done being decreed by him Rom. 4.17 Quest What great workes did he after he had taken upon him the nature of Man Answ He wrought many great miracles he raised the dead he made the blind to see and healed all manner of diseases and taught his Fathers will Io. 11.43.44 Luk. 7.15.22.4.40.43 Quest Was he obedient to the Law Answ Yea he was obedient to the Law and did fulfill it in every thing that it did command or require Psal 40.7.8 Quest Then he was free from Sinne Answ He did no Sinne at all neither did guile ever enter into his mouth 1 Peter 2.22 Quest Was it needfull he should fullfill the Law Answ Yes it was needfull for us to have such a Redeemer as could perfectly fullfill the Law for us who could not fullfill it our selves Gal. 4.4.5 Rom. 8.3.4 Quest Then it seemes that whatsoever Christ did doe was only for the Redemption of the elect Answ It was all for that end for he was wholly given unto them as the Prophet Esay saith unto us a Child is borne Esay 9. Quest Was he not bound to fullfill the Law for himselfe Answ The Law was never given unto him for to be a rule for him to walke by for he needed no Law being free from that Corruption of nature which all the posterity of Adam were tainted and corrupted with Quest If he were free from Corruption of nature wherefore was he Circumcised and Baptised Answ It was as himselfe saith to fullfill all righteousnesse not that there was any need in him of the Circumcision of the heart or that washing and purging signified by Baptime but he submitted himselfe to both to testifie his willing subjection to the will of his Father and to teach us by his example to doe the like Mathew 3.15 Quest Had he any enemyes seeing he was so innocent and blamelesse Answ Yes he had many enemyes especially the Scribes and Pharises that did persecute him and when that time appointed was come did also put him to death Math. 26.3.4 and Chap. 27. Quest Wherefore did they put him to death Answ There was no cause worthy of death found in him as the Judge himselfe confessed Luke 23.14 Math. 27.24 Quest Could he not have delivered himselfe nut of their hands seeing he was God and have confounded his enemies by his Almighty power and word Answ Yea he could have prayed to his Father as himselfe saith and he would have sent him more then twelve legions of Angells but he came into the World to suffer and to fullfill whatsoever was prefigured and prophened of him to be fullfilled by him Math. 26.53.56 Quest Was his death prefigured and foretold in the Scriptures Answ His death was shadowed out in the Paschall Lambe and in the sacrifices and foretold by the Prophets in very many places of Scripture and that in expresse words Esay 53. Daniell 9.26 Quest Was it needfull that he should dye for to worke the Redemption of Man Answ It was needfull for he did nothing in vaine and God would have him to suffer death to the end he might deliver man from death And the Justice of God did require that he should dye for God had threatned death to Adam upon his disobedience and therefore that God might manifest himselfe to be just and his wrath also against out sinnes and yet also notwithstanding manifest his mercy towards Man God would have him to suffer a shamefull death who was able being God and Man to beare that wrath and satisfie the Justice of God which could not have been satisfied unlesse that Christ himselfe had suffered death Quest What death did he suffer Answ They did Crucifie him upon the Crosse between two theeves Mathew 27.38 Quest Wherefore did they put him to so shamefull a death Answ It was so foretold that he should be so used by the Iewes for as his death was foretold so also the manner of his death Esay 55.12 Quest Then the Jewes did nothing unto him but that which God had decreed and foretold by his Prophets Answ Not any thing at all Io. 19.24.28.29 Acts 2.23 Quest Wherefore did God decree to put his onely Son to so shamefull death Answ To the end he might manifest his Iustice and wrath against Sinne and also his exceeding great mercy and love unto Man that notwithstanding his Iustice did require so shamefull a death yet did not spare his owne Sonne but gave him to death to redeeme us Io. 3.16 Qu. Seeing that all men as well the Elect as others are all borne the children of wrath and are lyable to the curse of God and Condemnation what is required of us that we may be free from that Curse and escape condemnation Answ A new Birth is required as our Saviour himselfe witnesseth except a man be borne againe he cannot enter into the kingdome of heaven Io. 3.3.5 Quest What is that new Birth Answ It is a most admirable and also a supernaturall worke of Gods Spirit whereby all the Elect are made of children of wrath heires of eternall Glory and happinesse Titus 3.5 6 7. Quest Whereof doth this new birth consist Answ It consisteth of these two parts namely of Water and the Spirit that is to say of Repentance and of Faith Jo. 3.5 Titus 3.5 Quest After