nothing Answ But this is more then order in setting it downe in the first place for I say it is required in the first place and the holy Ghost doth not require that first of us which it pleaseth him to worke last but requires that first which he pleaseth first to worke Quest VVhat is your next Reason Answ Because untill we have true Repentance wrought in us we have no right unto any speciall promise for the speciall promises of Grace and Mercy are made only to the Penitent and Broken-hearted and therefore before Repentance they cannot have faith in any of those speciall promises Esay 61.1 2 3. Acts 3.19 Quest VVhat is your next Reason Answ Because no man before he have Repentance truly wrought in him can receive the forgivenesse of his sinnes for Repentance is required that men may have their sinnes done away and therefore forgivenesse of sinnes doth follow Repentance and so consequently Faith doth follow Repentance Acts 2.38 and 3.19 Quest But doth it follow that because Remission of Sinnes doth follow Repentance that therefore Iustifying Faith doth follow Repentance Answ Yes it doth because whosoever is Justified by Faith his Sinnes are forgiven at the same instant but no mans Sinnes are forgiven untill he have true Repentance wrought in him therefore no Man is Justified by Faith before his heart be broken and true Repentance be wrought in him Rom. 5.1 Quest What other reason have you for to prove this point Answ Because whosoever is Justified by Faith is at peace with God Rom. 5.1 But no Man is at peace with God untill he have truly repented therefore no Man is Justified by Faith untill he have truly repented Quest But are not Men first at peace with God and assured of his love and afterwards come to true Repentance for their former Sins Answ No certainly it cannot be for the speciall thing that the party repenting doth seeke for is the pardon of Sinnes and peace with God and to be assured of his love and therefore it cannot be that he doth enjoy peace seeing it is that which above all other things he so earnestly seeketh and desireth Luke 15.18.19 Quest Doth not this seeking of peace with God and desire to be reconciled unto him argue that he doth enjoy peace and that he is reconciled unto God Answ No certainly for the desire of a thing doth argue the want of the thing desired and not the having of it and so this desire of peace doth plainly shew the want of it Quest What is Repentance Answ Repentance is a powerfull worke of Gods Spirit wrought in the hearts of such as shall be saved whereby the heart is broken and turned from the pleasing delights of Sinne into a great feare and sorrow for them and Confession of them unto God and into an exceeding desire of peace and reconcilliation with God Luke 15. Acts 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 Ioel 2.12.13 Heb. 6.1 Proverbs 28.13 Quest Is this Repentance that you have here described of necessity to salvation Answ It is of absolute necessity as Christ himselfe testifieth where he saith except ye repent you shall all perish Luke 13.5 Quest But is it of necessity that all those parts described in the definition of Repentance should be effected before a Man can be capable of the promise Answ This is that constant order which God hath and ever will keepe in effecting this great worke of his to humble them for their Sinnes to cause them to see and to confesse and acknowledge their misery and also earnestly to long and desire after peace and reconcilliation with God which are indeed the very substance and severall parts of Repentance Quest But is not leaving of all knowne evill and doing of all knowne good the parts of Repentance Answ No it is not these are indeed the efects of fruits ever following Faith and commonly called by the names of mortification and vivification which is a dying unto Sinne and a rising to newnesse of life Quest What reason can you give to proove that this is not Repentance Answ Because Repentance must of necessity alwayes goe before Justifying Faith as is formerly proved but this leaving of all evill and doing of Good ever followes after Justifying Faith Quest But it may seeme that if that be repentance which you have described then Iudas had true repentance for he was both sorowfull and also confessed his Sin Answ No he never had that Repentance for then he should have been received to mercy for although he was sorrowfull and confest he had sinned he never attained that broken heart nor he never sought or desired pardon and reconciliation with God for hee knew it was in vaine for he had sinned against the holy Ghost Quest But is not Repentance and Faith wrought both at one and the same instant of time Answ No for Repentance is that worke of the Spirit which prepares the heart and makes it fit to receive the assurance of grace and peace which is by faith and therefore that which is a preparation to a thing must alwaies goe before the thing for which the preparation is made Quest But is there any distance of time betweene Repentance and justifying faith Answ There is not any thing passeth betweene Repentance and Faith for they do not cease repenting and bewailing their lost condition nor seeking and desiring after Grace and mercy untill such time as they be satisfied But where God doth bestow this grace of faith he doth alwaies find them Repentant and repenting sinners Quest VVhat is Justifying faith Answ It is a gracious worke of Gods Spirit wrought in the hearts of such as are penitent whereby they are assured of the free pardon and remission of all their sinnes and of peace and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1.5 Quest VVhy doe you in your definition of Faith adde these words wrought in the hearts of such as are penitent seeing they are not of the definition of Faith Answ I adde those words to shew forth the only objects in whom it pleaseth the Lord to worke this excellent worke of Faith Quest Doth Iustifying faith give assurance to the Penitent and broken heart of peace with God Answ Yes it doth as St. Paul testifieth Romans the fift and the first verse being Justified by Faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ Quest But may not this Faith bee lost at no time after the receiving of it An. It cannot be lost but it may be greatly weakned through carelesnesse by falling into sinne as David did Psal 51. Quest But may they not be deprived of the Assurance of Gods love for a time Answ Yes they may want the comfortable assurance thereof but they have then a promise to rest upon which is That whom the Lord loveth he loveth to the end and therefore David in his extremity said hee remembred the Lords mercies of old Quest But is not the beleeving of a mans sins to be pardonable justifying faith Answ No it
