Church by the Apostolical Power Preaching Writings and Miracles and in the Sanctifying and helping all true Believers Q. 7. By this it seems there are many wayes of denying the Holy Ghost A. Yes 1. They deny him who deny his Godhead as the Third Person in the Blessed Trinity 2. They deny him who deny that the Miracles oâ— Christ and his Apostles were God's Testimony to Christ being convinced of the Trueth of the Facts 3. They deny him who deny the extraordinary qualifications of the Apostles and suppose them to have had but the prudence of ordinary honest Men. 4. They deny the Holy Ghost who deny the sacred Scriptures to be indited by him and to be true 5. They deny him who deny him to be the Sanctifier of God's Elect and feign Holiness to be bâ—â— conceit deceit or common Virtue Q. 8. But are all these the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost A. The unpardonable sin is called The Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost Mat. 12. And it is when Men are convinced that those Miracles were done and those gifts given which are God's attestation to Christ and his Gospel but they fixedly believe and say That they were all done by the power of the Devil by Conjuration and not by God and therfore notwithstanding them Christ was but a Deceiver And this sin is unpardonable because it rejecteth the only remedy The Spirits witness to the truth of Christ He that will not believe this Witness shall have no other Q. 9. But how may we know that we are Sanctifyed by the Spirit A. By that Holiness which he causeth 1. When our Understandings so know and believe the Truth and Goodness of the Gospel and its Grace as that we Practically esteem and prefer the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son and the Communion of the Holy Ghost and the heavenly Glory before all the Pleasures Profits and Honours of this World that stand against them and before Life it self 2. When Our Wills do with habitual Inclination and Resolution Love and Choose the same before all the said things that stand in competition 3. When in the course of our Lives we seek them first and hold them fastest in a time of Tryal forsaking the Flesh the World and the Devil so far as they are against them and living in sincere though not perfect Obedience to God Q. 10. Is the Spirit or the Scripture higher and the Rule of Faith and Life A. The Spirit as the Author of the Scripture is greater than the Scripture and the Scripture as the Word of the Spirit is the Rule of our Faith and Lives and greater than our Spiritual gifts The Spirit in the Apostles was given them to write when they had preached that Doctrine which is our Rule But the Spirit is not given to us to make a new Law or Rule but to believe Love and Obey that already made As under the Law of Moses God that made the Law was greateâ— than the Law But when God had made that Law their Rule he did not after that teach good Men to make another Law but to understand and obey that Q. 11. There are many that boast of the Spirit and Revelations how shall we try such whether their Spirits â—â— of God A. 1. If they pretend to do that which is fully done by the Spirit already that is to preach or write another Gospel or make a new Law for the Universal Church seeing this was the Prophetical extraordinary Office of Christ and the Spirit in the Apostleâ— such imply an accusation of insufficiency on Christs aâ—â— the Spirits Law or Rule and arrogate a power never given them and so are false Prophets 2. If they contradict the written Word of God which is certainly Sealed by God's Spirit already â—â— must needs be by an evil Spirit For God's Spirit doth not contradict it self Q. 12. But had not the Priests under the Law tâ—â— Spirit of God as well as Moses that gave them tâ—â— Law A. Moses only and Aaron under him had God Revelation to make the Law And the Priests only to keep it teach it and rule by it And so it is as tâ— the Apostles of Christ and the succeeding Ministry Q. 13. But might not Kings then make Religioâ— Laws A. Yes to determine such circumstances as Goâ— had only given them a General Law for and left to be determined by them but not to make new Laws of the same kind with Gods nor to add to or alter them Q. 14. But were there not Prophets after Moses that had the Spirit A. Yes But they were not Legislators but sent with particular Mandates Reproofs or Consolations save only David and Solomon who had directions from God himself not to make a new Law of God but to order things about the Temple and its Worship So if any Man now pretend to a Prophetical Revelation it must not be Legislative to the Catholick Church nor against Scripture but about particular Persons Acts and Events and it must be proved by Miracle or by Success before another is bound to believe him Q. 15. Must I take every motion in me to be by the Holy Ghost which is agreeable to the Word of God or for doing what is there commanded A. Yes if it be according to that Word for the Matter End Manner Time and other circumstances But Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light and mind us of some Text or Truth to misapply it and put us on Meditation Prayer or other duty at an unseasonable Time when it would do more hurt than good or in an ill manner or to ill Ends He can move Men to be fervent Reprovers or Preachers or Rulers that were never called to it but are urged by him and the Passion and Pride of their own Hearts And good Men in some mistakes know not what manner of spirit they are of CHAP. XVIII The Holy Catholick Church Qu. 1. HOw is this Article joyned to the former A. This Article hath not been alwayes in the Creed in the same order and words as now But the belief of a Holy Church was long before it was called Catholick And it is joyned as part of our Belief of the Work of the Holy Ghost and the Redemption wrought by Christ Christ by his death purchaseth and the Holy Ghost gathereth the Holy Catholick Church It were defective to believe Christs Purchase and the Holy Ghost's Sanctification and not know for whom and on whom it is done To Sanctifie is to Sanctifie some Persons and so to make them the Holy Society or Christian Church Q. 2. What is a Church A. The Name is applied to many sorts of Assemblies which we need not name to you But here it signifieth The Christian Society Q. 3. Why is it called Catholick A. Catholick is a Greek word and signifieth Universal It is called Catholick because 1. It is not as the Iews Church confined to one Nation but comprehendeth all
