â—f sin by which we are bound over to answer Gods justice for offeÌ„ding his Law Though the act of murther or theft be past yet the offender is liable to justice twenty or thirty yeares after so doth sin it lies at the dore it calls for vengeance as for its wages c. Gen. 3.9 10. Iam. 1.15 Gen. 18.20 Every sinner is a vile and filthy person But that is not all He is also a guilty person under the curse and wrath of God Gal. 3.10 Q. What be the punishments every sin makes one liable unto A. They be three 1. The sinner is in bondage and subject unto wrath and feare all his life long Cursed in his basket and store all the sorrowes of this life are parts and steps to the greater death his sins are treasured up Ps 7.11 Joh. 3.36 Joh. 27.7 14. Job 15.20 21. Job 20.5 11 14. Heb 2.15 Deut. 28.15 16 17. Mal. 2.2 Zach. 5.2 Rom. 2.5 Q. What 2ly A. At his death he is stript off all his comforts the wretched soule is brought naked and singly to the barre of Gods justice The sinner while he lived and flourished was deceived and befooled now death unbefooles thee and makes thee see what a foole thou wert Heb. 9.27 Q. What lastly is the punishment and misery that sin brings A. After death to be tormented with the Devill and his Angels for evermore Rev. 21.8 2 Thes 1.9 10. 1 Pet. 3.19 This is the wofulnesse of a sinner once come to his place and this misery is everlasting unabatable c. 1 Thes 1.10 hath delivered us from wrath to come CAP. Of the kinds and degrees of sin WHat is sin A. It is any transgression or swerving from Gods holy Law and will it is any declining from that Holinesse and uprightnesse wherein God at first did make man Rom. 4.15 1 Joh. 3.4 Sin is either Originall or Actuall Q. What is originall or birth-sin Of Originall sin A. It is that hereditary corruption of our nature wherewith through the disobedience of Adam all his posterity August Confes Art 2. naturally descending from him are infected and are subject to the wrath of God and to the power of sin being void of all righteousnesse untoward and unable to doe any thing that is truly good and prone to all manner of evill Or thus Originall sin is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that naturally is engendred of the of-spring of Adam whereby man is very faire from originall righteousnesse and is inclined to evill and therefore in every person born into the World it deserveth Gods wrath and damnation Rom 5.12,16 Rom. 3.23 See 39. Art of Ch. of Engl. Art 9. By that first sinne our first parents fell from their originall righteousnesse and so became dead in sin and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of their soule and body and were the objects of Gods wrath Now those sad effects of Adams first sin did not rest and stay in their own persons onely but are conveyed to all their posterity so that from the birth we are defiled with sin void of goodnesse prone to evill and deserve Gods wrath And this pravity and nautinesse of our corrupt Nature because we bring it into the World with us is called Originall sin See this opened in the severall Branches Q. 1. Are all that be borne into the World guilty of sin and subject to Gods wrath A. Yes by reason of Adams fall in whom and with whom we all sinned 1 Cor. 15.22 49. Rom. 5. 12. 14 15 16. Q. 2. Are all likewise from the birth corrupted and defiled in their soules bodies A. Yes we are all as an unclean thing Ephes 2.1 2 3. Psal 51.5 Job 14.14 Rom. 7.24 Q. 3. Are we all borne into the world void of all goodnesse A. Yes and till we be regenerated we cannot doe any thing that 's truly good Being meere morall and naturall men Rom. 7.18 23 24. John 3.6 Eph. 4.18 Math. 7.17 Q. 4. Is this the condition of all that come of Adam A. Yes of all except Christ and Christ is excepted because he was conceived by the Holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 Q. 5. Why is this guilt and corruption called hereditary A. Because we have it by nature before we know how to doe good or evill Esa 1.14 Math. 3.7 and not by imitation Q. You see what Originall sin is What is Actuall sinne A. It is any thought word Actuall sinne or deed in our own persons against any part of Gods Law together with any evill motion of our hearts before or after the consent of our will Rom. 7.19 Jam. 1.14 Actuall sinnes be either of Omission or Commission Q. What is a sinne of Omission A. It is to leave undone any duty which we are bound unto by Gods word or when we faile in the manner of doing the same Mat 25.35 40. 