Exo. 12.18 Rom. 2.28 29. and as uncircumcised of old so those unregenerate and impenitent are not fit to come to the Lords Table Quest 5. What Reason can be given why Christian love and charity ought to be in such as come to this Saceament Ans Because where Christian love is not in a Communicant he cometh together with Saints not for the better but for the worse 1 Cor. ii 17 c. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Mat. 5.23 24. Mat. 22.12 13. forgetting the love of Christ to poor sinners sealed in the Sacrament which should move him to love his brother to do good to his poor brother and seek reconciliation if he be offended without which neither person nor sacrifice is accepted as coming without the Wedding garment Quest 6. What knowledge of God is requisite comfortably to meet Christ in this holy Ordinance Ans A true knowledge of God 1. In his excellent nature 2. In his persons 3. In his Word And 4. in his works And especially in the great work of mans Salvation Quest 7. What is to be known of God concerning his excellent nature Ans First what God is in his essence and Divine being And secondly what he is in his essentiall properties or Divine attributes declaring his essence and in some measure cōmunicable to his people Quest 8. What is God in his essence and Divine being Ans * Ioh. 4.24 Exo. 3.14 Isa 44.6 Isa 46.9.10 c. Act. 11.25 26. Rom. 11.36 Act. 17.28 1 Cor. 8.5 6. God is one spirituall self-living-essence having life and being of himself from all eternity and giving life and being to all creatures Quest 9. What is God in his essentiall properties Deu. 6.4 Mar. 12.30 Rom. 11.35 Deut. 33.27 Psa 147.5 Ier. 10.10 Iob 11.7 8 9. Ier. 23.23 24. Iob 22 3. Gen. 17.1 Rev. 19.6 Exo. 34.5 6. 1 Tim. 1.17 Mat. 19.17 1 Tim. 6.16 Mal. 3.6 or Divine Attributes Ans He is most single of himself one eternall infinite omnipresent incomprehensible omnipotent self-immortall most wise God most mercifull gracious and most holy just true perfect pure and powerfull yea All-sufficient self-sufficient and Independent originally and unchangeably good and blessed for ever Quest 10. How are the properties or Divine Attributes distinguished Ans They are distinguished into two sorts of Attributes First such as are incommunicable to the creature Secondly such as in some manner and degree are communicable and communicated to Angels and men Quest 11. What are those Attributes which are incommunicable Ans They are divers but we may chiefly take notice of these First The simplicity or singlenesse of God Exo. 3.14 Rom. 11.33 c. 1 Cor. 8.6 being single and a most pure essence without all manner of composition most abolute of and in himself for ever And this no creature is Quest 12. What is a second Ans A second is the infinitenesse of God 1. In respect of eternity Deut. 33.27 Col. 1.17 Rev. 1.8 1 Kings 8.27 Ier. 23.23 24. Iob 11.7 8 9. Acts 17.24 c. he is without beginning or end and so is no creature 2. In respect of incomprehensiblenes 1. No place can contain God yet he is omnipresent 2. No understanding of any creature can comprehend him yet he is not far from every one of us And so is no Creature 3. In respect of power God is omnipotent of himself so is no Creature Rev. 19.6 psa 135.6 but the Lord hath and can do whatsoever he will 4. In respect of knowledge Psa 139.2 3 c. Acts 15.18 Psa 147.5 Heb. 4.13 Mal. 3.6 Isa 46.9 10. 1 Tim. 6.15 16. Gen. 17. i. Iob 35.6 7 8. he is omniscient he knoweth all things so doth no Creature in the world Quest 13. What is a third Attribute Ans In a word the Lord is self-immortall and unchangeable in and of his own nature and so is no Creature in the world Quest 14. What is a fourth Property incommunicable Ans The Lord Jehovah is All-sufficient self-sufficient blessed in himself for ever Quest 15. What are those Attributes of God which are communicable and in part communicated to Angels and to men especially to his Sons and Daughters in Christ Ioh. 5.26 Exod. 34 5 6 7. Gen. 2.7 Acts 17.28 Deut. 31.39 1 Tim. 1.17 2 Chron. 1.10 c. Iudg. 16.3 Mat. 5.1 2 3 c Ans Amongst other these The life wisdom strength will goodnesse justice mercy truth and blessednesse for ever All these are absolutely fully and most perfectly in God as of himself and communicated to the creature in measure for Gods glory and the good of his children As wisdom was communicated to Solomon and strength to Sampson So blessednesse and other Divine Properties to Gods Children Quest 16. Are there not some speciall Properties peculiar to the persons in this Divine essence Ans Yes It is the speciall Property of God the Father to beget the Son And the speciall Property of God the Son Ioh. 1.18 3.18 15.26 Gal. 4.6 to be begotten of the Father And the speciall Property of God the holy Ghost to proceed both from the Father and the Son Quest 17. How many Persons are there in this Godhead Ans Three Persons and yet but one God Gen. 1.1.26 1 Sam. 2.2.3 Psal 33.6 Isa 6.3 63.9 10. Mat. 3.16.17 Mat. 28.19 1 Joh. 5.7 Rom. 9.5 Acts 5.3 4. Three one Quest 18. Which is the first Person Gal. 1. i. Eph. 1.3 Isa 43.10 c. Psal 2.7 Ans God the Father of himself from all Eternity begetting the Son Quest 19. Which is the second Person Ans God the Son from all Eternity begotten of the Father Ioh. 1.14 Heb. 1.1 2 3. Ioh. 10.28 c. being the brightnesse of his glory the expresse Image of his Person and God equall blessed for ever Quest 20. Which is the third Person Ans God the holy Spirit Act. 5.3 Heb. 9.14 1 Ioh. 5.7 God from all Eternity equall with the Father and the Son and proceeding from them both Quest 21. Which is the greatest or most Ancient of these three Persons Ans In these three Persons none is afore or after another 1 Ioh. 5.7 Ioh. 1.1.2 Ioh. 10.30 none is greater or lesse then another but all three Persons are co-eternall together and coequall a Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity to be glorified Quest 22. I conceive the Divinity of God the Father is evident by the testimonies and grounds before mentioned and will appear by further light also But what other ground is there to assure you of the Divinity of the Son of God Ans Besides the testimonies of Scripture alledged the Divine Properties attributed to the Son of God do plainly evidence the Divinity of the Son because they are such as can agree to none but to God himself Quest 23. What are these Properties thus manifesting the Son to be God Ans First the infinitenesse and Eternity of his nature Rev. 1.8.11 Heb. 7.3
their Judgement at that Day Ans Yes 1 Thes 4.14 c. 1 Cor. 15.51 52 none excepted or priviledged but when the Trumpet shall sound and the voyce of the Archangel shall call the dead shall arise incorruptible the living shall be changed Rev. 20.12 and all shall appear before the Lord Christ to receive their sentence according to their works Quest 21. How shall the unbelievers and all wicked impenitent ones who have been enemies to the Lord Christ and to his wisdom holinesse and government stand affected at that Day Ans They shall tremble with horror Mat. 24.33 Rev. 1.7 2 Pet. 3.10 Rev. 3. 12 c. amazement and unspeakable sorrows when they shall see the Son of man the Lord Christ come in such glorious and terrible Majesty and though they cry to the Mountains to fall on them and to hide them yet they shall not escape the wrath of the then angry Lamb. Quest 22. How shall believers and the Saints of the most High be affected at the presence of Christ Luke 21.28 Act. 3.19 Mat. 1.21 Rev. 1.5 Ans They shall be affected with joy unspeakable at that day of Resurrection when they shall behold him to be their Iudge who is their Lord and Saviour and who hath washed them from all their sin in his own Blood Quest 23. What are or ought to be the affections of Saints towards Christ coming to Judgement Rom. 5.2 Heb. 9.28 1 Thes 1.10 Ans They should rejoyce in hope and look and wait daily for Christ who hath saved us from wrath to come Quest 24. Are not Gods Children then in a most happy condition above all other in the world being freely delivered from this damnable estate of the wicked and made Heirs of the grace of life Eternall Ans Yes verily the righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12.23 Isa 64.4 i Cor. 2.9 as it is written for the eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the hearts or men the things which God hath prepared for them that love him both in grace and glory Quest 25. By whom are we thus Redeemed from sin death and Eternall damnation and made partakers of life Eternall and to be Citizens in that Kingdom of glory Ans Only by Iesus Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith in whom God the Father is well pleased with us Acts 4.12 1 Pet. 1.11 19. Heb. 12. Matth. 17.5 The tenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared the knowledge of God and of our selves Now what should we know concerning Christ that we may draw near with comfort to this Sacrament of the Lords Supper And know more fully how the Lord doth govern us by Christ in Grace till he brings us to glory Ans We ought chiefly to know Christ First In his natures Ioh. 3.2 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.7 c. Divine and Humane Secondly In his Person and wonderfull union with our natures 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 1.16 2 Cor. 5 i9 c. Thirdly In his offices 1. Priest 2. Prophet 3. King exercised in Active and Passive obedience and application to both Fourthly In the glorious fruits and benefits which the Lord Iesus by his vertue and power as Mediator communicates to poor sinners for their everlasting Salvation Quest 2. How must Christ be known in respect of his nature Ans That he is perfect God and perfect Man both of a Divine and Humane nature that Immanuel God-man or God with us in our Humanity the Son of God and the Son of Man mighty to save full of grace and truth Isa 9.6 Joh. 1.14 Zach. 13.7 Isa 7.14 Joh. 3.16 Matth. 25.31 Isa 63.1 Mat. 1.21 Heb. 7.25 Iohn 1.16 Quest 3. How and when was Christ our Saviour God Ans He was God of God from all eternity not made but begotten of God the Father before all worlds and from everlasting very God of very God being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made the unchangeable wisdom and essentiall Word of God abiding God for ever Joh. 1.1.14 11. 