betwixt these sinful pleasures here and the fear of eternal vengeance hereafter 5. Their combat how hot soever is still joyned with a custome and purpose of sinning so that they lay down the Cudgels to sin saying This is my nature and I must do it 2 Pet. 2.14 Now the combat in regenerate men is 1. Fierce and in the purpose of the heart against all sin though sometimes it be defective in some act or acts 2. In this combat they disallow the evil they do not onely from a principle of natural conscience which in some sins carnal men may do but also from a principle of spiritual life because it is contrary to the life which they live 3. They groan under their evils with many a sign and tear in secret yea such evils as the world takes no notice of as dead-hartedness declining of affection to God want of former feelings hard ness of heart unbelief coldness and distraction in good duties vain hopes vain fears carking cases lumpishness in Gods service risings of revenge also the tricks the soul hath had to keep off convincement in suffering times also the by-ends in the good it hath done One wears a chain as an ornament another as a fetter and would fain be rid of it so wicked men wear their lusts as ornaments to them but Gods people wear them as the heaviest chain 4. If in the combat the Flesh get the upper hand and they fall they cannot be quiet till they have turned to God and recovered their acquaintance with him Psalm 51.8 9 10 11 12. but carnal men are not troubled but add sin to sin Gen. 37.24 Q. Whether it be possible for a Christian to be assured of his union with Christ and of his acceptation into favour with God A. Yes 1. because the Scripture bids us prove our spirituall estate 2 Cor. 13.4 Gal. 6.4 1 Cor. 11.28 Now the Spirit would not bid us search for that which could not be found 2. Because the Scripture reveales unto us many evidences of our assurance some taken from our union with Christ and some from the in-dwelling of the Spirit in us Q. What markes or signs doth the Scripture reveal to evidence our union with Christ A. The most demonstrative signe or at least one of them is soveraigne love to God to the Lord better then any enjoyment of Lands Liberties Life Wife and Children Mat. 10.37 Luke 9.23 14.26 Mat. 16.24 which evidence if you leave out the soul may be deceived in others severed from this For whosoever believes in Christ his faith doth work by love Gal. 5.4 yea by a love of this measure Heb. 11.25 26 27 35. Q. What are the Witnesses that witness a Christians good condition to God-ward A. They are two 1. The witness of Gods Spirit 2. The witness of our regenerated Spirits Rom. 8.16 The Spirit beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God Q. What doth the Spirit witness A. It witnesses God is our Father for we having received the Spirit of adoption thereby cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 it witnesses the things that are freely given us of God 1 Cor. 2.9 12. Q. After what manner doth the Spirit witnesse A. Two wayes First by the impressions and stamps which like a Seal upon the Wax it maketh upon the soul Ephes 1.13 Secondly by the fruits and effects thereof Q What are the impressions or stamps the Spirit maketh upon the soul A. They are two First the stamp of Holiness whereby the Spirit changeth the Saints into the image of God from one glorious grace into another 2 Cor. 3.18 so that as a seal destroyes that image that was in the Wax before so doth the seal or stamps of the Spirit destroy corruption in the soul in respect of the reign of it and set up grace in the reign thereof Rom. 6.14 This same stamp of Holiness being throughout 1 Thess 5.23 and consisting in a change of the whole man 2 Cor. 3.18 and especially in a transformation of the minde Rom. 12.2 and will Acts 9.6 is one of the impressions of the Spirit Secondly the impression of Comfort and Feeling Psal 51.8.12 this being given of the Spirit Eph. 1.13 as an occasional refreshing not as daily food for the soul to feed upon Psal 6.8 Psal 31.22 doth shew the Spirit of God is in us 2 Cor. 1.3 yet doth not the want of his feeling prove that the Spirit of God is not in us for God doth sometimes hide himself from the soul Isa 45.15 Psal 51.8 the Spirit in respect of this feeling is one of the three witnesses that testifies Christ to be our Saviour 1 John 5.8 Q. whether is a Christians assurance and feeling all one A. No The word and promise of a powerful faithful and willing God with the Notes and Evidences of a Christians good estate as they are laid down in the Scripture are the grounds of a Christians assurance and comfortable feelings are the Crown thereof A poor deserted soul that hath little feeling may have a soveraign love of God fear of sin and an absolute purpose against it Psal 44.18 19. yea he may have uprightness of heart Job 1.1 compared with chap. 6.4 yea he may have faith in Christ Psal 22.1 yea an earnest thirsting after Christ Cant. 5.6 Now shall I have a purpose to deny credit wealth and life for Christ yea and have all the forementioned gracious fruits and shall I not have grounds of assurance that my estate is good to God-ward When Christ asked Peter whether he loved him he did not say Lord thou knowest we cannot tell whether we love thee or no but said Thou knowest that I love thee Q. Whew doth the Spirit seal the soul with comfort A. First when the soul is cast down in humiliation and earnestly longs for the light of Gods countenance Job 22.29 Isa 29.19 Secondly upon self-denial of that which is pleasant or suffering that which is painful Mat. 19.27 Thirdly after conflict with corruptions or other temptations and victory over them Apoc. 2.17 Fourthly when a believer takes paines with his heart and puts forth his strength in duty Hosea 12.4 Q What are the effects and fruits whereby the Spirit witnesses his in-being in the soul A. They are divers as 1. An inablement of the soul to do things above nature as to love the Lord Soveraignly to love our enemies to love the godly for the Image of God in them 2. When the Spirit is combating in us against all that is sin Gal. 5.17 so that we do not onely suppress the same but also lust after graces contrary thereunto 3. As the beames of the Sun shew forth the presence of the Sun so the sighs groans and meltings in holy hearts evidence that the Spirit is in them Zach. 12.10 Rom. 8.26 Q. What is the testimony of our own spirit A. It is the Testimony of a renewed Conscience witnessing us no be in the state of grace upon sufficient grounds Rom.
