knowledge and till the face of my soul shine and be glorified with those glorious apprehensions of God in the face of Jesus Christ which are accompanied with joy unspeakable and full of glory The three and twentieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question HOw may a Christian man or woman enliven the knowledge of himself that he or she may come fitly to the holy Sacrament Ans Having in the same manner first made choice of fit time And secondly place or at the same time and place Thirdly he or she may by the power of Christ examine his knowledge of himself and mankinde Gen. 1.27 and 1.31 and 28. Eccl. 7.29 First in respect of his estate by creation righteous and good Secondly of his state of corruption sin and death by Adams fall Gen. 6.5 Eccl. 7.29 Eph. 2.1 2 3. Col. 1.12 13 14. and 2.6 7. Mat. 5.8 and 19.29 Luk. 22.9 22.30 Rev. 7.14 and his or her misery and bondage under it a woful estate Thirdly of his state of Grace and bringing some to God in Christ in his effectual vocation or calling from the thraldom of sin and death by the Gospel and spirit of Christ Fourthly of state of glory looked for in Heaven Quest 2. What is the fourth means or how in the next place is this knowledge of a mans self to be quickened Ans By meditation and thinking of this fourfold estate First of Creation Secondly of the Fall Thirdly of Grace And fourthly of glory until my heart be truly and rightly affected with the consideration of it by the power of Christ and his spirit First till I can lament my fall and losse of Gods Image in my soul Psal 51.1 c. Rom. 10.7 8. Eph. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 5 2 8 6 5 2 Secondly till I can see and feel in my heart my natural corruption and bondage under sin and Satan yea my subjection by sin to the wrath of God and damnation for sin and my extreme need of Christ both for my redemption and repair of the Image of God in my soul Thirdly Rom. 8.12 Phil. 4.11 c. Eph. 5. i 2. 1 Cor. 2.9 2 Thes 2.13 2 Cor. 5.1 c. Phil. 1.20 c. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Gen 1.27 31. Eccl. 7.29 Eph. 2.3 Mark 9.44 till I be affected with the state of Grace as a happy condition being freed from the condemning and commanding power of sin and death and enjoying a lively power from Christ to walk thankfully in grace and holinesse towards glory Fourthly till my heart be affected and ravished with thoughts of Heaven longing and labouring for the assurance of that most glorious and blessed state of glory and all this not by any strength of my own but by the vertue and power of Christ in my soul Quest 3. What is the fifth means of enlivening this knowledge in your own soul in special for your joyful meeting Christ in this Ordinance Ans Application of my knowledge of every state and condition to my own soul in particular First that I was made holy and happy in Gods own Image very good Secondly that I lost that happy estate and became most miserable under the bondage of sin and Satan and subject to the wrath of God and Hell fire for ever Thirdly that I redeemed from this miserable bondage under sin and death by my Lord Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Gal. 2.20 1 Pet. 1.3 c. Eph. 1.10 c. Phil. 1.20 c. Tim. 4.7 8. Mat. 25.34 who loved me and gave himself for me Fourthly that I am perswaded there is a glorious inheritance in Heaven which God hath prepared and Christ hath purchased for me and that when I have fought my fight and finished my course the Lord shall then give it me in my soul when I shall be dissolved and be with Christ which is far better and at the resurrection of the just and unjust I shall a rise and in soul and body possesse that Kingdom of Glory for ever Quest 4. How or by what means may your knowledge of Christ be enlivened Ans First in a time fitly chosen And secondly a place for this work Thirdly examine and catechize my soul in the knowledge of Christ as he is set forth unto me in this or the like catechism or as the Lord hath revealed this knowledge of Christ unto me First in his natures Divine and humane Secondly In this personal union of both natures in one person Thirdly In his offices of mediatorship Priest Prophet and King of his Church Fourthly Ioh. 1.14 Isa 9.6 Psa 110.1 Isa 61.1 2 3. Rom. 8.29 30. Luke 1.31 Gal. 4.2 3 4. in his benefits and graces communicated as of Election Redemption Calling Justification Sanctification and Adoption to glory and the like All proved and noted before Quest 5. What is a fourth help in which you may wait on Christ for your enlivening your divine knowledge of the Lord Iesus and what light from Christ for this Answer Meditation of Christ according to my knowledge in all these untill I see Christs glory and rejoyce in Christ Psal 104 33 34. Ioh. 8.56 Isa 61.10 Can. 5.1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.2 3 4. Cant. 1.1 2 3 4. Cant. 5.8 9 10. Iohn 20.27 28 29. Rom. 8.9 Rom. 9.38 39. Galat. 2.20 and fall in love and be ravished with divine longing after a more full union and enjoyment of Christ and his rich graces and benefits in my soul Fifthly in application of Christ and his vertue and efficacy of his grace in his whole office of mediatorship as high Priest Prophet and King untill I see I live and feel the life-blood of grace and vertue from Christ in assurance of Christs love springing in my soul as I sometimes feel my life-blood springing in my body Quest 6. What is a sixt and last help of enlivening the knowledge of Christ in you Answer Waiting upon God in faithfull and fervent prayers to God in the name of Christ untill I gain an answer of grace Psal 85.8 9. Gen. 41.16 Psal 42.1 2 3. and finde and feel life from Christ to quicken graces in me that I may come with more longing to meet Christ in the Sacrament walk with Christ in my life Quest 7. How or by what means may you enliven your knowledge of the Sacrament Answer By the same meanes I may wait upon Christ as before First choose a fit time Secondly a fit place Thirdly examine my knowledge of the Sacraments especially of the Lords Supper in the severall particulars as is expressed in the Catechisme before or in the Scripture of truth of author matter form and end and the like Quest 8. What is the fourth help Fourthly to meditate of the Sacrament and Christ communicating himselfe to prepared souls untill my heart be filled with spirituall hunger and longing to meet Christ in that holy ordinance as David to come into Gods presence Psal 63.1 2 3 4. 5. or as Israel longed
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
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
this light appear Ans First in the undersanding by that spark or light of reason left in the mindes of men and women since the fall of Adam Rom. 1.18 c. Acts 17.24 c. by which from the visible things which are and are seen and the natures order and government of them they may and have argued and attained to the knowledge of an invisible God which must of necessity be the being of beings the incomprehensible nature that gives nature to nature it self and is that first cause and ruler of all things and this light shining so far as to make all men without excuse Quest 8. If there be such a light of reason What was the cause then that divers naturall Heathen men did deny or doubt whether there was such a God Ans That ignorance and Atheisme did not arise from any principle in pure nature but from nature corrupted and that Idolatry and blinde superstition of the Gentiles who having lost the knowledge of true God Ier. 44.17 18. Rom. 2.15 Rom. 1.19 20. Rom. 1.19 c. Psal 14. Wisd 13. 14. c. wandred in the seeking out and setting up so many false Gods creatures and images and imaginations so that blinde men seeing the vanity and falshood of these were tempted and drawn like the foolish man to think in their hearts and sometimes to say there was no God at all Quest 9. How doth this appear further Ans Because however some particular men have doubted Exod. 31.30 33. Exo. 32.4 5. Deu. 7.4 2 Kin. 18.33 c. Acts 17.23 yet no Nation under heaven but have confessed a God though they did not lightly know the true God Quest 10. What other light is there from the book of nature Ans The world and creatures themselves which could not be from all Eternity but must have a beginning Rom. 1.10 Ps 19.1 2 102.25 26. pro. 16.4 Acts 17.18 Psal 8.1 2 c. Iob 38. 39. 