the great God That the Lord will blesse and honour them that honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 and extoll them who seeke in Christ to give God the praises due unto his name Quest 28. What may the diligent observation of all these duties commanded and sinnes forbidden with the threatning and promises annexed hold forth unto the sonnes of men or what may this instruct Ans First to wicked and prophane men this holds forth and may teach them to take notice of their miserable condition living in a continuall prophanation of Gods name either in his Titles Word Ordinance or workes of Mercy or Judgement and so of a continuall subjection to the curse of God spirituall and temporall here and to an everlasting curse hereafter Quest 29. What further may such wicked men who are out of Christ learne from hence Ans Not to give sleepe to their eyes with quiet nor take delight in any creature-comfort but waite on Christ in all the meanes of Grace untill Christ make them by his Spirit sensible of their sinne and misery and give them faith and repentance that closing with Christ they may be freed from the guilt and punishment of their sinnes Quest 30. What may the Saints of God learn from hence by light from Christ for instruction 1 Cor. 13.9 Phil. 3.12 13 Ans To see the perfection of this holy Law of God and their owne imperfection and seeke daily to Christ as for assurance of Justification and Pardon of sin so for assured power of Sanctification and increase of strength from Christ that they may be inabled more and more to honour and glorifie the most holy Name of their most blessed Lord God and tender Father in Christ Jesus and that one day they shal glorifie this sacred Name in Heaven with Saints and Angels for evermore The thirty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have answered concerning the Third now what is the fourth Commandement Ans Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke Thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maide-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 2. What doe you principally observe and consider in this Fourth Commandement Ans First I observed the substance o◠sum of the Commandement set down in the first words Remember the Sabbath day to Sanctifie it or to keep it holy Secondly the explication or further Declaration of Gods will and pleasure in the next words that follow Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to doe or all thy worke but the Seventh day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates Thirdly I observe the grand or chiefe reason and ground of this Commandement in the last words For in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and nested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 3. What doe you consider in the first of these the substance or sum of the Commandement in the first words Answ I consider three things First the memento Remember as holding forth a duty of Minding Deut. 5.15 Genes 2.1 2 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shabath rest Remembring and Observing the Sabbath day before it come for preparation as a day holy to the Lord by his appointment of old even in Paradise before the Fall and as too much forgotten and neglected and therefore he requireth his peple to remember the day with greater observation Heb. 4.10 Secondly I consider the day the Sabbath day or day of Rest the rest-Rest-day a day of ceasing from our owne works as God did from his Thirdly I consider another duty namely the end to remember the sanctification of this Rest day or separating and setting it apart from common and ordinary workes which concerne this present naturall life and a Consecrating of it unto God and to holy spirituall workes such as concerne our spirituall life and these things amongst other I observe considerable in the first expression of the Lord in this Commandement Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Quest 4. What do you consider in the second part Ans First a permission and in this the equity of this Commandement as a strong reason or motive to obedience six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy worke Secondly a Commission or Commandement to worke for since God made all the seven dayes as he did all the Trees of the Garden Gen. 2.16 17. and as hee might have forbid our first Parents halfe the Trees or all but on e if he had pleased and that without any wrong to them yet did forbid them but one Tree of the Garden So the Lord might have forbidden us to worke in three or foure of the dayes or more yea in all but one day And therefore since hee reserveth but one whole day of Seven for his solemne worship Great cause we should yeild most willing obedience to this Commandement and be carefull to keepe this in a holy rest to the Lord. and yet not mispend the six dayes but worke in our lawfull callings Secondly I consider a declaration of of the Lords right in this as being the Lords own separated day in a speciall manner and therefore a strong reason that man should not prophane this day but keepe it holy This in the next words But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Thirdly I consider a more generall and full prohibition of all manner of work In it thou shalt do no manner of worke that is of thy own workes for which I have allowed thee six dayes to labour in Fourthly I consider the persons who are prohibited from working in particular held forth in these seven expressions First Thou Secondly nor thy Son Thirdly nor thy Daughter Fourthly nor thy Man-servant Fifthly nor thy Made servant Sixtly nor thy Cattell Seventhly nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates or that is within or under thy power jurisdiction protection or command whatsoever Thou shalt not prophane the Sabbath thy self nor suffer any other in thy power to sin in this respect Quest 5. What do you consider in the third and last part you obsorved the principall reason of the Commandement Ans Frst the Lords owne example in the great work of Creation held forth for our imitation For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth The Sea and all that in them is and so the Lord
appointed us to labour six dayes Secondly the Lords own example in Resting also from worke the seventh day and Rested the seventh day Thirdly the Lords institution and appointment of the seventh day to be a holy Rest for his service wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Quest 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of persons Answ I answer yes first workes of piety may be done by all in their severall places and in particular by the Ministers of Christ as of old time the Priests did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day Mat. 12.5 and were blamelesse and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worship Secondly workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame as being acceptable to God at all times in Christ Jesus Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2 Luke 14.5 and not condemned on that day but appointed Thirdly workes of necessity which require present helpe and could not have been done the day before nor stay untill the day following Mark 2.23 24 25 26 27. Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 13.15 15 16. these workes may also bee done upon the Sabbath day as necessary provision of meate for man or beast the necessary worke of the Phisitian or others for a sick or disseased person or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded or a Midwife or others for Women in travell all such workes of necessity in truth and without hypocrisie may be done upon the Sabbath day But other Workes which are neither workes of piety of Charity nor of true necessity I believe ought not to be done upon that day Quest But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall and so to be abolished Colos 2.16 17. or at least to be left at liberty now in the time of the Gospell since the Apostle seemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epistle to the Collossians and before to the Galatians he blameth them for observing dayes and moneths and yeares Gala. 4.10 Is not the Sabbath day then abolished by the Comming of Christ Ans First I answer it is certaine there were diverse Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to sanctifie Levit. 23.38 39 c. Ezek. 20.21 and not to prophane or pollute as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel they polluted my Sabbaths then I said I will poure out my fury upon them Thus in this sence the name Sabbath was applied to all those Ceremoniall Levit. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Feastivalls yea and daies of Fastings which were to be kept without doing any worke on those dayes as a Sabbath or Rest of the Lord. Levit. 23.15 16. Levit. 25.2 3. Lâ—vit 25.8 9. Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile and these were Ceremoniall Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and services herein And of these I conceive the Apostle speakes as abolished and in which the children of God in the Gospell are not to be condemned Colos 2.17 because Christ who is the body figured by all these is come But he doth not speake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be sanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements at least in no wise of the substance of the Commandement that a Seventh day is to be sanctified as holy to the Lord. Quest 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day or by what authority is this Seventh day now sanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day Ans First Isai 56.2 3 4 5. the keeping of a seventh day for a Sabbath is absolutely morall and perpetuall instituted in Paradise before the fall and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai and that Commandement bindes to a seventh day for ever Secondly although there be not an absolute command in the New Testament to change the day evidently held forth unto us yet there is Divine Authority sufficient in the constant practize of the Apostles and Saints to meete on this seventh day Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7 8 c 1 Cor. 16.1 2. being then called the first day of the weeke to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like as being the Lords owne day as the day of the Lords Resurrection and to be sanctified as the Lords day to meet Christ in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath Revel 1.10 as John the 〈◊〉 Divine was ravished in the spirit and met Christ on that day for the great comfort of himselfe and the Churches of Christ that day then called and esteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day and so to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Christ Quest 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath Isai 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10 Mark 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Rest from our own works and bodily labour and as a spirituall rest from the sinfull workes of our soules and bodies and to sanctifie it as a holy Rest in the performance of the Lords Workes of holinesse and his holy service to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a speciall manner on that Day Quest 10. What is the generall sinne forbidden in this Commandement Ans All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day Isaia 58.13 by ommission of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes or worldly businesse of this life outward in our bodies except in case of true extraordinary necessity or performing of any our owne workes of sinne in bodies or soules as all other dayes so especially onâ— the Lords day or the day of Gods Rest Heb. 4.9.10 and Sabbath Day Quest 11. What are the particular duties required for the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day what light from Christ for these Ans They are diverse wee may remember these especiall First a preparation for the right sanctification of this day by minding of it before it come that we may be more fit to serve the Lord in it when it is come and by rising early in the morning as bodily health will suffer that wee may have time to exercise preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances Quest 12. What is the sinne contrary unto this Ans To forget the Lords Day or be so unmindfull of it as either in our own persons or by compelling or suffering our children or servants so long to labour Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5 Ex. 19.10.15 Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12 so here and over-wearie our bodies or spirits on
the evening before as to make our selves or any other under our charge unfit for the Lords service on the Lords Sabbath day when it comes the Lord requiring preparation for as well as performance of a duty Quest 13. What are the particular duties of preparation in the morning before the publike Ordinances Mark 16.1 Ephes 5.16 Ans To rise early and improve as much time as can possibly be spared from workes of necessity in private Reading Catechizing and Prayer in our Familes and in secret meditation and Prayer in our closets for Gods blessing upon the publike Ordinances both inabling the Minister of Christs for their duties and the people of God and our selves in the Ordinances to meete Christ 1 Cor. 10. â— and receive refreshing from Christ to our comfort and to Gods glory Quest 14. What is the particular sinne contrary to this particular duties Ans To mispend the morning of the Sabbath or Lords day by oversleeping our selves or otherwise neglecting reading Meditation Catechizing or Prayer for Gods Ministers the Congregations or our selves or any spirituall duty which wee have time to performe in private or secret and neglect to the disfurtherance of our spirituall refreshing in Gods holy Ordinances Quest 15. What reason can you give that all this is required for preparation to meet Christ in the Ordinances Ans Because in every duty all meanes and helpes to the performance of that duty are likewise required to be made use of As Ex. 36.37 So 1 Sam. 12.29 1 John 3.23 Rom. 10.17 and so the neglect of any one help or meanes of performance and Christs power to performe it must needs be a sinne Quest 16. But how may this appeare that when a Duty is required the use of meanes to performe the duty it required Ans We may illustrate this by an example or two First to believe on Jesus Christ is a duty being the command of God and hearing of Gods Word which is a meanes of faith is commanded likewise as well as to believe Therefore the meanes faith is commanded also as a duty Mat. 13.9 Ex. 19.10 11.28 1 Cor. 11.28 Eze. 36.37 1 Sam. 6.3.6 7. 1 Cron. 15 13. and so helpes to duty as well as duties themselves the like I might say here of preparation to the Sacrament and so the neglect of any helpe or meanes to further the performance of a duty is sinne as to neglect prayers or helpes made and so in particular the neglect of right preparation for Ordinance on the Lords Day for God will be sought and served in a right order Quest 17. You have shewed the duty of preparation for the Sabbath both before it come and in the morning for better sanctification of the day now what is or are the particular duties which respect the Rest of the Lords day and what light from Christ for direction in these Answ To rest from all our owne workes of worldly profit Levit. 23.3 Nehe. 13.25 16. Jer. 17.22 Ex. 16.29 30. Ex. 34.21 or pleasure as from buying and selling carrying of burdens and journeis not of absolute necessity or any other of the like kind of labours though in earing time or harvest except such as are noted before to be workes of mercy and in case of necessity aforesaid Quest 18. What are the particular sins contrary to this duty Ans A pharisâ—icall overstrict Jewish superstition in the bare outward Rest refusing workes of mercy or necessity on the Sabbath day so much as to kindle a fire in a cold season for needfull refreshing or to prepare warme meate necessary the better to inable even the weake for Gods service 1 Macah. 2.37.38 Ex. 35.3 Mark 34 Mat. 12.1 2 3 4 5 9. â— necessary defence from the enemy seeking to destroy or any of the like nature Christ having eased us of this strictnesse declaring the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath for mans good not hurt and respecting mercy above sacrifice Quest 19. What other particular sinnes are there contrary to the rest of the Sabbath or Lords day Ans To prophane this day by bodily unnecessary labours Levit. 15.32.35 Nehe. 13. Jerem. 17. or workes which might have beene done the day before or may be deferred untill the day following or by buying or selling bearing of burdens any the workes of mens ordinary worldly calling for worldly profits Isai 58.13 or by words of conference about such worldly things for our profit or the like Quest 20. It is evident this labour for profit is prohibited what thinke you of carnall pleasures and pastimes upon the Sabbath or Lords daye in gaming sporting to sit gazing at their dores or otherwise mispending of pretious time on the Lordâ— day Ans They are unlawfull also as being the sinfull practize of Idolaters in their Feasts and holy dayes Ex. 32.5 6 or the practice of prophane irreligious people hindering the improvement of that spirituall refreshment the soule hath or should receive in the Ordinance Isai 51.13 Colos 3.16 1 Cor. 10.31 and unbefiting Christians whose delights should be spirituall and heavenly in a sweet Communion with God in Christ and one with another in spiritull graces and exercise of them But in these carnall delights men rather dishonour then honour God as becommeth Christians Quest 21. You have declared the duties commanded and sinnes forbidden concerning the rest of the Sabbath is there no more required Genes 2.3 Exod. 20.8 Ans Yes there is a sanctification of this rest also commanded in all deligent practize performance of and attendance on Christ in all the Ordinances of Christ both private before we come to the Congregation Levit. 23.3 Ezek. 20.12 and publike when wee are present in the Congregation and private and secret duty when we returne home to our houses and Families Quest 22. You have already shewed the duties of preparation in private before wee come to the publike now what are the publike duties in which the people of God ought to sanctifie this rest and glorifie God in this his day and what light from Christ to enable for these Ans They are diverse but you may observe these that follow and first a timely presence in the house of God to be ready as one man to joyne with the Minister of Christ in publike Prayer to God for a blessing upon the worke of the day and his owne ordinances Gen. 28.16 17. Nehem. 8.1.23 and the pious endevours both of Christs Ministers and people every one being ready with the Congregation to heare what Gods Ministers shall speake unto them from God Acts 10.33 Quest 23. What is the particular sinne contrary unto this duty Ans A negligent late comming to the house of God not being ready to joyne with the Congregation in the beginning Eccles. 5.1 1 Cor. 14.40 and so are more ready to offer foolish Sacrifices then to heare and joyne with the Congregation as good order in the
