openly acknowledg'd by Christ shall be for ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 The Sixth Lesson About the Law and the Gospel Question 1. HOW shall we know the whole Will of God that we may do it Answer Hos 8.12 Isa 8.20 Eph. 2.20 1 Tim. 4.7 Tit. 1.14 Gal. 6.16 2 Tim. 3.15.17 The whole Will of God is reveal'd in his written Word containing all the Books of the Old and New Testament the Apocrypha being to be rejected as profane Old Wives Fables which turn from the Truth This Word is the perfect Rule or Canon which is able to make even a Child wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Jesus Christ Question 2. Why are the Scriptures call'd the Old and the New Testament Answer The Scriptures are call'd the Old and New Testament Isa 8.20 as they testifie of the whole Will of God both under the first Testament Heb. 8.6 to 13. or Church-Covenant before Christ came in the Flesh and since under the Second Testament or Church-Covenant enlarg'd and renew'd by Christ wherein 1st Col. 2.14 All the outward Levitical Ceremonies in the first Church-Covenant are taken away 2dly Rom. 15.8 Yet all their Spiritual Priviledges in that Covenant are confirm'd to us and our Seed 3dly 2 Cor. 3.7 11. And glorious Additions are made of Gospel-Grace to the Church Question 3. How shall we know the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God Answer Mat. 16.17 John 16.3 1 John 2.20 ch 5.6 Luke 24.32 1 Cor. 2.14 2 Pet. 1.19.21 The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are only known aright to be the Word of God by the witnessing of the Spirit of God in the Heart to the Testimony which they give of their heavenly Majesty and undoubted Divinity Question 4. How shall we come to understand the Mind of God in his Word Answer 1 Tim. 4.13.15 Acts 37.11 John 5.39 Ps 119.9 18. Eph. 1.17 18. 1 Cor. 2.12 13. We shall come to a right Understanding of the Mind of God in his Word by diligent reading hearing searching and meditating therein with constant Prayer to God for Wisdom comparing Scripture with Scripture by the help of the Holy Spirit Question 5. But will not the Learning of Men help to understand the Word of God Answer A knowledge of the Hebrew and the Greek Tongues in which the Scriptures were first written may be of use to understand the Letter of them Col. 2.8 1 Cor. 8.1 2. ch 1.19 21. ch 2.4 10 11. Luke 24.45 but Philosophy and other Learning puffs up and leads from a dependance on the Spirit who only can open our Understanding in the Scriptures Question 6. What are the chief Parts of the Word of God Answer Isa 8.20 with 1 Cor. 2.1 Luke 24.27 with Act. 10.43 Gal. 3.8 10. Psal 119.96 The whole Word of God may be divided into Law and Gospel both which are to be found both in the Old Testament and in the New the Historical and every other part of the Word referring and having a respect some way or other either to Law or Gospel Question 7. What is the Law Answer Psal 119.96 1 Tim. 1.8 9 10. Gal. 3.10 Exod. 20. all Mat. 5 6 and 7 chap. The Law consists of all the Commands and Threatnings in all the Bible not only in the Old Testament but in the New also all which are briefly summ'd up in the Ten Commandments given by Moses and explained by Christ his Apostles and Prophets Question 8. What is the Summ of the Ten Commandments Answer Eccles 12.13 Deut. 10.12 13. with Mat. 22.37 38 39 40. Rom. 13.10 The Ten Commandments briefly summ up our Duty to God and Man all which are contained in these Words of our Saviour Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind and with all thy Strength and thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self for Love is the fulfilling of the Law Question 9. How shall we aright understand the Ten Commandments Answer By knowing these three Things we may come to a good Understanding of the Commands 1st Psal 119.128 Deut. 6.13 with Lev. 26.1 That every Command for Duty forbids the contrary Sin and every Command which forbids Sin obliges to the contrary Duty 2. Rom. 7.5 7 8 14. Mat. 5.21 22 27 28. Prov. 24.9 Gen. 6.5 2 Cor. 10.5 By knowing that every Command reacheth the very Heart not only forbidding the outward Sin and commanding outward Obedience but even the Thoughts and Motions of Sin within us are forbidden and the Obedience of the Heart is required therein 3. 