of workes Ye shal keep my statutes and my judgements which if a man do he shal live in them I am the Lord Levit. 18 y. Gal. 3.12 Had Adam power to fulfill that Covenant of works Answ Yes for he then had the morall law written in his heart for some remainders of it are yet left in man by nature The Gentiles which have not the written law do by nature the things contained in the law which shew the worke of the law written in their hearts Rom. 2.14 15. What is the sum of the morall law Answ The ten Commandements which are called the tables of the Covenant Deut. 9.9.11 In which are contained all duties both to God and man For what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to feare the Lord thy God to walk in all his wayes and to love him and to fear the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule to keep the Commandements of the Lord and his statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Deut. 10.12 13. What is the sum of the first Commandement Answ It forbids the having of more gods then one 1 Cor. 8.6 Also it forbids to chuse or to set up any thing for our God that is not God thou shalt have no other god Also it commands us to take the Lord for our God Chuse you whom you will serve I and my house will serve the Lord Josh 24.15 And to cleave unto him Deut. 10. â—0 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God Deut. 26.17 18. What is the sum of the second Commandement Answ It forbids al true divine worship to be given to any false god Thou shalt not bow down to 〈◊〉 nor worship them And it forbids all false worship to be given to him in 〈◊〉 They worship me teaching for doctrine the precepts of men Mar. 15.9 Being no more vain Oblations Also it commands all true divine worship to be given to the true God Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.10 What is the sum of the third Commandement Answ It forbids all unreverent speaking of the name of God or of his Attributes or swearing by him upon slight occasions Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain Also it forbids al unreverent corriage toward the Lord in the way of his worship in his Ordinances or towards the works of his providence Also it commands all reverent speaking of the name and attributes of God For holy and reverend is his Name Ps 111.9 As also towards him in his Ordinances God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints to be had in reverence of all that are about him Ps 89.7 Also in the works of God When I consider the heavens the workes of thy hands the Sun Moon and Stars which thou hast ordained What is man that thou art mindful of him Psal 8.3 4. What is the sum of the fourth Commandement Answ The sum of the fourth Commandement respects the time when God will chiefly be worshipped served honoured and reverenced and that is on his owne day by him appoynted for the same use and therfore it is called the Lords day Rev. 1.10 The Sabbath of the Lord thy God sanctified set apart for that use So that we must neither rob God of his day or any part of it to employ it about any other occasions not minding our own pleasures nor speaking our own words Isa 59.13 Also it forbids us to appoynt any days for divine worship to dedicate them to the Lord except it bee dayes of humiliation or thanks-giving to remove some judgement or to seek some mercy or to render prayse for some blessing received and for some certaine time and then to return to their first Institution which was to labour 6. dayes Thus we must chuse the true God and worship him with true worship and reverence in his owne time And this is the sum of our duty to the Lord immediatly as it is contained in the four first Commandements being the first Table of the law What is the sum of the fifth Commandement Answ It forbids all negligence and disobedience to Magistrates or Parents or any that the Lord hath put in authority over us such as those filthy draemers that despise dominion and speak evil of dignities Jud. 8. also it commands us to give them vivell honour and reverence and obedience see Rom. 13.1 Tit. 3.1 Eph. 6.2.1 Tim. 2.1 2. What is the summe of the sixth Commandement Answ It forbids all injuries done to the bodies or soules of others as envy hatred malice or stripes or murder it selfe thou shalt not kill also it commands all duties of love and charity which tend to their preservation either of body or soule What is the summe of the seventh Commandement Answ It forbids all unchast thoughts tending to adultery and adultery it selfe and all idle words and gestures tending that way let not fornication be ence named among you as becommeth Saints Eph. 5.3 also it commands to avoid all suspected places and persons abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5.22 Prov. 5.8 What is the summe of the eighth Commandement Answ It forbids all fraud or deceit or stealing or any wrong to others in their estate Thou shalt not steale also it commands all duties of neighbourhood and friendship that may preserve or increase it What is the summe of the ninth Commandement Answ I it forbids all reproaches and scandals unjustly cast upon them and should neither raise a false report against them Exod. 23.1 nor take up a false report raised by others Psal 15.3 but as the north-wind drives away raine so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue Prov. 25.23 also it commands all duties of love for love suffers long and is kind charity envieth not vanteth not it selfe is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her owne is not easily provoked thinketh no evill 1 Cor. 13.4 5. What is the summe of the tenth Commandement Answ It forbids the rising of sinfull lusts to any of the forenamed evils and it commands to suppresse those sinfull lusts in their first risings before consent be given to them now whereas all the Commandements forbid lusting with consent this forbids it before consent and commands to suppresse it before consent this is the summe of the morrall law the covenant of works How did the Lord try mans obedience to that covenant of works Answ By prohibiting onely one tree in the Garden saying of the tree of Knowledge of good and evill thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Gen. 2.17 When Adam was permitted to eat of all the rest would not he refraine that one at Gods command A. No although he had power sufficient given to him whereby he might have stood yet in case Adam lost that ability all new supplies were shut up from him it
