How doe you know that the Apostle meanes this sinne in that place which hee would not have us pray for Answ Because all other sinnes are pardonable and therefore may be prayed for but this sinne is unpardonable and therefore not to be prayed for Mathew 12.32 Quest How comes it to passe that this sinne above all others should be unpardonable Answ Because the very way and meanes of salvation is despised and rejected after they have received the knowledge of the truth and therefore it is impossible to renew them againe by Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 Quest How doe they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God Answ Even like as the Jewes did reject Christ and crucifie him when hee was with them upon earth so these men doe now reject him and doe crucifie him by their wilfull contempt of him and his sacrifice And as the Jewes did so doe they put him to an open shame and so rejecting that sacrifice which was ordained of God from all eternity to take away sinnes it is impossible their sinnes should be pardoned for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinne Heb. 10.29 Quest Doe men come on a sudden to commit this fearfull sinne Answ No but by degrees for first there is a light esteeme of the Gospell and of the grace offered therein Secondly a looking back to their pleasures past with some liking of them Thirdly a yeelding consent of the will and affections to the flesh for the embracing of them againe and so by little and little returne like the dog to his owne vomit againe and like the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2.22 Quest Doe all the Reprobate commit this sinne Answ No because many of them are never so farre inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and perceive those things which those doe that fall into that sinne Quest Is not their estate more miserable that commit this sinne then others that doe not commit that sinne and yet notwithstanding shall perish for ever Answ Yes certainly for although the estate of others be miserable yet the misery of these shall farre exceed for to whom much hath bin committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest Doe not such as commit this sinne prove dangerous enemies to the Church of God Answ Yes assuredly none greater enemies to the truth and to the people of God then those that once have professed the truth and afterwards have turned from the holy Commandement delivered unto them and therefore they are carefully to be taken heed of and to be avoided 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest What differing effects doth the holy Ghost worke in those that shall be saved from those that commit this horrible sinne Answ The holy Ghost doth worke in them that shall bee saved a farre more excellent worke namely that great worke of regeneration consisting of these two principall effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith Io. 3.5 Quest Are none partakers of these two effects of the Holy Ghost but such as shall be saved Answ Not any one and none that are partakers of those effects of the Spirit can possibly commit that sinne but all others that are onely inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and know the way of salvation are in danger of falling into that sinne Quest What is the best way for such to take to be free from committing that sinne Answ The best way is not to content themselves with that common grace of inlightning onely but to labour to find in themselves those two effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith and to be earnest with the Lord by prayer that he by his Spirit would worke effectually for the breaking their hearts and humbling them that so he may raise them up againe according to his promise and never to give rest unto their soules untill the Lord by his Spirit assure their hearts of peace and reconciliation with him Quest But is not the prayer of all such as are unjustified abominable how can wee therefore hope that God will heare us or grant our requests Answ The prayers of all those that are unjustified are not abominable but only the prayers of such wicked as hate to be reformed and cast the word of God behind them but the prayers of such as desire to bee humbled for their sinnes and to have their hearts broken and brought in subjection to the will of God and earnestly desire to be reconciled and to be at peace with God are not abominable but are pleasing unto God and are many times heard and granted by him Quest But God heareth and granteth the requests of none but for Christs sake and all unjustified men are out of Christ therefore how can it be that God should heare them or that their prayer should be pleasing unto him Answ True it is that all unjustified persons are out of Christ that is are not ingrafted into him by faith And also God heareth and granteth no requests but for Christs sake But yet notwithstanding God doth heare the requests of such as are not actually in Christ for Christs sake for God is