at night and after supper and in an upper room c. His being baptized in a River c. These we are not to imitate him in 7. His moral actions of piety and holinesse and these especially we are to imitate him in and to walk as he walked 1 Joh. 2.6 Quest. How is the whole work of our salvation carried on by Christ Answ. As he is the closure of every link in that golden chain of our salvation which reacheth from eternity to eternity As 1. He is the foundation of our election Eph. 1.4 2. The price of our redemption 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 3. The efficient cause of our regeneration Eph. 2.10 4. The author of our justification Jer. 33.16 5. The beginner and perfecter of our sanctification Heb. 12.2 Joh. 15.4 5. 6. The matter of our consolation both temporal and spiritual Joh. 16.33 Rom. 5.1 7. The sweetner and sanctifier of all our troubles Rom. 8.37 c. 8. The assurance and pledge of our resurrection 1 Cor. 15.20 1 Thes. 4.13 9. The procurer and producer of our glorification Joh. 17.22 Rev. 21.23 and therefore he may well be called our all in all Absumus a te Vivimus ex te Fidimus in te Tendimus ad te Non nisi per te Optime Christe CHAP. XXX Questions and Cases of Conscience about the Church Quest. WHat is meant by the word Church Answ. The Hebrew word Translated in the Psalms Congregation signifies to gather together or a company of people assembled together So Numb 20.10 The Greek signifies to call the compound to call out Thence the word translated a Church Act. 13.43 in general signifies an Assembly of people So Act. 19.32 41. Hence when Assemblies were dissolved every man is said to return to his own house 1 Kin. 12.24 Mostly the Greek word in the New Testament is appropriated to an Assembly of Saints that profess the â—ospel Such Assemblies are our Churches both because they are called out of their houses to one Assembly as also by reason of their calling out of the world and out of their naturall condition Hence they are oft stiled The called as Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 9. Matth. 9.13 In common use this word Church is Metonymically put for the place where such Assemblies meet So the word Synagogue which signifies the same with Church is put for an Assembly and so translated Jam. 2.2 and for a Congregation Act. 13.43 as also the place of the Assembly So Luke 7.5 Quest. In what sence is a Church taken in Scripture Answ. First For a company of men selected gathered and called out of the World by the Doctrine of the Gospel to know and worship the true God in Christ according to his Word 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2.3 This is the visible Church which is not alwayes eminent and glorious to the eyes of the flesh as Papists avouch the Church being like the Moon subject to mutations Rev. 12.1 Secondly For the whole company of the Elect which in all ages and places have and doe or shall believe in Christ through the calling of God the Father by the operation of the holy Spirit This is the invisible Catholick Church So Col. 1.18 Thirdly For the faithful in some one Family so it is to be understood Cant. 4.12 Rev. 3.12 Heb. 11.10 Rev. 12.27 Cant. 5.2 and 6.8 2 Cor. 6.16 Matth. 7.25 and 16.18 1 Tim. 3.15 Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 and 9.10 Fourthly For the lawful Governours of the Church to whom the Censures of the Church doe of right belong Matth. 18.17 This is the Church representative Fifthly For a Material Temple So 1 Cor 14.34 and 11.18 It s put also for all those that shall be saved Heâ— 12.23 the professors of Christ Act. 8.1 the faithful of some one Province 2 Thes. 1.1 Some notable Assembly of the faithful partaking together in the Word and Sacraments 1 Cor. 14.4 A multitude of any whether good or bad meeting together Act. 19.32 39. Quest. Who is the builder of the Church Answ Christ for the Church is made an house of God and the several members of the Church so ordered and qualified as they make up that Church and all this by Christ. By Christ they which by nature are dead in sin are quickned and made lively stones by him they are quickned and gathered together and endued with all needful graces whereby they become an holy house and a fit Temple foâ— God to dwell in John 5.21 Ephes. 1.10 Joh. 1.16 Hence Ephes. 1.22 Quest. Why doth Christ build up his Church Answ. First Because the Members of the Church before they were Members were dead and scattered and destitute of all grace therefore there must be some to quicken gather and furnish them with grace Secondly Christ of all others is fittest to doe this He is the very wisdom and power of the Father By him all things were made and are preserved sustained and ordered therefore it s most meet that the Church should receive her spirituall being preservation and every good thing from and by Christ. Thirdly For working the great work of mans redemption which is proper to the Church Christ humbled himself even to death the death of the Cross therefore it s most meet that he should have the honour of building up his Church Thus he sees of the travel of his soul and is satisfied as Isa. 53.11 Phil. 2.8 9 10 11. Quest. Hath Christ a special propriâ—ty in his Church Answ. Yea and that for these reasons 1. Because he purchased it with his own blood Act. 20.28 2. He built it Hence 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Ephes. 