to a covenant of workes but they stand as a people redeemed not onely from Pharaoâ—â—s bondage but from the bondage of sin and satan Gods wrath and damnation figured out by that from Aegypt in the preface againe Adam was to stand by his perfect obedience to it or to fall if he failed in the least title but the law at Mount Sinai was a rule to square their obedience by but the penalty is taken off as I sayd before and they and we are bound to doe our utmost endeavour to obey it although we can never legally fulfill it but evangellically as we are in Christ to testifie our thankfulnesse and obedience to our Redeemer 1 cor 6.19 20. What are the maine differences between the covenant of workes and the covenant of grace A. The first covenant was of mans workes the second of Gods grace againe the first was made to Adam and in him to all his posterity the second was made with Christ and so in him for all the elect called the seed of the woman but not with the seed of the serpent Gen. 3.15 againe the first stood upon mans righteousnesse the second upon the righteousnesse of Christ made ours by imputation againe the first was soon broken standing upon the mutability of mans will but the second stands upon a sure foundation being Gods unchangeable will and so never can be broken for sayth the Lord I will establish with thee an everlasting covenant Ezek. 16.60 againe the first was a covenant of justice without mercy the second was a covenant of mercy yet in Christ justice and mercy met together Psal 85.10.89.28 againe the first man is of the earth earthly the second man is of the Lord from heaven and as the earthly so were all they in that covenant and as the heavenly such are they also that are heavenly and as we have borne the image of the earthly we shall also beare the image of the heavenly 1 cor 15.47 48.49 What be the offices of Christ to make him an alsufficient saviour A. First he was a Priest as he was both God and man and he sacrificed his body Mat. 20 28. and his soule was made an offering for sinne Isa 53.10 upon the altar of his Godhead Heb. 13.16 so christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many Heb. 9.28 also by his integrity or purity of his humane nature and his obedience in performing all that the law requires as I shewed before thus Christ hath satisfied for our sinnes and he makes intercession for us How doth Christ make intercession foâ— us A. He appeares continually before his Father in heaven rom 8.34 Heb. 7.25 making their prayers acceptable to God by Iesus christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 5.2 by applying the merits of his owne perfect satisfaction to them rev 9.3.4 What other office hath Christ A. He is a Prophet to reveale unto his church the way and meanes of salvation it is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every man therefore he that hath heard and hath learned of the Father commeth to me Iohn 6.45 he teacheth continually by the ministery of word and by the inward teaching of his holy spirit Iohn 14.26.16.13 What other office hath Christ A. He is a King that he may bountifully bestow on us all the meanes of salvation he overcame the divell and hell and the grave and death as aconqueror see Acts 2.24.32.10.14 1 cor 15.55.57 all power in heaven and in earth is given to me goe ye therefore and teach all nations Mat. 28.18 19. on this rocke will I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 thus he is both a King to furnish and to defend his church You told me that faith was wrought in the soule by the fririt of God by the preaching of the Word now the question is how the Lord prepares the soule to receive that excellent grace of faith A. The Lord sayth I will give them one heart and I will put my spirit within you but the manner how this is wrought is this I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and then I will give them an heart of flesh then they shall walke in my statutes and keepe mine ordinances and doe them Ezek. 11.19 20. here you see the first worke is to take the stone out of the heart which in reason should be as painfull as to take the stone our of the bladder this is done by that sharp knife of the morall law when it bruiseth and humbleth us and worketh in us a sight of our sinne for by the law is the knowledge of sinne I had not knowne sinne but by the law for I had not knowne lust except the law had sayd thou shalt not lust rom 3 20.7 7. What is sorrow for sinne A. It is when a mans conscience is touched with a lively feeling of Gods displeasure for any sinne they were â—oricked in their hearts and sayd what shall we doe Acts 2.37 with an utter dispairing of salvation in regard of any thing in our selves O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death rom 7.24 and so acknowledge our deserved shame should be eternally czra 9.6 How doth God worke this sorrow in us A. By the terrible curse of the law thus he which breakes but one of the commandements of God though it be but once in all his life time and that onely but in thovght is subject too and in danger of eternall damnation for it Gal. 3.10 Jam. 2.10 When the heart is thus prepared how doth God ingrafâ— faith in it A. By casting into it inward motions which are the seeds of faith first when the heart is humbled under the burden of sin then to acknowledg to feel that we stand in need of christ this is the seed of faith for we see that we have spent our money for that which is not bread and our labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 secondly a hungry desire and a longing to be made partaker of christ his merits these also are the seeds of faith for such are blessed and promised to be filled Mat. 5.4 rev 21.6 thirdly using the meanes when we see the need of christ and have a longing desire after him flying from the sentence of the law pricking the conscience to the throne of grace such shall obtaine mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 How is this done A. First as the Prodigall did to think our sinnes pardonable and to say Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne make me as one of thy hâ—red servants Luk. 15.18 19. then with loud cryes for Gods savour in christ in pardoning sinnes with a fervent perseverance herein till the desire of our heart be granted as the woman of Canaan did Mat. 15.22 23. What followes after this A. Then God according to
