29. But if Bishops judge that Civil Magistrates are bound to destroy or punish Hereticks Schismaticks or Sinners are not such Magistrates thereby bound to do it A. They are bound to do their duty whoever is their Monitor But if Prelates bid them sin they sin by obeying them Nor may a Magistrate punish a Man meerly because Bishops judge him punishable without trying the Cause themselves Q. 30. But if it be not of Divine Institution that all the Church on Earth should have one Governing Unifying Head Monarchical or Aristocratical is it not meet as suited to humane Prudence A. Christ is the builder of his own Church or House and hath not left it to the Wit or Will of Man to make him a Vicegerent or an Unifying Head or Ruler of his whole Church that is to set up an Usurper against him under his own Name which is Naturally uncapable of the Office Q. 31. But sure Unity is so excellent that we may conceive God delighteth in all that promoteth it A. Yes And therefore he would not leave the Terms of Unity to the Device of Men in which they will never be of a mind nor would he have Usurpers divide his Church by imposing impossible Terms of Unity Must God needs make one Civil Monarch or Senate to be the Unifying Governour of all the Earth as one Kingdom because he is a lover of Unity The World is politically Unified by one God and Soveraign Redeemer as this Kingdom is by one King and not by one Civil humane Supream Ruler Personal or Collective Men so mad as to dream of one Unifying Church Governing Monarch or Aristocracy are the unfittest of all Men to pretend to such Government Q. 32. At least should we not extend this Unifying Government as far as we can even to Europe if not to all the World A. Try first one Unifying Civil Government Monarchical or Aristocracitical for Europe and call Princes Schismaticks as these Men do us for refusing to obey it and try the success 2. And who shall make this European Church-Soveraign And by what Authority and limit his Kingdom 3. And what is all this to do To make better Laws than Christs When were any so mad as to say that all Europe must have one Soveraign Person or Colledge of Physicians School-masters Philosophers or Lawyers to avoid Schism among them 4. Is not Agreement by Voluntary consent a better way to keep Civil and Ecclesiastical Unity in Europe than to have one Ruling King Senate or Synod over all Councils are for voluntary concord and not the Soveraign Rectors of theiâ— Brethren Q. 33. But are not National Churches necessary A. No doubt but Christ would have Nations discipled baptized and obey him And Kings to govern them as Christian Nations and all men should endeavour that whole Nations may be Christians and the Kingdoms of the World be voluntarily the Kingdoms of Christ. But no man can be a Christian against his will Nor hath Christ ordained that each Kingdom shall have one Sacerdotal Head Monarchical or Aristocratical But Princes Pastors and People must promote Love Unity and Concord in their several places Q. 34. So much for Gods publick Kingdom on Earth But is there not also a Kingdom of God in every Christians Soul A. One mans Soul is not fitly called A Kingdom But Christ as King doth govern every faithful Soul Q. 35. What is the Government of each Believer A. It is Christs Ruling us by the Laws which he hath made for all his Church proclaimed and explained and applyed by his Ministers and imprinted on the Heart by his holy Spirit and judging accordingly Q. 36. What is the Kingdom of Glory A. It hath two degrees The first is the Glorious reign of our Glorified Redeemer over this World and over the Heavenly City of God before its Perfection which began at the time of Christs Ascension his Resurrection being the Proeme and endeth at the Resurrection 2. The perfect Kingdom of Glory when all the Elect shall be perfected with Christ and his work of Redemption finished which begins at the Resurrection and shall never end Q. 37. What will be the state of that Glorious Kingdom A. It containeth the full Collection of all Gods Elect who shall be perfected in Soul and Body and employed in the perfect Obedience Love and Praise of God in perfect Love and Communion with each other and all the blessed Angels and their Glorified Redeemer and this is in the sight of his Glory and the Glory of God and in the continual joyful sence of his Love and essential Infinite Perfection All imperfection sin temptation and suffering being for ever ceased Q. 38. But some think this Kingdom will be begun on Earth a Thousand Years before the General Resurrection and some think that after the Resurrection it will be on Earth A. This very Prayer puts us in hope that there are yet better things on Earth to be expected than the Church hath yet enjoyed For when Christ bids us pray that His Name may be hallowed his Kingdom come and his Will done on Earth as it is done in Heaven we may well hope that some such thing will be granted for he hath promised to give us whatever we ask according to his Will in the Name of Christ And he hath not bid us pray in vain But whether there shall be a Resurrection of thâ—… Martyrs a thousand years before the general Resurrection or whether there shall be only a Reformation by a holy Magistracy and Ministry and how far Christ will manifest himself on Earth â—… confess are Questions too hard for for me to determine He that is truly devoted to Christ shall have his part in his Kingdom though much be now unknown to him of the Time Place and Manner And as to the Glory after the General Resurrection certainly it will be Heavenly for we shalâ—… be with Christ and like to the Angels And thâ—… Nâ—w Ierusalem being the Universality of the Blessâ—… how with Christ may well be said to come doâ—… from Heaven in that he will bring all the Blessâ—… with him and in the Air with them will judge tâ—… World But whether only a New Generation shâ—… inhabit the New Earth and the Glorified rule theâ—… as Angels now do or whether Heaven and Eartâ—… shall be laid common together or Earth made â—… Glorious as Heaven I know not But the perfect knowledge of Gods Kingdom â—… proper to them that enjoy it Therefore even wâ—… who know it but imperfectly must daily pray thaâ—… it may come that we may perfectly know it wheâ—… we are perfected therein CHAP. XXVII Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Qu. 1. VVHy is this made the Third Petition A. Because it must be the Third in our Desires I told you this Prayer in perfect Method beginneth at that which must be the first in our Intention and that is God's Interest as above our own which is consistent
