in generation Though this answer may be satisfactory to many yet I rest upon the former that we become guilty by imputation Qu. How doth it appear that Adams sin is imputed to all his posterity A. It appears 1. Because sin was in the world before there was a Law given on Sinai as appears in that all Adams posterity were liable unto a temporal death which is the fruit of sin Rom. 5.13 Vntill the Law sin was in the world so that death raigned from the time of Adam to Moses vers 14. now sin would not have been imputed and consequently death when there is no Law Now if you say What Law was there before Moses Law without which sin would not have been imputed I answer Though there was the Law of Nature writ in our hearts by Nature yet the Law the Apostle there speaks of was this mentioned vers 12. That by one man Adam sinning all mankinde should sin in him by that one sin of that one man Adam death should come upon all He speaks not one word of the Law of Nature 2. It appears that Adams sin is imputed to all his posterity from the death of infants Rom. 5.14 Death reigned from Adam to Moses and so along even over them who had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression which cannot be meant otherwise then of infants who had not sinned actually as Adam had so that the Apostle argues thus Where death reigned without guilt of their own actual sin there necessarily must be an imputation of the guilt of the first sin But before the Law death reigned over those that had no guilt from their own actual sins meaning little infants that could not sin actually after the similitude of Adams transgression Therefore the guilt of the first sin is necessarily imputed to infants and if so infants much more to grown persons and so to all Q. What may we learn hence A. That there is a sinning after the similitude of Adams transgression or actually 2. That there is a sinning which is not after the similitude of Adams transgression or imputatively which is called original sin Q What is original sin A. It is the corruption of all mankinde by the fall of our first Parents naturally propagated or derived unto all making them guilty of temporal and eternal death and other punishments unless forgiveness be made in Christ Rom. 3.9 to vers 25. Rom. 5.12 13 14 15. It 's called original sin because it was in being from the beginning from the first man that ever was Q. What way is their to come out of this miserable condition A. Only by Jesus Christ Col. 1.21 22. Qu. What is Jesus Christ A. The eternal Son of God Mic. 5.2 made man Rom. 1.3 4. Q. How many are the Offices of Christ in relation to his Church A. They are three Qu. Which are they A. His Kingly office whereby he rules in his Church Psal 2.6 and in the hearts of his people Luk. 17.21 2. His Prophetical office whereby he revealing his Fathers will wee are to hear him in all things Acts 3.22 Matth. 17.5 3. His Priestly Office whereby he offers sacrifice for the sins of his people Heb. 8.3 Q. What sacrifice did Christ offer A. His own body upon the Crosse Heb. 10.10 Qu. Why did Christ offer his own body upon the Crosse A. To make satisfaction for the sins of all those that believe on him Rom. 3.25 26. Q. What is faith A. It is a matrimonial act of the soul Rom. 7.4 2 Cor. 11.3 Eph. 5.32 whereby I do not only believe that there was such a person as one Jesus Christ who dyed and rose at Jerusalem but I believe also that he dyed and rose again for me yea my soul is willing to receive him John 1.12 as my Lord and Saviour Jude 21.25 and to rest upon his satisfaction Rom. 10.10 11. Quest Whether doth Faith go before the forgiveness of sins Ans We are not first washed and then believe but in Scripture-language we first believe and afterwards are washed hence we are said to be justified by Faith Rom. 3.28 and to be purified by Faith Acts 15.9 and Christ is set forth a reconciliation through Faith in his blood Rom. 3.25 which blood though it have sufficient vertue to cleanse us from our sins yet it doth not actually purge any unless it be applyed when it is once applyed that the soul looks believingly and mournfully upon him whom he hath pierced in that day is there a Fountain set open to that soul the Fountain of Christ his blood Zach. 12.10 compared with chap. 13.1 Q. But whether is Faith or Repentance first in the soul A. Though Faith be in order before Repentance yet in respect of time they are both together in the soul for in the same moment the Children of God believe that Christ was crucified for their sins they melt under the sight of their sins which were the cause of his crucifying Zach. 12.12 13. compared with chap. 13.1 Q. How doth the soul act in receiving Christ A. There is not onely an assent of the understanding that Jesus is the Christ that came into the World to save sinners which may be in wicked men Heb. 6.4 and Devils Jam. 2.19 but there is also an act of the will whereby God offering his Son as a Prophet to be our Teacher as a King to take us into his Government as our Priest by his death and intercession to wash away our sins we look upon this offer as worthy of all acceptation 1 Tim. 1.15 and so receive Christ to be under his teachings as our Prophet Mat. 17.5 Acts 9.6 rest and repose our selves upon his Sacrifice and satisfaction as our Priest Psal 37.5 Acts 8.37 put our selves under his Government and subject our wills to his will as our King Luke 19.27 This accepting Christ by the will is that very receiving mentioned John 1.12 because whosoever thus receive him have power to become the Sons of God Qu. What are the two parts of Christ his Priesthood A. 1. His death upon the Cross whereby in respect of Gods foreknowledge Christs merit and Gods acceptation he bore the sins of all the Elect upon the Cross ransoming them to God by his death Mat. 20.28 Ephes 1.6 7. 