suffice Quest 2. What is the first Ans First The old carnall Israelites part of the Posterity of Abraham in Aegypt as all naturall men in whom the spark of conscience or light of the Law of nature accusing or excusing is awakened had is still such have some thoughts of saving themselves by the way of the first Covenant Gal. 2.16 Acts. 13.39 Rom 10. â— or Rule of life to Adam in Paradise Do and live Therefore God repeats the matter of the Law as to shew sin so as a rule of a Christians life not to justifie but to convince them of their error and shew they could not have life or justification by any works of the Law as such Pharisees dream Quest 3. But how can this be since the Lord declares himself to be their Lord and God in Christ who had brought them by Christ from the Aegypt of sin as he had brought them by Moses out of Egypts Bondage Ans Though God did this yet he delivers the Articles or matter of the Law Rom. 10.1 c. 2.14 15. Exod. 19.1 to 25. 20.1 c. Gal. 3.17 c. or rule of life written in the heart of Adam in Creation and blotted by the fall and now written again in the tables of stone and delivered with Thunders and Lightnings and terrors which they were not able to abide not to hold forth life in that way or to renew the Covenant of works but that they might see their own sin weaknes and misery and seek out for a Mediator Christ to come as they did for Moses then present that so the Law or Rule of doing might be their Schoolmaster revealing sin and misery to bring them unto Christ and to seek Salvation in the Gospel the Rule of Faith Quest 4. But how doth it appear that the Lord did declare himself to them as their God in Christ Or in the Wildernesse hold forth Christ and the Covenant of grace to his people Ans This is evident Exo. 20.1 2 3. 12. Lev. 16.7 c. as by the Preface of the ten Commandments of the Morall Law or Rule of manners and obedience I am the Lord thy God in Christ So by the Ceremoniall Law clearly in which by their Sacrifices Num. 21.6 c. Gal. 2.24 and Types and Figures of the Paschall Lamb the scape Goat the Brazen Serpent and other mysteries Christ was sweetly Preached and held forth as the only Way and means of Salvation This Ceremoniall Law in this respect as well as the Morall Law in another noted before being also a School-master to bring them to Christ Quest 5. But wherefore doth Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament hold forth the Law or Covenant of works if there be no Iustification by the Law nor Salvation by a mans own works Ans The Lord Christ and his Apostles do not hold forth the Law Iohn 14.6 or speak of it to renew the Covenant of works or set it up as a way of Iustification and life for he declares himself the way the truth and the life But Christ repeats and expounds the Law for divers other uses Quest 6. What is the first Ans First To shew what man could not do by the Law that is not be Iustified by it rather then that he could keep the Law Luk. 17.7 c. or gain life and Salvation by his own power or by any works of the Law Quest 7. What is a second Ans Secondly Mat. 5.1 c. 5.17 c. to vindicate the Law from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees who Interpreted the Law according to the Letter only and outward acts of obedience and as if it had been a way of life Christ holding forth that strictnesse of obedience which man is not able to perform Quest 8. What is a third Ans To shew the inward and perfect obedience which the Law requireth Mat. 5.17 c. 19.16 c. Gal. 2.17 Iam. 2.8 c. if a man do bat look upon a woman to lust after her he hath committed Adultery with her in his heart if he be but angry with his Brother unadvisedly he is a Murderer if he break the Law but in one point he is guilty of all so no life or Salvation but in Christ Quest 9. What is a fourth Ans That men being enlightned by the Spirit of Christ in the Word Rom. 7.7 Ioh. 16.7 c. Rom. 8.15 Acts 2.37 16.29 c. to see their own weaknes and inability to keep the Law or be saved by it they may be convinced of their sin and misery finde their bondage despair in themselves as not knowing what to do and be drawn by the Gospel and same spirit of Christ to come into Christ believe and receive Christ and be saved Quest 10. But will not the Gospel shew mans misery without the Law Ans Yes The Gospel doth shew our misery implicitely by way of inference as 2 Cor. 5.14 15. But Gods Spirit is pleased to make use of both at his pleasure and both Law and Gospel may be Preached in the Church in a true and right manner as Luke 10.34 So Law and Gospel 1 Thes 1.8 Acts 2.37 c. and 13. Quest 13. But is there no other use of the Law Psal 119.1 c. Mat. 5.16 Isa 8.20 Iohn 14.21 c. 15.12 c. Phil. 31.27 3.17 c. 4.8 2. Ans Yes The Law Commandment or Iudgement Statute Testimony Precept Word or way of God for it hath all these names and such like in Scripture as it was so it is and may be held forth as a rule and way of our life and conversation in which through Faith and the power and vertue of Christ and his quickning and sanctifying Spirit the Children of God may and ought to walk offering up themselves and all their endeavors fruitfully in all good works as Spirituall Sacrifices of Praise acceptable to God in Christ as we shall shew further in the last part Quest 12. What profit is it to know so much of mans naturall condition weaknesse and misery since Adams fall Ans That men and women may be throughly convinced of their death in sin and misery in a naturall condition Eph. 2.1 Acts 28.23 c. Mat. 16.24 Rom. 1.4 5. Phil. 3.4 c. and inability to believe or repent and be wholly brought to deny themselves their own wisdom righteousnesse and strength to recover and so truly and more earnestly seek out to be saved by another even by Iesus Christ and prize Christ Iesus in whom alone there is hope of Salvation for poor sinners Quest 13. But if a man can do nothing of himself neither repent nor believe the Gospel and that without Faith and Repentance there is no Salvation to any man or woman then what difference or what profit is there in the New Covenant more then in the Old since in neither man hath power of himself
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
at his pleasure Quest 13. You have Answered comfortably concerning the Elect Now what is Gods Providence concerning evil Angels or Devils and what they are Iob 4.17 c. 1.9 c. Iude 6. Gen. 3.1 2 3. 1 Chron. 21.1 Zach. 3.1 2. Mat. 13.28 29. Eph. 2.12 2 Tim. 2.26 Ioh. 8 44. Ioh. 3.8 2 Pet. 2.4 Mat. 25.41 Rev. 20. Ans They are those Angels or Spirits in whom God found folly who kept not their first state but left their own habitation sinned against God their maker for which they were cast out of heaven and of glorious Angels became ugly Devils enemies to God and Saints tyrants over wicked men ruling in them as their God and drawing them to sin in this life for which the Devils are reserved in chains of darknesse and shall be tormented with the wicked in Hell fire for ever Quest 14. What power hath the Devil and his Angels to hurt the Saints Ans A limited power and retrained for the Devils are conquered by Christ and can go no further then God gives them leave for his own glory and the triall and good of his Saints Job 1.12 and 2.6 Hebrews 2.14 15. John 6.11 Colloss 2.14 15. Quest 15. What benefit can this knowledge bring to the Church and Children of God Ans Great joy and profit that Christ our Saviour hath broken the Serpents head and hath power of Devils Gen. 3.15 Rev. 12.10 c. Mat. 8.28 c. Luke 11.21 22. that they cannot hurt so much as a Swine much lesse one of his Children without leave and license from Christ our Lord and King who doth and can restrain the Devils and dispossesse them at his pleasure Quest 16. What other benefit have we Ans To teach Saints to be watchfull and take heed of Satans temptations to keep close to Christ who doth and will tread down Satan under our feet shortly Mat. 26.41 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Gen. 17.1 Joh. 14.20 21 22. Act. 24.15 16. Rom. 16.20 The seventh Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared Gods Providence concerning Spirits Angels and Devils Now what should a faithfull receiver known of the creation and of Gods Providence concerning man and concerning himself in particular Ans A fourfold knowledge is requisite to a comfortable meeting of Christ in the Sacrament Quest 2. What is this fourfold knowledge Ans First what we were by Creation before Adams fall Secondly what was our condition in nature corrupted after the fall Thirdly what it is in the state of Grace And fourthly what it shall be in the state of glory Quest 3. What was the state and condition of man by Creation Ans He was created in the Image of God his soul in some degrees like God in nature a Spirituall invisible living substance indued with understandings will and memory and immortality the whole man blessed with knowledâ—e righteousnesse and true holinesse graced with a communion with God as their Father with an outward Majesty and Dominion over all inferior creatures without all sin and misery having a freedome of will and a promise if he would obey to persevere in happinesse for ever Gen. 26.27 and 2.7 Eccles 12.7 Zach. 12.1 Luke 16.22 and 23.43 Heb. 12.9 Eccles 7.29 Psal 8.3 4 5.6 Eph. 4.23 24. Gen. 1.28 c. and 2.18 c. Quest 4. What ground of assurance was there that Adam might have continued in that happy estate if he would Ans Gods promise in that Covenant of works made with our first Parents before their fall Gen. 1.26 27. 