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
thirty years Studies and pains night and day rent in pieces and taken away the greatest part then and the rest after from a Garrison of the Parliament W. Manor taken by the same Earl of Newcastles Army And for all my losses besides what will be due to me upon the Publike Faith I expect no recompence but from the Lord except it please God to setle the Kingdom in Truth and Peace and to enable Your Honorable Houses of Parliament according to Your Religious Declarations to take notice of my losses as of others my Brethren and Companions in the same Tribulations Your faithful Friends and to direct a way of Reparation as to Your Wisdoms and Piety shall seem most convenient That Declaration of Both Kingdoms although I cannot say it was an encouragement unto me because I had lost all before yet I may say it was a a ground of comfort in faith and hope that the Lord would work mightily for these Kingdoms and so there might be some expectation of outward good and Reparation again in Gods due time to me or mine I must beg pardon for this digression And yet this I cannot but declare Hos 4.1 2. Prov. 29.18 That I am assured this abominable blinde prophane superstitious ignorance not only in that but in other parts of the Kingdom was one principal occasion of these and the like sad miseries both to me and many Thousands in the Land Ioh. 16.1 2 3. especially the Religious part who have commonly been the objects of the Malice and Rapine of these ignorant prophane or Popish persons besides their oppressions by other men not Religiously affected Now if Your Honours ask me What hath been or is the cause of this ignorance In all humility I Answer from my own experience I am certain a principal cause was and is want of Catechizing Acts 20 22. First by Ministers in their particular Congregations And secondly by Parents and Masters in their particular Families Gen. 18.18 19. without which I conceive it impossible to cure this deadly Malady of base ignorance or ever to have the common sort of people know how to serve or obey either God or man Isa 27.11 29.11 12. according to the light of Christ and good Laws Established in a Kingdom As the Eunuch said unto Philip Acts. 8.31 How shall I understand except some man shall guide me So may it be said of such kinde of uncatechized people But is not the fault then in Ministers I Answer assuredly it is in great part Jer. 10.21 5.31 6.10 29.12 Isa 56.10 c. Ezek. 34.1 2 3 4. though not altogether First in many idle carelesse unconscionable Ministers who have had means sufficient to maintain them and common knowledge enough to instruct in the Principles of Religion but wanted Grace to perform their duties and in particular this duty of Catechizing Secondly in too many others Ier. 23.1 2. Zac. 11.16 17. blinde ignorant Ministers who have neither maintenance sufficient nor grace or abilities to perform their duties ns they ought Iudg. 17.10 1 Kin. 12.31 like Micahs Levite or Jeroboams Priests of the basest of the People And how can it be expected there should be Preaching and Catechizing in a right order where Ministers have but twenty Nobles or Ten pounds a year for their maintenance and twenty or thirty pounds a very high rate in esteem of some men where some have been constrained to keep common Ale-houses to get a livelyhood as they professed in my hearing and I have seen proved upon Oath in the High Commission where not so long since that I can forget their kindenesse in three years attendance Commissions and Hearing it cost me Three hundred pounds at least of my own purse besides my losse of my time and this for my Preaching too often as they Judged and keeping Fasting and Praying too long spending the most of the day an offence unsufferable as some learned in that Court were pleased at my sentence then publikely to aver although it was in the Plague time and when I thought I had both Kingly Episcopal Authority sufficient From the King A Proclâ—matioÌ„ And an Order from the Bishops for the Fasts And I am sure I Fasted and Prayed no otherwise then with my Congregation but as now is the constant Monethly practise of this Honorable Parliament and the Religious party in the Kingdom but all that saved me little in that Court There was blinde ignorance there as well as amongst those poor ignorant Ministers I spoke of before and such Ministers Ale-house keepers I my self have known in some places where there are great impropriations appropriated in times of Popery to Deans and Chapters and leased out to such as receive the profits but take no care at all for the souls of the people and too many of them yet in the hands of such who now are or have been open Enemies to the Parliament so that the people perish for lack of knowledge Hos 4.6 because for lack of convenient maintenance they want Ministers faithfully to Preach and Catechize