2. His Resurrection from the dead together with his intercession in Heaven whereby as an Advocate he pleades their cause 1 John 2.6 appearing in the presence of God for them Hebrews 9.24 presenting the merits of his own death whose blood speaketh good things for them Hebrews 9.24 So that he is able to save them to the uttermost Hebrews 7.25 Q. How may a Believer know that Christ is his Advocate or Intercessor A. Hereby do we know that we know him so to be if we keep his Commandments 1 John 2.1 2 3 4. Q. How doth a Believer keep the Commandments A. 1. He keepeth them in his head Christ in whose flesh sin was condemned that the righteousness of the
Mercy Deut. 29.19 Rom. 2.4 5. Psal 68.21 Q. Whether may not a child of God fall into sins against his knowledge and conscience A. 1. There are some failings in duty and stirrings of lust in godly men which are committed with knowledge but not against it for it is not in the power of knowledge to prevent them Rom. 7.15 18. these evils arise on a suddain 2. A godly man may sin against his knowledge through strength of passion and suddain furreption before he hath time to compose his heart Conscience in the act of it checks him yet he cannot keep it back so Peter denyed Christ and Ionah his Conscience told him he should not be angry when God asked him if he did well to be angry Ionah 4.9 3. A godly man may fall sometimes into deliberate sins against knowledge when that which he knows habitually he doth not actually think of the violence of the temptation blinding the judgment and beating back the voice of Conscience so David is set forth as a smarting spectacle of misery lest any man should venture as he did to have fallen into the sins of adultery and murder against knowledge Davids mind was so taken up with Bathsheba that he little thought of what he knew 4. A godly man exceeding seldom or never falls into a deliberate sin against knowledge when he doth actually and deliberately think and judge of what he knows 1 Ioh. 3.9 Q But if sinning against knowledge be so dangerous is it not best to remain in ignorance A. Ignorance when it is against a mans Will may excuse from so much guilt Luke 12.48 yet will it not excuse wholly Acts 17.30 But when it is an ignorance of wicked disposition that a man is either willingly ignorant 2 Pet. 3.5 or winks and closes up his eyes against the light Isa 30.10 11. Matth. 13.13 14. Ioh. 3.20 so that they will not read such Books nor hear such Preachers nor confer with such men as might discover truth to them God is wont not only Judicially to harden such in their blindness Matth. 13.14 compared with Iohn 12.40 but will also one day reckon with such wilful ignorants as if all their sins had been committed against Knowledge Q. What are the Covenants principally considerable which God made with his people A. Besides divers other Covenants which he made as with Noah and with every living creature both fowl and beast that there should be no more a flood to drown the Earth of which Covenant he made the Rain-bow a token Gen. 9 9 10 11. as also a Covenant made with David that his seed should still rule over Israel with the Levites that they should be his Ministers Jer. 33.20 21 25 26. And a Covenant to give the Land of Canaan to the Jews Psal 105.9 10. there are two other Covenants most considerable Q. Which are they A. 1. A carnal typical Covenant or Testament called old Heb. 8.13 second Heb. 9.1 worse Heb. 8.6 which was dedicated with the blood of beasts Exod. 24.6 7 8. compared with Heb. 9.19 This was with all Israel in the day when God took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt Heb. 8.9 2. A spiritual or new Covenant Q. What did this old Covenant signifie A. 1. An obligation of the Jews to the Mosaical Law in general Exod. 19.5 6 7 8. Exod. 24.6 7 8. in the perfect observation whereof it's thought they were to have Canaan here and Heaven hereafter but failing in one point they were under a curse Gal. 3.10 the Ceremonial part of it also shadowed our redemption by Christ Heb. 9.18 19. Q. What was the proper effect of this old Covenant A. Bondage and slavish fear for not performing what this old Covenant did require this was signified by Hagar the bond-woman Gal. 4.24 25. and this Mount Sinai in Arabia a place without the bounds of the Land of promise