22.30 and more inabled to powre out my soul in prayer more assured that although I may passe through many aafflictions yet I shall one day feast with Christ in the Kingdom of glory Quest 7. What further may you stir up in your soul Ans To observe how I am delighted and fully satisfied with this heavenly and joyful feast yea that I am so satisfied as never any more to feast at Satans Table or to have the least communion with the Devil the World or the Flesh or any sinful feast of sinful profits or pleasures whatsoever Isa 55.3 Iohn 6.34 35. as being now fully contented with Christs presence in this life and with assurance of Christs presence in that life eternal which is to come Quest 8. How may you wait on Christ in the second of these Divine meditations Gantâ— 2.3 c. Ans In fixing the eye of my soul so fully upon Christ in this feast I may meditate by the power of Christs spirit so exactly upon every particular dainty which my soul meeteth with at the Lords Table Quest 9. What else mayyou meditate upon Ans Upon those glorious refreshings and strengthnings of my soul in grace by the lively holding forth of Christ and my so near union and communion with Christ and with all the Saints until my soul say Cant. 2.1 c. It is enough Lord I desire no more but still to enjoy thee the delight of my soul and most thankfully to remember thy love above all the delights and loves of the world for ever Quest 10. How may you wait on Christ in the third and last faithful application of all to your own soul in particular Ans By the power of Christs spirit and faith I now by secret medication in faith may and do apply Christ and the love of Christ in all this rich feast to my own soul Quest 11. What benefits do you enjoy by this Ans First now by the eye of faith I see evidently that God my Father so loved me that he gave his Son for me that I now believing shall not perish Iohn 3.16 but have everlasting life Quest 12. What is a second Ans Secondly I now see by the eye of faith that my Lord Christ loved me and gave himself for me thar he is now become the Author and finisher of my faith yea Gal. 2.20 Heb. 12.2 the Author of eternal life to and for me to whom he hath given power to obey him in and by believing Quest 13. What is a third Ans Thirdly I now see by the eye of faith that all this great feast was prepared for me and lor my refreshing and souls contentment and is a sure and infallible sign Mat. 22.1 c. Iob 19.25 26. and seal and pledge of God my Fathers love to me in the Lord Christ who is my strength and my Redeemer Quest 14. What is a fourth Acts 3.20 21. Psa 24.7 Can. 5 1. Luk. 22.23 c Ans Fourthly I now see that although my Lord and Saviour my great King of glory who hath entred into the everlasting door of my soul keep his residence in his most glorious Court of heaven yet he hath been present with my soul in this rich feast of grace he hath fed me with his delicates he hath cheered up my spirits with his wines of joyes O the sweet meats of comforts that have made my soul fat this day I am filled with the loves of my Lord my heavenly husband who hath married me to himself for ever and made me sit with him at his Table Quest 15. What may I consider further Ans Fifthly How great was my unworthinesse and how invaluable was his love and Free-grace to my soul when he saw me in my blood and said live yea when I was in my blood dead in my sinful blood he gave me life when I was an Infant new born Exek 16.3 4. cast out to the loathing my person when my Father an Amorice and my Mother was an Hittite could not relieve me then my Christ my Lord did graciously succour me he cherished me he bred me up while I was grown in grace he cast his skirt of love over me and I became his and he made me glorious in grace through the comelinesse that he hath put upon me Quest 16. what is the sixth grace or benefit Ans Surely as I may so I will greatly rejoyce in my Lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation Isa 61.10 and he hath covered me with the robes of righteousnesse as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Quest 17. What is the seventh benefit Answ Seventhly when I was in danger of my life through the plots and conspiracies of bloody enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil I drew near into the presence of my Lord with a true heart in full assurance of faith Est 5.2 Heb. 10.22 Can. 4.6 having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water my Lord held forth his golden Scepter of grace and revived my spirits which formerly hid been fainting for want of his gracious presence Quest 18. What may you conclade from these Ans Now I may truly and assuredly conclude I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine I will hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering Can. 6.4 Heb. 10.23 c. 1 Thes 4.16 c. Luk. 22.36 Ioh. 17.24 for he is faithful that promised I will consider my brethren and sisters in Christ to provoke unto love and to good works and I will not forsake the assembling of our selves together to meet our Lord at his Table as the manner of some is but exhort one another while it is called to day because the day approacheth when our Lord and King Jesus will call us all by his last Trumpet to feast at his Table in heaven where we shall be with him and see his glory for ever and ever Amen Quest 19. What is a second grace or gracious action to be put in present execution before your departure from the congregation and communion of Saints in this sacred feast Ans A present manifestation of my thankfulnesse and love to Christ my Lord and Saviour again in the work of charity Neh. 8.8 Acts 20.7 2.46 1 Cor. 16.1 2 3. 2. Tim. 1.16 3. Ioh. 5 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 9.4 c. Ioh. 2.34 c. according to my ability to the poor Saints my fellow-members of the same body of which Christ my Lord is the Head that I may refresh their hungry bodies as the Lord Christ hath refreshed my hungry soul with plentiful refreshings at his Table Quest 21. What is the third grace or gracious action to be acted and exercised by the power of Christ to Gods glory and your own comfort before the Congregation be dismissed after partaking this
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
Commandements of my Heavenly Father and so these foure first Commandements or first Table of the Law of God Psal 119.101.128 and to refrain from every sinwhatsoever Quest 49. What is the finall cause or chiefe ends at which your soule doth or ought to aime at in this your obedience Ans The prime and chiefe end is the glorifying of God 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 5.10 11 12. my God and Father in Christ And the next the Declaration of my love and thankfulnesse to the Lord my God and to shew forth his praises who called me out of darknesse to light and hath freely given me life eternall and everlasting salvation in Christ Jesus The Thirty two Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have profitably and plainely endevoured to declare the duties commaded and the sinnes forbidden in the first Table of the Law of God and held them forth as a light to the feete of Gods Saints by the helpe of the spirit of Christ And in the performance of our Duties and Declaration of our more immediate love unto our God in Christ Now what I pray you do you call the second Table of the Law of God and what are the Commandemtnts comprehended in this second Table what light from Christ to teach this Ans This second Table is that which holdeth forth rules for the manifestation of our love to our Neighbour Mat. â—2 38 39 40. in and for God as our selves and these Rules are comprehended in the six last Commandements of the Decalogue or ten words of Gods Minde to his people Ex. 34.28 Quest 2. What then you doe conceive to be the generall duties of this second Taeble of the Law Ans That which the Lord Christ and the spirit of Christ in the Prophets Mat. 22.39 Levit. 19.18 Rom. 13.8 9. and Apostles holdeth forth unto us namely to love our Neighbour as our selves Quest 3. What is the sinne contrary to this duty of loving our Neighbour as our selves Ans Not to do as we would be done be done by Mat. 7.12 Levit. 19.17 18. Isai 58.7 or instead of love to hate our Neighbour and to hide our selves from our own flesh Quest 4. You say the Lord requireth that we should love our Neighbours as our selves Therefore it seemeth to mee that the Lord requireth his child to love himselfe Now what is this love of a mans selfe according to which hee ought to love his Neighhour Ans Certainly the Lord doth require that a man should in a right manner love himselfe Mâ—t. 22 37 38 39. Phâ—l 2.12 Eph. 5.29 and this love of a man towards himselfe is that love wherewith a Believer should in and for and after God love his owne soule and body in seeking the temporall and eternall good of both for Gods glory and his owne eternall happinesse and salvation Quest 5. What are sinnes contrary to this true and right ordered love of a Man or Womans selfe Ans There are diverse sins contrary to a right and true love of a mans self first a perverse and wicked hatred of Mans selfe Acts 18.6 either of a Mans soule and body by an obstinate rejecting of grace and meanes of grace or willfull Rebellion against God or hatred of his body and life by a Mans desperate rejecting and refusing the meanes of preserving the body and health and life of it or by a desparate destroying of the body and life by any meanes whatsoever An example of this I have seen in divers who in strength and violence of Satans temptations or a kinde of frensie and braine distemper have utterly rejected meanes of comfort some for the soule some for the body some for both as Francis Spira did in Germany after his fall from the Gospell History of Francis Spirra to subscribe to Popery continuing in that sad condition to the day of his death I say nothing of Ahitophel and Iudas 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.5 who wickedly destroyed themselves contrary to the sixt Commandement of which I shall speak in its place Quest 6. What is a second sinne contrary to the true love of a mans selfe Ans Philauty or corrupt and inordinate love of a mans selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either above God which is a wicked Idolatrous love making an Idoll of a mans selfe and setting up an Idoll in his heart and preferring that above God 2 Tim. 3.2 Or to be so inebriated and drunk with selfe love as to admire onely himselfe and turne his affections of love wholy into himselfe as that Misanthropâ—s who hated every man but himselfe â— Cor. 4.14 Thirdly to love a mans selfe from and for himselfe not from and for God in Christ or from Christ Quest 7. But may there not be a good and holy hatred of a mans selfe Ans We must distinguish of a mans selfe there is a threeford selfe First a mans soule and body or person consisting of both considered in themselves as Gods creatures 1 Thess 5.23 Secondly the old Adam in a mans selfe or the corruption of soule and body by sinne Rom. 6.6 either originall or actuall that Law or power of corruption in our members rebelling against the Law of our minds or Thirdly a mans spirituall selfe or the new Adam and image of Christ in the soule the regenerate part Galat. 5.14 the spirit that fighteth against the flesh Now to hate the first of these selfe our soule or body or person is against nature Ephes 5.29 no man ought to hate himselfe though he may loose himselfe for Christ which is love and no hatred And to hate the third the selfe of grace or grace of Christ in a mans selfe The life of grace in us this is against grace this self must be loved and cherished by all means in and through Christ But for the second selfe spoken of namely our corrupt old Adam in us our body of sinne Coloss 3.5 This ought to be hated as the enemy of the well being both of soule and bodie for ever Job 42.6 as Iob abhorred himself and Paul chastised his body and the converted People of God loathed themselves as they were loathsome to God in their sinnefull corruption Ezek. 36.31 Quest 8. You have satisfied mee in this question how a man ought to love and not to love himselfe now what say you in generall of the love of our Neighbour before we come to the Commandements in particular Ans I have described that in generall before That we must love our neighbour in God and for God as our selves Quest 9. Who is our Neighbour towards whom we ought to exercise our Christian love and Charity Ans All that stand in neede of our helpe or love whether they be our own kindred or strangers Luk. 10.36 37. 1 Tim. 5.8 Mat. 5.48 Prov. 25.21 Galat. 6.10 yea our very enemies and especially the household of faith but
Passeover and may partake of that Ordinance being rightly prepared although not named in the institution Quest 11. You have answered concerning the spiritual Seed of Abraham the elect children of beleevers that they may be Disciples by way of Covenant and by right of Election and so may have a right and interest to Baptism the seal of the Covenant which is not denied by some chief adversaries of Pedobaptism if they could be known to be such But now what say you for other children of beleevers which it may be are none of Gods elect nor disciples by way of that internal Covenant of Grace nor inward sanctification of the Spirit What right or title can such Infants have to baptism in infancy or until they be discipled by publike Teaching and Declaration or profession of themselves to be beleevers and converted to the Faith of Christ and such to be admitted by vertue of Christs Institution Go Disciple all Nations and Baptize as is opened before Ans I answer for all children of beleeving Parents though they be none of Gods Elect yet I conceive they may have as good a priviledge now and be under outward Administrations as Ishmael and Esau had if these were not elected or as any of the beleevers children before Christ had not being elected by way of priviledge as children of beleevers to partake of outward Ordinances and priviledges as children of the faithful especially when as it is not known of us who are elected and who are not Why may it not be that Esau was made partaker of this outward priviledge for Jacob and Abrahams sake And for the elect childrens sake all in general who are children of beleevers in the Church of God might and may have this outward badge of Christianity as a note of distinction between children of Iews Turks and Pagans who deny and reject Christ and children of such faithful who beleeve and embrace Christ and the Gospel in truth and sincerity And thus you have one ground of Scripture opened and applyed for Pedobaptism which may evidence That it is not a meer humane invention and absolute will-worship as some have affirmed whom I dare not for this one opinion against Infants baptism utterly condemn excommunicate and cast out of the Churches of Christ as enemies to Christ and the Gospel but rather look upon some of them as weak Brethren to be drawn in by bands of Love and cords of Amity by all means seeking to inform them and reveal that light the Lord hath opened in the Cannonical Books of the Old and New Testament praying God that every Saint may joyn in love and humility in prayer to God every day more and more to reveal and settle Truth in his Churches that God may be glorified and truth and peace established in Christ Jesus Quest 12. I am of your minde not to condemn all as utter enemies to Christ who are adversaries to childrens baptism But yet their Divisions and Separations they have made in the Church their unchurching of the Churches of Christ their contempt of Christs Ministers for difference of Opinion in things of lesser importance with divers such like cannot be answered or justified I think before God or men as being contrary to that Christian love and unity required by Christ in and amongst all that professe the Name of the Lord Jesus But tell me I pray you what other grounds of Scripture have you to prove the lawfulnesse of childrens Baptism Ans There are divers Grounds of Scripture discussed and handled at large by several learned men I will onely name a few and leave the more full opening of them to those who have undertaken the controversie in their larger Treatises And first That encouragement which the Apostle giveth to those Converts Acts 2.38 39. to repent and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins because the Promise is to them and to their children and not to them onely and their children but to as many as are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call that is to the faith of Christ or to be beleevers in Christ and why not to their children also as being children of beleevers as well as to the former whether they were far off of the Iews or far off of the Gentiles who should be or are since brought in to beleeve on Christ and so their children have an encouragement to be baptized as well as other If you ask what the promise here spoken of was I cannot see why it should not be that promise made to Abraham and to beleevers in him as being in some respect the Father of the Faithful I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed and then as circumcision was especially the seal of that spiritual Covenant to Abraham and his spiritual Seed so virtually to beleevers and their spiritual children is there a signe and seal belonging And this is not circumcision which is vertually forbidden in that Institution of Baptism by Christ in the Gospel as Baptism is Matth. 28.19 20. and may be vertually commanded to children of beleevers though not expressed by Name in that Institution of Baptism aforesaid In like manner as women are not expressed by Name in the Institution of the Lords Supper and yet are vertually by Christs Ordinance to be admitted and made partakers of that holy Sacrament Quest 13. But may not there be the same Arguments for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be given to children of beleevers now as for the Sacrament of Baptism since the children of the Israelites are conceived to eat the Passeover Exod. 12. as well as they were circumcised Ans I conceive there is not the same Reason of Baptism and the Lords Supper For in the Act of Baptism both men of ripe yeers and children are meer patients suffering themselves to be baptized which a childe is capable of and may suffer as well as a man of ripe yeers But in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper there is action not onely of eating and drinking for that a childe may do But of eating and drinking in remembrance of Christ of shewing the Lords death until he come of offering up an Eucharistical Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the death and passion and Resurrection and Assention of Christ and all benefits thereby and an Act of renewing our Covenant with God in Christ at the Sacrament which an Infant cannot do Nâ—â—â— 10 2â— as not being of knowledge and understanding and so an Infant may not he be capable of the Lords Supper though he be capable of Baptism or inchoate admission into the Church of Christ But this is discussed at large by others therefore I passe to the next Quest 14. What is that third ground you finde produced for childrens Baptism Ans That priviledge of the children of beleevers in Christ above the children of Turks Pagans and Infidels unto whom I perceive there are divers priviledges and
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
new builded there are onely some few rooms pull'd down where the Officers for execution of Discipline lodged and some such particulars But the main house stands still the preaching of the Gospel as glorious as ever the Word and Prayer and the Sacraments and admission and growth of grace in the Churches of Christ yea even in our mixed Congregations and so still true Churches for matter and form and visible Saints to be found to and with whom we may exercise this grace of christian love and charity Quest 48. This is enough I conceive to shew our lawful membership in and of the Church of Christ and to evidence our Church a true Church in respect of admission into the fellowship of the Saints and communion of the faithful both for matter and form But now wherein should a childe of God declare and shew forth his Christian love and charity to such visible Saints and members of Christs Church Ans In all lawful christian union and communion one with another in actions of piety and charity according to the rules of the Gospel edifying one another in the knowledge of Christ receiving the weak brethren in all wisdom humility and love to build them up in the necessary truth of the Gospel and that in all godly prudence to win them to a more high prizing of Christ and all the wayes of Grace and godlinesse but not receiving weak brethren or sisters to doubtful Disputations Rom. 14.1 2 c. so much as in things indifferent and so not in matters of higher nature they being not able to judge of the force of Arguments in dispute 1 Tim. 1.4.6 and vain jangling too common in the world and so may be drawn to Errors have their consciences remain lesse satisfied in the truth Acts 2. 5. but to exercise all love towards them especially Ministers to the flock satisfying tender consciences out of Gods Word and one christian communicating to another in outward things especially to the poor in the Churches of Christ not that there is such a community of goods Rev. 2. and of all things as the wicked Nicolaitans did Acts 2. and some of later times do imagine by wrong interpreting Scripture but that in christian charity the richer christians should be careful to relieve the necessities of their poor Brethren and do good to them especially as being of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 And this is enough to manifest the truth of members of particular Congregations that were baptized in Infancy and Catechized and professing Faith holinesse and renewing Covenant with God in Christ before their partaking of the Lords Supper as according to the true ancient order of the Church they have been in many Congregations Parochial in England where faithful Ministers have been and not onely in this respect but in respect of our Ministers Word and Sacraments and effects of grace wrought in the hearts of Gods children evidence our Churches true Churches whatsoever violent seducing Separatists whisper to their deceived Disciples to the contrary Thus you may see a communion of Saints in England to whom and with whom we may exercise our christian love and charity Ier. 15.19 which every day will shine more gloriously as Reformation separates the precious from the vile more fully which we hope and pray for daily The two and twentieth Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have in some good measure declared these four Graces in the Wedding garment Divine knowledge lively Faith Evangelical Repentance and Christian love and charity Now is there no more required but the habits of these Graces to fit us for the comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper and to fit us in our walking with Christ in the whole course of our lives What light is there for Christians for direction herein Ans Yes we ought to wait on Christ in all good means that these graces may be enlivened actuated awakened as a man from sleep yea strengthned and lively 2 Tim i. 6 Rev. 3.2 stirred up and quickned by the quickning vertue and power of Christ that we may more sweetly meet Christ and gain soul-cherishing vertue from Christ in that holy ordinance and walk with Christ to eternal glory As man may have an habit of sight yet except awakened he cannot see Eph. 5.14 so we in habits of Grace must be awakened and quickned by Christ Quest 2. What helps or meant are there to be used in which we should wait on Christ for the quickning of these Graces and our further preparation for the Lords Table and walking with Christ in our lives And what light have you from Christ to direct in this particular Ans These helps are chiefly of three sorts revealed by Christ unto us 2 Chron. 30.3 c. Lev. 23.27 c 1 Cor. 11.17 c. First Publike preparation in the Ministery of the Word Prayer Catechizing confession or profession of these graces of Knowledge Faith Repentance and love especially in a day set apart for preparation for the meeting of Christ in this Ordinance that a man or woman may be approved of by the Ministers and Elders of the Church as being not onely in some competent measure freed from ignorance and without scandal but also endued with truth of grace as far as may be discerned in judgment of charity and so such as are to be admitted to joyn in communion with the Saints and partake with comfort in this this holy communion at the Table of the Lord. Quest 3. But is it fit that men or women should willingly make profession of their graces and approve themselves to the Church as well as examine themselves in secret before they presume to come to the Lords Supper Ans Howsoever it is not necessary that every one should make this profession every time he or she comes to the Sacrament yet it is certain that every one ought to make this profession or be known to be such a one until he or she be approved of by the Church as fit members to be admitted as children baptized when they come to age of discretion ought to professe the Faith in Christ 2 Cor. 2.5 c. 1 Cor. 5.3 c. 2. And if any fall into open sin after profession and admission it is fit they should declare their Repentance before they presume to come or be re-admitted to this feast of the Lord. Quest 4. What ground have you for this in holy Scriptures or what light from Christ to discover this Truth Ans Because if we must be alwayes ready to give an Answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in us with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 and 5.1 c. Iud. 20.21 c. as is noted in the first Classis much more to the Church or to the Ministers of Christ or Elders set over the Congregation desiring not as Lord to tyrannize over our consciences or to shame us for our
