him as he hath revealed himselfe in his workes and Word and not curiously besides the Word to seeke to find him out and to comprehend him who is incomprehensible Exod. 33.20 Quest What is God Answ God is a Spirit most wise most holy Eternall infinite c. one in Essence or being but yet made knowne unto us to be three namely Father Sonne and holy Ghost John 4.24 1 Sam. 2.23 Ier. 23.24 Esay 41.4 44.6 Revel 1.17 Levit. 11.44 1 Io. 5.7 Quest Who made the World Answ This onely true God whom we have according to our measure set forth Genesis 1. Quest Whereof did he make it Answ Of nothing Quest How is it possible to make something of nothing Answ With man it is impossible but with God it was possible Quest What meanes did he use to make it Answ No other meanes but his almighty Power and Word Gen. 1. Quest Did he when he had created all things leave them to themselves Ans No for then all things must needs have perished but as he did Create all things by his Word so he doth continue to preserve and uphold all things by the same word Acts 17.28 Qu. Who made man Ans God made him Gen. 1.27 Quest VVhereof did he make him Answ Of the dust of the earth Gen. 2.7 Quest What manner of creature did God make man at the first Ans A most glorious and excellent Creature Quest Wherein consisted his glory and excellency Ans Chiefly in that he was made in the Image of God Qu. Wherein did that Image of God wherewith Adam was indued chiefly consist Ans In excellency of wisdome knowledge purity and righteousnesse and freedome of will and the like Graces that God bestowed on him Gen. 1.27 Chap. 2.20 Eccles 7.29 Qu. Was he not Created glorious in regard of his Body Answ Yes farre more excellent then any other creature whatsoever Gen. 1. Qu. What are those Attributes that God did chiefly manifest in the Creation of man Answ His wisdome and his love in making him the excellentest of all his workmanship and in making him Lord over all the Creatures creating them all for his use and benefit Gen. 1.28 Qu. Did man continue in this excellent and happy estate Ans No he fell from it Gen. 3.6 7. Qu. Then it seemes Man was made mutable and subject to change Ans Yea for to be immutable is proper only to God and it was not the purpose of God to make him a God but hee indued him with freedome of will to the end hee might make choice either of Good or evill Qu. What was the cause of Adams Fall from that estate Ans His disobeying the Commandement of God in eating the forbidden fruit Gen. 3.6 7. Quest How came he to disobey the Commandement of God Answ By hearkening to the temptation of Satan and yeilding thereunto Gen. 3. Quest Are all the Posterity of Adam guilty of that sin Ans Yea because all men proceed out of his loynes and therefore hee having fallen all his posterity are fallen with him and are polluted with corruption of nature as well as he and so lyable to the same Curse threatened against Adam Quest Did God purpose to destroy all the posterity of Adam for that sin Answ No God had a purpose from all eternity to save some and to make them objects of his mercy And to leave others to make them objects of his Justice Ephes 1.5 Rom. 9.22.23 Quest Wherefore did God purpose to save some and to leave others Answ It was his good will and pleasure that so he might manifest both his Attributes of Justice and mercy and so might bee glorified in the salvation of some and in the rejection of others 1 Thess 5.9 Quest Was there no power or abillity left in Adam to free himselfe from that miserable estate whereinto he was fallen Answ There was no power at all left in him But God in his infinite wisdome and love did find out a way for to redeeme sinfull man out of that lost condition whereinto he was fallen by breaking the Commandement of God Quest What way or meanes is that which God did fore-ordain to worke the redemption of sinfull Man Answ The way and meanes appointed of God from all eternity was onely by Iesus Christ Quest What is Iesus Christ Answ The eternall and onely begotten Son of God the second in the undevided Trinity Luke 3.22 Esay 9. Heb. 1.2.3.6 1 Iohn 5.7 Quest Then he was true God Answ Yea he was indeed very God equall with the Father and Holy Ghost Iohn 1.1 Quest Was he not true man also Answ Yes he was true man also for he tooke upon him the seed of Abraham Iohn 1.14 Heb. 2 16. Quest Wherefore was it needfull that our Redeemer should be God Answ It was needfull he should be God for these causes First that the satisfaction that was to be made might be of an Infinite valew because an Infinite Iustice was offended Secondly because he might be able to beare that wrath of God due for our sinnes and to over come him by suffering death that had the power of death that is the Devill Heb. 2.14 Quest Wherfore was it needfull that he should be Man Answ It was needfull he should be man for these causes First it was man that had sinned therefore that nature that had sinned was to make satisfaction Secondly if he had not beene Man also he could not have suffered death for the Godhead cannot possibly suffer and therefore we say that he was Man that he might suffer and he was also God that he might overcome by suffering Heb. 2.14 Quest Seeing there was such a necessity that he should be Man also as well as God tell