be sanctified and seasoned to our reformation and consolation in Christ P. What was Christs action at his death whereby he merited our salvation M. He willingly laâ—d downe his life when by his divine power hee might have held it and none could have taken it from him Iohn 10.17 1 Iohn 3.16 Hereby Christ offered up himselfe a propitiatory sacrifice to God his Father for the ransome of mankind Gal 4.5 Heb 10.6 7 8 and hereby hee redeemed the Elect from the second death which is damnation and from the tyranny of the Divell Hebr 2.14 Iam 5.20 Acts 26.18 P. What was Christs resurrection and the merit of it for our salvation M. Christs resurrection was the freeing of himselfe from the power of death under which hee was held in the grave some part of three dayes and the uniting againe of his soule which was in heaven to his body which lay in the grave Christ merited hereby that the faithfull should rise againe from death to life as members of his mysticall body and be begotten to a lively hope of their owne resurrection by the power of his 1 Cor 15.19 20. 1 Pet 1.3 1 Thess 4.14 P. What was Christs Ascension and what did he merit thereby tending to our salvation M. Christs Ascension was his leaving to live any longer on the earth as man and his entring into heaven both in soule and body there to continue till the end of the world Acts 1.9 10 11. Hebr 4.14 By Christs Ascension into heaven he tooke possession of it for the faithfull that at the end of their lives he might receive their soules thither Acts 7.59 and at the end of the world he might receive into it both their soules and bodies Iohn 14.2 Heb 6.20 P. What was Christs sitting on the right hand of God the Father in heaven and what did hee merit thereby for our salvation M. Christs sitting on the right hand of the Father in heaven is his partaking as man of heavenly glory farre above all creatures Hebr. 1.3 The merit thereof is his Intercession for us Hebr. 7.24 25 for in heaven hee continually appeares in Gods presence for us Heb 9.24 to present all his merits unto God his Father for our benefit that God beholding the worth of them hee might continually apply the vertue and benefit of them to the conversion and salvation of his Elect successively to the worlds end P. Now you have shewed mec what were the act on s of God the Father and God the Sonne which they wrought for the effecting of mans salvation I pray you also tell mee what were the actions of the Holy Ghost for that end M. They were of two kindes The actions of the holy Spirit for effecting mans saluation 1. Such as he wrought in Christ that was to be the Saviour of the world and 2. such as hee wrought in them that are to bee saved by him P. What were the actions wrought in Iesus Christ by the Holy Ghost for the bringing to passe of mans salvation M. They were three 1. the sanctifying of the seede of the woman for the framing of his body thereof as hee was man Luke 1.35 2. The declaring of him to be the Saviour of the world by descending upon him like a dove Matth 3.16 Iohn 3.33 3. The filling of him with the gifts and graces of the Spirit above measure Iohn 3.34 and above his fellowes Hebr 1.9 P. What are the actions of the Holy Spirit which he workes in them that are to bee saved for the effecting thereof M. They are two 1. Regeneration or bringing them into the state of grace 2. Preservation or keeping them therein P. Sir I have heard much of Regeneration but I doe not well understand it I pray you therefore cause mee to understand better what it is M. Regeneration is an action of the holy Spirit The Regeneration of the holy Spirit whereby Christians are begotten again borne againe and renewed or made new againe 1 Pet 1.3 Iohn 3.5 Tit. 3.5 P. Wherein doth the holy Spirit regenerate Christians M. Not in making new the substance of their soules nor in enduing their soules with new parts powers and faculties But Regeneration consists in healing and recovering rectifying and amending purging and sanctifying with a new supply of grace the former parts powers and faculties that were wholly depraved and corrupted with sinne through Adams disobedience Ecclefiast 7.29 P. To what end doth the holy Spirit regenerate Christians by his grace M. For a twofold end in respect of themselves P. Which is the first M. To enable them to serve God sincerely and acceptably in this world Hebr 12.28 in newnesse of spirit Rom 7.6 and in newnesse of life Rom 6.4 For they are created anew in Christ Iesus unto good workes which God had before ordained that they should walke in Eph 2.10 This they could not doe as they were begotten of their parents for so they were begotten in sinne Psal 51.5 and borne of and after the flesh Iohn 3.3 Gal. 4.29 which cannot please God Rom 8.8 And therefore to the end they may bee fitly disposed and effectually enabled to doe the holy duties of Gods service they must be made new men and women for the image of God which through Adams sinne was defaced in them as touching right knowing willing and doing Gods will must againe be renewed in them Col 3.10 Eph. 4.24 P. What is the second end why the holy Spirit doth regenerate Christians M. It is to order them and to set them in the way