from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
knowledge of God Ioh. 5.39 17.3 Rom. 15.14 and of Iesus Christ whom he hath sent Quest 14. What is the sum of the Scriptures held forth since the fall of Adam to this end that we may be happy for ever Ans First the Gospel or promising part holding forth Christ and Salvation in Christ by Faith Gen. 3.15 17.1 Exo. 20. Mat. 5. Iam. 7.2 Secondly The Law or commanding part manifesting that life and Rule of life in thankfulnesse by obedience Quest 15. Whence hath the holy Scriptures its Authority to require belief and obedience unto it Ans From God himself who did write part of it with his own finger Exod. 31.18 32.16 35.1 Deut. 9.10 2 Pet. 1.20 21. or by himself and his own power and the Prophets Apostles and Pen-men were the Pen-men of God the holy Ghost writing the Word of the Lord and what was directed by his holy Spirit for Gods glory and the good of his Church Quest 16. But doth not the Scriptures Authority depend upon the Authority of the Church and doth not the Churches Testimony prove the holy Scriptures to be the Word of God Ans Certainly although the Scripture may be believed with some kinde of Faith to be the Word of God by the Testimony of the Church especially by men out of the Church moved by the Churches testimony to receive the Scripture as Gods Word as holy Augustine did yet the Authority of the Scriptures depends upon God himself and the Saints are moved to believe it as by the excellency of the Scripture it self so by the testimony of the spirit witnessing unto their consciences that it is indeed the very Word of God Quest 17. How may this be illustrated further to us Ans By that Example of the Samaritans Iohn 4. they first believed on Christ for the testimony of the woman who said Christ had told her all things that ever she did But when they had heard Christ Ibid. now say they to the woman We do not believe on Christ for thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know indeed that this is very Christ So likewise at the first Augustine was and others may be drawn to believe the scriptures by the testimony of the Church but when once the minde is enlightned by the holy Spirit to see the Scriptures excellency Heb. 4.12 and the power of God in the word how it is quick and alive yea mighty in operation sharper then a two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joynts and marrow of us and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart and that the Spirit of God is in the word 2 Cor. 3.8 and the Gospel is the Ministration of the Spirit Now the soul doth not believe and rest upon the witnesse of the Church for the truth and Authority of the Scripture but by the power of the Spirit of truth it self The childe of God seeth and knoweth that the holy Scriptures are the Scriptures of truth Iohn 16.13 and the very word of God himself and so to be believed and obeyed of all that look for Salvation Quest 18. But is not the Scriptures obscure and difficult to be understood and so dangerous to be read especially of ignorant and weak people Ans The holy Scriptures in respect of that Doctrine the knowledge of which is absolutely necessary to Salvation is not obscure but plain and easie by the assistance of the Spirit for every regenerate soul to understand the eyes of whose minde is enlightned Psa 119.105 yea it is a light to our feet and a lanthern to our pathes unto which we ought to give heed 2 Pet. 1.19 as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day star and glory of the Gospel arise in our hearts But it is true it is dark and offensive to blinde eyes 1 Cor. 1.18 and to all that perish as in whom the God of this world hath blinded their mindes 2 Cor. 4.4 lâ—st the light of the glory of God should shine unto them and it is obscure and difficult to be understood in some parts even to Gods Children though not alwayes First that the Elect people of God might not trust to their own wisdom for understanding of the Scripture Eph. 1.18 19. but might be stirred up to pray for the help of the Spirit of Christ Luk. 24.45 Eph. 3.16 c and that Christ might dwell in their hearts by Faith and open their wills to understand that they may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the height and length and depth and to know the love of God which passeth knowledge that they may be filled with the fulnesse of God Secondly That the Saints may be stirred up to diligent reading meditation and study of the Scriptures that so they may better gain the right understanding of places difficult and obscure Thirdly That the Saints may see that sometimes they stand in need of an Interpreter Iob 33.23 Acts 8.30 31. one of a thousand to understand the Scriptures As the Eunuch did stand in need of Philip and therefore might be taught to see the necessity and excellency of the speciall office of Christs Ministers 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 5.17 and esteem of them and honour them as the Ministers of Christ unto whom the Lord in a more speciall manner hath given and communicated by his Spirit the speciall gift of understanding and Interpreting of the Scriptures 1 Cor. 12.28 c. Mal. 2.7 Nehem. 8.7 8. 1 Tim. 4.13 2 Tim. 3.15 16. and of opening the true sense of the holy Scriptures to the glory of God and good of Gods Church and verely the Scriptures may and ought to be read and searched of all sorts whose hearts God moveth to desire the knowledge of Christ for it hath been observed of old the Scripture is a Sea wherein the Elephant may swim and the Lamb may go on foot the greatest Doctors may finde work to understand and the poorest Saint may see and feel and finde comfort Quest 19. What or how manifold is the sense and meaning to be sought out in the holy Scriptures for our instruction Ans Howsoever the Scriptures in many places may be applied to our use and instruction by Typicall Tropologicall Figurative Analogicall and Parabolicall Interpretations Yet notwithstanding there is but one immediate literall genuine certain sense of a place of Scripture which is the true scope and intent of the holy Ghost in that place and this is to be sought out with all diligence as being the Grammaticall Historicall or positive meaning of the Spirit of God to be rested in as the truth of God Quest 20. But from whence must we seek the true interpretation of the Soripture Ans From the Spirit of Christ speaking not in the breast of the Pope falsly challenging
Thirdly he loved David as his own soul with a love of beneficence or well doing to David he gives David his Robe and Garments even to his bow and his girdle and his sword ver 4. Fourthly Ionathan loved David with a love of acquiescence or resting in his love Quest 12. You have described what love is in general But what now is this grace of Christian love and charity to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans True Christian love and charity is a grace freely given of God wrought in the heart and soul of a believing man or woman by the spirit of Christ by which a man or woman who is enlightned with the true knowledge of God of himself and ol his neighbour is inabled in true affection of soul to love with love of union and complacency or well pleasing and in action of life to declare his or her love in beneficency and well doing First towards God above all as the chiefest good according to his revealed will giving up our selves to God Secondly towards our selves next under God seeking our own salvation and good temporal and eternal Thirdly towards our neighbour in and for God as we love our selves 2 Thes 3.5 Ioh. 1.16 Gal. 5.12 Rom. 5.4 5 6. Deut. 6.4 5 6 7 8 9 Mat. 22.37 39. Rev. 4.10 11. 1 Cor. 10.3 Eph. 6. Luk. 10.27 Mat. 7.12 Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 3.4 Phil. 2.12 Cant. 1.4 6 8. 1 Ioh. 4.19 20. and 4.7 12. 1 Cor. 13. Eph. 4.15 16. Rom. 12.10 13 14 15 16. Quest 13. But what is this love or wherein is this Grace of love to be exercised and who is my neighbour to whom I should shew this Christian love and charity and vvhat light from Christ to reveal this and so lead to Christ Ans I shall shew more fully who is our neighbour and in what duties as it concerneth all in general This love is to be exercised when I come to unfold the ten Commandements in the last part Luk. 10.3 4. But now in brief every man is my neighbour which the Lord presents to me as an object of mercy or love to do good unto Gal. 6.10 but in special and more particularly the houshold of Faith and our fellow Saints in the Church of Christ Quest 14. I remember in the fourteenth Classis when you did speak of the Church although you did describe principally the Church of Gods elect yet you said the Church is or may be said to be a visible company of men and women professing the Faith of Christ and obedience thereunto Rom. 16.26 and so as there have been so there may be some hypocrites in the Church not discerned how then shall I know who are these Saints upon whom and to or with whom I should exercise this Christian love and charity Ans Howsoever there are and may be some hypocrites in the Church yet whosoever is a visible Saint or Saint in profession and outward appearance at least Act. 8. called by the word and spirit to the visible profession of Faith and holinesse and fitly admitted in to the society and fellowship of the Church This man or woman is to be esteemed of the household of Faith and a fellow Saint to or with whom a child of God ought to exercise and communicate this grace of Christian love and charity Quest 15. But what do you mean by right and fit admission into the fellowship of the Church and houshold of God or how or when or by what way and means may a man or woman be admitted and received as a Member of Christs-Church and of the houshold of God and fellowship or communion of Saints Ans There is a two fold entrance into the Church of Christ or to be the children of God in Christ Iesus the first an inward or spiritual the second an outward corporal or visible entrance Quest 16. What or how manifold is that inward and spiritual entrance you speak of Ans This inward or spiritual entrance is the work of God making Christians First in election Eph. 1.4 5. Luk. 10.20 2 Tim. 2.19 Rev. 13.8 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rom. 1 7. 