renouncing of our own righteousnesse and worthinesse as also our own desires reasons wits wills and dearest contentments for Christs and the Gospells sake that so we may preserve faith a good conscience according to the rule of the words whatsoever crosse shall happen to us in so doing Spirituall Combat is the strugling between the flesh and the Spirit between Grace Corruption in the same faculties of the soul of a regenerate person our new nature inclining us to good and to please God our corruption inclining to carnall contentments By the World unto which we must be crucified we mean the sinfull courses opinions waies and fashions of the world Lust in any evill motion and inordinate desire of the soule after any thing as after riches honour revenge food preferment therefore covetousnesse is Lust and so is pride anger and other motions of the flesh Concupiscence signifies the habituall indisposition of the heart to that whâ—ch is good and its pronenesse to that which is evill as also every evill motion of the heart that swerves from the Law of God All this is called evill Concupiscence By Principles Principled we mean the rules and grounds wherewith men are seasoned guided in their course as carnall Principles are carnall grounds rules spirituall Principles are spirituall considerations moving and guiding in a businesse Heretick is one that departs from the true Faith obstinatly cleaves to error in Doctrine Shismatick is one that unnecessarily makes or causeth others to make a seperation from any true and found Church to the disturbance of the outward established peace thereof By Wil-worship we meane any thing that is brought into Religion and made matter of conscience by mans device or authority without warrant from the word of God By Superstition we meane the ascribing of Holynesse or any spirituall and supernaturall vertue to any creature gesture place day words or actions which is not given to the said creature by Creation or divine institution When we commend Good workes we meane not onely the works of charity and outward pomp but the whole course of obedience in our thoughts words and actions as the word of God requires of us By Christian Liberty we meane not a liberty to sinne as if we might sin more frely and safely because of Christs death but we meane that liberty which Christ hath obtained to us against the bondage of the Law condemning all that doe not fulfill it And also our freedome from the ceremonies of Moses Law and from all human ordinances so that they doe not bind in conscience Perseverance signifies a constancy and cotinuance in faith and obedience to our end Apectacy is a totall and finall departure from the faith once professed Back-sliding is a falling again into our old sinnes for a time out of which we recover through Gods grace being renewed againe by repentance By Spirituall Desertions we meane that trouble of minde which ariseth from losse of assurance and feeling of Gods favour occasioned usually by our backsliding in to some sinne or great carelessenesse and unevennesse in our walking with God By Temptations we meane sometimes allurements to sinne and somtimes the exercise of our faith wherein Sathan laboureth to question our Son-ship and interest in Christ This kind of Temptation is usually called distresse of minde Dispaire is finally to doubt of Gods favour and mercy refusing to rest on it Presumption is a conceit that we are in good case when we have no solid grounds to thinke so it is also a venturing to practise this or that without warrant of Gods word Assurance is the well grounded peace of conscience awakened and enlightned and quieted upon good grounds that his sins be forgiven in Christ Jesus When we pray that God would Sanctifie any of his dealings to us as crosses afflictions preferments deliverances or any other outward mercy we pray that God would give grace with outward mercies holy wisdome and gracious hearts to make right use of them that in all things we may be brought nearer to God in the exercise of faith humility thankfulnesse and better obedience for time to come Laus Deo TO THE READER THe foregoing TREATISE Christian Reader intituled Principles of Faith and good Conscience is so called because it doth containe not only points of Faith and positive Truths touching the chiefe Heads of Religion but also the most materiall points of Practicall Divinity properly so called that is to shew the work of Grace in the Conversion of a sinner and in the hearts of them that be converted and how a Christian may judge of his spirituall estate to God-ward * As in cap 4. 