A Short Treatise Containing the Principal Grounds of Christian Religion, Catechism · Question 144 – Question 165
Q. What elſe is required in them that come to this holy Table?
A. Renewed 22 hatred of all bLuk. 3. 12, 13.ſinne, an hearty endeauour cMatth. 18. 3.to ouercome natural paſſions, and an vtter and well aduiſed dLuk. 14. 28, 29. &c.forſaking of groſſe ſinne, willingneſſe to eMat. 5. 6.be ſtrengthened in 23 faith, and a longing fMar. 11. 25. Mat. 5. 23, 24.deſire for 24 the good of our brethren.
Expoſ. 22. He that loues ſinne, cannot truely thirſt after Chriſt, Matth. 11. 28. beleeue in God, Mar. 1. 15. Act. 15. 9. 1. Ioh. 3. 3. 2. Cor. 15. 17. or hauehave communion with him, 2. Cor. 6. 14. Pſa. 5. 4. Amos 3. 3. 1. Ioh. 1. 6. Sinne is of a ſoyling nature, and doth defile Gods ordinances vntounto vsus, Tit. 1. 15. Hag. 2. 13, 14. Heb. 10. 22. Numb. 9. 6. 2. Chr. 23. 19. It ſufficeth not that wee hate all ſinne, but this muſt be renewed by labour and care, Matth. 18. 3. Gen. 35. 2. Amos. 4. 12. Luk. 3. 12, 13, 14. to ſee more throughly the vileneſſe and multitude of our particular ſinnes, Reu. 3. 2, 3. Ier. 3. 13. purge the heart of them, by iudging and condemning, Iam. 4. 8, 9. &c. and quicken the loathing of them in the heart, ſo that the verie thought of them may be bitter. Ier. 31. 19. 2. Tim. 1. 6.
23. We ſhould deſire to hauehave our faith encreaſed before we come to the Lords table: for faith was required of ſuch who did deſire to be baptized, Act. 8. 37. and 16. 33. 34. It is the eye by which we diſcerne, 2. Cor. 3. 18. Ioh. 3. 14, 15. and 8. 56. and the hand by which wee receiue Chriſt, Ioh. 1. 12. & 6. 35. making this feaſt of the Lord exceeding ſweet. Pſal. 119. 103.
24. When we come to the Lords table, we profeſſe our ſelues to be children of the ſame Father, 2. Cor. 6. 18. the redeemed of the ſame Lord, 1. Cor. 8. 6. ſuch as be guided by the ſame ſpirit, 1. Cor. 12. 13. ruled by the ſame word, fed at the ſame table, 1. Cor. 10. 16, 17. members of the ſame body, Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6. and heires of the ſame kingdome, Rom. 8. 14. 17. ſhould we not then heartily deſire the good of one another, both in ſoule and bodie? Eph. 4. 3. 1. Pet. 3. 8.
Q. What if a man finde himſelfe weake in faith, and full of doubting?
A. He muſt bewaile gMark. 9. 24.his 25 vnbeleefe, pray for faith, ſeek to hauehave his doubts reſolued, and ſo receiue to bee further ſtrengthened 26 in hIudg. 6. 37, 38. Exod. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4.beleeuing.
Expoſ. 25. Vnbeleefe hinders the ſweetneſſe of the Lords ordinances, Ioh. 6. 54. 63. 64. godly ſorrow for it quickens a deſire, and makes way for the increaſe of faith, 2. Cor. 7. 10. wherefore doubtings are to be bewailed, but wee muſt not thereby bee kept from feaſting with Chriſt.
26. The weake were admitted by Chriſt vntounto this table: Mat. 26. 26. with 26. 56. Mark. 16. 14. Act. 1. 6. The Sacrament was ordained not onelyonly for the ſtrong man, but euen for babes in Chriſt, that they might waxe ſtronger, Rom. 4. 11. 1. Cor. 3. 2, 3. they may therefore approach vntounto this banquet, being inuited by the Maſter of the feaſt. Pro. 9. 6. Mat. 22. 9. Luk. 14. 21, 22.
