we have obtained mercy 3. The testimony of Gods Spirit which assureth Gods children their sins are pardoned Q. What is meant by resting upon God A. It is discovered by two particulars 1. Casting our selves upon the Promise 2. A perswasion that they shall be fulfilled to us Q. What is lustification A. When a beleeving sinner is accounted just in Gods sight through Christ according to the Law Q. Why say you accounted A. Because Justification puts nothing into us nor findes nothing in us Q. Doth God justifie wicked men as they are in themselves A. God provided another to be their surety for whose sake he accepts them Q. Can one mans wisedome understanding and holinesse be accounted to another A. Yes if one mans offence be imputed to another then may one mans righteousnesse but Adams sinne was imputed to us Rom. 5. therefore Christs Righteousnesse may be accounted ours If the Law be that the surety may be punished for the debt as well as the debtor then may the sureties satisfaction be accounted to the debtor both because the surety and the debtor tooke upon them the same thing and subjected themselves to the same condition Q. What doe we learn out of these words according to the Law A. No man can be just except he be in some measure answerable to the rule of justice Q. What did the Law require A. Two things 1. Dying for sinne 2. Doing that wee may live Q. Was our sinne made Christâ— by commission A. No onely by imputation for when Christ dyed to save us did we dye also no onely his death was imputed to us Q. What doth Christ receive from us A. Guilt and punishment Q. What doe we receive from Christ A. His merits and obedience Q. Doth faith it selfe justifie a man A. We are not justified by faith for it s but an instrument whereby we lay hold upon Christ and so are justified Q. Must justification be joyned to sanctification A. Yes for justification goeth before and sanctification followes after Q. Wherein lyeth the difference A. lustification putteth nothing into a man nor findeth any thing in a man Sanctification puts a new frame of he art into us Q. But doth not God put grace into a justified sinner A. Yes but he doth it by sanctification not by justification We receive justification all at once and that neither admits of increase or decrease but holinesse is usually increased and decreaseth many times Q. What is sanctification A. It s the restoring of a justified man into the image of God wherein he was created Not a making new faculties in the soule but putting them into right order as when a clock falls in pieces the wheels being not broken the clock hath not new wheeles set into it but they are new made againe Q. How many things be there in sanctification A. Two Mortification and Vivification Q. What is mortification A. The first part of sanctification whereby sinne is killed in us by the power of Christs death applied unto us Q. Can sinne be wholly subdued in a man A. No but it may be lessened and filed away Q. Wherein lyes the difference between sin in a wicked and a godly man A. There is the neerest union that may be between sinne and the soule of a wicked man Sinne beareth greatest rule here and the soule yeelds greatest subjection unto it He hath a secret resolution to sinne in spight of God and his Ordinances But in a godly man the power of sinne is loosened and the union broken sinne is not in him as a King though it may be as a Tyrant Q. Can mortification and vivification bee severed A. No where God bestowes Mortification there hee likewise bestowes vivification Q. Which goeth first A. Mortification for before we can receive Christ we must make roome for him by casting out all wickednesse Q. What is meant by this word vivification A. It is that part of sanctification whereby wee are quickned to newnesse of life by Christ his Resurrection applyed unto us Q. How is this wrought by Christs Resurrection A. In sinne wee must conceive there is 1. The guilt 2. The punishment 3. The power of it the guilt and punishment Christ by his Death removed Q. But how did he take away the power of them A. We having sinned Christ dyed and rose again for us whereas sin and Satan would have kept him in still if they could but hee came out by force The fift Principle Faith commeth by hearing and is strengthned by the Word and Prayer Meanes to get and increase Faith Quest How may we get faith Answ By the hearing of the Word preached Q. Why is Faith wrought by the Word A. Because God hath promised a speciall blessing thereunto and the holy Spirit accompanies the same for this purpose Q. Why by the Word preached A. Because the Word preached doth evidently reveale truths to the soule and works more effectually upon a mans heart Q. How is Faith encreased A. By the Word Sacraments and Prayer The Word addeth fuell unto Faith provoking a man to