DAVID HRYCK. ' lolJiiH'lui/nmy. GLASGOW. \ 4 scs */?a? t ^ -^£L~~<^ \ < / "> O *? . *s / / * ■ y / /'f/ '// ///,. thy chUiren, and $halt talk of them when thorn sittett in thine house, and when thoti waikett by the way, ami when thou Best dcu n, ami v hen thnu ru, EDINBURGH PUNTED nv si u n. HUKTEB BLAH THE GENERAL CONTENTS. I. HHHE Preface, by sundry I VIII. The Solemn League and JL English Divii. Covenant. II. Mr. Manton's Epistle to the IX. The Acknowledgment oi Reader. Sins, S III. The Confession of Faith. IV. The Larger Catechism. V. The Shorter Catechism. VI. The Sum of Saving Know- X. The Directory for Publick Worship. XI. The Form of Pn Church-Government lerL XII. The Directory for Family VII. The National Covenant. Worship. TO THF CHRISTIAN READER, II FADS OF 1 AM I LI I \ S we cannot hut with ixrief ()f S()Ui lament those multi- -*~^ tudesoferrors, blasphemies, and all kinds of profanes which have in thi> last age, like a mighty deluge, overfly nation ; so, anion a! other rins which have helped to open the flood-gates of all these impieti cannot but in the disuse of family instruction one of tfa ttest The two great pillars upon which the kingdom of Satan is led, and hv which it is upheld, are ignorance and error ; p of our manumission from this spiritual thraldom i in )mvingour eyes opmed, and behig turned jromd . . ;. is. How much the serious endeavours >t 1 1 v parents and masters might contribute to an earl? Seasoning the tender yean of Wch as are under their in>} tion. is abundantly ei ident, not only from tin it il influ- upon them, in respect of their authority over them, fo- il them, continual presence with them, and frequent opportunities of being helpful to them; hut also from the md effects which, by woeful experience, ire find to he tl of tl sion of this duty. It wcr to set hel >u a cloud <>t" witnesses, the language of whose practice hath been only an eminent commendation of this duty, but also a Ltion to it. .\ ./'./, thougli dead. A h:s 4 The Epistle to the Reader. his example to us for imitation of his faith, fyc. Heb. xi. 4. ; so do the examples of Abraham, of Joshua, of the parents of Solomon, of the grandmother and mother of Timothy, the mother of Augustine, whose care was as well to nurse up the souls as the bodies of their little ones ; and as their pains herein was great, so was their success no way unanswerable. We should scarce imagine it any better than an imperti- nency, in this noon-day of the gospel, either to inform or persuade in a duty so expressly commanded, so frequently urged, so highly encouraged, and so eminently owned by the Lord in all ages with his blessing, but that our sad ex- perience tells us, this duty is not more needful, than it is of late neglected. For the restoring of this duty to its due observance, give us leave to suggest this double advice. The first concerns heads of families in respect of them- selves ; That as the Lord hath set them in place above the rest of their family, they would labour in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to be above them also. It is an un- comely sight to behold men in years babes in knowledge ; and how unmeet are they to instruct others, who need them- selves to be taught which be the first principles qftlie oracles of God? Heb. v. 12. Knowledge is an accomplishment >o desirable, that the devils themselves knew not a more taking bait by which to tempt our first parents, than by the fruit of the tree of knowledge; So shall you be as gods , know- ing good and evil When Solomon had that favour shewed him of the Lord, that he was made his own chuser what to ask, he knew no greater mercy to beg than wisdom, 1 Kings iii. 5, 9. The understanding is the guide and pilot of the whole man, that faculty which sits at the stern of the soul : but as the most expert guide may mistake in the dark, so may the understanding, when it wants the light of know- ledge: Withoutknowledgethemindcannotbegood, Prov.xix.^.; nor the life good, nor the eternal condition safe, Eph. iv. 18. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hos. iv. 6. It is ordinary in scripture to set profaneness, and all kind of miscarriages, upon the score of ignorance. Diseases in the body have many times their rise from distempers in the head, and exorbitancies in practice from errors in judg- ment : and indeed in every sin there is something both of ignorance The Epistle to the Read 5 ignorance and error at the bottom : for, did sinners trulv know what they do in sinning, we might say erf every sin what the Apostle speaks concerning that great sin, Hal { known him^ they would not have crucified the Lordqfgi did they trulv know that every >in is a provoking the Lord to jealousy, a proclaiming war against Heaven, a crucify- ing the Lord Jems afresh, a treasuring up wrath unto th] saves agaiNst the day of wraih ; and that, if ever they be loned, it must be at no lower a rate than the price of his blood ; it were scarce possible but sin, instead of ailui should affright, and instead of tempting, scare. It is one of the arch devices and principal methods of Satan to dect men into sin : thus he prevailed against our firtt parents, not a- a lion, but as a serpent, acting his enmity under a pre- M of friendship, and tempting them to evil under an ap- od ; and thus hath he all along carried on his designs of darkness, by transforming himself into an angel of light, making poor deceived men in love with their mise- . and hug their own destruction. A most sovereign anti- dole against all kind of error-, i- to be grounded ami in the faith : persona unfixed in the true religion, are vei \ fa false; and thev who are nothil knowledge, are easily made any thing. Clouds without u to and fro with every wind, and ships without ballast liable to the violence of evert tempest Hut yet the knowledge we especially commend, is not a brain-knou- speculation; thismay be intbe worst ofm , in the worst of creatures, the devils themselves, and that in Mich an eminencv, S3 the l>e>t of saintfl cannot a: I to m this lite of imperfection ; but an inward, a - ivoury, an In .in knowledge, such a- u;h in that toaftyr, who, thoi she could not dispute tor Christ, could die tor him. This is that spiritual sense and feeling of divine truths tin* Apostle I [eb. v. 14. Having //our .\ Hut, alas, we toaj nh <>fm<>>t men't religion what learned Rivet * -peaks concerning the mors of the fathei . rhey " irere not BO much their own error-, as tin ' the mes wherein the) lived." Thus do mod nun take up their religion upon no an account than Turks and Pa A pjsts v fthct Ci H - 6 The Epistle to the Reader. pists take up theirs, because it is the religion of the times and places wherein they live; and what they take up thus slightly, they lay down as easily. Whereas an inward taste and relish of the things of God, is an excellent preservative to keep us settled in the most unsettled times. Corrupt and unsavoury principles have great advantage upon us, above those that are spiritual and sound ; the former being suitable to corrupt na- ture, the latter contrary ; the former springing up of them- selves, thelatter brought forth not without a painful industry. The ground needs no other midwifery in bringing forth weeds than only the neglect of the husbandman's hand to pluck them up ; the air needs no other cause of darkness than the absence of the sun ; nor water of coldness than its distance from the fire; because these are the genuine products of nature. Were it so with the soul, (as some of the philoso- phers have vainly imagined,) to come into the world as an ahrasa tabula, a mere blank or piece of white paper, on which neither any thing is written, nor any blots, it would then be equally receptive of good and evil, and no more averse to the one than to the other : but how much worse its condition indeed is, were scripture silent, every man's experience does evidently manifest. For who is there that knows any thing of his own heart, and knows not thus much, that the sug- gestions of Satan have so easy and free admittance into our hearts, that our utmost watchfulness is too little to guard us from them ? whereas the motions of God's Spirit are so un- acceptable to us, that our utmost diligence is too little to get our hearts open to entertain them. Let therefore the ex- cellency, necessity, difficulty of true wisdom stir up endea- vours in you somewhat proportionable to such an accom- plishment; Above all getting, get tinder standing, Prov. iv. 7. and search for wisdom as for hidden treasures, Prov. ii. 4. It much concerns you in respect of yourselves. Our second advice concerns heads of families, in respect of their families. Whatever hath been said already, though it concerns every private Christian that hath a soul to look after ; yet, upon a double account, it concerns parents and masters, as having themselves and others to look after : some there are, who, because of their ignorance, cannot ; others, because of their sluggishness, will not mind this duty. To the former The Epistle to the Reader. 7 former we propound the method of Joshua, who first began with himself, and then is careful of his family. To the latter we shall only hint, what a dreadful meeting those parents and masters must have at that great day. with their children and servants, when all that were under their insj>ection shall not only accuse them, but charge their eternal miscarrying upon their score. Never did any age of the Church enjoy such choice helps as thifl of ours. Every age of the gospel hath had its (reed-. < onfessions, Catechisms, and such breviaries and mode, divinity as have been singularly useful. Such form- of sound words (however in these davs decried) have been in use in the Church ever since God himself wrote the Decalogu- . .; summary of things to be done; and Christ taught us that prayer of hi-, a- a directory what to ask. Concerning the of suehtMMiipendiarv systems, so much hath been -aid already by a learned divine # of this 18 sufficient ul who are not resolved to remain un-atisfied. ruing the particular excellency of these ensuing n . ire judge it unneedful to mention those eminent testi- monies which have been given them from persons of known worth, in respect of their judgment, learning, and integrity, both at home and abroad, because themselves spake so much their own praise; gold stands not in need of varni-h, nor diamonds of painting ; give us leave only to tell von, that ue cannot but account it an eminent mercv to enjoy -uch helps as these are. I.t is ordinary in these nays for men to lk evil of things they know not ; but if anv are p with mean thoughts of these treatise-, WC -hall onlv give the ftinsel to them that Philip gives Nathanael, ( out from th< fao the Lord', Gen, iv. 16. Now. the devil knoweth that this blow at the root, and a reads wav to prevent the suc- of Churches: it* he can subvert families, Other societies and communities arill not long flourish and subsist •nth any power and vigour; for there is the stock from whence they are supplied both for the present and futUH For the present : A family is the seminary of ( Ihurch and State; and if children be not well principled there, all \\\)-- ieth : a fault in the first concoction i> not mended in tlie second ; if youth he bred ill in the family, they prow \ ill 10 The Epistle to the Reader. ill in Church and Commonwealth ; there is the first making or marring, and the presage of their future lives to be thence taken, Prov. xx. 11. By family discipline, officers are trained up for the Church, 1 Tim. iii. 4. One that rul- eth well his own house, &c. ; and there are men bred up in subjection and obedience. It is noted, Acts xxi. 5. that the disciples brought Paul on his way with their wives and children ; their children probably are mentioned, to intimate, that their parents would, by their own example and affec- tionate farewell to Paul, breed them up in a way of reve- rence and respect to the pastors of the Church. For the future : It is comfortable, certainly, to see a thriv- ing nursery of young plants, and to have hopes that God shall have a people to serve him when we are dead and gone: the people of God comforted themselves in that, Psal. cii. 28. The children of thy servants shall continue, &c. Upon all these considerations, how careful should minis- ters and parents be to train up young ones whilst they are yet pliable, and, like wax, capable of any form and impres- sion, in the knowledge and fear of God ; and betimes to in- stil the principles of our most holy faith, as they are drawn into a short sum in catechisms, and so altogether laid in the view of conscience ! Surely these seeds of truth planted in the field of memory, if they work nothing else, will at least be a great check and bridle to them, and, as the casting in of cold water doth stay the boiling of the pot, somewhat allay the fervours of youthful lusts and passions. I had, upon entreaty, resolved to recommend to thee with the greatest earnestness the work of catechising, and, as a meet help, the usefulness of this book, as thus printed with the scriptures at large : but meeting with a private letter of a very learned and godly divine, wherein that work is ex- cellently done to my hand, I shall make bold to transcribe a part of it, and offer it to publick view. The author having bewailed the great distractions, cor- ruptions, and divisions that are in the Church, he thus re- presents the cause and cure : " Among others, a principal cause of these mischiefs is the great and common neglect of the governors of families, in the discharge of that duty which they owe to God for the souls that are under their charge. The Epistle to the Reader. 1 1 charge, especially in teaching them the doctrine of Chris- tianity. Families are societies that must be sanctified to God as well as Churches; and the governors of them have a< truly a charge of the souls that are therein, a< pa-tors have of the Churches. But, alas, how little is this considered or re- garded ! But while negligent ministers are (deservedly) out of their places, the negligent masters of families take them>elve- to he almost blameless. They otter their children to (rod in baptism, and there they promise to teach them the dextrine of the go-pel, and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord ; hut they easily promise, and ea^ilv break it ; and educate their children for the world and the rlerk that be- geth to them to be enough for them, and to be the I that they can be employed in. Especially women should be t'ul of this duty; because as theyare most about their chil- dren^ and have early and frequent opportunities to instruct them, bo this is the principal Berries they can do to God in this world, being re-trained from more publiek work. And doubtless many an excellent magistrate hath been Bent into the Commonwealth) and many an excellent pastor into the Church, and many a precious BSUlt to heaven, through the happy preparation- of a holv education, perhaps bv a wo- man that thought herself useless and unserviceable to the ireh. Would parents but begin betimes, and labour to t the h ; their children with the mat mat lasting life, and to acquaint them with the substance ot" the* doctrine of Christ, and, when thev find in them the knowledge and love of Christ, would bring them then to the j the Chureh to be tr:> !, and A (J mitted ] 2 The Epistle to the Reader, mitted to the further privileges of the Church, what happy, well-ordered Churches might we have ! then one pastor need not be put to do the work of two or three hundred or thou- sand governors of families, even to teach their children those principles which they should have taught them long before ; nor should we be put to preach to so many miserable igno- rant souls, that be not prepared by education to understand us ; nor should we have need to shut out so many from holy communion upon the account of ignorance, that yet have not the grace to feel it and lament it, nor the wit and pa- tience to wait in a learning state, till they are ready to be fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. But now they come to us with aged self-conceitedness, be- ing past children, and yet worse than children still ; having the ignorance of children, but being overgrown the teach- ableness of children ; and think themselves wise, yea, wise enough to quarrel with the wisest of their teachers, because they have lived long enough to have been wise, and the evi- dence of their knowledge is their aged ignorance ; and they are readier to flee in our faces for Church-privileges, than to learn of us, and obey our instructions, till they are pre- pared for them, that they may do them good ; like snappish curs, that will snap us by the fingers for their meat, and snatch it out of our hands ; and not like children, that stay till we give it them. Parents have so used them to be unru- ly, that ministers have to deal but with too few but the un- ruly. And it is for want of this laying the foundation well at first, that professors themselves are so ignorant as most are, and that so many, especially of the younger sort, do swallow down almost any error that is offered them, and follow any sect of dividers that will entice them, so it be but done with earnestness and plausibility. For, alas ! though by the grace of God their hearts may be chan- ged in an hour, (whenever they understand but the essen- tials of the faith,) yet their understandings must have time and diligence to furnish them with such knowledge as must stablish them, and fortify them against deceits. Upon these, and many the like considerations, we should entreat all Chris- tian families to take more pains in this necessary work, and to get better acquainted with the substance of Christianity. 23 And, The Ephtle to the Read 13 And, to that end, (taking along some moving treatises to awake the heart,) I know not what work should be fitter for their use, than that compiled by the Assembly at West- ininster ; a Synod of as godly, judicious divines, (notwith- standing all the bitter words which they have received from discontented and self-conceited men,) I verily think, u ever England saw. Though they had the unbappiness to (1 in calamitous times, when the noise of Iran did stop men's ears, and the licentiousness of wars did let every wanton tongue and pen at liberty to reproach them. and the prosecution and event of those wars did exasperate partial discontented men to dishonour themselves by seek- ing to dishonour them ; I dare say, if in the days of old, when councils were in power and account, thev had had but such a council of bishops, as this of presbyters was* the fame of it for learning and holiness, and all ministerial abi- lities, would, with very great honour, base been transmit- ted to posterity. I do therefore desire, that all matters <>f families would first study well this work themselves, and then teach it their children and servants, according to their several capacities. And, if thev onee understand these grounds of religion, thev will be able to read other books more undcTstandinglv, and noons more profitably, and confer more judiciously, and hold fast the doctrine of Christ more firmly, than rw i you are like to do by any other com First, let them 1 and learn the Shorter ( 'atechi-m, and next the Lar and lastly, read the Confession <>f Faith.1" Thus far he, whose name I shall conceal, (though the i llency of the matter, and present style, trill easuy dis- .) because I have published it without his privity and consent, though, I hope, not againsl his liking and approbation. 1 shall add no more, but that I am, Thj a in the 1 .ord s work, THOMAS MANTON / t 14 ] An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the calling of an Assembly of learned and godly Divines, and others, to be consulted with by the Parliament, for the settling of the government and liturgy of the Church of England ; and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the said Church from false aspersions and interpretations. June 12. 1643. TT7HEREAS, amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty * * God upon this nation, none is nor can be more dear unto us than the purity of our religion ; and for that, as yet, many things remain in the liturgy, discipline, and govern- ment of the Church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect reformation than as yet hath been attained; and whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that the present Church-government by archbishops, their chancellors, com- missars, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical officers depending upon the hierarchy, is evil, and justly offensive and burdensome to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion, and very prejudicial to the state and government of this kingdom ; and therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away, and that such a government shall be settled in the Church as may be most agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland, and other Reformed Churches abroad ; and, for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the Church of England from all false calumnies and as- persions, it is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of learned, godly, and judicious Divines, who, together with some members of both the Houses of Parliament, are to consult and advise of such matters and things, touching the premises, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein to both or either of the said Houses, when, and as often as they shall be thereunto re- quired : Be it therefore ordained, by the Lords and Com- mons I 15 ] mons in this present Parliament assembled, That all and every the persons hereafter in this present ordinance named, that is to say, And such other person or persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both Houses of Parliament, or so main of them as -hall not be letted by sickness, or other necesfl impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby re- quired and enjoined, upon summons signed by the derkfl of both Houses of Parliament, left at their respective dwell- B, to meet and assemble themselves at Westminster, in the Chapel called King Henry the \ IPs Chapel, on the first day of July, in the vear of our Lord one thousand six hundred and fort v-three; and after the first meeting, being at least the number of fortv, shall from time to time >it, and be removed from place to place; and also that the said Assembly shall be dissolved in such manner as by both Houses of Parliament shall be directed : and the said person-, or BO many of them as shall inbled, or sit, shaU have power ana authori- bereby likewise enjoined from time to time, dur- thifi present Parliament, or until further order be taken by both the said Houses, to confer and treat among them- selves of Mich matters and things, touching and concerning the liturgy, discipline, and government of the Church of 1 land, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the ■ame from the false aspersions and misconstructions, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the said 1 [o of Parliament. and no other; anddeliver theiropinion,ad\ ices ►r touching the matte ra aforesaid, as dial] be most agn i to the word of God, to both or either of the Hou I i time to time, in BUch manner and BOTt as hy i >< » 1 1 i or either of the said Housesof Parliament shall be required ; and the sana* hot to divulge, by printing, writing, or ol . v. itbout the consent of I >< » t i ■ or either Houses of Parlia- ment And be it further ordained by the authorit \ aloi\ -aid. That William Tn isse doctor in divinity shall >u in the cl ^ prolocutor of the said Assembly ; and if he happen to die, <>r be letted by sickness, or other iu <• — u\ inipediim nt, then Mich <>i ^.)ii to be appointed in his place as shall be •n bj the mid llnihisiif Part lament: And m case difference in opinion shall happen amongst the Mid person assembled* A [ 16 ] assembled, touching any the matters that shall be proposed to them as aforesaid, that then they shall represent the same, together with the reasons thereof, to both or either the said Houses respectively, to the end such further direction may be given therein as shall be requisite to that behalf. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That, for the charges and expences of the said Divines, and every one of them, in attending the said service, there shall be allowed every one of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said attendance, and for ten days before and ten days after, the sum of four shillings for every day, at the charges of the Commonwealth, at such time, and in such manner, as by both Houses of Parliament shall be appointed. And be it further ordained, That all and every the said Divines, so, as aforesaid, required and enjoined to meet and assemble, shall be freed and acquitted of and from every offence, for- feiture, penalty, loss, or damage, which shall or may ensue or grow by reason of any non-residence or absence of them, or any of them, from his or their, or any of their church, churches, or cures, for or in respect of their said attendance upon the said service ; any law or statute of non-residence, cr other law or statute enjoining their attendance upon their respective ministries or charges, to the contrary thereof not- withstanding. And if any of the persons above named shall happen to die before the said Assembly shall be dissolved by order of both Houses of Parliament, then such other person or persons shall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such person or persons so dying, as by both the said Houses shall be thought fit and agreed upon ; and every such person or persons, so to be named, shall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal, to all intents and purposes, and also all such wages and allowances for the said service, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the said persons in this ordinance is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Provided always, That this ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the persons aforesaid, or any of them, nor shall they in this Assembly assume to exercise any jurisdic- tion, power, or authority ecclesiastical whatsoever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed. Assembly [ n ] Assembly at Edinburgh, August 19. U : S M 14. / of the General Assembly to some Ministers and Ruling ElderSyJbr repairing to the Kingdom of England. rpiIK General Assembly of the Church of Scotland find- -*"" in<^ it necessary to send souk* godly and learned of this Kirk to the kingdom of England, to the effect under written : therefore gives full power and commission to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr Samuel Rutherford, Mr. Robert Baillie, and Mr. (■ Gillespie, Miaisfc John Earl of Cassilis, John Lord Maitiaiuhand Sir Archi- bald Johnstoun of Warristoun, Elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be Ministers, to repair to the kingdom of id, and there to deliver the declaration Bent unto the lament of England, and the letter sent unto the As- sembly of Divines now sitting in that kingdom; and to pro- pone, consult, treat, and conclude with that Assembly, or any ( 'ommissiooerfl deputed by them, or any Committees or > deputed bv the Houses of Parliament, in all tters which may further the union of this Island in one mi of Kirk-government, one Confession of Faith, one cbism, one Directory for the worship of God, accord- to the instructions which they have received from the Assembly, or shall receive from time to time hereafter from the Commissioners of the Assembly deputed for that effect with power also to them to convey to His Majesty the humble answer sent from this Assembly to His Majesty's uch occasion as the) shall think convenient; and ricklike, to deliver th< mhly'c answer to the letter lent from some well-affected brethren of the ministry tin and <_« in rally authorises them to do all things which I further the IO much desired union, and Dearest conjunction of the two Church. - of Scotland and Falkland, conform to their instruct* ad. ft lie p< i ho mere called by the J\ and •\aml( 'of/ttnnn.s(in that hrohen 8i hatch ) to attend tl I i mbly appeared n n the u ■ n (h, ; /' (he I ' 'utl. The t 18 ] Tlie Promise and Vow taken by every Member admitted to sit in the Assembly. f A. B. do seriously promise and vow, in the presence of A Almighty God, That in this Assembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in point of doctrine, but what I believe to be most agreeable to the word of God ; nor in point of discipline, but what may make most for God's glory, and the peace and good of this Church. A List of the Divines who met in the Assembly at Westminster. Dr. William Twisse of New- bury, Prolocutor, Dr. Cornelius B urges of Water- ford, John White of Dorchester, Asses- sors, Dr. William Gouge of Blackfriars, London. Robert Harris of Hanwell, B. D. Thomas Gattaker of Rotherhithe, Oliver Bowles of Sutton, B. D. Edward Reynolds of Bramston, Jeremiah Whitaker of Streton, Dr. Anthony Tuckney of Boston, John Arrowsmith of Lynne, Simeon Ashe of St. Brides, Philip Nye of Kimbolton, Jeremiah Burroughs of Stepney, John Lightfoot of Ashley, Stanley Gower of Brampton Bryan, Richard Heyrick of Manchester, Thomas Case of London, Dr. Thomas Temple of Battery, George Gipps of Ayleston, Thomas Carter, Dr. Humphrey Chambers of Cla- verstoun, Thomas Micklethwait of Cherry- burton, John Guibon of Waltham, Christopher Tesdale of Uphus- borne, Henry Philps, George Walker, B. D. Edmund Calamy, B. D. of Alder- manbury, Dr. Lazarus Seaman of London, Joseph Caryl of Lincoln's Inn, Dr. Henry Wilkinson senior of Waderston, Richard Vines of Calcot, Nicholas Profit of Marlborough, Stephen Marshall, B. D. of Finch- ingfield, Dr. Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin, Thomas Wilson of Otham, Thomas Hodges of Kensington, Thomas Baillie of Mildenhall, B. D. Francis Taylor of Yalding, Thomas Young of Stownmarket, Thomas Valentine, B. D. of Chal- font, St. Giles, William Greenhill of Stepney, Edward Pele of Compton, John Green of Pencomb, Andrew Pern of Wilby, Samuel de la Place, John de la March, John Dury, Philip Deline, Sidrach Simpson of London, John Langly of Westuderly, Richard Clayton of Showers, Arthur Sallaway of Seaverne- stock, John Ley of Bud worth, Charles Herle of Winwick, pro- locutor after Dr. Twisse, Herbert I 19 ] Herbert Palmer, B. I). of Ashwel, assessor after Mr. AVhite, Daniel Cawdrey of Great Billing, Henry Painter, B. D. of Exeter, Henry Scudder of Colinborn, Thomas Hill, B. D. of Tichmarsh, William Keynor, B. D. of Egham, Thomas Goodwin of London, Dr. William SpUTStOW of Hamp- den, Mat wcomb of Dedham, Dr. Ed mood Staunton ofKmgStOO, John Cooant ofLymmington, B.I). Anthony Buries of Sutton Cold- field, William Rathband, Dr. Prancu Cheynel of Oxen, Dr. i i younger of >rd, Obadiafa § k, B. D. of Cog- shal, Edward Corbist of Marton Col- ku < 1 , Samuel Gibson of Burl, v, Tli" -man of Bliton, dure Backhurst, William Carter of London, Smith, in m John Maynard of Mayfield, William Price of Paul's Church Covent Garden, John Whineop of St. Martins the Fields, William Bridge of Yarmouth, Peter Starry of London, William Mew, B. D. of Esliiurtoii, Benjamin Pickering ot East Hoat- ]Y> John Strickland of St. Edmonds in Sarum. Humphrey Hardwick, Jasper Hicks of Lawrick or Lau- ra1-. John Bond, Henry Hall, B. D. of Norwich, Ttiomas Ford of London, after- wards of Exeter, Thomas Thorogood of Masi ham, Peter Clerk ofKerby Underbill, William Good, John Koxcroft of Cotham, John Ward, Richard Bylield of Lon^-Ditton, Francis Woodcock, John Jackson ofMarske, Com from tltc General Assembly of the Chun/* of Scotland. m I IlhNDi MOM ofEdin- bm Edinburgh, Samuel Rutherford _'e GOlespit linburgh, M John Earl of Cassilis, John Lord Maitland, aturu Duke of Lauderdale, Sir Archibald Johnstoun in. Ruling Bid Henry Robro Adoniram Byfield, John Walli>, S.nbcs. Asscn»l>K [ 20 ] Assembly at Edinburgh, August 27. 1647. Sess. 23. Act approving the Confession of Faith. \ CONFESSION of Faith for the Kirks of God in -*•*- the three kingdoms, being the chiefest part of that uniformity in religion, which by the Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour : And there being accordingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the As- sembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the assist- ance of Commissioners from the Kirk of Scotland ; which Confession was sent from our Commissioners at London to the Commissioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Assembly twice publickly read over, examined, and considered ; copies thereof being also printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the members of this Assembly, unto whom frequent intimation was publickly made, to put in their doubts and objections, if they had any : And the said Confession being, upon due examination thereof, found by the Assembly to be most agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk. And, lastly, It being so necessary, and so much longed for, that the said Confession be, with all possible diligence and expedition, approved and established in both kingdoms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a special means for the more effectual sup- pressing of the many dangerous errors and heresies of these times ; the General Assembly doth therefore, after mature deliberation, agree unto, and approve the said Confession, as to the truth of the matter; (judging it to be most ortho- dox, and grounded upon the word of God ;) and also, as to the point of uniformity, agreeing for our part, that it be a common Confession of Faith for the three kingdoms. The Assembly doth also bless the Lord, and thankfully acknow- ledge his great mercy, in that so excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both king- doms ; which we look upon as a great strengthening of the true reformed religion against the common enemies thereof. But, lest our intention and meaning be in some particulars misunderstood. [ 21 ] misunderstood, it is hereby expressly declared and provided. That the not mentioning in this Confession the bcvcfal sort* of ecclesiastical officers and assemblies, shall be no prejudice to the truth of Christ in these particulars, to be express fullv in the Directory of Government. It is further de- clared, That the Assembly understandeth some parts of the second article of the thirty-one chapter only of kirks not settled, or constituted in point of government: And that although, in such kirks, a synod of Ministers, and other fit . mav be called by the Magistrate's authority and nomination, without any other call, to consult and advise with about matters of religion ; and although, likewise, the Ministers of Christ, without delegation from their churches, may of themselves, and by virtue of their office, meet to- gether synodically in such kirks not yet constituted, vet ier of these ought to be done in kirks constituted and settled; it being always free to the Magistrate to ad with synods of ministers and ruling elders, meeting upon delegation from their churches, either ordinarilv, or, b indicted by his authority, occasionally, and pro n naia ; it being also free to assemble together >vnodicallv, as well pro re naia as at the ordinary times, upon delegation from the churches, by the intrinsical power received from Christ. as often as it is accessary for the good of the Church so to assemble, in case the Magistrate, to the detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his consent; the necessity of nil, lies being first remonstrate unto him br humble supplication. A KI.K (II AC t 22 1 Charles I. Pari. 2. Sess. 2. Act 16. Act anent tlie Catechisms ', Confession of Faith, and Ratification, thereof. At Edinburgh, February 7. 1649- HP HE Estates of Parliament, now presently convened in -*- this second Session of the second triennial Parliament, by virtue of an Act of the Committee of Estates, who had power and authority from the last Parliament for conven- ing the Parliament, having seriously considered the Cate- chisms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Con- fession of Faith, with three Acts of Approbation thereof by the Commissioners of the General Assembly, presented unto them by the Commissioners of the said General Assembly ; do ratify and approve the said Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Acts of Approbation of the same, produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, pub- lished, and practised. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH: AGREED ITON BV THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH THE A8I COMMISSION i: R - FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixl the Chord '.1st in the Eingd< Scotland, Kngfand, ami lid id l»v thfl I Assembl; d ratified an hed 1 trliatneiit It; J M the PUbMct and a\owed VF1 S8ION OF THE < EURCR OF SCOTLAND, Willi I II PR001 - I ROM THE BCRIPTUR] THE CONTENTS. i r. OF the Holy Scripture. Of God, and of the Holy CHAP. I. II. Trinity. III. Of God's Eternal Decree. IV. Of Creation. V. Of Providence. VI. Oftb I all of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof. VII. Of God's Covenant with Man. VIII. Of Christ the Mediator. IX. Of Free Will. X. Of Effectual Call: XI. O: Justification. XII. Of Adoption. XIII. Of Sanctilieation. XIV. Of Saving Faith. XV. 01 Repentance unto Life. XVI. o: G od V, XVII. Oi the lVr>everance of the X V 1 1 1. Of Assurance of Grace and - Ivation. XIX. Of the Law of God. XX. Of Christian Liberty, and Li- berty of Conscience. XXI. Ot Religi ifl Worship, and the Sabbath-dav. XXII. Of lawful Oathl and Vow* XXIII. Ot the Civil Magwtrate. XXI V. Of Marriage and Divorce. XXV. Ot the Church. XXVI. Of Communion of Saints. XXVII. Of the Sacraments. XXVIII Of Baptism. XXIX. OT the Lord's Supper. XXX. Ot Church Censi; XXXI. Of Synodi and Count XXXII. OftheStati ith, and of the Resurrection Of the Dead. XXXIII. Of the last Judgment THE CONFESSION OF FAITH, d upon bg th - (i I I Wst muis' I ami approved, Anno 1647 $ bg the General Si OTLdMD ; and ratijiiii rliamrttt [649 (lfl(/ U (HAD. I. Of the Huh, Script, A LTHOUGH the light of nature, and the * ■ tion and providence, do m> far manifest tin i 1 pow< to Kave nun inexcusable ■ ; I. * Kom. ii. II. I mi when the in th- | hose having not the tiles, which have not the law, law, are ■ law unto Ihiiindi do by nature the thingi ( \ 15. Whieh shew rk o^" B thr 26 The Confession of Faith. Chap. I. yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation b : there- fore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will un- to his church c ; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure esta- blishment and comfort of the Church against the corrup- tion of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing d ; which maketh the the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing wit- ness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. Rom. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Ver. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clear- ly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Psal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firma- ment sheweth his handy-work. Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit such things are worthy of death,) not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. With Rom. ii. I. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoso- ever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. b 1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that be- lieve. 1 Cor. ii. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teach- eth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Ver. 14. But the na- tural man receive th not the things of the Spirit of God ; for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. c Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. d Prov. xxii. 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Ver. 20. Have not I writ- ten to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge; Ver. 21. That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Luke i. 3. It seemed good to me also, having had per- fect understanding of all things from the very first, to write un- to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; Ver. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through pa- tience Chap. I. The Confession of Faith. 27 the holy scripture to be most nece.-sarv e ; tho^e former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased f. II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these : Of the Old Testamest. Gem Exodus. iticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy. Joabua. J 11(1 D liuth. lei. II. SamueL I. King II. I. ( Ihronicl II. Chronicles. Ezra. Nehemiah. ier. Job. Psalms. Proverbs. TheSongoJ ib. Jeremiah. Lamentations. Ezekiel. Daniel. Hosea. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. N ah urn Habakkuk Zephaniah. Hagg Z< cbariah. Malachi. ml comfort of the scrip- - might have bop u Matth. i\ . i. But he inswered and - til not K?e by word tli out of the mouth lid unto him, It is written airain, Thou t tempt the Lord thy I ith Jesus unto him. Get thee 1 : itan : far it if u ritteo, Thou shall wor* ship the i .'»id t and him only slialt t> And when they shall My unto Seek unto them that 1 -aw tami- :d UlltO - that peep and that mutter ; ihoul ; a people leek unf the living to I the I to the * I this Of word, it is 1 then- is no light in them. Tim. hi. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the M riptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salva: through faith which is in Christ I Pet i. ic'. \\v hare a more surf word of | whereunto ye do w. II that take heed, as unto ■ 1; th in a dark place, mail the lawn, ami the d in i our beai 1 1« !». i. I G I. who at Mr I . and in divers manm in time past unto a the propu tf ; 1 oki-n unto us ht m bom he hat heir of all things, by \\ bora ill » he made the P B I II. i , • 28 The Confession of Faith. Chap. I. Of the New Testament. The Gospels ac- cording to Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. The Acts of the Apostles. Paul's Epistles to the Romans. Corinthians I. Corinthians II. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. Thessalonians I. Thessalonians II. To Timothy I. To Timothy II. To Titus. To Philemon. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The Epistle of James. The first and second Epistles of Peter. The first, second, and third Epistles of John. The Epistle of Jude. The Revelation. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and lifeg. III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the scrip- ture ; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings h. IV. The TI. sLuke xvi.29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. Ver. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the pro- phets, neither will they be persuad- ed, though one rose from the dead. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself be- ing the chief corner-stone. Rev. xxii. 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. Ver. 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things wrhich are written in this book. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scrip- ture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doc- trine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. III. hLuke xxiv. 27. And be- ginning at Moses and all the pro- phets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Ver. 44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I wras yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Rom. iii. 2. Much every way: chiefly, be- cause that unto them were com- mitted the oracles of God. 2 Pet. i. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man ; but holy men of God spake as they Chap. I. The Confession of Faith. 29 IV. The authority of the holy scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, depended) not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God, (who is truth itself,) the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the word of God l. V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the holy scri|>- turek, and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majestv of the Style, the OOBSeUt of all the parts, the -cope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God. ) the full discovery it makes of the onlv way of man's -alva- tion, the many other incomparable excellencies, and tin tire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God ; yet not- withstanding our full persuasion and assurance of the infal- lible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the \M>rd in our hearts1. were moved by the Holy IV. • a Pet i. i!'. We bare a more sure word of prophecy, do well that je take into a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day • your heal lor the pro- phec\ not in old time hy the will ot man ; hut holy men ^>\ «• as tiny were moved hy the Holy Gh Tim. iii. L& All scripture ii siren hy inspira- tion of G profitabl - tion, ness. 1 .John v. !'. 1; the witne.-s ot men, the witness of God ii neatei : Eoi tbii i^ the witu which he hath ied oi his Son. 1 Thess. ii. without i \ the word <■!' which ye beard <>t" us, j • as the I men. VI. The but, as it is in truth, the word ot which effectually worketh also in von that helieve. \'. *1 Tim. iii. 15. Bll I tarry long, tliat thou m . know how thou ouirhtot to ba- th] M Ii in the house ot God, which is the church ot' the !'. . the pillar and ground ot the truth. 1 1 John ii. 90. But ye ha\ \ unction from the Holy One. and ye know all thii.. • But the ai.<»intiiiLr M Inch ye I ot him ahideth in you, and >e . not that any man teach you: hut SI -me anointi; I. eth you ot all things, end IS truth, and i< no Be ; and ewn :i- it hath taught you, ye ihsj] ahide in him. John I he, tin* Spirit of truth, i- COO* will | ill truth -peak of hiniM It ; hot ill hear, that d he will - 1 t. 11. Mi. ill gh 30 The Confession of Faith. Chap. I. VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men m. Neverthe- less, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the word11; and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and govern- ment of the Church, common to human actions and socie- ties, glorify me : for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath reveal- ed them unto us by his Spirit ; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Ver. 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God ; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Isa. lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. VI. m2Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Je- sus. Ver. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is pro* fitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righ- teousness: Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Gal. i. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Ver. 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have re- ceived, let him be accursed. 2Thes. ii. 2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by let- ter, as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. nJohn vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man there- fore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 1 Cor. ii. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Ver. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spi- rit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him ? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Ver. 12. Now Chap. I. The Confession of Faith. 31 ties, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be observed0. VIL All things in scripture are not alike plain in them- selves, nor alike clear unto all p ; yet those things which are nccewirv to be known, believed, and observed, for ^il- vation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place ripture or other, that not onlv the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them q. VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the na- tive language of the people of God of old,) and the New ']\ B- tamentin Greek, (which afrthe time of the writing of it was i nerally known to the nations.) being immediately in- spired by God, and by his Angular care and providence kept pure in all age.-, are therefore authentical r ; so as in all con- 01 religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them". But because these original tongue- are not known pie of God, who haw right unto and inu in the scripture-, and are commanded, in the fear of (> to ire have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God ; that we might know the things that are freely . n\. °1 I in your- it comely that a woman pray unto (iod uncovi i.U. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have loiiLr hair, a shaine unto him ? I brethren, i ye eon, . one i hath a psalm, hath a . hath a lation, hath an iuterp: all things I),- doiM unto edifying, all tin' done iitlv and in on: VII L iii. K>. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them ess thin- some thing ~ Jerstood, which they that are unlearned and unstable \vn>t. as they do also the other scriptures, unto their destruction. PsaL i xix. li»j. Thy word is a Jani[) unto in;, d a liirht un- to my path. \ Theeut; of thy words t:iveth 1 i\etii understanding unto the simple. vm. r Mat v. ia ily I IDtO you, TBI heaven and earth pass, one jot <>r DOS tittle shall in no wise pass bom the law, till all he fulfilled. i 0 the law. :t the testimony : if I . |feht in them. I '.. Al 1 10 this a^rree the Is ot the prophets, as it : think ye ami they are B V \vl 32 The Confession of Faith. Chap. I. to read and search them1, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come11, that the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner w, and, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, may have hope x. IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture is the scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture, (which is not manifold, but one,) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly y. X. The supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to which testify of me : Ver. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me ; for he wrote of me. t John v. 39. Search the scrip- tures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which testify of me. u 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? Ver. 9. So. likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. Ver. I J . Therefore, if I know not the mean- ing of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian ; and he that speaketh shall be a bar- barian unto me. Ver. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may ex- cel to the edifying of the church. Ver. 24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is con- vinced of all, he is judged of all. Ver. 27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course ; and let one interpret. Ver. 28. But if there be no inter- preter, let him keep silence in the church ; and let him speak to him- self, and to God. wCol. iii. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. x Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning ; that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. IX. y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scrip- ture is of any private interpretation. Ver. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man : but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Acts xv. 1 5. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is writ- ten, Ver. 16. After this I will re- turn, and will build again the ta- bernacle of David which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up. X. * Matin. Chap. II. The Confession of Faith. to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture2. CHAP. II. Of God, npHEHE is but one only -*- is infinite in beino; and ritd, invisible % without body X. zMatth. xxii. 29. Jesus an- il and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, the power of God. Vcr. 31. .But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by I aie built upon the foundation of the apostles and pro) I brist himself being the chief corner- stone. With Acts xxviii. pake the Holy GfaOft by I the prophet unto oiu thers. I. M)eut. vi. \. Hear, 0 Lrael ; The I ;r God > I Lord. 1 Cor. \iii. 4. As concerning there- fore the eating of those things that rifice ui iow that BO idol ,v DOthll that there is none \ I i . • . lint it one Cm. I, the Father, of whoa and We in him ; and | ] 1 Je- ms I'hrist, by win and we by hni). I 1 K H. . '<. For they ti what man!. entering in we had m I from idols, tO Serve the 1 10, But the Lord li true God, be i- the h\ i I and an r, K and of the Holy Trinity. a living and true God b, who perfection c, a moat pure spi- , parts f, or passions g, immut- ab c Job xi. 7. Canst thou by search- ing find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty onto perfect! Yer. !% It i> a> high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? Vtr. The measure t: \ er than the earth, and broader than the - I) xxvi. 1 k Lo, thefl por- tion II heard ot him ? but the thun- der of his power who can und d John iv. l^ i. ( Spirit ; and they that worship him, n rship him in spirit and in truth. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only w w and : i \ ei and 1 1 an. 1 Dent iv. 15. i d heed unto saw no manner of similitude the day that the Lord tpakc IH1 out ol the mi St the fire.) Vi <>rrupt yourselves, and make you ven image, the similiti femsil . J »lm i\ . it ; and they that w « mil! ip him ii in troth. With Luke hold in\ I I spirit hath DOt flesh i ai ye see me have. • Ai pie saw what l'anl 34 The Confession of Faith. Chap. II. able h, immense l, eternal k, incomprehensible \ almighty m, most wise n, most holy °, most free p, most absolute q, work- ing all things according to the counsel of his own immut- able and most righteous will % for his own glory s ; most loving, they lifted up their voices, saying1, in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. Ver. 15. And say- ing, Sirs, why do ye these things ? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you, that ye should turn from these va- nities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. h James i. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no vari- ableness, neither shadow of turn- ing. Mai. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not : therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 1 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? Be- hold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded? Jer. xxiii. 23. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Ver. 24. Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him ? saith the Lord: do not I fill heaven and earth ? saith the Lord. k Psal. xc. 2. Before the moun- tains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Psal. cxlv. 3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised ; and his greatness is unsearchable. m Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Ab- ram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him ; and they were full of eyes within : and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. n Rom. xvi. 27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. 0 Isa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8. \^See letter m immediately foregoing.^ p Psal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens : he hath done whatsoever he pleaseth. n, and sin u; the rewarderof them that diligently seek him w; and withal roost just and terrible in his judgments x ; hating all sin >', and who will by no means elear the guilty2. II. God hath ail life% gloryb, goodness0, ble>sednus> d, in and 1 1 John far. 8. He that loveth not, knowetfa not God, for God is Ver, 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to lift God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in 1, and God in him. u Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord passed by before him, and pro- claimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and j dfer- tnd abundant in goodness and truth. Vi r. *. Kei ping men thousands, forgiviug ini |uity, and kd >in, and that will by DO DM - t lit V \ \i>itiiJLr the iniquity of the fathers unon the children, and upon the ehilili ldren, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Eieb. xi. U. But without faith le to please him ; for he that conieth 10 God must be- that he is, and that cem little before thai hath eome upon lU our kinirs, mi OUT piiiuvs, and on our prieatSj and on our ; and on our fathers, and on all since the time of the kings of Assyria unto ; 1 1 I belt, thou art ji. all that i it upon u-* ; tor thou hast done light, but we liave lly. y Psal. v. :>. The foolish shall not stand in I it: thou hah workers of iniquity. Ver. 6. Thou Shalt destroy them that speak leas- ing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. Nah. i. 2. God is jealous, and the Lord RTengeth; the Lord re- _ eth and is furious : the ! will take vengeance on bis adver- saries, and fa th wra: r. 8. The Lord is Slow tO 8 and will not at all acquit the wick- ed: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in th . and the clouds are the dust '*: . xxxiv. 7. Keeping nancy lor thnusi iniquity, and ti sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty : the ini- quity of the father^ upon children, and upon the cbildl children, unto the third and to urth generation. II. l J Father hath life in himself, hath In- . tO the S d he said, .V brethren, and fathers, hearken; The 1 . was in Mesopotamia dwelt in Charran. Thou ai ami doast good, teach tute*. i 36 The Confession of Faith. Chap. II, and of himself ; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made% not deriving any glory from themf, but only manifesting his own glory, in, by, unto, and upon them : he is the alone foun- tain of all being, of whom, through whom> and to whom, are all thingsg; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleasethh. In his sight all things are open and manifest1; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature15, so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain1. He blessed and only Potentate,, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Rom. ix. 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came ; who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. e Acts xvii. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands: Ver. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. f Job xxii. 2. Can a man be pro- fitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Ver. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous ? or is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect ? « Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. h Rev. iv. 11. Thou art wor- thy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power : for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they , are and were created. 1 Thru vi. 15. \^See let- ter d immediately foregoing.^ Dan. iv. 25. That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field ; and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomso- ever he will. Ver. 35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reput- ed as nothing: and he doeth ac- cording to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inha- bitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou ? 1 Heb. iv. 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight : but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. k Rom. xi. 33. 0 the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how un- searchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out ! Ver. 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Psal. cxlvii. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power : his understanding is infinite. 1 Acts xv. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the begin- ning of the world. Ezek. xi. 5. And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak, Thus saith the Lord, Thus have ye Chap. II. The Confession of Faith. 37 He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands"1. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to requke of them". III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three]: of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the IIolv Ghost*. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son i> eter* nallv begotten of the Father1*; the IIolv Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son *. CHAP. id, O house of Israel : for I know the things that come into vour mind, every one of them. 111 PtaL cxlv. 17. The Lord ii - in all hi and holy irks. Horn. vii. 12. Wherefore the law i- holy. the commandment holy, and JUtt, and good. yfalg with a loud \ Worthy i> the Lamb that -lain to power, and riches, and prildom, anil Strength, and honour, and glory, and l>lc>s- \'er. 13. And every creatine which i> in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the left, and all that are in them, heard I - - iULr, and hoDOUl • • and r, he unto him that >itteth lipOO the throne, ai;d unto the I. ami), fa Vcr. 1 1. And the four bfjftStl Mid, Amen. And the four and twenty elders tell down and h Mnhipped him that i ami ei ill. i John r. t. l t ; and these thii •Mir. Mat. in. 1 '». IB, when he wasbapti/ed, went up out of the water '; audi lo, the heaven> were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. Ver. 17. And voice bom heaven, laying, This is my heloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye tht cfa all na- tions, baptizing them in the name of the lather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost 2Cor. xiii 1 1. The of the Lord Jeaoa Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be P Ufa >'( u all. Amen. P John i. 11. Anil the Word made nYsh and dwelt anioni: us, (and we beheld hi> glory, the giorj the only begotten of tin ther,) toll of grace and truth. \ L8. No man hath .seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. . But when the Comi *'. \s horn 1 will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit ot truth, which ; :!i from the Father, be .shall I I sent forth thi- Spirit ot bii i heart; M»l»a. I'atl. I. M 38 The Confession of Faith, Chap. Ill, CHAP. III. Of God: s Eternal Decree. f^ OD from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy ^-* counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably or- dain whatsoever comes to passa : yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin b, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established c. II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions d ; yet hath he not de- creed I. a Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, be- ing predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. xi. 33. 0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearch- able are his judgments, and his ways past finding out ! Heb. vi. 17. Wherein God, willing more abun- dantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath. Rom. ix. 15. For he saith to Mo- ses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. b James i. 13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God : for God cannot be tempt- ed with evil, neither tempteth he any man. Ver. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 1 John i. 5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. c Acts ii. 23. Him, being deliver- ed by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Mat. xvii. 12. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him what- soever they listed: likewise shall also the Son of man sufFer of them. Acts iv. 27. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were ga- thered together, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done* John xix. 11. Jesus an- swered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above : therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. Prov. xvi. 33. The lot is cast into the lap ; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. II. dActs xv. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 1 Sam. xxiii. 11. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand ? Will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard ? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down. Chap. III. The Confession of Faith, 39 creed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions e. III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels f are predestinated unto ever- lasting life, and other> foreordained to everlasting death g. IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore- ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed ; and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot l>e either increased or diminished h. V. Those down. Ver. 12. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Sanl ? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up. Mat. xi. 21. Woe unto thee, Chora/in ! woe unto thee, B ! for if the mighty work^ which wire done u had been done in Tyie and Sidon, they would hav in sackcloth and ashes. V And thou Caper- naum, which art exalted unto -halt he brought down !1 : for it" the mighty works which have been done m thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. I I. l(-r the children I horn, neither baring done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to elec- tion stand, not ( : hut of him that Call r. IS. ■• rittt n, .Iac«»!' bare I lov- ed, hot Bsail have I hated. not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, hut ot God that sheweth in tth he n on a bom be will hai i . and I he hardrneth. HI l. I charge I i Je- ', and the i i^els, bserre these t; . - other, doing nothing by partiality. Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting lire, prepared for the devil and his antrels. R. WhatifGod, will- • >he\v his wrath, and to make r known, endured with much lornr-sutler'niLf the ves>. wrath litted to destruction: Ver. Lnd that he ought make known the riches of his Lrlory on the . , which he hail afore ned unto glOTf ? i\ph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by JeBUI Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, \ '< iv of his , \\ herein he hath made us pted in the beloved. xvi. I. The Lord hath mad thing* for hie 0 the for the i vil. IV J Tim. IL 19. N leas the foundation ol eth sure, baring this seal. The I . fd knOWCth them that are hi*. And, l>aved, but the elect only \ II. T! f mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass bv, and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the prake of his glorious justice r. VIII. The n 1 Thess. v 9. For God hath not appointed o> to wrath, hut to ob- tain salvation by our Lord JctUI i died for us, that whether we wake or a1ee| should 1 ther with him. Tit. ii. 1 I. V t lor light ro from all iniquity, and purity unto him- self a peculiar people, zealo . good works. liom.viii..; >, Moreorer, whom he did predestinate, them he also Ceiled ; and whom he called, them he also justified ; and w horn he them he also glorified Kph. i. '). II. linated us unto tin- adoption of children by ;i-t to himv .ding will. >s. ii. l.i. Hut we arc hound ! for brethren, I «»t the Lord, ith from the be- ginning 000060 you • itinn, througn lanctification of the .spi- rit, and beli truth. >, w bo in i.. | the power of (i«,d thfOUgO faith unto .salvation, icady t.» I i the la>t time. I .. -ihl, bul them which thou I D me, for they are thine. Horn. viii. 2& And we know that all tilings work to- gether tor good to them that love Ciod, to them who are the called rding to his pur; e. Q/o ■d "J the t7«//'/rr.j John \ But then that be- not. For JeSUfl knew from the beginning who ti.< met believed not, and who should be- .liii). Y And he said, Therefore said I unto you. That no man can come unto me except it u unto him of my 1 -'at her. .John But >e believe not, beca *eep, Bf 1 -aid unto you. John vi; lb- that I won! them ( tod. 1 John ii. l!>. They went out bom ut they it' tiny had been I would no doubt have con til with us ; but they went might be made i t all ot US, VII. Matth. \i. J». At that time ' i and aaid. 1 thank thee, <> I iid earth, l>ecause thou hast hid theae things from the 42 The Confession of Faith. Chap. III. VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestina- tion is to be handled with special prudence and care s, that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal elec- tion *. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reve- rence, and admiration of God u, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel w. CHAP. wise and prudent, and hast reveal- ed them unto babes. Ver. 26, Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. Rom. ix. 17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he har- deneth. Ver. 21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel un- to honour, and another unto dis- honour? Ver. 22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the ves- sels of wrath fitted to destruction? 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord know- eth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Ver. 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Jude, ver. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. ii. 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed. VIII. s Rom. ix. 20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God ? shall the thing form- ed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Rom. xi. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past find- ing out ! Deut. xxix. 29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God : but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. t 2 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure : for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. u Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Rom. xi. 33. \^See letter &imme~ diately foregoing.^ w Rom. xi. 5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the elec- tion of grace. Ver. 6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works : otherwise Chap. IV. The Confession of Faith. 43 CHAP. IV. Of Creation. TT pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost a, for the -** manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness b, in the beginning, to create, or make of no- thing, the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of >i\ (iavs. and all very good c. II. After God had made all other creatures, he created Otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no ■ work. 10. Well; be- ■■• of unbelief they were broken oil, ami thou standest by faith. OC hL'h-minded, but fear. i. 10. ^ v hi S" ~ Hum. viii. SS. Who ■hall thing to the charge that justiiieth. Luke x. 90. Notwith- standing in this rejoice not that tiie spirit- are subject unto you: but rather rejou vour names |R written in heaven. I. Mich, i. 2. Hath in these last ken unto us by hi> Son, Whom he hath appointed hi all thi whom also he made the v. John i. 3. The i was in the beginning with God. Ml things were made by him; and without him was not any thin- mad.- that w And the I .li tli w M with- out farm and void ; and darkiu-s was upon tl ajid the Spirit of God moi e 1 upon the face ot the waters. .lob irit he hath varnish- ed tM heavens ; his hand hath formed the crooked lerpent Job • I. I. The spirit of God hath • me, and the breath of the lite. the invisible things ot him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the thing! that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ; so that they are with- out excuse. Jer. x. 12. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out I by hi> discretion. O Lord, how mani- fold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches. Psal. xxxiii. 5. He loveth righteousness and;, nient : the earth is full of t of the Lord. Yer. 0. By the word of the Lord were the hea- made, and all the host of them bv the breath of his mouth. c [flic u! ' M pttr of Gtn.l I leb. xi. & Through faith d that the world* named by the word of God, .at thing! which are seen DO! made of things which do appear. Col. i. r by him were all things created that a:. earth, visible and invisible, p ther they be thrones <«r principalities, vers; all tilings w i by hun, and fa him. the world, and all things therein, fieeiiu i IweD- eth templet made with 11. JG 44 The Confession of Faith. Chap. IV. man, male and female d, with reasonable and immortal souls e, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true ho- liness, after his own image f, having the law of God written in their hearts g, and power to fulfil ith; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change1. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil k ; which while II. d Gen. i. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him ; male and female created he them. e Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. With Eccl. xii. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. And Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And Mat. x. 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul : but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. f Gen. i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth up- on the earth. Col. iii. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. & Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law* do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Ver. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing wit- ness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. h Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright ; but they have sought out many inventions. 1 Gen. iii. 6. And when the wo- man saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise ; she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Eccl. vii. 29. YSee letter h immediately foregoing ;j k Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it ; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. iii. 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Ver. 9. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou ? Ver. 10. And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden; and Chap. V. The Confession of Faith. 4o while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures \ CHAP. V. Of Providence. f^ OD, the great Creator of all dungs, doth uphold*, ^-* direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things b, from the greatest even to the least0, by his most and I was afraid, localise I was naked ; and I hid myself. Ver. 11. And lie said, Who told thee that thou wast naked ? Hast thou ( of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not Ver. 'iiiii forth from the gaidl ! i, to till the ground I he was tak lGen. i. make man in our image, after our likeness ; and let them have domi- nion over the fish of the sea, ami the fowl of the air, and over d over all the earth, and i . y creeping thing that petfa upon the earth. Vt . And God blessed them ; and I said unto them, He fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it ; and have dominion the 6th of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and erylhring thing that moreth upon the earth. I 11. !.. i. 3. who being the 1 the • hia pei upholding all things bj the * of hlJ power, win n be had by on t! the Ml on high. tad, at the end I N buchadiu I Up mine eyes ittltO hi a\ ML and mil . returned I High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose do- minion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from fenera- tion to generation. Ver. 30. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing : and he doeth according to his will in the army i, and among the inhabi- tants of the earth ; anil noik stay his hand, or say unto him, What doeat thou t Pa Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep pla xvii. lJJ. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thin-, seeing he giwth toall lite, and breath, and all things. Ver. 26. And hath made oi blood all nations of nun, for to dwell on all the J the earth, and hath determined the tiim | appointed, and the boui their habitation. \ him we live, and m... our being ; as certain ab own .pters xxx. .Ii. Matth. | span one of tin m shall DOt tall i ground w ithoul y< m I : are all no; Fear more value thai. 46 The Confession of Faith. Chap. V. wise and holy providence d, according to his infallible fore- knowledge % and the free and immutable counsel of his own will f, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, jnstice, goodness, and mercy g. II. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and de- cree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass im- mutably and infallibly h ; yet, by the same providence, he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently !. III. God d Prov. xv. 3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches. Psal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. e Acts xv. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the begin- ning of the world. Psal. xciv. 8. Understand, ye brutish among the people : and, ye fools, when will ye be wise ? Ver. 9. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? he that formed the eye, shall he not see ? Ver. 10. He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct ? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? Ver. 11. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. fEph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the pur- pose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Psal. xxxiii. 10. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought : he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. Ver. 1 1 . The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. e Isa. lxiii. 14. As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest; so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name. Eph. iii. 10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in hea- venly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Rom. ix. 17. For the scrip- ture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Gen. xlv. 7. And Gfcd sent me before you, to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Psal. cxlv. 7. They shall abundant- ly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. m II. h Acts ii. 23. Him, being de- livered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. 1 Gen. viii. 22. While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. Jer. xxxi. 35. Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night ; which divideth the sea, when the waves thereof roar ; the Lord of hosts is his Chap. V. The Confession of Faith. 47 III. God in his ordinary providence maketh use of means k, yet is free to work without1, above m, and against them n, at his pleasure. IV. The his name. Exoti. xxi. 13. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deli- ver him into his hand ; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. With Dent xix. ft. Al when a man goeth into the wood with .hour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head >lippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die ; he shall flee unto one of those chief, and live. 1 Kings gjrJL2& And Micaiah said. It thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath poken by me. And he >aid, ken, 0 people, every one of you. Vt r. .> \. A tain man drew a how at a \a -mure, and smote thek: id between the joints of the harness: wherefore he >aid unto the driver ot his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host, for I am wounded. id him aLrain>t an hy- pocritical nation ; and against the my wrath will I me him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them like the mire ot' tb . he meaneth not ither doth his heart think so ; but it is in 1. destroy, cut oil" nations ii(»t 111 id to the centurion, and to tbe mid i pt tlu-se abide in the cannot be >;i\ i the rest, some on boards, an I some on broken pieces <»t the -hip : and to pass that they escaped all iad. Isa. 1\ r as aii, and the • >m bearen, and retui thither, but « ati reth the < irth, and maieth it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Ver. 11. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I pleaae, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Hos. ii. l2\ . it shall come to pass in that day. I will hear, saith the Lord; 1 will the heavens, and they shall hear the earth. Ver. tt And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil, and they eel. •II< .s. i.7. But I will havemerev upon the house of Judah, and will >aw them by the Lord their God, and will not tare them by bon by IWOrd, nor by battle, by horset, nor by horsemen. Mat. iv. I. But he answered and said. It is written, Man shall not live by bread |] but bl every word that proceedeth out ot themouth o/God .lob \x\i\ . 1(». Therefore hearken untom- nien of understanding : Far be it from God, that he should do wick- edness, and from the Almighty, that he ihould commit iniquity EUmi« iv. 1'-'. Anil bein- weak in faith, h< i not IWH body now dead, when he was about an hundred wars old, neither \vt the deadnos i womb. \ I Ie staggered not at the promi unbelief; but was rtrong in I I being fully pernitjdfd, ti he had promised he was able also to perform. i tid, w hen tad he 48 The Confession of Faith. Chap. V. IV. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infi- nate goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his pro- vidence, that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men °, and that not by a bare per- mission p, but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding q, and otherwise ordering and governing of shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither, and the iron did swim. Dan. iii. 27. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsel- lors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. IV. ° Rom. xi. 32. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Ver. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearch- able are his judgments, and his ways past finding out ! Ver. 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor? 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he mo- ved David against them, to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. With 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and pro- voked David to number Israel. 1 Kings xxii. 22. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith ? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and pre- vail also : go forth, and do so. Ver. 23. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. 1 Chron. x. 4. 12 Then said Saul to his armour- bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith ; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armour-bearer would not, for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell up- on it. Ver. 13. So Saul died for his transgression which he com- mitted against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it ; Ver. 14. And enquired not of the Lord : therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David, the son of Jesse. 2 Sam. xvi. 10. And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah ? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? Acts ii. 23. Him, being delivered by the deter- minate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Acts iv. 27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were ga- thered together, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy coun- sel determined before to be done. PActs xiv. 16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. i Psal. Ixxvi. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee : the Chap. V. The Confession rf Faith, of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holv end vet so as the sinfulness thereof proceeded! onlv from the creature, and not from God ; who, being most h righteous, neither ib nor can be the author or appn of Bin c. V. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hiddi ngth of corruption, and deceitfuln » of their hearts, that they mav be humbled1; and to i th< the remainder of wrath shalt thou \ix. ijs. Because ■gainst me, and thy tu- mult, up into mine I I '.sill put my hook in thy I I my bridle in thy I will turn t k bj the way :i thou cam for you vil against me ; but t it ww bring to him riticaJ nation, :y wrath will I Lriv»' him a charge, to take the B| . and ad them down like the mire 1 lowlu'it ther doth k so ; hut it is in his i nations \ . ! i. \\ \. w ork upon mount Zion, an I i, I will pin fruit tout heart of the ki: i.rt no man say ■ •t be ten 14. But ei r\ n tempted, when h. iwaj of his own lust, and *. I om above, and eom- eth down from t'. with whom is ther shadow oi turn! hn ii. • pride ol the Fath r. hut i> of the world. . !. 21. These t!:; . and I kept man thoughtesl that ! v. SUCh an 0 reprove I I them in or- der b V. '■ _M 'I... rath upon him. upon Judah and humbled hifl h( the ■ ! ! ibylon, • enqui try h 50 The Confession of Faith. Chap. V. them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends11. VI. As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous judge, for former sins, doth blind and har- den x, from them he not only withholdeth his grace, where- by they might have been enlightened in their understand- ings, that was in his heart. 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. u 2 Cor. xii. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be ex- alted above measure. Ver. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. Ver. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee : for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmi- ties, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Psal. lxxiii. through- out. * Psal. lxxvii. 1. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice ; and he gave ear unto me. Ver. 10. And I said, This is my infirmity : but I will re- member the years of the right hand of the most High. Ver. 12. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. \^Read the in- termediate Verses in the Bible.~\ Mark xiv. from the 66th verse to the end, with John xxi. 15. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Si- mon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. Ver. 16. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Ver. 17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me ? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. VI. x Rom. i. 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to unclean- ness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bo- dies between themselves. Ver. 26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections : for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. Ver. 28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their know- ledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. Rom. xi. 7. What then ? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtain- ed it, and the rest were blinded Ver. 8. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear) unto this day. y Deut. Chap. V. The Confession of Faith. 51 ings, and wrought upon in their heartsy; but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts winch they had*, and expoteth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin a ; and withal, gives them over to their own lu-t>, the tempta- tions of the world, and the power of Satan*: whereby it comes to paeut. ii. 90. Bill Sihon king of ibon would not let u« pa* him ; for the Lord thy Grod harden- ed his spirit, a:jd math- his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. J K hilts viii. L9. And . Why ireepeth my B I know tin* evil that thou wilt do unto tin- children id : their strong holds wilt thou Kt on fur, and their y< wilt tliou |laj with tin* IWOffdf and w lit their children, and rip up their women \\ ith child. \ And ieUaid, But what! i^thyser- hat he ihould do this 1 Klisha I hath ihewed me that -halt !><• king r .11. Hut my people would not h and [trad ITOuld none ai tin-. 13. S i ive them up unto their own hearts' lust ; and they walked in their own counsel-. 2 Then. ii. 10. And with all de- ceivabknesi of imnghteousni them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be >aved. Yer. 11. And for this cau>e God shall | them Strong delusion, that thev should believe a lie ; Ver. 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. COd. vii. :J. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply mv i and my wonders in the land of Egypt With Kxod. \i;i. Rut when Pharaoh saw that there ite, he hardened his | and hearkened not unto then the Lord had said. Ver. . : A Pharaoh hardened hi^ heart at this time also, neither would he let the peopl U i. ii. 1 ;. I'm wt are unto I :r of Christ, in them that are saved. in them that perish. W: . I & To the one we are the SBVOtU antO death, and t«» the otla I the savour oi life unto lite; and who i^ sufficient tor these thii i i. And IssshaU be for a sanctuary: but for a StOfM of stumbling, and ■ offence, t<> both the I a snaii-, to the inhabitants ol rusalem i Pi t H. Which b« lie\ e I - : but unto them which t* 52 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VI- VII. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures ; so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof d. CHAP. VI. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof /^VUR first parents being seduced by the subtilty and ^^ temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit a. This their sin God was pleased, according to his wise obedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. Ver. 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobe- dient; whereunto also they were appointed. Isa. vi. 9. And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear ye in- deed, but understand not ; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Ver. 1 0. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes ; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. With Acts xxviii. 26. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not under- stand ; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive. Ver. 27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and under- stand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. VII. d 1 Tim. iv. 10. For there- fore we both labour, and sufTer re- proach, because we trust in the liv- ing God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. Amosix. 8. Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful king- dom, and I wili destroy it from off the face of the earth ; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord. Ver. 9. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. Rom. viii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Isa. xliii. 3. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour : I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethio- pia and Seba for thee. Ver. 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Ver. 5. Fear not ; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west. Ver. 14. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose crv is in the ships. I. a Gen. iii. 13. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the Chap. VI. The Confession of Faith. wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory b. II. By this sin they full from their original rigfateouffl and communion with God c, and so became dead in ^in d, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and jurts of soul and body e. III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of * Sin was imputed f, and the same death in >in and COTTU] nature a oman said, The serpent be- guiled me, and I did eat. lJ Cor. ;r, lest by any m- as the serpent beguiled £ve tin >ur minds should I from the simplieity that i> in Chi ir God hath con- cluded them all in unbelief, that night hare mercy upon all. II. ' (h-ii. hi. 6. And when the woman saw that the 0 food, and that it WTBM pica i wnl to the eyes, and a tree to be i to make out* p of the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and I - her uid with her, and he did eat ; . And the eyes of them both ied, and they knew that : and they sewed and made then; walking in the garden in the day : and Adam and his irife hid themselves from the pre- I BmongSt the ' den. •. Lo, thi- tound, that God bath made man upright ; but they have ^<»uLrht out many inventions. Rom. hi. 23. [Hied, and » (1. '; id sins. It i. I.";. CTntO the pure all things are pure : but unto them that are denied and uubelievi: nothinir pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled, den. vi. ^. And God law that the wicked- ness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts ofhts heart iraf continually. Jer. xvii. !>. The I is deceitful above ail things, and desperately tricked, a mow it.-' Bom. iii. 1". As it is written, There is none x\. one: \'er. 11. There i- DODe that understandeth, there is none seeketh after God: \ ill Lr<»nc out of the way, they me unprofitable ; there i> umir thai :ie. Vet* IS. Their to • •pen sepulchre ; with their toi .. I ; the |x |is is under their Whose mouth is full <>! cui bitten . — : \ IWlft t<> Shed blond : \ BtrtlCtion and misery ate in I I peace ha\ 1 8. l ben thcii III man in liis on n image, in the image tie and tie created \ > 54? The Confession of Faith. Chap. VI- nature conveyed to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation g. IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are ut- terly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good1*, and And God blessed them ; and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it : and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And Gen. ii. 16. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou may est freely eat : Ver. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it : for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And Acts xvii. 26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times be- fore appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. With Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Ver. 15. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead ; much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Ver. 16. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift : for the judgment was by one to condemnation ; but the free gift is of many offences unto jus- tification. Ver. 17. For if by one mans offence death reigned by one ; much more they which re- ceive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Ver. 18. Therefore, as by the of- fence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so, by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners ; so by the obe- dience of one shall many be made righteous. And 1 Cor. xv. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Ver. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. * Ver. 45. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. * Ver, 49. And as we have born the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. s Psal. Ii. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin did my mo- ther conceive me. Gen. v. 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image, and call- ed his name Seth. Job xiv. 4. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean ? not one. Job xv. 14. What is man, that he should be clean ? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous ? IV. h Rom. v. 6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God ; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: Chap. VI. The Confession of Faith. 55 and wholly inclined to all evil1, do proceed all actual trans- gressions k. V. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth re- main in those that are regenerated l : and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, vet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly bin m. VI. Every thine: for to will U present with hut bow to perform that which 1 1 II find not. Col. i. 8L And you that were sometime alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 1 Gen. vi. 5. And (iod saw that the wickedness of mm was great in the earth, and that every ima- gination of the thougfctl of his lly evil continually. And the Lord smell- ed a sweet savour ; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not . the ground any mor I sake ; for the imagination of man's heart if e\ il from his youth: neither will I ■gain smite any more every thing li\ i: l§ . BJ 1 have done. Horn. hi. 1<». A> it 11 writ- ten, There b none righteous, no, not one: Ver. 11. There Is none that OndefStandeth, there is none that seeketh . are all gone out of the way, tht-v ether become unpro- fitable ; then- is pone that doeth good, no, not Of James i 14. But . n ■• ry man is ted, when he is drawn away of his own lu>t, and enti< . hen when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth >\n ; and sin, when i forth death. Kph. ii. !. \\ 'In -n -in in time p . walked according to the course of to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit cketh In the children of disobedience. Ver. ;;. \ whom also we all had our conversa- tion in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desii the flesh and of the mind; and were hy nature the children of wrath, even as others. Mat. xv. J 9. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, for- nications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. V. 1 1 .John i. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our- selves, and the truth is not in us. Ver. In. It" we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Horn. vii. 11. For we know that the law fil ritual : but I am carnal, sold under sin. Ver. 17. Now then, it b no more I that do it, hut sin that dwelleth in me. Ver. )^. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing \ w ith me ; hut how to perform that which i> j 1 find not. \ But 1 1 other law in my members WSJIWg st the law (>t my mind, ami bringing me into captivity to the law of -in, which is in my mem- . I, tines iii. % Por in many things we otlenil all. If any man offend not in word, the same perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole bod\ . PrOV, \\. !'. Who I clean, 1 am pure Brom my sin? ' ijust upon earth, I jood, and siimeth I ,u Ron. l * hi n we C I 56 The Corifession of Faith. Chap. VI. VI. Every sin, both original and actual, being a trans- gression of the righteous law of God, and contrary there- unto n, doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sin- ner °, whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God p, and curse of the lawq, and so made subject to death % with all miseries spiritual s, temporal k, and eternal u. CHAP. were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring- forth fruit unto death. Ver. 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Ver. 8. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. Ver. 25. I thank God, through Je- sus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God ; but with the flesh the law of sin. Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. VI. n 1 John iii. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law : for sin is the transgres- sion of the law. ° Rom. ii. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bear- ing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else ex- cusing one another. Rom. iii. 9. What then? are we better than they ? No, in no wise : for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. Ver. 19. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law : that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. p Eph. ii. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. i Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that conti- nueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. r Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death : but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. s Eph. iv. 1 8. Having the under- standing darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. 1 Rom. viii. 20. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Lam. iii. 39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins ? u Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 2 Thess. i. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. I. a Isa. Chap. VII. The Confession of Faith. 57 CHAP. VII. Of Gods Covenant wiih Man. ^pHE distance between God and the creature is so gr -**- that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, vet they could never ha fruition of him as their blessedness and reward, but some voluntary condescension on God^s part, which he 1 been pleased to express by way of covenant3. II. The first covenant made with man * works b. wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him I. a Isa. xl. 13. Who hath di- spirit of the Lord, or, _ his counsellor, hath taught r Ver. 1 1. With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and him in the path of :, and taught him know- 1 to him tin in . the shall jwitfe him : but man sin against tin- Lord, shall for him? like unto the I i dwelleth oi «». Who bumbleth 1. bold the thin. In aven, and in th fore his presence with Ver. that the Lord be I: it is bet made iin and not W : we are his tie, and the sheep oi tore. Job I Ul a man bf profit him- Ver. A. I> it any pie to the Almighty that thou right i to him that thou makest ti per- Jofa i [f thou be right on him ? or what reeeiwth he of thine hand? Ver. - wickedn hurt a ma and thy i teousness may profit t! man. Lnke wii. li». So likl ye, i I iiave do i hick our duty to d< Godj that made the world, ami all thiiiL Lord eth not in temples made with hand- v wor- shipped with things. 11. I :he lau th : bul . them *) 58 The Confession of Faith Chap. VII. to his posterity c, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience d. III. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second % commonly called the Covenant of Grace : whereby he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, re- quiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved f; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe 8. IV. This c Rom. x. 5. For Moses describ- eth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which do- eth those things shall live by them. Rom. v. 12. to 20. \^See Chap. vi. Sect. 3. letter*. 2 d Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. III. e Gal. iii. 21. Is the law then against the promises of God ? God forbid : for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Rom. viii. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. Rom. iii. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight : for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Ver. 21 . But now the righte- ousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Gen. iii. 1 5. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed : it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isa. xlii. 6. I the Lord have called thee in righte- ousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. f Mark xvi. 15. And he said un- to them, Go ye into all the worlds and preach the gospel to every creature. Ver. 16. He that be- lieveth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned. John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever- lasting life. Rom. x. 6. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven ? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Ver. 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Gal. iii. 11. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evi- dent : for, The just shall live by faith. s Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit Chap. VII. The Confession of Faith. 59 IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the scripture by the name of a Testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the testator, and to the everlast- ing inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein be- queathed h. V. Thifl covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel ' : under the law it wms administered bv promises, prophecies, ncri£ circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordi- nances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signify- ing Christ to come k, which were for that time sufficient and spirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the -tony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart M lle>h. \ '• And I will put my Spirit within and cause you to walk in my Statutes, and ye shall keep my them. John 1. No man can come to me, ather which hath me draw him : and I will raise him up at the last day. \\r. 1 ;. It is written in the prophets, And they ihall he all taught of God. 1 man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, th unto me. IV. h lick i\. IS. And for this cause be Ki the Mediator of the testament, that by mean i, for the redemption of the - that were under the nent, they which are call- ed might the promi ;1 inheritaift testament is there milSt UfO of necc>*ity he the death of the testai r. vi ra testa- \& of : men are ise it is of no strength I while the tefltatOf liwth. vii. *>>. By so much was ile a BU testament. Luke L ike- also th saying, This cup is the nei lament in my blood, which is shetl for you- 1 Cor. xi. 25. the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped. This cup is the new : ment in my blond: this do \ oft as ye drink it, in rememl . of me. V. ic2 Cor. iii. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new ment ; not of the letter, hut of the spirit: for the letter kill- eth, hut the spirit iriveth life- Yer. ?. Hut if the ministrati< death, written and engraven in stones, w a-* l1 4 that the children of Israel could not - fastly behold the Moses for the ^lory of his counteii I which dory W9M to he done awaj; ver. x. How shall not the ministration of the Spirit he ratlu i gloria ' N * if the mi- nistration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the n hteouMn d iu gtoi \.) Rom. iv. 1 I. And he ' the •n, a se; ousnesi id yet being un that he might \w tile I 60 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VII. and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to in- struct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Mes- siah \ by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation ; and is called the Old Testament m. VI. Under the gospel, when Christ the substance11 was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispen- sed are the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper ° ; which, be not circumcised ; that righte- ousness might be imputed unto them also. Col. ii. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting" off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacri- ficed for us. 1 1 Cor. x. 1. Moreover, bre- thren, I would not thai ye should be ignorant, how that all our fa- thers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea ; Ver .2. And were all baptized unto Mo- ses in the cloud, and in the sea ; Ver. 3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat ; Ver. 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink : (for they drank of that spiritual llock that followed them : and that Rock was Christ.) Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pil- grims on the earth. John viii. 56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day : and he saw it, and was glad. m Gal. iii. 7. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Ver. 8. And the scripture foresee- ing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Ver. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faith- ful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. VI. n Col. ii. 17. Which are a shadow of things to come ; but the body is of Christ. °Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore and teach all nations, bap- tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : Ver. 20. Teach- ing them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you al- way, even unto the end of the world, Amen. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: Ver. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you : this Chap. VII. The Confession of Faith. 61 which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity and less outward glory, vet in them it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual effica< to all nation>, both Jews and Gentiles q ; and i> called the New* Testament'. There are not therefore two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations CHAP. this do in remembrance of me. After the mne manner »ok the cup, when he had suppt This enp is the it in my blood : this e drink it, in re- lict- of inc. IJeb. .\ii. 9& Hut ye arc come unto mount § ml unto the "1 the livinir (tod, the hea- ven!) d in- numerable company of angels, ral assembly and church of the tir-t-born, ritten in heaven, and eak- eth t. then shook the earth; hut bath promised, saj once more I not the only, hut all i. \ I i. \ud this word, \Yt once moir, Mimifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of tl le, that • which cannot !>.• shaken ma] main Bui this shall bt tl, mt that 1 will i. the house of Israel ; Alter those days, saith the Lord, I put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts ; ami will be their God, and they he my people. Ver. 34. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, ami every man his brotl Know the Lord : t<>r they shall all know me. from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: tor I will re their ini.jiiity, and I will mber their sin no n: • immediately forcgoingT\ Eph. ii. 1 ~>. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of com- mandments, contained in ordi- •r to make in himself o! twain one new man, so making and that he might reconcile both unto God in One body by the cross, having the enmity thereby : \\ r. 17 came and preached | which were afar oil', and to them that wire nijjh. \\r. lv through him we both have an Spirit unto tin N an- no DHOTI jers ami to- reigners, but fello* citizens irkfa -tints, and ot the household • »d. Luke \\ also the cup | cup is the i Linen! in blood, which i> si i iL in- i k That the blessing . 