faithfulnes of God in performing the promise of salvation to them to whom it belongs and is intended Rom 4.21 Heb 11.19 1 Iohn 1.9 P. Oh good Sir it may bee that salvation may in it selfe and in the event be sure to the faithfull but may they themselves be sure of it M. Yea they they may being truely faithfull at one time or other before they dye in one measure or other of assurance namely such as shall be sutable to their trialls and sufficient to comfort them in their afflictions 2 Cor 1.5 but all have not like assurance of salvation neither hath any one the like assurance alwayes nor in the same degree free from doubting P. How may it be proved M. By these two reasons 1. Because it is witnessed to their spirit by Gods Spirit who shedds Gods love abroad in their hearts Rom 5.5 that they are Gods children and consequently that they shall be saved for none are saved but onely Gods children Romans 8.16 And they may bee sure of that which Gods Spirit doth witnesse unto them because he is the Spirit of truth 1 Ioh 5.6 2. Because true beleevers in Christ are sealed with the Spirit of promise and receive an earnest of their inheritance Eph 1.13 14. Now an earnest penny it gives assurance of the bargain and a seale confirmes assures a writing to which it is put 3. Because the Apostles were assured of it for Paul was perswaded assured that nothing should separate them from the love of God in Christ Rom 8 38. Iohn knew the love of God to him 1 Ioh 4.16 5.19 Now the Apostles had not this perswasioÌ„ knowledge or assurance as they were Apostles but as they were Christians because they were not saved as Apostles but as Christians P. Oh but how can they be sure to be saved when they caÌ„not be sure to persevere to the end for they onely are saved that persevere to the end M. They that onely professe to have grace and faith in Christ but have it not indeed can never be sure to bee saved because they cannot bee sure to persevere for they cannot persevere in that which they have not But for all this they that have grace indeed and are truely regenerate may be sure to persevere 1. because God loves theÌ„ to whom hee gives saving grace 2 Cor 13.13 And whom hee loves once hee loves to the end Iohn 13.1 And therefore they persevere in grace to the end that they may be loved in the end and therefore are they loved to the end that they may persevere to the end Iohn 13.1 2 They may bee sure to persevere because the Lord hath promised that the peace of God shall keepe their hearts and mindes in Iesus Christ Phil 4.7 3 They may be sure to persevere because the Spirit of God so assists them that by the motion and efficacy thereof they that are truely indeed borne of God and begotten of him and not Sacramentally onely they doe keepe themselves and that wicked one toucheth them not 1 Iohn 5.18 For they building up themselves in their most holy faith and praying in the holy Ghost for continuall assistance they keepe themselves in the loue of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto eternall life Iude v 20.21 4 They may bee sure to persevere in grace if the Annoynting which they have received abide in them and if his seede remaine in them and this hath God promised to the truly regenerate 1 Iohn 2.27 3.9 For though in respect of some things in themselves whereof you have heard in the point of Preservation by the Spirit and as of themselves they could not persevere nor be sure to persevere but fall away yet in other respects they doe as hath beene shewed P. Sir I am much beholden to you for your great paines in the teaching me the second point of seeking to be saved and â—n all the branches thereof I pray you now in the last place shew me the last point which is seeking to get salvation M. You must get salvation Seeking to get saluation by performing some actions which God requires on your part to be performed for the attaining thereof P. Me thinks it seemes strange to mee how man can get and attaine salvation by any action of his which he doth himselfe M. When I speake of some actions of men whereby they attaine unto salvation I would have you to consider two things 1. That I doe not meane that man doth these actions by any absolute activity or efficiency that is in and of himselfe or the power and dominion hee hath over his owne will for he doth them by Gods will and by his effectuall grace disposing and enabling him thereunto who workes in him to will and to doe of his owne good pleasure Phil 2.13 But I meane that these actions are done by their own understanding and will for they are not ignorant of what they doe nor are they compelled to the doing of them Mans supernaturall and godly actions are Gods as hee moves him thereunto by his grace and procures him actually to consent to the motion of grace but they are mans owne actions as hee is the next and immediate doer of them and as they proceede from him as a vitall and reasonable creature And therefore it is said that the just shall live by faith Hab 2.4 And therefore the actions of beleeving are applyed to men in all the three persons I beleeve Acts 8.37 Thou beleevest Rom 10.9 Hee beleeves Marke 16.16 2. When I say man gets and attaines unto salvation by some actions of his owne I doe