coessentiall and coequall to wit the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Q. What is the Father A. The first person in the Trinitie c Ioh. 5.26 hauing foundation of personall subsistence from none other Q. What is the Sonne A. The second person d Ioh. 5.26 hauing foundation of personall subsistence from the Father e Psal 2.7 Pro. 8.22 c of whom he is eternally begotten Q. What is the holy Ghost A The third person hauing foundation of personall subsistence from the Father and the Sonne f Ioh. 14.26 15.26 from both whom he eternally proceedeth Q How may the distinction of these persons he conceiued A. 1 In relation and order of subsistence betwixt themselues as hath beene shewed 2 In order and manner of working in the creatures wherein 1 The a Ioh. 5.17 19 original of the action is ascribed to the Father 2 The b Ioh. 1.3 Heb. 1.2 wisedome and manner of working to the Sonne 3 The c Gen. 1.2 1. Cor. 12.11 efficacie of operation to the holy Ghost In a word God the Father in the Sonne by the holy Ghost worketh all things SECT III. Of the doctrine of the Scriptures touching the workes of God and first touching his eternall decree Q. VVHat are wee taught in Scripture concerning the workes of God A. That God d Psal 135.6 Eph. 1.11 as from eternitie he decreed so in time and euerlastingly hee accomplisheth all things vnto the full execution of that his decree Q. How may we take a view of the workes of God A. 1 Generally in all his creatures 2 Specially in the chiefe of his creatures Viz. Angels and Men. Q. What is the decree of God concerning all creatures A. It is his eternall and vnchangeable counsell and purpose a Prou 6.4 Rom. 11.36 fore-ordaining all things vnto his own glory Q. What is the decree of God touching Angels and men A. It is his free appointment b 1. Thes 5.9 fore-ordaining them to a certaine and euerlasting estate for his owne glory Q. What is that euerlasting estate A. It is two fold according to the c Ibid. parts of this his decree which are 1. Election that is d 1. Tim. 5.21 appointment of some Angels and men vnto e Rom. 9.23 euerlasting glorie and blessednesse for the a Ephes 1.6 praise of his goodnes 2 Reprobation that is b Mat. 25.41 Rom 9.21 2. Tim. 2.20 appointment of some Angels and men vnto euerlasting dishonour for the glorie of his iustice SECT IIII. Of the execution of Gods decree and first of Creation Q. HOw doth God execute this his decree A. By 2. actions viz. Creation and Prouidence Q. What is Creation A. The c Gen. 1. Heb. 11.3 making of all things of nothing very good in the first sixe daies of the world Q. How did God create Angels A. He made them all at the first d Col. 1.16 very good and glorious spirits yet e Iob 4.18 mutable Q. When did God create man A. In the f Gen. 1.25 sixt last day of creation Q. How and whereof did God make man A. 1 Hee formed his a Gen. 2.7 bodie of the dust of the earth 2 He b Ibid. breathed in his face the breath of life so making him a liuing soule Q. How many of mankinde did God create at the first A. 1 Onely c Gen â— 7 one man Adam 2 Out of him and for him d Oc. 2.5 â—â— Mal. 2.15 one woman Eue so made he them Male and Female SECT V. Of Prouidence sustaining disposing and employing all creatures especially Angels Q. THus farre of Creation what is Prouidence A. The continual care which God exerciseth vpon his creatures once made e Psal 119.91 for the sustaining and disposing of them Q. How doth God sustaine all creatures A. He vpholdeth them all in their being a Heb. 1.3 by his mighty word and that Partly by the continuation of particulars either for the whole time of this world as b 2. Pet. 3.4 heauen and heauenly bodies earth and other elements c. or for the time of life allotted as all c Psal 36.6 104.27 c liuing creatures Partly by propagation of kinde wherby d Gen. 7.3 8.21 22 creatures euen of shortest continuance doo successiuely abide vnto the end of the world Q. How are Angels vpheld in their being A. They are all sustained by the power of God so that they shall e Luk. 20.36 neuer dye or returne to nothing Q. How are men vpheld A. Two waies and first as all other bodily creatures partly by maintenance of f Act 17.28 Psal 36.6 1 Tim. 4 10 euery mans life here on earth for the time allotted by God himselfe partly by g Gen. 1.28 Eccl. 1.4 propagation of kinde vnto the end of the world through the blessing of procreation Q. How secondly A. As Angels after a sort God so prouiding that when the a Eccl. 12.7 bodie of man returneth to the