just we must defend them by all lawful means that is by Prayer to God by Argument by Petition to the King and by helping their Flight or hiding them And if a King would ravish or murder your Mother or Wife you may hold his hands while they escape as you may do if he would kill himself in Drunkenness or Passion But you may not on such private accounts raise a War against him because War is a publick action and under the Judgment of the publick Governour of the Common-wealth and not under the Judgment of your Parents or any private person Q. 13. But if the King Command me one thing and my Parents another which of them must I prefer in my obedience A. Each of them have their proper Office in which they must be preferred and obeyed Your Mother must be obeyed before the King in telling you when to Suck or Eat Your Parents must be obeyed before the King in matters proper to Family-Government as what daily Food you shall eat and what daily work for them you shall do and what Wife to choose c. But the King is to be obeyed before your Parents in all matters belonging to National Government Q. 14. But what if it be about Religious acts as what Pastor I shall choose What Church I shall joyn with how I shall spend the Lords day c. Must I prefer the King or my Parents in my Obedience A. While you are in your Minority and understand not the Kings Laws you must obey your Parents and if they command you any thing contrary to the Kings Commands they must be answerable for it as the Case shall prove some Commands about your Religion belong to your Parents and some to the King and they are accordingly to be obeyed It is not the Kings Office but your Parents to Catechize you to teach you to Read and Pray to choose your School-master or Tutor In these therefore your Parents are first to be obeyed And it is your Parents office to choose where you shall dwell and consequently to what Pastor you shall commit the conduct of your Soul And also how in the Family and in Private you shall spend the Lords day But the determination of all those publick Circumstances which are needful to be imposed on all Christians in the Land belongs not to your Parents but to the Supream Power Q. 15. But what if the King and the Bishops or Pastors differ about matters of Religion to be believed or done which of them must I obey A. If it be in things belonging to the Kings determination as what Translation shall be used in all the Churches when Synods shall meet who shall have the Tythes Glebe and Temples what National Fasts or Thanksgivings shall be kept and such like you must obey the King But if it be in things proper to the Pastoral Office as who shall be judged Capable of Raptisme or of the Lords Supper and Church-Communion Who shall be admonished â—xcommunicated or absolved by the Pastors what â—ext the Minister shall Preach on and on what â—ubject in what Method and in what Words what â—e shall say to troubled Consciences or to the sick â—r to others what words he shall use in Exhorâ—ation Prayer or Thanksgiving all these being part â—f the Pastors work you are to obey him in them all â—ut neither Prince nor Pastor have power against God Q. 16. But what if the Bishops or Pastors be diâ—â—ded which of them must we obey A. 1. Those that obey Gods Laws 2. Those â—hat impose the safest course where the matter on â—ne side is no sin when on the other we fear it is â— All other things being equal those that are most â—â—animous and concordant with the universality of Christians and the Primitive Church And our own Pastors rather than others And the Godly and â—minently wise before the ignorant and ungodâ—â— Q. 17. But what if the Bishop or Pastor who is â—â—er us differ from most in the Nation And if the National Bishops and Ministry differ from most other â—rreign Churches as England from France Spain â—â—aly Germany Moscovy the Greeks Armenians â—â—assines A. The things in which the difference is supposed must not be thus confounded either they are necessary points of Faith or Practice to all Christians in order to Salvation 2. Or else they are controverted Opinions not so necessary 3. Or else they are matters of local occasional mutable practice 1. As to the first All true Christians are agreed in all things necessary to our Common Salvation â—… any oppose these and draw men from the Church on that account he is a Heretick In this case Godâ— Law must be known to us all to which we must stick whoever gainsay it 2. In the second case of disputable less necessary Opinions we must suspend our judgements tiâ—… evidence determine them But judge them most probably to be in the right who are in those matter discerned commonly to have greatest skill and sincerity But the Ignorant cannot subscribe to any oâ— them in the dark 3. In the third case as what Time and Placâ—… we shall meet at what Subject we shall hear whaâ—… Catechism-questions we shall answer when we shaâ—… Communicate and with what individual Persons iâ—… what words the Assembly shall pray and praise Godâ—… c. we are to obey our own Pastors