bodies he shall wound the heads over many countreys and restraining and conquering all his and our Enemies 32. Christ as our Redeemer did execute these three Offices both in the State of his Humiliation when he was upon Earth and still doth execute them in Heaven in his Exaltation 33. Q. Wherein did Christ's Humiliation consist A. Christ's Humiliation consisted (i) Luke 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. in his being born and that in a low condition (k) Gal. 4.4 And when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law. made under the Law (l) Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. V. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Isa 53.2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry ground he hath no form nor comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him V. 3. He is despised and rejected of men a Man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not undergoing the Miseries of this Life (n) Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross the Wrath of God (m) Luke 22.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Matth. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying ELI ELI LAMASABACHTHANI that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and the cursed Death of the Cross (o) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures in being buried (p) Matt. 2.40 As Jonas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Acts 2.24,25,26,27 31. V. 24. Whom God hath raised having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it V. 25. For David speaketh concerning him I foresaw the Lord always before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved V. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope V. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption V. 31. He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption and continuing under the power of Death for a time 34. Q. Wherein consisteth Christ's Exaltation Christ's Exaltation consisteth in (q) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures his Rising again from the dead on the third day (r) Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God. in ascending up into Heaven (Å¿) Ephes 1.20 Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places in sitting at the right hand of God the Father (t) Acts 1.11 Which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Chap. 17. V. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he shall judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead and in coming to judge the World at the last Day 35. Christ our Mediator wrought Redemption from that State of Sin and Misery into which we fell and purchased a happy State of Life and Salvation for all to whom it is applied 36. Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption Purchased by Christ (u) John 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not V. 12. but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name by the effectual Application of it to us (x) Tit. 3.5 Not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost V. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour by his holy Spirit 37. Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A. The holy Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ (y) Ephes 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise V. 14. Which is an earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out V. 39. And this is the Fathers Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise it again at the last day Ephes 2.8 By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God. by working Faith in us and thereby (z) Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling 38. Q. What is effectual Calling A. Which effectual Calling is the Work of God's Spirit (a) 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Thess 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth V. 14. Whereunto he hath
3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Heb. 1.1 1 Thes 2.13 Apocrypha not Scripture 2. The Books called the Apocrypha are neither the Books of Moses nor the Psalms nor the Prophets therefore not Scriptures given by inspiration See Luke 24.4.27.44 nor were they committed to the Church or kept by it as the Oracles of God Rom. 3.1 The Scriptures are a perfect rule 3. The Scriptures are able to make a Man Wise to Salvation and to make the Man of God the Minister of God the New Testament Prophet perfect and throughly furnished to all good Ministerial Works therefore they are a perfect rule for Doctrine Worship and Manners 4. Unwritten Traditions of the Church are not of equal authority nor to be received with the same pious affection with the Holy Scriptures Those Doctrines which were delivered by one teacher to another or by Oral Teaching to the Church are now written 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Thes 2.15 As much as our Lord thought necessary John 20.30 and sufficient 2 Tim. 3.15.16 are writen Our faith is limited to things written Jo. 20.31 2 Pet. 1.19 These traditions pleaded for were not committed to faithful Men nor faithfully kept by Men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost We have enough and our Lord would not leave us too much Joh. 21.25 Had we been bound to believe more more had been written 5. The Holy Scriptures are plain in all things necessary to salvation clear as the Sun to those uses intended by our Lord Ps 19.8 Ps 119.105,131 They are a shining light 2 Pet. 1.19 If they were not clear how could Timothy know them as he did from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 How could the Bereans examine Doctrines by them Acts. 17.11 There are sufficient means to help the unlearned to understand so much as to make them wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Ephes 4.11 to 16. Acts 8.29 to 37. 6. The laity or common People ought to have the free use of the holy Scriptures God spake to all Exod. 20. Deut. 32.46 Chap. 6.1,2,6,7,8 Exod. 24.7 Deut. 31.11,12 The laity are to be saved by faith in Christ and his word and the Scriptures were written to direct and help them Joh. 20.31 All were wont or commanded to search them Joh. 5.39 All are blessed that meditate in them Ps 1.1,2 They are part of the spiritual armour for all Christians Ephes 6.17 Unless we should expect the Priests and the Learned would fight for the laity and save them the trouble of that warfare 7. The translation of the Scriptures is necessary approved of God and ordain'd by him except there should be but one language among Men or that none should believe and be saved but them who understood the Original God spake in a known Tongue so did the Prophets and Apostles and they who did not are reprov'd 1 Cor. 14.9,12,13 c. The Apostles sent to preach to all Nations had the gift of Tongues that every Nation might receive the Gospel in their own language The end of writing is the same with speaking 8. Scriptures translated and copied from the Originals or first writings under the hands of the Scripture-pen-men are the word of God the foundation and rule of Faith. The Scriptures read in the Synagogues and in common use among the Jews were but copies transcribed yet our Saviour refers the Jews to them John. 5.39 The Eunuch had no other Acts 8. nor the Bereans Act. 17.11 The Ephesians were Greeks and probably had the Greek translation and yet they were built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 God being the God of every one who believeth and shall be saved of every Nation as well as of the Jews hath taken care and doth to stir up and fit holy Men tho not infallible as the Prophets and Apostles were for this work and wherein some have failed others have help'd We give a secondary honour to Translations as such but an equal honour to the word of God translated which we give to it in the Original the change of the Language doth not alter the will of God. An Embassy delivered by an Interpreter is the Kings Embassy 9. The best interpreter of the Word is the Holy Spirit Knowledge in Original Languages is necessary to a translator and to Doctors or Teachers for their better teaching But he who hath most of the Holy Spirit doth best understand the mind of the Spirit All have these helps to understand them 1. The Grammar and plain literal sence the scope coherence and continual reading with prayer and comparing hard places with plain help us to understand the Scriptures 2. Universal reason and true with undeceived senses help us to understand many Doctrines See Acts 17.11 1 Cor. 1.13 Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 3.15,16 Luke 24.32 Ephes 1.17,18 10. There is no visible standing infallible Judge of controversies in Faith and Religion And there is no need of any because there is none constituted In a great controversy the Apostles themselves did search the Scriptures and inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost and consented to it Acts 15.15,28 The Holy Ghost is the infallible Judge and he speaks in the word Acts 28.24,25 The Scriptures themselves judge as the Law doth in controversies among Men. There is a ministerial publick judgment for edification Ephes 4 6,7 Rom. 12.6 and a private judgment of discerning given by the holy Spirit to believers without which they could not discern truth from error nor believe nor try the Spirits nor judge of what is spoken to them 1 Cor. 2.15 Phil. 1.10 1 Joh. 4.1,2 1 Cor. 10.15 11. The Holy Scriptures are not mute and dumb Speech and voice are attributed to them and God speaks by them Rom. 3.19 It saith to them that are under the Law Isaias now dead crieth Rom. 9.27 see ver 17. 12. The Scriptures are not a dead letter the Law is so called in opposition to the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.6 yet it killeth and therefore is no dead letter void of power it is the Ministry of condemnation denouncing death against transgressors v. 7. and the Gospel is the power of God therefore no dead letter 13. There is a Divine efficacy and power in the Scriptures in their kind as the means and instruments of Salvation Rom. 1.16 They are able to make a Man wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 And the sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 14. The Scriptures are the word of God Ephes 6.17 by which we understand the written word and not Christ See also Mar. 7.13 compared with Mat. 15.6 15. The Holy Spirit is the principal cause of all the knowledge and wisdom to Salvation which any Man hath Ephes 1.17 What was given by the spirits inspiration is understood by his illumination a natural understanding cannot see 16. The promise of the spirit Joh. 16.13 doth not intimate such a dispensation as is above the Holy use of Scriptures They are given by inspiration and to continue in their use to the end of the World
Q What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The holy Scriptures principally teach what Man is bound to believe concerning God and what Duty God requires of (e) 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3.16 see before Man. 4. Q. What is God A. God is a (f) Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Spirit (g) Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection V. 8. It is as high as heaven what canst thou do Deeper than hell what canst thou know V. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth and broader than the sea Infinite (h) Psal 90.2 Before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Eternal and (i) James 1.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning Unchangeable in his (k) Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you Being (l) Psal 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite Wisdom (m) Rev. 4.8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Isa 6.3 And one cried unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Power (n) Rev. 15.5 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest Holiness (o) Deut. 32.4 He is the rock his work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Justice (p) Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth V. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Goodness and Truth 5. Q. Are there more Gods than one A. This God is one and there is and there can be but one only the living and true * Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King at his breath the earth shall tremble and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 1 Cor. 8.4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one V. 6. But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him God. 6. Q. How many Persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead or Divine Being and Nature the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equal in (q) 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God. Compare Isa 6.3,5,8 with Joh. 12.41 and Acts 28.25 Acts 5.3,4 But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land Whiles it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God. Power and Glory and all divine Perfections 7. This one God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost is the first efficient Cause or Creator the preserving and disposing and the final Cause of all things Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen 8. What soever God hath done and brought forth he did according to his Eternal Purpose and Decrees Ephes 1.11 Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. 9. Q. What are the Decrees of God A. The Decrees of God are his Eternal Purpose according to the Counsel of his Will whereby for his own Glory he hath fore-ordained whatever comes to (r) Ephes 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love V. 11. In whom also we obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. 9 22. What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction V. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory pass 10. Q. How doth God execute his Decrees A. God executeth his Decrees in the works of Creation and (Å¿) Ephes 1.11 Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. Providence 11. Q. What is the Work of Creation A. The Work of Creation is God's making all things of nothing by the Word of his Power in the space of six days and all very (t) Gen. chap. 1. throughout Heb. 11.13 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things that do appear good 12. Q. How did God create Man A. After all the rest of his Works God created Man Male and Female after his own Image in Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness with Dominion over the (u) Gen. 1.26 And God said Let us make Man in our own image after our likeness and let them have dominion over the rish of the sea and over the fowl of the
called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ John 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgmnent whereby convincing us of our Sin and Misery (b) Acts 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do inlightning our Minds in the Knowledge of Christ (c) Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me and renewing our Wills (d) Ezek. 36.26 A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you hearts of flesh V. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you and will cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel (e) John 6.44 No Man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day V. 45. As it written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every Man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure John 7.37 In the last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood and cried saying If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink 39. They who are effectually called do receive and partake of many Benefits by Christ Some in this Lise before they die some at their Deaths and some at the Resurrection in the last day 40. Q. What Benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this Life A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of (f) Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Justification (g) Ephes 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his Will. Adoption (h) 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Sanctification and the several Benefits which in this Life do either accompany or flow from them 41. Q. What is Justification A. Justification is an Act of God's free Grace wherein he pardoneth all our sins (i) Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ V. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God Rom. 4.6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works V. 7. Saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered V. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin and accepteth us as righteous in his sight (k) 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation V. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him only for the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us (l) Rom. 5.17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ V. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men unto condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life V. 19. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous and received by Faith alone (m) Gal. 2.16 Knowing that man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified Phil. 3.9 And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith 42. Q. What is Adoption A. Adoption is an Act of God's (n) 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not free Grace whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God (o) Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be we suffer with him that we may be glorified also together 43. Q. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is the work of God's free Grace (p) 2 Thess 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the truth whereby we are renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God (q) Ephes 5.23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind V. 24. And that ye put on that new Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and are enabled more and more to die unto Sin and live unto Righteousness (r) Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we should also walk in newness of life V. 6. Knowing this that our old Man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit 44. Q. What are the Benefits which in this Life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification A. The Benefits which in this Life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience (Å¿) Rom. 5.1 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with