and refuse the wayes of all sin in the purpose of the heart Psal 119.101 104. but when men have good things put to them by the word and Conscience and in the purpose and frame of their heart refuse them this argues a dead will Jer. 5.3 5. By the cleaving of the heart when the heart sticks so to its duty that nothing can pull it off neither bonds nor imprisonment Acts 21.13 Acts 11.23 so that though violence of torturing temptations may seem to carry the soul off in a fit as in some of the Martyrs yet in the habit of the heart it sticks so to God and his Word that nothing can unsettle the habit Psal 119.31 Dan. 3.16 17. Dan. 6.10 though tentation may unsettle an act 6. By the groanings and sighings of the heart under corruption Psal 119.5 David out of the unwillingness of his flesh fetch'd a groan saying O that my wayes were made direct 7. By the reachings of the will living wills use to reach after God Phil. 3.13 as a man that reaches as high as he can and strives to reach higher he believes in some measure and would believe more opposes every known sin and would oppose it more follows all goodness and would follow it more 8. By the intentions of the heart when they are set for God so that the soul saith thus So that I may keep close to God and keep my conscience pure and may not be carried away with the world this is that I desire so that as carnal men make honour and pleasure and that which leads thereto their ends so Saints make God and that which lead to him their end Q. How may a man know his conscience is made alive to God 1. Urgency of conscience to press the soul to its duty is no argument of spiritual life Numb 22.18 nor yet trouble of conscience before or after the committing of sin Mark 6.26 Dan. 6.14 1 Sam. 13.12 Mat. 27.41 Yea conscience awakened may make a man go against all outward by-respects Numb 22.18 Matth. 27.4 and make a man look at God Gen. 31.29 Ezra 1.2 Rom. 10.2 2. But then is the conscience alive when not onely conscience doth his duty but makes a man do his duty towards God and Man whether conscience do it with much adoe or little adoe as to believe with all the heart to love God soveraignly to serve God sincerely c. 2. When the conscience doth not onely excuse a man in part Gen. 20.6 7. Rom. 2.15 but excuses him full out that he stands guitless by faith in Christ Rom. 8.2 and that every purpose of his heart is set against every sin and for every duty Acts 23.1 Heb. 13.18 3. When we are glad our conscience is so busie with us Psal 16.7 yea we call upon our conscience to be busie with us Psal 103.1 Q. How may we know our affections are made alive to God A. 1. When our principall treasure is in heaven Mat. 6.20 and our affections are set upon it not upon the world Col. 3.12 That though worldly occasions may put off the heart from heaven for a time yet no sooner are these employments over but the heart endeavours after its former enjoyment of God so that as the affections of dead men are ever and anon upon the world because they have a dead and worldly frame of heart so the affections of men spiritually alive are ever and anon upon God because they have a quickned and heavenly frame of heart 2. VVhen the heart can relish good things Rom. 8.5 So that as carnal men savour profit and pleasure and carnal contents so the affections alive can savour communion with God the face of God the word of God the sweetness of a Spiritual duty 3. When the heart esteems God above all enjoyments Psal 73.25 26. So that thou wilt morgage any thing for God and the things of God so that thou wilt count his glory dearer then thy credit duty to him dearer then life to thy self Acts 20.24 to such affections the promise 2. Pet. 1.4 grace Prov. 3.15 and Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 is pretious above all 4. When thy greatest care is to please God Tit. 3.8 and how to get thy heart weaned from the world and how to keep conscience pure Acts 24.15 and thy greatest fear is to sin against God Gen. 39.10 so that thou fearest him above reproach poverty or death it self Dan. 3.16 17. Q. How may we know our memory it made alive A. Whereas by Nature corrupt we are apt to remember foolish things Psal 106.3 as foolish jests and wrongs and injuries done to us and are apt to forget God and all his commands Psal 78.7 the Spirit brings good things to a regenerate memory John 14.16 so that the soul remembers to practice Psal 109.16 And as at other times he remembers his duty so especially in time of tentation Gen. 39.10 Q. What ought to be the ground and motive of a Christians obedience A. 1. The command of Christ with is the bond of the conscience Rom. 1.14 Acts 20.22 2. The love of God from whence our obedience ought to flow John 14.15 2 Cor. 5.15 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal of the combat of the flesh and spirit A. It tells us that the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that we cannot do the good that we would do Gal. 5.17 Q. What my comfort a regenerate man in this combat of Flesh and Spirit A. This may comfort him 1. That he hates the evil that he doth and loves the good that he doth not Rom. 7.15 16. 2. That he delight in that law that forbids his evil Rom. 7.22 and consents unto it that it is a good law ver 16. 3. He groans under his evil as a most heavy burthen Rom. 7.24 and doth not allow himself in the least evil vers 15. 4. Though his flesh do too often serve the Law of sin yet in his mind or intention of his heart he still doth serve the Law of Christ Rom. 7.25 Q. But seeing many natural men have combats in themselves in respect of sin how shall I know that I combat aright A. The combats that Natural men have are mostly 1. Betwixt Reason and sensuality so many are sorry they cannot refrain their uncleanness drunkenness gaming because they are contrary to reason 2. Or betwixt natural Conscience and natural Passions as in Pilate whose conscience warned him not to pass sentence against Christ yet he durst not do otherwise for fear he should lose Caesars favour 3. Or betwixt some outward evil for a time or some gross sin all their life long mean time harbouring some secret darling-abomination as the love of their estates liberties and lives more then Christ 4. Or betwixt a purpose of continuing in sinfull pleasures and a desire to enjoy eternal pleasures as in Balaam who desired to live in covetousness yet would fain have died the death of the righteous so is this combat sometimes
