holy Ghost fell on them all which heard the word Q. What is the third argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Thirdly it is euident that all spirituall gifts are wrought by the spirit as it is in 1 Cor. 12.11 All these saith the Apostle worketh that one and the selfe same spirit diuiding to euery man seuerally as hee will Insomuch as the outward meanes without this inward worke of Gods spirit is of no force Whereupon it is that Paul saith 1 Cor 3.6.7 I haue planted Apollo watered but God gaue the increase So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither hee that watereth but God that giueth the increase Q. What is the fourth argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Fourthly God acknowledgeth none for his that haue not his spirit working in them See 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you And Rom. 8.9 If any man haue not the spirit of Christ he is none of his This is so euident a truth that the Apostle doubteth not to affirme that no man can so much as say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 Q Of the inseparable properties of faith Q. Rehearse the letter Q A. QValities of faith inseparable vnto it are these to vnite vs to God in Christ to assure vs of Gods loue in him to purifie the heart and to worke by loue For vntill we beleeue wee are without God without Christ and without hope but when once wee beleeue wee haue peace with God and cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes Q. Proue that it is the property of faith to vnite vs to God in Christ A. This quality or property of faith namely to vnite vs vnto God in Christ is expresly noted by the Apostle Eph. 2.13 But now in Christ Iesus ye who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blâ—od of Christ. And verse 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Q. Proue that it is the quality of faith to assure vs of Gods loue in Christ A. It is manifest in that it is said Rom. 5.2 That by Christ wee haue accesse by faith into the grace wherein wee stand and reioyce in hope of the glory of God And verse 5. Hope maketh not ashamed because the loue of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is giuen vnto vs. Therefore faith is thus described Heb 11.1 Faith is the substance or ground and assurance of things hoped for and the euidence of things not seene Q. Shew it yet more fully and plainely A. It may appeare more fully and euidently by that confident acclamation and protestation of the Aposâ—le in the behalfe of euery Christian Rom. 8.35 Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ and verse 38.39 For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to comâ— nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Q. Proue that it is the property of faith to purifie the hart A. The Apostle Peter speaking of the calling of the Gentiles saith Act. 15.8.9 That God which knoweth the hearts beare them witnesse giuing them the holy Ghost euen as he did vnto vs. And put no difference betweene vs and them purifying their hearts by faith and 1 Tim. 1.5 it is said That the end of the commandement is charitie out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of saith vnfained where wee see that vniting vs to Christ is the cause of the puritie of the heart Q. Proue that it is the propertie of faith to work by loue A. It is obserued as a speciall propertie oâ— faith by the Apostle Gal. 5.6 where hauing said that we through the spirit waite for the hope of righteousâ—esse by faith hâ—e presently addeth these words for saith hee In Iesus Christ neither circumcision auaileth any thing nor vncircumcision but faith which worketh by loue therein noting faith to be the proper efficient cause of loue and loue to be the proper effect of faith Q. Proue that till we beleeue we are without God without Christ without hope A We may see the truâ—h of this by the Apostles description of the state of the Ephesians before their coÌ„uersion Eph. 2.12 At that time saith heâ— ye were without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the couenants of promise hauing no hope and without God in the world Q. Proue that when once we beleeue we haue peace with God A. It is so written Rom. 5.1 that being iustified by faith wee haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ and chap. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Q. Proue that once beleeuing wee cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes A. That when once we beleeue wee cannot but be fruitfull our Sauiour himselfe teacheth by the similitude of the Vine whereunto he doth resemble himselfe and the beleeuers that are in him by faith to the branches Ioh. 