Church of God requires Quest 24. What is a second duty in publike Ans To joyne devoutly and understandingly with the Minister and Congregation in Prayer not onely attending with the eare to every confession of sinne petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Ministers soule in Prayer but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Minister of Christ and to pour out thy soule with him and all the rest of the Congregation in every confession request or giving of thankes to God saying Amen in thy soule Psal 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time and this not in thy owne strength but by the assistance and strength of Christ and the spirit of Christ helping our infirmities and inabling the soule to wrastle with God in prayer Gen. 32. Quest 25. What is the sinne contrary to this duty declared Ans Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be distracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer or not to goe along with the Minister of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Christ or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer or not to pray in faith and in faith expect an answer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Christ John 19.23 Quest 26. What is a third duty in publike for sanctification of this blessed Sabbath and rest day of the Lord Ans This concerneth both the Ministers and People of God Ezra 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And first the Ministers duty is to Reade Expound Catechize and Preach the Word of God without respect of persons in faithfulnesse sincerity and godly wisedome not with intising words of mans wisdome but in evidence of the spirit and of power and as becomes the Ministers of Christ Quest 27. What is the Ministers sin contrary to this duty Ans To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing or to doe it unfaithfully with entising words of mans wisdome and otherwise then becommeth the Gospell of Christ Quest 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular and what light from Christ for this Ans To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Ministers Acts 15.14 15. or to the Word of God as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man and that without wandring or sleeping with hunger after the mind of Christ in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father Heb. 4.2 Quest 29. What is the sin contrary to this duty of the people Ans To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing or to heare it carelessely without devotion Faith Love or Obedience unprofitably either in respect of Gods glory or our owne salvation Quest 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this rest-day or Lords day is to be sanctified Ans In a right communicating and partaking of the blessed Sacrament according to Christs institution Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechisme Quest 31. What is the contrary sinne to this duty Ans To neglect the Sacrament 2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.28 29 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreshing in Christ Jesus Quest 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended Ans Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard Parents taking account of their children and Masters of their servants what they have remembred searching the Scriptures and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Minister of Christ Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing those under our charge meditation and earnest Prayer unto God for a blessing upon the Word and Sacraments received and strength from Christ to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteousnesse Isaia 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified Quest 33. What is the sinne contrary to this duty Ans A meer resting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament and publike ordinance without any care of profiting our selves or Families by Repetition Conference searching the Scripture Catechizing or Prayer in our Family oâ— closets for a blessing endeavouring by the power of Christ to practice in our lives what we have heard and learned as the truth is in Jesus the neglect of any of which is sin Quest 34. This is a strict rest indeed and a strict sanctification of this rest is there any more required Ans Yes a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy 1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability and as the necessities of the Saints require Quest 35. What is the sin contrary unto this duty of Charity Ans To give no Almes and neglect workes of charity and mercy though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede Quest 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed are there noâ— some inward and spirituall required also Ans Yes it is required that the childdren of God should make the Sabbath his delight and keepe a spirituall rest from sinne of omission or commission and so keepe a spirituall and holy restj indeed Heb. 4.9.10 11 c. Isai 58.13.14 as all the dayes of our lives from sinne so especially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and rest from all sinne and misery which we shall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven Quest 37 What is the sinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and spirituall rest from sin Ans To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day to say or thinke as those in Amos when will the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Isaia 1.12 13 14. when will the Sabbath be gone And not to rest from sin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day to swear to drinke tipling and distempering themselves to Whore Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots Jer. 5.7 or abuse Gods Day in any wickednesse whatsoever and so to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men Luke 13.25 26. endangerinâ— the soule and body to a restlesse condition in Hell fire for ever Luke 16.24 Quest 38. This is a most perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty Answ The Commandement it selfe holdeth forth this in the next words Thou thy Sonne thy Daughter thy Man-servant thy Maide-servant nor thy Ox nor thy Asse nor
to save himself or make a right use of those means of grace which tend to Salvation Ans Yea Eccles 7.29 Gen. 1.27 3.3 4 5. certainly there is great difference between the Covenant of works the Covenant of grace for in the first Covenant although God gave our first Parents a holy nature and ability if they would Isa 42.6 7. Acts 5.31 Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 3.8 to keep the Covenant and be happy Yet did not God give them a grace and confirmed will to persevere in that holinesse or be preserved from falling But in the Covenant of Grace the Lord gives Christ for a Covenant and in and by Christ his Spirit knowledge Faith Repentance love a new heart freedom from dominion and damning power of sin and perseverance in grace and all things that pertain to life and godlinesse God writes the Law not in Tables of stone as on Mount Sinai but in the heart and as he requireth Faith as with an empty hand to receive Christ so he giveth Faith Phil. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.3 4. and works it by his word and Spirit keeping the Saints by his power through Faith unto Salvation Gen. 3.15 17.17 Isa 5.3 Gen. 2.17 18. Ma. 1.21 Luke 2.10 c. Ioh. 1.14 1 Ioh. 3.14 c. Mat. 17.5 1 Tim. 1.1 5. Quest 14. What is the Covenant of grace Ans The Covenant of grace is that Covenant which God made with our first Parents in Paradice after their fall promising Christ the seed of the woman to break the Serpents head and in Christ life Eternall freely This Covenant renewed to Abraham held forth before Christ more darkly in Types and Figures but more fully since Christ in the glorious and clear Sun-shine of the Gospel Quest 15. You have explained what man was in the state of Creation and how miserable by nature after the fall Now what is mans condition by Grace and in the state of Grace when God hath drawn him to come into Christ and to seek Christ alone for Salvation by vertue of this Covenant Ans Man who could destroy Hos 13.9.14 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 2 Cor. 5.18 19. Phil. 1.29 Act. 5.31 Rom. 5.1 8.30 8.17 Gal. 5.4 5. but not save himself nor be Redeemed by silver and gold or by any other creature is now according to this Covenant of grace a Redeemed one by Christ reconciled to God in Christ called enabled to believe and Repent Iustified Sanctified Adopted to be a childe of God and in Christ an Heir of glory Quest 16. Are all men in this happy condition who live under the Gospel and hear the Preaching of this Covenant of Grace by Gods faithfull Ministers Ans No certainly not any in the ordinary way who are of years of discretion but only those who first waiting on Christ in his Ordinances in some measure by his Word and Spirit according to the working of Gods mighty power have their eyes opened Secondly Are made sensible of sin and misery by sin Thirdly Enabled to deny themselves Fourthly And by faith to apprehend apply Christ as their surety and redeemer Fifthly To rest on Christ alone for Salvation And Sixthly Declare their thankfulnesse by serving God in righteousnesse and true holinesse all the dayes of their lives 2 Chron. 