1 Ioh. 5.20 Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 5.7 Joh. 1.2 3. Col. 1.15 c. Prov. 8.12 c. Tit. 1.3 Iude 23. Rev. 19.13 1 Tim. 1.16 17. Rev. 1.11 1 Tim. 6.14 15 16. Heb. 1.8 9. Quest 4. You say Christ the Son of God in his Divine nature was God of God How I pray you do you understand that the Son of God was God of God was it or is it in respect of his Divine Essence or in respect of his Person and his filiation or Sonship only Ans This is a great mystery as is the mystery of his Incarnation But I humbly conceive and believe that in respect of the Person of the Son or of his Sonship he was God of God the Father Iohn 8.42 and is said to be God of God Light of light very God of very God But in respect of his Divine Essence he is Auto-Theos God of himself Iohn 10.30 and by himself from all Eternity and one Essence with God the Father blessed for ever Quest 5. But how can the Son of God be said to be begotten of God the Father since God the Father is a Spirituall Essence and can one Spirit be said to beget another or how might this be Ans This is a great mystery more fit for Faith to believe then Reason to apprehend nor do I know any similitude can truly and fully expresse this mystery but the learned endeavoring to give some light of it have held forth the eternall generation of the Son of God in these and the like expressions First as the minde of a man when it thinketh of and understands it self by reflection upon it self doth form and beget in it self and as it were of it self some Image or likenesse of it self though not perfect or distinctly of it self subsisting So God the Father when as he fully knoweth and beholdeth himself in his Eternity and infinity After an unutterable manner he did beget in himself the most perfect Image and expresse likenesse of himself distinctly subsisting and yet wonderfully co-essentiall with himself from all eternity and to this effect Christ is called the brightnesse of Gods glory Heb. 1.3 and the expresse Image of his person Col. 1.15 and of the invisible God and the like in holy Scriptures Secondly As a word is the Image of the minde Iohn 1.1 2. and begotten of the minde so the essentiall word is the Image of God the Father Thirdly not far different from this others expresse it thus That as a man looking his naturall face in a glasse doth beget his own image or likenesse which so long as he looketh continueth as his own expresse image though that is not subsisting by it self So God the Father beholding himself from all Eternity in the eternall glasse of his own most glorious Essence he did eternally or from all eternity beget his own Son his own
and towards us in Redemption Thirdly to us in giving the Gospel and and Spirit of Christ whereby men and women most sinfull and miserable by nature are gathered and called by the Ministery of the Gospel without and power of the same Spirit within First out of darknesse to light Secondly from the power of Satan to God reconciled in Christ Thirdly from self-confidence to believe in Christ Fourthly from communion and union with the world the flesh and the Devil in all sin and wickednesse to an union and communion with God in Christ in all righteousnesse and true holinesse as that true way and path in by and for Christ which leads to glory Matth. 11.25 c. Joh. 6.44 45. Acts 13 47 c. Eph. 4.8 c. Acts 26.17 c. 1 Pet. 2.2 c. Rom. 7.1 Matth. 10.3 The Publican Zacheus Luke 19.5 c. as Acts 9. Paul called extraordinarily So Acts 2.37 c. 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Tit. 2.11 12. Joh. 14.6 Quest 11. What is the sixth grace or benefit which Christ hath procured for us and we do receive from God our Father in and through Christ his only begotten Son our Lord Ioh. 17.3 Eccl. 17.18 19. Ier. 31.33 34. Ans The precious gift and grace of Divine and Heavenly knowledge by the Spirit of Wisdom to know God the Father together with God the Son and the same blessed Spirit the true God and the knowledge of Iesus Christ whom the Father hath sent into the world for our salvation and whom to know is life Eternall Quest 12. What is a seventh grace or gift procured by Christ and given of God to us in Christ by the Spirit in Christ to our comfort Ans The rich and precious gift and grace of Faith Phil. 1.29 Ioh. 1. 11 12. Ioh. 3.16 of which we shall speak in due place as a hand to receive and apply Christ and in Christ Iustification and life Eternall Quest 13. What is the eighth blessing gift or grace procured by Christ and given of God the Father Son and blessed Spirit in Christ and for Christ to his Church and Children Ans That inestimable gift and grace of free Iustification before God for life and Salvation Rom. 5.1 9 10. Quest 14. What is this gift and grace of Justification Ans Iustification is the free gracious act of God Psa 32.1 2. A s 13.37 Rom. 3.23 c. Rev. 2.17 Rom. 6.14 8.1 33 34. 2 Cor. 5.20 21. in which for the merits and righteousnesse of Christ apprehended by a true and lively Faith The Lord doth first freely discharge acquit forgive absolve and set free a faithfull or believing man or woman from all the imputation guilt and punishment of sin yea from death and Hell the second death or death Eternall due to sin Secondly doth also repute account esteem and judge or sentence and so make them righteous in and for and through not their own but the merits and righteousnesse of Christ and so in and for Christ gives them the white stone of grace and adjudgeth them to life Eternall Quest 15. You say Justification is the free act of God How is it free Or how are we said to be freely justified when as you also say it is for the merits of Christ Tit. 3.4 5 6 7. Rom. 8.32 Ans We may well be said to be Iustified freely by grace 1. Because we pay nothing for it of our own to God himself 2. Because Christ by whose merits and righteousnesse we are Iustified is Gods free gift Quest How are ye said to be Justified by Christ Rom. 5.1 when the Apostle saith We are Justified by Faith Ans Faith is the Instrument by which we receive and apply Christ Mat. 5.17 Rom. 5.9 by whose merits and vertue we are Iustified Faith brings nothing of our own but receives from Christ indeed properly and meritoriously It is Christ applyed by Faith in whom God is well pleased and for whom we are Iustified in Gods sight Quest 17. But doth not the Apostle Iames say That Abraham was justified by works How then are we justified by Christ apprehended by Faith or how by works as St. Iames speaks Ans The Apostle James speaks of Iustification Iam. 2.20 c. Rom. 4.1 c. Rom. 3.27.28 or rather a Declaration of our Iustification before men and this is by works the fruits of a true and lively faith but before God not by or for any works of ours but for Christs merits applyed by Faith we are justified in the presence of God Quest 18. What benefit is there to a true believer in and by this grace of Justification before God in Christ for being thus made righteous in Gods presence Ans An excellent change into a new state and condition 1. Before a sinner subject to an angry God Eph. 2.3 But now a Saint delivered from wrath to come 1 Thes 1.10 2. Before an enemy to God in our carnall mindes Rom. 8.7 But now friends reconciled to God in Christ Rom. 5.10 2 Cor. 5.10 3. Before afar off Eph. 2.1 3. But now brought nigh Eph. 2.13 4. Before strangers and forraigners but now fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Eph. 2.19 5. In a word Before neither sons nor daughters in grace But now sons and daughters of God in Christ and heirs and fellow-heirs of Christ in Eternall glory 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rom. 8.17 Quest 19. This is comfortable knowledge concerning this blessing and grace of Iustification Now what is a ninth blessing or benefit which is procured by Christ and bestowed upon us from God the Father in and by the Lord Iesus 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Ans Great blessings and benefits of Adoption to be sons and daughters of God in Christ The fourteenth Classis or Company Questions 1 Question VVHat is the grace and great blessing of Adoption 1 Iohn 3.1 Eph. 1.5 6. Ioh. 1.12 Gal. 4.4 5. Ans It is the act of Gods Free-grace and love in Christ whereby according as he hath Predestinated Redeemed Called and Iustified So he doth Adopt and take those who were strangers in unbelief now brought neer by Faith and receiving Christ by Faith to be sons and daughters of God in Christ Iesus Quest 2. What difference is there between a Natural and an Adopted Son or Daughter Ans A Natural Son or Daughter is one who is begotten or born of a Natural Father or Mother Gen. 21.2 as Isaac was the Natural Son of Abraham and Sarah And Rebekah the Natural Daughter of Bethuel and Milcah Gen. 24.24 c. But an Adopted Son or Daughter is one not Naturally begotten or born but a stranger by birth Adopted and taken to be a Son or Daughter Exod. 2.5 c. as Moses was the Adopted Son of Pharaohs Daughter And Esther the Adopted Daughter of Mordecai Esth 2.7 Hos 2.23 So is it between God and us Quest 3. What is a certain property or sure
they and every of you making your Calling and Election sure you may gain a sweet entrance here and in the end a full possession and fruition of that everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which to further is the earnest desire and endeavour of Yours ever to serve you in Christ Iesus IMMANUEL BOURN May 2. 1646. TO THE READER A Briefe Table and Catalogue of the chiefe Questions Cases of Conscience and Divine Truths handled in this light from Christ or Jewell of Christian Divinity With a direction to make use both of the greater and lesser Catechismes in private Families or secret Closets or in publike Congregations if any please to make tryall of them These according to the severall Classes wherein they are primarily expressed or where more fully they are explained Classis 1. WHether all be bound in conscience to declare their knowledge and professe Qu. 1. p. 1 2 2. their faith in Christ when to whom and for what end this ought to bee done Quest 2. page 3. 