earth from whence it was taken yet the soule perisheth not but returneth to God that gaue it yea that the b Iob. 19 26 27. same body also and euery part thereof is preserued in the graue and shall bee ioyned entire to the soule at the last day so to continue for euer as shall be shewed Q. How doth God dispose of his creatures A. He guideth and employeth them to those seuerall ends and vses whereby they may best c Psal 119 91 serue vnto his glorie and the good of themselues and of their follow creatures d Psal 8. especially of man Q. How doth God dispose of Angels A. Two wayes the first respecting their euerlasting condition the second their emploiment Q. How did God dispose of Angels in regard of their euerlasting condition A. Diuersly according to the parts of his fore-mentioned decree for first he suffered the Reprobate Angels a 2. Pet. 2 4 voluntarily and maliciously without any temptation to fall into that impardonable sinne of b Jude 6. Apostasio and so into damnation irrecouerably who are called Diuels reserued in euerlasting chaines vnder darknesse vnto the Iudgement of the great day Q. How did God dispose of elect Angels A. He confirmed them in their well-being that they might c Mat. 18.10 neuer fall by sinne from their first blessed estate which are called d 2. Cor. 11.19 Angels of light e Iob 1.6 sonnes of God f Luk. 2.13 heauenly souldiours c. Q. How doth God employ Angels A. He vseth them all g Iob. 1.6 both good and euill Angels as his seruants and ministers for the accomplishment of his will and worke Q. How are good Angels employed A. 1. To be as a h Heb. 1.14 Psal 34.7 â—1 11 guard and garrison vnto the Elect of mankinde for their comfort and protection 2. To i 2. Kin. 19.35 resist and punish the
Tim. 2.1 all men euen our f Math. 5.44 enemies because of the common g Iam. 3.9 image of God and h Act. 17.26 blood of mankinde whereof we are all made vnlesse it be apparent that i 1. Ioh. 5.16 any one hath committed the vnpardonable sin but k Gal. 6.10 Eph. 6.18 principally for those of the houshold of faith 2. For all l 1. Tim. 2.2 sorts and degrees of men especially publique persons as rulers and such as are in authority m Eph 6.19 Col 4.3 ministers that watch ouer our soules c. Q. What assurance haue we that wee shall be heard in what we pray for A. Because we pray to that God that a Psal 65.2 heareth the Prayer and is the b Heb. 11.6 rewarder of all that come vnto him and in c Ioh. 11.42 his name to whom God denyeth nothing and therefore howsoeuer wee are not alwaies answered at the d Psal 77.3 present or in the e 2. Cor 12.9 same kinde that wee desire yet sooner or later we are sure to receiue euen aboue that wee are able to aske or thinke if wee continue f Luc 11.5 c. 18.1 with constancie patience and importunitie to sue vnto him according to his will SECT XXXIX Of the Lords Prayer the perfect forme and plat-forme of Prayer and of the preface thereof Q. VVHere is that will of God reuealed according wherto we must direct our Prayers A. Throughout the whole booke of the Scriptures of God which enforme vs as concerning other duties so especially concerning this of prayer recording also for this purpose many excellent prayers as of Moses Dauid Nehemiah Paul c. but most absolutely in that passage or portion deliuered by our Sauiour himselfe and propounded by his holy Euangelists Mathew and Luke by the a Math. 6.9 one as the most perfect platforme to be imitated by the b Luk. 11.2 other as the most excellent forme to be vsed of all Christians and therefore commonly called the Lords Prayer Q. What are the words of the Lords Prayer A. Our Father which art in heauen c. Q. What are the parts of this Prayer A. They are three Viz. 1. A preface of compellation for entrance into Prayer in the first words Our Father which art in heauen 2. A bodie of petitions containing the matter of Prayer in the words following 3. A conclusion for confirmation and close of Prayer in the last words For thine is the kingdome c. Q. To begin with the preface why doth our Sauiour direct vs to giue such titles vnto God in the entrance of our prayers A. That thereby wee may testifie encrease and strengthen our faith in God considering a Heb. 11.6 what he is to vs to whom we are about to pray Q. What are we to consider from this that we are taught to call God Our Father A. Wee are hereby directed to meditate vpon a two-sold relation The first between our selues God who in Christ is become our Father and giueth vs both the b Ioh 1.12 