called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ John 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgmnent whereby convincing us of our Sin and Misery (b) Acts 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do inlightning our Minds in the Knowledge of Christ (c) Acts 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in me and renewing our Wills (d) Ezek. 36.26 A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you hearts of flesh V. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you and will cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel (e) John 6.44 No Man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day V. 45. As it written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every Man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure John 7.37 In the last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood and cried saying If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink 39. They who are effectually called do receive and partake of many Benefits by Christ Some in this Lise before they die some at their Deaths and some at the Resurrection in the last day 40. Q. What Benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this Life A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of (f) Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Justification (g) Ephes 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his Will. Adoption (h) 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Sanctification and the several Benefits which in this Life do either accompany or flow from them 41. Q. What is Justification A. Justification is an Act of God's free Grace wherein he pardoneth all our sins (i) Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ V. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God Rom. 4.6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works V. 7. Saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered V. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin and accepteth us as righteous in his sight (k) 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation V. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him only for the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us (l) Rom. 5.17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ V. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men unto condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life V. 19. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous and received by Faith alone (m) Gal. 2.16 Knowing that man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified Phil. 3.9 And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith 42. Q. What is Adoption A. Adoption is an Act of God's (n) 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not free Grace whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God (o) Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be we suffer with him that we may be glorified also together 43. Q. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is the work of God's free Grace (p) 2 Thess 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the truth whereby we are renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God (q) Ephes 5.23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind V. 24. And that ye put on that new Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and are enabled more and more to die unto Sin and live unto Righteousness (r) Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we should also walk in newness of life V. 6. Knowing this that our old Man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit 44. Q. What are the Benefits which in this Life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification A. The Benefits which in this Life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are Assurance of God's Love Peace of Conscience (Å¿) Rom. 5.1 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with
honoured most in the Reformation and Edification and Comfort of his Church have been most like to Elijah for praying And we should study to shew our selves Men approved of God in this part of our Ministry with sound Judgment heavenly Wisdom and holy Affections Epaphras was wont to labour fervently in Prayer Col. 4.12 And the Apostle besought the Romans to strive together with him in Prayer Rom 15.30 But yet this striving though in some active Spirits it cannot be confined to a set Form of Words doth not require us to lay aside all Forms which many holy Men that I could name have used out of Judgment and Choice and have prevailed with God by Faith and Fervency And let those who speak much of praying and daily or frequently pray apart and together took well to the matter and to their Spirits and see that they do not offer the Sacrifice of Fools nor be rash to utter a Matter before God. And it were better with the Church of God if we did put on Charity if we were cloathed with Humility if we disputed less about Forms and prayed more with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit Ephes 