which brought thee out of the land of Egypt thou must then keepe all my Commandements but I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt therefore thou must keepe all my Commandements Q. How can this belong vnto vs which are not Israel A. Though we bee not Israel in name or according to the flesh yet we are the true Israel of God according to the Spirit and promise God also by this Leuit. 26. 4-10 Deut. 28. 13. 13. stile doth cleerely distinguish himselfe from all Idols whatsoeuer Q. Why doth the Lord make choyce of that benefit which seemeth nothing at all to belong vnto vs rather then of any other wherein we communicate with them A. First because it is the manner of God to allure the Israelites to whom the Law was giuen at the first as children with temporall benefits hauing respect to their infirmity and childhood wheras we are blessed of God with greater knowledge and therefore in respect of them are as it were at mans estate Secondly because it was fittest to expresse the spirituall deliuerie from Satan by Christ which was thereby after a sort represented and so it belongeth no lesse if not more to vs then to them And thirdly we hauing been freed from the slauerie of our bloody enemies whereunto we were so neere more then once and vnto whom we iustly haue deserued to haue been inthralled and it being the common case of all Gods children to be in continuall danger of the like and to feele the like goodnesse of God towards them wee may also make vse of this title and esteeme it a bond also for vs vnto God Fourthly because it was the latest benefit the sweetnesse whereof was yet as it were in their mouth And herein the Lord had a respect vnto our corrupt nature who are ready to forget old benefits how great soeuer Q. So much of the Preface How are the Commandements diuided A. Into two Tables whereof the first containe our duties to God in the four first Commandements and the other those to our neighbour in the six other Commandements Q. What are those towards God A. Such as concerne his worship and therefore to bee preferred before the other towards our neighbour Q. How may that be shewed A. By the inequality of the persons offended God and man then also by the punishments assigned in the Scripture for the breaches of the first Table are to be more seuerely punished then the breaches of the second As he that reuileth the Magistrate shall beare his sinne but he that blasphemeth God shall bee stoned â— Sam. 2. 25. to death Which serueth to discouer the craftie practices of the Papists who would make men beleeue that the chiefest and most meritorious good Workes of all required in the Law of God are the workes of the second Table as Charity almes-deeds thereby deceiuing the people to enrich themselues Q. Are all the duties of the first Table greater then all the duties of the second A. Yea if the comparison be equally made as if the chiefe of the first Table bee compared with the chiefe of the second the middle duties of the one with the middle duties of the other and the last and least of the former with the last and least of the latter otherwise not For if the murther of a man be compared with the least abuse of the name of God it is a greater sinne then it so is Adulterie being in comparison set against the least breach of the Sabbath Q. How is this Worship of God diuided A. Into Inward only and Outward also Q. Where is the Inward Worship commanded A. In the first Commandement CHAP. 15. Of the first Commandement The 1. Commandement is of the inward worship of God in the Vnderstanding Knowledge Faith Wil and affection aboue all to Loue him Feare him Reuerence him EXOD. 20. 3. Thou shalt haue no other Gods before mee Q. WHat is the first Commandement A. Thou shalt haue no other gods before mee Q. What is the dutie required in this Commandement A. The inward worship of God as appeareth by the words before me that is that whereof I alone take notice Where wee must take heede wee imagine no likenesse of God thereby setting vp an Idoll in our hearts which wee shall doe if wee liken him to any thing whatsoeuer subiect to the sense or imagination of man Q. Wherein consisteth the inward worship of God A. In two things according to the inward man first in the vnderstanding 2. In the will and affections Q. VVhat is required in the Vnderstanding A. The knowledge of God and of his Attributes 1. Chron. 28. 9. properties and actions so farre forth as he hath reuealed himselfe in his word and workes Secondly Faith John 17. 3. both in beleeuing the things that are written of him and applying to our selues his promises Q. VVhat is contrary to this A. Confidence and trust in our selues or in our Ierem. 17. 5. Psal 62. 10. friends honour wisedome money learning or credit c. which are but meanes giuen vs of God whereby to glorifie him the better Q. What is our duty to him in regard of these and all other good meanes A. First to trust in God no lesse when wee haue them then when we want them Secondly by hope Iohn 13. 