57. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Rememmber the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six daies 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 Cattle nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates For in six daies the Lord made Heaven and Earth 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 times as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath unto the Lord. Explic. Q. Doth the fourth Commandment require any special time to be kâ—pt holy A. Yes Q. What time A. Such set time as God hath appointed in his Word Q. What mean you by a set time A. Such a time as is set apart for Gods worship only and wholly all business being laid aside Q. Doth the fourth Commandment then determine of the special time for divine worship as the three foregoing Commandments do of the Object means and manner of worship A. Yes Q. In whose power is it to appoint times for worship A. God who appoints the worship appoints also the time for it in his Word he hath not deputed any of this Power to any other Q. Hath God left us to keep what time we please A. No. Q. What proportion of time hath God more solemnly set apart for his worship A. One whole day in Seven Q. Is this Commandment to be understood of the seventh day in order so as to be limited to the last of the seven or is it to be understood of a seventh in number that is One in Seven A. It is to be understood of a seventh in number and this proportion of time the Gospel-Law never repealed Q. Is the fourth Commandment then a moral precept that is to say of perpetual force binding Christians now as well as the Iews heretofore to the observation of it A. Yes Q. How is this day to be spent A. As an holy Sabbath unto God Q. What is meant by that A. It is meant that we spend this whole day to Gods glory as he hath commanded us Deut. 5. 12. Q. 59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbâ—â—â— 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 and the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath Explic. Q. How long did God appoint the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection Q. Was it not only from the time of the giving of the Law by Moses A. No it was ordained for man in Paradise in the beginning of the World Q. Is that to continue or is it changed A. It is changed to the first day of the week Q. But why do you observe the first day of the week when the Commandment speaks of the seventh A. In memory of Christs rising from the Dead on the first day that he might enter into his glorious rest having here finished his work of Redemption For which there is the example of the holy Apostles and the Church of God Q. Is this day any more to be changed â— is it to continue A. It is to continue to the end of the World Q What is it câ—lled A. The Christian Sabbath to distinguish it from the Jewish seventh day Sabbath Q May it be lawfully so called A. Yes it is no where forbidden to be so called though the most proper Name be the Lords Day Rev. 1. 10. 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 employments and recreations as are lawful on other daies 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 Explic. Q. Is the Sabbath to be sanctâ—fiâ—d A. Yes Q. In what sense is God said to sanctifie the holy Sabbath A. In making it holy by way of Consecration Q. In what sense are we said to sanctifie the Sabbath A. In keeping it holy by way of application viz. applying it to those ends and exercises for which God did consecrate it Q. What is required that the Sabbath may be sanctified A. Two things 1. Resting is required Q. What kind of resting must it be a meer civil rest A. No. Q. Or a meer carnal and bodily resting such as the Ox and the Ass must have on the Sabbath A. No Q. What kind of resting then is required on the Sabbath day A. An holy resting Q. How long must this be A. All that day Q. From what must we rest from spiritiual employments and recreations A. No. Q. From what then A. From worldly employments and recreations Q. When may these lawfully be used A. On other days so we use them aright Q. What else is required that the Sabbath may be sanctified A. 2. Spending the time in the exercises of Gods worship and this makes the rest to be an holy rest Q May we stay at home and spend our time in the private exercises of Gods worship with the neglect of the publick A. No Q. May we not rest satisfied in giving attendance on the publick worship but must we be also careful at home in private A. Yes Q. How much time must we spend in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship A. The whole time except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy Q. What do you mean by works of Necessity A. Such as could not be done before and cannot be deferred until after the Sabbath Q. How are we to perform the duties of the day A. 1. We are to perform the publick and private exercises of Gods worship on the Sabath day 1. With sincerity having a single respect unto the honour and glory of God whose day the Sabbath is Isa. 58. 