2 Cron 30.18 1 Cron. 15.13 Esa 1.15 Esa 58 3. We must take heed how we heare Lu. 8.18 How we pray Jam. 4 3. How we receive the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11.28 How we give Almes Mat. 6.8 Q. What 's the danger of sinnes of Omission A. The servant that doth not his Masters will shall be beaten Besides sins of Omission make way for sins of Commission they harden and estrange the heart froÌ„ God Luk. 12.48 Jam. 4.17 Mal. 1.8 Q. What is sin of Commission A. It is to doe any thing which we should not doe To doe contrary to that which is commanded or forbidden 1 Tim. 1.9 10. Levit. 26.23 Ezek. 18.24 Again sins be either of Ignorance or Knowledge Q. What is sin of Ignorance A. When a body doth evill and knowes it not 1 Tim. 1.13 Gen. 20.6 John 16.2 Acts 3.17 Q. Is that a sin A. Yes a ignorance is it selfe a sin it is a b cause of other sins c and sins committed through ignorance are not thereby excusable a Hos 4.1 14. 2 Thes 1.8 Luk. 12.48 b Eph. 4.18 Jer. 5.4 Psal 14.4 c Psal 19.12 2 Pet. 3.5 Luk. 23.34 Levit. 5.17 18. Q. What is sin against Knowledge A. It is when we goe against our owne knowledge in any thing when we know to doe well and doe it not Rom. 1.18 21 23 32. Rom. 2.21 1 Kings 15.5 Luk. 12.47 Jam. 4.17 Jer. 44.16 17. Q. What 's the danger of sinning against knowledge A. God usually gives up such persons to impenitency hardnesse of heart and to a reprobate sense Rom. 1.21 24. a Tender Conscience is a sweet Blessing CAP. IV. Of the differences and degrees of sin A Gain sins be either Voluntary or Against ones will Q. What is voluntary sin A. When we sin of our own accord i.e. when sin proceeds from the disposition and inclination of our hearts without force of temptation Heb. 10.26 Joh. 8.44 he sinneth of his own Rom. 6.12 Q. What is sin involuntary or against ones will A. When contrary to the bent and disposition of our hearts we be overtaken
unadvisedly or through force of temptation and when there is no liking or allowance of the evill which we fall into Rom. 7.15 16 19. Luk. 22.33 57. Q. What is a sin of infirmity A. When we be overtaken in some s◠contrary to our desires purpose and endeavours Gal. 5.17 John 13 37. Rom. 7 21 22 23. Q. What say you of smaller sins an◠sinnes to which we are enclined by natur◠or custome and sinnes into which men fa◠suddenly Are they to be accounted sin of infirmity A. No unlesse we can say that the desire bent and purpose of our hearts is against them the least and suddenest distempers and failings are reigning sins if they spring from a root within us or b◠excused defended and made light of Rom. 8.4 Rom. 6.16 1 Sam. 15.21 Q. What is a sin of presumption A. When a man will venture to doe evill upon a conceit that he shall repen◠and doe well anough for all that Num 15.27 31. Deut. 29 19. Q. What is reigning sin A. Sin reigns when corruption remain in us unmortified and there is not whithi◠us a principle of Grace set up against it S◠that the evill proceeds from an habit an◠dispositiō of the soule where sin reigneth Sinne may perhaps be outwardly resisted and restrained as by lawes of men shame c. But where sin doth not reigne there it is resisted by a contrary principle of Life and Grace which striveth against the flesh Gal. 5.17 as when one streame is resisted by another Rom. 6.12 14. 