A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, Classis 14
The fourteenth Claſsis, or Company Queſtions.
1 Queſtion.
VVHat is the grace and great bleſſing of Adoption?
1 Iohn 3.1. Eph. 1.5, 6. Ioh. 1.12. Gal. 4.4, 5.Anſ. It is the act of Gods Free-grace and love in Chriſt, whereby according as he hath Predeſtinated, Redeemed, Called, and Iuſtified: So he doth Adopt, and take thoſe who were ſtrangers in unbelief, now brought neer by Faith, and receiving Chriſt by Faith, to be ſons and daughters of God in Chriſt Ieſus.
Queſt. 2. What difference is there between a Natural and an Adopted Son or Daughter?
Anſ. A Natural Son or Daughter, is one who is begotten or born of a Natural Father or Mother;Gen. 21.2 as Iſaac was the Natural Son of Abraham and Sarah; And Rebekah the Natural Daughter of Bethuel and Milcah. Gen. 24.24, &c.But an Adopted Son or Daughter, is one not Naturally begotten or born, but a ſtranger by birth Adopted, and taken to be a Son or Daughter;Exod. 2.5, &c. as Moſes was the Adopted Son of Pharaohs Daughter; And Eſther the Adopted Daughter of Mordecai. Eſth. 2.7. Hoſ. 2.23So is it between God and us.
Queſt. 3. What is a certain property or ſure evidence of Adoption?
Anſ. The Spirit of Prayer, whereby the Childe of God is enabled to cry, Abba Father, Rom. 8.15, 26, 27and to ſeek to the Lord upon all occaſions, as to a Father.
Queſt. 4. What is a chief Prerogative and Priviledge of an Adopted Son and Daughter of God?
Anſ. Not only this new Name of Son and Daughter of God, and the excellency thereof, which no man knoweth, but he that hath it; but alſo the right Title and Dignity of an Heir,Rev. 2.17. Rom. 8.17. yea, a fellow-Heir with Chriſt of Eternal glory.
Queſt. 5. How may a man or woman know that he or ſhe is the Son or Daughter of God?Rom. 8.16. Mat. 5.44, &c. Prov. 4.18. 2 Cor. 3.17, 18. & 6.16, &c. 2 Pet. 14.4.
Anſ. Firſt, by the teſtimony of the Spirit, witneſſing with our Spirits.
Secondly, by our daily growing more and more into the likeneſſe of God our Father, in all holineſſe and perfection of Divine Nature.
Queſt. 6. But what is the ninth bleſſing and benefit, procured and commmunicated by Chriſt to his Elect and choſen?Ion. 1.11, 12. 2 Cor. 5.7.
Anſ. The glorious grace of new creation, or new birth.
Queſt. 7. What is this new creation or birth?
Eph. 4.22, &c. Ioh. 3.3, 5. Col. 3.10 1 Cor. 6.9, &c. 1 Theſ. 2.13. & 5.23, Rom. 12.12.Anſ. It is a Sanctification of, and real communication or change of our Nature, our underſtanding, will, memory, and whole man, by the Spirit of Sanctification, from impurity and ſin, to the pure Image of God, preſſing more and more to perfection, and to be like God our Father in Chriſt; not like or conformed to the world, as the children of this world deſire to be.
Queſt. 8. What are the two chief acts or works wrought in the ſoul by the Spirit of Chriſt in the grace of new creation?Col. 3.5, &c. Rom. 6.6, &c. & 7.22. &c.
Anſ. Firſt, the Mortification, weakning and killing, or crucifying of the old man, or Natural corruption, or Law in our members, and rebelling power of ſin in us, as dregs of the old Adam to be purged out.
Secondly, the Vivification, Col. 3.10 2 Cor. 4.16. & 5.14, 15. & 3.17, 18. Gal. 2.20or quickning and enlivening of the new man, or inward man in our ſouls according to the Image of God, and living power of Chriſt, now living in us.
