Cor. 3.9 these of the new Testament haue great preeminence SECT XV. Of Baptisme Q. VVHat is Baptisme A. The former Sacrament of the new Testament by the a Eph 5.26 washing of water representing the powerfull b 1 Cor 6.11 Heb. 10.22 washing of the bloud and spirit of Christ and so sealing our a John 3.5 Tit. 3.5 new birth and entrance into the Couenant of grace Q. How was this Sacrament ordained and brought into the Church in the place of Circumcision A. At the b Iohn 1.33 commandement of God by the ministery first of c Matth. 3.1 Iohn therefore called the Baptist after sanctified and confirmed by our Sauiour Christ himselfe being d Matt. 3.13 baptized by Iohn and giuing e Mat. 28.18 commission to his Apostles and Ministers to continue the same in his Church vnto the end Q. What are the necessary and essentiall parts of this Sacrament A. Two viz. 1. The outward element of f Iohn 1.31 water together with the actioÌ„ of g Eph. 5.26 Act. 8.36 c. 2.41 washing that is dipping or sprinkling the party baptized h Mat. 28.19 In the name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost 2. The spiritual thing signified viz. the i Heb. â— 14 bloud k 1. Cor 6.11 spirit of Christ washing away both the l Act. 2.38 guilt and m Eze. 36.25 filthinesse of sinne Q. Doth this spiritual washing alwaies accompany the outward action A. No for howsoeuer God for his part doe euer a Ezek. 24.13 offer it at the present vnto all yet doe the b 1. Pet. 1.2 Elect onely effectually partake the spirituall benefit and that c Gal. 3.27 then first when by the spirit and faith they are vnited vnto Christ from which time baptisme once receiued remaineth a d Zech. 13.1 fountain alwaies open for sinne and for vncleannesse Q. How farre forth doth Baptisme cleanse the elect from sinne A. From e 1. Cor. 6.9.10 11. 1. John 1.7 Psal 51 7. all sins as well actuall as originall as wel committed after Baptisme as before and that f Esay 1.18 perfectly in respect of the guilt although g Ioh. 13.10 Psal 51.2 imperfectly by degrees in respect of the pollution and power of sinne Q. Who are to be admitted to this Sacrament A. Whosoeuer are outwardly comprehended in the Couenant whether th y be 1. of riper yeares h Acts 8.37 coÌ„uerted to the profession of the faith or 2. i 1 Cor. 7.14 children borne of Christian parents SECT XVI Of the Lords Supper Q. VVHat is the Lords Supper A It is the other Sacrament of the new Testament wherein God by the signes of bread and wine signifieth sealeth and exhibiteth to euery faithfull receiuer the body and bloud of Christ for his spirituall nourishment and growth in Christ so confirmeth him in the Couenant of Grace Q. How was this Sacrament instituted in stead of the Passeouer A. Our Lord Iesus Christ a 1. Cor. 11.23 in the night that he was betraied b Matth. 26.26 c. immediatly after hee had eaten the Passeouer with his Disciples did both himselfe with them celebrate this holy Sacrament and withall c 1. Cor. 11.24 25 26. giue charge for continuance of the same in the Church vntill his second comming in which regard it is called the d 1. Cor. 11.20 Lords Supper Q. What are the essentiall parts of this Sacrament A. As of all other Sacraments two to wit 1. The outward signes viz. the a Mat. 26.26 27. elemeÌ„ts of bread wine together with the actions of blessing distributing taking communicating according to our Sauiours first institution 2. The spiritual b Ibid. things signified viz. the body bloud of Christ sanctified and c Ioh. 6.50 51 giuen vs by God and by faith receiued of vs for the nourishing and preseruing of our soules and bodies vnto eternall life Q. Is Christs body and bloud together with the outward elements receiued of all Communicants A. No for howsoeuer they be d Mat. 26.26 offred by God to all yet are they receiued by such alone as haue the hand of faith to lay hold on Christ As for those that come without faith they receiue e 1. Cor. 11.27 onely the outward elements and that vnto f Vers 29. condemnation Q. Who are to be partakers of this Sacrament A. All baptized who are of yeeres sound iudgement to discerne the Lords body ought to repaire to this Sacrament but those onely come worthily who professing the true faith haue duly a 1. Cor. 11.28 examined prepared theÌ„selues Q. How ought euery Christian comming to this SacrameÌ„t to examin prepare himselfe that he may come worthily A. By due search triall of himself whether he haue in him the conditions by God required in worthy Communicants viz. b 2. Cor. 13.5 1. Tim. 1.15 Faith grouÌ„ded vpoÌ„ knowledge both of Gods will in generall this holy Sacrament in particular c Heb. 10.22 Iames 48. RepentaÌ„ce of sins past atteÌ„ded with true d Zech. 12.10 lâ—ue of God of his e 1. Cor. 16.14 brethren Q. How ought euery Christian thus prepared to demeane himselfe in receiuing and after A. 1. In the present actioÌ„ with reuereÌ„ce intention thanksgiuing f 1. Cor. 11.26 coÌ„memorating the Lords death for the coÌ„fort refreshing of his soul g Rom. 12.1 ofring vp himselfe soule body as a sacrifice of thanks in which regard it is called the Eucharist 2. Afterward coÌ„tinually indeuoring to finde an h Col. 2.6 7. increase of his faith in Christ loue to God all his saints power to subdue sinne and practise obedience with all other * 2. Pet. 3.18 sauing and sanctifying graces SECT XVII Of the inward meanes of reuealing the Couenant of Grace viz. the Spirit and Faith Q. VVHat are the inward meanes whereby God reuealeth his Couenant of Grace A. They are 2. Viz. 1. The Spirit 2. Faith Q. What is here meant by the Spirit A. A speciall effect of the Spirit of Christ before-mentioned dwelling in our hearts testifying on Gods part his free loue and gracious purpose touching our saluation in a Psal 35.3 particular bearing b Rom. 8.16 witnesse with our spirits that we are in Christ his Children and hee our Father withall guiding vs to the c Psal 16.7 Ioh. 14.26 knowledge of the whole will of God reuealed in his word called therefore the d Ephes 1.17 spirit of wisedome or Reuelation Q. Doth the Spirit alwaies witnesse the loue of God vnto vs A. The witnesse of the spirit is a Rom. 5.5 Ephes 2.13.14 continuall yet it is b Psal 51.10 ver 7.8 not alwaies with like feeling and comfort apprehended because neither are our hearts alwaies alike purged humbled and enlarged to receiue it nor the
What is faith A. The first effect of the spirit of Christ d Eph. â— 16 17. disposing vs to cleaue to him and the instrument whereby all graces are begun and increased in vs. SECT XIII Of the Gospell Q. VVHat is our communion with Christ A. The participation of the benefits flowing from his seueral offices Q. What benefite receiue wee from the Propheticall office of Christ A. The a Math. 11.27 reuelation of the Couenant of grace whereby we are made b 2. Tim. 3.15 wise vnto saluation Q. What meanes doth God vse for the reuealing of this couenant A. The meanes are of two sorts Viz. outward and inward Q. What are the outward meanes A. The word and the Sacraments Q. What meane you by the word A. The c Eph. 1.13 Gospell preached which â—ontaineth and publisheth the promises of saluation by Christ SECT XIIII Of Sacraments Q. VVHat are Sacraments A. a Rom. 4.11 Seales annexed by God to the word of his Grace b Gal. 3.27 assuring our part in Christ and c Rom. 6.4 binding vs vnto him in obedience Q. What Sacraments are there of the Couenant of Grace A. They be of two sorts Viz some of the old Testament before Christ others of the new vnder Christ Q. What were those Sacraments of the old Testament A. Two Viz d Gen. 17.10 Circumcision for entrance into the Couenant and the e Exod. 22.3 c. Passeouer for continuance and confirmation therein Q. How many Sacraments are there of the new Testament A. Two likewise Viz Baptisme for entrance and the Lords Supper foâ— confirmation in the same Couenant SECT XV. Of Baptisme Q. VVHat is Baptisme A. The seale of our a Tit. 3.5 new birth and entrance into the Couenant of Grace Q. What are the parts of this Sacrament A. They are two namely first the b Eph 5. â—6 element of water with the action of dipping or sprinkling the partie baptised c Math. 28.19 In the Name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Q. What is the other part A. The d Heb. 9.14 blood and e 1. Cor. 6 2â— Spirit of Christ washing away both the f Act. 2.38 guilt and g Ezek. 36.25 Rom. â— 2.3 c. filthinesse of our sinnes Q. Who are to be baptised A. Whosoeuer belong to the Couenant whether h Act. 8.37 of riper yeares conâ—erted to the faith or i 1. Cor. 7.14 children of Christian parents SECT XVI Of the Lords Supper Q. VVHat is the Lords supper A. The seale of our a Eph. 4.26 spirituall nourishment and grouth in the bodie of Christ Q. What are the parts of this Sacrament A. Two Viz First the b Mat. 26.26 27. elements of bread and wine distributed and receiued according to Christs institution Q. What is the other part A. The * Mat. 26.26 27 28. bodie and blood of Christ giuen by God and receiued of vs by faith for the d Joh. 6.54 nourishing of our soules in spirituall life Q. Who are to receiue this Sacrament A. Such as professing the true faith of Christ haue duely e 1. Cor. 1.28 prepared themselues Q. How ought wee to prepare oâ—â— selues A. By examining and stirring vp in our selues three notable graces Q. What is the first A. Knowledge of the will of God especially touching