of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7
51. Isai 63.10 not to quench or grieve it 1 Thess 5.19 Eph. 4.30 but to be led thereby and to walke after the direction and guidance thereof for such are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph 4.30 They are Gods children Rom. 8.14 and unto such there is no condemnation for they are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 and in them the righteousnes of the Law is fulfilled Rom. 8.4 namely sincerely in Gods favorable acceptation P. What actions that concerne our neighbour must Christians doe to assure them of salvation M. Loving him which is manifested chiefely in giving Heb. 13 16. and 9 10. and forgiving Eph 4.32 is exercised toward all men but specially toward the houshold of faith and all sincere Christians Gal. 6 10. For these loving affections and actions accompany salvation Heb 6 9. and they which are exercised therein with diligence unto the end doe attaine the full assurance of hope Heb 6.11 Hereby Christians that love in deed and in truth doe know that they are translated from death to life 1 Iohn 3.14 and that they are of the truth and shall assure their heartes before God 1 Ioh. 3.19 and unto such God wil one day say Come yee blessed of my Father receive the kingdome prepared from the beginning of the world because when I was hungry yee fed mee when I was naked yee clothed me and when I was sicke and in prison ye visited me in my members Math. 25.34.35.36 P. What actions bee they that concerne our selves the doing whereof will assure us of salvation M. They are these Nyne chiefely P. Which is the first M. Daily repenting of our daily sinnes with purpose and practise of amendment and crying God mercy in Christ For such godly sorrow for sinne causing amendment is unto salvation 2 Cor. 7 10. Such departing from iniquitie is a seale unto them that the Lord knoweth they are his belong unto him 2 Tim 2 19 and such purging of themselves from sinne is an assurance unto them that they are vessels of honour 2. 2 Tim 2.21 and vessels of honour are vessells of mercy prepared unto glory Rom 9.23 P. Which is the second M. Giving and consecrating our selves to the service of God with an upright heart 1 Chron 28.9 For such prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Rom 12.1 that is they understand thereby that it is Gods will and purpose to save them and no marvell seeing Gods servants have the fruit of their service in holinesse here and the end eternall life hereafter Rom 6.19.22 P. Which is the third M. Mortifying the old man that is subduing and weakening the power of our corrupt nature by the word prayer and fasting and by denying to our selves the occasions and opportunities of sinne specially of those sinnes to which wee are most inclined by nature or custome Col 3.5 For such shall live in heaven Rom 8.13 such may with rejoycing looke for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of that great God and of our Saviour Iesus Christ Tit 2.12.13 And no marvell seeing such are Christs and members of him Gal 5.24 P. Which is the fourth M. Strengthening the new man or the inner man by the word prayer and Sacraments 2 Cor 4.16 1 Pet 2.2 And thereby growing in the number measure of their Christian vertues and graces for thereby they shall make their calling and election sure and an entrance shall bee ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet 5. to 12. And such shall bee able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of God toward them in Iesus Christ Eph 3.16.18 Yea God will establish their hearts unblameable in holinesse before God even the Father at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all Saints 2 Thess 3.12 13. P. Which is the fifth M. Moderating our desires to the pleasures profits and honours of this world 1 Cor 7.29 30 31 and setting our affections upon holy and heavenly things Col 3.1 For such have their conversation in heaven and that their end is salvation Phil 3.19 20 Yea it is a signe that such as be thus sober 1 Thess 5.5.8 and are not besotted and drunke with the things of this life they have not their portion in this life as the wicked have Psal 17.14 but that God hath appointed them to obtaine salvation by our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Thess 5.8 9. P. Which is the sixth M. Professing Christianity the Gospell and godlinesse before men zealously and sincerely discreetly devoutly Rom 14.11 For Christ will confesse and acknowledge such before the Angels of God Luke 12.8 such lay hold on eternall life 1 Tim 6.12 Yea such confesse unto salvation and shall bee saved Rom 10.9 10. P. Which is the seventh M. Getting and keeping a good conscience being in all things desirous and endeavorous to please God Hebr 13.18 Acts 23.1 For such may draw neere unto God with full assurance of faith Hebr 10.22 such have hope toward God of a ioyfull resurrection to eternall life Acts 24.15 16 and may have considence toward God and assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.19 21. P. Which is the eighth M. Striving and endeavoring to persevere in right beleeving well doing and patient suffering 1 Cor 15.1 Gal 5.1 Hebr 4. 