THE PRINCIPLES, OF Christian Religion, Summarily set downe accor­ding to the word of God.

Question. WHat sure grounds have we to build our Religion upon?

Ans. The Word of God contained in the Scriptures.2 Pet. 1.19. 2 Tim. 3.15.

[Page 2] What are those scrip­tures

Ans. Holy writings indited by God Him­selfe, [...] Pet. 2.21 2 Tim. 3.16. for the perfect in­struction of his Church

What gather you of this that God is the Author of those writings?

Lu. 16.29. Gal. 1.8. Esay 8.20. Ans, That therefore they are of most certaine credit, and highest au­thoritie.

How serue they for the perfect instruction of the Church;

2 Tim. 3.16.17 Ans In that they are able to instruct us suffici­ently, in all points of faith, that we are bound [Page 3] to beleive, and all good duties that we are bound to practice.

What gather you of this;

Ans. That Deut. 31 11.12. Iosh. 8.35 Ioh. 5.39. it is our duty to acquaint our­selves with these holy writings, and Acts 17.11. 1 Cor. 4.6 not to re­ceive any doctrine, that hath not warrant from thence.

What is the first poine of Religion, 2 Principle you are to learne out of GODS Sa­cred word?

Ans. The Nature of God.

What is God?

Ans. God is Iohn. 4 24 Spi­rit, [Page 4] most perfect Apoc. 1.8 Act. 17.24, 25. most Pro. 8.14 1 Tim. 1.17. Iob 9.1 [...].13 I [...]r. 10.12. Exo. 34.6, 7 Psal. 147.17 Col. 1.15. Rom. 1.23 Deut. 4.12. & ver, 12.16 1 Tim. 1.17 Eph. 4, 5, 6 1 Cor. 8.4 Deu. 4.35 39 Mat. 28.19. 1 Ioh. 5 7. wise, Almigh [...]y, and most, holy.

What meane you by cal­l [...]ng God a Spirit?

Ans, that he hath no body at all, and therfore must not be thought like to any things, which may be seene by the eye of man.

How many Gods are there?

Ans. Only one Heb. 1.3 5 God, but three persons.

Which is the first per­son?

Ans. The father Heb. 1.5., who begetteth the Son:

Which is the second?

[Page 4] Ans. The Sonne be­gotten of the Father.Heb. 1.6. Ioh. 1.14.

Which is the third?

Ans. The HOLY GHOST proceeding from the Father and the Sonne.Ioh 85.26. Gal. 4 6.

What did God before the world was made? 3 Principle

Ans. Hee did before all time,Acts 2 22. cap. 15.18. Psal. 33.11. by his unchang­able councell, ordaine, whatsoever should come to passe.

In what manner had all things the beginning?

Ans. In the beginning of time,Gen. 1.1. Heb. 11.3. Exod. 20.11. when no crea­ture had any being, God by His Word alone,Rev. 4.11. in [Page 6] the space of sixe dayes, created all things.

Which are the princi­pall Creatures?

Heb. 1.7.14. Ans. ANGELS and Men.

What is the nature of Angels?

Ans. They are whol­ly spirituall, haveing no body at all.

What is the nature of man?

Ans. Hee consists of two divers parts,Gen. 2.7. Heb. 12 9. a bo­dy, and a Soule.

What is the body?

Gen. 2.7. Gen. 3.19. Ans. The outward and earthly part of man made at the begining of [Page 7] the dust of the earth.

What is the soule?

Ans. The inward and spirituall part of man which is immortall,Eccl. 12.7. Ma. 10 28. Rev. 6.9. 2 Cor. 5.8 and never can die.

How did God make man at the beginning?

Ans. According to his owne likenesse,Gen. 1.26.27. & cap, 9.6. and Image.

Wherein was the Image of God principally seen?

Ans In the perfecti­on of the understanding and the freedome,Col. 3.10. Eph. 4.24. Eccl 7.29 and holinesse of the will.

How many men were created at the begin­ning?

[Page 8] Gen. 1.26.27 Gen. 2.18. Act. 17 26 1 Tim. 2.13. Ans. Two, Adam the man & Eue the wo­man from both whom, afterwa [...]ds all mankinde did proceed.

4 Principle What doth God after the Creation;

Ioh. 5.17. Neh. 9.6. Psa. 119.91. Heb. 1.3.11. Act 17.26 28 Mat. 20 30 Pro. 16.33 Ans. By his provi­dence he preserveth, and governeth his c [...]eatures with al things belonging unto them.

What befell Angels after their Creation?

Ans Some continu­ed in the holy estate,Mat. 25.31. & ver. 41. Iude 6. Ioh. 8 44. 1 Joh. 3.8. Mat 15.32 41 Ioh. 8.4 [...]. [...] 3.8. wherein they were crea­ted, some of them fell, and became Divels.

May the good An­gels [Page 9] fall hereafter?

Ans. No,1 Tim. 5.21. Mat. 18.10. Lu. 20.36. but they shall always continue in their holinesse, and happi­nesse.

Shall the wicked An­gels ever recover teeir first estate?

Ans. They sh [...]ll not,2 [...]et. 2.4. Iude 6. Mat. 25.41. Rev. 20.10 but be tormented in hell, world without end.

How did God deale with man, after that hee made him.

Ans, He made a cove­nant or agreement with Adam and in him with all mankind.Mal. 2.10. Gen. 2.17. Rom. 2.15.

What was man bound to doe by this covenant?

[Page 10] Luke 10.26.27. Rom. 7.7.12.14. Gal. 3 10.12. 2 Tim. 3.5. Ans. To continue as holy, as God at the first made him, to keepe all Gods commandements and never to breake any of them:

What did God Promise unto man, if hee did thus keepe His Commande­ments;Gal. 3.12. Lu. 10·25.26.27.28. Rom. 7 10 cap. 10.5.

Ans The continuance of his favour and everla­sting life.

What did God threaten vnto man if hee did sinne, and breake his Commande­ments?

A. His dreadful curse, and everlasting death.Gen. 2.17. Gal. 3·10 [...]ev. 26.26.14.15 Deu. 28.15.16, & [...]8.19.20.

[Page 11] Did man continue in that obedience, 5 Principle whiche he did owe unto God?

Ans. No:Gen. 3.1.6 Eccl. 7 29. Io [...]n 8 44 Rom. 5.14 15 For Adam and Eve obeying, rather the perswasion of the de­vil, then the Commande­ments of God, did eate of the forbidden fruite, and so fell away from God.

Was this the sinne of Adam, and Eve alone; or are wee also guilty of the same?

Ans. All wee that are their children,Rom. 5.12 14.15.16 Ge. 5.1.3. & 8.21. Psa. 51.5. Iob. 14 Rom. 7.14 18.23. are guilty of the same sinne, for we all sinned in them.

Wh [...]t followed upon this sinne?

[Page 12] Eph. 4.22.23. Ans. the losse of the Image of God, and the corruption of nature in man called Originall sinne.

Wherein standeth the corruption of mans na­ture?

Ans. In sixe things principally.

What is the first?

1 Cor. 2.14. Ier. 24.7 2 Cor. 3.5 14 Eph. 4.17.18.19. Ans. The blindnesse of the understanding, which is not able to cō ­ceive of the things of God.

What is the second?

Deu. 32.18 Pro. 3.1. Ps. 119, 16 Ps. [...]06.21 Ans. The forgetful­nesse of the memory unfit to remember good things.

[Page 13] What is the third?

Ans. The rebellion of the will,Ro. 85, 6. Iohn 1.13. Phil. 2.13. Eph. 4.19. which is wholly bent to sin, and altogether disobedient unto the will of God.

VVhat is the four [...]h?

Ans. Diso [...]der of the affections, as joy,Rom. 1.26. [...]am. 3.15. & 4, 5. heavinesse, love, anger, feare, and such like.

What is the fift?

Ans. Feare and con­fusion in the conscience,Tit. 1.15, 16. Heb. 10.22 Rom· 7.9. Ioh. 16.2. condemning where it should not, and excusing where it should con­demne.

VVhat is the sixth?

Ans. Every member [Page 14] of the body is become a ready instrument,Iob 31.1. Rom. 6.13 19. & cap 3.13, 14.15 2 Pet. 2. 14 Psal. 119.37. to put sinne in execution.

What are the fruits that proceed from this naturall corruption.

