Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	father_n	jesus_n	lord_n	17,123	5	3.7490	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64969	The principles of the doctrine of Christ, or, A catechism in which is contained the sum of the Christian religion, or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to salvation, the answers being but seventeen in number, and in very plain words easie to be understood : unto which is added A catechism for conscience, wherein the consciences of the ignorant, the grosly profane, the young, the meerely mortal, and the hypocrites are examined in order to their instruction and awakening, and the consciences of the sincere Christians are tried in order to their peace and comfort / by Nathanael Vincent.	Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697.; Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697. A catechism for conscience.	1691 (1691)	Wing V418; ESTC R25704	37,318	113

the service of God I have many thoughts and contrivances about the World while I am in the Church worshipping Q. 14. When thou art about thy worldly business that brings in gain into thy purse are not thy thoughts intent and fixt A. I don't love to play the fool and do those things that bring in my livelihood and the maintenance of my family as if I did them not Q 15. Does not this shew the corruption of thy nature and the estrangement of thy heart from God that thou canst trifle with Him and in his Service and about the concernments of thy Soul and yet be so very serious about earthly matters A. I must confess in this respect my heart is not so good as it ought to be and as I did before imagine Q. 16. Didst thou ever see thy need of Christ of his Righteousness to cover thy sins and to render thy duties acceptable A. I have long time thought that my own righteousness and honest dealing did commend me to God Almighty and that I am too good to be damned I have not perceived any great need of Christ and know but little of him Q. 17. Art thou willing to be convinced of thy pride and ignorance which thy words plainly discover that ignorance and vain confidence may not be thy ruine A. Here is a charge that is severe such as I thought I never should have had from any man and I am ready to resolve to talk no more but still to place my confidence where I have done And yet withall I have no mind to perish therefore I am not against conviction upon good and sufficient grounds Q. 18. Thou trustest in thy Righteousness but does thine exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees And if it does not how canst thou hope against Christs plain words to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 20. A. I know not what the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was Q. 19. Thou art free from actual murther but is there not malice envy or revenge working in thy heart without controul Thou never wert guilty of actual fornication but dost thou not lust in thy heart after Women suffering evil concupiscence to burn within not caring to quench that impure flame Thou stealest not any part of thy neighbours Estate but hast thou not often covered what is His The Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was external only not in heart sinful workings within they made no matter of yet they rested on this Righteousness thought themselves whole and slighted Christ the great Physician of Souls And is not thy Righteousness which thou gloriest in just the same A. Christ says If thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments and he names those of the second Table Q. 20. But does he not tell that young man who had kept these commandments from his youth without any gross violation of them that yet he lacked one thing love to Christ above his Possessions And art not thou thy self so far from loving Christ and believing in him that thou hast not cared to know him A. I have heard some talk of Christ that he is our Redeemer Q. 21. May he not well be called a Redeemer who redeemed believers from the curse of the Law from the wrath to come and from all their Iniquities Who gave his Life a ransom and shed his blood to be the price of his Churches Redemption A. I see you would perswade me that I do stand in need of Christ the Redeemer as well as others and that I am lost without him Q. 22. Did not Christ come to seek and to save that which was lost Is it not better to see thy self lost and come to Him while he calls thee than to think thou art safe enough till Hell too late convince thee that 't is quite contrary A. My Life has been led without blame I differ much from others who have run into all excess of riot Q. 23. Was not the Apostle Paul blameless touching the righteousness of the Law before his Conversion And yet was he not convinced of sin and saw himself lost And who ever express't an higher esteem of Christ than He A. Certainly the Apostle saw that in sin which yet I do not see Q. 24. Wilt thou study the purity and spirituality of the Law of God Wilt thou take notice how it requires thee to love the Lord with all thy heart to worship him in Spirit and in Truth and forbids all sinful motions thoughts passions and desires If the Law did thus come to thee would not sin presently revive would not thy iniquities appear innumerable wouldst thou not conclude thy self dead and condemn'd till justified by Faith in Jesus A. I begin to have