15. patiently to attend for al things that we need at Gods hands not onely when we haue the meanes but also when we want all apparant meanes as was the condition of the Israelites in the desert yea when the meanes shall seeme contrary as it was in the case of the Psalm 37. 7. 22. 4. 5. Dan. 3. 17. 18. three companions of Daniel of Daniel himselfe and as Iob profest he would do saying I will trust in God although Iob. 13. 15. he kill me Thirdly by humility to cast our selues downe before God acknowledging our insufficiency in our selues and therewith also to season all our behauiour both towards God and man Contrary whereunto is presumption whereby wee vse to glorie and boast of our selues and our owne strength and goodnesse Q. VVhat is required in the will and affections A. In the will and affections is required first to loue Deut. 6. 5. God that as wee know and beleeue that hee is good yea the chiefest good so wee loue him aboue all John 14. 15. 21. 23. Psal 119. 97. which loue for that we cannot loue God in himself is then in truth in vs when wee loue his word and Commandements Q. What is contrary to this loue of God A. Such a loue of our selues and of worldly 1. John 2. 15. Exod. 32. 32. Rom. 9. 3. pleasures as causeth vs to leaue those duties vndone which God requireth of vs whereas the true loue of God will moue vs with Moses and Paul to wish our selues accursed rather then that the glory of God should any thing at all be stained by vs. Q.
the Counsellor Q. What is here generally to be obserued A. That whereas in the gouernment of a Kingdome Esay 9. 15. 2. Sam. 20. 16. Eccles 9. 16. counsell and wisedome are chiefe and preferred euen to strength we may assure our selues that in the Kingdome of Christ all things are done wisely nothing rashly Hence in the Reuelation of Iohn he is described thus To be in the middest of the golden Candlesticks clothed with agarment downe to the foot such as Counsellors vse to weare and that his head and haires are white as white wooll and as snow whereby is noted such a person as for grauity and great experience is fit to giue counsell Q. What is further to be gathered hence A. Matter of great comfort for vs that are the children of God in that our Sauiour Christ is our Counsellor who is able and willing to giue vs all sound aduice in whatsoeuer concerneth our good Q. What are we here further to learne A. That when we are in any perplexitie and know not which way to turne vs we seeke vnto our Sauiour Christ for aduice and direction who is giuen vs for a Counsellor Q. By what meanes may we come to him for aduice A. By humble Supplications and prayers made vnto him Q. How may we receiue aduice from him A. By the doctrine of God drawne out of his holy word and testimonies which therefore Dauid calleth Psal 119. 24. his Counsellors or the men of his Counsell Q. What followeth A. That hee is wonderfull in might and the strong God Q. What haue we here to learne A. First that as hee is wise to aduise and foresee things pertaining to the good of his Church so hee is of power to execute and effect all that hee aduiseth wisely Secondly that as there is in vs no aduice of our selues so there is in vs no found strength to keepe vs from any euill but that as hee giueth good aduice to his so doth he by his owne power performe and effect Phil. 2. 13. it And therefore although we be as the vine of all other trees the weakest or as the sheepe of all other beasts the simplest yet wee haue for our gardiner and for our sheepheard Christ Iesus the mightie strong God Thirdly that we should take heed how we depart from his obedience for he both can and will do what pleaseth him Q. What other property followeth A. Two other which are as it were the branches and effects of the former first that hee is the father of Eternities secondly the Prince of peace Q. Doth not this title The father of eternities argue a confusion of the Diuine persons A. In no case for it is a borrowed speech signifying that he is the author of eternitie Q. What doe you learne from hence A. That where other Kingdomes alter and come Dan. 2. to an end his is euerlasting Q. What doctrine is to be gathered from thence A. First that the Kingdome of our Sauiour Christ being perpetuall hee dasheth and crusheth in pieces all other Monarchies and Regiments how mighty soeuer that rise vp against him and his Kingdome and therefore that his Church and subiects generally and euery particular member need not feare any power whatsoeuer Secondly that whatsoeuer wee haue by nature or Esay 40. 6. 1. Pet. 1. 24. 