Ans. Actuall sinnes, whereby we breake the Commandements of God in the whole course of our life.Ro. 6 [...] 6.17. & cap. 7 5. Gal. 5.19.20.21. Mat. 15.19

How doe you break Gods Commandements?

Ma. 12.34, 35, 36. & cap. 15.19. Acts 8.22. Iam. 3.2, Ma. 25.42, 43. Isa. 1.16, 17. Mar. 7.21, 22. Ans. In thought, word and deed, not doing that which we ought to do, and doing that which we ought not to doe.

What punishment is man­kinde subject to, by reason [Page 15] of originall and actual sin?

Ans. He is subject to all the plagues of God in this life,Deut. 28.45. Lu. 16.23.44 Mat. 25.41 and endlesse tor­ments in hell after this life.

Did God leave man in this wofull estate? 6 Principle

A. No,Ezec. 16 6 60.62. Zac. 9.11. but of his free and undeserved mercy, entred into a new cove­nant with mankind.

What is offered unto man in this n [...]w cov [...]nant?

A. Grace and life ever­lasting, is freely offered,Rom. 3.24, 25, 26. Rom. 5.15 16, 17.19, 20, 21. Eph. 2.7, 8 9. 1 Tim. 2.5.6. unto all that shall bee re­conciled unto God, by his Son Iesus Christ, who a­lone is Mediator betwixt God and man.

[Page 16] VVhat are you to consi­der in CHRIST the Medi­atour of this Covenant?

Ans. Two things, his nature, and his Office.

How many natures be there in Christ?

1 Tim. 3.16. Ioh. 1.14. Luk 1.35. Ro. 1.3, 4. Rom. 9.5. Gal. 4 4. Heb. 4.14. cap. 9.14. Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 3.18 Ioh. 2.19.21. Eph. 1.2. Col. 1.13. 1 [...]o. 5.20 Rom. 8 9. 1 Io. 4.13 Rom 1.4. Rom. 14 15 Rom. 8.34. Col. 2.13. Ans. Two, the God-Head, and the man-hood joyned together in one person.

VVhy must Christ bee God?

Ans. That his Obe­dience and suffering, might bee of infinite worth, and value, as pro­ceeding from such a per­son, as was God equall [Page 17] to the Father, that hee might bee able to over­come the sharpenesse of death (which himselfe was to unde [...]goe) and to raise us up from the death of sinne by send­ing his holy Spirit into our hearts.

VVhy must Christ bee man:

Ans. Because the God-head could not suffer,Gal. 4.4. 1 Cor. 15.21. Heb. 2.13.16 Rom 5.12 19. Iohn 1.16 and it was further requi­site that the same nature which had offended should suffer for the of­fence, and that our na­ture which was corrupt­ed in the first ADAM [Page 18] should be restored to his integrity in the second Adam Christ Iesus our Lord.

What is the Office of Christ?

1 Tim. 2.5 1 Ioh. 2.1. Heb. 12.24 Ans, To be a Media­tor betwixt God & man.

What was required of Christ for making peace & reconcilation betwixt God and man?

Rom. 8.3, 4.10. Gal. 4. [...].5 Rom. 10.4 Ans. That he should satisfie the first covenant wherunto man was tyed.

Wherein was Christ to make satisfaction to the first couenant;

Ans. In performing that righteousnes which [Page 19] the Law of God did re­quire of man,Mat. 5.17. Heb. 5.8 9 10. Heb. 10.5.10. Ph. 2.7.8. Ioh 4.34. Esa. 53.10, 11. 1 Pet. 2.24 in bearing the punishment which was due unto man for breakīg of the same law.

How did Christ perform that righteousnesse which Gods law requireth of mā?

Ans. In that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost,Lu. 1.35. 1 Pet. 1.19. cap. 2.22. cap. 3.18. 1 Ioh. 3.5. Esa. 53.9. Ioh. 8.29.46. cap, 15.10. Heb. 7.25 26 without all spot of originall corruption, and lived most holy all the days of his life, with­out all actuall sin.

How did he beare the pu­nishment which was due unto man for breaking Gods Law?

A. In that he willingly [Page 20] for mā [...] sake made him­selfe subject to the curse of the Law,Gal. 3.13. 2 Pe. 2·23 24 Esa. 53.10 11 Mat. 26..37, 38, 39 Lu. 22.43, 44. Heb. 5.7. Phil. 2.8. Heb. 9.14.15, & ver 26, 28. Heb. 10.10.12, & 13.12 both in bo­dy and soule, and humb­ling himselfe even unto the death, offered up un­to his Father, a perfect sacrifice for all the sinne of Gods children.

VVhat is required of man for obtaining the benefits of the Gospell?

Ans. That he receive Christ Iesus whom God doth freely offer unto hī.7 Principle. Iohn 1.11.12. Rom 5.17 Heb. 3.6.14 Col. 2.6.7 Iohn 1 12.13. cap. 6.29.35.40 47, cap. 7.37.38. Ro. 9.30. Ep. 1.13. Rom 5.17. Heb 3.6. Col. 2.6▪ 7

By what meanes are you to receive Christ?

Ans. By faith, where­by I believe the gracious [Page 21] promises of the Gospell.

How doe you rec [...]ive Christ by faith;Ioh. 4.41.4 [...] 50.53. Ioh. 6.29.35.40.47, 4 [...].50.51.53.54, 55, 56, 57.58 Gal. 2.20. cap. 3.27. Eph. 3.17. 2 Cor. 13.5 Ioh. 12.44, 46

Ans. By laying hold of him, and applying him with all his benefits to the comfort of my owne soule.

VVhat is the first maine benefit which we doe get by thus receiving Christ?

Ans. Iustification, wherby in Christ,1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 5.19.21. Rom. 5.11.16, 17, 18, 19 Rom. 8.1 1.33, 34. wee are accounted righ [...]eous and so are freed from condemnation, and have assurance of everlasting life.

VVherein standeth this justification?

[Page 22] 1 Ioh. 1.7, 8 Ro. 4.3.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 1 Co. 1.30. Ro. 8.3, 4. Eph. 1.7. Esa. 50.20 Ans. In the forgive­nesse of our sinnes, and imputing of Christs righ­teousnesse unto us.

Wherby then must we [...] looke to be justified in the sight of God.

Phil. 3.9. Rom. 3.24. Gal. 3.8. cap. 2, 16. Ans. Onely by the merrits of CHRIST IESVS, received of us by faith.

What other maine bene­fit doe we get by receiving Christ?

1 Cor. 6.11 1 Thes. 5.23. 1 Th. 4.4 Rom. 6, 7.14. Col. 3.5.9, 10. Titus 3.5, 6. Ans. Sanctification whereby wee are freed from the tyranny of sin and the image of God is renewed in us.

Wherein is this sancti­fication [Page 23] seene?

Ans. In Repentance,Acts 26.20. Mat. 3.8. and new Obedience, springing from thence.

VVhat is Repentance?

Ans. Repentance is a gift of God,2 Tim. 2.25. Ier. 31.18, 19 2 Cor. 7.10, 11. Acts 3.19. Act 26 8. P [...]al. 119.1 [...]6.112. wherby a godly sorrow is wraught in the heart of the faith­full, for offending God their mercifull father, by theit former transgressions, together with a re­solution for the time [...]o come, to forsake their former, courses and to lead a new life:

VVhat call you new obe­dience.

Ans. A carefull endea­vour [Page 24] which the faithfull have to give unfained O­bedience to all GODs Commandements,Luke 1.6.74, 75. Psal. 119.6. 1 Pet 4 2, 3, 4. 1 Ioh. 3.3. 1 Ioh. 5.3. ac­cording to that measure of strength, wherewith God doth enable them.

What rule have we for the direction of our obedience?

Exo. 20.18 Mat. 15 6.9. Ps 119.105.106. Deut. 5 32. cap. 12.32. Num 15 39. Ier. 19.5. Exo. 34.7, 28. Ans. The Morall Law of God, the summe whereof is contained in the ten Cōmandements.

What are the che [...]fe parts of this Law?

Mat. 22.37 38, 39, 40. Mar. 12.30.31.33. Luk. 1.75. c. 10.26, 27. Ep. 4.24. 1 Tim. 2.2. Ans.. The duties which wee owe unto God, set downe in the fi [...]st Table, [Page 25] and that which wee owe unto man in the second.

What is the summe of the first Table.