other thoughts of Christ than ever yet I entertain'd Q. 25. Wilt thou now bewail thy misplaced confidence wilt thou pray for Faith and hear for Faith in Christ wilt thou be incessant in thy Supplications that it may be given thee to believe wilt thou come by the help of his Grace and Spirit unto God as thy Chiefest Good and come to him through Jesus the Mediator being sensible that He is the only Way unto the Father A. I desire to believe Lord help my unbelief Q. 26. Wilt thou in all thy duties look unto Jesus for assistance to perform them and for acceptance through Christ after they are performed A. I see this is necessary Q. 27. Wilt thou rely on Christ and his Righteousness i. e. his Obedience and Sufferings for pardon of all past iniquities especially thy minding the world and mocking of God in thy Devotions hitherto And wilt thou earnestly desire that thy Faith may not be counterfeit but of the right kind purifying thy heart overcoming the world and working by love A. Such a Faith I now perceive is more precious and will make me more truely rich than the greatest abundance of Gold that perishes Q. 28. VVilt thou take due notice of the reason why thou mavest safely trust in the Lord Jesus to save thee Does not his Godhead argue him able to save And did he not become Man that he might be in a capacity to suffer for mens sin VVas he not made like unto his Brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Heb. 2. 17. A. On Him alone I resolve to rest on whom whosoever believes he shall not be confounded The Hypocrites Conscience is thus to be searched Q. 1. Art thou willing to be tried and since there is no grace but has its counterfeit hast thou no fear of being deceived and mistaking shews for substance A. You make me half angry by asking such a question None that know me doubt of my uprightness Q. 2. Of what Church art thou A. I am of the purest Church and way I know I have separated my self from all that are not of my perswasion and I do not care to have communion with them Q. 3. Is not

signified and sealed the other Benefits of the New Covenant are signified and sealed also Baptism is appointed and required Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and disciple all nations baptizing them The Lords Supper is Instituted 1 Cor. 11. 23. I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you ver 24. Do this in remembrance of me Q. 15. What is Baptism A. Baptism is a washing with Water in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost whereby is signified and sealed our being Born again the purging away of sin by the Blood and Spirit of Christ and our partaking of a new Nature And all that are Baptized whether Believers or their Seed are engaged to be the Lords Baptism is a washing with Water in the Name of the Father Son and Spirit Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Baptism signifies and seals our being born again Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost In the regenerate sin is purged away by the Blood and Spirit of Christ 1 Joh. 1. 7. The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Gal. 5. 16. This I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh They that are born again have a new nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. That you might be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust All that are baptised whether Believers or their seed are engaged to be the Lords Rom. 6. 3 4. So many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death and being dead to sin should walk in newness of life Children are engaged as well as the Parents Act. 2. 39. The Promise is unto you and to your Children 1 Cor. 7. 14. Else were your Children unclean but now they are holy separated to him and to his service Q. 16. What is the Lords Supper A. The Lords Supper is an Ordinance wherein after self-examination which is required there is a giving and receiving of the Bread and Wine according to Christs appointment And worthy Receivers discern his Body partake of his benefits and shew forth his death till he come to Judgment Self-examination is required before this Ordinance of the Supper 1 Cor. 11. v. 28. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. In this Supper there is a giving and receiving of Bread and Wine according to Christs appointment Mat. 26. 26 27. Jesus took Bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body And he took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it unto them saying Drink ye all of it Worthy Receivers discern his Body looking beyond the Bread and Wine to his Body and Blood thereby signified and given to them 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. This is my Body which is broken for you This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood Worthy Receivers partake of his benefits Joh. 1. 16. And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace In the Supper we shew forth Christs death till he come to Judgment 1 Cor. 11. 26. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come Q. 17. When Christ comes to Judgment who must appear before Him A. At the last day the dead will be raised and all must appear at the Judgment seat of Christ Believers who have done good shall be rewarded with eternal life The wicked who lived and died in their sins shall be punished with the vengeance of eternal fire At the last day the dead shall be raised Acts 26. 