betweene the Scripture generally considered in respect of the manner of reuealing and between the number and order of the Bookes it being one thing to beleeue that the will of God is nowe fully and wholly committed to writing another that this is the distinct order precise number of Bookes 7. Also it is one thing to beleeue that God is the author of this or that booke another to beleeue that it was written by this or that Scribe or Amanuensis so that a difference is to be made between the cheife Author of a booke and the Instrument thereof 1. Cor. 12. 3. Mat. 10. 20. 8. The substance of doctrine necessarie to saluation contained in Scripture is to be beleeued with an expresse historicall and sauing faith but the number and order of bookes is to bee beleeued with faith historicall 8. By the Church we vnderstand not the Pope whome the Papists call the Church virtuall nor his Bishops Cardinalls met in a generall Council whom they call the Church representatiue but the whole companie of beleeuers who haue professed the true faith whether those who receiued the bookes of holy Scripture from the Prophets and Apostles or those who liued after Vnder the name of the Church we comprehend not the Prophets and Apostles as they were immediately chosen and called to be the penmen of holy Scripture for they wrote not as men in the Church but aboue the Church The Church of the Iewes professed the doctrine and receiued the Bookes of the old Testament and testified of them that they were diuine To whose testimony these things giue force 1. To them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 2. 2. In great miserie they haue constantly confessed the same when as by the onely denying thereof they might haue been partakers both of libertie and rule 3. Notwithstanding the high Priests and others persecuted the Prophets whiles they liued yet they receiued their writings as propheticall and diuine 4. Since obstinacie is come to Israel notwithstanding their great hatred to the Christian religion the holy Scripture of the old Testament is kept pure and vncorrupt amongst them euen in those places which doe euidently confirme the truth of Christian religion Esa 53. 3 4 5 c. The Christian Church hath embraced the doctrine of God and receiued the books both of the Old and New-Testament To whose testimonie two things giue weight 1. their great constancie 2. their admirable and sweet consent for in other matters we may obserue differences in opinions in this a singular and wonderfull agreement This testimonie of Christians is considered three waies 1. Of the vniuersall Church which from the beginning thereof vntill these times professing the Christian religion to bee diuine doth also professe that these bookes are of God 2. Of the seuerall primatiue Churches which first receiued the bookes of the old Testament and the Epistles written from the Apostles to them their Pastors or to some they knew and after deliuered theÌ„ vnder the same title to their successors and other Churches 3. Of the Pastors and Doctors who being furnished with skill both in the tongues and matters diuine vpon due triall and examination haue pronounced their iudgement and approoued them to the people committed to their charge This testimonie is of great weight and importance profitable to prepare the heart and to mooue it to beleeue of all humane testimonies wherby the author of any booke that hath is or shall be extant can be prooued the greatest both in respect of the multitude wisedome honestie faithfulnesse of the witnesses the likenes constancie and continuance of the Testimonie it selfe But this testimonie is onely humane not the onely not the cheife whereby the truth and diuinitie of the Scripture is confirmed neither can it be the ground of diuine faith and assurance 9. The Saints of God of all sorts and conditions noble base rich poore learned vnlearned old young married vnmarried c haue suffered the most grieuous torments vsuall vnusuall speedy slowe euen what hell could inuent or mans malice find out for