come to Christ by shewing 1. the need we have of him by reason of our daily wants and infirmities 2. The all-sufficiency of Christ to supply us 3. And his willingnesse to receive all commers Q. When is Faith strong Ans 1. When it grasps as it were a whole handfull of Christ a little child can grasp but a little of any thing 2. When it holdeth firmly that it catcheth hold upon Q. How doe the Sacraments strengthen saith A. 1. They present Christ neerly and visibly to the soule 2. They shew Christs merits obedience inflaming our hearts with love to him Q. What is Prayer A. It is a going out of our selves to God craving things answerable to his will Q. How a going to God A. Not a bodily going but the mind affection and understanding stirting up themselves to present their suit to him Q. Can a wicked man pray A. No 1. Because true Prayer is from the Spirit and a sanctified heart 2. These men oppose what they beg for Q. How many parts be there in Prayer A. Two Petition which is a craving of that we want and Thanksgiving which is a giving God thanks for that we have Q. What is the pattern of Prayer A. The Lords Prayer which Christ gave to his Disciples Q. Into how many parts is it divided A. Into three 1. A Preface 2. Six Petitions 3. A Thanksgiving Q. What doe you meane by Father A. The first Person in the Trinity who is the fountain from whence all we have floweth Q. How is God said to be a Father Ans 1. In regard of Christ 2. In regard of us Q. How is God the Father of Christ Ans 1. By naturall generation 2. By personall union Q. How is God a Father in regard of us Ans 1. In regard of Creation so the Angels are sons of God 2. In regard of Adoption which is the taking one in stead of a child
meant that rule that Christ hath set up in the hearts of his for the providence of God I take it is not so much aymed at in this place or that ordinary providence of God over the creatures this is set forth in the fourth petition give us c. but it is the rule of Christ that is set up in his Church Q. How manifold is it A. It is that whereby Christ by his Spirit and grace in the ministery of the word takes place in the hearts of his and this he doth two wayes 1. By overpowering and casting downe all other things which are opposite thereunto whatsoever power of sinne and Sathan are opposite unto him 2. He sets up that frame of spirit whereby it is subject to grace and this takes place two wayes 1. By cutting downe killing of every sinne 2. The soule takes the stamp of every command of God and is ruled therby Q. What is the Kingdome of glory A. Gods immediate ruling in the hearts of glorified Saints Q. How doth the Kingdome of grace and glory differ A. Here in the Kingdome of grace God rules 1. By his spirit 2. By the ministery of his word and ordinances but in heaven he rules immediatly then no more word means but Christ fils the soule fully and then he rules gloriously when the understanding will and affections are full of Christ and are fully and wholly subject to him Here in the valley of teares wee meet with many rubs and oppositions but then Christ shall shine immediately forth in all his ordinances wee seeke a Christ now but then wee shall fully possesse him so that wee that have the spirit have a glimpse of heaven already therefore ashamed should wee bee to bee weary of God let us bee weary of sinfulnes of this wretched world It is a heaven to live here with God upon earth and if it be so glorious a thing to have but a glimpse of God here how much more to bee filled with God hereafter in his kingdome Q. How is this Kingdome said to come A. The coming of these two Kingdomes implyes three things 1. That the word may bee revealed in those places where it hath not been That the day spring from on high may visite them that sit in darknes That the Sunne of righteousnes might visite them that want it That the banquet of the Gospell may be set up Matth. 24. If any man say hee is in the wildernesse goe not out for where the Carkasse is thither will the Eagles resort This is the first thing a Kingdome is said to-come when a King rules in a place where hee did not before so it is here Let all the people praise thee saith David hee desires not that some tongues onely but that all tongues and languages should doe this 2. Where ever the Gospell doth shine wee desire that it should discover it selfe more fully and spread it selfe where ever it comes wee desire the Kings governmet should enlarge the Territories more and more So we desire that not onely Christ should bee revealed but that more and more may bee gathered that God may take in every where and that every knee may bow to Christ and licke the dust that so there may be an addition made to the Church that every man in every kind God would cast his skirt over him that more may bee caught in his net