me by what meanes he came to be Man Answ He was conceived by the Holy Ghost after a most wonderfull and unspeakeable manner and borne of a Virgin Luke 1.35 Chap. 2.7 Quest Was he conceived and Borne as soone as Man had sinned Answ No but a long time after Man had sinned even in that fullnesse of time that God had appointed Gal. 4.4 Quest How then were the Patriarks and foreFathers saved that lived before the comming of Christ in the flesh Answ They were all saved by the sacrifice of Christ that was to be offered up and to be performed Quest How could that be Answ Because God did accept of it as if it had beene performed for he was that lambe slaine from the beginning of the World Revel 13.8 Quest How could he be slaine seeing at that time he had not assumed Mans nature unto himselfe Answ He is said to be slaine in this respect namely in the decree and Councell of God who had decreed this way and means to worke Mans Redemption and Christ Iesus the second in Trinity did willingly undertake this great worke and thus it was done with God and his Iustice satisfyed for he calleth things that are not as if they were he so accounteth of things not actually done as
nothing Answ But this is more then order in setting it downe in the first place for I say it is required in the first place and the holy Ghost doth not require that first of us which it pleaseth him to worke last but requires that first which he pleaseth first to worke Quest VVhat is your next Reason Answ Because untill we have true Repentance wrought in us we have no right unto any speciall promise for the speciall promises of Grace and Mercy are made only to the Penitent and Broken-hearted and therefore before Repentance they cannot have faith in any of those speciall promises Esay 61.1 2 3. Acts 3.19 Quest VVhat is your next Reason Answ Because no man before he have Repentance truly wrought in him can receive the forgivenesse of his sinnes for Repentance is required that men may have their sinnes done away and therefore forgivenesse of sinnes doth follow Repentance and so consequently Faith doth follow Repentance Acts 2.38 and 3.19 Quest But doth it follow that because Remission of Sinnes doth follow Repentance that therefore Iustifying Faith doth follow Repentance Answ Yes it doth because whosoever is Justified by Faith his Sinnes are forgiven at the same instant but no mans Sinnes are forgiven untill he have true Repentance wrought in him therefore no Man is Justified by Faith before his heart be broken and true Repentance be wrought in him Rom. 5.1 Quest What other reason have you for to prove this point Answ Because whosoever is Justified by Faith is at peace with God Rom. 5.1 But no Man is at peace with God untill he have truly repented therefore no Man is Justified by Faith untill he have truly repented Quest But are not Men first at peace with God and assured of his love and afterwards come to true Repentance for their former Sins Answ No certainly it cannot be for the speciall thing that the party repenting doth seeke for is the pardon of Sinnes and peace with God and to be assured of his love and therefore it cannot be that he doth enjoy peace seeing it is that which above all other things he so earnestly seeketh and desireth Luke 15.18.19 Quest Doth not this seeking of peace with God and desire to be reconciled unto him argue that he doth enjoy peace and that he is reconciled unto God Answ No certainly for the desire of a thing doth argue the want of the thing desired and not the having of it and so this desire of peace doth plainly shew the want of it Quest What is Repentance Answ Repentance is a powerfull worke of Gods Spirit wrought in the hearts of such as shall be saved whereby the heart is broken and turned from the pleasing delights of Sinne into a great feare and sorrow for them and Confession of them unto God and into an exceeding desire of peace and reconcilliation with God Luke 15. Acts 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 Ioel 2.12.13 Heb. 6.1 Proverbs 28.13 Quest Is this Repentance that you have here described of necessity to salvation Answ It is of absolute necessity as Christ himselfe testifieth where he saith except ye repent you shall all perish Luke 13.5 Quest But is it of necessity that all those parts described in the definition of Repentance should be effected before a Man can be capable of the promise Answ This is that constant order which God hath and ever will keepe in effecting this great worke of his to humble them for their Sinnes to cause them to see and to confesse and acknowledge their misery and also earnestly to long and desire after peace and reconcilliation with God which are indeed the very substance and severall parts of Repentance Quest But is not leaving of all knowne evill and doing of all knowne good the parts of Repentance Answ No it is not these are indeed the efects of fruits ever following Faith and commonly called by the names of mortification and vivification which is a dying unto Sinne and a rising to newnesse of life Quest What reason can you give to proove that this is not Repentance Answ Because Repentance must of necessity alwayes goe before Justifying Faith as is formerly proved but this leaving of all evill and doing of Good ever