Queſt. 9. What is the chief end of this new creation and holineſſe thus wrought in us by the holy Ghoſt?Iſa. 61.3. Heb. 12.14. 2 Theſ. 13. Ioh. 17.17, 24.
Anſ. That we may be trees of righteouſneſſe, that God may be glorified.
2. That we may ſee God and be ſaved.
Queſt. 10. How may a man or woman know they are new Creatures?
Anſ. Firſt, by the help of the Spirit of Chriſt.Eph. i.17, &c.
Secondly, by the light of their own conſciences reflecting upon themſelves in ſelf Examination; ſo here to finde out,Rom. 9.1.
1. What changes is wrought in their hearts, and will and affections;Pſa. 51.9, 10, 11. as David prays for.
Pſal. 15.1, 2, 3. Ezek. 36.31. Pſal. 16.2, 3. Pſal. 119.97.2. In their lives and converſations, from ſin and wickedneſſe, to Grace and goodneſſe.
3. What loathing of evil, and loving of God, goodneſſe, and good people, according to godlineſſe in their Souls and Spirits.
1 Tim. 1.12, &c.1. This change Paul found in himſelf.
1 Cor. 6.9, &c.2. This he found in his Chriſtian Corinthians.
3. And this a man or woman may finde in themſelves,Ioh. 9.25 if a true change or new creation be wrought in them.
Queſt. 11. What is the tenth bleſſing and benefit procured by Chriſt, and given in and by Chriſt from God the Father to his Church and Children?
Ioh. 14.i6, &c. Ezek. 36.27. Zach. 12.10. Rom. 8.9 Gal. 4.5, 6. 1 Cor. 12.3, &c. 1 Ioh. 2.27.Anſ. The great and ſpecial, and daily gift of the bleſſed Spirits preſence, the holy Ghoſt, God equal with the Father and the Son; not only as a worker of all theſe graces in us at firſt (as we noted before) but alſo as continually preſent, a counſellor and comforter, yea, a perpetual preſerver of his graces in the ſouls of Gods children, meeting them in the Word Preached, in the Sacraments, in Prayer, and in all other duties and Ordinances, ſecret, private and publike, for their Eternal good in Chriſt Jeſus.
Queſt. 12. How ſhall a man or woman know he or ſhe hath the Spirit of Chriſt?
Anſ. If he or ſhe be led or guided by the Spirit of Chriſt.Rom. 8.i, 2, 12, 14
Queſt. 13. What respect is to be had to the Spirit?
Anſ. A ſpecial care is to be taken,Eph. 4.30. Pſal. 52.11, 12. that we grieve not the Spirit, by whom we are ſealed to the day of Redemption, but to prize his preſence above all earthly treaſure.
Queſt. 14. Are there any more bleſſings which Chriſt hath procured, and God in Chriſt giveth to his Church?
Anſ. Yes, there are multitudes in particular, both for this preſent life, and the life to come.
I will name but theſe that follow:
Queſt. 15. What is the firſt?Iſa. 61.10. Rom. 14.17.
Anſ. Firſt, the cloathing upon with Chriſts righteouſneſſe.
Queſt. 16. What is the ſecond?
Anſ. Peace with God, with, and in our own conſciences, and with all good Angels and men, Rom. 5.1. Phil. 4.7. Hoſ. 2.18. Luke 2.14. Iſa. 11.5, &c. Heb. 1.14. 2 Pet. 1.11, 12. Rev, 22.9.
Queſt. 17. What is the third?
Anſ. Thirdly, joy and rejoycing in hope of the glory of God; rejoycing in Chriſt with joy unſpeakable and full of glory.Rom. 5.2 & 14.17. 1 Pet. 1.8.
Queſt. 18. What is the fourth?
1 Pet. 1.3.Anſ. Fourthly, a lively hope of Heaven, which no wicked man can have.
Queſt. 19. What is a fifth?
