Quest. WHAT is Faith?

Answ. It is a work of God's Almighty Quickning Power, wrought by the Ministry of the Word and Spirit of God, whereby the Heart is weaned from all Confidence in the Flesh, and believeth in God and the Lord Jesus Christ to Righteousness.

Q. Whether doth Faith or Repentance go before, in the Work of Conversion?

A. You may discern in the Counsel Peter gives, and works upon those, Acts 2.38. Peter calls them to Repentance. Is that the first work? It is the first, after they were pricked in heart; but that they were pricked in heart, doth presuppose that they did believe, that it was Jesus whom they had Crucified, & so Zach. 12.10. they saw it was Christ whom they had thus abused, and mourned for him, and it was not a meer legal mourning, for then they would not have come to the Apostle to know what to do, there is so much Faith as to see their own Wickedness against Christ, and which is more, here is an act of Reverence, Men and Brethren; their scoffing spirits are made low, to come to him, [Page 4] that wounds them: which is an act of Faith. There is a threefold act of Faith, and so a threefold act of Repentance; first which is an assent by which a man knows the Will of God, and assents to it, this is the Will of God, but I have walked contrary to it, and this now pierceth the heart, and so is hum­bled, which is an act of Repentance; but then there is another act of Faith, and that is adhea­rence, cleaving to God, and from thence springs a­nother work of Repentance, to turn to him in humble Confession, in humble Supplication, in ear­nest desires after Grace and Covenant: After this there springs another act of Faith, God Revealing his Covenant; then springs another act of Repen­tance, that we should Sin against so good a God, and thereupon turns with all his heart to God, and labours to turn others? Come and see what God hath done for my Soul.

1. THE first is touching the Persons in the Tri­nity; that there be Three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and all but One God, this is a known Principle of our Christian Faith, and held forth in every Creed: and that it is of the Foundation, appears by this, 1 Joh. 2 23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father; therefore when a man upon pretence there is but one God, will have no more Persons but One, and the Son he will not have to be as he is, God, this [Page 5] man overthroweth the Foundation of Christian Religion, as Arius did, and others after him; the Holy Ghost is joyned together with the rest in our Baptism; I Baptise thee into the Name of the Fa­ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; this is a Profession of part of our Christianity, and a great part of it too, Mat. 28.19, 20.

2. It is another Article, and Fundamental Arti­cle of Christian Religion, that the Lord hath Made, and doth Govern all the World, and is a Rewarder of Good and Evil. That he is a Re­warder with Blessing of that which is Good, and taketh Vengeance on every one that doth Evil, Heb. 11.6. He that comes to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that dili­gently seek him. Gen. 1.1. He must know this, he that comes to God must believe this, if he believe not this, there is no hope of Salvation for such an one, Heb. 1.3. Eph. 1.11. Rom. 2.6.10.

3. This is another Fundamental Article of our Christian Faith? That this God alone is to be Worshipped, with Religious Worship, Mat. 4.10. Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve: If a man Worship any other God, besides the Lord, or if a man Worship any other God, the Lord will cut off them that Swear by the Lord, and that Swear by Malcham. If a man Worship Angels, he holds not the Head: Get thee behind me Satan in such a Case. Avante.

4. This is the Fourth. That this Worship of God is to be offered to him according to his Writ­ten Word. I say, this Worship that is acceptable to him, is written in his Word; if any man shall worship God by the Precepts of men, it is not ac­according to the Will of God: To the Law and to [Page 6] the Testimony? If any man speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, 2 Tim. 2.16, 17. the whole Scripture (the written Word of God, is of Divine Inspiration, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, &c. The Scripture is a perfect Rule of Faith and Manners, that is a Foun­dation of Christian Religion.

5. A Fifth Article is, That for our own part, we have not so Worshipped God, from the Fall of our First Parents. We and our Fathers before us, we have all Sinned, and were Born in Sin from our Mothers Womb. If any man say, he hath no Sin (saith the Apostle) there is no truth in him. We have not kept the Ordinances and Statutes of the Lord, and so have deceived our selves of that Re­ward which the Lord hath promised to them that diligently seek him, Rom. 3.10, 11, 23 And instead of being under a Reward of Blessing, we are un­der the Curse.

