the Conjunction and Vnity of the Eternal Son of God in and with the Man Christ Jesus A. And the Word was made Flesh dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1. 14. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God for God giveth not the Spirit by Measure unto him Joh. 3. 34. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power who went about doing Good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Acts 10. 38. For it pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Col. 1. 19. For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2. 9. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2. 3. Q. For what End did Christ appear in the World A. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh Rom. 8. 3. For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins 1 Joh. 3. 8 5. Q. Was Jesus Christ really Crucified and Raised again A. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dy'd for our Sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and that he arose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Q. What End do the Scriptures asscribe unto the Coming Death and Sufferings of Christ A. For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel Luke 2. 30 31 32. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God Rom. 3. 25. And walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour Ephes. 5. 2. And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by Wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you Holy Unblamable and Unreprovable in his Sight Col. 1. 20 21 22. Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offer'd himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from Dead Works to serve the Living God Hebr. 9. 12 14. For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 18. Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us 1 John 3. 16. And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the Redemption of Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance Hebr. 9. 15. Q. Is Christ then the Mediator A. For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Was not Christ the Mediator until he appeared and was crucified in the Flesh A. He is the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the VVorld Rev. 5. 12. and 13. 8. Q. Is it needful then to believe that the Saints of old did partake of Christ as then present with and nourishing them A. Moreover Brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea and did all eat the same spiritual Meat and did all drink the same spiritual Drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Q. But whereas most of these Scriptures before-mentioned do hold forth that the Death and Sufferings of Christ were appointed for the destroying removing and remitting of Sin Did he so do it while he was outwardly upon Earth as not to leave any thing for himself to do in us nor for us to do in and by his Strength A. For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Whereof I Paul am made a Minister who now rejoyce in my Sufferings for you and fill up that whiâ—h is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23 24. Always bearing about in the Bâ—dy the Dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body For we which live are alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh 2 Cor 4. 10 11. And that he dyed for all that they which live should not hence-forth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and also rose again 2 Cor. 5. 15. That I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death Phil. 3. 10. CHAP. IV. Of the New Birth the Inward Appearance of Christ in Spirit and the Unity of the Saints with him Question DOth Christ promise then to come again to his Disciples A. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you John 14. 18. Q. Was this only a special Promise to these Disciples or is it not the common Priviledge of the Saints A. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a Contrite and Humble Spirit c. Isa. 57. 15. For ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6. 16. Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 20. Q. Doth the Apostle Paul speak of the Son of God his being revealed in him A. But when it pleased God who separated me from my Mother's Womb and called me by his Grace to reveal his Son
Judgments to Deal Truly he is just 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 surely Live saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 5 6 7 8 9. For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he shall Reward every Man according to his Works Mat. 16. 27. Then Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Truth I perceive that God is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. 34 35. The Righteous Judgment of God who will render to every man according to his Deeds To them who by Patient Continuance in Well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality Eternal Life But Glory Honour and Peace to every man that worketh Good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2. 6 7 10. For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. VVhich is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 3 Thes. 1. 5. But who so looketh into the Perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful Hearer but a Doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his Deed James 1. 25. Cast not away therefore your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward Hebr. 10. 35. And if ye 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 1 Pâ—t 1. 17. And behold I come quickly and behold my Reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have a Right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 12 14. Q. It should seem that the Purpose of God in sending his Son the Lord Jesus Christ was not simply to save Man by an Imputative Righteousness altogether without them but also by the Washing of Regeneration or any inward Righteousness What saith the Scripture further of this A. And thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 21. Looking for that Blessed Hope and the Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of Good Works Tit. 2. 