obtain the pardon of all their sins much after the same manner as he hath consecrated his bow in the Cloud Gen. 9.13 to be a token of the Covenant between him and men with every other living creature that the waters shall become a flood no more to destroy all flesh Gen 9.13.15 This or the like to be the undoubted sense of the words mentioned The Baptisme of Repentance for c. may with evidence enough be evinced from the Apostle Pauls doctrine concerning Circumcisien which was the Sacramental predecessor unto Baptisme and instituted by God himself upon the same or like account with it and to perform the same or like service in and to the Church And he Abraham received the sign of Circumcision a Seal that is for or as a seal of the righteousness of the Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised Rom. 4.11 First the righteousness of Faith that is which God hath promised unto Faith or those that believe whereof Circumcision was in the institution of it intended by God for a seal was and is the very self-same thing with remission of sins or which is the same with these the non-imputation of sin as the Apostle towards the beginning of this Chapter had expresly proved from the Prophet David Now the signe of Circumcision is said to have been received by Abraham as or for a seal of the righteousness of Faith that is of a true and unfeigned Faith Faith of the same kinde with that which was found in himself whilst he was yet uncircumcised and by which he was justified or made righteous before God because it was intended by God in the institution of it for a confirmatory or securing pledge that whosoever truly believed in him as Abraham did should be justified hereby or made righteous or which is the same as was lately said should obtain remission of sins Therefore Baptisme succeeding Circumcision in place and office in the Church of God cannot reasonably but be looked upon as intended by him for a Seal likewise of the same great benefit or blessing for greater there is none to be conferred on men by him upon the same or the like terms For the Covenant of Grace was alwayes for substance one and the same though differently managed under the Law and under the Gospel according to the various or manifold wisdom of God and the difference between Faith and Repentance whatever it be maketh no difference in the terms of this Covenant to be performed by men as well the one as the other having the same promises and being equally required of them under both the said dispensations of the Covenant Secondly There is no whit more reason if so much to conceive that Baptisme should procure or contribute any thing towards the procurement of remission of sins then that Circumcision should in the dayes thereof have procured or wrought somewhat towards the procurement of the righteousness of Faith which is the same as was lately shewed with remission of sins But the Apostles Doctrine in the context before us is clearly this that Abraham was invested with the righteousness of Faith before he was circumcised and consequently that circumcision did not procure it or act any thing towards the procurement of it but was only a Seal or confirmation of it being already obtained Therefore neither is Baptisme any procuring cause or means of remission of sins but only an insuring pledge from God that by and upon Repentance it hath been namely in case men have repented before Baptisme or else shall be obtained by or upon their repenting afterwards in case they shall repent Notwithstanding even from hence it appeareth that in some cases Baptisme possibly may in a kinde of remote sense contribute towards the obtaining of Remission of sins as namely in such a sense in which Miracles in the Primitive times did sometimes operate and contribute towards the obtaining of the same blessing This they did by awakening and prevailing with some to believe the Gospel preached unto them by those who wrought them by means of and upon which believing they had the blessing of remission of sin conferred upon them by God So Baptisme being preached unto men who have not yet repented as a pledge or signe from God to assure them that upon their repentance the great blessing of forgiveness of sins shall come upon them they may hereby be admonished and perswaded to repent and so upon their repentance come to have part and fellowship in the inestimable priviledge of remission of sins Quest 41. But if remission of sins can no otherwise or in no nearer-hand sense then that you have now declared be ascribed unto Baptisme how shall we understand those Scriptures which seem to promise this great priviledge unto it in a more plain and direct way As Then Peter said unto them Repent and be Baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins c. Acts 2.38 Here the promise of remission of sins is made to Baptisme as well as to Repentance and so of Salvation as well as unto Faith or Believing Mark 16.16 Again And now why tarriest thou Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling c. Acts 22.16 In this Text Baptisme alone seems to be entituled to remission of sins Answ 1. Although Baptisme be joyned with Repentance in the same exhortation unto the obedience whereof remission of sins is in effect promised yet it doth not follow from hence that the obtaining of the blessing here promised dependeth either in whole or in part upon Baptisme but may depend upon Repentance only unless we shall conceive which is not improbable that in the promise of remission of sins the Apostle intended to include the sensible and present fruition and enjoyment of it Taking the promise in this comprehensive sense Baptisme may well have a part in the obtaining of it it having been instituted by God as it were on purpose to give men the