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
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
vpon 3 Only in the name of Christ. 4 With vnderstanding 5 Only aâ— he hath commanded 6 So it was in all ages 1 Before the Law 2 Vnder the Law ☜ 3 Afâ—er the law ☜ 1 Christ did so teach ☞ 2 â—he Apostles did so preach practise ☞ 3 A worshipper of God is the title of a ChristiaÌ„ ☜ 4 The worshipper of God only is the true worshipper 7 Otherwise Gods glory is giuen to a creature Man what it signifieth Why God made one man and one woman Man consists of soule and body The body is of the dust 1 Cor. 15.47 The difference of man and womans creation A second difference Io. 19.34 Man body possibly immoâ—tall The soule is immortall Man a most excelent creature Created in the image of God Had rule ouer all creatures Tâ—e image of God consisteth in knowledge Also in righteousnesse and holinesse ☜ Not in substance buâ— in sâ—mblance Gen. 1 â—6 ☞ Knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse are not the only image of God But in the whole man soueraignty ☞ In the soule wisdome ☜ In the very substance of the soule inuisibility immortality S. Augustine Vnity and Trinity ☞ In the body Gods image shineth ☞ Not in the shape or parts but otherwise The word of God calleth on vs to renew it Without it man not fit to rule Image of God how farre â—ost 2 Cor. 11.7 Oâ—â—ly in respect of knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse And that by Adams sinne In eating the forbidden fruit Hauing power not to sinne Was seduced by the woman She by the Serpent That Serpent was the Deuill Man did willingly yeed All tainted by Adams fall As guilty of his sin Are become most miserable Conceiued and borne in sinne Christ only excepted Luk. 3.23.38 Heb. Luk 1.34.35 Mat. 1.20 All corupted with sinne Both in soule and body Cannot perceiue any good thing Nor think a good thought Nor will any good thing Nor speak any good Nor doe any good But is subiect to sinne as a slaue Alsâ— to Sâ—tan To the wrath of God To the curse of God in 〈◊〉 whole life To death To eternall damnation Man saued only by Christ. He is the Sonne of God He is both God and man He hath perfectly saued vs. By taking our nature Which was of necessity Heb. 2.14 He was conceiued by the holy Ghost Borne of the virgin Liued in perfect obedience He suffred He died On the crosse He rose againe He ascended into heauen He sitteth 〈…〉 How we are iustified by faith That we are iustified by faith only 1 Instance 2 Instance 3 Instance 4 Instance 5 Instance Leu. 21.9 6 Instance How wee are iustified by faith only By faith we receiue Christ. A contrite heart is requisite So is confession to God Specially true conuersion Iustification is in the pardon of sinnes We can merit nothing with God Our best workes are imperfect The promise is onely to beleeuers Elected before the world was Preaching the means of repentance Preaching the means of faith God the giuer of all grace The giuer of repentance The giuer of faith God worketh by the Word God workes by his spirit 1 Argument 2 Argument 3 Argument 4 Argument Properties of faith 1 To vnite vs to God 2 To assure vs of Gods loue Shewed more plainely 3 To purifie the heart 4 To woâ—â— by â—â—ue Till we beleeue wee are without God Christ hope But once beleeuing we haue peace Beleeuers are fruitfull Faith and all other graces how increased Particularly 1 By preaching 2 By Reading 3 By meditation 4 By conference Heb. 10.23 24.25 5 By practise 6 By prayer 7 By Sacraments God requires encrease Meanes to that end appointed 1. Preaching 2 Reading 1 Publique 2 Priuate 3 Soliâ—arily 1 In the old Testament 2 In the new Testament 3 Meditation 4 Conference 5 Practise 6 Prayer 7 Sacraments Sacraments are signes of the couenant Gen. 17 7. God is the only author of Sacraments The end or vse of Sacraments 1 To signifie 2 To sâ—aâ—e or confirme 3 To conuay grace But to the faithfull only 4 To be aâ— badges of our profession So to the Iewes So to vs Christians There are only two Sacraments 1 By the institution and practise of Christ. 