13. 2. With reverence and that both of body and mind Eccl. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Heb. 12. 28 29. Isa. 66. 1. 3. With diligence and attention Acts 16. 13 14. Deut 6. 7. Acts 17. 11. and 10. 33. 4. With Love and fervour of Spirit Rom. 12. 11. 5. With delight Psal. 42. 4. Deut. 16. 14. Isa. 58. 13. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. 2. We must do works of Necessity and Mercy with chearfulness and without anxiety of mind and doubtful scrupulosity Rom. 12. 8. Mat. 12. 11 12. Q. 61. What is forbidden in the fourth Commandment A.
natural here meant which is the separation of Body and Soul 3. The pains of Hell for ever Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all Eternity elected some to Eternal life did enter into a Covenant of Grace to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery and to bring them into an estate of Salvation by a Redeemer Explic. Q. Must all mankind unavoidably perish in their sins and misery A. No not the elect of God Q. Whom do you mean by Gods Elect A. Those whom God hath chosen to everlasting life Q. What moved God to Elect any A. His meer good pleasure Q. What mean you by that A. The most free absolute or undetermined Will of God Q. When did God Elect them A. From all Eternity Q. What mean you by that A. Before time began or before any thing was created Q. What did God do for his Elect to accomplish his decree touching their Salvation A. He entred into a Covenant of Grace with them Q. Why is the second Covenant called the Covenant of Grace A. Because Free-grace was the only motive God had to make and perform the Promises contained in it Q. By what other name is this Covenant called A. It is also called the New Covenant because it never decayeth nor waxeth old but remaineth in full force effect and vertue to the end of the world Q. But what is become of the Law of that first Covenant made with Adam in Paradise that old Covenant the Covenant of Life or Works repeated to the Iews The sum of which we have fully express'd Ezek. 18. 4. The Soul that sinneth it shall die A. It is neither executed nor abrogated but released or dispensed with Q. Is it not fully executed A. No Q. Nor abrogated A. No. Q. How prove you that A. By these two Reasons 1. It is in part executed upon Believers themselves they are liable to the miseries of this life and to Death it self viz. to the first or natural Death which is the wages of sin although the second Death hath no power over them 2. It is totally executed upon finally impenitent unbelievers who are liable to the pains of Hell for ever over whom not the first only but the second Dâ—ath also hath power Q. But seeing Iesus tasted Death for every man doth not the Gospel relieve impenitent unbelievers A The Gospel finds them and every one in a state of Condemnation Those who believe it proclaims deliverance unto and relieves them but those who through unbelief reject it and put it from them and judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life it leaves such as it found them viz. under the Condemnation of the Old Covenant since they refuse the pardoning mercy of the New Q. You have now satisfied us that the first Covenant is neither fully executed nor abrogated But how is it released or dispenced with A. By super-inducing a New Covenant of Grace over it that whosoever closeth with and comes into the terms of the new shall be exempted from the rigour and extremity i. e. from the eternal condemnation of the old although he may be liable to the miseries of this life and to the first Death Q Is the Covenant of works as to its execution upon such as are in the Covenant of Grace in the chief part restrained although in some part inflicted A. Yes Q. In the chief part restrained and in some part inflicted what do you mean by that A. We mean that Believers shall never complain under the eternal and destructive although they do bear the temporal and corrective punishment of their fins Q. But because generals are obscure tell us particularly for the clearer understanding of this Mysterie what obligation the first Covenant laies on sinful man A. A double obligation first in reference to what is past And secondly in reference to the future Q What obligation doth it lay on him in reference to what is past A. It requires satisfaction and reparation from him for his sin in breaking it Q What in reference to the future A. It requires perfect conformity still as at the first and absolute obedience to all Gods commands being the eternal debt of the reasonable creature to that God that made it in his own Image Q. Is it possible for us to satisfie Gods injured Law for our first breach A. No. Q But if we could might not the Law come upon us for future exact conformity to pay the residue of that eternal Debt due to God as our Creator A. Yes it might Q. Doth the Covenant of Grace relieve us as to both these cases and dispence with the rigour of the Law A. Yes Q. How doth it relieve us as to the first obligation A. It comforts us with the good news that the Son of God hath satisfied his Fathers Justice and if we believe but in him God will accept of us as if we had satisfied in our own persons The case the Law leaves us in is well expressed Isa. 33. 