in our Hearts by his holy Spirit Light and Grace Q What is the need of both the outward Teaching by Men or the Scriptures and Christ 's inward Teaching by his Spirit Light and Grace A. God hath so appointed it that as God and Christ by the Holy Spirit in our Hearts should be the principal Teacher so the Scriptures and Men Teaching according to the Scriptures should be Instrumental in the Spirit 's Teaching us and Working in us the saving Knowledge and Faith of the Christian Doctrin Q Have Men no Knowledge of God without the Scriptures A. Yea many have some Knowledge of God and of his Will in some things without the Scriptures and all Men may know some things of God and of his Will without the Scriptures by what God is pleased to make known of himself by some Manifestation within them and by his Works of Creation and Providence without them Rom. 1. 19 20. Q. But are these peculiar Doctrins of the Christian Religion revealed to Mankind without Scriptures or some outward Means of Instruction A. Nay Q Are no Doctrins of Christian Faith and Practice inwardly Taught and Revealed by the Spirit but what are delivered us in the holy Scriptures A. Nay Q. Are then the holy Scriptures the only publick authentick Standard and Rule to which all Doctrins of Men and professed Inspirations are to be subjected and by them examined and if found contrary to be rejected A. Yea Isaiah 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Q. How was the Doctrin of Salvation by Christ made known to Men before the Letter of the Scripture was extant A. By outward Teaching of Good and Holy Men with word of Mouth in the several Ages from Adam to Moses which was accompanied with the inward Teaching of the Spirit of God in all the Faithful Q. Whence or how had they that Doctrin outwardly conveyed unto them A. The Prophets had it by special Revelations and others who were not Prophets had it delivered to them by means of the Prophets Q. When did Christ begin to perform the Office of a Prophet A. From the beginning of the World and in all Ages both before and since he came in the Flesh but most especially and evidently and in the most ample and clear manner when he came in the Flesh by his Ministry and Preaching when he was on Earth which was about three Years and an half Q. How did he perform the Office of a Prophet in those Ages before he came in the Flesh A. Because it was his Spirit in the Prophets 1 Pet. 1. 11. By which they Prophesied and Preached which Spirit with all the Gifts of it and saving Graces thereof were given to them and to the Church for Christ's sake and for the Merit of his most holy Obedience unto Death when he should come to perform that Obedience Q Is not the Doctrin of Salvation by Christ Jesus in a true and proper Sense the Gospel of Christ A. Yea. Q. Hath not therefore the Gospel been Preached in all Ages of the World and ever will by which God has ever had a Church in the World and ever will have to the World's end A. Yea Matth. 16. 18. Q. But have they had the Gospel of Christ Preached to them who have had no discovery of Salvation by Christ or free Remission of Sins for his sake either by outward Instruction or inward Revelation A. Nay Q. Do they not therefore greatly Err who Teach that the common Illumination wherewith every Man is Enlighted is the Gospel of Christ yea the whole Gospel without any thing else A. Yea. Q. How are Paul's Words to be understood that the Gospel hath been Preached to every Creature under Heaven Col. 1. 23. A. They cannot be universally understood 〈◊〉 all and every particular Man throughout 〈…〉 who le World more than where in the 〈…〉 within a few lines he said that he 〈…〉 Brethren did warn every Man and teach every Man Col. 1. 28. Yet none can say with any colour of Truth that they did teach every Man that either then lived in the World or had before or since lived in the World the Gospel therefore its being Preached to every Creature or to every Man hath this Sense that without exception the Gospel was Preached to every Man of whatever Nation Kindred or Family where the Gospel came by an outward Ministry Q. Why is the Gospel called by Paul the Power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. A. Because wherever it is faithfully and sincerely Preached it comes not in word only or in a bare Form of Doctrin but in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance to them who doe sincerely and truly believe it and receive it by which Gospel they are saved 1 Thess 1. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 2. Q. Is the Gospel of the Kingdom to be Preached in all the World before the end of the World come A. Yea as Christ hath expresly foretold Matth. 24. 19. Q. Do they not Preach another Gospel than Christ and the Apostles and Prophets Preached who Teach that the Doctrin and Message of Remission of Sin and of eternal Life and Salvation by Christ Crucified and raised again is no part of the Gospel of Salvation and in so doing bring themselves under the Curse A. Yea Gal. 8. 9. Q. What doth the word Evangel Translated in English Gospel signifie A. A good or joyful Message concerning Christ the Saviour who was born at Bethlehem as the Angel declared to the Shepherds Behold said he I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Micah 5. 2. Luke 2. 10. Q. Was it foretold in the Old Testament at what time Christ should come in the Flesh A. Yea in Jacob's Prophecy The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Gen. 49. 10. This Shiloh is Christ who was to come of Judah the Hebrew word Shiloh as the most Learned in the Hebrew Language say signifieth his Son and such a Son as should be born of a Virgin as also it signifieth Peaceful and the most Judicious of the Jewish Writers understand it of the Messiah which is Christ that signifieth Anointed and the word Jesus signifieth Saviour Q. Did the Government among the Jews cease at that time when Christ came in the Flesh A. Yea as both the Scriptures and Writings of the Jews plainly declare for though the Jews had been some time before the coming of Christ under the Roman Government yet their great Council called the Sanedrin had the Power to judge of Life and Death continued unto them until Herod an Alien who was Contemporary with Christ took it away and the Jews confessed that at that time it was not Lawfull for them to put any Man to Death which was a clear fulfilling of
Gen. 18. 27. Gen. 32. 10. 1 Thess 5. 17. 1 Cor. 14. 15. Heb. 12. 28. Jam. 5. 16. Q. Is not private Prayer alone by our selves in secret a necessary duty daily to be practiâ—ed by us A. Yea Matth. 6. 6. Q. Is not also Prayer with others in Families and especially in publick where the Faithful meet together a necessary Duty A. Yea Jerem. 10. 25. Matth. 18. 20. Acts 13. 3. Q. What are the things for which we are chiefly to pray A. They are briefly contained in that excellent form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples saying Our Father c. all other Prayers throughout the Scriptures containing nothing for substance but what is comprehended in that Prayer and may be reduced to some Head thereof Matth. 6. 9. Q. Is not external Worship with our Bodies and outward Man as Vocal Prayer with our Mouths and the reverend behaviour of our Bodies as in bowing kneeling standing when we Worship God with Prayer and Thanksgiving a necessary part of Worship as well as the internal of the Heart and Mind and commanded of God 1 Cor. 6 20. Eph. 3. 14. Rom. 15. 6. A. Yea. Q Is it necessary and proper for the best of Men to confess their Sins and pray for forgiveness of them A. Yea 1 Joh. 1. 9. Q. Why should they pray for forgiveness of Sin who have receiv'd it already A. They have the same cause as to pray for their daily Bread who have it already beside that the great and most solemn and publick forgiveness of Sin is yet to come at the day of Judgment And the frequent sinful defects and imperfections that we fall into as James said In many things wâ— offend all require and call for our frequent confession and asking of God the forgiveness of our Sins Acts 3. 19. James 3. 2. Q. For whom are we to pray A. Not only for our selves but for all Men for our Enemies for our Friends and Relations and Neighbours for the King and all in Authority for the whole Church of God and all the Faithful every where and for all such of God's Elect as are yet unconverted and scattered that they may be converted and gathered for the prosperity and success of the Gospel that Truth Righteousness and Peace may be advanced Error and every false Way brought down Deceivers may be discovered and the Deceived recovered and reclaimed 1 Tim. 2. 2. Psal 51. 18. Psal 7. 9. Matth. 5. 44. 2 Thess 3. 1. Q. Doth the Spirit of God teach us to pray without all outward means of Instruction or use of the holy Scriptures A. Nay but in the use of them the Spirit of God working Faith in us and inflaming our Hearts with fervent Love and Affections wherein the very Substance and Life of Prayer doth chiefly consist and bringing to our remembrance words of the holy Scripture or the matter thereof sutable to our present states and conditions Q. But doth not the Spirit at times give new words to a Man that has a spiritual Gift of Prayer A. Not new coined words for that would be a new I anguage but the Spirit may and doth at times help a Man to apply and accommodate words already in use both Scripture words and others sutable and seasonable to the matter of his Prayer Q. Must be who prayeth by the Spirit every time that he prayeth use variety of different Expressions A. This is not always needful for Christ who had the Spirit above all Men that ever were or shall be prayed three several times using the same words Matth. 26. 44 Mark 14. 39. Q. Is there not a true Prayer of the Mind and Heart that is very acceptable to God and also very profitable to the Faithful when they do not utter audible words and there is not a proper season to utter them A. Yea as the Scriptures plainly testifie Lam. 2. 18. Gen. 24. 45. 1 Sam. 1. 13. Q. Is there not also a true Prayer in the Hearts of the Faithful very frequently without all words so much as conceived in the Mind as a Man may feel a hunger and thirst after Meat and Drink without saying in his Heart that he is hungry or thirsty A. Yea which Prayer is the true Spiritual hunger and thirst after God and Christ to enjoy still more and more of his Love Life and Holiness and is the continual motion and ascent of the Soul unto God and Christ by Love and Desire and is the most principal thing in Prayer which is oft without all words either outwardly expressed or inwardly conceived and after this manner the Faithful pray continually and without ceasing as the Heart is in a continual motion by the natural Life that is in it so the Mind and Soul of every Faithful Man is in a continual motion by the spiritual and divine Life of God and Christ in it that it may still more and more approach to God and be made conformable to him Psal 42. 1. 2. Psal 63. 8. Q. Though the Faithful are not to expect any new Articles or Doctrins of Faith to be revealed unto them by the Spirit nor any new Laws or Rules of moral Life but what are contained in the Scriptures yet such as are spiritual and holy Livers and walk with God in their daily Conversation both as to the exteriour and interiour part of it with great exactness diligence and circumspection regarding God and the leadings and guidings of his Spirit that leads into all Truth according to the plain Institution and Rules of the holy Scripture both in Faith and Practice may they not hope pray and wait for and certainly find clear and certain direâ—tions of God's holy Spirit in their Hearts and Souls which they may certainly know to be such to direct and guide them safely and comfortably in the contingent and doubtful affairs and intricacies of humane Life respecting matters in themselves indifferent neither commanded nor forbidden in Scripture which oft cannot be resolved by the best dictates of meer humane Reason helped and assisted by general Rules of moral Prudence and has not the experience of many good and holy Men in all Ages confirmed the truth of it and are there not Promises of God in the Scripture that he will give such direction and guidance to such whom he counts worthy of it and who in Faith and Humility pray and wait for it A. Yea although it is great presumption in any that are but Carnal and lax in their manner of Life to expect such inward Direction Counsel and Conduct for which see the following Scriptures Psal 37. 23. Prov. 3. 58. Prov. 4. 12. 8. 9. Jam. 1. 5. Q. Ought not the first day of the Week on which our Lord Rose from the Dead be observed and kept so as to be solemnly set apart for the Service and Worship of God both in Publick and Private with abstinence from servile Labour and from worldly Affairs both in commemoration of our Lord's Resurrection on that day