6. The Sixth Article which a man must know; or he cannot be saved, (and if he hold against it, and know what he holds, it is impossible there should be any true Grace in him) is, that we of our selves are utterly unable to rescue our selves from this Misery, by any strength of our own; but we are utterly unable to help our selves; It's that which the Prophet Hosea speaks to, Hos. 13.9. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thy self, but in me is thy help And as we have fallen in our First Parents, so in falling, we are only fit to fall: Where is then our help? It is in God. We were Born not of Blood, nor of the will of the Flesh, nor of the will of Man, but of God; not of Blood, that is, our Conversion to God, comes not by the Blood of our Ancestors▪ Nor by the Will of the Flesh, [Page 7] not the Will of Corrupt Nature; Nor by the Will of man, that is, of our most holy Parents, or Mi­nisters, or other Good men.

7. A Seventh Article is, That Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, in fulness of time took upon him our Nature, and became man, and hath Redeemed his Church (by his perfect Obedience to his Father) from Sin and Misery: The Word that was from the Beginning was made flesh, and we saw his glory, as the glory of the only Begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth, Joh. 1.14. This is a Foundation of Christian Religion. Every Spi­rit that confesseth not Jesus Christ come in the Flesh, is not of God, &c. Christ hath Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law, being made a Curse for us, Gal 3.13.

8. A Eighth Article is, This Salvation and Re­demption of Christ is freely given in the Gospel, unto every Soul that believes in his Name; & Faith is also freely given, that we may believe. I say, this Christ that works this Salvation and Redemp­tion, is given only to such as believe in his Name. For God so loved the World, &c. Joh. 3.16. And if you believe not in me, (saith he) you have no life in you, no Salvation by me, Joh. 8.24. If ye believe not that I am he, you shall die in your Sins, and the Lord in giving you his Son, gives you Faith to believe in his Son, Eph. 3.17. and both at the same instant, that if you have not Christ you have not Faith, and if you have not Faith, you have not Christ, Christ dwells in your heart by Faith; As many as received him, to them he gave power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in his Name, Joh. 1.12. No man can come to Jesus Christ, that is, believe on him, except the Father draw him: No [Page 8] man can come, there is an impossibility of reaching him, [...] the Lord put forth his Almighty Pow­er.

9. Those whom the Lord draws by his Word and Spirit to believe on Christ, them he Justi­fies freely by his Grace in Christ: I say, those whom the Lord draws to Christ by Faith, he justifies freely by his rich Grace in Christ, Rom. 3.23, 24. This is a Foundation of our Christian Faith also. By the deeds of the Law, shall no Flesh be justified in his sight: So then Christ is God and man, he is come, and hath Redeemed us, this Redemption is given to the Faith of his People, this Faith is wrought by the Word and Spirit of God, it is the power of God to Sal­vation to them that believe. Where this Faith is, there is Justification.

10. Where the Soul is Justified, it is also Re­generated. Joh. 3.3. For except ye be born a-new, ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Except ye Repent, ye shall all likewise perish, Luk. 13.5.

11. This Regeneration in us is imperfect, by reason we consist partly of Flesh, and partly of Spirit. 1 Cor. 13.9. Gal. 5.17. Therefore gifts of Grace to be given, and Sins to be mortified, it is a fundamental point of Religion. Therefore the Apostle crieth out of his own Misery, that he was not able to wrestle against his own Corrup­tions.

12. All men shall Rise again at the Last Day, both such as are Regenerated, and such as are not Regenerate; and both shall be judged accor­ding to their works, the Righteous to Everlast­ing Salvation, the Wicked to Everlasting Dam­nation. [Page 9] So then put all these things together, and you have all the necessary Points of Christian Re­ligion; which whoso obstinately opposeth, or is ignorant of, he cannot be found in a State of Grace that Accompanies Salvation, this is the Summe of the Articles; and he that overthrows any one of these, and obstinately persisteth therein, brings himself to Eternal Damnation.