How doe you know that the Apostle meanes this sinne in that place which hee would not have us pray for Answ Because all other sinnes are pardonable and therefore may be prayed for but this sinne is unpardonable and therefore not to be prayed for Mathew 12.32 Quest How comes it to passe that this sinne above all others should be unpardonable Answ Because the very way and meanes of salvation is despised and rejected after they have received the knowledge of the truth and therefore it is impossible to renew them againe by Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 Quest How doe they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God Answ Even like as the Jewes did reject Christ and crucifie him when hee was with them upon earth so these men doe now reject him and doe crucifie him by their wilfull contempt of him and his sacrifice And as the Jewes did so doe they put him to an open shame and so rejecting that sacrifice which was ordained of God from all eternity to take away sinnes it is impossible their sinnes should be pardoned for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinne Heb. 10.29 Quest Doe men come on a sudden to commit this fearfull sinne Answ No but by degrees for first there is a light esteeme of the Gospell and of the grace offered therein Secondly a looking back to their pleasures past with some liking of them Thirdly a yeelding consent of the will and affections to the flesh for the embracing of them againe and so by little and little returne like the dog to his owne vomit againe and like the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2.22 Quest Doe all the Reprobate commit this sinne Answ No because many of them are never so farre inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and perceive those things which those doe that fall into that sinne Quest Is not their estate more miserable that commit this sinne then others that doe not commit that sinne and yet notwithstanding shall perish for ever Answ Yes certainly for although the estate of others be miserable yet the misery of these shall farre exceed for to whom much hath bin committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest Doe not such as commit this sinne prove dangerous enemies to the Church of God Answ Yes assuredly none greater enemies to the truth and to the people of God then those that once have professed the truth and afterwards have turned from the holy Commandement delivered unto them and therefore they are carefully to be taken heed of and to be avoided 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest What differing effects doth the holy Ghost worke in those that shall be saved from those that commit this horrible sinne Answ The holy Ghost doth worke in them that shall bee saved a farre more excellent worke namely that great worke of regeneration consisting of these two principall effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith Io. 3.5 Quest Are none partakers of these two effects of the Holy Ghost but such as shall be saved Answ Not any one and none that are partakers of those effects of the Spirit can possibly commit that sinne but all others that are onely inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and know the way of salvation are in danger of falling into that sinne Quest What is the best way for such to take to be free from committing that sinne Answ The best way is not to content themselves with that common grace of inlightning onely but to labour to find in themselves those two effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith and to be earnest with the Lord by prayer that he by his Spirit would worke effectually for the breaking their hearts and humbling them that so he may raise them up againe according to his promise and never to give rest unto their soules untill the Lord by his Spirit assure their hearts of peace and reconciliation with him Quest But is not the prayer of all such as are unjustified abominable how can wee therefore hope that God will heare us or grant our requests Answ The prayers of all those that are unjustified are not abominable but only the prayers of such wicked as hate to be reformed and cast the word of God behind them but the prayers of such as desire to bee humbled for their sinnes and to have their hearts broken and brought in subjection to the will of God and earnestly desire to be reconciled and to be at peace with God are not abominable but are pleasing unto God and are many times heard and granted by him Quest But God heareth and granteth the requests of none but for Christs sake and all unjustified men are out of Christ therefore how can it be that God should heare them or that their prayer should be pleasing unto him Answ True it is that all unjustified persons are out of Christ that is are not ingrafted into him by faith And also God heareth and granteth no requests but for Christs sake But yet notwithstanding God doth heare the requests of such as are not actually in Christ for Christs sake for God is mercifull to all his Creatures onely in Christ and many thousands enjoy mercies from the Lord for Christs sake that shall never enjoy salvation by him And therefore though men be not actually justified yet they may pray for Christs sake for the things they stand in need of and bee heard of the Lord and their prayers pleasing and not sinne else would not the Apostle have advised Simon Magus being in the gall of bitternesse to pray that if it were possible the thought of his heart might be forgiven him Gen. 16.13 Chap. 21.16 Acts 8.22 Quest May any one of those that are made partakers of that new birth and ingrafted into Christ fall away and perish Answ No it is not possible for God is unchangeable in his love where hee once loves with that speciall love hee ever loves for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.20 Io. 12.1 Rom. 5.10 Quest But they fall into many sinnes after regeneration and therefore may not God justly cast them off Answ True it is they fall into sinnes after regeneration and if wee looke upon Gods Justice only we cannot say but hee might cast them oft But yet God wil be true in his promise and as he did manifest his mercy and love unto them in their new birth so will be manifest his mercy in preserving them so that although they doe sinne daily yet shall it not condemne them For God doth justifie them through Christs death and if God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8.33.34 Quest Then it seemes that the stedfastnesse of man in Grace consists not in his owne power and strength but in the unchangeable Decree and mercy of God Answ No assuredly
