learn you from Gods infinite Knowledge A. We must walk before God and serve him in truth and with a perfect heart and a willing mind doing that which is good in his sight for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth aâ— the imaginations of the thoughts 1 Chron. 28.9 Isa. 38.3 Acts 1.24 all things are naked and opened unto his eyes with whom we have to do Hâ—b 4.13 Prov. 5.21 all our ways are before him Psal. 119.168 Q What sin are you here especially to avoid A We must lay aside all guile and hypocrisies 1. Pet. 2. â— and not draw nigh unto God with our mouth and honour him with our â—â—ps having our hearts far from him Mat. 15.7 for the hypocrites hope shall perish Iob 8.13 Q. What duty owe you to God as an Almighty God A. We must stand in aw of God and not sin Psal 4.4 and fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Mat. 10 28. by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil Prov. 16.6 Q. Doth not Gods Almightiness encourage you against other fears A. We must not fear what man can do unto us Heb. 13.6 if God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8.31 let us therefore be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph 6.10 not staggering at the Promises of God through unbelief Rom. 4.20 seeing we are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 See Gen. 15 1. Psal. 56.40 Prov. 3.25 26. Isa. 49.4 Q. What duty owe you to God as he is aholy God A. It is our Duty to be holy as God is holy Lev. 11 44. 1 Ioh. 3.3 in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet 1.15 2 Cor. 7.1 abhorring that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good Rom. 12.9 abstaining from all appearance of evil 1 Thes. â— 22 and worshipping him in the beauty of holiness 1 Chron. 16.22 Psal 29.2.69.9 Q. What is our Duty to God as he is just A. Because God doth justly we must bear the indignation of the Lord Mic. 7.9 and not despise his chastening Iob 5.17 nor faint when we are rebuked of him Heb. 12.5 nor complain for the punishment of our sins Lam. 3.39 but confess that he doth right and we do wickedly Neh. 9.33 Dan. 9.14 Q What special kind of sins doth God's Iustice warn you to avoid A. We must pray that God would keep us back from presumptuous sins Psal. 19.13 for the soul that doth presemptuosly reproacheth the Lord Num. 15.30 let us therefore work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Q. What doth the Goodness and Mercy of God chiefly teach you A. The goodness of God should lead us to Repentance Rom. 2.4 and to praise the Lord and give thanks unto him because his Mercy endureth for ever Ps. 106.1 and to love him who loved us first 1 Ioh. 14.19 Q. How ought you to love God A. We must love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength Mat. 22.38 Mark 12.30 having none in heaven but him and desiring none upon earth besides him Psal. 73. â—â— Q. How ought you to express your love to God A. This is the love of God that we keâ—p 〈◊〉 Commandments 1 Ioh. 5.3 Q. What love is inconsâ—stent with the love of God A. If any man love the world the love of the Fâ—â—her is not in him 1 Iohn 2.15 Q. Can a man love God and not love his Brother A. If any man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar 1 Ioh. 4.20 Q. What duty learn you from God's Truth and Faithfulness A. Because God is faithful let Patience have her perfect work Iam. 1.4 and let us hope to the end 1 Pet. 1.13 and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 and of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised before the world began Tit. 1.2 Q. What is the proâ—er effect of this hope A. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as God is pure 1 Iohn 3.3 having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. What doth God's faithfulness teach us in time of affliction and temptation A. When we suffer according to the Will of God let us commit the keeping of our souls in well-doing to him as unto a Faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4.19 for God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able but will with the Temptation make us a way to escape that we may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Thes. 3.3 Q What special Duties owe you to God as Governour of the World A. Our duty to God as our Governor is to fear him and keep his Commandments Eccl 12.14 to walk humbly with him Micah 6.8 to submit our selves to him Iames 4.7 saying it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam. 3.18 not our will but his be done Luke 22.42 assuring our selves that all things work together for good to them that love him Rom. 8.28 Q. What doth God's care and Providence teach you A. We must be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 casting all our care upon him who careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 Prov. 16.3.3.6 Q. May we run upon needless dangers trusting to God's Providence A. No it is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Mat. 4.7 Q. May we be idle neglecting the works of our Calling trusting in God's Providence A. If any man will not work neither let him eat 2 Thes. 3.10 we must not be slothful in business Rom. 12.11 but work with our own hands 1 Thes. 4.11 Q. Is all moderate care to provide for our selves and Families unlawful A. If any man provide not for his own especially for those of his own House he hath denyed the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 1.8 Q. In what sense then must we be careful for nothing A. We must not take thought for the Morrow Mat. 6.34 saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be cloathed v. 31. neither be of doubtful mind Luke 12.29 but praying God to establish the work of our hands upon us Psal. 90.17 commit our wayes unto the Lord trusting also in him and he will bring it to pass Psal. 37.5 Q. Must we not be content with the Portion which God gives us A. Our Conversation must be without Covetousness and we must be content with such things as we have for God hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Q. What is it to be content A. To be content is to know every where and in all things both to be full and to be
