I will send vnto you from the father euen the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the Father he shall testifie of me Q. What is the third euidence A. The third euidence is taken from the consideration of the distinct effects or workes attributed to each person as the worke of Creation to the Father Redemption to the Sonne Sanctification to the Holy Ghost For though being outward workes they be common to the whole Deitie yet in respect of personall order and of the manner of working they are distinct the Father working by the Sonne and by the holy Ghost but the Sonne and the holy Ghost working from the Father as being the fountaine of euery action Q. What is the fourth euidence A. The fourth euidence to proue that the persons are distinct and not confounded is grounded vpon certaine termes which doe notâ— personall difference as Ioh. 1.1 the word was with God and Ioh. 5.17 My Father worketh hitherto and I worke So of the holy Ghost it is said Isai. 48.16 the Lord God and his spirit hath sent me and where it is said 1. Cor. 12.6 that it is the same GOD that worketh all in all it is added Psal. 8. c. by the spirit and by the same spirit often repeated which termes of difference were meerely in vains if the persons were not distinct Q. Why must not the substance be diuided A. We must not diuide the substance because the God head of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost is all one for we must conceiue in the Deitie another and another person but not another and another thing that is a diuersitie or distinction of persons but not a diuision of the diuine nature so the Father is God the Sonne is God and the holy Ghost is God yet they are not three Gods but one God Q. Proue that euery person distinctly by himselfe is God and first that the Father is God A. It is written Ephes. 4.6 There is one God and Father of all who is aboue all through all and in you all and 1 Cor. 15. 24. Christ is said to haue deliuered vp the Kingdome to God euen the Father Q. Proue that the Sonne is God A. The God-head of the Sonne is plentifully confirmed in Scripture Saint Iohn speaking of our Sauiour Christ Ioh. 1.1 saith In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and 1 Ioh. 5.20 That the Sonne of God Iesus Christ is true God and eternall life and Ioh. 20.28 That Thomas beleeuing answered and said vnto Iesus My Lord and my God Q. Proue that the Holy Ghost is God A. The God head of the Holy Ghost may appeare amongst many euidences by that saying of Saint Peter to Ananias Act. 5.3.4 That in that hee did lie vnto the Holy Ghost he lied not vnto men but vnto God Againe the deitie of the Holy Ghost may be gathered out of Isa. 48.16 where the Prophet saith And now the Lord God and his holy spirit hath sent me And Act. 13.2 where it is said That as they ministred vnto the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I haue called them So Act. 20.28 S. Paul telleth the Elders of the Church That the holy Ghost had made them ouerseeâ—s to feede the Church of God All which could not bee said of the holy Ghost if hee were not God Q. Proue that though there be three persons yet they are but one God A. It is manifest that the three persons are not three Gods but only one God because there can bee but one infinite one eternall one almighty and so consequently but one only God as was proued before And S. Iohn doth expressely affirme 1 Ioh. 5.7 these three are one Q. Proue that they are coeternall A. The Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost must of necessity bee coeternall one as well as the other that is the Father eternall the Sonne eternall and the holy Ghost eternall because they doe all subsist in one and the same diuine nature and are all three one and the same God For the Sonnes eternitie see Ioh. 1.2 The same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him And Ioh. 17.5 Now O Father glorifie thou me with thine owne sâ—lfe with the glory which I had with thee before the world was And theÌ„ coeternity of the Holy Ghost with the Father and the Sonne is noted in that hee ioyned with them in the creation of all things Gen. 1.2 And the spirit of God moued vpon the face of the waters Q. Proue that they are coequall A. Being one and the same diuine nature they must also needs be coequall Of the Sonne it is said Phil. 2.6 That being in the forme of God he thought it no robbery to be equall with God So againe the disposing of spirituall gifts is equally attributed to the holy Ghost aâ— well as to the Father and the Sonne as being God coequall with them 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.11 E Of the attributes or properties of God Q. Rehearse the Letter E. A. ETernall infinite immutable invisible almighty most wise holy good mercifull and iust is this one God For thus God is pleased to describe himselfe vnto vs in his word because otherwise no man can see or know the nature of God Q. Proue that God is eternall A. That God is eternall without beginning or ending iâ— euident Psal. 90. â— Before the mountaines were made and before thou hadst formed the earth and the world euen from euerlasting to euerlasting thou art God And 1 Tim. 1.17 To the King eternall immortall inuisible the only wise God bee honour and glory for euer and euer Amen Q. Proue that God is infinite A. That God is infinite filling all places