of the righteous judgment of God Q. 6. What is the Third Evidence of God's Iustice A. The Third Evidence of the Justice of God is in making good all the mercies he hath promised to believers exactly to a tittle 1 Iohn 1.19 If we confess our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will give me at that day Q. 7. What is the First inference from God's Iustice A. That sinners have no cause to complain of God's Judgments though they be never so terrible or durable Rom. 2.5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God Q. 8. What is the Second Inference from God's Iustice A. That without doubt there is a Judgment to come in the next Life otherwise God would not have the glory of his Justice Eccles. 3.16 17. I saw under the sun the place of judgment that wickedness was there and the place of righteousness that iâ—iquity was there I said in mine heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked Q. 9. What is the Third Inference from God's Iustice A. That penitent and believing sinners need not doubt of the forgiveness of their sins 1 Iohn 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness Q. 10. What is the Last Inference from it A. The Last Inference is That meekness and patience under afflictions is our unquestionable Duty and murmuring against God is a great sin and evil Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Of Gâ—d's Goodness Quest. 1. WHAT is the Goodness of God A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature whereby he is absolutely and perfectly good in himself and the Fountain of all communicated Goodness to the Creature Psalm 119.68 Thou art good and dost good teach me thy Statutes Q 2. How doth the Goodness of God differ from the Mercy of God A. It differs in its Objects for Misery is the Object of Mercy but Goodness extends to the Creatures that are happy as well as miserable as the Angels Psal. 145.9 The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Q. 3. What is the First Property of God's Goodness A. That all his other Attributes flow out of it as their Fountain The other Acts of God are but the Effluxes of his Goodness Exod. 33.19 And he said I will make all my goodness pass before thee and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy unto whom I will shew mercy Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth Q 4 What is the Second Property of the Divine Goodness A. That it is supream and perfect in it self so as the goodness of no Creature is or can be Luke 18.19 None is good save one and that is God And consequently above all additions from the Creature Psalm 16.2 O my soul thou hast said unto the Lord my goodness extendeth not unto thee Q. 5. What is the Third Property of God's Goodness A. That it is communicative with pleasure and delight to the Creature No Mother draws out her Breast to an hungry Child with more pleasure than God doth his Goodness to the Saints Psalm 145.9 The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Q. 6. In what Acts hath God first manifested his Goodness A. He hath manifested it in the creation and government of the World Psalm 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all Q 7. What was the principal Work in which God hath manifested his Goodness to men A. The principal manifestation of God's Goodness was in the Work of Redemption by Christ. Rom. 5.8 God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 1 John 4.8 9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him Q. 8. But are not the Iudgments of God on the wicked and his Afflictions on the Saints impeachments of his goodness A. No It is the property of Goodness to hate and punish Evil in the impenitent Exod 34.7 Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty c. And the Afflictions of the Saints flow from his Goodness and end in their true and eternal good Heb 12.6 For whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Psalm 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Stà tutes Q. 9. What may we infer from the Goodness of God A. The first thing is that Sin hath made our Natures base and disingenuous in that we take no notice of his Goodness Isa. 1.3 The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his masters crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not consider And answer not the design of it Rom. 2.4 Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance Q. 10. What is the Second Inference from the Goodness of God A. That therefore God is the fittest Object of our delight and love and of our trust and confidence 1. Of our Delight and Love Psalm 116.1 I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplication 2. Of our Trust and Confidence Psalm 34 8. O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that trusteth in him Q. 11. What is the Third Inference from God's Goodness A. That Christians should imitate God in his Goodness in charity to our Enemies Matt. 5.44 45. But I say unto you Love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you that ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven Q. 12. What is the Last Inference from God's Goodness A. That Christians have great encouragement to go to God for pardon in case of sin Psalm 130.4 But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared and for refuge of dangers Nahum 1.7 The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble he knoweth them that trust in him Of God's Truth Quest. 1. WHAT is the Truth of God A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature whereby he is perfectly faithful in himself and in all that he hath spoken Deut 32.4 He is the rock his work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth
