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	know_v	word_n	5,396	5	4.2358	3	false

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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

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

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

the Communion of Saints an Article of the Creed Is not the love of every particular Member of Christ to be extended to the whole Body Were not the Ephesians commended for their Faith in the Lord Jesus and Love to all the Saints Eph. 1. 16. And if Believers of different perswasions that are sincere are received by Christ ought they not to receive one another A. I hate mixtures in Religion Q. 4. But shouldest thou not Love Grace wherever thou seest it And shouldest thou not take heed lest thy spirituality be mixed with uncharitableness A. I am a Member of a true and rightly constituted Church of Christ I can hardly look upon Assemblies that are of another constitution as true Churches their Ministry or the Ordinances administred to them to be valuable Q. 5. Is not this the right Antichristian Spirit Do not the Papists Damn all Christians in the World that are not of their way Instead of coming out farther from Babylon art thou not Baptized into the Spirit of Babylon e're art aware A. I am sure we ought to dislike corruptions wherever we see them Q. 6. And is it not as certain that true goodness where-ever 't is seen is to be approved Now dost thou not perceive that many who differ from thee in thy Church-way are sound in the Faith and of Exemplary Holiness in their Lives A. I cannot deny but upon Discourse with them and observation of them for I am a strict observer of other mens steps I have found them so Q. 7. Is not this an Argument that plainly proves Christ is in other Churches also and works effectually among them and in them by his Spirit But thou who talkest so much of a pure Church how is thy Family ordered A. I am not under so low a dispensation as to use forms of Catechising in my Family neither do I look upon Family worship to be of such absolute necessity Q. 8. A strict Church and a loose Family are they things at all suitable Wilt thou talk against Forms of Catechising when the Apostle commands Forms of sound words to be held fast And as for Family worship Is it not plain from that Petition in the Lords Prayer Give us this Day our Daily Bread That they who daily Eat together ought daily to Pray together And that not only for the Bread they Eat but also for the Hallowing of Gods Name the coming of his Kingdom the forgiveness of Sins and Grace to strengthen them against Temptation to Evil A. I am not utterly against Family worship but sometimes perform it Q. 9. What hinders thy constant performance Is it not if thou wilt confess the truth an estrangement of thy Heart from God An eagerness after the World And an over-industriousness in thy earthly business A. You little know whom you speak to I have a great Name and am highly esteemed for godliness by them that are acquainted with me Q. 10. Had not the Church of Sardis a Name that they lived and yet were really dead in sin many of them In others of them the good things that remained were they not ready to die And was not the Church of Laodicea confident she was rich and increased in good things and had need of nothing when indeed she was wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked A. These instances shake not my confidence Q. 11. VVhat is the ground of this thy confidence A. Being so very pure and strict in our Church way I hope we may have some grains of allowance to be more remiss in other respects But this is a secret not to be communicated to every one Q. 12. Is not this to resemble many ignorant carnal Protestants who because they are pretty exact in keeping some of the commands think they may make bold to live in the transgression of others But does not the Apostle say that if a man keep the whole Law and yet allow himself in offending in one point he is guilty of all Because he keeps no Commandment sincerely and out of love and reverence to God the Law-giver Jam. 2. 10. A. Another ground of my Confidence is the falls of Saints that are upon Scripture record therefore I conclude that to be intemperate with Lot and Noah and to be unclean with David may very well consist with truth of grace Q. 13. VVherefore are their Falls recorded Is it that such sins may be allowed of No no. Is it not to keep Saints humble and that they may depend upon a strength beyond their own that they may be able to stand Is it not to make them sensible how bad the best men are when God does leave them a little to themselves A. I cannot in this contradict you Q. 14. VVere not these Falls of Saints recorded also to open a door of hope to faln Saints that they might rise again and cry for pardon and for hearts more clean and right and that they might be more strongly upheld for the future and be established by Gods free Spirit Now if thou securely allowest thy self in those sins which the Saints loathed themselves for and with shame and sorrow did forsake is not this a plain demonstration of thy Hypocrisie A. I have sometimes been encouraged to over-reach and defraud others that are not of our Way because Israel was allowed to spoil the Egyptians of their Jewels and Treasure Q. 15. Had not the most High God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth a greater right to the Egyptians Gold and Jewels than they had themselves and might not He dispose of their Treasure as well as punish themselves as he pleased and did he not thus dispose of it by a special command at that time But where is there such a particular command given to thee How plain is the Precept that which is altogether just shalt thou follow Does not the Apostle say Let no man go beyond or defraud his Brother in any matter because the Lord is the Avenger of all evil 1 Thes 4. 6. Has not our Lord plainly signified thou shouldest no more wrong another than thou wouldest be willing another should wrong thee Mat. 7. 12. Hath he not shewed thee O Man what is good And what does the Lord thy God require of thee but to do justly as well as to love mercy And if these duties are neglected where is thy walking humbly with God A. I confess what you say comes with that evidence and conviction that the foundation of my confidence begins to look like a Sandy Foundation Yet I find great stupidness in my Spirit I can think of the sins I have allowed my self in without remorse and trouble Q. 16. Is there a greater and more inexcusable contemner of God than a Hypocrite who so often draws near to God and gives him so many good words and yet in heart despises his presence his power his goodness and his anger also A. Woe is me I wish I be not quite left unto my self I fear God may have

