experience of it Psal. 32.5 I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne As for confession to man it is onely respectiue or conditionall as namely in case of wrong done by one man to another see Iam. 5.16 confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another or in regard of some publike hurt or scandall to the whole Church as in the example of Achan Iosh. 7.19.20 and the like Q. Proue that true repentance is required A. True Râ—pentance which is not onely a contrition or sorrow for sinne and a confession of it but also a conuersion of the whole man with the whole heart vnto God from all his sinnes is specially necessary for the obtaining of pardon this is intended in Math. 3.2 Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand and Luk. 13.3 Except ye amend your liues ye shall all likewise perish and Act. 11.18 It is said that they glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life Q. Proue that our iustification consisteth in the pardon of sinnes A. It is so written Rom. 4 6.7 Euen as Dauid declareth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without workes saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sinne Q. Proue that we can merit nothing with God A. The Apostle proueth it by the example of the father of the faithfull Rom. 4.2 If Abraham were iustified by workes hee hath wherein to reioyce but not with God for what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeued God and it was counted to him for righteousnesse Psal. 130.3 If thou Lord shouldest marke iniquities O Lord who shall stand and Psal. 143.2 Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Q. Proue that our best workes are imperfect A. It is the confession of the Prophet Isa. 64.6 But we are all as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnesse are as filthy rags and Luk. 17.10 When ye haue done all those things which are commanded you say wee are vnprofitable seruants Q. Prouâ— that the promise is made onely to them that beleeue A. It is written Gal. 3.22 that the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by faith of Iesus Christ might bee giuen to them that beleeue and Act. 2.39 for the promise is vnto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. Proue that they were elected of God before the world was A. That the ground of our iustification and saluation by Christ through faith doth stand in Gods free election and therefore cannot be attained by any merit of our owne is manifest Act. 13.48 where it is said that as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued And Ephes. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ according as he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world P Of the preaching of the word the ordinary meanes of faith Q. Rehearse the letter P A PReaching of the word of God is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance and faith For God that giueth all grace and so repentance and faith worketh outwardly by the word as by an instrument and inwardly by his spirit Q. Proue that Preaching of the Word is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance A. It is euident in that repentance was the subiect matter of Christs Preaching Matth. 4.17 Iesus began to Preach and to say Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand and in that S. Paul saith Act. 17.30 speaking of the preaching of the Gospell that God now commandeth all men euery where to repent and Act. 20.20 I kept backe nothing that was profitable but haue shewed you and taught you publikely and from house to house both to the Iewes and also to the Gentiles the repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ Q. Proue that Preaching of the Word is the meanes of saith A. So we reade Rom. 10.14 How then shall they call on him in whom they haue not beleeued and how shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher and verse 17. so then faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God Q. Proue that God giueth all grace A. It is written Iam. 1.17 Euery good gift and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights And 2 Pet. 1.3 according as his diuine power hath giuen vnto vs all things that pertaine to life godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called vs to glory and vertue Q. Proue that God giueth repentance A. We may learne so much by S. Paul his exhortation to Timothy 2 Tim. 2.25 where he aduiseth him to instruct with meekenesse those that oppose themselues prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the truth And it is said Act. 5.31 that God hath lift vp Iesus Christ with his right hand to be a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Q. Proue that God giueth faith A. It is expresly affirmed Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God And Phil. 1.29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ that not onely you should beleeue in him but also suffer for his sake Q. Proue that God worketh by the Word as by an instrument A. That the word of God is the outward meanes which God doth vse as an organe or instrument is manifest Iam. 1.18 Of his owne will begat he vs with the word of truth that wee should bee as the first fruits of his creatures And 1 Pet. 1.23 Being borne anew not of mortall seed but of immortall by the word of God and verse 25. This is the word which is preached among you Q. Proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. It is euident by these arguments First it was so prophecied and foretold Ioel 2.28 And it shall come to passe afterward that I will powre out my spirit vpon all flâ—sh and Zach. 12.10 I will powre vpon the house of Dauid and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication and they shall look vpon me whom they haue pierced Q. What is the second argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Secondly The prophesie was accomplished and effected accordingly as the Apostle Peter noteth Acts 2.16 This saith hee is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel. And at his Sermon Acts 10.44 It is said That while Peter yet spake these words the