2.16 17. assuring life upon condition of persevering in obedience and threatning death if they break the Covenant or that command of triall given them Quest 5. Should Adam have enjoyed heaven for the merit of of his works if he had continued obedient and kept the Covenant with God his Maker or fulfilled the pleasure of Gods will so revealed therein Gen. 2.17 1 Cor. 4.7 Ans Certainly no the creature could not merit any thing at the hand of the Creator having received both his being and well being from God but he was to live for ever and receive heaven by vertue of the free Covenant and Gods free Promise as the end and free reward of his obedience and faithfulnesse in the Covenant of God Quest 6. What Evidence is there of this truth Ans Besides what is rehearsed this hath been the judgement of holy men in the Church of God after the opinion of our Rabines of blessed Memory saith an Hebrew If Adam had not sinned he had never dyed but the breath which he was inspired with of the most high blessed God should have given life for ever and the good will of God which he had in his creation had cleaved unto him continually and kept him alive for evermore Quest 7. How was this Covenant held forth to our first Parents before their fall Ans By those two Sacraments as some call them of the Tree of Life and of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil Gen. 2.9.17 Rom. 2.14 the first signifying and sealing life eternall if they kept the Covenant The second threatning death and the wofull knowledge of good and evil if they break that command of triall given and so walked contrary to the Morall Law or rule of life written in their hearts or that holy nature infused into them by God in their creation Quest 8. Did Adam and Eve keep that precept of tryall and Law written in their hearts Or walk according to that holy nature in which thty were Created Ans No Gen. 3.1 c. they did eat of the forbidden Tree and obeyed Satans temptations rather then the command of God their Maker Quest 9. What was the estate of Mankinde after this fall of our first Parents and their rebellion against God their Creator Ans Man lost the Image of God wherein he was made became a rebell like Satan in word and deed a slave to the world the flesh and the Devil polluted with Originall corruption and Actuall transgression liable to the wrath of God and all curses Spirituall and corporall in this life and eternall torments with the Devils in Hell fire for ever Eccles 7.29 Gen. 3.7 and 6.5 Psal 53.1 c. 2 Tim. 2.26 Luke 11.21 Joh. 3.36 Rom. 2.8 9 12 14. and 7.18 20. Gen. 17 18 19. Act. 28.27 Rom. 1.24 c. Psal 9.17 Isa 30.33 Mat. 25 41. Quest 10. Is every Childe of Adam in this wofull estate by nature Rom. 3.9 c. Eph. 2.1.2 3. Ans Yes There is none righteous no not one for all have sinned and are come short of the glory of God and were all by nature the children of wrath as well as others Quest 11. But how could the guilt of Adams sin and punishment be justly charged upon us their Posterity Rom. 5.12 c. 11.16 So contrary Luk. 13.26 27. Rev. 21.27 Gen. 3.22 c. Ans Because Adam and Eve sinned as the
common Parents of all Mankinde all being then in their loynes as the branches in the stock the streams in the Fountain and so the corruption and guilt of sins in them was justly derived and imputed to all Mankinde and all subject to be excluded heaven and Gods gracious presence as Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise Quest 15. Could not our first Parents or Mankinde since the fall Redeem themselves from this damnable estate by being sorrowfull and doing penance for their sin or by gold or silver or good works make God amends again and so recover their lost estate and get heaven by vertue of the first Covenant Do and live Ans No Ier. 10.23 Ezek. 37.1 c. Ioh. 11.39 Psal 49.6 c. 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Eph. 2.1 as 1 Tim. 5.6 It was and is altogether impossible as much as for the dead bones to raise themselves to life or Lazarus to get out of his grave by his own strength after he had been dead four dayes and stinking in the grave by corruption Quest 13. How can this be since the dead bones and Lazarus in the grave had no life at all but man by his fall is only half dead as our Saviour seemeth to intimate Luke 10.30 Ans If we consider the life of nature in man that is half dead Gen. 2.17 3.16 c. Luk. 15.32 Eph 2.1 1 Cor. 2.14 Eph. 4.17 c. 1 Cor. 44. 2 Cor. 3.5 as being since the fall subject to mortality sorrows weaknesse sicknesse pains death of body and outward miseries besides imbecilities of understanding will and memory But if we look to the life of grace and power to please and walk with God that is wholly dead and every one totally unable to recover himself or gain happinesse by that first Covenant Luke 10.31.32 Do and live Quest 14. But did not the understanding will conscience and inferior appetite remain in man after the fall Ans Yes The naturall faculty of the Vnderstanding did remain but darkned and so of th Will but corrupted of the Memory but wounded of the Conscience but defiled and of inferior Appetite but vitiated and deprived of Originall purity the clear light of the understanding rectitude of the will and conscience and conformity of appetite with right reason or light of that light which man had by creation being lost and so Man altogether unable to think or act any thing pleasing to God whilest his guilty person like Cains is not accepted but as Cains so every naturall mans person actions service and sacrifice are abominable before God Gen. 6.5 Eph. 4.18 19. 