bodies he shall wound the heads over many countreys and restraining and conquering all his and our Enemies 32. Christ as our Redeemer did execute these three Offices both in the State of his Humiliation when he was upon Earth and still doth execute them in Heaven in his Exaltation 33. Q. Wherein did Christ's Humiliation consist A. Christ's Humiliation consisted (i) Luke 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. in his being born and that in a low condition (k) Gal. 4.4 And when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law. made under the Law (l) Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. V. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Isa 53.2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry ground he hath no form nor comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him V. 3. He is despised and rejected of men a Man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not undergoing the Miseries of this Life (n) Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross the Wrath of God (m) Luke 22.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Matth. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying ELI ELI LAMASABACHTHANI that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and the cursed Death of the Cross (o) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures in being buried (p) Matt. 2.40 As Jonas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Acts 2.24,25,26,27 31. V. 24. Whom God hath raised having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it V. 25. For David speaketh concerning him I foresaw the Lord always before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved V. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope V. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption V. 31. He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption and continuing under the power of Death for a time 34. Q. Wherein consisteth Christ's Exaltation Christ's Exaltation consisteth in (q) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures his Rising again from the dead on the third day (r) Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God. in ascending up into Heaven (Å¿) Ephes 1.20 Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places in sitting at the right hand of God the Father (t) Acts 1.11 Which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Chap. 17. V. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he shall judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead and in coming to judge the World at the last Day 35. Christ our Mediator wrought Redemption from that State of Sin and Misery into which we fell and purchased a happy State of Life and Salvation for all to whom it is applied 36. Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption Purchased by Christ (u) John 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not V. 12. but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name by the effectual Application of it to us (x) Tit. 3.5 Not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost V. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour by his holy Spirit 37. Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A. The holy Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ (y) Ephes 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise V. 14. Which is an earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out V. 39. And this is the Fathers Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise it again at the last day Ephes 2.8 By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God. by working Faith in us and thereby (z) Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling 38. Q. What is effectual Calling A. Which effectual Calling is the Work of God's Spirit (a) 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Thess 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth V. 14. Whereunto he hath
his ass or any thing that is thy neighbour's his 17. Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God A. No meer Man since the Fall is able in this Life perfectly to keep the Commandments of (d) Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not 1 Joh. 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyer and his word is not in us Gal. 5.17 For the fiesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would God but doth break them in Thought Word and (e) Gen. 6.5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually Gon. 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour and the Lord said in his heart I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth neither will I again smite any more every thing living as I have done Rom. 3.9 What then are we better than they No in no wise for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin and so on to V. 21. Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all If any man offend not in word the same is a persect man and able also to bridle the whole body and so on to V. 13. Deed. 18. Q. Are all transgressions of the Law equally heinous A. Some sins in themselves and by reason of several Aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than (f) Ezek. 8.6 He said furthermore unto me Son of Man seest thou what they do even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here that I should go far off from my Sanctuary But turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations V. 13. He said also unto me Turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do V. 15. Then said he unto me Hast thou see this O son of man Turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations than these 1 Joh. 5.16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it Psal 78.17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness V. 32. For all this they sinned still and believed not for his wondrous works V. 56. Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God and kept not his testimonies others 19. What doth every sin deserve A. But whatever the Sin is great or small every Sin deserveth God's Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to (g) Ephes 5.6 Let no man deceive you with words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Matth. 25.41 Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels come PART III. What Duties God requires of sinful Man in the Law of Grace or Gospel for the escaping of God's deserved Wrath and Curse 1. GOD hath not left sinful man to perish in the state of Sin and Misery into which he is fallen but the first Covenant of Life or Works being broken by the first Adam God hath made a second Covenant of Grace to bring sinners to Eternal Salvation by Jesus Christ the Redeemer according to certain Terms and Conditions which God doth require of all and doth work in all that are saved There are several Duties and Conditions which God requires of sinful Man to escape the Wrath and Curse of God due to us for Sin. We call them Conditions because God requireth them from us 2. What doth God require of us that we may escape his Wrath and Curse due to us for sin A. To escape the the Wrath and Curse of God due to us for Sin God requireth of us Faith in Jesus Christ Repentance unto (a) Acts 20.21 Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Life with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of (b) Prov. 2.1 My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee c. V. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Chap. 8 33. Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not V. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me waiting daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors V. 35. But whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Isa 55.3 Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Redemption 3. Q. What is Faith in Jesus Christ 1. A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a (c) Heb. 10.39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Saving Grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for Salvation as he is offered to us in the (d) Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee V. 4. Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Phil. 3.9 And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith Gal 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have beheved in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified Gospel 4. Q. What is Repentance unto Life 2. A. Repentance unto Life is a (e) Acts 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted
fourth Commandment See Cat. Part 3. § 5 c. The outward and ordinary Means c. You cannot but desire the Mercies of this Life such as respect your outward Man. What makes Men outwardly happy but a Competency of the good things of this Life and Prosperity as far as shall be for God's Glory and our Good. Then Men live happily upon Earth when every one doth perform his Duty when we enjoy Peace when we live in Safety Honour Chastity good Repute outward Wealth and are content with our own Condition as you may gather from what is contained in the six last Commandments When you pray you must confess your Sins What Sins See the sinfulness of that State into which Mankind fell and the several Sins against each Commandment Make therefore your Requests known with humble Confession of your Original Sin bewail your Guilt the Loss of Original Righteousness the Corruption of your Nature and your many actual Sins of Thought Word and Deed of Omission or careless Performance of the Duties requ red and of Commission of Sins forbidden in each Commandment See and search each Commandment as opened in the Catechism together with the heinousness of your Sins and the greatness of them with their several Aggravations See Part 2. of the Cat. With a thankful Acknowledgment of his Mercies For what Mercies For all Mercies revealed offered and received particularly for the Covenant of Grace for Jesus Christ the Redeemer for all the Benefits of Redemption for Grace for the Means of Grace for outward Mercies publick private personal We offer up our Desires for what we want and make a thankful Acknowledgment of what we have and enjoy And so the matter of both is the same when you know what to pray for you know also what to be thankful for And to humble us in the sight of God and to make us earnest and importunate let us lay to heart the Misery of our State since the Fall Answ 22 23 c. Here followeth a Form or Pattern of Prayer sramed according to those Directions section 2 O God who art a Spirit Infinite Eternal Unchangeable in thy Being in thy Wisdom Power Holiness Justice Goodress and Truth Although we are not fit to come into thy glorious Presence being both unlike thee dark and foolish impotent and unclean guilty and corrupt thou art graciously pleased to command us to draw nigh unto thee and to seek thy Face in the Name of the Lord sesus Christ our Advocate in whom thou art well pleased For thine infinite Mercies and for thy Goodness sake be nigh unto us by thy Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ According to the multitude of thy tender Mercies be merciful unto us and blot out all our Iniquities A short general Confession We humbly confess and bewail that the Covenant being made with Adam for himself and his Posterity we who descend from him by ordinary Generation sinned in him and fell with him And now O Lord most holy and just we are guilty before thee we have lost Original Righteousness and our whole Nature is corrupted whereby we are apt and prone to all manner of actual Transgressions which proceed from this our Original Sin. We acknowledge that for our Sin we are justly deprived of Communion with thee and fallen under thy Wratn and Curse and made liable to all the Miseries of this Life to Death it self and to the Pains of Hell for ever Oh! we have daily broken thy Commandments in Thought Word and Deed and our Sins are very heinous in thy Sight because of many Aggravations A large Confession of Sin. Holy Lord our Nature is so corrupted and degenerate that we have by acting according to it transgressed all thy holy Commandments Oh! we have not loved thee with all our Heart with all our Soul and with all our Mind We have not loved our selves as we ought nor our Neighbour as our selves We are bound to keep all thy Commandments because thou art the Lord our God and Redeemer But Oh! we have not known thee nor acknowledged thee the only true God and our God nor worshipped and glorified thee accordingly As we have confessed thee with our Mouths so in our Works we have denied thee We have not worshipped and glorified thee as the only true God as God infinitely blessed and glorious but have robbed thee and given that to others which is due to thee alone and have not considered in our Hearts that thou who hatest Iniquity seest all things takest notice of and art much displeased with such Transgressors We have not received observed and kept pure and entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as thou hast appointed in thy Word nor have we considered thy Soveraignty over us Propriety in us and the Zeal which thou hast to thine own Worship We have not holily and reverently used thy Names Titles Attributes Ordinances Word and Works but have often prophaned the things whereby thou hast made thy self known neither have we laid to heart that though the Breakers of this Commandment may escape Punishment from Men yet thou the Lord our God wilt not suffer them to escape thy righteous Judgments Glorious and holy Lord We have not kept holy to thee such set Times as thou hast appointed not that one whole Day in seven which is our Christian Sabbath We have not sanctified it by an holy Resting all that Day from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other Days and by spending the whole time in the publick and private Exercises of thy Worship or only in the Works of meer Necessity and Mercy But on the contrary we have sinned by the Omission or careless Performance of the Duties required by often prophaning the Day by Idleness or that which is in it self sinful and by unnecessary thoughts Words and Works about worldly Employments or Recreations And we have not as we should considered thy merciful allowing us six Days for our worldly Employments thy challenging a special Propriety in the Sabbath-day thine own Example and thy blessing of it all which should have moved us to keep it holy Thus have we sinned against thine infinite glorious Majesty We have sinned against Heaven and against thee To these great Offences against thee the Lord our God we have added many Sins against our Neighbour also We have not only failed in performing the Duty which we owe to every one in their several places and relations but have often and many ways done contrary thereunto We have sinned in not preserving the Honour in not performing the Duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as Superiors Inferiors and Equals but have neglected or done many things against the Honour and Duty belonging to every one in their several places and relations We have not been so careful and charitable as we ought to do whatsoever tendeth to the Preservation of our own and our Neighbour's Life of our own and our Neighbour's
honoured most in the Reformation and Edification and Comfort of his Church have been most like to Elijah for praying And we should study to shew our selves Men approved of God in this part of our Ministry with sound Judgment heavenly Wisdom and holy Affections Epaphras was wont to labour fervently in Prayer Col. 4.12 And the Apostle besought the Romans to strive together with him in Prayer Rom 15.30 But yet this striving though in some active Spirits it cannot be confined to a set Form of Words doth not require us to lay aside all Forms which many holy Men that I could name have used out of Judgment and Choice and have prevailed with God by Faith and Fervency And let those who speak much of praying and daily or frequently pray apart and together took well to the matter and to their Spirits and see that they do not offer the Sacrifice of Fools nor be rash to utter a Matter before God. And it were better with the Church of God if we did put on Charity if we were cloathed with Humility if we disputed less about Forms and prayed more with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit