or adversity Thirdly to conceal the Lords favour 2 Kings 7 9. and not to tell others what the Lord hath done for our souls that we may praise the Lord together Fourthly Isa 64.7 not like the woman Lu. 15.9 not to stir up others to to praise the Lord for his goodnesse Quest 33. These are the duties required and sins forbidden for private or ordinary praises But what is the duty of extraordinary praising God with feasting and joyfulnesse Ans Extraordinary praise is when the Church of God for some great and extraordinary mercy received 1 Chron. 16.8 c. 2 Chron. 20.26 27 Neh. 8.9 10. doth celebrate a day of praise solemnly glorifying of the Lord and rejoycing in God in the comfortable sober use of the creatures remembring our friends and especially giving gifts to the poor that they may rejoyce with us and praise the Lord. Quest 34. You have answered concerning the three first parts of Gods solemn worship Now What I pray yon are the duties required in the fourth and last you named to wit Covenants and renewing of our Vows and Covenants before the Lord Answ To understand this we must distinguish of Covenants Vows and Promises they are of two sorts First that general Covenant and Promise or Vow which Gods people make with God in Christ in Baptism and renew again and again in tha Lords Supper Gen. 17.7 8 2. This is an absolute duty and part of Gods worship required in this Command Exo. 19.4 c. 20.1 c. Deut. 5.23 c. 26.17 Iosh 24.19 c. Gen. 28.20 c. That at the Lord doth give himself to be our God and Christ as a reconciled God and Father and take his Church and children to be his people So Gods people are bound and it is tneir duty again not onely to take the Lord for their God but to Covenant Vow and Promise and binde themselves mutually by Vow and Covenant to be Gods people and to give up themselves wholly to be the Lords servants and by all wayes and means to glorifie God and keep his Commandments Quest 35. But is this renewing of this Covenant Vow and general Promise and binding of our selves to God by Vow and Covenant a duty when the Lord calls for it by an extraordinary occasion either of his tryals of us by dangers and adversity or by mercies in deliverances from dangers and Enemies in time of danger Ans Yes certainly Gen. 35.1 1. Sam. 7 2 c. 2 Chron. 15.10 c. Ier. 50.4 5. it is no more but a duty for a man or woman in particular or a Church ard Nation in general upon extraordinaty occasions of Gods providence in adversity or prosperity to seek the Lord by way of Covenant and renewing of our Vows and Covenants with our God in Christ Quest 36. You have answered concerning the general Covenant Vow and Promise in Baptism and the renewing of that Promise Vow or Protestation of a Childe of God in particular or the Church and people of God in general as upon special occasions What are special Vows Ans Special Vows and Protestations Gen. 28.21 22. Psal 66.14 c. 76.42 or Promises to God for some special causes are to be made by fit persons of things lawful and in our own power in a right manner Num. 30.1 c. Psa 116.12 13. Ier. 35.6 7 8. Deut. 7.2 c. Num. 16.3 33. 1 Sam. 6.19 20. 6.7 Eph. 5.15 Ier. 51.45 Rev. 18. Iob. 22.21 1 Cor. 9.27 Psa 132.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 9.11 16.1 3. Rom. 14.23 Iohn 4.24 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and to a right end to glorifie God and as furtherance for avoiding of sin or occasion of sin or of performance of some duty or of declaration of our thankfulnesse for some special mercy received As First not to drink wine or strong drink to avoid drunken company and all occasion of familiarity of such as may entice to any sin as not to have familiarity with Atheists or Papists or any who may draw us to prophanenesse or from our precise and strict walking with the precise God of Heaven and Earth or bring us in danger of Gods judgements by their company or to spend some time daily in secret acquaintance with God And secondly to do some special good as to give some part of our estate for maintenance of the Preaching of the Gospel where it is wanting or so much yearly out of our encrease and gain to the Ministers of Christ or to the poor of Christ in thankfulnesse to God for his mercies in deliverance from special dangers or communicating to us some special favours and all this in faith spirit and in truth as unto God our God reconciled unto us in Christ Iesus Quest 37. What are the sins contrary to the duty of Vows and Covenants and Protestations thus made or renewed in a right manner unto God Ans First all rash inconsiderate unlawful Vows Secondly all breaking of our Vows Ecc. 5.2 5.4 Deut. 23.21 Prov. 20 2◠Promises or Protestations lawful made to God in a true manner and to a right end Thirdly all Vows Promises of Covenants made with the Devil Lev. 20.27 Deu. 18.10 c. or service done unto the Devil immediatly as Witches Wisards Conjurers or such like use to do Or service done to the Devil mediatly 1 Sam. 28.7 c. Acts 16.19 Ezek. 21.21 22. Is◠1.19 by feeking unto consulting with Witches Wisards Conjurers Fortune-tellerss or any of the Devil children of that nature for help in distresse or attaining whatsoever we desire Quest 38. Are there any other sins forbidden in this second Commandment Ans I will not stand to set down every particular sin nor is it easie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 2.20 c. But besides all false worship and Ethelo-threskeia or Will-Worship framed in mans brain Exo. 4 5. 12.3.6 19.10 2 Kin. 21.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 10.17 c. 2 Chron. 19.1 2 3 Deu. 13.6 c. 7.2 3. Eph. 5.11 and all neglect of Gods true Worship and of any preparation means help or furtherance thereunto all rest or confidence in Worship or in any duty and not on Christ in duty all help or approbation of Idolatrous false Worship or Will Worship or inward familiarity with Idolaters favouring or sparing of any such as the Word of God holdeth forth to be shunned or punished is a sin and contrary to the second Commandment and so to be avoided 1 Cor. 14.26 11.13 14.40 Lastly all failing in circumstances when what is done is contrary to edification to decency or to order Quest 39. You have thus manifested the duties required and the sins forbidden in the second Commandment Now what may be further learned from hence Psa 119.12 13. Acts 4.12 Ans That the sins and failings in out holy services are or may be exceeding many in the manner as well as in the
appointed us to labour six dayes Secondly the Lords own example in Resting also from worke the seventh day and Rested the seventh day Thirdly the Lords institution and appointment of the seventh day to be a holy Rest for his service wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Quest 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of persons Answ I answer yes first workes of piety may be done by all in their severall places and in particular by the Ministers of Christ as of old time the Priests did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day Mat. 12.5 and were blamelesse and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worship Secondly workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame as being acceptable to God at all times in Christ Jesus Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2 Luke 14.5 and not condemned on that day but appointed Thirdly workes of necessity which require present helpe and could not have been done the day before nor stay untill the day following Mark 2.23 24 25 26 27. Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 13.15 15 16. these workes may also bee done upon the Sabbath day as necessary provision of meate for man or beast the necessary worke of the Phisitian or others for a sick or disseased person or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded or a Midwife or others for Women in travell all such workes of necessity in truth and without hypocrisie may be done upon the Sabbath day But other Workes which are neither workes of piety of Charity nor of true necessity I believe ought not to be done upon that day Quest But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall and so to be abolished Colos 2.16 17. or at least to be left at liberty now in the time of the Gospell since the Apostle seemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epistle to the Collossians and before to the Galatians he blameth them for observing dayes and moneths and yeares Gala. 4.10 Is not the Sabbath day then abolished by the Comming of Christ Ans First I answer it is certaine there were diverse Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to sanctifie Levit. 23.38 39 c. Ezek. 20.21 and not to prophane or pollute as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel they polluted my Sabbaths then I said I will poure out my fury upon them Thus in this sence the name Sabbath was applied to all those Ceremoniall Levit. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Feastivalls yea and daies of Fastings which were to be kept without doing any worke on those dayes as a Sabbath or Rest of the Lord. Levit. 23.15 16. Levit. 25.2 3. Lâ—vit 25.8 9. Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile and these were Ceremoniall Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and services herein And of these I conceive the Apostle speakes as abolished and in which the children of God in the Gospell are not to be condemned Colos 2.17 because Christ who is the body figured by all these is come But he doth not speake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be sanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements at least in no wise of the substance of the Commandement that a Seventh day is to be sanctified as holy to the Lord. Quest 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day or by what authority is this Seventh day now sanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day Ans First Isai 56.2 3 4 5. the keeping of a seventh day for a Sabbath is absolutely morall and perpetuall instituted in Paradise before the fall and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai and that Commandement bindes to a seventh day for ever Secondly although there be not an absolute command in the New Testament to change the day evidently held forth unto us yet there is Divine Authority sufficient in the constant practize of the Apostles and Saints to meete on this seventh day Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7 8 c 1 Cor. 16.1 2. being then called the first day of the weeke to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like as being the Lords owne day as the day of the Lords Resurrection and to be sanctified as the Lords day to meet Christ in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath Revel 1.10 as John the 〈◊〉 Divine was ravished in the spirit and met Christ on that day for the great comfort of himselfe and the Churches of Christ that day then called and esteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day and so to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Christ Quest 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath Isai 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10 Mark 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Rest from our own works and bodily labour and as a spirituall rest from the sinfull workes of our soules and bodies and to sanctifie it as a holy Rest in the performance of the Lords Workes of holinesse and his holy service to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a speciall manner on that Day Quest 10. What is the generall sinne forbidden in this Commandement Ans All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day Isaia 58.13 by ommission of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes or worldly businesse of this life outward in our bodies except in case of true extraordinary necessity or performing of any our owne workes of sinne in bodies or soules as all other dayes so especially onâ— the Lords day or the day of Gods Rest Heb. 4.9.10 and Sabbath Day Quest 11. What are the particular duties required for the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day what light from Christ for these Ans They are diverse wee may remember these especiall First a preparation for the right sanctification of this day by minding of it before it come that we may be more fit to serve the Lord in it when it is come and by rising early in the morning as bodily health will suffer that wee may have time to exercise preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances Quest 12. What is the sinne contrary unto this Ans To forget the Lords Day or be so unmindfull of it as either in our own persons or by compelling or suffering our children or servants so long to labour Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5 Ex. 19.10.15 Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12 so here and over-wearie our bodies or spirits on
the evening before as to make our selves or any other under our charge unfit for the Lords service on the Lords Sabbath day when it comes the Lord requiring preparation for as well as performance of a duty Quest 13. What are the particular duties of preparation in the morning before the publike Ordinances Mark 16.1 Ephes 5.16 Ans To rise early and improve as much time as can possibly be spared from workes of necessity in private Reading Catechizing and Prayer in our Familes and in secret meditation and Prayer in our closets for Gods blessing upon the publike Ordinances both inabling the Minister of Christs for their duties and the people of God and our selves in the Ordinances to meete Christ 1 Cor. 10. â— and receive refreshing from Christ to our comfort and to Gods glory Quest 14. What is the particular sinne contrary to this particular duties Ans To mispend the morning of the Sabbath or Lords day by oversleeping our selves or otherwise neglecting reading Meditation Catechizing or Prayer for Gods Ministers the Congregations or our selves or any spirituall duty which wee have time to performe in private or secret and neglect to the disfurtherance of our spirituall refreshing in Gods holy Ordinances Quest 15. What reason can you give that all this is required for preparation to meet Christ in the Ordinances Ans Because in every duty all meanes and helpes to the performance of that duty are likewise required to be made use of As Ex. 36.37 So 1 Sam. 12.29 1 John 3.23 Rom. 10.17 and so the neglect of any one help or meanes of performance and Christs power to performe it must needs be a sinne Quest 16. But how may this appeare that when a Duty is required the use of meanes to performe the duty it required Ans We may illustrate this by an example or two First to believe on Jesus Christ is a duty being the command of God and hearing of Gods Word which is a meanes of faith is commanded likewise as well as to believe Therefore the meanes faith is commanded also as a duty Mat. 13.9 Ex. 19.10 11.28 1 Cor. 11.28 Eze. 36.37 1 Sam. 6.3.6 7. 