A Golden Chain, Part 21 – Title page 13
THE EXPOSITION OF THE PRINCIPLES.
The first Principle expounded. Question.
WHat is God?
A. God is aaIoh. 4.24. spirit, or a spirituall substance, most wise, most holy, eternall, infinite.
Q. How doe you perswade your selfe that there is such a God?
A. Besides the testimonie of the Scriptures, plaine reason will shew it.
Q. What is one reason?
A. When I considerbRom. 1.20 Act. 14. 17.the wonderfull frame of the world, me thinks the silly creatures that be in it could neuer make it: neither could it make it selfe, and therefore besides all these, the maker of it must needes be God. Euen as when a man comes into a strange country, and sees faire and sumptuous buildings, and yet findes no liuing creatures there besides birds and beasts, he will not imagine that either birdes or beasts reared those buildings, but he presently conceiues, that some men either were or hauehave beene there.
Q. What other reason hauehave you?
A. cRom. 2.15. Gen. 38. 10. & 13.14.A man that commits any sinne, as murder, fornication, adulterie, blasphemie, &c. albeit he doth so conceale the matter, that no man liuing know of it, yet oftentimes he hath a griping in his conscience, and feeles the very flashing of hell fire: which is a strong reason to shew that there is a God, before whose iudgement seat he must answer for this fact.
Q. How many Gods are there?
A. Nod1. Cor. 8.6.more but one.
Q. How doe you conceiue this one God in your minde?
A. NoteDeu. 4. 16by framing any image of him in my minde (as ignorant folks doe, that thinke him to be an old man sitting in heauen) but I conceiue him by his properties and workes.
Q. What be his chiefe properties?
A. First, he is fIob. 12.13.most wise, vnderstanding all things aright, and knowing the reason of them. Secondly, he is gEsai 6.3. Exo. 20.5,6.most holy, which appeareth in that he is most iust and mercifull vntounto his creatures. Thirdly, he ishEsa. 41.4. eternall, without either beginning or ende of daies. Lastly, he is iPs. 139. all.infinite, both because he is present in all places, and because he is of power sufficient to doe whatsoeuer hekIob 9.4. Deut. 10.17. will.
Q. What be the workes of God?
A. lIer. 10.12. Psal. 33. 6.The creation of the world, and of eueryevery thing therein, and the preseruation of them beeing created by his speciall prouidence.
Q. How know you that God gouerneth eueryevery particular thing in the world by his speciall prouidence?
A. To omit the mMath. 10. 30. Pro. 16.33Scriptures, I see it by experience: nLeu. 26.26. Mat. 4.4.Meate, Drinke, and clothing beeing void of heate and life, could not preserue the life of man, vnlesse there were a speciall prouidence of God to giuegive vertue vntounto them.
Q. How is this one God distinguished?
A. o1. Ioh. 5. 7. Mat. 3.12.Into the Father which begetteth the Sonne: into the Sonne who is begotten of the Father: into the holy Ghost, pIoh. 15. 36who proceedeth from the Father & the Sonne.
The second Principle expounded.
Q. Let vsus nowe come to ours selues, and first tell me what is the naturall estate of man?
A. EueryEvery man is by nature aEph. 2.1. 1. Tim. 5.5.dead in sin as a loathsome carrion, or as a dead corps lyeth rotting and stincking in the graue, hauing in him the seede of all sinnes.
Q. What is sinne?
A. Anyb1. Ioh. 3. 4. Rom. 7.7. Gal. 3.…0. breach of the Lawe of God, if it be no more but the least want of that which the Lord requireth.
Q. Howe many sortes of sinne are there?
A. Sinne is eithercCol. 3.9. Psal. 15.5.the corruption of nature, or any euill actions that proceede of it as fruites therof.
Q. In whome is the corruption of nature?
A. In all men,dRom. 3.10 none excepted.
Q. In what part of man is it?
A. In eueryeGen. 6.5. 1. Th. 5. 23.part both of body and soule, like as a leprosie that runneth from the crowne of the head, to the sole of the foote.