signifieth a Saviour and Christ tâ—â— Anointed of God He being Anointed by God â—â— the Office of a Mediator as the Great Propheâ— Priest and King of the Church CHAP. XII How Christ was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and Born of the Virgin Mary Qu. 1. DOth it not seem Impossible that Christ should be begotten on a Virgin without a Man A. There is no Contradiction in it And what is impossible to him that made all the World of nothing Q. 2. But it seems incredible that God should be made Man A. God was not at all changed by Christ's Incarnation The Godhead was not turned into Flesh or Soul but united it self thereto Q. 3. But it seemeth an incredible Condâ—scension in God to unite the Nature of Man to himself in Personal Union A. When you understand what it is it will not seem incredible to you though wonderful Consider 1. That it doth not turn the humane Nature into Divine 2. Nor doth it give it any of that part or work which was proper to the Divine Nature and Second Person in the Trinity from Eternity 3. The Divine Nature is united to the Humane only to advance this to the excellent Office of Mediation and that Christ in it may be Head over all things to the Church 4. And it will abate your wonder if you consider that God is as near to every Creature as the Soul is to the Body In Him we live move and have our being And he is more to us than our Souls are to our Bodies Q. 4. You now make me think that God is one with every Man and Creature as well as with Christ. I pray you wherein is the difference A. Gods Essence is every where alike but he doth not appear or work every where alike As he is more in Heaven than on Earth because he there operateth and appeareth in Glory and as he is more in Saints than in the Ungodly because in them he Operateth his Grace so he is in Jesus Christ otherwise than he is in any other Creature 1. In that he by the Divine Power qualified him as he never did any other Creature 2. And designeth him to that work which he never did any other Creature 3. And fixeeth him in the honourable Relation to that work 4. And communicateth to him by an uniting act the Glory which he doth not to any other Creature And though it 's like there is yet more unknown and incomprehensible to us yet these singular Operations express a singular Operative Union The Sun by shining on a Wall becomes not one with it But by its influence on Plants it becometh one with them and is their Generical Life Q. 5. But how is the Second Person in the Trinity more United to the humane Nature than the Father and the Holy Ghost are they divided A. You may as well ask Why God is said to make the World by his WORD and by his SON Tho the Persons are undivided in their works on the Creature yet Creation is eminently ascribed to the Father Incarnation and Redemption to the Son and Sanctification to the Holy Ghost The Suns power of Motion Light and Heat are inseparable And yet it is the Light as such that with our Eye doth cause the same act of sight as united to it But the perfect Answer to this doubt is reserved for Heaven Q. 6. But how was he conceived by the Holy Ghost the Second Person by the third when it is only the Second that was incarnate A. The Holy Ghost is not said to operate on the Second Person in the Trinity or the Godhead for Christs Conception but on the Virgins Body and by miraculous causing a humane Soul and Body and their union with the Eternal Word Gods perfecting Operations are usually ascribed to the Holy Ghost But the Father and Son are still supposed Operating by the Holy Spirit Q. 7. Was Christ's Flesh made of the substance of his Mother A. Yes Else how had he been the Son of Man Q. 8. Was Christ's Soul begotten by his Mother A. It is certain that Man begetteth Man But how Souls are generated is not fully known by Man Some say They are not Generated but Created Some say That they are not Created but Generated And I think that there is such a concurrence of God's act and Mans as may be called a Conjunction of Creation and Generation that is that as the Sun-beams by a Burning-Glass may light a Candle and that Candle light another and another yet so that the Light and Heat that doth it is only from the Suns continual communication But will not Light another but as contracted and made forcible by the Burning-glass or the Candle So all the Substance of new Souls is from the Divine Efflux or communication of it which yet will not ordinarily beget a Soul but as it is first received in the Generative natural faculty and so operateth by it as it s appointed Natural means Thus it seems all humane Souls are caused Pardon the defects of the Similitude But the Soul of Christ miraculously not without all Operation of the Mothers for then he had not been the Son of Man but without a humane Father the Holy Ghost more than supplying that defect Q. 9. If Christ was Mary's Son how escaped he Original guilt A. By being