done being decreed by him Rom. 4.17 Quest What great workes did he after he had taken upon him the nature of Man Answ He wrought many great miracles he raised the dead he made the blind to see and healed all manner of diseases and taught his Fathers will Io. 11.43.44 Luk. 7.15.22.4.40.43 Quest Was he obedient to the Law Answ Yea he was obedient to the Law and did fulfill it in every thing that it did command or require Psal 40.7.8 Quest Then he was free from Sinne Answ He did no Sinne at all neither did guile ever enter into his mouth 1 Peter 2.22 Quest Was it needfull he should fullfill the Law Answ Yes it was needfull for us to have such a Redeemer as could perfectly fullfill the Law for us who could not fullfill it our selves Gal. 4.4.5 Rom. 8.3.4 Quest Then it seemes that whatsoever Christ did doe was only for the Redemption of the elect Answ It was all for that end for he was wholly given unto them as the Prophet Esay saith unto us a Child is borne Esay 9. Quest Was he not bound to fullfill the Law for himselfe Answ The Law was never given unto him for to be a rule for him to walke by for he needed no Law being free from that Corruption of nature which all the posterity of Adam were tainted and corrupted with Quest If he were free from Corruption of nature wherefore was he Circumcised and Baptised Answ It was as himselfe saith to fullfill all righteousnesse not that there was any need in him of the Circumcision of the heart or that washing and purging signified by Baptime but he submitted himselfe to both to testifie his willing subjection to the will of his Father and to teach us by his example to doe the like Mathew 3.15 Quest Had he any enemyes seeing he was so innocent and blamelesse Answ Yes he had many enemyes especially the Scribes and Pharises that did persecute him and when that time appointed was come did also put him to death Math. 26.3.4 and Chap. 27. Quest Wherefore did they put him to death Answ There was no cause worthy of death found in him as the Judge himselfe confessed Luke 23.14 Math. 27.24 Quest Could he not have delivered himselfe nut of their hands seeing he was God and have confounded his enemies by his Almighty power and word Answ Yea he could have prayed to his Father as himselfe saith and he would have sent him more then twelve legions of Angells but he came into the World to suffer and to fullfill whatsoever was prefigured and prophened of him to be fullfilled by him Math. 26.53.56 Quest Was his death prefigured and foretold in the Scriptures Answ His death was shadowed out in the Paschall Lambe and in the sacrifices and foretold by the Prophets in very many places of Scripture and that in expresse words Esay 53. Daniell 9.26 Quest Was it needfull that he should dye for to worke the Redemption of Man Answ It was needfull for he did nothing in vaine and God would have him to suffer death to the end he might deliver man from death And the Justice of God did require that he should dye for God had threatned death to Adam upon his disobedience and therefore that God might manifest himselfe to be just and his wrath also against out sinnes and yet also notwithstanding manifest his mercy towards Man God would have him to suffer a shamefull death who was able being God and Man to beare that wrath and satisfie the Justice of God which could not have been satisfied unlesse that Christ himselfe had suffered death Quest What death did he suffer Answ They did Crucifie him upon the Crosse between two theeves Mathew 27.38 Quest Wherefore did they put him to so shamefull a death Answ It was so foretold that he should be so used by the Iewes for as his death was foretold so also the manner of his death Esay 55.12 Quest Then the Jewes did nothing unto him but that which God had decreed and foretold by his Prophets Answ Not any thing at all Io. 19.24.28.29 Acts 2.23 Quest Wherefore did God decree to put his onely Son to so shamefull death Answ To the end he might manifest his Iustice and wrath against Sinne and also his exceeding great mercy and love unto Man that notwithstanding his Iustice did require so shamefull a death yet did not spare his owne Sonne but gave him to death to redeeme us Io. 3.16 Qu. Seeing that all men as well the Elect as others are all borne the children of wrath and are lyable to the curse of God and Condemnation what is required of us that we may be free from that Curse and escape condemnation Answ A new Birth is required as our Saviour himselfe witnesseth except a man be borne againe he cannot enter into the kingdome of heaven Io. 3.3.5 Quest What is that new Birth Answ It is a most admirable and also a supernaturall worke of Gods Spirit whereby all the Elect are made of children of wrath heires of eternall Glory and happinesse Titus 3.5 6 7. Quest Whereof doth this new birth consist Answ It consisteth of these two parts namely of Water and the Spirit that is to say of Repentance and of Faith Jo. 3.5 Titus 3.5 Quest After what manner doth the Lord effect and worke this new Birth in the Elect Answ The Lord doth it two wayes inwardly by his Spirit and outwardly by his Word opening their eyes to see their misery and that there is mercy to be had if they doe repent Ezek. 36.24 25 26 27. Ephes 1.13 Rom. 10.14 Ezek. 33.11 Quest VVhat is the first peculiar worke that God vouchsafeth to worke in them whom he hath apurpose to save Answ The first speciall and peculiar worke that God doth worke in them is Repentance Quest But is not Faith wrought in men before Repentance and doth not repentance proceed from Faith as a fruit and effect thereof Answ No not that faith which is peculiar to the Elect that is never wrought before Repentance neither is Repentance a fruit or effect of Faith but an effect of the Spirit as faith also is Quest VVhat Faith is that which is wrought in men before Repentance Answ It is commonly called historicall faith the object whereof is the truth of the Scriptures and it is a gift of the Spirit common as well to those that shall perish as to those that shall be saved Quest VVhat Reasons have you to perswade you that Repentance is the first peculiar worke that God doth worke in them whom he hath a purpose to save Answ I have very many Reasons to perswade me thereunto Quest VVhat is the first Reason Answ My first Reason is the constant and unchangeable order that the holy Ghost hath observed throughout the Scriptures in requiring Repentance and Faith alwayes requiring Repentance in the first place Mark 1.15 Math. 3.2 Luk. 3.3 Acts 2.38 Acts 3.19 Quest But order in setting downe things in Scripture proves
