God Heb. 3.7 compared with Isa 95.7 in the Hebrew it's said They tempted the Holy ghost in the Psalmes They tempted God Acts 28.25 compared with Isa 6.8 in the Acts its said The Holy ghost spake to Isaiah but in Isa it s said the Lord spake unto him yeâ— the Lord whose train filled the temple 1 Cor. 6.20 the Apostle saith We are not our own but the Holy ghosts therefore he hath absolute power over us Now God alone hath absolute power over us Yea he bids us glorifie God with our bodies Now what God means he save the Holy ghost whose bodies he call'd his temple Further his Godhead appears because he searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 11. As the minde of a man knows all the things of man because it is in him so doth the Spirit of God know the things of God Acts 7.51 You do always resist the Holy ghost as your fathers did Now whom did their fathers resist in the Books of Moses but God Besides his Godhead was seen in inabling persons to speak with tongues of all sorts without any teaching of them by man Acts 2. Q. Whether is the Holy ghost only a motion action or operation whereby God works effectually in the hearts of the elect or whether is he an understanding willing working substance A. He is an understanding willing working substance because he is said to be blasphemed Matth. 12.30 31. Now an action cannot properly be said to be blasphemed but a person Againe the holy Spirit is said to be a Comforter and to testifie of Christ John 15.26 When the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you he shall testifie of me therefore a person Acts 13.2 The Holy ghost bad separate Paul and Barnabas for the work yea he sets overseers over Gods flock Acts 20.28 Acts 15.18 It seems good to the Holy ghost and to us If it seem'd good to him then he is a person indued with understanding Acts 16.6 The Holy ghost forbad the Apostles to go to Phrygia and Bithynia and bad them go to Macedonia because he commands and forbids he is a Substance Rom. 5.5 the love of God is said to be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy ghost The Apostle herein puts a full difference betwixt the gifts of God and the Holy ghost Besides 1 Cor. 12.11 He distributes gifts to every one even as he pleaseth therefore he is a person or substance Isa 48.16 Qu. Wether is the holy ghost equal with the Father and Son Answ Yes 2 Cor. 13.13 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and communion of the holy ghost be with you The Apostle joyns the holy ghost with the other persons in prayer 1 John 5.7 these three are one Psal 33.6 all the host of Heaven was made by the Spirit as well as by Father and Son Gen. 1.2 The Spirit of God moved upon the waters The holy ghost also takes us into Covenant and in his name are we baptized Matth. 28. which were unlawful were he not God equal with the Father The holy ghost makes covenant with us Heb. 10.15 16. the holy ghost is a witness to us for after he had said before This is the Covenant that I will make with them I will put my Laws into their hearts c. Besides being we are baptized into his name we are baptized into his worship religion faith doctrine Q. What Scriptures prove unto us the Trinity A. These following Isa 63.7 2 Sam. 23.2 3. Isa 61.1 Hag. 2.4 5. Psal 33.6 In the New Testament Matth. 3.16 17. Matth. 28.19 Joh. 1.32 33. Joh. 15.26 Joh. 16.3 13 14 15. 1 Cor. 12.3 Eph. 2.18 2 Cor. 13.13 Tit. 3.5 6. Gal. 4.6 The same name of Jehovah and the same works are ascribed to each person Q. What are the attributes of God A. There are many of them as 1. Spirituality whereby he cannot be touched Luk. 24.29 For a Spirit hath not flesh nor bones nor can he be seen 1 Tim. 6.16 Whom no man hath seen nor can see 2. Eternity whereby he was from everlasting Psal 90.2 Before the mountains were brought forth from everlasting to everlasting thou art God 3. Unchangeableness There 's no shadow of turning with God Iam. 1.17 1 Sam. 15.29 Repentance attributed to God signifies no change in Gods nature but in his actions mutably decreed from eternity God is fain to speak to us as Nurses to chilchildren lispingly because they cannot understand perfect speech 4. Omnipresence In that he is present everywhere Psal 139.7 Whither shall I flee from thy presence and also knows every thing and person Heb. 4.13 All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do so that he knows the very motions of the will of man even before they move 5. His Almightiness in that he is able to do whatsoever he pleaseth Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he Yea he is able to do more then he pleaseth to do he could have raised up of stones children to Abraham Matth. 