4. Whether the use of Catechizing bee ancient in the Church with the necessity and benefit of it and the lamentable ignorance in the Kingdom Qu. 3. p. 7 8 c. Whether all Baptized persons bee true Christians and to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Qu. 4. p. 14. c. Whether all who are to be admitted to the preaching of the word may also be received to the Sacrament Qu. 5. p. 21. c. Whether in mixt congregations the sins of unworthy Receivers can hinder grace from the worthy and how such communion is lawfull how not Qu. 6. p. 24 c. What requisite graces are in the wedding garment to meet Christ in the Sacracrament antecedent antepresent present acting and subsequent graces Qu. 7. p. 27 28. What kinde of knowledge faith Repentance and Charity are to be enlivened in preparation Classis 2. Qu. 1 p. 27 28 c. WHether a fourefold knowledge of God 2 of our selves 3 of Christ 4 of the Sacrament be requisite in a Receiver what these are and wherefore necessary What God is in his nature Qu. 2. p. 29 c. and in his attributes communicable and incommunicable to the creatures Whether there be three distinct persons of the Divine Essence Qu. 3. p. 33 34 c. and the properties evidencing the Divinity of the Son of God of the Spirit as of God the Father and the Son Classis 3. WHether there be any such spirituall Essence Qu. 1. p. 38 c. and this proved by evidences of light from the Booke of nature and of Scripture of grace and of glory Classis 4. WHether the holy Scriptures be the revealed will and infallible word of God what is the antiquity Qu. 1. p. 47 48 c. necessity and authority of them How to know the right sence Qu. 2. p. 50 51 c. and understanding of the Scriptures and whether the authority of Scriptures depend upon the Church with the excellent use of them Cassis 5. Qu. 1. p. 58 c. WHat are the foure great works of God revealed in Scripture namely his eternall decree his worke of creation his work of providence here and worke of glory hereafter Qu. 2. p. 62 63 c. Whether the whole Trinity did create the world and how God made the body and soule of man Whether the soules of men or women be immortall with divers arguments to prove the immortality of the soule Classis 6. Qu. 1. p. 70. 71 c. VVHether God governeth the world by his providence and in particular Angells and men and of the nature of Angells good and evill and their service to the glory of God and benefit of his Church Classis 7. VVHether a fourefold knowledge of a man or womans selfe be requisite Qu. 1. p. 76 77 c. what hee or shee was by creation what by the fall of Adam what in and by Christ in grace and what he or she shall be in state of glory Classis 8. VVHether men or women have free will Qu. 1. p. 84 c. and what it was in the state of creation 2 Of nature corrupted after the fall 3 what it was in the state of grace and 4 what it shall be in the state of glory Whether a naturall man or woman can desire their own salvation and how far Qu. 2. p. 89. 90. and whether they be bound to waite upon God in the use of the means for salvation Classis 9. VVHether the Lord did hold forth the Law or commanding part of Gods word in mount Sinai Qu. 1. p. 91 c. as a covenant of workes or to what end and wherefore Christ and his Apostles doe interpret the mind of God in the commmanding part of his word and what is the use of it in the Church of Christ in preaching of the Gospell Qu. 2. p. 98 c. Qu. 3. p. 100 101 c. What is the covenant of grace and state of Gods children under the Gospel What shall be the condition and state of Gods children and of the wicked in death at the day of judgement and for every afterwards Classis 10. Qu. 1. p. 105 106 c. WHat is to be knowne of Christ in respect of his natures divines and humane and of his hypostaticall or personall union of both natures and the necessity of his being both God and man for our salvation How there is a communication of the Jdioms or Phrases and properties of both natures each to other Qu. 2.114 115 c. with particular instances of the same Classis 11. Qu. 1. p. 116 c. WHat is the threefold office of Christ in particular of his Priestly office and of the two chiefe parts of it First satisfactitn to Gods Justices Secondly intercession for us Whether the whole satisfaction and sufferings for our sinnes was fulfilled by Christ Qu. 2. p. 118 c. and for what end Gods is pleased to afflict and suffer his children to be afflicted in this life Classis 12. WHat is the propheticall office of Christ Qu. 1. p. 12 122 c. how and when he did and doth exercise it and to what end and how by his Gospell-ministrey and spirit he encourageth and draweth poore sinners to come unto him Believe Repent and he saved What is the kingly office of Christ Qu. 2. p. 139 130. when and how hee did and doth manifest his conquering calling power with his speciall calling and ordination of Ministers for the benefit of his Church Whether every man may take upon him the office of Preaching with the manner of callings necessity Qu. 3. p. 130 131 c. and excellency of the Ministeriall office and the sad miseries would follow in the Church if it were abolished Classis 13. Qu. 1. p. 134 135 c. VVHether Christ hath procured excellent graces
Ioh. 8.58 Mat. 22.43 c. Prov. 8.22 to 30. he being the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last yea without beginning of time or end of dayes before Abraham and David and all creatures whatsoever and therefore must needs be God Quest 24. What is a second Property witnessing the Divinity of the Son of God Mat. 28.20 Mat. 18.20 Isa 43.2 3. Exo. 3.2 Dan. 3.25 Rev. 2.1 Ans Omnipresency or Christ his being every where present with his Church in generall to the end of the world And wheresoever but two or three are gathered together his Name yea in all times of triall for the good of his Church and Children Christ is present and so he must needs be God Quest 25. What is a third Property Ans Christ his Omnisciency Iohn 2.24 25. Mark 2.7 8. Rev. 2.23 or his knowing all things the discerning the very thoughts and intentions of the heart and therefore he must needs be God Quest 26. What is a fourth Property Ans Christ his Omnipotency and Almighty power Ioh. 5.19 20 c. Isa 9.6 he can do whatsoever he pleaseth whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth and so he must necessarily be God Quest 27. What other evidence is there of the Divinity of Christ the Son of God Ans The works of the Son of God First the great work of Creation Gen. 1.1 2 7. Ioh. 1.1 2. Ioh. 14.11 Col. 1.15 16 17. God the Son creating the world together with the Father and the holy Ghost That Elohim or those strong ones created heaven and earth and made man Secondly the great work of preservation Heb. 1.2 3. upholding all things by the word of his Almighty power Quest 28. Have you any more grounds to evidence the Deity of the Son of God Ioh. 1.14 who took our nature upon him Ans I might give more Ioh. 3.16 Ioh. 14.1 Lev. 17.5 Acts 7. Mat. 28.21 I will name but one and this is the Divine worship and service to be given and due to the Son of God as to God the Father as to believe in him to pray to him to be Baptized in his Name and to yield obedience unto him Phil. 2.10 Ioh. 10.30 as to our Lord God and King for ever And from all these we may conclude that the Son of God is God and one with the Father Quest 29. Certainly these grounds do make it evident that the Son of God who is equall with God took our nature upon him 1 Ioh. 5.20 to be our Saviour yea truly God and eternall l fe But what profit is the knowledge of this to a poor soul Ans It is a comfort and joy unspeakable yea Eternall life to know and believe the Son of God to be God as well as man Ioh. 17.3 20.28 Isa 63.1 2. 2 Tim. 4 17 18. and my Lord and my God able and mighty to save his Church and children from all their enemies and to preserve me and them to his everlasting Kingdom Quest 30 You have evidenced fully the Deity of the Son of God Have you any such like grounds to evidence the Deity of the third Person in Trinity the holy Spirit of God Acts 5.3 4. Gen. 1.1 2 Psa 139.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.10 Ans Yes verely If we consider the Name of God ascribed in Scripture to the holy Ghost that the holy Spirit moved in the great work of Creation and is every where present and an All-searching and omnipotent spirit Psa 33.7 whose works are mighty and in whose Name we are all Baptized Mat. 28.19 as well as in the Name of God the Father and of God the Son These and more they may satisfie the believing soul that the blessed spirit is God and God equall with the Father and the Son to be blessed and glorified for ever Quest 31. What comfort can this be to the Saints Ans Iohn 14.16 17 18 26. Iohn 15.26 What greater comfort then that our Teacher Counsellor and Comforter is God able to advise us in our greatest straits and to give us consolation in saddest times of darknesse that he is our helper in our prayers every where present with us yea in the Saints Rom. 8.11 16 20. for their joy is ready to witnesse with our spirits that we are the Children of this blessed Trinity God the Father God the Son and God the holy Ghost blessed for ever The third Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu say God is a Spirit or Spirituall substance What is a Spirit or Spirituall substance Gen. 2.7 Luk. 24.39 40. Prov. 20.27 Heb. 12.9 Iob. 11.7 8 9. Ans A Spirit is an invisible living or most pure substance more pure then the clear light or most pure Air or wind with life and motion not to be seen or felt with humane senses as the Air or wind or light or a body with flesh bones is yea a Divine spark candle or lamp intelligent and indued with wonderfull excellencies But God is the Father of Spirits whose infinite excellency cannot by searching be found out to perfection Quest 2. Do you believe that there is such a God Ans Yes For there is no Nation in the world but hath some way confessed that there is a God though multitudes do not know the true God And besides not only Gods word and works and spirit but the very consciences of men will witnesse that there is such a God Gen. 31.35 Jonah 1.5.6 Josh 24.15 Acts 11.13 14 c. 1 Kings 11.33 Acts 17.23 24. Gen. 1.1 2. and 14.19 20. Josh 1.1 2 3 4 5. Joh. 1.1 Gen 3.10 11 Dan 5.5 6. Acts 24.25 Quest 3. How doth it appear that there are such essentiall Properties and Divine Attributes in this great God Or that God is such a God Ans By an evident demonstration of all these Ps 19.1 Prov. 8.2 12 15. Rom. 1.19 20. held forth unto us in the word and works of God Quest 4. Wherein do these shine forth in Gods word and works Ans Iob 11.7 8 9. 26.6 7 8 c. Gen. 1.31 Rom. 1.19 20. 11.33 By the surpassing excellency of wisdom beauty power and infinite perfection of God which is to be seen in Gods word and works and firstly and fountainly in God himself Quest 5. What light is there held forth in the works and word of God to manifest this truth that there is a God and such a God of such infinite wisdom power and perfections Ans There is a threefold light First Of nature Secondly Of Grace Thirdly Of glory 1 Cor. 13.9 10. 1 Iob. 3.2 by which the excellency of this God is now in part and shall be more fully manifested to the children of God in glory Quest 6. Wherein doth the light of nature shine forth declaring this God Ans In the book of nature or of the works of God Quest 7. In what particular doth
