Principle I.

Q. 24. Declare these things in order more fully, and first, a litle further about the Creation, what is it to create?

A. To make or give being to a thing of nothing,Heb. 11.3. either immediatly, or mediately.

Q. 25. What did God create besides thee?

A. The Heavens, Earth and Seas, with all things in them visible and invisible.Exo. 20.11 Col. 1.16.

Q. 26. Wherefore did God create all these things?

A. For the manifestation of his own glo­ry, and for the good of the creature,Rev. 4.11. Rom. 11.36 Gen. 1.27 especi­ally, of man.

Q. 27. In what space did he make them?

A. In six Dayes.

Q. 28. What did and doth God ever since? Exod. 20.11

A. Exercise his Providence in the pre­servation and Government of the world and every thing therein,Joh. 5.17. Mat. 10.29, 30. Eph. 1.11. Ps. 103.19. according to the counsell of his own blessed will.

Q. 29. Wherein did Gods goodness to man ap­pear in the Creation?

A. In that he made him of so base matter such an excellent creature,Ps. 8.3, 4, 5. & 144.3, 4. and provided so bountifully for him.

Q. 30. What did God make man off?

A. He made his body of the dust of the earth,Gen. 2.7.3.19. Eccles. 12.7 but his soul was more immediately of the breath of God.

Q. 31. Wherein was he made such an excel­lent creature?

A. In that God made him in his own i­mage and likeness,Gen. 1.26, 27, & 3.8 10. capable of fellowship [Page 11]with himself and of everlasting happinesse.

Q 32. Wherein consisted that image of God? Job 38.36. Eccles. 7.24. Psa. 8.4, 5. Ep. 4.22, 23.

A. In his excellent mind, understanding, freedome of will, integrity of heart, and do­minion over the other creatures.

Q. 33. What was that bountifull provision God made for him?

A. God made the whole world for his use and service:Psal 8.5, 6. Gen. 2.8, 9, with 3.22 & 2, 3.16, 17, 18. A pleasant Garden or Para­dise for delight, the Tree of Life to render him immortall, a Sabboath for his rest, and more full communion with God; a wife for a meet help: denying him nothing for his good; onely forbad him to eat of one Tree, called the Tree of Knowledge of good and evill.

Q. 34. Why was it called the Tree of Know­ledge of good and evill?

A. Because God therein tryed man, whe­ther he would do good or evill; and man had therein a distinction of good and evill.

Q 35. Why did God forbid him that Tree?

A. Surely,Gen. 2, 9.17

• 1. To reserve to himself an acknowledgement of his sovereignty over man.
• 2. That man might have a tryall of and an occasion to testifie his love and obe­dience to God.
• 3. To instruct man to be content with such knowledge as he vouch-safed him in obeying his Word.

Q. 36. How long did man continue in this good condition?

A. A very litle while, and as some think not one nightGen. 3.1. The word in Psal. 49.12. signifies he tarried not a night.

Principle II.

Q. 37. How did he fall from it?

A. By sinning against God his Maker.

Q. 38. What is sin? Rom. 3.23

A. Any breach of the Law or command of God,1 John 3 4. Gen. 6.4 in thought, word or deed.

Q. 39. Wherein did man first sin?

A. In eating of the Tree forbidden him.Gen. 3.6.

Q. 40. How came he to eat thereof?

A. Not through any necessity or defect on Gods part,Eccle. 7.29 Ja. 1.12, 13 but meerly by his own wil­ling listening to the tempter inticing him.

Q. 41. Who tempted him?

A. Sathan in the shape and body of a Ser­pent.Rev. 20.1. Gen. 3.1.

Q. 42. How did he entice him?

A. By perswading the woman,Gen. 3.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 2 Cor. 10.3 and by her the man, that there was such singular virtue in that fruit as would make them like God.

Q. 43. Why did God suffer him to be so tempted?

A. To try and exercise his Faith,Jam. 1.3, 4. Love and obedience to him.

Q. 44. What followed upon his sinning?

A. Guilt and misery unspeakable to him­self and all his posterity,Rom. 3.23, & 5.12.18, 19. to death and con­demnation.

Q. 45. Was the eating of a fruit contrary to Gods command so great an offence, as to deserve such a punishment?

A. Yes, surely, because he rejected God most evilly and unthankfully therein,Gen. 3. Rom. 5.19 and preferred a creature before him, who had done so graciously for him.

Q. 46. But how could his sin hurt his posterity?

A. Because we were all in him, as in our root,Rom. 5.12. 1 Cor 15.21 22. Heb. 7, 9, 10. and he as a publike person had us and our priviledges all in his hand and keeping.

Q. 47. What was the misery and death befell him and us in him?

A. It was partly privative in the losse of what we had: and partly positive in the bearing such evils as we should not else have had.

Q. 48. What did he deprive himself and us of?

A.

• 1. That righteous account we had with God,
  Rom. 5.19.
  we being hereby made sinners.
  Rom. 3.23 Ep. 2.1, 2, 3
• 2. The image and glory of God, we being hereby become dead in sins and trespasses.
• 3. Fellowship with God,
  2 Sam. 14.14.
  with all the joy and happinesse thereof, we being hereby ba­nished from his presence.
  Gen. 3.22▪ 23.
• 4. Paradise and its delights, with the good of all other things given us.

Q. 49. What was the positive part of that misery? Rom. 5.19. Ps. 14.1, 2, 3

A.

• 1. An universall pollution of all our powers, with original corruption, apting [Page 14]us to innumerable actual sins, and making us altogether corrupt and loathsome.
  Eph. 2.3. 1 Cor. 12.1, 2. Gen. 2.17 Eph. 2, 3 Rom. 5.18.
• 2. A woful thraldom to Sathan and his suggesti­ons and abuses.
• 3. A fearfully ablenes to the wrath of God and his vengeance to be infli­cted upon us in souls and bodies forever.

Q. 50. Could not man help himself from un­der this misery?

A. No,2 Sam. 1414 Mic. 6.6, 7. nor from any part thereof, nor all the creatures beside to help him.

Q. 51. Why so?

A. Because such is the infinite purity of Gods nature,Hab. 1.13. Ps. 5.4, 5 Gal. 3.10 & 2.21. Psal. 90.11 Nah. 1 6. Rom. 8.3. Is. 40.15, 16, 17, 18. and such his hatred to sin, and the strictnesse of the law binding us over to death, that no release of us without satisfa­ction: But such is the power of his wrath, so weak and evill is man, and so finite all o­ther creatures, that neither we nor they could satisfie.

Principle III.

Q. 52. Is there no escape then from this misery?

A. Yes, The same God that created us at the first,Is. 50.3. Luc. 1.37, 38. 2 Sam. 14, 14. had Love, Power, and Wisdome e­nough to help us; and hath devised and pro­vided help for us.

Q. 53. What help hath he provided for us?

A. He hath sent his onely begotten Son into the world,Joh. 3.16. Mat. 22.4. that through him the world might be saved, and accomplisht all things [Page 15]in him needfull thereunto?

Q. 54. Who is that Son of God?

A. Jesus of Nazareth, who was bornat Beth­lehem in the days of Augustus Caesar, and crucified without the gate, Jo. 9.35, 37 Lu. 2 1, 2, 3 & 3.1. with Heb. 13.12 at Jerusalem in the days of Tiberius.

Q. 55. What things were needfull to be accomplisht in by him that he might save us?

A. It was needfull. First,Gal. 3.10, 13. Rom. 5.15, 16, 17, 18. Heb. 5.9. & 9.15. That he should ransom us from under the sentence and curse of the law upon us. Secondly that he should purchase and obtaine for us righte­ousnes and life, with power to dispense them to us.

Q. 56. How could he be able to do these things for us?

A. Yes, Such was his Person,Ps. 89.12, 20. and such his Offices and furniture for them as fitted him hereunto.

Q. 57. What manner of Person is he?

A. Very-God and very-man in one de­stinct publike person.John 11. 1 Tim. 2.5

Q. 58. What meanest thou by very-God? John 1.1 Phil 2.6. Mic 5.2. Prov 8.22. Jer. 23 5, 6. Rev. 1.17, 18 Col 1.16 17 Heb. 3.3 4.

A. That he is verily and essentially God begotten of the Father by an eternall gene­ration.

Q. 59. How doth that appeare.

A. Both in that the Names proper to God (as Jehovah the first and last,) and in that the works of God are ascribed to him.