1 Cron. 15 13. and so helpes to duty as well as duties themselves the like I might say here of preparation to the Sacrament and so the neglect of any helpe or meanes to further the performance of a duty is sinne as to neglect prayers or helpes made and so in particular the neglect of right preparation for Ordinance on the Lords Day for God will be sought and served in a right order Quest 17. You have shewed the duty of preparation for the Sabbath both before it come and in the morning for better sanctification of the day now what is or are the particular duties which respect the Rest of the Lords day and what light from Christ for direction in these Answ To rest from all our owne workes of worldly profit Levit. 23.3 Nehe. 13.25 16. Jer. 17.22 Ex. 16.29 30. Ex. 34.21 or pleasure as from buying and selling carrying of burdens and journeis not of absolute necessity or any other of the like kind of labours though in earing time or harvest except such as are noted before to be workes of mercy and in case of necessity aforesaid Quest 18. What are the particular sins contrary to this duty Ans A pharisâ—icall overstrict Jewish superstition in the bare outward Rest refusing workes of mercy or necessity on the Sabbath day so much as to kindle a fire in a cold season for needfull refreshing or to prepare warme meate necessary the better to inable even the weake for Gods service 1 Macah. 2.37.38 Ex. 35.3 Mark 34 Mat. 12.1 2 3 4 5 9. â— necessary defence from the enemy seeking to destroy or any of the like nature Christ having eased us of this strictnesse declaring the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath for mans good not hurt and respecting mercy above sacrifice Quest 19. What other particular sinnes are there contrary to the rest of the Sabbath or Lords day Ans To prophane this day by bodily unnecessary labours Levit. 15.32.35 Nehe. 13. Jerem. 17. or workes which might have beene done the day before or may be deferred untill the day following or by buying or selling bearing of burdens any the workes of mens ordinary worldly calling for worldly profits Isai 58.13 or by words of conference about such worldly things for our profit or the like Quest 20. It is evident this labour for profit is prohibited what thinke you of carnall pleasures and pastimes upon the Sabbath or Lords daye in gaming sporting to sit gazing at their dores or otherwise mispending of pretious time on the Lordâ— day Ans They are unlawfull also as being the sinfull practize of Idolaters in their Feasts and holy dayes Ex. 32.5 6 or the practice of prophane irreligious people hindering the improvement of that spirituall refreshment the soule hath or should receive in the Ordinance Isai 51.13 Colos 3.16 1 Cor. 10.31 and unbefiting Christians whose delights should be spirituall and heavenly in a sweet Communion with God in Christ and one with another in spiritull graces and exercise of them But in these carnall delights men rather dishonour then honour God as becommeth Christians Quest 21. You have declared the duties commanded and sinnes forbidden concerning the rest of the Sabbath is there no more required Genes 2.3 Exod. 20.8 Ans Yes there is a sanctification of this rest also commanded in all deligent practize performance of and attendance on Christ in all the Ordinances of Christ both private before we come to the Congregation Levit. 23.3 Ezek. 20.12 and publike when wee are present in the Congregation and private and secret duty when we returne home to our houses and Families Quest 22. You have already shewed the duties of preparation in private before wee come to the publike now what are the publike duties in which the people of God ought to sanctifie this rest and glorifie God in this his day and what light from Christ to enable for these Ans They are diverse but you may observe these that follow and first a timely presence in the house of God to be ready as one man to joyne with the Minister of Christ in publike Prayer to God for a blessing upon the worke of the day and his owne ordinances Gen. 28.16 17. Nehem. 8.1.23 and the pious endevours both of Christs Ministers and people every one being ready with the Congregation to heare what Gods Ministers shall speake unto them from God Acts 10.33 Quest 23. What is the particular sinne contrary unto this duty Ans A negligent late comming to the house of God not being ready to joyne with the Congregation in the beginning Eccles. 5.1 1 Cor. 14.40 and so are more ready to offer foolish Sacrifices then to heare and joyne with the Congregation as good order in the
Church of God requires Quest 24. What is a second duty in publike Ans To joyne devoutly and understandingly with the Minister and Congregation in Prayer not onely attending with the eare to every confession of sinne petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Ministers soule in Prayer but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Minister of Christ and to pour out thy soule with him and all the rest of the Congregation in every confession request or giving of thankes to God saying Amen in thy soule Psal 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time and this not in thy owne strength but by the assistance and strength of Christ and the spirit of Christ helping our infirmities and inabling the soule to wrastle with God in prayer Gen. 32. Quest 25. What is the sinne contrary to this duty declared Ans Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be distracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer or not to goe along with the Minister of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Christ or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer or not to pray in faith and in faith expect an answer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Christ John 19.23 Quest 26. What is a third duty in publike for sanctification of this blessed Sabbath and rest day of the Lord Ans This concerneth both the Ministers and People of God Ezra 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And first the Ministers duty is to Reade Expound Catechize and Preach the Word of God without respect of persons in faithfulnesse sincerity and godly wisedome not with intising words of mans wisdome but in evidence of the spirit and of power and as becomes the Ministers of Christ Quest 27. What is the Ministers sin contrary to this duty Ans To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing or to doe it unfaithfully with entising words of mans wisdome and otherwise then becommeth the Gospell of Christ Quest 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular and what light from Christ for this Ans To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Ministers Acts 15.14 15. or to the Word of God as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man and that without wandring or sleeping with hunger after the mind of Christ in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father Heb. 4.2 Quest 29. What is the sin contrary to this duty of the people Ans To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing or to heare it carelessely without devotion Faith Love or Obedience unprofitably either in respect of Gods glory or our owne salvation Quest 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this rest-day or Lords day is to be sanctified Ans In a right communicating and partaking of the blessed Sacrament according to Christs institution Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechisme Quest 31. What is the contrary sinne to this duty Ans To neglect the Sacrament 2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.28 29 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreshing in Christ Jesus Quest 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended Ans Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard Parents taking account of their children and Masters of their servants what they have remembred searching the Scriptures and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Minister of Christ Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing those under our charge meditation and earnest Prayer unto God for a blessing upon the Word and Sacraments received and strength from Christ to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteousnesse Isaia 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified Quest 33. What is the sinne contrary to this duty Ans A meer resting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament and publike ordinance without any care of profiting our selves or Families by Repetition Conference searching the Scripture Catechizing or Prayer in our Family oâ— closets for a blessing endeavouring by the power of Christ to practice in our lives what we have heard and learned as the truth is in Jesus the neglect of any of which is sin Quest 34. This is a strict rest indeed and a strict sanctification of this rest is there any more required Ans Yes a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy 1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability and as the necessities of the Saints require Quest 35. What is the sin contrary unto this duty of Charity Ans To give no Almes and neglect workes of charity and mercy though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede Quest 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed are there noâ— some inward and spirituall required also Ans Yes it is required that the childdren of God should make the Sabbath his delight and keepe a spirituall rest from sinne of omission or commission and so keepe a spirituall and holy restj indeed Heb. 4.9.10 11 c. Isai 58.13.14 as all the dayes of our lives from sinne so especially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and rest from all sinne and misery which we shall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven Quest 37 What is the sinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and spirituall rest from sin Ans To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day to say or thinke as those in Amos when will the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Isaia 1.12 13 14. when will the Sabbath be gone And not to rest from sin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day to swear to drinke tipling and distempering themselves to Whore Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots Jer. 5.7 or abuse Gods Day in any wickednesse whatsoever and so to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men Luke 13.25 26. endangerinâ— the soule and body to a restlesse condition in Hell fire for ever Luke 16.24 Quest 38. This is a most perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty Answ The Commandement it selfe holdeth forth this in the next words Thou thy Sonne thy Daughter thy Man-servant thy Maide-servant nor thy Ox nor thy Asse nor
their dayes Constantine the Great and other Christian Princes in later Ages Yea Isa 49.23 to be as Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers to Christs Church In the Primitive times the Church was exceeding vigilant for this duty of Catechizing they had their Catechumens Noble Theophilus was Catechized in the way of the Lord Luk. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the Greek importeth That thou maist know the truth of those things in which thou hast been Catechized Acts 18.25 And Apollos was Catechized and many Catechumens were after in the Church therefore they had their Catechists or Catechizers also after the Apostles times Cyprian Epist 24. Eusebius Eccl. hist lib. 3 c. 12 their Docto◠s audientium as St. Cyprian calls them Teachers of the Catechumens such a one was Pantenus such was Origen Clemens Alexandrinus and others And for this end divers holy and learned men have both in Ancient and Modern times composed Catechisms as helps and furtherances for this excellent work Heb. 5.12 6.1 2 3. The Apostle to the Hebrews sets down a brief Catechism containing the first Principles of the Oracles of God Learned Hierom tells us there was a Catechism written by Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem and another by John Bishop of the same place Betulaeus Com. ad Lact. lib. 2. cap. 11. which Betulaeus mentioneth in his Commentaries upon Lactantius I passe many other in after Ages our late learned Writers Mr. Calvin Musculus Peter Martyr Ursinus Bucanus Beza Danaeus Zanchius Alstedius Mr. Virel Our English Mr. Nowel Mr. Perkins Mr. Egerton Mr. Dod Mr. Baal Mr. Downame Mr. Allen Dr. Twisse Dr. Majer and many other laborious workmen in the Lords Vineyard What are their sums of Divinity but Catechisms some larger some lesse and all witnesse as their desire so their approbation of this most necessary work of Catechizing Now the great benefit that I have found by experience in this way of Catechizing excellent light somtimes communicated to poor aged people as well as Children And my experience of the present necessity of all that true light which is or may be afforded by any of the Lords Servants Labourers in his Vine-yard the better to prevent Ignorant and Scandalous persons from approaching the blessed Sacrament and to remove dark ignorance and give light to heal the diseases of poor wandring souls hath moved me to cast my Mite into Christs Treasury Luk. 21.1 c. and to hold forth in this Catechism following what Light I have received from Christ to lead unto Christ on whom waiting in use of all good means a fulness of light may be communicated in Gods good time to poor hungry souls and that to their joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 I most humbly present it to Your Honours not that I think any thing of mine in it is worthy of such an Honour but what is in it of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Spirit of Truth and Grace to whom all the Honour belongs Nor that I am not perswaded of Your Honorable and Religious care already for what is or may be fitting in this kinde Nor to prevent the learned and godly labours of any of my Reverend Brethren the Religious Assembly of Divines whose indefatigable endeavours I pray God to direct and blesse to his glory and the good of his Church but to be a light to those who stand in present need and want better directions And to conclude Luk. 2.32 Ioh. 1.9 that the true Light of Christ may more fully shine forth into darkned souls longing after Light Isa 8.20 and all false Lights daily and more duly be discovered that the true light Christ Jesus and his commands may be more fully followed Is 9.6 7. and all false light of Error or Heresie avoided that the light of the Sun of Righteousnesse may not only more richly enlighten Your Honours who are as so many glorious Stars in the firmament of the Common-wealth but may shine gloriously in all the dark corners of the Land Mat. 4.15 15. that as the glorious God hath so highly Honoured You already to begin and lay the foundation stone in the beautiful building of his House the blessed work of Reformation so he will Honour You further to lay the Top stone thereof Zac. 4.7 that all the Christian Princes and Churches in the world may with rejoycing cry Grace Grace unto it And all this by the strength of the great Jehovah For nor by might nor by power Zac. 4.6 but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts That Your Excellencies may be enabled in Gods due time to take particular notice of the Thousands of Churches or Congregations in the Kingdom which want not only learned able faithful and honorable Pastors and Teachers to Preach and Catechize and hold forth the light of Christ unto them but want honorable and comfortable maintenance or encouragement fit for so honorable and great a work of the Lord Christs Ambassadors the faithful Ministers of the most high and mighty Prince the Lord Jesus Christ In a word that if it be the will of God our Soveraign Lord King Charls may be truly enlightned by the light of Christ to see the false light of all evil counsels either from his own heart or any others and may return fully convinced in conscience and rest fully satisfied by his evident experience of the mighty works of Jehovah the great God of Battel in the most faithful Counsels of thi◠High Honorable and Highly Honoured Parliament that He and His Posterity may love and Honour You and Yours from Generation to Generation as those who have been His best and most faithful Counsellors that Gods blessing may be upon all the three Kingdoms that Truth Peace Unity and Unanimity in the true light of the Lord Jesus with the God of Truth and Peace of Love Unity and Unanimity may dwell amongst us in Grace until that great King Christ shall come in the Clouds of Heaven and translate us all with all his Saints unto Eternity in Glory All which is and shall be the most humble faithful sincere and hearty Prayer of Your Honours most unworthy most humble daily Orator at the Highest Throne of Grace IMMANUEL BOURN London from my Study in Sepulchres May 1. 1646. To the Right Honorable Thomas Adams Lord Mayor The Right Worshipful Sir Nicholas Rainton Knight Isaac Pennington Sir John Wollaston Knight Thomas Atkin Sir John Cordel Sir Thomas Soam Sir Iohn Gayer Sir Iacob Gerrard Knights Iohn Warner Abraham Reynardson Sir George Garret Sir George Clark Knights Iohn Langham Thomas Andrews Iohn Fowke Iames Bunce William Gibbe Richard Chambers Thomas Cullum Simon Edmons Samuel Avery Iohn Bide George Witham Aldermen Thomas Foot and Iohn Kendrick Aldermen and Sheriffs of the Honorable City of London With the several Families of and within the said City and the Lives of Communication and especially the Beloved Congregation and particular Families of