Q. How ought a mans heart to bee affected in receiuing the Sacrament?
A. With iExod. 3. 5. Gen. 28. 17.reuerence, kDeut. 16. 15.ioy, and •7 comfort, l1. Cor. 11. 25.meditating on the outward ſignes, and what they ſignifie; the dainties prepared, and louelove of him that prepared them, our communion with Chriſt, his graces, and faithfull people; whereby the heart is m1. Kin. 8. 66.ſtirred vp to thankſgiuing.
Expoſ. 27. From that which we noted before touching the actions of the miniſter, and the people in the deliuerie and receiuing of this Sacrament, wee may learne how wee ought to behaue our ſelues in this holy buſineſſe. Exerciſe the eye in ſeeing the elements, and the actions belonging thereunto, Exo. 24. 8. the eare in hearing the myſteries explained; the hand in receiuing the elements, and the taſt in feeling the comfort of them; exerciſe alſo the mind in meditating and remembring of Chriſts ſufferings, & the louelove of God, not onelyonly giuing his Sonne to die for vsus, Ioh. 3. 16. but offering and ſealing vntounto vsus our redemption thereby, and ſtirre vp the heart to receiue Chriſt, Eſa. 64. 7. and mourne for ſinne, Zach. 12. 10. deſire Gods fauour, reioyce in his louelove, Neh. 8. 10. ſtand in awe before him, Pſa. 5. 7. fearing after an holy manner, leaſt by any vnruly affections, or vnfitting geſture, we ſhew the leaſt want of due eſteeme, and ioy in his preſence. Pſ. 2. 11. and 4. 4. 1. Cor. 11. 10. and 14. 40.
Q. What muſt we doe after wee hauehave receiued?
A. We muſt 28 endeauour to finde an nProu. 4. 18. Ezeck. 47. 12.increaſe of faith, louelove, and all ſauing graces, abounding more and more in well-doing.
Expoſ. 28. The receiuing of the Lords Supper, is a renewing of our couenant with God, Exod. 13. 9. Geneſ. 17. 11. 2. Chron. 30. 29. therein we feed ſpiritually vponupon Chriſt, 1. Cor. 10. 16. are refreſhed by him, and by faith draw vertue from him, Rom. 8. 2. Phil. 4. 13. therefore after we hauehave receiued, wee muſt growe more in grace and knowledge. If we ſpeed not well after wee hauehave receiued, commonly our want of preparation was the cauſe thereof, or defects willingly admitted in the act of receiuing, 2. Chro. 30. 19, 20. Iudg. 10. 14, 15. But care muſt be taken, that out of diſlike of our ſelues, we doe not diſlike or deny that meaſure of grace which the Lord beſtoweth vponupon vsus; neither muſt wee be ouer-haſtie; the Lord doth not alwaies powre his gifts vponupon vsus, the ſame day that we come vntounto him in his holy ordinances. Pſa. 97. 11. Cant. 3. 4. and 5. 6.
Q. What order hath the Lord left in his Church to keepe his ordinances from contempt?
A. The vnruly 29 ſhould 30 be o1. Theſ. 5. 14.admoniſhed, the 31 obſtinate p1. Cor. 5. 5.excommunicated 32, and the penitent after their fall 33 reſtored and q2. Cor. 2. 6, 7.comforted.
Expoſ. 29. They are vnruly, who are inordinate, liue diſſolutely, and ſuch who are knowne by ſpeech, geſtures, and deedes not to walke according to the rule of the word, or buſi-bodies, vaine boaſters, idle, &c. 2. Theſ. 3. 11, 12. or be fallen into any outward ſinne. 1. Cor. 6. 9.