Q. 60. How doth it appeare that he is very man?

A. By his birth,Lu. 2.7. 52 Heb. 4.15. Joh. 4.6, 7. Luc. 23.46. growth, infirmities, sufferings and death.

Q. 61. How could he then be without sin and fit to mediate for us, seeing the whole nature of man is corrupted with sinn?

A. Yes, because he was not propogated after the ordinary way of man,Heb. 4.15. 1 Pet. 18, 19 Lu. 1.27 [...]3 [...] John 1.15. but was made flesh by a work of new creation, in which he was unconceeivably conceived of the Holy Ghost in the wombe of a Virgin, and by him marvailously sanctified in his conception.

Q. 62. Why sayst thou he is one?

A. To signify that the two natures of God and man are personally united in him so as they are not two but one person.John 1.14. Gal. 4.4.

Q. 63. How doth that appeare?

A. Both in that the Scripture call him one,1 Tim. 2.5. 1 John 3.16 Act. 20.28. Rom. 9.5. & in that the things proper to either natures are indifferently affirmed of him.

Q. 64. Why sayest thou he is a distinct per­son?

A. To signify that he is distinct and another from the Father, and from the spi­rit, ☞ and from all other men.

Q. 65 Wherein is he distinct from the Father?

A. In [...]hat he was begotten of the Father not the Father of him,John 3.16. 1 Tim. 2.5, 6. 1 John 4.9, 10. John 10.30. & 14 9, 10. and in that he is al­so 06 [Page 17]man and suffered, not so the Father: though he is in the Father, and the Father in him undevidedly.

Q. 66. Wherein is he distinct from the Spirit?

A. In that he was made flesh, so was not the Spirit:John 1.14. & 14.16, 17▪ Isa. 11.1, 2. Joh. 3.34. and in that he sends forth the Spirit as another comforter from himself: though yet the Spirit is immeasurablely and inseparably on him.

Q. 67. How is he distinct from all other men?

A. In that he is not they,1 Tim. 2.5. John 1.20. 1 Cor. 1.13. Mat. 1.23. Joh. 14.20. & 14.1, 4, 5 or any part of them, nor is any of them he; he being God­man, the Mediator and Saviour: and so is no man else, though he is spiritually in be­lievers and they in him. ☜

Q 68. Why callest thou him a publike person?

A. Because he was to stand in the room and stead of all other men and act for them,1 Tim. 2.5, 6. Rom. 5.14. 1 Cor. 15.45. in which respect Adam is called his Figure, and he the second Adam.

Q. 69. How did these qualities of his person fit him for his foresaid undertakings?

A. In that he was such a man distinct from us all, and yet in a publike place for us,Heb. 8.3 & 2.14 15, 17 18. Ps 68.18, 19, 20. & 89.19. Acts 20.28. Ps. 67.1 & 84.11. Phil. 3.21. he was fit to suffer & bear our sins, simpathize with us in our sorrows, receive grace and blessing for us: And in that he is God, he was able to uphold the man-hood and carry it through all its services and suffering, and make them valuable and communicate [Page 18]grace and blessing to us.

Q. 70. What are his Offices that further fit him hereto?

A. He is Priest,Heb. 5.5 Act. 3.22. Rev. 19.16 Prophet and King.

Q. 71. What is his Office as Priest?

A. To make atonement for our sins, and stand in the breach between God and us, to keep off judgment from us,Heb. 2.17. & 9.24. and obtain grace and blessing for us.

Q. 72. How was he to do these things?

A. By offering Sacrifice and making In­tercession for us.Heb. 9.26. & 7.25.

Q. 73. What is his Office as Prophet?

A. To reveal the mind and counsell of the Father in all things to us.Deut. 18.16 17, 18.

Q. 74. How doth he that?

A. Both by outward means,Heb. 2.3 Joh. 14.26. & 16.7, 8, 9 10, 11. Joh. 5.22. Ps. 47.3, 4, 5 and 44.4 Isa. 33.22. 2 Cor. 9.10. and by in­ward cooperation of his spirit.

Q. 75. VVhat is his Office as King?

A. To execute the Government of God amongst men, conquer enemies to it, call Subjects, subdue rebels, command and effect salvations to his people, and reward all ac­cording to their works.

Q. 76. How doth he these things?

A. Both by more general providentiall concurrence with the Father in Governing the World;Joh. 5.17. Isa. 33.22. and by more special spiritual ☞ exercise of his power in & over his Church.

Q. 77. How was he furnished for the execu­tion of these foresaid Offices?

A. He was furnished with the Authority, Power, and Spirit of God,Act. 10.38. Mat. 3.16, 17, & 28.19 Act. 2.33. with which he was more solemnly anointed in the nature of man in his entering upon the works of them.

Q. 78. When were the foresaid Offices to be executed by him?

Ans. Partly in his humiliation and part­ly in his exaltation.

Q. 79. How did he execute them in his hu­miliation?

A. As a Prophet he preached the Gospel and furnished Disciples for further preach­ing it, and confirmed it by diverse miracles.Lu. 4.18, 19 Mat. 10.1, 2 Heb. 2.3, 4 Mat. 22.1, 2 & 28.19.20. Joh. 17.18 Ps. 68.18 Joh. 16.33. Act 10.38 2 Tim. 1.10 Mat. 20.28 Joh. 17.6.9 20 Lu 13.6 7, 8, 9 & 23 34. Heb. 9.14. & 10.5.10.14. As a King, he began to set up the Kingdome of God more clearly, called in Subjects to it, gave forth laws for it, appointed Officers for administring in it, fought with and sub­dued Sin, World, and Sathan, rebuked dis­eases and conquered Death. As a Priest, he prepared the Sacrifice to be offered up to God for us, and made intercession both for disciples and transgressors. ☜

Q. 80. What was the Sacrifice he as Priest prepared and offered for us?

A. But one onely propitiatory Sacrifice, which was himself, or his own body.

Q. 81. How did he prepare himself as a Sa­crifice? Phil. 2.7, 8 1 Tim. 2.5, 6.

A. By giving up himself in obedience to [Page 20]his Father a ransome for us from sin and death.

Q. 82. How did he that?

A. In that being made under the Law for us,Gal. 4.4. & 3.13. Is. 53.5, 6.10. he yeelded himself to death, to bear the curse of it due to us.

Q. 83. What manner of death dyed he?

A. The most accursed shamefull death of the Cross,Phil. 2.8. Gal. 3.13. John 19.13 16. Mat. 26 38. & 27.46. Luc. 22 41, 42, 43. to which he was unjustly adjudg­ed by the Magistrate as a publike Offendor; besides the feeling of most bitter Agonies in his Soul pressing him to death.

Q. 84. How was it manifest that he was in­deed dead?

A. Both by a Souldiers peircing his side with a sp [...]ear,Joh. 19.34.42. Mat. 12 40. p [...] 4.8, 9, 10. so as there came forth water and blood: and by his being part of the three days & three nights in the earth to sanctifie the grave to us and redeem us from it.

Q. 85. Wherein consists the vertue of his death?

A. In satisfaction to the law and justice of God thereby made;Isa. 42.21. Heb. 9.12. Phil. 2.10, 11. and in the merit of further grace and power by it.

Q. 86. How doth it appear that the law and justice of God was hereby satisfied for us?

A In that he raised him up ag [...]in the third day,1 Cor. 15.3, 4 17 Isa. 57 8. Eph. 2, 17 therein taking him from prison and judgment: and in that he hereupon pro­claims peace and pardon to us.

Q. 87. For whom was his death a satisfactory ransome?

A. For all men, none excepted.Tim. 2.6

Q 88. How doth that appear?

A. By the Scriptures plainly telling us that he died and gave himself a ransome for All; and tasted death for every one,2 Cor. 5.14, 15. Heb. 2.9. 1 Tim. 2.6. Ro. 5.18 1 Tim. 4.10 Ps. 145 9. Mar. 16.16 Act. 13.37, 38, 39, 40, 41. &c. And by Gods dealing with all, contrary to the defect of their sin and sinfulnes, and holding forth pardon & peace to all in the Gospel without requiring any new satisfaction of them.

Q 89. Shall not all men then be eternally saved?

A. No sure, the most go yet to destruction.

Q. 90. What shall they perish for?

A. For sinning against the light and grace extend [...]d by Christ to them,John 3.19: Prov 1.24, 25. 2 Thess. 2.10, 11, 12 John 5.40. and refusing to be saved by him.

Q 91. Hath not his death ransomed men from those sins too?