14. and Heb. 10. 31. But the relief the Gospel brings us in St. Paul's language Rom. 8. 33 34. you have both together excellently Ezek. 33. 10 11. Q. How as to the second A. The New Covenant dispenceth with the rigour of that too and justified and pardoned persons shall not lose all again upon the least defailance therefore the Gospel proclaims pardon of sin upon Repentance and acceptance of sincere endeavours to obey him Q God gave the Law from Mount Sinai and the voice of words was so dreadful there that they which heard it intreated that the Word should not be spoken to them â—ny more But we are come to Mount Sion what is Gods language to us now A. Sinners be but in good earnest do but love me heartily and my waies let me but see a child-like ingenuity in you and I will put down your upright though imperfect performances in the Book of my remembrance Q. How is it possible our performances should be recorded in the Book of Gods remembrance since the best of them are imperfect and we do daily break the Commandments of God in thought word and deed A. If there be a willing mind it is well accepted according to that we have and not according to that we have not And the Commandments of God may be reputed as done when whatsoever is not done is pardoned Thus doth the candour of the Gospel dispence with the rigour of the Law Q. But how doth it stand with Gods veracity and immutability having once declared that the soul that sinneth shall die to contradict it by declaring That he that believeth shall never die but have Eternal Life A. We must look upon threatenings as a part of the Law declaring the dueness of the punishment what the offender hath deserved
you that A. 1. Because the Will of God as secret is a peculiar Treasure which he hath put in his own power and will keep to himself 2. Because a man may sometimes sin in fulfilling the secret Will of God and be ashamed repenting in dust and ashes that he hath done it 3. Because all Creatures do this Will of God and none ever resisted it Q. Is the revealing of an event which God hath determined or those Actions whereby that event shall be brought to pass the Rule of Mans obedience A. No Q. But are not Gods own positive and ceremonial Laws this Rule of Mans obedience A. No. Q. How prove you that A. 1. Because they were so burdensome a yoke that neither we nor the Jews themselves were ever able to bear them 2. Because they were never pleasing to God irrespectively of themselves neither did he at all ever take delight in these Laws themselves simply considered 3. Because these positive Laws were such by which men should never obtain Eternal Life Q. What Law then is that which is the Rule of Mans obedience A. The Moral Law Q. Why is it so called A. Because it hath a perpetual binding power in all Ages unto the end of the world Q. When was this revealed A. At first Q. How understand you that A. Two waies 1. This Law was at first given to Adam in Innocency God having written it on his heart some small remainders whereof abide yet in mans nature 2. This Law was first revealed by Gods immediate voice after written in Tables of Stone and given to the Church as a perpetual Rule for their obedience Q. 41. Wherein is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the ten Commandments Explic. Q What is it for the Moral Law to be summarily comprehended in the ten Commindments A. To have the summ and chief Heads of the Law contained in them Q. 42. What is the summ of the ten Commandments A. The summ of the ten Commandments is to Love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Mind and with all our Strength and our Neighbour as our selves Explic. Q In how many Tables were the teâ— Commandments at first written A. In two Tables of Stone Deut. 10. 1 2 4. Q. How many Commandments are comprized under the first Table or first great Commandment A. The soâ—r first Q How many under the second Table or second great Commandment A. Six Q. Do the Papists well in leaving out the second Commandment and in their dividing the tenth into two A. No Q. What is the comprehensive Duty of all the Commandments written in these two Tables A. Love Rom. 13. 