outward signes and circumstances yet the internal Grace held forth signed and sealed in both is Christ and his Benefits who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever and so though there were divers figures and types yet here are not four properly in substance but two Sacraments in the Church ordinarily for the Baptizing in the Red Sea was extraordinary Quest 14. Who hath authority as the spiritual Efficient and Author to institute and ordain such a holy Sacrament Ans None but God Gen. 17.10 11. Exod. 12.1 29. Matth. 28.19 Mark 14.22 23. the whole Trinity in common and Christ God and man in particular who is the Angel of the Covenant and of whose last Will and Testament a Sacrament is a Seal to and for the good of the Church Quest 15. Who hath authority and power as an instrument to administer such a Sacrament Answ None but the Ministers of Christ lawfully Matth. 28.19 20. Heb. 5.4 Ephes 4.7 8 c. and rightly called and authorised thereto by Christ and his Church Quest 16. what is the external matter or material cause and outward signe in the first of these Sacraments the Sacrament of Baptism Ans The external signe Matth. 3.6 Acts 8.38 Mark 7.4 1 Cor. 10.4 and seal of Baptism is the Element of Water wherewith men of ripe yeers converted to the Faith of Christ and children of beleeving Parents within the Covenant of Grace have been are and may be Baptized or washed by diving under dipping or sprinkling Heb. 12.24 and washing with water sacramentally and according to the Ordinance of Christ Quest 17. What is the internal material thing signified in this Sacrament of Baptism Iohn 3.3 5. Heb. 12.24 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Ioh 1.7 Rev. 1.5 Acts 22.16 2 Cor. 5.17 Titus 3.5 6 7. Matth. 28.19 Acts 14.3 4 5. Ans Christ himself and his spirit and the vertue of Christ his blood the blood of sprinkling applyed by the Spirit washing and clearsing us from our sins makeing the baptized partakers of the vertue of Christs death and Resurrection and of the Grace of Regeneration and new Creation of union and engrafting whom God the Father pleaseth into Christ in this Sacrament of Baptism Quest 18. What is the outward form of this Sacrament of Baptism Ans The outward form of Baptism on Gods part and ours is the word of Promise in the institution of the Sacrament and action and profession of Faith and manner of baptizing by dipping or sprinkling or baptizing in or into the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Quest 19. What is the inward form of this Sacrament of Baptism Answ That mystical and sacramental union that is between the outward signes of the Sacrament Gen. 17.10 Rom. 2.29 Col. 2.11 12. Tit. 3 5. Acts 2.38 39. and 10. 47 48. and 22.16 and inward Graces of the Covenant set forth and sealed in the Sacrament by vertue of which union as the signes are attributed to the things signified and these agree with the signes so the things signified and sealed are really communicated not by vertue of the work done and to every person baptized as the Papists dream but when God seeth good to those persons that are Gods elect children and have right unto and rightly partake of this Sacrament it sealeth their Iustification Regeneration and Salvation in Christ Quest 20. What kinde of union is this between the outward signe and the thing signified in the Sacrament Ans Not a Corporall Physical or Local nor yet an imaginary union onely but a true and real union yet so as the inward Grace is not communicated to all by vertue of the work done but to Saints in Covenant by vertue of the Covenant to whom and when God pleaseth Simon Magus he wanted Acts 8.13 20. and 8.36 39. and the Eunuch enjoyed spiritual Grace and joy in beleeving when he received Baptism as the outward signe and seal of inward Regeneration of the heart so that the outward signe and inward grace are not always united together but when and to whom God please he giveth grace and sealeth it to the joy of the soul The sixteenth Classis or Company Questions 1 Question VVHo are the subjects or persons to be made partakers of this Sacrament of Baptism Matt. 28.19 29. Mark 16.16 Acts 2.38 and 8.38 Answ All that are within the Covenant of Grace are first men or women of ripe yeers embracing the Gospel and converted to beleeve in Christ repent of their sins and be new Creatures yea able and willing to make profession of the faith and graces of God in them And secondly the custome of the Church for many hundred yeers hath practised Baptizing of Infants especially of beleevers in the Church Quest 2. What grounds or proof of this do you finde that have or may be produced from Scripture that children of beleevers should be admitted to Baptism Ans Divers Reasons have been observed by Divines But first this Rule is noted by Divines That whatsoever is or may be found a command or Institution of Christ in the Old Testament or in the New either in expresse words and terms or by good and necessary consequence not upon supposition onely but true foundation in the Book of God either for moral or for positive Duty It hath sufficient authority to be commended as a Truth of Christ for the benefit of Christs Church and may hold good for substance in the New Testament as well as in the Old although in a different manner of dispensation And therefore those who cast off a Truth of Christ plainly set forth in the Old Testament because it is not in so many words held forth or expressed in the New I conceive do much derogate from Christ who was the glorious Prophet of his Church as truly in the Old Testament as in the New The same Spirit of Christ preaching to 1 Pet. 3.19 20. and in the Patriarks and by the Prophets in the Old Testament as in the New and both Moses the Prophets and Apostles being all the Amanuenses and Pen-men of the Holy Ghost The whole Scripture being written by the Inspiration the Holy Ghost not by any private Interpretation and so the whole Scripture or any part of it in the Old Testament or in the New 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. either in expresse words or evident consequence is a sufficient ground to prove Infants Baptism or any Truth of God whatsoever Quest 3. Although this be granted yet vvhat Arguments do you finde dravvn either from the Old Testament or the Nevv for Pedobaptism or the practise of Infants Baptism in the Church Ans First you may take notice of this which followeth Whatsoever was a positive rule and institution of Christ to a beleever as a beleever either concerning himself or his children as children of a beleever for assurance of salvation by Faith in Christ and inward Circumcision of the heart according to
lost but rather to live by Faith Gen. 17. that as God is their God so he is the God of their Seed and can save them as well without Baptism as with Baptism Quest 26. But what ground have you for this your Faith I have ground sufficient out of the Word of God For first it cannot but be a sin against Christian charity to judge all those children of Patriarks and people of God before the birth of Christ who died before the eight day of circumcision to be damned or be sent to Limbo for that want of circumcision which by the Law of God they might not have until the eight day Secondly Gen. 17.12 or to think all those who dyed in the wildernesse in the forty years uncircumcised to perish when as there was a kinde of necessity by occasion of their often removing that they could not have circumcision until they came to Canaan Thirdly Iosh 5.2 c. or to think the same of children of Christian Parents who died before the Feasts of Passeover and Pentecost at which times Baptism was then used in the Church Fourthly or to think of the Believing Repenting Theef upon the Crosse Ioh. 3.5 4. 