false way Psal. 119.104 and loath our selves for our Iniquities and be ashamed of our own ways Ezek. 36.31 32. Q. Must we not â—lso confess our sins A. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have Mercy Prov. 28.13 1 Iohn 1.9 Q. Is there any thing more required in repentance besides sorrow for sin hatred of sin confessing and forsaking sin A. We must also bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance Mat. 3.8 Q. VVhat are Fruits meet for Repentance A. Good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 2.10 so yielding our Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness Rom. 6.13 Q. Give me the substance of this Duty of Repentance A. Cease to do evil learn to do well Isa. 1.16 17. eschew evil and â—o good 1 Pet. â— 11 Q. Can we altogether cease from sin in this Life A. Who can say I have made my Heart clean I am pure from my sin Prov. 20.9 Q. VVhat mean you then by ceasing from sin A. Let not sin Reign in our mortal bodies that we should obey it in the Lusts thereof Rom. 6.12 Q. To what end must we repent A. We must Repent and be Converted that our sins may be blotted out Acts 3.19 VVhat mean you by Faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ A. By Faith I mean a believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God Iohn 6.69.11.27 1 Iohn 5.1 a coming unto him that we may have Life Iohn 5.40 a receiving him as he is come in his Fathers name Iohn 5.43.1.12 and abiding in him 1 Iohn 2.27 Q. VVhat is it to believe in Christ as a Prophet A. To believe in Christ as a Prophet is to come unto him for the words of Eternal life Iohn 6.68 and to hear him in all things that he saith unto us Acts 3.22 Q. VVhat is it to believe in Christ as a Priest A. To believe in Christ as a Priest is to believe that he by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified Heb. 10.14 and to look for Redemption through his Blood even the forgiveness of sins Eph. 1.7 Q. What is it to believe in Christ as King A. To believe in Christ as King is to take him for our Judge our Law-giver our King who will save us Isa. 33.22 and to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded us Mat. 28.20 Q. What are the Properties of true Faith A. By Faith God purifieth our hearts Act. 15.9 Faith worketh by love Gal. 5.6 is made perfect by works Iam. 2.22 overcometh the world 1 Iohn 5.4 and quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6.16 Q. What is the end of our Faith A. The end of our Faith is the Salvation of our Souls 1 Pet. 1.9 Heb. 10.39 Q. What hath God promised us in this New Covenant A. This is the Covenant saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 8.10 12.10.16 17. and this is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life 1 Iohn 2.25 Q. Tell me now what is the substance of the New Covenant A. The Substance of the New Covenant is this 1. He that believeth on the Son hath eveverlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Iohn 3.36 2. Repent and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out Act. 3.19 â—nd except ye repent ye shall perish Luk. 13.3 3. Christ is become the Author of Salvation to all them that obey him â— Heb. 5.9 and will take vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel 2 Thes. 1.8 Q What special benefits have they from Christ that keep this Covenant A. By Christ all that believe are justified from all things from which we could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.39 Q. Wâ—at mean you by Iustification A. There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 but their iniquities are forgiven their sins are covered the Lord will not impute sin to them but righteousness Rom. 4.6 7 8. and make them accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 Q. Can we not be justified by the works of the Law A. By thee deedâ— of the Law shall no fâ—â—â—â— be juâ—tified in God's sight Rom. 3.20 Q By what then are we justified A. We are justified freely by God's 〈◊〉 through the Redemption that is in 〈…〉 Rom. 3.24 Q What is the fruit of our Iustification A. â—eâ—â—g justified by Faith we have pâ—â—â—â— wâ—th God through our Lord Jesus 〈◊〉 Rom. 5.1 and shall be saved from 〈…〉 â—im Rom. 5.10 Q What other special benefit receive we by this Covenant A. Christ is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Q. What mean you by Sanctification A. By Sanctification I mean a putting off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and a being renewed in the spirit of our mind putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4.22 23 24. Q. By whom are we Sanctified A. We are Sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15.16 1 Cor. 6.11 Q. Are we perfectly Sanctified in this life A. We are but growing in grace and in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3.18 Q. Of what necessity is Sanctification A. This is the Will of God even our Sanctification 1 Thes. 4.3 and without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Q. What is the fruit of Sanctification A. Being made free from sin and become servants to God we have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life Rom. 6.22 Q. Can we merit or deserve eternal life by our own righteousness or Faith A By Grace are we saved through Faith and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 for when we have done all those things that are commanded us we must say we are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 Q. Can we of our selves only believe repent and obey A. Without Christ we can do nothing Iohn 15.5 Q. Whence then have we strength to do all this A. All our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 his grace is sufficient for us and his strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 and we can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth us Phil. 4.13 Q. By what doth God ordinarily beget Faith in us A. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 and cometh by hearing and by the word of God Rom. 10.17 Q Is Preaching of the Word a means of begetting Faith A. How shall we hear without a Preacher and how shall men preach except they be sent Rom. 10.14 15. yea it pleaseth God by the
We must not be forgetful hearers but doers of the work Iam. 2.5 letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom Col 3.16 Q. What is it that chiefly hinders the effect of the Word A. Cares and Riches and pleasures of this Life choak the Word that it brings no Fruit to perfection Luke 8.14 Q. Where have you the Word of God A. We have the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures which are given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.15 10. for Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 Eph. 3.5 Q. Do the Scriptures contain all things necessary to Salvation A. The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith which is Christ Jesus being profitable for Doctrine for reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly â—â—â—nished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. â—â— 16 18. Q. What then is your Duty A. We must search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 and take heed lest any man spoil us through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the World and not after Christ Col. 2.8 Q What doth Christ in the first place require of all that will follow him A. If any man will come after Christ let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow him Mat. 16.24 Q. What mean you by denying our selves A. We must count those things which are gain to us but loss for Christ Phil. 3.7 forsake all that we have Luke 14.33 hate Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and our own Life also to be his Disciples Luke 14.26 Q. How are you to honour God with your Estates A. We must honour the Lord with our Substance and with the First Fruits of our Increase Prov. 3.9 Q. How must we honour God in our Bodies A. We must present our Bodies a Living Sacrifice Holy acceptable to God which is our reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Q. What Virtues must we especially practice in oâ—r Bodies A. We must be temperate in all things 1 Cor. 9.25 Gal. 5.23 2 Pet. 1.6 Q. Which is the first part of temperance A. Every one of us must know how to posses his Vessel in Sanctification and honour not in the lust of Concupiscence as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thes. 4.4 5. abstaining from Fornication v. 3. 1 Cor. 6.18 and all uncleanness filthiness Eph. 5.3 4. and lasciviousness Gal. 5.20 Q. What is the other part of temperance A. We must not walk in rioting and drunkenness Rom. 13.13 revellings Gal. 5.21 surfeitings and the cares of this Life Luke 21.34 nor make any provision for the Flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Q. How must we honour God in ordinary Discourse A. Our speech must be alwayes with Grace Col. 4.6 that no corrupt communication proceed out of our Mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Eph. 4.29 Q. What thoughts are we to have of our selves A. We must not think of our selves more highly than we ought to think but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Rom. 12.3 neither be wise in our own conceits v. â—6 Q. What is the danger of Pride A. God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 Q. How are you to carry your selves in reference to the Fashions and Customs of this World A. We must not be conformed to this World but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Gâ—â— Rom 12.2 Q. Where ought a Christians affections and treasure to be A. We must set our affections on things above not on things on the Earth Col 3.2 neither must we lay up for our selves Treasures upon Earth but in Heaven for where our Treasure is there will our Hearts be also Mat. 6.19 c. Q. What is your Duty to your Neighbour A. We must love our Neighbours as our selves Mark 12.31 Mat. 22.39 Q. What is the general rule of Iustice to our Neighbours A. Whatsoever