Rom. 5.3 Act. 5.41. Heb. 11.24, &c.Anſ. Fifthly, a joyful willingneſſe to ſuffer for Chriſt.
Queſt. 20. What is the ſixth?
Rom. 8.28. Pſa. 119.71. 1 Pet. 1.6, 7.Anſ. Sixthly, an ordering of all things whatſoever, for good of Gods children; yea, a working of all for good, a bleſſing unſpeakable.
Queſt. 21. What is the ſeventh?
Anſ. Seventhly, an aſſurance we are Gods children by the Spirits witneſſe, and the fruits and graces of Chriſt in my ſoul.
Queſt. 22. What it the eighth?
Iſa. 11.10. Phil 4.11, &c.Anſ. Eighthly, a ſweet reſt and contentment in Chriſt in every ſtate and condition, both for ſoul and body, for this life, and the life to come.
Queſt. 23. What is the ninth?
Gal. 2.20.Anſ. Ninthly, an enlivening vertue from Chriſt to cheriſh life and grace in the ſoul,Ioh. 15.15. Phil. 4.12 and enable us for every duty and performance, to Gods glory, and good of our ſelves and others.
Queſt. 24. What is the tenth?
Anſ. Tenthly,Gen. 4 4. Mat. 17.5 Heb. 11.4. Iſa. 1.5, 6, 7. 1 Pet. 1.3, &c. Rev. 2.10 2 Tim. 4.8, &c. Mat. 16.16, &c. an acceptation of our perſon and all our ſervices in this life, and an aſſurance of the crown of Righteouſneſſe and glory in heaven, with perſeverance in grace, and protection from men and Devils here, and preſervation to that heavenly Kingdom and Salvation.
Theſe and many more are the rich bleſſings Chriſt hath purchaſed, and God the Father given to his Church in Chriſt Jeſus.
Queſt. 25. But what is this Church and people for whom the Lord Chriſt hath procured, and to whom he communicates ſo many excellent benefits, both of grace and glory?
Anſ. *Eph 1.4, 5, 6, 7. Act. 20.28. Mat. 1 21. Rom. 8.29, 30. 1 Pet. 1.4, 5. 2 Tim. 4.7, 8, 18. 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 8. Phil 1.23 Rev. 14.13. 1 Theſ. 4.16, 17.The Church of God is that company of people who are Gods choſen ones, whom Chriſt hath purchaſed with his own blood, ſaved from their ſins, in time calleth, juſtifieth, ſanctifieth, and preſerveth here in grace, in a condition Militant; and in the end tranſlateth to glory, in and to an eſtate Triumphant in the heavens for ever.
Queſt. 26. Is there a communion of Saints, or of this Church and people of God?
1 Cor. 12.12, &c. 1 Ioh. 1.3. Eph, 4.3, &c. Gal. 3.27, &c.Anſ. Yes certainly, true believers are united as one Body in Chriſt their Head, and have a ſweet union and communion with God the Father, and with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and one with another in Chriſt; in all theſe rich benefits procured by Chriſt for their ſouls and bodies, and their happineſſe for ever.
Queſt. 27. Who is the Head of the Church?
Anſ. The Lord Chriſt himſelf, who was exalted up on high,Eph. 1.20, &c. Phil. 2.9, 10. Eph. 4.15, 16. Mat. 28.18, when he was raiſed from the Dead, by the working of Gods mighty power, and ſet at Gods right hand, far above all principalities and power, and every name in heaven and earth; and appointed him to be the Head over all things to the Church, all power being given unto Chriſt in heaven and in earth.
Queſt. 28. Is there but one Head of the Church?
1 Cor. 12.12, 27. 1 Theſ. 2.3, 4,Anſ. Certainly no, as Chriſts Church is one myſtical Body; ſo it hath but one myſtical Head, Chriſt himſelf; to have two Heads aſcribed to the Church, were to make it a Monſter: Therefore the Pope, or whoſoever taketh upon him to be Head of the Church, is not a friend of Chriſt but Antichriſt.