expresse image as noted before And this Person of the Son is a Person subsisting by himself and distinguished from God the Father and yet of one Essence with the Father and the holy Spirit blessed for ever But this great mystery is rather to be admired and glorified then by weak men to be searched into or comprehended And in like manner the procession of the holy Ghost the third Person in Trinity is admirable and unutterable by the Sons of men Quest 6. But if God the Son this second Person of the Trinity who took our nature upon him was begotten of the Father How can he be God from all Eternity equall with the Father was not God the Father before God the Son Ans In this Trinity none is afore or after another but all three Persons co-eternall together and co-equall as was noted before in the second Classis Question the twenty one Quest 7. But how may this in any measure be conceived Ans It is to be believed though our humane reason cannot comprehend it since the Scriptures hold forth sufficient grounds for it and certainly similitudes drawn from the creatures or things below cannot fully expresse it yet you may conceive some resemblance of a possibility of such a truth even from ordinary things daily in our sight As for Example when you light a Candle no sooner is the Candle lighted but at the same moment of time there is a glorious Candle there is light and there is heat or warmth and none of these is afore or after another but all equall in time together The like may be observed of the Sun in the Firmament and other things And so howsoever the Father in the priority of order of persons may be before the Son yet in order of time I believe they are co-eternall and co-equall for ever and before all time whatsoever Quest 8. What benefit or comfort is the knowledge of this to a poor believing soul Ans Great joy and cause of rejoycing that the Lord Christ who came down from heaven Isa 63.1 2. Heb. 7.25 was incarnate for us men and for our Salvation was and is God from all Eternity equall with the Father and so mighty to save all that come to God by him Quest 9. How and when was Christ our Lord and Saviour man Ans Although Christ was God equall with the Father from all Eternity yet for our sakes he humbled himself and took upon him our humane nature being conceived of the substance of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the holy Ghost and born of her in fulnesse of time now about One thousand six hundred forty five years since Thus being that blessed seed of the woman promised and the Son of Man of a reasonable soul and humane flesh subsisting as well as the Son of God who did break the Serpents head and being made perfect he became the Author of Eternall salvation to all that obey him Phil. 2.6 c. Luke 1.31 32 c. Mat. 1.18 Luke 2.1 c. Gal. 4.4 c. Gen. 22.18 and 3.15 Psal 132.11 2 Sam. 23.5 Acts 2.30 c. Mat. 26 38. Luke 24.38 c. Iohn 19.34 Luke 23.46 Col. 2.14 15. Heb. 5.7 8 9. Quest 10. But was not Christ the Author of Salvation to all that believed in him and waited for Salvation by him before he was born as truly as he is now to believers since his birth and death and Resurrection and ascension to glory Luke 2.25 38. Iohn 8.56 Heb. 13.8 1 Cor. 10.3 4. Rev. 13.8 Ans Yes certainly Father Abraham rejoyced to see Christs day and he saw it by Faith and was glad and Iesus Christ was yesterday and to day and the same for ever in respect of his vertue and efficacy the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Quest 11. Was it necessary that Christ our Redeemer should thus be God Ans Yes The Majesty of God required he should be God Iob 15.15 Mat. 17.5 Acts 20.28 Isa 6.1 2 c. First That in his perfect purity he might draw near to God and be a fit Mediator for us to his Father Secondly That his merit might be of such excellent worth that it might satisfie the infinite Iustice of God which was then offended no Creature being so pure and precious as was needfull for it Quest 12. Was it necessary also that Christ should be man Ans Yes First The Iustice of God required Heb. 2.14 c. Mat. 4.3 c. that in the same nature in which man had sinned satisfaction should be made for sin therefore Christ took not upon him the nature of Angels but of man Secondly And our necessity required that Christ being man like us though without sin he might be touched with a feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 16. and having been tempted himself might readily succour his Children when they are tempted Quest 13. How must Christ be known in respect of his person Ans That he is God and Man in one Person Ioh. 1.14 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2.5 3.16 by a Hypostalicall or Personall union of his two natures Divine and Humane for as the soul and body make but one man so God and Man make but one Christ Quest 14. In what manner is this union of the Divine and Humane nature so as there is not two but one Christ Ans Not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh Iohn 1.14 1 Tim. 3.16 1 Ioh. 5.7 Col. 1.26 c but by taking of the Manhood unto God not that the Divine nature which is common to all the three Persons did take our Humane person but the Person of the Son of God did assume our humanity and so God and Man became one Christ not by confusion of substance but by unity of Person in a great and wonderfull mystery Quest 15. Why was it needfull that Christ should be Theanthropos God and Man in one Person Heb. 5.1 Heb. 12.24 Iob 9.33 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 5.19 c. Ans That being both God and Man he might be a fit Mediator between God and Man as a dayes-man to lay his hand upon us both to make up a reconciliation between us in and by himself Quest 16. What else followeth this near Personall union Ans Besides the excellency of the Person and Dignity of Christs merits there is a Communication of the Idiomes phrases or manner of speaking so that what is most agreeable to the Divine nature is attributed or spoken sometimes of the humane nature and what is agreeable to the humane is ascribed to the Divine by vertue of this personall union of both natures in one Person Quest 17. How prove you this Ans John 3.13 No man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven where being in heaven which was proper at that time to Christ as God is ascribed to Christ the Son of Man And secondly Acts 20.28 where
life and salvation in and by Christ better to others And secondly bestowing upon them gifts of grace to enable them for the work of the Ministery And thirdly 2 Tim. 2.1 c. Col. 1.25 c. Tit. 2.7 1 Pet. 5.1 c. Drawing their Spirits willingly to undertake this honorable calling not for by-ends or base respects of worldly profit pleasure or uncertain honour but for Gods glory conversion of souls and the good of Gods Church Quest 21. How else doth the Lord call them to the office of the Ministery Ans He calleth them outwardly by a due and right examination of their graces Acts 13.1 c. 1 Tim 4.12 c. 5.21 22. 6.11 12. Tit. 1.4 c. life and learning and Approbation of them by the Church and such Elder able servants of Christ Iesus as are appointed to that office of Examination and Approbation by good and lawfull Authority setting them apart for the Ministery according to the rule of Christ in his Word Quest 22. What hurt or danger can follow if the speciall calling of the Ministery were laid aside and every Christian according to the measure of his gifts did take upon him to Preach the Gospel and administer Sacraments to private meetings of people and neglect and separate from the publike Ministery of such as are called by Authority as aforesaid though the Gospel be truly Preached and no danger of frequenting the Congregations known and openly appointed for that end Ans It will throw down Gods Ordinances of the Ministeriall office so fully confirmed in holy Scripture and open a door to all Schismes and Divisions in the Church yea to all Errors and Heresies and in the end to Ignorance Atheisme and all prophanenesse Exod. 3.30 31. Numb 3.10 c and 4.15.20 and 16.3 c. 1 Sam. 3.29 1 King 2.19.16 Isa 6.6 7 8. Jer. 1.5 and 3.15 Ezek. 1.28 Gal. 1.6 7. 1 Tim. 1.6 7 8. 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. and 2.10 c. 1 Tim 1 18 c. and 6.8 9 10 2 Tim. 3.5 c. 3 Joh. 9.10 2 Tim. 4.3 4 and 3.13 Tit. 1.11 c. 1 Tim. 2.12 Quest 23. What profit is it to have such an able and faithfull Ministery called fitted and Authorized as aforesaid Isa 50.4 2 Tim. 4.1.2 3 4. Eph. 3.6 9 10. 1 Tim. 1.15 Heb. 12.2 Luke 4.18 19. Acts 6.10 Ans Certainly great profit and comfort to have able and faithfull Ministers for these can and will minister a word of comfort in due season to poor souls in distresse these can and will first Reprove and convince Errors Secondly Correct vice by Authority of Gods Word Thirdly Rightly exhort to all holinesse And Fourthly To all patience long-suffering and Doctrine holding forth Christ as the Author and finisher of our Faith 1. To the comfort of poor sinners 2. To the joy of Saints And 3. To the confusion of all gainsayers The thirteenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have manifested the knowledge of Christ in his Natures Person and Offices Now what is to be known concerning those graces which God the Father and the Lord Christ with the holy Ghost gives and which are sealed to the Saints in the holy Sacraments Ans When Christ ascended up on high and had led Captivity Captive as he had procured many graces Eph. 4.8.16 gifts and benefits so he gave and communicated them from God the Father to poor sinners and they are sealed to the faithfull in the blessed Sacraments Quest 2. But what are these gifts and graces in particular Ans The first speciall gift benefit or blessing is the grace of Election which God hath bestowed upon his Church and Children in Christ and the assurance whereof is sealed in this Sacrament as other benefits of Christ to our souls Quest 3. What is the grace of Election Ans The grace of Election is that most free Act of God Rom. 8.22 30. Eph. 1.4 5 6. 2 Thes 2.13 by which he hath chosen some men and women before the foundation of the world in Christ to life Eternall having predestinated them to the Adoption of Children by Iesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made them accepted in the beloved Quest 4. What should a Christian do concerning his Election Ans Labour to make his Election sure for his joy and comfort 2 Pet. 1.7 c. Luke 10.20 Quest 5. What is the second blessing and grace given from God the Father in and by Christ for the benefit of his Church Ans The unspeakable benefit of Redemption Eph. 2.14 c. Col. 1.12 13. and Reconciliation to God by Iesus Christ for the joy of his people Quest 6. What is this grace of Redemption and Reconciliation to God Ans Redemption is that vindication and freeing of men and women by Christ from the terrible bondage of sin Hos 1.13 14. Luke 1.74 75. 