meant that rule that Christ hath set up in the hearts of his for the providence of God I take it is not so much aymed at in this place or that ordinary providence of God over the creatures this is set forth in the fourth petition give us c. but it is the rule of Christ that is set up in his Church Q. How manifold is it A. It is that whereby Christ by his Spirit and grace in the ministery of the word takes place in the hearts of his and this he doth two wayes 1. By overpowering and casting downe all other things which are opposite thereunto whatsoever power of sinne and Sathan are opposite unto him 2. He sets up that frame of spirit whereby it is subject to grace and this takes place two wayes 1. By cutting downe killing of every sinne 2. The soule takes the stamp of every command of God and is ruled therby Q. What is the Kingdome of glory A. Gods immediate ruling in the hearts of glorified Saints Q. How doth the Kingdome of grace and glory differ A. Here in the Kingdome of grace God rules 1. By his spirit 2. By the ministery of his word and ordinances but in heaven he rules immediatly then no more word means but Christ fils the soule fully and then he rules gloriously when the understanding will and affections are full of Christ and are fully and wholly subject to him Here in the valley of teares wee meet with many rubs and oppositions but then Christ shall shine immediately forth in all his ordinances wee seeke a Christ now but then wee shall fully possesse him so that wee that have the spirit have a glimpse of heaven already therefore ashamed should wee bee to bee weary of God let us bee weary of sinfulnes of this wretched world It is a heaven to live here with God upon earth and if it be so glorious a thing to have but a glimpse of God here how much more to bee filled with God hereafter in his kingdome Q. How is this Kingdome said to come A. The coming of these two Kingdomes implyes three things 1. That the word may bee revealed in those places where it hath not been That the day spring from on high may visite them that sit in darknes That the Sunne of righteousnes might visite them that want it That the banquet of the Gospell may be set up Matth. 24. If any man say hee is in the wildernesse goe not out for where the Carkasse is thither will the Eagles resort This is the first thing a Kingdome is said to-come when a King rules in a place where hee did not before so it is here Let all the people praise thee saith David hee desires not that some tongues onely but that all tongues and languages should doe this 2. Where ever the Gospell doth shine wee desire that it should discover it selfe more fully and spread it selfe where ever it comes wee desire the Kings governmet should enlarge the Territories more and more So we desire that not onely Christ should bee revealed but that more and more may bee gathered that God may take in every where and that every knee may bow to Christ and licke the dust that so there may be an addition made to the Church that every man in every kind God would cast his skirt over him that more may bee caught in his net that the Jew and Gentile may be gathered into one sheep-fold and have one shepheard 3. That the power of it may be more settled as the house of David grew stronger stronger but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker so when Christ sets up his candlesticke that the seed that is sowne there may take deep root When a King hath erected Castles then he hath his Kingdome So we desire God may entrench himselfe and reare castles of defence against his enemies which would remove him in us that hee would set up himselfe strongly that every traitour might bee crusht and every base lust subdued that God would slay thē and none but his lawes might take place in our soule In a word the issue returnes to thus much wee beseech Christ that his Gospell may spread and be strong and these dayes of sinne may bee wasted and that he may come in the clouds Rev. 22. and then come Lord Jesus come quickly that he would accomplish the number of his Elect and gather those that belong to his glory that they may be everlastingly with him Q. What is the carriage of the soule in putting up this petition A. It appeares in three things 1. The soule desires and labours to bee subject to the good pleasure of the Lord. The heart faith oh that I might once bee so disposed that I might submit to the pleasure of the Almighty We desire that all those things that are set up in our hearts which are contrary to the good will of the Lord might bee subdued Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts o Lord that my soule were so affected thou hast enjoyned mee to keepe thy Law oh that I could doe so The spirit should bee as waxe to the seale and inke to the paper that the soule might take the impression of every rule that God would set up in our hearts thus the soule should bee disposed and wish that the Lord would put this frame into us thou hast said seeke my face oh saith the soule that I could seeke thy face and echo to it behold Lord thy face doe I seeke to submit wholy without any contending not that the Lord should force us but take up your yoake put our necke to the yoak let the word of the Lord beare the sway when Mary wanted wine and our Saviour checked her shee submitted presently not a word more so what the Lord commands us let us doe without any quarrelling let the least inckling of the word beare the sway When our Saviour sent his disciples for the Asses colt they said but happily the men will not let him goe how then Tell them saith our Saviour the Master hath need of him and then they will not deny him It is enough let the Lord but speake and it is done this the soule should labour to attaine unto 2. The soule carries it selfe with an inward opposition to what ever is opposite to the government of the Lord Jesus Christ to the uttermost of our power It is in vaine to say it were well if it were so and I would it were so and yet stand still and not to set to our hand but we must joine with the Lord and as hee spake of Merosh Cursed be thou because thou wentest not out to help the Lord so truly the Lord Jesus is coming to our townes to our families therefore we should step out and help the Lord against those high mountaines of pride and stubbornenesse of heart when a proud heart stirres would wee but cry out good Lord help downe with that stubborne