is not for so all men may believe their sinnes to be pardonable except they have sinned the Sin against the holy Ghost and many have this faith that shall not be saved but shall perish for ever Quest But is this Iustifying faith of necessity to be obtained of us in this life Answ It is of great necessity for it doth minister unto us the greatest comfort that can be desired assuring us of freedome from the greatest evill and giving unto us a lively hope of the greatest good making all the speciall promises to be ours whereby wee are upheld in the greatest afflictions that can befall us in this life Quest VVhat are the speciall effects that doe follow this faith Answ There are these foure inseparable companions which are the effects of faith namely Peace patience Hope and Love a dying unto sinne and a rising againe to newnesse and holinesse of life Rem 5 1 2 3 4 5. 1 John 4.19 Quest VVherein consisteth the death to sinne or mortification Answ In the exercise of the three first effects mentioned namely Peace Patience and Hope Quest That we may the better understand these things describe unto me what these three effects are somewhat distinctly and first what that peace is Answ The peace which here I meane is peace with God through Jesus Christ so that whereas before God had a controversie with them now is reconciled unto them so that now they are at rest fully perswaded God being with them nothing may prevaile against them as it is written If God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8 33.34 Quest VVhat is the second effect namely patience Answ It is a vertue wherewith they are armed against all assaults of their enemies to beare their injuries to suffer and indure their wrongs and though they be compassed with a body of sinne and many lusts doe assault them yet endure all in quietnesse sustained by the Word which saith In patience possesse ye your soules Luke 21.19 Quest What is Hope which is the third effect of Faith Answ Hope is the Anchor of the Soule whereby they are stayed and upheld expecting those eternall good things to come which God hath promised to his people and which by faith they believe shall bee performed and this is that hope that maketh not ashamed Rom. 5.5 Quest Wherein consisteth that newnesse and holinesse of life which is called vivification and the new resurrection Answ It consisteth in the fourth and last effect of Faith namely love which is the light and perfection of a Christian which is caused by the love of God shed in their hearts and doth extend it selfe first to God their Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ their Redeemer next to their Brethren the begotten children of God then to all men even their enemies doing good unto them for evill praying and mourning for them Mathew 5.44 Acts 7.60 1 Cor. 13. 1 John 4.19 20 21. Quest What is the outward meanes which the Lord hath appointed for the working of these graces in them whom he will save Answ The outward meanes is the preaching of his Word which is the Instrumentall meanes that doth beget the Lord adding thereunto the power of his Spirit and so it becomes powerfull and effectuall for the conversion of his elect being preached either by those that are allowed Preachers in publike or by private Christians exhorting in private Qu. May wicked and unregenerate Ministers convert soules unto God Answ No they cannot for this is a worke peculiar to such as are members of Christ who only have this power to worke this great work of conversion having the ministery of reconciliation committed unto them Ier. 1.23.24 Quest Why cannot they convert soules seeing they preach the same word of God that others doe Answ They cannot for these Reasons First though they preach the same Word yet is it not by them delivered in the power and evidence of the Spirit Secondly God hath not promised his presence with them to make his Word powerfull and effectuall in their mouthes for the conversion of others Jeremy 23.21 22 32. Thirdly none can be said to convert but only such as by the power of the Spirit in themselves doe worke upon the hearts and consciences of others the same grace that themselves are partakers of Fourthly they that convert soules shall shine as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 but no unregenerate man shall have that glory therefore they cannot convert soules unto God Quest Doth the law of the Decalogue or ten Commandements admit of Repentance Answ No it doth not but adjudgeth every transgressor to eternall condemnation Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 Quest But the Apostle saith that the Law was our schoolemaster to bring us unto Christ Gal. 3. Answ The Apostle intends there the Ceremoniall law and not the law of the ten Commandements and indeed the Ceremoniall law did preach and teach us as a Schoolemaster to bring us unto Christ in every thing and wee may observe also that the Apostle saith that the Law was our Schoolmaster so that it appeares plainly the appostle intends there the Ceremoniall law and not the morall Quest But the Law sets forth our misery whereby we come to know our wretched condition Answ Yes indeed it doth but leaves us there without all hope or helpe of cure for it cannot afford us any helpe at all even like a man that wounds another and leaves him for dead but is not able to helpe him Quest What part of the word of God doth require and admit of repentance Answ It is the Gospell that admits and requires Repentance Mark. 1.1 2 3 4. Quest VVhat is the Gospell Answ It is a free declaration of Gods grace mercy and love for Christs sake Quest VVhen was this Gospell first preached Answ First it was preached to Adam in these words The seed of the woman shall breake the Serpents head and afterwards to the Fathers and Prophets and by our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles in a wonderfull great measure Quest If the law doe not admit of Repentance to what end serveth it Answ There is a double use of the Law It is set downe first for the unregenerate man that he may not deny the punishment denounced against him and also that it may take vengeance against him justly for his sinnes Secondly it is also set downe for a holy and regenerate man both that as often as he lookes upon it and alwayes he ought to looke into it he may so often bewaile his wickednesse and quake at it And as often as he calls it to mind and night and day hee ought to call it to remembrance so often he may thinke of the riches of the mercy and of the love of God by giving him thankes by Jesus Christ his Lord and Intercessor who so mercifully hath set him free from the wrath of this just and holy law Quest Are all the Rites and Ceremonies which God commanded the Iewes to observe utterly abolished Answ