13 14. CHAP. VII Concerning Perfection or Freedom from SIN Question I Perceive then by all these Scriptures afore-mentioned that Christ as well as he hath purchased Pardon for our Sins hath also obtained Power by which we may even here be cleansed from the Filth of them may we expect then in this Life to be freed from the Dominion of Sin A. For Sin shall not have Dominion over you Rom. 6. 14. Q. For what Reason A. For ye are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. Q. How cometh the Apostle then to cry out and complain of Sin saying Who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death Doth he speak that as a Condition always permanent to him and other Saints or only that which he had passed through What saith he afterwards A. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall Tribulation or Distress or Persecution or Famin or Nakedness or Peril or Sword as it is written For thy sake we are killed all the Day long we are accounted as Sheep for the Slaughter Nay in all these things we are more then Conquerors through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 1 2 35 36 37 38 39. Q. What saith that Apostle then unto such who taking Occasion from his words should plead for Continuance in Sin for term of Life and think to be saved by the Imputative Righteousness of Christ as being under Grace A. What shall we say then shall we continue in Sin that Grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6. 1 2. VVhat then shall we Sin because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid Q. Is not the Apostle then so far from supposing that Condition of being alwayes under Sin to be his own constant Condition or that of all the Saints that he even supposes many of the then Church of Rome to whom he wrote to be free of it How bespeaketh he them as in relation to this Matter A. How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newnes of Life For if we have been planted together in the Likeness of his Death we shall be also in the Likeness of his Resurrection knowing this that our Old Man is crucified with him that the Body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin for he that is dead is freed from Sin Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not Sin therefore reign in your mortal Body that ye should obey it in the Lusts thereof Neither yield ye your Members as Instruments of Unrighteousness unto Sin but yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the Dead and your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves Servants to obey his Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness But God be thanked that ye were the Servants of Sin but ye have Obeyed from the Heart that Form of Doctrine which was delivered unto you being then made free from Sin ye became the Servants of Righteousness I speak after the manner of men because of the Infirmity of your Flesh For as ye have yielded your Members Servants to Uncleanness to Iniquity unto Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness For when ye were the Servants of Sin ye were free from Righteousness What Fruit had ye then in these things whereof ye are now ashamed for the End of these things is Death But now being
be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 1. 3 4 6. Q. What is the Apostle Peter's Testimony in this A. The Lord is not â—lack concerning his Promise as some men count Slackness but is Long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. Q. Are there any more Scripture-Passages that prove this thing A. Say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked but that the Wicked turn from his VVay and live Ezek. 33. 11. The Lord is Gracious and full of Compassion slow to Anger and of great Mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender Mercies are over all his VVorks Plal. 145. 8 9. To wit That God was in Christ reconciling the VVorld unto himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. Q. Seeing then by these Scriptures it appears that the Love of God is held out to all that all might have been or may be saved by Christ What is to be judged of those who assert that God nor Christ never purposed Love nor Salvation to a great part of Mankind and that the Coming and Sufferings of Christ never were intended nor could be useful to their Justification but will and must be effectual for their Condemnation even according to God's Purpose who from their very Infancy to their Grave with-held from them all Means of Salvation What saith the Scripture to such A. For God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved John 3. 17. I am come a Light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in Darkness And if any man hear my words and believe not I judge him not for I came not to judge the World but to save the World Joh. 12. 46 47. Q. From what Scripture then come these men to wrest an Opinion so contrary to Truth A. For the Children being not yet born neither having done any Good or Evil that the Purpose of God according to Election might stand it was said unto her The Elder shall serve the Younger as it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated Rom. 9. 11 12 13. Q. I perceive in that Scripture it was only said before the Children were born The Elder shall serve the Younger These other words Jacob have I loved Esau have I hated are mention'd out of the Prophet Malachie who wrote them many hundred years after both were dead Doth not the Scripture mention any â—ther Cause of God's Hating Esau then meerly his Decree What saith the same Apostle elsewhere A. Left there be any Fornicator or Prophane Person as Esau who for one Morsel of Meat sold his Birth Right for ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the Blessing he was rejected Heb. 12. 16 17. Q. But seeing that such allege that it is because of Adam's Sin that many even Children are damned Doth not the Scripture â—ver that the Death of Christ was as large to Heal as Adam's Sin could Condemn A. For if through the Offence of one many be dead much more the Grace of God and the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ. 