2.22 3. God hath given the Church to his Son Psal. 2 8. Quest. How and why is Christ said to be the Lord of his Church Answ. First By Gods ordination Psal. 2.6 Ephes. 1.22 Secondly By the redemption which Christ hath made of his Church So Exo. 20.2 therefore these two Titles of Lord and Redeemer are oft joyned together Isa. 43.14 and 44.24 Thirdly By a mutual Covenant between Christ and his Church as of old between God and Israel God avoucheth Israel to be his peculiar people they avouch him to be their God Deut. 26.17 18. This was oft foretold by the Prophets Jer. 31.33 Hos. 2.23 Zach. 13.9 and is accomplished in the Christian Church Heb. 8.10 Christ in and by the Gospel and Sacraments offers himself to be our Lord and we take him so to be by our subjecting of our selves to his Ordinances Fourthly By the Laws and Ordinances which Christ hath given to his Church It s the part of a Lord to give Laws and he is their Lord in special to whom he gives Laws But Gods word wherein those Laws are contained is in special given to the Church Psal. 147.19 20. Hence the Church is stiled the Pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Fifthly By a special care which he takes of his Church 1 Tim. 4.10 Dr. Gouge on Heb. Quest. Whether may our Parochial Assemblies in England be called Churches
could communicate spiritual life to it but this is only in the power of God whence God is called both the husband and head of the Church Psal. 45.11 therefore Christ as God was the head of the Church also Object But Christ could not thus be the head of the old Church because he was not then incarnate For it is the part of an head to communicate and impart its good to the body but the humanity of Christ could not profit the Church before his incarnation and therefore he was not the head of the Church of the Jews according to his humanity Answ. Though Christ had not then actually conjoyned the humanity to himself yet according to the divine decree of his future incarnation and passion according to the eternal efficacy of it and according to the lively faith of the Patriarchs even Christs humane nature and those things which he was to do and suffer in the same did much benefit the ancient Church when as yet they were not in act From the beginning of the world they were chosen in Christ and by Christ all the adopted sons of God Ephes. 1.4 5. Christ was the Lamb of God slaine from the beginning of the world and therefore from the beginning of the world he was the lively head of his Church For those things are present to God and faith which are not yet come Hence Aquinas saith truly Christum fuisse secundum humanitatem caput ecclesiae ante incarnationem per operationem fidei quae illum in carnandum apprehendebat sic beneficium justificationis consequebatur Object But Christ is not the Head of his Church according to his divine nature because that hath no conformity of nature with the rest of the members neither according to his humane nature because according to that he cannot communicate spiritual life to his members therefore he is no way the head of the Church Answ. I answer in general If there be found in Christ the perfect resemblance and reason of an head this is enough to make him truly called an Head though the conditions of an Head be not found in either of the natures apart As for that which is objected that the humane nature of Christ doth not communicate life and spiritual motion to the members I answer by distinguishing The life of grace is infused into the members either by the principal agent who creates grace in the soul by the way of authority and in this sense the influx of grace is from God alone or else from the instrument joyned with the principal agent and so the humane nature of Christ instrumentally is said to communicate grace and spiritual life As it nothing derogates from the natural head that it communicates life and motion to the other members not immediately from it self but by the means of its latent virtue So neither doth it derogate from the dignity of this mystical Head that it communicates life and grace not principally from its self but by reason of the Divinity dwelling in it Christ therefore notwithstanding these objections is the head of his Church according to both his natures Quest. What may we learn from the consideration hereof Answ. First In that God is the head of the Church we may thence conclude that she shall be perpetual and that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against her For if God be with us what shall be against us and truly if the head of the Church were