conceived by the Holy Ghost and so in his humane Nature made the Son of God and not generated as other Men are Q. 10. Had Mary any Children after Iesus Christ A. It goes for a Tradition with most that she had none But it is uncertain and concerneth not our Faith or Salvation Q. 11. Why was Christ Born of a Jew A. God had made a special Promise to Abraham first that Christ should be his Seed in whom all Nations should be blessed and to David after that he should be his Off-spring an everlasting King Q. 12. Why was not Christ Born till about Four thousand Years after the Fall A. It 's dangerous asking Reasons of God's Councils which he hath not revealed But this much we may know that Christ was Mans Redeemer by undertaking what he after did before his Incarnation And that he revealed the Grace of Redemption by Promises Types and Prophesies and so saved the Faithful And that Gods works are usually progressive to Perfection and ripeâ—t at last And therefore when he had first sent his Prophets he lastly sent his Son to perform his undertaking and bring Life and Immortality more fully to light and bring in a better Covenant and gather a more excellent Universal Church Q. 13. Were any savâ—d by Christ before he was made Man A. Yes They had the Love of the Father the Grace of Christ and the necessary communion of the Holy Ghost and the Promise And in every Age and Nation he that feared God and work't Righteousness was accepted of him CHAP. XIII Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried he descended into Hell
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
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
us preach and pray c. and yet to quench a Fire or save mens Lives we may and must at that time forbear Preaching or Sacraments or other publick Worship Q. 7. But what if as many will be scandalized or tempted to sin on the other side if I do it not A. No duty being a duty at all times much less a thing indifferent though commanded everâ— Christian must prudently use the Scales and by aâ— the helps of wise men that he can get must discern which way is like to do most good or hurâ— considering the persons for number for quality and probability of the effect God binds us to Charity and Mercy and no man can disoblige us from that And he that sincerely desireth to do the greatest good and avoid the greatest hurt and useth the best means he can to know it shall be accepted of God though men condemn him Q. 8. But is nothing here forbidden but symbolizing with Idolaters in seeming to mean as they by doing as they A. That 's it that is directly forbidden But by consequence it is implyed that all Doctrines are forbidden that falsely represent God and all Worship â—or acts pretended to be Religious which are unâ—â—itable to Gods holy Nature Attributes Will or Word as being prophanation and an offering to God that which is unclean Q. 9. What is the Command which is here imâ—lyed A. That we keep our Souls chast from all outward and seeming Idolatry and that we worship â—im who is the Infinite Almighty Holy Spirit with Reverence Holiness in Spirit and Truth according to his Blessed perfect Nature and his holy Will and Word Q. 10. Hath God given us a Law for all things â— his Worship A. The Law of Nature is Gods Law and obâ—…geth man to that devotion to God and worship â—f him which is called Natural And the sacred Scripture prescribeth both that and also all those positive means or Ordinances of Gods Worship which are made necessary to the universal Church on Earth And as for the meer Accidents of worship which are no proper parts as Time Place Words Methods Gesture Vesture c. Gods Laws give us gèneral Precepts only telling us how to order them leaving it to humane Prudence and Church Guides to order them according to those general Rules Q. 11. Is à ll use of Images unlawful A. God did so much hate Idolatry and the Neighbourhood of the Idolaters made it so dangerous to the Israelites that he did not only forbid the Worshipping of Images but all such making or using of them as might become a snarâ— or temptation to any So that though it be lawful to make Images for Civil uses and when they are made to fetch holy Thoughts or Meditationâ— from them as from all other Creatures or thingâ— in the World yet in any case when they becomâ— a snare or danger being not necessary things â—… they become a sin to those that so use them as snare to others or themselves Q. 12. Is it lawful to make any Picture of God A. No for Pictures are the signs of Corporeal things and it is Blasphemy to think God likâ— a bodily Substance But it is Lawful to make sucâ— Pictures as of a Glorious Light from which oâ—casion may be taken of good thoughts concerniâ— God Q. 13. Is it lawful to make the Picture of Christ as Man or as Crucified A. The doing it as such is not forbidden nor the right use of it when done But the abuse i. e. the worshipping of it or of Christ by it is forbidden and the making or using such when it tendeth to such abuse and hath more of snare than profit Q. 14. Why is Gods Iealousie here mentioned A. To make us know that God doth so strictly require the great duty of worshipping him as the true God and hate the sin of Idolatry or giving his Glory to another or blaspheming him as if he were like to painted things that he would have us accordingly affected Q. 15. Why doth God threaten to visit the iniquities of the Fathers on the Children in this Command rather than in the rest A. God hath Blessings and Curses for Societies as well as for individual persons And societies are constituted and known by the Symbols of publick profession And as Gods publick Worship is the Symbol of his Church which he will bless so Idolatrous Worship is the Symbol of the societies which