The Spiritual Mans Directory, Treatise · Part 1 – Part 2

The Spiritual Mans Directory · Treatise · Part 1 – Part 2

p. 1Queſtion 1. WHat is Catechiſme?

Anſw. It is the teaching of the Principles of the Doctrine of CHRIST, namely of Repentance from dead works and of Faith, Heb. 6. 1. To them that have need of milke and not of ſtrong meat, Heb. 5. 12. as being babes in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 1. and the lambes of Chriſt, whom the Miniſter muſt feed as well as his Sheepe, Joh. 21. 15.

Queſt. 2. Who muſt Catechiſe beſides the Miniſter?

Anſw. My Parents muſt Catechiſe me and teach me the truth of the Lord, Iſa. 38. 19. My Father muſt teach mee the information of the Lord, Epheſ. 6. 4. And my mother too muſt, Prov. 1. 8. So did Salomon's mother teach him, Prov. 31. 1. Yea, and the maſter of the houſe where I dwell, though he be not my father, yet hee muſt teach me if I be but one of his houſhold, Gen. 18. 19.

Qu. 3. How if Parents doe not teach their Children?

Anſw. They are cruell Oſtriches and their hearts are hardened, Job 39. 16. And God hath taken the Spirit of wiſdome from them, verſ. 17. p. 2They looſe their owne ſoules, and doe what in them lyeth to caſt away our ſoules too; as ever they meane to keep their own ſoules they muſt teach us, Deut. 4. 7.

Qu. 4. Why hast thou a Name given thee in Baptiſme?

Anſ. Becauſe the people of God named their children then, ſo did Abraham name his Son Iſaac at Circumciſion, Gen. 21. 3. The parents have power to appoint the name what it ſhall be, Luk. 1. 60, 63. Which ought not to be one of a bad ſignification, for that is a ſhame, as the name of Nabal ſignifieth a foole, 1 Sam. 25. 25.

Qu. 5. What uſe doeſt thou make of thy name given thee in Baptiſme?

Anſ. Two uſes: Firſt, to teach me Chriſtianiſme that I muſt give up my name unto God to be his ſervant, Jude a ſervant of Chriſt, Iude 1. Iames a ſervant of God, Iam. 1. 1. Moſes Gods ſervant, Ioſh. 1. 2. Secondly, that J keep my name unſpotted and undefiled; for God only accounts upon ſuch Names, Revel. 3. 4. And therefore it it is fit I ſhould not change it, unleſſe upon a great occaſion, as Abram afterwards was called Abraham, Gen. 17. 5. Nor give any cauſe why any nick-name ſhould be ſet upon it, as Eſau to be called Edom, Gen 25. 30. The Pope that changeth his Chriſtian name, ſheweth himſelfe to be Antichriſt, 1 Ioh. 2. 22.

Qu. 6. Why would God have thee Baptized?

Anſ. For foure reaſons: Firſt, to teach me that I was borne by nature the Child of wrath and damnation, Epheſ. 2. 3. Secondly, to give me the waſhing of regeneration or renewing of p. 3the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Tit. 3. 5. Thirdly, to Covenant with me, that I ſhould walke in newneſſe of life, Rom. 6. 4. Fourthly, to diſtinguiſh me not outwardly from ſuch as are not Gods people, but Iufidels and Pagans; for it is a badge and ſigne of my profeſſion Gen. 17. 11. And not to be omitted by any meanes, verſ. 14. Nor contemned nor neglected in the leaſt degree, ſeeing it is a matter of Salvation or damnation, Mark. 16. 16.

Q. 7. What is required in him that is Baptized?

Anſw. Hee muſt have Faith, the Eunuch had faith actually before he was baptized, Act. 8. 37. Or at leaſt to be in the ſanctifying Covenant of faith, and ſo even a Child is cleane, 1 Cor. 7. 14.

Q. 8. How then can babes be Baptized?

Anſ. Children ought to be Baptized, for all the Iaylors houſe was baptized, Act. 16. 33. Even all Stephanus houſhold, 1 Cor. 1. 16. Whereof it is likely Children were part; for children were Circumciſed, Luk. 1. 59. Now Baptiſme is the circumciſion of Chriſt, Coloſ. 2. 11, 12. And when Peter urged Baptiſme upon his hearers, hee preſſed it with this argument; becauſe the Promiſe was made to you and to your children, Act. 2. 39. The Covenant to Abraham and his Seed ſtands everlaſtingly, Gen. 17. 7. In ſubſtance to them which are the children of faithfull Abraham Rom. 4. 16.

Q. 9. Can Babes have Faith then?

A. Firſt, they may have the ſeale of Faith, Rom. 4. 11. Secondly they may have the Spirit of God, Luk. 1. 15. Which is a Spirit of faith, p. 44. 13. Thirdly, they may have faith ſo accounted, for they may be ſaid to believe, Math. 18. 6. 4ly, They may have ſeminall Faith, for they may bee borne againe, and then the ſeed of God abideth in them, 1 Iohn 3. 9. As children have a reaſonable ſoule, though yet they have not actuall reaſon to know the right hand from the left. Jonah 4 11. And therefore they do not actually beleeve, becauſe knowing and beleeving go together, 1 Ioh. 4. 16.

Q. 10. Have all elect Babes then this Spirit of Faith, and this ſame ſeminall Faith, in their Baptiſme?

A. Some have, as firſt Jeremiah was ſanctified in the wombe, Ier. 1. 5. Iohn leapt in his mothers womb for joy in Chriſt Luke 1 44. Secondly, ſuch as ſhew ſtrange inſtincts and aptnes in Religion and godlineſſe as ſoone as they can ſpeake plaine, almoſt as Timothy, who ſavingly knew the Scriptures from a child, 2 Tim. 3. 15. but all have not, for ſome live in ſin till 20 yeeres after, as Paul was not converted till he was at the age of a man, Acts 9. 3. Beeing ſenſuall before, and therefore without the Spirit, Iude 19. Nevertheleſſe though he had not the Spirit dwelling in him from the womb, yet he had the Spirit ſeperating and keeping him for a day of converſion, Gal. 1. 15. But his Circumciſion, and his Baptiſme were not actually availeable to the ſealing of remiſſion of ſins, till hee did call on the Name of the Lord by Faith, Act. 22. 16.

Q. 11. What benefits haſt thou by Baptiſme?

A. 3. I am thereby ſealed. Firſt, to bee a member of Chriſts body the Church, 1 Cor. 12. 13. p. 5Secondly, to be one of the Sons of God, Joh. 1. 12, 17. For ſo was Chriſt ſealed Gods Son, Ioh. 6. 27. In his Baptiſme, Math. 3. 17. 3ly, to be an inheritor of the Kingdom of God, Mark 16. 16. Standing benefits have no need of reiteration of Baptiſme, for there is no often put to it, as their is to the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 25. For it is a Sacrament of regeneration or the new birth, Tit. 3. 5. A man cannot be born twice, Iohn 3. 9, 10. A man cannot bee borne twice, for the ingrafied word of God doth dwell for ever in him, 1 Pet. 1. 25.

Q. 12. Have all that are Baptized theſe benefits?

A. No: for the Spirit bloweth where it liſteth, Iohn 3. 8. and doth not tye himſelfe to the water of Baptiſme, Math. 3. 11. Neither is this Baptiſme which is outward in the fleſh, Rom. 2. 28. Eſau was Circumciſed, yet God hated him, Rom. 9. 13. Simon Magus Baptiſed, yet in the gall of bitterneſſe, Act. 8. 13, 23.

Q. 13. Who bee they that have not theſe benefits?

A. No man can know them, till by their fruits wee may know them, Math. 7. 13. Indeed Parents are bound to beleeve the beſt, and hope the beſt, for ſo Charity doth in all things that are not yet manifeſt, 1 Cor. 13. 7. But for all our Charity, they cannot bee vouchſafed forgiveneſſe of ſins, unleſſe they joyne amendment of life to their Baptiſme, Act. 2. 28. Nor ſaved, that anſwer not out of an upright Conſcience to Chriſts interogatories, though they were waſhed, 1 Pet. 3. 21. And yet members in Chriſts viſible Church p. 6and veſſes in his houſe. 2 Tim. 2. 20. And called Sons of God though rebellious, Iſa. 1. 2. And may be ſaid to bee begotten with an outward regeneration, Deut. 32. 18.

Q. 14. What diddeſt thou promiſe and vow in thy Baptiſme?

A. Three things. Firſt, Repentance of my ſins, for hee that liveth in ſin is of the Divell, 1 Iohn 3. 8. Secondly, Faith, for he that beleeveth not is condemned already, Iohn 3. 18. Thirdly, obedience to all Gods Commandements; for curſed is hee that obeyeth not, Ier. 11. 3. All theſe things was I taught in my Baptiſme, to obſerve all my life after, Math. 28. 19 2…. Now all this obedience muſt be done by the power of Faith in Chriſt, Col. 3. 17. And therefore it is called the obedience of Faith. Rom. 16. 26. And this Faith worketh by love, Ga…. 5. 6. And love muſt ſet me on worke to keepe Chriſts Commandements, Iohn 14. 15

Q. 15. Art thou bound to performe thy Baptiſme, Vow and Oath?

A. I am bound▪ Pſa. 50. 14. Or elſe I ſhall be utterly cut off Nah. 1. 15. Yea I am perjured elſe, in making ſuch a Covenant▪ Hoſ 10. 4. And Chriſt will be a ſwift witneſſe againſt mee, Mal. 3. 5. And if I now live in ſin and doe not keepe my Vow, it is better for mee I had never taken this Vow upon mee▪ Eccl. 5. 5.

Q. 16. What is Beliefe or Faith?

Anſ. It is the gift of God, Epheſ. 2. 8. Whereby I believe the words of Chriſt, Pſal. 119. 66. And find reſt in my ſoule in him, Math. 11. 29. So that now it is no more I that life and worke, p. 7and doe, but Chriſt that liveth in me, Gal. 2. 20.

Q. 17. How many wayes is Faith taken?

Anſ. Six: Firſt, Hiſtoricall Faith, Iam. 2. 19. 2. ly, A dead Faith, Iam. 2. 26. 3. ly, A temporary Faith, Luk. 8. 13. 4. ly, A bare hoping Faith, Act. 8. 13. 5. ly, a miraculous Faith, 1 Cor. 13. 2. 6. ly, this ſame ſaving and juſtifying Faith, Rom. 5. 1. A Reprobate may have the firſt five and be damned, for there is but one Faith, Epheſ. 4. 5. Which the world knoweth not, for it is a miſtery 1 Tim. 3. 9. And the moſt men ſay they have it if wee will believe them; yet if we will believe Chriſt few have it, and it is very ſcarce, Luk. 1. 8. Being the faith of the Elect. Tit. 1. 1.

Q. 18. Do not wicked men ſay, they believe in Chriſt?

Anſ. Yea, Ioh. 2. 23. but Chriſt will not believe them, nor commit himſelf unto them, verſ. 24. It is not a bare beleeving of Chriſt in the clouds, but the having of Chriſt in a man, that giveth a man life, 1 Iohn 5. 12. It is living in Chriſt as well as believing in Chriſt, Joh. 11. 26. The wicked may ſay they have faith, Iam. 2. 18. But if Chriſt be not in them by his ſpirit, 1 Iohn 3. 24. For all this faith they may be Reprobates, 2 Cor. 13. 5. Not every one that ſwum after the Ark, and cryed after Noah in the Ark, and clambred and hung upon the arke, but onelyonly they that were in the arke were ſaved, 1 Pet. 3. 20. So only they that get into Chriſt are new creatures, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

Q. 19. Why ſo?

Anſ. Faith if it bee unfained, 2 Tim. 1. 5. Ingrafteth a man into Chriſt, Rom. 11. 23. If a p. 8man be not ingrafted into Chriſt hee ſhall burne in hell fire, Iohn 15. 6.

Q. 20. What reaſons be there of this?

Anſ. Two: Firſt, the ſentence of the Law cannot otherwiſe be true, the ſame ſoul that ſinneth, that ſoule ſhall dye, Ezec. 18. 4. Therefore all the Elect muſt have ſuch a faith, that they may be one with Chriſt and Chriſt with them, Ioh. 14. 20. That Chriſt's death may be their death, 2 Cor. 5. 14. Secondly, Chriſt is the life of them that beleeve, Col. 3. 4. As the life of a man is in him, and the life of every creature is in it, Gen. 1. 30. So Chriſt in a believer; this is a miſtery, Gal. 1. 27. Which whoſoever hath not, the wrath of God abideth on him Ioh. 3. 36.

Q. 21. Doſt thou believe the Articles of faith?

Anſ. Yea I beleeve in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven, and ſo forth, which being a forme of ſound words, I muſt hold faſt in Faith and love, 1 Tim. 1. 13.

Q. 22. Why doeſt thou ſay, I Believe?

Anſ. Becauſe J cannot be ſaved without a particuler Faith of my own, Iam. 2. 18. The juſt ſhall live by his faith, Hab. 2. 4. Whereby I may ſay, Chriſt gave himſelfe for me, Gal. 2. 20. And that hee is my Saviour, Luk. 1. 17. For faith is my life, Ioh. 20. 31. As David could ſay, J live. Pſal. 116. 2. So hee could ſay I believe, verſ. 10, Neither is this preſumption in a Believer, for he knowes, it that Chriſt is his Redeemer in particuler, Iob 19. 25. Yea in the time of Spirituall deſertion, he can ſay, My God, my God. Pſal. 22. 1.