to heaven which is to make them meete partakers of that inheritance Col 1.12 For without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Hebr. 12.14 Into the new Ierusalem of heaven shall in no wise enter any uncleane thing Revel 21.27 And flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God 1 Cor. 15.50 Now they can not goe to heaven as they are begotten of their naturall parents for so they are the children of disobedience Eph. 5.6 the children of wrath Eph 2.3 and the children of the Divell Iohn 8.44 And therefore to the end they may be made capable of salvation they must by the holy Spirit bee turned from darkenesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive an inheritance with them that are sanctified Acts 26.18 19. For holinesse is the way to happinesse and grace unto glory P. But by what meanes doth the holy Spirit regenerate Christians and make them new M. By the incorruptible seede of the word of truth Iam 1.18 which is the word of God 1. Pet. 1.23 which is the Gospell 1 Cor. 4.15 1 Pet. 1.23 which is the Preaching of Iesus Christ Rom. 16.25 and of salvation Act. 13.26 In whom they are begotten againe 1 Pet. 1.3 and created anew Eph. 2.10 And therefore you ought carefully to attend upon this ordinance which is the power of God to salvation to them that beleeve Rom. 1.16 P. I pray you Sir What
sinnes by free pardon and forgivenesse of them all and whereby also they are accepted as righteous in Gods sight by the merit of Christs righteousnes both of his life death imputed unto them Mat 9.2 Rom 3.25 4.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.1 2. Reconciliation whereby sinners being freed from Gods anger and displeasure justly incurred and provoked by their sinnes they are againe received into his love favour and friendship Matth 3.17 Col 1.21 3. Adoption whereby of the children of disobedâ—ence of wrath and of the Divell which they were in Adam and by their sinnes Ephes 2.2 5.6 Ioh 8.44 they are made the children of God and heires of the Kingdome of heaven Gal 4.4 5.6 Eph 1.4 5 6. P. What degree of salvation doe the faithfull attaine at the end of this life M. It is this First and generally they depart in peace Luke 2.29 for their soules are parted from their bodies in Gods favour they are carried to heaven Luk 16.22 and received thither Acts 7.50 They dye in Christ 1 Thess 4.16 they sleepe in Iesus verse 24 they dye in the Lord Revel 14.13 they dye the death of the righteous Num 23.10 they depart to the Father Iohn 13 1. As soone as they are departed this life their soules are with Christ in Paradise which is Christs Kingdome Luke 23.42.43 even when their bodies are unburied or lye in the grave and therefore this salvation is called the salvation of the soule 1 Pet 1.9 Heb 10.39 for the spirits of just and perfect men are in heaven Hebr 12.25 And well may the faithfull depart in peace when they dye seeing when they lived they were justified by faith and had peace with God Rom. 5.1 Good cause have they if they forget not to consider it not to feare to dye seeing they know that the sting of their death is taken away 1 Cor 15.55 by Christ who through his death hath overcome him that had the power of death that is the Divell Hebr 2.14 and seeing they are perswaded that death shall not separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus Rom 8.38 39. Secondly and more specially 1. The bodies of the faithfull at the end of this life are at rest from their labours paines and diseases and are free from sense of all miseries and vexations Revel 14.13 Isai 56.1 2. 2. Their soules are wholly freed from originall and naturall corruption for the flesh which was therein while they lived is wholly killed destroyed For they are carryed into heaven Luk 16 22. into which no uncleane thing can enter Revel 21 27. 1 Cor 15.50 P. And what degrees of salvation doe the faithfull attaine unto at the end of the world M. It consists of 2 branches whereof the first concernes the body the second belongs to the soule and bodie too P. What happines receives the body at the end of the world M. It is this Of a naturall dead weake corruptible and mortall body which it was when it was alive in the world and lay in the grave it is raised a spiritual living strong incorruptible and immortall body and being raised from death to life it is restored to its former being and shape complexion and proportion yet without any defect or blemish in a most comely manner for it is a glorified body 1 Cor 15.42 to 46. P. Yea but it seemes to naturall reason an impossible thing for a dead body to rise and live againe M. True but Christians know by the light of the holy Scriptures that the dead body shall rise from death to life not by any power in it selfe or by the meanes of any naturall cause but by a supernaturall even the power of God Matth 22.29 Iosh 22.1 Thess 4.16 P. How may I bee drawne better to beleeve the Resurrection from the dead M. By these seaven Reasons 1 The testimony of Christ who sayd that all that are in the graves shall heare Christs voyce and come forth unto the Resurrection Iohn 5 28 29. 2 The promise of it made by God unto the Patriarks Act 26 6 7 8. 