at night and after supper and in an upper room c. His being baptized in a River c. These we are not to imitate him in 7. His moral actions of piety and holinesse and these especially we are to imitate him in and to walk as he walked 1 Joh. 2.6 Quest. How is the whole work of our salvation carried on by Christ Answ. As he is the closure of every link in that golden chain of our salvation which reacheth from eternity to eternity As 1. He is the foundation of our election Eph. 1.4 2. The price of our redemption 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 3. The efficient cause of our regeneration Eph. 2.10 4. The author of our justification Jer. 33.16 5. The beginner and perfecter of our sanctification Heb. 12.2 Joh. 15.4 5. 6. The matter of our consolation both temporal and spiritual Joh. 16.33 Rom. 5.1 7. The sweetner and sanctifier of all our troubles Rom. 8.37 c. 8. The assurance and pledge of our resurrection 1 Cor. 15.20 1 Thes. 4.13 9. The procurer and producer of our glorification Joh. 17.22 Rev. 21.23 and therefore he may well be called our all in all Absumus a te Vivimus ex te Fidimus in te Tendimus ad te Non nisi per te Optime Christe CHAP. XXX Questions and Cases of Conscience about the Church Quest. WHat is meant by the word Church Answ. The Hebrew word Translated in the Psalms Congregation signifies to gather together or a company of people assembled together So Numb 20.10 The Greek signifies to call the compound to call out Thence the word translated a Church Act. 13.43 in general signifies an Assembly of people So Act. 19.32 41. Hence when Assemblies were dissolved every man is said to return to his own house 1 Kin. 12.24 Mostly the Greek word in the New Testament is appropriated to an Assembly of Saints that profess the â—ospel Such Assemblies are our Churches both because they are called out of their houses to one Assembly as also by reason of their calling out of the world and out of their naturall condition Hence they are oft stiled The called as Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 9. Matth. 9.13 In common use this word Church is Metonymically put for the place where such Assemblies meet So the word Synagogue which signifies the same with Church is put for an Assembly and so translated Jam. 2.2 and for a Congregation Act. 13.43 as also the place of the Assembly So Luke 7.5 Quest. In what sence is a Church taken in Scripture Answ. First For a company of men selected gathered and called out of the World by the Doctrine of the Gospel to know and worship the true God in Christ according to his Word 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2.3 This is the visible Church which is not alwayes eminent and glorious to the eyes of the flesh as Papists avouch the Church being like the Moon subject to mutations Rev. 12.1 Secondly For the whole company of the Elect which in all ages and places have and doe or shall believe in Christ through the calling of God the Father by the operation of the holy Spirit This is the invisible Catholick Church So Col. 1.18 Thirdly For the faithful in some one Family so it is to be understood Cant. 4.12 Rev. 3.12 Heb. 11.10 Rev. 12.27 Cant. 5.2 and 6.8 2 Cor. 6.16 Matth. 7.25 and 16.18 1 Tim. 3.15 Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 and 9.10 Fourthly For the lawful Governours of the Church to whom the Censures of the Church doe of right belong Matth. 18.17 This is the Church representative Fifthly For a Material Temple So 1 Cor 14.34 and 11.18 It s put also for all those that shall be saved Heâ— 12.23 the professors of Christ Act. 8.1 the faithful of some one Province 2 Thes. 1.1 Some notable Assembly of the faithful partaking together in the Word and Sacraments 1 Cor. 14.4 A multitude of any whether good or bad meeting together Act. 19.32 39. Quest. Who is the builder of the Church Answ Christ for the Church is made an house of God and the several members of the Church so ordered and qualified as they make up that Church and all this by Christ. By Christ they which by nature are dead in sin are quickned and made lively stones by him they are quickned and gathered together and endued with all needful graces whereby they become an holy house and a fit Temple foâ— God to dwell in John 5.21 Ephes. 1.10 Joh. 1.16 Hence Ephes. 1.22 Quest. Why doth Christ build up his Church Answ. First Because the Members of the Church before they were Members were dead and scattered and destitute of all grace therefore there must be some to quicken gather and furnish them with grace Secondly Christ of all others is fittest to doe this He is the very wisdom and power of the Father By him all things were made and are preserved sustained and ordered therefore it s most meet that the Church should receive her spirituall being preservation and every good thing from and by Christ. Thirdly For working the great work of mans redemption which is proper to the Church Christ humbled himself even to death the death of the Cross therefore it s most meet that he should have the honour of building up his Church Thus he sees of the travel of his soul and is satisfied as Isa. 53.11 Phil. 2.8 9 10 11. Quest. Hath Christ a special propriâ—ty in his Church Answ. Yea and that for these reasons 1. Because he purchased it with his own blood Act. 20.28 2. He built it Hence 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Ephes. 