priuiledge and c Gal 4.6 spirit of sonnes so to call him from whence ariseth not onely confidence in his d Ps 103.13 fatherly loue and compassion towards vs as his children but also necessitie of dutie on our parts that we both e Mal. 1 6â— honour and f Mat. 5.45 imitate him as our g Ephes 5.1 1. Pet. 1.17 Father The second betweene our selues and so many as are or may be Children of the same Father with vs with whom therfore at all times * Mat 5 23 â—â— 1. Tâ—m 2.8 especially when wee make our prayers wee must maintaine or renew loue and peace and for all whom as for our selues wee are to be suiters vnto our God and Father and they in like manner for vs that euery one praying for all and all for euery one wee may iointly encrease and enioy the benefite of the common slocke of prayers laid vp in the hands of God Q. Whereto doe the words following direct vs when wee say which art in heauen A. To the meditation of the glorie powerfull prouidence wisedome and holinesse of God in which regards hee is b Psal 11.4 Esay 57. â—5 said to dwell in the high and holy place not that hee is excluded from or included in any plate who c Ier 23 24 filleth all places yea d 1. Kin. 8.27 whom the heauen of heauens cannot containe but 1. Because his wisedome power and glorie appeareth most euidently in the rule of the e Ps 14.1 c 8.3 heauens as of the most excellent bodily creatures Ps 103.19 by which inferiour natures are ruled 2. Because a Ps 123.1 Col. 3.1 2 there and not on earth wee should now seek him where also wee hope another day to dwell with him in the same happy fellowship which now the holy Angels blessed soules doe enioy 3. To teach vs to pray b Eccles 5.1 reuerently before him who is so high aboue vs yea feruently also that our prayers may c 2. Chro. 32.20 ascend into heauen 4. That acknowledging him to ride on the heauens for our help d Psal 125 3 able as in heauen to doe for vs whatsoeuer as a Father hee will wee might with full confidence in his power and loue aske e Psal 2.8 Luc. 11.13 euery good thing of him SECT XL. Of the first Petition Q. TO come to the body and matter of prayer How many Petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Six wherof the three first are referred to things concerning GOD a Ioh. 12.27 28. whose glory seruice we are to preferre before our own good the three latter to things concerning our selues b Psa 50.15 which wee must refer to the former Q. To begin therefore with those that concerne God What are the words of the first Petition A. c Mat. 6.9 Luk. 11.2 Hallowed be thy Name Q. What is the meaning of these words A 1. By the Name of God wee are to vnderstand God d Esay 26.8 himselfe as he maketh knowne to vs the fame glorie of his nature otherwise e Gen. 32.29 vnconceiueable whether by his f Exod. 3 14 6.3 Titles as Iehouah Elohim c. or g Exo. 33.28 19. c. 34.5 6. c. Attributes as of loue wisedome power iustice c. which being essentiall in him are for our capacitie expressed vnder the names of such qualities in vs or Memorials as his workes of a Psal 104. creation and prouidence but especially b Psal 19.14 redemption or his c Psa 138.2 19.7 c word and worship which is the booke of grace and the box of ointment out of which the sweet d Cant. 1.2 sauour of his name is most effectually powred 2. By hallowing wee must vnderstand the separating of the name of
works though imperfect do b Jam 2.18 approue their faith whereby they lay hold on Christ and his meritorious righteousnesse to be a true faith as c Gal. 5.6 working by loue in all parts of obedience SECT LII Of the execution of the last Iudgement and the euerlasting estate of the Reprobate in torment and the Elect in glory Q. HItherto of the Act of Iudgement What are we to consider in the third and last place A. The Execution of Iudgement Christ by his Almighty power and ministery of his Angels casting the diuels and reprobate men into hell and bringing Gods elect into the possession of his glorious Kingdome wherein the a Mat. 25.46 reprobate shall first bee dispatched that the b Psal 58 10. righteous may reioice to see the vengeance and as it were wash their feet in the bloud of the wicked Q. What shall be the estate of the reprobate in hell A. They shall remaine for euer in vnspeakeable torment of body and anguish of minde being c 2. Thess 1.9 cast out from the fauourable presence of God and glorious fellowship of Christ and his Saints whose happinesse they shall d Luk. 16.23 and 13.28 see and enuy into that horrible dungeon figured in Scripture by e 2. Pet. 2.17 Matth. 