God Heb. 3.7 compared with Isa 95.7 in the Hebrew it's said They tempted the Holy ghost in the Psalmes They tempted God Acts 28.25 compared with Isa 6.8 in the Acts its said The Holy ghost spake to Isaiah but in Isa it s said the Lord spake unto him yeâ— the Lord whose train filled the temple 1 Cor. 6.20 the Apostle saith We are not our own but the Holy ghosts therefore he hath absolute power over us Now God alone hath absolute power over us Yea he bids us glorifie God with our bodies Now what God means he save the Holy ghost whose bodies he call'd his temple Further his Godhead appears because he searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 11. As the minde of a man knows all the things of man because it is in him so doth the Spirit of God know the things of God Acts 7.51 You do always resist the Holy ghost as your fathers did Now whom did their fathers resist in the Books of Moses but God Besides his Godhead was seen in inabling persons to speak with tongues of all sorts without any teaching of them by man Acts 2. Q. Whether is the Holy ghost only a motion action or operation whereby God works effectually in the hearts of the elect or whether is he an understanding willing working substance A. He is an understanding willing working substance because he is said to be blasphemed Matth. 12.30 31. Now an action cannot properly be said to be blasphemed but a person Againe the holy Spirit is said to be a Comforter and to testifie of Christ John 15.26 When the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you he shall testifie of me therefore a person Acts 13.2 The Holy ghost bad separate Paul and Barnabas for the work yea he sets overseers over Gods flock Acts 20.28 Acts 15.18 It seems good to the Holy ghost and to us If it seem'd good to him then he is a person indued with understanding Acts 16.6 The Holy ghost forbad the Apostles to go to Phrygia and Bithynia and bad them go to Macedonia because he commands and forbids he is a Substance Rom. 5.5 the love of God is said to be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy ghost The Apostle herein puts a full difference betwixt the gifts of God and the Holy ghost Besides 1 Cor. 12.11 He distributes gifts to every one even as he pleaseth therefore he is a person or substance Isa 48.16 Qu. Wether is the holy ghost equal with the Father and Son Answ Yes 2 Cor. 13.13 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and communion of the holy ghost be with you The Apostle joyns the holy ghost with the other persons in prayer 1 John 5.7 these three are one Psal 33.6 all the host of Heaven was made by the Spirit as well as by Father and Son Gen. 1.2 The Spirit of God moved upon the waters The holy ghost also takes us into Covenant and in his name are we baptized Matth. 28. which were unlawful were he not God equal with the Father The holy ghost makes covenant with us Heb. 10.15 16. the holy ghost is a witness to us for after he had said before This is the Covenant that I will make with them I will put my Laws into their hearts c. Besides being we are baptized into his name we are baptized into his worship religion faith doctrine Q. What Scriptures prove unto us the Trinity A. These following Isa 63.7 2 Sam. 23.2 3. Isa 61.1 Hag. 2.4 5. Psal 33.6 In the New Testament Matth. 3.16 17. Matth. 28.19 Joh. 1.32 33. Joh. 15.26 Joh. 16.3 13 14 15. 1 Cor. 12.3 Eph. 2.18 2 Cor. 13.13 Tit. 3.5 6. Gal. 4.6 The same name of Jehovah and the same works are ascribed to each person Q. What are the attributes of God A. There are many of them as 1. Spirituality whereby he cannot be touched Luk. 24.29 For a Spirit hath not flesh nor bones nor can he be seen 1 Tim. 6.16 Whom no man hath seen nor can see 2. Eternity whereby he was from everlasting Psal 90.2 Before the mountains were brought forth from everlasting to everlasting thou art God 3. Unchangeableness There 's no shadow of turning with God Iam. 1.17 1 Sam. 15.29 Repentance attributed to God signifies no change in Gods nature but in his actions mutably decreed from eternity God is fain to speak to us as Nurses to chilchildren lispingly because they cannot understand perfect speech 4. Omnipresence In that he is present everywhere Psal 139.7 Whither shall I flee from thy presence and also knows every thing and person Heb. 4.13 All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do so that he knows the very motions of the will of man even before they move 5. His Almightiness in that he is able to do whatsoever he pleaseth Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he Yea he is able to do more then he pleaseth to do he could have raised up of stones children to Abraham Matth. 