THE FOUNDATION OF Christian Religion, Gathered into Six PRINCIPLES.
The first Principle.
Question. WHat dost thou believe concerning God?
A. There is one God, Creator and Governor of all things, distinguished into the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.
Proofs out of the word of God.
1. There is a God.
For the invisible things of him, that is, Ro 2. 1. 13. his eternal power and Godhead, are seen by the creation of the world, being considered in his works, to the intent that they should be with out excuse.
Novertheless, he left not himself without Act. 14. 17 witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
2. This God is one.
Concerning therefore meats sacrificed to 1 Cor. 8. 4. idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world: and that there is none other God but one.
He is Creator of all things.
In the beginning God created the heaven, Gen. 1. 1. and the earth.
Through faith we understand, that the Heb. 11. 3. world was ordained by the Word of God: so that the things which we see, are not made of things which did appeare.
4. He is Governour of all things.
The eyes of the Lord in every place behold Prov. 15. 3. the evil and the good.
Yea, and all the haires of your heads are Mat. 10. 30.numbred.
5. Distinguished into the Father, the Son, and holy Ghost.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, came Mat. 3. 16. straight out of the water: and loe, the heavens were opened unto him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting upon him.
And loe, a voice came from heaven, saying, Ven. 17. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
For there are three that bare record in Joh. 5. 7. Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost, and these three are one.
The second Principle.
Q. What doest thou believe concerning man, and concerning thine own self?
A. All men are wholly corrupted with sin through Adams fall, and so are become slaves of Satan, and guilty of eternal damnation.
1. All men are corrupted with sin.
As it is written, There is none righteous, Rom. 3. 10. no not one.
2. They are wholly corrupted.
Now the very God of peace sanctifie you 1 Thes. 5. 23. throughout, and I pray God that your whole spirit, and soul, and body may be kept blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This I say therefore, and testifie in the Eph. 4. 17. Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds:
Having their cogitations darkned, and being Verse 18. strangers from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their hearts.
When the Lord saw that the wickedness Gen. 6. 5. of man was great in the earth, and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were onely evil continually.
3. Through Adams fall.
Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world, and death by sin, and so death Rom. 5. 12. went over all men, for so much as all men have sinned.
4. And so are become slaves of Satan.
Wherein in times past ye walked according Eph. 2. 2. to the course of the world, and after the Prince that ruleth in the air, even the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
For as much then as the children were Heb. 2. 14. partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part with them, that he might destroy through death, him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
In whom the God of this world hath 2 Chr. 4. 4. blinded the mindes, that is, of Infidels, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, which is the Image of God, should not shine unto them.
5. And guilty of eternal damnation.
For as many as are of the works of the Gal. 3. 10. Law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law, to do them. Likewise then as by [Page 5] the offence of one, the fault came on all men to condemnation: so by the justifying of one, the benefit abounded towards all men to the justification of life.
The third Principle.
Q. VVhat means is there for thee to escape this damnable estate?
A. Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, being made man, by his death upon the Cross, and by his righteousness hath perfectly alone by himself, accomplished all things that are needful for the salvation of man-kind.
1. Christ Jesus the eternal Son of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt Joh. 1. 14. among us, and we saw the glory thereof, as the glory of the onely begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
2. Being made man.
For he in no sort took the Angels, but Heb. 2. 16. he took the seed of Abraham.
3. By his death upon the Cross.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, Isa. 53. 5. he was broken for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed,
4. And by his righteousness.
For as by one mans disobedience many Rom. 5. 19. [Page 6] were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, 2 Cor. 5. 21. which knew no sin, that we should be made the righteousness of God in him.
5. Hath perfectly.
Wherefore he is able also perfectly to save them that come unto God by him, Heb. 7. 25. seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
6. Alone by himself.
Neither is there salvation in any other; Act 4. 12. for among men there is given none other name under Heaven, whereby we must be saved.
7. Accomplished all things needful for the Salvation of mankind.
And he is the reconciliation for our 1 Joh. 2. 2. sins: and not for ours onely, but also for the sins of the whole World.
The fourth Principle.
Q. But how mayest thou be made partaker of Christ and his benefits?
A. A man of a contrite and humble spirit, by Faith alone apprehending & applying Christ with all his merits unto himself, is justified before God, and sanctified.
1. A man of a contrite and humble spirit.
For thus saith he that is high and excellent, Isa. 57. 15. he that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is the Holy One; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart.
The sacrifices of God are a contrite spirit: Ps. 51. 17. a contrite and a broken heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
2. By faith alone.
As soon as Jesus heard that word spoken, Mar. 5. 36. he said unto the Ruler of the Synagogue, Be not afraid, onely believe.