1 John 3.4 James 2.10 Mat. 23.23 By considering that any Transgression of the Law or the least want of whatsoever the Law requires is Sin Question 10. Can any Man obey the Commandments perfectly Answer Mat. 19 20. Rom. 7.9 10 11. Those that think the Law forbids only outward Sins and know not the Spirituality of it they think that they can perform all Jer. 4.14 Prov. 23.16 Rom. 3.10 20. Eccl. 7.20 but such as feel that the Command reacheth the very Heart forbidding every sinful Thought and commanding us even in our Spirit to fear God they know and are sure that no meer Man can perfectly keep the Law Question 11. Why then were the Commands given by Moses if no Man can perfectly obey them Answer Moses did not give the Law as a Covenant of Works that we should obey it for Life Gal. 3.24 but as a Schoolmaster for Three Ends 1st To shew us our miserable State by Nature Rom. 3.9 19. chap. 7.8 that we are all Sinners against the holy Law of God 2. To make us despair of Salvation in our selves Rom. 3.19 20. chap. 5.20 and to fly to Christ for help 3. The Law was given as a Rule of Life Psal 119.45 1â—5 133. to order all our Conversation by at all times And this is the only right Use of the Law 1 Tim. 1.8 Question 12. What is the Gospel Answer Luke 2.10 11. Acts 20.24 Rom. 10.15 with Isa 52.7 Acts 13.23 39. chap. 3.18 The Gospel is the Glad Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ containing all the free Promises and Invitations of Grace whether in the Old Testament or in the New Question 13. But are not Faith Repentance and Love the Commands of the Gospel Answer Acts 20.24 1 Tim. 1.5 10. Psal 19.7 8 9. Mat. 22.37 40. Mark 1.15 Gal. 3.24 The Gospel strictly taken for Glad Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ hath no Commands Faith Repentance Love and all Duties whatsoever being commanded by the Law yet in preaching the Gospel these Commands must be urg'd to lead to Christ Question 14. But is not the Gospel a new Law offering Salvation on the easier Terms of our sincere Obedience Answer Mat. 5.17 18 19 20. Luke 16.17 Phil. 3.9 Gal. 2.16 21. It
to this our only Rule yet not accounting that we have already attained or are already perfect Phil. 3.12 13. Psal 119.105 Isa 8.20 we will reach forth to those things which are before by the Light of the Word waiting for the teachings of the Spirit of Truth John 16.13 to lead us into all Truth in a diligent comparing Scripture with Scripture 1 Cor. 2.13 Prov. 4.18 till the light thereof shine more and more unto the perfect day Thirdly 2 Cor. 3.5 2 Chr. 34.31 Luke 1.6 typify'd Eze. 40.39.43 46.3 We do thro' the help of the Spirit Covenant to walk blameless in all the Ordinances which the Lord Jesus Christ hath given to his Churches both General and Special in their appointed seasons 1st We shall every First day of the Week 1 Cor. 16.2 Rev. 1.10 Psal 150.6 1 Tim. 2.1 Eph. 3.8 Gal. 6.6 being the Lord's Day wait upon God in the general Ordinances of Praise Prayer Preaching and Contribution to be dispens'd to all Praising God by singing Scripture Psalms Hymns 2 Chr. 29.30 Ephes 5.19 Spiritual Songs and no other Praying to God in and by the Spirit Rom. 8.26 Col. 2.20 without the Forms or Rudiments of Men. Preaching by our Pastour 1 Cor. 4.15 16. 