hand-writings of Mosaical or Ceremonial Ordinances which did publickly profess the misery and guilt of the World and also did blot out take away and tear the damnatory power of the moral Law which being contrary to us did convince us of sin and condemn us for it Rom. 3.20 Gal. 3.10 So that as the Debter is quiet when his Debt is forgiven and the Bond cancelled so the heart of the Belâ—ever is quieted when not onely all his sins both original and actual are forgiven but also all hand-writings which may witness the same against him are taken away Col. 2.13 14. yea not onely so but also the same Lord Jesus did spoile strip and disarme the principalities and powers of Hell of all that power whereby they prosecuted the bond of the Law against us Col. 2.15 and made a triumphant shew of them so conquered to the Faith of the Believer as the triumphant Conquerors of the World were wont of old to lead the Conquered bound before their triumphant Charets all the people looking on Col. 2.15 And as in battel where the General and chief Commanders are overcome the rest of the Souldiery are also subdued so with the Devils whatsoever did war against us was overcomed as Law Sin Death Hell Heb. 2.14 1 Cor. 15.55 so that none can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect Rom. 8.33 Q. What is it to live by Faith A. To rest on Gods promises for justification Gal. 2.20 for Sanctification John 15.2 and for temporal things Psal 34.10 So that whereas carnal men live by sense believing no further then they see and live by their lusts helping themselves by indirect means in time of want and danger a Christian lives upon a promise Heb. 11.7 Gen. 32.9 10 11. Esther 4.4 Job 13.15 Q. Wherein is the life of faith seen A. In sundry particulars as 1. In drawing life and quickening from Christ as the branches draw sap from the root John 15.5 2. In believing pardon of sin notwithstanding many circumstances of aggravation alledged by Satan and Conscience Gal. 2.20 2. In comforting in afflictions though I be afflicted saith Faith yet it is the hand of a wise God and tender Father John 18.11 this Cup is a medicine out of a Fathers hand 4. In proposing God to the soul in the loss of all when there is nothing in the barn nor in the field faith sees enough in God 1 Sam. 30.6 Hab. 3 16 17. 2 Cor. 6.9 10. When friends dye and Credit is gone Faith tells the soul God lives and there is praise with him 5. In making a person let go the best of enjoyments for God as credit 1 Sam. 6.20 and estate Heb. 10.34 and pleasures Heb. 11.25 and life Acts 21.13 and causing him to suffer the worst of evils as reproaches Heb. 11.26 banishment Revel 1.10 and tortures Heb. 11.35 out of Conscience towards God 1 Pet. 2.19 6. In making a person refuse sinful gaine Acts. 8.21 when it might be had without any mans knowledge Prov. 21.6 7. In keeping the soul from the use of unlawful means to come out of trouble 1 Sam. 26.9 10. waiting till God open a door of deliverance Isa 28.16 8. In eying God for a good issue out of the midst of troubles 2 Chron. 20.12 because of his promise that he will never fail us nor forsake us Heb. 13.5 9. In setting before the soul the recompence of reward both in eternity of joy 2 Thes 4.17 and property of interest 1 John 5.12 all this is thine saith Faith 10. In freeing the soul from a slavish fear of death Heb. 2.15 Psal 23.4 men have found out comfort against other evils as poverty shame but faith onely professes the Cure of the fear of death Of Sins against Knowledge and Conscience Q. WHat is it to sin against knowledge or Conscience A. It is when we take the fulfilling of a lust or the performance of a duty into consideration and consider motives against the sin or to the duty and notwithstanding all these motives that would stop us yet we commit the sin Dan. 5.22 Rom. 1.24 or omit the duty Jam. 4.17 Q. Whether are all sins against Knowledge and Conscience alike or are some greater then others A. The more a person considers the issues and events of such a sin before he commits it Rom. 1.32 and the more consultations thou hast about it Dan. 6.14 and the more warnings thou hast against it whether from God Conscience or men and yet dost commit it the more hainous is thy sin Mark 14.21 Mat. 17.18 19. Yea the more sorrow and reluctancy in committing such an evil argues thou sinnest against greater knowledge Mark 6.26 for this displeasure of minde arises from the deep apprehension of the evil then a doing from which thy knowledge would stop thee but it cannot Q. Whether are sins committed against Conscience and Knowledge pardonable A. Yes 1. Because they are not the sin against the Holy Ghost 2. Because for the most voluntary sins a Sacrifice was to be offered Levit. 6.8 There were Sacrifices to be offered for him that denyed a thing that was given him to keep in the day of Restitution but if persons persecute the Truth against light and maliciously then there is no pardon for that sin Heb. 6.4 5. and 10.26 27 28 29. Yet though sins against Conscience are pardonable yet this circumstance that such a sin was deliberately committed against light makes the soul more guilty than ordinarily the sin committed therewith Qu. Wherein is the greatness of sins against Knowledge soon A. In divers respects as 1. In such sins there is a great contempt of the power of Knowledge and Justice of God Numb 15.30 Deut. 29.19 Numb 15.32 33. 2. In such sins there is more of the Will 1 Sam. 13.12 hence Saul for sinning against Conscience was cast off 1 Sam. 13.12 compared with 1 Sam. 15.14 26. 3. In such sins there is a greater resistance of that light the Spirit kindles in us Acts 5.3 Ananias and Sapphira lying against that light the Spirit set up in them were smit with sudden death for sinning so against their knowledge Acts 7.51 4. In sins against Knowledge there are fewer pretences Matth. 22.12 Joh. 15.22 In sins of ignorance men pretend they know not duty but here 's no place for such pretence Ioh. 9.41 5. We may see the greatness of such sins from the stripes proportioned to them Luke 12.48 Rom. 1.15 such are beaten with many stripes 6. In that by such sins we do at once quench the fire of the Spirit and lose the feelings of Gods Love Psal 51.11 12. Q. Why do men venture upon sins against knowledge seeing they are dangerous A. 1. Union of the heart to some lust either of gain or pleasure Matth. 15.10 compared with verse 15. 2. Lothness to take up the Crosses that lye in the way of duty Hence persons lye and do other evils against conscience 1 Sam. 13.12 Iob. 36.21 3. Presumptuous hope of