he will Curse and Punish And it was Specially needful that the Israelites should know this who could never else have been excused from the guilt of Murdering Man Woman and Child of all the Nations which they conquered had not God taken it on himself as judging â—hem to death for their Idolatry and other Crimes â—nd making the Israelites his Executioners Q. 16. But doth not God disclaim punishing the Children for the Fathers sins and say the Soul that sinneth shall die A. Yes when the Children are either wholly innocent of that sin or else are pardoned through Christ upon their true repentance and hating and renouncing their Fathers sins But not else Q. 17. Are any Children guilty of their Parents sins A. Yes all Children are guilty of the sins which their Parents Committed before their birth while they were in their loins Not with the same degree and sort of Guilt as the Parents are but yet with so much as exposeth them to just penalties Q. 18. How prove you that A. First by the Nature of the Case For though we were not Personally existent in them when they sinned we were seminally existent in them which is more than Causally or Virtually And it was thaâ— semen which was guilty in them that was after made a person and so that person must have the same guiltâ— 2. From the whole History of the Scripture which tells us of the Children of Cain the old World Sodoâ— Cham the Canaanites Saul David as an Adulterer Achan Gehazi and others punished for theiâ— Parents sins And the Jews cast off and Cursed oâ— that account to this day 3. And our common Original sin from Adam proveth it Q. 19. But our Original sin from Adam had anâ— ther cause God decreeing that Adam should stanâ— or fall for all his posterity A. We must not adde to Gods Word much leâ—… blaspheme him as if it were God himself that bâ—… a Decree or Covenant made all the world sinneâ—… save Adam and Eve If Adam had not sinned it would not have saved all or any of his Posterity unless they also had continued innocent themselves Nor did God make any promise to continue and keep innocent all Adams posterity in case he sinned not We sinned in Adam because we were seminally in him and so are our Children in us And who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean if it was essentially in it Q. 20. If we are guilty of all neerer parents sin will not our guilt increase to the end of the World and the
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
teach them their duty to God and Man and see that they joyn in publick and Family Worship and live not in any wilful sin And as Fellow Christians if they are such to further their comfortable passage to Heaven Q. 36. But what if we have Slaves that are no Christians A. You must use them as Men that are Capable of Christianity and do your best with pity to cure their Ignorance and Unbelief and sin and to make them Christians preferring their Souls before your wordly commodity Q. 37. Is it lawful to buy and use men as Slaves A. It is a great mercy accidentally for those of Guiny Brasile and other Lands to be brought among Christians though it be as Slaves But it is a sin in those that Sell and buy them as Beasts meerly for Commodity and use them accordingly But to buy them in compassion to their Souls as well as for their Service and then to sell them only to such as will use them Charitably like men and to employ them as aforesaid preferring their Salvation is a lawful thing specially such as Sell themselves or are sold as Malefactors Q. 38. What is the duty of Servants to their Masters A. To honour and obey them and faithfully serve them as part of their service of Christ expecting their chief reward from him To be trusty to them in Word and Deed not lying nor stealing or taking any thing of theirs without their consent nor wronging them by idleness negligence or fraud Learning of them thankfully and sincerely and obediently joyning with them in publick and Family Worship of God Q. 39. Doth God require Family Teaching and daily Worship A. Yes both by the Law of Nature and Scripture All Christian Societies must be sanctified to God Christian Families are Christian Societies They have as Families constant dependance on God constant need of his protection help and blessing and constant work to do for him and therefore constant use of prayer to him And as Nature and Necessity will teach us to eat and drink every day though Scripture tell us not how oft nor at what hour so will they tell us that we must daily ask it of God And stated times are a hedge to duty to avoid omissions and interruptions And Scripture Commandeth Parents to teach and perswade their Children constantly lying down and rising up c. Deut. 6. 11. And to bring them up in the Nurture and admonition of the Lord Cornelius Crispus and others Converted brought in their housholds with them to Christ. Daniel prayed openly daily in his House The fourth Commandment requireth of Masters that all in their House do Sanctifie the Sabbath Reason and Experience tells us that it is the keeping up Religion and Virtue in Families by the constant instruction care and Worship of God by the Governours that is the chief means of the hopes and welfare of the world and the omission of it the great cause of all publick corruption and confusion Q. 40. What must Children Wives Servants and Subjects do that have bad Parents Husbands Masters and Magistrates A. Nature bindeth Children in minority so to their Parents and Wives to their Husbands except in case of lawful divorce that they must live in patient bearing with what they cannot amend And so must such Servants and Subjects as by Law or Contract may not remove nor have legal remedy But those that are free may remove under better Masters and Princes when