Act and Time only but essential and proper I will raise it up and I have power to take it up To make a difference between Excitabo and Erigam and the meaning to be Christ being excited from the Dead did erect his own Body is to make an hard shift to deny the Divine Power of Christ What though it be said 1 Pet. 3.18 He was quickned by the Spirit and not by his own Spirit as long as the Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.9,11 To make the Resurrection Ascension and Session of Christ at the Right Hand to be only in order to his governing and defending the Faithful and only to belong to his Kingly Office is to speak short of Scripture For 1. He was declared to be the Son of God by the Resurrection from the Dead Rom. 1.4 2. He arose for our Justification Rom. 4.25 being discharged and his Satisfaction accepted 3. For our Sanctification Ephes 2.5 Col. 2.12,13 Chap. 3.1 Rom. 6.4,5,6,8 4. Having conquered Death he arose to raise the Dead 1 Cor. 15.13,14,15,16,21,22 2. Of Christ's Ascension The Ascention of Christ was the Exaltation of his Humane Nature by a Motion or Remove from where he was to where he was not before He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.9 Joh. 16.5.7.28 Chap. 20.17 Act. 3.21 2. The Ends and Reasons of it are 1. That he might be glorified in his Humane Nature as he was Mediator Joh. 17.5 2. That he might lead Captivity captive Ephes 4.8 Col. 2.15 3. To perform that part of his Priestly Office which was to be done in Heaven Heb. 9.24 4. To send the Comforter Joh. 16.7 Act. 2.33 Luk. 24.49 Joh. 7.39 and give Gifts Ephes 4.10 5. That Believers might be justified and more assured of Justification Rom. 8.34 6. That we might be more holy and heavenly Col. 3.1 7. To prepare a place for the Co-heirs Joh. 14.2 who even now possess it in him while they are on Earth as he is an Head a Pledge and Cause of their Glorification Ephes 2.7 Heb. 6.20 Ephes 2.6 Because I live ye shall live also Joh. 14.19 Hence it appears 1. He ascended not into Heaven only for his own personal Glory or for the Government of the Faithful or because it was the place of Immortality and Common-wealth of Saints 2. His glorified Body is not in all places but in Heaven from whence we look for him Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1,4 3. Of Christ's Sitting on the Right Hand of God. 1. The Meaning of this Article of Christian Faith is not to be taken from the word of Posture Sitting for Stephen saw him as standing Act. 7.55 Nor from the Right Hand for properly God hath no Right Hand but from the importance of the whole Phrase which signifies Majesty and Excellency of Honour and Power Gen. 44.13,14 1 King. 1.19 Psal 45.10 Matth. 20.20 Chap. 25.33 of Christ as Mediator 2. The Humane Nature was glorified by Union with the Son of God. The Mediator obscured by his Humiliation was glorified at his Resurrection more at his Ascension most at his sitting on the Right Hand of God. Which denotes 1. A Super-Eminency of Power next to the Father who governeth all things immediately by Christ He was crowned with Glory and Honour Heb. 2.9 Ephes 1.20,21 Phil. 2.9 Heb. 12.2 2. All Creatures are subjected to him 1. Good Angels Col. 2.10 1 Pet. 3.22 2. Evil Angels Heb. 2.14 Col. 2.15 3. All Authority in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 4. The future State of Glory is at his dispose Ephes 1.21 5. The dumb Creatures Heb. 2.8 Psal 8. 6. His Friends Heb. 1.6,7,14 Matth. 28.20 7. His Enemies Psal 110.1 Heb. 1.13 to be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.25,26 Heb. 2.14 3. How happy is this for the Church in order to 1. It s universal Good Ephes 1.22 2. For our Justification and the Comfort of it Rom. 8.34 3. For our Sanctification Col. 3.1,2 4. For our Comfort in Afflictions 1 Pet. 1.11 Rom. 8.17,18 in Necessities Heb. 2.6,7 in Temptations Heb. 2.17,18 and against the Fear of Men Devils and Death 1 Cor. 15.25,26 Heb. 2.14,15 Rev. 1.18 4. Hence it follows that there is no other Head of the Catholick Church Visible or Invisible but he who sitteth on the Right Hand of God Ephes 1.22 Matth. 28.18 He never gave this Power to any Vicar SECT XVIII Of the Application of Redemption 1. THey who affirm Redemption by Christ to be improper and metaphorical give this as the Reason Because there is none to receive the Ransom or Price of Redemption from Christ But consider these Particulars and then judge 1. Christ offered himself to God Ephes 5.2 2. It was for us and our Sins 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Cor. 15.3 Matth. 20.28 3. In dying he did the Will of God Heb. 10.7,9 Joh. 10.18 4. The Effect of this Redemption followed 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are bought c. upon Consideration of it God justifieth Rom. 3.25,26 see 1 Pet. 1.19 The Ransom was paid therefore it was accepted and received the Effect and Benefit followed therefore it was received and God was the Receiver And it is not absurd to say That the Son of God the Second Person as an offended God was satisfied by himself as he was Mediator 2. This Redemption must be applied to us and then we reap the Benefit of it actually when it is applied effectually 3. For the Benefit of it was intended for us to bring us to God and make us one Joh. 17.20,21 4. When we believe it is effectually applied Joh. 3.15,16,18 Mar. 16.16 Joh. 1.12 5. This Application is peculiarly ascribed to the Holy Spirit not excluding the Father and the Son see 1 Cor. 1.9 Joh. 5.25 There is an Order of Working observed in the glorious Trinity After Christ's leaving the World the Holy Ghost was to take the Administration of Christ's Kingdom by Agreement as seems clear from Joh. 16.7,14,15,16 He shall give of mine to you by Application of it to their Benefit 6. The way of this Application is by Union with Christ by which we are invested in his Benefits 1 Joh. 5.12 Vnion with Christ 1. Nothing can be more real than this Union See I pray Joh. 17.21,23 Chap. 14.20 And the real Benefit follows Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.27 It is most excellently set out Joh. 15.1 Ephef 4.15,16 1 Cor. 12.27 Ephes 5.23,30 Chap. 2.20 2. The Terms of this Union are Persons You in me and I in you An Union of Qualities and not of Persons is as irrational as Accidents without Subjects 3. We are not united to Christ by means of our Union as particular Members with the Universal Church for Christ the Head and Saviour is the immediate Object of our Faith therefore by Faith we are immediately united to Christ and that in Order of Nature before we are united to the Church though at the same time And Christ is to every true Believer what he is to the whole Church of Believers an Head
said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place V. 6. Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck V. 7. Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him who is able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared of a Priest and (z) Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Isa 9.6 For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace V. 7. Of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and justice from hence forth even for ever the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this Matth. 21.5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion Behold thy King cometh unto thee meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass Psal 2 8. Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel V. 10. Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye judges of the earth V. 11. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling of a King both in his Estate of †Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross V. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name V. 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth V. 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Humiliation on Earth and Exaltation in Heaven 29. Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Office of a Prophet ‖ Heb. 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets V. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds in revealing to us by his †Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him 1 Pet. 1 10. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you V. 11. Searching what or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signisie when it testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow V. 12. Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into Word and Spirit the * Joh. 15.15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you Will of God for our Salvation ‖ Joh. 20.31 These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you might have life through his Name 30. Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Office of a Priest (a) Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God. V. 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation in his once offering up of himself a (b) Ephes 5 2. And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice and (c) Heb. 2.17 In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Rom. 5.9 Much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him V. 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life reconcile us to God and in making (d) Heb. 7.24 But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood V. 25. Wherefore he is able to save to the utmost those that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them continual Intercession for us 31. Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a King A. Christ executeth the Office of a King (e) Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool V. 2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies V. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth Acts 15.14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a People for his Name V. 15. And to this agree the words of the Prophets as it is written V. 16. After this I will return and build again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and I will build again the ruins thereof and I will set it up in subduing us to himself (f) Isa 33.22 The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us in ruling (g) Isa 32.1 Behold a King shall reign in Righteousness and Princes shall rule in Judgment V. 2. And a Man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest as Rivers of Waters in a dry place as the shadow of a Rock in a weary Land. and defending us (h) 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his feet Psal 110.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath V. 6. He shall judge among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead
bodies he shall wound the heads over many countreys and restraining and conquering all his and our Enemies 32. Christ as our Redeemer did execute these three Offices both in the State of his Humiliation when he was upon Earth and still doth execute them in Heaven in his Exaltation 33. Q. Wherein did Christ's Humiliation consist A. Christ's Humiliation consisted (i) Luke 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. in his being born and that in a low condition (k) Gal. 4.4 And when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law. made under the Law (l) Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. V. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Isa 53.2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry ground he hath no form nor comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him V. 3. He is despised and rejected of men a Man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not undergoing the Miseries of this Life (n) Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross the Wrath of God (m) Luke 22.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Matth. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying ELI ELI LAMASABACHTHANI that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and the cursed Death of the Cross (o) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures in being buried (p) Matt. 2.40 As Jonas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Acts 2.24,25,26,27 31. V. 24. Whom God hath raised having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it V. 25. For David speaketh concerning him I foresaw the Lord always before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved V. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope V. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption V. 31. He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption and continuing under the power of Death for a time 34. Q. Wherein consisteth Christ's Exaltation Christ's Exaltation consisteth in (q) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures his Rising again from the dead on the third day (r) Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God. in ascending up into Heaven (Å¿) Ephes 1.20 Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places in sitting at the right hand of God the Father (t) Acts 1.11 Which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Chap. 17. V. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he shall judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead and in coming to judge the World at the last Day 35. Christ our Mediator wrought Redemption from that State of Sin and Misery into which we fell and purchased a happy State of Life and Salvation for all to whom it is applied 36. Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption Purchased by Christ (u) John 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not V. 12. but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name by the effectual Application of it to us (x) Tit. 3.5 Not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost V. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour by his holy Spirit 37. Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A. The holy Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ (y) Ephes 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise V. 14. Which is an earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out V. 39. And this is the Fathers Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise it again at the last day Ephes 2.8 By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God. by working Faith in us and thereby (z) Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling 38. Q. What is effectual Calling A. Which effectual Calling is the Work of God's Spirit (a) 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Thess 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth V. 14. Whereunto he hath
Sacraments become effectual Means of Salvation not from any virtue in them or in him that doth administer them but only by the Blessing of (Å¿) 1 Pet. 3.20 The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matth. 3.11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shooes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire 1 Cor. 3.6 I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the increase V. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase Christ and the working of his Spirit in them that by Faith receive (t) 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been made all to drink into one spirit them Q. What is a Sacrament 2. A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ wherein by sensible signs Christ and the Benefits of the new Covenant are represented sealed and applied to (u) Gen. 17.7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee V. 10. This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man-child among you shall be circumcised Exod. 12. throughout 1 Cor. 11.23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread V. 26. For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death till he come Believers Q. Which are the Sacraments of the New Testament 3. A. The Sacraments of the New Testament are (x) Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Baptism and the Lord's (y) Matth. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body V. 27. And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it V. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Supper Q. What is Baptism 1. A. Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the Washing of Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy (z) Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them c. Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ and partaking of the Benefits of the Covenant of Grace and our Engagement to be the (a) Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been buptized into Christ have put on Christ Lord's Q. To whom is Baptism to be administred 2. A. Baptism is not to be administred to any that are out of the Visible Church till they profess their Faith in Christ and Obedience to (b) Acts 8.36 And as they went on their way they came to a certain water and the Eunuch said See here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized V. 37. And Philip said If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest And he answered I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost him but the Infants of such as are Members of the Visible Church are to be (c) Acts 2.39 For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are a-far off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Gen. 17.7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee V. 10. This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man child among you shall be circumcised Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ V. 12. Buried with him in baptism wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead 1 Cor. 7.14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children unclean and now they are holy baptized Q. What is the Lord's Supper 1. A. The Lord's Supper is a Sacrament wherein by Giving and Receiving Bread and Wine according to Christ's Appointment his Death is shewed forth and the worthy Receivers are not after a corporal and carnal manner but by Faith made Partakers of his Body and Blood with all his Benefits to their spiritual Nourishment and growth in (d) 1 Cor. 11.23 I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night wherein he was betrayed took bread V. 24. And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me V. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the new testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me V. 26. For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death till he come 1 Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ Grace Q. What is required to the worthy Receiving of the Lord's Supper 2. A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord's Supper That they examine themselves of their Knowledge to discern the Lord's (e) 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. V. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's body Body of their Faith to feed upon (f) 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves
3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Heb. 1.1 1 Thes 2.13 Apocrypha not Scripture 2. The Books called the Apocrypha are neither the Books of Moses nor the Psalms nor the Prophets therefore not Scriptures given by inspiration See Luke 24.4.27.44 nor were they committed to the Church or kept by it as the Oracles of God Rom. 3.1 The Scriptures are a perfect rule 3. The Scriptures are able to make a Man Wise to Salvation and to make the Man of God the Minister of God the New Testament Prophet perfect and throughly furnished to all good Ministerial Works therefore they are a perfect rule for Doctrine Worship and Manners 4. Unwritten Traditions of the Church are not of equal authority nor to be received with the same pious affection with the Holy Scriptures Those Doctrines which were delivered by one teacher to another or by Oral Teaching to the Church are now written 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Thes 2.15 As much as our Lord thought necessary John 20.30 and sufficient 2 Tim. 3.15.16 are writen Our faith is limited to things written Jo. 20.31 2 Pet. 1.19 These traditions pleaded for were not committed to faithful Men nor faithfully kept by Men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost We have enough and our Lord would not leave us too much Joh. 21.25 Had we been bound to believe more more had been written 5. The Holy Scriptures are plain in all things necessary to salvation clear as the Sun to those uses intended by our Lord Ps 19.8 Ps 119.105,131 They are a shining light 2 Pet. 1.19 If they were not clear how could Timothy know them as he did from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 How could the Bereans examine Doctrines by them Acts. 17.11 There are sufficient means to help the unlearned to understand so much as to make them wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Ephes 4.11 to 16. Acts 8.29 to 37. 6. The laity or common People ought to have the free use of the holy Scriptures God spake to all Exod. 20. Deut. 32.46 Chap. 6.1,2,6,7,8 Exod. 24.7 Deut. 31.11,12 The laity are to be saved by faith in Christ and his word and the Scriptures were written to direct and help them Joh. 20.31 All were wont or commanded to search them Joh. 5.39 All are blessed that meditate in them Ps 1.1,2 They are part of the spiritual armour for all Christians Ephes 6.17 Unless we should expect the Priests and the Learned would fight for the laity and save them the trouble of that warfare 7. The translation of the Scriptures is necessary approved of God and ordain'd by him except there should be but one language among Men or that none should believe and be saved but them who understood the Original God spake in a known Tongue so did the Prophets and Apostles and they who did not are reprov'd 1 Cor. 14.9,12,13 c. The Apostles sent to preach to all Nations had the gift of Tongues that every Nation might receive the Gospel in their own language The end of writing is the same with speaking 8. Scriptures translated and copied from the Originals or first writings under the hands of the Scripture-pen-men are the word of God the foundation and rule of Faith. The Scriptures read in the Synagogues and in common use among the Jews were but copies transcribed yet our Saviour refers the Jews to them John. 5.39 The Eunuch had no other Acts 8. nor the Bereans Act. 17.11 The Ephesians were Greeks and probably had the Greek translation and yet they were built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 God being the God of every one who believeth and shall be saved of every Nation as well as of the Jews hath taken care and doth to stir up and fit holy Men tho not infallible as the Prophets and Apostles were for this work and wherein some have failed others have help'd We give a secondary honour to Translations as such but an equal honour to the word of God translated which we give to it in the Original the change of the Language doth not alter the will of God. An Embassy delivered by an Interpreter is the Kings Embassy 9. The best interpreter of the Word is the Holy Spirit Knowledge in Original Languages is necessary to a translator and to Doctors or Teachers for their better teaching But he who hath most of the Holy Spirit doth best understand the mind of the Spirit All have these helps to understand them 1. The Grammar and plain literal sence the scope coherence and continual reading with prayer and comparing hard places with plain help us to understand the Scriptures 2. Universal reason and true with undeceived senses help us to understand many Doctrines See Acts 17.11 1 Cor. 1.13 Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 3.15,16 Luke 24.32 Ephes 1.17,18 10. There is no visible standing infallible Judge of controversies in Faith and Religion And there is no need of any because there is none constituted In a great controversy the Apostles themselves did search the Scriptures and inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost and consented to it Acts 15.15,28 The Holy Ghost is the infallible Judge and he speaks in the word Acts 28.24,25 The Scriptures themselves judge as the Law doth in controversies among Men. There is a ministerial publick judgment for edification Ephes 4 6,7 Rom. 12.6 and a private judgment of discerning given by the holy Spirit to believers without which they could not discern truth from error nor believe nor try the Spirits nor judge of what is spoken to them 1 Cor. 2.15 Phil. 1.10 1 Joh. 4.1,2 1 Cor. 10.15 11. The Holy Scriptures are not mute and dumb Speech and voice are attributed to them and God speaks by them Rom. 3.19 It saith to them that are under the Law Isaias now dead crieth Rom. 9.27 see ver 17. 12. The Scriptures are not a dead letter the Law is so called in opposition to the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.6 yet it killeth and therefore is no dead letter void of power it is the Ministry of condemnation denouncing death against transgressors v. 7. and the Gospel is the power of God therefore no dead letter 13. There is a Divine efficacy and power in the Scriptures in their kind as the means and instruments of Salvation Rom. 1.16 They are able to make a Man wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 And the sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 14. The Scriptures are the word of God Ephes 6.17 by which we understand the written word and not Christ See also Mar. 7.13 compared with Mat. 15.6 15. The Holy Spirit is the principal cause of all the knowledge and wisdom to Salvation which any Man hath Ephes 1.17 What was given by the spirits inspiration is understood by his illumination a natural understanding cannot see 16. The promise of the spirit Joh. 16.13 doth not intimate such a dispensation as is above the Holy use of Scriptures They are given by inspiration and to continue in their use to the end of the World
Acts 7.30,31,33 Not a Created or common Angel but the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 Declared by Christ I am the God of thy Fathers Acts 7.32 The Holy Ghost is also meant by the name Jehovah Is 6.3 called Adonai v. 8. Acts 28.25 As the Prophets were wont to say Thus saith the Lord so the Apostles say Thus saith the Holy Ghost Acts 21.11 'T is true magistrates are called Elohim but they are not Gods by nature for they shall die like Men Ps 82.6,7 But he who is called Jehovah is God by nature and is not mortal like Men. By essential properties 2. The property of unity is attributed to God Deut. 6.4 and these three are one 1 Joh. 5.7 a Text tho wanting in some Copies yet in other Copies and agreeable to the Text Joh. 10.28,29,30 I and the Father are One One in Power therefore One in Being and Essence The Spirit the Water and the Blood agree in one as Witnesses but are not one in Nature but the Father Word and Spirit are One which is more than to agree in One. The Father is One Ephes 4.6 1 Cor. 8.6 Christ is One 1 Cor. 8.6 Ephes 4.6 the Holy Ghost is One 1 Cor. 12.4,11 Ephes 2.18 and these three are One not in Testimony only but in Being 3. They are Eternal From everlasting to everlasting thou art God Ps 92.2 see Is 44.6 ver 4. chap. 48.12 The Father is eternal Rev. 1.4 That Christ the Son is the Alpha and Omega the First and Last and therefore co-eternal with the Father is clear Rev. 1.5,6,7,8 v. 11. chap. 21.6 chap. 22.13 The Holy Ghost is eternal the Mystery of Christ which was kept secret since the World began is made known by the Commandment of the Eternal God Rom. 16.26 Now he who made it known is the Holy Ghost therefore he is the Eternal God Ephes 3.5 He moved Holy Men to speak 2 Pet. 1.19 The Apostles were at his command either to preach Acts. 10.19,20 or not to preach Acts 16.6 Therefore he is God. By essential Operations 3. The immediate and essential difference between God and the Creatures is that he is their Maker and that they are created The Creation of the World is the proper Work of God without Instrument or Co-worker Ps 33.9 for he spake and it was done c Ps 148.5 If there were an instrument that instrument was either infinite or finite not infinite for the infinite is the first cause and the instrument cannot be the first cause nor was it finite for a finite instrument cannot receive power to produce so vast an effect as exceeds its capacity The Son is not the instrument of the Father by whom he made all things nor the Holy Ghost He that made all things is God Heb. 3.4 Gen. 1.1 I am the Lord that spreadeth abroad the World by my self Is 44.24 By my self how not as by an instrument but by no other than my self Or who was with me see Is 45.6,7 This Glorious Work is the Work of the Father 1 Cor. 8.6 Heb. 2.10 of the Son or Word Joh. 1.3,10 Heb. 1.10 Col. 1.16 and of the Holy Ghost Job 26.13 By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his Hand hath formed the crooked serpent or that constellation in the milky way like a Serpent Certainly Job was not mistaken in his Creator He said the Spirit of God hath made me and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me life Job 33.6 There is an order of Creating and producing all things observed by the Father Son and Holy Ghost but the one is not the instrument of the other they are one infinite first cause therefore one God. See and take notice of the three Persons together Ps 33.6 By the word the eternal essential word the Son of Jehovah were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the breath or Spirit of his Mouth the Holy Ghost And he by whom and through whom and to whom are all things is one God to whom be glory for ever Rom. 11.36 Objections closely answer'd Before I conclude I will lay down some truths which contain the answers to several objections or corrupt expositions contrary to this Doctrine 1. God is one indivisible essence therefore there can be no participation of it therefore Christ is not the Son of God by participation of some degree of the God-head or in some respect God is called the God of Gods Magistrates are called Gods Ps 50. 