Ephes 6.18 Vnbelief and Hypocrisie are a dead Load upon the Heart and keep Prayer from ascending When a Man's Heart is God's and when the Prayers we make are our own Sense offered up in the Name of Christ by the Spirit of Adoption according to the Will of God we shall be heard Yet I would not be understood as if Prayer were not a Duty of Natural Religion or that only regenerate Persons should pray but they be sure pray acceptably Wrangle not your selves into Breaches of Communion and Dis-union of the Spirit and let all things be done in Peace And so I offer this Help to such as need it as God shall be pleased to make it serviceable Of Forms and Extempore Prayers you may see Bishop Downham of the Lord's Prayer p 137. And Mr. Baxter's Cases 3. The last Chapter of this Part contains Directions for Self-Examination and Preparation for the Table of the Lord Behaviour at it and after it Much hath been printed upon this Subject and yet Communicants are comparatively few and prepared ones we fear are fewer The low and distracted broken state of the Church of Christ is matter of Grief and Mourning How unlike are we to a Body animated by the same Spirit joined to the same Head How many live and die grown to Years that never tasted of the Supper How many but very seldom How many are ignorant prophane negligent stupid do we what we can Oh that Longing after and Love to Christ had more power with many than the Observation of Customs and Seasons and the Laws of Men Some are affected with the Duty and Privilege and seem earnestly to desire it who fall off again How many are afraid of it lest this Table of the Lord become a Snare How many break Communion upon distaste of a Form of Administration though very sound or some dis-liked Communicants against whom they do not proceed as they ought How many labour under great Desections Melancholy and Fear How many put themselves off and abide in Vnsettlement that separate from publick and do not join with other Assemblies What! Do they wait for some higher Dispensation Or do they seek for what is no where promised or keep in suspence as afraid to renew Covenant with God Or what other Reason But can they live without Communion with the Lord How can they think of dying How many incorporate with particular Churches that with hold Communion from all others for meer Accidents and Circumstances Oh take heed lest between this Way and that Way you do not keep out of the Way which the Lord himself hath commanded you to shew forth his Death I should rejoice to see Matters of just and rational Offence taken away and Access to the Lord's Table to be as free and open as the Way to Heaven is But hour or when shall it be as long as that which is an Offence to one is a Duty to another Oh let us remember our Covenant with God our being incorporate with the Body of Christ labour to grow together in him who is not a little Head of a Sect or Party but of all that call upon him in all places I look upon Breaches in and about and from this holy Ordinance next to breaking the Vnity of the Spirit to be of all Breaches the most deadly Let us not divide for meer Accidents but look to the main The substance of the Ordinance and what is left as perpetual to the Church is delivered us by the holy Apostle who received it from the Lord 1 Cor. 11.23 c. where there is no Rehearsal of the Circumstances of Place Gesture and other Accidents of the first Supper but the standing Ordinance and Institution And where the Institution is observed the Ordinance is pure The next necessary Injunction is Self-Examination Let us look more to our own Hearts and fit them for Communion with the Body and Blood of our Lord and we shall not be so given to divide as we are And as for Communicants pray for them admonish them proceed regularly make not their Sin yours and their Presence doth not pollute you 2. The Design of these three Chapters being to carry them further on who had been conversant in the forementioned Catechism hath given occasion to bring it forth once more to Light with some few Propositions to fill up some spaces between one Point and another and to explain them with Quotations of Scripture It is not hard to see how some will be offended at this for its first Name and Title But without detracting from the Church Catechism or any other Form of sound Words by which Christ hath edified his Church I cannot easily conceal nor express my due Admiration of this 1. For the Soundness of the divine Matter clearly and excellently expressed 2. For the Comprehensiveness of it 3. For the Method and Connexion of Parts 4. For its Consonance with the holy Scripture by which it is proved and upon which it is built Whereby it appears the Faith of the Learner is not made to stand upon the Word of Man Decrees of Councils or Synods but the Word of God. Every Answer is full and clear but that which raiseth up my Heart in praise of God for it is the rare Description of my glorious Redeemer and the Doctrines that belong unto it In them we have as much Truth as can be laid together and as many Heresies cast out from them as can be summed up in so few Words There is an Antidote against the Prison of Cerinthus Ebion Arrius Samosatenus Nestorius Eutyches the Socinians and other Hereticks which appeared with the Reformation and gave those blessed Souls who were the Lights of the World much trouble The Harmony of the whole with the Doctrine of our Church has been judiciously shewed by Mr. Thomas