they can Q. 41. But whole Nations cannot remove from Enemies and destroyers A. It is God and not I that must answer such cases Only I say 1. That there is no Power but of God 2. That Governing Power is nothing but Right and Obligation to Rule the People in order to the Common good 3. That destroying the Common good is not Ruling nor any act of Power given by God 4. That all mans Power is limited by God and subordinate to his universal Government and Laws and he hath given none Authority against himself or his Laws 5. That so far as Gods Laws have not determined of the species and Degrees of Power they must be known by the humane Contracts or Consent which found them 6. Nations have by Nature a right to self-preservation against destroying Enemies and Murderers 7. And when they only seek to save themselves against such they resist not Governing Authority 8. But particular persons must patiently bear even wrongful destruction by Governours And whole Nations tolerable injuries rather than by Rebellions and Wars to seek their own preservation or right to the hurt of the Common-wealth 9. They are the great enemies of Government who are for Perjury by which mutual Trust is overthrown CHAP. XXXIX Of the Sixth Commandement Qu. 1. WHat are the Words of the sixth Commandement A. Thou shalt do no Murder Q. 2. What is Murder A. Killing unjustly a reasonable Creature And that culpably tends to it bringeth an answeraâ—â—e degree of guilt Q. 3. Why is this command the first that forbiddeth â—â—ivate wrongs A. Because a mans Life is more precious than the â—â—cidents of his Life Death depriveth him of all â—… time of Repentance and earthly Mercies and â—â—priveth all others of the benefit which they might â—â—ceive by him They rob God and the King of Subject Therefore God who is the giver of Life a dreadful avenger of the sin of Murder Cain â—â—as cast out with terrour for this sin for it was the â—evils first Service who was a Murderer from the â—â—ginning Therefore God made of old the Law â—gainst eating Blood lest men should be hardened â—… cruelty and to teach them his hatred of bloodâ—â—iltiness And it was the Murder of the Proâ—â—ets and of Christ himself and his Apostles that â—â—ought that dreadful destruction on the Iews when â—rath came upon them to the uttermost Q. 4. If God hate murder why did he Command â—… Israelites to kill all the Canaanites Men Women â—â—d Children A. Justice done by God or his Authority on Caâ—â—tal Malefactors is not murder You may as well â—… why God will damn so many in Hell which worse than Death The Curse was fallen on Chams â—osterity They were Nations of Idolaters and Murderers of their own Children offering them to Idoâ— and so drown'd in all wickedness that God justly maâ— the Israelites his Executioners to take away thâ— forfeited Lands and Lives Q. 5. When is killing Murder or unlawful A. When it is done without Authority from Goâ— who is the Lord of Life Q. 6. To whom doth God give such authority to â—â— men A. To the Supream Rulers of Common-wealtâ— and their Magistrates to whom they communicâ—… it Q. 7. May they kill whom they will A. No None but those whose crimes are so gâ—… as to deserve death by the Law of God in Natâ—… and the just Laws of the Land even such whâ— crimes make their death the due interest of the 〈◊〉 publick and needful
to its good and safety Q. 8. What if a Prince think that the death 〈◊〉 an Innocent man is accidentally necessary to the sâ—…ty of himself or the Common-wealth through other 〈◊〉 fault may he not kill him A. No he is a Murderer if he kill the Innoceâ—â— or any whose fault deserveth not death should 〈◊〉 permit killing on such pretences no mens lives woâ—… be safe In Factions there be other wayes of â—…medy and such wicked means do but hasten 〈◊〉 increase the evil which men would so prevent Q. 9. May not Parents have power to kill bad â—â—â—ldren A. No I have given you the reason under the 〈◊〉 Commandement Q. 10. May not a man kill another in the necesâ—â—â—y defence of his own Life A. In some cases he may and in some not He â—…y in case it be his equal or inferiour as to pubâ—â—â— usefulness and he have no other means being â—…ulted by him to save his Life from him But 〈◊〉 may not 1. If by flight or other just means he 〈◊〉 save his own Life 2. Nor if it be his King 〈◊〉 Father or any publick Person whose death â—…uld be a greater loss to the Common-wealth than 〈◊〉 own Q. 11. How prove you that A. Because the Light of Nature tells us that seeâ—… Good and Evil are the objects of our Willing 〈◊〉 Nilling therefore the Greatest Good should still 〈◊〉 preferred and the greatest evil be most avoidâ—… and that the Good or Hurt of the Commonâ—â—alth is far greater than of a single private perâ—… Q. 12. But doth not Nature teach every Creature preserve its life and rather than die to kill anoâ—… A. The Nature of man is to be Rational and â—…ve bruitish Nature and to choose by Reason â—…gh against sensitive inclination Why else â—â—t Martyrs choose to dye rather than to sin and â—â—ldiers choose their own death before their Captains or their Kings in which God and reason juâ—fie them Q. 13. But by this Rule an Army should kill thâ— General rather than to be killed or betrayed to deâ—â— by him because all their lives are better than one man A. If they be but some part of an Army aâ— the Generals life be more useful to the rest and 〈◊〉 their King and Countrey and the publick good thâ—… all theirs they should rather dye as the Thebâ—… Legion did But if the General be a Traytor to 〈◊〉 King and Countrey and would destroy all or pâ—… of the Army to the publick loss and danger iâ—… no Murder if they kill him when they have no oâ—… way to save their Lives Q. 14. How many sorts of Murder are there 〈◊〉 which are