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me and I in him the same â—ringeth forth 〈…〉 without me yee 〈…〉 thing Apo‑ 〈…〉 2.14 That Christ 〈…〉 se for vs that hee 〈…〉 from all ini 〈…〉 rifie vnto himselfe 〈…〉 ople zealous of 〈…〉 R Of the meanes of encreasing faith and all other graces Q. Rehearse the Letter R. A. REmember that saith and so all other graces are increased and confirmed by the hearing of the word of God preached as also by reading meditation conference practise prayer and Sacraments For as God requireth of euery Christian a daily increase of grace so he hath appointed these meanes to that end Q Proue in generall that saith and all other graces are increased and confirmed by these meanes A. So much may be gathered in generall by the words of the Eâ—angelist Act. 2.41.42 where speaking of those that were conuerted to the faith he saith Then they that gladly receiued his word were baptized and they continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers noting thereby how being conuerted they did continue and were increased and confirmed in the state of grace by those meanes Q. More particularly proue that Preaching is a meanes to increase and confirme grace A. It is manifest in that the Apostle Peter speaking of the word preached saith 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word of GOD that yee may grow thereby and Act. 14 21.2â— it is said that Paul and Barnabas returned c. confirming
and faith worketh outwardly by the word as by an instrument and inwardly by his spirit Q QValities of faith inseparable vnto it are these to vnite vs to God in Christ. to assure vs of Gods loue in him to purifie the heart and to worke by loue For vntill we beleeue wee are without God without Christ and without hope but when once wee beleeue wee haue peace with God and cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes R REmember that faith and so all other graces are increased and confirmed by the hearing of the word of God preached as also by reading meditation conference practise prayer and Sacraments For as God requireth of euery Christian a daily increase of grace so he hath appointed these meanes to that end S SAcraments are outward visible signes of the couenant and promise of God in Christ ordained by Christ himselfe to signifie and to seale or confirme and as instruments or meanes to conuay sauing grace to euery true beleeuer and to bee as badges or tokens of our Christian profession And they are in number onely two namely Baptisme and the Lords Supper For such helpes our weake faith doth require and these only hath Christ ordained and no more being answerable to the two Sacraments vnder the Law that is Circumcision and the Passouer and are alone in that kinde sufficient both for the beginning and continuing of sitting grace T THe sacrament of Baptisme is when the persons baptized professing repentance and faith in Iesus Christ and the children of such are by the Minister of the word washed with water in the name of the Father the sonne and the holy Ghost being thereby admitted into the communion of the body of Christ which is the Church assured of the remission of their sinnes do vow and promise and are by Baptisme confirmed in grace to beleeue in Iesus Christ and to liue no more in sinne but in newnesse of life For Baptisme is the signe of our regeneration or new birth and therefore is once onely to bee receiued as it is sufficient to be once borâ—e and yet the virtue of Baptisme is perpetuall V VNderstand that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is when bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ broken and shed for vs being by the Minister taken and blessed is broken and poured forth and so deliuered to all the faithfull prâ—sent and of them receiued by eating the bread and drinking the wine in remembrance of Christs death as also to communicate vnto vs the very body and blood of Christ spiritually by faith and so to confirme our faith in Christ and loue one to another For this Sacrament is the signe of our new life as Baptisme is of our new birth And therefore as we haue neede of often nourishment so wee ought to receiue often and that with due preparation W WE must know and beleeue that all men dying the soules of the godly goe immediatly to heuenly ioy the wicked to hell torments and all of them shall at the last day rise againe in their owne bodyes by the power of Christ the godly to life eternall the wicked to euerlasting damnation For Christ came to destroy death for vs and is himselfe risen from death that wee might rise with him and if there were no resurrection the preaching of the word and our faith should bee in vaine X EXCeeding glorious in it selfe ioyous to the godly and fearfull to the wicked shall be the day of iudgement wherein Christ shâ—ll call to account and iudge all men of all things done in thiâ— life according to theâ—r works For he shall come with glory in the clouds accompanied with innumerable Angels and sitting vpon his throne of Maiestie shall vpon due triall of euery mans workes the bookes being opened pronounce the sentence of saluation to the Godly and of damnation to the wicked Y YOu that are wicked shall by the power of the voyce of Christ goe away into hell being separated from God consorted with the Deuils depriued of all comfort punished with vnspeakable torments both in soule and body according to your sins and that eternally without case or end For it is iust with God so to punish the wicked and that they who haue liued heere in the pleasures of sinne should be recompenced with answerable torment Z ZEalous godly men the iudgement being ended shall immediatly goe with Christ into heauen hauing in him immediate communion with God who shall be all in all vnto them and so shall be freed from all euills and possessed of all good things as perfection of grace