and by the fleshly Jerusalem which was in bondage with her children all three which resemblances signifie that the old Covenant begot children to bondage not only under the unsupportable burthen of the Ceremonial Law Acts 15.10 which was a yoak of bondage Gal. 4.1 2 3. also chap. 5.1 but also under the bondage of the curse and of Gods wrath for not performing what the Law requires for which cause the Law is said to work wrath Rom. 4.15 to be a ministration of death 2 Cor. 3.7 and to slay the soul Rom. 7.11 Now as when a Pitcher falls upon the stones it 's the weakness of the Pitcher not of the stones that it is broken So the reason why the Law ministers death is not because of the weakness of the Law but the weakness of our flesh Rom. 8.3 Q. What is the other Covenant called A. It 's that Covenant which the Scripture cals the second Covenant Heb. 8.7 9.1 18. Heb. 10.9 or the new Covenant 1 Cor. 11.25 Heb. 8.13 9.15 or the better Covenant Heb. 7.22 as being established upon better Promises Heb. 8.6 of which Christ was surety Heb. 7.22 Q. What is this new Covenant A. It is Gods free Promise whereby he promiseth not only pardon of sins and eternal life to them that are elect or do believe the same but also doth promise to to take away the stony heart and to give them a new heart and a new spirit and to put his Laws in their minds and to write them in their hearts so that all of them from the least to the greatest know the Lord yea vouchsafes to be their God and takes them to be his people Q. What are the Articles or Branches in particular of this new Covenant A. They are these 1. Forgiveness of sins Heb. 8.12 I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more So that the Elect have not onely redemption from Original sin but from all transgression under the first Testament Heb. 9.15 by sprinkling clean water upon them Ezek. 26.25 Christs blood 2. A second branch is eternal life Rom. 5.15 Heb. 9.15 Christ is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by the means of death that is of Christs death they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance in this inheritance no bond-slave of Satan doth partake which appears Gal. 4.30 in the type in that the son of the Bond-woman which was Ishmael did not partake with the son of the Free-woman which was Isaac the message from God being Cast out the Bond-woman and her son for the son of the Bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the Free-woman The third Branch is softning of the hearth Ezek. 11.19 that whereas in the natural state the heart was so hard that neither promise threat nor command mercy misery moved Now this stony heartedness is taken away that the soul melts under the sense of Christs sufferings it 's own infirmities and Gods mercies The fourth Branch is Newness whereby Christ doth not onely
cleanse the soul from all filthiness in the reigne thereof Ezek. 36.25 26. compared with Rom. 6.12 15. but also puts a new spirit or a new frame of a Spirit within which the Seripture calls transformation or change of minde Rom. 12.2 The fifth Branch is the putting of his laws in the hearts of the elect Heb. 8.10 11. so that they shall not teach every man his neighbour or every man his brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest which is not meant of Notional knowledge as if persons in covenant with God stood in no need of being taught by Pastors parents or neighbors but of affective knowledge that is such a knowledge as carries affection with it whereby they relish and savour good things For this see John 17.3 John 6.45 1 Thess 4.9 1 John 2.27 this is such a teaching as God teaches the Bees to work in their kind whereby he puts an instinct in them so to work The sixth Branch is the writing of his law in our hearts Jer. 31.33 The pen wherewith he writes them is his own Spirit though the ministration be of men 2 Cor. 3.3 Now this writing is nothing but the inclination of the will to close with Gods law in the bredth of it the which branch Ezekiel expresseth thus Ezek. 36.27 I will cause you to walk in my statutes and you shall keep my judgements so that whereas in the natural state there was an enmity betwixt the heart and the law the Spirit so bends the will that the heart and the law become sutable answering one another as the Seal and the Wax The seventh Branch is I will be their God and they shall be my people whereby God promiseth to communicate to us not only every good thing Psalm 84.1.2 but also himself and that we that were enemies and strangers shall be his people Rom. 9.25.26 Hos 1.10 Q. Who was the Mediator of this new Covenant A. Jesus Christ Heb. 9.15 First the promises were made to Abrahams seed not Seeds but Seed one Seed which was Christ Gal. 3.15 16. And by vertue of our union with Christ we come to be heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 the promises being first instated upon Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 as being heir of all things Heb. 1.12 Q. Who are the persons that have benefit by this new Covenant A. All the elect from