Q. Shew me howe eueryevery part of man is corrupted with sinne?
A. First, in thef1. Cor. 2. 14 Rom. 8.5.minde there is nothing but ignorance and blindenes concerning heauenly matters. Secondly,gTit. 1. 15. Eph. 4.18. Esa. 57. 20.the conscience is defiled, being alwaies either benummed with sinne, or else turmoyled with inward accusations and terrors. Thirdly,hPhil. 2. 13. Iob. 15.16.the will of man onelyonly willeth and lusteth after euil. Fourthly, the iGal. 5. 24.affections of the heart, as louelove, ioy, hope, desire, &c. are mooued and stirred to that which is euill to imbrace it, and they are neuer stirred vntounto that which is good, vnlesse it be to eschewe it. Lastly, the kRom. 6. 19.members of the body are the instruments and tooles of the mind for the execution of sinne.
Q. What be those euill actions that are the fruites of this corruption?
A. lGen. 6.5.Euill thoughts in the minde, which come either by a mans owne conceiuing, or by the suggestionmIoh. 15. 2. Act. 5.3. 1. Chr. 21.1.of the deuill; euill motions and lusts stirring in the heart, and frō these arise euill words and deeds, when any occasion is giuē.
Q. Howe commeth it to passe that all men are thus defiled with sinne?
A. BynRom. 5.12. 26.19. Gen. 3. Adams infidelitie and disobedience, in eating the forbidden fruite: euen as we see great personages by treason doe not only hurt themselues, but also staine their blood, and disgrace their posteritie.
Q. What hurt comes to man by his sinne?
A. oGal. 3. 10.He is continually subiect to the curse of God in his life time, in the end of his life, and after this life.
Q. VVhat is the curse of God in this life?
A. pDeut. 28. 21.22. 27. 65.66.67.In the bodie, diseases, aches, paines: in the soule blindnesse, hardnesse of heart, horrour of conscience: in goods hinderances, and losses: in name, ignominie and reproach: lastly, in the whole man, bondage vnderunder Sathan the prince of darkenes.
Q. VVhat manner of bondage is this?
A. ThisaHeb. 2. 14. Eph. 2.2. 2. Cor. 4.4. Luk. 11.21. bondage is when a man is the …laue of the deuill, and hath him to raigne in his heart as his God.
Q. How may a man know whether Sathan be his God or not?
A. He may knowe it by this, if he giuegive obedience to him in his heart, & expresse it in his conuersation.
Q. And howe shall a man perceiue this obedience?
A. If heaIoh. 8. 44. 1. Ioh. 3.8. take delight in the euill motions that Sathan puts into his heart, & doe fulfill the lusts of the deuill.
Q. What is the curse due to man in the ende of this life?
A. bRom. 5. 12Death, which is the seperation of bodie and soule.
Q. What is the curse after this life?
A. cGal. 3. 10. Rom. 3. 10.Eternal damnation in hel fire, whereof eueryevery man is guiltie, and is in as great danger of it, as the traitour apprehended is in danger of hanging, drawing and quartering.
The third principle expounded.
Q. If damnation be the reward of sinne, then is a man of all creatures most miserable. A dog or a toade when they die, all their miserie is ended: but whē a man dieth there is the beginning of his woe.
A. It were so indeede, if there were no meanes of deliuerance, but GOD hath shewed his merciemercy in giuing a Sauiour to mankind.
Q. Howe is this Sauiour called?
A. dMat. 1.2.Iesus Christ.
Q. What is Iesus Christ?
A. eHeb. 1. 16. Ioh. 1.14.The eternall sonne of God made man in all things, euenfHeb. 5…7. Mat. 13.18.in his infirmities like other men, saue onelyonly in sinne.
Q. Howe was he made man void of sinne?
A: He wasgMat. 1.18.conceiued in the womb of a Virgine, and sanctified by the holy Ghost at his conception.