and noâ—… Strangers As every Wife is to be governed by heâ—… own Husband and every Child by his own Parentâ—… and every Servant by his own Master I scarce thinâ—… our Papists Monarchical or Aristocratical woulâ—… have an universal Husband Parent or Master or â—… Council of Husbands Parents or Masters of all thâ—… World or all the Kingdom set up for such acts â—… these Q. 18. But is there no Command to Parents Prinâ—… and Pastors for their duty as well as to Chilâ—…n and Subjects for theirs A. The Commandements written on stone were â—…cessarily brief and the duty of Rulers is here imâ—…yed and included Q. 19. What is the duty of Parents for their â—…ldren A. 1. To take due care of their Lives Health and â—…cessary Maintenance 2. To teach them when â—…ey are capable to know God and his Word his Doâ—…ine Laws Promises and Penalties to know â—…emselves their Souls their Relation to God their â—…ty to him their Original pravity and guilt and â—…nger To know Jesus Christ his Person Life â—…octrine Death Resurrection Ascension Glory â—…ngdom Intercession and Judgment To know â—…e Holy Ghost as sent by Christ to indite and â—…l the Scripture qualifie the Apostles and Evanâ—…lists to deliver infallibly Christs Commands and â—…ord them to all after Ages and accordingly setâ—… the Churches to confirm their Ministry by Miâ—…les and to sanctifie all true Christians to the end â—… the world To know the use of the ordinary â—…nistry and of the Communion of Saints To know â—… Covenant of Grace and the Grace of Pardon â—…option and Sanctification which we
Such as only enjoyn the obeying of Christs own Laws 2. And such as only determine of such meer Accidents of Doctrine Worship and Discipline as Christ hath commanded in General and virtually and left the particular sort to humane determination of Governours as Time Place Utensils c. 3. Such as are not extended beyond the Churches of which they are Pastors to others of whom they are no Rulers 4. Such as being Indifferent are not made more necessary than their Nature and Use requireth Nor used to the Churches Destruction or hurt but to it's Edification 5. Such as being mutable in the Reason or Cause of them are not fixed And continued when the reason of them ceaseth Christ calleth us Minsters that we may not think we are Lords of his Heritage Our Work is to expound and apply his Laws and perswade men to obey them and not to make Laws of our own of the same kind as if we were his Equals and Lords of his Church It 's true he hath bid us determine of Circumstances to the Churches Edification and the Pastor is Judge for the present Time and Place what Chapter he shall read what Text he shall preach on and in what Method what Psalm shall be Sung and in what Tune and such like But who made him Lord of other Churches to impose the like on them Or how can he prove that the very same circumstances are necessary to all when a day may alter the case with himself which depends on mutable causes If all the World or Land be commanded on such a day to read the same Psalm and Chapter and occurrents make any Subject far more suitable who hath power to deprive the present Pastor of his Choice and to suppose Ministers unable to know what Subject to read or preach on unless it be they that make such men Ministers that they may so rule them Q. 10. Why must there be stated Worshipping Congregations A. 1. For the Honour of God and our Redeemer who is best honoured in united solemn Assemblies magnifying him with one Mind and Heart and Mouth 2. For the preservation of Religion which is so best exercised honoured and kept up 3. For the Benefit and Joy of Christians who in such concordant Societies receive Encouragement Strength and Comfort 4. For the due Order and Honour of the particular Churches and the whole Q. 11. Is every worshipping Congregation a Church A. The Name is not much worthy of a debate There are divers sorts of Christian Assemblies which may be called Churches 1. There are occasional accidental Assemblies that are not stated 2. There are stated Assemblies like Chappels which have only Curates and are but Parts of the lowest political Governing Churches 3. Christians statedly associated under such Pastors as have the Power of the Church Keyes for personal Communion in Holy Doctrine Worship and Conversation are the lowest sort of Political Governed Churches 4. Synods consisting of the Pastors and Delegates of these may be called Churches in a laxe sence 5. And so may a Christian Nation under one King 6. And all the Christian World is one Catholick Church as Headed by Jesus Christ. 7. And the Roman Sect is a spurious Church as it is headed by a humane uncapable Soveraign claiming the Power of Legislation and Judgment over all the Church on earth Q. 12. But how shall I know which is the true Church when so many claim the Title the Papists say it is only theirs A. I have fully answered such doubts on the Article of the Holy Catholick Church and Communion of Saints in the Creed Either you speak of the Whole Church or of a Particular Church which is but a Part. If of the whole Church it is a foolish question How I shall know which is the true Church when there is but one If of a Particular Church every true Christian Society Pastors and Flocks is a true Church that is a True Society as a part of the Whole Q. 13. But when there are divers contending Churches how shall I know which of them I should joyn with A. 1 If they are all true Churches having the same God and Christ and Faith and Hope and Love You must separate from none of them as Churches though you may separate from their sins But must communicate with them in all lawful Exercises as occasion requireth 2. But your fixed Relation to a particular Pastor and Church peculiarly must be chosen as your