To that End you must remember two things 1. What saving Faith is 2. Examine whether it be in you For the first see the Cat. Part 3. Answ 3. Remember that Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving Grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for Salvation as he is offered to us in the Gospel For your better proceeding in the second thing viz. your Examination whether you have this Saving Faith in Jesus Christ begin with the latter end of your Answer How is Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel To that End look back to Answ 23,24,25,26 Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Offices of a Prophet of a Priest and of a King both in his State of Humiliation and Exaltation See and observe the three other Answers distinctly Let us go on therefore How is Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel Answ As the only Redeemer of God's Elect as the only Saviour exercising a three fold Office of a Prophet of a Priest of a King c. Such as he is in such a way he is freely offered in the Gospel section 2 Now examine the Particulars 1. Do I receive Jesus Christ as my Prophet to teach me by his Word and Spirit the Will of God for my Salvation He is made a Prophet to his Church as he is the only Mediator so the only Prophet who teacheth by his Word and Spirit the Will of God for c. Do I believe that God hath revealed or made known his Will for my Salvation That Jesus Christ hath revealed that Will of God clearly and fully Am I sensible of my going astray from the Way to Happiness Am I sensible of my Ignorance of the Way to Life Is there any other Way or any other Prophet to direct me to Eternal Life Do I renounce all other that are contrary to this 2 Pet 1.19 Do I believe this to be the sure Word of Prophecy to which I do well to take heed 2 Tim. 3.16 that was given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for all things Do I know that I need both the Word and the Spirit of Christ Do I take Jesus Christ as my infallible Prophet to teach me by his Word and Spirit not cleaving to the Word without the Spirit nor pretending to the Spirit without the Word Who is my Prophet and Teacher What is the Rule of my inward and outward Man to direct my Heart and Conversation Do I keep to this Rule Can I rest upon this Teaching of Jesus Christ by his Word and Spirit as alone sufficient for my Salvation section 3 2. Examine Do I receive Jesus Christ in his Priestly Office Do I know and believe that I am a vile Sinner in the sight of the holy God Do I know that for Sin. I deserve the Eternal Wrath of God that I am guilty before him that he must be satisfied or I can never be pardoned Do not I know that I am void of all Self-Right consness and Merit that I cannot satisfie for my Sin nor reconcile God to me nor any other Creature for me Am I vile guilty wretched in mine own Eyes Do I believe that Jesus Christ hath once offered up himself Body and Soul as a Sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice to reconcile me to God Hath he fully and for ever satisfied Was his Satisfaction accepted in full Is the Father well pleased in him Is not he offered to me as Righteousness and Redemption Do I receive him alone renouncing all Self-Righteousness and Merit or the Merit and Intercession of Saints and Angels And do I rest upon him alone for my Salvation as my only Mediator and Intercessor section 4 3. Ask your own Souls whether you receive Jesus Christ in his Kingly Office Hath he by the mighty Working of his Holy Spirit by whom he rules his Church convincing humbling and converting me subdued me to himself What! Am I still a Rebel a Revolter a gain-saying Adversary as I was by Nature Are the high Thoughts and lofty Imaginations of my Soul subdued and brought into the Obedience of Christ Are my carnal Affections Passions and Lusts subdued To whom do I yield my self a Servant to obey Do I receive him and own his Power to rule in me and over me over my Thoughts Imaginations Purposes my Will and all my Faculties and Senses Am I willing that he should reign over me Do I take his Yoak upon me submit to be ruled by his Spirit and holy Laws Have I not many subtile spiteful cruel Adversaries that seek to destroy my Soul the Flesh within the Devil and the wicked World without me beside the last Enemy Death Oh how unable am I to go out against them Are they not more and mightier than I Can any but the Lord Jesus the only Potentate and King of Kings restrain and conquer them Can he do both not only restrain but also conquer them all Are they not his Enemies as well as mine Oh then do I receive him to subdue me wholly to his Obedience Do I own him as my Soveraign King And do I rest upon him that he will subdue my sinful Lusts though they are often too hard for me Do I rest upon his Power to protect me or to restrain his and mine Enemies Do I believe that he is able to bring me to Glory notwithstanding all Opposition from all mine Enemies How shall I withstand Temptations mortifie my Lusts and Passions overcome the World endure Persecutions and go forth to meet the last Enemy Then O my Soul rest upon him still In a word Examine if you receive him as a Prophet for Wisdom for Righteousness as a Priest for Sanctification and Redemption as a King See 1 Cor. 1.30 Do you rest upon Christ alone whole Christ and none but Christ What Answer doth thy Heart make to these Demands 3. Trial of Repentance That you try and examine your Repentance remember what it is See the Cat. Part 3. Answ 4. Repentance unto Life is a Saving Grace whereby a Sinner out of a true Sense of his Sin and Apprehension of the Mercy of God in Christ doth with Grief and Hatred of his Sin turn from it unto God with full Purpose of and Endeavour after new Obedience section 1 1. Have I any Sense of Sin Do I know that Sin is any Want of Conformity unto or Transgression of the Law of God who is infinite in Holiness Justice Truth Power and Goodness Oh what an Evil is that which is contrary and offensive to the Nature of this God! Do I perceive and feel verily in my Conscience my Sins to be very many and great Have I a sorrowful Sense of my Darling Bosom common Sins and of their several Aggravations Quest Here you may desire to know when a Sinner is duly sensible of his Sin Answ You may know by what accompanies it When he doth with Grief of Heart and Hatred of his Sin his old beloved secret Sin turn from it unto God with full Purpose of
Oeconomiae Dispensationis c. But if respect be had to that Dispensation in which the Father in the Son and both through the Holy Ghost hath perfected our Salvation admirabilis est dulcedinis c. it is of wonderful sweetness and doth produce most exuberant Fruits of Faith Hope and Charity Considence and Trust Fear and Obedience in the Hearts of the Faithful Dispur Publica Sexta Sect. 12. Oper. 4 p 192. But his Followers in other Opinions leave him here where they should follow him as the learned Professors of Leiden shew Censura in Confessionem c. 3. p. 56,57 where they shew the practical Vse of the Doctrine of the Trinity Nor do they shew the injustice of the Censure but plead for their Silence and Caution Exam. Censurae p. 51. The English Reader that can may consult reverend Dr. Cheynel of the Divine Trin-Vnity cap. 9. Mr. Baxter of the Knowledge of God p 8 c. 5. Much has been written about Baptism controversially and but little that I have seen about the practical Vse of it It is a great Duty and Grace to improve it to the Ends of it and much neglected Parents are generally importunate to have their Children baptized and as generally negligent to train them up as baptized Members in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord and so we have so many ignorant and ungodly in the visible Church I wish what is written upon the Subject were more common and more understood by the reverend Dr. S. Ford of the practical Vse of Infant Baptism Dr. Manton's Sermon of the Improvement of Baptism in the Supplement of the Morning-Exercise at Cripple gate Mr. Joseph Whiston his Essay to revive the primitive Practice of Infant Baptism And Mr. Daniel Rogers of the Sacraments speaks with Light and Life Though having room here to speak thus much in this place for these things I have said but little in that first Chapter because limited 2. In the second Chapter I have shewed the Vse which may be made of the Catechism to accommodate the sincere fervent Soul with Matter for Prayer It is a Temptation to neglect the Duty when there is want of Mattter to utter before God. If any will object that this will be to bring People to pray by rote as they say their Catechism by rote and to bring them to a Form I answer to the first this Objection may be set up to neglect Catechizing and Teaching and so is impious and erroneous Again As God hath blessed Catechizing to his Church so by often and serious Meditation upon the particular Points of Catechism their Knowledge increaseth and comes to be enlarged beyond the Words of the Catechism so it may work upon the Affections also and then they may also enlarge in Prayer beyond the Lines of this Prayer if they can and when need is But as what is necessary and profitable to be learnt and believed is comprehended in the Catechism so what is generally necessary to be asked is contained in the Prayer And they who are convinced and believe the Truth of the Doctrine taught according to the Scripture will pray with Vnderstanding and by Faith believing and knowing what they pray And if some are commended for turning Sermons into Prayer I see as much reason for turning a Catechism into Prayer Yea but this is to bring them to a Form. What then Take away Formality and senseless Customariness and running a Stage or a Round of Prayer without Preparation Attention or Care what Answers are made and what can be judiciously or charitably said against a Form of Prayer Whereas many holy and very able Ministers as well as private Christians have in Judgment chosen a Form at least ordinarily And a Form is necessary to others because of Weakness Do you who object against all use of Forms really think that whoever is regenerate and sanctified hath the Spirit for Extempore Prayer by which I mean a present Ability to vary Words and Matter upon all Occasions And that none have the Spirit of Christ or Adoption but such as can do or such as do so and that they who keep ordinarily to the same Matter and Words are destitute of the Spirit Or do you think that Professors in these Days have more of the Spirit than holy Men had in former times You will never be able to prove these things and you are confutable by Clouds of Examples of holy and able Men excellent for Gifts If you say the Spirit is limited in a Form of Prayer take heed you do not limit the Spirit to a sort of Men. The Spirit of Grace doth excite his own Graces in the Soul that prayeth and those Graces act according to the Capacity of them that pray and also brings many things to mind which were not thought of before and when God brings in Matter he doth help to utter it but not all alike I condemn lary heartless Formality mine own practice is known to many but I honour the Name and Memory of holy and eminent Men and Fathers who had the Spirit of Holiness in a great measure who used Forms on ordinary stated Times and Occasions And I would not discourage sincere weak ones from using a good Form lest I dis-hearten them from praying at all Let me add I do not teach any to be tied up to a Form the same number of Words and Petitions for all times but give Directions for Matter and Vse of Prayer with a Prayer that may be daily used with Acceptation if prayed with Vnderstanding and Faith and other Graces It hath been the Study of many and some of them able good Men much an Prayer to publish Prayers fitted to several Occasions But alas what can they do if the Hearts of them that use them are not fitted for them It is not Devotion that is printed in a Book but what is kindled in the Heart And he is poor indeed that hath not a Prayer for his Mouth except his Book be in his Pocket or before his Eyes There is great reason for these Exhortations Pray without ceasing and Continue in Prayer for we have continual cause to draw near to God. And we that are Ministers have to do with many Souls in various Conditions and general Praying is no more effectual than general Preaching In the one there are particular Applications of the Word to Men's Hearts from God in the other particular Applications to God on the behalf of Men according to particular Conditions And there is a more excellent way than making a Prayer of Patches taken out of Books of Devotion The holy Scripture is the Prayer-book it affords Matter for Prayer as well as Preaching And how can that Man preach that cannot pray And this of praying with and for particular Persons in private and also in publick if the Case require it according to their particular Cases is one of those Every good Work for which we should be furnished 2 Tim 3.16 Those Men whom God
honoured most in the Reformation and Edification and Comfort of his Church have been most like to Elijah for praying And we should study to shew our selves Men approved of God in this part of our Ministry with sound Judgment heavenly Wisdom and holy Affections Epaphras was wont to labour fervently in Prayer Col. 4.12 And the Apostle besought the Romans to strive together with him in Prayer Rom 15.30 But yet this striving though in some active Spirits it cannot be confined to a set Form of Words doth not require us to lay aside all Forms which many holy Men that I could name have used out of Judgment and Choice and have prevailed with God by Faith and Fervency And let those who speak much of praying and daily or frequently pray apart and together took well to the matter and to their Spirits and see that they do not offer the Sacrifice of Fools nor be rash to utter a Matter before God. And it were better with the Church of God if we did put on Charity if we were cloathed with Humility if we disputed less about Forms and prayed more with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit Ephes 6.18 Vnbelief and Hypocrisie are a dead Load upon the Heart and keep Prayer from ascending When a Man's Heart is God's and when the Prayers we make are our own Sense offered up in the Name of Christ by the Spirit of Adoption according to the Will of God we shall be heard Yet I would not be understood as if Prayer were not a Duty of Natural Religion or that only regenerate Persons should pray but they be sure pray acceptably Wrangle not your selves into Breaches of Communion and Dis-union of the Spirit and let all things be done in Peace And so I offer this Help to such as need it as God shall be pleased to make it serviceable Of Forms and Extempore Prayers you may see Bishop Downham of the Lord's Prayer p 137. And Mr. Baxter's Cases 3. The last Chapter of this Part contains Directions for Self-Examination and Preparation for the Table of the Lord Behaviour at it and after it Much hath been printed upon this Subject and yet Communicants are comparatively few and prepared ones we fear are fewer The low and distracted broken state of the Church of Christ is matter of Grief and Mourning How unlike are we to a Body animated by the same Spirit joined to the same Head How many live and die grown to Years that never tasted of the Supper How many but very seldom How many are ignorant prophane negligent stupid do we what we can Oh that Longing after and Love to Christ had more power with many than the Observation of Customs and Seasons and the Laws of Men Some are affected with the Duty and Privilege and seem earnestly to desire it who fall off again How many are afraid of it lest this Table of the Lord become a Snare How many break Communion upon distaste of a Form of Administration though very sound or some dis-liked Communicants against whom they do not proceed as they ought How many labour under great Desections Melancholy and Fear How many put themselves off and abide in Vnsettlement that separate from publick and do not join with other Assemblies What! Do they wait for some higher Dispensation Or do they seek for what is no where promised or keep in suspence as afraid to renew Covenant with God Or what other Reason But can they live without Communion with the Lord How can they think of dying How many incorporate with particular Churches that with hold Communion from all others