fell upon Mathias and hee was numbred with the eleven Apostles Acts 1.23 24 25 26. Quest When did Christ performe that promise which he made unto them namely that they should be baptised with the holy Ghost Answ At the feast of Pentecost which was within few dayes after his Ascention Acts 2. Quest In what manner was it performed Answ They being all met together in one place there came a found from heaven and filled all the house and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speake with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Acts 2.1 2.3 4. Qu. What happened thereupon Answ Many were amased and wondered at this great worke and others mocking said they were full of new wine Acts 2.12.13 Quest How did the Apostles cleare themselves of that false accusation Answ Peter stood up with the eleven proving that they could not be drunke because it was but the third houre of the day and also that this was but the fulfilling of a promise which the Lord had made by the mouth of the Prophet Ioel Acts 2.16 Ioel 2.28 29. Quest What did the Apostles after they had thus cleared themselves from that false accusation Ans Peter preached unto them the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ telling them that they had taken him and by wicked hands had crucified and slaine him Acts 2.23 Quest What followed thereupon Answ They were pricked in their hearts and cryed out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we doe Acts 2.37 Qu. What counsell did they give them Answ They exhorted them to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes Acts 2.38 Quest What followed upon this exhortation Answ They that gladly received the Word were baptised and the same day there were added to them about three thousand soules and they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of Bread and prayers Acts 2.41 42. Quest What followed upon this great worke wrought upon those men Answ Feare came upon every soule and they that beleeved sold their possessions and parted their goods to all men as every man had need and they had all things common Acts 2.44 45. Quest Were any great workes done by the Apostles Answ Yea many wonders signes and miracles were done by them Acts 5.12 Quest What was the principall end of those miracles Ans God did thereby beare witnesse to their doctrine that it was his which they did preach by giving them power to worke such miracles Heb. 2.4 Quest Were the people moved by those miracles to receive their doctrine Answ Yea very many were moved therewith and wondring at the miracles believed their doctrine and were baptised even as many as were ordained to eternall life Quest Were none moved by their preaching to believe their doctrine but such as were ordained to eternall life Answ Yes certainly such was the power of their ministery that many others believed the truth of their doctrine and were baptised as Simon Magus and doubtlesse divers others which never received the speciall benefit of the Gospell which they preached Acts 8.13 Math. 13. Qu. May such outward Christians be suffered to partake with the faithfull in the holy things of God Answ Yes they may be suffered to partake with them in the outward ordinances the Word and Sacraments untill such time as they appeare to be hipocrites and become offensive to the Church and people of God and then they are to be cast out of the Church by excommunication Qu. Doe those outward Christians rest content with that common worke of grace in them Ans Yes many of them do so long as they live and also conceive themselves to bee in a good estate to be the children of the Free-woman whereas indeed they are children of the Bond-woman others fall away to an open and malicious opposition of the truth of God formerly professed by them Mat. 25. Io. 8.33.39.40 Math. 26.14 15 16. Quest Doe not many of them goe on very far in the profession of the truth Answ Yes doubtlesse many are greatly inlightned by it and receive it with joy and goe on joying and rejoycing in it for a time and doe tast of the heavenly gift and of the powers of the world to come and are made partakers of the holy Ghost and sanctified by the blood of the Covenant Math. 13.20 21. Heb. 6.4 5 6 Heb. 10.29 Quest Is it possible for such to fall away and perish Answ Yes it is possible for such to fall away and to tread under foot the Son of God and to account the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and to despite the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.29 Quest May they be truly said to be sanctified that fall away and perish Answ Yes they may be truly said so to be and are so indeed as the Apostle sheweth Heb. 10.29 Quest Doth not the Apostle there speake of them according as they made shew to be and not as if indeed they were so Answ No certainly for there the Apostle declares unto us what great effects of the Spirit men may be partakers of and yet fall away and perish for ever Quest What is that Sanctification which men may have and yet perish Answ It is an outward washing or cleansing caused by the holy Ghost inlightening the understanding causing them to see the benefit offered in the Gospell by which meanes they come to a liking of it and doe for a time receive it with joy and are in many things conformed to the obedience of the same forsaking many of their evill wayes wherein aforetime they had tooke delight Heb. 6.4 5. Math 13.20 21. 2 Pet. 2.20.21 Quest Are these effects of the Spirit vouchsafed unto them to the end they might be saved Answ No certainly but God doth it to gaine glory unto his name and to leave them without excuse who doe quench that light in them and willingly resist and contemne that grace that is offered in the Gospell 2 Peter 2.21 Quest What is their Sinne which they commit called in the Scripture Answ The sinne against the holy Ghost Math. 12.31 32. Q. Why is it called the sin against the holy Ghost Answ Because it is committed directly against that light evidenced unto their consciences by the holy Ghost Mat. 12.31 32. Heb. 10.26 Quest I pray you give me a briefe definition of that Sinne Answ It is a wilfull opposition and rejection of the Gospell of God after the holy Ghost hath inlightned them and perswaded their hearts of the truth and benefit of the same Heb. 6.4 Heb. 10.26.29 Quest Is it possible to come to know any of them that commit this sinne Answ Yes it is possible else would not the Apostle have told us that there is a sinne which we should not pray for 1 Iohn 5.16 Quest