30. Such perſons beeing members of the Church, 1. Cor. 5. 11. 12. ſhould be reprehended for their ſinne certenly known both to be ſinne, and to be committed by them. Leu. 19. 17. Admonition muſt be performed with meekenes and diſcretion. Gal. 6. 1, 2. 2. Tim. 2. 25. ſometimes alſo with zeale and ſeueritie. 1. Gor. 4. 21. Gal. 3. 1. fitted to the perſon ſinning, the ſinne committed, and the manner of doing. Numb. 12. 9. 10. 14. If the ſinne be priuate knowne to few, the admonition muſt be priuate. Matth. 18 15. Luk. 17. 3. if knowne to part of the Church, admonition muſt be before them that know it: if knowne to the whole church, the admonition muſt be publike. 1. Tim. 5. 20. vnleſſe it be known by their fault, that hauehave publiſhed it without cauſe. But alwaies reſpect is to be had, to the condition of the partie offending. 1. Theſ. 5. 14. and that muſt be done which tends moſt to the edification of the Church. 1. Cor. 14. 26. If admonition at the firſt preuaile not, then it is to be doubled, vntill either the offender be reformed, or declare his obſtinacie, Tit. 2. 10. 11.
31. Such are to be held obſtinate, who deſpiſe the Churches admonition, & will by no meanes be reclaimed from their ſin, notwithſtanding the long ſuffering which the Church hath vſed towardes them. Matth. 18. 17. Tit. 2. 10, 11. 2. Tim. 2. 25.
32. To be excommunicated, is to be debarred from the publike ordinances of God, and ſocietie of the faithfull, both publike and priuate. 1. Cor. 5. 3. 11. 12. 1. Tim. 1. 20. 2. Theſ. 3. 6. 14. ſo farre as neceſſitie will permit either in reſpect of their generall, or particular calling. 1. Cor. 7. 20. and 7. 10, 11, 12. with Eph. 5. 31. The ende of theſe cenſures is the humbling and reforming of the ſinner. 1. Cor. 5. 5. 2. Theſ. 3. 14. the terrifying of others. 1. Tim. 5. 20. and keeping the ordinances of God in reuerence. 1. Cor. 5. 6, 7.
33. The cenſures of the Church, are medicins to cure, not poiſons to deſtroy, inflicted for to humble, and bring into the right way, ſuch as hauehave gone aſtray: when the ſinner doth truly lament the euill of his life, and is vnfainedly ſorrowfull, he is to be receiued againe into the boſome of the Church, and comforted, leaſt Sathan by his deuiſes ſhould bring him to deſpaire. 2. Cor. 2. 10. 11. 1. Theſ. 5. 14.
Q. Beſides the forenamed meanes, are there not ſome other profitable for the increaſe of faith?
A. Yes: rReu. 1. 3.reading, 1 or 2 hearing the Scriptures read in ſAct. 13. 15.publike, and tAct. 8. 13.in 3 priuate 4 meditation uLuk. 2. 51.& wHeb. 3. 13.conference 5.
Expoſ. 1. The reading, or hearing of the ſcripture read, doth furniſh the mind more with knowledge. 1. Pet. 1. 19. Pro. 1. 5. Deut. 11. 19. 20. and doth worke vponupon the affection. Deut. 17. 18, 19. 2. Kin. 22. 11. 19. Pſal. 119. 93. eſpecially if we apply the commandements for our direction, the threatnings to feare vsus from ſinne, or to humble vsus for it. 2. Chro. 34. 19. 27. and the promiſes for our comfort and incouragement.
2. As God requires that the Scriptures ſhould be read in publique. 1. Theſ. 5. 27. Col. 4. 16. ſo thereby he hath promiſed, that his people may learne to feare him. Deut. 31. 12, 13.
3. Priuate reading maketh the publike miniſterie more profitable. Act. 8. 30. 31. inableth vsus better to iudge of the Doctrines taught. Act. 17. 11. thereby we are better fitted for the combate. 1. Tim. 4. 13. 15. and many euills are preuented. Eſa. 8. 19. 20. Pſal. 119. 9. Iob. 22. 21.