the defence of this truth All these things a number numberles endured and that with great constancie and ioy euen with a cheerefull heart and merrie countenance so that none can thinke they suffered out of weaknesse pride vaine-glorie or discontent This the patient suffering of the Martyrs is not a testimonie meerely humane but partly diuine for that courage and cheerefulnes which they shewed in the midst of all torments was not from nature but from aboue 10. Many and great wonders such as Sathan himselfe cannot imitate such as exceed the power of any yea of all the creatures in the world such as the most malitious eneâ—ies of Gods truth could not denie to be diuine hath the Lord openly wrougâ—t by the hands of Moses the Prophets and Apostles for the confirmation of this truth Numb 11. 9. and 20. 10. Exod. 19. 16. 1. King 17. 24. Mark 16. 20. Hâ—b 2. 4 Ioh. 5. 36. and 9. 30. 33. Act. 5. 12. These miracles were sufficient to confirme the diuinity of this truth and writing to them who were eie-witnesses thereof Heb. 2. 3. Ioh. 20. 20. Iudg. 2. 7. 10. The vndoubted and cleare narration of them is to vs an inuincible argument thereof 11. That which is most auncient is most true and diuine the purest religion is before all others there must needs be a law before transgression and a commandement giuen vnto man before there could bee place for the Deuill to tempt him But the religion taught in Scripture is of greatest antiquitie the doctrin of the creation and fall is their handled in all other stories whatsoeuer is omitted Q. How else A. By 12 the k Gen. 17. 1. Psal 50. 1. Esa 44. 24. Exod. 20. 1. 2. 1. Cor. 11. 23. Ioh. 3. 36. 1. Cor. 1. 23. Ioel. 1. 1. 2. style l Psal 19. 8. Rom. 15. 4. Rom. 7. 7. Zeph. 2. 11. Zach. 13. 2. Act. 5. 39. Act. 9. 5. 20 21. Phil. 1. 12. 13. Rom. 15. 19. 2. Cor. 4. 8. 9. 10. 13 efficacie sweete m Genes 3. 15. and 49. 10. Esa 9. 6. Dan. 9. 24. Matth. 1. 18. Act. 10. 43. 14 consent admirable n Psa 119. 129. 138. 172. Deut. 4. 5 6. 15 doctrine excellent o Ioh. 20. 31. 16 ende and the witnes p 2. Tim. 3. 16. 2. Pet. 1. 19. 17 of the Scripture it selfe Expos 12. By the style of Scripture we vnderstand not the externall superficies of words but the whole order character frame and comprehension which fitly agreeth to the dignitie of the speaker nature of the argument and is tempered according to the capacity and condition of them for whose sakes it was written Indeed euery Prophet and Apostle almost had a peculiar style Esay is eloquent sweet and more adorned Salomon accurate Ieremie vehement and more rough Amos simple but all are diuine These things declare the maiestie of the style 1. The titles
Sonne hath reuealed him Ioh. 1. 18. Matth. 11. 27. and the Gospel is an hidden misterie 1. Cor. 2. 7. 10. Rom. 16. 25. 26. so that we can knowe nothing of God vntill God himselfe manifesteth it vnto vs. Psal 103. 7. and 147. 19. 20. By the word of God we vnderstand the will of God reuealed to reasonable creatures teaching them what to doe beleeue and leaue vndone Deut. 29. 29. Q. What call you the word of God A. The d 2. Tim. 3. 16. holy Scripture 4 immediately 5 inspired which is contained in the books of the Old and New Testament Expos 4. This word of God hath heretofore been diuersely made known Heb. 1. 1. as by inspiration 2. Chro. 15. 1. Esa 59. 21. 2. Pet. 1. 21. Ingrauing in the heart Rom. 2. 14. visions Numb 12. 6. 8. Act. 10. 10 11. Apo. 1. 10. Dreames Iob 33. 14. 15. Gen. 40. 8. Vrim and Thummim Numb 27. 21. 1. Sam. 30. 7 8. Signes Gen. 32. 24. Exod. 13. 21. Audible voice Exod. 20. 1 2. Gen. 22. 11. 15. and lastly by writing Exod. 17. 14. This word so reuealed is by excellency called the Scripture Gal. 3. 22. Io. 10. 35. and the holy Scriptures Rom. 1. 2. in respect of God the Author Act. 1. 16. and 4. 25. the holy pen-men Luk. 13. 38. 2. Pet. 1. 21. the matter 1. Tim. 6. 3. Tit. 1. 1. and end thereof Rom. 15. 4. 2. Tim. 3. 17. The truth of God was deliuered to the Church in writing Deut. 31. 9. Hos 8. 12. Reu. 2. 1. that it might be preserued pure from corruption 2. Pet. 1. 