holy Ghost fell on them all which heard the word Q. What is the third argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Thirdly it is euident that all spirituall gifts are wrought by the spirit as it is in 1 Cor. 12.11 All these saith the Apostle worketh that one and the selfe same spirit diuiding to euery man seuerally as hee will Insomuch as the outward meanes without this inward worke of Gods spirit is of no force Whereupon it is that Paul saith 1 Cor 3.6.7 I haue planted Apollo watered but God gaue the increase So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither hee that watereth but God that giueth the increase Q. What is the fourth argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Fourthly God acknowledgeth none for his that haue not his spirit working in them See 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you And Rom. 8.9 If any man haue not the spirit of Christ he is none of his This is so euident a truth that the Apostle doubteth not to affirme that no man can so much as say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 Q Of the inseparable properties of faith Q. Rehearse the letter Q A. QValities of faith inseparable vnto it are these to vnite vs to God in Christ to assure vs of Gods loue in him to purifie the heart and to worke by loue For vntill we beleeue wee are without God without Christ and without hope but when once wee beleeue wee haue peace with God and cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes Q. Proue that it is the property of faith to vnite vs to God in Christ A. This quality or property of faith namely to vnite vs vnto God in Christ is expresly noted by the Apostle Eph. 2.13 But now in Christ Iesus ye who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blâ—od of Christ. And verse 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Q. Proue that it is the quality of faith to assure vs of Gods loue in Christ A. It is manifest in that it is said Rom. 5.2 That by Christ wee haue accesse by faith into the grace wherein wee stand and reioyce in hope of the glory of God And verse 5. Hope maketh not ashamed because the loue of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is giuen vnto vs. Therefore faith is thus described Heb 11.1 Faith is the substance or ground and assurance of things hoped for and the euidence of things not seene Q. Shew it yet more fully and plainely A. It may appeare more fully and euidently by that confident acclamation and protestation of the Aposâ—le in the behalfe of euery Christian Rom. 8.35 Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ and verse 38.39 For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to comâ— nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Q. Proue that it is the property of faith to purifie the hart A. The Apostle Peter speaking of the calling of the Gentiles saith Act. 15.8.9 That God which knoweth the hearts beare them witnesse giuing them the holy Ghost euen as he did vnto vs. And put no difference betweene vs and them purifying their hearts by faith and 1 Tim. 1.5 it is said That the end of the commandement is charitie out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of saith vnfained where wee see that vniting vs to Christ is the cause of the puritie of the heart Q. Proue that it is the propertie of faith to work by loue A. It is obserued as a speciall propertie oâ— faith by the Apostle Gal. 5.6 where hauing said that we through the spirit waite for the hope of righteousâ—esse by faith hâ—e presently addeth these words for saith hee In Iesus Christ neither circumcision auaileth any thing nor vncircumcision but faith which worketh by loue therein noting faith to be the proper efficient cause of loue and loue to be the proper effect of faith Q. Proue that till we beleeue we are without God without Christ without hope A We may see the truâ—h of this by the Apostles description of the state of the Ephesians before their coÌ„uersion Eph. 2.12 At that time saith heâ— ye were without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the couenants of promise hauing no hope and without God in the world Q. Proue that when once we beleeue we haue peace with God A. It is so written Rom. 5.1 that being iustified by faith wee haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ and chap. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Q. Proue that once beleeuing wee cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes A. That when once we beleeue wee cannot but be fruitfull our Sauiour himselfe teacheth by the similitude of the Vine whereunto he doth resemble himselfe and the beleeuers that are in him by faith to the branches Ioh. 