1 Tim. 6.15 Rom. 8.7 Deut. 6.12 Judg. 3.7 Job 8.13 Psal 9.17 1 Tit. 1.15 Col. 3.5 6. Gen. 4.4 5. Prov. 21.4 and 28.9 Isa 13 14. Quest 15. But are not unregenerate mens naturall actions as to eat drink plow perform works of callings and their well meanings acceptable to God and helps to get Gods favour again that was lost by Adams sin Ans No certainly Prov. 21.4 15.8 Isa 66.3 2 Sam 6.6 Zach. 7.5 6. Iam. 4.3 for although mens naturall actions are good in themselves as they are Gods Ordinance in wayes of his Providence and commands and so to be done yet as acted by ignorant unbelieving unregenerate men they are defiled sinfull and odious men seeking themselves not Gods glory and so their well meaning plowing and prayer is sin Quest 16. Cannot a naturall or civill honest man by good use of his naturall parts doing no man harm to his knowledge performing works of charity hearing of Gods service please God prepare himself for Grace repent and convert himself to God and so walk according to the rule of Gods Law and be saved Ans No verily Ier. 10.14.23 Mat. 10.14 15. 11.20 c. Ier. 31.18 c. It is not in man to direct his steps or come unto God and turn to the Lord from sin and though walking civilly he may have lesse torments in Hell then some notorious wicked men yet since Adams fall the Covenant of works was not renewed nor is there any getting that way into the Kingdom of Heaven The eighth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question BVt hath not a man or woman free will to repent and convert himself to God if he please and so to do Gods Commandements and live as Adam and Eve lived before their fall Ier. 10.23 Iohn 6.44 Phil. 2.13 Ans The will of man was and is alwayes free from violence and constraint since Adams fall but not from defilement and servitude since Adam lost his purity and freedome so that the liberty of will differs much from what it was before that transgression and no naturall man hath free will of himself to turn to God in Christ for Salvation Quest 2. Wherein doth this difference of freedome in mans will consist Ans There is a fourfould condition of mans freedome of will according to his fourfold state and condition of life Quest 3. What is this fourfold difference in the freedome of mans will Ans First In the state of innocency before the fall man had freedom of will both to good and evil Genesis 2.17 Eccles 7.29 Deut. 30.19 This was in Adam and not in us Secondly Gen. 6.5 8.21 In the state of corruption after the fall man hath freedome of will to evil not good Thirdly In the state of grace man hath freedome of will from evil i Cor. 13.9 Phil. 3 i2 c. and unto good but imperfectly Fourthly In the state of glory the will of man shall be wholly free from evil and unto good 1 Cor. 13.10 c. 1 Iohn 3.1 2 3. most perfectly and blessed for ever Quest 4. But hath man lost his freedome of will since Adams fall in all sorts of actions Ans Actions are of severall kindes First Naturall common to men and bruit creatures as to lye down to rise up Acts 17.25 c. stand go eat drink sleep hear see taste smell or the like and all these man hath a naturall freedome of will and minde to do or not to do at choyce only with subordination to the will leave permission and power of God without which we can do nothing Quest 5. What are the second sort of actions Ans Humane actions common to all men regenerate and unregenerate as to speak to lend an outward ear to what is spoken that he may understand it to make use of naturall reason and memory to practise a manuall Trade or liberall Art or Science to perform acts of civill and morall vertues prudence justice temperance and fortitude to plead at the Bar as a Lawyer to be a Iudge of differences between man and man to be a Law-maker to be a Peace-maker a Souldier or any outward Calling All which an unregerate man may do or act and have freedome of will to chuse or refuse at pleasure with Subordination to Gods wil and license as aforesaid as 2 Kings 5.1
Commandements of my Heavenly Father and so these foure first Commandements or first Table of the Law of God Psal 119.101.128 and to refrain from every sinwhatsoever Quest 49. What is the finall cause or chiefe ends at which your soule doth or ought to aime at in this your obedience Ans The prime and chiefe end is the glorifying of God 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 5.10 11 12. my God and Father in Christ And the next the Declaration of my love and thankfulnesse to the Lord my God and to shew forth his praises who called me out of darknesse to light and hath freely given me life eternall and everlasting salvation in Christ Jesus The Thirty two Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have profitably and plainely endevoured to declare the duties commaded and the sinnes forbidden in the first Table of the Law of God and held them forth as a light to the feete of Gods Saints by the helpe of the spirit of Christ And in the performance of our Duties and Declaration of our more immediate love unto our God in Christ Now what I pray you do you call the second Table of the Law of God and what are the Commandemtnts comprehended in this second Table what light from Christ to teach this Ans This second Table is that which holdeth forth rules for the manifestation of our love to our Neighbour Mat. â—2 38 39 40. in and for God as our selves and these Rules are comprehended in the six last Commandements of the Decalogue or ten words of Gods Minde to his people Ex. 34.28 Quest 2. What then you doe conceive to be the generall duties of this second Taeble of the Law Ans That which the Lord Christ and the spirit of Christ in the Prophets Mat. 22.39 Levit. 