3.9 He could have given Christ 12 legions of Angels Job 42.2 6. His Self-sufficiency in that he is compleat in himself not needing any thing the creature can do Gen. 17.1 I am God alsufficient 7. His Knowledg whereby God doth perfectly know himself and by himself all other things that are were shall be or can be and that not successively as men do but by one act of understanding Job 42.2 Joh. 21.17 8. The Will of God whereby he wills in a holy manner and works all things according to the counsel thereof Eph. 1.11 Q. What be the parts of Gods Kingdom A. Two 1. his decree 2. the execution of it Q. What is Gods decree A. It is Gods everlasting determination and purpose concerning all things and persons Act. 4.28 To do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Eph. 1.11 Predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his owne will And as God decreeeth concerning all things and persons so doth he decree the circumstance of place time means and manner Act. 27.31 Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved Q. What is Predestination A. It is Gods fore-ordaining all reasonable creatures whether Angels or Men to an everlasting estate either of salvation or damnation 1 Thes 5.9 God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What are the parts of Predestination A. Two 1. Election which is Gods appointing some to Salvation through Christ Rom. 9.23 He made known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had prepared unto glory Eph. 1.5 Having chosen us in him before the foundation of the world 2. Reprobation which is Gods appointing some both Men and Angels to destruction 2 Tim. 2.20 there are some Vessels to dishonour Rom. 9.22 To shew his wrath and make his power known
preserved If An Argument from man were any thing material I might adde that the Iewish Bible who are the utterest enemies of Christianity their old Testament agrees with ours and for the truth of the Iewish Bible they have testimony from the Samaritans who were enemies to them and an irreconciliable rent made betwixt them yet in the Samaritan Bible as some of the learned affirme there is no difference at all to any purpose Also the consent of the godly Fathers and Christians from Christ his time who have from hand to hand delivered them to us and enlightned them with their commentaries whose commentaries we have to shew in every age well-nigh from the Apostles time some of whom confirmed the truth with their Lives and Liberty A short Catechisme FOR BABES Q. HOw doth it appear that there is a God A. From the creatiâ—n of heaven and earth Psal 19.1 Rom. 1.20 Q. What is God A. A Spirit John 4.23 immortal 1 Tim. 6.16 infinite 1 Kings 8.27 knowing all things Heb. 4.13 and present everywhere Psalme 139.7 8 9. Q. How doth this God subsist A. In the being of Father Son and Spirit who are all one God 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. Whether is the Father Son or Spirit greatest A. There is an equality of glory eternity and power in the Father Son and Spirit Rom. 9.5 Phil. 2.6 Matth. 28.19 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. How did God make man at first A. Pure and holy Gen. 1.26 Eccles 7.29 but we all fell in our first parents Rom. 5.12 13 14. Q What befell unto us by Adams fall A. The judgement came upon all to condemnation Rom. 5.15 16. Q. What is the condition of every man since the fall of Adam A. Dead in trespasses and sins and by nature children of wrath Eph. 2.1 3. Q What way is there to come out of this miserable condition A. Onely by Jesus Christ Acts 4.12 Q. What are we to consider especially in Christ A. 1. His natures 2. His offices Q. What are the natures of Christ A. They are two 1. His Godhead 2. His Manhood Q. Why was it needful that he should be God A. That he might make the sufferings of his Manhood of infinite worth and vertue Heb. 9.14 Act. 20.28 Q. Why was it needful that he should be man A. That he might dye and satisfie Gods justice in the same nature that had offended Matthew 20.28 1 Corinthians 15.21 22. Q. What are the offices of Christ A. They are three Q. Which are they A. His Kingly Priestly and Prophetical office Q Why was Christ a King A. That he may reign in the hearts of his people Luk. 19.27 and in the Churches Psal 2.6 Q. Why was he a Prophet A. To reveale his Fathers will so that are to hear him in all things Acts 3.22 Mat. 17.5 Q. Why was he a Priest A. To offer sacrifice for the sins of his people Heb. 8.3 Q. What sacrifice did Christ offer A. His own body on the cross Heb. 9.25 26. wherewith he appears in Gods presence for his people Heb. 9.24 his blood speaking good things Q. What is faith A. A taking of Christ as a Lord and a Saviour and resting upon his satisfaction Rom. 7.4 Joh. 1.12 Rom. 10.7.8 Q. What accompanies Justifying faith without which it is not in the soul A. An holy disposition or intention of heart to confess the truth of God though with the loss of all we have in the world Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32 Q. What is repentance A. A thorow change of the purposes of the heart whereby they are universally set against all sin with an hatred of it Rom. 12.2 Act. 2.38 Isa 30.22 Q. What measure of love must we love the Lord with A. With a sovergaine love better then father or mother son or daughter yea then our own lives Mat. 10.37 38 39. Q. What denial of Christ is that which shuts persons out of heaven A. Habitual denial or denial