Q. 23. Is not this Preſumption in ſome?

Anſ. Yea, it is Preſumption in many, for if a p. 9carnall profeſſor ſhall ſay, my God. Hoſ. 8. 2. The Lord pardons not his ſinnes for all this, but is an enemy unto him. verſe. 3. As the body without the ſpirit is dead, ſo Faith without workes is dead alſo. Jam. 2. 26. Ignorant Faith is no Faith, but unbeliefe. 1 Tim. 1. 13. Faith askes who, and what, who is the Lord that I may beleeve. John 9. 36. For Faith is an explicit knowing Faith, through Faith we underſtand. Heb. 11. 3. Knowledge is partly before Faith. 1 Iohn 4. 16. And partly after Faith. 2 Pet. 1. 5. A man muſt know what he beleeves, or elſe he cannot beleeve. Iohn 10. 38. Yet Faith is not ſo explicit, but there is ſome implicineſſe in it, as long as we live here. 1 Iohn 3. 2.

Q. 24. How canſt thou ſay I beleeve, can a man know that hee beleeveth?

A. A man may know that he beleeveth, 2 Tim. 1. 12. Even by that help of Gods Spirit. 1 Cor. 2. 12. For he hath that witneſſe in himſelf. 1 Joh. 5. 10. Indeed while he is a Babe in Chriſt, it may be he knoweth not a Babe is a Babe, though hee underſtand it not hee underſtands as a babe. 1 Cor. 13. 11. Yea in the time of temptation too, a man is a man, though in aſwound, he knoweth it not, in ſuch a cauſe David may feare he is caſt of for ever. Pſal. 77. 7. Alſo when paſſions are violent, as over much griefe, or over much joy. Luke 24. 41. But a child of God when his unbeliefe is at the worſt, hath an inckling that hee doth beleeve. Marke 9. 24. Or props himſelfe at leaſt with this beliefe, that hee hath beleeved. 2 Cor. 4. 13. How ſoever Faith bringeth evidence and aſſurance with it at the laſt. Heb. 11. 1.

p. 10Q. 25. What ſay you of them that have the Spirit of bondage?

A. The child of God had it once▪ but then he hath it no more to feare againe. Rom. 8. 15. Thoſe that thinke they have aſſurance, and ſometimes conceit they are aright, and ſomtimes feare not, the Lord joynes ſuch with unbeleevers. Rev. 21. 8. They live in darkneſſe, and know not whether they goe, whether to Heaven or to Hell. Iohn 12. 25. The godly may fall ſometimes into ſuch feares, that Chriſt may upbraid them. How is it yee have no Faith. Marke 4. 41. But they are reſtleſſe till their Election and calling be made ſure, and therefore they are diligent about it. 2 Pet. 1. 10.

Q. 26. How many objects of Faith are there that thou mayeſt beleeve?

A. I muſt beleeve in one Lord. Epheſ 4. 5. Diſtinguiſhed into three perſons. 1 Iohn 5. 7. Firſt, in God the Father, 1 Pet. 1. 21. Secondly, in Chriſt. Iohn 14. 1. Thirdly, in God the holy Ghoſt. Math. 28. 19. So far forth as it is written in the word. Iohn 20. 31. Which is a word of Faith. Rom. 16. 8. A plaine and an eaſie word, that the ſimple may be converted by it, Pſal. 19. 7 Pſal. 119. 130. It is a perfit word, able to make the man of God perfit. 2 Tim. 3. 17. Whatſoever men, or Counſels, or traditions, or Angels from Heaven ſay; I muſt go to the word, if they ſpeake not according to it, there is no truth in them. Iſa. 8. If Paul himſelfe were now alive, and ſhould Preach any thing beſides it, hee were accurſed▪ Gal. 1. 8. It is a damnable ſinne to adde toit, p. 11Rev. 22. 18. Or to take a tittle from it, verſe. 19. …is able to convince all gain-ſayers, without running to this or that mans Expoſitions of it, the …criptures themſelves ſhew their own meanings, Acts 18. 28.

Q. 27. But may not men give their Expoſitions …to it?

A. There muſt bee an interpreting of the …ord, people underſtand not the Originall tongue … it, 1 Cor. 14. 5. And an expounding too, Luke …4. 27. But no man may give their own ſenſe to … but the ſenſe of the word. Neh. 8. 8. For the …me Chriſt that ſpake the dark ſpeeches and Pa…ables, the ſame Chriſt doth expound them, Mar. …. 34. The holy Ghoſt ſpeaking in the Scriptures, Heb. 3. 7. Teacheth the right meaning. Iohn 14. …6.

Q. 28. How is this?

A. By ſundry wayes. Firſt, by conferring places with places, as Micah 5. 2. with Math. 2. 6. Secondly, by the ſcope, as if I would know Peters meaning, why he ſaid, that Davids Sepul…her was then to be ſeene. Act. 2. 29. I may ſee the ſcope of that ſpeech, verſe. 31. Thirdly, obſerving whether the word be proper or figurative Iohn 15. 1. and many others.

Q. 29. What ſay you more of the Word?

A. It undertakes to be a rule to all that we do, to the wearing of our hayre. 1 Cor. 11. 14. Or of … Garment. 1 Pet. 3. 3. To our eating and drinking. 1 Cor. 10. 31. To our marketting and Marchandizing. Iam 4. 13. Not ſo little as a ſhoo…yer, but if it be amiſſe, the word doth condemn it. Iſa. 3. 18. Not ſo little as an idle word, but the p. 12word doth tax it. Math. 12. 36. Not ſo little as a thought, but it muſt bee according to the Word. 2 Cor. 10. 5. What ever we thinke, ſay, or do, we muſt be carefull to obſerve the judgement of the word, and lay it before us. Pſal. 119. 30.

Q. 30. Why doſt thou ſay, I beleeve in God?

A. For three reaſons. Firſt, becauſe I do not beleeve unbeliefe, I go out of my ſelfe, and deny my ſelfe. Math. 16. 24. Secondly, unleſſe I caſt my ſelfe upon God, and rely on him. 2 Chron. 20. 20. Thirdly, unleſſe not only naturally, but alſo ſpiritually, I be in him, move in him, and live in him. Act. 17. 28.

Q. 31. Why doſt thou beleeve in God as a Father Almighty?

A. Firſt, that in my greateſt dangers I may depend upon him who is able to deliver mee. Dan. 3. 17. This I muſt beleeve. Math. 9. 28. Secondly, that in my greateſt temptations, I may not dare to ſin againſt him, for I am not ſtronger then he. 1 Cor. 10. 22.

Q 32. Why maker of Heaven and Earth?

A. Firſt, that I may conſider I am Created of God and for God to live holily, for the wicked are for the day of evill. Prov. 16. 4. Secondly, that I glorify God in my ſoule and body, for they are not mine but Gods. 1 Cor. 6, 20. Thirdly, that I abuſe none of his Creatures, for they are all unto Gods praiſe. Pſal. 145, 10. Nor prophane them, for God is holy in them. ver. 17. But have pleaſure to ſearch Gods greatneſſe in them. Pſal. 111. 2. And ſee the inviſible things of God in them. Rom. 1. 20. And conſider them. Math. 6. 28. And meditate on them. Pſal. 143.

p. 13And learne Parables or Similitudes for Spirituall things out of them. Math. 24. 32. For God teacheth mee by ſuch Similitudes. Hoſ. 12. 10.

Q. 33. Why doſt thou beleeve in Ieſus Chriſt his onelyonly Son our Lord?

A. For two reaſons. Firſt, that I may bee juſtifyed freely by his Grace, Rom. 3. 24. Who though he knew no ſin, yet was made ſinne for mee▪ that I might bee made the righteouſneſſe of God in him. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Secondly, that looke whatſoever hee did, or ſuffered, or had, may bee woven in a miſtery into my heart; if this miſtery had not been in Paul, hee himſelfe had been a reprobate. 2 Cor. 13. 5. 6.

Q. 34. Muſt that then which was a hiſtory in Chriſt, be a miſtery in us?

A. Yea by the application of all theſe articles concerning Chriſt to our ſoules, I muſt bee an adopted Son of God. 1 Iohn 3. 1. Chriſt muſt bee formed and conceived in me. Gal. 4. 19. I muſt ſuffer with Chriſt. Rom. 8. 17. And mine old man muſt be crucifyed in me, and ſin dye in me. Rom. 6. 6. I muſt bee crucifyed to the world, and the world unto mee. Gal. 6. 14. I muſt bee buried with him and raiſed up againe to a new life. Col. 2. 12. And ſeeke the things above in Heaven. Col. 3. 1. And judge my ſelfe here, otherwiſe I ſhall bee judged and condemned of the Lord. 1 Cor. 11. 31.

Q. 35. Why doſt thou ſay, Chriſt was conceived of the Holy Ghoſt, &c.

A. He was conceived. Luke 1. 31. By the holy Ghoſt, ver 35. for the woman was found with p. 14child of the Holy Ghoſt. Math. 1. 18. Supernaturally that his conception might be without ſin. ver. 20. For all others are conceived in ſin, Pſa. 51. 5. Becauſe that which is borne of the fleſh is fleſh. Iohn 3. 6. And yet the Holy Ghoſt made him of a woman. Gal. …. 4. And hee was borne of her. Math. 1. 1…. Being the ſeed of a woman. Gen. 3. 15. Of the ſeed of David. Rom. 1. 3. The roote of Ieſſe. Iſa. 11. 10. Hee ſuffered under Pontius Pilate who gave ſentence that he ſhould be Crucifyed. Luke 23. 24. And ſcourged him and delivered him up to death. Marke 15. 15. VnderUnder whom he had witneſſed a good confeſſion. 1 Tin…. 6. 15. And therefore Chriſt is ſaid to be crucifyed at Rome the great City of Antichriſt. Rev. 11. 8. Becauſe Pontius Pilate who delivered him, to be Crucifyed, was governour under Tiberius Caeſar Emperour of Rome. 3…1.

Q. 36. Did Chriſt ſuffer in Soule too?

A. Yea: for his Soule was exceeding ſorrowfull even unto death. Math. 26. 38. His Soule was an offering for ſin as well as his body. Iſa. 53. 10. Whole Chriſt was ſurely for us. Heb. …. 22. And a curſe for us. Gal. 3. 13. For our Soules have need of Redemption as well as our bodies. Pſal. 49. 8. It is a ſigne he ſuffered greater torments then bodily, by his ſweat in the garden which was a bloody ſweat. Luke 22. 44. And by his lamentable ſpeech on the Croſſe my God my God why haſt thou forſaken me. Math. 27. 46. And by his not taſting of the firſt death of us. Heb. 2. 9. But alſo keeping of the ſecond death from hurting us. Rev. 2. 11.

Q. 37. How is hell taken in Scripture?

p. 15A. Firſt, for the Grave. Iſa. 14. 9. Secondly, Hell is taken for the feares of Hell. Pſal. 116. 3. Thirdly, Hell is taken for the place of the damned after this life. Luke 16. 23. Fourthly, for the hidden parts of the earth. Pſal. 139. 8. Fiftly, Hell is taken for the Devill and whatſoever is helliſh. Rev. 20. 14. Sixtly, for the loweſt degree of Chriſts humiliation. Acts 2. 27.

Q, 38. What ſayeſt thou of Chriſts diſeent into Hell?

A. Not as though he deſcended to hell to ſuffer there the paines of the damned, for he ſaid upon the Croſſe it is finiſhed. Iohn 19. 5. Or to deliver the Soules of the Patriarch and Fathers of old out of Limbo, for they were glorifyed before. Math. 17. 3. And in Paradice by the vertue of Chriſts death, he being the …amb ſlaine from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13. 8. Or to Preach to Soules there in priſon. 1 Pet. 3. 19. For that was his Spirit, Preaching in the mouth and dayes of Noah while they were alive, ver. 20. or to tryumph over Hell and Divels, for that hee did upon the Croſſe. Col. 2. 15. Nor as though he deſcended Locally at all into Hell for all that we know for dying he ſaid unto the good Thief, This day ſhalt thou bee with mee in Paradice. Luke 23. 43. And hee commended his Spirit into the hands of his Father in Heaven, verſe. 46.

Q. 39. Is it not an Article of Faith, and hath it not its meaning?

A. Yea it is an Article of Faith, though the Greeke Church hath omitted it in their Creed, taken out of Scripture. Acts 2. …1. And by this ſame deſcent into hell, is meant Chriſts loweſt degree p. 16of humiliation, oppoſed in the height of his exaltation and aſcenſion. Epheſ. 4, 10. For he was not only dead, but hidden of death for a while, though he could not be held quite. Acts 2. 24. How ſoever this deſcent into hell be underſtood, we are ſure by this means his people ſhall never deſcend into he…. Rom. 8. 1.

Q. 40. What beleeveſt thou of Chriſts riſing the third day?

A. He roſe againe, not by re-uniting his body to his God-head, for they were never ſevered by death, for being Crucifyed, hee was ſtill the Lord of glory. 1 Cor. 2. 8. But by re-uniting Soule and body together, and taking his life againe, which before he had laid downe. Iohn 10. 17. And hee himſelfe had power to doe it. verſe. 18. To bee Lord of quick and dead. Rom. 14. 9. And this hee did the third day. 1 Cor. 15. 4. Namely, the third day from his ſuffering paſſively, verſe. 3. And therfore the ſpace is called by the Scripture, the ſpace of three dayes. John 2. 19. And becauſe that every day hath a night belonging to it, it is called the ſpace of three nights too. Math. 12. 40. That as by man came death, ſo by man alſo might come the reſurrection of the dead. 1 Cor: 13. 21. Himſelf being the firſt fruits of them that ſleepe, verſe. 20. And the firſt borne from the dead. Col. 1. 18. And the firſt begotten of the dead: Rev. 1. 5. And dyeth no more. Rom. 6. 9. And therefore thoſe that roſe before Chriſt, as the Shunamites child. 2 Kings 4. 35. And Lazarus and the reſt roſe again to a mortall life. Iohn 11. 44.

