such as worthily and with faith receive the same the Bread which wee break is a partaking of the body of Christ and the Cup of blessing is a partaking of the bloud of Christ Art 28. of the Church of Eng. Q. What is the end and use of this Sacrament The Vse of the Lords Supper 1. A. There be three especial uses of it 1. By it as by a token or pledge from God the worthy Receiver is assured that he hath a part share in Christs death The Lord Christ established the New Testament by his own death all the good things contained in the New Covenant are made sure by the death of Christ the Promiser he bids us eat of that bread drink of that Cup in remembrance of the same 1 Cor. 11.25 26. There is a Sacramental Union between the signes and the things signified such an union as is between a sealed will and the Legacies bequeathed by the same He that hath a Lease sealed knowes that he hath more then paper and wax so it is in this businesse Q. Doe all that come receive such a pledge of Gods favour A. No onely they that be worthy receivers the rest receive meere bread and wine and so prophane Gods ordinance and procure judgments to themselves 1 Cor. 11.27 29. The Wicked and such as be void of a lively faith are in no wise partakers of Christ but rather to their condemnation doe eat and drink the signe or Sacrament of so great a thing Art 29. of Ch. of Eng. Q. What other end and use is there of this Sacrament A. It is a badge of our Christian profession wherein we with believing and thankfull hearts doe remember the love and shew forth the vertu of Christs death And also professe our selves to be the people of Christ against all Atheists Sects Hereticks misbelievers loose-livers whatsoever we are hereby obliged to stand for Christ against all the world 1 Cor. 10.20 21. 1 Cor. 11.25 26. 2 Cor. 6.15 Q. What third use is there of it A. It is a Bond and Pledge of that Love which Christians ought to have one to another and of their joynt-fellowship in Christ the Head 1 Cor 10.17 1 Cor. 12.13 14. 1 Cor. 11.18 21 22. Iohn 13.2 4 14 34. CAP. LII Of right participation of the Lords Supper Q. WHo ought to be partakers of the Lords Supper A. Only such as have bin Baptized are able to make profession of their faith to examine themselves that is Such as are able to discerne the Lords body Exod 12.43 44 48. 1 Cor. 11.28 Ezra 6.21 Ezek 44.7 Q What must a man examine himself in A. Whether he be a true Member of Christ or not Of self-examination For none else can partake worthily of the Sacrament of Christ 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Ioh 5.12 Eph. 5.23 Q. How may that be known A. If I have a sound faith and true b repentance and am c quickned to newnesse of life and d love of the brethren I am assuredly a member of Christ a Rom 11.17 20. b Gal 5.24 Mat. 3.8 10. c 2 Cor 5.17 John 15.4 5. d 1 Pet 1.22 1 Iohn 3.14 For further trial of these graces I referre you to my other small Catechisme entituled An help for Young People c. Anno Dom. 1640. and it may be fitly bound with this Q. A Christian that hath these graces may yet through carelesnesse come to the Lords table unworthily for preventing wherof what must we do before we come Before we come A. We must stirre up those graces in us and labour to see our a need of Christ and to b clense our soules afresh from every new pollution wherewith we have been defiled a Math. 5.6 Luke 1.53 b 2 Chron. 30.17 18. Matth 5 23 24. 1 Cor. 11.17 18. Levit 15.31 Num 9.6 7 10 1 Renued faith repentance is needfull Q. How ought a Christian to behave himselfe in the act of receiving 1. In the time of Receiving A He must discerne the Lords body that is he must not use thē as common bread wine but consider in them their spirituall relations so receive them as tokens of the covenant Wax sealed and set to a deed though for substance it be Wax still yet for use it is to you more then wax of more value then al the wax in the Merchants shop So this Bread and Wine by Christs institution are seals set to his Testament with them Christ gives us his Body and Blood for remission of sins by whom as by Bread and Wine our spirituall hunger is satisfied our Graces strengthened our spirituall Life preserved unto Life eternall We use our ordinary bread wine for naturall uses viz. to refresh and nourish our bodies but this bread wine for spirituall ends and uses 1 Cor 11.12 29 Levit 10.3 In the use of this Sacrament Bread Wine we must behold the love of the Father giving his Son to death the love of Christ in laying down his life for his friends the merit al sufficiency of Christs blood to take