what manner doth the Lord effect and worke this new Birth in the Elect Answ The Lord doth it two wayes inwardly by his Spirit and outwardly by his Word opening their eyes to see their misery and that there is mercy to be had if they doe repent Ezek. 36.24 25 26 27. Ephes 1.13 Rom. 10.14 Ezek. 33.11 Quest VVhat is the first peculiar worke that God vouchsafeth to worke in them whom he hath apurpose to save Answ The first speciall and peculiar worke that God doth worke in them is Repentance Quest But is not Faith wrought in men before Repentance and doth not repentance proceed from Faith as a fruit and effect thereof Answ No not that faith which is peculiar to the Elect that is never wrought before Repentance neither is Repentance a fruit or effect of Faith but an effect of the Spirit as faith also is Quest VVhat Faith is that which is wrought in men before Repentance Answ It is commonly called historicall faith the object whereof is the truth of the Scriptures and it is a gift of the Spirit common as well to those that shall perish as to those that shall be saved Quest VVhat Reasons have you to perswade you that Repentance is the first peculiar worke that God doth worke in them whom he hath a purpose to save Answ I have very many Reasons to perswade me thereunto Quest VVhat is the first Reason Answ My first Reason is the constant and unchangeable order that the holy Ghost hath observed throughout the Scriptures in requiring Repentance and Faith alwayes requiring Repentance in the first place Mark 1.15 Math. 3.2 Luk. 3.3 Acts 2.38 Acts 3.19 Quest But order in setting downe things in Scripture proves
take in hand and also in the publick meetings of the Saints but there are other special times wherein every Christian hath liberty to make choice of the fittest time in his own wisdome and discretion as he hath need Quest What is a Sacrament Ans A Sacrament is an outward visible signe appointed by God to teach unto his people spirituall and heavenly misteries Quest Do the Sacraments teach any other thing then that which the word of God doth Ans Not any other thing is taught thereby but the very same thing is visibly preached and presented to our eyes by visible signes which we heare with our eares preached out of the word of God Quest How many Sacraments are there now apointed by God continually to teach and instruct his Church Answ Onely two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Mat. 28.19 Chap. 26..27 c. Quest What is Baptisme Answ It is a teaching signe whereby is visibly preached unto us by the water and the outward washing Regeneration the new birth of water and the Spirit that is Repentance and faith required of all that will enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Io. 3. Quest Is Baptisme necessary to salvation Answ The things signified by the outward signes of water and washing which indeed is Baptisme is of necessity to salvation as our Lord testifieth Io. 3.5 Quest Are not the outward signes of necessity to salvation Answ No they are not of that necessity for many no doubt may be partakers of that new birth signified by the outward washing which never heard of the outward Baptisme Quest But what if any shall contemne and despise the outward Baptisme Answ It is not possible for any that know it to be an ordinance of God and despise it and will not be baptised it is impossible for such to be saved Quest Are all the elect regenerate when they are outwardly baptised An. No certainly for many of them live many yeares before that work be wrought in them but God doth work in them that great work of Regeneration at what time it pleaseth him Quest But doth the Lord require of us to submit to his own ordinance and will he not work that which is signified thereby Answ The Lord will have us obedient to his ordinance and it is his goodnesse to afford unto us such an excellent help to teach and instruct us to confirm unto us the truth of his promise by such an outward visible signe or seal but he hath not any where promised that he will work that work of grace in them at that instant in their outward Baptisme or by it Quest But there are promises made unto Baptisme of eternall life and such promises belong to none but the regenerate therefore they are also regenerate in Baptisme Answ It is true that in Scripture there are made promises of eternall life unto Baptisme but there are two Baptismes spoken of in Scripture the one men may be partakers of perish which is the outward washing and the other which is the inward washing whosoever are partakers of shall assuredly have eternall life which is indeed the Baptisme of the spirit which whosoever are partakers of have put on Christ and are buried with Christ and are baptised into his death and so shall also live with Christ in eternall glory Quest May Infants be baptised seeing they cannot understand what is done or meant by Baptisme Answ Yes doubtlesse they may as well as children might bee circumcised