8.12 vtter darkenesse or blackenesse of darkenesse weeping and gnashing of teeth the f Mark 9.44 worme that neuer dieth the fire that neuer goeth out the g Reu. 20.15 lake of fire c. Finally where all things are that can be abhorred and nothing that may be desired Q. What shall be the estate of the Elect in heauen A. They shall bee a 1. Cor. 2.9 vnspeakeably and euerlastingly blessed and glorified in soule and body being freed from all passions imperfections infirmities yea from such b 1. Cor. 13.10 graces as suppose imperfection as faith hope repentance the like in a word froÌ„ all the c Reu 21.4 first things endued with perfect d 1. Cor. 13.12 wisdome and holinesse possessed of all the e Psal 16.11 pleasures that are at the right hand of God seated as Princes in f Reuâ—l 3 21. thrones of maiestie and crowned with g 2. Tim. 4.8 crownes of glory hauing h Reu. 2.26 power ouer all creatures and i 2. Pet. 3.13 possession of that new heauen and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse beholding and being k Psal 17.15 filled with the fruition of the glorious l â— Thes 4.17 Reu 21.3 22 23. presence of God and of the Lambe Iesus Christ in the m Heb. 12.22 23 24. company of innumerable Angels and of all the holy Saints that haue been from the beginning of the world c. Q. Shall there not be inequalitie in the proportion of glory and of misery A. Yes for though euery one shall receiue the full measure whereof they are capeable yet First the wicked shall a Matt. 11.22 24. Luk 12.47 48. Reu. 18 7. exceed one another in capacitie of torment according to the greater merit of their sinnes Secondly the Elect shall exceed one another being made capeable of b Dan 12.3 greater glory according to the proportion not of merit but of fauour whereby in their different callings they were c Luke 12 4â— 43 44. 19 â—7 19. furnished with greater graces and made more faithfull in the imploying of them whether in d 2. Cor. 9.6 doing or in e 2. Cor. 4.17 Reu. 7.14 15 suffering for Christ his cause in the time of this life DEVT. 32.29 Oh that men were wise then they would vnderstand this they would consider their latter end A Prayer for the Morning O Lord God the Almightie maker and carefull preseruer of all thy creatures but especially the sauiour sanctifier of them that beleeue by the merit and efficacie of the bloud of Iesus Christ we acknowledge that as all thy works doe praise thee so it becommeth thy Saints especially to blesse thee and that both night and day for the blessings of the night and of the day May it please thee therefore to receiue at the hands of vs thine vnworthy seruants in the name of Iesus Christ this morning sacrifice of thanks praise for all thy mercies and namely those of the night past and of this morning Thou O Lord hast spread the darknes as thy curtaine ouer vs fauouring vs so much as to hide the light of the world and beauty of thy creatures that in the mean time we might commodiously take our rest And in the time of rest thy prouidence O Lord hath not rested in our behalfe but waked for vs whiles wee slept to keepe vs from the feares and danger of the night Yea thou hast blessed the blessing of sleepe vnto vs and hast thereby restored the decaied powres of nature in vs whereas thou mightest iustly haue cursed it turned it into sudden and vnexpected death Againe it hath pleased thee this morning to raise vp the light of the day to shine vnto our bodies laying open vnto vs the goodly shape of thy creatures and inlightning the waies wherein wee are to walke giuing vs ability of body and alacritie of spirit to proceed in the courses of our seuerall callings finally beginning the world with vs as it were and putting vs in possession of all thy works of wonder Further wee remember with thankful hearts all thy mercies formerly bestowed and continued vpon vs namely life health peace libertie maintenance credit fellowship successe in our affaires preseruation from dangers deliuerance from troubles recouery out of sicknesses consolation in afflictions and the issue of them euen a morning of ioy after a night of sorrow Lastly and aboue all for magnifying thy mercy towards vs in the great worke of our redemption and saluation by Iesus Christ and for euery linke of the golden chaine of grace whereby thou hast fastened vs vnto thy selfe namely for election vocation iustification sanctification and hope of glorification likewise for the meanes of grace thy Christ thy spirit