we would that Men should do unto us we must do even so unto them Luke 6.31 Mat. 7.12 rendring unto all their dues Rom. 13.7 So loving not in word neither in Tongue but in deed and in Truth 1 Iohn 3.18 Q. How must you express your love to your Neighbours Soul A. We must exhort one another Heb. 10.25 daily lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3.13 teaching and admonishing one another Col. 3.16 provoking to love and to good works Heb 10.24 rebuking and not suffering sin upon our Neighbours Lev. 19.17 restoring those that are overtaken in a fault in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6.5 and putting no stumbling block or occasion to fall in our brothers way Rom. 14.13 Q. How must you shew your love to the body of your neighbour A. He that hath two coats let him impart to him that has none and he that hath meat let him do likewise Luke 3.11 giving him those things which be needful for the body Iam. 2.16 Mat 5.42 1 Iohn 3.17 Q. How must we behave our selves towards our neighbour in reference to his goods A. Let no man seek his own but every man anothers wealth 1 Cor. 10.34 coveting no mans Silver or Gold Acts 20.23 nor any thing that is our neighbours Ex. 20.17 Q. What sins of the heart are contrary to the love of our Neighbour A. Sins of the heart contrary to brotherly love are envy malice despite hatred wrath anger implacableness unmercifulness evil surmizings emulation covetousness Q. What sins of the tongue are contrary to brotherly love A. Sins of the tongue contrary to brotherly love are brawling railing whispering back-biting false-witness false-accusing reviling tale bearing tatling business in other mens matters dissimulation cursing slandering provoking clamour and evil-speaking Q. What are the sins in deed contrary to brotherly love A. Sins of deed against Brotherly love are Murders Warrs Fightings biting and devouring one another theft deceit doing wrong and defrauding Covenant breaking truce breaking extortion strife variance the scant measure wicked balances and bag of deceitful weights For all these sins see these following Texts Rom. 1.29.30 31.3.14.12.9.1 Tim. 3.3 11.5 13.6 4. Tit. 3.2 3. Gal. 5.19 26. 15. Col. 3.8 Mark 7.22.10.19 Mat. 15.19.2 Tim. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.8 10. Lev. 19.16 Prov. 11.13 1 Pet. 4.15 Iames 3.14 Eph. 4.31 1 Thes. 4.6 Mic. 6.10 11. Q. What is your duty when men trespass against you A. If our Brother trespass against us we must rebuke him and if he repent forgive him and if he trespass against us seven times in a day and seven times in a day turn again to us saying I repent we must forgive him Luke 17.3 4. Q What is your duty to your Enemies A.
power of Satan unto God that we may receive forgiveness of sins and Inheritance among them that are Sanctified by the Faith that is in Christ Acts 26.18 Q. What is the danger of not receiving the Gospel of Christ A. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2.13 if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sins but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the Adversaries Heb. 10.26 27. Q. Ouce more tell me the happiness of Christians A. They that hold the Doctrine and Truth which is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6.3 Tit. 1.1 and by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality to them Christ will render Eternal Life Rom. 2.7 He that despised Moses Law â—yed without mercy under two or three Witnesses Of how much sorâ—r punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was Sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.28 29. Some of the most Easie and Obvious Considerations which may help to Confirm the Weak and Vnlearned Christian in his Belief OF THE BEING of a GOD AND THE TRUTH of SCRIPTURE THE Foundation of all Religion lieth in the belief of a God for if there were not a God to be Worshipped by us then all our Religion were in vain and though there be a God yet if a man do not believe that He is he can be of no Religion all Religion consisting in a firm Belief that there is a God join'd with an hearty endeavour to please and honor him a fear to offend him and a hope to be made happy by him Now that the most unlearned may see how reasoâ—able a thing it is to believe there is a God whom he â—s boâ—nd to Obey and Worship let him conâ—idâ—r â—hese following things 1. It hath ever been the general bâ—dâ—e of the whole world that there is a God Hence let a man thus reason with himself 1. I see that in most things which are not plain to sense it is a very rare thing to find many men of one opinion but even all they who differ most from one another and that in very weighty matters of Religion do unanimously agree in this that there is a God 2. The best men that is they who do most good in the world have ever been most forward and zealous in God's cause 3. The most Learned who have spent their strength and time and have the best means to learn the Truth have satisfied themselves and laboured to confirm others in the belief of God 4. The wicked and worst who are also the most of men could never find any reason to believe there is no God but though they could heartily wish there were none because the very thoughts of him are troublesome disturbing their pleasures and their wicked designs with fear of him yet do they feel him in their consciences whether they will