A. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen and whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Q. Hath not Christ given a new commandment concerning the loving of our brethren A. A new commandment he hath given to us That we love one another as he hath loved us that we also love one another And as hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren Q. Are the commandments of Christ impossible or difficult to be obeyed A. His commandments are not grievous but his yoke is easie and his burthen is light Nor hath God in any thing wearied us that we should testifie against him Q. Are we able of our selves to believe and repent and keep all the commandments of God A. We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God whose grace is sufficient for us It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure but as without Christ we can do nothing so we can do all things through Christ which strengthneth us Q. Are we therefore to lie idle and only to live in expectation of power from above to work in us both to will and to do what is required of us A. No verily but we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do that is because we are enabl ed by the concurrence of God's grace with our endeavours both to resolve firmly to do well and to perform accordingly Q. Seeing we are unable without the supply of God's grace and Spirit to keep his commandments and therefore it cannot but be absolutely necessary for us to pray to him that we may be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inward man what encouragement have we to hope for spiritual strength upon our praying for it A. We are encouraged from those words of Christ Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you c. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Q. What further encouragement have we to expect spiritual strength A. We are further encouraged from the tenure of the new Covenant which is this I will put saith God my Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my commandments and do them Which Promises suppose that we must not be wilfully or carelesly wanting to our selves in the use of means as is manifest by comparing these texts with Ezek. 18. 31. and James 4. 8. and many such like Q. What are the chief ordinary means which God hath appointed for the working and furtherance of Faith Repentance and all graces in us A. They are these three 1. Prayer 2. The holy Scriptures or Word of God 3. The Sacraments Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer'is the making known our requests to God and the pouring out our hearts before him that so we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Q. How must we pray to God that we may be heard and accepted by him A. That we may be heard and accepted by God we must ask in the name of Christ and such things only must we ask as are according to his will Q. What else is necessary to make our prayers acceptable A. 'T is farther necessary to the making of our prayers acceptable that we call upon God in truth and sincerity and not with feigned lips that we pray with humility and submission saying Not my will but thine be done that we ask in faith that is believing in the wisdom power and goodness of God that we lift up holy hands without wrath or forgiving all that have trespassed against us and lastly whatsoever we ask we shall receive if we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight but if we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us Q. But must we not with prayers to God join also praise and thanksgiving A. Yes in every thing must our requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus that in every thing we give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we are to offer the sacrifice of praise continually unto God Q. How did Christ our Lord teach his Disciples to pray A. He taught them to pray after this manner Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the Glory sor ever and ever Amen Q. What is the second means for begetting and increase of Faith and all other Vertues A. It is the word of God or the holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation for all the Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in rightcousness that the man of God and every faithful Christian may be perfect throughly furnished for every good work Q. How must we receive the word of God that it may become an effectual means of grace unto us A. We must receive the word with meekness and all readiness of mind with an honest and good heart and laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evil speakings as new born babes we must desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby Q. It is not enough then merely to hear or read God's word A. By no means but we must meditate n the law of the Lord day and night we must lay it up and hide it in our hearts and having with an honest and good heart heard the word we must keep it and bring forth fruit with patience or perseverance for if we be hearers only of the word and not doers we deceive
receive him as such is effectually and powerfully to believe that God his Father hath put all things under him that he is the head of all principality and power and crowned with glory and honour that he hath all power given him in heaven and in earth that he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet that he is the one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy and therefore to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded Q. Seeing that Christ is our Lord and King what learn you from thence A. I learn from Christ's being our King that therefore Sin should not reign in our mortal body that we should obey it in the lusts thereof for what communion hath light with darkness and what concord hath Christ with Belial Q. What are the enemies that Christ our King is to subdue and destroy A. The enemies that he is to subdue and destroy are Satan and wicked men and sin and death which is the last enemy that shall be destroyed Q. What will this King Jesus Christ do for the Righteous who sincerely obey him A. When he shall come with all his holy Angels and sit upon the throne of his glory he shall say unto the Righteous Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world and to those that overcome their spiritual enemies he will grant to sit with him on his throne even as he overcame and is set down with his Father on his throne and to those that shall be faithful to the death he will give a Crown of life Q. Having seen what it is to believe in Christ tell me what are the properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture A The properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture are these five 1. It purifies the heart 2. It worketh by love 3. It is made perfect by works 4. It overcomes the world 5. It quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked one that is the Devil Q. Having seen what is meant by Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ let us see what is meant by Repentance which is also necessary to qualifie and fit us to receive pardon of sin and salvation by Jesus Christ What is it therefore truly and savingly to Repent A. Truly and savingly to Repent is with a godly sorrow and shame for sin to turn from all sin unto God Q. It is not sufficient then only to confess our si is to God A. It is not but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy Q. Is not sorrow for sin saving Repentance A. No but godly sorrow worketh Repentance to salvation not to be repented of Q. You cannot think that good purposes and resolutions of amendment are sufficient to Salvation A. No by no means but we must throughly amend our ways and doings we must do works meet for Repentance and bring forth fruits answerable to amendment of life for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen down and cast into the fire Q. Having seen the nature of Faith and Repentance tell me what is meant by New and Spiritual