the faith of the sonne of God Gal. 2.20 we which haâ—e the first fruits of the spirit doe groane within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our bodies rom 8.23 What is the efficient cause whereby these graces are wrought in us A. The holy Ghost applying the power of the death and resurrection of Christ worketh holinesse in us he will deliver his soule from going into the pit and his life shall see the light loe all these things worketh God oftentimes for man to bring back his soule from the pit to be enlightned with the light of the living Job 33.28 29.33 that the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost rom 15.16 How is this grace preserved in us A. It is preserved by the vertue of christs resurrection that I may know him and the vertue of his resrurection phil 3.10 first christ did in his own flesh overcome death and sin and live to God and was exalted above every name then he infuseth this power into us we receive it by faith wherby we dye unto sin daily and live to God in newnesse of life In what part of us is this grace of sanctification wrought A In every part of body and soule the very God or peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God yoâ—r whole spirit soule and body may be perfect and blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Jesus christ 1 Thes 5.23 How do you know when the mind is sanctified A. When spirituall understandding is given unto it to acknowledge the known truth of Gods word and when spirituall wisdome is given to apply that truth knowne to the well ordering both of things and actions as person place and time requires then we come to discerne both good and evill heb 5.14 and to discerne of things that are excellent phil 1.10 and to try the spirits whether they be of God 1 Joh. 4.1 and to try doctrines Joh. 7.17 1 Thes 5.21 Acts 17.11 and so we come to medâ—tate on the word and workes of God and to delight in his law and to exercise our selves in it night and day Psal 1.119.15 and we discerne our owne want of knowledge by which meanes we shall entreat the Lord to teach us Psal 119.18.33 When is the memory sanctified A. When it is made a treasury of good things a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things Mat. 35. Mary kept all those sayings in her heart Luke 2.51 and David sayd thy word I have hid in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Psal 119.11 Secondly when we remember our sinnes to loath them then shall ye remember your owne evill wayes and your doing that were not good and shall â—â—â—th your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities and for your abominations Ezek. 36.31.16.63 When is the conscience sanctified A. When it doth excuse us for all sin when we are certaine that they are forgiven us in Christ having faith and a good conscience which some have put away 1 Tim. 1.19 I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not hereby justified 1 Cor. 4.4 I have in all good conscience served God untill this day Acts 23.1 herein I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men Acts 24.16 try me O Lord and prove me examine my raines and my heart for thy loving kindnesse is before mine eyes and I have walked in thy truth Psal 26.1 2.3 hence ariseth in us that peace of conscience that passeth all understanding which shall keepe our hearts and minds through Christ Iesus Phil. 4.7 this makes the righteous as bold as a lyon Pro. 28.1 if our hearts condemne us not then have we conscience towards God 1. Ioh. 3.21 When is the will sanctified A. When our wils is regulated by Gods revealed will when the spirit is willing though the flesh be weake Mat. 26.41 When to wil is present but how to performe that which is good we finde not rom 7.19 for it is God that worketh in us both to will and to doe of his own good 〈◊〉 Phil. 2 1â— When are the affections sanctified A. Our hope is sanctified when we wait for the accomplishment of our redemption rom 8.23 24 25. and when we shew the same diligence in full assurance of hope unto the end Heb. 6.11 Our feare is sanctified when we feare to offend the Lord because of his goodnesse Hosea 3.5 they shall feare and tremble for all the goodnesse and for all the prosperity that I will procure unto it Jer. 33.9 If ye call him father passe the time of your sojourning here in feare 1 Pet. 1.17 our love of God in Christ is sanctified when it is as a fire that cannot be quenched many waters cannot quench love nor the floods drowne it cant 8.7 when this love burnes up all other love and when we esteeme of all outward things but as losse and dung for the excellent knowledge of Christ and to win christ phil 3.7 8. our zeale is sanctified when we regard not what becomes of us so God may be glorified Exod. 32.32 rom 9.3 our sorrow and anguish of mind is sanctified when our eyes can gush out with teares because men keep not Gods law Psal 119.136 as Lots righteous soule was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked he dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their ungodly deeds 2 Pet. 2.7 8. our joy is sanctified when Gods countenance more rejoyceth our hearts then the increase of come and wine Psal 4.7 and when we rejoyce that the Gospell is preached phil 1.18 and when we rejoyce in the fruitfulnesse of is in the conversion of soules Luke 15.7 How doe you know when the body is sanctified A. Whâ—n it is a fit instrument for the soule to accomplish that which is good as ye have given your members servants to uncleanoesse and to iniquity to commit iniquity so now give your members servants unto righteousnesse in holinesse rom 6.19 Cannot we be saved without holinesse A. No for heaven is promised to them that are sanctified Acts 26.18 and no uncleane thing shall enter into it rev 21.27 without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 the pure in heart they shall see God mat 5.8 Are there degrees in holinesse or sanctification A. Yes that ye may grow up into him in all things which is the head even christ Eph. 4.15 being knâ—t together we may increase with the increase of God col 2.19 I beseech you brethren and exhort you by the lord Iesus christ that as you have received of us how you ought to walke and to please God so ye would abound more and more for this is the will of God even your sanctification that every one may know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour 1 Thes 4.1.3 4. May a man attain to perfection in
