manifest unto them when God shall reveale them unto his Saints by making such a cleare evidence of his grace to appeare so that they may discerne the same worke of grace in others that is in themselves For it is impossible that true grace should alwayes lye hid but it will be manifested at one time or other to the comfort and rejoycing of the rest of the Saints Quest But by the parable of the Draw-net in the thirteenth of Mathew it doth appeare that there may be wicked men in the Church undiscovered and not knowne to be hypocrites untill the great day of the Lord Answ It is true there may bee such for I doe not say that all hypocrites may be discerned and knowne but that it is possible for the Saints to know one another even in this life Quest If all the Saints may be discerned and knowne then those that are not discerned to bee Saints are to be judged hipocrites Answ We cannot so conclude of them for though they bee nor as yet discerned and knowne yet afterwards they may be or they may be Saints and depart this life undiscerned through want of the fellowship of the Saints who onely are able to discern the truth of grace in the Saints Quest But how may we discern and know others to be Saints Answ It is very hard to set down any particular notes whereby they may be knowne because the graces that do demonstrate them to be Saints are inward and therefore are better conceived then can be expressed in word by us neverthelesse if we can upon good ground assure our selves that we are Saints let us see and observe wherein we go beyond an hypocrite in the injoying of any speciall and peculiar grace and then let us expect and look for the same grace in others and wheresoever we find that blessed worke of grace and fruit of the good tree ingrafted into Christ by a lively faith we may certainly conclude he is a good tree because he bringeth forth good fruit Quest But the most holy and righteous do daily sinne and do that which is evill and hypocrites may also do many good things even works which are very good in outward appearance Answ It is true indeed but yet notwithstanding the evill which the Saints do is none of their fruit nor the good that hypocrites do is none of their fruit It cannot properly be called their fruit for the fruit is that which doth discover the tree either to be good or evill Matth. 7.16.20 Rom. 7.19 Quest What is then the fruit of the good tree that doth discover it self and prove him to be a good tree Answ The fruit of the good tree ingrafted into Christ is manifold but principally it is love which hath its first beginning from the apprehension of Gods love to them and is first returned to God again and to the Lord Jesus Christ next to their brethren the begotten of God to all men even to their very enemies doing good even to them that hate them Mat. 5.44 1 Joh. 4.19 Chap. 5.1 Quest What is the fruit of the evil tree Answ It is also manifold but principally it consists in the contrary to this fruit of the good tree as contempt of God and despising and hating of his truth and children Quest But hipocrites may dissemble a love unto God and to his truth and children Answ It is true but yet they cannot so dissemble to make the children of God believe and account them for Saints yet they will hope the best of them untill their dissimulation be made manifest and they discovered to be evill trees Quest But is it possible to know them to be Saints of a sudden assoon as they come to converse with them Answ No certainly especially in these times wherein we live for no doubt corruption doth beare great sway in many that no doubt are Saints and the power of Grace doth not manifest it self in many by reason of many discouragements that they meet with and for want of examples to go before them to incourage them and therefore it is very hard to discern them hence it comes to passe that it is held an impossible thing to know them in this life Quest How are the company of Saints called in the Scriptures Answ They are called by many honourable names and titles as the Church of Christ his body his spouse his habitation his Temple Sion Jerusalem the pillar and ground of truth and many such like Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.27 Cant. 4.8.9.10 2 Cor. 6.16 Gal. 4.26 Quest When is this Church and company of Saints to be found Answ This Church is dispersed over the whole world even amongst the very heathen Quest How can it be that there should be any Saints in such places seeing they are ignorant of Christ and there is no name under Heaven whereby we may be saved but onely by the name of Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Answ It is true neither are they saved by any other name under heaven but by Christ alone Quest How can they be saved by him who never came to know him either to come or come in the flesh Answ It may well be notwithstanding for there is left in man even since his fall a certaine knowledge of God and that he is to be feared and served and there is also a law written in their hearts condemning of them for disobeying the law of God whereby they come to see themselves miserable and to be lyable to the wrath of this just God though they know not how they came to be so at the first and also they see the goodnesse of God extended towards