3 The faith hope of Gods children who in all ages beleeved it hoped and lookt for it Acts 23 6 24 15. Iohn 11 24. 4 The practise of many Heathen who in hope of the Resurrection washed the dead bodyes of their freinds departed before they buryed them 1 Cor 15 29. Acts 9 36. 5 The proofe and experience of many recorded in the Scriptures who have risen from death to life Mat. 27 52 53. Ioh. 11 35. 6 The appoynting of a day of iudgment at the second comming of Christ Act 17.30 31 32. Ioh 5 28 29. Dan 12.2 7 The Resurrection of Christ himselfe from death to life to be the first fruits of them that sleepe 1 Cor 15 20. 1 Thes 4 14. 1 Pet 1.3 For the gathering in of the first ripe fruites doe giue hope to the husbandman of ripening gathering in of the rest afterwards P. Indeed these Reasons cleerely and unanswerably doe prove that the dead shall rise againe and that there shall bee a Resurrection from the dead But you sayd it was a branch of happines unto the faithfull that their bodyes rose from death to life how may this bee prooved M. This also may be sufficiently proved out of the Scripture and that by these 7 reasons also 1 Because it is said that they are counted worthy of the Resurrection Luke 20 35. Therefore the Resurrection is a favour consequently a branch of happinesse unto them 2 Because they are called the children of the Resurrection Luk 20 36. and they are so called as in other respects so in this because they rise Gods children as they lived and dyed are in his favor which is a great happinesse 3. Because they are said to be equall to the Angels when they are raised Luke 20.36 and the Angels are happy for nothing but happinesse can befall them 4. Because the Apostle saith that if the faithfull did not rise they were of all men most miserable 1 Cor 15.19 therefore because they doe rise againe they are happy 5. Because when they are raised from death to life they are called blessed for Christ will call unto them and say Come ye blessed of my Father Matth 25.34 6. The resurrection from the dead is a degree of happinesse because as it hath beene said before the naturalnesse weaknes corruption and morrality of the body is abolished and destroyed and by the resurrection it is made a spirituall strong incorruptible and immortall body yea it is raised a glorified body to be made fit to enter into and enjoy the glory of heaven 1 Cor 15.41.50 7. And lastly the resurrection of the body from death to life is a degree of happines because the assured expectation of it did work in the faithfull both more grace and also more peace and comfort in their consciences Acts 24.15 16. Psal 16.9 1 Thess 4.17 P. Sir I cannot
faith or beleefe in Christ is good wheÌ„ it works in us by love to God and our neighbour Gal 5.6 and is shewed by good workes Tit 3.8 Iam 2.18 and when it stirres us up to sincere obedience to Gods commandements Hebr 11.8 4. Our feare of God is right when we feare him as much for his mercy as for his justice Psal 130.2 and feare more to sinne against him than to be punished by him Psal 4.4 Gen 39.9 5. Our love of God is good when it stirres us up to keepe his Commandements Iohn 14.15.23 when wee love him for those excellent perfections of wisedome and goodnesse that are in him as well as for the benefits that come from him and when it stirres us up to hate evill and sinne Psal 97.9 10. 6. Our hope in God namely for the resurrection to eternall life and for Christs second comming is right when being grounded on the Scriptures Rom 15.4 wee comfort our selves in our afflictions with it 1 Thess 4.13.18 when wee patiently waite Gods leisure for the obtaining of things promised 1 Thess 1.3 Rom 8.23 and when it purifies our hearts 1 Iohn 3.3 and makes us deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live righteously and godlily and soberly in this present world Titus 2.12 13. P. Good Sir I humbly acknowledge my selfe beholden to you for your care over me and paines with mee I hope I shall never forget it but endeavour to shew my selfe thankefull The Lord requite your labour of love to me in private by a greater blessing upon your ministery in publike and by prolonging your life health and strength for Gods glorie and the good of his Church in Iesus Christ. The Lord bee with you Sir and with your studies FINIS A PRAYER FOR GRACE TO Seeke to serve God and bee saved MOst glorious Lord God and heavenly Father Reu 4 11 who art worthy of all honour and service Iam 4 12 and who art able to save and destroy Luk 17 10 Thy unprofitable servant unworthy of salvation Acts 13 46 doth desire to humble himselfe before thee freely acknowledging that howsoever I am convinced in my judgement that nothing in this world doth so neerely concerne me to looke unto as thy service and mine owne salvation yet my heart tells and smites me that I have minded nothing lesse then these and that I have with much greedinesse sought after health and wealth worldly pleasures and treasures which only belong to the body this present life as if they only were worth my seeking and were more able to afford me true content than thy service and my salvation Thou hast brought me into the world and made me a member of thy Christian Church chiefly for to