as becometh the Ministers of Christ Verily every one will say the disease is lamentable But how can this be remedied fit maintenance provided or faithful Ministers procured to Preach and Catechize the people in this great Kingdom I Answer as Bernard once did in another matter Bern. in Cant. Non est meae humilitatis dictare vobis It is not for my humility Right Honorable to Dictate any thing nor was I called amongst my Reverend Brethren to Advise and except the golden Scepter of Grace be held forth unto me Esth 4.11 5.2 I may seem to have presumed too far already But since it hath pleased the Lord of Hosts so highly to honour You Give me leave I most humbly beseech You as a poor though a weak and unworthy Minister of Jesus Christ and as Gods Ministers have been in Ancient time unto Mighty Princes in all humility to became a Remembrancer Isa 62.6 7. as I have many times been unto God for You so now unto You for God You well know faithful Abraham that great Conquering Prince over four Kings at once that Religious Father of his Family Gen. 14.9 c. how careful he was to instrust and Catechize his Houshold and the Lord taketh special notice of it Gen. 18.18 c. and makes him one of his secret Counsel Christian Kings Princes and Magistrates are the Fathers of the Common-wealth and it is a high honour the Lord exalteth them unto to take care the Common-wealth which is their Family be Catechized in the knowledge of the Lord and of his will in Christ 2 Kin. 19.8 c. 2 Chron. 29.11 33.29 c. Yea somtimes to admonish and charge the Lords Ministers to perform their duties in the work of the Lord as those good Kings Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Eusebius in vita Constant and Josiah did in
he had once a year with his Neighbours at Easter received the Sacrament for many years together Example 2 The like ignorance I found in a manner in one W. D. an ancient man also and one that had thought himself worldly wise I asked him who died for him and that in a loving familiar way as willing to instruct him He Answered me The Son of God dyed for him I was glad to hear his answer but demanding of him again if he did know what this Son of God was that dyed for him he pointed his hand towards the Sun then shining in the Firmament it being about two a clock in the Afternoon and said Look yonder in the Son of God that dyed for me blessed might he be It grieved me then to see his lamentable ignorance which by that Answer and further Questions I found to be in him I might give more Examples of the like And such I conceive sin in coming to the Sacrament though neither for scandall of life nor for this ignorance they be judged worthy to be Excommunicate from the word Preached Quest 5. Truly I am of your minde for this notorious ignorance and for all such us are not able to Examine themselves But what think you of those who are otherwise Scandalous Ans There are too many Baptized persons Baptized in Childhood now of ripe years called by some visible christians whom St. Paul calls enemies to Christ Phil. 3.18.19 1 Cor. 5.9 10 12. 2 Ioh. 10.11 1 Cor. 1.11 2 Cor. 2.9.10 who are openly and notoriously scandalous ignorant prophane impenitent and unreformed with such as these are every true Christian ought as much as is possible to avoid all familiarity or intimate acquaintance except to convert them and much more all willing Communion with them at the Lords Table And therefore certainly Catechismes and Catechizing is very necessary that both knowledge and holinesse may be held forth as to the former so to such as these and examination or tryall be made 1 Cor. 11.28 29. both by themselves and others before they presume to come to the Supper of the Lord. Quest 6. Were there any in the Primitive times of the Church who were converted to Christianity that were kept back for a time from the Sacrament Ans In the Primitive times some who were converted extraordinarily upon profession of their Faith in Christ and desire they were Baptized First Thus was the Eunuch Acts 8.37 Acts 8. Secondly Thus was Cornelius and his company after the holy Ghost had given a publike evidence of their conversion and true Faith in Christ admitted to Baptisme Acts 10.44 45. 46 c. Acts 8.18 19 20. 21 c. 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 3 Ioh. 9.10 1 Cor. 5. Phil. 3.17 18 19. Heb. 6.4 4 6 c. Heb. 10.24 25 26 c. Thirdly Some were converted only to an outward profession of the Faith amongst whom were many hypocrites Baptized at the first and these it may be were admitted to the Lords Supper untill they were discerned But so soon as they were discerned and known notice was taken of them as such who were fit to be cast out and their Communion avoided for their wickednesse and hypocrisie Thus Simon Magus Hymeneus Alexander Diotrephes Demas and such like some of which fell for a time and were restored some fell to Heresie and Apostacy and perished in their sins Quest 7. Do you read of any difference of Christians made afterwards in the Church or were all that were converted to an outward profession of the Faith admitted the Sacraments promiscuously without any difference Ans Certainly no They were not admitted to the Sacrament For in processe of time when the Church did finde that many joyned themselves to the Christians and made a profession of the Faith as true Believers which after fell away As before noted 1 Tim. 1.26 30. 