40. nor could the creatures make themselves and besides nature order and use of the creatures in heaven and earth some without life as earth and light and heat and rain nourishing grasse and herbs which have a growing life and grasse and herbs nourishing beasts and cattell which have a sensitive life and all these serving men which have a reasonable life and whom should men serve and honour but their first maker who is the cause of all things and giveth life and being unto all and who must of necessity be God and none but God Quest 11. But doth not the preservation of the Creatures and right ordering of times and seasons Summer and Winter witnesse God Ans Yes verely If we consider First Acts 14.17 Deut. 32.39 Ier. 14.22 Psa 14 P. 1 2 c. 2 Kin. 5.6.7 Deu. 8.3 Mat. 5.45 6.25 c. 10.29 c. the wonderfull preservation of the Creatures in their kindes and the continuance of them in all Ages Secondly the variety of herbs and plants by vertue of the earth and rain and warmth of the Sun not as of themselves but from God Thirdly the admirable generation breeding and forming of the Bird in the egge of the silk worm and Phoenix and such like Fourthly the variety of the forms of men and beasts and the fashioning of man and all his parts before he is born Fifthly the giving of life and quickning power of life which man nor any Creature can give Sixthly the forming of the Spirit of man within him Zach. 12.1 Seventhly the giving vertue to our cloathes to warm us and our meat which is without life to nourish life in us All this must needs hold forth a Divine living being which must needs be God ordering all by his power and wise Providence Quest 12. What further testimony is there in the Book of Nature of the Divine being as of a great mighty everliving and powerfull God Ans Even the conscience of man within him which is an act of the whole soul reflecting upon it self First In the memory as a Register recording Rom. 2.14 15. and when God awakens accusing or excusing and witnessing thoughts words or actions good or evil Secondly In the understandinding Gen. 42.22 a Iudge giving sentence to condemne or to acquit according to that light rule or Law with which it is enlightned Thirdly In the hearts Gen. 4.13 14. Mat. 26.75 will and affections an Executioner to punish or reward with joy or grief with boldnesse or terror according to the nature of the fact or feeling of it Rom. 2.15 Gen. 42.21 22. Iudg. 1.7 Dan. 5.5.6 Ier. 10.4 Act. 24.15 GeÌ„ 4.14 Fourthly And all this with trembling in wicked men and joy in good As a Coroners inquest or verdict preparing for the Judge of Assize or Sessions so doth the conscience in reference to some higher power and divine Iudge to whom account must be given in the end which Iudge must needs be God Mat. 27.3 4 15. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Quest 13. You have given good evidence from the light and book of nature What is there from the light of Grace and Book of the Scripture witnessing this Divine essence and Eternall being of such a God Ans There are many evidences revealed in Scripture of God and his Divine eternall infinite wisdom power and incomprehensible nature filling heaven and earth and in a wonderfull manner creating and governing all things Quest 14. What is the first Evidence Ans His wonderfull voice from heaven without beholding any similitude or likenesse at all Exod. 19.19 20.1 18 19. Heb. 11.18 19 c Deut. 4.12 15. 5.22 23 24. 1 King 19.8 to 18. Mat. 3.17 17.5 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. Quest 15. What is the second evidence Ans His wonderfull Promises and Prophecies made so many hundred years before and fulfilled in time Gen. 3.15 Gal. 4.1 2 3. Gen. 15.13 14 15. Exod. 12.40 41. Ier. 25.11 12. Dan. 9.1 2. 2 Chron. 36.21 22 23. Ezra 8.31 32 c. Quest 16. What is the third Evidence Ans Gods dreadfull judgements upon wicked men for their sins Gen. 6.3 and 7.11 12 21. and 11.7 8. and 19.24 25. Dan. 6.24 Acts 12.23 Quest 17. What is the fourth Evidence Ans His miracles and miraculous deliverance of his Children in times of danger Exod. 14.21 to 31. Iosh 10.12 13. Isa 28.1 2 King 10.11 and 5.14 Dan. 3.24 and 6.22 23. and 4.33 34 35 36. Matth. 11.4 5 6. Quest 18. What is the fifth Evidence Ans Gods admirable revealing of secrets to the convincing even of Pagans themselves who knew not God Gen. 4.8.9 10. Iosh 7.18 19 c. 1 Sam. 23.11 12. 2 King 6.8 9 c. Dan. 2.46 47. Iosh 1.48 49. 1 Cor. 14.24 25. Heb. 2.4 12. Quest 19. What is the sixth Evidence Aâ—s The wonderfull conversion of men and women to believe and confesse a God to believe in Christ to repent and become new Creatures for the manifestation of Gods wisdom power and
Rev. 2.10 2 Tim. 4.8 c. Mat. 16.16 c. an acceptation of our person and all our services in this life and an assurance of the crown of Righteousnesse and glory in heaven with perseverance in grace and protection from men and Devils here and preservation to that heavenly Kingdom and Salvation These and many more are the rich blessings Christ hath purchased and God the Father given to his Church in Christ Jesus Quest 25. But what is this Church and people for whom the Lord Christ hath procured and to whom he communicates so many excellent benefits both of grace and glory Ans * Eph 1.4 5 6 7. Act. 20.28 Mat. 1 21. Rom. 8.29 30. 1 Pet. 1.4 5. 2 Tim. 4.7 8 18. 2 Cor. 5.1 2 8. Phil 1.23 Rev. 14.13 1 Thes 4.16 17. The Church of God is that company of people who are Gods chosen ones whom Christ hath purchased with his own blood saved from their sins in time calleth justifieth sanctifieth and preserveth here in grace in a condition Militant and in the end translateth to glory in and to an estate Triumphant in the heavens for ever Quest 26. Is there a communion of Saints or of this Church and people of God 1 Cor. 12.12 c. 1 Ioh. 1.3 Eph 4.3 c. Gal. 3.27 c. Ans Yes certainly true believers are united as one Body in Christ their Head and have a sweet union and communion with God the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ and one with another in Christ in all these rich benefits procured by Christ for their souls and bodies and their happinesse for ever Quest 27. Who is the Head of the Church Ans The Lord Christ himself who was exalted up on high Eph. 1.20 c. Phil. 2.9 10. Eph. 4.15 16. Mat. 28.18 when he was raised from the Dead by the working of Gods mighty power and set at Gods right hand far above all principalities and power and every name in heaven and earth and appointed him to be the Head over all things to the Church all power being given unto Christ in heaven and in earth Quest 28. Is there but one Head of the Church 1 Cor. 12.12 27. 1 Thes 2.3 4 Ans Certainly no as Christs Church is one mystical Body so it hath but one mystical Head Christ himself to have two Heads ascribed to the Church were to make it a Monster Therefore the Pope or whosoever taketh upon him to be Head of the Church is not a friend of Christ but Antichrist Quest 29. Rev. 17.14 1 Cor. 12.27 c. Eph. 4.12 Heb. 1.1 c. Eph. 1.22 23. Heb. 12.22 Re 19.10 Who are the Members of Christs Church Ans All who are truly called and chosen and faithful believers and children of believers Elected in Christ yea the Elect Angels themselves in some respect are the Members of this Church of Christ he being exalted to be Head both of Angels and Men. Quest 30. How manifold is the Church of Christ Ans The Church of Christ is one Body of which Christ is the Head Gal. 3.28 Eph. 4 4. Can 6.8 Ioh. 10.16 one Dove one Flock as there is one Shepheard the Lord Jesus But in divers respects it hath divers names ascribed unto it 1. It is called Catholike or Universal Gal. 3.28 Heb. 12.23 Rev. 2. 3. as it relates to the children of God in all Ages and places of the world yea in heaven as well as in earth 2. It is called Particular as it relates to particular Countreys and Congregations believing in Christ and professing the Gospel Act. 2.41 2 Tim. 2.19 Eph. 6.11 Mat. 25.34 3. It is called visible as it relates to the open professors of the Faith 4. It is called invisible as it respects the Elect chiefly known to God himself 5. It is called Militanâ— as it is warring on Earth And 6. Triumphant as they are conquerours in the Kingdom of Heaven Quest 31. What are the marks of the Church Mat. 28.19 20. Act. 2.42 1 Cor. 11.23 c. 2 Thes 2.13 Ans First the outward marks are two The pure Preaching of the Word of God and right Administration of the Sacraments Secondly the inward are Faith and holinesse as the way to happinesse Quest 32. How are the keys of Jurisdiction or Discipline to be ordered in the Church Mat. 16.19 Ioh. 20.23 Mat. 18.15 c. 1 Cor. 5.5 16.22 2 Cor. 2.7 8 Ans According as Christ hath set down in the Scriptures to Gods glory and good of his Church Quest 33. You have briefly spoken of the true Church and true Members of the Church Gods Elect known to God But doth every visible National or particular Congregation of men professing themselves to be a Church of Christ consist only of such true Members without Hypocrites or false Christians in name not in truth Ans Certainly we do not read of any National Church visible but had or might seem to have some Hypocrites in it some false Brethren some who after they were admitted or taken as Members in the judgement of the Church proved erroneous in judgement and fell to Errors and Heresies or scandalous in life and fell to prophanenesse until they were discovered and Excommunicated or Schismatically rent themselves from that true Church and Congregation wherein they were as the Churches of Corinth Rev. 2.12 c. 1 Ioh. 2.18 19. of Galatia Ephesus Pergamos and other Churches since the Apostles times and History of Churches witnesse at large Quest 34. Are there so many absolute independent Churches of Christ as there are particular Churches or Congregations truly professing Christ and enjoying the Word and Sacraments in truth throughout the Christian World Ans Verely the Church of Christ is but one as we proved before Eph. 4.2 3 4. 4.1 5 16. and this one Catholique or Universal Church is depending upon Christ the Head whose Body the Church is and every particular true Church called Congregational Classical Provincial or National or by any other name is a Member of this Universal Church or Mystical body of Christ the Head 1 Cor. 12.21 c. and as no Member of the Body of man or woman is absolute and independent of itself but all the Members stand in need one of another are to submit one to another in love and duty and to be helpful one to another for the good of the whole Body So I humbly conceive it is and ought to be with the Churches of Christ 1 Cor. 12.20 Eph. 5.25 26 Act. 20.28 who are many Members yet but one Church which he hath loved and given himself for and purchased with his own blood and as no Church ought to be tyrannical or have a tyrannical power over another so no particular Member Church is or ought to be so independent 1 Cor. 12.25 c. but that the Member Churches should have the same care one for another that there be no Schisme