will not do the will of his Father Mâ—l 7.21 22. and casts him into utter darknesse that comes without his wedding garment Mat. 22.12.13 he is the author of eternall salvation but to whom answ to them that obey him Heb. 5.9 then did Christ redeem every particular man in the world if this be so then the Evangelist was much to blame to say he gave his life a ransome for many if he redeemed all Mat. 20.18 and if this were so why did not Christ say that he laid downe his life as well for Goats as for his Sheep John 10.11 and Christ saith I pray not for the world but for those that thou hast given me then would not Christ vouchsafe to pray for all and would he spill his blood for all John 17.9 so then I conclude that Christ was fore-ordained for you who doe beleeve in God that raised him from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God 1 Pet. 1.20 21. Let this suffice because Master Lancaster was so shamed when he was very briefs to soeaâ—e against the Arminians and I demanded whether it was not Arminianisme to say that Christ redeemed every particular man in the world he answered yes then I shewed him this of the Doctor at which he was so blank that he had not one word to say but that the Printer had mistooke it so much for the first head of errouts The second head of errours is about possession the Doctor saith that Christ is actually delivered unto a man before ever his blind eyes be opened or they come out of prison or before they have any gracious qualifications whatsoever pag. 154. I demanded of Master Lancaster how this could be for he that is in Christ is a new creature 2 Cor 5.17 and further I said that the humanity of Christ is in heaven and the essence of Christ fils all places and is in all creatures as well as in men for in him they live move and have their being Acts 17.28 then said I this cannot be understood that Christ should enter personally and take possession but graciously when he worketh grace in the soule and stampeth his owne Image upon it to this he replied that it was a gracicus possession and yet before any qualification I replied againe that it was nonsense to say that Christ enters into the soule and before that he worketh grace when as the infusion of grace is the entance of Christ into the soul he said this grace was the love and favour of God to this I said the words are he hath a possession of Christ which cannot be without faith this he granted but saith he Christ may enter into us and have a possession before any gracious qualification I having drawne out his full meaning answered that it was horrible blasphemy to say that Christ lives graciously in that soule where the devill reignes as lord and king or to say that Christ dwels in a cage of uncleane and filthy lusts or to say that he is an idle spirit doing nothing or an underling to the devill or to say that the divell is the Lord and rules any of the living members of Christ yet saith Crispe art thou rebellious an enemy ungodly a harlot nay art thou worse then enmity it selfe Christ came for thee marke while thou art thus and no better then thus before thou art any better pag. 67. whosoever thou art in this Congregation suppose a drunkard a whoremonger a swearer a blasphemer a persecutor a mad-man in iniquity yet couldest thou but come to Iesus Christ I say onely come marke he meanâ—s a carnall comming for saith he it is no matter though there he no alteration in the world in thee I say at that mstant although tâ—ou be thus vile as can be imagined doe but come to Christ and he is untrue if he cast thee out pag. 314. and he saith such a person as this without any change or alteration in the world it his heart doe but say I would have Christ all that sinfulnesse though continued in is no barre in the world to hinder this man from claiming his portion in Christ pag. 320. here this seducer makes no exceptions of any sinne no not the blasphemy against the holy Ghost which shall never be forgiven Mat 12.31 for saith he in a carnall manner those that receive him were made the sonnes of God John 1.12 but he like the divell leaves out To them that beleeve on his name yea further he saith to take Christ upon his generall tender is as good security as any in the world yea most blasphemously he saith it is as good as any God can make him page 163. but doth not the Apostle say give all diligence to make your calling and â—â—â—â—tion sure 2 Pet. 1.10 but the Doctor saith God hath so passed himselso over to man as that he hath no more command over himself then the creature can have power over him pag. 277 now follow his reasons why christ is made over to men before they have any gracious qualifications First saith he Christ is the beginning of all things then as the builder of the house doth not come after the house is begun to be builded but is present to lay the first stone thereof I answ and grant that Christ was from all eternity but this is not our question whether Christ was before men or whether man be before his house but here is the question whether a man will possesse his house before he build it or whether Christ will dwell in the sonle before any qualification then by his owne argument as man fits his house before he possesse it so Christ firs the soule before himselfe will dwell in it his second reason Christ is the head of the body and all the senses are in the head therefore saith he men doe not see before they have a head c. I ans will it follow because Christ is the head to his Church that are members of his body therefore he is so to them before they are any part of his Church or members of his body Thirdly he saith Christ is the life and all that come to the Father come by him John 14.2.6 and Paul saith I live yet not I but christ livith in me Gal. 2.20 hence he concludes that a man cannot live before that life is breathed into him I ans if this seducer had read the whole verse he might have found faith where he found christ for mark I live by saith of the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 Christ dwels in your heart by faith Eph. 3.17 then christ doth not come and dwell in the soule before faith We have accesse by saâ—th into this grace wherein we stand Rom. 4.2 and God haâ—h given repentance unto life Acts 11.18 Here Master Lancaster affirmed that faith and repentance were both the same thing and that he knew no graces of the spirit but testimonies of Goâ—s love and it we call these
