11. And he received the sign of Circumcision a Seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised that righteousness might be imputed unto them also 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me v. 25. After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me unto those that are within the Covenant of grace (*) Rom. 15. 8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the fathers Exod. 12. 48. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the Passover to the Lord let all his males he circumcised and then let him come neer and keep it and he shall be as one that is born in the land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof the benefits of his meditation (x) Act. 2. 38. Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 10. 16. The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ to strengthen and increase their faith and all other graces (y) Rom. 4. 11. See in u above Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ to oblige them to obedience (z) Rom. 6. 3 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death v. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father even so we also should walk in newness of life 1 Cor. 10. 21. Ye cannot drink of the Cup of the Lord and the cup of Divels ye cannot be partakers of the Lords Table and the table of Divels to testifie and cherish their love and communion one with another (a) Eph. 4. 2 3 4 5. With all lowlinesse and meeknesse with long-suffering forbearing one another in love v. 3. endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace v. 4. There is one body and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling v. 5. One Lord one Faith one Baptism 1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jewes or Gentiles bond or free and have been all made to drink into one spiriâ— and to distinguish them from those that are without (b.) Eph. 2. 11. 12. Wherefore remember that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands v. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world Gen. 34. 14. And they said unto them We cannot do this thing to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised for that were a reproach to us Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. The parts of a Sacrament are two the one an outward and sensible signe used according to Christs own appointment the other an inward and Spiritual grace thereby signified (c.) Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier then I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire 1 Pet. 3. 21. The like figure whereunto even Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ Rom. 2. 28 29. For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh v. 29. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God Q How many Sacraments hath Christ instituted in his Church under the New Testament A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his Church onely two Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords Supper (d.) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 11. 20 -23 When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper ver 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Iesus the same night wherein he was betrayed took bread c. Mat. 26. 26 27 28. And as they were eating Iesus took bread and c. See above in t Q. What is Baptisme A. Baptisme is a Sacrament of the New Testament wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (e) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost to be a signe and seal of ingrafting into himself (f) Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ of remission of sins by his blood (g) Mark 1. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins Rev. 1. 5. Unto him that loved us and wished us from our sins in his own blood and regeneration by his Spirit (h) Tit. 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Eph. 5. 26. That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word of Adoption (i) Gal. 3. 26 27. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus v. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and resurrection unto everlasting life (k) 1 Cor. 15. 29. Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all why are they then baptized for the dead Rom. 6. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted
your edifying Eph. 4. 12. For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ and salvation (d) 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed unto thy self and to the doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee Act. 16. 16 17 18. But rise and stand upon thy feet for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose to make thee a minister and a witness c. v. 17. Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles unto whom I now send thee v. 18. To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in me Q. What is required of those that hear the Word preached A. It is required of those that hear the Word preached that they attend upon it with diligence (e) Prov. 8 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors preparation (f) 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envies and evil-speakings v. 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby Luk 8. 18. Take beed therefore how ye hear for whosoever hath to him shall be given and whosoever hath not from him shall be taken c. and prayer (g) Psal 119. 18. Open mine eyes that I may behold wonderous things out of thy law Eph. 6. 18 19. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints v. 19. And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel examine what they hear by the Scriptures (h) Act. 17. 11. These were more noble then those of Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so receive the truth with faith (i) Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them being not mixed with faith in them that heard it love (k) 2 Thes 2. 10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousnesse in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved meekness (l) Jam. 1. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls and readiness of mind (m) Act. 17. 11. These were more noble then those in Thessalonica in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so as the Word of God (n) 1 Thes 2. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe meditate (o) Luk. 9. 44. Let these sayings sink down into your ears for the Son of man shall be delivered c. Heb. 2. 1. Therefore we ought to give the more diligent heed to the things we have heard left at any time we should let them slip and confer of it (p) Luk. 24. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had hapned Deut. 6. 6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart v. 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up hide it in their hearts (q) Prov. 2. 1 My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee Psal 119. 11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives (r.) Luk. 8. 15. But that on the good ground are they which with an honest and good heart having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Jam. 1. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word this man shall be blessed in his deed Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual meanes of salvation A. The Sacraments become effectual meanes of salvation not by any power in themselves or any vertue derived from the piety and intention of him by whom they are administred but only by the working of the holy Ghost and the blessing of Christ by whom they are instituted (Å¿.) 1 Pet. 3. 21. The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Act. 8. 13 Then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized he continued with Philâ—p and wondred beholding the miracles and signs which were done Compared with v. 23. For I perceive said Peter to Simon that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the inâ—rease v. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing nor he that watereth but God that giveth tâ—e increase 1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jewâ—â— â—â— Gentilâ—â— bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Q. What is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his Church (t) Gen. 17. 7 -10 And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and their seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee v. 10. This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man-child among you shall be circumcised Exod. Cap. 12. Containing the institution of the Passover Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 26. 26 27 28 And as they were earing Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat This is my body v. 27. And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it v. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins to signifie seale and exhibit (u) Rom. 4.
(l) 2 Cor. 7. 11. For behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge in all things you have approved your selves to be clear in this matter Isa 1. 16. Wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings before mine eyes cease to do evil V. 17. Learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judg the fatherless plead for the widow Q. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayer all which are made effectual to the Elect for salvation (m) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore teach all nations baptizing them in â—he Name of the father and of the son and of the holy Ghost V. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and low I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Amen Acts 2. 42 -46 47. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers V. 46. And they continuing daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart V. 47. Praising God and having favour with all the people And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Q. How is the Word made effectual to salvation A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading but especially the preaching of the word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation (n) Neh. 8. 8. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading 1 Cor. 14 24. But if all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all V. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth Acts 26. 18. To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctifiâ—d by faith â—hat is in me Psal 19. 8. The statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes Acts 20. 32. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Rom. 15 4. For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 2 Tim. 3. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus V. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction c. V. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto good works Rom. 10. 14. 15. ver 14. How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher ver 15. and how shall they preach except they be sent c. and 1. 16. for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Iew first and also to the Greek Q. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation we must attend thereunto with diligence (o) Pro. 8. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors preparation (p) 1 Pet. 2. 1. Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies evil speakings V. 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby and prayer (q) Psal 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law receive it with faith and love (r) Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them not being mixt with faith in them that heard it 2 Thes 2. 10. With all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved lay it up in our hearts (Å¿) Psal 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee and practise it in our lives (t) Luk. 8. 15. But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Iam. 1. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word this man shall be blessed in his dealing Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation A. The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation not from any virtue in them or in him that doth administer them but only by the blessing of Christ (u) 1 Pet. 3. 22. The like figure whereunto even Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier then I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the encrease V. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the encrease and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them * 1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been made all to drink into one Spirit Q. What is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ wherein by sensible signs Christ and the benefits of the new Covenant are represented sealed and applied to believers (x) Gen. 17. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant to be a God unto thee and to