actions as he was Mediator betweene God and man is all imputed unto them 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 5.19 Esay 9.6 Quest Then by imputation they are absolute holy and righteous Answ Yes verily they are so even absolute pure righteous and holy Numb 23.21 Quest Have they no other holinesse but this which is imputed unto them Answ Yes verily for as God doth impute holinesse unto them even the holinesse of Christ in whom alone they are accepted as righteous so also doth hee worke holinesse in them by his Spirit making them in some measure conformable to Christ renewing and sanctifying and making them holy and causing them also to work holinesse and righteousnesse which is one maine end of their election and of their Redemption by Jesus Christ Ephes 1.4 Luke 1.74 75. Quest Then it seemes that this holinesse is not attained by any power or vertue that is in them Answ No verily it is the free gift of God Ephes 28. Quest By all this that hath been said I gather that God did not elect any unto salvation upon the foresight of any workes or holinesse that was to be in them Answ It is very true he did not but it was his owne love and free grace that moved him for they are elected and chosen of God not for any foreseene holinesse but to be holy being his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good workes that they should walke in them Ephes 2.10 So that good workes are no cause of their Election but their Election is the cause of their good workes and good workes are an evidence both to themselves and to others also of their election but no cause thereof 1 Pet 1.2 Ephes 1.4 Quest Whereof doth that Church of Christ consist unto which all the speciall promises are made Answ It consisteth onely of such as are regenerate who are all Saints the members of Christ who are honoured with so many glorious Titles being called the Church and body of Christ his Spouse his habitation his Temple Sion Jerusalem and many such like 2 Cor. 6.16 Ephes 5.23 Cant. 4.8.9.10 Psal 87. 1 Cor. 3.16.17 Gal. 4.26 Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.27 Quest What are those speciall promises that are made unto this Church Answ All promises of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Quest What are those speciall promises that concerne this life Answ They are such as concerne every one of them in particular or all in generall assembling together Quest What are those promises that concerne every one of them in particular Answ All good things as protection providence peace joy comfort the assurance of his love and the hope of eternall good things to come which doth comfort them in the midest of all their tryalls that befall them in this life Esay 43.1 2 3. Esay 54.7 8 9 10. Ioh. 13 1. Titus 2.13 2 Cor. 4.17.18 Quest What are those promises that concerne them all in generall assembling together Answ They are such as pertaine to the ruling and governing teaching instructing and comforting of this Church being met together in the name of Christ and to the well ordering of the same for the benefit of the whole body of Jesus Christ Ephes 4.8 11 12 13. Quest But the members of this Church are dispersed and cannot meet together how can some few members of the same reape any benefit by any speciall promise made unto the Church in generall Answ Yes doubtlesse they may and the Saints doe assuredly reape great comfort and benefit thereby yea every Congregation and company of Saints meeting together in the name of Christ may expect and tooke for the performance of the promises made by Christ to the whole Church for that which is made to the whole Church is made also to every part thereof Quest What are those speciall promises that concerne the Saints being gathered and met together in the name of Christ Answ Unto them thus meeting together hath Christ promised his presence to be in the middest of them and hath given unto them the keyes of the kingdome of heaven to bind and loose promising them to confirme and ratifie in heaven what they agree upon in earth binding in heaven whom they bind on earth and loosing in heaven whom they loose on earth promising them also perseverance notwithstanding the great malice of their Adversaries the gates of hell shall never prevaile against it Math. 16.18 19. Math. 18.20 Math. 18.18.19 20. Quest Doth not this power of binding and loosing belong to any other but onely to the Saints Answ No certainly it belongs to none other but onely to them neither are any fit for such a worke but onely the Saints neither is the promise of binding in heaven and loosing in heaven them who are bound on earth and loosed on earth made to any other but only to the Saints the true members of Jesus Christ and therefore whosoever they be that lay claim or title to this power and are not Saints doe claime and challenge that unto which they have no right Math. 16.18 19. Math. 18.19.20 Quest But is it not given to the Pastors and Ministers of the Church Answ Yes it is given chiefly unto them if they be Saints yet not only to them but also with them to the rest of the Saints their Brethren Quest But all the Saints are not fit to be imployed in this great worke Answ It is true that all the Saints may not be fit for this worke and therefore those are to be employed in the great affaires of the Church who have the greatest measure of Grace bestowed on them according to that saying of the Apostle 1 Pet. 4.10 as God hath distributed to every man so let him minister c. yet the least Saint is not to be despised or contemned who may be helpfull to the body whereof by Christ they are made members 1 Cor. 12.21 Quest Is it possible for the Saints in this life to know one another Answ Yes doubtlesse God doth declare and evidence them by his Spirit even to the consciences of his children that so they may rejoyce in the fellowship one of another and perform the duties required of them one to another to the performance of which the reward is promised which they cannot perform unlesse they know one another Math. 25. chap. 10.40 41 42. Quest But hipocrites may countterfeit true grace and make a show of holinesse and Satan can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light Answ All this is true you say but yet the Saints having the Spirit of Christ in them and knowing the nature of true grace are able to judge of and to discerne true grace from the counterfeit showes of hypocrites Quest But hipocrisie is hid in the heart and it is proper to God to know the heart and the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 2.11 That no man knoweth the things of a man but the spirit of man which is in him Answ It is true also but yet notwithstanding the hearts of others are
