in my soul 5. I long more then ever to meet with Christ in the Sacrament to feed spiritually on Christ there to strengthen the life of grace in me 6. I long more and more to keep a secret acquaintance with God in secret meditation and prayer that I may suck the breasts of the promises and draw water of life out of the wells of salvation and so strengthen the life of grace in my soul 7. In brief I now love Christ more and more in himself and prize Christs righteousnesse and his presence with me and in me above all the world as Phil. 3.7 8. 8. I love Christ more and more in his Word in all sweet and sacred truths more and more revealed to my soul 9. I love Christ in all his Saints 1 Ioh. 3.14 Christs brethren and mine 10. And daily I wait on Christ to grow in grace in faith in holinesse 2 Pet. 3. â— 1.8 9. in every good work of grace adding to faith vertue and so grace to grace that I may more and more be assured of Gods love to me And 1. Have my calling and Election be made more sure to my soul And 20 10. 2. That I may submit to my Fathers will with content Luk. 22.41 42. till he bring me to glory and all this not by any strength or power of my own but by the strength and living vertue of Christ and Christs spirit dwelling in me and this assureth me that I have from Christ the life of grace in my soul and may safely come with comfort to meet Christ at the Lords Table who loved me and gave himself for me Quest These and such like are comfortable evidence of the life of grace But tell me do you not still finde corruptions in you and fears and cares and sorrows for sins as you felt before Ans I do acknowledge that I finde 1. Failings in my best performances but presse forwards towards perfection 2. I sometimes meet with a messenger of Satan sent to buffet me And Phil. 3.13 14. 2 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 7.23 24. 3. I finde a law in my members sometimes rebelling against the law of my minde and seeeking at least to take me captive to the Law of sin But yet with a great deal of difference from what was before I came to see Christ more clearly For first Though Satans messengers be sent to buffet me yet I know the grace of God in Christ is sufficient for me and his strength shall be made manifest in my weaknesse 2 Cor. 12.9 10. And although rebels within me rise up against me and against the lâ—fe of grace in my soul Rom. 7.23 24. yet I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord. Secondly And for my fears and cares and sorrow for sin now I fear not Hell and Damnation as before I did fear because I know there is no condemnation to me that am in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 2. endeavouring by the strength of Christ to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit as Rom. 8.1 And the law and power of the spirit of life which is in Christ hath in comfortable manner made me free from the law and power of sin and death as Rom. 8.1 2. So that as Rom. 7.12 14 22. it is not I but sin that dwelleth in me Thirdly I do indeed feel the least sin as a mote in my eye very troublesome and I finde my heart smitten within me for it yet I fear sin and fear to offend my God by sin not with a servile slavish sin as before but with a son like fear of offending so good a God and my so gracious a Father in Iesus Christ as David 1 Sam. 24.5 Romans 8.15 and 6.1 Fourthly I do grieve and sorrow for my sins and failings but yet as with a childe-like sorrow that I have any way or at any time grieved the spirit of my Father who hath sealed me to the day of Redemption in Iesus Christ my Saviour Eph. 4.30 Fifthly But still with this confidence that he which hath begun a good work in me will perfect it to the day of Christ Phil. 1.6 Sixthly So that although my enemies Spiritual or Temporal be never so many and the Tribulations never so great yet they cannot separate me from the love of Christ but when I have finished my course and kept the saith he will give to me the crown of Righteousnesse and preserve me assuredly to his heavenly Kingdom Romans 8.35 c. 2 Timothy 4.8 18. Quest 16. You have witnessed a good confession and given comfortable evidence of the life of grace in your soul and I believe the Lord Christ will bid you welcom to his Table But do you believe that the Lord doth work in the same manner with every Christian that is and may be admitted to this feast of the Lord What light hath Christ revealed to you in this particular Ans No verily I do not believe that the Lord is pleased to work in all alike I have heard a good woman say That she was born of Parents very ignorant who had little shew of Religion in them nor did they bring her up in a Religious way living then in a place of much ignorance and prophanenesse having no prayer in Family nor repeating of Sermons not so much as an out-form of Religion and the first time that ever she began to consider her wayes and the misery of her natural condition Exod. 9â— 16 c. Psa 29 8 Acts 24.25 Eph. 5.14 it pleased God to strike her with fear and terror of the shaking voyce of Thunder which made her tremble and being awakened to think of a God and to joyn her self to a few who went out to hear Gods word by which means she became a wonder to prophane people but in the end was converted and found Christ to be the comfort of her soul and many fears and cares was she pressed with in the travel of the new birth Gal. 4.19 before Christ was formed in her and she found Christ and his sweetnesse of peace to her comfort yea since that though the Lord hath several wayes tryed her faith and patience by conversion and affliction to teach her to see the emptinesse of the creature and the fulnesse of God reconciled to her in Christ yet she liveth by faith in God who hath promised never to fail her Heb. 13.5 nor forsake his sons and daughters in Christ who depend upon him in the Lord Iesus Quest 17. Have you known any other drawn by such like means to seek out after God in Christ 2 Chron. 33.12 c. Ans 1. Some have been drawn by outward losses and miseries as Manasses was by great affliction to consider of their wayes and repent of their sins so that he might say as one did I had perished unlesse I had perished if I had not lost my estate in all outward appearance I had lost my soul 2. I have have
and Infidels and unbeleevers to convert them but for Beleevers to confirme them in the faith as by the Institution of this Sacrament may appeare Exod. 12.47 48. Rom. 2.28 29. and as the Passeover was not to be eaten of the uncircumcised but of the circumcised and those who were circumcised in heart at least in outward appearance as the Apostle holds forth true Iews and so true Christians now in the Church of Christ at least in appearance ought to be admitted to the Sacrament Quest 14. This is an Answer sufficient Iudges 6.31 But what further may be said to such as plead for Baal and seem to set open a door for all prophane ignorant unbelieving impenitent persons to come to this holy Sacrament Ans That the Word hath and may be Preached to all creatures men and women of all sorts Drunkards Mar. 16.15 Matth. 9.10 13. 1 Tim. 1. 15 16. Mat. 10. 14 15. Adulterers whores except such as reject the Gospell and maliciously persecute the Ministers of Christ against whom they may shake off the dust of their feet But to admit all sorts to the Sacrament all ignorant and scandalous impenitent persons Act. 13.44 c. Act. 18.5 6. Mat. 18.15 16. Levit. 19.17 1 Cor. 5.4 5. this ought not to be suffered But those in Authority in the Church ought rather to suspend or deliver up such to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Quest 15. It seemeth evident to me then that every man and woman who may come to the Preaching of the Word may not come to the Sacrament if they be either notoriouly ignorant or scandalous and therefore Catechisme is very necessary Ans You are in the right for if legall impurity Exod. 12.48 Exek 44.7 8.9 Lev. 7.20 21. 