6.8 Ephes 4. â—0 Answ First by the power of Christ dwelling in my soul I may endeavour to stir up and be affected with a holy reverence godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit in my heart quickned in or by a serious meditation or thinking 1. Of my great unthankfulnesse to God my Father in Christ for his Free grace and love to my soul in the Lord Iesus 1 Cor. 3.1 c. Heb. 5.12 who loved me and gave himselfe for me that I have grieved his Spirit by whom I am seal'd to the day of redemptioÌ„ 2. By meditation or thinking of my great unprofitablenesse in my former partaking of Christ in this and other sacred ordinances what small growth in knowledge faith love power over sin fruitfulnesse in good works and other graces 3. In meditating and thinking of my own weaknesse unworthiness and unfitnesse now to meet Christ Gen. 28. 26 17. Isa 6.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 11 28 29. Gal. 3.1 Luk. 2.19 Hest 5.2 Mark 5.27 c. my inability to examine my selfe or discerne the Lords body or by the eye of faith to see Christ crucified for me and meditate untill I be truly affected with a holy reverence and childe-like fear of offending my God in not comming rightly fitted for the Lords presence in this sacred Ordinance so that I durst not approach if I did not hope that in Christ the golden Scepter of grace shall be holden forth unto me for my comfort therefore presse to come to Christ for vertue from Christ to strengthen grace in my soul 4. In meditating and thinking of my former breach of covenant with my God and Father which I have renued time after time in this sacred Ordinance and too often broken againe for all which I should endeavour by the power of Christ and his Spirit to wait on Christ in meditation and prayer untill I finde my selfe affected with a holy godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit for that I have in the least measure offended my God and loving Father in Jesus Christ so that as I may so I can confesse truly with the Centurion Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under the roofe of the house of my heart Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 Rom. 8.26 27. Iudg. 10.15 16. Mat. 15.27 28. speak but the word and thy servant shall be healed Matth. 8.8 Or with the poor Publican stand a far off as scarce daring to look up to heaven had I not Christ my Mediator and smiting my breast say as the repenting Publican God be mercifull to me a sinner Luke 18.13 Lord once again seal the assurance of my pardon in and by Christ to my own soul Quest 3. What is a second immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection or sanctified act or motion of the soul as a preparative for the quickning of which you should wait on Christ immediately before you draw near to the Lords Table Answ I may and ought to wait on Christ and look up to Christ untill I finde by the power of Christs Spirit in my soul in sense and feeling of my great need of Christ A holy hunger and spirituall thirst-desiring-desire and earnest longing after Christ and his soul-cherisbing vertue and spirituall nourishment which my soul wants First to seal my assurance of Christs unchangeable love to me And secondly to strengthen and nourish in me my life of grace and my love and obedience to my God and my Father in the Lord Iesus Christ Psal 63.1 c. Ps 107.9 Ier. 44.3 Ier. 31.3 Mal. 3.6 Iohn 13.1 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 16.26 Gal. 2.20 my Lord and my Redeemer who loved me and gave himself for mee and will enliven me according to the rich promises of Christ in the Gospel as Psal 42.1 2 c. Luk. 22.15 as Christ so a Christian to meet Christ Quest 4. What is a third immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection of the soule for the quickning of which you must and ought to look up unto and wait on Christ and endeavour to enliven and exercise immediately before you draw near to the Lords table are invited by Christs Ministers to partake of that bread and drink that Cap in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper what light from Christ to reveal him unto you Answ I may and ought by strength from Christ to meditate of Christs gracious invitation of me 1. As a poor humbled sinner to come in to him and finde rest and refreshing to my soul as Mat. 11.22 2. Inviting me as one of his believing sons or daughters to come to his feast and to partake of his Supper as Cantic 5.1 Isa 55.1 2 c. Luke 14.17.24 Rev. 19 9 Mat. 22.1 c. 2 Chro. 30.18 c. 3. To meditate of this invitation untill by the spirit of Christ my heart be affected with joyfulnesse that I may come and have liberty to come with joy and rejoycing to the Lords Table as to a most free and rich mariage feast in which I hope to have a sweet union and communion with Christ my Lord the heavenly husband of my soul Quest 5. What is the fourth preparatory grace or gracious affection resolution or act of the soul to be renewed quickned and enlivened immediately before you are coming to the Lords Table Answ As the Lord is pleased in this holy Sacrament to seal and confirme his Covenant of free grace in Christ and of the communion and union of Christ with me and my soul so first by the power from Christ when I draw near to this blessed Sacrament I do not only resolve by the grace of God to renew out actually by his grace I do renew my Covenant vows protestations to with the Lord my God 2. And as the Lord doth take avouch and acknowledge me to be one of his people in Christ so I doe avouch witnesse and vow that the Lord is and shall be my God and Father in Christ Iesus by the same power and grace of Christ 3. And that I do and will renounce all my former sins and failings and all sinfull union and communion with those spirituall enemies Deut. 26.27 the World the Flesh and the Devill 4. And freely and fully offer up and render my self wholeman soul and body to do and suffer the will of God in every condition and state of life untill I be dissolved and be with Christ Psal 50.4 c. to live with him in glory and to do the will of God for ever Gather my Saints to me who have renewed a covenant with me as in the Sacrament Quest 6. Is there nothing further necessary that a poor soul may be assured he or she may with comfort meet Christ and feast with him at his Table Answ Yes the resolution of a great question by the light and strength of Christs Spirit to look into the glasse of Gods Word and of my own heart and soul comparing them together to see and examine and know 1. What
Paul despairing Quest 10. What is the third comfort Ans Thirdly that though the faith of Gods childe be asleep for a time like Christ in the ship and the life of grace be covered as fire in the Embers not to be seen though like a tree in winter the faithful soul seem dead or as a sick man doth lose his taste of soul-refreshing-meat for a time or a childe of God like the Moon be Ecclipsed and all darknesse who can see no light ready to complain with the Psalmist Isa 50. lo Rom. 70.22 13. Mat. 8.24 Psal 77.7 8 9. Is his mercy clean gone for ever and will he be no more entreated hath God forgotten to be gracious and hath he shut up his loving kindnesse in displeasure Yet when Christ is pleased to cast a good look of grace upon their souls then life grace and sense of sin and sorrow for unthankfulnesse and for losse of first love will return as ni Peter noted before and as Christ looks for Rev. 2.4 5. Quest 11. What is a fourth consolation Ans That when the Lord Christ is pleased to draw near with his bright beams of light and love Mal. 4.2 then the soul will be enlightned and be enlivened with longings after Christ and a re-union with him in love and renewed acquaintance as in times past Quest 12. What is a fifth consolation for such a poor Saint Ans That when the spring time of grace returns and showers of Divine love and dews of spiritual refreshments from Christ fall upon the soul then will childe and declare he hath loved her freely that he will be as the dew to his daughter Hos 14.4 c. Isa 61.3 and that she shall grow in grace as the Lilly and the root of grace shall be fastned as the Trees of Lebanon and their beauty shall be as the Olive tree and she shall bring forth fruits as a tree of righteousnesse that the Lord hath planted that God may be glorified Yea she shall greatly rejoyce in the Lord and be joyful in her God she shall finde that he hath clothed her with the garments of salvation and covers her with the robes of his righteousnesse Isa 61.10 Psal 45.13 14. as a Bridegroom decketh himself with his Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewels Quest 13. These are comfortable and good encouragements if it please the Lord by the power of his spirit to apply and give strength to apply them to her soul But what if still she finde her faith weak and her holinesse so feeble that she yet is doubtful and fearful to meet Christ in his Ordinances or to come at the invitation to feast with him at his Table Ans Let her know that its not her act of believing or strength of holinesse doth justifie before God or maketh her acceptable in his sight but it is the object of her faith Christ Jesus and his righteousnesse and merits for which God is well-pleased with her Mat. 17.5 As it is not the hand that receiveth the Plaister and apply eth it to the sore Simile but the Plaister it self and the vertue of that with Gods blessing that healeth the wound So though faith be an instrument or hand to receive Christ and so an instrumental cause of Justification yet it is Christ and his merits and righteousnesse that is the meritorious cause and that which giveth true and full peace to the soul And this rest on Christ will prove a glorious rest in the end Isa 11.10 And therefore if your friend do but see the day light or renewing and requickning grace begin to dawn in the soul if but a wishing for the day as Pauls company in that long and sad night on the Sea of danger Acts 27.29 let her wait on Christ in his Ordinances and take her to the sure word of Gods gracious promises until the day light of grace dawn and the day star of joy appear in her heart 2 Pet. 1.19 If she finde any hunger though but a weak stomack like a man or woman new recovered or recovering from some long and tedious sicknesse yet let her weak soul almost fainting for lack of Christ as sorrowful for her former failings yet hungring after Christ and rejoycing at Christs invitation draw near to Christs Ordinances the Word Preached and Sacraments administred waiting to see the face of her beloved the Lord Iesus Christ Cant. 5.8 that she may tell him she is sick of love and be revived with the light of his countenaunce that she may sit down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit may be sweet to her taste Conclus And thus I have endeavored to satisfie your doubts to heal and help a tender conscience or comfort a drooping soul in time of a spiritual desertion that such a soul may not Excommunicate her self from Christs Ordinance but rather come and finde soul-refreshings of unutterable value 2 Tim. 1.1.2 1 Pet. 1.8 and believing on Christ and trusting Christ with her soul she may rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Quest 14. I will propound but one doubt more What shall a poor soul do if in use of all these helps for comfort he or she still walk in darknesse and can see no light of comfort or peace to their souls What light from Christ to such a poor disconso-spirit late Ans Although the childe of God walk in darknesse Isa 50.10 Hab. 2.3 4. Heb. 10.35 36. Isa 40.29 c. and can see no light of comfort no light of sense of the favour of God in the soul yet the poor weak soul must not despair but labour by the power of Christ to live by faith and dependent upon God in Christ until the Lord Christ Iesus that Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings Gal. 2.20 Mal. 5.4 1 Pet. 1.9 and peace and joy be communicated through believing unto the soul to life and salvation the end of faith Quest 15. But how or by what means may a poor weak soul gain strength from Christ to live this life of faith when it walketh in darknesse Is there any light from Christ for this Ans By waiting upon Christ in the means of faith and endeavouring by strength from Christ to make use of those helps and furtherances which are held forth in Scripture Phil. 4.13 2 Cor. 5.7 to stregthen the foul and enable it to live this life of faith when evident sight and sense is absent Qued 16. What are these helps Ans There are divers but you may observe these that follow First to consider the nature of this life of faith First as a life of excellency by which the creature is enabled to glorifie the Creator as Abraham being strong in faith gave glory to God Rom. 4.20 Secondly as a life of suavity delightful and pleasant Mat. 6.25 c to live by dependence upon God in Christ 1 Pet. 5.7 Gal. 2.20 in the
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
Aegyptian Bondage of Sin and Satan and from the power of Death and Hell Ans The same which God spake in the Twentieth Chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt and out of the house of Bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods but me 2. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likenesse of any thing that is in Heaven above nor in the Earth beneath nor in the Water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments c. Quest 3. These Commandments or ten Words first are or may be the heads of direction for a Christians life who is reconciled to God in Christ and at peace with the Law of God in and by Christ the condemning power of the Law being taken away Rom. 8.1 2. in respect of that man or woman who hath his or her pardon sealed in Christ And secondly it may be as a light to them who are in Christ and have the spirit of Christ to assist and direct to a right understanding of this will of God the Father in Christ But what are the particular branches of duty and obedience to God our Father according to which a Christian ought to declare his or her thankfulnesse and love to the Lord the holy blessed God reconciled to you in Jesus Christ Ans The Lord Christ hath given a more short distribution of these ten Commandments dividing them into two principal Tables or Branches Mat. 22.35 1. Of the love of God 2. Of the love of our Neighbour Quest 4. But are there not in both these Tables many particular sins forbidden as evidences of ingratitude and contrary to the holy will and nature of our God and many particular duties required and directories of our special duties held forth as rules of our thankfulnesse not onely in these two Tables of the Law in general but in every Commandment in particular Ans Yes verily there is not a Commandment either Affirmative requiring a duty or Negative forbidding a sin Isa 1.20 but it infolds several particulars elswhere expressed in the Word of God and necessarily implyed in Luke 10.25 c. Psa 119.125 Gen. 5.24 6.8 9. Luk. 1.6 and to be referred unto the particular Commandments of the first and second Table as lights of truth from the spirit of Christ for our more comfortable christian walking with God by the strength of Christ that great Prince and Law-giver of his Church Quest .. 5. I conceive there are many sins forbidden and many duties commanded But what rules may be observed for finding out particular sins forbidden and duties commanded in every precept of the first or second Table Ans First observe that in the first Table are four Commandments 1. Rule The three first of which are Negative precepts forbidding sin expresly 1. Against God 2. Against his Worship 3. And thirdly against Gods name 4. And the fourth which concerneth Gods Sabbath is partly Affirmative partly Negative This you may finde if you consider the four first Commandments Secondly again the like you may observe in the second Table 5. The fifth Commandment which is the first of the second Table is Affirmative holding forth the duties of children to Parents and so of inferiours to superiours The five last are all set down Negatively forbidding sins 6. First against the life of our Neighbour in the sixth Command 7. Secondly against the charity of our Neighbour in the seventh 8. Thirdly against our Neighbour in his goods in the eigth 9. Fourthly against the good name of our Neighbour in the ninth 10. Lastly against the coveting or desire of doing our Neighbour wrong in any of these even in our hearts in the tenth and last Quest 6. This is the first rule What is a second Ans Secondly consider that in every Negative precept whatsoever sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded As in that of Psalm 34.14 Eschew evil and do good both the Negative and Affirmative are expressed First Negative Thou shalt do no evil And Secondly Affirmatively Thou shalt do good So in every Commandment Negative though the contrary good is not expressed yet it is implyed and expressed in other places of Scripture and so to be referred to these Commandments Quest 7. What is a third Rule Ans Thirdly consider that in every Affirmative precept commanding a duty to God or to our Neighbour the contrary sin is forbidden As for example if God command that I should love my Neighbour as my self there he doth by that forbid all hatred of my Neighbour for love and hatred as light and darknesse cannot agree together 2 Cor. 6.14 This is a third Rule Quest 8. What is a fourth Rule Ans Every Commandment forbidding any sin mediatly or immediatly against God or our Neighbour forbids all means occasions kindes and degrees of that sin inward or outward in thought word or deed intention or motion to sin Exod. 34 20. so perfect is the law of God in every particular of these ten Words or ten Commandments For Example in that sixth Commandment Thou shalt do no murther or Thou shalt not kill thy Neighbour In this is forbidden all kinde of murther all rash anger Mat. 5.21 c. all evil provoking words or deeds all murthering thoughts all malice or hatred in the very hearts and so all occasions of murther as our Saviour himself interprets the Law to his Disciples Matthew 5. and so in other commands as forbidding Adultery or the like 2. Again every Commandment requiring the performance of any duty to God or to our Neighbour it requireth that we should by the power of Christ wait upon God in the use of all good means and occasions to perform that duty with every kinde and degree of that duty Mat. 5.44 c. inward and outward even to perfection of sincerity and sincere endeavour at least to Gods glory and the good of our selves and others As when the Lord requireth in the fourth Commandment Isa 58.13 That we should remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy he commands we should sanctifie it in making it our delight not doing our pleasure on Gods holy day or speaking our own words Eph 4.29 but sucn as may be for Gods glory and edification of our selves and others glorifying God and waiting on God for power in Christ in hearing of the Word Preached Prayer Sacraments catechising conference meditation and the like acts of piety charity or necessity Quest 9. Is there any other rules to be observed Ans There might be divers but I will name but one more Every Commandment Affirmative or Negative is spiritual A command of God bindes
Ordinances that thou mayst be more and more enlightned by Christs presence power and grace And shall not a poor soul fall in love with this true light of the Lord Iesus O be it far from thee my soul to hate this light Iohn 3.19 20. as those who love it not because their deeds are evil Light is comfortable to sinners and so is Christ to a live pure-seeing soul who by a lively faith can look on Christ though the eye of Faith be never so weak sighted Christs light is a healing light which fills the soul wich life in the end enabling a poor Saint to follow this light of grace until it brings the soul to life ana light eternal And thus by light from Christ we may see the use of the second Commandment and the many errors of wandring false light leading to false worship and the true light of Christ direcing to serve God in spirit and in truth O my soul let this lighc of Christ be a light to thy feet Psa 119.105 and lanthern to thy paths in all Ordinances of Word Sacraments Prayer and life to life everlasting And my soul Christ ac Scripturarum lucifuga lament those Christ and Scripture-light-flyers who cannot away with the light of Christ and of the Scriptures but love darknesse rather then lights because their deeds are evil Iohn 3.19 20. The light of Christ in this or other Commandments might teach them how to finde not their many sins against God against his true spiritual worship against the honour of his Name his Sabbath his Sacrament the seals of the Covenant of Grace which so many multitudes in the world do prophane by coming blindly unto them never examining whether they have any light or authority from Christ to come to that sacred Banquet or whether they be drawn by the light of custom or formality only 2 Tim. 3.5 to do as their Neighbours do and their fore-fathers have done never considering whether their desire after the Sacrament be a holy hunger after Christ spiritually Iohn 6.56 57. to eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood that Christ may dwell in them and they in Christ that they may live by Christ the life of grace here and glory hereafter They never look to this light of Christ 1 Cor. 11.28 29. whether they have light of knowledge and be able to examine themselves or whether they walk in darknesse and are ignorant and blinde not able to discern the Lords body and so eat and drink unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of Christ and eat and drink their own Judgement or Damnation 1 Cor. 11.28 c. if the Lord deal in judgement with them They never examine by any true and impartial light from Christ whether they be prophane and scandalous in their lives common swearers c. To conclude they never question their own souls whether they have found by any light from Christ that they have the life of grace spiritual eyes to see and hands to receive and mouth to feed on Christ that they may finde refreshing indeed at the Lords Table and spiritual feet and affections of their souls to walk with Christ in their lives But O my soul do thou with the Saints of God most high daily look after this true light of Christ that thou lose not Christs presence but travel with Christ and in his light held forth in this Commandment and all other commanding parts of Gods word by faith in all the promises of Grace through the wildernesse of this word to the Canaan of Heaven Quest 40. You have given the use of the Commandement in generally but now what doe you conceive of the Reason of the Commandement which followeth in particular in the next words For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate we and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements Answ I conceive the Lord holdeth forth in this Reason principally two things First Ex. 34.6 7 Deut. 6.13 14 15 Deut. 7.4 Deut. 29.19 20 21 Ezekel 18 13 14 15 16 17. Canticles 8.6 a threatening of severe punishment to wicked Idolaters and all others who corrupt the service of God to them and to their posterity if they go on to hate the Lord and continue in their Fathers sins and to terrifie men the more from this sinne The Lord declares himselfe to be a jealous God and one that will not hold the wicked innocent Quest 41. What is the second that the Lord holds forth to perswade to obedience and what light from Christ herein Ans Eccl. 8.13 Isaias 3.11 Jer. 32.18 A gratious promise of his owne free mercy and goodnesse though man can merit nothing but when hee hath done be can he may and must say he is an unprofitable servant Luk. 17.10 yet the Lord of his own free love wil manifest his goodnesse to them that low him and keepe his Commandements Gen. 17.7 Prov. 20.7 Psal 112.1 2. and to their Posterity to thousands of Generations so abundant is the Lord in his goodnesse to his children in Christ Jesus Quest 42. What should the meditation of this threatning and promise by Christ spirit worke in the hearts of men what light from Christ to direct in this duty Answ First sinners should take notice of their misery Ezek. 18.21 22 23. and as they tender their owne happinesse or the happinesse of their poore children waite in the meanes of Grace on Christ till Christ convert them 2 Tim 2.25 26. Ezek. 18.14 Num. 16.31 32. Gen. 9.25 and direct them to repentance that they and their children after them repenting may enjoy sweet freedome from Gods Terrible Visitation which is sure to fall upon the wicked and impenitent and their children Secondly for Saints to instruct them to waite on Christ for power to glorifie God Gen. 18.19 Joshua 24.11 and to teach their children also to serve him in a right manner in Spirit and Truth Deut. 3.29 knowing this that in and for Christ it shall goe well with them and with their children for ever The third Section of the thirteth Classis The third Commandment Quest 1. YOu have now unfolded the second Commandement J pray you which is the third Ans Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Quest 2. What is considerable in this command Ans Theve are two things considerable First the prohibition Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Secondly the reason For the Lord wil not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Quest 3. What do you understand is meant by the Name of God Ans Whatsoever the Lord hath manifested himself to be known by Deut. 12.5 as men are
