Q What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The holy Scriptures principally teach what Man is bound to believe concerning God and what Duty God requires of (e) 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3.16 see before Man. 4. Q. What is God A. God is a (f) Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Spirit (g) Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection V. 8. It is as high as heaven what canst thou do Deeper than hell what canst thou know V. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth and broader than the sea Infinite (h) Psal 90.2 Before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Eternal and (i) James 1.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning Unchangeable in his (k) Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you Being (l) Psal 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite Wisdom (m) Rev. 4.8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Isa 6.3 And one cried unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Power (n) Rev. 15.5 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest Holiness (o) Deut. 32.4 He is the rock his work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Justice (p) Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth V. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Goodness and Truth 5. Q. Are there more Gods than one A. This God is one and there is and there can be but one only the living and true * Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King at his breath the earth shall tremble and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 1 Cor. 8.4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one V. 6. But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him God. 6. Q. How many Persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead or Divine Being and Nature the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equal in (q) 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God. Compare Isa 6.3,5,8 with Joh. 12.41 and Acts 28.25 Acts 5.3,4 But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land Whiles it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God. Power and Glory and all divine Perfections 7. This one God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost is the first efficient Cause or Creator the preserving and disposing and the final Cause of all things Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen 8. What soever God hath done and brought forth he did according to his Eternal Purpose and Decrees Ephes 1.11 Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. 9. Q. What are the Decrees of God A. The Decrees of God are his Eternal Purpose according to the Counsel of his Will whereby for his own Glory he hath fore-ordained whatever comes to (r) Ephes 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love V. 11. In whom also we obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. 9 22. What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction V. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory pass 10. Q. How doth God execute his Decrees A. God executeth his Decrees in the works of Creation and (Å¿) Ephes 1.11 Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. Providence 11. Q. What is the Work of Creation A. The Work of Creation is God's making all things of nothing by the Word of his Power in the space of six days and all very (t) Gen. chap. 1. throughout Heb. 11.13 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things that do appear good 12. Q. How did God create Man A. After all the rest of his Works God created Man Male and Female after his own Image in Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness with Dominion over the (u) Gen. 1.26 And God said Let us make Man in our own image after our likeness and let them have dominion over the rish of the sea and over the fowl of the
with psalms V. 3. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods V. 6. Oh come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our Maker us in these words For I the Lord. his Propriety in (d) Psal 45.11 So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him us in these words Thy God and the Zeal he hath to his own (e) Exod. 34.13 But ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves V. 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is Jealous is a jealous God. Worship in these words For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children c. 9. Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is Exod. 27.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God's (g) Matth. 6.9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy Name Dent. 28.58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law written in this book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name THE LORD THY GOD. Names (h) Psal 68.4 Sing unto God sing praises to his name extel him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH and rejoice before him Titles (i) Rev. 15.3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of saints V. 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorisie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest Attributes (k) Mal. 1.11,14 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name and a pure-offering for my Name shall be great among the Heathen saith the Lord of Hosts V. 14. But cursed be the deceiver that hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and my Name is dreadful among the Heathen Ordinances (l) Psal 138.1 I will praise thee with my whole heart before the gods will I sing praise unto thee V. 2. I will worship towards thy holy temple and praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name Word and (m) Job 36.24 Remember that thou magnisie his work which men behold Works Q. What is forbidden in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment forbiddeth all prophaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself (n) Mal. 1.6 A son honoureth his father and a servant his master If then I be a Father where is mine honour And if I be a Master where is my fear saith the Lord of Hosts unto you O priests that despise my Name and ye say Wherein have we despised thy Name V. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar and ye say Wherein have we polluted thee In that ye say The table of the Lord is contemptible V. 12. But ye have prophaned it in that ye say The table of the Lord is polluted and the fruit thereof even as wheat is contemptible Chap. 2. V. 2. If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my Name saith the Lord of Hosts I will even send a curse upon you and will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay it to heart Chap. 3.14 Ye have said It is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts known Q. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the third Commandment is That however the Breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from Men yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous (o) 1 Sam. 2.12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial they knew not the Lord. V. 17. Wherefore the sin 〈◊〉 the young men was very great before the Lord for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. V. 22. Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation V. 24. Nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear ye make the Lord's people to transgress 1 Sam. 3.13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not Deut. 28.58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name THE LORD THY GOD V. 59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful and the plagues of thy seed even great plagues and of long continuance and sore sicknesses and of long continuance Judgment 10. Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A The fourth Commandment is Exod. 20.8,9,10,11 Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-day to keep it holy six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy Daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it Q. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole Day in seven to be an holy Sabbath unto the (q) Deut. 5.12 Keep the sabbath-Sabbath-day to sanctisie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee V. 13. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work V. 14. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid servant nor thine ox nor thine ass nor any of thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates that thy man servant and thy maid servant may rest as well as thou Lord. Q. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly
fourth Commandment See Cat. Part 3. § 5 c. The outward and ordinary Means c. You cannot but desire the Mercies of this Life such as respect your outward Man. What makes Men outwardly happy but a Competency of the good things of this Life and Prosperity as far as shall be for God's Glory and our Good. Then Men live happily upon Earth when every one doth perform his Duty when we enjoy Peace when we live in Safety Honour Chastity good Repute outward Wealth and are content with our own Condition as you may gather from what is contained in the six last Commandments When you pray you must confess your Sins What Sins See the sinfulness of that State into which Mankind fell and the several Sins against each Commandment Make therefore your Requests known with humble Confession of your Original Sin bewail your Guilt the Loss of Original Righteousness the Corruption of your Nature and your many actual Sins of Thought Word and Deed of Omission or careless Performance of the Duties requ red and of Commission of Sins forbidden in each Commandment See and search each Commandment as opened in the Catechism together with the heinousness of your Sins and the greatness of them with their several Aggravations See Part 2. of the Cat. With a thankful Acknowledgment of his Mercies For what Mercies For all Mercies revealed offered and received particularly for the Covenant of Grace for Jesus Christ the Redeemer for all the Benefits of Redemption for Grace for the Means of Grace for outward Mercies publick private personal We offer up our Desires for what we want and make a thankful Acknowledgment of what we have and enjoy And so the matter of both is the same when you know what to pray for you know also what to be thankful for And to humble us in the sight of God and to make us earnest and importunate let us lay to heart the Misery of our State since the Fall Answ 22 23 c. Here followeth a Form or Pattern of Prayer sramed according to those Directions section 2 O God who art a Spirit Infinite Eternal Unchangeable in thy Being in thy Wisdom Power Holiness Justice Goodress and Truth Although we are not fit to come into thy glorious Presence being both unlike thee dark and foolish impotent and unclean guilty and corrupt thou art graciously pleased to command us to draw nigh unto thee and to seek thy Face in the Name of the Lord sesus Christ our Advocate in whom thou art well pleased For thine infinite Mercies and for thy Goodness sake be nigh unto us by thy Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ According to the multitude of thy tender Mercies be merciful unto us and blot out all our Iniquities A short general Confession We humbly confess and bewail that the Covenant being made with Adam for himself and his Posterity we who descend from him by ordinary Generation sinned in him and fell with him And now O Lord most holy and just we are guilty before thee we have lost Original Righteousness and our whole Nature is corrupted whereby we are apt and prone to all manner of actual Transgressions which proceed from this our Original Sin. We acknowledge that for our Sin we are justly deprived of Communion with thee and fallen under thy Wratn and Curse and made liable to all the Miseries of this Life to Death it self and to the Pains of Hell for ever Oh! we have daily broken thy Commandments in Thought Word and Deed and our Sins are very heinous in thy Sight because of many Aggravations A large Confession of Sin. Holy Lord our Nature is so corrupted and degenerate that we have by acting according to it transgressed all thy holy Commandments Oh! we have not loved thee with all our Heart with all our Soul and with all our Mind We have not loved our selves as we ought nor our Neighbour as our selves We are bound to keep all thy Commandments because thou art the Lord our God and Redeemer But Oh! we have not known thee nor acknowledged thee the only true God and our God nor worshipped and glorified thee accordingly As we have confessed thee with our Mouths so in our Works we have denied thee We have not worshipped and glorified thee as the only true God as God infinitely blessed and glorious but have robbed thee and given that to others which is due to thee alone and have not considered in our Hearts that thou who hatest Iniquity seest all things takest notice of and art much displeased with such Transgressors We have not received observed and kept pure and entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as thou hast appointed in thy Word nor have we considered thy Soveraignty over us Propriety in us and the Zeal which thou hast to thine own Worship We have not holily and reverently used thy Names Titles Attributes Ordinances Word and Works but have often prophaned the things whereby thou hast made thy self known neither have we laid to heart that though the Breakers of this Commandment may escape Punishment from Men yet thou the Lord our God wilt not suffer them to escape thy righteous Judgments Glorious and holy Lord We have not kept holy to thee such set Times as thou hast appointed not that one whole Day in seven which is our Christian Sabbath We have not sanctified it by an holy Resting all that Day from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other Days and by spending the whole time in the publick and private Exercises of thy Worship or only in the Works of meer Necessity and Mercy But on the contrary we have sinned by the Omission or careless Performance of the Duties required by often prophaning the Day by Idleness or that which is in it self sinful and by unnecessary thoughts Words and Works about worldly Employments or Recreations And we have not as we should considered thy merciful allowing us six Days for our worldly Employments thy challenging a special Propriety in the sabbath-Sabbath-day thine own Example and thy blessing of it all which should have moved us to keep it holy Thus have we sinned against thine infinite glorious Majesty We have sinned against Heaven and against thee To these great Offences against thee the Lord our God we have added many Sins against our Neighbour also We have not only failed in performing the Duty which we owe to every one in their several places and relations but have often and many ways done contrary thereunto We have sinned in not preserving the Honour in not performing the Duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as Superiors Inferiors and Equals but have neglected or done many things against the Honour and Duty belonging to every one in their several places and relations We have not been so careful and charitable as we ought to do whatsoever tendeth to the Preservation of our own and our Neighbour's Life of our own and our Neighbour's
Ignorant and of them who go out of the way who hast by thy Holy Spirit made the Reading but especially the Preaching of thy Word an effectual Means of convincing and converting Sinners and of building them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation be pleased for Christ's sake to prepare our Hearts that we may attend to thy Word and receive it as new-born Babes 1 Pet. 2.1 by Faith and Love and lay it up in our Hearts and practise it in our Lives Before the Sacrament or Communion Most holy wise and merciful Lord God when all Mankind was fallen into an Estate of Sin and Misery it pleased thee to enter into a Covenant of Grace to bring thy People out of that sinful and miserable Condition into an Estate of Salvation by thy beloved Son the only Redeemer thou art graciously pleased to teach us convince convert build up and comfort us by thy Word and for our furtherance in Faith Holiness and Comfort to represent to us Jesus Christ and all the Benefits of the New Covenant by sensible signs the Bread and Wine broken poured out given and received and not only to represent Christ to us but also to seal and apply him and the Benefits of the New Covenart Be thou pleased by thy Spirit of Grace to help us to receive the Bread and Wine according to thy divine Appointment that we may receive them worthily and be Partakers by Faith of his Body and Blood with all his Benefits to our spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace We pray thee help us to examine our selves and so let us eat Oh let us not eat and drink unworthily not discerning the Lord's Body but give us a clear and saving Knowledge to discern the Lord's Body a lively Faith to feed upon him a renewed Repentance to Life a pure and fervent Love and quicken us to walk in new Obedience to all thy Commandments Oh help us to remember him and shew forth his Death both by our Profession and holy Conversation till he come again For the Lord's Day O Lord our God who hast commanded us to remember to keep holy the Sabbath day for Jesus his sake forgive us our great Forgetfulness both in preparing for it and performing the Duties of it Thou hast been very merciful to us in allowing us six Days for our own Employments Thou hast strictly enjoined us to sanctifie this whole Day and to move us thereunto thou hast set before us thine own Example both of finishing all thy Works in six Days and resting the seventh and hast blessed the Day and sanctified it Yet we have not considered nor regarded these Reasons annexed to this thy holy Commandment to perswade and quicken us to this great and holy Duty Pardon us O Lord according to the Riches of thy Grace this our Transgression and seeing thou givest us hopes of enjoying another Sabbath we beseech thee help us by thy Holy Spirit to sanctifie this Sabbath by an holy Resting all this Day even from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other Days In reading hearing singing Psalms Meditation Prayer Conference and to spend the whole time in the publick and private Exercises of thy Worship except so much as is to be taken up in the Works of Necessity and Mercy which thou shalt call us to And keep us by thy Grace from the Omission or careless Performance of the Duties required from prophaning the Day by Idleness or any thing in it self sinful or by unnecessary Thoughts Words or Works about our worldly Employments or Recreations And bless the whole Day to us For Morning for every Day according to Ans 11. Most holy the All-wise and Almighty Lord God who dost by thy most holy wise and powerful Providence preserve and govern all thy Creatures and all their Actions we do most earnestly beseech thee to give us thy Holy Spirit to preserve our Souls from Sin and Temptations to govern our Thoughts Wills Affections our Words and Actions that they may be holy Over-rule our vain sinful Thoughts Imaginations Designs Purposes Motions and Affections to Evil. Raise in us Holiness of Design in our Conversation that we may aim at thy Glory Give us Wisdom and Discretion to order all our Affairs according to thy Laws Give us Ability and Strength that by thy Power we may carry on all the Affairs and Works of our particular Calling preserve us by thy Power therein from our Enemies and from all Harm and Danger We humbly commit our selves to thy holy wise and powerful Providence we desire thy Grace to depend thereupon and to ascribe the Glory of all our Success to thy Blessing Let us see and acknowledge thee in whatsoever shall come to pass this Day for all things are by thee and through thee and for thee to whom be Glory for ever For Night O Lord who hast created the Evening and the Morning and hast by thy great Wisdom ordained the Night for Rest and that part of our Time on Earth should be spent in Sleep and Rest that being refreshed thereby we might be enabled for thy surther Service When we are at rest we have neither Knowledge to discern nor Wisdom to fore see nor Power to resist the Evils that may befal us But thou by thy holy wise and powerful Providence preservest and governest all Creatures in all their Actions Therefore we adore thy Providence and in considence of thy Wisdom Power and Goodness cast our selves upon thee this Night humbly beseeching thee to preserve our Souls from Sin that we imagine not Evil upon our Beds our Persons our Relations our Habitation our Comsorts from Danger and Destruction from all Creatures who are subject to thy Command Keep us that we sleep not the Sleep of Death let neither Men nor Devils nor any other Creature disturb or hurt us And thou who governest all Creatures and all their Actions govern us our Imaginations Affections Senses Actions that sleeping or waking we may be thine And all we beg as in the Name of Christ so for the sake of Christ AMEN Directions to use this Form Perswasions to Family-Prayer especially and Resolution of some Questions briefly touched section 1 YOu see what store of spiritual and divine Matter your Catechism doth afford you to enable you for Prayer and Thanksgiving You shall not have cause to complain of want of Matter such as you ought and such as you may make use of You need no more to say you know not what to pray for for here is a Treasure digged up in your own Ground if indeed you make this little Catechism your own Now labour with your own Hearts and in this small Treatise and the Lord by his own Spirit teach you how to pray I perceive these Prayers to grow to such a length that I sear some will be discouraged from the length and seeming tediousness of all this therefore receive these few Counsels and Directions section
