The Sweet Milk of Christian Doctrine, Tract
THE SWEETE milke of Chriſtian doctrine; in a plaine and naturall method; by Queſtion and Anſwere.
Queſtion.
WHat is the chiefe and principall end of our being, and of the whole courſe of our liues, whereat we ought alwaies to ayme, in eueryevery thing which we do or vndertake?
Anſwere, That wee may glorifie God,1. Cor. 10 31. Eph. 1.6. Phil. 2.12 and worke out our ſaluation in feare and trembling.
Q. What ſure light, and vnfallible rule are wee to obſerue and follow, for our certaine direction and guide, in our choiſe and vſe of that courſe & meanes, whereby wee may verily attaine and come to that our entended purpoſe and end?
A. The diuine and ſacred word of God only,2. Pet. 1.19 2. Tim. 3.15, 16, 17. contained in the holy Scripture of the olde and new Teſtament; containing perfectly and plainely all things néedefull to make the man of God perfect.
Q. What things are neceſſary for vsus, that wee may thereby indeed glorifie God, and work out our owne ſaluation?
A. Sound knowledge and holy obedience.Ioh. 13.17
Q. What things are we principally to know?
A. God,Ioh. 17.3 2. Cor. 13.5. Iohn 1.18 and our ſelues.
Q. How are we to know God?
A. As he hath reuealed himſelfe vntounto vsus.
Q. How hath he reucaled himſelfe vntounto vsus?
A. Hee hath reuealed himſelfe vntounto vsus;Rom. 1.19 20. Iohn 5.39 Heb. 1.3 Ioh. 14.9 firſt, by his works: ſecondly, by his word: thirdly, in his Sonne our Sauiour, Ieſus Chriſt.
Q. What is God?
A. Hée is a Spirit,Ioh. 4.24 1. Tim. 6.16. Rom. 11.35. Iob. 11.7 Exo. 34.6 infinite, hauing his being of himſelfe, in whom is infinit perfection and happineſſe, and from whom all things doe flow and procéed, and in him and for him hauehave their being: he is one in eſſence, three in perſons;Iam. 1.17 Rō. 11.36 Mat. 10.29 1. Tim. 2.5 1. Iohn 5.7 1. Cor. 15.47. Father, Sonne, and holy Ghoſt.
Q. How are we to know our ſeluess?
A. We are to know our ſelues, both as we be of our owne natures, and alſo as we be by the ſpeciall ſauing grace of God.
Q. How are we to know our ſelues as we be of our owne natures?
A. We are to know our ſelues,Eccleſ. 7.29. as we be of our owne natures, both as we were by nature, vncorrupt in the eſtate of innocencie, and as we are by nature, corrupt in the eſtate of miſerie.
Q. What were wee by nature vncorrupt in the eſtate of innocencie?
A. In the eſtate of innocencie or nature vncorrupt, wee were created by God male & female, conſiſting of ſoule and bodie, in Adam and Eue perfect, according to the Image of God in wiſedome, righteouſneſſe, and true holineſſe; enioying all things needful for our happineſſe in that eſtate:Gen. 2.7 Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 1.27 Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 Pſal. 8.4. in which condition we were able alwaies ſo to hauehave continued, but changeable according to our owne mutable free-will, either to ſtand or fall, as we ſhould chooſe.
Q. What are we now by nature corrupt in the eſtate of miſerie?
A. We are the children of wrath and diſobedience, caſt out of Gods fauour and protection, through our tranſgreſſion in our firſt parents Adam and Eue; who did,Epheſ. 2.3 Eſay 59.2 Rom. 5.18, 19. Gen. 3.6 Rom. 2.5. contrary to Gods command, eate of the forbidden fruit, at the diuels perſwaſion: which miſerable condition we hauehave euer ſince, by our perſonall and actuall ſins confirmed and augmented.