15. Num. 2.10 11. yea but the touching of a dead body made them unclean and unfit for the Passeover Then much more spirituall uncleannesse and uncircumcision of the heart and life defileth the soul and maketh unfit for the holy Sacrament And if those who have only a form of godlinesse without the power of Religion 2 Tim. 3.5 must be turned away from as those with whom the Saints ought as much as is possible to have no communion Then certainly those prophane ones who have not so much as an outward form of Religion but are notoriously ignorant and notoriously scandalous who live Atheistically without God in the world Eph. 2.12 they must needs be unfit to meet Christ in this holy Ordinance of the Lords Supper or for the Saints willingly to communicate with at the Lords Table Quest 16. But who hath Authority to Excommunicate or suspend these ignorant and scandalous persons and to keep them from the Sacrament Ans I do not say that every particular Minister Mat. 18.17 c. 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. Act. 14.23 Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 1.19 20. or Member of a congregation hath this power But the whole congregation or the Presbytery and Elders ordained as Rulers in the Church or at least such as are lawfully Authorised from Gods Word and from the Church of Christ to perform this duty Quest 17. But what if the Church or the Elders of the Church or any other in Authority Ier. 15.19 do not perform their duties in taking order and care as much as is in their power that the precious may be wholly separated from the vile But that for want of their care and diligence or faithfulnesse such a man who in the judgement of the Minister or any one or more of the Congregation so it be not of the greatest part is ignorant or scandalous do presse into the Sacrament though he be admonished in private and publike to forbear and not to indanger his own soul of becoming guilty of the Body and the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 11.27 c. Is the Minister or any such of the Congregation doing their best to hinder such Communicating guilty of such a mans sin who comes wilfully unprepared as being ignorant or scandalous in their judgments and without the wedding garment As for Example Example if a man live in the wilsull breach of a lawfull Covenant Rom. 1.28 c. a sin it may be not named or reckoned as scandalous by those in Authority and yet a sin in the conscience of a minister or a member of the Church for which a man impenitent for it should be suspended the Sacrament If those in Authority or the greater part of the congregation do neglect their duty and suffer or approve of this mans unlawfull Communicating is the minister or such a member guil-of this mans sin As 1 Cor. 5.11 c. 2 Thes 3.6.14 2 Joh. 9.10 1 Tim. 1.22 Ans Certainly if the Minister or any such Member or Members of the congregation do not use all lawful means to put from them such a person to hinder this sinfull communicating of such a scandalous person they cannot but partake of this mans sin and so be found guilty But if they do their best endeavor in their places and callings to hinder such ignorant or scandalous persons declaring a just dislike of such a mans presumption not countenancing but disallowing and disavowing the boldnesse of such a guest Mat. 22.10 1 Cor. 11.27 c. Gen 4.7 Rev. 2.14 c. to come without the wedding garmenâ— I conceive they are not guilty of this mans unworthy receiving and the sin shal lie at their doors who have Au hority and power to prevent or use means of preventing this sin and do not Quest 18. Yet before I leave this I demand once again whether can the company of such a wicked Communicant stop the flowing streams of Gods grace in Christ from the Saints in the Sacrament or keep the life cherishing vertue of Christ from them who come rightly prepared or secondly Whether should the Saints refuse the Sacrament or unchurch themselves and separate from the Congregation for such a scandalous Communicants presence or for such a failing of the Church or the greater part of the Congregation in such a particular Ans 1 Tim. 8.22 Rev. i8 4 Luk. 22.19 I believe if a Saint discover the scandalous and do the best to hinder â—his sin of the unworthy receiver it cannoâ— hinder Christs grace from a faithful receiver as Judas presence did not hinder the Apostles nor the incestuous person the Saints while he continued with them nor are the Saints bound to refuse the Sacrament or unchurch themselves and separate from that Congregation for this failing of the Church these Saints having performed their duties in their several places as is noted before But these particular members should rather wait on Christ in the use of all lawful and good means to have this fault of the Church reformed continue their fellowship with manifestation of their dislike in this particular And this I conceive they may
Ioh. 8.58 Mat. 22.43 c. Prov. 8.22 to 30. he being the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last yea without beginning of time or end of dayes before Abraham and David and all creatures whatsoever and therefore must needs be God Quest 24. What is a second Property witnessing the Divinity of the Son of God Mat. 28.20 Mat. 18.20 Isa 43.2 3. Exo. 3.2 Dan. 3.25 Rev. 2.1 Ans Omnipresency or Christ his being every where present with his Church in generall to the end of the world And wheresoever but two or three are gathered together his Name yea in all times of triall for the good of his Church and Children Christ is present and so he must needs be God Quest 25. What is a third Property Ans Christ his Omnisciency Iohn 2.24 25. Mark 2.7 8. Rev. 2.23 or his knowing all things the discerning the very thoughts and intentions of the heart and therefore he must needs be God Quest 26. What is a fourth Property Ans Christ his Omnipotency and Almighty power Ioh. 5.19 20 c. Isa 9.6 he can do whatsoever he pleaseth whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth and so he must necessarily be God Quest 27. What other evidence is there of the Divinity of Christ the Son of God Ans The works of the Son of God First the great work of Creation Gen. 1.1 2 7. Ioh. 1.1 2. Ioh. 14.11 Col. 1.15 16 17. God the Son creating the world together with the Father and the holy Ghost That Elohim or those strong ones created heaven and earth and made man Secondly the great work of preservation Heb. 1.2 3. upholding all things by the word of his Almighty power Quest 28. Have you any more grounds to evidence the Deity of the Son of God Ioh. 1.14 who took our nature upon him Ans I might give more Ioh. 3.16 Ioh. 14.1 Lev. 17.5 Acts 7. Mat. 28.21 I will name but one and this is the Divine worship and service to be given and due to the Son of God as to God the Father as to believe in him to pray to him to be Baptized in his Name and to yield obedience unto him Phil. 2.10 Ioh. 10.30 as to our Lord God and King for ever And from all these we may conclude that the Son of God is God and one with the Father Quest 29. Certainly these grounds do make it evident that the Son of God who is equall with God took our nature upon him 1 Ioh. 5.20 to be our Saviour yea truly God and eternall l fe But what profit is the knowledge of this to a poor soul Ans It is a comfort and joy unspeakable yea Eternall life to know and believe the Son of God to be God as well as man Ioh. 17.3 20.28 Isa 63.1 2. 2 Tim. 4 17 18. and my Lord and my God able and mighty to save his Church and children from all their enemies and to preserve me and them to his everlasting Kingdom Quest 30 You have evidenced fully the Deity of the Son of God Have you any such like grounds to evidence the Deity of the third Person in Trinity the holy Spirit of God Acts 5.3 4. Gen. 1.1 2 Psa 139.