graces then saith he our riches money and cloathes and victuals are graces also I might here shew that these are cemporall and not spirituall and againe some that are spirituall are common and some are speciall your heavenly Father will give his spirit to them that aske him Luke 11.13 this is not to be understood the third person but his gifts or good things Mat. 7 11. desire spirituall gifts 1 Cor. 14.1 abound in this grace also after he hath named other graces as faith utterance knowledge and love 2 cor 8.7 stirre up the gift of God that is in thee 2 Tim. 1.6 and to say that repentance and faith are the same thing cannot be for repentance conâ—sts much of godly sorrow beway ling the breach of the first Cevenant and our misery that came upon it but faith is fixed upon the second Adam fulfilling the second Covenant for us beleeving and applying the happinesse that came upon it but more of this anon for the present it may suffice that here you see qualifications before that Christ doe actually possesse the soule But he replies saying that it is a sordid and a grosse conceit in the hearts of some persons to thinke that there cannot be humiliation for sinne except perions be brought to diâ—paire page 3â—4 I ans a man cannot he humbled for those sins in himselfe unlesse he dupaire of all hope in himselfe thou sardest not there is no hope thou hasi found the life of thâ—ne hand therefore thou wast not grâ—eâ—ed Isa 57.10 he that doth not deny himselfe and forsake all and follow Christ is unworthy of him he cannot be his Disciple Luke 14 26.27 but saith he although a man be ntâ—erly undone before Christ come into the soule yet saith he the man is not sensible of it till Christ be actually given and come into the soule to work that sensiblenesse pag. 201. I ans the worst of men have been sensible of their undone condition altrough Christ never came graciously into their soules witnesse Cain Pharath Saul and Iudas all these by the law saw their undone condition for by the law is the knowledge of sin Rom. 3 20. but he replyes that a though the law be a light like the Sun yet it gives no eyes to see I ans that it did give those reprobates a sight of their undone condition and as an Instrument in the hand of Christ it may give a greater light so the law may convert the soul make wise the simple rejoyce the heart and enlighten the eves Psal 19. but howsoever the law may shew a wicked man his sinfull condition because some remainders of it are left still in nature The Gentiles by nature doe the things contained in the law which sheâ—es the work of the law that is written in their hearts Rom. 2.14 15. this may suffice to shew that a man may be sensible of his owne undone condition before that Christ comes graciously into the soule but further when Christ comes into the soule he comforts those that mourne he gives joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse Isa 61.2 3. then sure they doe not mourne before they are sensible wherefore all this shewes that Christ works some qualification before he come to possesse the soule saith Christ to Paul I send thee to open their eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God marke that they may receive forgivenesse of sinnes and inheritance among all them that are sanctified by faith in me Acts 26.18 here you see that forgivenesse of sins which is a great part of justification is not the first work in the soule but much preparation of common grace which goes before but â—peciall grace is the entrance of Christ as I said before which brings me to the third head of errours which are abont justification He saith that Christ enters actually and justifies a person before any gracious qualification be wrought in them page 155. he saith they are justified while they are ungodly page 136. I ans this is horrible blasphemy for it makes God an unrighteous Judge to pronounee a sinner just before that he is just either by inherent righteousnesse or by that imputed righteousnesse of Christ whereby alone he may be just but saith Crispe faith is a work and the Apostle saith to him that worketh not but beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly Rom. 4.5 it seems he takes this for a carnall beleeving such as may be in the ungodly remaining such for he leaves out his faith is connted for righteousnesse but it is of faith that it may be of grace Ro. 4.16 we have accesse by faith into this grace wherin we stand being justified by faith we have peace with God Rom. 5.1 2. yet as faith is a work we renounce it in poynt of justification as a poore lame Cripple cannot get his living by working yet he can receive an almes with his lame hand that shall maintaine him as well and better then working but saith Crispe Christ is put upon a finner before they have any hand to put him on as a Physitian useth to doe with an unruly Patient who shuts his teeth against his physick then he forceth his mouth open and powres it cowne his throat so saith he the Lord forceth Christ upon us page 150 151. and he saith Christ gets upon us as we get up to break a horse so saith he was Ephraim yoaked and fettered I ans this is nothing but the plowing and breaking that is by the law before that Christ enters graciously to justifie us but if this breaking be before this confounds his former tenet that Christ enters before any qualification or any prep ration be made for him so then the Lord plowes up the soule to make it fit for the seed of saving or justifying faith for saith Christ I stand at the doore and knock he doth not enter till the will be changed and made willing to receive him I doe dot say as the Arminians doe that Christ waits till we will but till he himselfe hath changed our hearts I say till then he will not enter graciously nay if his ownâ— Spouse be something unwilling he will depart cant 5.2 but saith Crispc Christ may come to us graciously as well as we may casta garment upon a dejected body having no hand to receive it I answer the comparison is not equall for all although this dejected body have no hand yet he hath life and a heart to receive that mercy thankefully but we are dead in trespasses and sinnes Ephesians 2.1 then how can a dead stone receive any thing that hath neither heart nor hand life nor motion to doe it so then faith must be wronght in the soule to receive chrut first before that we can receive him to justifie us we have accesse by faith unto this grace wherein we stand Romans 5.2 with the heart man beleeveth unto righteousnesse Rom. 10.17 the Gentiles