A. Properly not, so as to make the for­givenes of them due to all he dyed for:2 Cor. 5.14, 15. Rom. 5.12 18. Act. 13.37, 38, 39, 40, 41. Mat. 18.23, 26, 27.31, 32, 33, 34, 35. For to ransome, being to free from some forecontracted bondage, the death of Christ cannot properly be said to ransome men from the bondage they after bring upon themselves, by sinning against him and his ransome; but only from what he found men under by Adams sinning, and their sin as neces­sarily springing therefrom as considered before and without his interposing.

Q. 92. Must all they then that sin against his [...]diation and the light afforded by him perish?

A. All that persist finally so to sin shall:Psal. 68.21 Pro. 1.22, 23, 24. Ezek. 18.22. & 23, 16 Act. 13.39 but not all that at any time sin such sins: for he can forgive them also, and doth to them that repent of them.

Q. 93. How can that be?

A. Very well, because of the superabun­dant worth and merit of his death above the demerit of Adams sin,Rom. 5.15, 16, 17. and of all the sin he thereby found upon us, and because of the power he hath thereby obtained.

Q. 94. What did he thereby further merit and obtain?

A. Absolute Lordship over men, in the nature of man,Rom. 14.9 Phil. 2 9, 10, 11 Ps. 68.18 19, 20 Rev. 3 7 Is. 42.6, 7.19, 20, 21. Heb. 9.15. and so power to forbear, and exercise goodnes towards sinfull men (even such as sin against his grace also) as he plea­ses: and a Law or Covenant of Grace to be made and ratified with men through his blood.

Q. 95. What is the tenor of that Law or Co­venant of Grace?

A. That whoever repent of their sins and believe in and obey him,Mar. 16.15 Isa. 55.2, 3, 4.7. Eze. 33.16 Act. 13.37, 38, 39, 40, 41. shall be forgiven and saved from all their sins, and be made partakers of eternal life by him; and they onely that finally reject him shall perish therefore in their sin.

Q. 96. When did he receive the foresaid po­wer of Lordship?

A. He most fully received it in the nature [Page 23]of man,Ps. 68.18. with Acts 2 33, 36. Eph. 4.8, 9. when he entered upon the most full and glorious execution of his foresaid Of­fices in and from heaven, namely in his ex­altation or Ascention.

Q. 97. How doth he more fully exercise his Priestly Office in Heaven?

A. He in his Ascension thither offered and presented himself as the prepared Sa­crifice to his Father,Heb. 8.1, 4 & 9.14. Ps. 110.1.4 Lev. 8.9 with Heb. 7.27. and 9.12.14. & 7.25 and was thereby conse­crated the great High Priest, and as the great High Priest appears within the vail, even in the presence of God, and makes Intercession for us.

Q. 98. VVhat is his making Intercession?

A. The presenting to and improving with God the vertues of his Sacrifice,Is. 53.12. Luc. 13.7, 8 Joh. 17.6.20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Heb. 7.25, & 8.10, 11 12, & 9.15 and his will or desire hereupon for such forbea­rance and goodnes towards sinners as he pleases, and that forgiveness, special favour and blessing may be vouchsafed to them, that believe according to the Covenant.

Q. 99. Whom doth he exercise his Priestly Office in Heaven for?

A. He is hereby the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,1 Joh. 2.2 Ps. 145.9.17. Rev. 22 17. Is. 55.1, 2.6, 7. Heb. 2.17. & 10.14. rendring God good to all, and ready to accept all or any in coming to him hereby; but the actuall and perfect reconciliation he is to them on­ly that so come.

Q. 100. How doth he more fully exercise his [Page 24]Prophetical Office in and from heaven?

A. Having there fully received the fulnes of Spirit,Acts 2.33. Eph. 1.8, 9, 10, 11. & 3.5. Heb. 12.25. Joh. 14.16, 17. & 16 13, 14, 15. he powred it forth upon his A­postles, and by them gave forth the most full and clear discovery of his Fathers will: by which he yet speaks from heaven, and in which by his Spirit he teaches and com­forts his people, and leads them unto life.

Q. 01. To whom is he a Prophet?

A. B [...]th to them that he [...]r him and to them that for not hearing him perish: But they onely that hear him have the choise things of Gods kingdome opened to them, Acts 3.22, 23. Mat. 13.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Prov. 1.22.23, 24, 25. Ps. 25.8.12 14. of which the rest deprive themselves by rejecting him.

Q. 102. How doth he more fully exercise his Kingly Office in and from heaven?

A. Being set on the throne of Majesty he further in larges and preserves his Church against the assaults of enemies,Heb. 1.3. Acts 2. & 4. Ps. 110.1, 2, 3, 5, 6. Rom. 8.35, 36, 37. 1 Co. 15.25, 26, 55. Phil. 3.21. 2 Cor. 5.10. Ps. 47 7, 8, 9. & 28 9, 10. Rev. 1, 5. & 2.26 subduing sin and Sathan in them, and will in due time raise the dead, and judge all as they have o­beyed or rebelled against him.

Q. 103. Ought all men to be subject to him as their King?

A. Yes verily, for he is King of all the earth, & all Nations even the utmost end of all the earth are given him to rule over.

Q. 104. I perceive then that He is every way furnished for saving us, but how could they be sa­ved, who dyed before his suffering?

A. His death though actually suffered in the last times was vertuous from the begin­ning of the world;Acts 15.11 Ps. 75.3. Pet. 3.19, 20. Joh. 8.56. & 1.4, 5 Heb. 13.8. so as that with respect thereto, he as the eternal word exercised his power over and goodnes towards men, and they were saved or condemned as they be­lieved on him, or rejected him.

Q. 105. But is this all needfull to thy salvation, that there is so full a remedy provided for thee?

A. No verily,John 3.3, 5 14, 15, 16.18. & 6.51 53. there must be as well an application of it to me, as the preparation of it for me (as is already implyed) else it will not heal and save me.

Principle IV.

Q. 106. How is this remedy to be applyed?

A. By a lively Faith.Heb. 10.38

Q. 107. VVhat is a lively Faith?

A. An hearty receit of the word of Gods grace, as the word of God,Rom. 4.17, 18, 19, 20. John 1.12. and of Christ as tendred therein.

Q. 108. Why sayst thou an hearty receit?

A. Because with the heart man believes unto righteousnes,Ro. 10.10 Iam. 1.21, 22, 23, & 2 17, 18. that which resteth in the head is but an empty opinion and will not save us.

Q. 109. What meanest thou by a hearty receit?

A. That it both be understood of us,Mat. 13.23. Luc. 11.28 Heb. 11.13 and embraced with inward love and aff [...]ction.

Q. 110. Why sayst thou as the word of God?

A. Because acording to its receit so it works [Page 26]If it be received but as the word of a falliable and weak man;1 The. 2.13 1 Cor. 2.4, 5 it works weakly begetting but opinions and empty forms; but if as God, that is as an infallible and certain word, it works divinely and effectually.

Q. 111. What doth the word so received work?

A. The hearty receipt of Christ himself as tendered and declared therein,1 Thes. 1.9.10. and (as a thing therein included) Repentance towards God.

Q. 112. How is Christ tendered in the word of God, and to be received by us.

A. He is tendred to us to be our onely Lord and Saviour,Acts 4.12 & 2.36. Heb. 5.9. Acts 3.22, 23. Isa. 33 22 Mat. 10 37, 38. Joh. 14.1. Mat. 17.5. & 3.17. our only King, Priest, and Prophet, to teach, command, and save us; and as such a one we ought affectionate­ly to imbrace, depend on, and obey him.

Q. 113. You say Repentance towards God is encluded herein, what is that Repentance?

A. A serious turning of the heart, and so of the whole man, from all false hopes, and delights,Acts 14.15 1 Thes. 1.9, 10. Joel 2.12, 13 and wayes, to the living and true God, to seek close, w [...] depend on & serve him in Jesus Christ his Son.

Q. 114. How can the word believed effect such things as these in the heart, is it not a dead letter? 2 Cor. 3:6, 7, 8, 9, 18 Rom. 1.16 Joh. 6.63

A. The law indeed was a killing (not a dead) letter, but the word of the Gospel is neither; but a ministration of Spirit [Page 27]and life; and therefore it produces these effects where heartily believed.

Q. 115. How doth the remedy thus applyed save?

A. Christ thus received brings all the fulnesse of grace and blessings with him.Cant. 3.2 Joh. 1.15, 16 Ep. 1.3

Q. 116. Wherein consists that Grace and Bles­sing?

A. In glorious priviledges and gracious operations.

Q. 117. What be those glorious priviledges?

A. Justification, Reconciliation, San­ctification, Adoption, and its consequents.

Q. 118. What is Justification?

A. The Absolution of a sinner from all his sins past,Acts 13.38, 39 Col. 1.22. 1 Cor. 6 11. Rom. 4 23, 25, 25 and the making and presenting him righteous before God. So as that God deals with him as a righteous one.