12 13. 15. be better conueied to posterity Ier. 36. 27 28. Deut. 31. 9. be an infallible standerd of true doctrin and determiner of all controuersies Esa 8. 2. Mal. 4. 4. Deut. 17. 11. that our faith might be confirmed beholding the accomplishment of things prophesied 1. King 13. 2. comp 2. King 23. 16. Act. 17. 10. 11. and for the more full instruction of the Church the time of the Messias euer drawing on Mal. 4. 4. or beeing come Luk. 2. 3. 5. To be immediately inspired is to be as it were breathed and to come from the Father by the holy Ghost without all meanes And thus the holy Scriptures were inspired both for matter and words Luk. 1. 70. 2. Pet. 1. 21. Q. What are the books of the Old Testament A. Moses 6 and e Luk. 24. 27. the Prophets Expos 6. All the books of holy Scripture giuen by God to the Church of the Iewes are called the Lawe Luk. 16. 17. Ioh. 12. 34. and the Prophets Rom. 1. 2. and 16. 25. 26. because they were written by holy men stirred vp sanctified and inspired of God for that purpose 1. Pet. 1. 11. Heb. 1. 1. But ordinarily they are comprised vnder these two heads the lawe and the Prophets Matth. 22. 40. Act. 13. 15. Matth. 7. 12. or the lawe of Moses and the Prophets Act. 28. 23. or Moses and the Prophets Ioh. 1. 45. Luk. 16. 29. Moses beeing distinctly named from the rest because he was the first and cheife of the Prophets as the Psalmes are mentioned particularly Luk. 24. 44. because they are the choise and flower of all other Scripture Q. Which are the bookes of tâ—e newe Testament A. Mathew Marke Luke and the rest as they follow in our Bibles Q. How may it be prooued that those bookes are the word of God immediately inspired by the holy Ghost to the Prophets and Apostles A. 7 By the â— testimonie f 2. Pet. 1. 19. of the Church 9 constancie g Reu. 6. 9. of the Saints 10 miracles h 1. King 17. 24. Ioh. 3. 2. 1. Ier. 6. 16. Heb. 13. 8. wrought to confirme the truth and the 11 Antiquitie i thereof Expos 7. It is very expedient and necessary that all Christians of age and discreation should knowe that the Scriptures are the very word of God the immediate and infallible truth of God that is to be receiued obeied and beleeued For thereby we are the better fitted to heare read and recâ—eiue the word with attention ioy reuerence submission Act. 10. 33. and assurance of faith which being a diuine grace must haue a diuine foundation 2. Tim. 3. 15 16. 1. Ioh 5. 9. and being certaine must haue a sure ground euen the word of God Ioh. 5. 46. Eph. 2. 20. Rom. 4. 18. Also it ministers no small comfort in affliction and temptation that we knowe whom we haue trusted 2. Tim. 1. 12. Act. 5. 29. This must be knowne not by opinion or probable coniecture which may deceiue but by certain and distinct knowledge whereby we conceiue of things certaine certainely as they are and are assured that we conceiue of them none otherwise then as they are that we may be able to stop the mouthes of Atheists and Papists who carp against the truth 2. Cor. 13. 3. We come not to the vnderstanding hereof by sense or discourse of reason this matter is to be discerned and beleeued by faith But for the fuller clearing of the point sundry rules are to bee obserued both concerning faith and concerning the Scripture it selfe 1. Distinction must be made betweene certainty of faith and certainty of sense or sight Things beleeued in themselues are more certaine then things seen but they are not alwaies so apprehended by vs. Certainty of sight excludes doubtings so doth not certainty of faith it is sufficient that it preuaile against them Gen. 15. 6. 8. 1. Cor. 13. 9. 12. Iud. 6. 36 37 38. 2. Implicite faith by which wee confusedly beleeue that such bookes are the word of God not vnderstanding the sense of them is to be distinguished from explicite faith which is euer ioyned with a distinct and certain vnderstanding of the thing beleiued Ioh. 3. 2. 10. 