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Act. 26.18 writing and enrolling the names of all those whom the Lord knoweth to be his in the Book of life of the Lamb of Christ slain from the foundation of the world Secondly making inward Christians in redemption by Christ who hath made our peace by the blood of his Crosse Thirdly they are made Christians in effectual vocation when we are called out of the world by the perswasion of the spirit of Christ in the Word and drawn unto Christ by the Father to believe and receive and rest on Christ for salvation Ioh. 6.44 2 Cor. 4.13 Gal. 3.16 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 2.19 and thus as a believer is united inwardly by the spirit as a member of Christ unto Christ the Head of his Church as one not onely mutually joyned in heart and affection unto Christ but as one that enrolleth and entreth his name in heart and minde in the registry of Saints as a servant of the Lord Christ and fellow Souldier and Citizen with the Saints and of the household of God Fourthly we are made Christians in justification act 13.38 39. Eph. 1.6 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Revel 2.17 Mat. 17.5 when God doth justifie in and by Christ when the Lord Christ doth give us the white stone of justification and in that doth write our new name of Christians justifying a believer before God his Father and God the Father accepts us for Christians in Christ Iesus Ioh. 1.12 Ioh. 3.3 Rom 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 12.12 c. Fifthly we are not almost but altogether made Christians in and by inward regeneration and sanctification of the spirit of Christ when we are baptized into Christ and by one spirit into one body of which Christ is the Head and put on Christ and are made new creatures and so are entred or admitted into the Church of Christ and fellowship or communion of Saints 2 Cor. 5.17 Sixthly Eph. 1.5 Gal. 4.5 6. Rom. 8.16 17. Rev. 3.12 Rev. 2.17 Gâ—l 4.4 5 6. 1 Ioh. 2.19 Ioh. 10.30 31. Gen. 17.1 2. Ier. 1.5 Luk. 1.15 act 9 6 15 c. we are made not almost but altogether inward Christians by adoption when the Lord doth take a man or woman for his son or daughter yea makes us heires with and in Christ Iesus and giveth that new name promised in the Scriptures And all that are thus inwardly and spiritually entred and admitted into the Church of Christ are Saints indeed and shall remain Saints for ever These are truly of the Church and a man or a woman an elect childe of God may thus inwardly be a Saint and admitted by Christ as a member of his Church before they be outwardly admitted as Abraham and others before circumcision and many catechumene's or instructed persons were
22.21 Ezek. 22.6 7. Ezra 4.19 Dan. 6.7 8 Isai 10.1 2 Luke 18.2 3 4 5. superior inferior or equalls or their estates inward or outward all concealing of truth not witnessing all wresting or depraving of actions or words contrary to the minde of the speaker or doer all false teaching and lying all unjust judgement without due tryall and examination to finde out truth and all erring in judgement contrary to truth all pleading of Lawyers against truth and all wresting of judgement for bribes or by-respects or hindering the right execution of judgement by unjust writs of error contrary to right and truth to oppresse a poore man and his just cause in law or conscience all unjust Records or concealling truth all Decrees Orders and Ordinances contrary to the right rule of truth or equity all false delayes or pretences to delay petitioners for Justice and right like as the unjust Judge did the poor widow Rom. 1.31 Psal 15.3 Exo. 23.1 All these are both theft and false witnes bearing sins against the eight ninth Commandement All Covenant breaking all credulous receiving of false rumors and reports and nourishing them by rash believeing of them or relating them to others Nehe. 6.6 7. Ezek. 22.9 all carring tales lying and speaking untruth to deceive in jest or earnest all officious or pernirious lies in trading buying Levit. 19.16 selling or otherwise all not ruling the tongue and all other wayes and meanes of hurting with the tongue by any idle unprofitable or sinfull words whatsoever James 3.2 3. c. Quest 12. Certainly Christ in this glasse of the Law giveth a light to finde out many sins and failing even in the best much more the abominations of wicked men Gen. 6.5 who are sencelesse of the villanies of their owne evill hearts what benefit may we reape by this Ans First Mat. 12.36 to teach wicked men to tremble the sinnes of whose words are sufficient to damm them for ever in hell fire Secondly to teach them to prize the Gospell which brings them news of a Saviour Prov. 23.26 and to waite on the meanes of grace if at any time Christ will give them Repentance and faith in Christ Jesus Heb. 13.5 Phil. 3.11 12 13. that they may be delivered out of the snare of the devill who are taken captive by him at his will Thirdly to teach Gods children to fly dayly to Christ and meet Christ in his Ordinances 2 Pet. 1.9 10 11. as to gaine more assurance of pardon even of their sinnefull words so for power to set a watch before their mouthes Psal 39.1 2. and to keepe the dors of their lips that they sinne not in their words Eph. 4.29 c. but that no corrupt communication come out of their mouthes but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers as becomes those who have received true light from Christ Quest 13. You are now come by Gods goodnesse and light from Christ to the tenth and last Commandement of the Decalogue tell I pray you what are the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in this Commandement Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is thy Neighbours Ans To open the Commandement a little and then to give you the duties Note first that whereas Moses here useth the Hebrew word Tatehmod covet in Deut. 5.21 he useth the word Tithavveh desire which the Hebrewes make lesse then to covet implying a prohibition of the least desire or thought to commit sinne in wronging our Neighbour so much as in our hearts or desires and in Deuterinomy the wife is named before the house and the field is added which is not named here Secondly you may observe the object of this coveting or desire prohibited Thou shalt not covet First in particular not thy Neighbours house Secondly not his wife Thirdly not his man-servant Fourthly not his maide-servant Fifthly not his Oxe Sixthly not his Asse Seventhly in the generall Nor any thing that is thy Neighbours Now the duty the Lord requireth is Prov. 23.26 wee should give God our hearts and every man and woman should be content in their minds Heb. 13.5 hearts and affections with that outward estate and condition in which it hath pleased God to place them Phil. 4.11 12 13. to behave themselves well towards their Neighbours not onely in outward actions but inwardly in affections and to declare their love out of a pure heart using all meanes to cherish and keepe good thoughts Luke 10.27 Galat. 5.17 Phil. 4.8 1 Thess 5.23 Prov. 4.23 desires and affections in their hearts and to banish or keepe evill lusts and desires out that by the strength of Christ they may bee carefull not to sinne so much as in a lust or desire or thought against God or their Neighbour Quest 14. Now you have held forth the duty required in the affirmative part of this Commandement what I pray you are the sinnes prohibited and what light from Christ the great Prophet of his Church to reveale these in the sacred Scriptures Ans First in generall the Lord prohibits all sinfull or evill concupiscence Rom. 7.7 and lusts or desires of the heart even before consent of will Coloss 3.5 originall corruption and pollution of heart Gen. 8.21 Mat. 15.19 the root of evill lusts and desires All actuall particular unlawfull passions lusts and desires of the soule Mat. 5.22.38 1 John 2. yea the very lusts of the eyes as our Saviour speaketh hee that looketh upon a Woman to lust after her 15 16. Jo 1.31.1 hath committed adultery with her in his heart and hee that is but angry with his brother unadvisedly is in danger of judgement Mat. 5.22 Joshua 7.21 Psal 19.7 Heb. 4 12.13 Isai 55.7 So that in this the perfection precisenesse and exact strictnesse of the Law of God appeareth above all humane Lawes whatsoever because they onely take hold of men sinning in words or actions Prov. 24.9 Jere. 17.9 10. Genes 6.5 James 2.10 11. Deut. 27.26 not of evill thoughts except they bee made manifest But the Lord searcheth the very heart and sinnefull lusts desires imaginations and thoughts of the heart make them guilty before God and subject men to the curse as breakers of Gods most holy Law Quest 15. Blessed bee God that you have received this light from Christ to declare the minde of God in these Ten Commandements both concerning duties commanded and sinnes forbidden yea even to the very thoughts lusts and desires of our soules good or evill Now what profit or benefit may the knowledge of this bring to a Christian soule and what light from Christ to make a right use of this that God hath revealed by Christ and his Spirit in the explication of these directions for
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
weaknesse in knowledge Faith and other Grace But as Ministers of Christ Fathers or Brethren in all love humility and tendernesse of compassion to help and further our preparation to meet Christ with comfort in this blessed Sacrament Quest 5. What is a second help for the quickning of these graces to the glory of God in our lives and specially before we draw near to the Lords Table and what light from Christ for this to your soul Ans There may be a private lawful day or time of preparation in our Families or with some Christian friends joyning in conference and prayer and reading of the Scriptures so there be no neglect of publike places and times of worship nor disquiet of the state nor contempt of the lawful and good orders of the Church the better to fit us to meet Christ not resting on the thing done or the duty performed but waiting in these or the like duties until Christ be pleased to reveal Himself Zach. 12.10 c. Luk. 15.5 6 9. Act. 12.5.12 1 Pet. 3.7 Ier. 10.15 and communicate his vertue to our souls for our more comfortable enjoying of Christ in his holy Ordinance As we may call in neighbours to rejoyce and praise God with us So to pray with us Quest 6. What is the third help or means in which we should wait on Christ for his quickening vertue to honour God in his Ordinances and in our whole life what light from Christ for this end Ans This is a waiting on Christ in secret duties between God and our own souls And for this I conceive I may wait on Christ in six severall helps Quest 7. What are these several helps in particular Ans First I may set some time a part from all other imployments onely to attend Christ in secret for the obtaining of this grace as Isaac did Gen. 24.28 2. As day a of Atonement of old Lev. 23.27 28. 