Christ the Mediator of it the promise of the Spirit and the saving Graces and Gifts thereof for our Sanctification Regeneration and Renovation and for our mortifying and crucifying the Old Man and the body of the Sins of the Flesh the taking away the heart of Stone and giving us a heart of Flesh God's writing his Laws in those hearts of Flesh and giving us his special teachings and special Illuminations Operations and influences of his Holy Spirit working in us Faith Hope and Love and filial Fear and all other Virtues and Fruits of the Spirit and true Gospel Repentance all suited to the Gospel and new Covenant Dispensation and all this freely by and through and for Jesus Christ's sake together with the promise of Eternal Life and Salvation Jer. 31. 33. 34. Jer. 32. 39. 40. Ezek. 11. 19. 20. 36. 25. 26. 37. 26. 27. Gal. 4. 24. 26. 28. Heb. 12. 24. Isa 44. 3. 4. 59. 21. Q. But doth not the Covenant of Grace require any terms or conditions on our part as Faith and Repentance and new Obedience A. It requireth nothing of the true Subjects of it as terms and conditions but such as God promiseth freely to give the Faith and Repentance and Obedience that it requireth God has promised freely to give by virtue of his Covenant and no condition or terms that Men can perform are any the least moving cause to move God to enable us to perform those conditions Q. But is there not an Order in the way and manner of God's giving his many several Favours Gifts and Blessings to the Children of the New Covenant as remission of Sin Justification Adoption and Eternal Salvation A. Yea There is an excellent Order of some things to go before and other things to follow some of which go before and others follow only in order of Nature and others in order of time as plowing and sowing the Ground goes before Harvest and Reaping yet neither the plowing or sowing are the moving cause to move God to give the Fruit and Increase Q Doth then Faith and Repentance in order of Nature go before remission of Sin and Justification though they are together in time A. Yea. Q. How doth this appear from Scripture A. By many plain testimonies of Scripture as first concerning the necessity of Conversion and Faith in order both to forgiveness of Sin Justification and Salvation This was Paul's Commission given him by Christ unto both Jews and Gentiles Acts 26. 18. To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified through faith that is in Christ Jesus and Rom. 10. 6. The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise say not in thy heart c v. 7. but what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness c. Again Rom. 8. 29 30. In that excellent golden Chain containing several Links that follow one after another There is Predestination going before Calling and Calling before Justifying and Justifying before Glorifying The Calling that is not an outward Calling only but chiefly an inward Calling and inward Work of God's Holy Spirit enlightning the understanding and moving the Heart and Will to answer the Call is not the proper Cause of either Justification or Glorification but a necessary antecedent of it in order of Nature as the holding out of the Hand is antecedent in order of Nature to receive a free gift from him who freely gives for Faith has no causality in order to receive forgiveness of Sin and Justification more than the Hand has to receive a rich and free Gift which Faith is also the free Gift of God Again Acts 10. 43. Said Peter in his Preacing to Cornelius and his Friends To him viz. Christ Jesus even him whom they Slew and Hanged on a Tree gave all the Prophets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of Sins Secondly As to Repentance its being necessary in order to forgivness and blotting out of Sins Peter's words are plain Acts 3. 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out c. And Acts 5. 30 31. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance unto Israel and forgivness of sins And Luke 24. 47. Christ after his Resurrection taught the Disciples the true Method and Order of Preaching That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Thus we see how though Repentance and Remission of Sins are joyned together in those places yet in order Repentance is put antecedent to Remission of Sins Q. But is not Repentance a proper effect of remission of Sin as the Soul has a lively sense of it wrought by the Spirit of God in the Soul as it was said of Mary Magdalen she loved much because much was forgiven her who was a deep and great Penitent A. As some degree of Repentance is antecedent to forgiveness not as its Cause so there are other degrees of it that are consequents thereof and may be called the effects of it Q. Are the Infant Children of believing Parents within the Covenant of Grace together with their Parents so that the Promise is to them and their Children A. Yea Act. 2. 39. Gal 4. 28. Gen. 17. 7. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Q. What is the alone meritorious and material Cause of Mens Justification before God Is it not the Righteousness of Christ's most holy and perfect Obedience unto Death and the shedding of his most precious Blood done and performed by him without us freely of God imputed to us and received by Faith A. Yea. Q. What places of Scripture in the Old Testament hold forth the Justification of the Faithful and their eternal Salvation by Faith A. That in Genesis 15. 6. compared with Rom. 4. 2 3. Abraham believed in the Lord and it was counted to him for Righteousness from whence Paul inferred that Abraham was not justified by Works though he was a very holy Man but by Faith And though Abraham's Faith is not expresly said to have been in Christ as he was to come and suffer Death for our Sins in the Flesh yet it is certainly imply'd for the great Promise of God to Abraham was That in his seed all nations of the earth should be blessed and therefore Abraham also was blessed in that seed which seed was Christ as he came in the Flesh out of Abraham's Loins and not the Light within or
that justifieth the Circumcision i. e. the Jews by Faith and the Uncircumcision Rom. 3 30 〈◊〉 c. the Gentiles through Faith and another way than by Faith or without Faith in Christ Jesus the scriptures do not hold 〈◊〉 for attaining Eternal Life and Salvation Q. How doth Christ perform his Kingly Office in and over his Church A. By converting them and â—â—â—hering them out from among the Dross anâ—â—â—â—…ish of the World to himself God having 〈…〉 in Christ Jesus before the Foundation of the World that they should be holy and having given them to him Ephes 1. 4. Joh. 6. 37. 39. Joh. 1â— 6. by giving them the holy-Holy-Spirit and the saving Gifts and Graces thereof to sanctifie renew and regenerate them into his own Image and Likeness and to crucifie and mortifie the Old Man in them with his deeds by pardoning their Sins and justifying them by giving them his Laws and writing them in their hearts by protecting and defending them and ruling them by his spiritual Presence and Indwelling in their hearts and by subduing his and their Enemies Matth. 1. 21. Acts 3. 26. 1 John 3. 58. Jer. 31. 18. 19. 33. 34. John 11. 92. Isa 11. 12. Isa 43. 5. 6. 7. John 16. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Titus 3. 4 5. 6. Mark 2. 10 John 10. 28. 29. Isa 9. 6. 7. John 17. 23. 26. Psal 110. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. Coloss 2. 11. 12. Q. Was not Christ's Resurrection from the Dead and his Ascension into Heaven as well as his giving and sending down the Holy Ghost upon his Disciples on the day of Pentecost all great and glorious Acts of his Kingly Office and Power A. Yea John 10. 17 18. Psal 68. 18. Eph. 4. 8 12 13. Q. What place of Scripture in the Old Testament was a Figure of Christ's giving the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost which was the fifâ—â—â—th day from his Resurrection A. The Feast of Weeks that was commanded to be kept on the fiftieth day from the day 〈…〉 Sheaf of the first Fruits was offered Levit. 23. 15. 16. Q. Is Christ to come from Heaven to judge all Men that ever lived or shall live even the quick and the dead A. Yea as the Scriptures plainly testifie 2 Tim. 4. 1. John 5. 27 28 29. Q. Will his coming and appearance be without us in his glorified Body and true Manhood Nature A. Yea. Acts 1. 11. Q. When will that time be that he will so come A. Of that Day and Hour knoweth no Man nor the Angels in Heaven Matth. 24. 36 42 44. The coming of Christ is infallibly certain but the particular time of it God would not have made known unto Men that we may be continually watching and give no way to security or sloath but be always preparing for our Lord 's coming Q. How or in what manner will Christ come A. He will come with great Power and Glory by which Power he will raise the dead Bodies of all Men both Just and Unjust in the Glory of his Father and of his holy Angels with the Voice of the Archangel and the mighty sound of a Trumpet in Kingly Power and Majesty who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Matth. 