of God wherein you say God hath declared himself unto us Answer It is the holy Scriptures Rom. 1.2 Question How can the Scriptures be called the word of God seeing they are written by men Answer Although holy men wrote the Scriptures yet did not they write by their own power or in their own name but by the power of the Spirit of God and in the name of God himself and therefore what they wrote is to be accounted the word of God himself Hos 8.12 1 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 Sam. 23.2 Question What hath God in the Scripture declared himself to be Answer An eternall most gracious most wise most just unchangeable infinite and all glorious Majesty from whom all things have their being and by whom all things are Governed and preserved Isa 43.10 13. Jude 25. Exod. 34.6 Deut. 32.4 Num. 23.19 Question Who is God the father in whom you believe The Father Answer He is the first person of these three the Father Son and Holy Ghost who are the one and onely God Eternall 2 Chron. 6.18 Psal 119.91 Acts 17.28 1 John 5.7 Question Why is the first person in the blessed Trinity called Father Answer He is called so especially in respect of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and secondarily in respect of all his Saints who are adopted to be his Children by grace in Jesus Christ Jer. 20.17 Ephes 1.5 Question Why doe you call God the father Almighty Almighty Answer Because he is abundantly sufficient to accomplish his will so that he can doe whatsoever he will doe Psal 115.3 Question Whereby doth the Almighty power of God appear Answer It appears by this Maker of Heaven and Earth that he is the Maker of Heaven and Earth Question Why doe you call God the Maker of heaven and earth Answer Because God did at first make and doth still preserve the heaven and earth and all things that are in them Jer. 42.5 Question Of what did God at first make the Heaven and Earth Answer God created that is made the Heaven and Earth of nothing in the beginning and then brought them into that order wherein they now stand in six dayes Gen. 1. Question What did God doe in the first day of the world Answer He made the light and divided it from the darknesse calling the light day and the darknesse night Gen. 1.3 Question What did God in the second day Answer He made the firmament and therewith he divided the waters calling it Heaven Gen. 1.7 9. Question What did God in the third day Answer He made the dry Land calling it Earth and Seas and all kinds of Grasse and Hearbs and Trees Gen. 1.9 10 11 12. Question What did God in the fourth day Answer He made the Son the Moon and the Stars and placed them in the Firmament of Heaven that they might divide the day from the night and be for signs and seasons and dayes and years Gen. 1.3 5. Question What did God in the fifth day Answer He made all such Creatures as live in the water and all kind of Fowles which fly about the earth Gen. 1.20 21 22. Question What did God in the sixth day Answer He made creeping things of the earth and all Cattel and Beasts of the Earth and last of all he made man to whom he gave dominion over the Fish of the Sea Fowles of the aire and every living thing that moveth upon the earth Gen. 1.24 28. Question Whereof did the Lord God make man Answer The Lord God made man of the dust of the earth Gen. 2.7 Question Is there no part of man which was not made of the dust Answer Yes there is an immortall spirit in man which the Lord God breathed into him after he had formed his body of the dust Gen. 2.7 Eccles 12.8 Question How many more did the Lord at first make Answer He made only one and that was Adam the father of all mankind Gen. 2.7 Question How was woman made Answer The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and whilst he slept the Lord God took out one rib of his and made a woman of it Gen. 2.21 22. Question How many women did the Lord at first make Answer He made onely one and that was Evah whom he gave to Adam for wife and so they two became the first Parents of all mankind Gen. 2.22 23. Question Were Adam and Evah our first parents created sinfull and miserable as we are now Answer No the Lord God created them holy glorious and upright in his Image according to his likenesse Gen. 1.26 27. Eccles 7.3 Question How did they become then sinfull and miserable Answer By breaking the Commandement of their God Question What Commandement was it that they brake Answer That Commandment whereby the Lord forbad them to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of good and ill which was in the midst of the Garden of Eden wherein God put the man Gen. 2.17.3.6.2.8 Question Seeing the Lord God created our first Parents holy and