4. Meditation is auaileable for the getting of grounded and ſetled knowledge. 2. Tim. 2. 7. Pſal. 119. 99. and the increaſe thereof. 1. Tim. 4. 13, 15. it ſtrengtheneth memorie. Pſal. 119. 15. 16. enlargeth our delight in good. Pſal. 104. 34. Pſal. 119. 16. diſcouereth corruption, purgeth the heart of idle, and vnprofitable wandrings, addeth life and ſtrength to holy duties. Gen. 24. 63. Pſal. 143. 5. 6. and hereby we grow more inwardly acquainted with God. Pſal. 77. 10. 11. 12. this duty muſt bee practiſed eueryevery day more or leſſe. Pſal. 119. 97.
5. All ſuch who with wiſedome, Pro. 10. 32. and 15. 22. Pſal. 37. 30. reuerence, 1. Pet. 4. 11. louelove, the ſpirit of meekeneſſe and gentleneſſe, Tit. 3. 2. Col. 4. 6. Ph. 2. 2. 3. and a deſire of reaping good, doe conferre religiouſly, ſhall preuent rotten ſpeeches. Eph. 4. 29. hardneſſe of heart. Heb. 3. 13. and much euill. Eccl. 5. 2. ſhall increaſe in knowledge. Pro. 1. 5. be reſolued of their doubts. Col. 3. 16. 1. Theſſ. 5. 11. Iob. 16. 4. 5. armed againſt falling. Act. 11. 23. Iude. 20. Pro. 18. 8. and quickned from their dulneſſe. Heb. 10. 2. This will kindle deſire of more fellowſhip with Chriſt. Cant. 5. 16. and ſweeten the communion of Saints. Rom. 1. 11. 12. 1. Theſſ. 3. 2. Rom. 15. 32. 24. v. Theſe duties muſt carefully be practiſed of eueryevery man, as he hath opportunitie and meanes. Matth. 25. 27. 2. Cor. 8. 12.
Q. Hitherto of the ordinarie meanes whereby faith is increaſed: bee there not alſo ſome 6 extraordinarie meanes?
A. Yes: and theſe be holy xLuk. 5. 53.faſting, holy yEſt. 9. 17.feaſting, and religious zPſal. 50. 14.vowes.
6. By extraordinare duties, are meant ſuch which be of more ſeldome and rare practiſe, though they muſt bee vſed oft a… God giueth occaſion, and when he calleth thereunto.
Q. What is an holy faſt?
A. A religious aHeſt. 4. 16.abſtinence from all bLeu. 23. 28.the labours of our 7 calling, and cExod. 33. 5.comforts of this life, ſo farre as comelines and neceſſity wil permit; that we might be more ſeriouſly dDan. 9. 9. 11. Leu. 23. 27.humbled 9 before God, and more feruent in prayer.
Expoſ. 7. A faſt is to be kept as a Sabbath vntounto God. Leu. 23. 28. Eſa. 58. 13, 14. And therefore as vponupon the Sabbath, ſuch buſineſſes of this life muſt bee auoided, that agree not with the Sabbath.
8. By the comforts of this life, we are to vnderſtand, meate, drinke, coſtly apparell, recreation, and all other delights. Dan. 10. 3. 1. Cor. 7. 5.
9. With faſting muſt be ioyned a ſerious meditation of our ſinnes. Eſr. 6. 4. 6. Neh. 1. 6. 7. Gods iudgements, Neh. 9. 35. 36, 37. and our ſpeciall wants. Dan. 9. 11. 18. The perſon meete for this exerciſe muſt be no nouice in religion. Luk. 5. 36. 37. Matth. 9. 15, 16. A faſt is either of one alone, 2. Sam. 12. 16. or of the whole family, Zac. 12. 12. or of a particular congregation, or of the whole Church in generall. Iudg. 20. 28.
Q. When ought we to faſt?
A. When we feele or eHeſt. 4. 16. Eſr. 8. 21.feare ſome grieuous 10 calamitie vponupon vsus, or hanging ouer 11 our heads, want ſome ſpeciall 12 bleſſing, are preſſed with ſome ſpecial ſinne, or goe about ſome weighty fAct. 13. 2.matter.
Expoſ. 10. As ſword, famine, peſtilence, ſtrange vnwonted ſickneſſes, vnſeaſonable weather, &c. Ezek. 14. 21. with Eſa. 22. 12. 13.