5. 8. 13. 14. 18. c. I have had some thoughts of publishing a just Treatise touching the state of Nature and of Grace the Translation of a sinner from the state of Nature to the state of Grace from death to life together with the Causes Order and effects thererf And this may be done if God be pleased to give me Life Liberty and Peace to the Church In the mean time Accept and make use of this short Discourse intended for the good of the Ignorant and the comfort of weake Christians The markes of Gods Children Blessed are the Pure in heart Blessed is the man in whose spirit there is no Guile so saith the spirit Psal 32.2 and Mat. 5.8 Markes of Gods children drawn out of Gods word Of saving knowledge Q. WHat is the first Marke of a Child of God A. Saving knowledge is a marke whereby Gods Children may be known from all others Iohn 17.3 1. Mark This is life eternall to know thee the only true God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Q. What be the properties of saving knowledge A. They be foure The triall of it 1. Saving knowledge makes us to see our own Ignorances and strayings Prov. 9.10 12. Eph. 5.8 13. Rom. 7.9 Psal 119.130 Pro. 20.27 Q. What is the second property of saving knowledge A. It makes a man ashamed to doe evill and vile in his own eyes Eph. 5.8 12. 1 Thes 5.5 6 7 8 9. Rom. 6.21 Ier. 31.19 Q. What 's the third property of saving knowlege A. It is a guiding light especially in those things that belong to our own Peace and duty Psal 119.105 Rom. 2.20 21. Mat. 7.5 Q. What 's the fourth signe of saving knowledge A. It is not an idle but a working knowledge making a man to abstaine from evill and exercise himselfe in that which is good 2 Pet. 2.20 Jer. 22.16 Ps 119.104 Job 28.28 Hos 8.1 2. Vse Then it seemes that they which know much and yet are not bettered by their knowledge in Holinesse Christian life Also they that by their knowledge can guide others and yet doe not take to heart the thing that belong to their own peace duty their knowledge is but vaine Rom. 2.20 21. Rom. 1.18 2 Tim. 3.5 Lastly all such persons as be in darknesse and perceive it
without an Oath A. When we performe any part of Gods worship carelesly perfunctorily As when we pray without understanding and good sense or for fashion and ostentation when we preach without preparation and for civill complement or vaingloriously when we receive the Sacrament because it is the use at certain times in the year c. Now is Gods name taken in vain by us though we seem to honour him Jer 48.10 1 Cor. 14.11 See Eccl. 5.1 2. Mal 1.13 2 Tim. 2.15 Phil. 15.16 Luk. 8.18 Q. How lastly is Gods name taken in vaine without an Oath A. When we put Gods Name Cause Religion upon our own worldly carnall and base ends and enterprizes When Religion is made a cloak to carry on or to cover any vile and unjust actions then is Gods name taken in vain Jer. 7.9 10 11. Mic. 3.11 Mat. 23.14 2 Sam. 4.8 11. They put the name of God upon their wicked murther saying the Lord hath avenged thee of Saul with 1 Sam. 26.8 Q. Why must we be carefull of this Law A. Because God holdeth all prophaners of his name for most vile persons who though they escape punishment amongst men yet shall not escape Gods wrath They are under the Law in whomsoever any of these sins reigne God will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine CAP. XXXII Of the Sabbath day we consider the 1. Institution 2. Change and 2. Celebration of it Remember the Sabbath day Q. WHat is the purpose of God in this Commandment A. God will have every seventh day set apart and observed to his honour and worship in the duties of Religion and not spent to our pleasure or profit It must be separate from other daies Eze. 22.26 Esay 58.13 14. The Sabbath was instituted chiefly for the publique worship of God Exod 34.21 1. Q. Is this Law of keeping one day of seven for an holy â—est still in force A. Yes it hath been from the beginning and shall continue to the end of the world The Morality of the Sabbath it is not in the power of man to alter this proportion of time as to make the day of rest to be sooner or later as on every fift or on every eight day Gen. 2.2 3. Hel. 4.3 4. Exod. 16.22 25. Mat. 5.18 God created seven daies and no more and God rested from the beginning 2. Q. Touching the change of the day The observation of the Lords day for the Sabbath Is it from Heaven or of men A. It is of God who changed the day though not the number of the day to the first of the weeke called the Lords day Act. 20.6 7. 