19.18 Rom. 13.8 9. and Apostles holdeth forth unto us namely to love our Neighbour as our selves Quest 3. What is the sinne contrary to this duty of loving our Neighbour as our selves Ans Not to do as we would be done be done by Mat. 7.12 Levit. 19.17 18. Isai 58.7 or instead of love to hate our Neighbour and to hide our selves from our own flesh Quest 4. You say the Lord requireth that we should love our Neighbours as our selves Therefore it seemeth to mee that the Lord requireth his child to love himselfe Now what is this love of a mans selfe according to which hee ought to love his Neighhour Ans Certainly the Lord doth require that a man should in a right manner love himselfe Mâ—t. 22 37 38 39. Phâ—l 2.12 Eph. 5.29 and this love of a man towards himselfe is that love wherewith a Believer should in and for and after God love his owne soule and body in seeking the temporall and eternall good of both for Gods glory and his owne eternall happinesse and salvation Quest 5. What are sinnes contrary to this true and right ordered love of a Man or Womans selfe Ans There are diverse sins contrary to a right and true love of a mans self first a perverse and wicked hatred of Mans selfe Acts 18.6 either of a Mans soule and body by an obstinate rejecting of grace and meanes of grace or willfull Rebellion against God or hatred of his body and life by a Mans desperate rejecting and refusing the meanes of preserving the body and health and life of it or by a desparate destroying of the body and life by any meanes whatsoever An example of this I have seen in divers who in strength and violence of Satans temptations or a kinde of frensie and braine distemper have utterly rejected meanes of comfort some for the soule some for the body some for both as Francis Spira did in Germany after his fall from the Gospell History of Francis Spirra to subscribe to Popery continuing in that sad condition to the day of his death I say nothing of Ahitophel and Iudas 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.5 who wickedly destroyed themselves contrary to the sixt Commandement of which I shall speak in its place Quest 6. What is a second sinne contrary to the true love of a mans selfe Ans Philauty or corrupt and inordinate love of a mans selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either above God which is a wicked Idolatrous love making an Idoll of a mans selfe and setting up an Idoll in his heart and preferring that above God 2 Tim. 3.2 Or to be so inebriated and drunk with selfe love as to admire onely himselfe and turne his affections of love wholy into himselfe as that Misanthropâ—s who hated every man but himselfe â— Cor. 4.14 Thirdly to love a mans selfe from and for himselfe not from and for God in Christ or from Christ Quest 7. But may there not be a good and holy hatred of a mans selfe Ans We must distinguish of a mans selfe there is a threeford selfe First a mans soule and body or person consisting of both considered in themselves as Gods creatures 1 Thess 5.23 Secondly the old Adam in a mans selfe or the corruption of soule and body by sinne Rom. 6.6 either originall or actuall that Law or power of corruption in our members rebelling against the Law of our minds or Thirdly a mans spirituall selfe or the new Adam and image of Christ in the soule the regenerate part Galat. 5.14 the spirit that fighteth against the flesh Now to hate the first of these selfe our soule or body or person is against nature Ephes 5.29 no man ought to hate himselfe though he may loose himselfe for Christ which is love and no hatred And to hate the third the selfe of grace or grace of Christ in a mans selfe The life of grace in us this is against grace this self must be loved and cherished by all means in and through Christ But for the second selfe spoken of namely our corrupt old Adam in us our body of sinne Coloss 3.5 This ought to be hated as the enemy of the well being both of soule and bodie for ever Job 42.6 as Iob abhorred himself and Paul chastised his body and the converted People of God loathed themselves as they were loathsome to God in their sinnefull corruption Ezek. 36.31 Quest 8. You have satisfied mee in this question how a man ought to love and not to love himselfe now what say you in generall of the love of our Neighbour before we come to the Commandements in particular Ans I have described that in generall before That we must love our neighbour in God and for God as our selves Quest 9. Who is our Neighbour towards whom we ought to exercise our Christian love and Charity Ans All that stand in neede of our helpe or love whether they be our own kindred or strangers Luk. 10.36 37. 1 Tim. 5.8 Mat. 5.48 Prov. 25.21 Galat. 6.10 yea our very enemies and especially the household of faith but