air and over the cattel and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth V. 27. So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them V. 28. And God blessed them and God said unto them Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth Col. 3.10 And have put on the new Man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Ephes 4.24 And that ye put on that new Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Creatures 13. Q. What are God's Works of Providence A. God's Works of Providence are his most (x) Psal 145.17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works holy (y) Psal 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Isa 28.29 This also cometh from the Lord of hosts which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working wise and powerful (z) Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high preserving and governing all his Creatures and all their (a) Psal 103.19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heaven his kingdom ruleth over all Matth. 10.29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father V. 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbred V. 31. Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows Actions 14. God's Providence is either general towards all his Creatures or special towards Mankind in the state of Creation before the Fall and in the state of Corruption since the Fall. 15. Q. What special Act of Providence did God exercise towards Man in the state wherein he was created A. When God had created Man he entred into a Covenant of Life with him upon condition of perfect Obedience forbidding him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil upon pain of (b) Gal. 3.12 And the law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall live in them Gen. 2.17 But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Death 16. Q. Did our first Parents continue in the Estate wherein they were created A. Our first Parents being left to the freedom of their own Will fell from the Estate wherein they were created by sinning against (c) Gen. 3.6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband with her and he did eat V. 7. And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons V. 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden V. 13. And the Lord God said unto the woman What is this that thou hast done And the woman said The serpent beguiled me and I did eat Eccles 7.29 Lo this only have I found that God hath made man upright but they have sought out many inventions God. 17. Q. What is Sin A. Sin is any want of Conformity unto or Transgression of the Law of (d) 1 Joh. 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law God. Any defect in keeping strictly and perfectly to the Law or any thing cross or contrary to the Law is Sin. 18. Q. What was the Sin whereby our first Parents fell from the Estate wherein they were created A. The Sin whereby our first Parents fell from that holy and happy Estate wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden (e) Gen. 3.12 The woman which thou gavest to be with me she gave me of the tree and I did eat Fruit. 19. All Mankind sinned and fell in Adam 's first Transgression For 20. Q. Did all Mankind fall in Adam 's first Transgression A. The Covenant being made with Adam not only for himself but for his Posterity all Mankind descending from him by ordinary Generation sinned in him and fell with him in his first (f) Gen. 2 16. And the Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat V. 17. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned V. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life V. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous 1 Cor. 15.21 For since by man came death by man also came the resurrection of the dead V. 22. For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive Transgression 21. Q. Into what Estate did the Fall bring Mankind A. The Fall of our first Parents brought Mankind into an Estate of (g) Rom. 5.12 see above Chap. 3.23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin and Misery 22. Q. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that Estate whereinto Man fell A. The sinfulness of that Estate whereinto Man fell consists in the Guilt of Adam's first Sin the want of Original Righteousness and the corruption of his whole Nature which is commonly called Original Sin together with all actual Transgressions which proceed from (h) Rom. 5.10 to 20. Ephes 2.1 And you he hath quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins V. 2. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience V. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath even as others Jam. 1.14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own
bodies he shall wound the heads over many countreys and restraining and conquering all his and our Enemies 32. Christ as our Redeemer did execute these three Offices both in the State of his Humiliation when he was upon Earth and still doth execute them in Heaven in his Exaltation 33. Q. Wherein did Christ's Humiliation consist A. Christ's Humiliation consisted (i) Luke 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. in his being born and that in a low condition (k) Gal. 4.4 And when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law. made under the Law (l) Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. V. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Isa 53.2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry ground he hath no form nor comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him V. 3. He is despised and rejected of men a Man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not undergoing the Miseries of this Life (n) Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross the Wrath of God (m) Luke 22.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Matth. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying ELI ELI LAMASABACHTHANI that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and the cursed Death of the Cross (o) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures in being buried (p) Matt. 2.40 As Jonas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Acts 2.24,25,26,27 31. V. 24. Whom God hath raised having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it V. 25. For David speaketh concerning him I foresaw the Lord always before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved V. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope V. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption V. 31. He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption and continuing under the power of Death for a time 34. Q. Wherein consisteth Christ's Exaltation Christ's Exaltation consisteth in (q) 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures his Rising again from the dead on the third day (r) Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God. in ascending up into Heaven (Å¿) Ephes 1.20 Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places in sitting at the right hand of God the Father (t) Acts 1.11 Which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Chap. 17. V. 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he shall judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead and in coming to judge the World at the last Day 35. Christ our Mediator wrought Redemption from that State of Sin and Misery into which we fell and purchased a happy State of Life and Salvation for all to whom it is applied 36. Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption Purchased by Christ (u) John 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not V. 12. but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name by the effectual Application of it to us (x) Tit. 3.5 Not by works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost V. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour by his holy Spirit 37. Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A. The holy Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ (y) Ephes 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise V. 14. Which is an earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out V. 39. And this is the Fathers Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given I should lose nothing but should raise it again at the last day Ephes 2.8 By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God. by working Faith in us and thereby (z) Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling 38. Q. What is effectual Calling A. Which effectual Calling is the Work of God's Spirit (a) 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Thess 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth V. 14. Whereunto he hath
God through our Lord Jesus Christ V. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. V. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us Joy in the Holy Ghost (t) Rom. 14.17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Increase of Grace (u) Prov. 4.18 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day and Perseverance therein to the end (x) 1 Joh. 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that you may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 45. Q. What benefits do Believers receive from Christ at death A. The Souls of Believers are at their death made perfect in (y) Heb. 12.23 To the general assembly and church of the first-born which are written in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect Holiness and do immediately pass into (z) 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens V. 6. Therefore we are confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. V. 8. We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Phil. 1.23 For I am in a strait betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better Luk. 23.43 And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Glory and their Bodies being still united to (a) 1 Thess 4.14 For if we believe Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him Christ do rest in their (b) Isa 57.2 He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness Graves till the (c) Job 19.26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God. V. 27. Whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me Resurrection 46. Q What benefit do Believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection A. At the Resurrection Believers being raised up in Glory (d) 1 Cor. 15.43 It is sown in dishonour it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness it is raised in power shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment (e) Mat. 25.23 His Lord said unto him Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matth. 10 32. Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God (f) 1 Joh. 3.2 Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Cor. 13.12 For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know but in part but then I shall know even as I am also known to all Eternity (g) 1 Thess 4.17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we be ever with the Lord. V. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words PART II. What Duties God requires of Man in his holy Law. 1. Q. What is the Duty which God requireth of Man A. The Duty which God requireth of Man is Obedience to his (h) Mic. 6.8 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God 1 Sam 15.22 And Samuel said Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams revealed Will. 2. Q What did God at first reveal to Man for the Rule of his Obedience A. The Rule which God at first revealed to Man for his Obedience was the Moral Law (i) Rom. 2.14 For when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the law are a law unto themselves V. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their consciences also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another Rom. 10.5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law that the man which doth those things shall live by them 3. Q. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the (k) Deut. 10.4 And he wrote on the tables according to the first writing the ten commandments which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and the Lord gave them unto me Matth. 19.17 And he said unto him Why callest thou me good there is none good but one that is God but if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments ten Commandments 4. Q. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is To love the Lord our God with all our Heart with all our Soul with all our Strength and with all our Mind and our Neighbour as our (l) Matth. 22.37 Jesus said unto him Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind V. 38. This is the first and great commandment V. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self V. 40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets selves 5. Q. What is the Preface to the Ten Commandments A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words Exod. 20.2 I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage 6. Q. What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teach us A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us That because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his (n) Luk. 1.74 That he
Sabbath A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ God hath appointed the seventh Day of the Week to be the weekly Sabbath And the first Day of the Week ever since to continue to the end of the World which is the Christian (r) Gen. 2.2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he made V 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctisied it because that in it he rested from all his work which God created and made 1 Cor. 16.1 Now concerning the collection for the saints as I have given order to the churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. Vpon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached to them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until midnight Sabbath Q. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by an holy resting all that (Å¿) Exod. 20.8 Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-day to keep it holy V. 10. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy son c. day even from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other (t) Nehem. 13.15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine-presses on the Sabbath-day and bringing in sheaves and lading asses as also wine grapes and figs and all manner of burthens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath-day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals V. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein which brought fish and all manner of wares and sold on the Sabbath-day unto the children of Judah and in Jerusalem V. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and prophane the Sabbath-day V. 18. Did not your fathers thus and did not God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by prophaning the Sabbath V. 19. And it came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants I set at the gates that there should be no burthen brought in on the Sabbath-day V. 21. Then testified I against them saying Why lodge ye about the wall If ye do so again I will lay hands on you From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath V. 22. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and come and keep the gates to sanctifie the Sabbath Remember me O my God concerning this also c. days and spending the whole time in the publick and private Exercises of God's (u) Luk. 4.16 And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day and stood up for to read Acts 20.7 And on the first day of the week c. Psal 92. Title A psalm or song for the sabbath-Sabbath-day Isa 66.23 And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Worship except so much as is to be taken up in the works of (x) Matth. 12. from V. 1 to 13. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath-day through the corn and his Disciples were an hungred and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat But when the Pharisees c. V. 12. Is it lawful to do well on the sabbath-Sabbath-days Necessity and Mercy Q. What are the Sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the Duties (y) Ezek. 22.26 Her priests have violated my law and prophaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and prophane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and clean they have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am prophaned among them Amos 8.5 Saying When will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat making the ephah small and the shekel great and falsifying the balances by deceit Mal. 1.13 Ye said also Behold what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of Hosts and ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering Should I accept this of your hand saith the Lord. required and the prophaning the Day by (z) Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until mid-Night V. 9. And there sate in a window a certain young man named Eutychus being fallen into a deep sleep and as Paul was long preaching he sunk down with sleep and fell down from the third loft and was taken up dead idleness or doing that which is in it self (a) Ezek. 23.38 Moreover thus they have done to me They have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have prophaned my Sabbaths sinful or by unnecessary Thoughts Words or Works about our worldly Employments or (b) Jer. 17.24 And it shall come to pass if ye diligently hearken unto me saith the Lord to bring in no burthen through the gates of this city on the Sabbath-day but hallow the Sabbath-day to do no work therein V. 25. Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David riding in chariots and on horses they and their princes the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and this city shall remain for ever V. 26. And they shall come from the city of Judah and from the places about Jerusalem and from the land of Benjamin and from the plain and from the mountains and from the south bringing burnt-offerings and sacrifices and meat-offerings and incense and bringing sacrisices of praise unto the house of the Lord. Isa 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shall honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Recreations Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to press the Observation of the Sabbath-day to the fourth Commandment are God's allowing us six Days of the Week for our own (c) Exod. 20.9 Six days shalt thou labour and