7. that he was damned for want of Baptism If these had the Baptism of the Spirit the living vertue of that water of life that was a seal of their entrance into Gods Kingdom though they wanted the outward Baptism of water Quest 27. What conclusion do you make from all this Ans Therefore I conclude of these or such like children or others as Ambrose did of Valentinian the Emperour who coming to be Baptized died by the way Ambrose lib. de vita Valentinian they are Baptized voto though not facto in will and desire though not in fact in respect of outward Baptism yet they may partake of the inward Baptism And so Christian Parents need not to be tormented with grief for want of Baptism in private when God is pleased to deny publike 1 Thes 4. but be comforted and not to sorrow as those that have no hope for their children they hope are asleep in Christ Qu. 28. I will touch but one Quaere more Hath not Infant Baptism been very much abused in the Church And if so Is it not better to take it away as the Brazen Serpent was by which means the abuses may be sure to be Reformed which otherwise can very difficultly be Reformed many grosse abuses being so rooted in the hearts and mindes of ignorant men yea of multitudes of men and women in the world Ans It cannot be denied but that Infant Baptism hath been most grosly abused by erroneous opinions and practises in the Church yea almost even from the beginning that we read of it in Ecclesiastical Writers as that it conferred grace that it was necessary to Salvation that without Baptism Infants were at least in danger to perish that outward Baptism did make an Infant a Christian soul and having Baptism it was made a member of Christ and the childe of God and certainly saved though the Parents were unbelievers Pagans or Infidels or as bad These erroneous abuses and divers others not only in Popery and Popish Churches at this day but even in England amongst multitudes of superstitious formal and ignorant people both in the city and countrey as we may finde by sad experience witnessed by many Arguments of wilful ignorance or much weaknesse at least and much to be pitied and lamented and prayers put up to God it may be amended Besides the multitude who rest in this outward Ordinance of Baptism in their Infancy as Paul did before his Converson in outward Iewish priviledges and in special that he was circumcised the eight day Phil. 3.6 7 8. all which he accounted nothing but losse for Christ when God once opened his eyes to see his folly of trusting to these outward priviledges of being circumcised or partaking of the Passeover or any thing but to Christ himself and his Righteousnesse multitudes now trusting to this That they were Baptized made Christian souls in Infancy and have been housholded and received Sacrament at least once a year at Easter or it may be every moneth although they did never make profession of Faith or partake of inward Baptism Regeneration or new Birth Iohn 3.3 5. without which a man cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Secondly although they were never brought to see their extreme need of Christ or carryed out of themselves and all self-confidence or trust to outward Ordinances and common priviledges of Baptism the Lords-Supper form of Godlinesse Religious duty or the like all which a man or woman may partake of Luk. 13.24 and never have any dram of that true Grace which accompanieth salvation or be admitted entrance into the Kingdom of Glory Thus far certainly and worse it may be hath Infant Baptism been abused in the Church Neverthelesse if Infant Baptism be judged lawful by vertue of that Institution of a seal of the Covenant by Christ to believing Abraham not of the corporal or câ—rnal part of the Covenant the promise of the Land of Canaan to Abrahams Posterity But also the spiritual part to believing Abraham and his children and to Believers and their children as children of Believers as a seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith or by any other ground or Argument held forth already or to be held forth by any the Servants of Christ Then I conceive the abuse of Baptism doth not take away the lawful use But if the Apostle approve circumcision of the Iewish children Acts 21.21 and Paul circumcised Timothy Acts 16.3 because he would not offend the Iews although circumcision was to be abolished Ahd if after he had Preached that if they were circumcised Christ profited them nothing Gal. 5.2 as he did to the Galatians yet if a Iew should have been converted to the faith and the year before his conversion had a childe received circumcision as his priviledge and the next year after his conversion to Christianity have had a childe which might not have been circumcised because abolished and troubled that his childe might not be Baptized nor have any outward badge of difference from the childe of an Infidel because as Adversaries to Poedobaptism aver there 's no Ordinance of Christ for Infant Baptism I conceive Saint Paul would have Baptized the Iews childe to take off the offence as well as circumcised Timothy before since no direct command of Christ appears to the contrary And so though Infant Baptism could be proved fit to be left as circumcision was abolished yet till men were enlightned it might be continued as circumcision and much more now be practised in the Church since it cannot be proved to be forbidden or abolished And thus you have the substance for Infant Baptism moderately Quest 29. Now to conclude What may all this teach us which you have set forth concerning Childrens or Infants
the spirit of Christ to know believe and feel and be affected in his heart and conscience with his own self guiltinesse of sin original and actual and of bondage under sin and misery due to sin yea of his subjection to the wrath of God to death and damnation eternal for sin Thirdly with the sence of his utter inability to save himself Fourthly of his extreme need of Christ in some sence Eph. i. 16 c. Heb. 4.12 13. 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 2 Tim. 3.15 c. Ier. 31.34 2 Cor. 5.16 Ps 57 i.2 3. Rom. 3.20 and 7.17 Eph. 16.28 c. Gen. 30. 1 Mar. 5.25 c. Phi. 1.29 Act. 16.14 and 13.48 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3. Eph. 1 i6 17 c. Rom. 10.17 Gen. 18.18 19. Mat. 16.13 c. Eph. 1.19 2 Cor. 3.8 and 4.5 Gal. 4.15 6. and 5.4 5 6. Luk. 24.25 c. Prov. 30.5 Isai 5.20 Ioh. 5.39 Rom. 15.4 act 17.11 12. and 24.14 c. and 2.19 Eph. 1.13 1 Tim. 1.5 c. act 20.24 Rom. 10.10 2 Tim. 1.12 act 15.9 Gal. 5.6 as Rachel did of children give me Christ or else I die then is the soul fit and ready to receive Christ with his precious justifying living Faith Quest 5. Who and what is the principal worker or efficient cause of our Faith Ans The principal efficient cause is God himself the Father Son and blessed Spirit or God the Father in the Son by the Spirit which great God by his Grace and in his free love hath elected and doth call his children to Faith and Glory in the Gospel and worketh Faith in them by the spirit of Faith and working of his mighty power in the world Quest 6. What is the instrumental efficient or working cause of Faith the means by which or by whom we believe Ans This is two fold outward and inward and the outward is ordinarily the Word of God in the preaching of the Gospel and catechizing inwardly the spirit of Christ called the spirit of Faith Quest 7. What is the material cause ground or object of Faith Ans The whole Word of God in general and the rich promises of Grace and Covenant of Gods free love or Gospel of the Grace of God in particular Quest 8. What is the form or nature of this Faith this precious Faith of Gods Elect Ans The form of this Faith First is not onely a light of knowledge in the understanding and assent to the truth of the Word of God as an historical Faith is Secondly Nor some temporary joy in the word as in temporal Faith Thirdly but it is this knowledge and assent joyned with a firm confidence and affiancy in the heart and will to rest on Christ and Christ his merits and righteousnesse and to trust in Christ alone for salvation As the vegetative or growing life and the sensitive or life of sence is joyned with the reasonable faculty or reasonable life in the soul in man which distinguisheth men and women from all brute creatures even so is this confidence and assured rest on Christ in this Faith joyned with knowledge and assent and sweet fruits in Faith which distinguisheth it from all false faith whatsoever Quest 9. But hath this true Faith allwayes joyned with it this confidence and assured rest on Christ Ans This Faith when it is a stronge well grown Faith 1 Cor. 7.5 Mat. 8.26 and 14.31 Isai 42.3 Psal 1.6 Heb. 12.2 it hath this blessed confidence and assured rest on Christ though not alwayes free from temptations to doubt But a weak Faith though it be a true Faith is often subject to fears and doubtings yet so as God in Christ inables the soul to stand and adhere to Christ and preserved from final despaire in greatest times of tryal for the comfort of weak Christians Quest 10. What are the effects and fruits of this true lively Faith Ans The effects of this true lively Faith in a believer or of Christ in the soul Christ thus truely apprehended and rested on by Faith in apprehending of Christs righteousnesse are divers And First justification by Christs righteousnesse and merits Rom. 5.1 act 13.39 Secondly sanctification and purity of heart 1 Cor. 1.1 2 3. Thirdly Christian liberty from the condemning and commanding power of sin Rom. 8.12 Rom. 5.1 Fourthly peace of conscience which passeth all understanding 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 8.35 36 37 38. Iohn 8. 5 6. Rom. 5.4.5 and 15.13 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Heb. 11.1 1 Pet. 1.8 Fifthly Love of Christ and a longing desire to walk in the wayes of Grace inseparable against all persecution Sixthly Joy in the love and sight of Christ and in the comfortable assurance of perseverance in grace and lively hope of Heaven Seventhly A kinde of entrance into eternal glory Faith making that as present to the eye of our souls which is not seen or present to the eyes of our bodies and yet affecting a beleevers heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory Qâ—est 11. What is the end of this true lively justifying faith this precious faith of Saints Ans The end of this faith or Christs benefits received and enjoyed by Faith is Ephes 1.5 6 7. 2 Thes 1.10 Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. 1 Pet. 1.9 Rom. 8.30 First and principally the glory of God in Christ Secondly the preservation comforting and strengthning of our souls in the Kingdom of Grace with our everlasting salvation in the Kingdom of glory for evermore The twenty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have made profession of your knowledge concerning the Grace of Faith Now what is you knowledge concerning the Third Grace the Grace of Evangelical Repentance to be examined renewed and enlivened of every Communicant men and women before the approach to the Lords Table What light have we from Christ concerning this Grace Ans By what I have learned from Christ I conceive Evangelical Repentance Renovation Regeneration new Creation and Conversion unto God is a Grace of God reconciled to us in Christ by which a poor soul enlightned by the Spirits working in or by the Word of God First With a true knowledge sight Rom. 3.20 and 7.7 Luke 15.17 and sence of sin original and actual Secondly Of the misery and bondage under sin Thirdly Terrour of the wrath of God due to sin Fourthly With tidings of Christ a Saviour Acts 5.31 Exalted to give Repentance and Remission of sin Iere. 31.18 Acts 2.36 37. Gen. 4.13 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.4 5. Acts 2.37 38. and 16.28 29 30. Iere. 31.19 First Is troubled stinged pricked and wounded in conscience sorrowful broken-hearted and humbled under Gods hand bemoaning himself for sin as Ephraim of old Secondly Brought to a kinde of despair though not final or a despair of Gods mercy in Christ as Cain Saul Achitophel and Judas yet with a despair of themselves or of any power in themselves to save themselves
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
Ioh. 8.58 Mat. 22.43 c. Prov. 8.22 to 30. he being the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last yea without beginning of time or end of dayes before Abraham and David and all creatures whatsoever and therefore must needs be God Quest 24. What is a second Property witnessing the Divinity of the Son of God Mat. 28.20 Mat. 18.20 Isa 43.2 3. Exo. 3.2 Dan. 3.25 Rev. 2.1 Ans Omnipresency or Christ his being every where present with his Church in generall to the end of the world And wheresoever but two or three are gathered together his Name yea in all times of triall for the good of his Church and Children Christ is present and so he must needs be God Quest 25. What is a third Property Ans Christ his Omnisciency Iohn 2.24 25. Mark 2.7 8. Rev. 2.23 or his knowing all things the discerning the very thoughts and intentions of the heart and therefore he must needs be God Quest 26. What is a fourth Property Ans Christ his Omnipotency and Almighty power Ioh. 5.19 20 c. Isa 9.6 he can do whatsoever he pleaseth whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth and so he must necessarily be God Quest 27. What other evidence is there of the Divinity of Christ the Son of God Ans The works of the Son of God First the great work of Creation Gen. 1.1 2 7. Ioh. 1.1 2. Ioh. 14.11 Col. 1.15 16 17. God the Son creating the world together with the Father and the holy Ghost That Elohim or those strong ones created heaven and earth and made man Secondly the great work of preservation Heb. 1.2 3. upholding all things by the word of his Almighty power Quest 28. Have you any more grounds to evidence the Deity of the Son of God Ioh. 1.14 who took our nature upon him Ans I might give more Ioh. 3.16 Ioh. 14.1 Lev. 17.5 Acts 7. Mat. 28.21 I will name but one and this is the Divine worship and service to be given and due to the Son of God as to God the Father as to believe in him to pray to him to be Baptized in his Name and to yield obedience unto him Phil. 2.10 Ioh. 10.30 as to our Lord God and King for ever And from all these we may conclude that the Son of God is God and one with the Father Quest 29. Certainly these grounds do make it evident that the Son of God who is equall with God took our nature upon him 1 Ioh. 5.20 to be our Saviour yea truly God and eternall l fe But what profit is the knowledge of this to a poor soul Ans It is a comfort and joy unspeakable yea Eternall life to know and believe the Son of God to be God as well as man Ioh. 17.3 20.28 Isa 63.1 2. 2 Tim. 4 17 18. and my Lord and my God able and mighty to save his Church and children from all their enemies and to preserve me and them to his everlasting Kingdom Quest 30 You have evidenced fully the Deity of the Son of God Have you any such like grounds to evidence the Deity of the third Person in Trinity the holy Spirit of God Acts 5.3 4. Gen. 1.1 2 Psa 139.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.10 Ans Yes verely If we consider the Name of God ascribed in Scripture to the holy Ghost that the holy Spirit moved in the great work of Creation and is every where present and an All-searching and omnipotent spirit Psa 33.7 whose works are mighty and in whose Name we are all Baptized Mat. 28.19 as well as in the Name of God the Father and of God the Son These and more they may satisfie the believing soul that the blessed spirit is God and God equall with the Father and the Son to be blessed and glorified for ever Quest 31. What comfort can this be to the Saints Ans Iohn 14.16 17 18 26. Iohn 15.26 What greater comfort then that our Teacher Counsellor and Comforter is God able to advise us in our greatest straits and to give us consolation in saddest times of darknesse that he is our helper in our prayers every where present with us yea in the Saints Rom. 8.11 16 20. for their joy is ready to witnesse with our spirits that we are the Children of this blessed Trinity God the Father God the Son and God the holy Ghost blessed for ever The third Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu say God is a Spirit or Spirituall substance What is a Spirit or Spirituall substance Gen. 2.7 Luk. 24.39 40. Prov. 20.27 Heb. 12.9 Iob. 11.7 8 9. Ans A Spirit is an invisible living or most pure substance more pure then the clear light or most pure Air or wind with life and motion not to be seen or felt with humane senses as the Air or wind or light or a body with flesh bones is yea a Divine spark candle or lamp intelligent and indued with wonderfull excellencies But God is the Father of Spirits whose infinite excellency cannot by searching be found out to perfection Quest 2. Do you believe that there is such a God Ans Yes For there is no Nation in the world but hath some way confessed that there is a God though multitudes do not know the true God And besides not only Gods word and works and spirit but the very consciences of men will witnesse that there is such a God Gen. 31.35 Jonah 1.5.6 Josh 24.15 Acts 11.13 14 c. 1 Kings 11.33 Acts 17.23 24. Gen. 1.1 2. and 14.19 20. Josh 1.1 2 3 4 5. Joh. 1.1 Gen 3.10 11 Dan 5.5 6. Acts 24.25 Quest 3. How doth it appear that there are such essentiall Properties and Divine Attributes in this great God Or that God is such a God Ans By an evident demonstration of all these Ps 19.1 Prov. 8.2 12 15. Rom. 1.19 20. held forth unto us in the word and works of God Quest 4. Wherein do these shine forth in Gods word and works Ans Iob 11.7 8 9. 26.6 7 8 c. Gen. 1.31 Rom. 1.19 20. 11.33 By the surpassing excellency of wisdom beauty power and infinite perfection of God which is to be seen in Gods word and works and firstly and fountainly in God himself Quest 5. What light is there held forth in the works and word of God to manifest this truth that there is a God and such a God of such infinite wisdom power and perfections Ans There is a threefold light First Of nature Secondly Of Grace Thirdly Of glory 1 Cor. 13.9 10. 1 Iob. 3.2 by which the excellency of this God is now in part and shall be more fully manifested to the children of God in glory Quest 6. Wherein doth the light of nature shine forth declaring this God Ans In the book of nature or of the works of God Quest 7. In what particular doth