2 Pet. 2.14 15 20. some to Heresies some to scandalous lives and some to Paganisme again The Saints did not presently then upon the first seeming conversion or profession of themselves to believe admit men or women so much as to Baptisme much lesse to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but had a time of tryall and preparation for so great a work Therefore Writers relate there were severall orders of Christians in the Church of Christ Quest 8. Which were these severall Orders of Christians in the Church Ans First some were only Catechumenes Isidorus Origen lib. 14. Catechumenus dictus qui Doctrinam fidei audit nec dum tamen Baptismum percepit hearers and learners of the Doctrine of the Gospel by Catechizing as well as Preaching yea though they were men of ripe years untill they were able to make a good profession of their Faith and give evidence of their sincere conversion and resolution to persevere by Gods Grace unto their lives end Quest 9. Have you read of any particular persons who were such Catechumens in the Church Ans First such a Catechumen was Ambrose Sozomen Histor Ecclesias l. 6. c. 24. when he was chosen Bishop or Overseer of the Church of Millaine the state of the Church so requiring by reason of Schismes and Heresies then springing up Eccles Hist Gent. 4. cap. 10. Cent. 5. cap. 10. Secondly such a Catechumen was Augustine after he was converted from a Maniche to be a Christian and did write divers Books before he was Baptized by St. Ambrose Arnobius Adversus Gentes lib. 7. Thirdly such a Catechumen was Arnobius who when he saw he was deferred Baptisme because the Disciples feared least being an eloquent man if he should revolt to Paganisme he might prophanely abuse that holy Sacrament Therefore he wrote an excellent Book against the Gentiles to evidence the truth of his profession and constancy in the Faith of Christ 2. Again there was a second Order or Degree of Christians and these were such Catechumens or Catechized persons who when they were well tryed and proved or examined and approved Socrates Eccl. hist l. 7. c 17. came to desire Baptisme and were called Competitors or Fellow-Catechumens desiring Baptisme which when they received they were arrayed in white Robes In liturgi Chrisostomi as History relates And neither of these were yet received to the Lords Supper untill they were baptized and approved by the Church Quest 10. What were the third Order of Christians in those times Ans They were called the Faithfull and these were such Believers or Beleeving Christians who after they were baptized Socrates Eccl. hist l. 7. c. 17. had made profession proof of their faith were admitted to the Lords Table and had Communion with their fellow-Saints in that holy Ordinance and so were all fellow members of the mysticall Body of Christ And in the first Primitive times of the Apostles and Church after Christ 1 Cor. 12.27 Acts 5.32 these Believers were together and were of one heart and of one soul a sweet example of unity for
this light appear Ans First in the undersanding by that spark or light of reason left in the mindes of men and women since the fall of Adam Rom. 1.18 c. Acts 17.24 c. by which from the visible things which are and are seen and the natures order and government of them they may and have argued and attained to the knowledge of an invisible God which must of necessity be the being of beings the incomprehensible nature that gives nature to nature it self and is that first cause and ruler of all things and this light shining so far as to make all men without excuse Quest 8. If there be such a light of reason What was the cause then that divers naturall Heathen men did deny or doubt whether there was such a God Ans That ignorance and Atheisme did not arise from any principle in pure nature but from nature corrupted and that Idolatry and blinde superstition of the Gentiles who having lost the knowledge of true God Ier. 44.17 18. Rom. 2.15 Rom. 1.19 20. Rom. 1.19 c. Psal 14. Wisd 13. 14. c. wandred in the seeking out and setting up so many false Gods creatures and images and imaginations so that blinde men seeing the vanity and falshood of these were tempted and drawn like the foolish man to think in their hearts and sometimes to say there was no God at all Quest 9. How doth this appear further Ans Because however some particular men have doubted Exod. 31.30 33. Exo. 32.4 5. Deu. 7.4 2 Kin. 18.33 c. Acts 17.23 yet no Nation under heaven but have confessed a God though they did not lightly know the true God Quest 10. What other light is there from the book of nature Ans The world and creatures themselves which could not be from all Eternity but must have a beginning Rom. 1.10 Ps 19.1 2 102.25 26. pro. 16.4 Acts 17.18 Psal 8.1 2 c. Iob 38. 