less then God she would never be safe having all the Devils of Hell and all the wicked of the world against her Secondly If God be the head of the Church then all the Members of it ought to obey this their head in all things with reverence and godly fear For there is an infinite obligation upon every Creature to obey God but if it could be there is more then an infinite obligation upon the Church that is redeemed and sanctified to obey her God her mistical and life-giving head Thirdly If God be the head of the Church then Christs ascention into heaven hath not deprived her of her head yea he is present and ever will be present with his Catholick Church by the presence and power of his Divinity though he be not present to the eyes of our flesh according to his promise Matth. 28. ult Loe I am with you alwaies even to the end of the world therefore the Pope is a superfluous head Fourthly Is our head man also then by vertue of his kindred to our nature we may assure our selves that he loves us dearly that he is very sensible of our miseries and ready to relieve us Heb. 2.17 18. Fifthly is our head man this may comfort us in that the Divel hath no cause of triumphing over us Indeed he overcame the first Adam who was the head and fountain of all mankind but the second Adam the head of his Church hath overcome him yea in Christ we overcome him being his members equally as we were overcome in Adam the conquest of our head hath made us conquerors Quest. Wherein consists the similitude betwixt Christ and a head and betwixt the Church and a body Answ. The natural head must be considered in a double respect to its membes 1. Of difference 2. Of agreement and so must this mysticall head also Quest. Wherein consists the discrepancy betwixt the head and members Answ. First in respect of its eminency and dignity For the head doth more fully and perfectly enjoy all the sences then the members which are under it So Christ our mystical Head doth possesse all spiritual grace much more abundantly then all men and Angels â—oyned in one Joh. 3.34 Secondly in respect of its Government For the head directs and governs and all the members are directed and governed in their operations by it So Christ doth rule and govern his Church and she hearkens to his commands and submits to them Epes 5.22.23 Thirdly In respect of its causality and influence For the head imparts and communicates sence and motion to all the members so that they would want sence and motion if they should be separated from the head So Christ infuseth spiritual life and motion into his members otherwise they would be stupid and dead and destitute of all spiritual motion Joh. 15.5 Hence Phil. 4.13 Quest. Wherein consists the agreement between the head and members Answ. First In that the natural head hath conformity of nature with the members For it would be a monstrous thing if a mans body should have a horses head So between the Church and her mystical head there is an agreement of nature Heb. 2.16 Secondly The head and members have an agreement in order to the same end viz. the safety and preservation of the whole person So Christ and his members which are one person are ordained to attaine one and the same end viz. eternall glory and happiness and for the attaining of this end both the head and the members do daily co-operate This is the
union betwixt Christ and us ib. What is further to be considered in Christ ib. What is considerable about Christs Kingly Office p. 275. What are the speciall branches of the Kingdom of Christ ib. How doth he work this upon earth ib. How doth he exercise his Kingly Office towards the Church Triumphant ib. When doth Christ first live in a Christians heart p. 276. Why must Christ be Emmanuel God with man ib. VVhy must this God and Man be one Person ib. How doth Christ make us friends with God ib. How shall I know that this Emmanuel is God with me ib. VVhat benefits have we by Gods taking our nature upon him ib. How could the death of one satisfie for so many millions p. 277. How doth friendship between God and us arise from hence ib. How shall we know that we have comfort in this Emmanuel ib. Whether is Christ God seeing he saith his power is given him p. 278. Wherein consists the power of Christ ib. Wherein doth Christs dominion over all especially the Church appear ib. If Christ hath all power why is the Turk and Pope so prevalent p. 279. Why is Christ called often an Head ib. Are all given to Christ to be redeemed by him ib. But the son of perdition was lost therefore some that were given to Christ p. 280. Did Christ fully finish the work that was given him to doe ib. In what particulars did that work consist ib. If Christ hath done all what need wee do any thing p. 281. What are the properties of the work that Christ hath finished ib. What else are we bound to believe concerning Christ ib. In what particulars will it appear ib. Why must we believe that Christs fulness is for us p. 282. Whether did Christ die for