2 Cor. 5.19 Col. 1.12 c Heb. 9.12 Ioh. 3.16 Mat. 17.5 2 Pet. 1.16 c. death the Devil and hell and making our peace with God by the payment of a just and full price to satisfie Gods Iustice not with silver and gold but with his precious blood as of a Lamb immaculate and without spot Quest 7. What is a third blessing or grace given in Christ and procured by Christ for the good of his Church Eph. 1.7 c. 3.1 2 c. 4.8 c. 2 Cor. 3.8 4 13. 1 Cor. 3.1 c. 2 Cor. 6.1 c. Ans The rich grace of the Gospel which brings salvation and the Ministers of the Gospel who are Ambassadors for Christ to beseech men to be reronciled and Instruments of our conversion and calling into the knowledge of the mystery of Christ Quest 8. What is a fourth grace or benefit which the Lord Christ hath procured and doth communicate to and for the profit and comfort of his Church Ans The holy Ghost or blessed Spirit of truth proceeding from the Father and the Son 2 Cor. 3.8 4.13 Eph. 1 â—6 c. and God equall with them both the Lord and giver of life and who makes the Gospel and all grace effectuall by Faith and power of applying Christ and all Christs benefits and graces to the soul of a Childe of God Ioh. 16.7 c. 1 Ioh. 4.13 Secondly Who worketh and increaseth graces in the hearts of Gods Children in the holy and right use of all Christs Ordinances for the joy and comfort of Gods Church Quest 9. What is the fifth blessing or grace Ans The inestimable grace and blessing of effectuall vocation unto God in Christ and the society of the faithfull Quest 10. What is this grace and benefit of effectuall vocation Ans The grace of effectuall vocation is that gracious act fruit and effect of Gods Free-grace and love in Christ manifested First upon us in Election Secondly
evidence of Adoption Ans The Spirit of Prayer whereby the Childe of God is enabled to cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 26 27 and to seek to the Lord upon all occasions as to a Father Quest 4. What is a chief Prerogative and Priviledge of an Adopted Son and Daughter of God Ans Not only this new Name of Son and Daughter of God and the excellency thereof which no man knoweth but he that hath it but also the right Title and Dignity of an Heir Rev. 2.17 Rom. 8.17 yea a fellow-Heir with Christ of Eternal glory Quest 5. How may a man or woman know that he or she is the Son or Daughter of God Rom. 8.16 Mat. 5.44 c. Prov. 4.18 2 Cor. 3.17 18. 6.16 c. 2 Pet. 14.4 Ans First by the testimony of the Spirit witnessing with our Spirits Secondly by our daily growing more and more into the likenesse of God our Father in all holinesse and perfection of Divine Nature Quest 6. But what is the ninth blessing and benefit procured and commmunicated by Christ to his Elect and chosen Ion. 1.11 12. 2 Cor. 5.7 Ans The glorious grace of new creation or new birth Quest 7. What is this new creation or birth Eph. 4.22 c. Ioh. 3.3 5. Col. 3.10 1 Cor. 6.9 c. 1 Thes 2.13 5.23 Rom. 12.12 Ans It is a Sanctification of and real communication or change of our Nature our understanding will memory and whole man by the Spirit of Sanctification from impurity and sin to the pure Image of God pressing more and more to perfection and to be like God our Father in Christ not like or conformed to the world as the children of this world desire to be Quest 8. What are the two chief acts or works wrought in the soul by the Spirit of Christ in the grace of new creation Col. 3.5 c. Rom. 6.6 c. 7.22 c. Ans First the Mortification weakning and killing or crucifying of the old man or Natural corruption or Law in our members and rebelling power of sin in us as dregs of the old Adam to be purged out Secondly the Vivification Col. 3.10 2 Cor. 4.16 5.14 15. 3.17 18. Gal. 2.20 or quickning and enlivening of the new man or inward man in our souls according to the Image of God and living power of Christ now living in us Quest 9. What is the chief end of this new creation and holinesse thus wrought in us by the holy Ghost Isa 61.3 Heb. 12.14 2 Thes 13. Ioh. 17.17 24. Ans That we may be trees of righteousnesse that God may be glorified 2. That we may see God and be saved Quest 10. How may a man or woman know they are new Creatures Ans First by the help of the Spirit of Christ Eph. i. 17 c. Secondly by the light of their own consciences reflecting upon themselves in self Examination so here to finde out Rom. 9.1 1. What changes is wrought in their hearts and will and affections Psa 51.9 10 11. as David prays for Psal 15.1 2 3. Ezek. 36.31 Psal 16.2 3. Psal 119.97 2. In their lives and conversations from sin and wickednesse to Grace and goodnesse 3. What loathing of evil and loving of God goodnesse and good people according to godlinesse in their Souls and Spirits 1 Tim. 1.12 c. 1. This change Paul found in himself 1 Cor. 6.9 c. 2. This he found in his Christian Corinthians 3. And this a man or woman may finde in themselves Ioh. 9.25 if a true change or new creation be wrought in them Quest 11. What is the tenth blessing and benefit procured by Christ and given in and by Christ from God the Father to his Church and Children Ioh. 14 i6 c. Ezek. 36.27 Zach. 12.10 Rom. 8.9 Gal. 4.5 6. 1 Cor. 12.3 c. 1 Ioh. 2.27 Ans The great and special and daily gift of the blessed Spirits presence the holy Ghost God equal with the Father and the Son not only as a worker of all these graces in us at first as we noted before but also as continually present a counsellor and comforter yea a perpetual preserver of his graces in the souls of Gods children meeting them in the Word Preached in the Sacraments in Prayer and in all other duties and Ordinances secret private and publike for their Eternal good in Christ Jesus Quest 12. How shall a man or woman know he or she hath the Spirit of Christ Ans If he or she be led or guided by the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8 i 2 12 14 Quest 13. What respect is to be had to the Spirit Ans A special care is to be taken Eph. 4.30 Psal 52.11 12. that we grieve not the Spirit by whom we are sealed to the day of Redemption but to prize his presence above all earthly treasure Quest 14. Are there any more blessings which Christ hath procured and God in Christ giveth to his Church Ans Yes there are multitudes in particular both for this present life and the life to come I will name but these that follow Quest 15. What is the first Isa 61.10 Rom. 14.17 Ans First the cloathing upon with Christs righteousnesse Quest 16. What is the second Ans Peace with God with and in our own consciences and with all good Angels and men Rom. 5.1 Phil. 4.7 Hos 2.18 Luke 2.14 Isa 11.5 c. Heb. 1.14 2 Pet. 1.11 12. Rev 22.9 Quest 17. What is the third Ans Thirdly joy and rejoycing in hope of the glory of God rejoycing in Christ with joy unspeakable and full of glory Rom. 5.2 14.17 1 Pet. 1.8 Quest 18. What is the fourth 1 Pet. 1.3 Ans Fourthly a lively hope of Heaven which no wicked man can have Quest 19. What is a fifth Rom. 5.3 Act. 5.41 Heb. 11.24 c. Ans Fifthly a joyful willingnesse to suffer for Christ Quest 20. What is the sixth Rom. 8.28 Psa 119.71 1 Pet. 1.6 7. Ans Sixthly an ordering of all things whatsoever for good of Gods children yea a working of all for good a blessing unspeakable Quest 21. What is the seventh Ans Seventhly an assurance we are Gods children by the Spirits witnesse and the fruits and graces of Christ in my soul Quest 22. What it the eighth Isa 11.10 Phil 4.11 c. Ans Eighthly a sweet rest and contentment in Christ in every state and condition both for soul and body for this life and the life to come Quest 23. What is the ninth Gal. 2.20 Ans Ninthly an enlivening vertue from Christ to cherish life and grace in the soul Ioh. 15.15 Phil. 4.12 and enable us for every duty and performance to Gods glory and good of our selves and others Quest 24. What is the tenth Ans Tenthly Gen. 4 4. Mat. 17.5 Heb. 11.4 Isa 1.5 6 7. 1 Pet. 1.3 c.
the spirit of Christ to know believe and feel and be affected in his heart and conscience with his own self guiltinesse of sin original and actual and of bondage under sin and misery due to sin yea of his subjection to the wrath of God to death and damnation eternal for sin Thirdly with the sence of his utter inability to save himself Fourthly of his extreme need of Christ in some sence Eph. i. 16 c. Heb. 4.12 13. 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 2 Tim. 3.15 c. Ier. 31.34 2 Cor. 5.16 Ps 57 i.2 3. Rom. 3.20 and 7.17 Eph. 16.28 c. Gen. 30. 1 Mar. 5.25 c. Phi. 1.29 Act. 16.14 and 13.48 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3. Eph. 1 i6 17 c. Rom. 10.17 Gen. 18.18 19. Mat. 16.13 c. Eph. 1.19 2 Cor. 3.8 and 4.5 Gal. 4.15 6. and 5.4 5 6. Luk. 24.25 c. Prov. 30.5 Isai 5.20 Ioh. 5.39 Rom. 15.4 act 17.11 12. and 24.14 c. and 2.19 Eph. 1.13 1 Tim. 1.5 c. act 20.24 Rom. 10.10 2 Tim. 1.12 act 15.9 Gal. 5.6 as Rachel did of children give me Christ or else I die then is the soul fit and ready to receive Christ with his precious justifying living Faith Quest 5. Who and what is the principal worker or efficient cause of our Faith Ans The principal efficient cause is God himself the Father Son and blessed Spirit or God the Father in the Son by the Spirit which great God by his Grace and in his free love hath elected and doth call his children to Faith and Glory in the Gospel and worketh Faith in them by the spirit of Faith and working of his mighty power in the world Quest 6. What is the instrumental efficient or working cause of Faith the means by which or by whom we believe Ans This is two fold outward and inward and the outward is ordinarily the Word of God in the preaching of the Gospel and catechizing inwardly the spirit of Christ called the spirit of Faith Quest 7. What is the material cause ground or object of Faith Ans The whole Word of God in general and the rich promises of Grace and Covenant of Gods free love or Gospel of the Grace of God in particular Quest 8. What is the form or nature of this Faith this precious Faith of Gods Elect Ans The form of this Faith First is not onely a light of knowledge in the understanding and assent to the truth of the Word of God as an historical Faith is Secondly Nor some temporary joy in the word as in temporal Faith Thirdly but it is this knowledge and assent joyned with a firm confidence and affiancy in the heart and will to rest on Christ and Christ his merits and righteousnesse and to trust in Christ alone for salvation As the vegetative or growing life and the sensitive or life of sence is joyned with the reasonable faculty or reasonable life in the soul in man which distinguisheth men and women from all brute creatures even so is this confidence and assured rest on Christ in this Faith joyned with knowledge and assent and sweet fruits in Faith which distinguisheth it from all false faith whatsoever Quest 9. But hath this true Faith allwayes joyned with it this confidence and assured rest on Christ Ans This Faith when it is a stronge well grown Faith 1 Cor. 7.5 Mat. 8.26 and 14.31 Isai 42.3 Psal 1.6 Heb. 12.2 it hath this blessed confidence and assured rest on Christ though not alwayes free from temptations to doubt But a weak Faith though it be a true Faith is often subject to fears and doubtings yet so as God in Christ inables the soul to stand and adhere to Christ and preserved from final despaire in greatest times of tryal for the comfort of weak Christians Quest 10. What are the effects and fruits of this true lively Faith Ans The effects of this true lively Faith in a believer or of Christ in the soul Christ thus truely apprehended and rested on by Faith in apprehending of Christs righteousnesse are divers And First justification by Christs righteousnesse and merits Rom. 5.1 act 13.39 Secondly sanctification and purity of heart 1 Cor. 1.1 2 3. Thirdly Christian liberty from the condemning and commanding power of sin Rom. 8.12 Rom. 5.1 Fourthly peace of conscience which passeth all understanding 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 8.35 36 37 38. Iohn 8. 