Q. If any man ask, Why we should look at any Fundamental Articles of Christian Religion, besides them that are in the Creed of the twelve Apostles.

A. I answer, There be some things there that are not Fundamental Articles, and there are some Fundamental Articles that are left out; as that Christ descended into Hell, it is no Fundamental Article of Christian Religion, though it be taken for his Descending into the Grave; nor do I think this Creed was made by the Apostles, much less that Article; and there are other Fundamental Articles which are not there, as the Word to be a Rule of Faith and Manners; little also is said in the Creed of Justification or Regeneration.

THat there is in all such that are Effectually Called and United unto Christ, In-dwelling Spiritual Gifts of Grace, wrought and created in us by the Holy Ghost, that is, by the begetting whereof, we are begotten and renewed to a Spi­ritual Life unto God.

WHat is the Church of God Ordained and E­stablished in the New-Testament?

The Church of God is a Mystical Body, whereof Christ is the Head; and the Members be Saints, united together, in one Congregation, by an Holy Covenant, to worship the Lord, & to Edify one another, in all his Holy Ordinan­ces. Eph. 1.22, 23. Eph. 5.23. Rom. 12.4, 5. 1 Cor. 12.27, 28 Eph 1.18 1 Cor 1.2 Acts 2.47 1 Cor. 14.23 1 Cor 11.18, 20 1 Cor. 14.26, 31 Acts 7.38 Deut 5.2, 8 Exod. 24.3, 7 & Deut 29 1, 2, 3, [Page 20] 4, 11, to 13 2 Chron 15.12 2 Chron 23.16 & 29.9, 10 & 34.31, 32 Acts 2.42 Acts 9.26 & 7.38. Zach 11.10, 14 Phil 4.16, 17, 18 Heb 13.16, 17, 18

What sorts of Members hath God set in his Church?

Some of them are Ministers and Officers of the Church; others of them are commonly called by the general name of Brethren & Saints. 1 Cor 4 1 1 Tim 1.12 Col 4.17 Rom 12.8 1 Tim 3.9, 10 Rom 11.13 Acts 15.22, 23 Rom. 16.23 Col 1.2 Phil 1.1

What sorts of Ministers, or Officers, hath God set in his Church?

The Ministers, and Officers of the Church, are some of them Extraordinary, as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists; some Ordinary, as Bishops and Deacons, Eph 4 21 1 Cor 12.28 Mark 10.15, 16 2 Cor 11.28 Acts 14 23 & 11.28, 29 & 21.8, 9 10, 11 Rom 12.6, 7, 8 Eph 4.11 2 Tim 4, 5 Acts 15.37, 38 1 Tim 3.4 Titus 1.5 Acts 21 Phil 1.1 1 Tim 3.1, 2 Acts 20.17 compared with 28 Acts 6 34 1 Tim 3.13, 14 compared with 1 Tim 6.13, 14.

What sorts of Bishops, hath God Ordained in his Church?

There are three sorts of them, according as there be three sorts of Elders in the Church, though under two heads; some Pastors, some Teachers, some Ruling Elders; that is to say, such Elders as labour in Word and Doctrine; and such as Rule the Church of God, 1 Tim 1 13 1 Cor 12.28 Rom 12.7, 8 1 Tim 5.17

What manner of persons hath God appointed to be called to the Office of a Bishop, or Elders, in the Church?

A Bishop, or Elder, in the Church, must be to himself blameless for Holiness and Righteous­ness, and of a clean heart from passions and lusts; or at least blameless for passions and lust; also a vigilant man, and of good behaviour; also in his Family of good government, and of good hospitali­ty; in his Name of good report, of them that are without; in his Profession, not a young Plant, a young Christian; but holding forth the word of truth, apt to teach it, and to maintain it, 1 Tim. 3.2, to 7 Titus 1.6. to 9.

What is the Work and Office of Pastors and Teachers?