the Old-Testament believers died yet the virtue of Christ's Death extends to them as well as us Heb. 11.39 40. And these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Q. 6. Why would not God deliver us without such a Redeemer A Because it was not so much for the honour of his Justice Rom. ◠25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Iesus Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence A. That all that are out of Christ are in a miserable Bondage and Captivity Iohn 8.36 If the son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed Q. 8. What is the second Instruction A. Hence see the heinous nature of Sin which required such a price to satisfy for it 1 Pet. 1.18 19. VVe were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Q. 9. VVhat is the third Iustruction hence A. The wonderful love of Christ in redeeming us at such a rate Rev. 1.5 Who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Q. 10. What is the last Instruction A. This strongly obligeth us to an universal holiness 1 Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods Of Christ's Incarnation Quest. 22. HOw did Christ being the Son of God become man A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true Body and a reasonable Soul being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Uirgin Mary and born of her yet without Sin Q. 1 Who is the only Redeemer of God's Elect A. The Lord Jesus Christ is their only Redeemer and there is no other Redeemer besides him Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Q. 2. How is he the Son of God or can be as no other is so A. He is the Son of God by Nature from all Eternity and so no Angel or Saint is Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee Q. 3 VVhy was it necessary he should become man A. That he might be capable to suffer Death in our room Heb. 2.15 16 17. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Q. 4. Why must the Redeemer be God as well as Man A. Because the blood of a meer man could not satisfy and redeem us Acts 20.28 Feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Q. 5. Do these two Natures make two Persons A. No The Humane Nature is united to the second Person and subsists in union with it Iohn 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth Q 6. VVas the Union only for a time A. No It continues and abides for ever Heb. 7.24 But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable 〈…〉 Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence A Hence we learn the transcendent love of God to poor Sinners Iohn 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Q 8. What is the second Instruction A. Hence we learn the matchless love of Christ that he should stoop to such a condition for us 2 Cor. 8.9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be made rich Q. 9 What is the third Instruction A. That the greatest Sins are capable of remission to Believers Iohn 1.29 Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world Q 10. What is the fourth Instruction A. That those that be in Christ need not fear the denial or want of an◠other mercy Rom 8.32 He that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Q. 11. What is the fifth Instruction A. Hence we learn how impious it is to ascribe any part of the glory of redemption to any other besides Christ Q. 12. What is the sixth Instruction A. This teaches us the miserable condition of all that are out of Christ and the necessity of their damnation he being the only Redeemer Of the Manner of Christ's Incarnation Quest. 1. WAS Christ's Incarnation a voluntary act in him A. Yes it was for though he had a command to die for us Iohn 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again Yet he came willingly Psal 40.6 7. Sacrifice and offerings thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offerrings and sin offerings hast thou not required lo I come in the volume of thy book it is written of me V. 8. I delight to do thy 〈…〉 Q. 2. Was the Body of Christ a real and true Humane Body A. Yes it was a true and real Body not the appearance and shape of a Body only Luke 24.38 And he said unto them Why are ye troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts Ver. 29. Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have Q. 3. Had he a true Humane Soul as well as a Body A. Yes he had a real Humane Soul also and all the natural faculties and powers thereof Mat. 26.38 Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Q. 4. Was he then in all respects like to other men A. No his conception was not like others Isa. 7.14 Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emanuel And he had no sin in him as others have Heb. 7.26 For such an high priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners Q. 5. Did Christ put off the Humane Nature at his Ascention A. No he did not but carried it up to glory and now is in our Nature in Heaven 1 Tim.