them manifested in his creatures God also working in them by his spirit perswading them that if they will seek mercy at his hands he will be mercifull to their souls as well as to their bodies and this mercy of God is extended unto them for Christ his sake though they know not by whose meanes and for whose sake they receive it Rom. 2.14 15.26 Acts 14.17 Rom. 1.19 20. Qu. Is there not a communion and fellowship amongst the Saints although they be thus dispersed Answ Yes verily they have a spirituall communion and fellowship all partaking of the same grace all being begotten by one father all born of water and spirit all partakers of one precious faith all ruled and governed by one and the same holy spirit who worketh in them a love to one another though they never beheld the faces one of another and do joy and rejoyce in the happinesse and prosperity one of another and for that end are dayly sutors to God in prayer one for another Ephes 2.14 Chap. 4.4.5.6 Quest What is the duty of the Saints being made known one to another Answ Their duty is to assemble themselves together in the name of Christ to worship God to pray unto him and to praise him to exhort comfort and build up one another and to rejoyce in the fellowship one of another
PLAIN TRVTHS OF DIVIVINITY Collected out of the sacred Scriptures set forth by way of question and answer the best way conceived for the information of the judgement of the Christian Reader Wherein is set forth many excellent things which are not commonly publshed Especially the destruction of Antichrist and the yeare when it shall be The coming of the Lord Christ to judgement and his reigning with his Saints for ever upon this earth at the restitution of all things Collossians 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another c. 2 Timothy 2.27 Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all things LONDON Printed for J. K. And are to be sold at the signe of the white horse in Pauls Church-yard 1647. To the Right Honourable and Religious Lady Margaret Countesse of Carlile the Authour presenteth the ensuing book wishing grace and peace to be multiplyed Right Honourable I Have presumed upon your favour to present this my poore labour to your Honour not doubting of your favourable acceptance from him who desireth your further increase in the knowledge of the truth of God you have given many testimonies of your love to Religion by your carefull walking in piety to the good example of others which hath rejoyced my heart to heare from time to time I desire nothing more then that you might go on till you receive the crown of glory It is not in vain to know God and the Lord Iesus Christ but life eternall I have endeavoured in this ensuing booke to set forth some grounds and principles of the knowledge of God and of Christ by way of Question and answer the easiest way I conceive to get knowledge and it may be your Honour may find it more plain and easie to be understood then other Catechismes I have laboured herein to set forth how and after what manner a poor sinner comes to be justified and how he walks being justified both towards God and man as also something concerning the destruction of antichrist and the felicity of the Church for ever with other things necessary to be known of us in these times It may be you may find in the reading of it some things you never heard of before both profitable and comfortable if your Honour shall be pleased to accept of this my poore labour J shall take it as a great favour and shall be obliged to remain Your humble Servant John Alcock To the truly Religious Christian that desires to know and yeild obedience to the will of God revealed in his word Grace and peace be multiplyed CHristian Reader I heare present thee with a few points of Divinity by way of Question and Answer The way which I have conceived to be best for the Information of Iudgement The substance of it I writ about twenty sixe yeares past The reasons that moved me thereunto were First to keepe in my owne memory the truths God had taught me Secondly that having gathered these heads of divinity into order I might the better teach my family to whom I could explaine any thing therein contained knowing my owne sence and meaning which I could not so well doe out of other mens workes I have since the first writing of it perused it and somewhat inlarged it and would have done more if weaknesse of body had not seized upon me After which some iudicious friends of mine having read and considered it thought it worth their labour to write it out as also worthy the publishing in Print and advised me thereunto perceiving some things in it necessary to be made publique which are not in other mens workes nor commonly taught I have therefore yeilded to their desires herein And also it was my own desire to do good to the Church and people of God whose servant I am and the least of them who am not worthy to be accounted one of them yet doe I make bold to present this small talent of mine unto thee intreating the to read and consider it if it be the truth as I know it is receive it with meeknes of heart It may be thou mayest find some truths in it which thou hast not formerly taken notice of which may be profitable unto thee And some Scriptures cleared from the