5 6. Rom. 5.4.5 and 15.13 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Heb. 11.1 1 Pet. 1.8 Fifthly Love of Christ and a longing desire to walk in the wayes of Grace inseparable against all persecution Sixthly Joy in the love and sight of Christ and in the comfortable assurance of perseverance in grace and lively hope of Heaven Seventhly A kinde of entrance into eternal glory Faith making that as present to the eye of our souls which is not seen or present to the eyes of our bodies and yet affecting a beleevers heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory Qâ—est 11. What is the end of this true lively justifying faith this precious faith of Saints Ans The end of this faith or Christs benefits received and enjoyed by Faith is Ephes 1.5 6 7. 2 Thes 1.10 Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. 1 Pet. 1.9 Rom. 8.30 First and principally the glory of God in Christ Secondly the preservation comforting and strengthning of our souls in the Kingdom of Grace with our everlasting salvation in the Kingdom of glory for evermore The twenty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have made profession of your knowledge concerning the Grace of Faith Now what is you knowledge concerning the Third Grace the Grace of Evangelical Repentance to be examined renewed and enlivened of every Communicant men and women before the approach to the Lords Table What light have we from Christ concerning this Grace Ans By what I have learned from Christ I conceive Evangelical Repentance Renovation Regeneration new Creation and Conversion unto God is a Grace of God reconciled to us in Christ by which a poor soul enlightned by the Spirits working in or by the Word of God First With a true knowledge sight Rom. 3.20 and 7.7 Luke 15.17 and sence of sin original and actual Secondly Of the misery and bondage under sin Thirdly Terrour of the wrath of God due to sin Fourthly With tidings of Christ a Saviour Acts 5.31 Exalted to give Repentance and Remission of sin Iere. 31.18 Acts 2.36 37. Gen. 4.13 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.4 5. Acts 2.37 38. and 16.28 29 30. Iere. 31.19 First Is troubled stinged pricked and wounded in conscience sorrowful broken-hearted and humbled under Gods hand bemoaning himself for sin as Ephraim of old Secondly Brought to a kinde of despair though not final or a despair of Gods mercy in Christ as Cain Saul Achitophel and Judas yet with a despair of themselves or of any power in themselves to save themselves
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
42.21 Iohn 3.16 Iohn 15.5 Rom. 8.37 Colos 1.10 Rev. 1.4 5. order and severall aggravations of them by which I may more see my own vilenesse and admire Gods goodnesse in giving Christ whom I stand daily in need of not only for more assurance of pardon but for increase of power to overcome temptations and walk more thankfully to God who hath so freely loved me in Iesus Christ For if naturall conscience do this much more conscience enlightned by the Spirit of Christ Quest 17. How can you finde all your sins and failings by the glasse of the law or ten Commandements Answ First reading and observing the Commandements as they are recorded in the 20 Chapter of Exodus with the exposition and explication of them by the Prophets in the Old Testament Mat. 5.6 c. and by Christ himself 〈◊〉 the fifth sixth seventh Chapters of the Gospel according to S. Matthew and by the Apostles in the New Testament Secondly by questioning my conscience upon intergatories drawn both from the affirmative and negative part of every Commandement as I hope I shall be able to declare more fully in the next part of this Catechisme Luke 10 25 c. as Christ did Catechize the Pharisee Quest 19. But is repentance of every sin originall and actuall required in that man or woman who will come with comfort to the Lords Table Answ Certainly that soul that lives senselesly and securely either in the state of nature unregenerate or in any known actuall sin as Atheism wilfull affected ignorance or unbelief and prophanenesse against the first Commandement Or superstitious will-worship or neglect of love against the second Commandement Or blasphemy cursing swearing against the third Commandement Or irreligious prophanenesse of the Lords day and neglect of Gods Ordinances against the fourth Or in wilfull carelesse omission of duty or commission of sins against superiours as Parents Magistrates Ministers against inferiours or equals as children servants brethren or neighbours against the fifth Commandement Gen. 4.5 1 Cor. 10 1 2 c. Tit. 1.15 16. Ier. 7.8 9 c. Ier. 1 10 c. Ezek. 14.1 2 c. Isa 1.12 c. Matth. 5.20 c. 1 Cor. 11 17.20 Mat. 22.11 c. Isa 66.2 c. Or in malice envie murther whoredom theft oppression cozening sacriledge drunkennesse lying slandering or in any other grievous crime yea or in wicked desires and unlawfull covetings against the ten or any other commands such cannot finde comfort in coming to the Lords Table except the Lord first give them repenting hearts for their sins faithfull and longing hearts after Christ for assurance of pardon and for power to repent more and more with a resolution by the grace of God in Christ to walk in newnesse of life because without this repentance faith and other needfull graces they come not for the better but for the worse and eat judgement to themselves and their service is abominable Quest 20. How can you finde out your sins against the Gospell Answ Especially by getting a Catalogue of the promises and finding out the unbelief of my own heart and great ingratitude to doubt of Gods love 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 2 Pet. 1 3 4. 2 Cor. 1.20 2 Tim. 1 12. or not to confide in God through Christ and walk thankfully towards thee the Lord having given so many rich and precious promises which are all yea and Amen in Christ Iesus Quest 21. By what helps may you wait on Christ for the quickning and enlivening of the grace of Christian love and charity What light from Christ for exercise and quickning of this grace of love Answ Time and place being kept as before I may wait on Christ with examination of my love First to God in Christ Secondly to my self Thirdly to my neighbour 1. How I love God in his holy nature person properties word and works 2. How I love Christ in his person Name in his Ordinances Church and Children 3. How I love my self not with a self-love but as in and for God and Gods glory in Christ as well as my own good in an inferiour respect 4. How I love my neighbour yea my very enemy to doe him good for Gods glory 2 Cor. 8.1 c. Mat. 22.37 c. Iohn 14.21 Iohn 15.9 c. 1 Cor. 16 22. Mat 16.24 Tit. 1.7 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Tim 3 c. Eph. 5.28 29. Pro. 19.8 Rom. 13 8 c. Pro. 25.21 Rom. 12 20. Rom. 12.13 1 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 5.14 15. that I may appear to be one of the children of my heavenly Father 5. How I pitty poor Saints to relieve them for Christs sake 6. How I do and desire and endeavour to doe all this not to be justified thereby before God or to satisfie for my sins or to procure my peace all which is done by Christ but to witnesse my thankfulnesse to God in Christ for his free love to me and the great invaluable gift of his Sonne Christ who loved me and gave himself for me Quest 22. What further meant is there to quicken this love Answ Fourthly by the power of Christs spirit to meditate and think of all this love with the author and worker of it in my soul the same holy spirit by whom it is spread abroad in my heart and the object of this love my God reconciled to me in and by Christ and Gods word and people And fifthly to wait on Christ in a speciall application of this to my own soul And sixthly to wait in earnest prayer by the help of the spirit of prayer who proceeds from the father Iohn 4.16 c. Iohn 16.23 1 Iohn 5.13 c. Rom. 8.35 c. Luke 10.27 Cant. 5.5 c. and the Son untill my heart be inseparably enflamed with all this true love of God my neighbour and my self and my soul filled with unsatisfied longing to meet Christ and see his glorious face in his Ordinances that I may tell him I am sick of love to enjoy him more fully and his soul-satisfying refreshments in his gracious vertue and presence in my soule The twenty fifth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your knowledge faith repentance and love and your experience how to enliven and strengthen the habits of those antecedent graces divine knowledge lively faith Evangelicall repentance and christian love and charity Now what are those more immediate present necessary graces or gratious affections resolutions and actions in the soul in which you may wait on Christ as in more immediate preparatives to be examined enlivened resolved upon acted and exercised immediately before or at that time when you draw near to partake of the Lords Supper Answ There are and may be diverse but chiefly these that follow Quest 26. What is the first of these to be quickned in you What light from Christ for these have you seen 2 Chro. 32 c. Isa 57.15 Isa 66.2 Mic.