'laham mi: 62 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VIII. CHAP. VIII. Of Christ the Mediator. T T pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and or- -*- dain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man a ; the Prophet b, Priest c, and Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Ver. 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many ; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Acts xv. 11. But we be- lieve that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they. Rom. iii. 21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, be- ing witnessed by the law and the prophets : Ver. 22. Even the righ- teousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe ; for there is no difference : Ver. 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Ver. 30. Seeing it is one God which shall justify the cir- cumcision by faith, and uncircum- cision through faith. Psal. xxxii. 1 . Blessed is he whose transgres- sion is forgiven, whose sin is cover- ed. With Rom. iv. 3. For what saith the scripture ? Abraham be- lieved God, and it was counted un- to him for righteousness. Ver. 6. Elren as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God impute th righteousness with- out works. Ver. 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed ; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the fa- ther of us all; Ver. 17. (As it i3 written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quick- eneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Ver. 23. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him ; Ver. 24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Heb. xiii. 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. I. a Isa. xlii. 1. Behold my ser- vant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 1 Pet. i. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with- out spot : Ver. 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever- lasting life. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator be- tween God and men, the man Christ Jesus. b Acts iii. 22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me ; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say un- to you. c Heb. v. 5. So also Christ glo- rified not himself to be made an high Chap. VI I L The Confession of Faith. 63 and Kingd; the Head and Saviour of his Church8; the Heir of all things f; and Judge of the world8 : unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed h, and to he by him in time redeemed, called, justified) sanctified, and glorified l. II. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, be- ing verv and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon him man's nature k, with all the essential properties ami common hiirh priest ; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. Vu. <;. k» I litfa also in another place, Thou art a priest tor ever, after the I Melchisedi • Y. t have I set my upon my holy hill of Zion. Luke i. Ml. And he >hall i> the bouse of Jacob for ever, and of iltfdom there >hall he no end. I or the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and be is the saviour of the hoilv. ' II. k i. t. Hath in these last ken unto US by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of aJl things, by whom also he made the worlds. he hath itcd a day in the which he will Judge the world in rii ness, bj that man whom he hath ordained . 4 h«- hath l ■SSUrsnCC unto all men, in that he d him from t h • fin wii. <;. I have maui eil tl unto tlu- men which thou : -it of the world: Hid tin them DM ; and ti. ..I -hail for a generation* Isa. liii. i<». Vet it pleased the I he hath put bin : when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong hi> days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 1 1 Tim. ii. <>. Who gave him- self a ransom for all, to he I tied in due time. Is :i. lv. k 1). - hold, I have given him tor a wit- the people, a leader and commander to the people. V Behold, thou shalt call a i that thou knowest not ; and na- tions that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Load thy (iod, and for the Holy One toad ; for he hath glorified thee 1 Cor. i. :io. But of Dim art ye in Christ .! rod is made unto us wisdom, and ri_ OUSOeSS, and sanctilication, an. deinption. 11. '• John i. 1. In the the Word, and the Word was with (iod, and the 11. And the - made tlesh, and dwelt anidi.. and ire beheld his dory, tl the onrj the Father,) lull of I truth, l John \ we know thai the Son . come, and hath given us an un- thal pre may \ him that ! and w him that ifl true, even in 1 64 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VIII. common infirmities thereof, yet without sin1; being con- ceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance m. So that two whole, per- fect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion n. Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only Media- tor between God and man °. III. The God, and eternal life. Phil. ii. 6. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Ga]. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. 1 Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Ver. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of an- gels ; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Ver. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren ; that he might be a merciful and faith- ful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmi- ties ; but was in all points tempt- ed like as we are, yet without sin. m Luke i. 27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of Da- vid ; and the virgin's name was Mary. Ver. 31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus. Ver. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Gal. iv. 4. VSee letter k immediately foregoing?] n Luke i. 35. \^See the foregoing Verse.^ Col. ii. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God- head bodily. Rom. ix. 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 1 Pet. iii. 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God ; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 3 Tim. iii. 16. And, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of an- gels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 0 Rom. i. 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, which was made of the seed of David accord- ing to the flesh : Ver. 4. And de- clared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. III. p Psal. Chap. VIII. The Con fission of Faith . III. The Lord Je>us, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spi- rit above meal | having in him all the tl wisdom and knowled^eq; in whom it pleated the Father that all fulnesN should dwell r: to the end, that being holy, han ndetiled, and full of grace and truth8, he mi ilv furnished to execute tile office of a Med; and Surety1. Which office he took not unto himaelf, but thereunto called bv his Father u ; who put all power judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment the sunex. IV. This office the Lord JesUS did most willingly under- which that he might discharge, he wa> made under the I IT. i PaaL xlv. :. Thou 1 less, ami bates! wicked- : Therei God, thy God, il of fcladness above thy fellows. John i. 1- or he whom God hath keth tin* words < »t God : th nut the Spirit by unto him. I ol. ii. A. In whom arc hid all l. lom ami knowledge. 1 i. i. !■>. Pot it pleased the Father that in him >houhl all fnl- - dwell. 1 hi.. wch an hiu h I became us. who Is holy, separate I Sinner*, and made higher than the I John i. H. And the i, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his lory as of the only J lull of I truth. < rod anoint- ed J th with the and with power ; l ahont doil the de\ il : foj Ciod won w itfa him. Heb. s th.- Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprin! that speaketh better things than that or AbeL Heb. vii. a much wat surety of a better testament. Heb. v. 1. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, Aaron : Ver. 5. So also, Christ rifled not himself to be made an high priest ; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, t have I begotten tn fohn \. SB. lor the Father judgeth no man ; but hath com- mitted all judgment unto the 5 ,\nd hat' him au- thor! ecute judgment also, 1 w bfl is the SOQ Of man. .Mat. \\\ and spake unto them. Baying, Ad . i ii unto me in hea- and in earth. Acts il Therefore let all the bouse i rad Know . \ . that hath made that sanu Christ [V. f PsaL d « Then sa in tin- volni . it ii wi 66 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VIII. the law z, and did perfectly fulfil it a ; endured most grie- vous torments immediately in his soul b, and most painful sufferings in his bodyc; was crucified, and diedd; was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption e. On the third day he arose from the dead, I delight to do thy will, O my God ; yea, thy law is within my heart. With Heb. x. 5. Where- fore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and of- fering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Ver. 6. In burnt-offerings and sa- crifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Ver. 7. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Ver. 8. Above, when he said, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin, thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, (which are offered by the law ;) Ver. 9. Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Ver. 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. John x. 18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my- self: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I receiv- ed of my Father. Phil. ii. 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. z Gal. iv. 4. But when the ful- ness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a wo- man, made under the law. a Mat. iii. 15. And Jesus an- swering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now : for thus it becom- eth us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Mat. v. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. b Mat. xxvi. 37. And he took with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sor- rowful, and very heavy. Ver. 38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Luke xxii. 44. And be- ing in an agony, he prayed more earnestly : and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Mat. xxvii. 46. And about the ninth hour Je- sus cried with a loud voice, say- ing, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? c* Matthew, Chapters xxvL and xxvii. d Philip, ii. 8. \^See the last scrip- ture in y immediately foregoing.^ e Acts ii. 23. Him, being deli- vered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain : Ver. 24. Whom God hath raised up, hav- ing loosed the pains of death ; because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ver. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suf- fer thine Holy One to see corrup- tion. And Acts xiii. 37. But he whom God raised again saw no corruption. Rom. vL 9. Know- ing that Christ, being raised from the Chap. VIII. The Confession of Faith. 67 deadf, with the same body in which he suffered g; with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father h, making intercession l; anil shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world k. V. The the dead, dieth no more ; death hath do move dominion over him. : 1 Cor« x\. .>. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I ;. how that Christ died for our sins according to the scrip- tures ; Ver. k And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third i anting to the scrip- t ;. 6. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the tWe fata XX. 86, The other dis- ciph lid unto Dim, We seen the Lord. Hut he said pt I >hall Bee in print of the i put my finger into the print of the : thrust my hand into his I v\ill not believe. Ver. 27. i Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hithei thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be :.iithless, bllt l)elie\ i dark wi. io. - rthe I had Bpoken unto tli* in, he Wat received np into heaven, and sat On the right hand of God. A. W that lemneth? It is Christ that died. Ltbetj that b I 1, who also makith .vssiun tor us. 1 h I 1 into the (CCS made ffith bl • figures oi the i hut I pear in I is able •] ne them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing- he ever lireth to make mUuccSBJon for tliem. kKom. xiv. 9. Tor to this end Christ both died, and rose, anil revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Ver. 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at _:itthy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment- seat of Christ. Acts i/ll. Which also said. Ye men of Galilee, with- stand ye Easing lip into a Inch is taken up from you into | shall so come in like mannei have seen him go into heaven. Acts x. 1 .'. And he commanded us to CO unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was or- dained of God to be the JmL quick and dead. Mat. xiiL 40. As therefore the tares are gather- ed and burned in the tire : it be in the end of this world. \ 1. The Son ot 'man shall send forth his . md they shall ga- ther out ot his kingdom all things that offend, and them which Jo iniquity i .all cast than into ■ furnace ot tin-: tlare shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, .hide. I the an- ich kept DOl their estate, but leA their on n bal tion, he hath reserved in evt i nder darkness, unto pared not the angels that but cast them down to hell, and delivered them 68 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VIII. V. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacri- fice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father1; and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him VI. Although them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. V. ^om. v. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners : so by the obedience of one shall many be made righ- teous. Heb. ix. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Ver. 16. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Heb. x. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Eph. v. 2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling savour. Rom. iii. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God: Ver. 26. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness : that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. m Dan. ix. 24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconci- liation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophe- cy, and to anoint the most holy. Ver. 26. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary, and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Col. i. 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell ; Ver. 20. And (having made peace through the blood of his cross) by him to reconcile all things unto himself ; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in hea- ven. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Ver, 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. John xvii. 2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eter- nal redemption for us. Ver. 15. And for this cause he is the Medi- ator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemp- tion of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might re- ceive the promise of eternal in- heritance. VI. nGal. Chap. VIII. The Confession of Faith. 69 VI. Although the work of redemption >t actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, vet the virtue, efficacv, and benefits thereof, were communicated unto the t in all ages But ly from the beginning of the world, in and by those promise^ type** and sacri6< wherein he was revealed and signified to be the Seed of the woman, which should bruise the serpent's head, and the La' in from the beginning of the world, beilig J terdav and to-dav the same, and for ever". VII. Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth accord: >th natures; by each nature doing that which i- pro- to itself0 : vet, by reason of the unity of the pen that which is proper to one natur onetimes ii ture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature p. \ III. To all those for whom Christ hath pure! doth certainly and tually ply and communicate the same4; making intei vi. : GaL iv. k I^ nt when the bilnesi of the turn God forth his Son, m wo- . made under tin- law : V :n them that were under ire might receh Adoption And I will put enmity between thee and i an, and between thy and her teed : it shall bj tin 1. i thou Bbalt bruia ^ iii. S. And all that . upon the earth shall woi him. w ho>e naui' itten book of I i i * <»t th the lay, and t<>- VII. i;, :, .11. r& nil. j 1 ' mift'ri .just foi .. but quickened In Spirit. A lake heed there- into yourselves, and to all the flockj over the whieh the Holy Ghost hath made you (cvd the church <•! dod, whieh he hath purchased with bis own bl John iii. 1>. A: d I n ail .'. ' cended up t«> heaven, hut In came down from a the aan whieh , i John i . e we the do* u hi> liti to lav do\\ n our the \ 1 1 1. ■ John \ ' Fatfr him that conn t': I will in n i • lould 70 The Confession of Faith. Chap. VIII. for them r ; and revealing unto them, in and by the word, the mysteries of salvation s ; effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey ; and governing their hearts by his word and Spirit * ; overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as up again at the last day. John x. 15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father ; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Ver* 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold ; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice : and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. rl John ii. 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : Ver. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Rom. viii. 34. Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. sJohn xv. 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ver. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants ; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends ; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace : Ver. 8. Wherein he hath abounded to- ward us in all wisdom and pru- dence. Ver. 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him- self. John xvii. 6. I have mani- fested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they' have kept thy word. 1 John xiv. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who, for the joy that was set be- fore him, endured the cross, de- spising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, accord- ing as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken ; we also believe, and therefore speak. Rom. viii. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Ver. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. xv. 18. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obe- dient, by word and deed. Ver. 19. Through mighty signs and won- ders, by the power of the Spirit of God : so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. John xvii. 17. Sancti- fy them through thy truth: thy word is truth. u Psal. Chap. IX. The Confession of Faith. 71 as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation u. CHAP. IX. Of Free Will /^ OD hath endued the will of man with that natural *^ liberty, that it is neither forced, nor by any ab-olute 3sity of nature determined, to goo8 or evila. II. Man, in his state of inoocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which is good and well pleasing to God b; hut vet mutablv, so that he might fall from it1. III. Man, bv his fall into a state of >in, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual goo.! accompanying salvation ; I i. The LOIS said un- (1, Sit thou at my right until I make* thine For he must reign, till he hath put all iet under his feet. ver. The last enemy that >hall he de- ■royed is death. Mai. iv. J. But unto you that tear my name shall bteousnesi arise with i his (rings ; and ye shall rtn and grow up as ealv< : :. And ye >hall (read down the wicked ; tor they shall be ashes under th< your feet, in the day that I >hall do this, nidi the Lord of hosts. BoL ii. 15. And havinir -polled and powers, hi- made : them OpeoJy, triumph- them in it. Mat wii. u. But I sai I al- unto you, That 1 lias is come (1 they knew him not, but have done unto him whatso- 1 is ted : likewise shall al- HO th man BUfieJ ot them. 1 i. But every man is when he is diavvn away <»t his own hist, and ent ivni and you, that I have set before you lite and death, bleSSSOg ami CUTS- therefore choose lite, that both thou and thy seed may live. II. '• Keel. vii. lil>. Lo, this have I found, that God hath made man Upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Geo. i And God Said, Let US make man in our ii :er our likeness: and let them have dominion the fish of t.» md over the fowl of the air, and over theeattle. and over all the earth, and every creeping thin:: that eree|>eth upon the earth, n. ii. In. And the Lord I commanded the man, savin. e in t: thou mayest freeh ssl \ \ er. i:. But of the tree of the knowl and evil thou shalt i tor in the daj that th thou >halt surely die. (mil hi. & And when the woman saw that th was goo liu, 74 The Confession of Faith. Chap. X. ritb, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ0; enlighten- ing their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God d; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto gether in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. Ver. 11. In whom also we have ob- tained an inheritance, being pre- destinated according to thepurpose of him who worketh all things af- ter the counsel of his own will. b2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord ; because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth : Ver. 14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glo- ry of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Cor. iii. 3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God ; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Ver. 6. Who also made us able ministers of the new testament ; not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. c Rom. viii. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Eph. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were (lead in trespasses and sins. Ver. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of dis- obedience. Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ver. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are sav- ed.) 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath sav- ed us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world be- gan; Ver. 10. But is now made ma- nifest by the appearing of our Sa- viour Jesus Christ, who hath abo- lished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. dActs xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from dark- ness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and in- heritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath re- vealed them unto us by his Spirit : for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. i2. Xow we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God ; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Eph. i. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wis- dom and revelation in the know- ledge of him : Ver. 18. The eyes of | your understanding being enlight- ened ; Chap. X. The Confession of Faith. unto them an heart of flesh e; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good f ; and effectually drawing them to J irist sT : yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace h. II. This effectual call is of God's free and special alone, not from any thing at all h in man1; wfc altogether at ye may 1 at H the hope of His calling, and what the richer of the glory ot hifl inhe- ritance' in th> c Kzek. xx will 1 . la new • will I put within y I will taJ out of your Besn, and I will ■ I will y trt, and I will put a it within nd I will lake tlu* -tony heart out of their . and will give them sh. Phil. ii. which worketh in yon, both to will and to do of blfl ffOod sure. tad the Lord thy (rod will circumcise thine , and the heart "I" thy s to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy that thou mayest li\ d I will put m\ rit within yon, and you ilk in i 1 re nail I judgrai I do •' ■ .;»li. i. 19. And • ;d wh<» i. John vi. ither iw him; ■ r him u last n in the I they uliall In- all in there- fore that hath heard, and learned of the Father, CO! unto me. h Cant i. 1. Draw me, we run after th« people shall be willing in the of thy power, in the beaut; holiness from the womb of the If o! thy youth. John vi. :*7 . All riveth me shall i ■nd him th I will in no f Horn. vi. 16. Know \ L- not, to whom ye j rants to obey, his serranl to whom ye obey ; v. unto death, or of obedience unto right ? Vi r. 1 7. j inked that > the sen- -in ; but ye hav from the heart that form which wai delhre 18, Being then m >'m, ye became the II. i. I !». Who ! Bared u^, and called u> a it holy calling, not accordii j | I I lint that thi N meal whi. but according to I sar- iil lis, bj the wa>hiii :.d iciuu 76 The Confession of Faith. Chap. X, altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and re- newed by the Holy Spirit k, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it \ III. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit111, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth n. So also are all other elect Ghost. Eph. ii. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we wrere dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Ver. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God : Ver. 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Rom. ix. 11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. k 1 Cor. ii. 14-. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Rom. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Eph. ii. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) 1 John vi. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me ; and him that cometh to me T will in no wise cast out. Ezek. xxxvi. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. John v. 25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear shall live. III. m Luke xviii. 15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them : but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Ver. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom of God. And Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Re- pent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And John iii. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the king- dom of God. Ver. 5. Jesus an- swered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of wa- ter and of the Spirit, he cannot en- ter into the kingdom of God. And 1 John v. 12. He that hath the Son hath life ; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. And Rom. viii. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spi- rit of Christ, he is none of his., ^Compared togethe?^ n John iii. 8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou nearest the Chap. X. The Confession of Faith. 77 elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called bv the ministry of the word0. IV. Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the word1*, and may have some com- mon operations of the Spirit'1, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved r : much Lett can men not professing the Christian religion be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they ever bo diligent to frame their li\es according to the tight of nature, and the law of that religion they do pn and to assert and maintain lound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whi- eth : 10 is every one that is horn of the Spirit. 1 John v. ! I He that hath hath li: he that hath not the Son of God liath not 1: . I i. Keith then4 salvation in any other ! i- none other name under among men \\ * IV. - Mat x\ii. li. For many called, hot tew .tie chosen. « Mai. vii. 22. Many will to me in that clay, Lord, Lord, not prophesied in thy id in thy name I out (i id in thy name many wonderful P Mat. xiii. 90. li.it he that i into BtOny places, the same is be that hearetll the word, and anon with joy recehreth it : hath he not root in himself, but th tor a w hil when tri- bulation or persecution ariseth be- 1 by lie is led. Hel). \ i. \. Koi it • who wen- onee and ha\ «• tasted of the •, and were made par- tly Holy (ihost, \ • ted the good word ot d the pOWen ot' the worhl ' John \ i. 6 1. Hut tl ot' you that helieve not. For J knew t'rom the beginning who they that bettered not, and should betray him. \ And lid, Then d I unto That no man ean come unto me. t it were given unto him ot" my Father. Wi. 66. From that time many ot his disciples . and walked no more him. John viii. J 1. I said the unto you. That ye Shall die in your Sim: fiw if ye helieve not that i . e shall die i: Neither is there Salvation in any other: tor there is none Other name under h« given among m m must he saved. John \i\ saith unto him, I am the and the truth, and the lite : no man eometh unto the Father hut by m. tune ] without ( • uiiiinn wealth ael, and sti From the eo\ (Hants ot promise, h . hope, and without Ciod in the worki bn iv. 29 rahip ye know not w ii.it : * we worship ! fol salvation is <>l the Jews. John I d. that I _ tit know thee the only tin- St \\ horn thou ha 78 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XL maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested t. CHAP. XL Of Justification. nPHOSE whom God effectually calleth he also freely -"- justified! a; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accept- ing their persons as righteous: not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone : not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience, to them as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them b, they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness 1 2 John, ver. 9. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God : he that abideth in the doc- trine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Ver. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. Ver. 1 1 . For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 1 Cor. xvi. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Ma- ranatha. Gal. i. 6. 1 marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Ver. 7. Which is not another ; but there be some that trouble you, and would per- vert the gospel of Christ. Ver. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. I. a Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he alsocalled; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemp- tion that is in Christ Jesus. b Rom. iv. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Ver. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Ver. 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Ver. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 2 Cor. v. 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imput- ing their trespasses unto them ; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ver. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. iii. 22. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. Ver. 24. Being Chap. XI. The Confession of Faith. f9 righteousness by faith : which faith they have not of them- selves; it i^ the <*;ift of Godc. II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteou^ne»? is the alone instrument of justification*; \ it Beinsr justified freely by his t JeSUS : Wi. 85. Whom God hath set forth to he a propitiation through faith in his blood, to de- clare his rfahteOUl r the re- that are past, through the forbearance of God. Ver. l27. Where is b >a>tin<: then? •xcluded. By what law ? worker Nay; but by the law of faith. V herefore we con- clude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds ot 'the law. Tit. ii N it by iroriu !8S which we have done, but :diiiLr to his mercy fa aeration, and renewing Holy Gh ;. That being justified by his should be made hei; - DOrding tO the hope Of eternal lite. Kph. i. 7. In whom we ha\ demption through his blood, the H <>f >i uliiiLT to .xiii. a. In hi- days Judah shall be sai ed, and Israel shall dwell safely : and this i* his name wherehv he shall died, THE LORD ni'K RIG] Hut of him are ye in Chi' who of God i^ made unto Ul doui, and nances, and - tiii( ation, ami redemption: pl« That, according as it is writ- ten, He that gioneth, let him in the Lord. Kom. \ leath much more they nn hi. abundance ol L-race, ami of the atfl of nuhtcousness, Rhall re'u/n in lit< i^. Th( i by the offence of one judgment i upon all men to condemnation ; even so by the rjghteou one, the free gift came upon ail men unto justification of life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's dis- obedience many were made >in- : so by the obedience of one ; many be made rightea Acts x. H. While Peter yet spake these irordi !y Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. GaL ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of - Christ, even are hare believ- ed in hrist, that we might be justified by thi brist, and not by the woik> of the law : for by the works of the law s no fleafa be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not havintr mine own righteousness, which the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which ii I by faith. A Be it known unto you therefore] men anil thren, that through this man is lied unto you the foi of si; And by him all that beli. justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law <»t Moses. Kph. ii. 7. That in the agl come he might >hew th< riches of his grace, in kindness towaids u-. thi Chri>t .1. and thai not of yoursah » > ; it h 1 1. -.1 ohfl i 1 -'• Bill as many as received him, to them gSJf« I ) t 80 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XI. it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love e. III. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father's justice in their behalf f. Yet, in as much as he was given by the Fa- ther5 power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Rom. iii. 28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law: Rom. v. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. e James ii. 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Ver.22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect ? Ver. 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Gal. v. 6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumci- sion availeth any thing, nor uncir- cumcision, but faith which work- eth by love. III. f Rom. v. 8. But God com- mendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Ver. 9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Ver. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, be- ing reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righ- teous. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator be- tween God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Ver. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be tes- tified in due time. Heb. x. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Ver. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Dan. ix. 24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and pro- phecy, and to anoint the most holy. Ver. 26. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary ; and the end there- of shall be with a flood ; and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Isa. liii. 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and car- ried our sorrows : yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Ver. 5. But he was wounded for our transgres- sions, he was bruised for our ini- quities : the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Ver. 6. All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Ver. 10. Yet Chap. XI. The Confession of Faith. 81 ther for them g, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead*, and both freely, not for any thing in them, their justification is only of free grace i ; that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the jus- tification of sinners k. IV. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect1; and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their Vet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; lie hath put him to grid : when thou ihalt make his soul an offering for sin, };l* shall set- his leed, fie shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord per m his hand. Ver. II. He ihall see of the travail of nil ntisfied: by his know- . til my righteous servant many ; for he shall bear their iniquiti . !& Tl will I divide him a por- tion with th> and he shall divide the spoil with th he hath poured out his sonl unto death : and he P i^ atimbered irith the transgresi and \\c hare the >in of many, and made intercessor] lor tin- trans- ■ Rom. viii that spared not his i, hut deKl him up for us all, I 1 he not with him ilao G <• Ul all tfii.-i. be hath made him to be lin no sin ; that w it be the rL'til i in him. Mat. ni. 17. And I from heaven, i This is ins beloved Son, in whom I am And In hath ! hath gh en h'm and a smelling sa- liom. iii. 24. Being justi freely by his grace, through the motion that is in Ch Kph. i. 7. In whom demotion through his I accord i: the riches of his gi k Hon:, iii. 96. To declare, I at this time his r'_ that lie misfit bejuat, and thejus- tifier ot him which beUevetn in Kph. ii. it in the ages to come he might shew the edhig rl his kindiir- tow Christ .1. 1 V. 1 (ial. iii. B. Ami tl ture it G -d would justify the heathen t: faith, prea< the gospel unto Ahraham. .11 all nati( sed. 1 1\ t. rrkmiw- ther, thr< ; lication of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling blood i '■ B ■ with thr precious blood «»t CI ai of a lamb without blemish without spot : \\ bo l was fori foundation of the world, hut was manifest In these last tin* i \ou. Bom. i he did predestinate, them ■ called, them he a! whom he justified, th gloril 82 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XI. sins, and rise again for their justification111: nevertheless they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them13. V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified0: and although they can never fall from the state of justification p, yet they may by their sins fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble them- selves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance q. VI. The m Gal. iv. 4. But when the ful- ness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a wo- man, made under the law. 1 Tim. ii. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Rom. iv. 25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. n Col. i. 21. And you that were sometime alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, Ver. 22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and un- blameable, and unreproveable in his sight. Gal. ii. 16. \^See letter0 immediately foregoing.^ Tit. iii. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of rege- neration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour: Ver. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. V. °Mat. vi. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 1 John i. 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another ; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Ver. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Johnii. l.My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Ver. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. p Luke xxii. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not ; and when thou art convert- ed, strengthen thy brethren. John x. 28. And I give unto them eter- nal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Heb. x. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. i Psal. lxxxix. 31. If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments ; Ver. 32. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Ver. 33. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. Psal. Ii. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; wash me, and I shall be whiter than the snow. Ver. 8f Make Chap. XII. The Confession of Faith. 83 VI. The justification of believers under the Old Testa- ment was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament' CHAP. XII. Of Adoption. LL those that are justified, God vouchsafed), in and lor his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption*: In which they are taken into the Dumber, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God b; have Make me to hear j _lad- ness, that the bones which thou broken may rejoice. V Hide thy face from ■. and Mot out all mine iniquities. 1 te in me a dean b and renew a right spirit within It me not away : thy | , and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. unto me thejoy of thy salva- tion : and uphold me with thy free Spirit. FsaL xwii. 5. I arknow- v sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid : I said, I will confess my transgressions un- to the Lord ; and thou I the iniquity of my sin. M :rr remembered the won: which -aid unto him, j [he cock thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept hittnh . 1 I this Cause many an- I and - i. and many deep. \ 1 w»- air ilia-" hoid, that tould not In- con- demned with tin* world. Luke i- BO. Ai.d, behold, thou dumb, and not a' until that these thi id he thou beli< not my words, whieh shall be ful- filled in their teal VI. r GaL iii. 9. So then they whieh he of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver. \.i. Christ hath redeemed us from the i of the law, being for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a I Ver. 1 \. That the Abra- ham might come on the Gentiles thro,. ,- Christ ; thai might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Bom. i And therefore it was imputi him — . \\i Now, it was not written tor hh] sake alone, that it was impiit him ; Ver. Bit But for 111 whom it shall he imput i him that raised up.! our 1 :n the dead. ileh. « Ihriat ti :d tor ever. 1. a\ ted Ul unto the ado; hiuw-ll. . It. \. Hut when the fulness of the lent forth his Son, made i man, made under the law i deem them tin- law , that e the adoption v hil- then heirs ; I. 84 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XII. have his name put upon themc, receive the Spirit of adop- tion d; have access to the throne of grace with boldness e; are enabled to cry, Abba, Fatherf ; are pitied g, protected11, provided for1, and chastened by him as by a father k; yet never cast off1, but sealed to the day of redemption m, and inherit the promises n, as heirs of everlasting salvation0. CHAP. and joint heirs with Christ : if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. c Jer. xiv. 9. Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name, leave us not. 2 Cor. vi. 18. And will be a Fa- ther unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Rev. iii. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more otiti and I will write upcn him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jeru- salem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God : and I will write upon him my new name. dRom. viii. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. eEph. iii. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confi- dence by the faith of him. Rom. v. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, ar>d rejoice in hope of the glory of God. f Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spi- rit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ^Psal. ciii. 13. Like as a father pitieth his children : so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. h Prov. xiv. 26. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence ; and his children shall have a place of refuge. 1 Matth. vi. 30. Wherefore, rf God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to- morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ? Ver. 32. For your heavenly Father know- eth that ye have need of all these things. 1 Pet. v. 7. Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. k Heb. xii. 6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 1 Lam. iii. 31. For the Lord will not cast off lor ever. mEph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. n Heb. vi. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 0 1 Pet. i. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Ver. 4. To an in- heritance incorruptible, and un- dented, Chap. XIII. The Confession of Faith. 85 CHAP. XIII. Of Sanct'ifieat'ion. ^PHEV who are effectually called and regenerated, having -^ a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are far- ther sanctified reallv and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection*, by his word and Spirit dwelling in themb; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed c, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified'1, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces6, to the practice defiled, and that fadeth not away, referred in heaven far you. Heb. i. 1 V. Are they not all ministering lent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salva- tion? I. a 1 Cor. vi. 1 1. And such you : hut je are bad, hut tnetified, hut re justified; in the name of the and by the Spirit of our God- A^tJ And now, brethren, I commend you to I and to the word of hi- which i- able to build you up, and to ahre hi inheritance anions all them Which are >anctiiied. Phil. iii. 10. That I may know him, and the BOWei Oi fii tion, and the fellowship of hifl Bufferings, being mad' liable unto his death. Koin. \ i. J. Pof ii v. planted together in the liken, i his <: shall be alao in the likeness of hit tion: V Knowing this, that our old man with him, that the • of sin might be d >hould nut rin. tin \\ ii. I 7. 8 mctify them Ugh thy truth: thv word is truth, i.ph. I i,.it be might arise it with the '.in- of w.tt.i |,y 1 <•». ii. \'A. Hut \\\ Air bound to give thanks alway to God fin you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to vation, through sanctitication of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. lb>m. vi. fi. Knowing this, that our old man ii crucified with him, that the body of >in might be de- stroyed, thathenoeforth we should not serve sin. Ver. 1 V. For sin shall not have dominion over you : tor ye aie not under the law, but undei _ • il. v. 34, And they that are Christ's have crucified the : with the atlections and lusts. Rom. viii. 13. For it ye live after the lle-h, ye shall die: but it ye through the Spirit do mortify the dvvd^ ot the body. \e dud! In • .1. i. 1 1 gthened with all might according to nil glori- I r, unto all patience and -suffering \\ ith joytulness. l.ph. iii. i<». Thai be would yOU, aceordin- to the liches of bit glory, to b thened with might by bll Spirit in the inmr man. \ t i. I :. f: dwell lith ; that indad in I is. M :\ be thle t<> com- I with all wiint.H \> hit and length. and depth And to know the lore 86 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XIII. practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lordf. II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man^ yet imperfect in this life ; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every parth: whence ariseth a continual and irreconcileable war ; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh1. III. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail k, yet, through the con- tinual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome1: and so the saints love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. f2 Cor. vii. 1. Having there- fore these promises, dearly be- loved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Heb. xii. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. II. s 1 Thess. v. 23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly : and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. h 1 John i. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwell- eth no good thing : for to will is present with me, but how to per- form that which is good I find not. Ver. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my mem- bers. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though T had already attained, either were already perfect ; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also 1 am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 1 Gal. v. 1 7. For the flesh lust- eth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other ; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 1 Pet. ii. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. III. kRom. vii. 23. But I see another law in my members war- ring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members. 1 Rom. vi. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you : for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 1 John v. 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Eph. iv. 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ver. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of Chap. XIV. The Confession of Faith. 87 saints grow in grace™, perfecting holiness id the fear of God n. to of CHAP. XIV. Of Saving Faith. pjMIK of faith, whereby the elect are enabled -*- believe to the living of their souls % is the work the Spirit of Christ in their hearts . and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word*: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it i> inci and strengthened d. II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true what d in the word, for the authority ot God him- ■ the body, mil f it- . [& But now in 1 in tin- know our Lord and Saviour J him hi both iii. Is. Jim we all with i beholding as in a glass the glory of tin into : in glory Spirit of ■J*( LI. Having t; .ill filthinesa of the flesh spirit 3 in the I. * He) imt of them « bo . ; hut « - i ii : ur alai That t : ' lory, ■ unto you the Spii wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him : \ \-r. 18. The nur understanding : enlightened ; that ye may k what ifl the hope of his and what the richefl of the g of his inhetitanee in the saints, Yer. 1!'. And what ifl the 6X1 I r to US* ward who belier* the working of his mighty poi Kph. ii. 8. ! i I ■> grao I, through faith ; and thai H. in. \. i i. How then shall call 00 him in whom not belk -hail bi Here in him of whom I not heard ? and h< • - ■ ben, faith c< i ■ ■ aii li |fl , I 88 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XIV. self speaking therein e ; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth ; yielding obedience to the commandsf, trembling at the threateningss, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to comeh. But the principal acts of saving faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace \ III. This an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Rom.iv. 11. And he received the sign of circum- cision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised : that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised ; that righteousness might be im- puted unto them also. Luke xvii. >S. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Rom. i. 1 6. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Ver. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith : as it is written, The just shall live by faith. II. e John iv. 42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Sa- viour of the world. 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which ef- fectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 John v. 10. He that be- lieveth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believ- eth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. Acts xxiv. 14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets. f Rom. xvi. 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. e Isaiah lxvi. 2. For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord : but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. h Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were stran- gers and pilgrims on the earth. 1 Tim. iv. 8. For bodily exercise proflteth little : but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Acts xvi. 31 . And they said, Believe Chap. XIV. The Confession of Faith. 89 III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong k ; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory l ; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ"1, who is both the author and finisher of our faith n. CHAP. Believe on the Lord .: and thou shaft be saved, and thy I i. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet do! I, but Christ Iftreth in me: and the life which I now live in I live by the faith of the Son of God. who loved me, and tor me. Acts \v. 1 1. But we believe, that through the of the Lord hirst ire . en as they. III. r Heb. v. l th milk is unskilful in the for he is a babe. Ver. 1 I. Bui them th I full i those who by n Il'lM(l tO in both good and evil. Rom. And being not weak in faith, he considered own now (! ben he about an hundrt i dness • - I not at th i lod tin* i . but \\ .t- in faith, I. .M it. i 1 so clothe the field, which to- ld to-morrow into . shall he not much more of little faith? . t<» them I -ay unto not found so \ I. :. And the Lord n, behol you, that he may sift you as wheat : But 1 have prayed for thee, that thy faith tail not ; and when thou art converted, str I thy bre- thren. Eph. vi. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wl with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ] John v. i. lor whatsoel born ot God orercometh the worhl : and this is the victory that orercometh the world, our faith. Ver. 6. V. Ometfa the world, but he that .eth thai Son of ■ Heb. vi. 1 1. And we ti that every one ot you IT the same clii . to the tull as>ur- ance of hope unto the end be not slothful, but • them who through faith and [ inherit the pron Heb. \. 22. Lit us draw near with a true heart, in the tull a>suru;.. faith, having our beat Jded from an evil anil our bodies washed with pui Col. ii. 2. That their hearts might •mforted, being knit together in love, and unto all richci ot the full issui underatandii the aeknou I. of the and o! :her, and of t ' h r • 1 1 i Mis, th,' author and BOMD taith ; wl was set before him, endun ross, despising the s( „ get dowi hi hand «>t the thro' I. 90 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XV. CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto Life. T>EPENTANCE unto life is an evangelical grace % the -*-*' doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ b. II. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God c, purposing and endea- vouring I. a Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jeru- salem, the spirit of grace and of supplications, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gen- tiles granted repentance unto life. b Luke xxiv. 47. And that re- pentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Mark i. 15. And say- ing, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand : re- pent ye, and believe the gospel. Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. II. cEzek. xviii. 30. Therefore I will judge you, O house of Is- rael, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God : re- pent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions ; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ver. 31. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed, and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die, 0 house of Is- rael ? Ezek. xxxvi. Si. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe your- selves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abomina- tions. Isa. xxx. 22. Ye shall de- file also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. PsaL li. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : that thou mightest be justi- fied when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Jer. xxxi. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccus- tomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned ; for thou art the Lord my God. Ver. 19. Surely after that I was turned I repented; and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh: I was Chap. XV. The Confession of Faith. 91 vourinji to walk with him in all the ways of his command- merits d. III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof6, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ f ; vet is it of ich I m Bed, yea, even con- foun I did bear tl. . youth. Joel il titfa the Lord, Tur:. n to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with and with mourning, And rend your heart not your garments, and turn unto : lord your God : for 1 - - i merciful, slow I and and re- .11. An. Hate the eril, and Ion good, and establish judgment in - mt of Joseph. Psal. r^s. Therefore I esteem all thy j rod I hat false . vii. 1 1. tor, behold, -same thing that ed after a godly sort, what a rought in j what clearing of you it rehemenl what seal ; yea, wh in all th mat- P J. -l shall I not be ai when 1 hai all thy commandii iit on n iv ways, and tun •Mill, I will perform it, that I will both all the commandments and nances of the Lord blameless. c2 Killers xxiii. 25. And like unto him was there no kin_ him, that turned to the Lord with all tart, and with all and with all his might, according to all the law of M ither him arose ti like him. III. l Kzek. xxxvi. V,. shall ye remember your own evil -. and your doings that wese d shall loathe your- sehres in your own >'.. your iniquit 1 for yOUl abomina- tions, v \ do 1 this, saith ti ! i, be it known unto you : .med and confoundeJ . < I hi xv i. si. Then thou shalt remem- ber thy rod be ashamed, when thou shalt receive t: «1 thy yOUl - I will ghre them i. 4 by thy i mint. \ \i!.l 1 will • blish my covenant with I thou shah know that I am the I i That tho and be thy up more becaui I am pacified toward thee for all that th<»u 1 loa. \iv. 9. Take with words, and turn to ti. I unto him. i iray all •|iiit\ i. I w ill ; ■ al their I liiu:. 92 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XV. such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it g. IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damna- tion h ; so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damna- tion upon those who truly repent1. V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavour to re- pent of his particular sins particularly k. VI. As sliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. Rom. Hi. 2i. Being jus- tified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. £ Luke xiii. 3. I tell you, Nay : but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Ver. .5. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts xvii. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at ; but now com- mandeth all men every where to repent: Ver. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteous- ness by that man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. IV. h Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death : but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Mat. xii. 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 1 Isa. lv. 7. Let the wicked for- sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly par- don. Rom. viii. 1. There is there- fore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Isa. i. 16. Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil. Ver. 18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow : though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. V. kPsal. xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Luke xix. 8. And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor : and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 1 Tim. i. 13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief. Ver. 15. This is a faithful saying, and wor- thy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. VI. i Psal. Chap. XVI. The Confession of Faith, VI. As every man is bound to make private i ion of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof1; upon which, and the forsaking of them, be shall find mercy m : so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of * ought to be willing, bv a private or publick I «>n and sorrow for hil >in. to declare hifl repentance to those that are offended" ; who are thereupon to be reconciled to him. and in love to receive him °. G CHAR XVI. Of Good Works. OOI) work- are onlv Mich as God hath commanded in hi^ holy word a, and not such as, without the warrant thereof. VI. : FnL li. l .1 n W I and (lone - vil in thy sight : that thou justified when thou gpeake>t, and be clear wrhen thou B< hold, I ahapen in iniquity: and in >in did my modn nre me. Vi th hyssop, and I shall be dean : wash me, and I ihall be whiter tl Hide thy 1 i my Bll bk)t out all mine iuimiiti . 1 \. i t me from liltiness, d, thou God of my Bahration : and my I aloud of thy righteousness, PsaL u i my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity nave I not hid: I I, I will CO :.ill*~ fressions unto the Lord: and thou * the inifjuity of my r this IB one that If godly pi ay unto thee time when thou mayoi be 1 ; surely in tin- (1 ime nigh Hi- thai JOttl and foj eth them >hall have mercy. I John i. 9. It \\ ns, lie is faithful and just to forgive us our i all unriirhteousness. i amei •» . 1 1 fault! I another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed : The effectual fa prayer of a right ;vail- eth much. 1 lake lehrea: It thy bn rebuke him : and it fa i aim : I. And if he thee tereo times in a das . in a day turn again to thee, I repent ; thou ihall It e him. I - \ ii. 19. said unto Achan, Mj I pray tl 1 i make < unto liim ; and tell me now * thou hast done, hide it not \ 1. li. thr I i, that ye irould COUfilU a arai him. I. *Mieah vl 8. He h.iti. ■ Lord lequire u'. 94 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVI. thereof, are devised fay men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention b. II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith c: and by them faelievers manifest their thankfulness d. strengthen their assurance edify their brethren, thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk numbly with thy God? Rom. xii. 2. And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the re- newing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Heb. xiii. 21. Make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. b Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doc- trines the commandments of men. Isa. xxix. 13. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men. 1 Pet. i. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not re- deemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradi- tion from your fathers. Rom. x. 2. For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. John xvi. 2. They shall put you out of the synagogues : yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kill— eth you will think that he doeth God service. 1 Sam. xv. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the 22 things which should have been ut- terly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. Ver. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-of- ferings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice ; and to hearken than the fat of rams. Ver. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry : because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. II. c James ii. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works : shew me thy faith without thy wrorks, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Ver. 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect ? d Psal. cxvi. 12. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me ? Ver. 13. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 1 Pet. ii. 9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his mar- vellous light. e 1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Ver. 5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God per- fected : Hereby know we that we are Chap. XVI. The Confession of FuUh . 95 brethren f, adorn the profession of the gospel g, stop the mouths of the adversaries11, and glorify God1, whose work- manship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto k ; that, having their fruit unto holhu have the end eternal life K III. Their in him. 2 Pet i. 5. And be- dl diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge ; Ver. o. And to knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, patience ; and to pa- tience, godliness; Ver. 7. And to godliness, brotherly-kindness ; and to brotherly - kindness, charity. 8. For if these things b you. and abound, they make you 1 neither h unfruitful in the know! irist V he that lacketh is blind, and cannot oil", and bath forgotten that he was om his old sins. Ver. 10. rather, brethren, diligence to make your call- ed electi it ye do shall never fall. 1 know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boas! oi > ou to then) of i. that Acliaia \\ seal haul v many. . 16. our light so shine before men, ify your lather h is iu Tit To be .a homi cut to their own husbands, \ Mid o! (rod be not I tori sen well in all things; • ering again ; purloining, but Bl they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all thing8. Ver. 11. God that bring- eth salvation hath appeared to all men ; Ver. 12. Teactung us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly . we should live soberly, righ- teously, and godly, in this pr world, l Tim. vi. i. I many the yoke count their own i worthy I honour ; that the nan God and his doctrine be not blas- phemed. h 1 Pet ii. 1^. For so is the will d, that with wefl-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 l Pet. ii. 12. Having conversation honest among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, by your good work- which ill behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Phil, i. 11. Being filled with the fruiti righteousness, which are by J ::i is my Father glorified, thai much fruit, so ihaU ye be my dh>* cipi' ;>h. ii. 10. ! [manshipj d in t which hath before ordaii dd walk in them. 1 Rom. \ i. 93. But no ■ fruit unto h-»liiu-. 111. • .1 96 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVI. III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of them- selves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ™. And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure n : yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit ; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them °. IV. They III. m John xv. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can- not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine ; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Ver. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches : he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. Ver. 6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered ; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and 1 will give you an heart of flesh. Ver. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mv judgments, and do them. "n Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil, iv. 13. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are suffi- cient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves : but our sufficiency is of God. 0 Phil. ii. 12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obey- ed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence ; 23 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Heb. vi. 11. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end : Ver. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. 2 Pet. i. 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Ver. 5. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue ; and to virtue, know- ledge. Ver. 10. Wherefore the ra- ther, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure ; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Ver. 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlast- ing kingdom of our Lord and Sa- viour Jesus Christ. Isa. Ixiv. 7. And there is none that calleth up- on thy name, that stirreth up him- self to take hold of thee : for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our ini- quities. 2 Tim. i. 6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands. Acts xxvi. 6. And now I stand, Chap. XVI. The Confession of Faith. 97 IV. They who in their obedience attain to the great height which is possible in this life, are so far from b able to sujKTLTogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do p. V. We cannot, by our best work-, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life, at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that i- between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former -insq; but when we have done all we can, we have ] id, and am judged for the hope of the proadi of God unto our fathers : Yer. to which promise our twelve tribes, instant- ly sen 1 day and Bight, hope ; tor which hop I the i. Jud< . . be- i, building up vourserVi your most holy faith, praying in Holy Ghost pourserres in the I look- ing for the mercy of our 1 iri>t unto eternal lifi IV. i Luke xvii. LO. Bo likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which in commend- \\Y art- unprofitable have done that which as our duty to do. NYh. sJii And I commanded the I :hat lould cleanse them- il that they should come ind keep the Lrat« member n rod, concerning this also, and ipare me according to tfa MSB o! thy i. I truth : but how 1 man ! with (. i tint, he cannot answer him oi. usand. Gal. w. tin* lash hlStet!i a., aiustthc Spirit, and the Spirit against ti. : and itrary t: | » the other ; SO that ye cannot d things that ve would. V. i Rom, ill- the d flesh be justified in I by the law is the know Rom. iv. 2. For if Abi . stified by work-, he _iory, but not ! God. \Yr. v. Now, to him worketh is the reward not i oned of grace, hut of debt. \' i as David also describeth the isdnoss of the man unt God imputeth righteousn out work-. Kpii. i - d, throti: and that not the gift ihould b Tit. i i b) w ness srhich we hut according to his n i'd us, by tlu' wasbii . Ghost: \'n. ft. Which he d abundantly, t our S \ » i. 7. Th justified by his irraoe, we should be \ 1 1 i . 18. I llif Kutlerings <>• K l rasani 98 The Confession of Faith Chap. XVI; done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants1; and be- cause, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit8; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot en- dure the severity of God's judgment1. VI. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accept- ed in him v ; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Psal. xvi. 2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord : my goodness extendeth not to thee. Job xxii. 2. Can a man be profit- able unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Ver. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Al- mighty that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him that thou mak> est thy ways perfect? Job xxxv. 7. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand ? Ver. 8. Thy wick- edness may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. r Luke xvii. 10. \^See letter vin this Chapter.^ s Gal. v. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- sufTering, gentleness, goodness^ faith, Ver. 23. Meekness, temper- ance: against such there is no law. 1 Isa. lxiv. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righ- teousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have tak- en us away. Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Rom. vii. 15. For that which I do, I allow not i for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Ver. 18. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing i for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not. Psal. cxliii. 2. And enter not into judgment with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psal. cxxx. 3. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? VI. v Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. 1 Pet. ii. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiri- tual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, ac- ceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Exod. xxviii. 38. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Is- rael shall hallow in all their holy gifts : and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. Gen. iv. 4. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof: and the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his of- fering. With Heb. xi. 4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he Chap. XVI. The Confession of Faith. 99 unblameable and unreproveable in Go(l*> sight w ; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which i- sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections x. \ II. Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands and of good Lite both to themselves and others ; vet, be- cause he was r name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. M His lord unto him, Well done, thou good ; thou hast been faithful over a fewthi I will make t lu«- niler over many things : entei thou into the j thy 1 rd \ I " faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many thi g| enter thou into the joy 01 thv lord. VII. 9 Kinffl x. 30. And the Lord said unto Jehu, 1 thou done well in executing that which is right in mine eye*, and hast done unto the house of Ahab rding to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall Nit on the throne of Israel Ver. SI, Hut Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord Ciod of Israel with all his heart : f r he departed not from the ■ loboam. which made 1 to >in. 1 Kingl \\: And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sanixloth up- on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. thou how Ahabhumbleth hiniM-It' befbn -<• he humhleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in Ml i his mui's days will I biinj- the evil upon his house. Thil. i. h Christ even of envy and .id some 16. The one I itelitioii. lino 'Mic- tion to niN !• 'i !-■ v - : • 1 ". v then.'' notwithstanding every way, ■ her In pretence Of In truth, Christ If pre* bad ; and I tin aa, and will ; G 100 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVI. cause they proceed not from an heart purified by faith2; nor are done in a right manner, according to the word a ; nor to a right end, the glory of God b ; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to re- ceive grace from God c. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God d. CHAP. 2 Gen. iv. 5. But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. With Heb. xi. 4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts ; and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh. Ver. 6. But without faith it is im- possible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 4* 1 Cor. xiil. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Isa. i. 12. When ye come to ap- pear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts ? b Mat. vi. 2. Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hy- pocrites do in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver. 5. And when thou pray est, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are ; for they love to pray stand- ing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver. 16. Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance : for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. c Hag. ii. 14. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands, and that which they offer there is unclean. Tit. i. 15. Unto the pure all things are pure : but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure ; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. Amos v. 21. I hate, I despise your feast-days, and I will not smell in your so- lemn assemblies. Ver. 22. Though ye offer me burnt-offerings, and your meat-offerings, I will not ac- cept them ; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts. Hosea i. 4. And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jez- reel ; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. Rom. ix. 16. So ; then, it is not of him that willeth, j nor of him that runneth, but of] God that sheweth mercy. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but accord- ing to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. d Psal. xiv. 4. Have all the work- ers of iniquity no knowledge ? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. \ Psal. xxxvi. 3. The words of his mouth Chap. XVII. The Confession of Faith, 101 CHAP. XVII. Of the Perse-eranee of the Sainh. rTMIEY whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, ei -■- tuallv called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved a. II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father5; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do . Job xxi. l k Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us : for *e desire not the knowledge oi thy 1 5. What is the Al- mighty, that we should serve him? and what profit >hould we have if :iy unto him? Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he »y also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into ting lire, the devil and his ingeb. Ver. V2. For I was an hungered, and me no meat; I - thirity, and ye gave dm drink ; V. i . 1 ',. I M II I it and ye took me not in; naked, and . ithed me n ■ . and in I m, and ye visited me not Ver. lien shall lie answer them,say- \ dilv I say unto you. In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Mat. wiii. . • unto y0U. scribes and Pharisees, hypoa v tithe of mint, and a and cummin, and have omitted litier mat the law, judgment, mercy, and faith ; these OUght y»' t<> have done, and not to leave the other undoi I. * Phil. i. <;. Brills confidV ' this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will :m it until the day of Jesui Christ. 9 Pet. i. In. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and eh sure: for if ye do these thingl shall never tall. John x. 'Js. And I Lrive unto them eternal life, and shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand Ver. 89. -My Father, which gave them me. i> greater than all : and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 1 John hi. 9. Whosocvci ia born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed n> maineth in him : and he cann.>: I born of GocL 1 Pet. i. ~>. Who are kept by the pow God through faith unto - ready to be revealed in the last time. Vn. !». Receiving the end ir faith, even the salvati your snnls-. II. I J Tim. ii. 1^. \\ 'ho oncern- the truth ha I, sayinir that the resurrection is past al- (1 overthrow the faith ot .some- \ . ■ i \ , | i tin hss, thl foundation of i w « w 1 stamleth ha\ 'mil' this seal, The Lord k etfa them that are .his. A :. 1 ., • everv one that natneth the I ::rist depart bona Iniquity. I 102 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVII, of Jesus Christ0 ; the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within themd; and the nature of the covenant of Jer. xxxi. 3. The Lord hath ap- peared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlast- ing love: therefore with loving- kindness have I drawn thee. cHeb. x. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the of- fering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Ver. 1 4. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb. xiii. 20. Now, the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Ver. 21. Make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleas- ing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemp- tion for us. Ver. 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purify- ing of the flesh; Ver. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the liv- ing God? Ver. 15. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are call- ed might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Rom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? It is God that justifleth : Ver. 34. Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Ver. 35. Who shall sepa- rate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or distress, or per- secution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? Ver. 36. (As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long ; we are ac- counted as sheep for the slaughter.) Ver. 37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. Ver. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor prin- cipalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Ver. 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to se- parate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. John xvii. 11. And now I am no more in the world ; but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are, Ver. 24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am ; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me : for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Luke xxii. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not ; and when thou art con- verted, strengthen thy brethren. Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. d John xiv. 16. And I will pray the Chap. XVII. The Confession of Faith. of grace e : from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof f. III. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalencv of corruption re- maining in them, and the neglect of the means of their pre- servation, fall into grievous sinsg; and for a time continue therein h: where!) v they incur God's displeasure', and grieve his the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you tor ever; Ver. 17. . the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, becan- seeth him not, neither knoweth Um : hut ye know him, tor he dwelleth with you, and shall he in MIL 1 John ii. vi7. lint the anoint- eived of him ahideth in you ; and ye need not my man teach you: hut, as the _ • acheth you of all things, and i> truth, and is no lie ; and even li it hath taught you, ye .shall abide in him. 1 John hi. y. Whosoever is born ofGod doth not commit sin ; for liis svvd remaineth in him : and he cannot sin, because ■I. r« xxxii. 1<». And I will P an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away lroin thi-ui to do them BOOd, but I will put my tear in their that they shall not di m me. M. And I unto them eternal lite, and they shall never perMi, neither shall any pluck li | mv hand. ■ These, iii. :{. But the Lord b faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep vou from »\ il. l John . went out from US, but the\ ff |f :i of US, they would no doubt have eontinued with t out, that they might be thai they III. rMatth. xxvi. TO. But he denied before them all, Baying, 1 know not what thou say, \nd again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Ver. 7 k Then bewail he to curs^ and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. PsaL li. tfhe tith-.l To the chief musician, A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had Lr<>ne in to Hath-ssheba. Ver. 1 \. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, 0 I thou God of my salvation : my tongue shall sjng aloud of thy righteon 1- i Iriv. ~>. Thou meete>t him that rejoiceth and worketh riirh- tCQUincafj those that remember thee in thy w a\ - : behold, I art wroth, for SfC have tinned: in those ia continuance, and we shall \ ed. Ver. 7. And there IS DjOOC that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth Up himself to take hold of thee : lor thou bast hid thy and hast consumed : our initjui: lJ. He not wroth very sure, 01 neither remember iniquity sea, wt thee, we aie all th\ [>« Opli \i. 97. And when the nioui was past, I ).t\ id m nt and ; u .'.< ,! her to his hoi I she U-came but the thing that David hail done eataq tl. - 1 104 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVIII. his Holy Spirit k ; come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts l ; have their hearts hardened111, and their consciences wounded11; hurt andscandalize others0, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves p. CHAP. XVIII. Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation. \ LTHOUGH hypocrites, and other unregenerate men, -—■ may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate k Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of re- demption. 1 Psal. li. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness : that the bones which thou hast broken may re- joice. Ver. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ver. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spi- rit. Rev. ii. 4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, be- cause thou hast left thy first love. Gant. v. 2. I sleep, but my heart waketh : it is the voice of my be- loved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled : for my head is fill- ed with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. Ver. 3. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on ? I have washed my feet ; how shall I defile them ? Ver. 4. My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. Ver. 6. I opened to my beloved ; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone : my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him ; I called him, but he gave me no answer. m Isa. lxiii. 17. 0 Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear ? Return for thy ser- vants' sake, the tribes of thine in- heritance. Mark vi. 52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was har- dened. Mark xvi. 14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven, as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hard- ness of heart, because they be- lieved not them which had seen him after he was risen. n Psal. xxxii. 3. When I kept silence my bones waxed old, through my roaring all the day long: Ver. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me : my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Psal. li. 8. Make me to hear joy and glad- ness: that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. ° 2 Sam. xii. 14. Howbeit, be- cause by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. p Psal. lxxxix. 31. If they break my statutes, and keep not my com- mandments: Ver. 32. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes* 1 Cor. xi. 32. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord, Chap. XVIII. Tlie Confession of Faith. 105 estate of salvation3; which hope of theirs shall perish b; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sin- cerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly mured that they are in the state of grace0, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God; which hope shall never make them ashamed*. II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hopee; but an infallible assurance Lord, that we should not be con- demned with the world. I. *Job viii. 13. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite mall perish: Ver, li. Whose hope shell be cut off, and irhose tru^t shall be a spider's web. Mieah iii. 11. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the 4 teach for hire. the prophets thereof divine for will they lean upon Lord, and >ay, [l not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon US. Deut xxix. l!». And it COOK to pass, when he heareth the won!- of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I ll bare peaces though I m in tlie imagination of mine kdd drunkenness to thirst. John viii. i 1. Ye do the deed your father. Then said they to mm, W '•■ I not born of tornira- tion ; we have one Father, I i Mat ll Bq to me in that day, LoTO, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have east out derils? and in thy name dour many wondrrtnl ffOTU ' Vcr* 8S. And then will I profess unto them, I • ii : depart from me, t work iniquity. 1 John ii. 8. And fim -by Wi dO kn«»w that We know him, it" \\ « keep hid commandment. 1 John iii. 1 L We know that we have d from death unto lift.. Cause we love the brethren : he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Ver. 1*. My little chil- dren, let us not love in word, nei- ther in tongue, but in deed, and in truth. Ver. ID. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 21. Ik-loved, if our heart demn us not, then have we Bdence towards c; »d. \\i And he that keepeth his com- mandments dwelleth in him, he in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spi- rit that he hath -riven H8i 1 John v. 13, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of Qod ; that ye may know that ye \. mal life, and that on the name of tin* Son of God. d Horn. v. 8. By wlimii have aciwv by faith into t: Wherefal we stand, anil i, hope of the gl And hope maketh not ashamed, because the Iota of God i^ shed d in our hearts h\ the Holy (ihost, which is pven unto U II. ' 1Kb. vi. 1 I. Ami sirr that every one of J shew the sani< the lull SSBOra nto the end. ( Which \. have :i* an ami th 106 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVIII, assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the pro- mises of salvation f, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are madeg, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God h : which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemp- tion *. III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties, before he be partaker of it k: jet, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail. fHeb. vi. 17. Wherein God, will- ing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immuta- bility of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: Ver. 18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. s 2 Pet. i. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and pre- cious promises ; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the cor- ruption that is in the world through lust. Ver. 5. And besides this, giving diligence, add to your faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge. Ver. 10. Wherefore the rather, bre- thren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall : Ver. 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundant- ly into the everlasting kingdom of cur Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. 1 John iii. i4. We know that we have passed from death unto life, be- cause we love the brethren : he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. 2 Cor. i. 12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with flesh- ly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversa- tion in the world, and more abun- dantly to you- ward. h Rom. viii. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear : but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Ver. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. 1 Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation ; in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ver. 14. Which is the earnest of our in- heritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 2 Cor. i. 21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God ; Ver. 22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. III. k 1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that be* lieve lap. XVIII. The Confession of Faith. 107 vet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary npeana, attain there- unto1. And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sum ; that therein- his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulne-s toGod,and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience", the pn fruit* lieve on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal Jite, and that ye on the name of the Bon of God La. 1. 10. Who is mnung you that feareth the Lord, that obeyetfa the voice of hii ser* vant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him tru>t in ti. the Lord, and *tay upon his God. Mark i. And straightway the father of the child eried out, and said with , Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. L-V't P**L l.wxviii- ./. IVal. Iwvii. to the 1 1 Cor. ii. ! J. Now we have re- 1, not the spirit of the world, PHI the Spirit which is of ( I that we might know the things ire freely given to us ot God ) John i [erebj know ire that .1 in him, and he in us, bo wise be hath given ui of his Spirit. Hi h. \ i. II. Ami we d you do shew the diligence, to the bill assur- aoceot hope unto the end : Vei I -. That ye be not >lothtul, but > of them whoj through faith and inherit the promises, Eph, UL I J, 'ii.it t hrist dwell fan yoi,, nth ; ted and ground- ed hi /er, 18. May Km nd with all (taints, » lib, and length, and depth, and height ; Ver. 19. And to know the love of* Christ, « til knowledge, that ye I be tilled with ;dl the fuhu v God ■ 2 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore die rather, brethren. Live dihg to make your calling and eh sure: tor it ye do these thing shall never tall. e»m. v. 1. Therefore I justified by faith, we have ; with God, through our Lord .1 Christ: Ver. 2. By whom also we y faith into this - wherein we .stand, and njou hope of the glory of God. Vi And hope maketh not ashamed ; because the love of God i> abroad in our heart- by the Holy :, which is given unto us. Horn. xiv. 17. For the kingdom of God i^ not meat and drink ; but r'lL'ht. in the Holy Ghost Hon I id of hope ti!! with all joy and abound in 1 the power of ( Epl ilessed l>< tud Father of our 1 ,ori! J Christ, who bath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in • as lie hath chosen us in hira the foundation of tl that we should be holy, .. out ! in in 108 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XVIII. fruits of this assurance : so far is it from inclining men to looseness °. IV. True believers may have the assurance of their salva- tion divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it ; by falling into some special sin, which woundeth the conscience, and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation ; by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness, and to have no light*5 : yet are they never Psal. iv. 6. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good ? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Ver. 7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. Psal. cxix. 32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 0 1 John ii. 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Fa- ther, Jesus Christ the righteous. Ver. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Rom. vi, 1. What shall we say then ? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Ver. 2. God forbid : how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Tit. ii. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath ap- peared to all men ; Ver. 12. Teach- ing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Ver. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthi- ness of the flesh and spirit, perfect- ing holiness in the fear of God. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Ver. 12. Therefore brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know, that when he shall ap- pear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is- Ver. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Psal. cxxx. 4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou may est be feared. 1 John i. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth : Ver. 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fel- lowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. IV. p Cant. v. 2. I sleep, but my heart waketh : it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undeflled : for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night, Ver. 3. I have put off my coat ; how shall I put it Chap. XVIII. The Confession of Faith. 109 never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience erf duty, out of which., by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived*, and by it on ? I have washed my feet ; how shall I defile them ? V> I opened t<» Joyed ; but my beloved had withdrawn him- self, and was rgone; my soul failed when he spake : I sought him, but I could not iind him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. PuL 11. Si .Make me to joy and gladness : that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. \\i\ \i. Restore un- to me the joy of thy salvation : and uphold me with thy free me from Itiness, 0 dud, thou of my salvation : and my thai! ling aloud of thy riffhteouncML Eph. iv. SO. And ■neve not the Holy Spirit of 1 • led unto option. Ver. 8L Let ail bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil \rj, be put away from you, with all : ii. 1. .1 unto dod with my voice, rod v\ i t li my voice ; and 1. uto inc. V In U: my trouble I MNlght ; my in in the niirht, ami coated not : inv refused to 1) In ud was troubled : I complained, and my spirit wai 01 81 "v. -helmed. Selah. I. Thou boldest mine 1 am bo troubled that •mot spe.,\. \ '. i. ;. I have Considered til nt' old, the ancient times. \ ', i my NH in the Bight : I commune with mine and my spirit made diligent search. Ver. 7. Will the Lord cast oft* for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Ver. 8. Is his mercy clean BOM for ever? doth his promise fail for ever- more? Ver. 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? hath he in amrer shut up his tender mere lah. * Ver. 10. And I said, This is my inlinnity : but I will re- member the years of the right hand of the most High. Mat. xxvi. m Peter sat without in the palace; and a damsel came unto bin , Thou also wait with Jew oi Galilee Ver. to. Hut he denied before them all, 1 know not what thou M Ver. 7 1. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that wave there. This fellow was also with Jem o' '(!• v*e*. Na And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. PlaL \\\i. :.'. lor I said in my . 1 am cut oil* from 1 thine eves : nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my suppli- cations, when I cried unto thee, ii. throughout. "2 1 K>. Who i> among you that eth the Lord, that obeyed] the voice nt Hi m rvant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no 1 let him tru^t in the name Of the Lord, and stay upon I I I John hi. *>. Who born of <">d doth not commit siu : tor hi> Mid remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, U cruise s born < Lttkl 39. Hut I prayed for thee, that thy : thou 110 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XIX. by the which, in the mean time, they are supported from utter despair r. CHAP. XIX. Of the Law of God. OD gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by ^* which he bound him, and all his posterity, to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience ; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it ; and endued him with power and ability to keep it a. II. This thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Job xiii. 15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him ; but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Psal. Ixxiii. 15. If I say, I will speak thus : behold, I should offend against the generation of thy chil- dren. Psal. ii. 8, 12. £See letter? immediately before r\ Isa.l. lO.VSee letter p immediately foregoing.^ r Micah vii. 7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord : I will wait for the God of my salvation : my God will hear me. Ver. 8. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise ; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Ver. 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and exe- cute judgment for me : he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Jer. xxxii. 40. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good ; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Isa. liv. 7. For a small mo- ment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee: Ver. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a mo- ment ; but with everlasting kind- ness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer. Ver. 9. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me : for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. Ver. 10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be re- moved ; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be re-» moved, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee. Psal. xxii. 1. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? QPsal. lxxxviii. throughout r\ I. aGen. i, 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness : and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creep- ing thing that creepeth upon the earth. Ver. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him : male and female created he them. With Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of C hap .XIX. The Confession of' Fait li. Ill II. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness ; and. as such, was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tab! the of the knowledge of trood and evil, thou shalt not cat <>i it : for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Hum. ii. \\. For when the Gentiles, which not the law, do by nature the tUngl contained in the law, these having" not the law, are a law unto themselves : Ver. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their con- scieiu bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while acemjn;: or else cXi'i.M!,: one ano- ther. Kum. - de- scril>eth the rjghteOlianeSi which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Kom. v. fa Wherein. by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin : and Ml h passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Ver. l!>. Poi as by one mau> disobedience many were made sinners ; so by the obedience -hall many be made righteous. GaLiii. 10. Foi .is are of the work- of the inder tin- <. urse : tor it i> written, I »iu- that i outinueth imt in all thingl which a ritten in the book 01 the law I them. Vi r. I ~v. And the law faith : but the man that i them shall live in them. I I (bund, that God hath made man Upright ; but they ha\ « out many inventions. Job uviii. And unto man lie - hold, tl.. I ...id, that m ; and to depart e\ il i> understandii II. Jsmes i 85. Hot whoso ■ tin- perfei t Li liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James ii. S. li ye fulfil the royal law accord- in:: to the scripture, Thou shalt thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. Ver. In. For who.- shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty ot all. Ver. II. For he that said, Do not commit adultery ; said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou com- mit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor ot the law. Ver. 1 i. S I >e, and ao do, ai they that nail be judg- ed by the law of liberty. Horn, xiii. 8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: tor lie that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Ver. !*. For this. Thou lhalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal. Thou lhalt not bear fal>e witness. Thou shalt not covet ; and if there be any other com- mandment, it is briefly compre- hended in this namely. Thou shalt love tl. .hour aa tl. • Dmt. v. ". l \ vhall rve to do then tore as the I.oid your God hath command- ed you : ye shall not turn aside to tl. hand or to the left. Dent. \. I. And he w iotc on the tables, Bi t<> the first i which the Foul spakr unto you in the mount, out of the I if of the as- semblv : and tin- 1 : g ave them unto me. I the Lord laid u i, rleti like unto the 112 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XIX. the first four commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to manc. III. Besides this law, commonly called Moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church un- der age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordi- nances ; partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits d; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties e. All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated under the new testament f. IV. To them also, as a body politick, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. c Mat. xxii. 37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Ver. 38. This is the first and great commandment. Ver. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Ver. 40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. III. d QHeb. Chapter ix.^ Heb. x. 1. For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year conti- nually, make the comers thereunto perfect. Gal. iv. 1. Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a ser- vant, though he be lord of all ; Ver. 2. But is under tutors and gover- nors, until the time appointed of the father. Ver. 3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. Col. ii. 17. Which are a shadow of things to come ; but the body is of Christ. e 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out there- fore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are un- leavened : for even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. 2 Cor. vi. 17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you. Jude, ver. 23. And others save with fear, pull- ing them out of the fire ; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. f Col. ii. 14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, which was con- trary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Ver. 16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy-day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath-days : Ver. 17. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Dan. ix. 27. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease ; and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consum- mation, and that determined, shall be poured upon the deso- late. Epn. ii* 15. Having abo- lished Chap. XIX. The Conftsxion of Faith. 118 people, not obliging any other now, further than the gene- ral equity thereof may require*. V. The moral law doth tor ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof h; and that not onlv in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in re- pect of the authority of God, the Creator, who gave it1. her doth Christ in the gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation k. VI. Although ! in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contain- ed in ordinances, for to make in If of twain one new ma: maki: g ; Ver. 16*. And that he mit th unto I in one body by the cross, ha ity thereby. IV. i [ i. Exod. . xlix. ia • depart t Judah, nor a lawgiver from be- tween his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the iratl. With 1 . Submit very urdinance of HUP! tor the Lord's ■ake: whether it he to the . ,14 Or unt I them that are >y him purdthi - • m that do will. Mat. v. Think not t :n come V the ! 1 am ! de- Uroy, hut to fulfil. \ beard that it hath been an eve, and a tooth for i tooth. \ Hut 1 . unto you, That j • \ il : hut who*oe> ■bite thee on thy right eh turn to him I Say I these things as a th not tin- law the same a)* ten in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care tor OXeilP Wr. 10. ith he it altogether for our sakes? for our sakes, no doubt, this i- written : that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thrasheth in hope should be partaker of 1: \'. • Horn. xiii. 8, ■>. £fi inlinq; and the threatening^ of it serve to shew what even their >ins deserve, and what afflictions in this life thev may expect for them, although freed from the OUfBB thereof threatened in the law r. The promises of it, in like manner, then ° Jama For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is Jike unto a man be- holding his natural face i I a glass ; \\r. ,t.l ; he behokleth liii and goeth lii> pray, and way forgetteth what mam.' man he w;i>. Ver. 25. Hut R looketh into the perfect law of li- ii continueth therein, he J hearer, but a doer of the work, this man he blessed in hi> deed. Horn. \ ii. lJ. For I \\a> alive without the law once ; but when the command- ment in revi\ edj and I died* we know that the law [ritual ; but I am cainal. Bold nndersin. \'er. Si. 0 wretched man that I am ! who shall d- - dtath? Gil iii.' .1. \. oui schoolmaster to bring us unto Chrii justified by faith. Horn. \ i ■ '/< i "'.*] Him). \ iii. ;. 1 I ' the law could nut do, m the flesh, i til in the likcuevs «.i sinful ooudemned sin in the He-:. That the right oustiess of th' t be fulfilled in us, who walk I the it. Jam i ii. 1 1. Foi he 1: ■ . • : also, Do not kill. Xow, it thou commit no adult I if thou kill, thou art become a tram_ sor of the law. P-al. cxix. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. Ver. 101. Through thy precepts I Lret understanding ; therefore I fa dS€ Way. \'er. l'JS. Therefore I e>teein all thy precepts concerning all things to be right ; and 1 hate every r£sra ix. 13. And after all that ine upon US tor our evil ii and for our great trespass, ft that thou our God hast punished u> less than our inujuith I and hast uiven US Such deliverance as this ; Ver. 1 I. Should we , break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these arjominatkxis, wouldest not thou be antrry with Uf thou hadst consumed us, >o that there should be no remnant - Psal, I ''• If his children forsake my law, and a alk not in mjjudgmi It they break my Etatutfl I, and keep not my commandments ; Vei Then will I visit their tran>gres» >ioii with th uid thtir ini- quity \V|[ ! itterly : faithfulness euuilt will I bn 116 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XIX. shew them GocPs approbation of obedience, and what bless- ings they may expect upon the performance thereof % al- though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works4: so as a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not under grace v. VII. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. s [Lev. xxvi. to the 14 npHE liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers -■*- under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of >in, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law3; and in their being delivered from this pre evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin b, from the open unto their cry. Ver. 16. The the Lord ist them that do evil, to cut off memhrance of them from the earth. 1 1 Wher we receiving a kingdom which cannot i -d, let us have ■ hereby ire m bly, with reverence and Lrod. For our Mining i VII. - GaL iii. 31. [fl the law then acainst the protnim of ( I forbid : tor if there had : a law Lriven which COIlld have grren !'• ily righteoui been by t:. And I will put my Spirit within yon, and i t<> walk in my rtatlltea, and J and do them, i thil with the lion- thoeed will put my laws ini and and 1 will t> * I will : houae .,{ [sra ,v>, nith ndL I will pllt my law in t; ml parts, will he their God, and they shall he my people. I. * Tit. ii. 14. Who rare him- that he might redeem iniquity, and purify If a peculiar zeal. tod w< rk<. 1 Thesa. And to wa from the . which deiiv «D tiie wrath to COme. I iii. I It hath redeemed us from the ctme M the law, being mad. for it i< writ- s-one that 1: I J. i. 1. \V lor o that he might deliver I world. . and our Fatht bath from t r ol 10, and h lom of hii dear - . i ' m the ; I ■ Rom. vi. 14. ' i • I. 118 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XX. the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation0; as also in their free ac- cess to Godd, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love, and willing minde. All which were common also to believers under the lawf; but under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected g, and in greater e Rom. viii. 28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Psal. cxix. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted : that I might learn thy statutes. 1 Cor. xv. 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immor- tality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Ver. 55. O death, where is thy sting ? 0 grave, where is thy victory? Ver. 56. The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law ; Ver. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth ns the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemna- tion to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. d Rom. v. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and re- joice in hope of the glory of God. eRom. viii. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God5 they are the sons of God. Ver. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 1 John iv. 1 8. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear : because fear hath torment ; he that feareth is not made per- fect in love. f Gal. iii. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faith- ful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith* e Gal. iv. 1. Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, diflereth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all ; Ver. 2. But is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the fa- ther. Ver. 3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world, Ver. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Ver. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son ; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liber- ty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Acts xv. 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither Chap. XX. The Confession of Faith. 119 greater boldness of access to the throne of grace h, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of1. II. God alone is Lord of the conscience k, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship1. So that to believe such doctrines, or to neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Ver. 11. But we be- . that through the Lrrace ofthe Lord J« - Christ, we shall he .. even as t: h Hel). iv. 14-. Seeing then that we hare ■ great high priest, that land into the heavens. J rod, let US hold our profession. Ver. In". Let us COme boldly unto the throi that we may ob- tain i md find grace to help in time ot need. Heb. x. 19. Ilav- . brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Vi i . 8 '. By a new and livi- . which be hath ecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his tiesh ; Ver. Jl . And h i\ fog an high priest over the house <>t l ' 1 *'t us near with a true heart, in lull ■ssursnee of frith, having our ti sprinkled from an eril COtl- and our bodies wai •.'! pur.- water. I le that believeth on uif. a- dlC a ripture hath - out Of hlS b» lly "-hall ll of tiring But this spake he ot the Spirit, which they that on him ihotlld i e- )t the H«»ly d' not J ise that J was n<>: lorified. 9 iii. U. And not not a vail over his foe, that the childj 1 could : fastly look to the end of that which is abolished. Ver. 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Ver. Is. But we all, with open face beholding as in a ^ the irlory of the Lord, are cha: into the same image, from iilory to glory, eren as by the spirit ot the Lord. II. \v. ] .\ There is one I ver, who is able to >ave and to destroy ; who art thou that judgest another ? Horn. xiv. 4. Who art thou that judges! an- other ms ant P to nis master he standeth or falleth : he shall be holden up : for tble to make him stand. Act! iv. if). Hut Peter and John i and said unto them. Whether it be right in the E of dod to hearken unto you more than unt I rtfc :i Peter and the d and said, We ought to of men. 1 Cor. vii. : ^ ■ are Jit with a prie. lerranti <»t men. Mat. w Hut be not re called Rahbi : for one is your \ '.rUt. and all ye are bret \ And Call n<> man that up- on the ear th : tor • '• which i* in beai Neither be ye Called tutst SCOI !or that WS have dominion 120 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XX. to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray- true liberty of conscience m ; and the requiring of an im- plicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason alson. III. They who, upon pretenceof Christian liberty, do prac- tise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy : for by faith ye stand. Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. ra Col. ii. 20. Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Ver. 22. (Which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of men ? Ver. 23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility, and neglecting of the body ,* not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Gal. i. 10. For do I now persuade men, or God ? or do I seek to please men ? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal. ii. 4. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. Ver. 5. To whom we gave place by sub- jection, no, not for an hour ; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liber- ty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bond- age. n Rom. x. 17. So then, faith cometh bv hearing1, and hearing by 8 the word of God. Rom. xiv. 23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith : for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Isa. viii. 20. To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessa- lonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. John iv. 22. Ye worship ye know not what : we know what we worship ; for salvation is of the Jews. Hos. v. 11. Ephraim is oppressed, and broken in judg- ment ; because he willingly walk- ed after the commandment. Rev. xiii. 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth, and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Ver. 16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads : Ver. 1 7. And that no man might buy or sell,, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Jer. viii. 9. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken : lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them ? III. *Gal. Chap. XX. The Confession of Faith. 121 Christian liberty ; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might nerve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the dayi of our life0. IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not in- tended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and e one another ; they who, upon pretence of CI tian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercw- of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, r the ordinance of God p. And for their publishing of Mich Opinions, or maintaining of Mich practice-, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Chris- tianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness ; or such erroneous opinions 18 cither in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the rnal peace and order which Christ hath established in the church; they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded III. "(ial. v. 13. For, brethren, died unto lii onlv use not liberty for an <»e* to the flesh, but by lo re one 1 Pet ii. I'-- A- :.< . and ty for a I of malic inu«ne>s, hut || the While they promise them liberty, themselves are the servant ruption : whom a m e brought in bonds answered tJ ly, verily, I into you, W unit- lervant of sin. Luke That he WOuld LMiilit unto US, that OUt Of the hands of out , mi^ht - him without (i \ ■ . . I >. In holi- ' toiisnets before liiin, Of Mill i I Jesus knew their thoughts, and said un- to them. Every kingdom dh tst itself is brought to desola- tion ; and every city or house di- itand. l Pet ii. l *. Submit you iiuanee of man for the Lora's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; \Vr. 1 1. <>r unto mors, as unto them that are Sent bj him for the DUniahme evil doers, and for the \ them that do wi -11. \Yr. 16 \ and not using your liberty I eloak of mali< iousness, but ai the u them thai and submit yourseh ir Souls, must L'i\ <• ace >unt : t do it p ith joy, an fur t 1 vom. 122 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XX. proceeded against by the censures of the church q, and by the power of the civil magistrate r. CHAP. * Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit such things are worthy of death,) not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. With 1 Cor. v. 1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. Ver. 5. To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruc- tion of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 11. But now I have written unto you, not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an ex- tortioner; with such an one no not to eat. Ver. 13. B it them that are without God judgeth. There- fore put away from among your- selves that wicked person. 2 John, ver. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. Ver. 11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. And 2 Thess. iii. 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. And 1 Tim. vi. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doc- trine which is according to godli- ness ; Ver. 4. He is proud, know- ing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, rail- ings, evil surmisings, Ver. 5. Per- verse disputings of men of cor- rupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is god- liness : from such withdraw thy- self. And Tit. i. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision : Ver. 11. Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. Ver. 13. This witness is true : wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And Tit. iii. 10. A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admoni- tion, reject. With Mat. xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Ver. 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Ver. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. 1 Tim. i. 19. Holding faith and a good con- science; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck : Ver. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander ; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Rev. ii. 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which Chap. XXI. The Confession of Faith, 123 CHAP. XXI. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbattuday. HHHE light of nature .sheweth that there i- a (rod, who -*- hath lordship and sovereignty over all ; is good, and doeth which are evil : and thou hast tried them whkfa say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars. Ver. 14. But I have a few thing's against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doc- trine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto Idols, and to com- mit fornication. Ver. 15. 9 thou also them that hold the doc- trine of the Nicola:' Inch I hate. V Notwith- standing, I h8Te a few things ^t thee, I thou Bufierest Aomaii .' which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and hue my servants to commit fornication, and to eat thblgfl erificed unto Idols. Rer« hi- 9, Be- hold, I will make them of the §] Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, hut do lie ; he- hold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and I now that I have loved th r piVut. xiii.o./,,//,, 18**/] Horn. xiii. A. 1'or ruler> are not a terror i xx\ works, hut to tlie evil. Wilt thou then not he afraid of the io that which is L'ood,and thou ibalt fia\ c praise ot the same : I i. I mi k, fa the mirristi Qod to thee I Hot it thou do that which i> evil, be afraid • h not tli' in vain : for he is the mini? fod, a re- i to execute wrath upon him that doeth «\il. With I John, verses In, 11. _\< < in /<((< r I.J I manded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? Ver, i;. And thou, Ezra, after the wi>dom of thy God that is in thine hand, set magistrates and ju which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all as know the laws of thy God ; and teach ye them that know them not. Ver. 80. And w! will not do the law of thy God, and the liw of the kim:, let judgment be executed speedily Upon him. . ther it be unto death, or to banish- ment, or to confiscation i or to imprisonment. \ Blessed be the Lord Cod of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the kind's heart, to beautify the house Off the Lord which is in Jerusalem : \\ | And hath extended mercy unto me before the Una and his counsellors, and I !1 the king's mi{ princes ; and I was strength. SI the hand of the Lord ui\ was upon me, and 1 -ether out of Israel chief m< ft) up with me. K, \ . w ii. tin- ten horns which thou u .tie ten kings, which hare no kingdom as yet ; hut power as kings one hour , the beast ^ - which thou va\\< >t np«r beast, these shall hate th< w I and shall make her deso naked, and shall « at bet flesh, burn her witi. i I 124 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXI. doeth good unto all ; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be ful- filled. Neh. xiii. 15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine-presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses ; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusa- lem on the sab bath-day : and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. Ver. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evii thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath-day ? Ver. 21. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall ? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. Ver. 22. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath- day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Ver. 25. And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and pluck- ed off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Ver. 30. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business. 2 Kings xxiii. 5. And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn in- cense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem ; them also that burnt incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. Ver. 6. And he brought • out the grove from the house of the Lord, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burnt it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powr- der thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. Ver. 9. Nevertheless, the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. Ver. 20. And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burnt men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. Ver. 21. And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 33. And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the chil- dren of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chron. xv. 12. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord Gcd of their fathers with all their heart, and with all their soul; Ver. 13. That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether Chap. XXI. The Confession of Faith. 125 and with all the soul, and with all the might a. But the ac- ceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited bv his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of whether man or woman. Ver. 16. And al>o concerning Maachah, the mother of Am the king, he remov- ed her from being queen, bei she had made an idol in a ROYe: and Asa cut down lier idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. Ddii. hi. 89. There- fore 1 make a decree. That I people, nation, and 1 which speak _ imiSfl - >d or Shadrachj Me- >hach,and Abed-ueLrn. shall he cut in piece-, and their bouses shall he made a dunghill ; because th« no Other ur"(i that can tie! 1 Tim. ii. lJ. Foi k and tor all that are in authority ; that iy lead a quiet f| able life in all g 8 and JOnesty. [ML x 1 i x . S i. And shall M thy nursing-fathers, and their queem thy nursing-mot] ! bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick uj) tin* dint ot t: ind thou shalt I am the Lord ! tor they shall not he ashamed h. xiii. 2. And it shall tO pass in that nitfa the Lord ot bOfttj that I w ill if the names m tin* idol* out of the land, and they shall no more memberrd : and also I « ill cause tlu- prophets and the unclean spiiit to pa>s out ot the land. \Yi. to pass, that .11 yet prophec) , then 1 hi> inothrr that U - to him, I shalt not live ; !<>i thoil *p« akot lies in the MUM of the Lotd ! and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. I. Miom. i. . the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, befog understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ; lOthat they are without •. I ii. 94. God, that made the world, and all t! ing that 1. il I 'itl of u and earth, dwelleth not iu temples made with hands. INal. 1 hou art good: teach* me thy statutes. Jer. Who would not tear th King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain : forasmuch ; all the m ise men ot the na! and in all their kingdoms, there is none like i; -vc th.- 1 !l ye veth iful, and plentiful)] iid doer. & I will call upon the I ay to 1) I ; s«, shall I be saved from mine . Rom. I is no diili ; | the Jen and the I .11 that i him. PBaL l\ii. f at all ti:. : ! and srive him in truth, and put aw. Is af the flood, and in 126 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXI. of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy scripture5. II. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone c: not to angels, saints, or any other creature d: and, since the fall, not with- out Egypt: and serve ye the Lord. Mark xii. 33. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neigh- bour as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacri- fices. b Deut. xii. 32. What things so- ever I command you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the com- mandments of men. Acts xvii. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. Mat. iv. 9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Ver. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written, Thou shalt wor- ship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. £Deut. xv. to the 20th Verse7\ Exod. xx. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth be- neath, or that is in the water under the earth. Ver. 5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me : Ver. 6. And shewing mercy unto thousands of them « that love me, and keep my com- mandments. Col. ii. 23. Which things have indeed a shew of wis- dom in will-worship and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. II. cMat. iv. 10. \^See before in letter V] With John v. 23. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. And 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. d Col. ii. 18. Let no man be- guile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility, and worship- ping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. Rev. xix. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him : and he said unto me, See thou do it not ; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus ; worship God : for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rom. i. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. eJohn Chap. XXI. The Confession of Faith. 127 out a Mediator: nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone e. III. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship f, is bv God required of all men*; and, that it mav be accepted, it is to 1)j made in the name of the Sonh, bv the help of his S] irit1, according to his willk, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance1; and, if vocal, in a known tongue"1. IV. Prayer c John xiv. G. .Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the lite: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. 1 Tim. ii. & For there ii one God, and one Mediator between God and the man Christ JcSUS. Kph. ii. Is. For through him we both ha. access by one Spirit unto th> tlier. Cot iii. 17. And w I ye do in word or deed, do all in the nana* oi the Lord JeSUSj giving thank d and the Father by him. III. f Phil. iv. 8. Be careful for nothing : but in prayer and supplication witli thanksLrivinir, let your requeftl be made known onto Ciod. 1 I thou that hi-ar- dn-e shall all llesh oome I i. And wi. y»- shall a>k in my name, that will i do, that the I be glori- fied In tin- Son- Ver. 1 J. l! ye shall ask any thing in my namr, I will do it. 1 Pet ii. '>■ \ '•■ ibOj II live- buill up a spiritual hous< 1 1 < d \ pin sthood, to offer up spiritual table l<> ( kmI l»y JeeUI < hri-t. Rom* \ ni. m. Likewise the >p'nit also lulptth our infirmities : i.a ire knot nofl what we should is we mi-lit : but the Sni- rit i: keth intercession lor U with ^roanings which cannot be uttered. k 1 John v. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in hun, that if we ask any thing acconl- iiur to his will, he heareth us. Peal xlvii. 7. For God is the of all the earth : ling ye praises with understanding. \'.cl\. v. 1. Keep thy foot when thou I to the bouse of God, anil be more ready to hear, than to tin' Mfriftm of fool*: lor they con- sider not that they do evil. V- Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be ha>ty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth : therefore let thy words be few, 1Kb. xii.i2s. Whereforej s I kingdom which cannot In- moved, let Ul haw jiace, wlu ceptably, with re and godrj Gen* w iii. 97. And Abraham an- swered and said, Heboid now. 1 taken upon me to speak unto thr Lord, Which am but dtlSfl ashes. .I.iiii. s v. hi. ( fault* thai ye i heal- ed : the effectual u i \ eut nan avaiietii n J it let him a*k in faith, nothi be that waveii-th is like | : the sea, ith the wind, and tossed. I I \, 128 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXI. IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawful11, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter ° ; but not for the deadp, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death q. V. The Ver. 7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Mark xi. 24. There- fore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mat. vi. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Ver. 14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also for- give you. Ver. 1 5. But if ye for- give not men their trespasses, nei- ther will your Father forgive your trespasses. Col. iv. 2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all per- severance and supplication for all saints. m 1 Cor. xiv. 14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. IV. n £1 John v. 14. See letter* /] 0 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men : Ver. 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. John xv ii. 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. 2 Sam. vii. 29. Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee : for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it; and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. Ruth iv. 12. And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, (whom Tamar bare unto Judah,) of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman. P2 Sam.xii. 21. Then said his ser- vants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done ? Thou didst fast and weep for the child while it was alive ; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. Ver. 22. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept : for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live ? Ver. 23. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again ? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. With Luke xvi. 25. But Abraham said, Son, re- member that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things : but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Ver. 26. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you can- not ; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. Rev. xiv. 1 3. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write; Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them. i 1 John v. 16. If any man see his Chap. XXI. The Confession of Faith. 129 V. The reading of the scriptures with gcxllv fearr; the sound preaching1, and conscionable hearing of the word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and re- verence1: singing of psalms with grace in the heart T ; also the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordi- nary religious worship of God w : besides religious oaths11 and his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall a>k, and he shall give him lite for them that sin not unto death. There i> a sin unto death : I do not say that hall pray for it. v. i Acts xt. 81. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the ry sabbath-day. . Blessed is he that reaoV- eth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep I written therein : for the time is at hand. ■2 Tim. iv. & Preach the word, be instant in season, out < : rebuke, exhort, with all id doctrine. Hi But fa n of the word, and not hearers only, de- »ur own lelves. Aj : Dinetliately therefore I sent to 1 tilOU ha>t well done that thou art come. Now thei we all here present h 1, to hear all thinLr> th I nmanded thee Of God -Mat. xiii. IS. When any one heareth the word of the lorn, and understandeth it not, thm oorneth the wicked one, and ■ th away that which was sown in hi- heart : this is he which red seed by t; .'. I M onto us was the gOtpel p; as well ai tlu in: but the word preached did ii(»t profit tlu in, not befall mixed with faith ill them that heard it. Ixvi. 2. For all those t hath mine hand made, an those things have b< th the Lord: but to this man will I look, to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and tremble: my word. >1. ill. it;. Let the word ot rt dwell in you richly fa id adm< ne another in psalms, and hymi tiritual - with _ . i your I Lord. Kph. v. 19. vp dril yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual SOI making melody in your the Lord. James r« IS. Ei >u afflicted? let him pray. . merry? let bin. iii l!». ( I teach all nat cm in the name of th of the Son, and of the I -t. £l ('or. \i. 89.]] Ad tinned >tedt'a>tlv in the apostles' ine and fellowship, and ill D ! him. With Neh. \. J4'. '1 brethren, theii eoteri oath. I I i\\ . 1 observe and do all the commundnu 1 I 130 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXI. and vowsy, solemn fastings2, and thanksgivings upon special occasions3, which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner b. VI. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious wor- ship, is, now under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by, any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed0: but God is to be wor- shipped every where d in spirit and in truth e; as in private families our God, and his judgments and his statutes. y Isa. xix. 21. And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyp- tians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and ob- lation ; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perfonn it. WithEccl. v. 4. When thou vow- est a vow unto God, defer not to pay it, for he hath no pleasure in fools ; pay that which thou hast vowed. Ver. 5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. z Joel ii. 1 2. Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fast- ing, and with weeping, and with mourning. Esth. iv. 16. Go, gather together all the Jews that are pre- sent in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day ; I also and my maidens will fast likewise, and so wTill I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law ; and if I perish, I perish. Mat. ix. 15. And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bride-chamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them ? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 1 Cor. vii. 5. Defraud ye not one the other, except it oe with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer ; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. a QPsal. cvii. throughout.^ Esth. ix. 22. As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day : that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. b Heb. xii. 28. Wherefore, we re- ceiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, where- by we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. VI. c John iv. 21 . Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall nei- ther in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. d Mai. i. 11. For from the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be of- fered unto my name, and a pure offering : for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. I Tim. ii. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, with- out wrath and doubting. e John iv. 23. But the hour cometh. Chap. XXI. The Confession of Faith. Vol families f daily g, and in secret each one by himself h; so more solemnly in the publick assemblies, which arc not carelessly or wilfully to be neglected or for-aken, when God, by his word or providence, calleth thereunto1. VII. Am cometh, and now is, when the true -hall worship the Fa- ther in spirit and in truth: for the Father teefreth such to worship him. Yer. 9k (rod i- a Spirit ; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. f Jer. >.. ur out thy upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that eall not on thy name : far they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate. Deutvi.6. And tli.- \ hich I command thee thll all he in thine heart: V 1 thou -halt teach them diligently unto thy children ; and >halt talk of them when thou t in thine house, and when thou | by the way, and when thou . and when thou risest up. Job i. •'>. And k when th. lOOUt, that .lo\) and - early in the morning, and oli burnt-offerings, a the numbei of then all : far Job i It may he that my BOM 1 ned,andcur>ed God in their In Thus did Job ooatmuaDr. S 8 mi. H. 18. A d U SOOO a> David had an end oi burnt- . he blessed tl ffldoi hi '-. \ I hen David returned to hi. hold. i iw. hi. :. Likewbi dwell with them » knowledge, giving honour as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heir- of the grace of life ; tl prayers he not hindered. x. 2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his bouse, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. I at. vi. 11. Give us this day our daily hread. h Mat. vi. & But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy d and, when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father whic: cret ; and thy Father which I ■ret >hail reward thee openly. Kph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer ami Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, ami suppli- cation lor all sai Im. Ivi. (J. Abo the so; stranger, that join therm the Lord, to serve him, ami to lore the name of the Lord, to I rants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and tak- eth hold of my covenant : Kven them will I bring t<> mj mountain, and make them joyful in my house ot prayer : their DUrut- IgS and their sacriii. > d upon mil mine house shall he called .. Iyer tor all people. • making the SSs of oui :ut. as the i. ner of some ii another : and so much the ye mt th. th \n ithout, she . oJot in tin- str» \ th in t: 132 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXI. VII. As it is of the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God ; so, in his word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual command- ment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly ap- pointed one day in seven for a sabbath, to be kept holy unto himk: which, from the beginning of the world to the resur- rection of Christ, was the last day of the week ; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week *, which in scripture is called the Lord's Day m, and place of concourse, in the openings of the gates : in the city she utter- eth her words, saying, Ver. 24. Be- cause I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. Prov. viii. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Acts xiii. 42. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Luke iv. 16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up : and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and stood up for to read. Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fel- lowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. VII. kExod. xx. 8. Remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Ver. 10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-ser- vant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stran- ger that is within thy gates. Ver. 11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-day, and hal- lowed it. Isa. lvi. 2. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it : that keepeth the sabbath from pol- luting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Ver. 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my cove- nant. Ver. 6, 7. \^See in letter'1.^ 1 Gen. ii. 2. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made : and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Ver. 3. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanc- tified it : because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 1 Cor. xvi. 1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Ver. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath pros- pered him, that there be no ga- therings when I come. Acts xx. 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came to- gether to break bread, Paul preach- ed unto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued his speech until midnight. mRev. i. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. 11 Exod. Chap. XXI. The Confession of Faith. 133 and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath n. VIII. This sabbath is then kept holv unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs before-hand, do nut only observe holv rest all the dav from their own work-*, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreatMM but n Exod. xx. 8, 10. [See letter* 7\ With Mat. v. 17. Think not thai I am come to destroy the law or the prophets : I am not come to destroy, hut to fulfil. Ver. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall it. ass from the law, till all he fulfilled. VIII. I iod. xx. 8. t8et UU r l.xod. xv ':. unto them, This H that which the Lord hath -aid. To-morrow i> the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord : hake that which ye will hake to-day, and seethe that die ; and that which remaineth over lay up tor you, to he- kept until the morning. Ver. And Moeei said, Kat that t - ; tor to-day i- a sahhath unto the Lord: to-day ye dial! not find it in the field. v ye shall gather it ; hut on toe which i< the I ahhath, iii it there nail be none. Vi • »r that th" Lord hath siren - ihhath, therefore be etfa you on the nxth day the bread of tn abide j man in his place, let DO I out of bii place on the seventh Ver. :{o. So the tin- seventh d i '*. BU dayi may "<>i k '• . but in the seventh is tin- sahhath ot rest, holy to the Lord : whoso- doeth any work in the sab- hath-day, he -\i all Miiely be put I i. I'.. When fore the children of Israel shall keep the sahhath, to observe the sahhath throughout their generations, a perpetual covenant Ver. 17. It between me and the chil- dren of Israel tor ever: lor in six the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. La. lviii. IS. It thou turn away thy foot from the sahhath, from do- ure on my holy day, and call the sahhath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and Bhalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor S] thine own Xeh. xiii. 1j. In those days nw I En Jud treading wine-pri hath, and bringing . and lading asi uso win and hgs, and all manner of hur- . which they brought int ruaalem on t!. ; iv : and dnat them in the wherein they sold victuals. 1 here dwelt men also therein, which I all mana 1 on the labbath unto the childn Judahj and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the noblei ulah, and said unto them, • evil thing is this thai \ 18. Did not j and did not our (iod I this i vd upon us, and upon this 134 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXII. but also are taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of neces- sity and mercy p. CHAP. XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows. \ LAWFUL oath is a part of religious worship % where- -*•*- in, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth or promiseth ; and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth b. II. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence0: therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, upon Israel, by profaning the sabbath. Ver. 19. And it came to pass, that, when the gates of Je- rusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath : and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no bur- den be brought in on the sabbath- day. Ver. 21. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. Ver. 22. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanc- tify the sabbath-day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. p Isa. lviii. 13. \^See in letter °. Mat. xii. 1. to the ISth Versed} I. aDeut. x. 20. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God ; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. b Exod. xx. 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Lev. xix. 12. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God : I am the Lord. 2 Cor. i. 23. Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 2 Chron. vi. 22. If a man sin against his neigh- bour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house : Ver. 23. Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head, and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteous- ness. II. c Deut. vi. 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. d Exod. Chap. XXII. The Confession of Faith. 135 thin^, is sinful, and to be abhorred d. Yet aft, in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the word of God under the New Testament, as well as under the 01de; so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters, ought to be taken f. III. Whosoever taketh an oath, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch no- thing but what he is fully persuaded is the truth K Neither may any man bind himself by oath to any thing but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to he, and what lie ble and resolved to perform h. Vet it i- a -in to refuse an El EX. 7. [See Ltter*r\ Jer. v. 7. How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken kod BWOrn by them tliat are no sous: when I i\.'d them to the full, they then C >mm:lted adultery, aud nbled themselves by troops in the harlots1 houses. Mat \ But I say unto you. Swear not at all: neither by heaven, for it i> - throne. \ Hut let your communication b.. Y( a. yea; r what- more • meth of evil. James But above all things, my not ; neither by neither bj the earth, nev iath: but ht udeinnation. [{ b. \ i. I nun verily i by th« : and an oath : >r confii mal to them an rndotalNti'f .J El That he who blesseth himself in the earth, shall bless hiueelf ill the (ind Of truth ; and he that >weaivth in the all iwear by tin- ( Sod <>i truth : trouble! nd because they are hid from inn 1 DngS viii. I ;. I : .my man trespass aj_'ain*i his m an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house. Xeh. xiii. S&. Ami I contended with them, and CUTSed them, and smote certain of them, and pluck- ed oil' th . and made them BWeai by shall not your daughters unto their . nor take their daughters unto your sons, or tor yourselres, Ezra Then SI ind made the chief priests, the Levites. and all Israel, to -wear that they should do according to this word: and I'll.-' Kxod. xx. 7. £Scc!eto .b r. iv. 2. And thou shalt If The Lord liveth, in truth, in men t, and in i 1 the 01 shall bless then - him, anil in him shall they glory. - n. wiv. 8. And Abiaham said unto his rid ait of hi> - . that ruled over all that lie Put, I praj thee, thy hand i my thigh: \ knd I « ill make thee iwi ai by the Lord, the 1 and tli. I the earth, that thou shalt not take i 1 dwell* I I the unto him, l\ra»: tun- .in ■ ill \n ill- untu t. must 136 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXII. an oath touching any thing that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority \ IV. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation k. It cannot oblige to sin ; but in any thing not sinful, being ta- ken, it binds to performance, although to a man's own hurt1; nor must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou earnest ? Ver. 6. And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou, that thou bring not my son thither again. Ver. 8. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath : only bring not my son thi- ther again. Ver. 9. And the ser- vant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter. lNumb. v. 19. And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy hus- band, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse. Ver. 21. Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of curs- ing ; and the priest shall say unto the woman, The Lord make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the Lord doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell. Neh. v. 12. Then said they, We will restore them, and will re- quire nothing of them ; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do accord- ing to this promise. Exod. xxii. 7. If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house ; if the thief be found, let him pay double. Ver. 8. If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods. Ver. 9. For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any mariner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges ; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neigh- bour. Ver. 10. If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep ; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it : Ver. 11. Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods ; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. IV. k Jer. iv. 2. £See letters.^ Psal. xxiv. 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart : who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 1 1 Sam. xxv. 22. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that per- tain to him by the morning-light any that pisseth against the wall. Ver. 32. And David said to Abi- gail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me : Ver. 33. And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. Chap. XXII. The Confession of Faith. 137 nor is it to be violated, although made to hereticks or infidels m. V. A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like faithfulness n. VI. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone0: and that it may be accepted, it is to be mad* luntarily, hand. Ver. 34 For in very deed, as the Lord God of (trad liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst d and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning-light any that pined] against the wall. IV. i In 1 I vile n is contemned ; but be ho- noureth them that feat the Lord: he tl. eth to his own hurt, and \-i not. Ezek. xvii. l(j. Ai I live^aith the Lord God. surely in tfatt place where the king dwelleth that him king, whose <>ath he and whose covenant he brake, even with him. in the mid>' Sylon he shall die. - 9 Ing he despised the oath, by breakii | -ant, (when, Jo, lie had ghren bil hand.) and hath done all these thing shall not escape. V, i. 19, 1 thus saith the Lord I A> I \ \ c surely mine oath that he hath !. and n ■Bnt that he hath brol upon his own head. Josh. ,\. IK. And the hhildi trad smote them not, ise the princes of the aregation had nrorn unto them by thr Lord God Oi I and afl t! :ion niuii! St thr J. |«(. But all the prinoi - said unto all the rogation, We have swum un- to them i>> the Lord rael : now therefore we may not touch them. With L2 Sam. x\i. 1. Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; ami David en- quired of the Lord: and the Lord answered, It is for Saul and his ly house, because he the Gibeoni' V. »Isa- xix. 91. And the I. shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians Shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacritice and oblation, yea. they shall vow a vow unto the Lot per- form it. Eocl v. i. When thou fOWest a row unto dod, not to pay it : for he hath no pleasure in fools ; pay that which thou hast vowed. \ < r. ~>. Better is it that thou shouldest not than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. \ « a . I. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh t<> sin, neither say thou before the ai that it was an error : whe should God be angry at thy . and i thine bandi ? P$ ii* l\i. B. So v. ill I BUI unto thy nam. t I may d my \ itli bill' - I il paj tl, I \ 1, and my mouth hath ppofaflj when l was in trouble. \ 1. fta! Kwi. 1 1. Vow. and onto tl.. I : ! your i - let all tl. 138 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXII luntarily, out of faith, and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want ; whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties, or to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto p. VII. No man may vow to do any thing forbidden in the word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein com- manded, or which is not in his own power, and for the per- formance whereof he hath no promise or ability from God q. In bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. Jer. xliv. 25. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely per- form our vows that we have vow- ed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-of- ferings unto her : ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Ver. 26. Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt, Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God liveth. p Deut. xxiii. 21. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it : for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee ; and it would be sin in thee. Ver. 22. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. Ver. 23. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform ; even a free-will-ofFering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast pro- mised with thy mouth. Psal. 1. 14. Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the most High. Gen. xxviii. 20. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on; Ver. 21. So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God. Ver. 22. And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house : and of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee. 1 Sam. i. 11. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remem- ber me, and not forget thine handmaid, but will give unto thine handmaid a man-child, then will I give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. Psal. lxvi. 13, 14. \_See letter ".^ Psal. cxxxii. 2. How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob. Ver. 3. Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed ; Ver. 4. I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Ver. 5. Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. VII. Q Acts xxiii. 12. And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded Chap. XXIII. The Confession of Faith. 139 In which respects, Popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself r. CHAP. XXIII. Of the Civil Magistrate. /^ 01), the supreme Lord an *^ ordained civil magistrate magistrates to King be of all the world, hath under him over the people, banded together, and bound them- ttfrei under a c . iiiLr, that thev would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Ver. 14. And they came to the chief pricatl and elders and said, We have bound ourselves under a j:reat . that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Mark . And the k i 1 1 lt was exet-ed- »rry ; yet tor his oath's sake, and for "their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. Numb. | Hut if her father disallow her in the day that he •th, not any of her vow of her bonds, wherewith she hath bound her IOuL shall stand : and i .<>id shall forgive her, bfffilftf ither disallowed her. \ Hut if her husband disallow her on the dav that he heard it ; then he nail make hei row which she d, and that which she otter- ed with her lins, wherewith she bound her soul, of no: . and the I her. i I But if her husband hath \y made them void on the div be beard them ; then arhat- r proceeded out «»t bei lips, fag the bond of her soul, shall DOt Hand : her buthand hath made them void; and t!. I gife her. Ver, 13. Kvery vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. r Mat. xix. 11. But he said un- to them, All men cannot receive this sayi. I whom it . i ■::. V, r. 1 J. Pof there are some eunuchs, which wer born from their mother's womb ; and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men ; and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of h -ike: he that is able to recerre it, let him re- ceive it. 1 Cor, vii. & Neverthe- less, to avoid fornication, let t man have his own wile, and let every promanhave her own hus- band. Vet. !'• Hut if they cannot contain, let them many : tor it i- better to many than to burn. Bph. iv. It him that stole, Iteal DO more S but rather let him labour, working with I. thing which is good, that he to him that oeedeth. i I I he no longer should live the rett of time in the I] I he lusts of men, but to the M ill ol I 1 | aie bOUghl with a Dfi the sii I. »R 140 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIII. people, for his own glory, and the publick good; and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers a. II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto b: in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth0; so, for that end, they may law- fully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions d. III. The I. aRom. xiii. 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God. Ver. 2. Whosoever there- fore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to them- selves damnation. Ver. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power ? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Ver. 4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vain : for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 1 Pet. ii. 13. Submit yourselves to every ordi- nance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as su- preme; Ver. 14. Or unto gover- nors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. II. b Prov. viii. 1 5. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. Ver. 16. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 4. \^See in letter ^ c Psal. ii. 10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings : be in- structed, ye judges of the earth. Ver. 11. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Ver. 12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little : blessed are all they that put their trust in him. 1 Tim. ii. 2. For kings, and for all that are in au- thority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Psal. lxxxii. 3. De- fend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Ver. 4. Deliver the poor and needy ; rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 1 Pet. ii. 13. [_See in letter \~2 d Luke iii. 14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, say- ing, And what shall we do ? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages. Rom. xiii. 4. \^See letter a/] Mat. viii. 9. For I am a man un- der authority, having soldiers un- der me : and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth: and to ano- ther, Chap. XXIII. The Confession of Faith. 141 III. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven4 : yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies be Blip- pressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and disci- pline ther, ( and he cometh: and to my Krvaot, Do this, and he doeth it. Ver. 10. When J< heard it, he marvelled, and to them that followed, Verily I my unto yon, I have not found eat taith, no, DOt in I>rael. x. 1. Then .tain man in I called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian Band, \\ : . i \ devout man, and one that feared with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, prayed toGodalwar. Kiev* xvii. 11. i ihall make war with tlie Lamb, and the Lamb shall nine them : tor he i> Lord Of lords, and Kiiilt of kiiiLr> : and they that art- with him an- called, and' choSSD, and faithful. Vi I And the ten hOTDl which thon aawest upon the beast, these ihall the whoie, and ihall make I and naked, and ihall eat her flesh, ami burn her with III. « a Chron. ixvi i^. And they withstood I the kin-, and' laid UntO him, It appertain- ed! nnt unto tine, Dzziah, to burn incense unto tin* Lord, but e priesti th.«- iooi <>t Aaron, that to hnrn in- _o <»ut ot the HUM tl i ; neither shall it hi- for thine honour the I. oid God. With Malth. wiii. i , . And ii lie shall n< to beat them, tell it UUl church: but if he neglect to hurch, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publi- can. Ami Mat. xvi. 19. And I will give UntO thee the kc\ the kingdom of heaven :" and whatsoever thon ihalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven : and p -er thon shalt . (-n earth, shall be loosed in heaven. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath i in the church ;f sties; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, : alter that miracles ; then ^rius of healings, hi rem- ments, divers ties Ver. SO. Are all SpostleS? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all woraers of miracles? Eph.hr. LI, And he irave some apostles, ami some prophets, and some ind some pastors and t< i I For the for tin- ivorfc of the ministry, lor the edifying of the "i Christ i Cor. hr, i a m.: DOUnt of lis a- of the minis! of the nrj , it i^ i. tuired in - aids, that a man be found faith- ful. H \. [5. And ! ritten, H itiful are the I i preach the glad tidings o( And no man t.iki th thu I " ba. 142 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIII. pline prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed f. For the better effecting f Isa. xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursing-mothers : they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord : for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Psal. cxxii. 9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good. Ezra vii. 23. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven : for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons ? Ver. 25. And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are be- yond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God ; and teach ye them that know them not. Ver. 26. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to im- prisonment. Ver. 27. Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: Ver. 28. And hath extended mercy unto me before the king and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes ; and I was strengthened, as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. Lev. xxiv. 16. And he that blas- phemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death: and all the congregation shall cer- tainly stone him : as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death. Deut. xiii. 5. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, (because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God com- manded thee to walk in,) so shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. Ver. 6. If thy bro- ther, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, en- tice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers : Ver. 12. If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying, &c. 2 Kings xviii. 4. He removed the high places, and brake the images, aud cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made : for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it, and he called it Nehushtan. £l Chron. xiii. 1. to the 9th Verse. 2 Kings xxiii. 1. to the 26th Verse^ 2 Chron. xxxiv. 33. And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were pesent in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And Chap. XXIII. The Confession of Faith. 143 effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be pre- sent at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in thern be according to the mind of God g. IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates h, to honour their persons1, to pay them tribute and other dues*, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority for conscience1 sake1. Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrate's just and I authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathe. hron. xv. L8. And they Hit I lid into a covenant, to Seek the Lord God of their fa- . with all their heart, and with all their soul ; Yer. IS. That w ho- uki not seek the Lord God of brad should be put to death, whether small or great, ier man or woman. on. xix. 8. Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshapbat of the Lerites, and of«the pri and of the ehiet ot the fathi I Israel, for the judgment of the I and for controversies, v. returned to Jerusalem. Ver. them, sa\ Thus > h : 1 1 1 i in f : ■ I if of thftlllj, and with a ; tod what cause so* you of your bredireo that dwell in their oitief 'i blood and blood, law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ararn then that they I pass not against the Lord, and s * >u, and ; your brethren : thu I ye shall not trespass. Ver. 1 1. And. \mariah the chief priest • Lord ; and Zehadiah, the son of lael, the ruler of the house Of Judah, tor all the ku ters : also the Levites shall be of- ficers before you. Deal courage- ously, and the Lord shall he with the good. [2 Chron. Cktu 1 Matth. iL 4. And when he baa gathered all the ehiet priests and scribei of the people together, he demanded of them it should he born. >. And to y v;ti,l unto him, In Bethlehem of .fudea : lor thus it i> written hv the prophet. IV. • 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort therefore, that, first ot all, suppli- cations, prayers, aitnrrc anions, and giving or thanks, be made tor all men : Ver. & For kings, and tor all that are in authority ; that w, may lead a cjuiet and ble life in all -odliues* and honesty. 1 Pi I ii. 17. Honour all men. the brotherhood. 1 Honour the k Ron for thr* cause pay you tribal they rinuaHy upon this | ■ all their tribal n I i « to Ul, h,>_ now honour. 1 1< • refore re DBUSl needs be > Tit. iii. I. Put th« mind to he tub ipali- 144 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIII. to himm: from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempt- ed11; much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people ; and least of all to deprive them of their dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be hereticks, or upon any other pretence whatsoever °. CHAP. ties and powers, to obey magis- trates, to be ready to every good work. m 1 Pet. ii. 13.v Submit your- selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme ; Ver. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Ver. 16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of malicious- ness, but as the servants of God. n Rom. xiii. 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God ; the powers that be are ordained of God. 1 Kings ii. 35. And the king put Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, in his room, over the host ; and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar. Acts xxv. 9. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Ver. 10. Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged ; to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. Ver. 11. For if I be an offender, or have commit- ted any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die : but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I ap- peal unto Cesar. 2 Pet. ii. 1. But there were false prophets also 13 among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in dam- nable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. Ver. 10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness, and despise govern- ment: presumptuous are they, self- willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Ver. 11. Where- as angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not rail- ing accusation against them before the Lord. Jude, ver. 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and j speak evil of dignities. Ver. 9. j Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, (he dis- puted about the body of Moses,) durst not bring against him a rail- ing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Ver. 10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt them- selves. Ver. 11. Woe unto them ! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 0 2 Thess. ii. 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is wor- shipped ; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Rev. xiii. 15. Chap. XXIV. The Confession of Faith. 145 CHAP. XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce. 1Y/TARRIAGE is to be between one man and one wo- -U-*- man : neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time\ II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of hus- band and wifeb; for the increase of mankind with a i delate i»ue, and of the church with an holy seedc; and for preventing of unclcannessd. III. It ifl lawful for all sorts of people to marrv who are able with judgment to give their consent6 : vet it is the dutv of xiii. 15. And he had power to irive life unto the image of the 1 that the image of the beat! should both speak, ai that as many mid not worship the image of tin* bea>t should be killed. \Yr. In. Ami 1 all, both small and irreat, rich and poor, tree and bond, to a mark in their jjfffat hand, or in their foreh. I 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save be that had the mark, or the name of* the beast, Of the DUmbtf Of his name. I. 'Geo. ii. 24. Ti iball in leave his lather and his mother, and shall ( -leave unto QU and they shall be one flesh. And | this Cause shall a man leave lather and mother, and shall cleave to his sain shall b. flesh, v.i. (.. \v they are no more twain, but one ile>h. What thi hath joined her, let not man put asunder. ii. l :. Which forsaketh the guide of I thj and forgetteth tin- covenant of h< II. ' Geo. ii. l& And the I.oid God nUL it that the man should I* I will make him an help meet tor him. Ial. ii. 15. And did not he make one ? Vet had he the residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one? That he miirht seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to rit. and let none deal treacherously against the wite of his youth. d 1 Cor. vii. 2, Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let e\ have his own wite, and let* - woman have her own huffa Ver. 9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: tor it is better to marry than to burn. III. ■Heb, xiii. 1. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed un- defiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 1 • PorUddiflg tO marry, and commanding to abstain meats, which God hath created to be received with thanks them whieh believe and kuo truth. 1 Cor. vii. 36. Bui U man think that he behaveth him- inoomeb towank h it she pass the tl and i let hi- what he smooth them iiui; ;. . V. \ less, he that stande' his I. no luvt- hath j 146 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIV. of Christians to marry only in the Lordf. And therefore such as profess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, Papists, or other idolaters: neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresies g. IV. Marriage hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. Ver. 38. So then, he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. Gen. xxiv. 57. And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. Ver. 58. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man ? And she said, I will go. f 1 Cor." vii. 39. The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth ; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. s Gen. xxxiv. 14. And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised ; for that were a reproach unto us. Exod. xxxiv. 16. And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whor- ing after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. Deut. vii. 3. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them ; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. Ver. 4. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. 1 Kings xi. 4. For it came to pass, when Solo- mon was old, that his wives turn- ed away his heart after other gods : and his heart was not per- fect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. Neh. xiii. 25. And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and pluck- ed off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daugh- ters unto your sons, or for your- selves. Ver. 26. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things ? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel : nevertheless, even him did out- landish women cause to sin. Ver. 27. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God, in marrying strange wives ? Mai. ii. 11. Judah hath dealt treach- erously, and an abomination is committed in Israel, and in Je- rusalem : for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. Ver. 12. The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this : the master and the scholar out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts. 2 Cor. vi. 14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righte- ousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ? IV. h [Xev. Chap. XXIV. The Confession of Faith. 147 IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of con- sanguinity or affinity forbidden in the word h ; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by anv law of man, or consent of parties, so as those pel live together as man and wife1. The man mav not marrv anv of his wife's kindred nearer in blood than he mav of hi> own, nor the woman of her husband's kindred Dean blood than of her own k. V. Adultery or fornication committed after a contra being detected before marriage, givethjust occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract1. In the case o! adulfe IV. h [Lev. Chapter xviii.^ .1 Cor. v. l. It i> reported monly that there is fornication amo! efa fornication as is DDOQg the I that one should have Amos ii. 7. That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn tjide tft of the meek ; and a man and hi> lather will Lro in unto the same maid, to pi my holy m .Mark vi. 10. For John hail unto Herod, It i> not I e thy brother*! wife. I tll«M* t! in all these the nations are defiled h I cast out . OU : Vcr. ■ 1 do vi-it tin- inimiity tl. ■POO it, and the land it>elf voinit- eth out her inhabitant! I • N p my statutes and my judgments, and -hall not lit any ot these abominations; iit-itl : • Mir own nation, rneth BSBOOfl ymi : \ ahomina: <• the men ot the land dour, wh'u h were be' and the I .. I yuu out also, when ye defde it, 8J out the nations that wt k L not uncover the nakl mother's sister, nor of th\ .. tister: tor he un« their iniquity. And it .11 Ue with hit uik .. covered his uncle'* oakedl shall hear their sin ; .1 die childless. \\r. 31. And shall take blfl hi it is an unclean thin-: he When as his cam. child of the Ii The! ju^t man, and not \\ her a publick exa ad to put li. But while he thou things, behold • loM'ph, thoil ^". • I 1 » take unt • I in her 148 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIV. adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce m, and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead n. VI. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage; yet nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be re- medied by the church or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage0 : wherein a publick and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed, and the per- sons concerned in it not left to their own wills and discre- tion in their own case p. CHAP. m Mat. v. 31. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: Ver. 32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whoso- ever shall marry her that is di- vorced, committeth adultery. n Mat. xix. 9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for forni- cation, and shall marry another, committeth adultery : and whoso marrieth her which is put away, doth commit adultery. Rom. vii. 2. For the woman which hath an husband, is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth : but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Ver. 3. So then, if while her hus- band liveth she be married to an- other man, she shall be called an adulteress : but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law ; so that she is no adulteress though she be married to another man. " VI. ° Mat. xix. 8. He saith unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives : but from the beginning it was not so. Ver. 9. \^See letter V] 1 Cor. vii. 15. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases : but God hath called us to peace. Mat. xix. 6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined to- gether, let no man put asunder. p Deut. xxiv. 1. When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her; then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Ver. 2. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. Ver. 3. And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house ; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife ; Ver. 4. Her former husband which sent her away may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomi- nation before the Lord : and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Chap. XXV. The Confession of Faith. 149 CHAP. XXV. Of the Church. rpHE catholick or universal church, which is invisible, -^- consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all*. II. The liable church, which is also catholick or uni- A under the gospel, (not confined to one nation, before under the law,) consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion b, together with their child ren which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. I. aFph. i. 10. That fin the dis- ition of the fulness of times he ■right trather together in one all ist, both which are in ■u, and which are 00 earth, even in him, \ And hath put all things under his feet, and m him to be the head over all thing* to the church, Ver. & Which is >dv, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Fph. v. 83. For the husband is the head of the wile, even a> Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of fa body. Ver. §y. That he might present it to himsell a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or. toy .such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 32. This is a great mystei y : but I sj>eak concerning Christ and the cliurch. CoL J. 18. And he is the head of the body, the church ; who is the beginning', the lir.st-bom from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminen II. b 1 Cor. i. ft Tut.) the church «jf God which is at Co- rinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ J died to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the n.i lesus Chri>t our Lord, both theirs and I 1 Cor. xii. 12. For as the body ie one, and hath many members all the members of that one body, being many, are one body : so also :i>t. Ver. 13. For by oik - - rit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be .Jews a multi- tude, which no man could num- ber, of all nations, anil kim: and people, and tongues, - before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hand-. Kom. -. And that the Gentiles might glorify liod tor L - it is written, For thi> cause I will fete to thee among tlu- I unto thy name. \ • | . lo. And again he aaifth, Rejoice, pa (ientiles, with his |>eople. And again, Praise the Ford, all ye (ientiles ; and laud him people. Ver. ) -' And again Ksaias saith, Tliere shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to the (ientiles, in bliall the Uciitih ■ I I 150 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXV. children0; and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ d, the house and family of Gode, out of which there is no or- dinary possibility of salvation f. III. Unto this catholick visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the ga- thering and perfecting of the saints in this life, to the end of the world ; and doth by his own presence and Spirit, ac- cording to his promise, make them effectual thereunto g. IV. This e l Cor. vii. 14. For the unbe- lieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean ; but now are they holy. Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Ezek. xvi. 20. Moreover, thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast born unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured : is this of thy whore- doms a small matter, Ver. 21. That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them ? Rom. xi. 16. .For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy ; and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Gen. iii. 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed : it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting co- venant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. d Mat. xiii. 47. Again, the king- dom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Isa. ix. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever : the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. eEph. ii. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreign- ers, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Eph. iii. 15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. f Acts ii. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. III. s i Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church ; first, apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that mi- racles ; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some pro- phets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers ; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : Ver. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, Chap. XXV. The Confession of Faith. 151 IV. This catholick church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible h. And particular churc inch are members thereof, are more or le-> pure, according the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordi- nances administered, and publick worship performed d or less purely in them \ V. The purest churches under heaven are subject b to mixture and error k ; and some have so degenerated as t<» become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Sat Neverthel- 58, nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and oi the Holy Ghost: Ver. 90. Teaching them to observe all things wj r I have com- manded you : and, lo, I am with you al way, even unto the end of the world. Amen. I>a. lix. IL If me, this if my covenant with them, saith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, dial] not depart out of thy mouth, nor out ot the mouth of thy Wed. nor out of the mouth of thy m • litfa the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. IV. Horn. xi. 3. Lord, they killed thy prophets, and d down thine altars ; and I am left alone, and they seek my J t what >aith the .. I iod unto hin. I ::iVx'lf ft thousand men, who have not !> iwed the knee to the Kmag B in.in lied into the wildernett, tli a place piepared Qf (rod, that they should thousand two hun- dred and threescore da> knd to tin- woman w i that she miLrht fly into the u ildirne», into her place ; w hen she i- d times, and half a time, fron; the perpent * £Kev. ( U rs ii. QMC jhout.'j 1. (or. v. glorying i> not good. Kno* not that a little leaven leaveiieth the whole lump? \\ r. 7. 1 out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, B unleavened. hriftt our icrificed tor lift Y. ' 1 Cor. xiii. W. 1'or now darkly ; but then face to : iw I km part ; but then shall I ki. 10 1 am known. THev. ( ii. iiml hi.] Mat. xiii. i I Another parable put he forth unto them. . The kingdom of ven is likened unto a man W in his field while men slept, his enemy < and lOWed tares tmOOg the \\ and went his way. But I the blade ling up, and forth fruit, then appeared the ' aNo. dom ot heaven i- that wai the lea, y kind. .-id hi- i mightily \\ it: Ion the great i- fall fallen, a: lion Is, and the hoi ndean and hateful 152 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXV. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth to worship God according to his will m. VI. There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ" : nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God °. CHAP. Rom. xi. 18. Boast not against the branches : but if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Ver. 19. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Ver. 20. Well ; because of unbelief they were broken ofF, and thou standest by faith. Be not high- minded, but fear. Ver. 21. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Ver. 22. Behold therefore the goodness and seve- rity of God: on them which fell, severity ; but toward thee, good- ness, if thou continue in his good- ness ; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. mMat. xvi. 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Psal. Ixxii. 17. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be con- tinued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed. Psal. cii. 28. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Mat. xxviii. 19, 20. \^See in letter */] VI. nCol. i. 18. And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first- born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre- eminence. Eph. i. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. 0 Mat. xxiii. 8. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. Ver. 9. And call no man your father upon earth : for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Ver. 10. Neither be ye called masters : for one is your Master, even Christ. 2 Thess. ii. 3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition : Ver. 4. Who opposeth and exalt- eth himself above all that is call- ed God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Ver. 8. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming : Ver. 9. Even him, whose coming is after the work- ing of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. Rev. xiii. 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. I. a 1 John Chap. XXVI. The Confession of Faith. 153 CHAP. XXVI. Of Communion of Stunts. LL saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory a. A being united to one another in love, they have commiL in each other's gifts and graces b; and are obliged to the performance of such duties, publick and private, as dp conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward outward man c. II. s I. a 1 John i. 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us : and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with hi- -us Christ. Kph. iii. Iti. That he would mot you, according to tin* riches of his glory, to be bened with might by the inner man ; Ver. 1 7. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye, 1 I and grounded in love, Ver. L& M :> ! able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and bright ; v. : to know the lore of Chri>t, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness ot (iod. John i. 16. And of ilness have all we receivi-d, and tfra* Cph. ii. '>. I dead in sins, hath quukriied us together with Christ, | l»y moi ft are sa\ ■ gether, and mad< hwithtlf in heavenly | I 'hrist .1. -..*. Phil. iii. In. That J may know him, and the power ot his resurrection. and tin- fellowship of his m. im:s, being made conformable unto his death. Kom. \ i. >. 1 we have l>een planted tontb the likeness of his death, w r shall be also in the likeness ot hifl resur* rection : Ver. 6. Knowing thil our old man is crucitied with him, that the body of sin might be de- stroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 9 Tim. ii. we sutler, we shall a. with him : if we deny him, be deny us. ;>h. iv. 15. Hut - j the truth in love, may g!OW up into him in all things, which i head, even Christ. Ver. 1U. From whom the whole body fitly joined her, and compacted by which every joint siinplieth. cording to the effectual u the measure of every part, m . tse ot the body, unt I tying of itself in lore, i I ;. ]> ,t the manifestation n ' rit is fftaen to every man to profit withal. 1 Cor. iii*. 21. Thei let no man glory in men : t | things are yours: \' ther Paul, or Apollos, or I or the world, or 1 t, or things present, or things t all in Christ's j aiul Christ is d. ii 19. And not holding the I from which all i\ and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together creaik'ih with the 1 1 'firsv. \ . 11. \\ comfort yourselves togetl. 154 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXVI II. Saints, by profession, are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification d ; as also in relieving each other in out- ward things, according to their several abilities and neces- sities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus e. III. This communion which the saints have with Christ, doth edify one another, even as also ye do. Ver. 14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are un- ruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient to- ward all men. Rom. i. 11. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye maybe established; Ver. 12. That is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me. Ver. 1 4. I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians ; both to the wise and to the unwise. 1 John iii. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Ver. 17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his bro- ther have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Ver. 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed, and in truth. Gal. vi. 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. II. - Heb. x. 24. And let us con- sider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works : Ver. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one ano- ther : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fel- lowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer. Ver. 46. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking of bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Isa. ii. 3. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 1 Cor. xi. 20. When ye come toge- ther therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. e Acts ii. 44. And all that be- lieved were together, and had all things common ; Ver. 45. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 1 John iii. 17. \^See in letter c. 2 Cor. Chapters viii. and ix.] Acts xi. 29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: Ver. 30. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. III. fCoL Chap. XXVII. The Confession of Faith. 155 doth not make them in any wise partaken of the su of his Godhead, or to be equal with Christ in any reap* either of which to affirm is impiou> and blasphemous f. Nor doth their communion one with another, as saints, take away or infringe the title or property which each i hath in his goods and possessions g. CHAP. XXVII. Of the Sacrum, DACRAMENTS are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace a, immediately instituted by God b, to reprt- III. f Col. i. 18. And he is the bead of the hotly, the church; who ming, the lir>t-boni from the dead ; that in all t he might have the pre-emii. Wr. 19. For it pleased the Father that io him ihotud all fulness dwell. :. viii. o. But to us there is hut one God, the Father, of whom all things, and we in him ; and one Lord Jesus Christ) bj whom are all things, anil we by him. [si. xlii. & I BOD the Lord", that i> my name ; and I will I not give to another, neither my praia I. 1 Tim. '>. Which in bis timet he shall shewj irho Is the Messed ami only kg of ki Lord ot 1 only hath immortality, duelling in the which no man can approach unto ; whom no man bath seen, to whom he honour and poi Amen. [*houlov( ness, and batesl a icki lore God, thy GocL bath anointed thee with tin- oil of gladness a: thy trllow.s. With rleb. i. B. Hut he suilli,Tliy thl sceptre - 'eousness i^ the sceptre ot th. Thou hast loved right and hated iniquity; there even thy Ciod, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness abov fcllow>. « Exod. xx. 15. Thou | steal. Lph. iv. 98, Let Ian: Stole, Steal no more: but rather let him labour, workimr frith his 1. tlie thing which is ROOdj th may have to grre to him that I eth. Ac t- v. 1. W 'iiil. i it remain- ed, was it not thine own p and it iras sold, irai it not in thine way hast thou i this thing in thine heart? thou not lied unto men, but in I. *Kom. iv. 1 1. And l.< ed the sign of circumcision. ,•. of the rii;htcousiies> which he bad, J cumcised : that he might father of all them I though they be not CirCUITM that righteon ptlted onto them also, < . 7. And 1 wi nant between me and I itter thee, in th to thy *« M 156 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXVII. sent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him c ; as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world d ; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his worde. II. There is in every sacrament a spiritual relation, or sa- cramental union, between the sign and the thing signified ; whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other f. III. The fore, and teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Fa- ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. cl Cor. x. 16. The cup of bless- ing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ ? 1 Cor. xi. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. * Gal. hi. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Gal. hi. 17. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. d Rom. xv. 8. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Exod. xii. 48. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it ; and he shall be as one that is born in the land : for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Gen. xxxiv. 14. And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us. e Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death ? Ver. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by bap- tism into death : that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 1 Cor. x. 16. £See in let- ter c/] Ver. 21 . Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. II. fGen. xvii. 10. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep be- tween me and you, and thy seed after thee ; Every man-child among you shall be circumcised. Mat. xxvi. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it : Ver. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for Chap. XXVII. The Confession of Faith. 157 III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments, rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them ; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer itg, but upon the work of the Spirit h, and the word of institution ; which contain-. together with a precept authorising the use thereof, a pro- mise of benefit to worthy receivers \ IV. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord ; neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the word, lawfully ordained k. V. The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New \ CHAP. for many, for the remission of sins. Tit. iii. J. Not by works of righte- ousness which we have done, hut according to his mercy be I u>, hy the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost III. I Rom. ii. Sa Kor'he is not a Jew. which is one outward- ly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh : Bllt he is a Jew, which is one inwardly ; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise Ii not of men, hut of (iod. 1 Pet 1. The like BffUre whercun- to, even baptism, doth also now (not the putting awav of the filth of the flesh, hut the ■ to- ;.s (iod,) hy the resurrection Wat. iii. 1 1. I Indeed hapti/e you with w.tt. t unto n pentance ; but he that oometh after m tier than I, M oei I .tin not worthy to h.-.ir : he ihsll h.tp- witli the Holy Ghost, and with lire. I I r hy one Spirit an- we all hapti/.ed in- whether we he ; or (untiles whether we be bond or free ; and have heeii all made to drink into one Spirit. • Mat. xxv: ^See in ' .Mat. xxviii. I*\ [>>c in let- ter*.*] Ver. 20. Teaching them to all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of UK world. Amen. IV. k Mat. xxviii. 19. Oo ye therefore, ami teach all nat baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, ami of the Holy Ghost 1 C6r. 11. ». When >me together thefeSsre into one place, t! I the Lord's supper. \ I ed ot thi' Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the Lord JeSUS, the same (right in which he WWM Ik I tOOk hread. 1 Coi. iv. 1. 1 i mt of u> as of the ministi Christ I ! r. \. Ai man ttketh thi^ honour unto him- self, hut he that is CI as was Aaron. \ '. l ( thrcn, 1 would nut th .ould be 158 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXVIII, CHAP. XXVIII. Of Baptism. T3APTISM is a sacrament of the New Testament, or- -■-* dained by Jesus Christ % not only for the solemn ad- mission of the party baptized into the visible church b, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace c, of his ingrafting into Christ d, of regeneration e, of remission of sins f, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life g : which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world h. II. The be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; Ver. 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea ; Ver. 3. And did all eat the same spiri- tual meat; Ver. 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink : (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them ; and that Rock was Christ) I. aMat. xxviii. 19. \^See letter* of the foregoing Chapter.^ b 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spi- rit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. cRom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised ; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised ; that righteous- ness might be imputed unto them also. With Col. ii. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ : Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. d Gal. in. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Rom. vi. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the like- ness of his resurrection. e Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of re- generation, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. f Mark i. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the re- mission of sins. * Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized in- to Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Ver. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death : that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. h Mat. xxviii. 19. \^See in let- ter k foregoing Chapter.^ Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- manded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. II. *Mat. Chap. XXVIII. The Confession of Faith. 159 II. The outward element to be u>ed in thi> sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoat, by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called thereun: III. Dipping of the person into the water i- not Dei sary; but bapti-m is rightly administered bv pouring or sprinkling water upon the person k. IV. Not only those that do actually pr< ith in and obedience unto Christ1, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized m. V. Although II. '.Mat. iii. 11. I indeed bap- ou with water unto repent- ance; hut he thatcometh after me is mightier than I, irbose >h am not worthy to bear : lie shall sith the Holy (ihost, and with lire. John i. SS. And I I him not : hut lie that me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, (JpOU whom thou >halt ■ - Bend- ing, and remainim; on him, the h baptiaeth with the Horj Mat. xwi ill. k7k'h ix 11. Then they that triad] red ah prord bapt:/ 1 the MHDC day there added unto them about three thousai And be took tin in the same hour of the night, and ■ their strijK's ; and wai all nil rk riL i. irhea I <• from the maiket, eZCept they w a-h they other th there he \\ hieli tli.y hai «'d to ho! Washing of cups and pots, hi tahles. IV. * | he said onto then. G into all the world, and prejM every creature. Ver. If. He that believeth ami is baptized >hall be 1 ; but he that believeth not shall be damnei And Philip said. If thou Mierest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Anil he answered and said, J liere thai :. S& And be com- manded the chat md >till : ami t t d«»wn both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch ; and lie bapti/ed him. I ien. xvii. 7. And I will i bfisfa i'it between mm and thee, and thy Med atter thee, in th lasting covenant, to I I un- to thee, and to thy seed after I Ver. !*. And God Had unto Abra- ham, Thou >halt beep my i nant th- thou, and thy in their n tions. With GaL ii; then ■ huh I tfa are I > leased with faithful Abraham. \Yr. I I That the bkesil night doom through .K-sus Christ ; that we micht i. the promise of - rit through taith. < i i . 1 1 . 1 1 drcumclsed with the circumci- sion thoilt hands, in put- I the ah the flesh, by the circumcisk Christ 160 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXVIII. V. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance n, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it °, or that all that are baptized are un- doubtedly regenerated p. VI. The Christ: Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be bap- tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised ; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteous- ness might be imputed unto them also: Ver. 12. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had, being yet uncircumcised. 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanc- tified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all na- tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Mark x. 13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them ; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. Ver. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much dis- pleased, and said unto them, Suf- fer the little children to come un- to me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom of God. Ver- 15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Ver. 16. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Luke xviii. 15. And they brought unto him also in- fants, that he would touch them : but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. V. nLuke vii. 30. But the Pha- risees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. With Exod. iv. 24. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. Ver. 25. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the fore- skin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Ver. 26'. So he let him go : then she said, A bloody husband thou art, be- cause of the circumcision. 0 Rom. iv. 11. [^See in letter m.] Actsx. 2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47. PActs viii. 13. Then Simon him- self believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the mi- racles and signs which were done. Ver. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. VI. q John Chap. XXIX. The Confession of Faith. 161 VI. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered q ; yet notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in his appointed timer. VII. The sacrament of baptism is but once to be admi- ni.>tered to anv person*. CHAP. XXIX. Of the Lord's Supper. fXUR Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he fM betrayed, ^^ instituted the sacrament of hi> body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed in his church unto the end of the world, for the perpetual reinembranee of the sacrifice of him-ilf in his death, the sealing all benefits thereof Uflto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties wlueh thev owe unto him, and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, ifl members of hi> mystical body*. II. In VI. * John iii. 0. Dfwmdj church, and gate himself for it; .'::>-. I i&y unto thee, Ex- Wr. 9& That he right -anctify , and arid dearJM it with the washr Of the Spirit. not enter into water by the word. Acts ii. 38. the kingdom of God. Ver. 8. The Then Peter said unto them, Re- wind Mowed] where it RsterJL and pent, and l>e baptized erei thou nearest the sound thereof but you n the naa mi Carte I not tell irheoee it cornethj the remission and whither it goeth ! ft the gift of the Hob G irit. \ r. 11. Thefl they that -ladl\ r(,.d. i many of you cerred his word as have been baptized Into Christ, ind the same day there were added put on ( lit. iii. 4, unto then thout thi Not l.y works oi righteousness souls, which we hare done, Em accord- \n TitiiL '>. ~s rO to hb ; ,i>, by I. * i Cor. xi- i I hare the washing . that v* the Holy Ghost I Iso I d< the Lord .!cmi«. the same night in M Chrifll sjsjo lored the which he was betrayed, took 162 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIX. II. In this sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sins of the quick or deadb; but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all, and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the samec; so that the Popish sacrifice of the mass, as they * call it, is most abominably injurious to Chrisfs one only sa- crifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect d. III. The bread : Ver. 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body, which is broken for you : this do in re- membrance of me. Ver. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. I Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the com- munion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Ver 17. For we being many, are one bread and one body : for we are all partakers of that one bread. Ver. 21. Ye can- not drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils ; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. J Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whe- ther we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. II. b Heb. ix. 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Ver. 25. Nor yet that he should offer him- self often, as the high priest en- tereth into the holy place every year with blood of others ; Ver. 26, (For then must he often have suf- fered since the foundation of the world;) but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Ver. 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto those that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation. c 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25, 26. [See them in letter a.^ Mat. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the dis- ciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. Ver. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. d Heb. vii. 23. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: Ver. 24. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Ver. 27. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sa- crifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's : for this he did once, when he offered up him- self. Heb. x. 11. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacri- fices, which can never take away sins : Ver. 12. But this man, after he Chap. XXIX. The Confession of Faith. MM III. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to prav, and bless the elements of bread and vine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holv ; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants6; but to none who are not then present in the c ition f. 1 V. Private msanre, or receiving this sacrament by ■ pri or any other, aloneg; as likewise the denial of the cup to the people ihippiDg the elements, the lifting them up, or Btfrying them about for adoration, and the reserving them \\>v any pretended religious Use; are all contrary to the na- ture of this >acrament, and to the institution of Christ '« V The lat down on the right hand pfGod. Vet, 1 1. For by ooe offer- be hath perfected for ever them •died. Ver. 18. Now, where remission of these is, there ing for sin. III. ' .Mat. \\. M Utter \~ Vrr. 98. Foi t; my blood of the new testament* whieh i> rind tor many lor the mfarfon o: And Mark And as they did m took bread, ami blessed, and brake it, and » them. it ; this is my body. \nd he took tin- CUD J and when he had given thank-, he to then : sod the) unto them, 1 blood of the new testament, whirl I . i ukc mi. And he took bread, and gare thanks, ami hrake unto them, 1 1 j \ . which fou: this do iii remembrance I .ike wits also the eupaiti i mpp tup is the blood, which With i Cor. m. all iu letter*.! A . And upon toe first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart OB the morrow, and tinned hi . until midnight. When ft con gather therefore into one place, this is not to eal the Lord's Supp IV. i Cor. i ' Nowf thin^ to the intent we should not I evil things, st tl kitted. s ! I ,u boSO eat this bread, and drink this cup ot the Lord, unworthily, shall U- guilt . body sod bk i . \ i : . B. But let s man line himself, and s,, let hi; of that hi ead, ami drink ot that Clip. ■ drinketh unwortl drinketh damnation to hin lisei mii:. the] dy. ' M >. Bui d«> worship me, t« at i uen. 164 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXIX. V. The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, yet sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they repre- sent, to wit, the body and blood of Christk; albeit, in sub- stance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before1. VI. That doctrine which maintains a change of the sub- stance of bread and wine into the substance of Christ's body and blood (commonly called Transubstantiation) by conse- cration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason ; overthroweth the nature of the sacrament ; and hath been and is the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries m. VII. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament11, do then also inwardly by faith, really V. k Mat. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. Ver. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, say- ing, Drink ye all of it : Ver. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 1 1 Cor. xi. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Ver. 27. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, un- worthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Ver. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Mat. xxvi. 29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. VI. m Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. With 1 Cor. xi. 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body, which is broken for you : this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had sup- ped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remem- brance of me. Ver. 26. \^See in letter K^ Luke xxiv. 6. He is not here, but is risen : remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee. Ver. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. VII. n 1 Cor. xi. 28. £See in letter ir} °1 Cor. Chap. XXIX. The Confession of Faith. 165 really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death : the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under the bread and wine ; vet as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses0. VIII. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the out- ward elements ID this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby ; but by their unworthy coming there- unto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly per- son^, as thev are unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are thev unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot, without lost Christ, while they remain such, partake of tbeM liolv BJSteritt*, or be admitted thereunto4. CHAP. l Car. x. \G. The cup of blew- v hich we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break. If it not the communion of the body of Clui VIII. P I ( «»r. \i. 8T, 38, in l,tt,rK~ | For he that ;i and drinketh unworthily, • i and drinketh damnation to Lisceniing the Lord's bod\ . vi. i v. Be yt not unequally yoked together with im- ior wli. ship hath eousness with unrL 1 what communion hath liirlit TTJfhthtfknttf ? what concord hath Christ with hath he that reth \\ ith an infidel ? Ver, 16, Ami what agreement hath the temj d with idols ? for ye are the temple of the li\ rod hath .-aid, 1 will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and t be • le. I 1 1 -i. \. t>. Your glorying if not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Ver. 7. Purire out there- fore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unlea- vened. For even Chri>t out pass- if sacrificed tor ML Ver. 13. But them that are without judtreth. Therefore put away from among fouraehrcf that tricked son. ^ Thess. iii. I we com- mand you, brethren, in the name of our Lord J kvift, that vi- withdraw your-, brother that walketh d> and not after the tradition which he received of us. Wr. 11. A I 1 by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, he may be ashamed. Y< | count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a broth. holy unto the do:;**, neither cast ye your p, !,;> I .,•:.. i, ■ pie them under their feet, and turn atrain ami i< I. »bfu 166 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXX, CHAP. XXX. Of Church Censures. JT^HE Lord Jesus, as king and head of his church, hath -*- therein appointed a government in the hand of church- officers, distinct from the civil magistrate a. II. To these officers the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed, by virtue whereof they have power re- spectively to retain and remit sins, to shut that kingdom against the impenitent, both by the word and censures ; and to open it unto penitent sinners, by the ministry of the gospel, and by absolution from censures, as occasion shall require L a Isa. ix. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Ver. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth, even for ever : the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted wor- thy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. J Thess. v. 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. Acts xx. 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Ver. 18. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons. Heb. xiii. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have III. Church spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, consi- dering the end of their conversa- tion. Ver. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves : for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account ; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Ver. 24. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church: first, apostles; second- arily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that miracles ; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, di- versities of tongues. Mat. xxviii. 1 8. And Jesus came, and spake un- to them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Ver. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- manded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. II. b Mat. xvi. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven ; and whatso- ever Chap. XXX. The Confession of Faith 167 III. Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming and .gaining of offending brethren ; for deterring of others from the like offences ; for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump; for vindicating the honour of Christ, and the holv profession of the gospel ; and for pre- frenting the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the church, if they should suffer his covenant, and the seals tli of, to be profaned bv notorious and obstinate offenders0. IV. For the better attaining of these ends, the officer- the church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper for a season, and b\ ommunication from the church, according to the nature of the crime, and demerit of the person d. (U\V m earth, shall Im.