Queſt. 29.Rev. 17.14. 1 Cor. 12.27, &c. Eph. 4.12. Heb. 1.1, &c. Eph. 1.22, 23. Heb. 12.22. Re 19.10. Who are the Members of Chriſts Church?
Anſ. All who are truly called and choſen, and faithful believers, and children of believers Elected in Chriſt; yea, the Elect Angels themſelves in ſome reſpect are the Members of this Church of Chriſt, he being exalted to be Head both of Angels and Men.
Queſt. 30. How manifold is the Church of Chriſt?
Anſ. The Church of Chriſt is one Body, of which Chriſt is the Head;Gal. 3.28. Eph. 4 4. Can 6.8. Ioh. 10.16. one Dove, one Flock, as there is one Shepheard the Lord Jeſus. But in divers reſpects it hath divers names aſcribed unto it:
1. It is called Catholike or Univerſal,Gal. 3.28. Heb. 12.23. Rev. 2. & 3. as it relates to the children of God in all Ages and places of the world, yea, in heaven as well as in earth.
2. It is called Particular, as it relates to particular Countreys and Congregations believing in Chriſt, and profeſſing the Goſpel.
Act. 2.41. 2 Tim. 2.19. Eph. 6.11. Mat. 25.34.3. It is called viſible, as it relates to the open profeſſors of the Faith.
4. It is called inviſible, as it reſpects the Elect, chiefly known to God himſelf.
5. It is called Militan…, as it is warring on Earth. And,
6. Triumphant, as they are conquerours in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Queſt. 31. What are the marks of the Church?
Mat. 28.19, 20. Act. 2.42. 1 Cor. 11.23, &c. 2 Theſ. 2.13.Anſ. Firſt, the outward marks are two; The pure Preaching of the Word of God, and right Adminiſtration of the Sacraments.
Secondly, the inward are Faith and holineſſe, as the way to happineſſe.
Queſt. 32. How are the keys of Juriſdiction or Diſcipline to be ordered in the Church?
Mat. 16.19. Ioh. 20.23. Mat. 18.15, &c. 1 Cor. 5.5. & 16.22. 2 Cor. 2.7, 8Anſ. According as Chriſt hath ſet down in the Scriptures, to Gods glory and good of his Church.
Queſt. 33. You have briefly ſpoken of the true Church, and true Members of the Church, Gods Elect, known to God. But doth every viſible National or particular Congregation of men profeſſing themſelves to be a Church of Chriſt, conſiſt only of ſuch true Members, without Hypocrites, or falſe Chriſtians in name not in truth?
Anſ. Certainly we do not read of any National Church viſible but had or might ſeem to have ſome Hypocrites in it, ſome falſe Brethren, ſome who after they were admitted, or taken as Members in the judgement of the Church, proved erroneous in judgement, and fell to Errors and Hereſies, or ſcandalous in life, and fell to prophaneneſſe, until they were diſcovered and Excommunicated, or Schiſmatically rent themſelves from that true Church and Congregation wherein they were, as the Churches of Corinth, Rev. 2.12, &c. 1 Ioh. 2.18, 19.of Galatia, Epheſus, Pergamos, and other Churches ſince the Apoſtles times; and Hiſtory of Churches witneſſe at large.
Queſt. 34. Are there ſo many abſolute independent Churches of Chriſt, as there are particular Churches or Congregations truly profeſſing Chriſt, and enjoying the Word and Sacraments in truth throughout the Chriſtian World?