the spirit of Christ to know believe and feel and be affected in his heart and conscience with his own self guiltinesse of sin original and actual and of bondage under sin and misery due to sin yea of his subjection to the wrath of God to death and damnation eternal for sin Thirdly with the sence of his utter inability to save himself Fourthly of his extreme need of Christ in some sence Eph. i. 16 c. Heb. 4.12 13. 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 2 Tim. 3.15 c. Ier. 31.34 2 Cor. 5.16 Ps 57 i.2 3. Rom. 3.20 and 7.17 Eph. 16.28 c. Gen. 30. 1 Mar. 5.25 c. Phi. 1.29 Act. 16.14 and 13.48 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3. Eph. 1 i6 17 c. Rom. 10.17 Gen. 18.18 19. Mat. 16.13 c. Eph. 1.19 2 Cor. 3.8 and 4.5 Gal. 4.15 6. and 5.4 5 6. Luk. 24.25 c. Prov. 30.5 Isai 5.20 Ioh. 5.39 Rom. 15.4 act 17.11 12. and 24.14 c. and 2.19 Eph. 1.13 1 Tim. 1.5 c. act 20.24 Rom. 10.10 2 Tim. 1.12 act 15.9 Gal. 5.6 as Rachel did of children give me Christ or else I die then is the soul fit and ready to receive Christ with his precious justifying living Faith Quest 5. Who and what is the principal worker or efficient cause of our Faith Ans The principal efficient cause is God himself the Father Son and blessed Spirit or God the Father in the Son by the Spirit which great God by his Grace and in his free love hath elected and doth call his children to Faith and Glory in the Gospel and worketh Faith in them by the spirit of Faith and working of his mighty power in the world Quest 6. What is the instrumental efficient or working cause of Faith the means by which or by whom we believe Ans This is two fold outward and inward and the outward is ordinarily the Word of God in the preaching of the Gospel and catechizing inwardly the spirit of Christ called the spirit of Faith Quest 7. What is the material cause ground or object of Faith Ans The whole Word of God in general and the rich promises of Grace and Covenant of Gods free love or Gospel of the Grace of God in particular Quest 8. What is the form or nature of this Faith this precious Faith of Gods Elect Ans The form of this Faith First is not onely a light of knowledge in the understanding and assent to the truth of the Word of God as an historical Faith is Secondly Nor some temporary joy in the word as in temporal Faith Thirdly but it is this knowledge and assent joyned with a firm confidence and affiancy in the heart and will to rest on Christ and Christ his merits and righteousnesse and to trust in Christ alone for salvation As the vegetative or growing life and the sensitive or life of sence is joyned with the reasonable faculty or reasonable life in the soul in man which distinguisheth men and women from all brute creatures even so is this confidence and assured rest on Christ in this Faith joyned with knowledge and assent and sweet fruits in Faith which distinguisheth it from all false faith whatsoever Quest 9. But hath this true Faith allwayes joyned with it this confidence and assured rest on Christ Ans This Faith when it is a stronge well grown Faith 1 Cor. 7.5 Mat. 8.26 and 14.31 Isai 42.3 Psal 1.6 Heb. 12.2 it hath this blessed confidence and assured rest on Christ though not alwayes free from temptations to doubt But a weak Faith though it be a true Faith is often subject to fears and doubtings yet so as God in Christ inables the soul to stand and adhere to Christ and preserved from final despaire in greatest times of tryal for the comfort of weak Christians Quest 10. What are the effects and fruits of this true lively Faith Ans The effects of this true lively Faith in a believer or of Christ in the soul Christ thus truely apprehended and rested on by Faith in apprehending of Christs righteousnesse are divers And First justification by Christs righteousnesse and merits Rom. 5.1 act 13.39 Secondly sanctification and purity of heart 1 Cor. 1.1 2 3. Thirdly Christian liberty from the condemning and commanding power of sin Rom. 8.12 Rom. 5.1 Fourthly peace of conscience which passeth all understanding 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 8.35 36 37 38. Iohn 8. 5 6. Rom. 5.4.5 and 15.13 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Heb. 11.1 1 Pet. 1.8 Fifthly Love of Christ and a longing desire to walk in the wayes of Grace inseparable against all persecution Sixthly Joy in the love and sight of Christ and in the comfortable assurance of perseverance in grace and lively hope of Heaven Seventhly A kinde of entrance into eternal glory Faith making that as present to the eye of our souls which is not seen or present to the eyes of our bodies and yet affecting a beleevers heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory Qâ—est 11. What is the end of this true lively justifying faith this precious faith of Saints Ans The end of this faith or Christs benefits received and enjoyed by Faith is Ephes 1.5 6 7. 2 Thes 1.10 Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. 1 Pet. 1.9 Rom. 8.30 First and principally the glory of God in Christ Secondly the preservation comforting and strengthning of our souls in the Kingdom of Grace with our everlasting salvation in the Kingdom of glory for evermore The twenty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have made profession of your knowledge concerning the Grace of Faith Now what is you knowledge concerning the Third Grace the Grace of Evangelical Repentance to be examined renewed and enlivened of every Communicant men and women before the approach to the Lords Table What light have we from Christ concerning this Grace Ans By what I have learned from Christ I conceive Evangelical Repentance Renovation Regeneration new Creation and Conversion unto God is a Grace of God reconciled to us in Christ by which a poor soul enlightned by the Spirits working in or by the Word of God First With a true knowledge sight Rom. 3.20 and 7.7 Luke 15.17 and sence of sin original and actual Secondly Of the misery and bondage under sin Thirdly Terrour of the wrath of God due to sin Fourthly With tidings of Christ a Saviour Acts 5.31 Exalted to give Repentance and Remission of sin Iere. 31.18 Acts 2.36 37. Gen. 4.13 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.4 5. Acts 2.37 38. and 16.28 29 30. Iere. 31.19 First Is troubled stinged pricked and wounded in conscience sorrowful broken-hearted and humbled under Gods hand bemoaning himself for sin as Ephraim of old Secondly Brought to a kinde of despair though not final or a despair of Gods mercy in Christ as Cain Saul Achitophel and Judas yet with a despair of themselves or of any power in themselves to save themselves
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
in the Primitive times truly believers and converted to Christ before they were baptized 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 8.11 and indeed all the Saints in the world make but one body or Church of Christ quickened by Christs spirit to life eternal This godly Mr. Perkins excellently sets forth by a similitude which I shall expresse in this order Mr. Perkins on the creed Suppose a man as high as heaven his legs standing one in Asia the other in America his hands spred out one over Europe the other over Africa his toes and fingers in England France Germany and other parts of the world many hundred miles distant asunder and all quickened by one and the same soul This distance of place doth not hinder the union of every part of the body to the head and of each part to the fellow members or the truth of any part in particular There is and may be a sweet union and communion of one part with another though far distant in places and Countries Kingdoms Cities and Common wealths where they live and a truth of each part though not all beautiful alike one excelling in graces above another In the same manner the Head of the mystical Body and Church of Christ is now in heaven the Lord Christ himself our Lord and Saviour and some of his members in heaven with him and some in earth and of these some part in England some in Scotland some in Germany some in divers other Kingdoms Nations Provinces Cities Parishes and Congregations