the worst A. I. One of the worst is Persecution Killâ—… men because they are good or because they 〈◊〉 not break Gods Lawes And lower degrees of Pâ—…secution by Banishment Imprisonment Mulâ—… participate of guilt against this Command II. A second sort of hainous Murder is by 〈◊〉 sacres and unlawful Wars In which multitudes 〈◊〉 murdered and that studiously and with greatest 〈◊〉 dustry and Countreys ruined and undone The mâ—â—titude of hainous Crimes that are contained in 〈◊〉 unlawful Warre are hardly known but by sad â—â—perience III. Another sort of hainous Murder is when 〈◊〉 rents kill their own Children or Children their 〈◊〉 rents IV. Another is when Princes destroy their own Subjects whom by Office they are bound to protect or Subjects their Princes whom they are bound to obey and defend and honour V. Another sort of hainous Murder is when it is committed on pretence of Justice by Perjured Witnesses false Accusers or false Iudges or Magistrates As Naboth was murdered by Iezebel and Ahab and Christ by the Iews upon false accusations of Blasphemy and Treason For in this case the Murder is fathered on God and on Iustice which most abhorre it and the best things which should preserve the peace of the Innocent are used to the worst ends even to destroy them And a man hath no defence for himself as he may have against Murtherers or open Enemies and he is destroyed by those that are bound to defend him And the most devilish wicked Perjured men are made the Masters of mens Lives and may conquer Subjects by perverting Law VI. One of the most hainous crimes is soul-murder which is done by all that draw or drive men into sin or from their duty to God and the care of their Salvation either by seducing false Opinions opposing necessary Truth and Duty or by scorns or threats But none here sin so grievously as wicked Rulers and wicked Teachers and Pastors of the Churches Others kill Souls by one and one but these by hundreds and thousands And therefore it is the Devils main endeavour through the World to get Rulers and Teachers on his side and turn the Word and Sword against him that did ordain them All the Idolatrous World that know not Christ are kept under the Power of the Devil principally by wicked Rulers and Teachers And so is the Infidel and Mahometan World When the Turks had once conquered the Eastern Empire how quickly did those famous Churches and large Nations forsake Christ and turn to the grossest of Deceivers O how many millions of Souls have been since hereby destroyed And what wicked deceitful and contentious Teachers have done to the murdering of Souls alas the whole Christian World is witness Some by Heresie and some by Proud Tyranny and some by malignant opposition to the serious practice of that holy Law of God which they preach and some by Ignorance and some by slothful treacherous negligence and some by Church-divisions by their Snares or contentiousness Such as Paul speaks of Phil. 1. 15 16. 2. 3. And some in envy malign and hinder the preaching of the Gospel by such as they distast 1 Thes. 2. 16. VII But of all Soul Murder it is one of the greatest which is done by wicked Parents on their own Children who breed them up in Ignorance Wickedness and profane neglect if not hatred and scorn of serious Holiness And teach them malignant principles or hinder them from the necessary means of their Salvation That by Example teach them to Swear and lie and be drunken or profane For Parents to be the cruel damners of their own Children and this when in false hypocrisie they Vowed them in baptism to God and promised their godly education is odious cruelty and perfidiousness VIII And it is yet a more hainous Sin to be a Murderer of ones own Soul as every ungodly and impenitent sinner is For Nature teacheth all men to Love themselves and to be unwilling of their own destruction And no wonder that such are unmerciful to the Souls of Wives Children and Servants who will damn themselves and that for nothing and that after all the importunities of God and man to hinder them Q. 15. When may a man be accounted a Soul-selfmurderer seeing every man hath some sin A. Every sin as
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
that men might not presume to set up any such things of their own on pretence of need or usefulness Q. 3. What doth this great Sacrament contain A. 1. The Parties Covenanting and Acting 2. The Covenant as on both parts with the Benefits given of God and the Duty professed and promised by man 3. The outward signs of all Q. 4. Who are the Parties Covenanting and Acting A. God and Man that is 1. Principally God the Father Son and Holy Ghost and Ministerially under him the Baptizing Minister 2. The party baptized And if he be an Infant the Parent or Owner on his behalf Q. 5. In what Relations is God a Covenanter with man A. 1. As our Creator and Governour offended by sin and reconciled by Christ whom his Love gave to be our Saviour 2. As Christ is our Redeemer and Saviour 3. As the Holy Ghost is our Rgenerator and Comforter sent by the Father and the Son Q. 6. In what Relation stands the person to be baptized A. As a Sinner miserable by guilt and pravity and loss of his blessed Relation to God but Redeemed by Christ and called by him and coming to receive him and his saving Grace Q. 7. What is it that God doth as a Covenanter with the baptized A. You must well understand that two Covenanting acts of God are presupposed to Baptism as done before I. The first is Gods Covenant with Jesus Christ as our Redeemer by Consent In which God requireth of him the work of mans Redemption as on his part by perfect Holiness Righteousness Satisfactory Suffering and the rest And promiseth him as the reward to be Lord of All and the saving and Glorifying of the Church with his own perpetual Glory II. A Promise and Conditional Covenant or Law of Grace made to lost Mankind by the Father and the Son that whoever truly believeth that is becometh a true Christian shall be saved Now Baptism is the bringing of this Conditional Promise upon mans consent to be an actual mutual Covenant Q. 8. And what is it that God there doth as an actual Covenanter A. First he doth by his Minister stipulate that is demand of the party baptized whether he truly consent to his part And next on that supposition he delivereth him the Covenant-gifts which at present are to be bestowed Q. 9. What be those A. 1. The Relation of a pardoned reconciled sinner and adopted Child of God or that God will be his God in Love through Christ. 