expresse image as noted before And this Person of the Son is a Person subsisting by himself and distinguished from God the Father and yet of one Essence with the Father and the holy Spirit blessed for ever But this great mystery is rather to be admired and glorified then by weak men to be searched into or comprehended And in like manner the procession of the holy Ghost the third Person in Trinity is admirable and unutterable by the Sons of men Quest 6. But if God the Son this second Person of the Trinity who took our nature upon him was begotten of the Father How can he be God from all Eternity equall with the Father was not God the Father before God the Son Ans In this Trinity none is afore or after another but all three Persons co-eternall together and co-equall as was noted before in the second Classis Question the twenty one Quest 7. But how may this in any measure be conceived Ans It is to be believed though our humane reason cannot comprehend it since the Scriptures hold forth sufficient grounds for it and certainly similitudes drawn from the creatures or things below cannot fully expresse it yet you may conceive some resemblance of a possibility of such a truth even from ordinary things daily in our sight As for Example when you light a Candle no sooner is the Candle lighted but at the same moment of time there is a glorious Candle there is light and there is heat or warmth and none of these is afore or after another but all equall in time together The like may be observed of the Sun in the Firmament and other things And so howsoever the Father in the priority of order of persons may be before the Son yet in order of time I believe they are co-eternall and co-equall for ever and before all time whatsoever Quest 8. What benefit or comfort is the knowledge of this to a poor believing soul Ans Great joy and cause of rejoycing that the Lord Christ who came down from heaven Isa 63.1 2. Heb. 7.25 was incarnate for us men and for our Salvation was and is God from all Eternity equall with the Father and so mighty to save all that come to God by him Quest 9. How and when was Christ our Lord and Saviour man Ans Although Christ was God equall with the Father from all Eternity yet for our sakes he humbled himself and took upon him our humane nature being conceived of the substance of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the holy Ghost and born of her in fulnesse of time now about One thousand six hundred forty five years since Thus being that blessed seed of the woman promised and the Son of Man of a reasonable soul and humane flesh subsisting as well as the Son of God who did break the Serpents head and being made perfect he became the Author of Eternall salvation to all that obey him Phil. 2.6 c. Luke 1.31 32 c. Mat. 1.18 Luke 2.1 c. Gal. 4.4 c. Gen. 22.18 and 3.15 Psal 132.11 2 Sam. 23.5 Acts 2.30 c. Mat. 26 38. Luke 24.38 c. Iohn 19.34 Luke 23.46 Col. 2.14 15. Heb. 5.7 8 9. Quest 10. But was not Christ the Author of Salvation to all that believed in him and waited for Salvation by him before he was born as truly as he is now to believers since his birth and death and Resurrection and ascension to glory Luke 2.25 38. Iohn 8.56 Heb. 13.8 1 Cor. 10.3 4. Rev. 13.8 Ans Yes certainly Father Abraham rejoyced to see Christs day and he saw it by Faith and was glad and Iesus Christ was yesterday and to day and the same for ever in respect of his vertue and efficacy the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Quest 11. Was it necessary that Christ our Redeemer should thus be God Ans Yes The Majesty of God required he should be God Iob 15.15 Mat. 17.5 Acts 20.28 Isa 6.1 2 c. First That in his perfect purity he might draw near to God and be a fit Mediator for us to his Father Secondly That his merit might be of such excellent worth that it might satisfie the infinite Iustice of God which was then offended no Creature being so pure and precious as was needfull for it Quest 12. Was it necessary also that Christ should be man Ans Yes First The Iustice of God required Heb. 2.14 c. Mat. 4.3 c. that in the same nature in which man had sinned satisfaction should be made for sin therefore Christ took not upon him the nature of Angels but of man Secondly And our necessity required that Christ being man like us though without sin he might be touched with a feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 16. and having been tempted himself might readily succour his Children when they are tempted Quest 13. How must Christ be known in respect of his person Ans That he is God and Man in one Person Ioh. 1.14 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2.5 3.16 by a Hypostalicall or Personall union of his two natures Divine and Humane for as the soul and body make but one man so God and Man make but one Christ Quest 14. In what manner is this union of the Divine and Humane nature so as there is not two but one Christ Ans Not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh Iohn 1.14 1 Tim. 3.16 1 Ioh. 5.7 Col. 1.26 c but by taking of the Manhood unto God not that the Divine nature which is common to all the three Persons did take our Humane person but the Person of the Son of God did assume our humanity and so God and Man became one Christ not by confusion of substance but by unity of Person in a great and wonderfull mystery Quest 15. Why was it needfull that Christ should be Theanthropos God and Man in one Person Heb. 5.1 Heb. 12.24 Iob 9.33 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 5.19 c. Ans That being both God and Man he might be a fit Mediator between God and Man as a dayes-man to lay his hand upon us both to make up a reconciliation between us in and by himself Quest 16. What else followeth this near Personall union Ans Besides the excellency of the Person and Dignity of Christs merits there is a Communication of the Idiomes phrases or manner of speaking so that what is most agreeable to the Divine nature is attributed or spoken sometimes of the humane nature and what is agreeable to the humane is ascribed to the Divine by vertue of this personall union of both natures in one Person Quest 17. How prove you this Ans John 3.13 No man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven where being in heaven which was proper at that time to Christ as God is ascribed to Christ the Son of Man And secondly Acts 20.28 where
or division in the Body or Church of Christ as the Apostle St. Paul excellently holds forth unto us Quest 35. But may there not be a Separation from a true Church when corruptions and faults are found in it in Doctrine or practise of life and conversation Ans First I conceive there is a great deal of difference between the Errors or faults of a Church and of particular Members of a Church and also between failings of a Church in substantials and fundamentals which destroy the Essence and being of a Church and between failings and faults in circumstantials only If any Church or company of people should fall away the greater part of them in substantial truths and fundamental unto Error and Heresies which cannot stand with the foundation and being of a Church then I conceive such company may be rather said to have left the true Church though it be the lesser part in number then the lesser part to have left the Church The greater part Rom. 8.1 1 Tim. 1.19 20. as the seeming Church of Rome having left their first Faith and the truth of God in those Fundamental verities of Christ and his Offices and Graces without the holding and believing of which no company of people can be a Church of Christ Secondly If particular Members or a Church or company of professors fail in some particulars not Fundamentals but circumstantials only and such as it may yet be and is a true Church of Christ both in respect the Preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments Then I believe there ought not to be presently an unchurching or a Separation from this Church Eph. 4.1 c. but rather a labour and industry for a Reformation the preservation of unity and avoyding of Schisms and Rents and Divisions in the Church of Christ Quest 36. What do you call that company of people which fall away to Error and Heresies destroying the Foundation and in that respect separate from Saints Ans The name of Church cannot be given unto them but abusively and improperly only But these are a Heretical company rather then Church leaving the true Church of Christ 2 Ioh. 2.18 19. because they were never truly of the Church and so departing to their own destruction Quest 37. What do you call those who agree in the Fundamentals of Faith with the Orthodox and true Churches of Christ yet for some External Rites or things indifferent or some particular failings in manners or different Opinions in Dispensation of Ordinances or Discipline and these not Fundamental unchurch the Orthodox Reformed Churches of Christ and Separate themselves as if it were from Rome or Babylon Ans These are truly called Schismatical congregations who intentionally without cause do separate and unchurch the Churches of Christ and making Schismes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 so much complained against by the Apostle do divide themselves from the unity of the Churches condemning the true Churches as not Churches of Christ Quest 38. But whether is the Church of Christ subject to erre in fundamentals finally and totally or to perish for ever Ans Certainly no Mat. 16.18 Ioh. 10.27 c. Psa 125.1 2. howsoever particular Churches have erred in many particulars yet the universal Churches of Christ cannot erre in Fundamentals neither totally nor finally in any particular necessary to salvation nor can the Church of Christ perish it being built upon the Rock Christ but shall abide firm for ever Quest 39. Yet tell me I pray you what firm ground is there that the Church and Children of Christ shall be inabled to persevere and continue in grace unto Eternal glory and not fall from Christ and grace to perdition Ephes 1.4 14. 