3. Or as Christ himself and Peter and other Saints Mat. 14.23 Acts 10.9 have set times apart for secret communion with God in Christ Iesus And so I may wait on Christ in a time convenient for this work Quest 8. What is a second help Ans To chuse a convenient place where I may be quiet in the sweet and secret soliloquies Mat. 6.6 14.23 Acts 10.9 or soul-conferences with God and my own heart and conscience Quest 9 What is a third Ans Examination of my self 1 Cor. ii 28 2 Cor. 13.5 and of the Graces before mentioned Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love Quest 10. What is a fourth help to this enlivening of Graces and preparation for the Sacrament by the vertue of Christ Ans Meditation both of God Luke 2.19 Psal 4.4 and my self and of Christ and the Sacrament and all these graces that they may be quickned to my own soul by the mighty power of Jesus Christ Quest 11. What is a fifth help in Christ for this renewing of grace Ans Application of all rightly to my self Ioh. 20.28 Iob. 10.25 26. Gal. â—2 20 Psal 110.1 by vertue of the life of Christ in my soul that all graces may be more enlivened in me and I may meet Christ with more cheerfulnesse and be enlivened by him for my more profitable enjoyment of Christ in the Ordinances Quest 12. What is a sixth help or means And what light further from Christ to strengthen and direct our souls in this particular Gen. 32.10 c. Ezek. 46.37 Luke 17.5 Rom. 8.26 27. Mark 9.24 Eph. 3.16 c. Acts 4.31 Ans Prayer to God in the name of Christ in which I may wait on God in Christ for the enlivening of the graces of God in me and right preparation to meet Christ in this Sacrament till God give a return of my prayer to my great joy in Christ Jesus as Jacob till an answer be given to my soul Quest 13. What is the first of these graces by these or the like helps to be enlivened by Christ and our spirit to our souls Ans Divine knowledge of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament Quest 14. In what manner should we wait on Christ to enliven in us our knowledge of God Ans First Having set a fit time apart And Secondly Gen. 24.63 Gen. 32 2â— c. Dan 6.10 Mat. 14.23 Acts 1â— 9 2 Cor. 13.5 Mat. 13.51 16.13.15 Acts 8.30 1 Pet. 3.15 Made choice of a fit place to be separated from all worldly thoughts and to be devoted wholly to this work by the spirit of Christ that my soul may be in love with God Thirdly To Catechize and examine and question my self concerning my knowledge of God according as he is held forth unto me in this Catechism before or as far as I am enlightned with the knowledge of God what God is in himself in his excellent Nature Divine being and Essential properties perfections word and works especially the great work of mans salvation and I may examine my knowledge and see how able I am in Gods presence or before the Saints if need were to make a solemn profession of this my knowledge to the comfort of my self and edification of others Quest 14. How else should a Christian or you in particular wait on Christ to enliven this knowledge or have it enlivened by Christs spirit in his or her soul or in soul be fit to meet Christ Ans Fourthly As a Christian man or woman so I may meditate think ruminate and ponder of my knowledge of God in my heart Gen. 24.63 Psal 104.33 34. Luke 2.19 Psal 42.1 2 3 4. and endeavour to fix the eye of faith in my soul upon God in all these respects by the power of Christ until my soul be ravished with a glorious delight in God in his excellency fulnesse and all-sufficiency until that my soul and spirits by the spirit of Christ be drawn up into a holy and admirable union and communion of life with this blessed God now at one with me in Iesus Christ Quest 15. What or how thirdly may this be done Isa 64.7 2 Tim. 1.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.13 Ans Thirdly I may labour by the power of the spirit of Christ to improve my interest in this great and good God by stirring up and exercising the grace of Faith in the special application of God and his goodnesse as my God in Christ with joy and gladnesse to my own soul in particular So it is meet we stir up our selves and Graces in us Quest 16. What or in what manner lastly may you enliven this knowledge of God in your soul Ans In powring out of my soul by the strength of Christs spirit unto God in prayer to blesse this my seeking out of union and communion with God in Knowledge Sam. 1.15 Rom. 8.26 27. Phi. 30.8 9. Exo. 34.29 30. 2 Cor. 4.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.7 8. waiting on Christ till I finde the enlivening vertue of Christs spirit quickening and making alive my
42.21 Iohn 3.16 Iohn 15.5 Rom. 8.37 Colos 1.10 Rev. 1.4 5. order and severall aggravations of them by which I may more see my own vilenesse and admire Gods goodnesse in giving Christ whom I stand daily in need of not only for more assurance of pardon but for increase of power to overcome temptations and walk more thankfully to God who hath so freely loved me in Iesus Christ For if naturall conscience do this much more conscience enlightned by the Spirit of Christ Quest 17. How can you finde all your sins and failings by the glasse of the law or ten Commandements Answ First reading and observing the Commandements as they are recorded in the 20 Chapter of Exodus with the exposition and explication of them by the Prophets in the Old Testament Mat. 5.6 c. and by Christ himself 〈◊〉 the fifth sixth seventh Chapters of the Gospel according to S. Matthew and by the Apostles in the New Testament Secondly by questioning my conscience upon intergatories drawn both from the affirmative and negative part of every Commandement as I hope I shall be able to declare more fully in the next part of this Catechisme Luke 10 25 c. as Christ did Catechize the Pharisee Quest 19. But is repentance of every sin originall and actuall required in that man or woman who will come with comfort to the Lords Table Answ Certainly that soul that lives senselesly and securely either in the state of nature unregenerate or in any known actuall sin as Atheism wilfull affected ignorance or unbelief and prophanenesse against the first Commandement Or superstitious will-worship or neglect of love against the second Commandement Or blasphemy cursing swearing against the third Commandement Or irreligious prophanenesse of the Lords day and neglect of Gods Ordinances against the fourth Or in wilfull carelesse omission of duty or commission of sins against superiours as Parents Magistrates Ministers against inferiours or equals as children servants brethren or neighbours against the fifth Commandement Gen. 4.5 1 Cor. 10 1 2 c. Tit. 1.15 16. Ier. 7.8 9 c. Ier. 1 10 c. Ezek. 14.1 2 c. Isa 1.12 c. Matth. 5.20 c. 1 Cor. 11 17.20 Mat. 22.11 c. Isa 66.2 c. Or in malice envie murther whoredom theft oppression cozening sacriledge drunkennesse lying slandering or in any other grievous crime yea or in wicked desires and unlawfull covetings against the ten or any other commands such cannot finde comfort in coming to the Lords Table except the Lord first give them repenting hearts for their sins faithfull and longing hearts after Christ for assurance of pardon and for power to repent more and more with a resolution by the grace of God in Christ to walk in newnesse of life because without this repentance faith and other needfull graces they come not for the better but for the worse and eat judgement to themselves and their service is abominable Quest 20. How can you finde out your sins against the Gospell Answ Especially by getting a Catalogue of the promises and finding out the unbelief of my own heart and great ingratitude to doubt of Gods love 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 2 Pet. 1 3 4. 2 Cor. 1.20 2 Tim. 1 12. or not to confide in God through Christ and walk thankfully towards thee the Lord having given so many rich and precious promises which are all yea and Amen in Christ Iesus Quest 21. By what helps may you wait on Christ for the quickning and enlivening of the grace of Christian love and charity What light from Christ for exercise and quickning of this grace of love Answ Time and place being kept as before I may wait on Christ with examination of my love First to God in Christ Secondly to my self Thirdly to my neighbour 1. How I love God in his holy nature person properties word and works 2. How I love Christ in his person Name in his Ordinances Church and Children 3. How I love my self not with a self-love but as in and for God and Gods glory in Christ as well as my own good in an inferiour respect 4. How I love my neighbour yea my very enemy to doe him good for Gods glory 2 Cor. 8.1 c. Mat. 22.37 c. Iohn 14.21 Iohn 15.9 c. 1 Cor. 16 22. Mat 16.24 Tit. 1.7 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Tim 3 c. Eph. 5.28 29. Pro. 19.8 Rom. 13 8 c. Pro. 25.21 Rom. 12 20. Rom. 12.13 1 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 5.14 15. that I may appear to be one of the children of my heavenly Father 5. How I pitty poor Saints to relieve them for Christs sake 6. How I do and desire and endeavour to doe all this not to be justified thereby before God or to satisfie for my sins or to procure my peace all which is done by Christ but to witnesse my thankfulnesse to God in Christ for his free love to me and the great invaluable gift of his Sonne Christ who loved me and gave himself for me Quest 22. What further meant is there to quicken this love Answ Fourthly by the power of Christs spirit to meditate and think of all this love with the author and worker of it in my soul the same holy spirit by whom it is spread abroad in my heart and the object of this love my God reconciled to me in and by Christ and Gods word and people And fifthly to wait on Christ in a speciall application of this to my own soul And sixthly to wait in earnest prayer by the help of the spirit of prayer who proceeds from the father Iohn 4.16 c. Iohn 16.23 1 Iohn 5.13 c. Rom. 8.35 c. Luke 10.27 Cant. 5.5 c. and the Son untill my heart be inseparably enflamed with all this true love of God my neighbour and my self and my soul filled with unsatisfied longing to meet Christ and see his glorious face in his Ordinances that I may tell him I am sick of love to enjoy him more fully and his soul-satisfying refreshments in his gracious vertue and presence in my soule The twenty fifth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your knowledge faith repentance and love and your experience how to enliven and strengthen the habits of those antecedent graces divine knowledge lively faith Evangelicall repentance and christian love and charity Now what are those more immediate present necessary graces or gratious affections resolutions and actions in the soul in which you may wait on Christ as in more immediate preparatives to be examined enlivened resolved upon acted and exercised immediately before or at that time when you draw near to partake of the Lords Supper Answ There are and may be diverse but chiefly these that follow Quest 26. What is the first of these to be quickned in you What light from Christ for these have you seen 2 Chro. 32 c. Isa 57.15 Isa 66.2 Mic.