away al our sins Q. How may this be done A I must see and consider in the signes the things signified and apply both to my own soule in particular giving thanks to God for Christ and for my redemption by him This particular application of faith is to eate Christ Christ gives me to understand that his body was broken for me as the Bread is and as certainly as I behold the bread of the Lord broken to me and the cup communicated to me so we have a true right to him and he is as truly ours as our meat and drink are ours Iohn 6.33 35 36. Heb. 9.20 Luke 22 20. Q. What must a Christian doe after receiving A. We must pay our vowes that is we must be carefull to performe our covenant which now we have renued with God in Jesus Christ 3. After Receiving Psal 50.14 2 Cor. 6.1 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Pet. 1.4 Rom. 2.25 Q. How may we find that we have made a right use of this Sacrament A. When we are more refreshed with the feeling of Gods favour towards us and doe grow in newnesse of life As the right use of food is to outgrow sicknesse and gather strength for the better performance of actions of our naturall life so when we are more lively and zealous and get more strength against our corruptions and Tentations or any waies grow in the new creature then have we not received in vaine 2 Chro. 30.25 26. with 2 Chro 31.1 1 Cor. 11.17 when we are bettered by it then have we received aright Q. There be some to whom this Sacrament doth not at all belong they have no interest in the matter who be they A. The ignorant disobedient that is such as cannot give account of their faith or by their wicked lives shew themselves utterly unworthy They come not within the judgment of charity
his holy Spirit draweth our hearts to embrace his gratious promises a Heb. 12.2 Eph. 2.8 b Luk. 24.25 Mar. 9.24 Num. 20.12 2 Chron. 16.7 9. Mat. 14.31 Luk. 18.9 c 1 Cor. 2.9 11. Joh. 6.44 45. Q. Why must we strive seeing it is Gods gift A. Yes because God hath appointed means whereby he will bestow all graces on us therefore if we seek him in those meanes we shall find him if we neglect those meanes it is a signe we have no grace nor can we ever hope to have any Mar. 4.24 1 Cor. 3.7 9. Rom. 10.14 15. Prov. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 13.44 Act. 16.14 1 Cor. 12.6 Q. Why secondly must we strive A. Because faith and all other graces be contrary to our corrupt nature and therefore we must give the more diligence to attaine the same at Gods hand As he that plants a graft contrary to nature must use the more care and because we cannot cure our selves we must seek and beg some one to put us into the pool when the waters be moved Phil. 2.12 13. Esay 26.12 Heb. 6.11 12. Rom. 11.24 2 Pet. 1.10 Q. By what meanes doth God usually worke faith in us A. By two Meanes 1. By the knowledge of the Law convincing us of sin Mat. 3.2 3. Ioh. 16.9 Rom. 4.15 Gal. 3.22 24. This is but preparative Hos 10.12 Q. But what is the chiefe meanes by which God doth worke faith in us A. By the preaching of the Gospell by which it is also encreased And therefore if we desire to have faith we must heare and obey the Gospell the Word of the Kingdome must be rooted in our hearts and affections 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Rom. 1.16 Luk. 8.13 15 Gal. 3.2 Q. How doth the Doctrine of the Gospell bring about the heart from security and false confidences to believe on Christ for salvation A. Two waies especially To rest in any thing short of Christ is a false confidence 1. By inviting us to come unto Christ The Spirit doth convince us of sin and damnation and that we have need of the righteousnesse of another to save us Luk. 13.3 Joh. 16.9 Joh. 5.45 Joh. 8.24 Phil. 3 3 8.9 Matt. 9 13. By the law is the knowledge of sinne but to make us fly from the Law and to be dead to it and to seeke salvation by a righteousnesse without us this is the worke of the Gospell Rom. 7.4 The Gospell inviting commanding and calling us to Christs righteousnesse it doth cause us to renounce and forsake all hope of righteousnesse by works of the Law the Gospell puts a spirit into the letter of the Law The Gospell awaking us and bidding us to repent and goe to Christ for salvation doth make use of the Law to shew us our danger and our insufficiency to save our selves and consequenly a necessity of believing in Christ Q. How secondly doth the Gospell work the heart to believe A. 2. By shewing us such a fulnesse and al sufficiency in Christ that of him and in him we have all things needfull for salvation it shewes and assures the