* hound in heaven ; and whatso- ever thou shalt loose on earth, shall -osed in heaven. Mat. xviii. And it he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the* church ; hut it he neglect to hear the church, let him he unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. Wi. 1*-. Verily I say unto you, Wh -hall hind on earth, shall and in heaven ; and wl. ye shall loOSC qq ,arth, shall be loosed in heaven. .John xx. 81. said Jesus tO them ;i. u : a> my Father lent me, even so send I you. 1 when he had this, ithed on them, and •lith unto them. the Holy <.t mit- | .ntn thrni ; and w1k>m- v sins j dned. iicient to SUCh a inishment, which a ;»> Inflicted (it rath > e him, and i • should be • a <>\ er-roiM h - v, i you, that ye would confirm your love towards him. III. *p lor. v. through 1 Tim. v7lA>. Them that si huke before all, that ot: may fear. Mat. vii. 6. Gi\. that which is holy unto the d neither cast ye your pearls h swine, lest they trample them un- der their feet, and turn a. rend you. 1 Tim. i. is Hvmeneus ami Alexander , whom I have delivered unt tan, that tlu-v inav learn not to heme. 1 ( i thr mdJj With Jod others save with tear, pulling them out ot the tire ; hat S the ffarn itted bv the flesh IV. "i Them v. 18, And p* i. brethren, t them srhich labour an. J mi in t! I tndadm 1 hess. iii. - mand you, brethren, in tin- | withdraw y<> brother that iralketh dlaordi and I received .-! \ ; i \ man epistle note that man, and ha\ - 168 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXXI. CHAP. XXXI. Of Synods and Councils. THOR the better government, and further edification of -*- the church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councils \ II. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers, and other fit persons, to consult and advise with about mat- ters of religion b ; so if magistrates be open enemies to the church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, with other fit persons upon delegation from their churches, may meet together in such assemblies0., III. It company with him, that he may be ashamed. Ver. 15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 1 Cor. v. 4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 5. To de- liver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 13. But them that are without God judg- eth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked per- son. Matxviii. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. Tit. iii. 10. A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admonition, reject. I. a Acts xv. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusa- lem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Ver. 4. And when they were come to Jeru- salem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things 25 that God had done with them. Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. II. b Isa. xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursing-mothers : they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, interces- sions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men : Ver. 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. £2 Chron. xix. 8. to the end. 2 Chron. Chapters xxix. and xxx. throughout r\ Mat ii. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. Ver. 5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : for thus it is written by the prophet. Prov. xi 1 4. Where no counsel is the people fall : but in the multitude of coun- sellors there is safety. c Acts xv. 2, 4. \^See in letter a.] Ver. 22. Then pleased it the apostles and Chap. XXXI. The Confession of Faith. 169 III. It belongeth to synods and councils ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience ; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the publick worship of God, and government of his church ; to ive complaints in cases of inal-adinini>tration, and autho- ritatively to determine the same: which decrees and deter- mination-, if consonant to the word of God, are to be re- ceived with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the word, but also for the power wherebj thev are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his word \ IV. All synods or councils since the apostles' timet, ther general or particular, may err, and many have erred ; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith practice, but to be used a> an help in both*. V. Synods and council- are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical ; and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs, which concern the commonwealth, unless bv tli the whole church, to send chosen men of their own pany to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas ; namely, Judas sur- named Barsahas, and Silas chief men among the brethren : V. i And g by them after ner ; The apostles, and elders, and brethren, mir, unto tlit* brethren which arc in Antioch, and id (ilicia. Ver. 25. It : unto u^, ! let! with .pi. to send Chosen men unto yon, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. III. \, Is XV. i the Bihle.l Acts ough ■ . delivered them keep, that i osd of the apostles and elders m, Mat. 1 it he shall IK p II it hut it" he neglect to I the church, let him be unto thee i heathen man, and a pub- lican. Ver. IS. Verily I say un- to you. Whatsoever ye shall bind OH earth, shall he hound in hea- ven; and whatsoever ye shall on earth, shall he looted in hea- ven. \\ r. i!>. Again I say unto you. That it' two ox you shall I earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall he done tor them of my Father which heaven. Ver. where tv three thered together in m\ name, there am I in the mic IV. - Bph. I ad are huilt upon the toundation < : sties and prophets, •'« sua Christ hii _ the chiei corner-stone. w ii. 1 1 . These were n> than IheiS ill Theasalonica, in I the wonl all readii Sd the SI ilv, win those things were so. i i H That 170 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXXI I by way of humble petition, in cases extraordinary ; or by way of advice for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate5. CHAP. XXXII. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead, npHE bodies of men after death return to dust, and see -*- corruption a ; but their souls, (which neither die nor .sleep,) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them b. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of theirJbodiesc; and the That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 2 Cor. i. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy : for by faith ye stand. V. f Luke xii. 13. And one of the company said unto him, Mas- ter, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me* Ver. 14. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you ? John xviii. 36. Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world : if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants tight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. I. a Gen. iii. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground ; for out of it wast thou taken : for dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. Acts xiii. 36. For David, after he had served his own gene- ration by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fa- thers, and saw corruption. b Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Eccl. xii. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was : and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. c Heb. xii. 23. To the general assembly and church of the first- born, which are written in hea- ven, and to God the judge of all> and to the spirits of just men made perfect. 2 Cor. v. 1* For we know, that if our earthly house of this ta- bernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver. 6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that whilst we are at home in the body> we are absent from the Lord : Ver. 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Phil. i. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; which is far better. With Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world Chap. XXXII. The Coiifession of Far 171 the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where I main in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judg- ment of the great day d. Besides these two plat >uls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknow] none. II At the last day, such as arc found alive shall not d be changed6: and all the dead shall be raised up with the -l It- same bodies, and none other, although with different quali- ties, which shall be united again to their souls for everf. III. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Chri>t, be raised to dishonour ; the bodies of tfa Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to own glorious body g. HAP world 1 Eph. iv 10. He I that .hove all best that In* might till al] thii ike ITi 23. And in hell he I up his I ci!ILr in ■th Abraham afar oil", and I MMD Vi And lie cried, and ither . have mercy on me, and NDd I . that be may dip the tip o! i water, and my tongue ; lor I am tormented in thii flame That he mmistrj apoatleih which dud., h II, thai •' ■ Ami the an gels which kept not their - state, but left th< babi- Ith reserved in l .;iins under darkne», un- to the judgment of the gi - ha, and I about them, in like maim lesh, are set forth I <>i eternal ftre. i Pi >. By h also Ik- \n « t » t •nit'> the IL l l Theo. iv. 17. 1 which are alive and n il he caught up together with them in meet the Lord in the air: and - the Lord. 1 Cor. shew you a n -hall not all sleep, hut we >hall all be el in a moment, in th.- twinkling of the last trump: lor tiie trumpet -hall BOIind, and the dead shall he rai>ed Incor- ruptible, anil we shall he ehai 1 Job -\ \nd thoU£ km worms deati i my flesh shall Whom I >hall m i >rh, and mil shall bel and not another, though my usumed a Ithin me. i of tl. luption, it i- tiou : \ I i . I ;. 1 ' is SOW I honour, it i- raised in it Ki sown in weakne- It i> pawn a na- tural I ami th> III hope to II w thanjaefves 172 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXXIIL CHAP. XXXIII. Of the Last Judgment f^ OD bath appointed a day wherein he will judge the ^" world in righteousness by Jesus Christ % to whom all power and judgment is given of the Fatherb. In which day? not only the apostate angels shall be judged c? but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil d. II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the mani- festation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. John v. 28. Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, Ver. 29. And shall come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 1 Cor. xv. 43. \^See in Utter ,f/] Philip, iii. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, ac- cording to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. I. a Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righte- ousness by that man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. b John v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man ; but hath com- mitted all judgment unto the Son : Ver. 27. And hath given him au- thority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. c 1 Cor. vi. 3. Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Jude, Ver. 6. £See letter* Chapter for egoing.^ 2 Pet. ii. 4, For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. d 2 Cor. v. 10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may re- ceive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Eccl. xii. 1 4. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Rom. ii. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Bom. xiv. 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother ? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judg- ment-seat of Christ. Ver. 12. So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Mat. xii. 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Ver. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned; II. e £Mat. Chap. XXXIII. The Confession of Faith, 173 the elect, and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righte- ous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of jov and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord ; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be ca»t into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the pre- sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power*. III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity f; so will he have that day unknown to men, II. eplat. xxv. 31. to the end.^ Kom. ii. ft. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasures! up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God \ \Yr. Si Who will render to every man .'dintr to his deeds. Horn. ix. What KfGodj willinir to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with mueh ! Suffering the vessels of w rath fitted to destruction; Ver.SSL And that [light make known the riehes of his Lflory on the fCSSCli of inerey, which he had afore prepared un- to riOTJ ? Mat. xxv. 81. His lord raid untO him, Well done, thou BOOd and faithful servant ; thou been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy oc thy lunl. Acti hi. 19. Repent ye , and h< te. Which is a ma: token of the righteous judgment Of God, that ye may he emmted worthy of the kingdom of God, foi which ye also Miner* I i ing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you ; v, And to you who are troubled, n M with us, when the Lord JeSUf shall led from heaven with hit! miirhty anp-ls. Luki \ I then shall they see the SOD i>> eoming in a cloud, a 1th power and tfreat glory* V*rt S& And when the^e things begin to < I [>astf, then look up, and lift up heads; f<»i fOUl ledemption draw- eth ni-h. Kuin. \ in. 9X I only they, but "iinjelvesalno,u , ITS ourselves groan within 174 The Confession of Faith. Chap. XXXIII. men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come ; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen g. ourselves, waiting for the adop- tion, to wit, the redemption of our body. Ver. 24. For we are saved by hope : but hope that is seen is not hope : for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for ? Ver. 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. e Mat. xxiv. 36, 42, 43, 44. \^See in the Bibhr\ Mark xiii. 35. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh ; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; Ver. 36. Lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. Ver. 37. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch. Luke xii. 35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning ; Ver. 36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that, when he cometh and knock- eth, they may open unto him im- mediately. Rev. xxii. 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly ; Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus, FINIS. l Bl LARGER CATECHISM, AGREED IPOs THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH Tl C O M MISSIONERS J HUM THB CHURCH OP SCOTLAND. AS \ Tart of the ( ortoented Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Church* CnuiM in the Kingdoms of Scotland, I '. and Ireland. \|>f>ro\i(i / ;AL ASSEMBLY of the I i.a.n. have ma proticK-m v m tin I G IRI i 1 1 »- PR00P8 PROM Mil BCRIPTUR1 Assembly at Edisburgh, July 2. 164S, Sess. 10. Act approving the Larger Cai \i. rpiIE General Assembly having exactly examined and -^ seriou>lv considered the Laeokk Cate< hi upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with a— i stance of Commissioners from this Kirk. thereof being printed, and sent to Presbyteries for the more exact trial thereof; and publick intimation being !r<^ quentlv made in this Assembly, that every one that had any doubts or objections upon it might put them in ; do find, ujxmi due examination thereof. That the >aid Cate- chism is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and eminent of this Kirk; a necessary part of the intended uniformity in religion, and a rich treasure for increasing kno\ among the people of God: and therefore the Assembly, as they bles> the Lord tlur , ellelit chism i> prepared, BO they approve the same, as | part of Uniformity . ing, for their part, that it he a common Catechism for the three kingdoms, and a Director] catechising such as have made some proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion. i m: LARGER CATECHISM. >t. 1. ITfllAr is the chief and kigH >j f "' A . .Man's chief and highest end glorifj God*, and full v to enjoy him for ever*. Q I. * Horn. kL Mi 1 hill), what- md through him, and to him, arc g] all things : to whom be ltI< . PmL Iwiii. Mi -halt ■ :in'ii. 1 ( \\ - tiiilt* me with thy « Cher therefore ye eat or drink iltcrwaui 11 I 178 The Larger Catechism, Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God f A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a Godc; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation d. Q. 3. What is the word of God? A. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are Ver. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none up- on earth that I desire besides thee. Ver. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my heart, and my por- tion for ever. Ver. 27. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish : thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee* Ver. 28. But it is good for me to draw near to God : I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. John xvii. 21 „ That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee ; that they also may be one in us : that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Ver. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them : that they may be one, even as we are one. Ver. 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 2. c Rom. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them ; for God hath shewed it unto them. Ver. 20. For the • invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Psal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firma- ment sheweth his handy-work, Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shew- eth knowledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Acts xvii. 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being. d 1 Cor. ii. 9. But as it is writ- ten, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered in- to the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Ver. 10, But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit : for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 16. All scrip- ture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doc- trine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnish- ed unto all good works* Isa» lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not de- part out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. 3. e 2 Tim The Larger Catechism. are the word of God% the only rule of faith and obe- dience^ Q. 4. How doth it appear tltat the .script ft the m of God? A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the wore God, by their majesty g and puritv h ; by the eoosent of all 3. c 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture ven by inspiration of God. 9 Pet. i. 1^. We bare also a more sure word of prophecj ; where- unto ye do well that ye take unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star ari-e in your heart- : MX Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private inter- pretation. Ver. 91, For the pro- phecy came not in old time by the w ill of man : but holy m. God Spake a> they were n. by the Holy (J!. . And are built U[>- on the foundation apo>tles and prophets, Christ him- self being the chief con \Uv. unto • • words of the prophecy of t h i - book, It Buy man shall add unto t things, God shall add unto him the i n in this t ok : \ I if any man shall take away 1mm the ok of I phei ihall taft ly \\\< part <»nt of the I and out of the holy dty, and from the written in thi^ [SS. viii. 90. To the law , and t<» the testimony : it worn, because I i light in them. Luke Moses and tin- propheti ; V I them them. \ liny hear 9 and the pi • ther will they be | one rose from the dead. I But thoutrh we, or an SI - heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we preached unto you, let him 1 • cursed. Yer. y. Ai ' any man preach any other gOSpd unto vou than tliat ye haw : let him be SOCUJ Tim. iii. 15, 16. >"- m letter*.^ I . to liim the great thina but they w rr. tiling. 1 ('<>r. ii. & Hon speak prisdom among them are | et not t thi> world, nor | this world, that i 7. Hut we speak the w \a 1 in a mystery, even Um den wisdom, w hieli God , before the world unto o Which things speak, not in the wonK \. man's irisdom teacheth, but w - paring spiritual thing tuaL mine wonderful : t ..« keep them. Lord are pui • led lei en times. I'* .: i \.\. l u*. I thy ien ai t i<»\ eth ,? 180 The Larger Catechism. the parts \ and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to Godk; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto sal- vation ! : but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God m. Q. 5. What 1 Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts xxv i. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the pro- phets and Moses did say should come. k Rom. iii. 19. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law : that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Ver. 27. Where is boasting then ? It is excluded. By what law? of works ? Nay ; but by the law of faith. 1 Acts xviii. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that pub- lickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Heb. iv. 12. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and "of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. James i. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. Psal. xix. 7. The Jaw of the Lord is per- fect, converting the soul : the tes- timony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple : Ver. 8. The sta- tutes of the Lord are right, rejoic- ing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes : Ver. 9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever : the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were writ- ten for our learning ; that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. m John xvi. 13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will shew you things to come. Ver. 14. He shall glorify me : for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 1 John ii. 20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. Ver. 27. But the anointing which ye have re- ceived of him abideth in you ; and ye need not that any man teach you : but, as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John xx. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 5. n 2 Tim. The Larger Catechism, 181 Q. 5. What do the scriptures print ipalhj teach? A. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of uiann. What man ought to believe concerning God. Q. 6. What do the scriptures make known qfG A. The scriptures make known what God ig°, the per- sons in the Godhead p, his decrees'1, and the execution of his decrees r. Q. 7. What is God? A. God is a Spirit", in and of himself infinite in heir glory v, blessedness w, and perfection*; all-sufficient *, eter- nal, 5.° 2 Tim. L 13. Hold fat the form of sound words which thou heard of me, in faith and love which i> in Christ Jef II,!). \i. 8, But without faith it i> impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that i a rewardef of them that diligently seek him. 1 John v. 7. Wot there arc three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost : and these th] ne. a Simeon hath de- dan d how God at the first did risit the Gentiles, to take <»ut of them a people far his name. I >. Ami to this agree the arordi of the propheti ; as it is written. Vcr. Is. Known unto all his porki from the rining of the world. ' A i truth, against thy holy child •• hum thou hast anointed, both Ii and Pontilll Pilate, with the I tiles and the peo| \s t ic gathered togi Lb i . I & Pot to 00 whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determin re to be June. 7. 'John iv. l2\. God is a Spirit : and they that worship him must ihip him in spirit and in truth. Bxod. iii. 11. And God said unto .Mom-, I AM THAT I AM: ami he said. Thus shalt thou unto the children ot Israel. I AM hath sent me unto you. J Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Al- mighty unto ; ,8. It Ugh as In a\ en, what canst thou dor deeper than hell, what canst thou know The 'ire thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Acta \ ii. 8. The God of dorj appeared unto our father iam, s ben he iras in Mi - sopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his timet he shall shew, irho hi hit ssed ami only Potentate; the of IdngBi and Lord of ! \I.it. V. U*. Bt' V( th< ;. ■ \ in si youi 1 at! IS in \a .in . n i^ | (..ii. w ii. i. And nn raham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Ab- raham, and said unto hi 182 The Larger Catechism. nalz, unchangeable3, incomprehensible15, every where pre- sent c, almighty d, knowing all things e, most wise f, most holyg, most just h, most merciful and gracious, long-suffer- ing, and abundant in goodness and truth K Q. 8. Are there more Gods than one ? A. There is but One only, the living and true God k. Q. 9. How the Almighty God : walk before me, and be thou perfect. z Psal. xc. 2. Before the moun- tains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world : even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. a Mai. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not : therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. James i. 17. Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variable- ness, neither shadow of turning. b 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth ! Be- hold, heaven, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee ; how much less this house that I have builded ? c Psal. cxxxix. 1 — 13. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me: thou knowest my down-sit- ting and mine up-rising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off, S)C. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? 6$c, d Rev. iv. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within ; and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. e Heb. iv. 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight ; but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Psal. cxlvii. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power : his understanding is infinite. fRom. xvi. 27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. 8 Isa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. xv. 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. h Deut. xxxii. 4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect ; for all his ways are judgment : a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. 1 Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord passed by before him, and pro- claimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long- suffering, and abundant in good- ness and truth. 8. k Deut. vi. 4. Hear, 0 Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. viii. 4. As concerning there- fore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. Ver. 6. But to us there is but one God, the Fa- ther, of whom are all things, and we in him ; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living Tfie Larger Catec 183 Q. 9- How many persons an then in th- Go J. There be three j)ersons in the Godhead, the Fat! the Son, and the Holy Qhost ; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and ry; although distinguished by their personal prop Q. 10. What arc (he personal properties of the tl persons in the Godhead? A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son"1, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father", and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all etern. (*). 11. How doth it appear that the Son and th Ghost are (rod equal with the Fath* A. The scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such i everlasting irth shall ible, and the nation^ shall nut ib)e to abide hit indignation. 1 John v. 7. lor there three that hear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy di And J he irafl baptized, irent up out ot the water : and, Id, the hi were opened onto him, and he ian the spirit dore, and lighting upon him. v. i. l ; . And, Id, a vu'h i will pleated. Mat I. 19. I . and then) in the name « i , and of the H< t the and the lore ininunion ot the 1 ! i all. I my ne. itieh ol th in, I will be to him a Father, and i again, when he bringeth in the . into t: !, he saith, And let all tl God worship him. But unto the Son be saith, Thy throne, 0 G I ; a iceptre iteouanesfl i> tlu- sceptre of thy kingdom. " .John i. I t. Ai made lh >h, and dwell (and w< beheld his glorj lull Ol _. truth. Ver. 18 No man hath aren God at any time* ; t lit- only \h which Kfl in the l»oaom ot t! r, be hath him. the Com! send nut even th* - shall And became ye an th tlie !■ \ i ' i - I 184 The Larger Catechism. such names p, attributes^ works', and worship8, as are proper to God only. Q. 12. What are the decrees of God? A. God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will*, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for 11. Pisa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Ver. 5. Then said I, Woe is me ! for I am undone ; because I am a pan of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips : for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Ver. 8. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us ? Then said I, Here am I, send me. Compared with John xii. 41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. And with Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among them- selves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. 1 John v. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understand- ing, that we may know him that is true : and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Acts v. 3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Ver. 4. Whiles it remained, was it not thine own ? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. <* John i. 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Tsa. ix. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. John ii. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men : Ver. 2.5. And needed not that any should testify of man ; for he knew what was in man. 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit : for the Spirit search* eth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man that is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. r Col. i. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers : all things were created by him, and for him. Gen. i. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was up- on the face of the deep : and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. s Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore, and teach all nations, bap* tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The The Larger Catechism. 185 for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time v, especially concerning angels and men. Q. 13. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and vu A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be mani- (1 in due time, hath elected some angels to #lory w; and in Christ, hath chosen >ome men to eternal life, and the means thereof x: and also, according to his sovereign power, and The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the com- munion of the Holy Ghost, be w ith you all. Amen. 1 I ' l.ph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being prt >rding to ; nrpose of him who all V. the counsel of his own will. Rum. xi. 33. 0 the depth of* the richef both oi wiidooi and knowledge of I how unsearchable are b merits, and 1. t finding OHt ! Rom. is, I I. "What shall we then? If tlu re unrighteousness with God ? <»«»il forbid! Wr. 1 ',. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have n and I will have compassion on whom I will have com passion, v 18, Tin ith he li I on whom he wiil have DM 1 he hardeiieth. 1 iph. i 1 \ Ording ;is he hath Chosen ns in him before the toiin- n of the world, that we Should be holy, and without blame • him in lo\ :. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, bcin^r pred< st rdinc to the purpose of him kith all thil I the id of hlfl own will. Horn. :. wiliii shew his wrath, and to mak. i::; wer known, endured with much oog-eufiering tin - of wrath fitted to destruction : Wr. 23. And that he might make known the riches of hil glofj on the vessels of mi icy. which he had afore prepared unt PsaL xxxiii. 1 1. The counsel of the Lord >: etfa I the thoughts oi heart to all ^eiierati 21. Icha before (iod, and the Lord JeSUS Christ, and the elect aiiL'cls, that thou obeetre these thing!) with- out preferring one b< I ther, doing nothing by partiality. 1 '.ph. i. i. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame re him in low : \ | : . '>. Having unto the a lion of children to hil the good • the praise of the f grace, wherein he hath : , ted in t ■ an !'• und thanks ■ brethren, beloved ol I because God hath from the be* ginning chos. to salvation, through - .1 iK'liei U. Whcrcunto he called gW|Kl, 186 TJte Larger Catechism, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favour as he pleaseth,) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonour and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice?. Q. 14. How doth God execute his decrees ? A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will z. Q. 15. What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very gooda. Q. 16. How gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. y Rom. ix. 17. For the scrip- ture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Ver. 21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one ves- sel unto honour, and another un- to dishonour? Ver. 22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to de- struction? Mat. xi. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast reveal- ed them unto babes. Ver. 26. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. 2 Tim. ii. 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth ; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Jude, Ver. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemna- tion, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lascivi- ousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. ii. 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of of- fence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they, were ap- pointed. 14. z Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. 15. a £Gen. Chapter i/] Heb. xi. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 16. * Col, The Larger Catechism. 18' Q. 16. Hoiv did God create angels ? A. God created aU the angels b spirits0, immortal d, holy % excelling in knowledge f, mighty in power *, to execute his commandments, and to praise hi> Mine*, subject to change1. Q. 17. How did God create vain t A. After God had made all other creatures, be I man male and fcmalek; formed the body of the man of the du^t of the ground1, and the woman of the rib of tlu in... endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls*; 111; W. h Col. i. 16. For by him were all things created that are in veu, and that are in earth, vi>ible and invisible, whether they he thrones, or dominions or princi- palities, or powers : all things hy him, and tor him. Pi 1. Who maketh his ; drits ; his ministers a flaming lire. Hat xxii. 90. For in th BUrrecdon thej neither marry, nor given in marriage; but areas i in heaven. . When Of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy BDgl him, then shall he art upon the throne of bii 0. xiv. 17. Then thine handmai.: The Word of my lord the king shall doh h<- com- lurtable : in as an 8 ( rod, my lord the kim: to dil feOOd and had : U thy God will be w itli ther. .Mat. wiv. 36. lint of thai day and hour know, th DO man, DO, not angels Of heaven, but my nly. i r. And to you whoare troubled rest with I | the 1 .all be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angl that do his commandments, hear- kening unto the voice of his word. Ver. 81. BleSB ye the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his that do his pleasure. Pet ii- 1. For if (tckI spared not the east them down to lull, and deli- I them into of dark- ness, to 1 d unto judgment. IT. Gen. L man in his own image, in the image of (;<>d created he him : male and female created he them. ( .en. ii. 7. And t! farmed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his trik the breath of Ii ,n Gen, ii. and the rib, which the Lord God hail taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unt tan. ii. 7. And the Lord ' forint'd man of the dust of the ground, and breatl i his nostrils the breath of Hfc : and man became a living soul. < ! with Job \\\v. 11. v heth us more than th • beast* Of the earth, ami maki th US wiser than the with l'.eil. \ii. 7. '1 11 the dust return I was; and the unto who gave it. And with d fear i W! 188 The Larger Catechism. made them after his own image °, in knowledge p, righte- ousness, and holiness q; having the law of God written in their hearts r, and power to fulfil its, with dominion over the creatures * ; yet subject to fall v. Q. 18. What are GodTs works of providence? A. God^s works of providence are his most holyw, wise*, and powerful preserving ? and governing2 all his creatures ; which can kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul : but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. And with Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. ° Gen. i. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him : male and female created he them. p Col. iii. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. i Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, r Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Ver. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing wit- ness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. » Eccl. vii. 29, Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright ; but they have sought out many inventions. 1 Gen. i. 28. And God blessed them ; and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it : and have dominion over the I fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. v Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. 18. wPsal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. x Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wis- dom hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches, Isa. xxviii, 29. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. y Heb. i. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. z Psal. ciii. 19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the hea- vens ; and his kingdom ruleth over all. * Mat, The Larger Catechism. creatures; ordering them, and all their actions 189 to hi* own glory b. Q. 19. What il God*. s providence toward* tl A. God by his providence permitted BOtHe of the Ugekj wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation1, limiting and ordering that, and all their una, to bis own gloryd; and established the rest in holiness and happinec employing them allf, at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, merev, and ju>tieeg. Q. 20. What a Mat. '.re not two spar- irthing? and one of them shall not tall on the ground without your Father. Yer. SO. But • your bead are all numbered Ver. 31. Fear ye not then <• are of | value than many sparrow xlv. 7. And God Bent me 1- you, to ; you a posterity in the earth, and" to save your Jives by a great deli vera nee. Rom. ri. 36. I aim, and through him, and to him. are all things; to whom he glory forever. Ixiii. 1 \. As a ! i down into the valley, the I of the Loi I him to Lidst thou lead thy people, to make thya ime. la which kepi not their . hut Kit their own habita- tion, la- hath reserved hi irknes*, unto Lidgment ol •. ii. I. I 1 not Is that sinned, but th»m down to hell, and deli\ I th«-m into chahM ot darkiir->. to served unto judgment Heb. rily hi- to<»k not on Um tin- nature <>f angels ; hut he on him the seed of Abraham. John fill it V( . , • nt VOUI Ihec thfl drvil, and the lust your :i do: 1., . murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketfa of his own : tor he is a liar, and the lather ot it. .1 J. And the Lord unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath i< in thy p :ly upon self put not forth thine hand. - Satan went forth bom the pre- sence ot the Lord. Mat. viii. 31. So the devfli besought him, saving, If thou cast us out, suffer us i away into the herd o( i Tim. v. 91. I ehar-e thee before God, and the Lord JeSUI Christ, and the elect that thou observe these things, with- out preferring another, doing nothing by partiality. Mark viii. :{*v Whosoei ( i therefore shall be ashamed <>t me, and <•: words, in this adulterous and >in- reneratioa, <>f him aU<> shall the Son ot man he ash auu-d. when xneth in the glory 0 thfi, with the l.< \ii. 98, Hut ye are corns unto mount Sion, and unto t1 the living God, the h« ai i nlj and to an innuu* company I' i \\ ■ flaml f v \\ 190 The Larger Catechism. Q. 20. What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created ? A. The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, ap- pointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth h ; putting the creatures under his dominion *, and ordaining marriage for his help k ; affording him com- munion with himself1; instituting the sabbath m ; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thou- sand : and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. Heb. i. i4. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salva- tion ? 20. h Gen. ii. 8. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden ; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Ver. 15. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it. Ver. 16. And the Lord God com- manded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. 1 Gen. i. 28. And God blessed them : and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. k Gen. ii. 18. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone ; I will make him an help meet for him. 1 Gen. i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth up- on the earth. Ver. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him : male and female created he them. Ver. 28. And God bless- ed them : and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and sub- due it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Ver. 29. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed : to you it shall be for meat. Gen, iii. 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day : and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. m Gen. ii. 3. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it : because that in it he had rested from all his work, which God created and made. *GaL The Larger Catechism. 191 perfect, and perpetual obedience11, of which the tree of life a pledge0; and forbidding to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death v. Q. SI. Did man continue in that eikU God at first created him t A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, trail- the commandment of God in eating the forbidden fruit; and thereby fell from the estate of innoeeney wherein they were created q. (J. 22. Did all mankind Jail in that first tr. A. The covenant being made with Adam as a publick person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all man- kind descending from him by ordinary generation r, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first tr. -ion8. Q. 23. Into GaL iii. \% And die law ii hot of faith: but, The man that h them shall live iii them. Rom. ibeth the ri: meM which if of the law, That the man which doeth those thing's shall live by them, i ien. ii. I, And out of the ground made the Lord dud to bat il pleasant to the sight, and good for food: the the midst of the rid the tree ot know li )d and evil. . -n. ii. 17. Hut of the tr, the know l.-d nd evil, thou >halt i. 4 it : tor in the day that thou ratest tin And when :n taw that the tree prai ( and that it was plea to tfa '.nd a ti do- took lit then ami L.ivr il io onto bei husband . and he did . at V And the • them both i • nd they knew that they and thi i togetfc le them- \\\d they heard Uk the Lord I walking in the garden in the of the day : and Adam ami hi> hid then Mil Un- tile Lord God aim the treee .. 192 The Larger Catechism* Q. 23. Into what estate did the Jail bring mankind? A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery K Q. 24. What is sin ? A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature v. Q. 25. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man Jell ? A, The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, con- sisteth in the guilt of Adam's first sin w, the want of that ' righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually x ; which is commonly mayest freely eat: Ver. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ^Compared with Rom. v. 12 — 20.]] Wherefore, as by one man sin en- tered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Ver. 15. For if through the offence of one many be dead ; much more — Ver. 16.— For the judgment was by one to condemnation ; — Ver. 17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one ; much more — Ver. 18. Therefore, as by the of- fence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation ; even so —Ver. 19. For as by one man's dis- obedience many were made sin- ners ; so by the obedience — And \vith 1 Cor. xv. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Ver. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. c Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so 9 death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Rom. iii, 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. 24. v 1 John iii. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law : for sin is the transgres- sion of the law. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Ver. 12. And the law is not of faith : but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 25. w Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners ; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. x Rom. iii. 10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one : Ver. 1 1 . There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Ver. 12. They are The Larger Catechism. 193 commonly called Original Sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions y. Q. 26. How is original sin conveyed from our Ji parents unto their posterity t J. Original no is conveyed from our fir>t parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that j)roceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin x. Q. 21. What viiserij did tlujall bring upon mankind A. The fall brought upon mankind the loss of commu- nion with God % his displeasure and curse; so as pre are by are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Ver. 13. Their thro an open sepulchre ; with their have used deceit ; under their 1 \. WaOM month is full oi cursing and bitterness: Ver. 15. Their d blood : Ver lo. Destruction and misery are iii their frays: Ver. 17. And the t known: I re their eyes. Ver. l!*. Now 10W, that what thing! soever aith to them who under the law ; that every be stopped, and ail the world may become guilty Km - Kph. ii. I. And you hath he quick in trespasses rein in tim. walked rding to th< <>f thi^ I, according to the prim the power of the air, tin- spirit that m the children ol dis- ImOOg whom we all bad our conversation in h past, in llie luStl ot OUT flesh, fulfilling the desires ol the tlesh and itnre « hildn ii ol wiath, even a> without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Kom. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: I is not subject to the law of ( neither indeed can be. V- then they that are in the ilesh can- not phase God G€D- vi. 5. And God saw that the wick, man was crreat in the earth, and that every imagination thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. James i. 1 i. Hut every tempted, when he is drawn 1 of his own lust, and enticed. \ L5. Then when lu>t hath con. ed, it bringetb forth sin ; and when it is finished, bringeth I death. Mat. \\ . 19. 1 «»r Q the heart proceed evil thom murders, adulter thefts, false Witness, blasphemies. shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother concern i b xiv. 1. Who can bring a cl out ot an UN ' <>t one. I m.u:. that he should be ch an ? and be which is •nan. that he should wh'uh h the flea] and that which is DOTH of tb lit i- mirit i iralk- 1 194 The Larger Catechism. by nature children of wrath b, bond slaves to Satan c, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come d. Q. 28. What are the punishments of sin in this world ? A. The punishments of sin in this world are either in- ward, as blindness of minde, a reprobate sense f, strong delusions g, hardness of heart h, horror of conscience *, and vile ing in the garden in the cool of the day : and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Ver. 10. And he said, I heard thy voice in the gar- den, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Ver. 24. So he drove out the man ; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword, which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life, 0 Eph. ii. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the de- sires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. c 2 Tim. ii. 26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken caotive by him at his will. d Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it ; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Lam. iii. 39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punish- ment of his sins ? Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart, from me, ye cursed, into everlast- ing fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Ver. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punish- ment; but the righteous into life eternal, Jude, Ver. 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornica- tion, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suf- fering the vengeance of eternal fire. 28. e Eph. iv. 18. Having the un- derstanding darkened, being alie- nated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, be- cause of the blindness of their heart. f Rom. i. 28. Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. s 2 Thess. ii. 11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. h Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hard- ness and impenitent heart, treasur- es t up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. 1 Isa. xxxiii. 14. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprized the hypocrites: who among us shall dwell with the de- vouring fire? who among us shall- dwell with everlasting burnings? Gen. iv. 13. And Cain said unto the The Larger Catechism. vile affections k; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes1, and all other evils that befall u> in our bodies, name-, estates, relations, and employments*; together with death itself11. Q. 29- What arc the punishments of sin in the zeorld to come ? A. The punishments of sin in the world to come, everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, with- out intermi>Mon. IB hell-fire for ever0. (J. 30. Doth G(j all mankind to perish in tin in and mu J. God doth not leave all men to perish in tli e of sin and misery p, into which thev fell by the breach of the first ommooly called the Covenant of Works'1; but of Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Hat xxvi d, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is 10 US? I to that. ELom. L :'». For tli (iod them up unto vile afiecti .en their women did el. ttural iih- into that wha against nature. ■u.iii. 17. And u 1 he said, Because thou hast hearkened t thy wife, and bast eaten o' P hieh I nanded thee, Hying, Thou ■alt no! d is the pound for thy ! rrow it all tin thy 1 ;;;. \ >. ' Hut it shall come to pass, if thou not hearken unto the vou I . »rd thy < to t the v the law arc I I undei 196 The Larger Catechism. of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Grace r. Q. 31 . With whom was the covenant of grace made ? A. The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed*. Q. 32. How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant ? A. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator1, and under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that conti- nueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Ver. 12. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. r Tit. iii. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Sa- viour toward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but accord- ing to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundant- ly, through Jesus Christ our Sa- viour: Ver. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eter- nal life. Gal. iii. 21. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid : for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Rom. iii. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight : for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Ver. 21 . But now the righte- ousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Ver. 22. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe ; for there is no difference. 31. s Gal. iii. 16. Now to Abra- ham and his seed were the pro^ mises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many ; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. £Rom. v. 15. to the end.~\ Isa. liii. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Ver. 1 1 . He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied : by his knowledge shall my righteous ser- vant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 32. t Gen. iii. 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the wo- man, and between thy seed and her seed : it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isa. xlii. 6. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and will give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. John vi. 27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto ever- lasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you : for him hath God the Father sealed. v 1 John The Larger Catechism. 197 and life and salvation by himv; and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him w, promiseth and giveth his Holv Spirit2 to all his elect, to work in them that faith y, with all other saving graces*; and to enable them unto all holv obedience3, as the evidence of the truth or* their faith b and thankfulness to God c, and a> the wav which he hath appointed them to salvation d. Q. 88. Wai the covenant of grace ak+ay.s adini /listen d afl and the .same manner? A. The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it un- der the Old Testament were different from those under the \ SJ Q. 34. Hoic 1 John v. 11. And this is the .(1, that God hath L'iven to us eternal lift-; and this lite is in his I He that hath the pOB hath lite: and he that hath not the Son ofGod hath not lite. [dm iii. 16. For (rod SO loved the world, that he gate hlfl only ' tin SOD, that whosoever be- liev. th in him should not perish, hut have everlasting lite. John i. 1 i. Hut as many ived him, to them gave he power to become the sons nt' (iud, even to them that •in-. ■ Pi ; Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto TOO, 1 will ■sake known mv sroras unto y<.u. \\ e hai ing the spirit <>t faith, according as it is written, I bdiered, and t: I spoken : 0 In - and therefore speak. i .1. \.\ti. lint tin- fruit <»t the Spirit i^ lore, joy, peace, lonji entleness, goodness, Esith, .Meekness, ten *uch there i> no law . Mid 1 will put taint vrithinyou,andcau* in in my statutes, and >« snail them. b James ii. II .a man may Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy frith with- out thy works, and I will shew thee my faith bj my works. Ver. it thou how faith vrrought with his works; and by works faith made perfect? I lor. v. 1 1. For the love ot Christ constrained! us; becaui UlUS judge, that it' one died tor all, then were all dead : Ver. 1 >. that he died tor all, that they which should not henceforth live un- to themselves, but unto him which died tor them, anil rose again. I. ph. ii. lo. I'm bli woikmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that S7i should walk in them. i. iii. (>. Who also hath made us able in I the testament ; not of the letu i . but ot the Spirit: tor the killeth, but the Spirit ^iwth lite. But it the ministration ot death, w litten and a in it the childi I behold the t.u Moses tor the | 198 The Larger Catechism, Q. 34. Hoxv was the covenant of grace administered un- der the Old Testament ? A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises f, prophecies g, sacrifices h, cir- cumcision \ the passover k, and other types and ordinances, which did all fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah \ by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation m. Q. 35. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament ? A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to which glory was to be done away; Ver. 8. How shall not the minis- tration of the Spirit be rather glo- rious ? Ver. 9. For if the ministra- tion of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 34. f Rom. xv. 8. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. * Acts iii. 20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Ver. 24. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel, and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have like- wise foretold of these days. h Heb. x. 1. For the law hav- ing a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. 1 Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet being uncir- cumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be im- puted unto them also. k 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out there- fore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unlea- vened. For even Christ our pass- over is sacrificed for us. 1 £Heb. Chapters viii. ix. and x.^ Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and em- braced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. m Gal. iii. 7. Know ye there- fore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Ab- raham. Ver. 8. And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preach- ed before the gospel unto Abra- ham, saying, In thee shall all na- tions be blessed. Ver. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 35. n Mark The Larger Catechism. 199 to be administered in the preaching of the wordn, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism0 and the Lord"< supperp; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations'1. Q. 36. Who is tltc Mediator of the covenant of l A. The onlv Mediator of the covenant of p the Lord Jesus Christ r, who, being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father8, in the falnesf time 35. n Mark xvi. 15. And he said unto them, Go \e into all the world, and preach the gospel to l -y creature. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore, and teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Fa- ther, and of the Son. and of the Holy Ghost: Yer. 'jo. Teaching them to observe all things whatSO- .mmanded you: and, '<>. J am with you alw i un- to tile end ot the world. Amen. i Cor.xL9& I-Or 1 ham ed ot' the Lord that which ako I delivered unto you, That the Lord 1 I, the same n'iLrht in which took bread: V( r< -M. And when he had given lha he brake it. ami ike, eat ; thU ll my body, which is broken ou : this do in remembrance of dm a the nm iiiaiintT alao hi took the CUD, when id supji. Thia cup is the new totameiit in my blood : tin- do >• ink it, in f • thr , n,l. Who also hath made us able ministers ot the new testament ; not of the it of the Spirit : for the latter Irilleth, hut tlu- Spirit giveth lint it the ministra- tion of death, written and . mat| \\ as glorious, 11 not thr ministration of the Spirit !)«• ratlin - 1 . » r j . 9. For if the ministration of con- demnation be trior y, much more doth the ministration of riLrhteon>- ezceed in idory, .\r. * Hel . viii. 6. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was esta- blished upon better promises. \\r. 01 this ifl the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel alter those day-, >aith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in then and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. 1 1. And they shall not teaeh . man his neighbour, and <- ail brother, SayiOff, Know the Lord : for all shall know me, from the least to the xxviii. i!>. Go ye ti. teach all nations, baptizing them in the name i r 1 Tim. ii. '>. Pot tbl one God, and one MediatOI and men, tlu- man Christ J( John i. i- In the haghiniini was the Wind, and t W8J with God, and ti: W God Vet. 1 1. and t Was made flesh, and dwelt among beheld h riorj a- of th« the Father,) toll of -race and truth. John ther aie | | H 1 I 200 The Larger Catechism. time became man *, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures, and one person, for everv. Q. 37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man? A. Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to him- self a true body, and a reasonable soulw, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her*, yet without sin*. Q. 38. Why was it requisite that the Mediator shoidd be God? A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under ing in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. 1 Gal. iv. 4. But when the ful- ness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. v Luke i. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Rom. ix. 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Col. ii. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God- head bodily. Heb. vii. 24. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priest- hood. Ver. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the utter- most that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make in- tercession for them. 37. w John i. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Mat. xxvi. 38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceed- ing sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. x Luke i. 27. To a virgin espous- ed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Ver. 31. And, behold, thou shalt con- ceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Je- sus. Ver. 35. And the angel an- swered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Ver. 42. And Elisa- beth spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. y Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet with- out sin. Heb. vii. 26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from The Larger Catechism. 201 under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death z; give worth and efficacy to his Bufferings, obedience, and intercession a; and to satisfy God's justice6, procure his fa- vourc, purchase a peculiar people d, give his Spirit to them** conquer from sinners, and made higher than the hesi i 38. r Acts ii. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: became it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ver. ^o. For David speak- eth concerning him, I foresaw the Lord fttwmyi before my face ; tor he is on my riLrht hand, that I should not M moved. Hon;, i. 4-. And declared to be the Son of God with ; rding to the Spi- rit of h')liius>. by the resurrection from the dead. Compared with BOOB. IT. 86. Who im delivered ur olience>, and P : for our justification. Heb. ix. 1 t. How much more shall the blood of Chlift, who through the eternal Spirit offered him>elt with- out spot to God, pom your con- science from dead works, to serve the Bring God } »A. Take heed there- into yon: md to all the lock, over the which the Holy Gho^t hath DO the church Of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. ix. M. HOW milch more >hall tin- blood of Christ, who through thr eternal spirit offered bimeelf without spot tO God, purge your On dead works, t() the Hfing God ? Heb. i e lie u able also to save them tO the uttermost that come unto ( .ixl by him, seeing he i to make Intercession tor them. Ver. 96. I 'of such an Ugh priest became us, who is holy, aleaa, undefilea, •eparate from Miliars, and made higher than the heavens ; Ver. 27. Who needeth not daily, as those high pi to Oiler up MClilkl, lirst tor his own sins, and then for the peo[ for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Ver. 2>. the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity ; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated tor evermore. Kom. iii. 94. Hei:iLr justi- fied freely by bJl through the redemption that is in Christ r>. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through frdth in his blood, to de- clare his righteousness tor the remission of >ins that are | through the forbearance of God ; Ver. 2o*. To declare, I MTj this time his righteousness ; that he mkfal be just, and the JU8ti- lier of him which believeth in ,<. Boh. i. 'i. To the praise ot the trlory of his wherein he hath made lis accepted in the Beloved. .Mat. iii. 17. And from heaven, saying. This is my bd I i, in whom I am well pleased. d Tit. ii. 1 ; I that blessed hope, and the ^joi i our Sa\ iour.JesusChi 1 t. \\ ho gave himsell tor us, that he \ in us from all Iniquity, purify unto himself a people, lealoui "i good a >rks. oauee ye are sons, (mhI hath ienl forth me U hearts, g, Abb, i. Father* i . l 202 The Larger Catechism. conquer all their enemies f, and bring them to everlasting salvation g. Q. 39. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man ? A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature h, perform obedience to the law \ suffer and make intercession for us in our nature k, have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities l ; that we might re- ceive f Luke i. 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Ver. 69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David : Ver. 71. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. Ver. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear. s Heb. v. 8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered : Ver. 9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Heb. ix. 11. But Christ be- ing come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Ver. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Ver. 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the un- clean, sanctifieth to the purify- ing of the flesh ; Ver. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your con- science from dead works to serve the living God? Ver. 15. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemp- tion of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might re- ceive the promise of eternal in- heritance. 39. h Heb. ii. 1 6. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 1 Gal. iv. 4. But when the ful- ness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. . kHeb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself like wise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. vii. 24. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Ver. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 1 Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities : but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet with- out sin. mGal. The Larger Catechism. ^6 ceive the adoption of sons118, and have comfort and ace with boldness unto the throne of grace n. Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in (me /jl rJOM ? A. It was requisite that the Mediator, who Was to re- concile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works nature might be accepted of God for us °, and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person1'. (<). 41. Why zeus our Mediator called J A. Our Mediator was called Jesus, beCjUMe he saveth hi- people from their sins4. <<) 42. Why was our Mediator called Christ? A. Our Mediator was called Christ, because be was anoint, ed with the IIolv Grhoet above measure'; and so set a] and fully furnished with all authority and ability8, to execute the Gal. iw & To redeeai them that were under the* Jaw, that wi- the adoption ot E II. I), iv. 16. Let m then come boldly unto the throne ot • , that We may obtain mercy, and find grace to bdp in time of m. M ;. And dm shall : th a son, and thou - call his i tor he shall pple from tK Heboid, a ril !l l>e with child] sod wall bring forth !. and they shall call his name Knunaiiiul, which, ! .iter- . m! with Mat. iii. 17. And lo ■ \ oice tn»m This i^ my hel U1 whom I am well pleased. n I low much i ahall the blood ot Christ, who iLrh the i Spirit <»ti him^i-lt without §pot • i mtto the Mm I is co hold, I lay in Sloo a chid stone, elect, pred I he that believeth on him shall not founded. 11. I .Mat. i. 31. And B bring forth a son, and thou call his Dam ! tor he hii people from their n : John i:i. .M. 1 01 : aketh the w ; Lriveth no: Spirit by n him. outness, and hat then ■ anointed thee with the oii ne*8 above thy feUof I :. I . . I . which perisheth, but foi which endureth mil j life, w I u 1] th S shall Lri\ e unto you : lor him - to them, t unto me in heaven ami in earth, therefore, and teach ail 11 I the 1 0 204 The Larger Catechism. the offices of prophet1, priest v, and king of his Church w, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation. Q. 43. How name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com- manded you : and, lo, I am with you al way, even unto the end of the world. Amen. * Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Ver. 22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A pro- phet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your bre- thren, like unto me ; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. Luke iv. 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Ver. 21. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. v Heb. v. 5. So also Christ glo- rified not himself to be made an high priest ; but he that said un- to him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. Ver. 6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest: for ever after the order of Melchisedec : Ver. 7. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he fear- ed. Heb. iv. 14. Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Ver. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempt- ed like as we are, yet without sin. w Psal. ii. 6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Mat. xxi. 5. Tell ye the daugh- ter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sit- ting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. Isa. ix. 6. For un- to us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonder- ful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Ver. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to esta- blish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever : the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Phil. ii. 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Ver. 9. Where- fore God also hath highly exalt- ed him, and given him a name which is above every name : Ver. 10. That at the name of Je- sus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Ver. 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 43. x John The Larger Cat, 205 Q. 43. Hoio doth Christ execute the office of a prophet ? A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his re- vealing to the church x, in all ages, by his Spirit and worth, in divers ways of administration*, the whole will of God % in all things concerning their edification and salvation b. (J. 44. How doth Christ execute the office of H pr'n A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God c, to he a reconciliation 43 'John i. l& No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, whieh is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. 1 I'. t. i. 10. Of whieh salva- tion the prophct> have enquired, and searched diligently, who pro- phesied of ti. that should unto you : Ver. 1 1. Search- H hat, or what manner of time Spirit of Christ irhich n them did signify, when it testi- fied helorehaml the sutierii!_ ~t, and the glory that should folio* 1 -. I'nto whom it was revealed, that not unto them- selves, hut unto us they did minis- ter the thiols which are now ported unto you by them that pleached the Lro>pel unto you, with the Ilol\ BOWn from heaven ; which thing! to look into. 11. 1-. i. 1 . ( .-id, who at sun- dry times, and in divers man- spake iu time past unto the he prophets, \ Hath iu these last da\s spoken unto us by his Son, whom he both appointed heir of all th whom also lie made the WOI ' *.!ohn xv. 15, I I th I call mis ; foi th, not what his lord doeth : hut I have called ><>u tiiuub . all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. b Acts xx. 32. And now, bre- thren, I commend you to God, and to the word of hi- _ which is able to build you up, and to Lrive you an inheritance SJBOOg all them which are sanctitied. Kph. iv. 11. And he | :ie apostles, and some prophets, and some eva Hid some pastors and teach- ers : Vet, i ±. For the perfecting of the saints, tor the woik of the mi- i the edifying of the body of Christ : \ Till we all come in the unity ot the faith, ami Of the knowledge of the Son ot God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure ot the stature ot the tul- I hrist. .lohn xx. 3\. Hut these ;ue w riiten, th might believe that JtSUS If the Christ, the Son ot Grod ; and that believ- I have lite through his nan I I. Heb. i\. I I. How i more shall the blood ot Christ, who through the eternal > offered himself without QocL purge your OdDSCienoC fioin dead strre tl ofien d to beet the si; and unto them that look fi»j him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation. J II 206 The Larger Catechism. reconciliation for the sins of his people d ; and in making continual intercession for them c. Q. 45. How doth Christ execute the office of a king ? A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself f, and giving them officers g, lawsh, and censures, by which he visibly governs them *; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect k, rewarding their obedience, d Heb. ii. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. e Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 45. f Acts xv. 14. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ver. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets ; as it is written, Ver. 16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down : and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up. Isa. lv. 4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Ver. 5. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not ; and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel ; for he hath glorified thee. Gen. xlix. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a law- giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come ; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Psal. ex. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power ; in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning : thou hast the dew of thy youth. s Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers ; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, govern- ments, diversities of tongues. h Isa. xxxiii. 22. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our law- giver, the Lord is our king ; he will save us. iJVIat. xviii. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church ; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. Ver. 18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 1 Cor. v. 4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 5. To de- liver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. k Acts v. 31. Him hath God ex- alted with his right hand to be a Prince The Larger Catechism. 207 obedience l, and correcting them for their sins m, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and suf- ferings0, restraining and overcoming all their enemies0, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory 1 . and their goodq; and also in taking vengeance on the lv-t. who know not God, and obey not the gospel r. Q. 40. What was the ctiate of Christ' m humiliation A. The e>tate of Christ's humiliation was that low con- dition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his concep- tion and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his nvctionV (,). 17. 11 Prince and a Saviour, tor to ad, ami ••.'.'. 1 I And, behold, I tome oaiickly ; and my rewanl i- with me, to | cord; - work -hall he Hev. none ot thoee things which thou - fter : behold, the devU shall cast some ot you •i, that \e may hi- tried ; and ye shall haw tribulation ten thou faithful unto death, and I will l ii ot E&ti . m. i '. . low I rebuke anil chasten ; he zealous lit. to all their afflic- tion he watafllicted, and I of lm and in bil pity he them, and he l>:u ■ them all the da\ - «•! written, Aj 1 tire, saith the Lord, - -hall . and « shall .urn viii. 9ft And we k that all thingl work togethl : to them that I I, to them who are the called i'la-. I. S. Ill tak'n n them that know n and that ir laud ' . Who -hall he puni-lu d \\ ith e\ tion and from th' I • 1 the utt rnii -t | ut- of the aarth for tl. .nk them i -halt daah i in j \< --el. p.. PhiL il <■■ Who ■ rol 208 The Larger Catechism. Q. 47. How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth f A. Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth, in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in the bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the son of man, made of a woman of low estate, and to be born of her ; with divers circumstances of more than ordinary abasement K Q. 48. How did Christ humble himself in his life ? A. Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting him- self to the law v, wThich he perfectly fulfilled w ; and by conflicting with the indignities of the world x, temptations of robbery to be equal with God ; Ver. 7. But made himself of no re- putation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men : Ver. 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and be- came obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Luke i. 31. And, behold, thou shalt con- ceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 2 Cor. viii. 9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Acts ii. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 47. « John i. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Ver. 18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Luke ii. 7. And she brought forth her first- born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room tor them in the inn. 48. v Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. w Mat. v. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets : I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Rom. v. 19. For as by one man's dis- obedience many were made sin- ners ; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. x Psal. xxii. 6. But I am a worm, and no man ; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Ver. 3. For con- sider him that endured such con- tradiction of sinners against him- self, lest ye be wearied, and faint in your minds. yMat. The Larger Catechism. 209 of Satan y, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that hi> low condition z. Q. 49. Haw did Christ liumble liimsclfin his death ? A. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judasa, forsaken by hi< disciples*, scorned and rejected by the world0, condemned bv Pilate, and tor- mented by hi> persecutors4; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God's wrath e, he laid down his life an offering for I .Mat. iv. 1. to verse 12. Then was Jesui led up of the Spirit into he wild • » be tempted of the (levil, w\ . Luke iv. 13. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a leason. ■Heb. ii. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren ; that lie Bright be a merciful and faithful ?it in thing! pertaining , to make reconciliation tor jbe rins of the people. \'er. 18. For in that he himself hath suffer- ed, being tempted, he Ki able to ■ or them that are tempU-d. iv. 1 ■). For we have not an which cannot be touched with the feeling of our inlinnitir> ; but was in all points tempted like as we ai r ith- out iin« Fa. iii. i ;. Behold, my i-it shall deal prudently ; he shall be exalted and extolled, and \ . i. II. hi D astonished at thee ; bii than any i hia form more than the SOns of men. 49. * M • I in that 1 ha\. • d the innocent blood. .. What LS that tO US? See ihOU tO th.it. Hat ixti 16, Hut was done, that the scriptur. the prophets mitrht be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsjoofc him, and fled. b;i. liii. 2. For he >hall ROW up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out ot a dry ground : he hath no form nor corneli- and when we shall >ee him, there u no beauty that we should desire him. Ver. 3. He is despised and rejected of men, a man ot I, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our I from him ; he was despised, and -teemed him not. d Mat. xxvii. 96. t> Then released he Barabbas unto them : and when he had SCOUr- ged Jesus, he defirered him to John Hut one of the soldiers with a i pierced his side, and forth- with came thereout blood anil wan Lake \\i\ H A an agony, hi needs ; and his dmps <>t blood fall" down t<» the ground. lit the hour Jeaus cried with a loud .1.1 lama sa- thani? that is t.» say, Hj ist thou forsaki-n ase? " lea, 210 The Larger Catechism. for sin f, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross g. Q. 50. Wherein consisted Chrisfs humiliation after his death? A. Chrisfs humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried h, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day * ; which hath been otherwise expressed in these words, He descended into hell. Q. 51. What was the estate of Chrisfs exaltation? A. The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection k, ascension l, sitting at the right hand of f Isa. liii. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. s Phil. ii. 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled him- self, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Gal. iii. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. 50. h 1 Cor. xv. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scrip- tures. Ver. 4. And that he was bu- ried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. 1 Psal. xvi. 10. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell ; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Compared with Acts ii. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death ; because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ver. 25. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face ; for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Ver. 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope : Ver. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corrup- tion. Ver. 31. He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Rom. vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more ; death hath no more do- minion over him. Mat. xii. 40. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 51. k 1 Cor. xv. 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. 1 Mark xvi. 19. So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was The Largir Catechism. 211 of the Father m, and his coming again to judge the world n. Q. 52. How uus Christ exalted in his n tion ? A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not hav- ing seen corruption in death, (of which it was not possible for him to be held °,) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof p, (but without mortality, and other common infirmities be- ,ing to this life,) really united to his soul q, he bom ;i from the dead the third day by his own power1; Whereby he declared himself to be the ^on of God *, to have satisfied divine justice1, to have vanquished death, and him that had the j>ower of it v, and to be Lord of quick and was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. . ». Which he wrought in ( brill, when he raised him from the md >et him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. n Act* i. ii. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why >tand ye D into heaven? thi> - Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come m like maun have him go into hi area Acta -wii. si. he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteouaneti l»y that man whom lie hath ordai: whtreof lie hath lawirantf unto all m. u, in that he hath •raised him from the diad. .!. 84, Whom I hath raited up, having looted the * of deatli : l>< ihle that he should be holden <»t it. thou wilt my BOIll in bell, neither wilt thou suffer tin tion. Behold mv i my feet, that it i- I myself: handle toe, and a spirit hath not flesh and bones, « me have. Kom. vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, 1 H d from the dead, dieth no more ; deatli hath no more dominion over him. Kev. i. 1^. 1 am he that liveth. and lead ; anil, behold, I am alive . Amen ; and have the of hell anil of death. 'hn x. 18. Jj | iketh ut 1 lay it down of myself: 1 have power to J. down, and I have power to take it rhifl commandment haw 1 * Kom. i. i. And declared to he the Son of God With H Spirit holi- . rcition tiom the 1 Kom. hi- that condeumeth r It i- died, ther, that is . w ho it the hand I, who also maketh rotation I Irh. ii. 1 1 ! as the children are partakti ll. m and blood, he alto himsell hk i w : the sal that Uuo 212 The Larger Catechism. and dead w : all which he did as a public person x, the head of his Church y, for their j ustification z, quickening in grace3, support against enemies b, and to assure them of their re- surrection from the dead at the last day c. Q. 58. How was Christ exalted in his ascension ? A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God d, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations e, forty days after his resurrection, he, stroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. w Rom. xiv. 9. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. x 1 Cor. xv. 21. For since by- man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Ver. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. y Eph. i. 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Ver. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ver. 23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Col. i. 18. And he is the head of the body the church, who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead ; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. z Rom. iv. 25. Who was de- livered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. aEph. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in tres- passes and sins. Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Ver. 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heaven- ly places in Christ Jesus. Col. ii. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. b 1 Cor. xv. 25. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Ver. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Ver. 27. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him. c 1 Cor. xv. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. 53. d Acts i. 2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen : Ver. 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. e Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore, and teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the The Larger Catechism. 213 he, in our nature, and as our head f, triumphing over ene- mies*, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men h, to raise up our affections thitli and to prepare a place for usk, where himself is, and shall continue till hi> second coming at the end of the world \ Q. 54. Ho.c is Christ exalted in his sitting at tht tight hand of God? A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man be is advanced to the highest favour with God the Father m, with all fulness of joy n, glory0, and power the Holy Gho>t : Tcach- theno to observe all things arnatsoevef I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you al- . even unto the end of the world. Amen. i Heh. thither the fore- runner is for us entered, even J. an bfeh priest tor ever after i lee. * E|)h. iv. S. Wherefore he When lie ascended up on aptivity captive, and _ fa unto men. d when he bad spoken these things, while they 1, he was taken up ; and a cloud d him out of their io. And, while they looked stedfastly tOWEfd heaven, he went up, behold, two men Od by them in white apparel ; r. II. Which also I men Galilee, why stand y ira/inir Up into heaven? thi> Mil which i| : am von into heaven, shall so come in like man- into :i. iv. 10. He that descended is the .saoa- also that led up far above all heavens, that he might till all thin--. I\al. Ixviii. is. Thou hasl ascended on hi-li, thou hast led eap: -t it-* »-i ft, foi t; lious as of also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. »1. iii. 1. If ye then he with Christ, seek those tl whieh are ahove, win. sittetli on the right hand of I - : your affections on thimrs ahove, not on thingl on the eartli. k John xiv. ;*. And if I go and prepare a place for yon, I will come again, and receive you unto If, that where I am, tin be also, A tl iii. 21. Whom the he*> DBUSl receive until the tirno of restitution of all things, which (tod hath BDOken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the I began. 64, Phil. ii. <>. Wherefore I hath highly exalted him, and given him a name, which j name. Actl !■■ SB. Thou hSSl made known to me the ways of life ; thou shall make me lull <>t joy with thy countenance . i with Psalm twi II. Thou iHH me the path of lite : in thy ilness ( • hand ti J v, O Fa- ther, thou me with thine ow :i -»ll. w Itfa tin* glory which I hail w itfa I lie world was. l 214 The Larger Catechism. power over aH things in heaven and earth p; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies ; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces % and maketh intercession for them r. Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession ? A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven % in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth l, declaring his wrill to have it applied to all believers v ; answering all accusations against them w, and procuring for them quiet of p Eph. i. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. 1 Pet. iii. 22. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him. i Eph. iv. 10. He that descend- ed is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the minis- try, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Psal. ex. 1 . The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool, &;c. [_See the Psalm throughout /] r Rom. viii. 34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us* 55. s Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Ver. 24. For Christ is not en- tered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true ; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. 1 Heb. i. 3. Who, being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. v John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be- lieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John xvii. 9. I pray for them : I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. Ver. 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. Ver. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. w Rom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: Ver. 34. Who is he that condemn- eth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, The Larger Catechism. 215 of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings x, access with boldne-> to the throne of grace y, and acceptance of their person^ l and services3. Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to Judge the world f J. Christ is to be exalted in his coining again to ju the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and i lined by wicked men b, shall come again at the last day Sjreat power0, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of hi> Father's, with all his holy angels d, with ihout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of (rod**, to judge the world in righteousness f. Q. 67. Mi* rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand ofGodj who maketh intercession fur us, * ]{ 1. Therefore b justified by faith, wi- have peace with God, through our Lord Je- iy whom also ■•■*> by faith into this and, and ie- the glory of God. l John ii. I. My Kittle children, write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we bare an advocate with the 'n ist the righte- . he is the propi- ii for our Bins ; and n pun only, but also for tin- m •rid. Heb. it. 16. 1 boldly unto the throi iy obtain m and find grace to help in th I .;i'i. -.• of the ice, wherein be made us accepted in the ; r Hon built up a •, an hol spiritual iaci sus Chi i. 14. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, desired a murderer to be Ranted unto you ; Ver. 15. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath I from the dead, whereof we Mat. xxiv. 3o. And then shall appear the sign of the Son ot in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and ■hall see the Son of man Coming in the clouds ot' he;. with power and g ry. ] ,'ik«' i\. : irh0SO< shall be ashamed of me and ot my Words, of him shall the Son of man mamed, when be shall come in Jury, and in his Rati and o SI. When the Son of man shall COme in his glory, and all th. angels with him, then shall I the throne I i \swd end from b< with a shout, w ith tin archangel, and with the trump ot 1 the dead in Chi : i>t. \ hath h be will aeai 216 The Larger Catechism. Q. 57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his media- tion? A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption^ with all other benefits of the covenant of grace h. Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the bene- fits which Christ hath procured ? A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us \ which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost k. Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ? A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually com- municated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it * ; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel m. Q. 60. Can ness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 57. e Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtain- ed eternal redemption for us. h 2 Cor. i. 20. For all the pro- misei of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us. 58. i John i. 1 1. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Ver. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. k Tit. hi. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of rege- neration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost : Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 59. l Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your 13 salvation ; in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ver. 14. Which is the earnest of our in- heritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. John vi. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out. Ver. 39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. John x. 15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. Ver. 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,and they shall hear my voice ; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. m Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God. 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken : we also believe, and therefore speak. 60. nRom. The Larger Catechism. 217 Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so mmm not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature ? A. They who, having never heard the gospel", know not is Christ0, and believe not in him, cannot he saved p, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature q, or the laws of that religion which they profess r ; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ 60. n Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom bar e not bettered ? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how \ >h he pin with everlasting destruction from the pr n\, and front the Lrlory of DM power. Kph. ii. that time \e were without Christ, ! from mnnon wealth 0 . and tstranirers from the covenan; promise, boring no hope, and without God in the world. John ild, and the world irsj made by him. the world knew him not. Ver. II. He came unto bil own, and his own nvrivtd him not. Hut SJ many If I I him, t<> them oome veil to • that believe on f.: lohn viii. l2l. I said then unto you, tl ill die m ■ • Mark He that be- is baptized, shtO Ik* i ; but he that ' be darni i Hte? where is the - is the disputer of this world ? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world" V. r. 91. For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolish of preaching to save them that be- I or the Jews ri- tmnblinc- . Phil. iii. t. Though I n aN » have COIlfid< hath whereof be might the flesh, I ii H min, an ! uchfalg the law, a Pharisee; church ; I \* the K 218 The Larger Catechism. Christ alone % who is the Saviour only of his body the church *. Q. 61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church ? A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved ; but they only who are true members of the church invisible^ Q. 62. What is the visible church ? A. The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true reli-, gion w, and of their children x. Q. 63. What righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Ver. 7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Ver. 8. Yea doubt- less, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the know- ledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Ver. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by- faith. s Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other : for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. z Eph. v. 22. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church : and he is the saviour of the body. 61. v John xii. 38. That the say- ing of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed ? Ver. 39. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, Ver. 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Rom. ix. 6. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect: for they are not all Israel which are of Israel. Mat. xxii. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen. Mat. vii. 21. Not every- one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Rom. xi. 7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seek- eth for ; but the election hath ob- tained it, and the rest were blinded. 0 62. w 1 Cor. 1. 2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Rom. xv. 9. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, The Larger Catechism. 219 Q. 63. What arc the special privileges rjf the risible church ? A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under G(xl*> special care and government7; of being protected and preserved Gentiles, and sins unto thy name. Ver. lo. And ■gam lit- Berth, He- nce, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles ; and laud him, all ye people. Ver. 12. And ■gall :i, There shall he a root <»i Jesse, and he that >hall U) reLrn OVW the (until* him shall tM Gentiles tru-t. Hev. vii. *J. Alter this I beheld, ami lo, a great multitude, which no man OOllld Dumber, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and the throne, and imb, clothed with white i id pain their hand-. RmL H s- A>k of and I shall give thee the heathen lor thine inheritance, and the uttermost parti "1 the earth for thy | i. Psal. All the ends of the world -hall re- meinhei and turn UOtO the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee I 1 the kingdom i^ the and he i> the r among the nation-. . All they that he fat upon tnd wor- ship : all the) l down to the du-t shall how ! in ; and ;> alive liia <»\\ n soul. \ e him ; mted t<» the I for a generation. Ver. 31. and shall deelai leousness unto a people that i, that he hath I v . I 7 . [will I red in all oqi : therefore shall the people nrai.se tl therefore, and teach all nati baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20, Teaching them to observe all thing* what- r I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. La. lix. 91. A> for me, this is my covenant with them. SSlth the Lord, My Spirit that b Upon thee, and my worths which I have put in thy month, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out ot the mouth ol t nor out of the mouth of thy sea saith the Lord, from henceforth anil I i Cor. vii. 1 1. For the unbe- lieving husband is sanctitied by the and the unbelievin^ saiutilied by the hu>band: SSSS UT children unclean ; but they holy. Acts ii. Lor tin- promise is unto you, and ir children, ami to all that an- as many as the 1 our God shsj] call. Kwm. \i. In. For it tin* first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy ; and it tin be bio wii. 7. And I will establisl covenant between me and I and thy seed thee, in then in iterations, I and i thee. ! SSj • »• And t i will create upon every dwell {ot mount ,' ler assemblies, a clou v, anil the shinitMf . v night : foi upon all the glory shall be a defi sj . \ , 220 The Larger Catechism. preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies2; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary m jans of salvation a, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, tes- tifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved b, and excluding none that will come unto him c. Q. 64. What And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. 1 Tim. iv. 10. For therefore we bothlabour, and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, espe- cially of those that believe. z Psal. cxv. 1. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but — Ver* 2. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? fyfc Ver. 9. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield, 6p. \^See the Psalm throughout.^ Isa. xxxi. 4. For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shep- herds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them ; so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. Ver. 5. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem ; defend- ing also he will deliver it, and passing over he will preserve it. Zech. xii. 2. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling un- to all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege, both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Ver. 3. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a bur- densome stone for all people : all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gather- ed together against it. Ver. 4. In that day, saith the Lord, I will, smite every horse with astonish- ment, and his rider with madness; and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. Ver. 8. In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabi- tants of Jerusalem ; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. Ver. 9. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. a Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Ver. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. b Psal. cxlvii. 19. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. Ver. 20. He hath not dealt so with any nation : and as for his judg- ments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Rom. ix. 4. Who are Israelites ; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the ser- vice of God, and the promises. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and The Larger Cateehlw\. Q. 64. Whut i$ the invisible Chur h t A. The invisible Church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head d. (J. 65. What special benefits do the members of' the in a'thle church enjoy by Christ t A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory e. (t). ()(). What ii thai union zehich the elect have uith Chri A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God's grace f, whereby they are spiritually and mystically. and teachers Ver. 12. For the lor the work of the mi the I it Mark x\ Anil he said unto then into all the world, and preach the gospel ITer. 16. He that beaetCtht and i> baptized, shall be saved ; but he that ba- th not .shall be damned. >\\\\ vi. :*7. All that the Father ■hreth me shall come to me; and fan that cometh to me 1 will in no wise cast out. ph. i. 10. That in the Mutation of the initios ot t. he rniLrht eathrr together in one all tilings in l hrist, both which are in heaven, and v. earth, even in him. \ And hath put all things Iffldef _ ave him to bf 1 1 1* - h< t 1 all things to the church, dness of that lilleth all in alL John X. ihetp 1 :»ich ot of this fold ; them a bring, and »»v i shall be one ihephti i \i. \nd not tor that nation i but th.it .. tlie chi ' that were scattered abroad. 65. e John xvii. 21. That all may be one ; as thou, lather, art in me, and 1 in thee, that they may be one in .: the world may believe that thou sent me. Kph. ii. 5. id in sin- eiied :her with Christ, (by . !. \ < hath as up together, mad< ther in hea places in Christ J \>i. Father, I will that t whom thou .ven DM with me wh< 1 1 I they may behold my ^loiy wi. i me: i<>i thou \o\ me before the foundation <•; . Id* A: I .::. put all thing* under hi> feet, gave him to be the \. church. l.,iii. And hath raised us up I and made us sit heavenly places in l . That m the agtS to * night shew ti.' ' his grace. In hi nets ton ye saved, thn it i> t: God. • I I 222 The Larger Catechism. yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband^; which is done in their effectual calling11. Q. 67. What is effectual calling? A. Effectual calling is the work of GocPs almighty power and grace *, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto k) he * 1 Cor. vi. 17. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. John x. 28. And I give unto them eternal life., and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Eph. v. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church : and he is the saviour of the body. Ver. 30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. h 1 Pet. v. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffer- ed a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 67. l John v. 25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is com- ing, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Eph. i. 1 8. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened ; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inherit- ance in the saints ; Ver. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power; Ver. 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the hea- venly places. 2 Tim. i. 8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of, me his prisoner : but be thou par- taker of the afflictions of the gos- pel, according to the power of God : Ver. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy call- ing, not according to our works, but according to his own pur- pose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. k Tit. iii. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by works of righteous- ness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regenera- tion, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. ii. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Ver. 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness to- ward us through Christ Jesus. Ver. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God. Ver. 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Rom. ix. 11. For the children being not yet bom, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God ac- cording to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. 1 2 Cor. The Larger Catechism. 52523 he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to IDs Christ, by his word and Spirit ingty enUghtomig their minds m, renewing and powerfully determining thtir wills n, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and coove; therein °. 1 2 Cor. v. 20. Now then ire embassadors lor Christ, as though God did beseech you by US: we pray you in Christ's ll led t<> God. ( pared wit It 8 Cor. vi. I. We then, at workers together with him, beseech J . that ye receive not I kkI in vain. :ith, I have 1 in a tin pled, and in sf >alvation have I behold. BOW Kl the pled time ; behold, now i> the day of salvation. John vi. 11. No • me, except the . r which hath >ent DM draw him ; and I will raise him up at : iflt day. It, ii. 13. But ire bound thanks ahvav t I u, bre- thren, beloved of the Lord, be- cause God hath from t! Iling chosen yon to salvation, through sail the Spirit and belief of the truth : 1 1. Whereunto he called you ur gospel, to the obtaining ot the glory of out Lord Jesus . 1^. To i pen their urn them darkness to light, and firott) the and inh. among then h are sanctified . ii. 10. Bui I them unto u- in sear all thi the deep thi: _ God. Yer. 12. Now we hav ceived, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God ; that we aright know the things that are freelv given to k God. /ek. xi. 19. I will give t: one heart, and I will put a spirit within you ; and I will rt out of their flesh, and will irive them an heart of D>fltL Esek. xxxvi. ^elieveth on him that the unirodlv, his faith i^ \i>. To wit. in C'hri>t, reconciling world unto himself, not imputing their Mes unto them : unitted unto us the word of reconciliation. \\ >r he hath made him to \ : lit, who knew no -in ; that we n l>e made the right in him. Rom. iii. 22. Even the . which i faith untO all upon all them that bell there i< no ditlerein- Being justified freely 1>\ h throi._ option t ■ \, God hat tiation through faith in hi t<» declare his righteousnesi the remi through the forbeara \ v ided. 1 faith. v« !. 