2.22 3. God hath given the Church to his Son Psal. 2 8. Quest. How and why is Christ said to be the Lord of his Church Answ. First By Gods ordination Psal. 2.6 Ephes. 1.22 Secondly By the redemption which Christ hath made of his Church So Exo. 20.2 therefore these two Titles of Lord and Redeemer are oft joyned together Isa. 43.14 and 44.24 Thirdly By a mutual Covenant between Christ and his Church as of old between God and Israel God avoucheth Israel to be his peculiar people they avouch him to be their God Deut. 26.17 18. This was oft foretold by the Prophets Jer. 31.33 Hos. 2.23 Zach. 13.9 and is accomplished in the Christian Church Heb. 8.10 Christ in and by the Gospel and Sacraments offers himself to be our Lord and we take him so to be by our subjecting of our selves to his Ordinances Fourthly By the Laws and Ordinances which Christ hath given to his Church It s the part of a Lord to give Laws and he is their Lord in special to whom he gives Laws But Gods word wherein those Laws are contained is in special given to the Church Psal. 147.19 20. Hence the Church is stiled the Pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Fifthly By a special care which he takes of his Church 1 Tim. 4.10 Dr. Gouge on Heb. Quest. Whether may our Parochial Assemblies in England be called Churches
with marrow and fatnesse For the two great ends of this Sacrament to a Christian are 1. Growth in grace 2. Sense of grace Christians come hither ad corroborandum Titulum to confirm their Title and yet we must not think that every true Christian that comes to the Sacrament must needs have assurance For 1. Believers themselves may receive unworthily as the Corinthians came together for the worse and not for the better and therefore were chastened of the Lord c. 1 Cor. 11.32 2. Many that have much joy and sweetnesse from the Sacrament yet may not have it in so high a measure as to amount to Assurance All that truly partake of these heavenly dainties do not go away equally satisfied Some have but a taste to cherish them others have a full draught which doth mightily cheer them Thirdly times of employment are sealing times when God intends us for some great and eminent service he first sheds some of his love into their hearts which constrains them to obedience and encourageth them in it Moses would not stir without assurance of Gods presence So God calls Joshua to an honourable emploiment and prepares him for so great a work with a promise of himself and his love Fear not be of good courage I am with thee I will never faile thâ—e nor forsake thee So when God called Abraham to that great work of sacrificing his son he first warmes his heart with his love and seales up the Covenant of grace to him and tells him I am God alsufficient I am thy Buckler and thy exceeding great reward And thus he dealt with the Prophets and Apostles when he sent them upon great and dangerous messages he assures them that his directing and protecting mercy shall accompany them and this made them so undaunted Fourthly praying times are sealing times the same Spirit that endites the prayer seales it up When Hannah had prayed 1 Sam. 1.18 the text saith that her countenance was no more sad As its priviledge of Assurance that then we may with confidence cry Abba Father so also it s a great means to get assurance Besides we may pray for assurance and be importunate for one smile of his face and his bowels will not let him deny us Hence such as are most frequent and powerful in Prayer are most blest with assurance Fifthly times of outward exigencies are sâ—aling times 2 Cor. 4.16 Though our outward man decay yet our inward man is renewed daily when all provision failed the Israelites then Mannah was rained down so is this hidden Mannah provided for sad and cloudy times except in the case of total desertion when the soul hath not the least glimpse shining upon it But in outward and temporal distresses God uses to reveal himself more immediately unto them and though the creature frown yet he smiles upon them Believers are Gods friends and it is not the part of a friend to forsake them in the saddest times When Saint John was banished into the Isle of Paâ—mos God shews him that glorious Revelation Paul and Silas when in prison are full of joy and so with Hezekiah Sixthly times of victory and conquest over lusts and tentations are sealing times God after such victories will give his people a triumph Rev. 2 17. To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden Manna Thus when Paul was conquering that great tentation 2 Cor. 12.9 God then strengthens him with this My grace is sufficient for thee So it was with that noble Marquess of Vico He never had such joy at Naples as he had at Geneva when he had conquered all tentations and had trampled upon all relations for a Saviour So the Mourners in Ezekiel that would not yield to the abominations of the times must have a seale set on them So that Virgin-company in the Revelations Ezek. 9.4 Rev. 7.3 Quest. What use must Christians make of Assurance when God gives it in to them Answ. First Times of assurance should be times of humility and dependance upon God when Moses had been so long conversing with God on the Mount presently at the foot of the Mount he meets with matter of humiliation the people having made them a golden Calfe When Paul had been in the third Heavens then comes a Messenger of Satan to