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 Rom. 5. 15 18. Q. That proves abundantly that Christ's Death is of sufficient Extent to make up any Hurt Adam's Sin brought upon Mankind What is then the Cause of Condemnation A. He that believeth on him is not Condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the Only Begotten Son of God John 3. 18. And with all Deceivableness of Unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved And for this Cause God shall send them strong Delusions that they should believe a Lye that they all might be damned who believe not the Truth but had Pleasure in Unrighteousness 2 Thess. 2. 10 11 12. Q. Seeing it is so of a Truth according to the Scripture's Testimony that God has purposed Love and Mercy to all in the Appearance of his Son Jesus Christ Is the Gospel or Glad-Tidings of this Salvation brought nigh unto all by which they are put into a Capacity of receiving the Grace and being saved by it A. If ye continue in the Faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every Creature which is under Heaven whereof I Paul am made a Minister Col. 1. 23. Q. What is the Gospel A. I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the Power of God unto Salvation unto every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. Q. Is this Gospel hid A If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are Lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. Q. Is this Light then come into the World and are not men condemned because they love it not and not because it is hid from them A. And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather then Light Joh. 3. 19. Q. Why do they so A. Because their Deeds are Evil John 3. 19. Q. Is every man enlightened by this Light A. He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light that was the True Light which enlightneth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 8 9. Q. Doth this Light discover all things A. All things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Ephes. 5. 13. Q. Do Evil Men preach up this Light or mind it A. Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deeds should be reproved John 3. 20. They are of those that Rebel against the Light Job 24. 13. Q. Do Good Men love it and follow it A. He that doth Truth comes to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 21. Q. What Benefit doth redound to such as love the Light and walk in it A. If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have â—ellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all Sin 1 Joh. 1. 7. Q. Doth Christ command to take heed to the Light A. While ye have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light Joh. 12. 36. Q. Were the Apostles commanded to turn People to the Light A. Delivering thee from the People and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee To open their Eyes
made free from Sin and become Servants to God ye have your Fruit unto Holiness and the End Everlasting Life For the Wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 Lord Rom. 6. 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 â—6 17 18 19 20 21 â—2 23. Q. It would appear then that God requires of us to be perfect A. Be ye therefore Perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect Mat. 5. 48. Q. Is it then possible to keep the Commandments A. My Yoak is easie and my Burden is light Mat. 11. 30. For this is the Law of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. Q. Is it necessary then for Salvation to keep the Commandments A. Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have Right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 14. Q. Do you understand by this Perfection that any have so kept the Commandments as never to have sinned A. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a Lyar and his Word is not in us 1 Joh. 1. 10. Q. Do you understand that those who are perfect may say they have no Sin or only that having sinned and so having Sin in respect they once sinned as the Apostle in the Passage cited mentions May they not withstanding thereof come to know Forgiveness for the Guilt but also Cleansing from the Filth A. If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all Unrighteousness 1 Joh. 1. 8. Q. That Scripture seems to be very plain being compared with the other before-mentioned But because some are apt to mistake and wrest the Words of that Apostle what saith he elsewhere Did he judge any could know God or be True Christians who keeped not the Commandments A. My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous And hereby do we know that we know him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him But whoso keepeth his Word in him verely is the Love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked Beloved now are we the Sons of God 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 And every man that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Whosoever committeth Sin transgresseth also the Law for Sin is the Transgression of the Law And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins and in him is no Sin Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him Little Children let not man deceive you he that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 John 2. 1 3 4 5 6. and 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Q. It is very plain by these Passages that the Apostles were far of another Mind then those that plead for Sin during term of Life and much against the Deceit of those who will esteem themselves Good Christians while they live in their Sins A. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto the Wise Man which built his House upon a Rock Mat. 7. 21 24. If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Joh. 13. 17. Q. What saith the Apostle Paul further concerning the Needfulness of this thing A. Circumcision is nothing and Uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. Q. Was not this according to the Apostle Paul's Judgment the very Intention of Christ to have his Church and Children to be pure and without Spot A. 