followes after Justifying Faith Quest But it may seeme that if that be repentance which you have described then Iudas had true repentance for he was both sorowfull and also confessed his Sin Answ No he never had that Repentance for then he should have been received to mercy for although he was sorrowfull and confest he had sinned he never attained that broken heart nor he never sought or desired pardon and reconciliation with God for hee knew it was in vaine for he had sinned against the holy Ghost Quest But is not Repentance and Faith wrought both at one and the same instant of time Answ No for Repentance is that worke of the Spirit which prepares the heart and makes it fit to receive the assurance of grace and peace which is by faith and therefore that which is a preparation to a thing must alwaies goe before the thing for which the preparation is made Quest But is there any distance of time betweene Repentance and justifying faith Answ There is not any thing passeth betweene Repentance and Faith for they do not cease repenting and bewailing their lost condition nor seeking and desiring after Grace and mercy untill such time as they be satisfied But where God doth bestow this grace of faith he doth alwaies find them Repentant and repenting sinners Quest VVhat is Justifying faith Answ It is a gracious worke of Gods Spirit wrought in the hearts of such as are penitent whereby they are assured of the free pardon and remission of all their sinnes and of peace and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1.5 Quest VVhy doe you in your definition of Faith adde these words wrought in the hearts of such as are penitent seeing they are not of the definition of Faith Answ I adde those words to shew forth the only objects in whom it pleaseth the Lord to worke this excellent worke of Faith Quest Doth Iustifying faith give assurance to the Penitent and broken heart of peace with God Answ Yes it doth as St. Paul testifieth Romans the fift and the first verse being Justified by Faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ Quest But may not this Faith bee lost at no time after the receiving of it An. It cannot be lost but it may be greatly weakned through carelesnesse by falling into sinne as David did Psal 51. Quest But may they not be deprived of the Assurance of Gods love for a time Answ Yes they may want the comfortable assurance thereof but they have then a promise to rest upon which is That whom the Lord loveth he loveth to the end and therefore David in his extremity said hee remembred the Lords mercies of old Quest But is not the beleeving of a mans sins to be pardonable justifying faith Answ No it
fell upon Mathias and hee was numbred with the eleven Apostles Acts 1.23 24 25 26. Quest When did Christ performe that promise which he made unto them namely that they should be baptised with the holy Ghost Answ At the feast of Pentecost which was within few dayes after his Ascention Acts 2. Quest In what manner was it performed Answ They being all met together in one place there came a found from heaven and filled all the house and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speake with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Acts 2.1 2.3 4. Qu. What happened thereupon Answ Many were amased and wondered at this great worke and others mocking said they were full of new wine Acts 2.12.13 Quest How did the Apostles cleare themselves of that false accusation Answ Peter stood up with the eleven proving that they could not be drunke because it was but the third houre of the day and also that this was but the fulfilling of a promise which the Lord had made by the mouth of the Prophet Ioel Acts 2.16 Ioel 2.28 29. Quest What did the Apostles after they had thus cleared themselves from that false accusation Ans Peter preached unto them the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ telling them that they had taken him and by wicked hands had crucified and slaine him Acts 2.23 Quest What followed thereupon Answ They were pricked in their hearts and cryed out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we doe Acts 2.37 Qu. What counsell did they give them Answ They exhorted them to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes Acts 2.38 Quest What followed upon this exhortation Answ They that gladly received the Word were baptised and the same day there were added to them about three thousand soules and they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of Bread and prayers Acts 2.41 42. Quest What followed upon this great worke wrought upon those men Answ Feare came upon every soule and they that beleeved sold their possessions and parted their goods to all men as every man had need and they had all things common Acts 2.44 45. Quest Were any great workes done by the Apostles Answ Yea many wonders signes and miracles were done by them Acts 5.12 Quest What was the principall end of those miracles Ans God did thereby beare witnesse to their doctrine that it was his which they did preach by giving them power to worke such miracles Heb. 2.4 Quest Were the people moved by those miracles to receive their doctrine Answ Yea very many were moved therewith and wondring at the miracles believed their doctrine and were baptised