all men ib. How may we prove that he died only for some ib. Why then doth the Scripture speak so universally of Christs death p. 283. Doe Reprobates receive any benefit by Christs death p. 284. How else may we prove that he only died for some ib. How then may we know whether we have interest in Christs death p. 285. What priviledges have the Godly by Christs death ib. What benefits have we by Christs Ascention and Exaltation p. 286. Who is the great Lord Keeper of the Saints ib. What doth it imply where Christ is said to be sent into the world p. 287. What necessity was there of Christs sending ibid. What is considerable about Christs Priestly Office p. 288. What are the properties of Christs Sacrifice p. 289. How is Christ the cause of our Sanctification ib. Did Christ doe as much for one Believer as for another p. 290. Objections against believing in Christ Answered ib. Whether Christ loves a strong Christian more then a weak p. 291. Is there no difference between Believers in respect of the fruits of Christs death ib. What is considerable about the glory of Christ ib. Why should Christ pray to his Father who could do what he pleased p. 292. What is the difference between Christs Prayer and ours ib. Why is Christ said to have no form or comliness p. 293. Whether was Christ beautifull in his outward feature ib. How did God hide his face from his son seeing he loved him always ib. What are the parts of Christs Office and why in such an Order ib. How is Christ a Mediatour p. 294. Doth it not imply inferiority ib. Objections Answered ib. What are the effects and consequents of the personal union in respect of Christs Manhood ib. In what estate did Christ exercise the Office of his Mediatorship p. 295. What are the degrees of Christs exaltation ib. What is Christ now doing in glory p. 296. How doth he there execute his Priestly Office ib. How the Kingly part of his Office ib. How was Christ revealed under the Old Testament ib. What arguments will prove Christ to be true God p. 298. How far forth are Christs actions to be imitated by us p. 302. How is the whole work of our salvation carried on by Christ p. 303. CHAP. XXX About the Church What is meant by the word Church p. 305. In what sence is a Church taken in Scripture ib. VVho is the builder of the Church p. 306. VVhy doth Christ build it ib. Hath Christ a speciall propriety in it ib. How and why is he said to be the Lord of his Church ib. VVhether are our Parochiall Assemblies in England Churches of Christ p. 307. How is the Church called Gods Peculiar ib. Why is the Church compared to a woman p. 308. VVhat duties doth this Relation of a Spouse to Christ teach us ib. How must she please her Husband p. 309. What priviledges hath she as the Spouse of Christ ib. How many the true Church be known 310. Is the true Church of Christ alwayes visible p. 311. VVhat Reasons may be rendred for it ib. VVhat conclusions may be laid down concerning the visibility of the Church p. 312. Are not all christians bound to pray for the peace of the Church p. 313. VVhat must we pray for in her behalf ib. what is further included in our praying for the Church ib. How must all this be done ib. Who are bound to do it ib. Why must we pray for the peace of the Church p. 314. How may we so pray for it as to be sure to prevaile ib. What means may we use to further us herein ib. Why is the Church called a Mother p. 315. Where are we to seek for her ib. Are all bound to joyn themselves to some particular Congregation ib. VVhat Church must we joyn our selves to ib. May we joyn with such a Church as tollerates the wicked and opposeth the godly ib. Is it lawfull to gather Churches out of true Churches p. 316. Is it lawfull to separate from a Church because of some Errors and defects ib. VVho is the Head of the Church p. 317. In what nature is Christ the Head of the Church ib. Objections Answered ib. What may be learned from the consideration hereof p. 318. Wherein consists the similitude betwixt Christ and an Head and the Church and a body ibid. VVherein consists the agreement between the head and Members ib. What is that body whereof Christ is the Head p. 319. VVhat else may be learned hence ib. Whether may the Church faile ib. VVhat are the infallible marks of a true Church p. 320. CHAP. XXXI About Circumspection and Circumspect walking What is it to walk Circumspectly p. 321. In what Scripture Phrases is it commended to us ib. What things are required to it ib. What may further us in this exact walking p. 322. Why is it so necessary ib. How may we provoke our selves to it p. 323. What other considerations may stir us up to it ib. Why must we be watchfull over our selves p. 324. Why over others p. 324. VVhat benefit have we by it ib. What are the impediments of it ib. What is this circumspection p. 325. Wherein doth it consist ib. How