thy heart is emboldened in its Petitions and thou desirest further Communion with God that thou art as it were loath to leave off the words of prayer much less the suits of prayer it is a signe God will grant thy prayer to thee 8. Thou mayest know thy prayers are heard when in the close of thy prayer thou hast some comfortable answer suggested unto thee from God for example God by his Spirit comes to some suggesting on this wise when they pray powerfully viz. I will be thy God I will not fail thee nor forsake thee I will do thee much good I will be an everlasting God unto thee so God suggested to Paul at the end of his prayer 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee Lam. 3.5.7 when the Church was discouraged out of sence of her unworthiness God drew neer and said Fear not so Luther in Gen. c. 44. saith O that I could call upon God with the same fervency as oft as I would for when I pray in this manner meaning fervently this answer seems sensibly to be given unto me Fiat quod petis let the thing be done which thou desirest No man saith he can contemn this prayer which proceeds from inward bowels and affection much less can it be in vain with God for this last signe I am confident some of Gods Children have it but whether all have it I leave it to further enquiry 9. The manner of the falling out of things evidenceth prayer-hearing when God brings a thing to pass through many difficulties contriving all the passages in a business whereof if any of them had been wanting the business had not been effected so when the Church was delivered in answer to the Prayers of Esther and Mordecai so when Peter was brought out of prison beyond expectation it plainly appears it was the fruit of prayer when God makes the way easie and plain after prayer and the course of things begins to change and we meet with comforts in stead of former crosses it appears it is from prayers answered Esth 4.16 Acts 12.12 13. Of Gods with-drawments from the Soul Q. WHether may not God with-draw from his own Children A. Yes if God forsake Christ his onely begotten Son Mat. 26.38 in respect of comfort and joy though not in respect of union of natures then Believers must not look to go free Q. Why doth God with-draw from his children A. Careless and negligent use of means of grace or an overly performance of duties of Religion Song 5.2 2 3 4. 2. For grieving his Spirit Isa 63.10 either by scandalous sins Psal 51.11 or treacherous denial of Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 Christ will deny to such comfort as well as owning 3. Not esteeming Gods presence Iob 15.11 we prize things in their absence 4. To make us grow in a hatred of sin as of that which deprives us of Communion with God Isa 57.17 5. That we may know what Christ underwent for us in the absence of Gods presence Luk. 22. 6. To try whether we will trust in God in the want of feeling Job 13.15 Q. What may comfort a soul when God withdraws comfortable feeling and influence of his presence which the soul hath formerly felt in Prayer and other Ordinances A. There are divers comforts as 1. Thy sadness for his absence doth argue a former enjoyment of his presence and being once Christs thou art ever Christs John 13.1 2. A man may fear God and have part in Christ and yet feel little or no comfort Isa 50.10 3. As in the gloomiest day there is so much light whereby we may know it to be day and not night so a Christian whom God hath in part forsaken may discern himself to be sincere because he hath a love to God and his glory 1 Sam. 4.18 vehement desires after grace and Gods presence Psal 63.1 and an absolute purpose against sin though he should dye without comfort Psal 44.17 18. 4. Consider a Christian in a forsaken Estate breathing out sighs and groans for the return of Christs presence may be as dear to God as he that enjoyes Gods presence Job 13.15 5. Absence of accustomed feelings then onely argue a back-sliding heart when they are suffered in the soul without sorrow and grief Psal 28.1 143.7 yet are not thy groans and sorrows the causes of Gods return but the dispositions of persons to whom he doth return 6. Christ in his withdrawment as well as in his return aimes at his souls good for upon his withdrawment the soul is stretched with desire after him Psal 42.1 7. God withdraws from the spirits of Saints onely in crowning graces as joy peace feeling not in saving graces as faith repentance self-denial c. these God never takes away Q. But why do you say Faith repentance self-denial c. are never taken away are they not Creatures and every Creature is subject to perish A. Grace of it self considered may dye for it is a Creature but consider it as united to Christ so it cannot dye Joh. 4.14 If believers were cut off from Christ grace should wither as the branch being cut off from the root doth but being knit to him the sap must be in the branches because it is in the root and life will be in the members because it is in the head waters will never dry up so long as there is a Fountain to maintain them Q. How may I recover the feeling of the Lords love to my soul A. 1. Cry mightily for his presence Psal 4.6 7. 27.9 2. Enquire when where and why God with-drew Jer. 14.8 as we do concerning dear friends when they absent themselves from us 3. Converse in all Ordinances wherein there is any in-comes of God Some receive comfort in reading 2 Reg. 22.11 19. others in Baptism Act. 8.39 others in hearing Act. 10.44 others in conference Luk. 24.32 4. Be humble and afflicted under Gods withdrawment Luke 1.53 vallies are blest with the happiest influence of Heaven 5. Call to remembrance thy former times of comfort Psal 77.5 6. assuring thy self thou hast to deal with an unchangeable God Though in winter the sap in plants goes into the root yet will it at Spring spread it self in the branches 6. Count no condition in the world too much though it were banishment imprisonment reproach or poverty so thou maist recover Gods countenance Many are so dainty that they will not suffer any thing for God and therefore God inflicts that which is the greatest of sufferings that is the with-drawment of himself 7. Beware of resting contented in the comfort of any Creatuâ—e without God and his sweet presence the whole earth is a barren Wilderness without himself Psal 63.1 8. Give not way to spiritual drouziness Q. But my heart is drouzy how shall I keep it awake A. Use wakeful considerations as of the shortness of life the eternity of glory the danger of back-sliding Psal 39.3 c. 2. Keep your selves in the light darkness makes men