of Christ in the purporse of our hearts when we for the saving of our lands liberties country or lives will deny Christ or any part of his truth Mat. 10.33 2 Tim. 2.12 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal concerning spiritual Life A. That whereas we are all dead men by Adams sin and our own when God pardons we are alive Rom. 5.18 Q. What other life hath believers A. A life of holiness whereby believing souls are quickned up to all the wayes of God Rom. 6.13 Q. What ought to be the ground of a Christian mans obedience A. The command of Christ which is the bond of the conscience Rom. 1.14 Act. 20.22 Q. What other ground is there A. The love of God from whence our obedience ought to flow John 14.15 2 Cor. 5.15 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal of the combat of flesh and Spirit A. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that we cannot do the good we would do Gal. 5.17 Q. What may comfort in this combat A. That we hate the evil that we do and love the good we do and hunger and third to do the good we do not Rom. 7.15 16 17 18 19. Q. What is the danger of sinning against conscience A. Such shall be punished with many stripes Luk. 12.48 Q. What is it to live by faith A. To rest on Gods promise for every good thing without using unlawful means Psal 84.11 12. Isa 28.16 Q. What is the new Covenant A. It is Gods work whereby he not onely pardons all the sins of all the Elect and gives them eternal life through the satisfaction of Christ but also promiseth to take away their stony hearts and writes his laws in their hearts and causes them to rellish and savour good things and vouchsafes to be their God and takes them to be his people Heb. 8.10 11 12. Q. What is prayer A. Pouring out of the soul before God 1 Sam. 1.15 Psal 62.2 Q. What are the parts of prayer A. They are sometimes divided in four parts 1 Tim. 2.1 yet may we reduce them to three parts first confession of sins Secondly petition for grace and favors Thirdly thanksgiving for benefits To which we may add intercessions to turn away judgement Q. What principal Properties ought there to be in an holy prayer A. It ought to be offered from a believing soul Mat. 21.22 in the name of Christ Joh. 16.23 24. from the Spirit assisting with sighs and groans Rom. 8.26 for things according to the will of God 1 Joh. 5.14 Q. What is baptisme A. It is a sign of a believers fellowship with Christ in his death burial and resurrection that as his body is buried in water so his sins are buried through the satisfaction of Christ and as he riseth out of the water so he is bound to walk with Christ in newness of life Rom. 6.3 4 5 6. Col. 2.12 Q. Who are the persons to be baptized A. Those who are made Disciples and make profession of their faith and repentance Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 16. Heb. 10.22 Act. 1.37 38. Q. What is the end why the Lords Supper was appointed A. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christs death and remission of sins which believers have therein 1 Cor. 11.25.26 Q. What must a Christian do that he may receive worthily or preparedly A. He must examine himself whether he be in Christ and whether the Spirit of God dwell in him 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. What is the danger of unworthy receiving A. Temporal judgement if they repent eternal if they repent not Q. Wherefore are hands laid upon believers after baptism A. That they may receive a further increase of the Spirit therein 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. What is revealed concerning the resurrection of the dead A. That all shall rise againe the godly to the resurrection of eternal life the wicked to the resurrection of eternal damnation Dan. 12.2 Joh. 5.28 Q. With what bodies shall the Saints arise A. with the same body in number but with more glorious qualities 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44 53. Phil. 3.21 Q. VVhat follows the resurrection A. The last judgement wherein all shall be judged of every thing done in the body whether it be good or evil Joh. 6.40 John 5.28 2 Cor. 5.10 Revel 20.12 13 14. FINIS
betwixt these sinful pleasures here and the fear of eternal vengeance hereafter 5. Their combat how hot soever is still joyned with a custome and purpose of sinning so that they lay down the Cudgels to sin saying This is my nature and I must do it 2 Pet. 2.14 Now the combat in regenerate men is 1. Fierce and in the purpose of the heart against all sin though sometimes it be defective in some act or acts 2. In this combat they disallow the evil they do not onely from a principle of natural conscience which in some sins carnal men may do but also from a principle of spiritual life because it is contrary to the life which they live 3. They groan under their evils with many a sign and tear in secret yea such evils as the world takes no notice of as dead-hartedness declining of affection to God want of former feelings hard ness of heart unbelief coldness and distraction in good duties vain hopes vain