proportion of time be set apart for the Worship of God so in his word by a positive moral and perpetual Commandment binding all men in all Ages he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept holy unto him which from the beginning of the World to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the Week which in Scripture is called the Lords Day and is to be continued to the end of the World as the Christian Sabbath VIII This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord when men after a due preparing of their hearts and ordering of their common affairs beforehand do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works words thoughts about their worldly imployments and recreations but also are taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his Worship and in the duties of necessity and mercy CHAP. XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows A Lawful Oath is a part of religious Worship wherein upon just occasion the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth or promiseth and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth II. The Name of God only is that by which men ought to swear therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence Therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful Name or to swear at all by any other thing is sinful and to be abhorred Yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the word of God under the New Testament as well as under the Old so a lawful Oath being imposed by lawful Authority in such matters ought to be taken III. Whosoever taketh an Oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully perswaded is the Truth Neither may any man bind himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just and what he believeth so to be and what he is able and resolved to perform Yet it is a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just being imposed by lawful Authority IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mental reservation It cannot oblige to sin but in any thing not sinful being taken it binds to performance although to a mans own hart Nor is it to be vioâ—ated although made to Hereticks oâ— Infidels V. A Vow is of the like nature with a Promissary Oâ—th and ought to be made with the like Religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulness VI. It is not to be made to any Creature but to God aâ—one and that it may be accepted it is to be made voluntarily out of Faith and conscience of Duty in way of thankfulness for mercy received or of the obtaining of what we want whereby we more strictly bind our selves to necessary duties or to other things so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto VII No man may Vow to do any thing forbidden in the word of God or what would hinder any duty therein commanded or which is not in his own power and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God In which respect Popish Monastical Vows of perpetual single life professed Poverty and Regular Obedience are so far from being degrees of higher Perfection that they are superstitious and sinful snares in which no Christian may intangle himself CHAP. XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate GOD the Supream Lord and King of all the world hath ordained Civil Magistrates to be under him over the people for his own Glory and the publick good and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword for the defence and encouragement of them that are good and for the punishment of evil doers II. It is Lawful for Christians to accept and execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto in the managing whereof as they ought especially to maintain Piety Justice and Peace according to the wholsome Laws of each Common-wealth so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament wage War upon just and necessary occasion III. The Civil Magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word Sacraments or the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven yet he hath Authority and it is his duty to take order that Unity and peace be preserved in the Church that the truth of God be kept pure and entire that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed all corruptions and abuses in worship discipline prevented or reformed and all the Ordinances of God duly settled administred and observed For the better effecting whereof he hath power to call Synods to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God IV. It is the duty of people to pray for Magistrates to honour their persons to pay them tribute other dues to obey their lawful Commands and to be subject to their Authority for conscience sake Infidelity or indifference in Religion doth not make void the Magistrates just and legal Authority nor free the people from their due obedience to him From which Ecclesiastical persons are not exempted much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their Dominions or over any of their people and least of all to deprive them of their Dominions or lives if he shall judge them to be Hereticks or upon any other pretence whatsoever CHAP. XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce MArriage is to be between one Man and one Woman neither is it lawful for any Man to have more than one Wife nor for any Woman to have more than one Husband at the same time II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of Husband and Wife for the increase of Mankind with a legitimate issue and of the Church with an holy seed and for preventing of uncleanness III. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgment to give their consent Yet is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord And therefore such as profess the true reformed Religion should not marry with Infidels Papists or other Idolaters Neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life or maintain damnable heresies IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word Nâ—r can such incestâ—oâ—s Marriages ever be made lawful by any Law of man or consent of Parties so as those Perâ—ons
116. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ the first day of the week eâ—e since so to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath and in the new Testament called the Lords day Q. 117. How is the Sabbath oâ— Lords day to be Sanctified A. The Sabbath or Lords day is to be Sanctified by an holy resting all the day not only from such works as are at all times sinful but even from such worldly imployments recreations as are on other days lawful and making it our delight to spend the whole time except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship and to that end we are to prepare our hearts and with such fore-sight diligence and moderation to dispose and seasonably to dispatch our worldly business that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day Q. 118. Why is the charge of keeping the Sabbath more specially directed to governours of families and other superiours A. The charge of keeping the Sabbath is more specially directed to governours of families other superiours because they are bound not only to keep it themselves but to see that it be observed by all those that are under their charge because they are prone oft times to hinder them by imployments of their own Q. 119. What are the sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment are all omissions of the duties required all careless negligent and unprofitable performing of them and being weary of them all profaning the day by idleness doing that which is in it self sinful and by all needless workâ— words and thoughts about our worldly imployments and recreations Q. 120. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment the more to inforce it A. The Reasâ—ns annexed to the fourth Commandment the more to enforce it are taken from the equity of it God allowing us six days of seven for our own affairs and reserving but one for himself in these words Six daâ—â— shalt thou labour and do all thy work from Gods challenging a special propriety in that day The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God from the example of God who in 6 days made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day from that blessing which God put upon that day not only in sanctifying it to be a day for his service but in ordaining it to be a means of blessing to us in our sanctifying it Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Q. 121. Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth Commandment A. The word Remember is set in the beginning of the fourth Commandment partly because of the great benefit of remembring it we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep it and in keeping it â—etter to keep all the rest of the Commandmenâ—s and to continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgment of Religion and partly because we are very ready to forget it for that there is lâ—s light of â—ature for it and yet it restraineth our natural liberty in things at other times lawful that it cometh but once in seven dayes and many worldly businesses come between and too often take off our minds from thinking of it either to prepare for it or to sanctifie it that Sathan with his instruments much labour to blot out the glory and even the memory of it to bring in all irreligion and impiety Q. 122. What is the sum of the sixth Commandments which contain our duty to man A. The sum of the six commandment which contain our duty to man is to love our neighbour as our selves and to do to others what we would have them do to us Q. 123. Which is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy Father and Mother that thy days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q 124 Who are meant by Father Mother in the fifth Commandment A. By Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment are meant not only natural parents but all superiours in age and gifts and especially such as by Gods Ordinance are over us in place of Authority whether in family Church or Common-wealth Q. 125. Why are Superiours styled Father and Mother A. Superiours are styled Father Mother both to teach them in all duties towards their inferiours like natural parents to express love and tenderness to them according to their several relations and to work inferiours to a greater willingness and chearfulness in performing their duties to their superiours as to their parentâ— Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fiâ—th Commandment A. The general sâ—ope of the fifth Commandment is the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations as Inferiours Superiours Equals Q. 127. What is the Honour that Inferiours owe to their Superiours A. The Honour which Inferiours owe to their Superiours is all due reverence in heart word behaviour prayer thanksgiving for them imitating of their virtues graces willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels due submission to their corrections fidelity to defence and maintainance of their persons authority according to their several ranks the nature of their places bearing with their infirmities and covering them in love that so they may be an honour to them and to their government Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiours against their Superiours A. The sins of inferiours against their Superiours are all neglect of the duties required toward them envying at contempt of and Rebellion against their persons and places in their lawful counsels commands and corrections cursing mocking and all such refractory and scandalous carriage as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government Q. 129. What is required of Superiours towards their inferiours A. It is required of Superiours according to that power they receive from God and that relation wherein they stand to love pray for and bless their inferiours to instruct counsel and admonish them countenancing commending and rewarding such as do well discountenancing reproving and chastning such as do ill protecting and providing for them all
the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Q. 44. What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we aâ—e bound to keep all his Commandments Q. 45. Which is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q. 46. What is required in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God and to worship and glorifie him accordingly Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping glorifying the true God as God and our God and the giving that worship glory to any other which is due to him alone Q. 48. What are we especially taught by these words Before me in the first Commandment A. These words before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh 〈◊〉 of and â— much displeased with the sin of having any other God Q 49. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Q. 50. What is required in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and intire all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word Q. 51. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshiping of God by Images or any other way not appointed in his word Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods Soveraignâ—y over us his propâ—iety in us and the zeal he hath to his own worship Q 53. VVhich is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain Q. 54. VVhat is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of Gods Names Titles Attributes Ordinances Words and Works Q. 55. VVhat is forbidden in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment forbiddeth all profâ—ning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known Q. 55. VVhat is the reason annexed to the third Commandment A. The reason annexed to the third Commandment is that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from menâ— yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment Q. 57. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six days 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 do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man servant nor thy maid servant nor thy cattel nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Eartb the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Q. 58. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his word expresly one whole day in seven to be a H. Sabbath to himself Q. 59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath A. From the beginning of the world to the Resurrection of Christ God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath Q. 60. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by an holy resting all that day even from such worldly imployments and recreations as are lawful on other days and spending the whole time in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy Q. 61. What is forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required the prophaning the day by idleness or doing that which is in it self sinful or by unnecessary thoughts words or works about worldly imployments or recreations Q. 62. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment A. The reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment are Gods allowing us six days of the week for our own imployments his challenging a special propriety in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath day Q. 63. VVhich is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy father thy mother that thy day may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q. 64. VVhat is required in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as Superiours Inferiours or Equals Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglect of or doing any thing against the honour duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations Q. 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth Commandment A. The reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as it shall serve for Gods glory and their own good to all such as keep this Commandment Q. 67. Which is the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment is Thou shalt not kill Q. 68. What is required in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life and the life of others Q. 69. What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life or the life of our neighbour unjustly or whatsoever tendeth thereunto Q. 70. Which is the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment is Thou shalt not Commit Adultery Q. 71. What is required in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of
that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not â—yed to that moment of time wherein it is administred yet notwithstanding by the right use of this Ordinance the grace promised is not only offered but really exhibited confer'd by the Holy Ghost to such whether of age or infants as that grace belongeth unto according to the Council of Gods own Will in his appointed time VII The Sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administred to any person CHAP. XXIX Of the LORDS Supper OUr Lord Jesus in the night wherein he was betrayed instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood called the Lords Supper to be observed in his Church unto the end of the world for the perpetual Remembrance of the Sacrifice of himself in his Death the sealing all benefits thereof unto true Believers their spiritual nourishment and growth in him their further engagement in and to all duties whiâ—h they ow unto him and to be a Bond and Pledge of their Communion with him and with each other as Members of his Mystical Body II. In this Sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father nor any real Sacrifice made at all for remission of sâ—n of the quick or dead but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the Cross once for all and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same So that the Popish Sacrifice of the Mass as they call it is most abominably injurious to Christs one only Sacrifice the only propitiation for all the sins of the elect III. The Lord Jesus hath in this Ordinance appointed his Ministerâ— to declare his word of institution to the People to pray and bless the Elements of Bread and Wine and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use and to take and break the Bread to take the Cup and they communicating also themselves to give both to the Communicants but to none who are not then present in the Congregation IV. Private Masses or receiving this Sacrament by a Priest or any other alone as likewise the denyal of the Cup to the People worshipping the Elements the lifting them up or carrying them about for adoration and the reserving them for any pretended religious use are all contrary to the nature of this Sacrament and to the institution of Christ V. The outward Elements in this Sacrament duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ have such relation to him crucified as that truly yet Sacramentally only they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent to wit the Body and Blood of Christ albeit in substance and nature they still remain truly and only Bread and Wine as they were before VI. That Doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christs Body and blood commonly called Transubstantiation by Consecration of a Priest or by any other way is repugnant not to Scripture alone but even to common sense and reason overthroweth the nature of the Sacrament hath been and is the cause of manifold superstitions yea of gross Idolatries VII Worthy receivers outwardly partaking of the visible Elements in this Sacrament do then also inwardly by faith really indeed yet not carnally corporally but spiritually receive feed upon Christ crucified all benefits of his death The Body Blood of Christ being then nor corporally or carnally in with or under the bread and Wine yet as really but spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses VIII Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this Sacrament yet they receive not the thing signified thereby but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body blood of the Lord to their own damnation Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy Communion with him so are they unworthy of the Lords Taâ—le and cannot without great sin against Christ while they remain such partake of these holy Mysteries or be admitted thereunto CHAP. XXX Of Church Censures THe Lord Jesus as King and Head of his Church hath therein appointed a Government in the hand of Church Officers distinct from the Civil Magistrate II. To these Officers the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are committed by vertue whereof they have power respectively to retain and remit sins to shut that Kingdom against the impenitent both by the word and Censures and to open it unto penitent sinners by the Ministry of the Gospel and by absolution from Censures as occasion shaâ—l require III. Church Censures are necessary for the â—eclaiming and gaining of offending Brethren for deterring of othâ—â—s from the like offences for puâ—ging out of that Leaven which might infect the whole Lump for vâ—â—dicating the honour of Christ 〈◊〉 the holy profession of the Gosâ—â—l for preventing the wrath of God