1 Joh. 3.10 Rom. 8.2 Q. How may we judge of a reigning sinne A. Two waies 1. Not by the grossenesse or smalnesse of it nor yet by mens violence in sinning but by the power and sway it hath in us overbearing all motions and commands of the Word that crosse it When we are led by any lust or can plead for it that is a raigning sin 2 Pet. 2.19 Rom. 8.6 13 14. Luk. 16.10 13. Q. What 2ly is a signe that sin reignes in a Man A. When sin is not a burthen to thee when thou art unwilling to heare of it or to be discovered and reproved that is a signe that sin reignes in thee Mat 14 3 4. 1 King 21.20 Againe sin is either against the Law or Gospell Q. What is sin against the law A. Any breach of any one of the ten Commandments Rom. 2.12 14. Rom. 1.28 29. Q When doe men sinne against the Gospell A. As many as reject and disobey the Gospel calling them to repent to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation they sin against the Gospell and so doe all that make bold to sin because there is mercy in Christ and also all that slight and despise the means of Grace Act. 7.51 1 Joh. 3.23 Luk. 7.30 Act. 13.46 Q. Infidelity then Impenitency be sins against the Gospell What is the danger thereof A. Such persons must of necessity perish there being no help left for a man that rejects Christ they sin against the remedy Iohn 3.18 Luk 13.3 Iohn 16.9 Ioh. 8.24 Mar. 16.15 16. Heb. 10.26.27 Q. What is the sinne against the Holy Ghost A. It is a totall renouncing of Christ after some knowledge and taste of the good word of life Heb. 6.4 6. Heb. 10.28 29. Mar. 3.28 30. Ignorant persons nor unbelievers nor backsliders returning unto God doe not sinne against the Holy Ghost Q. Why is this sin never to be forgiven A. Because they think basely of Christ and have no mind to returne by repentance they give the lye to the Spirit as if Christs bloud were no more to be accounted of then common bloud and not able to save Heb. 10.29 Q. Is any the least sin veniall in its own nature A. No all sinnes even the least be in their owne nature damnable and will damne us if we repent not of them Rom. 6.23 Heb. 2.2 Mat. 12.36 CAP. V. How to convince men that they be under sin and under the curse SEeing all unregenerate persons be thus wretched how is it that the most neither feele nor feare any such things by themselves A. 1. Because they are dead in sinnes and trespasses Eph. 2.1 Q. Why 2ly A. 2. Because they judge themselves by false rules and so think themselves to be something when they are nothing Gal. 6.3 Rev. 3.17 Q. What be those false rules whereby they deceive themselves A. Many thinke that because they are a baptized and professe the faith of Christ and b live in good order a civill harmlesse life Whatsoever is short of Regeneration is short of salvation perhaps c better then others or better then themselves have done heretofore that therefore they be in good case and yet an Hypocrite may doe all this a Math 3.9 Rom. 2.17 25 29. Rom. 10 3. b Mat. 19.20 b Luk. 18.11 Phil. 3.4 7. Mat. 7.21 Q. What is the true glasse whereby to judge of our spirituall state aright A. The Scripture which showes how bad we are indeed and what we want and what manner of people we ought to be if we mean to be saved Jam. 1.25 Gal. 3.22 Mat. 5.20 Joh. 3.3 2 Cor. 5.17 Act. 26.18 Q. O but men will confesse that they are sinners and were it not for Christ they should perish But how may it be made appeare to their consciences that for all this their confession they are under the Law and not under grace A. By 7. things 1. By the blind and will conceits they have of God and of Religion Q. What be those blind conceits of carnall people A. They thinke that it is a folly a to be singular and precise and that they have b ever had faith and a good heart towards God c that it was better when there was lesse preaching and lesse knowledge such conceits discover a gracelesse heart a Mat. 5.47 b Mat. 19.20 Rom. 7.9 Phil. 3.6 7. c Jer. 44.17 18. Q. What other blind conceits discover them to be out of the way and in a state of darknesse A. They think it presumption to say a man may be