or no 5. They who have denyed a God are but a very few and so wicked that the world hath been weary of them and they could hardly perswade the world they were in earnest but rather that their wicked lives did perswade them to wish there were no God than that any reason did convince them to believe so Yea all they can say shews only that at most they are in doubt and phancy for a time to still their troublesome consciences some possibility that there may be no God whilst they can neither make it certain to themselves nor so much as probable to others who would fainest have it so that there is none Seeing then that the generality of mankind even the most the wisest and the best believe it and a very few only of the very worst do rather wish than say or only say but cannot prove that there is no God I have no reason yet to think all men in the world either fools in believing or knaves in making a lie but only these very few whom no man hath cause to account much better If any man shall now say that this universal belief is only grounded on some blind Tradition which some crafty Politician firâ—t set on foâ—â— that he might keep the silly world in awe I ask who made him so wise as to know that which for so many thousand years now past no man hath been able to discover When began this Tradition When was it not Who set it first on foot was it never discovered to be so till now How doth it now appear that it is so Did all men before believe there is no God And is it then a likely thing that all men even the wisest should beat first tamely caught and ever after blindly led by a bare hear-say and that in a matter of such universal and eternal concernment to all mankind By what means did he bring all men to believe him Did he by force compel them to it What mighty man was he that could thus over awe the world How sewed up their lips that no man could tell this lamentable story How came it to pass that when this force abated men returned not to their old unbelief Or did he move men by reason to believe him They must needs be very weighty reasons that could perswade all men to come off from their old unbelief and to embrace a belief that they saw would fill their minds with fear and awe and put a â—â—rb upon their carnal wills and restrain their beloved Lusts and set a bar to their worldly Interests and stop up the current of their natural inclinations and abridge them at once of all their wonted liberties If they were not strong and powerful reasons that could do all this which certainly must be very hard to do then why hath not the Atheist all this while out of love to his supposed truth with his better reasons perswaded the world to that which must needs seem far easier considering mens corruptions generally to cast off the belief of God But if they were good reasons as they must needs be which makes so proud a thing as man to own a God above him then is it reasonable to believe a God But what design had this politick man in all this Did he pretend he had his Laws from God and by that device perswade men to submit to them If he himself believed no God 't is hard to think what hopes he should conceive that those reasons which could not perswade himself might prevail with all others besides if this was his design it doth not seem to savor much of policy to perswade men in love with liberty to put their necks into his yoak fâ—r the sake â—f a God whom they knew not or of Religion which they loved not Again the wiser sort might well be supposed as politick as
what could be more worthy of God to reveal or necessary for man to know than the things contained in these books Seeing now that the World hath ever believed that there is a God and that the very Being Order Beauty variety use and working of all things make it highly reasonable so to believe Seeing there have been Prophesies and Miracles such as cannot be conceived possible without a God Seeing that we have Books which pretend to make known God and his Will unto us and that it is most reasonable if there be a God to believe he should some way make this known unto us and seeing that the men whose names these books do bear cannot reasonably be denyed oncâ— to have been and to have written them neither can be suspected either of Ignorance or falshood Seeing they write of one Jesus Christ their Master and Teacher and it cannot be denyed that such an one there was and that he said he came from God and confirmed what he said by many wonderful Works and Miracles which none can imagine that any power less than Gods could do And seeing that the Doctrine which he taught was spread over a great part of the World in a very short time by men of vulgar Rank mean Occupations and little Learning and less Authority without all outward force or compulsion without all pomp of seculiar Learning but with all plainness and simplicity of speech and that against the Religion then in possession and highly magnified against the Learning then in great esteem against all the beloved Lusts and worldly Interests of men and the violent endeavours of powerful and Learned Adversaries And seeing these men had nothing to bear them out against all this but the Miracles which they wrought and the purity of their Lives and Doctrines Seeing the Doctrines of these Books are so evidently much for the glory of God so full of all Holiness so much conducing to the good of