Q. 119. What is Reconciliation?

A. Reconciliation as a priviledge,Rom. 5.10 Col. 1.21 Eph. 2.12, 13, 14, 18 [...] is the making an enemy to become the Friend of God, to have accesse to him, peace and fa­vour with him.

Q. 120. What is Sanctification? Exod. 10.3 6. & 13.1, 2 & 28.1, 2 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18 & 7 1. Gal. 3.26. John 1.12.

A The separating a man from his for­mer condition to be holy to God: set apart for his service, and the fitting him for the same.

Q. 121. What is Adoption?

A. The making a Son of Adam and [Page 28]death to become a Son of God: so as tha [...] God owns him in Christ as a member o [...] Christ,Heb. 12.6 Eph. 2.1.12 19. Rom. 8.16 17. Gal. 4.5, 6. Eph. 1.13, 14. & 4.30 and deals with him as with a Son.

Q. 122. What follows hereupon?

A. Heireship and title to the promises and promised inheritance, with the Spirit of the Son to seal him up to, and fit him for the same: yea the inheritance and glory it self in due season.

Q. 123. How doth Christ by his Spirit fit the believer for that inheritance?

A. By his gracious operations in him.John 14.26 & 15.13.15 Eph. 1.17, 18. 1 Pet. 1.6, 7 8. Ro. 8.28 1 Thess. 4.9 Gal. 5.24. Eph. 4.21, 22. Rom. 5.2.3. Rom. 15.13 1 Pet. 1.7, 8 Rom. 8.26 Eph. 5.18, 19. Gal. 5.22. 2 Tim. 1.7. Eph. 3.16, 17, 1 Pet. 4.14. 2 Cor. 3.18 1 Joh. 3.2, 3 Phil. 3.21.

Q. 124. What be those gracious operations?

A. They be very many: as,

• 1. He teaches him, and makes him wise to salvation.
• 2. He thereby begets in him lively affections to himself, and to God in him, and to his peo­ple for his sake.
• 3. He mortifies and kils sin in him.
• 4. He begets in him lively hope of glory.
• 5. He fils him with joy and peace in believing.
• 6. He apts and quickens him to prayers, praises and services of love to God and men.
• 7. He strengthens him to and in­courages him in all his services and suffer­ings for him.
• 8. Yea, and in due time will fully conform and frame him to his own likenesse and image in soule and body.

Q. 125. Whence is it that a man recei­ving Christ receives all this grace and blessing with him?

A. It springs both from the tenor of the Covenant of Grace made with men in Christ, which we before mentioned:Eph. 1.3.4, 5. and also from his Decrees of Election and Pre­destination.

Q. 126. VVhat is Gods Decree of Electi­on?

A. A gracious act of Gods Freewill in which before the foundations of the world he chose (or purposed to chuse) the man Jesus Christ into Unity with the eternal Word,Isa. 42.1. 1 Pet. 2.4, 5 9, Col. 1.19 & 2.9. and so to be his holy one, the worker out of all his pleasure and treasury of all his blessing;Isa. 53.10, 11. Eph. 1.3, 4, 5. Gal. 3.7.9.26.28, 29 and in him all the seed springing out of the travaile of his Soule by the gift of God, to Holinesse and Blessing with him, for the praise of his own grace.

Q. 127. VVhat is Gods Predestination?

A. Gods free fore-appointment of Jesus Christ to glory, through sufferings,1 Pet. 1.19, 20. Rom 8.29, 30. Eph. 1.5, 6. and of his seed or people to conformity to him therein.

Q. 128. Did God elect men for their faith fore­seen?

A. No verily, for no worthines thereof, but only out of his good pleasure in Christ, & for the praise of his grace,Eph. 1.5, 6. 2 Thes. 2.13 1 Pet. 1.2. though yet this work it self out upon men by Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

Q. 129. Did not God chuse men to holines & glo­ry [Page 30]in their personal considerations?

A. We find no such thing, that he chose any either as in Adam standing or faln, or as in themselves considered,Ephes. 1.4. but onely in Christ and with respect to him.

☞ Q. 130. Doth not the Apostle say that God elected Jacob to Salvation, and rejected Esau from it before they were born or had done good or evill?

A. God did elect Jacob, and rejected Esau before they were born, but the Apostle says, neither personally, nor to or from salva­tion.

Q. 131. How may we understand him then?

A. That he chose Jacob nationally (that is him and his posterity) to be priviledged with the choise means of salvation,Deut. 4.37 & 7.6, 7, 8, & 10.15 Gen. 12.3 & 18, 18. & 22.18, &c. Rom. 3.1 & 9.3, 4, 5 and to be honoured above all nations; and reject­ed Esau and his posterity from the same: yet so as Esaus, and all the families of the earth had blessing in Jacob and his seed.

Q. 132. How may it apper that this is the Apostles meaning?

A. First, By the Oracle to Rebecca speak­ing of them as of two Nations,Gen. 25.23. and two Peoples,Mal. 1.1, 2, 3 the elder should serve the younger. Secondly, by the Prophet Malachies apply­ing it to their posterities,Joh. 1.13 and using it as a proof of Gods loving Jacobs posterity more then Esaus: Mat. 3.8, 9 which could not be, had it been a per­sonall [Page 31]Election and reprobation, with reference to salvation, they not running in the blood. Thirdly,Mat. 3.8, 9. The Apostle speaks about Gods casting off the Nation of the Jews, because of their un­belief,Ro. 9. & 11 From being his Church and People as be­fore notwithstanding Gods former election of them, and cleares his justice therein. 4. The Apostle speaks not of them as so reprobated as that it was impossible for them to be saved.Rom. 10.1. & 11.11.14.23, 32. But prayd for and indeavoured that still, yea and says God did it to provoke them to jealousy, [...]hat they might repent and be saved.

Q. 133. But saith not the Apostle that God loved Jacob, and hated Esau before they were borne.

A. No,Rom, 9.11, 12. but that it was sayd to Rebec­ca the elder should serve the younger: the other speech was spoken by Mallachy (long after they were dead) of the affection and disaffection testified towards them in their posterities,Mal. 1.1, 2, 3, 4. as laying Esaus mountaines wast, &c.

Q. 134. But say not the Scriptures that God made Pharoah to destroy him?

A. No, but that he made him stand,The origi­nal word in Exod. 9.16 signifies to make to stand, and sutes with Rom. 9.22. or rai­sed him up (out of former judgments) and forbore him with much long suffering when a vessell fitted for destruction to glorify his name and power in him the more abun­dantly,

Q 135. How then say the Scriptures that God hath power as a potter over the clay to make of the same lumpe one vessell to honour and another to dishonour?

A. To shew that God may doe with his owne what hee will,Mat. 20.15. & 25.15. Eph 1.11. Jer. 18.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Luc. 13.3, 4 5. Mat. 11.12 22, 23, 24 Rom. 9.25, 26, 30, 31, 32. & 11.17 19, 20, 22. honour and dishon­our, how and whom hee pleases, preferring one before another in meanes of salvation, forbearance of them and power exercised for their good, as in the case of Jacob and Esau and their posterities, though yet the honoured abusing their honour, may be broken off as vessells of wrath, when the dishonoured may be made vessells of mercy through faith in Jesus Christ. ☜

Q. 136. Can a man bring himselfe to faith in Christ, and so to the blessings in him?

A. No verily for faith is the gift of God, ordaining and framing the heart in his call unto eternall life,Joh. 6.44. Eph. 2.8. Act. 13 48. Luc 17.5. & 22.23. as it is his worke too, to preserve and increase it.

Q. 137. Why then doth God bid men believe and abide & grow in faith, and threaten them if they doe not? Rom. 10.17 18, 19 Gen 63. 1 Pet. 3.19. Prov 8.33, 34, 35. Num. 14.11 Isa. 55.1, 2, 3.

A. Because God doth not worke it im­mediately, but by certaine outward means to which he gives men power to attend, & with which his spirit and power is con­versant for working and increasing it: to those means therefore hee bids men attend, [Page 33]and act in his power therein given forth, and faults them if they doe not.

Principle V.

Q. 138. What be those meanes?

A. They be those things in which God by Christs speaks forth the knowledge of himselfe and his will and goodnes to men,Ps. 19. Ro. 10.17, 18, 19. Ps. 78.4 5, 6, 7, 8. whether more generally and darkly, or more specially and plainly.

