Word and Spirit of God a 1 Ioh. 1 9 b Rom. 8.13 14. Eph. 2.2 Ier. 44.17.6 And if the blind lead the blind they both fall into the ditch a Blind rule is a blind guide Q. How thirdly may it be knowne A. Because they were never converted neither doe they see why or from what such as be borne and bred up in the true ReligioÌ„ should be converted such people are yet in their naturall state Ioh. 8.33 34.36 Ioh 3.4 7. Luk. 15.7 Act. 3.19 Q How fourthly may people be convinced to be under sinne and without grace A. Because sin is no burthen to to them they were never pricked in their hearts not soundly humbled under their naturall condition A man may finde many faults in himselfe by coÌ„mon grace but to feel and bewaile the rotteÌ„nesse sink of iniquity that is in our hearts the contrarieties that be in our nature against God and the workings of corruption this we cannot discover but by the sanctifying Spirit of God Rom. 7.7 9. Q. How fiftly doth it appeare that men want Grace A. Because they discerns not betweene pretious and vile as between the state of Nature the state of Grace between civill honesty saving Grace Let them tell what the differences be Num. 16.3 Eze. 22.26 Esa 5.20 Joh. 3.4 1 Cor. 2.13 14. Spirituall things must be spiritually discerned you must not heare a Sermon as you would heare a speech c. Q. How sixtly may this be proved A. Because they cannot bring you one promise out of the Scripture nor one mark of a saved one of which they can say this doth belong to me But the lesse they know of the Word of God the better they thinke of themselves and the lesse they search their owne hearts the greater is their assurance These are deluded ones Sound Christians can bring promises and evidences that they are in the state of Grace such as these Rom. 8.1 2 13. 1 Joh. 3.14 1 Joh. 5.1 2. 1 Thes 5.5 6. Q. How lastly may a carnall person be convinced to be under sin A. Because they are not in Christ this you must know that it is not enough for a man to doe his best and what he can but if he be not in Christ the Law layeth hold on him he is under the curse No body is safe by doing his best Eph. 2.12 1 Thes 1.10 the Law is a cruell Master it lookes not what we can doe it accepts not of repentings c. but unless we be in Christ Jesus it curseth all our imperfections Gal. 3.10 1 Joh. 5.11 12. Q. This is the case of man by nature and of all the sons of Adam What must we doe to escape wrath A. We must get into the Covenant of Grace made to us in Christ the promised seed Gal. 3.13 26. Rom. 10.4 Gal. 4.4 5. CAP. VI. Of the Covenant of Grace and our Redemption by Christ Third head of Christian doctrine Q WHat is the Covenant of Grace A. It is Gods free Charter and Grant wherein he bestoweth remission of sinnes and the Kingdome of Heaven in and for the death of Christ Jesus or it is a contract betweene God and man concerning reconciliation and life everlasting to be given and received by faith in Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 Gen. 17.4 7. There is Gospell in that Rom. 4.16 17. Gal. 3.8 Deu. 26.17 18. The matter covenanted is life and reconciliation the conveyance it is a gift by Christ the instrument and mean to receive it is faith all our right and title to Heaven comes this way from the love of the Father through the merit of the Son made ours by faith Eph. 15. Rom. 5.21 Rom. 3.22 24 Eph. 2.8 Q. What is the true difference between the Covenant of Workes and the Covenant of Grace A. The Law or Covenant of Workes offereth salvation to them that keepe it perfectly in their own persons that is to them that be without sinne and have a righteousnesse of their owne a personall perfect perpetuall Obedience Rom. 10.5 Luk. 10.28 Q. Explaine that farther A. The Law considers not what we can doe now neither doth it accept of sorrowes for doing amisse but it is satisfied only with a full and compleat obedience If thou say I doe my best c. that is no content to the Law the Law requires that all our works be holy without any touch of the flesh Rom. 7.14 2 Cor. 3.7 9. Gal. 3.10 It curseth every failing Q. How doth the Gospel offerus salvation A. By the righteousnesse of Christ thâ— Mediator so that the humbled soule resting on Christ by faith is justified and â— peace with God though we be not perfectly holy Rom. 3.25 26 27. Gal. 2.1 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 4.16 1 Tim. 1.15 This the priviledge of the Gospell that wheâ— we faile yet if we repent and turnet God God accepts our persons and thâ— greatest sin shall not condemne us thâ— Law knowes no such thing Gal. 3.12 Of justification by faith in Christ Jesus Q. 1. Then Christ doth not justify us â— giving grace and ability to keep the Law A. No for then Justification wereaâ— works and not of Grace besides there no such b ability given to any living Grace is given whereby we subdue or corruptions The Covenant with Adam was of workes though all he had was given him and strive to please God bâ— not to fulfill the Law perfectly a Eph. 7 8 9 10. b 1 Joh. 1.8 9. Act. 5.31 Acâ— 15.11 That which I fetch with my penâ—â— is not a gift but our righteousnesse is 〈◊〉 gift Rom. 5.17 Q. 2. Doth he save us by joyning 〈◊〉 merits to our workes as if we were justified partly by workes and partly by faiâ—â— in Christ A. No we are justified by faith without the deeds of the Law and Christ will not have any to bejoyned with him in that businesse Rom. 3.21 27 28. Rom. 11.6 Esa 64.6 Jer. 23.6 Esa 63.3 Rom. 4 5 6. Heb. 7.25 Heb. 9.26 Gal. 5.4 To a sinners justification Christ is all in all or none at all Q. 3. Doth the New Covenant save as by changing the condition of workes into faith and sincere obedience as if the act of believing and obeying should be in stead of perfect obedience to the Law A. By no meanes The righteousnesse by which we are justified is 1. The righteousnesse of a God 2. Imputed to us residing in the person of Christ 3. Every way able to answer the Law See Phil. 39 2 Cor. 5.21 Ro 3.21 22 26. But our faith and sincere obedience is 1. But the righteousnesse of a man 2. Inherent noâ— imputed 3. No way able to answer the Law The New Covenant doth not change workes into workes workes perfect incompleat iâ—to workes imperfect But it changeth workes of our own performing into workes performed for us by Christ for faith doth not justifie as it is a grace wrought in us working in us but as it is an