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH Together with The LARGER and LESSER Catechismes Composed by the Reverend ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES Sitting at WESTMINSTER Presented to both Houses of Parliament Again Published with the Scriptures at large and the Emphasis of the Scriptures in a different Character To which is annexed two sheets of Church-Government with the SCRIPTURES at large The second Edition Deut. 6. 6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou fittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up London Printed by E. M. for the Company of Stationers and are to be sold by John Rothwel at the Fountain in Cheapside 1658. The LARGER CATECHISM Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES At VVESTMINSTER Quest WHat is the chief and highest end of man A. Mans Chief and Highest End is to glorifie God a Rom. 11. 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God and fully to enjoy him for ever b Psal 73. 24. to the end Thou shalt guide me with thy counsels and afterwards receive me to glory Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and my heart fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever For lo they that are far from thee shall perish thou shalt destroy all them that go a whoring from thee but it is good for me to draw nigh to God I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works John 17. 21 22 23. That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me and the glory which thou gavest me have I given them that they may be one even as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me Quest How doth it appear that there is a God Ans The very light of Nature in man and the works of God declare that there is a God c Rom. 1. 19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Psal 19. 1 2 3. The heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth Knowledge There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard Acts 17. 28. For in him we live and move and have our being but his Word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation d 1 Cor. 3. 9 10. But as it is written Eye hath not seâ—n nor ear heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works Isai 59. 21. As for me this is my Covenant with thee saith the Lord my Spirit which is upon thee my words which I have put into thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Q. What is the word of God A. The Holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament are the Word of God e 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration 2 Pet. 1. 19 20. We have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts V. 20. Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation V. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost the only rule of Faith and Obedience f Eph. 2. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Rev. 22. 18 19. For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book if any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this book V. 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from the things which are written in this book Isa 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Luke 16. 29 31. They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them if they believe not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Gal. 1. 8 9. But though we or angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed As we said before so say I now again if any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. Before Q. How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the word of God A. The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God by their Majesty g Hos 8. 12. I have written to them the great things of my law but they were counted as a strange thing 1 Cor. 2. 6 7 13. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this World nor of the Princes of this World that come to nought but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth
comparing spiritual things with spiritual Psal 119. 18 129. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law Thy Testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soul keep them and Purity h Psal 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times Psal 119. 140. Thy word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it by the consent of all the parts i Act. 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Act. 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come and the scope of the whole which is to give all glory to God k Rom. 3. 19. Now we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the World become guilty before God by their light and power to convince and convert sinners to comfort and build up believers to salvation l Act. 18. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly shewing by the Scripture that Jesus was Christ Heb. 4. 12. For the word of God is quick powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart I am 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures Psal 19. 7 8 9. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple the statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes the fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Acts 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified but the Spirit of bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man is alone able fully to perswade it that they are the very word of God m Joh. 16. 13 14. Howbeit when He the Spirit of Truth is come He will guide you into all Truth for He shall not speak of himself but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak and He will shew you things to come 1 John 2. 20. 27. But ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things V. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him John 20. 31. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man n 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus Q. What do the Scriptures make known of God A The Scriptures make known what God is o Heb. 11. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please God for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him the Persons in the Godhead p 1 John 5. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. the Decrees q Act. 15. 14 15 18. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name V. 15. And to this agree the words of the Prophets as 't is written V. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World and the execution of His Decrees r Acts 4. 27 28. For of a truth against the holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together V. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy councâ—l dâ—terminâ—d before to be done Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit Å¿ Joh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worshâ—p him in Spirit and Truth in and of himself infinite in Being t Exod. 3. 14. And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I am hath sent me unto you Job 11. 7 8 9. Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection it is as high as Heaven what canst thou do deeper then Hell what canst thou know the measure thereof is longer then the earth and broader then the sea Glory u Act. 7. 2. The God of Glory appeared unto our Father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he dwelt in Charran Blessedness * 1 Tim. 6. 15. Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and Perfection x Mat. 5. 48. Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father who is in Heaven is perfect All-sufficient y Gen. 17. 1. When Abram was ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him I am God All sufficient walk before me and be thou perfect Eternal z Psal 90. 2. Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God Unchangeable a Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord I change not therefore ye the sons of Jacob are not consumed Jam. 1. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Incomprehensible b 1 King 8. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee how much lesse this house that I have built Every where present c Psal 139. 1. to 13. O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou knowest my down sitting and mine up-rising and thou understandest my thoughts afar off c. Whither
shall I flee from thy presence Almighty d Rev. 4. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Knowing all things e Heb. 4. 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Psal 147. 5. Great is the Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite Most wise f Rom. 16. 27. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen Most Holy g Isa 6. 3. And one cryed unto another and said Holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Rev. 15. 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgements are made manifest Most Just h Deut. 32. 4. He is the rock his work is perfect for all his wayes are judgement a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Most Merciful and gracious Long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth i Exod. 34. 6. The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodnss and truth Q Are there more Gods then one A. There is but one onely the living and true God k Deut. 6. 4. Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8. 4. 6. As concerning therefore the eating of things offered in sacrifice to Idols we know that an Idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Jer. 10. 10. But the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King at his wrath the earth shall tremble and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation Q. How many persons are there in the Godhead A. There be three persons in the Godhead the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one true eternal God the same in substance equal in power and glory although distinguished by their personal properties l 1 John 5. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Mat. 3. 16 17. And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and loe the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Joh. 10. 30. I and my Father are one Q. What are the personal properties of the three Persons in the Godhead A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son m Heb. 1. 5 6. 8. For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to me a Son And again when he brings in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him But unto the Son he saith Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy Kingdom and to the Son to be begotten of the Father n John 1. 14 18. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth No man hath seen God at any time The onely begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and Son from all eternity o Joh. 15. 26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me Gal. 4. 6. And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Q. How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father A. The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equall with the Father ascribing unto them such names p Isai 6. 3 5-8 And one cried unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Then said I Woe is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying Whom shall I send and who will go for us then I said here am I send me This compared with Joh. 12. 41. These things said Esaias when he saw His glory and spake of Him And with Act 28. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed after that Paul had spoken one word Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet to our Fathers 1 Joh. 5. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and eternal life Act. 5. 3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land whiles it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lied unto men but unto God attributes q John 1. 1. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God Isai 9. 6. For unto us a Son is born unto us a child is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Joh. 2. 24. 25. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testifie of man for he knew what was in man 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For
what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man that is in him even so the things of God knows no man but the Spirit of God works r Col. 1. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him Gen. 1. 2. And the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the earth and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and worship Å¿ Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen are proper to God onely Q. What are the Decrees of God A. God's Decrees are the wise free and holy acts of the counsel of his will t Ephes 4. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being Predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out Rom. 9. 14 15 18. What shall we say then Is there unrighteousness with God God forbid For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth whereby from all eternity he hath for his own glory unchangeably fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass in time u Eph. 1. 4 11. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will Rom. 9. 22 23. What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had before prepared unto glory Psal 33. 11. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart unto all generations especially concerning Angels and men Q. What hath God especially decreed concerning Angels and men A. God by an eternal and immutable decree out of his meer love for the praise of his glorious grace to be manifested in due time hath elected some Angels to glory * 1 Tâ—m 5. 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life and the means thereof x Eph. 1. 4 5 6. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundations of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved 2 Thes 2. 13 14. But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth whereunto he called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and also according to his sovereign power and the unsearchable counsel of his own will whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favour as he pleaseth hath passed by fore-ordained the rest to dishonour and wrath to be for their sin inflicted to the praise of the glory of his justice y Rom. 9. 17 18-21 22. For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might shew my power in thee and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Hath not the Potter power over his clay of the same lump to make one vessell unto honour and another unto dishonour What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction Matth. 11. 25 26. At that time Jesus answered and said I thank Thee O Father Lord of Heaven Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise the prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight 2 Tim. 2. 20. But in a great house there are not onely vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honor and some to dishonor Jude v. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of God into wantonness denying the onely God and our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 8. And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to them that stumble at the word being disobedient whereunto also they were appointed Q. How doth God execute his Decrees A. God executeth his Decrees in the works of Creation and Providence according to his infallible fore-knowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will z Ephes 1. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Q. What is the work of Creation A. The work of Creation is that wherein God did in the beginning by the Word of his power make of nothing the World and all things therein for himself within the space of six dayes and all very good a Gen. 1. Heb. 11. 3. Through faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Prov. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evill Q. How did God create Angels A. God created all the Angels b Col. 1. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him Spirits c Psal 104. 4. Who maketh his Angels Spirits his Ministers a flame of fire Immortal d Mat. 22. 30. For in the Resurrection they neither