all in the Lord for Gods glory Quest What is the sin contrary unto this love Ans First not to love our Neighbour or not to declare our love unto our Neighbour 1 Cor. 13.1 James 2.15 16. 1 John 3.3 when he needs and we may do it Secondly to hate our Neighbour much more to hate our Friends Brethren Sisters Husband Wife Children Parents and especially and that be Gods children or of the household of Faith Thirdly to love Husband Wife Parents Children Friends or any creature above God and Jesus Christ whom he he hath sent or against God or Gods glory and revealed wil especially to love them that hate Lord. Fourthly 1 Sam. 2.30 2 Chron. 19.2 any inordinate or hypocriticall love love in shew and not indeed disembling love all this is sinne Especially to love them that hate the Lord 2 Sam. 20.9.10 or any inordinate or hypocriticall love love in shew not in deede dissembling love Quest 11. May a child of God hate any man Ans As he may hate himselfe that is his own Corrupt sinfull conditions against or contrary to Gods holy nature and at emnity with God Psal 139.20 21 22. so he may hate them that hate God as they are enemies to God and haters of God and his Saints and servants But yet with humility love and piety desiring and endeavouring their conversion if it be Gods will and so to love them and seeke their good Quest 12. What are the speciall graces in which this Christan love and charity is to bee exercised towards our Neighbour Ans There are divers you may observe these First Christian Humanity by which in Offices of civility hospitality peaceablenesse and good Neighbourhood doing as wee would be done by Isaia 16.3 4. Rom. 12.15 16 17 18. Rom. 16.2 2 Cor. 5.14 15. in counsells comfort visiting in affliction or any other manner of assistance we helpe and so declare our love to our Neighbour and win our Neighbours love and respect againe unto us and all this as in and from that kinde respect of God to us in Christ Quest 13. What is a sinne contrary unto this 1 Sam. 25.14 25. Mat. 7 8 Zâ—ch 1.14 15. Amos 1.9 Mat. 7.12 Ans Inhumanity incivility churlish unquietnesse or any kind of ill Neighbourhood neglecting or refusing to visit in affliction or to assist with counsell or comfort much more they sinne who do any way rejoyce in misery of Neighbours or helpe forward their afflictions doing ill offices against Charity Religion and the rules of good Neighbourhood held forth in holy Scriptures when men do not as they would be done by Quest 14. What is a second grace in Christian friendship Ans Benevolence or good will in which in God and for God Isaia 66.10 Luk. 15.10 wee desire and endeavour the good of our Neighbour When occasion is offered and congratulate our Neighbours prosperity from our very hearts Rom. 12.15 John 3.2.3 as Christians rejoycing in the good one of another Quest 15 What is the sin centrary unto this Ans Wicked envy at the prosperity of our Neighbour Gen. 26.14 Mat. 20.11 Acts 13.45 James 3.14 15 16. or malevolent ill will or unfriendlinesse towards our Neghbour any manner of way against the Word of God Quest 16. What other Graces are there in which our love may be declared to our Neighbour Ans There are diverse other in particular which I refer to a Christians search in the Scripture and shall handle many in the particular Commandements of this second Table onely one I note this is true Christian Justice or righteousnesse to be exercised towards our Neighbour Quest 17. What is this Christian Justice and righteousnesse required in this second Table Ans Justice is a vertue by which a man doth give to every man his right and Christian Justice is a gratious vertue or a grace by which a believing man or woman by vertue and grace of Christ doth in a right manner according to Gods Word from a right Principle Gods love in Christ to the Christians and to a right end Gods glory give right and due to every one Quest 18. How manifold is this Christian Justice or righteousnesse to be practized of Saints Ans Divines divide it into two parts first distributive righteousnesse which is exercised in distribution of good things and of rewards and punishments in a due proportion and order according to the condition merit and worth or desert of every person as will appeare further in the unfoulding of the particular Commandements Quest 19. What is the second Ans Commutative Justice or Righteousnesse is that which is to be communicated to every one according to the equality or inequality of things or matters concerned or according to right and Justice to be communicated as will also appeare further with the sinnes contrary to Justice in the duties commanded and sinne forbidden in the particular commands of the second Table Quest 20. Which is the first Command of the second Table Answ The first Commandement in Order of the Decalogue namely as it is expressed in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus verse 12. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may belong in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Quest 21. What may be observed for the unfoulding of this fifth Commandement Answ Three things especially First the Duty required Honour Secondly the Persons to be honoured all Superiours set down here under the names of Father and Mother Thirdly the reason or Motive to draw to a willing obedience the blessing of long life that thy Dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Quest 22. What is meant or to be understood by Honour Answ First an inward reverent respect and Honourable esteem of a Superiour in Age Birth Place Rom. 13 7. or Worth according as is due to such a Superiour Secondly an outward manifestation of this Râ—verence and Honourable respect in words actions and fitting behaviour upon all occasions as becometh inferiours toward their Superiours in Birth Age Place or Worth both in a Civill and Chriâ—tian relation and in particular expressions and examples will be further manifest Quest 23. What Persons are understood by Father and Mother as superiours unto whom honour must be given as a duty Answ All Parents and those that are in place of Parents in Naturall Civill or Spirituall Relation Quest 24 What are those Parents and Persons in particular States and Conditions to be honoured as superiours and what are the particular inferiours who relatively are bound in duty to give honour unto these as to their superiours and what light from Christ revealing these Answ First in the Oeconomicall or Houshold Estate 1 Husbands the Persons are First husbands wives c. secondly naturall parents Father and Mother these are the superiours to be honoured and the inferiours are their Children Sonnes and Daughters by Nature Adoption or Tuition as are Committed to them as to
in Jesus Christ who is our peace-maker and whose rest is glorious 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly as a sanctifyer and nourisher in grace by his spirit of faith and preserver to glory that receiving dayly refreshing nourishment from Christ by meeting Christ in his Ordinances Mat. 18.20 John 15.5 2 Pet. 3.18 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. wee may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and by his power be kept through Faith unto salvation The Thirty three Classis or company of Questions The second Section Question 1. YOu have opened the fift Commandement at large both in the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden with the use and application as by a light from Christ to leade us unto Christ both as a justifyer and a sanctifyer to enable us to walke comfortably with Christ in the course of our lives Now I pray you tell mee in briefe what are the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the sixt commandement Thou shalt not kill Ans This Commandement is negative as are the rest that follow Gen. 9.6 and this sixt Commandement God gave for preservation of the life of man as being Gods owne Image as hee did the seventh commandement for preservation of a holy seed Malac. 2.15 The eight coÌ„mandement for preservation of mens estated and that propriety which God hath given to men in their owne children or any thing else as goods Deut. 22.1 2 3. Psal 15.3 and the ninth Commandement was given for preservation of a man or womans good name and the Tenth to keepe the very heart and desires of the soule in a right order to the glory of God and the good of our Neighbour But in every one of these negative commandements the affirmative duties are required and a walking according to that rule of righteousnesse which God planted at first in man and woman when hee created them in his owne Image I will therefore first hold forth the duty and then the sinnes forbidden and some use of them In this sixt Commandement Thou shalt not kill or Thâ—u shalt doe no murther Prov. 4.23 In the affimaitive part the Lord requireth of every man woman or child to be carefull to preserve his or her owne life of soule and body Gen. 1.27 Mat. 4.6 7 Prov. 24.11 Job 29.12 and the life of his or her Father Mother Husband Wife Brother Sister Neighbour or of any Man Woman Job 29.13 Acts 19.30 31. Deut. 20.19 20. 2 Pet. 1.7 1 Sam. 15.2 3. 1 Pet. 3.8 9. Coloss 3.3 1 John 3.15 Eph. 4.27 Deur 30.35 Mat. 10.28 Rom. 3.15 16 17. or Child in the world by all lawfull and good meanes in heart word and deed in love meekenesse long-suffering and to avoide all occasion of murder lying in waite to destroy or the unlawfull destroying the life of any of whatsoever degree or condition they or any of them may be all malice hatred envy rash anger disdaine evill words or actions especially old grudges and drunkennesse all occasion of murders and forgtefulnesse of Gods presence or want of feare of offending the great God and sinning against Christ Jesus Quest 2. You havâ— held forth the duties in generall with divers particular meanes to preserve life and occasions of taking life away to be avoyded Now what are the contrary sinnes to bee avoided in generall or particular as briefe as you can Ans All selfe-murder of soule Gens 4.6 7 c. or body or any unlawfull killing of any of mankind much more of Husband Prov. 18.19 Wife Father Mother Brother Sister Neighbour or any other and all means and occasion of soule killing or unlawfull taking away the life of any Levit. 19.17 is a sinne Mat. 5.22 Prov. 17.19 James 1.20 Mat. 5.21 c. Acts 5.31 as all hatred malice rash anger envie contempt emulation strife contentions and heartrisings wrath especially amongst brethren want of brotherly love or uncharitablenesse in any respect in thought word or deed especially evill reviling words giving the lie or any other provocations of quarrells all unlawfull duells or other occasions whatsoever all being a degree of murder Therefore is necessity to seek to Christ for Repentance and Remission of sins Quest 3. Now wee have heard the duties of the sixt what are the duties of the seventh Commandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery 2 Tim. 2.22 Heb. 13.4 Mat. 5.28 Job 31.1 1 Thess 4.2 3 4. Ephes 5.3 4. 5. Eph. 5.25 to 33. Answ The Lord requireth all true chastity both in the married and single estate both in minde and in body both inward holinesse and chastity of the heart and affections and outward holinesse and chastity of the Eyes Eares Tongue and whole man every one walking as Christians and as knowing how to possesse his vessell in holinesse and honour And waiting on Christ in use of all good meanes to prevent sinne in this as in other temptations the husband resting satisfyed with the love of his own Wife Prov. 5.18.19 and the Wife of her own Husband delighting in each others love constantly in the Lord. Quest 4. Now you have shewed the duty declare what are the sinnes contrary to this duly both in the single and in the Married estate and first in the single estate Ans All unchaste corrupt lusts of the heart Gen. 6.2 1 John 2.16 1 Pet. 2.11 Jam. 1.14.15 Gens 38.18 Gen. 39.9 2 Sam. 11.2 3 4. Jer. 5.7 Prov. 7.22 c. Isai 5.11 12. 1 Cor. 7.9 Levit. 20. â—0 Malac. 2.14 15 16. or lust of the eyes and all selfe pollution by speculative wantonnesse or wicked imaginations defiling the soule and all fornication or adultery in act or any meanes or occasions thereunto in heart word or deeds active or passive provoking God to anger and all keeping company with Harlots or mispending time in idlenesse drunkennesse or any manner of sin whatsoever Quest 5. What are the sins in the maried estate Answ Besides that all those sinnes noted in the single estate are sinnes likewise in the married all breach of wedlock or conjugall fidelity and promise made betweene man and wife either in thought Lev. 18.18 Mat. 19.9 Heb. 13.4 1 Cor 5.1 Mark 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 7.2 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Levit. 18.19 20. Levit. 20.18 Ezek. 18.6 Ezek. 16.49 Rom. 13.13 14. Eph. 5.5 6. Levit. 19.29 Deut. 23.17 18. Gens 34.25.31 Heb. 13.4 Reve. 21.8 word or deede and all Polygamy and also all unlawfull divorce or separation all whoredome adultery incest or any such wickednesse whatsoever all denyall of due benevolence which may occasion breach or decay of love or sinne otherwise all effeminatenesse and immodest immoderate or unseasonable use of the marriage-bed in times prohibited by the Law of nature of God or of lawfull consent betweene themselves all pampering of the flesh or surfeting and drunkennesse to nourish unlawful lusts and all force and rashnes all impudent behaviour or prostitution of
assistance of the spirit of Prayer and this rightly Rom. 8.26 in a right manner in the name of Christ and to a right end otherwise our Prayers are not right nor acceptable before God nor can we expect to be heard at Gods hand when we call upon him in Prayer Quest 21. J see then that a bare forme of Prayer is not sufficient to rest in but I must have the spirit of God inabling of mee to pray with the spirit or inner man as well as with the mouth and my soule must bee disposed in a right manner in Prayer and enabled by the Spirit of Christ but what graces are requisite in this dutie Ans Faith Repentance Humility Devotion See Classis 30. 2 Sect. in 2 Commandement pag. 502. 503 504. Zeale Fervency Perseverance and such like Graces and all in the name of Christ else all is nothing And therefore hee or shee prayeth best who hath the spirit of Prayer and can powre out his or her heart and soule to God in Prayer as Jacob and Hannab and other Saints of God have done and have beene heard in their Prayers with a gratious returne 1 Cor. 14.15 Iames 1.6 Isa 1.15 16. Acts. 10.2 Hosea 12.4 James 5.16 Psal 51.17 Iere. 50.4 5. 1 Thess 5.17 John 16.23 Quest 22. But how shall a man get the spirit of Prayer and ability to powre out his soule to God Ans I answer you must not rest in your Prayers nor in any duty you performe to God as if that did satisfie the Lord for your sins or meritoriously procured your peace with God but you must rest on Christ both for your acceptation of your selfe and your prayers upon the Golden Altar with the incense of Christs merits Revel 8.3.4 Quest 23. In what else must J wait for the spirit Ans Secondly you must waite upon God in Christ in all the meanes of grace till hee powre out the spirit of Prayer into your heart and soule that you may cry Abba Father and be heard as a child of God in Christ Gal. 4.6 Quest 24. What further direction can you give Ans Thirdly and lastly for your better enablement to expresse the desires and groans of your soule to the Lord aske your soule but these or the like foure questions to this or the like effect as speaking to your selfe Quest 25. What is the first Ans First Oh my soule to whom or to what glorious Majesty oughtest thou to direct thy Prayers at Morning or Evening or Noone day or whensoever in publike or private or secret thou desirest to gaine a blessing from the highest Heavens Psal 55.17 Quest 26. What shall I answer to this demand Ans Let thy soule answer and it will tell thee it is to the most high God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth the searcher of all hearts and the hearer of Prayer presented to him in the name and by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps 38.13 Psal 65.2 Psal 77.1 Iohn 16.23 Quest 27. What directions Ans Endeavour in all fear and humility to begin thy Prayer with the best expressions of the most glorious Name Nature Persons Properties of this great and glorious Lord God with the acknowledgement of his Truth Power and Majesty in his Words and Workes held forth in Scripture and of thy unworthinesse which may affect thy heart by the helpe of Christs Spirit with a right temper to powre out thy soule to God in Prayer 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Chron. 30.18.19 Ezra 9.6 Nehe. 9.32 and this in the best words thou canst but chiefly have regard to thy heart which the Lord hath a speciall eye unto And so begin thy Prayer as Exod. 15.11 12.13 Exodus 34.6 7. 1 Kings 8.23.27 or in the like manner Quest 28. What is second question Answ Secondly aske thy soule a second question to this or the like effect Oh! my soule Ezra 9.5 6 7. Prov. 28.13 Dan. 9.4.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. wherein hast thou offended this great God to whom thou desirest to lift up thy selfe in Prayer that thou mayst acknowledge thine offences and seeke for further assurance of pardon before thou beg any other favour at the Lords hand as 2 Chron. 6.36 Quest 29. What direction here Ans Let thy soule first looke into the glasse of thy owne conscience Rom. 2.14 15. Acts 24.16 Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.19 20.36 1 Iohn 3.23 Rom. 7.18 19 20. and secondly into the glasse of the Word of God both the commanding and promising part both Law and Gospell and finde out thy sinnes and accuse and condemne thy selfe for thy ingratitude for so many former mercies yea confesse and labour to be humble for thy fall in Adam for thy originall and actuall transgressions in state of nature but especially thy unthankefulnesse in dayes of grace Ephes 4.30 either in thought word or deede wereby thou hast grieved the spirit of God by whom thou art sealed to the day of Redemption and this in as good words as God makes thee able As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.17 and with the exercise of all those graces the Lord hath given thee to this end thou hast here a large field to powre out thy soule to God in if thou canst finde out thy manifold sinnes against God or the sinnes of others which thou desirest to confesse and bewaile before God thy Lord as Daniel and other Saints have done Daniel 9.7 8 9 10 11. Quest 30. What is the third question Ans Thirdly aske thy soule a third question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what dost thou want or what is thy request and the desire of thy heart to obtaine at the hands of thy God and loving Father in Christ Quest 31. And what wants may I expresse Ans Thy soule will tell thee thou wantest in the first place the assurance or more full assurance of the forgivenesse of all thy sinnes and of Gods free grace and love unto thee in the Lord Jesus thou wantest many favours from God for thy body for thy soule for this for a better life for thy wife thy husband for Parents children servants kindred accquaintance thy Neighbours thy friends thy enemies for the Kings Majesty for the Parliament the Kingdom the City and Country for Peace and Truth and a happy union and communion one with another and with the whole Church of Christ and here expresse thy minde as well as thou canst by the power of Christ the Lord careth not so much for fine words as for an honest sincere contrite heart sanctifyed by the spirit of Christ Isai 66.2 Quest 32 What is the fourth question Ans Lastly aske thy soule a fourth question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what hast thou received from this great and good God for which thou art bond to render him thankes and praise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Quest 33. What rule is there to finde this out Ans Let thy soule call to minde all or as many as thou canst of those unspeakable favours the Lord hath bestowed upon thee reckon them up imparticular out of the catalogue of Gods mercies both upon thy owne soule in particular and the Church in generall to thy selfe to thine to the people of God and what a sea of mercy mayst thou swim in and enlarge thy thankfulnesse above all for Gods free love in the Lord Jesus as Psalme 116.12 13. Quest 34. But did you ever know any man thus learne to pray Ans Yes did I know a Christian who could reade never a word upon the Booke and yet after hee had received these directions puting them carefully and constantly in practise in a secret place before God the onely searcher of hearts and the Teacher of the ignorant hee did in a short time attaine an excellent habit in Prayer and was inabled to pray dayly in his Family in a sweet comfortable manner and assuredly the Lord is the same God still to all his children in Christ and will be so to all who diligently waite on him in the use of the meanes I conclude with the Apostle now to him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you blamelesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24.25 to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS COurteous Reader there are some few Errata which the ingenuous may easily find and amend with their Pen.