fullest assurance of remission of sins upon their Repentance as was lately argued But otherwise it is a true and useful rule which Peter Martyr giveth us where he saith Neque semper conjunctio utranque partem necessariò ponit P. Mart. loc com class 4. c. 8. sect 18 that a conjunction copulative doth not necessarily or alwayes entitle both the particulars which it conjoyneth unto the procurement or attainment of that which is promised or ascribed unto them According to this rule he interpreteth the saying of Christ John 3.5 Except a man be born again of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God with which he paralleleth this Rom. 10.9 If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in tbine heart thou shalt be saved That Mark 16.16 pointed at in the question is of like character with these Thus when Christ saith John 6.40 This is the will of him which hath sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth
principles and grounds in reason that without making us a new heart and a new Spirit that is without a work of Regeneration there is no entering for us into the Kingdome of God no escaping the vengeance of eternal fire Quest 35. What is a second means contributing towards the great work of Regeneration Answ To constrain the heart and conscience from time to time to lie quiet and still for some space of time under the dint and force of such convictions before they remove or dispose of themselves to any other object that so they may feel the just and full weight and importance of them to perswade men to the great duty of Regeneration or making them new hearts and new Spirits Quest 36. What are the Scriptures or some of the chief of them from which the judgments and consciences of men may be filled with such convictions as you speak of viz. that without Regeneration there is no Salvation to be expected from God Answ The Texts of Scripture of this import are many yea there is no truth relating to a Christian profession either more frequently or more plainly avouched in the Scriptures then this or the substance and clear import of it That of our Saviour is alone sufficient to raise the conviction we speak of in the judgments and souls of Men. Except a man be born again he cannot see that is enjoy the Kingdome of God John 3.3 To which these may be added with many others and considered at leisure Ezek. 18.31 32 Mat. 18.3 Ioh. 3.5 Iam. 1.18 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Act. 3.19 Quest 37. VVhat grounds in reason are there to convince the Conscience of man that without a work of Regeneration upon him he cannot be saved Answ Amongst many others there are these two very pregnant and near at hand First God is a God of judgment Mal. 2.17 Esa 1.27 and therefore must needs discern and put a difference between those who in obedience to his command make themselves new hearts and new Spirits and those who turn their backs upon his charge in this kind and hold on their course in the stubbornesse and impenitencie of their old corrupt and wicked hearts unto the end Therefore Salvation being a reward judged meet by him to be bestowed upon the former he cannot judge it meet likewise to be conferred upon the latter Secondly God is a God of Truth also and this as well in his threatenings and execution of them as in his promises and performance of them See 1 King 14.11 Esa 1.20 Ier. 4.28 with many the like Therefore having threatened men with exclusion from his Kingdome and with the vengeance of Eternal fire unlesse they shal be regenerate there is no place left for any question or doubt whether persons living and dying unregenerate shall be saved or no. Quest 38. What is a third particular means for the promoting and effecting the work of Regeneration Answ Clearly and distinctly to understand and know what a new heart meaneth or what change or alteration is made in the heart or soul by a work of Regeneration For unlesse this shall be in some good measure known a man cannot tell what to do nor how to go to work to perform the will and command of God in making himself a new heart Quest 39. What is that new heart the making whereof seems to be the work of Regeneration Answ Although the work of Regeneration necessarily requireth the making of a new heart yet the heart that is made new may have yea and ought to have more put into it then the work of Regeneration strictly taken necessarily requireth For the work of Regeneration thus understood and as it was lately described requires only a return in the heart or soul to those worthy qualifications of innocency humility simplicity c. with which a man was first born into the world and from which he degenerated and declined by a customary and frequent hearkning unto and obeying the suggestions of Sathan the motions and insinuations of his own flesh and by comporting with the manners and examples of the world about him Whereas his heart being thus farre renewed or made new by the precise work of Regeneration he ought yet further to renew enrich and adorn it with knowledg faith holinesse fear of God c. So that the change or alteration made in a man by a work of Regeneration is from an injurious proud ambitious malicious envious crafty and mischievous disposition unto a righteous humble modest loving candid harmelesse and plain-hearted frame and temper of Soul Quest 40. What is a fourth means whereby Regeneration may be wrought in Men Answ The exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel being known believed frequently and fervently meditated and wrought upon by the Soul Whereby saith the Apostle Peter are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these viz. known believed and considered by us we should be made Partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Great