6.18 Vnbelief and Hypocrisie are a dead Load upon the Heart and keep Prayer from ascending When a Man's Heart is God's and when the Prayers we make are our own Sense offered up in the Name of Christ by the Spirit of Adoption according to the Will of God we shall be heard Yet I would not be understood as if Prayer were not a Duty of Natural Religion or that only regenerate Persons should pray but they be sure pray acceptably Wrangle not your selves into Breaches of Communion and Dis-union of the Spirit and let all things be done in Peace And so I offer this Help to such as need it as God shall be pleased to make it serviceable Of Forms and Extempore Prayers you may see Bishop Downham of the Lord's Prayer p 137. And Mr. Baxter's Cases 3. The last Chapter of this Part contains Directions for Self-Examination and Preparation for the Table of the Lord Behaviour at it and after it Much hath been printed upon this Subject and yet Communicants are comparatively few and prepared ones we fear are fewer The low and distracted broken state of the Church of Christ is matter of Grief and Mourning How unlike are we to a Body animated by the same Spirit joined to the same Head How many live and die grown to Years that never tasted of the Supper How many but very seldom How many are ignorant prophane negligent stupid do we what we can Oh that Longing after and Love to Christ had more power with many than the Observation of Customs and Seasons and the Laws of Men Some are affected with the Duty and Privilege and seem earnestly to desire it who fall off again How many are afraid of it lest this Table of the Lord become a Snare How many break Communion upon distaste of a Form of Administration though very sound or some dis-liked Communicants against whom they do not proceed as they ought How many labour under great Desections Melancholy and Fear How many put themselves off and abide in Vnsettlement that separate from publick and do not join with other Assemblies What! Do they wait for some higher Dispensation Or do they seek for what is no where promised or keep in suspence as afraid to renew Covenant with God Or what other Reason But can they live without Communion with the Lord How can they think of dying How many incorporate with particular Churches that with hold Communion from all others for meer Accidents and Circumstances Oh take heed lest between this Way and that Way you do not keep out of the Way which the Lord himself hath commanded you to shew forth his Death I should rejoice to see Matters of just and rational Offence taken away and Access to the Lord's Table to be as free and open as the Way to Heaven is But hour or when shall it be as long as that which is an Offence to one is a Duty to another Oh let us remember our Covenant with God our being incorporate with the Body of Christ labour to grow together in him who is not a little Head of a Sect or Party but of all that call upon him in all places I look upon Breaches in and about and from this holy Ordinance next to breaking the Vnity of the Spirit to be of all Breaches the most deadly Let us not divide for meer Accidents but look to the main The substance of the Ordinance and what is left as perpetual to the Church is delivered us by the holy Apostle who received it from the Lord 1 Cor. 11.23 c. where there is no Rehearsal of the Circumstances of Place Gesture and other Accidents of the first Supper but the standing Ordinance and Institution And where the Institution is observed the Ordinance is pure The next necessary Injunction is Self-Examination Let us look more to our own Hearts and fit them for Communion with the Body and Blood of our Lord and we shall not be so given to divide as we are And as for Communicants pray for them admonish them proceed regularly make not their Sin yours and their Presence doth not pollute you 2. The Design of these three Chapters being to carry them further on who had been conversant in the forementioned Catechism hath given occasion to bring it forth once more to Light with some few Propositions to fill up some spaces between one Point and another and to explain them with Quotations of Scripture It is not hard to see how some will be offended at this for its first Name and Title But without detracting from the Church Catechism or any other Form of sound Words by which Christ hath edified his Church I cannot easily conceal nor express my due Admiration of this 1. For the Soundness of the divine Matter clearly and excellently expressed 2. For the Comprehensiveness of it 3. For the Method and Connexion of Parts 4. For its Consonance with the holy Scripture by which it is proved and upon which it is built Whereby it appears the Faith of the Learner is not made to stand upon the Word of Man Decrees of Councils or Synods but the Word of God. Every Answer is full and clear but that which raiseth up my Heart in praise of God for it is the rare Description of my glorious Redeemer and the Doctrines that belong unto it In them we have as much Truth as can be laid together and as many Heresies cast out from them as can be summed up in so few Words There is an Antidote against the Prison of Cerinthus Ebion Arrius Samosatenus Nestorius Eutyches the Socinians and other Hereticks which appeared with the Reformation and gave those blessed Souls who were the Lights of the World much trouble The Harmony of the whole with the Doctrine of our Church has been judiciously shewed by Mr. Thomas