So Moses made a Serpent of brass, and Num. 21. 9. set it up for a sign; and when a Serpent had bitten any man, then he looked to the Serpent of brass, and lived.
And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in Joh. 3. 14. the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That who soever believeth in him, should Vers. 15. not perish, but have eternal life.
3. Apprehending and applying Christ with all his merits unto himself.
But as many as received him, to them he Joh. [...]. 12. gave power to be the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. And Jesus said [Page 8] unto them, I am the bread of life, he that Joh. 6. 35. cometh to me, shall not hunger, and he that believeth in me, shall never thirst.
4. Is justified before God.
For what saith the Scripture? Abraham Rom. 4. 3. believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
Even as David declareth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God emputeth Vers. 6. righteousness without works, saying,
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, Vers. 7. and whose sins are covered.
5. And sanctified.
And he put no difference between us and Acts 15. 19. them, after that by faith he had purified their hearts.
But ye are of him in Christ Jesus, who of Cor. 1. 30. God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
The fifth Principle
Q. VVhat are the ordinary or usual means for obtaining of faith?
A. Faith cometh onely by the preaching of the VVord, and increaseth daily by it, as also by the administration of the S [...] craments and Prayer.
1. Faith cometh onely by the preaching of the Word, and increaseth daily by it.
But how shall they call on him in whom Rom. 10. 14. they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher?
Where there is no vision, the people decay but he that keepeth the Law is blessed. Prov. 29. 19.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Hos. 4. 6. because thou hast refused knowledge, I will also refuse thee, that thou shalt be no Priest to me: and seeing thou hast for gotten the Law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
2. As also by the administration of the Sacraments.
After he received the sign of circumcision, Rom. 4. 31. as the seal of the righteousness of faith, which he had when he was uncircumcised, that he should be the father of all them that believe, not being circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that 1 Cor. 10. 1. ye should be ignorant, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the Sea, &c.
3. And Prayer.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The sixth Principle
Q. What is the state of all men after death?
A. All men shall rise again with their own bodies, to the last judgement: which being ended, the godly shall possess the kingdom of Heaven: but unbelievers and reprobates shall be in hell tormented with the devil and his angels for ever.
1. All men shall rise again with their own bodies.
Marvel not at this: for the hour shall Joh. 5. 28. come, in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice.
And they shall come forth that have done Vers. 29. good, unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of condemnation.
2. To the last Judgement.
For God will bring every work unto judgement with every secret thing, whether Eccl. 12. 14.it be good or evil.
But I say unto you, that of every idle M [...]t. 12. 36. word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof at the day of Judgment.
3. Which being ended, the godly, &c.
And del vered just Lot, vexed with the unclean conversation of the wicked.
And the Lord said unto him, Go through Ezek. 9. 4. the midst of the City, even through the midst of the City, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of them that mourn and cry out for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
4. Shall possess the Kingdom of God.
Then shall the King say to them on the Mat. 25. 34. right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit ye the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.
5. But unbelievers and reprobates shall be in hell tormented with the devil and his angels.
Then shall he say unto them on the left Vers. 41. hand, Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
The Scriptures for proof were onely quoted by the Author, to move thee to search them: the words themselves. I have expressed at the earnest request of many, that thou mayest more easily learn them: if yet thou wilt be ignorant, thy malice is evident; if thou gainest knowledge, give God the glory in doing of his will.
THE EXPOSITION OF THE SIX PRINCIPLES.
The first Principle expounded.
Question. WHat is God?
A. God is Joh. 4. 24. a Spirit, or spiritual substance, most wise, most holy, eternal, infinite.
Q. How do you perswade your self that there is a God?
A. Besides the Testimony of the Scripture plain reason will shew it.
Q. What is one reason?
A. When I consider Rom. 1. 20. Acts 14. 17. the wonderful frame of the world, me thinks the silly creatures that be in it, could never make it, neither could it make it self; and therefore besides all these, the Maker of it must needs be God. Even as when a man comes into a strange country and, sees fair and sumptuous buildings, and yet finds no living [Page 13] creatures there besides birds and beasts, he wil not imagine that either birds or beasts reared those buildings, but he presently conceives that some men either are, or have been there.
Q. What other reason have you?
A. Rom. 2. 15. Gen. 3. 8, 10. & 12. 24. A man that commits any sin, as murther, fornication, adultery, blasphemy, &c. albeit he doth so conceal the matter, (that no man living know of it) yet oftentimes he hath a griping in his conscience, and feels the very flashing of hell fire; which is a strong reason to shew that there is a God, before whose Judgement seat he must answer for his fact.
Q. How many Gods are there?
A. No 1 Cor. 8. 6. more but one.
Q. How do you conceive this one God in your minde?
A. Not Deut. 4. 16. Amos 4. 13. by framing any image of him in my minde, (as ignorant folk do) that think him to be an old man sitting in heaven, but I conceive him by his properties and works.
