his holy Spirit draweth our hearts to embrace his gratious promises a Heb. 12.2 Eph. 2.8 b Luk. 24.25 Mar. 9.24 Num. 20.12 2 Chron. 16.7 9. Mat. 14.31 Luk. 18.9 c 1 Cor. 2.9 11. Joh. 6.44 45. Q. Why must we strive seeing it is Gods gift A. Yes because God hath appointed means whereby he will bestow all graces on us therefore if we seek him in those meanes we shall find him if we neglect those meanes it is a signe we have no grace nor can we ever hope to have any Mar. 4.24 1 Cor. 3.7 9. Rom. 10.14 15. Prov. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 13.44 Act. 16.14 1 Cor. 12.6 Q. Why secondly must we strive A. Because faith and all other graces be contrary to our corrupt nature and therefore we must give the more diligence to attaine the same at Gods hand As he that plants a graft contrary to nature must use the more care and because we cannot cure our selves we must seek and beg some one to put us into the pool when the waters be moved Phil. 2.12 13. Esay 26.12 Heb. 6.11 12. Rom. 11.24 2 Pet. 1.10 Q. By what meanes doth God usually worke faith in us A. By two Meanes 1. By the knowledge of the Law convincing us of sin Mat. 3.2 3. Ioh. 16.9 Rom. 4.15 Gal. 3.22 24. This is but preparative Hos 10.12 Q. But what is the chiefe meanes by which God doth worke faith in us A. By the preaching of the Gospell by which it is also encreased And therefore if we desire to have faith we must heare and obey the Gospell the Word of the Kingdome must be rooted in our hearts and affections 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Rom. 1.16 Luk. 8.13 15 Gal. 3.2 Q. How doth the Doctrine of the Gospell bring about the heart from security and false confidences to believe on Christ for salvation A. Two waies especially To rest in any thing short of Christ is a false confidence 1. By inviting us to come unto Christ The Spirit doth convince us of sin and damnation and that we have need of the righteousnesse of another to save us Luk. 13.3 Joh. 16.9 Joh. 5.45 Joh. 8.24 Phil. 3 3 8.9 Matt. 9 13. By the law is the knowledge of sinne but to make us fly from the Law and to be dead to it and to seeke salvation by a righteousnesse without us this is the worke of the Gospell Rom. 7.4 The Gospell inviting commanding and calling us to Christs righteousnesse it doth cause us to renounce and forsake all hope of righteousnesse by works of the Law the Gospell puts a spirit into the letter of the Law The Gospell awaking us and bidding us to repent and goe to Christ for salvation doth make use of the Law to shew us our danger and our insufficiency to save our selves and consequenly a necessity of believing in Christ Q. How secondly doth the Gospell work the heart to believe A. 2. By shewing us such a fulnesse and al sufficiency in Christ that of him and in him we have all things needfull for salvation it shewes and assures the conscience that God is satisfied and well pleased with us in Christ Act. 13.32 33 34. John 1.16 17. Col. 1.13 14 19. Q. What followes thereof A. Therefore they that meddle not with the Scripture regard not the Ministry of it on the Lords day but slight it or scoffe at the preaching thereof shew plainly that they have no faith Rom. 15.4 Rom. 10.14 17. CAP. XXVII Of the second office worke of Faith viz. to purify the heart worke by love Here followes the life of a believer and the first end and use of the Morall Law Fourth heal of Christian doctrine Q. WHat is the second office of Faith A. To purify the heart working it to an obedient walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord so that I shall not professe one thing and do another Jam 2.17 21 26. Act 15.9 it is ever purging out corruption Q. The rule of obedience in generall is the whole written word of God and more summarily the morall Law contained in the ten Commandements Tell me now Is the Law of the ten Commandements still in force A. Yes and whosoever doth or teacheth otherwise shall be least in the Kindome of Heaven that is none at all Mat 5.18 19. Rom 3.19 31. Rom 7.12 As touching the ceremoniall Law that which was a sin or duty then is not a sin or duty now under the Gospel and therefore the ceremoniall Law is not in force now as to our practice But as touching the morall Law that which was a sin then is a sin now as lying perjury c. which shewes that the morall Law is still in force now under the time of the Gospel Q. Is the Law given that we should looke for life and solvation by it A. No because by it all the world is guilty before God If we were without sin we should be saved by the Law but being all wretched sinners the Law curseth us and we must looke elsewhere for a worthinesse to answer Gods judgement Rom 7.4 6. Rom 3.20 23. Gal 3.17 Q. To what use then was the Law given The first use of the Morall Law A There is a twofold use of it 1. To convince us that we are under sin wrath that so we might be brought to seek salvation in Christ alone Gal. 3.19 24. Q. How doth the Law force a sinner unto Christ A. There be five effects or operations of the Law whereby it drives one to Christ The first is to make sin knowne in its true greatnesse and sinfulnesse both for the extent and danger of it By the Law we come to know our selves to be greater sinners and in worse case then we could imagine we find and feele that to be sinne which before we knew not and many things to be greater evils exposing us to greater wrath then heretofore we conceived as our naturall corruption the first motions unto sinne