air and over the cattel and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth V. 27. So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them V. 28. And God blessed them and God said unto them Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth Col. 3.10 And have put on the new Man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Ephes 4.24 And that ye put on that new Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Creatures 13. Q. What are God's Works of Providence A. God's Works of Providence are his most (x) Psal 145.17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works holy (y) Psal 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Isa 28.29 This also cometh from the Lord of hosts which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working wise and powerful (z) Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high preserving and governing all his Creatures and all their (a) Psal 103.19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heaven his kingdom ruleth over all Matth. 10.29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father V. 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbred V. 31. Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows Actions 14. God's Providence is either general towards all his Creatures or special towards Mankind in the state of Creation before the Fall and in the state of Corruption since the Fall. 15. Q. What special Act of Providence did God exercise towards Man in the state wherein he was created A. When God had created Man he entred into a Covenant of Life with him upon condition of perfect Obedience forbidding him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil upon pain of (b) Gal. 3.12 And the law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall live in them Gen. 2.17 But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Death 16. Q. Did our first Parents continue in the Estate wherein they were created A. Our first Parents being left to the freedom of their own Will fell from the Estate wherein they were created by sinning against (c) Gen. 3.6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband with her and he did eat V. 7. And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons V. 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden V. 13. And the Lord God said unto the woman What is this that thou hast done And the woman said The serpent beguiled me and I did eat Eccles 7.29 Lo this only have I found that God hath made man upright but they have sought out many inventions God. 17. Q. What is Sin A. Sin is any want of Conformity unto or Transgression of the Law of (d) 1 Joh. 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law God. Any defect in keeping strictly and perfectly to the Law or any thing cross or contrary to the Law is Sin. 18. Q. What was the Sin whereby our first Parents fell from the Estate wherein they were created A. The Sin whereby our first Parents fell from that holy and happy Estate wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden (e) Gen. 3.12 The woman which thou gavest to be with me she gave me of the tree and I did eat Fruit. 19. All Mankind sinned and fell in Adam 's first Transgression For 20. Q. Did all Mankind fall in Adam 's first Transgression A. The Covenant being made with Adam not only for himself but for his Posterity all Mankind descending from him by ordinary Generation sinned in him and fell with him in his first (f) Gen. 2 16. And the Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat V. 17. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned V. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life V. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous 1 Cor. 15.21 For since by man came death by man also came the resurrection of the dead V. 22. For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive Transgression 21. Q. Into what Estate did the Fall bring Mankind A. The Fall of our first Parents brought Mankind into an Estate of (g) Rom. 5.12 see above Chap. 3.23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin and Misery 22. Q. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that Estate whereinto Man fell A. The sinfulness of that Estate whereinto Man fell consists in the Guilt of Adam's first Sin the want of Original Righteousness and the corruption of his whole Nature which is commonly called Original Sin together with all actual Transgressions which proceed from (h) Rom. 5.10 to 20. Ephes 2.1 And you he hath quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins V. 2. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience V. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath even as others Jam. 1.14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own