manifest unto them when God shall reveale them unto his Saints by making such a cleare evidence of his grace to appeare so that they may discerne the same worke of grace in others that is in themselves For it is impossible that true grace should alwayes lye hid but it will be manifested at one time or other to the comfort and rejoycing of the rest of the Saints Quest But by the parable of the Draw-net in the thirteenth of Mathew it doth appeare that there may be wicked men in the Church undiscovered and not knowne to be hypocrites untill the great day of the Lord Answ It is true there may bee such for I doe not say that all hypocrites may be discerned and knowne but that it is possible for the Saints to know one another even in this life Quest If all the Saints may be discerned and knowne then those that are not discerned to bee Saints are to be judged hipocrites Answ We cannot so conclude of them for though they bee nor as yet discerned and knowne yet afterwards they may be or they may be Saints and depart this life undiscerned through want of the fellowship of the Saints who onely are able to discern the truth of grace in the Saints Quest But how may we discern and know others to be Saints Answ It is very hard to set down any particular notes whereby they may be knowne because the graces that do demonstrate them to be Saints are inward and therefore are better conceived then can be expressed in word by us neverthelesse if we can upon good ground assure our selves that we are Saints let us see and observe wherein we go beyond an hypocrite in the injoying of any speciall and peculiar grace and then let us expect and look for the same grace in others and wheresoever we find that blessed worke of grace and fruit of the good tree ingrafted into Christ by a lively faith we may certainly conclude he is a good tree because he bringeth forth good fruit Quest But the most holy and righteous do daily sinne and do that which is evill and hypocrites may also do many good things even works which are very good in outward appearance Answ It is true indeed but yet notwithstanding the evill which the Saints do is none of their fruit nor the good that hypocrites do is none of their fruit It cannot properly be called their fruit for the fruit is that which doth discover the tree either to be good or evill Matth. 7.16.20 Rom. 7.19 Quest What is then the fruit of the good tree that doth discover it self and prove him to be a good tree Answ The fruit of the good tree ingrafted into Christ is manifold but principally it is love which hath its first beginning from the apprehension of Gods love to them and is first returned to God again and to the Lord Jesus Christ next to their brethren the begotten of God to all men even to their very enemies doing good even to them that hate them Mat. 5.44 1 Joh. 4.19 Chap. 5.1 Quest What is the fruit of the evil tree Answ It is also manifold but principally it consists in the contrary to this fruit of the good tree as contempt of God and despising and hating of his truth and children Quest But hipocrites may dissemble a love unto God and to his truth and children Answ It is true but yet they cannot so dissemble to make the children of God believe and account them for Saints yet they will hope the best of them untill their dissimulation be made manifest and they discovered to be evill trees Quest But is it possible to know them to be Saints of a sudden assoon as they come to converse with them Answ No certainly especially in these times wherein we live for no doubt corruption doth beare great sway in many that no doubt are Saints and the power of Grace doth not manifest it self in many by reason of many discouragements that they meet with and for want of examples to go before them to incourage them and therefore it is very hard to discern them hence it comes to passe that it is held an impossible thing to know them in this life Quest How are the company of Saints called in the Scriptures Answ They are called by many honourable names and titles as the Church of Christ his body his spouse his habitation his Temple Sion Jerusalem the pillar and ground of truth and many such like Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.27 Cant. 4.8.9.10 2 Cor. 6.16 Gal. 4.26 Quest When is this Church and company of Saints to be found Answ This Church is dispersed over the whole world even amongst the very heathen Quest How can it be that there should be any Saints in such places seeing they are ignorant of Christ and there is no name under Heaven whereby we may be saved but onely by the name of Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Answ It is true neither are they saved by any other name under heaven but by Christ alone Quest How can they be saved by him who never came to know him either to come or come in the flesh Answ It may well be notwithstanding for there is left in man even since his fall a certaine knowledge of God and that he is to be feared and served and there is also a law written in their hearts condemning of them for disobeying the law of God whereby they come to see themselves miserable and to be lyable to the wrath of this just God though they know not how they came to be so at the first and also they see the goodnesse of God extended towards them manifested in his creatures God also working in them by his spirit perswading them that if they will seek mercy at his hands he will be mercifull to their souls as well as to their bodies and this mercy of God is extended unto them for Christ his sake though they know not by whose meanes and for whose sake they receive it Rom. 2.14 15.26 Acts 14.17 Rom. 1.19 20. Qu. Is there not a communion and fellowship amongst the Saints although they be thus dispersed Answ Yes verily they have a spirituall communion and fellowship all partaking of the same grace all being begotten by one father all born of water and spirit all partakers of one precious faith all ruled and governed by one and the same holy spirit who worketh in them a love to one another though they never beheld the faces one of another and do joy and rejoyce in the happinesse and prosperity one of another and for that end are dayly sutors to God in prayer one for another Ephes 2.14 Chap. 4.4.5.6 Quest What is the duty of the Saints being made known one to another Answ Their duty is to assemble themselves together in the name of Christ to worship God to pray unto him and to praise him to exhort comfort and build up one another and to rejoyce in the fellowship one of another