conscience that God is satisfied and well pleased with us in Christ Act. 13.32 33 34. John 1.16 17. Col. 1.13 14 19. Q. What followes thereof A. Therefore they that meddle not with the Scripture regard not the Ministry of it on the Lords day but slight it or scoffe at the preaching thereof shew plainly that they have no faith Rom. 15.4 Rom. 10.14 17. CAP. XXVII Of the second office worke of Faith viz. to purify the heart worke by love Here followes the life of a believer and the first end and use of the Morall Law Fourth heal of Christian doctrine Q. WHat is the second office of Faith A. To purify the heart working it to an obedient walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord so that I shall not professe one thing and do another Jam 2.17 21 26. Act 15.9 it is ever purging out corruption Q. The rule of obedience in generall is the whole written word of God and more summarily the morall Law contained in the ten Commandements Tell me now Is the Law of the ten Commandements still in force A. Yes and whosoever doth or teacheth otherwise shall be least in the Kindome of Heaven that is none at all Mat 5.18 19. Rom 3.19 31. Rom 7.12 As touching the ceremoniall Law that which was a sin or duty then is not a sin or duty now under the Gospel and therefore the ceremoniall Law is not in force now as to our practice But as touching the morall Law that which was a sin then is a sin now as lying perjury c. which shewes that the morall Law is still in force now under the time of the Gospel Q. Is the Law given that we should looke for life and solvation by it A. No because by it all the world is guilty before God If we were without sin we should be saved by the Law but being all wretched sinners the Law curseth us and we must looke elsewhere for a worthinesse to answer Gods judgement Rom 7.4 6. Rom 3.20 23. Gal 3.17 Q. To what use then was the Law given The first use of the Morall Law A There is a twofold use of it 1. To convince us that we are under sin wrath that so we might be brought to seek salvation in Christ alone Gal. 3.19 24. Q. How doth the Law force a sinner unto Christ A. There be five effects or operations of the Law whereby it drives one to Christ The first is to make sin knowne in its true greatnesse and sinfulnesse both for the extent and danger of it By the Law we come to know our selves to be greater sinners and in worse case then we could imagine we find and feele that to be sinne which before we knew not and many things to be greater evils exposing us to greater wrath then heretofore we conceived as our naturall corruption the first motions unto sinne c. Rom 3.20 Rom. 7.7 8 9 13. Rom 5.13 Q. What is the second worke of the Law forcing us to seek Christ A. It shews us how farre short we come and how unable we are to doe any one thing that is good in any measure manner and degree as is required Many think they are holy and please God well enough because they know not the holynesse and rigour of the Law Rom. 7.11 13 18. Mat. 19.18 20. Q. How thirdly doth the Law shew us our need of Christ A. By it we finde and feele the emnity contrariety that is in our nature against God Tell a man of his sinne or duty O the heart is sad upon it the Law is a burthen to him the heart rebels against it and could even wish there were no such Law yea no God to take vengeance Sinne is a burthen to a regenerate person but Gods Law is not grievous to him 1 Joh. 5.3 On the other side to
good things we aske against the giver of them c. Mat. 4. â— 9 10. Hab. 2.6 Hos 2. â— 1 Chron. 29.14 CAP. XLVI The 5th Petition And forgive us c. Q HEre we pray for the forgivenesse of our sinnes and transgression Why be our sinnes called debts Mat. 6. â—2 A. Because they make us debtors to the Law and â—ustice of God to make satisfaction for the offence done to him As â— Felon is a debtor til he have satisfied the Law Col. 2.14 Mat. 5.26 Q How are we freed and discharged of this debt A. By Gods free grace and pardon accepting us in Christ when we had nothing of our owne to pay When we had nothing to pay God provided a price out of his own store Luke 7.42 Mat. 18.25 27. Eph. 1.7 Christ hath cancelled our Bonds Col. 2.14 Q What is forgivenesse of sinne A. It is a free and full discharge of a sinner from guilt and punishment whereby a sinner is received into favour with God Forgivenesse of sin is not the abolishing of sinne and corruption by infusing anâ— habit of charity holinesse as Papists teach but it is the receiving of a sinner into favour not in puâ—ing unto him any blame Esa 43.25 Esa 44.22 Mich 7.18 Exod 34.7 Q Doth