and in the first place this What are we to understand here by the Promise of God A. By the Promise of God we are here to understand that Promise whereby God according to his purpose hath promised to give Eternal Life in or by Jesus Christ unto all that believe in him thorow his Son Jesus Christ that they may be to the praise of his Glory Q. For the setting forth of this Promise more distinctly I shall query concerning the several parts of your Answer as first What is that eternal Life which God hath promised A. That Eternal Life which God hath promised is that Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory John 2.25 And this is the Promise that he hath promised us even Eternal Life This Matter of the Promise is often called Eternal or Everlasting Life also Life Now this Eternal Life doth consist in that Salvation that is in Christ Jesus and also in Eternal Glory as we learn from 2 Tim. 2.10 Q. But what is the Salvation that is in Christ Jesus A. The Salvation that is in Christ Jesus is a deliverance from the Wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 Q. And what is this Eternal Glory A. This Eternal Glory is a likeness to God by seeing him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 These two Salvation and Eternal Glory are in the Scriptures sometimes noted by one of these names as by Salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 and else-where Also by Eternal Glory as 1 Pet. 5.10 and Glory as Rom. 9.23 The Glory of God Rom. 5.2 and the like Q. You said That God hath promised to give Eternal Life in or by Jesus Christ What mean you by this A. God giveth Eternal Life in or by Jesus in that Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and Men in God's giving of Eternal Life unto them Rom. 6.23 Eternal Life is the Gift of God through in or by Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Joh. 5.11 This is the Record That God hath given us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son 1 Tim. 2.4 5 c. Who to wit God our Saviour will have all Men to be saved and to come to the knowledg acknowledgment of the Truth For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for all c. Joh. 14.6 Jesus faith unto him I am the Way and the Truth and the Life no Man cometh unto the Father but by me Q. You said That God hath promised to give Eternal Life to all that believe in him through Jesus Christ But who are they A. They that believe in God through Jesus Christ are they who so believe the Promise of God as to hope in God and live to him thorow Jesus Christ and that to the end 1 Pet. 1.20 21. Who which Christ verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the World but was manifest in these last times for you who by thorow him Christ do believe in God that raised him up from the Dead and gave him Glory that your Faith and Hope might be in God These Persons in the Scriptures are set forth sometimes only by believing as Gal. 3.22 The Scripture hath concluded all under Sin that the Promise by Faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe Sometimes by believing in the Father as in Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you He that heareth my Word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from Death unto Life Sometimes by believing in Christ as in Joh. 6.47 Verily verily I say unto you He that believeth on me bath Everlasting Life These and many the like Expressions of the same signification we meet with in the Holy Scripture Now we are to understand that wheresoever Eternal Life in the possession of it is promised to Believing there such a Believing is intended that the Gospel requires which is an hoping in God and living to him through Jesus Christ and that to the end For meer Belief is not sufficient Jam. 2.14 c. Joh. 2.23 8.30 12.42 Nor is any Faith sufficient that lasteth not to the end Heb. 10.38 c. Q. But what is it to hope in God thorow Jesus Christ A. To hope in God thorow Jesus Christ is to hope or trust unto the end both in God and Christ for Eternal Life as the Gift of God thorow Jesus Christ our Lord and is such a hope that is laid up in Heaven and as such a Grace that is to be brought unto us at the Revelation of Jesus Christ We are saved by Hope Rom. 8.24 This Hope must be an Hope in God 1 Pet. 1.21 Act. 24.15 1 Tim. 4.10 6.17 And in Christ 1 Cor. 15.19 1 Thess 1.3 1 Tim. 1.1 Rom. 15.12 Ephes 1.12 13. That which by this Hope is to be looked for and expected is eternal Life Tit. 1.2 3.7 which eternal Life is the Gift of God thorow Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6.22 and of all Gifts the best for it is the Hope or Good hoped for which is laid up in Heaven Col. 1.6 and the blessed or happy that is happy making Hope Tit. 2.13 and the last Gift being the Gift which is to be brought at the Revelation or coming of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 It is also called Grace because a Gift that proceeds from the Grace of God and of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 2 Thess 1.11 12. Hence it appears that this future Good must be sought chiefly and humbly and that all which is necessary for obtaining it must also be hoped for from God thorow Jesus Christ Mat. 6.33 Luk. 17.10 