or division in the Body or Church of Christ as the Apostle St. Paul excellently holds forth unto us Quest 35. But may there not be a Separation from a true Church when corruptions and faults are found in it in Doctrine or practise of life and conversation Ans First I conceive there is a great deal of difference between the Errors or faults of a Church and of particular Members of a Church and also between failings of a Church in substantials and fundamentals which destroy the Essence and being of a Church and between failings and faults in circumstantials only If any Church or company of people should fall away the greater part of them in substantial truths and fundamental unto Error and Heresies which cannot stand with the foundation and being of a Church then I conceive such company may be rather said to have left the true Church though it be the lesser part in number then the lesser part to have left the Church The greater part Rom. 8.1 1 Tim. 1.19 20. as the seeming Church of Rome having left their first Faith and the truth of God in those Fundamental verities of Christ and his Offices and Graces without the holding and believing of which no company of people can be a Church of Christ Secondly If particular Members or a Church or company of professors fail in some particulars not Fundamentals but circumstantials only and such as it may yet be and is a true Church of Christ both in respect the Preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments Then I believe there ought not to be presently an unchurching or a Separation from this Church Eph. 4.1 c. but rather a labour and industry for a Reformation the preservation of unity and avoyding of Schisms and Rents and Divisions in the Church of Christ Quest 36. What do you call that company of people which fall away to Error and Heresies destroying the Foundation and in that respect separate from Saints Ans The name of Church cannot be given unto them but abusively and improperly only But these are a Heretical company rather then Church leaving the true Church of Christ 2 Ioh. 2.18 19. because they were never truly of the Church and so departing to their own destruction Quest 37. What do you call those who agree in the Fundamentals of Faith with the Orthodox and true Churches of Christ yet for some External Rites or things indifferent or some particular failings in manners or different Opinions in Dispensation of Ordinances or Discipline and these not Fundamental unchurch the Orthodox Reformed Churches of Christ and Separate themselves as if it were from Rome or Babylon Ans These are truly called Schismatical congregations who intentionally without cause do separate and unchurch the Churches of Christ and making Schismes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 so much complained against by the Apostle do divide themselves from the unity of the Churches condemning the true Churches as not Churches of Christ Quest 38. But whether is the Church of Christ subject to erre in fundamentals finally and totally or to perish for ever Ans Certainly no Mat. 16.18 Ioh. 10.27 c. Psa 125.1 2. howsoever particular Churches have erred in many particulars yet the universal Churches of Christ cannot erre in Fundamentals neither totally nor finally in any particular necessary to salvation nor can the Church of Christ perish it being built upon the Rock Christ but shall abide firm for ever Quest 39. Yet tell me I pray you what firm ground is there that the Church and Children of Christ shall be inabled to persevere and continue in grace unto Eternal glory and not fall from Christ and grace to perdition Ephes 1.4 14. 2 Thes 2.13 Matth. 24.24 2 Tim. 2.19 Acts 26.17 18. 2 Tim. 2.9 10. Rom. 8.28 Rom. 11.29 Isa 42.1 Luk. 17.5 Luke 22.32 Rom. 14.1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 15.10 Isa 53.11 Ier. 23.6 Acts 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.20 Answ We might hold forth unto you many grounds But you may observe these First The certainty and infallibility of our Election by God the Father in Jesus Christ both unto grace and glory Secondly The certainty of our vocation or calling from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world was Thirdly The certainty of our Faith being true though sometimes weak yet receiving relying and resting on Gods promise in Christ is sure to hold out not by our own power but by the grace of God in Christ Fourthly The certainty of our justification in and by Christs righteousnesse and merits by which we are freed from condemnation and have peace with God in Christ for ever Fifthly The certainty of our regeneration and new creation and glorification begun here and to be perfected in glory 1 Pet. 1.23 2 Cor. 5.17 and 3.18 Rom. 8.30 Phil. 1.6 Sixthly 2 Pet. 1.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Our entrance already into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ endeavouring by the grace of God in Christ to make our calling and election sure Seventhly 1 Thes 5.23 â—4 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. Iohn 10.29 30. Iude 4. Our assurance of faithfulnesse and mighty power of God to keep his children through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last times Quest 40. But doth not this Doctrine of Assurance open a way to Libertinism and so to sin Answ Certainly Iohn 8.31 32 36. the children of God have an excellent liberty and true freedom in and by Christ 1. Rom. 8.1 Gal. 3.13 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.12 c. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Rom. 14.1 2 3 23. 1 Cor. 14.26 40. Rom. 6.1 15. From the condemning or damning power of the Law sin and curse due to sin having our pardon sealed in Christ 2. From the commanding power of sin and Satan unto both which by nature we were in bondage 3. From tyranny and rigid imposition of things indifferent to binde the conscience where Christ bindes not Christian charity and order guiding us to our comfort and the peace of the Church Yet there is no liberty for a childe of God to commit the least sin What shall we sin that grace may abound Rom. 6.11 12. 2 Pet. 2.19 20. Psal 19.13 God forbid How shall we that are dead to sin take any liberty to sin as the wicked do but rather pray continually by the power of Christ to be kept from sin Quest 41. What should the childe of God do that wants this assurance of perseverance in grace to glory Gal. 1.16 Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 13.1 2 Cor. 1.20 Iob 44.14 Iohn 17.24 Answ Waite on God in Christ in all good means of grace till the Lord be pleased to reveal Christ in you and his love and assurance of his free-love in
Thirdly he loved David as his own soul with a love of beneficence or well doing to David he gives David his Robe and Garments even to his bow and his girdle and his sword ver 4. Fourthly Ionathan loved David with a love of acquiescence or resting in his love Quest 12. You have described what love is in general But what now is this grace of Christian love and charity to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans True Christian love and charity is a grace freely given of God wrought in the heart and soul of a believing man or woman by the spirit of Christ by which a man or woman who is enlightned with the true knowledge of God of himself and ol his neighbour is inabled in true affection of soul to love with love of union and complacency or well pleasing and in action of life to declare his or her love in beneficency and well doing First towards God above all as the chiefest good according to his revealed will giving up our selves to God Secondly towards our selves next under God seeking our own salvation and good temporal and eternal Thirdly towards our neighbour in and for God as we love our selves 2 Thes 3.5 Ioh. 1.16 Gal. 5.12 Rom. 5.4 5 6. Deut. 6.4 5 6 7 8 9 Mat. 22.37 39. Rev. 4.10 11. 1 Cor. 10.3 Eph. 6. Luk. 10.27 Mat. 7.12 Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 3.4 Phil. 2.12 Cant. 1.4 6 8. 1 Ioh. 4.19 20. and 4.7 12. 1 Cor. 13. Eph. 4.15 16. Rom. 12.10 13 14 15 16. Quest 13. But what is this love or wherein is this Grace of love to be exercised and who is my neighbour to whom I should shew this Christian love and charity and vvhat light from Christ to reveal this and so lead to Christ Ans I shall shew more fully who is our neighbour and in what duties as it concerneth all in general This love is to be exercised when I come to unfold the ten Commandements in the last part Luk. 10.3 4. But now in brief every man is my neighbour which the Lord presents to me as an object of mercy or love to do good unto Gal. 6.10 but in special and more particularly the houshold of Faith and our fellow Saints in the Church of Christ Quest 14. I remember in the fourteenth Classis when you did speak of the Church although you did describe principally the Church of Gods elect yet you said the Church is or may be said to be a visible company of men and women professing the Faith of Christ and obedience thereunto Rom. 16.26 and so as there have been so there may be some hypocrites in the Church not discerned how then shall I know who are these Saints upon whom and to or with whom I should exercise this Christian love and charity Ans Howsoever there are and may be some hypocrites in the Church yet whosoever is a visible Saint or Saint in profession and outward appearance at least Act. 8. called by the word and spirit to the visible profession of Faith and holinesse and fitly admitted in to the society and fellowship of the Church This man or woman is to be esteemed of the household of Faith and a fellow Saint to or with whom a child of God ought to exercise and communicate this grace of Christian love and charity Quest 15. But what do you mean by right and fit admission into the fellowship of the Church and houshold of God or how or when or by what way and means may a man or woman be admitted and received as a Member of Christs-Church and of the houshold of God and fellowship or communion of Saints Ans There is a two fold entrance into the Church of Christ or to be the children of God in Christ Iesus the first an inward or spiritual the second an outward corporal or visible entrance Quest 16. What or how manifold is that inward and spiritual entrance you speak of Ans This inward or spiritual entrance is the work of God making Christians First in election Eph. 1.4 5. Luk. 10.20 2 Tim. 2.19 Rev. 13.8 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rom. 1 7. 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Act. 26.18 writing and enrolling the names of all those whom the Lord knoweth to be his in the Book of life of the Lamb of Christ slain from the foundation of the world Secondly making inward Christians in redemption by Christ who hath made our peace by the blood of his Crosse Thirdly they are made Christians in effectual vocation when we are called out of the world by the perswasion of the spirit of Christ in the Word and drawn unto Christ by the Father to believe and receive and rest on Christ for salvation Ioh. 6.44 2 Cor. 4.13 Gal. 3.16 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 2.19 and thus as a believer is united inwardly by the spirit as a member of Christ unto Christ the Head of his Church as one not onely mutually joyned in heart and affection unto Christ but as one that enrolleth and entreth his name in heart and minde in the registry of Saints as a servant of the Lord Christ and fellow Souldier and Citizen with the Saints and of the household of God Fourthly we are made Christians in justification act 13.38 39. Eph. 1.6 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Revel 2.17 Mat. 17.5 when God doth justifie in and by Christ when the Lord Christ doth give us the white stone of justification and in that doth write our new name of Christians justifying a believer before God his Father and God the Father accepts us for Christians in Christ Iesus Ioh. 1.12 Ioh. 3.3 Rom 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 12.12 c. Fifthly we are not almost but altogether made Christians in and by inward regeneration and sanctification of the spirit of Christ when we are baptized into Christ and by one spirit into one body of which Christ is the Head and put on Christ and are made new creatures and so are entred or admitted into the Church of Christ and fellowship or communion of Saints 2 Cor. 5.17 Sixthly Eph. 1.5 Gal. 4.5 6. Rom. 8.16 17. Rev. 3.12 Rev. 2.17 Gâ—l 4.4 5 6. 1 Ioh. 2.19 Ioh. 10.30 31. Gen. 17.1 2. Ier. 1.5 Luk. 1.15 act 9 6 15 c. we are made not almost but altogether inward Christians by adoption when the Lord doth take a man or woman for his son or daughter yea makes us heires with and in Christ Iesus and giveth that new name promised in the Scriptures And all that are thus inwardly and spiritually entred and admitted into the Church of Christ are Saints indeed and shall remain Saints for ever These are truly of the Church and a man or a woman an elect childe of God may thus inwardly be a Saint and admitted by Christ as a member of his Church before they be outwardly admitted as Abraham and others before circumcision and many catechumene's or instructed persons were
if Christ do not un-Church for this fault nor for personal corruptions of particular members then what say you of those particular persons men or women who will and do not onely Separate from but un-Church those Churches and Congregations where they cannot deny but the Gospel hath been comfortably preached and Sacraments administred so as they have been converted conceived in the Womb born again and received Isai 66. suck from the Brests of consolation for nourishment of the life of Grace in them Matth. 18.20 in which Churches they have often met Christ in his Ordinances of the Word and Sacraments in prayers and praises to their comfort And yet now for particular failings it may be for want of full power in the Congregation to exercise Reformation as they desire do brand the Churches and Congregations of Christ with the name of Antichrists Synagogues and the faithful painful Ministers of Christ Baals Priests Lims of Antichrist no true but false and counterfeit Churches and not Ministers of Christ indeed as they judge but of Antichrist himself Ans Truely howsoever some weak Christians may be seduced by deceivers and led into this errour yet it appears divers of these spirits have either none or but little of Christ or true Christianity in them for a man to call his mother whore it would be very uncivil and unchristian although she be sick and weak and faln into divers noysome diseases it is his duty rather to seek first to God and secondly to the Physitians and use all good means for the recovery of her health not separate from and leave her to death and desolation without respect Simile Is it a Christian course when two or three are sick or faln lame in a Family to forsake the house without taking care or affording help and assistance for recovery of a brother sister or fellow servants How will the father or master of the family take this certainly if a murderer must be destroyed when the great King Christ shall come to judgement These that kill in not endeavouring to save life shall not escape unpunished except in time God open their eyes and in and by Christ Acts 5.32 give them repentance let such then repent and return and assist in Reformation not go on in Separation from the Church Quest 31. But what if men be forbidden by Law and men of power to use those means which might by Gods blessing reform such corrupted persons or heal such sick Congregations Ans Howsoever any new course of Discipline or that great censure of excommunication may be forbidden by some acts except they be repelled and so in some course directed by authority of Parliament yet no Law forbids brotherly and neighbourly Exhortations Admonitions Reprehensions Counsels Instructions out of Gods Word Prayers and Supplications and such like and all these should be used for Reformation and not fall to a rash and offensive Separation to grieve the souls of weak Brethren and harden wicked men which it may be by good means and Gods blessing might be reformed and reclaimed as I have shewed in former Classes of this Diologue But God giveth us good hope of authority sufficient in a Christian humble way to reform our Congregations and if some blemishes be not reformed yet a Church may be a true Church if it hold forth the substantial and necessary truth of the Gospel and professed subjection thereunto though many failings and corruptions be botn in particular members and the Church in general 1 Cor. 5. Gal. 1. Revel 2. Revel 3. witnesse the Churches of Corinth of Galatia Ephesus Pergamos Sardis and Philadelphia and many other ancient and modern Churches of Iesus Christ and yet esteemed true Churches as the Church of England Scotland France Bohemia Belgia Geneva the Churches of Holland yea the Churches of London and our particular Congregations though they be too full of corruptions may and ought to be esteemed true Churches at least where true Saints are joyned together in the enjoyment of Ordinances although in mixed Congregations Quest 35. You have given me good satisfaction thus far what is a true visible Church of Christ or the matter of a Church and who are visible Members and of the houshold of faith to and with whom we may exercise our Christian love and charity But how can Infant-children of beleevers baptized in their infancy which can neither professe the Faith of Christ or their Faith in Christ nor shew any subjection to the Gospâ—l agree to your description of a visible Church or how and when and in what manner can these be accounted Members of the visible Church of Christ Ans This is the next manner of admission to Church-membership to be held forth unto you to shew who are Saints and of the houshold of Faith and who is our neighbour and fellow Saint to and with whom I ought to exercise this Christian love and charity even children according to their capacity as well as men of riper yeers Quest 33. But how or in what manner have children of beleevers been admitted and esteemed or reputed members of the visible Church Ans How the children of faithful Abraham and professors of Faith were admitted in the Old Testament Gen. 17. First in infancy to the Sacrament of Circumcision and after to the Sacrament of the Passeover Exod. 12. especially when they were come to yeers of discretion so far as to be able to enquire of their parents the reason of that service Neh. 10. And so to covenant solemnly with God when they were of knowledge and understanding I have shewed before Now for children of beleevers in the New Testament there are two things to be considered First their admission unto Baptism as the children of Abraham in the Old Testament were to Circumcision in infancy and so they were used to be admitted to a true Infant-membership of and in the Church and were and are to be reputed as true visible Infant-members of and in the Church of Christ and visible Infant-saints in judgement of charity Mark 10. and such as of which is the Kingdom of God as our Saviour speaks And this is a true and compleat admission in respect of truth to outward membership though I cannot call it a compleat and perfect membership in respect of perfect visibility and declarative subjection to the faith and profession of the Gospel which they are to declare themselves when they come to yeers of discretion as before in part I observed Quest 34. What reason is for this Ans The cause of those four particulars in Baptism we declared in the example of the Eunuchs baptizing 1. A desire of Baptism 2. A profession of Faith in Christ and subjection unto it 3. An intimation of Covenant and an embracing of Christ and Faith and Covenant union with Christ the head of his Church and in him with members of his mystical body 4. And last of all the receiving of the seal as a patient and
weaknesse in knowledge Faith and other Grace But as Ministers of Christ Fathers or Brethren in all love humility and tendernesse of compassion to help and further our preparation to meet Christ with comfort in this blessed Sacrament Quest 5. What is a second help for the quickning of these graces to the glory of God in our lives and specially before we draw near to the Lords Table and what light from Christ for this to your soul Ans There may be a private lawful day or time of preparation in our Families or with some Christian friends joyning in conference and prayer and reading of the Scriptures so there be no neglect of publike places and times of worship nor disquiet of the state nor contempt of the lawful and good orders of the Church the better to fit us to meet Christ not resting on the thing done or the duty performed but waiting in these or the like duties until Christ be pleased to reveal Himself Zach. 12.10 c. Luk. 15.5 6 9. Act. 12.5.12 1 Pet. 3.7 Ier. 10.15 and communicate his vertue to our souls for our more comfortable enjoying of Christ in his holy Ordinance As we may call in neighbours to rejoyce and praise God with us So to pray with us Quest 6. What is the third help or means in which we should wait on Christ for his quickening vertue to honour God in his Ordinances and in our whole life what light from Christ for this end Ans This is a waiting on Christ in secret duties between God and our own souls And for this I conceive I may wait on Christ in six severall helps Quest 7. What are these several helps in particular Ans First I may set some time a part from all other imployments onely to attend Christ in secret for the obtaining of this grace as Isaac did Gen. 24.28 2. As day a of Atonement of old Lev. 23.27 28. 3. Or as Christ himself and Peter and other Saints Mat. 14.23 Acts 10.9 have set times apart for secret communion with God in Christ Iesus And so I may wait on Christ in a time convenient for this work Quest 8. What is a second help Ans To chuse a convenient place where I may be quiet in the sweet and secret soliloquies Mat. 6.6 14.23 Acts 10.9 or soul-conferences with God and my own heart and conscience Quest 9 What is a third Ans Examination of my self 1 Cor. ii 28 2 Cor. 13.5 and of the Graces before mentioned Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love Quest 10. What is a fourth help to this enlivening of Graces and preparation for the Sacrament by the vertue of Christ Ans Meditation both of God Luke 2.19 Psal 4.4 and my self and of Christ and the Sacrament and all these graces that they may be quickned to my own soul by the mighty power of Jesus Christ Quest 11. What is a fifth help in Christ for this renewing of grace Ans Application of all rightly to my self Ioh. 20.28 Iob. 10.25 26. Gal. â—2 20 Psal 110.1 by vertue of the life of Christ in my soul that all graces may be more enlivened in me and I may meet Christ with more cheerfulnesse and be enlivened by him for my more profitable enjoyment of Christ in the Ordinances Quest 12. What is a sixth help or means And what light further from Christ to strengthen and direct our souls in this particular Gen. 32.10 c. Ezek. 46.37 Luke 17.5 Rom. 8.26 27. Mark 9.24 Eph. 3.16 c. Acts 4.31 Ans Prayer to God in the name of Christ in which I may wait on God in Christ for the enlivening of the graces of God in me and right preparation to meet Christ in this Sacrament till God give a return of my prayer to my great joy in Christ Jesus as Jacob till an answer be given to my soul Quest 13. What is the first of these graces by these or the like helps to be enlivened by Christ and our spirit to our souls Ans Divine knowledge of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament Quest 14. In what manner should we wait on Christ to enliven in us our knowledge of God Ans First Having set a fit time apart And Secondly Gen. 24.63 Gen. 32 2â— c. Dan 6.10 Mat. 14.23 Acts 1â— 9 2 Cor. 13.5 Mat. 13.51 16.13.15 Acts 8.30 1 Pet. 3.15 Made choice of a fit place to be separated from all worldly thoughts and to be devoted wholly to this work by the spirit of Christ that my soul may be in love with God Thirdly To Catechize and examine and question my self concerning my knowledge of God according as he is held forth unto me in this Catechism before or as far as I am enlightned with the knowledge of God what God is in himself in his excellent Nature Divine being and Essential properties perfections word and works especially the great work of mans salvation and I may examine my knowledge and see how able I am in Gods presence or before the Saints if need were to make a solemn profession of this my knowledge to the comfort of my self and edification of others Quest 14. How else should a Christian or you in particular wait on Christ to enliven this knowledge or have it enlivened by Christs spirit in his or her soul or in soul be fit to meet Christ Ans Fourthly As a Christian man or woman so I may meditate think ruminate and ponder of my knowledge of God in my heart Gen. 24.63 Psal 104.33 34. Luke 2.19 Psal 42.1 2 3 4. and endeavour to fix the eye of faith in my soul upon God in all these respects by the power of Christ until my soul be ravished with a glorious delight in God in his excellency fulnesse and all-sufficiency until that my soul and spirits by the spirit of Christ be drawn up into a holy and admirable union and communion of life with this blessed God now at one with me in Iesus Christ Quest 15. What or how thirdly may this be done Isa 64.7 2 Tim. 1.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.13 Ans Thirdly I may labour by the power of the spirit of Christ to improve my interest in this great and good God by stirring up and exercising the grace of Faith in the special application of God and his goodnesse as my God in Christ with joy and gladnesse to my own soul in particular So it is meet we stir up our selves and Graces in us Quest 16. What or in what manner lastly may you enliven this knowledge of God in your soul Ans In powring out of my soul by the strength of Christs spirit unto God in prayer to blesse this my seeking out of union and communion with God in Knowledge Sam. 1.15 Rom. 8.26 27. Phi. 30.8 9. Exo. 34.29 30. 2 Cor. 4.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.7 8. waiting on Christ till I finde the enlivening vertue of Christs spirit quickening and making alive my
42.21 Iohn 3.16 Iohn 15.5 Rom. 8.37 Colos 1.10 Rev. 1.4 5. order and severall aggravations of them by which I may more see my own vilenesse and admire Gods goodnesse in giving Christ whom I stand daily in need of not only for more assurance of pardon but for increase of power to overcome temptations and walk more thankfully to God who hath so freely loved me in Iesus Christ For if naturall conscience do this much more conscience enlightned by the Spirit of Christ Quest 17. How can you finde all your sins and failings by the glasse of the law or ten Commandements Answ First reading and observing the Commandements as they are recorded in the 20 Chapter of Exodus with the exposition and explication of them by the Prophets in the Old Testament Mat. 5.6 c. and by Christ himself 〈◊〉 the fifth sixth seventh Chapters of the Gospel according to S. Matthew and by the Apostles in the New Testament Secondly by questioning my conscience upon intergatories drawn both from the affirmative and negative part of every Commandement as I hope I shall be able to declare more fully in the next part of this Catechisme Luke 10 25 c. as Christ did Catechize the Pharisee Quest 19. But is repentance of every sin originall and actuall required in that man or woman who will come with comfort to the Lords Table Answ Certainly that soul that lives senselesly and securely either in the state of nature unregenerate or in any known actuall sin as Atheism wilfull affected ignorance or unbelief and prophanenesse against the first Commandement Or superstitious will-worship or neglect of love against the second Commandement Or blasphemy cursing swearing against the third Commandement Or irreligious prophanenesse of the Lords day and neglect of Gods Ordinances against the fourth Or in wilfull carelesse omission of duty or commission of sins against superiours as Parents Magistrates Ministers against inferiours or equals as children servants brethren or neighbours against the fifth Commandement Gen. 4.5 1 Cor. 10 1 2 c. Tit. 1.15 16. Ier. 7.8 9 c. Ier. 1 10 c. Ezek. 14.1 2 c. Isa 1.12 c. Matth. 5.20 c. 1 Cor. 11 17.20 Mat. 22.11 c. Isa 66.2 c. Or in malice envie murther whoredom theft oppression cozening sacriledge drunkennesse lying slandering or in any other grievous crime yea or in wicked desires and unlawfull covetings against the ten or any other commands such cannot finde comfort in coming to the Lords Table except the Lord first give them repenting hearts for their sins faithfull and longing hearts after Christ for assurance of pardon and for power to repent more and more with a resolution by the grace of God in Christ to walk in newnesse of life because without this repentance faith and other needfull graces they come not for the better but for the worse and eat judgement to themselves and their service is abominable Quest 20. How can you finde out your sins against the Gospell Answ Especially by getting a Catalogue of the promises and finding out the unbelief of my own heart and great ingratitude to doubt of Gods love 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 2 Pet. 1 3 4. 2 Cor. 1.20 2 Tim. 1 12. or not to confide in God through Christ and walk thankfully towards thee the Lord having given so many rich and precious promises which are all yea and Amen in Christ Iesus Quest 21. By what helps may you wait on Christ for the quickning and enlivening of the grace of Christian love and charity What light from Christ for exercise and quickning of this grace of love Answ Time and place being kept as before I may wait on Christ with examination of my love First to God in Christ Secondly to my self Thirdly to my neighbour 1. How I love God in his holy nature person properties word and works 2. How I love Christ in his person Name in his Ordinances Church and Children 3. How I love my self not with a self-love but as in and for God and Gods glory in Christ as well as my own good in an inferiour respect 4. How I love my neighbour yea my very enemy to doe him good for Gods glory 2 Cor. 8.1 c. Mat. 22.37 c. Iohn 14.21 Iohn 15.9 c. 1 Cor. 16 22. Mat 16.24 Tit. 1.7 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Tim 3 c. Eph. 5.28 29. Pro. 19.8 Rom. 13 8 c. Pro. 25.21 Rom. 12 20. Rom. 12.13 1 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 5.14 15. that I may appear to be one of the children of my heavenly Father 5. How I pitty poor Saints to relieve them for Christs sake 6. How I do and desire and endeavour to doe all this not to be justified thereby before God or to satisfie for my sins or to procure my peace all which is done by Christ but to witnesse my thankfulnesse to God in Christ for his free love to me and the great invaluable gift of his Sonne Christ who loved me and gave himself for me Quest 22. What further meant is there to quicken this love Answ Fourthly by the power of Christs spirit to meditate and think of all this love with the author and worker of it in my soul the same holy spirit by whom it is spread abroad in my heart and the object of this love my God reconciled to me in and by Christ and Gods word and people And fifthly to wait on Christ in a speciall application of this to my own soul And sixthly to wait in earnest prayer by the help of the spirit of prayer who proceeds from the father Iohn 4.16 c. Iohn 16.23 1 Iohn 5.13 c. Rom. 8.35 c. Luke 10.27 Cant. 5.5 c. and the Son untill my heart be inseparably enflamed with all this true love of God my neighbour and my self and my soul filled with unsatisfied longing to meet Christ and see his glorious face in his Ordinances that I may tell him I am sick of love to enjoy him more fully and his soul-satisfying refreshments in his gracious vertue and presence in my soule The twenty fifth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your knowledge faith repentance and love and your experience how to enliven and strengthen the habits of those antecedent graces divine knowledge lively faith Evangelicall repentance and christian love and charity Now what are those more immediate present necessary graces or gratious affections resolutions and actions in the soul in which you may wait on Christ as in more immediate preparatives to be examined enlivened resolved upon acted and exercised immediately before or at that time when you draw near to partake of the Lords Supper Answ There are and may be diverse but chiefly these that follow Quest 26. What is the first of these to be quickned in you What light from Christ for these have you seen 2 Chro. 32 c. Isa 57.15 Isa 66.2 Mic.