c. Rom 3.20 Rom. 7.7 8 9 13. Rom 5.13 Q. What is the second worke of the Law forcing us to seek Christ A. It shews us how farre short we come and how unable we are to doe any one thing that is good in any measure manner and degree as is required Many think they are holy and please God well enough because they know not the holynesse and rigour of the Law Rom. 7.11 13 18. Mat. 19.18 20. Q. How thirdly doth the Law shew us our need of Christ A. By it we finde and feele the emnity contrariety that is in our nature against God Tell a man of his sinne or duty O the heart is sad upon it the Law is a burthen to him the heart rebels against it and could even wish there were no such Law yea no God to take vengeance Sinne is a burthen to a regenerate person but Gods Law is not grievous to him 1 Joh. 5.3 On the other side to
in regard of the imperfection of both A. We must strive to encrease and grow in grace by a diligent and constant use of all those means which God hath set apart and sanctified to that end If we have a dimnesse in the eyes or a lamenesse we will try twenty waies to help it so c. and to this end only the wayes of God are available and must be used in their place one ordinance helps another 2 Pet. 2.18 Heb. 6.11 12. Luke 17.5 1 Thes 4.1 10. Prov. 1.24 Iob 17.9 He that hath cleane hands shall be stronger and stronger CAP. XLI Of the meanes of Working and encreasing faith 1. of Hearing the word of God THere is a threefold use and benefit of the means of grace viz. 1. To worke faith and conversion 2. To encrease graces begunne 3. To seale up the assurance of all to our hearts Q What be those means which God hath sanctified and set apart for the begeting encreasing of his saving graces in us A. Three First the exercise of the a word Read and Preached Secondly prayer b publick and private Thirdly and the use c of the Sacraments a Rom. 10.13.14 Act. 8.31 35. Act. 13.15.27 Act. 15.21 b Luk. 11.9 13. John 16.23 Act. 16.13 c Luk. 7.30 1 Cor. 10.16 1 Cor. 11.17 Mat. 3.6.7 Mark 1.4 1. Of hearing the word of God Q. How may I heare the word of God to my comfort and salvation A. Some things are required 1. Before we come to Heare 2. Some things in Hearing 3. And some things after we have Heard Q. What is required before we come A. Before I come I must set my heart and minde in frame by due preparation Exod. 19.10 11. 1 Sam. 6.20 Acts 10.33 Luc. 8.18 Q. VVherein Stands this preparation to right hearing Of preparation before Hearing or reading the word of God A. In three things First the heart must be emptied of all stumbling blocks of iniquity I must receave it in an honest heart that is with a teachable tractable heart resolving to practice whatsoever is taught me out of Gods word I must not set up any imaginations reasonings or purposes which may make me to be offended and stumble at the Word being disobedient but I must submit every opposite desire to the obedience of Jesus Christ Ezek. 14.7 Ezek. 33.32 Mat. 19.22 Ioh. 5.44 Ier. 4.3 Act. 10.33 Luk. 8.15 Rom 6.17 Iam. 1.21 1 Pet. 2.1 2 8. Lord here I am before thee as they clay fashion me to thine owne mind and will Q. Wherein secondy stands right preparation A. We must not come heavily and for formes sake but with an hungring and thirsting after the good knowledge of God desirous to grow by it in grace and goodnesse Esa 2.3 Luk. 1.53 1 Pet. 2.2 Iob. 23.12 Psal 19.10 11. Q. Wherein thirdly stands this preparation A. We must pray for the Spirit and blessing of God to accompany the outward Ordinances without which they are uneffectuall Many men know these directions but didst thou ever put them in practice Didst ever set thy selfe by hearing to get wisedome and be healed Prov. 20.12 Luk. 24 45. Esa 48.17 Psal 119.18 Q. 2. In hearing What must we doe A. The Word must be heard with reverence and attention and mingled with faith that is I must believe that it is true and true to me As if I heare a promise or a duty or a marke of grace I must take it to my selfe as true and good to me Heb 4 2.3 Luk. 4.20 Act. 13.46 Q. What help have you thus to prepare and dispose your heart A. I must consider that it is not the will a and word of man but of God by which also I shall be judged and therefore if I b resist it I stand not out against man but against God Untill I give Gods Word a divine authority over my heart I am but an hypocrite I can never believe c. a 1 Thes 1.4 5. with 1 Thes 2.13 b Zach. 7.12 Act. 7.51 2 Chr. 34.19 21. Ezra 9.4 This consideration would free the heart of impatiency and contempt of the Preacher of pride of our own hearts and other carnall affections which make the Word unfruitfull unto us Q 3. What must me doe after we have heard A. Two things First we must meditate and conferre of it and examine it as the Bereans did that so the rules of Gods Word may be rooted in our understanding memories and affections Acts 17.11 12. Luke 2.51 1 Cor 14.35 Q. What secondly A. We must be carefull to turne hearing into practice for not the hearer but the doer of the word is blessed Matth 7.24 26. Jam. 1.22 23.25 Psal 119.105 Prov. 9.21 22. Luke 11.28 CAP. XLII Of Prayer which is the second means of Grace PRayer is an excellent means to obtaine all good things spirituall and temporall at Gods hands Iam. 1.5 Luke 18.1 2. Q. What is Prayer What it is A. Prayer is a wrestling with God or a making known of our requests to God with supplications for good things according to his will and giving him the praise of all the good we have Gen 32.24 Hos 12.4 Phil 4.6 Neh 1.8 There be many things required to the making of an acceptable prayer to a right manner of calling upon God which shall be set down as followeth Q. To whom must we make our prayers A. Only to God in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ Christ bids us pray to our Father in heaven Col. 3.17 Eph. 3.12 14. 