own Case and Benefit all things considered doth require When you can have free choice the Nearest and Ablest and Holyest Pastor and Society should be chosen When Violence interposeth a Rulers will may do much to turn the scales for a tolerable Pastor and Society if it make it most for the common good and your Edification Q. 14. May men adde any thing to the prescribed Worship of God A. Worship is a doubtful Word If you will call meer mutable Accidents and Circumstances by the Name of Worship Man may adde to them such as is putting off the Hatt the Meetre and tune of Psalms and such like But men may do nothing which implyeth a defect in the Laws of Christ and therefore may make no new Articles of Faith or Religion or any thing necessary to Salvation nor any Sacraments or Ordinances of Worship of the same kind with Christs much less Contrary thereto Q. 15. May we hold Communion with a faulty Church and Worship A. Or else we must have Communion with none on Earth All our personal Worship is faulty we joyn with them for Christian Faith and Worship If the Minister say or do any thing contrary it is his sin and our presence maketh it not ours Else we must separate from all the World But we may not by false Professions Subscribing Swearing or Practice commit any sin our selves for the Communion of any Church on Earth CHAP. XLV Of Baptism Qu. 1. WHat is Baptism A. It is a Sacred action or Sacrament instituted by Christ for the Solemnizing of the Covenant of Christianity between God and Man and the solemn investing us in the State of Christianity obliging us to Christ and for his delivering to us our Relation and right to him as our Head and to the gifts of his Covenant Q. 2. Why did Christ institute such a Ceremony as Washing in so great and weighty a Work as our-Christening A. 1. A Soul in flesh is apt to use sense and needs some help of it 2. Idolaters had filled the World with Images and outward Ceremonies and the Jews had been long used to abundance of Typical Rites And Christ being to deliver the World from these and teach them to Worship in Spirit and Truth would not run into the extream of avoiding all sensible signs and helps but hath made his Sacraments few and fitted to their use to be instead of Images and mens vain Inventions and the Jewish burdens as meet and sufficient helps of that kind to his Church
true Christians in the World And 2. Because it consisteth of Persons that have every where in the World the same Essentiating qualifications summed up Eph. 4. 3 4 5 6. One Body one Spirit one hope of our Calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all though iâ— various Measures of Grace And so the Concordanâ— Churches of Christ through the World were called The Catholick Church as distinct from the Sects and Heresies that broke from it Q. 4. How comes the Pope of Rome to call only his Subjects Catholicks A. The greatest part of the Church on Earth by far was long in the Roman Empire and when Emperors turned Christians they gave the Churches Power for the Honour of Christianity to form the Churches much like the Civil State And so a General Council of all the Churches in that Empire was their Supream Church Power And three Patriarchs first and five after were in their several Provinces over all the rest of the Archbishops and Bishops And so the Orthodox Party at First were called The Catholicks because they were the greater Concordant part But quickly the Arrians became far greater and carryed it in Councils and then they called themselves The Catholicks After that the Orthodox under wiser Emperors got up again and then they were the greater part called Catholicks Then the Nostorians a little while and the Eutychians after and the Monothelites after them got the Major Vote in Councils and called themselves the Catholick Church And so since then they that had the greatest countenance from Princes and the greatest number of Bishops in Councils claimed the Name of the Catholick Church And the Pope that was the first Patriarch in the Empire first called himself the Head of the Catholick Church in that Empire and when the Empire was broke extended his claim to the whole Christian World partly by the abuse of the word Catholick Church and partly by abuse of the Name General Councils falsly pretending to Men that what was called Catholick and General as to the Empire had been so called as to all the World And thus His Church was called Catholick Q. 5. Why is the Catholick Church called Holy A. 1. To notifie the work of our Saviour who came to save us from our sins and gather a peculiar People a holy Society who are separated from the unbelieving ungodly World 2. To notifie the Work of the Holy Ghost who is given to make such an Holy People 3. Yea to notifie the Holiness of God the Father who will be Sanctified in all that draw near him and hateth the impure and unholy and will have all his Children Holy as he is Holy 4. And to tell us the fitness of all Gods Children for his favour and Salvation Q. 6. Wherein consisteth the Holiness of the Church A. 1. Christ their Head is perfectly Holy 2. The Gospel and Law of Christ which is our objective Faith and Rule are Holy 3. The Founders of the Church were eminently Holy 4. All sincere Christians are truly Holy and marked out as such for Salvation 5. The common Ministers have an Holy Office 6. The Church Worship as Gods Ordinances are Holy works 7. All that are Baptized and profess Christianity are Holy as to Profession and so far separated from the Infidel World though not sincerely to Salvation Q. 7. What is it now that you call The Holy Catholick Church A. It is The Universality of Christians Headed by Iesus Christ. Or It is a Holy Kingdom consisting of Iesus Christ the Head and all sincere Christians the sincere Members and all professed Christians the professing Members first founded and gathered by the Holy Ghost eminently working in the Apostles and Evangelists Recording the Doctrine and Laws of Christ for their Government to the End and guided by his Ministers and Sanctifying Spirit according to those Laws and Doctrine in various degrees of Grace and Gifts Q. 8. What is it that makes all Churches to be One A. 1. Materially their concord in the same qualifications which is called Eph. 4. 