and present euery where see Ier. 23.23.24 Am I a God at hand saith the Lord and not a God a farre off can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord doe not I fill heauen and earth saith the Lord And Ps. 139.7 Whither shall I goe from thy spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence Q. Proue that God is immutable A. That God is immutable without change see Iam. 1.17 where God is said to be the father of lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning And Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sonnes of Iacob are not consumed Q. Proue that God is invisible A. It is manifest by that hath beene said before 1 Tim. 1.17 That as God is eternall without beginning and immortall without end so he is also invisible And Col. 1.15 Christ is called the Image of the invisible God And Ioh. 4.24 it is said That God is a spirit and therefore without bodily or visible substance Q. Proue that God is almighty A. It is written Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty
into the fauour of God and into the seruice and worship of this only true God who is one in essence and three in person the Trinity in vnity and vnity in Trinity Q. Who are to administer the Sacrament of Baptisme A. They only are to administer Baptisme to whom the commission is granted that is the Apostles and their successors the Pastors and Ministers of the Church is the end of the world See the commission Matth. 28.19.20 where our Sauiâ—ur Christ hauing said All power is giuen vnto mee in heauen and in earth doth vpon the ground of that authority presently adde these words containing the tenour of the commission Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you And â—â—e I am with you alway euen vnto the end of the world Q. What is the end or vse of Baptisme A. The maine end and vse of Baptisme may be reduced to these few hâ—ads First by Baptisme we are admitted into the communion of the body of Christ which is the Church or congregation and company of Gods faithfull people and thereby become partakers of Christ and all his benefits to our eternall saluation Therefore the Apostle saith Gal. 3.27 As many of you â—s haue beene baptizâ—d into Christ haue put on Christ. And 1 Cor. 12.12.13 As the body is one and hath many members and all the members of the body whiâ—h is one though they be many yet are but one body euen so is Christ. For by oâ—e spirit are wee all baptized into one body whether we be Iewes or Grecians whether we be bond or free Q. What is the second end or vse of Baptisme A. Secondly by Baptisme wee are assured of the pardon of our sinnes Whereupon it is that Peter said vnto them Acts 2.38 Amend your liues and bee baptized euery one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinnes And therefore Ananias said vnto Saul Act. 22.16 Arise and bee baptized and wash away thy sinnes in calling on the name of the Lord. Q. What is the third end or vse of Baptisme A. Thirdly in Baptisme wee vow couenant and promise our saith and obedience to God So the Lord said of circumcision Gen. 17.10 This is my couenant which ye shall keepe betweene me and you And of Baptisme it is said 1 Pet. 3.21 that it is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answere of a good conscience toward God Therefore as was shewed before when any were to bee baptized they professed their faith and repentance and tooke the Sacrament vpon it as thereby vowing and couenanting so much with God Q. What is the fourth end of Baptisme A. Fourthly wee are by Baptisme confirmed in grace both to beleeue in Iesus Christ as also to liue no more in sinne but in newnesse of life for that which is said of circumcision Rom. 4 11. that it was the scale of the righteousnesse of faith is true also of Baptisme tovs Christians it being to vs as circuÌ„cision was to the Iewes And for regeneration see Rom 6.3.4 Know ye not saith Paul that all we which haue beene baptized into Iesus Christ haue beene baptized into his death we are buried then with him by Baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walke in newnesse of life Q. Proue that Baptisme is the signe of our new birth A. That Baptisme is the signe of our regeneration or new birth and therefore is but once to be receiued as it is sufficient to be once borne is euident in that our Sauiour alluding vnto Baptisme Ioh. 3.3.5 saith Except a man be borne againe of water and if the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God where we see that Christians in their Baptisme are resembled to children new borne and therefore are fuly called 1 Pet. 2.2 new borne babes Q. Proue that the vertue of Baptisme is perpetuall A. The Apostle intimateth so much Eph. 5.26.27 where hee saith That Christ gaue himselfe but his Church that hee might saâ—ctifiâ—â—â— and cleaâ—se iâ— by the washing of water through the word that hee might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame now wee know that this perfection is not attained in the very act of Baptisme but is then onely begun and after daily increased to the end of our life And the Apostle referreth our death of sinne and nâ—wnesse of life which is daily to be exercised of vs vnto the vertue of Baptisme V Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Q. Rehearse the letter V A. VNderstand that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is when bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ broken and shed for vs being by the Minister taken and blessed is broken and poured forth and so deliuered to all the faithfull present and of them receiued by eating the bread and drinking the wine in remembrance of Christs death as also to communicate vnto vs the very body and blood of Christ spiritually by faith and so to confirme our faith in Christ and loue one to another For this Sacrament is the signe of our new life as Baptisme is of our new birth And therefore as we haue neede of often nourishment so wee ought to receiue often and that with due preparation Q. Why is this Sacrament called the Lords Supper A. This Sacrament is called the Lords Supper for these reasons First a Supper partly in regard of the time when it was instituted and celebrated which was in the euening before the day wherein Christ was crucified partly in respect of the thing it selfe because it is a Sacred Feast or Banquet appointed of God not for the body but for the soule And it is called The Lords Supper both in regard of the Author who is the Lord Iesus himselfe as also in respect of the end which was in remembrance of him Q. What is the outward signe in the Lords Supper A. The outward signe in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper doth consist of two elements that is Bread and Wine for so our Sauiour did institute not one onely but both to shew that in him wee haue perfect nourishment vnto eternall life and the better to expresse the giuing vp of his Body and the shedding of his Bloud for vs which either the Bread alone or the Wine alone could not present vnto vs in so liuely manner Againe it is answerable to the type Gen. 14.18 that as Melchisedech so Christ should nourish and refresh his Church with Bread and Wine Q. What is the thing siguified by the Bread and Wine A. The thing signified is the Body and Bloud of Christ
come into the light And my desire is that you would accordingly accept it as a second token of my loue and due respect vnto you all For the warrant of this method wee haue the expresse word of God There are all these Alphabeticall Psalmes viz. Ps. 25.34.37.111.112.119.145 Besides the Lamentations of Ieremy and the Catechisme or Instruction which Solomons mother taught him her Lemuel My only sute vnto you is that you would not let this little booke be a Curranto or as an Almanacke for a yeare but in your families make daily and constant vse of it to the building you vp to a perfect house and Temple of our Lord Iesus Christ to whose gracious protection recommends you Your louing and ancient Pastor Iohn Phillips A TABLE OF the matter contained vnder euery Letter of this Alphabet A OF the knowledge of God in generall B Of faith in one God C Of the Trinitie or Three person 's in one God D Of the distinction of the persons in Trinitie E Of the attributes or properties of God F Of the creation of the world G Of Gods prouidence in gouerning and preseruing all things H Of one God onely to bee worshipped I Of man in his first creation K Of the image of God wherein man was created L Of the fall of man and losse of Gods image M Of the miserable estate of all mankinde through Adams fall N Of man his deliuerance by Christ onely O Of our receiuing Christ to saluation by faith only P Of the preaching of the word the meanes of faith Q Of the inseparable properties of faith R Of the meanes of encreasing faith and all other graces S Of Sacraments in generall T Of the Sacrament of Baptisme V Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper W Of the state of all men dying in respect of the soule and of the resurrection of the body X Of the day of iudgement Y Of the execution of the sentence of damnation Z Of the execution of the sentence of saluation A ACknowledge God as hee hath reuealed himselfe in his written word For no man can be saued without the knowledge of God neither can a man knowe God vnto saluation but by the Scriptures B BEleeue in one only God For to vs Christians there is but one God and they that haue many Gods haue no God at all but the Deuill And to beleeue that there is one God and not to beleeue in him is no better then the faith of Deuils C COnceiue in this one God three persons the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost For so it hath pleased God to reueale himselfe from heauen and in this name euery Christian is baptized and it is the forme of Christian blessing D DIstinguish the persons in the God head but neither confound them nor diuide the substance For the Father is of none but of himselfe the Sonne is begotten of the Father the holy Ghost proceedeth from them both And euery person distinctly by himselfe is God yet arâ— they not three Gods but onely one God coeternall coequall E ETernall infinite immutable invisible almighty most wise holy good mercifull and iust is this one God For thus God is pleased to describe himself vnto vs in his word because otherwise no man can see or know the nature of God F FRamed and made was the whole world by the word of God and that of nothing in six dayes and all very good For nothing can make it selfe neither can bee without some cause nor can bee euill being made of God G GOuerned and preserued are all things by the prouidence of God For otherwise Satan and wicked men might doe what they list yea and euery creature