1 Cor. 16.2 Rev. 1.10 Joh 20.19 26. This is a rule looke what hath been continued down to us by the uninterrupted practice of the Churches in all ages from the Apostles times and the first linke of that chaine that is the example practice ground reason analogy thereof is found in Scripture that is to be acknowledged of divine authority and not meerly of man Now such is this of the Lords day and baptizing of Infants the Commandement limits out the quotient and God by particular designation hath pointed out the day from which none but God can againe alter it 3. For the celebration of the Lords day two sorts of duties are required of a Christian Some Before the day come When the day is come Q. What is required of us before the day come A. We must remember it that is we must be mindfull of it before hand so to contrive and order our affaires and affections that they may not hinder us in the Lords worke on the Lords day Ex. 16.5 23. Q. What followes hereof A. Therefore it is a sinne first to reserve some od choares or journies or merry meetings to that day secoÌ„dly to encumber our selves with more businesse then we can conveniently dispatch in six daies As to take in more worke more writing more Merchandize c. In this kinde Brewers Tailers Millers Treaders of Wine-fats and men of other occupations doe greatly offend as many as doe not order their businesse to end with the weeke that so their calling may stand still and their hearts be fitted to meet God in his Ordinances Q. When the day is come What is our duty A. It is two-fold First we must rest from all businesses of our callings in heart in act and in tongue both we and ours The law is spirituall and binds the inward man Neh. 13.15 16 17. Exo. 34 21. Exod. 31.15 16. Jer. 17.24 Q. What secondly A. This rest must be an holy and sanctified rest it must not be a brutish rest There is a difference between the rest of an Ox and of his Master Esa 58.13 Q. What duties are required to an holy rest A. Foure First we must prepare our selves for a publick worship in the morning by examination of our wants waies and by Prayer both by our selves alone and with our families for Gods blessing on the ordinances for the edification of our selves and others They that come without praying goe away usually without a blessing Exod 19.10 Q. What second duty is required A. We must be diligent to come to the publike assemblies timely reverently and with our company if we have any Act 15.21 Luk 4 16. Ezek 46.10 Act. 10.33 Psal 42.4 Heb. 10.25 Q. What thirdly A. I must religiously joyne with the Congregation in the duties there performed as in a Prayer b praising and singing c attending to the Word read or Preached and d participation of the Sacrament Eccl. 5.1 1 Cor. 14.26 27. a Act. 16.13 Mat 81.19 2 Chron 5.13 Col 3.16 c Act 13.15 16. Luk. 4.20 d 1 Cor. 11.21 Act 2.42 Act 20.7 It is a fault in the congregation to divert our selves from the exercise in hand to private reading or talking or gazing about we must make one in every exercise of Gods worship Q. VVhat fourth duty is required to the sanctifying of a Sabbath A. After the Assembly is dismissed I must spend the other time in meditation and reading of Gods word in prayer and conference of that we have heard to the edification of our selves and families Act. 17.11 12. 1 Cor. 14.35 Gen. 18.19 These be the duties of the day Q. Is all work simply unlawfull to be done on the Sabbath day Three sorts of workes lawfull on the Sabbath day A. No workes of mercy to a man or beast b workes about the worship of God and workes of true necessity may be done God will have mercy rather then sacrifice It is therefore lawfull to ring bels to call the people together to travell to a Sermon to dresse our Meat to Milk our Kine to set watch ward such things as belong to the meet comfort of mans life man is not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath for man a Luk. 13.11 15. Luk. 14.1 5. Exod. 12.16 1 King 8.65 Mat. 12. 1 7 11. b Mat. 12.5