permanent and unchangable will make his love constant and perpetual Mr. Downhams Warfare CHAP. XIV Questions and Cases of Conscience about Assurance Quest. WHat is Assurance Answ. It is a reflect act of the soul by which a Christian clearly sees that he is for the present in the state of grace and so an heire apparent to glory Quest. What are the kindes or degrees of this Assurance Answ. First an Assurance or certainty of adherence and application when we certainly apply and adhere to the promise and to Christ therein peremptorily divolving and casting our selves upon him for salvation though perhaps without evident and sensible comforts Called a receiving of Christ John 1.12 A cleaving to the Lord with full purpose of heart Acts 11.23 so that if we must perish we will perish believing This is the lowest step of assurance which every true Beleever hath Secondly a certainty of evidence or experience when by the reflection of conscience or faith upon our selves and our own acts or by the testimony of the Spirit of God we evidently see that we are in the state of grace experimentally discerning what God hath done for us and that upon such and such grounds effects of grace or other discoveries as being a new creature 2 Cor. 5.17 walking in the light 1 John 1.7 walking after the Spirit not after the flesh Rom. 8.1 loving the brethren 1 John 3.14 This assurance is usually attended with much comfort and joy yet every Christian attaines not to it but should labour hard for it It belongs rather to the well-being then to the being of a Christian. Thirdly an unstaggering certainty or full assurance when there is such a full perswasion as overcomes all doubts feares and unbelief such was Abrahams Romans 4.17 c. This is the highest pitch of Assurance attainable in this life and next to celestial enjoyment which few attaine unto Quest. How may the truth of assurance be discerned seeing some that have it think they have it not and others that have it not think they have it Answ. First try it by the qualifications of the persons assured as 1. Hast thou been troubled in conscience with feares about thy natural condition and thy soul kindly humbled in thee The spirit of bondage goes before the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8.15 16. with Matth. 11.28 Esay 61.1 2. 2. Hath thy humbled bâ—oken heart been furnished with saving faith First we beleeve and then we are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 3. Hath the Spirit been given to thee we must first have the Spirit before we can know the things that are given us of God 1 Cor. 2.12 Secondly by the grounds and causes of assurance which are 1. Divine testimony by audible voice as Christ assured those Mat. 9.2 5 6. Luke 5.20 23. and 7.47 48. and 23.42 43. But this was extraordinary and is not now to be expected 2. The lively exercise of faith reflecting on its own acts and seeing it selfe beleeving and these acts are 1. Direct and these again either receptive of Christ as Joh. 1.12 or operative from and by Christ received as Acts 15.9 Rom. 5.1 Gal. 5.6 2. Reflexive when faith looks back upon its own acts thus receiving Christ and thus acting So Paul knew whom he had beleeved 2 Tim. 1.12 3. The testimony of our own renewed and sanctified conscience according to the Word of God witnessing our good estate The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord c. Prov. 20.27 Tells us what 's in us 1 Corinth 2.10 11 12. 4. The testimony of the Spirit of God purposely given us to this end 1 Joh. 3.24 and 4.13 1 Cor. 2.12 the Spirit is the authour of our assurance 1. As a seal Ephâ—s 1.13 sealing us after we believe as v. 14. 2. As an earnest of our inheritance Ephes. 1.14 3. As a joynt witnesse with our spirits Rom. 8.16 clearing up our spiritual evidences and enabling us to discern them as 1 Cor. 2.9 c. 1 Joh. 2.27 Thirdly by the fruits and effects of it whereby it s distinguished from presumption as 1. True assurance mightily provokes to self-purifying to holinesse in heart and life as 1 John 3.2 3. whereas presumption emboldens in sinne 2. It stirres up fervent desires and longs after the Gospel of Christ they long for the sincere milk of the word 1 Pet. 2.2 3. But presumption breeds disaffection to it Psalme 50.16 17. such either desire it not at all or not the sincere milke of the word or not in reference to growth 3. It makes the soule incomparably to desire communion with God and Jesus Christ as we see in the Church Cant. 2.6 7 16 17. with Cant. 3.1 to 6. and 5.2 and 6.4 How doth David mourn for want of the sense hereof and pray for it Psal. 51.8 12. But presumption knows not what communion with Christ means 4. It notably engageth those that have it to serve and honour God in their places to the uttermost God assures Joshuah that he will never leave him nor forsake him Josh. 1.5 6. and Joshuah resolves that whatever others do he and his house will serve the Lord Josh. 24.15 so in Paul 1 Cor. 5.14 15. and in David Psalme 118.28 But presumption contemnes God Job 21.14 15. 