34.19 c. Isa 66.2 Acts 2.37 38. and 16.17 18. Eph. 1.17 c. Rom. 7.23 24. Mat. 16.24 John 1.11 12. Mat. 11.28 29. Rom. 12.1 2. Luke 1.73 c. Quest 17. You have held forth and professed what you believe concerning the Providence of God in the state of man by Creation and his most miserable condition by the fall and declared in part what Gods Children are in the state of grace Now let me hear in brief what you believe concerning the Children of God in the state of glory And what is Gods works of Providence and government in the Heavenly Kingdom Ans First For the present Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord even so faith the Spirit they rest from their labours their immortall souls return to God that gave them and being dissolved from their bodies they are with their thâ—ir heavenly husband Christ Iesus in glory Revelation 14.13 Ecclesiastes 12.7 Phil. 1.21 c. Luke 23.43 Rev. 19.6 c. Secondly At the day of Iudgement their bodies being raised from the dead 1 Cor. 15.19 c. Mar. 25.34 Rev. 21.4 Mat. 5.8 1 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 17.20 c. 1 Thes 4 13. to 18. Ioh. 10.27 to 30. Mat. 25.46 Rev. 4.8 c. 5.11 c. 7.10 c. their souls and bodies re-united by the power of Christ the sentence of blessednesse shall be pronounced to them And Thirdly there shall be no more death but all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes God shall be all in all to them Fourthly They shall enjoy the vision of God in glory and by union and communion with God in Christ remain happy with the Lord in that Kingdom of glory in life everlasting praising and glorifying of God for ever and ever Quest 18. What shall become of unbelievers impenitent and wicked men and women who neglect Christ and Salvation tendred in the Gospel of grace and follow the course of this world and their own sinfull lusts ignorantly or presumptuously to their ends What is Gods government concerning them Ans When they die their souls desend presently to misery and the bodies shall be raised again at the last day by the power of God and appear before the Iudgement seat of Christ to receive that direfull sentence of condemnation Go ye cursed and be excluded Heaven and cast into the fire of Hell to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels in darknesse for evermore Luke 16.22 23. Heb. 2.2 3. Joh. 3.18 19 30. John 4.28 29. and 12.48 Acts 13.46 and 18.5 6. Rom. 2.8 9 12. 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal 5.19 c. Eph. 5.24 36. Phil. 3.18 19. Mat. 22.12 13. and 25.41 Rev. 21.15 Quest 19. But who shall be Judge of believers and unbelievers at that great Day to separate the precious from the vile the Wheat from the Tares the righteous from the wicked and to reward every man and woman according to their works Ioh. 1.12 Mat. 24.30 Iohn 5.22 23. Act. 10.42 Mat. 25.31 c. 1 Thes 1.9 c. Ans The Lord Iesus Christ who is the only begotten Son of God who stiled himselfe also as he is the Son of Man to whom God the Father hath committed all Iudgement and ordained him to be the Iudge of quick and dead He shall come in glory of his Father with his Angels and shall separate the sheep from the goats believers from unbelievers and pronounce the sentence of blessednesse to the one and of the curse and damnation to the other according to their works and the just rule of truth and righteousnesse Quest 20. But shall all both quick and dead good and bad be brought before Christ to receive
unspeakable goodnes to the sons and daughters of men Exod. 18.11 2 King 5.14 2 Chron. 14.11 20.12 13. Luk. 19.6 c. Act. 2.22 and 9.1 c. 20 21. 1 Tim. 1.11 Eph. 1.17 c. 2 Cor. 6.9 10. Hebrews 11. the whole Chapter Quest 20. What Evidence is there from the light of glory Exo. 34.29 30. Isa 6.1 2 3 2 Cor. 12.3 4. 1 Cor. 13.9.10 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 1 Thes 4.17 Ans That beginning and part-light of glory which God hath caused to shine in or upon his Children in this life and the fulnesse of which the Lord assureth them they shall see and injoy in Heaven for ever Quest 21. What profit or comfort is this knowledge what God is and what a one he is to you Ans Great cause of rejoycing that Jehovah this Lord God Isa 43.1 2 3. Psa 52.1 2 10. Dan. 3.17 18 25. Ioh. 20.28 is my God in Christ infinite able and willing and wise and alwayes present to preserve protect and do me good in this life and that life to come even for ever and ever Amen The fourth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the word of God Or what ought a Christian to know concerning the word and will of God Ans The word of God in the manifestation of Gods will and pleasure 1. Gen. 1. 2. 3. 17.2 7 22.16 17. Exod. 19.20 Isa 8.20 Luke 11.28 Rom. 10.27 Ioh. 5.39 2 Pet. 1.19 c. Either immediatly by himself as his word of command concerning the Creation of the world in generall and man in particular before the fall and the manifestation of his good pleasure after the fall to Adam Abraham and other Saints and Sons of men Or mediatly in Scripture by holy men as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 2. Where is this revealed will and word of God written to be found Ans In the Canonicall Books of the Old and New Testament Ps 40.7 Mat. 1.1 Mar. 12.26 Dā 10.21 Mat. 21.42 Rom. 1.2 Ioh. 5.39 commonly called the Bible and Book of God and the holy Scriptures Quest 3. What is there to be known in the holy Scriptures concerning the will and pleasure of God Ans That the holy Scriptures are the most perfect rule of Faith and life above all other writings whatsoever and that they hold forth the good will of God by way of Covenant both in the Covenant of works to our first Parents before the fall and in the Covenant of Gods Free-grace in Christ since to and for the people of God to the end of the world Isa 8.20 2 Tim. 3.15 c. 1 Cor. 15.3 Joh. 5.39 Gen. 2.9.16 17. 3.15 17.7 Jer. 31.33 34. Matth. 17.5 John 3.16 Acts 2.28 22. Quest 4. Are the Scriptures the ancient and first written truths of God to be believed Ans Certainly they are most ancient of all written Divine truths preserved wonderfully so many hundred yea thousand years as witnesse them Divine and of most Divine Authority indeed Quest 5. By what means may you be assured that these Books of the holy Scriptures are the infallible truth of the most true God and that holy men writ them as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Mat. 4.4 22.29 30 c. Luk. 24.25 c. Mat 7.12 Ioh 15.35 17.17 Act. 2.17 17.11 24 14.2 Ans Not only by the witnesse of Christ the chief Prophet and of the Saints and Church of God and by Promises and Prophecies fulfilled by miracles and martyrdoms whereby the Doctrine hath been confirmed but by the Divine harmony perfection powerfull efficacy of the Scriptures themselves and the testimony of Gods Spirit in the souls of believers Quest 6. What necessity was there of the holy Scriptures and word of God written Ans The Lord did see it needfull to have his word written Isa 8.20 Rom. 15.4 Isa 59.20 21. Rom. 1.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.16 because men did not learn by the Book of Nature and work of Creation and government to keep God in their mindes but did run into Errors and fell to worship Creatures and false Gods and false Religions Therefore God gave Scriptures as a guide and rule of life and Doctrine to his Church Quest 7. But is the Old Testament needfull for Gods Children in the time of the Gospel Ans Yea certainly it is of excellent use for the Old Testament holdeth forth Christ and directs to Christ who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever And the whole Scripture is to be searched as profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished to every good work Gen. 3.15 Isa 9.6 and 53.1 2 3 c. Zach. 13.1 Mal. 4.2 Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13.8 Joh. 5.39 and 8.5 6. Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 2.16 17. Psal 119.105 Isa 8.20 Rom. 3.31 Matth. 5.17 18. Luk. 10.34 Heb. 8.10 11. Quest 8. In what languages were the holy Scriptures Originally written And whether may they be translated and read in our English and other tongues understood of the people Nehem. 8.8 1 Cor. 14.5 14.18 19 26 27. Ans The holy Scriptures of the Old Testament were chiefly written in the Hebrew tongue and the New Testament in the Greek as Originall copies evidence But they may be truly translated and read in other Languages and interpreted as the people of severall Nations may understand them for the perpetuall edification of the Church Quest 9. Are not the Scriptures subject to error Psa 19.7 8 c. Prov. 30.5 6. Ps 12.6 2 Pet 3.15 16. Ans No certainly the holy Scriptures are most true perfect and pure and free from error though some men not rightly understanding them have erred to their own destruction Quest 10. What rules may be observed for right understanding of the Scriptures Ans There are divers And first a competent knowledge in the Originall Languages and inspection into the fountains themselves Secondly Prayer for the assistance of Gods Spirit and to reveal truth Thirdly A deniall of self-opinion and Spirituall pride Quest 11. What is a fourth Rule Ans Fourthly a carefull observation of the chief scope of the holy Ghost Acts 8.20 Rom. 6.14 Eph. 1.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.10 Col. 3.6 1 Cor. 14.31 32. with the coherence and consequents of the Text and of proper and figurative speeches comparing of obscure and plain places together Fifthly a having respect to the Analogy of Faith and grounds of Divinity drawn out of Scripture Sixthly a humble submitting of the private Spirits to the Spirits of the Prophets Quest 12. What is a seventh Rule Ans To eye the chief Iudge of controversies namely the Spirit of God speaking in the Scriptures and by consent of plain places expounding the harder Quest 13. What is the principle knowledge to be learned out of the Scriptures Ans How to attain life Eternall by the true