the beginning to the end of the world Rev. 13.8 Gen. 3.15 In the times of the old Testament there were many children of the new Covenant and though Jeremiah chap. 31.31 call it a new Covenant yet doth he so call it because it was clearly manifested by the Apostles preaching Q. But how can the Covenant be made with all the elect seeing sundry of them are not capable of divers branches thereof as infants idiots c. A. You must remember that the new Covenant is called a Testament Mat. 26.28 or a Will Now an Infant is capable of a Legacy 2. Though they are not capable of all the Branches of the Covenant yet are they of some as forgiveness of sins and eternal life by these they are saved though they have not the other Q How doth it appear the new Covenant was also a Testament A. Because as other Wills and Testaments are it was confirmed with the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16 This was established in the blood of Christ Mat. 26.28 1 Cor. 11.25 Besides the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies a Testament Q. What difference betwixt the two Covenants A. The old Covenant required perfect obedience but gave no strength to do it hence called Faulty Heb. 8.7 not in respect of it self but us faulty with a faultiness of imperfection not of sinfulness but in the new Covenant is a promise of ability to do what God requires As he requires love of us Mat. 10.37 so he promises it so doth he for faith Eph. 2.8 repentance Ezek. 36.26 27. and Gods fear Jer. 32.40 Hence called a Covenant of Grace because he doth our part as well as his own Secondly the old Covenant required obedience in the rigor and curst the transgressor for every breach Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 the new Covenant requires on the creatures part onely the perfection of sincerity which consists principally in an universal purpose and endeavour for new obedience John 15.14 with an hearty sorrow if they be overtaken contrary to this purpose Thirdly the old Covenant was much upon temporal promises as Levit. 16.3 Deut. 28.1 17. but the new Covenant runs upon spiritual and eternal promises Heb. 8.6 Fourthly the old Covenant is abolished and come to an end Heb. 8.13 Cast out the Bond-woman and her son Gal. 4.30 But the new Covenant is everlasting Heb. 13.20 in opposition to the abrogated covenant so that as a wife is free from her husband when he is dead so we are freed from the old Covenant it being dead and we being new married unto Christ Rom. 7.1 2 3 4. Fifthly the old Covenant was very dark 2 Cor. 3.13 Moses put a veil over his face to signifie the children of Israel could not see Christ Hence as those that learn the Rudiments or beginning of a language are in bondage not knowing what benefit will come by them so were sundry Jews and others under the bondage of the Rudiments of the world Gal. 4.9 and could not with any clearness understand it Contrary the new Testament is clear the Ministers of it use great plainness of speech 2 Cor. 3.12 13. and the children of the new Covenant see with much plainness as in a looking-glass 2 Cor. 3.18 Q But seeing you say the old Covenant is abolished whether or no are we freed from the Law of Moses A. Believers are delivered First from the curse for breach of it Gal. 3.13 Secondly from the covenant of the Law under which notion it seems to have been delivered on Mount Sinai Exod. 19.5 6.8 Exod. 24.8 Thirdly from the hand-writing of the Law as it testified against us our guilt Col. 2.14 as a free Creditor not onely forgives the debt but also cancels the bond that might witness it against his debtor Fourthly from the power it hath to stir up to sin Rom. 7.5 8. the more the Law forbids sin to natural men with much more proneness they are carried to it Fifthly from the Mosaical institution of it as it was by Moses peculiarly appointed to the Jews Iohn 7.19 Did not Moss give You the Law John 15.25 It is written in Their law And else why did Moses command the seventh day from the creation to be observed and we observe the first day of the week Q How are we bound to observe Moses his Lawes A. 1. As they are Laws of Nature I call those laws of Nature which men by the light of nature practice Rom. 2.14 as that God is to be worshipped parents honoured that no man is to take away the Wife or goods of another 2. So far as
