. Isa 56.22 and they shall enjoy the presence of God where are rivers of pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 and they shall see christ face to face 1 cor 13.12 1 Iohâ— 3.2 and we shall reâ—gne with christ for ever Revel 5.10.21.1 2 3 4 5 7. What is the state of the wicked after the day of judgement A. It is eternall perdition and destruction which stands in three things especially First they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 thes 1.9 Secondly their fellowship shall be the devill and his angels mat 25.41 thirdly their torment shall be fire and brimstone hurning eternally Rev. 21.8 Isa 33.14 Who can dwell with everlasting burnings where the Worme of a guilty conscience dieth not and the fire of Gods wrath is not quenched mar 9.44.46 fire and brimstone and a horrible temâ—est this is the portion of their cup Psal 11.6 What is the end the Lord hath in all these things A. His owne glory what if God be willing to shew his wrath and to make his power knowne on the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction and that he might make knowne the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory rom 9.22 23. Watch ye therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to passe and to stand before the Sonne of man Luke 21.36 Now the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus that great Shepheard of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good worke to doe his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Iesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13.20 21. FINIS