thy word thy sacraments thy sabbaths and the assemblies of thy Saints with all the helps of example instruction admonition and fatherly correction by which thou hast indeauoured to further vs in the way of our saluation Yea that though our prouocations of thee be many and greeuous yet thy compassions faile not but are renewed euery morning For all these testimonies of thy bounty thy pitie thy patience towards vs what shall we render vnto thee O Lord Wee doe euen take the cup of saluation and call vpon thy blessed name wee doe according to our pouerty offer thee the calues of our lips confessing thy goodnesse and the due seruice of our bodies and soules as a liuing and reasonable sacrifice And now O Lord wee acknowledge our penurie to be such that we cannot liue but on thine allowance For looking into our selues we finde no store but of sinne and misery our
sweet promises of the Gospell c Esay 59.21 whereon the spirit groundeth this testimonie with like care attended on and meditated Q. How may wee discerne betweene the perswasion of Gods Spirit and the presumption of our owne hearts A. Among other by these three differences Viz. that 1. Presumption giueth d Deu. 29.19 libertie to continue in sinne but Gods spirit e Ioh. 16.8 rebuketh vs for euery sinne 2. Presumption f Jer 3.4 5 relyeth on Gods loue not louing him but Gods spirit maketh vs g Cant. 8.6 1. Ioh. 4.19 loue him because hee hath loued vs first 3. Prosumptiō is ioined with self-loue but Gods spirit reuealing his mercy to vs maketh vs h Iob 42.5 6. Ezek. 16.63 36.31 abhor our selues Q. What meane you here by Faith A. That speciall act of faith whereby we a 1. Ioh. 5.10 giue credit to the report of the word and spirit of Christ touching our saluation in particular and so b Ioh. 3.33 set to our seale that God is true Q. How are we brought to giue credit to the word and spirit A. By the c Rom. 10.17 ministerie of the same word with the Sacraments annexed and the power of the same spirit by which onely meanes God worketh and setteth on worke this grace of faith in the hearts of his Children from the generall promises of the Gospell d 1. Tim. 1.15 Ioh. 20.28 particularly and e Iob 19.25 1. Pet. 1.13 vndoubtedly to conclude their owne saluation Q. Can all that haue faith particularly and vndoubtedly resolue of their saluation A. 1. Many for a time rest secure in a flirting perswasion which may appeare not to be true faith in that it f Act. 15.9 purgeth not the heart 2. The Elect hauing true faith g Luk. 22.32 Rom. 11.29 neuer failing and working in them sound assurance must yet ordinarily h Mar 9.24 Luc. 17.5 striue against doubting and may i Psal 51.12 31 22. 42.5 at times falling into sin or some spirituall affliction loose for a season the ioy and feeling of this assurance SECT XVIII Of the manner of reuealing the Couenant of Grace viz. Vocation Q. THus much of the meanes now what is the manner of reuealing the Couenant of Grace A. It is a Rom. 8.30 Heb. 3.1 Vocation or Calling when God by the meanes aforesaid acquainting men with his gracious purpose of saluation by Christ b Hos 2.14 inuiteth them to come vnto him Q. Are there not different kindes of Calling A. Yes there is two fold calling 1. Effectuall peculiar to those few that are Elect whereby God become in Christ their Father doth not onely outwardly by his word inuite but e Gen. 9.27 Psal 65.4 25.14 Ioel. 2.32 Acts 2.39 inwardly also powerfully by his spirit allure and winne their hearts to cleaue to him inseparably vnto saluation 2. a Esay 48.12 Outward onely and ineffectuall whereby b Mat. 22.14 many are called who are not chosen as hath been shewed Q. How doth this latter differ from the former calling A. Howsoeuer wee are to c 1. Cor. 1.2 iudge charitably of all outwardly called because who among them are also inwardly called is onely d 2. Tim. 2.19 knowne to God yet doth this outward calling differ from the former 1. In that it is wrought onely by e Heb. 4.2 outward meanes and common illumination without the f Iud. v. 19. spirit of regeneration or any portion of g Luk. 8.13 sauing faith 2. In that they are admitted onely to an outward and h Act. 8.13 Rom. 9.4.5 temporarie league of formall profession i 1. Ioh. 2.19 1. Cor. 1.8.9 not to that entire fellowship with Christ required vnto saluation SECT XIX Of the Subiects to whom the Couenant of Grace is reuealed viz. the Church Q. TO come to the third thing propounded touching this Reuelation to whom doth God reueale his Couenant of Grace A. a Ioh 