God forgive all men their sinnes A. No only such as believe and repent and walke by the rule of new obedience Marke 1.4 15. Gal. 6.16 Q. What then is the substance of that we begge in this Petition A. We begge that God would give to every one of us faith and repentance by which we may be accepted into his favour in for Christs sake having all our sins freely fully done away by him Ps 5â— 1 2 7 9. Dan. 9.17 18 19. The best have need every day to pray forgive us our sins As we forgive Q. Why iâ— that condition added A. Because no man can have assurance that God hath pardoned his sins unlesse he finde in himselfe a disposition to forgive his brother The love of God shed abroad in our hearts begets in us compassion towards our brother when he hath offended us No unmercifull cruell man can be assured of mercy Matth 6.14 15. Matth. 18.33 35. Col 3.13 Rom 12.19 Q How shall I know that I doe indeed forgive my Brother A. By two things First if I dare not wish him ill nor doe him hurt though it lay in my power no nor yet rejoyce when evill befals him though I had no hand in it Job 31.29 30. Prov. 24.17 18. Ps 35 13 14. Levit. 19 18. Q. How 2dly shall I know it A Because it is a trouble to me to think ill of another and I am glad to see any good thing in my enemy any cause to think better of him any ground or hope of reconciliation A Christian is gentle and easie to be entreated and though some be so perverse and spitefull that one dare not trust them yet we can be glad of any good thing in them 2 Thess 3.14 15. Jam. 3.17 Psal 120.6 7. Q. What doe we learn from these two words forgive our debts A. Two things First the dangerous nature of sinne our sinnes and our names are entred into Gods debt-booke together and we are every houre liable to be arrested and brought to an account before God What a case is he in that hath Bailies watching him in every place corner c. Matth. 5.25 Q. What else doe we learne A. It sheweth our inability to satisfie for the least sinne we have no price to pay we must be forgiven or else cast into prison for the last farthing Rom. 4.7 Mica 6.7 CAP. XLVII The 6th Petition Lead us not c. IN the former Petition we prayed to have our sinnes forgiven now we pray that we may be kept from sinne for time to come Q. What doe we learne from the order and connexion of these two Petitions A. All that pray aright to have their sinnes forgiven must be as earnest to be kept from sinne for time to come Ps 15.7 Rom. 7.24 Psal 19.13 Carnall people can pray for mercy but the Godly will pray for Grace as well as mercy Q. What is here meant by Temptation A. Any thing whereby a man is enticed and drawn into sin Jam. 1.14 2 Cor. 11.3 1 Thes 3.5 Iohn 13.2 Prov. 1.10 11. There lieth a Temptation in most things we have to deale withall as in Meats Drinks and Apparrel in Wealth in Poverty in Preferments in Examples in Counselles in fear of Men in love of life in our Pleasures yea in our very callings And unlesse the Lord do gratiously keep us we shall be enticed and drawn away Q. What is it to be 〈◊〉 Temptation A. To be tempted is to be assured provoked unto evil but to be led into temptation is when we are deceived and overcome of the evil When we yeeld to the evil motion the snare is laid and we are caught 2 Sam. 11.2 4. Mat. 16 35 69 70. 1 Tim. 6.9 Q. How doth God lead into Temptation A. When hee doth not support and strengthen us against the evil but leaveth us to our own wit strength or lusts or unto Satan 2 Chron. 32.31 2 Chr. 10.15 1 Kings 22.22 2 Th. 2.11 Ro. 1.24 Job 1.12 Q. How doth God enable us to resist temptation A. Three waies 1. By making us wise to discerne an evil motion 2 Cor. 2 1â— Mat. 16.13 Neh. 6.11 13. Q. How secondly A. By making us â—â—a â— full over our slippery hearts and 〈◊〉 câ—â—tions of faling Mâ— 26.1 Prov. â—8 1 Thes 5 22. Q How Thirdly doth the Lord enable us to resist Temptations A. By fortifying us with saith and courage whereby we cleaâ—e to God against all the world Mat. 4.7 it is written Eph. 6.11 Q. What do we pray for in this Petition A. That God would give us spiritual wisdome and strength to discerne and overcome all temptations unto sinne and if at any time he suffer us to be tempted yet that he would not leave us to our selves to be deceived and overcome of the evil We pray that God will hold us up and deliver us from the power of all spiritual enemies But deliver us from evil Q. What 's here meant by evill A. The evill one that is Sathan all his wiles and subtilties Iohn 17.11 12 15. 1 Iohn 5.18 Iob 2.6 Q. What doe we pray against in these words A. That seeing we desire to be kept from sinne we desire also to be kept from the power and wiles of the temptor That God would discover his wiles and help us against him Gen. 20.6 1 Sam 25.33 Zach. 3.2 Rev. 12.13 16. Psal 17.4 5. Q. What must they doe that pray to be kept from temptation A. In a due sense of our own weaknesse we must shun occasions of evil we must not cast our selves upon temptations For else we are not true to our owne prayers Iudg 16.15 17. Prov. 7.8 Gen. 34.1 Eccles 2.3 For