39. 40. nor could the creatures make themselves and besides nature order and use of the creatures in heaven and earth some without life as earth and light and heat and rain nourishing grasse and herbs which have a growing life and grasse and herbs nourishing beasts and cattell which have a sensitive life and all these serving men which have a reasonable life and whom should men serve and honour but their first maker who is the cause of all things and giveth life and being unto all and who must of necessity be God and none but God Quest 11. But doth not the preservation of the Creatures and right ordering of times and seasons Summer and Winter witnesse God Ans Yes verely If we consider First Acts 14.17 Deut. 32.39 Ier. 14.22 Psa 14 P. 1 2 c. 2 Kin. 5.6.7 Deu. 8.3 Mat. 5.45 6.25 c. 10.29 c. the wonderfull preservation of the Creatures in their kindes and the continuance of them in all Ages Secondly the variety of herbs and plants by vertue of the earth and rain and warmth of the Sun not as of themselves but from God Thirdly the admirable generation breeding and forming of the Bird in the egge of the silk worm and Phoenix and such like Fourthly the variety of the forms of men and beasts and the fashioning of man and all his parts before he is born Fifthly the giving of life and quickning power of life which man nor any Creature can give Sixthly the forming of the Spirit of man within him Zach. 12.1 Seventhly the giving vertue to our cloathes to warm us and our meat which is without life to nourish life in us All this must needs hold forth a Divine living being which must needs be God ordering all by his power and wise Providence Quest 12. What further testimony is there in the Book of Nature of the Divine being as of a great mighty everliving and powerfull God Ans Even the conscience of man within him which is an act of the whole soul reflecting upon it self First In the memory as a Register recording Rom. 2.14 15. and when God awakens accusing or excusing and witnessing thoughts words or actions good or evil Secondly In the understandinding Gen. 42.22 a Iudge giving sentence to condemne or to acquit according to that light rule or Law with which it is enlightned Thirdly In the hearts Gen. 4.13 14. Mat. 26.75 will and affections an Executioner to punish or reward with joy or grief with boldnesse or terror according to the nature of the fact or feeling of it Rom. 2.15 Gen. 42.21 22. Iudg. 1.7 Dan. 5.5.6 Ier. 10.4 Act. 24.15 GeÌ„ 4.14 Fourthly And all this with trembling in wicked men and joy in good As a Coroners inquest or verdict preparing for the Judge of Assize or Sessions so doth the conscience in reference to some higher power and divine Iudge to whom account must be given in the end which Iudge must needs be God Mat. 27.3 4 15. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Quest 13. You have given good evidence from the light and book of nature What is there from the light of Grace and Book of the Scripture witnessing this Divine essence and Eternall being of such a God Ans There are many evidences revealed in Scripture of God and his Divine eternall infinite wisdom power and incomprehensible nature filling heaven and earth and in a wonderfull manner creating and governing all things Quest 14. What is the first Evidence Ans His wonderfull voice from heaven without beholding any similitude or likenesse at all Exod. 19.19 20.1 18 19. Heb. 11.18 19 c Deut. 4.12 15. 5.22 23 24. 1 King 19.8 to 18. Mat. 3.17 17.5 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. Quest 15. What is the second evidence Ans His wonderfull Promises and Prophecies made so many hundred years before and fulfilled in time Gen. 3.15 Gal. 4.1 2 3. Gen. 15.13 14 15. Exod. 12.40 41. Ier. 25.11 12. Dan. 9.1 2. 2 Chron. 36.21 22 23. Ezra 8.31 32 c. Quest 16. What is the third Evidence Ans Gods dreadfull judgements upon wicked men for their sins Gen. 6.3 and 7.11 12 21. and 11.7 8. and 19.24 25. Dan. 6.24 Acts 12.23 Quest 17. What is the fourth Evidence Ans His miracles and miraculous deliverance of his Children in times of danger Exod. 14.21 to 31. Iosh 10.12 13. Isa 28.1 2 King 10.11 and 5.14 Dan. 3.24 and 6.22 23. and 4.33 34 35 36. Matth. 11.4 5 6. Quest 18. What is the fifth Evidence Ans Gods admirable revealing of secrets to the convincing even of Pagans themselves who knew not God Gen. 4.8.9 10. Iosh 7.18 19 c. 1 Sam. 23.11 12. 2 King 6.8 9 c. Dan. 2.46 47. Iosh 1.48 49. 1 Cor. 14.24 25. Heb. 2.4 12. Quest 19. What is the sixth Evidence Aâ—s The wonderfull conversion of men and women to believe and confesse a God to believe in Christ to repent and become new Creatures for the manifestation of Gods wisdom power and