8. Why should it seem a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead All must appear at the Judgment seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 10. For we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or evil Believers that have done good shall be rewarded with eternal life Rom 6. 22. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life The wicked shall be punished with the vengeance of eternal fire Mat. 25. 41. Then shall he say to them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels 2 Cor. 5. 11. Knowing the truth and terrour of the Lord we perswade Men. 2 Pet. 3. 7 11. Seeing the Heaven and the Earth are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness The CREED I Believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth and in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was Conceived by the Holy Ghost Born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried he Descended into Hell Continued in the State of the Dead Th● third day he Rose again from the Dead he Ascended into Heaven and Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty from thence He shall come to Iudge the quick and the dead I Believe in the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the Forgiveness of Sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting Amen London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel 1691. A Catechism FOR CONSCIENCE The design of which is to try awaken and instruct the Consciences of Men and to make them faithful to God and to Themselves The Conscience of a grosly Ignorant Sinner is thus to be Questioned Quest 1. WHat are thy thoughts of God Answ I seldom hear and hardly ever think of him Q. 2. Why is not God in all thy thoughts Why dost thou live without him in the World A. I have no knowledge of Him and I do not care to entertain thoughts concerning Him Q. 3. Is not this thy bare ingratitude and folly that God who gave thee thy Being and gives thee every good thing thou hast should never be thought on But tell me Hast thou no apprehensions of God at all A. I sometimes conceive Him to be a good old Man that sits and reigns above in Heaven Q. 4. Foolish and darkned Heart Why hast thou not taken notice that God is a Spirit who really has no bodily parts Why dost thou not consider That they exceedingly dishonour Him who change the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man Rom. 1. 23. But dost thou not believe that God always observes thee A. I regard not God and I hope he does not much regard

will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. If thou wert in pain wouldst not thou be for present ease If thou wert in great danger wouldst not thou be for present security If sick of a death threatning malady wouldst thou not desire to be presently healed Why oh why shouldst thou not be willing to part with sin immediately which is the worst disease and which if not presently cured perhaps may never be cured but issue in eternal death A. Methinks I see that evil in sin I never saw and the bewitching pleasure of it is not so taking a thing as it was formerly Q. 18. Art thou willing to be directed to a Saviour who can deliver thee from Sin and Wrath A. I may die while I am young and when I come to die I shall prize a Saviour certainly I ought now to value him I am willing to be directed to him Q. 19. That thou may'st come to Christ wilt thou flee youthful lusts and pray that thy heart may be cleansed from them and that thou mayest possess thy vessel in sanctification and honour counting it an honour to thy body to have the members of it Instruments of Righteousness unto Holiness A. I perceive my Lusts are hurtful and 't is a foolish thing to serve them to my own ruine Q. 20. When Sinners thy companions entice thee wilt thou refuse to consent and rather reprove them though they call thee fool and fanatick than have any longer fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness A. 'T is better to leave them and be laught at than in hell to weep and despair with them to Eternity Q. 21. Thy wanton and defiling and ensnaring books such as Plays and Romances wilt thou cast away and give thy self to search the Scripture Catechisms and other good books which may help thee in the understanding and practice of the Word of God A. I hope I shall become a student in the Holy Bible labour to be well grounded in the doctrine of the Catechism and add practice to knowledge Q. 22. Art thou sensible that the pleasures of sin are but for a season And are the vanities of the world fallen in thy esteem A. I hope I shall be no longer a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God nor prefer sports and pastimes before Prayer his word and service Q. 23. Dost thou perceive that thy happiness lies in God in being favoured by him in being like unto him in holiness and in enjoying him both here and for ever A. My naughty heart is unsuited to God and looks upon happiness in him with a strange eye but I desire my heart may be circumcised to love him and that I may chuse God himself above all Q. 24. Dost thou consent to receive Christ who is made known and offered to thee in the Gospel to justifie thee by his blood to sanctifie thee by his Spirit and to rule thee by his word and commandments A. I desire my heart may be opened to receive the Lord Jesus Q. 25. Dost thou rely on