1. Ps 82. But no where called Jehovah nor said to create the World by him Kings Reign Prov. 8.15 therefore they are not as much God as he is 2. Christ affirmed I and the Father are one Joh. 10.30 that he did the work of God v. 37. That the Father was in him 38. which is more than that he was sanctified and sent into the World. He was Man but more than Man. 3. We do not say that the Son and Holy Ghost are God meerly because they are joined with the Father in the form of Baptism But farther 1. We are Baptized into the Name of God as God in Covenant 2. When meer Creatures are joined with God the difference between God and them is made known but here the Son and Holy Ghost are joined with the Father as our God and superiors An order is declared but no inferiority 3. Moses was a typical mediator in the Covenant with Israel but they were in Covenant with God as the superior party who was the Lawgiver by the Ministry and hand of Moses But Christ is both a Mediator and God in Covenant Of the practical use of this Doctrine of the Trinity I shall speak Part III. Chap. I. SECT IV. Of the Decrees of God. NOthing can be objected against the Decrees of God but what reflects upon his counsel and right to dispose of his Creatures He worketh all things according to the Counsel of his own will Ephes 1.11 Angels and Men had no more of their own than the meanest of Creatures therefore it is meet that they should be as subject to the will of God as any other of his Creatures There is no repugnance between the Decrees of God and his revealed Will and the judgment to come As his Laws so are his Decrees Holy Wise Righteous Stable and Certain The execution of his Decrees is the best exposition of them God is not the Author of Sin nor a mover to Sin nor a forcer of Mans will. In the last judgment we shall see that the Blessed of the Father were first elected to eternal Life and that it was of Grace before the foundation of the World Ephes 1.4,5 2 Tim. 1.9 and that the rest are condemned as Workers of Iniquity Mat. 25. ult and for iniquity SECT V. Of the Creation of Man. 1. BY the renovation of the Image of God we understand what it was before it was lost Ephes 4.24 Col. 3.10 It did not consist only or principally in Dominion over the Creatures Had not Man been Wise Holy
What he was before he took the Nature of Man and who he was see before ver 9 c. 2. He took a true Body and reasonable Soul compleat humane Nature 1. A Body Heb. 10.5 The words inform us of a Covenant between the Father and the Son as two distinct Persons and what each one was to do As the Father was in Being before this Body was prepared so was the Son before he came to do his Will in that Body and so was the Holy Ghost by whom this Body was conceived The Father was to prepare a Body for his Son which was prepared by the Holy Ghost and assumed by the Son. 3. This Body was a true Body not a phantasm or a Celestial Body passing through the Body of the Virgin like lightning through the Air or Water through a Chanel but a substantial humane Body with Flesh and Blood for Sacrifice Heb. 10.10 Heb. 2.14 Luke 24.39 4. There was a reasonable Soul in this Body the Divine Nature was not instead of a Soul to him he had a true reasonable Soul Understanding Luke 2.4 Willing chap. 22.42 Sorrowing Mat. 26.38 and so he was a Man approved of God Acts 2.22 the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 He was conceived by the Holy Ghost 1. The Conception of the Holy thing was wonderful 1. In respect of the cause the Holy Ghost 2. In respect of the Mother a Virgin 3. In respect of the purity without Sin. 4. in respect of the ends of it both immediate and remote 2. The Operation of the Holy Ghost with the concurrence of the Father and the Son was his forming or creating the Body of Christ of her Blood or natural matter in her Womb. That which is conceived in Her Mat. 1.20 He was made of a Woman Gal. 4.4 The Operation of the Holy Ghost was not upon the Divine Nature or Person of the Son but altogether upon the Virgins Womb causing her to conceive a true substantial Body with a Soul created in it and both prepared for Union with the second Person who took the humane Nature so Conceived into personal Union with himself That which this nature received from the Son was personality or to be one Person with him The Holy Virgin was active and passive in this Conception Thou shalt Conceive in thy Womb c Luke 1.31 and that which is Conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1.20 3. Yet the relation continued between the Father and the Son the Son was the Son of the Father and not of the Holy Ghost 4. The manner of this Conception is so express'd as to denote a mighty secret Operation of the Holy Ghost upon the Virgin. See Luke 1.35 like the influence of the Spirit in the first Creation Gen. 1.2 or alluding to Ruth 3.9 He was Born c. 1. After the Virgin had miraculously Conceived she grew with Child Luke 2.5 was found with Child Mat. 1.18 and at full time was Born of her Luke 1.35 chap. 2.7 Mat. 2.1 Certain signs of the reality of the humane Nature that Mary was a Natural Mother tho not in a natural way and not a Spiritual Mother by Faith that the Body came not down from Heaven or was made out of the Womb and not formed in her Womb of her Nature and Substance as some have imagined He is said to come down from Heaven as God condescending to be our Mediator and as Mediator in respect of his Mission and Authority And why Our Mediator is God and Man in one Person that he might be a middle person and so mediate between God and Man he was Man that he might obey and die that the promises made to Adam Abraham David might be fulfilled Gen. 3.15 Gal. 3.16 Acts 2.30 Rom. 1.4 and with respect to all the Children Heb. 2.14 He must be Born without Sin a Holy thing that he might be a Priest and Sacrifice He was God-Man that he might satisfy and merit by his obedience and sufferings SECT XIII Of the Prophetical Office of Christ 1. OUr Saviour declared the Father 1. as the Brightness of his Glory Heb. 1.3 Joh. 14.9 2. As a Prophet foretold Acts 3.24,25,26 2. This great Prophet teacheth outwardly by his word and Ministers and inwardly by his Spirit and this is effectual to Salvation Christ both preached and gave repentance which is Gods prerogative See Acts 3.26 2. Tim. 2.25 He at once opened the Heart and the Scriptures Luke 24.32,45 He so Preached as to heal the broken in Heart c. which are Works proper to God Luke 4.18 Ps 146.7 Ps 147.3 3. Christ as Mediator doth act in subordination to his Father yet not as if he were but Man only instructed by God and to that end taken up to Heaven in the space of the forty days temptation to receive Revelations from him nor as if he were but God only by deputation as they say He is a Prophet as God-Man Joh. 1.18 The only begotten Son hath declared him Even while he was upon Earth as Man he was in the Bosom of the Father as God as one essentially with him and intimate in all his thoughts He was greater than John Baptist who was greater than the Prophets he was full of grace therefore God Joh. 1.15 1 Pet. 5.10 4. He is a Prophet still for the Gospel is his Gospel Rom. 1.16 and ver 9. He by his Spirit enlightneth our Minds Ephes 1.17 and so the Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation 2 Tim 3.15 5. Christ is not only the Mediator of the New Testament because he declares or makes the Covenant in the Name of God Heb. 8.6 He as a Prophet or an Apostle and Embassador doth deal with Men teaching and perswading them but so that he is also the High-Priest of our profession or Covenant-agreement with God and so he is a surety of the Covenant engaging himself to make good Gods promises to us and our obligations to God Heb. 7.22 He acteth between both for both 6. As a Prophet he was sent of God and was known by this Title or Periphrasis He that was to come Luke 7.19,20 And two things are to be noted of him 1. His quality as the Son of God Joh. 3.17,18 and as related to Man as the Son of Man and so he received the Spirit not by measure Joh. 3.34 It abode upon him 2. His Mission or Sending with command to honour him Joh. 3.17 chap. 5.24 As God he could not come nor descend but he who was God came His Original was from Heaven as God and he was in Heaven as God and his Commission and Authority to do the Office of a Mediator was from Heaven or from God Joh. 7.29 chap. 8.42 chap. 3.34 He could not be in Heaven as Man while he was upon Earth nor till he ascended His coming and descending denotes to us 1. The condescention 2. The Authority and Commission of Christ SECT XIV Of Christ's Priestly Office. 1. CHrist is truly and properly a