they are Laws of equity and justice 3. So far as they are Laws of holiness for the Children of the new Testament who lived under the old Testament made great conscience of them Luke 1.6 and they tend to the perfecting of the new Creature 2 Tim. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Hence the Spirit writes the Law in regenerate mens hearts Ezek. 36.27 Heb. 8.10 which he would not do if it were not a rule of holiness yea all Gods Law is holy just and good Rom. 7.12 whereunto regenerate men as such had respect Psal 119.6 yea are bound to have respect Iames 2.10 11. all which proves the holiness of Gods Law I mean the Scriptures pen'd by Moses with all other prophetical Scriptures which expound the same Q. What comfort may we draw from this new Covenant A. Much comfort when thy lusts are prevailing God will sprinkle clean water Ezek. 36.25 when hardness of heart assaults God will take away a stony heart Ezek. 11.19 when old lusts assaile that God will give a new heart Ezek. 36.26 so when thy heart begins to disrellish good things that God will give thee a savory heart to relish them Heb. 8.11 if thy heart rise up against any of Gods Commands that God will write this Law in thy heart Ier. 31.33 and when thy heart shall doubt of Gods favor remember that he saith I will be their God and they shall be my people Heb. 8.10 Q What are the signs of the new Covenant A. They are two 1. Baptisme 2. The Supper of the Lord. Q. Declare in particular what Baptism is A. It is a signe of my fellowship with Christ in his death burial and resurrection that as my body is washed and buried in water so I believe my sins are washed away and buried in the death of the Lord Jesus and as I did rise againe out of the water so I did rise againe with Christ being discharged from my sins in his death and resurrection and have already begun and professed that I am bound to rise to walk with Christ in newness of life Rom. 6.3 4 5 6. Col. 2.12 Q. Who are the right subjects of Baptisme A. Those that are made Disciples or Scholars of Christ Mat. 28.19 that make profession of believing with their whole hearts Acts 8.37 Heb. 10.22 23. and of their repentance from dead works Mat. 3.6 Acts 2.38 39. and of their right knowledge of the object of worship that is the Trinity into whose Name they are baptized Mat. 28.19 and of their natural corruptions without which they will see no need of washing Mat. 3.14 and of their self-denial without which they are not Christs Disciples Luke 14.26 and so not to be baptized by the very words of the Commission of Christ Mat. 28.19 Make disciples all Nations baptizing them for the Greek word signifies to make disciples and not barely to teach Also they must make profession of their spiritual life without which they are not members of Christ the living head also of the resurrection of the body which is also signified in Baptisme 1 Cor. 15.29 and of the last judgement Q. May not infants be baptized A. No in no wise it being gross will-worship condemned Col. 2.23 Mat. 15.9 the Scripture declaring baptisme to be applyed onely to those that are disciples Mat. 28.19 and believe Mar. 16.16 Acts 8.12 37. 18 8. and repent Acts 2.38.39 and have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 and have received the Holy Ghost Acts 10.41 We must not presume to apply it to any other Besides infants understand not the new Covenant therefore they have nothing to do with the signes thereof unless God had commanded otherwise neither are they in Christs commission and therefore excluded to the end of the world Q. Is not the command of circumcision to the Jews a command to Christian parents to baptize infants A. If you make the command of Circumcision to be the institution or command for infants baptisme you hold forth Circumcision still and so hold forth that which typifies Christ to come in the flesh Persons were circumcised upon a fleshly covenant intailed to generation not to regeneration but now believers are baptized upon a command of God as a declaration of the washing away of their sins in Christs blood Act. 22.16 Circumcision with the rest of the ceremonies were abolished in Christ Col. 2.17 Heb. 9.9 10 1. If we may call back one we may call back all To say So for a command bindes us and so far not without a plaine declaration of Gods will is high presumption We are therefore to stand fast in our liberty Gal. 2.16 Gal. 4.10 11. 5.1 2 3. The Apostle Col. 2.10 11 12. to take the Jewish brethren wholly off from Circumcision doth not say We have another ordinance in stead of circumcision or by vertue of that command but We have Christ in stead of all we are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands by the Spirit of Christ we are compleat in him verse 11. not with a compleatness of outward ordinances but by a compleatness of Christ alone It is supposed by some that without a succession of some ordinance instead of Circumcision we are not compleat in Christ or not so compleat as the Jews but this is 1. False because it 's contrary to that the Apostle asserts that we are compleat in Christ alone because in him is the fulness of all that was shadowed 2. It is dangerous because the same reason that will conclude we are not compleat without a succession of some ordinances in stead of Circumcision will conclude we are not compleat without a succession of something instead of Temple Sacrifices Altar and so after the Popish manner all Jewish Rites will be recalled under new names The question started at Colosse was not universally wherein a Christians perfection consisted but wherein it consisted in point of Justification whether by Christ alone or by the law and circumcision joyned with him To this he saith We are compleat in him Q. But may I not draw a proportion that as infants in the