with psalms V. 3. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods V. 6. Oh come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our Maker us in these words For I the Lord. his Propriety in (d) Psal 45.11 So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him us in these words Thy God and the Zeal he hath to his own (e) Exod. 34.13 But ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves V. 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is Jealous is a jealous God. Worship in these words For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children c. 9. Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is Exod. 27.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God's (g) Matth. 6.9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy Name Dent. 28.58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law written in this book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name THE LORD THY GOD. Names (h) Psal 68.4 Sing unto God sing praises to his name extel him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH and rejoice before him Titles (i) Rev. 15.3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of saints V. 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorisie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest Attributes (k) Mal. 1.11,14 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name and a pure-offering for my Name shall be great among the Heathen saith the Lord of Hosts V. 14. But cursed be the deceiver that hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and my Name is dreadful among the Heathen Ordinances (l) Psal 138.1 I will praise thee with my whole heart before the gods will I sing praise unto thee V. 2. I will worship towards thy holy temple and praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name Word and (m) Job 36.24 Remember that thou magnisie his work which men behold Works Q. What is forbidden in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment forbiddeth all prophaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself (n) Mal. 1.6 A son honoureth his father and a servant his master If then I be a Father where is mine honour And if I be a Master where is my fear saith the Lord of Hosts unto you O priests that despise my Name and ye say Wherein have we despised thy Name V. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar and ye say Wherein have we polluted thee In that ye say The table of the Lord is contemptible V. 12. But ye have prophaned it in that ye say The table of the Lord is polluted and the fruit thereof even as wheat is contemptible Chap. 2. V. 2. If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my Name saith the Lord of Hosts I will even send a curse upon you and will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay it to heart Chap. 3.14 Ye have said It is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts known Q. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the third Commandment is That however the Breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from Men yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous (o) 1 Sam. 2.12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial they knew not the Lord. V. 17. Wherefore the sin 〈◊〉 the young men was very great before the Lord for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. V. 22. Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation V. 24. Nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear ye make the Lord's people to transgress 1 Sam. 3.13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not Deut. 28.58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name THE LORD THY GOD V. 59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful and the plagues of thy seed even great plagues and of long continuance and sore sicknesses and of long continuance Judgment 10. Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A The fourth Commandment is Exod. 20.8,9,10,11 Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy Daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it Q. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole Day in seven to be an holy Sabbath unto the (q) Deut. 5.12 Keep the Sabbath-day to sanctisie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee V. 13. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work V. 14. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid servant nor thine ox nor thine ass nor any of thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates that thy man servant and thy maid servant may rest as well as thou Lord. Q. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly
repentance unto life Saving Grace whereby a Sinner out of true sense of his (f) Act. 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do V. 38. Then said Peter unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Sin and apprehension of the Mercy of God in (g) Joel 2.12 Therefore also now saith the Lord Turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning Jer. 3.22 Return ye back-sliding children and I will heal your back slidings Behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God. Christ doth with Grief and Hatred of his Sin turn from it unto (h) Jer. 31.18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock accustomed to the yoke Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God. V. 19. Surely after that I was turned I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea even consounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth Ezek 36.31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways and your doings which were not good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations God with full purpose of and endeavour after new (i) 2 Cor. 7.11 For behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge in all things you have approved your selves to be clear in this matter Isa 1.16 Wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings before mine eyes cease to do evil V. 17. Learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless plead for the widow Obedience 5. Q. What are the outward Means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Redemption 3. A. The outward and ordinary Means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Redemption are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayer all which are made effectual to the Elect for (k) Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost V. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Amen Acts 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers V. 46. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart V. 47. Praising God and having favour with all the people And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved Salvation 6. Q. How is the Word made effectual to salvation 1. A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting Sinners and of building them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto (l) Nehem. 8.8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sence and caused them to understand the reading 1 Cor. 14.24 But if all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all V. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me Psal 19.8 The statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes Act 20.32 And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus V. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction c. V. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto good works Rom. 10.14 How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher V. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent c. And V. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Jews first and also to the Greeks Salvation Q. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to Salvation 2. A. That the Word may become effectual to Salvation we must attend thereunto with (m) Prov. 8.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors Diligence (n) 1 Pet. 2.1 Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil speakings V. 2. as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby Preparation and (o) Psal 119.18 Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law Prayer receive it with Faith and (p) Heb. 4.2 For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it 2 Thess 2.10 With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved Love lay it up in our (q) Psal 119 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee Hearts and practise it in our (r) Luk. 8.15 But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Jam. 1.25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word this man shall be blessed in his dealing Lives 7. Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual Means of Salvation 1. A. The
ever 1 Thes 4.16 In confidence of which they commit their Souls to God Ps 31.6 Acts 7.59 2 Tim. 4.12 2 Cor. 5.1,4 2 Tim. 4.8 3. They do immediately pass into Glory Phil. 1.23 or else it had been more desireable to enjoy Christ in Bonds than be dissolved See Luke 23.43 Mark the words are not I say this day c. but I say unto thee This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise The Soul of Christ was that day in Paradise therefore the Soul of the penitent was to be with Christ in Paradise that day for he was promised to be with Christ 4. No Man can merit eternal Life or degrees of Glory by his good Works it comes by gift Rom. 6.21 2 Tim. 4.8 SECT XXII Christians are obliged to or by the Moral Law. 1. GOD is the Lord and God of believers therefore they are bound to observe these Commandments 2. They are bound to keep by the equity of that other part of the preface who brought thee out c. A redeemed People must serve their Redeemer 3. The Lord Jesus was the Redeemer out of Egypt and gave the Law to Moses Acts 7.30 to 34. Heb. 12.26 whose voice shook the Earth 4. They Love God therefore it is a Law to them which requires Love Mat. 22.38,39 2. If ye walk in the spirit ye are not under the Law Gal. 5.18 doth not contradict this for we are not under the ceremonial Law nor the moral for Righteousness nor under the coaction and servile obedience nor condemnation of it for it is the Law of the Lord our God who is so in the Covenant of Grace 3. The Law is as it alwaies was a perfect Law therefore our Saviour did not as a Prophet add new precepts to it He instituted new Sacraments and instanced in some duties not known to the Pharisces but they are all reducible to some precept of the ten 4. No Man ever did or can do more than is required in the Law. Our Saviour did the will of God and no more Heb. 10.7 Angels do no more Ps 103.20 Believers are unprofitable Servants Luke 17.10 5. Therefore 1. There are no works of supererogation 2. No Man can merit for himself or others 3. Therefore there is no treasure of merits to be dispensed to them that want Of Christs