10.22 For such shall be saved Matth 10.22 shall have the crowne of life Rev 2.11 When Christ shall appeare they shall have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his comming 1 Iohn 2.28 And they may assure themselves that there is laid up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the righteous Iudge will give unto them at that day 2 Tim 4.8 P. Which is the last action whereby Christians may assure themselves of salvation M. The proving and trying approving and warranting of our Christian vertues and graces 2 Cor. 13.5 For by the proofe of them namely works of faith labour of loue and patience of hope by these effectes S. Paule knew that the Thessalonians were elected of God and that consequently they should be saved 1 Thes 1.3 and what he knew of thē by this meanes they might also know of themselves by the same P. How may wee try and prove our graces so as to approve of them for good M. On this manner 1 Our faith or beleefe of the Gospell is good when in our judgement we do not joyne the workes of the Law with faith in Christ for salvation but stand fast in this beleefe Gal 5.2 1 Cor 15.1 2. Acts 15.5 to 24. 2. Our repentance is good when wee are sorry for sinne not onely as it is dangerous to our soules but as it offends God by breaking his Law Psal 51.4 and when being rooted in the heart it shewes it selfe in the actions of the life by leaving former sinne and amending our lives 1 Sam 7.3 Matth 3.8 Acts 26.18 3. Our
faith or beleefe in Christ is good wheÌ„ it works in us by love to God and our neighbour Gal 5.6 and is shewed by good workes Tit 3.8 Iam 2.18 and when it stirres us up to sincere obedience to Gods commandements Hebr 11.8 4. Our feare of God is right when we feare him as much for his mercy as for his justice Psal 130.2 and feare more to sinne against him than to be punished by him Psal 4.4 Gen 39.9 5. Our love of God is good when it stirres us up to keepe his Commandements Iohn 14.15.23 when wee love him for those excellent perfections of wisedome and goodnesse that are in him as well as for the benefits that come from him and when it stirres us up to hate evill and sinne Psal 97.9 10. 6. Our hope in God namely for the resurrection to eternall life and for Christs second comming is right when being grounded on the Scriptures Rom 15.4 wee comfort our selves in our afflictions with it 1 Thess 4.13.18 when wee patiently waite Gods leisure for the obtaining of things promised 1 Thess 1.3 Rom 8.23 and when it purifies our hearts 1 Iohn 3.3 and makes us deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live righteously and godlily and soberly in this present world Titus 2.12 13. P. Good Sir I humbly acknowledge my selfe beholden to you for your care over me and paines with mee I hope I shall never forget it but endeavour to shew my selfe thankefull The Lord requite your labour of love to me in private by a greater blessing upon your ministery in publike and by prolonging your life health and strength for Gods glorie and the good of his Church in Iesus Christ. The Lord bee with you Sir and with your studies FINIS A PRAYER FOR GRACE TO Seeke to serve God and bee saved MOst glorious Lord God and heavenly Father Reu 4 11 who art worthy of all honour and service Iam 4 12 and who art able to save and destroy Luk 17 10 Thy unprofitable servant unworthy of salvation Acts 13 46 doth desire to humble himselfe before thee freely acknowledging that howsoever I am convinced in my judgement that nothing in this world doth so neerely concerne me to looke unto as thy service and mine owne salvation yet my heart tells and smites me that I have minded nothing lesse then these and that I have with much greedinesse sought after health and wealth worldly pleasures and treasures which only belong to the body this present life as if they only were worth my seeking and were more able to afford me true content than thy service and my salvation Thou hast brought me into the world and made me a member of thy Christian Church chiefly for to get grace into my heart that I might serve thee and live in thy feare and also to get peace into my conscience that I might dye in thy favour and be eternally saved 2 Cor 6 2 for now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation But I have neglected the prerogative of thy service Rom 9 2 Hebr 2 4 and so great salvation and have spent my precious time and thoughts in the pursuite of carthly things which I should have counted but as losse and dung Phil 3 8 in comparison of winning Christ and with him salvation as if I had beene borne to no other end but to serve the world sinne and Satan and to make provision fâ—r the flesh Rom 13 14 to fulfill the lusts thereof O Lord God when I call to minde and consider my vanity and folly yea ungracious wickednesse in trampling under my feete such precious pearles as are thy service Hebr 10 29 and my salvation I am confounded in my selfe wondcring at thy patiencc that couldst so long endure such an ungratefull wretch to live in thy Church yea I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee because this mine iniquity is increased over my head Ezra 9 6 and my wickednesse is growne up unto heaven crying for vengeance