3. The Unity of the Spirit They are all that are sincere Sanctified by the same Spirit and have the same Essentials of Faith Hope Baptismal Covenant and Love And the Hypocrites profess the same 2. Formally their common Union with and Relation to God the Father Son and Holy Ghost that is to Iesus Christ their Head bringing them home to God the Father by the Spirit Q. 9. Is there no one Ministerial Head of all the Church on Earth A. No neither One Man nor one Council or Collection of Men For 1. None are naturally capable of being One Supream Pastor Teacher Priest and Ruler over all the Nations of the Earth nor can so much as know them or have humâ—ne converse with them And a Council gathered equally out of all the World as One such Supream is a more gross Fiction of impossibles than that of a Pope 2. And Christ that never so qualified any never gave any such power But all Pastors are like the Judges Justices and Mayors that rule subordinately under one King in their several Precincts and not like an Universal Viceroy Lieutenant or Aristocracy or Parliament Q. 10. But is not Monarchy the best Form of Government and should not the Church have the best A. 1. Yes and therefore Christ is its Monarch who is capable of it 2. But a Humane Universal Monarchy of all the World is not best nor was ever an Alexander a Caesar or any Man so mad as soberly to pretend to it or plead for it Who is the Man that you would have to be King at the Antipodes and over all the Kings on Earth 3. Yea the case of the Church is liker that of Schools and Colledges that rule Volunteers in order to Teaching them And did ever Papist think that all the Schools on Earth of Grammarians Philosophers Physicians c. should have one humane Supream Schoolmaster or a Council or Colledge of such to Rule them Q. 11. But Christ is not a Visible Head and the Church is Visible A. We deny not the Visibility of the Church but we must not feign it to be more visible than it is 1. It consisteth of visible Subjects 2. Their Profession is visible and their Worship 3. They have visible Pastors in all the particular Churches as every School hath its Schoolmaster 4. Christ was visible in the Flesh on Earth 5. He was after seen of Stephen and Paul 6. He is now visible in Heaven â—â— the King is in his Court 7. And he will come in glorious Visibility shortly to judge the World 8. And his Laws are visible by which he ruleth us and will judg us If all this Visibility will not satisfie Men Christ will not approve of Usurpation for more Visibility Q. 12. Of what use is this Article to us A. 1. To tell us that Christ dyed not in vain but will certainly have a Holy Church which he will save
believing Pâ—rent that the unbeliever is sanctified to the believing for the begetting of a Holy Seed else weâ—â— your Children unclean but now they are Holy meeâ— Legitimation is never called Holiness nor are Heâ—thens Children Bastards 8. And most plainly Christ when he instituteâ—â— baptism saith Go Disciple me all nations baptiziâ—â— them which fully sheweth that he would have Mâ—nisters endeavour to Disciple and baptize Nationâ— of all which Infants are a part 9. And accordingly many Prophesies foretell thâ—â— Nations shall come in to Christ and Christians aâ—â— Called A Holy Nation And it 's said The Kiâ—â—doms of the World are become the Kingdoms of tâ—â— Lord and of his Christ. Q. 14. But though Infants be Church-Memberâ— is it not better that their Baptism be delayed till thâ—â— know what they do A. Christ knew what 's best And he hath toâ—â— us of no other door of entrance into the visibâ—â— Church regularly but by Baptism And if he 〈◊〉 intended so great a change to the believing Iems to unchurch all their Infants he would have told â—… And the Apostles would have had more ado to quiâ—â— them in this than they had for casting off Circumâ—…on But we read of no such thing but the câ—â—stant baptizing of whole housholds Q. 15. But Infant-Baptism seems to let in all the Corruption of the Churches while Infants receive they know not what and are all taken after for Christians how â—ad soever or without knowing what Christianity is Whereas if they stayd till they understood â—…t it would engage them to be resolved Christians indeed A. This is not long of Infant-Baptism but of unfaithful Parents and Ministers For 1. If the Parents were told their Duty and also what a Blessing â—… is to have their Children in Christs Church and Covenant it would awaken them better to do their â—…rt and comfort them in their Childrens state of Grace 2. And if Infants were not betime engaged the â—sage would tempt Multitudes to do as some did of â—â—d even sin on as long as they durst that Baptism â—â—ght wash it away at last 3. And doubtless with unfaithful Ministers Bapâ—ism at age also would be made but a Ceremony â—â—d slubbered over as Confirmation is now and as â—â—stomary going to the Church and Sacrament is 4. But that which should be done is that at age â—ery baptized person before he is admitted among â—â—ult Communicants should be as diligently Cateâ—â—ized and as solemnly own and renew his Baptisâ—al Vow and Covenant as if it were now to be â—â—st done The full nature of Baptism is best to be â—â—derstood by the case of the adult who were caâ—â—ble of more than Infants are And no adult