the soule that hee would remove those things that would remoove us from him This wisdome promiseth Prov. 6.21 That shee will walke with them that walke with her shee will keep them from the way of the wicked woman sinne is like an harlot therefore the Lord is pleased to expresse it after that manner Now it is the mercy of God that hee will turne our eyes from beholding of vanity that there may not bee violence of sinne assaulting us now wee pray therefore that wee may not come into the battaile if it be possible and that sin may not come in against us 2. That the Lord would assist us in the temptation that the temptation may not prevaile It is a mercy not to bee tempted but if wee must needs bee it is a great mercy not to be overcome by temptation if he will not wholly prevent us by his grace yet to assist us gratiously in it It is mercy not to bee assaulted and though assaulted yet assisted Now this assistance of God is twofold either extraordinary or mediate by the meanes wee speake not so much of the first though that be true but wee crave both at the hand of the Lord. 1. Sometimes we crave for the extraordinary help and assistance of the Lord to assist us even above meanes in the meanes wee know the Lord in the time of Queene Mary did help wonderfully their temptations were grievous and afflictions great yet the Lord did help them extraordinarily hee did let in abundance of sweetnesse but wee passe this and come to the other 2. Wee pray especially for such meanes as may help us and that appeares in foure particulars 1. That the Lord would discover the enemy before hee come that hee would make knowne unto us the engins wiles and depths of Sathan and the subtilty of our owne corrupt hearts which are ready on every hand to surprize us For to be surprized before wee are aware is great danger Therfore wee pray that the Lord would give us the spirit of Revelation that wee may take notice of the engines of Sathan and that hee may be discovered to us The discovery wee know of an evill is a meanes to prevent it not foreseeing misery we cannot prevent it he that sees not an evill before it comes wil be overthrown by it when it comes Many a man perisheth by pride knowes not what hurts him this corruption blowes up the soule This the Lord promised Isay 30.21 Thou shalt heare a word behind thee saying this is the way that GOD may keep a man from sinne hee sends the Spirit of Christ to say this is the way walke in it The text saith 2 Cor. 2. there speaking of the incestuous man wee are not ignorant of the methods of Sathan so we pray the Lord that hee would discover the methods of Sathan to us Matt. 26. When the great skirmish was to come our Saviour forewarned Peter said I wil smite the shepheard c. And saith watch and pray for the houre is come hee gives him the warning peece wee pray thē that God would make knowne to us the engines of sinne and Sathan before they come Wee know it is a great help in warre to know the quarters orders of enemies that so a man may order his according thereunto So wee must know where the Divell and our corruptions lye quartered know what be the haunts of our wretched harts so order the helps God hath put into our hands for the resisting of them 2. That the Lord as it were would entrench about us if wee bee not foretold of the enemies that if wee should not see sinne to prevent it yet that God would lay some heavy impediment upon us and build some trench about us that wee may not commit those evills wee are tempted unto that though hee doth not reveale the policy of Sathan yet that hee would lay some snares that wee may not commit that sin which otherwise wee would doe and this is a marvellous mercy Gen. 20.7 Abimelech tooke Sarah and thought she had been Abrahams sister as hee himselfe told him and no question hee had a purpose to take her to be his wife but the Lord laid an impediment the LORD kept Abimelech from Sarah hee tooke off the edge of his desire and laid a barre betweene them Hos 2.6.7 The Church was running after her abominations now how did the Lord prevent her The text saith I will hedge thy wayes with thornes and build a wall about thee the lovers were corruptions and the following of them was the eager pursuite of thē Now God hedges the wayes with thornes that is hee layes afflictions on her that she had no liberty to sinne so that shee hath enough to doe to mind her owne miseries sometimes a man is addicted to base company and then the Lord layes sicknesse upon him to prison him and keep him from that sinne this is Mercy 3. The Lord puts armour and weapons on them to fight against their enemies that are opposite to his grace and children Ephe. 6. from the 10. to the 18. bee yee strengthned in all might putting on all spirituall