do all thy work Employment in these words Six days shalt thou labour his challenging a special property in the seventh in these words But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God his own Example of finishing all his Works in six days and resting on the seventh in these words For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth c. and rested the seventh day and his blessing the (d) Exod. 20.11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-Sabbath-day and hallowed it sabbath-Sabbath-day in these words Wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-Sabbath-day 11. Q. Which is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Exod. 20.12 Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q. What is required in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the Honour and performing the Duties belonging to every one in their several Places and Relations as (e) Ephes 5.21 Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God. Superiors (f) 1 Pet. 2.17 Honour all men Love the brotherhood Fear God. Honour the King. Inferiors or (g) Rom. 12.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another Equals Q. What is forbidden in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of or doing any thing against the Honour and Duty which belongeth to every one in their several Places and (h) Matth. 15.4 For God commanded saying Honour thy father and mother and he that curseth father or mother let him die the death V. 5. But ye say Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profitted by me V. 6. And honour not his father or his mother he shall be free Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition Ezek. 34.2 Son of man prophesie against the shepherds of Israel prophesie and say unto them Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves Should not the shepherds feed the flocks V. 3. Ye eat the fat and cloath you with the wool ye kill them that are fed but ye feed not the flock V. 4. The diseased have ye not strengthned nor have ye healed that which was sick nor bound up that which was broken nor brought again that which was driven away nor sought that which was lost but with force and cruelty have ye ruled them Rom. 13.8 Owe no man any thing but to love one another for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law Relations Q. What is the Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a Promise of long Life and Prosperity as far as shall serve for God's Glory and their own Good to all such as keep this (i) Deut. 5.16 Honour thy father and thy mother as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee that thy days may be prolonged and that it may go well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Ephes 6.2 Honour thy father and thy mother which is the first Commandment with promise V. 3. That it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth Commandment 12. Q. Which is the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment is Exod. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill Q. What is required in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own (k) Ephes 5.28 So ought men to love their own wives as their own bodies He that loveth his wife loveth himself V. 29. For no man ever hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church Life and the Life of (l) 1 King. 18.4 For it was so when Jezabel cut off the the prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took an hundred prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave and fed them with bread and water others Q. What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own Life or the Life of our Neighbour unjustly or whatsoever tendeth (m) Acts 16.28 But Paul cried with a loud voice saying Do thy self no harm for we are all here Gen. 9.6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man. thereunto 13. Q. Which is the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment is Exod. 20.14 Thou shalt not commit Adultery Q. What is required in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our Neighbour's Chastity in Heart Speech and (n) 1 Cor. 7.2 Nevertheless to avoid fornication let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband V. 3. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence and likewise also the wife unto the husband V. 5. Defraud you not one the other except it be with consent for a time that ye may give c. V. 34. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin the unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord how she may be holy both in body and in spirit but she that is married c. V. 36. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin if she pass the flower of her age and need so require let him do what he will he sinneth not let them marry Col. 4.6 Let your speech be always with grace c. 1 Pet. 3.2 While they behold your chaste conversation c. Behaviour Q. What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchaste Thoughts Words and (o) Matth. 15.19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts murthers adulteries fornications thefts false-witness c. Matth. 5.28 But I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Ephes 5.3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints V. 4. Neither filthiness nor foolish talking c. Actions 14. Q. Which is the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment is Exod. 20.15 Thou shalt not steal Q. What is required in the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the Wealth and outward Estate of our selves and (p) Gen. 30.30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came and it is now increased unto a multitude and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming and now when shall I provide for my own house also 1 Tim. 5.8 But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse than an insidel Lev. 25.35
ark of God into the city if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord he will bring me again and shew me both it and his habitation Job 1.21 And said Naked came I out of my mother's womb and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. things as the Angels do in (k) Psal 103.20 Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excel in strength and do his commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word V. 21. Bless the Lord all ye his hosts ye ministers of his that do his pleasure Heaven Q. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition 4. A. In the fourth Petition which is Mat. 6.11 Give us this day our daily bread we pray that of God's free Gift we may receive a competent Portion of the good things of this Life and enjoy his (l) Prov. 30.8 Remove far from me vanity and lyes give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me V. 9. Lest I be full and deny thee and say Who is the Lord And lest I be poor and steal and take the name of my God in vain Gen. 28.20 And Jacob vowed a vow saying If God will be with me and keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on 1 Tim. 1.4 For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving V. 5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Blessings with them Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition 5. A. In the fifth Petition which is Mat. 6.12 And forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debtors we pray that God for Christ's sake should freely pardon all our (m) Psal 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving-kindness according unto the multitude of thy mercies blot out my transgressions V. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin V. 7. Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than snow V. 9. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities Dan. 9.17 Now therefore our God hear thou the prayer of thy servant and his supplication V. 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive for thine own sake Sins which we are the rather encouraged to ask because by his Grace we are enabled from the Heart to forgive (n) Luk. 11.4 And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us Matth. 18.35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses others Q. What do we pray for in the sixth Petition 6. A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil Mat. 6.13 we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to (o) Matth. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak Sin or support and deliver us when we are (p) 2 Cor. 12.8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me tempted 3. Q. What doth the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us A. The Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer which is Mat. 6.13 For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever Amen teacheth us to take our Encouragement in Prayer from (q) Dan. 9.4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him and keep his commandments V. 7. O Lord righteousness belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion of faces as at this day to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and unto all Israel that are near and that are far off through all the countries whither thou hast driven them because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee V. 8. O Lord to us belongeth confusion of face to our kings to our princes to our fathers because we have trespassed against thee V. 9. To the Lord our God belongs mercies and forgivenesses though we have rebelled against him V. 16. O Lord according to all thy righteousness I beseech thee let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from the city Jerusalem thy holy mountain because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us V. 17. Now therefore O our God hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications and cause thy face to shine upon the Sanctuary that is desolate for the Lord's sake V. 18. O my God incline thine ear and hear open thine eyes and behold our desolation and the city that is called by thy Name for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness but for thy great mercies V. 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do deferr not for thine own sake O my God for thy city and thy people are called by thy Name God only and in our Prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom Power and Glory to (r) 1 Chron. 29.10 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation and David said Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel our father for ever V. 11. Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine thine is the kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as Head above all V. 12. both riches and honours come of thee and thou reignest over all and in thine hand is power and might and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all V. 13. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious Name him And in testimony of our Desire and Assurance to be heard we say (Å¿) 1 Cor. 14.16 Else when thou shalt bless with the Spirit how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at the giving of thanks seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest Rev. 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Jesus V. 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all AMEN Amen or So be it The Ten Commandments EXODUS XX. GOD spake all these words saying I am the LORD thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage I. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor
serve them for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain IV. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy eattel nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the the LORD made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath-Sabbath-day and hallowed it V. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbour's The LORD'S Prayer MATTH VI. OVR Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this Day our daily Bread. And forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debtors And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever Amen The CREED I Believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth And in Jesus Christ his Only Son our Lord which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into * i. e. Continued in the state of the Dead and under the power of Death till the third Day Hell the third Day he arose again from the Dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead I believe in the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the Forgiveness of Sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting Amen FINIS PART II. A sensible Demonstration of the existence of God. SECT I. God is I. ALL Religion and Righteousness is grounded upon this foundation That God is Besides the belief I have in God by revelation and Spiritual sense I am convinced that he is by these evident proofs laid all together 1. I am certain that I was come into the World before I knew of my coming 2. I am certain I made not my self I was before I knew my self to be what I am 3. I am certain my Parents and other Persons and Creatures were in being before me 4. I am certain that no Being is so likely to make himself and all other things as Man is because he is a rational Being of great invention and contrivance 5. No Men of this inquisitive and learned Age pretend to make or to be present at the making of the admirable frame of the Universe and if any Man or Men of former Ages had made the World we of this Age should have found them in it For 1. They who could make themselves could preserve themselves 2. They who could make themselves and the World must needs be great and happy 3. They who were once great and happy and always continued to be so For 1. if they did depose or divest themselves of their happiness freely and of choice they were defective in Wisdom to exchange a happy Being for a less happy or for nothing and by consequence were not wise enough to make the World. 2. If they grew weary of themselves they were not happy 3. If they were constrained to unmake themselves they were not superior but subject to other Powers Therefore I believe there were no such Men no such self-makers and makers of other things I conclude that I am made by another who made all things else and he is the first infinite Cause in which my thoughts and belief do rest who is infinitely Wise Great and Good to whom be glory for ever Again it is impossible to prove there is no God for all things are mediums to prove that he is and there is no medium to prove that he is not Lastly all Men Die they who are prepared and willing do believe in God they who are unwilling cannot refuse to Die therefore there is a Superior Power that is Lord of Life and Death and he is the living God. SECT II. Of the Holy Scriptures The Scriptures are of God. 1. NO Man can know the mind and will of the infinite God Creator and Governor of the World except he be pleased to make it known That his will should be known is necessary or else we could not worship nor please him by doing his Will. 2. Besides the light of Nature we have his will made know by revelation by which God who made the World is so revealed and declared that as sure as I am that God made the World so sure am I that God gave the Scriptures to direct us in the way of Duty and Happiness 3. I find the Book of God in the possession of his Church and People like a Royal Charter in a City by which the City is constituted and governed and enjoy their privileges When I peruse the Charter I know it to be the King 's and no private Mans invention or forg'd instrument I know the great Charter of the City of God to be his Word 1. By the matter of it For instance Who can describe or declare the infinite God by his Glorious Names and Titles and attributes but himself Who can declare his relation to himself as Father Son and Holy Ghost but himself Who can prescribe his Worship make Laws set down rewards and declare what shall be in the World to come but himself 2. I observe the Style and Manner of speaking the manner of revealing the admirable consent of the Old and New Testament tho given the one so long before the other the scope of the whole their perfection and efficacy as able to make a Man Wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 by the operation of the Holy Ghost Authority of the Scriptures 1. The Scriptures derive their Authority from God their Author The Church is not the Author of the Scriptures therefore they derive not their Authority from it The Testimony and Tradition of the Church is but Ministerial We are directed to place our faith in the Word as it is Gods who gave it by inspiration 2 Tim.
general Rules of his Word A Form of Words is necessary in some parts of Worship and is but a manner or mode of doing and corrupteth not the Substance Circumstances are variable and must answer to the End of Worship Commandment III. 1. Christians may lawfully swear when lawful Power Matter Cause and End require it and when it is in a due manner The Light of Nature taught it Gen. 21.15 chap. 24.3,9 chap. 31.52 chap. 47.31 Holy Men used it and directions are given for it Jer. 4.2 Swearing by the Creatures or causless prophane Swearing is only contrary to our Saviour's Law Math. 5.37 Calling for or imposing Oaths on slight Occasions calls for Mourning and Repentance in our days 2. Christ and the Holy Ghost are God Jehovah It is lawful to swear by none but by God Jehovah It is lawful to swear by God and Christ say the Socinians Rom. 1.9 2 Cor. 1.23 chap. 11.31 Phil. 1.8 1 Thess 2.5,10 and by the Holy Ghost Rom. 9.1 therefore Christ and the Holy Ghost are God Jehovah He whom we honour by lawful Swearing is no other than Jehovah thy God. Commandment IV. 1. There was a Sabbath from the beginning of the World the first Seventh after the Sixth of the Creation was a Sabbath Gen. 2.2,3 Exod. 20.11 2. A Day of Rest is as necessary under the Gospel as before if it be not kept holy we are worse and not better for it We are not discharged from Ceremonial Burthens to take more liberty to contrive Business make Bargains travel coach about receive and pay Visits meet in Coffee-houses speak our own Words or do our own Deeds 3. The Commandment is contained in these words Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-day to keep it holy The Confirmation and Establishment of it runs in these words Wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-Sabbath-day and sanctified it We are obliged to a weekly Sabbath or Day of holy Rest and not to the Seventh any more than a First when the Lord thought fit to make a Change. Beside the Duty laid down there are many words added by way of Explication and Motive only 4. The Observation of the First Day was universal in all Christian Churches 1 Cor. 16.1,2 As I have given order in the Churches of Galatia so do ye upon the first day of the week c. This Order given for Charity doth strongly intimate the Observation of the First Day weekly And this Order was given to the Churches of Galatia who are blamed for observing the legal Sabbaths Gal. 4.10 They vanished the First Day is established 5. The believing Gentiles received the Observation of the First Day together with the Faith and the Christian Jews made no Controversie about it 6. It is called The Lord's Day Fev 1.10 as instituted by him and as consecrated to him Easter Day is only the first Lord's Day in order every first Day of every Week is of the same nature and for the same end 7. The word Remember doth not imply that it is a Ceremonial Precept but rather a strictness of Command and a Caveat against carelesness and forgetfulness of it Religion grows or decays is preserved or lost according as this Day is observed or not 8 Sabbath signifying Rest our Lord's Day may be called Sabbath without Judaizing as it is in our Homilies 9. A Day of bodily Rest is necessary for spirituâ—l 10. Parents Masters and Governors must see that it be sanctified To sanctifie it is a Moral Duty and though the Fourth Commandment be not a prime Moral Precept as the First is yet it hath a consequential Morality in it Commandment V. 1. All the Duties of this Commandment are enjoined under the Name of Honour teaching us a mutual Estimation of all Ranks of Men. 2. Parents must not provoke their Children by Rigour or unjust Commands Ephes 5.4 yet they may wisely correct as well as instruct them into due Obedience Heb. 12.6,7,8 And they who do the duty of Parents are to have the honour 3. Children in the power of Parents ought not to marry without their Consent if possible by dutiful means Col. 3.20 Ephes 5.1 In all things and In the Lord. 4. To make Vows and enter into Orders of Religion without Consent of Parents or to violate Marriage-Covenants for the same reason or to seduce any so to do is sinful Numb 30.4,5,6 Col. 3.20 Matth. 19.6 1 Cor. 7.5 5. Vows of blind Obedience are not seasonable therefore sinful Act. 4.19 1 Cor. 11.1 Rom. 12.1 6. All Orders of Men are subject to temporal Laws and must answer when accused Act. 26.2 Peter taught Subjection to all in Authority 1 Pet. 2.13,14 Rom. 13.1 7. Belivers under the Old Testament had spiritual Promises and not only temporal They had the Promise of Christ therefore all in him Gen. 3.15 chap. 12.3 of the Spirit Gal. 3.14 lived by Faith Heb. 11.13 looked for Eternal Life Joh. 5.39 and were Godly therefore had the Promises of the Life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Under the Gospel we have better Promises Heb. 8.6 because we are put into a better State. Commandment VI. 1. It is lawful for a Christian to be a Minister or Servant of God therefore to be a Magistrate and to bear the Sword Rom. 13.4,6 Captains left not their Places by becoming Christians Matth. 8. Act. 10.3 Soldiers are directed Luk. 3.14 The Promises of great Peace Isa 2 4. Mic. 4 3. Zech. 9.10 intimate the nature and influence of the Gospel which is not brought in by the Sword nor propagated by it 2. It is our duty to live peaceably c Rom. 12.18 yet a Man ought to maintain his own right Acts 21.37 chap. 22,23 to 26. But hatred and revenge are great sins Gen. 4.6 chap. 31.24 Levit. 19.18 Love and Righteousness must be promoted and maintained Commandment VII 1. Marriage is of the Law of Nature and not peculiar to the Church Plurality of Wives at once is contrary to the first institution Mat. 2.13,14,15 One should die before another be taken Rom. 7.2,3 1 Cor. 7.39 It is not Lawful to divorce for every cause Mat. 19.1 to 10. to marry in the Lord 1 Cor. 7.39 and Love intirely Ephes 5.25 are preventives of many sins 2. Fornication is a great sin 1 Cor. 6.13.18 ver 9. 3. It is better to marry than to burn 1 Cor. 7.9 All have not the gift chap. 7.2 therefore a single Life is not more perfect in it self And for Ministers it is Lawful in such cases Heb. 13.4 1 Cor. 9.5 1 Tim. 3.2,4 chap. 5.12 Peter's Wife had a Mother therefore he had a Wife Mar. 1.30 and we believe Philip had a Wife for he had four Daughters Acts 21.9 Commandment VIII 1. Men have a distinct property in goods 2. Every Man should peaceably enjoy his own 3. yet alienation by sale commutation charity contracts and payments of tribute and debts is Lawful I believe Paul well understood the manner of the King 1 Sam. 8.11 c. yet speaks of no more than of tribute