lawfull for Christian people to rise up against civill Magistrates for the Cause and Kingdome oâ— Jesus Christ A. It is utterly unlawfull a because Christs Kingdome is not of this world 〈◊〉 therefore his servants may not fight â—â— Christs Spirituall Kingdome does not overthrow Cesars temporall power anâ— therefore Christ hath commanded aâ— humble subjection to all civill Powers a Joh. 18.36 Mat. 26.52 b Mat. 22.21 Rom. 13.1 2 4 7. Tit. 3.1 Act. 23.5 1 Pet. 2.13 15 16. It is a singular wickednesse to make Christs Name and Gospell a pretence to shake off Temporall authority or to make it a Condition of our yeilding civill obedience unto them Q. How shall I know that Christ is a King to me A. By two things 1. By the obedience I yeild to his Lawes Joh. 15.14 Q. How secondly A. By the victory he gives me over my sinnes if sinne reigne in us Christ is not King Christ sets up his Word in our hearts he makes us a willing and obedient people the lusts and principles and maximes of the World rule not in us Psal 110.3 1 Pet. 2.9 Col. 1.13 Q. Christ is the great Prophet of the Church to teach instruct exhort Of Christs Protheticall office and comfort his people Joh. 1.9 John 6.45 What be the parts of Christs Propheticall Office A. Two 1. To reveale his Father and make known his will to us Joh. 1.18 Luk. 1.78 79. Eph. 3.9 Deut. 18.15 with Joh. 10.3 9 11. 1 Cor. 1.21 Q. What is the second part of Christs teaching office A. Effectually to perswade the heart to receive the Doctrine taught to open their eies unstop their eares and cause their heart to attend Esa 35.4 5. Joh. 6.45 Act. 16.14 Rev. 3.18 Christ does not onely hold forth the light but he gives us eies to see it Q. Be there not other Prophets and Teachers of the Church A. Yes Christ useth the Ministry of men but all the efficacy and power of their teaching is from God 1 Cor. 3.7 Mat. 11.25.26 27. Mat. 13.13 2 Cor. 3.3 Gal. 2.8 2 Cor. 4.6 7. Q How shall I know that I am taught of God A. When the Word which we heare is followed by us and obeyed else thou hast heard a meer man man may teach you to know the definitions of faith of sin of repentance c. but Christ alone teacheth you to believe and repent Christ giveth the discerning the taste to judge between things that differ 2 Cor. 10.5 Joh. 10.4 5 27. CAP. XIII Of Man to be reconciled to God in the New Covenant Man is the third party in the Covenant of Grace GOD hath given his Son to be a Covenant of the people The third party in the New Covenant Esa 42.6 Made sure promises to him c. And Christ thus brought into the world furnished with grace power is offered to sinners with large promises to them that receive him It followes to be considered Q. To whom doe those promises of life and salvation belong Who may take comfort in them A. Onely they that be in covenant with God Eph. 2.12 Q. When is the soule in covenant with God A. When the heart consents to take Christ as he is offered to us in all his Offices resigning up engaging our selves to be wholly his God takes us for his people we take him to be our God Deut. 26.17 18. Jer. 30.21 22. Gen. 15.1 6. Zach. 13.9 Joh. 1.12 The soule does not mislike the person nor the Portion nor the tearmes on which Christ is offered to us The believer takes Christ for his Saviour for his Teacher for his Lord and Ruler Q. What manner of persons are in covenant with God A. Such as believe the Gospell repent of their sinnes and walke uprightly before God Gen. 17.1 Mar. 1.15 Acts 20.21 These three things are required of all that be in Covenant with God 1. Of Faith Q. What is the nature and proper act of faith A. It is a grace whereby we doe acknowledge and accept of Christ for our Lord Saviour and rest on him alone for salvation Or it is a grace whereby the soule doth rest and rely on the promise of life and salvation made in Christ Jesus Eph. 1.12 13. Rom. 10.14 Rom. 15.12 Tit. 1.1.2 Psal 2.12 Psal 18.2 Trust hath for its object the promises of God and it is not every promise that is the object of faith as it justifieth but the promise of life only Christ is the proper object of faith as it justifieth