his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the church Q. 5. How many ways may men sin against this Command with respect to their own lives A. A Man sinneth against his own Life not only by destroying himself as the Jaylour would have done Acts 16.27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open he drew out his sword and would have killed himself supposing that the prisoners had been fled But by refusing Food or Physick to preserve Life or macerating our Bodies with excessive Sorrows 2 Cor. 7.10 But the sorrow of the world worketh death or envy at others felicity Prov. 14.30 But envy the rottenness of the bones Q. 6. How are men guilty of murther with respect to others A. Murther with respect to others may be either with relation to their Bodies Numb 35.30 Whoso killeth any person the murtherer shall be put to death c. Or to their Souls which is the most heinous murder in the World Ezek. 3.18 When I say unto the wicked thou shalt sureâ—y dye and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life the same wicked man shall dye in his iniquity but his blood will I require at thine hand Q. 7. Is all destruction of anothers Life murder in the account of God A. No it is not if the Life of a Person be taken away in the course of Justice Gen. 9.6 Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed Or in a just and necessary War Iudges 5.23 Curse ye Meroz said the Angel of the Lord curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof becauâ—e they came not to the help of the Lord to the help of the Lord against the mighty Or by pure Accident Deut. 19.5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree and the head slippeth from the helve and lighteth upon his neighbour that he dye he shall flee unto one of those cities and live Or in self defence Exâ—d 22.2 If a thief be found breaking up and be smitten that he dye there shall no blood be shed for him Q. 8. Is there no other way of breaking this Command A. Yes there is Innocents may be murdered under the forms and solemnities both of Justice and Religion So Naboth was murdered by Iezebel 1 Kings 21.12 13. They proclaimed a fast and sit Naboth on high among the people And there came in two men children of Beliaâ— and sat before him And the men of Belial witnessed against him even against Naboth in the presence of the people saying Naboth did blaspheme God and the King Then they carried him forth out of the city and stoned him with stones that he dyed And the Martyrs by bloody Papists And this strongly proves a day of Judgment Eccles. 3.16 17. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment that wickedness was there and the place of righteousness that iniquity was there I said in mine heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work Q. 9. Are Duels forbidden in this Commandment A. Yes they are for whatever point of Honour be touched or whatever Provocation be given we are not to be our own avengers Rom. 12.19 Dearly beloved avenge not your selves c. Q. 1â— What 's the first Inference hence A. That we have great cause to bless God for his protecting Law and for Humane Laws grounded upon his Law for the protection of our Lives Rom. 13.4 For he is the minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Q. 11. What 's the second Inference hence A. That all that are guilty of this Sin have great cause to be humbled and afflicted For it 's a crying Sin Gen. 4.10 The voice of thy brothers blood cryeth unto me from the ground Yet not to despair of Mercy upon true Repentance Manasseth shed innocent blood and yet was pardoned upon Repentance 2 Kin. 21.16 Moreover Manasseth shed innocent blood very much till he had fâ—â—â—ed Ierusalem from one end to another c. Q. 12. Whatâ—s the third Inference hence A. Let all Men watch against Pride Passion Malice and Revenge the Sins of the Heart from which this horrid Sin proceeds Matth. 15.18 19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts murders c. Of the seventh Commandment Quest. 70. WHich is the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment is Thou shalt not commit Adultery Quest. 71. What is required in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our Neighbours chastity in heart speech and behaviour Quest. 72. What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchast thoughts words and actions Q. 1. What is the first Duty required in this Commandment A. The first Duty required in this Commandment is the preservation of our own Chastity in heart lip and life 1 Thess. 4.3.4 For this is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour And Eph. 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth c. Q. 2. Why must we preserve our own Chastity A. Because our Bodies are or ought to be the Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.15 19. Know ye not that your bodies are the membeâ—s of Christ Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot God forbid What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own And it is the express charge of God that they be kept pure and clean 1 Thess. 4.3 4. For this is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour Q. 3. What is the second Reason A. The second Reason is because of the evil of it to our selves As 1. It injures the Body 1 Cor. 6.18 He that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body 2. It levels us with the Heathen Eph. 4.17 19. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness 3. Dishonours our Names Prov. 6.32 33. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman a wound and dishonour shall he get c. 4. Scatters our Estates Prov. 5.10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth and thy labours be in the house of strangers 5. Destroyeth the Soul Prov. 6.32 He that doth it destroyeth his own soul. Q. 4. What Age is most incident to
