3.13 to himself as appears from the seventh and eighth Reasons going before and so hath brought us under the New Covenant Heb. 10.19 20 29. which is established upon better Promises Heb. 8.6 than the Old was Q. VVhat are the tearms conditions or promises pertaining to the Old Covenant A. These for substance are all the tearms of that first Covenant The man that doth these things shall live by them And Cursed is he that doth them not Rom. 10.5 Gal. 3.10 12. Q. VVhat are the promises or tearms of the New Covenant A. First in brief these are the New Covenant tearms He that believes shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be condemned But secondly The whole revelation of the Lords divine pleasure exprest in the Promises and Threatnings of the Scriptures are the New Covenant Tearms those only excepted that before were named appertaining to the First Covenant Q. But what is the New Covenant it self or how may it be understood A. Christ himself is said to be given as the Covenant Isa 42.6 and 49.8 Secondly the Blood of Christ is called the Covenant or Testament Mat. 26.28 Mark 14.24 Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11.25 Thirdly Teaching mercy pardoning mercy and renewing mercy are called the Covenant Jer. 31.33 34. Heb. 8.10 11 12. From all which this is evident That the New Covenant is Free Grace not only tendred but extended by the Father through the blood of the Son to all men sufficient to enable them to believe acceptably and they that believe have eternal life given them and all that tends to fit them for that blessed inheritance while the obstinate unbelievers for their disobedience to the Gospel of Grace perish Q. Is Faith of necessity to this New Covenant benefit A. Yea in all come up to years of discretion and capeable to attain it as appears Heb. 11.6 7. Gal. 3.22 26. John 3.15 16 18 36. Q. Have Children no Faith suppose you A. We have no reason to believe they have or can have any seeing Faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.14 17. and there can be no reason to believe that Faith can possibly be raised in the soul without hearing or means equivolent to bearing sufficient to enlighten the understanding in the knowledge of the Truth Q. Do you believe Children are saved although they have no Faith seeing the Lord will not save persons of understanding without it A. Yea First because Christ tels us that Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19.13 14. Luke 18.15 16 17. Secondly They being redeemed and so delivered from all danger of eternal ruine upon the Old Covenant account It is no way likely that the New Covenant which is better and more merciful will ever condemn such as never live to disobey it also the Scripture plainly manifesteth that the second Adam brought a Cure every way proportionable to the Disease the first Adam brought upon the world Rom. 5.12 c. and that the grace is much more abundant that comes by him which being true there is no place for a doubt concerning the estate of Infants but that it is well with them seeing they have no more disease but what hath originally befallen them if Children have no Faith Q. VVhat then is a visible Church of Christ or how may it be discerned from other Assemblies A. The visible Church of Christ is an Assembly of faithful Persons Saints by calling at least Q. VVho are Saints by calling A. Those that are won by the Gospel to believe and voluntarily give up themselves to the profession and practice of Religion and Godliness Ephes 1.1 Phil. 1.1 5 6 7. Col. 1.2 4 5 6 7 8. Q. VVhat Ordinances hath Christ appointed in his Church visible A. Prayer Preaching Baptism Laying on of Hands the Lords Supper with all Duties of Love in general and when necessity requireth Excommunication also 1 Tim. 2.1 Acts 12.5 2 Tim. 4.1 2. Mat. 28.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.20 Heb. 13.16 2 Cor. 9.6 7. 1 Cor. 5. John 13.14 15. Mat. 18.15 16 17.18 Q. At what age ought persons to be Baptized and received into Church-Communion A. The Scriptures have not exprest any age but the time when persons do indeed repent and with all the heart believe the Gospel Acts 8.36 37 38. Mark 16.15 16. Acts 2.38 41 42. and so saith the Common-Prayer-Book also in its Catechisme and that according to truth Q. Be those that are Baptized and so Members of the visible Church Heirs of Salvation A. Yea if they do as they profess in truth believe John 3.15 16.36 Q. VVhat is true Faith let us understand and know it seeing it is so necessary to Salvation A. True Faith believes unfainedly all that God saith how unlikely soever it appears to sense Gen. 15.6 Gal. 3.6 7 9. Luke 1.45 Q. VVhat is the nature of true Faith or how may it be known when it is savingly wrought in the heart A. It will work men to a suitable obedience and deliver them from the love and service of sin and therfore if any do live in the service of known sin they cannot be in the Faith nor yet the Servants of Christ John 8.34 39. 