6.8 Ephes 4. â—0 Answ First by the power of Christ dwelling in my soul I may endeavour to stir up and be affected with a holy reverence godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit in my heart quickned in or by a serious meditation or thinking 1. Of my great unthankfulnesse to God my Father in Christ for his Free grace and love to my soul in the Lord Iesus 1 Cor. 3.1 c. Heb. 5.12 who loved me and gave himselfe for me that I have grieved his Spirit by whom I am seal'd to the day of redemptioÌ„ 2. By meditation or thinking of my great unprofitablenesse in my former partaking of Christ in this and other sacred ordinances what small growth in knowledge faith love power over sin fruitfulnesse in good works and other graces 3. In meditating and thinking of my own weaknesse unworthiness and unfitnesse now to meet Christ Gen. 28. 26 17. Isa 6.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 11 28 29. Gal. 3.1 Luk. 2.19 Hest 5.2 Mark 5.27 c. my inability to examine my selfe or discerne the Lords body or by the eye of faith to see Christ crucified for me and meditate untill I be truly affected with a holy reverence and childe-like fear of offending my God in not comming rightly fitted for the Lords presence in this sacred Ordinance so that I durst not approach if I did not hope that in Christ the golden Scepter of grace shall be holden forth unto me for my comfort therefore presse to come to Christ for vertue from Christ to strengthen grace in my soul 4. In meditating and thinking of my former breach of covenant with my God and Father which I have renued time after time in this sacred Ordinance and too often broken againe for all which I should endeavour by the power of Christ and his Spirit to wait on Christ in meditation and prayer untill I finde my selfe affected with a holy godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit for that I have in the least measure offended my God and loving Father in Jesus Christ so that as I may so I can confesse truly with the Centurion Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under the roofe of the house of my heart Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 Rom. 8.26 27. Iudg. 10.15 16. Mat. 15.27 28. speak but the word and thy servant shall be healed Matth. 8.8 Or with the poor Publican stand a far off as scarce daring to look up to heaven had I not Christ my Mediator and smiting my breast say as the repenting Publican God be mercifull to me a sinner Luke 18.13 Lord once again seal the assurance of my pardon in and by Christ to my own soul Quest 3. What is a second immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection or sanctified act or motion of the soul as a preparative for the quickning of which you should wait on Christ immediately before you draw near to the Lords Table Answ I may and ought to wait on Christ and look up to Christ untill I finde by the power of Christs Spirit in my soul in sense and feeling of my great need of Christ A holy hunger and spirituall thirst-desiring-desire and earnest longing after Christ and his soul-cherisbing vertue and spirituall nourishment which my soul wants First to seal my assurance of Christs unchangeable love to me And secondly to strengthen and nourish in me my life of grace and my love and obedience to my God and my Father in the Lord Iesus Christ Psal 63.1 c. Ps 107.9 Ier. 44.3 Ier. 31.3 Mal. 3.6 Iohn 13.1 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 16.26 Gal. 2.20 my Lord and my Redeemer who loved me and gave himself for mee and will enliven me according to the rich promises of Christ in the Gospel as Psal 42.1 2 c. Luk. 22.15 as Christ so a Christian to meet Christ Quest 4. What is a third immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection of the soule for the quickning of which you must and ought to look up unto and wait on Christ and endeavour to enliven and exercise immediately before you draw near to the Lords table are invited by Christs Ministers to partake of that bread and drink that Cap in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper what light from Christ to reveal him unto you Answ I may and ought by strength from Christ to meditate of Christs gracious invitation of me 1. As a poor humbled sinner to come in to him and finde rest and refreshing to my soul as Mat. 11.22 2. Inviting me as one of his believing sons or daughters to come to his feast and to partake of his Supper as Cantic 5.1 Isa 55.1 2 c. Luke 14.17.24 Rev. 19 9 Mat. 22.1 c. 2 Chro. 30.18 c. 3. To meditate of this invitation untill by the spirit of Christ my heart be affected with joyfulnesse that I may come and have liberty to come with joy and rejoycing to the Lords Table as to a most free and rich mariage feast in which I hope to have a sweet union and communion with Christ my Lord the heavenly husband of my soul Quest 5. What is the fourth preparatory grace or gracious affection resolution or act of the soul to be renewed quickned and enlivened immediately before you are coming to the Lords Table Answ As the Lord is pleased in this holy Sacrament to seal and confirme his Covenant of free grace in Christ and of the communion and union of Christ with me and my soul so first by the power from Christ when I draw near to this blessed Sacrament I do not only resolve by the grace of God to renew out actually by his grace I do renew my Covenant vows protestations to with the Lord my God 2. And as the Lord doth take avouch and acknowledge me to be one of his people in Christ so I doe avouch witnesse and vow that the Lord is and shall be my God and Father in Christ Iesus by the same power and grace of Christ 3. And that I do and will renounce all my former sins and failings and all sinfull union and communion with those spirituall enemies Deut. 26.27 the World the Flesh and the Devill 4. And freely and fully offer up and render my self wholeman soul and body to do and suffer the will of God in every condition and state of life untill I be dissolved and be with Christ Psal 50.4 c. to live with him in glory and to do the will of God for ever Gather my Saints to me who have renewed a covenant with me as in the Sacrament Quest 6. Is there nothing further necessary that a poor soul may be assured he or she may with comfort meet Christ and feast with him at his Table Answ Yes the resolution of a great question by the light and strength of Christs Spirit to look into the glasse of Gods Word and of my own heart and soul comparing them together to see and examine and know 1. What
whom I lived Rom. 7.14 c. Psal 66.18 19. 2 Cor. 7.5 Gen. 25.22 or of any sailings in my self either in judgement or affection but was rather sorry for sin in others though by occasion and temptation I have faln but in those things which the world and some of my acquaintance counted but peccadilloes little sins yet I could not rest until for the quieting of my conscience I went into a secret place and confessed my sins to God yea sometimes with many tears and begging pardon and power over them but still my life was without comfort I sinned and prayed and seemed to repent and confessing my sins and sinned again and thought by my repentance I pacified Gods wrath or might please him by amendment yet I got not power over my sins and the corruptions of my nature nor any true peace or assurance that I was Gods childe and therefore lived in fear of Hell and sense of bondage Rom 7.14 15. Gen. 25 22. and fear sometimes that I had neither true faith nor repentance in me or did know either Christ or the Gospel of grace as I should if I had any life of grace in me and so it was as if I had twins in my soul as Rebecca had Quest 12. It s a good sign you had truth of grace in that you were not drawn to allow of sin in your self or others and that indeed there were twins in your soul Flesh and Spirit but your course in seeking to pacifie your conscience Gen. 25.23 Gal. 5.17 in some humiliation and confessions and sorrow for your sins with resolution of amendment if they did arise from any legal fears or accusations of natural conscience and not from Christs Spirit or if you rested in these or any acts or works of your own or in any religious duty or performances of duty of piety or mercy as many do although your conscience might be quieted for the present as a Papists conscience by his Confession to a Priest or performance of Penances enjoyned yet this way was not the way to get any true or sound peace to your soul or to get any true power over your sins or sinful corruptions in you but to look to Christ Acts 5.3 whom God hath exalted as a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins and to wait on Christ in the Gospel till you by the Spirit of Christ be made so sensible of sin and misery that you see your extreme need of Christ and be drawn by the same Spirit to receive and rest on Christ as a sufficient Saviour and one in whom God the Father is well pleased This is the way to true peace in your soul Mat. 17 5. as the treasure of Christs Kingdom set up in your heart Rom. 14.17 Ioh. 1.12 Mat. 11.28 c. Ans I do acknowledge you say well Ioh. 6.37 44. Isa 11.10 26.3 4 Mat. 16.24 Phil. 3.6 c. Rom. 15.13 8.16 though I might have some weak faith in Christ and some beginning of grace in my soul yet the way I went was not a right way as now I believe to gain true peace because I did not begin my peace and assurance of peace from Christ and Gods Free-grace and love in Christ and faith in him but from my endeavour of repentance and acts of amendment both which I finde imperfect to this day and so can have no perfect and full peace that way but now I praise God since it pleased God of his goodnesse to let me see a more clear light of the Gospel and to reveal his Son in me as Saint Paul speaks Gal. 1.16 I have found and felt that there is a glorious rest and peace in Christ for poor sinners Isa 11.10 Ioh. 6.44 Ioh. 6.37 whom God the Father giveth and draweth into Christ and whom Christ will in no wise cast out from him and now the Lord hath enabled me to deny my self-righteousnesse and all self-confidence and by faith in Christ held forth in the promise of the Gospel to adhere to Christ to rest on Christ and trust to his merits and righteousnesse for my Justification before God and my eternal salvation in heaven and thus I have joy and