How is the grace of God manifested in the second Covenant A. The grace of God is manifested in the second Covenant in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator t Gen. 3. 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Isa 42. 6. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and will give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles Joh. 6. 27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life which the son of man shall give unto you for him hath God the father sealed and life and salvation by him u 1 John 5. 11 12. And this is the record that God hath given unto us eternal life and this life is in his Son V. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him * Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 1. 12. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name promiseth and giveth his holy Spirit x Prov. 1. 23. Behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you to all his elect to work in them that faith y 2 Cor. 4. 13. We having the same spirit of faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak with all other saving graces z Gal. 5. 22 23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith V. 22. Meekness temperance against such there is no law and to enable them unto all holy obedience a Ezek. 36. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgements and do them as the evidence of the truth of their faith b Jam. 2. 18 22. Yea a man may say Thou hast faith and I have works shew me thy faith without thy works and I will shew thee my faâ—th by my works V. 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect and thankfulness to God c 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead V. 15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again and as the way which he hath appointed to salvation d Eph. 2. 10. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Q. Was the Covenant of Grace alwaies administred after one and the same manner A. The Covenant of Grace was not alwayes administred after the same manner but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New e 2 Cor. 3. 6 7 8 9. Who also hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life V. 7. But if the Ministration of death written and ingraven in stones was glorious so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance which glory was to be done away V. 8. How then shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious V. 9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glorious how much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory Q. How was the Covenant of Grace administred under the Old Testament A. The Covenant of Grace was administred under the Old Testament by Promises f Rom. 15. 8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God to confirme the promises made unto the Fathers Prophecies g Act. 3. 20 24. And he shall send Jesus Christ which was preached unto you yea and all the Prophets from Samuel and those that follow after as many as have spoken have likewise foretold of these dayes Sacrifices h Heb. 10. 1. For the law having a shadow of good things to come not the very image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect Circumcision i Rom. 4. 11. And he received the sign of Circumcision a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had being yet uncircumcised that he might be the father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised that righteousness might be imputed unto them also the Passeover k 1 Cor. 5. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us and other Types and Ordinances which did all fore-signifie Christ then to come and were for that time sufficient to build up the Elect in faith in the promised Messiah l Heb 8. 9. and 10. chapters Heb. 11. 13. These all died in faith not having received the promises but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth by whom they then had full remission of sin and eternal salvation m Gal. 3. 7 8 9-14 Know ye therefore that they who are of faith are the children of Abraham And the Scripture foreseeing that God would justifie the heathen through faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all nations be blessed So then they who be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham V. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Q. How is the Covenant of grace administred under the New Testament A. Under the New Testament when Christ the substance was exhibited the same Covenant of Grace was and still is to be administred in the preaching of the word n Mark 16. 15. And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature and the administration of the Sacraments of Baptisme o Mat. 28. 19 20. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world and the Lords Supper p
1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25. For I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night wherein he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which was broken for you this do in remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the New Testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me in which Grace and salvation is held forth in more fulness evidence and efficacy to all Nations q 2 Cor. 3. 6. to the end of the chapter Who hath also made us able ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life But if the ministration of death written and engraven in stones was glorious c. Heb. 8. 6 -10 11. For finding fault with them he saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord when I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and Judah V. 10. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people V. 11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of c. Q. Who is the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace A. The onely Mediator of the Covenant of Grace is the Lord Jesus Christ r 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus who being the eternal Son of God of one substance and equal with the Father Å¿ Joh. 1. 1 -14 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God V. 14. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Joh. 10. 30. I and my father are one Phil. 2. 6. Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God in the fulness of time became man t Gal. 4. 4. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law and so was and continues to be God and Man in two entire distinct natures and one person for ever u Luke 1. 35. And the Angel answered and said unto her The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Rom. 9. 5. Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Col. 2. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Heb. 7. 24 25. But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Q. How did Christ being God become Man A. Christ the Son of God became Man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul * Joh. 1. 14. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Mat. 26. 38. Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death tarry ye here and watch with me being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary of her substance and born of her x Luke 1. 27-31-35-42 To a virgine spoused to a mâ—n whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the Virgins name was Mary V. 31. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his name Jesus V. 35. And the Anâ—el answered and said unto her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee Therefore also that holy thing whâ—ch shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God V. 42. And Elizabeth spake out with a loud voice and said Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Gal. 4. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law yet without sin y Heb. 4. 15. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with a feeling of our infiâ—mities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Heb. 7. 26. For such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heavens Q. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be God that he might sustain and keep the humane nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God and the power of death z Acts 2. 24 25. Whom God hath raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible he should be holden of it For David speaks concerning him I foresaw the Lord alwayes before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved Rom. 1. 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Compared with Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our offences and was raâ—sed again for our justification Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered up himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God give worth and efficacy to his sufferings obedience and intercession a Act. 20. 28. Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered up himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 7. 25 26 27 28. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them V. 26. For such an High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the Heavens V. 27. Who needeth not daily as those High Priests to offer up sacrifice first for
of God in and for his onely Son Jesus Christ u Eph. 1. 5. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will Gal. 4. 4 5. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children * Joh. 1. 12. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name have his Name put upon them x 2 Cor. 6. 18. And I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty Rev. 3. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the City of my God which is new Jerusalem that cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new name the Spirit of his Son given to them y Gal. 4. 6. And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father are under his fatherly care and dispensations z Psal 103. 13. Like as a Father pittieth his children so the Lord pittieth them that serve him Prov. 14. 26. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence and his children shall have a place of refuge Mat. 6. 32. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things admitted to all the liberties and priviledges of the sons of God made heirs of all the promises and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory a Heb. 6. 12. That ye be not flothfull but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Rom. 8. 17. And if children then heirs hoirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Q. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is a work of Gods grace whereby they whom God hath before the foundation of the world chosen to be holy are in time through the powerful operation of his Spirit b Eph. 1. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 1 Cor. 6. 11. And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 2 Thess 2. 13. But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them c Rom. 6. 4 5 6. Therefore we are buried with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life V. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection V. 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin renewed in their whole man after the Image of God d Eph. 4. 23 24. And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness having the seeds of Repentance unto life and of all other saving graces put into their hearts e Act. 11. 18. When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life 1 Joh. 3. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God and those graces so stirred up increased and strengthened f Jude v. 20. But ye beloved building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost Heb. 6. 11 12. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end V. 12. That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Eph. 3. 16 17 18 19. That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man V. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love V. 18. may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and depth and length and height V. 19. And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God Col. 1. 10 11. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitfull in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God V. 11. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness as that they more and more die unto sin and rise unto newness of life g Rom. 6. 4-6-14 Therefore we are buried with him by baptisme unto death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walk in newness of life V. 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin V. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the law but under grace Gal. 5. 24. And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Q. What is repentance unto life A. Repentance unto life is a saving Grace h 2 Tim. 2. 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure may give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit i Zech. 12. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplications and they shall look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his onely son and shall be in bitterness as one that is in bitterness for his first-born and word of God k Act. 11. 18 -20 21. When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life V. 20. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene who when they were come to