Q. Why must our Sauiour be both God and man?
A: Heh1. Tim. 2.5.must be a man: because man hath sinned, and therfore a man must die for sinne to appease Gods wrath: he must be God to sustaine and vphold the manhood, to ouercome and vanquish death.
Q: What be the offices of Christ to make him an al-sufficient Sauiour?
A: HeiPsal. 45.7. Luk. 4.18. Deut. 18. 15.18. Luk. 1.33. Ps. 100. all.is a priest, a prophet, a King.
Q: VVhy is he a priest?
A: To worke the meanes of saluation in the behalfe of mankind.
Q: Howe doth he worke the meanes of saluation?
A: kMat. 20. 18. Heb. 7. 25. 26.First, by making satisfaction to his father for the sinne of man: Secondly, by making intercession.
Q: How doth he make satisfaction?
A: By two meanes: and the first is by offering a sacrifice.
Q: VVhat is this sacrifice?
A: lEsa. 53.10.Christ himselfe, as he is man consisting of body and soule.
Q: VVhat is thenApoc. 8. 3. Heb. 3.10. Altar?
A: Christ as he is God, is the Altar on which he sacrificed himselfe.
Q: VVho was the priest?
None but oHeb. 5.5.6.Christ, and that as he is both God and man.
Q: How oft did he sacrifice himselfe?
A: Neuer but pHeb. 9.28.once.
Q: VVhat death did he suffer when he sacrificed himselfe?
A: A death vponupon the crosse, peculiar to him alone: for qEsa. 55.5. Ioh. 12.2. Reu. 19. 15. Luk. 22.44.besides the separation of bodie and soule, he felt also the pang…s of hell, in that the whole wrath of God due to the sinne of man, was powred forth vponupon him.
Q. What profit commeth by his Sacrifice?
A. GodsaHeb. 9.26.wrath is appeased by it.
Q. Could the suffering of Christ, which was but for a short time, counteruaile euerlasting damnation, and so appease Gods wrath?
A. Yea, for seeing Christ suffered bAct. 20.28 …. Cor. 5.16.God suffered, though not in his godhead: & that is more thā if all men in the world had suffered for euer & euer.
Q. Now tell me the other meanes of satisfaction.
A. It is the perfect fulfilling of the lawe.
Q. Howe did he fulfill the lawe?
A. Byc1. Cor. 1.30 Rom. 2. 19. 2. Cor. 5.21.his perfect righteousnes: which consisteth of two parts, the first, the integritie and purenesse of his humaine nature: the other,dRom. 5.18 Rom. 4.8.his obedience in performing all that the lawe required.
Q. You hauehave shewed how Christ doth make satisfaction, tell mee likewise howe he doth make intercession?
A. He alone doth continuallyeRo. 8. 34. …. Pet. 2.5. appeare before his father in heauen, making the faithfull and all their praiers acceptable vntounto him, by applying of the merits of his owne perfect satisfaction to them.
Q. Why is Christ a prophet?
A. To fIoh. 6. 45. Mat. 3. 17.reueale vntounto his Church the waie and meanes of saluation, & this he doth outwardly by the ministerie of his word, and inwardly by the teaching of his holy spirit.
Q. Why is he also a King?
A. ThatgEsay. 9. 7.he might bountifully bestowe vponupon vsus, and conuey vntounto vsus all the aforesaid meanes of saluation.
Q. How doth he shewe himselfe to be a King?
A. In hAct. 10. 30. Eph. 4.8. Act. 2.9.that beeing dead and buried, hee rose from the graue, quickened his dead bodie, ascended into heauen, and nowe sitteth at the right hand of his father, with full full power and glory in heauen.
Q. How else?
A. In iEsay. 9. 7. & 30.21.that he doeth continually inspire and direct his seruants by the diuine power of his holy spirit, according to his holy word.