of men in several places of the world many hundred ye thousand miles some parts distant from the other and the spirit of God is as it were the soul of this body which giveth spiritual life unto all the members and all united by this one and the same spirit by whom we are all baptizâ—d into one body as we noted before And so first you see how the Church may be said to be Catholike or Universal as it comprehendeth all the members of the body scattered in divers Countries Secondly how it is and may be called national as it is a company called of God to believe repent and professe subjection to the Faith and Gospel-holinesse living and preserved in England Scotland or other Nations Thirdly how it was or might be called a Church provincial in the Province or Countrey of Galatia in the Cities of Ephesus Corinth Geneva London or other Cities and Provinces greater or lesse whatsoever Lastly how the same Church of Christ is and may be called particular or congregational as it relates to persons called professing Faith and holinesse admitted to Church communion and united together in a holy profession and participation of Word Sacraments and other ordinances of Christ Iesus in one parochial or congregational Assembly all as particular true members of the Catholike or Universal Church of Christ Quest 17. What or how manifold is that outward corporal or visible entrance into the visible Church of Christ and fellowship of the Saints Ans As the inward entrance is but one in substance Eph. 1.5 2 Tim. 1.9 1 Cor. 6.11 Ioh. 10.7 Ioh. 14.6 and thus in and by Christ we are elected and chosen of God the Father but it is in and by Christ and so we are inwardly called and justified and sanctified but it is in and by the same spirit of Christ The Lord Christ is the onely way and door of entrance into the Church Millitant and Church triumphant and so likewise there is but one outward entrance and admission into the Church of Christ for the substance and principal matter of it and this was by way of Covenant and seal of the Covenant as an Ordinance of Christ although there have been divers manners and wayes in the practise of the Churches and amongst the Saints of the most High yet all I conceive by a charitable and Christian construction may be referred to and for substance ageee with the Ordinance and institution of Christ Quest 18. What is or was the first of these wayes of admission and entrance into the Church or Church-fellowship and communion of Saints before Christ coming in our humane nature Ans To omit former times and what was the practise of the Church then and Gods Ordinance the footsteps thereof not being easily to be found I look upon that Ordinance and Institution of Christ with Abraham and the practise of the Church in Abrahams family and Generation Rom. 4.16 17. Abraham being in some respect the Father of the Faithful and the Church in his house a Type if I may so call it of the Church of Christ since the coming of Christ and of the household of Faith Quest 19. Gen. 17.2 3 c. Isai 56.6 7. Num. 15. Exo. 12.48 Gen. 17. What was the Institution of Christ and Direction to Abraham for admission and entrance into the Church Ans This Ordinance of Christ to Abraham was by way of Covenant between God and Abraham and Abrahams Seed the Faithful or beleevers and compleated by a signe and seal of this Covenant in Abraham and his children and all that should come in to be of Abrahams family and so members of the Church and to their children at eight dayes old as to Isaac and all Abrahams posterity This signe and seal was Circumcision as we may reade Gen. 17. Quest 20. But howsoever there was and might be a Covenant between God and Abraham and so between men of ripe yeers and the Lord mutually Yet how could there be a Covenant between God and Abrahams young children or the children of other beleevers when they were circumcised Whereas they were but eight dayes old and Circumcision in the ordinary way to be deferred no longer And how were these admitted into the Church by Covenant and Circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace between God and Abraham Ans First The Covenant or Promise on Gods part or by the Lord was with Abraham himself and in and with Abraham to and with the children and beleeving posterity of Abraham And all Proselytes whom the Lord should convert and draw in to beleeve and to be of Abrahams Family or of the Church by Faith and Profession manifested by submitting unto and accepting of Circumcision Gen. 17. that signe and seal of the Covenant appointed by the Lord to Abraham and to and for Abrahams posterity and all such converted Proselytes and their children whatsoever Secondly As on Abrahams part Gen. 12. Gen. 17. Rom. 4.11 the Covenant was mutually made with God by himself in taking the Lord for his God as he had done before by beleeving the Promise That in him that is in his Seed Christ should all the nations of the Earth be blessed renewed here again as expressed more fully in and by acceptance of and submitting unto circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace and of the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah to come and so by men of ripe years Proselytes converted to
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
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
vertue of the same promise of Christ who hath performed and sealed now in the Sacrament what he promised Receive assurance that Christ hath given his body to be crucified and given his blood to be shed for my sins And thirdly by the same Sacramental promise I am now assured that I shall receive all the vertue merits and efficacy of the body and blood of Christ necessary for assurance of my Justification sanctification and salvation as assuredly as if I had been present when Christ spake those words or made that promise to his Disciples or that I did now hear the bodily voyce of Christ now speaking unto me from heaven by the ear of my body as he speaks to the ear of my body by his Minister and now speaks to the ears of my believing soul by the voyce of his spirit perswading and enabling me to believe the truth of these Sacramental promises Fourthly Therefore I conclude that I may eat and drink at this Table to my joy and comfort Now I may be assured that Christ gave his body to be crucified and his blood to be shed for my sins or that he loved me and gave himself for me Quest 15. What now is to be acted by you when you hear and see the Sacramental promises held forth unto you Ans I may follow the former Directory in a threefold respect 1. Diligent observation of the promisory words This is my body given for you broken for you This is my blood shed for you and for many for remission of sins Take and eat Take and drink 2. A divine meditation of this promise the same or like effect as before is declared in the Paraphrase of it in answer of the former Question 3. A sweet and rejoycing Application by faith of this promise to my own soul Mark 14.22 23. for my comfortable emboldning and encouragement to take and eat take and drink and feed on Christ to my souls cherishing comfort and the refreshing of life of grace in my heart Quest 16. What is the eighth Sacramental action object or subject in this Ordinance of Christ in and about which your senses acts or actions corporal or spiritual may be exercised when you are at the Lords Table Ans Sacramental participation 1. In taking and eating of that Bread the Sacramental body of Christ and taking and drinking that Wine the Sacramental blood of Christ with the hand and mouth of the body Matthew 26.26 27. 2. In taking and feeding on Christs body crucified 1 Cor. 10.16 and taking and drinking of Christs blood shed for me and of the vertue power and merits of Christ and all the benefits of Christs Passion Death and Resurrection not corporally or carnally with hand or mouth of my body but spiritually by a true and lively feeling apprehending and applying faith which is the hand and mouth of my soul to strengthen and nourish my soul and body my life of grace in me to life Eternal Quest 17. What may be done for better quickning your soul in this participation of Christ and this blessed feast at Christs Table Ans 1. I may and ought to observe diligently this rich feast upon which I feed Isa 25.6 as a feast of fat things which the Lord promised his people a feast of fat things full of marrow a feast of wines on the lees well refined Yea not onely Bread and Wine for my body but Christ himself and all his rich benefits to feed my soul Iohn 6.27 c. to strengthen my life of faith by the living vertue of Christ ingrace till I get possession of glory Quest 18. What is the second Ans A divine meditation of Christ as of the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God Gen 2.9 3.22 Re. 22.2 22.17 Ioh. 4.14 Phil. 4.11 c. of which whosoever eateth shall live for ever as a Tree of Life yea a Tree of life which beareth twelve manner of fruits and yield fruit every moneth and oftner if I meet Christ oftner in his Ordinances yea living fruit which hath a living vertue to revive and quicken a dying fainting soul to strengthen a weak and almost decaying