Q. What be his chief properties?
A. First, he is Job 2. 13. most wise, understanding all things aright, and knowing the reason of them. Secondly, he is Isa. 6. 3. Exod. 20. 5, 6. most holy, which appeareth in that he is most just, and merciful [Page 14] unto his creatures. Thirdly, he is Isa. 41. 4. eternal, without either beginning, or end of days. Lastly, he is Psal. 139. 12. infinite, both because he is present in all places, and because he is of power sufficient to do whatsoever he Job 9. 4. Deu. 10. 17. will.
Q. What be works of God?
A. Jer. 10. 12. Psal. 33. 6. The creation of the world, and of every thing therein, and the preservation of them being created, by his special providence.
Q. How know you that God governeth every particular thing in the world by his special providence?
A. To omit the Mat. 10. 30. Prov. 16. 13. Scriptures, I see it by experience: Lev. 26. 26. Mat. 4. 4. Meat, drink, and cloathing, being void of heat and life, could not preserve the life of man, unless there were a special providence of God to give vertue unto them.
Q. How is this one God distinguished?
A. Into the John 5. 7. Mat. 3. 16, 17. Father, which begetteth the Son; into the Son, who is begotten of the Father; into the Joh. 15. 26. Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son.
The second Principle expounded.
Q. Let us now come to our selves; & first tell me what the natural estate of man is?
A. Every man by nature is Eph. 2. 2. Tim. 5. 6. dead in sin, as a loathsom carrion, or as a dead corps lieth rotting and stinking in the grave, having in him the seed of all sins.
Q. What is sin?
A. Any 1 Joh. 3. Rom. 7. 4, 7. Gal. 3. 10. breach of the law of God, if it be no more but the least want of that which the Law requireth.
Q. How many sorts of sins are there?
A. Sin is Col. 3. 9. Psal. 51. 5. either the corruption of nature, or any evil actions that proceed of it, as fruits thereof.
Q. In whom is the corruption of nature?
A. In all men, Rom. 3. 10. none excepted.
Q. In what part of man is it?
A. In every Gen. 6. 5. 1 Thes. 5. 23. part both of body and soul, like as a leprosie that runneth from the crown of the head, to the sole of the foot.
Q. Shew me how every part of man is corrupted with sin?
A. First, in the 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. 5. minde, there is nothing but ignorance and blindness concerning heavenly matters. Secondly, the Tit. 1. 15. Eph. 4. 18, 19. Isa. 57. 20. conscience is defiled, being always either benummed with sin, or else turmoiled with inward accusations and terrors, Thirdly, the Phil. 2. 13. will of man onely [Page 16] willeth and lusteth after evil. Fourthly, the Gal. 5. 24. affections of the heart, as love, joy, hope, desire, &c. are moved and stirred to that which is evil, to embrace it; and they are never stirred unto that which is good, unless it be, to eschew it. Lastly, the Rom. 6. 19. members of the body are the instruments and tools of the minde, for the execution of sin.
Q. What be those evil actions that are the fruits of this corruption?
A. Evil Geu. 6. 5. thoughts in the minde, which come either by a mans own concerving, or by suggection of the devil: Joh. 13. 2. Act. 5. 3. evil motions and lusts stirring in the heart: and from these arise evil words and deeds when any occasion is given.
Q. How cometh it to pass that all men are thus defiled with sin?
A. By Rom. 5. 12 & 18. 19. Gen. 3. 9. Adams infidelity and disobedience, in eating the forbidden fruit, even as we see great personages by treason do not onely hurt themselves, but also stain their blood, and disgrace their posterity.
Q. What hurt comes to a man by his sin?
A. Gal. 3. 10. He is continually subject to the curse of God in his life time, in the end of his life, and after his life.
Q. What is the curse of God in this life?
A. In the Deut. 28. 21, 22, 27, 65, 66, 67. body, diseases, aches, pains: in the soul, blindness, hardness of heart, horror of conscience: in goods, hinderances and losses: in name, ignominy and reproach: Lastly, in the whole man, bondage under Satan the prince of darkness.
Q. What maner of bondage is this?
A. This Heb. 2. 14. E. h. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Luk. 11. 14. bondage is, when a man is the slave of the devil; and hath him to reign in his heart as his god.
Q. How may a man know whether Satan be his god, or not?
A. He may know it by this; if he give obedience to him in his heart, and express it in his conversation.
Q. And how shall a man perceive this obedience?
A. If he Joh. 8. 44. Joh. 3. 8. take delight in the evil motions that Satan puts in his heart, and doth fulfil the lusts of the devil.