abilities to bee strengthned in every good worke God saith hee covers the head of his 1. Pet. 15. God keepes them by the power of his grace God gives his the whole armour the sword of faith the brest plate of righteousnes to quench the firy darts of Sathan and to resist him 4. God gives a dominion over and a conquest of all our enemies and over all our victorious corruptions hee gives a happy issue and successe with the fight hee gives issues with the victory Rev. 1.6 hee hath made us Kings that is hee hath given us a Kingly authority over all our corruptions So Rom. 6. sinne shall not have dominion over you and Psal 119.133 Let no iniquity have dominion over mee thus the Lord assists his in trouble 3. As wee pray that the Lord would prevent the occasions of evill and if they come to assist us in them So lastly if we bee foyled and brought under by the temptations of Sathan and our owne corruption that the Lord would rescue us from thē that have had too much power over us and too too much prevailed against us This wee know was the request and desire of the Prophet David Psal 39. O spare me that I may recover strength before I goe away hence and bee no more seene as who should say my base lusts are too strong for mee These hands were stout but now feeble therefore good Lord give mee that former strength his sins were as sickenesse therefore hee saith I knew the time when I had a broken heart for my transgression but now a hardned therefore O Lord spare mee a little while before I goe hence and be no more seene that I may recover my former zeale and strength againe Rom. 8.2 The law of the spirit of life in Christ hath made mee free from
spirit of mine how soone would it yeeld but if you say come pride and you and I will joyne together is this calling for the Kingdome of Christ to come no no you are traitours and conspirators and no subjects therefore stop your mouthes this is no submitting but conspiring When Iesabel looked out of the window with her painted face saith Iehu who is on my side fling her out so saith the Lord will you have pride or mee If you bee on my side fling downe that proud untoward heart which hinders the Lord Jesus for taking place in your soules you paint your selves in a proud humour but if you bee on Gods side downe with those painted strumpets Wee must not onely oppose great sinnes but every sinne wee must not sodâ—r with any secret corruption although it be but the appearance of evill it we must absteine fâ—oÌ„ Mases said leave not a hoofe neither would hee start an haires bredth from Gods commandement in any particular but subdue all 3. Though the soule cannot bee as it should yet it doth desire the Lord whether sinne will or no to rule us and lay all flat downe under the goveremnt of Christ when the heart findes a great deale of untowardnesse power of sinne then it saith Lord thy Kingdome should prevaile but the sonnes of Zerviah are too strong for mee therefore take power to thy selfe and plucke away what ever doth oppose thee It was a good speech of a good Christian that hee desired the Lord to rule whether he would or no. Thus the soule should be disposed to entreat the Lord that he would break open the doore when the Lord comes and we will not open wee desire the Lord would come in by a kind of violence the soule intreates the Lord to conquer to breake in and make way into the heart and to take possession wholly in the soule Now when the soule is loath this should bee it is a wretched spirit when the Lord will subdue sin and we are loath it should bee so doe wee then pray Christs Kingdome should come When wee are not able to beare a command of his no no the soule will then labour to oppresse sinne and pray to the Lord for power against it Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven This is the third Petition 3. Petition and in it are three things observable 1. The order of the same 2. The sence and meaning of the words 3. The frame of the heart in the putting up of this petition 1. For the order the reason is because the two former petitions make way for this third he that glorifies God by all and hath his power set up in his soule hee onely doth Gods commands for naturally there is no ability in man to doe the will of God but when the spirit works within then we are able to frame our hearts to Gods will David being a man after Gods own heart was alwayes ready to doe his will this is the reason of the order of the petition from the ground thereof observe two instructions 1. That he that thinkes out of his owne power to doe Gods wil it is impossible hee should doe it no hee shall never doe it 2. Wee must first submit to the Kingdome of Christ before we can doe his will Bee under the government of grace and then thou mayest goe on cheerefully wee faile if before wee have submitted wee would bee doing first Christ must doe terrible things to the heart before it will yeeld to obedience now for the meaning of the words Q. What is the will of God A. It is the purpose of the Almighty touching the accomplishment of any thing there is nothing done but the Lord doth it whatsoever is brought to passe that is Gods will in generall Ephes 1. Q. How many kinds of wills is there or how manifold is the will of God A. It is twofold not in regard of it selfe but in regard of us 1. The revealed will of God 2. The secret will of God 2. What is the secret will of God A. It is that secret purpose hee hath in himselfe before al worlds and hath not discovered it to the creature Ephes 1.9 having made knowne unto us the mistery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himselfe