receive this Treasure Act 3.16 Rom 3.24 25. Joh 1.12 Q. Is it Faith alone that saveth the Believer A. True Faith never goeth alone without other graces and fruits of the sanctifying Spirit but yet Faith onely is it which as an hand or instrument applying Christ doth save us Galat 5.22 Mark 5.36 Rom 3.28 Q. Have all those true faith who professe to believe in Christ A. No faith is in the mouthes of many but in the hearts of few An historicall faith may be found in many but a Justifying saving Faith is proper to the elect children of God and therefore it is stiled the Faith of Gods elect 2 Thes 3.2 Joh 10.26 Act 13.48 Tit. 1.1 Q. How may this precious grace be described what is Faith A. Faith is a speciall gift of God whereby the Believer being convinced of the truth and goodnesse of the doctrine of the Gospell embraceth the promise of speciall mercy in Christ and applyeth Christ with all his merits to himselfe Ephe. 2.8 Phil. 1.29 1 Tim. 1.15 Gal. 3.26 27. It is a speciall gift of God whereby the Believer appropriateth and applyeth the generall promise of grace and mercy in Christ to himselfe in particular resting wholly upon Christ for life and salvation Gal. 2.20 Cant 8.5 Act. 15.11 Q. What is the Object of Faith A. The generall and compleate Object of Christian Faith is the written word the whole will of God revealed unto us in his Word Act 24.14 Joh 20.31 The speciall and principall Object of a Justifying Faith is Christ crucified Christ promised and offered in the Gospell or the Promise of speciall grace and mercy in Christ 1 Cor 2. vers 2. Rom 10. vers 9. Gal 2. vers 16. 3. vers 26. Mar 1. vers 15. Joh 1. vers 12. Q. What is the proper Subject or Seate of Faith A. The whole Heart and Soule The understanding being inlightned doth see the promise of grace revealed in the Gospell and doth acknowledge it to be true The will being effectually inclined by the Spirit of God gladly receiveth and embraceth the promise of grace as sweet and good Act 8.37 Rom 10.10 Eph 1.17 18. 1 Cor 2.12 Act. 16.14 1 Tim 1.15 Q. What are the parts of Faith A. They are three Heb 11.13 Q What is the first of them A. Knowledge The understanding cannot yeeld assent to that divine truth which it knoweth not Faith therefore doth presuppose a distinct knowledge of what is propounded to be believed Although knowledge may be where Faith is not yet Faith can never be where knowledge goes not before Joh 6.40 1 Joh 4.16 Act 16.18 Q. What is the second A. Assent the Believer in his understanding giveth firme and full Assent to whatsoever is revealed and promised in the Gospell Rom 4.20.21 Heb 11.13 Q What is the third A. Affiance The Believer with his heart embraceth the Promise of grace as his own and casteth himselfe wholly upon Christ cleaving to him trusting in him and depending upon him for remission of sinnes and eternall happinesse Cant 6.3 Heb 11.13 Job 19.25 2 Tim 1.12 Q What is the principall Act of a Justifying Faith wherein doth it chiefly consist A. It consisteth chiefly in the particular Application of the generall Promise of grace or in Affiance and Reliance upon Christ when the Soul dependeth wholly and only upon Christ looking after no other help Gal 2.20 Joh 20.28 Psal 22.1 25.2 Hab 1.12 Cant 8.5 Q. Seeing that Faith unites the Believer to Christ tell me therefore what are the fruits that follow upon this Vnion what are the chiefe benefits that every Believer receiveth from Christ A. Justification and Sanctification here and this Salvation which is begun here shall be perfected in unspeakable happinesse and eternall Glory hereafter 1 Cor 1.30 Q. What is Justification A. By the Justification of a Sinner we are to understand that Action of God whereby God beholding the sinner in Christ absolves and acquits him from all his sinnes pronounceth him righteous and consequently accepts him to life everlasting Rom 3.30 8.33 Act 13.39 Rom 2.13 Q. Is not a man justified before God by that righteousnesse that is inherent in himselfe A. No we are justified in Gods sight not by my righteousnesse inherent in us but by the righteousnesse and obedience of Christ imputed unto us and therefore Christ is stiled the Lord our righteousnesse As our sinnes were imputed to Christ so Christs righteousnesse is imputed to us as the sinne for which Christ suffered is inherent in us not in Christ so the righteousnesse whereby we are justified is inherent in Christ not in us 2 Cor 5.21 Rom 4.6 Jer 23.6 2 Cor 5.21 Rom 10.4 Q. But this seemes to be an absurd Doctrine that a man should be made righteous by the righteousnesse of another We know a man cannot be wise with another mans wisdome a man cannot be warme with the cloathes another weareth and therefore how can we be made righteous how can we be justified in Gods sight by that righteousnesse which is resident in the Person of Christ and not in our selues A. Although the righteousnesse whereby we are justified be inherent in the Person of Christ and not in us yet it is not Christs alone but as it is his so it is ours also Look how the sinne and Transgression of Adam is made our sinne in like manner the righteousnesse of Christ is ours As the sinne of Adam was of force to condemne us because we were in his loynes so the righteousnesse and obedience of Christ our Surety is much more availeable to justify us Rom 5.12 19. Q. In what sense is the righteousnesse of our Saviour Christ ours A. As this righteousnesse whereby we are justified before God is Christs properly and inherently so it is ours truely and really both in regard of our right and interest to it and in regard of the use and fruit of it See Gen 27.15 27. Q. When is this righteousnesse made ours A. At what time we are effectually called and spiritually united to Christ and made members of his mysticall Body For being truly and really united to Christ the righteousnesse of Christ our Head is truely and really made ours Rom 8.1 Q. How is this righteousnes of Christ made ours A. By the free gift and gracious Imputation of God and by the Application of Faith 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 4.6.11 Rom. 3.22 4.13 Phil. 3.9 Heb. 11.7 Q. What are the parts of Justification A They are two Absolution from sinne and Acceptation to life eternall both which presuppose the imputation of the merits and righteousnesse of Christ The forgivenesse of our sinnes Christ merited by his passive Obedience our gracious Acceptation and Admittance to eternall life Christ merited by his active obedience Rom. 4.6 7 8. Rom. 5.18 2 Cor 5.19 Col. 1.21 22. Rom 5.18 19. Q. Hitherto of Justification tell me now what is sanctification A. Sanctification is the Conformitie of our nature to the pure
life Gal. 6.16 Phil. 3. vers 16. Q. What is the proper Office of this Canon of Scriptures A. First our Faith must be measured by this sacred Canon Secondly all Controversies in Religion must be divided be this Rule of truth Thirdly our life and all our actions must be guided by the Canonicall Scripture as by a straight Line and Rule Gal. 6.16 Q. Seeing you affirme Canonicall Scripture to be the Rule of Faith and the Judge of all controversies tell me therefore how know you that the Scriptures are of infallible truth A. The Scriptures are the very word of God and therefore of infallible truth and divine Authoritie They therefore that ground their faith upon Canonicall Scripture build upon a Rocke and not upon the sand 2 Pet. 1.19 Q. How know you the Scriptures to be the very Word of God A. First the Scripture doth testifie this of it selfe 2 Tim. 3. vers 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God c. 2 Peter 1. v. 21. Secondly Gods own spirit doth testifie to the consciences of his Children and assure them that the Scriptures are the Oracles of God 1 Joh. 2.20 27. Thirdly many Arguments may be drawn out of Canonicall Scriptures whereby we may discerne these Books to be no humane writings but the very word of God Q. What are those Arguments which may induce a reasonable man to believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God A. They are these First the puritie and divine perfection of the Doctrine contained in Scripture Here are many sacred and heavenly Mysteries concerning mens Salvation which are farre above the reach of humane reason and could never have been found out had not God revealed them by his Spirit Psal 19.7 119.96 Prov. 30. vers 5. 