or Voice or Written Q. Why is Christ called the word A. Because as the Word or Speech of a Man makes known his Mind and Will to the Hearers and is the Interpreter of his Mind so Christ the Essential and Eternal Word makes known the Mind and Will of God to Angels and Men and is the Interpreter of his Mind and Counsel unto them Which as he did from the beginning by his Holy Inspirations in the Prophets so especially when that Word became Flesh and delivered the Mind and Will of God most fully and clearly by the words of his Mouth in his Body of Flesh upon Earth Q Doth the Scripture contain all things belonging to Faith and Practice A. Yea 2 Tim. 3. 15. SECT II. Q. WHat doth the Scripture teach us concerning God A. That he is a Spirit of Infinite Understanding Power and Goodness unchangeable without beginning or end Omniscient Omnipotent Omnipresent Merciful and Gracious and long Suffering Faithful Just and Holy that he is Light and in him is no Darkness at all the Fountain of living Waters the one only living and true God without Body Parts or Passions John 4. 24. Psal 147. 5. Psal 62. 11. 1 Chron. 29. 11. Gen. 17. 1. Rom. 1. 20. Rom. 2. 4. Psal 31. 19. Mal. 3. 6. Psal 33. 11. Psal 139. 1. to 12. Exod. 34. 6. 7. Deut. 32. 4. Deut. 7 9. 1 John 1. 5. Jerem. 2. 13. Deut. 4. 6. Jer. 10. 10. Numb 23. 19. Q What doth the Scripture further teach us concerning God A. That this one God is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God one Essence and Being equal in Wisdom Goodness Power and Glory 1 John 5. 7. Q. How are these three distinguished A. By their relative Attributes and Properties Q. What is the relative Attribute and Property of the Father A. That he hath begot the Son from everlasting before all Ages and Times and before all Creatures but he himself is begot of none Prov. 8. 22. Psal 2. 7. Prov. 30. 4. Micah 5. 2. Q. What is the relative Attribute and Property of the Son A. That he was begot of the Father alone from all Eternity or before all Ages and Times and Creatures and therefore he is called his only begotten Son and the word that was in the beginning with God and that word was and is God John 1. 1 14. John 17. 5. John 8. 42. Q. What is the relative Attribute and Property of the Holy Ghost A. That he hath proceeded from the Father and from the Son from all Eternity and before all Ages and Times and Creatures and therefore he is called the Spirit of the Father and of the Son John 15 26. John 16. 8. Q. Is it not therefore a great Error in them who say these three are only distinct in Name and are only three Manifestations and Operations in Time A. Yea. Q Doth the Scripture call them three Persons A. Though the express Names of three Persons are not in the Scriptures yet the equivalent to these Names are in the Scriptures for Personal Acts and Properties are attributed to them distinctly in Scripture the Father is brought in saying Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Psal 2. 7. Here is I denoting the first Person who is the Father and thou and thee denoting the second Person who is the Son Again the Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand until I make thy enemies thy footstool Psal 110. 1. Here is I the first Person who is the Father speaking to the Son who is the second Person Again the Father is said in Scripture to know the Son and the Son is said to know the Father and the Father is said to love the Son and the Son is said to love the Father Matth. 11. 27. John 3. 35. John 14. 31. Now to know and love are personal Acts and Properties and can belong to none but distinct Persons also the Father is said to give the Son and to send the Son and the Son is said to be given and sent of the Father or to proceed or come from the Father and the Holy Ghost is said to hear and to speak and is sent both by the Father and the Son and the Spirit is said to search all things even the deep things of God all which are Personal Acts and Properties and plainly denote three Persons John 16. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Q. But as Peter James and John are not only three Persons but three distinct and separate Men why are not the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost if they be three Persons three Gods A. Because Peter James and John are three separate Persons having three distinct separate Beings and Essences and are in three distinct separate Places having three distinct separate Minds and Wills therefore they are three distinct Men but the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are not three distinct separate Persons having distinct Beings and Essences in distinct and separate Places and having distinct Minds and Wills but they have one Essence Mind and Will and where ever one is there is the other the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are in all things and over all and through all and their Operations and Effects in and over all the Creatures are the same the Father worketh all things by the Son and the Father and the Son work all things by the Holy Spirit Q. What is the true English of the word Trinity A. Three and one from the compounded Latin word tri unit as signifying God to be one in Essence and yet to be three not in Essence but in their Personal and Relative Attributes and Properties Q. Is there then any just occasion of Offence to say the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit is the Holy Trinity A. Nay Q. Whence then hath come so great Offence in some to find fault with those sound words as Trinity and three Persons A. It hath partly come in some from their not understanding the true signification of the words and it hath partly in others come from too great a scrupulosity because they are not express Scripture words whereas those very scrupulous Persons use many other words in giving the account of their Faith and Principles that are not express Scripture words and in others it hath come from a prejudice against the true Doctrine and Faith of the Mystery it self not only denying the three Persons but denying any distinction betwixt them other than three Names or three Manifestations and Operations in time and lastly in some it hath come from a Spirit of contradiction affecting singularity and to seem wiser than others whereof many other instances can be given in other Cases and particularly their finding fault with the word Humanity or Humane Nature of Christ which of late these very Persons have owned so that it may be expected that as they are become so tame and conformable to own the word Humanity and
inward Principle and Seed of God in Mens Hearts as some have most perversly construed a great part of which Blessing was forgiveness of Sins and Justification through the Righteousness of Christ without us freely imputed to us for that Abraham believed in Christ as he was to come and suffer death in the Flesh and rise again is clear Abraham saw my day and rejoyced said Christ yea he received Isaac after he had laid him on the Altar in a Figure that signified his Faith that Christ should not only suffer Death but be raisâ—d from the Dead And for Justification by Faith in Christ given to the holy Ancients Paul Cites that place of the Old Testament in Habukkuk 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith And Peter quâ—â—es a place in Isaiah 2. 8 16. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Behold I lay in Zion a chief Corner Stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded And that Cloud of Witnesses mentioned Heb. 11. Who are all said to have dyed in Faith their Faith did certainly respect Christ Jesus as he was to suffer death and rise again because he was and is the sure Foundation to whom all the Prophets gave witness that whosoever believeth in him should receive remission of Sins Q. How then is James to be understood who saith Abraham was justified by Works and Rachab A. Not in the sight of God but as an evidence both to themselves and others that they were justified Q. Are they not very fallacious who Teach Justification by the Righteousness of Christ imputed to the Faithful and mean thereby the inward Work of Righteousness or Sanctification wrought in them A. Yea. Q. And is it not Popish and contrary to Scripture to Teach that the Works which Christ works in us or which we work by the help of his Spirit are meritorious of Justification seeing Abraham whose Works were such was not justified by his Works A. Yea. Q. And is not the ground of their so Teaching false and proceeding from great Ignorance whereas they â—y the Works that Christ or the Spirit works in us are not ours but Christ's for though Christ by his Spirit is the efficient Cause of them yet he is not the only efficient for we also work with him and we are the only formal Cause of them it is not Christ in us that Repents Believes Obeys but we by his help and assistance and therefore tho' Christ is a perfect Agent yet while we are not perfect the Work is not perfect for the nature of the Effect followeth the imperfect Cause especially the formal Cause An Effect altogether good must have all its Causes perfectly good otherwise if there be a defect but in one of them the Effect is imperfect A. Yea. SECT IX Q. WHat use hath that inward Law of Righteousness or Illumination in all Men given them by Christ if no Man can be eternally Saved by it without Faith in Christ Crucified A. It is of great use as it is a preparatory Ministration of the Spirit in a lower degree and kind of Operation for convincing of Sin and giving the knowledge of Sin and working in the Soul a sense of God's Wrath and Judgment for Sin that is of that service to Men as when Men are Condemned to dye for their Crimes and afterwards hear of the King 's gracious and free Pardon their former Condemnation makes the Pardon the more precious and acceptable to them That was it that Paul calls the Ministration of Death and Condemnation 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. that was glorious in its Season that is antecedent and preparatory to the Ministration of Justification that followeth and is much more glorious For as God led Israel of old by Sinâ—â—i where the Law was given with terror to Sion and Jerusalem that signifieth the Vision of Peace and where the Temple was built without the noise of a Hammer 1 Kings 6. 7. So God now leads his Israel through the inward Ministration of the Law to the inward Ministration of the Gospel and New Covenant of Grace of Life and Peace Q. What other use hath it especially to the Faithful who are come under the New Covenant A. So far as the dictates and teaching Light and Knowledge of it extends it serves for a Rule of Life together with the Scriptures in things of moral Honesty Justice and Temperance for if our Reason as Men be still of great use to us in things of Reason certainly that Law or Light in us and in all Men that is greater and more excellent than Humane Reason is of great use and service to the most Faithful And Obedience to it as a Rule of moral Life is so necessary that no Man can be saved without sincere Obedience to it Q. But doth not the more special Light and Illumination of Faith given to the Faithful under the New Covenant make the other void and useless and as it were extinguish it as the Light of the Day seems to extinguish the Light of the Night A. Nay For as Christ said he came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets but to fulfil them so he is not come either Outwardly or Inwardly to destroy either our Reason as Men or any former Light or Illumination that he had given nor doth the Light of the Day extinguish the Light of the Night strictly speaking though it may seem so to do but doth rather strengthen it and better it And why should the more excellent Light of Faith extinguish this other Light of Moral Justice more than it doth extinguish our Reason as Men which by experience is not so found but the contrary that the more we are enlightned by or with the Light of Faith our Reason is the more refined pure and clear strong and vigorous Q. What ground of Scripture is there for Two Lights or more than one Is there not rather one only Light which is God and the Word Christ which is one with him that inwardly shineth in the hearts of all Men A. The Light originally is but one and that is God and Christ the Eternal Word the Fountain of all Light Wisdom Grace and Goodness yet this one Fountain sendeth forth its various Streams according to his good Pleasure and though there is but one God yet there is diversity of Operations and but one Christ yet diversity of Ministrations and but one Spirit yet diversity of Gifts as the Scripture plainly declareth hence we find in Scripture that God is called the Father of Lights and the God of all Grace also we read both of the manifold Wisdom of God and his manifold Grace and of the seven Spirits of God answering to the seven Lamps or Lights in the Sanctuary which Solomon according to the Wisdom given him of God increased the number of unto Ten. Q. But can God or Christ as he is the Word be said to be a Light in Men either universally in all Men or specially in faithful Men A. Yea both universally