in my soul 5. I long more then ever to meet with Christ in the Sacrament to feed spiritually on Christ there to strengthen the life of grace in me 6. I long more and more to keep a secret acquaintance with God in secret meditation and prayer that I may suck the breasts of the promises and draw water of life out of the wells of salvation and so strengthen the life of grace in my soul 7. In brief I now love Christ more and more in himself and prize Christs righteousnesse and his presence with me and in me above all the world as Phil. 3.7 8. 8. I love Christ more and more in his Word in all sweet and sacred truths more and more revealed to my soul 9. I love Christ in all his Saints 1 Ioh. 3.14 Christs brethren and mine 10. And daily I wait on Christ to grow in grace in faith in holinesse 2 Pet. 3. â— 1.8 9. in every good work of grace adding to faith vertue and so grace to grace that I may more and more be assured of Gods love to me And 1. Have my calling and Election be made more sure to my soul And 20 10. 2. That I may submit to my Fathers will with content Luk. 22.41 42. till he bring me to glory and all this not by any strength or power of my own but by the strength and living vertue of Christ and Christs spirit dwelling in me and this assureth me that I have from Christ the life of grace in my soul and may safely come with comfort to meet Christ at the Lords Table who loved me and gave himself for me Quest These and such like are comfortable evidence of the life of grace But tell me do you not still finde corruptions in you and fears and cares and sorrows for sins as you felt before Ans I do acknowledge that I finde 1. Failings in my best performances but presse forwards towards perfection 2. I sometimes meet with a messenger of Satan sent to buffet me And Phil. 3.13 14. 2 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 7.23 24. 3. I finde a law in my members sometimes rebelling against the law of my minde and seeeking at least to take me captive to the Law of sin But yet with a great deal of difference from what was before I came to see Christ more clearly For first Though Satans messengers be sent to buffet me yet I know the grace of God in Christ is sufficient for me and his strength shall be made manifest in my weaknesse 2 Cor. 12.9 10. And although rebels within me rise up against me and against the lâ—fe of grace in my soul Rom. 7.23 24. yet I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord. Secondly And for my fears and cares and sorrow for sin now I fear not Hell and Damnation as before I did fear because I know there is no condemnation to me that am in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 2. endeavouring by the strength of Christ to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit as Rom. 8.1 And the law and power of the spirit of life which is in Christ hath in comfortable manner made me free from the law and power of sin and death as Rom. 8.1 2. So that as Rom. 7.12 14 22. it is not I but sin that dwelleth in me Thirdly I do indeed feel the least sin as a mote in my eye very troublesome and I finde my heart smitten within me for it yet I fear sin and fear to offend my God by sin not with a servile slavish sin as before but with a son like fear of offending so good a God and my so gracious a Father in Iesus Christ as David 1 Sam. 24.5 Romans 8.15 and 6.1 Fourthly I do grieve and sorrow for my sins and failings but yet as with a childe-like sorrow that I have any way or at any time grieved the spirit of my Father who hath sealed me to the day of Redemption in Iesus Christ my Saviour Eph. 4.30 Fifthly But still with this confidence that he which hath begun a good work in me will perfect it to the day of Christ Phil. 1.6 Sixthly So that although my enemies Spiritual or Temporal be never so many and the Tribulations never so great yet they cannot separate me from the love of Christ but when I have finished my course and kept the saith he will give to me the crown of Righteousnesse and preserve me assuredly to his heavenly Kingdom Romans 8.35 c. 2 Timothy 4.8 18. Quest 16. You have witnessed a good confession and given comfortable evidence of the life of grace in your soul and I believe the Lord Christ will bid you welcom to his Table But do you believe that the Lord doth work in the same manner with every Christian that is and may be admitted to this feast of the Lord What light hath Christ revealed to you in this particular Ans No verily I do not believe that the Lord is pleased to work in all alike I have heard a good woman say That she was born of Parents very ignorant who had little shew of Religion in them nor did they bring her up in a Religious way living then in a place of much ignorance and prophanenesse having no prayer in Family nor repeating of Sermons not so much as an out-form of Religion and the first time that ever she began to consider her wayes and the misery of her natural condition Exod. 9â— 16 c. Psa 29 8 Acts 24.25 Eph. 5.14 it pleased God to strike her with fear and terror of the shaking voyce of Thunder which made her tremble and being awakened to think of a God and to joyn her self to a few who went out to hear Gods word by which means she became a wonder to prophane people but in the end was converted and found Christ to be the comfort of her soul and many fears and cares was she pressed with in the travel of the new birth Gal. 4.19 before Christ was formed in her and she found Christ and his sweetnesse of peace to her comfort yea since that though the Lord hath several wayes tryed her faith and patience by conversion and affliction to teach her to see the emptinesse of the creature and the fulnesse of God reconciled to her in Christ yet she liveth by faith in God who hath promised never to fail her Heb. 13.5 nor forsake his sons and daughters in Christ who depend upon him in the Lord Iesus Quest 17. Have you known any other drawn by such like means to seek out after God in Christ 2 Chron. 33.12 c. Ans 1. Some have been drawn by outward losses and miseries as Manasses was by great affliction to consider of their wayes and repent of their sins so that he might say as one did I had perished unlesse I had perished if I had not lost my estate in all outward appearance I had lost my soul 2. I have have
to love Christ with her soul 3. Ezek. 36.3 Hos 14.8 And whether he hath made her willing and desirous to loath and dislike sin and to forsake her natural and sinful communion with sin the world the flesh and the Devil 4. Whether she be willing to take the Lord Christ for her Lord and Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and Heavenly husband and then no doubt she is one of the Elect of God the Lord is her Father and she is his daughter who is the Lord Almighty Quest 6. But what if she doubt still Ans Give her this one rule that she seek with an impartial eye First as not to flatter her self that she hath grace when she hath none So 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Cor. 10.11 c. 2 Tim. 1.12 4.7 8. Secondly on the other side not to deny that grace which the Lord of his Free-grace and love in Christ hath bestowed upon her soul as any measure or true knowledge of true faith of true repentance of true love of true hunger after the Word desire of assurance of the like graces Thus may she in Gods due time finde her self a dear Elect daughter in Christ and so in Christ an heir and fellow-heir of Eternall glory and in the end assurance may come Quest 7. This may be a means by the power of Christ to stay her soul from despair in that temptation But what do you say to her decay in grace What light have you from Christ to reveal any comfort to her soul in this respect Ans I say the Apostle gives a caveat to his Christian Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.19 to take heed of quenching the spirit and yet no doubt they had the spirit of grace in them but they must be careful not to quench the spirit Gods dear children may be in danger to quench the spirit for a time and may lose the acts and vigor of grace for a time as Peter did when he denied Christ Mat. 26. though not finally and totally therefore if your friend finde some decay of grace in her soul or want of holinesse she ought not to conclude presently she is none of Gods childe or exclude the favour of God in Christ from her For First as there is no wheat but there is some chaff groweth with it so the best of Gods children have some imperfections Phil. 3.12 13. Secondly In this life we are not like the Sun perfect in brightnesse and light but like the Moon receiving our light of grace from Christ as the Moon doth her light from the Sun and like the Moon 1 Iohn 1.8 we are subject to have some changes some decrease as well as increase some spots of darknesse in the center of our hearts And Thirdly take this for a certain rule as sight and sense of weaknesse of body is a sign of bodily life for a dead man feels nothing so a sight and sense of spiritual weaknesse Rom. 14.15 c. is an evident argument of spiritual life of grace in her soul as it was in blessed Paul Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.9 Rev. 3.2 3. Isa 40.30 31. Fourthly A dead man cannot see nor feel his own weaknesse at all a dead man complains not of sicknesse and therefore your friend ought not to despair because of sight and sence of failings which is an evidence of the life of grace but wait on Christ for more light and life till the soul recover strength and what is ready to dye be quickned and she finde peace in the end Quest 8. But I have heard my friend complain that sometimes she neither feels any signes of life of grace nor doth she feel any want of life of grace she is dead â—nd senslesse no hunger after the Word or Sacraments or Prayer or to meet Christ in any good duty she is sometimes so far from resting in a duty or setting it up in stead of Christ that she is carelesse of any duty at all as if all were in vain as to her her faith is dead and without life her soul and life is dead in respect of grace or any sense of want of grace in her soul like those Isaiah 64.6 7. no stirring of life in her And what comfort can be given to one in such a condition Ans Your friend hath no cause to despair but to live by faith For First did she ever finde or feel any signes or sense of life of grace in her soul any sight and sense of her sin and misery by natural corruption any sweetnesse or delight in meeting Christ in the Word or Sacraments or Prayer any combating or stirring in her soul between the flesh and the spirit Then although now she be as dead to all these let her know that the state of the childe of God in this life and the life of grace may be sometimes 1. Like a childe in the Mothers Simile 1 womb alive though not felt to stir or to have any motions of life at all 2. Or like a man in a trance wherein Simile 2 his own sense being as it were without sence or understanding yea and in the judgement of others may seem to be dead and yet after revive and come to himself again and so may a dear childe of God in respect of the life of grace Assuredly David after his fall until Example 1 Nathan came to him he had little sense of life of grace little remorse for his sin especially while after his sin of Adultery with Bathsheba he went on to plot and procure the making of Vriah drunk and after to take away his life so addes sin to sin Exam ∣ ple 2 The like may be said of Peter between his first and third time of denying Christ until the Cock did crow and Christ cast a look of mercy 2 Sam. 11 12 c. Mat. 26.69 75. Psal 51.1 c. and pity and love upon his poor soul then indeed he went out and wept bitterly as David repented and bewayled his folly and sinful fall in the end and prayed earnestly to the Lord to restore unto him the joy of his salvation and to stablish him with his free spirit Quest 9. What other around of comfort Ans Let her consider that Gods childe doth not sin as the wicked do with full heart consent and freedom because his seed of grace remaineth in him 1 Iohn 3.8 9. but like a man in a crowd or throng sometimes carried forwards and sometimes backward 1. Carried forwards in grace willingly the will regenerate and sanctified striving together with one consent with the grace given and good motions of Gods spirit assisting as in Christ Iesus to presse on to perfection And 2. Sometimes carried backward by corruptions and the violence of Satans temptations as it were against our will Simile to an ebbing in grace as in the Tide the water runneth back as the Moon decreasing Rom. 7.23 c. as Peter sinking in the water of presumption senslesnesse or despair as
use of the means without carking care for this life or dismal despair for the life to come Thirdly as a life of certainly 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Cor. 1.10 Rom. 4.21 1 Thes 5.23 2 as depending not upon our own changeable strength but upon the foundations of the sure decree promises power faithfulnesse and Oath of an unchangeable God Fourthly as a life of necessity 2 Chron. 20.12 Gen. 42.2 3 4. Col. 3.3 4. 2 Cor. 3.4 5. Gal. 9.5 2 Tim 2.7 8. a poor soul not having life or power of life in and of it self and therefore must needs go out of it self by faith to serch life and strength from God in Christ and so of necessity must live the life of faith both for grace and glory and assurace of both Quest 17. What other helps are there Ans Observe secondly thy present condition estate danger or temptation whereby thou art troubled for the Church of God in general and for thy self 2 Pet 1.12 or any other in particular for the want of assurance of Iustification or Sanctification or for want of particular graces or strength and growth of grace of knowledge of faith or repentance of confidence on God in time of prosperity and not on uncertain riches or friends or husband wife children parents or any creature-comfort whatsoever or for want or losse of any of these or of their help and comfort in time of adversity or for want of assurance of glory Quest 18. What is a third help Isa 43.2 3 4. Heb. 13.5 Ans Thirdly search the Scriptures and look out some promise general or particular for comfort of thy soul to depend upon God even as a ground of thy confidence to live by faith and that God will not fail thee Quest 19. What is a fourth help Ans To wait on Christ in the use of all good means 2 Pet. 1.19 and so live by faith taking heed to the sure word of promise until the day dawn and the day star Christ arise in thy soul And thus the life of faith upholds a poor soul in greatest doubts and fears whatsoever Quest 20. Now let me ask you one Question before I conclude this part of Catechism What is a sixth immediate preparatory grace or gracious act of the soul to be enlivened or acted and exercised immediatly before you draw near to the Lords Table Ans To attend the invitation of Christ by his Ministers and to draw near and come to the Lords Table as with all humility and reverence so as becomes my presence at so great an Ordinance to meet my Lord and Saviour so with joyful confidence holy hunger and faith yea with spiritual cars and eyes and mouth of faith to hear and see and receive and feed on Christ in my soul as well as with ears and eyes and hands and mouth of body 1. To hear and see the Bread and Wine blessed consecrated and set apart to this holy Sacramental use Matthew 26.26 27. 2. To see the Bread broken and the Wine powred out 3. To hear the Sacramental welcom Take ye and eat ye and Take ye and drink ye Mat. 26.27 4. And all this with a thankful remembrance of Christs death and passion who loved me and gave himself for me Luke 22.19 1 Corinthians 11.24 25. Gal. 2.20 Conclus Thus Sir I have made my profession of what I have learned concerning a right preparative the wedding garment to meet Christ at the Lords Table that I may walk more comfortably with Christ all the dayes of my life Quest 20. But do you think it is necessary that every one be thus prepared with Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love and the habits of graces so examined enlivened and quickned before he or she come to the Lords Table What light hath Christ left for resolution of this doubt Ans It is certain a competent measure of true knowledge true faith true repentance and true love is of necessity required and howsoever it may be the good Lord God may be gracious to any of his children whose hearts are up right towards God and who have life of grace in them and hunger after Christ though he or she be not so fully prepared according to the preparation of the Sanctuary as 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. yet assuredly that soul that cometh lesse prepared and the life of grace and living graces lesse enlivened in the soul doth ordinarily receive lesse comfort at the Lords Table when as that soul that is more carful to wait upon Christ in all good wayes and means of preparation not resting upon performances or preparation but with a self-denying and humble heart and soul of faith waiting on Gods goodnesse in Christ and Christs righteousnesse and merits may with a much more glorious assurance of comfort hear that gracious voyce of Christ speaking to his or her soul as to his welbeloved Spouse in the Canticles I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse I have gathered my mirrhe with my spice I have eaten my hoay-comb with my hony I have drunk my wine with my milk eat O friend drink ye abundantly O Beloved not drink abundantly of the outward Bread or Wine but feed on Christ by faith abundantly for thy spiritual refreshing to the eternal joy and rejoycing of thy soul yea a joy unspeakable and full of glory as Cant. 5.1 1 Pet. 1.8 The twenty seventh Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your preparation and enjoyment of the wedding garment in respect of the Antecedent graces and immediate enlivening of the preparative graces and gracious actions and quickning of them Now what are the third sort the present concomitant or accompanying graces and gracious affections and spiritual senses actions and operations of the soul and body which do accompany and are to be exercised and quickned in these Sacramental acts or actions of receiving as of the Elements outwardly so of Christ and his quickning and soul-refreshing vertue inwardly for the spiritual strengthning of your soul and life of grace to life of glory Ans There is a twofold nourishment which we receive and feed on in the Sacrament at the Lords Table The first outward and corporal the Elements of Bread and Wine which nourish and refresh the body The second inward and spiritual Christ himself and his Body and Blood or the living vertue and merits of Christ his Life and Death and Passion and Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession which feeds strenghneth and nourisheth our souls and the life of grace in our souls to life Eternal And so there are two sorts of sences as I may so call them to be exercised 1. Of the body 2. Of the soul or inward man and two sorts of actions to be acted in this Sacrament Quest 2. What are these two sorts of actions in the Sacrament Ans First the actions of the body and organical parts or by the instruments of the body The bodily eyes must see Mark
14.22 23. the bodily ears must hear the bodily hand must receive and the bodily mouth must eat and feed on the outward Elements of Bread and Wine in the Sacrament And secondly the acts or operations of the soul or of the inward man The spiritual eye of the soul must see the ear of faith must hear the hand of faith must receive and apply Christ the mouth of faith must feed on Christ So you see there are two sorts of eyes the eys of the body the eys of the soul And two sorts of ears the ears of the body and the ears of the soul And two sorts of hands the hands of the body and the hands of the soul And two sorts of mouthes the mouth of the body and the mouth of the soul Rom. 10.6 c. Iohn 6.54 c. And so all the objects and Sacramental acts or actions at the Lords Table So by faith we spiritually feed on Christ Quest 3. Are there not two sorts of objects about which these bodily and spiritual senses are to be exercised Ans Yes there are first outward visible objects of Bread and Wine with all the audible and visible acts and operations of Christs Ministers Mat. 26.26 c. and Christs people in the several Sacramental actions and branches of the Lords Supper Secondly Inward invisible and heavenly acts of Christ and graces from Christ in the institution of this Sacrament and participation thereof presented and communicated to faithful receivers at the Lords Table and each of these corporal and spiritual answering one another in every particular object branch or Sacramental action in this sacred Ordinance in and about which the acts and operations of the soul and body and inward man are to be chiefly exercised in time of this solemn feast with the Lord Jesus Quest 4. What are these acts and operations of the soul and body thus to be exercised at the Lords Table Ans There are chiefly these three First diligent Observation of every Sacramental action and object of the soul or body The second Divine Meditation of every of them Thirdly spiritual and faithful Application of all to my own soul for my joy and comfort in this holy Ordinance Quest 5. What or how many are the Sacramental actions or objects of senses corporal or spiritual in which these senses and operations of the soul and body are to be exercised and these acts of the soul to be busied at the Lords Table Ans There are divers but chiefly these ten which follow First a Sacramental preparation of Bread and Wine on the Lords Table Secondly a Sacramental invitation to draw near to the Lords Table with eyes of body or soul when we are come rightly prepared Thirdly Sacramental Consecration first of the Bread to be received and after of the Wine to be drunk at the Lords Table Fourthly Sacramental Representation of Christs Death and Passion by breaking of the Bread and powring out of the Wine upon the Lords Table to shew the Lords death till he come Fifthly Sacramental Commemoration and doing this in memory of Christ with a thankful remembrance of Christs Death for my sins and for my salvation Sixthly Sacramental Congratulations or Christs welcom to his guests at his Table Take eat Take drink Seventhly Sacramental Foederation or Covenant-promises held forth by Christ when he took the Bread and said This is my Body and took the Cup and said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood shed for many for remission of sins Eigthly Sacramental Participation by the mouth of the body of the outward Elements and by the mouth of faith feeding on Christ himself and his benefits to my soul Ninthly Sacramental Vnion and Communion with Christ and all his merits and benefits with my head and with the Saints as my fellow-members of the same mystical body of Christ with whom I do partake and have communion at the Lords Table Tenthly Sacramental Obsignation or sealing and communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and of all graces from Christ to my believing-Covenanting-soul renewing my general and particular Vows and Protestations to God in Christ as Christ reneweth and re-confirms his Covenant of grace and love to my soul in this Sacrament at the Lords Table Matthew 22.1 2 3 4. and 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and 10.16 17. Quest 6 What is the first Sacramental action word or object of your bodily or spiritual sences about which the acts and operations of the soul or body are to be exercised when you are to draw near to the Lords Table Ans Sacramental invitation when the voyce of the Minister of Christ having expressed 1. The inestimable benefits communicated to the Saints in this Sacrament 2. The Author 3. The Institution 4. The ends 5. The use of it to Believers 6. The profit of it 7. The great preparation required And 8. The danger of coming unprepared 9. The solemn Admonition and Dehortation to all ignorant scandalous and prophane persons that they stand back and presume not to approach the Lords Table least they eat judgement to themselves and drink their own damnation as 1 Cor. 11.19 And 10. Invitation calling and embracing and emboldening me with all Saints truly prepared to draw neer and partake of that blessed feast which according to the institution example and command of Christ is there prepared for me and them at the Lords Table as Matthew 22.4 Quest 7. What must you do when you hear this voyce of the Minister of Christ sounding to the ears of your body and inviting you to draw near to the Lords Table Ans I should be careful by the power of Christ to wait on Christ in these three acts noted before 1. Rightly to observe and consider what is spoken by the Minister of Christ in this invitation 2. To meditate and think by the power of Christs spirit what this invitation is and what a joyful thing it is to be invited to the Table of the Lord Jesu 3. To labour by the same power of Christs spirit Psa 104.34 to apply this invitation to my own soul as to one believing and longing for refreshing from Christ to the joy and comfort of my soul and the reviving of my spirit in Christ Jesus Quest 8. How must you exercise the ear of your faith Ans In attention as if I heard the voyce of Christ from heaven Cant. 5.1 calling me spiritually to feast with him at his Table Quest 9. What is the second object or Sacramental action or object which answereth your corporal sence of Seeing in the Celebration of this holy Sacrament Ans The Sacramental preparation of the outward Elements of Bread and Wine which I see set upon the Table or made ready to be consecrated Mark 14.22 23. and set apart for that holy Ordnance when I am come to the Lords Table Quest 10. What is that spiritual sense and spiritual object which answereth the spiritual sense of