that the Jew and Gentile may be gathered into one sheep-fold and have one shepheard 3. That the power of it may be more settled as the house of David grew stronger stronger but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker so when Christ sets up his candlesticke that the seed that is sowne there may take deep root When a King hath erected Castles then he hath his Kingdome So we desire God may entrench himselfe and reare castles of defence against his enemies which would remove him in us that hee would set up himselfe strongly that every traitour might bee crusht and every base lust subdued that God would slay thē and none but his lawes might take place in our soule In a word the issue returnes to thus much wee beseech Christ that his Gospell may spread and be strong and these dayes of sinne may bee wasted and that he may come in the clouds Rev. 22. and then come Lord Jesus come quickly that he would accomplish the number of his Elect and gather those that belong to his glory that they may be everlastingly with him Q. What is the carriage of the soule in putting up this petition A. It appeares in three things 1. The soule desires and labours to bee subject to the good pleasure of the Lord. The heart faith oh that I might once bee so disposed that I might submit to the pleasure of the Almighty We desire that all those things that are set up in our hearts which are contrary to the good will of the Lord might bee subdued Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts o Lord that my soule were so affected thou hast enjoyned mee to keepe thy Law oh that I could doe so The spirit should bee as waxe to the seale and inke to the paper that the soule might take the impression of every rule that God would set up in our hearts thus the soule should bee disposed and wish that the Lord would put this frame into us thou hast said seeke my face oh saith the soule that I could seeke thy face and echo to it behold Lord thy face doe I seeke to submit wholy without any contending not that the Lord should force us but take up your yoake put our necke to the yoak let the word of the Lord beare the sway when Mary wanted wine and our Saviour checked her shee submitted presently not a word more so what the Lord commands us let us doe without any quarrelling let the least inckling of the word beare the sway When our Saviour sent his disciples for the Asses colt they said but happily the men will not let him goe how then Tell them saith our Saviour the Master hath need of him and then they will not deny him It is enough let the Lord but speake and it is done this the soule should labour to attaine unto 2. The soule carries it selfe with an inward opposition to what ever is opposite to the government of the Lord Jesus Christ to the uttermost of our power It is in vaine to say it were well if it were so and I would it were so and yet stand still and not to set to our hand but we must joine with the Lord and as hee spake of Merosh Cursed be thou because thou wentest not out to help the Lord so truly the Lord Jesus is coming to our townes to our families therefore we should step out and help the Lord against those high mountaines of pride and stubbornenesse of heart when a proud heart stirres would wee but cry out good Lord help downe with that stubborne
them cary neither scrip nor staffe to hinder them in their course when Paul was converted the text saith he never consulted with flesh and blood hee adviseth not with carnall reasonings but what God commands hee did so when God calls for duty wee should not reason with profit pleasure and honours aske them leave to take up this duty and that performance If the holy Apostle had done this it would have hindred him but hee consulted not with flesh and blood so we should doe ever what God cōmands it matters not what men would have of us but let us have an eye to Gods command 3. The Angells in heaven doe the will of God faithfully that is they performe the whole will of God they faile not to doe it to an haires bredth hee is a faithfull servant that doth his masters cōmand fully so should a Saint doe now faithfulnes appeares in 2. things 1. Wee must doe it all as they doe 2. Wee must doe it in the right manner which God requires This is faithfulnesse the Angells doe not accomplish what message they will but God sets it downe and his good pleasure takes place Psal 103.21 They fulfill the good pleasure of the Lord they start not at any service no crosse they stand not at duty they doe it because he commands so it ought to bee with the hearts of the people of the Lord wee must not picke and chuse do it in an aguish fit when wee list It is said of David he did all the will of God It is sufficient God commands though it be tedious the Angells care not though all the Divells in hell rage so the