PRINCIPLES OF FAITH GOOD CONSCIENCE DIGESTED Into a Catecheticall Form together with an Appendix 1. Vnfolding the Termes of Practicall Divinity 2. Shewing some Markes of Gods Children 3. Some generall rules and principles of holy life By W. LYFORD Batchelour of Divinity and Minister of Gods Word at Sherborne in Dorsetshire The Fourth Edition That the soule be without knowledge is not good Prov. 19.2 If thou wilt apply thine heart to understanding if thou criest after knowledge then thou shalt understand the feare of the Lord Prov. 2.3.5 Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children Deut. 6.7 Printed at Oxford by Henry Hall for John Adams and Edward Forrest 1655. Advertisements touching the use and purpose of this Booke to my People 1. THere be two parts of a Ministers office that undertakes the instruction of Gods people the one to deliver sufficient matter of distinct knowledge unto Christian faith The other to lay downe and diligently to inculcate Principles of sanctification whereby a Christian may be directed in point of duty and holy life enabled to discerne between the state of Nature and the state of Grace Both these I have endeavoured the former by drawing out the generall heads of Christian doctrine into particulars the latter by laying down trials and principles of sanctification and holy practice 2. I intend this Booke for the instruction of those that are to be admitted to the Lords Supper wherein they shall be publikely exercised three years the two former years to be hearers and the last yeare to be answerers in it In which time it is hoped that the meanest capacity will be able to attain the sense understanding of the matter And whē they have been thus diligently instructed the Congregation satisfied of their competent knowledge in the doctrine of Christ then upon a day appointed for their admission to the Lords Supper the said Catechumenes upon their own motion desire to be admitted shall make professiō of their faith repentāce Ezek. 20.37 in their own names with their own mouthes undertake that Covenant of Faith obedience unto Christ which at Baptisme we all entred into and stand bound to performe 3. I have prepared a severall chapter for every week of the year and endeavoured to make the answers as weighty and perspicuous as I could both which as I conceive will be more delightfull and profitable to the learner To every answer I cause thē to read the proofes one or more as the time and matter requires within three quarters of an hour each Chapter will be dispatched if any thing be more lightly passed over one time it may be more largely insisted on the next 4. The number and length of questions will not be burthen some to thē that be long exercised therein The answers themselves are not long if you observe that they end where this marke beginneth and that all that is included within this marke is added for explication and not to lode the memory And if you expresse the sense of the answer in other words of your owne the answer will be the better accepted 5. There is some repetition of the same matter in the doctrine or justification by faith the Offices of Christ the difference betwixt the Law the Gospel which was not an oversight but of purpose the better to root those main points in weak understandings 6. This training up of our Children and Servants in a forme of wholsome words will I hope through Gods blessing be a meanes to prevent that grosse ignorance in them which now reignes in aged people The like fruit may be hoped in the free Grammer Schoole The Lord grant you to grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that both he that soweth and he reapeth may rejoyce together and when we shall be parted by death may have a joyfull and happy meeting in Heaven and be united to our blessed and glorious head for evermore AMEN READER THis fourth Edition addeth nothing of substance to the former the number of Questions and Answers and Pages be all the same Some notes for Explication are set in the margin Some expressions are changed and added when the former might seeme doubtfull The Contents of the severall Chapters Cap. 1. OF the certainty of holy Scripture of the state of innocency and the Covenant of Nature Cap. 2. Of the fall of man and his sinfull state of the staine and guilt and punishment of sinne Cap. 3 4. Of the difference and degrees of sin of originall sin sins of knowledge ignorance of infirmity and presumption of reigning sinne and sinne against the Holy Ghost Cap. 5. Arguments to convince carnall persons that they be under the curse no better then nature made them Cap. 6 Of the Covenant of Grace the differēce between the Old and New Testament the manner how Christ and Faith doe justify Cap. 7. Of the promises made to Christ the Mediator Cap. 8. Of Christ offered to sinners as yet unconverted and the ground of a sinners going to Christ Cap. 9. Of Gods promises to believers promises to