Commandement Rom. 7.7 23. Jam. 1.14 Gal. 5.17 Q. What is the particular coveting here forbidden A. Discontentednesse with that we have wishing and longing after that which is anothers As when we be not content with that place and condition which we hold in the Family Church or Common-wealth but the heart is still rising wishing woulding after the condition of another as would I were a Master or a Minister or a Tradesman rather then a Minister c. This unquietnesse of the spirit this sicknesse of the desire repining rising and saying within our selves O how well could I live if I had such a field such a Wife such a Servant c. these motions be contrary to that compleat contentment which is here requirey Under this particular concupiscence of the heart coveting that which is anothers all evill motions and desirings of the like kinde are forbidden namely all lustings against the Law of the minde all the rising enmity and Rebellion that is in our nature against the things of the Spirit the suddain passions and perturbations of the mind also the rolling of vain thoughts in the mind as thoughts of pride revenge the moving of the heart towards any evill object though without any setled approbation of the same But tell me Q. Are these thoughts and motions sinfull if we doe not consent unto them nor purpose to put them in practice A. Yes they are The very risings of corruptions within us are sins to be repented of They are as the scum and boiling of the pot the rising of the mud c. A lame horse if he move he will halt in going An instrument out of tune will jarre in the sounding and that is a fault there is something wanting that should be unto perfection so in our very natures there is a jarring and a swerving from the Law of God and that uprightnesse wherein God created man and these swervings are the fruits of sinne and the causes of sinne in us as Jam. 1.14 15. Rom. 7.21 23 24. Gen. 8.21 Eph. 4.22 Q. What say you then of evill suggestions and thoughts that arise in our minds as thoughts of Blasphemy c. are they sinnes A. If they be cast in by Satan Of Satanicall injections and not yeelded unto by us they be Satans sins and not ours To be tempted is no sin for Christ was tempted and had evill thoughts cast into his mind by Satan but to yeeld to the temptation that is our sinne Mat. 4.6 Mat. 16.23 Q. How may it be discerned whether the evill motions doe arise from our own corrupt hearts or from Satan A. Two waies 1. If the motion or temptation he unnaturall that is if thoughts arise which tend to the destruction of our naturall well-being or of our spirituall eternall well-being it is then from Sathan and if we consent not to such thoughts they are not our sins but Satans Perhaps thou hast thoughts to curse God to wish there were no God thoughts perhaps of despaire or to kill ones selfe or others c. these be Satanicall injections for nature loveth it selfe and so doth grace our new and spirituall nature and therefore if we resist and dislike such motions they be not sinne to us Matth. 4.9 Matth. 16.23 1. John 4.3 Mat. 3.28 Q. How else may that be known A. By the manner of their comming if they seaze upon us with terror affrightment suddainly and unexpectedly so that the soule is burdened and groaneth under them willing to be rid of them it is a signe they come from Sathan And such thoughts and tentations are our trials and afflictions but not our sinnes evill thoughts which agree to nature to our dispositions as that of Davids numbring the people and Judas selling his Master though Sathan cast them into our minds and stirre us up thereunto yet they are our sins as well as Sathans Matth. 