mankind so satisfactory to the minds of men in things not otherwise to be known by man and finally such as being once received makes the professors thereof a most comfortable and chearful being here by giving them hopes of an eternal happy being hereafter I cannot chuse but be fully perswaded both that there is a God and that the Scriptures are the Word of God and a standing Rule of believing and honouring and serving God in such a way as he will graciously accept and eternally reward The chief Heads of the Christian Faith expressed in an Homely and familiar Verse for the easier committing them to memory THere is a God the world did always own it Nature declares it and God's Word hath shewn it The Scriptures giv'n of God by inspiration Are the great Rule of Faith and Conversation There 's but one God in Persons three The Father the eternal Son And Holy Ghost and all these be In Person three in Essence one God is a Spirit infinite In Wisdome Pow'r and Purity Most just most good and to whose sight Our very thoughts all open lie God made the World and every thing God preserves all things is their Lord And Rules all as the Sov'raign King All things obey his Mighty Word God in 's own Image Man did frame With knowledge and a pow'r to do God's Will without both sin and shame And made him Lord of all below To Adam God a Law did give Which if he kept not he should die But if he kept it he should live And so should his Posterity Man brake God's Law and all Mankind By that first breach are much the worse All born in sin and sin doth bind All under a most heavy Curse All are by Nature ignorant A verse from good inclin'd to evil Title to happiness all want And all made subject to the Devil God's wrath upon us all doth lie No strength to help our selves we have We perish all eternally Except God's mercy do us save God did on us compassion take When by our selves we were undone God meerly for his mercy's sake Resolv'd to save us by his Son The Son did down from Heaven come To save us who by sin were lost Was conceiv'd in a Virgin 's Womb By vertue of the Holy Ghost Thus God the Son the eternal Word Man's Nature took and Man became Even Jesus Christ our onely Lord We have Salvation in his Name Jesus in whom no sin was seen Did thus become the Mediator Of a new Covenant between Us Sinners and our just Creator God did Anoint his Christ to be A Priest a Prophet and a King And by these Offices all thâ—â—e He doth to us Salvation bring Christ as a Prophet hath made known His Father's will to men that they In him might find Salvation If they his Gospel would obey As Priest Christ offen'd Sacrifice Himself upon the Cross did die His blood was of our souls the price Which did God's Justice satisfie Christ bury'd was and rose again The third day and to Heav'n is gone He doth at God's right hand remain For us makes intercession As King Christ gives us Laws and all His Enemies he shall subdue Sin Sathan Death destroy and shall Judge all men and give all their due A Crown of Glory he will give To them that serve him faithfully And in his Kingdom they shall live Triumphing after victory Upon the day of Pentecost Th' Apostles met with one accord Christ sent on them the Holy Ghost T' enable them to Preach his Word Th' Apostles did to all men Preach Pardon of Sins through Christ alone Who did receive what they did teach Them they Baptized every one Baptism's the Sacrament whereby Men own the Covenant of Grace And God doth Seal who cannot lie Pardon to them who Christ embrace Baptismal washing signifies Our cleansing by the Holy Spirit And whom the Spirit Sanctifies They are God's Sons and shall inherit Believers and none else but they In this new Covenant have part They who believe learn to obey For Faith doth purifie the heart Faith works by Love and Love constrains To hate all sin to bear Christ's Cross To keep Christ's Laws t' endure all pains And count all things for Christ but loss Christ's Spirit doth by his Word beget This saving Faith and woen 't is bred It by the same word farther yet To strength and growth is nourished To strengthen Faith yet more the Lord Hath giv'n unto us Heav'nly Food He hath commanded in his Word To eat his Body drink his Blood By Bread and Wine blest and recived With true Repentance Faith and Pray'r God Seals all Benefits believed Which by Christ's death once purchas'd werâ— We by this Feast and joynt Communion Our selves one Body testifie Members knit in a sacred Union By the blest Spirit of Unitie Believers all one Church do make One Faith one Baptism and one Bread One God one Spirit one Lord we take Christ of this Body th' only Head Whoso in this Communion die For ever happy are and blest Their Souls return to God on high In Earth their Bodies sleep and rest At the last day Christ shall appear In Glory to be Judge of all All who are dead or then live here He to his Judgment-Seat shall call Then shall all Bodies rise again And with their Souls receive their doom Well-doers shall in joy remain Who have done ill to Woe shall come The Righteous with God shall rest From Labors Sins all Evils free With everlasting Glories blest Such as cannot expressed be The Wicked shall be sent to Hell From God and Comfort banished With Devils in Flames unquenchable There roaring in a Firy Bed Thou who to fear an Hell would'st have no cause Fear God hate Sin Love Christ keep his Laws FINIS