Ans. That wee love the Lord our God, with all our hear [...], with all our Soule, and with all our minde.

How many Comm [...]nde­ments belong to this Ta­ble?

Ans. FoureExo. 20.2.

What duty is imployed in the fir [...]t commandement?

Ans. That in all the inward powers,V [...]. 2.3. and fa­culties of our soul [...]s, the true eternall God be en­tertained and he only.

[Page 26] What dutie is injoyned in the Second Commande­ment?

Ans. That all out­ward meanes of Religi­on,Exo. 20.4, 5, 6 and solemne worship bee given unto the same God alone, and not so much as the best degree therof) even of the bow­ing of the body, be com­municated to any Image or representation, either of God or any thing else whatsoever.

What is inioyned in the third commande­ment?

Ans. That in the or­dinary course of our [Page 27] lives, we use the Name of God (that is his tythes word, workes, judge­ments, and whatsoever he would have himselfe knowne by (with reve­rence,Exo. 20.7. and all holy re­spect, that in all things he may have his due glory given unto him.

What doth the fourth Commandement require?

Ans. That wee keepe holy the Sabboth day,Exo. 20.9.10. by resting from the ordi­nary busines of this life and bestowing that lei­sure upon the exercises of religion, both publike and Private.

[Page 28] What is the summe of the second Table?

Ans. That wee love our Neighbours as our selves.

What Commandements belong to this Table?

Ans. The six last.

What kind of duties are prescribed in the fift Com­mandement, which is the first of the second Table?

Ans. Such duties as are to be performed w^th a speciall respect of su­periours,Exo. 20.12 ps. 6. [...] Eh inferiours, and equalls, as namely, reve­rence to all superiours, obedience to such of them, as are in authority, [Page 29] and wha [...]soever speciall duties concerne the hus­band, and Wife, Parents and Children, Masters, and Servants, Magistrate, and people, Pastors and Flocke, and such like.

What doth the sixt Com­mandement injoyne?

Ans. The preservati­on of the safety of mens persons with all meanes tending to the same.Ex 20.13.

What is required in the seventh Commandement?

Ans. The preservati­on of the chastity of mens persons,Ex. 20.14 for the keeping whereof, wed­locke is commanded un­to [Page 30] them that stand in deed thereof.

What things are ordai­ned in the eight Comman­dement?

Exo. 20.15 A. Whatsoever con­cerneth the goods of this life, in rega [...]d either of our selues, or of our Neighbours. Of our selves, that we labour di­ligently, in an honest, and profitable calling, con­tenting our s [...]lves, with the goods well gotten, and with liberalitie im­ploy them to good uses of our Neighbours, that we use just dealings unto them in this respect, and [Page 31] use all meanes that may tend to the furtherance of their estate.

What doth the ninth Commandement require?

Ans. The using of truth in our dealing,Exo. 20.16 one with another, especially to the prese [...]vatiō of the good name of our neigh­bours.

What doth the tenth and last Commandement con­taine;

Ans. It condemneth all wandring thoughts,Ver. 17. Mat. 5.28. Rom. 7.7. that disagree from the love which wee owe to our Neighbours, al­though wee never yeeld [Page 32] our consent thereunto

8 Principle What meanes doth God use to offer the benefits of the Gospel unto men, and to worke, and increase his graces in them? Rom. 1.15 16. cap. 10 14, 15, 16 17. 1 Cor 1.21· c. 1.12 28 Eph. 4.11.12.13, 14 2 Cor. 3.6.

Ans. The outward Ministery of the Gospel.

Where is this Ministerie executed: Mat. 18.17.18. Act. 11.26. c. 14.23 c. 15.22. ca. 20.7. v. 17.18. 1 Cor. 4.17. c. 14.23.28.33.34.

Ans. In the visible Churches of Christ.

What doe you call a vi­sible Church?

Ans. A Company of men that live vnder the meanes of salvation.Act. 2, 46.47.

What are the principall parts of this Ministerie?

[Page 33] Ans. The administra­tion of the Word,Mat. 28.19 Act. 2.41 42.44 cap. 20.7.17. and Sacraments.

What is the word?

Ans. That part of the outward Ministerie w^ch cōsisteth in the delivery of doctrine.1 Tim. 3.9 1 Tim. 1.3 4, 5. c. 4.11.12, 13. c. 5.17. 2 Tim. 2.15. c. 4.2 Rom. 10 14, 16, 17. 1 Cor. 1.18.21, 23, 24. Act. 14.2 [...], c. 20, 21.27.31, 32. 1 Cor. 1.8.

What is a Sacrament?

Ans. A Sacrament is a visible signe,Gen 17.10, 11. Rom. 4.11, 12. c. 2.28.29. 1 Cor. 10 1 2, 3, 4. & ver. 16 cap 12, 13. ordeined by God, to bee a Seale for confirmation of the promises of the Gospell unto the true members in Christ.

VVhat are the Sacramēts ordained by Christ in the New Testament?

[Page 34] Mat. 28.19 cap. 26.26 Ans. Baptisme and the Lords Supper.

Act: 2.38 41, 42. cap. 8.36, 27. c. 1.5. Titus 3.5 Gal. 3 27. 1 Cor 1.13.15. cap. 12.13. 1 Ioh. 17.16.9.14. Acts 2.38.22.16. 1 Ioh 1.7 Heb. 9.14. 1 Pet. 1.19. Rev. 1.5. Acts. 2.38. cap. 22.16. Mat 3.6.11. Acts 8.36, 37. Rev. 1.5. 1 Cor. 6.11 Gal. 3.27. Eph 5.26 Tit 3.5. 1 Pet. 3.21. Eze. 36.25, 26. Heb. 9.14. What is Baptisme?

Ans. The Sacrament of our admission into the Church, sealing unto us our new birth, by the communion, which wee have with Christ Iesus.

What doth the elements of water in Baptisme, re­present unto us?

Ans. The bloud and merits, of Iesus Christ our Lord.

What doth the clensing of the body [...]epresent?

Ans. The clensing of the Soule by the for [Page 35] givenesse of sinne, and imputation of Christs righteousnesse.

What doth the being un­der the water, aad the free­ing from it againe, repre­sent?

Ans. Our dying un­to sinne,Rom. 3, 4, 5, 6 Col. 2.11, 12 1 Pet. 3.21 by the force of Christs death, and living againe unto righteous­nesse, through His Resurrection.

What is the Lords Sup­per?

Ans. A Sacrament of our preservation in the Church,Mat. 26.26, 27, 28 1 Cor. 11.20.23, 24.25, 26. &c 1 Cor. 10.16. cap. 12, 13. sealing unto us our spirituall nourish­ment, and continuall in­crease [Page 36] in CHRIST.

What doth the elements of Bread and Wine in the Lords supper represent un­to us?

Matth. 26.26.28. 1 Cor. 10.16. c. 11.20.23, 24, 25, 26. [...]oh 6.33 50.51. Ans. The Body, and Bloud of Christ.

What doth the breaking of the Bread, and powring out of the Wine repre­sent?

Mat. 26.26.28. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25, 26. Esa. 53.5, 6.11.12. Ans. The sufferings whereby our Saviour was broken for our ini­quities, the shedding of His precious bloud and powring out of His Soule unto death.

[Page 37] VVhat doth the r [...]ceiving of the Bread, and VVine represent?

Ans, The receiving of Chr [...]st by faith.1 Cor. 10.16, 17. c. 12 13. Ioh. 1.12. c. 6.27.29, 35, 36, 40, 47, 48.63, 64. c. 7.37, 38. 2 Cor. 13 5. Ep. 3.17. H [...]b. 3.14.

VVhat doth the nourish­mrnt, which our body re­ceiveth (by vertue of this outward meat) seal ūto us?

Ans. The perfect nou­rishment,Ioh. 6·34.50, 51 54, 56, 57, 58 Eph. 4.16. Eph. 3.17. and continuall increase of strength w^ch the inward man, injoy­eth by vertue of the Communion with Iesus Christ, after the course of this life is ended.

VVhat shall bee the state 9 Principle [Page 38] of man in the world to come?

Ans. Every one to be rewarded according to the life,Heb. 9.27. Rom. 1.4.10.12. 2 Cor. 5.8 9.10. Eccl. 12.14 which hee hath lead.

How many kindes bee there of this judgement?

Ans. Two, the one particular,Gen. 3.19. Act. 17.31 the other ge­nerall.