the matter of the Sacrament a 1. Cor. 11.29 that wee be able to discerne the Lords body Q. Which is these second A. b 2. Cor. 13.5 1. Tim. 1.15 Faith to apply the promises of saluation vnto our selues in particular Q. Which is the third A. c Zech. 12.10 Jam. 4. â— Repentance of our sinnes past with true d 1. Cor. 16.14 loue of God and of our Brethren Q. How ought wee to receiue this Sacrament A. In a reuerent and thankefull e 1. Cor. 11.24 25 26. remembrance of the loue of Christ who gaue himselfe for vs with desire to f 2. Pet. 3.18 grow in faith and all holy graces SECT XVII Of the spirit and faith Q. WHat are the inward means whereby God reuealeth his Couenant of Grace A. They are 2. Viz the spirit faith Q. What is here meant by the spirit A. A speciall effect of the Spirit of Christ a Rom. 8.16 bearing witnes with our spirits that we are in Christ the children of God Q. What is here meant by faith A. That speciall act of faith whereby wee b 1. Joh. 5.10 Joh. 3.33 giue credit vnto the report of the word and spirit of Christ touching our saluation in particular SECT XVIII Of Vocation Q. VVHat is the maÌ„ner of reuealing the CouenaÌ„t of Grace A. It is our c Rom. 8.30 Vocation and Callingâ— when God by the meanes aforesaid inuiteth men to come vnto him in Christ for saluation Q. Are there not different kinds of Calling A. Yes for a Math. 22.14 many are called outwardly who are not chosen but the Elect are b Psal 65.4 effectually perswaded to â—leaâ—e vnto Christ SECT XIX Of the Church Q. To whom doth God reueale his Couenant of Grace A. c Joh. 14.22 Not to the world but to his Church called out of the world Q. What meane you by the Church A. The d Eph. 5.32 1. Cor. 1.9 whole number of Gods Elect effectually called into fellowship with Christ Q. Where is this Church of God A. Part already e Reuel 7.14 c. triumphant in heauen part as yet f Reuel 12.11 militant on earth in the seruice and warfare of the Lord Iesus Q. Who are meÌ„bers of the Church militaÌ„t A. As many as are liuing g Eph. 1.22 23. members of the mysticall bodie of Christ Q. How may we know them A. Not by the inward graces a 2. Tim. 2.19 onely knowne to God whereby they are inuisible to vs but by the markes of visible profession Q. What are the true markes of visible profession A. The outward meanes appointed by God for the calling and gathering of his Saints viz. b Mat. 28.19 20. the word preached and Sacraments duely administred Q. Are we to ioyne with all Churches that haue these markes A. c Phil. 1.18 Cant. 1.5 Yea neither must wee separate from any farther then they separate from Christ Q. What distinction is there of the particular members of a Church A. Though all be the sheepe and familie of Christ yet d 1 Cor. 12 2â— Luk. 12.42 some are set-ouer the rest to feede them with the foode of life as the Ministers and e Ps 78.71 72 others to rule and order them outwardly as the Magistrates SECT XX. Of Iustification Q. VVHat benefite receiue we from the Priestly office of Christ A. Our a Rom. 8.30 Iustification before God through his b Phil. 3.9 righteousnes imputed vnto vs and apprehended by vs. Q. What righteousnesse of Christ is imputed to vs A. c
2.8 not of our selues but the gift of God and of all other the first and most generall effect and instrument of the e 2. Cor. 4.13 Gal. 5 5. spirit of Christ f Eph. 3.16.17 disposing and inabling vs so to imbrace and cleaue vnto him as 1. To g Rom. 5.2 receiue from God by him whatsoeuer benefits and graces 2. To h Col 2.7 Gal. 5.6 returne to God in him all holy and thankful obedience SECT XIII Of our Communion with Christ in regard of his Propheticall office by the Reuelation of the Couenant of Grace and of the first outward meanes of Reuelation viz. the Gospell preached Q. VVHat is our communion with Christ A. It is our participation with him in the benefits flowing from his seueral offices For being made one with him we are thereby a Reu. 2.28 Col. 2.10 possessed of all things that are his as the wife of the wealth of her husband the b John 15.5 branch of the sap of the roote and the c Eph. 4.15 16. members of sense and motion from the head In which regard the whole Church is called also d 1. Co. 12.12 Galat. 3.16 Christ and the seuerall members e Acts 11.26 Christians Q. What are the benefits which wee partake with Christ flowing from his offices A. They are the fruits of his Propheticall Priestly Kingly functions whereby as he is a 1. Cor. 1.30 made to vs of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption so we also by him after a sort become b Act. 2.17.18 Prophets c 1. Pet. 2.9 Reuel 5.10 Priests and Kings Q. What fruit receiue we by the Propheticall function of Christ to make vs Prophets A. The d Mat. 11.27 16.17 John 14.21 Psal 25 14. Reuelation of Gods couenant of grace whereby Christ is made vnto vs of God wisdome and we e 2. Tim. 3.15 1. Iohn 5.20 wise for our owne and others saluation Q. Touching this reuelation what are we to consider A. Three things viz. the Meanes whereby it is imparted Maner how it is imparted Subiects to whom it is imparted Q. What are the meanes whereby God reuealeth his couenant A. They are of two sorts 1. outward viz. 1. the Word and 2. the Sacraments 2. inward Q. What is here meant by the Word the first outward meanes A. The Gospell preached called the a Rom. 10.8 word of faith and of b Act. 20.32 grace containing c Pro. 3.18 as a second tree of life the promise of d Ioh. 6.68 2. Tim. 1.10 life and saluation by Christ the Mediator which is the substance of the Couenant of grace Q. In what part of the Scripture is the Gospell contained A. e Heb. 13 8. Rom. 10.6 Both in the old and the new Testament in the former more sparingly and darkly vnder f Gen. 3.15 49 10 obscure promises and g Heb. 10 1. shadowes of legall ceremonies proper to the Iewes but in the latter most h Rom. 16.25 26 plainly and plentifully in the cleere declaration both of the truth and fruit of Christ already exhibited to all nations In which regard especially it is termed a i Heb. 9.15 8.8 c. new Couenant or Testament Q. To what part of Gods word is the Gospell opposed A. To the LaW which containing the k Gal. 3.10 tenor of the fore-mentioned Couenant of works is notwithstanding this latter Couenant of grace often vrged in the a Rom. 1.18 Deut. 27.26 Ez. 18 4 5. c Leuit. 18.5 Scriptures especially of the old Testament Q. What vse is there of the Law the Gospell being published A. Not as of a b Gal. 1.12 cause properly working faith and grace for that belongeth only to the c Act. 20.24 Ephes 1.13 Gospell but yet as of a needfull preparatiue thereunto that being d Rom. 8.15 humbled by the Law seeing our selues not e Gal. 3.11 capable of saluation by the couenant of works we may be forced to f Matt. 11.28 â—lie to the remedy offered vnto vs in the grace of the Gospell Q. What need is there of the preaching of the Gospell seeing we may reade it A. Because though g 1 Cor. 1.21 foolishnesse to the world it is the h Deu. 18.17 c. ordinance of God and his i Rom. 1.16 power to saluation and wee haue need to haue the word not only propounded in grosse but also k Rom. 10.14 Gal. 3.2 Act. 8.30.31 2 Tim. 2.15 expounded diuided and applied by the ministry for that end by Christ ordained SECT XIIII Of the second outward meanes viz. the Sacraments Q. TO proceed to the other outward meanes What are Sacraments A. a Rom. 4.11 Seales annexed b 1. Cor. 21.23 by God to the word of the Couenant of Grace to instruct assure c Gal. 3.27 possesse vs of our part in Christ and his benefits to binde vs in all thankfull obedience vnto God in him Q. How doth God by the Sacraments assure vs of his mercies in Christ A. By exhibiting to the worthy receiuer by such outward signes whether elements or actions as himselfe for reliefe of our weaknes hath prescribed whole d 1. Cor. 10.4 Christ God and man with all his benefits in e 2. Cor. 1.20 whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen Q. How do they binde vs vnto God A. We receiuing them as pledges of his infinite loue in Christ doe thereby professe our selues a Col. 2.6 7. bound to expresse our thankfulnes by all duties to his Maiestie and for his sake b Eph. 4.3 4 5 one to another Q. What Sacraments be there of the Couenant of Grace A. They be of two sorts viz. 1. Some of the old Testament before Christs comming 2. Other of the new vnder Christ Q. What Sacraments were there of the old Testament A. Besides diuers c 1. Pet. 3.20 21. 1. Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. extraordinarily giuen seruing but for a season there were two of ordinary and perpetuall vse from their institution vntill the comming of Christ to which those other may be referred viz. 1. d Gen. 17.10 c. Deut. 30.6 Circumcision for entrance into the Couenant 2. e Exod. 12.3 c. 1. Cor. 5.7 The Passeouer for continuance and confirmation therein Q. What Sacraments be there of the new Testament A. Onely two to wit 1. Baptisme succeeding in the place of Circumcision 2. The Supper of the Lord answering to the Passeouer Q. How doe these Sacraments of the new Testament differ from those of the old A. In respect a Rom. 4.11 1. Cor. 10.2.3 4. Not of the Author God the substance Christ or the receiuers the people of God which are in both the same But of b Mat. 28.19 20. continuance c 1. Cor. 11.26 euidence easie performance and efficacie in all which d 2.