are the sinnes of Children contrary to these duties of children to their Parents Answ First Mat. 10.37 for children to love their Parents above Christ is a sinne against Christ and no true love to their Parents Secondly not to love or to hate Levit. 20.9 Prov. 20.20 Deut. 27.16 Prov. 15.20 Prov. 23.22 Gen. 9.22.24 c. Prov. 30.17 curse revile or dishonour despise disgrace or be ashamed of his Parents is a sinne a fearfull sinne cursed is he that seteth light by his Father or his Mother and let all the people say Amen Thirdly To mock scorn or deride Parents is a fearefull sinne yea not to cover but to scorn or deride or despise them in their infirmities this is sinne Fourthly Deut. 21.18 19 20. c. Rom. 1.30 2 Tim. 3.2 Prov. 30.17 1 Sam. 2.25 for children to be rebellious and to disobey and slight the lawfull and good Commandements and directions of Parents is as sinne yea to despise to obey their Mother is a fearfull sinne and hath a terrible curse foretold to fall upon such children The eye that mocketh his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eate it Fifthly Prov. 5.1 children sinne in not subjecting themselves to the good instructions and good correcting of their parents Prov. 5.11 12 13. Levit. 9.3 Prov. 31.1 2 3 4. Deut. 21 20. Prov. 28.24 Gen. 26.34 35. Gens 54.50 51. Numb 39.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 7.35 38. yea of Mother and Father Sixthly children sinne in Robbing of their Parents in diminishig any of their Parents goods in Drunkennesse Gaming or any other way whatsoever who so Robbeth his Father or his Mother and saith it is no transgression the same is the companion of a destroyer it is a sin Seventhly it is a sinne to vow and promise or to settle mariage affections or for children to marry contrary to their Parents good advise and against their good will and approbation especially being under their government it was the practise of prophane Esau himselfe to his Parents for the Father hath the right to give his daughter in mariage Gen. 74.12 John 19.27 Eightly children sinne in being unthankfull and unkind to their Parents not taking care for them as Ioseph for old Jacob and Christ for his Mother but neglecting Parents contrary to the order both of nature and grace Mat. 15.5 6. Ninthly to be without naturall affection to Parents Rom. 1.31 or to disrespect their prayer and blessing is a sin Gen. 27.34 Hest 2.7 20. and they worse then Esau Tenthly for children not to obey as Hester did Mordecia but to disrespect or despise or disobey their Tutors or Governours or Parents for their wise just and wholesome commands 2 Chron. 24.2.17 22. Gen. 12.5 Gen. 13.8 Prov. 18.19 Psal 33. 1 2 3. Gen. 27.41 counsells and admonitions or to be unkinde or unthankfull to any of them or theirs for their care over them or to be without love to Brethren or Sister much more to be unkinde unquiet or contentious to quarrell or as Esau to malice or hate one another all this is sinne and subjects to the curse of God Quest 19. Now have received from Christ the great Prophet out of the holy Scripture of truth what is the duties of Parents to children and of children to their Parents declare I pray you by light from Christ what is the meanes to inable children to practize these duties to Gods glory and their Parents comfort and comfort of their own soules Ans It is not in man to direct his steps Jer. 10.23 neither can Parents or children performe their duties by strength of their owne therefore both Parents and children must waite on Christ in his Ordinances Iohn 1.12 Iohn 1.16 Iohn 15.5 Phil. 4.13 Malac. 4.2 and receive dayly strength of grace from Christ to walke comfortably with Christ in their duties for without Christ wee can doe nothing but in and by Christ wee may doe all things as the Apostles witnesseth of himselfe Christ is the Sunne of Righteousnesse who commeth with healing in his Wings not onely to heale our natures but to enlighten and warme and quicken the soules of his children in the performance of every duty Grace in children is the best riches the best portion the same in Parents Quest 20. The mutuall dutiet of Parents to children and of children to Parents being thus held forth declare I pray you the duties of masters and mistresses to their servants and apprentises Gen. 18.19 2 Kings 5 23. Coloss 3.22 Ans Masters and Fathers of Families are in the nature and place of Parents to their servants whilest they are under their charge and ought to be carefull of their servants and apprentises