would perish in a moment H HE euen this God alone is to be worshipped and called vpon and that onely in the name of Christ with vnderstanding and as himselfe hath commanded For thus euer did the true Church of God and to worship and pray vnto any other is to giue Gods glory to a creature I IN the beginning God made man consisting of soule and body the body of the dust in it selfe mortall yet possibly immortall if man had not sinned the soule of spirituall substance immortall in it selfe in both a most excellent creature aboue all others except the Angels For he was created in the image or likenesse of God and had dominion and rule ouer all other creatures in the world K KNnowledge righteousnes and true holinesse are the chiefe things wherein the image of God doth consist For otherwise the word of God would not calâ— vpon vs to renew that image in Christ and without these graces man had not beene fit to rule the creatures nor et himselfe L LEarne that man hath lost that image of God wherein hee was created by the siâ—ne of Adam the first man in eating the forbidden fruit For Adam hauing power not to sinne if he wâ—uâ—d being seduced by the woman and the woman by the serpent which is the Deuill did willingly yeeld to the temptation M MAnkinde being tainted by Adams sinne is become most wretched and miserable both in respect of sin and punishment For hereby all men are conceiued and borne in sinne and are so corrupted with sinne both in soule and body that they cannot perceiue thinke will speake or doe any good thing but are become subiect to sinne Satan the wrath and curse of God to death and to eternall damnation N NO meanes can free vs from that damnable estate but onely Iesus Christ the eternall sonne of God For he being both God and man hath perfectly saued vs in that he tooke our nature vpon him being conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgine Mary liued in perfect obedience to God suffered the cursed death of the Crosse rose againe the third day ascended into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and all for vs. O ONly by faith receiuing Iesus Christ into the heart euery man that with a contrite heart confesseth his sinnes to God and truly repenteth is pardoned all his sinnes and so doth stand iustified before God For we can merit nothing with God our best works being imperfect And the promise of God is â— onely made to them that beleeue being elected of God before the world was P PReaching of the word of God is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance and faith For God that giueth all grace and so repentance
experience of it Psal. 32.5 I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne As for confession to man it is onely respectiue or conditionall as namely in case of wrong done by one man to another see Iam. 5.16 confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another or in regard of some publike hurt or scandall to the whole Church as in the example of Achan Iosh. 7.19.20 and the like Q. Proue that true repentance is required A. True Râ—pentance which is not onely a contrition or sorrow for sinne and a confession of it but also a conuersion of the whole man with the whole heart vnto God from all his sinnes is specially necessary for the obtaining of pardon this is intended in Math. 3.2 Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand and Luk. 13.3 Except ye amend your liues ye shall all likewise perish and Act. 11.18 It is said that they glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life Q. Proue that our iustification consisteth in the pardon of sinnes A. It is so written Rom. 4 6.7 Euen as Dauid declareth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without workes saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sinne Q. Proue that we can merit nothing with God A. The Apostle proueth it by the example of the father of the faithfull Rom. 4.2 If Abraham were iustified by workes hee hath wherein to reioyce but not with God for what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeued God and it was counted to him for righteousnesse Psal. 130.3 If thou Lord shouldest marke iniquities O Lord who shall stand and Psal. 143.2 Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Q. Proue that our best workes are imperfect A. It is the confession of the Prophet Isa. 64.6 But we are all as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnesse are as filthy rags and Luk. 17.10 When ye haue done all those things which are commanded you say wee are vnprofitable seruants Q. Prouâ— that the promise is made onely to them that beleeue A. It is written Gal. 3.22 that the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by faith of Iesus Christ might bee giuen to them that beleeue and Act. 2.39 for the promise is vnto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. Proue that they were elected of God before the world was A. That the ground of our iustification and saluation by Christ through faith doth stand in Gods free election and therefore cannot be attained by any merit of our owne is manifest Act. 13.48 where it is said that as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued And Ephes. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ according as he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world P Of the preaching of the word the ordinary meanes of faith Q. Rehearse the letter P A PReaching of the word of God is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance and faith For God that giueth all grace and so repentance and faith worketh outwardly by the word as by an instrument and inwardly by his spirit Q. Proue that Preaching of the Word is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance A. It is euident in that repentance was the subiect matter of Christs Preaching Matth. 4.17 Iesus began to Preach and to say Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand and in that S. Paul saith Act. 17.30 speaking of the preaching of the Gospell that God now commandeth all men euery where to repent and Act. 20.20 I kept backe nothing that was profitable but haue shewed you and taught you publikely and from house to house both to the Iewes and also to the Gentiles the repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ Q. Proue that Preaching of the Word is the meanes of saith A. So we reade Rom. 10.14 How then shall they call on him in whom they haue not beleeued and how shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher and verse 17. so then faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God Q. Proue that God giueth all grace A. It is written Iam. 1.17 Euery good gift and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights And 2 Pet. 1.3 according as his diuine power hath giuen vnto vs all things that pertaine to life godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called vs to glory and vertue Q. Proue that God giueth repentance A. We may learne so much by S. Paul his exhortation to Timothy 2 Tim. 2.25 where he aduiseth him to instruct with meekenesse those that oppose themselues prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the truth And it is said Act. 5.31 that God hath lift vp Iesus Christ with his right hand to be a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Q. Proue that God giueth faith A. It is expresly affirmed Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God And Phil. 1.29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ that not onely you should beleeue in him but also suffer for his sake Q. Proue that God worketh by the Word as by an instrument A. That the word of God is the outward meanes which God doth vse as an organe or instrument is manifest Iam. 1.18 Of his owne will begat he vs with the word of truth that wee should bee as the first fruits of his creatures And 1 Pet. 1.23 Being borne anew not of mortall seed but of immortall by the word of God and verse 25. This is the word which is preached among you Q. Proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. It is euident by these arguments First it was so prophecied and foretold Ioel 2.28 And it shall come to passe afterward that I will powre out my spirit vpon all flâ—sh and Zach. 12.10 I will powre vpon the house of Dauid and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication and they shall look vpon me whom they haue pierced Q. What is the second argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Secondly The prophesie was accomplished and effected accordingly as the Apostle Peter noteth Acts 2.16 This saith hee is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel. And at his Sermon Acts 10.44 It is said That while Peter yet spake these words the
A. It is said 1 Thes. 4.14 If we beleeue that Iesus is dead and â—is risen euen so them which sleeepe in Iesus will God bring with him and 1 Cor. 15.21.22 for since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all die euen so in Christ shall all be made aliue therefore it is that hee is called the first fruits of them that sleepe Q. Proue that if there be no resurrection then the preaching of the Word and our faith is in vaine A. It is the Apostles argument to proue the resurrection 1 Cor. 15.14 that if there be no resurrection and so consequently Christ is not risen then saith hee our preaching is vaine your faith is also vaine and wee are found also false witnesses of God and verse 19. If in this life onely we haue hope in Christ we are of all men the most miserable X Of the day of Iudgement Q. Rehearse the Letter X. A. EXCeeding glorious in itselfe ioyous to the godly and fearfull to the wicked shall be the day of iudgment wherein Iesus Christ shall cal to account and iudge all men for all things done in this life according to their works For he shall come with glory in the clouds accompanied with innumerable Angels and fitting vpon his throne of Maiestie shall vpon due triall of euery mans workes the bookes being opened pronounce the sentence of saluation to the Godly and of damnation to the wicked Q. Proue that there shall be a day of iudgement A. It is written Act. 17.31 That God hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse and Salomon telleth vaine young men Eccles. 