15. 27. Mark 8. 38. 2 Thess 7. 8 9 10. 1 Thess 4 16. Q. Is then his coming to raise the dead and to judge the quick and the dead a part of his Kingly Office A. Yea Matth. 25. 34 40. Rev. 19. 16. SECT VIII Q. WHat did the Covenant of Works or the Law of Works require of Men A. The Law and Covenant of Works required of Men perfect and perpetual Obedience in their own Persons and doth so still require of all that are under it so that the breach of it and the transgression against it in the least point brings under Wrath and Condemnation and the Curse without any promise of forgiveness the terms of which are Do and Live Rom. 10. 5. Gal. 3. 10 12 13. Q. Were not many of the Jews and Twelve Tribes of Israel under the Covenant of Works A. Yea. Q. What was that Covenant of Works A. The Moral Law delivered to them in the two Tables of Stone from the Lord himself by the Hand of Moses the which Law written and engraven in Stones though Glorious is called by Paul the Ministration of Death and Condemnation 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. and some other positive and special Laws as contained in the Books of Moses Q. Was the Law of Circumcision the Passover the Sacrifices of Sin-offerings any part of the Covenant of Works A. Strictly considered they were not but according to the design of God and their true signification they all belonged to the Covenant of Grace as it was then administred as Signs and Seals thereof being a part of the more obscure Administration and Dispensation of it for that time as under Vails and Figures during that state of Minority as it were of the Church Q. But such as relyed and rested upon their Obedience that they performed to these Laws and had not Faith in Christ and relyed not upon the free Love Mercy and Grace of God in and through Christ did they not make it a Law of Works to themselves and so fell short of Justification A. Yea Rom. 10. 3. Q. And are not many called Christians in the same danger if they rely and rest upon their Obedience to any Law either Outwardly or Inwardly given them as the Foundation of their Justification A. Yea. Q. Are the Gentiles who have not either Law or Gospel outwardly Preached or Administred to them under any other Covenant of God than that made at first with Adam A. They are not under any other Covenant but they are under the Law of Righteousness writ or plac'd by God in their Hearts and Consciences Rom. 2. 15. Q. Why may not the Gentiles in their meer Gentile-dispensation be strictly said to be under a Covenant of Works without respect to Adam A. Because all Covenants that ever God made since with Men both were by some special Revelation and had some external Figure or Signs given by God for its Confirmation but so is not this Law universally put in all Men. Q. May not this divine Law or Light put in all Men be called the Law or Light of Nature which seemeth warranted by Rom 2. 14. where it is said The Gentiles do by Nature the things contained in the Law A. If by Nature in that place we understand the Nature of Man to be the subject of Reception and not the efficient Cause and Author of it it may be in called But tho' Man's Nature is the subject of it yet it is God and the eternal Word that is the efficient Cause Author and Original of it and not the corrupted and defiled Nature of Man Q. What is the nature of the Covenant of Grace called the New Covenant A. It holds forth Remission of Sin and Justification freely by the Grace and Favour of God through Jesus
as he is both God and Man our Elect High Priest Prophet and King Head and Mediator without us in Heaven and as our Faith is exercised on him thus as its Object flowing into us and imparting unto us both the Holy Spirit and his saving Gifts and Graces and the daily encrease of them A. Yea. Q. By what Figure or Type was this signified under the Law A. By the Oyl that was poured on Aaron's Head and did run down from his Head and Beard to the lower Skirts of his Garments Q. What Testimonies of Holy Scripture have we for this A. Many both in the Old and New Testament as Isa 32 â— 2. Isa 59 21. John 1. 14 16. John 7. 38 39 John 4. 14. John 15. 26. Acts 2. 33. Eph. 4. 7 8 15. Q. Can it then be supposed that they have the Holy Spirit or the saving Gifts and Graces thereof who have not Faith in Christ as he is both God and Man without them in Heaven seeing the Promises are only to them that believe in him as such A. Nay Q. Do not such who think they have all within them needful to Happiness and eternal Salvation make themselves equal with Christ and as near to God in way of Union and Communion as Christ And are not such guilty of great Idolatry and Blasphemy A. Yea. Q. Is Christ God-man without us the Head of all gracious Influences not only as the procurer and purchaser of them by the dignity and merits of his most holy Obedience unto Death but also as the real dispenser of them out of the fulness of all Grace and Truth that is in himself so as that he is the great Store-house of Grace out of whom God the Father who dwells in him in all Fulness supplyeth the Church and every true Member thereof A. Yea Eph. 4. 7. 8. 15. 16. Coloss 2. 19. Joh. 1. 16. Col. 1. 19. 2. 3. 9. Q. What are these divine Influences Gifts and Graces which the Faithful receive of God out of Christ and which come down from above from the Father of Lights and descend as the Rain upon the mown Grass A. It is far better to know and enjoy them by spiritual gust taste and feeling than by any nice and dry Speculation of them They are like the Manna from Heaven which though the Children of Israel fed on yet they knew not what it was Exod. 16. 15. Rev. 2. 17. Let it suffice us to know them by the Names which the Scripture calls them Streams of Life living Waters Rain and Dew from Heaven divine Powers Lights and Virtues like the Virtue that went out of Christ that healed the Woman of her Issue of Blood Gifts and Graces Milk Hony Bread Wine and Oyl a Feast of Fat things all which though borrowed and metaphorical Names yet signifie more excellent and precious things than all worldly Treasure for they are the true and incorruptible Substance and Riches which never fade away nor never take Wings to fly from them that love them and him of whom and by whom they have them Isa 12. 3. 55. 1. 25. 6. Psal 68. 9. Hos 14. 5. Psalm 81. 16. Prov. 8. 21. SECT X. Q. WHat are the Laws that God doth write in the Hearts of his People Jerem. 31. 33. Are they not the same that are writ in the holy Scriptures excepting the Ceremonial part that is abolished and some other Laws peculiar to the Jews A. Yea. Q. How doth he write them in their Hearts Is it without all use of outward means A. Nay Q. Then are not the Laws writ in the Hearts of the Faithful by the Spirit in the use of outward means as a Transcript or Copy from the holy Scriptures themselves A. Yea. Q What is the difference betwixt the Law writ in the Hearts of the Faithful and the Law writ in the Hearts of the Unfaithful A. There is a great difference the one hath the Law writ in Stony Hearts the other hath it in Hearts of Flesh that are made by the Lord soft and tender Q Of what service are the Promises contained in the Scripture to the Faithful A. Of exceeding great use and service for by them through the Operation of the Spirit we are made partakers of the divine Nature Q. What is the difference betwixt the manner of God and Christ their being in the Saints and true Believers and the manner of their being in Unbelievers and Unconverted Persons A. As to the essential Presence of God and the essential Word and Spirit that is the same every where and in all things but in respect of Manifestations and Operations the difference is great for the Faithful have peculiar and special Manifestations and Operations of God and Christ in them which none others have Again God and Christ and the Holy Spirit are in the Faithful by Union and Communion and Inhabitation or In-dwelling by Faith and Love but not so in unbelievers and unsanctified Persons Hence it is that unbelievers are said to be without God and Christ in the World without Hope Strangers and Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel Q. How is Christ in the Saints their Hope of Glory Coloss 1. 27. A. It is not so to be understood as if Christ were only their Hope or the Object and Author of it only as within them and not as without them as he is God-man the great High Priest Mediator and Advocate and as their Head for he is the Saints Hope both ways considered for Paul gave thanks to God for the Hope laid up for the believing Colossians in Heaven 1 Coloss 3. 4. 5. And surely that was more or something else than what they enjoyed of Christ within them unless Men will say as some have said that there is no Heaven at all without Men but only within them nor any Hell but within them which is abominable Ranterism but we cannot have the saving knowledge of him nor that sweet and comfortable experience and enjoyment of him and of his Love and Life and spiritual Blessings but as the Mystery of him is inwardly revealed in us and his Love and Life inwardly felt by us for as Christ within the Saints and without them is but one Christ so it is but one great Mystery which yet may be distinguished into two parts the greater part being God manifest in the Flesh to wit in the Flesh of Christ as he outwardly suffered justified in the Spirit seen of Angels Preached to the Gentiles believed on in the World received up into Glory which Paul said was without Controversie the great Mystery of Godliness and without all doubt is the greater part of the Mystery for the best of the Saints have not the Fulness in them it is only the glorified Man Christ Jesus without them who has that Fulness but every one of the Saints have a measure of the Gift of Grace out of that Fulness as the Water in the Cistern is but a sinall part of that which is in the River