sweet promises of the Gospell c Esay 59.21 whereon the spirit groundeth this testimonie with like care attended on and meditated Q. How may wee discerne betweene the perswasion of Gods Spirit and the presumption of our owne hearts A. Among other by these three differences Viz. that 1. Presumption giueth d Deu. 29.19 libertie to continue in sinne but Gods spirit e Ioh. 16.8 rebuketh vs for euery sinne 2. Presumption f Jer 3.4 5 relyeth on Gods loue not louing him but Gods spirit maketh vs g Cant. 8.6 1. Ioh. 4.19 loue him because hee hath loued vs first 3. Prosumptiō is ioined with self-loue but Gods spirit reuealing his mercy to vs maketh vs h Iob 42.5 6. Ezek. 16.63 36.31 abhor our selues Q. What meane you here by Faith A. That speciall act of faith whereby we a 1. Ioh. 5.10 giue credit to the report of the word and spirit of Christ touching our saluation in particular and so b Ioh. 3.33 set to our seale that God is true Q. How are we brought to giue credit to the word and spirit A. By the c Rom. 10.17 ministerie of the same word with the Sacraments annexed and the power of the same spirit by which onely meanes God worketh and setteth on worke this grace of faith in the hearts of his Children from the generall promises of the Gospell d 1. Tim. 1.15 Ioh. 20.28 particularly and e Iob 19.25 1. Pet. 1.13 vndoubtedly to conclude their owne saluation Q. Can all that haue faith particularly and vndoubtedly resolue of their saluation A. 1. Many for a time rest secure in a flirting perswasion which may appeare not to be true faith in that it f Act. 15.9 purgeth not the heart 2. The Elect hauing true faith g Luk. 22.32 Rom. 11.29 neuer failing and working in them sound assurance must yet ordinarily h Mar 9.24 Luc. 17.5 striue against doubting and may i Psal 51.12 31 22. 42.5 at times falling into sin or some spirituall affliction loose for a season the ioy and feeling of this assurance SECT XVIII Of the manner of reuealing the Couenant of Grace viz. Vocation Q. THus much of the meanes now what is the manner of reuealing the Couenant of Grace A. It is a Rom. 8.30 Heb. 3.1 Vocation or Calling when God by the meanes aforesaid acquainting men with his gracious purpose of saluation by Christ b Hos 2.14 inuiteth them to come vnto him Q. Are there not different kindes of Calling A. Yes there is two fold calling 1. Effectuall peculiar to those few that are Elect whereby God become in Christ their Father doth not onely outwardly by his word inuite but e Gen. 9.27 Psal 65.4 25.14 Ioel. 2.32 Acts 2.39 inwardly also powerfully by his spirit allure and winne their hearts to cleaue to him inseparably vnto saluation 2. a Esay 48.12 Outward onely and ineffectuall whereby b Mat. 22.14 many are called who are not chosen as hath been shewed Q. How doth this latter differ from the former calling A. Howsoeuer wee are to c 1. Cor. 1.2 iudge charitably of all outwardly called because who among them are also inwardly called is onely d 2. Tim. 2.19 knowne to God yet doth this outward calling differ from the former 1. In that it is wrought onely by e Heb. 4.2 outward meanes and common illumination without the f Iud. v. 19. spirit of regeneration or any portion of g Luk. 8.13 sauing faith 2. In that they are admitted onely to an outward and h Act. 8.13 Rom. 9.4.5 temporarie league of formall profession i 1. Ioh. 2.19 1. Cor. 1.8.9 not to that entire fellowship with Christ required vnto saluation SECT XIX Of the Subiects to whom the Couenant of Grace is reuealed viz. the Church Q. TO come to the third thing propounded touching this Reuelation to whom doth God reueale his Couenant of Grace A. a Ioh 14.22 17.9 Mat. 11.25 1. Cor. 2 8 c. Not to the world but to his Church called out of the world Q. What meane you by the Church A. The whole number of Gods Elect effectually called into b Ephe. 5.32 fellowship with Christ by the meanes and in the manner formerly mentioned which wee professe to beleeue vnder the title of the holy Catholike Church Q. Where is this holy Catholike Church A. Part already in heauen c Heb. 12.13 Reu. 7.14 c. triumphant in their Masters ioy d Reu. 6.7 waiting for the fulfilling of the number of their fellow members and their owne consummation in perfect blisse Part as yet a Reu. 1.9 12.11 militant on earth in the seruice warrefare of their Lord expecting in due time to be also b 2. Tim. 4.7 8 crowned with victory and triumph in glory Q. Who are true members of the Church militant on earth A. Those alone who as c Ephe. 1.22 23. Col. 1.18 liuing members of the mysticall bodie are by the spirit and faith d Col 3.3 Psal 83.3 sccretly and inseparably conioined vnto Christ their head in which respect the true militant Church is both inuisible and e Mat. 16.18 inuincible Q. But are none to be accounted members of this Church but such as are so inseparably vnited vnto Christ A. Truely and properly f 1. Joh. 2 19 none other howbeit because God vseth outward meanes with the inward for the gathering of his Saints and calleth them as well to g Act. 2 42. Cant. 1.7 outward profession among themselues as to inward fellowship with his Sonne whereby the Church becommeth visible hence it commeth that so many as h Act. 8.13 partaking the outward meanes doe ioyne with these in league of visible profession are therefore in humane iudgement accounted members of the true church and a 1. Cor. 1.2 Saints by calling vntill the Lord who onely knoweth who are his doe make knowne the contrarie As wee are taught in the b Mat. 13 24.47 c. parables of the tares the drawnet c. Q. Hath Christ then his Church visible vpon earth A. Yea throughout the world in the particular c Rom. 3.3 congregations of Christians called to the profession of the true faith obedience of the Gospel In which d Rom. 11.5 visible assemblies and not else-where the true members of the Church inuisible on earth are to bee found and vnto which therefore all that seeke saluation must gladly e Esay 60.4 ioyne themselues Q. Are we to acknowledge one visible Church or many A. f Ephe. 4.4 c. Cant. 6.8 Gal. 3.28 One alone as there is but one Lord one Spirit one Faith and one Baptisme notwithstanding the parts of this one Church may bee distinguished in respect 1. Of time as the Churches a Heb. 13.8 before Christ and since Primitiue and present reformed c. 2. Of
communicated vnto all that beeing vnited as members vnto him doe lay c Rom. 10.4 claime thereto and apply it vnto themselues Q. How is this claime and application made A. On our part by d Rom. 5.1 faith alone and that not considered as a vertue inherent in vs working by loue but onely as an e Rom. 10 10 instrument or hand of the soule stretched forth to lay hold on Christ f Ier. 23.6 The Lord our righteousnesse Q. But how are wee made Priests vnto God by our Communion with Christ A. Our g Eph. 1.6 persons receiued into fauour wee are admitted as a a 1. Pet. 2.5 spirituall Priesthood to offer vp the sacrifices of our obedience and thanksgiuing which howsoeuer b Esa 64.6 imperfect in themselues and deseruing rather c Psal 143.2 Tit. 3.5 punishment then reward are yet as our persons made acceptable vnto GOD and haue d Mat. 10.41 42. promise of reward by the onely merite and intercession of the same our high Priest SECT XXI Of our Communion with Christ in regard of his Kingly Office viz. Glorification and that begunne in this life and first in our condition Q. TO proceede to the third what benefit receiue we by our Communion with Christ in regard of his Kingly office A. Our a Rom. 8.30 Glorification the third inseparable companion and consequent of our Calling and Iustification before-mentioned whereby our condition and whole nature beeing changed and restored according to the b Ver. 29. image of CHRIST our King wee are made in him no lesse c Reu. 1.5 Kings then Priests euen a d 1. Pet. 2.9 royall Priesthood Q. How is our Glorification accomplished A. It is e Col. 3.3 4 begunne in this present life and shall bee perfected in the end of this life and in that which is to come as shall be shewed Q. How is our Glâ—rification begunne in this life A. f Reu. 20.6 Partly in regard of our condition wherein wee are made blessed and partly in regard of our nature and conuersation wherein wee are made holy Q. How are wee made blessed in our condition A. In that being in Christ wee are in part g 1. Joh. 4.17 1. Cor. 3.22 23. admitted into the same relation wherin Christ standeth both with God himselfe and with the creatures and so inuested in his personall prerogatiues whereby we are gloriously exalted both in our spirituall and outward estate Q. Wherein consisteth the exaltation of our spirituall estate A. In that we are not onely a Col. 3.4 1. Joh. 3.2 assured of the fruition of the glorious and blissefull presence of God in heauen hereafter but euen now in this life in part b Joh 5.24 1. Joh. 3.14 possessed thereof being admitted vnto two degrees of happie communion with his Maiestie Q. Which is the first degree A. Fellowship with God whereby c Eph 2.12.13 18.19 1. Joh. 1.3 Heb. 12.22.23 we that were once farre off and aliens from him are now brought into a neare league and confederacie with him and with his Saints through the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ who in our humane nature is stiled d Zech. 13.7 Gods fellow Q. Which is the second degree A. Adoption that is power and priuiledge to be called the e Eph. 1.5 Sonnes of God deriued vnto vs from Christ a Heb. 2.10 who being the eternall Son of God became by incarnation our Brother that by him God might bring many sonnes and daughters vnto glorie euen as many as doe by faith b Joh. 1.12 receiue him who also by the c Gal. 4.5 6. spirit of adoption are taught to call God Abba Father And thus we which by d Eph. 2.3 nature were heires of wrath are in and with Christ the e Heb. 1.2 heire of all things made f Gal. 4 7. Rom. 8.17 heires of Gods fauour and kingdome procured for vs as a purchase by the right of iustification and conueyed vnto vs as an inheritance vnder the tenure title of Adoption Q. What ensueth vpon this to make vs spiritually blessed A. g 1. Pet. 1.8 9. Ioy in the holy Ghost vnspeakable and glorious we being at h Rom. 5.1 2 14.17 peace with God hauing accesse by faith vnto this grace wherein we stand reioycing vnder the hope of the glorie of God Q. Doe the children of God alwayes thus reioyce A. Ioy considered as a i Psal 4.6 7. delightfull apprehension of the fauor of God gladding the heart though it a Phil. 4.4 ought continually to be laboured for and preserued yet it may be at times and for a time not only darkened and daunted but euen b Psal 51.12 lost and to be restored yet is it as all c Rom. 11.29 gifts of God perpetuall and without repentance if we regard 1. The matter of reioycing which is Gods d Mal. 3.6 vnchangeable loue and grace 2. The causes and fountaines of ioy in the regenerate which are the neuer-failing graces of e Luc. 22.32 faith f Rom. 5.5 hope and g 1. Cor. 13.8 loue towards God in Christ 3. The valuation euen in h Psal 6.8 deepest dismay of our part and helpe in Christ aboue the pleasures of ten thousand worlds 4. The pretence and claime of the faithfull heart i Psal 42.5 promising and challenging vnto it selfe a comfortable k Psa 126.5 97.11 haruest of ioy for the present seed-time of sorrow Q. Wherein consisteth the exaltation of our outward estate A. In the l 1. Tim. 4.10 Rom. 8.32 promises and blessings of this present life which are the royalties and prerogatiues of the faithfull onely with a Mar. 10 38. reseruation so farre as God shall see good of the condition of the Crosse Q. What are those prerogatiues A. They are many and great but may for the most part bee referred to fiue whereof the first is b Hos 2.18 Heb. 1.14 2.5 8 Amitie with all the creatures which are a new reconciled and subdued vnto the faithfull members of Christ Q. What is the second A. c Gal. 5 13. Christian libertie whereby not onely our right forfeited in Adam is recouered and restored vnto vs by Christ the d 1. Cor. 15.47 second Adam the Lord from heauen but also the restraint of the e Gal. 5.1 c Col. 2.20 ceremoniall law is remooued and now vnto the f Tit. 1.15 pure in Christ Iesus all things are pure and g Rom. 14.14 nothing vncleane in it selfe vnlesse through weakenesse of conscience in him that vseth them or in h Ver. 15 those that take offence at them they become accidentally vncleane or scandalous Q. What is the third A. i Psa 34.9.10 Psa 128. Sufficiencie of earthly comforts as tokens of Gods loue and pledges of better things wherewith many times the godly are so blessed