Q. 41. Why did Chriſt riſe againe?

p. 17A. He roſe againe for the glory of God and the good of all the Elect, Rom. 6. 4. That they might be glorified, Rom. 4. 25. For if hee had not riſen they had ſtill been in their ſinnes, 1 Cor. 15. 17. This article was a comfort to Iob and all before the comming of Chriſt, Iob. 19. 25. And is to be remembred of all the people of God, as a comfort againſt all troubles, namely that Jeſus Chriſt is riſen from the dead, 2 Tim. 2, 8. and for diver other reaſons did he riſe.

Q. 42. What beleeve you conceerning the other two Articles?

A, Hee aſeended into heaven, Iohn 3, 13. and was ſeene ſo doing, Iohn 6. 62. being taken up, Acts 1. 9, and he went up, verſe. 10. whether the bodies of the Saints are not yet aſcended, no not Davids, Acts 2. 34. though their ſoules doe aſcend as ſoone as they are diſſolved from their bodies to be with Chriſt, Phil. 1. 23. and the Heavens muſt receive him till the times of reſtitution, Acts 3. 21. and therefore in reſpect of his body wee have him not with us here on earth, Iohn 12. 8. But onelyonly Sacramentally in his Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 24. And hee ſitteth now at the right hand of God, Col. 3. 1. in the throne of his Father, Rev. 3. 21. being preferred even in his humane nature, above all Angels, and all Principalities and powers, Epheſ. 1. 20, 21. expecting till his enemies be made his foot-ſtoole, Heb. 10. 13. Where Steven ſaw him ſtanding up as in his defence, Acts 7. 55. and where hee maketh interceſſion for his redeemed, Rom. 8. 24. As beeing their one onelyonly Mediator, 1 Tim. 2. 5.

Q. 43. What beleeve you of Chriſts judging the world?

p. 18A. Hee is ordained of God to bee Iudge of quick and dead, Acts 10. 42. Not only men, but Angels to the day, when, being called the great day, Jude 6. Hee ſhall come to do it viſibly, Acts 1. 11. And according to thoſe truths which are contained in the Goſpell. Rom. 2. 16. and as men may find their doome in the word, ſo they muſt expect it, Iohn 12. 48. His Saints too, by their lives ſhall judge all the world that are not Saints, 1 Cor. 6. 2. The ſet day, and houre, and time, knoweth no man, nor the Angels, no not Chriſt himſelfe as man, Marke 13. 32. Though a mans particular judgement bee as hee dyes, Heb. 9. 27. either to Heaven or to Hell, Luke 16. 22, 23.

Q. 44. What is the Office of Chriſt?

A. Hee is our Mediator, Heb. 12. 24. and he that makes interceſſion for us, Heb. 7. 25. appearing in the preſence of God for us, Heb. 9. 24. and perfuming the Prayers of his members with the odours of his merits, whenſoever they pray in his name, Rev. 8. 3, 4. In this ſenſe, no meere creature can bee a Mediator to intreat for us, 1 Sam. 2. 25. And therefore it is in another ſence, that the Prayers of Saints living upon earth when they pray for other men, are called interceſſions, 1 Tim. 2. 1. and wee muſt pray them to pray for us; Heb. 13. 18. though not when they bee dead, for then they bee ignorant of us, yea though it bee Abraham himſelfe, Iſa. 63. 16. The dead know not any thing of the affaires of this life, Eccl. 9. 5. The Lord counts it an abſurd thing, that the living ſhould ſeeke unto the dead, Iſa. 8. 19. when once their ſoules goe away hence they p. 19…e no more to appeare to us, Pſal. 39. 13. Neither have wee any warrant to pray the Angels to pray for us, though they be ſent forth to miniſter for us, Heb. 1. 14. Nor to ſpeake unto them, unleſſe it bee in a Rhetorieall ſtraine to bleſſe the Lord, Pſal. 103. 20.

Q. 45. Why did Chriſt take the office of a Mediator upon him?

A. Becauſe hee was elected of God for this purpoſe, Iſa. 42. 1. and foreordained, 1 Pet. 1. 20. and ſealed, John 6. 27. and Sanctifyed, Iohn 10. 36. And given of God for the life of beleevers, John 3. 16. not only to helpe ſinners with a poſſibility of ſalvation that they might bee ſaved, ver. 17. but to convert ſinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. This was the agreement made between his Father and him, that hee ſhould have a ſeed, and that the Redemption which hee purchaſed ſhould actually proſper, Iſa. 53. 10. this was trinſicall end he lookt at, namely, that he might purchaſe to himſelfe a peculiar people, Tit. 2. 14.

Q. 46. Which bee the particular Offices of Chriſt?

A. Hee was Annoynted, Iſa. 61. 1. Firſt to be our Prophet, to whom we muſt hearken as long as wee live, Deut. 18. 15. Secondly, our mercifull and faithfull high Prieſt, to reconcile us to God, Heb. 2. 17. and King of Saints, Rev. 15. 3. For firſt wee were deſperately ignorant of God, and hee onelyonly can reveale God unto us, Math. 11. 27. Secondly, wee were deſperately alienated, being the enemies of God, and hee only can reconcile us, Col. 1. 21. Thirdly, we were deſperately diſabled, and could never have applyed p. 20this Redemption unto us, hee onelyonly can make us Kings over ſinne and death, Rev. 1. 6.

Q. 47. Who is hee that in effect denyeth Chriſts Offices, and teacheth men ſo?

A. The Pope and his Church, for though hee ſeeme to ſit in the Temple of God, 2 Theſ. 2. 4. and have the horne of the Lambe, as though hee were Chriſts Vicar and friend, yet he ſpeakes like the Dragon, Rev. 13. 11. And therefore he is ſaid to deny Chriſt, 1 Iohn 2. 22.

Q. 48. How doth hee deny Chriſts Offices?

A. Firſt, becauſe hee denyes Chriſts Propheticall Office, hee coynes new Articles of Faith, and therefore hee is called the falſe Prophet, Rev. 12. 20. Secondly, becauſe hee denies Chriſts Prieſtly Office, for hee undertakes to offer Chriſt in the Sacrament, whereas Chriſt was only once offered, Heb. 9. 28. Hee hath invented ſatisfactions and penances, and Purgatory, to expiate for ſinne, whereas Chriſt trod the wine preſſe alone, Iſa. 63. 3. Thirdly, becauſe hee denies Chriſts Kingly Office, for hee applyes that to himſelfe, which Chriſt ſpake of himſelfe, Math. 28. 18. and takes it onelyonly to himſelfe, 1 Tim. 6. 15.

Q. 49. Doth hee deny no more of Chriſt?

A. He makes himſelfe the head of the Church, whereas Chriſt onelyonly is the head, 1 Cor. 11. 3. this Office beeing given him onelyonly of God, Epheſ. 1. 22. Hee makes Peter and himſelfe the marke which was meant of Peters confeſſion, that hee made, Math. 16. 18. Namely, Chriſt the Son of God, verſe. 16. for hee onelyonly is the Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 4. the Rock of all our Salvation, Deut. 32. 15. And who is this Rock ſave our God, Pſal. 18. 31.

p. 21Q. 50. Why doeſt thou beleeve in God the Holy Ghost?

A. That hee may apply Chriſt unto me to Iuſtification, 1 Cor. 6. 11. That he may tranſforme me into the image of God, 2 Cor. 3. 18. And make his graces fruitfull in me, Gal. 5. 22. that hee may teach me all truth, and put me in remembrance of Gods word, Iohn 14. 26. and lead me to walke uprightly, Pſal. 143. 10. That he may comfort me in all Temptations, Acts 9. 31. helping me with growes in my Prayers, Rom. 8. 26. That hee may witneſſe with my Spirit, that I am Gods child, verſe. 16. that he whom the world knoweth not, may abide with me for ever, Ioh. 14. 16. For if any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his, Rom. 8. 9.

Q. 51. What doeſt thou believe the Holy Ghoſt, doth more?

A. I believe that the Spirit makes me a member of one Body, 1 Cor. 12. 13. Namely, the holy Catholike Church of Chriſt, which is ſpoken of, Rev. 7. 9. which is the body of Chriſt, Col. 1. 18. and conſiſteth onelyonly of Saints and Profeſſors of holineſſe, 1 Cor. 14. 33. Whereof if any walke ſcandalouſly, they are to bee admoniſhed, and if they will not be reclaimed, they muſt be accompted as Heathens, Math. 18. 17. and caſt out of the Church, though proud Diothephes abuſed this power, 3. Iohn 10. and delivered up to Satan, for the deſtruction of the Fleſh, that the Spirit may be humbled, and ſo ſaved if it may be poſſible, 1 Cor. 5. 5. That they may learne not to blaſpheme nor cauſe the Word to be blaſphemed, 1 Tim. 1. 20. The viſible Church have ſome among p. 22them which are not of them, 1 Ioh. 2. 19. But the true Church which is called Inviſible, becauſe the world cannot ſee which perſons they be, are onelyonly them which ſhall be ſaved, Acts 2. 47.

Q. 48. Wherein doth the Communion of Saints conſiſt?

A. In two things; firſt, in Fellowſhip with Chriſt the head, 1 Ioh. 2. 5. Secondly, in fellowſhip with the Saints, ver 7. and ſo it conſiſteth in 7 things; Firſt, in Vnity, Epheſ. 4. 3. 4, 5 &c. Secondly, in keeping company with them. Pſal. 16. 3. Thirdly, in Praying for them, Epheſ. 6, 18. Fourthly, in Fellowſhip, compaſſion▪ and bowels. Phil. 2 1, 2. Fiftly, in helping one another out of Sin, Gal. 6. 1. and provoking one another to goodneſſe, Heb. 10. 24. Sixtly, in imitating the lives of the Saints, 1 Theſ. 1. 6. as they imitate Chriſt, 1 Cor. 11. 1. Seventhly, in relieving them that lacke, to the very ſelling of ones goods if need require. Acts 4. 34.

Q. 53. What believeſt thou concerning Remiſſion of Sins?

A. I believe, that all that believe in Chriſt receive re…iſſion of Sins, Acts 10. 43. I cannot truly ſay I am ſicke of it, but my ſinnes are forgiven me, Iſa. 33. 24. blotted out and remembred in heaven no more, Iſa. 43. 25. nor imputed to me, Pſal. 32. 2. but drowned in the Sea, Mich. 7. 19. Namely, of Chriſts bloud, Epheſ. 1. 7 which cleanſeth me from all Sin, and I know my Beliefe is right, if I walke in the light, 1 Iohn 1. 7. For who ſo have not deſtroyed the workes of the Dwell in them, Chriſt was never yet manifeſt p. 23to them, 1 John 3. 8. Thoſe that ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, ſhall never be forgiven, Math. 12. 32. Neither are ſuch as goe on in their guilty Conſciences, forgiven, Exod. 31. 7. nor ſuch as provoke▪ Chriſt, and obey not his voyce, Exod. 23. 21. Yet God is a God ready to Pardon, Nehem. 9. 17. VponUpon true Repentance and Faith anſwerable to the vow in Baptiſme, Acts 2. 38.

Q. 54. What believeſt thou concerning the Reſurrection of the Body?

A. Though fleſh and bloud count it incredible, Acts 26. 8. nevertheleſſe by Faith I know it is true, Joh. 11. 24. And that theſe very eyes ſhall riſe and ſee my Redeemer, Iob 19. 27. though the wormes have eaten up all my Fleſh, verſe. 26. yea, though my body were drowned and devoured of Fiſhes, Rev. 20. 13. though the ſubſtance be the ſame, Iuſtice requiring that the ſame bodies that ſinned ſhould be damned, and Mercy requiring, that the ſame bodies that glorified God ſhould be ſaved, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Nevertheleſſe, I beleeve that the qualities and accidences ſhall bee altered; namely, that this very mortall ſhall put on Immortality, 1 Cor. 15. 53. This diſhonourable ſhall put on glory, this weak ſhall put on Power, verſe. 43. this naturall body ſhall bee raiſed a more Spirituall body, verſe. 44. and beare the image of the heavenly, verſe. 49. though it bee diſpierſed into a thouſand thouſand pieces by Corruption, yet Chriſt will looſe nothing of it, Joh. 6. 39. And therefore my Fleſh ſhall not reſt in hope, Pſal. 16. 9. of the Redemption of my Body, Rom. 8. …3. p. 24That mortality may be ſwallowed up of Life, 2 Cor. 5. 4. Though my ſoule while it is abſent from my body, be preſent in the mean time with the Lord, verſ. 8. having returned to God that gave it, Eccleſ, 12. 7.

Q. 55. What believeſt thou more of the Reſurrection?

A. That there ſhall be a Reſurrection both of the juſt and alſo the unjuſt, Acts 24. 15. The one to life the other to damnation, Iohn 5. 29. For Chriſt is the Judge of quicke and dead, Acts 10. 42. And therefore though it bee appointed unto men once to dye, nevertheleſſe not to dye as beaſts but to come to judgement, Heb. 9. 27. The Angels being inſtruments of gathering them, and ſending them to Chriſts barre with a Trumpet, Math. 24. 31. not a materiall Trump, but with the trumpe of God, and with a ſhout, and the dead ſhall riſe firſt, 1 Theſ. 4. 16. Then thoſe that are alive ſhall be caught up to meet Chriſt in the ayre, verſe. 17. being changed in a moment, 1 Cor. 15. 52. Bleſſed and holy is hee, that hath part in the firſt Reſurrection from ſinne unto holineſſe heere, Rev. 20. 6. for he ſhall goe into life eternall, but the reſt into everlaſting puniſhment, Math. 25. 46.