perfectly able to fullfill his will how became they so rebellious as to transgresse his Commandement Answer The Devil by his subtilty deceived them and so caused them to transgresse the Commandement of their God in eating the forbidden fruit Gen. 3.1 2 3 4. Question Was this sin of our first parents a small offence Question No it was a great and most grievous sin and that in a three-fold respect 1 Because it proceeded from the belief of the Devils lye before and against the knowne truth of God 2 Because it proceeded from a causeless and wicked distrust of Gods goodnes to them as if he envying their happines had by his Commandements restrained them from a principall means thereof 3 Because it was a willfull act of disobedience even against their Creators revealed will Question What effect wrought this disobedience in our first parents Answer It made them subject unto death and so to him who hath the power of death which is the Devil Rom. 5.12 Gen. 2.17 Heb. 2.14 Question What death were our first parents subjected unto by sin Answer They were subjected to a three-fold death The first of sin The second corporall The third everlasting Question How did our first parents disobedience make them subject to the death of sin Answer By depriving them of that righteousnesse wherein they were created making their hearts inclinable to all wickednesse and working darknesse in their understandings perversenesse in their wills disorder in their affections readinesse in all the members of their bodies to serve uncleanesse and so wholly subjecting them to the Dominion of sin and death Gen. 6.5 21. Ephes 2.3.4.8 Pro. 1.24 25. 1 Pet. 2.11 Rom 6.19 Ephes 2.5 Rom. 6.17 Question What is that corporall death which sin brought upon our first parents Answer It is that death which is caused by the separation of the body from the soul when the body returneth to the ground whence it was taken
Q. What is that everlasting death which sin brought upon our first parents A. It is that death which is caused by the everlasting separation of the whole man from the presence and glory of the Lord which wicked and ungodly men shall suffer in Hell fire Rev. 20.6 Zech. 1.9 Q. Did our first parents bring themselves only into this miserable estate by their sin A. No by this grievous offence of our first parents they and all their children to the world end were made children of wrath subject to death and him who hath the power of death Rom. 5. Ephes 2.32 Q. How could the sin of our first parents make their posterity subject to so much misery Answer Very well because they sin'd not only as particular persons but as the root or fountain of mankind and so their corruption floweth from them with their corrupt nature unto all who by ordinary generation receive their nature from them Question Must all men then dye and perish everlastingly Answer No although Almighty God might in Justice condemn all men yet he is pleased in mercy to save some Psa 130.3 Question What means hath God in mercy for the salvation of men Answer He hath given his Son Jesus Christ our Lord that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3.16 Question Doe you then believe in the Son of God Answer Yes I believe in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord. And. Question What is it to believe in Jesus Christ Answer It is from an inward evidence of heart concerning that unseen salvation which is in him to cleave unto him as the one and onely author of eternall salvation Heb. 11.1 John 6.68 69. Heb. 5.9 Question Why was the Son of God called Jesus In Jesus Answer Because he was to save his people from their sins as the word Jesus importeth which sign fieth a Saviour Mat. 1.21 Question Why was our Lord Jâ—sus called Christ Christ Answer Because he was the great Messiah or anointed one of the Lord spoken of of the Prophets for so much the name Christ signifieth an anointed one importeth John 4.25 Dan. 9.25 Question Why was our Saviour called the anointed one of the Lord Answer Because those three great Offices the Kingly Priestly and Propheticall to which men were by Gods appointment anointed in their perfection in him who was appointed by God to be the heavenly King or Governour of his Church the heavenly Prophet or instructer of his Church and the eternall Priest who by one Offering of himself perfected for ever them that are sanctified and ever appeareth in the true holy place Heaven it self to make intercession for them 1 Kings 1.39 Exod. 29.7 1. Kings 29.16 Psal 2.6 Acts 7.27 Heb. 7.25 Heb. 10.14 Heb. 4.24 Question How was our Saviour anointed to these Offices Answer He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power Acts 10.38 Question What