fulness there is a dispensation made by himself but he hath no Lord Treasurer of merits and indulgences in his Kingdom 4. There are no counsels of perfection The young Man in the Gospel Mat. 19. had more to part with and deny himself in than others but more than self denial was not required of him which is enjoined to all and was practised Acts 2.44,45 5. Vows of poverty make no Man perfect Obj. But as many as be perfect c Phil. 3.15 Answ Christianity is a comparative perfection as Heirs at Age Gal. 4.1,2,3 but absolute A sincere believer is Evangelically perfect in Christ and account of grace but not perfect according to the Law. Commandment I. 1. Prayer was alwaies a duty Ps 27.6,7,8 Our Saviour did not add the Lords Prayer as a new precept to the first Commandment 2. Christ added not the precept of Worshiping himself to the first Commandment for he was alwaies an object of Worship Compare Acts 7.30 Is 6.1,3 with Joh. 12.41 Is 45.23 with Rom. 14.11 Commandment II. 1. God is invisible therefore no Man can make an Image of him 1 Tim. 1.17 His People saw none therefore he forbad them to make any Deut. 4.15,16 Every Image made for God must be a real lye for none can be made like him Acts 17.29 All those representations of him in Scripture Visions are for understanding and not for sight 2. All signs of honour before Images are forbidden Exod. 20.5 Levit. 26.1 Is 2.8,9 chap. 44.13 to 20. 3. It is Heathenish to Worship the true God by Creatures or Images Rom. 1.22,23 4. The Israelites did not believe the golden Calf to be God but made it to be a visible sign of Gods presence The feast was to Jehovah and not to the Calf yet it was abhorred and punished Exod 3â— 5 c. 5. Images begâ—t carnal thoughts of the invisible God therefore are not sit to instruct the vulgar Deut 4.15,16 Jer. 10.8,14,15 Hab. 2.18 Ps 115.4 to 8. Rom. 1.22,23 The Worship of God. 1. God is the only Object of Divine Worship the Father through the Son by the Holy Ghost Ephes 2.18 and no Creature either Saint or Angel Matth 4.10 Deut. 6.13 chap. 10.20 Col. 2.18 Heb. 1.14 Act. 10.25,26 chap. 14 14,15 Rev. 19.20 chap. 22.8,9 2. The Socinians prove that Divine Honour is due to Christ from Luk. 17.5 Matth. 8.25 Act. 7.59,60 2 Cor. 12 7,8 1 Thess 3.11 That the first Commandment is not changed by giving him such honour for he is no strange but a subordinate God. From this Concession of theirs I argue for his Glory against their false Opinion of Christ 1. He who said Thou shalt have no other God but me saith of himself I am Jehovah thy God. We must have none for God but he who is Jehovah Thou shalt have no other God but me or before me Therefore if Christ ought to be worshipped by this Commandment as they confess he is God Jehovah the only true God. He ought to be worshipped with divine Honour by virtue of this Commandment But there is no God to be worshipped according to this Commandment but Jehovah thy God therefore he is Jehovah 2. There is no subordinate Jehovah Christ is Jehovah therefore not a subordinate God. 3. A subordinate God is a strange God Any God but me is a strange God therefore any God but Jehovah is a strange God for Me is a Relative to Jehovah and Me is the same as God Jehovah 4. The Object of our Worship in that Commandment is but one Jehovah thy God If Christ be not that one Jehovah he is not at all to be worshipped by this Commandment but he is to be worshipped as God therefore he is Jehovah 5. There is but one Cause of our Salvation Tit. 1.3,4 chap. 2.13 1 Tim. 2.3 chap. 4.10 therefore it cannot be that Christ is honoured as God by the first Commandment because he is the second Cause of our Salvation 6. If Christ be not God Jehovah and yet ought to be worshipped with divine Honour the Commandment must needs be changed for if there be a new Object of Worship there is a Change of the Commandment 3. The Worship of God is kept pure when it is not depraved with mixtures of false Objects with the true it is entire when the Ordinances are not more nor fewer than Christ hath enjoined nor any part taken from nor added to them 4. When God is worshipped with the Heart he is worshipped in Spirit and when he is worshipped plainly without Types and Shadows he is worshipped in Truth Joh. 4.24 5. The outward manner of God's Worship must be suitable to God and to the
general Rules of his Word A Form of Words is necessary in some parts of Worship and is but a manner or mode of doing and corrupteth not the Substance Circumstances are variable and must answer to the End of Worship Commandment III. 1. Christians may lawfully swear when lawful Power Matter Cause and End require it and when it is in a due manner The Light of Nature taught it Gen. 21.15 chap. 24.3,9 chap. 31.52 chap. 47.31 Holy Men used it and directions are given for it Jer. 4.2 Swearing by the Creatures or causless prophane Swearing is only contrary to our Saviour's Law Math. 5.37 Calling for or imposing Oaths on slight Occasions calls for Mourning and Repentance in our days 2. Christ and the Holy Ghost are God Jehovah It is lawful to swear by none but by God Jehovah It is lawful to swear by God and Christ say the Socinians Rom. 1.9 2 Cor. 1.23 chap. 11.31 Phil. 1.8 1 Thess 2.5,10 and by the Holy Ghost Rom. 9.1 therefore Christ and the Holy Ghost are God Jehovah He whom we honour by lawful Swearing is no other than Jehovah thy God. Commandment IV. 1. There was a Sabbath from the beginning of the World the first Seventh