as for remission of Sin and Justification so for Regeneration and the new Birth A. Yea which sufficiently sheweth the great ignorance of some that teach how Paul laboured more to bring People to know or have Christ formed in them than to bring them to have a Belief in Christ without them as he was crucified c. For there is no other way to have Christ formed in us but by having a saving Faith in Christ crucified without us wrought in us by the Spirit of God therefore Paul called Christ crucified the Power of God and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 23. 24 SECT XIV Q. DOth the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and of Fire which Christ promised to his Disciples still remain in the Church A. In respect of the saving Operation and saving Gifts and Graces thereof it doth though not in respect of its miraculous and extraordinary visible Effects as the Gift of Tongues and the visible appearance of Cloven Tongues like as of Fire that sat upon each of them Acts 2. 3. Q With what Fire doth Christ Baptise them that believe in him A. With his Spirit of Judgment and Burning whereby according to God's Promise their silthiness is purged away and with his living internal Word that is as a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in pieces and as a Sword cutteth down and slaveth the earthly Members of the Body of the Sins of the Flesh and as a Fire to burn them up together with the Hay Wood and Stubble the Briers and Thorns and all the combustible matter that cannot dwell with that devouring Fire and everlasting Burnings Isa 33. 14. 15. Q Is that the Fire whereof the Scripture mentioneth whereby a Man shall be Saved according to which God even the God of the Faithful is called a consuming Fire and Christ viz. with respect to his inward appearance and spiritual Operation in Believers was promised to be like a Refiner's Fire and like Fullers Sope and that he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of Silver and he shall purifie the Sons of Levy and purge them as Gold and Silver that they may offer unto the Lord an Offering in Righteousness and that then the Offering of Judah and Jerusalem shall be pleasant unto the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years 1 Cor. 3. 15. A. Yea. Heb. 12. 29. Mal. 3. 2. 3. 4. Q. Why is the Spiritual Appearance and Operation of Christ in Believers compared to Fire and metaphorically so called A. Because of the resemblance and likeness of the natural and outward Fire to the inward and spiritual for as the outward Fire both enlightens and consumes what is combustible as Wood and Stubble but melts purifies and refines Gold and Silver so the inward and spiritual Fire both enlightens the Uunderstanding to see what Sins and Lusts are in the Heart that are to be destroyed and is as powerful and mighty to destroy them yet doth no hurt to the Creature but refineth purgeth and purifieth it as Gold and Silver is purged from the dross Again as the operation of the Fire upon the Flesh of any living Creature is sensibly painful and afflicting so is the operation of this inward and spiritual 〈◊〉 upon the fleshly Lusts of Men that have been as their living fleshly Members even sensibly painful and afflicting with a spiritual sensible pain And as the Fire hath not this operation but as there is a due application and bringing near of the things that the Fire is to operate upon unto the Fire so there must be an inward application of the Heart and Soul of the Man that is to be thus purified and have his Sins and Lusts destroyed to this inward and spiritual Fire which is to be felt in his Heart and Soul and tho' for a season great inward pain and affliction and suffering is here felt as when a Cancer is cut out of a Man's Flesh yet it ought to be born with all possible quiet patience and stilness and even then there is a present inward spiritual Joy Ease and Refreshment felt in the Soul that accompanieth the pain as when a Person is Cut for the Stone the case of having the Stone taken away is greater then the pain of the Wound Q. As there is an inward Baptism which Christ and not Man giveth so is there not an inward Supper that Christ giveth and not Man o◠both which the outward Baptism and Supper are Signe even as the Word outwardly Preached in the outward Ears of Men is a Sign of that inward Word Preached by Christ himself in the Heart and as the inward Word and Preaching of Christ in the Heart makes not the outward Word that is a Sign of the inward null and void or unprofitable but there is a good and excellent consistency betwixt them so is there not as good and excellent consistency betwixt the outward Baptism and Supper which are the Signs and the inward and spiritual A. Yea. Q. Who are they that partake of the inward Baptism and Supper A. None but true Believers in Christ as he was outwardly Crucified and who hear his Voice and open the Door to his knocking c. by has spiritual appearance at the door of their Hearts All such and none but such Sup with him and he with them Q. What is their Supping with him A. His giving them his Flesh to Eat and his Blood to Drink that is his teaching and enabling them by his Spirit to apply the Merit Virtue and Efficacy of his Flesh and Blood which together with his Soul he offered up to God a Sacrifice for our Sins by which application and union through Faith Believers receive remission of Sin and his holy Spirit with the gracious Influences thereof Q. What is his Supping with them A. Their Faith in him and Love to him together with the lively exercise of all their Graces which are acceptable to him as a Supper to a hungry Man Q. But Christ said it is the Spirit that quickens the Flesh profits nothing This is brought by some as an Argument against the necessity of Faith in Christ as he suffered death in the Flesh by them who think that Faith is not necessary A. If their Argument had any weight it would prove that Faith not only not necessary but nothing profitable though some of them distinguish and say they confess it is profitable but not necessary But the Argument is built on a false supposition and perversion of our Saviour's words which was an answer to the carnal Jews their objecting How can this Man give us his Flesh to Eat which they meant of bodily Eating by the bodily Mouth but Christ meant it of a spiritual Eating by the spiritual Mouth of he Soul to wit by Faith which the Spirit giveth and their carnal understanding was that Flesh which did not profit as neither would on supposition their eating of his Flesh with their bodily Mouths if they could have done it Q. Another