Q. What things doe make vsus, in this corrupt eſtate, to be ſo miſerable?
A. Our ſinne,Eſay 6.5 Pro. 11.21 Rom. 5.12 and the puniſhment of our ſinne.
Q. What is ſinne?
A. Sinne is the tranſgreſſion of the Lawe of God.
Q. Which be the parts of ſin?
A. The corruption and guilt thereof,
Q. What kinds of ſinne are we defiled with and guilty of?
A. Wee are both defiled with,1. Ioh. 3.4 Rom. 5.14 Rom. 3.23 and guilty of Originall and Actuall ſinne.
Q. What is Originall ſinne?
A. Originall ſinne, is the common ſinne of our nature corrupt, which wee hauehave from our firſt conception, in and through our ſinfull Parents, by natural propagation and diſcent; which conſiſteth firſt,Pſal. 51.5 Rom. 5.19 Iob. 14.4 Rom. 3.10, 11, 12. Gen. 8.21. Gen. 6.5. in the guilt of ye our rebellious act in Adam: ſecōdly in corruptiō thence lineally deriued, in ful want of al ſauing grace, & deprauation of all the faculties and powers of ſoule & body, and proneneſſe of the ſame to all euill continually.
Q. What is actuall ſinne?
A. Actuall ſin is our owne perſonall tranſgreſſion, continually iſſuing out of the liuing ſpring of our originall ſinne;Iam. 1.14 Mat. 15.19 Rom. 1.32. Luk. 12.47. 1. Cor. 13.3 and doth conſiſt in doing that which is forbidden; and in omitting, or doing amiſſe what is commanded.
Q. What is the reward and puniſhment due to vsus for theſe our ſinnes?
A. The certain wages due to vsus for our ſins,Ephe. 5.9. Iſay 59.2 Rom. 1.24 Heb. 3.11 Deu. 28.15 Tit. 1.15 Rom. 2.8. Reue. 21.8 Mat 25.41 Reu. 18.6. is to be forſaken & giuen ouer of God; to be vtterly depriued of grace and happines: and to be wholly in eueryevery reſpect ſubiect to the vengeance and curſe of God, both in this life preſent, & alſo in the life to com, to ye ſuffering both of the firſt & ſecond death, in manner and meaſure, according to the number and nature of our ſinnes.
Q. What vſe ought we to make of the knowledge of this our miſerable eſtate? A. We ought by ye knowlege therof firſt, to rouze vp our ſelues out of our carnall ſecuritie, and throughly to hauehave our hearts affected with déep humilitie and contrition, in deteſtation and loathing of our ſelues in this wretched condition: ſecondly,Ephe. 5.14 Iſa. 66.2 Rom. 7.24 Acts 2.37 Iob. 42.6 to ſtir vp our ſelues moſt earneſtly to endeuour how we may bee deliuered out of this eſtate, and bee brought into the ſpeciall grace and fauour of God againe.
Q. What are wee by the ſpeciall ſauing grace of God?
A. We are the children of God, and heires of heauen, by the frée mercy of God,Rom. 8.16, 17. Ephe. 1.5. 2. Tim. 1.9 1. Pet. 2.9 Rom. 5.20. 2. Cor. 4.6. choſen and called out of our eſtate of miſery, into the eſtate of grace and fauor of God; ſo made now (by the infinite mercy of God bringing good out of euil) more happy then euer we were before.
Q. By whom are wee brought into this ſo gracious an eſtate?
A. By our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt onelyonly.Gal. 1.4. Ephe. 1.11
Q. What things chiefly are wee to know, touching Ieſus Chriſt?
A. We are to know his Perſon and his Office.Ioh. 17.3 Phil 3.8 1. Cor. 2.2.
Q. What maner of perſon is Ieſus Chriſt?
A. Hee is God the Sonne, the ſecond perſon of the Trinity, become man for vsus by an vnſeparable and vnfuſed vnion of his diuine and humane natures,Rom. 9.5 Mat. 2.17 Ioh. 1.14 and properties, and ſo is both God and man in one perſon.
Q. Why was it needefull that Ieſus Chriſt ſhould be man?
A. It was needful that Ieſus Chriſt ſhould be man,Heb. 10.5 firſt that he might hauehave a body of the ſame nature that had ſinned, to offer vp in ſatiſfaction for ſinne.