the Gospell was hid in the bosome of the Almighty not observeable by man or any creature under heaven but now it is revealed 1. Cor. 2. Who knowes the mind of God the deep things of God none knowes but the Spirit of God and as it is not made knowne so wee have nothing to doe with it in this place Q. What is the revealed will of God A. It is the purpose of God which he hath made known to us by his word and revealed to us in his works Q. What is this doing of the will of God A. It consists in and implies two things 1. That what ever God makes knowne to bee his will to lay upon us wee should willingly submit yeeld unto if God would have me poore when it is done wee should approove of the accomplishment of Gods will It is the breach of many commands that when God thwarts our desire we are unwilling it should bee done The wife is discontent that the husband should die the husband that the wife should die never lost man such a wife as I this is profestly against this petition I held my tongue and said nothing said the Prophet will the Lord have it then not a word more his spirit yeelds presently takes the stroake doth not thwart the good will of God which likewise was the practise of David Ely Hezechia It is the Lord let him doe what hee will Nay our blessed Saviour himselfe saith not my will but thy will bee done This is the folly of our hearts we take armes against Gods will God would have us to be poore and wee will be rich This is not to doe the will of God though God force us to it yet that is no thanks to us we sinne desperatly in our aversenesse 2. The heart is not only content with what God doth whether losse of life friends liberty and the like but there is another will must be done besides what God reveales to bee a duty must be discharged by us If there be a truth to bee made knowne unto us wee must acquaint our selves with the will of the Lord and with all diligence practise it Make my heart one with thine that I may ever feare thy Name let thy will bee mine oh saith the soule that I might ever feare thy name this is to doe the will of God Wee doe not say let it be spoken of and conferred of by mee but let it bee done let it bee accomplished fully in me wee must not lift at it and give GOD good words and talke and leave it undone but labour to doe it throughly It is not enough for the child to say I know
what my Father commands mee but I will doe what I list such hearts cannot pray to expect any thing at the hands of God now and then to looke at a duty saying I would it were so away with that sluggishnesse to wish the will of God were done and yet you will have your owne wils and runne according to your owne fancies To this precept it belongs that wee should set on others to doe Gods pleasure In vaine doe we wish it to bee done and doe not provoke others to doe it when Agrippa and Paul were grapling together saith Agrippa thou hast almost perswaded mee to bee a Christian not almost saith Paul but I would have thee altogether as I am except these bonds I would not have thee fettered as I am but enlarlarged in heart to doe Gods will Therefore saith Ioshua I and my house will serve the Lord he that not only neglects Gods will himselfe but hinders others that man doth not pray this petition aright he that saith thy will bee done and in the meane time withdrawes others by his secret allurements saith what should I bee such a foole to bee at other mens bow and becke to sit howling in a corner as thou dost no no well bee it knowne unto thee thou that wilt not doe Gods will here the Lord will have his wil done on thee one day to thy cost hee that will not doe Gods will here God will send him packing to hell hereafter and there hee will execute his will upon him whether he will or no. Q. How must wee doe the will of God we doe now and then stumble on a duty and now and then take up a service but yet wee are now then peevish and wayward Is not this enough A. No no you must doe it in earth as it is done in heaven not now to bee some thing and then to be nothing now a Saint and then a Divell but you must cōstantly obey God Q Can a man doe the will of God on earth as the blessed Angells doe it in heaven A. A man cannot doe it in that measure the Angells doe it but wee may doe it as they doe and performe the same obedience with them though not in quantity yet in quality a child followes the father though it cannot runne so fast as the father a scholler may imitate the copy and write after it though not write so fast and well So the servants of the LORD cannot doe the will of God here in that quantity that the Angells doe it in heaven but in quality like them let their obedience be our patterne not in the measure but in the manner of it Q. In what things must it bee done how can we expresse any action like theirs A. This resemblance is in foure particulars 1 They doe it readily they are ready prest at hand to doe the good wil of the Lord upon all occasions They are not withdrawing themselves but ready upon every occasion to doe what the Lord requires Iob. Job 1. It is said that The Sonnes of God appeared before him they are ever in his sight to give attendance to him as a handmaid is at the hand of her mistres So that of Isaiah They cover their faces before the mercy seat they cover their faces in token of awfulnesse and reverence and cry holy holy holy They are ever before him as a dutifull servant at his masters beck and call The Angells ever behold the face of God hee cannot becken but they are at hand In this readinesse of theirs to doe the will of the