Q. 56. What believeſt thou concerning the laſt Article, namely Life everlaſting?

A. I believe it is the inheritance proper to the Saints, who, in this life are made meet to be partakers of it, Col. 1. 12. Which is a Kingdome, Math. 25. 34. conſiſting, Firſt in the beatificall viſion and ſight of God as hee is, 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Secondly, in intire likeneſſe with God, Pſal. 17. 15. p. 25Thirdly, in fulneſſe of joy and pleaſure everlaſting in Chriſt, Pſal. 16. 11. Fourthly, in having no need of the Creature, Rev. 22. 5. but inheriting all things in God, Rev. 21. 7. Fifthly, in freedome from all troubles and grievances, and imperfections of this life, verſ. 4. The Bleſſedneſſe of it cannot enter into the heart of man to conceive it, it is ſo great, 1 Cor. 2. 9. It is ſuch a holy Kingdome, that no unholy perſon may have it, 1 Cor. 6. 9. and if hee were their ſuppoſe that were poſſible which is impoſſible, 1 Cor. 15. 50. Yet hee could have no happineſſe there, for there dwelleth nothing but Righteouſneſſe, 2 Pet. 3. 13.

Q. 57. The wicked ſay they believe all this, but doe they?

A. Indeed they believe the hiſtory of God and his Word, Iam. 2. 19. otherwiſe they believe a falſhood or a lye, Ierem. 13. 25. and therefore though they expect to be ſaved on their deathbeds, when they dye they ſhall periſh, Prov. 11. 7. Though they cry, Lord, Lord open the gates of heaven to us, yet hee will not open it unto them, Math. 25. 11, 12. God that made them will never ſave them, Iſa. 27. 11. and though they dye with Lord, Lord have mercy upon me, in their mouthes, Math. 7. 21. and ſo goe away like Lambes, they ſhall lye in the grave of Hell, as thick as Sheepe in a ſheep-cote, Pſal. 49. 14.

Q. 58. How many Commandements are there?

A. Ten, ten Words, Exod. 34. 28. God added no more, Deut. 5. 22. Which are the rule of my ſteps, Pſal. 119. 133. continually, verſ. 117. p. 26in my memory, verſe. 109. in mine underſtanding, verſe. 130. being my meditation alwayes, verſe. 97. that I may refraine my life from every Sin, verſe. 101. Idle vaine thoughts and all, verſe. 113. and indeare them unto me above thouſands of Gold and Silver, verſe. 72.

Q. 59. What rules are to helpe us in the right underſtanding of the Law?

A. Six more eſpecially; Firſt, that the Law is Spirituall, ſo ſpirituall that the beſt Saint is carnall in compariſon of it, Rom. 7. 14. reaching to all the heart, ſoule mind, ſtrength, Luk. 10. 27. Secondly, that it is perfect, Pſal. 19. 7. commanding Obedience to every tittle, if a man doe but once Sin it doth curſe him, Gal. 3. 10. Thirdly, when it forbiddeth or commandeth any thing, it forbiddeth or commandeth all meanes, occaſions, or provocations thereunto; and therefore the leaſt amorous looke, is Adultery, Math. 5. 28. The leaſt hatred, is Murther, 1 Ioh. 3. 15. Fourthly, whatſoever the Law forbiddeth, it commandeth the contrary, 1 Pet. 3. 11. Whatſoever it commandeth it forbiddeth the contrary, Levit. 19. 17. Fiftly, it runneth upon Negatives for negatives bind ſtrongly, this being the nature of a No, no in no wiſe, Rom. 3. 9. the Firmative binds alwayes, but not to all moments, but the Negative bindeth to both, Luke 21. 34. Sixtly, its put in the ſecond Perſon, that every ſoule may apply it, Mal. 2. 1.

Q. 60. Who be under the Law, the Rigour of the law, and the Curſe of the law?

A. All diſobedient perſons that are not made righteous by Chriſt, 1 Tim. 1. 9. Even the whole p. 27world, whether Chriſtian Profeſſors or not, except they be led by the Spirit of God, Gal. 5. 18. bounded to doe the Law to the utmoſt, as a wife is bound to her husband, Rom. 7. 2. and therefore the Law hath dominion over them as long as they live, verſe. 1. and the Curſe too, Gal. 3. 10. And whatſoever the rigour of the Law ſayes, its ſpoken directly to them, Rom. 3. 19. but Believers in whom ſin doth not reigne, they are not under the Law but under Grace, Rom. 6. 14 nevertheleſſe they muſt not thinke the Law to bee of none effect to them, Rom. 3. 31. But firſt they muſt conſent to the goodneſſe of it, Rom. 7. 16. Secondly▪ get the knowledge of their ſins more and more by it. verſe. 7. Thirdly ſling myre and dirt in their owne faces, by reaſon of it, verſe. 2. … Fourthly, delight in it as a bleſſed rule of life, verſe. 22. Fiftly, be moved by it to thankfulneſſe to Chriſt▪ verſ. 25. Sixtly, be ſchooled by it to hang faſter upon Chriſt▪ Gal. 2. 24. Seventhly, to take heed of the madneſſe of their fleſh, that deſires rather to be under the Law though never ſo cruell, then to be under Chriſt, Gal. 4. 21.

Q. 61. Wherefore ſerves the Preface: I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt, out of the bondage?

A. Two teach me; Firſt, that I cannot wholly obey, except I believe God is my God, Ioſh. 14. 8. and be one of the Iſrael of God, Gal. 6. 16. Secondly, that the conſideration of what God hath done for mee, is a motive to obey him, Ioſh. 24. 31. Thirdly, that I am forgetfull p. 28of old mercies; and therefore the Lord perſwades me to obedience with the neweſt and lateſt, Exod. 20. 2. Fourthly, that the Spirituall meaning of this deliverance, from Egyptian bondage concerneth all that are delivered from Satan and ſin, Heb. 2. 15.

Q. 62. Are the duties of the firſt Table, greater then the duties of the ſecond?

A. Yea, becauſe they are the firſt and the great Commandements, Math. 22. 38. Firſt, becauſe the object of them, which is God, is greater then man, Iob 33. 12. Secondly, becauſe the performance of them is the immediate worſhip of God, and hee that ſins againſt his neighbour, does more immediatly ſin againſt God, 1 Cor. 8. 12. Thirdly, they moderate the duties of the ſecond; as for example▪ the duty of obedience to Parents, otherwiſe it is not right, Epheſ. 6. 1. And yet with theſe cautions, firſt that the compariſon be equally made of the chiefe of the firſt Table, with the chiefe of the ſecond; of the middle with the middle, of the leaſt with the leaſt, otherwiſe not, Iſa. 1. 15. Secondly, that our obedience to the ſecond, is an argument of our obedience to the firſt, 1 Iohn 4. 20. Thirdly, that the obedience to both, is inſeperable, holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, ever goe together, Luke 1. 75.

Q, 63. What art thou commanded in the firſt, Thou ſhalt have no other Gods but me?

A. To know God and believe him, Iſa. 43. …0. and in him, 2 Chron. 20. 20. and in no other God, Pſal. 81. 9. This Commandement bids me keepe all the reſt, Deut. 11. 22. Not onelyonly to obey him, in what hee commanded at the firſt, p. 29but any Commandement he would afterwards give, Heb. 11. 17. And therefore this Commandement binds me now to believe in Ieſus Chriſt, 1 Ioh. 3. 23. to relye upon God for all things, 2 Chron. 16. 8. Couragiouſly to wait upon God, Pſal. 27. 14. To walke before God, as a ſervant before his Maſter, Gen. 17. 1. In all my wayes to think of God▪ and to acknowledge him, Prov. 3. 6. To be merry in him evermore, Phil. 4. 4. to feare him and to ſerve him, Deut. 6. 13. To turne the deſires of my Soule to him, and to the remembrance of him, Iſa. 26 8. To labour more after him, then after meat or drinke, or any thing in this periſing world, Iohn 6. 27. To make him the end and ſcope of all mine actions, not onelyonly Spirituall, but alſo civill, and naturall, 1 Cor. 10. 31.

Qu. 64. Now becauſe we muſt ſerve God, and feare him, and love him, and truſt in him, and ſo forth, according to his Attributes, which be they?

A. Hee is uncompounded, ſimple, and perfectly one, Deut. 6. 4. Immutable and unvariable, Iam. 1. 17. and therefore hee cannot be ſaid to Repent, 1 Sam. 15. 29. but onelyonly improperly in regard of the effects, Gen. 6. 6. Infinite in greatneſſe, the heaven of heavens is not able to containe him, 1 Kings 8. 27. being every where preſent, Pſal. 139. 7. Infinite in eternity, from everlaſting to everlaſting, Pſal. 90. 2. Not by ſucceſſion of time but hee is for ever I am, Exod▪ 3. 14. Infinite in Power, for hee is Almighty; Gen. 17. 1. Nothing is unpoſſible to him, Luke 1. 37. unleſſe it be to doe evill, that is, a weakneſſe p. 30and no power; and therefore unpoſſible to him, Heb. 6. 18. Infinit in knowledge, he knoweth all things, Ioh. 21. 7. Not by diſcourſe one after another, but all together, Pſal. 139. 4. moſt free in his Will, he doth whatſoever he will, Pſal. 115. 3. His will being the cauſe of all things, Epheſ. 1. 11. Abundant in goodneſſe, mercy, gracious in patience and Truth, Exod. 34. 6. and Juſtice, verſe. 7. and Holineſſe, 1 Pet. 1. 16. of terrible Majeſty, Iob 37. 22. moſt happie and bleſſed for ever, Rom. 11. 36. and ſo forth?

Q. 65. How doe the attributes of God concerne thine obedience to God, eſpecially in this firſt Commandement?

A. Firſt God is ſimple as a Spirit; therefore hee muſt be ſerved in ſpirit and truth, Iohn 4. 24. and I muſt doe every thing with ſimplicity, 2 Cor. 1. 12. Secondly, God is un-alterable; therefore I muſt truſt in his Covenant, Pſal. 89. 34. neither change nor meddle with them that doe, but bee conſtant in his feare, Prov. 24. 21. Yet I muſt repent, and ſo change my life, for God alſo repenteth of the evill, Joel, 2. 13. Thirdly, if God fill heaven and earth, J muſt be conſcious that whereſoever I am God is, Ierem. 23. 24. Fourthly, if God be eternall, then hee is the Eternall life that I muſt ſeeke, 1 Joh. 5. 20. and count him my continuall refuge, Deut. 33. 27. Fiftly, if God be Almighty, then I muſt not ſtand out againſt his chaſtenings, Iob 5. 17. but feare him, Iob 6. 14. and humble my ſelfe betime before him, Iob 8. 5. and returne to him, for there is no eſcaping out of his hand, Iob 22. 23. Sixtly, if p. 31God know all things, then I muſt be conſcious that hee ſeeth my thoughts, Math. 9. 4. and all my Secrets, Math. 6. 18. And ſo of the reſt.

Q. 66. What art thou commanded in the ſecond Commandement?

A. Not to ſerve God with Will-worſhip, though it ſeeme never ſo wiſe and humble, and mortifying, Coloſ. 2. 23. To abhorre all groſſe thoughts of God, Act. 17. 29. as that hee is ſuch a one, as mens ſelves doe thinke him to be, Pſal. 50. 21. not to make any Image, Deut. 5. 8. Vnleſſe God ſhould ſpecially reveale a new Commandement, as once he did for Cherubims in the Sanctuary, Exod. 25. 18. and the braſen Serpent in the Wilderneſſe, Numb. 21. 8. or unleſſe it be in a Civill uſe, Math. 22. 10. To abhor Images of Idolaters, eyther to worſhip God before them, 2 Chron. 25. 14. or in them, as the Jewes did God in Baal, Hoſ. 2. 16. or to be put in mind of God by them, verſ. 17. or being at Maſſe or communion of Service with them, 1 Cor. 10. 21. or houſing them, 2 Iohn 10. or bidding them God ſpeed, verſe. 11. or learning any of their deviſes or cuſtomes of them, Deut. 12. 30. or familiar reading their bookes, Acts 19. 19. Vnleſſe it bee to confute them by their owne Writers, Acts 17. 28. and to upbraid carnall Profeſſors, with their ſtrictneſſe in their kind, Rom. 2. 14, 15, 16, 17, &c.

Q. 67. What elſe art thou commanded in the ſecond Commandement?

A. Not to leane to mine owne knowledge, Prov. 3. 5. nor to ſerve God by the precepts of p. 32men, Eſa. 29. 13. nor as men bid me, Marke 7. 6. nor according to the Traditions and cuſtomes of the lives of our fore-fathers, 1 Pet. 1. 18. I am commanded to doe, not only in matter what, but alſo in manner, as the Lord commandeth. Gen 6. 22. For otherwiſe my prayers and ſervices that I doe unto God, and all my Sacrifices, and oblations, are no better then murder, or a Dogs neck, or Swines bloud, or Idolatry, ſo indeed it as, if I ſerve him after my owne wayes, Iſa. 66. 3. not only ſtickes and ſtones are Idols, Levit. 26. 1. But carnall fancies, imaginations, dulneſſe, deadneſſe, luke-warmneſſe; for their be Idols in the heart, Ezec. 14. 3. 4. Covetouſneſſe is Idolatry, Col. 3. 5. Stubbornneſſe is as Idolatry, 1 Sam. 15. 23. A careleſſe Chriſtian is an Idoll, there is an idoll Profeſſor, an idoll Chriſtian, an idoll Shepheard, Zach. 11. 17.