first and wilt not be false 4. It is an unspeakable Mercy Honour and Blessing to be Sons and Daughters in Covenant with God Will you forfeit it 5. Your present and future Happiness depends upon your observing loving honouring serving God and walking before him 6. God will judge you by his Son Christ in the last Day And what will he do to them in that Day who are ashamed of him now Oh! re-turn and repent ye Revolters Lastly Improve your Baptismal Relation and Covenant by Mediation by Prayer by Thanksgiving by Communion at his Table and all by Faith with Love and Reverence Let it not be a small thing in your Eyes to be the Sons and Daughters of the Almighty God who is a great King. Secondly Improve your Baptism for others Parents for your Children 1. Before they are baptized 2. After they are baptized 1. Before From the Water of Baptism learn and lay to heart gross Pollution and Corruption such as no Soap or Nitre no Tears or Blood or Righteousness of our own could purge away 2. Bless God heartily for the Blood of Jesus and the Sanctification of the Spirit 3. See the Necessity and Benefit thereof 4. And then address your selves to God as Father Son and Holy Ghost for your Seed 1. Beg that the Infant may be taken into the Covenant of Grace with you 2. That the Child may ever continue under the Grace and in the Duty of the Covenant 3. Pray for the inward Grace and rest not in the outward Privilege To that end 1. Be sensible of the sinful Defilement Death and Misery of the Infant by Nature Humble your Souls in the Sight of God under the Consideration of it 2. Look unto the Promise or free Covenant of Grace and the part that Infants have in it Act. 2.39 and the Grace expressed by Christ to Infants Mar. 10.13 c. 3. Exercise Faith in the free Grace and Love of the Father the Love and Redemption of the Son the Grace and Power of the Holy Ghost 4. Do not look upon Baptism as an empty Sign but as an Ordinance of God established by a Word of Command and Promise for great Ends and of great Efficacy to those Ends by the Operation of the Spirit It is not a Sign of nothing nor a Seal of nothing but look to the Grace of it 5. Taking Encouragement from Free Grace apply your selves to the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the Infant by earnest Prayer The matter of which may be 1. That God would be so merciful as to receive the Infant to Baptism 2. That God would be his Father Redeemer and Sanctifier and be his God according to the Grace of every Relation 3. That the poor Infant may be taken out of the old corrupt Stock and planted into Christ so as to receive Life and Nourishment from him Rom. 6.3 c. 4. That he may in time have Faith and the Adoption the Privileges of a Child and the Grace to continue in the Duties 5. That he may never turn after the Flesh World and Devil or if he do that he may return to God in Covenant and never revolt again 6. Look upon the Grace and the Obligation of Baptism together the Grace and the Duty Water in Baptism is as significant and conducive to its End as Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper 2. Improve Baptism for them that are baptized Thus 1. Respect your Infants as the Children of God committed to your Charge for Education as more God's than yours Make a difference between them and the Breed of Insidels Atheists Worldlings and Devils 2. Continue in fervent Prayers for them from their Infancy 3. Begin to instruct them and train them up for God as you feed them plainly frequently seasonably sensibly They will soon take notice of things which they see of the Moon and Stars c. Make known to them the invisible God his Wisdom Power Goodness and Providence 4. As they grow in Capacity labour to fill them and labour that Knowledge may enter into their Souls Make frequent Applications to them when you are taken with their Comeliness Beauty Features Actions Speeches and how pretty they are when dress'd Make spiritual use of these things to your selves and them 5. Take Considerations from their Baptism to plead for them with God 1. When you observe them to be dull and backward to Goodness and forward to Naughtiness when you see them negligent forgetful untractable and are afraid of them Oh say as you mourn to God This Child is dedicated to thee in Covenant with thee Oh make him thine own Work upon his Soul what I cannot Give what I have not to give Teach him redeem him convert him sanctifie him rule him O thou who didst once receive him do not now reject him 2. When you are cross'd and afflicted contend with them for God upon Covenant-Engagement and plead with God for them upon Covenant-Mercies and Promises Shew unto them what an Honour Liberty Mercy it is to be God's Covenant-child how much they are obliged to keep Covenant with the Heavenly Father Son and Spirit how happy it will be for them in the great Day to be called Ye blessed of the Father and how terrible it will be to depart as cursed Revolters and treacherous Unbelievers and impenitent Workers of Iniquity to be tormented in Everlasting Fire with the Devil and his Angels The Lord teach you to profit CHAP. II. Of Prayer Shewing whence and how the Matter of Prayer is drawn out of the Catechism with a Form or Pattern of Prayer thence deduced section 1 OBserve what Prayer is Prayer is the offering up our Desires to God for things agreeable to his Will in the Name of Christ with Confession of our Sins and thankful Acknowledgment of his Mercies When your offer up your Desires to God how will you conceive of him What Titles will you give him Look to Ans 4. God is a Spirit c. as followeth in the Prayer You cannot expect to speed for your own sakes nor presume to go in your own names or in the name of any Creature Saint or Angel but in the Name that is by virtue of the Mediation of Jesus Christ Here look to Ans 30. And in making continual Intercession for us In your Prayers you offer up your Desires to God for things agreeable to his Will. What are your Desires You want all spiritual and heavenly Blessings and temporal good things which God hath promised and directed us in his Word to ask particularly in that Prayer called The Lord's Prayer Particularly pray for the Application of the Benefits of Redemption and the Benesits which they who are effectually called partake of in this Life And what Believers do receive at their Death and at the Resurrection see from Ans 40 c. You must also pray for the Means of Grace by which you obtain these Graces Privileges and Blessings as the Continuance of the Christian Sabbath as in the
Chastity in Heart Speech and Behaviour but have sinned by unchaste Thoughts or Speeches or Actions We have not studied to procure and further the Wealth and outward Estate of our selves and Neighbour but have often hindred both We have not laboured to maintain and promote Truth between Man and Man and of our own or our Neighbour's good Name but have either by Imprudence Inconsiderateness Want of Zeal Credulity or some corrupt Affection spoken or entertained what is prejudicial to Truth and injurious to our own and our Neighbour's good Name O Lord we have not been sully contented with our own Condition nor have always had a right and charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbour and all that is his but have been subject to Discontentment to envy or grieve at the Good of our Neighbour and to many inordinate Motions and Affections For these our manifold Iniquities Transgressions and Sins yea for the least of them we deserve thy Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to come but for Jesus Christ's sake have Mercy upon us O Lord thou hast been pleased out of thy meer good Pleasure to decree to bring thine Elect out of the State of Sin and Misery by the Lord Jesus Christ the only Redeemer He was graciously pleased to humble himself to the Death of the Cross to satisfie thy divine Justice to reconcile us to thee and now he ever liveth making Intercession for poor Sinners Supplication or offering up our Requests in the Name of Christ O thou the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and the God of all Grace for the sake of thine Eternal and Beloved Son have Mercy upon us and apply to us by thy Holy Spirit the Redemption purchased by Christ by working Faith in us and thereby uniting us to him For Effectual Calling We humbly pray thee convince us of our Sin and Misery enlighten our Minds in the Knowledge of Christ renew our Wills and perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel For Justification Oh that thou wouldst justifie us freely by thy Grace and pardon all our Sins and accept of us as righteous in thy sight only for the Righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us For Adoption Oh that thou wouldest receive us who are by Nature Children of Wrath into the number of and give us a right to all the Privileges of the Sons of God. For Sanctification Gracious Father by the mighty working of the Spirit of Sanctification renew us in our whole Man after thine own Image and enable us more and more to die to Sin and to live unto Righteousness For the Benefits which accompany or flow from Justification c. And being justified sanctified and adopted we beseech thee vouchsafe us Assurance of thy Love Peace of Conscience Joy in the Holy Ghost Increase of Grace and Perseverance therein unto the End. And when we come to our End we humbly pray thee at our Death to make us perfect in Holiness to bring us immediately unto Glory and let our Bodies being still united to Christ rest in their Graves till the Resurrection At the Refurrection we pray thee to raise us up in Glory openly to acknowledge us and acquit us in the Day of Judgment and to make us perfectly blessed in the full Enjoyment of thee our God to all Eternity For Grace and a Biessing upon the Means of Grace And Gracious and blessed Lord since thou hast appointed Ways and Means by which we may attain these Blessings we humbly intreat thee to work in us Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and Repentance unto Life and to make us diligent in the use of all outward Means whereby Jesus Christ doth communicate to us the Penefits of our Redemption We beseech thee by thy Holy Spirit to make the Reading and Preaching of thy Word an effectual Means of convincing and converting Sinners and building up us and others in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation We pray thee teach us to attend to thy Word with Diligence and Preparation and to receive it with Faith and Love to lay it up in our Hearts and practise it in our Lives Continue to thy Church thy holy Institutions and Sacraments Bless the one to be a Sign and Seal of our Engrafting into Christ and partaking of the Benefits of the Covenant of Grace and to engage us to be the Lord's Bless the other also that by Faith the worthy Receivers of it may be Partakers of the Body and Blood of Christ with all his Benefits to our spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace For all Men and for outward Mercies O Lord thou hast commanded us to pray for all Men We beseech thee to grant unto the King and all our Superiors the Spirit of Wisdom and Grace to perform the Duties of their several places Help them so to rule that our Lives Chastity Wealth and outward Estate that our good Names and Truth between Man and Man may be secured maintained and promoted that under them we may lead peaceable and quiet Lives in all Godliness and Honesty Grant that in all our Conversation among Men we may behave our selves humbly reverently and obediently towards our Superiors and may live in Peace neither doing Violence to the Life of our Neighbour nor suffering from them That we may live soberly chastely honestly not hindring but furthering the good Estate of each other promoting of Truth and the good Name and Repute without slandering or reproaching not witnessing falsly against one another learning to be contented with our own Condition without Envy or Grief at each other's Good and suppressing all inordinate Motions and Affections contrary thereunto Against our bodily and spiritual Enemies O thou who hast all Power both in Heaven and in Earth be graciously pleased to exercise thy Soveraign Kingly Office in subduing us wholly to thy self in ruling and defending us in restraining and conquering all thine and our Enemies both within us and without us Sin Satan and the World and make us more than Conquerors over all even our last Enemy Death For the Calling and Conversion of the Elect c. Gracious Lord who of thy meer good Pleasure didst elect some of the Posterity of fallen Man and enteredst into a Covenant of Grace to bring them out of the State of Sin and Misery and to bring them into an Estate of Salvation by Jesus Christ be pleased according to the Riches of thy Grace to make known the Lord Jesus Christ the only Redeemer in all his Offices to the World. Reveal by thy Word and Spirit thy Will for the Salvation of poor Sinners and cause thy Word to be preached read and heard that it may be effectual to convince and convert Sinners and to build them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation Before you go to the Word O Lord who hast Compassion on the
Trial of New Obedience section 1 For your better undertaking of it be pleased to observe what it is and why it is called New. New Obedience is an hearty sincere Respect or Aim at God's Glory in keeping all his Commandments or having a Respect to all God's Commandments and walking before God in Righteousness and Holiness all the Days of our Life being redeemed from the Hand of our Enemy It is called New Obedience in opposition to the Service of Sin or obeying the Law in our Members For we being Sinners by Nature and corrupted with Original Sin are inclined and given to serve Sin and to live after the Flesh Rom. 6.11,12,13,16,17,18,19,20 But when we are united to Christ in our Effectual Calling and have Repentance towards God and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ then we become dead to Sin and free from the Dominion of it we are married unto Christ in Covenant that we may abound in Fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God Philip. 1.11 Rom. 7.4 We are bound to do whatsoever he commandeth us Matth. 28.20 section 2 Now three things must be enquired after 1. The Subject and Principle or Root of this New Obedience 2. The Rule of it 3. The End and Design of it 1. Whence is it that you perform Service or Obedience unto God Do you serve him from Faith Love and unfeigned Repentance towards God Are you effectually called Remember what that is Are you united to Christ by Faith See what that is Are you turned from all Sin from your bosom darling costly Sin to God to obey his Law Try your Repentance Have you a new Heart Have you the Image of God renewed upon you Are you sanctified by the Spirit Look to Ans 35. For New Obedience proceeds from the Heart renewed and sanctified section 3 2. Try your Obedience by the Rule of it that is the whole Word and Will of God Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet c. V. 6. When I have respect to all thy Commandments at all times always even to the End Psal 119.112 Phil. 2.12 He that is such an one doth not live in any known Sin nor neglect any known Duty He makes Conscience of Duty to God and Man Act. 24.16 section 4 3. Try and examine the End of your Obedience what you aim at and design New Obedience proceeds from a Principle of Renewing Grace is regulated by the Word of God and directed to his Glory And so what you learn first in your Catechism is the End of your Conversation and Obedience See Col. 1.10 Phil. 1.11 1 Pet. 2.9 chap. 4.11 section 5 The second Duty is Preparation for the Lord's Supper Having examined your Hearts if you find these Graces in you then the Work of Preparation is to stir up the Grace of God given you in putting your Souls in a readiness to receive Jesus Christ as offered to you with all the Benefits of the New Covenant by adding to your Self-Examination humble Consession of Sin earnest Supplication for Forgiveness of Sin and Grace If you find a Want or Weakness of Grace then sharpen your Desires after it and pray for it and add your Thanksgiving for the Means of Grace and for Grace received Thus much for the Duties before the Sacrament CHAP. IV. Duties at and after the Communion together with Motives and Perswasions to perform the whole Duty in a due manner section 1 WHile you attend upon God at his Table shake off all Drowsiness and Vanity of Mind Consider at whose Table you are to eat and drink and what the Feast is Therefore draw near with an holy Reverence with a clear Knowledge and lively Faith. Attend to what is done before you the outward Signs and what is done according to the Institution of Christ Observe the breaking of the Bread the pouring out the Wine and the giving of both to you Know that you are to remember Jesus Christ to discern his Body and to shew his Death Thirst and hunger for him Receive him by Faith and the Benefits of the New Covenant Look unto Christ crucisied with a broken Heart sorrowing for Sin. Meditate on the Love of God in his Son Jesus on the Sufferings of Christ on the Satisfaction given Redemption and Victory obtained for thee Cast thy self upon him trust to him give thy self to him delight in his Love apply him for what thou dost most stand in need of renew thy Covenant and thy Engagement to be the Lord's and excite thy Love to all Saints and be thankful section 2 After the Sacrament reflect upon your selves re-view your Carriage 1. Consider Have you discerned the Lord's Body made an affectionate Remembrance of him Have you received him by Faith Are you nourished by him 2. If you find Quickning and Comfort then bless God for it beg a Continuance of it watch against Relapses fulfil your Vows encourage yourselves to a frequent Attendance on that Ordinance But 3dly If you find not present Benefits by it then you must more exactly review your Preparation and Carriage at the Sacrament in both which if you can approve your selves to God and your own Conscience then wait for the Fruit in due time But if you find that you have failed in either Preparation or Carriage you must be humbled and attend upon it afterwards with more Care and Diligence section 3 Having directed you and brought some Assistance towards the holy and comfortable receiving the Communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord I might expect that you will say you have now what you much desired and only wanted For so great should be the Forwardness and Zeal of every one who bears the Christian Name to obey every Command of Christ and particularly to address themselves to this holy Ordinance wherein the Love of Christ is set forth in his most precious Blood that they should not need Motives to spur them on But Alas how commonly do we see Men and Women excommunicate themselves and Non-Communicants crowding out at the Church-doors leaving but a little Flock behind to feed upon his Body and Blood who laid down his Life for the Sheep Truly to see many depart who have been earnestly invited to this Feast of Love hath brought to my Mind the Separation that will be in the last Day between the Sheep and the Goats Wo wo to them when Christ shall bid them depart from him who for Love of Ease Ignorance and wilful Impenitence go away from him represented at his Table I shall draw out a few Arguments to perswade poor Souls to a conscientious well-prepared Address to the Table of the Lord out of the same Store house your very Catechism section 4 Advantage or Dis-advantage are the prevailing Motives to perswade or disswade Now if you shall find the Advantages very great of right and worthy Receiving and the Loss and Sin great of Neglecting or unworthy Receiving then I hope you will be won