peace in believing and am assured by the spirit of God Rom. 8.16 Gal. 2.20 witnessing with my spirit that I am the childe of God and have life of grace in me that Christ liveth in me and so I may come with comfort to meet Christ for nourishment of this life of grace at the Lords Table Quest But have you now other signs or symptomes of the life of grace in you save your faith and resting on Christ for salvation Ans Truly by that light I have from Christ I must acknowledge Christ rested truly on by faith and that assurance arising from the truth of the promises of God in the Gospel in general and special Gal. 2.20 2 Cor. 1.20 5.19 20 2 Tim. 1.12 Eph. 3.16 c. Iohn 6.5 6. Rom. 6.11 and the perswasion of Gods spirit in my soul in particular that Christ loved me and gave himself for me and so that God is my God reconciled in Christ to me and the eye of the soul by a reflect act of faith seeing that I do belive and by a living hand of faith lay hold and rest on Christ for salvation this lively faith I say is a prime evidence that Christ is mine and that Christ dwelleth in me and that I am his and that he hath truly communicated the life of grace to my soul but besides this I finde other signs of the spirit of life in me evidencing I hope the life of grace in my soul Quest 14. I do confesse a true lively faith is and may be a principal evidence of the life of grace in the heart Now what other evidence have you Ans First by light from Christ I have found that this assurance by faith in Christ Rom 5.4 5. and Christs spirit of Christs love to me and the shedding abroad of this love of God in my soul hath affected my heart 1. With love to Christ again yea such a love as draweth me after Christ more and more Rom 5.4 5. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Cant. 1.2 3 4. 2 Cor. 5.17 2 Pet. 1. â— 4. 1 Pet. 2.2 3. 1 Cor. 11.16 Iohn 6.33 c. Iob 22.21 Gen. 24.63 Isa 66.11 12.3 1 Cor. 16.22 1 Ioh. 3.14 Ioh. 20.27 and after a more full union and communion with Christ And 2. Constrains me with a holy spiritual loving affection to live henceforth not to my self but to him who lived and died for me and rose again So that now 3. I am made partaker of a new creation and of the Divine nature 4. I hunger more vehemently after the word of grace as having tasted that the Lord is gracious I long to meet with Christ here to receive spiritual nourishment from Christ to nourish this life of grace
sence of seeing both bodily by eyes of your body and spiritually by eyes of faith Ans I must still by the power of Christ exercise these three spiritual acts or actions of my soul to be exercised in every particular sacramental action 1. Diligent observation 2. Divine meditation 3. Faithful application and appropriation of all to my own soul Quest 21. How must observation be exercised by you What light shineth from Christ for your direction Ans I ought diligently by the spirit of Christ to observe the sacramental action of breaking bread Luk. 22.17 c. or powring out or giving of the wine according to the institution of Christ as it is a sacramentâ—l actâ—on for the end for which Christ appointed it Qâ— st 22. How ought you to exercise medi ation Ans By help of Christ I ought so to meditate and think of the breaking bread and powring out of the wine as to meditate of Christ crucified his body broken with torments as before noted and his blood shed for my sins Gal. 3.1 Qâ—est 23. How ought you to exercise spiritual and faithful Application and appropriation of all to your self Ans By the strength of Christ and Christs spirit strengthning and communicating strength of life from Christ to my soul I ought to apply by faith and appropriate all this that Christ hath done or suffered as done and suffered by Christ for me and my Redemption and as loving me and giving himself for me his soul to be made an offering for my sin his body to be broken with torments and his blood to be shed to the death for my eternal Redemption and salvation Isaiah 53.10 Galathians 2.20 Heb. 9.12 The twenty eighth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the fifth Sacramental action or objâ—ct of your sences corporal or spiritual Or upon which your sences or acts of life in your soul and body are to be exercised when you are at this holy Sacrament Ans Sacramental commemoration of the death and passsion of the Lord Iesus Christ Luk. 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. and of his Institucion of this blessed Sacrament the same night in whâ—ch he was betrayed his passion crucifying and death so lively set before my eyes in the celebration of this Sacrament and by Christs command to be commemorated and remembred as it is shewed forth until he come Quest 2. What are you to do in this act of commemoration Ans To exercise those three acts before specified 1. Diligently to observe how this Sacrament doth remember me of that sacrifice of the death of Christ of his inestimable love in dying for me and of the most glorious benefits that I am made partaker of in a right meeting of Christ at the Lords Table Quest. 3. What is the second 1 Ioan 4. Divine meditation I ought by the power of Christs spirit 19. Ioh. 17.20 21. to think of this memorial of Christs Death Passion and Resurrection and benefits till I be so affected with it as to rejoyce with it and never to forget this love of Christ but to be delighted with his love as to love Christ again until I come to glory with Christ Quest 4. What is the third Ans By the power of the spirit of Christ and by faith to apply the memorial of this action and passion of Christ unto my soul that it may be engraven upon my heart to be recorded and set before my eyes for ever that evening and morning and mid-day I may remember what Christ hath done for my soul and Christs love may for ever be in my heart and I may say as the Apostle Gal. 2.20 Christ loved me and gave himself for me Qâ—est 5. What is a sixth Sacramental action object or act on Christs part or on yours which is the object of your senses corporal or spiritual or in which these senses operations or actions of the soul and body are to be exercised in this holy Ordinance of Christ Ans Christs congratulation or Sacramental welcom he gives to his faithful prepared guests Take eat Take drink yea all of this and thus bidding them welcom 1. As in the Institution of Christ is evidently set forth unto us Mat. 26.26 27 28. Luke 22.19 20. 2. As Christ invited his Spouse his Church and children Canticles 5.1 Eat friends and drink abundantly O beloved that is eat abundantly not of the outward bread and drink abundantly not of the outward Wine but eat spiritually of the body of Christ by faith and the merits of Christ crucified for me and drink abundantly of the vertue of Christs blood which was shed for me For Christs flesh is meat indeed and Christs blood is drink indeed Ioh. 6.51 c. If I thus eat of Christs flesh and drink of Christs blood I shall live for ever Quest 6. What is to be acted by you And how are your corporal and spiritual sences to be exercised in this congratulation or heavenly welcom which Christ gives your soul at this Table Ans First a diligent observation of this welcom when I hear it with the ears of my body from the voyce of Christs Minister speaking comfortably cheerfully to me from Christ as to a prepared believing penitent humble hungry communicant Take and eat Take and drink in the Name of Christ bidding me welcom to Christs Table as Mat. 26. Luke 22. Quest 7. What is a second thing to be acted Answ A Divine meditation as if by the ears of my soul I did at the same time hear the voyce of Christ as once he spake to his Disciples at his last Supper so now speaking to my soul from heaven and bidding me welcom Eat my friend and drink my beloved I have loved thee I have given my self for thee I have given thee my body crucified my bloodshed for thee and for many for remission of sins feast and refresh thy soul with abundance of assurance of my love to thee at my Table O poor believing hungry and humble soul thou art welcom here in and amongst my congregation of Saints at my Table of grace and thou shalt one day be welcom and eat and drink heavenly and gloriously with me at my Table of glory in the Kingdom of heaven for ever Matthew 22. Luke 22.19 Quest 8. What is the third Ioh. 4.14 15. 6.33 c. Answ A sweet and short ejaculation or ejaculatory and darting prayer to this or this like in effect Even so Lord Iesus I blesse thy name for this sweet assurance of being welcom to thy Table strengthen my faith enliven mine eyes and hand and mouth of faith that I may see and discern thy body and thy blood I may so receive and feed on thy body and blood that I may finde and feel and enjoy such an everlasting vertue and sap and juyce of life from thee my Saviour which may enliven and strengthen thy life of grace in me here in this life to life everlasting in the