not meane that there is any merit or worth in these his actions to procure or deserve salvation in the least measure or degree as they come from man But that God hath appointed such actions of men to bee conditions to bee performed on their part to make their persons capable of salvation and that these actions have this efficacy to this end not as they be done by them but as they are appointed by God for them and as he enables them to doe them according to his appointment P. Sir I am fully satisfied But I pray you what bee those actions of men appointed by God as conditions on their part to bee performed for the attaining of salvation M. They bee of three kindes whereof the first prepare them to get it the second give them title and interest to claime it and receive it and the third give them assurance of it P. What be the actions that prepare them to get salvation M. They are these First they must know and acknowledg their sinne and misery they must beleeve and feele the guilt and punishment of their sins Acts 2.37 For this will make them to feele their neede of salvation and their unability to save themselves Mat 9.13 and that they neede to repent and cry God mercy Luke 15.9 And this is wrought by the preaching
of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7
containe all truthes necessary to Gods service our salvation 2 Tim. 3.15.17 2. Reading searching and perusing them 1 Tim. 4.13 Ioh. 5.29 3. Praise and thanks to God for giving and keeping them vnto and in his Church Psal 147.19 20. 4. Desire and endeavour to vnderstand and make a right vse of them for our direction conversion consolation and satisfaction Acts. 8.34 Psal 119. P. What are the holy actions ordained by God for holy vses in the doing of which I must serve God M. Holy exercises They are certaine religious exercises ordeined and specially appointed by God for holy vses namely the honour of God edification of his Church and for Gods publike service and they are these foure specially 1. Hearing the word 2. receiving the Sacraments 3. praying to God 4. praising God We serve God in performing any or all these holy exercises for God hath commanded that they be done But besides the doing of them we are also to performe them in a manner prescribed by God and this manner of performing is service to God also and the duties that are to be done for this end are such as are either 1. common to all the four exercises or 2. peculiar to each of them P. What are the duties common to them all M. They are threefold for they concerne the time either 1. before wee come unto them or 2. when we are in doing them or 3. after wee haue done them P. What dutie is to be done before wee come to these religious exercises M. Wee must prepare our selves to them and not come hand over head Eccles 5.1 and this wee shall doe by considering 1. that we which performe them are but dust and ashes yea miserable sinners and vnworthy to performe them 2. that herein wee have to doe with the great God of heaven and earth Heb. 4.13 that we are in his speciall presence taking notice of vs and our behaviour Acts. 10.31 and that he will not hold vs guiltlesse if wee take his name in vaine Exod. 20.7 P. What dutie is to be done in the instant time we performe these religious exercises M. Generally wee must performe them as God hath commanded both for substance and circumstance Exod. 25.9 Hebr. 8.5 Specially we must performe them with worship and reverence to God 2 Chron. 29.29 P. What duties are to bee done after wee have beene at these religious exercises M. When wee have done and performed them we must endeavour to be bettered by them and remember to keepe our Covenant with God of serving him which wee professe to renew by our daily resorting vnto them and not returne to our former sinnes againe 1 Sam. 7.3 2 Pet. 2.20 21. Ezra 9.14 P. Oh Sir you tolde me even now that when I serve God in doing religious exercises to him that I must also worship God at the same time I would faine better vnderstand what it is to worship God M. What it is to worship God To worship God is to performe a religious exercise to God immediately with an humble affection of our soule and reverent gesture of the body Ioh. 4.24 Psal 95.6 Or to humble the soule and to bend the body immediately to God for his honour though we bee not in doing any such speciall religious exercise Gen. 24.52 Exod. 4.31 P. But I haue heard that to serve God and to worship God are all one are they not M. How it differs from the service of God In cōmon speech amongst many the service of God is taken for Gods worship but in propriety of speech and in the nature of the thing they are not for Gods service is a more generall duty and it is as much as obedience to God and it reacheth unto all things that are to bee done whether they be naturall and civill or holy and religious for in all these things wee must serve God But the worship of God is but a particular duty it is vsed onely in holy and religious actions and exercises and it is but obedience to one particular commandement 2. All worship commanded by God is service to him in as much as it is an obedience to God which hath commanded it But all service to God is not worship to God as will easily appeare by this Faithfulnesse in our civill calling is service to God because it is obedience to God who hath commanded it Mat. 25.21 but it is not worship to God because worship to God is performed in religious actions only unto God only that immediatly only but faithfulnes in our calling is performed in civill actions and mediately to men our selves or others P. I pray you good Sir make this a little more plaine unto me M. I will you may better vnderstand it by a familiar comparison taken from the service of men To serve a Master is to doe as he bids him Matth. 