1 Pet. 5.5 Joh. 16.23 24. And thus we must hope to the end or constantly 1 Pet. 1.13 Col. 1.23 Heb. 3.6 Q. And what is it to live to God thorow Jesus Christ A. To live to God thorow Jesus Christ is To live to God and Christ in serving the God and Father of Jesus Christ in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our Life and in serving Jesus Christ as Lord of all and as the Head and Husand of Believers who are his Church and Body Rom. 6.11 Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive living unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gal. 2.19 For I through the Law am dead to the Law that I might live unto God 2 Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 1 Thess 1.9 Ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God c. Luk. 1.74 75. That he the Lord God of Israel would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies might serve him without fear in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our Life See Mat. 4.10 Rom. 1.9 2 Tim. 1.3 Heb. 9.14 12.28 Rom. 14.18 For
Catechistical Guide TO SINNERS And to such CONVERTS that are Babes in Christ Wherein all the necessary Points of Religion are methodically proposed in Scripture-Language abundantly confirmed by the Holy Scriptures and in some Places concisely expounded In the whole all Controversies are warily shunn'd So that all true Christians of what Persuasion soever may if they need the help of others use this Catechism for their Children or others that are under their Power and Care Written upon request by a lover of Truth and Peace London Printed by J. D. to be sold by Fr. Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhil and W. Crook at the Green-Dragon without Temple-Bar 1680. READER THe Author of this Catechistical Discourse was well aware that the World abounds with Catechisms and himself had read and consider'd very many of them written not only in our English but in the Latin and Greek Tongues and yet he was perswaded there was somewhat wanting which he has with great industry and accuracy endeavour'd to supply And I am perswaded whoever he be that reads this with consideration will find it well worth his labour for thô he may thereby add nothing to his Knowledg yet he may be well pleas'd to see the necessary things of Christian Religion deliver'd in so plain a Method so distinctly and with such pertinency of Scripture-Proofs In all which and especially in the last it is too usual to be defective Yea even Scripture-Catechisms wherein the Answers to the Questions are made wholly in Scripture Sentences are too often found faulty in that kind He has as he tells you in his Title Page warily shunn'd all controverted Points that so he might shew that one may be a true Christian without determining them and that Children and weak Persons of all Parties may be instructed in all things necessary to Salvation without medling with them that so as the Apostle says He that is weak may be receiv'd but not to doubtful Disputations Surely if this were diligently perform'd it would tend much to the promoting of Peace and Love among Christians A Catechistical Guide c. The First Part. Setting forth the Christian Religion in general Quest WHat is the best and chiefest thing we are to learn Answ The best and chiefest thing we are to learn is That Doctrine which teacheth us to know God and Jesus Christ Quest What do you mean by this name God Answ By this name God I mean Him who is the most High and chiefest Lord Ruler and Governour of all things Quest What mean you by these names Jesus Christ Answ By these names Jesus Christ I mean The only Son of God who was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin Quest Where may we find this Doctrine that teacheth us to know God and Jesus Christ Answ This Doctrine that teacheth us to know God and Jesus Christ we may find in the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament and the New but especially in the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament or Covenant Jesus Christ said to the Jews Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal Life and they are they which testify of me John 5.39 Luke testifieth of those of Berea thus These were more noble than those of Thessalonica in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so c. Act. 17.11 The Apostle Paul saith thus to Timothy Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3.14 15 16 17. Thus St. Luke begins his History of Jesus Christ Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a Declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us even as they delivered them unto us which from the beginning were Eye-witnesses and Ministers of the Word It seemed good to me also having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in order most excellent Theophilus that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed Luke 1.1 c. Thus the Apostle John saith of his Gospel These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name John 20.21 The same John in his first Epistle hath this saying That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full 1 Joh. 1.3 4. see Chap. 5.13 Ephes 3.3 4. 1 Tim. 3.14 15. 