4.10 Christ had indignation against that motion Q. What doth this Law forbidding all concupiscence informe us of A. Two things First it shewes the infinite purity of Gods Law which requires a conformity to his will not onely in our wils affections and actions but in the very frame and temper of the soule That no evill motions arise against God Q. What secondly A. It shewes the impurity of our nature which is so great that for it alone though we never harboured an evill thought the Lord might justly abhorre us for ever And therefore these inward workings of corruption the untowardnesse contrariety of our natures against God are to be bewailed and crucified if we desire to be sound in repentance Job 15.15 16 Eph. 2.3 Psal 51.5 Ier. 17.9 Eph. 4.22 Rom. 6.6 Rom. 7.21 24. Q. Is every soule bound to make conscience of the Law in forbearing the sins forbidden and doing the duties commanded A. Yes To his power he must keep it all else he is under the Law and not under Christ And consequently must perish for ever Rom. 6.14 Rom. 2.25 Gal. 5.24 Q. Are there besides this Law of God other Lawes and precepts of the Church to be observed of Christians for conscience sake As to observe Saints daies keep fasting daies make confession to the Priest at certaine times in the yeare of all our sins heare Masse upon holy daies Canisius Cat. A. No there is nothing to be added to the written Word of God it being in it self most holy perfect and sufficient to make men wise to salvation Deut. 4. 2. Rev. 22.18 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Man hath no power to make Laws to the conscience civill constitutions they may make for outward orders sake which we are to observe if they be agreeable to the Word of God not otherwise Q. Are there Evangelicall counsels of perfection distinct from precepts which if we keep voluntarily do help forward our salvation and increase our glory As that of poverty single life blind obedience to superiours Canitious Cat. A. No the Lord hath left us a liberty in some things but our choice therein is no part of perfection and other things named for counsels are not left to our curtesy but are duties to be performed as occasion requireth The only service and sacrifice which God accepteth is obedience to his will in his Word and God refuseth whatsoever a man taketh in hand besides Q. Well then there is but one Law under which we stand and the end of that Law is as hath been said to drive us unto Christ Tell me what must we goe to Christ for A. For three things 1. For a mercy to forgive our sinnes 2. For b strength and victory over our sins And 3. for c acceptance of our will for the deed For the Law justifieth no transgressor the Law gives no grace to keepe it selfe the Law accepts nothing but compleat obedience a Rom. 10.4 b Joh. 1.16 2 Cor. 3.6 Gal. 3.2 c Eph. 1.6 Heb. 13.15 1 Pet. 2.5 Q Our faith is unperfect and so is our obedience what is our duty
thine is the Kingdome c. Q. These words are for matter and forme a thanksgiving What do we ascribe to God therein A. We acknowledge that Kingdome a over all the world and b power to doe what he will and c glorious excellencies do belong to God our Father in Heaven And we ascribe the praise thereof to him The excellency of Grace Majesty Mercy Power any thing whereby one may be magnified and extolled is the Lords peculiarly and transcendently 1 Chron 29.11 Rev 4.10 11. a 1 Tim. 1.17 Psal 103.19 Dan 5.21 b Psal 115.3 Psal 62 11. Rev 4.8 9. Deut. 32.31 c Esay 6.3 5. Esay 43.7 Rom 9.17 Q. What is required to an holy and right praising of God A. Two things 1. We must labour to have our hearts a affected with his glorious excellencies and greatnesse Conditions in right Thanksgiving as being the fountaine b of all the good we are or have a Esay 12.4 Psal 126.2 3. b 1 Chron 29 11 12. Psal 116.12 13 14. Mic. 7.18 Q. What 2ly must we doe If we desire to praise God aright A. We must endeavour to Live and Dye unto him who loved us first we must use all mercies which we receive from Him unto his Honour and service Psal 50.23 Ps 18.1 2. Rom 14.8 2 Cor. 5.15 Rom 12.1 2. Q. Wherefore is this clause added to the end of the Lords prayer A. To teach us that the hearing answering of our Prayers is grounded on a Gods own goodnesse b greatnesse and c glory and by them he is engaged to hear us We must presse God with the interest of his own glory power and Kingdome for hearing and helping of us a Ezek. 36.22 32. b Mic. 4.8 Dan. 3.16 17. 2 Chron. 14.11 c Ier 14.8 21 22. Exod 32.11 12. Iosh 7.9 Q. What must they do that ascribe all these to God A. We must set a up God in our hearts as â—upream King make him our Rock and Fear not b giving any part of his glory to any creature a Matth. 