yet so but naturall Quest 6. What are a third sort of actions Ans They are mixt actions partly naturall partly tending to Spirituall ends and in outward appearance Spirituall actions as to come to the Church to hear a Sermon Mark 6.20.21 2 Kin. 10.16 31. to partake of the outward Ordinances to reach out the hand in Sacrament to receive the elements of Bread and Wine to joyn with the lips and mouthes in common and ordinary praiers or praises Iohn 3.3 5. to make a shew of Religion like Herod and have a John like zeal of Reformation and he may have a kinde of naturall free will in all these Ioh. 3.3 and yet be a naturall man or woman and never enter into the Kingdom of heaven Quest 7. But is the understanding will and judgement as right now in these actions by nature as they were before the fall Ans Assuredly no In these and the like motions and actions Rom. 8.7 Thef 4.17 c. Mat. 5.20 the understanding since Adams fall is weak and dark the judgement subject to erre and be deceived and the will is weak and wounded weighed by corrupt affections when it meets with temptations as a bowle is drawn with a byas or a corrupt Lawyer Souldier Committee-man or any other in state of nature is drawn contrary to a good conscience And the rule of Gods Word Quest 8. What are the fourth sort of actions Ans They are actions Spirituall and these are of two kindes First Evil and sinfull actions tending to death and damnation Secondly Good and right actions tending to life and salvation in and by the merit and righteousnesse of Christ apprehended by faith 1. Evil as Adams actions Gen. 3.6 or as Cains Gen. 4.8 Gal. 5.19 20.2 Good actions as Abraham Gen. 15.6 Rom. 4.3 as Iayler Acts 16.30 c. Quest 9. What is the condition and power of mans will in the first of these sinfull thoughts words or works tending to death and damnation Ans Mans will in nature corrupted is free to evil thought Gen. 6.5 8.21 words and works yea prone and ready to consent to sin without compulsion with a kinde of delight the will in respect of defilements and inticements of corrupt affections being servile and running not constrained but willing to sin Quest 10. What is the condition of mans will by nature in Sprituall good things tending to life and Salvation as in Divine knowledge Faith Repentance Conversion to God and new obedience in Jesus Christ and such like graces Ans In the very first act of Conversion although the will be free from all violent constraint Rom. 3.9 c. yet in Spirituall good things the will is unable to convert it self Phil. 2.13 or will a turning of it self to God the Free-grace of God in order of nature goeth before and enlightens the minde and moveth the will and yet in the order of time the Spirit of Christ freely moves Act. 9.6 Luk. 19.5 c. and the will of man willingly wills both together to believe to repent to be converted and obey God in Christ Quest 11. But is there any principle in man or mans will to joyn willingly with the motions of Gods Spirit in Faith and Conversion to God Ans No The life of Grace and principle of Grace is wholly dead in man by the fall Eph. 2.1 Phil. 3.13 Col. 2.13 and all is of Gods Free-grace who works both the will and the deed of his good pleasure preventing with his Free-grace both the unwilling that he may will and the willing that he may not will in vain Quest 12. But cannot a naturall man or woman will or desire their own Salvation Ans A naturall man hath not a power and principle in himself to understand 1 Cor. 2.14 1.18 Luke 11.21 Num. 13.10 Acts 8.19 or be sensible of his own misery or danger of eternall damnation and so he cannot desire eternall salvation as a freedome from it yet as Salvation is held forth in the Gospel as a good thing so far as he is enlightned by the common grace of the Spirit he may desire it as Baalam did the death of the righteous or Simon Magus power by laying on hands to Communicate the Holy Ghost Quest 11. But can they desire Salvation truly in a right way 1 Cor. 3.5 Mark 16.15 16. Mat. 16.24 Luke 13.5 Mat. 19.21 22. Ans No For desire of Salvation in the way and means of it the true knowledge of Christ Faith Repentance self-deniall taking up the Crosse leaving all for Christ Thus a naturall man cannot desire it but rather leaves Christ and Salvation as the yong man did in the Gospel Quest 14. But if a naturall man by naturall power cannot so much as will or desire the right way and means of his own Salvation nor by all he can do procure life Eternall To what end then should a naturall man go to Church attend the Preaching of the Word or perform any good duty whatsoever since by all he can do he cannot save himself Ans Yes verily even a naturall man is bound to wait upon God in Christ in all the means of Grace as far as God giveth him power as to come to the Church to attend the work of Christ by his Spirit in hearing of the Word Preached in Catechizing in Christian conference and such like outward Ordinances Matthew 22.1 2 3 4 c. Luke 14.16 c. Quest 15. But why should he doe this Ans Because although a man or woman cannot convert themselves to God Ier. 10.23 Mat. 20.1 c. Act. 16.4 Iohn 5.2 3 4. Rom. 8.15 Mat. 16.17 Gal. 1.16 Acts. 2.37 38. 