page 242 243 244. he saith a man reconciled God cannot tax him for any sin page 306. he sayth all occasion of quarrell or controversie between God and thee is absolutely taken away page 303. he sayth God doth never punish a beleever for sinne committed page 25. the reason because the travaile of Christ gave the Father such satisfaction that he saith it did the heart of God good to see his Sonne tormented for us he saw it and was satisfied page 46 47. I ans This is hellish blasphemy for when our sinnes were upon him yet then sayth the Lord Thou art my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased and in his agony he sent an Angell to comfort him and that place in Isa 53.11 is spoken of Christ himselfe he saw the travaile of his soule and was satisfied not that the Father saw it and rejoyced to see it the Doctor saith although the free man of Christ fall into the same sins that a reprobate doth yet although the law say to the reprobate thou art damned for this yet the law cannot say one word to the free man of Christ so that he may esteem of the curse of th law as an English man may esteem of the lawes of Spain page 189. but Christ threatned the damnation of hell other judgments to the Churches of Asia Mat. 23.33 Rev. 2.3 chap. the Doctor saith if a beleever fall into some scandalous sinne as murder and adultery as David did yet he may looke upon Christ and in Christ at that very time he commits them he may see a discharge of his sinnes and reconciliation by Christ and his part in Christ nay further he saith a beleever cannot commit those sinnes that may give occasion of suspicion that if he come to Christ he should cast him out page 330 331. this also puzzeled Lancaster that he came off basely I demanded of him if a beleever having a cleere apprehension of God in Christ can commit those foule sinnes he answered 10 now this was well for saith Joseph how can I doe this great wickednesse and sinne against God Gen. 39.9 thâ—n I demanded of him whether David or Peter or any other in the act of those foule sins did see God in Christ to their comfort he answered whether they did or no yet a man may doe it I answered it was a flat contradiction for he sayd before if they had that cleere apprehension they neither could nor durst thus sinne and now he sayd in the act of those sinnes they may have this cleere apprehension then he discerned himselfe to be almost foyled and shuffled it thus saying although he had not that cleere light in the entrance into that sinne yet God may shew it him before the act is over I told him that he was yet upon his contradiction but then he shuffled it off thus saying that he ought to see his part in Christ at that instant and nor to adde unbeliese to his other sinne I answered he ought not to sinne at all but we are not â—â—â—king what he ought to doe but what he can doe at such a time but he could not find a starting hole ready therefore he said the Doctors meaning was that at such a time they ought to see their part in Christ yet I suppose all this will hardly cleere the Doctor for I suppose in the act of such a foule sinne that a man ought not to lay his foule singers on Christ for some are too forward to close with Christ but faith the Lord your hands are full of blood goe wash you make you cleane and then he saith come now let us reason together Isa 1.15 16 18. I need not to speak how David being hurried in temptation and saw it not till Nathan said thou art the man and Peter was in a passion and not himselfe when he came to himselfe he wept and the Prodigall when he came to himselfe he went home but these were so farre from comfort in the time of those sinnes that I suppose they rather never obtained their former joy but they had some grudging of them to their dying day sayth David ake away blood guiltinesse O God and in his old age sayth he pardon the sinnes of my youth Psal 25.7.11 so then I rather thinke he that can sinne thus and think he may then close with Christ that as yet he never had any true faith in Christ but the Doctor sayth beleevers need not to be threatned for sayth the Doctor the sonne sayd to the father thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power Ps 110. which is flat against the text and that the Sonne brought down the Father to his articles which overthrowes the tenour of the Gospell which sayth the Father sent the Son and the Son came to do the Fathers businesse and to finish his work and not to do his own will then he saith Christ is the way for whore and drunkards in his fourth Sermon I answ Christ is the way for imitation to walk as he walked 1 Joh. 1.6 we ranst learne of him Mat. 11.28 Jah 13.15 we must follow his steps 1 Pet. 2.21 and Christ is our Counsellouâ— Isa 9.6 Rev. 3.8 now he that thus walketh imitating Christ and obeying his counsell this man walkes in Christ Col. 2.6 because the word of Christ rules in their heart 3.16 but for any to say they walk in Christ and yet for at naught his counsell he will laugh at their destraction and mock when their feare commeth Prov. 1.24 these men are led away with their Insts Jam. 1.14 now such the Lord may justly give up to their own hearts Iusts to walk in their own counsels Ps 81.12 but blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the ungodly Psal 1.1 but freely yeelds himselfe unto Christ to be guided by his counsell and afterward brought unto his glory Psal 73.34 So much in answer to Doctor Crisp and Mr. Lancaster in which their Christ is exalted above all now followes the combat in the Den. A combat with the Antinomians Christ in his Den. WHen we seriously consider poore heathen people who naturally seeke after a God to worship and cannot find the true God nor rightly how to worship him then we bewaile the great losse that all mankind had by the fall of Adam wherein we lost the knowledge of the true God and rightly how to worship him but what shall we say when Israel is a long time without the true God 2 Chron. 15.3 or at leastwise halt between two opinions as not being resolved whether the Lord or Baal be the true God till the Lord himselfe by fire from heaven decide the controversie 1 King 18.21.38 39. but to the astonishment of all people that lay it to heart when Christians under the glorious Sunshine of the Gospell shall dispute and contend about the true Christ this is most abominable to all that heare it it is true when Christ came in the flesh