Anſ. Verely the Church of Chriſt is but one, as we proved before;Eph. 4.2, 3, 4. & 4.1 5, 16. and this one Catholique or Univerſal Church is depending upon Chriſt the Head, whoſe Body the Church is; and every particular true Church, called Congregational, Claſſical, Provincial, or National, or by any other name, is a Member of this Univerſal Church, or Myſtical body of Chriſt the Head;1 Cor. 12.21, &c. and as no Member of the Body of man or woman, is abſolute and independent of itſelf, but all the Members ſtand in need one of another, & are to ſubmit one to another, in love and duty, and to be helpful one to another, for the good of the whole Body. So I humbly conceive it is and ought to be with the Churches of Chriſt,1 Cor. 12.20. Eph. 5.25, 26, Act. 20.28. who are many Members, yet but one Church, which he hath loved, and given himſelf for, and purchaſed with his own blood, and as no Church ought to be tyrannical, or have a tyrannical power over another; ſo no particular Member Church, is or ought to be ſo independent,1 Cor. 12.25, &c. but that the Member Churches ſhould have the ſame care one for another, that there be no Schiſme or diviſion in the Body or Church of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle St. Paul excellently holds forth unto us.
Queſt. 35. But may there not be a Separation from a true Church, when corruptions and faults are found in it in Doctrine or practiſe of life and converſation?
Anſ. Firſt, I conceive there is a great deal of difference between the Errors or faults of a Church, and of particular Members of a Church, and alſo between failings of a Church in ſubſtantials and fundamentals, which deſtroy the Eſſence and being of a Church; and between failings and faults in circumſtantials only.
If any Church or company of people ſhould fall away, the greater part of them in ſubſtantial truths and fundamental, unto Error and Hereſies, which cannot ſtand with the foundation and being of a Church; then I conceive ſuch company may be rather ſaid to have left the true Church, though it be the leſſer part in number, then the leſſer part to have left the Church. The greater part,Rom. 8.1. 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. as the ſeeming Church of Rome, having left their firſt Faith, and the truth of God in thoſe Fundamental verities, of Chriſt and his Offices and Graces, without the holding and believing of which no company of people can be a Church of Chriſt. Secondly, If particular Members, or a Church or company of profeſſors fail in ſome particulars, not Fundamentals, but circumſtantials only and ſuch as it may yet be, and is a true Church of Chriſt, both in reſpect the Preaching of the Word, and Adminiſtration of the Sacraments. Then I believe there ought not to be preſently an unchurching or a Separation from this Church,Eph. 4.1, &c. but rather a labour and induſtry for a Reformation & the preſervation of unity, and avoyding of Schiſms, and Rents and Diviſions in the Church of Chriſt.
Queſt. 36. What do you call that company of people which fall away to Error and Hereſies, deſtroying the Foundation, and in that reſpect ſeparate from Saints?
Anſ. The name of Church cannot be given unto them, but abuſively and improperly only. But theſe are a Heretical company rather then Church, leaving the true Church of Chriſt,2 Ioh. 2.18, 19. becauſe they were never truly of the Church, and ſo departing to their own deſtruction.
Queſt. 37. What do you call thoſe who agree in the Fundamentals of Faith with the Orthodox and true Churches of Chriſt, yet for ſome External Rites or things indifferent, or ſome particular failings in manners, or different Opinions in Diſpenſation of Ordinances or Diſcipline, and theſe not Fundamental, unchurch the Orthodox Reformed Churches of Chriſt, and Separate themſelves, as if it were from Rome or Babylon?
Anſ. Theſe are truly called Schiſmatical congregations, who intentionally without cauſe do ſeparate and unchurch the Churches of Chriſt, and making Schiſmes,1 Cor. 3.3, & 11.18. ſo much complained againſt by the Apoſtle, do divide themſelves from the unity of the Churches, condemning the true Churches as not Churches of Chriſt.
Queſt. 38. But whether is the Church of Chriſt ſubject to erre in fundamentals finally and totally, or to periſh for ever?
Anſ. Certainly no,Mat. 16.18. Ioh. 10.27, &c. Pſa, 125.1, 2. howſoever particular Churches have erred in many particulars, yet the univerſal Churches of Chriſt cannot erre in Fundamentals, neither totally nor finally in any particular neceſſary to ſalvation; nor can the Church of Chriſt periſh, it being built upon the Rock Chriſt, but ſhall abide firm for ever.