suffers it so to do 3. His ordination or appointment whereby God orders brings and disposes all things and the actions of things how disorderly soever they may seem to be to certain ends according as it seemeth good to him for the bringing about of which ends he also appointeth means Q. How is the providence of God conversant about sinne A. 1. God preserves that nature and will that produces sinful actions God hath a concurrence about sinful actions as appears Gen. 45.8 It was not you that sent me hither but God Deut. 2.30 God hardened the Spirit of Sihon King of Heshbon Psal 105.25 God changed the mindes of the Egyptians that they hated his people But as in a chain that breaks there is no link in fault but that which breaks so in these concurrences of causes none is to be blamed but the next and immediate cause which is the will of man so that though God will the being yet man alone wills the nature of sin Q. What are the positive actions of God in and about sin A. Three 1. His withdrawment of his help and grace from the creature both the help of light Deut. 29.4 The Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive and eyes to see and also the help of supportance 2 Chron. 32.31 Hezekiah was left of God to his pride that he might know what was in his heart which two helps being withdrawn the creature sins necessarily but voluntarily so that as the Sun causes darkness not by overcasting the air but by hiding his light as the staffe falls to the ground being not forced by the hand but only forsaken of it so God withdrawing either light or supportment man sins God who suffers sin hath the power of hindering without any obligation to us and man hath the power of doing without any compulsion the action in God is without fault the action in man without excuse 2. God works about sin by removing the impediments that hindered us from sinning God took away good Jehoiada and then Joash shewed his wickedness 2 Chron. 24.17 So God takes away a Master or Father that kept such a person from wickedness who being removed his wickedness appears 3. God works about sin by setting before us objects whereby he knows our corruption will be enticed as a beautiful woman before an unchast person wine or beer before a Drunkard 4. God works about sin by setting bounds to sin that it shall go so far and no further Psal 76.10 The remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain 5. God works about sin in that he preserves the person nature and faculties of the sinner even whiles he is in sinning Act. 17.28 In him we live and move as an hors-man driving a lame horse is the cause of his going not of his halting so is God the cause of our moving though not of the sinfulness in our moving Q. What use may we make of Gods providence A. 1. See that nothing befalls unto thee by chance if we take chance as a cause in opposition to God as the Philistims took it 1 Sam. 6.9 2. To perswade us to the use of prayer Gen. 24.12 Neh. 2.4 3. To free the heart from disquieting carefulness Matth. 6.32 34. 4. Eye God in all thy affaires Psal 145.15 Prov. 3.6 Psal 139.3 5. Not to fear the terrors of men and so neglect duty Matth. 10.28 29. 6. To comfort us that we are in covenant with him that sits at the stern and governs all 7. To comfort us in respect 1. of our poor condition 1 Sam. 2.7 2. against enemyes plots Luk. 11.31 33. See Exod. 34.24 3. against fear of danger Matth. 2.13 Job 29.4 8. To work patience in afflictions 1 Sam. 3.19 Psal 39.9 Job 1.20 21. Qu. In what condition did God create man at first A. In an holy and happy condition Gen. 1.26 Eccles 7.29 God made man upright which uprightness consisted in a perfect conformity of the faculties of the soul and members of the body to the will of God Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 Qu. Did man continue in that state wherein he was created A. No All have sinned and come short of the glory of God Rom. 3.23 Rom. 5.12 By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men in whom all have sinned Qu. What death did Adams sin procure was it only a temporal death or was it not also eternal A. Adams sin procured to his posterity eternal death in respect of desert Rom. 5.15 If through the offence of one many be dead much more the grace of God and the gift by grace hath abounded unto many As the grace of God gift by grace abounded unto many that is to eternal life and to remission of sins so the offence on the contrary abounded unto eternal death and so it is set down vers 25. that as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ as if he should say As the one is so is the other 2. Such as the justification is by the second Adam such is the condemnation by the first Adam But the justification by the second Adam is a justification of life that is of or to eternal Therefore the condemnation by the first Adam is a condemnation to eternal death Rom. 5.18 Therefore as by the offence of one the judgment came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to justification of life If any man object that it 's against equity that eternal death should be inflicted for another man's sin A. The same may be said against temporal death it 's as unjust that natural life should be taken away for the sin of another yet the Objectors whether Socinians or Arminians acknowledge this 2. The will of God is the rule of righteousness and if Adam would enter into such an agreement with God that if he stood he and all his posterity should stand eternally and if he fell he and his posterity should perish eternally Who hath any thing to reason against it Hos 6.7 the words are They like Adam have transgressed the Covenant so you have it varied in the margin So that a Covenant passed betwixt God and Adam for the violation whereof on Adams part he and his incur'd eternal death and we hold it equitable in the Courts of men that for the treason of the Father the Posterity smarts also Levi in the loynes of Abraham is said to pay tithes Heb. 7.9 Qu. What did Adam passe over to his posterity besides temporal and eternal death A. Besides their being children of wrath that is not only persons with whom God is angry but upon whom his wrath abides John 3.36 they are children of wrath by nature Eph. 2.3 signifying not only that we are cursed but that we are so by nature or birth natura being derived a nascendo from being born Of Adam and Eve it might
