of old was without the City and as the Gallows and Gibbets are builded without the Towns so Christ hath ordered that they who are to be punished with this kind of Torment shall be taken away Take hm away saith he out of this World and cast him into utter darkness and let him have his punishment there there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Besides Faith is not to be wrought by looking into Hell and seeing the damned tormented before our Eyes but by hearing the Word of God for he that shall not believe Moses and the Prophets will not be perswaded should one come from the dead yea should one come to them in flames to perswade them Mat. 22.13 Rom. 10.17 Luk. 16.27 28 29 30 31. Q. Are there degrees of torment in Hell A. Yes for God will reward every one according to their works Wo to the wicked it shall go ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Isa 3.11 Q. Who are like to be most punished there Men or Children A. The punishment in Hell comes not upon sinners according to age but sin so that whether they be Men or Children the greater sin the greater punishment for there is no respect of persons with God Rom. 2.11 Q. How do you distinguish between great sins and little ones A. By their Nature and by the Circumstances that attend them Q. What do you mean by their Nature A. I mean when they are very gross in themselves 2 Chron. 33.2 Ezek. 16.42 Q. What kind of sins are the greatest A. Adultery Fornication Murder Theft Swearing Lying Covetousness Witchcraft Sedition Heresies or any the like 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Ephes 5.3 4 5 6. Col. 3.5 6. Gal. 5.19 20 21. Rev. 21.8 Q. What do you mean by Circumstances that attend sin A. I mean Light Knowledg the Preaching of the Word Godly Acquaintance timely Cautions c. Q. Will these make an alteration in the sin A. These things attending sinners will make little sins great yea greater than greater sins that are commited in grossest Ignorance Q. How do you prove that A. Sodom and Gomorrah wallowed in all or most of those gross Transgressions above-mentioned yea they were said to be sinners exceedingly they lived in such sins as may not be spoken of without blushing and yet God swears that Israel his Church had done worse than they and the Lord Jesus also seconds it in that Threatning of his I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for thee Ezek. 16.48 Mat. 11.24 Luk. 10.12 Q. And was this the reason namely because they had such circumstances attending them as Sodom had not A. Yes as will plainly appear if you read the three Chapters above mentioned Q. When do I sin against Light and Knowledg A. When you sin against convictions of Conscience when you sin against a known Law of God when you sin against Counsels and disswasion of Friends then you sin against Light and Knowledg Rom. 1.32 Q. When do I sin against Preaching of the Word A. When you refuse to hear God's Ministers or hearing them refuse to follow their wholsome Doctrine 2 Chron 36.16 Jer. 25.4 7. chap. 35.15 Q. When else do I sin against the Preaching of the Word A. When you mock or despise or reproach the Ministers also when you raise lies and scandals of them or receive such lies or scandals raised you then also sin against the preaching of the Word when you Persecute them that Preach it or are secretly glad to see them so used 2 Chron. 30.1 10. Rom. 3.8 Jer. 20.10 1 Thes 2.15 16. Q. How will godly acquaintance greaten my sin A. When you sin against their Counsels Warnings or Perswasions to the contrary also when their lives and conversations are reproof to you and yet against all you will sin Thus sinned Ishmael Esau Eli's sons Absolom and Judas they had good Company good Counsels and a good life set before them by their godly Acquaintance but they sinned against all and their Judgment was the greater Ishmael was cast away Esau hated Eli's sons died suddenly Absolom and Judas were both strangely hanged Gen. 21.10 Gal. 4.30 Mal. 1.2 1 Sam. 2.20 25. 