Christ alone to make thy peace with God as believing this truth there is but One God and One Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus A. I am perswaded that Christ alone is the Saviour of his Church and People and that there is not Salvation in any other Q. 26. Dost thou see thy inability to come to Christ except the Father who hath sent him draw thee A. The Lord make me willing in the day of his power and draw me to his Son Turn m● to himself that I may never return to my youthful vanity and folly or any wickedness more The meerly Moral Mans Conscience is thus to be Examined Q. 1. What are thy Apprehensions of thy Spiritual state A. I thank God I am not as other Men are Extortioners Vnjust Adulterers None can say black is my Eye I have the the good word and report of my Neighbours I do as I would be done unto I wrong I defraud no Man Q. 2. How dost thou perform thy duty towards God A. I pray and hear Sermons and come to the Communion Table and pay to the Church as well as to the Poor and therefore question not but all is and will be well with me Q. 3. Dost thou not believe that thou art descended from old Adam A. I have heard something of Adam I think he was the first Man but I do not well understand the meaning and intent of your question Q. 4. Dost thou not know that Adam was created innocent and upright but quickly fell from his integrity by believing Satan and eating the forbidden Fruit A. That was done several thousand years ago and I am not to concern my self about it Q. 5. Thinkest thou not that thou didst sin in Adam A. I cannot conceive how I should sin in Him so long a time before I was born Q. 6. Does not the Apostle expresly say that by one Mans disobedience many were made sinners This he speaks of Adam and does he not affirm that death passed upon all men because in Him all sinned Rom. 5. 12 19. A. I do not understand how this can be Q. 7. Dost thou not perceive in thy self the effects of Adam's sin And that thou hast derived from Him a corrupt and depraved Heart and Nature A. I thank God my heart is very true and good I believe that few if any have a better Q. 8. How long has thy Heart been thus true and good A. Ever since I can remember Q. 9. What thinkest thou of that black character which the Heart-searching God gives of the heart of man that it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17. 9. A. I never perceived any such wickedness in mine Q. 10. Is it not because thy Heart deceives thee and hides its wickedness from thy Eyes But for thy conviction let me ask thee What kind of thoughts does thy heart entertain A. Thoughts are free and I let them take their course it would be an endless piece of business to observe my thoughts Q. 11. Does not the Scripture say that sinful thoughts as well as ways must be forsaken if we will obtain mercy Isa 55. 7. And does not the Apostle give advice to a man to pray that the thought of his heart may be forgiven Acts 8. 22. Do not these places plainly signifie that thoughts may be sins and need pardon A. I never understood so much before Q. 12. When thou are praying or hearing where are thy thoughts A. I am very reverent and devout in my gestures and behaviour but as for my thoughts I can give no account for I very little if at all mind them Q. 13. Does not God himself say that they worship him in vain who draw nigh to him with their Bodies and honour him with their Lips but their Hearts are removed far from him A. My heart I must confess does rove and wander while I am in

every imagination of the thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually Q 5. What is Sin A. Sin is a transgression of the Law of God and the desert and wages of it is Death and Hell Sin is a transgression of the Law of God 1 John 3. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is a transgression of the Law The desert and wages of Sin is Death Rom. 5. 12. Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned The desert and wages of Sin is Hell Psal 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Q. 6. Who is the Saviour from Sin and Hell A. Jesus Christ the Son of God took Mans Nature and died upon the Cross that he might put away Sin and deliver Man from Wrath by the Sacrifice of himself and he arose from the dead and sat down at the Right Hand of God Jesus Christ the Son of God took Mans Nature John 1. 14. The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Christ died upon the Cross Luke 23. 33. And they Crucified Him and the Malefactors one on the right Hand and the other on the left Christ by his Death puts away Sin Heb. 9. 26. But now once in the end of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Christ delivers from Hell and Wrath. Rom. 5. 9. Being now justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him Christ arose from the Dead Luke 24. 34. The Lord is risen indeed Acts 13. 37. Rising the third day he saw no corruption Christ Ascended into Heaven and sat at God's Right Hand Heb. 1. 3. When he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on High Q. 7. What are the Offices of Christ Jesus A. Christ has a threefold Office He is a Prophet to teach a Priest by his satisfaction and intercession to reconcile and a King to govern and defend his Church and People Christ is a Prophet to teach Acts 7. 37. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren Him shall you hear Luke 24. 