1 Tim. 2.5 Rev. 8.3 Q. What is it to pray in the name of Jesus Christ A. It is not only to say those words through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen 2. Through whom but it is by faith to plead the grace of the Covenant made with us in Christ to make him the great Master of Requests in Heaven it is an interposing and pleading of Christs merts with the Father to speed our desires Acts 4.29 30. Iohn 16.23 Heb 3.15 Q. Why must we call upon God alone and not upon any creature either Angels or Saints departed A. Because God alone searcheth all hearts knoweth all griefes hears all prayers and is alone able to satisfy our desires and supply our wants To pray to one doth suppose in him these two things 1 Omniscience that is knowledge of all hearts of all our wants desires and groanings 2. Omnipotence that is power in his own hands to help Catechismus Rom part 3. c. 6. and these are peculiar to God alone Psal 65.2 1 Kings 8.39 with 1 Kings 18.26 Acts 1.24 Esay 63.16 Psal 50.15 Q For what things must we pray A. Such things as stand with God Will and promise to grant Look what God promiseth us 3. Foâ— what and in what manneâ— he promiseth any thing the same things and in such manner must we beg them iâ— prayer some things God hath promiseâ— absolutely and some things with reservatioâ— to his Fatherly wisdome as the thingâ— themselves or
PRINCIPLES OF FAITH GOOD CONSCIENCE DIGESTED Into a Catecheticall Form together with an Appendix 1. Vnfolding the Termes of Practicall Divinity 2. Shewing some Markes of Gods Children 3. Some generall rules and principles of holy life By W. LYFORD Batchelour of Divinity and Minister of Gods Word at Sherborne in Dorsetshire The Fourth Edition That the soule be without knowledge is not good Prov. 19.2 If thou wilt apply thine heart to understanding if thou criest after knowledge then thou shalt understand the feare of the Lord Prov. 2.3.5 Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children Deut. 6.7 Printed at Oxford by Henry Hall for John Adams and Edward Forrest 1655. Advertisements touching the use and purpose of this Booke to my People 1. THere be two parts of a Ministers office that undertakes the instruction of Gods people the one to deliver sufficient matter of distinct knowledge unto Christian faith The other to lay downe and diligently to inculcate Principles of sanctification whereby a Christian may be directed in point of duty and holy life enabled to discerne between the state of Nature and the state of Grace Both these I have endeavoured the former by drawing out the generall heads of Christian doctrine into particulars the latter by laying down trials and principles of sanctification and holy practice 2. I intend this Booke for the instruction of those that are to be admitted to the Lords Supper wherein they shall be publikely exercised three years the two former years to be hearers and the last yeare to be answerers in it In which time it is hoped that the meanest capacity will be able to attain the sense understanding of the matter And whē they have been thus diligently instructed the Congregation satisfied of their competent knowledge in the doctrine of Christ then upon a day appointed for their admission to the Lords Supper the said Catechumenes upon their own motion desire to be admitted shall make professiō of their faith repentāce Ezek. 20.37 in their own names with their own mouthes undertake that Covenant of Faith obedience unto Christ which at Baptisme we all entred into and stand bound to performe 3. I have prepared a severall chapter for every week of the year and endeavoured to make the answers as weighty and perspicuous as I could both which as I conceive will be more delightfull and profitable to the learner To every answer I cause thē to read the proofes one or more as the time and matter requires within three quarters of an hour each Chapter will be dispatched if any thing be more lightly passed over one time it may be more largely insisted on the next 4. The number and length of questions will not be burthen some to thē that be long exercised therein The answers themselves are not long if you observe that they end where this marke beginneth and that all that is included within this marke is added for explication and not to lode the memory And if you expresse the sense of the answer in other words of your owne the answer will be the better accepted 5. There is some repetition of the same matter in the doctrine or justification by faith the Offices of Christ the difference betwixt the Law the Gospel which was not an oversight but of purpose the better to root those main points in weak understandings 6. This training up of our Children and Servants in a forme of wholsome words will I hope through Gods blessing be a meanes to prevent that grosse ignorance in them which now reignes in aged people The like fruit may be hoped in the free Grammer Schoole The Lord grant you to grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that both he that soweth and he reapeth may rejoyce together and when we shall be parted by death may have a joyfull and happy