10.37 Luke 12.5 Ier. 10.7 Esa 8.12 13. b Dan. 2.30 Q. For ever What doth that word import A. That Gods a Kingdome power and glory in and over the Church is everlasting it failes not and that the Church shall b ascribe the same unto him in all ages and throughout all eternity When all Kings and Kingdomes shall cease when we are dead and gone yet Christ remainâ— a King of the Church and shall be magnified in it a Dan. 7.14 Esa 50.2 Esa 46.3 4. b Eph. 3.21 Rev. 5.13 14 according to that antient doxologie used in the Churches of Christ Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost Hooker Pol. lib. â— 8. 42. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end Rom. 11.36 Rev. 5.13 AMEN Q. What doth that Word import A. Amen being set after any prayer or thanksgiving it doth imply our consent confidence and desire that the thing shall be as is uttered Deut. 27.15 16. Jer. 11.5 Jer. 28.6 1 Kings 1.36 2 Cor. 14.16 Q. What followes hereof A. That we must understand attend unto and affect the things prayed for else how shall I say Amen They that pray in an unknown tongue or gaze up and down or fiddle about their cloathes and other matters and complements in time of prayer do not bear a part in Prayer their Amen is fruitlesse and vaine 1 Cor 14.16 Rev. 22.20 CAP. XLVIII Of the right Vse and Abuse of the Lords Prayer Q. HOw may a Christian make a right use of the Lords prayer A. We may use it both for a Rule of prayer to measure our requests make other prayers by and also for a prayer it selfe as it was delivered by Christ Christ puts matter words into our mouthes Christ taught his Apostles to pray as John taught his Disciples that is He did not only give Rules of Prayer a patterne but a form for them to use Mat. 6.7 9. Luke 11.1 2. If you ask May we pray our Father c our Lord Christ gives the Answer when you pray say Our Father c. Of set Formes Prayer Q Is a Set Forme of Prayer lawful either of our own making or delivered to us in a book A. Yes it is else Christ and the Prophets would never have delivered set formes to be used by the Church God appointed Formes and therefore formes be not â— themselves unlawful the prayer is not evill because it is a formed prayer Num 6.23 26 Ioel 2 17. 1 Chron. 16.7 35. 2 Chron. 29.30 He gives the forme he sets them the words to be used and it was at a solemne Fast too Q. But is a set forme of Mans making lawfull to be used by us A. Yes If the prayer for matter and substance be lawful and such as concernes us we may safely use it We may use the words of Moses Daniel Nehemiahs prayer Q. Is stinted prayer lawfull that is set prayer to which one is confined and tied to use no other Of stinted prayer A. That 's unlawfull both in publick and private he that confines himselfe to book-prayers or to the prayers of others with whom he joynes or to set prayers of his own devising can never discharge the duty of right praying Ps 50.15 Jer. 14.7 21. Ezra 9.6 Dan. 9 5. They changed their Prayers with the occasions Q. Why so A. Because 〈◊〉 prayers must be made according to our necessities and neither book nor men with whom we joyne in prayer can expresse all o u wants and griefs nor I my selfe this day what I shall need pray for to morrow Yet it concludes not that set prayer or prayer with others for so much as it doth contain of meet matter to be asked is hereby unlawfull Because by such prayers we are not stiâ—ted but have liberty both the Ministers in their Congregations and our selves in private to enlarge our prayers as causâ— requireth There is addes between lawâ—â—ll and sufficient such a measure of Petitions is sufficient for the publike or the family which is not sufficient every way to all my occasions and that prayer may be sufficient at one time which is not at another Q. But in praying must we not exercise the spirit of prayer And can that be done in a set or book prayer A. Yes the spirit of prayer is when we begge in faith with feeling and fervency with sights and groanes and that is done when we joyne with others or use set formes as well as in sudden ex tempore conceived prayers As a Begger in true want beggs hard if there be any hope of obtaining and yet peradventure the next day or to the next man useth the same words or to the like effect the varying of a phrase doth not make it the spirit of prayer Mat. 26.39 42 44. with Heb 5.7 2 Cor. 13.14 with 2 Thes 3.17 18. Col. 3.16 The songs are not lesse