or Voice or Written Q. Why is Christ called the word A. Because as the Word or Speech of a Man makes known his Mind and Will to the Hearers and is the Interpreter of his Mind so Christ the Essential and Eternal Word makes known the Mind and Will of God to Angels and Men and is the Interpreter of his Mind and Counsel unto them Which as he did from the beginning by his Holy Inspirations in the Prophets so especially when that Word became Flesh and delivered the Mind and Will of God most fully and clearly by the words of his Mouth in his Body of Flesh upon Earth Q Doth the Scripture contain all things belonging to Faith and Practice A. Yea 2 Tim. 3. 15. SECT II. Q. WHat doth the Scripture teach us concerning God A. That he is a Spirit of Infinite Understanding Power and Goodness unchangeable without beginning or end Omniscient Omnipotent Omnipresent Merciful and Gracious and long Suffering Faithful Just and Holy that he is Light and in him is no Darkness at all the Fountain of living Waters the one only living and true God without Body Parts or Passions John 4. 24. Psal 147. 5. Psal 62. 11. 1 Chron. 29. 11. Gen. 17. 1. Rom. 1. 20. Rom. 2. 4. Psal 31. 19. Mal. 3. 6. Psal 33. 11. Psal 139. 1. to 12. Exod. 34. 6. 7. Deut. 32. 4. Deut. 7 9. 1 John 1. 5. Jerem. 2. 13. Deut. 4. 6. Jer. 10. 10. Numb 23. 19. Q What doth the Scripture further teach us concerning God A. That this one God is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God one Essence and Being equal in Wisdom Goodness Power and Glory 1 John 5. 7. Q. How are these three distinguished A. By their relative Attributes and Properties Q. What is the relative Attribute and Property of the Father A. That he hath begot the Son from everlasting before all Ages and Times and before all Creatures but he himself is begot of none Prov. 8. 22. Psal 2. 7. Prov. 30. 4. Micah 5. 2. Q. What is the relative Attribute and Property of the Son A. That he was begot of the Father alone from all Eternity or before all Ages and Times and Creatures and therefore he is called his only begotten Son and the word that was in the beginning with God and that word was and is God John 1. 1 14. John 17. 5. John 8. 42. Q. What is the relative Attribute and Property of the Holy Ghost A. That he hath proceeded from the Father and from the Son from all Eternity and before all Ages and Times and Creatures and therefore he is called the Spirit of the Father and of the Son John 15 26. John 16. 8. Q. Is it not therefore a great Error in them who say these three are only distinct in Name and are only three Manifestations and Operations in Time A. Yea. Q Doth the Scripture call them three Persons A. Though the express Names of three Persons are not in the Scriptures yet the equivalent to these Names are in the Scriptures for Personal Acts and Properties are attributed to them distinctly in Scripture the Father is brought in saying Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Psal 2. 7. Here is I denoting the first Person who is the Father and thou and thee denoting the second Person who is the Son Again the Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand until I make thy enemies thy footstool Psal 110. 1. Here is I the first Person who is the Father speaking to the Son who is the second Person Again the Father is said in Scripture to know the Son and the Son is said to know the Father and the Father is said to love the Son and the Son is said to love the Father Matth. 11. 27. John 3. 35. John 14. 31. Now to know and love are personal Acts and Properties and can belong to none but distinct Persons also the Father is said to give the Son and to send the Son and the Son is said to be given and sent of the Father or to proceed or come from the Father and the Holy Ghost is said to hear and to speak and is sent both by the Father and the Son and the Spirit is said to search all things even the deep things of God all which are Personal Acts and Properties and plainly denote three Persons John 16. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Q. But as Peter James and John are not only three Persons but three distinct and separate Men why are not the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost if they be three Persons three Gods A. Because Peter James and John are three separate Persons having three distinct separate Beings and Essences and are in three distinct separate Places having three distinct separate Minds and Wills therefore they are three distinct Men but the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are not three distinct separate Persons having distinct Beings and Essences in distinct and separate Places and having distinct Minds and Wills but they have one Essence Mind and Will and where ever one is there is the other the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are in all things and over all and through all and their Operations and Effects in and over all the Creatures are the same the Father worketh all things by the Son and the Father and the Son work all things by the Holy Spirit Q. What is the true English of the word Trinity A. Three and one from the compounded Latin word tri unit as signifying God to be one in Essence and yet to be three not in Essence but in their Personal and Relative Attributes and Properties Q. Is there then any just occasion of Offence to say the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit is the Holy Trinity A. Nay Q. Whence then hath come so great Offence in some to find fault with those sound words as Trinity and three Persons A. It hath partly come in some from their not understanding the true signification of the words and it hath partly in others come from too great a scrupulosity because they are not express Scripture words whereas those very scrupulous Persons use many other words in giving the account of their Faith and Principles that are not express Scripture words and in others it hath come from a prejudice against the true Doctrine and Faith of the Mystery it self not only denying the three Persons but denying any distinction betwixt them other than three Names or three Manifestations and Operations in time and lastly in some it hath come from a Spirit of contradiction affecting singularity and to seem wiser than others whereof many other instances can be given in other Cases and particularly their finding fault with the word Humanity or Humane Nature of Christ which of late these very Persons have owned so that it may be expected that as they are become so tame and conformable to own the word Humanity and
in our Hearts by his holy Spirit Light and Grace Q What is the need of both the outward Teaching by Men or the Scriptures and Christ 's inward Teaching by his Spirit Light and Grace A. God hath so appointed it that as God and Christ by the Holy Spirit in our Hearts should be the principal Teacher so the Scriptures and Men Teaching according to the Scriptures should be Instrumental in the Spirit 's Teaching us and Working in us the saving Knowledge and Faith of the Christian Doctrin Q Have Men no Knowledge of God without the Scriptures A. Yea many have some Knowledge of God and of his Will in some things without the Scriptures and all Men may know some things of God and of his Will without the Scriptures by what God is pleased to make known of himself by some Manifestation within them and by his Works of Creation and Providence without them Rom. 1. 19 20. Q. But are these peculiar Doctrins of the Christian Religion revealed to Mankind without Scriptures or some outward Means of Instruction A. Nay Q Are no Doctrins of Christian Faith and Practice inwardly Taught and Revealed by the Spirit but what are delivered us in the holy Scriptures A. Nay Q. Are then the holy Scriptures the only publick authentick Standard and Rule to which all Doctrins of Men and professed Inspirations are to be subjected and by them examined and if found contrary to be rejected A. Yea Isaiah 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Q. How was the Doctrin of Salvation by Christ made known to Men before the Letter of the Scripture was extant A. By outward Teaching of Good and Holy Men with word of Mouth in the several Ages from Adam to Moses which was accompanied with the inward Teaching of the Spirit of God in all the Faithful Q. Whence or how had they that Doctrin outwardly conveyed unto them A. The Prophets had it by special Revelations and others who were not Prophets had it delivered to them by means of the Prophets Q. When did Christ begin to perform the Office of a Prophet A. From the beginning of the World and in all Ages both before and since he came in the Flesh but most especially and evidently and in the most ample and clear manner when he came in the Flesh by his Ministry and Preaching when he was on Earth which was about three Years and an half Q. How did he perform the Office of a Prophet in those Ages before he came in the Flesh A. Because it was his Spirit in the Prophets 1 Pet. 1. 11. By which they Prophesied and Preached which Spirit with all the Gifts of it and saving Graces thereof were given to them and to the Church for Christ's sake and for the Merit of his most holy Obedience unto Death when he should come to perform that Obedience Q Is not the Doctrin of Salvation by Christ Jesus in a true and proper Sense the Gospel of Christ A. Yea. Q. Hath not therefore the Gospel been Preached in all Ages of the World and ever will by which God has ever had a Church in the World and ever will have to the World's end A. Yea Matth. 16. 18. Q. But have they had the Gospel of Christ Preached to them who have had no discovery of Salvation by Christ or free Remission of Sins for his sake either by outward Instruction or inward Revelation A. Nay Q. Do they not therefore greatly Err who Teach that the common Illumination wherewith every Man is Enlighted is the Gospel of Christ yea the whole Gospel without any thing else A. Yea. Q. How are Paul's Words to be understood that the Gospel hath been Preached to every Creature under Heaven Col. 1. 