the Godhead inform us of the exceeding great usefulness of the Knowledge of the Trinity Hath God revealed himself as a Father and would he not have his Children know him and be the better for it Hath he made known himself as the Son and Holy Ghost and not intend us a particular Kindness by it He most graciously conveys to his People the Knowledge and Assurance of most astonishing incomprehensible Love Grace Power and Goodness to allure and draw us into his Covenant to oblige us to take him for our God and become his Sons and Daughters that we ignorant lost miserable helpless Sinners might become happy for ever in him 3. As the Plurality of Persons or one God and three Persons are revealed to us so the practical Vse and Benefit of it is also revealed and therefore it is to be opened to his Covenant-people As soon as we know the Covenant and our Entrance into it we know our God to be the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost And this Knowledge is not laid up for the Wise and Learned which hath been most depraved by and lost in those proud and subtile and learned Wits in all Ages but laid open before the Faith of the weakest Believer to whom it is revealed I am verily perswaded saith the judicious Mr. Lawson that the Mystery of the Trinity is more clearly and fully delivered in the Scripture than we understand it Theopolitica p 32. N. 3. And I have wondred how familiarly that Man of Search and Reach Dr. Thomas Goodwyn speaks of it as if he saw how it was in his excellent Discourse of the Knowledge of God 2 Vol. Fol. We must humbly follow the Scripture-Light and dive into this Deep no further than our Line doth reach growing more and more in Grace and Knowledge till we come to see him face to face and to know him as we are also known I cannot but observe the Doctrine of the excellent and modest Melancthon These things are wonderful and above the Creature 's reach Sed scimus c. But we know these Mysteries are revealed to the Church that we may worship and call upon God aright c. Christ would have the sum of the Gospel to be comprehended in this first Ceremony of Baptism wherefore he testifies at once that we are received of God and teacheth us who God is and what God we invocate and what he doth bestow upon us I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost that is to say I testifie that thou art received of the Eternal Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost that by their Mercy and Power thou mayest be delivered from Sin and eternal Death and be endowed with Righteousness and eternal Life He makes a Covenant with thee in Baptism and affirmeth that he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and that he appointed the Son to be a Propitiation and sent the Holy Ghost to begin in thee Righteousness and eternal Life Loc. Commun de 3. Personis it de Filio The glorious infinite God Father Son and Holy Ghost is the Object and Foundation of our Faith and Hope the bottomless incomprehensible Spring of all Grace Promises Blessings and Privileges granted in the New Testament and being so made known we by Faith acknowledge him as such and promise Love and Obedience to him We receive from the Father through the Son by the Holy Ghost Grace and Life even all manner of Grace and all that are alive live by them upon them and to them Therefore again the Knowledge of this Mystery is practical and necessary to Salvation for except we believe and worship God as he hath revealed himself except we keep Covenant with him as God in Covenant and that as he hath declared himself therein how can we be saved By him as thus made known we are quickned strengthned encouraged and comforted in all our Services and every step of Duty in our way to Heaven The reverend and learned Beza observes That Arrius Sabellius Actius and other ancient Hereticks did many ways pollute and prophane the most holy Mystery of the Trinity but none of them ever grew to that degree of Impudence as to rank the Knowledge of it among things unnecessary and which if known make no Man the better Vol. Tractat. Theol. fol. p. 100. De Haeret. Puniendis The necessity of knowing and believing the Father Son and Holy Ghost To Be that is according to their meaning that there is a Son and Holy Ghost as well as the Father but not Co-essential is professed by the Socinians Racov. Catech c. 6. p. 30,31 So that he is no Christian who doth not believe it But what they say is not sufficient As the Being of one God is the Foundation of all Religion so that this God is Father Son and Holy Ghost as the God of all Grace in Covenant is the Foundation of the Christian Religion and distinguisheth it from that of Heathens Mahumetans and Jews And it is such a Foundation as is a living Root to the Tree of spiritual Knowledge and eternal Life to every true Believer Our Orthodox Divines assign it the chief place in Fundamentals and practical Doctrines and therefore it is of great use and benefit to have it and the Benefits of it declared So doth the most reverend Archbishop Usher often profess Serm. before King James I on Ephes 4 13. Bishop Prideaux Praelec 17. de Sancta Trinitate N. 3 7. Hornbeck Socin Confutat lib 1 cap. 9. it Disputat Theol. 4. inter vetera nova lib. 2. cap 2. Unicum est Religionis Fundamentum saith Beza Loc Citat Zanch de 3. Flohim lib. 5 cap 9. Partis Secundae Mr. Baxter Theol. Method p 76 Q2 it p. 122. N. 10. Ursin Catech. Explicat à Pareo p. 159 Q8 Dr Owen of the Trinity and of the Holy Ghost lib 1. p. 8. p. 44. Sect 4. p. 126. Dr. Potter c 4. The practical use and benefit of it being known it is a great inducement to Christians to study it and a furtherance of their Faith Hope and Joy and all other Graces and it will engage them to hold fast the revealed Doctrine of it which is most necessary in these Days when they who display their Banners against our Church and one Factor for them who hath served and dis-served his Principals borrowed an Argument of the same stamp but he will write no more would drive us into a Belief of Tâ—ansubstantiation because we believe a Trinity and an Incarnation which if we should admit they might not only brand us as the foulest Hereticks that ever were since Christ left the World but for being so But this Insinuation of an Antichristian Error of theirs hath brought forth an excellent Discourse in two Parts The Doctrine of the Trinity and Transubstantiation compared Of the practical Vse of the Mastery of the Trinity the words of Armenius are notable At verò
the Persons There is but one Person and that is the Father They own the Son and Holy Gost but then make the Father and the Son not to be of the same Nature and Essence and deny the Holy Ghost to be God or a Person in the Godhead And so they make us who are created by one that is God to be but redeemed and saved by one that is not God and made new Creatures and sanctified by one who is not God save by Title They take away the glorious Crown of Essential Godhead from the Head of God my Saviour and lay that Honour in the Dust of Manhood though they acknowledge him more than a meer Man a Divine Man and only a Subordinate to God a meer Instrument a second Cause of Salvation an Helper but not a perfect Saviour a great Prophet an improper Priest and a little King. I am sure according to their Doctrine I must look for another Christ for such an one as they describe cannot do for my Salvation what my State requires But blessed be God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost for making himself known to me in the Glass of holy Scripture and in Honour Love and Thankfulness I have where ever Occasion is offered vindicated the Glory of God my Saviour and of God my Sanctifier And for their Subtilty in managing their Cause I verily think they have lost it by one Concession of theirs which you may see in the second and third Commandment where I have spoken but briefly yet I hope not obscurely I have mainly set my little Strength against them principally but I hope God's Power will be seen in my Weakness 2. As the reverend and judicious Josias Simder observes that out of the School of that impure Servetus went forth those egregious Disciples Gonaesius Gribuldus Blandrata Gentilis Paul Alciatus Gregorius Paulus Casanovius Menno and numerous Troops of Anabaptists who all differed in some things from one another Tractat de Aeterno Dei Filio so most of our differing Sects are corrupted with some Points or other of Socinianism and not only among them is this Infection spread but others also In the Asphaltes of Socinianism all flow together Gebal and Amon and Amalek Anabaptists Remonstrants Separatists and Quodlibetists said Dr. Prideaux Lect 19. De Satisfactione Christi The Convocation in the Year 1640. took notice of its Growth and took care to smother it And since all manner of Teachers took liberty to set out their Light they who are conversant in their Opinions know how strongly they savour of it And I desire them for whose Benefit in part I direct these Discourses to take warningâ— from Dr. Owen who hath taken great and learned pains against them in his Vindiciae Evangelicae and Comment on the Hebrews c against Socinianism who speaks of a choice Society of Christians who were divided and in no small part infected by some of their Arts Preface before his Confutation of Biddle 's Catechism And by the way take notice that the most abominable pernicious Errors may be imposed upon injudicious undiscerning People by a copious Rehearsal of Scripture as is to be seen in that Catechism of Mr. Biddle which he calls A Scripture Catechisin Such need is there of able Ministers well studied to sland upon the Watch-Towers and such need is there of Humility in People to know their Teachers And one Socinian Doctrine is of dargerous tendency to corrupt the Minds of Men who are for Liberty of Prophesying of gifted Men that they hold there is no necessity of a Calling Mission or Ordination of Ministers Capit. 2. de Eccles Christi They can furnish them who are disposed to cavelling with Cavels and Objections enough suited to proud corrupt Nature and many Opinions grown too common And Men that are devoted to Reason but never felt the two-edged Sward of Conviction of Sin and Wrath and of their need of a Saviour enter into their Souls are apt to venerate them as the Oracles of Reason What I have done or can do is but little yet I trust Truth will be seen in its own Light and found to stand upon its own strong Foundation I was confined to Brevity and it is not easie to me who am used to expatiate to make things plain to every Capacity to be clear short and strong Had I fore-seen there had been so many Half-lines as I see there is I would have filled up my Sense in some places but now that cannot be Such as it is I do most humbly dedicate it to my God and Master in Heaven and for your Service my much and most honoured Brethren Friends and dearest Relations Accept of this as a Present a profitable Return for many Favours and Blessings received from you I beseech you continue your Care and Pains in instructing your Families Build up your selves and them in your holy Faith and as you were educated your selves go on to train up yours And the Grace of our Lord Jesus be with your Spirits To others I deliver with mine own hands the best Legacy I have to leave them charging you all and every one by that Covenant between God the Father Son and Holy Ghost and you that you do in your whole Lives live to God by Faith Renew Repentance and let the Love of God constrain you c. 2 Cor. 5.14 As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord walk in him Col. 2.6 And renounce whom and what you have renounced In every Condition live by Faith and in every thing by Prayer and Supplication make your Requests known to God. Phil. 4.5 In every State learn to be contented Phil. 4.11 In every thing give thanks 1 Thes 5.18 and always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes 5.20 Study believe and live according to these things Hold fast the form of sound words which you have heard of me c. 2 Tim. 1.13 I do not leave you Wood Hay Stubble but Gold Silver and precious Stones 1 Cor. 3.12 Therefore highly value them as Talents and a Treasure and know that I do rejoice more in leaving you these precious Legacies of the New Testament than if I had Thousands of Gold and Silver to leave you And let all that shall receive any Benefit by these Endeavours for Good to your immortal Souls bless the Lord for ever Brief Directions 1. You that teach others teach them their Baptismal Vow 2. Next inform them what they are by Nature and what they may and must be by Grace Acquaint them with Christ 3. After they can say the Creed the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments enter them into the Catechism and lead them as they are able 4. Make Application to their Hearts of what they learn. 5. When they have learnt the Catechism go on to the Proofs 6. When they grow in Judgment often repeat and study well the several Sections of the second Part as you go over those Points
in the Catechism to which they belong 7. As soon as you can give your selves to Prayer and be not disswaded by them who are against all Vse of Forms Think not that God will not be served but with New and New. Pray for the Matter of it what is pleasing to God and good for you with Vnderstanding spiritual Sense and Faith and as you can do more and better Thus do and the Lord help you by his Holy Spirit 8. Renew your Baptismal Covenant and as engaged by Covenant examine your selves and so eat c. And Lastly Having once preparedly joined your selves to the Lord and his Church in the Communion of his Body and Blood having drunk of that one Cup and being made one Bread take heed of Neglects and Apostasie Remember As often as you do it c. you shew forth the Lord's Death until he come And while you live continue so to do It will be a Benefit to you to lay up the short View of these Principles in your Memories and often repeat them to your selves ADVERTISEMENT THere is lately published the Second Edition of Mr. Pools Annotations on the Bible in which the whole Sacred Text is inserted in two Volumes in Folio Useful for Families and Closets Sold by Jo. Robinson in St. Paul's Church-yard A SHORT CATECHISM According to the DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND With Scripture Proofs at large Newly revised and corrected with more Scriptures and Propositions for Illustration annexed LONDON Printed in the Year 1688. A short View of Divinity or Summary of this CATECHISM SHewing 1. what is Mans chief End. 2. The way to it I. Mans chief End is either 1. The chief End of Intention what he ought to aim at above all things as the Scope of his Life and Actions that is to glorify God. Or 2. Mans chief End of Fruition his chiefest Good and Happiness and that is to enjoy God for ever II. The Way to attain this chief End is by the holy Scriptures The Scriptures principally teach 1. What Man is to believe 2. What God requires Man to do 3. What Man may and ought to ask of God and pray for The Scriptures are a Rule of Faith a Rule of Life and manners a Rule of Prayer I. The Scriptures teach what Man is bound to believe 1. Concerning God. 2. Concerning himself 1. Concerning God Man is to believe 1. What God is in his Essence or Being and Attributes 2. What he is in Relation to himself as the Essence subsisteth in three Persons the Father the Son the Holy Ghost 3. What God is in Relation to his Creatures in general and to Man in special of whom the Scriptures principally speak God is to be considered in reference to Man 1. As Creator 2. Preserver 3. Governor 4. Redeemer 5. Benefactor and gracious Rewarder 2. Man is to be considered as 1. a Creature 2. as a defective needy insufficient Creature and sinful 3. As under Government as a Subject governed by Law and Covenant 4. As redeemed under which consider 1. Mans Sin. 2. Mans Misery 3. Mans Inability to recover or restore himself Concerning our Redemption Note 1. The way by which by a Covenant of Grace 2. The Person by whom our Lord Jesus Christ Concerning this Redeemer observe 1. who and what he is 2. His Office in general a Mediator A Mediator in three Offices 1. A Prophet 2. a Priest 3. a King in a twofold State of Humiliation and Exaltation 3. The Application of Redemption by the Holy Spirit The Redemption is applied in effectual Calling They who are called are justified sanctified and adopted And these are partakers of great Benefits from Christ in this Life at Death after Death at the Resurrection and in Heaven for ever II. The Scriptures teach what Man is obliged to do to please and glorify God and that is Obedience to the moral Law which Law shews what we ought to do and what we ought not to do But Man hath transgressed this Law and is fallen under the Wrath and Curse of God. The Scriptures further teach what is to be done to escape the Wrath of God which is 1. Faith in Jesus Christ 2. Repentance to Life towards God. 3. A diligent Vse of means which are 1. The Word heard and read 2. The Sacraments Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. 3. Prayer III. What Man ought to pray for taught generally in the Scriptures particularly in the Lord's Prayer The Sum of all is our highest End and the way to it the way to it is by Faith in Jesus Christ with its adjunct Repentance which we are taught in our Creed 2. By Love and Obedience the Sum of the Commandments 3. By Invocation taught by our Saviour A SHORT CATECHISM According to the DOCTRINE OF THE Church of England Quest 1. WHat is the chief End of Man Answ MAn's chief End for which he was made and redeemed and to which he should aim is to glorifie (a) 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God. Rom. 11.36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen God and to enjoy him for (b) Psal 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee V. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever V. 27. For lo they that are far from thee shall perish thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee V. 28. But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works ever 2. Q. What Rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him A. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New (c) 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus V. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness Ephes 2 20. And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone Testament is the only Rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy (d) 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ V. 4. And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterwards receive me to glory Joh. 20.31 But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name him 3.