14.22 17.9 Mat. 11.25 1. Cor. 2 8 c. Not to the world but to his Church called out of the world Q. What meane you by the Church A. The whole number of Gods Elect effectually called into b Ephe. 5.32 fellowship with Christ by the meanes and in the manner formerly mentioned which wee professe to beleeue vnder the title of the holy Catholike Church Q. Where is this holy Catholike Church A. Part already in heauen c Heb. 12.13 Reu. 7.14 c. triumphant in their Masters ioy d Reu. 6.7 waiting for the fulfilling of the number of their fellow members and their owne consummation in perfect blisse Part as yet a Reu. 1.9 12.11 militant on earth in the seruice warrefare of their Lord expecting in due time to be also b 2. Tim. 4.7 8 crowned with victory and triumph in glory Q. Who are true members of the Church militant on earth A. Those alone who as c Ephe. 1.22 23. Col. 1.18 liuing members of the mysticall bodie are by the spirit and faith d Col 3.3 Psal 83.3 sccretly and inseparably conioined vnto Christ their head in which respect the true militant Church is both inuisible and e Mat. 16.18 inuincible Q. But are none to be accounted members of this Church but such as are so inseparably vnited vnto Christ A. Truely and properly f 1. Joh. 2 19 none other howbeit because God vseth outward meanes with the inward for the gathering of his Saints and calleth them as well to g Act. 2 42. Cant. 1.7 outward profession among themselues as to inward fellowship with his Sonne whereby the Church becommeth visible hence it commeth that so many as h Act. 8.13 partaking the outward meanes doe ioyne with these in league of visible profession are therefore in humane iudgement accounted members of the true church and a 1. Cor. 1.2 Saints by calling vntill the Lord who onely knoweth who are his doe make knowne the contrarie As wee are taught in the b Mat. 13 24.47 c. parables of the tares the drawnet c. Q. Hath Christ then his Church visible vpon earth A. Yea throughout the world in the particular c Rom. 3.3 congregations of Christians called to the profession of the true faith obedience of the Gospel In which d Rom. 11.5 visible assemblies and not else-where the true members of the Church inuisible on earth are to bee found and vnto which therefore all that seeke saluation must gladly e Esay 60.4 ioyne themselues Q. Are we to acknowledge one visible Church or many A. f Ephe. 4.4 c. Cant. 6.8 Gal. 3.28 One alone as there is but one Lord one Spirit one Faith and one Baptisme notwithstanding the parts of this one Church may bee distinguished in respect 1. Of time as the Churches a Heb. 13.8 before Christ and since Primitiue and present reformed c. 2. Of
place as the Churches of Iudea Asia England France Germanie c. which all beeing b 1. Tim. 3.15 one yet as the sea receiue seuerall names from the countries where through they passe and are c Reu. 1.11 accounted as so many seuerall Churches Q. Must not then this one visible Church haue one visible head here on earth A. No For it is visible not in the whole but in the parts whereto the circumstances of time and place for opportunitie of visible profession do agree and therefore as Catholike or vniuersall the Church hath no head but d Ephes 1.22.23 Christ alone alwaies e Mat 28.20 present by his word and spirit to giue f Gal. 2.20 life sense and motion to euery member Q. Is the Church alwaies visible in her parts A. Christ hath and g Rom. 11.1 2 3 4. euer had from the beginning his Church visible vpon earth that is some companies of beleeuers making profession of the same common faith howbeit many times by persecution forced to a Reu. 12.14 hide themselues from the eye of the world happily by the rage of the enemie so scattered that as in the b 1. Kin. 19 10 daies of Elias they can hardly be knowne or haue entercourse betweene themselues Q. What are the infallible notes wherby to discerne a true visible Church with which we may safely ioyne A. The same and no other which are the onely outward meanes ordained by God for the calling and gathering of his Saints and which giue being to a Church prouing it to bee a c 1. Tim. 3.15 pillar of truth viz. the d Mat. 28.19 20. word preached and Sacraments administred according to the commandement of Christ our Sauiour as for other notes they are either 1. Accidentall and in great part separable or 2. Vtterly impertinent forged for the vpholding of the Romish synagogue Q. May not such a Church erre and bee corrupted or fall and become no Church A. 1. The Church