2 Thes 2.13 Matth. 24.24 2 Tim. 2.19 Acts 26.17 18. 2 Tim. 2.9 10. Rom. 8.28 Rom. 11.29 Isa 42.1 Luk. 17.5 Luke 22.32 Rom. 14.1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 15.10 Isa 53.11 Ier. 23.6 Acts 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.20 Answ We might hold forth unto you many grounds But you may observe these First The certainty and infallibility of our Election by God the Father in Jesus Christ both unto grace and glory Secondly The certainty of our vocation or calling from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world was Thirdly The certainty of our Faith being true though sometimes weak yet receiving relying and resting on Gods promise in Christ is sure to hold out not by our own power but by the grace of God in Christ Fourthly The certainty of our justification in and by Christs righteousnesse and merits by which we are freed from condemnation and have peace with God in Christ for ever Fifthly The certainty of our regeneration and new creation and glorification begun here and to be perfected in glory 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.17 and 3.18 Rom. 8.30 Phil. 1.6 Sixthly 2 Pet. 1.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Our entrance already into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ endeavouring by the grace of God in Christ to make our calling and election sure Seventhly 1 Thes 5.23 â—4 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. Iohn 10.29 30. Iude 4. Our assurance of faithfulnesse and mighty power of God to keep his children through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last times Quest 40. But doth not this Doctrine of Assurance open a way to Libertinism and so to sin Answ Certainly Iohn 8.31 32 36. the children of God have an excellent liberty and true freedom in and by Christ 1. Rom. 8.1 Gal. 3.13 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.12 c. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Rom. 14.1 2 3 23. 1 Cor. 14.26 40. Rom. 6.1 15. From the condemning or damning power of the Law sin and curse due to sin having our pardon sealed in Christ 2. From the commanding power of sin and Satan unto both which by nature we were in bondage 3. From tyranny and rigid imposition of things indifferent to binde the conscience where Christ bindes not Christian charity and order guiding us to our comfort and the peace of the Church Yet there is no liberty for a childe of God to commit the least sin What shall we sin that grace may abound Rom. 6.11 12. 2 Pet. 2.19 20. Psal 19.13 God forbid How shall we that are dead to sin take any liberty to sin as the wicked do but rather pray continually by the power of Christ to be kept from sin Quest 41. What should the childe of God do that wants this assurance of perseverance in grace to glory Gal. 1.16 Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 13.1 2 Cor. 1.20 Iob 44.14 Iohn 17.24 Answ Waite on God in Christ in all good means of grace till the Lord be pleased to reveal Christ in you and his love and assurance of his free-love in
Passeover and may partake of that Ordinance being rightly prepared although not named in the institution Quest 11. You have answered concerning the spiritual Seed of Abraham the elect children of beleevers that they may be Disciples by way of Covenant and by right of Election and so may have a right and interest to Baptism the seal of the Covenant which is not denied by some chief adversaries of Pedobaptism if they could be known to be such But now what say you for other children of beleevers which it may be are none of Gods elect nor disciples by way of that internal Covenant of Grace nor inward sanctification of the Spirit What right or title can such Infants have to baptism in infancy or until they be discipled by publike Teaching and Declaration or profession of themselves to be beleevers and converted to the Faith of Christ and such to be admitted by vertue of Christs Institution Go Disciple all Nations and Baptize as is opened before Ans I answer for all children of beleeving Parents though they be none of Gods Elect yet I conceive they may have as good a priviledge now and be under outward Administrations as Ishmael and Esau had if these were not elected or as any of the beleevers children before Christ had not being elected by way of priviledge as children of beleevers to partake of outward Ordinances and priviledges as children of the faithful especially when as it is not known of us who are elected and who are not Why may it not be that Esau was made partaker of this outward priviledge for Jacob and Abrahams sake And for the elect childrens sake all in general who are children of beleevers in the Church of God might and may have this outward badge of Christianity as a note of distinction between children of Iews Turks and Pagans who deny and reject Christ and children of such faithful who beleeve and embrace Christ and the Gospel in truth and sincerity And thus you have one ground of Scripture opened and applyed for Pedobaptism which may evidence That it is not a meer humane invention and absolute will-worship as some have affirmed whom I dare not for this one opinion against Infants baptism utterly condemn excommunicate and cast out of the Churches of Christ as enemies to Christ and the Gospel but rather look upon some of them as weak Brethren to be drawn in by bands of Love and cords of Amity by all means seeking to inform them and reveal that light the Lord hath opened in the Cannonical Books of the Old and New Testament praying God that every Saint may joyn in love and humility in prayer to God every day more and more to reveal and settle Truth in his Churches that God may be glorified and truth and peace established in Christ Jesus Quest 12. I am of your minde not to condemn all as utter enemies to Christ who are adversaries to childrens baptism But yet their Divisions and Separations they have made in the Church their unchurching of the Churches of Christ their contempt of Christs Ministers for difference of Opinion in things of lesser importance with divers such like cannot be answered or justified I think before God or men as being contrary to that Christian love and unity required by Christ in and amongst all that professe the Name of the Lord Jesus But tell me I pray you what other grounds of Scripture have you to prove the lawfulnesse of childrens Baptism Ans There are divers Grounds of Scripture discussed and handled at large by several learned men I will onely name a few and leave the more full opening of them to those who have undertaken the controversie in their larger Treatises And first That encouragement which the Apostle giveth to those Converts Acts 2.38 39. to repent and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins because the Promise is to them and to their children and not to them onely and their children but to as many as are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call that is to the faith of Christ or to be beleevers in Christ and why not to their children also as being children of beleevers as well as to the former whether they were far off of the Iews or far off of the Gentiles who should be or are since brought in to beleeve on Christ and so their children have an encouragement to be baptized as well as other If you ask what the promise here spoken of was I cannot see why it should not be that promise made to Abraham and to beleevers in him as being in some respect the Father of the Faithful I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed and then as circumcision was especially the seal of that spiritual Covenant to Abraham and his spiritual Seed so virtually to beleevers and their spiritual children is there a signe and seal belonging And this is not circumcision which is vertually forbidden in that Institution of Baptism by Christ in the Gospel as Baptism is Matth. 28.19 20. and may be vertually commanded to children of beleevers though not expressed by Name in that Institution of Baptism aforesaid In like manner as women are not expressed by Name in the Institution of the Lords Supper and yet are vertually by Christs Ordinance to be admitted and made partakers of that holy Sacrament Quest 13. But may not there be the same Arguments for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be given to children of beleevers now as for the Sacrament of Baptism since the children of the Israelites are conceived to eat the Passeover Exod. 12. as well as they were circumcised Ans I conceive there is not the same Reason of Baptism and the Lords Supper For in the Act of Baptism both men of ripe yeers and children are meer patients suffering themselves to be baptized which a childe is capable of and may suffer as well as a man of ripe yeers But in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper there is action not onely of eating and drinking for that a childe may do But of eating and drinking in remembrance of Christ of shewing the Lords death until he come of offering up an Eucharistical Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the death and passion and Resurrection and Assention of Christ and all benefits thereby and an Act of renewing our Covenant with God in Christ at the Sacrament which an Infant cannot do Nâ—â—â— 10 2â— as not being of knowledge and understanding and so an Infant may not he be capable of the Lords Supper though he be capable of Baptism or inchoate admission into the Church of Christ But this is discussed at large by others therefore I passe to the next Quest 14. What is that third ground you finde produced for childrens Baptism Ans That priviledge of the children of beleevers in Christ above the children of Turks Pagans and Infidels unto whom I perceive there are divers priviledges and