false expositions of some men which it may be they have led the into some error hindred from some comfort that otherwise thou mightest have had in the knowledge of the truth I hope thou wilt not repent thy cost nor thy labour in reading it I wish unto thee Christian Reader all happinesse and thy profit by this poore worke of mine If thou findest good by it Blesse God and remember me in thy prayers who will remember thee dayly and desires thine and his owne furtherance in the truth and remaines Thine in the Lord Jesus Christ I.A. A Catechisme or certain Principles of Christian Religion Question SEeing that Knowledge is so much desired and sought after of most men what knowledge is most necessary and chiefly to be desired of all men Answer The true knowledge of the true God Jeremy 9.24 Quest Wherefore is the knowledge of God most necessary and chiefly to be desired Answ Because it is eternall life to know God aright Jo. 17.3 Qu. But God is invisible how can wee therefore come to know him Ans Although he be invisible yet he hath revealed and manifested himselfe and therefore it is possible to come to the true knowledge of him Qu. Where hath he revealed and manifested himselfe Answ In his workes and in his word Psalm 19. Qu. Is it possible to know God by his Workes Ans Yes it is possible his eternall power and God-head are seene from the Creation of the world and his goodness and mercy in the wise governing and upholding all things in the same Rom. 1.20 Quest Which is that Word of God wherein he hath manifested himselfe Answ The old and New Testament Quest Hath he therein more clearely manifested himselfe then in his workes Answ Yea for besides the workes of Creation which we spake of before there are also many great workes of God recorded in his Word and many names hee hath taken unto himself And many Attributes which shew and declare unto us what he is as also the Testimonies of the Saints and holy men of God which have had experience of his Attributes and have given unto him many excellent Titles declaring what he is and Christ Jesus himselfe hath evidently declared him unto us all which is to be seene and learned in the Scriptures Gen. 17.1 Exod. 12.41 42. Chap. 13.21 22 23. Exod. 34.6.7 Quest But God is infinite and we are but finite creatures how can we therefore come to know him who is of such an excellent glory dwelling in that light unapprochable Ans We may notwithstanding attaine to so much knowledge of him even in this life as will make us happy and wee must content our selves to know
How doe you know that the Apostle meanes this sinne in that place which hee would not have us pray for Answ Because all other sinnes are pardonable and therefore may be prayed for but this sinne is unpardonable and therefore not to be prayed for Mathew 12.32 Quest How comes it to passe that this sinne above all others should be unpardonable Answ Because the very way and meanes of salvation is despised and rejected after they have received the knowledge of the truth and therefore it is impossible to renew them againe by Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 Quest How doe they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God Answ Even like as the Jewes did reject Christ and crucifie him when hee was with them upon earth so these men doe now reject him and doe crucifie him by their wilfull contempt of him and his sacrifice And as the Jewes did so doe they put him to an open shame and so rejecting that sacrifice which was ordained of God from all eternity to take away sinnes it is impossible their sinnes should be pardoned for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinne Heb. 10.29 Quest Doe men come on a sudden to commit this fearfull sinne Answ No but by degrees for first there is a light esteeme of the Gospell and of the grace offered therein Secondly a looking back to their pleasures past with some liking of them Thirdly a yeelding consent of the will and affections to the flesh for the embracing of them againe and so by little and little returne like the dog to his owne vomit againe and like the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2.22 Quest Doe all the Reprobate commit this sinne Answ No because many of them are never so farre inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and perceive those things which those doe that fall into that sinne Quest Is not their estate more miserable that commit this sinne then others that doe not commit that sinne and yet notwithstanding shall perish for ever Answ Yes certainly for although the estate of others be miserable yet the misery of these shall farre exceed for to whom much hath bin committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest Doe not such as commit this sinne prove dangerous enemies to the Church of God Answ Yes assuredly none greater enemies to the truth and to the people of God then those that once have professed the truth and afterwards have turned from the holy Commandement delivered unto them and therefore they are carefully to be taken heed of and to be avoided 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest What differing effects doth the holy Ghost worke in those that shall be saved from those that commit this horrible sinne Answ The holy Ghost doth worke in