get grace into my heart that I might serve thee and live in thy feare and also to get peace into my conscience that I might dye in thy favour and be eternally saved 2 Cor 6 2 for now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation But I have neglected the prerogative of thy service Rom 9 2 Hebr 2 4 and so great salvation and have spent my precious time and thoughts in the pursuite of carthly things which I should have counted but as losse and dung Phil 3 8 in comparison of winning Christ and with him salvation as if I had beene borne to no other end but to serve the world sinne and Satan and to make provision fâ—r the flesh Rom 13 14 to fulfill the lusts thereof O Lord God when I call to minde and consider my vanity and folly yea ungracious wickednesse in trampling under my feete such precious pearles as are thy service Hebr 10 29 and my salvation I am confounded in my selfe wondcring at thy patiencc that couldst so long endure such an ungratefull wretch to live in thy Church yea I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee because this mine iniquity is increased over my head Ezra 9 6 and my wickednesse is growne up unto heaven crying for vengeance upon such contempt of thy grace Iohn 3 19 it being condemnation to love darknesse more than light earth more than heaven and the world more than thee or mine owne soule But thy mercy O Lord God is over all thy workes Psal 145 9 138 8. and endures for ever It is as great as thy Majesty and thy goodnesse is as much as thy greatnesse and the blood of Iesus Christ is able to wash mee so cleane from my sinnes Reuel 1 5 that I shall be holy Eph 5 27 and without blemish before thee therefore there is hope in Israel concerning this thing Ezra 10 2 And therefore upon the bended knees of my heavy laden soule I most humbly cry thee mercy most mercifull Father for this and all other my sinnes originall and actuall committed against the Law and the Gospell and with all the powers of my soule most earnestly beseech thee for the Lords sake Dan 9 17 Isay 53 11 Acts 3 14. Mat 3 17 thy righteous servant the holy One and the just in whom thou art well pleased to forgive me to be reconciled unto me and to shed thy love into my heart by thy holy Spirit Rom 5 5 which may beare witnesse to my Spirit c. 8 16. that I am thy Childe beloved in thy holy Childe Iesus Acts 4 27 Let thy mercy move thee to looke upon his righteousnesse to justify me when thy justice would make thee looke upon my sinnes to condemne me Accept of him for my surety Hebr. 7.22 and of the price of his blood for my ransome 1 Pet 1 23 Thou hast said O blessed God that whosoever comes Mat 11 28 unto thy Sonne Iesus Christ Ioh 6 35. and beleeves in him with an heavie laden soule wearie of their former wickednesse thou wilt ease and forgive them 1 Iohn 1 9 Oh be just and faithfull to make good this promise unto me to ease and to save me I desire to honour thy infinite mercy and thy Sonnes unvaluable merits by seeking to them onely and trusting in them alone for salvation O be thou pleased also to magnifie them upon me for I have as much need of them as any 1 Tim 1 â—5 being the chiefe of sinners and the saving vertues of them shall be magnified in the cure of my soule as well as of any other It hath pleased thee heavenly Father to give unto me in some measure a sight and sense of my sins particularly of my neglect and contempt of thy service and my salvation Oh be pleased I beseech thee yet more and more to discover unto me the folly and foulnesse of this and all my sinnes that my heart may be so broken with godly remorse and sorrow for them that I may leave them and live no longer in them but cleave unto thee to serve thee in new obedience for what will it profit
deny but these reasons doe prove the point most cleerely but one thing there is that I am not as yet resolved of namely I would faine learne how the resurrection from the dead should be a happines to the faithfull more than to the wicked and unfaithfull for all both good and bad arise M. It cannot be denied but all both good and bad just and unjust must arise from death to life Iohn 5.28 Acts 24.15 but though this be true yet there is a great difference in their rising and this difference shewes the happinesse of the one and the unhappinesse of the other P. Wherein I pray you is the difference betwixt the resurrection of the godly and of the wicked M. It appeares specially in three things 1. All arise not the same manner of persons for some rise just and godly as they lived and dyed Luke 14.14 yea they rise Gods children Luke 22.36 but others rise unjust unrighteous and wicked as they lived and dyed Acts 24 15. 2. All arise not by the same meanes for the godly arise by Christs mediation and resurrection as his members 1 Thess 4.14 1 Pet 1.3 4. 