to wit Naboths Vineyard which he should have forsaken because Jezabel his wise provoked him 1 Kings 21.7.25 3 We must meditate often of the vanity of worldly pomps which is such as that they become men to be laught at for their folly that will forsake God rather than them Ps 52.5 6 7. 4 We ought to be earnest in prayer to God that the profits and vanities and pomps of this world may never so prevaile over us as to draw us from Gods word or way or make us to sin against him and walk in an evill way Psal 119.36 37. 141.4 Question 46. How shall I know when I have forsaken the world Answer I have then forsaken it when I have forsaken the pomps and vanities of it and make no reckoning of them in respect of the keeping of a good conscience towards God Gal. 6.14 Question 47. What was there else promised in Baptism besides the forsaking of the Devil and the world Answer To forsake the sinfull lusts of the flesh Question 48. What are these lusts of the flesh Answer Such inward stirrings and sinfull motions as arise from corrupt Nature which is called flesh John 3.6 and tend to the sanctifying of it in the fleshly desires thereof Rom. 13.14 Question 49. But are there not some particular heads by which we may better understand and under which we may place these fleshly lusts Answer Yes the Apostle hath brought them to three heads Rom. 13.13 Surfeiting and drankenes Chambering and wantones Strife and envying whereby it appears that all belly Gods wanton and unclean persons all proud malicious and quarrelsome persons doe in a speciall manner walk after the flesh Question 50. Is it absolutely unlawfull then to desire meats drinks marriage Answer Not so for the desires of the created Creature are not unlawfull but of corrupted nature onely and it is not altogether unlawfull to make provision for the flesh so it be not to fullfill the lusts that is the sinfull lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Question 51. But is it enough that the outward works of the flesh be forsaken Answer No we must forsake those inward and secret lusts that be sinfull nor is it enough to forsake some of them but we must forsake them all Question 52. What Reasons and helps can you give to perswade and enable us to forsake these works of the flesh Answer 1 Because God in his word beseecheth us to abstaine from them 1 Pet. 2.11 and who would not doe any thing at Gods intreaty 2 Because these lusts be fleshly lusts and Christians be spirituall men 2 Cor. 6.17 3 Because they be sinfull lusts to wit which the word of God speaks against 1 Thess 4.5 And the Spirit of God lusts and strives against 1 Pet. 1.11 Gal. 5.17 And how can we then keep with us how can we nourish within us such great wickednesses and sin against God Gen. 39.9 4 Because we be Pilgrims and strangers and therefore should moderate our selves in those delights of nature that we meet withall in our way and should much more forsake and abandon those things that tend onely to the satisfying of corruptnesse and wherein worldly men that are at home and must never look for any other comfort then that they have here doe sport and glut themselves 5 Because these lusts fight against our soules and shall we keep in our bosomes and cherish in our hearts enemies that fight not onely against our bodies and states and names but even against our soules also 6 Because they fight against the souls of others with whom we live Christians that satisfie the flesh keep Heathens from the faith and men unconverted loath the very profession of Religion by reason of the dishonest conversation of those that doe professe it whereas their honest conversation might prevaile very much for the winning of others to Religion 1 Pet. 2.11 7 Because if we walk after the flesh we shall dye but if we mortifie the deeds of the body by the Spirit we shall live Rom. 8.13 Question 53. How ought we to forsake all the forenamed things that we have vowed against to wit the Devil the world and the flesh Answer We must forsake them all 1 In our Judgements disliking them John 1.24 2 In our hearts and â—ffections distasting and loathing them Psal 97.10 3 In purpose resolving firmly against them Hos 14.8 4 In practice having nothing to doe with them but putting them quite away Ephes 4.24 5 With prayer to God that we may have strength to doe all these effectually Psal 141.4 Question 54. Hitherto of the first thing that Christian Children promise in Baptism to wit to forsake the Devil the world and the flesh But is that all Answer No it is not enough to forsake that which is evill but there must be also a cleaving unto that which is good and therefore the second thing promised is to believe all the Articles of the Christian faith Question 55. What is the Christian faith Answer It is the Doctrine of Faith contained in the whole Scripture but most clearly revealed in the Gospel which is called The word of Faith Rom 10.8 Question 56. But why is this Doctrine called the Christian faith Answer It may be so called 1 Because it speaks of Christ 1 Cor. 1.25 2 Tim. 2.8 2 Because it was spoken and preached by Christ Heb. 1.1 Mark 1.14 15. 