9. For this Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not Kill Thou shalt not Steal Thou shalt not bear false Witness Thou shalt not Covet And if there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying Namely Thou shalt Love thy Neighbour as thy self The like may be said of all the Commandments of the first Table Q What is the summ of the first Table of the Law A. To love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Mind and with all our Strength Q. What mean you by the word Summ A. A general or chief Head which comprehends other particulars in it Ibid. Rom. 13. 8. Q. What is it to love the Lord our God with all our Heart c A. It doth imply the supremacy ardency and activity of our Love whereby we chuse the Lord cleave to him and delight in him as our chief Good and employ all our faculties and powers in his service in obedience to him out of Love Q. What is the summ of the second Table of the Law A. To love our Neighbour as our selves Q Who is our Neighbour A. Every man Luk. 10. 29 38. Q. What is it to love our Neighbour as our selves A. To love him with the same truth and constancy of Love as we do our selves Q. But are we not bound to love our Neighbour with the same Degree of Love as we do our selves A. No. Q. 43. What is the Preface to the ten Commandments A. The Preface to the ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of 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 are bound to keep all his Commandments Explic. Q. How many reasons or arguments are there in the Preface to oblige and perswade us to keep all Gods Commandments A. Two 1. God is the Lord. I am the Lord. 2. God is our God and Redeemer I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage Q. How are we bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments as he is the Lord A. As he is the Lord he is our Creator and supream Soveraign and we owe him obedience as we are his Creatures and Subjects Q. You say you owe God obedience as you are his Creatures and Subjects what mean you thereby A. We mean that once we were not were made and are preserved by God or that we derived our Being from anâ— hold it of God and that we are undâ—â— the unlimited and absolute Dominioâ— and Soveraignty of God and thereforâ— ought to serve and glorifie God in 〈◊〉 Body and in our Spirit which 〈◊〉 Gods and to be in perfect subjection 〈◊〉 the Laws of Heaven Q. How are we bound and obliged 〈◊〉 keep Gods Commandments as he is our God and Redeemer A. As our God and Redeemer our Father and Benefactor he hath brought us into the special relation of Children to himself and hath entred into Covenanâ—â—â— with us to bring us out of spiritual Egypt and Bondage under sin as he brought his people of old out of the earthly Egypt and the Bondage of men These two Rules must be learn'd for the understanding of the Commandments Rule 1. That when any sin is forbidden the contrary Duty is required and when any Duty is required the contrary sin is forbidden Rule 2. That where any sin is forbidden all the Kinds and Degrees of it temptations and incentments to it are likewise forbidden and when any Duty is required all the kinds and the highest perfection of it together with all the means and helps to it are also required Q. 45. What 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 Explic. Q Is
true unto Christ. Q. Is the Sacrament then an holy Ordinance A. Yes Q. By whom are our Sacraments instituted A. By Christ. Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25. Q. What do you mean by being instituted by Christ A. Appointed and ordained by him Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. The sign and the thing signified Q. What are the outward parts of the Sacraments A. The sensible signs Q. Do the signs offer themselves to the Senses A. Yes Q. And offer the things signified to our Faith A. Yes Q. What are the inward parts of the Sacraments A. Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant as the things signified by the outward sensible signs Q What is the use and proper work of the Sacraments A. To represent seal and apply Q. But are the Sacraments of the New Testament signs and seals to all even to unbelievers A. Yes Q How do the Sacrameats seal to all even to unbelievers A. 1. As Circumcision was a Seal of the righteousness of Faith or of the Covenant as well when Ishmael received it as when Abraham received it God is everlastingly true and these are really Seals whosoever recelves them Many persons take the same Physick the operation is not the same the Physick is the same And if we might call the Tree of Life a Seal it retains the nature of a sign though Adam never tasted of it The Rain-bow is a Covenant though there be thousands in the world that never knew it was a Covenant And it is the use and proper work of our Sacraments to commemorate and seal 2. Sacraments are visible Dâ—ctrines Ier. 2. 