in all Men and more specially in the Faithful it being generally acknowledg'd not only by Christians but by Heathen Poets Orators and Philosophers that God and his Word and Spirit is in all the Creatures and as it is said in the Book called Wisdom Gods incorruptible Spirit is in all things Wisdom 12. 1 So that there is no Goodness or Virtue or Excellency that is in either Stone Metal Vegetable or Animal but God is the Author and first Cause of it and that not as at a distance or without things only but as near yea so near that as God is in all things so all things are in him and in him we live and move and have our Being and therefore as God is Light essentially in and to himself so by an easie Metonymie God and Christ may be said to be a Light to and in all Men as the Cause and Author of all the Light that Men have universally and more especially he is in and to the Faithful their Light as David said The Lord is my Light and my Salvation Psal 27. 1. enlightning them with greater and more high and noble Illuminations and Lights than he doth other Men and so is a true Cause of their Salvation as their Light in them but not the only Cause as within them but also as in Christ God-man without them and together with him their great High Priest Mediator Advocate Head of divine Influence and spiritual Nourishment c. Q. But if God and Christ be a Light in Men then what need is there of any thing else without Men What need of Christ God-man without them to enlighten them seeing they have God and Christ in them A. The Presence and In-being of one Cause takes not away the Influence Virtue and Operation of another Cause as it were a false Argument to say God is in a Field of Earth as the great Cause of its fruitfulness and therefore that Field will produce Corn without Seed and without Dew and Rain from Heaven and without the Influence of the Sun all which are external second Causes even as false it is to argue God and Christ considered as the Word is in every Man and in the Saints and Operates in them therefore they need not Christ considered as God-man the Word made Flesh their High Priest Mediator Advocate and Propitiation in Heaven without them or any influence of heavenly Dow Rain or Warmth from him that Sun of Righteousness in whom the Fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily who is full of Grace and Truth and of whose Fulness as said John we all receive and Grace for Grace Q. Iâ— it not therefore a great Error in them who blame that assertion that the Light Within whether in Saints or Heathens is not sufficient to Salvation without something else that something else being understood to be the Man Christ who is both God and Man and the Sacrifice of himself by his Death on the Cross his Resurrection Ascension and Intercession for us in Heaven all which are something else than the Light Within whether in Saints or Heathens A. Yea and 't is a downright setting Deism and Hethenism in opposition to Christianity and a subversion of it Q. But did not Christ say to Paul 2 Cor. 12. 9. My grace is sufficient for thee and was not that Grace in Paul and if sufficient what need any thing else A. The Grace of Christ was in Paul but in measure and in Christ in all fulness and tho' the present measure of Grace that was in Paul was sufficient for that present time yet not without Christ as a Man's Hand is sufficient to handle a Pen and Write or do other Work but not without the Man himself nor was that measure sufficient for all time to come but Paul needed a daily supply of more Grace out of Christ's fulness as the Bread we received last Work and the Drink we then drank will not satisfie us now without a new supply of daily Bread and Drink so nor will the measure of Grace given the last Week or Day suffice to Day but we need daily to pray in respect of our spiritual Bread from Heaven Give us this day our daily Bread or as some think it better translated Give us this day the Bread of our Sustinence or Sustentation Q. Hath the Grace of God and of Christ then as it signifieth an inward Principle that he giveth to Men its several measures A. Yea it hath as Paul said to every of us â—s Grace given according to the measure of the Gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. Q. Hath the Spirit of God any measures or parts A. Properly speaking nay For the Spirit of God is one and the same Infinite Being with God and God has no Measures Parts nor Passions Q. Is then the Grace of God a distinct thing from the Spirit of God A. Yea though not divided or separated there-from Q. How then are we to understand that manner of Speech used by some that one hath a greater or lesser measure of the Spirit than another A. Not as with respect to himself but with respect to the Gifts and Graces thereof also when the Spirit is said to be quenched that cannot be understood of the Spirit himself but of his Operations Q. How is the Scripture to be understood that saith the Holy Ghost was sent down by Christ upon the Apostles for seeing the Holy Ghost is that Infinite Spirit and is every where present he is not capable of any local motion of Descent or Ascent A. That Descent is also to be understood not with respect to himself but his Gifts and Graces Q. What are the saving Graces and Gifts of Christ and of the Holy Spirit Are they not an inward Seed and Principle of a spiritual and holy Life the same that John calls the Seed of God 1 John 3. 9. and Peter the Incorruptible Seed of which the Children of God are Born 1 Pet. 1. 23. containing all the Virtues Graces and Fruits of the Spirit in it Seminally as Faith Hope Love Temperance Patience Humility Meekness c. Even as the several Parts and Fruits of a Tree are contained in the Sâ—â—d oâ— it which Seed is by Christ Jesus infused into the Souls of the Faithful to be in them a Principle of spiritual Life and of holy Living and Acting A. Yea. Q. But is not the Word and Doctrin of the Gospel outwardly Preached called the Seed by Christ himself Matth. 13. 19. A. It is so called partly Metaphorically and partly by a Metonymie where the Thing containing receives the Name of the thing contained the External Word and Doctrin being as it were the Conduit whereby the Seed of God's Grace is conveyed into the Soul and whereby that Seed doth Operate in the Souls of Men for their Regeneration who receive it with Faith and Love Q. How and whence have the Faithful the Holy Spirit given unto them of God Is it not by and through Christ considered
the difficulty comes gradually to be removed and such an attainment becomes exceeding delightful and sweet as well as profitable to the Soul surely David had attained it when he said Truly my Soul is silent on God Psal 62. 1. as the best translation is and Unto thee O Lord silence praise in Zion Psal 65. 1. As intimating that as God is praised in silence so praise cannot be truly performed unto God while the Mind is unsettled disquieted and discomposed which it will needs be until it come to true Silence as also when he said My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed Psal 57. 7. and then it follows I will Sing and give Praise and divers places of Scripture hold forth not only the duty of inward Silence or ceasing from all Self-actings whether of the Understanding or Will but also the great profit and benefit of it Lam. 3. 27 28. Psal 4. 4. 46. 10. Isa 30. 7. 19. Q. How by Meditation A. After the Mind is cleared and disburdened of all Self-disquieting thoughts and actings then as a fruitful Soil having good Seed sown in it and being watered with Rain from above and warmed with the Sun's heat brings forth plenty of sweet smelling Herbs and Flowers both pleasant to the Sight and profitable for Use which it could not do while it was loaded with Rubbish being helped with the Rain and Warmth of God's Holy Spirit it bringeth forth with ease and pleasure precious and wholsom Meditations and Thoughts most sutable and proper to its present state upon variety of objects all which do greatly conduce to dispose the Soul for Prayer and Thanksgiving and any other religious Duty Q. Doth the holy Spirit help us in Meditation without all use of outward means of Instruction as Reading in the holy Scriptures Hearing Conference A. Nay but by using frequently these outward means the Holy Spirit by his holy Inspirations and Motions brings seasonably to our remembrance what we have formerly heard or read and have been taught out of the holy Scriptures of divine Truth and also brings to our frequent remembrance the great Love and the many Mercies of God to us both Spiritual and Temporal and his great and manifold Deliverances Preservations and gracious Providences which afford us matter of Praise and Thanksgiving unto God which ought to be offered up with our Prayers Q. What things more particularly are the proper and necessary matter and subject of our Meditation A. The Works of Creation and Providence both in general and particular and more especially the Psal 77. 10. 11. Psal 143. 5. Eccles 12. 1. great Work of our Redemption and the great Glory of God that is wonderfully demonstrated therein in his great Attributes of Mercy and Justice Wisdom and Power in most excellent Harmony and how the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost are all concerned in that great Work the Father did not dye for us but he so loved us that he spared not his dear Son but gave him freely to dye for us and Christ so loved us that he freely gave himself for us to suffer the cursed Death of the Cross in our stead and the Holy Ghost so loved us that he is come to be a true and faithful 〈◊〉 so us in our hearts to assure us that Christ dyed for us and to apply to us the great Worth Essicacy and Merit of what Christ hath done and suffered for us who is the free gift both of the Father and the Son to us and also freely giveth himself to us by whom God through Christ doth work the true convincement in us of our sin and misery and the true Conversion from it begotting in us true Faith Hope and Charity and all other Evangelical Virtues and Fruits which are therefore called the Fruits of the Spirit all which ought to be the most frequent matter and subject of our most serious and devout Meditation together with the exceeding great obligation of duty that lyeth upon us of Love and Obedience as the reasonable return of such exceeding great and rich favour love and mercy freely bestowed upon us which are the great motives to Christian Obedience also the Laws and Commandments of God and Christ to the end we may obey them ought to be our daily study and meditation in the doing of which we may expect the Blessedness and Promises of God to be fulfilled to us Psal 1. throughout and likewise the precious Promises of God recorded in Scripture ought to be frequently in our Meditations that by them we may be encouraged to pray to God for the performance of them And we ought not only to have continually before the eyes of our Minds the great Love of Christ in his dying for us but his most holy Example in his most perfect Obedience Resignation Patience Humility Self-denyal Love to his Enemies that we may follow his Steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Moreover the frequent consideration of our State past present and future with the most diligent and impartial examination of our selves and of our daily conversation both exteriour and interiour is most necessary for us that wherein we have failed in our duty either to God to our selves or our neighbours we may be humbled and sorry for it confess our sins to God and ask forgiveness of God for Christ's sake and wherein we have been helped by his Spirit and Grace to advance in the ways of Holiness to bless and praise God through Christ Jesus for the same also the frequent meditation of Death and Judgment the vanity of the World with all its Prouts Pleasures Honours and Preferments and the exceeding great advantage of Godliness which hath both the Promises of this Life and of the life to come is exceeding both profitable and necessary to us in all which or whatever is necessary to be remembred by us Cant. 1. 4. Psal 8. 3. 4. Psal 63. 5. 6. Psal 119. 23. 48. 148. 1 Tim. 4. 15. 2 Tim. 2. 8. Psal 104. 34. and made the subject of our frequent meditation the faithful may expect the assistance of God's blessed Spirit in the diligent use of the means and helps that God hath offered to us Q. To whom are we to pray and give thanks as the one intire object of Divine Worship Prayer and Thanksgiving A. To God the Father the Son Jesus Christ God Man and the Holy Spirit and who is also the one intire object of our Faith 1 Cor. 1. 2. 3. Revel 1. 4 5. 6. Q. Are we to make use of any Images in Divine Worship A. Nay Exod. 20. 4. 5. Acts 17. 25. 29. 30. Q. How are we to pray and give thanks so as to be accepted A. In Spirit and Truth in sincerity of heart in Faith without doubting in humility in holy fear with understanding with love and fervency of heart with frequency and constancy to all which we need the continual help of God's Spirit and Grace to aid and assist us John 4. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 8.