meeting in Heaven and be united to our blessed and glorious head for evermore AMEN READER THis fourth Edition addeth nothing of substance to the former the number of Questions and Answers and Pages be all the same Some notes for Explication are set in the margin Some expressions are changed and added when the former might seeme doubtfull The Contents of the severall Chapters Cap. 1. OF the certainty of holy Scripture of the state of innocency and the Covenant of Nature Cap. 2. Of the fall of man and his sinfull state of the staine and guilt and punishment of sinne Cap. 3 4. Of the difference and degrees of sin of originall sin sins of knowledge ignorance of infirmity and presumption of reigning sinne and sinne against the Holy Ghost Cap. 5. Arguments to convince carnall persons that they be under the curse no better then nature made them Cap. 6 Of the Covenant of Grace the differēce between the Old and New Testament the manner how Christ and Faith doe justify Cap. 7. Of the promises made to Christ the Mediator Cap. 8. Of Christ offered to sinners as yet unconverted and the ground of a sinners going to Christ Cap. 9. Of Gods promises to believers promises to the weake the doubting the lapsed Christian c. Cap. 10. Of the wonderfull person of the Mediatour God and Man and the benefit flowing from the personall union Cap. 11. Of Christs Priestly Office and the parts thereof viz. Satisfaction and Intercession Cap. 12. Of the Kingly and Propheticall offices of Christ Cap. 13. Who are in Covenant with God signes of true faith and repentance Cap. 14. Of mans uprightnesse the signes and benefit thereof Cap 15. Of the Nature Properties of God Cap. 16. Of creation providence whereby God guideth supporteth all things good and evill great and small Cap. 17. Of faith in Jesus Christ his Titles and Dominion Cap. 18. Of the Incarnation of the Sonne of God and manner of his conception Cap. 19. Of Christs sufferings the extent and value thereof Cap. 20. Of Christs exaltation to Gods right hand and what he doth there for us Cap. 21. Of the last judgement and of faith in the Holy Ghost Cap. 22. Of the Church of God militant triumphant of inward and outward calling signes of the true Church Cap. 23. Of the communion of Saints with Christ the Head and one with another the bonds and fruits of that communion Cap. 24. Of forgivenesse of sinnes the cause and effects thereof Cap. 25. Of the state of the dead and everlasting life for whom it is prepared Cap. 26. The first office of Faith to justify how faith is wrought by the Gospell Cap. 27. The second office of Faith to purify the heart of the first main end and use of the Morall Law scil to drive unto Christ and how that 's done Cap. 28. Of the second principall end of the Morall Law of the properties of true obedience of workes before and after regeneration and their unability to save Cap. 29. Of the first Commandment of Images of God or the
all occasions and yet he is here with us in his Majesty Headship Grace though not in his Body Joh 16.7 Joh 14.28 Our businesse lieth in Heaven with God and it is best that Christ be there Heb 4.14 Q. How doth this affect the Heart of the believer A. It comforts me in assurance that it shall not goe ill with the Church or any Member thereof as long as Christ is at Gods right hand Pull Christ from Gods right hand and then you may overthrow the Church and children of God Psal 110 1 2. Ro 8.34 Ioh 10.28 1 Pet 1.21 Heb 2.8 9. There in a course taken to put all things fully under him CAP XXI Of the last judgement From thence he shall come to judge Q. SHall this World ever have an end A. Yes and then Christ shall come in great glory to judge the World 2 Pet 3.10 11. 2 Tim 4.1 Mat 16.27 Mat. 26.64 Q. Who shall be Judge A. The same Chirst that was pierced Act. 17.31 Ioh 5.22 27. Zach 12.10 Q. Whom shall he judge A. The quick and the dead that is all men that ever were or shall be Q. Who be meant by the quick A. They that be found alive at the last day 1 Cor. 15.51 1 Thes 4 15. Q. Who by the dead A All that have departed this life from the beginning of the World they shall come againe with their owne bodies Rev 20.12 Joh. 5.28 29. Q Whereof shall they be judged A. All men shall give account of themselves as their workes and waies have been 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 2.5 6 12 16. 1. Cor. 4.5 Eccles 12.14 Q. What sentence shall be passed on the Godly A. A sentence of pardon and absolution for Christs sake Mat. 25.32 34. Eph. 5.23 27. Q. What on the wicked A. A sentence of condemnation for their own sakes And then shall be made an everlasting separation between men men betweene godly and wicked betweene chaffe and wheat the one to everlasting joy the other to everlasting punishment with the Divell and his Angels for evermore Mat 25.41 Mat. 24 40. Mat 13.30 38 41 49. Here we live together and work together and eate together and Pray and Heare together but then the separation shall be made the Godly shall be taken and the Wicked left and cast in to the furnace of fire Q. What followes of the true beliefe of this Article A. It makes me carefull so to order the matter that I may be found of Him in peace not willingly going on in any course in which I would be loath to be found at the last day I would not at that day stand and appear among Non-residents Usurers Swearers c. and therefore I hate those courses now 2 Pet. 3.11 14. 