2 Sam. 16. Q. Are sins thus heightned distinguished from others by any special name A. Yes they are called Rebellion and are compared to the sin of Witchcraft they are called wilful sin they are called Briers and Thorns and they that bring them forth are nigh unto Cursing whose end is to be burned 1 Sam. 15.23 Heb. 10.26 chap 6.7 8. Q. Are there any other things that can make little sins great ones A. Yes As when you sin against the Judgments of God As for example you see the Judgments of God come upon some for their transgressions and you go on in their iniquities also when you sin against the Patience Long-suffering and Forbearance of God this will make little sins great ones Dan. 5. Q. Did ever God punish little Children for sin against him A. Yes When the Flood came he drowned all the little Children that were in the old World he also burned up all the little Children which were in Sodom and because upon a time the little Children at Bethel mocked the Prophet as he was a-going to worship God God let loose two she-Bears upon them which tore forty and two of them to pieces 2 King 2.22 23. Q. Alas What shall we little Children do A. Either go on in your sins or remember now your Creator in the days of your Youth before the evil dayes come Eccles 12.1 Q. Why do you mock us to bid us go on in our sins you had need pray for us that God would save us A. I do not mock you but as the wise-man doth and besides I pray for you and wish your Salvation Q. How doth the wise-man mock us A. Thus Rejoice O young man in thy Youth and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thine Eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment Eccles 11.9 Q. What a kind of mocking is this A. Such an one as is mixed with the greatest seriousness as if he should say I do sinners go on in your sins if you dare do live in your vanities but God will have a time to judg you for them Q. Is not this just as when my Father bids me be naught if I will but if I be naught he will beat me for it A. Yes or like that saying of Joshua If it seem evil to you to serve the Lord chuse you this day whom you will serve serve your sins at your peril Josh 24.15 Q. Is it not best then for me to serve God A. Yes for they that serve the Devil must be where he is and they that serve God and Christ must be where they are Joh. 12.16 Mat. 25.41 Q. But when had I
so happy as is that man who lieth fast asleep in his house while that is on fire about his ears Can a man be happy that is ignorant that he is without God and Christ and Hope Can a man be happy that is ignorant that he is hanging over Hell by the poor weak thread of an uncertain Life for this is the state of such an one Q. But may not Faith come to a man without he see himself to be first in this Condition A. It is Gods ordinary way to convince men of this their sad Condition before he revealeth to them the righteousness of Faith or work Faith in them to lay hold of that Righteousness Joh. 16.9 10 11. Gal. 3.23 25. Q. How then do you conclude of them that never saw themselves shut up by unbelief under sin and the curse of God A. I will not judg them for the future God may convert them before they die but at present their state is miserable for because they are shut up and held prisoners by the Law by their lusts and by the Devil and unbelief therefore they cannot so much as with their heart desire that God would have mercy upon them and bring them out of their Snares and Chains Q. Then do you count it better for a man to see his Condition by nature than to be ignorant thereof A. Better a thousand times to see it in the World than to see it in Hell-fire for he must see it there or here now if he sees it here this is the place of Prayer here is the preaching of the Word which is God's Ordinance to beget Faith Besides here God applyeth Promises of Mercy to the desolate and Christ also hath protested that he that cometh to him he will in no wiâ—â— cast out Joh. 6.37 Q. I am convinced that I was once without Faith and also that I cannot fetch it but pray teâ—â— me the way of its coming A. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.17 Q. How by hearing A. God mixeth it with the Word when he absolutely intendeth the Salvation of the sinner Heb. 4.2 3. Act. 13.48 Q. And how do Men hear when Faith is mixed with the Word A. They hear the Word not as the word of Man but as it is in truth the Word of God which worketh effectually in them that believe Thes 2.13 Q. Pray tell me now the manner of its coming A. It comes through difficulty it comes gradually Q. What are the difficulties which oppose it 〈◊〉 its coming A. Sense of unworthiness guilt of Conscience natural Reason Unbelief and arguments forged in Hell and thence suggested by the Devil into the heart against it Luk. 5.8 Mar. 9.24 Isa 6.5 Rom. 4.18 19 20. Q. How doth Faith come gradually A. Perhaps at first it is but like a grain of Mustard-seed