28. l elude, that a man \s justified by failh without the devil- s of ness which he sa 226 The Larger Catechism. for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them % and received by faith alone b. Q. 71. How is justification an act of' GooVs free grace? A. Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God'sjustice in the behalf of them that are justified c; yet in as much as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demand- ed of them, and did provide this surety, his own only Sond, imputing generation, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. * Ver. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgive- ness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. a * Rom. v. 17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which re- ceive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Ver. 18. Therefore as by the of- fence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation ; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many ■were made sinners; so by the obe- dience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. iv. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessed- ness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Ver. 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Ver. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. b Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Gal, ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law : for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. 71. c Rom. v. 8. But God com- mendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Ver. 9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Ver. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son ; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners ; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. d 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ; Ver. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Heb. x. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Mat, xx. 2& 52^7 The Larger Catechism. imputing his righteousness to them % and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith f, which also is his giftg, their justification is to them of free grace h. Q. T* What xx. 28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to gif€ his life a ransom for many. Dan. tv weeks are deter- mined upon thy people, and up- on thy holy city, to finish the . and to make an end of sins, and to make recon- ciliation for iniquity, and to brine in eVerkttting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and pro- phecy, and to anoint the most And after three- and two -hall Mt - be cut off, hut not for hin and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary, and the end thereof shall he with a Hood, and unto the end of the re determined, ha. - irely he hath home our fs, and earr»ed our BOITO* S : in him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted I lint he was irounded for our t: i bruised • ir iniquities: the chasl mciit of our peace was upon him ; and with his strips w ,• healed Ver. <>. All ire, like sheep, bare gon< turned i .,• t.» his <»\nii way; and the Lord hath on him the iniquity of ui all. v. t it pleased the Lord to •• him ; he hath put him to : when thou s}M|t make his offering I he §h Ml see his seed, In- sh.ill proloni 1 the plra^ii I •per in hi> hand. 1 He shall gee of tin* travail «>f his i and shall be satisfied : by his know' tall my right vant justify many; lor lie shall their iniquities, ver. 18. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong* bei hath poured out his soul unto death : and he was numbered with the t; : and he bare th( sin of many, and made into for the ti 1 1 !•. \ By SO much W8J JeSUI ma surety of a better testament. 1; viii. :>.'. 1 , arid not hifl own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give EH all things? 1 1' 18. Forasmuch as ye know ye were not redeemed with ruptible things, as >ilver and goldj from your vain conversation re- el by tradition from fathers; Ver. 19. Bui with precious blood of rhrist. lamb without blemish anil with- out spot. !. For he hath madt him to he *in for us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteous in him. I Horn. hi. 84. Being justified v by hi- i the option that is in Jesus ( "' \ Whom God hath a propitiation throi in his blood, t<> declare lii- i - for the remissi, that aie past, through the fori i ' ye Saved, thr • I that not « ' Ives : it < ■ 228 The Larger Catechism. Q. 72. What is justifying faith ? A. Justifying faith is a saving grace1, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit k and word of God1, whereby hey being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition m, not only assenteth to the truth of the pro- mise of the gospel11, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin % and forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. 72. { Heb. x. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that be- lieve, to the saving of the soul. k 2 Cor. iv. ]3. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken: we al- so believe, and therefore speak. Eph. i. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ver. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and wThat the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ver. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. iRom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? * Ver. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. m Acts ii. 37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts xvi. 30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? John xvi. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment : Ver. 9. Of sin, because they believe not in me. Rom. v. 6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Eph. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. n Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation : in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. u John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Acts xvi. 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness,, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. p PhiL The Larger Catechism. 229 and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation p. Q. 73. Hon: doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God? A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it q, nor as if the g faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for hisjusti- ionr; hut only a- it i> an instrument by which Ik ceiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousiu- Q, 74. What is adoption t A. Adoption is an act of the free _ of God1, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ v, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children w, have his Phil. iii. 9. And he found in him, not having mine own ridite- ess, which is of the law, but that which i> through the faith of 1 less which is id by faith. Acta xv. 11. But we believe that, through the the L ! Jesus Christ, we shall I ral. iii. 11. But that no Bed by the law in the - just shall live by faith. Rom. lude that by faith w ithout ' Rom. i\ . '>. Hut to him • .t believeth on that justifieth t «lly, heart man Lx lieveth isness, and with the ssion i> made unto '. But an n ^ave he •in* th« l'hil. iii. \). And he found which but that which i> through the faith of Christ, the right ness which faith. GaL ii. 16, Knowing that a man :t justified by the worl the law, but by the faith < I JetUI Christ .vc bd in Jesus Christ, that we might he justified hy the fail hristj and not hy t! law : tor hy tl of the law shall no flesh be justified. :i. • l John iii. l. Behold • manner of love the Father I upon ui bouk) called tli 1 ! 1 | h. I '>. Having pn ed n> to the adoption Of children st to bin old- good pleasure of his will. GaL iv. \. Hut when the fulness of the time * .. :<»rth hi> SoO, D man, made under the law . \ ■ hem that were i. the I adoption of sons. ' -In i i. 19, But Bl many as them gavi t<> them that bvliivc QQ his , 230 The Larger Catechism. his name put upon them x, the Spirit of his Son given them y, are under his fatherly care and dispensations admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory a. Q. 75. What is sanctification ? A. Sanctification is a work of God's grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit b applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them c, renewed in their whole man after the image of x 2 Cor. vi. 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Rev. iii. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God : and I will write upon him my new name. y Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spi- rit of his Son into your hearts, cry- ing, Abba, Father. 1 Psal. ciii. 13. Like as a fa- ther pitieth his children; so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Prov. xiv. 26. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge. Mat. vi. 32.— For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. a Heb. vi. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Rom. viii. 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 75. b Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love. 1 Cor. vi. 11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justi- fied in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks to God al- way for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. c Rom. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Ver. 5. For if we have been planted together in the like- ness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection : Ver. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroy- ed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. <* Eph. The Larger Catechism. 231 of Godd; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts e, and ti graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened *, , as that thev more and more die unto >in, and rise unto new: of life «. Q. 76. What m repentance unto life ? A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace h, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit1 and word God, :. And be renewed in Spirit of your mind; Ver. 24. And that fe put on the new man, which after God n treated in righ- - and true holiness. 'Acts xi. 13. When they la-aid things they held their p and glorified God, saying. Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto lite. 1 John iii. !'. Whosoever is horn ■ (rod doth BOt eonimit for 1. remaineth in him : and he cannot sin, hecau>e he is horn ol GotL rJll .90. But ved, building up on your ■lOSt holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghott lift;. fL 11- And thai < v«ry one of you full assurance of hope unto not slothful, but foil of them, through f.iith and pat ii the promises. Kph. iii. 16. That he would grant you, ac- ng to tl:- t<» b - theiu-d with n hy his Spirit in the inner man ; That Christ 11 in faith ; ' that 1 in I B. May be able I prebend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ; Ver. 19, to k: io the the Casseth knowledge, that ye might e filled with all the fulness ot* God. Col. i. 10. That ye might walk worthy ot* the Lord' unto all pleasing, being fruitful in i good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Mod; Ver. II. Strengthened with all might ac- cording to his glorfoai unto all patieHCC and loni:-sutier- ing with joy fulness. Hum. vi. v. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ 1 up from the dead by the glory of the Father, M we Bhotdd walk in newness of life. Ver. t». Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be c! that henceforth we should not sin. Ver. 1 1. FoT sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under ( I . Mi Ami they that i rucified the flesh, with the affections and h. Tim. ii. 85. In m. ness instructing those that oppose then i tad pern will give them repentance to the ing of the truth. 10. And I i David, upon the it/ rusa- letUi the ipirfl of grai • Mipplicati d they shall and 232 The Larger Catechism. God k, whereby out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger1, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins m, and upon the apprehension of God's mercy in Christ to such as are penitent11, he so grieves for° and hates . his and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. k Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Ver. 20. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. Ver. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them : and a great number be- lieved, and turned unto the Lord. 1 Ezek. xviii. 28. Because he eonsidereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ver. 30. Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one ac- cording to his ways, saith the Lord God : repent, and turn your- selves from all your transgres- sions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ver. 32. For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Luke xv. 17. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger ! Ver. 18. I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee. Hos. ii. 6. Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. Ver. 7. And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them a and she shall seek them, but shall not find them : then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband, for then was it better with me than now. m Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your ini- quities, and for your abomi- nations. Isa. xxx. 22. Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous clothe thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. n Joel ii. 12. Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weep- ing, and with mourning ; Ver. 13- and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gra- cious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent- eth him of the evil. ° Jer. xxxi. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning him- self thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God* Ver. 19. Surely after that I was turned The Larger CaU 233 -ins p, as that he turns from them all to God q, purposing nd endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the rays of new obedience r. Q. 77. Wherein do justification and sanctijuatlm differ? A. Although sanetihcation be inseparably joined vrithjus- ification8, yet they differ, in that God in justification imput- ,th the righteousness of Christ1; in sanetihcation his Spirit infuseth unied I repented ; and after hat I IT8J instructed I xnote tpon i ; I was ashamed, rea, even confounded, bee;: did bear the reproach of my Moth. .-. vii. 11. For, behold, same thing, that ye rt, what :it in you; wrhat clearing of yourseh ^ea, what indignation; yea, what Near; yea, what vehement desire; fea, what it :, what re- venge! In all things ye have ap- 3 to be clear in Acta xxvi. Is. To open their and to turn them from brkness to light, and from the that Mils, and iuhi them I are sanctified by faith that is in me. !./. rii fore say unto the house ol [i rhus smith the Lord God, Repent, iiid turn i turn .: nr faces all your abominati 1 Kinga viii. i:. Vet it they shall bethink thein>elves in the land and repent, and make • on unto thee, in the land ■m that . We I ned, and have done pen en have so return iint with all their heart, and with all their soul. r ft t 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have re- spect unto all thy commandments. Yer. o9. I thought on my P and turned my teet unto tliy te>ti- monies. Wr. 1 l& Therefore I :n all thy pteceptS concern- dl things to be right ; and I •Ise way. J a ike i. 0. And they \s t re both rfghtflW before Cicxl, walking in all the commandments and ordina of the Lord blameless, xxiii. lJJ. And like unto him was there no kin^r before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, accordii all the law of Bfosei ; neither alter him arose there any like him. . * 1 Cor. vi. 11. And | ae ot you: bol wa>heil, but ye ;ue sanctified, but re justified in the i I I MS] ami by the Spirit <>t our Qodi 1 I • Hut of him .ua- w in ( kuitt who ule unto us \\ ixli'in, and i isnesa, and sa inption. 1 Horn. iv. also describi-th the blessedness of tin* man unto whom tiod im- puteth vs wit I I hum the Loid will nut 1 234 The Larger Catechism. infuseth grace, ahd enableth to the exercise thereof v ; in the former, sin is pardoned w; in the other, it is subdued x: the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation y ; the other is neither equal in all z, nor in this life perfect in any a, but growing up to perfection b. Q. 78. Whence v Ezek. xxxvi. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, nd ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. w Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: Ver. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righ- teousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbear- ance of God. x Rom. vi. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not seive sin. Ver. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. y Rom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, Ver. 34. Who is he that condemn- ed? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 1 1 John ii. 12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. Ver. 13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. Ver. 14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that' is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Heb. v. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teach- ers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first prin- ciples of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Ver. 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Ver. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. a 1 John i. 8. And if we say that we have no sin, we deceive our- selves, and the truth is not in us. Ver. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. b 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having there- fore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect ; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Ver. 13. Brethren, I count not myself to have appre- hended : but this one thing I do ; forgetting The Larger Cateeh'ism. (). 78. Whence ariseth the Imperfection of sanctification A. The imperfection of sanctification in believer^ ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them, and the perpetual lustings of the ^A\ against the spirit ; whereby thev are often foiled with temptation>, and fall into many sin-c, are hindered in all their spiritual services'1, and their work- are imperfect and detiled in the sight of Gode. (,). T9, May not true believi r#, by reason tif their 'nnj >ns, and the many temptation* and sins- they are o. taken ictth, full WODOyJrom the state of'gnue? A. True bdi ion of the unchangeable low 1 f, and his decreeand covenant toghre themper>e\eranceg, their tinLr thoot) things winch are rth unto tfcpfc things which are before, 1 1. I press toward tbl mark, lor tin- prize < t.» !»•• blan ' tmc.iin.tr.. in. Jamei, it with tin- Gentiles: hut ne.hewithd Ml separated Lm - I\ learim them d Heb, \ii. l. \\ In see- e tin a:.- oceaposssd about itnesses, the sin which clot us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before [sa.li • . 'i. Hut \-. .11 as an uncJeao thing, and all our righ- teousnesses are as lilthy rags, and i our iniquities, like the wind, haw taken u> away. Kxod. xxviii. 3>. And it shall be upon Aaron's bear the iniquity of the holy ti which the children < hallow in all their In it .shall he always upon hi> : . that they may he accepted rd. :. The Lord hath appeared ot old unto me, SSy- I t loved thee with an e\ leietoie with loving-kindness hare 1 drawi less, the foundation I ideih thb >eal. The I know eth tlu in that aie hi*. nameth the itl ilep.ut from ini- quity. Ii \ I the I rate, that brought again iiuin our l 'esus, thn 236 The Larger Catechism. their inseparable union with Christ h, his continual inter, cession for them1, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in themk, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace1, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation"1. Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that tliey shall persevere tlierein unto salvation ? A. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good con science before him11, may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's pro- mises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in them- selves those graces to which the promises of life are made0, and through the blood of the everlast- ing covenant, Ver. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do nis will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure : for this is all my salva- tion, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. h 1 Cor. i. 8. Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the utter- most that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make inter- cession for them. Lukexxii.32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not ; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. k 1 John iii. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin : for his seed remaineth in him : and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John ii. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you ; and ye need not that any man teach you : but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 Jer. xxxii. 40. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good ; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. John x. 28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. m 1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be reveal- ed in the last time. 80. n 1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 0 1 Cor. ii. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God : that we might know the things that are freely given to us of The Larger Catechism. 237 md bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God p, be infallibly assured that thev are in state of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salva- Q. 81 . Are all tr\< at all times assured of their pre- ate nfgraee, and that they .shall be saved? A. Assurancv a id salvation not being of the essence if faith r, true believers may wait long before they obtain it'; and. I. 1 John hi. 1 4. We know hat ft e passed from death into life, because ire love the jreth: that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. Ver. 18. Hy little children, let 111 not I »rd, neither hi tongue, but •d, and in truth. Vet* 19. And j we know thai Wt are ot our him. Ver. .'1. if our heart condemn ns not, I .mis i lie that keepeth lis commandment! dwdleth in EUld he in him : and hi : ■ve know that he abideth in us, rit which he hath given is. 1 John iv. 13. Hereby know it we dwell in him, and he tus«* he hath glYen i. \nil we I n and believed ti that and th in 1< ll< tli toil God in him. 1 ifllgvnr.'. to the full USUI i tin- . nd : Ver. I i That • tlltul, b ii fait h and iherit the protllU • areth witness with i 1 Jol I wntt.-n m lieve on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 81. r Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye b the word of truth, the uospel of ation; in whom also. that ye believe* K, ealed with that Holy Spirit <>t pmmise* laa. 1. in. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that oUyetll the voice of i. t, that walk- eth in darkness, and hath noli, let him trust in the name Of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Iwxviii. tkvmghBmt. \ < tiny salvation, I have cried day and in. i - t my pi Incline thine I isfull of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the Ihou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darl ; a \ I I • ■ 1 1J R rath lieth I thou hast afflict- ed me M ith all thy '. .Mine eye u:<>;, J res>« I affliction : Lord, I haw call* . UDOII tin < 1 I my hai Will thoi the dead? — \ 1:1 the n nail my - thee. v i ;. 1 238 The Larger Catechism. and, after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and intermitted, through manifold distempers, sins, temp- tations, and desertions*; yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair v. Q. 82. What my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? Ver. 15. lam afflict- ed and ready to die from my youth up : while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted, 6$c. * QPsal. lxxvii. 1. to the \2th Verse^ Ver. 1. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice ; and he gave ear unto me. Ver. 2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not : my soul refused to be com- forted. Ver. 3. 1 remembered God, and was troubled : I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.—- Ver. 7. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more ? S$c. Cant. v. 2. I sleep, but my heart waketh : it is the voice of my beloved that knock- eth, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled : for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. Ver. 3. I have put off my coat, how shall I put it on ? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them ? Ver. 6* I opened to my be- loved ; but my beloved had with- drawn himself, and was gone : my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him: I called him, but he gave me no answer. Psal. li. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Ver. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Psal. xxxi. 22. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes ; nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my suppli- cations when I cried unto thee* Psal. xxii. 1. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roar- ing? v 1 John iii. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin ; for his seed remaineth in him : and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Job xiii. 15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him : but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Psal. lxxiii. 15. If I say, I will speak thus ; be- hold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. Ver. 23. Nevertheless, I am continually with thee : thou hast holden me by my right hand. Isa. liv. 7. For a small moment have I for- saken thee ; but with great mer- cies will I gather thee. Ver. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment ; but with ever- lasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Re- deemer. Ver. 9. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me : for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth ; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. Ver. 10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kind- ness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee. 82. "'2 Cor. The Larger Cateihism. W$ Q. 82. What is the communion hi glory lehkh the mem- 'tble church have wiih Chrl A. The communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, fa in this life*, imme- diately after death x, and at last perfected at the resurrec- tion and day of judgment \ Q. 83. What is the communion in glory with Christ which the invisible ehmrch enjoy in this Ij/i. 9 A. The members of the invisible church have communi- I to them in this life the first-fruits of glory with Christ, as they are member- of him their head, and >o in him are interested in that glory which he is fullv j) nd. St thereof, enjov the Sense of God's love\ peace of conscience, jov in the IIolv Ghost, and hope of glory*; n the contran of God's revenging wrath, horror m&cience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to ricked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death n. M. ShaM But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass 4 tin- Lord, are _t-d into thi i as by Spirit of the Lord. Luk( i Jesus said unto inin, V< lily I say unto tl tali thou be a itfa n i Them iv. it. Thm I alive- and mn.tin >hall lught up together a itfa then meet the Lord the air : and m> shall we - I .id. n when we . hath (Jllick< U3 together with < re >a\»-fi \nd hath raised u* up together, and made v inly placet • It (1 hope maketh suse the loi e <»t by the Holy Ghost whicJ unto us. Compared u ritk fl Cor. i. Who hath a|ao lealed ua, given th< m of the Spirit in our hea Rom. v. l. Therefore l justified l>y tait! with God, through our Lord ' Christ \ i . .-. \>\ i : access by faith into this trrace wherein !, ami rejoice in hope <>t the ska ■ i> no' .nd drink, but ri nuMiess, and peace, and joy in the Holy Gil 1 Cain said unto the Lord, M> puniahnh 1 i bear \\\ ; iilt, I ha • blood. And tiu y Said, \ - ' MV tl !1 devour tha 240 The Larger Catechism. Q. 84. Shall all men die ? A. Death being threatened as the wages of sind, it is ap- pointed unto all men once to diee; for that all have sinned f, Q. 85. Death, being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous deliveredjrom death, seeing all their sins are for- given in Christ ? A. The righteous shall be delivered from death itself at the last day, and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of itg; so that, although they die, yet it is out of God's loveh, to free them perfectly from sin and misery^ and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory, which they then enter uponk. Q. 86. What adversaries. Rom. ii. 9. Tribula- tion and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. Mark ix. 44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 84. dBom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death : but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. e Heb. ix. 27. And as it is ap- pointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. f Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by- one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 85. 8i Cor. xv. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. * Ver. 55. O death ! where is thy sting ? O grave ! where is thy victory ? Ver. 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. Ver. 57. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. ii. 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime sub- ject to bondage. h Isa. lvii. 1. The righteous perisheth, and no man laveth it 24 to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Ver. 2. He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. 2 Kings xxii. 20. Behold, therefore I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. iRev. xiv. 13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them. Eph. v. 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. k Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Phil. i. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; which is far better. 86. 1 Heb. The Larger Cutcckr Q. HG. What is the cojtimnnion in glory with Christ, v of tin' invisible church enjoy immediately Uk 9 t The communion in glory with Christ, which the num- bers of the invisible church enjoy immediately after de ttb, i that their souls are then made perfect in holii. n . and ived into the highest heavens", where they behold the of God in light and glory", waiting for the full redemp- of their bodies0, which even in death continue united hristp, and rest in their gra in their beds4, till at ;he last dav they be again united to their souls r. Wber the ; Heb. xii. 23. To the _ - assembly and church of the born, which art- written in n, and to God the judge of • II. tiid to the spu men I I or. v. I. For we know, if our earthly house ot this ed, we i buildii ^ 1, an hi lot made with hands, eternal in \\ r. o. I':.. | confident, 1 hat whilst we are at home in the t from the tident, I ind williriLr rather to be from the body, and t<> be •. ith the Lord. Phil, i , I am in a strait betn ■ Mid to Ik- with ( lui-t ; which u lets :n the heai en must til tin- tim. ;tu- ill thing*, which ( spoken l>y the mouth of all >ly prophets »rld '•egan. And with Eph. iv. 10. ■ - nded up f.tr a1 11 huafiiMij that he might till all II 1 1 1 Lr s I Johi doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him .. :. xiii. L2. For through darkly ; but then now I know in part , but then shall I know even I am known. • Horn. viii. 23. And not only but ourselves also, which have the iirst-truits ot the Spirit, even we our>elv< I Within musettes, waiting for the adop- tion, to wit, the redemption oi our body, r my heart Is glad, and i rejoiceth: mj in hope. ■ 1 Thess. i\ . 1 [. Pot i; I that Jesus died, and them also which - will God bi him. [aa. K . each one walking in 1»j- Ind thou; •l IIIV Qeflfa shall I and mine eyes shall behold, and not another ; though ■ned within D I ' I '242 The Larger Catechism. the souls of the wicked are at their death cast into helL, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day s. Q. 87. What are we to believe concerning the resurrection I A. We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust4: when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the self-same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united' to their souls for ever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ v. The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, s Luke xvi. 23. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in tor- ments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Ver. 24. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Acts i. 25. That he may take part of this ministry and apostle- ship, from which Judas by trans- gression fell, that he might go to his own place. Jude, ver. 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under dark- ness, unto the judgment of the great day. Ver. 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffer- ing the vengeance of eternal fire. 87. t Acts xxiv. 15. And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, v 1 Cor. xv. 51. Behold, I shew you a mystery ; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, Ver. 52. In a moment, in the twink- ling of an eye, at the last trump : (for the trumpet shall sound,) and the dead shall be raised incor- ruptible, and we shall be changed- Ver. 53. For this corruptible must put on incoriuption, and this mortal must put on immortality* 1 Thess. iv. 15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. Ver. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Ver. 17. Then we which j arealive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. John v. 28. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, Ver. 29« And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resur- rection The Larger Catechism. power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glo- rious bodvw; and the bodies of the wicked shall be rai up in dishonour by him, as an offended judge x. Q.88. What shall immediately fulloze after then. sun A. Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of angels and men7; t and hour whereof no man knoweth, that all may watch and pray, and be ever readv for the coming of the Lord . g. S& What rection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of ination. w 1 Coi -1. For since by man came death, by man came rection of the d in Adam all die, -hall all be made it every man in -i the fruits ;••• they that Christ's at his coming. Ver. I urrection of the dead. \n in corruption, rruption : Ver. 1 i. It n n in dishonour, it i tv : it is sown in weakness, I in puss i 1 1. It i- a natural body, it is raised ritual body. PhU.iii.21. V shall change our vile body, that it m;. lioned like unto his .i> IkhI> ding to the to subdue all things unto him- i And hath given authority t<> executo cause he ii th< Marvel not at the hour i- coming, in !i all ti. in tin •^ shall bear lus roice, \ ihall come forth ; t tion * right hand, but the goats on the 88. > 2 Pet. ii. t. For if spared not the angels that si but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains darkness, to he reserved unto judgment JuaV i kept not tl Ut left their own h, tion, he hath reserved in ewrlast- under darkness, unto frment of the great day • ;. Even a> Sodom and Go- morrha, and thecities about I in like manner Lri\ i r i ir them- to fornication, and g e set torth for an pie, Buffering ti of eternal fire. Vi id l.noeh also, the seventh from A d Of tl: I. I ootneth with thousands of hi- saints, I To execute judgment upon and tO convince all that an nu- ll them ot all - u which tl illy committed, their haul speeches which sintM ; spoken agai Mat \\\ • t'i. And thase but tl B and houi knoweth i t in\ 244 The Larger Catechism, Q. 89. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment ? A. At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ's left hand% and, upon clear evidence, and full con- viction of their own consciences b, shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against themc; and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable pre- sence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with' the devil and his angels for everd. Q. 90. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment ? A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds % shall be set on his right hand, and fore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Ver. 44. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Luke xxi. 35. For as a snare shah it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Ver. 36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 89. aMat. xxv. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. b Rom. ii. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience al- so bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accus- ing or else excusing one another, Ver. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. c Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Ver. 42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink : Ver. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in : naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. d Luke xvi. 26. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. 2 Thess. i. 8. In flaming lire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. 90. e 1 Thess. iv. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. f Mat. The Larger Catechism. 245 and there openly acknowledged and acquitted f, shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and me] and shall be received into heaven h, where they shall Ik fully and for ever freed from all sin and misery1; filled with inconceivable joysk, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and BOlll, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels1, but especially in the immediate vi>ion and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity m. And this is the perfect and full communion, which the member! the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the rrection and day of judgment. Having Mat And he shall Bet leepoil his ri-rht hand, but the - on the left Mat . ;.-. W'ho- r therefore shall coi re men, him will I also i • my Father which is in heaven. Cor. vi. 8, Do ye not know that the saint< shall judge the i ? and if the world shall be ye unworthy idlest matt not that we shall - r how much more things that pertain to this lifi . Then shall the - say unto them on hil I blessed of my inherit the kingdom pre- iu from the founda- of the world. \ And shall gO away into «vnl.i>t- punishment : hot tin- riLrhte- into lit. eternal. Eph. That he might ■ nt it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, ; but that it should lx* I .1 without blemish I uiiee into me, •' tin- dead which id, from henceforth : saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them. PsaL xvi. 1 1. Thou wilt ri me the path of lite: in thy ifl fumeafl of joy. at thy right hand there are plea- evermore. 1 Hel). xii. 92. But J unto mount Sinn, and unto trf the living God* the hea- venly Jerusalem, and to an in- numerable company of ai _ To the general asi bly and ehureh of the tir>t-hon.. which are mitten in \n . and to God the judge of all. and to the spirits ot just men n i John hi. 8. Deloredj now aii- we the >ons ot (iod ; anil it doth not yet appear what luit we know that, when lit- >hall app. -hall he like : .■ shall S6S him as he i>. 1 \iii. i i. I -i tnom a i see thi lss, darkly ; but then fa : now I know in part ; but then shall I knov i am know n. 1 Thes*. i\ . 1 7. Ah'ah are alive and n shall be urn togetha then in the i lo meet the I i in the air; and so shall we -246 The Larger Catechism. Having seen what the Scriptures principally teach us to believe concerning God, it follows to con- sider what they require as the Duty of Man. Q. 91. What is the duty which God requireth of man ? A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will n. Q. 92. What did God at first reveal unto man as ilie rule> of his obedience ? A. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocence, and to all mankind in him, besides a special command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the know- ledge of good and evil, was the moral law °. Q. 93. What is the moral law ? A. The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding every one to personal, per- fect, ever be with the Lord. Ver. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 91. n Rom. xii. 1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mer- cies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, ac- ceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Ver. 2. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the re- newing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and ac- ceptable, and perfect will of God. Micah vi. 8. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God ? 1 Sam. xv. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great de- light in burnt-offerings and sacri- fices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is bet- ter than sacrifice ; and to hearken than the fat of rams. 92. ° Gen. i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Ver. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him ; male and female created he them. Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto them- selves: Ver. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excus- ing one another. Rom. x. 5. For Moses describeth the righteous- ness which is of the law, That the man which doeth these things shall live by them. Gen. ii. 17. But The Larger Catechism. feet, and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, >oul and bodv ** and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righ- ffhich be oweth to God and man'1: promic life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it r. Q. (J4. Is there any use of the moral law to man .stun the fall? A. Although no man, since the fall, can attain I by the moral law5 ; yet there is great use tlu: But of the tree of the knowledge of I and evil, thou shall not eat of >r in the day that thou c (hereof thou shalt surer? die. 93. 9 DeuL v. 1. And MOSBI call- ed all Israel, and said unto them, the statutes and tli< h 1 -peak in your cars this day, that ye may learn . and do them. : be Lord our Go I mi riant with us in Horeb. Ver. ie not th nam with our fathers, hut with all of us here .1. Hut 8 stand thou here l»y me, and I will Speak unto thee all the com- manduK-nts, and the statutes, and aliments which thou sha.lt teach them, that they may do them in the land v. hid: I them t<> possess it. \ I .all M all. in ;dl the ways which the I I hath commanded ■sal ft inav In I , and that it may l II with may your daji in the land shall possess. Luk aid unto him, Wl, in the law ? how u-adest thou mi shah love the I with all thy In art. and w itii aJl thy | d with all thy Strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as th J Gal iii. 10. 1 the works of the law are under the : for it is written. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the boOl of the law to do t 1 TheSS. v. » And the of pea tily you wholly: ami I pray God TOUT whole spirit and soul and body be preserved bli less unto the coming of our I - Christ. Luke i. T.>. In hoBlsDSS him, all the of our lite. A . . It.. And herein do 1 of oil. m i' toward ( I I n>- vrard m r Honi. x. .i. For M eth the righteousness which the law, That the man which «: those things shall lhre ;■■ (ial. iii. I the \n "ik> of tlu- law Bl i i t i > w ! is eveiy one that continueth r ull things w I. hook of the law t«> do th Lnd tin- l.iw but The man that doeth i i live in them* 248 The Larger Catechism. thereof, as well common to all men, as peculiar either to the unregenerate, or the regenerate x. Q. 95. Of what use is the moral law to all men ? A. The moral law is of use to all men, to inform them of the holy nature and will of Godv, and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly w ; to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and livesx ; to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery y, and thereby help them to a clearer sight' the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the like- ness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law : for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 1 1 Tim. i. 8. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully. 95. vLev. xi. 44. For I am the ■ Lord your God : ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy ; for I am holy : neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Ver. 45. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God : ye shall therefore be holy; for I am holy. Lev. xx. 7. Sanctify your- selves therefore, and be ye holy ; for I am the Lord your God. Ver. 8. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them : I am the Lord which sanctify you. Rom. vii. 12. Wherefore the law is holy ; and the commandment holy, and just, and good. wMicah vi. 8. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? James ii. 10. For who- soever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Ver. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a trans- gressor of the law. x Psal. xix. 11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Ver. 12. Who can under- stand his errors ? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Rom. iii, 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justi- fied in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. vii. 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin ? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. y Rom. iii. 9. What then ? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. Ver. 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, *GaL The Larger Catechism. sight of the need they have of Christ2, and of the peri tion of his obedience a. Q. 96. What particular use is there of tfi£ moral laic to unregenerate 7h< A. The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come tJ, and to drive them to Christ0; or, upon their continuance in the L>tate and wav of sin, to leave them inexcusable^ and under :li«- curse thereof e. Q. 97. What -special use i$ there of the moral law to I Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a 'covenant works. iii. 21. Is the law then Igainst the promises of God ? God i; for if there had heeu a law . which could haw ghrea life, righteousness should 1 by the law. Yrr. 22 But Kile scripture hath ooncluded all i, that the promise by faith of hri^t might to them that belies i. For Christ is the L*nd of the law for righteousness) th. i Tim. i. 9. Knowing that tin- law is not made lor .t is man, but tor the lawless and disobedi< the ungodly and for sinners, tor inl- and profane, for murd< of fathers, and murderers oi mo- ■•■ horemo r them that themselves with mankind, i liars, for • il persons, and if their he ither thing that i> rout. the Ian boohnaster to I l brist, that we might ith. J Horn. things of him from the of the world are clearly seen, 1 understood by the things that made, even his eternal DOWi Godhead: so that they are with- out t ii. 1 'j. Which shew the the law written in their h< their ce also . wit- ness, and their thoughts the □ while accusii one another. dil. iii. K». 1 ef the works of the under the cu tten, u» that continu- eth not in all t written in the hook of the 1. do thrm. : Horn. \ i. 1 I. ! not have dominion over yOU not under the law, but undi i l; ! . \\ my hrethn i t.» tin body of Chris! ; thai ye fthould be nother, even t<» him we should brine forth fruit unto delivered from the law. iiiLr dead w herein a • 250 The Larger Catechism. works f, so as thereby they are neither justified8 nor con- demned h ; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to shew them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and en- during the curse thereof in their stead, and for their goodi ; and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness k, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience I Q. 98. Where that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Ver. 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. s Rom. iii. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. h Gal. v. 23. Meekness, tem- I)erance : against such there is no aw, Rom. viii. 1. There is there- fore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 1 Rom. vii. 24. 0 wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? Ver. 25. I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Gal. iii. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us : for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree : Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abra- ham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Rom. viii. 3. For what the law could not do^ in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh : Ver. 4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. k Luke i. 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Ver. 69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. Ver. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, Ver. 75. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Col. i. 12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the in- heritance of the saints in light : Ver. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the king- dom of his dear Son: Ver. 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the for- giveness of sins. 1 Rom. vii. 22. For I delight in the law of God after the in- ward man. Rom. xii. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renew- ing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, The Larger Catechism. Q. 98. Where is the moral fan summarily comprehended t A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandment^, which were delivered by the void God upon mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone m; and arc recorded in the twentieth chapter Exodus. The four first commandments containing our duty to God. and the other six our duty to man". Q. 99. What ruhs are to be observed for the right u/u ling cf the ten commandment A. For the rijdit understanding of the ten command- ments, these rules are to be observed : 1. That the lav i> perfect, and bindeth every one full conformity in the whole man unto the righteous: thereof, and unto entire obedience lor ever - to re- quire the utni the lea>t d r* every sin °. That will of God. Tit. ii. 1 1. For tfa )d that bringeth salvation I to all men, . that, . un- jpodlifWM and worldly 1,. should Ij i this pn rid ; that blessed and the L'lorin, of tl. •If tor n re- .;!! ini'jni v onto hirn iliar tables, first iiiiiiikI- d -pake iiii- ount, out m tiu' day of the assembly ; and Ok I them I the rfotea, 1 1 1- w i lie, like UlltO the .mil I s\ ill u lit.- ii| ti the h thou bral \'er. 8. And 1 in the n. in::, and come up ill the mor: unto mount Sinai, and pre* the EDOUnt Vrr. :;. And no I shall come up with ti: I. And he hewed tWO tahh • stone, like uato the fint : md in the i and went tip unto mount S tahlt me. . l • i BoaH loi e the I with all th with all t w ith all mind \ and mat comn \nd the §econd i • I ! tiles, law I the ptoph. 252 The Larger Catechism. 2. That it is spiritual, and so reacheth the understand- ing, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul ; as well as words, works, and gestures p. 3. That one and the same thing, in divers respects, is required or forbidden in several commandments q. 4. That is sure, making wise the simple. James ii. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Mat. v. 21. \Jo the endr\ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: Ver. 22. But I say unto you, That whoso- ever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment : and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire. — Ver. 27. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: Ver. 28. But I say unto you, That who- soever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. — Ver. 33. Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thy- self, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths : Ver. 34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all: neither by heaven ; for it is God's throne: — Ver. 37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay : for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Ver. 38. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth : Ver. 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil. — Ver. 43. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy : Ver. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to^ them that hate you, and pray for' them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, #c. p Rom. vii. 14. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Deut. vi. 5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Compared with Mat. xxii. 37. Je- sus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Ver. 38. This is the first and great command- ment. Ver. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ly of the Lord, honourable, uid shalt honour him, not doing nine own ways, nor finding thine )\vn pleasure, nor speaking thine >wn words. Dent vi. 13. Ikon ►halt tear the Lord thy God, and ierve him, and shalt swear by his lame. Compared with Mat. iv. {j. Vud saith unto him. All these hinirs will I give thee, it thou -vilt tail down and worship me. Itfa Jesm unto lim, Get tlu - an : for t i- written, Thou shalt worship «ord thy God, and him only .Mat. \v. 1 com man .air. Honour tther and mother: and, 1 It- hat curseth father or mother, let lim dk tin- death. I Hut Who.soi.vc-r shall mother, It <>u mightest rfited I.. And ir not his tathei mo- he shall i Thui have immandmenl »I none effect bj your tiadi- ion. re, it thou bring > tin- alt. - i hath ! thy gilt belore the altar, and coticiled une and him that stole steal no more ; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which Ifl good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 1 Exod. xx. Ift Honour thy fa- ther and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God Lriveth thee. Corn /Hired uith l'rov. XXX. 17. The eye that mocketh at his lather, and despiseth to obey DM mother, the ravcn> of the valley shall pick it out, anil the young ill eat it. Jer. xviii. 7. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it: Vcr. B. It that na- tion, against whom I have pro- nounced, turn from their evil, 1 will repent ot the evil that 1 thought to do unto then* l i hou shalt not take the name of the Loid thy God in vain ; tor the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in \ am. ( ,/ it it/i Ptali w I. Lord, who Ball abide in thy til dwell in thy holy bill? \>; '.. In whose lie person i> contemned ; but In- honoureth them that fear tin- Lord: he that rweareth to m n hurt, and chanijeth not \ .. lb- that plttteth nnt in- mom > to m ' kkech rd against the inno( ent Hi that doeth these thingi shall never \ml with FnJ I h that iiath clean ban. pure -254 The Larger Catechism. 5. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done * ; what he commands, is always our duty x ; and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times y. 6. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded; together with all the causes, means, occasions, and appearances thereof, and provoca- tions thereunto 2. 7. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavour that it may pure heart: who bath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Ver. 5. He shall re- ceive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. w Job xiii. 7. Will ye speak wickedly for God ? and talk deceitfully for him? Ver. 8. Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God? Rom. iii. 8. And not rather, (as we be slan- derously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come ? whose damnation is just. Job xxxvi. 21. Take heed, regard not iniquity ; for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. Heb. xi. 25. Choos- ing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to en- joy the pleasures of sin for a sea- son. x Deut. iv. 8. And what nation is there so great, that hath sta- tutes and judgments so righte- ous, as all this law, which I set before you this day ? Ver. 9. Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou for- get the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life : but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons. yMat. xii. 7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. z Mat. v. 21, 22, 27, 28. ^See- in letter0 beforer\ Mat. xv. 4. Fori God commanded, saying, Ho- nour thy father and mother ; and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Ver. 5. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; Ver. 6. And honour not his father or his mo- ther, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Heb. x. 24. And let us consider one another, to pro- voke unto love and to good works ; Ver. 25. Not forsaking the' assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 1 Thess. v. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Jude, ver. 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the gar- ment spotted by the flesh. Gal. v. 26. Let us not be desirous oi vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Col. iii. 21. Fathers, provoke not your chil- dren to anger, lest they be dis- couraged. *Exod The Larger Catechism. 255 may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places a. 8. That in what is commanded to other-, we are bound, according to our places and callings, to be helpful to them b ; and to take heed of partaking with others in what is forbidden them c. Q. 100. What special things are ice to consider in the ten commandments A, We are to consider, in the ten commandments, the preface, the substance of the commandments themse!\ and several reasons annexed to some of them, the more to enforce them. Q. 101. What is the preface to the ten commandments? A. The preface to the ten commandment ntained in these words, / am the Lord thy God, which hare brought thct out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage*. Wherein God manifesteth his sovereignty, as being JKHO- \ A J I, the eternal, immutable, and almighty Godc: hav- ing »Exod. xx. 10. But the seventh hath of the Lord thy in it thou shaft not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy eattle, nor thy >tranLrer that is within thy xix. 17. Thou shaft not hate thy brother in thine heart : shalt in any btlke thy ;i i sin upon :. xviii. L9. For I know him. that he \s ill eominand his children and his household after and they shall I. Lord, to and * : that the Lord may upon Abraham that u of him. Josh. em evil unto tyou t<> serve the Lord, choc* day whom ye will ler the Lr<'ittist in thine hou>e, and when thou VralkeSt by the way, and when thoil Beet down, and when thou up. dominion over your faith, but are help. , QUI JOJ aid. i Tim. \ . hands denly en no man, neithn h« par- taker of oth. keep 1 p ... \ 11. And >wship with truittul w <■*>, but 101. 1 h seith the I \,u I. ami hi- ll cdeemer 256 The Larger Catechism. ing his being in and of himself f, and giving being to all his words g and works h : and that he is a God in covenant, as with Israel of old, so with all his people * ; who, as he brought them out of their bondage in Egypt, so he deli- vereth us from our spiritual thraldom k ; and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone, and to keep all his commandments !, Q. 102. What is the sum oftliefour commandments which contain our duty to God P A. The sum of the four commandments containing our, duty to God, is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, Redeemer the Lord of hosts, I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no god. fExod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. « Exod. vi. 3. And I appear- ed unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. hActs xvii. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of hea- ven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands: Ver, 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being ; as cer- tain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his off- spring. 1 Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Compared with Rom. iii. 29. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles ? Yes, of the Gentiles also. k Luke i. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, Ver. 75. In holiness and righ- teousness before him, all the days of our life. *.l Pet. i. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ; Ver. 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. Ver. 17. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. Ver. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not re- deemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. Lev. xviii. 30. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordi- nance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein : I am the Lord your God. Lev. xix. 37. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them : I am the Lord. 102. mLuke The Larger Catechism. 2o7 leart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, md with all our mindm. Q. 108. Which is the first commandment? A. The fir^t commandment is, Thou shalt hoot no other before men. Q. 104. What are the duties required in the first com- nand mad t A. The duties required in the first commandment are, he knowing and acknowledging of God to be the onlv true }od5 and our God°; and to worship and glorify him accord? ngly p, by thinking'1, meditating r, remembering", highly esteemi 102. ■ Luke x. l27. And he ring, said, Thou shalt love he Lord thy God with all thy . and with all thy soul, and ritfa all thy (strength, and with 11 thy mind; and thy neighbour self. 3. 104. ° 1 Chroo. xxviii. 9. And hou, Solomon my son, know thou id of thy rather, an im with nt and with , willing mind : for the Lord heth all hearts, and under- th all the imaginations of be th it thou seek him. ie will be found of thee ; but it ke him, he will iff for « ■. 1 7. niched the Lord this • In* th;. fill to walk ■ and .' maudlin is judgments, and t<> hearken i iii. 10. witnesses, saith the and n i] I me, and understand • me tl d formed, neither shall me. .1 anv among the vanil ■ •in - or can the bee* showers r Art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee ; for thou hast made all these thi: -tl. xev. & () ooroe, let US ship and how down ; let u> kneel before the Lord our .Maker. Vet* 7. For he i< our God, and we are the people of hifl pasture, and the sheep of his hand Mat. iv. rhen >aith Jesus unto him, thee hei 3 HI : for it is written. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and liim only shalt thou FttL xxix. i (iivt unto the Lord the glorj due imtO hk nam ship the Lord in the heautv of holiness. Ahd. "iii. 16. Then they that Lord snake often one to another, and the Lord hear- 1 and heard it ; and a book :iee was written l>e- him for them that | the Lord, and tliat thought upon his name. Pati Kiii n I remem- ber thee Upon my bed, and n m thee in the ni^ht- watches. BecL \ii- I. Kriiuii thy ( ii the* thy youth, while ili»' e\ il dnyi come not* nor the fears dra when thou shalt say, I ha\ pleasure iii th Pfcnl 258 The Larger Catechism, esteeming fc, honouring v, adoring w, choosing x, lovingy de- siring2, fearing of hima; believing him b ; trusting0, hopingd, delighting e, rejoicing in himf; being zealous for himg; calling upon him, giving all praise and thanksh, and yielding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man * ; beine tPsal. Ixxi. 19. Thy righteous- ness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things : O God, who is like unto thee ? rMal. i. 6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master : if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear ? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, 0 priests, that despise my name. w Isa. xlv. 23. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. x Josh. xxiv. 1 5. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve ; whether the gods which your fathers served, that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell : but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Ver. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. y Deut. vi. 5. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. rPsal. lxxiii. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire be- sides thee. aIsa. viii. 13. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. bExod. xiv. 31. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians : and the people feared the Lord, and be- lieved the Lord, £:id his servant Moses. c Isa. xxvi. 4. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. d Psal. cxxx. 7. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. e Psal. xxxvii. 4. Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. f Psal. xxxii. 11. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous ; and shout for joy, all ye that arei upright in heart. sRom. xii. 11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serv- ing the Lord. Compared with] Num. xxv. 11. Phinehas the sonj of Eleazar, the son of Aaron; the priest, hath turned my wrath; away from the children of Israel, (while he was zealous for my sake among them,) that I con-j sumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. h Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing : but in every thing by; prayer and supplication with* thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. 1 Jer. vii. 23. But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people : and walk ye in all the ways that; I have commanded you, that it ma) The Larger Catechism. 259 ieing careful in all things to please him k, and sorrowful rhen in any thing he is offended * ; and walking humbly nth him ra. Q. 105. What are the sins forbidden in the Jir.st com* nandment ? A. The sins forbidden in the first commandment are, ^ theism, in denying, or not having a Godn; Idolatry, in laving or worshipping more gods than one, or any with or :id of the true God0; the not having and avouching iim for God, and our God1'; the omisriofl or neglect of nv thing due to him, required in this commandment*1; ig- norant be well unto you. James Submit yourselves therefore St the devil, and he rill flee from you. k 1 John iii. \t>. And wh a, ire receive of him, because K keep his commandments, and lo those thing! that are pleasing 1 .). ,18. I I rely Ephraim bemoaning him- elf thus. Thou hast cl me, pd I was rhflftHtHj as a bollock ustomed to the yoke : turn hou me, and I shall DC tun or thou art the Lord my God. Psal. i tan mi down mine eyes ; because I pep not thy 1 B mMicah vi. s. He hath .shewed hee, Oman, what i^ good; and doth the i [uireof tl i do justly, and to \cm » walk humbly with tliv ( . JOo. Psal. :. \\ . I. Tl • fo 1 hath isid in his heart, Thru- is no < - ujit, thrv hare dune linable \soik^ doeth l j it that i without otii the com- innnwealth ol Israel, and si from the i ow oani i oi |»i«.i and without Clod n tiie world. ° Jer. ii. 87. to a stock, Thou art my lather ; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth : for they hate turned their back unto me, and not their lace: hut in the time of their trouble they will say, , and save US. Wr. 88. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, it they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: foraocordingto the nun of thy cities are ti. Compmrtd with 1 Tlu i For they themselves shew of Uf a manner of entering in we hail un- a, and how ye turned t( I from idols, to IfllTC the \'.\ tine God. PsaL 1 \\\i. 1 I. But my people would not hearken to my v. and Israel would none of me. t. \liii. 88. Hut thou called upon me, < I . but thou :>ceit ires*] ol me, < ) Israel. Thou bast not brought dm mill cattle of thy burnt-oflhr* . neither hast thou hon< me with thy sacrifices. I have not to serve with an 'hee with incense* Thou hast bought n SWeet cane with mom \ hast thou tilled me \wth ti Mies : but thou hast ISffC with thy thou 260 The Larger Catechism. norancer, forgetfulnesss, misapprehensions *, false opinions1", unworthy and wicked thoughts of himw; bold and curious searching into his secretsx ; all profanenessy, hatred of Godz; self-love % self-seeking b, and all other inordinate and im- moderate setting of our mind, will, or affections upon other things, and taking them off from him in whole or in partc; vain thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. rJer. iv. 22. For my people is foolish, they have not known me ; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding : they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Hos. iv. t. Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, be- cause there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Ver. 6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I also will reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. sJer. ii. 32. Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her at- tire ? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. 'Acts xvii. 23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscrip- tion, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ig- norantly worship, him declare I unto you. Ver. 29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. vIsa. xl. 18. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him ? wPsal. 1. 21. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence : thou thoughtest that I was al- together such an one as thyself; but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. x Deut. xxix. 29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God ; but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. yTit. i. 16. They profess that they know God ; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Heb. xii. 16. Lest there be any fornicator, or pro- fane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. z Rom. i. 30. Backbiters, ha- ters of God; despiteful, proud, boasters. — a2 Tim. iii. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, co- vetous, boasters, proud, blasphe- mers, disobedient to parents, un- thankful, unholy. bPhil. ii. 21. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. c 1 John ii. 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Ver. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust oi the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of tin world. 1 Sam. ii. 29. Wliere- fore kick ye at my sacrifice, anc a The Larger Catechism. 261 ,'ain credulity d, unbelief', heresy f, misbelief g, distrust*1, lespair1; incorrigiblenessk, and insensibleness under judg- nents1, hardness of heart™, pride", presumption °, carnal iecurityp, tempting of God q; using unlawful means', and trusting it mine offering which I have jommanded in my habitation, md honourest thy sons above me, o make yourselves fat with the ness, which i< Bolatry. d l John iv. 1. Beloved, believe spirit, but try the spi- rhether they are of (rod ; many false prophets are i ut into the world. leb. iii. 12. Take heed, bre- : there !>'• in any of you of unbelief', in de- parting from the living God 1 Gal. . Idolatry, witch- liatred, variance, emula- . v, rath, A man that heretick, after the first and I admonition, re). • Acts I verily thought with my-elf, that I ought to do many things cootrary to the name rf Jesus i * Psal. bun iii. they not in God, and trusted i hi> sahrati Gen. iv. 13. And Cain laid unto the Lord, My punishment is greater tl bear. 1 1 Lord, .in- not s upon the truth ? Thou stricken them, but f DOt L'l them, but they have refused to receive correction : they have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refused to re- turn. 1 Isa. xlii. 25. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anirer, and the Strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not ; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart. m Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart. purest up unto thyself wrath st the day of wrath, and re- velation of the righteous judgment rod !• r« \iii. 1 '). Heat y< . and Lriw ear, be not proud: tor the Lord hath spoken. Psal \i\. i ;. Keep back thy ut also from presumptuous : let them not have dominion me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the on. /< ph. i. 1J. And it shall i Mi at that time, that I will Jem ffith candles. and punish the men that art- Settled on their lees ; that >ay in their \. The Lord will not do gOOd, neither will hi- do evil. * Mat. iv. him, It i^ written again* Thou Shalt not tempt the Lord thv RotH. iii- " we be slanderou as some iffinn th.it we say,) Lit us do e\ i! e damn 262 The Larger Catechism. trusting in unlawful means8; carnal delights and joys*; cor- rupt, blind, and indiscreet zealv; lukewarmnessw, and dead- ness in the things of God"; estranging ourselves, and apos- tatizing from Gody ; praying, or giving any religious wor ship, to saints, angels, or any other creatures z ; all com- pact* s Jer. xvii. 5. Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart depart- eth from the Lord. 1 2 Tim. Hi. 4. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. v Gal. iv. 17. They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. John xvi. 2. They shall put you out of the sy- nagogues : yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. Rom. x. 2. For I bear them re- cord, that they have a zeal of God, but not according to know- ledge. Luke ix. 54. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did ? Ver. 55. But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. wRev. iii. 16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, T will spue thee out of my mouth. xRev. iii. 1. And unto the an- gel of the church in Sardis write, These things, saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. y Ezek. xiv. 5. That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through thei idols. Isa. i. 4. Ah sinful nation a people laden with iniquity, j seed of evil doers, children tha are corrupters : they have for- saken the Lord, they have pro voked the Holy One of Israe unto anger, they are gone awa^ backward ! Ver. 5. Why should y< be stricken any more ? ye will re volt more and more : the whole head is sick, and the whole hear faint. z Rom. x. 13. For whosoeve] shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ver. 14 How then shall they call on hin in whom they have not believed i and how shall they believe in hin of whom they have not heard i and how shall they hear withou a preacher ? Hosea iv. 12. IM3 people ask counsel at their stocks and their staff declareth unto them for the spirit of whoredoms hatl caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under thei] God. Acts x. 25. And as Petei was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet, and wor- shipped him. Ver. 26. But Pete] took him up, saying, Stand up, 1 myself also am a man. Rev. xix. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him : and he said unto me, See thoi do it not ; I am thy fellow- servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus : worship God j for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. -Mat. iv. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get the* hence, Satan ; for it is written, Thou ' shal The Largir Catechism. 263 jacts and consulting with the devil3, and hearkening to In- gestions b; making men the lords of our faith and con- iCec; slighting and despising God and his commands**; •esisting and grieving of his Spirit6, discontent and impatience it his dispensations, charging him foolishly for the evils he in- s on usf ; and ascribing the praise of any good we either are. halt worship the Lord thy God, ind him only shalt tho I t taken I ife to he thy u ife, ami hast ilain him with the iwotd of the children of Amnion. I Whoso deapiseth the word >hall he destroyed ; but b h the commandment shall be rewarded. i ii. :>\ . I taecked and UPCMPCUmcieed In heart lo always resist tin Holy id. so do i grieve the 1 ire leaicrf ' mptiou. I'sal. Ixxii B almost L- Steps hud well ni Poi 264 The Larger Catechism. are, have, or can do, to fortune g, idols h, ourselves1, or any other creature k. Q. 106. What are we specially taught by tliese words [before me] in the first commandment ? A. These words [before me] or before my face, in the first commandment, teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh special notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God : that so it may be an argument to dissuade from it, and to aggravate it as a most impudent provocation l : as also For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Ver. 13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. Ver. H. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. Ver. 15. If I say, I will speak thus, behold, I should offend against the generation of thy chil- dren. Ver. 22. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Job i. 22. In all this Job sin- ned not, nor charged God foolishly. 8 1 Sam. vi. 7. Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch-kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them : Ver. 8. And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart, and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof, and send it away, that it may go. Ver. 9. And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth- shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us ; it was a chance that happened to us. h Dan. v. 23. But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven ; and they have brought the vessels of his house before 24- thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them ; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know : and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. 1 Deut. viii. 17. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. Dan. iv. 30. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majestv? kHab. i. 16. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag : because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. 106. l Ezek. viii. 5. Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way towards the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way towards the north, and behold northward, at the gate of the altar, this image of jealousy in the entry. Ver. 6. He said fur- thermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do ? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn theeyet again, and The Larger Catechism. 265 to persuade us to do as in his sight, whatever we do in his service™. Q. 107. Which is the second commandment? A. The second commandment is, T/tou shalt not vv unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing tiuit SJ in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that ?> in the water under the earth. T/udu sluilt not \ down thyself to them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, vmting the iniquity of the Jati upon the children unto the third and four tit \ it ion of them that hate me ; and sluicing- mercy unto thousand? of t/icm that love me, and keep my commandments n. Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second com- mandment ? A. The duties required in the second commandment arc, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and en- tire, all Mich religious worship and ordinances m God hath instituted in his word0; particularly prayer and thanksgiving and thou shalt see greater abomi- nations, SfC. [Jo the end of the FnL xliv. 90. If we HUBM Of our •ih.il out our hands to a strange god : Vet. 2 l . S not God leaich this oul ? for he knoweth the secrets of the h«ar t. i. !'. And tliou, Solomon my son, know thou the Bod of thy father, .m.l m i\ e hini with a | with a willing mind: tor the Lord learcb- eth all I md undcr.staiid- rth all the imaginations ol the jht> : it thi him, he will be found ; but if thou forsaki him, he will cast tin . for i • r\. I ft, Deut And he Mid unto thein. Sol your 1 - unto all the irordt which I t< .; ye shall command your children to ob- 10 do all the words of this law. Ver. it. Pot it thing for you : b ami through this thiii_ shall prolong your dayi n land whither ye l'o to pOMQH it. Mat king them to observe all things what- manned you : and, lo, 1 am you alw.: unto the end ol the world. Adl ii- W. And continue :ly in theajKW doctrine and fellowship, and in king of I' d in pra i i •!!. \ i. l.i. 1 s:i\ . thee charge in the sight ofGodj who (juiikeu- eth all things, ami 1 I, w ho i'llatr w-it netted 0 c 1 \. That thou keep tins com- mandment witho . . lrehukf- until the appea -u» Chrbt M fV %66 The Larger Catechism. thanksgiving in the name of Christ p; the reading, preach- ing, and hearing of the wordq; the administration and receiving of the sacraments1; church government and dis- cipline s ; the ministry and maintenance thereof x ; reh> gious ? Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by- prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Eph. v. 20. Giving thanks always for ail things unto God and the Fa- ther, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "J Deut. xvii. 18. And it shall be^ when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is l>efore the priests the Levites : Ver. 1 9. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life : that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law, and these statutes, to do them. Acts xv. 21, For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach trie word, be instant in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. James i. 21. Where- fore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingraft- ed word, which is able to save your souls. Ver. 22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hear- ers only, deceiving your own selves. Acts x. 33. Immediately therefore I sent to thee ; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. rMat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore, and teach all nations, bap- tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. xi. from Verse 23. to Verse 30. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, 6$c. s Mat. xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast gain~ ed thy brother. Ver. 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Ver. 17t And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church : but if he ne- glect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Mat. xvi. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in hea- ven ; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. 1 Cor. Chapter v. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church : first, apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that mi- racles ; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of rues. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prop and The Larger Catechism, < fasting ' aring by the name of God w3 and :ng unto him x : as also the disappr opposing, all false worship7; and, ace Race and calling, removing it, and all monuments of itry e. Q. ls(J. Wha i in the m nt? A. Th forbidden in the second commandm. all ting ot th . for the ministry, tor the of the bod | .17. Let th that tweii iv of le honour, labour in the word end i ■ -r. 18. I ipture naith. the ox ti leth out t: and, The labour r U « his reward. 1 I —14. W eth a \\ i chariri planU-th t of the I : catelh the milk - ml with And i .our ltd. — 1 I ■ — fear th. I 1 1 shall be known t rd in ;all do and Mai per- form it. ft and pay unto : him tohimtfe ■ | d be in will: Dd with plied ; ■ J» But t! i t! . »N 268 The Larger Catechism. all devising*, counselling b, commanding0, using d, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself e ; tolerating a false religion f; the making any re- presentation 109. a Numb. xv. 39. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them : and that ye seek not after your own heart, and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring. *Deut. xiii. 6. If thy bro- ther, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, en- tice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers ; Ver. 7. Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth ; Ver. 8. Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him ; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him. cHosea v. 11. Ephraim is op- pressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Micah vi. 1 6. For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their coun- sels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing : therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. d * 1 Kings xi. 33. Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Che- mosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the chil- dren of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judg- ments, as did David his father. 1 Kings xii. 33. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el, the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel : and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense. e Deut. xii. 30. Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods ? even so will I do likewise. Ver. 31. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God : for every abo- mination to the Lord which he hateth have they done unto their gods ; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. Ver. 32. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. f Deut. xiii. from Verse 6. to 12. [See Letter V] Zech. xiii. 2. And it shall come to pass in that' day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and theyi shall no more be remembered:] and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out I of the land. Ver. 3. And it shall! come to pass, that when any shall yet j The Larger Catechism. 269 presentation of God, of all or of any of the three j>erson«, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in anv kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever g; all worship- ing yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that betrat him shall lay unto him, Thou shalt not live ; for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord : and his father and his mother that becrat him shall thrust him through when he pro- •th. Rev. ii. L2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou can^t not bear them which are evil : and hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. Ver. 1 1. But I have a few t! linst thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, taught Balac to cast a stum- K block before the children of I, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit foruica- - i hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I Votw ith>tarnliriLT, things against thee, Decani thou sutferest that . which calleth her- self a prophets sSj to teach and to seduce my servant! aunh ation, awl to cat t! (iced unto idol*. \{ 12. And the ten boms which thou which i cd no kingdom as yet ; but -• power as kim:s one hour I'.. And the ten horns which thou saw est up- K shall hate the shall make her des©» late and naked, and ihaU eat her fleah, and burn her with Inc. hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. «Deut. iv. 15. Take ye there- fore good heed unto your>elves ; (for ye saw no manner of simili- tude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:) Ver. 16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the like- ness ot male or female ; Ver. 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeuos of any winged fowl that flieth in the air; Ver. IS. The likeness ot any thing that creepeth on the ground, likeness of any fish that i< in the waters beneath the earth : Ver. It'. And lest thou lift up thine unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the iimon, and the Steffi even all the host ot DBS shouldest be driven to them, and SCTTC them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole hea- Veli. ActS w: the offiprii i. we t not to think that the i head i^ like unto gold, or .silver, or -tone, graven by art and man's Uom. i. 81. Because that. When they ! lilied him not as God, neitlu-r Were thankful ; but became in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened ^ i to he wise, they bec.nn. ohansjed the I the u ruptible God into an image like tO Corruptible man. and to birds, a: >oted b< ping thfage, \ \\ :.. 270 The Larger Catechism. ping of it b, or God in it or by it * ; the making of any re- presentation of feigned deities k, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them ' ; all superstitious devices m, corrupting the worship of Godn, adding to it, or taking from it °, whether invented and taken up of ourselves p, or received changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Crea- tor, who is blessed for ever. Amen. h Dan. iii. 18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Gal. iv. 8. How- beit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 1 Exod. xxxii. 5- And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it: and Aaron made pro- clamation, and said, To-morrow is a feast to the Lord. k Exod. xxxii. 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them : they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 1 1 Kings xviii. 26. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. Ver. 28. And they cried aloud, and cut them- selves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. Isa. lxv. 11. But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink-offering unto that number. m Acts xvii. 22. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars-hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I per- ceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. Col. ii. 21. (Touch not, taste not, handle not: Ver. 22. Which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of men. Ver. 23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. n Mai. i. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. Ver. 8. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil ? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil ? offer it now unto thy governor : we will be pleased with thee, or accept thy person ? saith the Lord of hosts. Ver. 14. But cursed be the- deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacri- ficeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing : for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the hea- then. 0 Deut iv. 2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish J ought from it, that ye may keep | the commandments of the Lord j your God, which I command you. v Psal. The Larger Catechism. 271 peceived by tradition from others q, though under the title of antiquity rtom s, devotion \ good intent, or any other 5imonyw; - ; all neglect y, contempt* vi. 39. Thus were they i with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventioi 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doc- mmandments of men. r 1 Pet. i. 1 1 nnuch ai know ane not redeemed with corruptible thin. diver and gold, from your vain conver- ption ed by tradition from i 7. Hut we will l tainly (io wh forth out ot" our own month, to bum incense unto the queen of pour out drink- unto hi we have id our lathers, our OOr princes, in the ih, and in th ot Jerusalem : 'or then hail we kleni . and wen- well, viJ. ! ■ that pro- ontinuallj to grj ; ice, tb ii lacrificeth m . and burnetii : upon i. Which re- ef, and Ii lumenti ; which eat and broth of abo- ible things is in their veaads: -land l>> >t near to me, tor 1 Mm holier than tlmu : a lire that di all t heard ol ui) time patl 1:1 I how that beyond n :i of many my equals in mine OWI nation, being more ex, zealous ol* the tradition- of my fatli 1 Sam. xiii. 11. And Samuel said, What hast thou done ? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou earnest not within the days appointed, and that tiu Philistines gathered them-. ther to Michmaah: Ver. l£ . K Philistine* will come down now upon me to il, and I have not made plication unto the Lord : I ti if therefore, and offered ;. burnt-olierinLT. 1 Sam. xv. 2h Hut the people (said Saul J took of the spoil, sheep and oxei chief of tile things which should been utterly d I, to sac ril ice unto tlie Lord thy in GilgaL I :'.'.. 18. And when iiion saw that through layin. Of the apo-tlo' hands the ven, he offered them iiion- ; »m. ii. 98, Thou that horrest idols, dost thou } .M il. iiL B. Will a I . bUii v. robbed thei } In tithes and otferii patt by the way in the inn. tha: met Inn kill him. -. Then .' stone, and cut • ii'th< foreskin ot her son, and at h I said, S mil art thou to 1 272 The Larger Catechism. contempt *, hindering a, and opposing the worship and ordi- nances which God hath appointed b. Q. 110. What are the reasons annexed to the second com- mandment, the more to enforce it ? A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it, contained in these words, For 1 the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting tlie iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and Iceep my commandments0 ; are, besides God's sovereignty over us, and propriety in usd, his fervent zeal for his own worship e, and his revengeful indignation against all false she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. z Mat. xxii. 5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. Mai. i. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee ? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. Ver. 13. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it ! and ye have snuff- ed at it, saith the Lord of hosts ; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick ; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand ? saith the Lord. * Mat. xxiii. 13. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- crites ! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men : for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. bActs xiii. 44. And the next sab bath-day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Ver. 45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradict- ing and blaspheming. 1 Thess. ii. 15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us ; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Ver. 16. For- bidding us to speak to the Gen- tiles, that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway : for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 110. cExod. xx. 5, 6. d PsaL xlv. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty : for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him. Rev. xv. 3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Ver. 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and wor- ship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. e Exod. xxxiv. 13. But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. Ver. 14. For thou shalt worship no other god : for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. f 1 Cor. The Larger Catuhism. false worship, as being a spiritual whoredom f; accounting the breakers of this commandment such as hate him, and threatening to punish them unto divers generations g ; and esteeming the observers of it such as love him and keep his commandments, and promising mercy to them unto m generations \ Q. 111. Wkx f 1 Cor. x. 20. But I say, that the things which tlit* Gentiles sacrifice, rifice to devils, and not to God : and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. .81. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devil- : annot he partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils, Ver. 88. Do we provoke Lord to jealousy ? are we stronger than be? Jer. vii. 1*. The children Leather wood, and tl. thers kindle the lire, and the men knead their douirh, to make Cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-oUeriiiL'-s unto other Lrods, that they may provoke Ver. \[). Do they ■ke me to .. -nth the | : do they not provoke them- tifusion of their hm facet? thus saith the Lord (..»«!, Ik-hold, mine i and my fury fall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the Hound J and it shall bum. shall not be quenched. L/ek. rhou hasl immitted with the Kiryptians thy I ol flesh ; and hast increased thy whoredom*; ike me Behold, tl , bed <>ut my i. !;,l bare diminished thine ordinary I and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, th< Philistines, which ashamed of tliy lewd way. I)eut. xxxii. 16. They provoked him to jealousy with strangle gods, with abominations provoked they him to anLrer. Ver. 17. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God whom they knew not, to gods that came newly up, whom your father^ seared not. Ver. It. Of the Bock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord SAW i: abhorred them, because of the provoking of his id of hi* daughters. Ver. go. And he I will hide my m them, I will IBS what their end shall for they are a very trowan! generation, children in whom ifl •ith. Hoeea ii. 2. Plead with j mother, plead : for she is not wife, neither an I her husband .- let her therefore put i whoredoms out of her sight, and .tdulterio from bet* t 1 stiip \u r > in th< th.it she was born, and mak. as a wilderness, and set her like .. dlj land, and slav hei W ith I 1 \:id I will ii(»t bai upon her childi. the children ms. nese such an heart in them, that would foar me. and ki ep a! commaiiilme tl Blight be well with th« with their children I 111 WH The Larger Catechism. Q. 111. Which is the third commandment? A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that talceth his name in vain K Q. 112. What is required in the third commandment? A. The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes k, ordinances1, the wordm, sacra- ments11, prayer0, oaths p, vowsq, lotsr, his works8, and whatsoever ill. 5Exod. xx. 7, 112. kMat. vi. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye : Our Father which art in heaven ; Hallowed be thy name. Deut. xxviii. 58. If thou wilt not ob- serve to do all the words of this law, that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD. Psal. xxix. 2, Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name ; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psal. Ixviii. 4. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. Rev. xv. 3, 4. \^See above in letter dr\ lMnl i. 14. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing : for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. Eccl. v. 1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools : for they consider not that they do evil. m Psal. cxxxviii. 2. I will wor- ship towards thy holy temple, and praise thy name, for thy loving- kindness, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. n 1 Cor. xi. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body, which is broken for you : this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had sup- ped, saying. This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do ye. as oft as ye drink it, in remem- brance of me. Ver. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Ver. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh un worthily - eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 0 1 Tim. ii. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where, lift- ing up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. p Jer. iv. 2. And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteous- ness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. * Eccl. v. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth ; therefore let thy words be few. Ver. 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools : pay that which thou hast vowed. Ver. 5» Better is it that thou shouidest not t Larger Caticlu whatsoever else there is whereby he makes him>elf known. be holilv and reverently used in thought*, meditation*. word w, and writing ■ ; by an holy profession >, and answer- able conversation *, to the glory of God*, and the goo( Ourselves ', and other (,). 118. W than that thou shouldest and not pay. Ver. 0'. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh i ; neither say thou before the anL'el, that it was an error : where- -liould God be angry at thy . and destroy the work of A A: ..: ; yed, rhou, Lord, winch know est the he... all men, whether of these two thou Mid they forth their lots : and the lot fell upon Matthias ; and he numbered with tin ber that ^\ork. which men behold. M ai. Hi IS. Then the} that pake often one t.» and the Lord heaikened, aud beard it, and a book <»• him for them that W-.urd the Lord, Sod that thought op > i hia name. 1'- tl in \ hi. 1.0 Lord «mm ] . iiciit i- tii;. n ime in all b) n\nr\ r the he J i • leavens, tin- work *, the in 1 the which thou hast ordained ; that tho Itul ol him? — \ •• < I I thy .ill the earth ' \SV< the - God and t!. by him. PsaL c\\ % Sing UQtO him, sing psalms unto 1. m all bs) wondrous works. I aiber his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments his mouth. feai cii. l&.Thissbal be w ten for tl to COOM and the p< ople which created shall praise the L 1 Pet iii. 15. Hut .sanctity Lord God in your hearts: an to e\ n of the hope that with me .11 people will . one in the nan and we will walk in the nan the Lord OUT God for - Only let your ! Christ : — A 1 I <>r drink, or w , do all to t kL -. And I will - them one 1. that they m for t of them, children after them. i Pet it i ■ tiles : that, whereas th aga'u as e\ ! . snail Im li 276 The Larger Catechism. Q. 118. What are the sins forbidden in the third com- mandment ? A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as is required*1*, and the abuse of it in an ignorante, vainf, irreverent, profane^ superstitious11, or wicked mentioning 113. dMal. ii. 2. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings ; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. e Acts xvii. 23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscrip- tion, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye igno- rantly worship, him declare I unto you. f Prov. xxx. 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord ? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. s Mai. i. 6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour ? and if I be a mas- ter, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ver. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar ; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. Ver. 12. But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted ; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Mai. iii. 14s Ye have said, It is vain to serve God ; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walk- ed mournfully before the Lord of hosts ? h 1 Sam. iv. 3. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Where- fore hath the Lord smitten us to-day before the Philistines ? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. Ver. 4. So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims : and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. Ver. 5. And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. Jer. vii. 4. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these. Ver. 9. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not ; Ver. 10. And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Ver. 14. Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. Ver. 31. And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the The Larger Catechism. ~ mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes1, ordinances11, or works1, by blasphemy"1, perjury" ; all sinful cursings0, oathsp, vov\ i. the son of Hinnom, to burn their BBS arid their daughters in the fire ; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. Col. ii. 20. Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the* rudi- ments of the world, why, as though Hiring in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Ver. SI. (Touch not, taste not, handle not: I Which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of Kings xviii. 30. Neither let ■kiah make you trust in the Lord, Baying, The Lord will sure- ly deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the ting of Assyria. Ver. .*.;. Who are they among all the Lrhall enter into the house of thr thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name : and it shall remain in the mid>t m his house, and shall consume it, with the timber thereof, and the stones thereof. Zech. viii. 17. And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour ; and love no false oath: tor all these are things that I hate, - tiie Lord. 1 Sam. wii. 13. And the Phil- istine said untO David, Am I that thou COmest to me witn staves- And the Philistine cursed David by his And when king David came t«' Bahurim, behold, thence came out | man of the family of the house of Saul, w Shiinei, the son of Getai j came forth, and omted still as bt can J 1 1 >w shall 1 pardon thee for this? thy children forsaken me, and sworn b> them that are no gods: when I had ft*! them to the lull, they then « nutted adulttiv. and assembled themselves by troops in bouses. the land k full <>f adnilereri laud niuiin.i 278 The Larger Catechism. vows q, and lots r ; violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful s ; and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful l ; murmuring and quarrelling atv, curious prying intow, and misapplying mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. i Deut. xxiii. 18. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow : for even both these are abomina- tion unto the Lord thy God. Acts xxiii. 12. And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded toge- ther, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Ver. 14. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. r Esth. iii. 7. In the first month, (that is, the month Nisan,) in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman, from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is the month Adar. Esth. ix. 24. Because Ha- man, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, (that is, the lot,) to consume them, and to destroy them. Psal. xxii. 18. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. s Psal. xxiv. 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceit- fully. Ezek. xvii. 16. As I live, saith the Lord God, Surely in the place where the king dwell- eth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose cove- nant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die. Ver. 18. Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the cove- nant, (when, lo, he had given his hand,) and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. Ver. 19. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head. tJMark vi. 26. And the king was exceeding sorry ; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 1 Sam. xxv. 22. So and more also do God unto the ene- mies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him, by the morn- ing light, any that pisseth against the wall. Ver. 32. And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me : Ver. 33. And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. Ver. 34. For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted, and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal, by the morning light, any that pisseth against the wall. vRom. ix. 14. What shall we sav then ? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. Ver. J 9. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth The Larger ( tr*. misapplving of God's decrees * and providences- ; misinter- preting*, misapplying*, or any way perverting the word, or part of itb, to profane . curious or unprofitable vain jangli >r the maintaining of false doc- tri: doth he yet find fault? For who hath ! will ? Vet, 20. but, o man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing for him that formed it, Why bast thou made I teut xxix. 29. The secret Jong unto the Lord our : but those things which are tied belong un( and ur children sot that words of this law. I mi. hi. j. But if our un- righteounen command the riirh- : God, what (rod unrighteous who truth of Bod hath ma tided through lie unto hit glory, why am 1 also judgl aall we say ill we continue in mm, aboun . li. 1; i-vil W m the . fully . I I I 'also tl i In- soul is in': madness i I not wit • — a Ezek. xiii. 22. Because ye have made the heart ot the ritrhteous sad, whom I the hands of the wicked, that hould not return iron wicked way, by promising him, life. - also in all m of ; in which .. things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable Wl they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. V Jk to Verm as M man dl< no children, hi- brother shall marry ite, and RUfl -ed unto . Now • n brethren ; the lir>t — Ver.28. Therefore, i whose w they ah her. and said unto them, Ye do I know nor the I 1 or in the loeunn thai — tad, beh killing si drinking wine ; let t. Act! xiii. 45. But when the multitudes, they filled with envy, and spake which were Boken by Paul, contradicting and heming. 