23. A. They cannot be universally understood 〈◊〉 all and every particular Man throughout 〈…〉 who le World more than where in the 〈…〉 within a few lines he said that he 〈…〉 Brethren did warn every Man and teach every Man Col. 1. 28. Yet none can say with any colour of Truth that they did teach every Man that either then lived in the World or had before or since lived in the World the Gospel therefore its being Preached to every Creature or to every Man hath this Sense that without exception the Gospel was Preached to every Man of whatever Nation Kindred or Family where the Gospel came by an outward Ministry Q. Why is the Gospel called by Paul the Power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. A. Because wherever it is faithfully and sincerely Preached it comes not in word only or in a bare Form of Doctrin but in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance to them who doe sincerely and truly believe it and receive it by which Gospel they are saved 1 Thess 1. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 2. Q. Is the Gospel of the Kingdom to be Preached in all the World before the end of the World come A. Yea as Christ hath expresly foretold Matth. 24. 19. Q. Do they not Preach another Gospel than Christ and the Apostles and Prophets Preached who Teach that the Doctrin and Message of Remission of Sin and of eternal Life and Salvation by Christ Crucified and raised again is no part of the Gospel of Salvation and in so doing bring themselves under the Curse A. Yea Gal. 8. 9. Q. What doth the word Evangel Translated in English Gospel signifie A. A good or joyful Message concerning Christ the Saviour who was born at Bethlehem as the Angel declared to the Shepherds Behold said he I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Micah 5. 2. Luke 2. 10. Q. Was it foretold in the Old Testament at what time Christ should come in the Flesh A. Yea in Jacob's Prophecy The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Gen. 49. 10. This Shiloh is Christ who was to come of Judah the Hebrew word Shiloh as the most Learned in the Hebrew Language say signifieth his Son and such a Son as should be born of a Virgin as also it signifieth Peaceful and the most Judicious of the Jewish Writers understand it of the Messiah which is Christ that signifieth Anointed and the word Jesus signifieth Saviour Q. Did the Government among the Jews cease at that time when Christ came in the Flesh A. Yea as both the Scriptures and Writings of the Jews plainly declare for though the Jews had been some time before the coming of Christ under the Roman Government yet their great Council called the Sanedrin had the Power to judge of Life and Death continued unto them until Herod an Alien who was Contemporary with Christ took it away and the Jews confessed that at that time it was not Lawfull for them to put any Man to Death which was a clear fulfilling of
Death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour Philip. 2. 8. 9. Q. What made his Obedience of so great merit and worth A. Because he offered himself through the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9. 14. and that he was both God and Man his Godhead gave that great dignity worth and value to his obedience That as the disobedience of one Man to wit Adam brought sin and guilt upon all so the obedience of one Man to wit Jesus Christ the second Adam should make satisfaction to God for the Sins of all and as the Judgment was by one to Condemnation so the free gift is of many Offences unto Justification Rom. 5. 16. 18. Q. Why did not God forgive Men's Sins without a satisfaction to his Justice seeing Men can and do oft forgive a debt of mony without payment or the least satisfaction A. The case is not alike betwixt the debt of mony and the debt of Mens Sins a Man may forgive a debt of mony without requiring any satisfaction but the Sin of Murder no Man can forgive it without a satisfaction of life for life and God hath expresly required it by his Law which may help us to understand how the Justice and just Law of God required a satisfaction and if Christ would make that satisfaction for us he was to give his life for us the just suffering for the unjust that he might bring us unto God God having laid on him the Iniquities of us all who did bear our Sins on the Tree of the Cross by whose stripes we are healed that being dead unto Sin we might live unto Righteousness Isaiah 53. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 1 Pet. 3. 18. By which satisfaction that Christ hath made to God for our Sins not only the justice of God is demonstrated but his Holiness and Purity for thereby he is made known to be a God that so loveth Righteousness and hateth Iniquity that the very Holiness and Purity of his Nature as well as the Righteousness of his Law required that satisfaction to be made that the Sins of Men might be pardoned and God and Men might be reconciled and thus both the Holiness of God's Nature is demonstrated and the due Honour of his holy Law is preserved Hab. 1. 13. Isaiah 42. 21. Q. Doth not Christ his making satisfaction to the Justice of God for our Sins hinder the free forgiveness of our sins How can a debt be fully paid and yet freely forgiven A. The forgiveness of our Sins Rom. 3. 24. is still a most free forgiveness to us because God freely gave us his dear Son Christ Jesus out of his abundant love to make that satisfaction for us and also that the Justice of God accepted that satisfaction from Christ which in strict instice might have been required of us Thus the wonderful Harmony of God's mercy and justice and also of his wisdom and power is demonstrated in the way of Mens Redemption Joh. 3. 16. Psal 85. 10. Q. Did not Christ also give himself for our Redemption A. Yea Gal. 1. 4. Titus 2. 14. Q. Doth it hinder God's free forgiveness that he forgiveth none their Sins without Faith Repentance and Conversion A. Nay which may help us to understand that as Repentance and Faith on our part doth not hinder the forgiveness of God to be free to us and of his rich free Grace so nor doth the satisfaction of Christ to God's justice on Christ's part hinder the same Q. But if Christ hath suffered Death being the Punishment of our Sin why should men dye should the same debt and payment be exacted both from us and our surety A. By Christ's dying for us the Death of the Body ceaseth to be a punishment strictly speaking though it is a consequence of Adam's Sin still remaining unto the Faithful the sting of Death which is Sin being removed Death is changed from being a Punishment to the Faithful to be a blessed and sanctified means to put an end to the Sorrows Tentations and Evils of this mortal life and to be unto them a passage and entrance into eternal life 1 Cor. 15. 55. 56. Q. Who were the chief acters that put Christ to Death A. The Jews who being filled with envy accused him of diverse things and particularly for saying he was the Son of God which they accounted Blasphemy and of his being the King of the Jews and the Messiah or Christ Matth. 27. 18. John 10. 36. John 19. 7. 12. Matth. 26. 63. 65. Q. Under whom did Christ suffer Death A. Under Pontius Pilate a Roman Governour John 19. 1. Q. Why under him A. Because the Jews at that time had their power taken away by the Romans so that they said to Pilate it was not lawful for them to put any Man to death John 18. 31. Q. Was there not a great hand of Providence in this A. Yea It having been foretold by some of the Prophets that the manner of Christ's Death should be by Crucifying and Hanging on a Tree therefore that manner of death was called in the Old Testament accursed Deut. 21. 23. to signifie before-hand that Christ should become a Curse for us and dye for us the accursed death of the Cross and also it was foretold by David in the second Psalm that both Jews and Gentiles should gather together and take counsel against the Lord and against his Anointed Q. How was it foretold by any of the Prophets that Christ should be Hanged or Crucified on a Tree A. David Prophecied that his Hands and Feet should be pierced which was accordingly fulfilled and was only used in that manner of death and Moses lifting up the Brazen Serpent on the Pole or Tree was a Figure of Christ his being lifted up on the Tree of the Cross as Christ himself deolared John 3. 14. Psal 22. 16. Q. Were not all other things concerning Christ of the chiefest moment recorded in the New Testament as his Doctrin Miracles manner of Birth Life Death Burial Resurrection and Ascension foretold by the Prophets and recorded in the Old Testament A. Yea Acts 26. 22. 23. Luke 24. 44. 45. 46. Q. Why was it so ordered by the Lord A. To give the greater Evidence that Jesus who was Born of the Virgin Mary was the Christ seeing to him only and to none else could all these things agree which were prophecied of him as also to shew the excellent Harmony of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament being all given forth by one and the same Spirit Q. What discovery of Christ's Death Resurrection and victory over Sin and the Devil and of Salvation from Sin by Christ had the Faithful from the beginning of the World A. By the first promise that God gave to our first Parents after the Fall Gen. 3. 15. That he would put enmity betwixt the Serpent and the Woman and between his Seed and her Seed and that the Womans Seed should bruise the head of the Serpent but he