Secondly,Col. 1.21.22. that in that body he might doe, and ſuffer all things needful for our redemption.
Thirdly, that we may lawfully claim,1. Cor. 1.30. Ioh. 1.12. and apprehend the benefit of all his merits done in that body, which hee hath common with vsus in nature, as perſonally our owne.
Q. Why is it needfull that our Sauiour ſhould be God?
A. It is néedfull that our Sauiour ſhold be God, firſt, that he might be able to ouercome ye powerful enemies,Col. 2.15 & fully finiſh the great work of our ſaluation.
Secondly, that the perſonall vnion of the God head with his humanity might ſo dignifie the ſame, that it might be a ſufficient and worthy ſacrifice for all our ſins, and make all the actions and sufferings of that perſon who is God,Heb. 7.26 28. Act 20 28.2. Cor. 5.19. Ioh. 6.63 to be of infinite deſert and value.
Thirdly, that he may euer by his eternall Spirit communicate and apply himſelfe and his graces vntounto vsus; that they may truely be counted ours indéed.Rom. 8.15
Q. VVhat is the office of our Sauior Ieſus Chriſt?
A. The office of our Sauiour Ieſns Chriſt is to be the redeemer and head of vsus poore ſinners,1. Tim. 1.15 Acts 4.12 Col. 1.18 his Elect and choſen people; his Church.
Q. VVhat duties doth our Sauiour Chriſt performe for the due executing of that his office?
A. He doth execute the dutie,Heb. 1.1. Luke 1.73 firſt of a Prophet teaching vsus in his truth.
Secondly,Heb. 4.14 the dutie of a Prieſt, by the ſacrifice of himſelfe reconciling vsus vntounto his Father.
Thirdly,Mat. 2.2. Pſalme 2. the duty of a King, by ruling and defending of vsus, by the power of his might and Spirit.
Q. How may our knowledge of theſe and all other good things be profitable vntounto vsus?
A. By adding vntounto our knowledge holy obedience.Ioh. 13.17
Q. Wherein doth this holy obedience conſiſt?
A. It doth ſtand in a voluntary yéelding and giuing vp of our ſelues to be ordered in all things by Gods holy wil,Mat. 6.10. Gal. 1.16. without further reaſoning with fleſh and blood.
Q. VVhat kinds of obedience are we to performe?
A. We are to perform both actiue obedience by our doing of his will,Act. 10.35 1. Pet. 2.20 and alſo paſſiue obedience, by ſuffering his will to be done vponupon vsus.
Q. Which be the kinds of our actiue obedience, which we are to performe?
A. Our actiue is both Euangelicall, commanded in the Goſpell for vsus to do, for ye attaining of Grace, which we wāt:Ioh. 3.18 Ioh. 6.40. Iam. 2.8.
And alſo Legall, commanded in the Law, which we are to do, that we may manifeſt, and continue in vsus, the Grace of God receiued.
Q. Which be the parts of Euangelicall, or the obedience of the Goſpell?
A. Faith and Repentance.Mark. 1.15 Mat. 3.2
Q. What is true ſauing faith?
A. It is a true knowing, ſincere approuing,Ioh. 6.69 Phil. 1.10. Heb. 10.22 Acts 4.12. and certaine relying vponupon the gracious promiſes of GOD in Ieſus Chriſt only, for ſaluation and happines.
Q. Where is the ſumme of that doctrine briefly contained, which wee are neceſſarily to beleeue?
A. In the Créede, commonly called the Apoſtles Creeds.
Q. How many Articles doth that Creed conſiſt of?
A. It conſiſteth of twelue Articles, according to the number of the Apoſtls, the ſuppoſed makers thereof.
Q. What is the ſubiect matter of the contents of them Articles?
A. It is firſt of God the Father; in theſe words: I beleeue in God the Father Almightie, &c.
Secondly, of the Sonne; beginning at theſe words, and in Ieſus Chriſt his only begotten Sonne, &c.