1 John iii. V2. Nut in, u ho was of that wh one, and llew his brother: and ^Therefore -lew he him? Because ;k^ irere evil, and hi- bfOt j .iteoiis. h P>al. i. 1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the eounsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the m or Mtteth in of the scornful. lJ lYt. ;. Knowing thb first, that there thai] come in the last days walking alter their own 1 1 Pet iv. 4. Wherein they tliink it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of evil ui you. * A 1 '>. lint when the law the multitudes, they Were filled with envy, and spake >t those things which were Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. \ rhen P.iul and Jtainahas Waxed hold, and said, It was necessary that tin- woo! ihould first have spoken to you : hut * put it from you, and judge i un worth] last- life, lo, we turn to the I tiles. V,,. 50. But the .! rvd tip the devout and honour- able women, and the chid men of t! tion against Paul and Barnal>as, and expelled tliem out of then- coasts. Acts iv. 18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. Actl xix. 9. But when divers were harden- ed, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the mul- titude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, dis- puting daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ' l These, ii. i>;. bidding us to speak to the I tiles, that they might be saved, i up their si: f tlie wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. Heb. x. ^lJ. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ihall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot tie Son of (rod, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wlurt- with he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit ol Tim. iii. >. Hating a form of godliness, but den) from such turn away. Mat. wiii. 14. Woe unto (bei and Phariei i s, hypo- ciitt I devour widows' hOUSSSi and for a pretence i shall damn . Mat. vi. i. Take heed that ye do not your men, t seen ol then eward of your 1 is in beavi n. \ when thou doest thine • o::d a tiumpi t as tin syna- les, and in the >tr« v l:a\e Verily 282 The Larger Catechism. ashamed of itm, or a shame to it, by unconformable n, un- wise0, unfruitful p, and offensive walking q, or backsliding irom itr. Q. 114. What reasons are annexed to the third command- ment ? A. The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, [ The Lord thy God,~\ and, [For the Lord wiU not hold Verily I say unto you. They have their reward. Ver. 5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the syna- gogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver. 16. More- over, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance : for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. m Mark viii. 38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adul- terous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels. n Psal. Ixxiii. 14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. Ver. 15. If I say, I will speak thus, behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. ° 1 Cor. vi. 5. I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not a wise man among you ? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren ? Ver. 6. But brother goeth to law with bro- ther, and that before the un- believers. Eph. v. 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Ver. 16. Re- deeming the time, because the days are evil. Ver. 17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but under- standing what the will of the Lord is. p Isa. v. 4. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it ? where- fore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 2 Pet. i. 8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor un- fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see far off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. « Rom. ii. 23. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God. Ver. 24. For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. r Gal. iii. 1. O foolish Gala- tians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, cru- cified among you ? Ver. 3. Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Heb. vi. 6. If they shall fall away, to renew them , again unto repentance ; seeing they* crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 114. sExod. The I sm. ' uiltless that taketh hist . ] arc, bee. >rd and our God, therefore his name is not t< 1, or any wav abused by us*; especially because be will be rom acquitting and spa; or" this commandment, as that he will not feoffor them t<» righteous judgment v, albeit many such escape the censures and punish of men w. Q. 115. Which is thejburtk commandment/ A. The fourth * indment is, B m mber tl. Uh- :> it holy. Six day* shaU thou labour, mid do all thy And I snsweredj . a flying roll ; the lenirth tl. ami the breadth thermit ten cubit said he mi: | the that g th "V«. lace *>1 Ihe whole earth : for every one that stealeth shall be cut off M (»n this si: to it ; ami every sliall he CUt On as on that side, according to it. \\r. \. 1 will bring it .11 enter int the thief, and into the bouse of him th.:; : — Be&al, tliev knew not the Lord. V Wherein; men irai very great l< Lord : tor men abhorred thi i \ I ■ II Israel, and how they lay with men that of tl tor it i> no -<>. to I him thai I w 1H.S Exod. xx. I A i ; -nail not ■me falsely, neither thou pr tme of : 1 am rd. But I had pity ,-, which iel had pro! imoog the heathen, whither thev Thus the Lord Godj I do not < yonr nk . but for mine holy name's have n am. Ji i then, whither ve Vnd I will i .reat name, which | ! in the : and the hea- • I am the ' I God, a 1 saiu titird in you I -It • | » do all book, that thou i; D TH V us ironder- ues, and fni 284 The Larger Catechism. thy work ; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, tliou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : zoherefore the Lord blessed tlte sabbatli-day, and hallowed it. Q. 116. What is required in the fourth commandment? A. The fourth commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such' set times as he hath appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven ; which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week ever since, and so to continue to the end of the world ; which is the Christian sabbath y, and in the New Testa- ment called The Lord's day z. Q. 117. How themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 115. *Exod. xx. 8— 11. 116. y Deut. v. 12. Keep the sabbath-day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. Ver. 13. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work : Ver. 14. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daugh- ter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou. Gen. ii. 2. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made : and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Ver. 3. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it : because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 1 Cor. xvi. 1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Gaiatia, even so do ye. Ver. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Acts xx. 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued his speech until midnight. Mat. v. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Ver. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Isa. lvi. 2. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it : that keep- eth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Ver. 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the The Larger Catechism. Q. 117. Hozc is the sabbath or the LorcTs day to be sanc- tified? A. The sabbath or Lord's clay is to be sanctified by an holv resting all the dav a, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawfulb ; and making it our dulight presses on the sabbath, and bring- ing in sheaves, and lading asses ; as also wine, e rapes, and tigs, and all manner of burdens, whit h they brought into Jerusalem on the sab- bath-day : and I testified against them in the day wherein they sokl victuals. Ver. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Ver. 17. Then I con- tended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them. What eril thing is this that ye do, and pro- fane the sabbath-day? Ver. |& Did not your fathers thus, ami did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this i ye bring more wrath upon [| "by profaning the sabbath. Ver. 19. And it came to pass, that when the - of .lerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I com- manded that the urates should In- shut, and charaed that they should not be opened till atter the sab- bath: and some of my servant - 1 at the Lrates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath-day. Ver. M So the I chants, and sellers of all kind <>f ware, lodged without Jerusalem ft. Then I them, and said into them* \\ hv lodg* ye a1 the wall' It ye ao so again, I lay hands on \ forth came they no more on the sabbath. Ver. Ojg, And I i mantled the Lcrites, that they ih< the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant. Ver. 6. the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from pol- luting it, and taketh hold of my ant: Ver. 7. Kven them will I brini: to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt-oiferintfs and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people* 1 Kev. i. 10. I was in the Spirit In the Lord's day, and heard be- hind me a great voice, as of a tiutn; 117. 'Exod. xx. B. Remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy. — 10. Hut t th day i* the sabbath of the Lord thy (iod: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, <5 Bxod. i Moses said, Kat that to-day; tor to-day is a sabbath unto tin- Lord: to-day thai! not find it in the field. I .1 gather it; but on the seventh day, which sabbath, in it there >hall be . And it came to pass, that there went out some of the le on the seventh day tor to they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How loni: refuse ye to keen ►mmandments and my laws? mil 15. In those days saw I in Judah some trending wine- 286 The Larger Catechism. delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy c) in the publick and private exercises of God's worship d: and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such fore- sight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day e. Q. 118. Whu should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath- day. Remember me, 0 my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy, Jer. xvii. 21. Thus saith the Lord, Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath- day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. Ver. 22. Neither carry forth a burden out of your house on the sabbath-day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath- day, as I commanded your fathers. c Mat. xii. from verse 1. to 13. At that time Jesus went on the sabbath-day, through the corn, and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. Ver. 2. But when the Pharisees saw it, §c. dIsa. lviii. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight; the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. Luke iv. 16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and stood up for to read. Acts xx. 7. And upon the first day of the weeR^ when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the mor- row. 1 Cor. xvi. 1. Now concern-' ing the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Ver. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Psal. xcii. \jitle, A psalm or song for the sabbath-day. ,J Isa. lxvi. 23. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. Lev. xxiii. 3. Six days shall work be done^ but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convoca- tion ; ye shall do no work therein : it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings. e Exod. xx. 8. Remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Luke xxiii. 54. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. Ver. 56. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath-day, ac- cording to the commandment. Exod. xvi. 22. And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man : and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Ver. 25. And Moses said, Eat that to-day ; for to-day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to-day ye shall not find it in the field. Ver. 26. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbatll The Larger Catechism. Q. 118. Why is the charge of I . tlu sabbath rm viall/j din t U d f families, and other sup A. The charge of keeping the sabbath is more specially directed to families, and other suj 1k- e they are bound not only to keep it themselves, but to that it be observed by all those that are under their marge; and 1 are prone oft-times to hinder them by employments of their 119- What are the '-bidden in the fourth com- nunc A. The sins forbidden in the fourth commandment are, all ', all ear eless, | nt, and unprofitable performing of them, and h . of them b ; all bbath, in it tl none. or that I you tiie Mibbath, giveth - the v the Dll ry man in h ce nn i seventh day. > i. if. ."1 10. But the rentfa ird tl in it thou t do i thy thy dai nor thy t, nor I it it teem ei il unto ?ou to J, choose you thi win. dwell: I the ! all L \xiii. . days | shaft do thy work, and on teventb day thou >hait I that thine ox and thine ass and the son of thy hand- maid and the stranger shed. 1 1". - l'./ek. . Her n I my law, aiul e noly thii i ww n the holy and profane, neither I shewed difl the nnelean and the el. from m\ . them. \ .lid upon the iplef i r to break I Paul tlu m. ; to depart on t! : hfa IDeech until Vnd thei a wii a dr. ; I Up 288 The Larger Catechism. all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful1; and byall needless works, words, and thoughts, about our worldly employments and recreations k. Q. 120. W/iat are the reasons annexed to the fourth com- mandment, the more to enforce it ? A. The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment, the more to enforce it, are taken from the equity of it, God allowing us six days of seven for our own affairs, and reserv- ing but one for himself, in these words, Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work1-, from God^s challenging a special propriety in that day, The seventh day is the sabbath of the Ijyrd thy Godm : from the example of God, who in six days made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested people still are talking against thee by the walls, and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to an- other, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. Ver. 31. And they come unto thee as the people com- eth, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them ; for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Ver. 32. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. Amos viii. 5. Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? Mai. i. 13. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it ! and ye have snuff- ed at it, saith the Lord of hosts ; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick ; thus ye brought an offering : 24, should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord. 1 Ezek. xxiii. 38. Moreover, this they have done unto me; they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. k Jer. xvii. 24. And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath-day, to do no work therein. Ver. 27. But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath-day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath- day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. Isa. lviii. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the sab- bath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour him, j not doing thine own ways, noi finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. 120. ■ Exod. xx. 9. m Exod. xx. 10. ■Exod The Larger Catechism. rested the seventh day: and from that blessing which Gi d put upon that day, oot only in sanctifying it to be a day for his service but in ordaining it to be a means of bk |Dg to us in our sanctifying it ; Where/ore the Lord blessed tlic sabbath-day, and hallowed itn. Q. 121. Why is the word Remember set i?i the beginning of the fourth commandment t A. The word lie number is set in the beginning of the fourth commandment0, partly, because of the great benefit of remembering it, we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep itp, and, in keeping it, better to keep all the rest of the commandments0*, and to continue a thankful remem- brance of the two great benefits of creation and redemption, which contain a short abridgment of religion r ; and partly, beca nExod. xx. 11. LSI. El ] . \nd he said ■nto tlifin, Thii is that which the Lord hath laid, To-morrow ii the rest of the holy nbbath unto tlu* Lord: bake that which will bake to-day, and seethe that ve will i and that which uoeth 01 1 up for you to be kept until the raorni Luke xxiii. 54. And that day ration, and tin- [ hath drew on. V tad they returned, and prepared ipiO - and ointn d the to the i iment. ( / with Mark \\ . J i. AmI that is, the da !i. xiii. il>. And paij, tli it, n hen the ■ ire the sabb itn, I ded that the ihould be .shut, aii(! ! that tiny should not be opened till a pet J no burden he brought in on the sabbath-day. • PsaJ. xeii. £////«•, A j>sa1n. the tabbath-duyr\ ( I with ver. 13. Those that he planted in the home of the 1 shall flourish in the courts of our God. And ver. It. They shall still brine forth fruit in they shall he fat and flourishing. . 12. Moreover sJi them my sabbaths, t<» I sign between me and them, that they might know that I nn etify them. \ '.■: . I P I am the Lord your God ; walk in my it and keep my judg- ments, and do them. \ , they shall be ■ - DM and you, thai that 1 am the 1 I And on tlu' seventh ended his work which be had ; id In- letted on the th day ti. DO all ! a hlch he had made. \ blessed the sei enth day. in it 290 The Larger Catechism, because we are very ready to forget it % for that there is less light of nature for it *f and yet it restraineth our natu- ral liberty in things at other times lawful v ; that it cometh but once in seven days, and many worldly businesses come between, and too often take off our minds from thinking of it, either to prepare for it, or to sanctify it w ; and that Satan with his instruments much labour to blot out the glory, and even the memory of it, to bring in all irreligion and impiety x. Q. 122. What' which God created and made. Psal. cxviii. 22. The stone which the builders refused is become the head-stone of the corner. Ver. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Compared with Acts iv. 10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Ver. 11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Rev. i. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard be- hind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. s Ezek. xxii. 26. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sab- baths, and I am profaned among them. lNeh. ix. 1 4. And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, sta- tutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant. vExod. xxxiv. 21. Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing- time and in harvest thou shalt rest. wDeut. v. 14. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, . nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man- servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou. Ver. 15. And remember that thou wast a ser- vant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through a mighty hand, and by a stretched-out arm : therefore the Lord thy God com- manded thee to keep the sabbath- day. Amos viii. 5. Saying, When will the new-moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sab- bath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? xLam. i. 7. Jerusalem remem- bered in the days of her affliction, and of her miseries, all her plea- sant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her ; the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths* Jer. xvii. 21. Thus saith the Lord, Take heed to yourselves, and bear no The Larger Catechism, 291 Q. 122. )Vhat is the sum of the six commandments wkick contain oar duty to man ? A, The sum of the m\ commandments which contain our duty to man, is, to love our neighbour as i esy, and to do to others what we would have ihem to do to us*. i). 123. Which is the fifth commandment f A. The fifth commandments is. Honour thy father and tliy mother: that thy days maybe long u/xju tin McA the Lord thy God gvvetk thee*. Q. 124. Who are meant by lather and mother in the fifth commandment ? A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents b, but all superiors in age* and gifts d ; and especially such as, l)y God's ordinance. no burden on the Sabbath-day* nor bring it in hy the - Jerusalem* ^er.88. Neither < forth I bllickn OOt of your In on die sahhath-day, neither do ye any work, hut hallow ye the sah- hath-day, as 1 eommanded your hthers. Ver.93. But they obi not, neither inclined their ear, hut their neck still*, that they Blight not bear nor recerre in- struetiou. Nth. xiii. from verwe l£A. In thoi saw I in ffudah some treading w'm»-presees on the sabbeth-dej — s ttr b.^ 19. And the sveond is like unto it. Thou ihalt lore thv aeiffhboui as thyself Mat. vii. 1 1 Therefore .-til thing* H hat-iM \ « i ft a ould that men should do tO you, do ft even s<» to them : far this is (be law .ken unto thy hthtl tti.it beg and despise not thy mother when she is old. V'er. L'liy fatlu thy mother shall be glad ; an d that hare thee >hall r Eplk vi. 1. ( hildrr -ents in the Lord: tor this is | i ; mother, (whieh is the fil mandment with prom • l Tim. v. i. Rebuke nol elder, hut entreat hh: ther, and the younger men as brethren: .'. The tiler women u mo- the you with all punt ! !!.' iv. 9& J SJ dwell in tents, and of" §u< cattle. I the father ot all BU4 the harp ! an instil i brass and n hither, hut ti madi me I and \ rul. i '•Klnje 292 The Larger Catechism. over us in place of authority, whether in family % church r, or commonwealths. Q. 125. Why are superiors stiled Father and Mother? A. Superiors are stiled Father and Mother, both to teach them in all duties towards their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations11 ; and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents l. Q. 126. What is the general scope of thejjflh command- ment ? A. The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance e 2 Kings v. 13. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean ? f2 Kings ii. 12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my fa- ther, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. — 2 Kings xiii. 1 4. Now Elisha was fallen sick, of his sickness whereof he died: and Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof! Gal. iv. 19. My little children, of whom I tra- vail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. * Isa. xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing- fathers, and their queens thy nursing-mothers : they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord : for they hhall not be ashamed that wait for me. 125. hEph.vi.4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: 3)ut bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 2 Cor. xii. 14. — For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 1 Thess., ii. 7. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. Ver. 8. So, being affec- tionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. Ver. 1 1. As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. Numb, xi. 11. And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflict- ed thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Ver. 12. Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bo- som (as anursing- father beareth the sucking child) unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 1 1 Cor. iv. 14. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. Ver. 15. For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers : for in Christ Jesus The Larger Catechism. performance of those duties which we mutually owe in r several relations, as inferiors, superior-, or equals*. Q. 127. What is the honour that inferiors awe to tL superiors ? A. The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart1, word"1, and behaviour" ; prayer and thanksgiving for them °; imitation of their virtuesandgrai willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsel- due if I have begotten you through the gospel. Ver. 16. Wherefore I eh you, l>e ye followers of . I 58Y. \:i. £See hit . k Kj)h. v. SI. Submitting your- e to another in the f God. 1 Pet ii. 17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. I ( d. Honour the kinir. Rom. xii. 10. Be kindly affect* one to another with brotherly love ; in honour preferring one mother. 1 r, . lMal. i. 8. \ Mm honoureth ither, and a servant his mas- (f then I be a lather, where i- mine honour ? and if I I •• saith the Lord of hostl unto you, () [)! I that despise my name: and y< Wherein ha\ lespised thy \ I diall tear J man his mother and his fatlu-r, and keep my >ahhaths : a the Lord your God. l\ children up, and call her blessed : husband also, and he praiaeth her. Abraham, calling him lord : * titers ye wrii, and are not afraid sritfl any I ':,tlt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face 0# tin- old m.m, and fear thy God : I am the Lord. IL 19. Bath-sbi I I unt<» king Solomoi to him !• ; and the king rose up to meet her. bowed bim&elf unto her, an down on his throne, and cam seat to 1 for the kind's mo- ther ; and the B8t on his right liand. 1 Tim. ii. I. I exhort there- fore, that, tirst ot all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and i. of thanks be made tor all men : Ver. S. For kftBgSJ, r all that are in authority ; that we had a quiet and peaceable lite in all mttmees and honesty. P Heb. xiii. 7. Remember them which have the nil- you, who have spoken unto you the word ot God: whose* faith follow, Considering the end of d rersation. Phil. hi. it. Brethren, together of me, and mark them which walk so, I have >is tor an en>ample. Bph. vi. I. Children, I your pan nt- in tin* Lord ; tor this 1 lonour thy ! and mother, (which is toe commandment with | I - ts, be obedient to them that are your mast cording to the flesh. \s itfa I tremhlinir, h >ess ot heart, as unto ChrM • Not with iv.-M'ivuv, sj mcn-pleaaers, but as the sen doint: the will o' < the heart ; \ With gO0d»wBI doing service, as to t not to men. 1 I S ii. 1 mil 294 The Larger Catechism. due submission to their corrections r ; fidelity to defen ce and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to mit yourselves to every ordi- nance of man for the Lord's sake : whether it be to the king, as su- preme; Ver. 14, Or unto gover- nors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Rom. xiii. 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Ver. 2. Whosoever therefore re- sisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Ver. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same : Ver. 4. For ne is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Ver. 5. Where- fore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for con- science sake. Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account ; that they may- do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. Prov. iv. 3. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. Ver. 4. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Prov. xxiii. 22. Hear- ken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Exod. xviii. 19. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Ver. 24. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said. r Heb. xii. 9. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence : shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 1 Pet. ii. 18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the fro ward. Ver. 19. For this is thank- worthy, if a man for con- science toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. Ver. 20. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently ? but if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently ; this is acceptable with God. sTit. ii. 9. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own mas- ters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again. Ver. 10. Not purloining, but shew- ing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. *1 Sam. xxvi. 15. And David said to Abner, Art thou not a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel ? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king ? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. Ver. 16. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, be- cause ye have not kept your mas- ter, The Larger Catechism. J295 to their several ranks, and the nature of their places ■ ; hear- ing with their infirmities, and covering them in love", that 60 thev mav be an honour to them and to their government*. Q. 1 28. What arc thtsinsqfmferiors against their sun A. The sins of inferiors against their BUperion are, all peglect of the duties required toward them y ; envying ter, the Lord's anointed. 2 Sam. xviii. 3. But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: tor if we flee away, they will not eare for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us : but now thou art worth ten thousand of therefore now it is better that thou succour Us out of the city. Esther vi. 8. And it found written, that MordecsJ had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the kms/i chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who bought to lay hand on the king Mit. wii. 81. They say unto him, Cesar's. Then s&Jth lie unto them, Render therefore unto Ce- sar the things which arc I and unto God the tiling that are L Horn. xiii. & POT, for this on tribute also ; for they i ministers, attending continually upon this very th ler therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tri- bute il due, CUStOm to whom torn, tear to whom fear, honour to u hoiu honour. 1 Tim. v. 1 1. the elders that rule u. il he counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the : and doctrine. \ . i. I & Pot the scripture tsJth,Thou shall not inuz/le the oi thai treadeth out the corn ! and, Th.- labour I ml. ( ml. . him that is t ttlght in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good t h i 1 1 _ xlv. 11. And there will I nourish thee, (tor yet there are live years of famine,) lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty, Gen. \lvii. ]2. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all oil ther's household, with bread. cording to their famh w 1 Pet ii. la SerrantS, he sub- ject to your masters with all tear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the troward. l'rov. xxiii. SSL Hearken unto th] ther that begat thee, and des not thy mOt&er when she *J oh!, den. ix. ^*. And Shem and Ja- phetfa took a garment, ana1 hud it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and 1 the t their lather ; and their faces wen* backward, and they saw not their lather's naked- Iie>-. PsaL exxvii. . . I . children are an heritage of the Lord ; and the fruit of the womb is h, u.ird. \(i. 1. As ariOWS are in the hand oi I mighty man ; so are children of the youth. V Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them .- they shall . chained, but the) shall I with the enemies in the gal \\\i. 2S. Her husband ii known in the gates, when he lit am elders Of the land. I ; commanded, Sayiiu. HoUOUT th\ lather and mother: and, 1 1 I him N » die *296 The Larger Catechism. at 2, contempt of % and rebellion b against, their persons and places d, in their lawful counsels % commands, and corrections f; cursing, mocking8, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government h. Q. 129. What . die the death. Ver. 5. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his fa- ther or his mother, It is a gift, *by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me ; Ver. 6. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. z Numb. xi. 28. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Ver. 29. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them. a 1 Sam. viii. 7. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee : for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. Isa. iii. 5. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. b 2 Sam. xv. from ver. 1. to 12. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him cha- riots, and horses, S;ci c Exod. xxi. 15. And he that smiteth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. d 1 Sam. x. 27. But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us ? And they despised him, and brought him no presents : but he held his peace. el Sam. ii. 25. — Notwithstand- ing they (viz, the sons of Eli) hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them. f Deut. xxi. 18. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them ; Ver. 19. Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place: Ver. 20. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will noi obey our voice ; he is a glutton and a drunkard. Ver. 21. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you ; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. eProv. xxx. 11. There is a ge- neration that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. Ver. 1 7. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. h Prov. xix. 26. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shamepland bringeth reproach. 129. The Larger Catechism. Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inj A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand* to love1, pray for k, and bless their inferiors1 ; to install counsel and admonish them n ; countenancing0, command- ing p, and rewarding such as do well q ; and discountt-nanc: reproving, 129. ■Col iii- 19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bit- ter against them. Tit. ii. 1. That may teach the young women sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. k I Sam. x for me, God forbid that I >hould sin against the Lord in o pray for you : but I will teach you the good and the rii:ht way. Job i. when the of their feasting about, that .Job sent and sarx I them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-otier- to the numb them all; tor Job laid, It may be that my IOM haw >inned, ! God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. • i Kings viiL 5o\ And h itood, and i all the congn tion of Israel with a loud V( Blessed Lonl, that hath given rest unfc ! irding to all that : there hath not -Neb. \ ii. 7. And, without all contradiction, tin- less ifl blessed if the better. Gea All these are the tn d?« tiil>. I I ; and this i* it that the ther spake unto them, and blessed them ; irdiug to he blessed th. l tout \ i. '». And these voids, which I command thee thin il shall be in thine heart lhalt teach them diligently unto thy child) talk of them when thou sitte>t in thioe house, and when thou walk* the way, and when t down, and when thou risest up. Eph. vi. 4-. And, VC fetl provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in nurture and admonition o: Lord. i Pet iii. 7. Like fries, ye hus- bands, dwell with then according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife a^ unto the w» set, and as being heti the grace oi fife ; that jom pr.: be not hindered. 1 Pet ii. 14-. Or unto - unto them that by him for the punishment I, and for the |»; ! that do well. Bon. xiii. & rulers are not a tei works, but to the evfl. Will then not be afraid of tht do that whu : ■halt ha\ • of the same. I And t1 What honour and dignity ! I Then said the kii \ bim, J ■ nothing done tor him. 1 Horn. \iii. .). 1 Of I woikv il. Wilt th which i^ good, Foi hr 1^ the 1 to which i* evil, be at, g98 The Larger Catechism. reproving, and chastising such as do ill s ; protecting \ and providing for them all things necessary for soulv and body w : and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to pro- cure glory to God x, honour to themselves y, and so to pre- serve that authority which God hath put upon them 7\ Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors? A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them> an inordinate seeking of them- selves, beareth not the sword in vain : for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. s Prov. xxix. 15. The rod and reproof give wisdom : but a child left to himself bringeth his mo- ther to shame. 1 Pet. ii. 14. [^See above in letter p.]] t Job xxix. 12. Because I de- livered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. Ver. 13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. Ver. 14*. I put on righte- ousness, and it clothed me: my judgment wras as a robe and a diadem. Ver. 15. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. Ver. 16. I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Ver. 17. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. Isa. i. 10. Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. Ver. 17. Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. vEph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. w 1 Tim. v. 8. But if any pro- vide not for his own, and spe- cially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. x 1 Tim. iv. 12. Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in cha- rity, in spirit, in faith, in pu- rity. Tit. ii. 3. The aged women likewise, that they be in beha- viour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things ; Ver. 4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ver. 5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. y 1 Kings iii. 28. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment. zTit. ii. 15. These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. 130. aEzek. xxxiv. 2. Son of man, prophesy against the shep- herds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed The Larger Catechism, 889 d . selves5, their own glory % ease, profit, or pleasure" manding things unlawful % or not in the power of inferior* to perform f; counselling g, encouraging5, or favouring them feed themselves ! should not the shepherds ieed the flocks? Ver. 3. Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed : but ye teed not the flock. Ver. 4. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, nei- ther have ye bound up that which broken, neither have ye brought airain that which WM driven away, neither have ye sought that which p : but with force and with cruelty have ruled them. b Phil. ii. SI. For all net their own, not the tilings which are mist's. an v. 1 V. I low i an ye be- which honour one ot' another, and nek DOl the ho- nour that cometh from I only? John vii. 1*. He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but be that seeketh his glory that sent him, the MUM is tnii-, and no unrighteousnejl is in him. i. !vi. lo. Hi^ watchmen arc blind: they are all ignorant, tiny are all dumb dogt, tiny cannot bark ; sleeping, Ijing don n, loving to ilumber. ver. 1 1. Sea, they are heady dogs, which can .. and they are >lup- cannot understand : they all look to their OWB ■ i his gain from his Dent. \\ ii. i i . Neither he multiply wives to him his heart turn not neither shall be gnatlf multiply to himself sil\ .I'd. 1 Dan. in. I. Then an herald cried aloud, J manded, O people, nations, and lang er. o. That at what time ye hear the Pound of the cornet, flute, harp, lackbut, psal- tery, dulcimer, and all kin . musiek, ye lall down and wor- ship the golden ima^e that N - buchadnezzar the kiuir hath set up. Ver. (>*. And v. llleth not down and worshippeth, shall the same hour be east into the midst ot a burnim: liery furnace. I iv. 17. Hut that it ■] no further MDOtig the people, let us straitly threaten them, they sj,LMk henceforth to no man in this D \\ r. 1*-. they calleil them, and eomn. ed them not to ipeak at all, nor teach, in t: \od. v. ' LC And the task-ma-' went out, anil their ottCMB, and they ipake to the j)eople, laying, Thus saith Pharaoh, 1 will not Lrive you Itiaw, a • Mat. wiii. 2 1'he scribes and l'liari'sees sit in Mn' \ er. \. r oi they bind heavy huuh to be borne. — *. And • e instructed of her mother, said, dive me here John I In a ehai ger. ( l and said unto her mother. \\ .shall I uk ' Ami the said, The head ot John the Baptist. NO w Absalom had commanded his servants, say- m when Ami. is merry a ilh when I s.iy nnlo Am* then kill him, tear > 300 The Larger Catechism. them in that which is evil1 ; dissuading, discouraging, or dis- countenancing them in that which is goodk ; correcting them unduly1; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger111; provoking them to wrath11 ; or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their autho- rity, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour0. Q. 131. What have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 1 1 Sam. iii. 13. For I have told him, that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth ; because his sons made themselves vile, and he re- strained them not. k John vii. 46. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Ver. 47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Ver. 48. Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on him ? Ver. 49. But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. Col. iii. 21. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Exod. v. 17. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle ; therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord. 1 1 Pet. ii. 18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear ; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Ver. 19. For this is thank- worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrong- fully. Ver. 20. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it pa- tiently ? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it pa- tiently; this is acceptable with God. Heb. xii. 10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Deut. xxv. 3. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he , should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee. mGen. xxxviii. 11. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in- law, Remain a widow at thy fa- ther's house till Shelah my son be grown: (for he said, Lest peradventure he die also as his brethren did:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. Ver. 26. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I ; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. Acts xviii. 17. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat : and Gallio cared for none of those things. nEph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, pro- voke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. °Gen. ix. 21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken ; and he was uncovered within his tent. 1 Kings xii. 13. And the king (Rehoboarti) answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him ; ver. 14. And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke ; my father also chastised you with whips, The Larger Catechism. 301 Q. 131. What are the duties qf'ccpiah? A. The duties of equals are, to regard the di and worth of each other p, in giving honour to go one before another q; and to rejoice in each others gifts and advance- ment, as their own r. Q. 1352. What arc the sins of'cquaU? A. The sins of equals are, besides the n the duties required*, the undervaluing of the worth'. ing the gifts', grieving at the advancement or prosperity one whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Ver. \3. Wherefore the kin;: hearkened not unto the people ; tor th I from the Lord. — Ver. J S when all I>- rael saw that the king hearkened not nolo them, the people answer- ed the kiiiLr, laying, What portion ITC 6 1 ) :vid ? neither have heritance in the >on of Jesse: ir tc iit - id : now see to thine own b< in •-. 1 1 SI | ; I (It-parted unto their tent*. 1 Kin_> i. '). And his father had not displeased him ( vh. AdomyahJ 1:1 mykuh Why heel thou do re kick ye at my sacri- . and at mint- offering which I have commanded in my habita- ind honourest thy sons abore in.-, ; wet lat with I the offerings of iel saith, 1 1 indeed, that t: and the h0UM <>f thy lath. 1 , should walk hut now the Lord taithj Be it tar fioin DM ; them that honour me I will honour, and they that despite me I).- lightly est d, the days come, that I will off thine arm, and the aim of thy fathei a there ild man in thine house. 131. pi Pet ii. ir. Honour all men. Lo\ e the hrotherl. : God Honour the ki - Horn. xii. in. Be kindly a; tinned one to another with : tfaerrj in honour prek r one another. r Horn. xii. |& Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and \\\v\> with them that weep. ne mind one tow another. Mind not high th but I end to men o( low otate. Be not prise in your conceits. Phil, i -iiiiiL: he done through Btl I ain- ; hut in lowliness ot' mind other better than themselves. Look J man on his own th but 1 ii the t: ot Otl I . :. K .m. no man any thin^, hat t<» love One another : tor he thai ther hath fulfilled t' Tim. iii. : \\ .tural affection, time breakers, false ac- . continent, tierce. dcSptS- those that m iCtSI ''■ Ami the patriarchs, moved with en\ \ . int.) Egypt ; hot (.-hi SfSJ v him. BsjL v. W 1-' t 111 W oi \ai:i lOStjkiUg • - ther. N 302 The Larger Catechism. one of another w; and usurping pre-eminence one over another % Q. 133. What is the reason annexed to thejifih command- ment, the more to enforce it ? A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy Godgiveth thee1, is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment2. Q. 134. Which is the sixth commandment? A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill*.. Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth com- mandment ? A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavours, to preserve the life of ourselves b and others0 by resisting all thoughts and pur- poses, w Numb. xii. 2. And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses ? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. Esth. vi. 12. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate : but Ha- inan hasted to his house, mourn- ing, and having his head covered. Ver. 13. And Haman told Zeresh his wife, and all his friends, every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men, and Zeresh his wife, unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. x 3 John, Ver. 9. I wrote unto the church : but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. Luke xxii. 24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 133. y Exod. xx. 12. z Deut. v. 16. Honour thy fa- ther and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee ; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 1 Kings viii. 25. Therefore now, Lord God of Is- rael, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel ; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me. Eph. vi. 2. Honour thy father and thy mo- ther, (which is the first command- ment with promise,) Ver. 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 134. a Exod. xx. 13. 135. bEph. v. 28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies : he that loveth his wife loveth himself. Ver. 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh ; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. c 1 Kings xviii. 4. For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of The Larger Catechism. posesd, subduing all passions6, and avoiding all occa temptations g, and practices, which tend to the unjust tak away the life of an v h ; by ju^ defence thereof against violci. of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water. d Jer. xxvi. 15. But know ye for certain, that it ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring inno- cent blood upon yotim -Ives, and upon this city, and upon the in- habitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you, icak all these words in your ears. Ver. If. Then said the prin- tnd all the people, unto the priest<, and to the prophets, This man is not worthy to die : for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God. Acts x x i t i . 13. And when it was day. certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a c laying, That they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Ver. 16. And when Paul's > Km heard of their lying in wait, hi- went and entered into i-tle, and told Paul. Ver. 17. Then Paul called the cen- turions unto him, and .said, Bring this VOUng man unto the chief he hath a certain tUng to tell him. V. :. H. But do not thOU yield onto them : for there lie in wait tor him ot them more than forty men, whieh have bound theuiM-lves with an oath, that they will neitlu r ■Off drink till they have killed him : and now are the) looking tor a promta Horn thee. Phis man was taken ot the , and ihould liave been killed ot' them : then came I w ith an army, and reaCUOd him. having understood that he was a Roman. make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon e Eph. iv. 90. Be ye anirry, and sin not : let not the sun Lro down upon your wrath: Ye: ither place to the devil. mid. ii. 22. And Abner aaU hel, Turn thee aside from following me : wIri should I smite thee to the ground 1 Dent xxii. s. When thou build- eel a new house, then thou ! thy n ICKXl U| thine house, it any man fall from then 8 Mat. iv. 6. And saith unto him, It' thou be the Son ot' Qod, :.'iyselt down : — Ver. 7. J said unto him, It is written a. Thou shalt not tempt the I thy God. Prow i. 10. .My x»n, it sinners entire th KUt thou not. Ver. 11. It they say. Come with us, let u ait tor blood, let us lurk privily for the cent without cause: Ver. 15. My son, walk not thou in the way with then ; refrain thy foot from their path. Ver. 16. for th b run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 1 Sam. xxiv. 1J. The I judire between me and ll the 1 MM DM • bul mine hand shall not I thee. \m\ Hand ki Abishai, Destroy him not ■ h toith his hand against 1 oid's anointed and be piilt- !■■*«.- \ , ther- more. As the Lord In I .shall de- acend in' periah. II. The 1 I bottld stretch forth mine hand again *• I 304 The Larger Catechism, violence *, patient bearing of the hand of Godk, quietness of mind *, cheerfulness of spirit m ; a sober use of meat n, drink, Lord's anointed. Gen. xxxvii. 21. And Reuben heard it, and he deli- vered him out of their hands, and said, Let us not kill him. Ver. 22. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him : that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. 1 Psal. Ixxxii. 4. Deliver the poor and needy ; rid them out of the hand of the wicked. Pro v. xxiv. 11. If thou forbear to de- liver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain : Ver. 12. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not : doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works ? 1 Sam. xiv. 45. And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great sal- vation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground : for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people re- scued Jonathan, that he died not. k James v. 7. Be patient there- fore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the hus- bandman waiteth for the pre- cious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he re- ceive the early and latter rain. Ver. 8. Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts : for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Ver. 9. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned : behold, the Judge standeth before the door. Ver. 10. Take, my bre- thren, the prophets, who have sp ken in the name of the Lord, f( an example of sutfering affliction, and of patience. Ver. 11. Behold, we count them happy which en- dure. Ye have heard of the pa- tience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord ; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Heb. xii. 9. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which cor- rected us, and we gave them reve- rence : shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live ? 1 1 Thess. iv. 11. And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with, your own hands, as we command- ed you. 1 Pet. iii. 3. Whose adorning, let it not be that out- ward adorning — Ver. 4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Psal. xxxvii. 8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Ver. 9. For evil-doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. Ver. 10. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be : yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. Ver. 11. But the meek shall inherit the earth ; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. m Prov. xvii. 22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine ; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. n Prov. xxv. 16. Hast thou found honey ? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled = The Larger Catechism. 305 drink0, physickp, sleep q, labour r, and recreations*; by fcharitable thoughts \ love v, compassion w, meekn tlu- 5, kindness*; peaceable5, mild and courteous speeches I vith, and vomit it. Ver. 27. It is nut good to eat much honey : — ° 1 Tim. v. 23. Drink no Id water, but use a Kittle wine fa stomach's sake, and thine i Infirmities. p Isa. xxxviii. 21. For L had - t them take a lump gS, and lay it lor a pi upon the boil, and he shall re- v Pial exxvii. 2. It i< vain for you to rise lip early, to Bit up late, It the bread of sorrows; for so he gfareth his beloved all v. \2. The sleep of a labouring man is BWeet, whether be eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich will not sutler him to sleep. 'J HHSS. iii. i<>. For e?eo mnen we p with you, this we commanded That if any would not work, ■either should he tat. \Yr. 1 1 Now them that are such we command, and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christy thai with juietuess they work, and tat their jwii !' 11. hat lab-turi-th, l.tbourtth for hhn- »t*lt ; lor his mouth craveth it of d iii. 1. A time t I time to laugfa : a tim< :id a time to ds 1 1. He hath made ev< i tiful in liis lime : also he hath sji the « orld fan their heart, — 1 1 i. And Jonathan [pake [JOOd ot David • his unto him, I Mo saramst hAn ser- r In- did put Us life in his hand, and slew the Phil- istine, and the Lord ITTOUght a I salvation tor ail Lrael : thou sawest it, and didst rejoice ; irhere* then wilt tfa -t in- it blood, to slai 1> out I r IS . And Said said unto him. Why ha1 conspired against me, thou and - m of Jesse, in that thou ha>t given him bread, and a SI — Ver. 1 fc. Then Ahimelecl. rd the kmg, and >aid. And .1 among all thy mts as David, which i- • ii-in-law, and g thy bidding, and Is honourable in thine hou , mil xiii. in. Love worktth no ill to his neighbour : thei i^ the fulfilling ot the 1 * Luk< Hut B - lit* )•>'.: whti tfl : and \n hen hi him, he hail him, \ Yr. :H. And w im, and bound up his wound*, poiui; oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, ami brought him ti inn. I him. I. iii. I9L Put on then I a- ! I ness, humbleness giving one a i ;. Hui that . I ol m« v 1 1 1 1 306 The Larger Catechism, and behaviour z ; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil a ; comforting and succouring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent b. Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth com- mandment ? A, The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. z 1 Pet. iii. 8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Ver. 9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrari- wise, blessing: knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Ver. 10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Ver. 11. Let him eschew evil, and do good : let him seek peace, and ensue it. Prov. xv. 1. A soft answer turn- eth away wrath : but grievous words stir up anger. Judges viii. 1. And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not when thou wen test to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. Ver. 2. And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Eph- raim better than the vintage of Abi- ezer ? Ver. 3. God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Mi- dian, Oreb and Zeeb ; and what was I able to do in comparison of you ? Then their anger was abated toward him when he had said that. a Mat. v. 24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer, thy gift. Eph. iv. 2. With all lowliness and meekness, with long- suffering, forbearing one another in love. Ver. 32, And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath for- given you. Rom. xii. 17. Recom- pense to no man evil for evil, — Ver. 20. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink : for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Ver. 21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. b 1 Thess. v. 14. Now we ex- hort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble- minded, support the weak, be pa- tient toward all men. Job xxxi. 19. If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering : Ver. 20. If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep. Mat. xxv. 35. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink : I was a stran- ger, and ye took me in : Ver. 36. Naked, and ye clothed me : I was sick, and ye visited me : I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Prov. xxxi. 8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Ver. 9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 136. c Acts The Larger Catechism. 307 taking away the life of ourselves0, or of others d, except in of publick justice e, lawful war f, or necessary defeiu the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and DeceS6ann Beans of preservation of lifeh; sinful anger ], hatred k, en\ \ , de 136. c Acts xvi. 28. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, thyself no harm; for we are all h> d Gen. ix. 6. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed : for in the image rod made he man. e Numb. xxxv. 31. Moreover, re shall take no , tion for the life of a murderer, which ifl guilty of death ; but he shall be rurely put to death. Ver. 33. v shall not pollute the land wherein re are : tor blood it defileth the land ; and the land cannot be deansed of the blood that if shed in, but by the blood of him hat -hud it. r. \lviii. lo. Cursed Ik* lie lhat doeth the work of the Lord t fully, and cursed be he that ^th back his IWOfd from Detlt xx. through- >ut. Vef. 1. When thou goes* out .0 battle againit thine - ind seest horses and chariots, and nsoplr more than thou, be not ifiaid ol them ; for the Lord thy fl is with thee, which brought I up out ol the land ot Egypt, If a thiet be bund breaking up, and be smit- en that lie die, there shall no : be shed for him. Ver. 3. It" en upon him, there hall be blood shed tor him ; tor bould make lull restitution : l he I thing, then be shall Id tor his thi I wai an led. and \< me no I was thirsty, and ye g me no drink : Ver. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not In: naked, and ye clothed me not ; sick, and in prison, and me not. James ii. 1j. If a bro- ther or slater be naked} and titute of daily food, Ver. If. And one ot you say unto them, 1) in pi warmed ami till- ed ; notwithstanding them not those things which are need- ful to the body, what doth it pro- lit? Keel. vi. 1. There is an evil which 1 have seen under the sun, and it is common among men : :. A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, end honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desired.. God Lriveth him not power t thereof, but a Stranger eateth it : this is vanity, and it is an Mat. r.fiS. But I Say unto you, That whosoever with his brother without shall be in danger ol the judgment : whosoever shall say to his brother, Kaea, shall be in danger of tfu eouncil : but w hosot \ Thou fool, shall be in danger of bell-fire John hi- 1^- Whosoever hat- eth his brother is a murdi rer: and ye know that no mill er hath eternal lite abiding in him. 1 Thou not hate thy brother in thine h* ii t ! th Ml shafa in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, sutler sin upon him. r \ sound heart ■ the lit- but einry the rottenness of the bom Horn, 308 Tlie Larger Catechism. desire of revenge111; all excessive passions11, distracting cares0; immoderate use of meat, drink p, labourq, and recreations7; provoking words s, oppression *, quarrelling v, striking, wounding w? and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any x. Q. 137. Which mRom. xii. 19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath : for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. n Eph. iv. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and cla- mour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. 0 Mat. vi. 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat ? or what shall we drink ? or wherewithal shall we be clothed ? Ver. 34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself : sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. p Luke xxi. 34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Rom. xiii. 13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day ; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. vice, wherein they made thetn serve, was with rigour. v Gal. v. 15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Prov. xxiii. 29. Who hath woe ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? who hath babbling? who hath wounds with- out cause ? wNumb. xxxv. 16. And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a mur- derer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Ver. 17. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer : the murderer shall surely be put to death. Ver. 18. Or if he smite him with an hand-weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, The Larger Catechism. Q. 137. Which is the seventh commandment ? A. The seventh commandment is, Tliuu skaii not commit adultery y. Q. 138. What are the duties required in the sci\nth com- mat/dment? A. The duties required in the seventh commandment are, chastity in bodv, mind, affections2, words*, and be- haviour5; and the preservation of it in ourselves and others c; watchfulness over the eyes and all the sen* temperance6, keeping of ehaste companvf, modesty in ap- parel ; lie, he is a murderer : the mur- lerer shall xireiy be put to death. l\. Or in enmity smite him With hifl hand, that he die: iie that him shall >ureJy be pat to Beath; for lie is a murderer: the the murderer when he meeteth him. . .\.\i. from Vera 18 the end, >r tin hurt L<< i that ^'"-•(h, amd for mim tit, it >l <>f' Itil' J sod sx i V ihould know how to —el in sanctification and honour. Jul) xxxi. 1. I made \t with miu< \\ hy th*-n should I think Uj rid r ; . rhere it a d also between ;« 1 a the unmarried woman h tor tin* thin^ of the Lordj th.it she ma\ be holy, both in and in spirit : hut she that :reth tor the tl of the world, how ij please her husband. * Col. h al way with { ivith ma) know hoi sjugiit to ansu 1 1 nan. Pet. lit bold youi conpl. ll \\ .ill Ii ai. 1 Cor. vii. avoid tornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woinan have her own husband. Ver. 35. And this I speak for your own profit, nut that I ma; snare upon you, but for that which ifl comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. Ver. 36, But if any man think that he behaveth himself uneome- aard his virgin, if she r of hti • juire, let him do what he Will, he sinneth not : let them i) xxxi. 1. I n. nant with mine eyes, srhy then >hould I think upon a maid ' isilla, which was a Jew* n>, }lc. iqdi ;,,, Paul, 1 him concerning the faith in Christ I lad as Km ed of righteousness, ten ; nt to con • trembled ' Pi r\. ii. I deliver I from from tin i w huh il.it: with bei «r< iketh tin- guide nth. and Foi her house inclineUi ub 810 The Larger Catechism. parel g ; marriage by those that have not the gift of conti- nencyh, conjugal love1, and cohabitation k ; diligent labour in our callings1; shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto m. Q. 139. Wliat are tlie sins forbidden in the seventh com- mandment ? A. The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required n, are, adultery, fornication °, rape, paths unto the dead. Ver. 19. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. Ver. 20. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. « 1 Tim. ii. 9. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame- facedness and sobriety : not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. h 1 Cor. vii. 2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Ver. 9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 1 Prov. v. 19. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe ; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times, and be thou ravished always with her love. Ver. 20. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and em- brace the bosom of a stranger ? k 1 Pet. iii. 7. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them ac- cording to knowledge, giving ho- nour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hinder- ed. 1 Prov. xxxi. 11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in 25 her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Ver. 27> She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Ver. 28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed : her husband also, and he praiseth her. m Prov. v» 8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house. Gen* xxxix. 8. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. Ver. 9. There is none greater in this house than I ; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife : how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Ver. 10. And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hear- i kened not unto her, to lie by her, i or to be with her. 139. n Prov. v. 7. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and de- part not from the words of my mouth. ° Heb. xiii. 4. Marriage is ho- nourable in all, and the bed un- defiled ; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Gal* v. 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, unclean* ness, lasciviousness* P2Sam> The Larger Caiti 811 rape, incest p, sodomy, and all unnatural 1 all unci, imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections'; all cor- rupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto ■ ; wan- ton looks \ impudent or light behaviour, immodest apparel ' ; prohibiting P2Sam. xiii. 14. Howheit, he would not hearken unto her ; but being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 1 (or. v. 1. It if reported com- monly that there IS fornication among you, and such fornication DOt BO much as named tiles, that one should have his father's wife. Horn, i. 24. Wherefore I also gave them up to unclean- througfa the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. I this cause God g up unto vile affections : tor their women did change the ral use unto that which is ■gainst naturr . \ \nd like- nen, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned n their lust one toward no- i men with men working chat which [fl unseemly, and in them of thi i which Iras inert. I ,15. And if 1 man lie with a beast, h< shall Purely be put to death : and ye \ I a 1 h unto any d lie down thereto, thou t kill the woman and the Bl : th- j ih ill lurelj be put to blood shall be upon r .M • ^8. Bui I . onto you, That whoHoet a. — * I Tun. 312 The Larger Catechism. prohibiting of lawful w, and dispensing with unlawful mar- riages x ; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resort- ing to themy; entangling vows of single life2, undue delay of marriagea; having more wives or husbands than one at the same w 1 Tim. iv. 3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to ab- stain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which be- lieve and know the truth. x Lev. xviii. fro?n Verse 1. to 21. Mark vi. 18. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Mai. ii. 11. Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomina- tion is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem : for Judah hath pro- faned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath mar- ried the daughter of a strange god. Ver. 12. The Lord will cut ofF the man that doeth this ; the master and the scholar out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts. -v 1 Kings xv. 12. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. 2 Kings xxiii. 7. And he brake down the houses of the sodomites that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hang- ings for the grove. Deut. xxiii. 17. There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Ver. 1 8. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow : for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God. Lev. xix. 29. Do not prostitute thy daugh- ter, to cause her to be a whore ,* lest the land fall to whoredom, 21 and the land become full of wick- edness. Jer. v. 7. How shall I pardon thee for this ? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods : when I had fed them to the full, thej then committed adultery, and as- sembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. Prov. vii. 24. Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Ver. 25. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. Ver. 26. For she hath cast down many wounded; yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Ver. 27. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. z Mat. xix. 10. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. Ver. 11. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. a 1 Cor. vii. 7. For I would ( that all men were even as I my- self: but every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.f Ver. 8. I say therefore to the un- married and widows, It is good; for them if they abide even as I.j Ver. 9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better r to marry than to burn. Gen.i xxxviii. 26. And Judah acknow- ledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I : be- cause that I gave her not to She-" lah my son. And he knew her again no more. 5 v> Mai The Larger Catechism. SI J same timeb; unjust divorce0, or desertion d; idleness, glut- fcony, drunkenness e, unchaste company f; lascivious so; iooks, pictures, dancings plays6; and all other pro- vocations Mai. ii. 1 \. Yet ye say, Where- fore ? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously : yet is she thy companion, and \ ife of thy covenant. Ver. 1 '>. And did not he make one ? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit And wherefore one ? That he ek a godly seed. There- fore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. And said, For this all a man leave lather and mother, and shall cleave to ■ife; and they twain shaJl be one flesh. Mai. ii. 16. For the Lord, the Bod of Israel saith, that he hateth putting away : for one eovereth violence with his garment, saith me Lord of hosts: therefore take to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Mat \ . unto you, That wh Bhall put away hia wife, for the cause oi fornication, th her to commit adult and whosoever shall many her that ia divorced, committed) adul- i Cor vii. ltf. But to the I not the Lord, If any r hath a wife that believeth not, and she t)€ pleased tO dwell with him, let him not put her l.'J. And the woman i hath an husband that be- lli not, and it he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not l< ave him. I Heboid, this iniquity ol thy - dom, Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness, wa> H her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hands of the poor and needy. Prov. xxiii. 30. They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. Ver. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and Stmgeth like an adder. Ver. 33, Thin- shall behold sti women, and thine heart s utter perverse things. f Gen. xxxix. 1«>. And it C to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her. to lie by he: to be with hi :. !'; »v. v. s. II - move th] r from her. COOM not nigh the door of hei house. 1 ph. v. i. Neither filth: nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient : but rather giving of thank-. 1 -he increased her whoredoms : fur when saw men potutrayed upon the wall, the in I hal- deans pourtrayed with vermilion, \'.r. 16, Gilded with girdles upon their loins. attire upon their heads, all ol them primes to |ool I the man: ;>ylonians of Chaldea, tin- land Of then t i v i t y \ ' ■ she saw them with her ajSJ i upon them, ai sengers unto them into < Isa. xxiii. I ' 4nd it shall cot pass in that day, that T bs 814 The Larger Catechism. vocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others h. Q. 140. Which is the eighth commandment ? A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal1. Q. 141. What are the duties required in the eighth arm* mandment ? A. The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and com- merce between man and man k ; rendering to every one his due; excess of wine, revellings, ban- queting s, and abominable ido- latries. h 2 Kings ix. 30. And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it ; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. Com- pared with Jer. iv. 30. And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deck-* est thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair, thy lovers will de- spise thee, they will seek thy life. And with Ezek. xxiii. 40. And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came, for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thine eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments. 140. iExod. xx. 15. 141. k Psal. xv. 2. He that walk- eth uprightly, and worketh righ- teousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Ver. 4. — He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. Zech. vii. 4. Then i came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me, saying, Ver. 10.— Oppress not the widow, nor the. fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you ima-J gine evil against his brother in vour be forgotten seventy years, ac- cording to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. Ver. 16/ Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten, make sweet me- lody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. Ver. 17. And it shall come to pass, after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. Isa. hi. 16. Moreover, the Lord saith, Be- cause the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretch- ed-forth necks, and wanton eyes, walking, and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: — Mark vi. 22. And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod, and them that sat with him, the king said unto the dam- sel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. Rom. xiii. 13. Let us walk ho- nestly, as in the day ; not in riot- ing and drunkenness, not in cham- bering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 1 Pet. iv. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, The Larger Catechism. 315 due1; restitution of goods unlawfully detainee! from the right owners thereof1*; giving and lending freely, according our abilities, and the necessities of others . n "four judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly vour heart. Zech. viii. 1G. T are the things that ye shall do, Speak y< man the truth to his neighbour ; execute the judgment of truth and peace >ur gates. Yer. 17. And let none of you imagine evil in your heart- ighbour, and oath : for all these arc things that I hate, saith the Lord. 1 Horn. xiii. 7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is di >m to whom to whom fear, honour to whom honour. vi. I. If a soid >in, and commit a tl - airainst the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that him to . or in fellowship, or in a thing by violi hath u'hbour ; Y. Or have found that which was lost, and lieth C E it, and ireth falsely ; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning i it sha he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall that '• or that whkh : him tu keep, or th« tin:- which he found, Ver. ■'>. ( >r all that about which be hath n falsely ; lie shall i it in the principal, a:;d shall add the fifth pa und give it unto him to whi ieth, in tl f his Luki >aid unt bold, Lord, the half of i give to the poor ; and it I have : any thin : from any by false accusation, : him four-told. Luke vi. SO. Give to t man thai him that taketh awaj thy iroods, a-k them not and it shall I i unto good measun , shaken together, and runni shall men For with tin i • 1 to you again. 1 John iii But and seeth hi and shutteth up h I & Let him no more: but rati* n la- bour, working w itfa I thing which Li ■ eth. Gal. vi. I therefore Dpi good unto all • .ith. i I ;■ . with content i Into ' tn cam i And ! But into lustf 1 I. 316 The Larger Catechism. a provident care and study to get p, keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sus- tentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition q ; a lawful calling1, and diligence in its; frugality1; avoiding unnecessary law-suits T, and suretiship, or other like engage- mentsw ; and an endeavour, by all just and lawful means, to procure, glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. p 1 Tim. v. 8. But if any pro- vide not for his own, and spe- cially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. * Prov. xxvii. from Verse 23. to the end. Be thou diligent to lmow the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Ver. 24. For riches are not for ever, — Eccl. ii. 24. There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, for thou shalt die, and not live. Mat xi. 8.— Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. r 1 Cor. vii. 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Gen. ii. 15. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it. Gens iii. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground:— 8 Eph. iv. 28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Prov. x. 4. He be- that it was from the hand of cometh poor that dealeth with a God. Eccl. iii. 12. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. Ver. 13. And also that every man should eat and slack hand : but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. * John vi. 12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that re- drink, and enjoy the good of main that nothing be lost. Prov. all his labour, it is the gift of xxi. 20. There is a treasure to be God. 1 Tim. vi. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy : Ver. 18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communi- cate. Isa. xxxviii. 1. In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death: and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise : but a foolish man spendeth it up. v 1 Cor. vi. from Ver. 1. to 9. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints ? &;c. w Prov. vi. from Ver. 1. to 6. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, §c. Prov. xi. 15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for The Larger Catechism. 317 procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own x. Q. 142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth com- mandment ? A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, bo- lides the neglect of the duties required y, are, theft x, rob- bery a, man-stealing5, and receiving any thing that ifl stolen ; for it ; and he that hateth sureti- ship is sure. x Lev. xxv. 35. And if thy bro- ther he waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him ; yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; he may live with thee. Deut. xxii. 1. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep od bide thyself from them : thou shalt in any * _ them again unto thy hro- Ver. 2. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt . it into thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek alter it, and thou shalt ri^tore it to him again* I t. In like manner shalt thou itfa till ass, ;i;i,l so shalt thou ith his raiment ; and with all lost things of thy brotl. Which he hath lost, and thou hast I, shalt thou do likewise: I not hide th\ i Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or h ill down by the wd hide thyself them : thou .shalt surely him to lift them up at 1 iii. t. If thou meet thine fiein : iris a» going asl .shalt surdy briny it hark tO hi: aSS Of bin that hateth thee under his burden, and rbear to help him, flsou ihaJt surely help with him. Gen. xlvii. 1 l. And Joseph thered up all the money that vrai found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the com which they bought : and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. Ver. VJ<>. And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh ; lor the tiana sold every man his Held, because the famine prevail- ed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's. Phil. ii. 4. Look not every man on his own things, hut every man also on the thmf other>. Mat xxii. 39. An<: id is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thj E 1 1 j. * James h. V6\ It a brother or sister be naked, and destitute Of daily food ; \Yr. L& And one Of you say unto them, Depart in P armed and Idled ; notwithstanding ye give tin n those things whieh are needtul to the body, what doth it profit ? i John iii. 17. But whoso hath this world's gOOd. and -eeth his brother have need, and shuttetfa up his bowels oi compaasi him. how dwelleth the loi in him ? I ph. iv. lJS. Let him that stole steal no more ; but rather — * PsaL l\ii. 10. IVuat oppression, and bet in robbery ! — 1 Tun. i. 10, ( 1 made J tor h horemofiffers, them that delile thenix . () I mankind. i31 8 The Larger Cateclmm. stolen0; fraudulent dealing d, false weights and measures V removing land-marks f, injustice and unfaithfulness in con- tracts between man and mang, or in matters of trust h; op- pression1, extortion k, usury1, bribery111, vexatious law-suits11, unjust mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. c Prov. xxix. 24, Whoso is part- ner with a thief hateth his own soul : he heareth cursing, and be- wray eth it not. Psal. 1. 18. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him. — d 1 Thess. iv. 6. That no man go beyond and defraud his bro- ther in any matter ; because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarn- ed you, and testified. eProv. xi. 1. A false balance is abomination to the Lord : but a just weight is his delight. Prov. xx. 10. Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord. f Deut. xix. 14. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's land- mark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance. — Prov. xxiii. 10. Remove not the old land-mark ; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless. 8 Amos viii. o. Saying, When will the new-moon be gone, that we may sell corn ? and the sab- bath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsi- fying the balances by deceit? Psal. xxxvii. 21. The wicked bor- roweth, and payeth not again. — h Luke xvi. 10. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much ; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. Ver. 11. If therefore ye have not been faith- ful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches ? Ver. 12. And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own ? 1 Ezek. xxii. 29. The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy; yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. Lev. xxv. 17. Ye shall not there- fore oppress one another ; but thou shalt fear thy God : for I am the Lord your God. k Mat. xxiii. 25. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- crites ! for ye make clean the out- side of the cup and of the plat- ter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Ezek. xxii. 12. In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood : thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord God. 1 Psal. xv. 5. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the inno- cent.— m Job xv. 34. For the congre- gation of hypocrites shall be deso- late, and tire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. n 1 Cor. vi. 6. But brother go- eth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Ver. 7. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another : why do ye not rather take wrong? why The Larger Catechism. 319 unjust inclo-ures and depopulations ° ; sing commodi- ties to enhance the pricep ; unlawful callin d all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our :ibour what belongs to him, or of enriching oursehri tousness'; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods1; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in _ ting, keeping, and using them*; envying at the prosperity of why do ye not rather suffer your- - to be defrauded ? v. do wrong, and defraud, ir brethren. Prov. not evil against thy .hour, - be dweUeth ely by t r. 30. Strive man without cause, - hath done thee no harm. Woe unto them I that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone fan tile mid>t ot the earth ! Micah And t:. it fields, and take them by violence; and ho and take them a* they oj>- press a man and hi> house, even a man and his heritage. He that with- ■ him : but blessing bhall be the head of him that selleth it. « Acts xi\. 19, M > of which i tirioii- their honk ther, and burned t. ,re all meu ; and they counted the pre i, and found it fifty thou> certain man, named Demel . 'T-suhth, which made I shrines for 1 no I gain unto the craRfn Whom he called together, with the workmen of like occu- nd said - ye know that by thil craft Pre liave our ith. r Job xx. 19. Because he hath oppressed, and hath forsaken the poor ; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not. Jam.- v. I. Behold, the hire of the labourers, which reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth ; and the cries of them which have leaped are en- tered into ti. Prov. xxi. 6. The getting of ti by a lying toag toy totted t<> fro of them that - Lth. • Luke \\\. 1 >. And he unto them, Take heed, : for a - life consisteth not in the abundanee of tlie thlOgl which he poatetseth. I Tim. vi. 5. lVr\ put- of me;. rrupt u and destitute ot the truth, suppos- irom Mich withthaw thyx-lf. Col. iii. »ur affection on th it on things on the earth. . xx iii. '>. W It thou set thine upon that which is themselves v. eagle ton ardi I i iches increase, set heart upon tin S\ unto your lite, w >hall eat what \e -hall tli ink ; no: vour bodv, w -hall put 320 The Larger Catechism. of others w; as likewise idleness x, prodigality, wasteful gam- ing; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate7, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given usz. Q. 143. Which is the ninth commandment? A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour a. Q. 44. What are the duties required in the ninth com- mandment ? A. The duties required in the ninth commandment arey the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man b, and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own ; is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment ? Ver. 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall Ave eat? Ver. 34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself: sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Eccl. v. 12. The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. w Psal. lxxiii. 3. For I was en- vious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psal. xxxvii. 1. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Ver. 7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him : fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, be- cause of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. x2 Thess. iii. 11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies. Prov. xviii. 9. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. y Prov. xxi. 17. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man : he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Prov. xxiii. 20. Be not among wine-bibbers ; among riot- ous eaters of flesh. Ver. 21. For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty ; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Prov. xxviii. 19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. z Eccl. iv. 8. There is one alone, and there is not a second ; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his la- bour, neither is his eyes satisfied with riches, neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity ; yea, it is a sore travail. Eccl. vi. 2. A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth no- thing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stran- ger eateth it : this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 1 Tim. v. 8. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 143. aExod. xx. 16. 144. bZech. viii. 16. These are the things that ye shall do, Speak ye The Larger Catechism. ownc; appearing and standing for the truthd and from the heart % sincerely f, freely g, clearh h. and fully1, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice k, and in all other things whatsoever1; a charitable esteem ye every man the truth to his neighbour : execute the judg- ment of truth and peace in your gates. c 3 John, Ver. 12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we al have been to thee-ward ' be did put his life in his and -leu the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a mat salva- tion for all Israel : thou sawest «1 didst rejoice : irben then wilt thou sin against ituio- blood, t.i b! ,1 with- . ii. I''. And Joshua -aid unto Achan, My ion, . • I pray dsse, i the Lord God of Israel, ami make confession un- to him ; and tell me now thou hast done, hide it not Iron me. »2 Sam. xiw 18. Then the kirn; answered and said unto the SfO- man, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall B8I thee. And the woman said, my lord the king no* Ver. 19. And the king- said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in ail this? And the woman am* and said, As thy soul liveth. my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from OUgjht that my lord the king hath spoken : tor thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the month of thine handmaid. Ver. 90. To about this form of speech hath thy sen-ant .Joab done thi> thing : and my lord i- * ise, — I .rv. xix. i '>. Ye shall (! I unrighteouanesi in judgment: I shalt not reaped the person i . nor honour the person o! the mighty ; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Plow xiv. '>. A faithful will not lie : but a fal>e Sfit- ness will utter ties. true witness delivereth SOUh ! but a deceitful v Cor. L 17. Wl was thus minded, did I use lightness ? or the things th purpose, do l p; to the flesh, th.u w ith me I ShOUld be Ye;i. \ i fc But -Is ( woid toward 322 The Larger Catechism. esteem of our neighbours111; loving, desiring, and rejoicings in their good name11; sorrowing for °, and covering of their infirmities p; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces % defending their innocency1; a ready receiving of a good re- port8, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report4, con- cerning and nay. Eph. iv. 25. Where- fore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neigh- bour: for we are members one of another. m Heb. vi. 9. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 1 Cor. xiii. 7. (Charity) beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. n Rom. i. 8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 2 John, Ver. 4. I rejoiced great- ly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 3 John, Ver. 3. For I rejoiced greatly when the bre- thren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. Ver. 4. 1 have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 0 2 Cor. ii. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears ; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 2 Cor. xii. 21. And lest, when T come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the unclean- ness, and fornication, and lasci- viousness, which they have com- mitted. p Prov. xvii. 9. He that cover- eth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter r separateth very friends. 1 Pet, iv. 8. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves ; for charity shall cover the multi- tude of sins. * I Cor. i. 4. I thank my God always in your behalf) for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ ; Ver. 5. That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge. Ver. 7. So that ye come behind in no gift ; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. i. 4. Greatly desiring to see thee, being mind- ful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy ; Ver. 5. When I call to remembrance the unfeign- ed faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice ; and I am persuaded that in thee also. r 1 Sam. xxii. 14. Then Ahime- lech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house ? s 1 Cor. xiii. 6. (Charity J re- joiceth not in iniquity, but re- joiceth in the truth : Ver. 7. Bear- eth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. tPsal. xv. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to Tlie Larger CatecMsrru ingthem; discouraging tale-bearers % flatterers w, and slanderers x; love and care of our own good name, defending it when need required] :' ; keeping of lawful promises*; studying and practising of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report3. Q. 145. What arc the sin* forbidden in the ninth com- mandment ? . The >ins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours. p well as our ownb, especially in public judicature0; giving false to hi? neighbour, nor taketh up a lepr .inst his neighbour. . ov. xxv. S3. The north wind th away rain : so doth an . countenam ickbiting row xxvi. 24. He that hateth iHasemhleth with his lips and lay* eth up deceit within him. When he* speaketh fair, believe him not : tor there ninations in his heart. • P&aL ei. 5. Whoso privily slan- dereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: — name is rather to be chosen than g id loving favour rather Ann silver an John viii. 1!'. ; Bwered, I ban it I h inour my lather, and ye do difhonoor me. weareth * Phil . mally, l>ret: -never things are true, what- are hoiiot, whatSO* tiring! are just, w : thiiiL's are pure, whatsoever ti if than be any id it there he any [ I think on these th liab iilest brothat beard a ben be ancrer was aindk and he said. Why earnest tiiou I with whom thou left th( ! p in the wilderness? I know thy pride, the naughtiness of thine hear: thou art come down that thou the battle, the king i where is thy m n ? And I unto the k iuld, he abideth at Jerusalem: br he and, To-day shall the hot rael restore me the kingdom of my tatht . He said unto me ;.. and, I pray thee, up- e, and >lay me : tor anguish ne upon me, because n: I whole in n upon him, and slew bin ,i< sure th.it he eould not that m I 4 the erown that was upon his bead, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have bro them hither unto my lord. and David calk I the younf md said, I tall upon him. And he >: that be d unto him, Thy blood be on thy bf against thee. - slain t I \ shall d ■ u u i i ^ h t eousness in j udgn w 324 The Larger Catechism. false evidence**, suborning false witnesses % wittingly appear- ing and pleading for an evil cause, out-facing and over-bear- ing the truth f; passing unjust sentence^ calling evil good, and good evil ; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty : but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Hab. i. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth ; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous : therefore wrong judgment pro- ceeded. d Prov. xix. 5. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Prov. vi. 16. These six things doth the Lord hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him : Ver. 19. A false witness that speak- eth lies, and him that soweth dis- cord among brethren. e Acts vi. 13. And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. f Jer. ix. 3. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies : but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth ; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord. Ver. 5. And they will de- ceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth : they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Acts xxiv. 2. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, — Ver. 5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Psal. xii. 3. The ' Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speak- eth proud things. Ver. 4. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail, our lips are our own : who is lord over us ? Psal. lii. 1. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth con- tinually. Ver. 2. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Ver. 3. Thou lovest evil more than good ; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Ver. 4. Thou lovest all-devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. s Prov. xvii. 15. He that justi- fied! the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. 1 Kings xxi. from Verse 9. to 14. And she ( Jezebel ) wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people : Ver. 10. And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king ; and then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. Ver. 11. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them. Ver. 13. — And (they) stoned him with stones, that he died. hIsa. of th The Larger Catechism. e wicked h ; forgery \ concealing the 325 truth, undue silence in a just cause k, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves1, or complaint to others m ; speaking the truth unseasonably0, or malici- ously to a wrong end °, or perverting it to a wrong mean- ing0, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the pre- judice h Isa. v. 23. Which justify the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him. 1 Psal. cxix. 69. The proud have 1 a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Luke xix. 8. And Zaccheu> stood, and said unto the Lord, Ik-hold, Lord, the halt of my goodl I give to the poor; and it I have taken any thing from any man by taNe airu-ation, I SBStorc him tour- fold. Luke xvi. 5. So he caled every one of his Bid's debtors unto him, and nid unto the first, How much 0W€8t thou unto my lord? Ver. o*. And iid, An hundred DCS oil. And he said unto him, Take thy hill, and sit down quickly, and write titty. Ver. 7. Then he to another, And how much it thou? — k Lev. v. I. And if a soul sin, and hear th. : r i 1 1 tr , and if a witm— , whether be hath or known of it, it' he do not utter it, then be >hall hi^ iniquity. Deut xiii. & Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor ken unto him: neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou either shah thou con- ceal him. \ • \ • 3. Hut l'< t( r Ananias, why hath v filled thine heart to lie to the Uol\ A to keep hark the price of the land ? unto whethej I the land for so much ? And she said. Yea, for so much. Ver. 9. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? — 9 Tim. iv. lo\ At my first answa no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their chsjrg 1 1 Kings i. G. And his father had not displeased him at any time, in saying, Why ha>t thou done so? — Lev. xix. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise re- buke thy neighbour, and n«»t sutler sin upon him. ■ Isa. lix. 1. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth tor truth : they trust in vanity. — ■ ProTt crix. II. A fool u: eth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwai i S ii. J>. Tl.' i en d i doinite, whieh was Offer the servants of S and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, t<> Ahim • Ahituh. \ enquired of the Lord fbi him: and trave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the I'hilNtiiu I a IhY] .1 PmIm when P told & —\ er. i v istent thotl thvsih in n man ' I'sal. Ivi. wrest m> all thcii I are 826 The Larger Catechism. judice of truth orjusticeq; speaking untruthr,lyings? slander- ing^ backbiting v, detracting w, tale-bearing x, whispering y, scoffing % reviling a? rashb, harsh0, and partial censuring d; misconstructing are against me for evil. John ii. 19. Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Compared with Mat. xxvi. 60.-^ At the last came two false witnesses, Ver. 61. And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. « Gen. iii. 5. For God doth know, that in the day ye eat there- of, then your eyes shall be opened : and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Gen. xxvi. 7. And the men of the place asked him of his wife ; and he said, She is my sister : for he feared to say, She is my wife. Ver. 9. And Abi- melech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? — r Isa. lix. 13. In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 8 Lev. xix. 11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Col. iii. 9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. tPsal. 1. 20. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother ; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. v Psal. xv. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, — w James iv. 11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, andjudgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. Jer. xxxviii. 4. Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. x Lev. xix. 16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale- bearer among thy people ; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour : I am the Lord. yRom. i. 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, mali- ciousness ; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whis- perers, Ver. 30. Backbiters, haters of God,— z Gen. xxi. 9. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abra- ham, mocking. Compared with Gal. iv. 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. a 1 Cor. vi. 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. b Mat. vii. 1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. cActs xxviii. 4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is The Larger Catechism, 32' rnisconstructing intentions, words, and actionse; flattering*, vain-glorious boasting g, thinking or speaking too highly <>r too meanly of ourselves or others h ; denying the gifts and graces is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, y« mice Mirfereth not to live. dGen. xxxviii. L2i. And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, nyiur, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and also, be- hold, she is with child by w\ dom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. 1 ii. l. Therefore thou art inei . whosoever thou art that judg r wherein thou est another thou condemnest If; for thou that ju i the same things. V :.. i '..».. W\ I writ- ten, It is reported among the heat; : Gaahmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel : for which cause thou bulkiest the wall, that thou _r, aooording Is. Ver. 7. And thou also appointed prophet n of thee at Jerusalem, . Judah ; and now shall it be repotted to the king according to Come now then ami let us take con; iher. Then I sent unto him, I h things as thou aayeat, but thou ii out of thine own heart. Rom. hi. not ra- be slanderousl) .iid as Mime affirm that we m | il that [ may nation is PnL I' When I wept, and chastaed my soul with fast- Dach. Hannah, she spake in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. Ver. Ik And Ell said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. Ver. 15. And Hannah answered and said, my lord ; I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit : I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Loid. 2 Sam. x. 3. And the princes of the children noon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee to search the and to spy it out, and to i throw it? : PnL \ii. 2. They speak vanity with his neighbour: with flattering lips :h a double heart do they speak. 3. The Lord shall cut off all tlat- termff lips, and the tonirue that tEeth proud things. Tim. i r nun shall be 1 : their own H •asters. Luki xvhi. !'. And he 9] thi^ parable unto certain which ted In tl 'at they and despised othei I and prayed thus with him- self, God, l thank that thai I not as other D tioiK even as thi> public I LA — <»nde- low estate. He not wiat in 1 » 328 The Larger Catechism. graces of God * ; aggravating smaller faults k ; hiding, excus- ing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession1 ; unnecessary discovering of infirmities m ; raising false ru- mours, 1 Cor. iv. 6. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollos, for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is writ- ten, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. Acts xii. 22. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. Exod. iv. 1 0. And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not elo- quent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant : but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Ver. 11. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth ? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind ? have not I the Lord? Ver. 12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Ver. 13. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. Ver. 14. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, §c. iJob xxvii. 5. God forbid that I should justify you : till I die, I will not remove my integrity from me. Ver. 6. My righteous- ness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Job iv. 6. Is not this thy fear, thy confi- dence, Ihy hope, and the upright- ness of thy ways? k Mat. vii. 3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy bro- ther's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Ver. 4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, be- hold, a beam is in thine own eye ? Ver. 5. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see, clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 1 Prov. xxviii. 13. He that co- vereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. xxx. 20. Such is the way of an adulterous woman ; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, 1 have done no wickedness. Gen. iii. 12. And the man said, The woman, whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. Ver. 13. — And the woman said, The serpent be- guiled me, and I did eat. Jer. ii. 35. Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me: behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned. 2 Kings v. 25. — And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi ? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. Gen. iv. 9. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother ? And he said, I know not. Am I my brother's keeper ? mGen. ix. 22. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the naked- ness of his father, and told his two brethren without. Prov. xxv. 9. Debate thy cause with thy neigh- bour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Ver. 10. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. n Exod. The Larger CatechLvn. 329 mour*n, receiving and countenancing evil reports0, and stop- ping our ears against just defencep; evil suspicion"1; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of anyr, endeavouring or de>iring to impair it1, rejoicing in their disgrace and in- famy l ; scornful contempt v, fond admiration ■ ; breach of lawful n Kxod. xxiii. 1. Thou shalt not a false report : put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. ° Prov. xxix. 12. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. lets vii. 06. And (Stephen J said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the rii:ht hand of 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stop- their ears, — Job xxxi. 13. If I diil despise the cause of my ant, or of my maid- when they contended with .11. What then shall I do when G th Up ? and when thj what shall I answer him ? ! Cor. 'iriir/J doth not behave itself unse mly, seeketh not her own, is not easily pro- !, thinketh no evil. 1 Tim. I proud, knowing no- . but doting about miestions i th envy. lisuujs. ■ ;inl). \i. 29. And .Moses said unto hiin. 1 est thou tor my Would God that all the I \'$ people Were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit Upon them. Mat x\i. 1-i. And the chii 1 scribes saw the wondernil things that he did, and the ehiidren cry in. the temple, and f |j to the sou of David ; t) digple— • Ezra iv. 12. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls there- of and joined the foundations. Yer. 13. Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city he builded, and the walls set up airain, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kin^ : Jer. xlviii. l27. For was not 1 a derision unto t! he found among thieves P lor >ince thou spakest of him, thou skip] tor joy. ft :!. \\\ . 15. But in mine adversity they rtjoiced, ami thered themselves together ; the abjects gathered thetmelv aether against me. — \Yr. 10. With hypocritical mockers in leasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. V, i. :1 . Yea. they op their mouth wide against tne, ami said. Aha, aha, our eye hath seen Mat W, tad they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. \ i i . . >. And when they had platted a crown of th they put it upon his head, and a ight hand ! and they bowed the knee before him. mocked hini, . ll.nl, I Of th- w Jude, ver. It, These murmurers, complainers, walking their own losts ; and I mouth sptaketh great swelling w< 330 The Larger Catechism. lawful promises x ; neglecting such things as are of good report y, and practising, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name z. Q. 146. Which is the tenth commandment ? A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour 's wife^ nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's a. Q. 147. What are the duties required in the tenth com-* mcmdment ? A. The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition b, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbour, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his *. Q. 148. What words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Acts xii. 22. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. x Rom. i. 31. Without under- standing, covenant-breakers, 2 Tim. iii. 3. Without natural affection, truce- breakers, false accusers, — y 1 Sam. ii. 24. Nay, my sons : for it is no good report that I hear ; ye make the Lord's people to transgress. E2 Sam. xiii. 12. And she an- swered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me : for no such thing ought to be done in Israel ; do not thou this folly. Ver. 13. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go ? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel : now therefore, — Prov. v. 8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Ver. 9. Lest thou give thine ho- nour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel. Prov. vi. 33, A wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 146. aExod. xx. 17. 147. b Heb. xiii. 5. Let your conversation be without covetous- ness ; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 1 Tim. vi. 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. c Job xxxi. 29. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him. Rom. xii. 15. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Psal. cxxii. 7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Ver. 8. For my brethren and companions' sake I will now say, Peace be within thee. Ver. 9. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. 1 Tim. i. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good con- science, and of faith unfeigned. Esth. x. 3. For Mordecai the Jew was The Larg sm. 331 Q. 148. What are the sing Jbrbhldcn in the tenth com- mandment ? A. The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, mtentment with our own estate d ; envying* and griev- ing at the good of our neighbour f, together with all inor- dinate motions and affections to any thing that is hisg. Q. 149. U next unto k threat among the Jews, and ted of the multitude of his king tfit- wealth of ople, and speaking peace to all his seed. 1 Cor.xuL \. Charity . . and is kind; cha- rity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not pulled up, ver. 5. not behave itself unseemly, th not her own, is not e ked, thinketh no evil ; not in iniquity, but -th in the truth ; ver. 7. th all things, believeth all -», bopetfa ah tfaingt] endureth all tnii 148. 1 Kii i. And Aiiab into his li ivy and ased, \> of the word ihoth tl. lite had i to him : lor he h I will not Live thee the inherit- and he laid him down upon hi- bed, and . and would > bread. ifet all this availetli nir QOthinj as I see Monh Jen sitting at the king's fate. i I x. L< murmur ye, as them also murmured, and - not h. king ther, I i. 1 t. Hut ii ying and strife in . heart- not ; and lie not against the truth. \ where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. PsaL cat lJ. He hath uls- .1, he hath Lriven to the poor; _ QteOUSDesS endureth tor I his horn shall he exalted with ho- nour. Ver. lo. The wicked shall see it, and he grieved ; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away : the de>ire ot the wicked shall perish. Neh. ii. 1 Sanballat the Iloronite, and biah the servant the Ammonite, i of it, it grieved them ex- ceedingly, that then , ome a man to seek the welfare of tile children ot I-rael. Lom. v ii. 7. What shall say then? Is the law >in r Cioil forbid. Nay, I had not known >in but by the law : for 1 hail not « pt the Inn Thoil shalt not covet. \ But i by the commandmei I in me all manner ot concup 1 without the law lin \\ . xiii. shalt not eounnit adulteiy. Thou .shalt not kill, Thou ihsJt no* i sou shalt not l>ear false witness, Thou shalt nut and i v other com* Iment, it i<» bra tl> oati bended in this say TllOU shall I Dejfthbo thyself Col. ih. .). Mortits there* fore your members which are upon lbs eajth J fornication. sjt sm is, !:-oidiaata affection, 332 The Larger Catechism. Q. 149. Is any man able perfectly to keep the command- ments of God ? A. No man is able, either of himself11, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God ' ; but doth daily break them in thought k, word, and deed l. Q. 150. Are evil concupiscence, and covetous- ness, which is idolatry. Deut. 5. 21. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour s. 149. h James iii. 2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. John xv. 5. 1 am the vine, ye are the branches : he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Rom. viii. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the like- ness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. 1 Eccl. vii. 20. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 1 John i. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Ver. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other ; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing : for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not. Ver. 19. For the good that I would I do not : but the evil which I would not, that do I. k Gen. vi. 5. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every ima- gination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen. viii. 21. — And the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth : — ^om. iii. 9. — We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin ; ver. 10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Ver. 11. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Ver. 12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one: Ver. 13. Their throat is an open sepulchre ; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Ver. 14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Ver. 15. Their feet are swift to shed blood: Ver. 16. Destruction and misery are in their ways: Ver. 17. And the way of peace have they not known: Ver. 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Ver. 19. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law ; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world The Larger Catechism. 333 Q. 150. Are all transgressions of the lam of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God? A. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous ; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others m. Q. 151. What arc those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others? A. Sins receive their aggravations, 1 . From the persons offending" : if they be of riper age°, greater experience or grace p, eminent for profession q, gifta, world may become guilty before God. James iii. from vtrse 2. to 13. For in many things we offend . - 150. mJohn xix. 11. Jesus an- swered, Thou couldest have no r at all against me, except it were given thee from above: tore he that delivered me thee hath the greater sin. K/ek. viii. 6. — But turn thee yet . and thou shall ater V. IS. — Turn , and thou shall er abominations that they do. Ver. 1 5. — Turn th _ain, and e greater abomina- than these. 1 John v. 16. It any man see his brother sin a sin li is not unto death, he shall ask, and be shall give him life tor in not unto death. There is a sin unto death : I do not bat he shall pray tor it. Psal And they Binned against bin?, By provoking _h in the wilderneaa. all thN the) sinned still, and believed not for his Irons work*. \ I and provoked the • hitfli God, and kept not his noi ties. 151 laid not, V- Lord r that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets pro- phesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. ° Job xax'u. 7. 1 said, I)ay.« should Speak, and multihu: I should teach wisdom. Ver. i). Great men are not alwa neither do the aged understand judgment. Eccl. iv. 13. Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish kinir, who will no more be admonished. p I Kingl xi. I. For it cam- when Solomon was old, that hi> wives turned away I after other gods : and his heart [)04 perfect with the Lord hi* iun\. - the heart ot David his father. \ \nd the I was aiiLTy with Solomon, ln-cauae his heart was turned trom the Lord (un\ of Lrael, which had BpfM unto him t\\ . ; . ii. Howl cause by this deed thou h CasiOQ to the eliein the Lord to blaspheme, the child sjao that is burn unto thee shall surely die. 1 I L It ii inmonly that there and such tomii .ition M »t SO rued ainonp 334 The Larger Catechism. gifts % place s, office4, guides to others v, and whose example is likely to be followed by others w. 2. From tiles, that one should have his father's wife. r James iv. 17. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Luke xii. 47. And that servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Ver. 48. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whom- soever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. s Jer. v. 4. Therefore I said, Sure- ly these are poor, they are foolish ; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. Ver. 5. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judg- ment of their God : but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. *2 Sam. xii. 7. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, — Ver. 8. And I gave thee thy mas- ter's house, and thy masters wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah ; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Ver. 9. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? Ezek. viii. 11. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his cen- ser in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. Ver. 12. Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery ? for they say, The Lord seeth us not, The Lord hath for- saken the earth. vRom. ii. 17. Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law/ and makest thy boast of God, Ver. 18. And knowest his will, — Ver. 1 9. And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, Ver. 20. An instructer of the foolish, a teacher of babes, — Ver. 21. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal ? Ver. 22. Thou that sayest a man should not commit i adultery, dost thou commit adul- tery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Ver. 23.: Thou that makest thy boast of the1 law, through breaking the law dis- honourest thou God? Ver. 24. For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through youc wGal. ii. 11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. Ver. 12. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles : but when they were come, he with- drew, and separated himself, fear- ing them which were of the cir- | cumcision. Ver. 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him ; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissi- mulation, Ver* 14. But when I saw The Larger Catechism. :\-& 2. From the parties offended a : if immediately against >dy, his attributes', and worship3; against Christ, and his grace the Holy Spirit0, his witness d, and workings e; against m that they walked not ap- tly, according" to the truth of I unto Peter be- ;hem all, If thou, being a Jew, t after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why com- pellest thou the Gentiles to live as do tli xMat. xxi. 38. But when the andmen saw the sun, they said among themselves Thii the fa me, let us kill him, and let us seize on hi< inheritance. And th( _ht him, ist him out of the vineyard, lew him. :'j. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him : but if a man gainst the Lord, who shall it tor him? — Acts v. 1. — : not lied unto men, but . li. l. Against thee, thee oed, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mighteet be justified thou sp< . .(1 be i i thou f . ■Rom. thou ' - ot his goodness, and and 1<»i not knowing that t! I leadeth thee to repent- Alice Ml the lor sacrifice, i^ it not evil ? and ii ye offer the lame and - is it not i\ il r offer it no* unto I lie l>e pleased « pt thy person P 1 l. I , w huh hath in his il ck a male, and h and Lord a corrupt t i 1 am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. Hel). ii. 2. For if the word spoken 1>\ ;:ast, and every tn on and disobedi- ence received a just recompense of reward; Ver. 3. How shall we e if we neglect so great sal- vation ? — Ileb. xii. . that ye refuse not him that speaketh : lor if they escaped not who n - fused him that spake on earth, much more shall not an if ire turn away from him that iketh from I 1 He!), x. how much sorer punishment, suppose w, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the S»n id! — Mat xii. SI. Wl fore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men ; but the blas- phemy a_ he Hi ! shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh in at man, it shall be forgiven him: but wrho- r speaketh i the Holy Ghoat, it shall not be him, neither in thtt world, neither 'ine. And aiieic not the Holy Spirit ot God, win : jre are sealed unto lint •option. I i. li. \ i. i. I- 'or it Is imposs tt»r those who a I enedj and bai the hea- t.ik« i^- of th( And have tasted t u t>rd ol" (.. il «»t the v i tail 336 The Larger Catechism. against superiors, men of eminency f, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto^; against any of the saints h, particularly weak brethren1, the souls of them, or any other k, and the common good of all or many l. 3. From away, to renew them again unto repentance : — f Jude, Ver. 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Numb. xii. 8. —Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses ? Ver*. 9. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed. Isa. iii. 5. — The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. . s Prov. xxx. 1 7. The eye that mocketh at his father, and de- spiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. 2 Cor. xii. 15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. Psal. lv. 12. For it was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him: Ver. J 3. But it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. Ver. 14. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Ver. 15. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell : — hZeph. h\ 8. I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the re- vilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people. — Ver. 10. This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magni- 24 fied themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts. Ver. li. The Lord will be terrible unto them: — Mat. xviii. 6. But whoso shall offend one of these little, ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a mill* stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 1 Cor. vi. 8. Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Rev. xvii. 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus : — 1 1 Cor. viii. 11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? Ver. 12. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Rom. xiv. 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more ; but judge this rather, that no man put a stum- blingblock, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way. Ver. 15. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died. Ver. 21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stum- bleth, or is offended, or is made weak. k Ezek. xiii. 19. And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear The Larger Catechism. 8. From the nature and cjuality of the offence™ : if it Ik igainst the express letter of the law n, nandments, contain in it many sins°: if break manv com- oot only conceived in lear your lies ? 1 Cur. viii. V>. Jut when ye sin so against the >rethren, and wound their weak s rinst Christ . . i,i. l i. The merchandlsi 'old, — Ver. 13. And cinnamon, and Klmir-, and ointments, and frank- and wine, and oil, and ine flour, and wheat, and bea md sheep, and horses, and cha- md slaves, and souls of men. Hat. xxiii. 1 e unto you. Bribes and Pharisees, hypocril • compaj and land to one pr< and, when made, ye make him tun- old more the child of hell than 1 1 Thess. ii. 15. Who both . the I. onl Jesus and their •m prophets, and have persecut- d us , and they please no! God, ind are contrary to all nun : : orbiddii t ik to he Gentiles, that they might be —Josh. 20. Did not tfMUl, the Son of /rrali, niin- nit a trespass in the accui . and wrath fell on all the oiil' relation o( Israel? and th.it shed not alone in his jimiilv. Mm do not de- pise a thief, if in- steal t lissonl when In- is hm ijb 31. hit it be be found, he shall n-fold; \ Hut rbo.no committeth adultery with nan lacketh understands I that doeth it destroy eth bti »ul. V, i . ; ; \ wound shall ! .md his Bproacli shall not he wiped way. And so on to th Ull f, f . i.zra ix. 10. And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy eom- mandmei . 11. Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets The land, unto which ye Lro to it, i> an unclean land with the iilthi- ofthe people. — Ver. 12. Now therefore Lrive not your daiurli- unto their m.iis.' 6p. 1 Kings XL 9. And the Lord w with Solomon, because his turned from the Lord of brad, which had appi unto him twice, Ver. n>. .\ 3 had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should gO after other L'od> : but he kept not that which the Lord com- manded. Col. iii. o. Mortify then your members which are upon the earth ; fornication, unclean inordinate allection, evil coneu- ice, and covetousness, which i» idolatry. I Tim. vi. lo. the lore of moot all evil :# which u hile wt- the taith, and pierced them*. through with manv sorrows. B from her, and come nut nigfa the thou thine honour unto Others, and thy jean unto the cruel: Ver. i<». I filled with t! I |. And thou mourn thy fiesfa an Mined, \ I ! i ,NS • my Bil arl nmittedi t 338 The Larger Catechism. in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions p, scanda- lize others q, and admit of no reparation r : if against means3, mercies. adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. Ver. 33. A wound and dishonour shall he get, — Josh. vii. 21. When I saw among the spoils a goodly Baby- lonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them ; — p James i. 14. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Ver. 15. Then when lust hath con- ceived, it bringeth forth sin ; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Mat. v. 22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment : and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council : but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire. Micah ii. 1. Woe to them that de- vise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds ! when the morning is light they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. * Mat. xviii. 7. Woe unto the world because of offences ! for it must needs be that offences come ; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh ! Rom. ii. 23. Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou (*od? Ver. 24. For the. name of God is blasphe- med among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. r Deut. xxii. 22. If a man be found lying with a woman mar- ried to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman : so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. Compared with Ver. 28. If a man find a dam- sel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found : Ver. 29. Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife ; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. Prov. vi. 32. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding : he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. Ver. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall not be wiped away. Ver. 34. For jealousy is the rage of a man : therefore he will not spare in the day of ven- geance. Ver. 35. He will not re- gard any ransom : neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. s Mat. xi. 21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! woe unto thee, Beth- saida ! for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Ver. 22, But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Si- don at the day of judgment than for you. Ver. 23. And thou, Ca- pernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell : for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Ver. 24. But 1 say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom — John xv. 22. If I had not come and spoken unto mercies \ science *, church ■ The Larger Catechism. 339 judgments', light of nature w, conviction of con- publick or private admonition y, censures erf the civil punishments3; and our prayers, purp promii unto them, they had not had but now they have no cloak tor their sin. : Isa. i. 3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the as> his mast crib ; hut Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. thus re- quite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee ? hath he not made thee, and established I 3 : pro or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water ; but tl. not led : yet have ye not return- id unto me, saith the Lord. V. I nitten you with bias and mildew ; p hen your and your vineyards, and your rig- our oli\ e-trees, in- liner-worm de- ioured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. I 10. I have sent among you the rmei of [>t : yon- \ ning men Kun I slain with th< id have \ niir h .i m-s ; and I made the ir camps lie up unto your nostrils : \ el lined unto me, aaith the Lord. Ver, II. I have rew S (loin an i rah, and \ . u a fire-brand pluck- ed out ot the buniii have unto l : the I rer. v. 3. O Lord, ith? thou hast Mm. Ln them, but they ; thou h.i^t con- sumed them, but t! fused to reeei have made their races harder than a rock, they hav turn, ■ Rom. i. 26. For thil God gaffe them up unto v dons : tor even theil I did change the natural use into which Is against nature : Vt And likewise al^> -n, leaf- ing the natural Ul nan, burned in their lull ON another, men with men wot that which is w . and re- ceiving in tin t| recom- pence of their error which was meet. ■ Horn. Who I the judgment of God, (that they winch commit su h tl worthy of death,) not onrj the same, bat have pi them that do them. And thou hil hast not humbled I heart, thoUfffa thou k Tit. iii. 10, A man |] retick, after tin admonition, reject >w- iiiLr that he that i So, and sinneth, ! of himself I ' | . ! . I | Often reprov neck, shall suddi and that without . L iii. 1". I I admonition, rej ct M And it' he sh mi • I it unto • If he neglei t to lm be u then man, and a j Pror. \w shod among 340 The Larger Catechism. covenants d, and engagements to God promises , vows , or mene: if done deliberately f, wilfully g, presumptuously among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. Prov. xxiii. 35. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick ; they have beaten me, and I felt it not : when shall I awake ? I will seek it yet again. b Psal. lxxviii. 34. When he slew them, then they sought him : and they returned and enquired early after God. Ver. 35. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Ver. 36. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. Ver. 37. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. Jer. ii. 20. For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands, and thou saidst, I will not transgress ; when upon every high hill, and under every green tree, thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Jer. xlii. 5. Then they said to Jeremiah, The Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for which the Lord thy God shall send thee to us. Ver. 6. Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God, to whom we send thee.— Ver. 20. For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God : and according unto all that the Lord our God shall sav, so declare unto us, and we wilf do it. Ver. 21. And now I have this day declared it to you ; but ye have not obeyed the impudently, voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you. c Eccl. v. 4. When thou vow est a vow unto God, defer not to pay it : for he hath no pleasure in fools ; pay that which thou hast , vowed. Ver. 5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Ver. 6. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin ; neither say thou before the angel that it was an error : wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands ? Prov. xx. 25. It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. d Lev. xxvi. 25. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my cove- nant : — e Prov. ii. 17. Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and for- getteth the covenant of her God. Ezek. xvii. 18. Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the cove- nant, (when, lo, he had given his hand,) and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. Ver. 19. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head. f Psal. xxxvi. 4. He deviseth mischief upon his bed ; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. s Jer. vi. 16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein^ The Larger Catechism. 341 impudently*, boastinglvk, maliciously ^ frequently™, obsti- nately11, with delight0, continuance p, or relapsing after repentance q. 4. From therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. h Numb. xv. 30. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, (whether he be born in the land 3r a stranger,) the same reproach- eth the Lord ; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. ! i. 11. But if* a man eome imptuously upon his neigh- bour to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. 1 Jerem. hi. .'*. Therefore the showers have been withholden, an remedy such miscarriages y : if in publick, or in the pre- sence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled \ Q. \oL2. What doth every sin d it the hand.s of God ? A. Every sin, even the least, being against the soverei goodness5, and holiness of God c, and against his righteous law. and walk after other gods whom ye know not; Ver. 1<>. And come stand before me in this bouse, which is called by my name, and gay, We are delivered to do all these abominations r Prov. vii. 11. I have peace-offerings with me; thi> day have I pud my v I 15. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. John \iii. 27. And after the Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him. That thou doest, do quickly. Ver. SO. He then, having received the sop, went immediately out : — Era i.\. 1 .J. And after all that :ie upon u- for our evil d< and for our great trespass, Sc< Uiat thou our God ha>t pun; us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given lis such deliverance 1 1. Should v break thy commandments and join in aflinity with the peopli abominations? irouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst COI18Um.il Ul ? — read Absalom a tent upon tin- top of the h(Mi>e, and Absalom went in unto his lather's concubines in the Id, and i all that his Krai did unto all Is- rael, and how tin y lay with the en that assembled at the dooi Sjf the ta1 oi tlie . tion. \ \uil he said unto them, Why da ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealing by all this people. Ver. 24 N iy, my sons: for it is no good report that I hear ; ye make the Lord's people to tra l 12. 'James h. 10. For whoso- ever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Ver. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, also. Do not kill. — l.xod. xx. 1. God spake all words, saying, Ver. - am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the hoi: bond ^ Hab. i. 1& Thou art of purer ayes than to behold evil, and I not look on iniquity : when lookest thou upon them that deal uTou-ly, and boldest thy hen the wicked devoureth the man that is more right than her* I. said unto Aaron, T: I that the Lord spake, say i • _ . 1 be sanctified in them tt I ople i — Lev. xk 44. ! I am the I ord your ( jail therefore sanct • • d ye shall he hoi] I i holy: neither shall ye de- file \ iy man: reepeth the i arth \ i the 1 .ord that Mngeti) >'<>u np out ot tin- land ye lhall ' am 1 T 4 d 1 John 344 The Larger Catechism. lawd, deserveth his wrath and curse % both in this life f, and that which is to comeg ; and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ h. Q. 153. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law? A. That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ1, and the diligent use of the outward means' whereby d 1 John iii. 4. Whosoever com- mitteth sin, transgresseth also the law : for sin is the transgression of the law. Horn. vii. 12. Wherefore the law is holy, and the command- ment holy, and just, and good. eEph. v. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words : for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of dis- obedience. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. f Lam. iii. 39. Wrherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins ? Deut. xxvrn. from Verse 15. to the end. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. Ver. 16. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Ver. 17. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store, 6fc. « Mat. xxv. 41. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the* devil and his angels. h Heb. ix. 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood ; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 1 Pet. £ 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corrup- tible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, re- ceived by tradition from your fa- thers ; Ver. 1 9. But with the pre- cious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot. 1.53. iActs xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Mat. iii. 7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism^ he said unto them, O generation of vipers ! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Ver. 8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. Luke xiii. 3, 5. I tell you, Nay : but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts xvi. 30. And (the jailer) brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Ver. 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house. John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso- ever Tlie Larger Catechism. S45 whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation k. Q. 154. What are the outward means whereby Ch> communicates to us the benefit* of his mediation? A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Chi communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinance- ; especially the word, sacrament-, and prayer; all which arc made effectual to the elect tor their salvation1. Q. loo. How is the word made effectual to salvation ' A. The Spiritof God makethtbe reading, hut especially the idling of the word, an effectual means of enlighteoini conuiu ever believeth in him should not sh, but have everlasting life. i^. He that believeth on him ;t condemned : but he that veth nut is condemned al- • . — k Prov. ii. I. My SOU, if* thou wilt receive my words, ami hide my commandments with thee ; S > that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine understanding: Y< it thou ciiest ■tier know- iid liftest up t: for understanding : Ver. \ If thou est her as lihrcr, and - for her as tor hid treasure! Then shalt thou understand the fear of the hnul, and find the instruction, and he wise, ami 14 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watcli- my i^ates, waitii j the post- door-. leth me, findeth Bfe, and .shall obtain favour o( the ! i Hut he that >in- iLra'm-t ! Iiis m\ ii thev that h love ill. Matth. \w: to ye therefore, and teach all nations, lisjqg tlictn ill the name o! the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : V hinc them to obeerfre all things what- r I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you ■] even unto the end of the P And they continued t>tly in the doctrine and telle anil in breaking of bread, and in | i. 4-6. Ami they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, breaking br a hoUSS to , did eat their meat with trladness. and single: art ; ver. it. Praising ( rod, and ha favour with all the people, the Lord added to the cl. daily Mich as should be saved. N read in the book in the law distinctly, an d them to under Stand the their 1 to turn them : darkness t,» light, and from the S • sins, and inf. them which are Hi faith that is in me. 1' The comma the Lord is pui thr SJSJi PI M » 346 Tlie Larger Catechism. convincing, and humbling sinners n ; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ0 ; of conform- ing them to his image p, and subduing them to his will q ; of » 1 Cor. xiv. 24. But if all pro- phesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all : Ver. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made mani- fest ; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 18. Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. Ver. 1 9. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. Ver. 26. And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard ; Ver. 27. Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me ; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord. Ver. 28. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace,-— °Acts ii. 37. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Ver. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized : and the same day there were add- ed unto them about three thou- sand souls. Acts viii. from Verse 27. to 39.— And, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great au- thority,— Ver. 28. Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet. Ver. 29. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go' near, and join thyself to this chariot. Ver. 30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest ?— Ver. 35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Ver. 36. — And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ? Ver. 37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou may est. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Ver. 38.— And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch ; and he baptized him. P2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. <* 2 Cor. x. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds : Ver. 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalt- eth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into cap- tivity every thought to the obedi- ence of Christ : Ver. 6. And hav- ing in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedi- ence The Larger Catechism. 34^ of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions r ; of building them up in grace % and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation K Q. 156. U ence is fulfilled. Rom. vi. 17. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin ; but ye have obeyed from the haul that form of doctrine which was delivered you. rMat. iv. 4. But he answ and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Ver. 7. Jesus 8aid unto him, It is written attain, Thou shalt not tempt the I thv(iod. Ver. 10. Then saith JeaW unto him, Get thee hence. Satan: for it is written. Thou shalt wor- ship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou I .!i. vi. h>. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the tiery darts of the wicked. Ver. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the H of God. IV» I. xix. 1 I. If ore by them i> thy servant M arued; and in keeping of them their is reward. 1 Cor. \. 1 1. Now all these things happened onto them tor ensampief ! and the\ en for our admonition, upon whom tie Come. And now, ! thren, I commend you to ( and to the wonl of hu hich is aide to build you up, and to gi\ e you an inheritance among all which are sanctified. 9 Tim. < And that ffOOl I child thou known the holy acriptti which are abl< I hee a iae unto tali h faith which i> in ( Ail Bcripture Ki ghren l»y intp tion of God, and is profital doctrine, for reproof, fur c< tion, for instruction in riirhteous- : Ver. 17. That the man of may be perfect, throe furnished unto all good WOfka, 1 Horn. xvi. B& Now to him that i^ of power to establis!. according to my gQtpejL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, ac- cording to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept - since the world betran. 1 Tl hi. l2. And sent Timotheus brother, and minister of I and our fellow-labourer in the goapd of Christ, to establish and to comfort you concerning your faith: Ver. lo. N|gfa| and day Ptmying exceedingly that we might see your lace, and might Ct that whicli is lackii [ your faith. Ver. 11. N himself, and our lather, and our Lord mist, direct our way unto you : Ver. 1$. To the he n dish your hearts uu- blameable in holi even our Father, at the 001 of our Lotd Jcmis Chfift with all his saints. Horn. \\ taoever thingi n kten aforetime weie written for oui learning ; that we, thru tience and comtort of the ft . night here In ; m Horn. x. 13. Koi \n h< •- the name <-t ti.. I beaavt d. \ . •. 14* Hon then Khali Call on him in whom the* not In li< I how shall they LxTkM e in him ol * f have not heat w : .. I shall I P 0 348 The Larger Catechism. Q. 156. Is the word of God to be read by all ? A. Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publickly to the congregation v, yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves w, and with their families : preach except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Ver. 16. But they have not all obeyed the gospel: for Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Ver. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ : for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 156. vDeut. xxxi. 9. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests, the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the cove- nant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel. Ver. 1 1 . When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Ver. 12. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law : Ver. 13. And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. Neh. viii. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both of men and women, and all that could hear with understand- ing, upon the first day of the seventh month. Ver. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water-gate, from the morning until mid-day, before the men, and the women, and' those that could understand ; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. Neh. ix. 3. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day, and another fourth part they con- fessed, and worshipped the Lord their God. Ver. 4. Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, fyc. and cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God. Ver. 5. Then the Le- vites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, fyc, said, Stand up, and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever ; and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. wDeut. xvii. 19. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life : that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law, and these statutes, to do them. Rev. i. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. John v. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. Isa. xxxiv. 16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, — x Deut. The Larger Catechism. 340 families x . to which end, the holv scriptures are to be trans- lated out of the original into vulgar languages y. Q. 157. How if the word of God to be read'? A. The holv scriptures are to be read with an high and reverent esteem of them z ; with a firm persuasion that they are x Deut. vi. 6. And these word*, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Ver. 7. And thou shalt teach them dili- gently unto thy children ; and shall talk of them when thou fittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou down, and when thou i up. Ver. 8, And thou shalt bind them fee a >Lm upon thine hand, and they shall be Bl frontlets be- ll thine eyes. Ver. 0. And thou *halt write them upon the DOSt thy 1. (I on th\ Gen. Aviii. 17. And the id, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I dor Ver. 1!'. lor I know him, that he \n ill command his children and his household alter him, and they >hiill keep the way If the I. i i. — PsaL Ix.wiii. For he established a testimony in I >. and appointed a law in I, which he commanded our fathers, that they should them known to their chil- bat the me might know them, the children irhich should !*• born, uh«» should arise and ire them to their children : : iiat they might set their in God, and I] I the I d, but keep hi* con> 1 un, it 1 COme nut-. you gpeakiflg with ' ill 1 profit j »1 1 shall s| i ither by kn-iwl. proph( - . utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is >poken r tor ye shall sneak into the air. Ver. 11. Therefore, if I know not the incaninLT of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a bar- barian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Ver. 12. Even forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Ver. lo. What i- it then? 1 will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also ; 1 will sing with the spirit, anil 1 will sing with the understanding also. \ \ i . Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that OCCUpieth the room of the im- amen at tl. of thank- lie undeistanileth not what thou sayest? \ < a But it all prophesy, and there come 10 one that believeth not. or one unlearnt tl, he hi 00O1 inced of all, he is judged ol all. \ It any man speak Ul an unknown let it be by in the DIOSl by three, and that by ami let one inteipret. & Hot it there !*• no Inter- i , let him kiip silence in the church ; and lit him speak to himself, ami to GocL i ,;. PsaL i l 10 ed an- th« > than -old, yea, than much lint- gold: «» weeter also than honey, and the omb. be read therein the \s until S50 The Larger Catechism. are the very word of God a, and that he only can enable us1 to understand themb ; with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them c ; with diligence d, and at- tention until mid-day, before the men and the women, and those that could understand ; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. Ver. 4. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; — Ver. 5. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people ; (for he was above all the people ;) and, when he opened it, all the people stood up : Ver. 6. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground, §c. to Verse 10. Exod. xxiv. 7. And he (Moses) took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people : and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 27. Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inha- bitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me ; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord. Isa. lxvi. 2. — But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. a2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Ver. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scrip- ture is of any private interpreta- tion. Ver. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man ; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. b Luke xxiv. 45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. 2 Cor. iii. 13. And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. Ver. 14. But their minds were blinded : for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament ; which vail is done away in Christ Ver. 15. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Ver. 16. Never- theless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. cDeut. xvii. 19. And it shall be with him, and he shall read there- in all the days of his life ; that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of thi9 law, and these statutes, to do them : Ver. 20. That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days, — dActs xvii. 11. These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they re- ceived the word with all readi- ness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. •Act* The Larger Catechism. 351 ention to the matter and scope of them c ; with medita- ion f, application g, self-denial h, and prayer \ Q. 158. By whom is the word of God to be preached f A. The word of God is to be preached only by such as ire sufficiently gifted k, and also duly approved and called o that office1. Q. 159. Hoto one shall receive of eActs viii. 30. And Philip ran hither to him, and heard him ead the prophet Esaias, and i hderstandest thou what thou cades t Yer. 34. And the eunuch nswered Philip, and said, I pray bee, of whom speaketh the pro- ihet this? of himself, or of some ither man ? Luke x. 2(i. He said into him, What is written in the aw r how readest tliou ? Ye; Lnd he ai^wering, said, Thou halt love the Lord t: with M thy heart, and with all thy oul, and with all thy strength, ■d with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as thyself. Yer. 88. And ie said unto him, Thou hast an- wered rLrht : this do, and thou halt 1: rPsaL i l. 1 5 1 it his delight is in he law of the Lord, and in his iw doth he meditate day and liL'ht. P . () how love thy law! it i| my meditation all • 2 Chron. \\\iv. 31. I [iiirc of the Lord tor me, anil for ; in Israel, and n .Indah, con be book that s the wrath of the Lord that i» 1 out upon him- our btben have not kept the word of he Lord, to do ■tier all that is en in this book. . rust in the L<»r.l .rith all thine heart ; and lean not into thine '>\vn understanding. xxxiii. 3 \ be loved the le ; all his saints art- in thy land; and they sat down at thy feet ; every thy words. » Piov. iL 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee ; Yer. CJ. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding': Ver. 3. Yea, if thou c\ r know- , and liftest Dfl thy voice for understanding : Ver. t. If thou her as silver, and search- Ebf her as tor hid treasures: Ver. 5k Then shalt thou understand the tear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Yer. 6. For the Lord giveth wisdom ; out of his mouth eometh know- ledge ami understanding. I cxix. 1>. Open thou mine I that 1 may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Neh. viii. & A : l./.a blessed the Lord, the great God And all the people answered, Amen, amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and lipped the Lord with their faces to the ground, v 8, v they read in the book, in the law oi God distinct)] . — 1 tt. ' 1 Tim. iii. 9, A bishop then must be blami -lev*, the hus- band ot one w \u •, \ igilant, sober, »(k! behavio n to hos- pitality, apt ! a no\ pride, he tall into the condemna- tion of the devil. l\ph. i Wherefore he saith, \\ lien he ided up on high, he led cap- tivity captive, and gave gift* unt > men. 352 The Larger Catechism. Q. 159. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto ? A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the, word, are to preach sound doctrine"1, diligently11, in season and out of season0 ; plainly p, not in the enticing words of man^s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power q ; faithfully, men. Ver. 9. (Now that he as- cended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Ver. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some pro- phets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Hosea iv. 6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Mai. ii. 7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth : for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 2 Cor. iii. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 1 Jer. xiv. 15. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, — Rom. x. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent? — Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church ; first, apostles; secondarily, pro- phets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Ver. 29. Are all apostles ? are all prophets? are all teach- ers ? are all workers of miracles ? 1 Tim. iii. 10. And let these also first be proved ; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man; nei- ther be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 159. mTit. ii. 1. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. Ver. 8. Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. nActs xviii. 25. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord ; and, being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, — °2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the wordy be instant in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. p 1 Cor. xiv. 19. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. * 1 Cor. ii. 4. And my speech, and my preaching, was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power. rJer. The Larger Catechism. 353 faithfully', making known the whole counsel of God8; Jy l, applying themselves to the necessities and ca- pacities of the hearers v; zealously w, with fervent love to God x and the souls of his people y ; sincerely % aiming at r Jer. xxiii. 2S. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a 1 ; and he that hath my I, let him speak my word faithfully : what is the chaff to the tt r saith the Lord. 1 Cor. i\\ 1. Let a man so account of us » of the ministers of Christ, and of the mysteries of ( i. Moreover, it is required in that a man be found ful. 4 Acta xx. 27. For I have not ihuuned to declare unto you all Ci >d. -. Whom we preach, warm _ ry man, and teach- inan in all wisdom ; present every man Tim. i. 15. Si idy aj>- 1 unto t workman hat needeth not to be ashamed, ighlly dividing the word ruth. Cor. iii. 2. I have fed with milk, and not with meat I not able t<> it, neitL ihle. Heb. \ . 1 :. 1 >i r :. e ought to be teach need that one teach you urain which be the iir>t princ , d ; and oi milk, pd i, meat \ one that useth milk is It'll in the word ot rijjht, i less: for I 1 i. But th to thrill ■! toll . en those vho by reason ot USe have their enses exercised to discern both ;ood and eril Luke xii. 18. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise >te\vard, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to gife them their portion of meat in due son P xviii. 95. This man tructed in the way of the Lord; and, being fervent in the spirit, he >pake and taught dili- gently the things of the Lord. — . v. 13. For prhether we be beside ourselves, it i< to God ; or whether we be sober, it b your cause. Ver. l L. For the love of Christ constrameth us, because we thus judge, that if one died lor all, then were all dead, l'hil. i. 1 '». Some indeed preach I even of envy and >ti li also of good- will: Ver. 16. The a Christ <>t contention. ring to add tliction to my bonds : Ver. 17. Hut the other of love, knowing that I am >et for the di l the pel. I iL i\ . 1 1 Bpaphraa, n\ ho is one of you, a servant of Christ. saluteth dwayi labouring that ye may Stand peifcct and complete I xii. 15, And 1 will ladty 1 anil be spent toi sou j gh the more al)undan' you, the less I be loved. it. 1 1 . For we are not my, which corrupt the word ■d . but as but I, in the - lint ."tuned the hidden not walk 354 The Larger Catechism. at his glory % and their conversion b, edification % and salvation d. Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached ? A, It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence % preparation f, and prayer ; in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. a 1 Thess. ii. 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust With the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. Ver. 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness : God is witness. Ver. 6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. John vii. 18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. b 1 Cor. ix. 19. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. Ver. 20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews ; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; Ver. 21. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are with- out law. Ver. 22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. c 2 Cor. xii. 19. Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you ? we speak before God in Christ : but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Eph. iv. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. d 1 Tim. iv. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine ; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Acts xxvi. 16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a wit- ness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee ; Ver. 17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, Ver. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness oi sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 160. eProv. viii. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watch- ing daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. f 1 Pet. ii. 1. Wherefore, lay- ing aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocricies, and envies, and all The Larger Catechism. 355 praver*; examine what they hear receive the truth with faith \ love readiness of mind m, as the word of and confer of it p ; hide it in their forth the fruit of it in their lives1". by the seripturesh; meekneM \ and Godn; hearts q, meditate °, and bring ill evil-speakings, Ver. 2. As new- born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye in thereby. Luke viii. 1*. Take need therefore how ye hear: for soever hath, to him shall he Ken; and whosoever hath not, m him shall be taken | that which he seemeth to have. I PtaL :x. 18. Open thoti mine hat I bold pondroua things out of thy Jaw. Fph. vi. 1*. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in spirit, and watching tl unto with all pa supplication for all sai , 1*>. And for me, that Utterance may be Lriven unto me, that I Dpen my mouth boldly, to make known ti. ipeL h Acts xvi i. II. '1'h. > more noble than those in Theaaa- lonica, in that tfa the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, wheth 1 1 the gospel pn ai well at unto them : but the word fled did not profit them, being mixed with faith in them that heard it. The>s. li. lo. And will teousness in them that perish ; becauee they received not the I be truth, that they might be all Whclclnn-. I. iV apart all Althinaatj and wperfluity Of naughtinete, and recerfe with meekness th< ifted word, which is able to tare 70111 souls. Q. 161. How m Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Theasa- lonica, in that they leceived the word with all re of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether thote things wen. 11 1 Tin For thai cause also thank we God without ceas- d the word of Gad which ye heard of d it not as the word of men, but (as it if in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh alao in you that beli Luke ix. U. Let these say sink down unto your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into : men. * Heb. ii. 1. There! re we ought to give the more earnest bet d to tl which we have heard, le-t at any time we should let them slip. v Luke x\!V. 1 I. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. Di And these words, which I 1 maud ti. . -hall be in thine heait. v> \ nd thou shalt 1 them diligently unto thy children ; and shalt talk of them when th : in thine house, and when thou walkcst by the 1 when thou lit and when thou ii>e>t up. rVai • n- i- afj ion, if toon wilt lecdre my WOrda, and bale with 1 . 1 I 1 1 hid in mine heart, that 1 might not -in . ' I But that on the good ground an honest an < cart, h 356 The Larger Catechism. Q. 161. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation ? A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are admini- stered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted s. Q. 162. What is a sacrament? A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church *, to signify, seal, and exhibitv unto those that are heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. James i. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and conti- nueth therein, he being not a for- getful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ^ 161. s 1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us (not the put- ting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good con- science towards God) by the resur- rection of Jesus Christ. Acts viii. 13. Then Simon himself believed also : and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and won- dered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Compar- ed with Ver. 23. For I perceive, (said Peter to Si?non,) that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 1 Cor. iii. 6. I have planted, Apollos water- ed; but God gave the increase. Ver. 7. So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth ; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 162. *Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an ever- lasting covenant ; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Ver. 10. This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy seed after thee ; Every man-child among you shall be cir- cumcised. Exod. Chap. xii. Con- taining the institution of the pass- over. * Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the' Holy Ghost. Matth. xxvi.26. And, as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. Ver. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it : Ver. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. vRom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncir- cumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be im- puted unto them also. 1 Cor. xi. 24, The Larger Catechism. MM ire within the covenant of grace w, the benefits of his media- tion x ; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other paces7; to oblige them to obedience r; to testify and gherish their love and communion one with another8; and to distinguish them from those that are without5. Q. lfri. What are the parts of a sacrament? A. The parts of a sacrament are two ; the one an out- ward and >c n-ible sign, used according to Christ's own ap- pointment ; xi. _H. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, eat ; this is my body, which it broken for you : this do in remembrance of me. Ver. ne manner also he took the cup, when he had - i'liis cup i< the new ent in my blood : this do drink it, in re- membrance of m< ■ Rom. i Now I say, that II a minister of the truth of firm the pron unto the l.xod. xii. W. And win n a s >urn with thee, and will !. -over to the Lord, be circumcu and then let him come near and it ; and he shall be a- one that is bom in the land : tor no uncircumcised j i shall eat Peter said them, Kepent, bap- ry OfM of \ou in the ■Rtsiou ot -ij i -, >liall K - II - it not the com- munion of the blond of (hi i u ich wi break, the communion of the body Lom. iv. 1 I. re] a» many ol you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Chrut 7 Horn. vi. 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesin ( h r i > t were baptized into his death ? Ver. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death ; that like ti Christ m up from the dead by the dory ot the Father, even so \s e also should walk in newness ot lite. 1 (Or. Yt cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of deviN: amiot be partake^ <>t the Lord's table and ot the table of deviN. * Kph. iv. 3. With all lowli and meekness, with lonu-suth r- inir, forbearing one another in loi e ; mini: t.» keep thfl unity ot the Spirit bl bond of p< ace. rhere is one body, and one Spi/it, - .i^ \ died in one ho: your ciili _- ; \ 1 xii. l ;. I m by one Spirit all baptized into oik whe- ther tile*, whether we be bond been all made to drink one Spirit I. ph. ii. II. WhmJbn re- member til i1 >ing in i the t!' I .died urn in uiiicLmou b\ unri- lion in the Iltkh ma mcltf 358 The Larger Catechism. pointment ; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified c. Q. 164. How many sacraments hath Christ instituted in his church under the New Testament ? A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, baptism and the Lord^s supperd. Q. 165. What is Baptism ? A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, where* in Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost e, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself f, of remission of sins by his blood g, and regeneration by his Spirit h ; of adoption, Ver. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Gen. xxxiv. 14. And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised : for that were a reproach unto us. 163. c Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. 1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure where- unto, even baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the tlesh, but the answer of a good conscience to- wards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom. ii. 28. For he is not a Jew which is one out- wardly ; neither is that circum- cision which is outward in the flesh: Ver. 29. But he is a Jew which is one inwardly ; and cir- cumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the let- ter ; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 164. d Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. xi. 20. When ye come together there- fore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. Ver. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was be- trayed, took bread. Mat. xxvi. 26, 27, 28. \^See above in c.^j 165. e Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. f Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. z Mark i. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Rev. i. v.— Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. h Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of re- generation, and renewing of the Holy The Larger Catechism. 359 tdoption*, and resurrection unto everlasting life k ; and rbereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into he visible church1, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord's m. y. ICG. Unto wkom if baptism to be administered 9 A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out >f the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant >f promise, till thev profess their faith in Christ, and obe- ■ence to him n ; but infants descended from parents, dther both or but one of them professing faith in Christ, ind obedience to him, are, in that respect, within the lant, and to be baptized0. Q. 167. // loly Ghost. Fph. v. 96. That ie might and cleanse it rith I n after bj the vnrd. all the :hihlicn ot God by faith in Christ i. many of ■u as have been baptized into .vi* put on ( hii> k 1 Cor. xv. 29, Else nn hat shall baptized for dead ri-«- not at ill } why art' they then bapti or ihe di ad ? Hum. vi. J. I i plant fther till. \\ e ihall be also in the Likenesi tesurn-ftiuii. 1 l Cor. xii. 13. For by one body, \n hether we !>•■ Jen ther we hi* bond or i : have been all made to into one Spii it. v\. \. Thi ; arc : with him by baptism Chris! was : up from i nt the ibo htr ni'l walk in newness of knd si I tin ir way, lh< » uutn a certain f and the euiiu< what doth hinder me to be bap- tized r Ver. M. And Philip l If thou beJiei - rt with all thine . thou i And he an- . I believe that • trial \b I 9 God. Acta ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, R< :m1 be h;" ti/rd you in the name of 1 lor the n of shall recehre tin oft! «t And I will < bKsh m\ mt between me and thee, and thy se< tlue, in th lastil I I be a I d to thy seed unto Abraham, Thou shaft ke p my I thy • !i are ! ' '.ham. I utiles thin: t \\r rornise o • • I ision < ll thfl I : the flssh 360 The Larger Catechism. Q. 167. How is our baptism to be improved by us? A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others p; by serious and thankful con- sideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made thereinq ; by being hum- bled flesh by the circumcision of Christ : Ver. 12. Buried with him in bap- tism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And with Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised : that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteous- ness might be imputed unto them also: Ver. 12. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanc- tified bv the husband ; else were your children unclean ; but now are they holy. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye "therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 21 Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Luke xviii. 15. And they brought unto him also infants, "that he would touch them ; but when his dis- ciples saw it, they rebuked them. Ver. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little chil- dren to come unto me, and forbid them not : for of such is the king- dom of God. Rom. xi. 16. For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 167. PCol. ii. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the cir- cumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Rom. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death ; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Ver. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Ver. 11. Likewise reckon ve also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. <* Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into The Larger Catechism. 361 bled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walk- ing contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engage- mentsr ; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament • ; bv drawing strength from the deatli and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace1; and by endeavouring to live by faith v, to have our conversation in holiness and righte- ousnessw, as those that have therein given up their names hristx; and to walk in brotherly love, as being bap- tized bv the same Spirit into one bodj n hi. T 1 Cor. i. II. For it hath ' ired unto \ ou, m\ I them which are of the ( liloe, that tl \<>\V very one oi you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apol- id I of Cephas, and I I ristdivii was Paul crucified I i/.ed in the nan Horn. vi. I bid: -hall we that are dea iiv longer therein r \ i ■ rr baptized into hrist haptizi d into his • in. iv. ll. And he recen ed ign <»t i UHMH ot the f.iitli : In* h. Ucini* uneir- . that he might lie the father of all them l though they be not dreumcii that right 11 _ it be im- puted unto them also: Ver. 1J. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the eir- eumeision only, but lk in the Steps ot that faith of our father Abraham, whieh lie being yet uncircumcised. 1 Pet iii. CJ1. The like figure whereunto, even bapti>m. doth also now us (not the putting if the filth ot the fleah, but the ai i n od COnfl ' 'wards < NiriectioD of Jesus Christ 1 Rom. \i. .-;.. i. '>. 2s in ^ all thr jth in t a< ma: you a^ bare been b Christ * Kt. in. vi. 98. But now b and become ints to I fruit unto boliix i-\ i-i la-tin:: hv. \ i Ian I\ ter i them. R the it-mission the rit ai Q b 362 The Larger Catechism. Q. 168. What is the Lord's supper ? A. The Lord's supper is a sacrament of the New Testa-; merit z, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is shewed forth ; and they that worthily communicate feed: upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace3; have their union and communion with him confirmed b ; testify and renew their thankful- ness0, and engagement to Godd, and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, mystical body e. body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Ver. 25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one of an- other. Ver. 26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it ; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Ver. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 168. zLuke xxii. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. aMatth. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. Ver. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it : Ver. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: Ver. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and as members of the samel Q. 169. How said, Take, eat ; this is my body, which is broken for you : this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25.1 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, say- ing, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye- drink it, in remembrance of me, Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. b 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of bless- ing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? c 1 Cor. xi. 24. \^See above in a.]] d 1 Cor. x. 14. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Ver. 15. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. Ver. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Ver. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils: ye cannot1 be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils. e 1 Cor. x. 17. For we, being many, are one bread and one body : for we are all partakers of that one bread. 1C9. fl Cor. The Larger Catechism. 363 Q. 169. How hath Christ appointed bread and iclne to be riven and received in the .sacrament of the Lords 9U\ A. Christ hath appointed the ministers of his word, in the administration of this sacrament of the Lord's supper, to set apart the bread and wine from common use, bv the word of institution, thanksgiving, and prayer; to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants: who are, bv the same appointment, to take and eat the bread, and to drink the wine, in thank- ful remembrance that the body of Christ wa> broken and given, and his blood shed, for them* Q. 1 70. HofW do they that worthily communicate in the Lords sup/j upon the body and blood of Christ therein A. As the body and blood of Chri>t are not corporally carnallv present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord's supper . and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements them- ire to their outward senses*; so they that worthily communicateinthe sacrament of the Lord's supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not alter a Corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really1, while 169. f 1 Cor. l l.~l Mat. \ re **/»/] Mark Vnd ;h they did eat, .1 ui bleaeedj ami bi to them, and said, • : thii ii my bod\ . And he took the cup; and, when thanks, it to thnn ; and the) all drank of it. And he said unto them, phis is my blood ot the new tes- h i> Bhed tor many. Lllkr xxii. \\). And he took bl and gave thuuks, and 1 and gave unto them, in hi. which - for i in rem em brain ! ike wise alto the oun >per, laying, Thin i up is the nru t in ray bi h i-« ibi ik Km. en muat i ::itil the times ot restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth Of all his holy piophets >ino world hi _ And as I eating, Jeam took bread, blessed it, and brake it, am! e it to the disciples, and said, Take, I i> my I this ifl my blood ot the iu\\ I mrnt, a h'h h Kg ihed for mat emission 1 i Cei And, whan he en thanks, he brake it, and body, which ii broken I thk do in rrmrmhi me. »r same mannrr also be to t to eat the Lord's Hipp 1 Mat. v. 23. T . if thou _ ft to the altar, and rememberest that thy bro- hath ought against t iV. Leave their thy ■K the altar, and go thy v. tir^t I*.- reconciled to thy brother, uid then i i\ gift, [ga. 1\ . 1. 11", < \ i that teth, conn- ye to tin- w ul md he that hath no money ; come ye, buj and i me, buy win.- and milk without money and without i John vii. 37. In i> , thai great da) of the best,. lev. . man thirst, let him ( unto inc. .ind drink. i I ■ nut there- tin- old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, m ye are un veiled. For even Christ our over is sacrificed for us. V Therefore let us keep the : not with old leaven, neither with the leaven ot malice and wicked- but with the unleavein d bread ot' sincerity and truth. -N I Cor. xi. lei the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, >ayhiLr, This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do J drink it, in remembrance ot me. Ver. JO*. For as often it this bread, and drink this cup, \ ihew the Lords death till Ver, l^s- But let a man examine himselfj and so let him eat ot that bread, and drink of that cup. Heb. x. 81. And having an high priest over the house <>t ci< ul, Ver. 23. Let US draw near with a true heart, in lull assurance <>t" faith, baring our hearts sprinkled from an evil COIU and our bodies w prith puj I And let on i ; one another, to provoke unto lore and to good irorfc I i. <>■ I will wa>h mine hands in inno- cency : ><> will 1 compass thine altar, 0 Lord. i Cor. v (1, m ht n thank>, he brake it, and said, Take, eat ; this i> my , which is broken fa you i do in leinembiancc <>: I \ inner also he tOOk the cup, when he had supped, sayiiiL', This Clip ix the new testament in n this do ye, as oil a* ye drink it. in remembrance Ihiou. \\\. 18, nul- titude 366 The Larger Catechism. Q. 172. May one zvho doubteth of his being in Christ, or\ of his due preparation, come to the Lord^s supper f J. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord^s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof a; and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it b, and unfeignedly desires to- be titude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issa- char and Zebulun, had not cleans- ed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written : but Hezekiah pray- ed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one Ver. 19. That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed ac- cording to the purification of the sanctuary. Mat. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 172. aIsa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that be- lieve on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Psal. lxxxviii. throughout. Psal. lxxvii. to Vtrse 12. Ver. 1. I cried unto God with my voice : even unto God with my voice, and he gave ear unto me. Ver. 2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. Ver. 3. I remembered God, and was trou- bled : I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Ver. 4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that T cannot speak, fyc. Ver. 7. Will the Lord cast off for ever ? and will favourable no more? Ver. his mercy clean gone for doth his promise fail for he be* 8. Is ever? ever- more ? ten to be gracious anger cies ? Ver. 9. Hath God forgot- ? hath he im shut up his tender mer- Jonah ii. 4. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight ; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. Ver. 7. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. b Isa. liv. 7. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. Ver. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment ; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. Ver. 9. For this is as the waters of Noah un- to me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth ; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. Ver. 10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed ; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee. Mat. v. 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit : The Larger Catechism. 367 be found in Christ c, and to depart from iniquity d : in which (because promises arc made, and this >acrament is pointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christia: he spirit: for theirs i> the kingdom of heaven. Yer. 1. Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted. Psal. xxxi. 92. For i i in my baste, I am cut off from before thin- ; never- s thou heardest the voice of MipplicatiOflSj when I cried thee. Psal. lxxiii. 13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and Wished my hands in inno- cency. Yer. 22. So foolish was 1 ignorant: 1 was as a beast ! 23. Xeverthe- less 1 am continually with t. • holden me by my i land. a doubtless, and I count all things but . the excellency of the knowledge Chii si I : tor whom I have suffered the 1<»>- of all thiiiL's, and do count them but . that I may win Ch und in him, not i which i- law, but that which i^ through the faith of Christ, t) nest which i> ot God by faith. . thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare heart, then wilt cause thine ear to hear. * Psal. ilii i. b panteth alter the a inteth my soul 0 G tetli for I >r the living U I | .me and pearl Whj art thou i i-t dou n, ( > my soul ? thou disquieted in me? thou in God, for I shall him for the help ot I 1. Whj thou cast down, 0 my soul - why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God, tor I shall yet praise him, who n health of my countenance, and my God. . Tim. ii. 19. Never th the foundation of (rod stundeth sure, having this seal, The I KDOWetfa them that are his. And, ie that nameth the name of Christ depart from ini- quity. Isa. 1. io. Who is among you that teareth the Lord, that obeveth the voice ot vant. that walketfa in darkness, and hath no Ught? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and >tav upon his dod. Psal. lxvi. Is. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the J will not hear SB 1 S. But verily, Gad hath heard me: he hath attended to the fOtOS "t my prayer. Yer. \HK Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. I. 11. He >hall Wvi\ his pherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, ami carry them in hi- . ami shall gantry lead those that with young. \ i : . -M'. IK- jiveth power to the faint ; and to them that have no mijit he i strength. \Yr. Si. But I a ait upon the I .on! shall n ngth : they shall mount up with sringi as eagles , they shall run, an shall \n 1 ma Mat. ie unto me, .ill IS! hiboui .mil ale } huh o. and I \\ ;. rSSt. .' 368 The Larger Catechism. he is to bewail his unbelief f, and labour to have his doubts resolved8 ; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord^s supper, that he may be further strengthened h. Q. 173. May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the LorcVs supper, be kept from it ? A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, not- withstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord^s supper, may and ought to be kept from thai sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his church *, until they receive instruction, and manifest their, reformation k. Q. 174. What he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Mat. xxvi. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. f Mark ix. 24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I be- lieve ; help thou mine unbelief. 8 Acts ii. 37. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do ? Acts xvi. 30. And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? h Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncir- cumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be im- puted unto them also. 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 173. » 1 Cor. xi. 27. to the end. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Ver. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Ver. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to him- self, not discerning the Lord's body. Ver. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. Ver. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged, S$c. to the end of the Chapter. Compared with Mat. vii. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. And with 1 Cor. Chapter v. to the end. And with Jude, Ver. 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire ; hating even the gar- ments spotted by the flesh. And with 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of other men's sins : keep thyself pure. k 2 Cor. ii. 7. So that contrari- wise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest per- haps such an one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 174. >Ler. The Larger Catechism, 3li9 Q. 174. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the iMrds supper in the time of' the administration qf'it t A. It is required of them that receive tin* sacrament of the Lord's supper, that, during the time of the administra- tion of it, with all holy reverence and attention thev wait upon God in that ordinance1, diligently observe the sacra- mental elements and actions™, heedful lv discern the Lord's body11, and affectionately meditate on his death and mji ,J, and therebv stir up themselves to a vigorous exerciae of their graces p ; in judging themselves q, and sorrowing for sin ; 174. l Lev. x. 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying. I will be sanctified in them that come nigfa me, and before all the people I will be glorified. — Heb. xii. _ a king- dom which cannot be moved, let us L whereby are may ptably, with and godly tear. PnL for me, I will come thy house in the multitude of tl. ■ y ; and in thy will J w.»r>hip toward thy holy tem[)le. 1 Cor. xi. 17. NOW in this that I declare unto you, I that ye come ther not tor the better, but 'he wor>< i m and drink thi> dip, ?e do >hcw the I ath till he come. Ver. \vhoMK\er shall eat this brettd, and drink this eup of tin- Lord, unworthily, lhal] be guilty ol the body and blood of »rd. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the ]> Mil Mud, Behold the blood ol the eat rnant which the Lard hath made with you concerning all thOM words. Com- Mat. wvi. M tlii* i* my blood of the new meat, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. n 1 Cor. xi. 9tL For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not dfiaoennDg the Lord's :y. Lake nn. i('- And he took bread, and Lrave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, la; This is my body, which m : thi> do in remembrance of ma. p 1 Cor. x it thi> bread, and drink this cup, ye do >hew the Lord I death till he come. 1 ('or. And did all eat the same - tual meat; Ver. 1 \ .d did ail drink the same spiritual drink : they dl that spiritual Hock that followed them ; and that El ck arai Christ) Vtr.S, Hut with many of them God irai well pleaaed ; for they a i thrown in the wilder r. 1 1. all these things happened unto them for ensamp. they are written for our admoni- tion, upon w hom the end* ol the world are < \ \ \ \\ '. < u - my dearly 1 idolatry* I 1 I mlil judge ourselves, we should not be 370 The Larger Catechism. sin r ; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ *, fee< ing on him by faith ', receiving of his fulness v, trusting his merits w, rejoicing in his love*, giving thanks for his grace y ; in renewing of their covenant with God z, and love to all the saints a. Q. 175. What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the LoroVs supper? 4- The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord's supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what suc- if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it, cess b ; T Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusa- lem, the spirit of grace and of supplications ; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. sRev. xxii. 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. t John vi. 35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger ; and he that be- lieveth on me shall never thirst. v John i. 16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. wPhil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righ- teousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. x Psal. Ixiii. 4. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. Ver. 5. My soul shall be satisfied as- with marrow and fatness ; and my mouth shall praise thee with joy- ful lips. 2 Chron. xxx. 21. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the least of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord. y Psal. xxii. 26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied ; they shall praise the Lord that seek him : your heart shall live for ever. zJer. 1. 5. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thi- therward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Psal. 1. 5. Ga- ther my saints together unto me : those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. a Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 175. b Psal. xxviii. 7. The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in him, and I am helped : therefore my heart great- ly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise him* Psal. lxxxv. 8* I will The Larger Catechism. itc, beg the continuance of itd, watch against rela] a\\\\ their vows f, and encourage themselves to a frequent attend- ance on that ordinance g: but if they find HO present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and can _ the sacrament h; in both which, if they can approve theni- I will hear what God the Lord will speak : for he will speak peace unto his | nd to his saints: but let them not turn ■gain to folly. 1 Cor. xi. 17. Now in this that I declare unto you, I j you not, that ye come together not for the better, but tor the V.r. i tblfl cause many ik and >ickly among you, and many sleep. Vei. SI. "For it we would judg lould not be jiuL c2 Chios. \\.\ And the childi. ! j that a lent at Jem* si!nn kept tli> if unlea\ Head M'wn days with great dad- liess : and the 1 and the d the Lord day by ringing with loud instru- ments unto the Lord, 5pc. Aoti .'. And they continued rtecU in the ftpOftW doetiiue and felJowi ind in breaking bread, and in pi And they, COntini ly with Mir BOCOld in the temple, and u\ from house t<> . did eat their neat with 'laduo* and ||n^lene>s of 1: and having r with all the peoph-. — P ri in. o continue :hy ln\ inir-kindiios unto tln-m . now thee, and thy ii_ hle- n to the upright in hi it was but a little ! paaeed from them, but I him whom my NMll loretfa : [ held him, and would n t let lim gOj until I had brought him nto mv mother/i bouee, and kite the chamber ot her that i me. 1 C'hron. xxix. lf» 0 God of Abraham, [fl 1, our fathers, keep th ever in the imagination of thoughts of the heart ot Un- people, and prepare their head unto lb I Cor. x. :5. And did all the same spiritual meat ; \ And did all drink the >ame spiri- tual drink : (for they drank of that spiritual Rook that fallowed them; and that Hock arasf ini^t.) '>. But with many of them God was not well pleased ; for they waif ovei -throw n in the wil- derness. Ver. 1 2. When him that thinketh he >tandeth take heed left he tall. 1 PsaL 1. 14. Otfer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy \ unto the most High. I ( or. \! tet the E maimer also he took the cup, when he had tupped, baying, CUp is the new testament in my blood: thi> do ye, as ott as ye drink it, in reuiembraiHv ot me. | this !. and drink this CUD, ><• do the Lord's death till lie romr. And they contii i-tly in the apost trine and fellowship, and in bnakiiii' ot bread, and in pray- And they, continuing daily with ■OCOfd m the temple, breaking bread from bouet L'ladi i -> ol h< Li I I I into I I: 372 The Larger Catechism, selves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time l : but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled k, and to attend upon it afterward with more care and diligence Q. 176. Wherein I have gathered my myrrh with my spice ; I have eaten my honey- comb with my honey ; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. Ver. 2. I sleep, but my heart waketh : it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my un- dented : for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. Ver. 3. I have put off my coat ; how shall I put it on ? I have washed my feet ; how shall I defile them ? Ver. 4. My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowrels were moved for him. Ver. 5. I rose up to open to my beloved ; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet-smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. Ver. 6. I opened to my beloved ; but my beloved had withdrawn him- self, and was gone : my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him ; I called him, but he gave me no answer. 1 Psal. cxxiii. 1 . Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwell- est in the heavens. * Ver. 2. Be- hold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress ; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Psal. xlii. 5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me ? hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him for the help of his counte- nance. Ver. 8. Yet the Lord will I command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.' Psal. xliii. 3. O send out thy light and thy truth ; let them lead me, let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Ver. 4. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy : yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God. Ver. 5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou dis- quieted within me ? hope in God : for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. k2 Chron. xxx. 18. For a mul- titude of the people, even many of Ephraira and Manasseh, Issa- char and Zebulun, had not cleans- ed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written : but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one Ver. 19. That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed accord- ing to the purification of the sanc- tuary. Isa. i. 16. Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Ver. 18. Come now, and let us reason toge- ther, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. l2 Cor. vii. 11. For, behold, this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after The Larger Catechism. 873 Q. 176. Wherebi do the sacrament* of baptism and the Ijyrdis .supper agree 9 J. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper agree, in that theauthor of both isGodm; the Spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits11; both are Beds of the samecoYenant0, aretobedis})ei]-eclbvinini>tLr-ot,thegos{)el.antib_viioneotherp; and after a godly sort, what careful it wrought in you, yea, what clear- . yea, what indig- nation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what Zeal, what revenge! In all thiofi ye have approved yauncltW to be clear in this matter. 1 ( hrnn. xv. \nd {David) said unto them, Ye are the chief of the father the i .ctity yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that bring up the ark of the Lord I Nrael unto the place that I have prepared tor it. \'er. did it not at the first, the Lord our (jod made a breach upon us, tor that we BOUght him not alter the due order. So the priest! and the Levites sanctified them- : up the ark of the Lord ( i | ,ul. 17«. ■ Mat. wviii. lf». Go >< and teach all natl baptizing them in the name of the Father, and ot the SoO, and of tin- i I I .veil ot the I ■at which sbo 1 delivered unto yon, That the Lord JeSUS, the • night in which trayed, took bread. L h R j | not, that ■0 n into into his death.- \ ie buried m ith him into death ; that lik it wa> raised up from the dead by the glory of the rather, even n we also should walk in newness of lite. 1 lor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we . i- it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? K >m.iv. 1 1. Anil he received the rign of circumcision, a seal ot' the right - of the faith which lie had yet being uncircumcised ; that he miLrht be the lather of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised ; that lighteODJ might be imputed unto them also. Compared wiik Col. ii. 12. Burled with him in baptism, wherein slso ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation ot ( hath raised him from tiie dead. Mat. xxvi. . he took the cup, anil uave thanks, and gave it to them, - Drink y« of it - I r this is my I of the new * t, which is shed tor many far the remission P John Vnd I knew him not: but he that sent me to hap- with water, the same said unto me. Open w hem thou shall e Spirit 'inc. and re- maining on him, the |Bi Which bapti/.eth with the Holy M ' then • all nat baptizing them in the the I ot the Holy Ghost. ! I thai which also I tl unto you. 374 The Larger Catechism. and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming q. Q. 177. Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lordis supper differ f A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord^ supper differ, in that baptism is to be administered but once, with water, to be a sign and seal of our regeneration and ingrafting into Christy and that even to infants8; whereas the Lord's supper is to be administered often, in the elements of bread and wine, to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul*, and to confirm our continuance and growth in him, you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was be- trayed, took bread. 1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. * Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore, and teach all nations, bap- tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things what- soever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alvvay, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 1 Cor. xi. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 177. 'Mat. iii. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize vou with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteous- ness which we have done, but ac- cording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 8 Gen. xvii. 7. And I will esta- blish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an ever- lasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed af- ter thee. Ver. 9. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee, in their ge- nerations. Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanc- tified by the wife, and the unbe- lieving wife is sanctified by the husband ; else were your chil- dren unclean; but now are they holy. t 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have re- ceived of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread : The Larger Catechism. him T, and that onlv to such as arc of years and ability to examine themselves w. Q. 178. Whai n r? A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God % in the name of Christ y, bv the help of \m Spirit2; with confession of our sins a, and thankful acknowledgment of ■is mercies \ (J. 17i). A i unto God tmfyt A. God only being able to search the hearts0, hear the requei I : Ver. l2l. And, when he :i thanks, he brake it, . Tak< . t it ; thi- fil my . which if broken tor you : thi> do in remembrance of me. After ti manner llso he took the cup. when he tiad nip] p is the 1 t in my blood: drink it, in j< membranes of me. Vm i ifl this bread, ind drink this cup. -hew - death till h- r 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of bless- hicfa we hie**, i^ it not the communion of the blood oi :he bread which ik, Kfl it :e communion of the body rist? I I But lei a man namine himself, and SO let him ♦at of that bread, and drill] up. \ l he that >attth and dnnketh unworthily, »at< th and drinketh damnation to If, not discerning th ! l)0< 1 v . Psal. Ixii. -. lust in him it aM tinea. 71 p ople ; pom out four heart before him: (iotl it a S lab. And in that ily, I sav unto ill a^k the Kath . he will z Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit alM helpeth our infirmities : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with LrroaniiiLrs which can- not be uttered. a Psal. xxxii. 5. I acknowhi my >in unto thee, and mine Ini- quity have I not hid: I said, I will confess my transgress to the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my >in. Selah. Wr. n. lor this >hall every that is godly pray unto tl.« a time when thou mayest be found. — Dan. ix. \. And I | ed untO the Lord my ( tsionj and aaid, 0 Lord, the ^>eat and dreadful, Cod.— careful tor no- but in every thing by ind supplication, frith . lt-t you 1 ' I 8 thou in S*sJk : do. and L'ive t<> i \ » i \ man at coidini; to h; whose heart know 11 thou only, knoweat the hear: ' And t I 1 knOWeSt the \.< ot all nan, shew whether of these .376 The Larger Catechism. requests'3, pardon the sinse, and fulfil the desires of allf; and only to be believed in s, and worshipped with religious worship h; prayer, which is a special part thereof *, is to be made by all to him alone k, and to none other1. Q. 180. What is it to pray in the name of Christ ? A. To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sakem; not by bare mentioning of his name", but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ! and his mediation °. Q. 181. Why these two thou hast chosen. Rom. viii. 27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints accord- ing to the will of God. d Psal. lxv. 2. O thou that near- est prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. t e Micah vii. 18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the trans- gression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delight- eth in mercy. f Psal. cxlv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Ver. 19. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : he also will hear their cry, and will save them. s Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? — h Mat. iv. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt wor- ship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 1 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. k Psal. 1. 15. And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will de- liver thee, and thou shalt glorify , me. 1 Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? 180. m John xiv. 13. And what- soever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ver. 14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John xvi. 24. Hitherto have ye asked no- thing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Dan. ix. 17. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. n Mat. vii. 21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 0 Heb. iv. 14. Seeing then that, we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our The Larger Catechism. ,77 Q. ]»1. Whi) are ice to pray in the name of Christ ." A. The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God hv m thereof, being so great, as that we can haw no at into his presence without a mediator' ; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious pork but Chri>t alone'1, we are to pray in no other name tbut his only r. (t). 182. Ham doth the Spirit help US to prmj ? A. We not knowing what to pray for m ire ought* the Spirit helpeth our infirmities bj enabling us to understand ) for whom, and what, and how prayeJ IS to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all p nor at all times, in the same measure) t! apprehensions. our profession. Ver. 15. Foi not an high priest which t be touched with the : our infirmities ; but m all points tempted lik< yet without >in. Ver. i<>. Let us come boldly unto the may ob- md find l help ml* of need, l John v. IS. I have 1 written unto you that believe on the name of tin* Son ol God, that ye may \ that ye l rnal lit.-, aijd tl lieve on the II the S I .11. And thi> i> the confidi tice that we in him, that, it thing his will, he i i ! it we i that he In ar n\ \\ I isk, vs. know that we hare tin- petition! that we defiled of 181. .1 ■:.■ him, 1 am the way, and the truth, and tin- life ; no man com- et h onto the but by me Isa. lix. U. lint your iniquities in miis : . . that he will not Eph. iii. 18. In whom we have bo] ess with confidence by the faith i :. Labour not tor the meat which perisbeth, but foe that meat which endureth unto i lasting life, which the \ I man shall give unto you: tor him hath God the Fath i. Heb. vii. : '•. Whi reform !.. b al I them to ilif uttermost that come onto God by him, seen - ever liveth I tor ti. Ver. h au priest became us, wh harmless, undefili from sinners, and math' his in the i; 1 not daily, as those hL its, to offer up sacrifice, fit il i then t»'i the i this he did i he- A up hiin.M i;. 1 Tim. I there is 01 madiatoi .in Chris I J < oL iii. 1 ye il<> it ill in the ns i thanks I ih< 1 :i. 11. thereto: < Lt 378 The Larger Catechism. apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty s. Q. 1 83. For whom are we to pray ? A. We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth * ; for magistrates v, and ministers w ; for ourselves % our brethren y, yea, our enemies z ; and for all sorts of men living3, or that shall live hereafter b; but not for the dead c, nor of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. 182. s Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infir- mities : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh in- tercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Ver. 27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh in- tercession for the saints according to the will of God. Psal. x. 17. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble : thou wilt pre- pare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabi- tants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications ,* and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn. — 183. cEph. vi. 18. Praying al- ways with all prayer and suppli- cation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints. Psal. xxviii. 9. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance : feed them also, and lift them up for ever. v 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort there- fore, that, first of all, supplica- tions, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men : Ver. 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we, may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. w Col. iv. 3. Withal, praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. x Gen. xxxii. 11. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of "my brother, from the hand of Esau : for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. y James v. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avail- eth much. z Mat. v. 44. But I say unto Love bles; you, l^ove your enemies, uiess them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. a 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. \jSee above in *. j b John xvii. 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. 2 Sam. vii. 29* There- fore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee : for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it, and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. c2Sam. xii. 21. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this The Larger Catechism. S79 nor for those that are known to have aimed the sin unto <<). LS4-. For what things arc we to pray ? A. We are to pray for all things tending to the glon pod', the welfare of the church f, our own g or oth goodh; but not for anv thing that is unlawful1. Q. 185. How an we to il. We are to pray withanawfulapprehensionof the maj ■Godk9anddeep8enaeofoiirown un worthiness1, neceasitu and ione? Thou ilidst • I weep for tiie child Mile it wbm alive ; but irhen the child wa< dead, thou didst and cat bread. \ And be While the child irai jet alive id, Who can tell w I iod will to roe, that the child may live? Vcr. 28. But now h. >uld I : i I bring him hack again? i shall u him, but he shall not return to me. If any man .. your child shall y< \\ hich is i to them that ask hu h Pfc l. Do good, () Lord, u: that be irood, ami to them that are upright in their hearts. * 1 John v. 1 k A?ul OOnfidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thin* his will, ht na L85. v. 1. Keep thy foot when tl:< to the hOOf God, and be mofl hear, than to give the - tor they consider not that tbi evil. ii. wii Abraham 1 said, now, I bai upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am hut duM and ad ( I an all the : ' of all truth, which thou hast sh. unto thy servant. — Luke n i r. And \n ba came to bhnaeif, be laid, Hon j hired ien ants of mj hread enough and to vpare, and I periah \> ith hunger ' \ I will aii.se and | ther, and will >a> 1 ither, 1 has ! a^ainat 1 1 n no more worth) called thy make dm aa one of thy ts. nLukc 380 The Larger Catechism. and sins11; with penitent0, thankfulp, and enlarged heartsq; with understanding r? faith % sincerity1, fervency v, lovew, and perseverance *, waiting upon himy, with humble sub- mission to his will z. Q. 186. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer ? A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer a; but the special rule of direction is that form n Luke xviii. 13. And the pub- lican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Ver. 14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other : for every one that exalt- eth himself shall be abased ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ° Psal. li. ] 7. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. p Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing : but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. * 1 Sam. i. 15. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord ; I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit : I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have pour- ed out my soul before the Lord. 1 Sam. ii. 1. And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord : my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies ; because I rejoice in thy salvation. r 1 Cor. xiv. 15. What is it then ? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the under- standing also: — sMark xi. 24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. James i. 6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering: for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. 1 Psal. cxlv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call up-- on him in truth. Psal. xvii. 1. Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my, prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips. v James v. 16.— The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. w I Tim. ii. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath ana doubting. x Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there- unto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints. y Micah vii- 7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord : I will wait for the God of my salvation : my God will hear me. z Mat. xxvi. 39. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me : nevertheless, . not as I will, but as thou wilt. 186. a 1 John v. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, The Larger Catechism. 581 rorm of prayer which our Saviour Christ taught his dis- ables, commonly called The Lord?* Prayer*. Q. 187. How is the Lords prayer to A. The Lord's prayer is not only for direction, as a pat- tern, according to which we are to make other prayers; 3Ut mav also be used as a prayer, >o that it be done with jnderstanding, faith, reverence, and other gracps necessary ;o the right performance of the duty of prayer c. i). 188. Cfflum many parti doth the Lords prayer consist? A. The Lord's prayer consists of three parts; a pivf: petitions, and a conclusion. Q. IS!). What doth the preface k him ? Rom. riit I '>■ I f ye not rc( have tloption, ' ha. '. not wroth i 0 Lord, ii( ,: mbei bliqu • l>. hold, - >■, u . beaeecii t: lit i. Unto thee lift I np mine eyes, <> thou that dwell- eel in the heavens. Lam. iii. 41. u lift, up our heart with hands unto God in the 1 < ! '>. Look dow n from iml behold m the ha- bitation ot thy holil I ot : w hnv || t!:\ thy strength, the loandii Is, and of thy m> ward tied f S. ] I ibtlesa thou Lather, though noraut of u^ not : thou, < > 1 our I thy name is from everlasting i. 1. A- .1 it can I beard these word*, t. down an md inoui tain i \ I I .882 The Larger Catechism. Q. 190. What do we pray for in the first petition f A. In the first petition, (which is, Hallowed be thy name k,) acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honour God aright \ we pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem himm, his titles n, attributes °, ordinances, word p, works, and whatso- ever God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth cove- nant and mercy for them that love him, and observe his com- mandments : Ver. 6. Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee : both I and my father's house have sinned. 1 Acts xii. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison ; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 190. kMat. vi. 9. 1 2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves : but our sufficiency is of God. PsaJ. li. 15. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. m Psal. Ixvii. 2. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Ver. 3. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. n Psal. lxxxiii. 18. That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most High over all the earth. 0 Psal. lxxxvi. 10. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things : thou art God alone. Ver. 11. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Ver. 12. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart ; and I will glorify thy name for ever- more. Ver. 13. For great is thy mercy toward me : and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. Ver. lo. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plen- teous in mercy and truth. p 2 Thess. iii. 1. Finally, bre- thren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. Psal. cxlvii. 19. He shew- eth his word unto Jacob, his sta- tutes and his judgments unto Is- rael. Ver. 20. He hath not dealt so with any nation : and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Psal. cxxxviii. 1. I will praise thee with my whole heart; be- fore the gods will I sing praise unto thee. Ver. 2. I will wor- ship towards thy holy temple, and praise thy name, for thy loving-kindness, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Ver. 3. In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me: and strength- enedst me with strength in my soul. 2 Cor. ii. 14. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of The Larger i S89 \cr he is pi to make himself known bvq ; and to glo- ifv him in thought, word*, and that he would irevent and remove atheism', ignorance v, idolatry", pto- 3 x, and wh lourahle to him ■ ; and. >v hi .-ruling providence, direct and dispone of all hings to his own glor\ . Q. 191. What knowledge by u< i dace. Ver. 15. Pot WC are unto yod a nrist, in hem that are saved, ami in then i xlv. th . I will Xtol thee, in; 0 Kin::. viii. throughout. () Lord, iur Lord, how exec, thy in all the earth ! i i lL ciii. L Bless the Lord, O ill; and all t: holy nan; . J 4-. ie word- mouth, and be in thy ny strength, and my redeem :il. i. 9. And this 1 i . I and more in kn n all judgment 11. Kng tilled with the fruits of ich art- ! unto the dory and pi •Mi »il. J. Ixvii. l. God be unto iiv, and hl< and shine upon us. . bat thy way may known upon earth, thy Mving th among all i K the- : all the peopk itions be ihou Hk judire the people ri^hte- ■ ■- - rn I ih. .17. rhat the God of •ur i l ther the Spirit of wisdom and r in tiie knowledge of him ; Vex. 19. The eyes of your understanding: b enlightened ; that what it the ho] | all- it the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the t& r ifounded all they that serve graven im that boast then kl ship him, all y. • PsaL Ixxiv. 