which might iustly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his Covenant and â—he Seals thereof to be â—rofaned by notorious and obstinate offenders IV. For the better attaining of these ends the officers of the Church are to proceed by Admonition suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper for a season and by Excommunication from the Church according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person CHAP. XXXI Of Synods and Councils FOr the better Government and further edification of the Church there ought to be such Assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councils II. As Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod of Ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of Religion So if Magistrates be open Enemies to the Church the Ministers of Christ of themselves by vertue of their Office or they with other fit persons upon delegation from their Churches may meet together in such assemblies III. It belongeth to Synods and Councils Ministerially to determine Controversies of Faith and cases of Conscience to set down rules and Directions for the better ordering of the publick worship oâ— God and Government of his Church to receive complaints in cases of malice administration and authoritatively to determine the same which Decrees and Determinations if consonant to the word of God are to be received with reverence and submission not only for their agreement with the word but also for the power whereby they are made as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word IV. All Synods or Councils since the Apostles times whether general or particular may erre and many have erred Therefore they are not to be made the rule of Faith or practice but to be used as an help in both V. Synods and Councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is Ecclesiastical and are not to
as the way which he hath appointed them to Salvation Q. 33. Was the Covenant of grace alway administred after one and the same manner A The Covenant of Grace was not always administred after the same manner but the administration of it under the Old Testament was different from that under the New Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administred under the Old Testament A. The Covenant of Grace was administred under the Old Testament by promises prophesies Sacrifices Circumcision the Passover other types ordinances which did all foresignifie Christ then to come and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah by whom they then had full remission of sin and eteâ—nal Salvation Q 35. How is the Covenant of Grace administred under the New Testament A. Under the New Testament when Christ the substance was exhibited the same Covenant of Grace was and still is to be administred in the preaching of the word the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper in which Grace and Salvation is held forth in more fulness evidence and efficacy to all Nations Q. 36. Who is the Mediator of the Covenaâ—t of Grace A. The only Mediator of the Covenant of Grace is the Lord Jesus Christ who being the eternal Son of God of one substance and equal with the Father in the fulness of time became man and so was and continues to be God and Man in two intire distinct natures and one person for ever Q. 37. How did Christ being God become man A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and reasonable soul being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary of her substance and born of her yet without sin Q. 38. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God A. It was requisite that the mediator should be God that he might sustain and keep the humane nature from sinking under the infinit wrath of God and the power of death give worth efficacy to his sufferingâ— obedience and intercession and so satisfie Gods justice procure his favour purchase a peculiar people give his Spirit to them conquer all their enemies bring them to everlasting Salvation Q. 39. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be man that he might advance our nature peâ—form obedience to the Law suffer make intercession for us in our nature have a fellow-feeling of our infirmiâ—ies that we might receive the adoption of sons and have comfort and access with boldness unto the Throne of Grace Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one Person A. It was requisite that the Mediator who was to reconcile God and Man should himself be boâ—h God and Man and this in one person that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us and relyed on by us as the works of the whole person Q. 41. Why was our Mediatour called Iesus A. Our Mediator was called Jesus because he saved his people from their sins Q. 42. Why was our Mediatour called Christ A. Our Mediator was called Christ because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure and so set apart fully furnished with all authority ability to execute the offices of a Prophet Priest King of his Church in the estate both of his Humiliation and Exaltation Q. 43. How doth Christ execute the office of a Prophet A. Christ executeth the office of a Prophet in his revealing to the Church in all ages by his Spirit and Word in divers ways of administration the whole will of God in all things concerning heir edification and salvation Q. 44. How doth Christ execute the Office of a priest A. Christ executeth the Office of a Priest in his once offâ—ring himself a Sacrifice without spot to God to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people and in making continual intercession for them Q. 45. How doth Christ execute the Office of a King A Christ executeth the Office of a King in calling out of the World a people to himself giving them Officers Laws and Censures by which he visibly governs them in bestowing saving grace upon his elect rewarding their obedience and correcting them for their sins preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings restraining and overcoming all their enemies and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory and their own good and also in taking vengeance on the rest who know not God and obey not the Gospel Q. 46. What was the estate of Christs Humiliation A. The estate of Christs Humiliation was that low condition wherein he for our sakes emptying himself of his glory took upon him the form of a servant in his conception and birth life death and after his death untill his resurrection Q. 47. How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth A. Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth in that being from all eternity the Son of God in the bosom of the father he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the Son of Man made of a woman of low estate and to be born of her with divers circumstances of more than ordinary abasement Q. 48. How did Christ humble himself in his life A. Christ humbled himself in his life by subjecting himself to the law which he perfectly fulfilled and by conflicting with the indignities of the world temptations of Satan and infirmities in his flesh whether common to the nature of man or particularly accompanying that his low condition Q. 49. How did Christ humble himself in his death A. Christ humbled himself in his death in that having been betrayed by Iudas forsaken by his Disciples scorned and rejected by the world condemned by Pilate and tormented by his persecutors having also conflicted with the terrors of death the powers of darkness felt and born the weight of Gods wrath he laid down his life an offering for sin induring the painful shameful and cursed death of the Cross Q. 50. Wherein consisted Christs humiliation after his death A. Christs humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried and continuing in the state of the dead and under the power of death till the third day which hath been otherwise expressed in these words He descended into Hell Q. 51. What was the estate of Christs exaltation A. The estate â—f Christs exaltation comprehendeth his Resurrection Ascension sitting at