sins against the greater is his sin Rom. 2.4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance And especially when 't is against Spiritual Mercies and Means of Salvation Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation c. Q. 9. Are heinous and crying sins capable of forgiveness A. Yes great and heinous sins are capable of forgiveness upon true Repentance Isa. 1.18 Tho' your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wooll Q. 10. From what fountains doth the pardon of all sins both great and small flow A. They all flow from the Free Grace of God Luk. 7.41 42. And when they had nothing to pay he frankly forgave them both And through the Meritorious satisfying Blood of Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Q. 11. What 's the first Inference hence A. Though some sins are more heinous than others yet no Sinner should absolutely despair of Mercy for the vilest have been pardoned 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified c. Q. 12. What 's the second inference hence A. That there are different degrees of torments in Hell proportioned to the different degrees of sins on earth Matth. 11.21 22. Wo unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes But I say unto you it shall be more tollerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you Q. 13. What 's the third Inference hence A. That great Sinners when pardoned and received to Mercy should excel all others in love to Christ Luke 7.42 43. Which of them will love him most Simon answered and said I suppose that he to whom he forgave most And he said unto him thou hast rightly judged Q. 14. What 's the last Inference hence A. Let no Man neglect Christ because his Sins are not so heinous as others because the least Sin without Christ is damning Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death c. And greater Sinners are often called when lesser are not Matth. 21.31 32. The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you Of the demerit of Sin Quest. 84. WHat doth every Sin deserve A. Every Sin deserveth Gods Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to come Q. 1. Wherein doth the evil of Sin principalâ—y consist A. It consists principally in the offence it gives and the wrong it doth to God Psal. 51.4 Against thee thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight Q. 2. What 's the first offence and wrong Sin doth to God A. It consists in its enmity to God Rom. 8.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God c. Exprest in Scripture by walking contrary to him Levit. 26.40 They have also walked contrary to me Fighting against God Acts 5.39 Lest haply ye be even found to fight against God And resisting his Spirit Acts 7.51 Ye do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost Q. 3. Wherein is its enmity to God â—urther discovered in Scripture A. It 's discovered under the names and notions of hatred of God Rom. 1.30 Back-biters haters of God c. Rebellion against God 1 Sam. 15.23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft c. And despising the Commandment of God 2 Sam. 12.9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord Q. 4. What are the Attributes of God that Sin wrongs A. It wrongs all his Attributes for it slights his Sovereignty Exod. 5.2 And Pharaoh said who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go Resists his Power 1 Cor. 10.22 Are we stranger than be Despiseth his Goodness Rom. 2.4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness c. Taxeth his Iustice Ezek. 18.25 Yet ye say the way of the Lord is not equal c. And clouds his Holiness Jam. 2.7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called Q. 5. What doth Sin deserve in the course of Iustice from God A. It deserves all temporal and eternal effects of Gods Wrath on the Souls and Bodies of Sinners all which in Scripture go under the name of Death Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death c. Q. 6. Can these sufferings satisfie God for all this wrong A. No they cannot and therefore they must and shall be eternal on the damned Matth. 5.26 Verily I say unto thee Thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing Mark 9.44 Where their worm dyeth not and the fire is not quenched Q. 7. Shall all Sinners hear the desert of their Sins A No all that are out of Christ shall but Christ hath freed Believers from it Iohn 3.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned c. Q. 8. But is it not hard that Sinners should suffer eternally for the sins of a few years A. No it is not for the evil of Sin is not to be measured by the time in which but by the object against which it is committed Psal. 51.4 5. Against thee thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight c. Q. 9. What learn we from hence A. Hence in the first place we learn the impossibility of satisfying Gods Justice for the least Sin that ever we committed Iob 7.20 I have sinned what shall I do unto thee c. Psal. 130.3 If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquity O Lord who shall stand Q. 10. What 's the second Instruction hence A. Hence we see the necessity of a Mediatour betwixt God and us Psal. 40.6 7. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire c. Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me Q. 11. What 's the third Instruction hence A. That the greatest suffering is rather to be chosen than the least sin Heb. 11.25 Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Q. 12. What 's the fourth Instruction hence A. It teacheth us what an invaluable Mercy the full free and fiâ—al remission of Sin is Psal. 32.1 2. Blessed is he whose wickedness is forgiven and whose sin is covered c. Q. 13. What 's the fifth Instruction hence A. It vindicates God in his severest strokes on Sinners Hos. 6.5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets I have slain them by the words of my mouth and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth Q. 14. What 's the last Instruction A. Hence we learn the infinite nature of Christs sufferings Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own son but