the Law were Sons but in minority under Tutors c Gal. 4.4 yet they had the free Spirit Ps 51.12 They with their fear had boldness and we have fear with our boldness and liberty Phil. 2.13 Heb. 4.16 And Sanctified 1. To Sanctify is to make Holy. 2. We abhorr that slander That because we are justified by imputed Righteousness therefore we may take licence to sin We say a justified Man is Sanctified and must be so 1 Cor. 6.11 2. Imputed Sanctification 1. Cor. 1.30 doth not excuse from inherent 3. A shew of sanctity is but hypocrisie 4. We teach as the Apostle did Heb. 12.14 and derive holiness from its proper causes Rom. 6.1,2 Rom. 3.31 1 Pet. 2.24 Gal. 5.6 Tit. 2.14 3. To believe in the first notion of it is not all one as to obey obedience is necessary to Faith. They who obey are true believers and they who obey not are hypocrites Rom. 10.15 Heb. 5.9 James 2.14 c. 4. Sanctification is the Work of God the Father Jude 1. of Christ Joh. 15.24 of the Holy Ghost 2 Thes 2.13 We can no more regenerate or sanctify our selves than we can justify our selves 5. The Righteousness of justification is perfect Rom. 8.1 of Sanctification imperfect therefore we need continued justification and forgiveness 6. Justification is a change of State Sanctification of Nature it is total in respect of parts but not compleat in degrees we are growing but not grown perfect 7. In our Conversion we turn from Sin and Creatures to God in our Sanctification we die to Sin and live to God to which we are enabled by virtue of our Union with Christ Rom. 6.3 chap. 8.10 and by his spirit dwelling in us Rom. 8.13 Rom. 6.5,6.11 1 Cor. 6.11 1 Pet. 1.2 and by growing in some graces we grow in all and inward graces are encreased by outward Ordinances threatnings promises afflictions temptations and mercies sanctified 8. Regenerate Saints have Sin in them abiding tho' they have the spirit Gal. 5.16,17,18 1 Joh. 1.8 chap. 2.1 James 3.2 and sin actually 1 Kings 8.46 Peter sinned in denying Christ and after he was again converted Gal. 2.11 Obj. He that is born of God sinneth not 1 Joh. 3.4 Answ No not as he who is of the Devil and not born of God v. 8. and he purifieth himself v. 3. Obj. I am able to do all things therefore to live without sin Phil. 4.13 Answ All have not Paul's Grace and Power 2. Paul himself in his regenerate state was not free from Sin Rom. 7.16,17,18,22,25 3. All things i. e. Evangelically not Legally 4. All things that is Want and Abound Obj. We pray Thy Will be done c. nothing more agreeable to it than perfection and if we ask we shall receive 1 Joh. 5.14 Answ We are not taught to Pray for perfection in this Life for it is no where promised We are sincerely to wish and endeavour it SECT XX. Assurance of God's Love. 1. SUch an assurance of Gods Love and the fruits of it as overcomes fears and doubts is attainable in this Life and is no vain confidence See 2 Pet. 1.10 In it observe 1. The exhortation is made to believers in general 2. The diligence is the means of attaining it 3. Effectual Calling may be known and made sure 4. He that is sure of his Effectual Calling is sure of his Election See also 1 Thes 1.3,4 to ver 7. 2 Thes 2.13,14 Heb. 6.9,10 2. Assurance is ordinarily gathered by spiritual sanctified Reason and Divine Testimony thus he that is called is elected The spirit delivers and testifies that truth But I am called this is true by experience and spiritual sence of the Work of God upon us and the truth of grace therefore I am elected this is the conclusion and there is an assurance of all three propositions 3. The ordinary reasons why so many want it are 1. Because some look upon it as too high for them 2. or use not diligence or 3. know not how to gather it or 4. doubt of the truth of their graces or 5. want holy confidence in drawing the conclusion therefore I am elected Peace of Conscience 1. Peace of Conscience is the tranquility of it or rest from the terrors of the Law and threatnings of wrath Having it we undergo troubles and afflictions we submit to God serve him and wait for eternal Life 2. It proceeds from peace with God Rom. 5.1 and is Gods gift Rom. 15.13 3. It is often broken by temptations omissions of duty and commission of Sin. But the soundation and Bond of it a bides strong on Gods side and it is regained by renewing Faith Repentance Watchfulness and Obedience Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 1. Spiritual joy is the happy flourishing state of a true believer It is the fruit of the spirit Gal. 5.22 a gift of God Rom. 15.13 2. It springs from Faith in Christ 1 Pet. 1.8 and hope of Glory Rom. 5.2 3. The objects of it are God in Christ Rom. 5.11 Phil. 4.4 4. 'T is accompanied with Righteousness and peace Rom. 14.17 5. 'T is consistent with godly Sorrow Mat. 5.4 and sympathy with mourners Rom. 12.15 6. It is strongest in sufferings 1 Pet. 4.13 Rom. 5.3 and after hard services Acts 5.41 7. There is no hope of it to the impenitent Ps 51.8 Luke 13.5 8. It is allayed in believers with fear Ps 2.11 and sorrow Rom. 12.14 Encrease of Grace Growth in Grace is promised Prov. 4.18 Ps 1.3 It grows by abiding in Christ John 15.4,5 and a diligent use of Ordinances Ephes 4.11,12,13 and exercise of Grace Phil. 4.8 2 Pet. 1.2,4 to 10. Encrease is promised here but perfection is reserv'd for Heaven Perseverance 1. If Perseverance in Grace were not certain none could be saved 2. It depends not upon the strength of inherent Grace but upon Gods Will. 1. Election is to salvation 2 Thes 2.13 2. Calling is to Glory 1 Thes 2.12 1 Pet. 1.3,4 3. The promise goes home to the end John 3.15,16 and faith looks for it Heb. 11.1 4. The Covenant is firm between the Father and the Son Is 53.11 accordingly Christ perform'd his part Heb. 2.10 chap. 12.2 John 17.15 Heb. 7.25 and to the true Believer Heb. 10.14,15,16,17,23 Tit. 1.2 5. They have the spirit to abide Joh. 14.16 an earnest 2 Cor. 1.22 and Seal Ephes 4.30 6. They believe and hope to the end Heb. 10.39 1 Pet. 1.9 Rom. 5.2 7. They continue running and pressing 2 Tim. 4.8 Philip. 3.15 8. They are kept to salvation 1 Pet. 1.4,5 These are comforts to the diligent and sincere Hypocrites and Apostates have no part in them 2 Pet. 1.5 to 10. SECT XXI The Souls of Believers are happy at their Death 1. THe existence and immortality of the Soul was proved before 2. The destruction of the Soul is not of the substance but the punishment of Hell Luke 12.5 They who die in the Lord are Blessed Rev. 14.13 and shall be with him Phâ—l 1.23 for
in the practice of several duties CHAP. I. Of the practical use of the Doctrine of the Trinity and improvement of Baptism 1. IT is matter of sad consideration to see the ignorance infidelity formality and loosness of Baptized Christians who live liker unbaptized Heathens than Christians Some of the causes of this ungodliness are 1. Some make no more account of Baptism than of a Ceremony and others ascribe too great a virtue to the very act or work of Baptizing And generally there is much curiosity and expence in preparing for entertainments where there is little sense of what is to be done in the holy solemnity of Baptism by prayer humiliation and faith 2. The neglect or negligent cold imperfect way of early and holy education of Baptized Infants 3. The not improving of our Baptism when we are grown up for graces assistances privileges comforts and engagements to God as if the Laver of Regeneration were a Fountain dried up or no more to be used than while we are first washed 2. I have said before that the doctrine of the Trinity is a fundamental practical doctrine to be explained to all and known of all because we are all Baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost I am limited to a very short discourse and therefore must say as much in little as I can in the following points In the form of Baptism Mat. 28.19 we have two things 1. A commission to teach and Baptize 2. A direction with commandment to Baptize in the Name or into the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Here observe 1. The Author or the Lord who gave this Commission and Command the Lord Jesus ver 18.2 The parties 1. The Minister employed and his office to teach the Gospel or Covenant of grace and to Baptize with Water 2. The principal parties between whom he deales and officiates in this solemn Act. 1. God the most high and gracious God making and declaring a Covenant of grace and taking sinful and undone Man into it 2. Man graciously taken into Covenant and dutifully accepting of and submitting to the grace of God declared in that Covenant according to the terms and constitution or Laws thereof 3. To Baptize with Water is a Ministerial Act between God and the party Baptized By it God doth graciously admit and receive a guilty polluted Sinner to himself in Covenant and the poor polluted Sinner doth consent and submit to God upon Covenant terms and Baptizing with Water is an outward visible Sign and Seal by which God doth signify his grace and bind himself as God in Covenant to perform his gracious promises and the party Baptized doth declare and signify his humble acceptation of and sincere consent to the Covenant of grace and binds himself to perform what God requireth of him 4. This is done in the Name or into the name of the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Where God doth more fully and clearly and distinctly declare himself than ever he did to Abraham or any of his Covenant People before at least together and at one time 5. According to this declaration of himself as God the everlasting and Almighty by which name he took Abraham into Covenant Gen. 17.1 the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost he taketh his people for his own and they take him for their God. 6. And so we are related to God as Father Son and Holy Ghost and have a right to him as Father as he hath to us as Children and to him as Son of the Father and what the Son hath done for us as he hath a right to us as Children and Brethren Heb. 2.11,12,13,14 And