benefit hath the Saints by these Offices of our Saviour Answer Much every way for they need fear no spirituall enemy who have such a King to defend them they may with boldnesse come to God who have such a Priest appearing in the presence of God for them they may be sure of the knowledge of God who have such a Prophet to instruct them 1 John 4.14 Luke 1.74 75. Heb. 10.22 John 15.15 Question Seeing the Saints receive so great benefit by our Saviours Offices are there no duties which they owe to him in respect of them Answer Yes as he is their King so they must obey him as he is their Priest so they must rest upon his all sufficient Sacrifice and intercession and as he is their Prophet so they must attend unto him that they may be instructed by him 2 Cor. 10.5 Heb. 10.19 Mat. 17.5 Question How doth our Saviour being now in Heaven execute his Kingly and Propheticall Office in his Church on Earth Answer By his holy Spirit and holy word whereby he inwardly and outwardly Governes his Church as a King and instructeth it as a Prophet Rom. 8.9 Psal 110.2 Ephes 3.5 Col. 3.16 Question Whose Son is our Saviour Jesus Christ His. Answer He is the Son of God the father Almighty Mat. 3.17 Question Hath the Almighty any more Sons Answer Only Son No Christ Jesus is his only Son John 1.14 Question How then doth the Scripture call all the Saints the Sons of God Answer The Saints of God are his by his gracious adoption but our Lord is his only begotten Son by miraculous and unutterable Generation Rom. 8.15 John 1.14 Question Why is our Saviour Jesus Christ called Lord Our Lord. Answer He is called Lord both in regard of his Godhead wherein he is one Lord with the father and the holy Ghost and also in regard of the great Lordship and power which is settled upon him by God the father Mat. 28.10 18. Acts. 20.36 Question VVho are they that may in a speciall manner call Christ Jesus our Lord Answer All the Saints of God who are traâ—slated out of the power of darknesse into the spirituall Kingdome of Jesus Christ the dear Son of God and are therefore his subjects and servants and so have him for their Lord Col. 1.15 Rev. 1.9 Question VVas Jesus Christ our Lord ever in the world Answer Yes in the fullnesse of time appointed by his father he came into the world Gal. 4.4 Question How came our Lord Jesus Christ into this world Who was conceived Answer He was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born into the world of the virgin Mary Luke 1.35.12.6 7. Question VVas our Saviour conceived by the power or means of any man Of the holy Ghost Answer No the Holy Ghost without man conceived our Lord Jesus in the bowells of his blessed mother being still a pure virgin Mat. 1.18 Isa 7.14 Question VVhy then is Joseph the husband of Mary in the Scripture called our Lord Christs father Answer Because he was his mothers espoused husband and so supposed to be his father though indeed he was not his true and naturall father Luke 3.23 Question VVhat doe you learn by knowing that our Lord Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost Answer I learn thereby two things 1 That he was God 2 That he was altogether without sin Question How doe you learn that Christ Jesus our Lord was God by knowing that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost Answer Because I know that the Holy Ghost is God and therefore that he who was conceived of him was God as he who is conceived of man is man Luke 1.35 Question VVas our Lord Jesus Christ God then Answer Yes he was eternally and now is and for ever shall be one with the father and the holy Ghost God blessed for evermore Isa 9.6 John 1.1 Rom. 9.5 Question How doe you learn that our Lord Jesus Christ was altogether without sin by knowing that he was conceived by the holy Ghost Answer Because our Saviours conception of the
a carelesse neglect in not mending High-wayes covering and filling up pits keeping up Dogs and Cattel that endanger the lives of Passengers Deut. 22.8 Exod. 21.29 30. Lastly in not punishing quarrelsome persons that endanger the lives of other men Lev. 24.19 20. and in suffering the poore to perish for want of fit provision James 2.15 John 3.17 1 Sam. 30.12 13. Question How is the seventh Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall by lust stirring in the heart wherein as Christ faith Mat. 5.28 the one is the fountain the other the fewell of adultery adultery is committed and that wanton carriage whereby the same sin is ordinarily furthered Prov. 7.11 12 13. Question But by what particular sins is this Commandement especially broken Answer 1 By thinking of those persons or of those things that provoke to lust 2 Sam. 13.1 by that inward boiling of the