VVhat call you the par­ticular judgement?

Eccl. 12 7. Heb. 9.27. Ans. That which is given upon the Soule of every man, as soone as it is departed from the body.

What is the state of the Soule of man, as soone [Page 39] as hee departeth out of this life?

Ans. The Soules of Gods Children bee pre­sen [...]ly received into heaven, [...]. [...]6.12 25. [...] 3 4 [...]. Rev 1 [...] [...]3 E [...]. 57 [...]2 2 Co [...]. 5.6 8 there to injoy un­speakeable Comforts; the soules of the wicked are sent into hel, [...]oh. 5 [...]4. 1 [...]et. 3▪ [...] Es [...] ▪ [...]. 14. Ioh. [...].24▪ there to endure endles tormēnts.

VVhat call you the gene­rall judgement?

Ans. That which Christ shall in a solemne manner,M [...]h. 13.40.41, 42 43.49 50. cap. 19.28. cap 24.30 31 cap. 25.31, 32, 33, 46. Acts 1 11. cap. 3.19 21. c. 17.31 1 Co. 4.15 1 Corin. 15.52. 1 Tim. 4.1. 1 Cor 3.15 1 Pet. 4, 5. give upon all men at once, when hee shal come at the last day, with the glory of his fa­ther, and all men, that [Page 40] ever have be [...]n from the beginning of the world untill that day shall [...]p­peare,2 Thes 1.7, 8. 2 Pet 3.10 1 Th. 4.16 Ioh. 5.27, 28 Dan. 12.2 3. 1 Cor. 15.12, 13. [...]ogether before him, bo [...]h in body, and soule, whether they bee qui [...]ke or dead.

How sh [...]ll the dead ap­peare before the judgement seate of Christ?

Ans. The Bodyes which they had in their life time,Iob 19.25, 26, 27 Dan. 12.2, 3. Ioh. 5.28, 29 Ioh 11.24. 1 Cor. 15.12, 13, 14.32.50.52. 1 Thes. 4.14, 15, 16. Rev. 20.12 13. sh [...]ll by the Almighty power of God be restored againe, and quickned with their soules and so there shall bee a Resurrection from the dead.

How shall the quicke ap­peare?

[Page 41] Ans. Such a [...] then re­maine al [...]ve,1 Thes. 4·15, 16, 17· 1 Cor. 15·51, 52, 53 sh [...]ll bee changed in the twinkling of an eye, which shall bee to them in stead of death.

What sentence shall Christ pronounce upon the righteous?

Ans. Come yee bles­sed of my Father,Mat. 25.34 c. 13 43 2 Thes. 1.10. Rom. 2 7.10. Rev. 22.14 inherit the Kingdome prepared for you, from the foun­dations of the world.

What sentence shall hee pronounce upon the wicked?

Ans. Depart from me yee cursed,Mat. 25.41 Rom 2.8.9.2. 2 Th. 1.8, 9. into ever­lasting fire, which is pre­pared [Page 42] for the Devill,Rev. 22 [...]5 and his Angels.

VVhat shall follow this?

Ans. Christ shall deliver up the kingdome to His FATHER,1 Cor. 15.24.28 Revel. 21.22, 23 and GOD shall bee all in all.

THE Method of the Doctrine OF Christian Religion.

Question. WHat certaine rule have we left us for our direction in the knowledge of the true Reli­gion [Page 46] whereby we must be saved?

Eph. 1.9. 2 Pet. 1.21. 2 Tim. 3.15, 16. Ans. The holy Scrip­tures of the Old, and New Testament, which God delivered unto us, by the Ministerie of his servants the Prophets, and Apostles, to informe us perfectly in all things that are needfull for us to know in matters of Religion.

What be the generall heads of Religion, which in these holy writings are delivered unto us?

Psal. 103.8. 1 Chr. 29.11. Psal. 145.3, 4, 11, 13. Mat. 6.13. Ans. The knowledge of Gods nature and king­dome.

[Page 47] What are we to consider in Gods nature?

Ans. First,Col. 1.1 [...]. Heb. 1.3. 1 John 5. his Essence or being, which is but one, and then the persons which are three in num­ber.

What doe you consider in Gods Essence or being?

Ans. His Perfection and Life.

How are we to conceive of God in regard of his Perfection?

Ans. That he is a Spi­rit most single and infi­nite,Ioh. 117, 8. 1 Tim. 6.16. Psal. 145.3. Rev. 1.8. Rom. 11.36. Act [...] 17.24. having his being from himself, and having need of nothing which is without himselfe.

[Page 48] Why doe you call God a Spirit?

Ans. To declare his being to be such as hath no body, and is not sub­ject to our outward sen­ses, that we admit not any base conceit of his Majesty, in thinking him to be like unto any thing which can be seen by the eye of man.

What understand you by this singlenesse or simplici­ty of Gods nature?

Ans. That he hath no parts nor qualities in him,Exo 33.19, 20. Rev. 1.8. Isa. 14.17. cap▪ 43.29. v. 8.14. but whatsoever is in him is God, and Gods whole Essence.

[Page 49] What gather you of this that God hath no parts nor qualities?

Ans. That he neither can bee divided,Mal. 3.6. Jam. 1.17. nor changed, but remaineth alwayes in the same state without any alteration at all.

In what respect doe you call Gods Essence infinite?

Ans. In that it is free from all measure, both of time and place.

How is God free from all measure of time?

Ans. In that he is eter­nall without beginning,Rev. 1.8. Psal 92.4. 2 Pet. 3.8. John 8.58. and without ending, ne­ver elder nor younger, [Page 50] and hath all things pre­sent, unto him neither former or later, past or to come.

How is God infinite in regard of place?

1 Kin 8.27. Psal. 145.3. Jer. 1.23, 24. Ans. In that he fil­leth all things and places both within and without the world, present every where, contained no where.

How is he present every where? hath he one part of himselfe here, and another there?

Ans. No, for he hath no parts at all whereby he might be divided, and therefore must be wholly [Page 51] wheresoever he is.

What doe you call the life of God?

Ans. That by which the divine nature is in perpetuall action,Deut. 10.6. cap. 30.40. John 3.10. Heb. 10.31. 1 Tim 4.16. cap. 6.17. most simply and infinitely moving it self, in respect whereof the Scripture calleth him the Living GOD.

What gather you of the comparing this infinitenes and simplicity (or single­nesse) of Gods nature, with his life and motion?

Answ. That when strength, justice,Prov. 8.14. 1 Joh. 4.17. Isa. 43.2 [...]. and mercy are attributed un­to God, we must con­ceive [Page 52] that they are in him without all measure, and further also that they bee not divers vertues whereby his nature is qualified; but that all they and every one of them is nothing else but God himselfe, and his intire Essence.

Wherein doth the life of God shew it selfe? Jer. 32.17. Nahu. 1.3. Deut. 32.4. Exo. 34 6, 7 Psal. 89.13.

Ans. In his alsufficien­cie, and in his holy will.

Wherein standeth his Alsufficiency? Jer. 52.19. cap. 13.13. Job 9.4 Psal. 147.5. Prov. 8.14. Jer. 8.10.

A. In his All-know­ing wisdome, and his Al­mighty power.

Wherein doth his wis­dome [Page 53] consist?

Ans. In perfect know­ledge of all things that either are or might be.Psal. 147.5. Prov. 8.14. Jer. 8.10. cap. 52.19. cap. 13.13. Job. 9.4.

In what sort doth God know all things? doth he as we doe, see one thing af­ter another?

Ans. No,Heb. 4.19. but with one sight he continually beholdeth all things di­stinctly, whether they be past, present, or to come.

How is He God Al­mighty?

Ans. Because he hath power to bring to passe all things that can be, howsoever to us they may seeme impossible.Rev. 18. Mat. 19.26. Luke 1.37. Mar. 14 36.

[Page 54] Wherein is the holinesse of his will seen? Mat. 19.17. Rom. 9.18. Ex. 34.6, 7. Neh. 9.17, 31, 32, 33. Psal. 103.8, 9, 10. Lam. 3.22.

Ans. In his goodnesse and in his justice.

Wherein doth he shew his goodnesse?

Ans. In being benefi­ciall unto his creatures,John 4.16. Psal. 33.5. 1 Tim. 4.10. Psal. 145.7, 8, 9, 17. and shewing mercy unto them in their miseries.

Wherein sheweth he his justice?