time of the Jews were circumcised so infants of believers under the times of the Gospel may be baptized A. In no wise We must not make additions in worship from our conceited proportions Proportions of Gods making may be observed as these following The Priests lips must preserve knowledge Mal. 2.7 so must the Bishops be apt to teach 1 Tim. 3.2 As the Priests by offering sacrifice held forth Christ Heb. 9. so the Ministers by preaching Gal. 3.1 as the Priest was to have a Consecration so the Ministers an Ordination Will it therefore follow that a command to a Priest to offer a sacrifice propitiatory should be a command to a Gospell-Minister to offer a sacrifice propitiatory as the Mass-priests do Or a command for a Priest to weat a linen Ephod should be a command to a Minister to wear a Surplice or that there must be a Pope over the Church because there was
such inspired and cast into his mind by Satan though not arising from himself pray as David Psal 19.12 14. 2. Wash thy heart in Christ his blood that it may be enabled to think good thoughts Jer. 4.14 3. Study good thoughts Carnal men have many good thoughts cast into their hearts which they cast out again as fast but their hearts have no good thoughts arising from them contrarily Gods people Act. 7.23 2. Tim. 2.15 Q. What means are there to govern our tongues A. 1. Pray to God to set a watch over them Psal 141.3 Psal 19.14 Psal 51.15 2. Get an holy frame of heart Mat. 12.34 35. Psal 37.30 31. Prov. 16.23 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things 3. Let the purpose of thy heart be set against unholy speaking Psal 17.3 Psal 39.1 4. Suppress sin when it is onely in the motion so will it not come forth of the tongue Prov. 30.32 Mat. 15.19 5. Be sparing in thy words men that speak much must needs lash out Eccles 5.3 7. Prov. 10.19 Prov. 17.27 6. First think then speak Dan. 2.14 Prov. 16.23 7. The sad account that men who speak idle words must give Mat. 12.36 Jude 1 5. Psal 50. 19 20 21. 8. Consider a happy life depends much on the well-Government of the tongue Psal 34.12 Prov. 21.33 And upon the mis-government of it comes much of our misery 2 Chron. 10.13 14. Prov. 18.21 Jam. 3.6 9. Inure your selves to gracious and savory words Col. 4.6 powdered with salt so that as salt draws out of meat putrifying humors and makes it rellishable for the palate and fit for digestion so should a principle of grace in the heart purge rottenness out of the tongue Of Family-Duties Q. WHat is the duty of a Master of a Family A. To provide for their souls Gen. 18.19 and bodies of his Family 1 Tim. 5.8 Q. What is the Husbands Duty A. To love his wife as himself affording comforts to her as to himself Ephes 5.28 and not to be bitter to her Col. 3.19 Q. What is the Wives Duty A. Submission to their Husbands Col. 3.18 and reverence towards them inward in heart and outward in carriage Ephes 5.33 Q. What are the Parents Duties towards their Children A. To train them up in Gods wayes Prov. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 and to provide for them 2 Cor. 12.14 Q. What is the childs duty A. To honour their Parents Ephes 6.2 and to obey them in all lawful things Col. 3.20 and to requite their kindness 1 Tim. 5.4 Q. What is the Masters duty to his Servant A. To give them what is just and equal knowing they have a Master in heaven Col. 4.1 Q. What is the Servants duty A. To honour their Masters 1 Tim. 6.1 and sincerely to do them service abhorring eye-service Col. 3.22 doing service not onely for the gaine of their wages but principally out of Conscience to the Lord Ephes 6.5 6 7. Col. 3.23 24. Of the Resurrection and last Judgement Q. WHether shall thâ—re be a Resurrection of the Body A. Yes John 5.28 All that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth some to the Resurrection of life and some to the Resurrection of eternal damnation Acts 24.15 Q. What Body shall rise again the same or another A. The same body in number though with more glorious qualities as the same seed that is sown groweth again 1 Cor. 15.36 So that the godly when they rise again shall see God not with other but with these same eyes Job 19.25 26 27. He means the eyes of his body because he saith I and I my self and not a stranger and because he mentions his skin flesh and the same eyes he then had It is just that Jobs eyes that had wept tears and Pauls body that bore brands or markes of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.17 should be rewarded and not a new made body or new eyes 1 Cor. 15.42 The Apostle pointing at his own body saith This corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality John 2.19 Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up meaning the Temple of his body See also Rom. 8.11 John 11.24 Q. How doth it appear that the bodies of Saints shall rise the same bodies but with new qualities A. The Apostle makes it appear by a plain similitude 1 Cor. 15.35 37. of a wheat-corn cast into the earth which being rotten comes forth not naked hard dry without life as it was sown nor rotten as it was