hopes and expectations are a natural and proper means to raise the hearts of men and to make a great alteration and change in their principles and dispositions And if the condition or nature of the great things hoped for be spiritual and heavenly and to be enjoyed with or in the presence of God the alteration made in men by the hope of them must in reason be conceived to be from what is more vile to that which is more excellent and indeed from that which is carnall and earthly to that which is spiritual and heavenly and which sympathizeth with the nature of God himself Quest 41. What is your fifth means availeable to the same end Answ To inform a mans self throughly and duely to consider that if he shall prevail with his heart to abandon and devest it self of all its sensual and sinful dispositions and desires and so to pass over into the state of Regeneration those new dispositions and desires which shall take place in it instead of the old will soon be as connatural and pleasing to it or rather much more as these yea the actions practises and waies which are sutable unto them and unto which they will lead him will yield as much or more even at present satisfaction and contentment unto him as his former courses and doings ever did Quest 42. What is your sixth and last means proper to cause the work of Regeneration to prosper in a mans hand Answ Frequent and fervent Prayer unto God to blesse and prosper all the other means that shall be used by him to the obtaining and accomplishing the desired end it being one of the most appropriate priviledges of God to bring means and ends together and to grant unto men to eat of the labour of their hands Quest 43. You have given an account of the nature of Regeneration and of some means for the raising it in the Soul Will you now proceed and declare likewise the nature of Mortification since this also is imposed by
But when once the person to who many such promise is made shall really and firmly believe his promise it is but natural and as it were matter of course for him to hope for all the good contained in such a promise And if he that shall at first or for a time believe such a promise as we speak of but before the time wherein the promise is to be performed shall upon any suggestion or occurrence cast away or let go such his believing his hope must needs at the same time and by means of the failing of his belief fall to the ground Only this would be here mentioned by way of caution that although a promise of good things be made unto such or such a particular person in common with many others and as well and with equall intention of good unto him in him that maketh this promise as unto any of the rest yet if this person shall either be ignorant that or doubtful whether this promise be made unto him as well as unto others he may believe the said promise with the greatest certainty and stedfastnesse of Faith and yet remain without all hope of the good things contained in this promise Quest 35. You have shewed how and wherein Faith and Hope differ Can you shew likewise how or wherein they agree Answ Their Agreement standeth chiefly in these three things First in the Causes or Means producing them Secondly in the Effects produced by them Thirdly in the Subjects in which they are found Quest 36. What are the Causes or means producing them wherein they agree Answ They are chiefly these three First the word of God or the great and precious promises of the Gospel together with the Arguments and grounds here hinted or delivered why they should be believed Secondly the hearing of this word as it includeth the understanding and consideration of it Thirdly and lastly the gracious operation or interposure of the Holy Ghost opening the hearts of men to attend unto this word when it is preached or otherwise presented or set before them Act. 16 14. It is expresly said Rom. 10.17 that Faith commeth or is by hearing and hearing that hearing by which Faith cometh by the Word of God If Faith cometh by hearing and Hope as hath been shewed proceedeth from Faith then must hope also proceed from or come by the word of God and Hearing as the remote Causes at least or means thereof Quest 37. What are the effects which are common unto Faith and Hope and wherein they agree Answ They are principally four Quest 38. What is the first of them Answ A cleansing and purifying of the heart and consequently of the lives and waies of Men. That Faith or which is the same God by Faith purifieth the heart appears Act. 15.9 And because of this property or effect of it it is elsewhere called Holy yea most Holy Jud. v. 20. See also 1 Pet. 1.22 Again the same or the like property of cleansing or purging is ascribed unto Hope also 1 Joh. 3.3 where it is said And every man that hath this hope in him purgeth himself even as He is pure See 2 Cor. 7.1 Quest 39. What is a second effect wherein they agree Answ The inabling working or disposing of the heart to a patient and humble waiting upon God for such help or supplies from him in every kind whereof men stand in need See and compare Esa 28.16 Rom. 8.25 Psal 119.81 27.13 14. Lamen 3.26 1 Thess 1.3 Quest 40. What way be a third effect wherein Faith and Hope agree Answ They are both Joy-makers in the hearts and souls of men See and compare Rom. 15.13 2 Cor. 1.24 Philip. 