The Office of a Pastor, is to attend to Ex­hortation, and therein to Dispense a word of Wis­dom. The Teacher is to attend unto Doctrine, and therein to attend to a word of Knowledge. Eph 4.11 Rom 12.7, 8 Ezek 3.18, 19 Heb 13.17.

What is the Office or Work of the Ruling Elder?

Seeing the Kingdom of Christ is not of this World, but Heavenly and Spiritual; and the Go­vernment of his Kingdom is not Lordly, but Stew­ardly and Ministerial, and to labour in Admini­stration of Exhortation and Doctrine, is the proper work of Pastor & Teacher: It remains to be the Office of the Ruling Elder, to assist the Pastor & Teacher, in all other Acts of Rule besides, as becomes good Stewards of the Houshold of God. And there­fore to put Instances: As, First, To open & shut the Poors of God's House, by Admission of Members, by Ordination of Officers, by Excommunication of notorious and obstinate Offenders. Secondly, To see none in the Church live inordinately, without [Page 22] a Calling, or idly in their Calling. Thirdly, To prevent or heal Offences, either in Life or Doct­rine, that might corrupt their own Church, or o­ther Churches also, if their Counsel be required. Fourthly, To prepare Matters for the Church Consideration, and to moderate the carriage of all things in the Church-Assemblies; as to propound Matters to the Church, and order the season of Speech and Silence. Fifthly, To feed the Flock of God with a word of Admonition; and as they shall be called, to Visit and Pray over their Sick Brethren, Rom 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17. Math 20.25, 26 Luke 12.42 Mat 16.19, 20 Acts 17.28, 29 Acts 14.23 Mat 18.17, 18 Rev 2.14, 15, 20 2 Thes. 3.10.11, 12 & 5.14 Acts 14.15 1 Thes 5.12, 13

What manner of men hath God appointed to the Deacons Office?

Men of Gravity, and of good Report; not given to dissimulation, not to Wine, nor to Cove­teousness; Men full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, and holding the Mystery of the Faith in a good Con­science, keeping their Houshold in a good Rule; and injoyning, or having such Wives, as may neither dishonour, nor corrupt their Callings; no slander­ers, but grave and sober, and faithful in all things, 1 Tim 3.8, to 12

What is the Office of the Deacons?

To Receive the Offerings of the Church, which are brought unto them, and laid down be­fore them, and therewith to serve Tables, to di­stribute with simplicity, not only to the Ministers of the Church, but to any other of the Brethren, as they shall have use or need, Acts 6.3, 6 Rom 12 8 1 Tim 5.17, 18 [...] Cor 1 [...]

But is it not also the Deacons Office to [...] mercy with chearfulness?

Yes verily, to their Brethren in Misery; but that part of their Office, they chiefly perform by the hand of the Widows, which are Chosen into their number, who are therefore called Deaconess, or Servant of the Church, Rom 12.8 Mic 7.18

What manner of Widows hath God allowed to be Chosen into this number?

Ancient Women, of Sixty Years of Age, well reported of for good works, for nursing their Children, lodging Strangers, washing the Saints Feet, for Relieving the Afflicted, and following di­ligently every good work, 1 Tim 5.9, 10 Rom 6.

What manner of men are they whom God hath appointed to be received as Brethren and Members of the Church?

Such as are Called of God out of the World, unto the Fellowship of Jesus Christ; and do wil­lingly offer and joyn themselves, first to the Lord, and then to the Church, by Confession of their Sins, by profession of their Faith, and by laying hold of his Covenant, 1 Cor 1.2, 9 Isa 56.6 Psal 110.2, 3 Acts 2.41, 47 & 9.26, 27, 28 Mat 3.6, 8 Acts 8.36, 37, 38 Psal 50.5 Isa 56.6

What is the Office of the Members or Brethren of the Church one toward another: Or, What is the Office or Duty God calls Brethren unto, the Members of the Church, as he is a Member which God calls all the Brethren unto?

Brotherly Love, and the fruits thereof, Bro­therly Unity, and Brotherly Equality; and Bro­therly Communion.