and within the Parish of Sepulchres a daily increase of Light from CHRIST Right Honorable and Beloved in the Lord Christ THe many burning and shining lights my Reverend Brethren the faithful Ministers of Christ in this Famous City most graciously holding forth the blessed Light of Christ in their constant Preaching the Gospel of your Salvation Eph. 1.13 with their glorious abilities and readinesse to Catechize and instruct both yong and old Acts 20.20 in publike and from house to house known to many of your selves by sweet experience and to my self by assured evidence might well seem to commend my silence rather then this seeming presumption to be a Remembrancer to you or a furtherance of the necessary Duty of Catechizing to this Illustrious and to this day wonderfully preserved City But love and duty on my part and hope of Christian acceptation on yours emboldens me to declare my desires and endeavors for a blessed increase of the true light of Christ amongst your dwellings and in your several Families Me thinks my heart is indicting of a good matter and I cannot but speak the things that pertain to Londons Peace Duo sunt Reipublicae Christianae firmameÌ„ta veritas pax praefat Synopsis purioris Theolog. c. Truth and Peace are said to be the stays and pillars of a Christian Common-wealth and so they must needs be of a Christian City yea of the Church of Christ the communion of Saints The Prophet Zachary prefers Truth in the first place and makes Peace to follow in order I may joyn a third as a concomitant or accompanying Grace this is Vnity and Vnanimity especially in the true light of Christ all to go hand in hand together a Brotherly walking in the light of Truth revealed by Christ in the sacred Scriptures Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for Brethren to dwell together in Unity Zac. 8.19 Ierusalem is builded as a City that is compact or at Vnity in it self So is London this glorious City Ps 133.1 122.3 Honorable and Honoured Christians and my daily Prayer is and shall be that as it is in your beautiful Habitations in many parts of it so it may be united and continue to be as one glorious building in your mindes hearts wills and affections and principally in that blessed light of Truth and true Religion I would to God there were not too many different lights glimmering like Glow-worms in dark corners leading aside sometimes some of your dearest Consorts your beloved Children Servants and Apprentices into wayes of different if not contrary walkings from the true light of Christ breeding Divisions even in Families the most Ancient Common wealths One chief Reason I am assured is want of Catechizing in the Principles of Religion and their duties in particular To recover sight and prevent the following of by lights in time to come I am bold to commemorate the excellent practise of Catechizing not only in publike Congregations but in private Families and to bring a light from Christ for this end hath been my desire and endeavour in this Iewel of Christian Divinity I commend it to your Lordship and to you Honoured Fathers of this precious and populous City and to you Religious Worthies Parents and Masters of Famâ—lies and to you the particular my beloved the great Congregation of Sepulchres to whom the Lord in his good Providence was pleased by your free Election to call me and this two years and upwards to continue me an Assistant Teacher If it be not so perfect for method or matter as might be expected besides that my intention at first was only to give light to a right preparation for the Lords Supper and not to enlarge my self so fully in the Principles of Divinity my constant Preaching these two years since I began this work beging for three parts of the year three times a week at least and the rest twice or more besides my attendance both on the publike Service and other special occasions may plead my excuse Now that the light of Christ may by the help of this or my lesser Catechism or any other Labours of the Lords faithful Servants shine forth more and more gloriously in all your souls and several Families that they may be enlightned as so many particular Churches of Saints that Christ may walk in the midst of them as of the seven golden Candlesticks Rev. 2.1 Eph. 2.19 that you may be found Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God that being truly lightned by the true light of Christ in the Church Militant you and yours with the whole Israel of God in all the Families of this City and Kingdom may shine as blessed lights for ever in the Church Triumphant is and shall be the daily Prayer of The most unworthy and humble Servant and Minister of the Lord Iesus Christ IMMANUEL BOURN From Sepulchres London May 2. 1646. To the Right Worshipful Sir Edward Worthley Kt. AND Dame ELIZABETH his Religious Lady The Right Worshipful Sir SAMUEL TRYON Baronet And Dame BRIDGET his Vertuous Lady The true Light of Christ here and true Light with Christ in Heaven for ever Right Worshipful THat Honorable respect I did receive above twenty years since as a Minister of Christ from your Religious Mother the Right Honorable the late Countesse of Devonshire and the more ancient relation I had unto your now Religious Lady as living divers years in house with her and her former Husband Sir Samuel Tryon my Honoured Patron with the due respects I owe to Sir Samuel Tryon their Son and his Vertuous Lady together with kindenesse from your self may command a publike acknowledgement of all your private favours And since the Lord hath now enabled me after two years study and labour at times extraordinary almost spared from my necessary sleep rising up early and late taking rest to finish this Light from Christ by way of Catechism which as it concerneth the general I have Dedicated to those Honoured Worthyes in more publike places And do humbly desire every of you also to accept of it as a Light from Christ a help for you and yours better acquaintance with God in your Families in private and your closets in secret that you and yours may be the better enabled to meet Christ with comfort in his Ordinances and to walk joyfully with Christ in every condition in the whole course of your lives And for this end I commend this excellent duty of Catechizing in and by your worthy Names to all the Gentry with their and all others Families in the Kingdom particularly in the County of Northampton my Native country Now Pastor of East-haddon where my Reverend Aged Father hath been a Preacher and Catechizer almost this fifty years and in the County of Derby and Parish of Ashover where by the free love of my Noble Patron aforesaid I was placed and did finde both the want and benefit of Catechizing by good experience that
42.21 Iohn 3.16 Iohn 15.5 Rom. 8.37 Colos 1.10 Rev. 1.4 5. order and severall aggravations of them by which I may more see my own vilenesse and admire Gods goodnesse in giving Christ whom I stand daily in need of not only for more assurance of pardon but for increase of power to overcome temptations and walk more thankfully to God who hath so freely loved me in Iesus Christ For if naturall conscience do this much more conscience enlightned by the Spirit of Christ Quest 17. How can you finde all your sins and failings by the glasse of the law or ten Commandements Answ First reading and observing the Commandements as they are recorded in the 20 Chapter of Exodus with the exposition and explication of them by the Prophets in the Old Testament Mat. 5.6 c. and by Christ himself 〈◊〉 the fifth sixth seventh Chapters of the Gospel according to S. Matthew and by the Apostles in the New Testament Secondly by questioning my conscience upon intergatories drawn both from the affirmative and negative part of every Commandement as I hope I shall be able to declare more fully in the next part of this Catechisme Luke 10 25 c. as Christ did Catechize the Pharisee Quest 19. But is repentance of every sin originall and actuall required in that man or woman who will come with comfort to the Lords Table Answ Certainly that soul that lives senselesly and securely either in the state of nature unregenerate or in any known actuall sin as Atheism wilfull affected ignorance or unbelief and prophanenesse against the first Commandement Or superstitious will-worship or neglect of love against the second Commandement Or blasphemy cursing swearing against the third Commandement Or irreligious prophanenesse of the Lords day and neglect of Gods Ordinances against the fourth Or in wilfull carelesse omission of duty or commission of sins against superiours as Parents Magistrates Ministers against inferiours or equals as children servants brethren or neighbours against the fifth Commandement Gen. 4.5 1 Cor. 10 1 2 c. Tit. 1.15 16. Ier. 7.8 9 c. Ier. 1 10 c. Ezek. 14.1 2 c. Isa 1.12 c. Matth. 5.20 c. 1 Cor. 11 17.20 Mat. 22.11 c. Isa 66.2 c. Or in malice envie murther whoredom theft oppression cozening sacriledge drunkennesse lying slandering or in any other grievous crime yea or in wicked desires and unlawfull covetings against the ten or any other commands such cannot finde comfort in coming to the Lords Table except the Lord first give them repenting hearts for their sins faithfull and longing hearts after Christ for assurance of pardon and for power to repent more and more with a resolution by the grace of God in Christ to walk in newnesse of life because without this repentance faith and other needfull graces they come not for the better but for the worse and eat judgement to themselves and their service is abominable Quest 20. How can you finde out your sins against the Gospell Answ Especially by getting a Catalogue of the promises and finding out the unbelief of my own heart and great ingratitude to doubt of Gods love 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 2 Pet. 1 3 4. 2 Cor. 1.20 2 Tim. 1 12. or not to confide in God through Christ and walk thankfully towards thee the Lord having given so many rich and precious promises which are all yea and Amen in Christ Iesus Quest 21. By what helps may you wait on Christ for the quickning and enlivening of the grace of Christian love and charity What light from Christ for exercise and quickning of this grace of love Answ Time and place being kept as before I may wait on Christ with examination of my love First to God in Christ Secondly to my self Thirdly to my neighbour 1. How I love God in his holy nature person properties word and works 2. How I love Christ in his person Name in his Ordinances Church and Children 3. How I love my self not with a self-love but as in and for God and Gods glory in Christ as well as my own good in an inferiour respect 4. How I love my neighbour yea my very enemy to doe him good for Gods glory 2 Cor. 8.1 c. Mat. 22.37 c. Iohn 14.21 Iohn 15.9 c. 1 Cor. 16 22. Mat 16.24 Tit. 1.7 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Tim 3 c. Eph. 5.28 29. Pro. 19.8 Rom. 13 8 c. Pro. 25.21 Rom. 12 20. Rom. 12.13 1 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 5.14 15. that I may appear to be one of the children of my heavenly Father 5. How I pitty poor Saints to relieve them for Christs sake 6. How I do and desire and endeavour to doe all this not to be justified thereby before God or to satisfie for my sins or to procure my peace all which is done by Christ but to witnesse my thankfulnesse to God in Christ for his free love to me and the great invaluable gift of his Sonne Christ who loved me and gave himself for me Quest 22. What further meant is there to quicken this love Answ Fourthly by the power of Christs spirit to meditate and think of all this love with the author and worker of it in my soul the same holy spirit by whom it is spread abroad in my heart and the object of this love my God reconciled to me in and by Christ and Gods word and people And fifthly to wait on Christ in a speciall application of this to my own soul And sixthly to wait in earnest prayer by the help of the spirit of prayer who proceeds from the father Iohn 4.16 c. Iohn 16.23 1 Iohn 5.13 c. Rom. 8.35 c. Luke 10.27 Cant. 5.5 c. and the Son untill my heart be inseparably enflamed with all this true love of God my neighbour and my self and my soul filled with unsatisfied longing to meet Christ and see his glorious face in his Ordinances that I may tell him I am sick of love to enjoy him more fully and his soul-satisfying refreshments in his gracious vertue and presence in my soule The twenty fifth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your knowledge faith repentance and love and your experience how to enliven and strengthen the habits of those antecedent graces divine knowledge lively faith Evangelicall repentance and christian love and charity Now what are those more immediate present necessary graces or gratious affections resolutions and actions in the soul in which you may wait on Christ as in more immediate preparatives to be examined enlivened resolved upon acted and exercised immediately before or at that time when you draw near to partake of the Lords Supper Answ There are and may be diverse but chiefly these that follow Quest 26. What is the first of these to be quickned in you What light from Christ for these have you seen 2 Chro. 32 c. Isa 57.15 Isa 66.2 Mic.