to Catechize and instruct them in the knowledge of God of Christ and of themselves and their duties out of Gods Word that they may doe them service in the feare of God not with eye service Gen. 24.1 56. but in singlenesse of heart as unto Christ For how should Masters or Mistresses expect faithfull service from their servants and apprentises when they never take care to teach them what their duty is out of Gods Word Secondly Job 13 31 Coloss 4.1 Masters ought to rule their servants with Justice and equity according to the Apostles direction Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equall knowing that yee also have a Master in Heaven Thirdly the commandes of Masters and Mistresses to their servants and apprentises must be honest and lawfull agreeable not contrary to the Word of God else they are not to be obeyed 2 Sam. 11 14 15. David sinned in commanding Ioab to to set Vriah in the hottest of the Battell that he might be smitten and die 1 Sam. 22 17. and Ioab sinned in obeying David and Saul sinned in commanding his footmen to to kill the Lords Priests and Saules foot-men did not sinne in disobeying the unlawfull commands of the King their Master Fourthly Gen. 24.5 8. Masters ought to command their Servants and Apprentises things possible for them to do proportionable to their abilities actings of their best endevours not beyond them faithfull Abraham a good Master required no more of his servant Rom. 12.17 1 Tim. 5.8 Fifthly the Masters duty is to provide for his Servants and Apprentices convenient food and rayment and to Grant them necessary rest 2 King 5.13 and refreshing that they may be able to doe their Masters Service with cheerefulnesse as unto living Parents Sixthly the duty of Masters towards their Servants Ephes 6.9 is to correct them when necessity requireth with wisedom and moderation and to forbear cruell threatnings knowing that they have a Master in heaven neither is their respect of persons with him Seventhly the Masters and Mistresses duty Gen. 29.15.21 Gen. 30.28 Exod. 2 9. Prov. 22.6 Deut. 15.12 13 14. towards their
assistance of the spirit of Prayer and this rightly Rom. 8.26 in a right manner in the name of Christ and to a right end otherwise our Prayers are not right nor acceptable before God nor can we expect to be heard at Gods hand when we call upon him in Prayer Quest 21. J see then that a bare forme of Prayer is not sufficient to rest in but I must have the spirit of God inabling of mee to pray with the spirit or inner man as well as with the mouth and my soule must bee disposed in a right manner in Prayer and enabled by the Spirit of Christ but what graces are requisite in this dutie Ans Faith Repentance Humility Devotion See Classis 30. 2 Sect. in 2 Commandement pag. 502. 503 504. Zeale Fervency Perseverance and such like Graces and all in the name of Christ else all is nothing And therefore hee or shee prayeth best who hath the spirit of Prayer and can powre out his or her heart and soule to God in Prayer as Jacob and Hannab and other Saints of God have done and have beene heard in their Prayers with a gratious returne 1 Cor. 14.15 Iames 1.6 Isa 1.15 16. Acts. 10.2 Hosea 12.4 James 5.16 Psal 51.17 Iere. 50.4 5. 1 Thess 5.17 John 16.23 Quest 22. But how shall a man get the spirit of Prayer and ability to powre out his soule to God Ans I answer you must not rest in your Prayers nor in any duty you performe to God as if that did satisfie the Lord for your sins or meritoriously procured your peace with God but you must rest on Christ both for your acceptation of your selfe and your prayers upon the Golden Altar with the incense of Christs merits Revel 8.3.4 Quest 23. In what else must J wait for the spirit Ans Secondly you must waite upon God in Christ in all the meanes of grace till hee powre out the spirit of Prayer into your heart and soule that you may cry Abba Father and be heard as a child of God in Christ Gal. 4.6 Quest 24. What further direction can you give Ans Thirdly and lastly for your better enablement to expresse the desires and groans of your soule to the Lord aske your soule but these or the like foure questions to this or the like effect as speaking to your selfe Quest 25. What is the first Ans First Oh my soule to whom or to what glorious Majesty oughtest thou to direct thy Prayers at Morning or Evening or Noone day or whensoever in publike or private or secret thou desirest to gaine a blessing from the highest Heavens Psal 55.17 Quest 26. What shall I answer to this demand Ans Let thy soule answer and it will tell thee it is to the most high God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth the searcher of all hearts and the hearer of Prayer presented to him in the name and by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps 38.13 Psal 65.2 Psal 77.1 Iohn 16.23 Quest 27. What directions Ans Endeavour in all fear and humility to begin thy Prayer with the best expressions of the most glorious Name Nature Persons Properties of this great and glorious Lord God with the acknowledgement of his Truth Power and Majesty in his Words and Workes held forth in Scripture and of thy unworthinesse which may affect thy heart by the helpe of Christs Spirit with a right temper to powre out thy soule to God in Prayer 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Chron. 