12.28 1 Tim. 6.3 with helps appointed in the Word to instruct us according to our form of sound words Laying by us in store as God prospers us 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Heb. 13.16 that we may be ready for Contribution on all Occasions offer'd 2dly Isa 66.23 Ezek. 47.12 We shall according to the Months attend upon God in the special Ordinances Baptism And the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 4.1 Typify'd Eze. 46.19 24. The Seals of the Church commonly call'd Sacraments to be administred to us only by our own Pastour Fellowship And Censure Matth. 16.19 John 20.23 Rev. 3.7 The Keys of the Church to be exercis'd by our own Elders Baptism to be administred to us 1 Cor. 10.1.2 with Ps 77.17 Isa 52.15 with Matt. 28.19 20. Acts 2.39 41. 1 Cor. 7.14 12.13 with Gal. 3.27 1 Pet. 3.21 with 1.3 and to all our immediate Infant-Seed by sprinkling or pouring only Water on the Face in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Sealing to all their Covenant-Relation to God in his Church or putting on Christ by Profession and only to the Elect a saving-Relation by the sprinkling of Christ's Blood in Justification and pouring forth his Spirit in Sanctification Ezek. 36.25 Rom. 11.7 such alone putting on Christ to Salvation The Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11.23 to the end In which Bread is blest and broken and Wine blest and pour'd forth Luke 22.14 30 Numb 28.2 Heb. 9.26 and receiv'd by the Church met and sitting together in the Evening time as a Sign to all that in the Evening time of the World Christ's Body was broken and his Blood shed for the Remission of Sins Rom. 3.24 26. Sealing only to the worthy Receivers their saving interest therein Fellowship The Key Acts 2.42 Isa 26.1 2. Jer. 51.10 1 Pet. 3.15 1 Cor. 14. Jude 20. for opening the Gates of the Church to receive in the Righteous that keep the Truth in which there is a communication of Experience and Knowledge as also of Gifts and Graces by praying and prophecying for building up the Saints in their most Holy Faith 1 Cor. 14.34 35. no Woman being herein permitted to speak for 't is a shame for Women to speak in the Church Censure Rev. 1.18 1 Cor. 4.21 The Key for shutting the Door of the Church consisting of Admonition withdrawing from and cutting off Offenders Admonition Privately given Mat. 18.15 17 1 Tim. 5.20 Numb 12.14 Ezek. 43.11 for private Offences Publickly when the Offence relates to the Body with shutting up from Special Ordinances those that slight the Church 2 Thes 3.14 15 or their own Elders that such may be asham'd Withdrawing from Those that walk disorderly 2 Thess 3.6 Rom. 16.17 Ezra 10.8 Jer. 2.18 c. Heb. 12.15 17 cause Divisions and Offences forsake Church Assemblies present themselves at any Will-Worship or despise their Birthright Cutting off 1 Cor. 5.1 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Titus 3.10 Neh. 5.13 2 Cor. 9.13 And delivering to Satan such as are obstinate Hereticks or guilty of those sins that are scarce nam'd among the Gentiles To all this Discipline of Christ we profess Willing subjection And thus shall each one of us be in readiness to revenge all disobedience with the Sword of the Spirit in our hands 2 Cor. 10.4 6. Psal 149.5 9. this Honour have all the Saints Praise ye the Lord After this manner shall we call upon each other Psal 122.1 Heb. 10.24.25 Num. 28.2 Exo. 20.24 26. to go up to the Worship of Christ in our stated Seasons behaving our selves in the House of God not unseemly but as in the Presence of Christ Joel 2.15 2 Chr. 20.3.26 Attending also on such other Occasional Meetings for Fasting and Thanksgiving as it shall seem good to the Church from the Word to appoint So shall we keep all the Ordinances of God's House 1 Cor. 14.40 Ezek. 43.4.11 Matth. 