mercifull to all his Creatures onely in Christ and many thousands enjoy mercies from the Lord for Christs sake that shall never enjoy salvation by him And therefore though men be not actually justified yet they may pray for Christs sake for the things they stand in need of and bee heard of the Lord and their prayers pleasing and not sinne else would not the Apostle have advised Simon Magus being in the gall of bitternesse to pray that if it were possible the thought of his heart might be forgiven him Gen. 16.13 Chap. 21.16 Acts 8.22 Quest May any one of those that are made partakers of that new birth and ingrafted into Christ fall away and perish Answ No it is not possible for God is unchangeable in his love where hee once loves with that speciall love hee ever loves for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.20 Io. 12.1 Rom. 5.10 Quest But they fall into many sinnes after regeneration and therefore may not God justly cast them off Answ True it is they fall into sinnes after regeneration and if wee looke upon Gods Justice only we cannot say but hee might cast them oft But yet God wil be true in his promise and as he did manifest his mercy and love unto them in their new birth so will be manifest his mercy in preserving them so that although they doe sinne daily yet shall it not condemne them For God doth justifie them through Christs death and if God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8.33.34 Quest Then it seemes that the stedfastnesse of man in Grace consists not in his owne power and strength but in the unchangeable Decree and mercy of God Answ No assuredly
is not for so all men may believe their sinnes to be pardonable except they have sinned the Sin against the holy Ghost and many have this faith that shall not be saved but shall perish for ever Quest But is this Iustifying faith of necessity to be obtained of us in this life Answ It is of great necessity for it doth minister unto us the greatest comfort that can be desired assuring us of freedome from the greatest evill and giving unto us a lively hope of the greatest good making all the speciall promises to be ours whereby wee are upheld in the greatest afflictions that can befall us in this life Quest VVhat are the speciall effects that doe follow this faith Answ There are these foure inseparable companions which are the effects of faith namely Peace patience Hope and Love a dying unto sinne and a rising againe to newnesse and holinesse of life Rem 5 1 2 3 4 5. 1 John 4.19 Quest VVherein consisteth the death to sinne or mortification Answ In the exercise of the three first effects mentioned namely Peace Patience and Hope Quest That we may the better understand these things describe unto me what these three effects are somewhat distinctly and first what that peace is Answ The peace which here I meane is peace with God through Jesus Christ so that whereas before God had a controversie with them now is reconciled unto them so that now they are at rest fully perswaded God being with them nothing may prevaile against them as it is written If God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8 33.34 Quest VVhat is the second effect namely patience Answ It is a vertue wherewith they are armed against all assaults of their enemies to beare their injuries to suffer and indure their wrongs and though they be compassed with a body of sinne and many lusts doe assault them yet endure all in quietnesse sustained by the Word which saith In patience possesse ye your soules Luke 21.19 Quest What is Hope which is the third effect of Faith Answ Hope is the Anchor of the Soule whereby they are stayed and upheld expecting those eternall good things to come which God hath promised to his people and which by faith they believe shall bee performed and this is that hope that maketh not ashamed Rom. 5.5 Quest Wherein consisteth that newnesse and holinesse of life which is called vivification and the new resurrection Answ It consisteth in the fourth and last effect of Faith namely love which is the light and perfection of a Christian which is caused by the love of God shed in their hearts and doth extend it selfe first to God their Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ their Redeemer next to their Brethren the begotten children of God then to all men even their enemies doing good unto them for evill praying and mourning for them Mathew 5.44 Acts 7.60 1 Cor. 13. 