Q. But to whome will this blessed King communicate all these meanes of saluation?
A. He kMat. 20. 16. Ioh. 1.11. 1. Ioh. 2.2.offereth them to many, and they are sufficient to saue all mankind; but all shall not be saued thereby, because by faith they will not receiue them.
The fourth principle expounded.
Q. What is faith?
A. Faith is a lIoh. 1. 12. & 6.3.5. Gal. 3.27. Col. 2. 12.wonderfull grace of God, by which a man doth apprehend and apply Christ, and all his benefits vntounto himselfe.
Q. Howe doth a man apply Christ vntounto himselfe, seeing we are on earth, and Christ in heauen?
A. This m1. Cor. 1. 12. Rom. 8. 16.applying is done by assurance, when a man is verely perswaded by the holy spirit of Gods fauour towards himselfe particularly, and of the forgiuenes of his owne sinnes.
Q. How doth God bring men truely to beleeue in Christ?
A. First he prepareth their hearts, that they might bee capable of faith: and then he worketh faith in them.
Q. Howe doth God prepare mens heartes?
A. nEze. 1. 1…. Hos. 6. 12.By bruising them, as if one would breake an hard stone to powder: and this is done by hambling them.
Q. How doth God humble a man?
A. By working in him a sight of his sinnes, and a sorrowe for them.
Q. How is this sight of sinne wrought?
A. By the oRo. 3.20. & 7.7.8.morall lawe: the summe whereof is the ten commandements.
Q. What sinnes may I finde in my selfe by them?
A. Ten.
Q. What is the first?
A.aCom. I.To make something thy God which is not God, by fearing it, louing it, so trusting in it more then in the true God.
Q. What is the second?
A.bII.To worship false Gods, or the true God in a false manner.
Q. What is the third?
A.cIII.To dishonour God, in abusing his titles, wordes and workes.
Q. What is the fourth?
A.dIV.To breake the Sabboth, in doing the works of their calling and of the flesh: and in leauing vndone the workes of the spirit.
Q. What be the sixe latter?
A. To doe any thing that may hinder thy neighbourseV. dignitie, fVI.life,gVII.chastitie, hVIII.wealth,iIX.good name,kX.though it be but in the secret thoughts and motions of the heart, vntounto which thou giuest no liking nor consent.
Q. What is sorrowe for sinne?
A. It is lAct. 2.37. 38. Ca…t. 5.4.when a mans conscience is touched with a liuely feeling of Gods displeasure for any of these sinnes: in m1. Tim. 1. 15. Luk. 15.21. Ezra. 9.6.7.such wise, that hee vtterly despaires of saluation, in regard of any thing in himselfe, acknowledging that he hath deserued shame and confusion eternally.
Q. Howe doth God worke this sorrowe?
A. By the terrible curse of the Lawe.
Q. What is that?
A. HenGal. 3.which breakes but one of the commandements of God, though it be but once in all his life time; and that onelyonly in one thought, is subiect to, and in danger of eternall damnation thereby.
Q. When mens hearts are thus prepared, howe doth God ingraft faith in them?
A. By working certaine inward motions in the heart, which are the seedes of faith, out of which it breedeth.
Q. What is the first of them?
A. When a man humbled vnderunder the burden of his sinnes, dothoEsa. 55. 1. Ioh. 7.13. Luk. 1. 53.acknoweledge and feele that he standes in great neede of Christ.
Q. What is the second?
A. An pReu. 21. 16.hungring desire and a longing to be made partaker of Christ & all his merits.
Q. What is the third?
A. A qHeb. 4. 16.flying to the throne of grace, from the sentence of the Law pricking the conscience.
Q. How is it done?
A. ByrLuk. …5.18, 19. Mat. 15. 22,23. Act. 8.22. 2. Cor. 12.1. praying, with sending vp lowd cries for Gods fauour in Christ in the pardoning of sinne: and with feruent perseuerance herein, till the desire of the heart be graunted.