grace as of Knowledge Faith Repentance Love Joy Peace contentment in my heart yea the very leaves of this Tree Christ are good to heal all diseases and infirmities in a soul every taste of Christ in this feast is restaurative filling my dead heart with cheerful and soul-rejoycing spirits of life vital spirits indeed as from Christ himself that everliving fountain of water of life springing up in me to life eternal so that I may and can do all things and glorifie God with sweet contentment and rejoycing delight in every condition through Christ that strengthneth me Quest 19. What is the thing in exercise whereof your soul may be more fully revived and strengthned in the participation of Christ at the Lords Table Ans 3. A lively faithful application Psa 27.8 Cant. 5.1 Psal 19.10 Iohn 6.57 58. in feeding by faith upon Christ and the assurance of Christs love unto me a sweet spiritual eccho answering of Christs welcom as if thou shouldst say Lord thou bidst me eat and drink and welcom yea eat thy flesh and drink thy blood in and by believing that thou gavest thy body to be crucified and thy blood to be shed for my sins Now by faith I do eat by faith I do drink I do feed on thee I do rejoyce in thee I finde sweetness in thee above all the sweetness in the world sweeter then the hony and the hony-comb still feed thou my soul and shew me thy gracious and thy glorious refreshings more and more until I come to feast with thee in glory Quest 20. What is the ninth Sacramental object act action fruit or benefit in this feast of the Lord in and about which you should exercise your senses acts and operations of body or soul in or at this blessed Sacrament Ans That Sacramental union or communion with Christ and the Saints of God fellow-members of Christ and those most refreshings from Christ in the enjoyment of Christ and his spiritual and most joyful presence to my soul held forth in these Sacramental promises which Christ the God-man hath spoken in his holinesse and which makes my soul rejoyce within me and having the present possession of Christ in feeding on Christ spiritually eating his flesh and drinking his blood and so having an admirable union communion with Christs Iohn 6.56 Psal 16.12 in enjoyment of all his benefits Christ now dwelling in me and I in him as one day I shall in his presence have fulnesse of joy and pleasures for ever more Quest 21. What may you now do by vertue of Christ Or What acts of your soul may you exercise Or in what may you wait on Christ for your greater profit and comfort in this most gracious union and communion with Christ and the Saints Rom. 8.17 the heirs
meditation of this great and inestimable love of God in Christ and most free love of Christ to my soul God the Father not onely loving me to give Christ his Son for me and the Lord Christ so loving me as to give himself for me and to give the Gospel of grace to manifest this his invaluable love but also to give the Sacraments and this Sacrament of the Lords Supper in particular to seal this wonderful surpassing love of God in Christ to my soul manifested in his death and passion for me and God the holy Ghost to witnesse this to me and in this meditation to be perswaded and assured by the strength of Christs spirit that I have a most sure right title and interest to Christ to his Death Passion Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession and to all the fruits and benefits of all these to my soul and that all these are most surely and firmly sealed and confirmed to me in this Sacrament to the glorious strengthning of my faith and rejoycing of my soul in Christ Iesus having loved me and given himself for me Gal. 2.20 Quest 27. What is the third act orr operation of the soul in which by the power of Christs spirit you may improve this Sacramental obsignation to your self to your joy and comfort Ans A spiritual and faithful application First of this blessed Sacrament as appointed and instituted by Christ as a seal to confirm my faith and an application of Christ and his glorious benefits sealed and assured to my soul and sealed to all Saints who have a holy union and communion with me in this Sacrament and a communion in and with Christ held forth and communicated in this Ordinance Reason For the bread broken is the communion of the body of Christ and the cup which is blessed is the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 17. and we that are many are one bread and one body for we are all partaker of that one bread and so I have both union and communion with Christ and with the Saints both sealed to me in this Sacrament Simile For as a Princes Broad or commonseal annexed to an Evidence confirmeth or sealeth up to the party to whom the Deed or Evidence is made the truth of all those Promises and Covenants which are contained in that Deed or Evidence or Letters or Patents So this Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ being as it were great Broad Seal of the Prince of Heaven and Earth Christ Iesus it sealeth to my soul all the promises and covenants in that great Charter the Covenant of Grace for my confirmation and establishment in Christ and Christs righteousnesse received by faith As circumcision of old Simile and Baptism in the time since Christs Ascention seals my entrance into Christ and clothing upon with Christ and his righteousnesse and ingrafting into Christ for nourishing vertue to life eternal So that I may still conclude with the Apostle certainly Christ loved me and gave himself for me Romans 4.11 Isaiah 61.10 Galathians 3.27 1 Peter 1.4 5. Galathians 2.20 The twenty ninth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your faith and knowledge of all those present acting concomitant graces and gracious acts and operations of your soul which are to be exercised at the Lords Table in every Sacramental act and object of your senses corporal and spiritual to your refreshing and strengthning in the Lord Jesus by vertue from Christ the heavenly husband of your soul Now what light from Christ have you for those subsequent graces or gracious following acts or operations of soul or body in the inner man which are to be exercised and acted by you after the partaking of Christ in this holy Ordinance that a Christian may walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of his or her life And what light have you received from Christ to lead you to Christ in this respect Ans There are two kindes of graces or gracious acts some to be put in practise presently and immediatly before we depart from the Ordinance and some after in the whole course of our lives and callings general and special Quest 2. What are those to be acted and put in execution in and upon the act of receiving before you depart from this holy Sacrament in which you may wait on Christ for a sweet and full assurance of Christs love unto you and of all those rich and invaluable benefits which the Lord Christ doth communicate and seal to your soul at the Lords Table Ans The first is a spiritual repletion Sacramental satisfaction glorious rest and full contentment in this rich Banquet at the Lords Table not in the action alone as resting in the thing done but having now fully fed on Christ Psal 63.1 c. and being satisfed with Christs sweetnesse as with marrow and fatnesse Quest 3. How are your affections now bent towards Christ Ans I desire now heavenly dainties and resolve by the power of Christ to feed no more at the Table of Devils upon the prodigals husks of sinful profits and pleasures Hos 14.8 Luke 15.16 221 30. 1 Cor 10. Ier. 50.4 5. Psa 65.4 but to keep my Covenant with my God in Christ for ever and to meet Christ upon all opportunities in his Ordinances that I may feed on Christ often at his Table of grace till I come to feast with him at his Table of glory Quest 4. In what manner or how may you wait on Christ in those three acts of your soul and inward man viz. 1. Serious observation 2. Divine meditation And 3. Faithful application for improvement of this rest satisfaction and spiritual content in this heavenly refreshing by Christ at the Lords Table What light from Christ for this duty 1 Pet. 2.3 Ans First for observation I may mark diligently divers particulars First what refreshings I finde in the ordinance Ioh. 13. Secondly what sign of Christ and his love to my soul in dying for my sins Thirdly how my affections are wrought upon with grief and godly sorrow in my soul 1. That my sins have crucified Christ 2. That I have been so unthankful and so often forgetful of this inestimable love to me Fourthly how I am cheered up with a joyful assurance that yet God accepteth me in Christ and that the pardon of my sins is now sealed to my soul in this Sacrament Quest 5. What assurance is gained from these Ans That Christ will make me strong in time to come 1. To resist all sin in thought word nnd deed And 2. More able to honour God in all estates and conditions 3. And more enlivened to delight in Christs presence of grace then ever before Cant. 5. Quest 6. What further grace way be observed Ans That in Christ I am more hungry after the Word of God 4. More longing to feast wit Christ in this Sacrament Acts 14.22 Luk.