Lord wee should imitate them to be ever prepared to serve him not to have our affections stragling but with Abraham behold thy servant is at hand thus it should bee with the soule The Lord saith you must not have this sinne and that corruption we must reply Thy will bee done Lord not as Moses when the Lord commāded him to goe to Pharoah saith hee who am I Lord send another no it should not bee thus with us wee should be ready at hand here Lord speake for thy servant heareth Goe to Paul Act. 9. saith the Lord to Ananias and hee went for all he had been a persecutor Ionah will goe to Tarshish rather then to Niniveh Wee should not doe thus but as Cornelius when hee sent for Peter saith we are all here before God Act. 10. to take notice of whatsoever it shall please him to reveale to us Let your lamps bee light and prepared that whether the bridegroome come at midnight or at any other time all may be in a readinesse at a push when hee calls when the Lord saith here is a sinne to be sorrowed for I submit Lord saith the soule Wee must not let God stay for us to bee haled to any duty no but we must attend his will neither must wee stand it out I will bee wicked and I will walke in mine own way stil so you may perish and for ever bee damned and goe to hell when you have done this is not to doe the will of God as it is done in heaven The Angels came before God and the text saith the Divell came also by force full ill against his will so wicked men dare not but they must leave some sins but that is perforce they are either constrained to it by the Lawes of men or by the horrour of conscience and the like not with ready and chearefull spirits 2. The Angells doe the will of God speedily they delay not but are willing and presse in the performance of Gods will if the Lord doe but becke they are gone Isay 6. The Angells are said to have divers wings some to cover their faces in token of humiliation some to cover their feet to shew their speed and hast to performe what God at any time shal enjoyne and commaund This we should as they doe shake off all lingrings of spirit when wee see a thing should bee done and God requires it naturally wee are marvellous lazie in our Christian course and come like a Beare to the stake is this to doe the will of our heavenly Father as the Angells doe No certainly David praysed the Lord with his best abilitie and ran the wayes of Gods cōmandements so should wee make hast and delay not When the Prophet Elisha sent his servant to the womans sonne hee bad him salute no man make no stay by the way this marvellous care should be in us Pray for our lives and runne on in a Christian course for our lives not to trifle but to goe with all speed till wee come to our journeyes end not sluggishly as if a man cared not whether hee did it or no If profit or pleasure would be tampering with us salute them not wee should take up our resolutions if honour and profit would bee hanging about us fling them off let us not regard them but ride post hast When our Saviour sent his disciples out to preach hee bad
the Law of sin and death saith Paul Sinne makes Lawes but we entreate the Lord that hee would prevent corruption that he would assist us in temptations ordinarily and extraordinarily that hee would discover the enemy before hee come that hee would entrench about us vouchsafe us armour and weapons to resist give us dominion over our enemies and if we bee overcome that he would rescue and recover us out of them all this is the summe of this petitioÌ„ Now wee come to the frame of heart that wee should bring before God that so wee may bee fit to receive the good wee sue for from his hands Q. First wherein doth this appeare A. The frame of heart and disposition of soule that best beseemes us in the putting up of this petition appeares principally in foure things 1. When wee truly desire that the Lord would not let us bee drawne asâ—â—â—â—â— or lead into temptation we must labour to auoid all such occasions as may be too strong for us or prevaile over us In vaine wee desire to be delivered from evill when wee rush into evill as if a man should take pitch into his hands and desire not to bee defiled or put fire into his bosome and pray not to be burnt this is a slighting of Gods mercy and provoking of him to wrath rather then a begging of favour Wee would count it a madnes for a man to cast himselfe into the sea and then desire to bee saved to make our selves sicke that God may make us whole againe it is nothing else but as wee may say so to make God worke thus to run into evill and then to pray the Lord hee would deliver us from evill it is a provoking mocking of the Lord the wise mans rule is here memorable Prov. 23.2 3. If a man bee given to his appetite Let him put a knife to his throate if thou lovest the wine looke not upon it if a man be given to his appetite it is in vaine to pray against it yet cate but put thy knife to thy throate absteine therefrom please not thy appetite The promise and the providence of God goe together Psal 90. hee will succour and relieve us but it must bee in the way of his providence hee that goes out of the way and craves Gods assistance shall never have it but hales on evill to himselfe Matth. 