Q. 139. How doth God speake to men more generally and darkly?

A. By his workes as ordered through Christ by way of inlargement or chastise­ment to us.Ps. 75.1. [...] 19.1, 2, 3. Joh. 15.24. Job 53.14, 15, 29. Mic. 6.9.

Q. 140. They speake of God and his attributes but doe they speake any thing of Christ? ☜

A. Distinctly they do not, but by way of interpretation they doe,Like that in Mat. 25.40.48. Ps. 75.1, 2, 3, & [...]8 18, 19, 20 Act 14.15, 17. while they ma­nifest that goodnes of God which could not have been to us but for Christ, so that as the death of men speake Adams sin, so they speake Christs mediation.

Q. 141. How doth Gods speaking in them conduce to faith?

A. In evidencing what is to be knowne of God to men,Rom. 1.18, 19, 20. Acts 14.17. & 17 26, 27. Job 5, 8, 9, 10, & 33.14.19, 20.29. they are meanes of provo­king men to seeke him, repent of their e­vills against him, and to commit them­selves to him, and so to dispose the heart to receive what clearer revelations of him­selfe [Page 34]hee may any way afford them,Ps. 107.43. Rom. 2.4, 5 Hos. 11.3, 4 Mic. 6.9. and where the clearer means are afforded, they tend to allure and nurture men to mind them.

Q. 142. But can we find that God ever ac­cepted of any faith acted towards him by any short of the distinct knowledge of Christ?

A. Yes sure, both Rahab, Naaman, the Ninevites, Josh. 2.9, 10 with Jam. 2 25. Jonas 3. Mat. 12.41. Act. 10.34, 35. Rom. 2.26, 27. and divers others. God being no respecter of persons but through the medi­ation of Christ accepting every one in any Nation, that by what meanes he affords them do feare him and worke righteousnes.

Q. 143. What need then of any clearer means?

A. Yes great need, for helping the weak­nesse and correcting the wickednes of men,Joh. 1.4, 5, 9.6, 7, 9. Rom. 3.9, 10.19.21. 1 Cor. 1.21. Eph. 3.9, 10. & 1.9, 11, 12. Isa. 61.1, 2, 3, 4. whom generally comprehended not the light shining in darknes, nor by their wise­dome found out God in the wisedome of God, and what they discerned they impre­son'd in unrighteousnes; as also that God might have the glory of his grace in Christ ascribed to him, and men the comfort of it.

☞ Q. 144. What doth God speake more clearly by?

A. By his word or Oracles, and the ordi­nances therein injoyned to and held forth in his Church.Prov. 8.33, 34.

Q. 145. What is the Church?

A. The Church is the company of men called out of the worlds ways and fellow­ship, [Page 35]in all or any ages and places,Josh. 24.2, 3, 4. Exod. 19.4, 5, 6. 1 Pet. 2.5, 9, 10. and ga­thered into the acknowledgment and wor­ship of God according to his appointment.

Q. 146. Hath there beene alwayes a Church of God in the world?

A. Yes in all ages,1 Kin. 19.10 Jer. 2.2, 3, 5 13. though not alwayes alike spreading, visible and pure.

Q. 147. Who is the head and governor of this Church?

A. Jesus Christ himself is the only head & Lord of it,Eph. 1.22.4.4, 5, 6. & 11, 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 though he hath appointed others to be for order and usefulnes therein.

Q. 141. What be they?

A. For inward growth and usefullnes he hath appointed Apostles, Evangelists, Pro­phets,Eph. 4.11.12. 1 Tim. 3.1, 2.8. Tit. 1.5, 6, 7 Phil. 1.1. 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. 1 Tim. 3.2.8.9. Mat. 28.19, 20. 2 Pet. 1.19, 20, 21. & 3.2. Joh. 5.39 2 Tim. 3.15 16, 17. Pastors and Teachers; for outward order Bishops or Elders and Deacons.

Q. 149. How are these usefull?

A. By their Declaration of, and order­ing men after the words or Oracles of God.

Q. 150. What callest thou the word or Ora­cles of God?

A. The Doctrine delivered in the Bible or writings of the Prophets and Apostles called the Scriptures.

Q. 151. How may it appeare that the Scri­ptures are the word or Oracles of God.

• 1.
  A. 1. By the con­sent and tradition of the Church, 2 Pet. 1.21 Mat. 11.25. 1 Cor. 1. v. 28. Heb. 2.3, 4. Psal. 78. Josh 23.14. 1 Kin. 8.24.
  The constant assertion of those holy men (who were plain heart­ed simple men) that delivered them [Page 36]together with the miracles wrought by them, and evident ful­filling of things they foretold, commended their sayings & wri­tings to the Faith of the first re­ceivers, and they have successively commended them to us, and that deserves our reverence of them.
• 2. The power of Gods Spirit breathing in them gives such light to the simple that mind them,
  2. By the power and evidence of Gods Spirit, speaking in them: Psal. 19. v. 7. 2 Cor. 4.2. & 5.12.
  as commends them for Gods words to their consciences.
• 3. The evident fulfilling of ma­ny prophecies altogether unlike­ly when uttered by them (such as the calling us Gentiles,
  3. By the manifest fulfilling of their pro­phesies in things most unlikely, Gen. 9.27. Deut. 32.21. Isa. 55.5 Luc. 19 43, 44. Mat. 21 42, 43. and 22.7, 8, 9.
  and bring­ing us from our Idolatries, to the worship of God, the casting off the Jews, and many others) are a more outward sensible demonstration, that they are of God.
• 4. By the strain and tendency of them which is altogether holy,
  Eccles. 12.12, 13, 14. 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18, & 7.
  exalting God, and leading men to God, and to holinesse in their hearts and wayes.

Q. 152. What be the chiefe parts of the Scriptures?

A. The law and the Gospell.Rom. 10, 5, 6, 7.

Q. 153. What callest thou the law?

A. The Doctrine of works and duties given by Moses. Joh. 1.28. Gal. 3.10.

Q. 154. How is that law devided?

A. Into moral, Cerimonial and Judicial.

Q. 155. What is the morall law?

A. The ten words or Commandements proclaimed by God on mount Sinai,Deut. 4.13. with the severall explications thereof.

Q. 156. Rehearse them?

A. I am the Lord thy God,Exo. 20.1, 2, &c. &c. Thou shalt have no other Gods but me, &c.

Q. 157 How are these commandments devided?

A. Into two Tables,Deu. 10.1, 2 Mat. 22.37, 38, 39, 40 the first containts the foure first commandements, and sets be­fore us our duty towards God: the latter contains the six last commandments, & sets before us our duty towards our neighbor.

Q 158. What is required of us in the first Commandement?

A. That we have God and him only for the object of our most hearty love,Deut. 6.45 Isa. 26.4. Deut. 10.20 Psal. 37.4, 5 confi­dence, delight and worship, and that in all things we obey and cleave unto him.

Q. 159. What is therein forbiddin as sin?

A. All Atheisme and grosse Idolatry,Psal. 14.1. Rom. 1.24, 25. 1 Pet. 4.3. Eph. 4. 17, 18, 19. Psal. 78.22. with all ignorance and distrustfulnes of God, his power, faithfulnes and goodnes; neglect of or want of delight in him; his words, worship and waies; swearing by faith, truth, or any thing besides him, with [Page 38]all preferring of our profits, pleasures, lives or any thing before his glory and our service to him.Joh. 5.42. 2 Thes. 2.10 11, 12. Deut. 10.20 Zeph. 1.5. 2 Tim. 3.4. Eph. 5.5. Deut. 12.18 & 18.9, 10, 18, 19. Col. 2.19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Isa. 40.18.44.7, 8.13.14, &c.

Q, 160. What is required in the second com­mandement?

A. That we conceive of and worship God only according to his word and will.

Q. 161. What is forbidden therein?

A. All erroneous and false conceptions of God disagreeing with his word; with all will-worship, according to our own devises and mens traditions.

Q. 162. Why is it added, for the Lord thy God is a iealous God, visiting, &c.

A. To shew that the wrath of God is great against all Idolaters and fals worship­pers of him;Deu. 29.18 19, 20, 21. especially, if they have beene espoused to him.

Q. 163. But shall the childe be punished for the parents faults, and rewarded for their piety?

A. God often rewards the parents righ­teousnes, and punishes their wickednes in their children,1 Kin. 11.11 12, 13. 2 King. 9. Eze. 18.2, 3 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 Jer. 31.29, 30. as parts of themselves in outward things, but not in spirituall and eternall things; except they walke in their parents good or evill steps, to which their parents well or ill doing much conduces.