1 Tim. 3. vers 16. 1 Cor. 2. vers 7 9 10. 2. The Scriptures containe many Prophesies of such things as could not be foreseen in their causes which have been fulfilled in the same manner as they were foretold Gen. 15.13 14. 49.10 1 King 13.2 3 5. Isai 44.28.45 1. Jer. 25.11 12. 2 Thes 2.7 8. 3. The Scriptures are of admirable power and efficacy to humble and terrifie the Sinner to comfort the conscience and to convent the Soule Heb. 4. vers 12. Act. 24. v. 25. Psal 19. vers 7. 4. Such is the grace and Majestie of the Scriptures though written in a plaine and easie style as is not to be found in any humane Author 1 Tim. 5. vers 21. 1 Corinth 1.17 18 21 24. 5. The sweet Harmonie and perfect concord of every part of Scripture with other notwithstanding these Bookes were written by divers persons in sundry places at sundry times 6. The Antiquitie of the Scriptures above all humane writings And the admirable preservation of this Book notwithstanding the strange malice of Satan and his wicked Instruments against it 7. The gracious simplicity of the Penmen of Scripture who neither spare their friends nor themselves but most freely and impartially set downe their owne faults and infirmities as well as others which had they been guided by humane reason they would never have done 8. The constant Testimonie of many holy Martyrs and of the Church of Christ in all ages Q. You have proved the Scriptures to be the Word of God and therefore I doubt not but a Christian may boldly build his Faith upon them But whether are the Scriptures a sufficient and perfect Rule of Faith and Obedience A. Yes all points of necessarie Faith and practise are contained in the written word and therefore the Scriptures are a sufficient and perfect Rule Q. What are we to understand by the Contents of Scripture A. By the Contents of Scripture we must understand not only what is expressed in so many letters and syllables but whatsoever may thence by manifest and necessary consequence be deduced Q. How may it appeare that the Scriptures are a sufficient and perfect rule A. By these Arguments First the Scriptures are able to make a man wise to Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 Jam. 1.21 Joh. 20.31 2. The Law and the Gospell which are the subject matter of Scripture are both perfect The Law is so perfect a Rule of all to be done that nothing may be added to it or taken from it Deut. 4. v. 2. Deut. 12. v. 32. The Gospell is so perfect a Rule of all things needfull to be believed that nothing may be added to it or taken from it See Gal. 1.8 9. 3. All that we need to bring us to Salvation is either to be taught or reproved or instructed or corrected or comforted But all this the Scriptures are able to doe they are able to teach to reprove to correct to instruct in all righteousness and to comfort in all estates Reade 2 Tim. 3.16 Prov. 2.1 9. Rom. 15.4 Psal 119.50 Isai 8.20 Luc. 16.29 31. Joh. 5.39 Ephes 2.20 Lu. 24.44 Act. 26.22 25. Act. 28.23 4. The Scriptures are able to furnish the man of God that is the Minister sufficiently to every dutie of the Ministrie and to make him perfect whose dutie it is to declare the whole Counsell of God to the People therefore they are much more able to give the people sufficient Instruction Soe 2 Tim. 3.17 Act. 20.27 5. The Scripture is stiled a Rule now a Rule must be fit to measure that which is to be measured by it without addition otherwise it is no just Rule Gal. 6.16 Phil. 3.16 Q. What gather you from this Doctrine of the Sufficiency of the Scriptures A. Seeing the Scriptures are a sufficient and perfect Rule therefore we need no unwritten verities no Traditions of men to supply any supposed defect of the written word of God Isai 29.13 Mat. 15.6 9. Col. 2.8 The six Principles of Mr PERKINS expounded The first Principle Q. WHat dost thou believe concerning God A. There is one God Creator and Governor of all things distinguished into the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost The Exposition Q. What particulars are to be observed in this Principle