heart that ariseth from such provocations 1 Cor. 7.9 2 Sam. 11.3 and those filthy wishes which thereupon follow that we had that thing whereby our present lusts might be satisfied 2 By that painting of the face 2 Kings 9.30 and that apparelling and pranking up of the body Pro. 7.10 Some Attire is Harlots Attire which many times are the signes of a filthy mind in those that use them and means of the same mind in those that behold them 3 By eyes and eares full of Adultery 2 Pet. 2.14 looking upon those things 2 Sam. 11.2 Gen. 34.2 Psal 119.37 Job 31.1 and hearkning unto those words Gen. 39.10 that stir up and draw on lust and uncleannesse 4 By that minsing Isa 3.16 dancing Mark 6.22 dalliance Pro. 7.13 those lascivious casts of the countenance and carriages of the body Isa 3.16 that breed and feed adulteries and uncleannesse 5 By filthy and tempting speeches which are nothing else but the breathings of an unclean heart whereby likewise the same uncleannesse is begotten and brought forth in others Pro. 7.21 9.15 1 Cor. 15.33 Ephes 5.3 4 Celat Scripturaras pudendas Judges 3.24 1 Sam. 1.19 6 By that excesse in meat and drink Ezek. 16.49 Jer. 5.8 Pro 23.33 or that dainty diet whereby many people pamper provoke themselves to lust and wantonesse 7 By looking after lascivious pictures and provocations of lusts as also by running to Stage-playes wherein adulteries be so fully and fowly acted that many that be present goe away defiled and infected 1 Thess 5.22 8 By that idlenesse Ezek. 16.49 2 Sam. 11.10 that pampers the body and gives the heart leisure to be all a fire with lust as also by being in those companies Prov. 5.8 Gen. 39.10 2 Sam. 13.10 11. that ordinarily tempt people to lust and wantonnesse 9 By those foule sins and hainous acts of fornication adultery yea and incest likewise which now adayes we do so ordinarily hear of Deut. 22.22 23 28. Levit. 18.6 10 By the unseasonable or immoderate use of the marriage bed Heb. 13.4 whereby divers be adulterers even with their own wives Question How is the eighth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall it 's broken in this that every man is ready to seek his own and not anothers wealth Phil. 2.4 yea men are so far from that that its an ordinary thing with them to raise their own gain by their neighbours losse 1 Thess 4.6 Amos 8.6 Question But in what more particular and speciall sins is it ordinarily broken Answer 1 In all covetous purposes of getting any thing into our possession that we have no right unto nor can well and truly come by Mat. 15.19 1 Tim. 6.9 10. Joshua 7.21 2 Kings 5.20 1 Kings 21.1 2. 2 By all false dealing and blindfolding of the truth in bargaining Ephes 4.25 Psal 15.2 by which the buyer concealeth the goodnesse or the seller the faults of any commodity to his neighbours advantage Mat. 7.12 Luke 19.18 Prov. 20.14 3 In buying underfoot of such as sell for need Mat. 7.12 Lev. 25.14 in deceiving simple people with a bad commodity Amos 8.6 and others that have more skill with false weights Amos 8.5 Lev. 19.35 Prov. 11.1 Micah 6.11 4 By not lending what we can spare upon just occasion and in case of mercy Psal 10. Prov. 21.26 by not giving what we are able in case of charity Isa 58.7 James 2.16 and exacting unmercifully what is due unto us from them that be no way able to pay us Mat. 18.28 Luke 6.30 5 When men deceive others by borrowing upon faire promises and shewes what they know they shall not be able to pay Lev. 19.13 1 Thess 4.6 Psal 15.4 or deny a due debt because the Creditor cannot prove it Lev. 19.13 Or when they that confesse the debt make no shift to pay it Psal 37.21 6 By with-holding things that be due Rom. 13.7 By not restoring things that be found if we can hear of the right owner Ex. 23.4 Deut. 22.1 2 3. or denying what is given us to keep Exod. 22.7 or what is laid to plâ—dge in case it be the means of our neighbours living Exod. 22.26 27. 7. By unjust 1 Cor. 6.7 either commencing or prolonging of Suites while a man contends rather for malice then matter and so by a privy theft robs his brother Lev. 19.35 1 Kings 21.9 10. 8 By getting any thing unjustly Prov. 28.8 as by selling charms and such things as be vaine and hurtfull by Gaming when men are to get their living by working not by playing Pro. 13.11 and more commonly by that ordinary usury whereby one man eats out another or it may he many others Exod. 22.25 Ezek. 18.8 9 By purloining and pilfering lesser matters Exod. 22.1 or drawing on company to any thievish courses Prov. 1.11 10 By stealing away mens daughters for marriage which be the chiefest goods they have Deut. 24.7 and a part of their inheritance Psal 127.3 Question But may not a man be a Thief to himself and so be guilty of the breach of this Commanmandement Answer Yes divers wayes 1 By idlenesse and living without a Calling whereby men bring themselves unto and keep themselves in penury and misery 1 Cor. 7.20 21. Gen. 4.2 Prov. 23.21 20.4 13. 