Objection is oft made by some against the necessity of Faith in Christ as he suffered in the Flesh that Paul said He knew Christ no more after the Flesh how is this Objection to be answered 2 Cor. 5. 16. A. The words after the Flesh do not refer to Christ's Flesh as if Paul had renounced and quite buried in oblivion all Knowledge Faith and Remembrance of Christ's Death and Sufferings in the Flesh and Resurrection the contrary of which is evident from many places throughout his Epistles and particularly from his words a little before in that same Chapter v. 14 15. but his carnal knowledge of Christ such as he had when a Pharisee which was but a knowledge of Christ after the Flesh he did justly reject Q But have not some felt an inward spiritual Fire and had experience of the good Effects of it who are so far from having had Faith in Christ as he outwardly suffered Death in the Flesh that they are prejudiced against it and have openly before many Witnesses opposed it as unnecessary and unprofitable yea hurtful as drawing from the Gift of God within A. As the Law at Mount Sinai Exod. 19 1. 16. 12. 2. 6. was given in Fire on the 50th day after the Children of Israel came out of Egypt so the Holy Ghost was given in Fire on the 50th day from Christ's Resurrection Acts 2. 1. 2. 3. And as these two outward Fires differed so there are two inward Ministrations of Fire as it were two Fires the first Legal the second Evangelical and whatever good Effects the Legal Fire produceth it maketh none the Children of the New Covenant or bringeth to that Perfection and Purification and true and real Sanctification that the Gospel ministration bringeth unto the Effects of the last and first as much differing as Gold and Silver differs from Brass and Iron Q. What is the Everlasting Life A. It is the full enjoyment of God and Christ together with the holy Spirit by Vision Love and Delight together with the complete Glorification of the Souls and Bodies of all the Faithful eternally and without all end in the Kingdom of Heaven and where they shall enjoy the blessed Society of all the holy Angels and glorified Saints Matth. 5. 8. 1 Cor. 13. 12. 1 Joh. 3. 2. Rev. 22. 4. Philip 3. 21. Luke 20. 36. Heb. 12. 22. Q. Is there an Earnest or first Fruits of Eternal Life that the Faithful do enjoy here on Earth in the mortal Body A. Yea John 6. 47. 58. Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 22. 5. 5. Eph. 1. 14. Q. What is that Faith in Christ Jesus whereby the Faithful eat his Flesh and drink his Blood that they may have Eternal Life A. It is not only the assent of the understanding to the truth of Christ as he came in the Flesh and gave his Body of Flesh to be broken and his Blood to be sued for us but is a most chearful ready and free consent of the Heart and Will whereby every true Believer with great desire receiveth accepteth and relyeth upon Christ trusteth and consideth in him and in God the Father through him for remission of Sin Justification and Eternal Life and Salvation and all the Spiritual blessings promised in the Gospel and by which free act of the Will the Faithful chuse God to be their God and Father and Christ to be their Redeemer and Saviour Head and Husband King and Lord as well as Priest and Propitiation for Sin The Believer having thus acted Faith on him is as truly refreshed comforted strengthened fed and satisfied with him as a hungry Man is with Meat therefore by a Metaphor believing in Christ is called an eating of him both which assent of the Understanding and consent and choice of the Heart and Will is wrought in the Soul by the Spirit of Christ by means of the Word and Doctrin delivered in the holy Scriptures and by the like Metaphor it is called a looking to him a coming to him a resting and abiding in him a being joyned to him as the Members are joyned to the Head a being grafted in him Rom. 11. 17. Joh. 15. 4. and built upon him as on a sure Foundation also a being married to him by which Faith as they abide and dwell in him so he abideth and dwelleth in them Heb. 12. 2. Isa 45. 21. 22. Matth. 11. 28. Isa 11. 10. John 15. 7. Eph. 2. 6. 3. 17. 1 Cor. 6. 17. Eph. 2. 20. Rom. 7. 4. Yea not only his Spirit and Life dwelleth in them but he himself the Man Christ Jesus who dyed and rose again by Faith dwelleth in them not by his bodily Presence but by their having him in their constant thoughts and remembrance and in their love and affections as the loving Wife hath her loving Husband in her thoughts and affections when he is bodily absent and as Paul said to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 7. 3. You are in our hearts to dye and to live with you Q. But it is objected by some that they find a difficulty if not an impossibility in it to believe in the Man Christ without them whom they have never at any time heard or seen they cannot frame a conception of him in the mind as the Wife can of the Husband whom she hath both heard and seen and immediately conversed with A. The account that the holy Scriptures give us of him and of his most holy Life and Virtues and wonderful Excellencies doth better help us to frame a Conception of him in our minds as the holy Spirit that we receive from him gives life to that Conception by his powerful Operation in us than if we had only seen him and heard him outwardly as the true and accurate description of a Man's Life and Virtues gives us a better account of him than the bodily sight and hearing of him therefore it was that our Lord said to Thomas Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed Joh. 20. 29. There is no Man who hath receiv'd some extraordinary favour from a Person that he hath not seen but by the favour which he hath receiv'd from him he will be helped to frame a very lovely Conception of him in his Heart and Soul And the faithful who had not seen Christ with their bodily Eyes more than we to whom Peter writ unto did both believe in Christ and love him whom they had not seen and rejoyced in him with great joy even joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 6. With what dearness of love and affection do we love the Saints whose holy Lives and Virtues are so lively set forth to us in the Scriptures and the holy Martyrs in Church History though we believe not in them But we could not love them unless we had some true Conception or Idea of them for love doth as much require a lively Conception of the Object beloved as Faith requireth a lively Conception of the Object believed Therefore if
of the Moral Part is generally owned and acknowledged among all professed Christians of the several Denominations and Communions in Christendom as also in great measure many among sober Heathens though they have not the knowledge of these great and noble Motives and Obligations to practise the Moral Part that all true Christians have And because I know there are many who want more to be well taught and helped in the Doctrinal Part of the Christian Faith than in the Moral Part therefore with respect to these I have chiefly undertaken this Work that what Morality is found among them who are short in the true Knowledge and Faith of Christian Doctrin may be advanced to the true pitch of true Christian Morality by their receiving the sound Christian Faith as God shall be pleased to work it in them by his holy Spirit in the use of outward means and helps afforded and offered unto them The which my sincere Christian Labour in this undertaking for their good and the good of any others to whom it may be of service I commit and recommend to Almighty God with my sincere Prayers and Wishes that he may please to bless it with success To their spiritual profit and advantage Amen George Keith THE CONTENTS SECT I. Concerning the Christian Religion and the holy Scriptures whether they are the Word of God and why Christ is called the Word SECT II. Concerning God and his Attributes the distinction of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost by their Relative Attributes and Properties the Words Trinity and Three Persons inoffensive and agreeable to Scripture No saving Knowledge of God without his Divine Illumination SECT III. Concerning the Works of Creation and Providence Angels Adam and Eve their state before they sinned their Sin and the Effects of it SECT IV. Concerning the Lord Jesus Christ the Redeemer his Godhead-nature and Manhood-nature really distinct and how Christ is both God and Man yet but one Christ the Womans Seed SECT V. Concerning his Prophetical Office SECT VI. Concerning his Priestly Office his Satisfaction to Divine Justice by his Obedience Death and Sufferings SECT VII Concerning his Kingly Office SECT VIII Concerning the two Covenants the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace Faith Repentance remission of Sin Justification c. SECT IX Concerning the Light Within its distinction from Humane Reason and excellency above it being a true Cause of our Salvation but not the only Cause as within us but also as in Christ God-man without us and together with him SECT X. Concerning the difference betwixt the Law writ in the hearts of Unbelievers and that writ in the hearts of Believers God and Christ considered as the Word their Essential Presence and Operation in all things and in all men God and Christ and the Holy Ghost in all the Faithful by Union and Communion and Inhabitation by Faith and Love but not so in Unbelievers how Christ in the Saints is the hope of Glory not as within them only but without them also As Christ without them and within them is but one Christ so one Mystery the greater part of which Mystery is God manifest in the Flesh of Christ without them SECT XI Concerning Prayer and Worship External and Internal Internal Silence and Meditation Religious observation of the Lord's day and solemn times of Thanksgiving SECT XII Concerning the Church Concerning Pasting SECT XIII Concerning Baptism and the Supper External SECT XIV Concerning Baptism and the Supper Internal Note The Twelve Articles of the Creed are found in the Sections thus The First Article in Section 1. 2. 3. The other Articles in the following Sections A Christian Catechisme For the Instruction of Youth and other Persons to whom it may be useful in the Grounds of Christian Religion and Practice of Christian Piety SECTION I. Q. WHat is a Christian Catechisme A. It is an Instruction concerning the Grounds of Christian Religion and Practice of Christian Piety Luke 1. 4. Q. What is the Christian Religion A. It is a Knowledge Belief and Practice of certain things by means of which we may attain to eternal Life and Happiness John 20. 31. Rom. 6. 22. Q. Where are these things taught us A. In the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament John 5. 39. Rom. 15. 4. Rom 16. 26. Q. Which are these things necessary to be known and believed by us A. First Concerning God and his Works of Creation and Providence Secondly Concerning Christ his only begotten Son and our Redemption by and through him Thirdly Concerning the Holy Spirit and the Gifts and Graces thereof by which through his lively Operation in us we enjoy the Fruit of that Redemption and are enabled savingly to know believe and practice what is required of us Heb. 11. 3. 6. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Tim. 3. 16. John 17. 3. 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. Q. Which are these things necessary to be practised by us A. The Commandments of God briefly contained in the Ten Precepts of the Moral Law and some other Commandments given us by Christ in the New Testament Exod. 20. 1. Matth. 28. 20. Q Whence came the Holy Scriptures of the Old and new Testament A. They came from God who did inspire and move holy Men to commit them to Writing for our Instruction 2 Tim. 3. 16. Q. Are the Scriptures the Words of God A. Yea John 17. 8. Q. Are they not also the Word of God and are not the Doctrines delivered to us in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament concerning the way of Life and Salvation frequently called the Word in Scripture John 17. 20. Acts 13. 26. 1 Cor. 4. 20. Gal. 6. 6. Phil. 1. 14. 2 Tim. 4. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 15. A. Yea as where Paul bid Timothy Preach the Word it is certain he meant the whole Doctrin of Salvation by Christ and Christ himself called a short Sentence in one of the Psalms of David the written Word John 15. 25. Q. It is any Lye or Falshood as some have argued to call the Scriptures which are many Words the Word A. Nay as it is no lye to call many Letters the Letter but is an ordinary manner of Speech both in Scripture and other Books Q. But seeing Christ is called the Word and the Word is said to be God is it not absurd to call the Scriptures or the Doctrin contained in them the Word Rom. 2. 27 7 6. A. Nay no more than it is absurd to call the Sun Light because God is called Light in Scripture for many words have diverse Significations in Scripture as not only the word Light but Spirit Life Flesh Milk Wine Oyl Bread Waeter have diverse Significations in Scripture Q. How then may the word be distinguished A. Into the essential word mentioned John 1. 1. And the declarative word that may also be called the doctrinal word and that again may be distinguished into the word that is either Vocal i. e. uttered by the Mouth