Q. What is the curse due to man in the end of this life?
A. Rom. 5. 12. Death, whichis the separation of body and soul.
Q. What is the curse after this life?
A. Gal. 3. 10. Eternal damnation in hell fire, whereof every man is guilty, and is in as [Page 18] great danger of it, as the traitor apprehended is in danger of hanging, draw [...]ng and quartering.
The third Principle expounded.
Q. If damnation be the reward of sin, then is a man of all creatures most miserable. A dog or a toad, when they die, all their misery is ended; but when a man dieth, there is the beginning of his woe.
A. It were so indeed, if there were no means of deliverance, but God hath shewed his mercy in giving a Savior to mankinde.
Q. How is this Savior called?
A. Mat. 1. 21. Jesus Christ.
Q. What is Jesus Christ?
A. Heb. 2. 16. Joh. 1. 14. The eternal Son of God, made man in all things, even Heb. 5. 7. in his infirmities like other men, save onely in sin.
Q. How was he made man void of sin?
A. He was Mat. 1. 28. conceived in the womb of a Virgin, and sanctified by the holy Ghost at his conception.
Q. Why must our Savior be both God and man?
A. He 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. must be a man, because man had sinned, and therefore a man must [Page 19] die for sin, to appease Gods wrath: he must be God, to sustain and uphold the manhood, to overcome and vanquish death.
Q. What be the Offices of Christ, to make him an all-sufficient Savior?
A. He Psal. 45. 7. Luk. 4. 18. Deut. 18. 15, 18. Luk. 1. 33. Psal. 110. is a Priest, a Prophet, a King.
Q. Why is he a Priest?
A. To work the means of salvation in the behalf of mankind.
Q. How doth he work the means of salvation?
A. Mat. 10. 28 Heb. 7. 25, 26. First, by making satisfaction to his Father for the sin of man. Secondly, by making intercession.
Q. How doth he make satisfaction?
A. By two means: and the first is by offering a sacrifice.
Q. What is the sacrifice?
A. Isa. 35. 10. Christ himself, as he is a man, consisting of body and soul.
Q. What is the Apo. 8. 3. Heb. 13. 10. Altar?
A. Christ, as he is God, is the Altar on which he sacrificed himself.
Q. Who was the Priest?
A. None Heb. 5. 5. 6 but Christ, and that as he is both God and man.
Q. How oft did he sacrifice himself?
A. Never but Heb. 9. 28. once.
Q. What death did he suffer, when he [Page 20] sacrificed himself?
A. A death upon the Cross, peculiar to him alone; Esa. 53. 5. Joh. 12. 27. Rev. 19. 15. Luk. 22. 44. for besides the separation of body and soul, he felt also the pangs of hell, in that the whole wrath of God due to the sin of man, was poured forth upon him.
Q. What profit cometh by his sacrifice?
A. Gods Heb. 9. 26. wrath is appeased by it.
Q. Could the sufferings of Christ which were but for a short time, countervail everlasting damnation, and so appease Gods wrath?
A. Yea, for seeing Christ suffered, God Acts 20. 28. 2 Cor. 5. 15. suffered, though not in his Godhead: and that is more then if all the men in the world had suffered for ever and ever.
Q. Now tell me the other means of satisfaction.
A. It is the perfect fulfilling of the Law.
Q. How did he fulfil the Law?
A. By his 1 Cor. 1. 30. Rom. 3. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 2 [...]. perfect righteousness, which consists of two parts: the first, the integrity and pureness of his humane nature: the other, Rom. 5. 19 Rom. 4. 1. his obedience in performing all that the Law requireth.
Q. You have shewed how Christ doth make satisfaction; tell me likewise [Page 21] how doth he make intercession?
A. He doth alone continually Rom. 8. 34. 1 Pet. 2. 5. appear before his Father in Heaven, making the faithful and all their prayers acceptable unto him, by applying of the merits of his own perfect satisfaction to them.
Q. Why is Christ a Prophet?
A. To Joh. 6. 45. Mat. 3. 17. reveal unto his Church the way and means of salvation: and this he doth outwardly by the Ministery of his Word, and inwardly, by the teaching of his holy Spirit.
Q. Why is he also a King?
A. That Isa. 9. 7. he might bountifully bestow upon us, and convey unto us all the aforesaid means of salvation.
Q. How doth he shew himself to be a King?
A. In Act. 10. 40. Eph. 4. 8. Act. 1. 9. that being dead and buried, he rose from the grave, quickned his dead body, ascended into heaven, and now sitteth at the right hand of his Father, with full power and glory in heaven.
Q. How else?
A. In Isa. 9. 7. & 30. 21. that he doth continually inspire and direct his servants by the divine power of his holy Spirit, according to his holy Word.