Q. 164. What doth God require in the third Commandement?

A. That we worship him in spirit and [Page 39]truth, with such inward reverence to and worthy use of his Name,Joh. 4.24. Lev. 19.12. 2 Cor. 6.1, 2 Doctrine and or­dinances as becomes them.

Q. 165. What is therein forbidden?

A. All abuse of the Name of God by charmes, witchcrafts, blasphemies,Deut. 18.9, 10, 11, 12. Lev. 24.16. Jam. 5.12. Lev. 19.12. 2 Tim. 3.5. perju­ries, rash swearing by it and the like; with all prophanesse and formall profession of the Name and Doctrine of God, without life and power.

Q. 166. Why is it added; For the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that takes his name in vain?

A. To shew Gods hatred of all such abu­ses of his Name,Deu. 29.19 20. Exo. 34 7. Jude 4. & 13. and so to deter men there­from.

Q. 167. What is required of us in the fourth Commandement?

A. To be mindfull, to keepe Holy to God the Sabboath day,Isa. 56.2. & 58.13, 14. Jer. 17.21, 22, 24, 27. with all that are under our charge, resting therein from all our own thoughts, words, and works; and wholly actings to God, and delighting in him.

Q. 168. What is therein forbidden?

A. All neglects and wearinesse of the Sab­boath,Neh. 13.15 16, 17, 19. Amos 8.5, 6. Isa. 58.13 with all wanderings of heart, words and actions from God therein.

Q. 169. What is required of us in the second Table, or six last Commandements?

A. Perfect love to all men, as men;Mat. 5.44, 45, 48. & 22.39. so as to endeavour their good as our owne from [Page 40]our hearts in their dignity,Luc. 10.30, 31.37.10. life, chastity, goods and good name, as we have occasion thereto.

Q. 170. What is forbidden in them?

A. As all neglect or unsober abuse of our selves, so also all undutifulnes to superi­ors; all hatred,Tit 2.11, 12 Ro. 13.1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. Rom, 7.7. envy, rash-anger, fraud, or whatever else in thought, word, gesture, or action, tends to the prejudice of our Neighbour in their dignity, life, chastity, goods, or good name; though but in the most secret motion and desire of the hearts.

Q. 171. Why did God give this morall law?

A. To discover our sinne and cursednes,Rom. 3.20. & 5.20. & 7.7. Gal. 3.19, 20, 21.22. Lev. 1, & 2, & 3, &c. that so wee might more readily embrace his Son.

Q. 172. What is the ceremonial law?

A. The law of Sacrifices and outward rites of worship given by Moses.

Q. 173. Why was that given?

A. First to witnesse against men,Gal. [...].19 23. Heb. 10.1, that they are sinners and have deserved to dye. Se­condly, To shadow out Christ his death and the benefits that come thereby.

Q. 174. What callest thou then the Judicial law?

A. The law of statutes,Exo. [...]1 & [...]. Lev. 29. and 21, 22, Deut. 19. & 21, & 22. and ordinances for the commonwealth of the Jews, with the penalties to be inflicted by them on of­fendors.

Q. 175. Doth the law yet continue in its force?

A. Not so to us as to the Jewes before Christs comming, for the cerimonies are ended in Christ as their body or substance:Rom. 6.14. & 10.4. Gal. 3, 25. & 4.4.7. Col. 2.15, 16 1 Tim. 1.5, 6, 7. yet the morall (and the other laws) are of force so far as they are taken up of Christ, and held forth to us in his Doctrine who is the end of the law for righteousnes to every one that believeth.

Q 176 Is not the law abrogatod then by Christ?

A. No verily,Rom. 3.31 1 Tim. 1.7 but it and its lawfull use is established by him.

Q. 177. VVherein is it established by Christ?

A.

• 1. In that he hath fulfilled the truth shadowed out by it.
  Col 2.16, 17. Heb. 10 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 Gal. 3.10, 13, & 2.21. Rom. 7.12. with 8.3. Rom. 13.9, Gal. 5.14. Tit. 2.11, 12. Mat. 5.17, 18, &c. Rom. 8.3. Gal. 5.16.18. Rom. 3.20. & 7.7. Jo. 1.8.10 Rom. 5.20, 21. 1 Tim. 1 8, 9, 10, 11, 15.
• 2. In that he hath gi­ven himselfe to be a curse for us, to redeeme us from its curse, thereby declaring its curse to be so holy, just and firme; that no redemption from it otherwise.
• 3. In shew­ing us, that the holy frame and affections, it required of us, are not lesse, but more due from us by his grace toward us.
• 4. In cal­ling us to himself, and by his Spirit open­ing his grace to us, fulfilling the righteous­nes of the law in us.

Q. 178. VVhat is the lawfull use of the law?

A.

• 1. To shew us, what is due from us to God and man, and what is sin, and so to convince us that we have and doe sin.
• 2. To shew us our need of Christ and his sa­crifice, and what cause to blesse God for [Page 42]him.
• 3. To shew us what we may expect to be effected by the grace of Christ in us,
  Ps. 81.9, 10 Rom. 8.4. Jam. 2.8, 9, 10, 11. Rom. 3.21. Heb. 10.1. 1 Tim. 1.9, 10, 11. 1 Tim. 1.5, 6. with 2 Tim. 3.15 16, 17. Lu. 2.10, 11 Rom. 3.22. & 1.16, 17, & 10.9 15. 2 Cor. 3.7, 8 9, 10 & 5.19, 20. with Rom. 5.17.20, 21
  and how short we are yet of it.
• 4. To wit­nesse to Christ and the grace in him.
• 5. To curbe the unrighteous and rebellious, that obey not the Gospell.
• 6. In a word, it with all other scripture is profitable to exhort, instruct, rebuke and so to direct us in the exercise of charity and of all righteous­nesse.

Q. 172. VVhat is the Gospell.

A. A doctrine of glad tidings to all peo­ple, discovering the love and grace of God to the world, in giving forth his Son to be the Saviour of it, and tendering salvation to it through him; in which is revealed the Righteousnes of God unto all and upon all that believe, and with which God minister­eth his holy spirit to beget faith in men, and reconcile them to himselfe, that his righteousnes might come upon them unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Q. 180. VVhy sayest thou, its glad tidings to all people, Is there any needfulnes or usefullnes of believing that extent of Gods love, as you seeme to insinuate?

A. Yes verily for seeing mans misery is so clearly and generally held forth in the scriptures, that any man crediting them [Page 43]may see himselfe miserable, it is very be­hoofeful that the remedy be as plainly and generally held forth too;Rom. 3.9, 10.19, 21, 23, 24, & 5.12.18. 2 Cor. 3.12, 13, with 4.2.4. yea so usefull is this both in respect of a mans selfe and his demeanour to others, that none but Sathan and men deceived by him hereabout would perswade men otherwise.

Q. 181. How is it so behoofull in respect of ☜ a mans selfe?

A. First, it conduces much to his belie­ving,Tit. 2.11, 12. & 3.3, 4, 5, 6. Psal. 9.10 & 36.7, 8, 9. Isa. 55.1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7. for being by the undoubted word of God informed, that God hath done so gra­tiously for all and so for him, it gives him evident ground to blesse God for it, repent of his evill, against such a God, and have good thoughts of him, and with good hope and incouragement seeke to injoy the cure prepared by him. 2.1 Cor. 14.8 Acts 2.37, 38, 39. Gen. 21.15, 16, 19. Joh. 12.46, 47, 48, 49. It will afford help a­gainst such doubtings, discouragements, and temptations to dispair, which the con­vincement of a mans misery and ignorance of a remedy, provided for him, exposes men unto. 3. In case a man neglect it when so plainly set before him, his condemnation will be more just, and God more glorified therein.

Q. 182. How is it behoofull in respect of o­ [...]hers? 1 Tim. 2 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

A. It will afford a man good ground to love [...]nd pray for them, till he see any of them [Page 44]exclude themselves, the benefit thereof by a sinning to death in a willfull malicious re­jection of it.Mat. 3.44, 45. Eph. 5.1. 1 Joh. 5.16. 2 Cor. 3.12, 13. & 4.1, 2, & 5.14 15.19. & 6.1, 2. 2. It will furnish a man to help his neighbour, while he can as plainly and confidently set the remedy as his mise­ry before him.

Q 183. But may not a man as well, and sure­ly know the remedy to be for him by his believing, well walking or the like?