3.18 c. yet as that multitude of impotent folk of blinde halt and withered came or were brought to the Pool of Bethesda waiting for the moving of the Water that they might be healed so these may come to the Gospel and wait till the Spirit of Christ come and open their hearts and trouble their consciences with sight and sense of sin and misery reveal Christ and give them life and work grace to believe and be converted and be saved and made happy for ever The ninth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YEt once again Exo. 20.1 to 20. Lev. 18.5 2.6 Deut. 28. Ezek. 20.21 Isa 8.20 Luke 10.25 c. if man by naturall strength or by good works cannot redeem himself nor gain heaven To what end then did God hold forth the ten Commandements though not by way of any Covenant of works yet as the matter or Articles of the Law or first Covenant as some call them on Mount Sinai and since that in divers places of the Old and New Testament as if it were a repetition of the Covenant of works with Promises of life upon obedience and threatnings of death if the Law be broken Ans There are divers Answers may be given to satisfie this doubt Chiefly these following may
expresse image as noted before And this Person of the Son is a Person subsisting by himself and distinguished from God the Father and yet of one Essence with the Father and the holy Spirit blessed for ever But this great mystery is rather to be admired and glorified then by weak men to be searched into or comprehended And in like manner the procession of the holy Ghost the third Person in Trinity is admirable and unutterable by the Sons of men Quest 6. But if God the Son this second Person of the Trinity who took our nature upon him was begotten of the Father How can he be God from all Eternity equall with the Father was not God the Father before God the Son Ans In this Trinity none is afore or after another but all three Persons co-eternall together and co-equall as was noted before in the second Classis Question the twenty one Quest 7. But how may this in any measure be conceived Ans It is to be believed though our humane reason cannot comprehend it since the Scriptures hold forth sufficient grounds for it and certainly similitudes drawn from the creatures or things below cannot fully expresse it yet you may conceive some resemblance of a possibility of such a truth even from ordinary things daily in our sight As for Example when you light a Candle no sooner is the Candle lighted but at the same moment of time there is a glorious Candle there is light and there is heat or warmth and none of these is afore or after another but all equall in time together The like may be observed of the Sun in the Firmament and other things And so howsoever the Father in the priority of order of persons may be before the Son yet in order of time I believe they are co-eternall and co-equall for ever and before all time whatsoever Quest 8. What benefit or comfort is the knowledge of this to a poor believing soul Ans Great joy and cause of rejoycing that the Lord Christ who came down from heaven Isa 63.1 2. Heb. 7.25 was incarnate for us men and for our Salvation was and is God from all Eternity equall with the Father and so mighty to save all that come to God by him Quest 9. How and when was Christ our Lord and Saviour man Ans Although Christ was God equall with the Father from all Eternity yet for our sakes he humbled himself and took upon him our humane nature being conceived of the substance of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the holy Ghost and born of her in fulnesse of time now about One thousand six hundred forty five years since Thus being that blessed seed of the woman promised and the Son of Man of a reasonable soul and humane flesh subsisting as well as the Son of God who did break the Serpents head and being made perfect he became the Author of Eternall salvation to all that obey him Phil. 2.6 c. Luke 1.31 32 c. Mat. 1.18 Luke 2.1 c. Gal. 4.4 c. Gen. 22.18 and 3.15 Psal 132.11 2 Sam. 23.5 Acts 2.30 c. Mat. 26 38. Luke 24.38 c. Iohn 19.34 Luke 23.46 Col. 2.14 15. Heb. 5.7 8 9. Quest 10. But was not Christ the Author of Salvation to all that believed in him and waited for Salvation by him before he was born as truly as he is now to believers since his birth and death and Resurrection and ascension to glory Luke 2.25 38. Iohn 8.56 Heb. 13.8 1 Cor. 10.3 4. Rev. 13.8 Ans