22.30 and more inabled to powre out my soul in prayer more assured that although I may passe through many aafflictions yet I shall one day feast with Christ in the Kingdom of glory Quest 7. What further may you stir up in your soul Ans To observe how I am delighted and fully satisfied with this heavenly and joyful feast yea that I am so satisfied as never any more to feast at Satans Table or to have the least communion with the Devil the World or the Flesh or any sinful feast of sinful profits or pleasures whatsoever Isa 55.3 Iohn 6.34 35. as being now fully contented with Christs presence in this life and with assurance of Christs presence in that life eternal which is to come Quest 8. How may you wait on Christ in the second of these Divine meditations Gantâ— 2.3 c. Ans In fixing the eye of my soul so fully upon Christ in this feast I may meditate by the power of Christs spirit so exactly upon every particular dainty which my soul meeteth with at the Lords Table Quest 9. What else mayyou meditate upon Ans Upon those glorious refreshings and strengthnings of my soul in grace by the lively holding forth of Christ and my so near union and communion with Christ and with all the Saints until my soul say Cant. 2.1 c. It is enough Lord I desire no more but still to enjoy thee the delight of my soul and most thankfully to remember thy love above all the delights and loves of the world for ever Quest 10. How may you wait on Christ in the third and last faithful application of all to your own soul in particular Ans By the power of Christs spirit and faith I now by secret medication in faith may and do apply Christ and the love of Christ in all this rich feast to my own soul Quest 11. What benefits do you enjoy by this Ans First now by the eye of faith I see evidently that God my Father so loved me that he gave his Son for me that I now believing shall not perish Iohn 3.16 but have everlasting life Quest 12. What is a second Ans Secondly I now see by the eye of faith that my Lord Christ loved me and gave himself for me thar he is now become the Author and finisher of my faith yea Gal. 2.20 Heb. 12.2 the Author of eternal life to and for me to whom he hath given power to obey him in and by believing Quest 13. What is a third Ans Thirdly I now see by the eye of faith that all this great feast was prepared for me and lor my refreshing and souls contentment and is a sure and infallible sign Mat. 22.1 c. Iob 19.25 26. and seal and pledge of God my Fathers love to me in the Lord Christ who is my strength and my Redeemer Quest 14. What is a fourth Acts 3.20 21. Psa 24.7 Can. 5 1. Luk. 22.23 c Ans Fourthly I now see that although my Lord and Saviour my great King of glory who hath entred into the everlasting door of my soul keep his residence in his most glorious Court of heaven yet he hath been present with my soul in this rich feast of grace he hath fed me with his delicates he hath cheered up my spirits with his wines of joyes O the sweet meats of comforts that have made my soul fat this day I am filled with the loves of my Lord my heavenly husband who hath married me to himself for ever and made me sit with him at his Table Quest 15. What may I consider further Ans Fifthly How great was my unworthinesse and how invaluable was his love and Free-grace to my soul when he saw me in my blood and said live yea when I was in my blood dead in my sinful blood he gave me life when I was an Infant new born Exek 16.3 4. cast out to the loathing my person when my Father an Amorice and my Mother was an Hittite could not relieve me then my Christ my Lord did graciously succour me he cherished me he bred me up while I was grown in grace he cast his skirt of love over me and I became his and he made me glorious in grace through the comelinesse that he hath put upon me Quest 16. what is the sixth grace or benefit Ans Surely as I may so I will greatly rejoyce in my Lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation Isa 61.10 and he hath covered me with the robes of righteousnesse as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Quest 17. What is the seventh benefit Answ Seventhly when I was in danger of my life through the plots and conspiracies of bloody enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil I drew near into the presence of my Lord with a true heart in full assurance of faith Est 5.2 Heb. 10.22 Can. 4.6 having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water my Lord held forth his golden Scepter of grace and revived my spirits which formerly hid been fainting for want of his gracious presence Quest 18. What may you conclade from these Ans Now I may truly and assuredly conclude I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine I will hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering Can. 6.4 Heb. 10.23 c. 1 Thes 4.16 c. Luk. 22.36 Ioh. 17.24 for he is faithful that promised I will consider my brethren and sisters in Christ to provoke unto love and to good works and I will not forsake the assembling of our selves together to meet our Lord at his Table as the manner of some is but exhort one another while it is called to day because the day approacheth when our Lord and King Jesus will call us all by his last Trumpet to feast at his Table in heaven where we shall be with him and see his glory for ever and ever Amen Quest 19. What is a second grace or gracious action to be put in present execution before your departure from the congregation and communion of Saints in this sacred feast Ans A present manifestation of my thankfulnesse and love to Christ my Lord and Saviour again in the work of charity Neh. 8.8 Acts 20.7 2.46 1 Cor. 16.1 2 3. 2. Tim. 1.16 3. Ioh. 5 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 9.4 c. Ioh. 2.34 c. according to my ability to the poor Saints my fellow-members of the same body of which Christ my Lord is the Head that I may refresh their hungry bodies as the Lord Christ hath refreshed my hungry soul with plentiful refreshings at his Table Quest 21. What is the third grace or gracious action to be acted and exercised by the power of Christ to Gods glory and your own comfort before the Congregation be dismissed after partaking this
matter of our Worship And therefore 1. Men may see their extreme need of Christ for salvation Iohn 5.40 Mat. 17.5 and come in to Christ for Iustification and life eternal and to rest not upon our best services or performances of holy duties Rev. 8.4 Mat. 17.5 or any our graces but upon Christ for our acceptance with the Lord. Iohn 15.5 Phil. 4.13 2. Even Saints themselves may learn to wait daily on Christ in his Ordinances for true light strength and vâ—rtue from Christ wisely faithfully spiritually and truly to perform our holy services in publike and private Mark 5.30 to Gods glory and our own comfort in Christ Iesus And to direct and help you further for a more comfortable walking with God in Christ by true light from Christ Gen. 5.24 in your duties general as a Christian and particular in your calling and so all Christians in theirs not onely as they respect this second but all other Commandments of the first or second Table yea and as they relate to what is to be received by Faith and believed in the Gospel take these meditations and directions following First consider that the Lord Iesus Christ Ioh. 1.9 he is that true Light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Light that true that is that true Light with an Emphasis that surpassing excellent Light that increated Light that Essential Light all one with the Fathers Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 1.5 Heb. 1.2 3. Iam. 1.17 Isa 45.7 and so that Light in whom there is no darknesse at all who is the brightnesse of his Fathers glory and the expresse Image of his person That Original Light as God the Father is the Father of Light with whom is no Variablenesse nor shadow of turning so is God the Son the Father and Creator of Light for all things were made by him Iohn 1.3 and without him was made nothing that was made and so he created the light also not as he was God and man but as he was the eternal and onely begotten Son of God As Jehovah is a Name attributed to God Acts 17.28 because he hath his being of himself and giveth being to all Creatures so light is attributed to Christ because he is light in himself and giveth light unto all He enlightneth every man or woman tht cometh into and is enlightned in the world all that receive any true light of nature grace or glory they receive it in or by the Eternal Son of God That external created light made in the beginning when God said Let there be light he was one person of that Elohim Gen. 1.13 Elohim Barah c. the strong Ones Father Son and holy Ghost of whom Moses saith Gen. 1.1 2 Cor. 4.6 Ioh. 1.2 He Created Heaven and Earth and who commanded that light to shine out of darknesse and that as he was with God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the beginning and was God with the Father And that internal light of natural reason and understanding created with Adams soul and communicated to the understanding of our first Parents before their fall that was created and communicated by this Son of God together with the Father and the blessed spirit Gen. 1.26 Luk. 10.30 Eph. 4.18 5.8 he was one of that Counsel who made man in the Image of God and give that light of reason unto man which was so wounded and the purity and rectitude lost by the fall our understanding being darkned and we being by nature darknesse not light And for the light of grace Ioh. 9.5 whosoever receiveth that light they received it from Christ this eternal Son of God not only as he is God Isa 7.14 but as he is Immanuel God-Man Theanthropos Ioh. 1.14 God and Man the Word made flesh in whom dwells the fulnesse of the God-head bodily yea all fulnesse Col. 1 19. 