Law might be fulfilled in us Rom. 8.34 2. He keeps them intentionally having a respect to every one of them Psal 119.6 without slighting or despising any of them seeing the Scripture sets down that the slighting or despising any of a mans wayes doth declare him to be as yet under the state of death Prov. 13.13 and chap. 19.16 3. In that he will not deliberately sin against Conscience for the escaping of Crosses or obtaining of enjoyments Dan. 3.16 17. having a full purpose in his heart through the assistance of grace to chuse affliction rather then iniquity Job 36.21 Q. What measure of love must we love the Lord withall A. We must love him with a soveraign love better then Father and Mother Lands and Living Wife and Children yea and our own Lives Mat. 10.37 Luk. 14.26 Q. What denial of Christ is that which excludes a soul out of Heaven A. Habitual denial when we for the saving of our Lands Liberties Country or Lives have a purpose to deny Christ or any part of his truth Mat. 10.32 33. Q. What way it there to prevent this habitual denial of Christ which is so dangerous and destructive A. To learn to deny our selves in such a measure that in the Lords strength we resolve to take up every Cross that comes betwixt us and our duty Luk. 9.23 and to hate the best enjoyment we have as friends liberty estate yea and life it self if we cannot hold them and the Lord together Luk. 14.26 27. So that we are resolved in no wise in a plain Commandment to sin against our Conscience but are resolved to chuse a fiery furnace rather then worship a golden image Dan. 3.16 17. Q. What is repentance A. A change of heart Ephes 4.22 23. Rom. 12.1 2. whereby we turn from all sin with an hatred thereof Psal 119.128 purposing to walk in newness of life Psal 119.106 Q What are the fruits of Repentance A. The Apostle sets down some 2 Corinthians 7.11 as a care of pleasing God in every thing also a fear of displeasing him in any thing also a clearing of our selves both before God not resting till we have got assurance of the pardon of our sins and clearing our selves before men in a godly course of life also a desire to eye God in all things also a zeal rejoycing when his name is honoured and sorrowing when it is dishonoured also an indignation against sin in a friend as well as an enemy in a rich man as well as poor also revenge against our selves in that as we have abused Gods blessings to our own lusts so we endeavour hereafter to spend them to his Honour Q. What doth the Scripture reveal concerning spirituall death A. It reveales unto us that we are under a threefold death 1. A death of guiltiness whereby we are bound over to eternal death Rom. 5.12 Luk. 15.32 John 5.24 being wrapt therein by Adams sin and our own 2. A death of filthiness whereby naturally we all lye wallowing in carnal courses though some are more deeply in them then others Ephes 2.1 3 3. This life of holiness was also lost by Adam Gen. 1.26 Eccles 7.29 Ephes 4.25 3. A death of discomfort whereby naturally we are deprived of that sweet Communion and enjoyment of God which Adam had in innocency and regenerate men have in part and glorified Saints have in fulness Rom. 3.23 Q What doth the Scripture reveal concerning spirituall life A. It reveals unto us that there are three parts of spiritual life in opposition to this death 1. The life of justification Rom. 5.18 Gal. 2.20 so that whereas we are all dead men by offending the Law when God pardons we are alive Col. 3.4 2. The life of Sanctification when a man is quickened up to all the wayes of God Ephes 2.1 Rom. 6.11 13. 3. The of comfort Psal 85.6 when the soul enjoyes a life in Gods favour Psal 30.5 Psal 63.3 looking upon the absence thereof as death it self Psal 28.1 Psal 143.7 Q What necessity is there of spirituall life A. It is so needful that without it there is no Salvation Joh. 3.5 All the Body of Christ being living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 without this thy conversion is nothing Ephes 2.5 thy Faith nothing Joh. 11.26 thy Hope nothing 1 Pet. 1.3 thy Repentance nothing Acts 11.18 and thy duties of Religion nothing Psal 80.18 Mat. 13.15 yea if thou beest without this thou hast no share as yet in Christ 1 John 5.12 Q. What kinde of thing is spiritual life A. As it hath respect to change of heart there is an unseen working of the spirit upon the souls of Believers so that as there goes an hidden quality from the Loadstone to the iron that draws the iron to it so is there a power goes from Christ to draw the soul off from all sinful purposes unto himself John 6.44 John 12.31 So that the soul exalts Christ though with the loss of all lusts and all enjoyments Mat. 16.24 Q. In what faculty of the soul is spiritual Life seated A. Though wheresoever spiritual life is it showes forth its acts and operations as the natural life doth in the whole man yet as the natural life is more eminently in the head and heart so is this spiritual life more eminently in the faculties of the Understanding Will Conscience Affections and Memory Q. How may a person know his understanding it made alive to God A. When he doth not onely think of divine truths John 5.39 and approve them Rom. 2.18 which natural men may do but also applies them to his own Conscience Job 5.27 meditates of them Psal 1.2 ponders them Luke 2.19 remembers them Psal 116.55 judges aright of Gods wayes Psal 119.128 1 Cor. 2.13 14. and is often inventing and devising how to honour God and to keep Conscience pure Proverbs 14.22 Isa 32.8 Q. How may a man know his will is made alive to God A. Though the Saints of God have drawn comfort from their willing good when they could do no more but will Rom. 7.18 19 25. yet may there be wishings and wouldings in a heart oftentimes and yet it remain carnal as in Balaam Numb 23.10 and many others now because many thousands deceive themselves by their wishings and wouldings know that wishing or willing good is an Argument of spiritual life 1. VVhen the will brings forth earnest and diligent endeavors 1 Cor. 15.10 Heb. 13.18 Luke 15.18 compared with verse 32. against all hindrances and pull-backs whatsoever 2. VVhen the will of a man is set for good absolutely Psal 119.145 Dan. 1.8 though it expose him to the Cross and he gave no thanks but be hated of men for the same 3. VVhen the inclinations and dispositions of the heart are for God Psal 119.112 that what other men do with a dead heart he doth with a willing disposition 4. By the chusings and refusings of the heart when we chuse the wayes of God before all other wayes Psal 119.30 173. Isa 56.4