and Iudgement to come These evidence plainly an immortality of the soul whatsoever foolish vain man can think or imagine to the contrary Quest 21. What is a last Reason you please to produce from Scripture to prove the souls immortality Ans The longings of the Saints to be dissolved and to be with Christ as blessed Paul did Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is far better This certainly the Apostle did intend of this being with Christ in his soul when his body was dead and therefore did verily believe the immortality of the soul and a hope of happinesse when this life is ended Rev. 14.13 1 Cor. 15.19 otherwise Gods people were of all men most miserable when as the holy Ghost pronounceth them blessed that die in the Lord Therefore without doubt our souls are immortall Quest 22. What use is to be made of all this Ans To teach all men to prize their immortall souls above all the world Mat. 16.26 For what is a man profited if he shall win the whole world and lose his own soul Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul And who will not most willingly wait upon Christ in the Gospel that he may be drawn in to receive Christ for the Eternall salvation of his soul The sixth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the work of Gods Providence as of the world in generall so of Angels and men in particular Ans That excellent government by which God doth wisely justly and graciously preserve rule and order the world provides for all and disposeth of all things therein even the afflictions of his own people for his own glory and the good of his Children Gen. 22.8.13 45.5 1 King 17.1 c. Iob 48.41 Psal 36.6 7. Prov. 15.3 Mat. 10.29 30 31. 1 Tim. 4.10 Rom. 8.28 Psal 119.67 71. Heb. 12.6 7 8. Quest 2. What is the work of Gods Providence concerning Angels or their service in respect to his Children or to the wicked Ps 104.4 Heb. 1.14 Ps 34.8 91.10 11. 2 Kings 6.16 17 19.35 Ans They are all ministring Spirits sent forth for their sakes that are heires of Salvation yea for preservation of Saints destruction of the wicked both in this life and at the day of Iudgement Luk. 24.23 Mat. 13.41 42. 25.30.31 Quest 3. What else is the office of the Elect Angels Ans They are glorious attendants on Gods Majesty in heaven Dan. 7.9 Luk. 2.13 14. Rev. 5.11 12. Psa 103.20 2 Pet 2.11 Isa 6.23 delightfully singing forth his praises and readily waiting at all times to do his pleasure Quest 4. How long have the Angels been provided to do God service Or when did God make them for his ministration Ans The certain day of their Creation is not expressed in the holy Scriptures Gen. 1.2 3. Iob 38.4 5 6 7. Mat. 24.30 But it is most likely they were Created the first day when the Heavens were made wherein they dwell the Angels being witnesses at the Creation of the earth and rejoycing at the excellency of Gods works at the beginning Quest 5. How many Angels did God make for this service in the beginning Ans The certain number is not revealed in Scriptures Dan. 7.10 Mat. 26.53 Heb. 12.22 but it is evidently held forth that God hath Thousand thousands of Angels and Ten thousand times ten thousand legions and miriades yea an innumerable company to attend upon his Majesty and do him service Quest 6. In what state and condition did God create the Angels Ans They were all very good Gen. 1.31 perfect in holinesse and righteousnesse Lu. 9.26 Iob 1.8 Act. 6.15 2 Cor. 11.14 Iob 39 7. Heb. 12.9 pure and glorious Spirits Angels of light after the likenesse of God their Father Quest 7. Are the Angels all alike in nature Ans In respect of their nature they are all alike holy Spirits Mar 4.11 Iude v. 9. Isa 6.2 Ezek. 10.1 2. Col. 1.16 c. Eph. 1.20 c. Mal. 3.1 2 3. but in respect of their offices objects and services about which they are conversant they are held forth in Scripture by divers names titles and degrees as Angels Archangels Seraphins Cherubims and the like but the head of all is Christ the Angel of the Covenant Quest 8. How is the Lord Christ the head of the Angels Hâ— 8.12.22 c. Iohn 1.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 8.6 Col. 1.16 c. Eph. 1.20 c. Phil. 2. 1 Tim. 5.21 Heb. 1.2 c. Ans Not as a head as Mediator of or by Redemption as he is to men for the Elect Angels never fell But as head or supreme by Creation Conservation and Confirmation in that state of happinesse and purity in which they were first Created Christ the Eternall Son of God upholding all things and being highly exâ—lted above all things as head of the Church and of all the Sons of God Angels and men Quest 9. Have the Angels any care of or respect unto men in particular Ans They are ready at Gods charge for preservation of Saints they desire their good and rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner and delightfully look into the mystery of mans Redemption being ready to oppose the Devils and all enemies and to carry the souls of Saints departing into Abrahams bosome that Paradise of heaven to be with Christ for ever Psal 91.11 12. Dan. 10.13 21. Zach. 1.12 13. Joh. 5.4 Luke 15.10 1 Pet. 1.10 c. Eph. 3.8 9 10. Zach. 3.1.2 Acts 12.7 8. Rev. 12.7 c. Gen. 32.2 Mat. 18.10 Luke 26.22 and 23.43 Quest 10. Are Angels to be worshipped or prayed unto Ans No by no means Iudg. 13.16 Zac. 13.7 Rev. 19.20 22.1 9. Heb. 1.4 c. It is a sacrifice and service which belongeth to God himself and to that God-man Christ the Angel of the Covenant who is Gods fellow and this worship is an honour which the Angels themselves have refused to accept Quest 11. Mat. 33.1 2 3. Gen. 19.1.20 31 11 c. 34.24 c. 48.15 16. But did not the Patriarchs bow and pray to Angels and Iacob in particular Gen. 48.16 Ans That was the Angel of the Covenant the Lord Christ the second Person in Trinity who appeared to Jacob and other Patriarchs Heb. 11.18 Isa 41.8 Col. 2.18 and so worship was and is due to him but not to any Created Angel whatsoever Quest 12. What profit is this knowledge of Angels to the Saints and Servants of God Gen. 31.2 2 King 6.16 19.35 Mat. 26.53 44. Psal 68.17 Ans Of great profit and comfort that we may know the greatnesse of Gods love and care for his Church that if all the wicked men and Devils in the world do conspire against Gods Children yet besides Gods own infinite power God hath created Armies of mighty Angels to preserve his Saints and to destroy the wicked
or division in the Body or Church of Christ as the Apostle St. Paul excellently holds forth unto us Quest 35. But may there not be a Separation from a true Church when corruptions and faults are found in it in Doctrine or practise of life and conversation Ans First I conceive there is a great deal of difference between the Errors or faults of a Church and of particular Members of a Church and also between failings of a Church in substantials and fundamentals which destroy the Essence and being of a Church and between failings and faults in circumstantials only If any Church or company of people should fall away the greater part of them in substantial truths and fundamental unto Error and Heresies which cannot stand with the foundation and being of a Church then I conceive such company may be rather said to have left the true Church though it be the lesser part in number then the lesser part to have left the Church The greater part Rom. 8.1 1 Tim. 1.19 20. as the seeming Church of Rome having left their first Faith and the truth of God in those Fundamental verities of Christ and his Offices and Graces without the holding and believing of which no company of people can be a Church of Christ Secondly If particular Members or a Church or company of professors fail in some particulars not Fundamentals but circumstantials only and such as it may yet be and is a true Church of Christ both in respect the Preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments Then I believe there ought not to be presently an unchurching or a Separation from this Church Eph. 4.1 c. but rather a labour and industry for a Reformation the preservation of unity and avoyding of Schisms and Rents and Divisions in the Church of Christ Quest 36. What do you call that company of people which fall away to Error and Heresies destroying the Foundation and in that respect separate from Saints Ans The name of Church cannot be given unto them but abusively and improperly only But these are a Heretical company rather then Church leaving the true Church of Christ 2 Ioh. 2.18 19. because they were never truly of the Church and so departing to their own destruction Quest 37. What do you call those who agree in the Fundamentals of Faith with the Orthodox and true Churches of Christ yet for some External Rites or things indifferent or some particular failings in manners or different Opinions in Dispensation of Ordinances or Discipline and these not Fundamental unchurch the Orthodox Reformed Churches of Christ and Separate themselves as if it were from Rome or Babylon Ans These are truly called Schismatical congregations who intentionally without cause do separate and unchurch the Churches of Christ and making Schismes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 so much complained against by the Apostle do divide themselves from the unity of the Churches condemning the true Churches as not Churches of Christ Quest 38. But whether is the Church of Christ subject to erre in fundamentals finally and totally or to perish for ever Ans Certainly no Mat. 16.18 Ioh. 10.27 c. Psa 125.1 2. howsoever particular Churches have erred in many particulars yet the universal Churches of Christ cannot erre in Fundamentals neither totally nor finally in any particular necessary to salvation nor can the Church of Christ perish it being built upon the Rock Christ but shall abide firm for ever Quest 39. Yet tell me I pray you what firm ground is there that the Church and Children of Christ shall be inabled to persevere and continue in grace unto Eternal glory and not fall from Christ and grace to perdition Ephes 1.4 14. 