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me and I in him the same â—ringeth forth 〈…〉 without me yee 〈…〉 thing Apo‑ 〈…〉 2.14 That Christ 〈…〉 se for vs that hee 〈…〉 from all ini 〈…〉 rifie vnto himselfe 〈…〉 ople zealous of 〈…〉 R Of the meanes of encreasing faith and all other graces Q. Rehearse the Letter R. A. REmember that saith and so all other graces are increased and confirmed by the hearing of the word of God preached as also by reading meditation conference practise prayer and Sacraments For as God requireth of euery Christian a daily increase of grace so he hath appointed these meanes to that end Q Proue in generall that saith and all other graces are increased and confirmed by these meanes A. So much may be gathered in generall by the words of the Eâ—angelist Act. 2.41.42 where speaking of those that were conuerted to the faith he saith Then they that gladly receiued his word were baptized and they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers noting thereby how being conuerted they did continue and were increased and confirmed in the state of grace by those meanes Q. More particularly proue that Preaching is a meanes to increase and confirme grace A. It is manifest in that the Apostle Peter speaking of the word preached saith 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word of GOD that yee may grow thereby and Act. 14 21.2â— it is said that Paul and Barnabas returned c. confirming
is written Isa. 51.15 I am the Lord thy God that diuided the sea whose waues roared And Psal. 107.23.24 They that goe downe to the sea in ships see the workes of the Lord and his wonders in the deepe 25. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind which lifteth vp the waueâ— thereof And againe ver 29. Hee maketh the storme a calme so that the waues thereof are still Q. Shew some instances of Gods prouidence in ordering things vpon the earth A. First all things both good and euill are ordered by Gods prouidence see Isa. 45.7 I forme the light and create darknesse I make peace and create euill I the Lord doe all these things Iob. 5.18 Hee maketh the wound and bindeth it vp hee smiteth and his hands make whole And 1 Sam. 2.6 The Lord killeth and maketh aliue he bringeth down to the graue and raiseth vp Q. Giue a second instance of Gods prouidence in things vpon the earth A. Secondly it is said Dan. 2.21 That he changeth the times and seasons hee remoueth Kings and setteth vp Kings And Psal. 75.7 God is the Iudge he putteth downe one and setteth vp another Q. Giue a third instance of this prouidence A. Thirdly it is said Pro. 16.1 The preparations of the heart in man and the answere of the tongue is from the Lord. And ver 9. A mans heart deuiseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps And Prou. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the riuers of waters he turneth it whithersoeuer he will Q. Giue a fourth instance of this prouidence A. Fourthly the prouidence of God doth so order all things that there is nothing so casuall to vs but it is infallibly certaine in the decree of God See Pro. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Q. Proue that all things are preserued by the prouidence of God A. It is written Psal. 36.6 O Lord thou preseruest man and beast And Psal. 145.15 The eyes of all waite vpon thee and thou giuest them their meat in due season Psal. 119.91 It is said of all Gods creatures That they continue euen to this day by thine ordinances for all are thy seruants Q. Proue that Satan cannot doe what he list A. It is euident Iob. 1.11 and 2.5 Because Satan could not touch Iob either in his substance or his children or his person without Gods permission And Mat. 8.31 The deuils could not enter into the heard of swine without the leaue of Christ. Q. Proue that wicked men cannot doe what they list A. It is manifest in that Christ said to Pilate Ioh. 19.11 Thou couldest haue no power at all against me except it were giuen thee from aboue And Act. 4.27 It is said That Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together to doe whatsoeuer the hand and counsell of God determined before to bee done Q. Proue that without Gods prouidence euery creature would perish in a moment A. It is euident Act. 17.25.28 in that it is said That he giueth to all life breath and all things and that in him wee liue and moue and haue our being And Deu. 8.3 Man liueth not by bread onely but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God H Of one God onely to bee worshipped with religious worship Q. Rehearse the letter H A. HE euen this God alone is to be worshipped and called vpon and that onely in the name of Christ with vnderstanding and as him selfe hath commanded For thus euer did the true Church of God and to worship and pray vnto any other is to giue Gods glory to a creature Q. Proue that God onely is to be worshiped A. It is written Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serue And Reu. 22.8.9 S. Iohn saith I fell downe to worship before the feete of the Angell but he said vnto mee See thou doe it not for I am they fellow seruant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them which keepe the words of this booke Worship God Q. Proue that God only is to be called vpon A. God himselfe saith Ps. 50.15 Call vpon me in the day of trouble I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me And Luk. 11.2 Our Sauiour teaching the most perfect forme of prayer saith When ye pray say Our Father which art in Heauen c. Q. Proue that we are to call vpon God only in the name of Christ A. Christ himselfe saith Ioh. 1â— 22 Verily verily I say vnto you whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father in my name he will giue it you And 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one mediator betweene God and man the man Christ Jesus Therefore he is called Heb. 12.24 The mediator of the new Testament Q. Proue that we must worship and pray to God with vnderstanding A. So saith the Apostle in the name of euery good Christian 1 Cor. 14.15 I will pray with the spirit and will pray with vnderstanding also I will sing with the spirit and will siâ—g with vnderstanding also And our Sauiour sheweth the reason why we ought so to doe Ioh. 4.24 because God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit aud in truth Q. Proue that we must worship and call vpon God onely as himselfe hath commanded A. It is written Deu. 12.32 What thing soeuer I command you obserue to do it thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it And Isa. 29.13 God complaineth that their feare towards him is taught by the precept of men And Christ saith Matth. 15.9 In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Q. Proue that the true Church did euer thus worship and pray vnto God onely A. It will manifestly appeare if wee take a view of all ages from the beginning of the world both before the Law vnder the Law and after the Law vnder the Gospel in the time of Christ and his Apostles Q. Prooue that before the Law God onely was worshipped and called vpon A. The sacred history of Gods word from the first man Adam vnto Moses doeth manifestly prooue it And it is expresly said Gen. 4.26 at the restitution and reformation of Religion formerly corrupted by the posterity of Cain That then men began to call vpon the name of the Lord. Q. Prooue that vnder the Law God onely was worshiped and called vpon A. The trueth of this may euidently appeare in that by the Law all religious seruice and sacrifice was offered vnto God onely And it is sayd Psal. 22.4.5 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou diddest deliuer them they called vpon thee and were deliuered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Q. Proue that after the Law in the time of the Gospell God only was
consist dâ—â—h constitute the whole man 2. As the body like a microcosme or little world doth expresse in euery part the wonderfull worke of the Creator 3. As those excellent graces of wisdome sanctity and iustice principally seated in the soule doe expresse themselues in the body and as Solomon speaketh Make the face to shine according as we see the light of a candle shine through the lanterne Q. Proue that the word of God doth call vpon vs to renew this image in Christ. A. That the word of doth call vpon vs to renew this image of God consisting in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse and so consequently prouing that herein the image of God doth chiefely stand see Ephes. 4.22.23.24 where the Apostle saith by way of exhortation That yee put off concerning the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your minde And that yee put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Q. Proue that without these graces man was not fit to rule the creatures nor yet himselfe A. It is euident in that man hauing lost these graces is said to become like the very brute beast as it is Psal. 49.20 Man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not is like the beasts that perish L Of the fall of man and losse of Gods image by reason of Adams sinne Q. Rehearse the letter L A. LEarne that man hath lost that image of God wherein hee was created by the sinne of Adam the first man in eating the forbidden fruit For Adam hauing power not to sinne if he would being seduced by the woman and the woman by the serpent which is the Deuill did willingly yeeld to the temptation Q. Shew how and in what respect man hath lost the image of God A. Man hath lost the image of God not in respect of the substance of soule and body which doe yet remaine the same which essentially they were in their first creation nor in regard of the faculties of reason will and affection without which we were not men but brute creatures But the image of God which man hath chiefely lost is that conformiâ—y to the will of God consisting in the true knowleâ—ge of God in righteousnesse and holinesse Q. Proue that this heauenly knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse is the image which man hath lost A. It is manifest by that exhortation of the Apostle Ephes. 4.24 where we are exhorted to renew that image wherein man was created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Which exhortation were needlesse if man had not lost this image and if this were not the image of God which man hath lost Q. Proue that this image of God was lost by Adams sinne A. It is euident in that the Scripture speaking of Adam saith Rom. 5.12 That by one man sinne entred into the world And verse 18. By the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation And verse 19. By one mans disobedience many were made sinners Q. Proue that it was by eating the forbidden fruit A. It is apparant in the history partly by the charge which God gaue vnto Adam Gen 2.16.17 The Lord God commanded the man saying Thou shalt eat freely of euery tree of the garden But of the tree of knowledge of good and euill thou shalt not eate of it Partly by the threatning in the words immediatly following For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death Partly by the sentence of curse denounced against man after hee had sinned Gen. 3.17 Q. Proue that Adam had power not to sinne if hee would A. It is manifest in that God made man so excellent a creature Whereupon it is said Eccles. 