possessed of z Eph. 2. 5 6. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ by grace ye are saved And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus and as an earnest thereof enjoy the sense of Gods love a Rom. 5. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us Compared with 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost and hope of glory b Rom. 5. 1 2. Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ V. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 14. 17. For the kingdome of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost as on the contrary the sense of Gods revenging wrath horror of conscience and a fearful expectation of judgement are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death c Gen. 4. 13. And Cain said unto the Lord My punishment is greater then I can bear Mat. 27. 4. Saying I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood And they said What is that to us see thou to it Heb. 10. 27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries Rom. 2. 9. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile Mark 9. 44. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Q. Shall all men die A. Death being threatned as the wages of sin d Rom. 6. 23. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternaal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. it is appointed unto all men once to die e Heb. 9. 27. And as it is appointed unto all men once to die but after death the judgement for that all have sinned f Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Q. Death being the wages of sin why are not the righteous delivered from death seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ A. The righteous shall be delivered from death it self at the last day and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it g 1 Cor. 15. 26 -55 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death V. 55. O death where is thy sting c. Heb. 2. 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage so that although they die yet it is out of Gods love h Isa 57. 1 2. The righteous perisheth and no man layes it to heart and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come V. 2. He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness 2 King 22. 20. Behold therefore I will gather thee unto thy fathers and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place to free them perfectly from sin and misery i Rev. 14. 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Eph. â— 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory which they then enter upon k Luk. 23. 43. And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Phil. 1. 23. For I am in a streight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Q. What is the communion in Glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy immediately after death A. The communion in Glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy immediately after death is in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness l Heb. 12. 23. To the general assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in heaven and to God the judge of all and to the Spirits of just men made perfect and received into the highest heavens m 2 Cor. 5. 1 -6-8 For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens V. 6. Therefore we are alwayes confident knowing that while we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord V. 8. We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Phil. 1. 23. For I am in a streight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Compared with Act. 3. 21. Whom the heavens must receive untill the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began And with Eph. 4. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things where they behold the face of God in light and glory n 1 Joh. 3. 2. Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then I shall know even as also I am known waiting for the full redemption of their bodies o Rom. 8. 23. And not onely they but our selves also who have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our body Psal 16. 9. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoyceth my flesh also shall rest in hope which even in death continue united to Christ p 1 Thess 4. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him and rest in their graves as in their beds q Esa 57. 2. He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness till at the last day they be again united to their souls r whereas the souls
left hand a Mat. 25. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left and upon cleer evidence and full conviction of their own consciences b Rom. 2. 15 16. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their consciences also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another V. 16. In the day when he shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them c Mat. 25. 41 42 43. Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels V. 42. For I was an hungred and ye gave no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink V. 43. I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable presence of God and the glorious fellowship with Christ his Saints and all his holy Angels into hell to be punished with unspeakable torments both of body and soul with the Divel and his Angels for ever d Luke 16. 26. And besides all this there is a great gulf fixed so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot neither can they pass to us that would come from thence 2 Thess 1. 8 9. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ V. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Q. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgement A. At the day of judgement the righteous being caught up to Christ in the clouds e 1 Thes 4. 17. Thou we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. shall be set on his right hand and there openly acknowledged and acquitted f Mat. 25. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left Mat. 10. 32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven shall joyn with him in the judging of reprobate Angels and men g 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the world And if the world c. V. 3. Know ye not that we shall judge Angels how much more then the things that pertain to this life and shall be received into heaven h Mat. 25. 34 -46 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world V. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal where they shall be fully and for ever freed from all sin and misery i Eph. 5. 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle nor any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Rev. 14. 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them filled with unconceivable joyes k Psal 16. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulness of joy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul in the company of innumerable Saints and holy Angels l Heb. 12. 22 23. But ye are come unto mount Sion and unto the city of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and â—o an innumerable company of Angels V. 23. To the general assembly of the first born which are written in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just men made perfect but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the holy Spirit to all eternity m 1 Joh. 3. 2. Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when we appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as I am known 1 Thes 4. 17 18. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. V. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words and this is the perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible Church shall enjoy with Christ in glory at the resurrection and day of judgement Having seen what the Scriptures principally teach us to believe concerning God it followes to consider what they require as the duty of man Quest VVHat is the duty that God requireth of man A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will n Rom. 12. 1 2. I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service V. 2. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Mic. 6. 8. He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God 1 Sam. 15. 22. And Samuel said Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices as in obâ—ying the voice of the Lord Behold to obey is better then sacrifice and to hearken then the fat of rams Q. What did God at first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience A. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocency and to all mankind in him beside a special command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the Moral Law o Gen. 1. 26 27. And God said Let us make man in our image after our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the face of the earth V. 27. So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them
he slew him c. and hearkening to his suggestions b Act. 5. 3. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land making men the Lords of our faith and Conscience c 2 Cor. 1. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith but are helpers of your joy for by faith ye stand Mat. 23. 9. And call no man your father upon earth for one is your father which is in heaven slighting and despising God and his commands d Deut. 23. 15. But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked thou art waxed far thou art grown thick and thou art grown thick and thou art covered with fatness then he forsook the God that made him and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation 2 Sam. 12. 9. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and hast taken his wife to be thy wife c. Prov. 13. 13. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded resisting and grieving of his spirit e Act. 7. 51. Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye Eph. 4. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption discontent and impatience at his dispensations charging him foolishly for the evils he inflicts on us f Psal 73. 2 3-14 15-22 But as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well nigh slipt V. 3. For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked V. 13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed mine hands in innocency For all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning V. 15. If Isay I will speak thus behold I should offend against the generation of thy children V. 22. So foolish was I and ignorant I was even as a beast before thee Job 1. 22. In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly and ascribing the praise of any good we either are have or can do to fortune g 1 Sam. 6. 7 8 9. Now therefore make a new cart and take two milch kine on which there hath come no yoke and tie the kine to the cart and bring the calves home from them V. 8. And take the Ark of the Lord and lay it upon the cart and put the jewels of gold which ye return him for a trespass-offering in a coffer by the side thereof and send it away that it may go V. 9. And see if it goeth on by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh then he hath done us this great evil but if not then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us it was a chance that happened to us Idols h Dan. 5. 23. But hast lifted up thy self against the Lord of heaven and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee and thou and thy Lords thy wives and thy concubines have drunk wine in them and thou hast praised the Gods of silver of brass iron wood and stone which see not nor hear nor know and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy wayes hast thou not glorified our selves i Deut. 8. 17. And thou say in thy heart my power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth Dan. 4. 30. The King spake and said Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the Kingdom by the might of my power and for the honour of my Majesty or any other creature k Hab. 1. 16. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net and burn incense unto their drag because by them their portion is fat and their meat plenteous Q. What are we especially taught by these words before me in the first Commandment A. These words before me or before my face in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things takes special notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God that so it may be an argument to disswade from it and to aggravate it as a most impudent provocation l Ezek. 8. 5. to the end Then said he unto me Son of man lift up thine eyes now the way towards the North so I lift up mine eyes and behold at the gate of the Altar this image of Jealousie in the entry And he said so on Psal 44. 20 21. But if we have forgotten the name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange God shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the heart as also to perswade us to do as in his sight what ever we do in his fervice m 1 Chron. 28. 9. And thou Solomon my son know thou the God of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Q. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments n Exod. 20. 4 5 6. Q. What are the duties required in the second Commandment A. The duties required in the second Commandment are the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances as God hath instituted in his word o Deut. 32. 46 47. And he said unto them Set your hearts unto all the Words which I testifie among you this day which ye shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this law V. 47. For it is not a vain thing for you because it is your life and through this thing ye shall prolong your dayes in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it Mat. 28. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and â—o I am with you alway unto the end of the world Act. 2. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayer 1 Tim. 6. 13. 14. I give thee charge in the fight of God who quickeneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession V.
sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord to be his servants every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold of my Covenant V. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar for mine house shall be called c. and in the New Testament called the Lords day z Rev. 1. 10. I was in the spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me c. Q. How is the Sabbath or Lords day to be sanctified A. The Sabbath or Lords day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day a Exod. 20. 8 -10 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy V. 10. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shall not do any work thou nor thy son c. not onely from such works as are at all times sinful but even from such worldly imployments and recreations as are on other dayes lawful b Exod. 16. 25 26 27 28. And Moses said Eat that to day for to day is a Sabbath unto the Lord to day ye shall not finde it in the field V. 26. Six dayes shall ye gather it but on the seventh day which is the Sabbath in it there shall be none V. 27. And it came to passe that there went out some of the people on the seventh day to gather and they found none V. 28. And the Lord said unto Moses How long refuse ye to keep my Commandments and my Laws Neh. 13. 15 16 17 18 19 -21 22. In those dayes saw I in Judah some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath day and bringing in sheaves and lading â—sses as also wine grapes and figs and all manner of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals V. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein which brought fish and all manner of wares and sold on the Sabbath day unto the children of Judah and in Jerusalem V. 17. Then contended I with the Nobles of Judah and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and profane the Sabbath day V. 18. Did not your fathers thus and did no God bring all this evil upon us and upon this City yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath V. 19. And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants I set at the gates that there should be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day V. 20. So the merchants and sellers of all sorts of ware were lodged without Jerusalem once or twice V. 21. Then testified I against them saying Why lodge ye about the wall If ye do so again I will lay hands on you From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath V. 22. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and come and keep the gates to sanctifie the Sabbath Remember me O my God concerning this also c. Jer. 17. 21 22. Thus saith the Lord Take heed to your selves and bear no burden on the Sobbath day neither bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem V. 22. Neither carry forth a burden out of your house on the Sabbath nor do ye any work but hallow ye the Sabbath day as I commanded your fathers and making it our delight to spend the whole time except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy c Mat. 12. from ver 1. to ver 13. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn and his Disciples were an hungred and began to plack the ears of corn and to eat But when the Pharisees saw it c. in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship d Isa 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbaâ—h a delight the Holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Luk. 4. 16. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Act. 20. 7. And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached to them ready to depart on the morrow 1 Cor 16. 1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Psal 92. Title A Psalm or song for the Sabbath day Isa 66. 23. And it shall come to passe that from one new Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Lev. 23. 3. Six dayes shall work be done but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings and to that end we are to prepare our hearts and with such fore-sight diligence and moderation to dispose and seasonably to dispatch our worldly business that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day e Exod. 20. 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Luk. 23. 54 -56 And that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on V. 56 And they returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandment Exod. 16. 22 -25 26 -29 And it came to passe on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread two Omers for one man and all the Rulers of the Congregation came and told Moses V. 25. And Moses said Eat that to day for to day is a Sabbath unto the Lord to day ye shall not find it in the field V. 26. Six dayes shall ye gather it but on the seventh day which is the Sabbath there shall be none V. 29. See for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two dayes abide you every man in his place let no man go out of his place on the seventh day Neh. 13. 19. And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath And some of my servants set I at the gates
Title A Psalm or song for the sabbath day Compared with vers 13 14. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God V. 14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Ezek. 20. 12 -19 20. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths to be a signe between me and them that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctifie them V. 19. I am the Lord your God walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and do them V. 20. And hallow my sabbaths and they shall be a sign between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God and to continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgement of Religion r Gen. 2. 2 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made Psal 118. 22 -24 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner V. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it Compared with Act. 4 10 11. Be it known unto you all and unto all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole V. 11. This is the stone which was set at nought by you builders which is become the head of the corner Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me a voice as of a Trumpet and partly because we are very ready to forget it Å¿ Ezek. 22. 26. Her Priests have violated my Law and profaned my holy things they have put no difference between the holy and profane the unclean and the clean and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am profaned among them for that there is less light of nature for it t Neh. 9. 14. And madest known unto them the holy Sabbath and commandedst them precepts and statutes and laws by the hand of Moses thy servant and yet it restraineth our natural liberty in things at other times lawful u Exod. 34. 21. Six dayes shalt thou work but on the seventh day thou shalt rest in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest that it cometh but once in seven dayes and many worldly businesses come between and too often take off our minds from thinking of it either to prepare for it or to sanctifie it * Deut. 5. 14 15. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord c. V. 15. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day Amos 8. 5. Saying When will the new moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat making the Ephah small and the shekel great and falsifying the balances by deceit and that Satan with his instruments much labour to blot out the glory and even the memory of it to bring in all irreligion and impiety x Lam. 1. 7. Jerusalem remembred in the dayes of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the dayes of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mock at her sabbaths Jer. 17. 21. 22 23. Thus saith the Lord Take heed to your selves and bear no burden on the Sabbath day nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem V. 22. Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day nor do ye any work but hallow ye the Sabbath day as I commanded your fathers V. 23. But they obeyed not neither inclined their ear but made their neck stiff that they might not hear nor receive instruction Neh. 13. from v. 15. to v. 23. In those dayes saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath day c. Q. What is the sum of the six Commandments which contain our duty to man A. The summe of the six Commandments which contain our duty to man is to love our neighbour as our selves y Mat. 22. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self and to do to others what we would have them do to us z Mat. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye even to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Q. Which is the fift Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee a Exod. 20. 12. Q. Who are meant by Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment A. By Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment are meant not onely natural parents b Pro. 23. 22 -25 Hearken to thy father that begat thee and despise not thy mother when she is old V. 25. Thy father and mother shall be glad and she that bare thee shall rejoyce Eph. 6. 1 2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right V. 2. Honour thy father and thy mother which is the first Commandment with promise but all superiours in age c 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Rebuke not an Elder but entreat him as a father and the yonger men as brethren V. 2. The elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purity and gifts d Gen. 4. 20. 21 22. And Adah bare Jubal he was the Father of such as dwell in Tents and of such as have cattel V. 21. And his brothers name was Juba he was the father of all such as handle the Harp and Organ V. 22. And Zillah she also bare Tubal Cain an instructer of every Artificer in Brasse and Iron c Gen. 45. 8. So now it was not you that sent me hither but God he hath made me a father to Pharaoh and Lord of all his house and Ruler throughout all the land of Egypt and especially such as by GODS ordinance are over us in place of authority whether in Family e 2 Kin. 5. 13. And his servants came neer and spake unto him My father if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing c. Church f 2 Kin. 2. 12. And Elisha saw it and he cryed My father my father the Chariot of Israel and the horsmen thereof 2 Kin. 13. 14. Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he dyed and Joash the
masters will and prepared not himselfe nor did accordingly shall be beaten with many stripes v. 48. But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes For unto whom much is given of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much of them they will ask the more place (Å¿) Jer. 5. 4 5. Therefore I said Surely these are poor they are foolish they know not the way of the Lord nor the judgment of their God v. 5. I will get me unto the great men and will speak unto them for they have known the way of the Lord and the judgment of their God but these have altogether broken the yoke and burst the bands office (t) 2 Sam. 12. 7 8 9. And Nathan said unto David Thou art the man Thus saith the Lord God of Israel I anointed thee King over Israel c. v. 8. And I gave thee thy masters house and his wives into thy bosome and gave thee the house of Israel and Judah and if that had been too little I would moreover have given thee such and such things v. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight c. Ezek. 8. 11 12. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan with every man his Censer in his hand and a thick cloud of incense went up v. 12. Then said he unto me Son of man hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark every man in the chamber of his imagery For they say The Lord seeth us not the Lord hath forsaken the earth guides to others (u) Rom. 2. from ver 17. to ver 25. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the Law and makest thy boast of God v. 18. And knowest his will c. v. 19. And art confident that thou thy self art a guide to the blind a light of them which are in darkness c. v. 21. Thou therefore that teachest another teachest thou not thy self Thou that preachest a man should not steal dost thou steal c. and whose example is likely to be followed by others (*.) Gal. 2. 11 12 13 14 But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed v. 12. For before that certain came from James he did eat with the Gentiles but when they were come he withdrew and separated himself fearing them which were of the Circumcision v. 13. And the other Jewes dissemble likewise with him insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation v. 14. But when I saw that they walked not upâ—ightly according to the truth of the Gospel I said unto Peter before them all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles and not as do the Jewes why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jewes From the parties offended (x) Mat. 2. 38 39. But when the husbandmen saw the son they said among themselves This is the heir come let us kill him and seize on his inheritance v. 39. And they caught him and cast him out of the Vineyard and slew him if immediately against God (y) 1 Sam. 2. 25. If one man sin against another the Judg shall judg him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall entreat for him c. Act. 5 -4 Thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God Psa 51. 4. Against thee thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest his attributes (z) Rom. 2. 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance and worship (a) Mal. 1. 8 -14 And if ye offer the blind for a sacrifice is it not evil and if ye offer the lame and sick is it not evil offer it now to thy governour c. v. 14. But cursed be the deceiver which hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of hosts and my Name is dreadful among the heathen against Christ and his grace (b) Heb. 2. 2 3. For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgressing and disobedience received a just recompence of reward v. 3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 12. 25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven the holy Spirit (c) Heb. 10. 29. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he â—e thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despight unto the Spirit of grace Mat. 12. 31 32. Wherefore I say unto you All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men v. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh a word against the holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world nor in the world to come his witness d) Eph. 4. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of Redemption and workings (e) Heb. 6. 4 5. For it is impossible for those who were once inlightned and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the holy Ghost v. 5. And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come If they fall away to renew them again unto repâ—ntanâ—e c. against superiors men of eminency (f) Jude ver 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh despise dominion and speak evil of dignities Num. 12. 8 9. Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses v. 9. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them and he departed Isa 3. 5. the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient and the base against the honourable and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto (g) Prov. 30. 17. The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother the Ravens of the valleys shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it 2 Cor. 12. 15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you though the more abundantly I love you the less I be loved Psal 55. 12 13 14 15. For it was not an enemy that reproached me then I could have born it neither was