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.10 Ans Yes verely If we consider the Name of God ascribed in Scripture to the holy Ghost that the holy Spirit moved in the great work of Creation and is every where present and an All-searching and omnipotent spirit Psa 33.7 whose works are mighty and in whose Name we are all Baptized Mat. 28.19 as well as in the Name of God the Father and of God the Son These and more they may satisfie the believing soul that the blessed spirit is God and God equall with the Father and the Son to be blessed and glorified for ever Quest 31. What comfort can this be to the Saints Ans Iohn 14.16 17 18 26. Iohn 15.26 What greater comfort then that our Teacher Counsellor and Comforter is God able to advise us in our greatest straits and to give us consolation in saddest times of darknesse that he is our helper in our prayers every where present with us yea in the Saints Rom. 8.11 16 20. for their joy is ready to witnesse with our spirits that we are the Children of this blessed Trinity God the Father God the Son and God the holy Ghost blessed for ever The third Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu say God is a Spirit or Spirituall substance What is a Spirit or Spirituall substance Gen. 2.7 Luk. 24.39 40. Prov. 20.27 Heb. 12.9 Iob. 11.7 8 9. Ans A Spirit is an invisible living or most pure substance more pure then the clear light or most pure Air or wind with life and motion not to be seen or felt with humane senses as the Air or wind or light or a body with flesh bones is yea a Divine spark candle or lamp intelligent and indued with wonderfull excellencies But God is the Father of Spirits whose infinite excellency cannot by searching be found out to perfection Quest 2. Do you believe that there is such a God Ans Yes For there is no Nation in the world but hath some way confessed that there is a God though multitudes do not know the true God And besides not only Gods word and works and spirit but the very consciences of men will witnesse that there is such a God Gen. 31.35 Jonah 1.5.6 Josh 24.15 Acts 11.13 14 c. 1 Kings 11.33 Acts 17.23 24. Gen. 1.1 2. and 14.19 20. Josh 1.1 2 3 4 5. Joh. 1.1 Gen 3.10 11 Dan 5.5 6. Acts 24.25 Quest 3. How doth it appear that there are such essentiall Properties and Divine Attributes in this great God Or that God is such a God Ans By an evident demonstration of all these Ps 19.1 Prov. 8.2 12 15. Rom. 1.19 20. held forth unto us in the word and works of God Quest 4. Wherein do these shine forth in Gods word and works Ans Iob 11.7 8 9. 26.6 7 8 c. Gen. 1.31 Rom. 1.19 20. 11.33 By the surpassing excellency of wisdom beauty power and infinite perfection of God which is to be seen in Gods word and works and firstly and fountainly in God himself Quest 5. What light is there held forth in the works and word of God to manifest this truth that there is a God and such a God of such infinite wisdom power and perfections Ans There is a threefold light First Of nature Secondly Of Grace Thirdly Of glory 1 Cor. 13.9 10. 1 Iob. 3.2 by which the excellency of this God is now in part and shall be more fully manifested to the children of God in glory Quest 6. Wherein doth the light of nature shine forth declaring this God Ans In the book of nature or of the works of God Quest 7. In what particular doth
knowledge of God Ioh. 5.39 17.3 Rom. 15.14 and of Iesus Christ whom he hath sent Quest 14. What is the sum of the Scriptures held forth since the fall of Adam to this end that we may be happy for ever Ans First the Gospel or promising part holding forth Christ and Salvation in Christ by Faith Gen. 3.15 17.1 Exo. 20. Mat. 5. Iam. 7.2 Secondly The Law or commanding part manifesting that life and Rule of life in thankfulnesse by obedience Quest 15. Whence hath the holy Scriptures its Authority to require belief and obedience unto it Ans From God himself who did write part of it with his own finger Exod. 31.18 32.16 35.1 Deut. 9.10 2 Pet. 1.20 21. or by himself and his own power and the Prophets Apostles and Pen-men were the Pen-men of God the holy Ghost writing the Word of the Lord and what was directed by his holy Spirit for Gods glory and the good of his Church Quest 16. But doth not the Scriptures Authority depend upon the Authority of the Church and doth not the Churches Testimony prove the holy Scriptures to be the Word of God Ans Certainly although the Scripture may be believed with some kinde of Faith to be the Word of God by the Testimony of the Church especially by men out of the Church moved by the Churches testimony to receive the Scripture as Gods Word as holy Augustine did yet the Authority of the Scriptures depends upon God himself and the Saints are moved to believe it as by the excellency of the Scripture it self so by the testimony of the spirit witnessing unto their consciences that it is indeed the very Word of God Quest 17. How may this be illustrated further to us Ans By that Example of the Samaritans Iohn 4. they first believed on Christ for the testimony of the woman who said Christ had told her all things that ever she did But when they had heard Christ Ibid. now say they to the woman We do not believe on Christ for thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know indeed that this is very Christ So likewise at the first Augustine was and others may be drawn to believe the scriptures by the testimony of the Church but when once the minde is enlightned by the holy Spirit to see the Scriptures excellency Heb. 4.12 and the power of God in the word how it is quick and alive yea mighty in operation sharper then a two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joynts and marrow of us and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart and that the Spirit of God is in the word 2 Cor. 3.8 and the Gospel is the Ministration of the Spirit Now the soul doth not believe and rest upon the witnesse of the Church for the truth and Authority of the Scripture but by the power of the Spirit of truth it self The childe of God seeth and knoweth that the holy Scriptures are the Scriptures of truth Iohn 16.13 and the very word of God himself and so to be believed and obeyed of all that look for Salvation Quest 18. But is not the Scriptures obscure and difficult to be understood and so dangerous to be read especially of ignorant and weak people Ans The holy Scriptures in respect of that Doctrine the knowledge of which is absolutely necessary to Salvation is not obscure but plain and easie by the assistance of the Spirit for every regenerate soul to understand the eyes of whose minde is enlightned Psa 119.105 yea it is a light to our feet and a lanthern to our pathes unto which we ought to give heed 2 Pet. 1.19 as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day star and glory of the Gospel arise in our hearts But it is true it is dark and offensive to blinde eyes 1 Cor. 1.18 and to all that perish as in whom the God of this world hath blinded their mindes 2 Cor. 4.4 lâ—st the light of the glory of God should shine unto them and it is obscure and difficult to be understood in some parts even to Gods Children though not alwayes First that the Elect people of God might not trust to their own wisdom for understanding of the Scripture Eph. 1.18 19. but might be stirred up to pray for the help of the Spirit of Christ Luk. 24.45 Eph. 3.16 c and that Christ might dwell in their hearts by Faith and open their wills to understand that they may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the height and length and depth and to know the love of God which passeth knowledge that they may be filled with the fulnesse of God Secondly That the Saints may be stirred up to diligent reading meditation and study of the Scriptures that so they may better gain the right understanding of places difficult and obscure Thirdly That the Saints may see that sometimes they stand in need of an Interpreter Iob 33.23 Acts 8.30 31. one of a thousand to understand the Scriptures As the Eunuch did stand in need of Philip and therefore might be taught to see the necessity and excellency of the speciall office of Christs Ministers 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 5.17 and esteem of them and honour them as the Ministers of Christ unto whom the Lord in a more speciall manner hath given and communicated by his Spirit the speciall gift of understanding and Interpreting of the Scriptures 1 Cor. 12.28 c. Mal. 2.7 Nehem. 