2 Thes 2.13 Matth. 24.24 2 Tim. 2.19 Acts 26.17 18. 2 Tim. 2.9 10. Rom. 8.28 Rom. 11.29 Isa 42.1 Luk. 17.5 Luke 22.32 Rom. 14.1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 15.10 Isa 53.11 Ier. 23.6 Acts 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.20 Answ We might hold forth unto you many grounds But you may observe these First The certainty and infallibility of our Election by God the Father in Jesus Christ both unto grace and glory Secondly The certainty of our vocation or calling from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world was Thirdly The certainty of our Faith being true though sometimes weak yet receiving relying and resting on Gods promise in Christ is sure to hold out not by our own power but by the grace of God in Christ Fourthly The certainty of our justification in and by Christs righteousnesse and merits by which we are freed from condemnation and have peace with God in Christ for ever Fifthly The certainty of our regeneration and new creation and glorification begun here and to be perfected in glory 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.17 and 3.18 Rom. 8.30 Phil. 1.6 Sixthly 2 Pet. 1.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Our entrance already into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ endeavouring by the grace of God in Christ to make our calling and election sure Seventhly 1 Thes 5.23 â—4 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. Iohn 10.29 30. Iude 4. Our assurance of faithfulnesse and mighty power of God to keep his children through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last times Quest 40. But doth not this Doctrine of Assurance open a way to Libertinism and so to sin Answ Certainly Iohn 8.31 32 36. the children of God have an excellent liberty and true freedom in and by Christ 1. Rom. 8.1 Gal. 3.13 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.12 c. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Rom. 14.1 2 3 23. 1 Cor. 14.26 40. Rom. 6.1 15. From the condemning or damning power of the Law sin and curse due to sin having our pardon sealed in Christ 2. From the commanding power of sin and Satan unto both which by nature we were in bondage 3. From tyranny and rigid imposition of things indifferent to binde the conscience where Christ bindes not Christian charity and order guiding us to our comfort and the peace of the Church Yet there is no liberty for a childe of God to commit the least sin What shall we sin that grace may abound Rom. 6.11 12. 2 Pet. 2.19 20. Psal 19.13 God forbid How shall we that are dead to sin take any liberty to sin as the wicked do but rather pray continually by the power of Christ to be kept from sin Quest 41. What should the childe of God do that wants this assurance of perseverance in grace to glory Gal. 1.16 Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 13.1 2 Cor. 1.20 Iob 44.14 Iohn 17.24 Answ Waite on God in Christ in all good means of grace till the Lord be pleased to reveal Christ in you and his love and assurance of his free-love in
6.8 Ephes 4. â—0 Answ First by the power of Christ dwelling in my soul I may endeavour to stir up and be affected with a holy reverence godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit in my heart quickned in or by a serious meditation or thinking 1. Of my great unthankfulnesse to God my Father in Christ for his Free grace and love to my soul in the Lord Iesus 1 Cor. 3.1 c. Heb. 5.12 who loved me and gave himselfe for me that I have grieved his Spirit by whom I am seal'd to the day of redemptioÌ„ 2. By meditation or thinking of my great unprofitablenesse in my former partaking of Christ in this and other sacred ordinances what small growth in knowledge faith love power over sin fruitfulnesse in good works and other graces 3. In meditating and thinking of my own weaknesse unworthiness and unfitnesse now to meet Christ Gen. 28. 26 17. Isa 6.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 11 28 29. Gal. 3.1 Luk. 2.19 Hest 5.2 Mark 5.27 c. my inability to examine my selfe or discerne the Lords body or by the eye of faith to see Christ crucified for me and meditate untill I be truly affected with a holy reverence and childe-like fear of offending my God in not comming rightly fitted for the Lords presence in this sacred Ordinance so that I durst not approach if I did not hope that in Christ the golden Scepter of grace shall be holden forth unto me for my comfort therefore presse to come to Christ for vertue from Christ to strengthen grace in my soul 4. In meditating and thinking of my former breach of covenant with my God and Father which I have renued time after time in this sacred Ordinance and too often broken againe for all which I should endeavour by the power of Christ and his Spirit to wait on Christ in meditation and prayer untill I finde my selfe affected with a holy godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit for that I have in the least measure offended my God and loving Father in Jesus Christ so that as I may so I can confesse truly with the Centurion Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under the roofe of the house of my heart Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 Rom. 8.26 27. Iudg. 10.15 16. Mat. 15.27 28. speak but the word and thy servant shall be healed Matth. 8.8 Or with the poor Publican stand a far off as scarce daring to look up to heaven had I not Christ my Mediator and smiting my breast say as the repenting Publican God be mercifull to me a sinner Luke 18.13 Lord once again seal the assurance of my pardon in and by Christ to my own soul Quest 3. What is a second immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection or sanctified act or motion of the soul as a preparative for the quickning of which you should wait on Christ immediately before you draw near to the Lords Table Answ I may and ought to wait on Christ and look up to Christ untill I finde by the power of Christs Spirit in my soul in sense and feeling of my great need of Christ A holy hunger and spirituall thirst-desiring-desire and earnest longing after Christ and his soul-cherisbing vertue and spirituall nourishment which my soul wants First to seal my assurance of Christs unchangeable love to me And secondly to strengthen and nourish in me my life of grace and my love and obedience to my God and my Father in the Lord Iesus Christ Psal 63.1 c. Ps 107.9 Ier. 44.3 Ier. 31.3 Mal. 3.6 Iohn 13.1 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 16.26 Gal. 2.20 my Lord and my Redeemer who loved me and gave himself for mee and will enliven me according to the rich promises of Christ in the Gospel as Psal 42.1 2 c. Luk. 22.15 as Christ so a Christian to meet Christ Quest 4. What is a third immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection of the soule for the quickning of which you must and ought to look up unto and wait on Christ and endeavour to enliven and exercise immediately before you draw near to the Lords table are invited by Christs Ministers to partake of that bread and drink that Cap in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper what light from Christ to reveal him unto you Answ I may and ought by strength from Christ to meditate of Christs gracious invitation of me 1. As a poor humbled sinner to come in to him and finde rest and refreshing to my soul as Mat. 11.22 2. Inviting me as one of his believing sons or daughters to come to his feast and to partake of his Supper as Cantic 5.1 Isa 55.1 2 c. Luke 14.17.24 Rev. 19 9 Mat. 22.1 c. 2 Chro. 30.18 c. 3. To meditate of this invitation untill by the spirit of Christ my heart be affected with joyfulnesse that I may come and have liberty to come with joy and rejoycing to the Lords Table as to a most free and rich mariage feast in which I hope to have a sweet union and communion with Christ my Lord the heavenly husband of my soul Quest 5. What is the fourth preparatory grace or gracious affection resolution or act of the soul to be renewed quickned and enlivened immediately before you are coming to the Lords Table Answ As the Lord is pleased in this holy Sacrament to seal and confirme his Covenant of free grace in Christ and of the communion and union of Christ with me and my soul so first by the power from Christ when I draw near to this blessed Sacrament I do not only resolve by the grace of God to renew out actually by his grace I do renew my Covenant vows protestations to with the Lord my God 2. And as the Lord doth take avouch and acknowledge me to be one of his people in Christ so I doe avouch witnesse and vow that the Lord is and shall be my God and Father in Christ Iesus by the same power and grace of Christ 3. And that I do and will renounce all my former sins and failings and all sinfull union and communion with those spirituall enemies Deut. 26.27 the World the Flesh and the Devill 4. And freely and fully offer up and render my self wholeman soul and body to do and suffer the will of God in every condition and state of life untill I be dissolved and be with Christ Psal 50.4 c. to live with him in glory and to do the will of God for ever Gather my Saints to me who have renewed a covenant with me as in the Sacrament Quest 6. Is there nothing further necessary that a poor soul may be assured he or she may with comfort meet Christ and feast with him at his Table Answ Yes the resolution of a great question by the light and strength of Christs Spirit to look into the glasse of Gods Word and of my own heart and soul comparing them together to see and examine and know 1. What