us richly all things to enjoy Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life Q. 17. Wherefore is the Bread called our Bread A. Not because we are absolute Lords and Possessors of it for so 't is Gods only Psal. 24.1 2. The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein For he hath founded it upon the Seas and estabilished it upod the floods Psal. 50.10 12. for every beast of the forrest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills If I were hungry I would not tell thee for the world is mine and the fulness thereof But 1. Because we must have a Covenant right to it and 2. A civil right we must come lawfully and honestly by and so keep the good things of this life 2 Thes. 3.10 For even when we were with you this we commanded you that if any would not work neither should â—e eat Q. 18. Having prayed for our daily Bread need we to labour and endeavour to get it A. Yes we must labour in good and honest callings Gods blessing and Mans industry must concur towards the present maintenance of life Psal. 128.1 2. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord that walketh in his ways for thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee Prov. 10.4 22. He becometh poor that dealeth with aslack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Q. 19. What is the first Inference from it A. That we must not seek great matters for our selves neither make them the matter of prayer to God nor the end and design of our labours and callings among Men. Q. 20. What is a second Inference from hence A. That having Food and Rayment we must be therewith content and therefore thankful 1 Tim. 6.8 And having food and rayment let us be therewith content 1 Thes. 5.18 In every thing give thanks Q. 21. What is the third Inference A. That we ascribe not our success in the World to our own skill and industry for the wisest and most industrious do sometimes labour in the fire and put their gain in a bag of holes but to Gods free donation to us and to his Blessing upon our endeavours Gen. 33.5 11. And he lift up his eyes and saw the the women and the children and said who are those with thee And he said the children which God hath graciously given thy Servant Take I pray thee my blessing that is brought to thee because God hath dealt graciously with me and because I have enough Deut 28.3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city and blessed shalt thou be in the field ver 6. Blessed shalt thou when thou comest in and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out Concerning forgiveness of Sins Quest. 105. WHat doth we pray for in the fifth Petition A. In the fifth Petition which is and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors we pray that God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our Sins which we are the rather encouraged to ask because by this grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others Q. 1. Why doth this Petition immediately follow the former A. To teach that all temporal and corporal good things without special and Spiritual ones are little worth Psal. 4.6 There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us Psal. 17.14 15. From men which are thy hand O Lord from men of the world which have their portion in this life and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure they are full of children and leave the rest of their substance to their babes As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Q. 2. Why is it annexed to the former with the Copulative and A. To teach that to be one minute in the confluence of all earthly good things without the pardon of Sin is a very dangerous and dreadful condition Luke 12.16 20. And he spake a parable unto them saying the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully but God said unto him thou fool this night shall thy soul be required of thee then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided Q. 3. Why is forgiveness of Sins placed in the front of spiritual Blessings A. Because till sin be pardoned we are under wrath and can have no special saving Grace applyed to us till we are accepted till we are in Christ we have no Covenant right to the blessings of Christ Matt. 11.28 come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest ver 30. for my yoke is easie and my burden is light John 15.4 5. abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me I am the Vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing ver 7. if ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you John 3. ult He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. 4. Why do we pray for forgiveness cannot we make amends for our sins and be freed from their guilt without pardon A. No all that we can ever do or suffer can never expiate the guilt of the least sin Psal. 49.7 8. None of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him For the redemption of their soul is precious and it ceaseth for ever 1 Sam. 2.25 If one man sin against another the judge shall judge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall entreat for him Q 5. Does God then freely and out of meer Grace forgive us A. Yes without any respect had to any thing we can do or be Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake and will not remember thy sins Rom. 9.15 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will be hardneth Q. 6. How doth God forgive sins A. 1. Universally all sins Exod. 34.6 7. And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin Jer. 33.8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have