1 John 4.19 20 21. Quest What is the outward meanes which the Lord hath appointed for the working of these graces in them whom he will save Answ The outward meanes is the preaching of his Word which is the Instrumentall meanes that doth beget the Lord adding thereunto the power of his Spirit and so it becomes powerfull and effectuall for the conversion of his elect being preached either by those that are allowed Preachers in publike or by private Christians exhorting in private Qu. May wicked and unregenerate Ministers convert soules unto God Answ No they cannot for this is a worke peculiar to such as are members of Christ who only have this power to worke this great work of conversion having the ministery of reconciliation committed unto them Ier. 1.23.24 Quest Why cannot they convert soules seeing they preach the same word of God that others doe Answ They cannot for these Reasons First though they preach the same Word yet is it not by them delivered in the power and evidence of the Spirit Secondly God hath not promised his presence with them to make his Word powerfull and effectuall in their mouthes for the conversion of others Jeremy 23.21 22 32. Thirdly none can be said to convert but only such as by the power of the Spirit in themselves doe worke upon the hearts and consciences of others the same grace that themselves are partakers of Fourthly they that convert soules shall shine as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 but no unregenerate man shall have that glory therefore they cannot convert soules unto God Quest Doth the law of the Decalogue or ten Commandements admit of Repentance Answ No it doth not but adjudgeth every transgressor to eternall condemnation Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 Quest But the Apostle saith that the Law was our schoolemaster to bring us unto Christ Gal. 3. Answ The Apostle intends there the Ceremoniall law and not the law of the ten Commandements and indeed the Ceremoniall law did preach and teach us as a Schoolemaster to bring us unto Christ in every thing and wee may observe also that the Apostle saith that the Law was our Schoolmaster so that it appeares plainly the appostle intends there the Ceremoniall law and not the morall Quest But the Law sets forth our misery whereby we come to know our wretched condition Answ Yes indeed it doth but leaves us there without all hope or helpe of cure for it cannot afford us any helpe at all even like a man that wounds another and leaves him for dead but is not able to helpe him Quest What part of the word of God doth require and admit of repentance Answ It is the Gospell that admits and requires Repentance Mark. 1.1 2 3 4. Quest VVhat is the Gospell Answ It is a free declaration of Gods grace mercy and love for Christs sake Quest VVhen was this Gospell first preached Answ First it was preached to Adam in these words The seed of the woman shall breake the Serpents head and afterwards to the Fathers and Prophets and by our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles in a wonderfull great measure Quest If the law doe not admit of Repentance to what end serveth it Answ There is a double use of the Law It is set downe first for the unregenerate man that he may not deny the punishment denounced against him and also that it may take vengeance against him justly for his sinnes Secondly it is also set downe for a holy and regenerate man both that as often as he lookes upon it and alwayes he ought to looke into it he may so often bewaile his wickednesse and quake at it And as often as he calls it to mind and night and day hee ought to call it to remembrance so often he may thinke of the riches of the mercy and of the love of God by giving him thankes by Jesus Christ his Lord and Intercessor who so mercifully hath set him free from the wrath of this just and holy law Quest Are all the Rites and Ceremonies which God commanded the Iewes to observe utterly abolished Answ
and to pray with and for one another and to minister comfort one unto each other both in spirituall and temporall things as they are able and the necessity of their brethren require Heb. 10.25 Mat. 18. Iude 19.20 Heb. 13.16 Quest What speciall promise is made unto them being thus assembled in the name of Christ Answ A most excellent and comfortable promise of Christ his gracious presence to be in the middest of them to direct them that whatsoever they agree on on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask him shall be done for them of his Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.19 Quest Is not this promise belonging to generall assemblies that meet in publick congregations and may not they expect this promise to be performed unto them Answ If that the Saints in the publick congregations do meet together after this manner that we have declared then they may expect the fulfilling of this promise of Christ but none but onely the Saints have this promise made unto them Quest But we hope that there are Saints in every publick assembly doth not this promise of Christ therefore belong unto them Answ It cannot be denyed but must be acknowledged that Christ will be with his people in the publick assemblies where his true worship is performed and his word truly preached yea at all times but this promise of Christ his presence is a peculiar promise made to the Saints when they assemble together and agree upon any thing to ask that may be for the glory of God and the good of their brethren Math. 18. Quest Why will Christ be with this Church and with no other Answ Because there is a neare union and conjunction