trusting is the proper act of faith To seek and thirst after Christ and rest on him that is Faith Heb. 10.38 Q. Many say they trust on Christ and yet deceive themselves Shew some signes of true faith A. There be three signes of true faith 1. It makes me to strive against unbeliefe and all other lusts purging the heart and working out the filthinesse of it as a spring doth the mire and dirt that is cast into it or as the stomack expels poyson faith and lusts cannot lodge and dwell together Mar. 9.24 He. 10.38 Acts. 15.9 Q. What is a second signe of true faith What gratious affections doe shew true faith A. True faith makes us to prize Jesus Christ above all things the soule will sell all gladly and part with any content for Christs sake Mat. 13.44 Psal 45.10 Heb. 11.24 25. Gen. 22.12 Heb. 11.8 Q. How thirdly may true faith be knowne A. Because it is not a dead faith but it worketh by love that is whatsoever sin we resist and whatsoever good thing we doe we doe all out of a love to the Lord Jesus We so love God that we hate evill for Gods sake Gal. 5.6 Ioh. 21.16 Iam 2.17 18. Q. What secondly 2. Of Repentance must they doe that be or would be in covenant with God A. They must repent of their sins and change their lives Mot 3.7 8. Act. 2.38 Q. Why must they also repent that be or would be in Covenant with God A. Because it is necessary that they that be in Covenant with God must breake their league with every sin friendship with God cannot stand with friendship with any sin 2 Cor 6.17 18. Jam. 4.4 1 Joh. 2.15 Q. What is Repentance A. It is a grace of Gods Spirit whereby we are grieved for offending oâ— God b and doe turne from sinne c ouâ— of an inward and spirituall dâ—slike and hatred of its filthinesse a Mat. 26.75 2 Cor. 7.10 b Esay 1.16 17. 2 Pet. 2.22 1 Cor. 5.7 Act 3.19 Ezek 36.26 27 31 c Esay 33 22. Q. What be the parts of repentance A. Two mortification whereby we die to sinne and vivification whereby we are quickned to a life of grace Gal. 5.24 1 Pet. 4.1 2 3. Rom. 6.6 7. 8.2 10 13 Eph. 4.22.24 Luk. 3.11 Q. Then prophane persons that be at sometimes grieved ashamed for some sins are not esteemed to repent unlesse they be renued to a life of grace A. It is true
of things forbidden What doth the Lord require of us in this Commandement A. Foure things First to worke with our hands the thing that is good that is to be diligent in a lawfull calling Eph. 4.28 2 Thes 3.8 10. Prov. 10.4 Gen. 2.15 Gen. 3.19 Q. What secondly A. Frugality and providence in using our goods according to the rules of Charity and justice Joh. 6.12 Psal 112.5 Q. What thirdly and fourthly A. 3. To deal justly with our Neighbour a to help him in his estate 4ly And if we have wronged him to b make restitution a Deut. 22.1 1 Sam. 25.16 Gen. 30 33. 1 Thes 4.6 b Gen. 43.12 Job 20. 15 18 20. Ezek. 33.15 Luk. 19.8 Mat. 27.7 Philem. v. 18 19. Q. How doe men sinne against their own estates A. By idlenesse wastfullnesse impairing it No man hath power over his own goods to wast them in rioting in clothes building gaming sports c. as he pleaseth but we must use them as stewards who are to bring in their bills of expence unto God As thus much for this and so much for that 2 Thes 3.11 Prov. 18.9 Prov. 19.26 Luk. 15.13 CAP. XXXIX Ninth Commandement Thou shalt not beare false witnesse c. THE purpose of God in this Commandement is to preserve truth amongst men to maintaine the good name and estimation one of another to this end some things is forbidden and some things commanded It is broken outwardly Q. What is forbidden in this Commandement A. All kinds of lying and mis-speaking of our brother to his hurt and discredit credit Esay 63.8 Col 3.9 10. Rev 22.15 Joh 8.44 Q. But is a jesting lye and lying for the profit of another unlawfull A. It is no occasion or pretence can make a lye to be lawfull Job 13.7 8. Rom 3.7 8. Gen 20.9 12 16. 1 King 13.18 Hos 7.3 Q. Shew some other particulars wherein we sin against this Commandment A. The grossest and most harmfull kind of lying is in judgement and bearing of witnesse when either the Judge Witnesse or Pleader shall deny conceal pervert and dissemble the truth or countenance the wrong It 's a sinne to shrink from the truth when Religion Justice or Charity doe call for the maintaining of it Jer 9.3 Deut 19 18. Mic 7.3 2 Tim 4.16 Prov 24 11 12. Q. How secondly is this Law broken A. By backbiting slandering harsh and unjust censures of others or any way raising or taking up an evill report against our brother Psal 15.3 Exod 23.1 2. Sam 16.2 3. Neh 6.6 Levit 19.16 Mat 7.1 Mar 3 22 30. 