5. True assurance singularly supports and comforts the heart in deepest tribulations as we see in Job chap. 19.25 c. and Paul 2 Corinth 1.12 But presumption in such cases is a miserable comforter 6. It fills us with joy in hope of glory when tribulation hath done its worst Rom. 5.1 2 c. But presumption hath no true hope of another life Ephes. 2.12 Quest. How may this assurance be attained and retained Answ. First be much in self-examination that we may finde where our evidence clearly lies 2 Cor. 13.5 Secondly quench not grieve not the Spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 Eph. 4.30 by any known sinne for the Spirit is given us that we might be assured and know the things that are given us of God 1 Cor. 2.10 c. and he assures us convincingly clearly and satisfactorily Rom. 8.16 Eph. 1.13 14. with 1 Joh. 3.24 and 4.13 Thirdly cherish and improve all our graces for every grace hath evidence in it especially assuring graces as knowledge Col. 2.2 Faith Heb. 10.22 and Hope Heb. 6.11 18 19. Fourthly constantly exercise our selves herein to have a conscience void of offence towards God and man in all parts of well-doing Acts 23.1 and 24.16 Rom. 8.16 1 Joh. 3.18 19 c. 2 Cor. 1.12 Isa. 32.17 Prov. 14.26 Psalme 50.23 Joh. 14.21 Fifthly Remember former experiences of assurance So Psal. 77.7 8 9 10. and 61.2 3. and 71.5 6 20. Sixthly labour to get out of those conditions which are prejudicial and obstructive to assurance which are 1. The infancy of grace such have not their senses exercised to discerne their condition Heb. 5.13 14. Labour to be grown men 1 Cor. 14.20 2 Pet. 3.18 2. The spiritual slumber or
wilful contempt and carelesse neglect of this Ordinance when it may conveniently be had is dangerous and damnable and to such that threat belongs Gen. 17.14 that soule shall be cut off Thirdly the grace and mercy of God is free and not tied to the outward elements Joh. 3.8 the winde blows where it listeth i. e. God gives grace when where and to whom he pleaseth Fourthly Infants borne of believing parents are holy before Baptisme and Baptisme is but a seale of that holinesse 1 Cor. 7.14 yea to them belongs the Kingdom of heaven Mark 10.14 Object They which are sanctified have faith which Infants have not Answ. God saith I will be thy God and the God of thy seed By virtue of which promise the Parent layes hold of the Covenant for himself and his children and the children believes because the Father believes Object Infants are borne in Original sinne and therefore cannot be holy Answ. Every beleeving Parent sustains a double person 1. As descending from Adam by corrupted seed and thus both himself and his children are corrupted 2. As he is a holy and believing man ingraffed by faith into Christ the second Adam and thus by his faith his children comes to be within the Covenant and partaker of the benefits and priviledges thereof and by the same faith he being a believer the guilt of original corruption in the Infant is not imputed to him to condemnation Object Others that would make it absolutely necessary object John 3.5 Except a man be born of water and the Holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Answ. First If this be meant of Baptism then the word may carry one of these two sences 1. Christ directs his speech principally to Nicodemus who was a timorous professor who remained ignorant and had long neglected his Baptisme 2. That the Kingdom of heaven is not here put for everlasting happinesse but to signifie the visible state of the Church under the New Testament and then the meaning is that none can be admitted into the Church and made a visible member thereof but by Baptisme nor can any be made a lively member of Christ but by the Spirit Secondly or this place is not be understood of Baptisme but of regeneration wherein Christ alludes to Exod. 35.26 which speaks of clean water and then the meaning is thou Nicodemus art a Pharisee and usest many outward washings but unlesse thou beest washed inwardly by clean water i. e. regenerated by the Holy Ghost thou canst not enter into heaven Thirdly or the necessity of salvation lies not in both but only in the New Birth by the Holy Ghost Quest. Whether are not witnesses commonly called God-fathers and God-mothers necessary Answ. No. First For in the Primitive times the Parents of children which were Heathens and newly converted to the Christian Religion were either ignorant and could not or carelesse and would not bring up their children according to the Word of God and true Religion which they newly professed therefore persons of good knowledge and life were called to witnesse Baptisme and promised to take care of the childrens education But now parents being better taught and qualified the other is not necessary Secondly Christ in his Word hath taught all things that are fit and necessary about Baptisme amongst all which he hath not appointed the use of Sureties Thirdly the whole Congregation present do present the childe to the Lord and are witnesses of his admission into the Church and therefore there needs no