we have a right as well as relation to God the Holy Ghost and to what he doth as he hath a right to us to teach lead sanctify and dwell in us We have God engaged to us and we are engaged and oblig'd to God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost as such 7. As God said I am the Lord thy God thou shalt have no other Gods but me binding his Covenant People to himself in which this positive duty is implied Thou shalt have me for thy God so here in our Baptism we are engaged to have God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost for our God to have him is both our duty and happiness 8. Therefore we must not take up and satisfy our selves with the knowledge and faith of God in general That God is or that God is one the Creator and Governour of all things but must enlarge our knowledge and faith into the mystery of God Col. 2.2 the Father Son and Holy Ghost and into the marvellous Works of Redemption Sanctification and Salvation in which the grace of the Father Son and Holy Ghost doth gloriously appear 9. God descending to us in Covenant and exalting us to be his People is the highest object of our knowledge faith fear love desire delight hope and trust We must honour and worship him own and obey him according to this revelation as Father Son and Holy Ghost And now I come to shew you that this Doctrine of the Trinity or three Persons in the God-head is a practical Doctrine as well as fundamental and to be known and believed of all Christians and then the practical improvement of Baptism 1. Let us take this Mystery as it is revealed to us 2. And because it is revealed to us we ought not to be terrified from a humble search into it It is plain 1. That Father Son and Holy Ghost are one God and that one God in Covenant 2. Father Son and Holy Ghost are severally Named 3. Therefore there is a relation of the one to the other and a distinction between them 4. There is an order but no inequality in Essence for we are to honour and obey the one equally with the other 5. No doubt but this is for his Glory that he hath thus declared himself and for the good of his People and what we cannot now understand we shall understand in Heaven 1 Cor. 13.10 6. Every Baptized Person must hold fast the faith and profession of the Trinity of Persons in the same indivisible Essence and God-head for every Person is declared to be our God to have a right to us and we are devoted to them as one God and three Persons 7. What is briesly summ'd up in this form of Baptism is more particularly explained in Scripture and more distinctly in the New Testament therefore we ought to enquire into the Scriptures into the common and also distinct acts and Operations ascribed to God as one and to each one of the most Glorious Persons 8. In these words we have the foundation object rule and measure of our holy Faith comprehended Our Faith is sounded upon God he is the highest Object of it Our Faith must follow the Order laid down the Father is the First Person the Son the Second and the Holy Ghost the Third and the Order of Acts and Operations follows according to the Order of Subsistence the Father doth all through the Son by the Spirit by
the Spirit we come and believe in the Son and through him we come to the Father The Relation of the Three is double 1. To one another The Father is related to the Son as a Father and the Son to the Father as a Son and both to the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost to both as the Spirit of the Father and the Sun. 2. To us who are baptized He is a Father Son and Holy Ghost to us that take him for our God. From these Names of Father Son and Holy Ghost we come to have right Notions of God as God of Grace Love Authority and Power and of our own Relation and Obligation to him for all Grace and Mercy and our Dependance on him and Obedience to him as Children Lastly Here is the true Measure of our Faith concerning God Our Faith is defective and unsound if we do not believe in one God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost The Knowledge of this great Mystery is very necessary and of great use to us 1. In respect of our Faith and Life of Faith. 2. To direct us in our right worshipping of God. 3. In our universal new Obedience And indeed the Mystery of the Incarnation and the whole of our Redemption and Salvation doth spring from the Mystery of the Trinity 1. We must exercise Faith in God the Father Joh. 5.24 And believeth on him that sent me Joh. 14.1 as the Fountain of Grace Father of Mercies Eph. 1.2,3 2 Cor. 1.3 as teaching and drawing to Christ Joh. 6.44,45 loving us Joh. 16.27 as the Father of Christ and our Father Joh. 20.17 2. We must exercise Faith in Christ Joh. 14.1 Believe also in me as the only Begotten of the Father Joh. 20.31 as the Way to the Father Joh. 14.6 as having Eternal Life in him 1 Joh. 5.11,12 It is an Observation of great moment that the Mediatory Offices of Christ are grounded upon and have their Efficacy from the Sonship of the Second Person The Son took our Nature and was consecrated to be our High Priest Heb. 7.28 The Son is our all-wise and mighty Prophet Matth. 17.5 and our King Psal 2.6,7 Heb. 2.1,8 The Son hath all Power and Authority with the Father and therefore we may draw near to him with Faith and Confidence of Acceptation and Prevailing 3 We must believe in the Holy Ghost We cannot believe in the Father and the Son except we believe in the Holy Ghost His Wisdom and his Power is the Wisdom and Power of God 1 Cor. 2.4,5 We cannot believe the Scripture except we believe in him by whose Inspiration the Scriptures were spoken and written 2 Pet. 1.21 Our Faith doth depend upon his Testimony 1 Joh. 5.6 He is a Witness both in Heaven and Earth Ver. 7,8 We believe in him as a Witness a Teacher a Comforter Joh. 14.26 2. We cannot worship God In Spirit acceptably except we believe in the Father the Son and Holy Ghost That one Text is of singular use to Believers Ephes 2.18 For through him i. e. Christ the Mediator we have access by one Spirit i. e. the Holy Ghost unto the Father And thus we worship the Father Ephes 3.14 Joh. 4.24 the Son Heb. 1.6 Joh. 5.23 Phil. 2.6,11 and the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 Prayer is made to the Holy Ghost as well as to the Father and the Son Sometimes Prayer hath been made to one Ephes 3.14 sometimes to another Acts 7.59 sometimes to two 1 Thess 3.11,13 and sometimes the three are named 2 Cor. 13.14 But when one is only named the other are not excluded What need have we to be renewed in the Spirit of our Minds that we may have divine and spiritual Thoughts and Conceptions of God in our Approaches to him 3. Universal Obedience and Service is to be performed to the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Matth. 1.6 Compare 2 Cor 6.18 with 2 Cor. 7.1 Whosoever shall do the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Matth. 12.50 The Son must be honoured and obeyed Joh. 5.23 Matth. 17.5 Heb. 5.9 2 Cor. 5.14,15 And the Holy Ghost is to be served and obeyed Rom. 8. from 9. to 15. We must obey his Motions Teachings Reproofs Convictions and Commands So much of the first Head Now of the second We are enabled by the Spirit accepted through the Son with the Father 2. The Improvement of our Baptism Consider two things 1. All Persons baptized are bound to improve their Baptism for their own Good and Glory of God. 2. Parents ought to improve it for their Children And then I shall shew in what Particulars and how this Improvement and Advantage of Baptism is to be made 1. Baptism is a Bond made between God and us As by Circumcision the Jews were bound to observe the whole Law though it was an Ordinance given before the Law Gal. 5.3 Gen. 12.7,10 to 13. so Christians are Debtors to Christ to observe all things commanded by him Matth. 28.20 Abraham was bound for himself to walk before God c. Gen. 17.1 And he was eminently faithful and sincere in performance of his Covenant-Bond and Duty towards his Household Gen. 18.19 as was David also 1 Chron. 28.9 yea all Israel were strictly commanded to teach their Children Deut. 6.7 and so are Christian-Parents Ephes 6.4 2. All Persons are bound for themselves when grown up to Years of Understanding to remember this Bond and Covenant solemnly entred with God. Though they have neglected the Duties required and have not humbly claimed the Privileges of a Covenant-People yet the Bond is a perpetual Bond and the Transgression of it will be charged upon them to their sorer Condemnation if they repent not I say all baptized Persons are obliged to God and must remember their Covenant whether they be 1. Unconverted Or 2. Converted and called 1. All unconverted Sinners are obliged to God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost and therefore to serve and honour God as a redeemed holy People and therefore to turn from the Service of Sin and their Enemies to serve the living and true God c. 1 Thess 1.9,10 Consider 1. You have the means of Grace and Salvation in some measure the design and end of all which is to bring â—ou to God. You are not in darkness as Pagans are Though all of you may not have the Light of the Gospel shining gloriously in an able zealous Ministery the want and scarcity of which is a great hindrance and loss to Souls yet you have the Scriptures which are able to make you wise to Salvation c. 2 Tim. 3.15,16 When the Teachers of the Jews were deeply corrupted it was a great benefit to have the Scriptures Joh. 5.39 And if Ministers are negligent yet Parents are bound to train up their Children Eph. 6.4 The very reading of the Scriptures is profitable