and magnify it as a rule of duty though we must utterly renounce it as the way of our Justification Q. 12. What is the last Inference from hence A. That there is nothing too dear for a Christian in this world but he must give it up by self-denial when it comes in competition with his supream love to God Luke 14.26 If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple i. e. Love them less than me Of the Preface to the Commandments Quest. 43. and 44. WHAT is the Preface to the Ten Commandments A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words I aâ— the Lord thy God whâ—ch haâ—e brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teach us A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments teach us that because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments Q. 1. Why doth God use arguments and inducements to win men to the obedience of his laws A. Because he loves to work on man as a rational Creature according to the principles of his Nature Hos. 11.4 I dreâ— them with cords of a man with bands of love And because he delights in none but free and chearful Obedience Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Q 2. What is the first argument in this Preface A. It is the sovereignty of the Law-giver I am the Lord which should awe the heart of every man to obedience Iam. 4.12 There is one law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Q 3. What is the second argument to Obedience A. Our propriety in God by Covenant I am the Lord thy God This obligeth to Obedience and aggravateth disobedience Psal. 50.7 Hear O my people and I will speak O Israel and I will testify against thee I am God even thy God Hos. 9.1 Thou hast gone a whoring from thy God Q. 4. What is the third argument unto Obedience A. The benefits of Redemption that they receive from God Benefits perswade to duty and the goodness of God leads to repentance Rom. 2.4 Q. 5. How can deliverance out of Egypt be an argument to them that never were in Egypt A. As that Deliverance was a Type of our Deliverance so 't is an argument to us and an argument from the less to the greater so it obligeth us more than them Luke 1.74 75. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness anâ— righteousness before him all the days of our life Q 6. What is that deliverance we have and how doth it 〈◊〉 us to Obedience A. Our Deliverance is not from Egypt but from Hell Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 And our persons are bought by the Redeemer to glorify God 1 Cor. 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you for ye are bought with a price wherefore glorify God in your body and in your spirits which are Gods Q. 7. Is it not mercenary to serve God upon the account of benefits received or to be received A. He that makes religious Duties Mediums to attain carnal Advantages only is of a worse than mercenary Spirit Hos. 7.14 And they have not cried unto me with their hearts when they howled upon their beds they assembled themselves for corn and wine and they rebelled against me But to be quickened by Mercy to Duty is not mercenary but Evangelical Hos. 3.5 They shall fear the Lord and his goodness Q. 8. What is the first Inference from hence A. That great is the condescention of God to Man that he will use arguments to induce him to obedience who might exact it only by his Sovereignty and justly damn us for our disobedience 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God Q. 9 What is the second Inference from hence A. That the more mercy any receive from God the more obligations are laid on them to obey him Psal. 116.1 2. I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplication because he hath inclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live Q. 10. What is the third Inference from hence A. The more mercies and favours any man sins against the greater is that man's sin and the sorer will be his punishment Amos 3 1 2. You only have I known of all the families of the earth wherefore I will punish you for all your iniquities Q. 11. What is the fourth Inference from hence A. That God's expectations are greater where his mercies and favours have been so Isa. 5.4 What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes brought it forth wild grapes Q. 12. What is the last Inference from hence A. That memorials of God's Mercies are to be kept by us to provoke us to constant and chearful duties of obedience Exod. 17.14 And the Lord said unto Moses Write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Ioshua Psal. 103.2 3. Bless the Lord O my soul forget not all his benefits Of the First Commandment Quest. 45. WHich is the First Commandment A. The First Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q. 1. What is the first duty enjoin'd in the first Commandment A. It is to know and acknowledge the Existence or Being of God and consequently condemns all Atheism both in judgment and practice Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Psalm 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Q. 2. What is the second duty of the First Commandment A. It requires all men to know and acknowledge the unity of God Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. And condemns Polytheism or plurality of Gods 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For tho' there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many and Lords many but to us there is but one God Q. 3. Whence sprang the Opinion of more Gods than one at first in the world A. It sprang from ignorance of God's Omnipresence and Omnipotence Hence came their vain imaginations Rom. 1.21 Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened They thought the presence and power of God might reach one place and not