for meer Accidents and Circumstances Oh take heed lest between this Way and that Way you do not keep out of the Way which the Lord himself hath commanded you to shew forth his Death I should rejoice to see Matters of just and rational Offence taken away and Access to the Lord's Table to be as free and open as the Way to Heaven is But hour or when shall it be as long as that which is an Offence to one is a Duty to another Oh let us remember our Covenant with God our being incorporate with the Body of Christ labour to grow together in him who is not a little Head of a Sect or Party but of all that call upon him in all places I look upon Breaches in and about and from this holy Ordinance next to breaking the Vnity of the Spirit to be of all Breaches the most deadly Let us not divide for meer Accidents but look to the main The substance of the Ordinance and what is left as perpetual to the Church is delivered us by the holy Apostle who received it from the Lord 1 Cor. 11.23 c. where there is no Rehearsal of the Circumstances of Place Gesture and other Accidents of the first Supper but the standing Ordinance and Institution And where the Institution is observed the Ordinance is pure The next necessary Injunction is Self-Examination Let us look more to our own Hearts and fit them for Communion with the Body and Blood of our Lord and we shall not be so given to divide as we are And as for Communicants pray for them admonish them proceed regularly make not their Sin yours and their Presence doth not pollute you 2. The Design of these three Chapters being to carry them further on who had been conversant in the forementioned Catechism hath given occasion to bring it forth once more to Light with some few Propositions to fill up some spaces between one Point and another and to explain them with Quotations of Scripture It is not hard to see how some will be offended at this for its first Name and Title But without detracting from the Church Catechism or any other Form of sound Words by which Christ hath edified his Church I cannot easily conceal nor express my due Admiration of this 1. For the Soundness of the divine Matter clearly and excellently expressed 2. For the Comprehensiveness of it 3. For the Method and Connexion of Parts 4. For its Consonance with the holy Scripture by which it is proved and upon which it is built Whereby it appears the Faith of the Learner is not made to stand upon the Word of Man Decrees of Councils or Synods but the Word of God. Every Answer is full and clear but that which raiseth up my Heart in praise of God for it is the rare Description of my glorious Redeemer and the Doctrines that belong unto it In them we have as much Truth as can be laid together and as many Heresies cast out from them as can be summed up in so few Words There is an Antidote against the Prison of Cerinthus Ebion Arrius Samosatenus Nestorius Eutyches the Socinians and other Hereticks which appeared with the Reformation and gave those blessed Souls who were the Lights of the World much trouble The Harmony of the whole with the Doctrine of our Church has been judiciously shewed by Mr. Thomas
said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place V. 6. Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck V. 7. Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him who is able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared of a Priest and (z) Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Isa 9.6 For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace V. 7. Of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and justice from hence forth even for ever the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this Matth. 21.5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion Behold thy King cometh unto thee meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass Psal 2 8. Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel V. 10. Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye judges of the earth V. 11. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling of a King both in his Estate of †Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross V. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name V. 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth V. 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Humiliation on Earth and Exaltation in Heaven 29. Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Office of a Prophet ‖ Heb. 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets V. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds in revealing to us by his †Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him 1 Pet. 1 10. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you V. 11. Searching what or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signisie when it testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow V. 12. Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into Word and Spirit the * Joh. 15.15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you Will of God for our Salvation ‖ Joh. 20.31 These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you might have life through his Name 30. Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Office of a Priest (a) Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God. V. 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation in his once offering up of himself a (b) Ephes 5 2. And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice and (c) Heb. 2.17 In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Rom. 5.9 Much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him V. 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life reconcile us to God and in making (d) Heb. 7.24 But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood V. 25. Wherefore he is able to save to the utmost those that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them continual Intercession for us 31. Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a King A. Christ executeth the Office of a King (e) Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool V. 2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies V. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth Acts 15.14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a People for his Name V. 15. And to this agree the words of the Prophets as it is written V. 16. After this I will return and build again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and I will build again the ruins thereof and I will set it up in subduing us to himself (f) Isa 33.22 The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us in ruling (g) Isa 32.1 Behold a King shall reign in Righteousness and Princes shall rule in Judgment V. 2. And a Man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest as Rivers of Waters in a dry place as the shadow of a Rock in a weary Land. and defending us (h) 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his feet Psal 110.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath V. 6. He shall judge among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead
his ass or any thing that is thy neighbour's his 17. Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God A. No meer Man since the Fall is able in this Life perfectly to keep the Commandments of (d) Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not 1 Joh. 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyer and his word is not in us Gal. 5.17 For the fiesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would God but doth break them in Thought Word and (e) Gen. 6.5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually Gon. 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour and the Lord said in his heart I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth neither will I again smite any more every thing living as I have done Rom. 3.9 What then are we better than they No in no wise for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin and so on to V. 21. Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all If any man offend not in word the same is a persect man and able also to bridle the whole body and so on to V. 13. Deed. 18. Q. Are all transgressions of the Law equally heinous A. Some sins in themselves and by reason of several Aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than (f) Ezek. 8.6 He said furthermore unto me Son of Man seest thou what they do even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here that I should go far off from my Sanctuary But turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations V. 13. He said also unto me Turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do V. 15. Then said he unto me Hast thou see this O son of man Turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations than these 1 Joh. 5.16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it Psal 78.17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness V. 32. For all this they sinned still and believed not for his wondrous works V. 56. Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God and kept not his testimonies others 19. What doth every sin deserve A. But whatever the Sin is great or small every Sin deserveth God's Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to (g) Ephes 5.6 Let no man deceive you with words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Matth. 25.41 Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels come PART III. What Duties God requires of sinful Man in the Law of Grace or Gospel for the escaping of God's deserved Wrath and Curse 1. GOD hath not left sinful man to perish in the state of Sin and Misery into which he is fallen but the first Covenant of Life or Works being broken by the first Adam God hath made a second Covenant of Grace to bring sinners to Eternal Salvation by Jesus Christ the Redeemer according to certain Terms and Conditions which God doth require of all and doth work in all that are saved There are several Duties and Conditions which God requires of sinful Man to escape the Wrath and Curse of God due to us for Sin. We call them Conditions because God requireth them from us 2. What doth God require of us that we may escape his Wrath and Curse due to us for sin A. To escape the the Wrath and Curse of God due to us for Sin God requireth of us Faith in Jesus Christ Repentance unto (a) Acts 20.21 Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Life with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of (b) Prov. 2.1 My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee c. V. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Chap. 8 33. Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not V. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me waiting daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors V. 35. But whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Isa 55.3 Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Redemption 3. Q. What is Faith in Jesus Christ 1. A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a (c) Heb. 10.39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Saving Grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for Salvation as he is offered to us in the (d) Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee V. 4. Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Phil. 3.9 And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith Gal 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have beheved in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified Gospel 4. Q. What is Repentance unto Life 2. A. Repentance unto Life is a (e) Acts 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted
repentance unto life Saving Grace whereby a Sinner out of true sense of his (f) Act. 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do V. 38. Then said Peter unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Sin and apprehension of the Mercy of God in (g) Joel 2.12 Therefore also now saith the Lord Turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning Jer. 3.22 Return ye back-sliding children and I will heal your back slidings Behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God. Christ doth with Grief and Hatred of his Sin turn from it unto (h) Jer. 31.18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock accustomed to the yoke Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God. V. 19. Surely after that I was turned I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea even consounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth Ezek 36.31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways and your doings which were not good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations God with full purpose of and endeavour after new (i) 2 Cor. 7.11 For behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge in all things you have approved your selves to be clear in this matter Isa 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings before mine eyes cease to do evil V. 17. Learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless plead for the widow Obedience 5. Q. What are the outward Means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Redemption 3. A. The outward and ordinary Means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Redemption are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayer all which are made effectual to the Elect for (k) Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost V. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Amen Acts 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers V. 46. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart V. 47. Praising God and having favour with all the people And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved Salvation 6. Q. How is the Word made effectual to salvation 1. A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting Sinners and of building them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto (l) Nehem. 8.8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sence and caused them to understand the reading 1 Cor. 14.24 But if all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all V. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me Psal 19.8 The statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes Act 20.32 And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus V. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction c. V. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto good works Rom. 10.14 How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher V. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent c. And V. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Jews first and also to the Greeks Salvation Q. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to Salvation 2. A. That the Word may become effectual to Salvation we must attend thereunto with (m) Prov. 8.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors Diligence (n) 1 Pet. 2.1 Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil speakings V. 2. as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby Preparation and (o) Psal 119.18 Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law Prayer receive it with Faith and (p) Heb. 4.2 For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it 2 Thess 2.10 With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved Love lay it up in our (q) Psal 119 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee Hearts and practise it in our (r) Luk. 8.15 But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Jam. 1.25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word this man shall be blessed in his dealing Lives 7. Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual Means of Salvation 1. A. The