in the earth but keeping the same substance and kind it comes forth with new qualities of ears husk stalk being living and full of juice so the same body in number shall rise again but with more glorious qualities Q. What are those glorious qualities our bodies shall rise with A. They are these 1. Incorruptibility they shall not dye any more Mat. 22.30 2. Gloriousness they shall shine like the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3.21 3. Powerfulness it shall be raised in power able to move whither it will 1 Cor. 15.43 1 Thes 4.16.17 4. Spirituality 1 Cor. 15.44 not onely because it shall not need meat drink or apparel but also because it shall be like a spirit in the nimbleness of its motion 1 Thes 4.17 Q. What follows the resurrection A. The last and general Judgement John 6.39 I will raise him up at the last day Q. Who shall be judged A. All persons shall come to judgement the godly having their sins forgiven them shall come to a judgement of tryal 2 Cor. 5.10 Mat. 12.38 but the wicked unto a judgement of condemnation Iohn 5.28 Q. Who shall be the Judge A. Although the Trinity shall judge yet the Exercise and Administration of it is committed to the Son John 5.22 27. Acts 10.42 17.31 He is most fit to be Judge for as God he knows the secrets of all hearts and he is fit to speak to man as being man Q. What are the rules Christ will proceed by in judgement A. Such as never had the Scriptures shall be judged by the Law writ in their hearts they not having walked sutably thereto Rom. 2.13 and those that have had onely the old Testament shall be judged out of that Iohn 5.45 and those that have had the whole word shall be judged out of it Rom. 2.16 Q. What will Iesus Christ do after he is set in judgement A. All shall be called forth and the sheep evidencing their faith in Christ not onely by their words Mat. 12.38 but also by their works Mat. 25.35 shall receive the blessed sentence of absolution Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you but the Goats having neither faith nor fruits Matth. 25.42 43. shall be so straitly reckoned with that they shall be called to an account for every ungodly speech Matth. 12.37 Jude 15. and so shall receive that dreadfull sentence Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the
preserved If An Argument from man were any thing material I might adde that the Iewish Bible who are the utterest enemies of Christianity their old Testament agrees with ours and for the truth of the Iewish Bible they have testimony from the Samaritans who were enemies to them and an irreconciliable rent made betwixt them yet in the Samaritan Bible as some of the learned affirme there is no difference at all to any purpose Also the consent of the godly Fathers and Christians from Christ his time who have from hand to hand delivered them to us and enlightned them with their commentaries whose commentaries we have to shew in every age well-nigh from the Apostles time some of whom confirmed the truth with their Lives and Liberty A short Catechisme FOR BABES Q. HOw doth it appear that there is a God A. From the creatiâ—n of heaven and earth Psal 19.1 Rom. 1.20 Q. What is God A. A Spirit John 4.23 immortal 1 Tim. 6.16 infinite 1 Kings 8.27 knowing all things Heb. 4.13 and present everywhere Psalme 139.7 8 9. Q. How doth this God subsist A. In the being of Father Son and Spirit who are all one God 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. Whether is the Father Son or Spirit greatest A. There is an equality of glory eternity and power in the Father Son and Spirit Rom. 9.5 Phil. 2.6 Matth. 28.19 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. How did God make man at first A. Pure and holy Gen. 1.26 Eccles 7.29 but we all fell in our first parents Rom. 5.12 13 14. Q What befell unto us by Adams fall A. The judgement came upon all to condemnation Rom. 5.15 16. Q. What is the condition of every man since the fall of Adam A. Dead in trespasses and sins and by nature children of wrath Eph. 2.1 3. Q What way is there to come out of this miserable condition A. Onely by Jesus Christ Acts 4.12 Q. What are we to consider especially in Christ A. 1. His natures 2. His offices Q. What are the natures of Christ A. They are two 1. His Godhead 2. His Manhood Q. Why was it needful that he should be God A. That he might make the sufferings of his Manhood of infinite worth and vertue Heb. 9.14 Act. 20.28 Q. Why was it needful that he should be man A. That he might dye and satisfie Gods justice in the same nature that had offended Matthew 20.28 1 Corinthians 15.21 22. Q. What are the offices of Christ A. They are three Q. Which are they A. His Kingly Priestly and Prophetical office Q Why was Christ a King A. That he may reign in the hearts of his people Luk. 19.27 and in the Churches Psal 2.6 Q. Why was he a Prophet A. To reveale his Fathers will so that are to hear him in all things Acts 3.22 Mat. 17.5 Q. Why was he a Priest A. To offer sacrifice for the sins of his people Heb. 8.3 Q. What sacrifice did Christ offer A. His own body on the