Q. But to whom will this blessed King communicate all these means of salvation?
A. He Mat. 20. 16. Joh. [...]. 1 Joh. 2. 3. G [...]l. 3. 27. Col. 2. 12. offereth them to many, and they are sufficient to save all mankinde; but all shall not be saved thereby, because by faith they will not receive them.
The fourth Principle expounded.
Q. What is Faith?
A. Faith is Joh. 1. 12. & 6. 35. G [...]l. 3. 27. Col. 2. 12. a wonderful grace of God, by which a man doth apprehend and apply Christ and all his benefits unto himself.
Q. How doth a man apply Christ unto himself, seeing we are on earth, and Christ in heaven?
A. This 2 Cor. 1. 21, 22. Rom. 8. 16. applying is done by assurance, when a man is verily perswaded by the holy Spirit, of Gods favor towards himself particularly, and of the forgiveness of his own sins.
Q. How doth God bring men truly to believe in Christ?
A. First, he prepareth their hearts, that they might be capable of faith, and then worketh faith in them.
Q. How doth God prepare mens hearts?
A. Ezek. 11. 19. Hos. 6. 1, 2. By bruising them, as if one would break an hard stone to powder: and [Page 23] this is done by humbling them.
Q. How doth God humble a man?
A. By working in him a sight of his sins, and a sorrow for them.
Q. How is the sight of sin wrought?
A. By the Rom. 3. 20. & 7. 7. moral Law: the sum whereof is the ten Commandments.
Q. What sins may I finde in my self by them?
A. Ten.
Q. What is the first.
A. Com. I. To make something thy God which is not God: by fearing it loving it, and so trusting in it more then in the true God.
Q. What is the second.
A. II. To worship false gods, or the true God in a false maner.
Q. What is the third?
A. III. To dishonor God, in abusing his titles, words and works.
Q. What is the fourth?
A, IV. To break the Sabbath, in doing the works of thy calling, and of the flesh: and in leaving undone the works of the Spirit.
Q. What be the six latter?
A. To do any thing that may hinder thy neighbors V. dignity, VI. life, VII chastity, [Page 24] VIII. wealth, IX. good name, X. though it be but in the secret thoughts and motions of the heart, unto which thou givest no liking or consent.
Q. What is sorrow for sin?
A. It is Act. 3. 37, 38. when a mans conscience is touched with a lively feeling of Gods displeasure for any of these sins, 1 Tim. 1. 5. Luk. 15. 21. Ezra 9. 6, 7. in such wise that he utterly despairs of salvation in regard of any thing in himself, acknowledging that he hath deserved shame and confusion eternally.
Q. How doth God work this sorrow?
A. By the terrible curse of the Law.
Q. What is that?
A. He Gal. 3. 10. which breaks but one of the Commandments of God, though it be but once in all his life time, and that onely in one thought, is subject to, and in danger of eternal damnation thereby.
Q. When mens hearts are thus prepared, how doth God ingraft faith in them?
A. By working certain inward motions in the heart, which are the seeds of faith, out of which it breedeth.
Q. What is the first of them?
A. When a man humbled under the [Page 25] burthen of his sins Esa. 55. 2. Joh. 7. 27. Luk. 1. 53. doth acknowledge and feel that he stands in great need of Christ.
Q. What is the second?
A. An Mat. 5. 4. hungring desire, and a longing to be made partaker of Christ and all his merits.
Q. What is the third?
A. A Heb. 4. 16. flying to the Throne of Grace from the sentence of the Law pricking the conscience.
Q. How is it done?
A. By Luke 15. 18, 19. Mat. 15. 21. 23, &c. Act. 8. 22. 2 Cor. 12. 8. praying, with sending up loud cries for Gods favor in Christ, in the pardoning of sin; and with fervent perseverance herein, till the desire of the heart, be granted.
Q. What followeth after this?
A. God then Mat. 7. 7. Esa. 65. 24. Job 33. 26. according to his merciful promise, lets the poor sinner feel the assurance of his love, wherewith he loveth him in Christ, which assurance is a lively faith.
Q. Are there divers degrees and measures of true faith?
A. Rom. 2. 1. 7. Luk. 17. [...]. Yea.
Q. What is the least measure of true faith that any man can have?
A. When a man of an humble spirit, [Page 26] by reason of the Isa. 42. 3. Mat. 17. 20. Luk. 17. 5. littleness of his faith doth not yet feel the assurance of the forgiveness of his sins, and yet he is perswaded that they are pardonable; and therefore desireth that they should be pardoned, and with his heart prayeth to God to pardon them.