fears carking cases lumpishness in Gods service risings of revenge also the tricks the soul hath had to keep off convincement in suffering times also the by-ends in the good it hath done One wears a chain as an ornament another as a fetter and would fain be rid of it so wicked men wear their lusts as ornaments to them but Gods people wear them as the heaviest chain 4. If in the combat the Flesh get the upper hand and they fall they cannot be quiet till they have turned to God and recovered their acquaintance with him Psalm 51.8 9 10 11 12. but carnal men are not troubled but add sin to sin Gen. 37.24 Q. Whether it be possible for a Christian to be assured of his union with Christ and of his acceptation into favour with God A. Yes 1. because the Scripture bids us prove our spirituall estate 2 Cor. 13.4 Gal. 6.4 1 Cor. 11.28 Now the Spirit would not bid us search for that which could not be found 2. Because the Scripture reveales unto us many evidences of our assurance some taken from our union with Christ and some from the in-dwelling of the Spirit in us Q. What markes or signs doth the Scripture reveal to evidence our union with Christ A. The most demonstrative signe or at least one of them is soveraigne love to God to the Lord better then any enjoyment of Lands Liberties Life Wife and Children Mat. 10.37 Luke 9.23 14.26 Mat. 16.24 which evidence if you leave out the soul may be deceived in others severed from this For whosoever believes in Christ his faith doth work by love Gal. 5.4 yea by a love of this measure Heb. 11.25 26 27 35. Q. What are the Witnesses that witness a Christians good condition to God-ward A. They are two 1. The witness of Gods Spirit 2. The witness of our regenerated Spirits Rom. 8.16 The Spirit beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God Q. What doth the Spirit witness A. It witnesses God is our Father for we having received the Spirit of adoption thereby cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 it witnesses the things that are freely given us of God 1 Cor. 2.9 12. Q. After what manner doth the Spirit witnesse A. Two wayes First by the impressions and stamps which like a Seal upon the Wax it maketh upon the soul Ephes 1.13 Secondly by the fruits and effects thereof Q What are the impressions or stamps the Spirit maketh upon the soul A. They are two First the stamp of Holiness whereby the Spirit changeth the Saints into the image of God from one glorious grace into another 2 Cor. 3.18 so that as a seal destroyes that image that was in the Wax before so doth the seal or stamps of the Spirit destroy corruption in the soul in respect of the reign of it and set up grace in the reign thereof Rom. 6.14 This same stamp of Holiness being throughout 1 Thess 5.23 and consisting in a change of the whole man 2 Cor. 3.18 and especially in a transformation of the minde Rom. 12.2 and will Acts 9.6 is one of the impressions of the Spirit Secondly the impression of Comfort and Feeling Psal 51.8.12 this being given of the Spirit Eph. 1.13 as an occasional refreshing not as daily food for the soul to feed upon Psal 6.8 Psal 31.22 doth shew the Spirit of God is in us 2 Cor. 1.3 yet doth not the want of his feeling prove that the Spirit of God is not in us for God doth sometimes hide himself from the soul Isa 45.15 Psal 51.8 the Spirit in respect of this feeling is one of the three witnesses that testifies Christ to be our Saviour 1 John 5.8 Q. whether is a Christians assurance and feeling all one A. No The word and promise of a powerful faithful and willing God with the Notes and Evidences of a Christians good estate as they are laid down in the Scripture are the grounds of a Christians assurance and comfortable feelings are the Crown thereof A poor deserted soul that hath little feeling may have a soveraign love of God fear of sin and an absolute purpose against it Psal 44.18 19. yea he may have uprightness of heart Job 1.1 compared with chap. 6.4 yea he may have faith in Christ Psal 22.1 yea an earnest thirsting after Christ Cant. 5.6 Now shall I have a purpose to deny credit wealth and life for Christ yea and have all the forementioned gracious fruits and shall I not have grounds of assurance that my estate is good to God-ward When Christ asked Peter whether he loved him he did not say Lord thou knowest we cannot tell whether we love thee or no but said Thou knowest that I love thee Q. Whew doth the Spirit seal the soul with comfort A. First when the soul is cast down in humiliation and earnestly longs for the light of Gods countenance Job 22.29 Isa 29.19 Secondly upon self-denial of that which is pleasant or suffering that which is painful Mat. 19.27 Thirdly after conflict with corruptions or other temptations and victory over them Apoc. 2.17 Fourthly when a believer takes paines with his heart and puts forth his strength in duty Hosea 12.4 Q What are the effects and fruits whereby the Spirit witnesses his in-being in the soul A. They are divers as 1. An inablement of the soul to do things above nature as to love the Lord Soveraignly to love our enemies to love the godly for the Image of God in them 2. When the Spirit is combating in us against all that is sin Gal. 5.17 so that we do not onely suppress the same but also lust after graces contrary thereunto 3. As the beames of the Sun shew forth the presence of the Sun so the sighs groans and meltings in holy hearts evidence that the Spirit is in them Zach. 12.10 Rom. 8.26 Q. What is the testimony of our own spirit A. It is the Testimony of a renewed Conscience witnessing us no be in the state of grace upon sufficient grounds Rom.