1 Pet. 1.17 2 Cor. 5.9 11 12. Mat. 24 46 so doing I believe in the Holy Ghost Q. Who is the Holy Ghost A. The third Person of the blessed Trinity equall and of the same substance with the Father and the Sonne proceeding from the Father and the Son 1 Ioh. 5.7 Mat. 28.19 Iohn 15.26 Ioh. 14.26 Ioh. 16.15 Gal. 4.6 Esa 48.16 with Rom 8.9 Q. What is the office and worke of the Holy Ghost in mans salvation A. It is to make us holy to sanctifie wash and renew our hearts and lives filling us with all spirituall graces and thereby sealing up the love of God unto our hearts Matth. 3.11 Ioh. 3.5 1 Cor. 6.11 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 1.22 The work of the holy Ghost is to be a Sanctifier a Comforter Q. What doe you believe in this Article A. I believe that as Christ redeemed the Church so the Holy Ghost sanctifieth it and that through sanctification of the Spirit I shall receive the inheritance purchased by Christ or I depend upon him for sanctification and salvation our salvation being among those workes of God which are externall that is terminated in the creature it is the work of the whole Trinity Eph. 1.5 Act. 20.28 Rev. 1.4 5. only as there is an order in their subsistence so there is in their operations 2 Thes 2.13 Tit. 3.5 Q. How may it appeare that you believe in the Holy Ghost A. 1. Because my hope and confidence for mercy is not seperated from nor greater then is my care to be sanctified Triall of this faith or because I desire sanctification of the Spirit as well as justification by Christ Rom. 8.1.13 Psal 51.9 10. Q How else may this be known A. Because I will not grieve the holy Spirit of God but doe endeavour to follow and be led by the motions counsels and directions of the Spirit and not of the flect Rom. 8.14 Eph. 4.30 I beg the Spirit to do all my workes in me a spirit of revelation and renovation a spirit of consolation and confirmation c. CAP. XXII Of the Church of God I believe the holy Catholicke Church Q. THE gathering of the Church is a fruit of Christs death and exaltation Tell me what is meant by the Church of God A. The company of Gods Elect called and separated from the rest of mankind and united unto Christ their head by faith 1 Cor. 1.2 Gal. 1.15 1 Pet. 2.9 Heb. 12.23 Eph. 5.23 25 26. The rest are the Church by calling and profession only Q. From what are they called And unto what are they called A. From sinne and the power of darknesse unto Faith true Repentance from love of the world to the love of God from carelessenesse to conscience of pleasing God Col. 1.13 1 Thes 1.9 1 Thes 4.7 1 Pet. 1.14 15. Act. 26.18 Q. By what meanes are they called A. Outwardly by the Word preached which inwardly is made effectuall by the Holy Ghost to their conversion 1 Thes 1.5 Act. 16.14 1 Cor. 3.6 7 9. 2 Cor. 3.3 There is an outward calling and an outward joyning to the Church Mat. 20.16 1 Ioh. 2.19 Rom. 9.4 5. But this saveth none without the inward calling spirituall ingrafture into Christ Ioh. 15.2.19 Gal. 1.15 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.19 20 21. Col. 2.19 Q. These called ones How be they distinguished A. Part of them be in Heaven The Church Militant Triumphant what it is having a finished their blessed course and are called the Church triumphant And part is yet on Earth b combating and striving with corruptions fears and temptations from within and from Satan and are therefore called the Church Militant a Rev. 7.13 16 17. Rev 14 13. Heb. 12.23 2 Tim. 4.7 8. b Eph. 6.13 Q. Why is the Church called holy A. Because it is made holy by the Word and Spirit so that no ungodly person is of the Church though he be in the Church Rom. 2.29 Rom. 9.6 1 Ioh. 2.19 Q. Why is it called Catholick A. Because this company is gathered not out of one place or people but out of all Nations Languages and Peoples and in all ages of the world Rev. 7.9 Rev. 5.9 Q. What be the signes by which the societies
spiritual because set and taken out of the book if our hearts be affected with the matter Eccles 5.2 Job 22.27 28. Q. When is the Lords Prayer abused A. When people say it over without understanding and affection or else make vaine and needlesse repetitions of it both these are a taking of Gods name in vain 1 Cor. 14.15 Mat. 6.7 9. Our duty after Prayer Q. What is our duty after we have prayed A. 1. We must Practise what we pray for our actions must not crosse our prayers We must not pray and still rebell against God Hos 7.14 We must joyne our endeavours with our prayers Gen. 32.9 11 12. with Ps 13.30 2 Thes 2.2 with 2 Cor. 11.2 33. Q. What 2dly must we doe after we have prayed A. 2. When we have prayed we must observe how well our prayers have sped how God doth answer our requests Psal 85.8 Luke 18.5 There is expectation of answer from God to fulfill our desires if you knock at ones doore ye listen for an answer if you preferre a Petition you will look what answer is returned so c. Q. How shall I know whether my prayer be heard or not How shall I comfort my selfe in that case A. There be foure Rules First thinke not thy prayers denied though they be delayed God dealeth after diverse manners with his servants sometimes he answers presently Dan. 9.21 23. Esay 65.24 Sometimes he seemeth to stop his eare and to deny us for divers reasons as 1. Because he loves to hear the voyce of his children crying unto him 2. Perhaps thou art not ready for the blessing 3. Perhaps it is better thou shouldest want it 4. Perhaps thou takest a wrong course to obtaine it 5. Perhaps thou prescribest to God and God will give thee the blessing in a way more for his glory as Christ did John 11.3 6 15 40. Gen. 25.21 Q. What second rule have you A. If God give some better thing in stead of what we beg or strength to beare the want of our desires we must not take our selves to be denied 2 Cor. 12.9 Gen. 17.18 2 Sam. 12.23 25. Deut. 3.26 Psal 3. 