A. No surely,Pro. 28.26. Jer. 17.9 & 23.25, 26, 27, 28, 29. 2 Pet. 1.19. Tit. 3.5. Rom. 3.25 & 4.24, 25 Gen. 15.6. Rom. 4.17, 18. 1 Joh. 5.10, 11 Luc. 18.9, 10, 11. 2 Cor. 10.17 For i [...] the acts of a mans own deceitfull heart (or any pretended re­velations) are nothing so evident a foun­dation of believing, as the word of God is. 2. Nor can that be proved to be a right Go­pel faith that goes before an apprehension of Gods goodnes to a man, and centers not in Christs blood, as shed for him; and there­fore cannot be fit to evidence those things to him. 3. The act of faith doth not evidence the truth of its objects, but receives it as a thing otherwise fore evidenced. 4. By that way many are made Pharisees, trusting in themselves, that they are righteous and de­spising others.Gen. 3.13. Jude 14. Heb. 11.7. 2 Pet. 2.5 Gal. 3.8 Act. 3.22, 23, 24 Heb 1.10 2.3, 4 2 Cor. 3.18.

Q. 184. When began the Gospel to be published?

A. In Paradise, presently upon mans fall, and so hath been further opened to and by the Patriarks and Prophets, but most fully by Christ himself and his Apostles, and espe­cially since his Ascension. ☜

Q. 185. Are all the scriptures alike usefull for working and preserving faith?

A. No sure, though all be usefull,Rom. 1.16, 17 & 10.8, 9, 10, 17. 2 Cor. 3.7, 8 yet the Gospel is properly the word of Faith, the ministration of Spirit, and power of God to salvation to every one that believes.

Q. 186. Is faith wrought in all that have the Gospel then?

A. No, all have not faith,2 Thes. 3.2. Jo. 6 44, 45 Isai. 55.2, 3 but only they that hear and learn of God, they believe, come to Christ, and their souls shall live.

Q. 187. VVhy do not others believe?

A. Because they do not hear & learn of God.Joh: 8.43 & 10.26, 27.

Q. 188. Can any man hear of himself?

A. No, as the ability to hear outwardly is of Gods gift,Pro. 20.12 Rom. 10.17 Joh. 5.25. so the word outwardly heard brings to men by the gift of Gods po­wer of more in ward hearing & attention.

Q 189. How is it then that some hear not? Ps. 58.4, 5 Mat. 13.15 Acts 28.27 Zech. 7.11, 12, 13 Psal. 81.10, 11, 12, 13. Rom 9.1 [...] & 1.24, 28 Psa. 81.11, 12 Luc. 13.25, 26. Joh. 12.39, 40. Jer. 6.29, 30

A. Because they stop their ears and har­den their hearts, least they should under­stand and be converted; wilfully follow­ing after Sathan, for which oftentimes God actually reprobates them.

Q. 190. VVhat is actuall Reprobation?

A. Gods giving men up to blindness, and hardness of heart, shutting the door of life against hem, so as they cannot believe, but run themselves into destruction.

Q. 191. VVhat be the ordinances injoyned in [Page 46]the word as meanes of faith especially of preser­ving and increasing it?

A. They be chiefly, the two Sacraments so called (namely Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord) and Prayer.

Q. 192. VVhat is a Sacrament?

A. An holy and visible rite,Rom. 4.11. appointed of God to his Church, to signifie and seale his grace in Christ to men.

Q. 193. VVhat is Baptisme?

A. An ordinance of Christ, in which by the washing of water unto the Name of the Father,Luc. 3.2. Mat. 28.18 19, 20. & 3 11. Act. 2.38, 39. Gal. 3.26, 27, 28. Son and Holy Ghost, he hath ap­pointed people to be discipled to him, and admited into his Church; therein signifying and sealing the forgivenesse of sins and ac­cesse into the favour of & fellowship with God, through faith in his Name.

Q. 194. VVho are to be Baptised?

A. All that will submit to Christ, they and theirs,Mat. 28.19, 20. Act. 16.14, 31, 33. that put him not from them.

Q. 195. VVhat is the Lords Supper?

A. An ordinance of Christ in which when he was about to suffer,Mat. 26, 26, 27, 28. 1 Cor. 11.26, 27. he appointed his Di­sciples, by the breaking and eating of one bread, & drinking together of one cup, to remember him and his love to them.

Q. 196. VVhy did he appoint bread?

A To signifie to us that he as made flesh for us;Joh. 6.48, 51. is the true bread or matter of spiri­tuall nourishment for our souls.

Q. 197. VVhy to break it?

A. To mind us of his being broken and crucified for us,Isa. 5 3.5. Joh. 6.5 [...]. that so he might manifest the love of God to us, and become meet to nourish us.

Q. 198. VVhy to eat it?

A. To minde us that we ought to exercise saith in him as crucified for our sins,Jo. 6.51.53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58. and to seal to us spiritual nourishment in so doing

Q. 199. VVhat is signified by the wine?

A. That his blood as shed for the forgive­nesse of our sins and sealing the new Testa­ment and its promises to us is drink indeed fit to refresh and cheare us.Math. 26.28 Heb. 9.13.

Q. 200. VVhy did he appoint us to drink it? Joh. 6.55, 56 57, 58. Rom. 3.25. 2 Cor. 1.20.

A. To instruct us to exercise faith in his blood, and the promises sealed by it, and to seale to us the consolation and performance of them in so doing.

Q. 201. VVhy are we to eate and drink toge­ther in this Supper?

A. To minde us that we ought as bre­theren that have our spiritual nourishment and refreshing,1 Cor. 10.16 17, Pro. 9.5 2 Cor. 11.26 27, Luc. 22.29.30. in and from one and the same object (namely Christ crucified & the grace in him) to love and live together in the faith of Christ, and expectation of a joynt par­ [...]icipation with Christ in his joy and glory at his comming againe.

Q. 202. Why doth he call the Bread his Body, and the Cup his Blood; are they indeed turned into his naturall Body and Blood?

A. No, but because he would have us mind those things signified by them,1 Cor. 10.16 Gen. 17.11.13. & 32.30 & 33.20. Exo. 12.11. Psal. 82.6, 7 Math. 16.18. with. Joh. 1.42.1 Cor. 11.20.21, 22, 27, 28. more then themselves, therefore (as is usuall in the Scriptures in other like cases) he puts the Names of the things signified upon the things signifying.

Q. 203. How ought a man to come to this Supper?

A. Worthily or meetly, and to that pur­pose to examine himself.

Q. 204. What is that selfe examination?

A. The consideration of a mans owne worthlesnes in himselfe,1 Co. 4.7. & 6.19.20. &. 11.20, 21, 22, 23, 24. &c. and at what a rate he is by the grace of God redeemed and cal­led; that so he may bee quickned up to be­lieve in Christ, and not dispise his brother or eat irreverently.

Q. 205. What is Prayer?

A. An holy recourse unto God through Jesus Christ,Phil. 4.6, 7 Eph. 5.18 & 6.18. to thank him for his grace be­stowed, and to request further grace for our selves and others.

Q. 206. How ought we to pray?

A. According to that direction and plat­forme delivered by our Lord.Math. 6.9 Luc. 11.2.

Q. 207. Rehearse it?

A. Our Father which art in Heaven, &c. Q. 208. Why are we taught to call God Father?

A. To instruct us that he is so to us by faith in Christ, to which he also begets us,Gal. 3.26. Jam. 1.18. Heb 10.19.22. Jam. 1, 5 6. and that we ought to pray to him with child-like affection and confidence.

Q 209. Why, our Father?

A. To instruct us to love one another as Brethren,Eph. 6.18.19. Pet. 3 9.1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. and in love to pray with and for one another, and for all men.

Q. 210 Why is it added, which art in Heaven?

A. To distinguish our God from all false Gods,Psal. 115.3, 4.5.2 Chron. 20 6. and to mind us of his power and a­bility as well as his fatherly readines to help us.

Q. 211. How many petitions be there in this prayer?

A. Six.

Q. 212. Which is the first?

A. Hallowed be thy Name.

Q. 213. What are we herein taught to pray for? Psal. 67.1, 2 3, 4 5. & 100 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

A. That God his titles, attributes and do­ctrine may be exalted and made glorious, so as we and all people may think & speak ho­norably of them, believe in him & bless him

Q. 214. Why is this petition set first?

A. To imply that as God hath made it his great designe to seek our good,Joh. 3.16.1 Cor. 10 33 Psal. 100.3, 4 Phil. 4.6 Exod. 33.18 19. with 34.5, 6, 7. so it should be ours to seek his glory; and that we ought in the first place to blesse him for his goodnes, in all our desires of further mer­cies, of which this is the chiefe, to see the [Page 50]glory of his name.