31. O Generation see ye the word of the Lord. In the Sacraments are written in small Characters what at large are found in the works of God And Faith acts upon these Symbols upon a doctrinal notion as they are teaching Ordinances They testifie as a sign Christs Love as a Seal Gods faithfulness The Word of God is given us that we may believe and that we may be strong in Faith So likewise the Sacraments are given us not only to believe but for our increase in Faith And as the word Jesus Christ is evidently set forth crucified before our eyes so do the Sacraments as the Oracles of God teach us plainly the mysterie of Faith and the way of Salvation 3. The Sacraments are not only signs and Seals but Sanctions and such Laws as we are charged to observe upon pain of Gods wrathful displeasure Which will be more manifest by our comparing the Sâ—craments of the Old and New Testament together Bâ—ptism and the Lords Supper succeeding in the place of Circumcision and the Pâ—ssover For as Baptism and the sprinkling of clean water upon us is to wash off the filth of the Soul that we might be clean so was Circumcision to take away the stony heart out of the flesh and to give an heart of flâ—sh And as the sprinkling of blood was of old a Law in Israel so is the Lords Supper a Sanction of the New Testament to us And as Moses said This is the bloâ—d of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you here in like manner Christ hath Preached the Gâ—spel doctrine and now he comes to put a Sanction 〈◊〉 this Sacrament This saith he is 〈◊〉 blood of the New Testament which is 〈◊〉 for many for the remission of sins There is this only disparity the sign was 〈◊〉 Blood now Wine now Wine because there is to be no more shedding 〈◊〉 blood then blood sprinkling because Christ our Pâ—ssover was not sacrificed for us So that as to substance the Sacraments of the Old and Nâ—w Testament differ no more than the Old and New Moon which are not two but one and the same All which considered joyntly may sufficiently clear it to us that our Sacraments are not only signs and seals but Sanctions yea Sanctions of the Covenant of Grace or of the New Testament And if he that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified as unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward How shall we escapâ— if we neglâ—ct so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him Especially when we have Jesus Christ thus evidently set forth crucified among us not only to the ear but to the eye by his Word and Sacraments Q. But are the Sacraments effectual to Salvation or savingly applied only by Believers A. Yes Rom. 4. 11 12. Q 93. Which are the Sacraments of the New Testament A. The Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lords Supper Explic. Q. Were there other Sacraments under the Old Testament as Circumcision and the Passover A. Yes Gen. 17. 10. Exod. 12. 43 47. Q. Do these remain in use now A. No. Rom. 10. 4 Gal. 5 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 5 7 8. Q. Wâ—at Sacraments hath Christ appointed under the New Testament in the room of these A. Baptism and the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 12. 13. Q. Are these two the only Sacraments of the New Testament A. Yes Q. How doth that appear A. 1. Because when the number of Sacraments were most necessary as under the Law there were but two and therefore ours succeeding in the room of them there can be no more 2. Because these two Seals do fully assure us of all Gods Graces both of our regâ—nâ—ration entrance and ingrafting into Christ and of our growth and continuance in him and therefore we need no more Q. But there are five more added by the Papists as Confirmation Pennance extream Vâ—ction Holy Oâ—ders and Matrimony Are not these properly and truly Sacraments instituted by our Lord Iesus Christ and necessary to the Salvation of Mankind A. No. Q. Why so A. The nature of a Sacrament agreeth not to them 1. Because they are not all proper to the Church but common as Marriage to the Heathen 2. They are not all instituted by Christ as perpetual standing Ordinance 3. They do not consist of an outward sign as Penace and inward Grace 4. The Covenant of Grace is not sealed in any of them Q. But is not Extream Vnction a Sacrament instituted by Christ as a perpetual standing Ordinance when every sick man is enjoyned James 5. 14. to call for the Elders thâ—se standing perpetuated Officers that they may pray over him anointing him with Oyl in the Name of the Lord A. Nâ— Q Why so A. 1. Because the anointing spoken of in S. Iames was frequently omitted by the Apostles themselves in their working of cures and was indifferently either used or