Acts 7.30,31,33 Not a Created or common Angel but the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 Declared by Christ I am the God of thy Fathers Acts 7.32 The Holy Ghost is also meant by the name Jehovah Is 6.3 called Adonai v. 8. Acts 28.25 As the Prophets were wont to say Thus saith the Lord so the Apostles say Thus saith the Holy Ghost Acts 21.11 'T is true magistrates are called Elohim but they are not Gods by nature for they shall die like Men Ps 82.6,7 But he who is called Jehovah is God by nature and is not mortal like Men. By essential properties 2. The property of unity is attributed to God Deut. 6.4 and these three are one 1 Joh. 5.7 a Text tho wanting in some Copies yet in other Copies and agreeable to the Text Joh. 10.28,29,30 I and the Father are One One in Power therefore One in Being and Essence The Spirit the Water and the Blood agree in one as Witnesses but are not one in Nature but the Father Word and Spirit are One which is more than to agree in One. The Father is One Ephes 4.6 1 Cor. 8.6 Christ is One 1 Cor. 8.6 Ephes 4.6 the Holy Ghost is One 1 Cor. 12.4,11 Ephes 2.18 and these three are One not in Testimony only but in Being 3. They are Eternal From everlasting to everlasting thou art God Ps 92.2 see Is 44.6 ver 4. chap. 48.12 The Father is eternal Rev. 1.4 That Christ the Son is the Alpha and Omega the First and Last and therefore co-eternal with the Father is clear Rev. 1.5,6,7,8 v. 11. chap. 21.6 chap. 22.13 The Holy Ghost is eternal the Mystery of Christ which was kept secret since the World began is made known by the Commandment of the Eternal God Rom. 16.26 Now he who made it known is the Holy Ghost therefore he is the Eternal God Ephes 3.5 He moved Holy Men to speak 2 Pet. 1.19 The Apostles were at his command either to preach Acts. 10.19,20 or not to preach Acts 16.6 Therefore he is God. By essential Operations 3. The immediate and essential difference between God and the Creatures is that he is their Maker and that they are created The Creation of the World is the proper Work of God without Instrument or Co-worker Ps 33.9 for he spake and it was done c Ps 148.5 If there were an instrument that instrument was either infinite or finite not infinite for the infinite is the first cause and the instrument cannot be the first cause nor was it finite for a finite instrument cannot receive power to produce so vast an effect as exceeds its capacity The Son is not the instrument of the Father by whom he made all things nor the Holy Ghost He that made all things is God Heb. 3.4 Gen. 1.1 I am the Lord that spreadeth abroad the World by my self Is 44.24 By my self how not as by an instrument but by no other than my self Or who was with me see Is 45.6,7 This Glorious Work is the Work of the Father 1 Cor. 8.6 Heb. 2.10 of the Son or Word Joh. 1.3,10 Heb. 1.10 Col. 1.16 and of the Holy Ghost Job 26.13 By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his Hand hath formed the crooked serpent or that constellation in the milky way like a Serpent Certainly Job was not mistaken in his Creator He said the Spirit of God hath made me and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me life Job 33.6 There is an order of Creating and producing all things observed by the Father Son and Holy Ghost but the one is not the instrument of the other they are one infinite first cause therefore one God. See and take notice of the three Persons together Ps 33.6 By the word the eternal essential word the Son of Jehovah were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the breath or Spirit of his Mouth the Holy Ghost And he by whom and through whom and to whom are all things is one God to whom be glory for ever Rom. 11.36 Objections closely answer'd Before I conclude I will lay down some truths which contain the answers to several objections or corrupt expositions contrary to this Doctrine 1. God is one indivisible essence therefore there can be no participation of it therefore Christ is not the Son of God by participation of some degree of the God-head or in some respect God is called the God of Gods Magistrates are called Gods Ps 50. 1. Ps 82. But no where called Jehovah nor said to create the World by him Kings Reign Prov. 8.15 therefore they are not as much God as he is 2. Christ affirmed I and the Father are one Joh. 10.30 that he did the work of God v. 37. That the Father was in him 38. which is more than that he was sanctified and sent into the World. He was Man but more than Man. 3. We do not say that the Son and Holy Ghost are God meerly because they are joined with the Father in the form of Baptism But farther 1. We are Baptized into the Name of God as God in Covenant 2. When meer Creatures are joined with God the difference between God and them is made known but here the Son and Holy Ghost are joined with the Father as our God and superiors An order is declared but no inferiority 3. Moses was a typical mediator in the Covenant with Israel but they were in Covenant with God as the superior party who was the Lawgiver by the Ministry and hand of Moses But Christ is both a Mediator and God in Covenant Of the practical use of this Doctrine of the Trinity I shall speak Part III. Chap. I. SECT IV. Of the Decrees of God. NOthing can be objected against the Decrees of God but what reflects upon his counsel and right to dispose of his Creatures He worketh all things according to the Counsel of his own will Ephes 1.11 Angels and Men had no more of their own than the meanest of Creatures therefore it is meet that they should be as subject to the will of God as any other of his Creatures There is no repugnance between the Decrees of God and his revealed Will and the judgment to come As his Laws so are his Decrees Holy Wise Righteous Stable and Certain The execution of his Decrees is the best exposition of them God is not the Author of Sin nor a mover to Sin nor a forcer of Mans will. In the last judgment we shall see that the Blessed of the Father were first elected to eternal Life and that it was of Grace before the foundation of the World Ephes 1.4,5 2 Tim. 1.9 and that the rest are condemned as Workers of Iniquity Mat. 25. ult and for iniquity SECT V. Of the Creation of Man. 1. BY the renovation of the Image of God we understand what it was before it was lost Ephes 4.24 Col. 3.10 It did not consist only or principally in Dominion over the Creatures Had not Man been Wise Holy
Priest and not Metaphorically as if he only did something like a Priest He answers the description of a Priest made Heb. 8.3 more fully chap. 5.1 We have him described in the fitness of his Person to be a Priest as holy harmless c Heb. 7.26 by the order of his Priesthood Heb. 6.20 and by his call to his Office Heb. 5.4,5,6 He had a true real Sacrifice to Offer for Men for the Sins of Men Heb. 8.3 He offer'd himself Heb. 9.14 Heb. 5.7 chap. 9.14 chap. 10.12 chap. 9.26 and entred into the Holy place of Heaven to make Intercession Heb. 7.25 He excelled all legal Priests and is as truly a Priest as ever any Priest was 2. The Sacrifice which he offered was a real proper Sacrifice See again Heb. 9.14 and Ephes 5.2 This Text is grossly perverted to this sence That the help and kindness shewed to Men by the Death of Christ was as pleasing to God as if it had been a Sacrifice acceptable to him But in the words observe 1. Christ had power to dispose of himself and accordingly he gave himself there was neither violence nor injury done him His Death was violent from Men but voluntary of himself Not my will but thy will be done 2. He gave himself for us as the Beasts were sacrificed for Men for their Sin under the Law. 3. The nature of his Gift he gave himself a Sacrifice and Offering to God. 4. He gave himself an Offering and Sacrifice to God who required it 5. He gave himself for a sweet smelling savour as Gen. 8.21 Levit. 1.9 It was offered to make atonement and God was satisfied and well pleased with it 3. The Excellency Essicacy and All-sufficiency of his Blood his Life his Death as a Sacrifice appears 1. It was but one Sacrifice for Sins Heb. 10.12 2. It was offer'd but once Heb. 9.25,26,28 This offering was suffering thereby to put away Sin in its Guilt and Obligation to Punishment Heb. 9.26 4. The end of this Sacrifice was 1. To satisfy Divine justice and 2. To reconcile us to God. To explain and prove this consider 1. God is essentially Holy and Just he hateth Sin and Sin deserveth it See Ps 11.7 Ps 45.8 Rom. 1.31 2 Thes 1.6 It is a righteous thing with God c. 2. As God may make a Law so he may threaten to punish and punish according to his threatning and righteous Law. 3. God did both and Man sinned and by Sin became liable to punishment 4. Such was the Wisdom of God in making a positive Law which might be relaxed and the punishment transferred upon another who might satisfy by bearing the punishment 5. Yet God stood upon this that his essential and governing Justice should be satissied and that the Satisfier should die So it was agreed in the Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son Is 53.10 See the place What God required the Mediator performed Mark 1. The Guilty Sinner could not satisfy by suffering Death 2. The Mediator must be God-Man that he might suffer satisfy merit and save the Sinner 3. Christ did voluntarily engage as a surety to die and satisfy 4. The Death he suffered was the punishment of Sin the curse of the Law Gal. 3.13 5. He was made a Curse for us in our stead and for our good to redeem us that were under the Law Gal. 3.13 6. God had respect to his justice in the Blood of his Son Rom. 3.25,26 that he might be just 7. This Blood and Death was the Price of our Redemption which was sufficient and a satisfaction it was given to God and accepted of him Ephes 5.2 8. The benesit follows which is Redemption in a proper sence 1 Tim. 2.6 Rom. 3.24 Ephes 1.7 And there are two great proofs of this perfect satisfaction 1. Because Christ rose from the Dead 2. They who believe in him are justified Rom. 4.25 Rom. 3.25,26 2. The other end of Christ's Priesthood and Sacrifice was to reconcile us to God. Christ died to atone or appease the Holy and just indignation of God. His Blood is the propitiation for our Sin Rom. 3.25 and when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son Rom. 5.10 He is the propitiatory Sacrifice for Sin and propitiation was the effect of it 1 Joh. 2.2 The propitiatory or Mercy-Seat in the Temple did not reconcile Sinners to God but it was a type of Christ the true propitiatory and a sign that God was reconciled and propitious or gracious but Christ did reconcile Sinners by his Death as he intended Hee 2.17 and God hath so set him forth Rom. 3.25 and declares himself to be truly and properly reconciled 3. We are actually reconciled to God when we believe in Christ and are converted but our conversion is not our reconciliation Christ by making atonement made way for our conversion and reception upon repentance The reconciling of Sinners is the Work of Christ the conversion of Sinners is the Work of the Spirit There are two parts of the Priestly office of Christ 1. Satisfaction by Sacrifice 2. Intercession upon satisfaction or Redemption His Intercession is a part and but a part of his Priesthood Heb. 7.25 He had a Body and Soul for Sacrifice Heb. 10.9,10 He offered himself upon Earth Heb. 9.12,14 and purged away Sin by expiation Heb. 1.3 chap. 10,12 His Death was a Sacrifice for Sins and not a preparation for Sacrifice or a way to his Resurrection The suffering part he finished upon Earth and began his Intercession upon Earth John 17. and at other times and continueth it in Heaven and his Intercession doth presuppose his propitiation 1 Joh 2.1,2 The reason why he could not be a Priest upon Earth was not because he was not properly a Priest or had no Sacrifice upon Earth to offer but because he was not of the order of Aaron but of Melchisedeck Heb. 8.4 Upon what is said of the Priesthoodâ— Sacrifice and Satisfaction of Christ it follows 1. The Sacrifice of the Mass is false and sinful for 1. Because none ever did or could offer Christ but himself He is a Priest for ever and there is none of his order to succeed him or represent him Heb. 7.27 chap. 9.12 2. He was offer'd once and to be offered no more Heb. 9.12 ver 28 chap. 10,12,13,14 3. The Sacrifice of Christ was Bloody without Blood there is no remission of sin Heb. 9.22 there is no Blood-shed in the Mass therefore no remission of sin by it 4. To Sacrifice Christ is all one as to kill him and put him to suffer Heb. 9.22 Christ is in not the hands of the Priests to be kill'd 5. Christ profitteth none but the living through Faith the Mass is for the Living and Dead but to what purpose 2. The satisfaction of Christ is perfect his sufferings are meritorious there is therefore no place use or need of humane satisfactions 1 Joh. 1.7 1 Pet. 2.24 SECT XV. Christ is King. 1.
Act and Time only but essential and proper I will raise it up and I have power to take it up To make a difference between Excitabo and Erigam and the meaning to be Christ being excited from the Dead did erect his own Body is to make an hard shift to deny the Divine Power of Christ What though it be said 1 Pet. 3.18 He was quickned by the Spirit and not by his own Spirit as long as the Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.9,11 To make the Resurrection Ascension and Session of Christ at the Right Hand to be only in order to his governing and defending the Faithful and only to belong to his Kingly Office is to speak short of Scripture For 1. He was declared to be the Son of God by the Resurrection from the Dead Rom. 1.4 2. He arose for our Justification Rom. 4.25 being discharged and his Satisfaction accepted 3. For our Sanctification Ephes 2.5 Col. 2.12,13 Chap. 3.1 Rom. 6.4,5,6,8 4. Having conquered Death he arose to raise the Dead 1 Cor. 15.13,14,15,16,21,22 2. Of Christ's Ascension The Ascention of Christ was the Exaltation of his Humane Nature by a Motion or Remove from where he was to where he was not before He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.9 Joh. 16.5.7.28 Chap. 20.17 Act. 3.21 2. The Ends and Reasons of it are 1. That he might be glorified in his Humane Nature as he was Mediator Joh. 17.5 2. That he might lead Captivity captive Ephes 4.8 Col. 2.15 3. To perform that part of his Priestly Office which was to be done in Heaven Heb. 9.24 4. To send the Comforter Joh. 16.7 Act. 2.33 Luk. 24.49 Joh. 7.39 and give Gifts Ephes 4.10 5. That Believers might be justified and more assured of Justification Rom. 8.34 6. That we might be more holy and heavenly Col. 3.1 7. To prepare a place for the Co-heirs Joh. 14.2 who even now possess it in him while they are on Earth as he is an Head a Pledge and Cause of their Glorification Ephes 2.7 Heb. 6.20 Ephes 2.6 Because I live ye shall live also Joh. 14.19 Hence it appears 1. He ascended not into Heaven only for his own personal Glory or for the Government of the Faithful or because it was the place of Immortality and Common-wealth of Saints 2. His glorified Body is not in all places but in Heaven from whence we look for him Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1,4 3. Of Christ's Sitting on the Right Hand of God. 1. The Meaning of this Article of Christian Faith is not to be taken from the word of Posture Sitting for Stephen saw him as standing Act. 7.55 Nor from the Right Hand for properly God hath no Right Hand but from the importance of the whole Phrase which signifies Majesty and Excellency of Honour and Power Gen. 44.13,14 1 King. 1.19 Psal 45.10 Matth. 20.20 Chap. 25.33 of Christ as Mediator 2. The Humane Nature was glorified by Union with the Son of God. The Mediator obscured by his Humiliation was glorified at his Resurrection more at his Ascension most at his sitting on the Right Hand of God. Which denotes 1. A Super-Eminency of Power next to the Father who governeth all things immediately by Christ He was crowned with Glory and Honour Heb. 2.9 Ephes 1.20,21 Phil. 2.9 Heb. 12.2 2. All Creatures are subjected to him 1. Good Angels Col. 2.10 1 Pet. 3.22 2. Evil Angels Heb. 2.14 Col. 2.15 3. All Authority in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 4. The future State of Glory is at his dispose Ephes 1.21 5. The dumb Creatures Heb. 2.8 Psal 8. 6. His Friends Heb. 1.6,7,14 Matth. 28.20 7. His Enemies Psal 110.1 Heb. 1.13 to be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.25,26 Heb. 2.14 3. How happy is this for the Church in order to 1. It s universal Good Ephes 1.22 2. For our Justification and the Comfort of it Rom. 8.34 3. For our Sanctification Col. 3.1,2 4. For our Comfort in Afflictions 1 Pet. 1.11 Rom. 8.17,18 in Necessities Heb. 2.6,7 in Temptations Heb. 2.17,18 and against the Fear of Men Devils and Death 1 Cor. 15.25,26 Heb. 2.14,15 Rev. 1.18 4. Hence it follows that there is no other Head of the Catholick Church Visible or Invisible but he who sitteth on the Right Hand of God Ephes 1.22 Matth. 28.18 He never gave this Power to any Vicar SECT XVIII Of the Application of Redemption 1. THey who affirm Redemption by Christ to be improper and metaphorical give this as the Reason Because there is none to receive the Ransom or Price of Redemption from Christ But consider these Particulars and then judge 1. Christ offered himself to God Ephes 5.2 2. It was for us and our Sins 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Cor. 15.3 Matth. 20.28 3. In dying he did the Will of God Heb. 10.7,9 Joh. 10.18 4. The Effect of this Redemption followed 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are bought c. upon Consideration of it God justifieth Rom. 3.25,26 see 1 Pet. 1.19 The Ransom was paid therefore it was accepted and received the Effect and Benefit followed therefore it was received and God was the Receiver And it is not absurd to say That the Son of God the Second Person as an offended God was satisfied by himself as he was Mediator 2. This Redemption must be applied to us and then we reap the Benefit of it actually when it is applied effectually 3. For the Benefit of it was intended for us to bring us to God and make us one Joh. 17.20,21 4. When we believe it is effectually applied Joh. 3.15,16,18 Mar. 16.16 Joh. 1.12 5. This Application is peculiarly ascribed to the Holy Spirit not excluding the Father and the Son see 1 Cor. 1.9 Joh. 5.25 There is an Order of Working observed in the glorious Trinity After Christ's leaving the World the Holy Ghost was to take the Administration of Christ's Kingdom by Agreement as seems clear from Joh. 16.7,14,15,16 He shall give of mine to you by Application of it to their Benefit 6. The way of this Application is by Union with Christ by which we are invested in his Benefits 1 Joh. 5.12 Vnion with Christ 1. Nothing can be more real than this Union See I pray Joh. 17.21,23 Chap. 14.20 And the real Benefit follows Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.27 It is most excellently set out Joh. 15.1 Ephef 4.15,16 1 Cor. 12.27 Ephes 5.23,30 Chap. 2.20 2. The Terms of this Union are Persons You in me and I in you An Union of Qualities and not of Persons is as irrational as Accidents without Subjects 3. We are not united to Christ by means of our Union as particular Members with the Universal Church for Christ the Head and Saviour is the immediate Object of our Faith therefore by Faith we are immediately united to Christ and that in Order of Nature before we are united to the Church though at the same time And Christ is to every true Believer what he is to the whole Church of Believers an Head