7.29 That God made man righteous and vpâ—â—ght Neither could it haue â—ood with the iustice of God to require that of man which he was not able to performe or to punish him hauing by his creation no power to obey Q. Proue that Adam was seduced by the woman A. It is so written Gen. 3.6 That the woman gaue also vnto her husband with her and he did eat It was Adams excuse verse 12. The woman which thou gauest to be with me she gaue me of the tree and I did eat And it is alleaged to humble that sex 1 Tim. 2.14 That Adam was not deceiued but the woman being deceiued was in the transgression Q. Proue that the woman was deceiued by the Serpent A. It is said by the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.3 That the Serpent beguiled Eue through his subtilty And the story Gen. 3.1 doth shew the manner how it was done Q. Proue that that Serpent was the Deuill A. That the Serpent was the Deuill or rather the Deuill in the Serpent see Reu. 12.9 where it is said That the great Dragon was cast out that old Serpent called the Deuill and Satan which deceiueth the whole world And Chap. 20.2 The Dragon that old Serpent which is the Deuill and Satan Q. Proue that Adam did willingly yeeld to the temptation A. The history doth shew it by expressing Adams owne confession and excuse before cited And Eccles. 7.29 where it is said That God hath made man vpright it is presently added but they haue sought out many inuentions M Of the miserable estate of all mankinde through Adams fall Q. Rehearse the Letter M. A. MAnkinde being tainted by Adams sinne is become most wretched miserable both in respect of sin and punishment For hereby all men are conceiued and borne in sinne and are so corrupted with sinne both in soule and body that they cannot perceiue thinke will speake or doe any good thing but are become subiect to sinne Satan the wrath and curse of God to death and to eternall damnation Q. Proue that all mankinde is tainted by Adams sinne A. It is manifest that the tainture of Adams sinne hath seized vpon all his posterity inasmuch as all mankinde doth stand guilty thereof before God see Ro. 5.12 where the Apostle saith That by one mans sinne death passed vpon all men for that all haue sinned or in whom all haue sinned Againe verse 17. by one mans offence death reigned by one verse 18. By the offence of one iudgement came vpon all men to condemnation For verse 19 By one mans disobedience many were made sinners Q. What is the reason of this guiltinesse A. The reason why all men are guilty of Adams sinne is because Adam being as it were the root out of which all mankinde doth spring did receiue whatsoeuer good hee had by creation not onely for himselfe but also for his posterity and so againe lost all as well for them as for himselfe In regard whereof all men are truely said to sinne in Adam as Leui is said to haue paid tithes in Abraham because being of the posterity of Abraham he was then in the loynes of
Abraham his father Heb. 7.9.10 Q. Proue that mankinde is becomâ— most wretched and miserable A. The wretched and miserable estate of all mankinde may appeare by that lamentable outcry of the Apostle Romans 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death Q. Proue that all men are conceiued and borne in sinne A. It is euident by the confession of Dauid Psal. 51.5 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me And it is said Ioh. 3.6 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the spirit is spirit Q. How then could Christ bee free from sinne seeing hee was true man A. Christ Iesus was true man descended of Adam as we are in all things like vnto vs but yet sin excepted For he was not a mâ—ere man but was also God and againe as he was man he was not so by naturall generation as we are but by the supernaturall worke and power of the holy Ghost was conceiued in the wombe of the virgin Mary Q. Proue that all men are corrupted with sinne A. It is written Rom. 3.9 That all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sinne 1 Kings 8.46 There is no man that sinneth not And 1 Ioh. 1.8 If we say we haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. And this corruption of sinne is nâ—t by example or by imitation only or meerely of some euill custome but by propagation and naturall generation all men being conceiued and borne in sinne as is shewed before Q. Proue that all are corrupted both in soule and body A. It is euident by the Apostles prayer 1 Thes. 