considered in her true members can a Mat. 16.18 Phil. 1.6 1. Thes 5.24 neuer vtterly fall howsoeuer b Cant. 1.4 no congregation bee so pure that it may be said at any time to be free from all corruption or so constant but that at times it may be shaken in the very foundation of truth as may appeare by the churches of c 1. Cor. 15.12.33 Corinth d Gal. 3.1 c Galatia c. 2. Being considered with respect to the place God doth not alwaies continue a succession of true beleeuers within the same limits and borders and hence we say that diuers Churches are fallen as those of Asia c. neither is any place so priuiledged but that for sinne the e Reu. 2.5 Candlesticke may in time bee thence remoued Q. How may wee iudge of a Church corrupt or ceasing to be a Church A. 1. Where God vtterly a Act. 13.46 taking away the meanes of his word and worship hath apparently giuen the * Esay 50.1 bill of diuorce there are wee not to acknowledge any Church at all as at this day in Ierusalem once the holy Citie 2. But where these meanes are yet continued wee are to acknowledge a b Reu. 2 1â— 13 Church of Christ howsoeuer more or lesse corrupt according to the greater or lesse abuse of Gods word and worship Q. Since Churches may be so diuersly corrupted from which and how farre are we to separate A. From Churches mortally sicke of c T it 3.10 11 heresie or d Reu. 18.4 idolatry as it were of a contagious plague or leprosie wee are to separate Howbeit whiles there is yet any life rather from the scab or sore then from the bodie that is from the preuailing faction maintaining fundamentall errours and forcing to idolatrous worship Such is our separation from the present Church of Rome not from such therein who either meaning well in generall are a Reu. 2.24 ignorant of the depth of Satan or b 1 â—â—n 19.18 secretly dissent from those damnable corruptions with whom as a bodie yet retaining life wee desire to c Phil. 1.18 ioyne so farre as wee may with safety from the foresaid contagion Q. Are wee to continue fellowship with all other Churches not so deadly and dangerously corrupt A. From Churches holding the foundation in substance of faith and worship though otherwise not free from blemish wee are d 1. Kâ—n. 15.14 2â— 43 not to separate farther then in dislike and refusall of that wherein they doe apparently separate from Christ in respect either of maners doctrine or forme of publique worship Q. To conclude touching the Church what distinction is there of the particular members A. 1. Generally they are all the e Ephes 3 15 familie of Christ and f Ioh. 10.2 3 4. sheepe of his flocke hearing his voice and following him 2. More specially out of these Christ the chiefe Prince and Shepheard hath instituted as guides vnto rest 1. a 1. Cor. 12 28 Ministers called Pastors b Joh. 21.15 1. Pet. 5.2 to feede his flocke with the wholesome foode of the word and Sacraments 2. Princes and Magistrates to see to the wayes of his houshold that all both c 2. Chro. 35.3 c. 34. ver 32 33 Ministers and people doe their office and dutie euen in things concerning God SECT XX. Of our Communion with Christ in regard of his Priestly office viz. our Justification Q. THus much of the benefit flowing vnto vs from the Propheticall Office of Christ what fruit haue we of his Priestly function A. Our a Rom. 3.25 2. Cor. 5.19 Reconciliation with GOD through him made vnto vs of God b 1. Cor. 1.30 righteousnesse whereby alone we are perfectly c Ro. 8.33 34 iustified i. acquitted accounted iust in the sight of God Q. How doth Christ become righteousnesse vnto vs for iustification in the sight of God A. Onely by Gods free and gracious d Ro. 5.18 19 imputation of the righteousnes of Christ vnto vs e Phil. 3.9 in which as in the garment of our elder Brother wee are accepted and obtaine the blessing from him our heauenly Father Q. What righteousnesse of Christ is it that God imputeth to vs A. Not the essentiall righteousnesse of his diuine nature but onely that perfect f Heb. 7.26 integritie of the humane nature which in him was without all guile and that absolute obedience whereby in that nature of ours hee 1. g Mat. 3.15 Fulfilled in act euery branch of the law of God 2. a Esay 53.5 1. Pet. 2.24 1. Joh. 2.2 Satisfied by his sufferings for the sinnes of the whole world of his Elect. Q. How can Christs righteousnesse be accounted ours A. Because it is in CHRIST not as in a person seuered from vs but as in the head of our common nature the second Adam b Rom. 5.19 from whom therefore it is