3. Historical faith which stands in the certainty of the mind and beleeues God speaking in his word must bee distinguished from iustifying and sauing faith which containes the perswasion and confidence of the heart whereby we not only beleeue the word of God to be the cheife truth but also do embrace it as containing the cheife good of man Iam. 2. 19. Ioh. 5. 35. Heb. 6. 11. 10. 22. Eph. 3. 12. for all things in Scripture are not alike to be beleeued neither doe the same arguments serue to beget each faith 4. Concerning the Scripture wee must put a difference betweene the doctrine therin contained and the writing for the signe is for the sense and the knowledge and faith of both is not alike necessarie The doctrine was euer necessary to be beleeued the manner of reuealing was not alwaies Ioh. 8. 24. 5. Of doctrines some are simply necessary to saluation containing the maine grounds and cheife heads of Christian religion others are expositions or amplifications of the same very profitable but not of such necessitie 1. Cor. 3. 12. 13. Col. 2. 18. 19. Phil. 3. 15. 6. A distinction is to bee put
are quickned to pray more feruently Zach. 8. 20 21 22. doe testifie our faith hope thankfulnes professe our selues to be the seruants of Christ and stirre vp others by our example Psal 95. 6. and 96. 1 2 7 8. And it is much to our comfort that what we aske is approoued and sought with common consent publique seruice beeing of more worth then priuate as a societie exceedeth the worthines of one man Psa 29. 9. and 87. 2. and 35. 18. and 111. 1. 46. Priuate prayer is that which is performed in a familie or by one alone Zach. 12. 12 13 14. In the familie praier is necessarie God by his commaundement binding parents and masters to see it performed Iosh 24. 15. Gen. 18 18. the faithful haue followed the Lords dirâ—ction herein Iob. 1. 5. hereby the affaires of the whole family are sanctified 1. Chro. 16. 43. Psal 127. 1. 1. Tim. 4. 5. and God will power downe a blessing vpon that family that ioyntly seeketh his fauour by hearty supplication Act. 1. 14. 15. and 12. 5. 6. Alone we must pray Gen. 24. 63. and 32. 9. 10. Luk. 11. 1. Matth. 6. 6. that we may be more fit to ioyne with others to our edification and haue comfort when we are alone Psal 30. 10. 11. 12. Also we haue priuate sins to confesse wants to bewaile crosses vnder which we should be humbled Psal 6. 2. 3. 6. 7. Matth. 14. 31. and fauours for which we should be thankefull Lam. 3. 23. Psa 71. 23 24. and 66. 19. 20. Q. What other meanes hath the Lord appointed to increase faith A. The due x Gen. 17. 9 10 11. Rom. 4. 11. administration and receiuing of the 1 Sacraments Expos 1. This word Sacrament did in auncient times signifie an oath wherby souldiers both bound themselues to be true to their captaine and the generall in like manner did bind himselfe to the souldiers but now it is vsed to signifie the seales of the couenant whereby the Lord doth bind himself in Christ Iesus to be mercifull to vs and we bind our selues to be true vnto Christ The Sacraments are speciall meanes to confirme faith because Christ is after a speciall manner represented and offered vnto all and effectually bestowed vpon euery worthy communicant Q. Who ought to administer the Sacraments A. Onely they that y Heb. 5. 4. are 2 lawfully called thereunto by the Church Expos 2. Such are lawfully called to administer the Sacraments who being furnished with the gifts of knowledge and holines are set apart for that office by the Church Deut. 33. 10. Mal. 2. 7. Mat. 5. 14 15 16. 1. Tim. 3. 2. 4 5 6 7. Tit. 1. 7 8 9. Matth. 24. 45. Rom. 1. 1. Tit. 1. 5. Q. What is a Sacrament A. A seale 3 of y Rom. 4. 11. the couenant 4 of grace Expos 3. Sacraments are appointed not onely to helpe the vnderstanding and the memory but also to perswade and assure the heart that Christ is ours 4. That couenant is sealed in the Sacrament which God of his meere grace and fauour made with vs in Iesus Christ being miserable sinners Gen. 17. 7. 9. 10. 11. c. Q. In what words is this couenant expressed in Scripture A. I will be 5 thy z Ier. 31. 