brightnes of glory and fulnesse of ioy in their seuerall degrees and that vnspeakable and euerlasting For it stands with the certainty of Gods election with the truth of his promise and with his iustice for the merit of Christ thus to reward the faithfull that so all their sorrowes may bee turned into ioy THE SECOND PART of the Christian ALPHABET Containing The grounds of knowledge repeated by way of Question and Answer with the proofe of euery particular point of Doctrine A Of the knowledge of God in Generall Q. Rehearse the first Letter of the Christian Alphabet that is the Letter A. A. ACknowledge God as hee hath reuealed himselfe in his written word For no man can bee saued without the knowledge of God neither can a man know God to saluation but by the Scriptures Q. How proue you that there is a God to bee acknowledged A. That there is a God to bee acknowledged of all is euident both by the light of nature and of grace as also by the workes of God Q. How may it appeare by the light of nature that there is a God A. It is manifest by these euidences 1. Because in the very Heathen there is the worke of the conscience 2. Because they haue by naturall instinct an inclination to some kinde of Religion 3. In that they haue the vse of an Oath 4. In that they make obseruation of GODS vengeance against sinne Q. Proue that in the Heathen there is the worke of the conscience A. The Apostle doth affirme so much Rom. 2.15 That the Gentiles shew the worke of the Law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witnesse and their thoughts the meane while accusing or excusing one another This worke of the conscience is a manifest euidence that there is a God who is aboue the conscience according to that in 1 Ioh. 3.20 If our heart condemne vs
the right hand of God And Rom. 8.34 it is said That Christ is at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for vs. And Acts 3.21 Whom the heauens must receiue vntill the time of restitution of all things O Of our receiuing Christ with all his benefits to saluation by faith only Q. Rehearse the Letter O? A. ONly by faith receiuing Iesus Christ into the heart euery man that with contrite heart confesseth his sinnes to God and truly repenteth is pardoned all his sinnes and so doth stand iustified before God For we can merit nothing with God our best works being imperfect And the promise of God is onely made to them that beleeue being elected of God before the world was Q. How and in what sense are we said to be iustified by faith A. We are said to be iustified by saith not for the dignity and merit of it not as it is an inward and inherent quality or virtue not because it hath charity adioyned vnto it and worketh by loue nor because it receiueth any force or power from charity to iustifie but because by faith as by a hand or instrument we receiue Christ by whom we are iustified Q. Proue that we are iustified only by faith A. That wee are iustified by faith only may appeare by these euidences following whereof the first is In that iustification and acceptance of a man with God vnto eternall life is positiuely and absolutely ascribed in Scripture vnto faith This is the very argument of the Apostle alleaged to the same purpose out of the Prophet Habakuk 2.4 The iust shall liue by faith And he expresseth it in his owne person as an instance of the state of euery good Christian Gal. 2.20 I liue saith he by the saith of the Sonne of God who loued me and gaue himselfe for me Q. What is the second instance that we are iustified by faith only A. Secondly the Scriptures doe expresly exclude all workes in vs touching the point of iustification by manifest exclusiue notes or tearmes being equiualent with the exclusiue particle only or alone As for example Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ. And Rom. 3.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law And verse 24. Being iustified freely by his grace Q. What is the third instance of iustification by faith onely A. Thirdly there is a manifest opposition noted in Scripture betweene grace and workes so that if iustification be freely by grace then it cannot be of workes at all See Rom. 11.6 If by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise grace is no more grace But if it be of workes then it is no more grace otherwise worke is no more worke And Rom. 4.4 To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt But to him that worketh not but beleeueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse Q. What is the fourth instance of iustification by fayth only A. Fourthly They that sought righteousnesse not by faith only but by the workes of the Law are said for that very cause not to haue attained righteousnesse See Rom. 9.31.32 But Israel which followed after the law of righteousnesse hath not attained to the law of righteousnesse Wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it is were by the workes of the Law And Chap. 10.3 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousnesse and going about to establish their owne righteousnesse haue not submitted themselues to the righteousnesse of God For Christ is the end of the law for righteousnesse to euery one that beleeueth Therefore Paul though he was blamelesse before men touching the righteousnesse