Deut. 32.4. Ans. Both in his word, and in his deeds.

How sheweth he justice in his Word?

Ans. Because the truth thereof is most certaine.

How sheweth he justice in his deeds?

[Page 55] Ans. By ordering and disposing all things rightly,Job 34.10, 1 Deut. 32.4. Ps. 145.17. Rom. 2.2. Rev. 5.6. Rev. 22.12. 1 Pet. 1.17. Psal. 11.5. and rendring to his creatures according to their works.

What doe you call Per­sons in the Godhead?

Ans. Such as having one Essence or being equally common, are di­stinguished (not divided) one from another by some incommunicable property.

How commeth it to passe that there should be this diversitie of Persons in the Godhead?

Ans. Though the Es­sence or being of the [Page 56] Godhead be the same, and most simply as hath been declared; yet the manner of this being is not the same, and hence ariseth the distinction of persons, in that beside the being which is com­mon to all, and the self­same in all, they have every one some especiall property which cannot be common to the rest.

Which are these persons, and what are these personal Properties?

Ans. The first Person in order is the Father, who begetteth the Son. The second is, the Sonne [Page 57] begotten of the Father. The third is, the Holy-Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son.

Doth the Godhead of the Father beget the God-head of the Son?

Ans. No, but the Person of the Father be­getteth the Person of the Sonne.

Thus much of Gods na­ture, what are we to consi­der in his Kingdome?

Ans. First,Eph. 1.11. Acts 4.28▪ the decree made from all eternity; and then the execution thereof accomplished in time.

How was the decree made?

[Page 58] Ans. All things what­soever should in time come to passe, with eve­ry small circumstance appertaining thereunto, was ordained to be so from all eternitie, by Gods certaine and un­changeable counsell.

Did God then before he made man, determine to save some, & reject others?

Ans. Yes surely, be­fore they had done either good or evill,2 Tim. 1.9. Rom. 9.11, 21, 22▪ 23. Ma [...] 2.5, 34, 41. 2 Tim 2.20. 1 Thes. 3.9. God in his eternall counsel set some apart, upon whom he would in time shew the riches of his mercy, and determined to withhold [Page 59] the same from others, on whom he would shew the severity of his wrath.

What should move God to make this difference be­tween Man and Man?

Ans. Only his owne pleasure,Rom. 9.11, 21, 22, 23. Prov. 16.4. Mat. 11.25, 26. Eph. 1.11. Jude 4. whereby ha­ving purposed to create man for his owne Glory, forasmuch as he was not bound to shew mercie unto any, and his Glory should appeare as well in executing of justice, as in shewing mercy; It seem­ed good unto His Hea­venly wisdome to chuse out a certain number to­wards whom he would [Page 60] extend his undeserved mercy, leaving the rest to be spectacles of his justice.

Wherein doth the execu­tion of Gods decree consist? Psal. 33.6. Psal 148.5. Neh. 9 6. Ps. 146.6, 7. Heb. 11.13.

Ans. In the works of the Creation and provi­dence.

What was the manner of the Creation?

Ge▪ 2.1, 2, 3. Exo. 20.11. cap. 31.17. Col. 1.16. Gen. 1.4, 31. Ans. In the beginning of time when no crea­ture had any being, God by his Word alone, did in the space of six dayes create all things, both visible and invisible, ma­king every one of them good in their kinde.

[Page 61] What are principal crea­tures which were ordained unto an everlasting con­dition?

Ans. Angels altoge­ther spirituall and void of bodies: And Man consisting of two parts, the body which is earth­ly, and the [...]ule which is spirituall, and therefore not subject to mortality.

In what regard is man said to be made according to the likenesse and Image of God?

Ans. In regard espe­cially of the perfections of the powers of the soule; namely, the wis­dome [Page 62] of the mind, and the true holinesse of his free-will.

How are you to consider of Gods Providence?

Ans. Both as it is com­mon unto all the crea­tures which are thereby sustained in their being, and ordered according to the Lords will, and as it properly concerneth the everlasting conditi­on of the principal crea­tures; to wit, Angels, and men.

What is that which con­cerneth Angels?

Ans. Some of them remained in that blessed [Page 63] condition wherein they were created, and are by Gods grace for ever esta­blished therein. Others kept it not, but wilfully left the same, and there­fore are condemned to everlasting torment in Hell, without all hope of recovery.

How is the state of man­kinde ordered?

Ans. In this Life by the tenor of a twofold Covenant,Gal. 3.10.11, 12, 13, 14. Rom. 3.27. cap. 10.46. Heb. 9.27. Rom. 14.10, 12. Mat. 25.31, 32. and in the World to come, by the sentence of a twofold judgement.

What is the first of these Covenants?

[Page 64] Ans. The Law, or the covenant of workes, whereby God promiseth everlasting life unto man, upon condition that he performe intire and perfect obedience unto his Law, according to that strength where­with he was indued by nature of his creation, & in like sort threatneth death unto him if he doe not performe the same.

What Seale did God use for the strengthning of his Covenant? Gen. 2.9.17. cap. 3.17. Gen. 3.3, 7, 11, 17, 22, 24 Rev. 2 7. Prov. 3.18.

Ans. The two Trees which he planted in the middle of Paradise, the [Page 65] one of life, the other of knowledge of good and evill.

What did the Tree of life signifie?

Ans. That man should have assurance of everla­sting life if he continued in obedience.

What did the Tree of Knowledge of good and evill signifie?

Ans. That if man did fall from obedience, he should be surely puni­shed with everlasting death, and so know by experience in himselfe, what evill was, as before he knew by experience [Page 66] that only which was good.

What was the event of this Covenant?

Ans. By one man sinne entred into the World,Rom. 5.12. and Death by sinne, and so Death went over all men, forasmuch as all men have sinned.

How did sinne enter?

Ans. Whereas God had threatned unto our first Parents,Gen. 3. that what­soever day they did eat of that forbidden fruit they should certainly die. They beleeving ra­ther the word of the De­vill that they should not [Page 67] dye, and subscribing un­to his reproachfull blas­phemy, whereby hee charged God with en­vy towards their estate, as if hee had therefore forbidden the fruit, least by eating thereof they should become like God himself, entred into acti­on of rebellion against the Lord who made them, and openly trans­gressed his Commande­ment.

What followeth from this?

Ans. First,Jam. 1.4. Gal. 5.19. Col. 2 3, 9, 10. the cor­ruption of nature, called originall sinne, derived [Page 68] by continuall discent from Father to Sonne, wherewith all the pow­ers of the soule and body are infected, and that in all men equally, and then actuall sin ariseth from hence.

Shew how the principall powers of the soule are defi­led by this corruption of our nature?

Ans. First, the under­standing is blinded with ignorance and infidelity.Titus 1.15. Secondly, the memory is prone to forget the good things which the understanding hath con­ceived. Thirdly, the [Page 69] will is disobedient unto the will of God, under­stood and remembred by us, the freedome and ho­linesse which it had at the first being lost, and is now wholly bent to sin. Fourthly, the affections are ready to overrule the wil, and are subject to all disorder. Lastly, the con­science it selfe is distem­pered and polluted.

In what sort is the con­science thus distempered?

Ans. The duties therof being two,Rom. 2.15. John 8.9. Rom. 14.23 especially to give direction in things to be done, and to give both witnesse and judge­ment [Page 70] in things done:Gal. 1.4. 1 Chr. 13.9. John 16.2. Eph. 4.18, 19. 1 Tim. 4.2. Col. 2.22. Rom, 7.9. Prov. 28.1. Act. 24.26. for the first, it sometimes gi­veth no direction at all, and thereupon maketh a man to sin in doing of an action, otherwise good and lawfull; sometimes it giveth a direction, but a wrong one, and so be­commeth a blind guide, forbidding to doe things which God alloweth, and commanding to doe things which God for­biddeth. For the second, it sometimes giveth no judgement at all, nor checking the offender as it should; but being be­nummed, and as it were [Page 71] seared with an hot yron; It sometimes giveth judgement, but falsly condemning where it should excuse, and excu­sing where it should con­demne, thereby filling the mind with false fears, or feeding it with vaine comforts, and som­times giveth true judge­ment, but uncomforta­ble and fearfull, tormen­ting the guilty soule as it were with the flashes of hell-fire.

What are the kinds of actuall sinn [...]?