sence of seeing both bodily by eyes of your body and spiritually by eyes of faith Ans I must still by the power of Christ exercise these three spiritual acts or actions of my soul to be exercised in every particular sacramental action 1. Diligent observation 2. Divine meditation 3. Faithful application and appropriation of all to my own soul Quest 21. How must observation be exercised by you What light shineth from Christ for your direction Ans I ought diligently by the spirit of Christ to observe the sacramental action of breaking bread Luk. 22.17 c. or powring out or giving of the wine according to the institution of Christ as it is a sacramentâ—l actâ—on for the end for which Christ appointed it Qâ— st 22. How ought you to exercise medi ation Ans By help of Christ I ought so to meditate and think of the breaking bread and powring out of the wine as to meditate of Christ crucified his body broken with torments as before noted and his blood shed for my sins Gal. 3.1 Qâ—est 23. How ought you to exercise spiritual and faithful Application and appropriation of all to your self Ans By the strength of Christ and Christs spirit strengthning and communicating strength of life from Christ to my soul I ought to apply by faith and appropriate all this that Christ hath done or suffered as done and suffered by Christ for me and my Redemption and as loving me and giving himself for me his soul to be made an offering for my sin his body to be broken with torments and his blood to be shed to the death for my eternal Redemption and salvation Isaiah 53.10 Galathians 2.20 Heb. 9.12 The twenty eighth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the fifth Sacramental action or objâ—ct of your sences corporal or spiritual Or upon which your sences or acts of life in your soul and body are to be exercised when you are at this holy Sacrament Ans Sacramental commemoration of the death and passsion of the Lord Iesus Christ Luk. 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. and of his Institucion of this blessed Sacrament the same night in whâ—ch he was betrayed his passion crucifying and death so lively set before my eyes in the celebration of this Sacrament and by Christs command to be commemorated and remembred as it is shewed forth until he come Quest 2. What are you to do in this act of commemoration Ans To exercise those three acts before specified 1. Diligently to observe how this Sacrament doth remember me of that sacrifice of the death of Christ of his inestimable love in dying for me and of the most glorious benefits that I am made partaker of in a right meeting of Christ at the Lords Table Quest. 3. What is the second 1 Ioan 4. Divine meditation I ought by the power of Christs spirit 19. Ioh. 17.20 21. to think of this memorial of Christs Death Passion and Resurrection and benefits till I be so affected with it as to rejoyce with it and never to forget this love of Christ but to be delighted with his love as to love Christ again until I come to glory with Christ Quest 4. What is the third Ans By the power of the spirit of Christ and by faith to apply the memorial of this action and passion of Christ unto my soul that it may be engraven upon my heart to be recorded and set before my eyes for ever that evening and morning and mid-day I may remember what Christ hath done for my soul and Christs love may for ever be in my heart and I may say as the Apostle Gal. 2.20 Christ loved me and gave himself for me Qâ—est 5. What is a sixth Sacramental action object or act on Christs part or on yours which is the object of your senses corporal or spiritual or in which these senses operations or actions of the soul and body are to be exercised in this holy Ordinance of Christ Ans Christs congratulation or Sacramental welcom he gives to his faithful prepared guests Take eat Take drink yea all of this and thus bidding them welcom 1. As in the Institution of Christ is evidently set forth unto us Mat. 26.26 27 28. Luke 22.19 20. 2. As Christ invited his Spouse his Church and children Canticles 5.1 Eat friends and drink abundantly O beloved that is eat abundantly not of the outward bread and drink abundantly not of the outward Wine but eat spiritually of the body of Christ by faith and the merits of Christ crucified for me and drink abundantly of the vertue of Christs blood which was shed for me For Christs flesh is meat indeed and Christs blood is drink indeed Ioh. 6.51 c. If I thus eat of Christs flesh and drink of Christs blood I shall live for ever Quest 6. What is to be acted by you And how are your corporal and spiritual sences to be exercised in this congratulation or heavenly welcom which Christ gives your soul at this Table Ans First a diligent observation of this welcom when I hear it with the ears of my body from the voyce of Christs Minister speaking comfortably cheerfully to me from Christ as to a prepared believing penitent humble hungry communicant Take and eat Take and drink in the Name of Christ bidding me welcom to Christs Table as Mat. 26. Luke 22. Quest 7. What is a second thing to be acted Answ A Divine meditation as if by the ears of my soul I did at the same time hear the voyce of Christ as once he spake to his Disciples at his last Supper so now speaking to my soul from heaven and bidding me welcom Eat my friend and drink my beloved I have loved thee I have given my self for thee I have given thee my body crucified my bloodshed for thee and for many for remission of sins feast and refresh thy soul with abundance of assurance of my love to thee at my Table O poor believing hungry and humble soul thou art welcom here in and amongst my congregation of Saints at my Table of grace and thou shalt one day be welcom and eat and drink heavenly and gloriously with me at my Table of glory in the Kingdom of heaven for ever Matthew 22. Luke 22.19 Quest 8. What is the third Ioh. 4.14 15. 6.33 c. Answ A sweet and short ejaculation or ejaculatory and darting prayer to this or this like in effect Even so Lord Iesus I blesse thy name for this sweet assurance of being welcom to thy Table strengthen my faith enliven mine eyes and hand and mouth of faith that I may see and discern thy body and thy blood I may so receive and feed on thy body and blood that I may finde and feel and enjoy such an everlasting vertue and sap and juyce of life from thee my Saviour which may enliven and strengthen thy life of grace in me here in this life to life everlasting in the
meditation of this great and inestimable love of God in Christ and most free love of Christ to my soul God the Father not onely loving me to give Christ his Son for me and the Lord Christ so loving me as to give himself for me and to give the Gospel of grace to manifest this his invaluable love but also to give the Sacraments and this Sacrament of the Lords Supper in particular to seal this wonderful surpassing love of God in Christ to my soul manifested in his death and passion for me and God the holy Ghost to witnesse this to me and in this meditation to be perswaded and assured by the strength of Christs spirit that I have a most sure right title and interest to Christ to his Death Passion Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession and to all the fruits and benefits of all these to my soul and that all these are most surely and firmly sealed and confirmed to me in this Sacrament to the glorious strengthning of my faith and rejoycing of my soul in Christ Iesus having loved me and given himself for me Gal. 2.20 Quest 27. What is the third act orr operation of the soul in which by the power of Christs spirit you may improve this Sacramental obsignation to your self to your joy and comfort Ans A spiritual and faithful application First of this blessed Sacrament as appointed and instituted by Christ as a seal to confirm my faith and an application of Christ and his glorious benefits sealed and assured to my soul and sealed to all Saints who have a holy union and communion with me in this Sacrament and a communion in and with Christ held forth and communicated in this Ordinance Reason For the bread broken is the communion of the body of Christ and the cup which is blessed is the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 17. and we that are many are one bread and one body for we are all partaker of that one bread and so I have both union and communion with Christ and with the Saints both sealed to me in this Sacrament Simile For as a Princes Broad or commonseal annexed to an Evidence confirmeth or sealeth up to the party to whom the Deed or Evidence is made the truth of all those Promises and Covenants which are contained in that Deed or Evidence or Letters or Patents So this Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ being as it were great Broad Seal of the Prince of Heaven and Earth Christ Iesus it sealeth to my soul all the promises and covenants in that great Charter the Covenant of Grace for my confirmation and establishment in Christ and Christs righteousnesse received by faith As circumcision of old Simile and Baptism in the time since Christs Ascention seals my entrance into Christ and clothing upon with Christ and his righteousnesse and ingrafting into Christ for nourishing vertue to life eternal So that I may still conclude with the Apostle certainly Christ loved me and gave himself for me Romans 4.11 Isaiah 61.10 Galathians 3.27 1 Peter 1.4 5. Galathians 2.20 The twenty ninth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your faith and knowledge of all those present acting concomitant graces and gracious acts and operations of your soul which are to be exercised at the Lords Table in every Sacramental act and object of your senses corporal and spiritual to your refreshing and strengthning in the Lord Jesus by vertue from Christ the heavenly husband of your soul Now what light from Christ have you for those subsequent graces or gracious following acts or operations of soul or body in the inner man which are to be exercised and acted by you after the partaking of Christ in this holy Ordinance that a Christian may walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of his or her life And what light have you received from Christ to lead you to Christ in this respect Ans There are two kindes of graces or gracious acts some to be put in practise presently and immediatly before we depart from the Ordinance and some after in the whole course of our lives and callings general and special Quest 2. What are those to be acted and put in execution in and upon the act of receiving before you depart from this holy Sacrament in which you may wait on Christ for a sweet and full assurance of Christs love unto you and of all those rich and invaluable benefits which the Lord Christ doth communicate and seal to your soul at the Lords Table Ans The first is a spiritual repletion Sacramental satisfaction glorious rest and full contentment in this rich Banquet at the Lords Table not in the action alone as resting in the thing done but having now fully fed on Christ Psal 63.1 c. and being satisfed with Christs sweetnesse as with marrow and fatnesse Quest 3. How are your affections now bent towards Christ Ans I desire now heavenly dainties and resolve by the power of Christ to feed no more at the Table of Devils upon the prodigals husks of sinful profits and pleasures Hos 14.8 Luke 15.16 221 30. 1 Cor 10. Ier. 50.4 5. Psa 65.4 but to keep my Covenant with my God in Christ for ever and to meet Christ upon all opportunities in his Ordinances that I may feed on Christ often at his Table of grace till I come to feast with him at his Table of glory Quest 4. In what manner or how may you wait on Christ in those three acts of your soul and inward man viz. 1. Serious observation 2. Divine meditation And 3. Faithful application for improvement of this rest satisfaction and spiritual content in this heavenly refreshing by Christ at the Lords Table What light from Christ for this duty 1 Pet. 2.3 Ans First for observation I may mark diligently divers particulars First what refreshings I finde in the ordinance Ioh. 13. Secondly what sign of Christ and his love to my soul in dying for my sins Thirdly how my affections are wrought upon with grief and godly sorrow in my soul 1. That my sins have crucified Christ 2. That I have been so unthankful and so often forgetful of this inestimable love to me Fourthly how I am cheered up with a joyful assurance that yet God accepteth me in Christ and that the pardon of my sins is now sealed to my soul in this Sacrament Quest 5. What assurance is gained from these Ans That Christ will make me strong in time to come 1. To resist all sin in thought word nnd deed And 2. More able to honour God in all estates and conditions 3. And more enlivened to delight in Christs presence of grace then ever before Cant. 5. Quest 6. What further grace way be observed Ans That in Christ I am more hungry after the Word of God 4. More longing to feast wit Christ in this Sacrament Acts 14.22 Luk.
are ignorant and know not God Ans The Lord Iesus shall come from heaven in flaming fire 1 Thes 1.7 1. and render vengeance to them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ Quest 24. What is the condition of ignorant men then whether simple ignorant or carelesly ignorant or wilfully ignorant of God And what counsel is to be given to these ignorant and sinful souls Ans Their condition is miserable and damnable therefore they should wait on Christ in his Ordinances for Power to lament their ignorance Acts 5.31 1 Cor. 4. Ps 9.10 Iohn 3.16 and not rest until Christ give them remission of their sin that in the end they may know God in Christ and trust on him and be saved Quest 25. You have satisfied me in the first particular duty and sin forbidden Now what is a second duty required Ans As it is my duty to know God so it is my duty to believe Gen. 15.6 2 Chron. 20.20 Ps 9.10 Ioh. 14.1 Heb. 11.6 Pro. 3.5 and repose my trust and confidence in God my God in Iesus Christ as my God in Christ that so I may rightly glorifie God in every condition by believing and depending upon God in all estates for things corporal spiritual and eternal Quest 26. What are the contrary sins to this faith trust and confidence in God Psal 78.21 22. Num. 20 12 1 Sam. 27.1 Ans First unbelief and distrust of God or his goodnesse manifested in Gods Word and faithful promises for the good of his Church and children Quest 27. What is a second sin Deut 1.29 c. Ier. 49.16 Psal 118.8 9. Ans Presumption against Gods threatnings and carnal confidēce in mens riches and honours or any thing but on the Lord and his goodnesse and truth in his promises Quest 28. What is the punishment and misery of unbelievers and such presumptuous persons Ans They are cursed in this life Ier. 17.5 Rev. 21.8 Mar. 16.16 Acts 5.31 and to be separated from God and cursed and tormented for ever hereafter except God in time give faith and repentance in Christ Iesus Quest 29. What is a third particular duty required in this first Command Ans Hope Rom. 5.1 c. Ps 5.6 7 33.22 Tit. 1.2 1 Pet. 1.3 by which we expect and wait for those blessings spiritual temporal or eternal which God hath promised in Christ and which we believe God will in his due time give according to his promise Quest 30. What is the contrary sin Ans Despair 2 Kings 6.33 Mat. 27.4 5. Heb. 10.38 39. and impatiently casting off hope and refusing to wait upon God any longer casting away confidence in God Quest 31. What is fourth particular duty required in this first Command Ans If we must have the Lord Iehovah for our God as God commands then as I must know and acknowledge the Lord to be my God Deu. 6.5 and believe in him and trust in him and hope and depend upon him Mat. 22.27 19. 17. Iam. 1.17 1 Ioh. 1.14 so it is my duty to love him with all my heart and soul above all and for himself as the chiefest good and the Author and Fountain of good unto all and to love Gods Word and children for God with all the Ordinances and means of grace Quest 32. What is the contrary sin Mat. 10.37 Ioh. 12.43 1 tim 3.2 Ro. 1.30 Ans Love of any thing above God and hatred of God his Word Ordinances and children or any thing that is near and dear to the great God Quest 33 What is a fifth particular duty commanded Gen. 31.42 De. 6.13 13.12 Mat. 10.28 1 Pet. 1.16 17. Gen. 28. Ans An holy childe-like fear of sinning against so great and good a God with a holy reverence of his Majesty at all times and in all places whatsoever Quest 34. What are the contrary particular sins forbidden in this Commandment Ps 30.1 2 Ro. 3 18. Luk. 23.30 Eccl. 8.12 13. Rom. 2.5 Ans First carnal security or want of the fear of God or of offending God presumption to sin in Gods presence without reverence of Gods Majesty and a hardnesse of heart or seared conscience without fear of God 1 Tim. 4.2 Secondly servile slavish fear of Gods judgements Dan. 5.6 Acts 24.25 Thirdly base fear of the creature without consideration of Gods greatnesse and goodnesse over all 1 Sam. 15.24 Mat. 10.28 Quest 35. What is a sixth particular duty in this first Commandment Ans Inward spiritual Deu. 13.4 Isa 1.29 and son-like obedience in a gratitude or thankful acknowledgement of Gods free gifts of grace upon us far above our deservings Gen. 32.10 1 Cor. 1◠31 Num. 14.14 that in all we may seek to glorifie this great and good God not with outward onely but with sincere and hearty obedence as our God and heavenly Father in Iesus Christ Quest 36. What are the contrary sins forbidden Ans Disobedience rebellion 1 Sam. 15 22 23. Isa 1.2 Ier. 44.17 Hab. 1.16 ingratitude sacrificing to our own nets or to any creature in our hearts and not to God Quest 27. What other particular duties are required or sins forbidden in this first Commandment Ans There are divers other concerning our inward obedience which may be found in several places of Scripture and to be referred hither I will touch but one more Quek 38. What is that duty required Phil. 4.4 Gē 17.1 Neh. 8.10 Hab. 3.17 18. Ioh. 16.21 22. Ans This is joy delight and content in God as the chiefest good in which the heart of a childe of God can delight in or rest contented or satisfied in either in this world or the world to come Quest 39. What are the sins contrary to this joy in the Lord Gen. 30.1 2. 1 Kings 21.4 5. Psal 42.5.11 Ans First sinful sadnesse and discontented heavinesse when men are so sorrowful for want of the creature comforts or satisfaction of their delight in the creature or their own wills that they forget that all-sufficient fulnesse of joy Eph. 3.18 19. or cause of rejoycing is in God the Lord and Saviour of his Church and people Gen. 6.1 2 3. 1 Kin. 11.1 2 3. Eccl. 2.8 c. Ionah 4.6 7. Quest 40. What is a second sin Ans To joy and delight in any creature or creature delight in husband Wife children friends or whatsoever earthly thing above God or to draw our hearts from God This is a sin and sometimes God seeth it best to take these temporal joyes from his children or turns them to sorrows Ioh. 16.21 22. that we may seek to and rest in him for joy eternal which none can take from us Quest 41. What use I pray you can you make of this knowledge of these many duties required and sins forbidden in this Commandment Ans First I may see in this light 2 Cor. 2.10 Who is sufficient
Church of God requires Quest 24. What is a second duty in publike Ans To joyne devoutly and understandingly with the Minister and Congregation in Prayer not onely attending with the eare to every confession of sinne petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Ministers soule in Prayer but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Minister of Christ and to pour out thy soule with him and all the rest of the Congregation in every confession request or giving of thankes to God saying Amen in thy soule Psal 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time and this not in thy owne strength but by the assistance and strength of Christ and the spirit of Christ helping our infirmities and inabling the soule to wrastle with God in prayer Gen. 32. Quest 25. What is the sinne contrary to this duty declared Ans Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be distracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer or not to goe along with the Minister of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Christ or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer or not to pray in faith and in faith expect an answer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Christ John 19.23 Quest 26. What is a third duty in publike for sanctification of this blessed Sabbath and rest day of the Lord Ans This concerneth both the Ministers and People of God Ezra 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And first the Ministers duty is to Reade Expound Catechize and Preach the Word of God without respect of persons in faithfulnesse sincerity and godly wisedome not with intising words of mans wisdome but in evidence of the spirit and of power and as becomes the Ministers of Christ Quest 27. What is the Ministers sin contrary to this duty Ans To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing or to doe it unfaithfully with entising words of mans wisdome and otherwise then becommeth the Gospell of Christ Quest 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular and what light from Christ for this Ans To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Ministers Acts 15.14 15. or to the Word of God as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man and that without wandring or sleeping with hunger after the mind of Christ in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father Heb. 4.2 Quest 29. What is the sin contrary to this duty of the people Ans To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing or to heare it carelessely without devotion Faith Love or Obedience unprofitably either in respect of Gods glory or our owne salvation Quest 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this rest-day or Lords day is to be sanctified Ans In a right communicating and partaking of the blessed Sacrament according to Christs institution Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechisme Quest 31. What is the contrary sinne to this duty Ans To neglect the Sacrament 2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.28 29 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreshing in Christ Jesus Quest 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended Ans Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard Parents taking account of their children and Masters of their servants what they have remembred searching the Scriptures and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Minister of Christ Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing those under our charge meditation and earnest Prayer unto God for a blessing upon the Word and Sacraments received and strength from Christ to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteousnesse Isaia 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified Quest 33. What is the sinne contrary to this duty Ans A meer resting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament and publike ordinance without any care of profiting our selves or Families by Repetition Conference searching the Scripture Catechizing or Prayer in our Family oâ— closets for a blessing endeavouring by the power of Christ to practice in our lives what we have heard and learned as the truth is in Jesus the neglect of any of which is sin Quest 34. This is a strict rest indeed and a strict sanctification of this rest is there any more required Ans Yes a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy 1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability and as the necessities of the Saints require Quest 35. What is the sin contrary unto this duty of Charity Ans To give no Almes and neglect workes of charity and mercy though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede Quest 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed are there noâ— some inward and spirituall required also Ans Yes it is required that the childdren of God should make the Sabbath his delight and keepe a spirituall rest from sinne of omission or commission and so keepe a spirituall and holy restj indeed Heb. 4.9.10 11 c. Isai 58.13.14 as all the dayes of our lives from sinne so especially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and rest from all sinne and misery which we shall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven Quest 37 What is the sinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and spirituall rest from sin Ans To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day to say or thinke as those in Amos when will the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Isaia 1.12 13 14. when will the Sabbath be gone And not to rest from sin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day to swear to drinke tipling and distempering themselves to Whore Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots Jer. 5.7 or abuse Gods Day in any wickednesse whatsoever and so to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men Luke 13.25 26. endangerinâ— the soule and body to a restlesse condition in Hell fire for ever Luke 16.24 Quest 38. This is a most perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty Answ The Commandement it selfe holdeth forth this in the next words Thou thy Sonne thy Daughter thy Man-servant thy Maide-servant nor thy Ox nor thy Asse nor