2.9 2.3 in whom are hid all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God he being not only the co-essential wisdom of the Father Prov. 8.1 22 c. Heb. 12.24 Acts 20.28 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Cor. 1.30 but the Mediator of the New Testament the eternal High-Priest Prophet and King of his Church who hath purchased us and light of grace and true heavenly wisdom for us and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel yea is made unto us of God wisdom and righteousnesse sanctification and Redemption communicating light unto us As the Moon receiveth her light from the Sun so the Church of Christ and every true Christian soul receiveth the light of grace from Christ Ioh. 1.16 As of Christs fulnesse of grace we receive grace for grace so of Christs fulnesse of light we receive light of grace to prepare us for light of glory 2 Cor. 4.6 light to see the glory of a reconciled God in the face of Christ Ioh. 17.1 2 24. And whosoever have or shall receive the light of glory and life eternal they have and do and shall receive and enjoy that light of glory and life in and by Christ Col. 1.12 God the Father maketh us meet to be made partakers of that inheritance with the Saints in light 2 Cor. 5.19 but is in and by his Son Christ in whom God was reconciling the World unto himself Christ is the true light the fountain Rev. 22.16 Luke 1.78 79. the well-spring the day-star of light who hath visited us To give light to them that sit in darknesse and shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace Now if you meditate and consider rightly and truly how Christ is thus the true Light and communicates true light of grace to sinners and to Saints and that all that are enlightned have and do and must receive their light of grace from Christ and every encrease of the light of grace in the soul is from Christ Then you may see a ground wherefore I call this Catechism A light from Christ leading unto Christ because whatsoever light is in it of God or grace it is from Christ And whatsoever light a poor soul stands in need of it is in and by and from God in Christ to be received And all light new or old which is contrary to the light ot Christ it is but a a false light leading out of the true way of life and light toward darknesse yea it is but error ignorance and darknesse it self and so not to be followed but by the light of Christ to be discovered and avoided yea and the publishers of such false lights to be rejected not entertained If there come any unto you and bring not this true Doctrine and light from Christ saith Saint John receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed 1 Iohn 10 11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds By this true light of Christ you may
a comfortable walking with God in Christ in the whole course of our lives or for terrour of wicked and ungodly men Answ First for wicked and ungodly men out of Christ 2 Tim. 3.5 Mat. 5.20 Phil. 3.5 6 7. this declares their damnable condition be they never so civilly righteous or formally and outwardly because the very sinnefull thoughts and lusts and imaginations of their hearts Gen. 6.5 6 Gen 7. are enough to drowne them in the bottomlesse Sea of Gods wrath for ever as the wicked of the old World were drowned in the floud of waters Mark 9.44 yea to drowne them in a Sea of fire in hell where the Worme never dieth and the fire never goeth out Iohn 6.44 45. except God in time open their eyes to see their misery and not onely reveale but draw them to Christ that they may believe and repent and bee saved Secondly for Gods children who are Christ's and in Christ Rom. 7.7 Rom. 7.23 24 25. this by light from Christ may bee a glasse to see their many failings even in their thoughts Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. and teach them first to love and prize Christ more who hath freed them from condemnation and curse of this Law Christ himselfe being made a curse for them that they might be blessed secondly to presse dayly to meet Christ in his ordinances publike Mat. 18.20 and secret and that by his strength their hearts may be more and more purified in believing Acts 15.5 and that by Christs vertue this Law may be written in their hearts Isai 61.3 that they bring forth and abound in all fruits of Righteousnesse that God may be glorified by their walking as a people in covenant with God in Christ Jesus Quest 16. You have declared what a Christian should doe and what use to make of this Rule of a Christian life in respect of his failings and inability to keept this Law But what if the child of God finde himselfe inabled by Christ evangelically to walke after the commandements so as hee believes as his person Gen. 4.1 2 3 4. Heb. 11.4 so his actions and services and performances are accepted with God in Christ how now ought a Christian to behave himselfe Ans To rejoyce in all thankfulnesse in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 2.12 Phil. 4.4.13 1 Tim. 1.12 13 14. that hee is enabled by Christ in any measure to obey his Fathers will and to walke in those steps of holinesse wherin Christ walked in any the least degree in sincerity Isai 26.8.9 and endevour though not in perfection 2 Cor. 12.9 1 Cor. 4.4 Luke 17.9 1â— Titus 3.5 6.7 1 Cor. 1.30 Isai 11.10 Coloss 1.2 2 Pet. 3.18 19. But yet not to rest on our selves or in any or all his duties services or performances for justification before God or peace of conscience but to eye Christ in all as a justifyer and a sanctifyer and to rest in Christ as his peacemaker whose rest is a glorious rest dayly waiting on and seeking unto Christ for vertue and power to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in faith and holinesse praising God in all good workes of piety and charity Galat. 6.16 and by dayly light from Christ walking comfortably with Christ and all the Saints in grace according to Christs Rule untill hee or shee shall be translated to enjoy that full Communion with all the Saints yea with God the Father Sonne and blessed Spirt in Glory for ever Quest 17. Is there any further directory or light Christ for the attaining of power from Christ for this end both in my generall calling as a christian and in my speciall calling and particular relation wherein it hath pleased God to place mee Ans Certainly the best directory is to waite upon the Lord Jesus Christ who is both the way the truth and the life both for direction and power and this dayly as in private Reading Meditation Prayer and Christian conference and Chatechiseing or building up one another in our most holy faith improving our Christian Communion and society to this end for Gods glory and good edification one of another so in the publike ordinance of Christ as oft as may bee in the Preaching of the Word the administration of the Sacraments godly discipline and Prayer that all meanes may bee effectuall in and by Christs vertue to our soules for Gods glory and the good of Gods Church and children Iohn 14.6 Iohn 5.39 Coloss 3.16 as 1 Tim. 4.31 Iude. 2.15 Quest 17. What is the chiefe end of all Ans In all these the glory of God and Kingdome of the Lord Jesus is to be set up both in our hearts and lives untill wee come to Christs Kingdome of glory in the Heavens for ever And in these there are also many doubts questions and cases of conscience to bee resolved which may bee resolved in time if the Lord permit 1 Cor. 16.7 Quest 18. I shall desire the resolution but of a very few questions more and study to declare my thankefullnesse to God and you for what J am instructed in already What I pray you is the best directory for Prayer and Thanksgiving to God that J may receive all graces needfull from God in Christ and abilities to glorifie my God in every state and condition of life into which it shall please the Lord to call mee what light from Christ for this grace Ans First for the matter of Prayer in generall the Directory is that briefe forme which our Saviour himselfe taught his Disciples as it is recorded by the blessed Evangelist Mat. 6. and the 9.10 11 12 13. verses and in these words according to our English translation After this manner pray yee Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed by thy Name thy Kingdome come thy will bee done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our dayly Bread and forgive us our debts as wee forgive our debtors and leade us not into temptation but deliver us from evill for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory for ever Amen Quest 19. Js this sufficient direction for matter of Prayer Ans Yes certainly if the severall petitions in the Lords Prayer be rightly understood here is an excellent direction for a Christian to ground First his confession of sinne to God Secondly his petition for graces wanting And thirdly thanksgiving for grace received and to make his requests knowne to God upon all occasions both for attaining of good and avoyding of evill according to the Apostles direction Phil. 4.6 7. Quest 20. But doe you thinke that the repeating or saying of this or other Prayers as commonly people have used to doe to bee a sufficient manner of Prayer unto God Ans Certainely Prayer is not only a speaking of words with the mouth 1 Sam. 1.15 but a powering out of the heart and soule to God Zach. 12.10 and that by the strength