3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Heb. 1.1 1 Thes 2.13 Apocrypha not Scripture 2. The Books called the Apocrypha are neither the Books of Moses nor the Psalms nor the Prophets therefore not Scriptures given by inspiration See Luke 24.4.27.44 nor were they committed to the Church or kept by it as the Oracles of God Rom. 3.1 The Scriptures are a perfect rule 3. The Scriptures are able to make a Man Wise to Salvation and to make the Man of God the Minister of God the New Testament Prophet perfect and throughly furnished to all good Ministerial Works therefore they are a perfect rule for Doctrine Worship and Manners 4. Unwritten Traditions of the Church are not of equal authority nor to be received with the same pious affection with the Holy Scriptures Those Doctrines which were delivered by one teacher to another or by Oral Teaching to the Church are now written 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Thes 2.15 As much as our Lord thought necessary John 20.30 and sufficient 2 Tim. 3.15.16 are writen Our faith is limited to things written Jo. 20.31 2 Pet. 1.19 These traditions pleaded for were not committed to faithful Men nor faithfully kept by Men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost We have enough and our Lord would not leave us too much Joh. 21.25 Had we been bound to believe more more had been written 5. The Holy Scriptures are plain in all things necessary to salvation clear as the Sun to those uses intended by our Lord Ps 19.8 Ps 119.105,131 They are a shining light 2 Pet. 1.19 If they were not clear how could Timothy know them as he did from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 How could the Bereans examine Doctrines by them Acts. 17.11 There are sufficient means to help the unlearned to understand so much as to make them wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Ephes 4.11 to 16. Acts 8.29 to 37. 6. The laity or common People ought to have the free use of the holy Scriptures God spake to all Exod. 20. Deut. 32.46 Chap. 6.1,2,6,7,8 Exod. 24.7 Deut. 31.11,12 The laity are to be saved by faith in Christ and his word and the Scriptures were written to direct and help them Joh. 20.31 All were wont or commanded to search them Joh. 5.39 All are blessed that meditate in them Ps 1.1,2 They are part of the spiritual armour for all Christians Ephes 6.17 Unless we should expect the Priests and the Learned would fight for the laity and save them the trouble of that warfare 7. The translation of the Scriptures is necessary approved of God and ordain'd by him except there should be but one language among Men or that none should believe and be saved but them who understood the Original God spake in a known Tongue so did the Prophets and Apostles and they who did not are reprov'd 1 Cor. 14.9,12,13 c. The Apostles sent to preach to all Nations had the gift of Tongues that every Nation might receive the Gospel in their own language The end of writing is the same with speaking 8. Scriptures translated and copied from the Originals or first writings under the hands of the Scripture-pen-men are the word of God the foundation and rule of Faith. The Scriptures read in the Synagogues and in common use among the Jews were but copies transcribed yet our Saviour refers the Jews to them John. 5.39 The Eunuch had no other Acts 8. nor the Bereans Act. 17.11 The Ephesians were Greeks and probably had the Greek translation and yet they were built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 God being the God of every one who believeth and shall be saved of every Nation as well as of the Jews hath taken care and doth to stir up and fit holy Men tho not infallible as the Prophets and Apostles were for this work and wherein some have failed others have help'd We give a secondary honour to Translations as such but an equal honour to the word of God translated which we give to it in the Original the change of the Language doth not alter the will of God. An Embassy delivered by an Interpreter is the Kings Embassy 9. The best interpreter of the Word is the Holy Spirit Knowledge in Original Languages is necessary to a translator and to Doctors or Teachers for their better teaching But he who hath most of the Holy Spirit doth best understand the mind of the Spirit All have these helps to understand them 1. The Grammar and plain literal sence the scope coherence and continual reading with prayer and comparing hard places with plain help us to understand the Scriptures 2. Universal reason and true with undeceived senses help us to understand many Doctrines See Acts 17.11 1 Cor. 1.13 Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 3.15,16 Luke 24.32 Ephes 1.17,18 10. There is no visible standing infallible Judge of controversies in Faith and Religion And there is no need of any because there is none constituted In a great controversy the Apostles themselves did search the Scriptures and inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost and consented to it Acts 15.15,28 The Holy Ghost is the infallible Judge and he speaks in the word Acts 28.24,25 The Scriptures themselves judge as the Law doth in controversies among Men. There is a ministerial publick judgment for edification Ephes 4 6,7 Rom. 12.6 and a private judgment of discerning given by the holy Spirit to believers without which they could not discern truth from error nor believe nor try the Spirits nor judge of what is spoken to them 1 Cor. 2.15 Phil. 1.10 1 Joh. 4.1,2 1 Cor. 10.15 11. The Holy Scriptures are not mute and dumb Speech and voice are attributed to them and God speaks by them Rom. 3.19 It saith to them that are under the Law Isaias now dead crieth Rom. 9.27 see ver 17. 