after the Sixth of the Creation was a Sabbath Gen. 2.2,3 Exod. 20.11 2. A Day of Rest is as necessary under the Gospel as before if it be not kept holy we are worse and not better for it We are not discharged from Ceremonial Burthens to take more liberty to contrive Business make Bargains travel coach about receive and pay Visits meet in Coffee-houses speak our own Words or do our own Deeds 3. The Commandment is contained in these words Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy The Confirmation and Establishment of it runs in these words Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and sanctified it We are obliged to a weekly Sabbath or Day of holy Rest and not to the Seventh any more than a First when the Lord thought fit to make a Change. Beside the Duty laid down there are many words added by way of Explication and Motive only 4. The Observation of the First Day was universal in all Christian Churches 1 Cor. 16.1,2 As I have given order in the Churches of Galatia so do ye upon the first day of the week c. This Order given for Charity doth strongly intimate the Observation of the First Day weekly And this Order was given to the Churches of Galatia who are blamed for observing the legal Sabbaths Gal. 4.10 They vanished the First Day is established 5. The believing Gentiles received the Observation of the First Day together with the Faith and the Christian Jews made no Controversie about it 6. It is called The Lord's Day Fev 1.10 as instituted by him and as consecrated to him Easter Day is only the first Lord's Day in order every first Day of every Week is of the same nature and for the same end 7. The word Remember doth not imply that it is a Ceremonial Precept but rather a strictness of Command and a Caveat against carelesness and forgetfulness of it Religion grows or decays is preserved or lost according as this Day is observed or not 8 Sabbath signifying Rest our Lord's Day may be called Sabbath without Judaizing as it is in our Homilies 9. A Day of bodily Rest is necessary for spirituâ—l 10. Parents Masters and Governors must see that it be sanctified To sanctifie it is a Moral Duty and though the Fourth Commandment be not a prime Moral Precept as the First is yet it hath a consequential Morality in it Commandment V. 1. All the Duties of this Commandment are enjoined under the Name of Honour teaching us a mutual Estimation of all Ranks of Men. 2. Parents must not provoke their Children by Rigour or unjust Commands Ephes 5.4 yet they may wisely correct as well as instruct them into due Obedience Heb. 12.6,7,8 And they who do the duty of Parents are to have the honour 3. Children in the power of Parents ought not to marry without their Consent if possible by dutiful means Col. 3.20 Ephes 5.1 In all things and In the Lord. 4. To make Vows and enter into Orders of Religion without Consent of Parents or to violate Marriage-Covenants for the same reason or to seduce any so to do is sinful Numb 30.4,5,6 Col. 3.20 Matth. 19.6 1 Cor. 7.5 5. Vows of blind Obedience are not seasonable therefore sinful Act. 4.19 1 Cor. 11.1 Rom. 12.1 6. All Orders of Men are subject to temporal Laws and must answer when accused Act. 26.2 Peter taught Subjection to all in Authority 1 Pet. 2.13,14 Rom. 13.1 7. Belivers under the Old Testament had spiritual Promises and not only temporal They had the Promise of Christ therefore all in him Gen. 3.15 chap. 12.3 of the Spirit Gal. 3.14 lived by Faith Heb. 11.13 looked for Eternal Life Joh. 5.39 and were Godly therefore had the Promises of the Life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Under the Gospel we have better Promises Heb. 8.6 because we are put into a better State. Commandment VI. 1. It is lawful for a Christian to be a Minister or Servant of God therefore to be a Magistrate and to bear the Sword Rom. 13.4,6 Captains left not their Places by becoming Christians Matth. 8. Act. 10.3 Soldiers are directed Luk. 3.14 The Promises of great Peace Isa 2 4. Mic. 4 3. Zech. 9.10 intimate the nature and influence of the Gospel which is not brought in by the Sword nor propagated by it 2. It is our duty to live peaceably c Rom. 12.18 yet a Man ought to maintain his own right Acts 21.37 chap. 22,23 to 26. But hatred and revenge are great sins Gen. 4.6 chap. 31.24 Levit. 19.18 Love and Righteousness must be promoted and maintained Commandment VII 1. Marriage is of the Law of Nature and not peculiar to the Church Plurality of Wives at once is contrary to the first institution Mat. 2.13,14,15 One should die before another be taken Rom. 7.2,3 1 Cor. 7.39 It is not Lawful to divorce for every cause Mat. 19.1 to 10. to marry in the Lord 1 Cor. 7.39 and Love intirely Ephes 5.25 are preventives of many sins 2. Fornication is a great sin 1 Cor. 6.13.18 ver 9. 3. It is better to marry than to burn 1 Cor. 7.9 All have not the gift chap. 7.2 therefore a single Life is not more perfect in it self And for Ministers it is Lawful in such cases Heb. 13.4 1 Cor. 9.5 1 Tim. 3.2,4 chap. 5.12 Peter's Wife had a Mother therefore he had a Wife Mar. 1.30 and we believe Philip had a Wife for he had four Daughters Acts 21.9 Commandment VIII 1. Men have a distinct property in goods 2. Every Man should peaceably enjoy his own 3. yet alienation by sale commutation charity contracts and payments of tribute and debts is Lawful I believe Paul well understood the manner of the King 1 Sam. 8.11 c. yet speaks of no more than of tribute