A. Three things are here set downe to be believed concerning God First the Unitie of the Godhead 2. The Distinction of this one God into three persons 3. The workes whereby God hath made himselfe known Q. How is God One A. In being and Essence the Spirituall Essence of God is but one and no more in number Deut. 6.4 Mark 12.32 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. Q. Can you give me any true Definition or Description of God A. God as he is in himselfe is known to himselfe only and therefore a perfect definition of God cannot be given but yet he may be described sufficiently to distinguish him from all Idols from all Creatures whatsoever Job 11.7 Q. How may God be described A. By his Attributes Q. What are the Attributes of God A. They are those essentiall properties which are attributed to God in Scripture that we may therby the better conceive of his incomprehensible Essence Q. Tell me how
Luk. 11.28 Joh. 13.17 Jam 1.22 Exod 3.5 Josh 5.15 Exod. 19.10 11. Eccl 5.1 Act 10.33 Act. 17.10 11. Job 22.22 Psal 119.11 Luk 2.19 and 51. Heb 2.1 Q. How are we to prepare our selves before we come to the publike Ordinance A. 1. We must lay aside whatsoever may binder the profitable hearing of the Word See Jam 1.21 1 Pet 2.1 2. Jer 4.3 Ezek 33.31 2. We must consider what our spirituall wants be and how necessarie and profitable the Word of God is for the relieving of these our wants that so we may get a spirituall appetite to this spirituall food of our soules like new borne babes we must crye after this milke that we may grow by it Jam 1.19 1 Pet. 2.2 3. We must intreate the Lord to blesse this holy ordinance unto us and to accompanie the outward Ministrie of the Word with the inward opperation of the Spirit that so the Word may be effectuall to save our soules Psal 119. Isa 59.21 Act. 16.14 Q. How are we to behave our selves when we are come to the House of God A. We must acknowledge the Minister to be Gods Messenger and Embassadour and therefore we must here and receive the Word preached not as the word of man but as the word of God even as that word which one day shall judge us Job 33.23 Mal. 2.7 2 Cor. 5.20 1 Thes 13. 1 Pet. 4.11 Joh. 12.48 More particularly we must heare the word preached 1. Not with drowzie and dull eares but with diligent attention to the end we may understand what we heare and be affected with it Isai 6.10 Prov. 2.2 and 4.20 Luk. 4.20 Act. 2.14 8.16 2. With due reverence yea with feare and trembling Isa 66.5 6. Ezra 9.4 10.3 3. With meeknesse and absolute subjection of spirit Jam. 1.21 4. With alacritie and constancie not departing before the publike exercise be ended Prov. 8.34 Ezek. 46.10 5. With an earnest desire to attaine and keep the good seed of the Word in our hearts and with a firme purpose to bring forth the fruite of it in our lives Luk. 8.15 Pro. 4.21 Deut. 5.27 Exod. 19.8 Isai 42.23 Q. What other meanes are there which serve to the further increasing of our Faith A. The Sacraments and Prayer Q. What is a Sacrament A. It is a seale annexed by Gods own hand to the Covenant of Grace Gen. 17.7.10 11. Rom 4.11 Q What is the Covenant of Grace A. That eternall Covenant and contract laid down in the Word wherein God hath promised remission of sinnes and everlasting life to all that believe in Christ Jesus Gen. 3.15 17.7 8. Act. 10.43 and 13.38.39 Joh 15 16. Mar. 16.16 Act 16.30 31. Q. How many parts be there in a Sacrament A. Two the outward and visible Signe and the inward and invisible Grace Mat. 3.11 and 26.26 1 Cor. 10.16 Q. Of what use are the Sacraments and to what end were they ordained A. The Sacraments were ordained 1. To be holy Signes and Seales to ratifie the Covenant which the Lord hath made with us to confirme our weake Faith in all the gracious promises of the same Gen. 17.11 Rom 14.11 2. To be as it were badges of our profession whereby we may be known to be the Servants of Christ Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 10.16 17.21 3. To be monuments to put us often in mind remembrance of Christ and as it were glasses wherein we may see Christ crucified before our eyes and therefore the Sacraments are