8.9 Eph. 6.5 But to worship or reverence him is to doe obeysance to him and to give him an humble and submissiue respect in looks words and gestures of putting off the hat making a leg or the like 1 Chron. 29.20 Dan. 2.46 Mat. 18.26 Luk. 14.10 P. Sir I thanke you I now perceive cleerely the difference betwixt Gods service and worship But now I pray you proceede to the duties of serving God which are peculiar to each of these foure religious exercises even now named and because the hearing of the word was the first therefore tell mee what is that exercise M. Duties in respect of hearing the word read and preached The hearing of the word is a part of Gods publike service wherein wee diligently hearken and attend vnto it whensoever it is read or preached and published that is expounded and applyed vnto vs Act. 16.14 P. What duties of service to God are we to performe at the hearing of the word M. They are of two kindes for they belong to the hearing of it either first both read and preached or preached onely P. What duties belong to the hearing of the word both read and preached too M. These sixe 1. Earnest heeding marking and minding of it Deut. 32.46 2. Beleeving or assenting to the truth of it Ioh. 5.47 3. Loving and delighting in it Psal 119.127.159 4. Laying it vp in our hearts Deut. 11.18 5. Keeping it in our hearts Luke 8.15 Luke 2.51 6. Calling of it againe to minde and memory and meditating vpon it Iam. 1.25 Iosh 1.8 P. And what duties belong to the hearing of the word preached onely M. They are of two kindes for they be either 1. common to all and every part of the word preached or 2. peculiar to some parts onely P. What duties are common to the hearing of any and every part of the word preached M. These two 1. receiving it not as the word of man but of God 1 Thess 2.13 2. Examining our selves how wee profit by it that is whether we be converted and saved by it and whether wee be guilty of the sins
which it reproves or doe the duties which it commands or be refreshed with the comforts it affords or bee terrified from sinne with the threatnings of it P. What are the severall parts of the word that we must performe duties vnto when they are preached M. They are foure chiesly 1. the commandements of the word 2. the promises 3. the threatnings 4. the good examples of the godly doings and sufferings of godly persons recorded in it P. What are the Commandements of the word M. The commandements of the word The commandements of God are those parts thereof which binde and enjoyn the doing of good actions and which forbid the committing of evill actions in thought word and deede P. And what duties of service to God doe properly concerne the commandements of the word preached M. These three 1. Obedience in doing the good actions commanded and in leaving undone and forbearing to doe the evill actions forbidden Rom. 2.13 Ioh. 13.17 Matth. 7.24 and that for conscience sake Genes 39.9 Iam. 2.11 and constantly Rom. 2.7 Gal. 3.10 2. Vsing al good means whereby wee may be furthered in our obedience Psal 119.10.11 3. Refraining all means occasions and opportunities whereby wee may be hindered in our obedience Psal 119.101 P. What are the promises of the word The promises of the word M. Gods promises are those parts of the word wherein God covenants with his people to bestow upon them upon their faith and repentance the things of this life that may be good for them and of the life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Psal 34.10 P. And what duties doe properly belong to the promises of the word preached M. These foure 1. Faith whereby wee beleeve the truth of them and trust in Gods power goodnesse and faithfulnes for the performance of them 2 Tim. 1.12 2. Hope in God assuredly to looke for the performance of them Psal 119.81 42.5 3. Ioy or rejoycing in the good things promised and hoped for Psal 119.162 4. Patience to waite Gods leisure till we be made partakers of them without limiting God the time or meanes Heb. 10.36 6.12 Rom. 8.25 Psal 130.6 123.2 Isay 28.16 P. What are the threatnings of the word M. Gods threatnings are parts of his word The threatnings of the word wherein God denounceth to bring vpon sinners for their infidelity and impenitency temporall spirituall and eternall judgements P. And what duties of service to God doe properly concerne these threatnings M. These two 1. Trembling and astonishment at the very hearing of them Ier. 36.16.24 2. Feare to sinne against God lest the evills threatned in them doe come vpon vs Revel 18.4 P. What are the examples of the word M. Certaine presidents The examples of the word and particular patternes of the faith obedience and patience of Gods servants and children recorded in the Bible P. And what duties properly concerne these holy examples M. These two 1. An honourable memoriall of them and of their good name seeing God was glorified by them Matth. 