Q. How do you know that such a man hath faith?
A. These Rom. 8. 23, 26. Gal. 4. 6. Mat. 5. 6. Rom. 8. 9. desires and prayers are testimonies of the Spirit; whose property it is, to stir up a longing and a lusting after heavenly things, with sighes and groans for Gods favor and mercy in Christ. Eph. 3. 7. Now where the Spirit of God is, there is Christ dwelling; and where Christ dwelleth, there is true faith, how weak soever it be.
Q. What is the greatest measure of faith?
A. When a man daily increasing in faith, comes to be Rom. 7. 38, 39. Cant. 6. 7. fully perswaded of Gods love in Christ towards himself particularly, and of the forgiveness of his own sins.
Q. When shall a Christians heart come to this full assurance?
A. Not 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. Psal. 23. 6. with 1, 2, 3, 4. verses. at the first, but in some continuance of time, when he hath been [Page 27] well practised in repentance, and hath had divers experiences of Gods love to him in Christ: then, after them will appear in his heart the fulness of perswasion, which is the ripeness Ro. 4. 19, 20, 21. and strength of faith.
Q. What benefits doth a man receive by faith Christ?
A. Hereby 8 Cor. 1. 30. Act. 15. 9. Rom. 4. 3. he is justified before God, and sanctified.
Q. What is this, to be justified before God?
A. Rom. 8. 33. It comprehendeth two things: the first, to be cleared from the guiltiness and punishment of sin: the second, to be accepted as perfectly righteous before God.
Q. How is a man cleared from the guiltiness and punishment of his sins?
A. By Christs Col. 1. 22. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 1 Joh. 17. 2. sufferings and death upon the Cross.
Q. How is he accepted for righteous before God?
A. By the 2 Cor. 5. 21. righteousness of Christ imputed to him.
Q. What profit comes by being thus justified?
A. Hereby, h and by no other means b Rom. 4. 17. Apo. 21. 17. in the world, the believer shall be accepted [Page 28] before Gods Judgement-seat, as worthy of eternal life by the merits of the same righteousness of Christ.
Q. Do not good works then make us worthy of eternal life?
A. No: For God, who is perfect righteousness it self, will finde in the best works we do, more matter of damnation then of salvation: and therefore Psal. 143. Esa. 64. 6. Job 9. 3. we must rather condemn our selves for our good works, then look to be justified before God thereby.
Q. How may a man know that he is justified before God?
A. He need not ascend into Heaven to search the secret counsel of God; Rom. 8. 1. Joh. 3. 9. but rather descend into his own heart, to search whether he be sanctified or not.
Q. VVhat is it to be sanctified?
A. It comprehendeth two things: the first, to be purged from the corruption of his own nature: the second, to be indued with inward righteousness.
Q. How is the corruption of sin purged?
A. By the Rom. 6. 4. merits and power of Christs death, which being by faith applyed, is as a 1 Pet. 4 1, 2. corrasive to abate, consume, and weaken the power of sin.
Q. How is a man endued with inherent righteousness?
A. Through the Rom. 6. 5, 6. Phil. 3. 10. virtue of Christs resurrection: which being applyed by faith, is as a restorative to revive a man that is dead in sin, ro newness of life.
Q. In what part of man is sanctification wrought?
A. In 1 Thes. 5. 23. every part of body and soul.
Q. In what time is it wrought?
A. It is Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 2, 3. begun in this life, in which the faithful receive onely the first fruits of the Spirit, and it is not finished before the end of this life.
Q. VVhat graces of the Spirit do usually shew themselves in the heart of a man sanctified?
A. The hatred Psa. 119. 113. and 40. 9. and 101. 3. Rom. 7. 22. of sin, and the love of righteousness.
Q. VVhat proceeds of them?
A. Repentance, which is Psa. 119. 2, 57, 113. a settled purpose in the heart, with a careful endeavor to leave all his sins, and to live a Christian life, according to all Gods commandments.
Q. VVhat goeth with repentance?
A. Gal. 5. 17. Eph. 6. 11, 12. A continual fighting and strugling against the assaults of a mans own flesh; against the motions of the de [...]il, [Page 30] and the inticements of the world.
Q. What followeth after a man hath gotten the victory in any temptation or affliction?
A. Experience of Rom. 5. 3, 4. 2 Cor. 1. 5. Gods love in Christ, and so increase of peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost.
Q. What followeth, if in any temptation he be overcome, and through infirmity fall?
A. After a while 2 Cor. 7. 8, 9. Mat. 26. 75. there will arise a godly sorrow; which is, when a man is grieved for no other cause in the world, but for this onely, that by his sin he hath displeased God, who hath been unto him a most merciful and loving Father.
Q. What sign is there of this sorrow?
A. The true sign 1 Pet. 2. 19. of it is this; when a man can be grieved for the very disodebience to God in his will, word or deed, though he should never be punished, and though there were neither Heaven nor Hell.