truly called a visible word Lu 22.19 Gal. 3.1 Q. How many Sacraments are there A. Two the one representing our Nativitie or new birth the other representing our spirituall Education and growth in Christ 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Q. Have these sacraments been alwaies the same A. The inward and spirituall part which is Christ with all his benefits hath been alwaies the same both under the Law and under the Gospell But the outward and sensible signes have been divers according to the times of Christ Before Christ was exhibited in the flesh there were but two fixed and ordinarie Sacraments and since Christs comming in the flesh there are likewise two Sacraments and no more 1 Cor. 5.7 10.4 Gal. 3.27 Heb. 13.8 Q. What were the ordinarie Sacraments of the old Testament A. Circumcision and the Passeover Gen. 17. Exod. 12.17 Q. What are the Sacraments instituted by Christ in the New Testament A. Baptisme and the Lords Supper Now these are answerable to the Sacraments of the Old Tastament for Baptisme is come instead of Circumcision and the Lords Supper instead of the Passeover Mat. 28.19 Mat. 26.26 Col. 2.11 12. Lu. 12.13 14 15 19 20. 1 Cor. 10. Q. How doe these two Sacraments of the New Testament differ A. Baptisme is the Sacrament of our Regeneration and ingrafting into Christ The Lords Supper is the Sacrament of our spirituall nourishment and growing up with Christ And therefore Baptisme is but once used of us but the Lords Supper is often to be celebrated Act. 2.42 1 Cor. 11.26 Q. Tell me more particularly what is Baptisme A. Baptisme is the first Sacrament of the new Testament wherein by the washing or sprinkling of our bodies with water in the Name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost our Regeneration or new birth is represented and our entrance into Christianity sealed unto us Mat. 28.19 Joh. 3.5 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 Act. 8.36 37 38. Q. What is the outward and visible signe in Baptisme A. Water wherewith the partie baptized is washed or sprinkled Mat. 3.11 16. Act. 8.36 38. Q. What doth this water represent and signifie A. The Spirit and the blood of Christ Mat. 3.11 Joh 3.5 1 Ioh. 1.7 Q. What doth the covering or sprinkling and washing with water signifie A. Our new birth renovation and putting on of Christ the washing of our soules with the blood of Christ applyed by his Spirit The covering of our sinnes and remission of them through the imputation of the suffrings and death of Christ and the presenting of us holy cleane and without spot in the sight of God through the imputation of Christs obedience and righteousnesse Ioh. 3.5 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Pet. 1.2 Act. 2.38 and 22.16 Rom. 6.3 4. Col. 2.12 13. Eph. 5.26 27. Q. Why are we baptized in the name or into the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Mat. 28.29 A. Hereby is signifyed that by baptisme we are consecrated to the worship and service of the only true God who being one divine Essence is distinguished into three Persons the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost In Baptisme our Adoption in Christ by the Holy Ghost is sealed unto us and ratifyed and so we are consecrated to God the Father Thus by this Sacrament we are as it were enroled amongst those of the Household of God Act 2.38 and 19.5 1 Cor 12 13 14 15. Gen 48.16 Eph 2.19 and 3.15 Q What persons are to
bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the councells of the hearts out of the Book of Gods remembrance the Lord will declare the good deeds of the godly and the sinnes of the wicked Every mans conscience shall be made either to accuse him or to excuse him Now the wicked mans conscience is like a closed or sealed book but then it shall be so touched and as it were opened that he shall remember all his particular offences wheresoever and whensoever committed and the conscience of every wicked man shall be as good as a thousand witnesses to accuse him and to condeme him By these two bookes all men shall be examined and the wicked shall be convicted Rev. 2.23 Joh. 21.17 1 Cor. 4.5 Mal. 3.16 Hos 7.2 