the weake the doubting the lapsed Christian c. Cap. 10. Of the wonderfull person of the Mediatour God and Man and the benefit flowing from the personall union Cap. 11. Of Christs Priestly Office and the parts thereof viz. Satisfaction and Intercession Cap. 12. Of the Kingly and Propheticall offices of Christ Cap. 13. Who are in Covenant with God signes of true faith and repentance Cap. 14. Of mans uprightnesse the signes and benefit thereof Cap 15. Of the Nature Properties of God Cap. 16. Of creation providence whereby God guideth supporteth all things good and evill great and small Cap. 17. Of faith in Jesus Christ his Titles and Dominion Cap. 18. Of the Incarnation of the Sonne of God and manner of his conception Cap. 19. Of Christs sufferings the extent and value thereof Cap. 20. Of Christs exaltation to Gods right hand and what he doth there for us Cap. 21. Of the last judgement and of faith in the Holy Ghost Cap. 22. Of the Church of God militant triumphant of inward and outward calling signes of the true Church Cap. 23. Of the communion of Saints with Christ the Head and one with another the bonds and fruits of that communion Cap. 24. Of forgivenesse of sinnes the cause and effects thereof Cap. 25. Of the state of the dead and everlasting life for whom it is prepared Cap. 26. The first office of Faith to justify how faith is wrought by the Gospell Cap. 27. The second office of Faith to purify the heart of the first main end and use of the Morall Law scil to drive unto Christ and how that 's done Cap. 28. Of the second principall end of the Morall Law of the properties of true obedience of workes before and after regeneration and their unability to save Cap. 29. Of the first Commandment of Images of God or the
his holy Spirit draweth our hearts to embrace his gratious promises a Heb. 12.2 Eph. 2.8 b Luk. 24.25 Mar. 9.24 Num. 20.12 2 Chron. 16.7 9. Mat. 14.31 Luk. 18.9 c 1 Cor. 2.9 11. Joh. 6.44 45. Q. Why must we strive seeing it is Gods gift A. Yes because God hath appointed means whereby he will bestow all graces on us therefore if we seek him in those meanes we shall find him if we neglect those meanes it is a signe we have no grace nor can we ever hope to have any Mar. 4.24 1 Cor. 3.7 9. Rom. 10.14 15. Prov. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 13.44 Act. 16.14 1 Cor. 12.6 Q. Why secondly must we strive A. Because faith and all other graces be contrary to our corrupt nature and therefore we must give the more diligence to attaine the same at Gods hand As he that plants a graft contrary to nature must use the more care and because we cannot cure our selves we must seek and beg some one to put us into the pool when the waters be moved Phil. 2.12 13. Esay 26.12 Heb. 6.11 12. Rom. 11.24 2 Pet. 1.10 Q. By what meanes doth God usually worke faith in us A. By two Meanes 1. By the knowledge of the Law convincing us of sin Mat. 3.2 3. Ioh. 16.9 Rom. 4.15 Gal. 3.22 24. This is but preparative Hos 10.12 Q. But what is the chiefe meanes by which God doth worke faith in us A. By the preaching of the Gospell by which it is also encreased And therefore if we desire to have faith we must heare and obey the Gospell the Word of the Kingdome must be rooted in our hearts and affections 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Rom. 1.16 Luk. 8.13 15 Gal. 3.2 Q. How doth the Doctrine of the Gospell bring about the heart from security and false confidences to believe on Christ for salvation A. Two waies especially To rest in any thing short of Christ is a false confidence 1. By inviting us to come unto Christ The Spirit doth convince us of sin and damnation and that we have need of the righteousnesse of another to save us Luk. 13.3 Joh. 16.9 Joh. 5.45 Joh. 8.24 Phil. 3 3 8.9 Matt. 9 13. By the law is the knowledge of sinne but to make us fly from the Law and to be dead to it and to seeke salvation by a righteousnesse without us this is the worke of the Gospell Rom. 7.4 The Gospell inviting commanding and calling us to Christs righteousnesse it doth cause us to renounce and forsake all hope of righteousnesse by works of the Law the Gospell puts a spirit into the letter of the Law The Gospell awaking us and bidding us to repent and goe to Christ for salvation doth make use of the Law to shew us our danger and our insufficiency to save our selves and consequenly a necessity of believing in Christ Q. How secondly doth the Gospell work the heart to believe A. 2. By shewing us such a fulnesse and al sufficiency in Christ that of him and in him we have all things needfull for salvation it shewes and assures the conscience that God is satisfied and well pleased with us in Christ Act. 13.32 33 34. John 1.16 17. Col. 1.13 14 19. Q. What followes thereof A. Therefore they that meddle not with the Scripture regard not the Ministry of it on the Lords day but slight it or scoffe at the preaching thereof shew plainly that they have no faith Rom. 15.4 Rom. 10.14 17. CAP. XXVII Of the second office worke of Faith viz. to purify the heart worke by love Here followes the life of a believer and the first end and use of the Morall Law Fourth heal of Christian doctrine Q. WHat is the second office of Faith A. To purify the heart working it to an obedient walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord so that I shall not professe one thing and do another Jam 2.17 21 26. Act 15.9 it is ever purging out corruption Q. The rule of obedience in generall is the whole written word of God and more summarily the morall Law contained in the ten Commandements Tell me now Is the Law of the ten Commandements still in force A. Yes and whosoever doth or teacheth