8.16 Q. What are those grounds A. 1. Because Faith evidences Heb. 11.1 1 John 5.10 That none can lay any thing to my Charge seeing Christ did not onely dye for me but rose again and ascended into heaven making intercession for me Rom. 8.33 So that he appearing for me as my Advocate Heb. 9.24 And his blood speaking good things Heb. 12.24 he is not onely able to save me to the uttermost though my sins be great and many Heb. 7.25 but is also willing in that he promises in no wise to cast off them that come unto him John 6.37 which my poor soul doth Q What other ground is there A. My union with Christ Q. How knowest thou thou art united with Christ A. 1. By my soveraign love to him 1 John 4.19 2. By my being made a new Creature and my crucifying the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 5.24 which is not meant as if there were no oldness of nature in me or that every lust were actually and perfectly dead but it 's meant thus my lusts are crucified and I am new intentionally because it is that I aime at and strive after daily 3. He that is united to Christ lives not in sin 1 John 3.6 He that abideth in him sins not which is not meant simply of not sinning for no man lives that sins not 1 Reg. 8.46 therefore it is meant of a purpose of sinning hence those in Christ are said not to walk after the flesh Rom. 8.1 that is though sometimes they may slip yet the constant purpose of their heart is after the guidance of the Spirit 4. He that abides in Christ walkes as Christ walked 1 John 2.6 with an as of similitude though not of equality 1 John 3.7 he endeavours to follow Christ in every step though he cannot take such long strides As a young writer begins and ends his lines and makes his letters like his Master though he cannot write so fair so every Member of Christs body having the same mind in his measure that was in Christ Phil. 2.5 endeavours to follow Christ in all graces and duties and his so walking is evidential unto him and to every one that thus obeys Christ he becomes the Author or Causer of eternal salvation Heb. 5.9 5. He that abides in Christ is fruitful Joh. 15.5 which though Hypocrites may seem to imitate yet the fruitfulness of Christians is easily distinguished in that it 's not from external motives but from Christ Hos 14.8 nor for ends selfish and base but for Christ Rom. 14.7 8. Q. What other ground of assurance for the soul A. I have this ground that my sins are forgiven me because I have the other branches of the new Covenant made over to me as the taking away from me a stony hard heart and my heart and the Commandment closes together and that I know God with a relishing knowledge and not onely with a bare notional knowledge therefore I have this branch of the new Covenant that my sins and iniquities God will remember them no more Jer. 31.34 Ezek. 36.25 Heb. 8.11 12. for all the branches of the new Covenant are undivided and my soul truly repents and therefore God hath promised faithfully to forgive Prov. 28.13 1 John 1.8 9. Luke 24.47 Acts 3.19 Acts 5.31 So that whatever evidences my repentance the same also evidences the pardon of my sin Q. What other grounds of assurance have you for your soul A. I finde an universal change in the understanding from darkness to light Acts 26.18 in the judgement from false discerning to a right discerning Isa 5.20 in the Conscience from benummedness to tenderness 1 Sam. 24.5 in the will from wilfulness to evil Jer. 14.16 Iohn 8.44 to willingness for good Acts 9.6 Rom. 7.19 in the imagination from habitual running upon the World Phil. 3.19 to be often in Heaven Col. 3.1 2. in the desires which formerly were lawless now awed by the eye of God Job 31.23 Q. But seeing there may be changes as from prophaness to civility and from civility to a form of Religion without the power how shall I know my change to be right A. I know it to be a true change because I go from one contrary to another that the things which I hated now I love and the carnal courses I loved now I hate Rom. 7.15 holy duties were tedious now they are delightful and now my soul begins to relish that which formerly I loathed Rom. 8.5 Q. What other ground of assurance have you A. This that I have a true conversion which appeares 1. By the humiliation and confusion of spirit I have for living so long a stranger from God Jer. 31.19 Luke 15.19 Rom. 6.21 being sorry I begun no sooner in Gods wayes and that since I have begun I have made no greater haste 2. By my high esteem of my present condition in a converted estate though never so base that I would not change my condition with the greatest man upon earth that is a stranger from the Lord Heb. 11.25 26. Acts 8.39 Q. What other ground of assurance have you A. As the Saints of God of old have gathered comfort and assurance from their uprightness 1. Chron. 29. and Paul had rejoycing from their uprightness and godly sincerity 2 Cor. 1.12 so we may gather assurance from them when 1. We ordinarily and usually look at the eye of God in the things we do Col. 3.23 Eph. 6.6.7 and have a desire if it might be alwayes to look at his eye Isa 38.3 2 Cor. 2.17 by-ends beings a grief unto us Rom. 7.15 2. Uprightness is seen by a disposition to part with whatsoever God commands when we cannot hold Christ and such enjoyment together Mat. 19.21 3. When the same sins we avoid in publick we avoid in secret out of Conscience to God Job 31.1 Gen. 39.10 and the same duties we do before men we labour to do them in secret before God Mat. 6.6 4. When a bare Command moves us to act in our duty though no second respects of credit or profit accompany Esth 4.16 Mat. 14.3 and contrary though second respects of credit and profit which are offered move us to act against duty yet we will not act out of Conscience of our duty to God Gen. 39.10 Q. But how do you alledge all the fore-named signs do you make the soul to stay upon these as a righteousness to answer divine justice A. In no wise but I make them evidences that I have the Spirit of Christ in my heart and having the Spirit I also have the blood of Christ because these are not severed one from the other in justified persons 1 Cor. 6.10 11. Rom. 8.30 Q. What is that righteousness which answers Divine Justice A. It was the satisfaction of Christ upon the Cross for the merit or desert whereof God did not only forgive us our sins but did also blot out take away and by nailing to the Cross did tear all