Wherein stands that Brotherly Ʋnity which [Page 24] the Members are to hold one with another?

To be perfectly joyned together in one mind and one Judgment, and one speech, in one Truth; and when we cannot be of one Judgment, yet still to be of one heart, not provoking nor envying one another, but forbearing, and forgiving, not judging or despising one another, in differences of weakness; but so far as we are come to walk together, by the same Rule, and to teach and learn one another, the way of God more perfectly, till we all grow up in the unity of the faith, unto a perfect man in Christ Jesus, 1 Pet. 3.8. & 2.17 1 Thes 4.9 Heb 13.1 Eph 4.3, 4 Psal 133.1 Col 3.15 Joh 17.20, 21 Deut 17.20 Mat 23.8 2 Cor 8.14 Acts 2 42, 46 & 4.32 & 2.1 1 Cor 1.10 1 Joh 5.20 Phil 2.1, 2 Eph 4.2.32 Rom 14.3, 22 Phil 3.16 Gal 6 16 Acts 18.26 Eph 4.13

Wherein stands that Brotherly Equality we are to hold one with another?

In submitting our selves alike to all the Or­dinances of God? and in Enjoying alike all Chri­stian Liberties, in preferring others above our selves, and in seeking one anothers welfare, and feeling their Estate, as our own, in bearing one a­nothers burdens in equal proportion; the summ is, Brotherly Equality stands in equal submission to all Gods Ordinances; in equal fruition of all Chri­stian Liberties, in giving mutual honour alike, in seeking one anothers welfare, equally in feeling one anothers Estate as our own; and finally in apply­ing our selves to one anothers burthens as our own, Gal 3.25 Deut 17.20 Ezek 46.10 Psal 113.8 and 122 two last verses; & 42.4 Rom 12.10 Phil 2.3.1 Cor 10.20 Gal 5.13 Heb 13.3 Gal 6.2.

Wherein stands the Brotherly Communion the Members are to hold one with another?

In being stedfast in the Apostles Doctrine & Worship and Ministration, and for this end to dwell together, to watch over one another, to Resort to­gether, to the Publick Assemblies, and there to joyn together in Holy Duties with one accord, and as God hath prospered them to lay up in store every Lords-Day, for the Supply of the Saints. Acts 2.42 Psal 133.1 Gen 14.13 Isa 5.8 1 Thes 5.14 Acts 18 26 1 Sam 22.21, 22, 23 1 Sam 9.22 Exod 12.4 Psal 122.1 2 Cor 9▪ 12 1 Thes 4.11, 12.

What Worship and what part of it is first to be Administred when the Church is Assembled?

The Apostle exhorts first of all, All manner of Prayers be made for all men, for Kings, and all that are in Authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all Godliness, and Honesty, 1 Tim. 2 1, 2. & 4.4, 5.

Whether are Forms of Publick Prayer Devised & Ordained by men, an acceptable Service unto God?

If such Forms of Prayer had been an Ordi­nance of the Lord, and an acceptable Service to him, doubtless Paul himself, or some of the Apo­stles would not have held back that part of God's Worship from the Church. Again, Publick Pray­er is a part of Publick Ministry, as well as Prophe­sying, and the Form of the one, no more to be taught by the Precepts of men, than the other; & besides, both of them are alike, the Gift of the Ho­ly Ghost, to whom it belongs as well to teach us what to Pray, as how to Pray: Nor will it well stand with the holy gesture of Prayer, which is to lift up the Eyes to Heaven, to cast down the [Page 26] Eyes in Prayer upon a Book. 1 Cor. 4.15, 16. Rom. 8.26 Joh 17.1 Joh 11.41 Psal 123.1.

What part of Gods Worship is next to be Admi­nistred after Prayer?