3.9 He could have given Christ 12 legions of Angels Job 42.2 6. His Self-sufficiency in that he is compleat in himself not needing any thing the creature can do Gen. 17.1 I am God alsufficient 7. His Knowledg whereby God doth perfectly know himself and by himself all other things that are were shall be or can be and that not successively as men do but by one act of understanding Job 42.2 Joh. 21.17 8. The Will of God whereby he wills in a holy manner and works all things according to the counsel thereof Eph. 1.11 Q. What be the parts of Gods Kingdom A. Two 1. his decree 2. the execution of it Q. What is Gods decree A. It is Gods everlasting determination and purpose concerning all things and persons Act. 4.28 To do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Eph. 1.11 Predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his owne will And as God decreeeth concerning all things and persons so doth he decree the circumstance of place time means and manner Act. 27.31 Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved Q. What is Predestination A. It is Gods fore-ordaining all reasonable creatures whether Angels or Men to an everlasting estate either of salvation or damnation 1 Thes 5.9 God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What are the parts of Predestination A. Two 1. Election which is Gods appointing some to Salvation through Christ Rom. 9.23 He made known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had prepared unto glory Eph. 1.5 Having chosen us in him before the foundation of the world 2. Reprobation which is Gods appointing some both Men and Angels to destruction 2 Tim. 2.20 there are some Vessels to dishonour Rom. 9.22 To shew his wrath and make his power known
an increase of the Spirit on baptized persons 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. Whether is laying on of hands after baptism an ordinance of force obliging Christians in these times A. Reserving others of Gods servants to their light who think otherwise and acknowledging a dark revelation of this in comparison of other Fundamentals and professing ingenuously I could not suffer so much in the witness of this point as I could in plainer points and Articles as of those concerning the fall of man redemption by Christ the resurrection and the last judgement c. and declaring that though Teachers may not teach nor people believe any thing which hath not some footing in the word of God yet may they speak of things which they know but weakly These things being premised I shall acknowledge laying on of hands on baptized persons after baptisme to be an Apostolical institution or an Ordinance of Jesus Christ Q. What grounds have you to prove laying on of hands after Baptisme to be an Apostolical institution A. These First because the Apostle makes it one of the six principles Heb. 6.1 or word of the beginning of Christ as in the Greek nay he makes it a foundation-point as well as Repentance Faith Baptisme Resurrection and last Judgement Now these being Fundamentals wherein all converted persons are to be practical in the belief how can imposition of hands be excluded from being so received It is absurd to think that one of these six principles should cease in a short time and the other five to remaine till the end of the world and yet the Apostle calls them all by the name of a Foundation and places it betwixt Faith and Repentance the Resurrection and the last Judgement so that there is no coming to slight it it being fenced on every side Q. But seeing we acknowledge a laying on of hands in Ordination do we not acknowledge these six principles A. No reason can be brought why laying on of hands in ordination should be from this Text acknowledged and the other after Baptisme on baptized persons excluded Nay it seemeth that laying on of hands on baptized persons should be primarily meant because the Apostle seemeth to couple these foundation-Principles so that as faith and Repentance go together and the Resurrection and last Judgement so Baptism and Imposition of go together Q. But whether is there my command for laying on of hands A. There is as much commandment for laying on of hands on baptized persons after Baptisme as on persons ordained to Office for both of them we finde Apostolical practice Secondly the Apostle calling it a foundation that was first laid as appears in these words Not laying again the Foundation hath a virtual command in it Q. What other ground have you for laying on of hands A. We have the practice of the Apostles Acts 8.14 15 16 17. The Apostles Peter and John laid their hands on those Samaritans whom Philip had baptized as verse 17. Then laid they their hands on them The Antecedent to this Pronoune Relative Them could be no other then the baptized Samaritans See also Acts 19.6 Obj. But in these examples there were visible gifts given but there is not so in yours in these times therefore your laying on of hands is not the same with theirs A. Those visible gifts given were no parts of the Ordinance much less essentialities but onely the crowns and ornaments of it God hereby confirming the truth of that doctrine