small and weak Mat. 17.20 Q. Will you explain it further A. Faith at first perhaps may have its excellency lie in view only that is in seeing where â—ustification and Salvation is after that it may â—â—ep a degree higher and be able to say it may be or who can tell but I may obtain this Saâ—vation again it may perhaps go yet a steâ— higher and arrive to some short and transier assurance Heb. 11.13 Joel 2.13 14. Zeph. 2.3 Psal 30.7 Q. But doth Faith come only by hearing A. It is usually begotten by the Word preached but after it is begotten it is increased several ways It is increased by Prayer it is increaâ—ed by Christian Conference it is increased bâ— Reading it is increased by Meditation it increased by the remembrance of former Experiences Luk. 17.5 Mar. 9.24 Rom. 1.12 chap. 1â— 25 26. 1 Tim. 4.12 13 14 15. Mat. 16.8 9. Q. What do these things teach us A. They teach us that the Men of this Worlâ— are very ignorant of and as much without desiâ—â— after Faith they neither Hear nor Pray Confer nor Read nor Meditate for the sake of Faith Q. But you said even now that this Faith wâ—â— distinguished from that which profiteth not to Salvation as by the manner of its coming so by iâ— operation pray what is its operation A. It causeth the Soul to see in the lighâ— thereof that there is no Righteousness in thâ— World that can save the sinner Isa 64.6 Q. How doth it give the Soul this Sight A. By giving him to understand the Law and his own inability to do it Gal. 2.15.16 Q. And doth it also show the Soul where Justâ— A. Yes It shews it that Justifying Righteousness is only to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ in what he hath done and suffered in the Flesh Isa 45.24 25. Phil. 3.3 4 5 6 7 8. Q. How doth Faith find this Righteousness in Christ A. By the Word which is therefore called the Word of Faith because Faith by that findeth sufficient Righteousness in him Rom. 10.6 7 8 9. Q. How else doth it operate in the Soul A. It applieth this Righteousness to the sinner and also helps him to embrace it Rom. 3.21 22. 1 Cor. 1.30 Gal. 2.20 Q. How else doth it operate A. By this application of Christ the Soul is quickned to Life Spiritualized and made Heavenly For right Faith quickneth to Spiritual Life Purifies and Sanctifies the Heart and worketh up the Man that hath it into the Image of Jesus Christ Col. 2.12 13. Act. 15.9 chap. 26.18 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. How else doth it operate A. It giveth the Soul peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 Q. Surely Christ is of great esteem with them that have this Faith in him is he not A. Yes Yes Unto them therefore which believe he is precious precious in his Person precious in his Undertakings precious in his Word 1 Pet. 2.7 chap 1.18 19. 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Q. Can these people then that have this Faith indure to have this Christ spoken against A. O! No! This is a sword in their bones and a burden that they cannot bear Psal 42.10 Zeph. 3.18 19. Q. Doth it not go near them when they see his ways and people discountenanced A. Yes And they also chuse rather to be despised and persecuted with them than to enjoy the pleasures of Sin for a season Heb. 11.24 25. Q. Do they not pray much for his second Coming A. Yes yes They would fain see him on this side the Clouds of Heaven their Conversation is in Heaven from whence they look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3.20 Q. And do they live in this World as if he was to come presently A. Yes For his coming will be glorious and dreadful full of Mercy and Judgment The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with servent heat the earth also and the works therein shall be burnt up seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we