Q. 68. What art thou commanded in the third Commandement?

A. To glorifie the name of God, Rev. 15. 4. that is, his Titles and Attributes, Exod. 34. 5. his Law, Deut. 32. 3. his Ordinances, as Prayer, and hearing of his Word, and the like, Deut. 12. 5. his Goſpell, Act. 9. 15. the profeſſion of Chriſt, Math. 10. 22. His cenſures, as Excommunication, and delivering men up unto Satan, 1 Cor. 5. 4. His Sacraments, Math. 28. 19. All his worſhip, Mal. 1. 11. his Meditation, Luke 24. 47. and that not onelyonly in tongue or lips, Heb. 13. 15. but alſo in heart, Pſal. 86. 11. and in every action, Prov. 30. 9. If any man or woman doe not their duty; as for example, Servants, or any others, they cauſe Gods name to be blaſphemed, p. 331 Tim. 6. 1. So alſo if any man breake the Law of God, hee is guilty of other mens blaſpheming Gods name, Rom. 2. 24. Likewiſe if a Brother, or Siſter walketh ſcandalouſly, they prophane Gods name, Ezec. 36. 20.

Q. 68. What more art thou commanded in the third Commandement?

A. To feare God and ſweare by his Name, Deut. 6. 13. with a Soule-bowing oath, Iſa. 45. 23. which is a wholly confeſſing of God, Rom. 14. 11. and an oath of Covenant, Iſa. 19. 18. and in ſome ſolemne caſes with a renewed oath, Deut. 10. 20. Either given hy others, and ſo willingly taken, 2 Chron. 15. 14. or freely of ones ſelfe, Pſal. 119. 106. if need require by Oath before the Magiſtrate; but then it muſt bee in Truth, and righteouſneſſe, and judgement, Ier. 4. 2. and if neceſſity of weight bee in private agreements, Gen. 26. 31. As for performance of ones laſt Will and Teſtament, Gen. 47. 31. or to cleare ones ſelfe and graciouſly to ſatisfie a Brother, 1 Sam. 20. 3. yea now under the Goſpell too, Iſa. 65. 16. And in ſome caſes a Miniſter may ſweare in the Pulpit, to make the People believe, 2 Cor. 1. 13. and in more private threatnings from God, 1 Kings 17. 1.

Q. 70. What art thou forbidden in the third Commandement?

A. I am forbidden in common talke Swearing, Math. 3. 5. leaſt I fall into damnation, Iam. 5. 12. and bring all the Curſes in Gods booke on my houſe, Zach. 5. 2, 3. and cauſe the very p. 34Land to mou nre, Ierem. 23. 10. It was the brand of a Saul to bee a common Swearer, 1 Sam. 14. 24. 39, 44. 1 Sam. 19. 6. 1. and 28. 10. And that whether it be in broken Oathes, as God, and the Lord liveth, Ierem. 5. 2. Or in Idolatrous oathes, for they are a double ſinne; as by this Light or by Baal, Ier. 12. 16. Or any other hideous oathes, as by the Paſſion of Chriſt, or by the Lord himſelfe, or by Milchom, Zeph. 1. 5. The prophane uſe of Swearing is a bloudy ſinne, Swearing, Lying, and Killing are put together; for which the Lord hath a controverſie with Men Hoſ. 4. 2 Nay, if a man heare an Oath, and doe not utter a reproofe, hee is guilty of the ſinne. Levit. 5. 1. and if for every idle word, a man ſhall give accompt before God the laſt day, what then ſhall hee doe for his Oathes, Math. 12. 36. Swearing is a curſing of ones ſelfe, Math. 26. 74. but chiefly I am forbidden all falſe Swearing, Levit. 19. 12. for that puls Chriſt ſwiftly againſt one, Mal. 3. 5.

Q. 71. What art thou forbidden more in the third Commandement?

A. Firſt, all taking Gods name in vaine, as O God, O Lord, Deut. 5. 11. Secondly, the formall repeating theſe words, The Lord be with thee, or the like, 1 Sam. 17. 37. I thanke God I doe ſo and ſo, Luke 18. 11. Thirdly, vaine repetitions, as Lord have mercy upon us, Chriſt have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us; as Papiſts and babling Battuſes uſe them, Math. 6. 7. Yet repetitions that proceed out of a broken p. 35zealous heart bee holy, Dan. 9. 18, 19. Fourthly, the abuſe of Lots, for their diſpoſing is of God, Prov. 16. 33. and were Sacredly uſed. Firſt, for the deciding of Controverſies, Prov. 18. 18. Secondly, for Elections, 1 Sam. 10. 21. Thirdly, for dividing of Portions, Numb. 26. 55. Fourthly the finding out of an Offender, Ioſh. 7. 14. for they were joyned with Prayer, Acts 1. 24, 26. reſting on Gods determination, Ioſh. 14. 2. being a Divine thing by the light of nature, Ionah 1. 6, 7. and appealings to God, 1 Sam. 14. 41. and therefore not to bee uſed to wickedneſſe, Math. 27. 35. as South-ſaying, Eſter 3. 7. or Covetouſneſſe, or any evill practices, Prov. 1. 14.

Q. 72. What art thou commanded in the fourth Commandement, concerning the Sabboth?

A. To keepe it, to ſanctifie it, and ſo as the Lord hath commanded, Deut. 5. 12, not to hide mine eyes from it, Ezec. 22. 26. not to turne my foot from it, to delight in it, to count it honourable, to honour God in it, not ſeeking mine owne pleaſure, not doing mine owne workes, nor ſpeaking mine owne words, Iſa. 58. 13. To regard it in mine owne dwelling houſe, and in Gods at publique Convocations and aſſemblies, Levit. 23. 3. there to Pray, Acts 16. 13. To have the Word read and Preached, Acts. 15. 21. to reaſon about matters of Religion, Acts 17. 2. To ſing unto the Lord and thanke him, Pſal. 92. 1. To meditate and triumph in Gods workes, p. 36verſ. 4. To talke of Gods faithfulneſſe, and ſhew it forth morning and night, verſ. 2. It is not an houre or two at Church, and ſo an end; but all the whole day; for it is not a part of a day, but a whole Day, Math. 12. 1. If I will not hearken to hallow this day I ſhall burne in Hell-fire, for ever, Ier. 17. 27. Hee is an adverſary to God, that mockes at a ſtrict keeping of a Sabboth, Lam. 1. 7. For God hath bleſſed it, Gen. 2. 3. and it is a Signe betweene a man and his God, Ezec. 20. 12.

Q. 73. What ſay you more of the Sabboth?

A. I muſt not onelyonly keepe it, but keepe it verily, Exod. 31. 13. and abſtaine from all weekly workes, not onelyonly reſt but reſt holily, verſ. 15. Fathers muſt not ſuffer, much leſſe cauſe their Children, or Maſters their Servants, or Inne-keepers their Gheſts, to breake this day, Exod. 20. 10. none may buy or ſell victuals or wares on this day, Nehem. 13. 16, 17. nor carry burthens, Ier. 17. 22. Nor goe journies, Exod. 16. 29. nor dreſſe meat beyond neceſſity, or godly convenience, to the hinderance of themſelves, or Daughters, or Maids, from ſanctifying this day, verſe. 23. Hither are referred holy Feaſts or thankeſgivings, Neh. 8. 9, 10. As the deliverance from the Gunpowder Treaſon, Heſter 9. 21. Faſts for humiliations, 2 Chron. 20. 3. which muſt bee Sanctified too, Ioel 1. 4. as being kinds of Sabboths, Levit. 16. 31. And therefore the Convocations of them muſt be holy, Levit. 23. 24.

Q. 74. May no works but onelyonly of Gods immediate Worſhip bee do…e on the Sabboth?

p. 37A. Yea, firſt workes of Mercy to a Beaſt in danger or need, Math. 12. 11. or to Man in ſickneſſe, or other miſery, verſe. 10. whether in ſoule or body, Luk. 13. 11. Secondly, works of neceſſity, as taking of food, Marke 2. 23. Thirdly, works of decency, as making of beds, and the like; for the Sabboth was made for Man, and not man for the Sabboth▪ verſe. 27. Fourthly, works of common honeſty and humanity, as ſaluting one another, wee are not forbidden to be courteous, 2 Pet. 3. 8. Fiftly, works though otherwiſe in themſelves ſe…ile, requiſite to Gods worſhip, as travelling to Church, Luke 6. 6. or riding divers miles off to the Prophets of God, if need be, 2 Kings 4. 22, 23. The Miniſters ſtudying his text, and the Prieſts killing of the ſacrifices, 2 Chron. 23. 31. and ſetting things in order, Lev. 24. 8. If any call this prophaning Gods Sabboth, hee muſt know it is blameleſſe, Math. 12. 5. Sixtly, works of helpfull refreſhings, as walking, for that may be exiſtent with the immediate worſhip of God, Luke 6. 1. I doe not meane Playing, Exod. 32. 6. or recreations for our owne Pleaſure, for they are forbidden, Iſa. 58. 13.

Q. 75. There bee many arguments to prove the Commandement of the Sabboth, to be morall▪ which bee the firſt ſixe of them?

A. Firſt, the Sabboth was delivered to Adam before the fall, when there was no Ceremony, Gen. 2. 2. which is not ſpoken by anticipation, but the context ſheweth it was then ſanctified to him, verſe, 3. Secondly, Moſes takes it p. 38for granted, it was knowne to be morall, and knowne before the Law was given, Exod. 16. 25. Thirdly, unleſſe this be morall there cannot be ten Commandements; for the Dutyes being commanded in the three former the time only here, either this time muſt be morall, or elſe there cannot be ten, which is falſe; Deut. 16. 4. Fourthly, God would not put a cerimoniall law in the middeſt of the moralls, and urge it with more words, reaſons, repititions, and particulars, then any of the moralls, as he doth the Sabboth, Exod. 20. 8. 9, 10, 11. Fiftly, Chriſt ſpeaking of thoſe dayes, when all the cerimoniall law was dead and buried, ſheweth the Sabboth ſtands ſtill, Math. 24. 20. Sixtly, the Prophet prophecying of the dayes of the Goſpel, when Chriſt the righteouſneſſe and ſalvation of God ſhould be revealed. Iſa. 56. 1. pronounceth a bleſſing on them, in thoſe times that keep the Sabboth from poluting of it. verſe. 2. and putteth the keeping of the Sabboth for the whole obedience of the covenant. ver. 6. which he would not do if it were; for obedience is better them ſacrifice or ce…imony. 1. Sam. 15. 22.

Q. 76. Now becauſe ſome object, ſaying the Sabboth is not engraven in mens hearts, neither is there any mention either before the flood, or after that the fathers did keep it, and ſo forth, therefore tell me what arguements have you to prove it morall?

A. Firſt, if God had meant to out on Cerimony, among the Lawes that were morall, he would rather have put Sacrifice, for that is more a dequat to all the …imoniall ſaw. Hoſ. 6. 6. being p. 39a type of repentance. Pſal. 50. 17. Thankſ givings. Pſal. 107. 22. Prayer. Prov. 21. 27. Juſtice and Iudgement. ver. 3. all religion, Pro. 15. 8. a full type of Chriſt. Heb. 9. 14. Secondly, the ſcripture ſheweth not that nor Chriſt. Mat. 5. 17. nor the law of faith doth diſanull any thing of the law, meaning directly the Decalogue. Rom. 3. 31. Thirdly the Sabboth was intimated in Caine and Ables Publick ſerving of God. Gen. 4. 3. 4. and in the publick calling on Gods name in the dayes of Enoſh, ver. 26. and in Noahs waiting the fall of the waters by Sevens. Gen. 8. 10. 12. who no queſtion as he condemned the world by building the Ark on the weeke dayes. Heb. 11. 7. So alſo by preaching o… the Sabboth; for he was a Preacher. 2. Pet. 2. 5. and in Abraham too, who was a Prophet. Gen. 20. 7. and had a great people to preach to. Gen. 14 14. Fourthly, the Sabboth is ingraven upon mans heart, of which the ingraving upon Tables was a token. Exod. 34. 28. and to ſhew the everlaſtingneſſe of it, it was written which none of the Cerimonies were, in ſtone. Deut. 4. 15. Fiſthly, when God ſpeaking of the covenant of grace, he ſaith, he will write it againe in the minds of his redeemed. Heb. 10. 16. even upon the fleſhly tables of their hearts, alluding to the materiall writing. 2. Corin. 3. 3. Sixtly, the very heathens had their Sephtamins, their eights, and the ninths, ſtill hovering about the holy ſeventh of the Decalogue, the whole law being obſcurely written in their hearts. Romans▪ 2. 15.

p. 40Q. 77. The Sabboth was the laſt day of the Weeke, how commeth it now to bee changed into the firſt day of the weeke?