Yes certainly Father Abraham rejoyced to see Christs day and he saw it by Faith and was glad and Iesus Christ was yesterday and to day and the same for ever in respect of his vertue and efficacy the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Quest 11. Was it necessary that Christ our Redeemer should thus be God Ans Yes The Majesty of God required he should be God Iob 15.15 Mat. 17.5 Acts 20.28 Isa 6.1 2 c. First That in his perfect purity he might draw near to God and be a fit Mediator for us to his Father Secondly That his merit might be of such excellent worth that it might satisfie the infinite Iustice of God which was then offended no Creature being so pure and precious as was needfull for it Quest 12. Was it necessary also that Christ should be man Ans Yes First The Iustice of God required Heb. 2.14 c. Mat. 4.3 c. that in the same nature in which man had sinned satisfaction should be made for sin therefore Christ took not upon him the nature of Angels but of man Secondly And our necessity required that Christ being man like us though without sin he might be touched with a feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 16. and having been tempted himself might readily succour his Children when they are tempted Quest 13. How must Christ be known in respect of his person Ans That he is God and Man in one Person Ioh. 1.14 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2.5 3.16 by a Hypostalicall or Personall union of his two natures Divine and Humane for as the soul and body make but one man so God and Man make but one Christ Quest 14. In what manner is this union of the Divine and Humane nature so as there is not two but one Christ Ans Not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh Iohn 1.14 1 Tim. 3.16 1 Ioh. 5.7 Col. 1.26 c but by taking of the Manhood unto God not that the Divine nature which is common to all the three Persons did take our Humane person but the Person of the Son of God did assume our humanity and so God and Man became one Christ not by confusion of substance but by unity of Person in a great and wonderfull mystery Quest 15. Why was it needfull that Christ should be Theanthropos God and Man in one Person Heb. 5.1 Heb. 12.24 Iob 9.33 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 5.19 c. Ans That being both God and Man he might be a fit Mediator between God and Man as a dayes-man to lay his hand upon us both to make up a reconciliation between us in and by himself Quest 16. What else followeth this near Personall union Ans Besides the excellency of the Person and Dignity of Christs merits there is a Communication of the Idiomes phrases or manner of speaking so that what is most agreeable to the Divine nature is attributed or spoken sometimes of the humane nature and what is agreeable to the humane is ascribed to the Divine by vertue of this personall union of both natures in one Person Quest 17. How prove you this Ans John 3.13 No man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven where being in heaven which was proper at that time to Christ as God is ascribed to Christ the Son of Man And secondly Acts 20.28 where
the evening before as to make our selves or any other under our charge unfit for the Lords service on the Lords Sabbath day when it comes the Lord requiring preparation for as well as performance of a duty Quest 13. What are the particular duties of preparation in the morning before the publike Ordinances Mark 16.1 Ephes 5.16 Ans To rise early and improve as much time as can possibly be spared from workes of necessity in private Reading Catechizing and Prayer in our Familes and in secret meditation and Prayer in our closets for Gods blessing upon the publike Ordinances both inabling the Minister of Christs for their duties and the people of God and our selves in the Ordinances to meete Christ 1 Cor. 10. â— and receive refreshing from Christ to our comfort and to Gods glory Quest 14. What is the particular sinne contrary to this particular duties Ans To mispend the morning of the Sabbath or Lords day by oversleeping our selves or otherwise neglecting reading Meditation Catechizing or Prayer for Gods Ministers the Congregations or our selves or any spirituall duty which wee have time to performe in private or secret and neglect to the disfurtherance of our spirituall refreshing in Gods holy Ordinances Quest 15. What reason can you give that all this is required for preparation to meet Christ in the Ordinances Ans Because in every duty all meanes and helpes to the performance of that duty are likewise required to be made use of As Ex. 36.37 So 1 Sam. 12.29 1 John 3.23 Rom. 10.17 and so the neglect of any one help or meanes of performance and Christs power to performe it must needs be a sinne Quest 16. But how may this appeare that when a Duty is required the use of meanes to performe the duty it required Ans We may illustrate this by an example or two First to believe on Jesus Christ is a duty being the command of God and hearing of Gods Word which is a meanes of faith is commanded likewise as well as to believe Therefore the meanes faith is commanded also as a duty Mat. 13.9 Ex. 19.10 11.28 1 Cor. 11.28 Eze. 36.37 1 Sam. 6.3.6 7. 