Perâ—â—n must be baptized without serious deliberate unâ—â—rstanding Profession of Faith Repentance and hoâ—… Obedience to Christ. Infants cannot do this â—hough they must not do that again which they did and could doe viz. receive Baptism yet they must do that which they did not nor could do I confess to you of the two evils I think the Church is more corrupted for want of such a solemn serious renewing of the Baptismal Covenant at age and by turning Confirmation into a Ceremony than by those Anabaptists who call People to be seriously rebaptized as the Africk Councel did those that had been baptized by Hereticks Q. 16. Do you think that Anabaptists should be tolerated or that all should not be forced to bring their Children to Baptism A. 1. Infant Baptism is no such easie Controversie or Article of Faith as that no one should be tolerated that receiveth it not 2. The ancient Church which we most reverence left all men to their liberty to be baptized only when they pleased and compelled none for themselves or their Children Tertullian was for the delay till they understood Gregory Nazianzen was â—oâ— staying some years Augustine and other of the Fathers were baptized at age 3. Baptism giveth so great a gift even Christ aâ—â— Pardon and Adoption and Right to Life Eternal â—â— Condition of thankful acceptance and believing Coâ—…sent that undoubtedly the unwilling have no rigâ—… to it The ancient Church baptized none till the desired and sought it for themselves or Children Yea they must be willing of it on self-denyal-termâ— forsaking the Flesh the World and the Devil aâ—â— taking God instead of all So that to force any 〈◊〉 be Baptized by Mulcts and Penalties and baptiâ—â— those so forced is to deceive Souls defile Chrisâ—â— Church and profane the Sacred Ordinance of God Q. 17. I have oft wondred what harm twice baptizing doth that it should be accounted a Heresie and intolerable A. It is a fault because it 's contrary to Christs appointed Order Baptism is the Sacrament of our New-Birth and we are born but once To be baptized again implyeth an Untruth that we were not baptized before But I suppose none do it but through Ignorance And Cyprian and the Bishops of many Countreys in many Councils were so ignorant is to be guilty of rebaptizing all that Hereticks baptized The great fault of the Anabaptists is their Schism that they cannot be contented when they are rebaptized to live in Love and Communion with others but grow so fond of their own Opiâ—â—on as to gather into separated Churches and avoid Communion with all that are not of their Mind and â—â—end their time in contentious Endeavours to draw â—en to them Q. 18. What the better are Infants for being baptized A. The Children of the Faithful are stated by it â—… a Right to the foresaid Benefits of the Covenant â—…e Pardon of their Original sin the Love of God â—â—e Intercession of Christ and the help of the Holy Ghost when they come to Age and title to the Kingdom of Heaven if they die before they forâ—eâ—t it Q. 19. Rut how can we judge all such in a state â—f Salvation when we see many at age prove wicked â—â—d Enemies A. This is a point of so great difficulty that I â—ay but humbly propose my Opinion to tryal â—… There is a degree of grace or goodness which doth only give a man a Power to believe or obey God but not give a rooted habitual determination to his will such the fallen Angels had and Adam before his fall who was thereby in a state of Life till he fell from it by wilfull sin And so it may be with the baptized Infants of Believers But when the special sanctifying gift of the Holy Ghost is given them and they are habitually rooted in the Love of God as the seed sown in good ground they fall not totally away 2. As Parents and Children are Covenanters for their several Duties if Parents will perâ—idiously neglect their promised duty for the holy Education of their Children or Children rebelliously sin against that Power and Measure of Grace which they received they may perish by Apostacy as the Angels did or need as Adam a renewing by Repentance All Christs Grace is not confirming As the best may
though Hypocrites are the Church-visible and his professed Subjects 3. Subjects by sincere Heart-consent And so all such are his Subjects as make up the Church-mystical and shall be saved So that the Kingdom of God is a word which is sometime of a larger signification than the Church and sometime in a narrower sence is the same Eph. 1. 23. Christ is Head over all things to the Church Q. 7. What are the Acts of Christs Kingly Government A. Law-making Judging according to that Law and executing that Judgment Q. 8. What Laws hath Christ made and what doth â—e rule by A. First He taketh the Law of Nature now as his own as far as it belongeth to sinful Mankind And 2. He expoundeth the darker passages of that Law And 3. He maketh new Laws proper to the Church â—ince his Incarnation Q. 9. Are there any new Laws of Nature since the Fall A. There are new Obligations and Duties arising from our changed State It was no duty to the Innocent to repent of Sin and seek out for Recovery and â—eg Forgiveness But Nature bindeth Sinners not yet â—nder the final Sentence to all this Q. 10. What new Laws hath Christ made A. Some proper to Church Officers and some â—ommon to all Q. 11. What are his Laws about Church-Officers A. First He chose himself the first chief Officers â—nd he gave them their Commission describing their Work and Office and he Authorized them to gather â—nd form particular Churches and their fixed Officers â—t Pastors and necessary Orders and gave them the â—xtraordinary Conduct and Seal of his Spirit that their determinations might be the infallible significations of his Will and his recorded Law to his Universal Church