18. Our Saviour speaking of offences saith If thy hand cause thee to offeÌ„d cut it off and if thy eye cause thee to offend plucke it out that is were thy sinnes as deare to thee as thy right hand in regard of profit or thy right eye in regard of pleasure cut them off pluck them out fling them away rather then bee foiled by them In vaine wee crave the assistance of the Lord and in the meane time lay blocks before us It is meere presumption No marvell then if many times the Lord leaves a man because hee strives not after that hee prayes for It is enough to cause the Lord to curse us when wee doe not avoid the occasions of evill hee that will not fall into the pit let him not come neere the brinke of it hee that will not be snared by evil let him shunne and avoid all the occasions of evill 2. If wee bee weake of our selves and cannot prevern the occasions of evil yet bee carefull to seeke all such meanes as may be succourable and holpefull to us if wee cannot help out these wil surprize us Let us seeke the meanes to succour us in our need the sicke man that craves succour of the Lord must use the meanes the Lord hath appointed happily thou findest temptations pressing on in thy calling thou canst not avoid it the more the occasions are the more seeke for meanes that may fortifie thee hee that will bee healed let him seeke the Physician hee that is out of the way and would bee set in the right way let him enquire it out and not sit still and say Lord have mercy upon mee but seeke It was that which Ioshua did Jos 7. he called yet the Lord did not help him but said Why dost thou so Israel hath sinned looke out the execrable thing Israel hath sinned looke to that It is in vaine to pray that the enemy may not prevaile if wee labour not to roote him out of the Camp doe that throughly and then the overthrow of thine enemies will be easy to thee 3. When we have found the meanes labour to bee content to bee ordered by all the meanes and helps that God hath been pleased to ordaine for our good It is a madnesse to crave as Balaam Oh that I might dye c. and yet see the way and will not walke in it Ier. 42. They said to the Prophet enquire at the word of the Lord and what ever hee commandeth we wil do but when they heard and knew it they would not obey the same In vaine it is to crave the pardon of sinne when we looke not to the promise to desire sinne to bee subdued yet cannot abide the meanes that should doe it When a man saith I will not be counselled but will have my proud heart and will walke in mine owne wayes how can such a one say deliver me from this proud heart when he wil not let counsell take place when a man is in horror of heart when conscience flyes in his face it is in vaine to whine then and yet wilt not thou bee ruled by the word of God but doe as vaine as ever as loose as ever as idle as ever thou beggest one thing dost practise another thing so long let us never put up this petition 4. We must rely on the Lord for a blessing on all a successe in all so use the meanes as if there were no promise to help and yet so depend upon God for all as if the meanes could doe nothing observe all thy occasions say counsell and advice is good but the Lord must set them on man lives not by bread onely but by the blessing of God in the meanes goe to the spirit of the Lord and see there a greater power then in all meanes 2 Kings 2. If thou canst see mee taken up then shalt thou have my spirit doubled upon thee If thou seest the God that takes mee up then hee wil give thee his Spirit looke to God above all meanes and hee that is thus disposed that man prayes aright to bee delivered For thine is the Kingdome We have done with the six petitions three concerning God his name Kingdome will three concerning our selves coÌ„cerning things of this life of a better Justification Sanctification wee come now to the conclusion and in it consider two things 1. The thanksgiving 2. The conclusion of faith in the word Amen In the thanksgiving is included both a reason of the petition as also a forme of thanksgiving as who should say wee doe not presume wee can doe
appoint it so because that if he had done well we should have been saved now consequently it must follow that because he sinned we must also be punished Q. How did Adams sinne become ours A. By imputation Q. What is imputation A. That whereby the fault of one man is put upon another Q. How came we to have originall sinne A. By propagation in regard that Adam sent his nature into us and we become like him The third Principle Concerning redemption by Christ Quest WAs our Redemption necessary A. Yes because God determined an end of his Creation now man because fallen if he should be destroyed the end would be frustrate Secondly God had ordained the glorification of his mercy in man now had there been no Redemption where would the glory of his mercy appeare Thirdly the Elect fallen without this could have had no comfort Q. Who is this Redeemer A. Jesus Christ the second Person in the Trinity hee onely can subdue our enemies and satisfie his Fathers wrath Q. Wherefore was Christ the fittest person in the Trinity Ans 1. Because hee could most prevaile with God being his Son Secondly God being he who was fully offended it was not justice that he should pay himselfe Q. Why did Christ take the nature of man upon him A. 1. Because it was man that sinned Secondly there must be a suffering as well as a satisfaction Q. Did Christ take upon him the person or nature of man A. The nature onely for else there should have been two persons which cannot be Q. How did Christ take mans nature upon him A. The Holy Ghost sanctified it and then Christ took the same Q. What are those things observable in this nature A. His union and the manner of his conception Q. How is his union A. Inseparable for our nature could not be separated from him the eternall Sonne of God so tooke the nature of man that when it met with him it