45. Then opened He their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures Christ is a Priest to reconcile Heb. 2. 17. It behoved him in all things to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest to make reconciliation for the sins of the People Christ reconciles by his Death which was satisfactory to God who had been by sin offended and by his Intercession Rom. 8. 34. Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather is risen again who also maketh intercession for us Christ is a King to govern his Church and People Col. 1. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Christ defends his Church against all Enemies Rom. 8. 37 Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through Him that loved us Q. 8. How is Christ made known A. Christ is made known by the Word in the Holy Scripture which is given by Inspiration of God The Old Testament gave a discovery of Him but in the New Testament he is more fully revealed Christ is made known by the Word in the Holy Scripture Col. 1. 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory The Holy Scripture is given by Inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God The Old Testament gave a discovery of Christ John 5. 46. If ye had believed Moses you would have believed Me saith Christ for He wrote of Me. Acts 26. 22 23. Saying none other things than what Moses and all the Prophets did say should come that Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and shew light to the People and to the Gentiles In the New Testament Christ is more fully revealed 2 Cor. 3. 18. We all with open face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image Q. 9. How are we made partakers of Christ and interested in Him A. We are drawn to Christ by the Spirit working Faith in us whereby we receive Christ and rest upon him alone for Salvation unto which Faith Repentance is joined whereby we sorrow for sin and turn from it to God with the whole Heart We are drawn to Christ by the Spirit working Faith in us 2 Cor. 4. 13. We having the same Spirit of Faith Phil. 1. 30 Vnto you it is given in the behalf of Christ to believe on him By Faith we receive Christ John 1. 12. To as many as received him he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe in his Name By Faith we rest upon Christ alone for Salvation Phil. 3. 8 9. I count all things but dung that I may win Christ and be found in Him not having my own Righteousness which is by the Law Acts 4. 12. Neither is there Salvation in any other Unto Faith Repentance is joined Acts 20. 21. Testifying both to the Jews and to the Greeks Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is a sorrowing for Sin Jam. 4. 9. Be afflicted and mourn and weep let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness Repentance is a turning from Sin to God with the whole Heart Isa 55. 7. Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Joel 2. 12. Therefore now also saith the Lord turn ye even unto me with all your heart Q. 10. What is that Covenant which God hath made with them that repent and believe A. God hath made a New Covenant with penitent Believers wherein he hath promised to be their God to justifie them from and pardon all their Sins to renew and write his Laws in their Hearts and to give them Grace till they come to Glory God hath made a New Covenant commonly called the Covenant of Grace Heb. 8. 8. Behold the days come saith the Lord when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and of Judah They that repent and believe are in Covenant An Heart to repent and believe is from God Ezek. 36. 26. A new heart will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh The Lord in the Covenant promises to be his peoples God 2 Cor. 6. 16. I will dwell in them and

walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people God promises to justifie them from and pardon all their Sins Heb. 8. 12. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more God promises to renew and to write his Laws in their Hearts Heb. 10. 16. This is the Covenant I will make with them after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws in their hearts and in their minds will I write them God will give his people Grace sufficient till they come to Glory 2 Cor. 12. My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in ●e●kness 2 Tim. 4. 18. The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me to his heavenly Kingdom to whom be glory for ever and ever Rehearse the Laws of God Exod 20. which by Faith are Established and are our Rule to walk by God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Com. I. Thou shalt have none other Gods before me Com. II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image or any Likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath or that is in the Water under the Earth thou shalt not Bow down thy self to them nor Serve them for I the Lord thy God am a Iealous God visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto Thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Com. III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Com. IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates for in Six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Com. V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Com. VI. Thou shalt not Kill Com. VII Thou shalt not commit Adultery Com. VIII Thou shalt not Steal Com. IX Thou shalt not bear false Witness against thy Neighbour Com. X. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Man-servant nor his Maid-servant nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is thy Neighbours Q. 11. What is the Sum of the Law contained in the Ten Commandments A. The Sum of the Law is Love to God which will cause us to Worship him in Spirit to Sanctifie his Name and Day and Love to our Neighbours as to our Selves which will hinder us from doing any thing contrary to the Dignity Life Chastity Estate or good Name of our Neighbour and all motions of the Heart to work ill to him The Sum of the Law is Love to God Mat. 22. 37 38. Jesus said unto him Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind this is the first and great Commandment So great that it comprehends all others And Love to our Neighbour ver 39. The second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Rom. 13. 10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour and therefore love is the fulfilling of the law Q. 12. How is grace to be obtained whereby we may keep Gods Commands A. Grace to keep the commands of God is obtained by Prayer wherein 't is our Duty to offer up our desires to God in Christ's Name by the Spirits assistance confessing Sin and giving thanks for Mercies Grace which strengthens us to keep Gods Commandments is obtained by Prayer Psal 119. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee Oh let me not wander from thy Commandments Psal 138. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul Prayer is our Duty Luke 18. 1. Men ought always to pray and not to faint always i. e. at their set times and all fit seasons In Prayer we offer up our desires to God Psal 38. 9. Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee Prayer must be in Christs Name Joh. 16. 23. Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Prayer must be by the Spirits assistance Rom. 8. 26 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered And be which searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Prayer should be with confession of Sin Psal 51. 3. I acknowledge my iniquity and my sin is ever before me There ought to be a giving thanks for Mercies Col. 4. 2. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving Q. 13. What is the Rule for our direction in Prayer A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in our Supplications but especially the Lords Prayer which he taught his Disciples The whole Word of God directs us in Prayer for it reveals his Will according to which our Prayers ought to be made 1 Joh. 5. 14. And this is the confidence we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his Will he heareth us The Lords Prayer which he taught his Disciples is our special direction how to pray Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13. After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily Bread And forgive us out Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil for thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever Amen Q. 14. How hath God confirmed his New Covenant A. God hath confirmed his New Covenant by the Sacraments which are the Signs and Seals of it and these Sacraments under the New Testament are Two Baptism and the Lords Supper Sacraments are Signs and Seals of the New Covenant What the Apostle speaks of the Sacrament of Circumcision in the Old Testament is true of the Sacraments under the New Rom 4. 11. He received the sign of Circumcision a seal of the righteousness of Faith and where the righteousness of Faith is

thou not willing to give thy self and heart undivided to him that he may have the pre-eminence above all things in thy affection and esteem A. My whole Heart and self I would gladly give to the Lord Jesus might such an one as I so guilty so defiled be accepted Q. 27. VVas not the returning Prodigal though vile and unworthy received by his Father with open Arms and a joyful Heart was he not entertain'd with amazing mercy and kindness Luke 15. And was not this Parable spoken on purpose to assure returning Sinners of a gracious reception though they have run far away from God A. I find some hope reviving at what you say and some glimmering light of joy but still I tremble I have heard of the Cross of Christ and Self-denial even to the death And if it should once come to such a trial I am confident I should prove a most cowardly Apostate Q. 28. Is not sin the Natural Mans greatest darling If therefore thou givest up thy lusts at present to be slain hast thou any reason to question thy willingness if called to it to lay down thy life for Christs sake Besides in extraordinary trials is there not extraordinary strength and comfort vouchsafed Is Martyrdom to be undergone in Natures powers or does not the Spirit of Glory and of God rest upon Sufferers to carry them through the fiery trial 1 Pet. 4. 14. And why shouldst thou distrust the Lord who is faithful and will not suffer thee to be tempted above what thou art able 1 Cor. 10. 