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
seeing to be exercised in this holy Sacrament Ans The spiritual sense which answereth bodily sight is a spiritual sight and eye of the soul or rather eye of faith and the spiritual object of the eye of faith is the Body and Blood of Christ or whole Christ my Saviour presented to the eye of my soul as preprared from all Eternity by God the Father as a perfect Saviour and a full banquet Ioh. 6.27 c. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. by his vertue and merits to nourish and enliven my soul and body to life eternal and the life of grace in me to the life of glory for which himself exhorts me to labour and wait for him in this Sacrament Quest 11. What is to be acted or done by you when you thus see the Bread and Wine prepared for you on the Lords Table Answ I ought by the power of Christ 1. To observe diligently the Sacramental Elements of Bread and Wine first what they are 2. To meditate and see how fitly they represent the Body and Blood of Christ And 3. By the eye and hand of faith to apply all to my own soul Heb. 10.5 6 7. Ioh. 6.27 that as I see the Bread and Wine is prepared by the Minister of Christ and Gods goednesse for my bodily nourishment so to see how the Lord Iesus Christ is prepared from all Eternity for nourishment of my soul to life everlasting Quest 12. What is the third Sacramental object of senses corporal and spiritual to be exercised in this feast of the Lord Mat. 26.6 27. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.26 c. Ans The action of blessing Elements in which both the sences of seeing and hearing bodily are to be exercised when the Minister of Christ by solemn prayer doth Blesse Consecrate and Sanctifie 1. The Bread to be the Sacramental Body of Christ 2. The Wine to be his Sacramental Blood according to the Lords Institution seeing and hearing of them both sanctified and separated from common Bread and Wine to this holy use and end by prayer thanksgiving and blessing according to the command example and institution of Christ Quest 13. What is the object of your spiritual sences of seeing and hearing in this action represented by consecration of Sacramentdl Bread Ioh. 6.27 Ans By the ear and eye of faith I am to hear and see God the Father sealing and consecrating Christ the Lord for the everlasting nourishment of my soul and body spirirually to life eternal Quest 14. What is to be acted and done when you thus hear and see the Bread and Wine blessed and consecrated by the Minister of Christ with the ears and eyes of your body and hear and see the Lord Christ so represented consecrated and sealed by God the Father with the ears and eyes of faith the spiritual senses of the life of grace in your soul 1 Cor. 10.18 Rom. 10.7 c. Ans First Rom. 8.9 1 Pet. 1.11 Iohn 16.26 Isa 63.4 c. Heb. 10.14 observation by the power and assistance of Christs spirit and his quickning power in my soul Secondly to observe diligently by the power of God this blessing consecrating and sanctifying of the outward Elements of Bread and Wine by Christs Minister and by the ear and eye of the soul this consecrating and sealing of Christ by the holy blessed God as my full perfect and sufficient Saviour Quest 15. What is the second meditation Ans Secondly by the power of the spirit of Christ 2 Sam. 1.26 Psal 42.1 2. by Divine meditation of this unspeakable love of God consecrating his onely begotten Son from all Eternity to be my Redeemer and All-sufficient Saviour so to be affected as to admire this wonderful free love of God in giving his Son and having my soul filled with spiritual longings to enjoy and partake of so rich a gift of grace held forth to my soul in this Sacrament above that wonderful love of Jonathan to David passing love of women Quest 16. What is a third particular act to be done Ans Thirdly Application by the power of the same spirit through the grace of faith so to apply Christ thus consecrated of God the Father to be my Saviour as the Bread and Wine by the Minister to represent this sacramentally to my soul that I may finde I am united by faith and the same spirit of Christ unto God the Father Ioh. 20.17 as to my most tender Father in Christ Iesus for ever Quest 17. What is the fourth Sacramental action or object in the celebration of this blessed Sacrament about which your corprral and spiritual sences should be exercised Luk. 22.19 20. Mat. 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.24 c. Isa 53.4 c. Luk. 24.15 c. Ans The sacramental representation or the breaking of Christs body with torments and the shedding of his blood for my sins as Christ our Lords intimates in his institution of this holy sacrament and as foretold before by Prophets Quest 18. What bodily or spiritual sences or organs and instruments of body and soul are to be exercised by you in this Sacramental action of breaking Bread and powring out of the Wine in the Sacraments by the Minister of Christ Ans First the sence of bodily seeing when by the eyes of the body I behold the Minister of Christ breaking the Bread the sacramental body and powring out of the Wine the sacramental blood of Christ prepared and blessed consecrated sanctified by the Word and prayer for this holy use and powred forth for my refreshing as 1 Tim. 4 4 5. common bread and drink so much more this by Christs institution and ordinance Mark 14.22 c. Quest 19. What spiritual sences are to be exercised Ans I ought to exercise the sences of spiritual sight Isa 53. Zach 12.11 13.6 7. Mat. 26.31 ult 27. c. Luk. 22.23 and by faith the spiritual eye of the soul to behold and see the natural body of Christ crucified and broken with torments for my sins though a bone of him was not broken but his soul broken with grief and sorrow in sense of the wrath of God and his body with sense of pains buffetings with fists whippings with scourges crowned with thorns crucifying with tormenting nails mixing of Gall and Vinegar to drink and above all his Agony in the Garden sweating drops of blood and not onely denying forsaking and betraying but sense of his Fathers wrath and forsaking at least in sense to him for a time I say the eye of my faith is to see all this Mat. 27.46 and what more the scripture revealeth in the bitter passion of Christ held forth to my soul in the breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine for me to partake of at the Lords Table Quest 20. What is to be acted or done by you upon the beholding of this Sacramental action of breaking Bread and powring out of the Wine with the eyes and
meditation of this great and inestimable love of God in Christ and most free love of Christ to my soul God the Father not onely loving me to give Christ his Son for me and the Lord Christ so loving me as to give himself for me and to give the Gospel of grace to manifest this his invaluable love but also to give the Sacraments and this Sacrament of the Lords Supper in particular to seal this wonderful surpassing love of God in Christ to my soul manifested in his death and passion for me and God the holy Ghost to witnesse this to me and in this meditation to be perswaded and assured by the strength of Christs spirit that I have a most sure right title and interest to Christ to his Death Passion Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession and to all the fruits and benefits of all these to my soul and that all these are most surely and firmly sealed and confirmed to me in this Sacrament to the glorious strengthning of my faith and rejoycing of my soul in Christ Iesus having loved me and given himself for me Gal. 2.20 Quest 27. What is the third act orr operation of the soul in which by the power of Christs spirit you may improve this Sacramental obsignation to your self to your joy and comfort Ans A spiritual and faithful application First of this blessed Sacrament as appointed and instituted by Christ as a seal to confirm my faith and an application of Christ and his glorious benefits sealed and assured to my soul and sealed to all Saints who have a holy union and communion with me in this Sacrament and a communion in and with Christ held forth and communicated in this Ordinance Reason For the bread broken is the communion of the body of Christ and the cup which is blessed is the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 17. and we that are many are one bread and one body for we are all partaker of that one bread and so I have both union and communion with Christ and with the Saints both sealed to me in this Sacrament Simile For as a Princes Broad or commonseal annexed to an Evidence confirmeth or sealeth up to the party to whom the Deed or Evidence is made the truth of all those Promises and Covenants which are contained in that Deed or Evidence or Letters or Patents So this Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ being as it were great Broad Seal of the Prince of Heaven and Earth Christ Iesus it sealeth to my soul all the promises and covenants in that great Charter the Covenant of Grace for my confirmation and establishment in Christ and Christs righteousnesse received by faith As circumcision of old Simile and Baptism in the time since Christs Ascention seals my entrance into Christ and clothing upon with Christ and his righteousnesse and ingrafting into Christ for nourishing vertue to life eternal So that I may still conclude with the Apostle certainly Christ loved me and gave himself for me Romans 4.11 Isaiah 61.10 Galathians 3.27 1 Peter 1.4 5. Galathians 2.20 The twenty ninth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your faith and knowledge of all those present acting concomitant graces and gracious acts and operations of your soul which are to be exercised at the Lords Table in every Sacramental act and object of your senses corporal and spiritual to your refreshing and strengthning in the Lord Jesus by vertue from Christ the heavenly husband of your soul Now what light from Christ have you for those subsequent graces or gracious following acts or operations of soul or body in the inner man which are to be exercised and acted by you after the partaking of Christ in this holy Ordinance that a Christian may walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of his or her life And what light have you received from Christ to lead you to Christ in this respect Ans There are two kindes of graces or gracious acts some to be put in practise presently and immediatly before we depart from the Ordinance and some after in the whole course of our lives and callings general and special Quest 2. What are those to be acted and put in execution in and upon the act of receiving before you depart from this holy Sacrament in which you may wait on Christ for a sweet and full assurance of Christs love unto you and of all those rich and invaluable benefits which the Lord Christ doth communicate and seal to your soul at the Lords Table Ans The first is a spiritual repletion Sacramental satisfaction glorious rest and full contentment in this rich Banquet at the Lords Table not in the action alone as resting in the thing done but having now fully fed on Christ Psal 63.1 c. and being satisfed with Christs sweetnesse as with marrow and fatnesse Quest 3. How are your affections now bent towards Christ Ans I desire now heavenly dainties and resolve by the power of Christ to feed no more at the Table of Devils upon the prodigals husks of sinful profits and pleasures Hos 14.8 Luke 15.16 221 30. 1 Cor 10. Ier. 50.4 5. Psa 65.4 but to keep my Covenant with my God in Christ for ever and to meet Christ upon all opportunities in his Ordinances that I may feed on Christ often at his Table of grace till I come to feast with him at his Table of glory Quest 4. In what manner or how may you wait on Christ in those three acts of your soul and inward man viz. 1. Serious observation 2. Divine meditation And 3. Faithful application for improvement of this rest satisfaction and spiritual content in this heavenly refreshing by Christ at the Lords Table What light from Christ for this duty 1 Pet. 2.3 Ans First for observation I may mark diligently divers particulars First what refreshings I finde in the ordinance Ioh. 13. Secondly what sign of Christ and his love to my soul in dying for my sins Thirdly how my affections are wrought upon with grief and godly sorrow in my soul 1. That my sins have crucified Christ 2. That I have been so unthankful and so often forgetful of this inestimable love to me Fourthly how I am cheered up with a joyful assurance that yet God accepteth me in Christ and that the pardon of my sins is now sealed to my soul in this Sacrament Quest 5. What assurance is gained from these Ans That Christ will make me strong in time to come 1. To resist all sin in thought word nnd deed And 2. More able to honour God in all estates and conditions 3. And more enlivened to delight in Christs presence of grace then ever before Cant. 5. Quest 6. What further grace way be observed Ans That in Christ I am more hungry after the Word of God 4. More longing to feast wit Christ in this Sacrament Acts 14.22 Luk.