30.18.19 Ezra 9.6 Nehe. 9.32 and this in the best words thou canst but chiefly have regard to thy heart which the Lord hath a speciall eye unto And so begin thy Prayer as Exod. 15.11 12.13 Exodus 34.6 7. 1 Kings 8.23.27 or in the like manner Quest 28. What is second question Answ Secondly aske thy soule a second question to this or the like effect Oh! my soule Ezra 9.5 6 7. Prov. 28.13 Dan. 9.4.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. wherein hast thou offended this great God to whom thou desirest to lift up thy selfe in Prayer that thou mayst acknowledge thine offences and seeke for further assurance of pardon before thou beg any other favour at the Lords hand as 2 Chron. 6.36 Quest 29. What direction here Ans Let thy soule first looke into the glasse of thy owne conscience Rom. 2.14 15. Acts 24.16 Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.19 20.36 1 Iohn 3.23 Rom. 7.18 19 20. and secondly into the glasse of the Word of God both the commanding and promising part both Law and Gospell and finde out thy sinnes and accuse and condemne thy selfe for thy ingratitude for so many former mercies yea confesse and labour to be humble for thy fall in Adam for thy originall and actuall transgressions in state of nature but especially thy unthankefulnesse in dayes of grace Ephes 4.30 either in thought word or deede wereby thou hast grieved the spirit of God by whom thou art sealed to the day of Redemption and this in as good words as God makes thee able As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.17 and with the exercise of all those graces the Lord hath given thee to this end thou hast here a large field to powre out thy soule to God in if thou canst finde out thy manifold sinnes against God or the sinnes of others which thou desirest to confesse and bewaile before God thy Lord as Daniel and other Saints have done Daniel 9.7 8 9 10 11. Quest 30. What is the third question Ans Thirdly aske thy soule a third question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what dost thou want or what is thy request and the desire of thy heart to obtaine at the hands of thy God and loving Father in Christ Quest 31. And what wants may I expresse Ans Thy soule will tell thee thou wantest in the first place the assurance or more full assurance of the forgivenesse of all thy sinnes and of Gods free grace and love unto thee in the Lord Jesus thou wantest many favours from God for thy body for thy soule for this for a better life for thy wife thy husband for Parents children servants kindred accquaintance thy Neighbours thy friends thy enemies for the Kings Majesty for the Parliament the Kingdom the City and Country for Peace and Truth and a happy union and communion one with another and with the whole Church of Christ and here expresse thy minde as well as thou canst by the power of Christ the Lord careth not so much for fine words as for an honest sincere contrite heart sanctifyed by the spirit of Christ Isai 66.2 Quest 32 What is the fourth question Ans Lastly aske thy soule a fourth question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what hast thou received from this great and good God for which thou art bond to render him thankes and praise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Quest 33. What rule is there to finde this out Ans Let thy soule call to minde all or as many as thou canst of those unspeakable favours the Lord hath bestowed upon thee reckon them up imparticular out of the catalogue of Gods mercies both upon thy owne soule in particular and the Church in generall to thy selfe to thine to the people of God and what a sea of mercy mayst thou swim in and enlarge thy thankfulnesse above all for Gods free love in the Lord Jesus as Psalme 116.12 13. Quest 34. But did you ever know any man thus learne to pray Ans Yes did I know a Christian who could reade never a word upon the Booke and yet after hee had received these directions puting them carefully and constantly in practise in a secret place before God the onely searcher of hearts and the Teacher of the ignorant hee did in a short time attaine an excellent habit in Prayer and was inabled to pray dayly in his Family in a sweet comfortable manner and assuredly the Lord is the same God still to all his children in Christ and will be so to all who diligently waite on him in the use of the meanes I conclude with the Apostle now to him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you blamelesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24.25 to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS COurteous Reader there are some few Errata which the ingenuous may easily find and amend with their Pen.