God but especially h Ier. 8.6 Psal 18.23 speciall sinnes as the Arch-Rebels 2. Humble confession of sinnes and that 1. Of necessitie vnto GOD with a Pro. 28.13 Ier. 31.18 19 shame of face and true sorrow of heart 2. Vnto men conditionally Viz. if either the Church for b 2. Cor. 2.6 satisfaction of the publique offence do enioine open acknowledgement or some c Luk. 17.4 personall wrong demaund priuate reconciliation or the weakenesse of the labouring conscience doe require the secret d Iam. 1.16 assistance of a faithfull and able Minister or Brother 3. Feruent and faithfull e Psal 51.1 2 c. prayer to God in Christ both for f Ver. 7. pardon of what is past and for supply of g Ver. 10. renewing grace for the time to come Q. Seeing many doe falsely pretend that they repent how may we know that our Repentance is true A. A true tryall of vnfained Repentance may be taken 1. From the generalitie of it Viz. if it extend to the abhorring and shunning of h Ps 119.128 139.24 all sinnes and to the loue and practise of a Psal 119.6 all duties without reseruation 2. From the through performance of each part Viz. 1. Of hatred of sinne in spirituall warfare against it and that euen vnto b Heb. 12.4 blood if neede be 2. Of the loue of righteousnesse in bringing forth c Mat. 3.8 fruits worthy of amendment of life to wit good workes SECT XXXVI Of the Spirituall warfare Q. VVHat is the Spirituall warfare A. The daily exercise of our spirituall strength and armour against all aduersaries with assured confidence of victorie Q. What is our spirituall strength A. The powerfull d Ephes 6.10 assistance of God in Christ who hath loued vs whereby wee become * Rom. 8.37 more then conquerors Q. What is our spirituall armour A. The complete furniture of sauing and sanctifying graces called therefore the a 2. Cor. 6.7 armour of righteousnesse and the b Ephes 6.11 Panoplie or whole armor of God Viz. The c Ver. 14. c girdle of veritie or sinceritie The brest-plate of Righteousnesse that is holinesse of life and good conscience The shoes of the preparation or resolution to goe through with the profession of the Gospell of peace The shield of Faith The helmet of the hope of Saluation The sword of the Spirit which is the sound knowledge and wise application of the word of God Finally continuall instant prayer in the Spirit Q. Who are our aduersaries in the spirituall conflict A. They are either our friend prouing vs or our enemies seducing and endangering vs. Q. Who is that friend of ours that for our probation entereth into conflict with vs A. God himselfe who though hee a Jam. 1.13 tempt no man vnto euill no more then hee can himselfe bee tempted yet as a Maister of defence enureth vs to the conflict by contending with vs euen in his owne person Viz. Sometimes by b Gen. 22.1 c. Probatorie commandements or c Ge. 32.24 Sensible apparitions But more ordinarily by d Iob 6.4 striking our hearts with his terrors e Psal 77.7 withdrawing the comfort of his gracious presence f 2. Chro. 32.31 leauing vs for a time to our selues that by our falles wee may acknowledge our owne weakenesse Finally g Heb. 12.5 6 Reu. 3.19 exercising vs vnder the crosse and yoake of outward afflictions Q. How must wee contend with God A. No otherwise then h Hos 12.3.4 Iacob and other holy men haue done that is by obedience humilitie patience feruent prayer vnto God who onely enableth vs to preuaile with himselfe a Gen. 32.28 giuing vs the blessing and name of Israel Q. What are those enemies of ours that seeke to seduce and endanger vs A. Whatsoeuer marcheth vnder the banner of Satan the b 2. Cor. 4.4 God and c Ephes 6.12 Prince of the darknes of this world who sometimes d 2. Cor. 12.7 Zech. 3.1 immediately assaileth vs with impious and odious suggestions but more vsually employeth his forces or attendants Q. What are the attendants of Satan A 1. The e 1. Ioh. 2.15 world which he abuseth as his storehouse and armorie of temptations that is both f Ver. 16 allurements to euil with hope of gaine pleasure or preferment and g Ioh. 16.33 discouragements from dutie with feare of losse trouble reproach c. 2. Our owne h Gal. 5.24 flesh which as a treacherous party within vs being by Satan stirred vp and inueigled with the baites of the world or discouraged with the euill intreaty thereof i 1. Pet. 2.11 fighteth on his side against our soule that is our spirituall life and welfare Q. How doe these enemies fight against our soule A. By imploying all force fraud to draw vs by sinne from the a 1. Ioh. 2.25 obedience and fauour of God vnto damnation Q. What must we doe being thus assailed A. Wee must b Eph. 6.13 14 stand fast beeing strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and taking vnto vs the whole armour of God that wee may bee able to resist in the euill day and to leade our captiuitie captiue Q. How may wee bee able to stand against the assaults of the Diuell A. 1. We must labour to c 2. Cor. 2.11 enforme our selues that we may not be ignorant of his enterprises or stratagemes 2. We must boldly d Iam. 4 7. 1. Pet. 5.9 resist that is e Eph. 4 27. giue no place or ground vnto him or admit any conference with him but rather neglect and despise his suggestions 3. Wee must take the f Ephes 6.16 shield of Faith in Christ and his assistance a Psal 16.8 setting him on our right hand who is b Esay 6 3.1 mighty to saue whereby wee may quench all the fierie darts of that wicked one 4. Wee must brandish against him the c Ephe. 6.17 sword of the Spirit that is the word of God after the example of our d Mat. 4.4 c. Sauiour keeping our selues to that onely which God reuealeth to vs and requireth of vs. Q How may we withstand temptations from the world A. By our e 1 Joh. 5.4 faith which setteth a better world euen Gods heauenly kingdome before our eyes and so enableth vs both to f Heb. 11.24 c. contemne and g Gal. 6.14 crucifie the loue of this present world and to h Heb. 11 36 37. endure manfully the threates and wrongs thereof both confessing Christ in perill and suffering i Reu. 12.11 martyrdome for his sake if wee bee thereto called Q. How may we withstand the temptations of our owne flesh A. By k 1. Pet. 4 1. setting before our eyes the patterne of the death of Christ and arming our selues with the same minde that it
not endure him to bee a looser wherefore it is forgiuenesse of vs by taking payment of c Iob. 33.24 another euen of our suretie d 1. Joh. 2.2 Iesus Christ in our behalfe Thirdly by saying vs ours we e Ps 130 7 8. 51.28 include with our selues in this petition as many as are in Christ enabled by a true faith to lay hold on him to plead his paiment and satisfaction Fourthly vnder one part of our Iustification to wit the remission or not imputation of sinnes vnto death by meanes of the satisfaction of Christs sufferings wee doe also conceiue the other part which is the imputation of his holinesse vnto life eternall as implyed vnder the former and inseparably a 2. Cor. 5.21 annexed thereto Fiftly when we say as we or for we also forgiue c. we argue with the Lord not from merite but b Mat. 6.14 15. from the modell of Gods grace in vs which beeing incomparably inferiour to the mercie and loue of God and yet disposing vs to forgiue and let fall in regard of hatred or priuate c Rom 12.19 reuenge any wrongs and iniurie of our brother against vs may both d Neh 5.19 stirre vp the compassion of the Lord toward vs his children and e Iam. 2.13 assure vs of the attaining of this our request Q. What doe wee then aske of God in this Petition A. Fiue things Viz. First grace feelingly to f Psal 51.3 know and frankely to confesse without excuse or extenuation the great debt of our sinnes and our vtter a Psa 130.3 143.2 inabilitie to satisfie for the same or for the least part thereof Secondly the power of b Luk. 17.5 faith to lay hold on the c Esay 53.5 meritorious sufferings obedience of our Lord Iesus Christ vnto our full iustification Thirdly the d Rom. 8.15 16. testimonie of the spirit of Christ exemplifying and applying the generall pardon of sinnes once for all granted to vs at our conuersion vnto the seuerall sinnes debts of euery day and moment of our life Fourthly wee pray for remission of sin not as intending our selues to vndergoe the e Ier 14.7 punishment or any part therof but contrariwise that the whole debt which is properly the punishment as hath been shewed may be accepted at the hands of Christ our suretie and we fully discharged and acquitted so that f Phil. 3.8 9 nothing may remaine on our account but the righteousnes of Christ whereby the fauor kingdome of God is purchased for vs. Lastly that we may not be destitute of so important an a Mar. 11.25 1. Joh. 3.14 argument both to plead for mercy with God and to assure our selues of successe and so with the hypocrite by mocking the Lord bring a curse vpon our selues in stead of a blessing we desire of God a portion of that mercy which is so abundant in him that we may bee tenderly affected one towards another b Ephe. 4.32 Col. 3.13 forgiuing one another euen as God for Christs sake forgiueth vs. SECT XLV Of the sixt Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the sixt and last Petition A. c Mat. 6.13 Luc. 11.4 And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill Q. What is the meaning of these words First by temptations are meant whatsoeuer things by the corruption of our nature are vnto vs occasions of sinne as d Pro. 30.9 prosperitie aduersitie c. Secondly when we say lead vs not wee acknowledge that God though a Jam. 1.13 he tempteth no man vnto euill yet sometimes b Mat. 4.1 leadeth men into temptations of probation and that 1. By vnusuall probatorie precepts as c Ge 22.1 c when he commanded Abraham to kill his sonne 2. By sending an d Deut. 8.16 extraordinarie measure of prosperitie or aduersitie 3. By letting loose Satan his bandog to e 2. Cor. 12 7 buffet and molest the godly as Paul or to f 1 Kin. 22.22 seduce the wicked as Ahabs Prophets 4. By desertion leauing men to themselues whether g Hos 5.15 for a time as h 2. Chron. 32.31 Hezekiah in the businesse of the king of Babels Embassage or vtterly as those whom hee iustly giueth vp to their owne i Ro. 1.26 28. lusts and the k Act. 5.3 power of Satan Thirdly by deliuering is meant a forcible l Rom. 7.24 rescuing of our nature neither able nor willing to help it selfe out of these dangers Fourthly by euill is meant either the m 1. Joh. 5.18 19. euill one Satan who pretendeth to haue power ouer vs or the effect of temptation which without the speciall grace of God is extreamely euill to wit a 1. Tim. 6 9 sinne and damnation Lastly vnder one part of Sanctification that is the auoiding and mortifying of sinne is implyed the b 2. Cor. 7.1 Rom. 6.11 other part also which is abilitie vnto new obedience Q. What doe wee then aske of God in this Petition A. That sinne may c Rom. 6.1 2 not onely bee pardoned vnto vs but also mortified in vs and wee raised vp to new obedience whereto belong these six things Viz. First that seeing d Iob 1.10 wee cannot bee tempted without the will of God nor e 2. Cor. 12.9 resist without his power if it bee his blessed will he would giue vs f Pro. 30.8 neither pouerty nor riches nor any such thing as may endanger our spirituall estate Secondly that hee would g 2. Cor. 12.8 tye vp Satan and restraine his malice and power or else make vs h 2. Cor. 2.11 wise to know and auoide his stratagemes i Ioh. 17.15 preserue vs from the euill that is in the world and abate the power of k Ro. 7.14 25. corruption that is within vs. Thirdly that in temptations if hee see good to proue vs he would alwaies stand by vs with his grace to a 1. Cor. 10.13 Iud. ver 24 keepe vs from falling and to giue vs an b Esay 27.9 holy vse of our tryals Fourthly that leauing vs at any time to our owne weakenesse for our humiliation hee would graciously c Psal 51.12 raise vs vp againe with encrease of spirituall strength and courage Fiftly that hee would put an end to all tryals and to these daies of conflict in his owne good time d Rom. 16.20 treading Satan with his forces for euer vnder our feete Lastly that he would e Heb. 13.21 encrease and perfect the worke of his grace in vs enabling vs to euerie good worke and in stead of temptations to the contrarie affording vs all helpes vnto well-doing as good examples holy counsels and encouragements c. SECT XLVI Of the Conclusion of the Lords Praier and of the ordinary circumstances and kindes of Prayer Q. VVHat is the Confirmation close of this Praier A. a Math.