both Sacrament signifying one and the same thing and therefore they being as capable of the thing signified now as they were then may be baptised for the Lord would thereby shew unto us that we are all born polluted and defiled our nature being corrupted and that children have need of that inward washing of the spirit signified by outward Baptisme and al so to teach us that Infants may be saved as well as others seeing he would admit them to be partakers of that his ordinance Quest Whhat is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Answ It is also an outward signe whereby is represented unto us by the breaking of the Bread and the pouring out of the Wine the Lords death the breaking of his body and the pouring out of his blood and by the receiving of those signes of Bread and Wine is set forth unto us the participation and communion of the faithfull in his death and in whatsoever he hath done for them and it is their thankfull remembrance thereof till he come 1 Cor. 11. Quest Who are to partake of this Sacrament Answ It was instituted onely for the Saints who are ingrafted into Jesus Christ by a true and lively faith and for their comfort a one Quest May not others bee admitted to this Sacrament Answ They ought not to be admitted if they be knowne to bee wicked and contemners of good things and indeed they ought not to presume to eat thereof considering the danger and damage that comes by unworthy eating and drinking thereof 1 Cor. 11.28.29 Quest What is the danger in unworthy eating and drinking thereof Answ They provoke the Lord to lay judgements upon them for abusing his ordinance which was ordained onely for the helpe and comfort of the faithfull and so eat and drinke damnation to themselves 1 Cor. 11. Quest What great things hath the Scriptures foretold us that are yet unfulfilled the performance whereof wee are to expect in these latter dayes Answ The destruction of Antichrist that man of Sinne The restoration of the truth from those errors abroad in the world the comming downe of the Turkes upon the Christians and the comming of the Lord unto Judgement 2 Thes 2.8 Revel 21.11 chap. 1.17.16 chap. 18. Rev. 20.8 9. Ezek. 38.2 and chapt 39.1 Quest Is the time of the destruction of Antichrist layd downe in the Scriptures Answ Yes certainly Quest But is it possible to find out the time of his destruction Answ Yes assuredly for the Lord hath caused it to bee written for that end that the Church of God might know it and might reape the greater comfort thereby in not onely knowing that he shall be destroyed but also in knowing the yeare of his destruction they may have their mindes setled and patiently wait and not doubt the fulfilling of that promise concerning his destruction Quest But is not times and seasons onely knowne unto the Lord Answ Times and seasons are known also to the Church when it pleaseth God to reveale them for the comfort of his people as we may see that the time of deliverance of Israel out of the captivity in Babilon was revealed and made known unto Daniel which he found out by books that were written Quest In what place of Scripture is the time of Antichrists destruction layd downe Answ In the booke of the Revelation and the eleventh chapter where hee is limited to raigne forty two moneths which is moneths of yeares which amounteth to 1260 yeares The end of which time shall bee in the
manifest unto them when God shall reveale them unto his Saints by making such a cleare evidence of his grace to appeare so that they may discerne the same worke of grace in others that is in themselves For it is impossible that true grace should alwayes lye hid but it will be manifested at one time or other to the comfort and rejoycing of the rest of the Saints Quest But by the parable of the Draw-net in the thirteenth of Mathew it doth appeare that there may be wicked men in the Church undiscovered and not knowne to be hypocrites untill the great day of the Lord Answ It is true there may bee such for I doe not say that all hypocrites may be discerned and knowne but that it is possible for the Saints to know one another even in this life Quest If all the Saints may be discerned and knowne then those that are not discerned to bee Saints are to be judged hipocrites Answ We cannot so conclude of them for though they bee nor as yet discerned and knowne yet afterwards they may be or they may be Saints and depart this life undiscerned through want of the fellowship of the Saints who onely are able to discern the truth of grace in the Saints Quest But how may we discern and know others to be Saints Answ It is very hard to set down any particular notes whereby they may be knowne because the graces that do demonstrate them to be Saints are inward and therefore are better conceived then can be expressed in word by us neverthelesse if we can upon good ground assure our selves that we are Saints let us see and observe wherein we go beyond an hypocrite in the