him in the World through the Ignorance that is in Man and through the Power of their Sins Ephes 4.18 19. Q. Wherein doth this alienation from God appear A. In the love they have to their sins in their being loth to come to him in their pleading idle excuses for their sins and in their ignorance of the excellent mysteries of his blessed Gospel Ephes 2.2 3 11 12. Rom. 1.28 Ephes 4.18 19. Q. What is temporal death A. To have Body and Soul separate asunder the Body returning to the Dust as it was and the Spirit to God that gave it Gen. 3.19 Eccles 12.7 Q. What is Everlasting Death A. For Body and Soul to be separate for ever from God and to be cast into Hell-fire Luk. 13. Q. Do Men go Body and Soul to Hell so soon as they die A. The Body abideth in the Grave till the sound of the last Trump but the Soul if the Man dies wicked goes presently from the face of God into Hell as into a Prison there to be kept till the day of Judgment 1 Cor. 15.52 Isa 24.22 Luke 12.20 Q. Do we come into the World as upright as did our first Parent A. No He came into the World sinless being made so of God Almighty but we came into the World sinners being made so by his Pollution Q. How doth it appear that we came into the World polluted A. We are the fruit of an unclean thing are defiled in our very conception and are by nature the Children of wrath Job 14.4 Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.3 Q. Can you make further proof of this A. Yes It is said that by one Man came Sin Death Judgment and Condemnation upon all Men Rom. 5.12 15 16 17 18 19. Q. Do we then come sinners into the World A. Yes we are Transgressors from the Womb and go astray as soon as we are born speaking lies Isa 48.8 Psal 58.3 Q. But as Adam fell with us in him so did he not by faith rise with us in him for he had no 〈…〉 A. He fell as a publick person but believed the Promise as a single person Adam's faith saved not the World though Adam's sin overthrew it Q. But do not some hold that we are sinners only by imitation A. Yes being themselves deceived But God's Word saith we are Children of Wrath by Nature that is by Birth and Generation Q. Can you bring further proof of this A. Yes In that day that we were born we were polluted in our own Blood and cast out to the loathing of our persons Again the Children of old that were dedicated unto the Lord a Sacrifice was offered for them at a month old which was before they were sinners by imitation Ezek. 16.4 5 6 7 8 9. Num. 18.14 15 16. Q. Can you make this appear by experience A. Yes The first things that bloom and put forth themselves in Children shew their Ignorance of God their disobedience to Parents and their innate enmity to Holiness of life their inclinations naturally run to vanity Besides little Children die but that they could not were they not of God counted sinners for death is the wages of sin Rom. 6.23 Q. What is sin A. It is a transgression of the Law 1 John 3.4 Q. A transgression of what Law A. Of the Law of our Nature and of the Law of the Ten Commandments as written in the holy Scriptures Rom. 2.12 14 15. Exod. 20. Q. When doth one sin against the Law of Nature A. When you do any thing that your Conscience tells you is a transgression against God or Man Rom. 2.14 15. Q. When do we sin against the Law as written in the ten Commandments A. When you do any thing that they forbid although you be ignorant of it Psal 19.12 Q. How many ways are there to sin against this Law A. Three By sinful thoughts by sinful words and also by sinful actions Rom. 7.7 Mat. 5.28 chap. 12.37 Rom. 2.6 Q. What if we sin against but one of the Ten Commandments A. Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all for he that said do not commit adultery said also do not kill now if thou commit no adultery yet if thou kill thou art a transgressor of the Law Jam. 2.10 11. Q. Where will God punish sinners for their sins A. Both in this World and in that which is to come Gen 3.24 chap. 4.10 11 12. Job 21.30 Q. How are Men punished in this World for sin A. Many ways as with sickness losses crosses disappointments and the like sometimes also God giveth them up to their own hearts lusts to blindness of mind also and hardness of heart yea and sometimes to strong delusions that they might believe lies and be damned Lev. 26.15 16. Amos. 4.7 10. Rom. 1.24 28. Exod. 4.21 chap. 9.12 13 14. Zeph. 1.17 Rom. 11.7 8. 2 Thes 2.11 12. Q How are sinners punished in the World to come A. With a Worm that never dies and with a Fire that never shall be quenched Mar. 9.44 Q. Whither do sinners go to receive this punishment A. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Psal 9.27 Q. What is Hell A. It is a place and a state most fearful Luk. 16.28 Act. 1.25 Luk. 16.21 Q. Why do you call it a place A. Because in Hell shall all the damned be confined as in a Prison in their chains of darkness for ever Luk. 12.5 58. chap. 16.26 Jud. 6. Q What a place is Hell A. It is a dark bottomless burning lake of Fire large enough to hold all that perish Mat. 22.13 Rev. 20.1 15. Isa 30.33 Pro. 27.20 Q. What do you mean when you say it is a fearful state A. I mean that it is the lot of those that are cast in thither to be tormented in most fearful manner to wit with wrath and fiery indignation Rom. 2.9 Heb. 10.26 27. Q. In what parts shall they be thus fearfully tormented A. In Body and Soul for Hell-fire shall kindle upon both beyond what now can be thought Mat. 10.28 Luk. 16.24 Jam. 5.3 Q. How long shall they be in this condition A. These shall go away into everlasting punishment and the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest day nor night for they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his Power Mat. 25.46 Rev. 14.11 2 Thes 1.9 Q. But why might not the ungodly be punished with this punishment in this world that we might have seen it and believe A. If the ungodly should with punishment have been rewarded in this World it would in all probability have overthrown the whole order that God hath settled here among Men. For who could have endured here to have seen the flames of Fire to have heard the groans and to have seen the tears perhaps of damned relations as Parents or Children Therefore as Tophet
be acceptable and to confess it with the mouth and to love it with the heart is a lying unto God and a provocation of the eyes of his Glory Q. What do you mean by feigning and dissembling in this work A. When men confess it yet know not what it is or if they think they know it do not conclude it so bad as it is or when men ask pardon of God but do not see their need of pardon this man must needs dissemble Q. What do you mean by doing it by the halves A. When men confess some but not all that they are convinced of or if they confess all yet labour in their Confession to lessen it or when in their Confession they turn not from all Sin to God but from one Sin to another They turned but not to the most high none of them did exalt him Prov. 28.13 Job 31.33 Jam Q. What is it to confess Sin without sence of Sin A. To do it through Custom or Tradition when there is not guilt upon the Conscience now this cannot be acceptable Q. What is it to confess it with the mouth and to love it with the heart A. When men condemn it with their mouth but refuse to let it go when with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their Covetousness Job 20.12 13. Jer. 8.5 Ezek. 33.31 Q. But I asked you what frame of heart I should be in in my Confessions A. I have shewed you how you should not be Well I will shew you now what frame of heart becomes you in your Confessions of Sin Labour by all means for a sence of the evil that is in Sin Q. What evil is there in Sin A. No man with Tongue can express what may by the Heart be felt of the evil of Sin but this know it dishonoureth God it provoketh him to wrath it damneth the Soul Rom. 2.23 Ephes 5.5 6. 2 Thes 2.12 Q. What else would you advise me to in this great work A. When we confess sin tears shame and brokenness of heart becomes us Jer. 50.4 Isa 22.12 Psal 51.17 Jer. 31.19 Q. What else becomes me in my Confessions of 〈…〉 A. Great detestation of sin with unfeigned Sighs and Groans that expresseth thou dost it heartily Job 42.5 6. Ezek. 9.4 Jer. 31.9 Q. Is here all A. No Tremble at the Word of God Tremble at every Judgment lest it overtake thee Tremble at every promise lest thou shouldest miss thereof for saith God To this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and that trembles at my Word Isa 66.2 Heb. 4.1 2. Q. What if I cannot thus confess my Sins A. Bewail the hardness of thy heart keep close to the best Preachers remember that thou hangest over Hell by the weak thread of an uncertain life And know God counts it a great evil not to be ashamed of not to blush at sin Isa 63.17 Jer. 6.15 Chap. 8.12 Q. Is there no thanks to be rendred to God in Confessions A. O Yes Thank him that he hath let thee see thy sins thank him that he hath given thee time to acknowledg thy sins thou mightest now have been confessing in Hell thank him also that he hath so far condescended as to hear the self-bemoaning sinner and that he hath promised Surely to have Mercy upon such Jer. 31.18 19 20. Of Faith in Christ. Quest I Am glad that you have instructed me into this part of the worship of God pray tell me also how else I should worship him A. Thou must believe his Word Q. Is that worshipping of God A. Yes after the way which ye call heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets c. Acts 24.14 Q. Why should believing be counted a part of Gods worship A. Because without faith 't is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 Q. Why not impossible to please him without believing A. Because in all true Worship a man must believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Besides he that worships God must also of necessity believe his Word else he cannot worship with that reverence and fear that becomes him but will do it in a superstitious prophane manner for whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.23 Q. But do not all believe as you have said A. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit And again the Children of the flesh these are not the Children of God but the Children of the promise are counted for the Seed Joh. 3.6 Rom. 9.8 Q. What do you mean by that A. Thou must be born twice before thou canst truely believe once Joh. 3.3 5. Q. How do you prove that A. Because believing is a Christian act and none are true Christians but those that are born again But I mean by believing believing unto Salvation Q. Can you prove this A. Yes They that believe in the Name of Christ are such which are born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Joh. 1.12 13. Q. What is believing A. It is such an act of a gracious Soul as layeth hold on Gods Mercy through Christ Act. 15 11. Q. Why do you call it an act of a gracious Soul A. Because their minds are disposed that way by the Power of the Holy-Ghost Rom. 15.13 Q. If such a poor sinner as I am would be saved from the wrath to come how must I believe A. Thy first question should be on whom must I believe Joh. 9.35 36. Q. On whom then must I beleive A. On the Lord Jesus Christ Act. 16.31 32. Q. Who is Jesus Christ that I might believe on him A. He is the only begotten Son of God Joh. 3.16 Q. Why must I believe in him A. Because he is the Saviour of the World 2 Pet. 1.1 1 John 4.14 Q. How is he the Saviour of the World A. By the Fathers designation and sending for God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved John 3.13 Q. How did he come into the World A. In Mans flesh in which flesh he fulfilled the Law died for our sins conquered the Devil and Death and obtained Eternal Redemption for us Gal. 4.4 Rom. 10.3 4. chap. 8.3 Heb. 2.14 15. chap 6.20 chap 9.12 24. Q. But is there no other way to be saved but by believing in Jesus Christ A. There is no other name given under Heaven among men whereby we must be saved and therefore he that believeth not shall be damned Act. 4.12 Mar. 16.16 John 3.18.36 Q. What is believing on Jesus Christ A. It is a receiving of him with what is in him as the gift of God to thee a sinner Joh. 1. 12. Q What is in Jesus Christ to encourage me to 〈…〉 A. Infinite
Righteousness to justifie thee and the Spirit without measure to Sanctifie thee Isa 45.24 25. Dan. 9.24 Phil. 3.7 8. Joh. 3.34 Q. Is this made mine if I receive Christ A. Yes If thou receive him as God offereth him to thee John 3.16 Q. How doth God offer him to me A. Even as a rich Man freely offereth an Alms to a Begger and so must thou receive him John 6.32 33 34 35. Q. Hath he indeed made amends for sin and would he indeed have me accept of what he hath done A. That he hath made amends for sin 't is evident because God for Christs sake forgiveth thee and 't is as evident that he would have thee accept thereof because he offereth it to thee and hath sworn to give thee the utmost benefit to wit Eternal life if thou dost receive it yea and â—â—th threatned thee with eternal Damnation if after all this thou shalt neglect so great Salvation Ephes 5.1 Rom. 3.24 Mat. 28.19 Act. 13.32 33 38 39. Heb. 6.17 18. chap. 2.3 Mar. 16.16 Q. But how must I be qualified before I shall â—are to believe in Christ A. Come sensible of thy sins and of the Wrath of God due unto them for thus thou â—â—t bid to come Mat. 11.28 Q. Did ever any come thus to Christ A. David came thus Paul and the Jailer came thus also Christ's Murderers came thus Psal 51.1 2 3. Acts 9.6 Acts 16.30 31. Act. 2.37 Q. But doth it not seem most reasonable that we should first mend and be good A. The whole have no need of the Physitian but those that are sick Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Mar. 2.17 Q. But is it not the best way if one can to mend first A. This is just as if a sick man should say is it not best for me to be well before I go to the Physician or as if a wounded man should say when I am cured I will lay on the Plaister Q. But when a poor Creature