vnderstanding full of blindnesse vanitie and infidelitie our consciences dead and remorselesse our hearts hard and impenitent our affections disorderly and violent our appetites sensuall and brutish our whole nature deformed with originall corruption our whole life abounding with the fruits thereof in all maner of actuall transgressions no ability to any good duty no restraint or moderation in sinning against thee yea if we doe any good thing we are apt to blemish it with selfe-loue and hypocrisie if we abstaine from any euill it is manie times rather from the act then from the loue of it In this case O Lord if thou shouldest looke vpon vs as a Iudge straightly to marke iniquities or take this our confession as an euidence against vs how should we be able to stand before thee But we beseech thee take knowledge of it as of our complaint and pitie our pouerty our miserie and our nakednes Cloath vs with the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ that may both hide our filthinesse from thy sight and as the garment of the elder brother make vs accepted before thee and procure thy blessing Acquaint thy selfe with vs O Lord and renew daily with vs the couenant of thy peace and euen now this morning let thy spirit from heauen bring vs a new patent of mercie that being to meet with thee in the waies and works of this day wee may be sure to meet thee as a reconciled Father not as an offeÌ„ded Iudge Fill vs with all ioy and peace in beleeuing Comfort vs ouer all our sinnes by the assurance of thy mercie Confirme vnto our heares our title vnto thy Kingdome And because o Lord we liue vpon thine hand and all our welldoing is from thee graunt that we may yeeld thee so much due that no Lords besides thee may rule ouer vs. And to that end good Lord doe thou free vs from the contrary power rule of Sathan of sinne It is not for thine honour O Lord that thy seruants should be vnder the yoake of thine enemies redeeme vs therefoâ—e mightily froÌ„ the thraldome of the diuel help vs to leade our captiuity captiue and stablish our hearts for euer by thy free spirit For where thy spirit is there is freedome Let that spirit of thine therefore O Lord come vpon vs and strengthen vs with a greater might then that of Samson to breake in sunder the strongest cords euen our speciall sinnes Teach vs to see the vilenesse of them powre vpon vs the spirit of grace and godly sorow that we may mourne for them affect vs with an holy hatred detestation of them waken vs out of our security with the feare of thy iudgements strenghen our weakenesse with the power of thy might arme vs with the furniture of thy grace encourage vs with the presence of thy spirit and be with vs in our spirituall conflict as the King in the armie Couer our heâ—ds assure our hearts instruct our hands helpe vs so to fight that wee may ouercome so to ouercome that we may receaue the crown of victorie Further O Lord we entreat thee so to let thy kingdome preuaile in vs that wee may not onely be thy souldiers but thy seruants and subiects To this end write thy lawes in our inward parts giue vs vnderstanding of thy will set vp the scepter of thy kingdome in our consciences subdue our hearts to the obedience of thy commandements win our affections to the loue of thy statutes conforme our liues to the rule of thy righteousnesse and transforme vs daily into thine image from glorie to glory Blesse all the meanes of grace vnto vs and blesse vs with hearts sanctified and set vpon the meanes for encrease of grace Let thy holy word O Lord bee our chiefest treasure thy statutes our counsellors thy promises our comforters thy sacraments our delicates thy sabbaths our best daies and thy seruants our deerest companions Let thy seruice be our liberty let thy yoake be our ease and thy burthen as wings vnto vs. Let thy louing countenance bee our sunne thy protection our shield and thy fauourable acceptance our exceeding great reward Grant that we may account this time of thy Gospell as our haruest and let vs not now sleepe least we be the sonnes of confusion but let vs so lay vp in these daies of plenty that in the time of dearth wee may haue something in store Teach vs so to number our daies and so to spend them that euerie day and euery night we may be able to giue vp a good account especially in the night of death and morrow of iudgement And now hauing begun to speak to thee our Lord though we be but dust and ashes we are bold to continue our suit euen for bodily blessings Blesse vs therefore we pray thee this day followinâ— and all the daies of our life with that portion of health peace prosperitie and euery good thing that may enable vs and make vs cheerefull in dutie Aduise vs in all our thoughts and purposes giue good successe vnto our lawfull endeauors strengthen vs in our bodily labours sanctifie vs in our meats and drinkes recreations and companies Grant that in doing seruice to our selues and one ano her wee may still remember that wee are thy seruants Giue vs such spirituall eyesight that we may see thee in thy creatures and in thy prouidence Grant that nothing may draw vs away from thee but that euery thing may bring vs neerer vnto thee Lord let vs liue in thy sight Let vs not liue without thee as Gentils let vs not be cast out of thy presence as Kain let vs not runne against thee as Balaam but let vs walke with thee as Enoch Noah and Abraham taking knowledge of thee in all our waies And take thou knowledge of vs vpholding vs with thine hand watching ouer vs with thine eie guiding vs with thy grace setting thine heart vpon vs to loue vs and doe vs good and not euill all the daies of our life Last of all wee come vnto thee O Lord in the behalfe of thy whole Church and of all our brethren and and sisters thine elect seruants wheresoeuer they bee Call the vncalled perfect the called raise vp the fallen strengthen the weake enlighten the ignorant heale the sicke releeue the needie and distressed release such as are in restraint comfort them that mourne especially such as mourne for sinne strengthen the hand and heart of them that stand in the iust defence of religion and right quaile and confound euerie Aduersarie and Antichristian power and pollicie and so publish and propagate the Gospell of Iesus Christ that thy name may be knowne thy kingdome enlarged the number of thy Saints fulfilled Specially wee beseech thee beholde and visite this thy vine which hauing rescued from the Egyptian darkenes and slauerie of Antichrist thou hast beene pleased to plant among vs of this nation Make vs more thankefull for our long peace and for the Gospell of peace Blesse thy seruant Iames
our soueraigne with our gracious Queen Anne Prince Charles the Count Palatine with the Lady Elizabeth adorne them with all Princelie graces answerable to their high estate but especiallie with such spirituall graces as may make them Kings and Priests to thee and thy sonne for euer Impart of the same spirit of grace and gouernement to all the honorable of his Maiesties priuie Counsell to the Nobilitie and Magistracie of the Land Blesse thy seruants the Ministers of thy word and sacraments and giue them sufficiencie fidelitie and successe in thy businesse Take knowledge of our priuate friends our kinsfolkes our charges and whosoeuer may claime interest in this duty at our hands Finally to them and vs and all that call on the name of Iesus Christ both our Lord and theirs grant whatsoeuer we haue or ought to haue asked and that for the only mediations sake of the same thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee O Father and the holy Ghost one God be praise and dominion for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for the Euening O Lord God by whose gracious prouidence the night succeedeth the day and the day the night we acknowledge that if wee had no other glasse to see thee in nor booke wherein to reade of thee but that of thy creatures wee could not without shamefull vnthankefulnesse bee ignorant of thee for as much as day vnto day vttereth thy goodnesse and night vnto night teacheth knowledge But whereas thou art further pleased to reueile thy selfe vnto vs in the booke of thy Scriptures and in the glasse of thy Sonne Iesus Christ if now we should not know thee or not acknowledge thee how desperate were our blindnesse how damnable were our vnthankefulnesse wherefore wee entreat thee to accept from vs in the name of Christ humble thankes for the manifold witnesses pledges of thy loue towards vs. Thou O Lord hast made vs not wee our selues yea thou hast made vs men and women not beasts perfect in shape noâ— monsters sensible and of vnderstanding not fooles Thou didst preserue vs in the woâ—be nourish vs when wee hanged vpon the brests prouide vs meanes of education fit vs for some honest employment wherein now by thy goodnesse wee are exercised and doe therein finde thine assistance and blessing Thou hast brought vs forth in a fruitfull land in times of peace and prosperity so â—hat we haue our share in the common blessings of a most happy gouernment Besides thou hast in priuate compassed euery one of vs with particular mercies tending to the comfort of life And euen this day past hast beene our guide our Father and our friend and now bringest vs before thee with matter of praise and not of mourning so that we may adde the day past vnto the number of the daies of our wellbeing And as if thou thoughtest all this too little for vs thou hast from all eternity set thine heart vpon vs and appointed vs to saluation by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ reueiled thy couenant of grace vnto vs by thy Gospell confirmed to vs in particular the promises of mercy by the outward seales of thy sacraments and by the inward seale of thy spirit changed our vile and cursed nature and made vs in some measure partakers of thy diuine nature sealed vs vp by the Holy Ghost vnto the day of redemption In a word it is thou O Lord that hast giuen vs light light of nature light of grace and light of glory For all which mercies wee doe now and alwaies magnifie thy glorious grace beseeching thee to stirre vs vp vnto a greater measure of thankefulnesse and obedience that as there is euerie day in the booke of thine account much goeing out towards vs from thee so thou maist finde somewhat from vs comming in vnto thee And now O Lord being answered in our prayers of the Morning and of the former time of our life we are emboldened to come againe vnto thee who therefore doest heare the praier that to thee all flesh may come Wee beseech thee therefore be not weary of our importunity be not ashamed of our pouertie but as the sense thereof leadeth vs vnto thee so let the pitty and commiseration of the same encline thy mercifull heart towards vs. O Lord we cannot come into thy sight but we bring with vs great matter occasioÌ„ either of wrath