15.9 Dan. 7.25 Col. 2.20 23. with the Times and Forms thereof rejecting all Ordinances Times and Forms after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men. Fourthly The Spirit helping our Infirmities 2 Cor. 3.5 We covenant conscientiously to discharge our several Duties to the Lord in this Body Heb. 3.5 We that are Officers Covenant to discharge our Duty Deut. 29.10 1 Pet. 5.2 Acts 20.28 Jer. 50.8 2 Sam. 23.3 The Pastour willingly to feed and take the Oversight of the Flock of God going before them in the ways of Christ ruling in the Fear of the Lord and being an Example in Faith Love and Zeal Titus 2.7 preaching the Word instant in Season 2 Tim. 4.1 4. and out of Season reproving rebuking exhorting with all long-suffering not profaning the Seals to any out of the Flock over which the Holy Spirit hath made him Overseer Ezek. 44.6.13 Matth. 7.6 The Elders diligently to help the Pastor in Teaching Rom. 12.7 8. Heb. 13.17 Watching over Ruling and Admonishing the Flock Acts 6.2 3.1 Tim. 3.8 14 The Deacons faithfully to serve the Tables waiting on that Ministry to which they are call'd using their Office well Furthermore We all Covenant to discharge our several Relative Duties Exodus 19.8 To our Own Officers To our Infant Seed To each other singly And To the whole Body jointly I st Neb. 10.29 Deut. 1.13 1 Cor. 9.7 15. Heb. 13.17 We Covenant to Discharge our Duty to our own Officers chosen from among our selves to maintain submit to and pray for our Pastour to cleave to him 2 Thess 3.1 Acts 17.34 1 Sam. 22.23 2 Tim. 4.2 Prov. 21.16 1 Cor. 4.15 16 1 Thess 5.13 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 2 Tim.
is the Heresie of the Papists and their Followers to say that the good old righteous Law of God is taken away to make room for a new Gospel Law by our sincere Obedience whereto any can be sav'd for if Righteousness comes by our Obedience to any Law Christ is dead in vain Question 15. But are not Faith Repentance and New Obedience reckoned for our Gospel Righteousness Answer Gal. 2.16 Rom. 3.20 21 22. Jer. 23.6 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 7.11 Eph. 4.22 24. The only Righteousness for which a Sinner is sav'd is the Righteousness of Christ receiv'd by Faith and imputed to us the Act of Faith doth not justifie but Christ the Object by Faith apprehended and rested upon and this Faith is ever accompanied with true Repentance and new Obedience Question 16. Then those that receive the Gospel are to do good Works Answer Tit. 2.11 12.3.8 14. 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Tim. 1.5 8 9. Rom. 7.12 22. 1 Cor. 9.21 Mat. 5.19 Those that receive the Gospel should be careful to maintain good Works done from a Principle of Faith unto God's Glory but all Commands for all good Works with all Threatnings for the neglect thereof are from the Law which is the Rule of Life to all Question 17. How shall we walk according to this Rule that we may glorifie God Answer Christ hath set up his Churches 1 Pet. 2.3 5 9 12. Luke 1.6 in which we should walk blameless in all the Ordinances and Commands of God Mat. 12.50 Acts 2.42 11.26 Gal. 6.16 Mal. 4.4 2 Cor. 9.13 not being partial in his Law but esteeming the Commands as highly in the Old Testament as in the New both being our Rule and such only are call'd Christians in the Scripture and to be accounted visible Believers who profess their Subjection to Christ in his Church The Seventh Lesson About Glorifying God in his Churches Question I. WHat is the Church of Christ Answer The Church of Christ is either 1st The Catholick Church Eph. 1.22 23.5.25 27. 2 Thes 2.1 consisting of all and only the Elect which is and will be invisible till the Judgment-Day Or 2dly The visible Church which consisted first in Families Gen. 17.7 10. Acts 7.38 Rev. 1.11 then in the whole Nation of the Jews and since Christ ascended it consists in particular Congregations Question 2. What makes a Congregation a true Church of Christ Answer More generally and briefly two Things go to the due Constitution of every Church of Christ Scripture Faith Col. 2.5 6. and Order without both which there can be no true Church But more largely and particularly to the regular Constitution of every true Church these * Prov. 9.1 These are the Churches Seven Pillars Seven things are necessary Right Foundation Matter Form Officers Ordinances Order and Ends. SECT I. Of the Right Foundation of a Church Question 3. What is the Right Foundation of a Church of Christ Answer The right Foundation of every true Church Mat. 16.18 Isa 26.4 Marg. Eph. 2.20 2 Pet. 3.2 Ps 18.22 Col. 2.19 1 Pet. 2.4 5. 