Rom. 2.15 16. Q. Is there any other book that shall be opened A. Yes the Book of life wherein the names of all the Elect are written shall be opened that is it shall then be declared before all the World who are Elect and who are Reprobates by the exact separation of the one from the other and by the definitive Sentence which shall accordingly be executed Rev. 20.12 Luk 10.20 Phil. 4.3 Rev. 3.5 and 13.8 and 17.8 Q. How are we to conceive of the definitive Sentence of the Judge and in what order will Christ give sentence A. The definitive Sentence which Christ will give is twofold one for the Godly another against the wicked The Elect and godly shall first receive the Sentence of Absolution and Salvation and then Unbelievers and Reprobates shall receive the Sentence of condemnation Mat 25. Q. Why shall the godly be acquitted and absolved before the wicked be condemned A. That the godly may be Assessors with Christ in the Judgement to be pronounced and executed upon the ungodly The Godly being cleared shall have the dignitie to sit with Christ the Judge of all flesh and shall approve and applaud his most righteous judgement upon the wicked and so after a sort shall judge the world with Christ Mat. 19.28 1 Cor 6. â— 3. Q. What is the Sentence of absolution and Salvation which the Godly shall receive A. Christ shall say to the Godly Come ye blessed of my Father inherite the Kingdome prepared for you before the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 Q. What is the Sentence of Condemnation which the wicked shall receive A. Christ shall say to the wicked Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divell and his Angels Mat. 25.41 Q. When this double sentence is pronounced what shall follow A. The definitive sentence being pronounced shall be executed immediately The wicked shall presently be bound and cast into Hell where they shall suffer eternall death endlesse miserie And then the godly shall goe into Heaven where they shall live in eternall glory and enjoy perfect felicitie Mat 13.41 42. and v. 49 50. Mat. 25.46 Dan. 12.2 3. Q. What shall be the estate of the wicked in Hell How may we conceive of their future Miserie A. 1. The wicked shall be excluded and shut out of Heaven and banished from the glorious presence of God for ever Luk. 13.28 2 Thes 1.9 2. They shall be cast into utter darknesse where shall be nothing but horrour and confusion sinne and torment they shall have their portion with the Divill and his Angels in a lake of fire and brimstone invented by the infinite wisedome of God and kindled by the Justice and wrath of God where eternitie shall be added to the extremitie of their torments where they shall live a dying life and die a living everlasting death Mat 8.12 and 22.13 Mat. 25.30 Mat 13.42 50. Mat. 25.41 Isa 30.33 Rev. 14.10.11 and 21.8 Is 66 24. Mat. 3.12 Mark 9.43 44. and 48. Q. What shall be the estate of the godly in heaven how are we to conceive of their future happinesse 1. The godly shall be perfectly free from all sinne and Miserie and from all societie with the wicked Rev. 21.4 and 32.3 5. Psal 9.17 Mat 13.41 2. They shall enjoy the societie and fellowship of all the glorious Saints and Angels They shall be made like unto Christ their head in holinesse and happinesse they shall behold even with their bodily eyes the glory of Christ their Lord and Saviour and with the eyes of their soules the Father also and the holy Ghost yea they shall have that perfect communion with the blessed Trinitie wherein consisteth perfect felicitie Mat 8.11 Heb. 12.22.23 1 Joh 3.2 1 Cor 13.10 11. Joh. 17.24 Phil. 1.23 1 Thes 4.17 Psal 36.9 1 Joh. 3.2 Rev. 1.22 23. Rev. 22.4 3. Securitie and perpetuitie shall be added to the perfection of their happinesse In Heaven shall be happy securitie and secure happinesse happy eternity and eternall felicity Rev. 21.25 Psal 16.11 and 17.15 Isa 66.23 1 Thes 4.17 Rev. 22.9 Q. Seeing such shall be the Miserie of the wicked and such shall be the happinesse of the godly after the last Judgement tell me now for conclusion how may we escape this eternall Miserie How may we attaine to this eternall happinesse