Q. What followeth after this sorrow?
A. Repentance 2 Cor. 7. 11. renewed afresh.
Q. By what signs will this repentance appear?
A. By 1 Cor. 7. 11. seven. 1. A care to leave the sin, into which he is faln. 2. An utter [Page 31] condemning of himself for it, with a craving of pardon. 3. A great anger against himself for his carelesness. 4. A fear lest he should fall into the same sin again. 5. A desire ever after to please God. 6. A zeal of the same. 7. Revenge upon himself for his former offen [...]e.
The fifth Principle expounded.
Q. What outward means must we use to obtain faith, and all the blessings of God which come by faith?
A. The preaching Prov. 29. 18. Rom. 10. 14 Mat. 28. 19, 20. 1 Tim. 3. 16. of Gods Word, and the administration of the Sacraments and Prayer.
Q. Where is the Word of God to be found?
A. The whole Word of God, needful to salvation, is set down in the holy Scriptures.
Q. How know you that the Scriptures are the Word of God, and not mens policies?
A. I am assured of it: first, Eph. 1. 13. because the Holy Ghost perswadeth my conscience that it is so: secondly, I see it by experience: for the preaching of the Heb. 4. 12 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. Scriptures have the power of God in them to humble a man when they are preached, [Page 32] and to cast him down to hell, and afterward to restore and raise him up again.
Q. VVhat is the use of the VVord of God preached?
A. First, it Rom. 1. 17. breedeth, and then it increaseth faith in them which are chosen to salvation: but unto them that perish, it is by reason of their corruption, an occasion of their further damnation.
Q. How must we hear Gods VVord, that it may be effectual to our salvation?
A. VVe Jam. 1. 10. Act. 16. 14. Heb. 4. 2. Esa. 66. 2. Luk. 2. 51, Psal. 119. 11. must come unto it with hunger-bitten hearts, having an appetite to the VVord; wt must mark it with attention, receive it by faith, submit our selves unto it with fear and trembling, even then, when our faults are reproved: lastly, we must hide it in the corners of our hearts, that we may frame our lives and conversations by it.
Q. VVhat is a Sacrament?
A. Rom. 4. 11. Gen. 17. 11. Gal. 3. 1. A sign to represent, a seal to confirm, an instrument to convey Christ and all his benefits to them that do believe in him.
Q. VVhy must a Sacrament represent the mercies of God before our eyes?
A. Because we are dull to conceive, and to remember them.
Q. VVhy do the Sacraments seal unto us the mercies of God?
A. Because we are full of unbelief, and doubting of them.
Q. VVhy is the Sacrament the instrument of the Spirit, to convey the mercies of God into our hearts?
A. Because we are like Thomas, we will not believe, till we feel them in some measure in our hearts.
Q. How many Sacraments are there?
A. Two 1 Cor. 10. 1, 2, 3. and no more: Baptism, by which we have our admission into the true Church of God; and the Lords Supper, by which we are nourished and preserved in the true Church after our admission.
Q. VVhat is done in Baptism?
A. Act. 2. 38. Tit. 3. 5. Act. 22. 16. Mat. 20. 18, 19. In the assembly of the Church the covenant of grace between God and the party baptized, is solemnly confirmed and sealed.
Q. In this Covenant, what doth God promise to the party baptized?
A. Gal. 3. 27. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Christ, with all the blessings that come by him.
Q. To what condition is the party baptized bound?
A. To Mark 16. 16. receive Christ, and to repent of his sins.
Q. What meaneth the sprinkling or dipping in water?
A. 1 Pet. 1. 2. It seals unto us remission of sins, and sanctification, by the obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ.
Q. How cometh it to pass, that many, after their Baptism, for a long time feel not the effect and fruit of it, and some never?
A. The fault is not in God, who keeps his Covenant, but the fault is in themselves, in that they do not keep the condition of the Covenant; to receive Christ by faith, and to repent of all their sins.
Q. When shall a man then see the effect of his Baptism?
A. At Heb. 10. 10. 1 Pet. 3. 21. what time soever he doth receive Christ by faith, though it be many years after, he shall then feel the power of God to regenerate him, and to work all things in him, which he offered in Baptism.
Q. How if a man never keep the Condition to which he bound himself in Baptism?
A. His Deut. 23. 21, 22. Eccles. 4. 2. damnation shall be the greater, because he breaketh his Vow made to God.
Q. What is done in the Lords Supper?
A. The former Covenant, solemnly ratified in Baptism, is renewed 1 Cor. 1. 23, 24, &c. & 12. 13. in the Lords Supper, between the Lord himself and the receiver.