1 John 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Acts 15.9 Q. VVill not that Faith then justifie men which is without good works A. No it cannot because it is fruitless and dead Jam. 2.14 c. Q. Are we justified by Faith or by VVorks or by both together A. Nay we are justified by Faith without Works Rom. 3.20 27 28. and 4.2 3 4 5 6. For however the Faith that is without Works will not justifie yet the Works themselves add nothing toward our justification Q. VVherefore then are good VVorks of necessity A. They are not at all of necessity to justifie us nevertheless if we be without them our Faith is not true nor living no more than he can be a living man that hath no breath in his nostrils Q. But are VVorks of no use but only to prove our Faith true and of a living nature A. Yes we may and must work diligently as well as believe in order to the attainment of our Sanctification which is as necessary to Salvation as Justification is and Holiness is not gotten without diligent working John 3.3 4. Heb. 12.14 2 Pet. 3.14 Heb. 6.11 12. Q. VVherefore must we work in order to our growth in Holiness and not in order to our Justification A. In the one works profit not but contrarily tend to rob the Lord of the honour of his grace who forgiveth freely iniquity Rom. 4.2 3 4 5 6 7 8. but in the other works are profitable for the attaining of holiness as was shewed before and they are profitable to men and honourable to God Tit. 3.8 14. Mat. 5.16 Heb. 12.14 Q. But then wherefore must we believe in order to Sanctification seeing it will not prevent working A. All Works are altogether vain without grace and blessing from God which must be fetched by Faith from him through
Christian Instruction DIRECTING TO A more perfect and saving KNOWLEDGE of GOD in the Foundation Principles of True RELIGION By way of Question and Answer Meet to be seriously considered by all true Christians for their help and furtherance in the great Concerns of Eternal Life By W. S. And this is Life Eternal that they might know Thee the only True GOD and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.3 LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Bar TO THE READER Courteous Reader I Desire thee to take knowledge that this little following Treatise is not intended only nor chiefly for young Christians but especially for such growing Plants as it s to be hoped may be helped thereby to become so much the sooner ripe and ready for service to the Church of God The Texts I point to for proof of these Doctrines I neither repeat nor argue partly because I would not make my Book great that the price might be small and partly because I would have thee to exercise thy study but if thou meetest with any knot in the reading of my Book too hard for thee to unty if thou please to use my help I doubt not through the grace of God but I shall be able to help thee therein And for any Brethren that shall read my Book and upon the best consideration of it shall in any material point or points be found contrary to me in Judgment I should rejoyce to see such a frame of Spirit in them as to write me the reasons of their dissent I should comfortably hope this course in some short time would through the blessing of God graciously tend to bring us to Unity in the Truth Thus desiring thee to read seriously the ensuing Discourse I heartily bid thee farewel and rest Thine in any service for Christ W. SELLERS Christian Instruction Directing to a more perfect and saving Knowledge of GOD in the Foundation-Principles of true Religion Question WHat are we to judge of God is there one or more Answ There is but one God the Father of whom are all things Deut. 4.35 6.4 Qu. How must we understand and judge of him Ans He is not only the Author of all Beings but also the Fountain of all Good 2 Cor. 1.3 Ephes 4.6 Jam. 1.17 And all his Wayes which contain both his Decrees or Purposes and his Works are all like himself very good Gen. 1.31 Jam. 1.13 17. Psal 33.4 5. Q. But how can it be clearly proved that there is a God beyond doubt A. The Works of God make it evident Rom. 1.19 20. Psal 19.1 See more of this in my Book called A Preservative from Atheism and Error Q. But if God did make all things very good how came Mankind so very bad A. By breaking the Law and Covenant of God Q. Is the Law and Covenant all one A. There is no difference but only this the conditions of cursing the breaker of the Law and blessing the doer of it exprest Gal. 3.10 12. annexed or added to the Law maketh it a Covenant Q. What Law do you mean A. The ten Commandments exprest Exod. 20. Q. How doth it appear that this Law was given from the beginning and that Man transgrest it A. In that it is called the old and first Covenant Heb. 8.7 c. as also from Rom. 3.19 20. in that it stops every mouth and lays all the