1 Pet. 5.12 2 Pet. 1.12 13. * Quest But why do you say that this Doctrine is to be found especially in the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament * Answ It may be said That the Doctrine which teacheth us to know God and Jesus Christ is to be found especially in the Scriptures of the New Testament for these causes 1. Because that of this Doctrine which was hidden in the Old Testament and there contained in a Mystery is in the New Testament opened and revealed 2. Because the New Testament is an History of many things which we are to believe as already done which in the Old Testament are only prophesied of and promised 3. Because there are some things added in the New Testament which are not to be found in the Old Rom. 16. v. 25 26 27. Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery which was kept secret since the World began but now is made manifest and by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the Commandment of the everlasting God made known to all Nations for the obedience of Faith to God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen Luke 24 24 c. And Jesus said unto them These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me Then opened he their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures And said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the Dead the third day c. See Acts 13.36 c. 1 Pet. 1.10 c. 1 Cor. 11.2 3. Quest Can you shew me from the Scripture that the Doctrine there declared teacheth
thy Might Deut. 6.4 5. Mat. 12.29 30. Knowledg puffeth up but Love edifieth And if any Man think that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know But if any Man love God the same is known of him 1 Cor. 8.1 2 3. see 1 John 4.7 8. Quest How does our love to God manifest and discover it self Answ Our Love to God discovers it self by our keeping the Commandments of God which require us to trust in him and live to him as the only true God Deut. 10.12 And now Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul 1 John 5.3 This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments 1 John 4.20 If a Man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar Quest How do you prove from Scripture that we must not only know him whom God hath sent but also love him as such Answ I prove it from John 8.42 Jesus said unto them If God were your Father ye would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God neither came I of my self but he sent me Quest How does our love to him whom God hath sent manifest and discover it self Answ Our love to him whom God hath sent discovers it self in our keeping his Commandments which require us to trust in him and live to him as one whom God hath sent to be the Saviour of the World John 14.15 If ye love me keep my Commandments Vers 21. He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me Vers 23. If a Man love me he will keep my Words Vers 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings the Word which ye hear is not mine but my Fathers which sent me 1 John 2.3 c. And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the Truth is not in him But whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him Quest Tell me now what you intend by the Acknowledgment of God and of Christ which you have mentioned Answ By the Acknowledgment of God and Christ I intend nothing else but that Love now spoken of as manifested by the keeping of God's Commandments Quest Why do you call this an Acknowledgment of God and of Christ Answ I so call it because they who thus keep the Commandments of God do indeed acknowledg and confess That he who sent Jesus Christ is the only true God and that Jesus Christ is he whom God hath sent Quest Does the Holy Scripture express it in the same way and manner Answ Yes and in many places Col. 1.10 Ephes 4.13 Col. 2.2 1 Tim. 2.4 Ch. 4.3 2 Tim. 2.25 Tit. 1.1 2 Pet. 1.2 3. Prov. 3.6 2 Cor. 1.13 1 Joh. 2.23 Rom. 10.9 10. 1 King 8.33 Mat. 10.32 1 Tit. 1.16 Heb. 3.1 Ch. 4.14 Ch. 10.23 Quest You said as I remember in your first Answer That the best and chiefest thing we are to learn is the Doctrine that teacheth us to know God and Jesus Christ But why said you so Answ I said that the Doctrine which teacheth us to know God and Jesus Christ is the best and chiefest thing we are to learn for this Reason Because this Doctrine which is Truth revealeth to us the Promise of Eternal Life and directeth us in the way and means of obtaining this Eternal Life Quest How prove you this Answ I prove it from the words of our Saviour which we have now been discoursing of namely This is Eternal Life that Men may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Quest What do you gather from these words Answ First I gather from them that the Doctrine of Christ is a Doctrine concerning Eternal Life * Secondly That to know the Father the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent is that which is required of us for obtaining Eternal Life ‑ These things are clearly and plentifully witnessed in the Holy Scriptures * 1 John 5.11 And this is the Record that God hath given to us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son John 12.50 And I know that his Commandment is Life Everlasting John 6.68 Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go Thou hast the words of Eternal Life 2 Tim. 1.10 Our Saviour Jesus Christ hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel ‑ 1 John 2.24 25. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye shall continue in the Son and in the Father And this is the Promise that he hath promised us even Eternal Life James 1.12 Blessed is the Man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entered into the Heart of Man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit 1 Pet. 1.8 9. Whom to wit Jesus Christ having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory receiving the end of your Faith even the Salvation of your Souls 1 Cor. 16.22 If any Man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha 1 Thess 1.8 The Lord Jesus shall take vengeance of them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledg or acknowledgment of God and of Jesus our Lord. Quest What do you conclude of hence Answ I hence conclude That there is nothing in the World we should so esteem of and glory in as the knowledg of God and of Christ Jer. 9.23 24. Thus saith the Lord Let not the wise Man glory in his Wisdom neither let the mighty Man glory in his Might let not the rich Man glory in his Riches but let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exercise Loving-kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord. Phil. 3.7 8. What things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ yea doubtless I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ c. The Second Part. Treating of Religion in the General and more particularly of the
Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in for him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Q. But who are they that in a good sense may be called Gods A. They in a good sense may be called Gods first who in some Imployment are instead of God Secondly They who in Government are the Sons of God Such both Men and Angels who in some Imployment from God are to others instead of God may be called by the very Name of the most high God As for instance in Exod. 7.1 The Lord saith to Moses See I have made thee a God Elohim to Pharaoh that is instead of God as it is exprest in Exod. 4.16 The Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses in the flame of a Fire out of the midst of a Bush Exod. 3.2 This Angel is called in vers 4. Jehovah and Elohim or as we english it The Lord and God Also they who in Government over others are the Sons of the most High are called Gods See Psal 82.1 6. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty he judgeth among the Gods I have said Ye are Gods and even all of you are Children Sons of the most High John 10.32 c. Jesus answered them Many good Works have I shewed you from my Father for which of these Works do ye stone me The Jews answered him saying For a good Work we stone thee not but for Blasphemy because that thou being a Man makest thy self God Jesus answered them Is it not written in your Law I said Ye are Gods If he called them Gods unto whom the Word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the World Thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God In Psal 8.5 we read thus Thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels In the Hebr. 't is than the Gods Here and in the like places a single Person is not Elohim but Eloah which is sometimes used of the most High as in Psalm 18.32 Job 12.4 Now the great God is in distinction from these sometimes called The God of Gods and Lord of Lords Deut. 10.17 Josh 22.22 Psal 136.2 Dan. 11.36 Chap. 2.42 And he is said to be greater than all Gods and above all Gods Psal 135.5 He is also said to be high above all the Earth and exalted far above all Gods Psalm 97.9 He is called The high God Psalm 78.35 56. The most High Numb 24.16 Deut. 32.8 2 Sam. 22.14 Dan. 4 17. and elsewhere often and in Acts 7.48 The most High God Gen. 14.18 Heb. 7.1 and elsewhere often The Lord the most high God Gen. 14.22 The Lord most High Psal 47.2 In Psal 83.18 That Men may know that thou whose Name alone is JEHOVAH art the most High over all the Earth See Dan. 5.21 In the place now quoted the same word is rendred High and most High Q. You said That God is a Spirit How prove you that A. Jesus Christ himself hath taught us That God is a Spirit Joh. 4.24 Jesus saith unto the Woman of Samaria Woman believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father ye worship ye know not what We know what we worship for Salvation is of the Jews But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.21 22 23 24. Q. What must we understand by this That God is a Spirit A. By this That God is a Spirit we must understand two things in the general First That God is more excellent than all things Secondly That the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner a Shadow of God Although Method challengeth this place for the confirmation of this That God is said to be a Spirit in way of allusion to the Spirit of Man yet the proof of it shall be reserved for the close of this Discourse concerning God as consider'd in himself where it may be done more easily and in fewer words The Excellency of God is diversly expressed in the Holy Scriptures In 