3 Because it is a Doctrine for Christ that is advancing and setting up Jesus Christ 1 John 17.3 both against Heathens that never knew God in Christ and against the Jewes that rested on their own righteousnesse with the refusing and slighting of Jesus Christ and that righteousnesse of his the flying whereunto is the maine matter of our Christian Faith Rom. 10.3 4. 4 Because it is a Doctrine received by those that were first called Christians Acts 11.26 and acknowledged ever since by those that by Baptism come within the number of Christians 5 Because it is a Doctrine that makes people Christians The Apostles went forth and taught all Nations and by that means they became Christians and were Baptized Mat. 28.19 Question 57. But what doe you mean by the Articles of the Christian faith Answer The twelve Articles of the Creed wherein is comprized the whole Doctrine of the Christian faith Question 58. Why are they named Articles Answer They may be so called for these Reasons 1 Because they be brief heads of Christian Religion as Articles are a brief draught of businesses between man and man 2 Because they are the condition of our Covenant unto which all are tyed that will have a part in Christ as men by Articles are tyed each to other 3 Because as Articles are things agreed upon between man and man so these Articles are things agreed upon between Jesus Christ and the Church Catholick yea they are therefore said to be framed that the Christian Church every where dispersed might be united in the faith by the help of these Articles which all of
them were to receive and from which none of them might swerve Question 59. What is it to believe the Articles of the Christian faith Answer To believe rightly and fully contains in it these 4 things 1 Knowledge for how shall we believe in him of whom we have not heard It 's impossible for a man to believe a thing which he never knew Rom. 10.14 2 Consent without wrangling against the Christian faith So Agrippa is said to believe that is he gave consent to the things written in Scripture as to the truth of God 1 Tim. 6.3 Acts 26 27. 3 Cleaving or sticking to the Christian faith for faith is a hand that holds every thing fast and though many men may seem to believe yet he is not a Disciple nor a believer indeed that doth not continue in the word of Christ John 30.31 4 Though they may be truly said to be believers and Christians in whom the three former things are yet that our faith may be a saving faith we must apply the Doctrine of the Gospel and Jesus Christ who is the sum of it unto our own soules 1 Tim. 1.15 Question 60 What help is there for this applying of Christ to our owne soules Answer 1 It is needfull that we see and feele our miserable condition out of Christ both in respect of the corruption that bears sway within us and of the condemnation that is due unto us and if a Remedy be not provided remains for us John 16.8 9. Rom. 3.19 20. Ephes 2.3 2 We must hearken unto God preaching Jesus Christ unto us as our onely and effectuall remedy with a gracious offer and assurance of ease by him if we feeling our need of him come unto him Mat. 11.28 3 Having so great a need and hearing so gracious an offer we are by the grace of God brought to fly unto and cast our selves upon Jesus Christ that so we may have the benefit of his merits to free us from the condemnation of sin and of his Spirit to free us from the corruption of sin and this flying and cleaving to Christ with full purpose of heart and a resolution to receive him upon his own tearms is that saving applying of him whereof the question here is made Question 61. And what is to be done by us after this application Answer As we doe apply Christ unto our selves that we may be saved by him so must we apply our selves unto Christ that he may be served by us being no lesse willing that he should rule us then desirous that he should save us Col. 2.6 Acts 9.6 Question 62. What generall use is there to be made of this second part of our promise to wit the believing of the Christian faith Answer A Four-fold use 1 To learne to know God in Christ in which knowledge alone eternall life is to be lookt for John 11.3 This puts a difference between Christians and Heathens who acknowledge a God but not in Trinity 2 To goe out of our selves and fly to the righteousnesse of Christ wherein especially true Christianity confists this puts a difference between us and Jewes us and Papists us and civil honest men who while they will be saved by the Law of Moses and rest upon their own righteousnesse are of all other men the most unchristianly 3 To live righteously for that also the Christian faith teacheth Tit. 3.8 2.10 11. And this puts a difference between us and prophane men who living in unclean and filthy sins be Heathens though they be baptized for good Christians doe not so learne Christ Ephes 4.19 20. 