buffet him lest he should be exalted aâ—ove measure Pride as it twines about the sweetest graces so it devoures the sweetest comforts Yet there is nothing that tends more to self-abasement then the beholding Gods face and the seeing of his glory this will make the soul abhor it self in dust and ashes None here ever saw more of Gods face then Moses and Paul and there were none that ever had lower apprehensions of themselves Secondly Times of assurance should be times of trampling upon the creature and scorning of things below we should not take care for corne and wine and oile when God lifts up the light of his countenance upon us when we are in our Fathers house and the fatted Calfe is slain we should not still feed upon husks when we are clothed with the Sun we should trample the Moon under our feet and let others scramble for the world who have nothing else to live on Thirdly Times of assurance should be times of more watchfulnesse and accurate walking with God To sin against revealed love is a killing aggravation To sin against light is too much but to sin against love is a great deal more This aggravated Solomons Idolatry 1 Kings 11.9 that he turned from the God of Israel that had appâ—ared to him twice To provoke God in a wildernesse is not so much as to provoke him in a Paradise Take heed therefore of turning the grace of God into wantonnesse but if God give thee a sense of his love walk moâ—e stedfastly and accurately before him Fourthly Times of assurance should be times of inviting and encouraging others in the wayes of grace as David did Psal. 34.8 O taste and see how gracious God is Men look upon Religion as a rigid and austere thing that comes to rob them of their joy but thou canst tell them of the sweetnesse that is in the wayes of grace thou canst assure them that all the wayes of wisdome are pleasantnesse Thou canst shew them the goodly fruits of Canaan that were cut down at the brook Eshâ—l Thou canst assure them that there is no such joy to be found in the wayes of sin that spiritual joy is the most clarified joy that its solid joy and lasting joy All the creatures make but a blaze but the least spark of this is immortal Fifthly Times of assurance should be times of storing up comforts against times of scarcity Now treasure up beams heap up light store up hidden Manna though kept it will not breed wormes storing up of former evidences is a good provision against a cloudy day Sixthly Times of assurance should be times of breathing after full possession The espoused soul should long after
wilful contempt and carelesse neglect of this Ordinance when it may conveniently be had is dangerous and damnable and to such that threat belongs Gen. 17.14 that soule shall be cut off Thirdly the grace and mercy of God is free and not tied to the outward elements Joh. 3.8 the winde blows where it listeth i. e. God gives grace when where and to whom he pleaseth Fourthly Infants borne of believing parents are holy before Baptisme and Baptisme is but a seale of that holinesse 1 Cor. 7.14 yea to them belongs the Kingdom of heaven Mark 10.14 Object They which are sanctified have faith which Infants have not Answ. God saith I will be thy God and the God of thy seed By virtue of which promise the Parent layes hold of the Covenant for himself and his children and the children believes because the Father believes Object Infants are borne in Original sinne and therefore cannot be holy Answ. Every beleeving Parent sustains a double person 1. As descending from Adam by corrupted seed and thus both himself and his children are corrupted 2. As he is a holy and believing man ingraffed by faith into Christ the second Adam and thus by his faith his children comes to be within the Covenant and partaker of the benefits and priviledges thereof and by the same faith he being a believer the guilt of original corruption in the Infant is not imputed to him to condemnation Object Others that would make it absolutely necessary object John 3.5 Except a man be born of water and the Holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Answ. First If this be meant of Baptism then the word may carry one of these two sences 1. Christ directs his speech principally to Nicodemus who was a timorous professor who remained ignorant and had long neglected his Baptisme 2. That the Kingdom of heaven is not here put for everlasting happinesse but to signifie the visible state of the Church under the New Testament and then the meaning is that none can be admitted into the Church and made a visible member thereof but by Baptisme nor can any be made a lively member of Christ but by the Spirit Secondly or this place is not be understood of Baptisme but of regeneration wherein Christ alludes to Exod. 35.26 which speaks of clean water and then the meaning is thou Nicodemus art a Pharisee and usest many outward washings but unlesse thou beest washed inwardly by clean water i. e. regenerated by the Holy Ghost thou canst not enter into heaven Thirdly or the necessity of salvation lies not in both but only in the New Birth by the Holy Ghost Quest. Whether are not witnesses commonly called God-fathers and God-mothers necessary Answ. No. First For in the Primitive times the Parents of children which were Heathens and newly converted to the Christian Religion were either ignorant and could not or carelesse and would not bring up their