Thirdly, of the holy Ghoſt, in theſe words: I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt.
Fourthly, of the Church, beginning at theſe words: the holy Catholike Church, &c. to the end.
Q. By what notes may a man certainly know, that he hath true ſauing faith?
A. A man may know that hee hath true faith:Mark 9.24 firſt, by the habite and internall act thereof, by beleeuing, knowing himſelfe to beleeue.
Secondly, by the inward teſtimonie of Gods Spirit to our ſpirits, according to the outward teſtimony of his word.Rom. 8.16
Thirdly, by the inward ſincere diſpoſition and affection of our hearts to goodneſſe, and againſt euill.Pſal. 139.21, 22.
Fourthly, by the good fruites of our faith, in a conſcionable practiſe of al holy duties, in the whole courſe of our liues.Iam. 2.17, 18.
Q. What benefit and vſe are wee to make of this ſauing faith?
A. We are therby, by beléeuing in our Sauior Ieſus Chriſt, to liue in ye happy eſtate of regeneration in righteouſnes.Rom. 1.17 Gal. 3.11
Q. Which is that righteouſnes wherin we are to liue by faith?
A. It is the righteouſneſſe both of iuſtification and ſanctification.Rom. 4.5 Tit. 2.12.
Q. Wherein doth the righteouſneſſe of Iuſtification conſiſt?
A. It doth conſiſt in the forgiueneſſe of our ſins,Rom. 4.7, 8. 1. Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.9 and in the imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſſe.
Q. Wherein doth the righteouſneſſe of ſanctification conſiſt?
A. It conſiſteth in the renewing of vsus, in all our actions, diſpoſitions, faculties, and powers of ſoule and bodie,Col. 3.10. 1. Theſ. 5.23. Rom. 8.2 ſincerely in ſom meaſure, by the vertue of the holy Spirit, in the death and reſurrection of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt powerfully working in vsus.Rom. 6.4, 5.6. Eph. 4.22.23.24.
Q. What is true repentance, which is the ſecond part of the obedience of the Goſpell?
A. It is a true change of the whole man from all his former wicked diſpoſition,Ier. 31.19 2. Tim. 2.25. 2. Cor. 7.10. Acts 2.37. 1. Ioh. 1.9. Ezek. 18.27.28. Iude 23. Eſay 59.2. purpoſes and ſins, with godly ſorrow of heart for them, confeſſing and forſaking them with vnreconcilable hatred of them, eſpecially for that they are offenſiue to our gracious God, and doe make diuiſion between him and vsus.
Q. What is our Legall obedience commanded in the Law?Iā. 2.8.10. Exod. 20. Pſa. 34.14 1. The. 2.12
A. It is the conſcionable performance of all that which we are commanded by the Morall Law of God, briefly compriſed in the tenne Commandements, the perfect rule of our ſanctification; wherby carefully auoiding all euil forbidden, and doing all duties commanded, wee manifeſt and retaine in faith and louelove the grace and vertues of God receiued.
Q. Into how many tables is this Law of the ten Commandements diuided?
A. Into two.Exod. 34.1
Q. What things doth the firſt Table containe?
A. Our duty to God, in the firſt foure Commandements, Thou ſhalt hauehave no other Gods before me.Mat. 22.38
Q. What is the briefe ſum of all our dutie to God?
A. The ſum of our dutie to the Lord our God is, that wee louelove him with all our heart, with all our ſoule,Mat. 22.37 and with all our mind.
Q. What things doth the ſecond Table containe?
A. It doth coutaine our duty to our neighbour in the ſixe laſt Commandements, Honour thy Father and Mother. Thou ſhalt not kill, &c.
Q. What is the briefe ſumme of our dutie to our neighbour?
A. That wee doe louelove him as our ſelues.Mat. 22.39
Q. After what manner ſhould we do all theſe duties commanded in the Morall Law?
A. Wee are to labour to doe them in number,Iam. 2.10 Mat. 5.48. Rom. 14.23 and eueryevery one of them in degree of perfection of faith, and louelove, in obedience to God, and care of his glory.