which is in the law yet he counted all but dung that hee might bee found in Christ by faith Phil. 3.6.9 Q. What is the fifth instance of iustification by faith only A. Fiftly The brazen Serpent was a type of Christ now as when the Israelites were stung by the fiery serpents they were preserued aliue only by looking vpon the Serpent of brasse so when wee are â—â—â—eng to death by sinne there is nothing required of vs for the cure of our soules but only that wee fixe the eye of our faith vpon Christ. See this very proportion obserued by Christ himselfe Ioh. 3.14.15 As Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse so must the sonne of man be lifted vp that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue eternall life Q. What is the sixt instance of iustification by faith only A. Sixtly there are many graces accompanying saluation in a Christian soule as faith hope charity wisdome patience humility the feare of God repentance and the like and euery grace hath some excellent vse but of all these none is sit as a spirituall hand to receiue and apply Christ and his righteousnesse to the iustification of a sinner but faith only Q. In what sense then are we said to bee iustified by faith only A. Not that faith is solitary or alone without other graces for it is said Gal. 5.6 to worke by loue And 1 Tim. 1.5 That charity doth proceede out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith vnfained as the fountaine of all other graces But as the eye is not alone but there are with it many other members and parts of the body and yet the faculty of seeing is only in the eye so faith though it bee not alone yet it only hath power to apprehend Christ to iustification Q. Proue that by faith wee receiue Iesus Christ into the heart A. That by faith wee receiue Iesus Christ may be gathered out of those words of the Euangelist Ioh. 1.11.12 He came vnto his owne and his owne receiued him not But as many as receiued him to thâ—m gaue hee power to become the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue on his name Where wee see that to receiue Christ and to beleeue in him is all one Againe that we receiue Christ into the heart or soule as the fittest receptacle is euident by the Apostles prayer Ephes. 3.16.17 That ye may saith he bee strengthened by his spirit in the in ward man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith Q. Proue that a contrite heart is required A. It is written Psal. 51 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise And Ioel 2.13 Rend your heart and not your garments and turne to the Lord your God Q. Proue that confession of sinnes to God is required A. There is an absolute necessity of confessing our sins to God if euer wee will obtaine pardon Therefore it is conditioned 1 Ioh. 1.9 That if wee confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes And we may see the
of all the rest it is said Reu. 1.3 Blessed is hee that readeth and they that heare the words of this prophesie and keepe those things which are written therein Q. Proue that God appointed meditation to that end A. It is euident in that charge before mentioned which the Lord gaue vnto Ioshuah namely that hee should meditate in the booke of the Law day and night Ios. 1.8 And it is propâ—uâ—ded as the way to happinesse Psal. 1. Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsell of the vngodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornefull but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his law doth hee meditate day and night Q. Proue that conference was appointed to that end A. Therefore it is that they are commanded Deut 6.7 To talke of the word of God in the house in the way lying down and rising vp and therefore the Apostle hauing said Heb. 10.23 Let vs keepe the profession of our hope without wauering addeth immediately the meanes appointed of God to that end verse 24.25 And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selues together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another Q. Proue that practise is appointed to that end A. Therefore our Sauiour requireth the condition of practise of euery man that will be able to iudge of truth and error and to withstand seducers see Ioh. 7.17 and the Apostle directeth Heb. 5.14 that through long custome which standeth in experience and practise men haue their wits exercised to discerne both good and â—uill and the Lord himselfe saith Psal. 50.23 To him that ordereth hiâ— conuersation aright will I shew the saluation of God Q. Proue that God appointed prayer to that end A. It is included in the generall promise Math. 7.7 Aske and it shall be giuen you and verse 8 for whosoeuer asketh receiueth Againe â—ro 2.3 4.5 If thou criest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Q. Proue that God appointed Sacraments to that end A. That Sacraments were ordained for our confirmation see Gen 17.10 concerning circumcision which is therefore called the Couenant because it did signe seale and confirme the couenant as the Apostle noteth Rom. 4.11 The like is said of the Passeouer Exod. 13.9 So vnto vs Christians Baptisme was to that end ordâ—ined Math. 28.19 and the Lords Supper Luk 22.19 S Of Sacraments in generall Q. Rehearse the Letter S A. SAcraments are outward