1.25 1 Pet. 1.8 1 Thess 2.19 Rom. 5.2 Heb. 3.6 Rom. 12.12 Quest 41. What is the fourth and last property or effect wherein they communicate Answ They each of them never fail to deliver their respective Subjects from disappointment in their greatest expectations and consequently from such shame confusion which are wont to accompany frustratiōs especially in matters of moment great concernment Concerning Faith it is thus conteyned in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone elect preacious He that believeth on him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2.6 Concerning Hope it speaketh And hope maketh not ashamed See further and compare Psal 22.4 5. Jer. 17.7.8 Heb. 6.19 Phil. 1.20 Psal 33.20.21 Quest 42. How do they agree in their Subject Answ Hope as hath been said being a kind of naturall result from Faith where this is that must needs be also And the Scripture frequently placeth them in the same person 1 Pet. 1.21 Rom. 4.18 5.2 with some other He that believeth a promise of good things made unto him if he knows or believeth this promise to have been indeed made to him cannot but hope for all the good things conteined in this promise Review the case proposed towards the latter end of the Answer to the 34 Question in this Chapter Quest 43. You have declared many things concerning Faith Can you yet further declare what the first great priviledge or benefit is which floweth from this grace or work of Faith more immediately and upon which many others depend Answ This priviledg is the great and high dignity of Adoption or being made the Sons of God The wisdome goodnesse and love of God to the Children of men have together consulted and decreed this great honour and happinesse unto them that as many of them as shall joyn themselves by an unfeigned Faith unto his Natural and in that respect only Begotten Son Jesus Christ shall partake with him in his glorious relation of Son-ship unto God as farre as their nature and line of creation will admit This the Scripture declareth in several places But as many as received him meaning by Faith as it is explained in the end of the verse to them he gave power or prerogative as the former translation had it or else right priviledg as the margent of the last hath it to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Joh. 1.12 For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26 See also Rom. 8.14 15 16. Gal. 4.4 5 6 7. 1 Ioh. 3.1 2. Quest 44. What is the great benefit of Adoption or of Son-ship unto God Answ By vertue hereof there accrueth unto us a right and title unto that immortal and undefiled inheritance which fadeth not away and which is reserved in the Heavens for those who believe 1 Pet. 1.4 Yea Believers by vertue of their Adoption become joynt-heirs with Christ But ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father The Spirit it self beareth witnesse with our Spirit that we are the Children of God And if Children then Heires Heires of God and joynt-Heires with Christ Rom. 8.15 16 17. But when the fulnesse of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law to redeem
may understand both the evill of sin and consequently the evil of suffering or of sorrow this being the natural product or fruit of the other Some of the chief particulars which we are in this Petition reminded to seek of God by Prayer are that he will create in us an Holy anxiety and tendernesse over the purity and cleannesse of our hearts and waies a deep detestation and abhorrency of sin and of all pollution by it because without these we cannot pray with that fervency and effectualnesse of Prayer which becommeth us that he will not lead us into temptation c. So again that whilest we are free and kept by him from temptation he will not suffer a Spirit of remissnesse carelessness or security to grow upon us lest he should be hereby provoked to lead us into temptation and not deliver us from the evill unto which we are tempted And so on the contrary that whilest we do enjoy a serenity and quietnesse of Spirit and remain unmolested of temptations we may have grace in our hearts to serve him with reverence and fear and with that faithfulnesse zeal and alacrity of soul that his hand may be hereby strengthened to grannt us our Petition of not being led by him into temptation c. So also that he will enlighten our judgments and consciences from day to day to see and apprehend more clearly and convincingly the horrid nature of sin the most lamentable and deplorable weaknesse of our natures to stand it out against temptations if left unto our selves and consequently that there lyeth a necessity upon us presiing us as with a weight of a great mountains were we sensible of it to be importunate with God not to lead us into Temptation Quest 59. What is the meaning of the Doxology or thanksgiving as some call it subjoyned unto the former Petitions and expressed in these words For thine is the Kingdome the Power and the Glory for ever And how doth it relate unto the said Petitions Answ The Particle the annexed unto all the three THE Kingdome THE Power THE Glory is most Emphatical in reference to them all For it implies that there is but one Kingdome worthy the name of a Kingdome and so but one Power that deserves the name of Power and but one Glory that is much considerable in the nature of glory And Christ directeth us to ascribe them all unto God and to look up unto him as really and rightfully possessed of them all By the Kingdome he meaneth the whole universe or great body of the Creation consisting of Heaven and Earth with all the Hosts of them and all that incomprehensible variety of created beings from the highest to the lowest that is found in them This great body of the Creation unto God stands in the nature and relation of a Kingdome because he exerciseth a just Soveraignty and super-eminent Authority over it and every member and part of it Some take the Kingdome here in a more restrained sense namely for that select and choise party of the Creation which consisteth of Elect Angels and Holy men over whom God raigneth by his Grace Word and Spirit c. This Kingdome is indeed included in the other but if this were here meant apart from the rest of