13. A. Though I cannot answer and argue for my unbelief yet alas my Spirit is down and I find it hard for any thing to fasten upon me for my comfort Q. 29. VVhen wast thou at the Lords Table A. I dread the thoughts of approaching to it since the unworthy receivers do eat and drink judgment to themselves Q. 30. Is it any wonder thou art comfortless who livest in the neglect of a duty so expresly commanded and that command given by thy dying Lord Do this in remembrance of me A. But surely 't is better not to Eat and Drink than to Eat and Drink unworthily Q. 31. Hast thou a right understanding of this Gospel-worthiness How greatly art thou mistaken if thou thinkest it a meritorious worthiness Is not worthiness as much as meetness and fitness Is not He the worthy person who is truely sensible of his unworthiness and desires to be found and to be accepted in Christ Is not He the worthy Communicant who feels his Spiritual diseases wants and weakness and desires that Christ in this Ordinance would heal supply and strengthen him A. I dare not come to the Table before I have an assurance of the love of God and know I shall be welcome Q. 32. Is not this to say I will not use the means till I have attain'd the end Is not this Ordinance appointed that weak grace may be strengthened and by being strengthened may be made evident Dost thou not remember that the Disciples the first Communicants of all doubted of their sincerity And when Christ told them one of their number should betray him did they not one of them after another say Lord is it I A. But the Scripture saith He that doubteth is damned if he eat Q. 33. Does not the Apostle speak of doubting concerning the lawfulness of the meat to be eaten not concerning the Spiritual estate of the eater The Disciples doubted whether they were true Ones or Traytors and yet was this a barr to Communion A. If I should come I fear I should receive no benefit but come away from the Table with greater Terrour and Trouble Q. 34. Dost thou not perceive the hand of Satan in all this who is the great Enemy of thy Soul and the peace of it Art thou willing that Grace should be in thee in truth be in thee and abound Art thou willing that World and Flesh should be Crucified and all the Affections and Lusts of it Art thou willing to join thy self to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that may never be forgotten If so why dost thou keep off from the Table who wouldst be so welcome there why dost thou suffer the New Creature in thee to be weak and languishing for want of this Food to sustain and strengthen it keeping thy self a stranger unto peace and comfort A. I am jealous and afraid of comfort lest it should make me careless and presumptuous Q. 35. Did the manifestation of the Fathers kindness to the returning Prodigal make him forward to be gone again into the far Countrey Or did it not rather make him love his Father and Home the better ever after VVhen thou hast tasted that the Lord is good will not this make thee cleave to him with further purpose VVhen thou hast experienced the joys of the Holy Ghost will not sinful and earthly pleasures be contemned VVill it not be enough to silence Satan in all his Temptations when from thy own experience thou canst say that Godliness is a greater gain and pleasure than ever sin did yield to thee A. The Lord increase my Faith Encourage my drooping Spirit Fit me for my Duty Incline me to it And graciously meet me in the doing of it I wish instead of doubts and fears there may be hope and diligence that I may wait upon the Lord in all his ways and find my strength renewed since the Scripture says Blessed are all they that wait for Him These Books written by the same Author are sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers Chapel WOrthy Walking Pressed upon all that have heard the Call of the Gospel From Eph. 4. 1. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called The Spirit of Prayer Or a Discourse wherein the Nature of Prayer is opened the Kinds of Prayer are handled and the right manner of Praying discovered Several Cases about this Duty are Resolved From Eph. 6. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit c. Unto which is added a Direction for the Attaining the Gift of Prayer That Family Duty may not be omitted nor Secret Duty discouraged through Inability of Utterance and Expressi●n A Heaven or Hell upon Earth Or a Discourse concerning Conscience on Acts 24. 16. Herein do I exercise my self to have a Conscience c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The True Touchstone which shews both Grace and Nature Or a Discourse concerning Self-Examination by which both Saints and Sinners may come to know themselves Whereunto are added sundry Meditations relating to the Lords Supper 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The more Excellent Way to Edifie the Church of Christ Or a Discourse concerning Love The Design of which is to Revive that Grace now under such decays among Protestants of ALL Perswasions The Conversion of the Soul Or a Discourse Explaining the Nature of that Conversion which is sincere and Directing and Perswading all to cease their loving Sin and Death and to Turn to God and Live A Warning given to Sinners to prepare for Judgment to flee from Wrath to come and turn from All Sin but especially the Sin which does most easily beset them The Little Child's Catechism In which the Principles of the Christian Religion are in plain words and short answers laid down and suited to the Memories and Understandings of Little Children Whereunto are added several short Histories which may both please and profit them as also Directions how to pra● All Eight ●●●●ten by Nath. Vincent M. A. Minister of the Gospel FINIS