2. A Right and Relation to Christ as his actual Saviour Head Teacher Intercessor and King 3. A Right and Relation to the Holy Ghost to â—e to Him the Illuminating Sanctifying quickenâ—â—g Spirit of Light and Love and Holy Life and deliverance from the Devil the World and Flesh â—nd from the Wrath of God Q. 10. What is it that God requireth of Man and â—e professeth A. That he truly believeth in this God the Father Son and Holy Ghost and Presently and Resolâ—edly consenteth to be His in these Relations taking â—im as His God and Father his Saviour and his Sanâ—tifier repenting of his sins and renouncing the â—ontrary Government of the Devil World and â—lesh Q. 11. What are the Outward signs of all this A. 1. The Water 2. And the Actions of both â—arties I. The Action of the Minister on Gods â—â—rt is to wash the body of the baptized with the Water which in hot Countreys was by dipping â—â—em over head and taking them up To signifie â—… That they are washed from the guilt of Sin by â—â—e Blood of Christ. 2. And are as dead and buâ—â—ed to sin and the World and Flesh and risen to a â—ew and Holy Life and heavenly Hope 3. And â—â—at by this act we are solemnly bound by God to â—â—e Christians II. The Action of the baptized is To be a wilâ—â—â—g receiver of this Washing to signifie his believâ—â—g and thankful receiving these free Gifts of Christ and his solemn self-engagement to be henceforth a Christian. Q. 12. Are Infants Capable of doing all this A. No They are personally capable of receiving both the sign and the Grace even Right to Christ and Life but not themselves of actual believing and covenanting with Christ. Q. 13. Why then are they baptized who cannot Covenant A. That you may understand this rightly yoâ— must know 1. That as Children are made Sinneâ— and miserable by their Parents without any act oâ— their own so they are delivered out of it by thâ—â— free Grace of Christ upon a Condition performeâ— by their Parents Else they that are visibly born iâ— sin and misery should have no visible or certain waâ— of Remedy Nature maketh them as it were paâ—… of the Parents or so near as causeth their Sin aâ—â— Misery And this nearness supposed God by frâ—â— Grace hath put it in the power of Parents to acceâ—â— for them the blessings of the Covenant and to eâ—ter them into the Covenant of God the Pareâ—â— Will being instead of their own who yet have noâ— to Choose for themselves 2. That Baptism is the only way which God haâ—â— appointed for the entering of any one into the Châ—â—stian Covenant and Church 3. That the same Sacrament hath not all the saâ—â— Ends and uses to all but varyeth in some things â—… their capacites differ Christ was baptized and yet nâ—â— for the remission of Sin And the use of Circuâ—cision partly differed to the Old and to the Inâ—ants 4. It is the Will of God that Infants be Members â—â— the Christian Church of which Baptism is the enâ—â—ance For 1. There is no proof that ever God â—ad a Church on Earth in any age of which Infants â—ere not members 2. The Covenant with Abraham the Father of the â—aithful was made also with his Infant Seed and â—ealed to them by Circumcision And the Females â—ho were not circumcised were yet in the Church â—â—d Covenant and when the Males were uncircumâ—â—â—ed forty years in the Wilderness they were yet â—embers of the Jewish Church And Deut. 19. the â—arents entered their little ones into the renewed Coâ—enant And Christ came not to cast all Infants out â—â— the Church who were in before 3. Christ himself saith that he would have gaâ—â—ered Ierusalem as a Hen gathereth her Chickens â—â—d they would not so that he would have taken â—â— the whole Nation Infants and all that were in beâ—â—re 4. And Rom. 11. it 's said that they were broken â—â—f by unbelief Therefore if their Parents had not â—een unbelievers the Children had not been broken â—â—f 5. And Christ himself was Head of the Church in â—…s Infancy and entered by the Sacrament then in â—…rce though as Man he was not capable of the â—…ork which he did at age Therefore Infants may â—… members 6. And he rebuked his Disciples that kept suâ— from him because of such is the Kingdom of God He would have them come as into his Kingdom 7. And plainly the Apostle saith to a