Humane Nature of Christ formerly blamed by them they may also as freely use the words three Persons or Trinity of Persons Q. Can the Holy Scriptures give to Men any saving Knowledge of God without his Divine Illumination and inward Teaching and Operation by his Spirit in their hearts A. Nay Psal 119. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 4. 6. Q. Is there not a Knowledge of God given to the Faithful by the Spirit that is beyond all report or demonstration of words by inward spiritual feeling and sense and by spiritual sight and taste and by inward hearing and learning of the Father and by a divine and spiritual savour A. Yea 1 Cor. 2. 9. Acts 17. 27. Ephes 4. 19. Psa â—8 Joh. 6. 45. Heb. 6. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 3. Mat. 16. 23. 2 Cor. 2. 14. Cant. 1. 3. SECT III. Q. WHich are God's Works of Creation A. All things Visible and Invisible the Visible Heavens and Earth the Sea and Rivers and Fountains of Water and all Visible things contained in them Gen. 1. 1. Coloss 1. 16. Q Which are the Invisible Works of Creation A. Angels which are many and Souls or Spirits of Men which also are many Q. Are Devils and unclean Spirits works of God's Creation A. They were not originally created Devils or unclean Spirits but good and pure but they became so by their voluntary transgression 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. Q Are the Works of God whither Visible or Invisible any part or parts of God A. Nay Q. Are they then distinct Beings though not separate from God A. Yea But such as have a most necessary dependance on God both for their preservation and action Q. Were they Created of any eternally pre-existent matter that did co-exist with him from all Eternity A. Nay Q. How are all things said to be of God A. As the Author and efficient cause of them but not as the material cause Rom. 11. 36. Q Doth not the Scripture sometimes distinguish betwixt things Created and Made A. Yea for things made are made out of a pre-existent matter or subject whereas things created had no pre-existent matter Q. Give some example in the Case A. The Grass Herbs and Trees were made out of the Earth on the third day the Fishes and Fowls were made out of the Waters on the fifth day and the four-footed Beasts and creeping things and Body of Man was made out of the Earth on the sixth day Gen. 1. Q. By whom did God create and make all things A. By his word his eternally begotten Son and Spirit Joh. 1. 2. Ephes 3. 9. Psal 33. 6. Q Was it any difficulty to God to create and make all things A. Nay for he spake and it was done he commanded and they were Created Psal 33. 9. Q. How is it then to be understood that God rested from all his Works which he had made and that on the seventh day A. His resting was his ceasing to Create and Finishing his Works of Creation which he had Created and made in six days Gen. 2. 2. Q. What other Works doth God Work since the Creation A. His Works of Providence whereby he sustaineth and upholdeth all his Creatures ordereth and disposeth and over ruleth them all according to his good pleasure for his own Glory and blesseth them with fruitfulness and increase and especially his gracious Providence throughout over his Church and People Joh. 5. 17. Heb. 1. 3. Pet. 3. 7. Psal 103. 19. 21 Psal 104. Gen. 1. 22. Matth. 10. 29. 30. 31. Deut. 11. 12. Heb. 13. 5. Ephes 1. 11. Rev. 4. 11. Q. What is to be understood by God's Eyes Ears Mouth Hands c. in Scripture A. Not any bodily Members or Parts but his glorious Attributes and Perfections of Wisdom Power and Goodness c. Q. Whence come all Men and Women of all Nations A. They are descended of Adam our Common Father and of Eve our Common Mother by ordinary Generation Acts 17. 26. Rom. 5. 12. Q. In what Estate did God make them A. In his Image and after his Likeness Holy Upright Wise and Good with Dominion over the Creatures Gen. 1. 26. 27. Coloss 3. 10. Ephes 4. 24. Eccles 7. 29. Q. Of what parts did they consist A. Of Soul and Body Matth. 10. 28. Q Was the Soul of the Earth as the Body was A. Nay for God breathed into him the Breath of Life and he became a living Soul Gen. 2. 7. Q. When God Created them Male and Female did he indue them with his Spirit and the Gifts and Graces thereof A. Yea. Q. Where did he place them A. In the Garden to labour in it and to keep it Q. Did he give him a Law of Obedience Gen. 2. 15. 16. A. Yea which was that of every Tree of the Garden he might or should eat but that he should not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Q. Why did God forbid him to eat of that Tree A. To try his Obedience as well as for other Causes known to him Deut 13. 3. Exod 20. 20. Q. What was the threatned Punishment if he did Transgress A. That in the Day he eat thereof he should surely Die Gen. 2. 17. Q. Did he Die in that Day wherein he did Transgress A. He Died a Spiritual Death and his Body became Mortal and subject to Sickness and Death John 5. 25. Ephes 2. 1. Q. What was the Spiritual Death A. That he Died unto Holiness and Righteousness lost Communion with God and sell under his Judgment and Wrath Isaiah 59. 2. Rom. 2. 8. Gen. 3. 19. Q. Had he died the bodily Death if he had not sinned A. Nay Q. Did Man need any Cloaths or Garments to cover him had he not Sinned A. Nay For his Body was so endued with Vigor Strength and Honor that as nothing could hurt him of Heat or Cold so there was nothing in him whereof he could be ashamed Psal 8. 5 6 7 8. Psal 49. 12 20. Q. What Effects brought his sin and fall into the World A. It not only brought a Curse upon the Earth but Guilt and Condemnation and a Sinful Defilement and Death both Spiritual and Temporal on all his Posterity Gen. 3. 17. Rom. 5. 12 18. Psal 51. 5. Gen. 8. 21. Rom. 6. 23. Q. Doth the Soul of Man die with the Body A. Nay Matth. 10. 28. 2 Pet. 14. SECT IV. Q. WHO is the Redeemer of lost Men A. The Lord Jesus Christ Job 19. 25. Q. Who is Jesus Christ A. He is the Son of God begotten of the Father and one God with the Father before all Time and Creatures and the Son of Man the Son of David and of Abraham Conceived by the Holy Ghost and Born of the Virgin Mary in the fulness of Time very and true God and very and true Man and yet one Jesus Christ the Word made Flesh Matth. 16. 16. John 3. 14. Matth. 1. 1 20 25. 1 Cor. 8. 6. John 1. 14. Q. How many Natures hath Christ
Death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour Philip. 2. 8. 9. Q. What made his Obedience of so great merit and worth A. Because he offered himself through the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9. 14. and that he was both God and Man his Godhead gave that great dignity worth and value to his obedience That as the disobedience of one Man to wit Adam brought sin and guilt upon all so the obedience of one Man to wit Jesus Christ the second Adam should make satisfaction to God for the Sins of all and as the Judgment was by one to Condemnation so the free gift is of many Offences unto Justification Rom. 5. 16. 18. Q. Why did not God forgive Men's Sins without a satisfaction to his Justice seeing Men can and do oft forgive a debt of mony without payment or the least satisfaction A. The case is not alike betwixt the debt of mony and the debt of Mens Sins a Man may forgive a debt of mony without requiring any satisfaction but the Sin of Murder no Man can forgive it without a satisfaction of life for life and God hath expresly required it by his Law which may help us to understand how the Justice and just Law of God required a satisfaction and if Christ would make that satisfaction for us he was to give his life for us the just suffering for the unjust that he might bring us unto God God having laid on him the Iniquities of us all who did bear our Sins on the Tree of the Cross by whose stripes we are healed that being dead unto Sin we might live unto Righteousness Isaiah 53. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 1 Pet. 3. 18. By which satisfaction that Christ hath made to God for our Sins not only the justice of God is demonstrated but his Holiness and Purity for thereby he is made known to be a God that so loveth Righteousness and hateth Iniquity that the very Holiness and Purity of his Nature as well as the Righteousness of his Law required that satisfaction to be made that the Sins of Men might be pardoned and God and Men might be reconciled and thus both the Holiness of God's Nature is demonstrated and the due Honour of his holy Law is preserved Hab. 1. 13. Isaiah 42. 21. Q. Doth not Christ his making satisfaction to the Justice of God for our Sins hinder the free forgiveness of our sins How can a debt be fully paid and yet freely forgiven A. The forgiveness of our Sins Rom. 3. 24. is still a most free forgiveness to us because God freely gave us his dear Son Christ Jesus out of his abundant love to make that satisfaction for us and also that the Justice of God accepted that satisfaction from Christ which in strict instice might have been required of us Thus the wonderful Harmony of God's mercy and justice and also of his wisdom and power is demonstrated in the way of Mens Redemption Joh. 3. 16. Psal 85. 10. Q. Did not Christ also give himself for our Redemption A. Yea Gal. 1. 4. Titus 2. 14. Q. Doth it hinder God's free forgiveness that he forgiveth none their Sins without Faith Repentance and Conversion A. Nay which may help us to understand that as Repentance and Faith on our part doth not hinder the forgiveness of God to be free to us and of his rich free Grace so nor doth the satisfaction of Christ to God's justice on Christ's part hinder the same Q. But if Christ hath suffered Death being the Punishment of our Sin why should men dye should the same debt and payment be exacted both from us and our surety A. By Christ's dying for us the Death of the Body ceaseth to be a punishment strictly speaking though it is a consequence of Adam's Sin still remaining unto the Faithful the sting of Death which is Sin being removed Death is changed from being a Punishment to the Faithful to be a blessed and sanctified means to put an end to the Sorrows Tentations and Evils of this mortal life and to be unto them a passage and entrance into eternal life 1 Cor. 15. 