33. God and thou shalt be my people Expos 5. In this couenant God doth promise to be our Sauiour King and Father to pardon our sinne sanctifie our nature bestowe all good things vpon vs and protect vs from euill Gen. 17. 1. 2. Leu. 26. 11. 12. 2. Cor. 6. 16 17 18. Heb. 8. 10. 11. 12. we promise to choose God to be our God trust on him loue and feare him and walke in obedience before him Ex. 15. 2. and 19. 18. and 24. 3. 7. Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. Two an 6 outward visible signe sanctified 7 to represent and seale another thing to the minde and heart and an inward 8 grace which is the thing signified Expos 6. Of a signe there must needes be two parts the vnderstanding thereby conceiuing one thing and the sense another Gen. 9. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. Esa 38. 7 8. therefore of a Sacrament there must needes be two parts one inward another outward 7. A siigne sanctified is that which is appointed by the Lord himselfe to sigfie Exod. 40. 11. 13. and not by man vpon any conceited analogy or proportion 8. The inward grace is the free and spirituall gift which God bestoweth vpon the soule Gen. 17. 7. Matth. 26. 28. Q. Who is the Author of the Sacraments A. The Lord a Esa 7. 14. and 38. 7. onely 9 who made the couenant Expos 9. God is the onely Law-giuer of his Church Iam. 4. 12. Matth. 23. 8. 10. Act. 3. 22. to teach it by word and signe And as to forgiue sinnes and receiue vnto grace is proper to the Lord alone Mic. 7. 18. Hos 14. 1 2. so it is his peculiar to institute a signe and seale for the confirmation thereof Q. How many Sacraments be there A. In 10 the Newe Testament onely two b Io. 1. 26. Baptisme and the Lords c Luk. 22. 19. 20. supper Expos 10. In the old Testament the Iewes had many Sacraments some ordinary Gen. 17. 9. 11. 12. c. Exod. 12. 1. 2. 3. c. some extraordinarie 1. Cor. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. but the Newe Testament hath onely two For there be no moe Sacraments of the newe Testament then Christ did institute and receiue before his death because it was necessarie that he should receiue both to sanctifie them in his owne person and to seale that communion which is betweene him and vs. The nature of a Sacrament agreeth not to the fiue forged Sacraments of the Papists either they are not proper to Church or are not instituted of God or consist not of an outward visible signe and an inward grace the couenant of grace is sealed in any of them These Sacraments of the Newe Testament are perpetuall and neuer to be abrogated Heb. 8. 13. Q. What is Baptisme A. A 12 Sacrament e Matt. 28. 19. Act. 8. 38. of our ingrafting into Christ communion with him and entrance into the Church Expos 12. The seed of Abraham Gal. 3. 7. or children of Christian Parents are within the couenant are Christians and members of the Church 1. Cor. 7. 14. Rom. 11. 16. Baptisme therfore doth not make them Christian soules but doth solemnly signifie and seale their ingrafting into Christ and that communion which the members of Christ haue with him their Head and doth confirme that they are acknowledged members of the Church and entred into it 1. Pet. 3. 21. Q. What is the outward signe A. Water f Act. 10. 47. wherewith the party baptized is g Matth. 3. 6. 11. 13. 16. Act. 16. 15. washed by dipping or sprinkling h Matth. 28. 19. into the 12 name of the Father Son and holy Ghost Expos
12. To bee baptized into the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost is to be cōsecrated vnto the worship and seruice of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost Q. What is the inward grace or thing signified A. Forgiuenesse i Mark 1. 4. Act. 2. 38. of 13 sinnes and k Tit. 3. 5. sanctification Expos 13. Water in Baptisme doth signifie both Christs blood by which all our sinnes are washed away and Christs spirit by which wee are regenerated Rom. 6. 3. Matth. 3. 11. Ioh. 1. 26. Col. 2. 12. wherefore the inward grace in Baptisme is the pardon of our sinnes and renewing of our nature Tit. 3. 5. Q. To what condition doth the party baptized binde himselfe A. To beleeue d Act. 8. 