to the end of the World His Spirit being the Perfecter of his Laws and Government Q. 12. How shall we be sure that his Apostles by the Spirit were Authorized to give Laws to all future Generations A. Because he gave them such Commission to teach Men all that he Commanded 2. And promised them his Spirit to lead them into all Truth and bring all things to their Remembrance and to tell them what to say and do And 3. Because he performed this Promise in sending them that extraordinary measure of the Spirit And 4. They spake as from Christ and in his Name and as by his Spirit And 5. They sealed all by the manifestation of that Spirit in its Holy and Miraculous manifold Operation Q. 13. Have not Bishops and Councils the same Power now A. No To be the Instruments of Divine Legislation and make Laws which God will call His Laws is a special Prophetical Power and Office such aâ— Moses had in making the Iewish Laws which noâ—… had that came after him But when Prophetical Revelation hath made the Law the following Officeâ—… have nothing to do But 1. To preserve that Law 2. And to expound it and apply it and guide thâ— People by it and themselves obey it 3. And to determine undetermined mutable Circumstances As the Iewish Priests and Levites were not to make another Law but to preserve expound and Rule by Moses Law so the ordinary Ministers Bishops or Councils are to do as to the Laws of God sufficiently made by Christ and the Spirit in his Apostles Q. 14. What are the New Laws which he hath made for all A. The Covenant of Grace in the last Edition is his Law by which he obligeth Men to Repent and Believe in him as Incarnate Crucified and Ascended and Interceding and Reigning in Heaven and as one that will Judge the World at the Resurrection As one that pardoneth Sin by his Sacrifice and Merit and Sanctifieth Believers by his Spirit And to believe in God as thus reconciled by Him and in the Holy Ghost as thus given by him And he promiseth Pardon Grace and Glory to all true Believers and threatneth Damnation to impenitent Unbelievers And he commandeth all Believers to devote themselves thus to God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost by a solemn Vow in Baptism and live in the Communion of Saints in his Church and Holy Worship and the frequent Celebration of the Memorial of his Death in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood especially on the first Day of the Week which he hath separated to that Holy Comemoration and Communion by his Resurrection and the sending of his Spirit and by his Apostles And he hath commanded all his Disciples to live in Unity Love and Beneficence taking up the Cross and following him in Holiness and Patience in hope of Everlasting Life Q. 15. But some say that Christ was only a Teacher and not a Law-giver A. His Name is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and all Power in Heaven and Earth is given him and all things put into his Hands the Government is laid on his Shoulders and the Father without him judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son For this end he died rose and revived that he might be Lord of the Dead and of the Living He is at God's right Hand above aâ—â— Principalities and Powers and every Name being Head over all things to the Church Q. 16. May not this signifie only his Kingdom as â—â— is God or that which he shall have hereafter only at the Resurrection A. 1. It expresly speaketh of his Power as God and Man the Redeemer 2. And he made his Law iâ— this Life though the Chief and Glorious part of hâ—â— Judgment and Execution be hereafter How elsâ— should Men here keep his Law and hereafter â—â— judged according to it He that denieth Christ to be the Lawgiver denied him to be King and he that denieth him to be King denieth him to be Christ and is no Christian. Q. 17. Hath Christ any Vicegerent or Universal Governour under him on Earth A. No It is his Prerogative to be the Universal Governour for no mortal Man is capable of it As no one Monarch is capable of the Civil Government of all the Earth nor was ever so mad as to pretend to it much less is any one capable of being an Universal Church-Teacher Priest and Governour over all the Earth when he cannot so much as know it or send to all or have access into the contending Kingdoms of the World To pretend to this is mad Usurpation Q. 18. But had not Peter the Monarchical Government of all the Church on Earth in his Time A. No He was Governour of none of the Eleven Apostles nor of Paul nor ever exercised any such Government no nor it seems so much as presided at their meeting Act. 15. Q. 19. But is not a General Council the Universal Governour A. No 1. Else the Church would be no Church when there is no General Council for want of its Unifying Government And 2. There indeed never was a general Council of all the Christian World But they were called by the Roman Emperours and were called General as