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 Eph. 1. 4. Even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it that he might present it to himself a Glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be Holy and without Blemish Eph. 5. 25 26 27. Q. Doth not Paul press the same thing further besides the other Passages above-mentioned A. Having therefore these Promises Dearly Beloved Let us cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Finally Brethren farewell be perfect 2 Cor. 13 11. Christ in you the Hope of Glory whom we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all Wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. Labouring fervently for you in Prayers that ye may stand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God Col. 4. 12. To the End he may establish your Hearts unblamable in Holiness before God 1 Thess. 3. 13. And the very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit and Soul and Body be presented blameless unto the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thess. 5. 23. Q. Is not this then the very End for which God appointed Teachers in his Church A. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the Perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the Measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ Ephes. 4. 11 12 13. Q. Seeing this is so much pressed by the Holy Men doth not the Scripture which cannot lye give none of the Saints this Testimony as being free from Sin at sometimes and so not alwayes and daily sinning as is supposed A. Noah was a Just Man and Perfect in his Generations
a real Member of his Body and afterwards be cut off A. If any man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered Joh. 15. 6. Q. May a Righteous Man then depart from his Righteousness A. But when the Righteous Man turneth away from his Righteousness and commits Iniquity and dyeth in them for his Iniquity that he hath done shall he dye Ezek. 18. 26. 33. 13. Q. May a Believer come to such a Condition in this Life from which he cannot fall away A. Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the Name of my God and the Name of the City of my God which is New Jerusalem who cometh down out of Heaven from my God and will write upon him my New Name Rev. 3. 12. Q. May such an 〈◊〉 ome to be assured that he is in this Condition A. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 38 39. CHAP. IX Concerning the Church and Ministry Question WHat is the Church A. But if I tarry long that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Q. Who is the Head of the Church A. VVho hath deliver'd us from the Power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son and he is the Head of the Body the Church from which all the Body by Joynts and Bands having Nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the Excrease of God 1 Coloss. 1. 3. and 2. 10. Q. What kind of Persons make the Church A. Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1. 2. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as shou'd be saved Acts 2. 47. Q. Hath not Christ appointed any Officers in the Church for the Work of the Ministry A. Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive and gave Gifts unto Men and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the Edification of the Body of Christ Eph. 4. 8 11 12. Q. What kind of Men should such as are Teachers and Overseers of the Church be A. A Bishop then must be Blameless the Husband of one Wife Vigilant Sober of good Behaviour given to Hospitality apt to teach not given to Wiâ—e no Striker not greedy of filthy Lucre but Patient Not a Brawlâ—â— not Covetous one that ruleth well his own House having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity for if a man know not how to rule his own House how shall he take Care of the Church of God not a Novice lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil Moreover he must have a good Report of them which are without lest he fall into Reproach and the Snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7. For a Bishop must be Blameless as the Steward of God not Self-Will'd not soon Angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to Filthy Lucre but a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men sober just holy temperate holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the Gain-sayers Tit. 1. 7 8 9. Q. What is incumbent upon such to do A. Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God Acts 20. 28. The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a Witness of the Sufferings of Christ and also a Partaker of the Glory that shall be reveal'd Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the Oversight thereof not by Constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being Ensamples to the Flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. Though they be not to Lord over the Flock yet is there not a Respect due to thâ—m in their Place A. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double Honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. Q. Albeit then among true Christians every one that believeth is to have the Witness in himself being perswaded in himself by the Spirit yet is there not also a real Subjection to be to one another in the Lord A. The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets 1 Cor. 14. 32. Obey them that have the Rule over you submit your selves for they watch for your Souls as they that must give Account that they may do it with Joy and not with Grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13. 17. And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in Love for their VVorks sake 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. Likewise ye younger submit your selves unto the Elder yea all of you be subject one to another and be cloathed with Humility for God resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace unto the Humble 1 Pet. 5. 