the Stranger that is within thy Gates That is thou and all that are in thy power without exception Quest 39. But wherefore doth the Lord give this speciall command and direction to his people not onely for themselves but for all under their command Ans That Gods children being carefull and dutifull themselves and diligently performing their duties to all that are under their charge they might not be partakers of other Mens sins Quest 40. But how may one man be guilty of another mans sinne what light have you from Christ to reveile this Ans One may be guilty of another mans sin divers wayes First when a superior commands an inferior to commit a sinne and the sinne be committed of this the superior is guilty as Saul was of killing the Lords Priests 1 Sam. 22.18 2 Sam. 11.15 when hee commanded Doeg to do it and wicked Doeg did it accordingly David kild Vrias by Joab and the sword of the children of AmmoÌ„ And so Iezabell was guilty of that sin of the sons of Belial 1 Kings 21 10. who did beare false witns against Naboth for his Vineyard and thus Magistrates or masters or parents are guilty when they command their subjects or children or servants to prophane the Lords Sabbath Quest 41. What is a second way of being guilty Answ When superiors have power and doe not hinder but suffer inferiors to commit sinne 1 Sam. 3.13 as old Eli suffered his sonnes and did not punish them nor restraine them as hee ought and so when Parents suffer their children or Masters their servants to prophane the Lords Day They are guilty of their childrens sinne and servants sinne Quest 42. What is a third manner how one man may be guilty of another mans sinnes have you any light from Christ for this Ans Wen one man giveth another wicked councell to commit sinne as when Ahitophet counselled Absolom to commit wickednesse with his Fathers concubines 2 Sam. 16 21. or Herodias counselled her Daughter to aske the head of John Baptists Mark 6.24 or when a Master or Father adviseth or counselleth his sonne or servants or any under his charge to prophane the Sabbath Quest 43. What is a fourth manner Ans When Minister or people man or woman doth consent to sinne in others Acts 8.1 Eze. 3.18 or not reprove sin as Saul before his conversion consented to the death of blessed Stephen the Martyr of Christ and for Prophets not to warn the wicked Levit. 19.17 so when Parents or Masters consent to their childrens and servants prophanation of the Lords Day when as they should not suffer sin to lie upon them but reprove them rather So when unworthy Receivers are suffered without any admonition or reproofe Quest 44. What is a fift manner of being guilty Ans When one Man or Woman provokes and stirreth up another to sinne 1 Kings 21 25. as Jezabell provoked Ahab to commit wickednesse and Jobs Wife her Husband to curse God and die Job 2.9 And so when Parents or Masters provoke and stirre up their children or servants by Labour or Pastimes to prophane the Sabbath Quest 45. What is a sixt manner of becomming guilty of other mens sins Ans When men grow to such a height of impudency as to defend other mens sinnes Who call good evill and evill good Isai 5.20 1 Kings 22 6.11.24 1 Sam. 15.22 as wicked Zedechiah defended wicked Ahab in his sinfull course and Saul defended the peoples sin as Lawers plead in unjust causes or when Parents or Masters or any other will plead for Baal and defend the sinnes of their children or servants or Neighbours when they prophane the Lords Day all these ways at least may men be guilty of other mens sins Quest 46. Most certaine the Lord is a most holy God and is Law a most holy Law and perfect rule of holinesse which holdeth forth to us so many duties and so many sinnes in one Commandement of the Sabbath day and sanctification of the rest what use therefore my the knowledged of this truth be of unto the sons of men Ans First concerning wicked men out of Christ the many duties commanded Jer. 17.27 Gâ—lat 3.24 Acts 8.21 22. and sinns forbidden may cause them to tremble for feare of the curse and wrath of God due to them for their prophanation of the Lords day and so be a Schoolemaster to bring them to Christ to see if they may finde pardon and escape the curse and damnation Acts 13.38 39 1 Thess 10 Secondly concerning saints in Christ the Meditation of these things may likewise minde them of Christ First Christ as a justifyer without whose Righteousnesse and Merits they could not be saved 1 Cor. 1.30 and in whom salvation is their portion 2 Cor. 5.17 Secondly Christ as a sanctifyer in whom there is holinesse and power to sanctifie this holy rest this blessed Sabbath as the Lords day in all holinesse and righteousnesse to Gods glory and good of our own soules Quest 47. What benefit is this to the Church that the Lord hath ordained Mat. 28.6 9.17 18. and by his Resurrection and appearing to his Disciples so often one that day consecrated this holy Sabbath Mark 1â— 12 Luk. 24.13 as a day to and for himselfe and for his speciall service and ordinances wherein he now appeareth to his Church Ans A speciall cause of joy that the Saints may once a weeke be as it were in Heaven with Christ meeting Christ in his glorious Ordinances Luke 24.33 34.36 1 Cor. 16.1.2 Mat. 18.20 Ex. 25.21 22. Isai 66.11 John 15.4 5 6. Heb. 4.9 Revel 14.13 and sucking the brests of consolation in all his gracious promises so receiving the sweet juyce and sappe of the life of grace to nourish us in this time of trouble to that Kingdom of glory that eternall Sabbath of rest and peace for ever Quest 48. What is the principall motive or moving cause to stir up and draw the heart of a child of God and your soule in particular to desire and labour in all sincerity and faithfullnesse to glorifie God in a full obedience to every duty commanded and in a full avoyding of every sinne forbidden in these foure Commandemmts or first Table of the Law of God Ans The free love of God in Christ to my soule John 3.16 in the free gift of his onely begotten Sonne and the free love of God the Sonne John 10.15 the Lord Christ himselfe in giving himself and laying down his Life for mee 1 Cor. 5.14 15. to reconcile mee to God and to procure for mee grace and glory this doth constraine mee with a kind of holy and sweet violence or rather powerfull attractive or loadstone of love to love my God againe and to declare my love in a loving Isai 16.9 Psal 119.6 ready willing faithfull and cheerfull obedience yea sincere desire and endevour to fullfill every one of the
place in their presence or as men of right civill much more of Religious breeding use to do when the Judges or Justices of assize come to the Bench or seate of judgement or the Lord Major or Governour of a City to his place Secondly when a superiour commeth towards an inferiour then in an honorable respect to goe to meete them and give them that honour that is due to them and becommeth their place and dignity Gen. 18.1 2 c. uncovering the head and bending the knee or bowing downe a mans selfe towards the ground in civill reverence of them as Religious Abraham did when three men came towards him which proved Angels and one of them the Lord Christ Malachy 3.1 Gen. 23.7.12 the Angell of the covenant as the Prophet Malachy calleth the Lord Jesus or as Abraham did to the children of Heth. Thirdly the duty of the inferiour in respect to the superiour as of children to Parents servants to Masters or the like is to stand up before them and waite upon them as place and dignity and occasion require Job 29.8 Gen. 18.8 as those did in Iobs presence or as Abraham waited on his honorable guests giving all civill respects due to each person according to place and calling Fourthly the inferiour as children to parents or any other in like relation ought to declare their respects in giving precedency in place giving the right hand and any the like honour as King Solomon did to his Mother he rose up to meet her 1 Kings 19 2. he bowed himselfe to her he caused a seate to be set for her and preferred her to sit on his right hand an excellent example for all children to honour and respect their Mothers as well as Fathers and so servants and all others in their severall Relations Fifthly the younger and inferiours are to declare their respect to superiours in a wise silence holding their peace and to refrain from talking whiles their ancients are in speaking Job 29.9 10. or in place as the Princes did before Iob except as Syracides in his excellent Ethicks giveth leave and wisely directs young men how to behave themselves Eccl. 32.7 8 Speake young man if there be need of thee and yet scarce when thou art twise asked Let thy speech be short comprehending much in few words be as one one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue Sixthly inferiours ought to keepe themselves in a right distance from superiours not making themselves equall to those that are above them in age place or dignity Eccl. 32.9 Rom. 12 16. It is the sum of Syrahs morall counsell and well comprehended under this command of the morall Law or Law of good manners becomming a Christian If thou be amongst great men make not thy selfe equall with them and when ancient men are in place use not many words coloss 4.6 and as Apostle saith let your speech be alwayes With grace seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer every man Seventhly inferiours ought to give words of reverence and respect to superiours children to parents 1 Pet. 3.6 Gen. 31.35 servants to Masters and so others in their respective relations Gen. 42.10 as Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham calliag him Lord and as Rachel spake honorably to her Father let it not displease my Lord and Iosephs brethren to him as to a Rule calling him Lord and so a reverent regard is to be had of superiours even in our words 1 Sam. 1.15 as Hanna to Samuel the Prophet shee called him Lord giving Gods Minister the honour of his place Lastly I will name no more here Inferiours ought to be ready to serve thâ—ir superiours in love and duty Mat. 8.9 Coloss 3. â—2 according to their severall relations and respects with readinesse singlenesse of heart as unto Christ As the Centurians servants I say to this man go and he goeth and to another man come and he commeth Saith he not as those two sonnes the one said to his Father when he sent him into his Vineyard I go Sir but he went not The other sayd I will not go yet went and in this did the will of his father that hee did go but yet sinned in his behaviour saying he would not goe the children and servants and inferiours ought to honour and serve their Parents Rom. 12.10 and Masters and Superiours both in word and deede in giving honour to go one before another And thus you have the generall duty of Inferiours towards their superiours Quest 30. What now are the sins contrary to these or any of these Ans I need not expresse them in particular each one who maketh conscience to find out and performe his or her duty may consider whether his carriage be answerable to these directions or in an unmannerly way contrary to them manifesting any disrespect or disobedience which is a sin The Thirty three Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have declared sufficiently the generall duties both of superiours towards inferiours and of inferiours towards superiours in generall Now I pray you what are the particular duties of each to other according to their particular estates Relations and Callings And first in the Oeconomicall or household estate what are the duties of the Husband towards his Wife and of the Wife towards her husband First the common duties of Husbands towards his Wife Ans But first of the common duties of the Husband towards the Wife and of the Wife towards the Hushand and of these I note these First Love a Roote uniting grace their soules and hearts and affections must be married together as well as their bodies Gen. 2.24 Ephe. 5.25 the Husband must love his wife and the Wife ought to love her Husband above all others in the world Secondly mutuall good will or conjugall benevolence to be communicated each to other as the Scripture holdeth forth unto us i Cor. 7.1 2 3 4 5. Prov. 5.18 19. Prov. 2.16 17 18. Malac. 2 15 Jer. 23.24 Thirdly conjugall fidelity not communicating their bodies to any other as the strange woman But preserving each others chastity according to the mariage covenant in thought word and deed as being alwayes in Gods presence Fourthly in the mutuall communication of their goods and all endevours for the due mutuall good Eph. 5.33 comfort and benefit one of another both for soules and body Gen. 2.18 1 Pet. 3.7 and good name and fame as becommeth the Gospell of Christ and those that are fellow helpers one of another and fellow heires of the grace of life Lastly mutuall cohabitation dwelling one with another that they may be more conveniently helpefull each to other upon all occasions with mutuall love and respect to each other 1 Pet. 3.7 1 Cor. 7.10 Ex. 18.7 8 Ruth 1.16 Parents and kindred Quest 2. You have declared the common and mutuall duties of Husband to Wife and of Wife to Husband now
what are the sinnes contrary to these duties John 16.8 what light from Christ to reveile these to convince of these Ans There are divers sinnes contrary to these I will note but these fix First 2 Tim. 3.2 a corrupt selfe-love of themselves and not one of another Secondly a want or absence of love when Mariage is for by ends not joyned with true love one of anothers person but rather of estate or outward worldly Profits or pleasure without true love Thirdly hatred Eph. 5.29 disagreement and dissention and unquiet quarrelling such as becommeth not Man and Wife Fourthly denyall of mutuall benevolence forsaking the mariage bed and so giving way to the devill to tempt to worser wickdnesse 1 Cor. 7.4 Fifthly neglecting communication of goods and other mutuall helps and comforts in a fit manner Lastly separation one from another except necessity of calling 1 Cor. 7.5 require or with consent for a time according to the Scriptures Quest 3. Now you have declared the common mutuall duties betweene Husbands and Wife what are the particular duties first of the Husband towards his Wife what light from Christ to see these Ans The Husband is the head of the Wife Eph. 5.23 and love is an ingredient in every duty 1 Pet. 3. First the Husband is to manifest his love to his Wife in dwelling with his Wife as a man of knowledge Gen. 24.67 as a loving husband in a loving manner endeavouring to instruct his Wife 1 Cor. 14.35 yea governe his Wife in love to direct guide counsell and advise her in all things necessary to be knowne both for this life and that which is come and all in love Secondly to cherish and give his Wife honour and respect as the weaker vessell Eph. 5.29 and as one who hath given her selfe to him as her Husband under God amongst other for this end 1 Pet. 3.7 Thirdly to preserve protect Ezek. 16.8 Ruth 3.9 and defend her in all lawfull and convenient causes according to his ability especially in the maintaining of her true chastity Gen. 16.5 6. and honour by all lawfull and good meanes and more especially in the house amongst her servants as Abraham did Sarahs honour and authority over her servant Hagar Fourthly 1 Tâ—m 5.8 Ruth 3.1 providing her things necessary according to his ability that shee may finde rest in the house of her Husband to Gods glory and the mutuall joy and comfort one of another Quest 4. I doe now see the speciall duties of the Husband towards his Wife what are the sinnes of the husband contrary to these duties what light from Christ to know these sins Ans First not behaving himselfe as a loving head to his Wife Gen. 3.16 1 Cor. 11 3. 1 Tim. 2.11 12. 1 Kings 11 4. but to be as an inferiour contrary to the order of nature and Gods Ordinance Secondly to be overmuch uxorious foolishly drawne away by his Wife or Ruled by her to do that which is either unlawfull or inconvenient dishonorable to God or to himself or hurtfull to any whatsoever as Solomon doted in his old age Thirdly to be too bitter and dominering and tyrnanicall over his Wife Coloss 3. Ruling her not in love as a companion but commanding her as a tyrant doth his slave or compelling her to that which is unlawfull or uncomely in the sight of God or man Gen. 2 18 1 Thess 5.12 God having created her as a helpe meate for him not as a slave under him and him over her but yet in the Lord as in other ordinances of Christ Fourthly the Husband sinnes in not providing for protecting and preserving his Wifes life chastity and honour by all lawfull and good meanes according to his power in a convenient and fit manner much more he sins in prostituting or betraying his Wives life chastity or honour 1 Tim. 5.8 Levit. 19.29 which for a Husband to doe to his Wife is as base as against his owne child and both abominable and contrary to the holy Law and word of God Fifthly to hate strike or abuse his own flesh which his wife now is by the Ordinance of God 't is against the Law of God and Nature it self Eph. 5.25.30 Sixthly and Lastly the Husband sins if he neglect as the Prophet and Priest in his house to Pray for and with his wife 1 Pet 3.7 Job 15.4 1 Sam. 12.23 Phil. 4.13 or restraine prayer before God that by strength from Christ both Husband and Wife may better perform their duties in Gods sight and enjoy Gods blessing upon their daily endeavours Quest 5. The Husband may hence receive a light from Christ to know his duty to his wife now what light from Christ is there shining forth in holy Scripture to shew forth the duties of the wife towards her Huband Answ First the wives duty is to love Ephes 5.23 33. esteem acknowledge and honour her Husbahd as her Head and Lord whom God hath placed over her 1 Pet. 3.6 and she hath chosen as her Lord far her Good Secondly the duty of the wife Coloss 3.18 1 Pet. 3.1 2 c. is to be subject and obedient to her Husband in all things lawfull are expedient in the Lord. Thirdly the wife ought to be loving and amiable Titus 2.4 5. and delightfull to her Husband seeking to win his love and affections more and more to her in the Lord cherishing him in sicknesse Prov. 5.19 Gen. 2.18 and in health as becometh a sweet helper to him according to Gods Ordinance Fourthly the wives duty is to be helpfull as a Coadjutrix to her Husband in Government of the Family 1 Tim. 5.14 Prov. 31.10 11 12 c. not onely as a good wife for the estate credit and well-being of her Husband and Houshold for their Bodies Dyet and Cloathing 1 Pet 3.7 but to be a Good Home-keeper for Communication of spirituall good Prov. 31.27 28 29 30 31. Tâ—tus 2.4 5. as well as corporall to pray with and joyn in Prayer with her Husband and Family to the joy of her Husband and Houshold whom she helpeth to Governe in the fear of God and that with wisedom and understanding many daughters do excellently but such a one surmounteth them all Quest 6. We conceive the wives duty to her Husband now what are the sinnes contrary to this and what light from Christ in Scripture to reveale these Answ First it is a sinne in the wife not to acknowledge her Husband for her head and not to honour and reverence her Husband as her head 2 Sam. 6.16.20 c. who is over her in the Lord and by the Lords Ordinance but to despise and dishonour her Husband as Michal did David Secondly 1 Tim. 2.12 It is a sinne in the wife to domineer and usurp authority over her Husband and directly contrary to the Apostles Rule Thirdly it is a sin in a