or of mercy from thee Our naturall corruption which as the leprosie of Adam cleaueth to vs all his posteritie filling vs euen from our conception with the seedes of all euill so that wee brought with vs a world of sinne into this thy world Our actuall transgressions which in imitation of Adams sinne we haue eueryone of vs committed our thoughts our words our works by which the eies of thy glorie haue beene daily prouoked Finally the heinous circumstances whereby our sinnes haue beene made out of measure sinfull as the abuse of thy patience quenching of thy spirit despising of thy Gospell vnthankefulnesse for thy mercies vnfaithfulnesse in thy couenant These O Lord and many moe are the mischiefs with which our natures are blemished our liues pestered our consciences burdened thy heauie wrath most iustly procured Yet because thou hast giuen thy Sonne Iesus Christ a meanes of propitiation in whom thou reconcilest the world to thy selfe wee haue boldenesse through him to entreat thee of grace and pardon Lord let his death and sufferings satisfie thy iustice for all our sinnes and procure vs fauour and forgiuenesse from thee that so mercy may reioice ouer iudgement in our behalfe as both meet together in thee Let thy Christ O Lord be our Iesus to saue vs from our sinnes and deliuer vs from the wrath to come Enrich vs with the treasure of his merits that may both ransome vs out of the hand of our deadly enemie and purchase vs an euerlasting estate in the kingdome of thy glory Let it not greeue thee O Lord thus to make vs more then gainers at thine hand seeing at the hand of him our suretie thou art sure to bee no looser And whereas thou hast not onely promised so to deale with vs but commanded vs to beleeue that promise of thine O Lord in desire to obey thy commandement and to seale vnto thy truth we professe that wee doe beleeue yet priuie to the weakenesse of our faith wee pray thee helpe our vnbeliefe Speak peace O Lord vnto our consciences replenish vs with the comforts of thy spirit multiplie in vs the euidences of our saluation Shed thy loue abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost set vs as a seale vpoÌ„ thine hand and set thy seale O Lord vpon vs not onelie that seale of Election whereby thou knowest vs to bee thine owne but also the seale of Sanctification whereby we may know our selues to be thine O Lord if we see nothing in our selues but what wee haue of our selues or of the world we cannot say wee belong to any but to Satan
wearied thee with mine iniquities I ought to haue beene controuled and kept in order by thee but such hath been my boldnesse in sinning that I haue checked thee and put to silence thy good grace that rebuked sinne in mee I ought to haue liued as vnder couenant with thee but wretch that I am I haue in many particulars broken my vow falsified my faith violated the euerlasting couenant Finally what cōmandement of thine is there O Lord that I haue not transgressed What grace that I haue not abused what curse that I haue not deserued Thou hast graciously disposed mee and led mee into some good actions but euen in the best I haue halted and stumbled through infidelitie selfeloue and manifold infirmities so that if thou challenge that which is thine owne nothing remaineth to mine account euen in my best seruices but the imperfection of them Thus sinning perfectly I haue deserued thine absolute curse but by mine imperfect obedience I can claime no portion of reward no release of punishment at thine hand And now O Lord if thou straightly markest iniquities O Lord who shall stand But there is mercie with thee that thou maist be feared O Lord there is glorie with thee but that is not to be approached there is wisedome with thee but that is not to be comprehended there is iustice with thee but that is not to bee endured but there is mercy with thee yea mercie reioicing ouer iudgement and for that thou art for euer to bee reuerenced and adored That linke of mercie being laid hold on draweth all the golden chaine of thy glorious attributes and reconcileth thy fearefull maiestie vnto poore sinners That linke of mercie O Father of mercies I am bold in the name of Christ and by the hand of faith to lay hold vpon yet feeling the weakenesse and palsie of mine hand I beseech thee strengthen my vnbeliefe And what assurance I cannot haue from my saith weakely embracing thee let me haue it from thy selfe embraced by me yea rather embracing mee who art mighty to saue Thou didst enable thy seruant Iacob to lay hold on thee and not to lot thee goe till thou hadst blessed him Lord giue me the same strength the same courage the same successe Nay let mee not let thee goe for any blessing For what blessing doe I seeke of thee but that thou abide with me by the presence of thy fauor For that blessing teach mee to wrestle with thee my God with the wrestling of God Thou hast promised thou wilt be found of them that seeke thee not and seekest them that goe astray from thee so haue I found thee or rather was found of thee when I was thine enemie the seruant of sin the souldiour of Satan Thou foūdest me by thy word reuealing the way of Saluation vnto me thou foundest me by thy spirit winning my heart vnto the obedience of faith yea it pleased thee to enter into couenant with thy seruant neuer to suffer that spirit and word of thine to depart from mee but to establish thy feare in mine heart that I should not depart from thee Giue me leaue to put thee in remembrance of that promise of thine wherein thou hast caused mee to put my trust and by vertue thereof to claime the continuance of thy fauour and loue Oh let it neuer be said that thou forsakest the workes of thine owne hands or that thou repentest of shewing mercie whose glorie it is to repent onely of the euill Shew thy selfe to bee Iehouah that changest not that thy gifts and callings are without repentance and that thou louest with an euerlasting and victorious loue that ouercommeth all impediments Truth it is O Lord that I deserue thou shouldest be wearie of me and from henceforth pursue me with thine hatred seeing I haue walked so vnworthy of thy loue But though my sins doe testifie against me yet deale thou with me according to thy Name Let thine owne gracious and constant nature moue thee Let thine owne promise and the word of thy Couenant binde thee Let the beginnings of thine owne workemanship and lineaments of thine image preuaile with thee to continue thy mercie truth towards me vnto the end Let it suffice that I know mine iniquities and do not thou take knowledge of them Let it suffice that I set them in order before my selfe by serious examination and before thy Maiestie by vnfained and heartie confession and doe not thou enter into that heauie Iudgement with mee as to set them in order before mee to reprooue me for them Let it suffice that I now look vp by thy spirit of grace vpon my Sauiour whom I haue pierced with my sinnes and doe not O Lord doe not gather my soule among those that shall at the last day behold him to their confusion and waile before him for euer Yea Lord therefore thou shewest mee my sinnes that thou mightest shew mee thy mercie in the pardon of them therefore thou teachest mee to reproue my selfe that I might beleeue in thee who iustifiest the vngodly therefore thou causest the wound of my conscience to bleed and smart that I might looke to thee in Christ in whom thou healest the broken hearted and bindest vp all their sores Thou O Christ art annointed of God the Father to be the author of this soueraigne cure Thou art the Sunne of righteousnes that sheddest the beames of health and saluation into the hearts of thy people Thou hast taken my flesh vpon thee that beeing the kinsman thou mightest bee fit to recouer my patrimonie lost in Adam and to raise vp liuing seede vnto my dead nature O spread the skirt of thy garment ouer me and shrowde my soule from the wrath of GOD my iudge Let the sweet perfume of thine vnualuable sacrifice take away the odious sauour of mine iniquities Let the cry of thy precious blood speaking good things in the eares of God the Father drowne the loud cry of my grieuous transgressions Let thy glorious face and countenance appearing before God for me turne away his eyes from my sinfull deformities Let thy death be my ransome and propitiation to deliuer me from the wrath to come and thine obedience the price to purchase for me the kingdome of glorie Thine it is O Sauiour by a double right The one of nature as thou are the euerlasting Sonne coequall with the Father by which thou claimest for thy selfe the glorie thou haddest from the beginning The other of purchase by thy voluntarie submission and obedience to that Law of which thou wert the Lord and maker which it pleaseth thee by the Couenant of grace to dispence to all beleeuing repentant sinners Herein herein O Christ grant that with all Saints I may haue my share and may enioy that which thou in my behalfe hast so fully payed for Let the assurance of this thy mercie giue rest vnto my conscience from the terrors of death and hell Let the expectation of this thy glorie sustaine my
soule whiles I flutter about like the Doue of Noah finding no rest in this world ouer-flowed with wickednesse till it shall please thee to stretch forth thine hand out of the Arke of heauen and take me to thy glorious rest Finally O my Lord being come vnto thy kingdome remember me thy seruant with the fauour of thy people and visit mee with thy saluation Let me see the felicitie of thy chosen and reioyce with the ioy of thy people and glory with thine inheritance Let mee in this life behold thy face in righteousnes and when I shall awake in the resurrection of the iust let mee bee satisfied with thine image To thee O Christ with the Father and the Holy Ghost one God and King euerlasting be all glorie dominion mercie and saluation ascribed for euer Amen A priuate Prayer for the grace of Sanctification O Lord God Father of lights author and giuer of euery perfect gift the holy one of Israel and the sanctifier thereof before whom the Seraphims hide their faces and in whose sight the heauens are not pure When I compare my filthinesse and pollution with thine absolute puritie I cannot without feare and astonishment without shame and confusion approch into thy presence that am a vile sinner of polluted lips and of vncircumcised heart But when I consider thy great mercy and goodnesse that doest open vnto sinners not onely a way into thy fauourable presence by the vaile of the flesh of Iesus Christ but also thy gracious hand to bestow the gift of holinesse vpon all those that finding lacke of it in themselues doe seeke it of thee I am encouraged to come before thee compassed as I am with miseries and infirmities that I may returne from thee compassed and cloathed with thy glorious graces O Lord if I let thee see