4 5. Psal 138.3 Q. What third rule to judge of Gods acceptance of our prayers A. When after prayer we finde our hearts to be drawn to God and our spirits upheld to continue praying returning to that duty with fresh delight and hopes that is a signe we are heard It is a signe the begger fares well where he goeth often It is a good signe when we still goe to God as to our best friend Psal 116.1 2. 1 Sam. 1.18 28. Q. Particularly touching forgivenesse of sinnes how shall I know that my prayer is heard A. If I get a victory over my sin if the sense of Gods love doth work in me a love to God again and to the things of God that is a signe our prayer is heard Luke 8.46 47. Luke 7.47 Q But if we finde no token of Gods answering our prayers what is to be done A. We must search if there be any accursed thing that may hinder our prayers and also we must be humbled for our failings in the manner of our duty Josh 7.7 10 11. 1 Chron. 15.13 Iam. 4.3 Luke 9.54 CAP. XLIX Of the Seales of the Covenant Q. WEE have spoken of two means of working and encreasing faith viz. the Word and Prayer By what means is God wont to seale up to our hearts the assurance of our reconciliation with himselfe A. Two waies 1. Inwardly by the testimony of the Holy Ghost witnessing with our Spirits that we are Gods children Of the witnesse of the spirit 2. And outwardly by the Sacraments Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 1.32 Q. How doth the Spirit of God inwardly witnesse to a man his salvation A. Two waies first by imprinting holynesse and the stamp of grace on the heart thereby shewing us our right to the promises of life as the seale leaveth its impression on the wax so doth the Spirit And look where grace is printed there is the spirit that wrought it and we have that seale to shew for our salvation Gal. 5.18 22 23 25. Gal. 6.16 Rom. 8.13 2 Cor. 3.3 A seale makes things to be autehntick and warrantable Deeds and writings once sealed are good in Law and we may plead our right by the seale so c. Q. How secondly doth the Spirit witnesse with our Spirits A. By cheering strengthening clearing up the Conscience to see and acknowledge and to certifie our hearts of the truth of Grace so as to make us able to say I have true faith and true hatred of sinne c The spirit saith They that are called are certainly saved Now the conscience enlightened doth say 'T is so and so with me This is the answer of a good conscience the witnesse of two is true Gods Spirit and our spirits as conscience awakened can tell David thou hast done ill in the matter of Vriah so the conscience enlightened and cleared can tell Peter and make him say with confidence Lord thou knowest and I know that I love thee Iohn 21.17 Eph. 1.13 1 Pet. 3.21 1 Iohn 2.20 27. 1 Cor. 2.11 12. 1 Iohn 5.20 Q. But put case our conscience cry peace without any such impression character of grace on the heart What then A. Then it is a false cry it being but the single testimony of our owne deceived several from the true testimony of the Spirit of God which ever agreeth with the Scripture The Spirit of God doth not crosse the word it doth not blesse whom the word curseth nor curse whom the word blesseth and if our own hearts do so we know it to be a false testimony and a deceived spirit 1 Iohn 5.6 8. Psal 51.9 10. Q. Put case I finde some works of the sanctifying Spirit and yet feele unquietnesse in my owne conscience A If upon examination thou finde any sinne in thy soule pull it out and cast it from thee but if there be no sin that hinders thy peace then thy conscience ought to acquit thee Thou art in safety and in Gods favour by the spirit of sanctification whereby thou dost cleave to thy God amidst all fears and doubts Esay 50.10 Iob 27 1 4 6. Iob 13 15. Thus of the inward Testimony of the Holy Ghost followes the outward Q. How doth God seale up our Redemption to us outwardly A. By the Sacraments which to the worthy partakers are particular tokens and pledges of Gods favour good-will towards us in the death of his Son In the word God speaks generally but becomes home to each particular beleever in the Sacraments Q. What is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is a seale of the righteousnesse of faith What a Sacrament is or it is a token of the Covenant between God us Gen. 17.10 11. Rom. 4.11 A Sacrament hath two uses 1. Of a signe promisory to represent 2. Of a seale to exhibit and put us in possession of
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