5. Q. How ought true Teachers to minister in the Church A. As every Man hath received the Gift even so Minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God If any speak let him speak as the Oracles of God If any Man minister let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 4. 10 11. Q. I perceive then that every true Minister of the Church of Christ is to minister of the Gift and Grace of God which he hath received But some are of the Judgment that Natural Wisdom or Parts and human Learning are the Qualifications which are of absolute Necessity for a Minister but Grace they judge not to be so absolutely necessary but that one may be à Minister without it What saith the Scripture in this Case A. A Bishop must be Sober Just Holy Temperate Tit. 1. 7 8. Q. Methinks it is impossible for a Man to be Blameless Just Holy Sober and Temperate without the Grace of God So that if these Qualifications be absolutely necessary then surely that without which a man cannot be so qualified must be necessary also But what saith the Scripture as to the Necessity of Natural Wisdom and Human Learning A. Where is the Wise Where is the Scribe Where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made foolish
After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in Remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25. Q How long was this to continue A. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. Q. Did Christ promise to come again to his Desciples A. I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Jesus answered and said unto him if a Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our Abode with him Joh. 14. 18 23. Q. Was this an Inward Coming A. At that Day ye shall know that I am in my Father and ye in me and I in you Joh. 14. 20. Q. But it would seem this was even practised by the Church of Corinth after Christ was come in wardly Was it so that there were certain Appointments positivelycommanded yea and Zealously and Conscientiously practised by the Saints of Old which were not of perpetual Continuance nor yet now needful to be practised in the Church A. If then your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye also ought to wash one another's Feet For I have given you an Example that ye should do as I have done to you Joh. 13. 14 15. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater Bâ—rden then these necessary Things that ye abstain from Meats offered to Idols and from Blood and from Things strangled and from Fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye shall do well farewell Acts 15. 28 29. Is any man sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oyl in the Name of the Lord Jam. 5. 14. Q. These Commands are no less positive then the other yea some of them are asserted as the very Sense of the Holy Ghost as no less necessary then abstaining from Fornication and yet the Generality of Protestants have laid them aside as not of perpetual Continuance But what other Scriptures are there to shew that it is not necessary that of Bread and Wine to Continue A. For the Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Let no Man therefore judge you in Meat or in Drink or in respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Dayes Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances touch no taste not handle not which all are to perish with the Using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men Col. 2. 16 20 21 22. Q. These Scriptures are very plain and say as much for the abolishing of this as to any Necessity as ought can be alledged for the former But what is the Bread then wherewith the Saints are to be nourished A. Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Moses gave you not that Bread from Heaven but my Father giveth you the True Bread from Heaven for the Bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this Bread And Jesus said unto them I am the Bread of Life he that cometh to me shall never Hâ—â—ger and he that believeth on me shall never Thirst. I am that Bread of Life Your Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness and are Dead This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven that a man may eat thereof and not dye I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven If any man eat of this Bread he shall live forever and the Bread that I will give him is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World The Jews therefore strove amongst themselves saying How can this man give us his Flesh to eat Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you Whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the Last Day For my Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him As the Living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me This is that Bread which came down from Heaven not as your Fathers did eat Manna are dead He that eateth of this Bread shall live forever John 6. 32 33 34 35 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58. CHAP. XII Concerning the Life of a Christian in general what and how it ought to be in this World Question VVHat is True RELIGION A. Pure Religion and Undefiled is this To visit the Fatherless and the Widdow in their Affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the World Jam. 1. 27. Q. What is required of man A. 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 Michah 6. 8. But to this man will I look even to him that is pure and of a contrite Spirit and trembles at my Word Isa. 66. 2. Q. Doth God then require People to be Quakers to tremble at his Word was there any such among the Saints of old A. Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the Words of the God of Israeal Ezra 9. 4. Now therefore let us make a Covenant with our God to put away all the Wives and such as are born of them according to the Counsel of my Lord and of those that tremble at the Commandment of our God Ezra 10. 3. Q. It seems Ezra loved well and had a high Esteem of Quakers since he would have their Counsel followed Do any other of the Prophets point out Quakers or Tremblers as God's People A Hear the Word of the Lord ye that tremble at his Word Your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my Names sake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your Joy and they shall be ashamed Isa. 66. 5. And it shall be to me a Name of Joy a Praise and an Honour before all the Nations of the Earth which shall hear all the Good that I do unto them and they shall fear and tremble for all the Goodness and for all the Prosperity that I procure unto it Jer. 33. 9. Q. The Prophets promise good Things there to Quakers what becometh of these that tremble not and are not such A. Hear now this O foolish People and without Understanding which have Eyes and see not which