21.25 24.33 34. 2 Thess 3.10 11. Ephes 4.28 2 By excesse in eating drinking Prov. 23.21 Isa 3.16 apparell building furniture all which be privy Thieves and more especially by the excessive desire of purchasing Lands or buying estates whereby men grow so far in debt that either they undoe themselves or their posterity 3 By unnecessary gifts Isa 30.6 either to get great mens favour or to get the good word of poor people that wander about and have no honest Calling or course of life as also by costly sports and recreations Prov. 21.17 20. 4 By unnecessary Suretiship for such men as be not known and approved whereby so many men smart Prov. 11.15 17.18 5 When men pinch themsellves and are thieves to their own backs and bellies by withholding from both things necessary Eccles 2.26 6.2 Question Wherein is the
ninth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall it is broken in regard of our neighbour because men doe not in honour prefer one another Rom. 12.10 by a holy striving for the setting up and maintaining of the good name and credit of our brethren and in regard of our selves for want of procuring a good report by doing those things that be true lovely and praise worthy Phil. 4.8 Question In what particular things do men ordinarily offend against this Commandement Answer 1 In evill suspitions of others in our heart without good reason 1 Tim. 6.4 1 Sam. 2.13 1 Cor. 13.5 and condemning others in our judgement without just ground Mat. 7.5 Acts 28.4 2.18 1 Sam. 17.18 2 In rejoycing at our neighbours infirmity whereby he shames himself 1 Cor. 13.6 Job 31.29 and in grieving at our neighbours prosperity whereby he raises himself and his good name 1 Cor. 13.4 Neh. 2.10 both which are very usuall faults among them that be at odds one with another 3 In raising or receiving false reports and flying tales whereby our neighbour may be discredited Lev. 19.16 Prov. 26.20 22. 25.23 and in repeating of old faults whereby our neighbour hath been formerly disgrac'd Pro. 17.9 1 Pet. 4.8 4 In not speaking in the cause and for the credit of our neighbour when his name is called in question and we may fitly stand out in his defence Phil. 10 11 16. Prov. 31.8 9. 5 In nodding with the head pointing with the finger or any other scornfull carriage made out of malice for the disgrace of our brethren Psa 22.7 and more especially in making jests or Songs upon them Psal 35.16 Gen. 37.19 Psal 69.12 6 By bewraying secrets committed to us to our brethrens disgrace Prov. 12.13 25.9 10. or making known private faults without just occasision and before brotherly admonition Mat. 18.15 16. 7 By false presentments in Court or bringing in false evidence either for malice or money to our neighbours discredit Lev. 19.15 35. Deut. 19.16 Prov. 19.5 Mat. 28.12 15. Question But how may a man hear false witnesse in regard of himself and so become guilty of the breach of this Commandement Answer 1 By thinking too highly of our selves above that which is in us Luke 18.11 Gal. 6.3 Phil 2.3 or too meanly of our own gifts and so withdrawing our selves from that service which God requires of us Exod 4.10 13. Jer. 1.7 2 In cleansing our selves when we have done amisse by dissembling and unjust excuses 2 Kings 2.25 1 Sam. 15.15 20 30. Mat. 28.11 12. and labouring to free ourselves by lies from the shame of our evill courses 3 By dissembling those things that be commendable in us and dispraising our selves of purpose to draw other men to commend us 4 By shewing our weaknes and discovering our simplenes before malicious and carping adversaries 5 By not labouring to procure our selves a good name by holy and wise courses but rather on the contrary discrediting our selves by evill and indiscreet carriages Pro. 22.1 Eccles 10.2 2 Sam. 12.14 Rom. 2.23 24. Question Wherein is the last Commandement ordinarily broken Answer In generall by that pronenesse of nature which there is in every one of us to sin against our neighbour Psal 143.2 Gal. 5.17 And more especially by those covetous thoughts which howsoever they be curbed in our selves yet are uncharitably carried upon that which is our neighbours Rom. 7.7 Question How is it broken yet more particularly Answer 1 By being not fully contented with that estate which God by his providence hath given us and which may by good means be gotten by us For the root of coveting other mens portions is the want of being content with our owne 1 Tim. 6.8 9. 1 Cor. 7.29 30. 