11. Theſe iudgements hang ouer our heads, which our ſinnes, and the ſinnes of the land hauehave deſerued, and crie for. Amos. 8. 5. 8. Iam. 5. 4. Geneſ. 18. 20. and which God hath threatned by his word and miniſterie, Zeph. 1. 3, 4, 5. with Zach. 1. 6. Lam. 1. 13, 14. 20. with 2. 17. and hath inflicted formerly vponupon like tranſgreſſors. Ier. 7. 12. Amos 6. 2, 3
12. Notwithſtanding the ordinarie and daily prayers of his people, the Lord in great wiſedome, will ſee them want ſome ſpeciall good thing, that they may ſeeke him more earneſtly in the vſe of the dutie of faſting. Iudg. 20. 28.
Q. What is an holy feaſt?
A. An 13 extraordinary g1. Chron. 16. 8. and 29. 10, 11.thankſgiuing for ſome notable deliuerance, out of ſome deſperate danger; teſtified 14 with feaſting before God, with ioy and gladneſſe, ſending preſents to our friends, & hNeh. 8. 19. Heſt. 9. 22.portions to the needie.
Expoſ. 13. In a day of extraordinarie thankſgiuing, there ſhould be a ſerious remembrance of Gods benefits, Pſ. 116. 6. and 103. 2. whereby wee ſhould bee ſtirred vp after a feruent manner, to yeild praiſe to the Lord, Pſa. 34. 3. and 35. 27. Exod. 15. 2. and reioyce before him heartily, Deut. 12. 12. tying our ſelues vntounto him by renewing our couenant, Ion. 2. 9. Deut. 29. 3. 10, 11, 12, 13. 2. Chron. 15. 11. 12. and learning to bee more confident in him, hauing experience of his great goodneſſe. Pſalm. 3. 5, 6. and 52. 9.
14. On the day of thankſgiuing, we may hauehave a more liberall vſe of Gods creatures, both in meate and apparell, then is ordinarie, Neh. 8. 10. Heſt. 9. 22. But this muſt be vſed in moderation and ſobrietie, that men may bee better fitted for the exerciſes of religion, 1. Kin. 8. 65. This exerciſe, if it be publique, muſt bee ioyned with the preaching of the word: if priuate, with the reading of the Scripture, or ſome holy exhortation, for the better ſtirring vp of affection.
Q. What is a religious vowe?
A. A ſolemne iDeut. 23. 21, 22. Prou. 20. 15.promiſe vntounto God, made by a 15 fit perſon, of ſome 16 lawfull thing, which 17 is in his choice, to teſtifie his louelove 18 and thankefulnes.
15. Such perſons are fit to vow, who hauehave knowledge, iudgement, and ability to diſcerne of a vowe, and of the duties belonging to the performance of the ſame. Eccl. 5. 2.
16. A man may not vow an vnlawfull, vile, or ſuperſtitious thing: Deut. 23. 18. for we are obliged to avoid all euill, yea all appearance of euill, 1. Theſſ. 5. 22. It is preſumption and raſhneſſe to vowe that to God, which hee hath forbidden, and will not accept. Iudg. 11. 30, 31.
17. What we are not able to perform, either by reaſon of the common frailty of all men, Eccl. 5. 5. with 1. Cor. 7. 7. or of our ſubiection vntounto others, as the wife, child, ſeruant, may not vow, without the liberty of their ſuperiours, Num. 30. 3, 4. 6, 7, 8. 12. That thing is not to be held in our free choiſe, which we are neceſſarily bound vntounto before our vowe, Leu. 27. 26. Deut. 23. 22, 23. But yet to quicken and ſtirre vsus vp the better to the performance of our dutie, it is lawfull to renew the couenant and vow which we made vntounto the Lord in Baptiſme, Pſal. 119. 106. To God, vowes were commonly made with prayers, Gen. 28. 20. Pſal. 61. 5. and paid with thankſgiuing, Pſal. 65. 1. and 66. 13, 14. and 116. 14. Ion. 2. 9.