otherwise shall be least in the Kindome of Heaven that is none at all Mat 5.18 19. Rom 3.19 31. Rom 7.12 As touching the ceremoniall Law that which was a sin or duty then is not a sin or duty now under the Gospel and therefore the ceremoniall Law is not in force now as to our practice But as touching the morall Law that which was a sin then is a sin now as lying perjury c. which shewes that the morall Law is still in force now under the time of the Gospel Q. Is the Law given that we should looke for life and solvation by it A. No because by it all the world is guilty before God If we were without sin we should be saved by the Law but being all wretched sinners the Law curseth us and we must looke elsewhere for a worthinesse to answer Gods judgement Rom 7.4 6. Rom 3.20 23. Gal 3.17 Q. To what use then was the Law given The first use of the Morall Law A There is a twofold use of it 1. To convince us that we are under sin wrath that so we might be brought to seek salvation in Christ alone Gal. 3.19 24. Q. How doth the Law force a sinner unto Christ A. There be five effects or operations of the Law whereby it drives one to Christ The first is to make sin knowne in its true greatnesse and sinfulnesse both for the extent and danger of it By the Law we come to know our selves to be greater sinners and in worse case then we could imagine we find and feele that to be sinne which before we knew not and many things to be greater evils exposing us to greater wrath then heretofore we conceived as our naturall corruption the first motions unto sinne c. Rom 3.20 Rom. 7.7 8 9 13. Rom 5.13 Q. What is the second worke of the Law forcing us to seek Christ A. It shews us how farre short we come and how unable we are to doe any one thing that is good in any measure manner and degree as is required Many think they are holy and please God well enough because they know not the holynesse and rigour of the Law Rom. 7.11 13 18. Mat. 19.18 20. Q. How thirdly doth the Law shew us our need of Christ A. By it we finde and feele the emnity contrariety that is in our nature against God Tell a man of his sinne or duty O the heart is sad upon it the Law is a burthen to him the heart rebels against it and could even wish there were no such Law yea no God to take vengeance Sinne is a burthen to a regenerate person but Gods Law is not grievous to him 1 Joh. 5.3 On the other side to
a carnall man sinne is pleasing and duty a burthen the duties of the Law being brought and pressed on the soule doe shew how hollow and rotten we are which otherwise we should never have mistrusted by our selves Ro. 7.9 9 10 13. Rom. 8.7 Q. What fourth worke of the Law bringeth a sinner to Christ A. It worketh wrath that is it laies the curse upon us it proclaims the judgement of God against us for every sin It curseth every disobedience it tels every soule of us thou art a domned creature c. Ro. 1.18 Rom. 4.15 2 Cor. 3.7 9. The Law is full of rigour 1. It accepts of no obedience but what is every way full and perfect 2. The Law admits of no excuses It accepts of none of our sorrows 3. The Law regards not what we can doe but what we should doe All that be under the Law must doe it or dye This is the case of all that be out of Christ the Law curseth them Q. How fiftly doth the Law drive us unto Christ A. When we see that we are shut up and cannot winde our selves out of Gods wrathfull hands the soul even drowned with sorrow and feare is constrained to goe to Christ upon the invitation of the Gospell The soule does hereupon consult and advise with it selfe what to doe to be saved and so at length resolves to goe to Christ this is one use of the Morall Law viz. to make us see 1. How vile we are 2. How weak we are 3. How wicked we are what enemies to God and goodnesse 4. How cursed we are 5. And so to consult within our selves and to resolve to goe to Christ as that prodigall did Luk. 15.17 18. and those Lepers 2 King 7.3 4. Thus the Law and the Gospell worke together for our salvation it is not in me to save you saith the Law therefore seeke further It is in me to save you saith the Gospell therefore rest in me Act. 2.37 Mat. 11.28 Rom. 8.15 And so the soule is converted and drawn unto Christ by the Gospell being driven from the Law by the Law it selfe CAP. XXVIII Of the second end and use of the Morall Law Q. WEE have seene the first maine use of the Morall Law What is the second A. To be a perpetuall rule of obedience and holinesse Second Use of the Morall Law and it is therefore called the Morall Law Mat. 19.17 Rom. 2.25 Rom. 7.12 Heb. 8.10 1 Tim. 1.5 8. Jam. 2.10 11. The Law shewes us what is good and what is bad Q. Our obedience is but in part here What be the properties of that obedience which God will accept of his servants True obedience what A. 1. It must be a free a loving submitting of the b inward and outward man to the c whole will of God with an intention d and desire to please and approve our selves to him in every thing we doe This is the nature of true obedience a the ground and rule of obedience is the will of God b the creature obeying is the inward and outward man c the manner is free without compulsion d the end and aime of all is to please God not men or our selves and by these properties true obedience is differenced from meer civill honesty restraining grace in hypocrites a Mat. 15.9 Esa 1.12 b Rom. 6.13 17. c Psal 40.8 119.6 80. Mat. 5.20 Jam. 2.10 d H. s 7.14 Zach. 7.5 6 Rom. 14.6 Joh. 5.30 John 7.18 Esay 10.7 Mat. 6.6 Q. Is there any worthinesse in our works to procure to us Gods favour A. None at all our best works done before we be regenerate are utterly corrupt and cannot please