12. The Scriptures are not a dead letter the Law is so called in opposition to the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.6 yet it killeth and therefore is no dead letter void of power it is the Ministry of condemnation denouncing death against transgressors v. 7. and the Gospel is the power of God therefore no dead letter 13. There is a Divine efficacy and power in the Scriptures in their kind as the means and instruments of Salvation Rom. 1.16 They are able to make a Man wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 And the sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 14. The Scriptures are the word of God Ephes 6.17 by which we understand the written word and not Christ See also Mar. 7.13 compared with Mat. 15.6 15. The Holy Spirit is the principal cause of all the knowledge and wisdom to Salvation which any Man hath Ephes 1.17 What was given by the spirits inspiration is understood by his illumination a natural understanding cannot see 16. The promise of the spirit Joh. 16.13 doth not intimate such a dispensation as is above the Holy use of Scriptures They are given by inspiration and to continue in their use to the end of the World
Act and Time only but essential and proper I will raise it up and I have power to take it up To make a difference between Excitabo and Erigam and the meaning to be Christ being excited from the Dead did erect his own Body is to make an hard shift to deny the Divine Power of Christ What though it be said 1 Pet. 3.18 He was quickned by the Spirit and not by his own Spirit as long as the Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.9,11 To make the Resurrection Ascension and Session of Christ at the Right Hand to be only in order to his governing and defending the Faithful and only to belong to his Kingly Office is to speak short of Scripture For 1. He was declared to be the Son of God by the Resurrection from the Dead Rom. 1.4 2. He arose for our Justification Rom. 4.25 being discharged and his Satisfaction accepted 3. For our Sanctification Ephes 2.5 Col. 2.12,13 Chap. 3.1 Rom. 6.4,5,6,8 4. Having conquered Death he arose to raise the Dead 1 Cor. 15.13,14,15,16,21,22 2. Of Christ's Ascension The Ascention of Christ was the Exaltation of his Humane Nature by a Motion or Remove from where he was to where he was not before He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.9 Joh. 16.5.7.28 Chap. 20.17 Act. 3.21 2. The Ends and Reasons of it are 1. That he might be glorified in his Humane Nature as he was Mediator Joh. 17.5 2. That he might lead Captivity captive Ephes 4.8 Col. 2.15 3. To perform that part of his Priestly Office which was to be done in Heaven Heb. 9.24 4. To send the Comforter Joh. 16.7 Act. 2.33 Luk. 24.49 Joh. 7.39 and give Gifts Ephes 4.10 5. That Believers might be justified and more assured of Justification Rom. 8.34 6. That we might be more holy and heavenly Col. 3.1 7. To prepare a place for the Co-heirs Joh. 14.2 who even now possess it in him while they are on Earth as he is an Head a Pledge and Cause of their Glorification Ephes 2.7 Heb. 6.20 Ephes 2.6 Because I live ye shall live also Joh. 14.19 Hence it appears 1. He ascended not into Heaven only for his own personal Glory or for the Government of the Faithful or because it was the place of Immortality and Common-wealth of Saints 2. His glorified Body is not in all places but in Heaven from whence we look for him Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1,4 3. Of Christ's Sitting on the Right Hand of God. 1. The Meaning of this Article of Christian Faith is not to be taken from the word of Posture Sitting for Stephen saw him as standing Act. 7.55 Nor from the Right Hand for properly God hath no Right Hand but from the importance of the whole Phrase which signifies Majesty and Excellency of Honour and Power Gen. 44.13,14 1 King. 1.19 Psal 45.10 Matth. 20.20 Chap. 25.33 of Christ as Mediator 2. The Humane Nature was glorified by Union with the Son of God. The Mediator obscured by his Humiliation was glorified at his Resurrection more at his Ascension most at his sitting on the Right Hand of God. Which denotes 1. A Super-Eminency of Power next to the Father who governeth all things immediately by Christ He was crowned with Glory and Honour Heb. 2.9 Ephes 1.20,21 Phil. 2.9 Heb. 12.2 2. All Creatures are subjected to him 1. Good Angels Col. 2.10 1 Pet. 3.22 2. Evil Angels Heb. 2.14 Col. 2.15 3. All Authority in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 4. The future State of Glory is at his dispose Ephes 1.21 5. The dumb Creatures Heb. 2.8 Psal 8. 