1 Cor. 3.11 is the Person of Christ the Rock of Ages on whom the Church is built according to the Precepts and Practices of the Apostles and Prophets Christ himself being the only Support and Head thereof on whom the Faith of the Church stands and all other Foundations of Money Power and Policy not being of God will fall SECT II. Of the right Matter of a Church Question 4. What is the right Matter of a Church of Christ Rom. 10.9 10. 1 Cor. 1.10.7.14 Jer. 32.39 Deut. 29.10 12. 1 Cor. 14.23 and 11.20 Deut. 4.37 Psal 102.27 28. Ezek. 16.20 21. Luke 18.16 Answer So many professing Believers of one Mind and one Judgment with their immediate Infant-Seed as can conveniently assemble together to worship in one place and no more are the only right Matter of a visible Church of God who loving the Fathers chose their Children after them therefore the Infant-Seed with Believers stand in a Relation to God in his Church for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven SECT III. Of the Right Form of a Church Quest 5. What is the right Form of a Church of Christ Answer Psal 50.5 Deut. 29.1 9 15. 2 Cor. 8.5 with 2 Chron. 23.16 and 34.31 The only right forming of a Church is by Covenant in which all do give up themselves and their Children to the Lord and to each other by his Will to be the Lord's People and to walk after him in all his ways by such a Covenant were the Churches both in the Old and in the New Testament form'd Neh. 10.1 29. with Act 11.23 Jer. 50.5 with Act. 9.26 Heb. 8.6.13 Eph. 4.3 with Ezek. 20.37 Neh. 9.38 Ezek. 43.11 call'd in God's Word the First and Second Covenant and this being the Bond of the Churches Peace it is most expedient to have written in our sight that we may keep it and do it SECT IV. Of the right Officers of a Church Quest 6. Who are the right Officers of a Church of Christ Answer Christ hath appointed for each Church only two sorts of Officers Phil. 1.1 A Pastor and Deacon 1st Eph. 4.11 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Acts 20.28 1 Cor. 12.28 A Pastor or Bishop not to Lord over but to feed teach and rule that Flock to which he is related assisted in his Work by Elders if need be 2d Acts 6.2 3. 1 Tim. 3. all Deacons to take Care of the outward Affairs of the Church These Officers to be chosen by the Church from among themselves Acts 14.23 and by them to be ordain'd or set a part to their Work with Fasting and Praying without laying on of Hands Profit not 1 Cor. 12.7 Edifie not 1 Cor. 14.12 26 that Ceremony being no more to be us'd than washing of Feet or anointing with Oyl because the glorious Gifts that once attended it are long since ceas'd SECT V. Of the Right Ordinances of a Church Question 7. What are the Right Ordinances of a Church of Christ Answer Typify'd Ezek. 40.39 40 41 42. chap. 46.3 Ezek. 47.12 The Right Ordinances for the Worship of GOD in the Church are Eight Four being more general to be dispens'd every first day of the Week in which all may join And four more special to be confin'd to or kept within the pale of the Church and dispens'd according to the Months Question 8. What are the Four general Ordinances in which all may join Answer The Four general Ordinances are Praise Prayer Preaching And Contribution 1st Praise Psal 150.6 Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 By singing only the Psalms Hymns and Songs indited by the Spirit and contain'd in the Scripture 2. Prayer By the help of the Spirit Psalm 65.2 Rom. 8.26 Matth. 6.7 9. without humane forms according to the Pattern given by our Lord to his Disciples 3. Preaching By rightly dividing 2 Tim. 4.2 Acts 28.23 expounding and applying