37. in 14 Christ and e Matth. 3. 12. to forsake his sinne Expos 14. Gods promise to vs and our promise to God implyed in the Couenant is sealed in Baptisme Act. 16. 14 15. 31 32 33. so that we bind our selues thereby to the performance of our duty Infants baptized haue not the vse of reason much lesse faith to beleeue but yet as they bee in the couenant so they doe oblige themselues to beleeue in Christ and depart from iniquitie which they are bound to performe when they come to yeares of discretion Act. 2. 39. with 2. Cor. 6. 17 18. Q. How oft neede a man to be baptized A. It is enough 15 once to be f Act. 7. 8. baptized for baptisme is a pledge of our g Tit. 3. 5. new birth Expos 15. We neuer read that Christ or his Apostles did administer Baptisme more then once to one man And Circumcision the seale of entrance into the Church of the Iewes in the place whereof Baptisme is come was onely once applyed by Gods appointment Gen. 17. 23 24 c. Q. Who ought to be baptized A. Infidels h Act. 8. 12. conuerted to 16 the faith and 17 infants i Act. 2. 39. 1. Cor. 7. 14. of one or both Christian 18 parents Expos 16. All they who be within the couenant and such onely are to be receiued into Baptisme 17. Infants of Christian parents are within the couenant to them appertains the promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes and the Kingdome of God Also Circumcision amongst the Iewes which answereth to our Baptisme was administred to Infants Gen. 17. 12. and 21. 4. Luk. 1. 59. and 2. 21. And when the faithfull which the Scripture saith were conuerted with their whole houshold were baptized it may probably bee thought there were some children amongst them of those housholds who were not excluded Act. 16. 14 15. 18. Though wee acknowledge such onely to be sincere Christians who serue God with vpright hearts Rom. 2. 28 29. yet those are not denied to be Christians who make so much as a generall profession of Christ Act. 11. 26. 1. Cor. 1 2. with 5. 1 2 3. and 15. 12. Q. What is the Lords Supper A. A k 1. Cor. 10. 16. Sacrament of our continuance and growth in Christ Expos 1. Christ is giuen to be spirituall nourishment vnto the soule that wee might grow and increase in him Ioh. 6. 33. 48 50 51 53 54 56. as plants are not onely grafted but doe growe in the stocke and this is sealed in this Sacrament Q. Who is the author of this Sacrament A. The Lord l 1. Cor. 11. 23 24. Iesus 2 in the same night ◠that hee was betrayed Expos 2. Christ who is the Lord and head of his Church Act. 10. 36. Ephes 1. 22. Col. 1. 18. hauing authoritie to institute Sacraments Matth. 28. 18 19. and power effectually to performe whatsoeuer is signified and sealed therein Ioh. 1. 4. Eph. 5. 14. did in his owne person institute and ordaine it 3. When Christ was preparing himselfe to the greatest worke of loue that euer was hauing his thoughts wholly bent to procure the eternall good of his Elect then did he out of his infinite loue euen in the same night that he was to be betrayed appoint this holy Sacrament knowing that the institution and sealing of the Testament ought to goe before the death of the Testator This should stirre vs vp with care and reuerence to receiue this pledge of Christs loue and to come vnto it as vnto a spirituall feast beeing perswaded that Christ will respect vs now hee is glorified seeing he did not forget vs in his agonie and passion Q. What is the outward signe A. Bread 4 and m Mat. 26. 27 28. wine with the actions pertaining to them as 5 breaking giuing receiuing eating and drinking Expos 4. Besides that bread and wine are most vsuall fit and necessarie nourishments Psal 104. 15. they doe of all other best serue to expresse the bodie and blood of Christ Io. 6. 33. Leauened or vnleauened bread are of free vse Act. 20. 7. Matth. 26. 17. 26. but it is expedient that it bee bread that hath substance in it The vse of the wafer cake is iustly blamed as superstitious by our Church And because the Sacrament is a spiritual feast therefore the finest bread and pure wine is of most laudable vse Out of niggardlines to mixe water with wine sauoureth of an ill minde Malac. 