pronounced concerning me Thou art filthy be filthy still thou art unjust be unjust still Q. 17. Art thou willing now at length to be thoroughly awaked out of thy sinful and carnal security A. I am surprized as 't is said Hypocrites shall be with an unusual fearfulness I desire to be deliver'd from the Spirit of slumber and Oh that my Eyes may be indeed enlightened that I may not fall asleep again and sleep the sleep of death Q. 18. Is the applause of men a poor thing with thee Dost thou value the favour and approbation of God and Fellowship with him And dost thou begin to abhor to seem religious only for carnal interest and to make a profession subservient to thy secular advantage A. Lord make me an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile Q. 19. Dost thou consent to be sanctified throughout in Body Soul and Spirit and to be established unblameable in holiness to the end A. Names and Shews will signifie nothing at the day of Judgment I consent therefore to be a Saint indeed Q. 20. Wilt thou make restitutio● of what has been gotten dishonestly either to the persons wronged by thy own self or by the hand of another if prudence so require or if the persons wronged cannot be found wilt thou make restitution to the Poor A. I am glad I have wherewithal and am in a capacity to do thus I am willing to give again what I have robbed and to walk in the Statutes of Life Q. 21. Dost thou know that though satisfaction is made to thy Neighbour by restitution for the wrong thou hast done him yet as that wrong is an offence against God satisfaction can be made alone by the Blood of Jesus the Mediator A. I dare rely on nothing but the Blood of Christ that through him I may receive the atonement though my Faith alas is weak and not without many doubts and fears Q. 22. As presumptuous confidence has been thy sin hitherto so dost thou not think that despair and despondency will be thy sin also if thou givest way to it Though many Woes are thundred out against Hypocrites yet if they are willing to be made sincere is the Door of Hope shut against them A. I am ready to run from one extream to another and to conclude because I find there has been no grace in me that there is no hope remaining Q. 23. Does not the Scripture say 'T is good that a man should hope Is not despair then evil A. Lord pity pardon and hold me up from sinking Q. Wilt thou now be low in thy own thoughts as thou hast but too much reason wilt thou be no longer censorious but charitable in honour preferring others before thy self wilt thou be exactly true in thy words and righteous in all thy future dealings wilt thou be very pure in Body and Spirit and keep a Conscience void of offence towards God and towards Man A. I have talked much of Grace buh have little understood it Oh that tet Grace of God which bringeth Salvation may teach me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world that it may be well with me in the world to come for ever The Conscience of the Sincere but Doubting Christian is thus to be tried in order to his Comfort and that he may Communicate at the Lords Table Q. 1. Why are thy looks so dejected and sad A. Alas my heart is full of doubts and fears and fears of Hell and Wrath must needs have much of torment Q. 2. What is the ground and reason of these fears A. My iniquities are increased over my head and as an heavy burthen are too heavy for me Q. 3. Does not Christ call the labouring and heavy laden to come to him for rest Mat. 11. 28. and since his call is general to all the heavy laden Souls why shouldst thou except and exclude thy self as if the invitation were not made to thee A. There are many things which are ready to kill my hop●s of ever being pardon'd and saved Q. 4. What are those things that have thus bowed thee down and brought thee to the brink of desperation A. None come to Christ but those that are Elected and given to Him of the Father and I fear I am not of that number Q. 5. Is that the first thing to be inquired into whether thou art Elected or no Art thou not first to make thy calling sure and by that to come to the knowledge of thy Election and if thou art effectually called from sin to holiness mayest thou not warrantably conclude thou hast been predestinated unto life A. I am much troubled about Gods decree concerning me Q. 6. If thou makest choice of God and hadst rather have him to be thy portion and inheritance than to have the largest portion of the things of this life mayest thou not from hence certainly infer that he has chosen thee in Christ before the foundation of the world was laid A. But is there not one sin that God will never pardon And I am afraid oftentimes that I have committed that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost Q 7. Is not the Blood of Christ which does away the guilt and filth of sin precious in thy Eyes and dost thou not highly value the priviledge of being justified and washed by this Blood and if so is it not plain that thou does not trample under-foot the Son of God nor count his Blood an unholy and common thing A. The Blood of Christ is truely precious to me and the benefits thereby purchased if I might partake of them Q. 8. Dost thou count the Miracles that Christ wrought for the confirmation of the Gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost to have been wrought by the power of the Devil A. No no I am satisfied that Satan could not do such wonders as to give sight to the Blind and born Blind and to raise the dead Q. 9. How canst thou think then that thou art guilty of Blasphemy against the Spirit But to put all out of doubt dost thou not desire the sanctifying grace of the Spirit and if so is not this a plain evidence thou hast not committed the unpardonable sin against the Spirit A. I would fain have this well proved that a desire after grace is an evidence I never was guilty of the unpardonable sin Q. 10. Is not this proved from Christs own words Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness Mat. 5. 6. If He that hungers and thirsts after righteousness i. e. desires to be truely holy and still to be more and more holy be indeed a blessed man and shall be filled have what he desires How can he have been guilty of a sin unpardonable and that unremoveably fixes a curse upon him A. But if I have not committed the sin that never is forgiven alas how many other sins have I been guilty of which I fear will be my Eternal