between Christ and his members even as between the head and the members of our bodies He having redeemed them with his bloud and hath taken upon him to provide for and to furnish this Church with all necessary graces being unto them a Priest a Prophet and a King Heb. 4.14 Acts 3.22 Esay 9.6 Quest How is Christ a Priest unto them Answ By offering up himselfe once for them unto God a living sacrifice for to make reconciliation between God and them and also by presenting of himselfe before God for them and by offering up and presenting their prayers and causing them to have acceptation at the hands of God through his presentation Heb. 2.17 Rom. 8.34 Heb. 9.14 Revel 8.3 4. Quest How is he a Prophet unto them Answ By making knowne unto them his Fathers will revealing unto them the way of life and peace making knowne unto them heavenly misteries teaching and instructing them by his Word and Spirit and also by sending his Ministers and enabling them for that great worke by all which they are built up and grow in grace and knowledge and all wisdome and heavenly understanding in the will and wayes of God Quest What are the continuall ministers that Christ hath left in his Church to teach and instruct it untill his second comming Answ He did at first give unto them Apostles Prophets and Evangelists whom hee vouchsafed to make the Pen-men of the Scriptures who were to be guides unto all the rest that were to succeed them he also hath ordained other Ministers in his Church as Pastors and Teachers to bee Expositors of the Scriptures and for the applying them to the consciences of the people For the gathering together of his Church and the edifying of the body of Christ which are knowne and distinguished from the rest of the Church not so much by any outward calling by man but by the excellency of gifts and graces bestowed on them and their faithfull employing their gifts and discharge of that office that they are called unto by Christ Ephes 4.11 Ephes 4.12 Quest How doth Christ manifest himselfe to be a King unto his Church Answ By giving unto them holy and just lawes precepts and ordinances to be observed of them and also by ruling and governing them by the Scepter of his Word and Spirit subjecting their hearts wills and affections unto him and to his truth to love desire and embrace the same and to yeeld all subjection unto him Qu. Wherein are the Saints chiefly to be exercised whilest they remaine here for their mutuall comfort and increase of grace in them Answ In the holy use of the word of God Prayer and the Sacraments Quest Wherein is that word of God contained Answ In those bookes of Scripture which we commonly call the old and new Testament in which are contained many holy directions and gracious promises and consolations able to sustaine them in the greatest miseries that can befall them Quest To whom is the word of God committed Answ To all the whole Church of God for their instruction and comfort Quest Who may dispence the word of God unto others Answ All they whom God hath given wisedome and understanding therein and hath showed the misteries thereof they are to minister unto the rest of the body according to their measure of grace received Quest What is prayer Answ It is a calling upon God with the heart in the name of Christ Iesus for all lawfull things that we stand in need of Psal 142.2 Iohn 16.23.24 Quest What things are necessarily required in our prayer unto God Answ There are these three things required in prayer First confession which is the acknowledgement of our sinne and miserie and unworthinesse to receive Psal 32.5 Secondly Petition which is the asking of things needfull Mat. 7.7 Thirdly thanksgiving which is the acknowledging of his power goodnesse and mercy and the returning him praise and thanks for his former mercies bestowed on us Quest Have we any example or patterne according to which we are to frame all our prayers Ans Yea a most absolute and perfect form given unto us by Christ Jesus himself in the 6. of Matthew commonly called the Lords prayer Quest Are we not bound therefore unto that prayer to use it and none but it Ans For the matter contained in it we are but not the form of words and although we may use the same words yet also we may by the example of the Apostles use another form of words and yet offend not against that most absolute rule so long as we desire nothing but what is therein contained Quest May we joyne in prayers with those that reade their prayers in a book Answ Yes doubtlesse if their prayers be good for the matter and performed with reverence and affection even as well as we may with those that use an ordinary form although they do not read it in a book or with those that conceive prayer for therein are we stinted as well as in joyning with them that pray out of a book and we may inlarge our desires in joyning with one and with the other Quest When are we to use prayer Ans At all times upon all occasions we are to lift up our hearts to God by holy requests even in every thing we