11.9 that they must know that for all these things God will bring them to iudgement yea it is a mayne Article of our Creed reason doth teach that seeing the godly liue here in much affliction the wicked in great pleasure there must needs be a day of iudgement to right all Q. When shall that day of iudgement be A. The day of iudgement is not knowne to any creature in heauen or earth but to God onely see Math. 24.36 But of that day and houre knoweth no man no nor the Angels of heauen but my Father onely and Mark 13.32 is added neither the Son himselfe that is in respect of his humane nature or as he is here in this world in the state of humiliation or to reueale it to vs whom it doth not concerne to know it as is said Act. 1.7 It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power yet there are signes foretold whereby wee knâ—w the approaching of this day of Iudgement Q. What are the signes foreshewing the day of iudgement A. The signes are chiefly these 2. The preaching of the Gospell through the whole world 2. Great calamities persecutions troubles wars famine pestilence and the like 3. A generall apostasie or falling away and departing from the faith and puritie of religion 4. The comming and reuealing of Antichrist the head of that Apostasie who shall take vpon him to be the head of the Church by sitting as God in the Temple of God aboue all that is called God or that is worshipped 5. Many deceiuers false Christs and false Prophets that shall seduce many 6. Generall corruption of manners and abundance of all iniquitie 7. Great securitie as in the dayes of Noe Mat. 24.37 8. The calling or conuerting of the Iewes Rom. 11.25.26 9. Strange signes in the heauens in the Sunne Moone and Starres on the land earthquakes in the sea roaring tempestuous storms 10. The burning of the world with fire and the comming of Christ in glory Q. Why is the day of iudgement concealed from men A. That day and houre is hidden and vnknowne to men and shall therefore be as the comming of a Thiefe in the night or as the trauaile of a woman with childe to the end that wee should waite and watch euery day and houre and be prepared for the Lords comming see Math. 24.42 Watch therefore for you know not what houre your Lord commeth and verse 44. Therefore be yee also ready for in such an houre as ye thinke not the Sonne of man doth come and Mark. 13.37 And what I say vnto you I say vnto all Watch. Q. Why is the day of iudgement so long deferred A. The Lord doth deferre the day of iudgement for diuers causes 1. that he might shew his patience toward vs in giuing so large a time of repentance 2. That all the elect both of Iewes and Gentiles might be gathered together their number compleat and so all Israel may bee saued 3. That he might try and exercise the patience of the faithfull who suffer so much at the hands of wicked men for the truth 4. That the vngodly and impenitent abusing the patience and long suffering of God which leadeth to repentance might bee left without excuse and be the more seuerely punished Q. Who shall be the Iudge A. He shall be the iudge who is our Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ see Act. 17.3 1. where it is said That God will iudge the world by that man whom hee hath appointed and Rom. 2.16 In the day when God shall iudge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ for saith he Ioh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all iudgement to his Sonnâ— yet at the day of iudgement the godly shall also be as iudges in assisting and consenting to the iudgement of Christ therefore the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 6.2 Doe you not know that the Saints shall iudge the world Q. Who are they that shall be iudged A. All men of what condition soeuer that haue beene are or shall be from the beginning to the end of the world must come to iudgement so we reade 2 Cor. 5.10 That wee must all appeare before the iudgement seat of Christ and Rom. 14.12 So then euery one of vs shall giue account of himselfe to God for the Apostle had said before verse 10. Wee shall all stand before the iudgement seat of Christ. And this must be that as the wicked haue ioyned in sinne with the Apostate Angels that is the Deuils so they may be conioyned with them in iudgement who are reserued in chaines of darkenesse vnto the iudgement of that great day 2 Pet. 2.4 Iud. 6. then shall Antichrist as a chiefe head of all impietie receiue the doome of his eternall destruction 2 Thes. 2.8 Q. Of what things shall all men be iudged A. Euery man shall be iudged of all things done in this life both good and euill the good shall bee approued the euill condemned so it is said Eccl. 12.14 That God shall bring euery worke into iudgement with euery secret thing whether it be good or euill and 2
then be as plainely laid open before Angels and men as if they were recorded in a booke or register Q. What are these bookes A. There are foure sorts of bookes which shall then be opened for the discouery of all the actions of men That is The booke of Gods prouidence whereof the Psalmist speaketh in Psal. 139.16 In thy booke were all things written The booke of the creatures spoken of in Ioh. 20.27 The heauen shall reueale his iniquity and the earth shall rise vp against him The booke of the conscience of which see Rom. 2 15.16 Their conscience bearing witnes and their thoughts accusing or excusing one another in the day when God shall iudge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ. The booke of life Reu. 20.12 which is the decree of Gods election wherein whosoeuer is not found written is cast into the lake of fire verse 15. Q. What shall bee the sentence A. The sentence shall bee twofold of saluation and of condemnation Matth. 