to Salvation Act. 8.28 c. 2. They who attend upon the Means of Salvation are instructed reproved warned and checked Conscience is met with one time or other and who is so dead and senseless that never found in himself a necessity of becoming a new Man And then how might the Consideration of their being baptized of the nature and obligation of Baptism work them towards Conversion and Reformation Reasoning thus with themselves 1. I am not mine own but God's I am dedicated and joined to him by Covenant It is both my Glory and my Duty to be the Lord's Shall I who am related to the most high God as a Child turn to be a Child of the Devil Shall I who am redeemed with precious Blood sell my self to Sin and become a Slave Shall I who am baptized into the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Sanctification defile my self and drown my self in the mire of Sin The Sons of God are lead by the Spirit of God Rom. 8.14 Am I God's or am I not If not What Oh what will become of me for ever 2. I am washed with Water and I must be washed with Blood and Regeneration or else I cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.3,5 Nothing that defileth shall enter therein Rev. 21.27 Oh wash me throughly and cleanse me from my Sin Psal 51.2 3. When you are convinced of the necessity of Regeneration improve your Baptism towards it Say then 1. I am baptized into the Father who is the Father of Mercies and God of all Grace who teacheth calleth draweth and meeteth returning Prodigals O Father of Mercies make me a Child Oh draw me call me meet me receive me Thou art my God by Covenant thy Sign and Seal is upon me Oh forsake me not but put thy Spirit within me 2. I am baptized into the Name of Jesus who came into the World to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Matth. 1.21 Tit. 2.14 Oh redeem me by thy Power from this Bondage from Sin Satan and the evil World Oh wash me by the Merits and Efficacy of thy Blood 1 Joh. 1.7 Oh bring me home a Stray-Sheep Seek me and save me Be thou my Peace and my Advocate 3. I am baptized into the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Light Wisdom Life Sanctification and Holiness Oh make me a new Creature wash me according to thy Grace and Power Joh. 3.5 Tit. 3.5 2 Thess 2.13 Baptize me with thy Baptism and I shall be a new Man and clean in thy sight 2. Let all such as are regenerate and called remember their Baptism 1. By way of Thankfulness and Praise to the Father Son and Holy Ghost for Grace and Love that God is their God and that they are his People that they have obtained Mercy They may go so high as Election and praise God as the Apostle doth Ephes 1.3 to 8. 1 Thes 1.2,3,4 How happy are you in such a Father such a Saviour such a Comforter and that you are under Grace and made safe by Covenant 2. Improve Baptism for Grace and Growth in Grace and Holiness 1. Because you are separated to God as an holy God and are joined in Covenant and therefore are not Debtors to the Flesh to live after the Flesh Rom. 8.12 We are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 and joined to the Lord and therefore are one Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 one Mind one Will one Aim one Way and End. 2. Because you are crucified with Christ therefore we should be holy see Rom. 6.6 Gal. 2.20 Chap. 5.24 Chap. 6.14 By virtue of our Union with Christ we must go on to mortifie Sin Rom. 6.3 and live to God Rom. 6. from 4. to 13. By this we have great and effectual Assistance and are under the strongest Engagements to Holiness 3. Improve your Baptism for Privileges which are exceeding great and high As 1. Apply it for your Acceptation with God Ephes 1.6 Though we are vile and hateful in our selves yet we are beloved of the Father accepted in the beloved Son and sanctified by the Spirit 2. Apply it for Justification and Reconciliation The Father will not condemn them for whom his Son died The Father will not be wroth with them that believe and are in him in whom he is well pleased The Terrour of Condemnation is taken off by the Holy Ghost the Comforter 3. Apply it for Adoption and the Privileges and Comforts of it Joh. 1.12 Gal. 4.6 Adopted Children have the Spirit of Adoption and the Earnest of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 Ephes 1.13 Chap. 4.30 and all things with Christ Rom. 8.32 4. Improve it for Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 1 Cor. 1.9 What may not a Child have that is fit and good for him from a Father and such a Father as Ephes 1.3 that comes to him in his Son's Name and hath the Son to be an Advocate for him and the Spirit to make Intercession in him See Joh. 16.26,27 1 Joh. 2.1 Rom. 8.26 You may be bold for a Child's Portion in Covenant that have the Heart and Spirit of a Child 4. Improve your Baptismal Relation to the Father the Son and Holy Ghost for Assurance The great Promise is that God will be our God All-sufficient for all things and all times What Circumcision was Baptism is See Rom. 4.11 Col. 2.11,12 Say then you have the Seal of God added to his Promise Oh shew it and plead it for Confirmation and Assurance of Pardon Act. 2.38 Chap. 22.14 and all other Blessings 5. Improve Baptism for your Continuance and Constancy in Duty and Obedience against all Temptations to Apostacy Make quick Denials to the Importunities of the Flesh World and Devil Say What have I to do with thee Satan Get thee hence I am baptized I am delivered and redeemed from thee and sworn in Covenant against thee I am a Soldier of Christ in his Name by his Authority and Power I will resist thee I will not turn away from Christ nor be treacherous to him and mine own Soul c. Say to the World I am crucified to thee what have I to do with thee The Lord is my Portion Go tempt and allure them that know thee not and that have their Treasure upon Earth I am dead to thee But Lord there is none in Heaven but thee and none upon Earth besides thee c. Psal 73.25 Say to the Flesh I am redeemed I am joined to the Lord Shall I take the Members of Christ and make them Members of an Harlot God forbid How shall I serve sin that am freed from it To this End Remember 1. To whom thou art engaged Thou art married in Covenant to the Lord thou art to honour thy Father in Heaven who is better than all above all thou art a redeemed Servant and Member of Christ thou art related and engaged to the Holy Spirit 2. Remember the nature of thy Obligation it is a solemn Covenant an Engagement of the highest nature 3. It is a Pre-engagement thou art promised to God
first and wilt not be false 4. It is an unspeakable Mercy Honour and Blessing to be Sons and Daughters in Covenant with God Will you forfeit it 5. Your present and future Happiness depends upon your observing loving honouring serving God and walking before him 6. God will judge you by his Son Christ in the last Day And what will he do to them in that Day who are ashamed of him now Oh! re-turn and repent ye Revolters Lastly Improve your Baptismal Relation and Covenant by Mediation by Prayer by Thanksgiving by Communion at his Table and all by Faith with Love and Reverence Let it not be a small thing in your Eyes to be the Sons and Daughters of the Almighty God who is a great King. Secondly Improve your Baptism for others Parents for your Children 1. Before they are baptized 2. After they are baptized 1. Before From the Water of Baptism learn and lay to heart gross Pollution and Corruption such as no Soap or Nitre no Tears or Blood or Righteousness of our own could purge away 2. Bless God heartily for the Blood of Jesus and the Sanctification of the Spirit 3. See the Necessity and Benefit thereof 4. And then address your selves to God as Father Son and Holy Ghost for your Seed 1. Beg that the Infant may be taken into the Covenant of Grace with you 2. That the Child may ever continue under the Grace and in the Duty of the Covenant 3. Pray for the inward Grace and rest not in the outward Privilege To that end 1. Be sensible of the sinful Defilement Death and Misery of the Infant by Nature Humble your Souls in the Sight of God under the Consideration of it 2. Look unto the Promise or free Covenant of Grace and the part that Infants have in it Act. 2.39 and the Grace expressed by Christ to Infants Mar. 10.13 c. 3. Exercise Faith in the free Grace and Love of the Father the Love and Redemption of the Son the Grace and Power of the Holy Ghost 4. Do not look upon Baptism as an empty Sign but as an Ordinance of God established by a Word of Command and Promise for great Ends and of great Efficacy to those Ends by the Operation of the Spirit It is not a Sign of nothing nor a Seal of nothing but look to the Grace of it 5. Taking Encouragement from Free Grace apply your selves to the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the Infant by earnest Prayer The matter of which may be 1. That God would be so merciful as to receive the Infant to Baptism 2. That God would be his Father Redeemer and Sanctifier and be his God according to the Grace of every Relation 3. That the poor Infant may be taken out of the old corrupt Stock and planted into Christ so as to receive Life and Nourishment from him Rom. 6.3 c. 4. That he may in time have Faith and the Adoption the Privileges of a Child and the Grace to continue in the Duties 5. That he may never turn after the Flesh World and Devil or if he do that he may return to God in Covenant and never revolt again 6. Look upon the Grace and the Obligation of Baptism together the Grace and the Duty Water in Baptism is as significant and conducive to its End as Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper 2. Improve Baptism for them that are baptized Thus 1. Respect your Infants as the Children of God committed to your Charge for Education as more God's than yours Make a difference between them and the Breed of Insidels