God The evill tree cannot bring forth good fruit Joh. 3.6 Rom. 8.8 Mat. 7.18 Phil. 3.8 Q. But what say you of the workes we performe after regeneration A. Though God in mercy for Christs sake doe accept of our endeavours to please him yet our very best workes are stained with many imperfections And therefore have need of forgivenesse c. Luk. 17.10 Rom. 7.21 Esa 64.6 Tit. 3.5 Mat. 20.10 14. When the Scripture speaks of rewarding our workes Mat. 10.42 and Mat. 6.6 It is a reward of Grace not of Debt Neh. 13.22 Remember me and spare me The rewards of God must needs be full of Grace seeing he promiseth to reward Begging and praying and a cup of cold water which is of little worth Q. It seems then that God doth receive us into his favour without any consideration of our works of his meer mercy in Christ alone imputing his righteousnesse unto us and not our frailties A. It is most true for we are saved by faith in Christ without the works of the Law Rom. 3.28 Rom. 11.6 Q. But doth justification by faith make men despisers of good duties contained in Gods Law A. By no means for faith is the very life and root of all good works And the reason why many doe not performe works of obedience is because they have not faith Heb. 11.7 8 17 25 27. Iam. 2.22 Luk. 17.3 5. Esay 7.4 12. 1 Pet. 3.5 The more faith Faith answers all objections it removeth carnall reasoning and so brings the heart to obey in all things the more obedience Gal. 5.6 Q. The Law being the rule of obedience we ought to be carefull to know it and to lead our lives by it A. Yes For both he that knows it not and he that obeyes it not shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12.47 48. Q. How many Commandments be there A. Ten Ten words Deut. 4.13 Q. What sorts of duties doth the Law of God containe A. Two sorts 1. Duties that immediatly concern Gods Glory and Worship in the foure first precepts 2. And duties that more immediately respect our Neighbours good in the six last Mar. 12.29 30 31 33. Mat. 22.37 40. Thus are the Ten Commandments divided Q. What motives are there to stir us up to the keeping of this Law in all the points of it A. Two 1. Because God is the Law-giver God spake every one of those words and where God hath a voyce to speake we ought to have an eare to heare and an heart to obey God sets his stamp upon them all Iam. 4.12 Heb. 2.2 Rom 7.12 The law is holy just and good Q. Why secondly must we carry an awfull regard to this Law A. Because he is Jehovah our God our maker our deliverer and therefore may justly challenge obedience at his creatures hands Love and feare ought to keep us in obedience Mal. 1.6 Es 5.4 Deut. 10.12 Jer. 2.9 13 19. Mic. 6.3 Esay 43.23 24. Deut. 7.6 11. Deut. 26.17 19. the strongest and sweetest bond of obedience is that relation between God and us CAP. XXIX Q. THe first Table of the Law of God containes foure Commandments What is the summe and substance of it A. The first Table of the Law teacheth and requireth 1. That I cleave unto God with my heart 2. That I worship him with my
Reprobation is the like eternall purpose of God whereby he leaveth others in their sinnes to perish for ever to the praise of his glorious justice Vocation signifieth that work of grace whereby God calleth his elect out of their sins to receive the Gospell that is unto faith and repentance Conversion signifieth Gods turning of a sinner from darknesse to light from sin to grace from love of the world to love of God from carelesnesse to conscience of pleasing God Justification signifieth Gods gracious act accepting of a sinner into his favour not imputing unto him his sinnes in and for the righteousnesse and death of Christ or it is Gods gracious act whereby he reconcileth an humbled sinner to himselfe forgiving his sins freeely fully for Christs sake Regeneration is the begetting of a spirituall life of grace in the soule by the seed of Gods word received into the heart and made effectuall by the holy Ghost whereby we are become new Creatures to bring forth fruit unto God the fruits of holynesse and righteousnesse Sanctification signifieth the clensing of our Natures it is the grace of God infused into our hearts whereby of unholy people we are made holy in our thoughts words and actions Adoption signifieth Gods making Sons of us that were not Sons before or it is the translation of Sinners from a servile condition under sinne and Satan to be the Sonnes of God in and with Christ to enjoy the priviledges and inheritance of Sonnes Glorification signifies the state of Gods children in heaven Redemtion signifies Christs delivering of our Soules from sin wrath by paying of a price even the price of his bloud for us Mediation signifieth that gracious work of Christ setting himselfe between God and us makeing peace procuring our acceptance with his father both of our persons and actions Propitiation signifieth the removing of wrath and making of God favourable to us in Christ Christs active obedience signifieth his perfect fulfilling of the Law for us Christs passive obedience is his suffering of death and undergoing of the punishment due to our sinnes by both which he satisfied the justice of God in our behalfe being put under the Law that he might save them that were under the Law By the Law is meant the covenant of Workes the way and offer of salvation to them that perfectly fulfill the Law of God in their own persons By the Gospel is meant the covenant of Grace that is Gods gracious purpose and promise of bringing men to salvation by Jesus Christ The Old Testament is the doctrine of salvation through Christ taught by Moses and the Prophets and set forth under certain figures