Ans. Such as are in­ward in the thoughts of [Page 72] the mind and lusts of the heart,Jam. 1.14, 15. Eph. 2.3. Mat. 5.28. cap. 11.34. cap. 13.19. c. 25.42, 43. Isa. 1.16, 17. Rom. 3.10. or outward, in word or deed, whereby the things are done which should be omit­ted, and those things o­mitted, which should be done.

What is the death which all men are subject unto, by reason of these sinnes?

Ans. The curse of God both upon the things that belong unto them (such as are their Wife and Children,Rom. 7.10. Gal. 3.10. Deut. 28.15, 16. Psal. 119.10, 12. Prov. 10.7. honour, possessions, use of Gods Creatures) and upon their own persons in life and death.

[Page 73] What are the curses they are subject to in this life?

Ans. All temporall calamities both in body (which is subject unto infinite miseries) and in soule,Deu. 28.21.22. Lev. 26.16, 17. John 5. [...]4. Deut. 28.28, 66, 67. Psal. 69.12. 1 Joh. 2.16. Ephes. 2.2. Col. 1.13. cap. 4.4. which is plagued somtime with madnesse, sometime with the ter­rour of a guilty consci­ence, sometimes with a benummed and seared conscience, sometime with hardnesse of heart, which cannot repent; and finally, a spirituall slave­ry under the power of the world and the devill.

What is the death that followeth this miserable life?

[Page 74] Luke 16.23, 24, 26. Rev. 21 8. 2 Thes. 1.9. Ans. First, a separati­on of the soule from the body, and then an ever­lasting seperation of the whole man from the pre­sence of God with un­speakable torment in hell-fire, never to be end­ed, which is the second death.

If all mankind be sub­ject to this damnation, how then shall any man be sa­ved?

Ans. Surely by this first Covenant of the Law,Rom. 3.19, 20. cap. 8.3. Gal. 2.16. cap. 3.10, 11, 12, 21, 22. Ep. 2.3, 4, 5 no flesh can be sa­ved, but every one must receive in himselfe the sentence of condemna­tion; [Page 75] yet the Lord being a God of mercy, hath not left us here, but entred into a second Covenant with mankind.

What is the second Co­venant?

A. The Gospel or the Covenant of grace,Gal. 3.16, 17. John 1.12. Rom. 5.17. Eph. 2.13, 14. Rom. 2.21, 22. John 10.3. Psal. 3.9. wher­by God promiseth ever­lasting life unto man, upon condition that he be reconciled to him in Christ; for as the cōditi­on of the 1. was the con­tinuance of that justice, which was to be found in mans own person; so the condition of the second is the obtaining of that [Page 76] justice which is found without himselfe in the person of the Mediator Jesus Christ.

What are we to consider in Christ our Mediator?

Ans. Two things, his nature and his office.

How many natures be there in Christ?

Ans. Two, the God-head, and the Manhood; remaining still distinct in their substance, pro­perties and actions.

How many persons hath he?

Ans. Only one, which is the person of the Son of God, for the second [Page 77] person in the Trinity tooke upon him, not the person, but the nature of man; to wit, a body and a reasonable soule, which doe not subsist alone, (as we see in all other men) but are wholly sustained in the person of the Son of God.

What is the use of this wonderfull union of the two natures in one Person?

Ans. Our nature being received into the Union of the Person of the Son of God, the sufferings and the obedience which it performed became of infinite value, as being [Page 78] the sufferings of him who was God, equal with the Father.

What is the Office of Christ?

Ans. To be a Medi­ator betwixt God and Man.1 Tim. 2.5.

What par [...] of his Office did he exercise concerning God?

Heb. 2.7. cap. 5.1. cap. 7.24. Ans. His Priesthood.

What are the parts of his Priestly Office?

Heb. 7.24, 35, 26, 27. Ans. The satisfaction of Gods justice, and his intercession.

What is required of Christ for the satisfaction of Gods justice?

[Page 79] Ans. The paying of the price which was due for the breach of the Law committed by man­kinde, and the perfor­mance of that righteous­nesse, which man by the Law was bound unto, but unable to accom­plish.

How was Christ to pay the price which was due for the sinne of mankind?

Ans. By that wonder­ful humiliation,Psal. 2.7, 8. Gal. 3.13. wherby he that was equall with God, made himselfe of no reputation, and be­came obedient unto the death, sustaining both in [Page 80] body and soule, the curse that was due to the trans­gression of the Law.

What righteousnes was there required of Christ in our behalfe?

Ans. Both originall which he had from His conception (being con­ceived by the Holy-Ghost, in all purenesse and holinesse of nature) and actual which he per­formed by yeelding per­fect obedience, in the whole course of His life, unto all the precepts of Gods Law.

What is the Intercession of Christ?

[Page 81] Ans. That part of His Priesthood,Acts 7.25. Heb. 9.10. Jam. 8.34: Joh. 17.20, 44. Exo. 28.38. 1 Pet. 2.5. Rev. 8.3. whereby He maketh request unto His Father for us, and pre­senteth unto Him both our Persons, and our im­perfect obedience, ma­king both of them (how­ever in themselves pol­luted) by the merit of His satisfaction, to be acceptable in Gods sight.

Thus much of that part of the office of the Media­tour which is exercised in things concerning God; how doth He exercise him­selfe in things concerning man?

[Page 82] Rom. 5.15, 17, 19. John 5.21. cap. 17.2, 6. Luk. 4.18, 19. Ans. By communi­cating unto man that grace and redemption which he hath purchased from His Father.

What parts of His Of­fice doth He exercise here?

An. His Propheticall and Kingly Office.

What is His Propheticall Office? Deu. 18.18. John 1.18. cap. 8.26. cap 15.15. Eph. 2.17. Isa. 61.12. Heb. 1.2. cap. 2 3. cap. 3.1, 2. Mat. 27.17. cap. 23.10. Luk. 24, 25. Acts 16.4. 1 Cor. 2.10, 11, 12.

Ans. That whereby He informeth us of the benefits of our redemp­tion, and revealeth the whole will of His Father unto us, both by the out­ward meanes which He hath provided for the in­struction of His Church, [Page 83] and by inward enlight­ning of our mindes by His Holy Spirit.

What is the Kingly of­fice?

Ans. That whereby He ruleth His Subjects,Psa. 26.8, 9. John 18.36. Zac. 9.9, 10. Eph. 1.20, 21, 22. Mat. 22.7, 13. Luk. 19.14.25, 27. Ps. 22. 1 Cor. 15.25, 27. and confoundeth all his enemies.

How doth He rule His Subjects?

Ans. By making the Redemption which He hath wrought effectuall in the Elect,1 Cor. 15.45. Eph. 4.1, 15, 16. Col. 1.13. cap. 2.12. John 5.25, 26, 27. cap. 17.2. 1 Cor. 13.9. Rom. 14.17. 2 Pet. 1.3, [...]. calling those whom by His Propheti­cal office He hath taught to embrace the benefits offered unto them, and [Page 84] governing them being called both by these out­ward Ordinances which He hath instituted in the Church,Rom. 8.10. 1 Cor. 1.24. 1 Pet. 5.10. Eph. 1.22. cap. 5.24. Luke 1.31. Isa. 9.6, 7. Eph. 4.11. Math. 18.17, 18. Acts 20.31. Mat. 3.11. 1 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9. 2 Cor. [...]2. 2 Cor. 33. Eph. 2. and by the in­ward operation of His blessed Spirit.

Having thus declared the Natures and Office of Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant; What are you now to consider in the condition of mankinde which hold by Him?

Ans. Two things, the perticipation of the grace of Christ,1 John 1.3. Eph. 4.11, 12, 15, 16. Gal 3.2, 5, 6. effectu­ally communicated by [Page 85] the operation of Gods Spirit unto the Catho­like Church,1 Thes. 2.13. Eph. 1.13, 22, 23. Eph. 5.26, 27, 29. which is the Body and Spouse of Christ, out of which there is no salvation; and the outward meanes or­dained for the offering and effecting of the same, vouchsafed unto the Visible Church.

How is the Grace of God effectually communicated to the Elect, of whom the Catholike Church doth consist?

Ans. By that wonder­full Union,John 17.21, 22, 23. 1 Cor. 1.13. Eph. 2.2. c. 5. [...]9, 30., whereby Christ and His Church are made one; so that all [Page 86] the Elect being ingrafted into him,John 15.1, 2, 4, 5. Eph. 4.15, 16. Col. 2.19. grow together into one Misticall Body, whereof He is the Head.