Queſt. 39. Yet tell me I pray you, what firm ground is there that the Church and Children of Chriſt ſhall be inabled to perſevere and continue in grace unto Eternal glory, and not fall from Chriſt and grace to perdition?
Epheſ. 1.4, 14. 2 Theſ. 2.13. Matth. 24.24. 2 Tim. 2.19. Acts 26.17, 18. 2 Tim. 2.9, 10. Rom. 8.28. Rom. 11.29. Iſa. 42.1. Luk. 17.5. Luke 22.32. Rom. 14.1, 2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 15.10. Iſa. 53.11. Ier. 23.6. Acts 13.38, 39. Rom. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Rom. 8.1 Col. 1.20Anſw. We might hold forth unto you many grounds; But you may obſerve theſe:
Firſt, The certainty and infallibility of our Election by God the Father in Jeſus Chriſt, both unto grace and glory.
Secondly, The certainty of our vocation or calling from darkneſſe to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpoſe, and grace, which was given us in Chriſt before the world was.
Thirdly, The certainty of our Faith being true (though ſometimes weak,) yet receiving, relying, and reſting on Gods promiſe in Chriſt, is ſure to hold out; not by our own power, but by the grace of God in Chriſt.
Fourthly, The certainty of our juſtification in and by Chriſts righteouſneſſe, and merits, by which we are freed from condemnation, and have peace with God in Chriſt for ever.
Fifthly, The certainty of our regeneration and new creation, and glorification begun here, and to be perfected in glory. 1 Pet. 1.23. 2 Cor. 5.17. and 3.18. Rom. 8.30. Phil. 1.6.
Sixthly,2 Pet. 1.7, 8, &c. 1 Cor. 2.9, 10. Our entrance already into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt; endeavouring by the grace of God in Chriſt, to make our calling and election ſure.
Seventhly,1 Theſ. 5.23, …4. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4, 5. Iohn 10.29, 30. Iude 4. Our aſſurance of faithfulneſſe and mighty power of God to keep his children through faith unto ſalvation, ready to be revealed in the laſt times.
Queſt. 40. But doth not this Doctrine of Aſſurance, open a way to Libertiniſm, and ſo to ſin.
Anſw. Certainly,Iohn 8.31, 32, 36. the children of God have an excellent liberty, and true freedom, in and by Chriſt.
1.Rom. 8.1. Gal. 3.13. 2 Cor. 5.19. Rom. 8.2 Rom. 6.12, &c. Epheſ. 2.1, 2, 3. Rom. 14.1, 2, 3, 23. 1 Cor. 14.26, 40. Rom. 6.1, 15. From the condemning or damning power of the Law, ſin and curſe due to ſin, having our pardon ſealed in Chriſt.
2. From the commanding power of ſin and Satan, unto both which, by nature we were in bondage.
3. From tyranny and rigid impoſition of things indifferent, to binde the conſcience where Chriſt bindes not. Chriſtian charity and order guiding us to our comfort and the peace of the Church: Yet there is no liberty for a childe of God to commit the leaſt ſin; What, ſhall we ſin that grace may abound,Rom. 6.11, 12. 2 Pet. 2.19, 20. Pſal. 19.13. God forbid. How ſhall we that are dead to ſin, take any liberty to ſin (as the wicked do,) but rather pray continually by the power of Chriſt to be kept from ſin.
Queſt. 41. What ſhould the childe of God do, that wants this aſſurance of perſeverance in grace to glory?
Gal. 1.16. Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 13.1 2 Cor. 1.20. Iob 44.14. Iohn 17.24.Anſw. Waite on God in Chriſt in all good means of grace, till the Lord be pleaſed to reveal Chriſt in you, and his love and aſſurance of his free-love in Chriſt to your ſoul, knowing that whom Chriſt loveth, he loveth to the end. And conſider Gods promiſes, and ſo live by faith in grace, depending upon God, until he bring you unto eternal glory.