25. industrie it is momentanie like vnto the grasse that fadeth away and whatsoeuer durable thing wee haue we haue it from Christ Q. VVhat is the second property arising out of the former A. That he is the Prince of peace that is the procurer cause and ground of peace that procureth peace for his subiects and causeth them to continue in quietnesse Q. Of what nature is this peace A. It is spirituall for first wee haue peace with Rom. 5. Ephes 2. 14. God secondly wee haue peace in our consciences thirdly there is peace betweene men which ariseth out of both the former Q. Where is this peace established A. Vpon the throne of Dauid that is in the Church of God Q. Are not we also in some measure partakers of this honour of his Kingly office A. Yes verily as well as of his Priests office For we Rom. 6. 12. Rom. 16. 20. Reuel 1. 6. are Kings to rule and subdue our stirring and rebellious affections and to tread Satan vnder our feet Q. What is the cause of all this A. The loue and zeale of God breaking through all lets either inward from our selues and our owne sinnes or outward from the enmitie of the diuell and world CHAP. 33. Of the excellency of Christs Kingdome in speciall It consisteth First in Wisedome Righteousnesse or Iustification parts Forgiuenesse of sinnes Imputation of righteousnesse Secondly in Sanctification parts Mortification Viuification Redemption 1. COR. 1. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Q. VVHerein more specially doth the excellencie of Christs Kingdome consist A. In certaine speciall treasures brought vnto vs by his Propheticall and Priestly office and made effectuall vnto vs by his Kingly office Q. What are those treasures A. They are certaine speciall fruits mentioned by the Apostle 1. Cor. 1. 30. Q. What is the first he here nameth within vs A. That he is made vnto vs Wisedome Q. Is this necessarie to our saluation A. Yea for hauing absolutely lost all godly and sauing Prou. 30. 2. 3. wisedome wherein we were first created it is to be repaired againe ere we can be partakers of life eternall Q. VVhy haue we not wisedome enough of our owne by nature to bring vs to eternall life A. No verily for although wee haue wisedome naturally engrafted in vs to prouide in some measure for this present life and sufficient to bring vs to condemnation in the life to come yet wee haue not one graine of sauing wisedome to inable or direct vs so much as to make vs step one foot forward to life eternall Q. VVhere is this wisedome to be found 2. Tim. 3. 15. Psal 19. 7. A. In the Word of God Q. How come we to it A. By Christ for God dwelleth in Light which 1. Tim. 6. 16. John 1. 18. no man hath approched vnto only the Sonne which was in the bosome of his Father hee hath reuealed him Q. VVhat is the second fruit the Apostle nameth A. That Christ is made vnto vs Righteousnesse Q. VVhat is meant here by Righteousnesse A. Our Iustification before God whereby we are deliuered from the guilt and punishment of all sinne and are accounted righteous euen by the righteousnesse of our Sauiour Christ imputed vnto vs by meanes whereof we are restored to a better righteousnesse then that which we lost in Adam Q. This doctrine that a man should be made righteous by the righteousnesse of another is it not as absurd as if a man should bee said to be fed with the meate another eateth or to be warmed with
before the comming of Christ What are the nearer tokens of the latter day A. They are either such as shall come within an age of the second comming of Christ or such as shall be nearer to it as it were ioyned with it Q. VVhat is the first A. That there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders Q. VVhat haue we here to consider A. Two things especially first the errour secondly the remedie against it Q. VVhat is the errour A. That it shall be said heere is Christ or there for there shall be false Christs which shall pretend the very person of Christ otherwise then Antichrist who tearmeth himselfe the vicar of Christ These also shall haue their ministers namely false Prophets which shall get credit vnto the false Christ Q. VVhat learne you by this A. That the Church of God shall be put vnder triall first of their knowledge and vnderstanding whether they can discerne betweene errour and truth secondly of their loue and fidelity whether after they know the truth they will sticke by it or no. Q. VVhat doe you note of this kind of errour A. The danger of it in that it maketh shew of the corporall presence of Christ whereunto we are naturally greatly giuen as appeareth not onely by the Papists but by the holy Apostles themselues which were too much addicted to the corporal presence of Christ secondly also by reason of the great meanes they shall haue to preuaile through the wonderfull miracles they shall doe especially considering that the true Ministers of God shall not haue for any warrant we haue out of the word any such power as hath already been shewed Q. VVhat further doe you learne of this A. The extreame impudencie of the diuell in those daies