What is the bond of this union?

1 Cor. 13.13. 1 Joh. 4.24. Rom. 5.5, 8, 9. Eph. 2.22. Phil. 2.1. Ans. The communi­on of Gods Spirit, which being derived from that Man Christ Jesus, upon all the Elect, as from the Head unto the Mem­bers, giveth unto them Spirituall life, and ma­keth them pertakers of Christ with all His be­nefits,

What are the benefits which arise to Gods chil­dren from hence?

[Page 87] Ans. Reconciliation and Sanctification.1 Cor 6.11. 1 Joh. 2.5, 6. 1 Pet. 1.2. 2 Pet. 2.3, 4. Col. 1.21, 22. Heb. 9.10, 14.

What is Reconciliation?

A. That grace wher­by we are freed from Gods curse,Rom. 5 10. 2 Cor. 5.8, 9 Eph. 2.16. 1 Col. 2.21. and resto­red unto His Fatherly favour.

What are the branches of this Reconciliation?

Ans. Justification and Adoption.

What is Iustification?

Ans. That Grace whereby we are freed from the gilt of sinne,Gal. 3.8, 13, 14. 1 Cor. 3.21. Rom. 4.23, 24. and accounted righteous in Christ Jesus our Re­deemer.

[Page 88] How then must sinfull man looke to be justified in the sight of God?

Ans. By the mercy of God alone,Rom. 13.24, 25, 26. Eph. 2.8▪ 9. Rom. 8.32. Isa. 9.6. Gal. 3.5, 9. Col. 1.14, 21, 22. & ver. 12, 13 Acts 13.38, 39. whereby he freely bestoweth His Sonne upon him, impu­ting mans sinnes unto Christ, and Christs Righteousnes unto man, whereby the sinner be­ing possessed of Jesus Christ, obtaineth of God remission of sinnes, and imputation of Righte­ousnesse.

What is Adoption?

Rom. 8.13. Gal. 2.26. Eph. 1.3. Ans. That grace wher­by we are not only made friends with God, but [Page 89] also His Sons and heires with Christ.

What is Sanctifica [...]n?

A. That grace wher­by we are freed from that bondage of sin re­maining in us, and resto­red unto the freedome of Righteousnesse.

What be parts of Sancti­fication?

Ans. Mortification,Eph. 4.22, 23. Rom. 6.4, 11, 13. Col. 2.12. whereby our naturall corruption is subdued, and vivification or quickning, whereby in­herent holinesse is re­newed in us.

Is there no distinction to be made among them [Page 90] that thus receive Christ?

Acts 2.3 [...]. 1 Cor. 2.14. 1 Cor. 12, 13. Eph. 3.17. 1 Thes. 1.3. Titus 3.8. 1 Tim. 1.5. Gal. 3.6. Acts 23.9. Ans. Yes, for some are not capable of know­ledge, as Infants, and such as we terme Natu­rals. Othersome are of discretion in the former sort, we are not to pro­ceed further then Gods election, and the secret operation of the Holy-Ghost. In the other there is further required, a lively faith bringing forth fruit of true holines

Is it in mans power to attaine this Faith and Ho­linesse? 1 Cor. 2.12, 14. Phil. 1.16. cap. 2.3, 15.

Ans. No, but God worketh them in his [Page 91] children according to that measure which he in his children seeth fit.1 Cor. 3.3. 2 Tim. 2.23 Jer. 31.18. 1 Pet. 1.9. Eph. 3.20.

What doe you under­stand by Faith?

Ans. A gift of God,Eph. 1.18. Heb. 11.1, 2, 3. Col. 2.7, 12. Eph. 3.12, 17. Joh. 11.12, 16. Gal. 3.16, 20. Phil. 3.8, 9. 2 Tim. 1.6. Heb. 10.22, 23. 2 Cor. 13.5. whereby man being per­swaded not only of the truth of Gods Word in generall; but also of the promises of the Gospell in particular, applieth Christ with all his be­nefits, unto the comfort of his owne soule.

How are we said to be justified by Faith?

Ans. Not as though we were just,Act. 2.41, 42 c. 10.47, 48. Mat. 3.6, 11. cap. 28.19. c. 8.36, 37. for the worthinesse of this ver­tue, [Page 92] for in such respect Christ alone is our righ­teousnesse; but because faith, and faith only is the instrument fit to ap­prehend and receive, not to worke or procure our justification, and so to knit us unto Christ that we may be made per­ [...]akers of all his bene­fits.

What is that holinesse which accompanieth this justifying faith?

Ans. A gift of God, whereby the heart of the beleever is withdrawne from evill,Rom. 8.1. 1 John 3.9. 1 Pet. 3.9. 1 Pet. 1.4. Titus 2.12. Gal. 6.15. and conver­ted unto newnes of life.

[Page 93] Wherein doth this vertue shew it selfe?

Ans. First, in unfai­ned repentance, and then in cheerfull obe­dience springing from the same.

What are the parts of repentance?

Ans. Two,2 Cor. 7.10, 11. Jer. 31.18, 19. Act. 11.2 [...], 23. Acts 26.20▪ a true griefe wrought in the heart of the beleever, for offending so graci­ous a God by his for­mer transgressions. And a conversion unto God againe, with full purpose of heart, ever after to cleave unto [Page 94] him, and to refraine from that which shall be displeasing in his sight.

What is the direction of that obedience which God requireth of man?

A. The morall Law, whereof the ten Com­mandements are an a­bridgement.

What is the summe of the Law? Rom. 13.8. 1 Tim. 1.5. Col. 3.14.

Ans. Love.

What bee the parts thereof?

Ans. The love which wee owe unto God,Mat. 22.37, 38, 39, 40. Marke 12.30, 31, 32. cōmanded in the first; [Page 95] and the love which we owe unto our Neigh­bours, commanded in the second Table.

How do you distinguish the foure Commande­ments which belong unto the first Table?

Ans. They doe ei­ther respect the con­forming of the inward powers of the soule, to the acknowledgement of the true God, as the first Commandement; or the holy use of the outward meanes of Gods worship, as in the three following.

[Page 96] What are the duties which concerne the out­ward means of Gods wor­ship?

Ans. They are either such as are to be per­formed every day as occasion shall require, or such as are appoin­ted for a certaine day.

What Commande­ments do belong unto the first kinde?

Ans. The second concerning the so­lemne worship of Re­ligion; and the third, concerning that re­spect which we are to [Page 97] have of Gods honour in the common carri­age of our life.

What Commandement belongeth to the second kinde?

Ans. The fourth, in­joyning the speciall sanctification of the Sabbath day.

How doe you distin­guish the six Comman­dements belonging to the second Table?

Ans. The first five doe ordaine such acti­ons as are injoyned with consent of the mind at least: The last, [Page 98] respecteth the first mo­tions that arise in the heart before any con­sent be given.

What are the duties [...]ppertaining to the first kinde?

Ans. They are ei­ther due unto certaine persons, in regard of some speciall bonds; or to all men in generall, by a certaine rite; the first sort is set down in the first Commande­ment; the other, in the foure next.

What is the outward meanes whereby the Go­spell [Page 99] is offered unto man­kinde?

A. The Ministry of the Gospell, which is exercised in the visible Church of Christ.

Of whom doth the vi­sible Church cons [...]st?

Ans. Of publike Of­ficers,Rev. 1.20. Phil. 1.1. Act. 20, 17, 28. 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 3.2, 13. Rom. 12.7, 8 1 Cor. 4.1. Heb. 13.17, 24. ordained to be Ministers of Christ, and disposers of Hea­venly things, accor­ding to the Prescript of the Lord, and the rest of the Saints, who with obedience are to subject themselves to the Ordinance of God.

[Page 100] What are the parts of the outward Ministry?

Ans. The admini­stration of the Word, and of the Ordinances exercised thereunto, which are especially Sacraments and Cen­sures.

What is the Word?

2 Chr. 17.7. Act. 2.40, 41 cap. 11.20. 1 Cor. 4.13. Rom. 10.17. John 17.10. Eph. 1.13. Ans. That part of the outward Ministry which consisteth in the delivery of Doctrine, and this is the ordinary instrument which God useth in begetting Faith.

What order is there [Page 101] used in the delivery of the Word for the begetting of Faith?