new builded there are onely some few rooms pull'd down where the Officers for execution of Discipline lodged and some such particulars But the main house stands still the preaching of the Gospel as glorious as ever the Word and Prayer and the Sacraments and admission and growth of grace in the Churches of Christ yea even in our mixed Congregations and so still true Churches for matter and form and visible Saints to be found to and with whom we may exercise this grace of christian love and charity Quest 48. This is enough I conceive to shew our lawful membership in and of the Church of Christ and to evidence our Church a true Church in respect of admission into the fellowship of the Saints and communion of the faithful both for matter and form But now wherein should a childe of God declare and shew forth his Christian love and charity to such visible Saints and members of Christs Church Ans In all lawful christian union and communion one with another in actions of piety and charity according to the rules of the Gospel edifying one another in the knowledge of Christ receiving the weak brethren in all wisdom humility and love to build them up in the necessary truth of the Gospel and that in all godly prudence to win them to a more high prizing of Christ and all the wayes of Grace and godlinesse but not receiving weak brethren or sisters to doubtful Disputations Rom. 14.1 2 c. so much as in things indifferent and so not in matters of higher nature they being not able to judge of the force of Arguments in dispute 1 Tim. 1.4.6 and vain jangling too common in the world and so may be drawn to Errors have their consciences remain lesse satisfied in the truth Acts 2. 5. but to exercise all love towards them especially Ministers to the flock satisfying tender consciences out of Gods Word and one christian communicating to another in outward things especially to the poor in the Churches of Christ not that there is such a community of goods Rev. 2. and of all things as the wicked Nicolaitans did Acts 2. and some of later times do imagine by wrong interpreting Scripture but that in christian charity the richer christians should be careful to relieve the necessities of their poor Brethren and do good to them especially as being of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 And this is enough to manifest the truth of members of particular Congregations that were baptized in Infancy and Catechized and professing Faith holinesse and renewing Covenant with God in Christ before their partaking of the Lords Supper as according to the true ancient order of the Church they have been in many Congregations Parochial in England where faithful Ministers have been and not onely in this respect but in respect of our Ministers Word and Sacraments and effects of grace wrought in the hearts of Gods children evidence our Churches true Churches whatsoever violent seducing Separatists whisper to their deceived Disciples to the contrary Thus you may see a communion of Saints in England to whom and with whom we may exercise our christian love and charity Ier. 15.19 which every day will shine more gloriously as Reformation separates the precious from the vile more fully which we hope and pray for daily The two and twentieth Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have in some good measure declared these four Graces in the Wedding garment Divine knowledge lively Faith Evangelical Repentance and Christian love and charity Now is there no more required but the habits of these Graces to fit us for the comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper and to fit us in our walking with Christ in the whole course of our lives What light is there for Christians for direction herein Ans Yes we ought to wait on Christ in all good means that these graces may be enlivened actuated awakened as a man from sleep yea strengthned and lively 2 Tim i. 6 Rev. 3.2 stirred up and quickned by the quickning vertue and power of Christ that we may more sweetly meet Christ and gain soul-cherishing vertue from Christ in that holy ordinance and walk with Christ to eternal glory As man may have an habit of sight yet except awakened he cannot see Eph. 5.14 so we in habits of Grace must be awakened and quickned by Christ Quest 2. What helps or meant are there to be used in which we should wait on Christ for the quickning of these Graces and our further preparation for the Lords Table and walking with Christ in our lives And what light have you from Christ to direct in this particular Ans These helps are chiefly of three sorts revealed by Christ unto us 2 Chron. 30.3 c. Lev. 23.27 c 1 Cor. 11.17 c. First Publike preparation in the Ministery of the Word Prayer Catechizing confession or profession of these graces of Knowledge Faith Repentance and love especially in a day set apart for preparation for the meeting of Christ in this Ordinance that a man or woman may be approved of by the Ministers and Elders of the Church as being not onely in some competent measure freed from ignorance and without scandal but also endued with truth of grace as far as may be discerned in judgment of charity and so such as are to be admitted to joyn in communion with the Saints and partake with comfort in this this holy communion at the Table of the Lord. Quest 3. But is it fit that men or women should willingly make profession of their graces and approve themselves to the Church as well as examine themselves in secret before they presume to come to the Lords Supper Ans Howsoever it is not necessary that every one should make this profession every time he or she comes to the Sacrament yet it is certain that every one ought to make this profession or be known to be such a one until he or she be approved of by the Church as fit members to be admitted as children baptized when they come to age of discretion ought to professe the Faith in Christ 2 Cor. 2.5 c. 1 Cor. 5.3 c. 2. And if any fall into open sin after profession and admission it is fit they should declare their Repentance before they presume to come or be re-admitted to this feast of the Lord. Quest 4. What ground have you for this in holy Scriptures or what light from Christ to discover this Truth Ans Because if we must be alwayes ready to give an Answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in us with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 and 5.1 c. Iud. 20.21 c. as is noted in the first Classis much more to the Church or to the Ministers of Christ or Elders set over the Congregation desiring not as Lord to tyrannize over our consciences or to shame us for our