other Fourthly that which is required of them to promise and performe may and ought to be performed by the Parents of the Infant baptized who by Gods command ought to bring up their children in the knowledge and fear of God therefore the other are not necessary Quest. Whether have children of excommunicated persons right to Baptisme Answ. Before this question be answered some grounds must be laid down As 1. There are two texts principally about excommunication Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.5 the scope of both which is to shew that the excommunicated person is debarred the Kingdome of heaven For he is not to be held a true member of the Church but as an Heathen and Publican 2. In excommunication there are three judgements to be considered 1. Of God 2. Of the Church 3. Again of God The first is when God holdeth any obstinate sinner guilty of the offence and consequently of condemnation except he repent The second is of the Church which follows Gods judgement pronouncing the party guilty and subject to condemnation which judgement is not to be given absolutely but with condition of repentance and so farre forth as man can judge by the fault committed as also by the Word which directs how to discern of the impenitency of the sinner The third again is Gods judgement whereby he confirms that in heaven which the Church hath done on earth So then the answer may be 1. That the persons excommunicate are in some respect no members of Christs body and in some other respects they are Quest. How are they not Answ. First in that they are cut off from the company of Beleevers by the sentence of excommunication and so have no participation with them in prayer hearing the Word or receiving the Sacraments and that because the action of the Church stands in force God ratifying that which his Church hath done Secondly because by their sinne they have as much as in them lies deprived themselves of the effectual power of Gods Spirit which should rule and govern them Quest. How are they members Answ. First some are members not actually and in present but in the eternal counsel of God and so shall be in time when they are called Hence Gal. 1.15 Paul saith God had separated him from the womb and called him by his grace So Rom. 5.20 when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by Christ. Secondly some are members onely in shew and appearance as hypocrites Thirdly some are lively members which are united to Christ by faith c. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly some are decayed members who though they belong to Gods Election and are truly ingraffed into Christ yet for the present have not a lively sense thereof like a member in the body that hath the dead palsie such are excommunicated persons For in regard of their ingraffing they are true members and cannot be quite cut off from the body of Christ John 10.28 Yet they are not holden so to be in three respects 1. In regard of men because they are excluded from communion with the faithful by the censure of the Church 2. In regard of God because what the Church rightly binds on earth he binds in heaven 3. In regard of themselves because for a time they want the power and efficacy of the Spirit till by true repentance they recover life again Now though in these respects they be not esteemed members yet in truth they are not wholly cut off from the society of the
she is holy though not in respect of the greatest part 3. Whatsoever corruption of Doctrine or manners spring up she reproves and censures not tollerates it 2. She is meek loving patient merciful c. Jam. 3.17 full of good fruits her weapons are prayers and tears not fire and faggot Fourthly By her marriage a good way to know one by is the head and the Church cannot be better known then by her head Jesus Christ whose wife she is by whom all the children of the Church are begotten by virtue of the eternal Covenant of Grace as in lawful wedlock Cant. 2.16 and 5.10 Fifthly By her carriage and behaviour 1. To her husband to whom in all her behaviour she expresses foure virtues 1. She is chast and faithful to him she forgets not the guide of her youth c. 2. She is subject to him in all things content to be tryed and ruled in all cases by his will revealed in his Word 3. She depends only on her husband for the meanes of her welfare and all needfull supplies will not seek to any other Advocates or Mediators c. 4. She honours her Husband onely and will give his honour to no other 2. To her children whom 1. She nurceth at her own breasts puts them not forth to such strange milke of Traditions Councils Decretals c. 2. She instructeth and teacheth them 3. Porvides for them she upholds the means of salvation to keep her children in good state Quest. Is the true Church of Christ alwayes visible Answ. The true Church is not alwaies conspicuous visible and glorious to the world but may be oppressed and hid So was the Church in Egypt thrust out into the wildernesse so in Elijahs