would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear V. 75. In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he that hath called you is holy so be you holy in all manner of conversation V. 16. Because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy V. 17. And if you call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear V. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers V. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Commandments 7. Q. Which is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q. What is required in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our (p) 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my son know thou the God of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Deut. 26.17 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God and to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes and his commandments and his Judgments and to hearken to his voice God and to worship and glorifie him (q) Matth. 4.10 Then saith Jesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Psal 29.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness accordingly Q. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment forbiddeth the (r) Psal 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart There is no God they are corrupt they have done abominable works there is none that doth good denying or not worshipping and glorifying the true (Å¿) Rom. 1.21 Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were they thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkned God as God and our (t) Psal 81.10 I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt open thy mouth wide and I will fill it V. 11. But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me God and the giving that Worship and Glory to any other which is due to him (u) Rom. 1.25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen V. 26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections for even their women did change their natural use into that which is against nature alone Q. What are wee specially taught by these words before me in the first Commandment A. These words before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the Sin of having any other (x) Ezek. 8.5 to the end Psal 44.20 But if we have forgetten the name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange God V. 21. Shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the heart God. 8. Q. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Exod. 20.4,5,6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Q. What is required in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his (z) Deut. 32.46 And he said unto them Set your hearts unto all the words which I testisie among you this day which you shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this law Matth. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway unto the end of the world Acts 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers ... Word Q. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshiping of God by (a) Deut. 4.15 Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire V. 16. Lest you corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likeness of male or female V. 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth the likeness of any winged fowl that flicth in the air V. 18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth V. 19. And lest thou lift up thine eyes to heaven and when thou seest the sun moon and stars even all the host of heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven Exod. 32.5 And when Aaron saw it he built an altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said To morrow is a feast of the Lord. V. 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrifioed thereunto and said These be thy Gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt Images or any other way not appointed in his (b) Deut. 12.31 Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God for every abomination to the Lord which he hateth have they done unto their gods for even their sons and their daughters have they burnt in the fire to their Gods. V. 32. Whatsoever I command you observe to do thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Word Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment to inforce our Observance of it are God's Soveraignty over (c) Psal 95.2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him
know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates him of their (g) 1 Cor. 11.31 For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged Repentance (h) 1 Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ V. 17. For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Love and (i) 1 Cor. 5.7 Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us V. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast not with old leaven neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth new Obedience lest coming unworthily they eat and drink Judgment to (k) 1 Cor. 11.28,29 themselves § 3. The third outward and ordinary Means whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Redemption is Prayer Q. What is Prayer 1. A. Prayer is an Offering up of our Desires unto (l) Psal 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your hearts before him God is a refuge for us Selah God for things agreeable to his (m) 1 Joh. 5.14 And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us Will in the Name of (n) Joh. 16.23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you Christ with Confession of our (o) Psal 32.5 I acknowledge my sins unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found surely in the floods of great waters they shall come nigh unto him Dan. 9.4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him and to them that keep his commandments Sins and thankful Acknowledgment of his (p) Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Mercies Q. What Rule hath God given for our Direction in Prayer 2. A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in (q) 1 Joh. 5.14 And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us Prayer but the special Rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called The (r) Matth. 6.6,10,11,12,13 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father c. Luk. 11.2 And he said unto them When ye pray say Our Father c. Lord's Prayer PART IV. A short Exposition of the Lord's Prayer IN the Lord's Prayer there are three Parts 1. A Preface 2. Six Petitions 3. The Conclusion 1. Q. What doth the Preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lord's Prayer which is Matth. 6.9 Our Father which art in Heaven teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy Reverence and Confidence as Children to a Father ready to (a) Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but we have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Luk. 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him help us and that we should pray with and for (b) Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For kings and for all that are in authority c. others 2. Q. What do we pray for in the first Petition 1. A. In the first Petition which is Hallowed be thy Name Matth. 6.9 we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself (c) Psal 67.2 That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all nations V. 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee known and that he would dispose all things to his own (d) Psal 83. throughout Glory Q. What do we pray for in the second Petition 2. A. In the second Petition which is Mat. 6.10 Thy Kingdom come we pray that Satan's Kingdom may be (e) Psal 68.1 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them also that hate him flee before him V. 18. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them destroyed and that the Kingdom of Grace might be (f) Rev. 12.10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night V. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death advanced our selves and others brought into it and kept in (g) 2 Thess 3.1 Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Rom. 10.1 Brethren my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved Joh. 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine V. 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word it and that the Kingdom of Glory may be (h) Rev. 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so Come Lord Jesus hastened Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition 3. A. In the third Petition which is Mat. 6.10 Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven we pray that God would make us able and willing to know obey and submit to his Will in all (i) Psal 67. throughout Psal 119.36 Encline my heart to thy testimonies and not to covetousness Matth. 26.39 And he went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt 2 Sam. 15.25 And the king said unto Zadock Carry back the
3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Heb. 1.1 1 Thes 2.13 Apocrypha not Scripture 2. The Books called the Apocrypha are neither the Books of Moses nor the Psalms nor the Prophets therefore not Scriptures given by inspiration See Luke 24.4.27.44 nor were they committed to the Church or kept by it as the Oracles of God Rom. 3.1 The Scriptures are a perfect rule 3. The Scriptures are able to make a Man Wise to Salvation and to make the Man of God the Minister of God the New Testament Prophet perfect and throughly furnished to all good Ministerial Works therefore they are a perfect rule for Doctrine Worship and Manners 4. Unwritten Traditions of the Church are not of equal authority nor to be received with the same pious affection with the Holy Scriptures Those Doctrines which were delivered by one teacher to another or by Oral Teaching to the Church are now written 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Thes 2.15 As much as our Lord thought necessary John 20.30 and sufficient 2 Tim. 3.15.16 are writen Our faith is limited to things written Jo. 20.31 2 Pet. 1.19 These traditions pleaded for were not committed to faithful Men nor faithfully kept by Men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost We have enough and our Lord would not leave us too much Joh. 21.25 Had we been bound to believe more more had been written 5. The Holy Scriptures are plain in all things necessary to salvation clear as the Sun to those uses intended by our Lord Ps 19.8 Ps 119.105,131 They are a shining light 2 Pet. 1.19 If they were not clear how could Timothy know them as he did from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 How could the Bereans examine Doctrines by them Acts. 17.11 There are sufficient means to help the unlearned to understand so much as to make them wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Ephes 4.11 to 16. Acts 8.29 to 37. 6. The laity or common People ought to have the free use of the holy Scriptures God spake to all Exod. 20. Deut. 32.46 Chap. 6.1,2,6,7,8 Exod. 24.7 Deut. 31.11,12 The laity are to be saved by faith in Christ and his word and the Scriptures were written to direct and help them Joh. 20.31 All were wont or commanded to search them Joh. 5.39 All are blessed that meditate in them Ps 1.1,2 They are part of the spiritual armour for all Christians Ephes 6.17 Unless we should expect the Priests and the Learned would fight for the laity and save them the trouble of that warfare 7. The translation of the Scriptures is necessary approved of God and ordain'd by him except there should be but one language among Men or that none should believe and be saved but them who understood the Original God spake in a known Tongue so did the Prophets and Apostles and they who did not are reprov'd 1 Cor. 14.9,12,13 c. The Apostles sent to preach to all Nations had the gift of Tongues that every Nation might receive the Gospel in their own language The end of writing is the same with speaking 8. Scriptures translated and copied from the Originals or first writings under the hands of the Scripture-pen-men are the word of God the foundation and rule of Faith. The Scriptures read in the Synagogues and in common use among the Jews were but copies transcribed yet our Saviour refers the Jews to them John. 5.39 The Eunuch had no other Acts 8. nor the Bereans Act. 17.11 The Ephesians were Greeks and probably had the Greek translation and yet they were built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 God being the God of every one who believeth and shall be saved of every Nation as well as of the Jews hath taken care and doth to stir up and fit holy Men tho not infallible as the Prophets and Apostles were for this work and wherein some have failed others have help'd We give a secondary honour to Translations as such but an equal honour to the word of God translated which we give to it in the Original the change of the Language doth not alter the will of God. An Embassy delivered by an Interpreter is the Kings Embassy 9. The best interpreter of the Word is the Holy Spirit Knowledge in Original Languages is necessary to a translator and to Doctors or Teachers for their better teaching But he who hath most of the Holy Spirit doth best understand the mind of the Spirit All have these helps to understand them 1. The Grammar and plain literal sence the scope coherence and continual reading with prayer and comparing hard places with plain help us to understand the Scriptures 2. Universal reason and true with undeceived senses help us to understand many Doctrines See Acts 17.11 1 Cor. 1.13 Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 3.15,16 Luke 24.32 Ephes 1.17,18 10. There is no visible standing infallible Judge of controversies in Faith and Religion And there is no need of any because there is none constituted In a great controversy the Apostles themselves did search the Scriptures and inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost and consented to it Acts 15.15,28 The Holy Ghost is the infallible Judge and he speaks in the word Acts 28.24,25 The Scriptures themselves judge as the Law doth in controversies among Men. There is a ministerial publick judgment for edification Ephes 4 6,7 Rom. 12.6 and a private judgment of discerning given by the holy Spirit to believers without which they could not discern truth from error nor believe nor try the Spirits nor judge of what is spoken to them 1 Cor. 2.15 Phil. 1.10 1 Joh. 4.1,2 1 Cor. 10.15 11. The Holy Scriptures are not mute and dumb Speech and voice are attributed to them and God speaks by them Rom. 3.19 It saith to them that are under the Law Isaias now dead crieth Rom. 9.27 see ver 17. 12. The Scriptures are not a dead letter the Law is so called in opposition to the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.6 yet it killeth and therefore is no dead letter void of power it is the Ministry of condemnation denouncing death against transgressors v. 7. and the Gospel is the power of God therefore no dead letter 13. There is a Divine efficacy and power in the Scriptures in their kind as the means and instruments of Salvation Rom. 1.16 They are able to make a Man wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 And the sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 14. The Scriptures are the word of God Ephes 6.17 by which we understand the written word and not Christ See also Mar. 7.13 compared with Mat. 15.6 15. The Holy Spirit is the principal cause of all the knowledge and wisdom to Salvation which any Man hath Ephes 1.17 What was given by the spirits inspiration is understood by his illumination a natural understanding cannot see 16. The promise of the spirit Joh. 16.13 doth not intimate such a dispensation as is above the Holy use of Scriptures They are given by inspiration and to continue in their use to the end of the World
Acts 7.30,31,33 Not a Created or common Angel but the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 Declared by Christ I am the God of thy Fathers Acts 7.32 The Holy Ghost is also meant by the name Jehovah Is 6.3 called Adonai v. 8. Acts 28.25 As the Prophets were wont to say Thus saith the Lord so the Apostles say Thus saith the Holy Ghost Acts 21.11 'T is true magistrates are called Elohim but they are not Gods by nature for they shall die like Men Ps 82.6,7 But he who is called Jehovah is God by nature and is not mortal like Men. By essential properties 2. The property of unity is attributed to God Deut. 6.4 and these three are one 1 Joh. 5.7 a Text tho wanting in some Copies yet in other Copies and agreeable to the Text Joh. 10.28,29,30 I and the Father are One One in Power therefore One in Being and Essence The Spirit the Water and the Blood agree in one as Witnesses but are not one in Nature but the Father Word and Spirit are One which is more than to agree in One. The Father is One Ephes 4.6 1 Cor. 8.6 Christ is One 1 Cor. 8.6 Ephes 4.6 the Holy Ghost is One 1 Cor. 12.4,11 Ephes 2.18 and these three are One not in Testimony only but in Being 3. They are Eternal From everlasting to everlasting thou art God Ps 92.2 see Is 44.6 ver 4. chap. 48.12 The Father is eternal Rev. 1.4 That Christ the Son is the Alpha and Omega the First and Last and therefore co-eternal with the Father is clear Rev. 1.5,6,7,8 v. 11. chap. 21.6 chap. 22.13 The Holy Ghost is eternal the Mystery of Christ which was kept secret since the World began is made known by the Commandment of the Eternal God Rom. 16.26 Now he who made it known is the Holy Ghost therefore he is the Eternal God Ephes 3.5 He moved Holy Men to speak 2 Pet. 1.19 The Apostles were at his command either to preach Acts. 10.19,20 or not to preach Acts 16.6 Therefore he is God. By essential Operations 3. The immediate and essential difference between God and the Creatures is that he is their Maker and that they are created The Creation of the World is the proper Work of God without Instrument or Co-worker Ps 33.9 for he spake and it was done c Ps 148.5 If there were an instrument that instrument was either infinite or finite not infinite for the infinite is the first cause and the instrument cannot be the first cause nor was it finite for a finite instrument cannot receive power to produce so vast an effect as exceeds its capacity The Son is not the instrument of the Father by whom he made all things nor the Holy Ghost He that made all things is God Heb. 3.4 Gen. 1.1 I am the Lord that spreadeth abroad the World by my self Is 44.24 By my self how not as by an instrument but by no other than my self Or who was with me see Is 45.6,7 This Glorious Work is the Work of the Father 1 Cor. 8.6 Heb. 2.10 of the Son or Word Joh. 1.3,10 Heb. 1.10 Col. 1.16 and of the Holy Ghost Job 26.13 By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his Hand hath formed the crooked serpent or that constellation in the milky way like a Serpent Certainly Job was not mistaken in his Creator He said the Spirit of God hath made me and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me life Job 33.6 There is an order of Creating and producing all things observed by the Father Son and Holy Ghost but the one is not the instrument of the other they are one infinite first cause therefore one God. See and take notice of the three Persons together Ps 33.6 By the word the eternal essential word the Son of Jehovah were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the breath or Spirit of his Mouth the Holy Ghost And he by whom and through whom and to whom are all things is one God to whom be glory for ever Rom. 11.36 Objections closely answer'd Before I conclude I will lay down some truths which contain the answers to several objections or corrupt expositions contrary to this Doctrine 1. God is one indivisible essence therefore there can be no participation of it therefore Christ is not the Son of God by participation of some degree of the God-head or in some respect God is called the God of Gods Magistrates are called Gods Ps 50. 1. Ps 82. But no where called Jehovah nor said to create the World by him Kings Reign Prov. 8.15 therefore they are not as much God as he is 2. Christ affirmed I and the Father are one Joh. 10.30 that he did the work of God v. 37. That the Father was in him 38. which is more than that he was sanctified and sent into the World. He was Man but more than Man. 3. We do not say that the Son and Holy Ghost are God meerly because they are joined with the Father in the form of Baptism But farther 1. We are Baptized into the Name of God as God in Covenant 2. When meer Creatures are joined with God the difference between God and them is made known but here the Son and Holy Ghost are joined with the Father as our God and superiors An order is declared but no inferiority 3. Moses was a typical mediator in the Covenant with Israel but they were in Covenant with God as the superior party who was the Lawgiver by the Ministry and hand of Moses But Christ is both a Mediator and God in Covenant Of the practical use of this Doctrine of the Trinity I shall speak Part III. Chap. I. SECT IV. Of the Decrees of God. NOthing can be objected against the Decrees of God but what reflects upon his counsel and right to dispose of his Creatures He worketh all things according to the Counsel of his own will Ephes 1.11 Angels and Men had no more of their own than the meanest of Creatures therefore it is meet that they should be as subject to the will of God as any other of his Creatures There is no repugnance between the Decrees of God and his revealed Will and the judgment to come As his Laws so are his Decrees Holy Wise Righteous Stable and Certain The execution of his Decrees is the best exposition of them God is not the Author of Sin nor a mover to Sin nor a forcer of Mans will. In the last judgment we shall see that the Blessed of the Father were first elected to eternal Life and that it was of Grace before the foundation of the World Ephes 1.4,5 2 Tim. 1.9 and that the rest are condemned as Workers of Iniquity Mat. 25. ult and for iniquity SECT V. Of the Creation of Man. 1. BY the renovation of the Image of God we understand what it was before it was lost Ephes 4.24 Col. 3.10 It did not consist only or principally in Dominion over the Creatures Had not Man been Wise Holy