2 Sam 16.3 Q. How thirdly doe we sin against this Commandment A. By dissimulation and equivocation that is when we are made to believe one thing and another is intended or when mens words doe beare a double sense So that there is one proposition reserved in the mind of the equivocator which crosseth that which is uttered by the tongue 't is a sinne to dissemble and equivocate Ier. 8.9 Psal 12.2 Psal 15.3 Mat. 26.72 Q. How fourthly doe we sin against this Commandement A. When we speake the truth in malice that is with an intent and desire to hurt and disgrace another As Doeg did 1 Sam. 22.10 with Psal 52.2 3.4 Q. Out of the heart proceeds false witnesse Mat. 15.19 How doe men offend in heart against this Commandement Inwardly A. Two waies First by evill surmisings and ungrounded suspicions a thinking hardly of others without a cause That is upon some b weak matter or weak c evidence as upon hear-say jealousie uncharitable collections c. all which proceed from want of love b Mat. 9.3 4. Ioh. 7.24 Ioh. 9.16 b Rom. 14.3 1 Tim. 6.4 c 2 Sam. 10.3 1 Sam. 22. 8 10. 2 Sam. 16.4 1 Sam. 24.9 Q. How secondly A. When we can rejoyce in the disgraces of another being glad to heare him evill spoken of or else to be grieved for their good esteeme This also proceeds from want of love Mat. 21.15 3 Ioh. v. 10 12. 1 Sam. 18.7 8. Q. These be things forbidden What doth the Lord require of us in regard of our brother A. First Duties required that we speak the truth in love no more nor no lesse then the truth Without wrenchings fetches doublings without flattery or detraction Eph. 15. Psal 12.2 Q. What secondly A. To defend a our brothers good name as farre as may stand with good conscience and if we have b wronged it to repaire the same Recanting that which hath beene falsely said explaining that which hath been doubtfully said and praising or justifying them in that wherein they have been unjustly condemned a 1 Sam. 19.4 Ier. 26.9 16. Prov. 25.23 Prov. 24.11 12. b 1 Sam. 24.17 2 Sam. 19.19 20. Q. By what meanes must I defend my brothers good name A. We must a construe things in the best sense and when they cannot be altogether excused yet we must b acknowledge other good things to be in them That their honesty be not quite trodden under foot c. a 1 Cor. 13.7 1 Pet. 4.8 b 2 Chr. 19.3 Q. How doe men sinne against their own good names A. Two waies First when we speak more or lesse of our selves then is true making our selves better or worse then we are dissembling the good or evill that is in us When men lessen faults or greaten their virtues or on the contrary doe augment their sinnes and unworthinesse and debase Gods goodnesse in any kind towards them or in them that 's a false testimony of our selves boasting or bragging and selfe-condemning they be both of them evill Gal. 2.13 Exod. 4.10 1 Sam 21.14 15. Prov. 13.7 Prov. 27.2 Prov. 20.6 Acts. 12.22 Q How secondly doe we wrong our own good names A. When we deserve a an evill report or else b suffer an evill report to rest upon us unjustly Both these doe wound a good name a Ge. 34.30 1 Sa. 2.24 Phi. 4.8 b Act. 24.12 Mar 3.23 24. Job 27.5 Q. By what means may a Christian preserve and defend his own good name against slanders and false accusations A. There be two waies First he must a cleare himselfe of the slander before men by a modest and dispassionate conviction of the defamer 2. At least he must stop b their mouthes by an holy and blamelesse conversation a 2 Sam. 19.26 27. 2 Cor. 11.5 12. b 1 Pet. 2.12 15. Tit. 1.11 13. CAP. XL. Tenth Commandement Thou shalt not Covet c. HEre God takes order with the first motions and inclinations to evill The scope though they never come to the consent of the will and purpose of the heart Q. Thou shalt not covet What is here forbidden A. The first motions unto sin the lusting of the old man though we never purpose nor consent unto them All evill inclinations and motions of the heart before consent as vaine thoughts suddaine passions and affections and all lusting of the old man against the will of God So Paul expounds this