of Influence a Vine a Shepherd an Husband 4. Faith is the Means Grace or Bond of Union on our parts By Faith we receive Christ Joh. 1.12 live by him Gal. 2.20 and feed upon him Joh. 6.47,48 Ver. 35. 5. The Spirit of God is the Author of this Union and Faith is called the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 as well as of Regeneration and Sanctification wherein Faith is a principal Grace 6. We call this a mystical Union in opposition to a natural and visible Union It is supernatural illustrated by natural artificial and civil Union in metaphorical Shadows and Illustrations We do not darken or deceive the Minds of Men by calling this Union Mystical or Secret The whole of our Religion and in particular this Union is a Mystery 1 Tim. 3.16 Ephes 5.32 and therefore to expose this Term Mystical to derision is to reflect upon the Gospel and our Christianity and calls for Repentance 7. A political Union is an Union of Persons in Policy or Government and is too narrow and low to express this Union for we are united to Christ as a Saviour and receive Benefits from him in all his Offices and not only as King. SECT XIX Of Effectual Calling 1. EFfectual Calling is the same Work of Grace as Regeneration or Conversion When God calls inwardly by his Spirit as outwardly by his Word this Call is effectual or attains its proper Effect to bring a Sinner to God. This Work is set out by Calling because by it we are brought hom who are far from God by Nature not in Place but Affection and Condition When Faith answers and we submit as Paul did saying Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 we are called and saved 2 Tim. 1.9 2. Election and Vocation are not all one The Elect and Called are the same Persons Vocation is the Execution of the Decree of Election which is the Cause or necessary Antecedent of it and is known by it In Vocation Electing Love takes hold of the Sinner to bring him out of Sodom or Egypt or spiritual Bondage into Light and Liberty The one is from Eternity the other in Time the one is in God the other the Work of God upon the Sinner 3. They who love God are called but it is not true that they love God before they are called for then the Answer would be before the Call. If they do not love God before they are called they do not love God before they are elected see Rom. 8.28 where note 1. God doth purpose 2. He calls according to Purpose 3. They who love God are called and called to love God and not because they love God See the Order amplified Rom. 8.30 Ephes 1.4,5 Election and Predestination are before Vocation If our Love to God be the Reason or Motive of God's electing us then we love God first contrary to 1 Joh. 4.19 4. They wrong the Teachers of the Truth who say we deny Free Will whereas we assert it to be as essential to Man as Reason is and that Free Will continues in every state in Innocency Corruption Renovation and Glory Sinful Man is a moral free Agent he doth act according to his Imaginations Propensions and Lusts He doth freely serve Sin and is free from Righteousness Rom. 6.20 When he is made free from Sin by renewing Grace he acts as a new Man freely towards God but with much opposition from in-dwelling Sin. As the Man is so is his Will An unregenerate Man is unwilling averse and perverse impotent and dead one way that is to God's Will and bent another If gracious Motions and Actions are contrary to sinful in the Regenerate they are contrary to and above the performauce of the Unregenerate As every degree of spiritual Light is from above so every degree of Liberty to Good is given of God. If spiritual Objects are not known nor perceived but by Revelation of the things and Illumination of the Mind they are not willed but by the renewed Will. 5. The Socinians I name them for all of the same mind deny Original Sin altogether and therefore assert A Man may of himself believe and obey c. To clear the Truth besides what hath been said for Original Sin 1. To deny Original Sin is in effect to deny Actual 2. To assert Freedom of Will as they do is to fansie Man as able now as before the Fall If we are not fallen into a state of Sin we have no need of a Redeemer nor Faith in him but we are taught the need of Redemption and Regeneration both 3. There is no force nor violence done to the Will of Man when God calls and draws him to himself by Christ 4. What probity or aptness was in Paul a Blasphemer or in the Jews before pricked in their hearts or in the Gaoler or in any Gentile to turn to God or for which God turned them and not others What probity or aptness or inclination towards Conversion was in them who counted the preaching of Christ Foolishness 5. Expound that Text Act. 13.48 by probity of Mind or aptness then the meaning of the place must needs be this As many as were apt to Eternal Life believed and so they were apt to Eternal Life before they believed Were they apt before their Eyes were opened before their Hearts were turned or the Gospel preached But admit they were not the blind Heathens but Proselytes who left their Heathenism and Uncircumcision that are spoken of how came they to be apt to believe whenas many Jews remained Unbelievers The truth is 1. All Preparations and Aptness towards God is not from our Free Will which stands off but Grace God and our selves are opposed Ephes 2.8 If from our selves not from God if of God not from our selves The first beginning of a good Work in us is from Grace Phil. 1.6 the first Will and first Motion is God's Work and not our own Phil. 2.13 Where was this Probity and Aptness in them who say they were foolish disobedient c. Tit. 3.3 and Idolaters c. See 1 Cor. 6.9,10 3. Effectual Calling is from one contrary point and state to another from Darkness to Light Act. 26.18 Ephes 5.8 from Idols to the living God 1 Thess 1.9 from Satan to God Act. 26.18 from Death to Life Ephes 2.1,5 from serving Sin to God Rom. 6.17 to 22. What is in Man's Will and Nature towards God and Holiness but what is not of our selves 6. This heavenly Calling is drawing Joh 6.44 which we profess as well as they to be without force or violence And they who are drawn are taught of God. But then we say 1. There is besides the proposal of exceeding great and precious Promises an inward Teaching by the Holy Ghost and they only who are so taught are drawn powerfully and sweetly to Christ 2. This effectual Teaching and Drawing is not common to all for then all would believe and come Christ as listed up is a drawing Object
ever 1 Thes 4.16 In confidence of which they commit their Souls to God Ps 31.6 Acts 7.59 2 Tim. 4.12 2 Cor. 5.1,4 2 Tim. 4.8 3. They do immediately pass into Glory Phil. 1.23 or else it had been more desireable to enjoy Christ in Bonds than be dissolved See Luke 23.43 Mark the words are not I say this day c. but I say unto thee This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise The Soul of Christ was that day in Paradise therefore the Soul of the penitent was to be with Christ in Paradise that day for he was promised to be with Christ 4. No Man can merit eternal Life or degrees of Glory by his good Works it comes by gift Rom. 6.21 2 Tim. 4.8 SECT XXII Christians are obliged to or by the Moral Law. 1. GOD is the Lord and God of believers therefore they are bound to observe these Commandments 2. They are bound to keep by the equity of that other part of the preface who brought thee out c. A redeemed People must serve their Redeemer 3. The Lord Jesus was the Redeemer out of Egypt and gave the Law to Moses Acts 7.30 to 34. Heb. 12.26 whose voice shook the Earth 4. They Love God therefore it is a Law to them which requires Love Mat. 22.38,39 2. If ye walk in the spirit ye are not under the Law Gal. 5.18 doth not contradict this for we are not under the ceremonial Law nor the moral for Righteousness nor under the coaction and servile obedience nor condemnation of it for it is the Law of the Lord our God who is so in the Covenant of Grace 3. The Law is as it alwaies was a perfect Law therefore our Saviour did not as a Prophet add new precepts to it He instituted new Sacraments and instanced in some duties not known to the Pharisces but they are all reducible to some precept of the ten 4. No Man ever did or can do more than is required in the Law. Our Saviour did the will of God and no more Heb. 10.7 Angels do no more Ps 103.20 Believers are unprofitable Servants Luke 17.10 5. Therefore 1. There are no works of supererogation 2. No Man can merit for himself or others 3. Therefore there is no treasure of merits to be dispensed to them that want Of Christs fulness there is a dispensation made by himself but he hath no Lord Treasurer of merits and indulgences in his Kingdom 4. There are no counsels of perfection The young Man in the Gospel Mat. 19. had more to part with and deny himself in than others but more than self denial was not required of him which is enjoined to all and was practised Acts 2.44,45 5. Vows of poverty make no Man perfect Obj. But as many as be perfect c Phil. 3.15 Answ Christianity is a comparative perfection as Heirs at Age Gal. 4.1,2,3 but absolute A sincere believer is Evangelically perfect in Christ and account of grace but not perfect according to the Law. Commandment I. 1. Prayer was alwaies a duty Ps 27.6,7,8 Our Saviour did not add the Lords Prayer as a new precept to the first Commandment 2. Christ added not the precept of Worshiping himself to the first Commandment for he was alwaies an object of Worship Compare Acts 7.30 Is 6.1,3 with Joh. 12.41 Is 45.23 with Rom. 14.11 Commandment II. 1. God is invisible therefore no Man can make an Image of him 1 Tim. 1.17 His People saw none therefore he forbad them to make any Deut. 4.15,16 Every Image made for God must be a real lye for none can be made like him Acts 17.29 All those representations of him in Scripture Visions are for understanding and not for sight 2. All signs of honour before Images are forbidden Exod. 20.5 Levit. 26.1 Is 2.8,9 chap. 44.13 to 20. 3. It is Heathenish to Worship the true God by Creatures or Images Rom. 1.22,23 4. The Israelites did not believe the golden Calf to be God but made it to be a visible sign of Gods presence The feast was to Jehovah and not to the Calf yet it was abhorred and punished Exod 3â— 5 c. 5. Images begâ—t carnal thoughts of the invisible God therefore are not sit to instruct the vulgar Deut 4.15,16 Jer. 10.8,14,15 Hab. 2.18 Ps 115.4 to 8. Rom. 1.22,23 The Worship of God. 1. God is the only Object of Divine Worship the Father through the Son by the Holy Ghost Ephes 2.18 and no Creature either Saint or Angel Matth 4.10 Deut. 6.13 chap. 10.20 Col. 2.18 Heb. 1.14 Act. 10.25,26 chap. 14 14,15 Rev. 19.20 chap. 22.8,9 2. The Socinians prove that Divine Honour is due to Christ from Luk. 17.5 Matth. 8.25 Act. 7.59,60 2 Cor. 12 7,8 1 Thess 3.11 That the first Commandment is not changed by giving him such honour for he is no strange but a subordinate God. From this Concession of theirs I argue for his Glory against their false Opinion of Christ 1. He who said Thou shalt have no other God but me saith of himself I am Jehovah thy God. We must have none for God but he who is Jehovah Thou shalt have no other God but me or before me Therefore if Christ ought to be worshipped by this Commandment as they confess he is God Jehovah the only true God. He ought to be worshipped with divine Honour by virtue of this Commandment But there is no God to be worshipped according to this Commandment but Jehovah thy God therefore he is Jehovah 2. There is no subordinate Jehovah Christ is Jehovah therefore not a subordinate God. 3. A subordinate God is a strange God Any God but me is a strange God therefore any God but Jehovah is a strange God for Me is a Relative to Jehovah and Me is the same as God Jehovah 4. The Object of our Worship in that Commandment is but one Jehovah thy God If Christ be not that one Jehovah he is not at all to be worshipped by this Commandment but he is to be worshipped as God therefore he is Jehovah 5. There is but one Cause of our Salvation Tit. 1.3,4 chap. 2.13 1 Tim. 2.3 chap. 4.10 therefore it cannot be that Christ is honoured as God by the first Commandment because he is the second Cause of our Salvation 6. If Christ be not God Jehovah and yet ought to be worshipped with divine Honour the Commandment must needs be changed for if there be a new Object of Worship there is a Change of the Commandment 3. The Worship of God is kept pure when it is not depraved with mixtures of false Objects with the true it is entire when the Ordinances are not more nor fewer than Christ hath enjoined nor any part taken from nor added to them 4. When God is worshipped with the Heart he is worshipped in Spirit and when he is worshipped plainly without Types and Shadows he is worshipped in Truth Joh. 4.24 5. The outward manner of God's Worship must be suitable to God and to the
and customs Rom. 13.6,7 Commandment IX 1. Equivocation because truth is darkned and 2. Breach of Faith even with hereticks are unlawful Ps 15.1 to 4. Ezek 17.15,16 Rom. 1.31 Rev. 21.8 Commandment X. 1. Concupiscence is sin 2. Thoughts are under Law for it is spiritual 3. Sin remains in the regenerate tho it reign not it is Sin Gal. 5.17,18 2. Every sin deserves Death therefore there are more than seven deadly sins Mat. 24.51 1 Cor. 6.10 Rev. 21.28 SECT XXIII What God requires of Man to escape wrath Faith. 1. FAith should not be defined by ignorance for it is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 and cannot be without knowledge Joh. 17.3 Joh. 4.22 chap. 10.38 chap. 16.30 chap. 17.7,8 2. Faith is a certain firm assent not only to Doctrines because Christ is the object of it Joh. 1.12 chap. 3.16 Rom. 3.26 3. Unbelief is a disallowance therefore on the contrary faith is an approbation of and consent to the way of Salvation by Christ 1 Pet. 2.4 4. Faith goes further yet it is a trusting in Christ Ephes 1.13 A guilty lost penitent mourner must have a Saviour which he can trust 5. Faith may be abstracted in some consideration but can never be separated from good Works Ephes 2.8,9,10 Gal. 5.6 James 2.14,18,26 6. Faith answers to the offer of the Gospel and therefore receives Christ as a Prophet for Wisdom as a Priest for Righteousness as King for Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Mat. 11.28 Joh. 7.37 Mar. 9.7 Repentance 1. Repentance is to be Preached in Gospel times Acts 26.20 Luke 24.47 2. Christ repented not for us it is Gods gift and our duty Acts 11.18 chap. 17.30 3. It is not the sinner who grieves for Sin but the spirit who convinceth of it 4. The Law discovering sin and wrath is subordinate to the Gospel drawing the Soul to God by grace and mercy 5. In or by sin the Creatures heart is turned to Self and Creatures from God by repentance he returns from Self and Creatures to God. 6. An intention to repent once in a Mans Life is not repentance for it is an actual return to God with godly sorrow and with fruit 2 Cor. 7.9 7. Repentance takes in all known Sin the habits and Dominion of which are broken by it yet the in-dwelling of Sin doth hinder it to be a repentance to Life SECT XXIV Outward and ordinary means of Grace 1. THere is no such perfection of grace as to live above Ordinances They who had extraordinary measures of the spirit observ'd Ordinances and brought Converts under them Acts 2.41,42 chap. 6.4 chap. 12.5 chap. 22.7 2. The Administration of them and Preaching the word was and ought to be committed Authoritatively to Ministers and Pastors qualified ordained and called The Apostles went out by commission Mat. 28.19 See Heb. 5.4 Men must be competently able Tit. 1.9.2 Tim. 2.2 for the Office and Work 1 Thes 5.12,13 1 Tim. 4.6 and Ordained by Pastors Tit. 1.5,6,7 1 Tim. 5.22 chap. 4.14 and so he is distinct from brethren 1 Tim. 5.6 over whom he is an officer with authority 1 Thes 5.12,13 Heb. 13.7,17 1 Cor. 14.34,35 1 Tim. 2.12 A minister must give himself to his work 1 Tim. 4.13,14,15 must abide in his calling except necessity requires absence Acts 20.3,4 else how can he watch and be an example to them Believers have enough to do in their own places without taking upon them any part of the Ministers office Ephes 6.4 1 Thes 5.11 Rom. 15.14 and much good might be done if done with humility and judgment SECT XXV Of the Sacraments 1. OUr Lord sealed the New Testament with his Blood and added visible signs and seals as means of Grace Mat. 26.24 c Mat. 28.19 2. There are not seven but two Sacraments which are proper to Christianity and common to all Christians 3. Sacraments are not empty signs but effectual to their end See Rom. 6.3,4 Gal. 3.26 1 Cor. 10.16,17 and they are effectual after their kind for by them we are instructed as by a visible word and excited and sealed 4. They do not confer grace by the very doing or using them for there is no natural vertue of conveyance of grace It is not the outward washing 1 Pet. 3.20,21 nor doth the intention of the Minister make them effectual but the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 11.28 1 Cor. 7.19 Ephes 5 25,26 5. The Minister of the New Testament 2 Cor. 3.6 Mat. 28.19 is the only Minister of the Seals 1 Cor. 11.23 Of Baptism 1. The Baptism of the spirit is the Work of the spirit and not the ordinance enjoined We have no Ordinance of Baptism but what is with Water which is necessary to Baptism as Bread and Wine to the Lords Supper 2. Baptism is a necessary duty but it is the unbelief that damneth Mat. 16.16 and not the meer want of Baptism 3. Of the form of Baptism see what is spoken of the Trinity before and of the improvement of Baptism after 4. Note carefully the ground or reason upon which the Apostles received the first converts to Baptism Acts 2.39 for the promise is to you c. 5. There is no particular command for Baptizing Infants by Name but seeing the ground of Baptizing the repenting believing Jews was because the promise was to them and their Children and not only to them but to the Gentiles that were far off and should believe in Christ the Infants of such Parents are included in the command of Baptizing because they are named in the promise or Covenant of grace They who deny their Baptism are obliged to produce by what word or Act of God they are excluded Of the Lords Supper 1. Where ever Christ was Bodily present he was visibly present and seen He is not seen in the Sacrament therefore though believers have Communion with his Body and Blood by Faith 1 Cor. 10.16 he is not present in Body He is in Heaven Acts 3.21 and when he will come he shall be seen Rev. 1.7 2. There is no Transubstantiation if there were any it were more likely that the Body and Blood of Christ should be turned into Bread and Wine because it is Bread and Wine as well after consecration as before than that the Bread and Wine should be turned into the Body and Blood of Christ as sure as it was Bread and Wine before it was blest it is as surely the same after it is blest when eaten and drunk Was there ever any change of one differing and unlike substance into another and the change not seen or sensibly perceived Moses's Rod was not a Rod when it was turned into a Serpent the water was not water but Wine when our Saviour turned it into Wine But here is no change at all perceiv'd when our Saviour spake to his Disciples This is my Body and was he not alive at the table Did they eat him alive or was he at the same time alive at the Table and Dead