a assured of his own salvation and yet that he is in an ill case that doubts of his salvation that it is no such b hard matter to repent to have a good heart and to save God and that c petty sins are not to be stood upon as omission of duty lesser oathes humouring of men and times c. a they say they doe their best and what would you have more All that thus think doe shew that they are poore deluded soules a 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Pe. 1.10 11. b Eph. 1.19 Ezek. 11.19 c Luk. 16.10 1 Sam. 15.13 14 20. Mat 12.36 Jam. 5.12 d 2 Cor. 10.18 1 Cor. 44. Q. How 2ly may carnall persons be convinced that they be under the Law and not under grace A. By the blind rules they walk by for they a walk in darknesse being b led by carnall reason custome example and motions of their own hearts and not by the
Christ Q. WHat is the substance of this Article A. To acknowledge Jesus Christ the Son of Mary to be the Son of God the Saviour of the World the true Messiah that was to come Mat. 16.16 17. Joh. 9.35 38. Q. Why is Faith in the Sonne of God joyned to the former Article A. Because it is necessary to salvation to know God in Christ out of Christ no man knows God aright Joh. 17.3 6.29 8.24 14.1 Whatsoever God is to his Church he is it in Christ the Attributes of God are sweetned unto us in Christ Q. What is Jesus Christ A. The eternall Sonne of God both God and Man God before all time and Man in the fulnesse of time Col. 1.15 16. Ioh. 8 57 58. Rom. 1.3 4. Col. 2.9 Q. Why is he called Jesus A. Because he saveth his people from their sinnes Mat. 1.21 Heb. 5.9 Q. Why is he called Christ A. Because he is anointed of the Father Act. 10.38 Ioh. 3.34 Q. What doe you meane by this anointing A. It signifieth that Christ is sealed fitted and furnished with all Graces Power and abilities to save us Ioh. 10.36 Ioh. 6.27 Esay 42.6 Esay 61.1 Col. 1.19 Q. Unto what Offices and Workes was Christ set apart and fitted A. To a threefold office First To be a Priest by the offering up of himselfe in death to pacifie his Fathers wrath towards us Heb. 9.7 26. Levit. 4.20 Q. To what second Office was he anointed A. To be a King of soules to deliver his people from the power of Sinne and Satan and to guide them through all temptations to Heaven Luk. 1.74 Eph. 1 21 22. 1 Cor. 15.25 Q. To what office else A. To be a Prophet effectually to teach his Church Joh. 6.45 Joh. 1.18 2 Cor 3.3 Luk. 4.18 Q. God hath given these Offices to Christ with intent to bestow the benefit fruit and profit of them upon his Elect. How doth it appeare that Christ is a Christ to thee or that Christ is thy Christ A triall whether we be Christians A. Because in some measure I am made partaker of Christs anointing that is of his fulnesse I have received Grace to know him to conquer my corruptions and am willing to sacrifice my dearest contentments to his will am enabled in some measure to serve him acceptably Rom. 12.1 1 Pet. 2.5 1 Joh. 2.27 Jer. 50.20 His onely Son our Lord. Q. Is Christ the only Son of God A. Christ is the only Son of God by Nature that is of the same substance and essence with the Father we are the Sons of God by favour and adoption we are not so born but by grace we are made partakers of that dignity to be the Sons of God Joh. 10.30 Gal. 3.26 Gal. 4.5 Q. Why is he called our Lord A. Because having bought us he hath a propriety in us and dominion over us as a Lord to rule and command us and none else hath power over us He is made both Lord and Christ to rule all things of his Fathers Kingdome both in Heaven and Earth 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 7.23 Luk. 1.32 33. Esay 9.7 Esay 26.12 13. 2 Pet. 1.9 Act. 10 36. 