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I pray God that your whole spirit and soule and body may bee kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. For what need he to pray for the sanctification of the whole man both soule and body if all and euery part were not corrupted Q. Proue that man by nature cannot perceiue any good thing A. The Apostle doth expresly auouch so much in 1 Cor. 2.14 That the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned And 2 Cor. 4.4 he saith That the God of this world hath blinded the mindes of the infidels that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ which is the image of God should not shine vnto them Q. Proue that man by nature cannot thinke a good thought A. It is written Gen. 6.5 God saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and that euery imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only euill continually Therefore the Apostle taketh it for granted 2 Cor. 3.5 That we are not sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiency is of God Q. Proue that man cannot will desire or effect any good thing by nature A. It is manifest in that it is said Rom. 8.7 That the wisdome of the flesh is enmity against God for it is not subiect to the law of God neither in deed can be Whereupon it is inferred verse 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God Therefore it is that the Apostle saith Phil. 2.13 It is God which worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Q. Proue that man cannot by nature speake any good thing A. Saint Paul noteth so much speaking of all men in the corruption of nature Rom. 3.13.14 Their throat saith he is an open sepulchre with their tongues they haue vsed deceit the poyson of Aspes is vnder their lips Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse Q. Proue that man cannot do any good thing by nature A. It is euident by that which we read in Psal. 14.1.2.3 where it is said They are corrupt they haue done abominable works there is none that doth good The Lord looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there were any that did vnderstand and seeke God They are all gone aside they are altogether become filthy there is none that doth good no not one Which texâ— the Apostle citeth Rom. 3.10 to proue that all men are vnder sinne Q. Proue that hereupon all men are subiect to sinne A. That all men are subiect iâ— sinne as very seruants or slaues is plainely proued by the Apostle Rom. 6.16.17 Know yee not that to whom yee yeeld your selues seruants to obey his seruants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse But God bee thanked that yee were the seruants 〈◊〉 sinne but yee haue obeyed from the heart that forme of doctrine which was deliuered you And our Sauiour saith Ioh 8.34 Whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne For as it is in 2 Pet. 2.19 Of whosoeuer a man is ouercome euen vnto the same is he in bâ—ndage Q. Proue that man is by naâ—ure coâ—rupted become subiect to Satan A. It is euident in that Satan is called Ephes. 2.2 The spirit that work thâ—in the children oâ— disobedience And 2 Tim. 2 26. it is said That they may recouer themselues out of the snare of the Deuill Who are taken captiue by him at his will Againe 2 Cor. 4.4 hee is called The God of this world that hath blinded the mindes of them which beleeue not Q. Proue that man is by nature subiect to the wrath of God A. The Apostle saith Ephes. 2.3 That wee all were by nature the children of wrath as well as others And Ioh. 3.36 it is said That he that beleeueth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. Proue that man is by sinne subiect to the curse of God A The curse was pronounced vpon Adams first sinne Gen. 3.17 It was repeated against the breach of the Law of God Deut. 28.15 Mal. 2.2 And is noted by the Apostle Gal. 3.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to doe them Vnder this burden of the curse vpon man for sinne euery creature is said to groane Rom. 8.22 Q. Proue that all men are subiect to death by reason of sinne A. So saith the Apostle Rom. 5.12 By one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death passed vpon all men for that all men haue sinned And Rom. 6.23 The wages of sinne is death Q. Proue that all men are subiect to eternall damnation for sinne A. It is manifest by that which is said 2 Thes. 1.8.9 That they that know not God and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ shall be punished with euerlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
the right hand of God And Rom. 8.34 it is said That Christ is at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for vs. And Acts 3.21 Whom the heauens must receiue vntill the time of restitution of all things O Of our receiuing Christ with all his benefits to saluation by faith only Q. Rehearse the Letter O? A. ONly by faith receiuing Iesus Christ into the heart euery man that with contrite heart confesseth his sinnes to God and truly repenteth is pardoned all his sinnes and so doth stand iustified before God For we can merit nothing with God our best works being imperfect And the promise of God is onely made to them that beleeue being elected of God before the world was Q. How and in what sense are we said to be iustified by faith A. We are said to be iustified by saith not for the dignity and merit of it not as it is an inward and inherent quality or virtue not because it hath charity adioyned vnto it and worketh by loue nor because it receiueth any force or power from charity to iustifie but because by faith as by a hand or instrument we receiue Christ by whom we are iustified Q. Proue that we are iustified only by faith A. That wee are iustified by faith only may appeare by these euidences following whereof the first is In that iustification and acceptance of a man with God vnto eternall life is positiuely and absolutely ascribed in Scripture vnto faith This is the very argument of the Apostle alleaged to the same purpose out of the Prophet Habakuk 2.4 The iust shall liue by faith And he expresseth it in his owne person as an instance of the state of euery good Christian Gal. 2.20 I liue saith he by the saith of the Sonne of God who loued me and gaue himselfe for me Q. What is the second instance that we are iustified by faith only A. Secondly the Scriptures doe expresly exclude all workes in vs touching the point of iustification by manifest exclusiue notes or tearmes being equiualent with the exclusiue particle only or alone As for example Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ. And Rom. 3.