life of grace witn joy and hope in believing and 2. what quickning vertue of Christ held forth in the Word of life there is in my soule 3. What strengthning with might in inner man what abilities of spirituall senses seeing hearing tasting with eyes and ears and mouth of faith to discerne the Lords body and blood from the outward element of bread and wine and to partake of Christ in the act of receiving that so I may feed on Christ with joy rejoycing at the Lords Table Quest 7. But what light have you from Christ to know whether you have life of grace and spirituall senses in your soule nor not without which it is impossible to discerne the Lords body or to receive or seed on Christ or draw near with any comfort to the Lords Table Answ This is a great question and often hath filled my soule with fears and doubting but by the grace of God in Christ I shall render a reason of the hope that is in me and shew you what grounds I have to believe and hope that I have found life of grace in me and so spirituall senses â—o discern the Lords body so that I may come with comfort to the Lords Supper Quest What are your grounds of your life of grace given in you in Christ Answ I praise God I was born of religious parents my Father like faithfull Abraham carefull to pray with and to instruct his family Gen. 18 19. Iosh 24.15 1 Sam. 1.15 1 Pet. 3.7 and catechize them in the first principles of the Oracles of God and as Joshua who resolved himself and his house to serve the Lord. And my Mother like Hanna a woman pouring out of her soul to God in secret prayer for me or as Monica did for her sonne Augustine and both my parents living together as heirs of the grace of life so that their prayers might not be hindred and with endeavouring to bring up their children in the knowledge of Christ and fear of God and so I conceive it is more difficult to declare the first quickning or birth of the life of grace my soul but yet I beleeve I have felt and found divers evidences of this life in me Quest 9. You answer right its difficult in such to manifest the beginnings of grace in the heart but what was a first evidence of life of grace in you that you can discerne or remember Answ Truly in my childehood I was taught and had some knowledge of the Scripture and of my estate both by creation and the fall of Adam and of the way of salvation in Christ the second Adam and I had an outward form at least of Religion and I was carefull to sanctifie the Lords day and to spend it in holy duties Prov. 22.6 2 Tim. 3.15 Gen. 24.63 Rev. 1.10 Psal 119.136 Rom. 9.1 2 3. both publick private though with many failings And I remember on a Lords day after Supper I went into a Garden as Isaac into the field to meditate of what I had heard Preached and I hearing a great noise of children and youths playing in the streets and so prophaning the Lords day I was so grieved that I shed tears for them as David for his enemies conceiving their estate was fearful being senslesse of their own misery and adding sin to sin and this I thought might be some work of Gods Spirit and sign of true grace then beginning in my soul when I was about ten or twelve years of age Quest 10. I do conceive there might be much wrought in you by the power of education moving you to dislike that open prophanation of the Lords day of Parents suffering their Children to play in the streets when they should rather be catechizing them in their families as it is a common fault still yet there is good hope that affection and grief for sin was a work wrought in you by the Spirit of Christ and so a an evidence of true grace in your soul But what further evidence have you found Ans After I was grown to riper years Gen. 42.16 Rom. 2.14 15. 2 Cor. 12 7 c. Rom. 7.22 c. in my youthful time when I left my Parents I was too subject to conform to that company and family with whom I lived where was an outward common form of Religion and saying of some prayers sometimes but I saw no power of Religion no conscience of ordinary swearing especially lesser Oathes as common blinde people call them as by their Faith and Troth and by our Lady c. no conscience of immoderate abuse of the creatures eating and drinking to ryot no care of any strict observation of the Lords day but a dislike of too much precisenesse as they called it and inveighing against Puritans as they called them sn those dayes as some such do against Roundheads in these times of which so called I did know some to be religious and good people and sometimes would defend and speak for them whether out of a principle of graca from Christ or by the power of my education I have since called in question but this I am sure that amongst this formal or civil yea sometimes uncivil company I had many buffetings of Satans messengers sometimes as a captive prisoner I had many falls into sin and failin my walking to the great trouble of my conscience enlightned whether by the light of nature accusing or excusing as the Apostle speaks or whether by the common light of the spirit in my education Rom. 2.15 and word Preached or thirdly whether by the light of grace and spirit of Christ I conceived a great question and was often filled with fears and terrors in my soul that though I seemed a Saint in comparison of divers open prophane persons about me yet having such falls and corruptions I was either still unregenerate or a formal hypocriâ—e at best as Mr. Bolton upon the first Psalm the beginning describes him and so could seldom gain or keep any quiet in my conscience or true peace as I was perswaded in my soul onely some comforts I had hope of in Christ Iesus Quest 11. Truly your state I believe might well be questionable especially if you were drawn away with the error of the wicked Rev. 2.5 to approve of their wayes or to dislike strictnesse in Religion and precise walking with God at the best it is certain that if truth of grace was ever in you yet you had lost your first love and though formerly you might have had a name to live 2 Pet. 3.17 Rev. 2.4 3.1 2. yet in this condition you were either dead or taken captive indeed or graces ready to dye in you your works and walking being found so imperfect before God But tell me I pray you how or by what means did you get any peace or quiet in your conscience in those times Ans I do not remember that I did approve of the evil wayes of that company with
known by names Acts 9.15 whether it be by his proper Names or Titles Exod. 3.15 Exodus 6.3 As Jehovah Jah Lord God 2. Or his Attributes Eternall Invisible Omnipresent All-sufficient Immortall Unchangeable or the like and for the Justice Mercy Goodnesse Truth or any Attribute of that nature 3. Or his word The Scriptures of Truth and Gods Will and Ordinances revealed there Sacraments Prayer c. 4. Or whether it be Gods Worke of Decree Creation or Providence Judgment Mercy or the Glory or Honour of God in these or any way whatsoever Quest 4. What is meant by taking of Gods Name or taking it up as the Hebrew is rendred Ans Thou shalt not take or take up or touch the holy Name of God Psal 16.4 Psal 50.16 either in thoughts of thy heart or in the words of thy mouth or in thy workes of life and conversation Thou shalt not make any use of the Name of God in any respect or of Religion or any part or Gods worship in vaine Quest 5. What is meant by taking or touching this Sacred Name of God in vaine Ans Mat. 5.34 35 36 37 Levit. 19.12 Psalme 111 9. To take or touch Gods Name in any respect unnecessarily without weighty reasons when it may be to God honour or to my own or my neighbours good Secondly irreverently without feare of dishonouring the holy Name of the holy blessed God Thirdly falsely in speaking or swearing falsely or abusing the Name of God erroneously hypocritically or dishonorably in any manner whatsoever in word life or profession Quest 6. Now having thus explained the precept tell mee what is the generall sin forbidden in this generall prohibition Ans That we should not dishonour God in taking up in our mouthes Deut. 28 58. Exo. 3.13 14 15. 1 Cor. 11.17 18. Psal 50.26 Rom. 2.24 Mat. 12.31 using or abusing this holy Name vainly or any his Titles and Attributes Words Ordinances or Workes or whatsoever the Lord is known by as men are known by their names either in our Hearts Words Lives Profession or any manner of way or by any meanes whatsoever knowing we must answer for every idle word at the day of Judgement Quest 7. What is the generall duty required and implied in this Commandement or the affirmative part contrary or opposed to this negative Ans That wee should honour and glorify Gods Name Mat. 6.9 1 Cor. 6.20 Mat. 5.16 Isaia 26.9 10. Psal 14.1 Job 1.5 Psalme 50.23 and seeke his glory in a holy use of his Name Attributes Word Worship Ordinances and Works of Judgement or Mercy or whatsoever the Lord is pleased to manifest himselfe in or by for his own glory or the good of his Church and children and this in all our Thoughts Words and Conversation Quest 8. You have declared the Generall sinne forbidden and the generall duty required Now what J pay you are the particular duties commanded and sinnes contrary to these forbidden in this Commandement Ans There are many but I will observe these few 1 Pet. 3.14 15. 2 Pet. 2.8 Ex. 32.19 Num. 25.9 Psal 69.9 1 Kings 19 10. John 2.14 15 16 17. Revel 3.19 And the first is a holy and reverent and sincere and right ordered zeale of the glory of God in our hearts and lives This zeale of Gods glory is a duty required in this third Commandement and with this holy zeale have the Saints glorified this holy and dreadfull Name the Lord our God Quest 9. What are the contrary sinnes to this true of the honour and glory of God and his Name Ans First a lukewarmenesse Kings 18.22 Revel 3.15 Acts 18.17 1 Sam. 229 1 Sam. 3.13 1 Cor. 5 2 and base nutrality in the cause of God and Religion a halting betweene two opinions without any care or zeale of God or his Truth or of his Honour and Glory Secondly an ignorant superstitious hypocriticall or praeposterous zeale of Evill or of Good in a false manner Quest 10. What is a second particular duty required to set forth the glory of God and honour his sacred Name and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To glorifie God in his glorious Workes of Creation and Providence Psal 19.1 2 observing and speaking of Gods Wisdome Power Goodnesse Justice and Mercy or any other his Attributes giving God the glory of all both in consideration of his Creation and Government of the World Romans 33.34 and his workes of Justice or Mercy to the wicked or to his own children Quest 11. What is the contrary sinne to this honouring of Gods Name in respect of his works â—sal 104 Isaiah 26.9 10. Psal 147.1 2. 26 c. Ans To neglect the glory of God or to dishonour his Name in the observation or disregard of Gods Wisdome Power Justice or Mercy held forth in his great Worke of Creation or Providence Judgements or Mercies Ordinary or extraordinary ungodly men or to the Saints of the most high not learning Righteousnesse or dishonouring Gods Name in any of these Quest 12. What is a third particular duty required for the honouring of Gods Name and what light from Christ for direction in this particular Ans To glorifie Gods name in the sacred use of Gods Word 1 Cor. 10 31. Sacraments Prayer or any of his Ordinances and in our Profession of the faith and service of God in Jesus Christ in the Gospell of grace serving the Lord in spirit and truth 1 Sam 2.30 and exalting the glory of Gods Name in every particular profiting and growing in grace in the use of them by the power of Christ Quest 13. What is the contrary sinne to this particular dutie Answ To dishonour Gods Name in the prophane and sinfull manner of hearing Gods Word Ezek. 44.32.33 partaking of his Sacraments Prayer or any other of Gods Ordinances worship or service 1 Cor. 11.17.29 30. Nehe. 9.5 Actâ— 9.15 Numbers 6.24 15. Heb. 13.26.21 publike or private or our formall profession or use of them without any preparation for to meete Christ in the spirituall participation of them or heavenly profit by them to Gods glory and good of our selves and others or for our own by ends not Gods glory Quest 14. What is a fourth particular duty required for the honouring of Gods holy Name Ans To Blesse and magnifie the most holy Name of God upon all speciall occasions in himself his Names attributes Word Ordinances or Workes Ezra 3.11 whensoever we are called to defend and beare the Name of God and his Truth Power and Glory before all the World and to blesse in his Name upon what cause so ever the Lord mindeth us to that duty Quest 15. What sinnes are contrary to this duty of glorifying the holy Name of the holy blessed God Ans First to neglect the honouring of Gods Name Nehemias 9.5 or not giving the praises due to his Name which is far above and beyond all thanksgiving and
the great God That the Lord will blesse and honour them that honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 and extoll them who seeke in Christ to give God the praises due unto his name Quest 28. What may the diligent observation of all these duties commanded and sinnes forbidden with the threatning and promises annexed hold forth unto the sonnes of men or what may this instruct Ans First to wicked and prophane men this holds forth and may teach them to take notice of their miserable condition living in a continuall prophanation of Gods name either in his Titles Word Ordinance or workes of Mercy or Judgement and so of a continuall subjection to the curse of God spirituall and temporall here and to an everlasting curse hereafter Quest 29. What further may such wicked men who are out of Christ learne from hence Ans Not to give sleepe to their eyes with quiet nor take delight in any creature-comfort but waite on Christ in all the meanes of Grace untill Christ make them by his Spirit sensible of their sinne and misery and give them faith and repentance that closing with Christ they may be freed from the guilt and punishment of their sinnes Quest 30. What may the Saints of God learn from hence by light from Christ for instruction 1 Cor. 13.9 Phil. 3.12 13 Ans To see the perfection of this holy Law of God and their owne imperfection and seeke daily to Christ as for assurance of Justification and Pardon of sin so for assured power of Sanctification and increase of strength from Christ that they may be inabled more and more to honour and glorifie the most holy Name of their most blessed Lord God and tender Father in Christ Jesus and that one day they shal glorifie this sacred Name in Heaven with Saints and Angels for evermore The thirty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have answered concerning the Third now what is the fourth Commandement Ans Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke Thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maide-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 2. What doe you principally observe and consider in this Fourth Commandement Ans First I observed the substance o◠sum of the Commandement set down in the first words Remember the Sabbath day to Sanctifie it or to keep it holy Secondly the explication or further Declaration of Gods will and pleasure in the next words that follow Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to doe or all thy worke but the Seventh day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates Thirdly I observe the grand or chiefe reason and ground of this Commandement in the last words For in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and nested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 3. What doe you consider in the first