12. What sins are contrary to these duties concerning hearing or believing and obeying Gods word Ans To come to Gods house without a due preparation of the heart and minde and memory before we come 1. By examination of our knowledge or want of knowledge or by meditation of Christ and his Prophetical Office to teach us that we may learn of Christ or prayer for Gods Ministers or for our selves for our profiting in the Ordinance Mic. 7.16 Mat. 13.15 2 Tim 1.4.3 2. To be present without serious attentions with gazing eyes deaf dull itching prejudicate ears or wandring hearts Ier. 6.10 3. To hear with hypocritical prophane or uncircumcised hearts oâ— ears without love towards Gods Word 4. To hear with wilful hard impenitent hearts Acts 28.27 28. 17.11 or disobedient forgetful mindes without care to remember or confer of Gods Word after or prayer to God for a blessing upon it to our selves or those who have heard it Quest 13. What danger or judgement are such evil hearers subject unto Or how doth doth God punish such wicked and carelesse hearers of his word Prov. 28.9 Mat. 13.14 15. 2 Thes 2.10 c. 1 Cor. 1.18 c. Ans He that turneth away his ear from hearing of Gods Word his prayer is abominable and God many times gives them up to blindenesse of minde and hardnesse of heart to strong delusions to believe lyes and perish for ever Quest 14. What may these sins and dangers teach such wicked men Ans To come in betimes to wait on Christ for hearing ears Pro. 20.12 Mat. 13.16 and seeing eyes that they may hear and believe on and receive Christ and be justified and saved Quest 15. What way this teach Gods Children Ans To wait daily on Christ for more strength Ioh. 15.5 to prepare more conscionably to hearken more attentively to believe and follow Christ more fully until they come to glory Quest 16. You have answered concerning the first part of Gods worship the Prceaching of the word Now what is required in this command concerning Gods Ministers and their duty in this solemn worship Ans 2 Tim. 4.12 3 4. Deu. 33.9 2 Cor. 5.20 1 Cor. 5.20 2 5 6. The Ministers of Christ rightly called to this great Ministerial Office they are to Preach the Word of God in season and out of season with all faithfulnesse long-suffering and patience as for God and in Christs stead in godly sincerity boldnesse and zâ—al for Gods glory and the salvation of souls And this with Divine authority and holy wisdom and in demonstration of the spirit and of power Quest 17. What are the sins of Ministers contrary to this Ans To Preach Lyes in Hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.1 2. Gal. 1.8 9. 1 Tim. 1.3 4. 6.3 c. or any Doctrine contrary to the word of God or Gospel of Christ or unprofitable for the people to whom they Preach Secondly to Preach the word of God corruptly 2 Cor. 2.17 Ier. 23.28 1 Pet. 5. 1 c. or not of a ready minde but for filthy Lucre sake or with Lording over Gods heritage Thirdly to Preach the Word flatteringly to please men sowing pillows under mens Elbows Ier. 23.18 Ezek. 22.28 or not as the Servant of Christ Fourthly not to Preach or to be negligent Ministers in their Ministerial Office Exo. 34.2 3. Quest 18. What it the penalty of such Ministers who Preach or people Who hear the word of God in such a sinful manner Mat. 7.21 c. Luk. 13.24 c. Ans The Lord Christ will not know or own them to be any of his at the day of Judgement but shut them out of heaven Quest 19. What should he the consideration of this work in these mens mindes as Ioh. 5.1 c. to want ordinances Acts 8.21 c. 2 Tim. 2 25 26. 1 Thes 1.10 Ans It should teach them in time to wait on Christ in his Ordinances to see if God will give them true faith in Christ and true Repentance and forgivenesse of their sinful speaking or hearing of Gods Word that they may be delivered from wrath to come Quest 20. You have answered concerning the first outward part of Gods worship the Preaching and hearing of Gods word Now what are the duties commanded or the sins forbidden in relation to the second part of Gods outward worship the blessed Sacraments Ans They are already declared in the former part of this Catechism in the 26 27 28 Classis where you may finde divers directions of duties to be practised for right preparation and participation for the blessed Sacrament And divers sins are or may be observed contrary to those duties with the danger of unworthy receiving 1 Cor. 11.27 both intimated by the Apostle and the Doctrine of the Sacraments are opened at large in the Classes aforesaid Quest 21. What are the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the third publike Ordinance or part of Gods worship offering up the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praises unto God And first for prayer Ans It is a general duty for all to pray to God in the Name of Christ for all things lawful and necessary for themselves or others Ioh. 16.23 1 Tim. 2.1 2. for Gods glory and good of Christs Church Quest 22. What is the general sin contrary unto this duty of prayer unto God in the Name of Christ Isa 46.6 7. 57.8 Ans First to put up our prayers to any other god then to the true God or to any other as to God or to any Idol Image or similitude of the true or any false God or to any Mediator as Mediator either Angels or Saints departed or the Image of any of them 1 Sam. 22.23 Iob. 15.4 Secondly to neglect prayer for our selves or not to pray for another and for the Churches of Christ Militant upon Earth Quest 23. What are the particular duties required in Prayer Ans There are many particular duties you may observe these in brief 1 Cor. 14.15 1. We must pray with knowledge and understanding both to whom in whose Name and for what we pray Iam. 1.5 2. We must pray with Faith and in Christs Name having an eye to Gods promises of those things for which we pray 3. We must pray with repentance that our sins separate betwixt God and us Iohn 16.23 to keep good things from us 4. We must pray with reverend Devotion having our hearts and mindes firmly fixed on God to whom we pray Acts 10.1 2. 5. In sincerity powring out our hearts unto God 1 Sam. 1.13 15. 6. With humility or humblenesse of spirit Isa 57.15 Ps 51.17 Luk. 22.41 42. submitting our wills to the will of God 7. With fortitude even wrestling by faith with our God in prayer until we conquer Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12. 8. With fervency and zeal of spirit for the grace we do pray for even with tears
Commandements of my Heavenly Father and so these foure first Commandements or first Table of the Law of God Psal 119.101.128 and to refrain from every sinwhatsoever Quest 49. What is the finall cause or chiefe ends at which your soule doth or ought to aime at in this your obedience Ans The prime and chiefe end is the glorifying of God 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 5.10 11 12. my God and Father in Christ And the next the Declaration of my love and thankfulnesse to the Lord my God and to shew forth his praises who called me out of darknesse to light and hath freely given me life eternall and everlasting salvation in Christ Jesus The Thirty two Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have profitably and plainely endevoured to declare the duties commaded and the sinnes forbidden in the first Table of the Law of God and held them forth as a light to the feete of Gods Saints by the helpe of the spirit of Christ And in the performance of our Duties and Declaration of our more immediate love unto our God in Christ Now what I pray you do you call the second Table of the Law of God and what are the Commandemtnts comprehended in this second Table what light from Christ to teach this Ans This second Table is that which holdeth forth rules for the manifestation of our love to our Neighbour Mat. â—2 38 39 40. in and for God as our selves and these Rules are comprehended in the six last Commandements of the Decalogue or ten words of Gods Minde to his people Ex. 34.28 Quest 2. What then you doe conceive to be the generall duties of this second Taeble of the Law Ans That which the Lord Christ and the spirit of Christ in the Prophets Mat. 22.39 Levit. 19.18 Rom. 13.8 9. and Apostles holdeth forth unto us namely to love our Neighbour as our selves Quest 3. What is the sinne contrary to this duty of loving our Neighbour as our selves Ans Not to do as we would be done be done by Mat. 7.12 Levit. 19.17 18. Isai 58.7 or instead of love to hate our Neighbour and to hide our selves from our own flesh Quest 4. You say the Lord requireth that we should love our Neighbours as our selves Therefore it seemeth to mee that the Lord requireth his child to love himselfe Now what is this love of a mans selfe according to which hee ought to love his Neighhour Ans Certainly the Lord doth require that a man should in a right manner love himselfe Mâ—t. 22 37 38 39. Phâ—l 2.12 Eph. 5.29 and this love of a man towards himselfe is that love wherewith a Believer should in and for and after God love his owne soule and body in seeking the temporall and eternall good of both for Gods glory and his owne eternall happinesse and salvation Quest 5. What are sinnes contrary to this true and right ordered love of a Man or Womans selfe Ans There are diverse sins contrary to a right and true love of a mans self first a perverse and wicked hatred of Mans selfe Acts 18.6 either of a Mans soule and body by an obstinate rejecting of grace and meanes of grace or willfull Rebellion against God or hatred of his body and life by a Mans desperate rejecting and refusing the meanes of preserving the body and health and life of it or by a desparate destroying of the body and life by any meanes whatsoever An example of this I have seen in divers who in strength and violence of Satans temptations or a kinde of frensie and braine distemper have utterly rejected meanes of comfort some for the soule some for the body some for both as Francis Spira did in Germany after his fall from the Gospell History of Francis Spirra to subscribe to Popery continuing in that sad condition to the day of his death I say nothing of Ahitophel and Iudas 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.5 who wickedly destroyed themselves contrary to the sixt Commandement of which I shall speak in its place Quest 6. What is a second sinne contrary to the true love of a mans selfe Ans Philauty or corrupt and inordinate love of a mans selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either above God which is a wicked Idolatrous love making an Idoll of a mans selfe and setting up an Idoll in his heart and preferring that above God 2 Tim. 3.2 Or to be so inebriated and drunk with selfe love as to admire onely himselfe and turne his affections of love wholy into himselfe as that Misanthropâ—s who hated every man but himselfe â— Cor. 4.14 Thirdly to love a mans selfe from and for himselfe not from and for God in Christ or from Christ Quest 7. But may there not be a good and holy hatred of a mans selfe Ans We must distinguish of a mans selfe there is a threeford selfe First a mans soule and body or person consisting of both considered in themselves as Gods creatures 1 Thess 5.23 Secondly the old Adam in a mans selfe or the corruption of soule and body by sinne Rom. 6.6 either originall or actuall that Law or power of corruption in our members rebelling against the Law of our minds or Thirdly a mans spirituall selfe or the new Adam and image of Christ in the soule the regenerate part Galat. 5.14 the spirit that fighteth against the flesh Now to hate the first of these selfe our soule or body or person is against nature Ephes 5.29 no man ought to hate himselfe though he may loose himselfe for Christ which is love and no hatred And to hate the third the selfe of grace or grace of Christ in a mans selfe The life of grace in us this is against grace this self must be loved and cherished by all means in and through Christ But for the second selfe spoken of namely our corrupt old Adam in us our body of sinne Coloss 3.5 This ought to be hated as the enemy of the well being both of soule and bodie for ever Job 42.6 as Iob abhorred himself and Paul chastised his body and the converted People of God loathed themselves as they were loathsome to God in their sinnefull corruption Ezek. 36.31 Quest 8. You have satisfied mee in this question how a man ought to love and not to love himselfe now what say you in generall of the love of our Neighbour before we come to the Commandements in particular Ans I have described that in generall before That we must love our neighbour in God and for God as our selves Quest 9. Who is our Neighbour towards whom we ought to exercise our Christian love and Charity Ans All that stand in neede of our helpe or love whether they be our own kindred or strangers Luk. 10.36 37. 1 Tim. 5.8 Mat. 5.48 Prov. 25.21 Galat. 6.10 yea our very enemies and especially the household of faith but