2 By the water and blood out of his side 3 By Saint Pauls allusion Our weaknesse requireth Sacraments The Word is not sufficient to vs. Christ ordained onely two Sacraments The other fiue are no Sacraments Why no Sacraments Particularly 1 Confirmation is no Sacrament Act. 8.14.15.17 Hieron aduers Luciferiaâ—os cap. 4. An nesâ—â—s etiam ecclesiarum â—â—nc esse morem c. 2 Penance is no Sacrament It may be without a Priest or Minister which a Sacrament cannot be 3 Order is no Sacrament 4 Matrimony is no Sacrament 5 Extreame Vnction is no Sacrament Our Sacraments answerable to the legall They are alone sufficient Baptisme requires 1 Profession of repentance 2 Profession of faith Châ—ldren are tâ— bâ— bâ—ptized The outward element is water The action is washing The inward grace what The forme of words what Who must administer Baptisme The end or vse of Baptisme 1 End 2 End 3 End 4 End Baptisme is the signe of regeneration The vertue 〈◊〉 it is perpetuâ—ll Rom. 6.3.4 The Lords Supper why so called The outward signe is Bread and Wine The thing signified is the Body and Bloud of Christ Crucified Who is to administer the Sacrament The action of the Minister Ioh. 3.16 and 6.27 The action of the people Ioh. 1.22 1 Cor. 10.16 The end or vse of this Sacrament 1 For remembrance of Christs death 2 For Communion with Christ. 3 For confirmation of our faith and loue How our faith in Christ. How our loue one to another It is the signe of our new life It is often to be receiued With due preparation All men must die Death to the godly is a blessing 1 Cor. 3.21 22. Phil. 1.21 1 Cor. 15.55.56 1 Thes. 4.13.14 Reu. 14.13 Rom. 6.7 1 Cor. 19.30 1 Cor. 15. â—6 The soule goeth immediately to heauen or hell The bodies of all shall rise againe At the last day Euery one with his owne body By the power of Christ. The end is to life or death eternall Christ came to destroy death Christ is himselfe risen That we might rise with him If no resurrection preaching and faith is vaine A day of iudgment shall be The time is onely knowne to God The signes what Mark 13.10 Math. 24.14 Math. 24 6.7.9.10 2 Thes. 2.3 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Thes. 2.3.4.8 1 Ioh. 2.18 Math. 24.5.11.24 Math 24.12 2 Tim. 3.1.2 Isai. 59 20. Math. 24.29 Mar. 13 8.24 2 Pet. 3.10 Math. 24.30 Why the time is concealed 1 Thes. 5.2.3 The day why deferred 2 Pet. 3.9 Math. 24.22 Rom. 11.26 Râ—u 6 11 Iâ—m 5.7 Rom. 2 1.4.5 The Iudge is Christ. The godly 〈◊〉 â—ssistant Math. 19.28 All men must be iudged Of all things 1 Committed as thoughts words woâ—kes Eccl. 12.14 2 Omitted According to their workes Christs comming shall be glorious Ioyous to the godly Fearfull to the wicked Psal. 50 The manner of the last iudgement The disposing of all men On the right or left hand why Io. 10.27 1 Thes. 4.17 Luk. 23.30 Reu. 6.16 Eccles. 34.18 c Matth. 13.29.30 The order of the trial The euidence is certaine bookes The books are 1 Of Gods prouidence 2 Of the creatures 3 Of the conscience 4 The booke of life There is a Hell Math 18.9 Luk. 12.5 2 Kin. 23 10 Where it is Christs voyce detrudeth the wicked into hell They are separated from God Iob 21.14 Math. 7.23 Luk. 13.27 They are consorted with the deuils They are depriued of all ioy Luk. 16.24 Their tâ—rmenâ—s intollerable Reu. 21.8 Isa. 66.24 Their punishment proportionable to their sinne Eternall paine easelesse endlesse It is iust with God The godly goe immediately to heauen They haue immediate communion with God He shall be all in all vnto them Reu. 22.5 They shall be freed from all euills Psal. 34.19 Possessed of all good things As â— perfection of grace 2 Brightnesse of glory Both in soule and body 3 Fulnesse of ioy Degrees of glory Vnspeakable happinesse Happinesse eternall It stands with the certainty of election With the truth of his promise 1. Io. 2.25 2 Cor. 1.13.20 With the iustice of God for Christ. It is the reward of the godly So all sorrow is turned into ioy The praise â—e giuen to God