life of grace witn joy and hope in believing and 2. what quickning vertue of Christ held forth in the Word of life there is in my soule 3. What strengthning with might in inner man what abilities of spirituall senses seeing hearing tasting with eyes and ears and mouth of faith to discerne the Lords body and blood from the outward element of bread and wine and to partake of Christ in the act of receiving that so I may feed on Christ with joy rejoycing at the Lords Table Quest 7. But what light have you from Christ to know whether you have life of grace and spirituall senses in your soule nor not without which it is impossible to discerne the Lords body or to receive or seed on Christ or draw near with any comfort to the Lords Table Answ This is a great question and often hath filled my soule with fears and doubting but by the grace of God in Christ I shall render a reason of the hope that is in me and shew you what grounds I have to believe and hope that I have found life of grace in me and so spirituall senses â—o discern the Lords body so that I may come with comfort to the Lords Supper Quest What are your grounds of your life of grace given in you in Christ Answ I praise God I was born of religious parents my Father like faithfull Abraham carefull to pray with and to instruct his family Gen. 18 19. Iosh 24.15 1 Sam. 1.15 1 Pet. 3.7 and catechize them in the first principles of the Oracles of God and as Joshua who resolved himself and his house to serve the Lord. And my Mother like Hanna a woman pouring out of her soul to God in secret prayer for me or as Monica did for her sonne Augustine and both my parents living together as heirs of the grace of life so that their prayers might not be hindred and with endeavouring to bring up their children in the knowledge of Christ and fear of God and so I conceive it is more difficult to declare the first quickning or birth of the life of grace my soul but yet I beleeve I have felt and found divers evidences of this life in me Quest 9. You answer right its difficult in such to manifest the beginnings of grace in the heart but what was a first evidence of life of grace in you that you can discerne or remember Answ Truly in my childehood I was taught and had some knowledge of the Scripture and of my estate both by creation and the fall of Adam and of the way of salvation in Christ the second Adam and I had an outward form at least of Religion and I was carefull to sanctifie the Lords day and to spend it in holy duties Prov. 22.6 2 Tim. 3.15 Gen. 24.63 Rev. 1.10 Psal 119.136 Rom. 9.1 2 3. both publick private though with many failings And I remember on a Lords day after Supper I went into a Garden as Isaac into the field to meditate of what I had heard Preached and I hearing a great noise of children and youths playing in the streets and so prophaning the Lords day I was so grieved that I shed tears for them as David for his enemies conceiving their estate was fearful being senslesse of their own misery and adding sin to sin and this I thought might be some work of Gods Spirit and sign of true grace then beginning in my soul when I was about ten or twelve years of age Quest 10. I do conceive there might be much wrought in you by the power of education moving you to dislike that open prophanation of the Lords day of Parents suffering their Children to play in the streets when they should rather be catechizing them in their families as it is a common fault still yet there is good hope that affection and grief for sin was a work wrought in you by the Spirit of Christ and so a an evidence of true grace in your soul But what further evidence have you found Ans After I was grown to riper years Gen. 42.16 Rom. 2.14 15. 2 Cor. 12 7 c. Rom. 7.22 c. in my youthful time when I left my Parents I was too subject to conform to that company and family with whom I lived where was an outward common form of Religion and saying of some prayers sometimes but I saw no power of Religion no conscience of ordinary swearing especially lesser Oathes as common blinde people call them as by their Faith and Troth and by our Lady c. no conscience of immoderate abuse of the creatures eating and drinking to ryot no care of any strict observation of the Lords day but a dislike of too much precisenesse as they called it and inveighing against Puritans as they called them sn those dayes as some such do against Roundheads in these times of which so called I did know some to be religious and good people and sometimes would defend and speak for them whether out of a principle of graca from Christ or by the power of my education I have since called in question but this I am sure that amongst this formal or civil yea sometimes uncivil company I had many buffetings of Satans messengers sometimes as a captive prisoner I had many falls into sin and failin my walking to the great trouble of my conscience enlightned whether by the light of nature accusing or excusing as the Apostle speaks or whether by the common light of the spirit in my education Rom. 2.15 and word Preached or thirdly whether by the light of grace and spirit of Christ I conceived a great question and was often filled with fears and terrors in my soul that though I seemed a Saint in comparison of divers open prophane persons about me yet having such falls and corruptions I was either still unregenerate or a formal hypocriâ—e at best as Mr. Bolton upon the first Psalm the beginning describes him and so could seldom gain or keep any quiet in my conscience or true peace as I was perswaded in my soul onely some comforts I had hope of in Christ Iesus Quest 11. Truly your state I believe might well be questionable especially if you were drawn away with the error of the wicked Rev. 2.5 to approve of their wayes or to dislike strictnesse in Religion and precise walking with God at the best it is certain that if truth of grace was ever in you yet you had lost your first love and though formerly you might have had a name to live 2 Pet. 3.17 Rev. 2.4 3.1 2. yet in this condition you were either dead or taken captive indeed or graces ready to dye in you your works and walking being found so imperfect before God But tell me I pray you how or by what means did you get any peace or quiet in your conscience in those times Ans I do not remember that I did approve of the evil wayes of that company with
for these things 2 Cor. 3.5 Gal 2.16 Iam. 2.10 Gal. 3.24 by the strength of the spirit of Christ my own insufficiency and inability to keep Gods Commandments or ever to be justified by the works of the Law as being never able to perform perfectly that inward spiritual obedience which the Lord requires in his Law but to seek my justification by Christ and in this respect this Law may be said to be a School-master to bring us unto Christ Secondly I may see my weaknesse to walk in this rule of holinesse Rom. 3.20 7.7 Acts 4.12 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. Phil. 4.13 which is so spiritually perfect and learn again my extreme need of Christ as a sanctifier as well as a justifier and therefore to seek daily to God in Christ for holinesse in Christ and the holy spirit of Christ that so I may be strengthned by Christ to walk in this path of holinesse for Gods glory and my comfort because I may be able to do all things through Christ that strengthens me and without Christ I can do nothing Thirdly in my daily prayers to my good God and Father in Christ Mat. 6.6 Luk. 10.26 Rom. 2.14 15. from the general and particular duties required and sin forbidden in this and other Commandments comparing this glasse of the Law with the glasse and book of my own conscience by the assistance of the spirit and power of Christ I may 2 Chron. 34.19 20 21. Dan. 9.3 4 5. 1. See my sins Original Actual and of omission and commission against every Commandment and I be more able to confesse them to my heavenly Father and beg the seal of my Pardon in Christ 2. I may beg more strength from God in Christ to glorifie God in the spiritual and holy practise of every duty both towards God and towards my Neighbour Lastly I may learn what graces and spiritual abilities I have received to walk with God by faith in Christ and to perform every particular duty according to my Covenant renewed in the Sacrament Deut. 26.17 c. and give God the glory in Christ Iesus resting upon his promise of blessing And thus we have so far explained the first Commandment The second SECTION of the thirtieth Classis or the second COMMANDMENT 1 Question VVHat is the second Commandment which is next to be considered And what are the parts of it Ans There ate two parts of it 1. The Command it self Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likenesse of any thing that is in Heaven above nor in the Earth beneath nor in the Water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them 2. The Reason in the words that follow For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Quest 2. What is the general sin forbidden Isa 29.13 14. Ans As in the first Commandment the Lord did forbid all false or feigned Gods so in this the Lord forbids all false or feigned worship and service of what kinde soever Latreia Deubeia First whether it be the Lord the true God by any Image or invention of man Deut. 4.15 ctc. Secondly or whether it be to any false or imaginary God to bow down or worship that Numb 33.52 Acts 17.29 Isa 40.18 Ier. 7.14 Rom. 1.21 c. Reu. 22.8 9. Thirdly or to the likenesse or similitude of any either of Christ or of Saints or Angels or Sun or Moon or Stars Birds Beasts or any other thing made by God or devised by man to be our God or for our God or the likenesse of any of them to make the invisible God visible to the outward bodily eyes or to worship or serve God in them or by them Quest 3. What is the duty required or the Affirmative part of this second Commandment implied in this Commandment Ans The Lord commandeth all to worship and to serve him who is the true God Deu 6 13 10.20 Mat. 4.10 1 Sā 7.3 Heb. 1.5 Isa 8.20 Ioh. 4.24 and to worship and serve him onely in a true and right manner even in spirit and truth Quest 4. What is a first particular duty required in the general prohibition Ans To have an eye unto Deu. 4.2 Exo. 25.40 Isa 8.