for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed Isa 52.5 christ hath once suffered the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the spirit 1 Pet. 3.18 who did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himselfe to him that judgeth righteously who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye are healed 1 Pet. 2.22 23 24. thus christ hath passively suffered all the penalty of the law to free us from the curse and penalty of it and to sanctifie both afflictions and death unto us O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sinne but thankes be to God which hath given us victory through our Lord Iesus christ 1 cor 15.55 56. To what use serveth the active obedience of christ to the law of God A. It serveth to sanctifie all our disobedience and failings in the performance of holy duties so that now a willing mind is accepted according to that a man hath 2 cor 8.12 row Christ takes notice when the spirit is willing although the flesh be weak Mat. 26.41 for our Saviour hath performed perfect obedience to the law of Gad for us it was his meat and drinke to doe his Fathers will Iohn 4.32.34 he sayth I doe alwayes those things that please him Iohn 8.29 I seeke not mine owne will but the will of him that sent me Iohn 4.30.7.16 as by the disobedience of one many were made sinners so by the obedience of one many were made righteous Romans 5.19 But did Christ obey or suffer for himselfe as some would have it A. No for although his humane nature was a creaturne yet being united to the second person and so making one Christ there was no obedience due from himselfe to the law neither came he by the ordinary way of mankind into the world therefore free from that law that Adam was bound unto with all his posterity But did we actually doe all that which christ did in our nature as well as he as some would have it A. No the gift by grace is by one man Iesus Christ and by him hath abounded to many and righteousnesse shall reigne in life by one Iesus christ even so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all to justification of life by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous rom 5.15 16 17 18 19. hence I conclude that we did not act in Christs person as well as himselfe saying it was a common lumpe of all mankind that christ obeyed and suffered in we for him as well as he for us and he for himselfe as well as for us This is Antinomian blasphemy But if we did not act as well as christ how comes his righteousnesse to be ours A. By imputation for as he is a blessed man to whom the Lord will not impute sinne rom 4.8 so he is a blessed man unto whom God will impute righteousnesse without workes rom 4 6. now as Adams sinne is imputed to all in Adams nature so the second Adams righteousnesse is imputed to all that are in him by greace to him that worketh not but beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly by faith instrumentally it is countrd for righteousnesse rom 4.5 Then did christ alone in his owne person doe all the workes of our redemption A. Yes he looked and saw there was none to helpe therefore his owne arme brought salvation and his righteousnesse it sustained him Isaiah 59 16.6â—.5 neither is there salvation in any other there is none other other name given under Heaven among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 he trod the Wine-presse alone and there was none with him Isaiah 63.3 he by himselfe purged our sinnes Hebr. 1.3 and he washed away our sinnes in his owne blood revel 1.7 he is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the word Iohn 1.29 Did Christ dye for all men without exception A. No for Christ would not so much as pray for the world much lesse would he spill his blood for them but the first is true therefore not the second Joh. 17.9 againe if Christ had dyed for them and they not saved either the Father brake Covenant and did not give him all that he bought of him or else the world and the divell and sinne were too strong both for the father that have them and the sonne that bought them which were no other then blasphemy to think How doe you know that Christ dyed for you A. The good Sbeâ—heard gave his life for the sheep Joh. 10.11 and I know my selfe to be one of his sheep for I know his voyce Joh. 10.4 both the secret voyce of his spirit and the publike voyce of his word when I am charged to let the word of Christ dwell in me richly Col. 3.16 when I turne aside to the right hand or to the left I still heare his voyce saying unto me this is the way walk in it Isa 30.21 and I know it is the voyce of my beloved that knocketh saying open to me my sister cant 5.2 because he leadeth me into al truth makes me see an excellency in him above all other Cant. 5.9.10 11 12 13 14 15 16. Psal 45.2 then sayth Christ I know my sheep and I am knowne of mine Joh. 10.14 and they will esteeme of all things else but as dung aad drosse and losse for the excellent knowledge of Christ Phil. 3.78 By what other mark doe you know that you are one of the sheep of Christ for which he dyed A. The sheep of Christ doe not onely know his voyce and delight in hearing of it but in obeying it and follownig him Joh. 10.4.27 they will walke as Christ walked 1 Joh. 2.6 and they will learne of him that is meek and lowly in heart and they shall find rest for their soules Mat. 11.29 and as he sayd it as my meat and drink to doe the will of him that sent me and to sinish his worke and he did alwaies those things that pleased him Joh. 4.34.8.29 and concerning his surferings he sayd I lay downe my life no man taketh it from me Joh. 10.17 18 the cup that my father hath given me shall I not drinke it Iohn 18.4.11 Christ suffered leaveng us an example that we should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2.21 to you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not onely to beleeve on him but to suffer for his sake Phil. 1.29 they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth these were redeemed from among men Rev. 14.4 What other reasons have you to prove that Christ dyed for you A. Christ loved the church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctisie
Thou mayest come as a welcome guest for all that for Christ came to preach the Gospell to such a poore heart as thine and to heal such a broken heart to deliver such a captive from corruptions and to give sight to thee ihat feelest want of it and to set at liberty thy bruised soule Luke 4.18 How shall I come to the sacrament I want faith A. If thou be sensible of thy want of faith thou mayest come for it is grace that discovers thy want and not nature therefore pray the Lord to encrease thy faith Luke 17.5 and say with teares I beleeve Lord help my unbeliefe Marke 9.24 then come and Christ will ease thee Mat. 11.28 Psal 55.22 What other meanes hath God appointed us to use for our groth in grace A. Prayer which is a familiar speech with God in the name of Christ in which either we crave things needfull or give thanks for things received 1 Tim. 2.1 May we not pray to Saints or Angels A. No for they doe not know our wants Abraham 〈◊〉 of us Isa 63.17 neither can they help us they pray to Gods that 〈◊〉 save Isa 45.20 and the command of Christ is come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest mat 11.28 But may we not make Saints our medâ—â—tours or intercessâ—rs A. No there is but one mediatour between God and man the man Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 2.5 he is our onely high Priest who is entred into heaven now to appeare in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 Christ alone is our intercessor in heaven for us rom 8.34 heb 7.25 For whom must we pray A. for all men living none exempted but they that sinne against the holy Ghost there is a sinne unto death I doe not say that yee shall pray for it 1 Ioh. 5.16 But may we not pray for the dead A. No when Davids child was dead he ceased praying for it saying now he is dead wherefore should I fast â— Sam. 12.22 23. there is no repentance in the grave when they are dead he that is unjust let him be unjust still and he that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is holy let him be holy still rev 22.11 it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanfeth us from yâ—l sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 and if thou be not purged thou shalt not be purged from thy filthinesse any more Ezek. 24.13 For what must we pray A. Christ hath taught us to pray for six things especially First that God may be glorified secondly that God may reigne in our hearts as in his Kingdome thirdly that we may doe Gods will faithfully constantly and cheerfully as it is done in heaven These three câ—ncerning God what things be they that we must pray for our sâ—â—ves A First that we may rely wholly on Gods providence for all the meanes of this temporall life secondly that our sinnes may be forgiven that we may be at peace with God thirdly that by his power we may be kept from all temptations that they prevaile not against us to sinne against 〈◊〉 Why are those petitions concerning Gods glory kingdome and will set downe before these three petitions for our selves A. Because we should preferre Gods glory kingdome and will before and above all other things What is Gods kingdome here on earth A. It is his church and people in which Christ rules as King What is that visible Church in which Christ rules as King A. First negatively it is not amongst any Libertines whatsoever as the Antinomians who cry out of the bondage of his law which is the statute law of heaven neither the Anabaptists who despise the lawes of men being regulated by the law of God nor the Prelacy which exalt themselves into the throne of God and man usurping all power to themselves nor the Brownists which seperate from all ecclesiasticall government all 〈◊〉 â—ount it a bondage that Christ should rule as King Now I answer affirmatively that church that hath the truths of doctrine and the right way of discipline according to Gods Word and freely yeelds obedience unto both I meane in the generall although some single persons faile in any of these yet this is the true Corne-field of Chist although some tares be in it May any sepaâ—ate from that Church which hath true doctrine when there for the present may be some want in dâ—scipline in the matter or in the execution A. No for discipline is not essentiall to the being of a Church but onely to the well being of it it may be the Church of Christ and yet want his discipline againe we may not seperate from the Church till Christ seperate from it But how shall we know when christ leaves a church A. First the church doth leave Christ but while we hold the truths of doctrine we have not left Christ but suppose we like a Strumpet have deserved to be put away and a bill of divorce to be given to us yet blessed be God whose going â— are still seene in his Sanctuary Psal 68.24 But how doe you know that a bill of divorce is not given to us A. If Christ had left his church here he would have taken away the hedge of protection and leave us to be destroyed by the wilde Beasts Psal 80.12 that is the Magistrates sword should not have been drawn in the defence of it neither would he receive our offerings Iudges 13.23 Secondly if God had left us he would have called away his Ministers from us for they are not to stay where they find none to receive them John 4.35 but to shake off the dust of their feet as a witnesse against them Mat. 10.11 Thirdly when christ leaves a church it is because he hath no more to call in that church for when Paul was departing from Macedonia the Lord bad him to stay for he had much people in that city Acts 18.10 so blessed be God we see the worke of the Ministery exceeding fruitfull in converting multitudes to the Lord which plainly shewes that christ hath not left us But were not your Ministers some few yeers agon called from you and the hâ—dge of protection broken downe and Idolatry comming in apace A. Our affections were then to the truths of God and the ministry fruitfull by those that stayed with us and therefore I see no lawfull call they had to depart from their flocks when the Wolves were comming except those whose particular persons were aimed at neither was it the Magistrates by the sword of justice according to law that was turned against the church but it was the Prelates usurped power that did persecute Gods people against both the lawes of God and the lawes of the Kingdome What is the effect of sepration A. Seperation is the cause of distractions and civill warres and so ends in confusion therefore no toleration is to be granted to such a Vyper as seperation that eats out her mothers bowels What is the state of