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law And verse 24. Being iustified freely by his grace Q. What is the third instance of iustification by faith onely A. Thirdly there is a manifest opposition noted in Scripture betweene grace and workes so that if iustification be freely by grace then it cannot be of workes at all See Rom. 11.6 If by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise grace is no more grace But if it be of workes then it is no more grace otherwise worke is no more worke And Rom. 4.4 To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt But to him that worketh not but beleeueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse Q. What is the fourth instance of iustification by fayth only A. Fourthly They that sought righteousnesse not by faith only but by the workes of the Law are said for that very cause not to haue attained righteousnesse See Rom. 9.31.32 But Israel which followed after the law of righteousnesse hath not attained to the law of righteousnesse Wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it is were by the workes of the Law And Chap. 10.3 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousnesse and going about to establish their owne righteousnesse haue not submitted themselues to the righteousnesse of God For Christ is the end of the law for righteousnesse to euery one that beleeueth Therefore Paul though he was blamelesse before men touching the righteousnesse which is in the law yet he counted all but dung that hee might bee found in Christ by faith Phil. 3.6.9 Q. What is the fifth instance of iustification by faith only A. Fiftly The brazen Serpent was a type of Christ now as when the Israelites were stung by the fiery serpents they were preserued aliue only by looking vpon the Serpent of brasse so when wee are â—â—â—eng to death by sinne there is nothing required of vs for the cure of our soules but only that wee fixe the eye of our faith vpon Christ. See this very proportion obserued by Christ himselfe Ioh. 3.14.15 As Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse so must the sonne of man be lifted vp that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue eternall life Q. What is the sixt instance of iustification by faith only A. Sixtly there are many graces accompanying saluation in a Christian soule as faith hope charity wisdome patience humility the feare of God repentance and the like and euery grace hath some excellent vse but of all these none is sit as a spirituall hand to receiue and apply Christ and his righteousnesse to the iustification of a sinner but faith only Q. In what sense then are we said to bee iustified by faith only A. Not that faith is solitary or alone without other graces for it is said Gal. 5.6 to worke by loue And 1 Tim. 1.5 That charity doth proceede out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith vnfained as the fountaine of all other graces But as the eye is not alone but there are with it many other members and parts of the body and yet the faculty of seeing is only in the eye so faith though it bee not alone yet it only hath power to apprehend Christ to iustification Q. Proue that by faith wee receiue Iesus Christ into the heart A. That by faith wee receiue Iesus Christ may be gathered out of those words of the Euangelist Ioh. 1.11.12 He came vnto his owne and his owne receiued him not But as many as receiued him to thâ—m gaue hee power to become the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue on his name Where wee see that to receiue Christ and to beleeue in him is all one Againe that we receiue Christ into the heart or soule as the fittest receptacle is euident by the Apostles prayer Ephes. 3.16.17 That ye may saith he bee strengthened by his spirit in the in ward man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith Q. Proue that a contrite heart is required A. It is written Psal. 51 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise And Ioel 2.13 Rend your heart and not your garments and turne to the Lord your God Q. Proue that confession of sinnes to God is required A. There is an absolute necessity of confessing our sins to God if euer wee will obtaine pardon Therefore it is conditioned 1 Ioh. 1.9 That if wee confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes And we may see the
to heauenly ioy the wicked to hell torments and all of them shall at the last day rise againe in their owne bodyes by the power of Christ the godly to life eternall the wicked to euerlasting damnation For Christ came to destroy death for vs and is himselfe risen from death that wee might rise with him and if there were no resurrection the preaching of the word and our faith should bee in vaine Q. What shall become of all men after they haue liued here in this world for a time A. All men of what degree state and condition soeuer yea as well the godly as the wicked must depart this life by death which is the separation of the soule from the body For sinne hath brought this euill vpon all mankinde as is shewed before out of Rom. 5.12 Whereupon in the iust iudgement of God it is appointed vnto men that they shall