8.7 8. 1 Tim. 4.13 2 Tim. 3.15 16. and of opening the true sense of the holy Scriptures to the glory of God and good of Gods Church and verely the Scriptures may and ought to be read and searched of all sorts whose hearts God moveth to desire the knowledge of Christ for it hath been observed of old the Scripture is a Sea wherein the Elephant may swim and the Lamb may go on foot the greatest Doctors may finde work to understand and the poorest Saint may see and feel and finde comfort Quest 19. What or how manifold is the sense and meaning to be sought out in the holy Scriptures for our instruction Ans Howsoever the Scriptures in many places may be applied to our use and instruction by Typicall Tropologicall Figurative Analogicall and Parabolicall Interpretations Yet notwithstanding there is but one immediate literall genuine certain sense of a place of Scripture which is the true scope and intent of the holy Ghost in that place and this is to be sought out with all diligence as being the Grammaticall Historicall or positive meaning of the Spirit of God to be rested in as the truth of God Quest 20. But from whence must we seek the true interpretation of the Soripture Ans From the Spirit of Christ speaking not in the breast of the Pope falsly challenging
to himself infallibility of Judgement and certainty of power to Interpret Scripture Nor speaking in the breast of a private man who can boast of the Spirit and of strange Revelations sometimes contrary to the Scriptures But by the Spirit speaking in the Scriptures out of the Text and Context of Scriptures out of the Antecedents and Consequents and scope of the holy ghost searching Scriptures and comparing one place of Scripture with another Ioh. 5.39 waiting on Christ in prayer and use of other means before mentioned for a right understanding of the sense of the holy Ghost held forth in the sacred Scriptures for our instruction and comfort for the spirit is not given to guide men contrary but according to the holy Scripture Gal. 1.8 9. which are the voyce of the spirit of God for our good And whatsoever spirit speaketh contrary to the Scriptures Isa 8.20 cannot be the spirit of God Quest 21. What use then is to be made of the holy Scriptures Ans In all cases of doubt to search the Scriptures Ioh. 5.39 2 Pet. 1.19 20. and take heed to the spirit speaking in the Scriptures untill the daylight of truth dawn and day-star of truth arise in our souls to see truth from falshood and error The fifth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat are the works of God revealed in the Scriptures Or what ought a Christian to know out of the holy Scriptures concerning Gods works that he may come with more comfort to the Lords Table Ans Chiefly four 1. Gods Decree 2. His work of Creation And 3. His work of Providence here And 4. His work of glory in the world to come in the Kingdom of God in heaven Quest 2. What is the work of Gods Decree Ans It is Gods eternall counsell and the unchangable act of his most holy will by which as the only wise just holy eternall perfect powerfull and great God he hath set down with himself from all Eternity to do or suffer to be done whatsoever hath been is or shall be with the means and ends of all namely his own glory in the manifestation of his Iustice upon the wicked and of his mercy and goodnesse to his Church and Children Job 38.33 Ps 33.10 11. Prov. 19.24 Isa 43.13 and 46.10 and 44.24 25. Eph. 1.11 Amos 3.6 Matth. 11.25.26 Prov. 16.4 Psal 37.9 10 11. and 119.71 Acts 2.23 and 2.27 28. Quest 3. Wherein doth God manifest this work of his Eternall Decree Isa 46.9 10. Acts 14.16 c. Rom. 1.20 1 Tim. 5.21 Eph. 1.3 4 5. Rom. 8.19 30. Jude 4. Ans By holding forth to us in Scripture as his counsell of creating and ordering all things in generall so his works or acts of his election and reprobation both of Angels and Men in particular Quest 4. But if there be such a Decree of Election and Reprobation then what good is it for men to strive or wait in use of means after Faith holinesse or good works or to flye from sin and wickednesse since none but the Elect are saved and the Reprobate damned Mat. 20.1 2 c. 2 Tim. 2.24 c. 2 Thes 2 10 c. 2 Tim. 2.9 10. Col. 1.16 c. Luk. 13.24 c. Acts 24.14 c. 26.17 c. Rom. 9.22 c. 11.28 c. Iob 11.7 8 c. Rev. 15.3 4 5 6. Ans Great reason that every one should wait on Christ in the way and means of Salvation because no one can know in this life that he is reprobate though he be wicked since God may give him Faith and Repentance before he dye And whom God hath Elected to the end life Eternall he also hath Elected to the means the way of life Eternall namely the true knowledge of Christ true Faith Repentance and holinesse Gods Decrees and Acts being alwayes just although his wayes be sometimes like himself unsearchable Quest 5. What is the work of Gods Creation Ans That glorious act in and by which God made the World and all things therein Angels and Men and other Creatures in six dayes very good by his wisdom Almighty power and word for his own glory Gen. 1. and 2. Exod. 20.11 and 31 17. Heb. 11.23 2 Pet. 3.3 4 5. Gen 1.31 Eccles 7.29 1 Cor. 8.6 Jer. 10.12 Prov. 16.4 Quest 6. By which Person of the Trinity was the World Created Ans By the whole Trinity Gen. i. 12. Ioh. 1.12 1 Cor. 1.4 5. Col. 1.13 c. Elohim those three strong ones he created heaven and earth God the Father in and by God the Son and God the holy ghost Quest 7. What were the principall Creatures which God did make in those six dayes Ans First Angels And secondly Mankinde then in the loins of our first Parents Adam and Eve Quest 8. What kinde of Creatures are the Angels Ans The Angels are Created very good finite invisible intellectuall Col. i. i6 Psa 104. Heb. 1.7 Psa 138.1.2 c. Luk. 20.86 2 Thes 1.7 Luk. 2.13 24. immortall Spirits or Spirituall substances without bodies flesh or bones quick in motion ready and able to do the will of God speedily and powerfully to Gods glorie and the good of his Church Quest 9. What kinde of Creature did God make man Ans An admirable Creature both in respect of his soul and body Quest 10. How was his body made Ans His body was made of the dust of the earth as a little world Gen. 2.2.7 3.10 Eccles 12.7 with wonderfull workmanship in the curious frame thereof in all his inward parts Iob 4.19 Psal 139. Iob 10.9 10 11. Psal 8.4 5 c. with veins arteries sinews ligaments and bones all admirable for number nature and frame with glorious outward beauty comlinesse and Majesty as Lord over all inferior Creatures and all as by the finger and power of God himself Quest 11. How was the soul of man Created Ans A living immortall soul or breath of life Gen. 2.7 1 Cor. 15.45 Iob 27.3 33.4 Iâ—â— 139.13 c. Heb. 12.9 Zach. 12.1 was breathed into the created bodies of Adam and Eve by God the Father of Spirits and so man became a reasonable living substance at first by Creation and Mankinde hath since been continued by generation wonderfully and fearfully made God forming the never dying Spirit of man within him Quest 12. But what evidence is there that the soul of man is immortall and dyeth not with the body as the spirits or breath of Bruit Beasts Have not some men been of this opinion Ans It is true that prophane Atheisticall men and wanderers from the truth have been of that minde as those fools of whom we read in the Book of Wisdom who thought the breath in their nostrills was a smoke Wisd 2.1 2 3. and a little spark in the moving of their hearts which being extinguished the body should turn into ashes and the Spirit vanish into soft or moist Air.