visible signes of the couenant and promise of God in Christ ordained by Christ himselfe to signifie and to seale or confirme and as instruments or meanes to conuay sauing grace to euery true beleeuer and to bee as badges or tokens of our Christian profession And they are in number onely two namely Baptisme and the Lords Supper For such helpes our weake faith doth require and these only hath Christ ordained and no more being answerable to the two Sacraments vnder the Law that is Circumcision and the Passouer and are alone in that kinde sufficient both for the beginning and continuing of sauing grace Q. Proue that Sacraments are signes of the couenant A. That Sacraments are signes of the couenant promise of God is manifest in Circumcision which is called the Couenant because it was the signe of the couenant conferre Gen. 17.10 with verse 11. This is my couenant which ye shall keepe betweene mee and you and thy seede after thee Againe see Act. 2.38 where the Apostle Peter exhorting them to be baptized in the Name of Iesus Christ alledgeth this reason for saith he the promise is made to you and to your children c. Thereby intimating that to whomsoeuer the couenant doth belong to them belongeth the signe and seale of the couenant which is baptisme Q. Proue that the Sacraments are ordained by Christ A. The Lord God is the sole and onely author of all Sacraments for as it is only in his power to make the couenant and to conferre grace so he only hath authority to ordaine and appoint the signes and seales of the couenanâ— of grace Thus did hee both enter the couenant with Abraham and his seed for euer Gen. 17.7 and also appoint the signe of Circumcision verse 10.11 The like hee did concerning the Passeouer Exod. 12. and 13. In the same manner our Sauiour Christ being eternall God with his Father did institute Baptisme Matth. 28 19. Goe teach all nations baptizing them c. And the Lords Supper Luk. 22.19 Doe this in remembrance of mee Whereupon Saint Paul saith 1 Cor. 11.23 I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue deliuered vnto you Q. To what end or vse were the Sacraments ordained A. The end or vse of Sacraments is diuers First Sacraments are ordained to signifie shew and represent vnto vs the grace offered in the couenant In which respect they are called signes because they are as it were tokens and resemblances of Gods grace and fauour towards vs. So circumcision is called the signe of circumcision Ro. 4.11 the signe of the couenant Gen. 17.11 Baptisme is said to be the figure that now saueth vs. Againe of the celebration of the Passeouer the Lord saith Exod. 12.14 This day shall bee to you a remembrance And of the Lords Supper Christ saith Doe this in remembrance Luk. 22.19 And the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.26 Yee shew the Lords death till hee come Q. What is the second end or vse of Sacrameâ—ts A. Secondly Sacraments are appointed of God to seale or confirme the inâ—aâ—â—ible certainty of his couenant of grace in Christ made with his Church that thereby the faythfull may more firmely belieue and rest vpon it by faith as ciuill contracts are ratified and made authenticke by their seales annexed Therefore it is that the signe of circumcision is by the Apâ—stle Rom. 4.11 câ—llâ—d The seale of the righteousnesse of faith Q. What is the third end or vse of Sacraments A. Thirdly Sacraments are ordained to bee as instruments or meanes to conuay grace to euery true beleeuer which is euident for Baptisme in that Christ is said Eph. 5.26 to sanctifie and cleanse his Church with the washing of water by the word And Tit. 3.5 God is said to saue vs by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost And for the Lords Supper see 1 Cor. 10.16 where the Apostle calleth the cup of blessing the communion of the blood of Christ and the bread the communion of the body of Christ because in the right vse of these outward elements the faith full doe communicate with Christ himselfe and all his benefits Q. Proue that grace is conuayed not to all receiuers but onely to euery true beleeuer A. That grace is not conuayed to euery one
broken and shed for vs this we may see by the first institution Luk. 22.19.20 This is my Body which is giuen for you This cup is the New Testament in my bloud which is shed for you againe 1 Cor. 11.24 This is my Body which is broken for you c. and verse 26. As often as ye eate this Bread and drinke this Cup yee doe shew the Lords death till he come So the Sacrament is not simply the representation of Christs Body and Bloud contained in it but of his dead and crucified body and of his blend out of the body shed vpon the Crosse. Q. Who is to administer this Sacrament A. This Sacrament as well as Baptisme is to bee administred onely by the Ministers of Christ who are therefore called 1 Cor. 4.1 the Stewards or disposers of the mysteries of God as wee may see by the institution of Christ himselfe Math. 26.26.27 and the repetition of it by the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.23 where is shewed what is to be done both by the Minister and by the people Q. What is to be done by the Minister A. The action oâ— the Minister is foure-fold 1. To take the Bread and Wine into his hand signifying how God did take and set