18. Vowes ſhould be performed ſpeedily, Eccl. 5. 5. Deut. 23. 23. Pſa. 76. 11. I vowe raſhly, the raſhnes is to be repented of, the vowe otherwiſe lawfull is to be performed; but a vowe ſhould not in any wiſe be the bond of iniquity. Mat. 15. 5, 6. 1. Sam. 25. 22. 39. Act. 23. 21.
Q. Can faith being wrought and confirmed in vsus, be fruitles and vnprofitable?
A. No: 19 for it kGal. 5. 6.worketh by louelove.
Expoſ. 19. By faith we are knit vntounto Chriſt, Rom. 11. 19, 20. Eph. 3. 17. and cannot be vtterly fruitleſſe, Io. 15. 5. ſeing we receiue the ſappe of grace from him. Io. 1. 16. Col. 1. 19.
Q. What is the principall worke of faith?
A. It 20 purifieth lAct. 15. 9.the heart.
Expoſ. 20. To purifie the heart is to abate and crucifie the power of ſinne in the beleeuers, and by little and little to renew them in holines and righteouſnes, Gal. 5. 24. and 6. 14. The Spirit of God is the author of ſanctification, Io. 3. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 11. Gal. 5. 22. Rom. 8. 11. faith is the inſtrument of the holy Ghoſt, whereby the heart is cleanſed. Col. 2. 12.
Q. What followeth thereupon?
A. A fighting 21 and combating againſt ſinne and corruption. Gal. 5. 17.
Expoſ. 21. Thoſe that are ſanctified, are ſanctified in eueryevery part, Col. 2. 11. 1. Theſſ. 5. 23. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. and yet but in part, Pro. 30. 2, 3. Phil. 3. 12. Rom. 8. 13. Col. 3. 5. ſo that grace and corruption are mingled together in the beſt, Rom. 6. 13. and 7. 25. whence followeth a ſpirituall combate, not of the minde with the will, or the will with the affections onelyonly, Numb. 22. 34. nor of diuerſe deſires onelyonly, in reſpect of ſundry and different conſiderations, but of the part regenerate with the part vnregenerate, Gal. 5. 17. as of the minde regenerate, with the mind vnregenerate, and ſo of the will, &c. This combate is continuall, againſt the firſt motions to ſinne, not onelyonly againſt outward groſſe euill. Rom. 8. 13. Eph. 4. 22. Rom. 6. 17. The effect hereof is, that a man ſanctified cannot doe what he would, Gal. 5. 17. ſometimes he is grieuous foiled by the fleſh, Matth. 26. 40. 41. but in the ende the Spirit ſhall get the victorie. 1. Io. 4. 4. and 5. 4. Rom. 8. 2. Reu. 2. 26.
Q. What elſe?
A. A renouncing lAct. 2. 38.of all euill in 22 affection, and of 23 groſſe mAct. 19. 18, 19.ſinne in life and conuerſation.
Expoſ. 22. A pure heart can more delight in euill, then a cleane fountaine can ſend forth corrupt waters, Pſal. 24. 4. Eſ. 32. 6. 8. Pro. 12. 5. therefore a purged heart muſt renounce all euill. Ezek. 36. 26, 27. Ier. 32. 39, 40.
23. The will is the commander of the outward man, 2. Cor. 8. 11. if it be turned vntounto God, the conuerſation muſt needs be reformed. Ier. 3. 14. 17. 1. Sam. 12. 20, 21. 1. King. 8. 48, 49.
Q. What is a third thing that followeth hence?
A. LoueLove nPſal. 119. 97.and 24 delight in that which is good, ioyned with a ſincere 25 deſire, purpoſe, and oPhi. 3. 13, 14. Act. 11. 23.endeauour, dayly to amend whatſoeuer is amiſſe, and to pPſal. 119. 6.lead a life according 26 to the lawe of God.
Expoſ. 24. The ſame ſpirit which wrought the grace of faith, and cleanſeth the heart, doth ſweetely incline it both to long after, and to cleaue with ioy to that which is good. Ezek. 36. 37. Ezek. 11. 19, 20. Rom. 6. 19. Pſal. 86. 11.