and ceremonies shadowing forth the death of Christ and the benefits of Christ who was then to come The New Testament is the same Doctrine of salvation by Christ taught nakedly without such figures shadowes shewing expresly the death and benefits of Christ already come and exhibited in the flesh Leveticall we meane any Ordinance about Gods publicke worship delivered by Moses till the Messias should come By Legall we understand that which the Law of Moses doth require as legall righteousnesse is such a compleat righteousnes in every circumstance as the Law doth require By Evangelicall we understand that which the Gospell doth require and accept as Evangelicall righteousnesse is the righteousnesse of the Mediator accepted on our behalfe Legall perfection is to be free from sin in every kinde and degree thereof Evangelicall perfection is to be free from guile and hypocrisie when in uprightnesse of heart we frame our selves to the whole will of God Legall repentance is a sorrow for sin arising from fear of wrath such a sorrow the Law can work Evangelicall repentance is such a sorrow for sin as ariseth from love of God and hatred of sin which the Spirit of Adoption begets in us because we displease our Father and dishonour our God By the Image of God in men is meant to be like God in holinesse and righteousnesse By the fall of man is meant the first sin of Adam and Eve whereby they fell from that state of holinesse and happinesse wherein they were at first created and plunged themselves and their posterity into sin and misery By Flesh in Scripture is meant the unregenerate heart of man and that remainder of corruption which is found even in regenerate persons whereby they are hindred from doing the good they would By Spirit is meant the new Man the renewed heâ—rt and soule of Man which opposeth it selfe against all sin When we speak of a naturall Man of the state of Nature we doe not mean Heathens or Fooles but all even the best wisest among Christians that be not regenerate effectually called forasmuch as they be in no better case then Heathens When we speak of a Spirituall Man we meane one that is regenerate led by the Spirit of God minding Spirituall things in the first place and temporall things in a spirituall manner When we speake of a Carnall Man we meane them that are led by Carnall and corrupt Principles and doe follow after Earthly things with greatest earnestnesse and delight and Spirituall things in a formall and carelesse manner A Sincere Christian is one that walketh with God and to God uprightly making conscience of every duty and of every sin according to that measure of knowledge which he hath received and doth not hide his eyes from any part of Gods will neither is willingly ignorant of any part of his duty An Hypocrite in Scripture is not one that doth professe Religion and separate himselfe from the sinnes of others but it is any one that knoweth Truth and doth not obey it sincerely and universally but is partiall and halting with God in points of obedience approving himselfe to man rather then to God By Civill honesty which we teach cannot bring men to heaven we doe not condemne justice and honesty in mens dealings But we mean meere civill honest men that is deluded formall Christians who being free from grosse sins and outwardly conformed to good orders do flatter themselves in a morall righteousnesse without faith or any assurance of their particular interest in Christ or any endeavour to attaine thereunto By Common Graces we mean such gifts of Gods spirit as be common to the elect and reprobate as gifts of Miracles of Prophesying and other abilities to spirituall duties By Saving Graces we mean the speciall worke and fruits of the renewing Spirit which whosoever hath received is undoubtedly saved By Restraining Grace we meane that power of Gods word on the conscience whereby men do outwardly forbeare evill though they doe not inwardly hate it Humiliation is the wounding and casting downe of the conscience with feare in a sense apprehension of the curse of God belonging to our sinfull state all former hopes of being in Gods favour in a good case being now discovered to be utterly false and unsound Self-deniall signifieth the
and perseverance in grace 1. Sort are spirituall promises Q What promise of mercy hath God made to them that believe A. God hath said their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more they are passed from death to life and shall not come into condemnation Heb. 10.17 Ioh. 5.24 Rom. 8.1 Act. 13.38 39. Mic 7.18 19 Exod. 34.6 7. Joh. 3.16 Q. Touching sanctification What promise hath God made in the Gospell A. God hath promised to teach us effectually to write his Law in our hearts to cause us to love him and not to depart from him God hath promised to work our works in us else this Covenant also would nor be sure to us Those are better promises then were in the first Covenant God doth not only keepe faith and covenant with us on his owne part but he doth also forgive our failings and unfaithfulnesse and causeth us to keep covenant with him Heb 8.10 11. Jer 32.38.40 Esa 26.12 Hos 2.19 Deut 30.6 Act 5.31 2 Tim 2.13 Rom 3.3 Q. Doe these promises belong to all degrees of believers A. Yes to the weake and to them that be cast downe as well as to them that be strong in saith and free from doubtings Mat 12.20 Mat 14.31 Q. Shew particularly what promises God hath made to the weake Christian to one that is a beginner A. First there is a promise of acceptance God will accept and cherish the ve ry first motions desires 1 To the weake and weakest performances of the honest heart Luk 15.20 2 Chron 9.1 Gen 22.16 with Heb 11.17 Esa 42.3 2 Chron. 