in the Bread and Wine But they tell us we must believe Well then we believe our Saviour was alive when they did eat that he was not dead before he was Crucified therefore the Disciples did not eat his Body nor drink his Blood. If they did not eat and drink that Body and Blood did he create a Body and Blood for them to eat and drink did he create one for them all or did every one of them eat a several body Take either way it will then follow they did not eat his Body and drink his Blood who rose from Table as whole as he sate down We believe that what those Communicants did eat and drink all believers do still eat and drink they did not eat and drink it therefore neither do we They understood our Saviours meaning it was a Sign a memorial as Circumcision was called the Covenant Gon. 17.3 See Gen. 41.26 Joh. 15.1 chap. 10.9 1 Cor. 10.4 3. The Cup of blessing belongs as much to every Communicant as the Bread Our Saviour and his Ministers gave both and Communicants received both See Mat. 26.26 1 Cor. 10.16 1 Cor. 11.25,26 Besides these I shall lay down several truths contrary to so many errors 1. There is a distinction between Ministers and Stewards and the family of Believers 1 Cor. 4.1 As Christ and the Apostles did so Ministers and Stewards take Bread and Wine bless break give 1 Cor. 10.16 which we bless c. The Communicating believers do join with the Pastor in prayer and thanksgiving and then they take and eat and drink and that is all they ought to do Except the Bread and Wine are Consecrated to that end according to our Saviours institution it is no Sacrament It is not true therefore that the Lords Supper was instituted that the Faithful might break the Bread. 2. In shewing the Lords Death we shew 1. The nature and end of his death as a Sacrifice to God for sin 1 Cor. 5.7 1 Cor. 11.24,25 Mat. 26.28 Mark 14.24 Luke 22.19,20 2. The painfulness of his death 3. The All-sufficiency satisfaction and merit of it 4. We humbly shew it by Faith to God as a propitiation and price of Redemption and plead it and rest upon it 5. We shew it against accusations of Conscience and all other from Satan and the World. 6. We shew it to all the Churches as one Body 1 Cor. 10.11 Therefore to shew the Lords Death is more than to thank Christ for his love and to celebrate the good turn of his suffering with praise 3. The resurrection ascension and intercession of Christ are his own mediatory actions therefore that is no good reason why Christ ordained this remembrance of his death because it was the chief or most properly his own action 4. We receive Covenant Blessings as well as give thanks at his Supper 1 Cor. 10.16 5. Assurance of pardon is not necessary before we eat and drink this Supper it is a help to assurance but it is a feast for the weakest believers that thirst that discern the Lords Body and examine themselves 6. This in the words This is my Body doth not comprehend all the Sacramental actions each of which hath its particular edifying instructing signification 7. We do not only partake of Christ's benefits but have Communion with his Body and Blood 1 Cor. 10.16 8. To bless is ill expounded to use it To use the Cup is not a Sacramental Scripture Phrase To bless it according to the institution of our Saviour is peculiar to the Minister the congregation joining with him and beholding the Sacramental actions and hearing the words This is my Body Take eat This do c. In those congregations where the houshold of God do not receive every one from the hand of the Minister but take themselves the whole is first blest broken poured out and the words of institution and command repeated or it is no Sacrament as was said before See 1 Cor. 11.24 All do use it as they say but all do not bless it 9. True believers have spiritual real nourishing and comforting Communion by Faith with the Body and Blood of Christ and not a figurative Benefits flow from Communion See again 1 Cor. 10.16 SECT XXVI Of the Lords Prayer 1. TAke both Evangelists Matthew and Luke together and it appears that this prayer is both a form of prayer and a pattern for prayer and yet it is rather a form of matter than of words seeing both those Holy Writers do not keep to the same words And why it may not be used as a prayer as well as the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God the Father and the Communion of the Holy be with you let them who use the one but disuse the other consider of it yea much rather because there is not so much as pray or bless the Assembly after this manner said of that solemn form of dismission which is said of this prayer 2. The matter and method of it is Wonderful and deserves our study that it may be understood We are taught how to conceive of God as a Glorious Father that his glory should be our aim above all things how we should be affected towards him and his Kingdom how our Wills should come in to his Will concurr with it and submit to it in all things we are taught how small a portion of the World should content us how we should acknowledge him to be the giver of all to have our dependance upon him and to have daily recourse to him by prayer We are taught to confess our sins to him and be earnest for pardon and to what degree of grace we should grow even to forgive and love our enemies We are inform'd of our greatest dangers and evils and to pray for deliverance from evil and temptations to evil and how we should praise and magnify him as glorious in our eyes 3. We are not tied to the very words and syllables of it as is before intimated yet it is as strange that it is not used at all by some as that it should be the only prayer in the account of others 4. We do not conclude our other prayers with this as if this made our other prayers acceptable we are heard for our faith in Christ and sincerity of our hearts and not for these words 5. All our petitions are ultimately referr'd to the glory of God our highest end in the first petition 6. Great care should be taken that all our prayers both private and publick do agree with this holy rule of prayer All Christians should conspire to pray the same things and be alwaies disposed to maintain Communion with God and with all his People as Brethren and Children of the same Heavenly Father 7. We should so pray as being in earnest and maintain our fervency to the last sealing our prayers with an Amen of fervent desire Faith and trust The end of the second Part. PART III. The Christian instructed
in the practice of several duties CHAP. I. Of the practical use of the Doctrine of the Trinity and improvement of Baptism 1. IT is matter of sad consideration to see the ignorance infidelity formality and loosness of Baptized Christians who live liker unbaptized Heathens than Christians Some of the causes of this ungodliness are 1. Some make no more account of Baptism than of a Ceremony and others ascribe too great a virtue to the very act or work of Baptizing And generally there is much curiosity and expence in preparing for entertainments where there is little sense of what is to be done in the holy solemnity of Baptism by prayer humiliation and faith 2. The neglect or negligent cold imperfect way of early and holy education of Baptized Infants 3. The not improving of our Baptism when we are grown up for graces assistances privileges comforts and engagements to God as if the Laver of Regeneration were a Fountain dried up or no more to be used than while we are first washed 2. I have said before that the doctrine of the Trinity is a fundamental practical doctrine to be explained to all and known of all because we are all Baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost I am limited to a very short discourse and therefore must say as much in little as I can in the following points In the form of Baptism Mat. 28.19 we have two things 1. A commission to teach and Baptize 2. A direction with commandment to Baptize in the Name or into the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Here observe 1. The Author or the Lord who gave this Commission and Command the Lord Jesus ver 18.2 The parties 1. The Minister employed and his office to teach the Gospel or Covenant of grace and to Baptize with Water 2. The principal parties between whom he deales and officiates in this solemn Act. 1. God the most high and gracious God making and declaring a Covenant of grace and taking sinful and undone Man into it 2. Man graciously taken into Covenant and dutifully accepting of and submitting to the grace of God declared in that Covenant according to the terms and constitution or Laws thereof 3. To Baptize with Water is a Ministerial Act between God and the party Baptized By it God doth graciously admit and receive a guilty polluted Sinner to himself in Covenant and the poor polluted Sinner doth consent and submit to God upon Covenant terms and Baptizing with Water is an outward visible Sign and Seal by which God doth signify his grace and bind himself as God in Covenant to perform his gracious promises and the party Baptized doth declare and signify his humble acceptation of and sincere consent to the Covenant of grace and binds himself to perform what God requireth of him 4. This is done in the Name or into the name of the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Where God doth more fully and clearly and distinctly declare himself than ever he did to Abraham or any of his Covenant People before at least together and at one time 5. According to this declaration of himself as God the everlasting and Almighty by which name he took Abraham into Covenant Gen. 17.1 the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost he taketh his people for his own and they take him for their God. 6. And so we are related to God as Father Son and Holy Ghost and have a right to him as Father as he hath to us as Children and to him as Son of the Father and what the Son hath done for us as he hath a right to us as Children and Brethren Heb. 2.11,12,13,14 And we have a right as well as relation to God the Holy Ghost and to what he doth as he hath a right to us to teach lead sanctify and dwell in us We have God engaged to us and we are engaged and oblig'd to God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost as such 7. As God said I am the Lord thy God thou shalt have no other Gods but me binding his Covenant People to himself in which this positive duty is implied Thou shalt have me for thy God so here in our Baptism we are engaged to have God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost for our God to have him is both our duty and happiness 8. Therefore we must not take up and satisfy our selves with the knowledge and faith of God in general That God is or that God is one the Creator and Governour of all things but must enlarge our knowledge and faith into the mystery of God Col. 2.2 the Father Son and Holy Ghost and into the marvellous Works of Redemption Sanctification and Salvation in which the grace of the Father Son and Holy Ghost doth gloriously appear 9. God descending to us in Covenant and exalting us to be his People is the highest object of our knowledge faith fear love desire delight hope and trust We must honour and worship him own and obey him according to this revelation as Father Son and Holy Ghost And now I come to shew you that this Doctrine of the Trinity or three Persons in the God-head is a practical Doctrine as well as fundamental and to be known and believed of all Christians and then the practical improvement of Baptism 1. Let us take this Mystery as it is revealed to us 2. And because it is revealed to us we ought not to be terrified from a humble search into it It is plain 1. That Father Son and Holy Ghost are one God and that one God in Covenant 2. Father Son and Holy Ghost are severally Named 3. Therefore there is a relation of the one to the other and a distinction between them 4. There is an order but no inequality in Essence for we are to honour and obey the one equally with the other 5. No doubt but this is for his Glory that he hath thus declared himself and for the good of his People and what we cannot now understand we shall understand in Heaven 1 Cor. 13.10 6. Every Baptized Person must hold fast the faith and profession of the Trinity of Persons in the same indivisible Essence and God-head for every Person is declared to be our God to have a right to us and we are devoted to them as one God and three Persons 7. What is briesly summ'd up in this form of Baptism is more particularly explained in Scripture and more distinctly in the New Testament therefore we ought to enquire into the Scriptures into the common and also distinct acts and Operations ascribed to God as one and to each one of the most Glorious Persons 8. In these words we have the foundation object rule and measure of our holy Faith comprehended Our Faith is sounded upon God he is the highest Object of it Our Faith must follow the Order laid down the Father is the First Person the Son the Second and the Holy Ghost
to Salvation Act. 8.28 c. 2. They who attend upon the Means of Salvation are instructed reproved warned and checked Conscience is met with one time or other and who is so dead and senseless that never found in himself a necessity of becoming a new Man And then how might the Consideration of their being baptized of the nature and obligation of Baptism work them towards Conversion and Reformation Reasoning thus with themselves 1. I am not mine own but God's I am dedicated and joined to him by Covenant It is both my Glory and my Duty to be the Lord's Shall I who am related to the most high God as a Child turn to be a Child of the Devil Shall I who am redeemed with precious Blood sell my self to Sin and become a Slave Shall I who am baptized into the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Sanctification defile my self and drown my self in the mire of Sin The Sons of God are lead by the Spirit of God Rom. 8.14 Am I God's or am I not If not What Oh what will become of me for ever 2. I am washed with Water and I must be washed with Blood and Regeneration or else I cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.3,5 Nothing that defileth shall enter therein Rev. 21.27 Oh wash me throughly and cleanse me from my Sin Psal 51.2 3. When you are convinced of the necessity of Regeneration improve your Baptism towards it Say then 1. I am baptized into the Father who is the Father of Mercies and God of all Grace who teacheth calleth draweth and meeteth returning Prodigals O Father of Mercies make me a Child Oh draw me call me meet me receive me Thou art my God by Covenant thy Sign and Seal is upon me Oh forsake me not but put thy Spirit within me 2. I am baptized into the Name of Jesus who came into the World to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Matth. 1.21 Tit. 2.14 Oh redeem me by thy Power from this Bondage from Sin Satan and the evil World Oh wash me by the Merits and Efficacy of thy Blood 1 Joh. 1.7 Oh bring me home a Stray-Sheep Seek me and save me Be thou my Peace and my Advocate 3. I am baptized into the Holy Ghost the Spirit of Light Wisdom Life Sanctification and Holiness Oh make me a new Creature wash me according to thy Grace and Power Joh. 3.5 Tit. 3.5 2 Thess 2.13 Baptize me with thy Baptism and I shall be a new Man and clean in thy sight 2. Let all such as are regenerate and called remember their Baptism 1. By way of Thankfulness and Praise to the Father Son and Holy Ghost for Grace and Love that God is their God and that they are his People that they have obtained Mercy They may go so high as Election and praise God as the Apostle doth Ephes 1.3 to 8. 1 Thes 1.2,3,4 How happy are you in such a Father such a Saviour such a Comforter and that you are under Grace and made safe by Covenant 2. Improve Baptism for Grace and Growth in Grace and Holiness 1. Because you are separated to God as an holy God and are joined in Covenant and therefore are not Debtors to the Flesh to live after the Flesh Rom. 8.12 We are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 and joined to the Lord and therefore are one Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 one Mind one Will one Aim one Way and End. 2. Because you are crucified with Christ therefore we should be holy see Rom. 6.6 Gal. 2.20 Chap. 5.24 Chap. 6.14 By virtue of our Union with Christ we must go on to mortifie Sin Rom. 6.3 and live to God Rom. 6. from 4. to 13. By this we have great and effectual Assistance and are under the strongest Engagements to Holiness 3. Improve your Baptism for Privileges which are exceeding great and high As 1. Apply it for your Acceptation with God Ephes 1.6 Though we are vile and hateful in our selves yet we are beloved of the Father accepted in the beloved Son and sanctified by the Spirit 2. Apply it for Justification and Reconciliation The Father will not condemn them for whom his Son died The Father will not be wroth with them that believe and are in him in whom he is well pleased The Terrour of Condemnation is taken off by the Holy Ghost the Comforter 3. Apply it for Adoption and the Privileges and Comforts of it Joh. 1.12 Gal. 4.6 Adopted Children have the Spirit of Adoption and the Earnest of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 Ephes 1.13 Chap. 4.30 and all things with Christ Rom. 8.32 4. Improve it for Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 1 Cor. 1.9 What may not a Child have that is fit and good for him from a Father and such a Father as Ephes 1.3 that comes to him in his Son's Name and hath the Son to be an Advocate for him and the Spirit to make Intercession in him See Joh. 16.26,27 1 Joh. 2.1 Rom. 8.26 You may be bold for a Child's Portion in Covenant that have the Heart and Spirit of a Child 4. Improve your Baptismal Relation to the Father the Son and Holy Ghost for Assurance The great Promise is that God will be our God All-sufficient for all things and all times What Circumcision was Baptism is See Rom. 4.11 Col. 2.11,12 Say then you have the Seal of God added to his Promise Oh shew it and plead it for Confirmation and Assurance of Pardon Act. 2.38 Chap. 22.14 and all other Blessings 5. Improve Baptism for your Continuance and Constancy in Duty and Obedience against all Temptations to Apostacy Make quick Denials to the Importunities of the Flesh World and Devil Say What have I to do with thee Satan Get thee hence I am baptized I am delivered and redeemed from thee and sworn in Covenant against thee I am a Soldier of Christ in his Name by his Authority and Power I will resist thee I will not turn away from Christ nor be treacherous to him and mine own Soul c. Say to the World I am crucified to thee what have I to do with thee The Lord is my Portion Go tempt and allure them that know thee not and that have their Treasure upon Earth I am dead to thee But Lord there is none in Heaven but thee and none upon Earth besides thee c. Psal 73.25 Say to the Flesh I am redeemed I am joined to the Lord Shall I take the Members of Christ and make them Members of an Harlot God forbid How shall I serve sin that am freed from it To this End Remember 1. To whom thou art engaged Thou art married in Covenant to the Lord thou art to honour thy Father in Heaven who is better than all above all thou art a redeemed Servant and Member of Christ thou art related and engaged to the Holy Spirit 2. Remember the nature of thy Obligation it is a solemn Covenant an Engagement of the highest nature 3. It is a Pre-engagement thou art promised to God