my sinnes and defilements thou maiest proceed in iudgement against mee for them if I hide them from thee how can I look to bee cured and cleansed of them Nay I cannot hide them from thee O Lord but labouring to conceale them I shall make them more apparent Onely shew me this fauour not to behold them as a Iudge to bee auenged of them but as the onely soueraigne Physitian of my soule to cure and heale them And so good Lord let me not spare to open vnto thee the sicknes and sores of my corrupt heart and life Yea rather doe thou O Lord for the beginning of thy gracious worke shew me in the glasse of thy word my pollution by sinne that I may seeke after the lauer of thy grace to bee washed and made cleane Light vp O Lord in my heart the lampe of thy word and grace that of thee who onely searchest the heart I may learne to search know my wicked heart by the light of thy word I may bee able to worke vnder groūd vnto the bottome of the mine of sin that lurketh in my nature Let mee count all my sins as Traitors vnto thy glory my safetie search the house of my heart for them but especially for my speciall sin as for the chiefest Rebell Yea grant mee so to search my self that I may auoid preuent thy dreadfull search so to iudge my selfe that I may auoide thy iudgemēt so to cōdemn my self that I may auoid thy sentence so to hate and abhorre my selfe that I may auoide thy wrath so to be auēged of my self that I may auoide thy punishment Let sinne O Lord be as bitter to me in the attempting as in the repenting at least wise more bitter in the repenting then euer it was sweet in the committing that either heedfull preuention may keepe me from bitter repentance or the bitter reares of repentance may exempt mee from that most bitter account in the day of thy iudgement Teach me to bring into discredit with mine heart all iniquitie and all appearances thereof Grant me strength to ouercome my sinfull lusts at least let me alwaies striue against them that I may be assured I am a member of thy Church militant And whensoeuer I cease to striue let me not boast of victorie or reioice of ease but be ashamed of my foyle flight Grant that vnto faith in thee I may alwaies ioyne feare not onely of Satan with whom I am in conflict but also of the frailtie and trecherie of mine owne heart and of the slipperie paths of this sinfull world Bring downe by the batterie of thy spirit the hils of my high and proud thoughts streighten my crooked and distorted affections make plaine and smooth the rough waies of my rebellious and stonie heart that thou maist walke at ease in the middes of me and that I may see thy saluation O God Let me looke on the pleasures and profits of this life not onely as thy liberall allowances to me but also as Satans baites to inueigle me that moderately vsing them I may bee thankefull to thee for them and auoiding the excesse and abuse of them I may bee free from the snares of the Diuell Yea doe thou so weane me from the loue of the world and the things thereof that Satan may bee to seeke of baites to allure mee to sinne Let me account my selfe a stranger on earth and therefore abstaine from fleshly lusts that fight against the soule Let me not value the pleasures of sinne at so high a rate as for them to make shipwracke of a good conscience before thee or of a good report among men Let mee by light esteeming of outward things shew that I take no thought for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof and by the deniall of my selfe approue that I liue by faith putting on the Lord Iesus Christ Teach me not to set my heart on vncertaine riches which the more I desire to haue and loue when I haue them the more they will vex mee when I am to part with them but let mee vse them as things that must shortly leaue mee or I them and thy word onely as that which shall abide with me for euer Teach me with Iacob to account my selfe lesse then the least of thy mercies that by humilitie I may bee fitted for greater graces In all things giue mee grace to take heed of offending thy Maiestie and as I would not thou shouldest breake the brused reede or quench the smoaking flax in mee so graunt that I may not dare to quench the sparke of thy spirit and grace in my heart As I would thou shouldest giue mee rest from the terrors of thy wrath so grant that I may giue thy spirit rest from the prouocations of my sinnes On the other side good Lord grant mee that knowledge of religion that may beget conscience that conscience that may preserue religion binding me not by guilt to the punishment of sinne but by grace to the obedience of righteousnesse setting mee at libertie not from the band of dutifull loue but from the yoake of seruile feare Enlighten mine eies that I may discerne of
That b Ro. 11.3 6. Pro. 16 4. all things should serue vnto his glorie Q. What did God decree touching Angels and men A. c 1. Tim. 5. â—1 Mat 25.41 1. Thes 5.9 Ro. 9.22 23 That they should remaine for euer some in honour others in dishonour for his glorie SECT IIII. Of Creation Q. HOw doth God execute his decree A. By two Actions to wit Creation and Prouidence Q. What is Creation A. The a Gen. 1. wholâ— making of all things of nothing very good in the first sixe dayes of the world Q. How did God create Angels A. He b Col. 1.16 made them all at the first very good and glorious spirits yet c Job 4.18 mutable Q. How did God create man A. He d Gen. 29 made him a liuing soule framing his bodie of the dust of the earth and breathing in his face the breath of life SECT V. Of Prouidence Q. VVHat is prouidence A. The continuall * Ps 213.6 care that God hath of all his creatures for the sustaining and disposing of them as they may best a Psal 119.91 serue for his glorie Q. How doth God sustaine Angels A. They are all vpheld by the power of God so that they shall b Luk. 20.36 neuer llye nor returne to nothing Q. How doth God sustaine men A. He preserueth mankinde in generall by the blessing of c Gen. 1.28 procreation and particular men and women both for the d Psal 36.6 time of this life and for e Mat. 25.46 euer in the world to come Q. How doth God dispose of Angels A. Hee suffered f 2. Pet. 2.4 some to fall by sinne into damnation without recouerie called Diuels the rest hee g Mat. 28.20 confâ—rmeth in their first blessed estate called Angels of light both which hee h â—ob 1.6 employeth for the accomplishing of his will SECT VI. Of the state of Innocencie Q. HOw doth GOD dispose of man A. As of that creature in a Psa 8.3 c whom aboue the rest hee intendeth to set forth his glorie wherefore the Scriptures doe plentifully declare the dealing of GOD with man both in this world and for euer hereafter Q. How doe the Scriptures set forth the dealing of God with man in this world A. In a threefold estate to wit of Innocencie of Corruption and misery and of Redemption all which make way vnto that euerlasting estate of honour or dishonour fore-appointed vnto all men Q. What is the state of Innocencie A. The holy and happy condition of mankinde created in the b Gen 1.27 image of God and placed by him in c Gen. 2.8 Paradise with abilitie to attaine to blessednesse by the Couenant of workes Q. What is the Couenant of workes A. The a Ge. 2.16 17 substance of the Law written in the hearts of our first parents promising blessednesse if they should obey and threatning death if they should transgresse SECT VII Of the Fall Q. VVHat is the state of corruption and miserie A. The fearefull condition of sinne and death wherein to God suffered all mankinde in Adam to b Ge. 3.1 c fall through the temptation of Satan by breaking the Couenant of workes SECT VIII Of Sinne. Q. VVHat is Sinne A. c 1. Ioh. 3.9 A sweruing from the Law of God making the sinner * Gen. 4.7 gâ—â—â—tie of the curse of the Law and it 〈◊〉 either originall or actuall Q. Wherein doth originall sinne consist A. In vtter b Rom. 7.18 enmitie of our whole nature vnto all that is good and c Rom. 7.14 prouenesse vnto all euill Q. What is Actuall sinne A. Euery d Rom. 5.14 particular breach of the Law of God SECT IX Of Death Q. VVHat is Death A. It is the separation e Gen. 3.19 either of the soule from the body f 2. Thes 1. â— or of soule and body from God with all euils that attend on the one or the other Q. How doth God employ men in this state of Corruption A. Two waies and first by the g Joh. 1.9 light of nature and h Esay 44.28 common graces restraining many from grosse sinnes and guiding some vnto actions profitable for humane societie and for the outward seruice of God Q. How secondly A. By ouer-ruling mens euill and sinfull actions so that thereby they a Act. 4.27 28. bring to passe nothing but what God hath determined for his owne glorie Q. Doth God leaue all mankinde in this state of sinne and death A. No but onely the reprobate whom hee b Act. 14.16 suffereth to runne on in sinne and so vnto damnation deseruedly SECT X. Of Redemption by the Couenant of grace Q. WHat is the state of Redemption A. The c Ro. 3.23.24 recouerie of the Elect out of the state of sinne and death by the new Couenant of grace Q. What is the Couenant of grace A. Gods a Gal. 3.21 22 second contract with mankinde after the fall for the restoring of him vnto his fauour and happinesse by the meanes of a Mediator Q. What are wee to consider in the Couenant of Grace A. Two things whereof the first is the foundation of it to wit the Mediator SECT XI Of Christ the Mediator Q. VVHo is the Mediator betweene God and man A. Onely b 1. Tim. 1.5 Iesus Christ God and man Q. How is he God A. In that hee is the c 1. Ioh. 5.20 second person in Trinitie to wit the eternall Sonne of the Father Q. How is hee man A. By d Ioh. 1.14 taking our flesh into his person beeing miraculously e Luk. 1.35 conceiued by the holy Ghost and borne of the blessed Virgin Mary Q. How is he the mediator between God and man A. By becoming our Prophet Priest and King Q. How is he our Prophet A. By a Joh. 17.26 reuealing vnto vs the will of God Q. How is he our Priest A. By b Eph. 2 1â— 2. Cor. 5.28 appeasing and reconciling God vnto vs through his death and obedience Q. How is he our King A. By c Esa 9.7 gouerning all things for the saluation of his Elect and d Psal 45.5 destruction of his enemies SECT XII Of the mysticall vnion Q. VVHat is the second thing to be considered in the Couenant of Grace A. The application thereof to the elect giuing them a Heb. 3.24 part in Christ and in all his benefits Q. What part haue the elect in Christ A. They haue first vnion with Christ and secondly thereby Communion Q. How are the elect vnited vnto Christ A. They are b Eph. 5.30 knit vnto Christ the head as members of his mysticall bodie by the spirit of Christ and by faith Q. What is the spirit of Christ A. The power of the holy Ghost c Rom. 8.9 Gal. 5.25 abiding and working in all those that are Christs as the soule of spirituall life Q.
