is Jâ—sus Christ in his Natures I. The Natures of Christ A. The Eternal Son of God who in the fulness of time took to his Divine Nature our Humane Nature and so became God and Man in one Person that so he might be a fit Mediator to go between God and Man and so to reconcile God to Man and Man to God Gal. 4.4 5. Q. Why was he Man A. Because Man had sinned and Justice required that that Nature that had sinned should make satisfaction Q. Why was he Gâ—d A. That so he might be able to undergo the wrath of God due to our sins which a meer man could not do and that his sufferings might be of infinite merit to procure salvation for us Q. What is Jesus Christ to his A. The Only and Alsufficient Remedy The only Remedy because there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved Acts 4.12 The Alsufficient Remedy because he is able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 26. Q How doth it appear that he is the only Alsuffâ—cient Remedy A. In that he is the alone Mediator II. The Offices of Christ Priest Prophet and King of his Church Q. What is that Office of hâ—s Mediatorship A. That Office whereby he goes between God and Man 1. In General Mediator to reconcile and make peace between God and Man 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. Wâ—at is his Priestly Offiâ—e â— That Office of his Mediatorship whereby he offered up himself a Sacrifice for our sins on the Cross 2. Particular 1. Priest Râ—m 3.24 25. And maketh continual Intercession for us at the Right hand of his Father Râ—m 8.33 34. Heb. 7.24 25. Q. What is his Prâ—phetical Office A. That Office of his Mediatorship whereby he reveals 2. Prophet and makes known his Fathers will to us by his Word and Spirit Joh. 15.15 Act 3. last Q. What is his Kingly Offiâ—e A. That Office of his Mediatorship whereby 3. King having power given him over all things in Heaven and in Earth he exerciseth Government in his Church for the salvation of his people and for the destruction of his and his Churches enemies Matth. 28.18 Psal 45.5 Q. What is the third thing to be known concerning Christ III. The Benefits that come by Christ A. The Benefits that come by him to true Believers Q. What are those Benefits A. The Principal are those in 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made of God to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemptiâ—n The Consequential are those in Rom. 15.13 Joy and Peace in believing Q. What is the fourth thing to be known concerning Christ IV. The means to get Interest in Christ A. The means to get an Interest in Christ and the Benefits that come by him Q. What are those Means A. Faith and Repentance Mark 1.14 15. Q. What is Faith Faith defined A. It is a special and supernatural Gift of God wrought by the Spirit through the Ministry of the Word in the hearts of the Elect whereby we come to know assent unto take and rely only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation Joh. 1.12 Act. 16.31 Q. What is Repentance A. It is a special Gift of God Repentance defined wrought also by the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word arising from the knowledge of and Faith in the mercies of God in Christ working Godly sorrow for sin and a through change of heart and life from the Love and reign of all sin to the life and power of Godliness Acts 26.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Rom. 6.12 13. Thus of the things to be known concerning Christ Q. What are those things that we are to know concerning the Covâ—nant Knowledge of the Covenant in 5 things A. Five things 1. What a Covenant is 2. The Kinds of Covenants 3. The Difference between them 4. The special things promised in the Covenant and 5. How it is confirmed Q. What is a Covenant A. It is a solemn League and contract made between Persons Two at the least I. What a Covenant is wherein they do mutually bind themselves each to other in certain Articles to both their Contents Q. How many kinds of Covenants are there II. The kinds of Covenants A. Especially Two The Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace Q. What is the Covenant of Works The Covenant of Works defined A. That Covenant which God made with our first Parents before the Fall wherein he promised to Adam and his posterity perfect Happiness upon condition of perfect Obedience Gen. 2.16 17. Q. Why is this called the Covenant of Works A. Because it required Works as the Condition of Life Lev. 18.5 Q. Had Adam any power to keep that Covenant A. Adam had power to keep it before the Fall being Created Perfect Eccles 7.29 But since the fall neither he nor any Son of Adam none but only Jesus Christ is able to keep this Covenant being wholly defiled with sin and disenabled to any thing that is good Rom. 8.7 Q. Whether shall any man be judged