even as many as were ordained to eternall life Quest Were none moved by their preaching to believe their doctrine but such as were ordained to eternall life Answ Yes certainly such was the power of their ministery that many others believed the truth of their doctrine and were baptised as Simon Magus and doubtlesse divers others which never received the speciall benefit of the Gospell which they preached Acts 8.13 Math. 13. Qu. May such outward Christians be suffered to partake with the faithfull in the holy things of God Answ Yes they may be suffered to partake with them in the outward ordinances the Word and Sacraments untill such time as they appeare to be hipocrites and become offensive to the Church and people of God and then they are to be cast out of the Church by excommunication Qu. Doe those outward Christians rest content with that common worke of grace in them Ans Yes many of them do so long as they live and also conceive themselves to bee in a good estate to be the children of the Free-woman whereas indeed they are children of the Bond-woman others fall away to an open and malicious opposition of the truth of God formerly professed by them Mat. 25. Io. 8.33.39.40 Math. 26.14 15 16. Quest Doe not many of them goe on very far in the profession of the truth Answ Yes doubtlesse many are greatly inlightned by it and receive it with joy and goe on joying and rejoycing in it for a time and doe tast of the heavenly gift and of the powers of the world to come and are made partakers of the holy Ghost and sanctified by the blood of the Covenant Math. 13.20 21. Heb. 6.4 5 6 Heb. 10.29 Quest Is it possible for such to fall away and perish Answ Yes it is possible for such to fall away and to tread under foot the Son of God and to account the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and to despite the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.29 Quest May they be truly said to be sanctified that fall away and perish Answ Yes they may be truly said so to be and are so indeed as the Apostle sheweth Heb. 10.29 Quest Doth not the Apostle there speake of them according as they made shew to be and not as if indeed they were so Answ No certainly for there the Apostle declares unto us what great effects of the Spirit men may be partakers of and yet fall away and perish for ever Quest What is that Sanctification which men may have and yet perish Answ It is an outward washing or cleansing caused by the holy Ghost inlightening the understanding causing them to see the benefit offered in the Gospell by which meanes they come to a liking of it and doe for a time receive it with joy and are in many things conformed to the obedience of the same forsaking many of their evill wayes wherein aforetime they had tooke delight Heb. 6.4 5. Math 13.20 21. 2 Pet. 2.20.21 Quest Are these effects of the Spirit vouchsafed unto them to the end they might be saved Answ No certainly but God doth it to gaine glory unto his name and to leave them without excuse who doe quench that light in them and willingly resist and contemne that grace that is offered in the Gospell 2 Peter 2.21 Quest What is their Sinne which they commit called in the Scripture Answ The sinne against the holy Ghost Math. 12.31 32. Q. Why is it called the sin against the holy Ghost Answ Because it is committed directly against that light evidenced unto their consciences by the holy Ghost Mat. 12.31 32. Heb. 10.26 Quest I pray you give me a briefe definition of that Sinne Answ It is a wilfull opposition and rejection of the Gospell of God after the holy Ghost hath inlightned them and perswaded their hearts of the truth and benefit of the same Heb. 6.4 Heb. 10.26.29 Quest Is it possible to come to know any of them that commit this sinne Answ Yes it is possible else would not the Apostle have told us that there is a sinne which we should not pray for 1 Iohn 5.16 Quest
How doe you know that the Apostle meanes this sinne in that place which hee would not have us pray for Answ Because all other sinnes are pardonable and therefore may be prayed for but this sinne is unpardonable and therefore not to be prayed for Mathew 12.32 Quest How comes it to passe that this sinne above all others should be unpardonable Answ Because the very way and meanes of salvation is despised and rejected after they have received the knowledge of the truth and therefore it is impossible to renew them againe by Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 Quest How doe they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God Answ Even like as the Jewes did reject Christ and crucifie him when hee was with them upon earth so these men doe now reject him and doe crucifie him by their wilfull contempt of him and his sacrifice And as the Jewes did so doe they put him to an open shame and so rejecting that sacrifice which was ordained of God from all eternity to take away sinnes it is impossible their sinnes should be pardoned for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinne Heb. 10.29 Quest Doe men come on a sudden to commit this fearfull sinne Answ No but by degrees for first there is a light esteeme of the Gospell and of the grace offered therein Secondly a looking back to their pleasures past with some liking of them