19.3 particularly for prayer Esa 65.24 for almes 2 Cor. 8.12 Q What other promise is there for weake Christians A. Secondly there is a promise of perseverance 2 To the doubting their faith shall never finally faile but they are kept by the power of God unto salvation 1. Joh 3.9 Luk 22.32 Joh 10.28 29. 1 Pet 1.5 Zac 12.8 Esa 40.29 1 Thess 5.24 Jud v. 1. Q What promise is made to the doubting and distressed Christians disquieted about his spirituall estate A. God will heale the broken hearted beare their prayers and sustaine them with his grace The sanctifying spirit in thee is Gods witnesse that thou art his Esa 61.3 Esay 50.10 Jam 5.13 1 Cor 10.13 Ioh 13.15.16 Esa 57.16 20. Mat 5.4 Psal 51.8 Psal 77.3 Q What promise is there for them that be tempted by Satan 3. To the tempted A. Greater is he that is in us and with us than he that is against us and he will tread Satan under our feet 1 John 4.4 Rom 16.20 Re. 12.10 11 14 16. Mat. 16.18 2 Cor. 12.9 Iam. 4.7 8. Heb. 4.15.16 Q. What promise is there to a backslider that is returning 4. To the lapsâ—d A. God will heale their back-slidings and his anger shall be turned away from them Hos 14 1 4. Ier. 3.1 12. Ier. 31.18 20 22. Ezek 18.28 30. Luke 22.32 Esay 55.7 Q. What promises are made to them that long for grace and for the favour of God 5. To the hungry soule A. God will satisfie their desires and speake peace to their soules He will be found of them The spirit is compared to water 1. For its refreshing the weary 2. For its clensing of the filthy 3. For it fruitfulnesse making the barren to bring forth good fruit Mat. 5.6 Luke 11.13 Esay 44 3. 65.13 Prov. 2.25 Q. What temperall promises concerning this life hath God made to us in Christ Second sort of promises A. He will give us all needfull a blessings and turne b all hurtfull things â—â— our good a Mat. 6.26 32. Ps 84.11 Esay 43.2 Gen. 15.1 c Rom. 8.28 35 37 1 Cor 3.21 22. Q. What promises concerning the life to come hath God given us A. It is his good pleasure to give us his Kingdome Third sort of promises Luk. 12.32 Joh. 12.26 Joh. 17.24 All these things doth God promise with his Sonne saying Take him this I will doe for you I will forgive your sins and give you peace if any thirst I will fill him with good things c. And because all this shall be sure to you I will frame your hearts to love me I will be your teacher you shall be able to discern between pretious and vile when you fall I will not suffer you to fall away I will heare your prayers I will give you victory over Satan and after all I will bring you to glory This portion you shall have with my Christ Q. How doth God confirme all these promises to us In whom are they sure A. In Christ the foundation of the New Covenant to whom God hath sworne and will not repent 2 Cor. 1.20 Heb. 7.19 21 22. Heb. 6.13 17 18 19. Tit. 1.2 2 Tim. 1.1 CAP. X. Of Christ the Mediator of the New Testâ—ment and first of his wonderfull person God and man and the Benefits flowing from that personall union YOu have seen what God hath doâ— for us viz. given his Son offered hiâ— to sinners with rich and large promisâ— to them that recieve him The seconâ— party in the New Covenant is Christ thâ— Mediator The second party in the New Covenant Of this Mediator we are to consider two things 1. His person 2. Hâ— undertaking and office Q. All the promises of God have the Yea and Amen in Christ Who is Christ A. Jesus Christ is the a eternall Soâ— of God of the same b substance witâ— the Father God from everlasting c whâ— in the fulnesse of time tooke on him on nature d so that he is true God and truâ— man in one person a Mat. 16.16 b Heb 1.3 Joh. 1.1 3. Joh. 10.30 Rev. 1.8 Esa 9.6 Joh. 5.18 Phil. 2.6 c Gal. 4.4 â— d Rom. 1.3 Rom. 9.5 Col. 2.9 Maâ— 22.43 Q. What is necessary that Christ on peace-maker should be man A. Yes for three reasons First because he that redeemeth and they that be redeemed must be both of one kind and nature that so Gods Justice may accept him in our stead a right to redeeme therefore Angels that fell are not saved because he took not their nature Heb. 2.10.11 14 16. Ruth 4.4 6. 1 Cor. 15.20 21. Q. Why secondly A. That he might be put under the Law and die the which as God he could not doe He was to pay our debt and therefore to enter into our bonds Heb. 2.9 10 14. Rev. 1 5. 1 Pet. 2.24 Q. Why thirdly A. That he might be a mercifull and faithfull High Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Heb. 2.17 18. Heb. 4.15 Heb. 5.2 Our Saviour was taken from among men that he might have compassion them that be tempted and out of the way Q. Did Gods justice require him to death was it necessary that Christ should dye for us A. Yes Sin calls for death as for its wages and he that will redeem a sinner must dye for him He must
Q. And what is their duty back againe to Inferiours A. They must not disdaine nor dispise others that be below themselves in gifts or estate but rather to be beneficiall to them by their countenance good example best use of their gifts Jam. 2.2 Job 29.15 16 17. Luk. 8.3 1 Tim. 6.17 Tit. 2.2 All tallents are given for use as the eie recieves not sight for it selfe nor the stomack meat for it selfe but for the body Q. Because all men are to be honoured and we must not doe any thing whereby our brother is set at nought Tell me how equals ought to behave themselves one toward another As fellow-servants fellow-Ministers fellow-Citizens A. They must be curteous one to another respectfull giving honour one to another not provoking envying or disgracing one another 1 Pet. 2 17. Rom. 12.10 Mat. 23.6 Gal. 5.26 Q. Why must we be carefull of this Law A. Because God