injoying of any speciall and peculiar grace and then let us expect and look for the same grace in others and wheresoever we find that blessed worke of grace and fruit of the good tree ingrafted into Christ by a lively faith we may certainly conclude he is a good tree because he bringeth forth good fruit Quest But the most holy and righteous do daily sinne and do that which is evill and hypocrites may also do many good things even works which are very good in outward appearance Answ It is true indeed but yet notwithstanding the evill which the Saints do is none of their fruit nor the good that hypocrites do is none of their fruit It cannot properly be called their fruit for the fruit is that which doth discover the tree either to be good or evill Matth. 7.16.20 Rom. 7.19 Quest What is then the fruit of the good tree that doth discover it self and prove him to be a good tree Answ The fruit of the good tree ingrafted into Christ is manifold but principally it is love which hath its first beginning from the apprehension of Gods love to them and is first returned to God again and to the Lord Jesus Christ next to their brethren the begotten of God to all men even to their very enemies doing good even to them that hate them Mat. 5.44 1 Joh. 4.19 Chap. 5.1 Quest What is the fruit of the evil tree Answ It is also manifold but principally it consists in the contrary to this fruit of the good tree as contempt of God and despising and hating of his truth and children Quest But hipocrites may dissemble a love unto God and to his truth and children Answ It is true but yet they cannot so dissemble to make the children of God believe and account them for Saints yet they will hope the best of them untill their dissimulation be made manifest and they discovered to be evill trees Quest But is it possible to know them to be Saints of a sudden assoon as they come to converse with them Answ No certainly especially in these times wherein we live for no doubt corruption doth beare great sway in many that no doubt are Saints and the power of Grace doth not manifest it self in many by reason of many discouragements that they meet with and for want of examples to go before them to incourage them and therefore it is very hard to discern them hence it comes to passe that it is held an impossible thing to know them in this life Quest How are the company of Saints called in the Scriptures Answ They are called by many honourable names and titles as the Church of Christ his body his spouse his habitation his Temple Sion Jerusalem the pillar and ground of truth and many such like Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.27 Cant. 4.8.9.10 2 Cor. 6.16 Gal. 4.26 Quest When is this Church and company of Saints to be found Answ This Church is dispersed over the whole world even amongst the very heathen Quest How can it be that there should be any Saints in such places seeing they are ignorant of Christ and there is no name under Heaven whereby we may be saved but onely by the name of Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Answ It is true neither are they saved by any other name under heaven but by Christ alone Quest How can they be saved by him who never came to know him either to come or come in the flesh Answ It may well be notwithstanding for there is left in man even since his fall a certaine knowledge of God and that he is to be feared and served and there is also a law written in their hearts condemning of them for disobeying the law of God whereby they come to see themselves miserable and to be lyable to the wrath of this just God though they know not how they came to be so at the first and also they see the goodnesse of God extended towards them manifested in his creatures God also working in them by his spirit perswading them that if they will seek mercy at his hands he will be mercifull to their souls as well as to their bodies and this mercy of God is extended unto them for Christ his sake though they know not by whose meanes and for whose sake they receive it Rom. 2.14 15.26 Acts 14.17 Rom. 1.19 20. Qu. Is there not a communion and fellowship amongst the Saints although they be thus dispersed Answ Yes verily they have a spirituall communion and fellowship all partaking of the same grace all being begotten by one father all born of water and spirit all partakers of one precious faith all ruled and governed by one and the same holy spirit who worketh in them a love to one another though they never beheld the faces one of another and do joy and rejoyce in the happinesse and prosperity one of another and for that end are dayly sutors to God in prayer one for another Ephes 2.14 Chap. 4.4.5.6 Quest What is the duty of the Saints being made known one to another Answ Their duty is to assemble themselves together in the name of Christ to worship God to pray unto him and to praise him to exhort comfort and build up one another and to rejoyce in the fellowship one of another