28.13 5.16 2. A sincere purpose and endeavor to imitate and follow their patternes in the practise of the like duties Luke 10.37 Heb. 6.12 P. Sir I thanke you for your labours touching my service to God in respect of the first religious exercise and part of Gods publike service I pray you goe on now with the second which is the receiving of the Sacraments and first tell me what the receiving of the Sacraments is M. Receiving the Sacraments Duties in respect of receiving the Sacraments is a part of Gods worship wherein by taking certaine creatures and using certaine actions about them appointed by God and by setting them apart by the word and prayer from common and civill use to a sacred use there is thereby signified and remembred Christ his death and also the benefits and merits thereof are sealed and assured to all true beleevers 1 Cor. 11.28 Rom. 4.11 6.2 3. P. How many be there of these Sacraments that are to be received M. Two 1. Baptisme 2. the Lords Supper P. What duties of obedience and service to God belong to the receiving of these Sacraments M. They be of two sorts 1. Some which be common to the receiving of both the Sacraments Some that bee proper to each of them P. What be the duties that be common to the receiving of both the Sacraments M. These two 1. In respect of our bodies wee must looke vpon the creatures and actions about them appointed by God to be used in the administring of them for the remembring of Christ and for the setting forth of his death and wee must permit the Minister to administer vnto us those creatures and actions to this end and also receive them from him when they are administred to vs by him Act. 8.38 Mark 16.16 Ezra 6.21 2. In respect of our soules 1. wee must meditate on the nature and parts use and end benefit and comfort of the Sacraments 2. We must remember with thankfulnesse the death and blood-shedding of Christ shewed and set forth therein 3. Wee must by faith apply to our selves the merits of Christs bloody death to the washing away of our sinnes and to the nourishing of our souls in the life of grace to the life of glory 1 Cor. 10.16 P. What duties to God are proper to the receiving of the Sacrament of Baptisme M. These two 1. Duties in respect of praying to God Desire and endeavour by prayer and examination to finde in our selves the efficacie and benefit thereof to the cleansing of vs from the power and punishment of our sins Rom. 6.3 4.2 Conscience to doe what wee have professed and to performe what wee have promised when wee were baptized namely to renounce the service of sinne and to continue Gods faithfull servants For hereby we shall manifest to our selves and others that our soules are inwardly and spiritually baptized with Christs blood and Spirit as well as our bodies are outwardly by the water and Minister Ioh. 3.5 1 Pet. 3.20 21. P. And what duties are proper to the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper M. The duties proper to that Sacrament have beene as you know plainely and largely delivered by me in a Booke called Spirituall exercise to procure a good appetite unto and a good digestion of the Lords Supper to which I referre you for more particular instruction P. Sir I blesse God for these your directions touching the receiving of the Sacraments which is the second religious exercise of Gods publike service I pray you proceede to the third which is Prayer and therein first tell mee what it is M. Praying to God is a part of his publike service wherein we call vpon him and beg of him either the bestowing of good things upon us or the removing of hurtfull things from us Psal 50.15 P. What duties of service concerne prayer to God M. They are of three kindes for they belong either 1. to the matter of
1 Ioh. 5.7 4. that the God of Israel is this God Deut. 5.6 2. The having of a God and the taking choosing and acknowledging of the God of Israel onely for our God Exod. 20.3 Iosh 24.22 P. And what are the speciall duties which concerne GOD immediately M. They be such as concerne his Nature being and essence P. What is God in his Nature M. God is a Spirit infinite in all perfections Ioh. 4.24 2 Cor. 3.17 Psal 147.5 1 Tim. 1.17 P. What are the perfections in God M. Certaine divine Attributes whereby as it were a part of his divine nature or some holy quality of God is shadowed out vnto vs and they are of two kindes for they betoken either 1. his greatnesse or 2. his goodnesse P. What are the Attributes of God Gods Attributes of Greatnesse which set forth his Greatnesse M. They are faculties whereby he is able to worke and doe what hee knowes is to bee done and what he wills shall be done and they are these sixe 1. Simplenesse or absolutenesse 2. Infinitenesse 3. Eternity 4. Immensity 5. Wisedome 6. Almightinesse or All-sufficiency P. What is the Absolutenesse or Simplenesse of God M. Simplenesse is a faculty in God which removeth from him all composition of parts as soule and body c and whereby he is God of himselfe