them that shall bee saved a farre more excellent worke namely that great worke of regeneration consisting of these two principall effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith Io. 3.5 Quest Are none partakers of these two effects of the Holy Ghost but such as shall be saved Answ Not any one and none that are partakers of those effects of the Spirit can possibly commit that sinne but all others that are onely inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and know the way of salvation are in danger of falling into that sinne Quest What is the best way for such to take to be free from committing that sinne Answ The best way is not to content themselves with that common grace of inlightning onely but to labour to find in themselves those two effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith and to be earnest with the Lord by prayer that he by his Spirit would worke effectually for the breaking their hearts and humbling them that so he may raise them up againe according to his promise and never to give rest unto their soules untill the Lord by his Spirit assure their hearts of peace and reconciliation with him Quest But is not the prayer of all such as are unjustified abominable how can wee therefore hope that God will heare us or grant our requests Answ The prayers of all those that are unjustified are not abominable but only the prayers of such wicked as hate to be reformed and cast the word of God behind them but the prayers of such as desire to bee humbled for their sinnes and to have their hearts broken and brought in subjection to the will of God and earnestly desire to be reconciled and to be at peace with God are not abominable but are pleasing unto God and are many times heard and granted by him Quest But God heareth and granteth the requests of none but for Christs sake and all unjustified men are out of Christ therefore how can it be that God should heare them or that their prayer should be pleasing unto him Answ True it is that all unjustified persons are out of Christ that is are not ingrafted into him by faith And also God heareth and granteth no requests but for Christs sake But yet notwithstanding God doth heare the requests of such as are not actually in Christ for Christs sake for God is mercifull to all his Creatures onely in Christ and many thousands enjoy mercies from the Lord for Christs sake that shall never enjoy salvation by him And therefore though men be not actually justified yet they may pray for Christs sake for the things they stand in need of and bee heard of the Lord and their prayers pleasing and not sinne else would not the Apostle have advised Simon Magus being in the gall of bitternesse to pray that if it were possible the thought of his heart might be forgiven him Gen. 16.13 Chap. 21.16 Acts 8.22 Quest May any one of those that are made partakers of that new birth and ingrafted into Christ fall away and perish Answ No it is not possible for God is unchangeable in his love where hee once loves with that speciall love hee ever loves for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.20 Io. 12.1 Rom. 5.10 Quest But they fall into many sinnes after regeneration and therefore may not God justly cast them off Answ True it is they fall into sinnes after regeneration and if wee looke upon Gods Justice only we cannot say but hee might cast them oft But yet God wil be true in his promise and as he did manifest his mercy and love unto them in their new birth so will be manifest his mercy in preserving them so that although they doe sinne daily yet shall it not condemne them For God doth justifie them through Christs death and if God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8.33.34 Quest Then it seemes that the stedfastnesse of man in Grace consists not in his owne power and strength but in the unchangeable Decree and mercy of God Answ No assuredly
and to pray with and for one another and to minister comfort one unto each other both in spirituall and temporall things as they are able and the necessity of their brethren require Heb. 10.25 Mat. 18. Iude 19.20 Heb. 13.16 Quest What speciall promise is made unto them being thus assembled in the name of Christ Answ A most excellent and comfortable promise of Christ his gracious presence to be in the middest of them to direct them that whatsoever they agree on on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask him shall be done for them of his Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.19 Quest Is not this promise belonging to generall assemblies that meet in publick congregations and may not they expect this promise to be performed unto them Answ If that the Saints in the publick congregations do meet together after this manner that we have declared then they may expect the fulfilling of this promise of Christ but none but onely the Saints have this promise made unto them Quest But we hope that there are Saints in every publick assembly doth not this promise of Christ therefore belong unto them Answ It cannot be denyed but must be acknowledged that Christ will be with his people in the publick assemblies where his true worship is performed and his word truly preached yea at all times but this promise of Christ his presence is a peculiar promise made