time when he complained that he was left alone so in the Babylonish captivity therefore compared to dead and dry bones Ezek. 37.2 so Rev. 13.12 Quest. What reasons may be rendred for this Answ. First because the Church is a select company called out of the world a little flock Joh. 15.9 a garden enclosed Cant. 4.12 the blind world neither can nor will see the Church Secondly the Church is such a body as is not alwaies visible to mans eyes no not to good mens as as we see in Elias the foundation being in Gods election and the union spiritual Thirdly Sometimes the Church abusing peace and prosperity makes the Lord to strip her naked and bare and to â—end her into the wildernesse yea to make her as a wildernesse Hos. 2.3 Fourthly The Church provides for her safety sometimes by flying into the wildernesse she is like a Dove in the rocks Cant. 2.19 5ly The Churches Militant condition suffers her not alwaies to be visible being not tyed to any one estate or place therefore she is compared to the Moon being sâ—metimes in the full and sometimes hid Quest. What conclusions may be laid down concerning the visibility of the Church Answ. First By the Church which we hold invisible we mean the Catholick Church even the multitude of all the Elect which have been are or shall be which Church is holy and no wicked persons belong to it It s a communion of Saints only to which belongs remission of sins and life everlasting and this is invisible to the world and that 1. Because the ground and foundation of it Gods Election is invisible 2. The greatest part of the Elect are not subject to sence not the Saints in Heaven nor many on Earth some being not born others but new boâ—n 3. Visible things are not believed but things invisible Faith is of things not sâ—en and if we believe the holy Catholick Church we cannot see it Secondly concerning the Militant Church we hold 1. That God will alwaies have a part of his Catholick Church here on Earth that shall hold and maintain the true Faith in the several Ages to the Worlds end and this cannot faile upon Earth 2. This part of the Catholick Church consists of men that are visible and exercise visible Ordinances as the Word Sacraments c. and often in peaceable times appears glorious in many particular and visible Congregations 3. That these visible and particular Churches are not alwayes visible after the same manner neither is any part of the visible Church alwayes so necessarily visible but that it may disappear as the Church in the Old and New Testaments have some time done 4. This number of men in whom this part of the Church contsteth may come to be a few and by Tyranny and Heresie their profession may be so secret amongst themselves that the world cannot see them Though like the Sun she shines in her self yet she may be obscured from the sight of others 5. Though the Church cannot fail upon Earth yet the external government of it may faile for a time her Pastors may be interrupted her sheep scattered her Discipline hindered the external exercise of Religion may be suspended and the sincerity of Religion exceedingly corrupted so that the members of the Church are only visible amongst themselves Thirdly Though the Church of God be not alwaies seen yet she is alwayes safe and that 1. Because if she cannot be safe in the City she shall be safe in the Wildernesse where God will provide her a place as Rev. 12.14 2. Gods purpose for the safety of his Church cannot be altered by any enterprises of her Enemies Though Pharaoh slay all the infants yet Moses shall be preserved by his own daughter in his own bosome to be a deliverer Though Herod slay the infants he shall misse of him whom he seeks 3. God makes high account of his Church as the signet of his right hand the apple of his eye therefore he will provide for her safety 4. Gods wisdom makes it healthful for his Church sometimes to be hid that she may always be safe otherwise the world would destroy her Dr. Tailor on Rev. Quest. Are not all Christians bound to pray for the peace of the Church Answ. Yea 1. we must pray for the whole Church where ever dispersed 2. For the natural members and noble members especially the living stones those which are more instrumental and organicall such as are eminent in power and place in worth and in service 3. More particularly for our own Church to which we are related and to the principals of it as Cities and Vniversities 4. For the restoring of the people of God even for the Jews and for the setting up of the new Jerusalem as God hath promised in his Woâ—d 5. By the same reason we must pray against such as are against the Church Quest. But what must we pray for in the behalf of the Church Answ. First in general for all blessings for all that is good and useful and tends to the welfare of it as for the protection of it deliverance of those that are in danger preservation from danger to those that are free for the perfection of it that God will reâ—ore those Churches that are over-run