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
Thirdly he loved David as his own soul with a love of beneficence or well doing to David he gives David his Robe and Garments even to his bow and his girdle and his sword ver 4. Fourthly Ionathan loved David with a love of acquiescence or resting in his love Quest 12. You have described what love is in general But what now is this grace of Christian love and charity to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans True Christian love and charity is a grace freely given of God wrought in the heart and soul of a believing man or woman by the spirit of Christ by which a man or woman who is enlightned with the true knowledge of God of himself and ol his neighbour is inabled in true affection of soul to love with love of union and complacency or well pleasing and in action of life to declare his or her love in beneficency and well doing First towards God above all as the chiefest good according to his revealed will giving up our selves to God Secondly towards our selves next under God seeking our own salvation and good temporal and eternal Thirdly towards our neighbour in and for God as we love our selves 2 Thes 3.5 Ioh. 1.16 Gal. 5.12 Rom. 5.4 5 6. Deut. 6.4 5 6 7 8 9 Mat. 22.37 39. Rev. 4.10 11. 1 Cor. 10.3 Eph. 6. Luk. 10.27 Mat. 7.12 Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 3.4 Phil. 2.12 Cant. 1.4 6 8. 1 Ioh. 4.19 20. and 4.7 12. 1 Cor. 13. Eph. 4.15 16. Rom. 12.10 13 14 15 16. Quest 13. But what is this love or wherein is this Grace of love to be exercised and who is my neighbour to whom I should shew this Christian love and charity and vvhat light from Christ to reveal this and so lead to Christ Ans I shall shew more fully who is our neighbour and in what duties as it concerneth all in general This love is to be exercised when I come to unfold the ten Commandements in the last part Luk. 10.3 4. But now in brief every man is my neighbour which the Lord presents to me as an object of mercy or love to do good unto Gal. 6.10 but in special and more particularly the houshold of Faith and our fellow Saints in the Church of Christ Quest 14. I remember in the fourteenth Classis when you did speak of the Church although you did describe principally the Church of Gods elect yet you said the Church is or may be said to be a visible company of men and women professing the Faith of Christ and obedience thereunto Rom. 16.26 and so as there have been so there may be some hypocrites in the Church not discerned how then shall I know who are these Saints upon whom and to or with whom I should exercise this Christian love and charity Ans Howsoever there are and may be some hypocrites in the Church yet whosoever is a visible Saint or Saint in profession and outward appearance at least Act. 8. called by the word and spirit to the visible profession of Faith and holinesse and fitly admitted in to the society and fellowship of the Church This man or woman is to be esteemed of the household of Faith and a fellow Saint to or with whom a child of God ought to exercise and communicate this grace of Christian love and charity Quest 15. But what do you mean by right and fit admission into the fellowship of the Church and houshold of God or how or when or by what way and means may a man or woman be admitted and received as a Member of Christs-Church and of the houshold of God and fellowship or communion of Saints Ans There is a two fold entrance into the Church of Christ or to be the children of God in Christ Iesus the first an inward or spiritual the second an outward corporal or visible entrance Quest 16. What or how manifold is that inward and spiritual entrance you speak of Ans This inward or spiritual entrance is the work of God making Christians First in election Eph. 1.4 5. Luk. 10.20 2 Tim. 2.19 Rev. 13.8 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rom. 1 7. 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Act. 26.18 writing and enrolling the names of all those whom the Lord knoweth to be his in the Book of life of the Lamb of Christ slain from the foundation of the world Secondly making inward Christians in redemption by Christ who hath made our peace by the blood of his Crosse Thirdly they are made Christians in effectual vocation when we are called out of the world by the perswasion of the spirit of Christ in the Word and drawn unto Christ by the Father to believe and receive and rest on Christ for salvation Ioh. 6.44 2 Cor. 4.13 Gal. 3.16 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 2.19 and thus as a believer is united inwardly by the spirit as a member of Christ unto Christ the Head of his Church as one not onely mutually joyned in heart and affection unto Christ but as one that enrolleth and entreth his name in heart and minde in the registry of Saints as a servant of the Lord Christ and fellow Souldier and Citizen with the Saints and of the household of God Fourthly we are made Christians in justification act 13.38 39. Eph. 1.6 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Revel 2.17 Mat. 17.5 when God doth justifie in and by Christ when the Lord Christ doth give us the white stone of justification and in that doth write our new name of Christians justifying a believer before God his Father and God the Father accepts us for Christians in Christ Iesus Ioh. 1.12 Ioh. 3.3 Rom 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 12.12 c. Fifthly we are not almost but altogether made Christians in and by inward regeneration and sanctification of the spirit of Christ when we are baptized into Christ and by one spirit into one body of which Christ is the Head and put on Christ and are made new creatures and so are entred or admitted into the Church of Christ and fellowship or communion of Saints 2 Cor. 5.17 Sixthly Eph. 1.5 Gal. 4.5 6. Rom. 8.16 17. Rev. 3.12 Rev. 2.17 Gâ—l 4.4 5 6. 1 Ioh. 2.19 Ioh. 10.30 31. Gen. 17.1 2. Ier. 1.5 Luk. 1.15 act 9 6 15 c. we are made not almost but altogether inward Christians by adoption when the Lord doth take a man or woman for his son or daughter yea makes us heires with and in Christ Iesus and giveth that new name promised in the Scriptures And all that are thus inwardly and spiritually entred and admitted into the Church of Christ are Saints indeed and shall remain Saints for ever These are truly of the Church and a man or a woman an elect childe of God may thus inwardly be a Saint and admitted by Christ as a member of his Church before they be outwardly admitted as Abraham and others before circumcision and many catechumene's or instructed persons were
soul wilt thou seek my face and have me for thy Lord and Husband and Saviour Behold I have loved thee Gal. 2.20 and given my self for thee 2. The soul answering again as by consent and agreement Lord 1 Tim. 15. I know thou haste loved me to come into the World to save sinners of which I am cheif Behold thy face will I seek and I Will have yea I do receive and take thee for my Lord and my Husband and my onely Saviour Hosea 2.14 19. upon whom alone I rest for salvation and life eternal here I say is a kinde of secret covenanting and a preparation for admission as I noted before in part in the internal entrance before specified Secondly Outwardly there was first an inchoation or degree of entrance and admission into Church fellowship by desiring of Baptism the Seal of the Covenant with Christ and the Members of Christ Acts 8.16 the head of his Church as the Eunuch did desire to be baptized Secondly There was an open profession of this Faith and internal Covenant and union with Christ the Head of his Church by beleeving and so inwardly or by that inward bond of the spirit and saith with all Christs members and an open Declaration and holding forth of this Faith of Christ and beleef of it before the Church or those who had authority from Christ to admit and receive into Church fellowship as visible membership in the Church Acts 8.37 This Philip requireth of the Eunuch when he demanded or desired Baptism First Here is water saith the Eunuch what letteth but that I may be baptized Secondly Philip Answereth if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayst Thirdly the Eunuch replieth Act. 8.16 17. I believe that Iesus Christ is the Son of God I believe that Iesus Christ of whom I have read in the 53 of Isaiah and whom then Philip had preached unto him and namely Christ the Saviour Here was two things first a holding forth of the truth of the Gospel Secondly of his belief and assent thereunto and so a receiving of Christ and a hearty-covenant with Christ which moved him to desire Baptism as the seal and Sacrament of the Covenant and of admission into the Church and of Communion with the Saints Thirdly In this profession of Faith and declaration of a willingnesse to and desire of Baptism the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace in Christ as circumcision was before is implied a Declaration that we have and do actually Covenant with Christ And as it was foretold by the Prophet Zachary as the Lord sayes ye are my people Zac. 13.9 so Gods people also say the Lord is our God First Christ saith to the soul thou art my spouse Secondly and the soul saith to Christ thou art my Lord my loving Husband And so though not in so many words outwardly yet in substance in this belief in the heart and profession or confession of Faith with the mouth and willingnesse to be baptized is an entrance by way of Covenant or witnessing that the party desiring Baptism hath entred Covenant with God in Christ which he now