of my mind c. And though they are said not to sin 1 Iohn 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin c. that is not to be taken absolutely but comparatively as they once did and others still do Q. 7. But did not Christ command the young man to keep the Law A. 'T is true that Christ did put the young man upon this task Matth. 19.17 If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments But it was not on a supposition that he was able to do it but to convince him of the impossibility of Justification that way Q. 8. But doth not the Apostle say that the righteousness of the laâ—â— is fulfilled in Believers A. 'T is true that the Apostle doth say so Rom. 8.4 but the meaning is not that we fulfil it in our own persons by our compleat obedience to it but it is fulfilled in us by our union with Christ who perfectly kept it and that Righteousness of the Law which is in Christ becomes ours by Gods imputation of it to us Rom. 4.23 24. Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Iesus our Lord from the dead Q 9. What is the first Inference from hence A. That Justification by our own Works is utterly impossible to the holiest of Men Gal. 2.16 For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified Psal. 130.3 If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquities O Lord who shall stand Q. 10. What 's the second Inference from hence A. Hence we learn what an infinite Mercy it is that God sent Jesus Christ made under the Law Gal. 4.4 5. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law c. To do that for us we could never do for our selves Rom. 8.3 4. For what the law could not do in that it was weak thâ—ough the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Q. 11. What 's the third Inference from hence A. That the dreadful Curse must needs lye on all Unbelievers that are out of Christ Iohn 3.36 He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him And seek their Justification by the deeds of the Law Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse c. Q. 12. What 's the fourth Inference from hence A. What a deluge of sin and misery brake in upon the whole World by the fall of Adam and all his Posterity being by him plunged under both Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man siâ— entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Q. 13. What 's the fifth Inference from hence A. That the Popish Doctrines of Merits and Works of Supererogation are false and groundless Doctrines springing out of the ignorance aud pride of mans heart Q. 14. What 's the last Inference from hence A. That all Gods people should sigh under their unhappy necessity of sinning Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death And long to be with Christ in the perfect state Hebr. 12.23 And to the spirits of just men made perfect Of the inequality of Sin Quest. 83. ARe all Transgressions of the Law equally hainous A. Some Sins in themselves and by reason of several Aggravations are more hainous in the sight of God than others Q. 1 Whence ariseth the first difference of sin A. The first difference betwixt one sin and another ariseth from the immediate object against which the sin is committed on this account sins immediately committed against God are more heinous than sins committed immediately against Man 1 Sam. 2.25 If one man sin against another the Iudge shall judge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him And all sins of the First Table are greater than those of the Second yet there are crying sins against the Second Q. 2. What 's the first sin noted for an heinous sin A. The sin of Murder is in Scripture set down for an heinous and crying sin in its own nature Gen. 4.10 The voice of thy brothers blood cryeth unto me from the earth Q. 3. What other sin is noted for a crying sin A. The sin of Oppression is noted in Scripture for a crying sin Hab. 2.11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall and the oâ—am out of the timber shall answer it Especially the oppression of the Widow and Fatherless Exod. 22.22 23. Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child If thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry Q. 4. What is reckoned in Scripture an heinous sin against the First Table A. The sin of Atheism or denying the Being of God is a sin of the first magnitude Iob 31.28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the Iudge for I should have denyed the God that is above This was the sin of Pharaoh Exod. 5.2 And Pharaoh said who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel go Q. 5. What other sin is heinous in Gods account A. The sin of Idolatry is a most heinous sin and goes nearer to the heart of God than other sins do Ezek. 6.9 And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives because I am broken with their whâ—rish heart which hath departed from me and with their eyes which go a whoring after their idols and they shall loath themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations Jer. 44.4 Oh do not this abominable thing that I hate Q. 6. What 's the most heinous of all the sins in the world A. The sin against the Holy Ghost is the most heinous of all other sins and shall never be forgiven by Him Matth. 12.31 All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men Q. 7. From whence doth this Scripture aggravate sin A The Spirit of God in Scripture aggravates and estimates sin from the degree of light and knowledge Men sin against Luke 12.47 And that servant which knew his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes John 15.22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their sin Q. 8. What 's the second thing that aggravates sin A. The more Mercies any man