1 Thess 3.4 4 To cleave to the Christian faith constantly John 6.68 And this puts a difference between us and Hypocrites who declare themselves to be Christians in shew onely not in deed because they continue not in Gods word John 8.31 Question 63. Why shall not a man be saved if he live honestly in any Religion Answer No He that believes not shall be damned Mark 16.16 Our fore-fathers the Martyrs might have liv'd honestly and kept from the fire but they knew they were bound to believe and to stick to every Article of their Christian faith and therein they kept faith fully the Vow of their Baptism even with the loss of their lives Question 64. What further thing is there promised in Baptism besides the forsaking of the Devill the world and the flesh and the believing of the Articles of the Christian faith Answer To lead a godly and a Christian life Question 65. Wherein doth that consist Answer 1 In keeping Gods holy will and Commandement 2 In walking in the same and that all the dayes of our life Question 66. What is meant by Gods holy will and Commandements Answer That will of God which is revealed to us in his word for the commanding and ordering of our conversation Question 67. Why is it said to be Gods holy will Answer Because it is holy in it self Rom. 7.12 Prov. 30.5 and makes those holy that be due observers of it Psal 19.9.119.9 Question 68. What is it to keep Gods holy will and Commandements Answer It may signifie in generall the placing settling of Gods word in our hearts and soules Deut. 6.6 In particular it may imply these three things 1 The receiving of it into our minds by faithfull knowledge Col. 3.16 For learning and keeping goe together Deut. 5.1 A man cannot keep what he hath not that is that he understands not Mat. 13.19 2 The laying of it up in our memories Mal. 4.4 For what a man forgets is lost not kept Prov. 3.1 3 The observing regarding and reverencing of it in our hearts it being hid there so as to keep us from sinning against God Psal 119 11. Question 69. For what purpose ought we thus to keep Gods Commandements Answer That we may walk in the same all the dayes of our life Hence it is said Deut. 5.1 Keep them to doe them which must not be for a time onely but all the dayes of our life Deut. 6.2 5.29 Deut. 6.14 18. You shall keep 17. and thou shalt doe 18. Question 70. It being a generall truth and of large extent that we should make the word of God the guide of our walk for all our time here and the orderer of our wayes declare unto me some speciall heads whereunto the word of God is to be applyed and wherein the use of it may appear in the whole course of our life Answer The Rule of Gods word that we may be Governed in all things by direction of it is to be applyed 1 To our generall calling 2 To our particular calling 3 To all our carriage 4 To our condition Question 71. In regard of our generall calling and as we be Christians how is the Rule of the word of God to be set before us Answer So as to shew unto us 1 What duties are to be done and in what manner 2 At what time they are to be done Question 72. What 's the
ninth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall it is broken in regard of our neighbour because men doe not in honour prefer one another Rom. 12.10 by a holy striving for the setting up and maintaining of the good name and credit of our brethren and in regard of our selves for want of procuring a good report by doing those things that be true lovely and praise worthy Phil. 4.8 Question In what particular things do men ordinarily offend against this Commandement Answer 1 In evill suspitions of others in our heart without good reason 1 Tim. 6.4 1 Sam. 2.13 1 Cor. 13.5 and condemning others in our judgement without just ground Mat. 7.5 Acts 28.4 2.18 1 Sam. 17.18 2 In rejoycing at our neighbours infirmity whereby he shames himself 1 Cor. 13.6 Job 31.29 and in grieving at our neighbours prosperity whereby he raises himself and his good name 1 Cor. 13.4 Neh. 2.10 both which are very usuall faults among them that be at odds one with another 3 In raising or receiving false reports and flying tales whereby our neighbour may be discredited Lev. 19.16 Prov. 26.20 22. 25.23 and in repeating of old faults whereby our neighbour hath been formerly disgrac'd Pro. 17.9 1 Pet. 4.8 4 In not speaking in the cause and for the credit of our neighbour when his name is called in question and we may fitly stand out in his defence Phil. 10 11 16. Prov. 31.8 9. 5 In nodding with the head pointing with the finger or any other scornfull carriage made out of malice for the disgrace of our brethren Psa 22.7 and more especially in making jests or Songs upon them Psal 35.16 Gen. 37.19 Psal 69.12 6 By bewraying secrets committed to us to our brethrens disgrace Prov. 12.13 25.9 10. or making known private faults without just occasision and before brotherly admonition Mat. 18.15 16. 