children according to the Word of God and true Religion which they newly professed therefore persons of good knowledge and life were called to witnesse Baptisme and promised to take care of the childrens education But now parents being better taught and qualified the other is not necessary Secondly Christ in his Word hath taught all things that are fit and necessary about Baptisme amongst all which he hath not appointed the use of Sureties Thirdly the whole Congregation present do present the childe to the Lord and are witnesses of his admission into the Church and therefore there needs no other Fourthly that which is required of them to promise and performe may and ought to be performed by the Parents of the Infant baptized who by Gods command ought to bring up their children in the knowledge and fear of God therefore the other are not necessary Quest. Whether have children of excommunicated persons right to Baptisme Answ. Before this question be answered some grounds must be laid down As 1. There are two texts principally about excommunication Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.5 the scope of both which is to shew that the excommunicated person is debarred the Kingdome of heaven For he is not to be held a true member of the Church but as an Heathen and Publican 2. In excommunication there are three judgements to be considered 1. Of God 2. Of the Church 3. Again of God The first is when God holdeth any obstinate sinner guilty of the offence and consequently of condemnation except he repent The second is of the Church which follows Gods judgement pronouncing the party guilty and subject to condemnation which judgement is not to be given absolutely but with condition of repentance and so farre forth as man can judge by the fault committed as also by the Word which directs how to discern of the impenitency of the sinner The third again is Gods judgement whereby he confirms that in heaven which the Church hath done on earth So then the answer may be 1. That the persons excommunicate are in some respect no members of Christs body and in some other respects they are Quest. How are they not Answ. First in that they are cut off from the company of Beleevers by the sentence of excommunication and so have no participation with them in prayer hearing the Word or receiving the Sacraments and that because the action of the Church stands in force God ratifying that which his Church hath done Secondly because by their sinne they have as much as in them lies deprived themselves of the effectual power of Gods Spirit which should rule and govern them Quest. How are they members Answ. First some are members not actually and in present but in the eternal counsel of God and so shall be in time when they are called Hence Gal. 1.15 Paul saith God had separated him from the womb and called him by his grace So Rom. 5.20 when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by Christ. Secondly some are members onely in shew and appearance as hypocrites Thirdly some are lively members which are united to Christ by faith c. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly some are decayed members who though they belong to Gods Election and are truly ingraffed into Christ yet for the present have not a lively sense thereof like a member in the body that hath the dead palsie such are excommunicated persons For in regard of their ingraffing they are true members and cannot be quite cut off from the body of Christ John 10.28 Yet they are not holden so to be in three respects 1. In regard of men because they are excluded from communion with the faithful by the censure of the Church 2. In regard of God because what the Church rightly binds on earth he binds in heaven 3. In regard of themselves because for a time they want the power and efficacy of the Spirit till by true repentance they recover life again Now though in these respects they be not esteemed members yet in truth they are not wholly cut off from the society of the
faithful For the seed of faith remains in them that knits them to Christ though the sense thereof be lost until they repent Hence the answer to the question is That the children of such persons as are excommunicated are to be baptized because they are indeed and in the judgement of charity true members of the body of Christ though in some regards they are not for the present esteemed so to be Quest. What reasons may be rendred for this Answ. Children of Parents that are professed members of the Church though cut off for a time for some offence have right to Baptisme First because it 's not in mans power to cut them off from Christ though they are excommunicated Seconly the personal sin of the Parent may not keep the blessing from the childe and therefore it may not deprive him from partaking of the Ordinance of God Thirdly difference must be made between them which do not make separation from the Church and yet are great offenders and open Apostates that joyn themselves with the enemies of the Church to the ruine of the truth of the Gospel Fourthly we must put a difference between those that have given up their names to Christ though fallen grievously and Turks and Infidels that are out of thr Covenant and never belonged to the Church Fifthly If Gods mercy enlargeth it self to thousands of generations men should not be so hard-hearted as to question whether such Infants belong