A. This day the Lord hath made, Pſal. 118. 24. For on this day Chriſt roſe from the dead, and reſted from the worke of Redemption, Math. 28. 1. Having created new heavens and a new earth, Pſal. 65. 17. which we are to keepe by vertue of the fourth Commandement ſtill; for Chriſt telleth us, hee is Lord of it, Math. 12. 8. which is called ſometimes from Priority of order and dignity, the firſt day of the Weeke, Acts 20. 7. Sometimes from the Author that did inſtitute it, the Lords day, Rev. 1. 10. as wee ſee the Lords Supper is ſo called, 1 Cor. 11. …0. And though the Sabboth from the Crcation were from Even to even, Levit. 23. 32. Dayes being ſo reckoned, Gen. 1. 31. yet this Sabboth is to bee reckoned from Chriſts Reſurrection; and therefore is from Morning to morning, Marke 16. 2. And albeit Mary Magdalen came while it was darkiſh, and Chriſt was riſen before that, and ſo might ſeeme to have riſen over night, Job. 20. 1. yet that could not bee the women, and Peter, and John would never have deferred their going to the Sepulcher, till morning then as they did verſ. 2. Now howſoever this Day be circumſtantially changed and Ceremonies removed; yet the day ſtands ſtill morall, Acts 16. 13. The Commandement of not Killing, had a ceremony a…next to it. as the eating of the Fleſh, with the bloud, Gen. 9. 4. 5. which now is changed. Col. 2. 21. and yet the Commandement of not killing ſtands ſtill, Rom. 13. 9.

p. 41Q. 78. What art thou commanded in the fift Commandement?

A. To honour my Father and Mother, Exod. 20. 12. to feare my mother and father, Levit. 19. 3. to uſe reverent geſtures before them, verſ. 32 and reverent ſpeeches to them. 1 King. 2. 20 to obey them. Prov. 16. 20. in godly choice of Mariage as Iſaac did, Gen 24. 4, 67. and of Vocation, as Samuel did, 1 Sam. 1. 28. and 2. 11. and of ſutable Apparell, verſ. 19. yea in all things, Cel. 3. 2. So it b… in the Lord, Epheſ. 6. 1. To receive all godly inſtruction from them, Prov. 1. 8. to ſubmit to their correction Prov. 23. 13. to require my Parents love, 1 Tim. 5. 4. to relieve them i… they bee in want, Gen. 47. 11. to cover their Infirmities in a humble wiſe, Gen. 9. 23. To intreat Chriſt for them. Mark. 1. 29, 30. 31. … nothing to be unnaturall toward them, 2 …im … 2, 3. I muſt honour my Parents, not onelyonly by generation, Prov. 23. 22. but alſo by aſhnity. Ruth 3. 1, 5. by adoption, Eſter 2. 7. 20. by in… and government, as Kings and Magiſtrates, Iſa 22. …1. by bounty as benefactours, Ioh 29. 16. alſo through Age as old men, 1 Tim. 5. 1. …. or through Spirituall profeſſion, as Miniſters and Preachers, 1 Cor. 4. 15. for they are my ſpirituall Fathers, Tit. 1. 4. and theſe I muſt have in a double honour, 1 Tim. 5. 17.

Q. 79. But what muſt my Parents d…e for me?

A. They muſt pray to God for me, 1 Sam. 1. 10. and devote mee unto God before I am borne, verſ. 11. bleſſe God for me when I am borne, Luke 1. 68. and provide all things neceſſary p. 42for me to this life and therefore much more for Heaven. 1. Tim. 5. 8. to …each men diligently the wayes of the Lord. Deut. 6. 7. that I may be learned in the ſcriptures from a child. 2. Tim. 3. 15. and not provoked to wrath, but brought up in the nurture of the Lord. Eph. 6. 4. to offer continually the ſacrifice of Prayer for me though I be a farre of. Iob. 1. 5. to ſet up the ſervice of God in their houſe, that I may daily pertake of it. Ioſh. 24. 15. For curſed are ſuch families that have not Prayers, and invocation▪ upon God in them. Ier. 10. 25. to hold me to the obſerving of Gods ſtatutes, as for example the Sabboth. Exod. 20. 10.

Q. 80. What is the meaning of the ſixt Commandment; Thou ſhalt do no murther?

A. Thou ſhalt not kill thy ſelfe. Act. 16. 27, 28. neither by diſtempering thy ſelfe, as a drunkard doth. 1. Sam. 25. 36. nor by neglecting the body. Col. 2. 23. nor by denying comforts to the body. 1. Tim. 5. 23. nor by too much griefe. Pro. 17. 22. Thou ſhalt not kill another, whether he be a good man, Pro. 1. 11. or a bad man. Gen. 4. 15. neither by devices. 2. Sam. 11. 15. nor by forgery 1. King. 21. 13. nor by changing duels. 2. King. 14. 8. This commandement doth not only forbid murder in outward act, Gen. 9. 6. but alſo all reproachfull words and anger, Math. 5. 22. and all angry lookes. Gen. 7. 6. and all hatred. 1. Ioh. 3. 15. and all tale-bearing. Lev. 19. 16. I muſt blow away a tale-bearer, as the North winde blowes away raine. Pro. 25. 23. I muſt be carefull to maintaine the life and health, and to recover my neighbour from ſickneſſe, not onelyonly his daughter. p. 43Math. 15. 22. not onelyonly his ſonne. Ioh. 4. 47. not onelyonly his ſervant, Math. 8. 5. 6. but alſo a ſtranger, Luk. 10. 34.

Q. 81. Is it not lawfull to kill in any wiſe?

A. Yes. Deut. 13. 9. for the Magiſtrate may and muſt uſe the ſword againſt them that deſerve it. Rom. 13. 4. but then it muſt be done in humility. Iezabel in her feined doing of juſtice, would have a faſt when ſhe put Naboth to death. 1. King. 21. 12. and with renderneſſe of the malefactours ſoule, that I may give glory to God. Ioſh. 7. 19 A Captaine and his ſouldiers may kill the enemy in a juſt battell. 1. Sam. 15. …. nay, he is an offender if he will not. verſ. 18▪ 19. but ſo as there be peace firſt offered, if they be fit to have it. Deut. 20. 10. and alſo a private man in caſe of neceſſity, upon his own defence or brothers. Exod. 2. 12.

Q. 82. What elſe doth this Commandement vrge?

A. Not to be ſoone angry. Tit. 1. 7. unleſſe it be without ſin. Eph. 4. 26. and againſt ſin. Mark. 3. 5. not to be haſty, Prov. 14. 26. to be long ſuffering, 1 Cor. 13. 4. to overcome evill with goodnes, Rom. 12. 21. ready to forgive. Eph. 4. 32. not to be ſuſpicious, 1. Cor. 13. 5. but apt to believe good of ones neighbour, verſe. 7. to be curteous, 1. Pet. 3. 8. without envie, Iam. 3. 14, without emulation and any evill, Math. 20. 12. or envious diſdaine, Prov. 14. 30. or contempt, Prov. 18. 3. or uncompaſſionateneſſe, 1. Ioh. 3. 17. not to be a flattering friend, Proverb. 19. 4. nor treacherous, Luk. 22. 4. nor to beare a ſecret grudge. Prov. 26. 26.

p. 44Q. 83. What more doth it Command?

A. To rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weepe with them that weepe, Rom. 12. 15. To reſiſt the beginnings of ſtrife, Prov. 17. 14. as loud ſpeaking, Epheſ. 4. 31. or provoking inter…ections, as Piſh, tuſh, Raka, Math. 5. 22. To depart from ones owne right to redeeme love and peace, Gen. 13. 8, 9. 10. To be hoſpitable, for thereby ſome have entertained Angels unawares, Heb. 13. 2. to be without offence, Rom. 14. 21. yea in a morſell of meat, verſ. 15. For if wee offend the Conſcience of our weake brethren wee ſinne againſt Chriſt, 1 Cor. 8. 12.

Q. 84. What is the meaning of the ſeaventh Commandement, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery?

A. Thou ſhalt not commit Sodomy, Rom. 1. 27. no… Beſtiality, Lev. 18. 23. nor Inceſt verſ. 6. nor Whoredome, Levit. 20. 10. nor Fornication, Heb. 12. 16. nor Poligamy, Mal. 2. 15. nor Rape, Deut. 22. 25. nor admit of unlawfull Divorces, Math. 19. 9: for l…ſt of Adultery, Math. 5. 22. Yet in caſe the wife hath committed Adultery, the bond is not broken if the Huſband bee pleaſed to continue it, and renew it, 2 Sam. 3. 14. nor unreaſonable abſenting, but there may be abſenting upon neceſſity, 1 Sam. 25. 18. As a Souldier in time of warre, 2 Sam. 11. 11. or when a lawfull trade doth inforce, as a Sea-faring man; for the men were named only to have ſayled abroad, 1 King. 9. 27. Husband and wife muſt not defraud one another, unleſſe it bee with conſent for a time, for faſ…ing and Prayer, 1 Cor. 7. 5. or for ſome ſpeciall worke of p. 45God, Exod. 18. 2. they muſt not deny one another due benevolence, 1 Cor. 7. 3.

Q. 85. What ſay you of Mariage?

A. Mariage is honourable among all men, Miniſters and all, Heb. 13. 4. Simply conſidered, better then celebrated; becauſe inſtituted before the fall of Man, Gen. 2. 18. as ſince the fall it is a meanes to avoyd Fornication, 1 Cor. 7. 2. and temptation, verſ. …. and burning, verſ. 9. yet to this or that man not to bee maried, may be better, verſ. …. and a ſpeciall gift, verſ. 7. by reaſon of circumſtance and preſent diſtreſſes, verſ. 26. For thereby one is more vacant for the ſervice of God, verſ. 32. But Mariage in it ſelfe hath neither Commandement for it, nor againſt it, verſ. 25. When a Son and Daughter are to marry, their Fathers have power to ſtrike up the mariage, Deut. 7. 3. between ſuch and ſuch, Ier. 29. 26. namely, with the parties conſent, for that it is eſſentiall to Mariage, Gen. 24. 8. However the Father have a negative voyce, Gen. 28. 1. And though they have given their conſent, hee hath power to breake it, Exod. 22. 17. Nay their vow cannot ſtand without his conſent, either expreſſe or implicite, Numb. 30. 5.

Q. 86. What ſay you of Contracts, or Eſpouſals before conſummaie Mariage?

A. They are not eſſentially required to Mariage for it may be all at once, Gen. 2. 22. yet it is not amiſſe to goe by degrees in Mariage, being a weighty thing, and a Covenant of God, Prov. 2. 17. but when a couple are Contracted onelyonly, they are Man and Wife, Deut. 22. 23, 24. Ioſeph and Mary, eſpouſed only, Math. 1… 18. yet they p. 46were man and wife, verſe. 20. as appeares alſo by the ſpirituall Eſpouſals unto Chriſt, which are faithfull, Hoſ. 2. 20. and ſtands for ever, verſe, 19. namely the Eſpouſals being abſolute, Luk. 2. 5. yet if they be conditionally, they may be broken when Mariage cannot, for Mariage no creature can difanull, Mark. 10. 9. to wit. Firſt, if there were a juſt condition put, which is not fulfilled. Secondly, if a time were ſet, and the one party failes, then the other is free. Thirdly, if there appeares any thing after the Eſpouſals, which if it had been knowne before had hindred them; and now one party reaſonably change his minde. Fourthly, if both agree to looſen the promiſe made but conditionally; promiſes of Mariage becomes often ſcandalous, 1. Sam. 18. 17. and therefore better ſlay till through agreement, for Mariage is the abſolute taking of one to be a wife, Gen. 25. 1. Mariage though it be more ſolemnely celebrated by a Miniſter, yet it may be alſo by the civill Magiſtrate. Ruth. 4. 1. openly before witneſſes, ver. 9. and with invocation and benidiction verſe. 11, 12. ſo then Mariage is conſummate. verſe. 13.

Q. 87. What is the duty of man and wife?

A. Firſt, Conjugall love as towards their owne bodies and ſoules, Eph. 5. 28. Secondly, ſpeciall honour and dwelling together according to knowledge, and communion in the worſhip of God, 1. Pet. 3. 7. Thirdly, communication of their body and ſo poſſeſſing the veſſell in Sanctification, 1. Theſſ. 4. 4. Fourthly, communication of outward goods, eſpecially for the uſe of them, for they are one fleſh, Eph. 5. 31. onelyonly ſo as the husband be the head, 1. Cor. 11. 3. and therefore p. 47firſt, he is to cheriſh his wife, and to provide for her neceſſaries, Eph. 5. 29. Secondly, to goe before her in knowledge, yet ſo, as he is to hearken to her godly counſell, Iudge. 13. 23. Thirdly, to rule well over his houſe, 1 Tim. 3. 4. and as for the wife. Firſt, ſhe muſt ſubmit and acknowledge her ſelfe ſubject to her husband in the Lord, Eph. 5. 22. Secondly, reverence him, verſe. 33. Thirdly, ask queſtions of him, wherein ſhe is ignorant about points of faith; and therefore he is bound to be able to tell her, 1 Cor. 14. 35. ſhe may in ſome caſes give ſomething away, without the expreſſe conſent of her husband, ſo it be for the good of the family, 1. Sam. 25. 18. as an almes to the poore, Pro. 31. 20. eſpecially if ſhe get it over and above by her induſtry, verſe. 13… and doe not ſin againſt the truſt of her husband, ver. 11. for his good and not for his evill, ver. 12.