appointed food let it teach vs resolutely to shake of all impediments carefullie to redeeme all occasions and gladlie to embrace all opportunities of doing good Finally vnto all these good purposes worke in vs by thy holie word spirit a dailie encrease of liuing and sauing faith O Lord it is thine onely vnspeakeable gift without whom it is no more possible to beleeue that which thou promisest then to performe whatsoeuer thy law requireth Thou therefore O Father for Christ Iesus sake by the powerfull operation of thy Spirit worke and encrease in vs this mother grace Teach vs so to lay hold on Christ and lodge him in our hearts that we may not onely applie and assure vnto our selues all the promises of life and mercie but also cleanse our selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit and grow vp vnto full holinesse in the feare of thy Maiestie And now Lord for outward things wee submit our selues to thy wise and fatherlie prouidence onely beseeching thee to giue vs this day what thou knowest needefull and behoofefull vnto vs for the day Lord feede vs with food conuenient for vs giue vs such a portion of health maintenance credit and all outward comforts as may make vs thankefull and seruiceable vnto thee And aboue all giue vs grace to employ and improue all thy blessings as thy talents to the furtherance of the worke thou hast giuen vs to doe Lord giue vs euerie day but especially on thy Sabbath dayes more then a naturall and common vse of thy good creatures Let vs in all things tast and see how sweet and gracious a God thou art Let thy good blessings be not as a wall to stop our sight that we may not looke beyond them but as a glasse through which wee may the better discerne thy loue and faithfulnesse towards vs concerning heauenly things Let vs serue thee with an vpright heart in the duties and businesses of this day bringing the generall profession of religion into particular practise according to our seuerall callings Lord let vs neuer bee a burden vnto humane societie nor a blemish vnto the profession of Christianitie by idlenesse or inordinate liuing Make our labours and endeauours fruitfull and beneficiall not onely vnto our selues that wee may eat thereof and reioice before thee but also vnto all others whom they concerne that they may praise thee with vs and for vs. Blesse thy whole Church O Lord and build it vp more and more in perfect beautie Take pittie on those thine elect that walke yet in darkenesse and cause the light of thy Gospell of grace to shine vnto them Confirme thy gracious worke in those who haue receiued the first fruits of thy spirit Comfort such as mourne for sinne Fulfill the desires of all that trulie long and sigh after thee Support and cure the infirmities of all that are humbled vnder thine hand and that haue seene affliction in the rod of thy visitation Preserue the good land wherein woe liue make vs more thankefull for all thy rich blessings and our manifold mightie deliuerances Saue thine Annointed seruant our Soueraigne Lord King Iames with our gracious Queene Anne and the Royall progenie Assist with thy spirit and grace all that are in authoritie sanctifie all those whom thou emploiest in the worke of the ministerie Remember in speciall mercie those whom thou hast knit vnto vs in the bands of consanguinitie affinitie neighbourhood or Christian amitie Finallie vnto all thine and ours vouchsafe Peace and mercy through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne our alone Redeemer and Sauiour To whom with thee O Father and thy holie Spirit one God and King euerlasting be rendred all honor seruice and thankesgiuing for euermore Amen A short Prayer for the Euening O Almightie God King of Glory Father of Eternitie who dwelling on high abasest thy selfe to behold things in heauen in earth being the first the last giuest beginning ending to all times affaires wherein thy creatures are employed we acknowledg with humble thaÌ„kfull hearts the riches of thy bountie afforded vs thine vnworthie seruants as well this day now past as in the whole course of our liues Thou O Lord hast made vs and that fearfully and wonderfully thou hast been our hope from our mothers brests Thou hast lengthened the daies of our life vnto this houre therein hast shewed vs many mercies Thou hast freed our bodies from diseases dangers our names from reproch our substance from spoile our liberty from violent and vniust restraint Thou hast strengthened vs vnto labour satisfied vs with thy good creatures cheared our hearts with the fellowship and loue of thy people our fellow seruants and blessed our endeauors with successe through thy good prouidence Thou hast heard our prayers accomplished our desires turned away our feares mitigated our troubles and put an end from time to time to all our afflictions Thus hast thou shewed thy selfe to be the God that delightest in the prosperitie of thy seruants But O Lord how can we worthilie magnifie thy mercy towards vs in Iesus Christ In whom thou hast from all eternitie appointed an heauenly Kingdome vnto vs By whose word thou hast called vs by whose blood thou hast redeemed vs by whose Spirit thou hast sanctified and sealed vs vnto the day of redemption In whom we haue this liberty to call thee Abba Father In whom and with whom all earthly blessings are giuen vnto vs not onely for our bodily comfort but also as pledges of our heauenly inheritance Oh how deare therefore are thy thoughts of mercie vnto vs O Lord how great is the summe of them Blessed Father enlarge our hearts to comprehend thy loue and encline them to loue thee who hast so loued vs. But let vs mourne and be ashamed that wee haue returned nothing vnto thy maiestie but hatred for thy good will Let it strike our hearts that wee haue abused thy bodily blessings vnto couetousnesse or intemperance thy patience vnto presumption the grace of thy Gospell vnto licenciousnesse in sinning Let vs abhorre our selues that wee haue prophaned thy sabbaths despised thy word quenched thy spirit vnhallowed thy name many waies defiled the holy profession we haue taken vpon vs. Let vs repent in dust and ashes for our wilfull blindnesse of minde hardnesse of heart remorselessenesse of conscience whereby wee haue resisted the worke of thy grace in vs. Thou O Lord wouldest haue purged vs and we would not be purged thou wouldest haue cured vs but wee would not be cured Thâ—se and all other our sinnes O Lord let vs recount before thee with true sorrow and astonishment of heart But doe not thou O Father straightly marke iniquities nor deale with vs as we haue deserued Truth Lord vnto vs belongeth nothing but confusion and condemnation but vnto thee compassioâ— and forgiuenesse though wee haue grieuously rebelled against thee Thou hast in thy word proclaimed thy selfe vnto vs to be The Lord mercifull gracious slow to anger
Christ c Mat. 1.2 3 God and man Q. What is the office of Christ A. The d 1. Tim. 2.5 Mediator-ship which being one hath yet three denominations from three seuerall functions Viz. Propheticall Priestly Kingly Q. What is his Prophetical Office A. The office of e Esay 61.1 Mat. 23.8.10 instructing his Church which hee did and doth performe two waies viz. 1. Outwardly as f Math. 23.37 1. Pet. 3.19 before his incarnation by the Prophets Priests and Scribes of the Old Testament and in the dayes of his flesh in his a Heb. 2.3 owne person as a b Rom. 15.8 Minister of the Circumcision but with the c Mat 7.29 authoritie of the Law-giuer so since vnto the worlds end d 2. Cor. 4.6 5.19 20 by his Apostles and Ministers e Ephes 4.11 called and fitted by him for that purpose 2. Inwardly by the f Luk. 24.49 Act. 16 14 ioynt operation of his holy spirit Q. What is the Priestly function of Christ A. It is that whereby hee g Heb. 5.1 5. c. appeaseth and reconcileth God to his Elect. 1. Performing for them absolute h Rom. 5.19 obedieÌ„ce to the whole law of God 2. Offering himselfe vnto his Father i 2. Cor. 5.21 a sacrifice propitiatorie for all their sinnes 3. k Heb 9.24 1. Ioh. 2.1 2 Rom. 8.34 Heb. 12.24 Appearing euer at the right hand of God to make intercession for them Q. What is the kingly office of Christ A. It is the exercise of that l Psal 110.1 power giuen him by God ouer all and m Mat. 28. â—8 Psal 2.8 c. possession of all for the n Esay 9 7. spirituall gouernement and saluation of his Elect and for the a Esay 9.7 destruction of his their enemies Q. In what state did Christ God and man performe this threefold office A. In a two-fold estate Viz. of 1. Humiliation and 2. Exaltation Q. What was his state of humiliation A. It was the b Psal 45.5 base condition of a seruant whereto hee humbled himselfe from his conception to his crosse and so vntill the time of his resurrection Q. What is his estate of Exaltation A. His c Phil. 2.7.8 glorious condition beginning at the instant of his d Phil 2.9 Heb. 2.9 resurrection and comprehending his e Act. 2.24 Ascension f Ephes 4.8 sitting at the right hand of God and g 1. Pet. 3.22 second comming in glorie to iudge the world h Ma. 15.31 SECT XII Of the Application of the Couenant of Grace and first of our vnion with the person of Christ Q. HItherto of the Foundation of the Couenant of Grace viz. the Mediator what is the Application of it A. The communicating thereof for saluation to euery one of Gods Elect giuing him a Heb 3.14 part in Christ the Mediator and all his benefits Q. What part hath euery Elect in Christ hereby A. 1. VnioÌ„ with Christs person 2. Communion Q. How are the Elect vnited to Christ his person A. They are incorporated made b Eph. 5.30 members of the mystical body whereof Christ is head which the Scripture figureth as by other resemblances so especially vnder the a Ephes 5.2 Item Cautic the whole hoâ—ke similitude of mariage Q. How may we conceiue of this our mariage with Christ A. We are to conceiue therein as in outward mariage 1. The consent of parents and parties 2. The maner of coniunction Q. What consent of parents is there in this mariage A. Only Gods donation who being the alone parent of both parties as in the b Gen. 2.22 mariage of the first Adam giueth 1. c Iohn 3 16. Iohn 17.6 Christ to vs as a Sauiour 2. d Heb. 2.13 Vs to Christ as a people to be saued Q. What consent of parties is there A. 1. Christ consenteth to take vs as his own spouse which he witnessed especially by taking e Heb. 2.14 our flesh vpon him that he might be our f Matt. 1.23 Immanuel or God with vs. 2. We being g Iohn 6.44 drawne of God and h 2. Cor. 11.2 prepared by the friends of the Bridegroome do a Cant. 7.10 consent to take Christ as our Lord and Husband as wee professe by taking his b Esay 44.5 name and c Mat. 11.29 yoke vpon vs. Q. What is the maner of this our coniunction A. Mysticall that is to say Real in respect of the things conioined our very nature body and soule being coupled to the body and soule of Christ so that we are d Ephe. 5.30 members of his body of his flesh and of his bones and therby also to the e 1. Cor. 1.30 diuine nature yet not corporall but Spirituall in regard of the means whereby this coniunction is wrought Q. What are the meanes of this spirituall coniunction A. On Christs part his holy f 1. Ioh. 4.15 Rom. 8.9 Spirit g Gal. 4.6 1. Iohn 3.24 4.13 giuen by him vnto euerie member of his body in the very moment of regeneration as the h Gal 5.25 1. Cor. 15 45. soule of spirituall life and fountaine of supernaturall grace in which respect i 1. Cor. 6.17 he that is ioyned to the Lord is said to be one spirit Q. What is the spirit of Christ A. The holy a 1 Cor. 3.16 Ghost truly residing and powerfully b Rom. 5.5 working in all those that are Christs c Rom. 8.2 deriued vnto them from him and d 1. Cor. 12.13 Eph 2.18 4.4 knitting them inseparably vnto him Q. Is the Holy Ghost giuen to none but such as are thus ioined vnto Christ A. The Holy Ghost is considered three waies 1. As the Author of all excellencie euen in common gifts of nature and reason as e Jud. 14.6 strength and courage f Exod. 31.3 Arts and Sciences g 1. Sam. 11.6 Policie and Gouernement c. In which sense he is giuen to many that neuer heard of Christ 2. As the Author of h 1. Cor. 12.1.4 spirituall gifts so called because being sanctified they are meanes of edification as the power of working miracles healing languages c. yea a i Heb. 6.4 5. taste of the heauenly gift and of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come In which sence he is giuen to sundry reprobates that are called as hath been shewed 3. As the Author of the perpetuall effectuall and a Ioh. 6.63 vitall influence of sauing grace from Christ the head to euery true member of his body In which sence b Ioh. 14.17 the world cannot receiue or know him but he is bestowed on the c 1. Pet. 1.2 Elect only and those truly regenerated and conuerted vnto the Lord. Q. But on our parts what meanes is there of this coniunction A. Only faith which yet is d Eph.