was not changed but remained the same for ever Q. How was Christ conceived A. By the Holy Ghost who at this time and in this thing imitated the nature of man Q. Of whom was Christ conceived A. Of the Virgin Mary Q. Why had not Christ a Father as well as a Mother A. Then had he been lyable to sinne which was principally imputed to man Q. How did Christ suffer A. By his Death which was two-fold corporall and spirituall corporall whereby his body was separated from his soule and spirituall whereby hee was separated from God Q. What things are to be observed in the death of the soule Ans 1. The wrath of God and his anger against a man of which Christ tasted Secondly the consequences which are desperation and continuall punishments from which Christ was most free The fourth Principle A sinner of an humble and contrite spirit apprehends Christ by faith and so is justified and sanctified Here are two things 1. A preparation 2. The Benefit Quest WHat is contrition A. When a sinner is brought to such a sight of sinne that being enforced to feele the burthen thereof hee comes to bee sequestred from it Q. How many things are here considerable A. Three 1. A sinner must be brought to a sight of his sinne 2. Hee must bee enforced to feele it 3. He must come to be sequestred from it Q. Why doe you say Brought to a sight of his sinne A. Because of himselfe he neither will nor can see his sinne Q. What doe you meane by sight A. A cleare and convicting sight of sinne Q. What is it to have cleare sight of sinne A. When a man sees sinne as it is in its colours Q. What is it to see sinne convictingly A. When a sinner is perswaded in his conscience that that sinne which the Minister and the Word of God speakes of is his own sinne Q. What is meant by sinne A. In sinne there are two branches the evill of it and the punishment of it Q. Which is worse of these two A. The evill of sinne for 1. that which deprives a man of the chiefest good must needs be the greatest evill but sinne deprives the soule of God the chiefest good 2. We see Christ could suffer punishment but not be sinfull 3. And God is oft the Author of punishment but not of sinne Q. What is the second thing in the definition Answ Hee is inforced to feele it men would bee flying off from the meditation of this sinne Q. How may a man feele his sinne as he should doe Ans By meditation and application Q. How by meditation Answ 1. By considering what a GOD hee hath offended how great mercy abused and justice provoked not onely in time of ignorance but since wee knew him Secondly A serious meditation of the vile and filthy nature of sinne Q. How doth the vilenesse of sin appeare A. It separates us from Gods presence and procureth eternall misery Q. How by application Answ 1. By convincing the heart of its loathsome conditon 2. By dogging the heart when there is any occasion of sinne and still telling it of Gods judgement Q. Can any man of himselfe doe this A. No it must be Gods humbling hand Q. What doe you meane by sequestred Ans When a mans hearts desire and hungring is to get out of sinne though hee cannot saying with himselfe there is no reason why I should be thus ruled by base lusts Q. What is humiliation Answ When the heart of a poore sinner comes to despaire of all hope and helpe either in himselfe or any creature and is contented to bee at Gods disposing Q. How many things are to be considered in this definition Answ Hee despaireth of all hope in himselfe or in the creatures and is content to be at Gods disposing Q. When doth a man come to this despaire A. When he seeketh to the world for succour and findes none Q. When is a man content to bee at Gods dispose A. When he acknowledgeth he hath no good in himselfe and confesses if at any time God afflict him that it is just with God so to doe resolving what ever trouble lyes upon him still to trust and call upon God Contrition and humiliation are two graces which must be wrought in the soul before faith can enter in 1. Because every naturall man hath sinne to be his God now there cannot be two Gods in any mans heart 2. Because by faith we goe unto Christ to receive good at his hands now one cannot goe to Christ before he goe out of himselfe before we can get the pearle we must sell all that we have now Christ is the pearle wee must sell all our corruptions to enjoy him Q. What is faith A. A resting upon God grounded upon knowledge and assurance that God is my God in Christ Q. How many things are included in this knowledge A. A sight of sinne and a sense of it which will produce three things 1. A prizing and seeking for mercy 2. No content in any thing till
we have obtained mercy 3. The testimony of Gods Spirit which assureth Gods children their sins are pardoned Q. What is meant by resting upon God A. It is discovered by two particulars 1. Casting our selves upon the Promise 2. A perswasion that they shall be fulfilled to us Q. What is lustification A. When a beleeving sinner is accounted just in Gods sight through Christ according to the Law Q. Why say you accounted A. Because Justification puts nothing into us nor findes nothing in us Q. Doth God justifie wicked men as they are in themselves A. God provided another to be their surety for whose sake he accepts them Q. Can one mans wisedome understanding and holinesse be accounted to another A. Yes if one mans offence be imputed to another then may one mans righteousnesse but Adams sinne was imputed to us Rom. 5. therefore Christs Righteousnesse may be accounted ours If the Law be that the surety may be punished for the debt as well as