Q. What followeth after all this?
A. God then, sMat. 7. 7. Esa. 65.24. Iob 33.26.according to his mercifull promise, lets the poore sinner feel the assurance of his louelove wherewith he loueth him in Christ, which assurance is a liuely faith.
Q. Are there diuers degrees and measures of true faith?
A. tRom. 1.17. Luk. 17.5.Yea.
Q. What is the least measure of true faith that any man can hauehave?
A. When a man of an humble spirit by reason of theuEsa. 42.2. Mat. 17. 20 Luk. 17.5.littlenes of his faith, doth not yet feele the assurance of the forgiuenes of his sinnes, and yet he is perswaded that they are pardonable, and therefore desireth that they should be pardoned, and with his heart praieth to God to pardon them.
Q. How doe you know that such a man hath faith?
A. ThesexRo. 8.23, 24. Gal. 4.6. Mat. 5. 6. desires and prayers are testimonies of the Spirit, whose property it is to stirre vp a longing and a lusting after heauenly things, with sighes and grones for Gods fauour & merciemercy in Christ. yRom. 8.9. Eph. 3.17.Now where the spirit of Christ is, there is Christ dwelling: and where Christ dwelleth, there is true faith, how weake soeuer it be.
Q. What is the greatest measure of faith?
A. When a man daily increasing in faith, comes to be aRom. 8. 38,39. Cant. 8.6,7.fully perswaded of Gods louelove in Christ towards himselfe particularly, and of the forgiuenesse of his owne sinnes.
Q. When shall a Christian heart come to this full assurance?
A. Notb2. Tim. 4. 7,8. Psal. 23.6. with 1,2,3, 4, verse.at the first, but in some continuance of time, when he hath beene well practised in Repentance, and hath had diuers experiences of Gods louelove vntounto him in Christ: then after them will appeare in his heart the fulnesse of perswasion: which is the ripenes cRo. 4.20, 21.and strength of faith.
Q. What benefits doth a man receiue by his faith in Christ?
A. Herebyd1. Cor. 1. 30. Act. 15.9. Rom. 4.3. he is iustified before God and sanctified.
Q. What is this to be iustified before God?
A. IteRo. 8.35.comprehendeth two things: the first, to be cleared from the guiltines and punishment of sinne: the second, to be accepted as perfectly righteous before God.
Q. How is a man cleared from the guiltines and punishment of his sinnes?
A. By ChristsfCol. 1.22. 1. Pet. 2. 25. 1. Ioh. 1. 17.sufferings and death vponupon the crosse.
Q. How is he accepted righteous before God?
A. By the g2. Cor. 5. 27.righteousnes of Christ imputed to him.
Q. What profit comes by beeing thus iustified?
A. HerebyhRom. 4.17. Apoc. 21.27 and by no other meanes in the world, the beleeuer shall be accepted before Gods iudgement seat, as worthie of eternall life by the merits o the same righteousnes of Christ.
Q. Doe not good works then make vsus worthie of eternall life?
A. No: for God who is perfect righteousnes it selfe, will finde in the best workes we doe, more matter of da…uation then of saluation: and therefore kPsa. 143.2. Esa. 64.6. Iob 9.3.we must rather condemne our selues for our good workes, then looke to be iustified before God thereby.
Q. How may a man know that he is iustified before God?
A. He neede not ascend into heauen to search the secret counsell of God; lRom. 1. 3. 1. Ioh. 3.9.but rather descēd into his own heart to search whether he be sanctified or not.
Q. What is it to be sanctified?
A. It comprehendeth two things: the first to be purged from the corruption of his owne nature: the second to be indued with inward righteousnes.
Q. How is the corruption of sinne purged?
A. By the nRom. 6. 4. 1. Pet. 4. 1,…merits and power of Christs death, which beeing by faith applied, is as a corasiue to abate, consume, and weaken the power of all sinne.
Q. How is a man indued with inherent righteousnes?
A. Through theoRo. 6.5, 6. Phil. 3. 10.vertue of Christs resurrection, which beeing applied by faith is as a restoratiue to reuiue a man that is dead in sinne to newnes of life.