2 Pet. 1.17 He is called The Excellent Glory In the Scripture there is ascribed to God Excellency Deut. 33.26 Job 13.11 Ch. 37.4 Psal 68.34 Isa 35.2 Greatness of Excellency Exod. 15.7 He is said to be excellent in Power Job 37.23 More excellent than the Mountains of Prey Psal 76.4 O Lord our God how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth who hast set thy Glory above the Heavens Psal 8.1 Let them praise the Name of the Lord for his Name alone is excellent His Glory is above the Earth and Heaven Psal 148.13 In the same sence he is called the great God Tit. 2.13 Rev. 19.17 Dan. 2.45 Jer. 32.19 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable Psal 145.3 There is none like to the God of Jesurun Deut. 33.26 And Solomon said Lord God of Israel there is no God like thee in Heaven above or on Earth beneath 1 King 8.23 All Nations before the Lord are as nothing and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity To whom then will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him To whom then will ye liken me Or shall I be equal saith the Holy One Isa 40.17 18 25. To whom will ye liken me and make me equal and compare me that we may be like Isa 46.5 Who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord Who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord Psal 89.6 As the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isa 55.9 But will God indeed dwell on the Earth Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much less this House that I have builded 1 King 8.27 See Jer. 23.23 24. Acts 7.49 But how may we gather that God is thus excellent from his being called a Spirit Thus Jesus Christ here discovers the Divine Nature by the most excellent thing that is vulgarly known to wit the Spirit of Man Hereby he plainly signifies the Excellency of God And in that he discovers this Excellency not as it is in it self but by a Shadow he clearly intimates that this Excellency of God is such and so exceeding great that we now cannot perceive the same as it is in it self being far above the present strength of our Understanding and way of Knowledg The like we are to observe in many other scriptural forms of Speech concerning some things that are Spiritual and those things that pertain to another World See John 3.10 11 12. It was said That the Spirit of Man
unlikely that our Saviour especially in speaking to a Woman of Samaria should in this term Spirit allude to Angelical Spirits it being a matter much to be doubted whether these Creatures were at this time known to any in the World unless a few by the name of Spirits But however this is certain That such a Metaphor or Comparison would have been when used by our Saviour of little or no use at all in the World for that there were any such Beings that were Spirits or incorporeal Substances was a thing not generally known in the World and denied by a considerable Party among the Jews themselves for as we read Acts 23.8 The Sudduces say That there is no Resurrection neither Angel nor Spirit That is to say no Angel which is a Spirit or incorporeal Substance For 't is not imaginable that the Sadduces who owned the five Books of Moses should deny that there were any Angels there being in those Writings so evident and frequent mention of them but 't is easily conceivable that they might deny Angels to be incorporeal in that the History of Moses does often speak of their appearance with Bodies like unto Men But that which fully and clearly determines the Matter is that which follows in the Text namely these words but the Pharisees confess both Whence it appears that the preceeding words contain in them no more than two things denied by the Sadduces which cannot be unless my Interpretation be admitted for they must needs be three if we distinguish betwixt Angel and Spirit as different Subjects as any may reckon that can but tell three for Resurrection Angel and Spirit must needs be three My Exposition may also be defended from that which follows in vers 9. and from the Absurdities which will follow the denial of it But to return I say That if our Saviour by the term Spirit intended an allusion to Angels the word would import little or nothing at all For what could Men conceive thence concerning God That he is not corporeal Be it so Notwithstanding this is certain that some would not thence so conceive and that at least the Woman of Samaria and others of the vulgar sort could hardly if at all find any such document in the similitude But what else could Men from this Metaphor learn concerning God Little else upon any clear and undoubted evidence the nature of these Spirits being so little known by the wisest of Men. Surely our Saviour intended in this Metaphor a clear and plentiful instruction concerning God and for the use of the vulgar sort Whence I conclude that Jesus has not respect here to Angelical Spirits in this Comparison but to the Spirit of Man In this sense the Comparison is suited to vulgar Capacities for there is no Man but experimentally knows that he has a Spirit And there is nothing vulgarly known in the whole Creation of God that does excel or may be equal to humane Spirits And moreover this noble part of Man passeth commonly under