life of grace witn joy and hope in believing and 2. what quickning vertue of Christ held forth in the Word of life there is in my soule 3. What strengthning with might in inner man what abilities of spirituall senses seeing hearing tasting with eyes and ears and mouth of faith to discerne the Lords body and blood from the outward element of bread and wine and to partake of Christ in the act of receiving that so I may feed on Christ with joy rejoycing at the Lords Table Quest 7. But what light have you from Christ to know whether you have life of grace and spirituall senses in your soule nor not without which it is impossible to discerne the Lords body or to receive or seed on Christ or draw near with any comfort to the Lords Table Answ This is a great question and often hath filled my soule with fears and doubting but by the grace of God in Christ I shall render a reason of the hope that is in me and shew you what grounds I have to believe and hope that I have found life of grace in me and so spirituall senses â—o discern the Lords body so that I may come with comfort to the Lords Supper Quest What are your grounds of your life of grace given in you in Christ Answ I praise God I was born of religious parents my Father like faithfull Abraham carefull to pray with and to instruct his family Gen. 18 19. Iosh 24.15 1 Sam. 1.15 1 Pet. 3.7 and catechize them in the first principles of the Oracles of God and as Joshua who resolved himself and his house to serve the Lord. And my Mother like Hanna a woman pouring out of her soul to God in secret prayer for me or as Monica did for her sonne Augustine and both my parents living together as heirs of the grace of life so that their prayers might not be hindred and with endeavouring to bring up their children in the knowledge of Christ and fear of God and so I conceive it is more difficult to declare the first quickning or birth of the life of grace my soul but yet I beleeve I have felt and found divers evidences of this life in me Quest 9. You answer right its difficult in such to manifest the beginnings of grace in the heart but what was a first evidence of life of grace in you that you can discerne or remember Answ Truly in my childehood I was taught and had some knowledge of the Scripture and of my estate both by creation and the fall of Adam and of the way of salvation in Christ the second Adam and I had an outward form at least of Religion and I was carefull to sanctifie the Lords day and to spend it in holy duties Prov. 22.6 2 Tim. 3.15 Gen. 24.63 Rev. 1.10 Psal 119.136 Rom. 9.1 2 3. both publick private though with many failings And I remember on a Lords day after Supper I went into a Garden as Isaac into the field to meditate of what I had heard Preached and I hearing a great noise of children and youths playing in the streets and so prophaning the Lords day I was so grieved that I shed tears for them as David for his enemies conceiving their estate was fearful being senslesse of their own misery and adding sin to sin and this I thought might be some work of Gods Spirit and sign of true grace then beginning in my soul when I was about ten or twelve years of age Quest 10. I do conceive there might be much wrought in you by the power of education moving you to dislike that open prophanation of the Lords day of Parents suffering their Children to play in the streets when they should rather be catechizing them in their families as it is a common fault still yet there is good hope that affection and grief for sin was a work wrought in you by the Spirit of Christ and so a an evidence of true grace in your soul But what further evidence have you found Ans After I was grown to riper years Gen. 42.16 Rom. 2.14 15. 2 Cor. 12 7 c. Rom. 7.22 c. in my youthful time when I left my Parents I was too subject to conform to that company and family with whom I lived where was an outward common form of Religion and saying of some prayers sometimes but I saw no power of Religion no conscience of ordinary swearing especially lesser Oathes as common blinde people call them as by their Faith and Troth and by our Lady c. no conscience of immoderate abuse of the creatures eating and drinking to ryot no care of any strict observation of the Lords day but a dislike of too much precisenesse as they called it and inveighing against Puritans as they called them sn those dayes as some such do against Roundheads in these times of which so called I did know some to be religious and good people and sometimes would defend and speak for them whether out of a principle of graca from Christ or by the power of my education I have since called in question but this I am sure that amongst this formal or civil yea sometimes uncivil company I had many buffetings of Satans messengers sometimes as a captive prisoner I had many falls into sin and failin my walking to the great trouble of my conscience enlightned whether by the light of nature accusing or excusing as the Apostle speaks or whether by the common light of the spirit in my education Rom. 2.15 and word Preached or thirdly whether by the light of grace and spirit of Christ I conceived a great question and was often filled with fears and terrors in my soul that though I seemed a Saint in comparison of divers open prophane persons about me yet having such falls and corruptions I was either still unregenerate or a formal hypocriâ—e at best as Mr. Bolton upon the first Psalm the beginning describes him and so could seldom gain or keep any quiet in my conscience or true peace as I was perswaded in my soul onely some comforts I had hope of in Christ Iesus Quest 11. Truly your state I believe might well be questionable especially if you were drawn away with the error of the wicked Rev. 2.5 to approve of their wayes or to dislike strictnesse in Religion and precise walking with God at the best it is certain that if truth of grace was ever in you yet you had lost your first love and though formerly you might have had a name to live 2 Pet. 3.17 Rev. 2.4 3.1 2. yet in this condition you were either dead or taken captive indeed or graces ready to dye in you your works and walking being found so imperfect before God But tell me I pray you how or by what means did you get any peace or quiet in your conscience in those times Ans I do not remember that I did approve of the evil wayes of that company with
in my soul 5. I long more then ever to meet with Christ in the Sacrament to feed spiritually on Christ there to strengthen the life of grace in me 6. I long more and more to keep a secret acquaintance with God in secret meditation and prayer that I may suck the breasts of the promises and draw water of life out of the wells of salvation and so strengthen the life of grace in my soul 7. In brief I now love Christ more and more in himself and prize Christs righteousnesse and his presence with me and in me above all the world as Phil. 3.7 8. 8. I love Christ more and more in his Word in all sweet and sacred truths more and more revealed to my soul 9. I love Christ in all his Saints 1 Ioh. 3.14 Christs brethren and mine 10. And daily I wait on Christ to grow in grace in faith in holinesse 2 Pet. 3. â— 1.8 9. in every good work of grace adding to faith vertue and so grace to grace that I may more and more be assured of Gods love to me And 1. Have my calling and Election be made more sure to my soul And 20 10. 2. That I may submit to my Fathers will with content Luk. 22.41 42. till he bring me to glory and all this not by any strength or power of my own but by the strength and living vertue of Christ and Christs spirit dwelling in me and this assureth me that I have from Christ the life of grace in my soul and may safely come with comfort to meet Christ at the Lords Table who loved me and gave himself for me Quest These and such like are comfortable evidence of the life of grace But tell me do you not still finde corruptions in you and fears and cares and sorrows for sins as you felt before Ans I do acknowledge that I finde 1. Failings in my best performances but presse forwards towards perfection 2. I sometimes meet with a messenger of Satan sent to buffet me And Phil. 3.13 14. 2 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 7.23 24. 