and powerfulness of that person into whose name they were baptized Secondly it is a mistake to think that alwayes when the Apostles laid on hands visible gifts were given for Paul laid his hands on Timothy and God conveyed nothing therein save inward gifts and graces 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift which was given thee by the laying on of the hands of me So in the Greek If any man say these gifts were conveyed on Timothy by Paul in ordination and not after Baptism A. The contrary appears because the gift given Timothy in ordination was by the hands of all the Eldership 1 Tim. 14.14 but this gift was given in laying on of hands by Paul alone Therefore the laying on of hands after Baptisme is meant in this place Q. But if laying on of hands after Baptisme be an ordinance of Christ what is conveyed in it A. An increase of the Spirit so that as the Spirit is conveyed in the use of prayer and preaching Luke 11.13 Acts 10.44 and Baptisme Gal. 3.28 and the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 10.16 so also is an increase of the Spirit conveyed in laying no of hands 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift which is in thee which was given thee by the laying on of my hands See he had the gift or grace of God in him before and now in laying on of Pauls hands it was increased yet is not laying on of hands the onely or principal part of this Ordinance but praise is the principal part in the use whereof the other being adjoyned these fore-named Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are conveyed I take it to be vehiculum spiritus or a channel to convey the increases of the spirit to believing hearts Q. But what promise is there that there shall be an increase of the Spirit given in laying on of hands A. 1. A Command is enough to receive an Ordinance though there were no promise annexed concerning any benefit and we have proved a virtual Command out of Heb. 6.2 2. What promise there is of laying on of hands by the Elders the same is here yet is it acknowledged by all that the Spirit is conveyed in the increases in the Elders laying on of hands 3. Example of the conveyance of the Spirit into the Samaritans and into Timothy his heart in the laying on of hands is an encouraging ground for baptized persons to submit thereto and expect the like benefit 4. There is a promise of the increase of the Spirit to the prayer of Faith whenever poured out Luk. 11.13 and why not to the prayer of Faith when now poured out now the promise of the Holy Ghost being made to all baptized ones Acts 2.38 39. such may well pray in faith for the same Q. But whether are these promises bound to the laying on of hands so that then when hands are laid on and by that means the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are conveyed when the Churches Apostle or Apostles lay on their hands we must not invent a meanes through which promises must be applyed A. 1. The promise is bound to the prayer of faith 2. That not onely in but by laying on of hands the Spirit is conveyed appears 2 Tim. 1.6 3. No man can say that either Baptisme Supper or imposition of hands apply the promise it is the Spirit and Faith alone that apply the promise yet is laying on of hands such a means as the Apostle calls a foundation and a means through which both on Gods behalf and our behalf the promise may
A Soul-searching CATECHISM Wherein is opened and explained Not onely the Six Fundamental Points set down Heb. 6.1 But also many other Questions of highest concernment in Christian Religion Wherein is strong meat for those that are grown and milk for babes in a very short Catechism at the end exceeding needful for all Families in these ignorant and unsetled Times Written by Christopher Blackwood a servant of CHRIST The second Edition with Addition 1 Thess 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good 2 Tim. 1.12 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard Luke 1.3 4. It seemed good to me to write that thou mightst know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed LONDON Printed by J.C. for Giles Calvert at the black Spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1653. The Epistle to the READER TO preach unto people and not to catechize them I take to be a building without laying a foundation Hence the Apostle first laid the foundation of the six Principles Heb. 6.1 2. Not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead works of Faith towards God of the doctrine of Baptisms and Laying on of hands of the Resurrection of the dead and of the eternal Judgment After which Pattern I have proposed unto thee the Reader a form I trust of sound words wherein thou mayst instruct thy Family That thou mayst do it the better to thine own comfort and their edification take these Directions First Cause thy children and servants to commit to memory the short Catechism which is