1 Cron. 15 13. and so helpes to duty as well as duties themselves the like I might say here of preparation to the Sacrament and so the neglect of any helpe or meanes to further the performance of a duty is sinne as to neglect prayers or helpes made and so in particular the neglect of right preparation for Ordinance on the Lords Day for God will be sought and served in a right order Quest 17. You have shewed the duty of preparation for the Sabbath both before it come and in the morning for better sanctification of the day now what is or are the particular duties which respect the Rest of the Lords day and what light from Christ for direction in these Answ To rest from all our owne workes of worldly profit Levit. 23.3 Nehe. 13.25 16. Jer. 17.22 Ex. 16.29 30. Ex. 34.21 or pleasure as from buying and selling carrying of burdens and journeis not of absolute necessity or any other of the like kind of labours though in earing time or harvest except such as are noted before to be workes of mercy and in case of necessity aforesaid Quest 18. What are the particular sins contrary to this duty Ans A pharisâ—icall overstrict Jewish superstition in the bare outward Rest refusing workes of mercy or necessity on the Sabbath day so much as to kindle a fire in a cold season for needfull refreshing or to prepare warme meate necessary the better to inable even the weake for Gods service 1 Macah. 2.37.38 Ex. 35.3 Mark 34 Mat. 12.1 2 3 4 5 9. â— necessary defence from the enemy seeking to destroy or any of the like nature Christ having eased us of this strictnesse declaring the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath for mans good not hurt and respecting mercy above sacrifice Quest 19. What other particular sinnes are there contrary to the rest of the Sabbath or Lords day Ans To prophane this day by bodily unnecessary labours Levit. 15.32.35 Nehe. 13. Jerem. 17. or workes which might have beene done the day before or may be deferred untill the day following or by buying or selling bearing of burdens any the workes of mens ordinary worldly calling for worldly profits Isai 58.13 or by words of conference about such worldly things for our profit or the like Quest 20. It is evident this labour for profit is prohibited what thinke you of carnall pleasures and pastimes upon the Sabbath or Lords daye in gaming sporting to sit gazing at their dores or otherwise mispending of pretious time on the Lordâ— day Ans They are unlawfull also as being the sinfull practize of Idolaters in their Feasts and holy dayes Ex. 32.5 6 or the practice of prophane irreligious people hindering the improvement of that spirituall refreshment the soule hath or should receive in the Ordinance Isai 51.13 Colos 3.16 1 Cor. 10.31 and unbefiting Christians whose delights should be spirituall and heavenly in a sweet Communion with God in Christ and one with another in spiritull graces and exercise of them But in these carnall delights men rather dishonour then honour God as becommeth Christians Quest 21. You have declared the duties commanded and sinnes forbidden concerning the rest of the Sabbath is there no more required Genes 2.3 Exod. 20.8 Ans Yes there is a sanctification of this rest also commanded in all deligent practize performance of and attendance on Christ in all the Ordinances of Christ both private before we come to the Congregation Levit. 23.3 Ezek. 20.12 and publike when wee are present in the Congregation and private and secret duty when we returne home to our houses and Families Quest 22. You have already shewed the duties of preparation in private before wee come to the publike now what are the publike duties in which the people of God ought to sanctifie this rest and glorifie God in this his day and what light from Christ to enable for these Ans They are diverse but you may observe these that follow and first a timely presence in the house of God to be ready as one man to joyne with the Minister of Christ in publike Prayer to God for a blessing upon the worke of the day and his owne ordinances Gen. 28.16 17. Nehem. 8.1.23 and the pious endevours both of Christs Ministers and people every one being ready with the Congregation to heare what Gods Ministers shall speake unto them from God Acts 10.33 Quest 23. What is the particular sinne contrary unto this duty Ans A negligent late comming to the house of God not being ready to joyne with the Congregation in the beginning Eccles. 5.1 1 Cor. 14.40 and so are more ready to offer foolish Sacrifices then to heare and joyne with the Congregation as good order in the