6. His Friends Heb. 1.6,7,14 Matth. 28.20 7. His Enemies Psal 110.1 Heb. 1.13 to be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.25,26 Heb. 2.14 3. How happy is this for the Church in order to 1. It s universal Good Ephes 1.22 2. For our Justification and the Comfort of it Rom. 8.34 3. For our Sanctification Col. 3.1,2 4. For our Comfort in Afflictions 1 Pet. 1.11 Rom. 8.17,18 in Necessities Heb. 2.6,7 in Temptations Heb. 2.17,18 and against the Fear of Men Devils and Death 1 Cor. 15.25,26 Heb. 2.14,15 Rev. 1.18 4. Hence it follows that there is no other Head of the Catholick Church Visible or Invisible but he who sitteth on the Right Hand of God Ephes 1.22 Matth. 28.18 He never gave this Power to any Vicar SECT XVIII Of the Application of Redemption 1. THey who affirm Redemption by Christ to be improper and metaphorical give this as the Reason Because there is none to receive the Ransom or Price of Redemption from Christ But consider these Particulars and then judge 1. Christ offered himself to God Ephes 5.2 2. It was for us and our Sins 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Cor. 15.3 Matth. 20.28 3. In dying he did the Will of God Heb. 10.7,9 Joh. 10.18 4. The Effect of this Redemption followed 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are bought c. upon Consideration of it God justifieth Rom. 3.25,26 see 1 Pet. 1.19 The Ransom was paid therefore it was accepted and received the Effect and Benefit followed therefore it was received and God was the Receiver And it is not absurd to say That the Son of God the Second Person as an offended God was satisfied by himself as he was Mediator 2. This Redemption must be applied to us and then we reap the Benefit of it actually when it is applied effectually 3. For the Benefit of it was intended for us to bring us to God and make us one Joh. 17.20,21 4. When we believe it is effectually applied Joh. 3.15,16,18 Mar. 16.16 Joh. 1.12 5. This Application is peculiarly ascribed to the Holy Spirit not excluding the Father and the Son see 1 Cor. 1.9 Joh. 5.25 There is an Order of Working observed in the glorious Trinity After Christ's leaving the World the Holy Ghost was to take the Administration of Christ's Kingdom by Agreement as seems clear from Joh. 16.7,14,15,16 He shall give of mine to you by Application of it to their Benefit 6. The way of this Application is by Union with Christ by which we are invested in his Benefits 1 Joh. 5.12 Vnion with Christ 1. Nothing can be more real than this Union See I pray Joh. 17.21,23 Chap. 14.20 And the real Benefit follows Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.27 It is most excellently set out Joh. 15.1 Ephef 4.15,16 1 Cor. 12.27 Ephes 5.23,30 Chap. 2.20 2. The Terms of this Union are Persons You in me and I in you An Union of Qualities and not of Persons is as irrational as Accidents without Subjects 3. We are not united to Christ by means of our Union as particular Members with the Universal Church for Christ the Head and Saviour is the immediate Object of our Faith therefore by Faith we are immediately united to Christ and that in Order of Nature before we are united to the Church though at the same time And Christ is to every true Believer what he is to the whole Church of Believers an Head
Ignorant and of them who go out of the way who hast by thy Holy Spirit made the Reading but especially the Preaching of thy Word an effectual Means of convincing and converting Sinners and of building them up in Holiness and Comfort through Faith unto Salvation be pleased for Christ's sake to prepare our Hearts that we may attend to thy Word and receive it as new-born Babes 1 Pet. 2.1 by Faith and Love and lay it up in our Hearts and practise it in our Lives Before the Sacrament or Communion Most holy wise and merciful Lord God when all Mankind was fallen into an Estate of Sin and Misery it pleased thee to enter into a Covenant of Grace to bring thy People out of that sinful and miserable Condition into an Estate of Salvation by thy beloved Son the only Redeemer thou art graciously pleased to teach us convince convert build up and comfort us by thy Word and for our furtherance in Faith Holiness and Comfort to represent to us Jesus Christ and all the Benefits of the New Covenant by sensible signs the Bread and Wine broken poured out given and received and not only to represent Christ to us but also to seal and apply him and the Benefits of the New Covenart Be thou pleased by thy Spirit of Grace to help us to receive the Bread and Wine according to thy divine Appointment that we may receive them worthily and be Partakers by Faith of his Body and Blood with all his Benefits to our spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace We pray thee help us to examine our selves and so let us eat Oh let us not