desired to be sealed and his admission to be compleated in Baptism 4ly A Covenant is entred and sealed in Baptism with the Head Christ and all the members of his mystical Body the party thus confessing and professing Faith and Covenant when the Church or persons authorized by it that did finde that according to Christs institution Act. 10.47 he or she had jus adrem a right unto Church-fellowship and to Baptism the seal of admission yea a kinde of inward right in the Communion and spiritual membership of Saints in Christ the Head as far as in judgement of charity they could discern thus admitted by Christ this professor of the Faith I say was baptized and so outwardly compleated and entertained as a Church member not only to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and breaking of bread Act. 2.46 but also to all other Acts of Church fellowship which agree to a member by the Ordinance of Christs sealing in Baptism both his Covenant with God in Christ and with all the members of Christs mystical Body And thus you see how men of ripe years converted from Iudaism or Paganism to the Faith and holinesse of the Gospel had their outward admission into the Church and Communion of the Saints with Christ their Head and one with another And so far you may behold the Scripture way of admission into or making up the Body or Church of Christ Thus there were dayly added to the Church such as should be saved Act. 2.47 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 1.22 23. men and women converts and professors being made visible members of the Church And all particular members making up one Body of which Christ is the Head and so Saints to and with whom we must exercise our Christian love and charity Quest 26. How then may a visible Church of Christ be described by this that you have held forth Answ I conceive a true visible Church of Christ to be a company or Act. 8.17 18 c. society of professours of the true Faith of Christ and holinesse of the Gospel 2 Cor. â—â— 13 and of their belief obedience and subjection thereunto united and joyned by Covenant and Covenant union unto one with Christ their Head and in Christ and with another both sealed in the Sacrament of Baptism rightly admitted and compleated according to the Scriptures by and in which they are admitted and received and approved as visible members of the Church and Body of Christ Quest 27. I like of this description if you make the matter of a visible Church to be visible Saints as you seem to intimate Rom. 1.7 Ans The matter of a visible Church certainly ought to be visible Saints if you mean Saints by profession of true Faith and true holinesse and such as desire and endeavour to walk not after the flesh Rom. 8.1 2. but after the spirit so as the Church can discern Quest 28. But what if any admitted prove offensive Ans If any declare themselves otherwise in their walkings or common course of life after their admission the Church and those in authority by Christ may and ought to cast them out upon due proofs and convictions in a due and right exercise of the Keys and power of Christ though not for every failing Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5. and not before other means used according to the custome and practise of the Churches of Christ Quest 29. But if this Discipline be wanting Ans For want of this although the Lord Christ hath not used in any Scripture example to un-Church a Church for any personal corruption of particular members or for the Churches neglect in this particular Revel 2.10 11 c. yet Christ hath reproved the particular Churches for this fault and that sharpely as the Scripture holdeth forth evidently unto us Quest 30. But
whom I lived Rom. 7.14 c. Psal 66.18 19. 2 Cor. 7.5 Gen. 25.22 or of any sailings in my self either in judgement or affection but was rather sorry for sin in others though by occasion and temptation I have faln but in those things which the world and some of my acquaintance counted but peccadilloes little sins yet I could not rest until for the quieting of my conscience I went into a secret place and confessed my sins to God yea sometimes with many tears and begging pardon and power over them but still my life was without comfort I sinned and prayed and seemed to repent and confessing my sins and sinned again and thought by my repentance I pacified Gods wrath or might please him by amendment yet I got not power over my sins and the corruptions of my nature nor any true peace or assurance that I was Gods childe and therefore lived in fear of Hell and sense of bondage Rom 7.14 15. Gen. 25 22. and fear sometimes that I had neither true faith nor repentance in me or did know either Christ or the Gospel of grace as I should if I had any life of grace in me and so it was as if I had twins in my soul as Rebecca had Quest 12. It s a good sign you had truth of grace in that you were not drawn to allow of sin in your self or others and that indeed there were twins in your soul Flesh and Spirit but your course in seeking to pacifie your conscience Gen. 25.23 Gal. 5.17 in some humiliation and confessions and sorrow for your sins with resolution of amendment if they did arise from any legal fears or accusations of natural conscience and not from Christs Spirit or if you rested in these or any acts or works of your own or in any religious duty or performances of duty of piety or mercy as many do although your conscience might be quieted for the present as a Papists conscience by his Confession to a Priest or performance of Penances enjoyned yet this way was not the way to get any true or sound peace to your soul or to get any true power over your sins or sinful corruptions in you but to look to Christ Acts 5.3 whom God hath exalted as a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins and to wait on Christ in the Gospel till you by the Spirit of Christ be made so sensible of sin and misery that you see your extreme need of Christ and be drawn by the same Spirit to receive and rest on Christ as a sufficient Saviour and one in whom God the Father is well pleased This is the way to true peace in your soul Mat. 17 5. as the treasure of Christs Kingdom set up in your heart Rom. 14.17 Ioh. 1.12 Mat. 11.28 c. Ans I do acknowledge you say well Ioh. 6.37 44. Isa 11.10 26.3 4 Mat. 16.24 Phil. 3.6 c. Rom. 15.13 8.16 though I might have some weak faith in Christ and some beginning of grace in my soul yet the way I went was not a right way as now I believe to gain true peace because I did not begin my peace and assurance of peace from Christ and Gods Free-grace and love in Christ and faith in him but from my endeavour of repentance and acts of amendment both which I finde imperfect to this day and so can have no perfect and full peace that way but now I praise God since it pleased God of his goodnesse to let me see a more clear light of the Gospel and to reveal his Son in me as Saint Paul speaks Gal. 1.16 I have found and felt that there is a glorious rest and peace in Christ for poor sinners Isa 11.10 Ioh. 6.44 Ioh. 6.37 whom God the Father giveth and draweth into Christ and whom Christ will in no wise cast out from him and now the Lord hath enabled me to deny my self-righteousnesse and all self-confidence and by faith in Christ held forth in the promise of the Gospel to adhere to Christ to rest on Christ and trust to his merits and righteousnesse for my Justification before God and my eternal salvation in heaven and thus I have joy and peace in believing and am assured by the spirit of God Rom. 8.16 Gal. 2.20 witnessing with my spirit that I am the childe of God and have life of grace in me that Christ liveth in me and so I may come with comfort to meet Christ for nourishment of this life of grace at the Lords Table Quest But have you now other signs or symptomes of the life of grace in you save your faith and resting on Christ for salvation Ans Truly by that light I have from Christ I must acknowledge Christ rested truly on by faith and that assurance arising from the truth of the promises of God in the Gospel in general and special Gal. 2.20 2 Cor. 1.20 5.19 20 2 Tim. 1.12 Eph. 3.16 c. Iohn 6.5 6. Rom. 6.11 and the perswasion of Gods spirit in my soul in particular that Christ loved me and gave himself for me and so that God is my God reconciled in Christ to me and the eye of the soul by a reflect act of faith seeing that I do belive and by a living hand of faith lay hold and rest on Christ for salvation this lively faith I say is a prime evidence that Christ is mine and that Christ dwelleth in me and that I am his and that he hath truly communicated the life of grace to my soul but besides this I finde other signs of the spirit of life in me evidencing I hope the life of grace in my soul Quest 14. I do confesse a true lively faith is and may be a principal evidence of the life of grace in the heart Now what other evidence have you Ans First by light from Christ I have found that this assurance by faith in Christ Rom 5.4 5. and Christs spirit of Christs love to me and the shedding abroad of this love of God in my soul hath affected my heart 1. With love to Christ again yea such a love as draweth me after Christ more and more Rom 5.4 5. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Cant. 1.2 3 4. 2 Cor. 5.17 2 Pet. 1. â— 4. 1 Pet. 2.2 3. 1 Cor. 11.16 Iohn 6.33 c. Iob 22.21 Gen. 24.63 Isa 66.11 12.3 1 Cor. 16.22 1 Ioh. 3.14 Ioh. 20.27 and after a more full union and communion with Christ And 2. Constrains me with a holy spiritual loving affection to live henceforth not to my self but to him who lived and died for me and rose again So that now 3. I am made partaker of a new creation and of the Divine nature 4. I hunger more vehemently after the word of grace as having tasted that the Lord is gracious I long to meet with Christ here to receive spiritual nourishment from Christ to nourish this life of grace