and to pray with and for one another and to minister comfort one unto each other both in spirituall and temporall things as they are able and the necessity of their brethren require Heb. 10.25 Mat. 18. Iude 19.20 Heb. 13.16 Quest What speciall promise is made unto them being thus assembled in the name of Christ Answ A most excellent and comfortable promise of Christ his gracious presence to be in the middest of them to direct them that whatsoever they agree on on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask him shall be done for them of his Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.19 Quest Is not this promise belonging to generall assemblies that meet in publick congregations and may not they expect this promise to be performed unto them Answ If that the Saints in the publick congregations do meet together after this manner that we have declared then they may expect the fulfilling of this promise of Christ but none but onely the Saints have this promise made unto them Quest But we hope that there are Saints in every publick assembly doth not this promise of Christ therefore belong unto them Answ It cannot be denyed but must be acknowledged that Christ will be with his people in the publick assemblies where his true worship is performed and his word truly preached yea at all times but this promise of Christ his presence is a peculiar promise made to the Saints when they assemble together and agree upon any thing to ask that may be for the glory of God and the good of their brethren Math. 18. Quest Why will Christ be with this Church and with no other Answ Because there is a neare union and conjunction between Christ and his members even as between the head and the members of our bodies He having redeemed them with his bloud and hath taken upon him to provide for and to furnish this Church with all necessary graces being unto them a Priest a Prophet and a King Heb. 4.14 Acts 3.22 Esay 9.6 Quest How is Christ a Priest unto them Answ By offering up himselfe once for them unto God a living sacrifice for to make reconciliation between God and them and also by presenting of himselfe before God for them and by offering up and presenting their prayers and causing them to have acceptation at the hands of God through his presentation Heb. 2.17 Rom. 8.34 Heb. 9.14 Revel 8.3 4. Quest How is he a Prophet unto them Answ By making knowne unto them his Fathers will revealing unto them the way of life and peace making knowne unto them heavenly misteries teaching and instructing them by his Word and Spirit and also by sending his Ministers and enabling them for that great worke by all which they are built up and grow in grace and knowledge and all wisdome and heavenly understanding in the will and wayes of God Quest What are the continuall ministers that Christ hath left in his Church to teach and instruct it untill his second comming Answ He did at first give unto them Apostles Prophets and Evangelists whom hee vouchsafed to make the Pen-men of the Scriptures who were to be guides unto all the rest that were to succeed them he also hath ordained other Ministers in his Church as Pastors and Teachers to bee Expositors of the Scriptures and for the applying them to the consciences of the people For the gathering together of his Church and the edifying of the body of Christ which are knowne and distinguished from the rest of the Church not so much by any outward calling by man but by the excellency of gifts and graces bestowed on them and their faithfull employing their gifts and discharge of that office that they are called unto by Christ Ephes 4.11 Ephes 4.12 Quest How doth Christ manifest himselfe to be a King unto his Church Answ By giving unto them holy and just lawes precepts and ordinances to be observed of them and also by ruling and governing them by the Scepter of his Word and Spirit subjecting their hearts wills and affections unto him and to his truth to love desire and embrace the same and to yeeld all subjection unto him Qu. Wherein are the Saints chiefly to be exercised whilest they remaine here for their mutuall comfort and increase of grace in them Answ In the holy use of the word of God Prayer and the Sacraments Quest Wherein is that word of God contained Answ In those bookes of Scripture which we commonly call the old and new Testament in which are contained many holy directions and gracious promises and consolations able to sustaine them in the greatest miseries that can befall them Quest To whom is the word of God committed Answ To all the whole Church of God for their instruction and comfort Quest Who may dispence the word of God unto others Answ All they whom God hath given wisedome and understanding therein and hath showed the misteries thereof they are to minister unto the rest of the body according to their measure of grace received Quest What is prayer Answ It is a calling upon God with the heart in the name of Christ Iesus for all lawfull things that we stand in need of Psal 142.2 Iohn 16.23.24 Quest What things are necessarily required in our prayer unto God Answ There are these three things required in prayer First confession which is the acknowledgement of our sinne and miserie and unworthinesse to receive Psal 32.5 Secondly Petition which is the asking of things needfull Mat. 7.7 Thirdly thanksgiving which is the acknowledging of his power goodnesse and mercy and the returning him praise and thanks for his former mercies bestowed on us Quest Have we any example or patterne according to which we are to frame all our prayers Ans Yea a most absolute and perfect form given unto us by Christ Jesus himself in the 6. of Matthew commonly called the Lords prayer Quest Are we not bound therefore unto that prayer to use it and none but it Ans For the matter contained in it we are but not the form of words and although we may use the same words yet also we may by the example of the Apostles use another form of words and yet offend not against that most absolute rule so long as we desire nothing but what is therein contained Quest May we joyne in prayers with those that reade their prayers in a book Answ Yes doubtlesse if their prayers be good for the matter and performed with reverence and affection even as well as we may with those that use an ordinary form although they do not read it in a book or with those that conceive prayer for therein are we stinted as well as in joyning with them that pray out of a book and we may inlarge our desires in joyning with one and with the other Quest When are we to use prayer Ans At all times upon all occasions we are to lift up our hearts to God by holy requests even in every thing we