Q. 88. What muſt they doe that are to Marry? and what ſay you more of the ſeventh commandement?

A. They muſt ſeek God extraordinarily, by prayer and meditation as Iſaack did, Gen. 24. 63. and their parents muſt ſolomnely bleſſe them, or they that give them in Mariage they muſt ſolemnely bleſſe them, and beſeech the Lords bleſſing upon them, verſe. 60. The man muſt be carefull that he Marry a godly daughter of Gods people, Iudg. 14. 3. and ſo is the maid that ſhe Marry in the Lord, 1. Cor. 7. 39. and when they do Marry, to Marry as if they Married not, ver. 29. and to beware of any diſorders at the Marriage feaſt, as if Chriſt Ieſus, were bodily there, Ioh. 2. 2. this 7th. Cōmandement forbids wanton company, Eph. 5. 7. al drunkenes & exceſſe, 1. Pet. 4. 3. idlenes, Ex…. 16. 49. ſleepines & looſenes of eyes, 2. Sam. 11. 23 p. 48and an impudent forehead, Ier. 3. 3. all kinds of light talking, 1 Tim. 5. 13. or geſture, Iſa. 3. 16, 17. wanton Dances, Stage-playes, Pictures, hiſtories, tales, or any filthy converſation, which may grieve a righteous Lot, 2 Pet. 2. 7. and luſtfull attyre, Prov. 9. 10. any ſtrange faſhions, or apparell, Zeph. 1. 8. Magiſtrates muſt not tolerate, or lightly, or ridiculouſly puniſh Whoredome, or Fornication; for that is as bad as tolerating, Deut. 23. 17. not forbid the remedy, as Mariage, 1 Tim. 4. 3.

Q. 89. What is the eight Commandement?

A. Thou ſhalt not Steale, that is, firſt Thou ſhalt not defraud, Mark. 10. 19. whether it bee by robbery, Luk. 10. 30. or Burglary, Exod. 22. 2. or any other theft, 1 Cor. 6. 10. whether by concealing, 1 King. 21. 7. or by p…rtaking thereof, Prov. 29. 24. or by being a confederate, Prov. 1. 14. Secondly, thou ſhalt not uſe cunning guile, 1 Theſ. 4. 6. neither by vaine getting, Prov. 13. 11. nor unright getting, Ier. 17. 11. nor covetous getting, Hab. 2. 9. nor by unjuſt detaining, Iam. 5. 4. Thirdly, thou ſhalt not be an Uſurer, whether by extortion, Ezec. 22. 12. or any other ſinne againſt the ſence of true lending, Ezec. 18. 8. Hee that lives in this ſinne wittingly is under an impoſſibility to be ſaved yet, Pſal. 15. 5. for he is an unjuſt man, Prov. 28. 8. whether he bee a lending Uſurer, Deut. 23. 19. or a Broker for-uſurers, Ier. 15. 10. or a wiſe inventer of new uſury; for it is curſed to be wiſe to doe Evill, Ier. 4. 22. Fourthly, thou ſhalt not be niggardly, Eccleſ. 6. 2. nor carking and caring in any thing, Phil. 4. 6. nor reſolving to bee rich, p. 491. Tim. 6. 9. nor haſty to be rich, Prov. 28. 20. nor inſatiable in the increaſe of riches, Eccl. 4. 8. Fiftly, thou ſhalt not be a waſter, Prov. 18. 9. nor improvident for thy ſelf, or ſervants, or wife, or children, or any others that are thine, 1. Tim. 5. 8.

Q. 90. What doth this Commandement forbid more?

A. Heedleſſe ſuertiſhip, Prov. 11. 15. falſe weights and meaſures, verſ. 1. Ingroſſings and hoardings of Corne, or the like, verſ. 29. asking a higher price for the wares then the ſeller may afford, for that is lying, Prov. 21. 6. though it be to bring the buyer to a due worth, for that is to do evill that good may come of it, Rom. 3. 8. diſprayſing of the ware, as buyers uſe to do, that they may get them under value, Prov. 20. 14. buying things that are not to be ſold, as Graces, pardons, preſentations to benefit, Act. 8. 18. making of ware that are unlawfull to be uſed, as Dice, and Shrines for Idolatry, Act. 19. 24. Sacriledge, Rom. 2. 22. of things given to good uſes, either by ones ſelfe, for which Anantas and Saphira died ſuddenly, Acts. 5. 5, 10. or by others, Prov. 20. 25. of tenths, or any Church dutyes, Mal. 3. 8. or Church livings, whether it be by mangling or alienating, or devouring of them, Nehem. 13. 7, 8. here are condemned. Firſt, Bankrupt Gentlemen, that will not labour in their calling. Luk. 16. 3. Secondly, Idle Gentlemen, that will not work at all. 2 Theſſ. 3. 11. Thirdly, idle beggers that would have to eat, and yet are lazie to work for it, ver. 10. Fourthly, all, be they never ſo great, or Noble or rich, that uſe a vocation, p. 50Gen. 3. 19. Fifthly, all Iuglers, Fidlers, Gamſters, Players, keepers of gamehouſes, Sight-ſhewers, and all that work not with their hands the thing that is good, Eph. 4. 28.

Q. 91. What more does this Commandement commande?

A▪ Firſt, To make reſtitution, whenſoever we have wronged our neighbour, Ezek. 33. 15. yea rather more then leſſe to the party damnified, Levit. 6. 5. or if he be dead, to thoſe next of kinne, or for want of them to pious uſes, Num. 5. 7, 8. with amends for the wrong, Luke. 19. 8. and if we be not able, yet ſo much as we can, Exod. 22. 3. though is be with the parting, with our garment, if it be deſired, Prov. 27. 13. if ever we meane to be forgiven our ſins, Levit. 6. 7. nay our repentance is all rotten, whatſoever it be except we right our wronged neighbour, for God is no reſpecter of Perſons, Col. 3. 25. Secondly, to be content, with whatſoever eſtate we are in, Phil. 4. 2. whether rich or poore, verſe. 12. even with care, food, and raiment, 1 Tim. 6. 8. yea in want and neceſſities, 2 Cor. 12. 10. to be moderate in the caring for maintenance, Prov. 30. 8. Thirdly, To uſe comfortably the good gifts of God, Eccl. 5. 10. ſo that nothing be loſt for want of honeſt ſaving, Iohn. 6. 12. caſting our care upon God, 1 Pet. 5. 7. to be ſober in the uſing of, or caring for any thing, verſe. 8. not giving too much to the belly, Luk. 16. 19. or back by chargeable apparell, 1 Tim. 2. 9. Fourthly, To give without ſparing to them that are in need, Prov. 21. 26. as we have, wherewith all, Eph. 4, 28. eſpecially to the Saints, …om. 12. 13.

p. 51Q. 92. What ſay you of mens particular Callings, for they come here to be examined?

A. Every man and woman is to have a calling, Gen. 2. 15. and to doe his owne buſineſſe, … Theſſ. 4. 11. though it be with much labour and ſ…eat, Gen. 3. …9. wherein he is to labour ſix dayes, Exod. 20. 9. except it be to goe to a Lecture, or to any other higher duty, Ioh. 4. 28. for idleneſſe is a deep ſleep, Prov. 19. 15. now a man may know whether his calling be good. Firſt, if it be the working of that which is good, Eph. 4. 28. Secondly, if it be honeſt and of good report among the Saints, Phil. 4. 8. Thirdly, If it be ſuch a calling, as he may have God to teach him in, Iſa. 28. 26. and to give him a gift comfortably and profitably to diſcharge it, 1 Pet. 4. 10. and theſe things he muſt have, for to follow it. Firſt, Wiſdome and skill to underſtand his way in it, Prov. 14. 8. Secondly, Diligence, Prov. 10. 4. Thirdly, prudence to obſerve opportunities, verſ. 5. Fourthly, courage to undergoe difficulties, Prov. 20. 4. Fiftly, not to be baſtier to be rich, then godlineſſe and a good conſcience will afford, Prov. 28. 20. Sixtly, minding his owne matters, 1 Pet. 4. 15. Seventhly, the grace of God to ſanctifie and eſtabliſh his worke, Pſal. 90. 17. a man muſt abide in his calling, wherein he is called, … Cor. 7. 20. except it be a calling onelyonly for a time, as to be a ſervant; for then he may be free, when God opens a doore, ver. 21 otherwiſe not to leave it without a ſpeciall, warrant, Amos. 7. 15.

Q. 93. Now becauſe the rich are the poores purſe bearers & do ſteal from them, if they be not mercifull & bountiful to them, what ſay you of alms & bounty?

A. 1, Every ſoul that hath not a farthing to give p. 52yet in affection muſt, for there is a liberall ſoul, Prov. 11. 13. Secondly, though a man be a poore labourer, he muſt labour the harder that he may be able to give, Eph. 4. 28. Thirdly, much more, if a man have this world goods ſomewhat more plentifully, 1 Ioh. 3. 17. Now this giving is not to burthen a man, either in his neceſſaries or conveniences to his eſtate and condition, 2 Cor. 8. 13. yet in caſe of neceſſity of our poore brother, we muſt to our power and beyond our power give, verſe. 3. yea in our deep poverty to be liberall, verſe: 2. to our decayed brethren, Act. 20. 35. eſpecially ſuch as are neareſt us, verſe. 34. to all, but moſt eſpecially of all to the houſhold of faith, Gal. 6. 10. not ſo much to them that are wicked, yet charity will not judge eaſily evil of any, 1 Cor. 13. 5. and this our giving muſt be firſt, with ayming at the honouring of God, Prov. 3. 9. Secondly, without letting our left hand know what our right doth, Math. 6. 3. Thirdly, without ſhaming of the poore, 1 Cor, 11. 22. Fourthly, out of a charitable and a compaſſionate minde, 1 Cor. 13. 3. Fifthly, not grudgingly but chearefully, 2 Cor. 9. 7. and bountifull, verſe. 6. Sixtly, according to the meaſure of Gods proſpering of us, 1 Cor. 16. 2. where, and how much, and what, and when, cannot be defeined, but by wiſdome and righteouſneſſe which teacheth how to give, Pſal. 112. 9. Seventhly, we muſt conſider that he which takes pitty on the poore lends to the Lord, and the which he hath given, will he pay him againe, Proverb. 19. 17.

Q. 94. What is the meaning of the ninth Commandement, p. 53Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thine neighbour?

A. That is, thou ſhalt not lye, Levit. 19. 11. for lying is an abomination unto the Lord, Prov. 12. 22. and ſhalt never eſcape, Prov. 19. 9. but be damned, Revel. 21. 8. whether it be with merry lyes, Hoſ. 7. 3. or officious lyes, though it be to help ones ſelfe, Gen. 12. 13. neither mayeſt thou lye, thinking to glorifie God by it, Rev. 3. 7. or for God, though thy meaning be never ſo good, Iob. 13. 7. much leſſe with pernitious lyes, Prov. 6. 17. nor by telling the truth with a feigned geſture or countenance, or pronuncation, or unreaſonabl, yas Doeg ſpake truth, 1 Sam. 22. 9. yet he lyed by ſpeaking it, Pſal. 52. 3. a deceitfull tongue ſhall not be in thy mouth, Zeph. 3. 13. thou ſhalt nor feare to deny the truth, Math. 26. 70. nor ſlip away for feare of ſtanding to the truth, 2 Tim. 4. 16. Thou ſhalt not give eare to Rumors, flying reports, or a tale bearing lippes, Prov. 17. 4. nor give credit, to ſuch as carry favour, as David to Ziba, 2 Sam. 16. 3, 4. nor interpret good things illu 1 Sam. 16. 13. nor judge raſhly, leaſt thou be judged, Math. 7. 1. unleſſe where thou know by the fruits thy judgement is right, verſe. 20. and then curſed art thou if thou call a wicked man an honeſt man, Iſa. 5. 20. Thou ſhalt not ſpeake true words intending a wrong ſence, Math. 26. 60, 61. thou ſhalt utter the truth, when thy neighbour do's need it, or God do's command it, Act. 4. 20. and not betray the truth from thy neighbour, Eph. 4. 25. nor leave him comfortleſſe in the middeſt of lying reports, 1 Sam. 19. 4. though it be like to p. 54coſt thee thy life, 1 Samuel. 20. 32, 33.

Q. 95. Which be the Speeches that ſeeme to be lyes, and yet are not?

A. Firſt, Ironicall ſpeeches ſeeme to be lyes and yet are not, Math. 22. 12. Secondly, Sarcaſmes they are not lyes neither, Gen. 3. 22. not ſpeeches in godly deriſion of wickedneſſe, 1 Kin. 18. 27 nor Thirdly, Apologues and morall fables though of matters that cannot be ſo, Iudge. 9. 8. nor Fourthly, Hyperboles though they let forth things ſeemingly more then they are, 1 Sam. 7. 6: nor yet, Fifthly, Figurative ſpeeches though litterally not true, Ioh. 15. 1. nor Sixthly, Speeches of confeſſion though cleane contrary to the down right meaning of the ſpeaker, 1 Kin. 22. 15. nor Seventhly, ſpeeches of ſimple deſire, though the event be otherwiſe, Luke. 24. 28. nor Eightly, threatning though not effected, when the underſtood condition is ſupplyed, Ion. 3. 4. nor Ninthly, Promiſes not kept when the condition is broken, 1 King. 11. 38. nor Tenthly, dictating Commandements, 1 Sam. 10. 8. though not obeyed, 1 Sam. 13. 8.