the Creation over which God exerciseth a Kingly Soveraignty as well as over it he must be said to have two Kingdomes and not emphatically One By THE Power is meant that strength or might which is appropriate unto God and which we commonly call omnipotency that is all-mightinesse This Power may well be called THE Power because whether we respect either activity or resistance all the power that is vested in the whole Creation and in all the respective parts or members of it as in Angels Divels Men Hosts or Armies of men stones rocks hills mountains sun moon starrs elements fire water the greatest breaches or inundations of waters waves of the Sea whirlwinds storms tempests earth quakes lyons unicorns elephants horses Leviathans or what other Creature there may be for strength in any degree considerable were I say all the strength and might that are found dispersed in all these and all other Creatures united and incorporated in one subject capable of them all yet would not the power that should be raised from this great and universal conjunction being compared with the power of God hold the proportion of the leightest dust in the ballance being weighed against the greatest mountain under Heaven yea or the whole great Globe or body of the Earth Yea as the Prophet David informeth us The strength of the Hills is his also Psal 95.4 So is the strength of Angels Divels Men and of all the Creatures mentioned and all others his likewise that is at his disposal and command either to suspend or restrain or else to imploy and exercise as and about what he pleaseth By THE Glory here also acknowledged as belonging to God is meant that Majestick State or condition so highly honoured reverenced feared admired adored by all Creatures whereof God is possessed and wherein he enjoyeth himself in all fulnesse of peace and joy and blessednesse for evermore All the glory of Solomon with all that which hath been or is at this day called Glory in the Courts States Palaces of all the Princes Kings Monarchs Potentates of the Earth could they be supposed to be molten together and run into one Masse of which a Colosse or Mountain of Glory should be framed and made yet even such a body of Glory as this would be compared with the Glory of God would not hold the like proportion which the snuffe of a Candle doth to the illustrious body of the Sun when he riseth and shineth in his might Quest 60. But how doth the mention here or acknowledgment of these high things as belonging unto God relate unto the Petitions going before which it seems they do by this causall particle For For thine is the Kingdome c. What may be the dependance of the one upon the other Answ As before we began to Petition we were directed as we have heard so to conceive of God and to exprese our conceptions accordingly as might incourage us to pray and yet with reverence So having finished our work of Prayer we are directed to represent such things unto God relating to himself which in a reasonable construction must needs incline him and this very effectually to grant us what we have desired of him and consequently this representation or doxology must needs be an excellent means to revive and strengthen our Faith concerning a favourable audience and acceptance with God in our Prayer For our Saviour well knowing that Faith is the principal Verb in the sentence of Prayer judged it necessary to be well guarded both in the Front and Rere and hath made provision accordingly by awakening and raising up such apprehensions in us of things relating unto God both in the beginning and end of his modell of Prayer which
or more perfect knowledge of God is to be obtained as the Reading and Meditating of the Scriptures attending upon the Ministry of the Gospel a serious contemplating the works of Creation a diligent observance of the appearing of God in the course of his Providence and government of the World fervent praying unto him for the spirit of illumination religious conferences consorting our selves with the Saints a diligent comparing of the movings and workings of our own hearts as likewise of the wayes and actings of other men both good and bad with the Scriptures c. So also an inclination to idolatrous or superstitious Observations or to plead for them praying unto dead Saints or expecting help from them coldnesse in our affections to the Saints that are living and those that are born of God heat in our affections towards either the men or the things of the world pride or height of spirit in prosperity fainting or hanging down of hands impatiency or distrust in adversity a boldnesse or daringnesse of spirit frequently to omit known duties to walk in wayes the lawfulnesse of which is justly questionable or in the customary practise of any known sin though it be never so little or so esteemed by men c. Quest 46. May there any reason be conceived why this Commandement should have the preheminence in order of place before the rest and be made the first Answ There is this plain reason hereof viz. Because obedience unto this Commandement the having or cordial owning the true God for our God is the natural and proper root of obedience unto all the rest and indeed of all true Religion Quest 47. What is the sum of the Second Commandement Answ That God will be worshipped with no other Externals Forms or Ceremonies but those only of his own prescription and appointment and that with these he will be worshipped and withall that in this respect he will have men to forbear every thing that is like to tempt or entise them to the high misdemeanour of False-Worship that is of worshipping him in any other way or by any other means then those commanded or directed by himself For under the Ceremony or gesture of bowing to or towards a graven Image