Q. In what part of a man is sanctification wrought?
A. In p1. Thess. 5. 23.eueryevery part both bodie and soule.
Q. In what time is it wrought?
A. It is qRo. 8.23. 2. Cor. 5.2,3begunne in this life, in which the faithfull receiue onelyonly the first fruites of the Spirit, and it is not finished before the ende of this life.
Q. What graces of the Spirit doe vsually shew themselues in the heart of a man sanctified?
A. The hatred rPsal. 1.19. 113. & 40. 9. & 101. 3. Rom. 7.22.of sinne, and the louelove of righteousnes.
Q. What proceedes of them?
A. Repentance, which issPsal. 119. 57.…12.a setled purpose in the heart, with a carefull indeauour to leaue all his sinnes, and to liue a Christian life, according to all Gods commandements.
Q. What goeth with repentance?
A. A continuall fighting and strugling against the assaults of a mans owne flesh, against the motions of the deuill, and the inticements of the world.
Q. What followeth after a man hath gotten the victorie in any temptation or affliction?
A. tRom. 5. 3. 2. Cor. 1.5.Experience of Gods louelove in Christ, and so increase of peace of conscience, and ioy in the holy Ghost.
Q. What followes, i… in any temptation he be ouercome, and through infirmitie fall?
A. After a while u2. Cor. 7. 8,9. Mat. 26.72.there will arise a godly sorrow, which is, when a man is grieued for no other cause in the world but for this onelyonly, that by his sinne he hath displeased God, who hath beene vntounto him a most mercifull and louing Father. Q. What signe is there of this sorrow?
A. The true signe x1. Pet. 2. 19.of it is this, when a man can be grieued for the very disobedience to God in his euill word or deed, though he should neuer be punished, and though there were neither heauen nor hell.
Q. VVhat followes after this sorrow?
A. Repentancey2. Cor. 7. 11. renewed a fresh.
Q. By what signes will this repentance appeare?
A. Byz2. Cor. 7. 11.seauen 1. A care to leaue the sinne into which he is fallen, 2. An vtter condemning of himselfe for it, with a crauing of pardon. 3. A great anger against himselfe for his carelesnes. 4. A feare least he should fall into the same sinne againe. 5. A desire euer after to please God. 6. A zeale of the same. 7. Reuenge vponupon himselfe for his former offence.
The fifth Principle expounded.
Q. What outward meanes must we vse to obtaine faith and all blessings of God which come by faith?
A. The preaching aPro. 29. 18. Rom. 10.14. Mat. 21. 19,20. 2. Tim. 3. 16of Gods word, and the administration of the Sacraments, and praier.
Q. Where is the word of God to be found?
A. The whole word of God needfull to saluation, is set downe in the holy Scriptures.
Q. How know you that the Scriptures are the word of God, and not mens pollicies?
A. I am assured of it. First,bEph. 1.13.because the holy Ghost perswadeth my conscience that it is so. Secondly, I see it by experience: for the preaching of the cHeb. 4. 12. 1. Cor. 14. 25.Scriptures hauehave the power of God in them to humble a man, when they are preached, and to cast him down to hell: and afterward to restore and raise him vp againe.
Q. What is the vse of the word of God preached?
A. First it dRom. 1.17 2. Cor. 2. 16 Heb. 4.2.breedeth, and then it increaseth faith in them which are chosen to saluation: but vntounto them that perish it is by reason of their corruption an occasion of their further damnation.
Q. How must we heare Gods word that it may be effectuall to saluation?
A. We eIam. 1.19. Act. 16. 14. Heb. 4.2. Esa. 66.2. Luk. 2.51. Ps. 119.11.must come vntounto it with hunger-bitten hearts, hauing an appetite to the word, we must marke it with attention, receiue it by faith, submit our selues vntounto it with feare and trembling, euen then when our faults are reprooued: lastly, we must hide it in the corners of our hearts, that we may frame our liues and conuersations by it.