Q. 96. What lying reports goe for currant on the godly?

A. They are reproached and ſhamed, Pſal: 69. 7. and counted. Firſt, ſtrange men yea even of their brethren, verſe. 8. Secondly, zealous hot ſpurres, verſe. 9. Thirdly, moping weepers, verſe. 10. having Proverbs made on them, verſe. 11. Songs and Ballads leade on them too, verſe. 12. being mowed and grind at, as they goe in the ſtreets, Pſal. 35. 16. and winkt at with the eye, verſe. 9. and laught at, verſe. 21. Fourthly, Signes p. 55and wonders and monſters of men, Iſa. 8. 18. Fifthly, fooles, Iſa. 35. 8. Sixthly, hipocrites, as if drunkards, and whore-maſters and Atheiſts, and prophanelings, were holyer then they, Iſa. 65. 5. they are counted proud, and ſelfe-conceited, men that have naughtier hearts then others, for all there few ſhewes, as Eliah thought of David, 1 Sam. 17. 28. Seventhly, troublers, and ſeditious turbulent ſpirits, 1 King. 18. 17. Sectures every where ſpoken againſt, Act. 28. 22. peſtilent fellowes, Act. 24. 5. irreguler men, enemies to the Law of the land, Act. 25. 8. men that care not for Churches, Act. 24. 6. Sixthly, preciſe and ſtrict men, and the world wonders they will not doe, as other men doe, 1 Pet. 4. 4. Singular people and certaine fellowes by themſelves, Zach. 3. 8. Puritanes whom our Saviour prophetically bleſſeth, though other do curſe them, Mat. 5. 8. and you are one of the Elect forſooth, thus folk mock them, for ſo was Chriſt handled, Luk. 23. 35. and if they ſay they are perſecuted and nick-named for righteouſneſſe ſake, as they are, the world anſwers them as the Iewes anſwered Chriſt, for a good worke we ſtone thee not, Iohn. 10. 33. nay, the world thinks they doe well to revile them, like the Iewes, ſay we not well thou art a Samaritan, and haſt a Devill, Iohn. 8. 48.

Q. 97. What pretences have the Papiſts for their Equivocations and their mental Reſervations, and how are they anſwered?

A. Firſt, Becauſe our Saviour ſayes of the dead Damoſell, ſhe is not dead, Matthew. 9. 24. but Chriſt ſpake playnely, to p. 57the underſtanding of the ſtanders by, who though ſhe was finally dead, as it appeares by the Miniſtrels, verſe. 23, Secondly, becauſe he ſayes he told his Diſciples all things that he heard of his father, Iohn. 15. 15. whereas afterwards, he confeſſes that he told them all things, Iohn. 16. 12. but he ſpeakes diſtinctly in regard of his friendly openneſſe, Iohn. 15. 14. Thirdly, becauſe he ſayes he was ignorant of the day of Judgement, whereas indeed he was not, but he did not equivocate; for he confeſſes he ſpake this in regard of his manhood, Mark. 13. 32. Fourthly, becauſe he ſayes he would not go up to the feaſt, and yet he did, Iohn. 7. 10. but the truth is, he did not ſay he would not go up unto the feaſt, but that he would not yet, verſe. 8. nevertheleſſe in ſome caſe a man may reveale one part, and conceale the other, Ier. 38. 27. Nay, though we probably know, ſome will gather falſe inferences, Act, 23. 6, 3. but we muſt never lye to one another, for that is a badge of the old man, Col. 3. 9. abomination unto God, Prov. 6. 17. and the brand of Dogs that are without Chriſt, Rev. 22. 15. and the Divell is the father of it, Iohn. 8. 44. and it is eleane contrary to ſaving grace, which is called truth, Ioh. 1. 17. and to God himſelfe, who is called the God of truth▪ Pſal. …1. 5.

Q. 98. Now for the tenth Commandement, before you ſpeake of that; tell me what is Originall ſinne?

A. It is three fold. Firſt, it is Adams actuall diſobedience, whoſe perſon infected the nature, and nature infected, infects every perſon, inſomuch as all men thereby are made ſinners, Rom. 5. p. 5819. For he ſinning all men finned, verſe. 12. all men were in Adam, 1 Cor. 15. 22. and Adam was not only that man, but man, verſe. 21. and all men were then potentially in his loynes; as Levi was in Abrahams when Melchiſedech did meet him, Heb. 7. 10. and they all ſinned in Adam, as Levi payed tithes in Abraham, verſe. 9. as they were all made upright in Adam, ſo they all ſought out many inventions in Adam; and looke what Adam did, they all would have done, if they had been in his roome, Eccl. 7. 29. being borne of him as the young Toade of the old one, or a young wild Aſſe colt of the old one, Iob. 11. 12. can the young Viper complaine, that the old one brought it forth a viper, & not a goodly Oxe, Math. 3. 7. or can the fruit of the Thiſtle complaine that it was not a Figge? Math. 7. 16. No more can the child complaine of the father, that he brings him forth ſinfull; woe be to him that ſayes to his father, what begetteſt thou, Iſa. 45. 10. Like muſt needs beget like and after its owne Image, Gen. 3. 5.

Q: 99. You ſayd, that Originall ſinne is threefold, and have told me the firſt branch; which is Second?

A. A Naked privation of all originall righteouſneſſe which every ſoule is borne in, Hoſ. 2. 3. whereby there is no Spirituall goodneſſe in any man by nature, Rom. 7. 18. no power ſo much as to think a good thought, 2 Cor. 3. 5. no life of God, Eph. 4. 18. the mind all together in darkneſſe, Eph. 5. 8. deſperately unable to comprehend any ſaving light though it ſhine on it, Iohn. 1. 5. the conſcience void of all Purity, Tit. 1. 15. p. 58and all true peace, Iſa. 57. 21. and feeling, Eph. 4. 19. and ſence, 1 Tim. 4. 2. the will unable to make choice or to receive the things of Gods ſpirit, 1 Cor. 2. 14. and never able to help it ſelfe, except the Lord work it, Phil. 2. 13. the whole man dead in ſinne, Col. 2. 13. the affections out of order and vile, Rom. 1. 26. and unnaturall? Tim.3. 3. the appetite unbridled from immoderate thirſting, Ier. 2. 25. and had need of a knife to be put to the throat. Prov. 23. 2. the ſences unſpirituall, Iude. 19. and had need of a new covenant to be made with them, Iob. 31. 1. being heavy and dull to let in that which is good, Mat. 13. 15. the outward members ſervant to the carnall heart, Rom. 6. 19. a privation or right to the Creatures, for Chriſt onelyonly is now the heire of them, Heb. 1. 2. and thoſe that are in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 22. otherwiſe all the creatures groane in mans hands, Rom. 8. 22. Indeed wicked men may have a civill right before men to the creatures; Nabal ſhared his ſheep, 1 Sam. 25. 2. and muſt feed upon the creatures, becauſe they are forbidden to murder themſelves, Exod. 20. 13.

Q. 100. Which is the third Branch?

A. A poſitive corruption of nature, 1 Cor. 15. 50. whereby the whole man is not onelyonly fleſhly out fleſh it ſelfe. Ioh. 3. 6. it being a compleat body of ſinne, Rom. 7. 24. conſiſting of all the members. verſe. 23. the minde, an enemy unto God, Rom. 8. 7. deſperately inclined by carnall reaſon, to deviſe evill. Ier. 4. 22. the will ſelfe-willed, 3 Pet. 2. 10. the affections invincibly ſet upon the things here on earth, Col. 3. 2. except Chriſt raiſe … up againe, verſe. 1. the memory apt to forget p. 59ſpirituall things, 2 Pet. 1. 9. and to remember carnall, or carnally, Math. 27. 63. the Conſcience errecouerably evill, Heb. 10. 2. except Chriſts eternall Spirit once purge it, Heb. 9. 14. and therefore it is the nature of a man to be a child of wrath, Eph. 2. 3. which is moſt conſtant And unalterable, and unpoſſible to be healed, except the power of the Almighty change it and quicken it altogether with Chriſt, verſe. 5. Thus is every man conceived and born, nay David himſelfe, Pſal. 51. 5. and though he be baptized, and then preſently die; yet if he were not Baptized with Gods Spirit too, Iohn. 3. 5. and borne againe from above, he could not be ſaved, verſe. 3.

Q. 101. How is Originall ſinne called in Scripture?

A. Firſt, becauſe this only is hereditary, its called abſolutely ſinne, Rom. 5. 12. Secondly, becauſe it can never be gotten quite out in this life, it is called the ſinne that dwelleth in us, Romans. 7. 17. Thirdly, becauſe of its wonderfull faſt hold it hath gotten of our natures, it is called the ſinne that hangs ſo faſt on, or that ſo eaſily beſets us, Heb. 12. 1. Fourthly, becauſe it hath enthralled the whole man, and every faculty and members, it is called a law in our members, Romans. 7. 23. Fiftly, becauſe of its antiquity and maturity, and experienced ſubtilty, it is called, the old man, Romans. 6. 6. Sixtly, becauſe it is ever hatching and conceiving of evill, and though a man have never ſo much grace, yet it is ever p. 60luſting againſt it, it is called luſt, Iam. 1. 14. which will not let the godlieſt man under heaven doe that good that he would, Gal. 5. 17. Seventhly, becauſe it is directly oppoſite to the ſpirit, and all the graces of the ſpirit; it is called the fleſh, Eph. 2. 3. and the uncircumciſion of the fleſh, Col. 2. 13. and becauſe a carnall man loves it as deare as he do's his heart blood, it is called blood too, 1 Cor. 15. 50, &c.

Q. 102. The Papiſts ſay, that it is not properly a ſin, but after a manner; the Pelagians ſay, there's no ſuch ſin, by progation, but only by imitation; and the Anabaptiſts ſay, that now under Chriſt there's none borne in ſin; How doe you prove then that there is ſuch a ſinfull corruption of nature properly ſo called?

A. Firſt, David ſhewes plainly, that ſin was propagated to him, Pſal. 15. 5. Secondly, Eliphaz ſhewes that ſin is now as naturall to a man as water to a fiſh, Iob. 15. 16. Thirdly, Iob ſhewes it is ſuch a wofull corruption that no creature can ever purge it out, Job. 14. 14. Fourthly, Moſes ſhewes that there is ſuch an infinite deprivation in mans nature, that all that flows from it, though it ſeem never ſo holy, and godly, and religious, yet it is onelyonly evill and continually evill, Gen. 6. 5. Fifthly, Paul ſhewes that mans nature is ſo truly corrupted, that there is nothing in it, but it is the object of Gods wrath, Eph. 2. 3. Laſtly, it is ſuch a dolefull contagion, that the deareſt of Gods Saints, whenſoever they look on it, they are faine to cry out! O wretched man that I am, Rom. 7. 24, and this Originall ſin remaines ſtill after Baptiſie, the Saints at Rome were baptiſed, p. 61Rom. 6. 3. and yet it was in them, only they were to look to it, that it might not reigne in them, verſe. 12. and if a ſoul be under grace, he is not freed from the inexiſtency of it, and the continuall aſſaults of it, but only from the Dominimon of it, verſe. 14. and becauſe its a fountaine ever runing a freſh, we muſt every day ſue out a new pardon, Math. 6. 11. and ever goe to the freſh fountaine to be waſhed a new, Zach. 23. 1.

Q. 103. What doth this Doctrine or Originall ſinne teach us?

A. Firſt, to begin our humiliation here, thou wert a tranſgreſſor from the wombe, Iſa. 48. 8. Secondly, not to truſt any of our faculties, David, would not truſt his mouth, without a bridle, Pſal. 39. 1. he would have no wicked thing in houſe, or before his eyes, Pſal. 101. 7. Ioſeph would not truſt himſelfe with the hearing of, or being with his Miſtreſſe, Gen. 39. 10. Thirdly, to keep our heart with all diligence, Prov. 4. 23. and to bind the Law of God about our heart, Prov. 6. 21. nay. Fourthly, not to truſt any grace that we have received already, nor to count our ſelves to have apprehended enough, but ſtill to preſſe forwards, Phil. 3. 12. Fifthly, to be ſtill laying aſide more and more of this weight. Hoſ. 12. 1. and to be ſtill warring againſt it for it ſtill warres againſt us, 1 Pet. 2. 11. for firſt, this ſin is an enemy ever preſent with us, nay even when we are doing the beſt good, Rom. 7. 21. Secondly, becauſe our heart is worſe by reaſon of this ſin, Hazael could not believe what a vile heart he had, 2 King. 8. 13. no nor Peter neither, Math. 26. 33. Thirdly, becauſe its a madneſſe in the heart, there is no truſting of a mad man, Eccel. 19. 3. Suppoſe we ſtand for p. 62the preſent and another fall, as we muſt reſtore him, ſo we muſt conſider our ſelves, it may be our caſe be we never ſo ſpirituall, Gal. 6. 1.

Q. 104. What doth the laſt Commandement command and forbid?

A. It commands the inward parts, Pſal. 51. 6. to be incorrupt in the hid man of the heart, 1 Pet. 3. 4. it forbids all inward luſt, Rom. 7. 7. and all firſt motions of ſinne, verſe. 5. even before the conſent and allowance of the evill, verſe. 15. and all luſtings after evill, 1 Cor. 10. 6. or after the good creatures of God in a carnall manner, Num. 11. 4. and all the ſquint-eyed lookings of the heart, 1 …ohu. 2. 1. for the very luſts are, Firſt, ungodly, Iude. 18. Secondly, they are fooliſh and hurtfull, and they may drowne men in perdition, 1 Tim. 6. 9. Thirdly, they are deceiveable, Eph. 4. 24. Fourthly, worldly, Tit. 2. 12. Fiftly, they are of the Devill, Ioh 8. 8, 44. Sixtly, they are the very choakers of grace, Mark. 4. 19. Seventhly, they are the firſt wheeles of a ſinfull converſation, Eph. 2. 3. the firſt temptings and tidings of ſin, Iam. 1. 14. and the firſt itchings of ſinne, 2 Tim. 4. 3. and the firſt that makes the ſoul a ſervant to ſinne, Tit. 3. 3. and they flow immediately from Originall concupiſence, 1 Theſſ. 4. 5. and if we do not crucifie them, it is a ſigne we are not Chriſts, Gal. 5. 24. and if we do not eſcape them better then the world does, we cannot be partakers of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4.

Of Thoughts.