1 Cor. 15.25 27. Q. What do you believe in this Article A. I believe that the eternall and consubstantiall Sonne of God who is every way fitted and abled to save soules is my Saviour and that by him delivering me from Sinne and Satan I am become the Sonne of God Mat. 16.16 17. CAP. XVIII Of the Incarnation of the Son of God Which was conceived by the Holy Ghost THE conception of Christ stands in three thing 1. The framing his Body of the Virgin Mary 2. The seperating of originall sinne from it 3. The uniting of that Nature to the Godhead in the instant of his conception Q. Christ is God equall with his Father from all Eternity How came he to be Man A. In the fulnesse of time he took flesh of the Virgin Mary and was born of her as we be of our mothers a perfect man as we are so that there is true God and perfect man in one person Joh. 1.14 Gal. 4.4 Phil. 2.6 7. Heb. 2.17 Esay 7.14 Joh. 3.13 Rom. 9.5 Q. Why did he take mans nature on him A. That he might be put under the Law to stand in our room and in our nature to satisfie for our sinnes at his Incarnation he entred into our bonds as being God he could neither suffer death nor be made obedient to the Law Heb. 2.14 Heb. 9.22 Heb. 10.5 10. Q. How was he conceived A. Not by the power of nature as we are of two Parents but by the power of the holy Ghost which did frame his body of the substance of the Virgin Mary and united it to the Godhead Luk 1.35 Joh. 3.13 Eph. 4.9 Q. All that be borne of women be sinners How came Christ to be conceived and borne without sin A. Because he was conceived by the power of the holy Ghost who did separate originall sinne from his nature Luk. 1.35 that holy thing Heb. 7.26 Heb. 4.15 Q. Why must Christ be without sin A. Because else he could not save sinners Heb. 7.27 28. Else he must like the High Priest offer for his own sins as well as for the peoples Q. Why was he borne of a Virgin A. To answer the Prophesies that hereby it might appeare that he was the true Messias spoken of by the Prophets Esay 7.14 Ier. 31.22 Heb. 7.3 Q. Why of that Virgin of the stock of David and Abraham A. Because the promised seed was to come out of the loynes of Abraham Salvation is of the Jewes Gen. 12.3 Gen. 22.18 Gal. 3.16 Joh. 4.22 Q. What do you believe in this Article A. That the eternall Son of God remaining God did take my nature on him and in that nature did satisfie for my sins In which being now advanced to Gods right hand he doth execute as Mediator all things belonging to the Kingdome of God Q. How doth the true beliefe of this Article affect our hearts A. In that wonderfull Person I admire Gods infinite wisdome and love in contriving and working mans salvation As he is in himselfe a wonderfull Person so he is to me I look to the man that is Gods fellow and dwels in the everlasting burning Eph. 3.8 9 10. Zach. 13.7 CAP. XIX Of Christs sufferings the vertue of them Suffered under Pontius Pilate Q. DID Christ suffer for himselfe A. No He was no debtor to the Law and therefore what he suffered was for us and in our stead as our surety Esa 53.4 5 6. Heb 9.9 1 Pet. 3.18 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb 7.22 Mat. 3.14 15. Dan. 9.26 Rom. 4.25 Q. What did Christ suffer in our stead A. The whole punishment due to out sinnes the whole wrath of God in his soule and body which we should have suffered Esay 53.4 10. Mat 26.38 39. Rev. 19.15 1 Pet 2.24 Psal 22.14 Rom. 8.32 Q. When did he
suffer all these things A. Especially in the garden where he swet clots of blood before any hand was laid on him and on the Crosse by the space of six houres Luk 22.43 44. Mat 27.46 Psal 22.1 6. Mar 14.33 34. Phil. 2.8 So heavy was the wrath of God that an Angell came to comfort him yea he roared as a man forsaken c. Q. What is the vertue and efficacy of his sufferings A. By his stripes we are healed Es 53 5. Heb 9.14 26 28. Col 2.14 Heb 10.2 10 12 14. In him we all died and were condemned and his death tooke away our condemnation 2 Cor 5.14 Rom 8.3 Q. For whom did Christ suffer all this A. For his Body the Church Christs blood is of value to save all men but it was not intended for them that perish Christ stood not in their stead for then they should not dye themselves Eph 5.25 Joh 10.15 Q. How know you that you have a part in Christ's sufferings A. Because the life and power of sin is killed in me and I now live to him that died for me Sinne is of all things most odious to me 2 Cor. 5.15 Rom. 6.3 6. 