this name of Spirit How fruitful of instruction the Similitude is as thus understood hath already in some measure been shewed It only remains that I shew how well this sense of the term Spirit agrees with the Context This in as few words as may be thus To what the Woman of Samaria said vers 20. Our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where Men ought to worship To this I say our Saviour replies in vers 21 22 23 24. In this reply we have both a prophetical and doctrinal discovery For in vers 21. he foretells the destruction of both Temples that in Jerusalem and that also in Samaria and the removal of the Jews and Samaritans out of their own Countries So that they should not worship in the places about which they contended what mind soever they might have thereunto Woman saith our Saviour believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father In the next place our Saviour teacheth the Woman divers things of no mean importance For in respect of former times and the time present he informs her that in the Controversy now mentioned the Jews had Truth on their side and the Samaritans were in a wrong Opinion and that not only in respect of the place of Worship but also in the manner of worshipping This Jesus asserteth thus vers 22. Ye worship ye know not what or ye know not after what manner ye worship that is ye Samaritans have no good reason or ground for your way of worshipping but we Jews know after what manner we worship having a good ground for worshipping at Jerusalem by offering Sacrifices there and for the way of worshipping Then our Saviour thus confirmeth it for Salvation is of the Jews that is the Doctrine teaching Men so to worship God as to please him and obtain Salvation is from Prophets that are of the Jewish Nation In vers 23 24. our Saviour informs the Woman as to the future time which was now at hand these two things 1. That there must be a new kind of Worshippers whom he calls True Worshippers because typified by and more excel-cellent than legal Worshippers and a new way of worshipping to wit in Spirit and Truth that is to say in such a manner as is different from the legal way and was typified by it and which therefore is more excellent This Worship the Doctrine of the New Covenant teacheth for this Doctrine abrogates the legal Form and does introduce that Worship which the legal Worship was a type and shadow of This new Covenant Doctrine is upon this account called Spirit and Truth as the Mosaical Doctrine in relation to it is called the Letter and is said to have the shadow of good things to come 2 Cor. 3.6 c. Joh. 1.17 Heb. 10.1 2. Our Saviour shews why such Worshippers and such a way of Worship must be This he does first barely express in these words For such the Father seeketh to worship him vers 23. Then he briefly explains it vers 24. where he discovers 1. Why the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit Therefore now at length having a mind to discover himself more clearly than in times past he will no longer be worshipped after the more gross and carnal way of the Law but in a more spiritual and excellent way yet in such as was prefigured by the Law This is to worship in Spirit and Truth i.e. in such a way as being compared with the legal does as much differ from it and excel it as the Spirit that is the signification of a Letter differs from and excels the Letter it self The like may be said of a Shadow and its Body see Rom. 3.29 7.6 Col. 3.3 2. What it is for the Father to seek such to worship him To seek is to command which is here signified by the moral necessity that Men have of worshipping the
20.21 Mark 1.15 Then Repentance hath respect only to our Works and Faith hath respect only to our Hope It will moreover be for much advantage to know and observe concerning the forementioned terms these two things among others First That those Terms as above-used do sometimes only sight That which God requires for our admittance into a state of Grace Thus the word Faith and to believe is used Rom. 5.1 2. Act. 15.9 Rom. 10.10 And so the word Repentance and to repent Mat. 3.8 Act. 26.20 Mat. 11.20 So also Repentance and Faith or The Foundation of Repentance and Faith Heb. 6.1 Secondly That the same terms used alone or together do oft-times signify the whole that God requires for our admittance into a state of Glory Thus the words Faith and to believe are used Acts 26.18 1 Pet. 1.9 Joh. 3.16 Rom. 10.11 Thus also Repentance and to repent are used Luke 24.47 Act. 5.31 1 Pet. 3.9 Mat. 4.17 Act. 17.30 And so also these terms Repentance and Faith also to repent and to believe when conjoyn'd Act. 20.21 Mar. 1.15 Q. Now let us return to consider the Work of God by Christ Jesus for the faving of Sinners What have you learned concerning this Work A. Concerning the Work of God by Jesus Christ for the saving of Sinners I have learned that it consisteth in God's making by Jesus Christ a way for Sinners to come to Repentance and thereby to the forgiveness of their Sins and acceptance with him and in calling them to Repentance by Jesus Christ for the pardon of their Sins and acceptance with him 2 Cor. 5.18 19. Luk. 1.79 Q. How has God made by Jesus Christ this way for Sinners