55. 56. Q. Who were the chief acters that put Christ to Death A. The Jews who being filled with envy accused him of diverse things and particularly for saying he was the Son of God which they accounted Blasphemy and of his being the King of the Jews and the Messiah or Christ Matth. 27. 18. John 10. 36. John 19. 7. 12. Matth. 26. 63. 65. Q. Under whom did Christ suffer Death A. Under Pontius Pilate a Roman Governour John 19. 1. Q. Why under him A. Because the Jews at that time had their power taken away by the Romans so that they said to Pilate it was not lawful for them to put any Man to death John 18. 31. Q. Was there not a great hand of Providence in this A. Yea It having been foretold by some of the Prophets that the manner of Christ's Death should be by Crucifying and Hanging on a Tree therefore that manner of death was called in the Old Testament accursed Deut. 21. 23. to signifie before-hand that Christ should become a Curse for us and dye for us the accursed death of the Cross and also it was foretold by David in the second Psalm that both Jews and Gentiles should gather together and take counsel against the Lord and against his Anointed Q. How was it foretold by any of the Prophets that Christ should be Hanged or Crucified on a Tree A. David Prophecied that his Hands and Feet should be pierced which was accordingly fulfilled and was only used in that manner of death and Moses lifting up the Brazen Serpent on the Pole or Tree was a Figure of Christ his being lifted up on the Tree of the Cross as Christ himself deolared John 3. 14. Psal 22. 16. Q. Were not all other things concerning Christ of the chiefest moment recorded in the New Testament as his Doctrin Miracles manner of Birth Life Death Burial Resurrection and Ascension foretold by the Prophets and recorded in the Old Testament A. Yea Acts 26. 22. 23. Luke 24. 44. 45. 46. Q. Why was it so ordered by the Lord A. To give the greater Evidence that Jesus who was Born of the Virgin Mary was the Christ seeing to him only and to none else could all these things agree which were prophecied of him as also to shew the excellent Harmony of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament being all given forth by one and the same Spirit Q. What discovery of Christ's Death Resurrection and victory over Sin and the Devil and of Salvation from Sin by Christ had the Faithful from the beginning of the World A. By the first promise that God gave to our first Parents after the Fall Gen. 3. 15. That he would put enmity betwixt the Serpent and the Woman and between his Seed and her Seed and that the Womans Seed should bruise the head of the Serpent but he
in their Sins and the Apostles are false Witnesses and Christ 's Prophecy who foretold his Resurrection on the third Day hath failed 1 Cor. 15. 13 14 15. Q. But may not his Resurrection be owned and not his Ascension into Heaven with the same Body A. The one cannot be owned without the other for if Christ 's Body did not ascend it did evanish or return to Dust and Christ Dyed again and his Body suffered Corruption which could not be for the Scripture witnesseth that Christ having once dyed dyeth no more Death hath no more dominion over him Q What Scriptures in the Old Testament foretold Christ 's Ascension A. Diverse places such as Psal 24. 7 8 9 10. Psal 47. 5. Psal 68. 18. Isaiah 52. 13. Gen. 49 9. Q. What Figure in the Old Testament did signifie Christ 's Ascension A. The burnt Offering the Smoke of which ascended straight upwards whence it has its name in the Hebrew from a word that signifieth to ascend Q Was not Isaack's being said on the Altar and afterwards being raised alive a Figure of Christ 's Death and Resurrection according to Heb. 11. 19. Q. Is there a real place above the Earth called Heaven into which Christ hath entred with his Body and whole glorified Manhood of Soul and Body A. Yea. Q How doth this agree with Scripture that saith Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. 50. A. It is the same Body in Substance though changed greatly in Manner and Qualities from Natural or Animal Gen. 11. 12. Matth. 1. 17. to Spiritual from Mortal to Immortal such as the Bodies of the Saints shall be at the Resurrection Q. Why do we not see that Heavens with our bodily Eyes into which Christ 's Body is entered A. Because of the Weakness and Grossness of our Flesh and of our fleshly Sight which can scarce see the Body of the Air that we breath in nor behold the brightness of the Sun but when our Bodies shall be changed and made Spiritual at the Resurrection we shall see the glorious Heavens and also the glorious Body of Christ and the glorified Bodies of all the Saints in Heaven Q. Is there also a real place called Hell into which the Wicked both Soul and Body shall be cast at the Day of Judgment A. Yea which is that called Tophet Isaiah 30. 33. Which hath been ordained of old he hath made it deep and large the Pile thereof is Fire and much Wood the Breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it Q. What signifieth Tophet and why is it so called A. Tophet signifieth the beating of a Drum and was the place where the Idolatrous Israelites burned their Children and Sacrificed them alive to their Idol Molech where they used to beat Drums to hinder them from hearing the pitiful Cry of their Children therefore by a Metaphor Hell is called Tophet and by the like Metaphor Hell is called by Christ in the N. Testament Gehenna i. e. the Land or Field of Hinnon where all the Filth of the City of Jerúsalem was cast into that piece of Ground having formerly belonged to a Man called Hinnon Q. Why hath God so ordered it that as the place of Reward to the Saints and of Punishment to the Wicked should not be seen by us in this Life nor apprehended by any of our outward Senses so that none should come from the Dead to tell us of these things A. That thereby we might have the greater occasion for the Exercise of our Faith which is the Evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. We have not only Moses and the Prophets Testimony concerning future Rewards and Punishments but the Testimony of Christ himself who rose from the Dead and hath given us in the Records of the holy Evangelists and Apostles in the New Testament full and sufficient Ground of Faith to believe these things to which the Spirit of Truth doth bear an inward Witness and who will not believe on such great Evidences nor would they believe if any should rise from the Dead to tell them Luke 16 31. Q. How is Christ the Object of our Faith for Remission of Sin and Justification is it as his Blood is shed in us and as he offers up himself a Sacrifice in us as some say to appease the Wrath of God A. Nay for all such Notion of Christ 's blood being shed in us and his offering up himself in us a Sacrifice for Sin to appease the Wrath of God is false and contrary to Scripture c. Q Is then Jesus Christ considered as he died for us without us and rose again and as he was the Sacrifice for our Sins by his Death and Blood that was outwardly shed the Object of our Faith for Remission of Sins and Justification A. Yea Rom. 10. 9 10. Coloss 1. 20. Heb 12. 2. Acts 10. 41. SECT VII Q. HOW doth Christ perform his Kingly Office A. By his various Administrations of it in the several Parts thereof Q. Which are the several Parts of it A. First Such as respect Angels both good and bad and the whole Creation Secondly Such as respect the World or that part of Mankind that do not belong to his Church Thirdly Such as belong to his Church Q. Hath Christ a Kingly Power and Government over all the good and holy Angels A. Yea Heb. 1. 6 7. Col. 2. 10. Eph. 1. 21. Phil. 2. 10. Mark 1. 25 9 25. Luke 4. 35 9 42. Q. Hath he also a Power and Government over the evil Angels and all evil and unclean Spirits and the Devil the Prince of them A. Yea as plainly appeared by the Power and Authority he used to cast forth the unclean Spirits out of the Bodies of many that were Possessed Q. Hath Christ also a Kingly Power and Government over Heaven and Earth and the whole Creation A. Yea as is evident from his own words that all Power in Heaven and Earth was his being given him of the Father Matth. 28. 18. Matth. 8. 26 27. Mark 2. 27 28. Acts 10. 36. And which he shewed by his commanding the Winds and the Seas and the great Miracles which he wrought who as he was Lord of the Sabbath so he was Lord of all Creatures Q. How doth Christ put forth his Kingly Power and Government over Devils and wicked Men seeing they are Disobedient to him A. By restraining and limiting their Power over-ruling their evil Designs and Actions and causing them to turn to his Glory and the Glory of his Father and to the good of his chosen and lastly by Judging and Punishing them at the last day Psal 76. 10. Rom. 8. 28. Acts 17. 31. Matth. 8. 29. Q. How doth Christ perform his Kingly Office over the World or that part of Mankind that do not belong to his Church and neither are nor shall become Members of it but remain Impenitent to the last A. By giving them a righteous Law universally in their
Consciences for the Transgression of which they are liable to his Judgment Rom. 2. 12. As well as they who have transgressed against the outward written Law or Gospel Q. What places of Scripture prove that the Gentiles or that part of Mankind which have not the outward written Law nor Gospel have a righteous Law placed by God and Christ in their Hearts and Consciences according to which they are liable to be Judged A. There are many such as Gen. 6. 3. Psal 94. 10. Job 28. 28. Micah 6. 8. John 1. 4 5 9. Rom. 1. 18 19 20 21. Rom. 2. 14 15. Q. Is that Law in Men's Consciences universally any other than the meer Reason of Man commonly called human Reason and the Use or Improvement of it by its meer natural Actings A. Yea for it is really Divine being given them of God to Rule and Govern all the natural Faculties of Man's Soul even his Reason it self which is out Corrupted and dictateth false and corrupt things to Man in his corrupt State but this Law of Righteousness writ by God's Finger in his Heart neither is nor can be Corrupted it is a Light given to enlighten his Reason and as a Lamp to him in his night State or as the Light of the Moon and Stars in the night Season Rom. 1. 13 12. 1 Thess 5. Q. If any Men should be found who have Obeyed this Law or Light in their Consciences universally should they be saved not having Faith in Christ Crucified A. First it is an improper and unfit Supposition because never any have universally Obeyed it in all Points for according to the Scriptures Testimony all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God and the Scripture hath concluded all under Sin for he who Transgresseth in one Point is guilty of the whole Law and whatsoever the Law saith whether outwardly or inwardly written it saith to them that are under it that every mouth may be stopp'd and the whole world become guilty before God Rom. 3. 9. 10. 19. 23. Jam. 2. 10. Secondly upon that supposition Men could not be saved with Eternal Life and Salvation by their best works and most perfect obedience to any Law or Light in them because Eternal Life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and not the wages of Mens obedience nay not of the Saints in a strict sense for as saith Paul the Scripture hath concluded all under Sin that the promise to wit of Eternal Life and Salvation by Faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe Gal. 3. 