7 By false presentments in Court or bringing in false evidence either for malice or money to our neighbours discredit Lev. 19.15 35. Deut. 19.16 Prov. 19.5 Mat. 28.12 15. Question But how may a man hear false witnesse in regard of himself and so become guilty of the breach of this Commandement Answer 1 By thinking too highly of our selves above that which is in us Luke 18.11 Gal. 6.3 Phil 2.3 or too meanly of our own gifts and so withdrawing our selves from that service which God requires of us Exod 4.10 13. Jer. 1.7 2 In cleansing our selves when we have done amisse by dissembling and unjust excuses 2 Kings 2.25 1 Sam. 15.15 20 30. Mat. 28.11 12. and labouring to free ourselves by lies from the shame of our evill courses 3 By dissembling those things that be commendable in us and dispraising our selves of purpose to draw other men to commend us 4 By shewing our weaknes and discovering our simplenes before malicious and carping adversaries 5 By not labouring to procure our selves a good name by holy and wise courses but rather on the contrary discrediting our selves by evill and indiscreet carriages Pro. 22.1 Eccles 10.2 2 Sam. 12.14 Rom. 2.23 24. Question Wherein is the last Commandement ordinarily broken Answer In generall by that pronenesse of nature which there is in every one of us to sin against our neighbour Psal 143.2 Gal. 5.17 And more especially by those covetous thoughts which howsoever they be curbed in our selves yet are uncharitably carried upon that which is our neighbours Rom. 7.7 Question How is it broken yet more particularly Answer 1 By being not fully contented with that estate which God by his providence hath given us and which may by good means be gotten by us For the root of coveting other mens portions is the want of being content with our owne 1 Tim. 6.8 9. 1 Cor. 7.29 30. 2 By those wild and worldly wishes whereby our hearts wander after that which is our neighbours or which it will be hurtfull to our neighbours for us to have 2 Sam. 23.15 17. though they never come to full and perfect desires James 1.14 Psal 4.6 3 For want of mortifying and abating the power of our corrupt nature and worldly mind which is the fountain of all those uncharitable motions and stirrings that be in us tending to our neighbours hurt Col. 3.5 1 Cor. 9. ult Question By this opening of the Law we see plainly how many sins there be that require Humiliation but because Master-corruptions are they for which we ought especially to be humbled shew me in the next place how they may be discerned Answer A master sin may be discerned by these marks 1 It is that which most haunts a man and commands his heart most when he is alone Hence it is that when anger or lust is the master there be many chidings in a mans heart and many filthy passages in a mans spirit when no body else is with him 2 It is that which hath most sins attending upon it as if a man be given to carking to couzening to cruell dealing and worldly grief it 's a signe covetousnesse is the master-sin for all these wait upon it 1 Tim. 6.9 10. 3 It 's that which most troubles a man in good duies as in prayer hearing of the word keeping the Sabbath as it is a signe hee 's a mans master whom he leaves his own work to follow though it be to his disadvantage 4 A master sin is that which if a man be bad he cannot endure that a Minister should touch it if he be good hee 's most glad that any man or Minister helps him with Armour against it 5 A master sin is like that great Goliah that seems to set at defiance the whole Armour of Gods graces in us and is of all other sins most hardly overcome by us Question What then must we doe in dayes of Humiliation with such master corruptions Answer We must resolve to War against them we must choose out of the word of God such weapons as are fittest for our purpose and then we must fight in faith by this means we shall cut off the heads of those Goliah's so that though they be still rebelling in us yet they shall never have dominion over us 2 Sam. 17.40 45 46. Rom. 6.12 14. Certain Infallible Signes OR CHARACTERS OF A Sincere Heart 1 HA's been soundly humbled under the mighty hand of God with 1 A particular knowledge of sin Naturall Actuall 2 An experimentall apprehension of Divine vengeance 2 Hath had some speciall Promise pointed out applied and printed in him from the word preached by the finger of the Spirit that Promise among all shines still as a Pearl in his eye and is most precious to his soule 1 By that he was kept from sinking 2 In that he stands 3 In that Promise Christ came unto him and now dwells in him whom he 1 Priseth infinitely 2 Loves intirely 3 Looks continually into his wounds for pardon and purging 3 Hath parted for ever from his beloved and bosome sin it cost him much 1 Perplexity 2 Perill 3 Patience
4 Paines 5 Pain in the farewell and parting with it He hath cut off his right hand and pluckt out his right eye with this one hand and cast it from him too 4 He carefully and continually searcheth himselfe and goes down with light into his heart 5 He is jealous of his owne heart for 't is deceitfull and fears it for 't is desperate and therefore goes not with it without a sword the word he will not trust it in holiest practices and most heavenly perswasions 6 He doubts of none but of himself suspects most his own graces and the witnesse of his own spirit lest Satan shine like an Angel of light and say 't is the testimony of Gods Spirit with ours 7 He walks daily with God humbly and heavenly wishing that none saw his good but God and men his evill he cares not if Christ loves him how he appears 8 He eats and drinks as if Christ sate at the Table his bodily food is sweetned and seasoned with some heavenly meditations or holy discourses his speech is powdered with salt he feeds not heartily but riseth hungry till then 9 He is verily afraid of indifferent things and avoids all appearance of evill 10 He is carefull of his Calling onely in love to Gods Command with feare of the