Atheists Worldlings and Devils 2. Continue in fervent Prayers for them from their Infancy 3. Begin to instruct them and train them up for God as you feed them plainly frequently seasonably sensibly They will soon take notice of things which they see of the Moon and Stars c. Make known to them the invisible God his Wisdom Power Goodness and Providence 4. As they grow in Capacity labour to fill them and labour that Knowledge may enter into their Souls Make frequent Applications to them when you are taken with their Comeliness Beauty Features Actions Speeches and how pretty they are when dress'd Make spiritual use of these things to your selves and them 5. Take Considerations from their Baptism to plead for them with God 1. When you observe them to be dull and backward to Goodness and forward to Naughtiness when you see them negligent forgetful untractable and are afraid of them Oh say as you mourn to God This Child is dedicated to thee in Covenant with thee Oh make him thine own Work upon his Soul what I cannot Give what I have not to give Teach him redeem him convert him sanctifie him rule him O thou who didst once receive him do not now reject him 2. When you are cross'd and afflicted contend with them for God upon Covenant-Engagement and plead with God for them upon Covenant-Mercies and Promises Shew unto them what an Honour Liberty Mercy it is to be God's Covenant-child how much they are obliged to keep Covenant with the Heavenly Father Son and Spirit how happy it will be for them in the great Day to be called Ye blessed of the Father and how terrible it will be to depart as cursed Revolters and treacherous Unbelievers and impenitent Workers of Iniquity to be tormented in Everlasting Fire with the Devil and his Angels The Lord teach you to profit CHAP. II. Of Prayer Shewing whence and how the Matter of Prayer is drawn out of the Catechism with a Form or Pattern of Prayer thence deduced section 1 OBserve what Prayer is Prayer is the offering up our Desires to God for things agreeable to his Will in the Name of Christ with Confession of our Sins and thankful Acknowledgment of his Mercies When your offer up your Desires to God how will you conceive of him What Titles will you give him Look to Ans 4. God is a Spirit c. as followeth in the Prayer You cannot expect to speed for your own sakes nor presume to go in your own names or in the name of any Creature Saint or Angel but in the Name that is by virtue of the Mediation of Jesus Christ Here look to Ans 30. And in making continual Intercession for us In your Prayers you offer up your Desires to God for things agreeable to his Will. What are your Desires You want all spiritual and heavenly Blessings and temporal good things which God hath promised and directed us in his Word to ask particularly in that Prayer called The Lord's Prayer Particularly pray for the Application of the Benefits of Redemption and the Benesits which they who are effectually called partake of in this Life And what Believers do receive at their Death and at the Resurrection see from Ans 40 c. You must also pray for the Means of Grace by which you obtain these Graces Privileges and Blessings as the Continuance of the Christian Sabbath as in the
Righteousness and counting thine own even all things but Loss for him Phil. 3.8,9 2. In esteeming thy Life to be wrapped up in him 1 Joh. 5.12 Col. 3.3,4 section 5 Secondly Examine thy Love to him as thy Prophet 1. Dost thou love and delight in his Word and Ordinances Dost thou keep his Word and treasure it up in thy Heart Joh. 14.23 2. Dost thou submit thy carnal Reason to the Spirit and Word of Christ Dost thou embrace the Motions of his blessed Spirit though contrary to the Inclinations of thine own carnal Affections and Lusts Thy Obedience to his teaching will prove thy Love to him and thy Delight to hear him section 6 Thirdly Examine thy Love to him as King. 1. Art thou glad that there is a Law forbidding Sin that there is a Law in thy Mind warring against the Law in thy Members Dost thou yield thy self to his Rule and Government And dost thou account it thy Liberty and thy Happiness to be under his Command 2. Dost thou bring all thy Lusts to his Cross to be crucified and deliver up thy most beloved Sins to be mortified by his Spirit This is a sure Sign of Love to him when we do not tolerate any Lust against his Will. 3. Art thou for Christ against all that rise up against him Dost thou seek his Glory endeavour that his Sceptre and Throne may be set up and exalted in the World and in thine own Heart 4. Art thou prepared to follow him the Captain of thy Salvation to leave all and follow him as one that goes a Warfare after Christ to sight the good Fight of Faith and withstand the Flesh World and Devil Thus far of the Love to the Second Person with the Reasons and Effects of it section 7 The third Head of Examination is of our Love to the Holy Ghost There is unspeakable Cause for it 1. For his infinite Excellencies as God. 2. For his Work and Office which is to apply to us the Benefits of our Redemption The Spirit of God doth these things for thee in order to thy Salvation for which thou art infinitely obliged to love him 1. He reveals the deep things of God the Mysteries of Redemption 1 Cor. 2.10,11,12 2. He enlightneth thy Mind to see and know the things of thy Peace Eph. 1.17 3. He doth convince thee of thy Sin and Misery and thereby he prepares thee for Cure and Deliverance Joh. 16.8 4. The Renewing of the Will is from him who is the Spirit of Regeneration Joh. 3.5 5. He perswades and enables every one to believe and embrace Jesus Christ that shall be called and saved Ezek. 36.27 6. He sanctifieth the Heart yea the whole Man throughout and makes thee holy that thou mayest see God if ever thou see him 2 Thes 2.13 7. He teacheth thee to cry Abba Father as the Spirit of Adoption Gal. 4.6 8. He seals all that are sealed to the Day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 9. And all the spiritual true Joy Peace and Comfort which any one hath come from him Gal. 5.22 together with all Ability for any Service Fruit and Benefit from Ordinances which would not have been effectual to Salvation if he had not blessed them So that if you love Grace or hope for Glory you cannot but adore and love the Holy Ghost even as the Father and the Son. Shew and manifest your sincere Love to the Holy Ghost by your Love to the Word given by his uspiration and all holy Ordinances And for what do you love the Word and Ordinances Try it Is it not for the heavenly Wisdom Holiness and the divine Efficacy and Tendency of them to make you wise to Salvation 2. If you love the Holy Ghost you will desire and improve Communion with him in all divine Institutions and Ordinances in which he is graciously pleased to communicate his Graces As in preaching the Word Isa 61.1 in Prayer Rom. 8.26,27 in Sacraments Matth. 3.11 He makes the Christian within Rom. 2.29 engrafting us into the Body 1 Cor. 12.13 He makes the Flesh of Christ to be Bread indeed and his Blood to be Drink indeed and his Words to be Spirit and Life Joh. 6.63 Ephes 5.18,9 3. You will walk in the Spirit and bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 and 16. And thus much of our Love to God. section 8 2. The second general Branch of Examination is of your Love to Man to every Man being your Neighbour in true Sence Your Neighbour is either a Brother or an Enemy 1. Try your Love to all the Saints and holy Brethren not only in that particular Society of Christians with whom you hold personal and local Communion but to all that are scattered abroad though under different Governments and Administrations as to Circumstances of Worship even all that are in the Body and that love our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity Ephes 6.24 1 Cor. 1.2 You cannot love Christ except you love the Brethren 1 Joh. 4.20 Joh. 13.34,35 1 Cor. 10.17 For we being many are one Body Examine your selves 1. Do you love them as being all one in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 16.24 as Fellow-heirs of the same Grace Ephes 3.6 And do you love them for the Truth 's sake and for the sake of Grace even against all the Prejudices of Custom Education and smaller private Differences See Gal. 3.27,28 1 Cor. 12.13 2. Do you love them though they excel you in Gifts and Graces Degree and Place or them that are many Steps below you in the World See 1 Cor. 12.24,25 chap. 13.4 3. Can you sympathize with them and suit Affections to their various Conditions 1 Cor. 12.26 Bear one anothers Burthens Gal. 6.1,2 Can you visit them and take part with them in their Reproaches and Sufferings for Christ and Righteousness Act. 7.23 Heb. 11.25,26 4. Doth your Love extend to all the Saints Ephes 6.34 1 Cor. 16.24 5. Can you break with all the World rather than with them and do and suffer more for them than for any other and count Jerusalem your chief Joy Psal 137.6 section 9 2. Try your Love to Enemies We must do good to all and love Men as Men. 1. Do you pray for them that God would turn them and forgive them Mat. 5.44 Act. 7.60 Luk. 23.34 2. Can you forgive them their Trespasses Luk. 11.4 as far as they are against you As they are against the Law of God you cannot forgive but so considered you must pray for them But as the Sin is an Offence against you Charity requires you to forgive them Eph. 4.32 Col. 3.13 and not only the Offence is to be forgiven but the Injury and Damage if it be small and tolerable But if you cannot without Sin remit the Damages yet you must seek your Right with a charitable Heart 3. Can you feed your Enemy when hungry and cloath him when naked Rom. 12.20 In a word Endeavour to carry your self according to the Law of Love Rom. 13.10 5.