to love Christ with her soul 3. Ezek. 36.3 Hos 14.8 And whether he hath made her willing and desirous to loath and dislike sin and to forsake her natural and sinful communion with sin the world the flesh and the Devil 4. Whether she be willing to take the Lord Christ for her Lord and Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and Heavenly husband and then no doubt she is one of the Elect of God the Lord is her Father and she is his daughter who is the Lord Almighty Quest 6. But what if she doubt still Ans Give her this one rule that she seek with an impartial eye First as not to flatter her self that she hath grace when she hath none So 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Cor. 10.11 c. 2 Tim. 1.12 4.7 8. Secondly on the other side not to deny that grace which the Lord of his Free-grace and love in Christ hath bestowed upon her soul as any measure or true knowledge of true faith of true repentance of true love of true hunger after the Word desire of assurance of the like graces Thus may she in Gods due time finde her self a dear Elect daughter in Christ and so in Christ an heir and fellow-heir of Eternall glory and in the end assurance may come Quest 7. This may be a means by the power of Christ to stay her soul from despair in that temptation But what do you say to her decay in grace What light have you from Christ to reveal any comfort to her soul in this respect Ans I say the Apostle gives a caveat to his Christian Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.19 to take heed of quenching the spirit and yet no doubt they had the spirit of grace in them but they must be careful not to quench the spirit Gods dear children may be in danger to quench the spirit for a time and may lose the acts and vigor of grace for a time as Peter did when he denied Christ Mat. 26. though not finally and totally therefore if your friend finde some decay of grace in her soul or want of holinesse she ought not to conclude presently she is none of Gods childe or exclude the favour of God in Christ from her For First as there is no wheat but there is some chaff groweth with it so the best of Gods children have some imperfections Phil. 3.12 13. Secondly In this life we are not like the Sun perfect in brightnesse and light but like the Moon receiving our light of grace from Christ as the Moon doth her light from the Sun and like the Moon 1 Iohn 1.8 we are subject to have some changes some decrease as well as increase some spots of darknesse in the center of our hearts And Thirdly take this for a certain rule as sight and sense of weaknesse of body is a sign of bodily life for a dead man feels nothing so a sight and sense of spiritual weaknesse Rom. 14.15 c. is an evident argument of spiritual life of grace in her soul as it was in blessed Paul Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.9 Rev. 3.2 3. Isa 40.30 31. Fourthly A dead man cannot see nor feel his own weaknesse at all a dead man complains not of sicknesse and therefore your friend ought not to despair because of sight and sence of failings which is an evidence of the life of grace but wait on Christ for more light and life till the soul recover strength and what is ready to dye be quickned and she finde peace in the end Quest 8. But I have heard my friend complain that sometimes she neither feels any signes of life of grace nor doth she feel any want of life of grace she is dead â—nd senslesse no hunger after the Word or Sacraments or Prayer or to meet Christ in any good duty she is sometimes so far from resting in a duty or setting it up in stead of Christ that she is carelesse of any duty at all as if all were in vain as to her her faith is dead and without life her soul and life is dead in respect of grace or any sense of want of grace in her soul like those Isaiah 64.6 7. no stirring of life in her And what comfort can be given to one in such a condition Ans Your friend hath no cause to despair but to live by faith For First did she ever finde or feel any signes or sense of life of grace in her soul any sight and sense of her sin and misery by natural corruption any sweetnesse or delight in meeting Christ in the Word or Sacraments or Prayer any combating or stirring in her soul between the flesh and the spirit Then although now she be as dead to all these let her know that the state of the childe of God in this life and the life of grace may be sometimes 1. Like a childe in the Mothers Simile 1 womb alive though not felt to stir or to have any motions of life at all 2. Or like a man in a trance wherein Simile 2 his own sense being as it were without sence or understanding yea and in the judgement of others may seem to be dead and yet after revive and come to himself again and so may a dear childe of God in respect of the life of grace Assuredly David after his fall until Example 1 Nathan came to him he had little sense of life of grace little remorse for his sin especially while after his sin of Adultery with Bathsheba he went on to plot and procure the making of Vriah drunk and after to take away his life so addes sin to sin Exam ∣ ple 2 The like may be said of Peter between his first and third time of denying Christ until the Cock did crow and Christ cast a look of mercy 2 Sam. 11 12 c. Mat. 26.69 75. Psal 51.1 c. and pity and love upon his poor soul then indeed he went out and wept bitterly as David repented and bewayled his folly and sinful fall in the end and prayed earnestly to the Lord to restore unto him the joy of his salvation and to stablish him with his free spirit Quest 9. What other around of comfort Ans Let her consider that Gods childe doth not sin as the wicked do with full heart consent and freedom because his seed of grace remaineth in him 1 Iohn 3.8 9. but like a man in a crowd or throng sometimes carried forwards and sometimes backward 1. Carried forwards in grace willingly the will regenerate and sanctified striving together with one consent with the grace given and good motions of Gods spirit assisting as in Christ Iesus to presse on to perfection And 2. Sometimes carried backward by corruptions and the violence of Satans temptations as it were against our will Simile to an ebbing in grace as in the Tide the water runneth back as the Moon decreasing Rom. 7.23 c. as Peter sinking in the water of presumption senslesnesse or despair as
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
for these things 2 Cor. 3.5 Gal 2.16 Iam. 2.10 Gal. 3.24 by the strength of the spirit of Christ my own insufficiency and inability to keep Gods Commandments or ever to be justified by the works of the Law as being never able to perform perfectly that inward spiritual obedience which the Lord requires in his Law but to seek my justification by Christ and in this respect this Law may be said to be a School-master to bring us unto Christ Secondly I may see my weaknesse to walk in this rule of holinesse Rom. 3.20 7.7 Acts 4.12 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. Phil. 4.13 which is so spiritually perfect and learn again my extreme need of Christ as a sanctifier as well as a justifier and therefore to seek daily to God in Christ for holinesse in Christ and the holy spirit of Christ that so I may be strengthned by Christ to walk in this path of holinesse for Gods glory and my comfort because I may be able to do all things through Christ that strengthens me and without Christ I can do nothing Thirdly in my daily prayers to my good God and Father in Christ Mat. 6.6 Luk. 10.26 Rom. 2.14 15. from the general and particular duties required and sin forbidden in this and other Commandments comparing this glasse of the Law with the glasse and book of my own conscience by the assistance of the spirit and power of Christ I may 2 Chron. 34.19 20 21. Dan. 9.3 4 5. 1. See my sins Original Actual and of omission and commission against every Commandment and I be more able to confesse them to my heavenly Father and beg the seal of my Pardon in Christ 2. I may beg more strength from God in Christ to glorifie God in the spiritual and holy practise of every duty both towards God and towards my Neighbour Lastly I may learn what graces and spiritual abilities I have received to walk with God by faith in Christ and to perform every particular duty according to my Covenant renewed in the Sacrament Deut. 26.17 c. and give God the glory in Christ Iesus resting upon his promise of blessing And thus we have so far explained the first Commandment The second SECTION of the thirtieth Classis or the second COMMANDMENT 1 Question VVHat is the second Commandment which is next to be considered And what are the parts of it Ans There ate two parts of it 1. The Command it self Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likenesse of any thing that is in Heaven above nor in the Earth beneath nor in the Water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them 2. The Reason in the words that follow For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Quest 2. What is the general sin forbidden Isa 29.13 14. Ans As in the first Commandment the Lord did forbid all false or feigned Gods so in this the Lord forbids all false or feigned worship and service of what kinde soever Latreia Deubeia First whether it be the Lord the true God by any Image or invention of man Deut. 4.15 ctc. Secondly or whether it be to any false or imaginary God to bow down or worship that Numb 33.52 Acts 17.29 Isa 40.18 Ier. 7.14 Rom. 1.21 c. Reu. 22.8 9. Thirdly or to the likenesse or similitude of any either of Christ or of Saints or Angels or Sun or Moon or Stars Birds Beasts or any other thing made by God or devised by man to be our God or for our God or the likenesse of any of them to make the invisible God visible to the outward bodily eyes or to worship or serve God in them or by them Quest 3. What is the duty required or the Affirmative part of this second Commandment implied in this Commandment Ans The Lord commandeth all to worship and to serve him who is the true God Deu 6 13 10.20 Mat. 4.10 1 Sā 7.3 Heb. 1.5 Isa 8.20 Ioh. 4.24 and to worship and serve him onely in a true and right manner even in spirit and truth Quest 4. What is a first particular duty required in the general prohibition Ans To have an eye unto Deu. 4.2 Exo. 25.40 Isa 8.