accidentall outward change of the Actions as of the Sow that is washed Pet. 2.22 But it is a change of the very frame and disposition of the heart the very nature is changed he is made a new Creatures Ezek. 36.25 26. A new heart will I give you c. A Swine that is washed is a swine still and his nature is to wallow in the mire But a sanctified person of a swine is made a sheep and he hates to wallow in the mire Q. Wherein Secondly doth sanctification excell morall honesty A. In the root or seed of graces The graces of sanctification have a root within us even the spirit of life which is in Jesus Christ Rom. 8.2 1 Pet. 1.23 24. 1 Ioh. 3.9 His seed remaineth in him and our graces are the fruits that spring up of that seed and root Ioh. 15.16 But the seeming graces of unregenerate and meerly civilized people they have no such root but they are like the Corne upon the House top which makes a faire shew yet it hath neither root by seed nor fruit in the eare Psa 129.6 7. Luk. 8.13 Q. Wherein thirdly does Sanctification excell morall Honesty A. The true convert does receive the word in power and in the Holy Ghost he gives the word a divine power and authority over his conscience and over his actings He receives the word with an honest heart even with patience though it crosse and cast downe his contentments and particular interests you will not dare to resist any Truth that you heare if you have true grace in you 1 Thes 1.5 Luk. 8.15 Ps 119.161 Q. Wherein fourtly doth Sanctification goe beyond morall Honesty A. In the motives to obedience The sanctified person whatsoever he does he doth it out of duty pressing the conscience out of love inclining the Affection This is the true ground and motive of sound obedience to doe a duty out of a pure Conscience of Love and faith unfained this is acceptable in Gods sigh 1 Tim. 1.5 Eph. 6.7 1 Ioh. 5.2 whereas the Hypocrite hath ever an eye to himselfe Self-ends and selfe respects doe usually keep up the course of his duties Vse Hereof it followes that they are not truly sanctified which cannot give the word a divine preheminence in their souls to reforme their hearts and lives Ezek. 33.30 32. Neither are they Truly converted that can Hate one sin and allow another Es 58.3 Rom. 2.22 Not they which outwardly are washed but are not inwardly changed renewed Nor lastly they which have some outward shews of goodnes without a seed of Grace in their hearts seeing all the good they doe and all the evill they forbeare does proceed from restraining Grace and outward respects moving and setting them on worke all this does not amount to saving Grace Observe this for a Truth such Christians as have no better Principles of acting and performances then morall Education can furnish them with Also such as content themselves with a Negative goodnesse as to say I am no Papist nor Thiefe nor Whoremonger c. Also they that can stay in such duties of the first and second Table as may preserve the credit and esteem of Moderate well bred civill honest men in the places where they live yet are not equally careful and conscionable of the duties of Piety and Religion but remaine all this while unacquainted with the grounds of Faith and pure worship of God and so the good things they doe they doe them without knowledge and conscience of or respect unto their injunction in the word of God All such persons are as yet but strangers to the life of Grace they have not as yet exceeded what a Pharisee or a Heathen may doe Of Restraining and Renewing Grace Q. Shew farther for conclusion some differences betweene Restraining Grace and Renewing Grace 15. Mar. for all Gods children are renewed in the spirit of their minds The triall Eph. 4.23 A. 1. Restraining grace if it be only restraining hath painfulnesse in it and an inward discontent as the Bridle that keeps them in Gods word is as Cords Bonds to them Ps 2.3 Mark 6.20 Herod feared Iohn c. But now the heart truly renewed desireth to be restrained Iob. 34.32 That which I see not Teach thou me Ps 19.13 Ps 119.32 Q. How Secondly may restraining Grace be known from Renewing Grace A. Men Meerly restrained will stretch their liberty as farre as they can and when Meanes of restraint be removed they will grow loose and licentious as Joash did when Jehoiada was dead 2 King 12.2 with the 2 Cron 24.17 18. But the heart that 's renewed and truely sanctified will not doe all that he may he will rather doe lesse he will deny himselfe some things which he might doe especially if it be not expedient for time place 1 Cor 10.23 1 Cor 6.12 Q. What 's a third difference between restraining and renewing grace A. Men meerly restrained doe abstaine from evill for feare of Wrath or feare of Laws and shame in the world or perhaps one sin keeps in another as the ambitious person will avoid Drunkennesse because men of a debaucht life are not fit for high places So the presence of a Godly grave man does stop the mouth of a vain swearer c. But the heart that is renewed eschews evill because it is displeasing unto God He will oppose and resist sin out of an inward Principle of Grace and hatred of sin the spirit of God in them lusteth against the flesh c. Gal. 5.17 Generall Rules of Holy life and Conversation 1. EVery Christian may and ought to be assured of his own Salvation 2 Pet. 1.5 7. 2 Cor. 13.5 2. No man can be assured thereof but by the word of God working spirituall and supernaturall effects and changes in the understanding in the Heart and affections By the which change our effectuall vocation future salvation is witnessed and sealed to our consciences Gal. 6.7 8 15. 1 Joh. 1.6 7. 3. It is not enough for a Christian to be Baptized to be bred up in the true Religion to come to Church to cry Lord Lord and to live civilly unlesse thou have a sound Faith which worketh by love unlesse thou be a New Creature Outward Profession will not serve the turne nor stead thee to salvation unlesse thou finde inwardly those effects which the word Sacraments expresse outwardly Rom. 2.25 28. Gal. 5.6 Jer. 9.26 4 Repentance doth not stand only in an outward forbearance of sin but there must be also an inward loathing hatred of sin together with a striving against the corruptions of our hearts there must be a new frame of heart and soul making us to doe all things 1. By new Principles of obedience viz. Faith and Love 2. By new Rules viz. the word of God 3d for new Ends namely how God may be honoured and our own finall and externall peace procured 5. A Christian must look to find in himselfe some