upon such contempt of thy grace Iohn 3 19 it being condemnation to love darknesse more than light earth more than heaven and the world more than thee or mine owne soule But thy mercy O Lord God is over all thy workes Psal 145 9 138 8. and endures for ever It is as great as thy Majesty and thy goodnesse is as much as thy greatnesse and the blood of Iesus Christ is able to wash mee so cleane from my sinnes Reuel 1 5 that I shall be holy Eph 5 27 and without blemish before thee therefore there is hope in Israel concerning this thing Ezra 10 2 And therefore upon the bended knees of my heavy laden soule I most humbly cry thee mercy most mercifull Father for this and all other my sinnes originall and actuall committed against the Law and the Gospell and with all the powers of my soule most earnestly beseech thee for the Lords sake Dan 9 17 Isay 53 11 Acts 3 14. Mat 3 17 thy righteous servant the holy One and the just in whom thou art well pleased to forgive me to be reconciled unto me and to shed thy love into my heart by thy holy Spirit Rom 5 5 which may beare witnesse to my Spirit c. 8 16. that I am thy Childe beloved in thy holy Childe Iesus Acts 4 27 Let thy mercy move thee to looke upon his righteousnesse to justify me when thy justice would make thee looke upon my sinnes to condemne me Accept of him for my surety Hebr. 7.22 and of the price of his blood for my ransome 1 Pet 1 23 Thou hast said O blessed God that whosoever comes Mat 11 28 unto thy Sonne Iesus Christ Ioh 6 35. and beleeves in him with an heavie laden soule wearie of their former wickednesse thou wilt ease and forgive them 1 Iohn 1 9 Oh be just and faithfull to make good this promise unto me to ease and to save me I desire to honour thy infinite mercy and thy Sonnes unvaluable merits by seeking to them onely and trusting in them alone for salvation O be thou pleased also to magnifie them upon me for I have as much need of them as any 1 Tim 1 â—5 being the chiefe of sinners and the saving vertues of them shall be magnified in the cure of my soule as well as of any other It hath pleased thee heavenly Father to give unto me in some measure a sight and sense of my sins particularly of my neglect and contempt of thy service and my salvation Oh be pleased I beseech thee yet more and more to discover unto me the folly and foulnesse of this and all my sinnes that my heart may be so broken with godly remorse and sorrow for them that I may leave them and live no longer in them but cleave unto thee to serve thee in new obedience for what will it profit
heads are foure whereof the first concernes God the second your selfe the third other men and the fourth hath respect unto salvation it selfe P. Which bee those reasons that concern God and which may perswade me to seeke to bee saved M. They are three That Christians must seeke to be saued and why The first is taken from Gods commandement that biddes Christians to seeke the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse yea to seeke it first that is before above al worldly things Matth 6.33 To strive to enter in at the strait gate Luke 13.24 To labour for the meate that endures to eternall life Iohn 6.27 and to labour to enter into that rest Hebr 4.11 The second reason is drawne from Gods promise Why Christians must seeke to be saued which is 1. in generall that they which seeke shall finde Matth 7.7 2. in speciall that they which seeke the Lord shall finde him Ier 29.13 3. and in particular that they which seeke Gods Kingdome it will be their Fathers pleasure to give it unto them Luke 12.31 32. The third argument is taken from Gods dealing with sinners in his seeking that they might be saved For 1. God the Father expostulates with sinners why they will dye and not be saved Ezck 33.11 yea he intreates by his Ministers that they would bee reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 2. Iesus Christ came to seek and save lost sinners Luk 19.10 yea hee invites them to come unto him that is to beleeve in him that they may be eased and saved Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 And 3. the Holy Ghost strives with them by exhortations Gen 6.3 and testifies to them that is forewarnes and chargeth theÌ„ by threatnings that they would bee converted to the end they may be saved Nehem. 9.30 1 Thess 4.6 Now there is no reason that God should seeke to us to be saved and not we to him P. What is the reason that concernes our selves that may move us to seeke to be saved M. It is this wee must seeke to be saved because wee neede to seeke it and we neede to seeke for salvation partly because we are by nature ignorant of the way thereunto 1 Cor 1.22 23. 