by the Covenant of Works seeing he hath no power to keep it A. Yes every man and woman that is found out of Christ in a state of unregeneracy seeing God gave them power to keep it but they by their wickedness and unthankfulness lost it Q. What is the Covenant of Grace A. The second Contract The Covenant of Grace defined or agreement which God made with Christ and in him with all the Elect to give them Christ and all that is his even all things pertaining to Life and Godliness and that upon condition of believing 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Psal 84.11 Joh. 3.16 Q. What differences are there between these two the Covenant of Works III. The difference between the Covenants and the Covenant of Grace A. 1. The Covenant of Works was made before the Fall The Covenant of Grace was made since the Fall 2. That promised Life upon condition of perfect Obedience in our own Persons but this upon condition of Faith in Christ 3. That required Obedience but gave no power to perform it bur this gives power to perform it Ezek. 36.26 27. Q. Why is this called The Covenant of Grace A. Because it was nothing but the free Grace of God that made it and that enableth us to keep it Ephes 2.8 9. Q. How is the Covenant of Grace distinguished The Covenant of Grace distinguished into the Old and New A. Into the Old and New Heb. 8.13 Q. Are there then Two Covenants of Grace A. No They are both one and the same Covenant for substance they differ only in respect of the divers dispensations of it Q. What is the Old Covenant of Grace The Old A. The Revelation and Dispensation of it before the Coming of Christ Q. What is the New Covenant The New A. The Revelation and Dispensation of it since the Coming of Christ Q. Wherein do these
means to bring them to their ends for the manifestation of his own Glory Ephes 1.11 There is nothing effected or done by God in Time but was Determined and appointed by him before all Time Acts 15.18 Q. What is Creation Creation defined A. The first outward act of God whereby of nothing by the Word of his power he made the World and every Creature in it and all very good Heb. 11.3 Gen. 1.31 Q. Wâ—at is Providence Providence defined A. That continued act of God whereby he takes notice of preserves and governs all and every Creature to their ends by those means which he hath appointed to the Glory of his Name and the good of his Elect Prov. 15.3 Nehem. 9.6 Psal 29.10 Prov. 20.24 Jer. 10.23 Col. 1.16 17. 1 Tim. 4.10 IV. Of the Word of God Q. What are you to know concerning the Word of God A. 1. That every part is Divinely inspired 2 Pet. 1.20 21. 2. Infallibly true Luke 16.17 3. That it contains all things necessary to be known believed and practised by us to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.16 17. 4. That all and every one ought to know it believe it practise it and yield obedience to it Joh. 5.39 Mark 16.16 2 Thes 1.8 9. Q. What are you to know concerning the Worship of God V. Of the Worship of God A. Especially two things 1. That he is to be Worshipped in Publick in Private and in Secret Isa 2.2 3. Jer. 10.25 Matth. 6.6 2. That he is to be Worshipped in a Right Manner and to a Right End In the Name of Christ Col. 3.17 And by the Strength of Christ Joh. 15.5 And in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4.24 And to the Glory of Christ Phil. 1.20 Thus of things to be known concerning God Q. What are we to know concerning our Selves Knowledge of our selves in four estates A. Four things 1. Our Blessed estate by Creation 2. Our Cursed estate by Transgression 3. Our Gracious estate by Regeneration 4. Our Happy estate by Glorification I. Mans Blessed estate by Creation Q. What was mans Blessed estate by Creaâ—ion A. He was Created after the Image of God in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness Gen. 1.26 27. Col. 3.9 10. Ephes 4.24 Where by Image you are to understand not the Substance but the likeness of God because an Infinite God cannot be resembled by a finite Creature And by righteousness that original justice inclining the whole man to the Knowledge and Obedience of the whole will of God And by holiness an actual Conformity to the whole will of God II. Mans Cursed estate by Transgression Q. What is the Cursed estate of man by Transgression A. By our first Parents disobeying the Command of God in eating the forbidden fruit there followed the Curse of God upon them and all their posterity Q. Wherein doâ—h this Curse consist A. In three things viz. Guilt Filth and Punishment 1. Guilt 1. Every one comes into the world guilty of Adams first sin Rom. 3.9 10. Rom. 5.17 18. Q. Whâ—t is the second thing â—hat followed the Fâ—ll of man 2. Filth A. A defilement of the whole man with sin Original and Actual 1 Thes 5.23 Q. What is sin Of