at the end of the Book Secondly Every time thou dost catechize in thy Family which I would have thee to do once every week at least read and explain to them one or two of the larger questions and do them and me that favour as to turn to the places of Scripture which for brevity sake I could not write down and read them unto them and shew them how the alleadged Scriptures prove the point in hand Thirdly If thy servants and children be more towardly or more ingeniously bred or more quick witted let them learn without book the larger Catechism but if they be more slow and uncapable let them onely learn the second and oft read and expound to them the former remembring that narrow-mouth'd vessels can receive liquors poured into them onely by degrees Fourthly Pray for a blessing upon the Instruction without which thy pains will not be effectual If thou art different in judgement from me in some one Point proposed yet let not that hinder thee from informing others in the rest of the Points wherein we are agreed If upon pretence of errour in some one Point thou shalt conceal the whole from thy Family for fear they should be drawn away with error take heed that the things herein contained which thou acknowledgest sound be not a witness against thy mis-guided Zeal mingled with Cruelty in the day of the Lord. And forasmuch as thou livest in times wherein many for want of sound Principles laid at first go a whoring from God after sundry dangerous and destructive Errours let it be thy care to train up thine in their youth in the way of Truth that they may not depart from it when they are old So heartily desiring that the Spirit of Grace would make these Instructions home to thy heart which I present to thy eye and ear I take my leave and rest Thine affectionate friend in the bowels of Jesus Christ Christopher Blackwood A Short Catechism As at all times useful so especially in these unsetled times Quest WHat grounds have you to prove there is a God Answ 1. By his Creation of Heaven and Earth Psal 19 1. 2. By the confession of all Nations Rom. 1.20 no people so barbarous that are without a God though most men are ignorant of the true God Psal 19.3 3. By the order of causes of every effect there must needs be a cause till we come to the first universal cause 1 Cor. 8.6 4. By the Consciences of wicked men who having sinned are afraid of being punish'd by some supream Judg Rom. 2.15 John 8.9 5. By the Providence of God seen 1. in dispensing punishments to the ungodly Psal 9.16 and rewards to the righteous Psal 58.11 2. In making provision for all Creatures Psal 10 4. throughout 3. In the fitting one thing for another as the eye and colour and light and the air a thin body through which colours are sent to the eye 4 The actions of unreasonable creatures above their ability as the Ant Spider c. the ordering of contraries to unity 6. There is a Devil that suggests evil therefore there is a God that suggests good motions and though he be not seen no more is the winde or soul of man Qu. What are we to consider in God Ans 1. His nature 2. his kingdom 3. his worke Qu. What are we to consider concerning his nature Answ The Unity of the Essence together with the Trinity of Subsistence how that the Godhead subsisteth in the being of Father Son and Holy Ghost yet they are not three Gods but one 1 John 5.7 Matth. 28.19 Qu. Can we understand God in his essence as he is Answ No further then he hath revealed himself yet we know him by considering all the perfections that are in any creature as wisdom justice bounty holiness mercy strength and ascribing them all to him 2. By removing all the imperfections that are in any creature from him so we say God cannot die nor suffer nor sin Qu. How prove you the Father to be God Answ 1 Cor. 8.6 There is to us but one God the Father Gal. 1.1 God the Father who raised him from the dead 1 Pet. 1.2 Through the foreknowledg of God the Father Jude 1. Qu. How prove you the Son to be God Answ Because the Scripture calls him God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 Phil. 2.6 He thought it no robbery to be equal with God Besides none but God could make the world now Christ made the world 1 Joh. 1.3 10. Col. 1.15 16. Heb. 1.2 Also the Saints have pray'd unto him as well as unto the Father Acts 7.59 Steven cry'd Lord Jesus receive my spirit Heb. 1.6 When he bringeth his first begotten into the world he saith Let all the Angels of God worship him Qu. How prove you the Holy Ghost to be God Answ Because we are baptized into his name and received into Covenant by him as well as by the Father and Son and he promises pardon of sin and eternal life Matth. 28.19 Again the Scripture calls him God Act. 5.3 4. Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God compared with 1 Cor. 6.19 Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost he that in one place is called the Holy Ghost in the other is called