8.16 Q. What are those grounds A. 1. Because Faith evidences Heb. 11.1 1 John 5.10 That none can lay any thing to my Charge seeing Christ did not onely dye for me but rose again and ascended into heaven making intercession for me Rom. 8.33 So that he appearing for me as my Advocate Heb. 9.24 And his blood speaking good things Heb. 12.24 he is not onely able to save me to the uttermost though my sins be great and many Heb. 7.25 but is also willing in that he promises in no wise to cast off them that come unto him John 6.37 which my poor soul doth Q What other ground is there A. My union with Christ Q. How knowest thou thou art united with Christ A. 1. By my soveraign love to him 1 John 4.19 2. By my being made a new Creature and my crucifying the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 5.24 which is not meant as if there were no oldness of nature in me or that every lust were actually and perfectly dead but it 's meant thus my lusts are crucified and I am new intentionally because it is that I aime at and strive after daily 3. He that is united to Christ lives not in sin 1 John 3.6 He that abideth in him sins not which is not meant simply of not sinning for no man lives that sins not 1 Reg. 8.46 therefore it is meant of a purpose of sinning hence those in Christ are said not to walk after the flesh Rom. 8.1 that is though sometimes they may slip yet the constant purpose of their heart is after the guidance of the Spirit 4. He that abides in Christ walkes as Christ walked 1 John 2.6 with an as of similitude though not of equality 1 John 3.7 he endeavours to follow Christ in every step though he cannot take such long strides As a young writer begins and ends his lines and makes his letters like his Master though he cannot write so fair so every Member of Christs body having the same mind in his measure that was in Christ Phil. 2.5 endeavours to follow Christ in all graces and duties and his so walking is evidential unto him and to every one that thus obeys Christ he becomes the Author or Causer of eternal salvation Heb. 5.9 5. He that abides in Christ is fruitful Joh. 15.5 which though Hypocrites may seem to imitate yet the fruitfulness of Christians is easily distinguished in that it 's not from external motives but from Christ Hos 14.8 nor for ends selfish and base but for Christ Rom. 14.7 8. Q. What other ground of assurance for the soul A. I have this ground that my sins are forgiven me because I have the other branches of the new Covenant made over to me as the taking away from me a stony hard heart and my heart and the Commandment closes together and that I know God with a relishing knowledge and not onely with a bare notional knowledge therefore I have this branch of the new Covenant that my sins and iniquities God will remember them no more Jer. 31.34 Ezek. 36.25 Heb. 8.11 12. for all the branches of the new Covenant are undivided and my soul truly repents and therefore God hath promised faithfully to forgive Prov. 28.13 1 John 1.8 9. Luke 24.47 Acts 3.19 Acts 5.31 So that whatever evidences my repentance the same also evidences the pardon of my sin Q. What other grounds of assurance have you for your soul A. I finde an universal change in the understanding from darkness to light Acts 26.18 in the judgement from false discerning to a right discerning Isa 5.20 in the Conscience from benummedness to tenderness 1 Sam. 24.5 in the will from wilfulness to evil Jer. 14.16 Iohn 8.44 to willingness for good Acts 9.6 Rom. 7.19 in the imagination from habitual running upon the World Phil. 3.19 to be often in Heaven Col. 3.1 2. in the desires which formerly were lawless now awed by the eye of God Job 31.23 Q. But seeing there may be changes as from prophaness to civility and from civility to a form of Religion without the power how shall I know my change to be right A. I know it to be a true change because I go from one contrary to another that the things which I hated now I love and the carnal courses I loved now I hate Rom. 7.15 holy duties were tedious now they are delightful and now my soul begins to relish that which formerly I loathed Rom. 8.5 Q. What other ground of assurance have you A. This that I have a true conversion which appeares 1. By the humiliation and confusion of spirit I have for living so long a stranger from God Jer. 31.19 Luke 15.19 Rom. 6.21 being sorry I begun no sooner in Gods wayes and that since I have begun I have made no greater haste 2. By my high esteem of my present condition in a converted estate though never so base that I would not change my condition with the greatest man upon earth that is a stranger from the Lord Heb. 11.25 26. Acts 8.39 Q. What other ground of assurance have you A. As the Saints of God of old have gathered comfort and assurance from their uprightness 1. Chron. 