such inspired and cast into his mind by Satan though not arising from himself pray as David Psal 19.12 14. 2. Wash thy heart in Christ his blood that it may be enabled to think good thoughts Jer. 4.14 3. Study good thoughts Carnal men have many good thoughts cast into their hearts which they cast out again as fast but their hearts have no good thoughts arising from them contrarily Gods people Act. 7.23 2. Tim. 2.15 Q. What means are there to govern our tongues A. 1. Pray to God to set a watch over them Psal 141.3 Psal 19.14 Psal 51.15 2. Get an holy frame of heart Mat. 12.34 35. Psal 37.30 31. Prov. 16.23 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things 3. Let the purpose of thy heart be set against unholy speaking Psal 17.3 Psal 39.1 4. Suppress sin when it is onely in the motion so will it not come forth of the tongue Prov. 30.32 Mat. 15.19 5. Be sparing in thy words men that speak much must needs lash out Eccles 5.3 7. Prov. 10.19 Prov. 17.27 6. First think then speak Dan. 2.14 Prov. 16.23 7. The sad account that men who speak idle words must give Mat. 12.36 Jude 1 5. Psal 50. 19 20 21. 8. Consider a happy life depends much on the well-Government of the tongue Psal 34.12 Prov. 21.33 And upon the mis-government of it comes much of our misery 2 Chron. 10.13 14. Prov. 18.21 Jam. 3.6 9. Inure your selves to gracious and savory words Col. 4.6 powdered with salt so that as salt draws out of meat putrifying humors and makes it rellishable for the palate and fit for digestion so should a principle of grace in the heart purge rottenness out of the tongue Of family-Family-Duties Q. WHat is the duty of a Master of a Family A. To provide for their souls Gen. 18.19 and bodies of his Family 1 Tim. 5.8 Q. What is the Husbands Duty A. To love his wife as himself affording comforts to her as to himself Ephes 5.28 and not to be bitter to her Col. 3.19 Q. What is the Wives Duty A. Submission to their Husbands Col. 3.18 and reverence towards them inward in heart and outward in carriage Ephes 5.33 Q. What are the Parents Duties towards their Children A. To train them up in Gods wayes Prov. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 and to provide for them 2 Cor. 12.14 Q. What is the childs duty A. To honour their Parents Ephes 6.2 and to obey them in all lawful things Col. 3.20 and to requite their kindness 1 Tim. 5.4 Q. What is the Masters duty to his Servant A. To give them what is just and equal knowing they have a Master in heaven Col. 4.1 Q. What is the Servants duty A. To honour their Masters 1 Tim. 6.1 and sincerely to do them service abhorring eye-service Col. 3.22 doing service not onely for the gaine of their wages but principally out of Conscience to the Lord Ephes 6.5 6 7. Col. 3.23 24. Of the Resurrection and last Judgement Q. WHether shall thâ—re be a Resurrection of the Body A. Yes John 5.28 All that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth some to the Resurrection of life and some to the Resurrection of eternal damnation Acts 24.15 Q. What Body shall rise again the same or another A. The same body in number though with more glorious qualities as the same seed that is sown groweth again 1 Cor. 15.36 So that the godly when they rise again shall see God not with other but with these same eyes Job 19.25 26 27. He means the eyes of his body because he saith I and I my self and not a stranger and because he mentions his skin flesh and the same eyes he then had It is just that Jobs eyes that had wept tears and Pauls body that bore brands or markes of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.17 should be rewarded and not a new made body or new eyes 1 Cor. 15.42 The Apostle pointing at his own body saith This corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality John 2.19 Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up meaning the Temple of his body See also Rom. 8.11 John 11.24 Q. How doth it appear that the bodies of Saints shall rise the same bodies but with new qualities A. The Apostle makes it appear by a plain similitude 1 Cor. 15.35 37. of a wheat-corn cast into the earth which being rotten comes forth not naked hard dry without life as it was sown nor rotten as it was in the earth but keeping the same substance and kind it comes forth with new qualities of ears husk stalk being living and full of juice so the same body in number shall rise again but with more glorious qualities Q. What are those glorious qualities our bodies shall rise with A. They are these 1. Incorruptibility they shall not dye any more Mat. 22.30 2. Gloriousness they shall shine like the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3.21 3. Powerfulness it shall be raised in power able to move whither it will 1 Cor. 15.43 1 Thes 4.16.17 4. Spirituality 1 Cor. 15.44 not onely because it shall not need meat drink or apparel but also because it shall be like a spirit in the nimbleness of its motion 1 Thes 4.17 Q. What follows the resurrection A. The last and general Judgement John 6.39 I will raise him up at the last day Q. Who shall be judged A. All persons shall come to judgement the godly having their sins forgiven them shall come to a judgement of tryal 2 Cor. 5.10 Mat. 12.38 but the wicked unto a judgement of condemnation Iohn 5.28 Q. Who shall be the Judge A. Although the Trinity shall judge yet the Exercise and Administration of it is committed to the Son John 5.22 27. Acts 10.42 17.31 He is most fit to be Judge for as God he knows the secrets of all hearts and he is fit to speak to man as being man Q. What are the rules Christ will proceed by in judgement A. Such as never had the Scriptures shall be judged by the Law writ in their hearts they not having walked sutably thereto Rom. 2.13 and those that have had onely the old Testament shall be judged out of that Iohn 5.45 and those that have had the whole word shall be judged out of it Rom. 2.16 Q. What will Iesus Christ do after he is set in judgement A. All shall be called forth and the sheep evidencing their faith in Christ not onely by their words Mat. 12.38 but also by their works Mat. 25.35 shall receive the blessed sentence of absolution Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you but the Goats having neither faith nor fruits Matth. 25.42 43. shall be so straitly reckoned with that they shall be called to an account for every ungodly speech Matth. 12.37 Jude 15. and so shall receive that dreadfull sentence Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the