3. I finde a law in my members sometimes rebelling against the law of my minde and seeeking at least to take me captive to the Law of sin But yet with a great deal of difference from what was before I came to see Christ more clearly For first Though Satans messengers be sent to buffet me yet I know the grace of God in Christ is sufficient for me and his strength shall be made manifest in my weaknesse 2 Cor. 12.9 10. And although rebels within me rise up against me and against the lâ—fe of grace in my soul Rom. 7.23 24. yet I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord. Secondly And for my fears and cares and sorrow for sin now I fear not Hell and Damnation as before I did fear because I know there is no condemnation to me that am in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 2. endeavouring by the strength of Christ to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit as Rom. 8.1 And the law and power of the spirit of life which is in Christ hath in comfortable manner made me free from the law and power of sin and death as Rom. 8.1 2. So that as Rom. 7.12 14 22. it is not I but sin that dwelleth in me Thirdly I do indeed feel the least sin as a mote in my eye very troublesome and I finde my heart smitten within me for it yet I fear sin and fear to offend my God by sin not with a servile slavish sin as before but with a son like fear of offending so good a God and my so gracious a Father in Iesus Christ as David 1 Sam. 24.5 Romans 8.15 and 6.1 Fourthly I do grieve and sorrow for my sins and failings but yet as with a childe-like sorrow that I have any way or at any time grieved the spirit of my Father who hath sealed me to the day of Redemption in Iesus Christ my Saviour Eph. 4.30 Fifthly But still with this confidence that he which hath begun a good work in me will perfect it to the day of Christ Phil. 1.6 Sixthly So that although my enemies Spiritual or Temporal be never so many and the Tribulations never so great yet they cannot separate me from the love of Christ but when I have finished my course and kept the saith he will give to me the crown of Righteousnesse and preserve me assuredly to his heavenly Kingdom Romans 8.35 c. 2 Timothy 4.8 18. Quest 16. You have witnessed a good confession and given comfortable evidence of the life of grace in your soul and I believe the Lord Christ will bid you welcom to his Table But do you believe that the Lord doth work in the same manner with every Christian that is and may be admitted to this feast of the Lord What light hath Christ revealed to you in this particular Ans No verily I do not believe that the Lord is pleased to work in all alike I have heard a good woman say That she was born of Parents very ignorant who had little shew of Religion in them nor did they bring her up in a Religious way living then in a place of much ignorance and prophanenesse having no prayer in Family nor repeating of Sermons not so much as an out-form of Religion and the first time that ever she began to consider her wayes and the misery of her natural condition Exod. 9â— 16 c. Psa 29 8 Acts 24.25 Eph. 5.14 it pleased God to strike her with fear and terror of the shaking voyce of Thunder which made her tremble and being awakened to think of a God and to joyn her self to a few who went out to hear Gods word by which means she became a wonder to prophane people but in the end was converted and found Christ to be the comfort of her soul and many fears and cares was she pressed with in the travel of the new birth Gal. 4.19 before Christ was formed in her and she found Christ and his sweetnesse of peace to her comfort yea since that though the Lord hath several wayes tryed her faith and patience by conversion and affliction to teach her to see the emptinesse of the creature and the fulnesse of God reconciled to her in Christ yet she liveth by faith in God who hath promised never to fail her Heb. 13.5 nor forsake his sons and daughters in Christ who depend upon him in the Lord Iesus Quest 17. Have you known any other drawn by such like means to seek out after God in Christ 2 Chron. 33.12 c. Ans 1. Some have been drawn by outward losses and miseries as Manasses was by great affliction to consider of their wayes and repent of their sins so that he might say as one did I had perished unlesse I had perished if I had not lost my estate in all outward appearance I had lost my soul 2. I have have
12. What sins are contrary to these duties concerning hearing or believing and obeying Gods word Ans To come to Gods house without a due preparation of the heart and minde and memory before we come 1. By examination of our knowledge or want of knowledge or by meditation of Christ and his Prophetical Office to teach us that we may learn of Christ or prayer for Gods Ministers or for our selves for our profiting in the Ordinance Mic. 7.16 Mat. 13.15 2 Tim 1.4.3 2. To be present without serious attentions with gazing eyes deaf dull itching prejudicate ears or wandring hearts Ier. 6.10 3. To hear with hypocritical prophane or uncircumcised hearts oâ— ears without love towards Gods Word 4. To hear with wilful hard impenitent hearts Acts 28.27 28. 17.11 or disobedient forgetful mindes without care to remember or confer of Gods Word after or prayer to God for a blessing upon it to our selves or those who have heard it Quest 13. What danger or judgement are such evil hearers subject unto Or how doth doth God punish such wicked and carelesse hearers of his word Prov. 28.9 Mat. 13.14 15. 2 Thes 2.10 c. 1 Cor. 1.18 c. Ans He that turneth away his ear from hearing of Gods Word his prayer is abominable and God many times gives them up to blindenesse of minde and hardnesse of heart to strong delusions to believe lyes and perish for ever Quest 14. What may these sins and dangers teach such wicked men Ans To come in betimes to wait on Christ for hearing ears Pro. 20.12 Mat. 13.16 and seeing eyes that they may hear and believe on and receive Christ and be justified and saved Quest 15. What way this teach Gods Children Ans To wait daily on Christ for more strength Ioh. 15.5 to prepare more conscionably to hearken more attentively to believe and follow Christ more fully until they come to glory Quest 16. You have answered concerning the first part of Gods worship the Prceaching of the word Now what is required in this command concerning Gods Ministers and their duty in this solemn worship Ans 2 Tim. 4.12 3 4. Deu. 33.9 2 Cor. 5.20 1 Cor. 5.20 2 5 6. The Ministers of Christ rightly called to this great Ministerial Office they are to Preach the Word of God in season and out of season with all faithfulnesse long-suffering and patience as for God and in Christs stead in godly sincerity boldnesse and zâ—al for Gods glory and the salvation of souls And this with Divine authority and holy wisdom and in demonstration of the spirit and of power Quest 17. What are the sins of Ministers contrary to this Ans To Preach Lyes in Hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.1 2. Gal. 1.8 9. 1 Tim. 1.3 4. 6.3 c. or any Doctrine contrary to the word of God or Gospel of Christ or unprofitable for the people to whom they Preach Secondly to Preach the word of God corruptly 2 Cor. 2.17 Ier. 23.28 1 Pet. 5. 1 c. or not of a ready minde but for filthy Lucre sake or with Lording over Gods heritage Thirdly to Preach the Word flatteringly to please men sowing pillows under mens Elbows Ier. 23.18 Ezek. 22.28 or not as the Servant of Christ Fourthly not to Preach or to be negligent Ministers in their Ministerial Office Exo. 34.2 3. Quest 18. What it the penalty of such Ministers who Preach or people Who hear the word of God in such a sinful manner Mat. 7.21 c. Luk. 13.24 c. Ans The Lord Christ will not know or own them to be any of his at the day of Judgement but shut them out of heaven Quest 19. What should he the consideration of this work in these mens mindes as Ioh. 5.1 c. to want ordinances Acts 8.21 c. 2 Tim. 2 25 26. 1 Thes 1.10 Ans It should teach them in time to wait on Christ in his Ordinances to see if God will give them true faith in Christ and true Repentance and forgivenesse of their sinful speaking or hearing of Gods Word that they may be delivered from wrath to come Quest 20. You have answered concerning the first outward part of Gods worship the Preaching and hearing of Gods word Now what are the duties commanded or the sins forbidden in relation to the second part of Gods outward worship the blessed Sacraments Ans They are already declared in the former part of this Catechism in the 26 27 28 Classis where you may finde divers directions of duties to be practised for right preparation and participation for the blessed Sacrament And divers sins are or may be observed contrary to those duties with the danger of unworthy receiving 1 Cor. 11.27 both intimated by the Apostle and the Doctrine of the Sacraments are opened at large in the Classes aforesaid Quest 21. What are the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the third publike Ordinance or part of Gods worship offering up the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praises unto God And first for prayer Ans It is a general duty for all to pray to God in the Name of Christ for all things lawful and necessary for themselves or others Ioh. 16.23 1 Tim. 2.1 2. for Gods glory and good of Christs Church Quest 22. What is the general sin contrary unto this duty of prayer unto God in the Name of Christ Isa 46.6 7. 57.8 Ans First to put up our prayers to any other god then to the true God or to any other as to God or to any Idol Image or similitude of the true or any false God or to any Mediator as Mediator either Angels or Saints departed or the Image of any of them 1 Sam. 22.23 Iob. 15.4 Secondly to neglect prayer for our selves or not to pray for another and for the Churches of Christ Militant upon Earth Quest 23. What are the particular duties required in Prayer Ans There are many particular duties you may observe these in brief 1 Cor. 14.15 1. We must pray with knowledge and understanding both to whom in whose Name and for what we pray Iam. 1.5 2. We must pray with Faith and in Christs Name having an eye to Gods promises of those things for which we pray 3. We must pray with repentance that our sins separate betwixt God and us Iohn 16.23 to keep good things from us 4. We must pray with reverend Devotion having our hearts and mindes firmly fixed on God to whom we pray Acts 10.1 2. 5. In sincerity powring out our hearts unto God 1 Sam. 1.13 15. 6. With humility or humblenesse of spirit Isa 57.15 Ps 51.17 Luk. 22.41 42. submitting our wills to the will of God 7. With fortitude even wrestling by faith with our God in prayer until we conquer Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12. 8. With fervency and zeal of spirit for the grace we do pray for even with tears