Ans. First,Rom. 3 10. cap. 7.9, 10. Gal 3.12, 23. Acts 2.37. Mat. 13.24. cap. 11.28. Gal. 2.18, 19. Heb. 4.16. Hos. 14, 2, 3. Rom. 8.13, 26, the Co­venant of the Law is urged to make sin and the punishment therof knowne, wherupon the sting of conscience pricketh the heart with a sense of Gods wrath, and maketh man utter­ly to despaire of any ability in himselfe to obtain everlasting life; after this preparation the mercies of the Gospell are propoun­ded, wherupon the sin­ner [Page 102] resuming hope of pardon, sueth unto God for mercy, and particularly applyeth unto his own soul those comfortable promises, and hath wrought in him by the Spirit of God, an earnest desire at the least to beleeve and repent.

What is a Sacrament?

Ans. A visible signe ordained by God, to be a seal for confirmation of the promises of the Gospel, unto those who perform the conditi­ons required in the same.

[Page 103] How is this done by a Sacrament?

A. By a fit similitude between the signe and the things signified;1 Cor. 10. [...], 2, 3, 4▪ 16. Gen. 17.10, 11. Deut. 30.6. Rom. 2.28, 29. Mat. 3 11. 1 Pet. 3.21. Col. 2.11, 12, 13. Act. 2.41, 42 cap. 14.22. cap. 20.32. Rom. 4.11. the benefit of the Gospell is represented unto the eye, and the assurance of enjoying the same, confirmed to such as are within the Cove­nant: Wherefore as the preaching of the word is the ordinary meanes of begetting Faith; so both it and the holy use of the Sacraments, bee the instruments of the Holy-Ghost, [Page 104] to increase and con­firme the same.

How many kindes of Sacraments be there?

Ans. Two, the first of Admission of Gods children:1 Cor. 10.23.1, 2, 3, 4, 16. cap. 4.12, 13. Exo. 12.28. into the Church, there to be pertakers of an everla­sting communion with them; the second, of his preservation or nou­rishment therin, to as­sure him of his conti­nual increase in Christ, in which respect the former is once, the lat­ [...]er often to be admini­stred.

[Page 105] What doe you under­stand by Censures?

Ans. The Ordinance which God hath ap­pointed for the confir­mation of the threat­nings of the Gospell a­gainst the disobedient.Mat. 18.17, 18. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5.

How are these Cen­sures exercised?

Ans. First,Mat. 18.1 [...] 16, 17, 18. 2 Thes. 3.14. 1 Cor. 5.4▪ 5, 11, 13. 2 Cor. 1.6, 7.8. 2 Tim. 2.2 [...]. 1 Cor. 16.22 John 9.22. by the word alone by admo­nition. Secondly, by afflicting a penaltie, ei­ther by shutting up the offender in the Lords prison, till such time as he shew tokens of repentance, or by [Page 106] cutting off the rotten member from the rest of the body.

Hath this administra­tion of the Gospell been alwayes after the same manner?

Ans. For substance it hath alwayes bin the same,Heb. 11.2, 8, 9, 10.15. cap. 13.8 9, 10, 11. 2 Cor. 3.6, 7, 8. Acts 10 43. cap. 13.11. cap. 26.6, 7. Luke 16.16. John 1.17. but in regard of the m [...]nner proper to certaine times, it is di­stinguished into two kinds, the old and the new.

What call you the old Ministry ▪

A. That which was delivered unto the Fa­thers, [Page 107] to continue until the fulnesse of time,Heb. 11. c. 9 1, 9, 10. Acts 7.44. 2 Cor. 3.7, 11. wherein, by the com­ming of Christ it was to be reformed.

What were the Pro­perties of this Ministry?

Ans. First, the Com­mandements of the Law were more large­ly,Mal. 4.4. Jer. 21 31, 32, 33. Heb. 11.13. 2 Cor. 3.13, 18. Heb. 8. 9, 13. 2 Cor. 3 11, 13. Gal. 4.3, 4. Col. 2.16, 17. and the promises of Christ more sparingly and darkly propound­ed, these la [...]ter being so much the more ge­nerally and obscurely delivered, as the ma­nifesting of them was further off. Secondly, [Page 108] these promises of things to come were shadowes, with a simi­litude of Types and Figures; which when the truth should be ex­hibited were to vanish away.

What were the chiefe States and Periods of this old Ministry?

Ans.. The first from Adam to Abraham, the second from Abraham to Christ.

What were the speciall Properties of the latter of these two Periods?

Ans. First, it was [Page 109] more especially re­strained unto a certain Family and Nation.Luk. 1.44, 45. Ps. 44.19, 26. Rom. 9.4. Act. 13.17. Deut. 4.1, 6, 7, 8, 17. cap. 1.6, 7, 8, 14. cap. 2.26. cap. 26.18, 19. John 1.16, 17. Ex. 24 7, 8. Deut. 4.12. Rom. 10.5. H [...]. 9 [...], 2, 3. John 7. [...]2. Secondly, it had joyned with it a solemne re­petition and declara­tion of the first Cove­nant of the Law. Thirdly, besides the Ceremonies which were greatly inlarged under Moses, it had Sa­craments also added unto it.

What were the ordina­ry Sacraments of this Ministry?

Ans. The Sacrament of Admission in theExo. 12 48. Acts 7.8. John 7.22. [Page 110] Church was Circum­cision,Gen. 7.9, 10 Rom. 4.11. Col. 2.11. Deut 30.6, 7. Exo 12.3, 4. Num. 9.11, 12. Deu 16.2. 1 Cor. 5.7. 1 Pet. 5.19. John [...]9.36. Exo. 12.46. instituted in the dayes of Abraham: The other of continual pre­servation and nourish­ment, the Paschall Lambe instituted in the time of Moses.

What is the new Ad­ministration of the Gospell?

John 1.17. Heb. 1.2. cap. 2.3, 4. cap 3.5, 6. 1 Cor. 3.11. Heb. 12.27, 28. Ans. That which is delivered unto us by Christ to continue un­to the end of the world.

What are the Proper­ties thereof?

Ans. First, it is in­differently propound­ed [Page 111] unto all people,Is [...]. 41.1, 2. c 61 3, 4, 5▪ cap 65.12. cap. 66.12, 19, 21. John 16.10. Mat. 18.19, 20. Rom. 15.25, 26. Eph. 3.5, 6, 8, 9. Col. 1.5, 6. John 1.17. cap. 14.21. Rom. 11.2, 3. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11, 12. 1 Cor. 1.23, 2 [...]. whether they be Jewes or Gentiles, and in that respect is Catholique or Universall. Second­ly, it is full of grace and truth, bringing joyfull tydings unto mankinde, that what­soever was formerly promised of Christ, is now accomplished, and so in stead of the ancient types and sha­dowes exhibited, the things themselves, with a large declaration of all the benefits of the Gospell.

[Page 112] What be the principall points of the word of this Ministery?

Heb 9.12, 16, 18. 1 Tim. 3.16. Luke 1.35. Rom. 1.1, 2, 3. Job. 1.14, 45. John 19.28, 30. Mat. 1.18.19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Mat. 27.2, 26, 51. cap. 12.12. c 27. [...]9, 60. Rom. 6.9. Luke 23.43, 46, 47. Mat. 16.21. cap. 28.16. 1 Cor. 15.4, 6, 8. Ans. That Christ our Saviour (whom God by his Prophets had promised to send into the World is come in the flesh, and hath ac­complished the worke of our redemption: That he was conceived by the Holy-Ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was cru­cified and dyed upon the Crosse: That Body and Soule being thus [Page 113] separated,1 Tim. 2.8. Ma [...]. 16.19. Acts 1.9, 10, 11. Eph. 4.10. Heb. 1.3. 2 Tim. 4.1. his body was laid in the grave, and remained under the power of death, and his soule went into the place appointed for the soules of the righ­teous; namely Para­dise, the Seat of the Blessed. That the third day body and soule be­ing joyned together a­gaine, he rose from the dead, and afterwards as­cended up into Hea­ven, where he sitteth at the right hand of His Father, until such time as He shall come unto [Page 114] the last Judgement.

What are the Sacra­ments of this Ministry?

Ans. The Sacrament of Admission into the Church is B [...]ptisme, (which sealeth unto us our Spirituall Birth) the other Sacrament of our continuall preser­vation is the Lords Supper, which sealeth unto us our continuall nourishment.