Q. What is a Sacrament?
A. A fRom. 4.11. Gen. 17.12. Gal. 3.1.signe to represent, a seale to confirme, an instrument to conuey Christ and all his benefits to them that doe beleeue in him.
Q. Why must a Sacrament represent the mercies of God before our eies?
A. Because we are dull to conceiue and to remember them.
Q. Why doth the Sacrament seale vntounto vsus the mercies of God?
A. Because we are full of vnbeleefe and doubting of them.
Q. Why is the Sacrament the instrument of the Spirit to conuey the mercies of God into our hearts?
A. Because we are like Thomas, we will not beleeue till we feele them in some measure in our hearts.
Q. How many Sacraments are there?
A. Twog1. Cor. …0. …,2,3.and no more: Baptisme, by which we hauehave our admission into the true Church of God: and the Lords Supper, by which we are nourished and preserued in the Church after our admission.
Q. What is done in Baptisme?
A. hAct. 2. 38. Tit. 3. 5. Act. 22. 16. Mar. 28. 19.In the assemblie of the Church, the couenant of grace betweene God and the partie baptized, is solemnly confirmed and sealed.
Q. In this couenant what doth God promise to the partie baptized?
A. iGal. 3. 27. 1. Pet. 3.21Christ with all blessings that come by him.
Q. To what condition is the partie baptized, bound?
A. TokMar. 16. 16.receiue Christ, and to repent of his sinne.
Q. What meaneth the sprinkling or dipping in water?
A. Itl1. Pet. 1.2.seales vntounto vsus remission of sinnes and sanctification by the obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ.
Q. How commeth it to passe that many after their Baptisme for a long time feele not the effect and fruit of it, and some neuer?
A. The fault is not in God, who keepes his couenants, but the fault is in themselues, in that they doe not keepe the condition of the couenant to receiue Christ by faith, and to repent of all their sinnes.
Q. When shall a man then see the effect of his baptisme?
A. AtmHeb. 10. 20. 1. Pet. 3.21.what time soeuer he doth receiue Christ by faith, though it be many yeares after, he shall then feele the power of God to regenerate him, and to worke all things in him, which he offered in baptisme.
Q. How if a man neuer keepe the condition, to which he bound himselfe in baptisme?
A. His damnation nDeut. 23. 21,22. Eccles. 3.4.shall be the greater, because he breaketh his vowe made to God.
Q. What is done in the Lords Supper?
A. The former couenant solemnly ratified in Baptisme, is renued in o1. Cor. 11. 23,24,25. & 12.13.the Lords supper, betweene the Lord himselfe and the receiuer.
Q. What is the receiuer?
A. EueryEvery one p1. Cor. 11. 30,31. Mat. 5.22, 23. Esa. 66. 23.that hath beene baptized, and after his baptisme hath truly beleeued in Christ, and repented of his sinnes from his heart.
Q. What meaneth the bread and wine, the eating of the bread, and drinking of the wine?
A. These outward actions q1. Cor. 10. 16,17.are a second seale, set by the Lords owne hand vntounto his couenant. And they doe giuegive eueryevery receiuer to vnderstand, that as God doth blesse the bread and wine, to preserue and strengthen the bodie of the receiuer: so Christ apprehended and receiued by faith, shall nourish him, and preserue both bodie and soule vntounto eternall life.
Q. What shall a true receiuer feele in himselfe after the receiuing of the Sacrament?
A. r1. Cor. 10. 16, 17. and 11.21.The increase of his faith in Christ, the increase of sanctification, a greater measure of dying to sinne, a greater care to liue in newnesse of life.
Q. What if a man after the receiuing of the Sacrament, neuer finde any such thing in himselfe?
A. He may well suspect himselfe, whether he did euer repent or not: and thereupon to vse meanes to come to sound faith and repentance.