25. The true beleeuer hath laid aſide the practiſe and deſire of all ſinne, Pſal. 119. 113. 128. 163. not onelyonly out of a foreſight of the ill conſequences, and fearefull euills that may fall, 1. King. 8. 47. Ezek. 18. 28. Luk. 15. 17. but euen out of louelove to the cheifeſt good, and all goodnes, 2. Cor. 5. 14. and that with a true purpoſe, Pſal. 119. 106. Act. 11. 23. and well aduiſed deliberation, Ruth. 1. 16. therefore he is willing to eſpie out, and reforme whatſoeuer is out of order, Pſal. 119. 59. But note here, that all hauehave not the like meaſure of grace, Rom. 12. 3. neither can with like victorie ouercome their corruption, Rom. 14. 1. and 15. 1. Phi. 3. 15. The ſtrong ſhould not waxe proud, Rom. 11. 20. Gal. 1. 1. Rom. 14. 3. nor the weake be diſmayed ouermuch, Rom. 14. 4. Mar. 4. 31. 32.
26. The redeemed of the Lord doe ſee that many waies they are bound to obey, Pſal. 100. 2. 3. and 86. 13. 1. Cor. 6. 19, 20. 1. Pet. 1. 17, 18. and alſo that it is a bleſſed thing to beare the yoke, Mat. 11. 29. 1. Io. 5. 3. Pſal. 65. 4. and 119. 14. Gal. 6. 16. and ſo they reſolue to denie their owne will, and follow the Lord. Phi. 1. 27. and 3. 20. Act. 26. 7. 1. Pet. 4. 2, 3.
Q. Wherein is the ſumme of the Lawe contained?
A. In the qDeut. 10. 4. and 4. 13.tenne 1 commaundements.
Expoſ. 1. Theſe tenne commaundements are an abridgement of the whole Lawe, the full expoſition whereof is to be found in the bookes of the Prophets and Apoſtles, and holy men, who wrote by inſpiration of the ſpirit, Ex. 34. 27. 1. King. 8. 9. Matth. 22. 40. For the right vnderſtanding of the tenne commandements called the Decalogue, obſerue theſe rules.
1. The lawe is ſpirituall, binding the ſoule and conſcience to entire obedience. Rom. 7. 14. Matth. 5. 21, 22. 27. 28.
2. The meaning of the precept is to be drawne from the maine ſcope and ende thereof. Matth. 5. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.
3. The commaundement which forbiddeth a ſinne, commaundeth the contrary duty, and the commaundement which requireth a duty, forbiddeth the contrary ſinne. Pſal. 34. 12. 14. Eſa. 1. 16, 17. Mar. 3. 4.
4. VnderUnder one vice expreſſely forbidden, all of the ſame kind, and that neceſſarily depend thereon, as alſo the leaſt cauſe, occaſion, or inticement thereunto are likewiſe forbidden. Mat. 5. 21, 22. 27, 28. 1. Ioh. 3. 15.
5. VnderUnder one duty expreſſed all of the like nature are comprehended, as all meanes, effects, and whatſoeuer is neceſſarily required for the performance of that duty, and therefore in diuerſe, yea in all the commaundements one and the ſame duty may in diuerſe reſpects be commaunded, and one and the ſame ſin may be forbidden.
6. Where the more honourable perſon is expreſſed, as the man, let the woman vnderſtand that the precept concerneth her.
7. Where the duty of one man ſtanding in relation to another is taught, there is taught alſo the duties of all that ſtand in the like relation one vntounto another; as when the duty of one inferiour towards his ſuperiour is taught, there is taught the generall dutie which all ſuperiours owe to thoſe that be vnderunder them, which inferiours owe to them that be ouer them, and which equalls owe one to another.
Q. How are they diuided?
A. Into two 2 Tables.Deut. 5. 22. and 10. 1, 2.
Expoſ. 2. From the commaundements, as they are ſet downe we may obſerue. 1. That the law is moſt perfectly wiſe, iuſt, equall, and ſtrictly binding the conſciences of all men without exception, and that continually. Deut. 4. 5. &c. Pſal. 19. 7. &c.