our faith who for the joy that was set before him edured the Crosse despiâ—â—ng the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the Throne of God Quest 27. You have explained and held forth the duties of Superiors and Juferiors in the oeconomicall or househould estate now what are the duties in the Ecclesiasticall Church or state 1 Cor. 4.15 and Spiritnall Parents or superiours in the Church as Pastors and Treachers or Ministers to the people of God committed to their charge Acts 20.28 und over whom the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers 1 Pet. 2.25 1 Pâ—r. 5.4 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 2 Tim. 3.15 Ans First the holy Scripture holdeth forth the Lord Christ himselfe to be the chiefe Shepheard and overseer and as he is the great Pastor to teach so he hath appointed Pastors and Teachers in his Church And as the Lord Christ is faithfull not as a servant but as a son over his owne house Heb. 3.5 6 1 â—or 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.15 so it is the duty of the Miniâ—â—ers and servants of Christ to be faithfull as stewards in the house of Christ the Church of the living God Quest 28. Wherein is this faithfulnesse to be manifested by Ministers in the performance of their duties and what light from Christ to mâ—ke this evident Ans First Act. 20.28 2 Cor. 5.19 20. in taking heede to themselves as Ambassadors sent of Christ and to all the flock over which the holy Ghoâ—â— hath made them overseers 2 Tim. 4.2 to feede the Church of God which he hath purchazâ—d with his owne bloud To Preach the Word of God and be instant in season and out of season to Reproove Rebuke Exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Secondly Rom. 12.8 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. 2 Cor. 4.5 to feede the flock of God taking the Rule and oversight of them with diligence not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde neither as Lords over Gods heritage but as servants to the Church for Jesus sake Thirdly the Overseers Elders Acts 20.28 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4. or Ministers of Christ they are Pastors and Teachers and Rulers they ought to be of unblameable life and conversation 1 Pet. 5.3 examples to the flock husband of one wife vigilant 1 Tim. 4.6 c. sober apt to teach not given to Wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous 1 Tim. 6.11 12. one that ruleth his own house well having his childen in subjection with all gravity no novice least hee be lifted up with pride 2 Tim. 2.24 Here are foureteene properties in one place the Epistles of blessed Paul to Timothy and to Titus hold forth diverse more Titus 1.6 7 8 9. Titue 2.7 Thus the servant of Christ ought not to strive but in meeknesse to instruct and be a patterne of good work Quest 29. What are the sinnes of Ministers contrary to these duties Ans First unfaithfullnesse running before they be sent Isai 56. to 11. and not feeding the flock of God where they come not Preaching Catechizing administring of the Sacraments Jâ—â— 23.1 2 and Prayers and other Ministeriall acts for good of the Church Ezek. 34.1 2 3. being ignorant idoll Shepheards or idle and negligent Sheepheards Not regarding that great charge and honorable office they have taken upon them not performing that trust committed unto them and of which they must give an account to the chiefe Sheepheard Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.4 Secondly unfaithfulnesse in not ruling as Elders and not Governing the Church of God with watchfulnesse Eze. 34.4 5 1 Pet. 5.3 4. 3 Iohn 9. Isai 56.11 12. wisedome and humility according to the Rule of Christ but in pride or tyranny as lording it over Gods heritage loving the preheminence contrary to the direction of the Spirit of Christ Thirdly Ministers sinne in unfaithfulnesse in not feeding them by good example of life and conversation being as Iohn the Baptist burning and shining lights Iohn 5.35 But walking disorderly as Eli's sons to the dishonour of their callings and evill example of others any manner of way unbeseeming the Ministers and servants of Christ Jesus 1 Sam. 2.17 22. Quest 30. You have declared the duties of those who are Ministers of Christ 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Cor. 4.15 spirituall Fathers Elders Overseers Pastors and Teachers in the Church and their sins and failings Now what are the duties of spirituall children of the Congregation and people to their Pastors and Teachers Ans The duty of people and congregations 1 Thess 5.17 to their faithfull Pastors and Teachers as Mat. 11.40 1 Thess 5.12.1 Gal. 4.14 1 Cor. 4.1 1 Thess 5.13 1 Tim. 5.17 First to receive and acknowledge them as sent of Christ and over them in the Lord as the Apostles expression is Secondly to Love Reverence and esteeme those Ministers and Elders especially that labour in the word and very highly in love for their worke sake and with double honour as is fit for Ministers and officers of Christ Thirdly to obey them in the Lord as those that have the Rule and over-sight of them Heb. 13.17 Heb. 13.24 and watch for their soules and must give an account that they may doe it with joy and not with greif for that will not profit for those that disobey Gods Ministers and Elders over them in the Lord. 1 Thess 5.22 Gal. 4.15 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Luke 10.5 6 7. Galat. 6.6 7. 1 Coâ— 9.13 14. Fourthly readily and cheerefully to communicate give or pay unto them that honorable maintenance which is due unto thâ—m for their labour in the worke of the Miniâ—try according to the word of God and ordinance of Jesus Chriâ—t Quest 31. But is there any payment of maintenance due now to Gods Ministers as Ministers of Christ in the new Testament by any Divine-right the neglect or keeping back of which is a sinne because I have heard some affirme that howsoever in the old Testamenet the Lord had the reserved portion of his owne inheritance the Tenth which he gave to his Ministers for their labour and for the honorable and comfortable maintenance of them and theirs besides their Cities and their Suburbs for their cattell Numb 18.20 21 30.31 Levit. 27.30 31 32.1 2.3 4 c. Numb 35. and for their goods and for all their beasts and â—ther helpes more yet in the new Testament since Christ ascended into Heaven the Lord hath nothing peculiar to himselfe and Christ Ministres have nothing due to them for their labour and maintenance by any Divine Right 2 Cor. 5.20 But they must live of Almes and accept of there reward for their labour and maintenance at the pleasure of the people Ans Truely I should have wondred that any one who had professed the least measure of love to Christ should dare to manifest so little
themselves or others Wives or Daughters unto filthinesse all wicked whoredome and all Baudes or keepers of brotherly houses for meeting base whores abhorminable and odious to God and good men occasions of theft murther and Gods judgement curse and hell in the end Quest 6. Since there are so many duties required in Husbands Wives and others concerning chastity in the married and single estate and so many sinnes forbidden deserving Gods wrath and curse temporall spirituall and eternall what use should all make of this holy Law of God and what light from Christ to lead us unto Christ for profit hereby Ans Truly this light from Christ and his spirit should leade unto Christ Heb. 13.4 to see the sinfulnesse of all impurity and uncleannesse both in the married and single estate and to see and be sensible of the wrath of God due to this sinne and every branch of it 1 Cor. 30 so to finde and and feele an extreame need of Chirst both as a justifyer and as a sanctifyer 2 Pet. 1.10 11. And to fly dayly to Christ as for a more full assurance of pardon and peace Eph. 5.1 2 so for power to walke in all chastity and holy purity of soule and body before God Rom. 12.1 2. offering up our selves our soules and bodies a living sacrifice acceptable to God in Jesus Christ walking holily before God John 15.5 Phil. 4.13 not like the World but like Saints And this not by our own vertue and strength but by the vertue of Christ Quest 7. Now you have declared duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the seventh Commandement and so far how to walke comfortably with Christ by the power of Christ according to the Rule and light of Christ and his spirit in the light of this Law or commanding part of Gods word Psal 119.105 which I pray you are the Duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the eight Commandement which is the next in order Thou shalt not steale Ans The Lord requireth that every man woman and child according to capacity of instruction now and ever shall study and endevour by all lawfull and good meanes Mat. 5.43 44 45 c. Acts 7.60 Ex. 23.4 5 justly and with equity and right to preserve his owne Galat. 6.10 and his Neighbours yea his enemies goods Ex. 23.6 7. children servants or estate from all wrong and all injustice whatsoever their owne alwayes and their Neighbours when God puts it into the power of their hands to do it Luk. 10.33 34 35 c. by word or by deede to manifest we love our Neighbour as our selves Quest 8. What are the sinnes contrary to this duty required in the sixt Cmmandement Ans To do unjustly any manner of way to the wrong of himslfe or his neighbour Prov. 20.25 Malac. 3.8 9. to commit sacriledge or rob God in robbing or stealing of that which is religiously and rightly appointed by God or given to Gods worship or the maintenance of Gods Ministers or any that pertaine to his sanctuary Deut. 19.14 Prov. 22.28 Ex. 21.16 1 Tim. 1.10 Eph. 4.6 7. Thess 4.2.8.1 Ezek. 22.13 Prov. 19.26 Prov. 28.24 Exod. 22. Levit. 19.13 2 Thess 3.6.10 11 c. John 6.12 to remove the ancient land markes or to steale either persons children or servants ot any goods or chatells or the like either by fraud and cozenage or by force either secretly or openly under pretence of Law or unlawfully or other wayes either from stranges or from Parents or Masters and Mistresses is sin all dishonest gain and all unrighteousnesse in contracts bargaines buying selling in any manner of Covenant whatsoever all oppression extortion detaining of goods lent or lost is sinfull theft and all wicked walking disorderly and mispending or wasting of a mans owne estate or others especially Parents or Masters in drunkennesse idlenesse Prov. 23.21 whoring or the like wickednesse yea by rash and desperate entring into suretiship to the undoing of himselfe wife Prov. 23.29 Deut. 15.7 8 to 16. children or any other is sin and not to do our selves or to others for the good of our own estate or theirs poor brother or servant as wee would they should in justice mercy Mat. 7.12 and equity according to Gods word doe unto us is a sin and a breach of this eight Commandement of Jehova our God Quest 9. Certainly here are many duties required and many sinnes forbidden in a few words in this Commandement wherein doth the light of grace from Christ direct us to make a right use of this light and rule of life in this Commandement Ans This may still preach unto a poore soule an extreme neede of Christ both as a justifyer and a sanctifyer 1 Cor 1.30 and teach iis to waite dayly on Christ in his ordinances Iohn 1.9 Iohn 12.5 Iohn 15.5 and seeke dayly to Christ for light and direction and for vertue and power from Christ to glorifie God in walking justly and righteously in our callings and cariages to God and men Zach. 5.3 4. least we sin against God and procure a curse upon our labours instead of a blessing Quest 10. Now you have thus briefly givtn a light from Christ for direction and helpe if the eight Commandement what I pray you are the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the ninth Commandement Thou shalt not be are false witnesse against thy Neighbour Ans The Lord requireth and commandeth faithfull Testimony Prov. 14.5 25. Psal 15.2 Prov. 12.19 Epla 4.15 when men are called to witnesse truth and upon all occasions to speake the truth as it is in the heart that the heart and tongue should agree to declare the truth when it is to Gods glory and good of our neighbour Deut. 1.16 17. Exod. 23.2.6 when rightly and lawfully wee are called to it for Judges and Magistrates to give righteous judgement Ministers to Preach truth Rom. 9.11 Zach. 8.16 17. for Lawyers to speake truth in pleading the causes of poore or rich not to hinder but to further justice and equity Prov. 22.1 Mat. 10.16 1 Cor. 10.31 Prov. 23. to preserve the good name of a mans selfe or neighbour in truth and righteousnesse with the right ordering of our tongues in wisdome and truth upon all occasions to Gods glory and good of our selves and others superiors or inferiors or equalls Psal 119.128 with love of truth and hate of falshood and deceit Quest 11. What are the sinnes forhidden in this Commandement Deut. 5.20 Mat. 19.18 Mat. 26.5 Psal 52.3 4 5. Psal 5.3 1 Sam. 22.9 10. Ans All false witnesse bearing upon Oath or otherwise all procuring of false witnesses and all vaine lying or uncharitable speaking to the diffamation or hurt of our owne good name or the good of any other Levit. 5.1 2. 2 Sam. 10.1 2. Mat. 7.1 2. Ezek. 22.28 John 7.24.51 Ex. 23.2 Deut. 16.18 19. Prov. 17.23 Ex.
wife to be of a contentious brawling spirit Prov. 21.9.19 unquiet provoking disposition in the house of her Husband or toward her Husband wheresoever a contentious woman is there is like a continuall droping Prov. 27.15 which rotteth and consumeth a house to destruction Fourthly Gen. 2.18.23 Eccles 25. Prov. 31.12 the wife sinnes that is not a helper and cherisher of her Husband in sicknesse and in health doing him good and not evill all the dayes of his life Fifthly a wife sinneth in helping provoking 1 Kings 21 25. and furthering of her Husband to Commit or Act wickednesse as Jezabell did Ahab he sold himselfe to work wickednesse in the sight of the Lord whom Iezabell his wife stirred up Sixthly It is a sinne of the wife to be an unprofitable house-wife Prov. 31.27 either carelesse or negligent at home of her Husbands Estate Prov. 7.11.12 Prov. 12.4 not looking to the wayes of her Houshold or in often frequent gadding from home upon idle and unnecessary occasions to the shame of her Husband and neglect of her duty of Coadjutrix or fellow-helper-ship in Government of the Family to Gods Glory and their mutuall good Quest 7. The Commom and particular duties of Husbands towards their wives and of wives towards their Husbandâ— you have revealed by light from Christ now what are the duties of Parents or Fathers and Mothers of Families towards their Houshold and Families Answ They are to Rule their own Houses well 1 Tim. 3.4 Psal 101.1 2 3. c Rom. 16.5 and to Govern them Religiously according to the word of God that their House may be as one of the Churches of Christ Quest 8. In what particulars are they thus to rule and Govern their Families Answ Chiefly in those four particulars viz. Instruction Correction Provision and Example Quest 9. How and wherein ought Parents and Masters of Families to Rule and Order their Housholds by Instruction Answ Not only by Commanding and taking Care that their Houshold and Family do Sanctifie Gen. 20.10 Deut. 6.6 7. and keep holy the Lords day in frequenting the Publike Ordinances but also Catechizing them imprivate 2 Tim. 3.15 and instructing them in the first principles of the Oracles of God Quest 10. In what Correction are they to exercise this Houshold Government what light from Christ herein Answ In exercising of discipline towards their Children and Servants First in words Mat. 5.22 wise Admonitions and holy Reproofes not with reviling Termes Cursing or Banning as too many but convincing reasons out of Gods word Secondly with Moderate and Discreet Correction Prov. 13.24 Jerem. 30.11 Prov. 22.15 Prov. 10.13 not in mercilesse rigour and madd frenzie But in measure as God doth his Children and in pitty and compassion as sorry for such an affliction that they have such Children or Servants sent of God who stand in need of the Rod most fit for the Asses back Quest 11. With what provision ought they to provide for and order their Families with Answ That which is convenient and necessary for them 1 Tim. 5.8 Food and Rayment and comfortable rest in due time Prov. 31.15 c. Quest 12. How ought Parents and Governours of Families men or women to be examples to their Housholds Children or Servants Answ I Answer they are to be leaders and patternes to their Houshold Children and Servants in their words and actions especially in all the Practice of Christian Duties as becometh Saints of the Houshold of Faith Quest 13. You have held forth the duties of Parents of Families by a light from Christ now what are the sinnes which are contrary unto those duties and so a Breach of this first Commandement Honour thy Father and thy Mother what light from the spirit of Christ to know the said sinnes Answ First Parents and Governours of Families do sinne in not Commanding and causing Children and Servants to waite upon Christ in the publike Ordinances Gen. 18.19 Joshua 24.25 in not seeing them not onely to come to the Congregation but to abide there not as some who bring their Parents or Mistresses to Church and then slip out again and go to what they ought not Besides this Parents and Governours of Families sinne in not calling them to account what they have learned and how they have profited and what they have brought away of the Sermon Secondly Parents of Families sinne in not Catechizing Gen. 18 19. and Instructing their Children and Servants in the Grounds and Principles of Religion that they may be able to make a solemn profession of their Faith 1 Pet. 3.17 when they are called to declare their knowledge and to be approved for their admittance to the Lords Supper 2 Pet. 3.17 18. and to increase knowledge daily in their soules Thirdly Prov. 23.13.14 Governours of Families sinne in not giving moderate and fit correction to Children and Servants when need requireth it when words and admonition will not prevaile Prov. 10 1â— Prov. 29.15 then the Rod is Gods Ordinance so it be ordered in a right manner not to spare when necessity requireth Fourthly Colos 3.21 it is a sinne to provoke Children or Servants with reviling speeches Ephes 6.4.9 or to correct immeasurably without mercy or without mingling convincing reasons if they be able that correction is just and to be submitted unto as Gods Ordinance for the better Instruction of Children and Servants in their duties Fifthly 1 Tim. 5.8 Masters and Governours of Families sin in not providing for their Families Children and Servants what is convenient according to their abilities As Phillip 3.17 so c. As Gods Ministers spirituall Parents so all others Examples 1 Pet 5.3 Sixtly Parents and Masters of Families sinne in giving any evill examples to their Children or Servants either in their words or actions either by sinnes of Omission or Commission by which their Children and Servants may be encouraged to any evill or hindred or disheartned in what is good and well pleasing to God in Christ as spirituall so corporall Parents should be examples Quest 14. What are the generall sins of Children Servants or any inferiours in a Family contrary to these duties or to Superiours in this respect Answ To disobey the lawfull Commands Ephes 6.1.5 of their Superiours and especially of Parents and Masters of Families in any of these particulars Quest 15. The Common duties of Parents and Governours of Families are this held forth unto us what now are the particular duties of naturall Parents towards their Children and what light from Christ to learn these Answ Divers duties of naturall Parents to Children are already expressed Prov. 4.3.4 Psal 103.13 Isaiah 49.15 Gen. 25.28 Prov 19.18 Prov. 13.24 2 Sam 1â— 33 Job 1.4.5 Prov. 20.6 we may now say First naturall Parents duty is to love their Children with a naturall parentall love affectionatly ready to do them good upon all occasions
and being grieved when they do evill as an affliction of God upon themselves correcting them in time and especially taking care to prevent sin in them and Gods Judgement for sin upon them Secondly to declare their love to their Children in nourishing them and bringing them up with fit education Prov. 4.3.4.5 according to their calling Thirdly in taking care to place them in some honest calling for which they are fit by naturall inclination and gifts or with which their minde upon true information is affected as convenient and hopefully profitable for soules and bodies Gen. 49.8 9 10. c. and a comfortable lively-hood when they come to mens estate as Iacob gave his Sonnes callings in his blessing and care for them Fourthly in taking care for them Gen. 28. Gen. 24.1 2 3 4 c 1 Cor. 7.36 if God give ability and fitnesse to direct them in matters of moment for their comfortable life especially in the Married estate providing for them as Abraham for his Son Eccles 7.25 Gen. 14.57 58. and the wise man for his daughter not without her liking and consent Fifthly laying up and providing comfortably for their children 2 Cor. 12.14 Deut. 21.17 Gen. 49.3.4 1 Chron. 5 1.2 Gen. 17.23 Exod. 4.25 26. Mark 10.13.14 Luke 1.59.60 Ephes 6.4 as God giveth ability unto them in estate respecting the Eldest according to the right of the first born if there be no just cause held forth in Scripture to the contrary Sixthly as to procure for them as children of beleevers born in the Church the Sacrament of Baptisme that seale of the Covenant as their priviledge if God afford it in a right manner so to bring them up in the knowledge of Christ that they may walke according to the Covenant Gen. 49.15.16 Heb. 13.20.21 Monica prayes for her Sonne Augustine c. Seventhly to pray to the Lord for his blessing upon them as the Patriarks and Saints did of old and the Children of God of later Times in the Church Quest 16. You have held forth the particular duties of Parents to their Children now what are the particular sinnes contrary unto these duties Answ Whatsoever is contrary to the duties before mentioned as in briefe First not to love their Children Mat. 7.9 and take care to provide for them Secondly to hate them Ephes 5.29 Eccles 16.1.2 3. Thirdly to love their bodies or to take care for their outward temporall Estates and not to take care for their soules and Eternall Estate Fourthly to neglect Catechizing Deut. 11.19 or Instructing of them Fifthly 1 Kings 1.6 Prov. 10.1 Prov. 29.15.17 to be too Indulgent towards them Cockering of them which often proves the undoing of Children and griefe of Parents the Child left to himselfe bringeth his Mother to shame Sixthly to be too cruell Eph. 6.4 and bitter in correction or otherwise towards their Children Coloss 3.21 provoking them to take those evill courses which a wise and right Fatherly carriage towards them might have prevented which is contrary to that Rule Fathers provoke not your Children lest they be discouraged Seventhly in cursing Rom. 12.14 or not praying for their children and not desiring Gods blessing upon them for if the Magistrate or prophet of God the Civill and spirituall Father may sinne in not praying for their civill and spirituall 1 Sam. 12.23 children then it must needs be a sinne also in naturall Parents Gen. 9.25 For howsoever Noah prophetically cursed Canaan yea some others have in a propheticall manner pronounced curses to come upon the wicked yet to curses as commonly wicked Parents and others too often use Matt. 5.44.45 is a grievous sinne and God many times brings the Parents curses upon their Children Quest 17. You have manifested the duties of Parents towards their Children now what light have you from Christ to hold forth in Scripture the duty of Children towards their Parents Answ These duties of children may be branched forth into divers particulars Ruth 4.15 John 14.31 Gen. 31.35 Gen. 46.29 Gen. 47.7 Malach 1.6 Gen. 45.8.9 Gen. 45.23 Gen. 44.30 31. First the childrens duty is to love honour and highly esteem of and reverence their naturall Parents although they themselves be highly exalted and their Parents be but of mean Estate and to declare their honourable esteeme of their Parents in all Words and Actions of reverence and respect both in their presence and absence Secondly childrens duty is to fear offending of their Parents or grieving them by word or deed in their presence or by any Actions Leviticus 19.3 or behaviour in their absence thou shall feare thy Mother and thy Father I am the Lord the Mother is named before the Father because children are most apt to disrespect their Mother therefore the wise man he expresseth both together Prov. 23 2â— hearken to thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Let children not forget their duty herein Thirdly Ephes 6.1.2 2. Coloss 3.20 Prov. 1.8 children are not onely to love and honour and feare offending but also to obey their Parents in the Lord the Apostle presseth this duty with the motive of a promised blessing which is the first Commandement with promise saith he that it may goe well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth Luke 2â— 11 and Christ himselfe giveth an Example when he was subject unto his Parents Fourthly the duty of children Prov. 1.8 is to accept off and subject unto the instruction and correction of Parents Heb. 12.7.9 as that which is most profitable for their good being discreetly and in right manner performed Fifthly the duty of children is to be directed Gen. 28. â— 2 Gen. 28.6.7 and advised by their Parents with much respect for undertaking Matters of great concernment especially for their undertaking of marriage good children will not be rash in this without consent of Parents especially religious Parents who take care both of their soules and bodies and the like respect ought Foster children to have of their Guardians Hester 2.7.20 and Foster Parents who religiously and carefully take care for their good Prov. 4.1.3 c. Matt 15.4.5 6. 1 Tim. 5.4 Gen. 47.12 John 19 2â— 27. Gen. 27.34 Gen 48.12 13. Gen. 14.12 13 14.15 c. Prov. 31.28 Prov. 17.17 Rom. 12.10 Sixthly childrens duty is to follow Parents good Example and to declare themselves thankfull to their Parents seeking their good and taking care for them if at any time they stand in need of cherishing or provision for their comfortable lively-hood in this life especially for the good of their soules Christ tooke care for his Mother even at his death Seventhly children are to desire and esteeme the Prayers and blessing of their Parents to love Parents Friends and especially naturall Brethren and Sisters as most neer ein relation Quest 18. You have held forth the dutâ—es now what