our faith who for the joy that was set before him edured the Crosse despiâ—â—ng the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the Throne of God Quest 27. You have explained and held forth the duties of Superiors and Juferiors in the oeconomicall or househould estate now what are the duties in the Ecclesiasticall Church or state 1 Cor. 4.15 and Spiritnall Parents or superiours in the Church as Pastors and Treachers or Ministers to the people of God committed to their charge Acts 20.28 und over whom the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers 1 Pet. 2.25 1 Pâ—r. 5.4 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 2 Tim. 3.15 Ans First the holy Scripture holdeth forth the Lord Christ himselfe to be the chiefe Shepheard and overseer and as he is the great Pastor to teach so he hath appointed Pastors and Teachers in his Church And as the Lord Christ is faithfull not as a servant but as a son over his owne house Heb. 3.5 6 1 â—or 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.15 so it is the duty of the Miniâ—â—ers and servants of Christ to be faithfull as stewards in the house of Christ the Church of the living God Quest 28. Wherein is this faithfulnesse to be manifested by Ministers in the performance of their duties and what light from Christ to mâ—ke this evident Ans First Act. 20.28 2 Cor. 5.19 20. in taking heede to themselves as Ambassadors sent of Christ and to all the flock over which the holy Ghoâ—â— hath made them overseers 2 Tim. 4.2 to feede the Church of God which he hath purchazâ—d with his owne bloud To Preach the Word of God and be instant in season and out of season to Reproove Rebuke Exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Secondly Rom. 12.8 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. 2 Cor. 4.5 to feede the flock of God taking the Rule and oversight of them with diligence not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde neither as Lords over Gods heritage but as servants to the Church for Jesus sake Thirdly the Overseers Elders Acts 20.28 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4. or Ministers of Christ they are Pastors and Teachers and Rulers they ought to be of unblameable life and conversation 1 Pet. 5.3 examples to the flock husband of one wife vigilant 1 Tim. 4.6 c. sober apt to teach not given to Wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous 1 Tim. 6.11 12. one that ruleth his own house well having his childen in subjection with all gravity no novice least hee be lifted up with pride 2 Tim. 2.24 Here are foureteene properties in one place the Epistles of blessed Paul to Timothy and to Titus hold forth diverse more Titus 1.6 7 8 9. Titue 2.7 Thus the servant of Christ ought not to strive but in meeknesse to instruct and be a patterne of good work Quest 29. What are the sinnes of Ministers contrary to these duties Ans First unfaithfullnesse running before they be sent Isai 56. to 11. and not feeding the flock of God where they come not Preaching Catechizing administring of the Sacraments Jâ—â— 23.1 2 and Prayers and other Ministeriall acts for good of the Church Ezek. 34.1 2 3. being ignorant idoll Shepheards or idle and negligent Sheepheards Not regarding that great charge and honorable office they have taken upon them not performing that trust committed unto them and of which they must give an account to the chiefe Sheepheard Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.4 Secondly unfaithfulnesse in not ruling as Elders and not Governing the Church of God with watchfulnesse Eze. 34.4 5 1 Pet. 5.3 4. 3 Iohn 9. Isai 56.11 12. wisedome and humility according to the Rule of Christ but in pride or tyranny as lording it over Gods heritage loving the preheminence contrary to the direction of the Spirit of Christ Thirdly Ministers sinne in unfaithfulnesse in not feeding them by good example of life and conversation being as Iohn the Baptist burning and shining lights Iohn 5.35 But walking disorderly as Eli's sons to the dishonour of their callings and evill example of others any manner of way unbeseeming the Ministers and servants of Christ Jesus 1 Sam. 2.17 22. Quest 30. You have declared the duties of those who are Ministers of Christ 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Cor. 4.15 spirituall Fathers Elders Overseers Pastors and Teachers in the Church and their sins and failings Now what are the duties of spirituall children of the Congregation and people to their Pastors and Teachers Ans The duty of people and congregations 1 Thess 5.17 to their faithfull Pastors and Teachers as Mat. 11.40 1 Thess 5.12.1 Gal. 4.14 1 Cor. 4.1 1 Thess 5.13 1 Tim. 5.17 First to receive and acknowledge them as sent of Christ and over them in the Lord as the Apostles expression is Secondly to Love Reverence and esteeme those Ministers and Elders especially that labour in the word and very highly in love for their worke sake and with double honour as is fit for Ministers and officers of Christ Thirdly to obey them in the Lord as those that have the Rule and over-sight of them Heb. 13.17 Heb. 13.24 and watch for their soules and must give an account that they may doe it with joy and not with greif for that will not profit for those that disobey Gods Ministers and Elders over them in the Lord. 1 Thess 5.22 Gal. 4.15 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Luke 10.5 6 7. Galat. 6.6 7. 1 Coâ— 9.13 14. Fourthly readily and cheerefully to communicate give or pay unto them that honorable maintenance which is due unto thâ—m for their labour in the worke of the Miniâ—try according to the word of God and ordinance of Jesus Chriâ—t Quest 31. But is there any payment of maintenance due now to Gods Ministers as Ministers of Christ in the new Testament by any Divine-right the neglect or keeping back of which is a sinne because I have heard some affirme that howsoever in the old Testamenet the Lord had the reserved portion of his owne inheritance the Tenth which he gave to his Ministers for their labour and for the honorable and comfortable maintenance of them and theirs besides their Cities and their Suburbs for their cattell Numb 18.20 21 30.31 Levit. 27.30 31 32.1 2.3 4 c. Numb 35. and for their goods and for all their beasts and â—ther helpes more yet in the new Testament since Christ ascended into Heaven the Lord hath nothing peculiar to himselfe and Christ Ministres have nothing due to them for their labour and maintenance by any Divine Right 2 Cor. 5.20 But they must live of Almes and accept of there reward for their labour and maintenance at the pleasure of the people Ans Truely I should have wondred that any one who had professed the least measure of love to Christ should dare to manifest so little
and fellow-heirs with you and with Christ of Eternal glory Ans I may follow the former direction and wait on Christ First in observation of this union and communion that is between Christ and my soul in this Sacrament as in part is set forth before this Catechism and so observe and consider what an union there is between the ouward signs of Bread and Wine and the inward thing signified and sealed the body and blood of Christ namely a mutual union and relation and this according to the nature of the signs and the thing signified is spiritual and invisible now it cannot be seen with bodily eyes and so there is a spiritual and secret union and yet a speedy present union and as there is a secret spiritual union and relation between the bread and wine and the body and blood of Christ represented to my soul to the eye of faith in me and conveyed to the hand and mouth of faith in me So there is a spiritual and speedy present union between the body and the blood of Christ and my believing soul and a speedy and present communion and union of vertue and spiritual refreshment unto my soul partaking by faith of this refreshing for as the word is no sooner spoken and is united to the outward ear but the thing signified thereby is present and united to the understanding and ear of my minde so it is here and so I do observe a divine and spiritual union and communion betwixt Christ and my soul Mat. 28.20 Rev. 2.1.17 for my more full refreshing at this sweet spiritual and reviving banquet hidden Manna of grace in this holy Ordinance Quest 22. What is a second act or operation of your soul to be exercised for your more full comfort in this sweet and spiritual union and communion with Christ at the Lords Supper Ans Divine meditation when I think and seriously ruminate and meditate again and again How I do exercise two kinde of eyes and two kinde of hands and two kinde of mouthes in this Sacrament and how and in what manner Christ is present as with the signs by relation and representation so with me by present enjoyment how as soon as by the eye of my body I behold the consecrated Elements of bread and wine and these are present to the eye of my body so speedily do I see the body of Christ crucified and the blood of Christ shed for my sins with the eyes of faith and they are present to the eyes of my soul and so I have a union and communion with them immediatly Secondly 1 Cor. 10.16 so speedily as I do with the hands of my body take the bread and the wine prepared and presented upon the Table for me to take but presently with faith the hand of my soul I do apprehend and take the body and blood of Christ presented to be taken and received spiritually and by faith at the Lords Table Thirdly I may meditate That so speedily as with the mouth of my body I do eat and feed on the bread 1 Kin. 19.7 8. Psal 63.1 c. and drink the wine in the Sacrament at the same instant with the mouth of faith or my believing soul I do feed on Christs body and blood and the vertue and merits of Christ are present with me and I have a sweet communion with them and in these or like meditations my soul is fatted with heavenly Manna as with marrow and fatnesse nourishing me in the wildernesse of this world to the Canaan of heaven Quest 23. What is the third principal thing to be exercised concerning this union and communion with Christ and his soul-reviving comforts and benefits in this Sacrament Wherein hath light of Christ appeared unto you for duty in this Iohn 6.56 Gal. 2.20 Ans Spiritual and faithful application of Christ and his benefits to my soul that now as verily as the bread and wine which I have eaten and drunken in this feast are mine and the vertue of them is united to me and I to it so verily the body and blood of Christ is mine and the vertue and benefits of Christs body and blood is become mine and I am united to Christ and Christ to me to my joy everlasting so that I may say with confidence and rejoycing Christ loved me and gave himself for me Quest 24. What is the tenth principal Sacramental act or action which is or may be the object of your corporal or spiritual senses or operations of soul or hody in the right observation meditation and application of which you may wait on Christ the Lord Prince with more full rejoycing in or after your meeting of Christ at the Table of the Lord Ans Sacramental obsignation or sealing in communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and enjoyment of Christ and all the benefits of his Death Passion Resurrection Ascention and Intercession yea of his Priestly Prophetical and Kingly Office and of the assurance of all these benefits of Election Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification Freedom from the condemning and commanding power of sin from Death and Hell with all graces needful in this life and immortal glory when this Mortal life is ended all which are sealed and grounds of assurance of all communicated to Saints in this seal and Sacrament of the Covenant of grace the Lords Supper as Rom. 4.1 Quest 25. In what acts or operations of your soul may you wait on Christ for improvement of this Sacramental obsignation and sealing of this union and communion with Christ and the Saints of God and the assurance of all graces and benefits of Christ to his Church and children in this holy Ordinance Ans In those three before mentioned First In a serious consideration of this sealing by the word of promise and work of Christs spirit and Sacrament or this seal of confirmation of my faith and of all Gods promises of this sealing Ordinance the Sacrament of this body and blood of Christ and of Christs Death held forth unto me in the Lords Supper that as verily as I do partake of the outward Elements of bread and wine so verily the Lord Christ hath and doth communicate unto me the vertue and merits of his body and blood and all the benefits he hath procured to and for the benefits of his Church and children and for my soul in particular Gal. 2.20 for I know he loved me and give himself for me as he did for blessed Paul Quâ—st 26. What is a second operation or act of the soul enlightned and sanctified by the spirit of Christ in and by which you may wait on Christ for improvement of this obsignation or sealing of the Covenant of Grace and all those fruits and benefits Christ doth assure his Church and his Children in his Sacrament Ans Divine meditation by the help and power of Christs spirit to think meditate and ruminate or as it were chew the cud again and again in