assistance of the spirit of Prayer and this rightly Rom. 8.26 in a right manner in the name of Christ and to a right end otherwise our Prayers are not right nor acceptable before God nor can we expect to be heard at Gods hand when we call upon him in Prayer Quest 21. J see then that a bare forme of Prayer is not sufficient to rest in but I must have the spirit of God inabling of mee to pray with the spirit or inner man as well as with the mouth and my soule must bee disposed in a right manner in Prayer and enabled by the Spirit of Christ but what graces are requisite in this dutie Ans Faith Repentance Humility Devotion See Classis 30. 2 Sect. in 2 Commandement pag. 502. 503 504. Zeale Fervency Perseverance and such like Graces and all in the name of Christ else all is nothing And therefore hee or shee prayeth best who hath the spirit of Prayer and can powre out his or her heart and soule to God in Prayer as Jacob and Hannab and other Saints of God have done and have beene heard in their Prayers with a gratious returne 1 Cor. 14.15 Iames 1.6 Isa 1.15 16. Acts. 10.2 Hosea 12.4 James 5.16 Psal 51.17 Iere. 50.4 5. 1 Thess 5.17 John 16.23 Quest 22. But how shall a man get the spirit of Prayer and ability to powre out his soule to God Ans I answer you must not rest in your Prayers nor in any duty you performe to God as if that did satisfie the Lord for your sins or meritoriously procured your peace with God but you must rest on Christ both for your acceptation of your selfe and your prayers upon the Golden Altar with the incense of Christs merits Revel 8.3.4 Quest 23. In what else must J wait for the spirit Ans Secondly you must waite upon God in Christ in all the meanes of grace till hee powre out the spirit of Prayer into your heart and soule that you may cry Abba Father and be heard as a child of God in Christ Gal. 4.6 Quest 24. What further direction can you give Ans Thirdly and lastly for your better enablement to expresse the desires and groans of your soule to the Lord aske your soule but these or the like foure questions to this or the like effect as speaking to your selfe Quest 25. What is the first Ans First Oh my soule to whom or to what glorious Majesty oughtest thou to direct thy Prayers at Morning or Evening or Noone day or whensoever in publike or private or secret thou desirest to gaine a blessing from the highest Heavens Psal 55.17 Quest 26. What shall I answer to this demand Ans Let thy soule answer and it will tell thee it is to the most high God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth the searcher of all hearts and the hearer of Prayer presented to him in the name and by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps 38.13 Psal 65.2 Psal 77.1 Iohn 16.23 Quest 27. What directions Ans Endeavour in all fear and humility to begin thy Prayer with the best expressions of the most glorious Name Nature Persons Properties of this great and glorious Lord God with the acknowledgement of his Truth Power and Majesty in his Words and Workes held forth in Scripture and of thy unworthinesse which may affect thy heart by the helpe of Christs Spirit with a right temper to powre out thy soule to God in Prayer 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Chron. 30.18.19 Ezra 9.6 Nehe. 9.32 and this in the best words thou canst but chiefly have regard to thy heart which the Lord hath a speciall eye unto And so begin thy Prayer as Exod. 15.11 12.13 Exodus 34.6 7. 1 Kings 8.23.27 or in the like manner Quest 28. What is second question Answ Secondly aske thy soule a second question to this or the like effect Oh! my soule Ezra 9.5 6 7. Prov. 28.13 Dan. 9.4.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. wherein hast thou offended this great God to whom thou desirest to lift up thy selfe in Prayer that thou mayst acknowledge thine offences and seeke for further assurance of pardon before thou beg any other favour at the Lords hand as 2 Chron. 6.36 Quest 29. What direction here Ans Let thy soule first looke into the glasse of thy owne conscience Rom. 2.14 15. Acts 24.16 Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.19 20.36 1 Iohn 3.23 Rom. 7.18 19 20. and secondly into the glasse of the Word of God both the commanding and promising part both Law and Gospell and finde out thy sinnes and accuse and condemne thy selfe for thy ingratitude for so many former mercies yea confesse and labour to be humble for thy fall in Adam for thy originall and actuall transgressions in state of nature but especially thy unthankefulnesse in dayes of grace Ephes 4.30 either in thought word or deede wereby thou hast grieved the spirit of God by whom thou art sealed to the day of Redemption and this in as good words as God makes thee able As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.17 and with the exercise of all those graces the Lord hath given thee to this end thou hast here a large field to powre out thy soule to God in if thou canst finde out thy manifold sinnes against God or the sinnes of others which thou desirest to confesse and bewaile before God thy Lord as Daniel and other Saints have done Daniel 9.7 8 9 10 11. Quest 30. What is the third question Ans Thirdly aske thy soule a third question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what dost thou want or what is thy request and the desire of thy heart to obtaine at the hands of thy God and loving Father in Christ Quest 31. And what wants may I expresse Ans Thy soule will tell thee thou wantest in the first place the assurance or more full assurance of the forgivenesse of all thy sinnes and of Gods free grace and love unto thee in the Lord Jesus thou wantest many favours from God for thy body for thy soule for this for a better life for thy wife thy husband for Parents children servants kindred accquaintance thy Neighbours thy friends thy enemies for the Kings Majesty for the Parliament the Kingdom the City and Country for Peace and Truth and a happy union and communion one with another and with the whole Church of Christ and here expresse thy minde as well as thou canst by the power of Christ the Lord careth not so much for fine words as for an honest sincere contrite heart sanctifyed by the spirit of Christ Isai 66.2 Quest 32 What is the fourth question Ans Lastly aske thy soule a fourth question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what hast thou received from this great and good God for which thou art bond to render him thankes and praise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Quest 33. What rule is there to finde this out Ans Let thy soule call to minde all or as many as thou canst of those unspeakable favours the Lord hath bestowed upon thee reckon them up imparticular out of the catalogue of Gods mercies both upon thy owne soule in particular and the Church in generall to thy selfe to thine to the people of God and what a sea of mercy mayst thou swim in and enlarge thy thankfulnesse above all for Gods free love in the Lord Jesus as Psalme 116.12 13. Quest 34. But did you ever know any man thus learne to pray Ans Yes did I know a Christian who could reade never a word upon the Booke and yet after hee had received these directions puting them carefully and constantly in practise in a secret place before God the onely searcher of hearts and the Teacher of the ignorant hee did in a short time attaine an excellent habit in Prayer and was inabled to pray dayly in his Family in a sweet comfortable manner and assuredly the Lord is the same God still to all his children in Christ and will be so to all who diligently waite on him in the use of the meanes I conclude with the Apostle now to him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you blamelesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24.25 to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS COurteous Reader there are some few Errata which the ingenuous may easily find and amend with their Pen.