Thirdly a yeelding consent of the will and affections to the flesh for the embracing of them againe and so by little and little returne like the dog to his owne vomit againe and like the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2.22 Quest Doe all the Reprobate commit this sinne Answ No because many of them are never so farre inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and perceive those things which those doe that fall into that sinne Quest Is not their estate more miserable that commit this sinne then others that doe not commit that sinne and yet notwithstanding shall perish for ever Answ Yes certainly for although the estate of others be miserable yet the misery of these shall farre exceed for to whom much hath bin committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest Doe not such as commit this sinne prove dangerous enemies to the Church of God Answ Yes assuredly none greater enemies to the truth and to the people of God then those that once have professed the truth and afterwards have turned from the holy Commandement delivered unto them and therefore they are carefully to be taken heed of and to be avoided 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest What differing effects doth the holy Ghost worke in those that shall be saved from those that commit this horrible sinne Answ The holy Ghost doth worke in them that shall bee saved a farre more excellent worke namely that great worke of regeneration consisting of these two principall effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith Io. 3.5 Quest Are none partakers of these two effects of the Holy Ghost but such as shall be saved Answ Not any one and none that are partakers of those effects of the Spirit can possibly commit that sinne but all others that are onely inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and know the way of salvation are in danger of falling into that sinne Quest What is the best way for such to take to be free from committing that sinne Answ The best way is not to content themselves with that common grace of inlightning onely but to labour to find in themselves those two effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith and to be earnest with the Lord by prayer that he by his Spirit would worke effectually for the breaking their hearts and humbling them that so he may raise them up againe according to his promise and never to give rest unto their soules untill the Lord by his Spirit assure their hearts of peace and reconciliation with him Quest But is not the prayer of all such as are unjustified abominable how can wee therefore hope that God will heare us or grant our requests Answ The prayers of all those that are unjustified are not abominable but only the prayers of such wicked as hate to be reformed and cast the word of God behind them but the prayers of such as desire to bee humbled for their sinnes and to have their hearts broken and brought in subjection to the will of God and earnestly desire to be reconciled and to be at peace with God are not abominable but are pleasing unto God and are many times heard and granted by him Quest But God heareth and granteth the requests of none but for Christs sake and all unjustified men are out of Christ therefore how can it be that God should heare them or that their prayer should be pleasing unto him Answ True it is that all unjustified persons are out of Christ that is are not ingrafted into him by faith And also God heareth and granteth no requests but for Christs sake But yet notwithstanding God doth heare the requests of such as are not actually in Christ for Christs sake for God is mercifull to all his Creatures onely in Christ and many thousands enjoy mercies from the Lord for Christs sake that shall never enjoy salvation by him And therefore though men be not actually justified yet they may pray for Christs sake for the things they stand in need of and bee heard of the Lord and their prayers pleasing and not sinne else would not the Apostle have advised Simon Magus being in the gall of bitternesse to pray that if it were possible the thought of his heart might be forgiven him Gen. 16.13 Chap. 21.16 Acts 8.22 Quest May any one of those that are made partakers of that new birth and ingrafted into Christ fall away and perish Answ No it is not possible for God is unchangeable in his love where hee once loves with that speciall love hee ever loves for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.20 Io. 12.1 Rom. 5.10 Quest But they fall into many sinnes after regeneration and therefore may not God justly cast them off Answ True it is they fall into sinnes after regeneration and if wee looke upon Gods Justice only we cannot say but hee might cast them oft But yet God wil be true in his promise and as he did manifest his mercy and love unto them in their new birth so will be manifest his mercy in preserving them so that although they doe sinne daily yet shall it not condemne them For God doth justifie them through Christs death and if God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8.33.34 Quest Then it seemes that the stedfastnesse of man in Grace consists not in his owne power and strength but in the unchangeable Decree and mercy of God Answ No assuredly