sin A. The Transgression of the Law of God Revealed in the word 1 Joh. 3.4 or written in the heart Rom. 2.14 15. Q. What is Original sin A. It is the Corruption of our Nature Original sin defined which was justly derived to every one of us from the loyns of our first Parents inclining them to all evil and indisposing them to all good Rom. 5.12 Psal 51.5 Rom. 8.7 Q. What is Actual sin A. Every evil Thought Affection Actual sin defined Word and Action that ariseth out of this Corrupt Fountain James 1.14 Q. What is the third thing that followed the Fall on every man A. Punishment both of Loss and Sense 3. Punishment Q. What is the Punishment of Loss A. A Deprivation of the Image of God 1. Of Loss and that happy estate which we had by Creation Rom. 3.23 Ephes 2.3 Q. What is â—he Punishment of sense A. All manner of Plagues and Judgements in Life and Death and after Death 2. Of sense or Death Spiritual Corporal and Eternal Deut. 28.15 to the end of the Chap. Rom. 6.23 Mat. 25.46 Q. What is the third thing to be known concerning our selves III. Mans Gracious estate by Regeneration A. Our Gracious estate by Regeneration God leaveth not all men in their fallen cursed estate and condition but in his appointed time he effectually calleth all such as belong to the election of Grace out of an estate of Nature into in estate of Grace Acts 26.18 Q What is that Graâ—ious estate What it is A. It is a quickning of the Soul with Spiritual Life by infusing a principle of Grace Epâ—es 2.1 2. Or A Râ—novation of the Image of God Ephes 4.24 Or The Sanctification of the whole man in Body Soul and Spirit 1 Thes 5.23 Signs of Saving Grace Q. What signs can you give me of saving Grace begâ—n in you or of your being in such a Graâ—ious estate 1 Sign A. First The Universality of it when it is a thorough change of heart and life when there is holiness not only in my words and actions without but also in my thoughts and affections within 2 Cor. 5.17 When also I have respect to every Command of God one as well as another Psal 119.6 Acts 13.22 Luke 1.6 Q. What is another sign of saving Grace 2. Sign A. 2. When it is still combating with corruption Gal. 5.17 Rom. 7.18 19 20 21. 2 Sam. 6.21 22. Job 27.5 6. And increasing by opposition 2 Sam. 6.22 and Jâ—b 27.5 6. Q. What is another sign A. 3. The Prizing of Grace wheresoever I see it 3 Sign 1 Joh. 3.14 Psal 16.3 And all the means of Grace Psal 84.1 Psal 122. throughout Q. What is another sign of saving Grace A. 4. When it is Diffusive 4 Sign and labouring to make others partakers of it Psal 34.8 9 10 11. Acts 26.29 Q. What is another sign of saving Grace A. 5. Persevering in Grace to the end and in the end 5 Sign Heb. 3.14 Rev. 2.10 Q. What is the Fourth thing to be known concerning our selves A. Our Happy estate and condition by Glorification IV. Mans Happy estate by Glorification Q. What is that A. That Perfect holiness and happiness that we shall have both in Soul and Body with the Lord in Heaven for evermore Matth. 25.46 1 Thes 4.17 18. And thus of things to be known concerning our selves Knowledge of Christ in four things Q. What are thâ—se things that we are to knâ—w concerning Christ A. Four things 1. What he is in his Natures 2. What he is in his Offices 3. What are the Benefits that come by him and 4. What we must do to get an Interest in him Q. What
another A. 2. When it is Spiritual Love and set on others for Spiritual ends and not for Carnal namely for Christs sake and for Grace sake and for Truth sake 1 Joh. 5.1 Mat. 10.40 41 42. 2 Joh. 1 2. Q. What is another A. 3. When it is Impartial Love Love to all the Saints one as well as another the Poor as well as the Rich the bound as well the free Col. 1.3 4. James 2.1 to 10. Q. What is another A. 4. When it is Universal to all sorts Foes as well as Friends after the example of God who loved us when we were enemies to him Mat. 5.43 44 45. Psal 35.12 13. Rom. 5.8 yet especially to the Saints Psal 16.2 3. 1 Pet. 2.17 Q. What is another A. 5. When it is a Cordial and Sincere Love from the heart not only in Word and in Tongue but also in Deed and in Truth 1 Joh. 3.18 Rom. 12.9 Q. What is another A. 6. When it is an Operative or working Love Working 1. Inwardly in well-wishing and fellow-feeling of others Sufferings 3 Joh. 2 3. Rom. 12.15 2. Outwardly 1. In well-doing Gal. 6.9 10. 2. Reconciliation to others Matth. 5 23 24. Mat. 6.14 15. And 3. Satisfaction for wrongs done Luke 19.8 Q. What is another A. When it is Permanent and constant in all estates in Prosperity and Adversity in Life and Death Ruth 1.16 17. 1 Cor. 13.13 Q. How do you know you love your enemies A. By this that I can pray for them Matth. 