Saints of God should doe be it tedious that skills not so we may finish our course with comfort hee doth not picke and chuse but feares every finne and takes up every duty The text saith Caleb and Ioshua followed God fully in the dayes of Macaba and Meribah in the times of trouble here is an Angelike spirit to goe through with the worke Though father and mother were against thē yet they would goe on The contrary was the finne of Sardis and which God reprooves sharply I have not found thy works full it is nothing to do some of Gods will but wee must doe it all or else the Lord regards it not The most wicked will do wel sometimes for their own ends if they bee pleased That is nothing thou must doe Gods will pleased or not pleased or else thou hast a Satanicall spirit not to say the dayes are troublesome but goe through as the Angells doe Secondly the manner as we must doe the whole wil of God so we must doe it after the right manner not as you will but as hee requires Thus Abraham when hee was commanded to goe offer his Son Isaac went early in the morning if hee had been to offer an oxe it had been nothing but Abraham must give his onely Sonne Isaac the Sonne of the promise to be a sacrifice So for us not to bee drunke and commit out ragious finnes such as all the world crie out of that 's nothing but thy secret lusts thy beloved Isaaks they must bee abandoned 4. The Angells doe the will of God constantly Matth. 18. where they are daily before the face of God they hold out and persevere to doe Gods will this should bee our practise though wee cannot doe it in that manner and so much as they yet endeavour for it continue to the death saith the text and what then I will give thee the crowne of life our reward shall bee for ever let our labour bee so a Saint should bee 4. square the same for ever not to fall backe to be good in good company with professors professe and with swearers curse with drunkards bee drunkards and with divells bee divells The blessed Angells doe not thus The Lord commends the good steward Happy shall that servant bee whom his Master when be comes shall find so doing when the Lord shall come and find a Saint persevere unto the end hee shall be blessed indeed The Angells will outbid us in the measure of performance of Gods will but yet we should bee speedy ready faithfull constant as they are in uprightnes though not in that measure of exactnes that they doe Q. What is the frame of the heart in the putting up of this petition A. It appeares in two things 1. It is willing to doe it it selfe 2. It is willing and desirous to help and stirre up others to the utmost of its power to doe the will of God 1. The soule ought to bee forward to know the will of God and doe it it selfe and this appeares in foure particulars 1. The heart is willing to doe the will of God in laying downe its owne wil so farre as it may bee an hinderance in doing Gods will for oftentimes our will and the will of God are contrary There is naturally a refractorie stiffenesse that lifts up it selfe above the Lord this must bee remooved not my will saith our Saviour but thy will bee done If our wills and Gods cannot stand together we must lay down ours But sometimes we say desperately as they did wee will walke in our owne wayes c. wee will have a King as other nations wee will have our base lusts to sway and rule us but so long as this is in us we cannot doe the will of the Lord wee cannot serve two masters I came not to doe mine owne will but my Fathers that sent mee saith our Sauiour It is oftentimes with our will and the will of God as with two buckets the letting downe of the one is the lifting up of the other and the lifting up of the other is the letting downe of that so where wee let downe our owne wills we lift up Gods but where wee lift up our owne wills wee let downe the good will of the Lord. Now the cause why wee sticke in service cannot come off is wee would have our pleasures we would bee this and that so that the will of God is justled against the wall and shut out of dores but let this distemper bee crusht and then the will of God will take place 2. When we have done this then wee must repaire to the Lord to know what his pleasure is take his warrant before we set upon the worke a conscionable attendance on Gods will should be the root spring of all our actions not to goe without it but to have our spirits carried by it This is a master controler that swayes and beares all before him tell mee not I cannot doe it for my liberties sake c. But I have no warrant out of GODS will unlesse the good will of the Lord goe before me I dare doe nothing Eph. 5.10.11 proving what is acceptable to the Lord. As the Gold-smith layeth the gold to the touchston so prove your selves see what is acceptable to the Lord. In the time of the old Law they