A. We must learne to know the onely true God as he hath revealed himselfe in his Word 2. We must learne to know our selves that we are sinfull and miserable by nature 3. We must learne to know Christ his person his natures his offices his saving benefits 4. We must be humbled by the Law that we may be willing to come out of our naturall condition and may be fit to receive Christ tendered unto us in the Gospell We must make sure our Union with Christ we must by a true and lively Faith depend and rest wholly upon the Mercie of God and Merits of Christ for the remission of our sinnes and the salvation of our soules 5. When we are united to Christ by a justifying faith and have the seed of regeneration sown in our hearts then we must waite upon God in a conscionable use of his holy Ordinances whereby faith and all other graces of the sanctifying spirit may be confirmed strengthned and encreased in us daily Finally Grace is the seed and infancie of Glory and therefore we must be infants in Grace before we can be Heires in Glorie If we have part in the first Resurrection if our soules be raised to a spirituall life here then certainly we shall be sharers in the glorious resurrection of the just hereafter Rev. 20.6 There are two degrees of spirituall life the life of Grace and the life of Glorie If we doe not attaine to the first of these we cannot attaine to the Second We must therefore live the life of Grace here if we defire to live the life of Glory hereafter AN APPENDIX Wherein these four Doctrines appertaining to the first Principle are more fully expounded viz. The Doctrine of The Attributes of God The Blessed Trinitie The Creation of the World Divine Providence DOCT. I. The larger Exposition of the Attributes of God WHat
Son of God suffered death it is more then if all men in the world had suffered for ever 1 Cor 2.8 Tit. 2.13.14 Act. 20.28 Q. Did Christ suffer for us the first death only A. The whole curse of the Law due to our sinnes was laid upon Christ our Suretie and therefore as Christ suffered the first death for us so he tasted of the second death also he did drink up the bitter cup of his Fathers wrath even the torments of Hell which made him cry out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27.46 Isa 53.5 Heb. 2.9 Mat. 26.38 39.42 Luk. 22.44 Isa 63.3 Q. What are the fruits and effects of Christs death A. By the death of Christ the wrath of God is appeased the sinnes of the redeemed are remitted Satan Death and Hell are vanquished and consequently those that were miserable captives are gratiously and powerfully delivered out of the hands of all their spirituall Enemies Now those who are thus delivered from the captivitie of Sinne and Satan here shall have perfect deliverance from all sinne corruption wrath and miserie hereafter Christ hath merited perfect and eternall Redemption for us and therefore we expect a day of full Redemption Eph. 5.2 Heb. 9.26 Col. 1.14 and Ephes 1.7 Isai 53.12 Ephes 4.8 Col. 2.15 Heb. 2.14 15. Luk. 21.28 Rom. 8.23 Heb. 9.12 Ephes 1.14 and 4.30 Q. Hath Christ left any thing to those that are redeemed by him to be done or suffered in way of merit or satisfaction to the justice of God A. Nothing at all Christ is a most absolute and perfect Redeemer and Saviour Christ alone hath done and suffered all things that are needfull for the Salvation of man and therefore the glorie of that great worke of Mans Redemption and Salvation belongeth to Christ alone The righteousnesse obedience and suffrings of Christ are no way defective The satisfaction that Christ hath made to the Justice of God is absolutely perfect now that which is perfect is marred by adding ought unto it Heb. 7.25 Tit. 2.14 Act. 4.12 Q. What is required of those that are Redeemed by Christ A. The redeemed ought to live accoding to the will of their Redeemer See Luc 68.74 75. 