in Jesus Christ who is our peace-maker and whose rest is glorious 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly as a sanctifyer and nourisher in grace by his spirit of faith and preserver to glory that receiving dayly refreshing nourishment from Christ by meeting Christ in his Ordinances Mat. 18.20 John 15.5 2 Pet. 3.18 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. wee may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and by his power be kept through Faith unto salvation The Thirty three Classis or company of Questions The second Section Question 1. YOu have opened the fift Commandement at large both in the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden with the use and application as by a light from Christ to leade us unto Christ both as a justifyer and a sanctifyer to enable us to walke comfortably with Christ in the course of our lives Now I pray you tell mee in briefe what are the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the sixt commandement Thou shalt not kill Ans This Commandement is negative as are the rest that follow Gen. 9.6 and this sixt Commandement God gave for preservation of the life of man as being Gods owne Image as hee did the seventh commandement for preservation of a holy seed Malac. 2.15 The eight coÌ„mandement for preservation of mens estated and that propriety which God hath given to men in their owne children or any thing else as goods Deut. 22.1 2 3. Psal 15.3 and the ninth Commandement was given for preservation of a man or womans good name and the Tenth to keepe the very heart and desires of the soule in a right order to the glory of God and the good of our Neighbour But in every one of these negative commandements the affirmative duties are required and a walking according to that rule of righteousnesse which God planted at first in man and woman when hee created them in his owne Image I will therefore first hold forth the duty and then the sinnes forbidden and some use of them In this sixt Commandement Thou shalt not kill or Thâ—u shalt doe no murther Prov. 4.23 In the affimaitive part the Lord requireth of every man woman or child to be carefull to preserve his or her owne life of soule and body Gen. 1.27 Mat. 4.6 7 Prov. 24.11 Job 29.12 and the life of his or her Father Mother Husband Wife Brother Sister Neighbour or of any Man Woman Job 29.13 Acts 19.30 31. Deut. 20.19 20. 2 Pet. 1.7 1 Sam. 15.2 3. 1 Pet. 3.8 9. Coloss 3.3 1 John 3.15 Eph. 4.27 Deur 30.35 Mat. 10.28 Rom. 3.15 16 17. or Child in the world by all lawfull and good meanes in heart word and deed in love meekenesse long-suffering and to avoide all occasion of murder lying in waite to destroy or the unlawfull destroying the life of any of whatsoever degree or condition they or any of them may be all malice hatred envy rash anger disdaine evill words or actions especially old grudges and drunkennesse all occasion of murders and forgtefulnesse of Gods presence or want of feare of offending the great God and sinning against Christ Jesus Quest 2. You havâ— held forth the duties in generall with divers particular meanes to preserve life and occasions of taking life away to be avoyded Now what are the contrary sinnes to bee avoided in generall or particular as briefe as you can Ans All selfe-murder of soule Gens 4.6 7 c. or body or any unlawfull killing of any of mankind much more of Husband Prov. 18.19 Wife Father Mother Brother Sister Neighbour or any other and all means and occasion of soule killing or unlawfull taking away the life of any Levit. 19.17 is a sinne Mat. 5.22 Prov. 17.19 James 1.20 Mat. 5.21 c. Acts 5.31 as all hatred malice rash anger envie contempt emulation strife contentions and heartrisings wrath especially amongst brethren want of brotherly love or uncharitablenesse in any respect in thought word or deed especially evill reviling words giving the lie or any other provocations of quarrells all unlawfull duells or other occasions whatsoever all being a degree of murder Therefore is necessity to seek to Christ for Repentance and Remission of sins Quest 3. Now wee have heard the duties of the sixt what are the duties of the seventh Commandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery 2 Tim. 2.22 Heb. 13.4 Mat. 5.28 Job 31.1 1 Thess 4.2 3 4. Ephes 5.3 4. 5. Eph. 5.25 to 33. Answ The Lord requireth all true chastity both in the married and single estate both in minde and in body both inward holinesse and chastity of the heart and affections and outward holinesse and chastity of the Eyes Eares Tongue and whole man every one walking as Christians and as knowing how to possesse his vessell in holinesse and honour And waiting on Christ in use of all good meanes to prevent sinne in this as in other temptations the husband resting satisfyed with the love of his own Wife Prov. 5.18.19 and the Wife of her own Husband delighting in each others love constantly in the Lord. Quest 4. Now you have shewed the duty declare what are the sinnes contrary to this duly both in the single and in the Married estate and first in the single estate Ans All unchaste corrupt lusts of the heart Gen. 6.2 1 John 2.16 1 Pet. 2.11 Jam. 1.14.15 Gens 38.18 Gen. 39.9 2 Sam. 11.2 3 4. Jer. 5.7 Prov. 7.22 c. Isai 5.11 12. 1 Cor. 7.9 Levit. 20. â—0 Malac. 2.14 15 16. or lust of the eyes and all selfe pollution by speculative wantonnesse or wicked imaginations defiling the soule and all fornication or adultery in act or any meanes or occasions thereunto in heart word or deeds active or passive provoking God to anger and all keeping company with Harlots or mispending time in idlenesse drunkennesse or any manner of sin whatsoever Quest 5. What are the sins in the maried estate Answ Besides that all those sinnes noted in the single estate are sinnes likewise in the married all breach of wedlock or conjugall fidelity and promise made betweene man and wife either in thought Lev. 18.18 Mat. 19.9 Heb. 13.4 1 Cor 5.1 Mark 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 7.2 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Levit. 18.19 20. Levit. 20.18 Ezek. 18.6 Ezek. 16.49 Rom. 13.13 14. Eph. 5.5 6. Levit. 19.29 Deut. 23.17 18. Gens 34.25.31 Heb. 13.4 Reve. 21.8 word or deede and all Polygamy and also all unlawfull divorce or separation all whoredome adultery incest or any such wickednesse whatsoever all denyall of due benevolence which may occasion breach or decay of love or sinne otherwise all effeminatenesse and immodest immoderate or unseasonable use of the marriage-bed in times prohibited by the Law of nature of God or of lawfull consent betweene themselves all pampering of the flesh or surfeting and drunkennesse to nourish unlawful lusts and all force and rashnes all impudent behaviour or prostitution of
9. Psa 119.17 75. 2. It may be it is to keep a childe of God from security to awaken us and help us to walk more watchfully with God as David was troubled for very faithfulnesse for good 2 Cor. 1.7 c. 12 7 c. 3. To prevent spiritual pride and self-confidence that our whole dependency may be on Gods Free-grace which is sufficient for us Cant. 3.1 2 3. 5.5 c. 4. Or because he would try our faith or wisdom or patience or obedience constancy or such other graces 5. To cause his sons or daughters to esteem better of the sense of Gods love Iob 1 2 3 4 c. or Christs presence in time to come Psal 51.7 c. Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 1.3 c Eph 4.30 6. Because we should be watchful not to grieve Gods spirit by our failings or any way dishonour God but at return of spirit be stablished to walk constantly with God in Christ for ever 7. Or that in greatest darknesse we may wait upon the Lord till he cause his Sun to shine and his beams of love to appear again to the soul Isa 50 10. For these and such like ends God suffers doubtings therefore your friend ought not to dispair because she is troubled with fears and doubtings Quest 2. But can such temptations and weaknesses befull Gods children Psal 73.12 c Ier. 20.2 Rom. 7.22 c. Ans Your friend must know that these temptations and corruptions or weaknesses may sometime be found in the best of Gods Saints who are very dear and precious jewels in the eyes of Christ bought with the price of his own most precious blood and upon whom he hath bestowed an excellent measure of grace as David Jeremiah Paul and others these weaknesses arising either from the first corruptions of nature not yet fully purged in which are the seeds of all sin Atheism Infidelity or the like Gen. 6 5. Rom. 7.18 8.7 2 Cor. 17.7 Mat. 26.74 Gen. 9.21 c. 20.2 Psal 51. Luke 22.31 Secondly or else from Satans temptations from which we cannot expect to be wholly free in this life for Paul was often buffetted with these temptations Peter was tempted and fell fearfully Noah Lot Abraham had their Resurrections from sin and David was constrained to pray Create in me a clean heart O God and therefore none of Gods Saints in this life must think to be free from assaults of spiritual Enemies and winowings lesse or more Quest 3. What more is to be considered Ans Thirdly to satisfie further let her consider she is yet a member of the Church