of these the substance or sum of the Commandement in the first words Answ I consider three things First the memento Remember as holding forth a duty of Minding Deut. 5.15 Genes 2.1 2 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shabath rest Remembring and Observing the Sabbath day before it come for preparation as a day holy to the Lord by his appointment of old even in Paradise before the Fall and as too much forgotten and neglected and therefore he requireth his peple to remember the day with greater observation Heb. 4.10 Secondly I consider the day the Sabbath day or day of Rest the rest-Rest-day a day of ceasing from our owne works as God did from his Thirdly I consider another duty namely the end to remember the sanctification of this Rest day or separating and setting it apart from common and ordinary workes which concerne this present naturall life and a Consecrating of it unto God and to holy spirituall workes such as concerne our spirituall life and these things amongst other I observe considerable in the first expression of the Lord in this Commandement Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Quest 4. What do you consider in the second part Ans First a permission and in this the equity of this Commandement as a strong reason or motive to obedience six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy worke Secondly a Commission or Commandement to worke for since God made all the seven dayes as he did all the Trees of the Garden Gen. 2.16 17. and as hee might have forbid our first Parents halfe the Trees or all but on e if he had pleased and that without any wrong to them yet did forbid them but one Tree of the Garden So the Lord might have forbidden us to worke in three or foure of the dayes or more yea in all but one day And therefore since hee reserveth but one whole day of Seven for his solemne worship Great cause we should yeild most willing obedience to this Commandement and be carefull to keepe this in a holy rest to the Lord. and yet not mispend the six dayes but worke in our lawfull callings Secondly I consider a declaration of of the Lords right in this as being the Lords own separated day in a speciall manner and therefore a strong reason that man should not prophane this day but keepe it holy This in the next words But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Thirdly I consider a more generall and full prohibition of all manner of work In it thou shalt do no manner of worke that is of thy own workes for which I have allowed thee six dayes to labour in Fourthly I consider the persons who are prohibited from working in particular held forth in these seven expressions First Thou Secondly nor thy Son Thirdly nor thy Daughter Fourthly nor thy Man-servant Fifthly nor thy Made servant Sixtly nor thy Cattell Seventhly nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates or that is within or under thy power jurisdiction protection or command whatsoever Thou shalt not prophane the Sabbath thy self nor suffer any other in thy power to sin in this respect Quest 5. What do you consider in the third and last part you obsorved the principall reason of the Commandement Ans Frst the Lords owne example in the great work of Creation held forth for our imitation For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth The Sea and all that in them is and so the Lord
the Stranger that is within thy Gates That is thou and all that are in thy power without exception Quest 39. But wherefore doth the Lord give this speciall command and direction to his people not onely for themselves but for all under their command Ans That Gods children being carefull and dutifull themselves and diligently performing their duties to all that are under their charge they might not be partakers of other Mens sins Quest 40. But how may one man be guilty of another mans sinne what light have you from Christ to reveile this Ans One may be guilty of another mans sin divers wayes First when a superior commands an inferior to commit a sinne and the sinne be committed of this the superior is guilty as Saul was of killing the Lords Priests 1 Sam. 22.18 2 Sam. 11.15 when hee commanded Doeg to do it and wicked Doeg did it accordingly David kild Vrias by Joab and the sword of the children of AmmoÌ„ And so Iezabell was guilty of that sin of the sons of Belial 1 Kings 21 10. who did beare false witns against Naboth for his Vineyard and thus Magistrates or masters or parents are guilty when they command their subjects or children or servants to prophane the Lords Sabbath Quest 41. What is a second way of being guilty Answ When superiors have power and doe not hinder but suffer inferiors to commit sinne 1 Sam. 3.13 as old Eli suffered his sonnes and did not punish them nor restraine them as hee ought and so when Parents suffer their children or Masters their servants to prophane the Lords Day They are guilty of their childrens sinne and servants sinne Quest 42. What is a third manner how one man may be guilty of another mans sinnes have you any light from Christ for this Ans Wen one man giveth another wicked councell to commit sinne as when Ahitophet counselled Absolom to commit wickednesse with his Fathers concubines 2 Sam. 16 21. or Herodias counselled her Daughter to aske the head of John Baptists Mark 6.24 or when a Master or Father adviseth or counselleth his sonne or servants or any under his charge to prophane the Sabbath Quest 43. What is a fourth manner Ans When Minister or people man or woman doth consent to sinne in others Acts 8.1 Eze. 3.18 or not reprove sin as Saul before his conversion consented to the death of blessed Stephen the Martyr of Christ and for Prophets not to warn the wicked Levit. 19.17 so when Parents or Masters consent to their childrens and servants prophanation of the Lords Day when as they should not suffer sin to lie upon them but reprove them rather So when unworthy Receivers are suffered without any admonition or reproofe Quest 44. What is a fift manner of being guilty Ans When one Man or Woman provokes and stirreth up another to sinne 1 Kings 21 25. as Jezabell provoked Ahab to commit wickednesse and Jobs Wife her Husband to curse God and die Job 2.9 And so when Parents or Masters provoke and stirre up their children or servants by Labour or Pastimes to prophane the Sabbath Quest 45. What is a sixt manner of becomming guilty of other mens sins Ans When men grow to such a height of impudency as to defend other mens sinnes Who call good evill and evill good Isai 5.20 1 Kings 22 6.11.24 1 Sam. 15.22 as wicked Zedechiah defended wicked Ahab in his sinfull course and Saul defended the peoples sin as Lawers plead in unjust causes or when Parents or Masters or any other will plead for Baal and defend the sinnes of their children or servants or Neighbours when they prophane the Lords Day all these ways at least may men be guilty of other mens sins Quest 46. Most certaine the Lord is a most holy God and is Law a most holy Law and perfect rule of holinesse which holdeth forth to us so many duties and so many sinnes in one Commandement of the Sabbath day and sanctification of the rest what use therefore my the knowledged of this truth be of unto the sons of men Ans First concerning wicked men out of Christ the many duties commanded Jer. 17.27 Gâ—lat 3.24 Acts 8.21 22. and sinns forbidden may cause them to tremble for feare of the curse and wrath of God due to them for their prophanation of the Lords day and so be a Schoolemaster to bring them to Christ to see if they may finde pardon and escape the curse and damnation Acts 13.38 39 1 Thess 10 Secondly concerning saints in Christ the Meditation of these things may likewise minde them of Christ First Christ as a justifyer without whose Righteousnesse and Merits they could not be saved 1 Cor. 1.30 and in whom salvation is their portion 2 Cor. 5.17 Secondly Christ as a sanctifyer in whom there is holinesse and power to sanctifie this holy rest this blessed Sabbath as the Lords day in all holinesse and righteousnesse to Gods glory and good of our own soules Quest 47. What benefit is this to the Church that the Lord hath ordained Mat. 28.6 9.17 18. and by his Resurrection and appearing to his Disciples so often one that day consecrated this holy Sabbath Mark 1â— 12 Luk. 24.13 as a day to and for himselfe and for his speciall service and ordinances wherein he now appeareth to his Church Ans A speciall cause of joy that the Saints may once a weeke be as it were in Heaven with Christ meeting Christ in his glorious Ordinances Luke 24.33 34.36 1 Cor. 16.1.2 Mat. 18.20 Ex. 25.21 22. Isai 66.11 John 15.4 5 6. Heb. 4.9 Revel 14.13 and sucking the brests of consolation in all his gracious promises so receiving the sweet juyce and sappe of the life of grace to nourish us in this time of trouble to that Kingdom of glory that eternall Sabbath of rest and peace for ever Quest 48. What is the principall motive or moving cause to stir up and draw the heart of a child of God and your soule in particular to desire and labour in all sincerity and faithfullnesse to glorifie God in a full obedience to every duty commanded and in a full avoyding of every sinne forbidden in these foure Commandemmts or first Table of the Law of God Ans The free love of God in Christ to my soule John 3.16 in the free gift of his onely begotten Sonne and the free love of God the Sonne John 10.15 the Lord Christ himselfe in giving himself and laying down his Life for mee 1 Cor. 5.14 15. to reconcile mee to God and to procure for mee grace and glory this doth constraine mee with a kind of holy and sweet violence or rather powerfull attractive or loadstone of love to love my God againe and to declare my love in a loving Isai 16.9 Psal 119.6 ready willing faithfull and cheerfull obedience yea sincere desire and endevour to fullfill every one of the
all in the Lord for Gods glory Quest What is the sin contrary unto this love Ans First not to love our Neighbour or not to declare our love unto our Neighbour 1 Cor. 13.1 James 2.15 16. 1 John 3.3 when he needs and we may do it Secondly to hate our Neighbour much more to hate our Friends Brethren Sisters Husband Wife Children Parents and especially and that be Gods children or of the household of Faith Thirdly to love Husband Wife Parents Children Friends or any creature above God and Jesus Christ whom he he hath sent or against God or Gods glory and revealed wil especially to love them that hate Lord. Fourthly 1 Sam. 2.30 2 Chron. 19.2 any inordinate or hypocriticall love love in shew and not indeed disembling love all this is sinne Especially to love them that hate the Lord 2 Sam. 20.9.10 or any inordinate or hypocriticall love love in shew not in deede dissembling love Quest 11. May a child of God hate any man Ans As he may hate himselfe that is his own Corrupt sinfull conditions against or contrary to Gods holy nature and at emnity with God Psal 139.20 21 22. so he may hate them that hate God as they are enemies to God and haters of God and his Saints and servants But yet with humility love and piety desiring and endeavouring their conversion if it be Gods will and so to love them and seeke their good Quest 12. What are the speciall graces in which this Christan love and charity is to bee exercised towards our Neighbour Ans There are divers you may observe these First Christian Humanity by which in Offices of civility hospitality peaceablenesse and good Neighbourhood doing as wee would be done by Isaia 16.3 4. Rom. 12.15 16 17 18. Rom. 16.2 2 Cor. 5.14 15. in counsells comfort visiting in affliction or any other manner of assistance we helpe and so declare our love to our Neighbour and win our Neighbours love and respect againe unto us and all this as in and from that kinde respect of God to us in Christ Quest 13. What is a sinne contrary unto this 1 Sam. 25.14 25. Mat. 7 8 Zâ—ch 1.14 15. Amos 1.9 Mat. 7.12 Ans Inhumanity incivility churlish unquietnesse or any kind of ill Neighbourhood neglecting or refusing to visit in affliction or to assist with counsell or comfort much more they sinne who do any way rejoyce in misery of Neighbours or helpe forward their afflictions doing ill offices against Charity Religion and the rules of good Neighbourhood held forth in holy Scriptures when men do not as they would be done by Quest 14. What is a second grace in Christian friendship Ans Benevolence or good will in which in God and for God Isaia 66.10 Luk. 15.10 wee desire and endeavour the good of our Neighbour When occasion is offered and congratulate our Neighbours prosperity from our very hearts Rom. 12.15 John 3.2.3 as Christians rejoycing in the good one of another Quest 15 What is the sin centrary unto this Ans Wicked envy at the prosperity of our Neighbour Gen. 26.14 Mat. 20.11 Acts 13.45 James 3.14 15 16. or malevolent ill will or unfriendlinesse towards our Neghbour any manner of way against the Word of God Quest 16. What other Graces are there in which our love may be declared to our Neighbour Ans There are diverse other in particular which I refer to a Christians search in the Scripture and shall handle many in the particular Commandements of this second Table onely one I note this is true Christian Justice or righteousnesse to be exercised towards our Neighbour Quest 17. What is this Christian Justice and righteousnesse required in this second Table Ans Justice is a vertue by which a man doth give to every man his right and Christian Justice is a gratious vertue or a grace by which a believing man or woman by vertue and grace of Christ doth in a right manner according to Gods Word from a right Principle Gods love in Christ to the Christians and to a right end Gods glory give right and due to every one Quest 18. How manifold is this Christian Justice or righteousnesse to be practized of Saints Ans Divines divide it into two parts first distributive righteousnesse which is exercised in distribution of good things and of rewards and punishments in a due proportion and order according to the condition merit and worth or desert of every person as will appeare further in the unfoulding of the particular Commandements Quest 19. What is the second Ans Commutative Justice or Righteousnesse is that which is to be communicated to every one according to the equality or inequality of things or matters concerned or according to right and Justice to be communicated as will also appeare further with the sinnes contrary to Justice in the duties commanded and sinne forbidden in the particular commands of the second Table Quest 20. Which is the first Command of the second Table Answ The first Commandement in Order of the Decalogue namely as it is expressed in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus verse 12. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may belong in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Quest 21. What may be observed for the unfoulding of this fifth Commandement Answ Three things especially First the Duty required Honour Secondly the Persons to be honoured all Superiours set down here under the names of Father and Mother Thirdly the reason or Motive to draw to a willing obedience the blessing of long life that thy Dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Quest 22. What is meant or to be understood by Honour Answ First an inward reverent respect and Honourable esteem of a Superiour in Age Birth Place Rom. 13 7. or Worth according as is due to such a Superiour Secondly an outward manifestation of this Râ—verence and Honourable respect in words actions and fitting behaviour upon all occasions as becometh inferiours toward their Superiours in Birth Age Place or Worth both in a Civill and Chriâ—tian relation and in particular expressions and examples will be further manifest Quest 23. What Persons are understood by Father and Mother as superiours unto whom honour must be given as a duty Answ All Parents and those that are in place of Parents in Naturall Civill or Spirituall Relation Quest 24 What are those Parents and Persons in particular States and Conditions to be honoured as superiours and what are the particular inferiours who relatively are bound in duty to give honour unto these as to their superiours and what light from Christ revealing these Answ First in the Oeconomicall or Houshold Estate 1 Husbands the Persons are First husbands wives c. secondly naturall parents Father and Mother these are the superiours to be honoured and the inferiours are their Children Sonnes and Daughters by Nature Adoption or Tuition as are Committed to them as to