25.34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand Come yee blessed of my father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world And verse 41. then shall he say also vnto them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the deuill and his Angels Y Of the execution of the sentence of damnation Q. Rehearse the letter Y A. YOu that are wicked shall by the power of the voyce of Christ goe away into hell being separated from God consorted with the Deuils depriued of all comfort punished with vnspeakable torments both in soule and body according to your sinnes and that eternally without ease or end For it is iust with God so to punish the wicked and that they who haue liued heere in the pleasures of sinne should be recompenced with answeâ—able torment Q. Proue that there is a place of torment called Hell A. That there is a Hell or place of torment so called the word of God doth witnesse euery where we reade Math. 5.22 of the danger of hell fire so verse 29.30 of the whole body cast into hell fire so Math. 10.28 Feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell so Math. 23.33 How can ye escape the damnation of hell This hell the Prophet resembleth by Topheth which is in the valley of Hinnon where the Israelites offered vp their children in fire to the Idoll Molech see in Isa. 30.33 the description of it Topheth is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared hee hath made it deepe and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a streame of brimstone doth kindle â—t Q. Where is the place of Hell A. The situation or locall being and place of hell cannot for any thing we reade in Scripture be certainely determined onely this in generall is certaine and out of all question that Hell is in respect of the Heauen of the Blessed called the third or highest heauen an inferiour or lower place exceeding farre remote and distant from it which may be gathered by that which we reade of the damned rich man in Luk. 16.23 That in hell he lift vp his eyes being in torments and sâ—eth Abraham a farre off and verse 26. it is said to him betweene vs and you there is a great gulfe fixed But it is better for vs leauing all curiositie to learne to auoid hell then by experience to finde where it is remembring that in Pro. 15.24 The way of life is aboue to the wise that he may depart from hell beneath Q. Proue that the wicked shall by the power of Christs voyce goe into hell A. The wicked that here in this life will not heare the voyce of Christ shall then be constrained will they nill they by the power of that voyce to goe away into hell this is euident Math. 25. if wee conferre together the 41. and 46. verses where wee may see that when Christ had said Depart from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire it is added withall And these shall goe away into euerlasting punishment Q. Proue that the wicked shall then bee separated from God A. They that in this life say vnto God Depart from vs for wee desire not the knowledge of thy wayes to them it shall be said at that day I neuer knew you depart from me ye that worke iniquitie for this must be one chiefe part of the punishment of the reprobate to be excluded out of the glorious presence of God and of his Angels and Saints so wee reade 2 Thes. 1.9 That they shall bee punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Q. Proue that they shall bee consorted with the deuils A. In this life wicked men doe preferre the deuill before God for as our Sauiour saith Ioh. 8.44 They are of their Father the deuill and the lusts of their Father they will doe therefore as here they ioyne with the deuils in sinne so there they shall be consorted with them in punishment according to the sentence and iudgement giuen Math. 25.41 Depart from mee yee cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the deuill and his Angels Q. Proue that they shall be depriued of all comfort A. That the wicked being in hell shall be destitute of all ease and comfort wee may see by the example of him who refusing to giue one crumme of refreshing could not receiue so much as one drop of comfort And indeed what comfort can there bee where there shall be notâ—ing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth when the wicked shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the kingdome of God and themselues thrust out Luk. 13.28 Q. Proue that they shall bee punished with vnspeakeable torments A. The exceeding greatnesse of their torments may appeare in that they are said to be in the lake that burneth with fire brimstone Reu. 19.20 where their worme dyeth not and the fire is not quenched Mark 9.44 To bee cast out into vtter darkenesse Math. 8.12 And into a furnace of fire Math. 13.42 Which epithets or termes the spirit of God doth vse to note how fearefull and intollerable the paines of the damned shall be Q. Proue that their punishment shall bee proportionable and according to their sinne A. The punishment of the damned reprobates shall be proportioned according to the quality degree and measure of their sinnes they that haue had the meanes of grace and repentance the word of God and haue neglected or contemned it shal be more seuerely punished then they that neuer heard it therefore it is said Math. 10.15 That it shall be more tollerable for Sodome and Gomorrha and Math. 11.22 for Tyre and Sidon at the day of iudgement then for such Againe sinnes of knowledge shall be punished