2 Cor 4.14 But the wicked arise from death to life onely by Gods power and as his creatures 3. All arise not to the same end for the godly arise to the resurrection of life and eternall blessednesse Ioh 5.29 Matth 25.32.34 To shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the starres for ever and ever Dan. 12.2 Whereas the ungodly arise to the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.29 and to shame and everlasting contempt Dan 12.2 Some also have thought that there is a fourth difference betweene the resurrection of the just and unjust namely that the dead in Christ shall arise before them that have dyed out of him and for that they alledge a place in S. Paul 1 Thess 4.16 But I answer though it be not a thing improbable that the godly shall arise before the wicked yet doe I not thinke that that place proves it because that place speakes not of an order betwixt the rising of the godly and wicked but of an order betwixt the dead in Christ and the living in Christ at his second comming and that order is that the dead in Christ shall not prevent or goe before unto heaven and happinesse the living or them that shall be alive at Christs second comming P. But I pray you forget not that degree of happinesse whereof both the soules and bodies of the godly partake at the end of the world M. This happinesse hath 6 branches 1. Both soule and body shall bee joyned together even the very same Iob 19.25 26. 2. They shall bee freed from ever dying any more Luke 20.36 3. They shall be perfectly sanctified with that measure of grace whereof a creature can be capable for the fitting of him to enjoy the heavenly glory 1 Cor 15.49 4. Being sanctified they shall be translated and received into the kingdome of heaven Matth 25.34 5. Being translated they shall partake of glory with God and Christ Iohn 17.24 6. Partaking of heavenly glory they shall enjoy it for ever 1 Thes 4.17 P. These indeede are excellent degrees of happinesse the Lord fit us to partake of them but I pray you remember to shew mee the third generall point necessary to be knowne in the doctrine of salvation which was the meanes whereby it is effected and brought to passe in the severall degrees thereof M. I will The means whereby saluation is effected by the grace of God These meanes are certaine actions of God P. What are the actions wrought by God that bring to passe mans salvation M. They are actions that properly belong to the severall Persons of the sacred Trinity namely 1. God the Father 2. God the Sonne and 3. God the Holy Ghost P. What were the actions of God the Father whereby mans salvation was effected M. Twofold 1. In respect of Christ his appointing and sending him into the world to save it Iohn 3.16 and his setting him in the office of his Mediatorship Ioh. 6.28 Matth 3.17 2. And in respect of the faithfull his justifying of them his being reconciled unto them and his adopting of them to be his children and heires of heaven whereof you have heard before in the degrees of salvation P. What were the actions of God the Sonne which hee did to bring to passe our salvation M. They were those whereby hee merited and procured that the Elect should be surely brought into Gods favour againe and safely carried to heaven for he is called the Authour of our salvation Hebr 5.9 and the Captaâ—ne of our salvation Hehr 2.10 And hee is called a Saviour and our Saviour 23 times in the New Testament And these actions of Christ concerned either 1 his conception and birth or 2. his life or 3. his death or 4. his resurrection or 5. ascension or 6. his sitting on Gods right hand P. What was Christs conception and birth and the merit of them to our salvation M. Christs conception and birth was his incarnation whereby he tooke into the unity of his Person being the Sonne of God the man then in framing in the wombe of the Virgin Mary By this being a great abasing to him Phil 2.6 7. Hebr 2.14 he merited and procured that our originall sinne wherein we were conceived and borne of our parents should be pardoned and purged Psal 51.3 P. What were the actions of Christs life whereby hee wrought our salvation M. They were these principally 1. In his life hee was just righteous 1 Pet. 3.18 for hee knew no sinne experimentally 2 Cor. 5.21 But was holy and separate from sinners Hebr 7.26 Hee was Gods righteous servant Isay 53.11 He was made unto us righteousnesse 1 Cor 1.30 That by the imputatioÌ„ of the merit thereof to all true beleevers their imperfect righteousnes might be covered and they therein accepted and presented as faultlesse Iude verse 24 holy and without blame Eph 5.25 Yea that hee might establish them unblameable in holines before God 1 Thess 3 13. 2. In his life Christ made many heavenly prayers to God his Father for his Elect and by them Christ merited that their faith might not faile Luke 22.32 nor they fall from grace but be brought safe to glory in heaven Ioh. 17.11.24 3. In the life of Christ 1. hee endured much poverty Mat 8.20 having not a house to put his head in of his owne though he were Lord of all Acts 10.36 2. Hee was much shamed and disgraced being reviled and rayled upon Mat 27.30 And 3. he was put to much paine being buffeted and scourged Matth 27.26 Ioh 19.1 Matth 26.6 7. But Christ merited and procured for us hereby that by his povertie we might be made rich 2 Cor 8.9 that by his disgrace wee might be honoured with this prerogative of being Gods children Iohn 1.12 that by his stripes we might be healed 1 Pet 2.24 And that all our afflictions might
of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7