which is one of the grossest and most notorious streins of idolatrous and false Worship are prohibited according to the sense of the third Rule layd down for the right understanding of the Decalogue in the several Precepts thereof all other kinds and streins of false Worship whatsoever And upon a like account under the making unto our selves any graven Image or the likenesse of any thing c. for religious ends is forbidden the voluntary putting our selves upon any temptation unto such Worship Quest 48. Why doth God so strictly and with such variety and particularity of expression by such great obligations and ingagements beyond what is found in any other of the Commandements prohibite all will-worship or false-worship that is all methods wayes gestures habits means of excitement unto devotion in one kind or other which are of Humane device or contrivance and made use of by men in their worshipping of him Answ The chief Reasons hereof may be these two First because men are exceedingly apt even impotently inclined to take such pleasure in and so to dote upon their own Inventions in and about the worship of God whereby their hearts are withdrawn and taken off from that reverence and esteem which they owe unto the true worship of God prescribed by himself and from that delight which they must take herein if they desire that God should delight in them or do any great things for them Even as the sensual contentment and pleasure which the Adulteress taketh in the imbracings of him that committeth folly with her alienateth her affection from her lawful husband unto whom it ought to be constant and intire The resemblance is very natural and as we use to say of Pictures accurately taken to the life in which respect the Scripture so much delighteth to set forth the nature of Idolatrous and false Worship by it And besides it seems to intimate that God taketh a most high and sacred contentment in being truly and purely worshipped and in those who thus worship him even as the affectionate husband receiveth marvellous great solace and satisfaction in the Conjugal imbracings of a wife that is chast and loyal see and compare and diligently consider Cant. 1.16 Hos 2.19 20. It is fully comporting with this notion that in this very Commandement as oft elsewhere he declares and styles himself a Jealous God Now then as where the tide is wont to run and bear up with greater violence and force than is usual in other places the banks that are made to defend the country and fields adjoyning from inundations and breakings in of waters had need both to be raised higher and to be more strongly fortified then ordinary so it is but reasonable that the sinfull propensions in the hearts and souls of men which are known unto God to be more eruptive and likely to break forth upon occasion then others and when they do break forth to be of a more pernicious consequence to the greatest Interest both of Creatour and Creature also should be restrayned by Laws and Commandements contrived and formed both in words and matter as it were on purpose for so great a service both unto God and Man as the preventing of the breakings out of such corruptions must needs be This is one Reason Secondly God foreseeing that in after-ages there would from time to time such a generation of men rise up in the world yea and in his Church it self who would not only give up themselves to be acted and led by a spirit of spiritual whoredoms and fornications and pollute themselves over head and ears with idolatrous superstitious self-devised and men-devised Worships in several kinds but also with all rigour as by imprisonments confiscation of Goods excommunications oppressions and vexations in all kinds yea and sometimes by banishment yea and by threatning and inflicting death it self upon them that would not submit would attempt the Loyalty of the Sons and Daughters of God amongst them and compel them to drink of the same cup of abominations with them God I say foreseeing this partly to qualifie and allay if it might be the sacrilegious rage of such oppressours but chiefly I conceive effectually to antidote the souls and consciences of his children against the deadly poyson of yielding unto or complying with such defilements in his Worship being under such sore temptations to commit this folly and hereby to cause a breach between their God and their souls was graciously pleased to fortifie his Commandement against foraign and false worships at an higher rate then he had done any of his Commandements besides Other reasons might be given but these two at present may suffice Quest 49. What are the sins more particularly forbidden in this Commandement or some of the chief of
say which are more their own and wherein their propriety is larger and more compleat then those in either kind which are lesse their own So then Parents and there is a like consideration of other superiours in reference to their inferiors respectively being naturally more inclined to act the parts of Parents towards their Children and to do that which becommeth them in reference unto them then Children are to perform their duties towards their Parents this may be somwhat of the reason why God in this Commandement so expresly chargeth Children with their duty towards their Parents and Parents implicitly only and consequentially with theirs towards their Children Quest 83. Now if you please declare with what brevity you can the duties which God in this Commandement requireth of superiours in all the three kinds you mentioned towards their inferiours respectively beginning with the duties of those who are by nature such and so proceeding unto the others And first what are the duties of Parents Fathers and Mothers towards their Children Answ To be affectionately