to the Saints when they assemble together and agree upon any thing to ask that may be for the glory of God and the good of their brethren Math. 18. Quest Why will Christ be with this Church and with no other Answ Because there is a neare union and conjunction between Christ and his members even as between the head and the members of our bodies He having redeemed them with his bloud and hath taken upon him to provide for and to furnish this Church with all necessary graces being unto them a Priest a Prophet and a King Heb. 4.14 Acts 3.22 Esay 9.6 Quest How is Christ a Priest unto them Answ By offering up himselfe once for them unto God a living sacrifice for to make reconciliation between God and them and also by presenting of himselfe before God for them and by offering up and presenting their prayers and causing them to have acceptation at the hands of God through his presentation Heb. 2.17 Rom. 8.34 Heb. 9.14 Revel 8.3 4. Quest How is he a Prophet unto them Answ By making knowne unto them his Fathers will revealing unto them the way of life and peace making knowne unto them heavenly misteries teaching and instructing them by his Word and Spirit and also by sending his Ministers and enabling them for that great worke by all which they are built up and grow in grace and knowledge and all wisdome and heavenly understanding in the will and wayes of God Quest What are the continuall ministers that Christ hath left in his Church to teach and instruct it untill his second comming Answ He did at first give unto them Apostles Prophets and Evangelists whom hee vouchsafed to make the Pen-men of the Scriptures who were to be guides unto all the rest that were to succeed them he also hath ordained other Ministers in his Church as Pastors and Teachers to bee Expositors of the Scriptures and for the applying them to the consciences of the people For the gathering together of his Church and the edifying of the body of Christ which are knowne and distinguished from the rest of the Church not so much by any outward calling by man but by the excellency of gifts and graces bestowed on them and their faithfull employing their gifts and discharge of that office that they are called unto by Christ Ephes 4.11 Ephes 4.12 Quest How doth Christ manifest himselfe to be a King unto his Church Answ By giving unto them holy and just lawes precepts and ordinances to be observed of them and also by ruling and governing them by the Scepter of his Word and Spirit subjecting their hearts wills and affections unto him and to his truth to love desire and embrace the same and to yeeld all subjection unto him Qu. Wherein are the Saints chiefly to be exercised whilest they remaine here for their mutuall comfort and increase of grace in them Answ In the holy use of the word of God Prayer and the Sacraments Quest Wherein is that word of God contained Answ In those bookes of Scripture which we commonly call the old and new Testament in which are contained many holy directions and gracious promises and consolations able to sustaine them in the greatest miseries that can befall them Quest To whom is the word of God committed Answ To all the whole Church of God for their instruction and comfort Quest Who may dispence the word of God unto others Answ All they whom God hath given wisedome and understanding therein and hath showed the misteries thereof they are to minister unto the rest of the body according to their measure of grace received Quest What is prayer Answ It is a calling upon God with the heart in the name of Christ Iesus for all lawfull things that we stand in need of Psal 142.2 Iohn 16.23.24 Quest What things are necessarily required in our prayer unto God Answ There are these three things required in prayer First confession which is the acknowledgement of our sinne and miserie and unworthinesse to receive Psal 32.5 Secondly Petition which is the asking of things needfull Mat. 7.7 Thirdly thanksgiving which is the acknowledging of his power goodnesse and mercy and the returning him praise and thanks for his former mercies bestowed on us Quest Have we any example or patterne according to which we are to frame all our prayers Ans Yea a most absolute and perfect form given unto us by Christ Jesus himself in the 6. of Matthew commonly called the Lords prayer Quest Are we not bound therefore unto that prayer to use it and none but it Ans For the matter contained in it we are but not the form of words and although we may use the same words yet also we may by the example of the Apostles use another form of words and yet offend not against that most absolute rule so long as we desire nothing but what is therein contained Quest May we joyne in prayers with those that reade their prayers in a book Answ Yes doubtlesse if their prayers be good for the matter and performed with reverence and affection even as well as we may with those that use an ordinary form although they do not read it in a book or with those that conceive prayer for therein are we stinted as well as in joyning with them that pray out of a book and we may inlarge our desires in joyning with one and with the other Quest When are we to use prayer Ans At all times upon all occasions we are to lift up our hearts to God by holy requests even in every thing we