and every thing in God is God himselfe Exod. 3.14 1 Ioh. 4.16 P. What is the Infinitenesse of God M. Infinitenesse is a faculty in God which denieth vnto him all limitation and whereby the perfections that are in God are in him without all measure Ioâ—â— 11.7 Psal 147.5 P. What is the Eternity of God M. Eternity is a facultie in God whereby he is vncapable of beginning succession or ending Psal 90.2.4 1 Tim. 1.17 P. What is the Immensity of God M. Immensity is a faculty in God whereby he is every where and cannot be comprehended in any one place 1 Kings 8.27 Psal 139.7 P. What is the Wisedome of God M. Wisedome is a faculty in God whereby he perfectly knoweth himselfe and in himselfe all things that have any kinde of being Iob 9.3 4. Acts. 15.18 P. What is the All-mightinesse or All-sufficiency of God M. Almightinesse is a faculty in God wherby hee is All-sufficient to doe whatsoever hee can will Psal 113.3 135.6 Gen. 17.1 P. O Sir I humbly confesse to Gods glory and mine owne shame that I was ignorant of most of these points and I blesse God for the knowledge of them thus farre by your meanes but proceede I pray you to teach me also what are the Attributes of God which betoken his Goodnesse M. I will Gods Attributes of Goodnesse Neighbor they are vertues whereby hee is willing and ready to doe and worke well and they are these foure 1. Holinesse 2. Mercy 3. Iustice 4. Love P. What is the Holinesse of God M. Holinesse is a vertue in God whereby hee is pure from all evill and sinne in himselfe and vtterly dislikes it in all others Psa 99.5 Habac. 1.13 P. What is the Mercy of God M. Mercie is a vertue in God whereby hee pittieth his children in all their miseries and is ready to deliver them out of the same Psal 103.8 Eph. 2.4 5. P. What is the Iustice of God M. Iustice or righteousnesse is a vertue in God whereby he rendreth to all according to his promise for the good of the godly and according to his threatning for the punishment of the wicked Dan. 9.13 1 Iohn 1.9 P. What is the Love of God M. Love is a vertue in God whereby he is infinitely delighted in himselfe and is so farre affected to his creatures as he is pleased to impart any goodnesse unto them Revel 3.9.19 P. Good Sir I thanke you for making me know God better than I did by teaching mee his Attributes but now also I pray you teach me to serve God in respect of them and therefore tell me what duties I am to performe to God in respect of these divine faculties and powers holy vertues and qualities in God M. The duties of service which you owe to God in respect of these Attributes of his Nature are of two kindes 1. Generall which concerne them all 2. Speciall which belong to the severall kindes of them P. I pray you what duties of service must I performe to God in respect of his Attributes both of Greatnesse and Goodnesse M. They are two 1. Admiring and adoring all these perfections and excellencies that are so infinitely in God Psal 139.5 2. Praising and extolling commending and magnifying God in and for them Psal 150.2 Revel 5.11 P. What speciall duties of service to God belong vnto him in respect of his Attributes of Greatnesse severally M. They are two 1. an awefull reverence of the Majesty and glorious presence of God wheresoever wee bee Psal 89.7 2. Feare and trembling to offend this great God by sinne in any time or place Psal 4.4 Genes 39.9 1 Cor. 10.22 P. And I pray you what speciall duties of service to God must I doe vnto him in respect of his Attributes of Goodnesse M. They are two principally 1. Faith whereby wee beleeve whatsoever he speakes or writes and also wee put trust confidence in him for all good things which hee hath promised in his word Ioh. 20.31 2. Love whereby our hearts are so knit vnto and our affections so set vpon God that we desire nothing more than him nor delight in nothing equall vnto him Psal 116.1 2. 97.10.12 P. Sir I heartily thank you for these savoury lessons the Lord bend my heart to practise these duties of service which concerne God immediately in respect of some things in himselfe Duties to God immediately in respect of some things that come from him as his Ordinances you tolde me also of some other duties that I am to doe in respect of some things that proceede and come from him what are these things I pray you and what meane you by them M. They are either 1. his Ordinances or 2. his Workes P. What meane you by an Ordinance of God M. I meane not a civill ordinance as foode and physicke appointed by God for civill and bodily vses and ends but an holy ordinance or meanes appointed by God for spirituall and religious uses and ends namely to beget and begin to increase and confirme grace and holinesse in vs. P. Then I pray you what bee these holy and religious Ordinances of God M. They bee either 1. holy things or 2. holy actions P. What are the holy things which God hath ordained for holy vses M. The holy Scriptures The holy Scriptures or the holy writings of the Prophets and Apostles P. What duties of service to God must I performe to him in respect of the holy Scriptures M. These foure 1. Beleeving that the 39 Bookes of the Olde Testament and the 28 of the New were endited by Gods Spirit 2 Tim. 3.15 2 Pet. 1.21 and that they