1. 7. 8. Christ beeing not onely the true but the sufficient nourishment of the soule intending to giue vs a ful meale appointed both bread and wine and that seuerally to be vsed in the Lords Supper 1. Cor. 11. 23 24. So that it is sacriledge to deliuer this Sacrament in one kind onely and presumption not to administer them seuerally seeing Christ intended to set forth his violent death wherein his bodie and blood were separated 5. The bread is to bee broken according to the example of Christ and his Apostles because this Sacrament was appointed specially to represent the death and passion of our Sauiour Christ in which his bodie was crucified and his blood shed Matth. 26. 26 27 28. Act. 20. 7. Q. What is the inward grace A. Christ n 1. Cor. 11. 24. with all 6 the benefits of 7 his death and passion Expos 6. Not onely Christ his benefits but euen Christ himselfe is offered vnto vs for we cannot bee partakers of the benefits of Christ vnlesse we be vnited vnto him Io. 15. 2. Eph. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. Christ is truely and spiritually present in the Sacrament exhibited to the saith of euery worthy receiuer but not corporally vnited to the bread and wine in respect of place Act. 3. 21. with Mat. 28. 6. Ioh. 16. 18. 7. The bread signifies the bodie of Christ the wine betokeneth his blood the breaking of the bread setteth foorth the crucifying of Christ c. Q. What is the dutie of the Minister in the administration of the Sacrament A. To o 1. Cor. 11. 23. 24. Matth. 26. 26 27 28. Mark 14. 22. Luk. 22. 19. consecrate 8 it by 9 declaring the institution thereof and 10 prayer ioyned with
of God and societie of the faithfull both publike and priuate 1. Cor. 5. 3. 11. 12. 1. Tim. 1. 20. 2. Thes 3. 6. 14. so farre as necessitie will permit either in respect of their generall or particular calling 1. Cor. 7. 20. and 7. 10 11 12. with Eph. 5. 31. The ende of these censures is the humbling and reforming of the sinner 1. Cor. 5. 5. 2. Thes 3. 14. the terrifying of others 1. Tim. 5. 20. and keeping the ordinances of God in reuerence 1. Cor. 5. 6 7. 33. The censures of the Church are medicins to cure not poisons to destroy inflicted for to humble and bring into the right way such as haue gone astray when the sinner doth truly lament the euill of his life and is vnfainedly sorrowfull he is to be receiued againe into the bosome of the Church and comforted least Sathan by his deuises should bring him to despaire 2. Cor. 2. 10. 11. 1. Thes 5. 14. Q. Besides the forenamed meanes are there not some other profitable for the increase of faith A. Yes r Reu. 1. 3. reading 1 or 2 hearing the Scriptures read in Å¿ Act. 13. 15. publike and t Act. 8. 13. in 3 priuate 4 meditation u Luk. 2. 51. w Heb. 3. 13. conference5. Expos 1. The reading or hearing of the scripture read doth furnish the mind more with knowledge 1. Pet. 1. 19. Pro. 1. 5. Deut. 11. 19. 20. and doth worke vpon the affection Deut. 17. 18 19. 2. Kin. 22. 11. 19. Psal 119. 93. especially if we apply the commandements for our direction the threatnings to feare vs from sinne or to humble vs for it 2. Chro. 34. 19. 27. and the promises for our comfort and incouragement 2. As God requires that the Scriptures should be read in publique 1. Thes 5. 27. Col. 4. 16. so thereby he hath promised that his people may learne to feare him Deut. 31. 12 13. 3. Priuate reading maketh the publike ministerie more profitable Act. 8. 30. 31. inableth vs better to iudge of the Doctrines taught Act. 17. 11. thereby we are better fitted for the combate 1. Tim. 4. 13. 15. and many euills are preuented Esa 8. 19. 20. Psal 119. 9. Iob. 22. 21. 4. Meditation is auaileable for the getting of grounded and setled knowledge 2. Tim. 2. 7. Psal 119. 99. and the increase thereof 1. Tim. 4. 13 15. it strengtheneth memorie Psal 119. 15. 16. enlargeth our delight in good Psal 104. 34. Psal 119. 