1 Cor 5.15 1 Pet 2.24 The fourth PRINCIPLE Q. BVt how mayest thou be made partaker of Christ and his benefits A. A man of a contrite and humble spirit by faith alone apprehending and applying Christ with all his merits to himselfe is justified before God and sanctified The Exposition Q. What are the parts of this Principle A. This Principle layeth downe these three things 1. The quality and disposition of the person that shall attaine to salvation by Christ in these words a man of a contrite and humble spirit 2. What every one that would be saved must do viz. by faith apprehend and apply Christ with all his merits to himselfe 3. The fruits and benefits which follow upon our Union with Christ which are two Justification and Sanctification Q. How must the sinner be qualified that he may be made partaker of Christ A. He must be humbled bruised and broken This Humiliation and contrition prepares the sinner for Christ before the sinner be thoroughly humbled and kindly broken he is altogether unfit to receive Christ Isai 57.15 66.2 Isai 61.1 Q. Why must a Sinner be thus humbled before he can be made partaker of Christ A. Because every man hath naturally a proude hard and stony heart and God will not poure the oyle of his grace and mercy into any other but a broken Vessell the sinner therefore must have his proud and hard heart humbled and broken Sinners must understand themselves to be what they are indeed by nature before they will be willing to come out of their naturall condition See Matt. 9.12 13. Eze. 11.19 36.26 Zech. 7.12 Isai 48.4 Psal 51.17 147.3 Zeph. 3.12 Q. Wherein doth this Humiliation whereby the sinner is prepared for Christ consist A. In such a sight of Sinne and sense of Misery as drives a man to Gods Mercy and makes the sinner seeing no meanes of help in himselfe or the creature flee unto Christ Matt. 11.28 Prov. 30.1 2 3. Rom. 7.24 25. Q. How is it wrought A. God by the morall Law which is a perfect Rule of righteousnesse discovers to the sinner his sinne and the punishment of it and convinceth the sinner of his miserable and wretched condition and lets him see that it is impossible for him to come out of this condition by his owne strength and that it is in vaine to expect help from the Creature Now when a sinner is come to a right knowledge of himselfe to a true sight and sense of his vilenesse wretchednesse and spirituall wants then lest he should be swallowed up of despaire the Lord lets the sinner see his divine goodnesse and his readinesse to forgive and the Mercy that is layd up in Christ Jer. 23.29 Rom. 3.20 7.7 Rom 4.15 7.9 Gal 3.10 Job 33.16 19. 23.24 Gal 3.22 24. Q. What followes hereupon A. When the sinner seeth himselfe to be a bundle of sinne and misery when he seeth his sinne and the strict Justice of God threatning death and damnation on the one hand and the great Goodnesse of God with the Mercy that is revealed and offered in Christ on the other hand then he loathes himselfe bewailes his sinne fleeth unto God for mercy being willing to take Christ upon any termes upon any conditions When the heart of the sinner is thus kindly broken it is then a fit vessel to receive the precious oyle of Gods Mercy Ezek 36.31 Zech 12.10 Act 2.37 Jer 31.18 Luc 15.18 19. Matt 11.28 Isai 61.1 Isai 42.3 Hos 14.3 Q. Are there not degrees of this Humiliation A. Yes but every sinner must be humbled so farre as may prepare him and make him fit to receive Christ Now a sinner is then prepared for Christ when he is convinsed of the Necessity of a Saviour when he is made sensible of sinne and misery and flexible and tractable to good when he is willing to yeeld and submit unto Christ and disposed to take any impression from Gods hand Act 2.37 Act 9.6 Act 16.30 Q. When a sinner is thus humbled what must he do that he may be saved A. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ Act. 16.30 31. Faith in Christ is the only way to life and salvation Mar 16.16 Joh 3.14 15 16. Joh 6.47 20.31 Rom 1.17 10.9 10. Q. How doth Faith save us A. As an Instrument applying Christ When we say that Faith saveth us the meaning is that Christ apprehended by faith doth save us As the hand may be said to feed and nourish the Body so Faith may be said to save the Soul Christ is the Saviour of sinners and Faith is the hand of the Soul that layeth hold on Christ and cleaveth to this Saviour Christ is the Treasure that doth make us rich and Faith is the hand wherewith we