2 1. You may use this as a Form of Prayer or only as a Copy or Pattern if you be so well skilled and instructed as to be able to improve your Knowledge in these Principles of Religion to this Duty of Prayer But those who cannot attain to that Liberty and Boldness may use so much of the Prayer every Day as is not proper to some special Occasions as that for the Lord's Day and that before the Sacrament and that before Hearing of the Word and leaving these out of the ordinary Course to their proper Seasons the rest may be drawn together to serve either for Morning or Evening or any other convenient time 2. If you cannot spend so much time at once for Prayer then let that which is omitted at one-time be used at another and particularly on the Lord's Day and before the Sacrament it is requisite to be more large and full 3. The least Prayer you can use at any time is the shorter Confession noted in the Margin with those Petitions for Effectual Calling and the Benesits of Redemption for Grace the Means of Grace and outward Mercies for the Morning and the Evening which are all noted in the Margin 4. Though I have not drawn up a Form of Thanks-giving for you yet as it is your Duty to return Thanks for Mercies received as much as to pray for Mercies so if you observe how good God hath been to you in granting your Requests it is but turning that which was before the matter of your Request into the matter of Thanks-giving and presenting your Returns of Praise in the Name of Christ 5. You may use this Prayer alone as well as with others changing We for I and I for We Vs into Me and Me into Vs This is necessary for the younger and weaker sort to observe 6. Take heed of praying by Rote in meer Form as a laudable Custom But strive for the Spirit of Supplication and Adoption affect your Hearts with your Exigencies and the Excellency of the things you pray for section 3 In the next place I warn and exhort you to take heed 1. Of neglecting this holy Duty both in your Families and in secret also 2. Of the careless sleepy and cold Performance of it 1. Consider that God never had nor hath a Child who doth not use to call upon him Prayer is the first Exercise of a Convert Act. 9.11 They who are born of God and adopted have the Spirit of Sons Rom. 8.15 Gal. 4.6 They who are effectually called are a Royal Priest-hood every one of them offereth up spiritual Sacrifices to God 1 Pet. 2.5,9 2. No Master or Superior in Families can neglect set and solemn Prayer in and with his Family without Sin and Danger 1. Not without Sin for to pray without ceasing to continue in Prayer and watch in the same with Thanksgiving are joined with other Duties which belong to Relations and Members of a Family see Ephes 6. to v. 10. and v. 18. and very clearly Col. 4.1,2 It is as much your Duty to continue in Prayer c. with your Eamilies as it is for your Masters to give to your Servants that which is equal Secondly You cannot omit Prayer but with Hazard and Danger Jer. 10.25 He is as an Heathen who calleth not upon God and lies open to the Fury and Wrath of God. Prayer is a Protection to Families and Persons Ezek. 9.4 'T is true many thrive and live in Ease and Peace who call not upon God But is their Prosperity and Peace blessed to them See 1 Tim. 4.5 2. Take heed of the cold and careless Performance of Prayer see Mat. 15.8 Rom 12.11 As you must not be slothful in your own Business so not cold but servent in the Service of God James 5.16 And take heed of Formality Hypocrisie and Boasting Luk. 18.10 c. section 4 Qu. But how shall I bring my Heart to be serious and earnest in this holy Duty Ans 1. By the gracious Assistance of the Spirit of Supplication who teacheth and exciteth the Soul to Prayer and maketh Intercession in us Rom. 8.26 2. Study well and work upon thy Heart a serious Consideration of those Answers that unfold the State of Sin and Misery and the places of Scripture out of which they are taken 3. Know and be assured that the multitude of thy Sins are against an higher Law and Power than Man's against the infinite and soveraign Majesty of the most high God. Arraign thy self before his highest Tribunal Let Conscience indict thee of the Omissions of what is commanded by the holy Law of God and which thou art engaged by solemn Promise in Baptism to obey and keep and what thou hast committed which is expresly and clearly forbidden And then consider against whom thou hast offended even that God who is infinite in Holiness hating Sins in Righteousness taking Vengeance upon all Impenitents in Wisdom knowing where to find you out and where to punish you in Power able to undo thee and to torment thee in Hell for ever and to make this World an Hell to thee 4. Lay to heart the desert of every Sin God's Wrath and Curse all the Miseries of this Life though he forbear and spare thee the Sting of Death and the Pains of Hell. 5. Affect thy Heart with the Heinousness of thy Sins and their many Aggravations whereby thou deservest far sorer Punishment And if ever thou wilt be scrious these Considerations will make thee section 5 Quest But what do you mean by the Aggravations of Sin Answ By Aggravations of Sin are meant those Circumstances which render the Sin greater To aggravate is to greaten magnifie to make to weigh heavier Such as these The Person offending if of Age Place Office Experience Profession doth more offend even in the same Sin than others do Thou that teachest another c. Rom. 2.21 Heb. 5.12 For instance The Quality of the Person offended as God Christ Spirit Superiors c. Sins against the Gospel are greater than against Moses's Law as being against clearer Light and Grace more amply revealed Sins often repeated long continued in against Reproof Purposes c. and the Circumstance of Time makes the Sin the greater As to â—erve Sin the Devil and the World on the Lord's Day or any other time of divine Worship These and other Circumstances do aggravate that is do add to the greatness and weight of the Offence section 6 Quest But when I see my Iniquity and my Sin and am humbled for them how shall I deal with God for Mercy What shall I say and plead Answ 1. Confess thine Iniquity and lament thy perishing Condition without a Redeemer if God had left thee to perish in the Estate of Sin and Misery 2. Plead this that God out of his own meer good Pleasure without thy seeking or the motion of any for thee did elect some to Eternal Life and did enter into a Covenant of Grace to bring them out of the
and Endeavour after new Obedience No Man is sensible of Sin as highly offensive and contrary to God but doth grieve and sorrow for it No Man is sorry in a Godly sort that doth not turn from it unto God as hating it and endeavouring to please God. Men may hear of Sin and talk of it without these Effects but they were never sensible of what they speak section 2 2. Do I apprehend that it is Mercy meer Mercy tender Mercy and wonderful if ever I turn from Sin and escape Damnation Is this Mercy in and through and for the sake of Jesus Christ if ever I escape the Curse and Wrath due to me for Sin Doth the Apprehension of God's Mercy in Christ melt me win me overcome me and prevail upon me to forsake all my Sin and to turn to him 3. Do I grieve for Sin What is my Grief Is it deep and hearty arising in me from a clear Sight and Conviction of Sin Do I grieve that I ever sinned at all that I have dishonoured and displeased God though I should not go to Hell nor fear it Doth it break my Heart and make me mourn before God when I remember it 4. Do I hate it Do I hate all Sin in general for its corrupt base and devilish Nature and Qualities Do I hate mine own Sin in special Do I flee Occasions and watch against Temptations to it Do I pray against it to be delivered from it and enabled against it Do I die to it and mortifie it and cease to make provision for it These are the Signs of Hatred of Sin. 5. Have I turned from Sin Do I turn further and further from it Whose am I To whom do I belong Satan Or am I turned from him to God Am I really turned so that I yield those Members which were Instruments of Unrighteousness unto Sin to be Instruments of Righteousness unto God Do I turn to love fear and serve him as the Lord my God 6. How do I turn Feignedly weakly and in pretence or with a Purpose of Heart Is my Purpose full and fixed or but half perswaded Am I so turned that I resolve in the strength of Grace to return back no more but to go forward Do I so purpose that I will endeavour all Ways by all Means by the use of all Ordinances to walk in new Obedience as a new Man Do I turn to God as well as cease from Sin Whence do my Resolutions and Purposes arise Do they arise from that Saving Grace of the Spirit working in me a Sense of Sin as Sin and an Apprehension of the Mercy of God in Christ Or do spring from worldly Sorrow Fear or Shame Loss or Harm suddain Passion or serious Consideration 4. The Trial of Love. section 1 The fourth Grace to be examined is Love And though your Catechism tells you you must examine your Love yet it helps you not to try it as you are helped in the Trial of Faith and Repentance It will be necessary for me to open to you the Nature and Properties of this divine Grace and that by shewing you the Objects of it or towards whom this Grace of Love is exercised Examine your Love 1. To God. 2. To Man. 1. Concerning your Love to God you must observe that we are bound to love God in those three distinct Relations in the Godhead that is we must love the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for in our Baptism we take these three glorious Persons in the God head for our God And what Duties we are engaged to in our Baptism we must exercise and engage our selves a-new to perform when we come to the Lord's Table for then and there we renew our Covenant with God. And as we are bound to believe in God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost so we are bound to love the Father the Son and Holy Ghost This being spoken on the way I shall describe this Grace of Love as near as I can as Faith and Repentance are described before and that by pointing out the Cause and Reasons and the Effects of it by which you may try the Truth of it Rom 5.8 Luk 7.37 Ps 116 1,2,3 to 10. Cant. 1.3 ch 5.9,10 1 Joh. 4.9,10,19 Ps 63 2,3 Deut. 30.20 c. 10.20 c. 11.22 Joh. 14.15 1 Joh. 5.3 chap. 3.1,6 chap. 4.10,11 Love to God is a Saving Grace whereby a Sinner out of the sense of his Sin Baseness Corruption and Misery and from an Apprehension of the infinite Perfections of God especially his Grace Goodness and All sufficiency he doth adore and admire him he doth desire him and cleave to him he laboureth to do the things that please him and to conform to him in all things section 2 Examine your selves 1. Doth your Love to God proceed from your Knowledge and Apprehension of his infinite Excellencies expressed in his Attributes Do you therefore acknowledge God and look upon him as infinite in Wisdom Holiness Power Righteousness Faithfulness and Truth as rich in Grace c. See Exod. 34.6,7 Dost thou believe the Love of God to thy Soul Is he thy God Hath he engaged his Attributes and Glory to thee to be on thy side and for thy good Dost thou believe thy self to be corrupted polluted guilty and helpless Dost thou look upon the Creatures as vain and unable to make thee happy that God is All-sufficient for thee in all Conditions at all Times Dost thou adore and praise him See Psal 103. from 1. to 19. Dost thou believe that God is infinitely better than all Creatures and to be loved above all And dost thou esteem and love him above all the World even with all thy Heart Strength Soul and Mind Matth. 22.37 Luk. 10.22 even above Father above Mother Wife House Lands yea Life it self Dost thou desire him prize him and prefer him before all Psal 16.5,6 and 4.6,7 and 144 15. Dost thou labour to be like him to imitate him to keep his Commandments 1 Joh. 4.10,11 1 Pet. 1.17 and still to give God the Precedence to chuse him above all to fear him more than Men or Devils and to obey him rather than Man This in general section 3 But to go on to Particulars Examine your Love to the three glorious Persons in the God-head distinctly And know this that he that loveth the Father loveth the Son and the Holy Ghost likewise and he that loveth Christ loveth the Father and the Holy Ghost also 1. Examine your Love to God the Father Say to thy Soul O my Soul What am I about to receive Bread and Wine But what is represented thereby The Body and Blood of thy dear Saviour the only begotten of the Father as crucified with all the Benefits of his Death But whence came this to pass How came he to be one of us in our Nature to be thus abased and crucified to become a Propitiation and a Ransom for Sin Oh behold and wonder Rom. 5.5,8,9 This is an Act of the
was baptized to him I am joined I am his And O you the blessed Saints of God take notice that I hope to be saved even as you by him whose Name is Jesus who came to save his People from their Sin. O you careless ones who will not be at the Cost of a Sacrament who will not come to the Light forsake your Sins nor be joined to the Lord to be his by a renewed Covenant You that will not take pains to know the Lord Jesus in the great Work of Redemption in which you are deeply concerned that will not take time and pains to prepare your selves for the Supper of the Lord give me leave to ask you these few Questions 1. Have you sinned at all 2. What doth every Sin deserve 3. Is there any other Redeemer but the Lord Jesus Christ 4. Do you think that his Death is shewed forth in his holy Sacrament 5. Ought you not to obey his last Will to make a Remembrance of him And will you not come to remember him Oh what a Sight doth the broken-hearted Penitent see when the Father sheweth the Death of his Son as fully satisfied and pleased in him And when Jesus Christ sheweth forth his Death as satisfying for all with a full Discharge to all that repent and believe the Gospel Oh how must the Heart needs melt and love as Mary wept and loved Let me add Wouldst not thou hate and abhor that Minister that would refuse to baptize thy Child or account thee as an Heathen or a Publican And is it nothing to thee that thou carriest thy self like an Heathen by thy strangeness sinful and slothful refusing to come to this Ordinance Thou dost discover the Ineffectualness of thy Vow in Baptism to bind thee to be a thorow Christian and that thou art not the better for it that thou thinkest that the preaching of Christ is but a dry thing of no power upon thy Heart that there is not that Good to be had by Communion with Christ that we say there is In a word Thou art backward to renew thy Covenant in thine own Person in thy riper Years and wouldest be as slack to be baptized if it were now to be done as thou art to eat the Lord's Supper for both are Seals and Signs of the same Covenant And by consequence thou art backward to become a Christian And what wilt thou be accounted at the last Day section 7 The other Motive is the Loss and Dis-advantage by not Receiving and also by unworthy Receiving The Non-Communicants lose all that true Believers get that Satisfaction Peace Joy Comfort Strength and Growth The unworthy Receiver and unsound Communicant comes for the worse 1. Sin is a great Dis commodity to any one The Sin of unworthy Eating and Drinking is a Sin of great Indecency and Mis-behaviour towards Jesus Christ crucified for Sin Thou art guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord that is thou prophanest that which is most holy and abusest that which should be most dear to thy Soul. 2. Thou eatest and drinkest Judgment to thy self for they who eat and drink unworthily provoke God to punish them they draw down Judgments upon themselves and others also 3. Thou losest the Benefit of spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace thy Sins grow thy Heart waxeth worse and worse more deceitful and hard if not more prophane even to nauseate that from which thou receivest no saving Benefit In a word Thou hast no Communion with the Father in his Love with Christ in his Merits with the Holy Ghost in his Grace and Comforts nor with the Saints of God in Love and heavenly Privileges Oh what a Loss and Disadvantage is this Consider what I say and resolve by the Grace of God against affected Ignorance spiritual and killing Sloth and Ease against Unbelief and Falseness of Heart shrinking from thy Covenant Vow and Promise and see that thou sin no more by Omission of this great Duty and Neglect of this high Privilege nor by an unworthy Eating and Drinking But hunger and thirst after Christ and thou shalt be filled with his Grace and Glory Come with thy Wedding-Garment and thou shalt never be cast out If thou wilt shew forth his Death until he come again when he comes he will receive thee to himself and thou shalt be for ever with the Lord. So be it Amen Amen FINIS ERRATA IN the Catechism pag. 6. Letter t for Heb. 11.13 read 11.3 PART II. p 9. l. 3. r. the Law is called a Letter c. ibid. l 24. add the things of the Spirit p. 11. l. antepenult r. if not one jot c. p. 19. Sect. 1. r. Jehovah which signifies c. p. 38. l 12. for put p 49. l. 21. dele in p 59 l. 10. f give r. shew p. 60. n. 5. l. 2. r. and Faith and is called c. p. 77. l. 21 r. but not absolute p. 87. l. 25. dele not p. 88. l 7. r. doth not hinder p 94. l. 15. after bless it add as the Minister doth Other Faults by reason of the Author's distance from the Press have escaped which the Reader is intreated to correct and pardon