Q. Hauing hitherto ſpoken of actiue obedience, what is now our paſſiue obedience, which wee are likewiſe to performe?
A. It is a patient and chéereful yéelding of our ſelues,Rom. 5.3. Iam. 1.2 Pſal. 39.9 1. Pet. 2.20 Heb. 12.5, 6, 7.11. 2. Cor. 1.8 1. Pet. 3.14, 17. 2. Tim. 3.12. without diſcontent and murmuring to endure and make good vſe of whatſoeuer afflictions it ſhal pleaſe God for his glory, and our tryall or chaſtiſement to lay vponupon vsus; either immediatly by himſelfe, or mediatly by any other meanes, how great or vniuſt and iniurious ſoeuer it may ſeem to vsus.
Q. Touching this courſe of our Chriſtian obedience, what dangers are we eſpecially to take heed of?
A. Wee ſhould moſt carefully take heed, that after we yt hauehave begun in this courſe, we do not either againe, by the deceitfulneſſe of our owne hearts, and temptations of ſinne, the diuell, and the world, make apoſtacie and fall away to ſinne:2. Pet. 2.20, 21, 22. Ier. 17.9. 2. Tim. 3.7. or els, through our naturall ſecurity and ſloth, not grow vp and goe forwarde towardes perfection, in that courſe of obedience and grace.
Q. By what meanes then may wee both ſtand firme, and grow vp in the eſtate of grace and obedience?
A. By the conſcionable and continuall vſe and helpe of the word of God, the Sacraments, prayer and diſcipline.
Q. How are wee to vſe the Word of God, that we may thereby both be kept and built vp?1. Tim. 4.13. Heb. 2.11 Deut. 6.7 Pſal. 1.2 Iam. 1.22. Iſay 66.2 2. King. 22.19. He. 4.2 2. The. 2.10
A. We are duely to read it, heare it, confer of it, and to meditate vponupon it, with a reuerent and conſcionable regard thereof, in beleeuing and embracing the ſame in louelove and obedience.
Q. How do the Sacraments ſtay and ſtrengthen vsus in this gracious eſtate?
A. They doe it by a more ſenſible, affectuall and particular ſignifying, applying and ſealing vp vntounto vsus, by conuenient and fit viſible and earthly elements,Rom. 4.11 our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt with his benefits, thereby repreſented and offered, by his owne ordinance in the due adminiſtration thereof; than it can bee done by the word alone.
Q. VVhat things doe make a Sacrament to be really a Sacrament?
A. The words of the inſtitution, and the conſecrated elements,1. Cor. 11.23, 24. conioined in the adminiſtration of a Sacrament, doe make it to be indeed a Sacrament.
Q. Which are the ſubſtantiall parts of eueryevery Sacrament, which wee are to receiue?
A. They are the earthly viſible elements, the ſignes and ſeales: and Ieſus Chriſt with his graces ſignifie inuiſibly and ſpiritually offered and ſealed vp vntounto vsus.1. Cor. 10.16.
Q. Which be theſe Sacraments?
A. They are Baptiſm and the Supper of the Lord.Mat. 28.19. Mat. 26.26.
Q. What is Baptiſme?
A. It is the Sacrament of our regeneration or new-birth, in the due adminiſtration therof repreſenting, offering, and ſealing vp vntounto vsus, by the outward waſhing of water purifying the bodie, the ſpiritual purifying of the whol man by Ieſus Chriſt,Tit. 3.5 1. Pet. 3.21 Heb. 10.22 & his blood ſhed for vsus, & ſprinkled vponupon our conſciences by faith.
Q. What is the Supper of our Lord?
A. It is the Sacrament of our ſpirituall nouriſhment, in the lawfull adminiſtration therof, repreſenting, offering, and ſealing vp vntounto vsus, by the eating and drinking of bread and wine, which doth nouriſh vsus to liue this temporary natural life, Ieſus Chriſt by vertue & merſt of his body and his bloud broken,Ioh. 6.53 1. Cor. 11.26. ſhed, and giuen for vsus, and by faith receiued of vsus, nouriſhing vsus to liue a ſpirituall and eternall life.