world 11 He buyes and sells not to gain but to godlinesse they are but poor professors that live no better then they bargain they trade as all at the best as most doe and is not this the broad way where many goe You shall know a Christian as by his Church so by his shop 12 His dayes of Humiliation are his Holi-dayes his delights are Christians Sabbaths and society of Saints not only publick but in private he fears many times he is not one but desires ever and is earnest to be one of the excellent ones the secret ones and sincere ones 13 He is open hearted and open handed to all he can no more keep sin close then his Coin he can give well and lend as well as borrow and can take as well a reproof as a kind nesse he is simple in evill he cannot cover or excuse it in the Lords work he is carefull and cleanly and a good workman but in the Devils work he is a very bungler he cannot bandsomely sin or excuse it 14 He is content to have his spirituall estate tryed by any not only by a searching Minister in publick but by a private friend he opens his heart freely for others to ask and gives Answer of his hope with meeknesse and fear 15 His thoughts are bound in with a holy compasse and his words are not idle he speaks not to spend the time in impertinent powerlesse or discoverlesse things but to minister grace to men glory to God and to doe good or receive good his life is a light and leads and provokes to goods works 16 He doth not a good duty in grace but he goes to the utmost of it he aimes not at the Butt but at the midst of the white he is zealous in good works fervent in spirit serving the Lord pressing hard to the price of the high Calling perfecting holinesse in fear 17 He hath heard no more then he practiceth and prayes not only in fear of Gods Command and his own conscience but in love to have a communion with God in Christ by the Spirit 18 His ears are open to the whole word he believes the threats and trembles he fears also the Promises lest he come short 19 He hath a respect to every Command such a respect I say as a man hath to his betters his heart stands in awe to every Commandement 20 He prayes in the holy Ghost his Petitions and intercessions are made by the Spirit and sent up with sighes by the intercession of Christ unto God the father the Spirit cries before he cries he speaks not first and then he looks for the Spirit to quicken his words but his words follow the Spirit with much affection fervency faith and fear 21 He hath found out the Hell of his heart and feels the flames of it in secret self-love hidden hypocrisie horrible blasphemy c. and somtimes pride possessed with the whole damned Crew mentioned 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. and elswhere In a word he hath found an emptinesse and an enmity to all good 22 He sets his face against the body of sin and every member of it he seeks and receives some power daily from Christs Crosse to crucifie every lust and he watcheth the Sepulchre lest it rise again 23 He daily desires the virtue of Christs Resurrection and he is risen and walks in new obedience in holinesse and heavenly mindednesse 24 He is ever poor in spirit and is known 1 By his continuall complaints 2 B importunate Prayers 3 By uncessant paines for righteousnesse 25 He is never found in his own but if he can be in Christs Righteousnesse all the rest is dung 26 He ever forgets others sins and his own graces observes others graces and his own sins 27 He not only loves the Saints but honours the excellent ones and rejoyceth at Gods glory and at any good done by others as done by himself 28 He mourns in secret for his 1 Owne sins 2 Others 3 For the dishonor of God 4 For the danger of the Gospel 5 For the disgrace of Gods people 29 He walks humbly with God lying ever at his feet looking up ar the Throne of grace to the Lord in Jesus Christ 30 He lives by faith eats and drinks and sells and buyes in Christ In a word he will not receive any earthly Creature a spirituall Crosse nor a heavenly grace and blessing but by the hand of Christ 31 He looks for and longs and loves the appearing of Christ he hastens his coming Amen even so Lord Jesus come quickly 2 Tim. 4.5 2 Pet. 3.12 Rev. 22.28 A Christian CATECHISM Opening the first Principles and most fundamentall points of RELIGION As they are expressed in the BELIEF Question WHat is the Belief Answer It is a profession of our Christian faith Question Is it a Prayer Answer No. Question How doth a profession of faith differ from a Prayer Answer Prayer is a speech directed to God wherein we desire that something may be given or forgiven us but a profession of faith is a speech directed usually to men wherein we expresse to them what we do believe Question Why doth every one in particular say I believe I believe Answer Because every man must in particular know what he himselfe doth believe and so be ready to declare what is his faith upon which he groundeth his hope of eternall life Question What doe you mean when when you say I believe in God In God Answer I mean that I know and am assured that God is such a one as he hath in his word declared himself to be and that I doe trust in him Jer. 31.34 Isa 26.4 Question What is that word