A. God hath made this way for Sinners first By the Death of his Son who by his Death is made a Propitiation for the Sins of the World and has open'd a way for the coming of the Word of Reconciliation to them Rom. 5.8 10. Ephes 2.13 c. 1 Joh. 4.10 2.2 Gal. 3.13 Mat. 26.28 Q. Wherein does the Work of God appear in the Death of Christ for the saving of Sinners A. The Work of God appears in the Death of Christ for the saving of Sinners in that for this end and purpose God willed that Christ should be obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross and in that he helped him therein Heb. 10.5 c. Psal 40.6 Isa 49.8 50.5 c. Act. 2.25 Heb. 5.7 Q. Wherein does the Work of Christ appear in his own Death for the saving of Sinners A. It appears in that he first willed to be thus obedient and afterwards became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross that Sinners might be saved Heb. 10.5 c. Psal 40.6 c. Isa 50.5 c. 1 Tim. 2.6 Phil. 2.8 Q. You having shew'd that God by the Death of Christ hath made a way for the saving of Sinners Now tell me how else God has done it A. God has made for Sinners a way to Repentance and Forgiveness not only by the Death of Christ but also by the sitting down of Christ at the right Hand of God in which estate he hath power to give Repentance and the forgiveness of Sins Act. 5.30 31. Q. Wherein does the Work of God for the saving of Sinners appear in Christ's sitting at his right hand A. It appears in that God raised him from the Dead took him up into Heaven and set him at his right Hand Act. 2.24 32. Mark 16.19 Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.9 Ephes 1.20 Q. Wherein does the Work of Christ appear in his sitting at God's right Hand A. It appears in that he obtained this estate by being obedient unto the Death even the Death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 9. Q. You having declar'd the Work of God by Jesus Christ for the saving of Sinners by making a way for them to Repentance and Pardon it remains that we speak of God's Work for the saving of Sinners by the calling them to Repentance What have you learnt concerning this A. Concerning God's calling of Sinners by Jesus Christ unto Repentance I have learned That God by Jesus Christ through the Gospel does command Sinners to repent and does promise upon Repentance the forgiveness of their Sins and that God and Christ thus call them with patience and long-suffering Act. 2.38 39. 3.26 17.30 2 Thess 2.14 Act. 10.43 2 Pet. 3.9 Rev. 2.21 Rom. 9.22 1 Tim. 1.16 Q. How may God be said to call Sinners by Jesus Christ unto Repentance A. God may be said so to do in that he sent Jesus Christ to call Sinners to Repentance Act. 3.26 Q. How may Jesus Christ be said to call Sinners to Repentance A. Jesus Christ may be said to call Sinners to Repentance in that he comes in the Name of God and commands Sinners to Repent and promiseth Pardon to them upon their Repentance Joh. 5.43 10.25 Q. When did Christ come and call Sinners to Repentance A. Christ did first in the days of his Flesh call Sinners to Repentance and that in his own Person and by his Disciples Mat. 4.19 9.13 Mark 6.12 Q. When else did Christ come and call to Repentance A. Christ after his Resurrection from the dead came and called Sinners to Repentance Ephes 2.17 1 Pet. 3.19 Q. How did Christ after his Resurrection come and call Sinners to Repentance A. Christ came and called by his Apostles and others who in Christ's stead do teach and intreat Sinners to be reconciled unto God Act. 13.46 47. 2 Cor. 5.20 Luk. 24.46 47. Q. How may these be said to be in Christ's stead in their preaching the Gospel A. These may be said to be in Christ's stead first in that they receive their Commission from Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.17 1 Tim. 1.11 12. Q. What is the Commission Christ gave to his Apostles after his Resurrection from the Dead A. It is this All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the World Amen Matth. 28.18 19 20. Q. How else are they in Christ's stead in preaching the Gospel A. Upon this account also they are such Because Christ who enables them for the Work hath appointed them to be his Ministers and in his Name to preach the Gospel 1 Tim. 1.12 Luk. 24.47 Act. 4.12 9.27 Rom. 1.5 Act. 26.15 c. Rom. 15.16 1 Tim. 4.6 1 Cor. 4.1 Q. Are none but Ministers to endeavour the saving of Sinners by bringing them to Repentance A. All Christians are to endeavour by their Words and Works to save Sinners by bringing them to Repentance Phil. 2.15 16. James 5.20 1 Cor. 7.16 1 Pet. 3.1 CHAP. VIII Of God's Work by Jesus Christ for the saving of Converts Q. SEing we have spoken of God's Work for the saving of Sinners