2.14 and the Divell seekes to keepe us in this ignorance 2 Cor 4.4 partly because salvation will not be obtained without diligent seeking for the violent take it by force Matth 11.12 and partly also because if we doe neglect to seeke salvation we sinne fearefully and cannot escape condemnation Hebr 2.4 Iohn 3.19 P. What is the reason to perswade me to seeke for salvation that is taken from other men M. It is this First Gods Ministers doe seeke us that we might be saved 2 Cor 12.14 for they beseech us to bee reconciled to God 2 Cor 5.20 they exhort us to save our selves from the wicked generation of this world Acts 2.40 yea their hearts desire and prayer to God for us is that we might bee saved Rom 10.1 And there is no reason that Ministers should bee more carefull of our salvation than wee of our owne Secondly the Church of God in all ages hath afforded many memorable examples of holy people that have sought for salvation and found it Acts 2.37 16.30 Hebr. 11.6 P. What is the fourth and last reason taken from some consideration concerning salvation it selfe M. It is this You ought to seeke for salvation because it is worth your seeking for it is called by way of excellency so great salvation Hebr 2.4 the salvation of God Acts 23.28 yea salvation with eternall glory 2 Tim 2.10 P. These indeed are good arguments to prove both that I must seeke it and why I must but when must I seeke it M. Though I say you must seeke to bee saved when you dye I doe not meane you must seeke when you dye but that you must seeke to bee saved while you live You must seeke God while hee may be found Isay 55.5 and God will be found in this life for now is the day of salvation now is the accepted time 2 Cor 6.3 for now the means of grace are afforded unto us in the use of Gods ordinances appointed for that end Dives was carryed to hell when he dyed and out of it there is no redemption Luke 16.23.26 The foolish virgins wanting oyle in their lampes when the bridegroome came were shut out of the bride-chamber though then they desired to get oyle Math. 25.12 P. But I pray you good Sir how and by what meanes may I seeke for salvation M. Even in the same manner How Christians must seeke to be saued and by the same meanes that I taught you to seeke to serve God namely by seeking 1. to know the chiefe points of the doctrine of salvation 2. to affect and desire it 3. to get and obtaine salvation P. I pray you then Sir in the first place tell me what are the chiefe poynts of the doctrine of salvation that are to be knowne M. They are three To know the chiefe points of salvation for we must knowe beleeue 1. What it is to bee saved and this wee may knowe for God hath ordayned meanes to giue vs knowledge of salvation Luk. 1.77 And to shew us the way of it Act 16.17.2 The severall degrees by which salvation is attayned which is not all at once 3. The meanes whereby it is effected and brought to passe in these severall degrees P. Sir I thinke I knowe already the first poynt which is what it is to be saved namely it is to bee freed from hell and damnation M. It is some thing which you say but that is not all For to bee saved is not onely to bee freed from all eternall curssednesse which is to escape the damnation of hell Math. 23 33. to be delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thes 5.10 to haue your soule saved from death eternall Iam 5.20 and to be kept that yee perish not nor be condemned Iohn 3 16 17. But to bee saved is to partake of all eternall blessednesse in another life and world which is to obtaine eternall glory 2. Tim 2 10 to inherit the kingdome of God Math 25 34 to enter into our Masters joy Math 25.34 to bee ever with the Lord Christ 1 Thess 4.17 Phâ—l 1 23 namely to behold and partake of his glory Iohn 17.24 P. I perceive now my failing and it must needs be so as you say touching the nature of salvation but I pray you also proceed to the second general point of the doctrine of salvation to shew me what are the degrees by which it is attained M. They are three The degrees of saluation 1. In this life Luke 19.9 2. At the end of this life Acts 7.59 3. At the end of the world Hebr 9.28 P. What degree of salvation is attained unto in this life M. It hath three branches 1. Iustification wherby the faithfull are fully acquitted and discharged from the guilt and punishment of all their
deny but these reasons doe prove the point most cleerely but one thing there is that I am not as yet resolved of namely I would faine learne how the resurrection from the dead should be a happines to the faithfull more than to the wicked and unfaithfull for all both good and bad arise M. It cannot be denied but all both good and bad just and unjust must arise from death to life Iohn 5.28 Acts 24.15 but though this be true yet there is a great difference in their rising and this difference shewes the happinesse of the one and the unhappinesse of the other P. Wherein I pray you is the difference betwixt the resurrection of the godly and of the wicked M. It appeares specially in three things 1. All arise not the same manner of persons for some rise just and godly as they lived and dyed Luke 14.14 yea they rise Gods children Luke 22.36 but others rise unjust unrighteous and wicked as they lived and dyed Acts 24 15. 2. All arise not by the same meanes for the godly arise by Christs mediation and resurrection as his members 1 Thess 4.14 1 Pet 1.3 4. 