should bruise his heel and also by the Sacrifices which God taught them to offer which were Types and Figures of Christ's Sacrifice that was to come Heb. 11. 4. Q. Who is here meant by the Serpent A. The Devil according to Revel 20. 2. Q. What is meant by his Seed A. That inward Principle of defilement and Seed of Sin that was then sown by the Devil in our first Parents and through their Loins transmitted to their Posterity and that which is born of it called in Scripture the Old Man and the Body of Sin and Death Q. What is meant by the Serpents bruising the heel of the Woman's Seed A. That by means of the Devil who instigated the Jews against him Christ should suffer Death in his Manhood Nature but his Head that is his Godhead neither did nor could suffer any thing Q. What is meant by the Woman's Seed his bruising the Head of the Serpent A. His Victory over the Devil by his Resurrection from the Dead and that by virtue of his Death and Resurrection the Power of Christ by his Spirit in all the Faithful should destroy the Devils Power and Kingdom of Sin flay the Old Man and Crucifie the Body of Sin in them and in due time wholly deliver them from Sin and all the effects an◠〈…〉 â—equences of it Heb. 2. 14. Coloss 2. 15. 1 〈…〉 Q. When are the â—â—â—â—â—ful to be fully and completely delivered from all the effects and consequences of Sin A. At the Resurrection of the Dead at which time that first promise shall have its full accomplishment 1 Cor. 15. â—4 Q. What places of Scripture prove that the Sacrifices under the Law were Types of Christ's Sacrifice and that the Blood of those Sacrifices signified the Blood of Christ by which remission of Sin is obtained A. There are divers as Colos 2. 16. 17. Heb. 8. 5. and 9. 9. 23. and 10. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 16 17. Q What is meant by that place in Zach. 9. 11. As for thee also by the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth the Prisoners out of the Pit wherein is no water Is not that Blood the Blood of Christ that was to be shed and was accordingly shed when he suffered on the Cross by virtue of which all the Faithful who once were Satan's Prisoners are translated out of his Kingdom of Darkness fitly signified by the Pit wherein no Water is and brought into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God where is Righteousness Peace and Joy Light Life Love and Liberty and where Springs of living Waters flow A. Yea Colos 1. 13. Rom. 14. 17. Isaiah 12. 3. Q. Was not the Passover a Type of Christ and as the Exod. 12. 7. Blood of the Slain Lamb being sprinkled on the Lintels and Posts of the Doors of the Israelites saved them from the destroying Angel so doth not the Blood of Christ the Lamb of God that was slain for us sprinkled on our Hearts and Consciences not by any visible or material application but by Faith applyed to us save us from the Wrath of God and destruction A. Yea 1 Cor. 5. 7. 8. Heb. 12. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 10. 22. Q. As the Israelites were to eat the Flesh of the Passover so are not the Faithful not by a bodily eating but by Faith to eat the Flesh of Christ's slain Body that they may have Eternal Life A. Yea John 6 53. Q What places of Scripture prove that Christ was to be a Priest and that the Priesthood of the Law and first Covenant was to end and give way to Christ's Priesthood that is unchangable and to remain for ever A. Psal 110. 4. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck compared with Heb. 7. 11. 12. 24. Q. How is Christ a Priest for ever seeing the Sacrifice of himself he did offer but once when he suffered Death on the Cross and by one Offering once offered he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified Heb. 7. 27. Heb. 9. 28. Heb. 10. 14. A. Because the virtue merit worth and efficacy of that one Offering once made was sufficient for the expiation and taking away the guilt of the Sins of the Faithful from the beginning of the World unto the end of it Heb. 9. 15. Q. How is Christ a Priest after the Order of Melchisedeck A. Because Melchisedeck which signifieth King of Righteousness was not only a King but a Priest also so Christ is both King of Righteousness and King of Salem which signifieth Peace and also a Priest and as Melchisedeck's Priesthood did far excel the Priesthood of Levi so doth the Priesthood of Christ far excel it Q. In what respects doth Christ's Priesthood excell that of Levi and differ from it A. In many respects as they are excellently set forth in the Epistle to the Hebrews Cap. 7. 8 9 10. As First Christ arose a High Priest out of the Tribe Judah 2. He was made by Oath 3. Not after the Law of a carnal Commandment but after the power of an endless Life 4. These of the Levitical Priesthood offered many Sacrifices yearly for Sin but Christ our High Priest offered Himself a Sacrifice but once 5. They were sinners themselves and needed to offer for their own Sins as well as for the Sins of others but Christ was without all Sin and only offered the Sacrifice of Himself for the Sins of others not only for the Jews but for the whole World 6. By reason of death they were not suffered to continue but Christ continueth for ever having once dyed he dyeth no more 7. They offered the Bodies Fat and Blood of Beasts but Christ offered up his whole Body of Flesh and Blood together with his Soul an Offering for our Sins 8. Their Offerings were but the Figure Type and Shadow his was the Substance and thing signified 9. Christ by virtue of his Priesthood was made surety of a better Testament and of a better Covenant which was Established upon better Promises 10. None of all their Offerings could take away Sin or purge the Conscience from Sin but this his Offering once did to all that sincerely believe and repent of their Sins 11. The High Priest on the day of Atonement being the 10th day of the 7th Month every Year entred the Holy Place made with Hands but Christ our High Priest by his Atonement hath entred into Heaven it self and hath made open and manifest the way thereunto unto all true Believers and Followers of him 12. The Jews paid the Tythes or Tenths of their Increase to the Priests and Levites and they paid out of their Tenth a Tenth to the High Priest but the true Christians which are the true spiritual Jews give both themselves and their All to Christ their High Priest and are ready to serve Him and his Gospel with their All for the propagation and service of his Gospel and if need
in their Sins and the Apostles are false Witnesses and Christ 's Prophecy who foretold his Resurrection on the third Day hath failed 1 Cor. 15. 13 14 15. Q. But may not his Resurrection be owned and not his Ascension into Heaven with the same Body A. The one cannot be owned without the other for if Christ 's Body did not ascend it did evanish or return to Dust and Christ Dyed again and his Body suffered Corruption which could not be for the Scripture witnesseth that Christ having once dyed dyeth no more Death hath no more dominion over him Q What Scriptures in the Old Testament foretold Christ 's Ascension A. Diverse places such as Psal 24. 7 8 9 10. Psal 47. 5. Psal 68. 18. Isaiah 52. 13. Gen. 49 9. Q. What Figure in the Old Testament did signifie Christ 's Ascension A. The burnt Offering the Smoke of which ascended straight upwards whence it has its name in the Hebrew from a word that signifieth to ascend Q Was not Isaack's being said on the Altar and afterwards being raised alive a Figure of Christ 's Death and Resurrection according to Heb. 11. 19. Q. Is there a real place above the Earth called Heaven into which Christ hath entred with his Body and whole glorified Manhood of Soul and Body A. Yea. Q How doth this agree with Scripture that saith Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. 50. A. It is the same Body in Substance though changed greatly in Manner and Qualities from Natural or Animal Gen. 11. 12. Matth. 1. 