2 By those wild and worldly wishes whereby our hearts wander after that which is our neighbours or which it will be hurtfull to our neighbours for us to have 2 Sam. 23.15 17. though they never come to full and perfect desires James 1.14 Psal 4.6 3 For want of mortifying and abating the power of our corrupt nature and worldly mind which is the fountain of all those uncharitable motions and stirrings that be in us tending to our neighbours hurt Col. 3.5 1 Cor. 9. ult Question By this opening of the Law we see plainly how many sins there be that require Humiliation but because Master-corruptions are they for which we ought especially to be humbled shew me in the next place how they may be discerned Answer A master sin may be discerned by these marks 1 It is that which most haunts a man and commands his heart most when he is alone Hence it is that when anger or lust is the master there be many chidings in a mans heart and many filthy passages in a mans spirit when no body else is with him 2 It is that which hath most sins attending upon it as if a man be given to carking to couzening to cruell dealing and worldly grief it 's a signe covetousnesse is the master-sin for all these wait upon it 1 Tim. 6.9 10. 3 It 's that which most troubles a man in good duies as in prayer hearing of the word keeping the Sabbath as it is a signe hee 's a mans master whom he leaves his own work to follow though it be to his disadvantage 4 A master sin is that which if a man be bad he cannot endure that a Minister should touch it if he be good hee 's most glad that any man or Minister helps him with Armour against it 5 A master sin is like that great Goliah that seems to set at defiance the whole Armour of Gods graces in us and is of all other sins most hardly overcome by us Question What then must we doe in dayes of Humiliation with such master corruptions Answer We must resolve to War against them we must choose out of the word of God such weapons as are fittest for our purpose and then we must fight in faith by this means we shall cut off the heads of those Goliah's so that though they be still rebelling in us yet they shall never have dominion over us 2 Sam. 17.40 45 46. Rom. 6.12 14. Certain Infallible Signes OR CHARACTERS OF A Sincere Heart 1 HA's been soundly humbled under the mighty hand of God with 1 A particular knowledge of sin Naturall Actuall 2 An experimentall apprehension of Divine vengeance 2 Hath had some speciall Promise pointed out applied and printed in him from the word preached by the finger of the Spirit that Promise among all shines still as a Pearl in his eye and is most precious to his soule 1 By that he was kept from sinking 2 In that he stands 3 In that Promise Christ came unto him and now dwells in him whom he 1 Priseth infinitely 2 Loves intirely 3 Looks continually into his wounds for pardon and purging 3 Hath parted for ever from his beloved and bosome sin it cost him much 1 Perplexity 2 Perill 3 Patience
4 Paines 5 Pain in the farewell and parting with it He hath cut off his right hand and pluckt out his right eye with this one hand and cast it from him too 4 He carefully and continually searcheth himselfe and goes down with light into his heart 5 He is jealous of his owne heart for 't is deceitfull and fears it for 't is desperate and therefore goes not with it without a sword the word he will not trust it in holiest practices and most heavenly perswasions 6 He doubts of none but of himself suspects most his own graces and the witnesse of his own spirit lest Satan shine like an Angel of light and say 't is the testimony of Gods Spirit with ours 7 He walks daily with God humbly and heavenly wishing that none saw his good but God and men his evill he cares not if Christ loves him how he appears 8 He eats and drinks as if Christ sate at the Table his bodily food is sweetned and seasoned with some heavenly meditations or holy discourses his speech is powdered with salt he feeds not heartily but riseth hungry till then 9 He is verily afraid of indifferent things and avoids all appearance of evill 10 He is carefull of his Calling onely in love to Gods Command with feare of the world 11 He buyes and sells not to gain but to godlinesse they are but poor professors that live no better then they bargain they trade as all at the best as most doe and is not this the broad way where many goe You shall know a Christian as by his Church so by his shop 12 His dayes of Humiliation are his Holi-dayes his delights are Christians Sabbaths and society of Saints not only publick but in private he fears many times he is not one but desires ever and is earnest to be one of the excellent ones the secret ones