inclined towards them and to manifest and manage such their affections by a conscientious and constant ingagement of themselves in the use of all good and likely means both to make their condition good and prosperous in this world and happy and blessed also in that which is to come as by a timely consecrating them unto the service of God by Baptism by frequent and fervent prayer unto God for them by bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord by a Christian honest and discreet behaviour of themselves before them by keeping them under government and in subjection with love wisdome and gravity not provoking or discouraging them by training them up to some honest course of life or calling by correcting them for their misdoings seasonably and with moderation not with anger or fiercenesse but with compassion by allowing them convenient food raiment and liberty by a timely providing for them fitting consorts in marriage if need be by reserving and laying up somewhat if they be able to leave unto them c. It lyeth upon Mothers by way of duty to become nurses if they be able to their own Children after the example of Sarah who in her old age performed that service unto her son Isaac making none other account as it seems but that it was a duty as it were of course for her so to do Gen. 21.7 Quest 84. What doth God require of those by way of duty towards the younger whom the priviledge of age hath made their Superiours as hath been said Answ That they be ready to assist them with their counsell when desired or when they see occasion otherwise that they countenance and incourage them in and unto all well doing that they admonish them with wisdome love and tendernesse when they doe amisse that they walk before them as ensamples of sobriety gravity temperance faith love patience c. that they despise them not because of their youth or set light by them because of some weaknesses incident to their years c. Quest 85. What are the duties of Husbands towards their Wives Answ To love them dearly as their own bodies and as Christ loved his Church giving himself for it Ephe. 5.25.28 To dwell with them according to knowledge that is as the knowledge of the will of God concerning their behaviour towards them in all things as it is made known in the Scriptures directeth them and requireth of them not according to humour passion lightnesse of Spirit or the like to give honour unto them as unto the weaker vessels that is as persons serviceable unto God and used by him as well as themselves although not made for such services which require the like strength either of body or of mind with those for which men are made to bear with their infirmities to take special notice of all their good services their loialty their subjection and all expressions of affection towards them from time to time and to return the same or better measure unto them both in words and in deeds discreetly and in great love and tendernesse to admonish them to instruct them in things appertaining unto God and salvation not to be bitter fierce or sharp unto them at any time but to delight in their presence to give them none occasion of jealousie to provide for them things necessary according to their state and calling to allow them convenient maintenance and liberty to stand by them in the exercise of that authority in the familie as over children and servants which belongeth unto them to protect them from affronts and injuries c. Quest 86. What is required of Superiours in guifts towards weaker Christians Answ That they bear their infirmities that is that they depise them not nor estrange themselves from them because of them this being to constrain them to bear them themselves Rom. 15.1 that they use not their liberty to their offence nor to the enboldening of them to do that which otherwise they scruple or know no sufficient ground on which to judge it lawful that they be of a condescending spirit unto them willing and ready upon all occasions to instruct and teach them as they are able to bear not giving them strong meat to eat when they are able to digest milk only c. Quest 77. What is required of the Politique superiour whether magistrate or master in reference unto those that are under them and subject unto them r spectively Answ First God imposeth this for a Law upon all magistrates zealously to desire and accordingly to endeavour by a faithful and diligent exercise of the authority and power committed unto them the wellfare and prosperity of the people under them as by procuring as much as lyeth in them wholesome necessary and just laws and such as these only to be made for the government of them by seeing justice duely executed without partiality or respect of persons by punishing those who being entrusted with the administration of justice either for reward favour ill-will or the like abuse the trust committed unto them and pervert judgment by taking an effectual course for the suppressing of evill doers and all such who contrary to the good Laws under which they live injure or molest any the members of their community by encouraging and protecting those that do well and are diligent and active in due order to promote the honour safety and wellfare of the publique by procuring all former laws to be repealed which by experience are found to be either un-necessary or ensnaring or burthensome unto the people by an honourable frugality and moderation in their expences that so they may have no occasion or temptation upon them to grind their people by hard impositions or levies of money or by any other dishonourable and un-princely courses by taking such into their nearest acquaintance and counsells who are men of wisdome and vvorth of approved integrity and publique Spirits by being vigilant and