Atheists Sadducees or Infidels after And these are worse than common Infidels that never were baptized The Church is no Church if it be common to these 6. Some that continue a Nominal Christianity openly hate and persecute the Practice of it and live in common Adultery Perjury Murder And the Church is Holy and a peculiar People a holy Nation a royal Priesthood And Repentance and Obedience are necessary to the Church as well as Faith If therefore these notorious flagitious impenitent persons must be Members in Communion with the Church it will be a Swine-sty and not a Church a Shame to Christ and not an Honour If his Church be but like the rest of the World Christ will not be honoured as the Saviour of it nor the Spirit as its Sanctifier It is the Unity of the Spirit that all Christians must keep in the bond of Peace But these have none of his Spirit and therefore are none of Christs The Sacraments are Symbols of the Church as differenced from the World and Christ will have them be a visibly distinct Society 7. Communicants come to receive the greatest gift in the world Pardon Justification Adoption right to Heaven The Gospel giveth these to none but Penitent Believers To say that Christ giveth them to flagitious impenitent Rebels whose Lives say We will not have him reign over us is to make a new Gospel contrary to Christs Gospel which Paul curseth were it done by an Angel Gal. 1. 7 8. They are not yet capable of these precious gifts 8. The Objectors take no notice of 1 Cor. 5. 2 Thess. 3. Rom. 16. 16 17. Tit. 3. 10. Rev. 2. 3. where the Churches are reproved for suffering Defilers nor Heb. 13. 7. 17. 24. Luk. 12. 42. 42. 1 Thess. 5. 12 13. which describe the Office of Church-guides nor 1 Tim. 3. 4 c. where the governing of the Church and avoiding Communion of the Impenitent are described 9. In a word Christs Office Works and Law the Nature of the Church and Sacrament the Office of the Ministry the frequent Precepts of the Apostles and the constant practice of the Church in its greatest Purity down from the Apostles dayes do all speak so plainly for keeping and casting out Infidels and impenitent wicked men and for keeping the Church as a Society of visible Saints separated from the World that I can take him for no better than a Swine or an Infidel who would have the Church-Keyes cast away and the Church turned common to Swine and Infidels Q. 24. But it will make Ministers Lords and Tyrants to have such power A. 1. Some body must be trusted with the Power if the work must be done The Church must be differenced from the World Therefore some must trye and judge who are fit to be baptized and to have its Communion And who is fitter than those whom Christ by Office hath thereto appointed Would you have Magistrates or the People do it Then they must be prepared for it by long study and skill and wholly attend it For it will take up all their time Q. 25. Must Ministers examine People before they communicate A. They must Catechize and Examine the Adult before they baptize them and consequently those who were baptized in Infancy before they number them with adult Communicants or else Atheists and Infidels will make up much of the Church who will come in for worldly Interest This Examination should go before Confirmation or the publick owning of their Baptism But there is no Necessity of any more Examination before every Sacrament except in case of Scandal or when persons need and crave such help Q. 26. Who be they that must be Excommunicated or refused A. Those who are proved to be Impenitent in gross scandalous sins after sufficient admonition and patience And to reject such is so far from Tyranny that it is necessary Church-Justice without which a Pastor is but a Slave or Executioner of the sinfull will of others Like a Tutor Philosopher or Schoolmaster who is not the Master of his own School but must leave it common to all that will come in though they scorn him and refuse his conduct But no man must play the Pastor over other mens Flocks nor take the Guidance of a greater Flock than he can know and manage Much less be the only Key-bearer over many Score or Hundred Churches And least of all take upon him to Govern and judge of Kings and Kingdoms and all the World as the Roman deceiving Tyrant doth CHAP. XLVII Of Preparation for Death and Iudgment Qu. 1. HOw must we prepare for a safe and coâ—fortable Death A. I have said so much of this in my Family Book that to avoid Repetition I must refer you thiâ—her only in brief I. Preparation for Death is the whole work of Life for which many hundred years are not too long if God should so long spare and trie us And all that I have hitherto said to you for Faith Love and Obedience upon the Creed Lords Prayer and Commandements is to teach you how to prepare for Death And though â—ound Conversion at last may tend to Pardon and Salvation to them that have lived a careless wicked Life Yet the best the surest the Wisest Preparation is that which is made by the whole course of a holy obedient heavenly Life Q. 2. What Life is it that is the best Preparation A. 1. When we have so well considered of the certain Vanity of this World and all its pleasures and of the truth of Gods Promises of the Heavenly Glory as that by Faith we have there placed our chiefest Hopes and there expect our chief Felicity and make it our chief business in this world to seek it preferring no worldly thing before it but resolved for the hopes of it to forsake them all when God requireth it This is the first part of our preparation for Death II. When we believe that this mercy is given by Christ the Mediator between God and Man and trust in his Merits and Intercession with the Father and take him for our Teacher also and our Ruler resolving to obey his Word and Spirit This is the second part of our preparation for Death III. When the Holy Spirit hath shed abroad Gods Love upon our hearts and turned their nature into a habit of Love to God and Holiness and given us a Victory over that Love of the World and fleshly Prosperity and Pleasure which ruleth in the hearts of Carnal men though yet our Love shew it self but in such Mortification and endeavour and grief for what we want we are prepared for a safe Death But if the foretasts of Heavenly Glory and sense of the Love of God do make our thoughts of Heaven sweeter to us than our thoughts of our Earthly hopes and cause us out of Love to God and our glorified Redeemer and his Church and out of love to a Life of perfect Knowledge Love and