17. to Spiritual from Mortal to Immortal such as the Bodies of the Saints shall be at the Resurrection Q. Why do we not see that Heavens with our bodily Eyes into which Christ 's Body is entered A. Because of the Weakness and Grossness of our Flesh and of our fleshly Sight which can scarce see the Body of the Air that we breath in nor behold the brightness of the Sun but when our Bodies shall be changed and made Spiritual at the Resurrection we shall see the glorious Heavens and also the glorious Body of Christ and the glorified Bodies of all the Saints in Heaven Q. Is there also a real place called Hell into which the Wicked both Soul and Body shall be cast at the Day of Judgment A. Yea which is that called Tophet Isaiah 30. 33. Which hath been ordained of old he hath made it deep and large the Pile thereof is Fire and much Wood the Breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it Q. What signifieth Tophet and why is it so called A. Tophet signifieth the beating of a Drum and was the place where the Idolatrous Israelites burned their Children and Sacrificed them alive to their Idol Molech where they used to beat Drums to hinder them from hearing the pitiful Cry of their Children therefore by a Metaphor Hell is called Tophet and by the like Metaphor Hell is called by Christ in the N. Testament Gehenna i. e. the Land or Field of Hinnon where all the Filth of the City of Jerúsalem was cast into that piece of Ground having formerly belonged to a Man called Hinnon Q. Why hath God so ordered it that as the place of Reward to the Saints and of Punishment to the Wicked should not be seen by us in this Life nor apprehended by any of our outward Senses so that none should come from the Dead to tell us of these things A. That thereby we might have the greater occasion for the Exercise of our Faith which is the Evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. We have not only Moses and the Prophets Testimony concerning future Rewards and Punishments but the Testimony of Christ himself who rose from the Dead and hath given us in the Records of the holy Evangelists and Apostles in the New Testament full and sufficient Ground of Faith to believe these things to which the Spirit of Truth doth bear an inward Witness and who will not believe on such great Evidences nor would they believe if any should rise from the Dead to tell them Luke 16 31. Q. How is Christ the Object of our Faith for Remission of Sin and Justification is it as his Blood is shed in us and as he offers up himself a Sacrifice in us as some say to appease the Wrath of God A. Nay for all such Notion of Christ 's blood being shed in us and his offering up himself in us a Sacrifice for Sin to appease the Wrath of God is false and contrary to Scripture c. Q Is then Jesus Christ considered as he died for us without us and rose again and as he was the Sacrifice for our Sins by his Death and Blood that was outwardly shed the Object of our Faith for Remission of Sins and Justification A. Yea Rom. 10. 9 10. Coloss 1. 20. Heb 12. 2. Acts 10. 41. SECT VII Q. HOW doth Christ perform his Kingly Office A. By his various Administrations of it in the several Parts thereof Q. Which are the several Parts of it A. First Such as respect Angels both good and bad and the whole Creation Secondly Such as respect the World or that part of Mankind that do not belong to his Church Thirdly Such as belong to his Church Q. Hath Christ a Kingly Power and Government over all the good and holy Angels A. Yea Heb. 1. 6 7. Col. 2. 10. Eph. 1. 21. Phil. 2. 10. Mark 1. 25 9 25. Luke 4. 35 9 42. Q. Hath he also a Power and Government over the evil Angels and all evil and unclean Spirits and the Devil the Prince of them A. Yea as plainly appeared by the Power and Authority he used to cast forth the unclean Spirits out of the Bodies of many that were Possessed Q. Hath Christ also a Kingly Power and Government over Heaven and Earth and the whole Creation A. Yea as is evident from his own words that all Power in Heaven and Earth was his being given him of the Father Matth. 28. 18. Matth. 8. 26 27. Mark 2. 27 28. Acts 10. 36. And which he shewed by his commanding the Winds and the Seas and the great Miracles which he wrought who as he was Lord of the Sabbath so he was Lord of all Creatures Q. How doth Christ put forth his Kingly Power and Government over Devils and wicked Men seeing they are Disobedient to him A. By restraining and limiting their Power over-ruling their evil Designs and Actions and causing them to turn to his Glory and the Glory of his Father and to the good of his chosen and lastly by Judging and Punishing them at the last day Psal 76. 10. Rom. 8. 28. Acts 17. 31. Matth. 8. 29. Q. How doth Christ perform his Kingly Office over the World or that part of Mankind that do not belong to his Church and neither are nor shall become Members of it but remain Impenitent to the last A. By giving them a righteous Law universally in their
inward Principle and Seed of God in Mens Hearts as some have most perversly construed a great part of which Blessing was forgiveness of Sins and Justification through the Righteousness of Christ without us freely imputed to us for that Abraham believed in Christ as he was to come and suffer death in the Flesh and rise again is clear Abraham saw my day and rejoyced said Christ yea he received Isaac after he had laid him on the Altar in a Figure that signified his Faith that Christ should not only suffer Death but be raisâ—d from the Dead And for Justification by Faith in Christ given to the holy Ancients Paul Cites that place of the Old Testament in Habukkuk 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith And Peter quâ—â—es a place in Isaiah 2. 8 16. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Behold I lay in Zion a chief Corner Stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded And that Cloud of Witnesses mentioned Heb. 11. Who are all said to have dyed in Faith their Faith did certainly respect Christ Jesus as he was to suffer death and rise again because he was and is the sure Foundation to whom all the Prophets gave witness that whosoever believeth in him should receive remission of Sins Q. How then is James to be understood who saith Abraham was justified by Works and Rachab A. Not in the sight of God but as an evidence both to themselves and others that they were justified Q. Are they not very fallacious who Teach Justification by the Righteousness of Christ imputed to the Faithful and mean thereby the inward Work of Righteousness or Sanctification wrought in them A. Yea. Q. And is it not Popish and contrary to Scripture to Teach that the Works which Christ works in us or which we work by the help of his Spirit are meritorious of Justification seeing Abraham whose Works were such was not justified by his Works A. Yea. Q. And is not the ground of their so Teaching false and proceeding from great Ignorance whereas they â—y the Works that Christ or the Spirit works in us are not ours but Christ's for though Christ by his Spirit is the efficient Cause of them yet he is not the only efficient for we also work with him and we are the only formal Cause of them it is not Christ in us that Repents Believes Obeys but we by his help and assistance and therefore tho' Christ is a perfect Agent yet while we are not perfect the Work is not perfect for the nature of the Effect followeth the imperfect Cause especially the formal Cause An Effect altogether good must have all its Causes perfectly good otherwise if there be a defect but in one of them the Effect is imperfect A. Yea. SECT IX Q. WHat use hath that inward Law of Righteousness or Illumination in all Men given them by Christ if no Man can be eternally Saved by it without Faith in Christ Crucified A. It is of great use as it is a preparatory Ministration of the Spirit in a lower degree and kind of Operation for convincing of Sin and giving the knowledge of Sin and working in the Soul a sense of God's Wrath and Judgment for Sin that is of that service to Men as when Men are Condemned to dye for their Crimes and afterwards hear of the King 's gracious and free Pardon their former Condemnation makes the Pardon the more precious and acceptable to them That was it that Paul calls the Ministration of Death and Condemnation 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. that was glorious in its Season that is antecedent and preparatory to the Ministration of Justification that followeth and is much more glorious For as God led Israel of old by Sinâ—â—i where the Law was given with terror to Sion and Jerusalem that signifieth the Vision of Peace and where the Temple was built without the noise of a Hammer 1 Kings 6. 