1 Joh 5.6 The merit of Christs death reacheth unto God to satisfie and pacifie him and the vertue or efficacie of it reacheth to our soules to mortifie and kill sin in them 1 Pet 4.1 2. Q. Who was Pontius Pilate A. The Roman Judge that condemned him because he said that he was the Son of God the King of Israel Joh 19 7 8 12 15 19 21. Mat 20.19 a signe that the Messiah was come because the government was taken from them and now in the hands of a stranger Gen. 49.10 Joh 18.31 Rev. 11.8 where Christ was slaine Q. Why was he thus legally condemned and not killed privily A. Because that death alone is satisfactory to the Law which publike authority doth inflict on Malefactours for though Christ were no Malefactor no guile was found in his lips he was innocent by the Judges owne mouth yet he was numbred amongst the transgressors Esay 53.12 Mat. 20.18 19. Q. What kind of death died he A. He was crucified which was a painfull shamefull and accursed death Ioh. 19.18 31. Phil. 2.8 Deut. 21.23 Q. Why that kinde of death A. Because he was to remove the curse from us therefore he was to be made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 Q. Dead Why died he A. Because death is the wages of sin and sin is not remitted without shedding of blound Rom. 6.23 Heb. 9.22 1 Cor. 15.56 57. Heb. 2.9 14. Q. Buried Why so A. That he might sweeten the grave to us and be God both of the dead and of the living Mat. 12.40 Rom. 14.9 1 Cor. 15.55 Q. Descended into Hell When Christ gave up the Ghost his Body was put into the Grave and his Soule went into Paradise being commended into the hands of God as the soule of Steven and other the faithfull are as the soule of the converted theef was What then is meant here by Christs descending into Hell A. His Soule went not into the place of the damned but thereby is meant his abiding prisoner under the dominion of Death the space of three daies Bp. Ushers answer to the Irish Jesuits challenge c. 8. As Jonas was three daies in the Whales belly and saw no corruption But David doth c. Compare Psal 16.10 with Act. 2.27 31. Act. 13.34.35 Rom. 6.9 Mat. 12.40 Q. What is the substance of that you believe in this Article A. I believe that Christ suffered the whole punishment belonging unto sinners both in his Soule and Body when he offered up himselfe a curse and a sacrifice for sin and that by his sufferings Gods wrath is pacified towards me all the spirituall enemies of my salvation are thereby vanquished CAP. XX. Of Christs exaltation sitting at the right hand of God the Father The third day he rose again from the dead Q. DID Christ still remain in the the grave A. No the third day he rose againe Luke 24.3 6. Act. 2.24 Act. 1.3 1 Cor. 15.4 8. Q Why was it needfull that Christ should rise againe A. 1. Because else we were still in our sinnes else it doth not appear that our sinnes be satisfied for 1 Cor. 15.17 1 Pet. 1.3 21. Christ was not onely to suffer Death and the Law but to conquer them which he had not done if he had been still holden of death and we must have looked out for another Saviour that could conquer it The debtor comes not out of prison till he hath paid the utmost farthing c. If any one sin had beene unsatisfied Christ had no risen from the dead Q. Why else must Christ rise againe A. That he might apply effectually unto us the merit of his death 1 Cor. 15.16 54 55. Rom. 4.25 Rev. 1.18 He ascended into Heaven Q. What became of Christ after he was risen A. After he had spent forty daies in teaching his Apostles the things belonging to the Kingdome of God he went up into Heaven in that same body which had been crucified and buried Act. â— 3.9 10 11. Eph. 4.10 Luk. 24.51 Eph. 1.20 22. Q. What good is that to us A. 1. It assureth us that he hath finished the worke of our