to them as well as to others in that as a rule of life informing the of the will of God and their duty it directs and binds them to walk accordingly discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature hearts and lives so as examining themselves thereby they may come to further conviction of humâ—liation for and hatred against sin together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience It is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions in that it forbids sin and the threatnings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them although freed from the curse thereof threatned in the Law The promises of it in like manner shew them Gods approbation of obedience what blessings they may expect upon the performance there of although not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works So as a mans doing good and refraining from evil because the Law encourageth to the one deterreth from the other is no evidence of his being under the Law and not under grace VII Neither are the fore mentioned uses of the Law contrary to the grace of the Gospel but do sweetly comply with it the spirit of Christ subduing and inabling the will of man to do that freely and chearfully which the will of God revealed in the Law requireth to be done CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience THe Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin the condemning wrath of God the curse of the Moral Law and in their being delivered from this present evil world bondage to Satan and dominion of sin from the evil of afflictions the sting of death the Victory of the grave and everlasting damnation as also in their free access to God and their yielding obedience unto him not out of slavish fear but a Child like love and willing mind All which were common also to Believers under the Law But under the new Testament the liberty of Christians is further inlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the Ceremonial Law to which the Jewish Church was subject g and in greater boldness of access to the Throne of Grace h and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God than believers under the Law did ordinarily partake of II. God alone is Lord of the conscience and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word or beside it in matters of Faith or Worship So that to believe such Doctrines or to obey such commands out of conscience is to betray true liberty of conscience the requiring of an implicite Faith and an absolute and blind obedience is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also III. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practice any sin or cherish any Lust do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty which is that being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the daies of our life IV. And because the power which God hath ordained and the liberty which Christ hath purchased are not intended by God to destroy but mutually to uphold preserve one another They who upon pretence of Christian liberty shall oppose any lawful power or the lawful exercise of it whether it be Civil or Ecclesiastical resist the ordinance of God And for their publishing of such practices as are contrary to the light of nature or to the known principles of Christianity whether concerning Faith Worship or Conversation or to the power of Godliness or such erroneous Opinions or Practices as either in their own nature or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church they may lawfully be called to account and proceeded against by the Censures of the Church and by the power of civil Magistrate CHAP. XXI Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath day THe light of Nature sheweth that there is a God who hath Lordship sovereignty over all is good doth good unto all is therefore to be feared loved praised called upon trusted in and served with all the heart and with all the soul and with all the might But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself and so limited to his own revealed Will that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations devices of men or the suggestions of Satan under any visible representations or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture II. Religious Worship is to be given to God the Father Son and holy Ghost and to him alone not to Angels Saints or any other Creature and since the Fall not without a Mediator nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone III. Prayer with Thanks-giving being one special part of Religious Worship is by God required of all men and that it may be accepted it is to be made in the name of the Son by the help of his Spirit according to his will with understanding reverence humility fervency faith love and perseverance and if vocal in a known tongue IV. Prayer is to be made for all things lawful and for all sorts of men living or that shall live hereafter o but not for the dead nor for those of whom it it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death V. The reading of the Scriptures with Godly fear the sound Preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word in obedience unto God with understanding faith and reverence singing of Psalms with grace in the heart as also the due administration and worthy receiving of the Sacraments instituted by Christ are all parts of the ordinary Religious Worship of God besides religious Oaths Vows Sollemn Fasting and Thanksgivings upon several occasions which are in their several times and seasons to be used in an holy and religious manner VI. Neither Prayer nor any other part of Religious Worship is now under the Gospel either tyed unto or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed or towards which it is directed but GOD is to be worshipped every where in Spirit and truth as in private Families daily and in secret each one to himself so more solemnly in the publick Assemblies which are not carelesly or wilfully to be neglected or forsaken when God by his word or providence calleth thereunto VII As it is of the Law of Nature that in general a due