the servants and apprentices Titus 2.9 is to be well pleasing to seek to please their Masters and Mistresses Gen. 13.8 and fellow servants in all lawfull and good things as Brethren and Sisters Gen. 24.33 34 35. Gen. 24.37 41. and keep quietnesse in the Family and to performe their Covenants to and with their Masters and Mistresss es when they are with them and to Respect them as their Fathers and late Antient a Masters when they are freemen and departed from them yet then to have an honourable respect of them as is comely in the Lord. Question 24. You have manifested the duties of Servants and Apprentices towards their Masters and Mistresses now declare I pray you what light the Lord Christ hath held forth in Scripture to discover the sinnes of servants and Apprentices contrary to these duties Answ The Scripture and Christ in the Scripture revealeth divers sins of servants and Apprentices as First the Servants and Apprentices doe sinne in not loving and honouring their Masters and Mistresses 1 Tim. 6.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 13.7 or in any way hating of them despising dishonouring or discrediting of them especially refusing or not receiving Instruction Pro. 13.18 Psal 50.17 but hating it from Masters and Mistresses or in not submitting to be Catechized by them in the truth of Christ and their duties Prov. 15.32 according to the word of God and that light their Masters and Mistresses have received from Christ Jesus If Abrahams duty be to Catechize his Family and command them to know the Lord and his will Gen. 18.18 19. Matt. 8.8 9. Job 19.16 Mâ—tt 24.48 49.50 c. Ephes 6. With good wâ—ll doe service as to the Lord not men 1 Cor. 15.33 Judg. 5 9 Titus 2 9. 2 Cor. 9 7. Matt. 25.26 Rom. 11.12 Prov. 10.4 Prov. 12.24 Prov. 18 9 Prov. 6.6 Prov. 10.26 Jerem. 23.24 Titus 2.10 Luke 16.1.2 8. Zacâ—ar 5.4 Ephes 4.28 Ephes 6.5.6 John 8.44 Psal 101.7 Levit. 19.11 Coloss 3.9 2 Sam. 16.3 2 Sam. 19 27. Jere. 17.9 Revel 2.23 Revel 21.8 Revel 22.15 Acts 5.31 then the servants and apprentices duty is to learn and submit to be Catechized and Instructed by them and the contrary is sinne in any whosoever Secondly it is a sinne in servants and apprentices to be rebellious or disobedient to the just commands of their Masters or Mistresses or to do their commands and directions unwillingly and grudgingly or with murmurings and repining with denyings or evill words which câ—rrupt good manners and manifeâ—â— their disobedience which is sinne as contrary to the Rule of Christ by the Apostle God cannot abide unwilling or grudging service Thirdly servants and apprentices sinne in being idle carelesse sluggards negligent or sloathfull to do service or to performe the will direction and lawâ—ull orders of their Masters and Mistresses without diligence and faithfull endevotr in absence as well as presence of Superiors Fourthly servants and apprentices sinne in doing their service unfaithfully and unâ—ustly when they purloine rob and steale from their Masters or Mistresses when they waste or mispend their Masters goods or embezell them any manner of way Fifthly the servants and apprentices sinne in not serving their Masters in sincerity and truth in word or deed but with lying fraud and deceit a servant must not tell his Master an untruth he must not lie for or against his Masters profit but speake truth as knowing that the Lord knoweth the heart least with lying Gehezi hee get the curse of a Leprosie to his shame and hell for his portion except God give graces of faith and Repentance in Christ Jesus Sixthly Malac. 1.6 the servants sinne in not keeping all their Masters counsells and secrets which ought not to be revealed or in dishonouring or seeking the discredit of their Masters or Mistresses 1 Pet. 2.18 19. or their disprofit contrary to the true and lawfull trust reposed in them and not subjecting to fit correction if they faile in duty Seventhly Titus 2.9 Ch istian example Rom. 15.1 2 3. Rom. 1.30 31. Hester 2.7.20 Hester 8.1 the servants and apprentices sinne in not endevouring to please but wilfully or carelessely displeasing them nor performing their covenants with their Masters while they are with them not honouring them when they are departed from them as good servants ought to honour those who have nourished taught and respected them as good and wise Masters ought to respect servants and apprentices and as children their foster Parents to honour them when they are from them as Queene Hester did to Mordecai Quest 25. You have given a light for servants and apprentices to see their duties and their sinnes and failings now what light have you from Christ to reveale how servants and apprentices may get not onely assurance of pardon for their sinnes but wisdome and power to performe these duties and avoid these sinnes and failings that so they may walke comfortably with Christ in their callings and course of their lives Ans Onely in and by Christ who is made unto us of God Wisedome 1 Cor. 1.30 and Righteousnesse and sanctification and Redemption Therefore Servants and apprentices must seeke unto and waite upon Christ in the Gospell as to the fountaine opened to the house of David for sinne Zâ—ch 13.1 1 Iohn 1.7 and for uncleannesse that by his Bloud they may be cleansed from all sinne Secondly they must seeke to Christ as to the Tree of life in the middest of the Paradise of God that beareth fruit every month Revel 2.22 and the leaves are good to heal the nations with Seek to Christ for health of soule and life power to strengthen and quicken them with wisdome and strength of grace to performe their duties Thirdly Gen. 24.12 26.27 servants and apprentices they must imitate that Religious practize of Abrahams faithfull servant John 16.23 pray to God to blesse their endeavours as he did O Lord God of my Master Abraham I pray thee send me good speed this day thus seeking in the name of Christ they shall finde a blessing to their comfort Quest 26. But what if in all these meanes and performances of duties on each part Husbands cannot find good Wives nor Wives finde good Husbands Parents not finde good children or children good Parents Masters not finde good servants nor servants although they performe their duties cannot find good masters what is the duty of each one in such condition Ans The Husband is to pray for his Wife and the Wife for her Husband the Parents are to seeke the Lord for their children and the children for their Parents the Masters for their servants and the servants for their Masters and to use all good meanes that in and by Christ their hearts may be changed their corruptions mortified Luke 9.23 and their infirmities healed and to beare their crosse Heb. 12.2 and endure the affliction with patience looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of
thirty years Studies and pains night and day rent in pieces and taken away the greatest part then and the rest after from a Garrison of the Parliament W. Manor taken by the same Earl of Newcastles Army And for all my losses besides what will be due to me upon the Publike Faith I expect no recompence but from the Lord except it please God to setle the Kingdom in Truth and Peace and to enable Your Honorable Houses of Parliament according to Your Religious Declarations to take notice of my losses as of others my Brethren and Companions in the same Tribulations Your faithful Friends and to direct a way of Reparation as to Your Wisdoms and Piety shall seem most convenient That Declaration of Both Kingdoms although I cannot say it was an encouragement unto me because I had lost all before yet I may say it was a a ground of comfort in faith and hope that the Lord would work mightily for these Kingdoms and so there might be some expectation of outward good and Reparation again in Gods due time to me or mine I must beg pardon for this digression And yet this I cannot but declare Hos 4.1 2. Prov. 29.18 That I am assured this abominable blinde prophane superstitious ignorance not only in that but in other parts of the Kingdom was one principal occasion of these and the like sad miseries both to me and many Thousands in the Land Ioh. 16.1 2 3. especially the Religious part who have commonly been the objects of the Malice and Rapine of these ignorant prophane or Popish persons besides their oppressions by other men not Religiously affected Now if Your Honours ask me What hath been or is the cause of this ignorance In all humility I Answer from my own experience I am certain a principal cause was and is want of Catechizing Acts 20 22. First by Ministers in their particular Congregations And secondly by Parents and Masters in their particular Families Gen. 18.18 19. without which I conceive it impossible to cure this deadly Malady of base ignorance or ever to have the common sort of people know how to serve or obey either God or man Isa 27.11 29.11 12. according to the light of Christ and good Laws Established in a Kingdom As the Eunuch said unto Philip Acts. 8.31 How shall I understand except some man shall guide me So may it be said of such kinde of uncatechized people But is not the fault then in Ministers I Answer assuredly it is in great part Jer. 10.21 5.31 6.10 29.12 Isa 56.10 c. Ezek. 34.1 2 3 4. though not altogether First in many idle carelesse unconscionable Ministers who have had means sufficient to maintain them and common knowledge enough to instruct in the Principles of Religion but wanted Grace to perform their duties and in particular this duty of Catechizing Secondly in too many others Ier. 23.1 2. Zac. 11.16 17. blinde ignorant Ministers who have neither maintenance sufficient nor grace or abilities to perform their duties ns they ought Iudg. 17.10 1 Kin. 12.31 like Micahs Levite or Jeroboams Priests of the basest of the People And how can it be expected there should be Preaching and Catechizing in a right order where Ministers have but twenty Nobles or Ten pounds a year for their maintenance and twenty or thirty pounds a very high rate in esteem of some men where some have been constrained to keep common Ale-houses to get a livelyhood as they professed in my hearing and I have seen proved upon Oath in the High Commission where not so long since that I can forget their kindenesse in three years attendance Commissions and Hearing it cost me Three hundred pounds at least of my own purse besides my losse of my time and this for my Preaching too often as they Judged and keeping Fasting and Praying too long spending the most of the day an offence unsufferable as some learned in that Court were pleased at my sentence then publikely to aver although it was in the Plague time and when I thought I had both Kingly Episcopal Authority sufficient From the King A Proclâ—matioÌ„ And an Order from the Bishops for the Fasts And I am sure I Fasted and Prayed no otherwise then with my Congregation but as now is the constant Monethly practise of this Honorable Parliament and the Religious party in the Kingdom but all that saved me little in that Court There was blinde ignorance there as well as amongst those poor ignorant Ministers I spoke of before and such Ministers Ale-house keepers I my self have known in some places where there are great impropriations appropriated in times of Popery to Deans and Chapters and leased out to such as receive the profits but take no care at all for the souls of the people and too many of them yet in the hands of such who now are or have been open Enemies to the Parliament so that the people perish for lack of knowledge Hos 4.6 because for lack of convenient maintenance they want Ministers faithfully to Preach and Catechize as becometh the Ministers of Christ Verily every one will say the disease is lamentable But how can this be remedied fit maintenance provided or faithful Ministers procured to Preach and Catechize the people in this great Kingdom I Answer as Bernard once did in another matter Bern. in Cant. Non est meae humilitatis dictare vobis It is not for my humility Right Honorable to Dictate any thing nor was I called amongst my Reverend Brethren to Advise and except the golden Scepter of Grace be held forth unto me Esth 4.11 5.2 I may seem to have presumed too far already But since it hath pleased the Lord of Hosts so highly to honour You Give me leave I most humbly beseech You as a poor though a weak and unworthy Minister of Jesus Christ and as Gods Ministers have been in Ancient time unto Mighty Princes in all humility to became a Remembrancer Isa 62.6 7. as I have many times been unto God for You so now unto You for God You well know faithful Abraham that great Conquering Prince over four Kings at once that Religious Father of his Family Gen. 14.9 c. how careful he was to instrust and Catechize his Houshold and the Lord taketh special notice of it Gen. 18.18 c. and makes him one of his secret Counsel Christian Kings Princes and Magistrates are the Fathers of the Common-wealth and it is a high honour the Lord exalteth them unto to take care the Common-wealth which is their Family be Catechized in the knowledge of the Lord and of his will in Christ 2 Kin. 19.8 c. 2 Chron. 29.11 33.29 c. Yea somtimes to admonish and charge the Lords Ministers to perform their duties in the work of the Lord as those good Kings Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Eusebius in vita Constant and Josiah did in