Obedience which is also absolutely necessary to Salvation A. By new and Spiritual Obedience is meant that we must make us a new spirit that is do our best endeavour for it and walk in newness of life that we must put off as to the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of our mind and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Q. How is this new and spiritual Obedience farther explained in Scripture A. It is thus farther explained namely That we should not walk nor live after the flesh but after the spirit or according to the spiritual Precepts of the Gospel that we should not any longer live to the lusts of men but to the will of God that we should yield our selves unto God and that as we have yielded our members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now we should yield our members servants to righteousness unto holiness Q. By what arguments and motives doth the Scripture inforoe and press us to this new and spiritual Obedience A. One ground and argument in Scripture for spiritual obedience is this That if any man be in Christ or a true Christian he is a new creature and if we are new Creatures and God's workmanship we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works to the which God hath before prepared us that we should walk in them and therefore they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Q. What other argument or motive do you remember in Scripture for spiritual Obedience A. A second argument is this That Christ his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree to the end that we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness and he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can you rehearse for spiritual Obedience A. A third argument is this That Christ hath said if we love him and keep his commandments he will love us and manifest himself unto us and also that his Father will love us they both will make their abode with us Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can youthink on for spiritual Obedience A. A fourth argument is this That if we live after the flesh we shall die but if we through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live If we sow to the flesh we shall of the flesh reap corruption but if we sow to the spirit we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting That being become the servants of God we shall have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life That great peace have they that love God's law and in Keeping thereof there is great reward And therefore blessed are they that do his commandments Q. What are the works of the flesh which every Christian is to crucifie A. The works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery sornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyings murthers drunkenness revellings and such like and they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Q. What are the fruits of the Spirit that every Christian is to bring forth A. The fruits of the Spirit are Love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. Will not outward privileges
or respects avail us any thing to justification and salvation without this new and spiritual obedience A. Neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcifion but a new creature the keeping of the commandments of God and not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of his Father which is in heaven For why call ye me Lord Lord saith our Saviour and do not the things which I say The hearers of the Law are not just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified Q. May it not suffice to keep some of the Commandments of God but must we obey all A. We must have respect unto all God's commandments and hate every false way for whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet wilfully offend in one point he is guilty of all or liable to the punishment due to the breach of all viz. Eternal death Q. Will God accept at our hands nothing short of absolutely perfect Obedience A. Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him for he knoweth our frame he remembreth that we are but dust and if there be a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not That is it is accepted if we demonstrate that we are reallywilling by our acting in a good suitableness to the strength we have received Q. Do you think that you can deserve forgiveness of sin and eternal Salvation at God's hands by obeying his commandments A. No by no means but when we have done all those things that are commanded us we must say that we are unprofitable servants we have done but that which was our duty to do and not by works of righteousness which we have done that is not for the desert of them but according to his mercy he saveth us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost and he maketh us accepted in the beloved by whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of his grace Q. Seeing we cannot merit at God's hands by any thing we can do and that we are pardoned and saved purely by the free Grace of God in Christ how comes obedience to his commandments to be indispensably necessary to our being so A. Obedience to God's commandments is therefore indispensably necessary to our being pardoned and saved because that the righteous Lord loveth righteousness but hateth wickedness and all the workers of iniquity insomuch as he that justifieth the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord so that without holiness no man shall see the Lord for thereby we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light nor can we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness for God is light and in him is no darkness at all Wherefore God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless us by turning every one of us from our iniquities and hath exalted him to be a prince a Saviour first to give repentance and then forgiveness of sins and he came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it that is to perfect it or preach it fully So the same word is used Rom. 15. 19. and Col. 1. 25. Q. Then you will never be perswaded to believe that Faith in Christ freeth us from our obligation to the Moral Law or any one precept of it A. Do we make void the law through faith God sorbid yea we establish the law And to live soberly righteously and godlily in this present world is that even the sum of all that which the grace of God that brings salvation teacheth us Nay it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than one jot or tittle of the law to fail till all be fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or till all things be done that is till the world be destroyed Q. Which are the ten Commandments into which the Moral Law as it was given by God to Moses is divided of which the four first contain our duty towards God and the other six our duty towards man A. God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before or besides me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it 5. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee 6. Thou shalt not kill 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery 8. Thou shalt not steal 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy neighbours Wife nor his Man-servant nor his Maid-servant nor his Oxe nor his Ass nor any thing that is thy neighbours Q. How are these ten Commandments abridged by our Saviour Christ A. He hath reduced them all to these two Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength This is the first Commandment or the first Table And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Q. How is the love of God expressed A. This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments Q. How is this second Commandment or Table farther explained by Christ A. He hath farther explain'd it thus As ye would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise Q. Can a man love God and hate his brother or refuse to supply his necessities according to his ability