which hath neuer been heard of before that shal so possesse the spirit of a sinfull mortall man that hee shall take vpon him to be the sonne of the most High for notwithstanding there were many that tooke vpon them to bee the Messias before and after the first comming of our Sauiour Christ yet they imagining the Messias to be a bare man were neuer so impudently arrogant as to challenge to themselues to be the very naturall sonne of God Q. What note you of this that if it were possible the very elect should be deceiued A. First the certainty of their happie estate from whence they cannot fall Secondly that the same hath a foundation not in any thing that is in men but in the purpose and counsell of God which cannot be deceiued Q. So much of the errour VVhat is the remedy against it A. First an admonition then a confutation Q. What is the admonition A. First not to goe out that is so certainly to be resolued of the vntruth of the thing notwithstanding the greatnesse of the miracles as not once to enquire after it for those that haue itching eares and wanton rolling eyes to heare and see things are oftentimes by Gods iust iudgement deceiued although they haue a purpose to the contrary Secondly although by reason of some particular calling they bee constrained to be present at the place where such are or otherwise bee brought forcibly vnto them yet not to beleeue them when they see or heare those things Q. What is the confutation A. That it cannot bee Christ that they should goe out into the wildernesse to see first because hee shall come with great brightnesse as the lightning commeth from the East and shineth vnto the west neither shall one need to goe vnto the wildernesse to see him because his light shal be seene in all places of the world alike Secondly he will not come on the earth but will shew himselfe in the aire only Thirdly he shall come suddenly as in a moment wheras before he had space to goe from place to place Fourthly neither shall it auaile then to goe out after and seeke him because as speedily as the Eagles are gathered to the dead carkasse so the children of God being compared vnto Eagles shall suddenly bee gathered to our Sauiour Christ who is compared to a dead body in respect of his death Q. So much of the tokens which come within an age of the latter day What are the nearest tokens or rather such as are ioyned with the second comming of Christ A. The nearest are that the Sunne shall bee darkened and the Moone shall not giue her light the Starres shall fall from heauen the Sea shall rore terribly the earth shall tremble and in a word all the powers of heauen and earth shall be shaken Q. At what time shall these signes come to passe A. Immediately after the false Christs and Prophets which as hath been spoken shall raise vp a maruellous errour and by meanes thereof great vexation and therefore it is said after the tribulation of those daies shall the immediate signes of the comming of Christ be accomplished Q. VVhat is the cause of these signes appearing and of the comming of Christ immediately vpon them A. The faithfull prayers of the Saints of God which cry vnto him to make an end of these dangerous wicked dayes Q. Is not the day and houre of the comming of Christ reuealed vnto man A. No verily man may gather by the signes going before that it is not far off but the day and the houre no man knoweth no not the Angels Mat. 24. 36. Q. VVhat gather you of this A. Not that there is any want of loue in God towards vs in conceiling the day of his comming for as much as the Angels who are said to bee full of eyes in Ezech. 1. 18. Mat. 24. 36. Mark 13. 32. regard of their singular wisedome know it not yea and that which is more Christ himselfe who is much wiser then Angels is ignorant of it Q. But how can that bee that hee which gouerneth all things should be ignorant of that day A. As he is God he knoweth it but not as he is the sonne of man especially vnglorified that is to say before his ascension into heauen Q. VVhat is meant by this that one generation shall not passe till all be fulfilled Mat. 24. 34. A. That as it was said before that one generation should not passe vntill the destruction of Ierusalem were accomplished which indeed was effected about fortie yeeres after So it is likely that after all the signes aforesaid before one age shall passe the day of Iudgement aforesaid shall come Q. Wherefore is this vehement asseneration vsed That heauen and earth shall passe away but my words shall not passe away Mat. 24. 35. A. Against those mockers which shal come in the latter times and shall charge the ministery of the Gospell with vntruth because they see no alteration in the course of nature Q. VVhat is the reason of this concealement A. First that the Lord thereby might trie the humility of men whether they would be so impudently bold as to go about to breake