eat and drink unworthily not discerning the Lord's Body but give us a clear and saving Knowledge to discern the Lord's Body a lively Faith to feed upon him a renewed Repentance to Life a pure and fervent Love and quicken us to walk in new Obedience to all thy Commandments Oh help us to remember him and shew forth his Death both by our Profession and holy Conversation till he come again For the Lord's Day O Lord our God who hast commanded us to remember to keep holy the Sabbath day for Jesus his sake forgive us our great Forgetfulness both in preparing for it and performing the Duties of it Thou hast been very merciful to us in allowing us six Days for our own Employments Thou hast strictly enjoined us to sanctifie this whole Day and to move us thereunto thou hast set before us thine own Example both of finishing all thy Works in six Days and resting the seventh and hast blessed the Day and sanctified it Yet we have not considered nor regarded these Reasons annexed to this thy holy Commandment to perswade and quicken us to this great and holy Duty Pardon us O Lord according to the Riches of thy Grace this our Transgression and seeing thou givest us hopes of enjoying another Sabbath we beseech thee help us by thy Holy Spirit to sanctifie this Sabbath by an holy Resting all this Day even from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other Days In reading hearing singing Psalms Meditation Prayer Conference and to spend the whole time in the publick and private Exercises of thy Worship except so much as is to be taken up in the Works of Necessity and Mercy which thou shalt call us to And keep us by thy Grace from the Omission or careless Performance of the Duties required from prophaning the Day by Idleness or any thing in it self sinful or by unnecessary Thoughts Words or Works about our worldly Employments or Recreations And bless the whole Day to us For Morning for every Day according to Ans 11. Most holy the All-wise and Almighty Lord God who dost by thy most holy wise and powerful Providence preserve and govern all thy Creatures and all their Actions we do most earnestly beseech thee to give us thy Holy Spirit to preserve our Souls from Sin and Temptations to govern our Thoughts Wills Affections our Words and Actions that they may be holy Over-rule our vain sinful Thoughts Imaginations Designs Purposes Motions and Affections to Evil. Raise in us Holiness of Design in our Conversation that we may aim at thy Glory Give us Wisdom and Discretion to order all our Affairs according to thy Laws Give us Ability and Strength that by thy Power we may carry on all the Affairs and Works of our particular Calling preserve us by thy Power therein from our Enemies and from all Harm and Danger We humbly commit our selves to thy holy wise and powerful Providence we desire thy Grace to depend thereupon and to ascribe the Glory of all our Success to thy Blessing Let us see and acknowledge thee in whatsoever shall come to pass this Day for all things are by thee and through thee and for thee to whom be Glory for ever For Night O Lord who hast created the Evening and the Morning and hast by thy great Wisdom ordained the Night for Rest and that part of our Time on Earth should be spent in Sleep and Rest that being refreshed thereby we might be enabled for thy surther Service When we are at rest we have neither Knowledge to discern nor Wisdom to fore see nor Power to resist the Evils that may befal us But thou by thy holy wise and powerful Providence preservest and governest all Creatures in all their Actions Therefore we adore thy Providence and in considence of thy Wisdom Power and Goodness cast our selves upon thee this Night humbly beseeching thee to preserve our Souls from Sin that we imagine not Evil upon our Beds our Persons our Relations our Habitation our Comsorts from Danger and Destruction from all Creatures who are subject to thy Command Keep us that we sleep not the Sleep of Death let neither Men nor Devils nor any other Creature disturb or hurt us And thou who governest all Creatures and all their Actions govern us our Imaginations Affections Senses Actions that sleeping or waking we may be thine And all we beg as in the Name of Christ so for the sake of Christ AMEN Directions to use this Form Perswasions to Family-Prayer especially and Resolution of some Questions briefly touched section 1 YOu see what store of spiritual and divine Matter your Catechism doth afford you to enable you for Prayer and Thanksgiving You shall not have cause to complain of want of Matter such as you ought and such as you may make use of You need no more to say you know not what to pray for for here is a Treasure digged up in your own Ground if indeed you make this little Catechism your own Now labour with your own Hearts and in this small Treatise and the Lord by his own Spirit teach you how to pray I perceive these Prayers to grow to such a length that I sear some will be discouraged from the length and seeming tediousness of all this therefore receive these few Counsels and Directions section