singular thing which cannot be found in an Hypocrite nor in the best morall Man in the World Mat. 5.47 And seeing there are but few that shall be saved we must strive to go the narrow path that lead to life Luk 13.24 Luk 6.33 6. A singular love affection is to be borne towards all that feare God even because they fear God and have Gods Image on them Mat 10.41 7. A speciall regard must be had of the Lords day to spend the Lords day in the Lords work and not in wordly pleasures or profits Es 56.6 Es 58.13 8. A precise conscience must be made of the least sin by every one that desireth to stand in the favour of God as of lesser Oaths by ones Faith and Troth and also of Idle words Ps 119.6 Mat. 12.36 Jam. 2.10 Sins of Omission are to be avoided as being more dangerous then sins of Commission The heart is wonderfully hardned and estranged from God by neglect and omission of good duties 10. A Christian must exercise Justice Truth and Fidelity towards all men even the worst not daring to wrong any man in the least pin or farthing Luk 16.10 Mat. 16.26 Ezek 22.13 14. Es 63.8 11. A Christian must make Conscience of doing good things in a good manner that is with the spirit and with the affections of the inward man and unto spirituall ends viz. to please God and edify his own soule 12. A Christian must seperate from the sinfull Manners Customes Courses Fashions and waies of the World He must not fashion himselfe to the World All familiar society with wicked men is to be avoided Rom. 12.2 Es 8.11 12. Ier. 15.19 Ps 1.1 Eph. 5.7 11. Phil. 2.15 Ps 26.4 5. Mat. 24.49 2 Cor. 6.17 13. A Christian must neither feare nor please man against God he must not feare their threats nor their reproches nor yet prize their favours and so forget God his maker Es 3.22 Es 51.7 12. Luk. 1.26 27. Heb. 12.4 Of Callings 14. A Christian must live in some honest calling and be conscionable therein doing the duties thereof as the work which God sets him about And not like the Oxe or Horse who doe their worke but not in knowledge nor obedience to God we must doe the businesse of our callings faithfully and obediently as unto God studying to honour him and to adorne our holy profession in that ranke and place wherein God hath set us 15. A Christian in his calling must exercise the graces of the spirit viz. Patience Justice Equity Mercy Truth Faith and Dependance on Gods promises providence in all his waies our generall calling of Religion and Christianity must be expressed in the use of our particular callings He that is not Godly and good in his calling is good no where 16. A Christian must enter upon the duties of his calling with Prayer craving Gods blessing and strength his pardon for failings his protection in our waies And also his grace to preserver us from those snares and Temptations unto which in our callings we are most subject and exposed whether it be unto Idlenesse frowardnesse uncheerfullnesse discontentednesse distrustfulnesse covetousnesse vaine glory c. 17. A Christian should labour to see all things in God and from God the fountain of Wisdome Power Goodnesse and Mercy we must labour to see and meet God at every turne Ps 73.13 Ps 22.17 18. A Christian must never prosecute any earthly thing so as for perishing things to lose spirituall and eternall things Mat 16 26. 19. Never be thou so passironately addicted to any cause work or end be it never so good as to carry it on by unlawfull means and waies God is all sufficient in his own waies And it is better to suffer any evill of affliction then to doe any evill of sin Resolve to stick to Gods waies what ever the issue may be 20. Never meddle without a warrant or calling nor above thy strength Ps 131.1 Let it never be sayd to thee in reproach who art thou Who gave thee this Authority or who required this at thy hand 21. Doe the most necessary duties of thy calling first and most 22. Never lock up thy comfort in the Creature but let God be thy portion and thy exceeding greate reward Use the World as if thou usedest it not 23. A Christians recreations must be 1 Harmlesse and without offence to others without scrupulosity to our owne consciences 2. They must not master us nor overrule our affections but our recreations must be such as we can use for refreshments without losse of the graces of Patience Charity justice Truth c. without wasting of our pretious time Estates We must not exchange better things for sports 24. God hath given us all things plentifully to enjoy yet with moderation a Christian must never eat nor drink to make the head heavy nor the heart heavy 25. A Christian must not be ashamed of God and Godlinesse here before men Grace is a Christian crown 26. A Christian must prepare to meet with crosses reproaches in the World for a good conscience sake and yet not be discouraged thereby Es 8.18 Gal. 4.29 Ps 14.10 Ps 38.20 Pro 29.27 Act. 28.22 27. A Christian can never be sound in Religion that doth not prize and highly esteeme the Publicke Ordinances and Ministers of God We must delight to meet God in his Ordinances we must give up our hearts to be ruled and directed by them FINIS