29. and Paul had rejoycing from their uprightness and godly sincerity 2 Cor. 1.12 so we may gather assurance from them when 1. We ordinarily and usually look at the eye of God in the things we do Col. 3.23 Eph. 6.6.7 and have a desire if it might be alwayes to look at his eye Isa 38.3 2 Cor. 2.17 by-ends beings a grief unto us Rom. 7.15 2. Uprightness is seen by a disposition to part with whatsoever God commands when we cannot hold Christ and such enjoyment together Mat. 19.21 3. When the same sins we avoid in publick we avoid in secret out of Conscience to God Job 31.1 Gen. 39.10 and the same duties we do before men we labour to do them in secret before God Mat. 6.6 4. When a bare Command moves us to act in our duty though no second respects of credit or profit accompany Esth 4.16 Mat. 14.3 and contrary though second respects of credit and profit which are offered move us to act against duty yet we will not act out of Conscience of our duty to God Gen. 39.10 Q. But how do you alledge all the fore-named signs do you make the soul to stay upon these as a righteousness to answer divine justice A. In no wise but I make them evidences that I have the Spirit of Christ in my heart and having the Spirit I also have the blood of Christ because these are not severed one from the other in justified persons 1 Cor. 6.10 11. Rom. 8.30 Q. What is that righteousness which answers Divine Justice A. It was the satisfaction of Christ upon the Cross for the merit or desert whereof God did not only forgive us our sins but did also blot out take away and by nailing to the Cross did tear all
an increase of the Spirit on baptized persons 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. Whether is laying on of hands after baptism an ordinance of force obliging Christians in these times A. Reserving others of Gods servants to their light who think otherwise and acknowledging a dark revelation of this in comparison of other Fundamentals and professing ingenuously I could not suffer so much in the witness of this point as I could in plainer points and Articles as of those concerning the fall of man redemption by Christ the resurrection and the last judgement c. and declaring that though Teachers may not teach nor people believe any thing which hath not some footing in the word of God yet may they speak of things which they know but weakly These things being premised I shall acknowledge laying on of hands on baptized persons after baptisme to be an Apostolical institution or an Ordinance of Jesus Christ Q. What grounds have you to prove laying on of hands after Baptisme to be an Apostolical institution A. These First because the Apostle makes it one of the six principles Heb. 6.1 or word of the beginning of Christ as in the Greek nay he makes it a foundation-point as well as Repentance Faith Baptisme Resurrection and last Judgement Now these being Fundamentals wherein all converted persons are to be practical in the belief how can imposition of hands be excluded from being so received It is absurd to think that one of these six principles should cease in a short time and the other five to remaine till the end of the world and yet the Apostle calls them all by the name of a Foundation and places it betwixt Faith and Repentance the Resurrection and the last Judgement so that there is no coming to slight it it being fenced on every side Q. But seeing we acknowledge a laying on of hands in Ordination do we not acknowledge these six principles A. No reason can be brought why laying on of hands in ordination should be from this Text acknowledged and the other after Baptisme on baptized persons excluded Nay it seemeth that laying on of hands on baptized persons should be primarily meant because the Apostle seemeth to couple these foundation-Principles so that as faith and Repentance go together and the Resurrection and last Judgement so Baptism and Imposition of go together Q. But whether is there my command for laying on of hands A. There is as much commandment for laying on of hands on baptized persons after Baptisme as on persons ordained to Office for both of them we finde Apostolical practice Secondly the Apostle calling it a foundation that was first laid as appears in these words Not laying again the Foundation hath a virtual command in it Q. What other ground have you for laying on of hands A. We have the practice of the Apostles Acts 8.14 15 16 17. The Apostles Peter and John laid their hands on those Samaritans whom Philip had baptized as verse 17. Then laid they their hands on them The Antecedent to this Pronoune Relative Them could be no other then the baptized Samaritans See also Acts 19.6 Obj. But in these examples there were visible gifts given but there is not so in