2. For order of doctrine, there is a perfect diſtinction of one commaundement from another, but as touching practiſe, they are ſo nearely knit together, that no one can bee perfectly obeyed, vnleſſe all be obeyed, and he that breaketh one commaundement tranſgreſſeth the, whole lawe. Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. Iam. 2. 10. 11.
3. The louelove of God is the ground of our louelove to our neighbour. 1. Ioh. 4. 20. and 5. 1.
4. Our louelove to our neighbour is a teſtimonie of our louelove to God. Rom. 13. 8, 9, 10.
5. Such as bee truely religious, muſt hauehave reſpect vntounto all Gods commandements. Pſa. 119. 6.
6. The duties of the firſt Table are moſt excellent, and the breaches thereof more grieuous then of the ſecond, if equall proportion be obſerued, and compariſon bee made. 1. Sam. 2. 25. Eſa. 7. 13.
7. If two Commaundements cannot bee performed at once, the leſſer muſt giuegive place to the greater: ſo the louelove of God muſt be preferred before the louelove of our neighbour, and morall duties before outward circumſtances. Hoſ. 6. 6. Matth. 12. 4.
8. The law is ſet forth as a rule of life to them that are in Chriſt, therefore our obedience is to be performed vntounto God, in, and through Ieſus Chriſt. Matth. 19. 17. 18. 19. Exod. 19. 6, 7, 8. with 20. 1. &c.
9. All ſinnes here forbidden are to be ſhunned, and that both alwaies and at all times. The duties commaunded are perpetuall, to bee practiſed when the Lord giueth opportunitie, and calleth thereunto.
Q. Which are the Commaundements of the firſt Table?
A. The fowre firſt, and they teach vsus the dutie which wee owe vntounto God immediately.
Q. Which are the commandements of the ſecond Table?
A. The ſixe laſt, which inſtruct vsus in our dutie towards our neighbour.Eph. 6. 2.
Q. Which is the firſt Commandement?
A. I am the Lord thy God, &c. Thou ſhalt hauehave none other Gods before my face.
Q. What is the generall dutie required in this commaundement?
A. That in 3 mind, will, affection, and the effects of theſe, we take the true God in Chriſt to be our God.
Expoſ. 3. The ſpeciall duties of this commādement are knowledge of God, acknowledgement, eſtimation, Deut. 4. 39. Iſa. 43. 10. Pſal. 89. 6, 7. &c. and 9. 1. Ier. 24. 7. and 9. 24. Col. 1. 10. Mic. 7. 18. faith, truſt, 2. Chron. 20. 20. Pſal. 27. 1. 3. and 3▪ 7. 5. louelove, Deut 6. 5. Pſal. 18. 1. Mat. 10. 37. feare, reuerence, Pſal. 2. 10, 11. and 4. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 17. Matth. 10. 28. Ier. 10. 6, 7. and 5. 22. Leuit. 19. 14. Pſa. 130. 3. Reu. 15. 3, 4. hope, Lam. 3. 24. 26. Rom. 15. 13. Ier. 17. 13. humility, 1. Pet. 5. 6. Mic. 6. 8. Gen. 32. 10. patience, Pſal. 39. 9. Rom. 12. 12. Heb. 10. 36. Iob. 1. 21. Ier. 14. 22. Ioy, Pſal. 33. 1. zeale, or feruour of will, Gal. 4. 18. deſire of Gods preſence in heauen, Phil. 1. 23. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Reu. 22. 17. 20. inuocation, Pſal. 32. 6. and 65. 2. Phil. 4. 5, 6. thankefulnes, Pſal. 75. 1. and 56. 12, 13. ſwearing by God alone, Deut. 10. 20. adoration, Deut. 6. 13. and 10. 20. Matth. 4. 10. and profeſſion of his name, 1. Pet. 3. 15. Matth. 10. 32. Dan. 3. 17. and 6. 11. Rom. 10. 10.