redemption which his Father gave him to doe in an acceptable manner Iohn 16.10 Iohn 17.4 5. Heb. 9.12 25. Heb. 10.12 If Christ had not fulfilled the Law and satisfied for all out debt if he had not in all things well pleased his Father he had never got into Heaven But now God welcomes him to Heaven and bids him Sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine enimies thy Foot-stoole Heb. 1.3 9 13. Q. What else doth it assure us of A. 2. It assureth me that seeing Christ is entred into Heaven in our name hath taken possession for us of the purchased inheritance that therefore he will bring us thither in his appointed time Ioh. 12.26 Ioh. 17.24 Heb. 6.20 Sitteth at the right hand of God Q Where is Jesus Christ now A. In Heaven at Gods right hand in great glory and power Act. 7.56 1 Pet 3.22 Q. God hath no right hand nor left hand What then is the meaning of it A. It signifieth that Honour and Power which Christ received of his Father when he had finished the worke of our redemption Heb. 1.13 Mat. 22.44 Eph 1.20 22. 1 Cor 15.24 25. Q. What does Christ do there A. He makes intercession for us that is he presents our prayers and pleads his merits for our acceptance Heb 7.25 9.24 Ro 8.34 He entereth our appearance and causeth that no wrath issue out against us though our sins cry for vengeance God never said to Saint or Angel Sit thou at my right hand Heb 1.13 Q. Doe we not want him more to be with us here on earth A. No He doth us more good in Heaven appearing for us in the presence of God upon
it I believe in this Article namely that I am of the number of those that have their sins forgiven them 1 Ioh. 5.13 Rom. 10.9 Q. What signes be there that your sins be forgiven you How will you know it A. By three signes 1. Where sin is forgiven it is subdued and purged out The issue of our corruption is stanched and dried up when once we have touched Christ by faith have his bloud sprinkled on our consciences Mar. 5.29 Act. 3.26 Rom. 6.11 14. Peace without Grace is not of Gods sending it is a false peace but if we be healed and clensed of sinne we are forgiven though we feare the contrary Col. 2.13 Q. What other signe and effects followes upon our beliefe that our sins be forgiven A. The perswasion that God hath forgiven me begets in my heart a strong love and high prizing of Jesus Christ Luk. 7.42 47. Zach. 12.10 2 Cor. 5.14 Q. What thirdly is a signe that your sin is forgiven you A. It makes me ready to a forgive others and to b pity them that goe on in their sinnes impenitently as I my selfe have done heretofore a Eph. 4.31 32. Mat. 18.32 33. b Luk. 22.32 CAP. XXV Of resurrection of the flesh and everlasting life Q. SHall they that be dead live againe A. Yes at the last day every one shall come againe with his own body Act. 24.15 Iude. v. 14. Iob 19.24 25 27. Dan. 12.2 Mat. 22.32 Joh. 11.24 1 Cor. 15.12 Q. Shall the very same body live again and be raised A. Yes the same bodies made free from all defects and weaknesses unto which we are now subjected 1 Cor. 15.43 53. Phil. 3.2 1. Joh. 5.28 29. Rev. 20.12 Q. How doch the beliefe of the resurrection work upon you A. It makes me keep a conscience void of offence before God and men continuing in well-doing with courage and patience I will not be corrupted with worldly honours or pleasures Act. 24.16 1 Cor. 15.33 34 58. 2 Cor. 9.10 Heb. 11.35 And the life everlasting Q. When a man dies his body goes to the grave Doth the soule die with the body like the beasts A. No the soule is an immortall substance and separated from the body at death Eccles 12.7 1 King 17.21 Luk. 23 43 46. Mat. 22.32 2 Cor. 5.6 8. Luk. 12.5 Q. Whither then goe the souls of them that depart hence A. To Heaven or to Hell to everlasting life or to everlasting death immediately after their dissolution Luk. 16.22 23. Heb. 9.27 Col. 1.20 Rev. 14.13 Rev. 6.9 Phil. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.8 Q. Then there is no Purgatory or third place where as in a prison by enduring exquisite torments the soules that were not fully purged in this life doe make satisfaction for veniall sins and lighter faults or for their temporall punishment due to their mortall sinnes which they have committed from which Purgatory they say they are delivered by the prayers of the living and the Popes indulgencies or at least at the day of judgement if they chance to lye there so long A. No for as there be but two sorts of men godly or wicked sheep or goats regenerate or unregenerate so there be but two places provided for them where they remaine in an unchangeable estate of blisse or woe All a wicked men of what profession soever being punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of God and b all the faithfull are present with the Lord their soules being fully purged from all spot of sin and the fault c quite remitted through the bloud of Christ a 2 Thes 1.9 Mat. 25.41 46 Rom. 2.9 b 2 Cor. 5.6 8. Rev. 14.13 c 1 Joh. 1.7 Eph. 5.27 Q. What is meant by life everlasting A. It is the glorious state of the Elect after this life wherein they do immediately enjoy God Christ for ever in a most holy happy unutterable and unchangeable communion 1 Joh. 3.2 Rev 22.4 Rev. 21.3 4. 1 Thes 4.17 Psal 16.11 1 Cor. 2.9 Q. For whom is eternall life prepared To whom is it given A. To them that walke with God a finishing their course in feare holinesse and b endeavouring to glorify God here on earth a Mat. 5.8 Heb. 12 14. Joh. 10.27 28. Rev. 21.27 Rev. 22.14 b Ioh. 17.4 2 Tim. 4.8 Mat. 25.21 Q What doe you believe in this Article A. I believe that at the last day my soule and body shall be joyned together againe and that in both I shall enjoy the presence of God for evermore Tit. 1.2 1 Thes 4.17 1 Ioh. 2.25 Q. Why doe you think that you shall enjoy this blessed life A. Because the life of grace is already begunne in me which shall end in glory 1 Joh 3.3 Mat. 19.28 29. Rom. 6.22 Phil. 1.6 1 Pet. 1.23 Q. May a Christian be assured of everlasting life before he depart this present life A. Yes he may and that upon sure and infallible grounds out of Gods Word wherein we clearly see Gods promises purposes towards them that be effectually called Faith is a sure knowledge of a thing upon the authority of divine revelation which cannot deceive nor be deceived Joh. 3.36 1 Joh 5.11.12 1 Joh. 4.10 14 19 24. Eph. 1.14 2 Cor. 1.22 1 Thes 1.4 5. 2 Pet. 1.10 2 Cor. 13.5 The office and work of faith is twofold to 1. Justify the person 2. Purify the heart CAP. XXVI Of the fruit and office of faith viz. to justify and of the meanes how faith is wrought Q. WHat Benefits redound to thee of this beliefe A. Two 1. By Faith I am righteous before God and heire of eternall life not because my faith of it selfe can make me righteous but because the righteousnesse of Christ is my righteousness before God and I cannot apply it to my selfe by any other way then by faith God offereth us life and righteousnesse in Christ and faith is the hand by which we recieve that gift Rom. 4.5 6. Joh. 6.35 1 Joh. 5.11 12 13. Rom. 3.24 25. Q. Say the same in other tearmes A. When I say we are justified by faith I meane the object of faith Christ Jesus The onely way and meane to embrace Christ and to rest on the promises of the Gospell is by faith Phil. 3.9 The only righteousnesse by which a sinner stands just before God is the righteousnesse of Christ and the onely meanes to partake of that righteousnesse is by Faith Rom. 9.32 Q. It seemes then that faith is a most excellent gift of God which bringeth us into the possession of Gods rich mercies and tender love revealed in the Gospell A. It is so and therefore above all things we must labour for the grace of faith John 6.29 Joh. 3.18 Act. 16.31 Heb. 4.2 11. Heb. 3.12 14 19. Q. Can we attaine it of our selves by our own strength A. No a it is the gift of God our hearts are b slow to believe being naturally inclined to distrust God and to trust in the creatures and therefore c God by