to that Empire as the Subscriptions yet shew 3. And there never can be an Universal Council It were madness and wickedness to attempt it To send for the Aged Bishops from all Nations of the Christian World when none is Empowered to determine Whither or When even from the Countreys of Turks and other Infidels or Princes in War with one another that will not permit them And what room shall hold them and what one Language can they all speak And how few will live to return home with the Decrees And will not the Countrey were they meet by nearness have more Voices than all the rest And what is all this to do To condemn Christ as not having made Laws sufficient for the Universal part of Government but leave such a burden on uncapable Men And to tell the Church that Christian Religion is a mutable growing thing and can never be known to attain its ripeness but by new Laws must be made still bigger and another thing Q. 20. But the Bishops of the World may meet by their Delegates A. Those Delegates must come from the same Countreys and distance And how shall the whole World know that they are truly chosen And that all the Choosers have trusted them with their Judgments Consciences and Salvation and will stand to what they do Q. 21. But if the Universal Church be divided into Patriarchates and chief Seats those can Govern the whole Church when there is no General Council even by their Communicatory Letters A. 1. And who shall divide the World into those chief Seats and determine which shall be chief in all the Kingdoms of Infidels and Christian Kings in the World And which shall be Chief when they differ among themselves How many Patriarchs shall there be and where There were never Twelve Pretenders to succeed the Twelve Apostles The Roman Empire had three First and Five after within it self But that was by Humane institution and over one Empire and that 's now down and those Five Seats have many Hundred Years been separated and condemning one another so far are they from being One Unifying Aristocracy to Govern all the World And if they were so then Europe is Schismatical that now differs from the Major Vote of those Patriarchs Q. 22. But did not the Apostles as one Colledge Govern the whole Church A. 1. I proved to you before that the Holy Ghost was given the Apostles to perfect Universal Ligislation as Christs Agent and Advocate and that in this they have no Successors 2. And it was easie for them to exercise Acts of Judicial Determination over such as were among them and near them when the Church was small 3. And yet we read not that ever they did this in a General Council or by the Authority of a Major Vote For that meeting in Act. 15. was no General Council and the Elders and Brethren joyned with them that belonged to Ierusalem and they were all by the same Spirit of the same mind and none Dissenters Every single Apostle had the Spirit of Infallibility for his proper work And they had an Indefinite charge of the whole Church and in their several circuits exercised it Paul could by the Spirit deliver a Law of Christ to the World without taking it from the other Apostles Gal. 2. The Apostles were foundation Stones but Christ only was the Head Corner-stone They never set up a Judicial Government of all the Churches under themselves as a constitutive Unifying Aristocracy by whose major Vote all must be Governed When they had finished the work of Universal Legislation and settled Doctrine and Order for which they stayed together at Ierusalem they dispersed themselves over the World and we never find that they Judicially governed the Churches either in Synods or by Letters by a major Vote but settled Guides in ever Church as God by Moses did Priests and Levites that had no Legislative Power Q. 23. But hath not Christ his Subordinate Official Governours A. Yes Magistrates by the Sword and Pastors by the Word and Keyes These are Rulers in their several Circuits as all the Judges and Justices and Shoolmasters of England are under the King But he that should say that all these Judges and Justices are one Sovereign Aristocracy to make Laws and Judge by them by Vote as one Person political though many Natural would give them part of the Supream power and not only the Official All the Pastors in the World Guide all the Churches in the World by parts and in their several Provinces and not as One Politick Person Q. 24. But how is the Universal Church visible if it have no Visible Unifying Head and Government under Christ A. It is Visible 1. In that the Members and their Profession are visible 2. And Christ's Laws are visible by which he ruleth them 3. And their particular Pastors are visible in their places 4. And Christ was visible on Earth and is now visible in his Court in Heaven and will visibly Judge the World e're long And God hath made the Church no further Visible nor can Man do it Q. 25. But should not the whole Church be One A. It is one It is one Body of Christ having one God and one Head or Lord one Faith one Baptism one Spirit one Hope of Glory Q. 26. But should they not do all that they do in Unity and Concord A. Yes as far as they are capable Not by feigning a new Universal Legislative Power in Man or making an Universal Head under Christ but by agreeing all in the Faith and Laws that Christ hath left us And Synods may well be used to maintain such Union as far as capacity reacheth and the case requireth But an Universal Synod and a partial or National a Governing Synod and a Synod for Concord of Governours differ as much as doth a Monarch or Governing Senate over all the World and a Dyet or an Assembly of Christian Princes met for mutual help and concord in the conjunction of their strength and Councils Q. 27. What is the Pastoral Power of the Church Keyes A. It is the Power of making Christians by the Preaching of the Gospel and Receiving them so made into Communion of Christ and his Church by Baptism and feeding and guiding them by the same Word and communicating the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood in his Name declaring Pardon and Life to the Penitent and the contrary to the Impenitent and applying this to the particular Persons of their own charge on just occasion and so being the stated Judges who shall by them be received to Church Communion or be rejected and this as a presage of Christ's future Judgment Q. 28. But have not Pastors or Bishops a power of constraint by the Sword that is by Corporal punishments or mulcts A. No That is proper to Magistrates Parents and Masters in their several places Christ hath forbidden it to Pastors Luke 22. and appointed them another kind of work Q.