5.44 Acts 7.60 Luke 23.34 Q. How else A. By this that I can heartily forgive their trespasses against me as God for Christs sake forgave me without seeking any Retaliation Ephes 4.32 Col. 3.13 1 Pet. 2.1 Q. How else A. By this that I am willing and ready to do them good for the evil they have done to me Rom. 12.20 Thus of Love The Tryal of a Holy Desire Q. WHat is the Sixth Sacramental Grace to be examined before you come to the LORDS SVPPER A. Whether we have a Spiritual Appetite or holy Desire to the Sacrament Q. What is this Holy Desire A. It is a Gracious affection of a Gracious heart A Holy Desire defined carrying the soul out after Spiritual things in a Spiritual manner and for Spiritual Ends Isa 26.8 9. Q. How do you know the truâ—h of a Spiritual Appetite Signs of a Holy Desire or Holy Desire to the Sacrament A. 1. By the Rise of it 1. Sign Q. How by the Rise of it A. 1. When it ariseth from a sight and sense of our own weakness of Grace Mark 9.24 Luke 15.17 Q. How else dâ—th it arise A. 2. When it ariseth from a sight and sense of the Fulness that is in Christ for the supply of all our wants Luke 15.17 Câ—l 1.19 Cant. 4.16 Q. How else A. 3. When it ariseth from a principle of Grace Psal 40.8 Q. How else A. 4. When it ariseth from experience of the sweetness and goodness of God in his Ordinances 1 Pet. 2.2 3 4 5. Q. How else do you know the truth of a Holy Desire 2 Sign A. 2. By the Properties of it Q. What is one Property of a Holy Desire A. 1. When it is Sincere after Grace as well as Glory Holiness as well as Happiness Psal 73.24 25. Q. What is another A. 2. When it sets a high Price and Value upon the thing desired as Paul Phil. 3.7 8 9. And as the wise Merchant Mat. 13.46 Q. What is another A. 3. When it is Industrious Earnest and Restless in the use of means for obtaining the thing desired For he that truly hungers and thirsts will endeavour in the use of means to have it allayed Isa 26.9 1 Pet. 2.2 Q. What is another A. 4. When it is firm and strong still growing Phil. 3.14 Psal 119.20 Q. What is another A. 5. When it is constant until it obtain Psal 119.20 And as Jacob Gen. 32.26 Q. How else do you know it A. 3. By the Fruits and Effects of it 3 Sign Q. What is one Fruit of it A. 1. When it is Glad of and Rejoyceth in the Opportunities of enjoying Communion with God in his Ordinances Psal 122.1 Isa 2.3 Q. What is another A. 2. When there is Retention When the soul not only closeth with Spiritual food but keeps it and digests it Heb. 3.14 Q. What is another A. 3. When it makes a man Impatient of delays Psal 42.2 Psal 84.2 Q. What is another A. 4. When a man takes content in nothing without Christ and Gods Love and favour in him Cant. 3.1 2 3. Q. What is another A. 5. When the soul is content with Christ and Grace in the want of all other things Psal 4.6 7. Q. What is another A. 6. When it Patients and quiets the soul in and under Sufferings from God and man Heb. 10.34 Q. What is another A. 7. When it moderates the desires after the things of the world Prov. 30.8 9. Q. What is another A. 8. When we are made willing to part with Temporals for Spirituals 2 Chron. 11.13 14. Q. What is another A. 9. When we are made willing to lay out all that strength and benefit that we have received by the Ordinance in the Service of God 1 Kings 19.8 Thus of a Holy Desire And thus of Habitual Preparation to the Sacrament of the Lords SUPPER OF Actual Preparation TO THE Lords Supper Question WHat is Actual Preparation Answer It is the Renewing Acting Actual preparation defined and Exercising of those Habits of Graces which we have found in our selves Q. Why is every one to Renew Act and Exercise those Graces before he come to the Sacrament A. 1. Because else they will lye dead in our souls and it will be all one as if we had them not if we do not Act and Exercise them Q. Why else A. 2. Because we are commanded at all times to stir up the Graces of God in us 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. Why else A. 3. Because else we shall Receive unworthily as the Corinthians did because they did not renew and act their Repentance before they came 1 Cor. 11.30 31 32. Q. How are we to renew act and exercise the former Graces A. 1. By Meditation and examination what our defects are in the former Graces 2. By humbling our selves under them 3. By Begging the Pardon of them and power over them and that this Pardon may be Sealed up to us in the Sacrament and given unto us by the Spirit of Christ for the enabling of us to walk more worthy of the Lord unto all well-pleasing Q. HOw are you to stir up the Grace of Knowledge before the Sacrament The stirring up the Graces before the Sacrament 1. Knowledge A. 1. By humbling our selves under our former coming to the Table of the Lord in so much Ignorance 2. By Labouring to get a more distinct Knowledge of those things which we do know 3. By dwelling awhile upon the meditation of