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 2 Tim. 3.25 e. and to consult with the spirit of God in the holy Scriptures both for the matter and manner of our worship and service of the Lord according to his will and this in outward as well as in ward services Quest 5. What sin is contrary unto this Ans To follow the devices and inventions of men in Gods worship Deu. 12.30 c. Mat. 14.8 9. Iosh 9.14 Ier. 32.34 35. without any ground from Gods word or search to know the minde of God in his service Quest 6. What are the particular services or parts of Gods worship in which we ought to worship and serve the Lord in publike or private according unto his Word or will revealed in his holy Scriptures Ans There in divers publike acts and divers private acts or parts of Gods solemn worship and service but we may observe these four that follow 1. Preaching and revealing of Gods Word and will to the children of men 2. Administration of the Sacrament 3. Spiritual sacrifices of praises and prayer 4. Covenants and renewing of our Vows and Covenants with the Lord our God in Christ Iesus Quest 7. How is God to be served in respect of the Preaching and Revelation of the word and will of God Ioh. 1.24 Ans In spirit and truth or with spiritual worship and that in a fourfold respect Quest What is the first Ans Exo 3.5 19.10 11. Eccl. 1. Acts 10.24 25. A holy and spiritual preparation of my heart and minde by examination meditation prayer before I come to meet Christ that I may hear the voyce of Christ more comfortably when I wait upon him in this Ordinance Deu. 33.34 Luk. 10.39 Acts 16.14 22.3 What is the second Ans A humble and diligent attention as at the feet of Christ to hear Gods Word and be instructed by him from the mouth of Gods Minister Quest 10. What is the third 2 Chron. 20.20 Heb. 4.2 Rō 10.4 1 Thes 2.13 Ans A faithful acceptation or receiving of Gods Word with belief as the certain truth of the holy blessed God Quest 11. What it the fourth respect in which the Lord is to be served spiritualy in hearing of his Word Mat. 28.20 Rō 6.17 Ex. 19.5 23.21 Heb. 5.4 Ans In diligent observation and obedience to that which the Lord holds forth to be believed or done to Gods glory and our own good or the good of others Quest
love and respect to the Ministers and Ambassadors of Christ as to harbour in their breasts much lesse to publish with their mouths such a prophane and irreligious an opinion but that a brother may erre and I have heard men of the same opinion my selfe and once had a paper in writing delivered unto mee before divers witnesses declaring the very same opinion in substance the writing I have yet in my Study to shew but this little volum is now growne so big In S. P. L. or meeting place that I cannot stand to prove the Divine right of Ministers maintenance so fully as it may be proved by infailible grounds of holy Scriptures and in particular from those places noted before Quest 32. But howsoever some Separatists have erred so far as to deny any Divine Right of Ministers maintenance Cor. 9.15 yet others more moderate acknowledge an Ordinance of Christ for it although they deny Tithes to be payd by Divine Right in the Gospell declare I pray you in briefe what you conceive may bee said for satisfaction herein Ans First for Divine right of Tithes as of old to be paid now in kinde of every increase by Divine right Levit. 19.30 31 32. I refer the Reader to those Bookes of learned men who have writ of this subject at large In particular to Doctor Willets Synopsis Papismi Carleton to Sir Iames Temple M. Slater and divers other which doe out of Scripture and learned Authors doe confirme the Divine right further then I could yet ever see any appearance of satisfaction in answer to the conscience of true Christians Gen. 14.15 Gen. 28.22 But in briefe for the Lords inheritance of Tithes or of a part of increase reserved to himselfe and manifested in Scripture long before Levi was borne howsoever Leviticall Tithes which were a Leviticall and ceremoniall Ordinance may seeme to be abolished by that place of this Apostle Eph. 2.15 Christ having abolished the Law of Commandements contained in Ordinances compared with that Deut. 12.5.6 and Deut. 14.22.23 Where the Lord ordaineth that they should pay Tithe of all their increase yeare by yeare and bring it up to the place which the Lord should choose and eate it there before the Lord which Tithe was Leviticall and so abolished and not needfull now Secondly if any man will consider that there was not onely that Tithe but a second Tithe to be tithed every third yeare for the poore as you may reade Deut. 26.12 called in this respect the yeare of tything to be eaten at home within their gates for widowes and Fatherlesse and the rest and this tenth though not required now as then yet the poore is not to be forgotten for ever Thirdly if you consider that besides these Leviticall tithes there was a third kinde of tith which was first in command Josephus li. Antiquit. 4. cap. 8. and which the Lord challengeth a speciall right in as a reserved part for his service to be disposed of at his pleasure and which hee gave to his Ministers for an inheritance as for their service for them and their househoulds to eate as a reward for their service as you may reade Numb 18.20.21.31 And of this third tithes as reward for Minisâ—ers labour I finde no colour nor ground of abolishment in the new Testament But rather a confirmation by Christ that they ought to be paid or that which is answerable to them for the maintenance of Christs Ministers for although Aaron be dead yet Melchisedeck in his Antitype Christ or Christ in his Ministers is still alive to receive the Lords portion to the end of the World as St. Paul declares Heb. 7.8 And as that learned Knight Sir James Semple proves evidently a Book I never yet saw answered by any man But to evidence this in a few words consider First that what reason the Lord giveth for the bestowing of this speciall tenth upon Levi his Ministers who expounded the Word of God and gave the sence of it to teach Gods people Nehe. 8.8 namely for a wages and reward for their labour and service as is evident in Numbers 18.21 and in other places the very same reason Our Saviour Christ giveth wherefore his Apostles and Ministers should bee maintained and have a comfortable livelyhood for their labour in Preaching of the Gospell as a reward for their labour by Christs appointment for the labourer is worthy of his reward saith Christ and so the Greeke word signifieth Luke 10.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Apostle St. Paul giveth the same reason and ground for the honorable maintenance of the Ministers of Christ in that 1 Tim. 5.17.18 and concludes the point that Ministers maintenance is an ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 9.14 And therfore certainly seeing the Lord Christ giveth the same ground for his Ministers maintenance in the new Testament as he did for this speciall first tithe for his Ministers maintenance in the old Testament The payment of this speciall tithe being commanded in the old Testament and nowhere forbidden in the new Testament the payment of this tithe for maintenance of Christ Ministers can never be proved to be unlawfull and therefore may lawfully be paid as a reward of Ministers labour or a due answerable in consideration thereof for Ministers maintenance without any scruple of conscience Malac. 3.8 9. and much more when it is confirmed by the Christian Magistrate Thus have I endeavored in briefe to satisfie your desire and herein to hold forth the duty of people to their Pastors and Teachers in the Churches of Christ to pay that honorable maintenance due by Christs Ordinance unto them Quest 33. Now you have declared their duties I pray you what are the sinnes of people and congregations contrary to these duties Ans The sins of the people are divers I will name them in brief First for a peple or congregation not to embrace a Minister sent of Christ rightly called Mat. 10.14 15. and approved by themselves and others in authority by Christ in his Church 1 Thess 5.12 and inabled by Christ and his spirit with gifts fit for the Ministeriall office and not to acknowledge him as over them in the Lord is sinne Secondly 1 Kings 22 8. Luk. 10.16 Gala. 4.16 John 15.18 19. 1 Cor. 16.22 for any to hate the Ministers of Christ or any of them for their worke sake especially or to disteeme or dishonour them or be enemies is a greivous sin and an evidence such a man or woman loveth not the Lord Jesus is subject to be cursed with the great curse Anathema Maranatha Thirdly 2 Chron. 36.16 17. 2 Kings 2.23 24. 1 Kings 13 Psal 105. for any man woman or child to make scorne taunt or any other wayes to abuse the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ is a fearfull sinne which brings Gods judgements upon such men weomen or children Fourthly for any to disobey Deut. 17.12 Hosea 4.4 Acts 5.39 Acts