Q. Who is the receiver?
A. Every one 1 Cor. 11. 28, 31. Mat. 5. 23, 24. Esa. 66. 2, 3. that hath been baptized, and after his Baptism hath truely believed in Christ, and repented of his sins from his heart.
Q. What meaneth the Bread and Wine, the eating of the Bread, and drinking of the Wine?
A. These outward actions 1 Cor. 10, 17, 19. are a second seal, set by the Lords own hand unto his Covenant; And they do give every receiver to understand, that as God doth bless the Bread and Wine, to preserve and strengthen the body of the receiver; so Christ apprehended and received by faith, shall nourish him, and preserve both body and soul unto eternal life.
Q. What shall a true receiver feel in himself, after the receiving of the Sacrament?
A. 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. & 11. 24. The increase of his faith in Christ, the increase of sanctification, a greater measure of dying to sin, a greater care to live in newness of life.
Q. VVhat if a man, after the receiving of the Sacrament, never finde any such thing in himself?
A. He may well suspect himself, whether he did ever repent or not, and thereupon is to use means to come to sound faith and repentance.
Q. VVhat is another means of increasing faith?
A. Prayer.
Q. VVhat is prayer?
A. A Joh. 5. 14. familiar speech with God in the name of Christ, 1 Tim. 2. 1. Phil. 4. 6. in which either we crave things needful, or give thanks for things received.
Q. In asking things needful, what is required?
A. Two things; an earnest desire, and faith.
Q. t VVhat things must a Christian Mat. 11. 24. mans heart desire?
A. Six things especially.
Q. VVhat are they?
A. Petition I. That he may glorifie God. 2. That II. God may reign his heart, and not sin. 3. That III. he may do Gods will, and not the lusts of the flesh. 4. That IV. he may relie himself on Gods Providence for all the means of this temporal life.
V. That he may be justified, and be at peace with God. 6. VI. That by the power of God he may be strengthened against ill temptations.
Q. What is faith?
A. A Amen. perswasion, that those things which we truly desire, God will grant them for Christs sake.
The sixth Principle expounded.
Q. After that a man hath led a short life in this world, what followeth then?
A. Death, which is the parting a funder of body and soul.
Q. VVhy do wicked men and unbelievers die?
A. That their bodies may go to the earth, and their Luke 16. 22, 23. souls may be cast into hell fire.
Q. VVhy do the godly die, seeing Christ by death hath overcome death?
A. They die for this end, that Luk. 23. 42. Act. 7. 60. 1 Thes. 4. 3. Heb. 2. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 51. their bodies may rest for a while in the earth, and their souls may enter into Heaven immediately.
Q. VVhat followeth after death?
A. The day of Judgement.
Q. VVhat sign is there to know this day from other days?
A. 2 Pet. 3. 1. Heaven and earth shall be consumed [Page 38] with fire immediately before the coming of the Judge.
Q. Who shall be the Judge?
A. Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Q. What shall be the coming to Judgement?
A. He shall come 1 Thes. 4. 16, 17. in the clouds in great Majesty and Glory, with infinite company of Angels.
Q. How shall a man be cited to Judgement?
A. At the Mat. 24. 31. 1 Cor. 15. 51, 52. sound of the Trumpet, the living shall be changed in the twinckling of an eye, and the dead shall rise again, every one with his Job 19. 25. own body: and all shall be gathered together before Christ: and after this, the good shall be severed from the bad, Mat. 25. 32, 33. these standing on the left hand of Christ, the other on the right.
Q. How will Christ try and examine every mans cause?
A. The Rev. 20. 21. Dan. 7. 20. books of every mans doings shall be laid open, mens consciences shall be made either to accuse them or excuse them, and every man shall be tryed by the works which he did in his life time, because they are open and manifest signs Job 3. 18. & 5. 24. of faith or unbelief.
Q. What sentence will he give?
A. He will give Mat. 25. 34, 41. sentence of salvation to the Elect and godly, but he will pronounce sentence of damnation against unbelievers and reprobates.
Q. What state shall the godly be in after the day of Judgement?
A. They Mat. 25. 34. Apoc. 21. 2, 3, 4, 5. shall continue for ever in the highest Heaven, in the presence of God, having fellowship with Christ Jesus, and reigning with him for ever.
Q. What state shall the wicked be in after the day of Judgement?
A. In eternal perdition and destruction in hell fire.
Q. What is that?
A. It 2 Thes. 1. 9. Isa. 66. 14. Apoc. 21. 8. stands in three things especially: 1. A perpetual separation from Gods comfortable presence: 2. Fellowship with the Devil and his Angels. 3. An horrible pang and torment both of body and soul, arising from the feeling of the whole wrath of God, poured forth on the wicked for ever, world without end: and if the pain of one tooth, for one day, be so great, endless shall be the pain of the whole man, body and soul, for ever and ever.