16. discouereth corruption purgeth the heart of idle and vnprofitable wandrings addeth life and strength to holy duties Gen. 24. 63. Psal 143. 5. 6. and hereby we grow more inwardly acquainted with God Psal 77. 10. 11. 12. this duty must bee practised euery day more or lesse Psal 119. 97. 5. All such who with wisedome Pro. 10. 32. and 15. 22. Psal 37. 30. reuerence 1. Pet. 4. 11. loue the spirit of meekenesse and gentlenesse Tit. 3. 2. Col. 4. 6. Ph. 2. 2. 3. and a desire of reaping good doe conferre religiously shall preuent rotten speeches Eph. 4. 29. hardnesse of heart Heb. 3. 13. and much euill Eccl. 5. 2. shall increase in knowledge Pro. 1. 5. be resolued of their doubts Col. 3. 16. 1. Thess 5. 11. Iob. 16. 4. 5. armed against falling Act. 11. 23. Iude. 20. Pro. 18. 8. and quickned from their dulnesse Heb. 10. 2. This will kindle desire of more fellowship with Christ Cant. 5. 16. and sweeten the communion of Saints Rom. 1. 11. 12. 1. Thess 3. 2. Rom. 15. 32. 24. v. These duties must carefully be practised of euery man as he hath opportunitie and meanes Matth. 25. 27. 2. Cor. 8. 12. Q. Hitherto of the ordinarie meanes whereby faith is increased bee there not also some 6 extraordinarie meanes A. Yes and these be holy x Luk. 5. 53. fasting holy y Est 9. 17. feasting and religious z Psal 50. 14. vowes 6. By extraordinare duties are meant such which be of more seldome and rare practise though they must bee vsed oft aâ— God giueth occasion and when he calleth thereunto Q. What is an holy fast A. A religious a Hest 4. 16. abstinence from all b Leu. 23. 28. the labours of our 7 calling and c Exod. 33. 5. comforts of this life so farre as comelines and necessity wil permit that we might be more seriously d Dan. 9. 9. 11. Leu. 23. 27. humbled 9 before God and more feruent in prayer Expos 7. A fast is to be kept as a Sabbath vnto God Leu. 23. 28. Esa 58. 13 14. And therefore as vpon the Sabbath such businesses of this life must bee auoided that agree not with the Sabbath 8. By the comforts of this life we are to vnderstand meate drinke costly apparell recreation and all other delights Dan. 10. 3. 1. Cor. 7. 5. 9. With fasting must be ioyned a serious meditation of our sinnes Esr 6. 4. 6. Neh. 1. 6. 7. Gods iudgements Neh. 9. 35. 36 37. and our speciall wants Dan. 9. 11. 18. The person meete for this exercise must be no nouice in religion Luk. 5. 36. 37. Matth. 9. 15 16. A fast is either of one alone 2. Sam. 12. 16. or of the whole family Zac. 12. 12. or of a particular congregation or of the whole Church in generall Iudg. 20. 28. Q. When ought we to fast A. When we feele or e Hest 4. 16. Esr 8. 21. feare some grieuous 10 calamitie vpon vs or hanging ouer 11 our heads want some speciall 12 blessing are pressed with some special sinne or goe about some weighty f Act. 13. 2. matter Expos 10. As sword famine pestilence strange vnwonted sicknesses vnseasonable weather c. Ezek. 14. 21. with Esa 22. 12. 13. 11. These iudgements hang ouer our heads which our sinnes and the sinnes of the land haue deserued and crie for Amos. 8. 5. 8. Iam. 5. 4. Genes 18. 20. and which God hath threatned by his word and ministerie Zeph. 1. 3 4 5. with Zach. 1. 6. Lam. 1. 13 14. 20. with 2. 17. and hath inflicted formerly vpon like transgressors Ier. 7. 12. Amos 6. 2 3 12. Notwithstanding the ordinarie and daily prayers of his people the Lord in great wisedome will see them want some speciall good thing that they may seeke him more earnestly in the vse of the dutie of fasting Iudg. 20. 28. Q. What is an holy feast A. An 13 extraordinary g 1. Chron. 16. 8. and 29. 10 11. thanksgiuing for some notable deliuerance out of some desperate danger testified 14 with feasting before God with ioy and gladnesse sending presents to our friends h Neh. 8. 19. Hest 9. 22. portions to the needie Expos 13. In a day of extraordinarie thanksgiuing there should be a serious remembrance of Gods benefits Ps 116. 6. and 103. 2. whereby wee should bee stirred vp after a feruent manner to yeild praise to the Lord Psa 34. 3. and 35. 27. Exod. 15.