sanctifie your selves both ye and your brethen that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it v. 13. For because ye did it not at the first the Lord our God made a breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due order v. 14. So the Priests and Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel Q. Wherein do the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper agree A. The Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper agree in that the author of both is God (m) Mat. 28. 19. Go therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name c. 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus in the same night wherein he was betrayed took bread c. the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits (n) Rom. 6. 3 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death v. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by bapitsme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of his Father even so we also should walk in newness of life 1 Cor. 10. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ both are seals of the same Covenant (o) Rom. 4. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had being yet uncircumcised that he might be the father of all them who believe though they be not circumcised that righteousness might be imputed unto them also Compared with Col. 2. 11 12. In whom also ye were circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting away the body of the sins of the flesh by the cirumcision of Christ buried with him in baptisme wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Mat. 26. 27 28. And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of this v. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins are to be dispensed by Ministers of the Gospel and by none other (p) Joh. 1. 33. And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending c. Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night wherein he was betrayed took bread c. 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the mysteries of God Heb. 5. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron and to be continued in the Church of Christ until his second coming (q.) Mat. 28. 19 20. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing c. v. 20. Teaching them to observe all things which I command you and loe I am with you even to the end of the world 1 Cor. 11. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye shew the Lords death till he come Q. Wherein do the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper differ A. The Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper differ in that Baptisme is to be administred but once with water to be a signe and seal of our regeneration and ingrafting into Christ (r) Mat. 3. 1â— I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me c. Tit. 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and that even to infants (Å¿) Gen. 17. 7 -9 And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and thy seed after thee v. 9. And God said unto Abraham Thou shalt keep my Covenant therefore thou and thy seed after thee in their generations Act. 2. 38 39. Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost v. 39. For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call 1 Cor 7. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children unclean but now they are holy whereas the Lords Supper is to be administred often in the Elements of bread and wine to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul (t) 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26. I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night wherein he was betrayed took bread v. 24. And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me v. 25. After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me v. 26. For as oft as ye eat this bread c. and to confirm our continuance and growth in him (u) 1 Cor. 10. 16. The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of The bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ and that onely to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves (*) 1 Cor. 11. 28. 29. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. v. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God (x) Psal 62. 8. Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your hearts before him God is a refuge for us in the Name of Christ (y) Joh. 16. 23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you by the help of his
get wealth that he may establish his covenant which he swear unto thy fathers as it is this day but prone to desire (n) Jer. 6. 1â— For from the least of them to the greatest every one of them is given to covetousness c. Mark 7. 21 22. For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts adulteries fornications murders V. 22. Thefts covetousness wickedness c. get (o) Hos 12. 7. He is a merchant the balance of deceit are in his hand he loveth to oppress and use them unlawfully (p) Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts we pray for our selves and others that both they and we waiting upon the providence of God from day to day in the use of lawful means may of his free gift and as to his fatherly wisdome shall seem best injoy a competent portion of them (q) Gen 43. 12 13 14. And take double money in your hand and the money that was brought again in the mouth of the sacks pâ—râ—dvenâ—ure it was an oversight V. 13. Take also your brother and arise go unto the man V. 14. And God Almighty gave you mercy before the man that he mâ—y send c. Gen. 28. 20. And Jacob vowed a vow saying if God will be with me and keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on c Eph. 4. 28. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth 2 Thes 3. 11 12. For we hear that there are some who walk among you disorderly working not at all but are busy-bodies V. 12. Now they that are such we command and exâ—ort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own bread Phil. 4. 6. Be careful fâ—r nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be make known unto God and have the same continued and blessed unto us in our holy and comfortable use of them (r) 1 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth V. 4. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving V. 5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer and contentment in them (Å¿) 1 Tim. 6. 6 7 8. But goodnesse with contentment is great gain V. 7. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out V. 8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content and be kept from all things that are contrary to our temporal support and comfort (t) Prov. 30. 8 9. Remove from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me V. 9. Lest I be full and deny thee and say who is the Lord and lest I be poor and steal and take the name of my God in vain Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petion A. In the fifth Petition which is Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors (u,) Mat. 6. 12. ackowledging that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin and thereby become debtors to the justice of God and that neither we nor any other creature can make the least satisfaction for that debt (*) Rom. 3. from v. 9. to 22. What then are we better then they no in no wise for we have before proved both Jew and Gentiles that they are all under sin V. 10. As it is written There is none righteous no not one V. 11. There is none that understandeth none that seeketh after God They are all gone out of the way c. V. 19. that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God c. Mat. 18. 24 25. And when he had begun to reckon one was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talent V. 25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay his Lord commanded him to be sold and his wife and his children and all that he had and payment to be made Psal 130. 3 4. If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquities O Lord who shall stand V. 4. But there is forgiveness with thee that thou maist be feared we pray for our selves and others that God of his free grace would through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ apprehended and applyed by faith acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin (x) Rom. 3. 14. 25 26. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus V. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remision of sins that are past through the forbearance of God V. 26. To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus Heb. 9. 22. And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission accept us in his beloved (y) Eph. 1. 6 7. To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved V. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace continue his favour and grace to us (z) 2 Pet. 1. 2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledg of God and of Jesus our Lord. pardon our daily failings (a) Hos 14. 2. Take with you words and turn to the Lord say unto him Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips Jor. 14. 7. O Lord though our iniquities testifie against us do thou it for thy names sake for our back-slidings are many we have sinned against thee and fill us with peace and joy in giving us daily more and more assurance of forgiveness (b) Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost Psal 51. 7 8 9 10 12. Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter then snow V. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce V. 9. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities V. 10. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me V. 12. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit which we are the rather imboldened to ask and incouraged to expect when we have this testimony in our selves
and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not the wrath of God (g) Luk. 22. 44. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Mat. 27. 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cryed with a loud voice saying ELI ELILAMA-SABACTHANI that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and the cursed death of the cross (h) Phil. 2. 8. And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross in being buried (i) 1 Cor. 15. 4. And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and continuing under the power of death for a time (k) Mat. 2. 40. As Jonas was three dayes and three nights in the whales belly so shall the Son of man be three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth Act. 2. 24 25 26 27 -31 v. 24. Woom God bath raised having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it v. 25. For David speaketh concerning him I foresaw the Lord alwayes before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved v. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoyce and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope v. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption v. 31. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ that his soul was not left in hell neither did his flesh see corruption Q. Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation A. Christs exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day (l) 1 Cor. 15. 4. And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures in ascending up into heaven (m) Mark 16. 19. So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into heaven and sate on the right hand of God in sitting at the right hand of God the Father (n) Eph. 1. 20. Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places and in coming to judge the world at the last day (o) Act. 1. 11. Which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gâ—zing up into heaven this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven Chap. 17. v. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he shall judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us (p) John 1. 11 12. v. 11. He came unto his own and his own received him not v. 12. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name by his holy Spirit (q) Tit. 3. 5 6. v. 5. Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy â—e saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost v. 6. Which be shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Sâ—viour Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A. The Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us (r) Eph. 1. 13 14. v. 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of truth the Gospel of your salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise v. 14. Which is an earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory Joh. 6. 37 39. v. 37. All the Father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out v. 39. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise it again at the last day Eph. 2. 8. By grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling (Å¿) Eph. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 1 Cor. 1. 9. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Q. What is effectual Calling A. Effectuall calling is the work of Gods Spirit (t) 2 Tim. 1 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2 Thes 2. 13 14. v. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alwayes to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth v. 14. Whereunto he called you by our Gospâ—l to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ whereby convincing us of our sin and misery (u) Act. 2. 37. Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles men and brethren what shall we do inlightning our minds in the knowledg of Christ (*) Act 26. 18. To open their eyes and to turn them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me and renewing our wills (x) Ezek. 36. 26 27. v. 26. A new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh v. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel (y) John 6. 44 45. v. 44. No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day v. 45. As it is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me Phil. 2.
thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found surely in the flâ—ods of great waters they shall come nigh unto him Dan. 9. 4. And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him and to them that keep his commandments and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies (q) Phil. 4. 6. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer (r) 1 Job 5. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us but the speciall rule of direction is that form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called the Lords Prayer (Å¿) Mat 6. 9 10 11 12 13. After this manner therefore pray ye Our father c. Luke 11. 2. And he said unto them When ye pray say Our father c. Q. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer which is Our Father which art in heaven (t) Matth. 6. 9. teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence as children to a father ready to help us (u) Rom. 8. 15. For we have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but we have received the Spirit of Adoption wherebâ—y we cry Abba Father Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Spirit to them that aâ—k him and that we should pray with and for others (*) Act. 12. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men v. 2. For Kinks and for all that are in authority c. Q. VVhat do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first petition which is Hallowed be thy name (x) Mat. 6. 9. we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself known (y) Psal 67. 2 3. That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all nations v. 3 Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise hee and that he would dispose all things to his own glory (z) Psal 83. throughout Q. What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdom come (a) Mat. 6. 10 we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed (b) Psal 68. 1 -18 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them also that hate him fâ—â—e before him v. 18. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captiviy captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them and that the Kingdom of Grace might be advanced (c) Rev. 12. 10 11. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven Now is come salvation and strength and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night v. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death our selves and others brought into it and kept in it (d) 2 Thes 3. 1. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Rom. 10. 1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is That they might be saved Joh. 17. 9 -20 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine v. 20. Neither pray I for thâ—se alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word and that the Kingdom of glory may be hastened (e) Rev. 22. 20. He which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly Amen even so come Lord Jesus Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third petition which is Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (f) Mat. 6. 10. We pray that God would make us able and willing to know obey and submit to his will in all things (g) Psal 67. throughout Psal 119. 36. Encline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness Mat. 26. 39. And he went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt 2 Sam. 15. 25. And the King said unto Zadok carry back the Ark of God into the city If I shall finde favour in the eyes of the Lord he will bring me again and shew me both it and his habitation Job 1. 21. And said Naked came I out of my mothers womb and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. as the Angels do in heaven (h) Psal 103. 20 21. Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength and do his commandments hearkning unto the voice of his word v. 21. Bless ye the Lord all ye his hosts ye ministers of his that do his pleasure Q. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A. In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our daily bread (i) Mat. 6. 11. we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them (k) Prov. 30. 8 9. Remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me v. 9. Lest I be full and deny thee and say who is the Lord and lest I be poor and steal and take the name of my God in vain Gen. 28. 20. And Jacob vowed a vow saying if God will be with me and keep me in this way that I goe and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on 1 Tim. 1. 4 5. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving v. 5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A. In the
to Ordination 5. Upon the day appointed for Ordination which is to be performed in that Church where he that is to be ordained is to serve a solemn Fast shall be kept by the Congregation that they may the more earnestly joyn in Prayer for a blessing upon the Ordinance of Christ and the labours of his Servant for their good The Presbytery shall come to the place or at least three or four Ministers of the Word shall be sent thither from the Presbytery of which one appointed by the Presbytery shall preach to the People concerning the office and duâ—y of Ministers of Christ and how the People ought to receive them for their work sake 6. After the Sermon the Minister who hath preached shall in the face of the Congregation demand of him who is now to be ordained concerning his faith in Christ Jesus and his perswasion of the truth of the Reformed Religion according to the Scripture His sincere intentions and ends in desiring to enter into this Calling His diligence in Praying Reading Meditation Preaching Ministring the Sacraments Discipline and doing all Ministerial Duties towards his Charge His Zeal and Faithfulnesse in maintaining the Truth of the Gospel and Unity of the Church against Error and Schism His care that himself and his Family may be unblameable and examples to the Flock His willingnesse and humility in meeknesse of Spirit to submit unto the admonitions of his Brethren and Discipline of the Church And his resolution to continue in his duty against all trouble and persecution 7. In all which having declared himself professed his willingnesse and promised his endeavours by the help of God The Minister likewise shall demand of the people concerning their willingnesse to receive and acknowledge him as the Minister of Christ and to obey and submit unto him as having rule over them in the Lord and to maintaine encourage and assist him in all the parts of his Office Which being mutually promised by the people the Presbytery or the Ministers sent from them for Ordination shall solemnly set him apart to the Office and work of the Ministry by laying their hands on him which is to be accompanied with a short Prayer or Blessing to this effect 8. Thankfully acknowledging the great mercy of God in sending Jesus Christ for the redemption of his people and for his ascension to the right hand of God the Father and thence pouring out his Spirit and giving gifts to Men Apostles Evangelists Prophets Pastors and Teachers for the gathering and building up of his Church and for fitting and inclining this man to this great work To entreat him to fit him with his holy Spirit to give him who in his name we thus set apart to this holy service to fulfil the Work of his Ministry in all things that he may both save himself and his people committed to his charge 9. This or the like form of Prayer and Blessing being ended let the Minister who preached briefly exhort him to consider of the greatnesse of his Office and Work the danger of negligence both to himself and his people the blessing which will accompany his faithfulnesse in this life and that to come and withall exhort the people to carry themselvs to him as to their Minister in the Lord according to their solemn promise made before and so by Prayer commending both him and his Flock to the Grace of God after singing of a Psalm let the Assembly be dismissed with a Blessing 10. If a Minister be designed to a Congregation who hath been formerly ordained Presbyter according to the form of Ordination which hath been in the Church of England which we hold for substance to be valid and not to be disclaimed by any who have received it Then there being a cautious proceeding in matters of Examination let him be admitted without any new Ordination 11. And in case any Person already ordained Minister in Scotland or in any other reformed Church be designed to a Congregation in England he is to bring from the Church to that Presbytery here within which that Congregation is a sufficient testimonial of his Ordination of his life and conversation while he lived with them and of the causes of his removal And to undergo such a tryal of his fitnesse and sufficiency and to have the same course held with him in other particulars as is set down in the rule immediately going before touching Examination and Admission 12. That Records be carefully kept in the several Presbyteries of the names of the Persons ordained with their testimonials the time and place of their Ordination of the Presbyters who did impose hands upon them and of the charge to which they are appointed 13. That no money or gift of what kind soever shall be received from the Person to be ordained or from any on his behalf for Ordination or ought else belonging to it by any of the Presbytery or any appertaining to any of them upon what pretence soever Thus far of ordinary rules and course of Ordination in the ordinary way That which concernes the extraordinary way requisite to be now practised followeth 1. In these present exigencies while we cannot have any Presbyteries formed up to their whole power and work and that many Ministers are to be ordained for the service of the Armies and Navy and too many Congregations where there is no Minister at all and where by reason of the publike troubles the people cannot either themselves enquire out and finde out one who may be a faithful Minister for them or have any with safety sent unto them for such a solemn tryal as was before mentioned in the ordinary Rules especially when there can be no Presbytery neer unto them to whom they may addresse themselves or which may come or send to them a fit man to be ordained in that Congregation and for that people And yet notwithstanding it is requisite that Ministers be ordained for them by some who being set apart themselves for the work of the Ministry have power to joyn in the setting apart of others who are found fit and worthy In those cases untill by Gods blessing the aforesaid difficulties may be in some good measure removed let some godly Minister in or about the City of London be designed by publike authority who being associated may ordain Ministers for the City and the Vicinity keeping as neer to the ordinary Rules forementioned as possible they may And let this association be for no other intent or purpose but only for the work of Ordination 2. Let the like association be made by the same authority in great Towns and the neighbouring Parishes in the several Counties which are at the present quiet and undisturbed to do the like for the parts adjacent 3. Let such as are chosen or appointed for the service of the Armies or Navy be ordained as aforesaid by the associated Ministers of London or some others in the countrey 4. Let them do the like when any man shall
marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven Holy e Matth. 25. 31. When the Son of Man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his glory excelling in knowledge f 2 Sam. 14. 17. Then thine handmaid said The word of my Lord the King shall now be comfortable for as an Angel of God so is my Lord the King to discern good and bad therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee Matth. 24. 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the Angels of heaven but my Father onely mighty in power g 2 Thess 1. 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels to execute his Commandments and to praise his Name h Psal 103. 20 21. Blesse the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength and do his commandments hearkning to the voice of his word Blesse the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure yet subject to change i 2 Pet. 2. 4. For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment Q. How did God create Man A. After God had made all other creatures He created man male and female k Gen. 1. 27. So God created Man in His own Image in the Image of God created He him Male and Female created He them formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground l Gen. 2. 7. And the Lord God formed Man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the woman of the rib of the man m Gen. 2. 22. And the rib which the Lord had taken from man made He a woman and brought her unto the man indued them with living reasonable and immortal souls n Gen. 2. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul Compare this with Job 35. 11. Who teacheth us more then the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser then the fowls of heaven And with Eccl. 12. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the Spirit shall return to God who gave it And with Matth. 10. 28. Fear not them who can kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him who is able to destroy both body soul in hell And with Luke 23. 43. And Jesus said unto him To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise made them after his own image o Gen. 1. 27. So God created man in his His own Image in the Image of God created He him male and female created he them in knowledge p Col. 3. 10. And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of Him that created him righteousnesse and holinesse q Eph. 4. 24. And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse having the Law of God written in their hearts r Rom. 2. 14 15. For when the Gentiles who have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witnesse and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another and power to fulfill it Å¿ Eccl. 7. 29. Lo this onely have I found that God hath made man upright but they have sought out many inventions with dominion over the creatures t Gen. 1. 28. And God blessed them and said unto them Be friutful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fiâ—h of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth yet subject to fall u Gen. 3. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat Eccl. 7. 29. Lo this only have I found that God made man upright but they sought out many inventions Q. What are Gods works of Providence A. Gods works of Providence are his most holy * Psal 145. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his wayes and holy in all his works wise x Psal 104. 24. O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Isa 28 29. This also cometh from the Lord of hosts who is wonderful in counselling and excellent in working and powerful preserving y Heb. 1. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hâ—nd of the Majesty on high and governing all his creatures z Psal 103. 19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all ordering them and all their actions a Mat. 10. 29 30 31. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father but the very haires of your head are all numbred Fear not therefore ye are of more value then many sparrowes Gen. 45. 7. And God sâ—nt me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance to his own glory b Rom. 11. 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Isai 63. 14. As a beast goes down into the valley the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest so didst thou lead thy people to make thy self a glorious name Q. What is Gods Providence towards the Angels A. God by his Providence permitted some of the Angels wilfully and irrecoverably to fall into sin and damnation c Jude v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day 2 Pet. 2. 4. For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement Heb. 2. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham John 8. 44. Ye are of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do he was a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in
the stedfastness of your faith in Christ vain credulity d 1 Joh. 4. 1. Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world unbelief e Heb. 3. 12. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God heresie f Gal. 5. 20. Idolatry Witch-craft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Tit. 3. 10. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject misbelief g Act. 26. 9. I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth distrust h Psal 78. 22. Because they believed not in God nor trusted in his salvation despair i Gen. 4. 13. And Cain said unto the Lord My punishment is greater then I can hear incorrigibleness k Jer. 5. 3. O Lord are not thine eyes upon the truth thou hast stricken them but they have not grieved thou hast consumed them but they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder then a rock they have refused to return insensibleness under judgements l Isai 42. 25. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger and the strength of battel and it hath set him on fire round about yet he knew it not and it burned him yet he laid it not to heart hardness of heart m Rom. 2. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God pride n Jer. 13. 15. Hear ye and give ear be not proud for the Lord hath spoken it presumption o Psal 19. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me then shall I be upright innocent from the great transgression carnal security p Zeph. 1. 12. And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with candles and punish the men that are setled on their lees that say in their hearts The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil tempting of God q Mat. 4. 7. Jesus said unto him it is written again Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God using unlawful means r Rom. 3. 8. And not rather as we be slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say Let us do evil that good may come whose damnation is just and trusting in lawful means Å¿ Jer. 17. 5. Thus saith the Lord Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord. carnal delights and joyes t 2 Tim. 3. 4. Traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God corrupt blind and indiscreet zeal u Gal. 4. 17. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that ye might affect them Joh. 16. 2. Yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God good service Rom. 10. 2. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge Luk. 9. 54 55. And when his disciples James and John saw this they said Lord wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them even as Elias did V. 55. But he turned and rebuked them and said Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of luke-warmness * Rev. 3. 16. So then because thou art luke-warm and neither cold nor hot I will spew thee out of my mouth and deadness in the things of God x Rev. 3. 1. And unto the Angel in the Church of Sardis write These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead estranging our selves and apostatizing from God y Ezek. 14. 5. That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart because they are all estranged from me through their Idols Isa 1. 4 5. Ah sinfull Nation a people laden with iniquity a seed of evil-doers children that are corrupters they have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger they are gone backward V. 5. Why should ye be stricken any more ye will revolt more and more the whole head is sick c. praying or giving any religious worship to Saints Angels or any other creatures z Rom. 10. 13 14. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved V. 14. How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher Hos 4. 12. My people ask counsel at their stocks and their staff declareth unto them for the spirit of whoredomes hath caused them to erre and they have gone a whoring from under their God Act. 10. 25 26. And as Peter was coming in Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him V. 26. But Peter took him up saying stand up I my selfe also am a man Rev. 19. 10. I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me See thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy Mat. 4. 10. Then said Jesus unto him Get thee hence Sathan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shall thou serve Col. 2. 18. Let no mâ—n beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puft up by his fleshly mind Rom. 1. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more then the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen all compacts and consulting with the devil a Lev. 20. 6. And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits and after wizards to go a whoring after them I will even set my face against that soul and will cut him off from among his people 1 Sam. 28. 7-11 Then said Saul to his servants Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit that I may go to her and enquire of her and his servant said unto him Behold there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor V. 11. Then said the woman whom shall I bring up unto thee and he said bring me up Samuel Compared with 1 Chron. 10. 13 14. So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord even against the word of the Lord which he kept not also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit to enquire of it V. 14. And enquired not of the Lord therefore