the debtor then may the sureties satisfaction be accounted to the debtor both because the surety and the debtor tooke upon them the same thing and subjected themselves to the same condition Q. What doe we learn out of these words according to the Law A. No man can be just except he be in some measure answerable to the rule of justice Q. What did the Law require A. Two things 1. Dying for sinne 2. Doing that wee may live Q. Was our sinne made Christâ— by commission A. No onely by imputation for when Christ dyed to save us did we dye also no onely his death was imputed to us Q. What doth Christ receive from us A. Guilt and punishment Q. What doe we receive from Christ A. His merits and obedience Q. Doth faith it selfe justifie a man A. We are not justified by faith for it s but an instrument whereby we lay hold upon Christ and so are justified Q. Must justification be joyned to sanctification A. Yes for justification goeth before and sanctification followes after Q. Wherein lyeth the difference A. lustification putteth nothing into a man nor findeth any thing in a man Sanctification puts a new frame of he art into us Q. But doth not God put grace into a justified sinner A. Yes but he doth it by sanctification not by justification We receive justification all at once and that neither admits of increase or decrease but holinesse is usually increased and decreaseth many times Q. What is sanctification A. It s the restoring of a justified man into the image of God wherein he was created Not a making new faculties in the soule but putting them into right order as when a clock falls in pieces the wheels being not broken the clock hath not new wheeles set into it but they are new made againe Q. How many things be there in sanctification A. Two Mortification and Vivification Q. What is mortification A. The first part of sanctification whereby sinne is killed in us by the power of Christs death applied unto us Q. Can sinne be wholly subdued in a man A. No but it may be lessened and filed away Q. Wherein lyes the difference between sin in a wicked and a godly man A. There is the neerest union that may be between sinne and the soule of a wicked man Sinne beareth greatest rule here and the soule yeelds greatest subjection unto it He hath a secret resolution to sinne in spight of God and his Ordinances But in a godly man the power of sinne is loosened and the union broken sinne is not in him as a King though it may be as a Tyrant Q. Can mortification and vivification bee severed A. No where God bestowes Mortification there hee likewise bestowes vivification Q. Which goeth first A. Mortification for before we can receive Christ we must make roome for him by casting out all wickednesse Q. What is meant by this word vivification A. It is that part of sanctification whereby wee are quickned to newnesse of life by Christ his Resurrection applyed unto us Q. How is this wrought by Christs Resurrection A. In sinne wee must conceive there is 1. The guilt 2. The punishment 3. The power of it the guilt and punishment Christ by his Death removed Q. But how did he take away the power of them A. We having sinned Christ dyed and rose again for us whereas sin and Satan would have kept him in still if they could but hee came out by force The fift Principle Faith commeth by hearing and is strengthned by the Word and Prayer Meanes to get and increase Faith Quest How may we get faith Answ By the hearing of the Word preached Q. Why is Faith wrought by the Word A. Because God hath promised a speciall blessing thereunto and the holy Spirit accompanies the same for this purpose Q. Why by the Word preached A. Because the Word preached doth evidently reveale truths to the soule and works more effectually upon a mans heart Q. How is Faith encreased A. By the Word Sacraments and Prayer The Word addeth fuell unto Faith provoking a man to come to Christ by shewing 1. the need we have of him by reason of our daily wants and infirmities 2. The all-sufficiency of Christ to supply us 3. And his willingnesse to receive all commers Q. When is Faith strong Ans 1. When it grasps as it were a whole handfull of Christ a little child can grasp but a little of any thing 2. When it holdeth firmly that it catcheth hold upon Q. How doe the Sacraments strengthen saith A. 1. They present Christ neerly and visibly to the soule 2. They shew Christs merits obedience inflaming our hearts with love to him Q. What is Prayer A. It is a going out of our selves to God craving things answerable to his will Q. How a going to God A. Not a bodily going but the mind affection and understanding stirting up themselves to present their suit to him Q. Can a wicked man pray A. No 1. Because true Prayer is from the Spirit and a sanctified heart 2. These men oppose what they beg for Q. How many parts be there in Prayer A. Two Petition which is a craving of that we want and Thanksgiving which is a giving God thanks for that we have Q. What is the pattern of Prayer A. The Lords Prayer which Christ gave to his Disciples Q. Into how many parts is it divided A. Into three 1. A Preface 2. Six Petitions 3. A Thanksgiving Q. What doe you meane by Father A. The first Person in the Trinity who is the fountain from whence all we have floweth Q. How is God said to be a Father Ans 1. In regard of Christ 2. In regard of us Q. How is God the Father of Christ Ans 1. By naturall generation 2. By personall union Q. How is God a Father in regard of us Ans 1. In regard of Creation so the Angels are sons of God 2. In regard of Adoption which is the taking one in stead of a child