and sincere ones 13 He is open hearted and open handed to all he can no more keep sin close then his Coin he can give well and lend as well as borrow and can take as well a reproof as a kind nesse he is simple in evill he cannot cover or excuse it in the Lords work he is carefull and cleanly and a good workman but in the Devils work he is a very bungler he cannot bandsomely sin or excuse it 14 He is content to have his spirituall estate tryed by any not only by a searching Minister in publick but by a private friend he opens his heart freely for others to ask and gives Answer of his hope with meeknesse and fear 15 His thoughts are bound in with a holy compasse and his words are not idle he speaks not to spend the time in impertinent powerlesse or discoverlesse things but to minister grace to men glory to God and to doe good or receive good his life is a light and leads and provokes to goods works 16 He doth not a good duty in grace but he goes to the utmost of it he aimes not at the Butt but at the midst of the white he is zealous in good works fervent in spirit serving the Lord pressing hard to the price of the high Calling perfecting holinesse in fear 17 He hath heard no more then he practiceth and prayes not only in fear of Gods Command and his own conscience but in love to have a communion with God in Christ by the Spirit 18 His ears are open to the whole word he believes the threats and trembles he fears also the Promises lest he come short 19 He hath a respect to every Command such a respect I say as a man hath to his betters his heart stands in awe to every Commandement 20 He prayes in the holy Ghost his Petitions and intercessions are made by the Spirit and sent up with sighes by the intercession of Christ unto God the father the Spirit cries before he cries he speaks not first and then he looks for the Spirit to quicken his words but his words follow the Spirit with much affection fervency faith and fear 21 He hath found out the Hell of his heart and feels the flames of it in secret self-love hidden hypocrisie horrible blasphemy c. and somtimes pride possessed with the whole damned Crew mentioned 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. and elswhere In a word he hath found an emptinesse and an enmity to all good 22 He sets his face against the body of sin and every member of it he seeks and receives some power daily from Christs Crosse to crucifie every lust and he watcheth the Sepulchre lest it rise again 23 He daily desires the virtue of Christs Resurrection and he is risen and walks in new obedience in holinesse and heavenly mindednesse 24 He is ever poor in spirit and is known 1 By his continuall complaints 2 B importunate Prayers 3 By uncessant paines for righteousnesse 25 He is never found in his own but if he can be in Christs Righteousnesse all the rest is dung 26 He ever forgets others sins and his own graces observes others graces and his own sins 27 He not only loves the Saints but honours the excellent ones and rejoyceth at Gods glory and at any good done by others as done by himself 28 He mourns in secret for his 1 Owne sins 2 Others 3 For the dishonor of God 4 For the danger of the Gospel 5 For the disgrace of Gods people 29 He walks humbly with God lying ever at his feet looking up ar the Throne of grace to the Lord in Jesus Christ 30 He lives by faith eats and drinks and sells and buyes in Christ In a word he will not receive any earthly Creature a spirituall Crosse nor a heavenly grace and blessing but by the hand of Christ 31 He looks for and longs and loves the appearing of Christ he hastens his coming Amen even so Lord Jesus come quickly 2 Tim. 4.5 2 Pet. 3.12 Rev. 22.28 A Christian CATECHISM Opening the first Principles and most fundamentall points of RELIGION As they are expressed in the BELIEF Question WHat is the Belief Answer It is a profession of our Christian faith Question Is it a Prayer Answer No. Question How doth a profession of faith differ from a Prayer Answer Prayer is a speech directed to God wherein we desire that something may be given or forgiven us but a profession of faith is a speech directed usually to men wherein we expresse to them what we do believe Question Why doth every one in particular say I believe I believe Answer Because every man must in particular know what he himselfe doth believe and so be ready to declare what is his faith upon which he groundeth his hope of eternall life Question What doe you mean when when you say I believe in God In God Answer I mean that I know and am assured that God is such a one as he hath in his word declared himself to be and that I doe trust in him Jer. 31.34 Isa 26.4 Question What is that word