the Third and the Order of Acts and Operations follows according to the Order of Subsistence the Father doth all through the Son by the Spirit by the Spirit we come and believe in the Son and through him we come to the Father The Relation of the Three is double 1. To one another The Father is related to the Son as a Father and the Son to the Father as a Son and both to the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost to both as the Spirit of the Father and the Sun. 2. To us who are baptized He is a Father Son and Holy Ghost to us that take him for our God. From these Names of Father Son and Holy Ghost we come to have right Notions of God as God of Grace Love Authority and Power and of our own Relation and Obligation to him for all Grace and Mercy and our Dependance on him and Obedience to him as Children Lastly Here is the true Measure of our Faith concerning God Our Faith is defective and unsound if we do not believe in one God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost The Knowledge of this great Mystery is very necessary and of great use to us 1. In respect of our Faith and Life of Faith. 2. To direct us in our right worshipping of God. 3. In our universal new Obedience And indeed the Mystery of the Incarnation and the whole of our Redemption and Salvation doth spring from the Mystery of the Trinity 1. We must exercise Faith in God the Father Joh. 5.24 And believeth on him that sent me Joh. 14.1 as the Fountain of Grace Father of Mercies Eph. 1.2,3 2 Cor. 1.3 as teaching and drawing to Christ Joh. 6.44,45 loving us Joh. 16.27 as the Father of Christ and our Father Joh. 20.17 2. We must exercise Faith in Christ Joh. 14.1 Believe also in me as the only Begotten of the Father Joh. 20.31 as the Way to the Father Joh. 14.6 as having Eternal Life in him 1 Joh. 5.11,12 It is an Observation of great moment that the Mediatory Offices of Christ are grounded upon and have their Efficacy from the Sonship of the Second Person The Son took our Nature and was consecrated to be our High Priest Heb. 7.28 The Son is our all-wise and mighty Prophet Matth. 17.5 and our King Psal 2.6,7 Heb. 2.1,8 The Son hath all Power and Authority with the Father and therefore we may draw near to him with Faith and Confidence of Acceptation and Prevailing 3 We must believe in the Holy Ghost We cannot believe in the Father and the Son except we believe in the Holy Ghost His Wisdom and his Power is the Wisdom and Power of God 1 Cor. 2.4,5 We cannot believe the Scripture except we believe in him by whose Inspiration the Scriptures were spoken and written 2 Pet. 1.21 Our Faith doth depend upon his Testimony 1 Joh. 5.6 He is a Witness both in Heaven and Earth Ver. 7,8 We believe in him as a Witness a Teacher a Comforter Joh. 14.26 2. We cannot worship God In Spirit acceptably except we believe in the Father the Son and Holy Ghost That one Text is of singular use to Believers Ephes 2.18 For through him i. e. Christ the Mediator we have access by one Spirit i. e. the Holy Ghost unto the Father And thus we worship the Father Ephes 3.14 Joh. 4.24 the Son Heb. 1.6 Joh. 5.23 Phil. 2.6,11 and the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 Prayer is made to the Holy Ghost as well as to the Father and the Son Sometimes Prayer hath been made to one Ephes 3.14 sometimes to another Acts 7.59 sometimes to two 1 Thess 3.11,13 and sometimes the three are named 2 Cor. 13.14 But when one is only named the other are not excluded What need have we to be renewed in the Spirit of our Minds that we may have divine and spiritual Thoughts and Conceptions of God in our Approaches to him 3. Universal Obedience and Service is to be performed to the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Matth. 1.6 Compare 2 Cor 6.18 with 2 Cor. 7.1 Whosoever shall do the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Matth. 12.50 The Son must be honoured and obeyed Joh. 5.23 Matth. 17.5 Heb. 5.9 2 Cor. 5.14,15 And the Holy Ghost is to be served and obeyed Rom. 8. from 9. to 15. We must obey his Motions Teachings Reproofs Convictions and Commands So much of the first Head Now of the second We are enabled by the Spirit accepted through the Son with the Father 2. The Improvement of our Baptism Consider two things 1. All Persons baptized are bound to improve their Baptism for their own Good and Glory of God. 2. Parents ought to improve it for their Children And then I shall shew in what Particulars and how this Improvement and Advantage of Baptism is to be made 1. Baptism is a Bond made between God and us As by Circumcision the Jews were bound to observe the whole Law though it was an Ordinance given before the Law Gal. 5.3 Gen. 12.7,10 to 13. so Christians are Debtors to Christ to observe all things commanded by him Matth. 28.20 Abraham was bound for himself to walk before God c. Gen. 17.1 And he was eminently faithful and sincere in performance of his Covenant-Bond and Duty towards his Household Gen. 18.19 as was David also 1 Chron. 28.9 yea all Israel were strictly commanded to teach their Children Deut. 6.7 and so are Christian-Parents Ephes 6.4 2. All Persons are bound for themselves when grown up to Years of Understanding to remember this Bond and Covenant solemnly entred with God. Though they have neglected the Duties required and have not humbly claimed the Privileges of a Covenant-People yet the Bond is a perpetual Bond and the Transgression of it will be charged upon them to their sorer Condemnation if they repent not I say all baptized Persons are obliged to God and must remember their Covenant whether they be 1. Unconverted Or 2. Converted and called 1. All unconverted Sinners are obliged to God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost and therefore to serve and honour God as a redeemed holy People and therefore to turn from the Service of Sin and their Enemies to serve the living and true God c. 1 Thess 1.9,10 Consider 1. You have the means of Grace and Salvation in some measure the design and end of all which is to bring â—ou to God. You are not in darkness as Pagans are Though all of you may not have the Light of the Gospel shining gloriously in an able zealous Ministery the want and scarcity of which is a great hindrance and loss to Souls yet you have the Scriptures which are able to make you wise to Salvation c. 2 Tim. 3.15,16 When the Teachers of the Jews were deeply corrupted it was a great benefit to have the Scriptures Joh. 5.39 And if Ministers are negligent yet Parents are bound to train up their Children Eph. 6.4 The very reading of the Scriptures is profitable
to Salvation Act. 8.28 c. 2. They who attend upon the Means of Salvation are instructed reproved warned and checked Conscience is met with one time or other and who is so dead and senseless that never found in himself a necessity of becoming a new Man And then how might the Consideration of their being baptized of the nature and obligation of Baptism work them towards Conversion and Reformation Reasoning thus with themselves 1. I am not mine own but God's I am dedicated and joined to him by Covenant It is both my Glory and my Duty to be the Lord's Shall I who am related to the most high God as a Child turn to be a Child of the Devil Shall I who am redeemed with precious Blood sell my self to Sin and become a Slave Shall I who am baptized into the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Sanctification defile my self and drown my self in the mire of Sin The Sons of God are lead by the Spirit of God Rom. 8.14 Am I God's or am I not If not What Oh what will become of me for ever 2. I am washed with Water and I must be washed with Blood and Regeneration or else I cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.3,5 Nothing that defileth shall enter therein Rev. 21.27 Oh wash me throughly and cleanse me from my Sin Psal 51.2 3. When you are convinced of the necessity of Regeneration improve your Baptism towards it Say then 1. I am baptized into the Father who is the Father of Mercies and God of all Grace who teacheth calleth draweth and meeteth returning Prodigals O Father of Mercies make me a Child Oh draw me call me meet me receive me Thou art my God by Covenant thy Sign and Seal is upon me Oh forsake me not but put thy Spirit within me 2. I am baptized into the Name of Jesus who came into the World to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Matth. 1.21 Tit. 2.14 Oh redeem me by thy Power from this Bondage from Sin Satan and the evil World Oh wash me by the Merits and Efficacy of thy Blood 1 Joh. 1.7 Oh bring me home a Stray-Sheep Seek me and save me Be thou my Peace and my Advocate 3. I am baptized into the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Light Wisdom Life Sanctification and Holiness Oh make me a new Creature wash me according to thy Grace and Power Joh. 3.5 Tit. 3.5 2 Thess 2.13 Baptize me with thy Baptism and I shall be a new Man and clean in thy sight 2. Let all such as are regenerate and called remember their Baptism 1. By way of Thankfulness and Praise to the Father Son and Holy Ghost for Grace and Love that God is their God and that they are his People that they have obtained Mercy They may go so high as Election and praise God as the Apostle doth Ephes 1.3 to 8. 1 Thes 1.2,3,4 How happy are you in such a Father such a Saviour such a Comforter and that you are under Grace and made safe by Covenant 2. Improve Baptism for Grace and Growth in Grace and Holiness 1. Because you are separated to God as an holy God and are joined in Covenant and therefore are not Debtors to the Flesh to live after the Flesh Rom. 8.12 We are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 and joined to the Lord and therefore are one Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 one Mind one Will one Aim one Way and End. 2. Because you are crucified with Christ therefore we should be holy see Rom. 6.6 Gal. 2.20 Chap. 5.24 Chap. 6.14 By virtue of our Union with Christ we must go on to mortifie Sin Rom. 6.3 and live to God Rom. 6. from 4. to 13. By this we have great and effectual Assistance and are under the strongest Engagements to Holiness 3. Improve your Baptism for Privileges which are exceeding great and high As 1. Apply it for your Acceptation with God Ephes 1.6 Though we are vile and hateful in our selves yet we are beloved of the Father accepted in the beloved Son and sanctified by the Spirit 2. Apply it for Justification and Reconciliation The Father will not condemn them for whom his Son died The Father will not be wroth with them that believe and are in him in whom he is well pleased The Terrour of Condemnation is taken off by the Holy Ghost the Comforter 3. Apply it for Adoption and the Privileges and Comforts of it Joh. 1.12 Gal. 4.6 Adopted Children have the Spirit of Adoption and the Earnest of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 Ephes 1.13 Chap. 4.30 and all things with Christ Rom. 8.32 4. Improve it for Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 1 Cor. 1.9 What may not a Child have that is fit and good for him from a Father and such a Father as Ephes 1.3 that comes to him in his Son's Name and hath the Son to be an Advocate for him and the Spirit to make Intercession in him See Joh. 16.26,27 1 Joh. 2.1 Rom. 8.26 You may be bold for a Child's Portion in Covenant that have the Heart and Spirit of a Child 4. Improve your Baptismal Relation to the Father the Son and Holy Ghost for Assurance The great Promise is that God will be our God All-sufficient for all things and all times What Circumcision was Baptism is See Rom. 4.11 Col. 2.11,12 Say then you have the Seal of God added to his Promise Oh shew it and plead it for Confirmation and Assurance of Pardon Act. 2.38 Chap. 22.14 and all other Blessings 5. Improve Baptism for your Continuance and Constancy in Duty and Obedience against all Temptations to Apostacy Make quick Denials to the Importunities of the Flesh World and Devil Say What have I to do with thee Satan Get thee hence I am baptized I am delivered and redeemed from thee and sworn in Covenant against thee I am a Soldier of Christ in his Name by his Authority and Power I will resist thee I will not turn away from Christ nor be treacherous to him and mine own Soul c. Say to the World I am crucified to thee what have I to do with thee The Lord is my Portion Go tempt and allure them that know thee not and that have their Treasure upon Earth I am dead to thee But Lord there is none in Heaven but thee and none upon Earth besides thee c. Psal 73.25 Say to the Flesh I am redeemed I am joined to the Lord Shall I take the Members of Christ and make them Members of an Harlot God forbid How shall I serve sin that am freed from it To this End Remember 1. To whom thou art engaged Thou art married in Covenant to the Lord thou art to honour thy Father in Heaven who is better than all above all thou art a redeemed Servant and Member of Christ thou art related and engaged to the Holy Spirit 2. Remember the nature of thy Obligation it is a solemn Covenant an Engagement of the highest nature 3. It is a Pre-engagement thou art promised to God
