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
And if thy brother be waxen poor and fallen to decay with thee then thou shalt relieve him yea though he be a stranger or sojourner that he may live with thee Deut. 22.1 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray and hide thy self from them thou shalt in any case bring them back again unto thy brother V. 2. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee or if thou know him not then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it and thou shalt restore it to him again V. 3. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass and with his raiment and with all lost things of thy brother's that thou hast found thou mayest not hide thy self V. 4. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his ass fall down by the way and hide thy self from them thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again Exod. 23.4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or ass going astray thou shalt surely bring it back to him again V. 5. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burthen and wouldst forbear to help him thou shalt surely help him Gen. 47.14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and Canaan for the corn which they bought and he brought the money into Pharaoh's house V. 20. And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh for the Egyptians sold every man his field because the famine prevailed over them so the land became Pharaoh's others Q. What is forbidden in the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our Neighbour's Wealth or outward (r) Prov. 21.17 23.20,21 28.19 See all these in the Bible Ephes 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Estate 15. Q. Which is the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment is Exod. 20.11 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour Q. What is required in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of Truth between Man and (Å¿) Zech. 8.16 These are the things that ye shall do Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour execute the judgments of truth and peace in your gates Man and of our own and our Neighbour's good (t) 3 Jon. v. 12. Demetrius hath a good report of all men and of the truth it self yea and we also bear record and ye know that our record is true Names especially (u) Prov. 14.5 A faithful witness will not lye but a false witness will utter lyes V. 25. A true witness delivereth fouls but a deceitful witness speaketh lyes in Witness-bearing Q. What is forbidden in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to Truth or injurious to our own or Neighbour's good (x) 1 Sam. 17.28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men and Eliab's anger was kindled against David and he said Why camest thou down hither and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thy heart for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battel Levit. 19.16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour I am the Lord. Psal 15.3 He that back-biteth not with his tongue nor doth evil to his neighbour nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour Name 16. Q. Which is the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment is Exod. 20.17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife nor his man-servant nor his maid servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbours Q. What is required in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment requireth full Contentment with our own (y) Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 1 Tim. 6.6 But godliness with contentment is great gain Condition with a right and charitable frame of Spirit toward our (z) Job 31.29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me or lift up my self when evil found him Rom. 12.15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep 1 Tim 1.5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned 1 Cor. 13.4 Charity suffereth long and is kind charity envieth not charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up V. 5. Doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil V. 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth V. 7. Beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things Neighbour and all that is his Q. What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own (a) 1 King. 21.4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him for he had said I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers and he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face and would eat no bread Esth 5.13 Yet all this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate 1 Cor. 10.10 Neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer Estate envying or grieving at the good of our (b) Gal. 5.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory provoking one another envying one another Jam. 3.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not and lye not against the truth V. 16. For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work Neighbour and all inordinate Motions and Affections to any thing that is (c) Rom. 7.7 What shall we say then Is the Law sin God forbid nay I had not known sin but by the law for I had not known lust except the law had said Thou shalt not covet V. 8. But sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence for without the law sin was dead Rom. 13.9 For this Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Thou shalt not covet and if there be any other commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying namely Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Deut. 5.21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house his field or man-servant or his maid-servant his ox or