Father No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For the Things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Now the Saints have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that they might know the things which are freely given them of God For the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father sends in Christ's Name he teacheth them all things and bringth all things to their Remembrance ARTICLE II. Concerning the Guide and Rule of Christians CHrist pray'd to the Father and he gave the Saints another Comforter that was to abide with them forever even the Spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not nor knoweth him but the Saints know him for he dwelleth with them and is to be in them Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God For this is the Covenant that God hath made with the House of Israel he hath put his Laws in their Mind writ them in their Hearts and they are all taught of God And the Anointing which they have received of him abideth in them and they need not that any man teach them but as the same Anointing teacheth them of all things and is Truth and is no Lye ARTICLE III. Concerning the Scriptures VVHatsoever things were written afore time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Which are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture being given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be Perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works No Prophecy of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation for the Prophecy came not in old time by the Will of man but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ARTICLE IV. Concerning the Divinity of Christ and his Being from the Beginning IN the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the Beginning with God All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Whose Goings forth have been from of old from Everlasting For God created all things by Jesus Christ Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God And his Name is called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Who is the Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature The Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Substance Who was cloathed with a Vesture dipt in Blood and his Name is call'd The Word of God In him dwells all the Fulness of the God head bodily And in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom Knowledge ARTICLE V. Concerning his Appearance in the Flesh. THe Word was made Flesh For he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham being in all things made like unto his Brethren Touched with a feeling of our Infirmities and in all things tempted like as we are yet without Sin He dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures and he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures ARTICLE VI. Concerning the End and Use of that Appearance GOD sent his own Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Being manifested to take away our Sins For he gave himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a Sweet-smelling Savour Having obtained Eternal Redemption for us And through the Eternal Spirit offered up himself without Spot unto God to purge our Consciences from dead Works to serve the living God He was the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the World Of whom the Fathers did all drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his Steps For we are to bear about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body being alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our Flesh That we may known him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death ARTICLE VII Concerning the Inward Manifestation of Christ. GOd dwelleth with the Contrite and Humble in Spirit For he hath said he will dwell in them and walk in them And Christ standeth at the Door and knocketh if any man hear his Voice and open the Door he will come into him and sup with him and he with him And therefore ought we to examine our selves and prove our own selves knowing how that Christ is in us except we be Reprobates For this is the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery which God would make known among or rather IN the Gentiles Christ Within the Hope of Glory ARTICLE VIII Concerning the New Birth EXcept a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Therefore ought we to put off the Old Man with his Deeds and put on the New Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him and which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness For henceforth know we no man after the Flesh yea though we have known Christ after the Flesh yet now henceforth know we him no more For if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature old things are past away behold all things are become new For such have put on the Lord Jesus Christ And are renewed in the Spirit of their Minds Sith as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth abideth forever And glory in nothing save in the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto them and they unto the World For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Uncircumcision but a new Creature ARTICLE IX Concerning the Unity of the Saints with Christ. HE that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all