Chastity in Heart Speech and Behaviour but have sinned by unchaste Thoughts or Speeches or Actions We have not studied to procure and further the Wealth and outward Estate of our selves and Neighbour but have often hindred both We have not laboured to maintain and promote Truth between Man and Man and of our own or our Neighbour's good Name but have either by Imprudence Inconsiderateness Want of Zeal Credulity or some corrupt Affection spoken or entertained what is prejudicial to Truth and injurious to our own and our Neighbour's good Name O Lord we have not been sully contented with our own Condition nor have always had a right and charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbour and all that is his but have been subject to Discontentment to envy or grieve at the Good of our Neighbour and to many inordinate Motions and Affections For these our manifold Iniquities Transgressions and Sins yea for the least of them we deserve thy Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to come but for Jesus Christ's sake have Mercy upon us O Lord thou hast been pleased out of thy meer good Pleasure to decree to bring thine Elect out of the State of Sin and Misery by the Lord Jesus Christ the only Redeemer He was graciously pleased to humble himself to the Death of the Cross to satisfie thy divine Justice to reconcile us to thee and now he ever liveth making Intercession for poor Sinners Supplication or offering up our Requests in the Name of Christ O thou the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and the God of all Grace for the sake of thine Eternal and Beloved Son have Mercy upon us and apply to us by thy Holy Spirit the Redemption purchased by Christ by working Faith in us and thereby uniting us to him For Effectual Calling We humbly pray thee convince us of our Sin and Misery enlighten our Minds in the Knowledge of Christ renew our Wills and perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel For Justification Oh that thou wouldst justifie us freely by thy Grace and pardon all our Sins and accept of us as righteous in thy sight only for the Righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us For Adoption Oh that thou wouldest receive us who are by Nature Children of Wrath into the number of and give us a right to all the Privileges of the Sons of God. For Sanctification Gracious Father by the mighty working of the Spirit of Sanctification renew us in our whole Man after thine own Image and enable us more and more to die to Sin and to live unto Righteousness For the Benefits which accompany or flow from Justification c. And being justified sanctified and adopted we beseech thee vouchsafe us Assurance of thy Love Peace of Conscience Joy in the Holy Ghost Increase of Grace and Perseverance therein unto the End. And when we come to our End we humbly pray thee at our Death to make us perfect in Holiness to bring us immediately unto Glory and let our Bodies being still united to Christ rest in their Graves till the Resurrection At the Refurrection we pray thee to raise us up in Glory openly to acknowledge us and acquit us in the Day of Judgment and to make us perfectly blessed in the full Enjoyment of thee our God to all Eternity For Grace and a Biessing upon the Means of Grace And Gracious and blessed Lord since thou hast appointed Ways and Means by which we may attain these Blessings we humbly intreat thee to work in us Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and Repentance unto Life and to make us diligent in the use of all outward Means whereby Jesus Christ doth communicate to us the Penefits of our Redemption We beseech thee by thy Holy Spirit to make the Reading and Preaching of thy Word an effectual Means of convincing and converting Sinners and building up us and others in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation We pray thee teach us to attend to thy Word with Diligence and Preparation and to receive it with Faith and Love to lay it up in our Hearts and practise it in our Lives Continue to thy Church thy holy Institutions and Sacraments Bless the one to be a Sign and Seal of our Engrafting into Christ and partaking of the Benefits of the Covenant of Grace and to engage us to be the Lord's Bless the other also that by Faith the worthy Receivers of it may be Partakers of the Body and Blood of Christ with all his Benefits to our spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace For all Men and for outward Mercies O Lord thou hast commanded us to pray for all Men We beseech thee to grant unto the King and all our Superiors the Spirit of Wisdom and Grace to perform the Duties of their several places Help them so to rule that our Lives Chastity Wealth and outward Estate that our good Names and Truth between Man and Man may be secured maintained and promoted that under them we may lead peaceable and quiet Lives in all Godliness and Honesty Grant that in all our Conversation among Men we may behave our selves humbly reverently and obediently towards our Superiors and may live in Peace neither doing Violence to the Life of our Neighbour nor suffering from them That we may live soberly chastely honestly not hindring but furthering the good Estate of each other promoting of Truth and the good Name and Repute without slandering or reproaching not witnessing falsly against one another learning to be contented with our own Condition without Envy or Grief at each other's Good and suppressing all inordinate Motions and Affections contrary thereunto Against our bodily and spiritual Enemies O thou who hast all Power both in Heaven and in Earth be graciously pleased to exercise thy Soveraign Kingly Office in subduing us wholly to thy self in ruling and defending us in restraining and conquering all thine and our Enemies both within us and without us Sin Satan and the World and make us more than Conquerors over all even our last Enemy Death For the Calling and Conversion of the Elect c. Gracious Lord who of thy meer good Pleasure didst elect some of the Posterity of fallen Man and enteredst into a Covenant of Grace to bring them out of the State of Sin and Misery and to bring them into an Estate of Salvation by Jesus Christ be pleased according to the Riches of thy Grace to make known the Lord Jesus Christ the only Redeemer in all his Offices to the World. Reveal by thy Word and Spirit thy Will for the Salvation of poor Sinners and cause thy Word to be preached read and heard that it may be effectual to convince and convert Sinners and to build them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation Before you go to the Word O Lord who hast Compassion on the
Ignorant and of them who go out of the way who hast by thy Holy Spirit made the Reading but especially the Preaching of thy Word an effectual Means of convincing and converting Sinners and of building them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation be pleased for Christ's sake to prepare our Hearts that we may attend to thy Word and receive it as new-born Babes 1 Pet. 2.1 by Faith and Love and lay it up in our Hearts and practise it in our Lives Before the Sacrament or Communion Most holy wise and merciful Lord God when all Mankind was fallen into an Estate of Sin and Misery it pleased thee to enter into a Covenant of Grace to bring thy People out of that sinful and miserable Condition into an Estate of Salvation by thy beloved Son the only Redeemer thou art graciously pleased to teach us convince convert build up and comfort us by thy Word and for our furtherance in Faith Holiness and Comfort to represent to us Jesus Christ and all the Benefits of the New Covenant by sensible signs the Bread and Wine broken poured out given and received and not only to represent Christ to us but also to seal and apply him and the Benefits of the New Covenart Be thou pleased by thy Spirit of Grace to help us to receive the Bread and Wine according to thy divine Appointment that we may receive them worthily and be Partakers by Faith of his Body and Blood with all his Benefits to our spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace We pray thee help us to examine our selves and so let us eat Oh let us not eat and drink unworthily not discerning the Lord's Body but give us a clear and saving Knowledge to discern the Lord's Body a lively Faith to feed upon him a renewed Repentance to Life a pure and fervent Love and quicken us to walk in new Obedience to all thy Commandments Oh help us to remember him and shew forth his Death both by our Profession and holy Conversation till he come again For the Lord's Day O Lord our God who hast commanded us to remember to keep holy the Sabbath day for Jesus his sake forgive us our great Forgetfulness both in preparing for it and performing the Duties of it Thou hast been very merciful to us in allowing us six Days for our own Employments Thou hast strictly enjoined us to sanctifie this whole Day and to move us thereunto thou hast set before us thine own Example both of finishing all thy Works in six Days and resting the seventh and hast blessed the Day and sanctified it Yet we have not considered nor regarded these Reasons annexed to this thy holy Commandment to perswade and quicken us to this great and holy Duty Pardon us O Lord according to the Riches of thy Grace this our Transgression and seeing thou givest us hopes of enjoying another Sabbath we beseech thee help us by thy Holy Spirit to sanctifie this Sabbath by an holy Resting all this Day even from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other Days In reading hearing singing Psalms Meditation Prayer Conference and to spend the whole time in the publick and private Exercises of thy Worship except so much as is to be taken up in the Works of Necessity and Mercy which thou shalt call us to And keep us by thy Grace from the Omission or careless Performance of the Duties required from prophaning the Day by Idleness or any thing in it self sinful or by unnecessary Thoughts Words or Works about our worldly Employments or Recreations And bless the whole Day to us For Morning for every Day according to Ans 11. Most holy the All-wise and Almighty Lord God who dost by thy most holy wise and powerful Providence preserve and govern all thy Creatures and all their Actions we do most earnestly beseech thee to give us thy Holy Spirit to preserve our Souls from Sin and Temptations to govern our Thoughts Wills Affections our Words and Actions that they may be holy Over-rule our vain sinful Thoughts Imaginations Designs Purposes Motions and Affections to Evil. Raise in us Holiness of Design in our Conversation that we may aim at thy Glory Give us Wisdom and Discretion to order all our Affairs according to thy Laws Give us Ability and Strength that by thy Power we may carry on all the Affairs and Works of our particular Calling preserve us by thy Power therein from our Enemies and from all Harm and Danger We humbly commit our selves to thy holy wise and powerful Providence we desire thy Grace to depend thereupon and to ascribe the Glory of all our Success to thy Blessing Let us see and acknowledge thee in whatsoever shall come to pass this Day for all things are by thee and through thee and for thee to whom be Glory for ever For Night O Lord who hast created the Evening and the Morning and hast by thy great Wisdom ordained the Night for Rest and that part of our Time on Earth should be spent in Sleep and Rest that being refreshed thereby we might be enabled for thy surther Service When we are at rest we have neither Knowledge to discern nor Wisdom to fore see nor Power to resist the Evils that may befal us But thou by thy holy wise and powerful Providence preservest and governest all Creatures in all their Actions Therefore we adore thy Providence and in considence of thy Wisdom Power and Goodness cast our selves upon thee this Night humbly beseeching thee to preserve our Souls from Sin that we imagine not Evil upon our Beds our Persons our Relations our Habitation our Comsorts from Danger and Destruction from all Creatures who are subject to thy Command Keep us that we sleep not the Sleep of Death let neither Men nor Devils nor any other Creature disturb or hurt us And thou who governest all Creatures and all their Actions govern us our Imaginations Affections Senses Actions that sleeping or waking we may be thine And all we beg as in the Name of Christ so for the sake of Christ AMEN Directions to use this Form Perswasions to Family-Prayer especially and Resolution of some Questions briefly touched section 1 YOu see what store of spiritual and divine Matter your Catechism doth afford you to enable you for Prayer and Thanksgiving You shall not have cause to complain of want of Matter such as you ought and such as you may make use of You need no more to say you know not what to pray for for here is a Treasure digged up in your own Ground if indeed you make this little Catechism your own Now labour with your own Hearts and in this small Treatise and the Lord by his own Spirit teach you how to pray I perceive these Prayers to grow to such a length that I sear some will be discouraged from the length and seeming tediousness of all this therefore receive these few Counsels and Directions section
Righteousness and counting thine own even all things but Loss for him Phil. 3.8,9 2. In esteeming thy Life to be wrapped up in him 1 Joh. 5.12 Col. 3.3,4 section 5 Secondly Examine thy Love to him as thy Prophet 1. Dost thou love and delight in his Word and Ordinances Dost thou keep his Word and treasure it up in thy Heart Joh. 14.23 2. Dost thou submit thy carnal Reason to the Spirit and Word of Christ Dost thou embrace the Motions of his blessed Spirit though contrary to the Inclinations of thine own carnal Affections and Lusts Thy Obedience to his teaching will prove thy Love to him and thy Delight to hear him section 6 Thirdly Examine thy Love to him as King. 1. Art thou glad that there is a Law forbidding Sin that there is a Law in thy Mind warring against the Law in thy Members Dost thou yield thy self to his Rule and Government And dost thou account it thy Liberty and thy Happiness to be under his Command 2. Dost thou bring all thy Lusts to his Cross to be crucified and deliver up thy most beloved Sins to be mortified by his Spirit This is a sure Sign of Love to him when we do not tolerate any Lust against his Will. 3. Art thou for Christ against all that rise up against him Dost thou seek his Glory endeavour that his Sceptre and Throne may be set up and exalted in the World and in thine own Heart 4. Art thou prepared to follow him the Captain of thy Salvation to leave all and follow him as one that goes a Warfare after Christ to sight the good Fight of Faith and withstand the Flesh World and Devil Thus far of the Love to the Second Person with the Reasons and Effects of it section 7 The third Head of Examination is of our Love to the Holy Ghost There is unspeakable Cause for it 1. For his infinite Excellencies as God. 2. For his Work and Office which is to apply to us the Benefits of our Redemption The Spirit of God doth these things for thee in order to thy Salvation for which thou art infinitely obliged to love him 1. He reveals the deep things of God the Mysteries of Redemption 1 Cor. 2.10,11,12 2. He enlightneth thy Mind to see and know the things of thy Peace Eph. 1.17 3. He doth convince thee of thy Sin and Misery and thereby he prepares thee for Cure and Deliverance Joh. 16.8 4. The Renewing of the Will is from him who is the Spirit of Regeneration Joh. 3.5 5. He perswades and enables every one to believe and embrace Jesus Christ that shall be called and saved Ezek. 36.27 6. He sanctifieth the Heart yea the whole Man throughout and makes thee holy that thou mayest see God if ever thou see him 2 Thes 2.13 7. He teacheth thee to cry Abba Father as the Spirit of Adoption Gal. 4.6 8. He seals all that are sealed to the Day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 9. And all the spiritual true Joy Peace and Comfort which any one hath come from him Gal. 5.22 together with all Ability for any Service Fruit and Benefit from Ordinances which would not have been effectual to Salvation if he had not blessed them So that if you love Grace or hope for Glory you cannot but adore and love the Holy Ghost even as the Father and the Son. Shew and manifest your sincere Love to the Holy Ghost by your Love to the Word given by his uspiration and all holy Ordinances And for what do you love the Word and Ordinances Try it Is it not for the heavenly Wisdom Holiness and the divine Efficacy and Tendency of them to make you wise to Salvation 2. If you love the Holy Ghost you will desire and improve Communion with him in all divine Institutions and Ordinances in which he is graciously pleased to communicate his Graces As in preaching the Word Isa 61.1 in Prayer Rom. 8.26,27 in Sacraments Matth. 3.11 He makes the Christian within Rom. 2.29 engrafting us into the Body 1 Cor. 12.13 He makes the Flesh of Christ to be Bread indeed and his Blood to be Drink indeed and his Words to be Spirit and Life Joh. 6.63 Ephes 5.18,9 3. You will walk in the Spirit and bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 and 16. And thus much of our Love to God. section 8 2. The second general Branch of Examination is of your Love to Man to every Man being your Neighbour in true Sence Your Neighbour is either a Brother or an Enemy 1. Try your Love to all the Saints and holy Brethren not only in that particular Society of Christians with whom you hold personal and local Communion but to all that are scattered abroad though under different Governments and Administrations as to Circumstances of Worship even all that are in the Body and that love our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity Ephes 6.24 1 Cor. 1.2 You cannot love Christ except you love the Brethren 1 Joh. 4.20 Joh. 13.34,35 1 Cor. 10.17 For we being many are one Body Examine your selves 1. Do you love them as being all one in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 16.24 as Fellow-heirs of the same Grace Ephes 3.6 And do you love them for the Truth 's sake and for the sake of Grace even against all the Prejudices of Custom Education and smaller private Differences See Gal. 3.27,28 1 Cor. 12.13 2. Do you love them though they excel you in Gifts and Graces Degree and Place or them that are many Steps below you in the World See 1 Cor. 12.24,25 chap. 13.4 3. Can you sympathize with them and suit Affections to their various Conditions 1 Cor. 12.26 Bear one anothers Burthens Gal. 6.1,2 Can you visit them and take part with them in their Reproaches and Sufferings for Christ and Righteousness Act. 7.23 Heb. 11.25,26 4. Doth your Love extend to all the Saints Ephes 6.34 1 Cor. 16.24 5. Can you break with all the World rather than with them and do and suffer more for them than for any other and count Jerusalem your chief Joy Psal 137.6 section 9 2. Try your Love to Enemies We must do good to all and love Men as Men. 1. Do you pray for them that God would turn them and forgive them Mat. 5.44 Act. 7.60 Luk. 23.34 2. Can you forgive them their Trespasses Luk. 11.4 as far as they are against you As they are against the Law of God you cannot forgive but so considered you must pray for them But as the Sin is an Offence against you Charity requires you to forgive them Eph. 4.32 Col. 3.13 and not only the Offence is to be forgiven but the Injury and Damage if it be small and tolerable But if you cannot without Sin remit the Damages yet you must seek your Right with a charitable Heart 3. Can you feed your Enemy when hungry and cloath him when naked Rom. 12.20 In a word Endeavour to carry your self according to the Law of Love Rom. 13.10 5.