hath annexed outward blessings to the conscionable performance of the duties herein contained namely long life wel-being It shall be well with thee and thou shalt live long We must take all outward promises with this condition viz so farre as they shall be expedient for the health of our soules and not to the hurt of them Gods children have long life health c. or the blessing of them CAP. XXXVI Of the six Commandement Thou shalt not kill Q. WHat is the purpose of God in this sixt Commandement A. 1. To provide for the safety and preservation of mans life 2. And it forbids all unmercifulnesse cruelty whereby the life or wel-being of the life of another is prejudiced and impeached We must not 1. Harme our own or anothers life 2. Nor wish in affection any impairing of the same Nor 3. Signify by tokens any such desire Mat. 15.19 This Commandement is broken Inwardly Outwardly Q. How is it broken inwardly A. Two waies First by rash and unadvised anger Now anger is an inward motion of displeasure against another inclining the heart to wish or practice evil to another there is a just anger against the sinnes of others but sinfull anger is that which is conceived upon surmises false causes or else is excessive in the measure and continuance or evill in its effects moving us to doe evill Mat. 5.22 Eph 4.31 Jam. 1.19 20. Prov. 14.29 Q. How secondly A. By hatred and malice envy and desire of revenge against another This is the murther of the heart 1 Ioh. 3.15 Col. 3.8 Rom. 12.19 Obad. v. 10 12. Is all revenge unlawfull A. All private revenge in unlawfull but God hath set the Magistrate in his stead to take vengeance upon a Malefactor and to right our wrongs for us Prov. 20.22 Rom. 13.4 Rom. 12.17 1 Sam. 25.26 35. Q. How is this Commandement broken outwardly A. Many waies First when the murther of the heart doth breake forth and discover it selfe in dogged and wrathfull lookes and gestures Mat. 5.22 Racha Gen. 4.5 Mat. 27.39 Psal 22.13 Gen. 21.9 2 Sam. 13.15 All disdainfull and scornfull carriages as the fleering of the countenance laying out of the tongue grinding of the teeth biting the nailes shaking the head stamping with the foot at one or any other gesture and carriage whereby thy brother is set at nought is a sinne against this commandement this is to say Rache Q. How secondly A. When the wrath and malice of the heart breaks forth into evill speeches as a railing b scoffing c brawling and chiding d accusing upbraiding e and threatning c. These shew the venome and rancor of the heart and are the murther of the tongue this is to say Thou foole a Psal 59 7. 2 Sam. 16.8 b Mat. 27.40 43. 2 King 2.23 c Eph. 4.31 Tit. 3.2 d Psal 52.4 Ezek. 22.9 e Act. 9 1. In all which places you see that Railing Scoffing Brawling Accusing Threatning and such like are here forbidden Q. How thirdly doe men sin against this Law outwardly A. When anger and fury breakes forth into blowes so that we strike wound or maime another Act. 23.3 Exod. 2.13 Exod 21.18 20 22. Q. How fourthly A. In the grosse act of murther that is when men lay violent hands on a themselves or b others to the taking away of their life c or else by Counsell wishing approbation or any other way are consenting to the killing of themselves or others a 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.5 b Gen. 4.8 c 2 Sam. 12.9 1 King 21.10 13. Mat. 14.8 Act. 8.1 Act. 22.20 It is a fearfull sin Num. 35.31 33. Judg. 9.24 Q. How else doe men become guilty of murther in the sight of God A. VVhen we a neglect the means of life and health or else by b surfetting and drunkennesse impaire our own or anothers health or c else doe desperately cast our selves and others into dangers and sinnes which are punishable by death a 1 Tim. 5.23 b Rom. 13.13 Hab. 2.15 c 2 Sam. 23.15 17. Joh. 11.8 9. d 1 King 2.23 Q How lastly doe we become guilty of bloud in the sight of God A. By unmercifull and cruell dealings with other using oppressions and extremities against them Esay 1.15 Esay 3.15 Jer. 22.13 17. Mic 3.2 10. Luk. 11.39 Ezek. 22.7 13 27. Such persons are compared to Butchers to Grinders to Theeves to Wâ—lves they are murtherers in the sight of God Q. VVhat is here commanded in this Law A. All workes of sobriety meeknesse and mercy whereby the life of my selfe or neighbour is preserved VVe must put on a bowels of mercy we must b speak good unto them c defend and a relieve them as we can a Col. 3.12 b Gen. 31.29 c Exod. 2.13 Jer. 26.24 a Luk. 10.37 Q. As there is a life so there is a murthering of the soule as well as of the body and he is a Murtherer that kils his owne soule or the soule of another Act. 20.26 VVhat doth God require of us in this regard A. That we should not a plunge our selves or others into sin and heresy by rejecting or corrupting the food of souls Gods VVord nor by any other seducement whatsoever but b rather to bring our selves and others to a love of the truth and labouring after the bread of life a Ezek. 33.8 9. Ezek. 34.4 2 Cor. 7.2 2 Pet. 3.16 Tit. 3.11 b Jam. 5.20 Ioh. 4.10 14 26. Iude v. 20.21 Heb. 3.13 CAP. XXXVII Seventh Commandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery Q. WHat is the drift of this Commandement A. To provide for the chastity of our selves and others Wherein God doth 1. Require a clean heart and body 2. And forbiddeth all words gestures that may sound and allure to uncleannesse Mat 5.28 1 Thes 4.3 4. This Commandement is broken Inwardly Outwardly Q. How inwardly A. By filthy imaginations and desires of the heart though they never break forth into the outward action that 's the adultery of the heart Col 3.5 1 Cor 7.9 Gen 39.7 2 Sam. 13.2 Q. How is it broken outwardly A.