singular thing which cannot be found in an Hypocrite nor in the best morall Man in the World Mat. 5.47 And seeing there are but few that shall be saved we must strive to go the narrow path that lead to life Luk 13.24 Luk 6.33 6. A singular love affection is to be borne towards all that feare God even because they fear God and have Gods Image on them Mat 10.41 7. A speciall regard must be had of the Lords day to spend the Lords day in the Lords work and not in wordly pleasures or profits Es 56.6 Es 58.13 8. A precise conscience must be made of the least sin by every one that desireth to stand in the favour of God as of lesser Oaths by ones Faith and Troth and also of Idle words Ps 119.6 Mat. 12.36 Jam. 2.10 Sins of Omission are to be avoided as being more dangerous then sins of Commission The heart is wonderfully hardned and estranged from God by neglect and omission of good duties 10. A Christian must exercise Justice Truth and Fidelity towards all men even the worst not daring to wrong any man in the least pin or farthing Luk 16.10 Mat. 16.26 Ezek 22.13 14. Es 63.8 11. A Christian must make Conscience of doing good things in a good manner that is with the spirit and with the affections of the inward man and unto spirituall ends viz. to please God and edify his own soule 12. A Christian must seperate from the sinfull Manners Customes Courses Fashions and waies of the World He must not fashion himselfe to the World All familiar society with wicked men is to be avoided Rom. 12.2 Es 8.11 12. Ier. 15.19 Ps 1.1 Eph. 5.7 11. Phil. 2.15 Ps 26.4 5. Mat. 24.49 2 Cor. 6.17 13. A Christian must neither feare nor please man against God he must not feare their threats nor their reproches nor yet prize their favours and so forget God his maker Es 3.22 Es 51.7 12. Luk. 1.26 27. Heb. 12.4 Of Callings 14. A Christian must live in some honest calling and be conscionable therein doing the duties thereof as the work which God sets him about And not like the Oxe or Horse who doe their worke but not in knowledge nor obedience to God we must doe the businesse of our callings faithfully and obediently as unto God studying to honour him and to adorne our holy profession in that ranke and place wherein God hath set us 15. A Christian in his calling must exercise the graces of the spirit viz. Patience Justice Equity Mercy Truth Faith and Dependance on Gods promises providence in all his waies our generall calling of Religion and Christianity must be expressed in the use of our particular callings He that is not Godly and good in his calling is good no where 16. A Christian must enter upon the duties of his calling with Prayer craving Gods blessing and strength his pardon for failings his protection in our waies And also his grace to preserver us from those snares and Temptations unto which in our callings we are most subject and exposed whether it be unto Idlenesse frowardnesse uncheerfullnesse discontentednesse distrustfulnesse covetousnesse vaine glory c. 17. A Christian should labour to see all things in God and from God the fountain of Wisdome Power Goodnesse and Mercy we must labour to see and meet God at every turne Ps 73.13 Ps 22.17 18. A Christian must never prosecute any earthly thing so as for perishing things to lose spirituall and eternall things Mat 16 26. 19. Never be thou so passironately addicted to any cause work or end be it never so good as to carry it on by unlawfull means and waies God is all sufficient in his own waies And it is better to suffer any evill of affliction then to doe any evill of sin Resolve to stick to Gods waies what ever the issue may be 20. Never meddle without a warrant or calling nor above thy strength Ps 131.1 Let it never be sayd to thee in reproach who art thou Who gave thee this Authority or who required this at thy hand 21. Doe the most necessary duties of thy calling first and most 22. Never lock up thy comfort in the Creature but let God be thy portion and thy exceeding greate reward Use the World as if thou usedest it not 23. A Christians recreations must be 1 Harmlesse and without offence to others without scrupulosity to our owne consciences 2. They must not master us nor overrule our affections but our recreations must be such as we can use for refreshments without losse of the graces of Patience Charity justice Truth c. without wasting of our pretious time Estates We must not exchange better things for sports 24. God hath given us all things plentifully to enjoy yet with moderation a Christian must never eat nor drink to make the head heavy nor the heart heavy 25. A Christian must not be ashamed of God and Godlinesse here before men Grace is a Christian crown 26. A Christian must prepare to meet with crosses reproaches in the World for a good conscience sake and yet not be discouraged thereby Es 8.18 Gal. 4.29 Ps 14.10 Ps 38.20 Pro 29.27 Act. 28.22 27. A Christian can never be sound in Religion that doth not prize and highly esteeme the Publicke Ordinances and Ministers of God We must delight to meet God in his Ordinances we must give up our hearts to be ruled and directed by them FINIS