let us now speak of that which is for the saving of Converts who by Repentance have their Sins forgiven and are become the Children of God What is God's Work by Jesus Christ for the saving of these A. The Work of God by Jesus Christ for the saving of his Children is that whereby God bringeth them unto Glory by Jesus Christ Heb. 2.10 For it became him God for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through Sufferings Q. Wherein does this Work consist A. God's Work by Jesus Christ of bringing his Children unto Glory consisteth in preparing them for Glory and possessing them with it Rom. 9.23 Q. How does God by Jesus Christ prepare them for Glory A. God does this by creating them in Christ Jesus unto good Works and by confirming them therein unto the end Ephes 2.10 We are God's Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them 1 Cor. 1.8 9. Who God shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.23 24. And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly And I pray God your whole Spirit and Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Faithful is be that calleth you who also will do it Heb. 13.20 21. Now the God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good Work to do his Will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen Q. But how does God thus sanctify Believers A. God does this by his Spirit which he gives to Believers and by which he works in them for their Sanctification and all this thorow Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the Father thorow sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ Ephes 1.13 In whom which Christ also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise Tit. 3.5 c. God our Saviour saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour c. See Joh. 3.5 Ezek. 36.25 c. Q. What is that which God worketh in Believers by his Spirit that they may be confirmed unto the end A. God by his Spirit does enlighten them concerning his Will and does strengthen them that they may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing in all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness Ephes 1.17 18. 3.14 c. Col. 1.9 10 11. Q. Is there nothing by which God and Christ do through the Spirit sanctify Believers A. Yes for the Word of the Gospel is us'd for their Sanctification and sometimes Chastisement For the Word of the Gospel see Rom. 1.16 Ephes 5.26 For Chastisement see Heb. 12.5 c. Rev. 3.19 Q. Is there nothing that God by Jesus Christ worketh out of Believers for their Sanctification A. Yes And among other things God will not suffer them to be tempted above that they are able but will with the Temptation also make a way to escape that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 Q. What in this Work of Sanctification is peculiar to Christ A. He gave himself for the Church that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word And he ever liveth to make intercession for us Ephes 5.25 26. Heb. 7.25 Q. What must Believers do that they may be Holy and confirmed unto the end A. They must cleanse themselves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. Can you set forth this more particularly A. Yes after this manner They building up themselves in their most Holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost must keep themselves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life Jud. 20 21. Q. I would hear something from you touching the particulars of your Answer Wherefore I ask you in the first place this Question What is it for Believers to build up themselves in their most Holy Faith A. Believers may be then said to build up themselves in their most Holy Faith when they rightly endeavour by the means God vouchsafeth them both in private and in publick to encrease in the knowledg and belief of the Doctrine of Christ Col. 2.7 2 Pet. 3.18 2 Tim. 2.7 Eph. 4.11 c. 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Q. What is it for Believers to pray in the Holy Ghost A. Believers may be then said to pray in the Holy Ghost when according to the Will of God made known by the Holy Ghost they make known their Requests unto God by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving both in private and publick as they have opportunity Phil. 4.6 1 Joh. 5.14 Matth. 6.5 c. 1 Cor. 14.14 c. Q. What general Direction have Believers for Prayer and Thanksgiving A. That which our Saviour gave to his Apostles in Mat. 6.5 c. add thereto that of our Saviour afterwards in Joh. 16.23 24. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full Add that of the Apostle Ephes 5.20 Give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. But what is it to pray and give thanks in the Name of Jesus Christ A. To pray and give thanks in the Name of Jesus Christ is to draw nigh to God therein with confidence because Jesus Christ is our High Priest that maketh intercession for us Heb. 4.14 15 16. 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 13.15 Q. What have you learnt concerning that Cup of Blessing or Thanksgiving which the Apostle speaketh of in 1 Cor. 10.16 A. I have learned That the Apostle there speaketh of the Lord's Supper which is to be used with Thanksgiving in the Churches of Christ Q. What mean you by the Lord's Supper A. I mean A certain use of Bread and a Cup which Christ our Lord hath appointed for a remembrance of him For as often as we eat this Bread and drink this Cup we shew the Lord's Death till he come Mat. 26.26 c. Mark 14.22 c. Luk. 22.19 c. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. Q. Now tell me What is it for Believers to keep themselves in the Love of God A. Believers may be then said to keep themselves in the Love of God when they so use their Knowledg or