Q. VVhat is an other meaues of increasing faith?
A. Prayer.
Q. What is praier?
A. r1. Ioh. 5. 14.A familiar speech with God in the name of Christ: s1. Tim. 2. 1. Phil. 4.6.in which either we craue things needfull, or giuegive thankes for things receiued.
Q. In asking things needfull, what is required?
A. Two things: an earnest desire, and faith.
Q. tMat. 11. 24.What things must a Christian mans heart desire?
A. Sixe things especially.
Q. What are they?
A. 1. aPetition I.That he may glorifie God: 2. ThatbII. God may raigne in his heart and not sinne: 3. cIII.That he may doe Gods will, and not his lusts of the flesh: 4. dIIII.That he may relie himselfe on Gods prouidence for all the meanes of this temporall life: 5. eV.That he may be iustified, and be at peace with God: 6. fVI.That by the power of God he may be strengthened against all temptations.
Q. What is faith?
A. AgAmen. perswasion, that these 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 thē?
A. Death, which is the parting asunder of bodie and soule.
Q. Why doe wicked men and vnbeleeuers die?
A. That qLuk. 16. 22,23.their bodies may goe to the earth, and their soules may be cast into hell fire.
Q. Why doe the godly die, seeing Christ by death hath ouercome death?
A. They die for this ende, that rLuk. 23. 43. Act. 7.70. 1. Th. 4.3. Heb. 2.14. 1. Cor. 15.5.their bodies may rest for a while in the earth, and their soules may enter into heauen immediatly.
Q. What followeth after death?
A. The day of iudgement.
Q. What signe is there to know this day from other daies?
A. s2. Pet. 3. 11,12.Heauen and earth shall be consumed with fire immediatly before the comming of the iudge.
Q. Who shall be the iudge?
A. Iesus Christ the Sonne of God.
Q. What shall be the comming to iudgement?
A. He t1. Thess. 4. 16,17.shall come in the cloudes in great maiestie and glorie, with infinite companie of Angels.
Q. How shall all men be cited to iudgement?
A. At the uMat. 24. 3sound of a trumpet, the liuing shall be changed in the twinckling of an eye, and the dead shall rise againe eueryevery one with xIob 19. 26.his owne bodie, and all shall be gathered together before Christ: and after this, the good shall be seuered from the bad, yMat. 25. 32,33.these standing on the left hand of Christ, the other on the right.
Q. How will Christ trie and examine eueryevery mans cause?
A. TheaRe. 20. 12. Dan. 7. 10. bookes of all mens doings shall be laide open, mens consciences shall be made either to accuse them, or excuse them, and eueryevery man shall be tried by the workes which he did in his life time, because they are open and manifest signesbIoh. 3. 18. & 5,24. of faith or vnbeleefe.
Q. What sentence will he giuegive?
A. He will giuegive cMat. 25. 34.41.sentence of saluation to the elect and godly: but he will pronounce sentence of damnation against vnbeleeuers and reprobates.
Q. What state shall the godly be in after the day of iudgement?
A. They dMat. 25. 34. Apoc. 21. 2.34.11.shall continue for euer in the highest heauen in the presence of God, hauing fellowship with Christ Iesus, and raigning with him for euer.
Q. What state shall the wicked be in after the day of iudgement?
A. In eternall perdition and destruction in hell fire.
Q. What is that?
A. It e2. The. 1.9. Esa. 66. 24. Apoc. 21. 8.stands in three things especially: first a perpetuall separation …rom Gods comfortable presence: 2. fellowship with the deuill and his angels: 3. an horrible pang and torment both of bodie and soule, arising of the feeling of the whole wrath of God, powred forth on the wicked for euer world without ende: and if the paine of one tooth for one day be so great, endelesse shall be the paine of the whole man, bodie and soule for euer and euer.
FINIS.
A GRAINE of Musterd-seede: OR, The least measure of grace that is or can be effectuall to saluation.
Printed for Ralph Iackson. 1600.