sees its vileness it is afraid to come to Christ is it not A. Yes But without ground for he hath said say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not and to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembles at my word Isa 35.4 Chap. 66.2 Q. What incouragement can be given us thâ—â— to come A. The Prodigal came thus and his Father received him and fell upon his neck and kissed him Thus he received the Colossians and consequently all that are saved Luke 15. Colos 2.13 Q. Will you give me one more encouragement A. The Promises are so worded that they that are Scarlet-sinners Crimson-sinners Blasphemous sinners have incouragement to come to him with hopes of life Isa 1.18 Mar. 3.28 Joh. 6.36 Luk. 24.47 Act. 13.36 Q. Shall any one that believeth be saved A. If they believe as the Scriptures have said if the Scriptures be fulfilled in their believing Joh. 7.38 Jam. 2.23 Q. What do you mean by that A. When Faith which a Man saith he hath proveth it self to be of the right kind by its Acts and Operations in the mind of a poor sinner Jam. 2.19 20 21 22. Q. Why is there many kinds of Faith A. Yes There is a Faith that will stand with a heart as hard as a rock a short-winded Faith which dureth for a while and in time of temptation such fall away Luke 8.13 Q. Is there any other kind of Faith A. Yes There is a Faith that hath no more life in it than hath the body of a dead man Jam. 2.26 Q. Is there yet another of these unprofitable Faiths A. Yes there is a Faith that is of our selves and not of the special Grace of God Eph. 2.8 Q. Tell me if there be yet another A. There is a Faith that standeth in the Wisdom of men and not in the power of God 1 Cor. 2.5 Q. Is here all A. No there is a Faith that seems to be holy but it will not do because t is not the most holy Faith 2 Pet. 2.20 Jude 20. Q. Alas If there be so many kinds of Faith that will not profit to Salvation how easie is it for me to be deceived A. It is easie indeed and therefore the holy Ghost doth in this thing so often caution us be not deceived let no man deceive you and if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing he deceiveth himself 1 Cor. 6.9 Eph. 5.6 Gal. 6.3 Q. But is there no way to distinguish the right Faith from that which is wrong A. Yes And that by the manner of its Coming and Operation Q. What do you mean by the manner of its Coming A. Nay you must make two questions of this one that is what is it for Faith to come and in what manner doth it come Q. Well then what is it for Faith to come A. This word Faith comes supposeth thou wert once without it it also supposeth that thou didst not fetch it whence it was it also supposeth it hath a way of coming Gal. 3.23 25. Q. That I was once without it you intimated before but must I take it without proof for granted A. I will give you a proof or two God hath concluded them all in unbelief and again it is said Faith comes And again the Holy Ghost insinuateth our estate to be dreadful before Faith come Rom. 11.32 Chap. 10.17 Gal. 3.23 Q. Why How is it with men before Faith comes A. Without Faith or before Faith comes it is impossible to please God for whether their actions be civil or religious they sin in all they do The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination and the plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21.4.27 Q. Is not this a very sad condition A. Yes But this is not all for their present unbelief bindeth them over to wrath by shutting them up to the Law it also draweth them away from God and will drown them in everlasting damnation if the grace of God prevent not Gal. 3.23 Heb. 3.17 18. John 3.36 Q. What if a man saw himself in this condition A. There are many see themselves in this Condition Q. How came they to see it A. By the preaching and hearing the Word of God Joh. 16.8 9. Q. And what do such think of themselves A. They do not only think but know that in this Condition they are without Christ without Hope and without God in the World Eph. 2.11 12. Q. Are not they happy that see not themselves in this Condition A. Yes If they have seen themselves delivered therefrom by a work of Faith in their Souls else not Q. How do you mean A. I mean if they have seen themselves delivered from this state by being by the Word and Spirit of God implanted into the Faith of Christ Rom. 11.17 18 19. Q. Are not they happy that are never troubled with this sad sight of their condition A. They are just