yours in these times therefore your laying on of hands is not the same with theirs A. Those visible gifts given were no parts of the Ordinance much less essentialities but onely the crowns and ornaments of it God hereby confirming the truth of that doctrine and powerfulness of that person into whose name they were baptized Secondly it is a mistake to think that alwayes when the Apostles laid on hands visible gifts were given for Paul laid his hands on Timothy and God conveyed nothing therein save inward gifts and graces 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift which was given thee by the laying on of the hands of me So in the Greek If any man say these gifts were conveyed on Timothy by Paul in ordination and not after Baptism A. The contrary appears because the gift given Timothy in ordination was by the hands of all the Eldership 1 Tim. 14.14 but this gift was given in laying on of hands by Paul alone Therefore the laying on of hands after Baptisme is meant in this place Q. But if laying on of hands after Baptisme be an ordinance of Christ what is conveyed in it A. An increase of the Spirit so that as the Spirit is conveyed in the use of prayer and preaching Luke 11.13 Acts 10.44 and Baptisme Gal. 3.28 and the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 10.16 so also is an increase of the Spirit conveyed in laying no of hands 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift which is in thee which was given thee by the laying on of my hands See he had the gift or grace of God in him before and now in laying on of Pauls hands it was increased yet is not laying on of hands the onely or principal part of this Ordinance but praise is the principal part in the use whereof the other being adjoyned these fore-named Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are conveyed I take it to be vehiculum spiritus or a channel to convey the increases of the spirit to believing hearts Q. But what promise is there that there shall be an increase of the Spirit given in laying on of hands A. 1. A Command is enough to receive an Ordinance though there were no promise annexed concerning any benefit and we have proved a virtual Command out of Heb. 6.2 2. What promise there is of laying on of hands by the Elders the same is here yet is it acknowledged by all that the Spirit is conveyed in the increases in the Elders laying on of hands 3. Example of the conveyance of the Spirit into the Samaritans and into Timothy his heart in the laying on of hands is an encouraging ground for baptized persons to submit thereto and expect the like benefit 4. There is a promise of the increase of the Spirit to the prayer of Faith whenever poured out Luk. 11.13 and why not to the prayer of Faith when now poured out now the promise of the Holy Ghost being made to all baptized ones Acts 2.38 39. such may well pray in faith for the same Q. But whether are these promises bound to the laying on of hands so that then when hands are laid on and by that means the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are conveyed when the Churches Apostle or Apostles lay on their hands we must not invent a meanes through which promises must be applyed A. 1. The promise is bound to the prayer of faith 2. That not onely in but by laying on of hands the Spirit is conveyed appears 2 Tim. 1.6 3. No man can say that either Baptisme Supper or imposition of hands apply the promise it is the Spirit and Faith alone that apply the promise yet is laying on of hands such a means as the Apostle calls a foundation and a means through which both on Gods behalf and our behalf the promise may
13.8 1 Kings 3.9 12. 1 Chron. 4.10 but because temporal blessings may be severed from the good will of God therefore we must judge of the answers of our Prayers from the grants we have in spiritual blessings as when we pray for a melting heart or a thirsting heart and have one given to us and we may judge of temporal blessings to be the fruits of Prayers answered when those blessings are used to a sanctified end 2. By the enlargement of the heart to holy desires Psal 10.17 Thou hast prepared their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear when a man hath a bag and he falls to stretching of it it s a signe he means to fill it so God enlarging the heart with more hunger and thirst longings and breathings then ordinary It s a sign he means to hear that prayer 3. When we behold the face of God in Prayer God sometimes answers the Prayers of his People with a cast of his countenance see Psal 27.7 8 9. also 22.24 as Petitioners may oft read their speeding in the amiable countenance of those they petition Job gaves an undeniable reason why God was his salvation Job 13.16 which was because an hypocrite did not come before him as Job did though every Creature come into his omnipresence yet into his special presence to behold his face in prayer and to come within the list of his countenance onely upright men come see Psal 104.13 4. When the Conscience is able to commend the Prayer setting aside the infirmities Jobs Conscience commended his Prayer to be pure Job 16.17 If thy conscience tell thee thy Prayers are rotten thy sins not purged thy heart not upright it is the voice of God in thy soul but if thy heart condemn thee not then hast thou confidence towards God 1 John 3.21 onely note sometimes the Conscience may be misinformed under a temptation to think God doth not hear them when he doth Job 30.20 Psal 22.1 2. Lam. 3.8 sometimes they were perswaded God heard their prayer as verse 46 57. sometimes they doubted thereof as verse 44. 