apart his Sonne to be our Redeemer 2. To consecrate or blesse them noting how God did in the fulnesse of time consecrate and send forth his Sonne to worke our redemption 3. To breake the Bread and poure out the Wine representing the breaking of the Body and the shedding of the Bloud of Christ for vs. 4. To distribute the Bread and Wine signifying how God doth offer his Sonne to all and effectually giue him to the faithfull to be their Sauiour Q. What is to be done by the people A. There is a double action to be performed by the people that doe communicate the first is to take the Bread and Wine into the hand signifying their apprehension or laying hold on Christ by faith The second is the eating of the Bread and drinking of the Wine representing their speciall application of Christ and all his benefits by faith for their spirituall nourishment vnto saluation Q. What is the end or vse of this Sacrament A. The end or vse for which this Sacrament of the Lords Supper was ordained was first for the perpetuall retaining of the memory of Christs death So it is commanded Luk. 22.19 Doe this in remembrance of me and 1 Cor. 11.26 the Apostle saith Aâ— oft as you shall eate this Bread and drinke this Cup yee shew tho Lords death till he come Q. What is the second end or vse of this Sacrament A. Secondly it was appointed as an instrument or meanes to communicate vnto vs the very body aâ—d bloud of Christ spiritually by faith therefore it is that the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the bloud of Christ the Bread which we breake is it not the communion of the body of Christ And this is that feeding vpon Christ that eating of his flesh and drinking of his bloud spoken of Ioh. 6.29.35.47.51 c. namely when by beleeuing we are made partakers of him which is done in this Sacrament in a speciall manner Q. What is the third end or vse of this Sacrament A. Thirdly the Lords Supper was ordained for the confirmation of our faith in Christ and loue one to another For when in the Sacrament together with the word which wee heare Iesus Christ is euidently set forth before our eyes and as it wâ—re crucified among vs and in our sight as Paul speaketh Gal. 3.1 insomuch that the Sacrament which is called the visible word doth seeme to speake vnto vs as Christ did to Thomas Ioh. 20.27 Come see and feele my wounds and be not faithlesse but beleeuing How can it but greatly nourish and strengthen our faith in the Lord Iesus who hath thus suffered for vs. Q. How doth the Sacrament confirme our loue A. Againe when in the Sacrament we consider that there are many graines in one bread and many grapes in one wine representing vnto vs as it is in 1 Cor. 10. 17. How we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread How is it possible but that we should be thereby nourished and confirmed in the deerest loue and affection one Christian to another and out of that ground of loue bee ready to doe all the good we can as being members of the same body whereof Christ is the head 1 Cor. 12.12.13 Q. How is the Lords Supper the Sacrament of our new life A. As Baptisme is the Sacrament of our new birth because by it we are regenerate and borne againe Ioh. 3.3 So the Lords Supper is the Sacrament or signe of our new life because by it our soules are continually nourished in feeding vpon Christ by faith as bodily foode doth nourish the body Therefore it is that our Sauiour saith Ioh. 6.55 My flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed that is spirituall meat and spirituall drinke as it is 1 Cor. 10.3.4 Yea such as doth nourish vnto eternall life not as Manna which was but bodily and mortall food Ioh. 6.57.58 Q. Proue that wee must receiue often A. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper being to our soules as bodily foode is to our bodies reason it selfe doth teach that it is to bee receiued often as our bodies stand in need of often nourishment Besides our Sauiour Christ in the first institution of this Sacrament did manifestly expresse his intention for the frequent vse of it in that he did apoint it to bee done for the continuall remembrance of his death till his second comming Whereupon Saint Paul who deliuered nothing to the Church but what hee receiued of the Lord saith As often as yee eate this bread and drinke this cup yee doe shew the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 Q. Proue that it ought to be receiued with due preparation A. That we ought to receiue this Sacrament with due preparation the Apostle teacheth 1 Cor. 11.28 Where he giueth this strait charge and doth second it with diuers forcible reasons Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that bread and drinke of that cup. But if there were no such speciall charge yet the serious consideration of so sacred a mystery should stirre vp all men to a religious and reuerent estimation of it specially recounting with what sanctified preparation the Iewes did celebrate their Passeouer which was to them as this is to vs but yet farre inferiour both in excellency and vse to our Sacrament W Of the state of all men dying in respect of the soule and of the resurrection of the body Q. Rehearse the letter W A. WE must know and beleeue that all men dying the soules of the godly goe immediatly