Militant Gen. 3.1 c. Eph. 6.10 c. and must expect as a Souldier of Christ many skirmishes before she passeth the wildernesse of this world to the Canaan of Heaven temptation is one sign of the life of grace which the Devil cannot abide in any soul therefore seeks by temptations to destroy it and the Saints which enjoy it as he sought to destroy Christ Mat. 4.3 c. Fourthly You know Satan tempted the Son of God to grievous sins to Idolatry to distrust of Gods Providence to doubt whether he were the Son of God or not as your friend doth whether she be Gods childe yea to pride to vainglory nay which is more to lay violent hands upon himself and destroy his own life by casting himself down headlong from a Pinacle of the Temple and when the Devil left him it was but for a season Luke 4.13 And if Christ was tempted she must not despair in temptation because she is tempted but resist Satan by the word as Christ did 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Rom. 8.35 c. and so in time she shall be more then a conquerour through Christ that hath loved her Quest 4. But what if my friend fear she shall one day fall by the hand of Satan as David once feared he should fall by the hand of Saul 1 Sam. 27.1 Ans Fifthly In time of temptation put her in minde that God hath the Devil in chains and can bridle him as he doth the roaring waves of the Sea at his pleasure Iob 38.8 And if at any time she be ready to sink by the waves of temptation as Peter in the waves of the Sea then let her pray to Christ for strength to imitate Peter to call out to Christ for his right hand of power to preserve her soul as Peter was saved and he is ready and will be ready according to his promise to save her from drowning according to that gracious promise made to his Church when thou art in the water I will be with thee it shall not drown thee Isa 43.2 as he saved Peter Mat. 14.30 31. so will he save his servants that put their trust in him Psal 18.27 34.6 Quest 5. You have given a good direction how to seek to Christ in times of temptations But what shall she do in her doubtings concerning her Election that she may be sure that she is one of Gods Elect and chosen ones and hath life of grace in her soul as called of God in Christ to glory Ans I answer as she that would finde the Sea must take the River by the hand and follow that so she that would finde out Election must get the golden chain of Predestination and lay hold on those links first which are nearest unto her she must by the power and direction of Christ in his Word and by his Spirit first finde our the effects and fruits of Election before she can finde Election it self first finde out the consequents of Election before she can finde out the antecedents and know Gods Free-love the cause of all As the Sun rising is known by the light approaching the fire by the heat and the tree by the fruits so Election that prime grace by the effects or subsequent graces that follow the Apostle holds this forth Rom. 8.29 30. whom God did foreknow with the knowledge of approbation them he did Predestinate whom he did Predestinate them he calleth whom he calleth them he justifieth whom he justifieth them he glorifieth Now begin at Calling the first link we can take hold on and if she be inabled by the power Christ to see her effectual calling from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto Christ Phil. 3.6 c. Acts 26.18 19. and from sin and her self-righteousnesse unto his perfect righteousnesse and merits which was the end why the Lord sent Paul to Preach the Gospel Then she may be assured of her Election And therefore let her examine her calling Iohn 1.10 c. 1. Whether the Lord hath drawn her soul into Christ to receive Christ as her Eternal High-Priest Prophet and King a before 2. Cant. 3.1 2 3. Hos 2.12 20. Whether he hath affected her heart with a longing desire to be married to Christ to have union and communion with Christ as her Lord and Saviour and
to love Christ with her soul 3. Ezek. 36.3 Hos 14.8 And whether he hath made her willing and desirous to loath and dislike sin and to forsake her natural and sinful communion with sin the world the flesh and the Devil 4. Whether she be willing to take the Lord Christ for her Lord and Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and Heavenly husband and then no doubt she is one of the Elect of God the Lord is her Father and she is his daughter who is the Lord Almighty Quest 6. But what if she doubt still Ans Give her this one rule that she seek with an impartial eye First as not to flatter her self that she hath grace when she hath none So 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Cor. 10.11 c. 2 Tim. 1.12 4.7 8. Secondly on the other side not to deny that grace which the Lord of his Free-grace and love in Christ hath bestowed upon her soul as any measure or true knowledge of true faith of true repentance of true love of true hunger after the Word desire of assurance of the like graces Thus may she in Gods due time finde her self a dear Elect daughter in Christ and so in Christ an heir and fellow-heir of Eternall glory and in the end assurance may come Quest 7. This may be a means by the power of Christ to stay her soul from despair in that temptation But what do you say to her decay in grace What light have you from Christ to reveal any comfort to her soul in this respect Ans I say the Apostle gives a caveat to his Christian Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.19 to take heed of quenching the spirit and yet no doubt they had the spirit of grace in them but they must be careful not to quench the spirit Gods dear children may be in danger to quench the spirit for a time and may lose the acts and vigor of grace for a time as Peter did when he denied Christ Mat. 26. though not finally and totally therefore if your friend finde some decay of grace in her soul or want of holinesse she ought not to conclude presently she is none of Gods childe or exclude the favour of God in Christ from her For First as there is no wheat but there is some chaff groweth with it so the best of Gods children have some imperfections Phil. 3.12 13. Secondly In this life we are not like the Sun perfect in brightnesse and light but like the Moon receiving our light of grace from Christ as the Moon doth her light from the Sun and like the Moon 1 Iohn 1.8 we are subject to have some changes some decrease as well as increase some spots of darknesse in the center of our hearts And Thirdly take this for a certain rule as sight and sense of weaknesse of body is a sign of bodily life for a dead man feels nothing so a sight and sense of spiritual weaknesse Rom. 14.15 c. is an evident argument of spiritual life of grace in her soul as it was in blessed Paul Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.9 Rev. 3.2 3. Isa 40.30 31. Fourthly A dead man cannot see nor feel his own weaknesse at all a dead man complains not of sicknesse and therefore your friend ought not to despair because of sight and sence of failings which is an evidence of the life of grace but wait on Christ for more light and life till the soul recover strength and what is ready to dye be quickned and she finde peace in the end Quest 8. But I have heard my friend complain that sometimes she neither feels any signes of life of grace nor doth she feel any want of life of grace she is dead â—nd senslesse no hunger after the Word or Sacraments or Prayer or to meet Christ in any good duty she is sometimes so far from resting in a duty or setting it up in stead of Christ that she is carelesse of any duty at all as if all were in vain as to her her faith is dead and without life her soul and life is dead in respect of grace or any sense of want of grace in her soul like those Isaiah 64.6 7. no stirring of life in her And what comfort can be given to one in such a condition Ans Your friend hath no cause to despair but to live by faith For First did she ever finde or feel any signes or sense of life of grace in her soul any sight and sense of her sin and misery by natural corruption any sweetnesse or delight in meeting Christ in the Word or Sacraments or Prayer any combating or stirring in her soul between the flesh and the spirit Then although now she be as dead to all these let her know that the state of the childe of God in this life and the life of grace may be sometimes 1. Like a childe in the Mothers Simile 1 womb alive though not felt to stir or to have any motions of life at all 2. Or like a man in a trance wherein Simile 2 his own sense being as it were without sence or understanding yea and in the judgement of others may seem to be dead and yet after revive and come to himself again and so may a dear childe of God in respect of the life of grace Assuredly David after his fall until Example 1 Nathan came to him he had little sense of life of grace little remorse for his sin especially while after his sin of Adultery with Bathsheba he went on to plot and procure the making of Vriah drunk and after to take away his life so addes sin to sin Exam ∣ ple 2 The like may be said of Peter between his first and third time of denying Christ until the Cock did crow and Christ cast a look of mercy 2 Sam. 11 12 c. Mat. 26.69 75. Psal 51.1 c. and pity and love upon his poor soul then indeed he went out and wept bitterly as David repented and bewayled his folly and sinful fall in the end and prayed earnestly to the Lord to restore unto him the joy of his salvation and to stablish him with his free spirit Quest 9. What other around of comfort Ans Let her consider that Gods childe doth not sin as the wicked do with full heart consent and freedom because his seed of grace remaineth in him 1 Iohn 3.8 9. but like a man in a crowd or throng sometimes carried forwards and sometimes backward 1. Carried forwards in grace willingly the will regenerate and sanctified striving together with one consent with the grace given and good motions of Gods spirit assisting as in Christ Iesus to presse on to perfection And 2. Sometimes carried backward by corruptions and the violence of Satans temptations as it were against our will Simile to an ebbing in grace as in the Tide the water runneth back as the Moon decreasing Rom. 7.23 c. as Peter sinking in the water of presumption senslesnesse or despair as