2 Cor 4.14 But the wicked arise from death to life onely by Gods power and as his creatures 3. All arise not to the same end for the godly arise to the resurrection of life and eternall blessednesse Ioh 5.29 Matth 25.32.34 To shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the starres for ever and ever Dan. 12.2 Whereas the ungodly arise to the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.29 and to shame and everlasting contempt Dan 12.2 Some also have thought that there is a fourth difference betweene the resurrection of the just and unjust namely that the dead in Christ shall arise before them that have dyed out of him and for that they alledge a place in S. Paul 1 Thess 4.16 But I answer though it be not a thing improbable that the godly shall arise before the wicked yet doe I not thinke that that place proves it because that place speakes not of an order betwixt the rising of the godly and wicked but of an order betwixt the dead in Christ and the living in Christ at his second comming and that order is that the dead in Christ shall not prevent or goe before unto heaven and happinesse the living or them that shall be alive at Christs second comming P. But I pray you forget not that degree of happinesse whereof both the soules and bodies of the godly partake at the end of the world M. This happinesse hath 6 branches 1. Both soule and body shall bee joyned together even the very same Iob 19.25 26. 2. They shall bee freed from ever dying any more Luke 20.36 3. They shall be perfectly sanctified with that measure of grace whereof a creature can be capable for the fitting of him to enjoy the heavenly glory 1 Cor 15.49 4. Being sanctified they shall be translated and received into the kingdome of heaven Matth 25.34 5. Being translated they shall partake of glory with God and Christ Iohn 17.24 6. Partaking of heavenly glory they shall enjoy it for ever 1 Thes 4.17 P. These indeede are excellent degrees of happinesse the Lord fit us to partake of them but I pray you remember to shew mee the third generall point necessary to be knowne in the doctrine of salvation which was the meanes whereby it is effected and brought to passe in the severall degrees thereof M. I will The means whereby saluation is effected by the grace of God These meanes are certaine actions of God P. What are the actions wrought by God that bring to passe mans salvation M. They are actions that properly belong to the severall Persons of the sacred Trinity namely 1. God the Father 2. God the Sonne and 3. God the Holy Ghost P. What were the actions of God the Father whereby mans salvation was effected M. Twofold 1. In respect of Christ his appointing and sending him into the world to save it Iohn 3.16 and his setting him in the office of his Mediatorship Ioh. 6.28 Matth 3.17 2. And in respect of the faithfull his justifying of them his being reconciled unto them and his adopting of them to be his children and heires of heaven whereof you have heard before in the degrees of salvation P. What were the actions of God the Sonne which hee did to bring to passe our salvation M. They were those whereby hee merited and procured that the Elect should be surely brought into Gods favour againe and safely carried to heaven for he is called the Authour of our salvation Hebr 5.9 and the Captaâ—ne of our salvation Hehr 2.10 And hee is called a Saviour and our Saviour 23 times in the New Testament And these actions of Christ concerned either 1 his conception and birth or 2. his life or 3. his death or 4. his resurrection or 5. ascension or 6. his sitting on Gods right hand P. What was Christs conception and birth and the merit of them to our salvation M. Christs conception and birth was his incarnation whereby he tooke into the unity of his Person being the Sonne of God the man then in framing in the wombe of the Virgin Mary By this being a great abasing to him Phil 2.6 7. Hebr 2.14 he merited and procured that our originall sinne wherein we were conceived and borne of our parents should be pardoned and purged Psal 51.3 P. What were the actions of Christs life whereby hee wrought our salvation M. They were these principally 1. In his life hee was just righteous 1 Pet. 3.18 for hee knew no sinne experimentally 2 Cor. 5.21 But was holy and separate from sinners Hebr 7.26 Hee was Gods righteous servant Isay 53.11 He was made unto us righteousnesse 1 Cor 1.30 That by the imputatioÌ„ of the merit thereof to all true beleevers their imperfect righteousnes might be covered and they therein accepted and presented as faultlesse Iude verse 24 holy and without blame Eph 5.25 Yea that hee might establish them unblameable in holines before God 1 Thess 3 13. 2. In his life Christ made many heavenly prayers to God his Father for his Elect and by them Christ merited that their faith might not faile Luke 22.32 nor they fall from grace but be brought safe to glory in heaven Ioh. 17.11.24 3. In the life of Christ 1. hee endured much poverty Mat 8.20 having not a house to put his head in of his owne though he were Lord of all Acts 10.36 2. Hee was much shamed and disgraced being reviled and rayled upon Mat 27.30 And 3. he was put to much paine being buffeted and scourged Matth 27.26 Ioh 19.1 Matth 26.6 7. But Christ merited and procured for us hereby that by his povertie we might be made rich 2 Cor 8.9 that by his disgrace wee might be honoured with this prerogative of being Gods children Iohn 1.12 that by his stripes we might be healed 1 Pet 2.24 And that all our afflictions might