Q. 215. What is the second petition?

A. Thy kingdome come.

Q. 216. What are we therein taught to pray for?

A. That the word of God may take such place,2 Thes. 3.1. Psal. 57.5.11. & 21.13. & 82.8. Rev. 22.17.20. that sin & Sathan being cast out, God by his spirit may reigne in men; and that he would hasten the kingdome of glory pro­mised us.

Q. 217. Which is the third petition?

A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Q. 218. What be we therein taught to aske?

A. That as the Angles & glorious spirits in heaven are cherefully & universally subject to,Psal. 103.20, 21. & 67.2, 3.2 Sam. 15.25, 26. Mat. 26.39. & 16.24. & doe the will of God; so it may be sub­mited to & done by us all on earth denying our owne wills and affections.

Q. 219 What is the fourth petition?

A: Give us this day our daily bread.

Q. 220. What be we therein directed to pray for?

A. Necessary provisions for the sustentati­on of us in this life.Pro. 30.8, 9

Q. 221. Why are we directed to pray, but for this day?

A. To instruct us to contentations with ne­cessaries for the present,Mat. 6.34. Heb. 13.5, 6 1 Tim. 6.6, 7 8, 9, 10. and to live upon God daily without covetousnes.

☞ Q. 222. How can rich men pray thus, who have for many dayes aforehand?

A. Yes, Because they cannot injoy and have blessing with what they have,Deut. 8.3. Eccles. 6.8. Eph. 6.1.2. Mat. 25.35.36, 37. unlesse God give it every day: and because they are to pray for their poore brethern as well as themselves. ☜

Q. 223. What is the fifth petition?

A. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive, &c.

Q. 224. What is herein desired?

A. The forgivenesse of our sins which might provoke God to withhold his bles­sings from us.Ps. 39.8. Isa. 39.2.

Q. 225. Why is it added, as we forgive, &c.

A. To instruct us to mutual love & forgive­nes of injuries,Mat. 6.14, 15, & 18.21 23.33.35. else God will not forgive us.

Q. 226. VVhat is the sixt petition?

A. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evill.

Q. 227. What is meant by temptations? Gen. 22.1. Mat. 4.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Jam. 1, 2.3.12, 13.

A. Whatsoever occasions us to be moved or inticed to sin, and especially the intice­ments and sollicitations themselves.

Q. 228. Are we to pray absolutely against all temptations? Mat. 26.41 Luk. 22.31 32.42. Joh. 17.16. Jam. 1.2. Joh. 8.11.1 Joh. 1.9. 1 Cor. 10.12 13.

A. No, but that God would not leave us in them, but deliver us from Sathan & the evill of them, and doe us good by them.

Q. 229. Why doth this petition follow the former?

A. To imploy that we should as well be carefull to avoid sin for the future, as desire [Page 52]pardon for what is past; and that we are so weak that we cannot avoyd sinning,Psal. 73.22 23.26. unlesse God keeps us from or in temptation.

Q. 230. Why is it added for thine is the king­dome, the power and glory for ever and ever?

A. To teach us to acknowledge that it is in God,Psal. 136.1 Chron. 29 10.11, 12, 13, 14. Eph 5.20. and in him only to help us, and ac­complish all these things for and in us; and that he is to be praised in all he gives us.

231. Why is Amen added?

A. To signifie the realty of our desires,Jer. 28.6. Rev. 22.20. that these things may be so; and that we believe that God for Christs sake will grant them to be so.

☞ Q. 232. Are we bound to use this forme of words in praying?

A. We may use it, but are not tyed to it, as to the very forme of words,Acts 4.24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. for the A­postles did pray after the giving of this form and that by the holy Ghost, yet used no one expression of this prayer. How be it, the things here prayed for and manner of pray­ing are to be the matter and language of all our prayers.Mat 6.9. Luc. 11.2. ☜

Q. 233. How is prayer usefull for the beget­ting and increase of faith? 2 Thes 3.1.2 Psal. 67.1.2 3, 4. Mark. 1.35.38. Luc. 17.5. & 22.32,

A. It is usefull for obtainning the bles­sing of God with his word to those that be­lieve not that they may believe, & for more grace and spirit to those that doe believe.

Q. 234. Why are we to be carefull for the preserving and increase of faith?

A. Because by it we stand in the grace of God and meete with his power to keepe us to salvation, of which we must needs faile,Rom. 5.2, 3 & 11 20.22 1 Cor. 15.1, 2, 3. Eph 2.8 1 Pet. 1.5. if we let go faith.

Q. 235. Is it possible then for a man to fall from his faith, & so from grace after he hath once believed?

A. Yes,1 Tim. 1.19 Gal. 1.6. & 5 1, 2, 3, 4. Mat. 13.19 20, 21, 22. Joh. 15.2. Psal. 15.1, 2 2 Pet. 1.5.10. Rev. 2.10. Heb. 11 13. & 9.27 Surely if it be not well rooted in the heart, and the heart thereby kept sin­gle for God & fruitfull in good; but where these things are, no danger of falling.

Q. 236. How long are we to exercise Faith?

A. Unto and in death, which is appoin­ted to men in common.

Q. 237. How is it that men dy seeing Christ hath dyed for them?

A. Because Christ dyed not to prevent mens dying, but their perishing in sin and death;Ps 68.18.19 20. Rom. 14 9. Rev. 1.18, 19.1 Joh. 5.10, 11, 12. Mat. 11.28, 29. Joh. 5 22.27, 28, 29. Prov. 14.32 Psal. 22.26 Joh. 8.51.2 Cor. 4.17, 18. & 5.1. and therefore obtained power to himself as mediator over men and over all things, that he might tak off death, and dispose life to men upon his owne tearmes, and in his owne time and way only.

Q. 238. Wherein is the believers condition better then another mans when he comes to dy?

A. Both in that by faith he hath hope & his heart lives in death; and in that he shall have after death a better reward.

Principle VI.

Q. 239. Is there any reward then after death?

A. Yes, Both to the believer and unbeliever.

Q. 240.2 Cor. 5.10. How can that be?

A. Very well, because all even they that are dead to us live to God,Luk. 20.38 Act. 24.15. & 26.8. who will also raise them up againe.

Q. 241. How shall the dead be raised?

A. By the powerfull voice of Christ quick­ning them and bringing them out of their graves.Joh. 5.28, 29.1 Thess. 4.16, 17.1 Co. 15.37 38, 42, 43, 44.53, 54. Isa. 26, 19. Job 19.26, 27.

Q. 242. With what bodies shall they rise?

A. With the same that died, though not the same for condition and quality.

Q. 243. How shall they differ in condition and quality?

A. They shall not be so grosse,1 Cor. 15.42, 43, 44. Phil. 3.21.1 Thes. 4.16 1 Cor. 15.23 24. Rev. 20 4, 5. Rev. 20.4.13. Mat. 25.31.32.2 Cor. 5.14, 15. Mat. 16.27. Rev. 1.7 1 Thes. 4.15 16, 17. Jude 1.4. 15 earthy & corruptable as they are now, but incorru­ptible and spirituall.

Q. 244. VVhen shall the dead be raised.

A. They that are Christs at his comming, and the rest afterward.

Q 245. VVhat shall follow the Resurrection?

A. The Judgement.

Q. 246. Who shall be Judge?

A. Christ that died for us.

Q. 247. How shall he come to judge?

A. He shall come in the clouds of heaven visible and personall, in the glory of his Father and of all his holy Angels.

Q. 248. What shall the believer be adjudged to?

A. Hee shall be adjudged to and possessed of eternal life and glory with Jesus Christ,Mat. 25.34 Joh. 5.29.1 Cor. 2.9.1 Joh. 3.2. Isa. 64.5. such as eye hath not seen ear heard, nor can enter into the heart of man to conceive.

Q. 249. VVhat hints of it do the Scripture gives?

A. Many; as that they shall be fully freed from all sin, sorrow and evill,Rev. 7.8.17; 18, & 2 [...].3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1 Thes. 4.17 2 Pet. 3.13. Rev. 1.6 with 5.10.1 Cor. 6.2. Isa 35.10. Mar. 25645, 46.2 Thes. 1 7, 8. Rev. 14.10; 11, & [...]0 14, 15. be ever with Christ, made like him, possesse the new hea­ven and the new earth in which dwels righ­teousnes, judg the world, and be everlasting­ly filled with joy and glory.

Q. 25. What shall the unbeliever be adjudged to?

A. To everlasting torment and misery in soule & body with the Devills and his An­gels with whom they here sided. Misery surpassing all expression or conception.