Q. How are we to prepare our ſelues before we come to receiue this Sacramēt of the Lords Supper?
A. We are firſt to examine and trie our ſelues, that wee may ſee our great and manifold wants both in knowledge and obedience, and in the conſcience thereof to humble and purge our ſelues by hearty repentance.
Secondly, wee are to whet our ſtomake and affections by praier and meditation, that we may come to that ſpirituall feaſt with an ardent deſire and hungry appetite after the graces there offered,1. Cor. ….28. Mat. 5.6. whereof we ſtand ſo in neede.
Q. What muſt we be moſt carefull of in the very act of our receiuing?
A. We muſt be carefull that we doe receiue worthily.1. Cor. 11.27.
Q. How may we receiue worthily?
A. That we may receiue worthily, wee muſt firſt receiue the outward elements of bread, and with due reuerence and reſpect of the Lords body and blood,1. Cor. 11.29. whereof they are Sacraments.
Secondly, wee muſt in the ſame inſtant act of receiuing the elements, lift vp our hearts, by a liuely ſaith to apprehend and lay hold vponupon Chriſt and his bleſſings, then and there verily offered vntounto vsus with the ſignes thereof.
Q. What muſt wee be careful of after that we hauehave receiued?
A. After that we hauehave receiued,Mat. 26.30 wee ſhould firſt with freſh cheerefulneſſe be truly thanfull to God for his bleſſings there giuen to and receiued of vsus.
Secondly, we ſhould by the vertue of them be ſtrengthened to continue firmely, and to proceed cōſtantly in the waies and conrſe of godlineſſe.
Q. How may wee be vpheld and carried on in the courſe of grace and goodneſſe by Prayer?
A. By hauing,Iam. 5.16 Iam. 1.5 1. Tim. 4.5. by feruent, faithfull, and effectuall prayer, all needfull graces beſtowed vponupon vsus, and bleſſed vntounto vsus from God, according to his word.
Q. How ſhould wee come prepared to pray?
A. With hearty and feeling affection of what wee are to pray for; and with faith, that wee ſhall be therein heard of God.
Q. After what forme and manner ſhould we pray?
A. We ſhould pray according as our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe hath taught vsus in that forme of prayer,Mat. 6.9 called the Lords Prayer.
Q. VVhat things are wee thereby to pray for?
A. Wee are to pray firſt, for ſuch things as doe immediatly concerne the glory of God;Mat. 6.9, 10 contained in the firſt thrée Petitions of that Prayer.
Sercondly, for ſuch things as doe immediately concerne our owne good, temporall and eternall; contained in the laſt three Petitions of that Prayer:Mat. 6.11, 12, 13. GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread, &c.
Q. How ſhould we behaue our ſelues before God in our Prayers?
A. With attention, reuerence,Iam. 5.16 and zeale.
Q. How may wee be kept and built vp in the eſtate of grace and obedience, by the exerciſe of diſcipline?
A. By hauing, by the lawfull and conſcionable execution thereof,1. Cor. 5.5 1. Tim. 5.20. our ſins redreſſed or preuented; and our vertue maintained and cheriſhed.
Q. What things ſhould we principally bee carefull of, in the ordinary vſe of theſe meanes of the Word, the Sacraments, Prayer, and Diſcipline?
A. We ſhould be moſt carefull in the ordinarie vſe of them, that we doe not vſe them only cuſtomarily, but conſcionably:Luk. 8.18. and that we doe not put our confidence and reſt in the onelyonly very dſe of them; but in God, who giueth the bleſſing by them.1. Cor. 3.7.
Q. What profit ſhall wee hauehave by a conſtant preſeuering in this eſtate and courſe vntounto the end?
A. We ſhall thereby certainly bring glory to God,Ioh. 15.8 1. Tim. 4.8. and to our ſelues eternall ſaluation and happineſſe.
End of the text · John Sym, The Sweet Milk of Christian Doctrine (1617)