7. So God now leads his Israel through the inward Ministration of the Law to the inward Ministration of the Gospel and New Covenant of Grace of Life and Peace Q. What other use hath it especially to the Faithful who are come under the New Covenant A. So far as the dictates and teaching Light and Knowledge of it extends it serves for a Rule of Life together with the Scriptures in things of moral Honesty Justice and Temperance for if our Reason as Men be still of great use to us in things of Reason certainly that Law or Light in us and in all Men that is greater and more excellent than Humane Reason is of great use and service to the most Faithful And Obedience to it as a Rule of moral Life is so necessary that no Man can be saved without sincere Obedience to it Q. But doth not the more special Light and Illumination of Faith given to the Faithful under the New Covenant make the other void and useless and as it were extinguish it as the Light of the Day seems to extinguish the Light of the Night A. Nay For as Christ said he came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets but to fulfil them so he is not come either Outwardly or Inwardly to destroy either our Reason as Men or any former Light or Illumination that he had given nor doth the Light of the Day extinguish the Light of the Night strictly speaking though it may seem so to do but doth rather strengthen it and better it And why should the more excellent Light of Faith extinguish this other Light of Moral Justice more than it doth extinguish our Reason as Men which by experience is not so found but the contrary that the more we are enlightned by or with the Light of Faith our Reason is the more refined pure and clear strong and vigorous Q. What ground of Scripture is there for Two Lights or more than one Is there not rather one only Light which is God and the Word Christ which is one with him that inwardly shineth in the hearts of all Men A. The Light originally is but one and that is God and Christ the Eternal Word the Fountain of all Light Wisdom Grace and Goodness yet this one Fountain sendeth forth its various Streams according to his good Pleasure and though there is but one God yet there is diversity of Operations and but one Christ yet diversity of Ministrations and but one Spirit yet diversity of Gifts as the Scripture plainly declareth hence we find in Scripture that God is called the Father of Lights and the God of all Grace also we read both of the manifold Wisdom of God and his manifold Grace and of the seven Spirits of God answering to the seven Lamps or Lights in the Sanctuary which Solomon according to the Wisdom given him of God increased the number of unto Ten. Q. But can God or Christ as he is the Word be said to be a Light in Men either universally in all Men or specially in faithful Men A. Yea both universally
and hearing of the Word and Prayer and Thanksgiving A. Baptism with Water in the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and the celebration of the Supper in the use of the external Elements of Bread and Wine with Prayer and Thanksgiving to remember and shew forth the Lord's Death till he come both which are not only proper means to preserve the Doctrin of the Christian Faith being duly practised but are means of Grace Seals of God's Govenant of Grace and Signs of our Union and Communion with Christ and one with another in him Matth. 28. 19. Matth. 26. 27. 28. 29. 1. Cor. 10. 16. 1 Cor. 11. 23. Q. To whom is Baptism to be administred A. To none but such as in the judgment of Charity may be reckoned Members of Christ and of his Church Q. Is it to be administred to any more than once A. Nay but once to the same Person Q. Why but once A. Because that signifieth our ingrafting into Christ and our entrance into the Church as into a new World or Kingdom which is but once Q. Is the Supper to be frequently administred to the Faithful A. Yea as frequently as with possible convenience it can be done Q. Why is it to be administred frequently A. Because we need to be but once Regenerated or born again whereof Baptism with Water is a Sign but being once Regenerated we need to be frequently nourished of which the Supper is a Sign that frequently ought to be used as appears both by the Command of Christ As often as ye eat c. and the example of the Faithful in the Acts of the Apostles Q. Doth not Baptism signifie remission of Sin and our Justification by Christ and his precious Blood shed for us as well as our Regeneration and the mortification and crucifying the Old Man with his Deeds A. Yea. Q. And doth not the Supper signifie remission of Sin and our Justification by Christ as well as our spiritual Nourishment by Christ's Body and Blood and holy Spirit with the saving Gifts and Graces thereof A. Yea. Q. Is the participation of the Body and Blood of Christ together with the holy Spirit and his saving Gifts and Graces so tyed and confin'd to the use of the external Elements that none can have the things signified without these outward Signs A. Nay Q. What need is there then to use them A. Because of Christ's Command and the great Spiritual profit that the Faithful have by the due use of them where they can be duly had even as in the Case of hearing the Word Preached by word of Mouth the ordinary means of Faith yet such hearing iâ— not of such absolute necessity so as none can have Faith without hearing a Minister Preach for many have had Faith wrought in them by the Word or Doctrin read by them or by others read to them who perhaps never heard the Word duly Preached by any Man Q. How are the words of Christ to be understood this Cup is the New Testament in my Blood shed for the remission of the Sins of many How is the Cup the New Testament A. By the Cup is meant the Wine in the Cup by an ordinary Figure in Speech call'd a Metonymie where the Name of the thing containing is given to the thing contained Q. How is the Wine in the Cup the New Testament in Christ's Blood A. By another Metonymie as Circumcision was called God's Covenant under the Law being the Seal of it so the Wine as well as the Bread in the Supper is called by Christ the New Testament as being the outward Seal of it Q. But what is the need or use of an external Seal of the New Testament or Covenant seeing the Faithful have the inward Seal of the Spirit A. The inward doth no more take away the use and benefit of the outward to the Faithful now than the inward Seal of the Spirit to Faithful Abraham did take away the use of the outward Seal of Circumcision from him which was given him of God to be a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Q. What is meant by Christ's New Testament and whether it is one and the same with the New Covenant A. It is the same for Matter and Substance but that it further denotes Christ's Legacy left us in his Will and Testament and confirmed by those outward Seals appointed by himself that being the Nature of all Wills and Testaments to be in force by the Death of the Testator Q. How doth it appear that these outward things as Water in Baptism and the Bread and Wine in the Supper are Seals of the New Testament or Covenant of Grace A. Because the nature and manner of all Covenants require some external Signs or Seals for their stronger confirmation and as it is the usual manner of Nations to confirm their Covenants by or with outward Signs or Seals so it hath been always God's way in all his Covenanting with Men or with any People to confirm it by some outward Signs or Seals as the Sacrifices before the Law and Circumcision and the Passover and the Sacrifices under the Law Psalm 50 5. Q Is it not therefore a great Sin and highly provoking to God Almighty and doing contempt to our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ not only to reject the Seals of his Covenant and Testament from practising them so that they can be duly had but to deny and vilifie them with the reproachful Names of beggarly Elements and worldly Rudiments yea if God be not very merciful to them to provoke him to deprive them of the spiritual Blessings of his Covenant for their so great contempt through their great Ignorance God grant that it may not be wilful in some And do they not act as foolishly in the Case as if one that had a rich Legacy left him by the Will of his elder Brother should in his folly tear away the Seal of it which in Law renders it null and void A. Yea. Q. How do the faithful the eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of Christ A. Not by the bodily Mouth but by a true Faith and sincere and servent Love and Devotion Q. But may not Persons feed upon the inward Life and Spirit of Christ without feeding by Faith on the Flesh and Blood of Christ A. Nay according to Christ's plain and express words Joh. 6. 53. Unless ye eat my Flesh and drink my Blood ye have no Life in you the Flesh and Blood of the Son of Man together with the Fat and Marrow of the inward Life and Spirit of Christ even whole Christ God man is the Food of the Faithful by him if an eâ—â—er in the true door he shall go in and out and find Pastore without in his Flesh and Manhood within in his Spirit and Godhead as Augustin and other spiritual Writers have applyed those words John 10. 9. Q. Doth not this hold forth the necessity of Faith in Christ as he was outwardly crucified