and customs Rom. 13.6,7 Commandment IX 1. Equivocation because truth is darkned and 2. Breach of Faith even with hereticks are unlawful Ps 15.1 to 4. Ezek 17.15,16 Rom. 1.31 Rev. 21.8 Commandment X. 1. Concupiscence is sin 2. Thoughts are under Law for it is spiritual 3. Sin remains in the regenerate tho it reign not it is Sin Gal. 5.17,18 2. Every sin deserves Death therefore there are more than seven deadly sins Mat. 24.51 1 Cor. 6.10 Rev. 21.28 SECT XXIII What God requires of Man to escape wrath Faith. 1. FAith should not be defined by ignorance for it is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 and cannot be without knowledge Joh. 17.3 Joh. 4.22 chap. 10.38 chap. 16.30 chap. 17.7,8 2. Faith is a certain firm assent not only to Doctrines because Christ is the object of it Joh. 1.12 chap. 3.16 Rom. 3.26 3. Unbelief is a disallowance therefore on the contrary faith is an approbation of and consent to the way of Salvation by Christ 1 Pet. 2.4 4. Faith goes further yet it is a trusting in Christ Ephes 1.13 A guilty lost penitent mourner must have a Saviour which he can trust 5. Faith may be abstracted in some consideration but can never be separated from good Works Ephes 2.8,9,10 Gal. 5.6 James 2.14,18,26 6. Faith answers to the offer of the Gospel and therefore receives Christ as a Prophet for Wisdom as a Priest for Righteousness as King for Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Mat. 11.28 Joh. 7.37 Mar. 9.7 Repentance 1. Repentance is to be Preached in Gospel times Acts 26.20 Luke 24.47 2. Christ repented not for us it is Gods gift and our duty Acts 11.18 chap. 17.30 3. It is not the sinner who grieves for Sin but the spirit who convinceth of it 4. The Law discovering sin and wrath is subordinate to the Gospel drawing the Soul to God by grace and mercy 5. In or by sin the Creatures heart is turned to Self and Creatures from God by repentance he returns from Self and Creatures to God. 6. An intention to repent once in a Mans Life is not repentance for it is an actual return to God with godly sorrow and with fruit 2 Cor. 7.9 7. Repentance takes in all known Sin the habits and Dominion of which are broken by it yet the in-dwelling of Sin doth hinder it to be a repentance to Life SECT XXIV Outward and ordinary means of Grace 1. THere is no such perfection of grace as to live above Ordinances They who had extraordinary measures of the spirit observ'd Ordinances and brought Converts under them Acts 2.41,42 chap. 6.4 chap. 12.5 chap. 22.7 2. The Administration of them and Preaching the word was and ought to be committed Authoritatively to Ministers and Pastors qualified ordained and called The Apostles went out by commission Mat. 28.19 See Heb. 5.4 Men must be competently able Tit. 1.9.2 Tim. 2.2 for the Office and Work 1 Thes 5.12,13 1 Tim. 4.6 and Ordained by Pastors Tit. 1.5,6,7 1 Tim. 5.22 chap. 4.14 and so he is distinct from brethren 1 Tim. 5.6 over whom he is an officer with authority 1 Thes 5.12,13 Heb. 13.7,17 1 Cor. 14.34,35 1 Tim. 2.12 A minister must give himself to his work 1 Tim. 4.13,14,15 must abide in his calling except necessity requires absence Acts 20.3,4 else how can he watch and be an example to them Believers have enough to do in their own places without taking upon them any part of the Ministers office Ephes 6.4 1 Thes 5.11 Rom. 15.14 and much good might be done if done with humility and judgment SECT XXV Of the Sacraments 1. OUr Lord sealed the New Testament with his Blood and added visible signs and seals as means of Grace Mat. 26.24 c Mat. 28.19 2. There are not seven but two Sacraments which are proper to Christianity and common to all Christians 3. Sacraments are not empty signs but effectual to their end See Rom. 6.3,4 Gal. 3.26 1 Cor. 10.16,17 and they are effectual after their kind for by them we are instructed as by a visible word and excited and sealed 4. They do not confer grace by the very doing or using them for there is no natural vertue of conveyance of grace It is not the outward washing 1 Pet. 3.20,21 nor doth the intention of the Minister make them effectual but the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 11.28 1 Cor. 7.19 Ephes 5 25,26 5. The Minister of the New Testament 2 Cor. 3.6 Mat. 28.19 is the only Minister of the Seals 1 Cor. 11.23 Of Baptism 1. The Baptism of the spirit is the Work of the spirit and not the ordinance enjoined We have no Ordinance of Baptism but what is with Water which is necessary to Baptism as Bread and Wine to the Lords Supper 2. Baptism is a necessary duty but it is the unbelief that damneth Mat. 16.16 and not the meer want of Baptism 3. Of the form of Baptism see what is spoken of the Trinity before and of the improvement of Baptism after 4. Note carefully the ground or reason upon which the Apostles received the first converts to Baptism Acts 2.39 for the promise is to you c. 5. There is no particular command for Baptizing Infants by Name but seeing the ground of Baptizing the repenting believing Jews was because the promise was to them and their Children and not only to them but to the Gentiles that were far off and should believe in Christ the Infants of such Parents are included in the command of Baptizing because they are named in the promise or Covenant of grace They who deny their Baptism are obliged to produce by what word or Act of God they are excluded Of the Lords Supper 1. Where ever Christ was Bodily present he was visibly present and seen He is not seen in the Sacrament therefore though believers have Communion with his Body and Blood by Faith 1 Cor. 10.16 he is not present in Body He is in Heaven Acts 3.21 and when he will come he shall be seen Rev. 1.7 2. There is no Transubstantiation if there were any it were more likely that the Body and Blood of Christ should be turned into Bread and Wine because it is Bread and Wine as well after consecration as before than that the Bread and Wine should be turned into the Body and Blood of Christ as sure as it was Bread and Wine before it was blest it is as surely the same after it is blest when eaten and drunk Was there ever any change of one differing and unlike substance into another and the change not seen or sensibly perceived Moses's Rod was not a Rod when it was turned into a Serpent the water was not water but Wine when our Saviour turned it into Wine But here is no change at all perceiv'd when our Saviour spake to his Disciples This is my Body and was he not alive at the table Did they eat him alive or was he at the same time alive at the Table and Dead