cross Heb. 9.25 26. wherewith he appears in Gods presence for his people Heb. 9.24 his blood speaking good things Q. What is faith A. A taking of Christ as a Lord and a Saviour and resting upon his satisfaction Rom. 7.4 Joh. 1.12 Rom. 10.7.8 Q. What accompanies Justifying faith without which it is not in the soul A. An holy disposition or intention of heart to confess the truth of God though with the loss of all we have in the world Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32 Q. What is repentance A. A thorow change of the purposes of the heart whereby they are universally set against all sin with an hatred of it Rom. 12.2 Act. 2.38 Isa 30.22 Q. What measure of love must we love the Lord with A. With a sovergaine love better then father or mother son or daughter yea then our own lives Mat. 10.37 38 39. Q. What denial of Christ is that which shuts persons out of heaven A. Habitual denial or denial of Christ in the purporse of our hearts when we for the saving of our lands liberties country or lives will deny Christ or any part of his truth Mat. 10.33 2 Tim. 2.12 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal concerning spiritual Life A. That whereas we are all dead men by Adams sin and our own when God pardons we are alive Rom. 5.18 Q. What other life hath believers A. A life of holiness whereby believing souls are quickned up to all the wayes of God Rom. 6.13 Q. What ought to be the ground of a Christian mans obedience A. The command of Christ which is the bond of the conscience Rom. 1.14 Act. 20.22 Q. What other ground is there A. The love of God from whence our obedience ought to flow John 14.15 2 Cor. 5.15 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal of the combat of flesh and Spirit A. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that we cannot do the good we would do Gal. 5.17 Q. What may comfort in this combat A. That we hate the evil that we do and love the good we do and hunger and third to do the good we do not Rom. 7.15 16 17 18 19. Q. What is the danger of sinning against conscience A. Such shall be punished with many stripes Luk. 12.48 Q. What is it to live by faith A. To rest on Gods promise for every good thing without using unlawful means Psal 84.11 12. Isa 28.16 Q. What is the new Covenant A. It is Gods work whereby he not onely pardons all the sins of all the Elect and gives them eternal life through the satisfaction of Christ but also promiseth to take away their stony hearts and writes his laws in their hearts and causes them to rellish and savour good things and vouchsafes to be their God and takes them to be his people Heb. 8.10 11 12. Q. What is prayer A. Pouring out of the soul before God 1 Sam. 1.15 Psal 62.2 Q. What are the parts of prayer A. They are sometimes divided in four parts 1 Tim. 2.1 yet may we reduce them to three parts first confession of sins Secondly petition for grace and favors Thirdly thanksgiving for benefits To which we may add intercessions to turn away judgement Q. What principal Properties ought there to be in an holy prayer A. It ought to be offered from a believing soul Mat. 21.22 in the name of Christ Joh. 16.23 24. from the Spirit assisting with sighs and groans Rom. 8.26 for things according to the will of God 1 Joh. 5.14 Q. What is baptisme A. It is a sign of a believers fellowship with Christ in his death burial and resurrection that as his body is buried in water so his sins are buried through the satisfaction of Christ and as he riseth out of the water so he is bound to walk with Christ in newness of life Rom. 6.3 4 5 6. Col. 2.12 Q. Who are the persons to be baptized A. Those who are made Disciples and make profession of their faith and repentance Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 16. Heb. 10.22 Act. 1.37 38. Q. What is the end why the Lords Supper was appointed A. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christs death and remission of sins which believers have therein 1 Cor. 11.25.26 Q. What must a Christian do that he may receive worthily or preparedly A. He must examine himself whether he be in Christ and whether the Spirit of God dwell in him 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. What is the danger of unworthy receiving A. Temporal judgement if they repent eternal if they repent not Q. Wherefore are hands laid upon believers after baptism A. That they may receive a further increase of the Spirit therein 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. What is revealed concerning the resurrection of the dead A. That all shall rise againe the godly to the resurrection of eternal life the wicked to the resurrection of eternal damnation Dan. 12.2 Joh. 5.28 Q. With what bodies shall the Saints arise A. with the same body in number but with more glorious qualities 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44 53. Phil. 3.21 Q. VVhat follows the resurrection A. The last judgement wherein all shall be judged of every thing done in the body whether it be good or evil Joh. 6.40 John 5.28 2 Cor. 5.10 Revel 20.12 13 14. FINIS