weaknesse in knowledge Faith and other Grace But as Ministers of Christ Fathers or Brethren in all love humility and tendernesse of compassion to help and further our preparation to meet Christ with comfort in this blessed Sacrament Quest 5. What is a second help for the quickning of these graces to the glory of God in our lives and specially before we draw near to the Lords Table and what light from Christ for this to your soul Ans There may be a private lawful day or time of preparation in our Families or with some Christian friends joyning in conference and prayer and reading of the Scriptures so there be no neglect of publike places and times of worship nor disquiet of the state nor contempt of the lawful and good orders of the Church the better to fit us to meet Christ not resting on the thing done or the duty performed but waiting in these or the like duties until Christ be pleased to reveal Himself Zach. 12.10 c. Luk. 15.5 6 9. Act. 12.5.12 1 Pet. 3.7 Ier. 10.15 and communicate his vertue to our souls for our more comfortable enjoying of Christ in his holy Ordinance As we may call in neighbours to rejoyce and praise God with us So to pray with us Quest 6. What is the third help or means in which we should wait on Christ for his quickening vertue to honour God in his Ordinances and in our whole life what light from Christ for this end Ans This is a waiting on Christ in secret duties between God and our own souls And for this I conceive I may wait on Christ in six severall helps Quest 7. What are these several helps in particular Ans First I may set some time a part from all other imployments onely to attend Christ in secret for the obtaining of this grace as Isaac did Gen. 24.28 2. As day a of Atonement of old Lev. 23.27 28. 3. Or as Christ himself and Peter and other Saints Mat. 14.23 Acts 10.9 have set times apart for secret communion with God in Christ Iesus And so I may wait on Christ in a time convenient for this work Quest 8. What is a second help Ans To chuse a convenient place where I may be quiet in the sweet and secret soliloquies Mat. 6.6 14.23 Acts 10.9 or soul-conferences with God and my own heart and conscience Quest 9 What is a third Ans Examination of my self 1 Cor. ii 28 2 Cor. 13.5 and of the Graces before mentioned Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love Quest 10. What is a fourth help to this enlivening of Graces and preparation for the Sacrament by the vertue of Christ Ans Meditation both of God Luke 2.19 Psal 4.4 and my self and of Christ and the Sacrament and all these graces that they may be quickned to my own soul by the mighty power of Jesus Christ Quest 11. What is a fifth help in Christ for this renewing of grace Ans Application of all rightly to my self Ioh. 20.28 Iob. 10.25 26. Gal. â—2 20 Psal 110.1 by vertue of the life of Christ in my soul that all graces may be more enlivened in me and I may meet Christ with more cheerfulnesse and be enlivened by him for my more profitable enjoyment of Christ in the Ordinances Quest 12. What is a sixth help or means And what light further from Christ to strengthen and direct our souls in this particular Gen. 32.10 c. Ezek. 46.37 Luke 17.5 Rom. 8.26 27. Mark 9.24 Eph. 3.16 c. Acts 4.31 Ans Prayer to God in the name of Christ in which I may wait on God in Christ for the enlivening of the graces of God in me and right preparation to meet Christ in this Sacrament till God give a return of my prayer to my great joy in Christ Jesus as Jacob till an answer be given to my soul Quest 13. What is the first of these graces by these or the like helps to be enlivened by Christ and our spirit to our souls Ans Divine knowledge of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament Quest 14. In what manner should we wait on Christ to enliven in us our knowledge of God Ans First Having set a fit time apart And Secondly Gen. 24.63 Gen. 32 2â— c. Dan 6.10 Mat. 14.23 Acts 1â— 9 2 Cor. 13.5 Mat. 13.51 16.13.15 Acts 8.30 1 Pet. 3.15 Made choice of a fit place to be separated from all worldly thoughts and to be devoted wholly to this work by the spirit of Christ that my soul may be in love with God Thirdly To Catechize and examine and question my self concerning my knowledge of God according as he is held forth unto me in this Catechism before or as far as I am enlightned with the knowledge of God what God is in himself in his excellent Nature Divine being and Essential properties perfections word and works especially the great work of mans salvation and I may examine my knowledge and see how able I am in Gods presence or before the Saints if need were to make a solemn profession of this my knowledge to the comfort of my self and edification of others Quest 14. How else should a Christian or you in particular wait on Christ to enliven this knowledge or have it enlivened by Christs spirit in his or her soul or in soul be fit to meet Christ Ans Fourthly As a Christian man or woman so I may meditate think ruminate and ponder of my knowledge of God in my heart Gen. 24.63 Psal 104.33 34. Luke 2.19 Psal 42.1 2 3 4. and endeavour to fix the eye of faith in my soul upon God in all these respects by the power of Christ until my soul be ravished with a glorious delight in God in his excellency fulnesse and all-sufficiency until that my soul and spirits by the spirit of Christ be drawn up into a holy and admirable union and communion of life with this blessed God now at one with me in Iesus Christ Quest 15. What or how thirdly may this be done Isa 64.7 2 Tim. 1.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.13 Ans Thirdly I may labour by the power of the spirit of Christ to improve my interest in this great and good God by stirring up and exercising the grace of Faith in the special application of God and his goodnesse as my God in Christ with joy and gladnesse to my own soul in particular So it is meet we stir up our selves and Graces in us Quest 16. What or in what manner lastly may you enliven this knowledge of God in your soul Ans In powring out of my soul by the strength of Christs spirit unto God in prayer to blesse this my seeking out of union and communion with God in Knowledge Sam. 1.15 Rom. 8.26 27. Phi. 30.8 9. Exo. 34.29 30. 2 Cor. 4.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.7 8. waiting on Christ till I finde the enlivening vertue of Christs spirit quickening and making alive my
after the Lord 1 Sam. 7.1 2. Quest 9. What is the fifth help Answ Application of the Sacrament to my self as a seal of the covenant of grace 1 Cor. 10 16 17. Rom. 4.11 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 9.23 24. and of my confirmation in the faith and love of God to me as my God and Father reconciled to me in Christ untill I prize it as a rich treasure and part of the riches of Christs kingdome of grace for my preparing to glory Quest 10. What is the sixth and last help Answ Prayer to God with faith in the name of Christ zeal and constancy and humble waiting untill I can understand by the help of Christs Spirit Ios 16.23 Iam. 1.6 Iam. 5.16 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 10 16 Cant. 5.8 Gâ—n 30.1 Esther 5.13 Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11 25. the excellency of this ordinance and that glorious union and communion which a prepared humble faithfull soul enjoyes with Christ feeding on Christ spiâ—itually and feasting with him at the Lords Table and untill my soul be so far sick of love for Christ that I can truly say as Rachel did of children O my God give me the holy Sacrament and to feast with Christ in it or else I dye Or as Haman did of all his riches and honours and of Hesters banquet in another kinde what is all this so long as I enjoy not Christ and banquet not with Christ at the Supper of my Lord. Quest 11. You have declared how you conceive the grace of knowledge both of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament may be enlivened waiting on Christ in these or the like helps now how do you conceive the grace of faith may be enlivened by the power of Christ so as you may come with greater comfort to the Lords Table What light from Christ to enlighten in this work of grace Answ First time and secondly place being observed as before Thirdly I conceive I may wait on Christ in a serious examination of my faith as it is held forth before in this catechisme First distinguishing this lively faith from all other kindes Secondly examining and trying my faith 1. In the nature of it an entertaining receiving applying faith 2. In the means disposing my heart to believe 3. In the heavenly author or efficient and instrumentall causes of faith the word of promise and spirit of Christ 2 Cor. 4.13 4. In the matter and object of faith 5. In the form and life of faith 6. In the effects and fruits of faith all proved and set forth already Fourthly I may enliven my faith by waiting upon Christ in self-application of all those rules of tryall to my own heart to see how the truth of this grace is in my soul Fifthly I may wait on Christ in a solid and devout meditation of the grace of saith in my heart of the promises of Free-grace in Christ and especially the sacramentall promises now to be looked upon in the Sacrament This is my body Mat. 26.26 27. this is my blood which is given which is shed for you untill my soul findes and feeleth that it believes more firmely receiveth and rests on Christ for salvation more fully Sixthly wait on Christ in prayer to God the Father in the name of Christ Isa 11.10 Isa 66.11 1 Cor. 10 21. That I may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation and feed with joy at the Lords Table Quest 12. How or in what manner may you wait on Christ to quicken and renew your Evangelical Repentance or daily turning more and more from sin to God in minde will affection and conversation that you may with more comfort come to the Lords Supper What light is there from Christ to lead you to Christ in this grace and duty Ans First Time Secondly Place observed as before Thirdly I am to set my self as in Gods presence and examine Ier. 31.18 19. First My first conversion to God to finde evidence of the truth of that by considering 1. The meritorious cause Christ 2. The Nature 3. Author And 4. Means of working this grace in my soul as far as I can discern 5. The matter of it the whole man soul and body 6. The manner And 7. The end and effects of this conversion and repentance as in this Catechism is held forth or a I finde in other Catethisms or word from Christ Ezek. 36.31 Psal 51.10 Mat. 26.57 Secondly To examine the progresse and growth of it daily in my soule not only loathing but turning from sinne to God and lamenting my fâ—â—ling with sorrow if I have fallen as David Peter or other Saints of God and ungratefully forgotten the love of my Saviouâ— Fourthly meditating of my sinnes and vile ingratitude against so good a God to me in Christ Fifthly a right application all to my own soul in particular Psa 51.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Isa 2.1 2 3. Psal 122 1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.7 8. And lastly prayer to God in the name of Christ untill I finde an increase of power over my sinfull corruptions and a more ful assurance of my pardon new heart and spirit-restored joy which that it may better be communicated from Christ to my soule I long to meet Christ in his ordinances Quest 13. But what help and light from Christ have you to finde out not only your originall sin and sinfull nature in generall before your repentance and conversion to God but you daily actuall sals an A failings by which you do dishonour God grieve the Spirit of Christ and wound your own conscience and make your self more unfit to come to the holy Sacrament Answ I conceive I may wait on Christ and his Spirit looking for light from Christ into a threefold glasse or book which reveils sins to my soul by the power and light of Christs Spirit Quest 14. What is the first Answ The first is the book of the law or commanding part of Gods will or Word revealed by Christ held forth in the ten Commandements in particular Isa 8.21 and in the whole Scriptures of God in generall Quest 15. What is the second glasse Ioh. 3.17 18 19 20. Ioh. 16 8 9. Hebr. 2.2 3. Mat. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6. 9 10 11 12. Mat. 25.19 c. Answ Secondly the book ot the Gospel or gracious promising part of Gods Word against which I have sinned by unbelief too little regard of the tender of grace to improve my talent of faith other graces communicated to Saints and to my soul in and by Christ Iesus Quest 16. What is the third glasse or light from Christ to see this truth Answ The book of my own conscience enlightned which as Register recordeth my sins and will upon search by the help of Christs Spirit and light from Christ set my sins before my face with the circumstances Rom. 2.14 15. Rom. 9.1 2. Gen.
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
are ignorant and know not God Ans The Lord Iesus shall come from heaven in flaming fire 1 Thes 1.7 1. and render vengeance to them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ Quest 24. What is the condition of ignorant men then whether simple ignorant or carelesly ignorant or wilfully ignorant of God And what counsel is to be given to these ignorant and sinful souls Ans Their condition is miserable and damnable therefore they should wait on Christ in his Ordinances for Power to lament their ignorance Acts 5.31 1 Cor. 4. Ps 9.10 Iohn 3.16 and not rest until Christ give them remission of their sin that in the end they may know God in Christ and trust on him and be saved Quest 25. You have satisfied me in the first particular duty and sin forbidden Now what is a second duty required Ans As it is my duty to know God so it is my duty to believe Gen. 15.6 2 Chron. 20.20 Ps 9.10 Ioh. 14.1 Heb. 11.6 Pro. 3.5 and repose my trust and confidence in God my God in Iesus Christ as my God in Christ that so I may rightly glorifie God in every condition by believing and depending upon God in all estates for things corporal spiritual and eternal Quest 26. What are the contrary sins to this faith trust and confidence in God Psal 78.21 22. Num. 20 12 1 Sam. 27.1 Ans First unbelief and distrust of God or his goodnesse manifested in Gods Word and faithful promises for the good of his Church and children Quest 27. What is a second sin Deut 1.29 c. Ier. 49.16 Psal 118.8 9. Ans Presumption against Gods threatnings and carnal confidēce in mens riches and honours or any thing but on the Lord and his goodnesse and truth in his promises Quest 28. What is the punishment and misery of unbelievers and such presumptuous persons Ans They are cursed in this life Ier. 17.5 Rev. 21.8 Mar. 16.16 Acts 5.31 and to be separated from God and cursed and tormented for ever hereafter except God in time give faith and repentance in Christ Iesus Quest 29. What is a third particular duty required in this first Command Ans Hope Rom. 5.1 c. Ps 5.6 7 33.22 Tit. 1.2 1 Pet. 1.3 by which we expect and wait for those blessings spiritual temporal or eternal which God hath promised in Christ and which we believe God will in his due time give according to his promise Quest 30. What is the contrary sin Ans Despair 2 Kings 6.33 Mat. 27.4 5. Heb. 10.38 39. and impatiently casting off hope and refusing to wait upon God any longer casting away confidence in God Quest 31. What is fourth particular duty required in this first Command Ans If we must have the Lord Iehovah for our God as God commands then as I must know and acknowledge the Lord to be my God Deu. 6.5 and believe in him and trust in him and hope and depend upon him Mat. 22.27 19. 17. Iam. 1.17 1 Ioh. 1.14 so it is my duty to love him with all my heart and soul above all and for himself as the chiefest good and the Author and Fountain of good unto all and to love Gods Word and children for God with all the Ordinances and means of grace Quest 32. What is the contrary sin Mat. 10.37 Ioh. 12.43 1 tim 3.2 Ro. 1.30 Ans Love of any thing above God and hatred of God his Word Ordinances and children or any thing that is near and dear to the great God Quest 33 What is a fifth particular duty commanded Gen. 31.42 De. 6.13 13.12 Mat. 10.28 1 Pet. 1.16 17. Gen. 28. Ans An holy childe-like fear of sinning against so great and good a God with a holy reverence of his Majesty at all times and in all places whatsoever Quest 34. What are the contrary particular sins forbidden in this Commandment Ps 30.1 2 Ro. 3 18. Luk. 23.30 Eccl. 8.12 13. Rom. 2.5 Ans First carnal security or want of the fear of God or of offending God presumption to sin in Gods presence without reverence of Gods Majesty and a hardnesse of heart or seared conscience without fear of God 1 Tim. 4.2 Secondly servile slavish fear of Gods judgements Dan. 5.6 Acts 24.25 Thirdly base fear of the creature without consideration of Gods greatnesse and goodnesse over all 1 Sam. 15.24 Mat. 10.28 Quest 35. What is a sixth particular duty in this first Commandment Ans Inward spiritual Deu. 13.4 Isa 1.29 and son-like obedience in a gratitude or thankful acknowledgement of Gods free gifts of grace upon us far above our deservings Gen. 32.10 1 Cor. 1◠31 Num. 14.14 that in all we may seek to glorifie this great and good God not with outward onely but with sincere and hearty obedence as our God and heavenly Father in Iesus Christ Quest 36. What are the contrary sins forbidden Ans Disobedience rebellion 1 Sam. 15 22 23. Isa 1.2 Ier. 44.17 Hab. 1.16 ingratitude sacrificing to our own nets or to any creature in our hearts and not to God Quest 27. What other particular duties are required or sins forbidden in this first Commandment Ans There are divers other concerning our inward obedience which may be found in several places of Scripture and to be referred hither I will touch but one more Quek 38. What is that duty required Phil. 4.4 Gē 17.1 Neh. 8.10 Hab. 3.17 18. Ioh. 16.21 22. Ans This is joy delight and content in God as the chiefest good in which the heart of a childe of God can delight in or rest contented or satisfied in either in this world or the world to come Quest 39. What are the sins contrary to this joy in the Lord Gen. 30.1 2. 1 Kings 21.4 5. Psal 42.5.11 Ans First sinful sadnesse and discontented heavinesse when men are so sorrowful for want of the creature comforts or satisfaction of their delight in the creature or their own wills that they forget that all-sufficient fulnesse of joy Eph. 3.18 19. or cause of rejoycing is in God the Lord and Saviour of his Church and people Gen. 6.1 2 3. 1 Kin. 11.1 2 3. Eccl. 2.8 c. Ionah 4.6 7. Quest 40. What is a second sin Ans To joy and delight in any creature or creature delight in husband Wife children friends or whatsoever earthly thing above God or to draw our hearts from God This is a sin and sometimes God seeth it best to take these temporal joyes from his children or turns them to sorrows Ioh. 16.21 22. that we may seek to and rest in him for joy eternal which none can take from us Quest 41. What use I pray you can you make of this knowledge of these many duties required and sins forbidden in this Commandment Ans First I may see in this light 2 Cor. 2.10 Who is sufficient