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 2 Tim. 3.25 e. and to consult with the spirit of God in the holy Scriptures both for the matter and manner of our worship and service of the Lord according to his will and this in outward as well as in ward services Quest 5. What sin is contrary unto this Ans To follow the devices and inventions of men in Gods worship Deu. 12.30 c. Mat. 14.8 9. Iosh 9.14 Ier. 32.34 35. without any ground from Gods word or search to know the minde of God in his service Quest 6. What are the particular services or parts of Gods worship in which we ought to worship and serve the Lord in publike or private according unto his Word or will revealed in his holy Scriptures Ans There in divers publike acts and divers private acts or parts of Gods solemn worship and service but we may observe these four that follow 1. Preaching and revealing of Gods Word and will to the children of men 2. Administration of the Sacrament 3. Spiritual sacrifices of praises and prayer 4. Covenants and renewing of our Vows and Covenants with the Lord our God in Christ Iesus Quest 7. How is God to be served in respect of the Preaching and Revelation of the word and will of God Ioh. 1.24 Ans In spirit and truth or with spiritual worship and that in a fourfold respect Quest What is the first Ans Exo 3.5 19.10 11. Eccl. 1. Acts 10.24 25. A holy and spiritual preparation of my heart and minde by examination meditation prayer before I come to meet Christ that I may hear the voyce of Christ more comfortably when I wait upon him in this Ordinance Deu. 33.34 Luk. 10.39 Acts 16.14 22.3 What is the second Ans A humble and diligent attention as at the feet of Christ to hear Gods Word and be instructed by him from the mouth of Gods Minister Quest 10. What is the third 2 Chron. 20.20 Heb. 4.2 Rō 10.4 1 Thes 2.13 Ans A faithful acceptation or receiving of Gods Word with belief as the certain truth of the holy blessed God Quest 11. What it the fourth respect in which the Lord is to be served spiritualy in hearing of his Word Mat. 28.20 Rō 6.17 Ex. 19.5 23.21 Heb. 5.4 Ans In diligent observation and obedience to that which the Lord holds forth to be believed or done to Gods glory and our own good or the good of others Quest
Church of God requires Quest 24. What is a second duty in publike Ans To joyne devoutly and understandingly with the Minister and Congregation in Prayer not onely attending with the eare to every confession of sinne petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Ministers soule in Prayer but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Minister of Christ and to pour out thy soule with him and all the rest of the Congregation in every confession request or giving of thankes to God saying Amen in thy soule Psal 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time and this not in thy owne strength but by the assistance and strength of Christ and the spirit of Christ helping our infirmities and inabling the soule to wrastle with God in prayer Gen. 32. Quest 25. What is the sinne contrary to this duty declared Ans Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be distracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer or not to goe along with the Minister of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Christ or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer or not to pray in faith and in faith expect an answer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Christ John 19.23 Quest 26. What is a third duty in publike for sanctification of this blessed Sabbath and rest day of the Lord Ans This concerneth both the Ministers and People of God Ezra 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And first the Ministers duty is to Reade Expound Catechize and Preach the Word of God without respect of persons in faithfulnesse sincerity and godly wisedome not with intising words of mans wisdome but in evidence of the spirit and of power and as becomes the Ministers of Christ Quest 27. What is the Ministers sin contrary to this duty Ans To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing or to doe it unfaithfully with entising words of mans wisdome and otherwise then becommeth the Gospell of Christ Quest 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular and what light from Christ for this Ans To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Ministers Acts 15.14 15. or to the Word of God as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man and that without wandring or sleeping with hunger after the mind of Christ in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father Heb. 4.2 Quest 29. What is the sin contrary to this duty of the people Ans To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing or to heare it carelessely without devotion Faith Love or Obedience unprofitably either in respect of Gods glory or our owne salvation Quest 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this rest-day or Lords day is to be sanctified Ans In a right communicating and partaking of the blessed Sacrament according to Christs institution Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechisme Quest 31. What is the contrary sinne to this duty Ans To neglect the Sacrament 2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.28 29 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreshing in Christ Jesus Quest 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended Ans Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard Parents taking account of their children and Masters of their servants what they have remembred searching the Scriptures and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Minister of Christ Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing those under our charge meditation and earnest Prayer unto God for a blessing upon the Word and Sacraments received and strength from Christ to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteousnesse Isaia 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified Quest 33. What is the sinne contrary to this duty Ans A meer resting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament and publike ordinance without any care of profiting our selves or Families by Repetition Conference searching the Scripture Catechizing or Prayer in our Family oâ— closets for a blessing endeavouring by the power of Christ to practice in our lives what we have heard and learned as the truth is in Jesus the neglect of any of which is sin Quest 34. This is a strict rest indeed and a strict sanctification of this rest is there any more required Ans Yes a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy 1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability and as the necessities of the Saints require Quest 35. What is the sin contrary unto this duty of Charity Ans To give no Almes and neglect workes of charity and mercy though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede Quest 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed are there noâ— some inward and spirituall required also Ans Yes it is required that the childdren of God should make the Sabbath his delight and keepe a spirituall rest from sinne of omission or commission and so keepe a spirituall and holy restj indeed Heb. 4.9.10 11 c. Isai 58.13.14 as all the dayes of our lives from sinne so especially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and rest from all sinne and misery which we shall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven Quest 37 What is the sinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and spirituall rest from sin Ans To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day to say or thinke as those in Amos when will the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Isaia 1.12 13 14. when will the Sabbath be gone And not to rest from sin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day to swear to drinke tipling and distempering themselves to Whore Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots Jer. 5.7 or abuse Gods Day in any wickednesse whatsoever and so to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men Luke 13.25 26. endangerinâ— the soule and body to a restlesse condition in Hell fire for ever Luke 16.24 Quest 38. This is a most perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty Answ The Commandement it selfe holdeth forth this in the next words Thou thy Sonne thy Daughter thy Man-servant thy Maide-servant nor thy Ox nor thy Asse nor