World under guilt and brings them to the knowledge of sin See more of this in the fore-mentioned Book Q. What is the punishment due for the breach of this Covenant A. The Curse of God Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 Q. Did the Curse fall upon Mankind immediatly upon the first sin A. Yea in part it did Gen. 3.17 18 19. Rom. 5.12 c. yet not in full measure to the utter ruin of the World as in God's just severity it might have done Q. How came the World to have any mercy and patience extended to it A. The Lord did graciously pre-ordain a Mediator to stand between Himself and Man who did undertake to die for Man and so stay the Curse from falling upon him to his immediate and utter ruin 1 Tim. 2.5 Rev. 13.8 Psal 75.3 Q. Do you judge Adams eating the forbidden fruit was a sin against the ten Commandments seeing it is judged by some that they were not given till they were made known at Sinai A. It is evident he sinned against that Law breaking the first fifth sixth eighth ninth tenth in the very letter of them And that his sin was against this Covenant is further manifest thus Till the first Covenant was faulty there should no place have been sought for the second Heb. 8.7 For the Law is not faulty in it self Rom. 7.12 13. but its only fault was it would not save nor any way help us when once it was broken Rom. 7.10 8.3 4. Now the breach of this Law leaving us helpless for it could give no life when once life was forfeited Gal. 3.21 therefore all life and mercy since the Fall must come by Christ upon a New-Covenant-account no other way being left now to attain it But further this is clear from this consideration That by the deeds of the Law can no flesh be justified Rom. 3.20 28. and yet Justification Abel obtained upon a New-Covenant-account at that day for he was justified by Faith Heb. 11.4 and Faith hath no relation to the Law Gal. 3.10 11 12. but they that are made just by Faith it is by Grace through Redemption-mercy Rom. 3.21 quite through to the end of the 5th chapter all Grace Light and Mercy whatsoever flowing now to the World through him ever since the Fall Joh. 14.13 14. 1 Pet. 3.18 19 20. Gen. 6.3 Q. If this Law of the ten Commands were given at the beginning wherefore then was it given at Sinai again A. First That the World might the better discern their sinfulness Rom. 5.20 and 7.7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. Secondly That the rich grace extended by Jesus Christ might be the better seen and esteemed and thankfully embraced Rom. 5.20 21. 1 Cor. 15.56 57 58. Q. Is then the whole World bound to keep this Law A. Yea as appears Mat. 5.17 18 19 20. Rom. 3.9 to 21. Jam. 2.8 9 10 11 12. Q. Wherefore doth James call this Law the Royal Law A. Because this Law is Kingly or Supream the other Laws of God being inferiour to it in dignity which as hand-maids are given to serve this Law since sin came into the world which but for the sake of had been altogether useless For what place could there be for the Law of Shadows but to represent a Saviour to come to redeem us from the Curse of that Supream Law neither could there be need or use of the Law of Judgments to punish evil doers if the Law of the ten Commandments had not been broken Q. Doth it appear that Man was created very good A. Yea as appears Gen. 1.31 and
for after-times not to do so but to tarry one for another vers 33. there is no warrant from Christ or his Apostles for any other season but it is easie for good men to learn of the Philistines to carry the Ark upon a Cart. Q. You seem to speak as if nothing might be done neither for matter nor manner but according to direction from the Lord. A. It is true it is my Faith we are not wise enough to guide our selves nor any men by humane wisdom fit to guide us and therefore we must not pin our Faith upon any of their sleeves nor follow them but as they follow Christ the written Word is the alone rule Mat. 15.9 Deut. 12.32 Q. But will this Rule hold good in all cases temporal as well as spiritual buying and selling governing and being governed A. I know not the case in which it will not hold for the holy Scriptures are able thorowly to furnish a man for every good work 2 Tim. 3.17 and a King is bound by the express Law of God to have a Copy of the Law of God by him so to direct him in his whole duty that he turn not from Gods Commandment neither to the right hand nor to the left Deut. 17.18 19 20. and so likewise must every inferiour person know how to discharge his duty by the direction of the same word Deut. 4.2 Josh 1.7 8. for a mans obedience where the Law of Nature most binds him is to be but in the Lord Ephes 6.1 the which duties can never be regularly performed but by the knowledge of the will of God which whosoever will attain must acquaint himself with the Word of Truth the holy Scriptures Psal 119.9 and 105.130 Q. What is the duty of Prayer A. First To ask according to the Will of God Secondly Take heed that you have no iniquity in your hands nor the love of it in your hearts but see that they be purged from all designe of serving it if you would be heard Thirdly Be sure to go with a merciful forgiving heart Fourthly Pray frequently and cease not till an answer comes Fifthly Believe or rest upon the Almighties grace and compassion through Christ for to hear and answer you 1 John 5.14 15. Isa 1.15 16 17 18. Psal 66.18 Mat. 6.12 14 15. 