Before Prophesying, it will be necessary to Sing a Psalm, and then by some of the Teaching Elders to read the Word, and with all Preaching to give the sense, and applying the use, in dispen­sing whereof the Ministers were wont to stand a­bove all the people in a Pulpit of Wood, and the Elders on both sides, while the people hearkened to them with Reverence and Attention, and they may Prophesie by two or three, and let the other Judge. Also the Elders may call upon any of their Brethren, whether of their own or other Church­es to speak a word of Exhortation to the People; and for the better Edifying a mans self or others, it may be lawful for any young or old, save only for women to ask questions at the mouth of the Minister. 2 Kings 3.15 Col 3.16 Neh 8.8 Luke 4.21.16 Neh 8 7, 8 1 Cor. 14 29, 34, 35 Luk. 2.40.

After the Ministry of the Word; what other part of God's Worship is next to be Administred?

After the Word, which is the Covenant of God, the Seals of the Covenant are next to be ad­ministred; & as for Baptism, it is to be dispensed by a Minister of the Gospel, unto a Believer pro­fessing his Repentance and his Faith, being a Mem­ber of the same Church-Body, and likewise to his Seed, presented by the Parent, unto the Lord and his Church. At which time the Minister in God's room calleth upon the Parent, to Renew his Co­venant with God, for himself and his Seed, and calleth upon God as the nature of the Ordi­nance [Page 27] requireth, for the pardon of Original Sin, and the Sin of the Parent, and likewise for a Blessing upon the Sacrament, and the Infant, and then calling the Child by that name the Parents hath given it, for their own Edification and the Childs; he baptizeth it, whether by dipping or sprinkling, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Acts 8.38 Acts 16.31, 32, 36, 37, 38 1 Cor 10.16, 17 Acts 16.14, 15 1 Cor 7.14. Mat 3.11 1 Tim. 4.5 Luke 1.63 Mat 28.19.

In what manner the Supper of the LORD is to be Administred?

The Lord's Supper is to be Dispensed by a Minister of the Word, unto the Faithful of the same Body; or commended to them from a like Body; having examined & judged themselves and sitting down with them at the Lord's Table, before whom the Minister breaks the Bread, and blesseth it, taketh it, and giveth it to all the Bre­thren, with this Command, once for all, to take it, and eat it as the Body of Christ broken for them▪ and this do in remembrance of Christ: In like man­ner, he taketh the Cup, and having given thanks, he poureth it forth, and giveth it to them once for all, to take and drink it, as the Blood of Christ shed for them, and this do in Remembrance of Christ; after all he ends his Thanksgiving with Singing a Psalm. 1 Cor. 10.17. 1 Cor 12.13, 14 Rom. 10, 1, 2 2 Cor 3.1, 2 1 Cor. 11.28 Mat 26.26, 27, 28 1 Cor 11.24 Mat 26.30.

How is the Collection for the Saints to be Ad­ministred?

The Collection for the Saints is is by the A­postles, [Page 28] ordered to be made for the time, every Lords-Day, for the measure as God hath prospered every one, for manner not of Constraint, but wil­lingly bro't as an Offering to God, & laid down as at first before the Apostles; so afterwards before the Deacons: And to be laid up as in a Common Treasury, and by them to be Distributed to the supply of the Ministers and poor Saints, according to their need, and all the Outward Service of the Church. 1 Cor 16.1, 2 Deut 16.16.2 Cor 9.5, 7. Luke 21.1, 2, 3. Acts 4.34, 35. Gal. 6.6. 1 Tim. 5.18.

What Duty of God's Worship is to be Admini­stred in the dismissing of the Assembly?

After all the parts of God's Publick Worship have been Administred, the Minister, or any of the Prophets is to Dismiss the Assembly with a word of Blessing, offering Blessing unto the Lord, and puting a Blessing upon his People. Numb. 6.23, 24▪ 2 Cor. 13, 14. 2 Sam. 6.18. 1 King. 8 66. 2 Thes. 3.17, 18.

In what manner are the Publick Duties of God's Worship to be Administred in the Assemblies of the Saints in the Church?

In Spiritual Simplicity, without affectation of Legal Shadows, or Worldly Pomp, or Carnal Excellency, decently and in order, and to Edificati­on. Joh. 4.23, 24. 1 Cor. 2.1, 2. 1 Cor. 14.40.30.26. Col. 2.20.