once die and after that commeth the iudgement Heb. 9.27 And thence is that challenge Psal. 89.48 What man liueth and shall not see death shall hee deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue Q. How is it that the godly die seeing death is a curse and a punishment of sinne which to them is pardoned A. Death is not to the godly a curse but a blessing it is not a punishment but a benefit and an aduantage through the death of Christ by whom the sting of death is so taken away that it cannot hurt them Yet the godly must die for diuers causes 1 That there may bee an end of all their sorrowes labours and miseries which they endure in this world in which respect death is called a sleepe and rest 2 That they may be freed from sinne and so fitted for heauen because flesh and blood corrupted cannot inherit the kingdome of God 3 That by death as by a gate or way they may passe into life As the corne that is sowne is not quickened except it die Q. What shall become of the Soules of men when they die A. When man who is dust shall returne to the earth as it was Then saith Solomon Eccles. 12.7 the spirit shall returne vnto God who gaue it That is to Gods disposing either to ioy or torment This our Sauiour teacheth Ioh. 5 24. He that heareth my word and beleeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shall not come into damnation but hath passed from death vnto life And as it is said before Reu. 14.13 They rest from their labours Example hereof we may see in the death of the Richman and Lazarus Luk. 16.22.23 the one went immediately to heauenly ioy the other to hall torments Q. What shall become of the bodies of men when they die A. The bodies of men when they are dead whether they lie in their graues or be in the sea or wheresoeuer shall rise againe to life So our Sauiour teacheth Ioh. 5.29 That all that are in the graues shall come soorth And in the Reu. 20.12 it is said I saw the dead small and great stand before God And verse 13â— The sea gaue vp the dead which were in it and death and hell or graue deliuered vp the dead which were in them It was Saint Pauls faith and assured hope see Acts 24.15 That the resurrection of the dead shall be both of iust and vniust And he doth proue it at large in 1 Cor. So that hee cannot bee a good Christian that beleeueth not this article of the Christian faith Q. When shall the dead rise againe A. The time when the dead shall rise againe shall bee at the last day that is at the end of the world when Christ shall come to iudgement This Martha did acknowledge concerning her brother Lazarus Ioh. 11.24 I know that hee shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day With the comfort of that day Christ incourageth to doe good to the poore Luk. 14.14 And herewith the Apostle doth both comfort himselfe that had now almost runne his race and finished his course and incourage others to doe the like Because there is laid vp a crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous iudge shall giue at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Q. With what bodies shall the dead rise A. All shall rise with their owne bodies that as the Apostle speaketh 2 Cor. 5.10 Euery man may receiue the things which are done in his body according to that he hath done whether it bee good or euill In this was Iob confident and comforted himselfe with in his affliction Iob 19.26.27 Though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not another Q. By what power shall the dead be raised A. The dead shall rise againe by the power of Christ at the hearing of his voice and sound of the last trumpet See Ioh. 5.28 The houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and they shall come sorth c. Againe 1 Cor. 15.52 In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet for the trumpet shall blow and the dead shall be raised vp c. Q. To what end is the resurrection of the dead A. The end of the resurrection is that the whole man both soule and body may bee presented before the tribunall of Christ the godly to receiue the ioyfull sentence of life as the reward of their piety the wicked to heare the dolefull doome of death and condemnation as the recompence of their sinne So saith our Sauiour Ioh. 5.29 That they that haue done good shall rise vnto the resurrection of life and they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of damnation Q. Proue that Christ came to destroy death Q. That Christ came to destroy death without which victory there could be no resurrection it was prophesied Hos. 13.14 I will redeeme them from the power of the graue I will deliuer them from death O death I will be thy death O graue I will be thy destruction And the Apostle alledging this prophesie doth triumphantly praise God for it 1 Cor. 15.54 c. Death is swallowed vp in victory O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victory c. But thanks be to God which hath giuen vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ. Q. Proue that Christ is risen from death A. The Apostle doth inuincibly proue it by many arguments in 1 Cor. 15.13 14. c. concluding verse 20. in this manner But now saith hee is Christ risen from the dead and was made the first fruits of them that sleepe For as hee reasoneth there If there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen But seeing he is risen and that for vs it followeth nececessarily that there must needs bee a resurrection Q. Proue that Christ is risen that wee might rise with him