Trial of New Obedience section 1 For your better undertaking of it be pleased to observe what it is and why it is called New. New Obedience is an hearty sincere Respect or Aim at God's Glory in keeping all his Commandments or having a Respect to all God's Commandments and walking before God in Righteousness and Holiness all the Days of our Life being redeemed from the Hand of our Enemy It is called New Obedience in opposition to the Service of Sin or obeying the Law in our Members For we being Sinners by Nature and corrupted with Original Sin are inclined and given to serve Sin and to live after the Flesh Rom. 6.11,12,13,16,17,18,19,20 But when we are united to Christ in our Effectual Calling and have Repentance towards God and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ then we become dead to Sin and free from the Dominion of it we are married unto Christ in Covenant that we may abound in Fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God Philip. 1.11 Rom. 7.4 We are bound to do whatsoever he commandeth us Matth. 28.20 section 2 Now three things must be enquired after 1. The Subject and Principle or Root of this New Obedience 2. The Rule of it 3. The End and Design of it 1. Whence is it that you perform Service or Obedience unto God Do you serve him from Faith Love and unfeigned Repentance towards God Are you effectually called Remember what that is Are you united to Christ by Faith See what that is Are you turned from all Sin from your bosom darling costly Sin to God to obey his Law Try your Repentance Have you a new Heart Have you the Image of God renewed upon you Are you sanctified by the Spirit Look to Ans 35. For New Obedience proceeds from the Heart renewed and sanctified section 3 2. Try your Obedience by the Rule of it that is the whole Word and Will of God Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet c. V. 6. When I have respect to all thy Commandments at all times always even to the End Psal 119.112 Phil. 2.12 He that is such an one doth not live in any known Sin nor neglect any known Duty He makes Conscience of Duty to God and Man Act. 24.16 section 4 3. Try and examine the End of your Obedience what you aim at and design New Obedience proceeds from a Principle of Renewing Grace is regulated by the Word of God and directed to his Glory And so what you learn first in your Catechism is the End of your Conversation and Obedience See Col. 1.10 Phil. 1.11 1 Pet. 2.9 chap. 4.11 section 5 The second Duty is Preparation for the Lord's Supper Having examined your Hearts if you find these Graces in you then the Work of Preparation is to stir up the Grace of God given you in putting your Souls in a readiness to receive Jesus Christ as offered to you with all the Benefits of the New Covenant by adding to your Self-Examination humble Consession of Sin earnest Supplication for Forgiveness of Sin and Grace If you find a Want or Weakness of Grace then sharpen your Desires after it and pray for it and add your Thanksgiving for the Means of Grace and for Grace received Thus much for the Duties before the Sacrament CHAP. IV. Duties at and after the Communion together with Motives and Perswasions to perform the whole Duty in a due manner section 1 WHile you attend upon God at his Table shake off all Drowsiness and Vanity of Mind Consider at whose Table you are to eat and drink and what the Feast is Therefore draw near with an holy Reverence with a clear Knowledge and lively Faith. Attend to what is done before you the outward Signs and what is done according to the Institution of Christ Observe the breaking of the Bread the pouring out the Wine and the giving of both to you Know that you are to remember Jesus Christ to discern his Body and to shew his Death Thirst and hunger for him Receive him by Faith and the Benefits of the New Covenant Look unto Christ crucisied with a broken Heart sorrowing for Sin. Meditate on the Love of God in his Son Jesus on the Sufferings of Christ on the Satisfaction given Redemption and Victory obtained for thee Cast thy self upon him trust to him give thy self to him delight in his Love apply him for what thou dost most stand in need of renew thy Covenant and thy Engagement to be the Lord's and excite thy Love to all Saints and be thankful section 2 After the Sacrament reflect upon your selves re-view your Carriage 1. Consider Have you discerned the Lord's Body made an affectionate Remembrance of him Have you received him by Faith Are you nourished by him 2. If you find Quickning and Comfort then bless God for it beg a Continuance of it watch against Relapses fulfil your Vows encourage yourselves to a frequent Attendance on that Ordinance But 3dly If you find not present Benefits by it then you must more exactly review your Preparation and Carriage at the Sacrament in both which if you can approve your selves to God and your own Conscience then wait for the Fruit in due time But if you find that you have failed in either Preparation or Carriage you must be humbled and attend upon it afterwards with more Care and Diligence section 3 Having directed you and brought some Assistance towards the holy and comfortable receiving the Communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord I might expect that you will say you have now what you much desired and only wanted For so great should be the Forwardness and Zeal of every one who bears the Christian Name to obey every Command of Christ and particularly to address themselves to this holy Ordinance wherein the Love of Christ is set forth in his most precious Blood that they should not need Motives to spur them on But Alas how commonly do we see Men and Women excommunicate themselves and Non-Communicants crowding out at the Church-doors leaving but a little Flock behind to feed upon his Body and Blood who laid down his Life for the Sheep Truly to see many depart who have been earnestly invited to this Feast of Love hath brought to my Mind the Separation that will be in the last Day between the Sheep and the Goats Wo wo to them when Christ shall bid them depart from him who for Love of Ease Ignorance and wilful Impenitence go away from him represented at his Table I shall draw out a few Arguments to perswade poor Souls to a conscientious well-prepared Address to the Table of the Lord out of the same Store house your very Catechism section 4 Advantage or Dis-advantage are the prevailing Motives to perswade or disswade Now if you shall find the Advantages very great of right and worthy Receiving and the Loss and Sin great of Neglecting or unworthy Receiving then I hope you will be won
general Rules of his Word A Form of Words is necessary in some parts of Worship and is but a manner or mode of doing and corrupteth not the Substance Circumstances are variable and must answer to the End of Worship Commandment III. 1. Christians may lawfully swear when lawful Power Matter Cause and End require it and when it is in a due manner The Light of Nature taught it Gen. 21.15 chap. 24.3,9 chap. 31.52 chap. 47.31 Holy Men used it and directions are given for it Jer. 4.2 Swearing by the Creatures or causless prophane Swearing is only contrary to our Saviour's Law Math. 5.37 Calling for or imposing Oaths on slight Occasions calls for Mourning and Repentance in our days 2. Christ and the Holy Ghost are God Jehovah It is lawful to swear by none but by God Jehovah It is lawful to swear by God and Christ say the Socinians Rom. 1.9 2 Cor. 1.23 chap. 11.31 Phil. 1.8 1 Thess 2.5,10 and by the Holy Ghost Rom. 9.1 therefore Christ and the Holy Ghost are God Jehovah He whom we honour by lawful Swearing is no other than Jehovah thy God. Commandment IV. 1. There was a Sabbath from the beginning of the World the first Seventh after the Sixth of the Creation was a Sabbath Gen. 2.2,3 Exod. 20.11 2. A Day of Rest is as necessary under the Gospel as before if it be not kept holy we are worse and not better for it We are not discharged from Ceremonial Burthens to take more liberty to contrive Business make Bargains travel coach about receive and pay Visits meet in Coffee-houses speak our own Words or do our own Deeds 3. The Commandment is contained in these words Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy The Confirmation and Establishment of it runs in these words Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and sanctified it We are obliged to a weekly Sabbath or Day of holy Rest and not to the Seventh any more than a First when the Lord thought fit to make a Change. Beside the Duty laid down there are many words added by way of Explication and Motive only 4. The Observation of the First Day was universal in all Christian Churches 1 Cor. 16.1,2 As I have given order in the Churches of Galatia so do ye upon the first day of the week c. This Order given for Charity doth strongly intimate the Observation of the First Day weekly And this Order was given to the Churches of Galatia who are blamed for observing the legal Sabbaths Gal. 4.10 They vanished the First Day is established 5. The believing Gentiles received the Observation of the First Day together with the Faith and the Christian Jews made no Controversie about it 6. It is called The Lord's Day Fev 1.10 as instituted by him and as consecrated to him Easter Day is only the first Lord's Day in order every first Day of every Week is of the same nature and for the same end 7. The word Remember doth not imply that it is a Ceremonial Precept but rather a strictness of Command and a Caveat against carelesness and forgetfulness of it Religion grows or decays is preserved or lost according as this Day is observed or not 8 Sabbath signifying Rest our Lord's Day may be called Sabbath without Judaizing as it is in our Homilies 9. A Day of bodily Rest is necessary for spirituâ—l 10. Parents Masters and Governors must see that it be sanctified To sanctifie it is a Moral Duty and though the Fourth Commandment be not a prime Moral Precept as the First is yet it hath a consequential Morality in it Commandment V. 1. All the Duties of this Commandment are enjoined under the Name of Honour teaching us a mutual Estimation of all Ranks of Men. 2. Parents must not provoke their Children by Rigour or unjust Commands Ephes 5.4 yet they may wisely correct as well as instruct them into due Obedience Heb. 12.6,7,8 And they who do the duty of Parents are to have the honour 3. Children in the power of Parents ought not to marry without their Consent if possible by dutiful means Col. 3.20 Ephes 5.1 In all things and In the Lord. 4. To make Vows and enter into Orders of Religion without Consent of Parents or to violate Marriage-Covenants for the same reason or to seduce any so to do is sinful Numb 30.4,5,6 Col. 3.20 Matth. 19.6 1 Cor. 7.5 5. Vows of blind Obedience are not seasonable therefore sinful Act. 4.19 1 Cor. 11.1 Rom. 12.1 6. All Orders of Men are subject to temporal Laws and must answer when accused Act. 26.2 Peter taught Subjection to all in Authority 1 Pet. 2.13,14 Rom. 13.1 7. Belivers under the Old Testament had spiritual Promises and not only temporal They had the Promise of Christ therefore all in him Gen. 3.15 chap. 12.3 of the Spirit Gal. 3.14 lived by Faith Heb. 11.13 looked for Eternal Life Joh. 5.39 and were Godly therefore had the Promises of the Life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Under the Gospel we have better Promises Heb. 8.6 because we are put into a better State. Commandment VI. 1. It is lawful for a Christian to be a Minister or Servant of God therefore to be a Magistrate and to bear the Sword Rom. 13.4,6 Captains left not their Places by becoming Christians Matth. 8. Act. 10.3 Soldiers are directed Luk. 3.14 The Promises of great Peace Isa 2 4. Mic. 4 3. Zech. 9.10 intimate the nature and influence of the Gospel which is not brought in by the Sword nor propagated by it 2. It is our duty to live peaceably c Rom. 12.18 yet a Man ought to maintain his own right Acts 21.37 chap. 22,23 to 26. But hatred and revenge are great sins Gen. 4.6 chap. 31.24 Levit. 19.18 Love and Righteousness must be promoted and maintained Commandment VII 1. Marriage is of the Law of Nature and not peculiar to the Church Plurality of Wives at once is contrary to the first institution Mat. 2.13,14,15 One should die before another be taken Rom. 7.2,3 1 Cor. 7.39 It is not Lawful to divorce for every cause Mat. 19.1 to 10. to marry in the Lord 1 Cor. 7.39 and Love intirely Ephes 5.25 are preventives of many sins 2. Fornication is a great sin 1 Cor. 6.13.18 ver 9. 3. It is better to marry than to burn 1 Cor. 7.9 All have not the gift chap. 7.2 therefore a single Life is not more perfect in it self And for Ministers it is Lawful in such cases Heb. 13.4 1 Cor. 9.5 1 Tim. 3.2,4 chap. 5.12 Peter's Wife had a Mother therefore he had a Wife Mar. 1.30 and we believe Philip had a Wife for he had four Daughters Acts 21.9 Commandment VIII 1. Men have a distinct property in goods 2. Every Man should peaceably enjoy his own 3. yet alienation by sale commutation charity contracts and payments of tribute and debts is Lawful I believe Paul well understood the manner of the King 1 Sam. 8.11 c. yet speaks of no more than of tribute