5. When though God denies us what we ask yet God gives us a better thing Abraham prayed that Ishmael might live and God gave him a better even Isaac Gen. 17.18 19. David prayed for the life of the Child he had by Bathsheba and God gave him a better even Solomon 2 Sam. 12.22 6. By Gods drawing neer unto us in our Prayer God draws nigh to the Soul 1. By removing discouragements Lam. 3.57 Thou drawest neer in the day that I cryed unto thee thou saidst Fear not When God shall raise up the soul against discouragements from former scandalous sins from Gods justice from its own unworthiness from dumbness and barrenness of expressions from the sinning against knowledge from relapses from secret despair Psal 31.22 this drawing nigh argues an answer 2. God draws nigh by working meltings and brokenness of heart upon the soul so that as in old time God was wont to give answer to the prayers of his Servants by sending fire from Heaven to consume their Sacrifices 1 King 18.24 1 Chron. 21.26 2 Chron. 7.1 so doth he now testifie by his holy Spirit who was typified by that fire Mat. 3.11 working in prayer many passionate meltings that the heart melts under the displeasing such a loving God and the eye melts into tears Psal 6.8 blessed be God who hath heard the voice of my weeping how knew he he was heard why because he poured out weeping prayers to God Psa 39.12 hold not thy peace at my tears Isa 38.5 I have heard thy prayers and seen thy tears Jer. 31.9 I will lead them along with weeping and supplication Also Christ when he was heard offered up strong crying with tears Heb. 7.5 the like did Nehemiah when he prayed that God would give him favour in the sight of the King he wept in his prayer Nehem. 1.4 11. also Jacob wept and made supplication and found the Lord in Bethel Hos 12.3 4. yea the Saints of God generally have been thus crowned with answers in their prayers as Ezra c. 10.1 Iob c. 16 16 Iosiah 2 Chron. 34.27 Paul Acts 20.31 Ier. 9.1 13.17 Hannah 1 Sam. 1.10 Peter Mar. 14.72 not as if God did not draw nigh in other prayers wherein the eye melts not into tears for if the soul hath other signs of its prayers heard it ought not to be discouraged but this I say prayers poured out thus with inward meltings of heart so that the eye shall weep in prayer seem to me to be crowningly answered And so much the more when a person is not inclining to weep in other Cases as many women and some men are out of natural softness To conclude consider whether it be safe to be without such a frame of heart and eye in prayer as so many of the Saints in the word are recorded to have had and wherein they found such comfort and success 3. God draws nigh by chearing and inward comforting of the heart Phil. 4.6 7. inwardly warning it with the soul of his presence Now all these approaches of God to gracious souls are not alike for sometimes he gives a stronger sense of his favour in one prayer more then another and sometimes in some one or more Petitions of the same prayer then in other Petitions thereof yet when God draws nigh to thy soul in a particular request it is not certain that that request shall be granted in that manner you desired as when a man prays for the life of a sick friend and God draws nigh in that Petition and yet the friend dies but it is evidential to thee that thy prayer is heard and that the thing thou askest is according to the approving will of God though not according to his decreeing will All these drawings nigh to the soul evidence the hearing of prayers as appears Psal 69.17 hear me speedily but what signe doth he desire why verse 18. he saith Draw nigh to my soul 7. Thou mayest know thy prayers are answered by having a spirit of perseverance in prayer Psal 66.20 138.3 when a Petitioner comes to a Prince or Nobleman if the Prince embolden him in his speech and let him speak all he would it s a sign the Prince means to grant that man his Petition because otherwise he would not have endured to have heard him so long but would have commanded him to be gone so when the soul comes to God in prayer if God dispatch it out of his presence that the soul hath no heart to continue its suit and prayes deadly and dully and is glad it hath said its prayers and hath done it s a fearful sign that God answers not those prayers though poured out by a godly man but if thou prayest and God gives thee a spirit to hold out in prayer if thou prayest and hast not done in thy prayers but God doth further and further put in thee a warmth and heat of affection that