1 Tim. 2.8 Jam. 5.16 Luke 18.1 to 9. John 16.23 24. Jam. 1.5 6 7. Q. Who are to be cast out of the Church A. Obstinate and scandalous sinners Mat. 18.15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5.4 5. Q. Are such to be received into the Church again or not A. Yes they are to be received again with all love and tenderness if they repent 2 Cor. 2.5 6 7 8. Q. What is Repentance A. It is an unfained turning from all ungodliness and unrighteousness in all things to please the Lord. Q. Doth not Repentance consist in great sorrow and humblings A. So much sorrow and humiliation is necessary as will bring our hearts to search out the Will of God and do it for that is the great end and use of godly sorrow to work the heart to that hatred of sin and that watchfulness care and sence of the evil of it and danger of falling into it that we may be preserved from it for time to come and have our hearts and wayes brought into a sincere obedience and conformity to the will of God Q. Will you now before you conclude give your sence of God and of his wayes how we are to judge of him and them according as was hinted in the beginning Make those things plain for in those general tearms all men will subscribe to what you say A. My meaning is That whatsoever the Scriptures do attribute to God which holdeth forth excellency and glory as these Power Justice Holiness Wisdom Knowledge Truth or Faithfulness Soveraignty Eternity Infiniteness Omnipresence Omnisciencie or the like they are to be understood to be so perfectly the nature and being of God or which is all one they bear so perfect an accord with his matchless being and goodness that he can neither decree nor act at any time contrary unto them but what ever he decreeth or doth bears a perfect accord with these glorious Attributes altogether But when any thing is spoken of him which argueth frailty or imperfection these must be understood with great caution and restriction as namely Wrath Hatred Repentance or any passage that implieth want of Knowledge these cannot be properly attributed to God at any time but do or must refer or be referred to some works that God doth that have some circumstances at least in them either for matter or manner which if done by man would argue evil weakness or imperfection in him but impossible it is that they can proceed from imperfection in God Q. Do you call Repentance imperfection is it not a fruit of grace and a good work to Repent A. Although it be good and necessary for man to repent yet it argueth imperfection in him for if he had done nothing amiss he need not nor ought not to repent but for the Lord he can do nothing that is evil and therefore need not nor cannot repent Gen. 18.25 Psal 5.4 Numb 23.19 and any word implying any such weakness in God is spoken for our sakes the Lord stooping down to our infirmity that we may the better understand him Q. What think you of Gods Decrees A. First I believe them to be in Gods purpose determined according to his infinite Wisdom and Counsel before the world began Ephes 1.4 5 9 11. 2 Thess 2.13 And secondly I believe them to be as unalterable as God himself Psal 33.11 Mal. 3.6 Q. Think you we may not go too far in searching into the Decrees of God A. Yea doubtless if we go farther than the Scriptures have revealed his mind Deut. 29.29 But for his Decrees or Purposes which are all one of Election Reprobation Salvation and Condemnation these are parts of his Revealed Counsel and may be looked into and must if we must look into the Mysteries of the Gospel for certain it is that he doth nothing in time nor saith any thing in his Word but what beareth a perfect accord with his eternal and unchangable Decrees The Promises of the Gospel do tell us who are Elected to Salvation and the Threatnings do likewise tell us who are Reprobated to Destruction for God doth not Reprobate one sort of men and Threaten another nor Threaten one sort and Punish another Q. Who are elected to Salvation A. Those that in truth believe and are truly sanctified by the Spirit 2 Thess 2.13 Q. Are persons chosen and made Believers because they were chosen first or being found in a state of believing are they as such chosen to Salvation A. I know no Text of Scripture that saith that any are chosen any other wayes than they are in Christ Believers Saints or Godly or fore-seen so to be 1 Pet. 1.2 Ephes 1.4 Psal 4.3 Q. But are not persons