and being grieved when they do evill as an affliction of God upon themselves correcting them in time and especially taking care to prevent sin in them and Gods Judgement for sin upon them Secondly to declare their love to their Children in nourishing them and bringing them up with fit education Prov. 4.3.4.5 according to their calling Thirdly in taking care to place them in some honest calling for which they are fit by naturall inclination and gifts or with which their minde upon true information is affected as convenient and hopefully profitable for soules and bodies Gen. 49.8 9 10. c. and a comfortable lively-hood when they come to mens estate as Iacob gave his Sonnes callings in his blessing and care for them Fourthly in taking care for them Gen. 28. Gen. 24.1 2 3 4 c 1 Cor. 7.36 if God give ability and fitnesse to direct them in matters of moment for their comfortable life especially in the Married estate providing for them as Abraham for his Son Eccles 7.25 Gen. 14.57 58. and the wise man for his daughter not without her liking and consent Fifthly laying up and providing comfortably for their children 2 Cor. 12.14 Deut. 21.17 Gen. 49.3.4 1 Chron. 5 1.2 Gen. 17.23 Exod. 4.25 26. Mark 10.13.14 Luke 1.59.60 Ephes 6.4 as God giveth ability unto them in estate respecting the Eldest according to the right of the first born if there be no just cause held forth in Scripture to the contrary Sixthly as to procure for them as children of beleevers born in the Church the Sacrament of Baptisme that seale of the Covenant as their priviledge if God afford it in a right manner so to bring them up in the knowledge of Christ that they may walke according to the Covenant Gen. 49.15.16 Heb. 13.20.21 Monica prayes for her Sonne Augustine c. Seventhly to pray to the Lord for his blessing upon them as the Patriarks and Saints did of old and the Children of God of later Times in the Church Quest 16. You have held forth the particular duties of Parents to their Children now what are the particular sinnes contrary unto these duties Answ Whatsoever is contrary to the duties before mentioned as in briefe First not to love their Children Mat. 7.9 and take care to provide for them Secondly to hate them Ephes 5.29 Eccles 16.1.2 3. Thirdly to love their bodies or to take care for their outward temporall Estates and not to take care for their soules and Eternall Estate Fourthly to neglect Catechizing Deut. 11.19 or Instructing of them Fifthly 1 Kings 1.6 Prov. 10.1 Prov. 29.15.17 to be too Indulgent towards them Cockering of them which often proves the undoing of Children and griefe of Parents the Child left to himselfe bringeth his Mother to shame Sixthly to be too cruell Eph. 6.4 and bitter in correction or otherwise towards their Children Coloss 3.21 provoking them to take those evill courses which a wise and right Fatherly carriage towards them might have prevented which is contrary to that Rule Fathers provoke not your Children lest they be discouraged Seventhly in cursing Rom. 12.14 or not praying for their children and not desiring Gods blessing upon them for if the Magistrate or prophet of God the Civill and spirituall Father may sinne in not praying for their civill and spirituall 1 Sam. 12.23 children then it must needs be a sinne also in naturall Parents Gen. 9.25 For howsoever Noah prophetically cursed Canaan yea some others have in a propheticall manner pronounced curses to come upon the wicked yet to curses as commonly wicked Parents and others too often use Matt. 5.44.45 is a grievous sinne and God many times brings the Parents curses upon their Children Quest 17. You have manifested the duties of Parents towards their Children now what light have you from Christ to hold forth in Scripture the duty of Children towards their Parents Answ These duties of children may be branched forth into divers particulars Ruth 4.15 John 14.31 Gen. 31.35 Gen. 46.29 Gen. 47.7 Malach 1.6 Gen. 45.8.9 Gen. 45.23 Gen. 44.30 31. First the childrens duty is to love honour and highly esteem of and reverence their naturall Parents although they themselves be highly exalted and their Parents be but of mean Estate and to declare their honourable esteeme of their Parents in all Words and Actions of reverence and respect both in their presence and absence Secondly childrens duty is to fear offending of their Parents or grieving them by word or deed in their presence or by any Actions Leviticus 19.3 or behaviour in their absence thou shall feare thy Mother and thy Father I am the Lord the Mother is named before the Father because children are most apt to disrespect their Mother therefore the wise man he expresseth both together Prov. 23 2â— hearken to thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Let children not forget their duty herein Thirdly Ephes 6.1.2 2. Coloss 3.20 Prov. 1.8 children are not onely to love and honour and feare offending but also to obey their Parents in the Lord the Apostle presseth this duty with the motive of a promised blessing which is the first Commandement with promise saith he that it may goe well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth Luke 2â— 11 and Christ himselfe giveth an Example when he was subject unto his Parents Fourthly the duty of children Prov. 1.8 is to accept off and subject unto the instruction and correction of Parents Heb. 12.7.9 as that which is most profitable for their good being discreetly and in right manner performed Fifthly the duty of children is to be directed Gen. 28. â— 2 Gen. 28.6.7 and advised by their Parents with much respect for undertaking Matters of great concernment especially for their undertaking of marriage good children will not be rash in this without consent of Parents especially religious Parents who take care both of their soules and bodies and the like respect ought Foster children to have of their Guardians Hester 2.7.20 and Foster Parents who religiously and carefully take care for their good Prov. 4.1.3 c. Matt 15.4.5 6. 1 Tim. 5.4 Gen. 47.12 John 19 2â— 27. Gen. 27.34 Gen 48.12 13. Gen. 14.12 13 14.15 c. Prov. 31.28 Prov. 17.17 Rom. 12.10 Sixthly childrens duty is to follow Parents good Example and to declare themselves thankfull to their Parents seeking their good and taking care for them if at any time they stand in need of cherishing or provision for their comfortable lively-hood in this life especially for the good of their soules Christ tooke care for his Mother even at his death Seventhly children are to desire and esteeme the Prayers and blessing of their Parents to love Parents Friends and especially naturall Brethren and Sisters as most neer ein relation Quest 18. You have held forth the dutâ—es now what
wife to be of a contentious brawling spirit Prov. 21.9.19 unquiet provoking disposition in the house of her Husband or toward her Husband wheresoever a contentious woman is there is like a continuall droping Prov. 27.15 which rotteth and consumeth a house to destruction Fourthly Gen. 2.18.23 Eccles 25. Prov. 31.12 the wife sinnes that is not a helper and cherisher of her Husband in sicknesse and in health doing him good and not evill all the dayes of his life Fifthly a wife sinneth in helping provoking 1 Kings 21 25. and furthering of her Husband to Commit or Act wickednesse as Jezabell did Ahab he sold himselfe to work wickednesse in the sight of the Lord whom Iezabell his wife stirred up Sixthly It is a sinne of the wife to be an unprofitable house-wife Prov. 31.27 either carelesse or negligent at home of her Husbands Estate Prov. 7.11.12 Prov. 12.4 not looking to the wayes of her Houshold or in often frequent gadding from home upon idle and unnecessary occasions to the shame of her Husband and neglect of her duty of Coadjutrix or fellow-helper-ship in Government of the Family to Gods Glory and their mutuall good Quest 7. The Commom and particular duties of Husbands towards their wives and of wives towards their Husbandâ— you have revealed by light from Christ now what are the duties of Parents or Fathers and Mothers of Families towards their Houshold and Families Answ They are to Rule their own Houses well 1 Tim. 3.4 Psal 101.1 2 3. c Rom. 16.5 and to Govern them Religiously according to the word of God that their House may be as one of the Churches of Christ Quest 8. In what particulars are they thus to rule and Govern their Families Answ Chiefly in those four particulars viz. Instruction Correction Provision and Example Quest 9. How and wherein ought Parents and Masters of Families to Rule and Order their Housholds by Instruction Answ Not only by Commanding and taking Care that their Houshold and Family do Sanctifie Gen. 20.10 Deut. 6.6 7. and keep holy the Lords day in frequenting the Publike Ordinances but also Catechizing them imprivate 2 Tim. 3.15 and instructing them in the first principles of the Oracles of God Quest 10. In what Correction are they to exercise this Houshold Government what light from Christ herein Answ In exercising of discipline towards their Children and Servants First in words Mat. 5.22 wise Admonitions and holy Reproofes not with reviling Termes Cursing or Banning as too many but convincing reasons out of Gods word Secondly with Moderate and Discreet Correction Prov. 13.24 Jerem. 30.11 Prov. 22.15 Prov. 10.13 not in mercilesse rigour and madd frenzie But in measure as God doth his Children and in pitty and compassion as sorry for such an affliction that they have such Children or Servants sent of God who stand in need of the Rod most fit for the Asses back Quest 11. With what provision ought they to provide for and order their Families with Answ That which is convenient and necessary for them 1 Tim. 5.8 Food and Rayment and comfortable rest in due time Prov. 31.15 c. Quest 12. How ought Parents and Governours of Families men or women to be examples to their Housholds Children or Servants Answ I Answer they are to be leaders and patternes to their Houshold Children and Servants in their words and actions especially in all the Practice of Christian Duties as becometh Saints of the Houshold of Faith Quest 13. You have held forth the duties of Parents of Families by a light from Christ now what are the sinnes which are contrary unto those duties and so a Breach of this first Commandement Honour thy Father and thy Mother what light from the spirit of Christ to know the said sinnes Answ First Parents and Governours of Families do sinne in not Commanding and causing Children and Servants to waite upon Christ in the publike Ordinances Gen. 18.19 Joshua 24.25 in not seeing them not onely to come to the Congregation but to abide there not as some who bring their Parents or Mistresses to Church and then slip out again and go to what they ought not Besides this Parents and Governours of Families sinne in not calling them to account what they have learned and how they have profited and what they have brought away of the Sermon Secondly Parents of Families sinne in not Catechizing Gen. 18 19. and Instructing their Children and Servants in the Grounds and Principles of Religion that they may be able to make a solemn profession of their Faith 1 Pet. 3.17 when they are called to declare their knowledge and to be approved for their admittance to the Lords Supper 2 Pet. 3.17 18. and to increase knowledge daily in their soules Thirdly Prov. 23.13.14 Governours of Families sinne in not giving moderate and fit correction to Children and Servants when need requireth it when words and admonition will not prevaile Prov. 10 1â— Prov. 29.15 then the Rod is Gods Ordinance so it be ordered in a right manner not to spare when necessity requireth Fourthly Colos 3.21 it is a sinne to provoke Children or Servants with reviling speeches Ephes 6.4.9 or to correct immeasurably without mercy or without mingling convincing reasons if they be able that correction is just and to be submitted unto as Gods Ordinance for the better Instruction of Children and Servants in their duties Fifthly 1 Tim. 5.8 Masters and Governours of Families sin in not providing for their Families Children and Servants what is convenient according to their abilities As Phillip 3.17 so c. As Gods Ministers spirituall Parents so all others Examples 1 Pet 5.3 Sixtly Parents and Masters of Families sinne in giving any evill examples to their Children or Servants either in their words or actions either by sinnes of Omission or Commission by which their Children and Servants may be encouraged to any evill or hindred or disheartned in what is good and well pleasing to God in Christ as spirituall so corporall Parents should be examples Quest 14. What are the generall sins of Children Servants or any inferiours in a Family contrary to these duties or to Superiours in this respect Answ To disobey the lawfull Commands Ephes 6.1.5 of their Superiours and especially of Parents and Masters of Families in any of these particulars Quest 15. The Common duties of Parents and Governours of Families are this held forth unto us what now are the particular duties of naturall Parents towards their Children and what light from Christ to learn these Answ Divers duties of naturall Parents to Children are already expressed Prov. 4.3.4 Psal 103.13 Isaiah 49.15 Gen. 25.28 Prov 19.18 Prov. 13.24 2 Sam 1â— 33 Job 1.4.5 Prov. 20.6 we may now say First naturall Parents duty is to love their Children with a naturall parentall love affectionatly ready to do them good upon all occasions