22. Q. But did not Paul say that the doers of the Law are justified and that some of the Gentiles who had not the outward Law were doers of the Law or did by Nature the things contained in the Law and that their thoughts accused or excused one another Rom. 2. 13. 14. 15. A. Though they did some things contained in the Law yet they did not all things but failed in divers respects as oft even the Faithful do and that their thoughts excused them at some times as well as at other times accused them this proveth they did nor perfectly fulfil the Law wherein they were excused it was but in part and in comparison of greater Sinners as Christ said concerning Tyre and Sidon Sodom and Gomorrah that should rise up in judgment against the Jews yea excusing in the largest sense is far short of justification before God which none but Believers in Christ Jesus have Q. How then are Peter's words to be understood that God is no respecter of Persons But in every Nation he that fâ—areth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him A. There is a twofold acceptance the one of a Servant the other of a Son Cornelius and his Houshold being pious Gentiles who did fear God and work Righteousness were accepted in that State as Servants but this was short of the justification and acceptance of Sons and of being in a State of Salvation which none have but through Faith in Christ Jesus and that Cornelius before Peter Preached Christ to him as he dyed and rose again was not in the State of Salvation with respect to Eternal Life is evident from the Angels words to him how that Peter should Preach words to him whereby he and all his House should be saved Moreover that through faith in Christ as he dyed and rose again Peter Preached remission of Sins to Cornelius and not through his Obedience in respect of what he did formerly is clear from Acts 10. 43. To him said Peter gave all the Prophets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Q. Doth it from hence follow that all the Heathens however so virtuous and all others of Mankind who have not had Christ and the Gospel outwardly Preached to them and have not outwardly heard it are perished and shall be damned A. Nay it no wise followeth for tho' Gods ordinary way of Salvation is by the outward means of the Word outwardly preached or read yet this hinders not but that others may be and shall be saved who have not outwardly heard God working by his Spirit when where and how he pleaseth Q. Doth not this therefore lay a foundation of a judgment of Charity for such upright and virtuous Gentiles as Cornelius was before Peter Preached Christ to him of whom we read in the New Testament and as Abimelech was of whom and of his uprightness we read in the Old Testament Gen. 20. 5. 6. who have not had the Scriptures and other outward means of Salvation afforded unto them that Christendom hath that they are not without a possibility of Salvation though not on the account of their Works through Faith in Christ Jesus seeing God who is Light and in a true sense may be said to be the Light in them as being the Author and Fountain of all true Light or illumination whether common or special is abundantly sufficient to give them what degree of Faith in Christ Jesus either implicit or explicit for Eternal Salvation he thinks needful to them A. Yea. Q. But it is one thing what God can do or is sufficient and able to do and another what he doth or is pleased to do Have any such a degree of Faith either explicit or implicit given them of God by his inward teaching and illummation without the Scriptures as doth suffice to their Eternal Salvation A. Abraham Job and divers others have so bad it and all the Heirs of Salvation wheresoever scatter'd shall have it when and how God pleaseth whose ways are above our ways as the Heavens are above the Earth for as there is no Name under Heaven whereby Men must be saved but the Name of Jesus even him that dyed and rose again neither as Peter said is there Salvation in any other Acts 4. 12. so nor is there any promise of Salvation to any but through Faith in that same Jesus for it is one God
as he is both God and Man our Elect High Priest Prophet and King Head and Mediator without us in Heaven and as our Faith is exercised on him thus as its Object flowing into us and imparting unto us both the Holy Spirit and his saving Gifts and Graces and the daily encrease of them A. Yea. Q. By what Figure or Type was this signified under the Law A. By the Oyl that was poured on Aaron's Head and did run down from his Head and Beard to the lower Skirts of his Garments Q. What Testimonies of Holy Scripture have we for this A. Many both in the Old and New Testament as Isa 32 â— 2. Isa 59 21. John 1. 14 16. John 7. 38 39 John 4. 14. John 15. 26. Acts 2. 33. Eph. 4. 7 8 15. Q. Can it then be supposed that they have the Holy Spirit or the saving Gifts and Graces thereof who have not Faith in Christ as he is both God and Man without them in Heaven seeing the Promises are only to them that believe in him as such A. Nay Q. Do not such who think they have all within them needful to Happiness and eternal Salvation make themselves equal with Christ and as near to God in way of Union and Communion as Christ And are not such guilty of great Idolatry and Blasphemy A. Yea. Q. Is Christ God-man without us the Head of all gracious Influences not only as the procurer and purchaser of them by the dignity and merits of his most holy Obedience unto Death but also as the real dispenser of them out of the fulness of all Grace and Truth that is in himself so as that he is the great Store-house of Grace out of whom God the Father who dwells in him in all Fulness supplyeth the Church and every true Member thereof A. Yea Eph. 4. 7. 8. 15. 16. Coloss 2. 19. Joh. 1. 16. Col. 1. 19. 2. 3. 9. Q. What are these divine Influences Gifts and Graces which the Faithful receive of God out of Christ and which come down from above from the Father of Lights and descend as the Rain upon the mown Grass A. It is far better to know and enjoy them by spiritual gust taste and feeling than by any nice and dry Speculation of them They are like the Manna from Heaven which though the Children of Israel fed on yet they knew not what it was Exod. 16. 15. Rev. 2. 17. Let it suffice us to know them by the Names which the Scripture calls them Streams of Life living Waters Rain and Dew from Heaven divine Powers Lights and Virtues like the Virtue that went out of Christ that healed the Woman of her Issue of Blood Gifts and Graces Milk Hony Bread Wine and Oyl a Feast of Fat things all which though borrowed and metaphorical Names yet signifie more excellent and precious things than all worldly Treasure for they are the true and incorruptible Substance and Riches which never fade away nor never take Wings to fly from them that love them and him of whom and by whom they have them Isa 12. 3. 55. 1. 25. 6. Psal 68. 9. Hos 14. 5. Psalm 81. 16. Prov. 8. 21. SECT X. Q. WHat are the Laws that God doth write in the Hearts of his People Jerem. 31. 33. Are they not the same that are writ in the holy Scriptures excepting the Ceremonial part that is abolished and some other Laws peculiar to the Jews A. Yea. Q. How doth he write them in their Hearts Is it without all use of outward means A. Nay Q. Then are not the Laws writ in the Hearts of the Faithful by the Spirit in the use of outward means as a Transcript or Copy from the holy Scriptures themselves A. Yea. Q What is the difference betwixt the Law writ in the Hearts of the Faithful and the Law writ in the Hearts of the Unfaithful A. There is a great difference the one hath the Law writ in Stony Hearts the other hath it in Hearts of Flesh that are made by the Lord soft and tender Q Of what service are the Promises contained in the Scripture to the Faithful A. Of exceeding great use and service for by them through the Operation of the Spirit we are made partakers of the divine Nature Q. What is the difference betwixt the manner of God and Christ their being in the Saints and true Believers and the manner of their being in Unbelievers and Unconverted Persons A. As to the essential Presence of God and the essential Word and Spirit that is the same every where and in all things but in respect of Manifestations and Operations the difference is great for the Faithful have peculiar and special Manifestations and Operations of God and Christ in them which none others have Again God and Christ and the Holy Spirit are in the Faithful by Union and Communion and Inhabitation or In-dwelling by Faith and Love but not so in unbelievers and unsanctified Persons Hence it is that unbelievers are said to be without God and Christ in the World without Hope Strangers and Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel Q. How is Christ in the Saints their Hope of Glory Coloss 1. 27. A. It is not so to be understood as if Christ were only their Hope or the Object and Author of it only as within them and not as without them as he is God-man the great High Priest Mediator and Advocate and as their Head for he is the Saints Hope both ways considered for Paul gave thanks to God for the Hope laid up for the believing Colossians in Heaven 1 Coloss 3. 4. 5. And surely that was more or something else than what they enjoyed of Christ within them unless Men will say as some have said that there is no Heaven at all without Men but only within them nor any Hell but within them which is abominable Ranterism but we cannot have the saving knowledge of him nor that sweet and comfortable experience and enjoyment of him and of his Love and Life and spiritual Blessings but as the Mystery of him is inwardly revealed in us and his Love and Life inwardly felt by us for as Christ within the Saints and without them is but one Christ so it is but one great Mystery which yet may be distinguished into two parts the greater part being God manifest in the Flesh to wit in the Flesh of Christ as he outwardly suffered justified in the Spirit seen of Angels Preached to the Gentiles believed on in the World received up into Glory which Paul said was without Controversie the great Mystery of Godliness and without all doubt is the greater part of the Mystery for the best of the Saints have not the Fulness in them it is only the glorified Man Christ Jesus without them who has that Fulness but every one of the Saints have a measure of the Gift of Grace out of that Fulness as the Water in the Cistern is but a sinall part of that which is in the River