to the Covenant and thereupon to deny them the Sacrament of Baptisme Quest. Whether have children borne in fornication right to Baptisme Answ. They ought not to denied it For the wickednesse of the Parent ought not prejudice the childe in things that belong to his salvation Quest. Are there no cautions to be obsâ—rved Answ. Yea First that the Parent be one that holds the true faith and Reliâ—ion Secondly that the Minister exhort him to true and unfeigned repentance for his sinne committed and that before the childe be baptized Thirdly that there be some appointed to answer for the Infant besides the parents and to make solemn promise to the Church that it shall be carefully brought up and instructed in the faith The same also is to be done before the baptizing of the Children of Parents that are excommunicated Master Perkins Vol. 2. p. 74. Quest. How many wayes is Baptisme taken in Scripture Answ. First it signifies the superstitious washing of the Pharisees who bound themselves to the Baptismes or washings of Cups and Pots Mark 7.4 Secondly the washings appointed by God in the Ceremonial Law Hâ—b 9.10 Thirdly the washing by water which serves to seal the Covenant of the New Testament Mat. 28.19 Fouâ—thly by a metaphor it signifies any grievous crosse and calamity Thus Christs passion is called his Baptism Luk. 12.50 Fifthly it signifies the bestowing of extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost and that by the imposition of the Apostles hands Acts 1.5 and 11.16 Sixthly it signifies the whole Ecclesiastical Ministry Thus Apollos is said to teach the way of the Lord knowing onely the Baptisme i. e. the Doctrine of John Acts 18.15 Quest. What is considerable â—bout the matter of Baptisme Answ. Three things The signe the thing signified and the Apology of both Quest. What is the signe in Baptisme Answ. Partly the element of water Act. 8.16 and partly the right by divine institution appertaining to the element which is the Sacramental use of it in washing of the body and these two water and external washing of the body are the full and compleat signe of Baptisme Quest. What is the thing signified or the substance of Baptism Answ. Christ himself our Mediatour as he gave himself for our washing and cleansing Eph. 5.6 Quest. What is the Analogy and proportion of both Answ. Water resembles Christ crucified with all his merits 1 Joh. 1.7 the blood of Christ cleanseth us c. i. e. the merit and efficacy of Christ crucified frees us from our sins and from the guilt and punishment thereof Quest. What is it to baptize in the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Answ. First these words signifie to baptize by the commandment and authority of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Secondly to baptize by and with the invocation of the Name of the true God Col. 3.17 Thirdly it signifies to wash with water in token that the party baptized hath the Name of God named upon him and that he is received into the houshold or family of God as a childe of God a member of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 1.13 Quest. What then is done in Baptism Answ. The Covenant of Grace is solemnized between God and the party baptized Quest. What actions belong to God in this Covenant Answ. First his making promise of reconciliation i. e. of remission of sins and life everlasting to them that are baptized and believe Secondly the obsignation or sealing of this promise and that is either outward or inward 1. The outward seal is the washing by water which washing serves not to seal by nature but by the institution of God in these words Baptize them c. Hence Eph. 5.26 2. The inward sealing is the earnest of Gods Spirit Eph 1.13 Quest. What is the action of the party baptized Aâ—sw A certain stipulation or obligation whereby he bindes himself to give homage to the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost which homage stands in faith whereby all Gods promises are believed and in obedience to all Gods Commandments The sign of this obligation is in that the party willingly yeelds himself to be washed with water Quest. Why is it not said In the Name of God but in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Answ. To teach us the right way to know and acknowledge the true God Quest. Wherein stands the knowledge of this true God Answ. First that there is one God and no more For though there be three that are named yet there is but one in authority will and worship Hence some are said to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Act. 10.48 Secondly that this one true God is the Father Son and Holy Ghost A mystery unsearchable Thirdly that these three are really distinct so as the Father is first in order the Sonne the second and the Holy Ghost not the first nor second but the third Fourthly that they are all one in operation John 5.19 and especially in the act of reconciliation or Covenant making For the Father sends the Son to be our Redeemer the Son works in his own person the work of redemption and the Holy Ghost applies the same by his efficacy Fifthly that they are all one in worship For the Father Son and Holy Ghost are joyntly to be worshipped together and God in them Sixthly that we are to know God not as he is in himself but as he hath revealed himself to us in the Covenant of Grace and therfore we must acknowledge the Father to be our