and though there be ever so much good Water in the River without me yet if I drink not of it and have not some of it within me I cannot be refreshed nor satisfied nor can I live by all the Water that is in the River or Fountain without me unless I receive of it within me to refresh me But if there were no Water in the River without me I could have none to drink and receive within me but behoved to perish for thirst SECT XI Q. WHen we feel a great thirst and want of the Water of Life within us how are we to receive a supply to refresh and satisfie our thirsty Souls A. By asking it of God through Christ and praying to God in the Name of Christ with true Faith Q. How are we to pray to God and Christ whether as God and Christ are within us or without us or as both within us and without us A. We are to pray to God as he is Omnipresent who is above All and through All and in All as well as that he is Omniscient i. e. knowing all things and Omnipotent i. e. able to do all things and as the Saints Recorded in Scripture prayed to God in Heaven because that is the most glorious Place where he reveals his greatest Glory and is his Throne so they prayed to him who is the Great and Holy One in the midst of them And Christ promised to be in the midst of them that should meet together in his Name according to his spiritual Presence with them and in them Eph. 4. 6. 1 Kings 8. 23. 30. 39. 43. 49. 2 Chron. 6. 14. 21. 23. 25. Psal 46. 5. Psa 12. 6. Zeph. 3. 5. 17. Joel 2. 27. Ezek. 43. 7. Zech. 2. 10. 11. Matth. 18. 20. Q. Ought we not in all our Prayers Adorations and Thanksgivings to direct the Eyes of our Minds by Faith to God especially as dwelling in the glorified Manhood-nature of Christ without us in Heaven and also to Christ God-man in Heaven who in respect of his Bodily Presence is only in Heaven and is in us by his Spiritual Presence and gracious Influences A. Yea. Q. What Type was there of this in the Old Testament A. The Children of Israel when-ever they prayed being remote from it were to direct their Faces towards the Temple of Jerusalem 1 Kings 8. 29. 30. 38. 42. 48. Which Temple was a Type of our Lord's Body and Manhood-nature in Heaven to which our Minds by Faith and Love should be turned when we pray to God and Christ which yet doth not hinder but that we should and ought to pray to God and Christ spiritually Present with us and in us whose Presence filleth Heavens and Earth and who is not a God afar off only but a God nigh at hand a present and ready help to help and relieve us at all times Q. What Type was there in the Old Testament of Christ's Intercession for us in Heaven A. Moses's Intercession for the Children of Israel in the Mount who prevailed against Amaleck their great Adversary below while Moses in the Mount held up his Hands Exod. 17. 11. 12. making Intercession for them even so by Christ's continual Intercession for us in Heaven we have not only acceptance of God but receive power to overcome our Sins and Lusts and the Devil and all his Tentations that assault us here on Earth which were it not for Christ's continual Intercession for us in Heaven we could never do Q. Doth the Man Christ now in Heaven hear our Prayers whether uttered in Words or conceived in our Minds and knoweth all our afflictions tryals and exercises A. Yea certainly and his tender Heart and Soul is touched therewith for we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities Heb. 4. 15. And seeing we have this great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens let us hold fast our Profession and let us come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14. 16. Q. Are Saints or Angels to be prayed unto A. Nay Rev. 22. 9. Q. Seeing we cannot pray acceptably to God nor profitably to our selves without the present Aid and Assistance of the Spirit of God ought we not at all times to wait with inward attention to that Assistance to help us to pray and in our praying A. Yea Eph. 6. 18. Q. Is that Aid and Assistance of the Spirit perceptible to the Souls of the Faithful so as to be felt and discerned by them A. Yea when the Mind is in a right frame Q. Seeing it is possible that a Man may take that for an inward assistance of the Spirit of God which is not really such but some deception of Satan or strong imagination and on that mistake may have a false joy and counterfeit refreshment how is he to be helped in that Case A. Though the use of outward means is good in their place as Reading Conference Advice from others of greater Spiritual Experience and Attainments and examining both the Case and a Man 's own Sincerity by the outward help of the holy Scriptures yet a Spiritual discerning given of God is most necessary for his help 〈…〉 prevent a Man's being deceived and â—â—â—…ceived to discover the deception to him Heb. 5. 14. Q. Can it be supposed that any of the Faithful will want that assistance of the Spirit either to pray or give thanks or perform any religious Service that is their Duty to perform to God upon all occasions that their state and condition requires of them whether in private or publick in some measure or degree that God will accept A. Nay Q. Is it not therefore a great Error and Sin in them who omit Prayer and Thanksgiving and other religious Exercises upon that pretence and excuse that they want the motion and assistance of the Spirit thereunto A. Yea Jerem. 10. 25. Q. But ought we not to take great Care to have our Hearts and Minds in some prepared frame in order to Prayer or any other religious Exercise A. Yea. Q. How is that Preparation obtained A. Partly by internal Silence and partly by Meditation Q. How by internal Silence A. By suppressing and silencing not only all worldly Thoughts but all Self-thinking Self-willing and Self-acting whatsoever Note by Self-thinking Self-willing and Self-acting here is understood whatever a Man Thinks Wills or Acts by his meer natural strength of Mind without the gracious Aids and Assistances of the Holy Spirit all which do but Cloud and Vail the understanding and weaken and hinder the exercise of our Graces and the more Noble Faculties and Powers of our Souls and quench the Motions and Operations of the Holy Spirit Q. Is such an internal Silence possible and have any attained to it A. It is not only possible but many have attained to it and it is very necessary to attain to it which is gradually obtained and
Jesus A. Two his Godhead Nature and his Manhood-Nature Q. How are these Natures distinguished A. His Godhead nature is the same with the Godhead nature of the Father and of the Holy Ghost which was before all Time and before all Creatures having all Infinitie Perfections of Power Wisdom and Goodness c. His Manhood Nature was Created in time and of the same kind with the Nature of other Men. Q. How can two such differing Natures Constitute one Christ A. By the Personal or Hypostatical Union of the two Natures which is a great Mystery yet no wise Contradictory to true Reason as neither is the Mystery of the Holy Trinity nor any other Mystery of the Christian Faith Q. Have we any weak or obscure Resemblance of it in our selves A. Yea Every Man is Constituted so to speak of two Natures the one of the Body which is Visible Material and Mortal the other of the Soul which is Visible Intellectual and Immortal and yet these two by a Personal Union are but one Man Q. Hath the Manhood-nature of Christ a Created Soul and a Created Body as other Men A. Yea. Q. Was the Father or the Holy Ghost Personally United to the Manhood-nature of Christ or only the Son or Word A. Only the Son or Word as the Scripture testifieth the Word was made Flesh and did Tabernacle among us John 1. 14. Q. Had the Man Christ any Sinful Defilement or Guilt of Adam's Sin at his Conception or Birth in the Flesh A. Nay Heb. 4. 15. Q. Why was Christ Born of a Virgin A. That by his extraordinary manner of Generation it might be manifest that he was without all Guilt or Defilement of Adam's Sin and also that he might have no immediate Father but God Q. How was he then the Son of David and Abraham A. Because the Virgin Mary of whom he was Born was Descended of David and Abraham Q. Did Christ really partake of Mary's Substance A. Yea. Q. Is it not therefore a great Error in them who say that Christ's Body which was Born of the Virgin was altogether from Heaven having nothing of her bodily Substance in it A. Yea. Q. Is it not also another great Error in them who say because Christ was Conceived by the Holy Ghost that therefore as Man he was not Created or that his Manhood was not any created Being or Nature A. Yea. Q. Is it not another great Error in them that say Christ is only a Man and had no Being or Existence before all Time and Creatures A. Yea. Q. Is it not also a great Error in them who say Christ is only God and that neither his Flesh nor Soul was any part of him but only as a Garment as a Man's Garment is no part of him A. Yea. Q. Is it not also a great Error for any to say Christ is nothing else but the Light within every Man or the Word within A. Yea. Q. Is it not also a great Error to say Christ is the Holy Ghost or the Holy Ghost is Christ A. Yea. Q. How is Christ called the everlasting Father in Scripture Isaiah 9. 6. A. With respect to Men he is the Father of all Faithful Men and of his Church but not that he is his own Father Q. Was it foretold by any of the Prophets that Christ should be Born of a Virgin A. Yea by the Prophet Isaiah 7. 14. Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his Name Immanuel i. e. God with us And also by Jeremiah 31. 22. The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth a woman shall compass a man Q. Was it not foretold by God himself to our first Parents after the Fall in these words That the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents seed Gen. 3. 15. A. Yea For because he was called the Seed of the Woman it did intimate that he was to be made or born of a Woman without her knowledge of a Man Q. How can it be proved from Scripture that he who was Born of the Virgin was not a meer Man but God as well as Man A. By the Names given him in Scripture the Testimonies concerning him his Miracles and the Worship given him by Angels and Men. Q. What Names given him prove that he is God A. His Name shall be called to wit of the Child born Wonderful Councellor the mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9. 6. and Jer. 23. 5 6. I will raise unto Davida righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper And this is the Name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness and the Name Emmanuel is in English God with us Q. What are the Testimonies of Scripture that prove him to be God A. Such as Rom. 9. 5. Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God Blessed for ever John 1. 1. The word was God and verse 14. And that word was made flesh Heb. 1. 1 2. God hath in these last Days spoke to us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds or Ages verse 8. Unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever Q. How do his Miracles prove that he is God seeing Moses and others of the Prophets wrought Miracles A. They wrought Miracles only as Servants and did not work them in their own Name but Christ wrought his Miracles in his own Name and as the Lord of and over all the Creatures he commanded the Winds and the Seas and they obeyed him he rebuked the Diseases and the unclean Spirits and so Cured the Diseased and Possessed Heb. 3. 5 Matth. 8. 26 27. Mark 1. 25. Luke 4. 39. Q. What places of Scripture do prove that the Angels do Worship him A. Heb. 1. 6. And let all the Angels of God worship him Phil. 2. 10. God hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow of things in heaven and things on earth This sheweth that as he is Worshipped by Angels so he ought to be Worshipped by all Men. And 1 Cor. 1. 2. The believing Corinthians and all the Saints every where called upon the name of Jesus Christ both their Lord and ours SECT V. Q HOW many Offices hath Christ A. Three the Office of a Prophet of a Priest and of a King Q Hath he not many other Offices as of a Head Husband Mediator Advocate Bishop Shepherd Captain Physician c. A. They are all contained under these three and reducible to them Q. How doth he perform the Office of a Prophet A. Teaching us by his Doctrin outwardly delivered to us in the Holy Scriptures either as Read or as Opened and Expounded unto us in Preaching by Men well and duly gifted and qualified with Ability of true Knowledge and who are good Examples in Life and Conversation and also by his inward Teaching