18. Heme: I the i ihedj (> Lord, anil that the have blasphemed plead thine own i member foolish man leproacheth thee the voice of thine » tumult of those that i th continually. '<. And lLvekiah :d, and ul dod i-t Israel, which d . eat bt cherubims, thou art 1 all the kingdoms of the earth ; thou batt :.d earth, d, how down thine and heai ami set- ; and Ik nnacherib, which hath him to i I rod. -on. w • in hca the I in thj .384 The Larger Catechism. Q. 191. What do we pray for in the second petition? A. In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come*,) j acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan b, we pray, that the king- dom of sin and Satan may be destroyed0, the gospel propagat- ed throughout the worldd, the Jews called e, the fulness of the Gentiles brought in f ; the church furnished with all gospel- officers :fi and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Ver. 10. And now, behold, the children of Amnion, and Moab, and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; Ver. 11. Behold, I *say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given (is to inherit. Ver. 12. O our God, wilt thou not judge them ? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us ; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. Psal. lxxxiii. through- out. Keep not thou silence, 0 God : hold not thy peace, %c. Psal. cxl. 4. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, preserve me from the violent man, who have purposed to over- throw my goings. Ver. 8. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked ; further not his wicked devices, lest thev exalt themselves. Selah. 191. aMat. vi. 10. b Eph. ii. 2. Wherein in time past ve walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now work- eth in the children of disobedi- ence. Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our 24 flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. c Psal. Ixviii. 1. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered : let them also that hate him flee before him. Ver. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast ledi captivity captive : thou hast re- ceived gifts for men ; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Rev. xii. 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ : for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Ver. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony ; and they loved not their lives unto the death. d2 Thess. iii. 1. Finally, bre- thren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. e Rom. x. 1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. f John xvii. 9. I pray for them I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine. Ver. 20. Nei- ther pray I for these alone, but for The Larger Catechism. )fficers and ordinances g, purged from corruption h, counte- lanced and maintained by thecivil magistrate1 : that the or- dinances of Christ mav be purely dispensed, and mack- effeo- ;ual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that ire already converted11: that Christ would rule in our beaitfl Ik or them also which shall believe >ii me through their word. Horn. I would not, bre- that ye should be ignorant jf this mystery, (lest ye should in your own conceits,) Lhat blindness in part is happened to Israeli until me fulness of the ■flntilfl be come in. Ver. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come Dut of Sion the Deliverer, ami lhall turn away ungodliness from I i' |L l.xvii. throughout, be merciful unto us, and I us ; and i BUSS his face to Bhine upon as, I it. ix. :i>. Pray ye there- be Lord of the banrest, that be will send forth labourers into his h .1- Fi- brethren, pray tor us, that J . rd may have I LorifieO, even B8 it is with you. •'• .Mai. i. 1 1. For from the Ing o! | en unto the it among the ( ry place incense reel unto my name, !IV name then, ith the Lord <>t bostSi Zeph. vill I turn to the Is a pure lai that they y all eall upon the name of Lord, to sei re him with one lit. i I I \hoit tl • J. supplicate and gu of thanks, be made for aJl men : Ver. lJ. For kinirs, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and' peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. k A< And now, Lord, behold their threatening* : ami grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they in - thy word, \'er. 30. By stretching forth thine hand to heal j that Signs and wonders mav \>- done by the name of thv "holy child Jesus. Eph. vi. is.' j with all m supplication in the Spirit, and iratchmg thereunto with all sevei md supplication all saints; Ver. \<>. And for me. that Utterance may be _ unto me, that I may open mv mouth boldly, to make kn >\\ • the mystery of the gosp I, I i which I am aji ambassador ill bonds ; that therein I i: boldly, h 1 ought to ipe ik". Rom. tod I am Mire I I Be unto i mi. I ifa J| come ttl the fulness of th f the I lb, tjn- Lord Jest! the lore of th together M ith me in TOW pi oome unto ,j |P the trill md you ! ess. i. n. \\'h( : COUIll iliil all I 386 The Larger Catechism. here1, and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him for ever m : and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these endsn. Q. 192. What do we v itch with me nut- hoi . 11. \\ and pray, t. nter not temptation: the spirit indeed i^ willing, but the fles ,ik. X.I [&. I j Thou 1 and I \va> el. isl imed to ' thou me, and I shall be turned ; tor thou art the Lord suiv]_\ after that I turned. I I thigh: I amed. \ »unded, 1 di ' • <>t my v.. nth. undefiled in the in the law of the I. oi'd. \ will keep thy statuti me not utterly. \ • in the path unto thy testimo ■ Nl -ire not the ki of thy ways. 1 Cor. ii. 11. Hut ;tlie natural man receiveth not the ■ are foolishness unto him ; know them, bet •itually d. ffli. viii. 7. B nal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the la ither indi r J i. 7. And he ealled and the eh. ildien oi mpted ti ird among us or not ? the chil- 1 murai iin>t and s ill unto had died . , would I died in I Kph. ii. in time to the tli in the Kph. i. 17. That the God of : ither i the ition he ki illl : \Ci. 18, ' i d I ! I Lr d ; that is inln in the saints. ould Wr JO u E ■ bhil 388 The Larger Catechism. cheerfulness % faithfulness b, diligence % zeal d, sincerity c, and constancy f, as the angels do in heaven g. Q. 193. What do we pray for in the fourth 'petition ? J. In the fourth petition, (which is, Give us this day mtr daily bread11,) acknowledging, that in Adam, and by our own sin, we have forfeited our right to all the outward blessings of this life, and deserve to be wholly deprived of them by God, and to have them cursed to us in the use of them1 ; and that to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God ? a Psal. c. 2. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Job i. 21. And (Job) said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord. 2 Sam. xv. 25. And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city : if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his habitation. * Ver. 26. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee : behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. bIsa. xxxviii. 3. And said, Re- member now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Heze- kiah wept sore. c Psal. cxix. 4. Thou hast com- manded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Ver. 5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! u dRom. xii. 11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serv- ing the Lord. e Psal. cxix. 80. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. f Psal. cxix. 112. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. slsa. vi. 2. Above it stood the seraphim s: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. Ver. 3. And one cried unto an- other, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts ; the whole earth is full of his glory. Psal. ciii. 20. Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in strength, that do his com- mandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Ver. 21. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his that do his pleasure ]VIat. xviii. 1 0. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones : for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold th€ face of my Father which is in heaven. 193. hMat. vi. 11. ^Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree ol the knowledge of good and evi thou shalt not eat of it : for in the day that thou eatest thereof thoi shalt surely die. Gen. iii. 17 And unto Adam he said, Becaust thou hast hearkened unto the voict of thy wife, and hast eaten of tin tree of which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eat of it cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it al the days of thy life. Rom. viii. 20 For the creature was made subjec to vanity, not willingly, but b; reason of him who hath subjects J th i The Larger Catechism. 880 that neither thev of themselves are able to sustain usk, nor we to merit1, or by our own industry to procure them*; but prone to desire11, get°, and use them unlawfully • : are pray for ourselves and others, that both they and ire, wait- ing upon the providence of God from day to day in the use of lawful means, may, of his free gift, and as to hi* fatherly wisdom shall seem be^t, enjoy a competent p Hrtion of themq; and have the same continued and blessed unt i in -ime in hope: Ver. 21. Be- the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the Lrlorious liberty of the children of dud. Ver. ii For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and tra- vaileth in pain together until now. Jer. v. 25. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your una have withholdeii g rom you. Dent, xxviii. I '*. tn the > 'id of the I Ver. 15. Hut it shall come it thou wilt not hearken unto the voice ot the Lord thy I to ob i do all his nanduients and hi- statutes, command thee this day, ill these curses shall come ' hee. I'.. I urse I -halt thou be in ity, and shalt thou be in the field. Ver. 17. Cursed shall be thy b » ut. viii. \\. And he humbled and suffered thee to In:' with manna, which knewest not, neither (lid thy fit:. . that he might make I know that man doth not live by bread only, but by eveiy word that proceed* th out tten this wealth. Ver. I& Hut thou shalt remember the 1 thy God ; tor it is he that thee power to get wealth, that lie may establish hi ant, which he sware unto thy tat: as it >:n the of them even unto th them, every one i> glVCf) to o OUSneSi : and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dcaletfa falsely. Mark vii*. rom within, nut of the ! Of men, proceed evil thoil£ adult rnications, muraers, dni'sv, deceit, — II a inerct. the balances it aie in his hand : hi* loveth to oppress. i uues i\ . I \ a^k, and e ask an that y«- may consume it upon your ( ,, ' \. L 12. A able mon- HIT hand : and the money that was brou. the mouth <»' God Almighl ••• the ii And It J 390 The Larger Catechism. in our holy and comfortable use of themr, and contentment in them s ; and be kept from all things that are contrary to our temporal support and comfort '. Q. 194. What do we pray for in the jifth petition? A. In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive its our debts, as -we forgive our debtors v J) acknowledging, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt w : we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Ver. 8. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. 1 Prov. xxx. 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies ; give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with food convenient for me : Ver. 9. Lest I be full, and. deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord ? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 194. * Mat. vi. 12. w Rom. iii. from Verse 9. to 22. Ver. 9. What then ? are we better than they ? No, in no wise : for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; Ver. 10. As it is writ- ten, There is none righteous, no, not one : Ver. 1 1 . There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God: Ver. 12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together be- come unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one, cSr. Ver. 19. — That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God, S)C. Mat. xviii. 24. And when he had begun to reckon, one wad brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents. Ver. 25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on. Eph. iv. 28. Let him that stole steal no more ; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 2 Thess. iii. 11. For Ave hear that there are some which walk among you disorder- ly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies. Ver. 12. !Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. Phil, iv. 6. Be careful for nothing : but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. r 1 Tim. iv. 3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath creat- ed to be received with thanksgiv- ing of them which believe and know the truth. Ver. 4. For every creature of God is good, and no- thing to be refused, if it be re- ceived with thanksgiving : Ver. 5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. s 1 Tim. vi. 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. Ver. 7. For we brought nothing be Tlte Larger Catechu 391 hi> free jrrace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit u^ b from the guilt and punishment of sin x, accept u^ in hi> Be- ly; continue his favour and grace to us" pardon our v failings3, and till us with peace and joy, in giving daily more and m lurance of forgiv< irhich we are the rather emboldened to a-k. and enco hen are have this testimony in ourselves, thai we : the heart forgive others their offence* Q. 195. What >ld, and hifl and his children, and all that he had, and payment to be mad It" thou, Lord, shoul mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? \ . i. i. But the -s with thee, that thou ired. . iom. iii. by his grace through the nption that is in J ii God hath set forth a propitiation through faith in hi- blood, t<> dei 1 ire his rLrh- ness for the remission oi the for- I. in- hil ii_rh- ~ iess: that and t ier of him which I ihe law I witli blood ; and without of blood is no remiss 1 ... i. I. To I I the his grace, wherein he the Be- nption through his blood, the riches oi hi- _ 2 Pet nultiplied unto i ough and of itl. • I lost m ke with yon ^ Is, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, I all Ini- t quity. and n is graeio . i ill ire render the cah our lips. Jer. xiv. ;. <) Lord, thoiiLrhour ini<|iii- 0 thou it tor thy nan. for our backshdingB are i Rom. w. of hope till you with all joy and may abound in hope through the | of the Holy Ghost Pi Purge me with hyssop, and I be clean : wash me, and I s niter than snow. V, Make Die to hear joy a that the bones which thou broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from I blot out all mine iniquiti • in me a elean betJ God : and renew a right spirit within n ire unto me the joy of thy salvation ; uphold me with thy S I it. Luke \i. i. And our sins ; foi I one tl debted to us.— ' \ i. ii. For if 3 ur hea\ will a • passes, in ither will Mat. win. . from met their trespasses. i; \ 392 The Larger Catechism. Q. 195. What do we pray for in the sixth petition ? A. In the sixth petition, (which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evild,) acknowledging, that the most wise, righteous, and gracious God, for divers holy and just ends, may so order things, that we may be assault- ed, foiled, and for a time led captive by temptations e ; that Satan f, the world g, and the flesh, are ready powerfully to draw us aside, and ensnare us h ; and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason of our corruption *, weakness, and want of watchfulnessk, are not only subject tobe tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations1, but alsoof ourselves 195. dMatth. vi. 13. e 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. Howbeit, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. f 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and pro- voked David to number Israel. s Luke xxi. 34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you una- wares. Mark iv. 19. And the cares of this world, and the de- ceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh un- fruitful. h James i. 14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 1 Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lust- eth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other ; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. k Mat. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temp- tation : the spirit indeed is will- ing, but the flesh is weak. 1 Mat. xxvi. 69. Now Peter sat without in the palace ; and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. Ver. 70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. Ver. 71. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with . Jesus of Nazareth. Ver. 72. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Gal. ii. 11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. Ver. ] 2. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circum- cision. Ver. 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him ; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimu- lation. Ver. 14. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly, according to the truth of the gos- pel, I said unto Peter — 2 Chron. xviii. 3. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, The Larger Cattxhhm. ourselves unable and unwilling to resist them, to recover outof them, and to improve themm; and worthy to be left under the power of them11: we pray, that God would so over-rule the world and all in it°, subdue the flesh p, and restrain Satan11, order Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead ? And he answer- ed him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in the war. ( pared u-ith 2 Chron. xix. 9. And Jehu, the son of Hanani the went out to meet him, and >aid to king: Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help tiie ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? t fore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord. IQ Rom. vii. 23. But I see ano- ther law in my members war- tlSt the law of my mind, bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which i^ in my members. Wr. Jl. <> wretch- ed man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death ! 1 Chron. xxi. t. And • ttd up against farad, and ptOTOked David to number Israel. \ tad David and to .loah. and to the rulers of people, Go, number I>ra.-I, from Be tan ; and briiiLr the number of them to me, that I may know it. I And The Lord make hif people an hun- di*'d times 80 many more as be : but, my lord the k Ire the) not all m> lants ? why then doth mj lord nquire this thing ? s by will he be a cause of trespass to Israel - \ '. i. i. v rerthcless, the iled against Joab : m hen \h departed. tad at that I i Asa king of Judah ml unto him, Because thou hast reli the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, thei is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. V Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a hmre host, with very many chariots and b men ? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand. Ver. [). For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. to shew himself strong in the be- half of them whose heart is per- fect towards him. Herein I done foolishly ; thei from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Ver. 10. Then \ wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison-house ; tor he . ith him bee of this thing : and Asa opprt some of the people the - time. 11 PsaL IxxzL 1 1. But my people would not hearken to m\ and brad wonld none of me. 18. S I gave them up unto their own hearts' hi^t : and walked in their 0W1 ihn x\ ii. 15, I pray not ' thou shouldest take then n arid, but that thou should- est keep them from the t . PsaL li. i clean heart, 0 G J and i. lit >pirit within m. . ! and i ,uity dominion over me. old measure through the abundance oi the ievel.it 394< The Larger Catechism order all things r, bestow and bless all means of grace and quicken us to watchfulness in the use of them, that we and all his people may by his providence be kepi from being tempted to sin1; or, if tempted, that by his Spirit we maybe powerfully supported and enabled to stand in the hour of temptation v ; or when fallen, raised again and recovered out of itw, and have a sanctified use and improvement there- that our sanctification and salvation may be perfected7, Satan or there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Ver. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. r 1 Cor. x. 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Ver. 13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man : but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. s Heb. xiii. 20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the ever- lasting covenant, Ver. 21. Make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. — 1 Mat. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into tempta- tion.— Psal. xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presump- tuous sins, let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be inno- cent from the great transgression. y Eph. iii. 14. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 15. Of whom the whole family in hea- ven and earth is named, Ver. 16. That he would grant you, ac- cording to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; Ver. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: — 1 Thess. iii. 13. To the end he may sta- blish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Jude, Ver. 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you fault- less before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. wPsal. li. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. x 1 Pet. v. 8. Be sober, be vigi- lant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may de- vour. Ver. 9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Ver. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, sta- blish, strengthen, settle you. y 2 Cor. xiii. 7. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil ; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is hones tJ The Larger Catechism. 395 Satan trodden under our feet1, and we fully freed from bin, temptation, and all evil, for ever*. Q. 196. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's \ teach z/.v f A. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, (which is, I thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the ghryrJbr tth r. Amen*.) teacneth us to enforce our petition* with arj DHeilt8€s which are to he taken, not from any worthiness oursclvc-, or in any other creature, hut from God 1 honest, though we be -. Ver. !>. For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this ar With, four perfection. 1 Rom. xvi. 90. And the I of peace >hall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. — Zech. And the Lord said unto Satan, 1 rebuke thee, o Satan, the L'»rd that hath e: n rebuke thee: is not 1 brand plucked out of the ;i. And the I, Simon, Simon, behold, I hath that lie may But I hav.- prayed foi thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thon ait i j then thy brethren. •John xvii. LA. I pray not that fthouldi 1 oild, hot that thon ihouldesl ihejn from : 1 The>*. rod of peace yoil wholly: and I ; sour whole and body he pit - 1 .old Hat \i. I :. 1 K brethren, for the 1 ."id Ji ! for the lot spirit, thai ye -tii\ e together me in j d Dan. i\. i. And 1 unto the Lord my (rod, and made my confession, and >aid. () Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to that love him, and to them his commandment-. — V (> Lord, unto thee, but nnto usion of i I at this day ; — Ver. B. 0 nifdon < I to our our princes, and to OUI beca riued a^ Ver. 9. To tl L ra our God beta nesses. though we have rel \\ .. 1 - . 0 ! thj right * ech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned ty Jerusalem.- the jw.ivn oi t;i_\ and his BUpplical thy face to shine upon thy \ tuan th. the Lord Grod, incline thin. open thfaie eyes, and behold deaolatioi t pcetenl i m befon I.old. 11 0 396 The Larger Catechism. with our prayers to join praisese, ascribing to God alone eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency f; in regard whereof, as he is able and willing to help usg, so we by faith are emboldened to plead with him that he would h, and quietly to rely upon him, that he will fulfil our requests1. And, to testify this our desire and assur- ance, we say, Amen*. sake, O my God : for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. e Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, fyc. f 1 Chron. xxix. 10. Where- fore David blessed the Lord be- fore all the congregation : and David said. Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever. Ver. 11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine ; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Ver. 12. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Ver. 13. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. s Eph. iii. 20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abun- dantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ver. 21. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Luke xi. 13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children ; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that, ask him ? h 2 Chron. xx. 6. And {Jeho- shaphat) said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven ? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen ? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Ver. 11. Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 1 2 Chron. xiv. 11. And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God ; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude : O Lord, thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee. k 1 Cor. xiv. 16. Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? Rev. xxii. 20, He which testitieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly : Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Ver. 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. FINIS. THE SHORTER CATECHISM, AGREPD UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH Tl of the Old and New Tr-!a:ih rule to ■red u- h hiin d. What - them thai gO a w! ■f } <>r ill ink, oi what-.-- \ d tor me to ■vyrdo. do all to th* tiotl: 1 have put my ^kd. Kn.n. \i. him, tru>t in tlu I. onl ( h'iL ti. ^^■brouirh him. and to him, are d. thy \v« tun iven bj tnd .1 profit l>Ut th I And axe built upon ti i d i> the of the apoetk I hiniM-1 '• i all have NO! unto 400 The Shorter Catechis?n. Q. 8. What do the scriptures 'principally teach? A. The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of mane. Q. 4. What is God? A, God is a Spirit f, infinite g, eternal h, and unchange- able1, in his being k, wisdom1, power"1, holiness11, justice^ goodness, and truth °. Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one ? A. There is but One only, the living and true God p. Q. 6. Hon unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us : and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, Ver. 4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. m 3. e2 Tim. i. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. iii. 16. \^See in letter c.j 4. f John iv. 24. God is a Spi- rit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. * Job xi. 7. Canst thou by search- ing find out God ? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Ver. 8. It is as high as heaven, what canst thou do ?, deeper than hell, what canst thou know ? Ver. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. h Psal. xc. 2. Before the moun- tains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world: even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. 1 James i. 17. Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. k Exod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM : and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 1 Psal. cxlvii. 5. Great is oui Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. m Rev. iv. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within ; and they rest not day anc night, saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was. and is, and is to come. n Rev. xv. 4. Who shall not feai thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. 0 Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lore passed by before him, and pro- claimed, The Lord, the Lore God, merciful and gracious, long- suffering, and abundant in good ness and truth, Ver. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the ini quity of the fathers upon the chil dren, and upon the children's chil- dren, unto the third and to the fourth generation. 5. p Deut. vi. 4. Hear, 0 Israel j the Lord our God is one Lord Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God. and an everlasting King: at his wratt The Shorter Catechism. 401 Q. 6. Horn many persons are there in the Godfua A. There are three persons in the Godhead ; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory*. Q. 7. What arc the decrees of Go ./. The decree* of God are, his eternal purpose, accord- ing to the counsel of his will, whereby, for hi^ own gl le hath foreordained whatsoever cornea to past (t>. 8. How doth God execute his tfl A. God executed] his decrees in the works of creation ind providence. {). 9. What Is the work of creation ? A. The work of creation is, God's making all things of bottling, by the word of his power, in the spa I nays, [ind all very ^(xul 8. Q 10. //./:.• did God create man ? A. created man male and female, after his own in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures1. (,). 11. What th the earth shall tremble, tin* nations shall nut he able abide his indignation. 6*. i 1 John v. 7. For there arc d in heaven, Father, the Word, and the V Ghost: and these three are iff, l '-. G . and teach all nations, - them in the nun. of the 8 Hob Ghost ph. i. i. According as ath chosen m hi him l>< foundation td the %\ *»rKl, ire ihould be holy, and OUt hi. m N him in l<»\e. II. In whom also I Bed an inherit, mo according to the te of him \n bo irorketfa all ooui iel oi will. Bom. (l What ■ God, williii rath, endured with much lonir-MifTer- ing the vessels <»t wrath fitted t<» UCtion ; d that he might make known the riches of lory on the \ f mercy, which he had atore prepared unto glorj !i. i. throughout. 1 \i. :\. Through faith we under- stand that tl.< imed by the wnid «.t d which are seen were not mat. _> which do app Jo. ' (M,|. I IS make man in our image, after our lik- md let I dominion I b ot : ii. d <»\ 1 1 the fon 1 «»!" the aii, and OfSf the cattle, and o\ ri all the eai t;.. thccaith. \ man in hi-* own m a-je \ \\ l him ; in.de and female I '.em. 402 The Shorter Catechism, Q. 11. What are God's ivories of providence ? A. God's works of providence are, his most holy % wise w, and powerful preserving x and governing all his creatures, and all their actions7. Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created ? A. When God had created man, he entered into a cove- nant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience ; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death z. Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created ? A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God a. Q. 14. What Ver. 2S. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and re- plenish the earth, and subdue it : and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Col. iii. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 11. vPsal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. wPsal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wis- dom hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches. Isa. xxviii. 29. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. x Heb. i. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. y Psal. ciii. 19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens ; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Mat. x. 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of, them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Ver. 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Ver. 31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 12: z Gal. iii. 12. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that do- eth them shall live in them. Gen. ii. 17. But of the tree of the know- ledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 13. a Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and gave also unto her husband with her, and The Shorter Catechism. 405 Q. 14. What ; ./. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgresri the Jaw of God*. (t). 15. W v the sin whereby our fill rom the estate wherein th A. The sin whereby our fir-t parents fell from therein they were created) was their eating the forbidden Vuit c. y. 16. Did all monk 'aid fall hi Adam's first tram A. The covenant being made with Adam9 not onlj limself, but for his . all mankind, d mom him by ordinarj ted in him, and fell Nth him, in his first trans m d. Q. 17. Into '. fate did the fall bring mankim A. The tall brought mankind into an estate i Q. is When qfthatettaU . hito man Jtll t A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell,< n the guilt of Adam's first Bin, the want of original ri 15, G s '••3 n itb me, ihc fare an U. I :• \ ' i ! the ga thOU IlKlMst • • .■vil. th< God amongst thi kad be did eat Wr. 7. And the of them both a iixl they knea that th i : and !. her, and made thi Ami they I. n th' i in tin- cool oi I Adam and hid unto thi s this that thou bast And . eat. J und, hath made man . it it they hai John iii. t. Wl SOinmittcth -in transjfflSMStll altJO a : for -in onsgres* ►inn :!u- win : hat all i ! I !1 all be i« - 404 The Shorter Catechism. teousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin ; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it*. Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell? A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with Godg, are under his wrath and curse h, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of! hell for ever \ Q. 20. Did world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 18. f Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so • death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners ; so by the obe- dience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. v. from Verse 1 0. to the 20. Eph. ii. ] . And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ver. 2. Where- in in time past ye walked accord- ing to the course of this world, ac- cording to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now work- eth in the childLren of disobedience: Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. James i. 14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Ver. 15. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Mat xv. 19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 19. eGen. iii. 8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day : and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Ver. 10. And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden : and I was afraid, because I was naked ; and I hid myself. Ver. 24. So he drove out the man : and he placed, at the east of the garden of Eden, cherubim s, and a flaming sword, which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. h Eph. ii. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience : Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 1 Lam. iii. 39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? * Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death : but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our The Shorter Catechism. 40j Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish m the yfsin and misery ? A. God having, out of his dm _ sj pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life*, did enter into l covenant of grace, to deliver them out of th ind misery, and to bring them into an estaU by a Redeemer1. \). °.l. Who M tin R r cfGotTi A. The only Redeemer of God's elect i- the Lord .1 Christ rn, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man", and bo was, and continued] to be, God and man in | distinct natures, and one person, for ever0. our Lord. Mat xxv. 41, Then shall he unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, :. into everlasting fire, i red lor the devil and his $. Ver. -hall into everlasting puni>h- : but the righteous into lite il. i. i. 1. A. I I lilM IS he hath ehofen n^ in him before the foundation of the world, that should be hol ithout blame im in lo\ I >m. iii. 90L Then-fure by the law then shall no flesh I fted in bis eight : pr by the law is the knowledge the righteousness] of God without the law I, being wit- nessed by the law and the wo- \ >d, whieh i< hv faith Fetui Christ onto all, and upon all them that l>el no differeii • iii. '^i . [a the 1 1 v% then against '•id ; I there had hem a law t h could have given life, . htemiMi law. \ (ure hath concluded all under sin, that the prtM faith in i rn* Lrivt;i to them that ! one God, and one mediator be- tnd men, the ■ Christ Jesus . ■ w htmseff a ransom bt all. t testified in due time. roha i. l v. and th P was made flesh, and dwelt an glory as the Father,) full of grace truth. G 111.', ■ ' n the fulness of the time was cotm. forth I «»f a nan, made under thi K V -. and <>f \\ h the flesh Christ cam all, < - Luki \ id the angel ail" ed and said unto ber , rJ all oome ur the (Miner of t: 1 I boly tin H • I fulness i Hut an unebanrt 406 The Shorter Catechism, Q. 22. How did Christ , being' the Son ofGod, become man ? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body p, and a reasonable soul q, being con* ceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her r, yet without sin Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer? A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation *. Q. 24. How priesthood. Ver. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 22. p Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise tock part of the same; that through death he might de- stroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Ver. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels ; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Heb. x. 5. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. u art my Son, to-day have I tteu thee. Ver. 6. A> lit* i in mother place, Thou a priest for ever, afti r the r of Mekh: o in the days of - ba I < m red up pr; supplications, with j and tears, unto him that ■88 ahh- m (hath, and was heard in that hi Bet). I aide them to the utter- ne unto God b\ King he ever liveth t<» maL ; tor them. Psal. I tet my King u / :i. Isa. i\. fj. child is hum, unto i and the I upon his shoulu ill be called \. I, Counsellor, The m'n l !>i- of I rnmenl >m, to order it establish it with ji Hth evm loi ( \ it : the /« bJ i f the i ti will perform Mat. !d, thy h an a*- 14 d a < I lass. Psal. ii. H. A*k ud I possession. Ver. 9. break them wit thou shalt . like a j . « *M 1. Be i of the earth. \ Lord wit ;. ia \ • d him. 1 P< tion the pi quired, and sear* who • should come mil r. 11. follow do* i. i things .John I all tl I i I II 408 The Shorter Catechism, Q. 25. How cloth Christ execute the office of a priest ? A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice * and reconcile us to Godx; and in making continual inter cession for usy. Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king* A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself2, in ruling3 and defending usb, and in restrain-* ing and conquering all his and our enemies0. Q. 27. Wherein did Chrisfs humiliation consist ? A. Chrisfs humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition d, made under the law6, undergoing the 25. w Heb. ix. 14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spi- rit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? Ver. 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation. x Heb. ii. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. y Heb. vii. 24. But this man, be- cause he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Ver. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26. z Acts xv. 14. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ver. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is 24 1: written, Ver. 16. After this I wil return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which fallen down ; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I wil set it up. a Isa. xxxiii. 22. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our law giver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. b Isa. xxxii. 1. Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment Ver. 2. And a man shall be as ar hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place as the shadow of a great rock in c weary land. c 1 Cor. xv. 25. For he musl reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Psal. ex. through* out. 27. d Luke ii. 7. And she broughi forth her first-born son, and wrap- ped him in swaddling-clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them ii! the inn. e Gal. iv. 4, But when the ful ness of the time was come, Goc sent forth his Son, made of a wo- man, made under the law. f Heb The Shortt KM the miseries of this lifef, the wrath of (iod«, and the cursed death of the cross11; in being buii tinuing under the power of death tor a tin Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Chi J. Christ's exaltation consNteth in his lifting again I the dead on the third day1, in ascending up into in sitting at the right hand of God the Father*, and in doming t<> judge the world at the la>t da\ Q 29 // . rHeb. xii.2. I.ookiuir unto J, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that wa> jfore him, endured the cross, de- fine, and is set down at the ri^ht hand of the throne of rider him that endured such contradiction of sin- ners against himself, lest ye be [wearied and faint in your minds, ilsa. liii. lJ. For be shall grow up before i;im as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground : he hath no form nor comeliness ; iim, then y that we should d< IK- is and t< •• i Then i my I . ■ ■ I not leare my soul in bell Wilt thou Mltl'iT thi He ! • left in his (1 was buried, i d third d. tores. in- was i w heavenly pUm. ^ «hy itn 410 The Shorter Catechism. Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ ? A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us p by his Holy Spirit \ Q. SO. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ ? A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us r5 and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling5. Q. 31. What is effectual calling? A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit1, whereby, convincing gazing up into heaven ? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath or- dained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 29. PJohn i. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Ver. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. 1 Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; Ver. • 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 30. r Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were ealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ver. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. John vi. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Ver. 39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. sEph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith : that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, <%c. 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 31. '2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Thess. ii. 13* But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen VOU Tfte Shorter Catechism. 411 convincing us of our sin and misery \ enlightening minds in the knowledge of Chratw, and rei he doth persuade and enable us to embrace freely offered to us in the gospel >. Q.8& Wfcrt benefits do tkey that wre <;;; MeA ■partake of in this life A. They that are effectually called do in thi> litV par- take of justification2, adoption a. and nnctificstioo, the several benefits which in this life do either i or flow from them b. Q. S& What isjustifieatioi A. Justification i> an act of GocPl free uraee. wherrin pardoneth all out . and accepteth oa as rigfateOUl yon to salvation, thr . draw him n of tin' Spirit, and belief will raise him up of the truth: Ver. 1 I. Whereunto day. \Yr. 15. It i^ writt died you by our gospel, to htaininir of the dory of our Lord .1 ri>t. A ;:. Now when they beard this, they were pricked in f i < i said unto Peter, and to the real of the apoei md brethren, what snail ire their eyes, and to turn them from daik- propl .1 he all - that hath I unto me. Phil. ii. ] .{. ! God which irorketh in j to will and to do i pleMore Hum. vii whom be did predeatinat In* alto called ; neas to 1L m the power called, them they may and whom bejuetift moncr them which died by faith I jg. A new heart ll.so will I L'ive \mu. and a mil it will I put within \ and I will take away the Bf ieart out ur flesh. irill f oi ilt*sh. \ :d I will pllt spirit \* it hin you. in ni) Ktatul diall keer I U0 bkh also glorified. * Kph. i. :>. I: dren by -rood pl< i IB. 1 1 Cor. i. M. \ calln arlae nun lot many mi^ht) . not • i ailed \ • : and 9i Beit - ijraec. 412 The Shorter Catechism, his sight d, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us e, and received by faith alone f. Q. 34. What is adoption ? A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace g, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God h. Q. 35. What is sanctification ? A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace \ where- bv we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God* the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: Ver. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Rom. iv. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Ver. 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Ver. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. d2 Cor. v. 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ver. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. e Rom. v. 17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which re- ceive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Ver. 18. Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation ; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men to justifica- tion of life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners ; so by the obedi- ence of one shall many be made righteous. f Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have be- lieved in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law : for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteous- ness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. 34. s l John iii. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God ! there- fore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. h John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his| name. Rom. viii. 17. And if children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 35. ^Thess. ii. 13.— God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of The Shorter Catechism. Godk, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness1. Q. 36. What are the benefit h in th pany or flaw from justification* adot A. The benefits which in this life do accompany <»r fl from justification, adoption, and sanctiticar nee of God's love, peace of conscience*, joy in tin 1 1* »l\ ( I increase of grace0, and perseverance then Q. 37. What benefits do it lit i death t A. The BOllls of believers are at their (hath mad. in holiness, and do immediately pass into of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. ph. iv. '23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind ; Ye; And that ye pot on the new man, which after God is ereated in i leOUSneH and true holiness. Id jiii. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into ; that like as Christ was 1 up from the dead by the ■Ory of the i'at i M W€ also should walk in Dei Knowing this, that our old man is eraeitied with him, that the body of -in mi-ht . that henceforth we sin. 111 Horn. v. 1. T beinLT justified by frith, with God through our I ai>t: Vi \ iiom faith into herein s II hope ill the .. \ i n I hope maketh •dlanied; Ihv.iiim- the love of abroad in our hearts by the Holy I unto ns. r the k A meat and drink, hut riL'hteoutnesK, and peace, ami °Prov. iv. 1*. But i nf the JUS! is as the shhlil ihineth more the perfect d l John r. L& 1 • - I written imf believe on th< : that \e may I rnal lite, and thai may believe on the d. I P Who are kept by the p faith unto M tO be I in the la>t tin il* i asembrj the first-bon i-i h. ot all, and to the i| men made ; that, t.ibei not : the beavens, \ 1st vs, an at 1 N I -,\ , .i ,i \% iiiint: rachci t«» i*- absent fi , m .i tf having 414 The Sliorter Catechism. bodies, being still united to Christ s, do rest in their graves * till the resurrection v. Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection ? A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory w, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment x, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of Gody to all eternity z. Q. 39. What is the duty which God requireth of man? A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will a. Q. 40. What having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him. Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. s 1 Thess. iv. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1 Isa. lvii. 2. He shall enter into peace ; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. v Job xix. 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God : Ver. 27. Whom I shall see for my- self, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me. 38. V 1 Cor. xv. 43. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory : it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. xMat. xxv. 23, His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Mat. x. 32. Who- soever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. y 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 Cor. xiii. 12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part ; but then shall I know even as also I am known. z 1 Thess. iv. 17. Then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Ver. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 39. a Micah vi. 8. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 1 Sam. xv. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt- offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams. 40. bRom. The Shorter Catechism. 4i.; Q. 40. What did God at jhrei I to man for tlu ruU of his obedience ? A. The rule which God at first revealed t<> man for obedience, was the moral lav. (*). 41. Where is the moral law sum warily comprehended? A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in ten commandment- . Q, 4i2. What is the sum of the ten commandment A. The sum of the ten commandment! is, To \m Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mkiI, with all our strength, and with all our mind ; and our neighbour at pnrselw Q. 48. What is tlte pre/ace to the ten indmenU A. The preface to the ten conimandmrnt> i> in these words, / am the Lord tic, which tan Jmmghi : of the land ofEt, out of the house of bondage*. (*). 44. What d>th the preface to the ten commau k us? A. The preface to the ten commandments teachdh at, That because God is the Lord, and our God, and ; mer, therefore we are hound to keep all his command- ments if). bKom. ii. 14 For when the Gentiles, which bare not Un- do l>y nature the thinirs contained in tin- law, these, baring ni»t the* llW, IW unto themselves : I i ',. Which shew the work <»t ■I law written in their bf "nscience also I Bess, unit their thoughts the m while One another. Hoin. \. Moses descriheth the t'm nets which is ot the law, That the man whit h doeth those things siiall live by them. 41. DeuL x* A \ 11 urote on the tables, accord i iLr. the I which the Lord ^pakt- unto in the mount, out «»! ti • the tire, in the da\ t o*- U IV Whuh aemblv : sad them unto inc. I.. Mat. unto him. Thou ..halt lore the i d with all thy heart, and with all thy M all thy mind. - the RlSfl ajad irreat eommaiMlmcfit. \ 1 the sseond is likr unto it, Thou *halt 1 iiiinin.nnliiiriit-. ham; all the law and the prophets* H i <*sM ■ unto US| that w«\ \*cmm SasmlsSi mi^t ? m r\r him without •oIiiwm aiMi fl . li r 416 The Sltorter Catechism. Q. 45. Which is ilie first commandment ? A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me g. Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment ? A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God h ; and to worship and glorify him accordingly \ Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment ? A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying k, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God \ and our God m ; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone n. Q. 48. What Brit as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all man- ner of conversation: Ver. 16. Be- cause it is written, Be ye holy ; for I am holy. Ver. 1 7. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth accord- ing to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. Ver. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain con- versation, received by tradition from your fathers: Ver. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 45. 8 Exod. xx. 3. 4-6. h 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind : for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imagina- tions of the thoughts : if thou seek him, he will be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Deut. xxvi. 17. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice. ^Iat. iv. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, arid* him only shalt thou serve. Psal. xxix. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name ; worship the Lord in the beautv of holiness. 47. k Psal. xiv. 1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God : they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. iRom. i. 21. Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thank- ful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. m Psal. lxxxi. 10. I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt; open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Ver. 11. But my people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me. n Rom. i. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and wor- shipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is. blessed The Shorts- C "i. 417 Q. 48. Wliat are zee specially taught by these wo . [before me] in the first command A. These word- [before r/n\ in the tir>t commandm teach us, That God, who seeth all thil -xt-th n< and is much displeased with, the no <>f having ani other God°. Q. 49. Which is the second ammemdm i A. The second commandment is Thou shalt not m< unto thee any graven it r am/ likeness "f any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth Uut or that is in the water uadtr the earth. Thou shaft not If to them, nor sera them ' ttu / am a jeal L visiting the iniquity ' u])>n the children unto the third and them that hate i/n ; and sh that I . and keep my commandmei I Q 50, What is required in the second A. The second commandment requireth the rving, and keeping pure and entii worship and ordinances as God hath appoin hi* wok: Q. 51. What is forbidden in thi A A Tl ih! commandiiii nt forbiddeth lh< Hissed them up unto viK- affection i en tin ir •i] did charier tin- nal use into that which ii sg said into roe, Son si man, lift up t\i i now tin- a a] the north. S i I ip mine i In- w;i\ i the ii' behold, northward, at the tlt.tr, this ^HptiNy in tin- i-ntr\ Hi* said furtht unto me, SoO of nest than arhafl tl the graafl sbominationi the house of Israel committed) here, that I shoo <»il from uutuai v r Hut turn I iitd thou ( And ■ unto .til I ' BM ttu'in to obsenre l ami. lo. I - \ .*ii! in breaking 418 The Shorter Catechism. ping of God by images r, or any other way not appointed in his word s. Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second com- mandment ? A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us fc, his propriety in us v, and the zeal he hath to his own worship w. Q. 53. Which is the third commandment? A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : Jbr the Lord wiU not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain \ Q. 54. What 51. rDeut. iv. 15. Take ye there- fore good heed unto yourselves, (for ye saw no manner of simili- tude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:) Ver. 16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the like- ness of male or female; Ver. 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air ; Ver. 1 8. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth : Ver. 19. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole hea- ven. Exod. xxxii. 5- And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made pro- clamation, and said, To-morrow is a feast to the Lord. Ver. 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I com- manded them : they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacri- ficed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. sLeut. xii. 31. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God : for every abomination to the Lord which he hateth have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. Ver. 32. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. 52. tPsal. xcv. 2. Let us come before his presence with thanks- giving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Ver. 3. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Ver. 6. O come, let us worship and bow down ; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. vPsal. xlv. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty : for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him, w Exod. xxxiv. 13. But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. Ver. 14. For thou shalt worship no other god : for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. 53. x Exod. kx. 7. 54. r Mat, The Shorter Catechism. 4K« Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment f A. The third commandment required] the holv and reverend use of God's names7, titles** attributes*, ordi- nances1*, word c, and works4. Q4 55. What is forbidden in the third command A. The third commandment forbiddeth all proftpfaiK lr abusing of any tiring whereby God msketn himself k fl'JWII 5*. * Mat vi. 9. After this man- ner therefore pray ye : Our Fa- ther which art in heaven; Hal- 1 be thy name. Dent. xxviii. 56. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this hook, that thou ma\ this glorious and d name, THF LORD THY GOD.— • PssL lxviii. i. Sing unto I sing praises to his name : extol him that rideth DpOQ tin* bet I by his name J AH, and rejoice before him. * K '.. And they soul' of Mo* I \ ant of * and the King of the Lam1', saying, marvelloufl are thy work-. Lord God Almighty; just and true sre thj m ays, thou K § of saints, v a i. Who shall fear thee, ( > Lord, and gl thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nation! aha)] come and nip before thee ; for thy i arc made man' Mil. L 11. For from tl of th< unto t! ol tin* sail!' among the Gentiles, and ae shall be I unto my name and i purr ottering : for my name shall Ik? great among the heathen, - Bui 1 he the . * huh I in his tl -.lr, and and aacrifioeth unto the I H corrupt thh,_ | great King, smith I my name M dreadful amui . ben. D praise thee with my whole hear praise thee. Ver. . war- >raise thy : kindness, truth : . hast • • all thy nan d Job \ thou m work, * men - \l d. . I. a - DtUsmai if then 1 DC mini* honour? and i; I he a mas- • ! ! of hosts in,! that despise my nai \ N«*tay, rein ham nam*' ' \ < ■ N utetl bread upon min. say, When I of me Lord hi ooi that is polluted, .i .tm! I n A hf. > o 420 The Shorter Catechism. Q. 56. W/iat is the reason annexed to the third command- ment ? A. The reason annexed to the third commandment, is, That however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment f. Q. 57. Which is the fourth commandment ? A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbatli- day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work : but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any zvork, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-day, and hallowed it g. Q. 58. WJiat is required in the fourth commandment ? A. The fourth commandment required] the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word ; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself h. Q. 59. Which them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Mai. iii. 14.. Ye have said, It is vain to serve God ; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts ? 56. f 1 Sam. ii. 12. Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial, they knew not the Lord. Ver. 17. Wherefore the sin of the young- men was very great before the Lord ; for men abhorred the offer- ing of the Lord. Ver. 22. Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the taber- nacle of the congregation. Ver. 29. Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice, and at mine offering which I have commanded in my habitation, and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chief- est of all the offerings of Israel my people? 1 Sam. iii. 13. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. Deut. xxviii. 58. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; Ver. 59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sick- nesses, and of long continuance. 57. eExod. xx. 8—11. 58. h Deut. v. 12. Keep the sab- bath-day to sanctify it, as the Lord The Shorter Catechism. Q. 59. Which da?/ of the seven hath God Wppoimttd to U the weekly sabbath f A. From the beginning of the world to the murred of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the ueek to be the weekly sabbath; and the tir>t day of the m .since, to continue to the end of the world, whieh i> the Christian sabbath l. (J. (>0. How U the sabbath to be mmcHJU A. The sabbath i> to be sanctified by a holy resli that day k, even from such worldly employment* lions as are lawful on other days1; and sp a the Lord thy God liath commanded thee. \\i. 13. Six day> thou lhalt labour, and do all thy work : I 1 t. Hut the -eveiith day is the sabbath of the Lord thy ( • in it thou shaft not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy da ,or thy man-servant, nor thy niaid-M-rvant, nor thine ox. thine ass, nor any of thy eattle, nor thy i that is within thy gatet; that thy man-servant and thy inaid->e: vant ;:. I 11 as thou. I .en. ii. ft And on the th day God ended his work i he had made ; and he rested on t from all his WOrk which he had made. Vi And God Messed the .seventh and sanctified it ; because t; it In- had rested from all his work, i God created ami n \ i. l. Now, < oncerning oJlection foi I \ Up hi the firs! da) ol the week, of you la) b) him in h |)ros|M.Ttti him, th.u there l>e u<» i \nti upon the . oi tin at hen the disci | to break I, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the marrow, ami continued his Bneadl until midni. member Mlbbatb-il keep it holy. 10. But in it thou, nor thy | | \vi. 26. And unto the I find it in n the the s.(l in it there shall I • |Kl>S, th.it their ' OUt SOU the >, venth ! Motei 1 1 ■ il niannri on the >a! eftta rain? h brought fish, and ail 422 The Shorter Catechism. whole time in the publick and private exercises of God's worship"1, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy n. Q. 61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment ? A. The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required °, and the pro- faning ner of wares, and sold on the sab- bath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Ver. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath-day ? Ver. 18. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city ? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. Ver. 19. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I com- manded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sab- bath : and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath-day. Ver. 21. Then I tes- tified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall ? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. Ver. 22. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanc- tify the sabbath-day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. m Luke iv. 16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and stood up for to read. Acts xx. 7. And upon the first day of the week, own example, and his blessing the sabbath-dj Q. A& Which Is the fifth commandment t A* The fifth commandment i-. Honour thy father and mofht r ; that thij day* ma// he kmg Wp huh tfw Lord thy God givetk the Q 64 W ' Acts xx. 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the diseipUs together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, n to depart on the morrow \ and continued Ml | until mid- night. Ver. 9. And there sit in a window a certain young man ?d Eutycbus, being fallen into ep sleep ; and as Paul was preaching, he sunk «: with sleep, and fell down I fee third lott, and wm taken up : this they have done unto DM : th<-y defiled my sanctuary in the rid have profaned my iths. r dcr. xvii \Md it shall some to pass, it' ye diligently hearken unto roe, ssith the to bring in no burden through the Of thil city on the sabbath-day, but hallow the sabbath-day, to do no ill there into the gates of thii es Bitting upon tin- throne i i, lid'n.. and on ihfii princes, the m< and the inhal and this city shaJl remain for ever. V, come from t .dah, and from the places about J salem, and from the land Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the uns, ami from the south, bringing bnrnt- orTerings, and sacrifices, and meat- nll'.-ri it. I>a. • If thotl torn away thy | plea- my holy day. a delic of the I <:d. and shalt honour thine tOf fimlinc tl I all work. the Lord made heafcw and rarth, the *ea, .f.A all i ! 1 -* 14 * Eph. 424 The Shorter Catechism. Q. 64. What is required in the fifth commandment ? A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors w, inferiors", or equals y. Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment ? A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honour and duty which be- longeth to every one in their several places and relations z. Q. 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment? A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God^ glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment a. Q. 67. Which is the sixth commandment ? A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill b. Q. 68. What 64. w Eph. v. 21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. xl Fet. ii. 17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. y Horn. xii. 10. Be kindly affec- tioned one to another with bro- therly love; in honour preferring one another. 65. zMat. xv. 4. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Ver. 5. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift by what- soever thou mightest be profited by me, Ver. 6. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the com- mandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ezek. xxxiv. 2. Sou of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves ! should not the shepherds feed the flocks ? Ver. 3. Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool ; ye kill them that are fed ; but ye feed not the flock, Ver. 4. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which, was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Rom, xiii. 8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that lov- eth another hath fulfilled the law. 66. aDeut. v. 16. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be 'prolonged, and that it may go well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Eph. vi. 2. Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise ;) Ver. 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 67. bExod. xx. 13. 68* c Eph. The Shorter C Q. ()H. What is required in the sixth commandmeii: A. The sixth commandment required) all lawful « leavours to preserve our own lifec, ami tt. ■th ers 4 ij. 09. What is forbidden in th A. The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking ir own life, or the life of our neighbour unjust -. rbat soever tendeth thereunto e. (<). 70. Which is the seventh i tmmandme\ A. The seventh commandment is, 1 wmt ululterij f. Q. 71. What is required in th- A. The seventh commandment required! the |>r ion of our own and our neighbour1? t\. in lu-irt. h, and behaviour8. y 78 Wkai ph. v. 88. S ight men o love their own wives u their »\\!i be that loveth hi^ loveth himself. Ver. • hated his own lesh ; but nourisbeth and tlic Lord the •hutch. d l Kings iriii. i. 1 <>r it was be! cut <>ii' the pro- of the Lord, that Obadiah an hundred prophi I iid them by fifty in and ed them with bread and ■•■■ But 1 u it ii a loud voice, SB) Do t: I harm ; fol dl here, i m n. i.\. «•. \N h« •-« > tetk man'i bfc mm blood be shed : far in 1 made he I 70. 1 k 71.1 i or, mi .' \eveilhe- lete, to ion, let . in. in have his own v mil let every woman h.i\ e her iu.mu.ih I unto the ben.evol( uid likewise ■ ■ other ' it DC ■ itfa i "tistSll yours tempt roil I ditii . and a virgin. 1 wroni th loi I the Lord, that - holy both in 1 l « r bulb r. 36. Hut that be I i arnr. < il t.» .. 426 The Shorter Catechism. Q. 72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment ? A. The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions11. Q. 73. Which is the eighth commandment ? A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal1. Q. 74. What is required in the eighth commandment f A. The eighth commandment requireth the lawful pro-> curing and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others k. Q. 75. What 72. hMat. xv. 19. For out of any case bring them again unto the heart proceed evil thoughts, thy brother. Ver. 2. And if thy murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphe- mies. Mat. v. 28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her al- ready in his heart. Eph. v. 3. But fornication, and all unclean- ness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becom- eth saints : Ver. 4. Neither filthi- ness, nor foolish talking, nor jest- ing, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. 73. iExod. xx. 15. 74. k Gen. xxx. 30. For it was Tittle which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude ; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also ? brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own, house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after ity and thou shalt restore it to him again. Ver. 3. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass, and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost things of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise : thou mayest not hide' thyself. Ver. 4. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt sure- ly help him to lift them up again. Ver. 5. The woman shall not wear- that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment : for all that do j ] Tim. v. 8. But if any provide so are abomination unto the Lord not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Lev. xxv. 35. And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him ; yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner ; that he may live with thee. Deut. xxii. 1. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them : thou shalt in thy God. Exod. xxiii. 4. If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. Ver. 5. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. Gen. xlvii. 14. And Joseph ga- thered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought : and Joseph The Sk ' chism. MJ Q. 75. Wliat is forbidden in th mmcmdmti A. The eighth commandment farbiddetli what oth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbou palth or outward estate1. <<). 76. Which is the ninth A. The ninth commandment is, T - tUe v against thy neighbour ,m. (t). 77. Whai m required in the ninth com&mimmt? A. The ninth commandment required) tin- maint nd promoting of truth between man and man \ Kir own and our Iritness- bearing p. neigJ ilxmr* name ei .ili\ in Q. 78. Whai is forbidden in the ninth eornmmtdmm A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth wbatao prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own oc our m-: tour's good nameq. Q. 79. Which is the tenth A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shult m ' fhy house, thou shall not covet nor [oseph brought the money into J). And !i bought all the land of t for Pharaoh ; for the Krptians sold evrry man ■<■ t)u* famine i it tht m : so the land e Pharai 75. lProv. XXI. 17. He that •th p] ,i poor n ie that loveth wine and oil ihaJJ lot he rich. IV lot among vrine-bibtx offlcth. \ he drunkard and the glutton -hall ana diownineaa ihall dothe a n m with rags. that till* th lis land shall have p!« nty of bi - mt f. uch. I t him tl but rather let him ina with his hands he thing which is goodj I he may have to him that 16. ye every man tht truth t ir ; exscuts lbs ot truth and pea* IT gates. I John, \ hath good rssissl <>t all men, and «»t the truth al*u liear ree«- ft know that I I \ • . • ness will not lie i hut a falas * 1 Sam. xvii. ¥*. And Kttab IdsJl hfothsr heard m\u spake tint . am anger wa> 1 againat 1 A 428 The Shorter Catechism,. nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing' that is thy neighbours r. Q. 80. What is required in the tenth commandment ? A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition % with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his1. Q. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment ? A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontent- ment with our own estate v, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour w, and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his x. Q. 82. h hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness ? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. Lev. xix. 16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people ; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour : I am the Lord. Psal. xv. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 79. rExod. xx. 17. 80. s Heb. xiii. 5. Let your con- versation be without covetousness ; and be content with such things as ye have : for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 1 Tim. vi. 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. c Job xxxi. 29. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him. Rom. xii. 15. Re- joice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 1 Tim. i. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good con- science, and of faith unfeigned. 1 Cor. xiii. 4. Charity surFereth long, and is kind ; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Ver. 5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,; thinketh no evil ; Ver. 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in I the truth ; Ver. 7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 81. v 1 Kings xxi. 4-. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased, because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him : for he had said, I will not give thee the inherit- ance of my fathers ; and he laid him down upon his bed, and turn- ed away his face, and would eat no bread. Esther v. 13. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. I Cor. x. 10. Neither murmur ye, as some oi them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. w Gal. v. 26. Let us not be de- sirous of vain- glory, provoking one another, envying one another. James iii. 14. But if ye have bittej envying and strife in your hearts glory not, and lie not against tht truth. Ver. 16. For where envy- ing and strife is, there is con- fusion, and every evil work. x Rom. vii. 7. What shall w< say then ? Is the law sin ? G« forbid The Shorter CatcJusm. 4 20 Q. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the comma' nents of God? A. No mere man since the fall i> able in this JifV perfe o keep the commandments of God y, but doth daily hr .hem in thought, word, and deed z. Q. 83. An
t man was . in the earth, ai:il that e\ rinati heart wai only evil contim a sweet savour -aid in bia hi art. I v* ill not ... curse the ground 1 - sake : for the anacii Ot 1! "a : neither will I swa any mora every 1 a* I I \ in no a we hav« WS and I that th< I I. Jaine* things we oti ■ to bridl ■ 1 /« k. Hi *aid fur- nore in I of man, seest th« -rael oonnn; that I brbid. Nay, I had not known sin )Ut by the law ; for I had not .•xeept the law had ( do the d. - H >t turn thee yet agaii . tin-- >et afa thou "halt Ht greater ■basnhia me, lla»t thou 430 The Shorter Catechism, Q. 84. What doth every sin deserve? A. Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come b. Q. 85. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin f A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life c, with the diligent use of all the outward means where- by Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption d. Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ ? A, Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace e, whereby wet receive again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 1 John v. 16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death : I do not say that he shall pray for it. Psal. lxxviii. 17. And they sin- ned yet more against him, by pro- voking the most High in the wil- derness. Ver. 32. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. Ver. 56. Yet they tempted and provoked the most High God, and kept not his testimonies. 84. b £ph. v. 6. Let no man de- ceive you with vain words : for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Lam. iii. 39. Where- fore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand/ Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 85. cActs xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks> repentance toward God, and faith: toward our Lord Jesus Christ. d Prov. ii. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee ; Ver. 2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Ver. 3. Yea, if thou criest after know- ledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; Ver. 4. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures ; Ver. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Prov. viii. 33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Ver. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watch- ing daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Ver. 35. For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Ver. 36. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Isa. lv. 3. Incline your ear, and come unto me : hear, and your soul shall live ; and I wiU make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 86. e Heb. x. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto per- dition ; The Shorter Catechism. 431 ve and rest upon him alone for salvation, as m\ .^ offered to un in the ur"v)>elf. Q. 87. Whai A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace*, whereby a a sinner, out of a true if his no \ and apprehei the mercy of G d in Christ1, doth, with gn of his sin, turn from it unto God \ with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience1. Q » What every on, c 0f of the l i Joel 11. ) - Fh nihil m1*o now, with the Loid, turn ye even M with all your bf with and with moumj K.-turn, w bftt •.. ■ a; id I will heal your bat k art iht Loid a \\i. L& 1 have surely nhraim bemoan i hast chmM and 1 a> a bul customed to v. thou ■ thou art I was turned, I i that I was fasti upon m\ I wan asha did ben eproach ihalJ ways, and \ (Ml iition ; but of them that beli to the of the soul. hn i. 12. But as many as vtd him, to them gave he power to become the sons of (i<>d, even to them that believe on hi< Isa. xxvi. 3. Thou wilt him in per; hose mind i d on thee : because be trusteth in tlu ••. Ver. k Trust ye in the Lord for i r in JEHOVAH is everlast- _th. Phil. iii. 9. And be U){i:t<\ in him, not having mine ISOeei which i* of the law, but that which is through t, tile I _ ness which rod l>> faith, that a man be works iw, but by the laith ot .Jesus -'.. even we have beli. I » d in I be lied by the laith u of the I aw .shall no flesh be justified. When ' heard tin eld their peact I stance onto when * beard this, they were pricked in .r>t ot the sp I we unto them, Kepent, 432 The Shorter Catechism. Q. 88. What are the outward means whereby Christ cornmunicateth to us the benefits of redemption , ? A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ cornmunicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer ; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation m. Q. 89- How is the word made effectual to salvation ? A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especial- ly the preaching of the word, an effectual means of con- vincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation". Q. 90. How God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand, the reading. 1 Cor. xiv. 24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. Ver. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest ; and so, falling what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge ! in all things ye have approved yourselves to he clear in this matter. Isa. i. 16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil; Ver. 17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the op~ pressed, judge the fatherless, plead down on his face, he will worship for the widow. 88. m Mat. xxviii. 1 9. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : Ver. 20. Teach- ing them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you al- way, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Acts ii. 4.2. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Ver. 46. And they, con- tinuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and single- ness of heart, Ver. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 89. n Nehem. viii. 8. So they God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inherit- ance among them which are sanc- tified by faith that is in me. Psal. xix. 8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the LoYd is pure, enlightening the eyes. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning ; that we. through patience and comfort of the scrip- tures, might have hope. 2 Tim. Hi. 15. And that from a child read in the book in the law of thou hast known the holy scrip- 24 tures, The Shorter Catechism. Q. 90 How is the word to be read and heard, : nay become effectual to sahation ? A. That the word may become effectual to -alvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence0, prvpar . md prayer q; receive it with faith and love r, lav it up )ur hearts8, and practise it in our lives1. Q. 91. How do the -sacraments become effectual meam salvation ? A. The sacraments become effectual meanfl of salvati not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth admim the tures, which are able to make i>ee wise unto salvation, through aith which is in Christ .1- wer. 16. All scriptur . by inspiration ofGod, aiul i< profit- able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righ- - ; Ver. 17. That the man fbe perfect, through- y furnished unto all good work-. Horn, x. \.i. For irhoaoeYer shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ver. 1 k How then .shall they call on him in whom nave not believed ? and how >hall they believe in him of whom have not hrard } and how shall they hear without a preach- er? \Yr. i '>. And bow shall th.y preach except they be sent? as written, Hon boatltifil] Kie feet of them that preach the and bring L'lad tiding <»t good thin. I '>. Hut they ha\f n<,t all obeyed the gospel, i saith, Lord, who hath believed our rq i ; . So 1 •: Faith snath by and h-aiiiiL' by tin* w al ( I L 16. Pot I am ! of tin ! Of Christ : tor it i* t unto that wth, t<> th.' .lew 1: aUo to the I 90. Pi v Blew the man that heareth me, watch- ing daily at my _ the posts of my p l Pet. ii. i. Win lay- ing aside all roali and hypocrisies and all evil-speak born babes, deSJUl milk of the word, that ye n;:iv gTOW thereby. PsaL mine that I may behold wondrous things out ol thy law. r lleh. H • -• Pot unto jin was the ifospel | : as \m-11 ai unto them : but the word pn ed did not profit them, net iiiLr mixed with faith in them I The- ii. 1 with all deceivablene- -ness in them that because they received not the of the truth, that tiny might be v word ! I hid in min. i not ^in aLMin-t I I .'ike \ in. I V B iiid art an h heart, hav- baard I and brii tience lioso th into | Uw of liber: I a forgetful hearer. 434 The Shorter Catechism. them ; but only by the blessing of Christ v, and the work- ing of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them w. Q. 92. What is a Sacrament ? A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers x. Q. 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament? A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism ?, , and the Lord's supper z. Q. 94. What is baptism ? A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost3, doth but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 91. v 1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the fiesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mat. iii. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear ; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. 1 Cor. iii. 6. I have planted, A polios watered ; but God gave the increase. Ver. 7. So then, neither is he that plant- eth any thing, neither he that watereth ; but God that giveth the increase. w 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 92. x Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an ever- lasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Ver. 10. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy seed after thee ; Every man-child among you shall be circumcised. Exod. xii. throughout. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 93. y Matth. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. z Matth. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. Ver. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, say- ing, Drink ye all of it : Ver. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. 9 1. a Matth. xxv iii. 1 9. £See in letter 7 J] b Rom. The Shorter Catechism. doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and par- taking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's*. Q. 95. To whom is baptitm to be admimuL A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that arv out of the visible church, till the? profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to himc ; but the infants of such as are mem- bers of the visible church are to be baptised Q. 96. What is the L< r? A. The LonTta supper is a sacrament, wherein, and receiving bread and wine, accorditi ap- itment, his death is -hewed forth; and the worth] er> are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but bv faith, made partakers of b \ and blood, with all his benefit-, to their spiritual nourishment, aiul growth in Q 97. W b Rom. vi. \. Then btried with him bj baptism into . : that, like a< Christ was raised up from the dead by the i we ild walk in in ■•■ von u hare h ten baptized intu Chri-t. have put on Christ \nd, a> they on their way, they came unto and the eunueh doth hinder me to !><■ banti Philip >aid, It thou heliereet with all thine heart, thou muyesL And he answered and tsid, I Then V unto them, Rep< nt, and be Ml in Iks nam- missi the -rt ol the Holy Gho i ;•». | || I .lis,- is mtO and to youi children, and to all the I. xvii. I .!. ii. u. l • eum. ide without ; putting off the body oJ tfa the flesh by the circumi - Christ : \ Buried \\ it:. in baptism ■ wherein all risen with him, t of the operation i who hath raised him from the dead, l vii. 1 \. I . ng hut- • lied by the w the unbelieving wife is >. by tin- husband ; else \\ ■ children uuelean, but now an h l\ . ! also I di unto yon. That the ! in which be was b*t bread : Vei \ \ ike it. 436 The Shorter Catechism. Q. 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lords supper f A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord's supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's bodyf, of their faith to feed . upon him g, of their repentance h, love *, and new obedience k ; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves1. Q. 98. What is prayer ? A, Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto Godm, for things agreeable to his willn, in the name of Christ0, with confession of our sinsp, and thankful acknowledg- ment of his mercies q. Q. 99. What After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, say- ing, This cup is the new testament in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the com- munion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 97. f 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Ver. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. s 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Examine your- selves, whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves : know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates ? h 1 Cor. xi. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of bless- ing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Ver.17. Forwe being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. k 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out there- fore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unlea- vened. For even Christ our pass- over is sacrificed for us: Ver. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wicked- ness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 1 Cor. xi. 28, 29. £See in letter fr\ 98. m Psal. Ixii. 8. Trust in him at all times ; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. n 1 John v. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in hinr that if we ask any thing accord- ing to his will, he heareth us. 0 John xvi. 23. And in that daj ye shall ask me nothing. Verily verily, I say unto you, Whatso- ever ye shall ask the Father in mj name, he will give it you. p Psal. xxxii. 5. I acknowledg- ed my sin unto thee, and min< iniquity The Shorter Cateelu 437 Q.99. What rule hath Godgivmfbr ourdireethm In arm A. The whole word of God is of IBM to direct 11a in prayer r; but the special rule of direction fa that : [prayer which Christ taught his di~ mmonly cat The Lords Prayer s. Q.100. What doth the prefaa qftk I u*t A. The preface of the Lord's pnm (which 1,0 i which art in heaven1) teacneth Ui to draw near to [God with all holv reverence and confidence, as cfaildreo a father, able and ready to help u> % ; antl that M ihould pray frith and for others w. Q. 101. What do wcprayjbr in (he first p I A. In the first petition (which is, Hall icedbe thy nam we pray, That God would enable us and otl rifv him in all that whereby he maketh himself known • ; anil that he would dispose all things to his Q. 102, 1: iniquity have I not hid : I said, I will confess my transgressions unto tin- Lord : and thou I rt the lity of 11: Selah. V< For this shall every one that u - ly pray unto thee in a time when aid: surely in the floods of great watt r- they snail not niLrh unto him. Dan. i And I prayed unto the Lord my 'if«.'>-ion, and O Lord, the m at and dread- ful God, keeping l yto them that love him, and to them that keep hb< ommandm Phil careful tor no- : hut in e\ try thing bf | er and luppli Et yoiu re j'.' iti ' low n ir rl John \. 1 1. And I e that W€ have in him, if ire ask sny thing accord Kng will, he litanth u>. *.M After t ner there! pared wiA Lulu ul M said unto ihrm, When 100. <: 9. % Horn. viii. undage again ur: hut ye have received the Spirit oi i . evil, k: • then, how much nun. - heavenly Tallin Spirit to tl tar therefore was kept in , hut prayer was unto I exhort then I *. tirst of all, RtppUcadons, ■ for all that a: that ,.t> lead in all god r - .:. my may health among all 1 438 The Shorter Catechism, , Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition ? A. In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come*) we pray, That Satan's kingdom may be destroyed b ; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced6, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in itd; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened e. Q. 103. What do we prayjbr in the third petition ? A. In the third petition (which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven*) we pray, That God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things *, as the angels do in heaven h. Q. 104. What do we prayjbr in the fourth petition ? A, In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this day our daily 102. aMatth. vi. 10. b Psal. lxviii. 1. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered : let them also that hate him flee before him. Ver. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity cap- tive: thou hast received gifts for men ; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. c Rev. xii. 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ : for the ac- cuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Ver. 1 1 . And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. d2 Thess. iii. 1. Finally, bre- thren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it is with you. Rom. x. 1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. John xv ii. 9. I pray for them : I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me ; for they are thine. Ver. 20. Nei- ther pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. • Rev. xxii. 20. He which testi- fieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly ; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 103. f Matth. vi. 10. spsal. lxvii. throughout. Psal. cxix. 36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetous- ness. Mat. xxvi. 39. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me : nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 2 Sam. xv. 25. And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city : if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his habitation. Job i. 21. And (Job) said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither : the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. h Psal. ciii. 20. Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in strength, that The Shorter Catechism. 431) daily bread') we pray, That of God's free ^ift we I receive a competent portion of the good t this life, and enjoy his blearing with them k. (t). 105. Wlar m the fifth jntition? A. In the fifth petition (which is, A forgive us i debts, OS wejbrgivt our debtors1) we pra t God, fioe Christ's sake, would freely pardon all OUT >ins!:'; which \w are the rather encouraged to ask, because by hi> porao are enabled from the heart to forgive others". (<). 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petUi A. In the sixth petition (which is And lead US N temptation, but deliver us from eiil°) we pray, That I would that do His commandments, hear- kening unto the voice of his word. I . rd, all ye his h ministers of* his that do his pleasure. 104. J.Matth. vi. 11. Pror. x.\ ^ Remove far vanity and lies ; give neither poverty nor ri DM with food convenient tor Lett I be full, and citny thee, nd ny, w ho ia the Lord »r, and Steal, and take the rod in vain. ( ieu. xxvii. d Jacob 1 a von . If God will .th me, and will keep me in this way that 1 nd will [ nir 1 1 read to eat, and raiment to put on. 1 Tim. iv. 1. 1 creat I iod ii good, and thin^ to be i it it be 1 with thanksgh ing : \ \ ' i- sanctified DJ td of and praj OS; Matth. vi. 1 .'. PsaL li. l. H thy 1<»\- iriLr-kindneS8: according unto the multitude of th\ t« nd. i blot out my transgressions. V« li me tl from mine iniquity, and deal n my sin. \'er. 7. Punre me with sop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I >hall be whiter than ■KMT. I m li Iliile thy face from my sins, and blot out all inim (juiti i ; . \ 1 « . :. hear thou the prayer of thy servant, and his sup* plications thine upon thy sanctua: desolate, tor the Lord's sake. incline thine ear, anil I pan thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by tl tor we do not present our su; is |)it()I, omncaec r thy ami roer- i l Lord, 1 er not for it s.ikc () my God : and thy |>co| ailed SJ Luke m. i. And forgive US Mat. m? shall heav. nl> lather i\o a\^* UTltO \.»u. r hearts (otigkwr .is brother thsir 1 I 440 The Shorter Catechism. 3vould either keep us from being tempted to sin p, or sup- port and deliver us when we are tempted q. Q. 107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us ? A. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer (which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen1) teacheth us to take our encouragement in pray- er from God only8, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him1. And, in PMatth. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into tempta- tion : the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. « 2 Cor. xii. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Ver. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 107. rMatth. vi. 13. s Dan. ix. 4. And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments. Ver. 7. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have tres- passed against thee. Ver. 8. O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Ver. 9. To the Lord our God belong mer- cies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him. Ver. 16. 0 Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Ver. 17. Now there- fore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplica- tions, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is deso- late, for the Lord's sake. Ver. 18. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and be- hold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name : for we do not present our supplica- tions before thee for our righte- ousnesses, but for thy great mer- cies. Ver. 19. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God : for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. 1 1 Chron. xxix. 10. Where- fore David blessed the Lord be- fore all the congregation : and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Ver. 11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty : for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is The Shorter Cateeh ism . 441 10 testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard. I say, Amen v. is thine; thine is the kingdom, thou shalt bless with the Spi- O Lord, and thou art exalted as rit, how shall lie that » head above all. Ver. 12. Both pieth the room of the unh riches and honour come of thee, ed say A t thy g and thou reignest over all; and than' in thine hand is power and might; eth not what thou sayes: and in thine hand is to make xxii. 20. He v h these great, and to give strength unto things saith, Surely I all. Ver. 13. Now therefore, our ly; Amen. Even SO, God, we thank thee, and praise JeSUS. Vet, 21. The gn« glorious name. Lord Jesus Christ he H ith 1 Cor. xiv. 16. Else, when Amen. THE TEN COMMAND!! cod. xx. GOD spake all these wo inff, I an the Lord I have brought thee out of the land of I Hit of thi I. Thou shah hare no other god^ me. II. Thou shah not make unto thee any graven iinaire. Of any | I Hess of any thiiiLr that is in heaven above, or that is in t heath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt i down thyself to them, nor serve them: far 1 the Lord I dous God, visiting the iniquity of the father* unto the third and fourth veneration of then I Ing mercy unto thousands of then that 1<<\ eommandmei III. Thou shalt not take ti I for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name I IV. Remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy. - labour, and do all thy work: Hut the .seventh bath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou >halt I nor thy son, nor thy dai thy roan sen nor thy cattle, nor thy Stranger that is within thy tfatesu ! . days the Lord made hi\i\vn mid earth, the sea, tod the seventh daj : wh Lord blessed I tabbath-dajj and hallowed it. \. Honour thj father and thy iimf :t thy d. ''*1£ Upon the land which the Lord thy ( I th thee. vi. Thou shall not kill. V 1 1. Thou shalt not commit ndulti • VIII. Th. u shall i: • • l\. Thou shalt not bear false witness Stfa in- 1 thy n« . \ Thou shalt not covet thy ncL'hh hour's w ife, nor hi- i or his u 442 The Shorter Catechism. THE LORD'S PRAYER. Matth. vi. OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. THE CREED. I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and, earth ; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered un- der Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: * 1. 1. continued he descended into hell * ; the third day he arose again dneadh,e a?? under from the dead ; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on S!thewtehirdfdday!th the right nana" of G°d tne Father Almighty, from; thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholick church; the communion of saints ; the forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of the body ; and the life everlasting. Amen. SO much of every question, both in the Larger and Shorter Cate- chism, is repeated in the answer, as maketh every answer an entire proposition or sentence in itself; to the end the learner may further improve it upon all occasions, for his increase in knowledge and piety, even out of the course of catechising, as well as in it. And albeit the substance of the doctrine comprised in that abridg- ment, commonly called The Apostles' Creed, be fully set forth in each of the Catechisms, so as there is no necessity of inserting the Creed itself; yet it is here annexed, not as though it were composed by the Apostles, or ought to be esteemed canonical scripture, as the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, (much less a prayer, as ignorant people have been apt to make both it and the Decalogue,) but because it is a brief sum of the Christian faith, agreeable to the word of God, and anciently received in the churches of Christ FINIS. THF SUM OF SAVING KNOWLEIX OR, A B B I E F >r U or CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, HOLY SCRIPTUR1 AND HOLDEM l ORTH W TH1 UD CONFESSION OF FAITH AND CATECHISM! ru PRACTICAL l FSB THI it! • Jon* dMtkat and him thu The CONTEXTS of the SUM of SAVING KNOW I Heads. I. Our woeful condition by na- ture. II. The remedy provided in Christ Jesus. III. The means provided in the covenant of grace. IV. The blessings conveyed by these means. The Use of Saving Knowledge. 1. For convincing of sin by the Jaw. H righteousness by the law. & Of judgment by the law. 4. For convincing of >in, righte- ousness, and judgment by the gospel. Of rignteousrieai to be had only by faith in Christ For strengthening a man's faith, Warrants and Mot ires to Btlieee. .'nation. l2. Ed earn est to be re- conciled. 3. \l\< command, charging ail to beli. \. Much assurance (-: en to belie?* / • ' - / nvictioii <>t the I i ob- lo keep the moral law. l2. T Ter pre rules of godliness ousness. bedience I m in the right channel oftahh he Iteepi commu- nion with I tain all grace and good works. era in faith >!>edieno these evidences. THE BUM OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE, &c The Sum of & Knowledge maybe taken up in t I. The woeful condition wherein '/ the com n pointed to mule them j I wh\ effectually conveyed unto I by them — u re set down cat h of them WWW) I woeful condition by mutt i \ni. [). ( ) Ism If tbou I' itroyed thj self I ^p«E almight} and eternal God, th< Father, tl - * and the Holy Ghost, thro distinct peraoos In tin and the same undivided ( • dlv infi ions, did, before tim , v, whats(x-ver lm in time; tod doth most h< 446 The Sum of Saving Knowledge. holily and infalliby execute all his decrees, without being partaker of the sin of any creature. II. This God, in six days, made all things of nothing, very good in their own kind : in special, he made all the angels holy; and he made our first parents, Adam and Eve, the root of mankind, both upright and able to keep ; the law written in their heart. Which law they were naturally bound to obey under pain of death ; but God was not bound to reward their service, till he entered into a covenant or contract with them, and their posterity in them, to give them eternal life, upon condition of perfect, personal obedience ; withal threatening death in case they should fail. This is the covenant of works. III. Both angels and men were subject to the change of their own free-will, as experience proved, (God having re- served to himself the incommunicable property of being naturally unchangeable:) for many angels of their own accord fell by sin from their first estate, and became devils. Our first parents, being enticed by Satan, one of these devils speaking in a serpent, did break the covenant of works, in eating the forbidden fruit ; whereby they, and their posterity, being in their loins, as branches in the root, and comprehended in the same covenant with them, be- came not only liable to eternal death, but also lost all abi- lity to please God ; yea, did become by nature enemies to God, and to all spiritual good, and inclined only to evil continually. This is our original sin, the bitter root of all our actual transgressions, in thought, word, and deed. HEAD II. The remedy provided in Jesus Christ for the elect by the covenant of grace. Hos. xiii. 9. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I. A LBEIT man, having brought himself into this woe- -"" ful condition, be neither able to help himself, nor willing to be helped by God out of it, but rather inclined to lie still, insensible of it, till he perish ; yet God, for the glory of his rich grace, hath revealed in his word a way to save sinners, viz. by faith in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, by virtue of, and according to the tenor of the covenant The Sum qf Saving Knoz.ud^c. \ ^ covenant of redemption, made and ■greed upon between God the Father and God the Son, in the council of the Trinity, before the world began. II. The sum of the covenant of redemri this: God having freely chosen unto life a certain Dumber of lost man- kind, for the glorv of hi** rich grace, did give th :'ore the world began, unto God the Son, appointed li ier, that, upon condition he would humble himself so far a- me the human nature, of a soul and a body, imt sonal union with his divine nature, and submit bin the law, as surety for them, and satisfy justice for tlu in, bj Lriv- thedience in their name, even unto the suffering of the cursed death of the CflOSS, he should random and red them all from sin and death, and purchase unto them righ- teousness and eternal life, with all saving graces 1 thereunto, to be effectually, bv means of hlfl own ap|>oint- ment, applied in due time to c\ erv one of them. This con- dition the Son of God (who n Jeaui Christ our Lord) did ►re the world began, and in the fulness of time came into the world, sras DOTH of th VvTQ jected himself to the law, and completely paid the i on t: Hut bv virtue of the foresaid bargain, made re the world began, he is in all age-, sinee the fall of Adam, still upon the work of appl\ : iallv the pur- phased benefit? unto the elect ; and that In* doth bv waj (Entertaining a covenant of free s on with them, through faith in bin by which covenant, he naki n believer a right and interest to him- self, and to all his blesstl III. For the accomplishment of this covenant of redes i, and making the ehrt partakers of the benefits thereof in the covenant - Christ Jesus was clad with the thret f,»ld oilier of Propht t, Prk it, and King asadaa P ,1 all saving knowledge t-» I to le them to h.-l. I obe\ the Her up himself a Bacrifi* it., m- ede continually with the Fatlu r. ptable to him; and macU K Ihem to hiniM If, • 1 rule them bj bis own app •rdiuan 1 to defend them from t 111 AD 448 The Sum of Saving Knowledge. HEAD III. The outward means appointed to make the elect partakers of this covenant, and all the rest that are called, to be in- excusable. Mat. xxii. 14. Many are called. I. npHE outward means and ordinances, for making men -*- partakers of the covenant of grace, are so wisely dispensed, as that the elect shall be infallibly converted and saved by them ; and the reprobate, among whom they are, not to be justly stumbled. The means are especially these four. 1. The word of God. 2. The sacraments. 3. Kirk- government. 4. Prayer. In the word of God preached' by sent messengers, the Lord makes offer of grace to all sinners, upon condition of faith in Jesus Christ ; and who- soever do confess their sin, accept of Christ offered, and submit themselves to his ordinances, he will have both them and their children received into the honour and privileges of the covenant of grace. By the sacraments, God will have the covenant sealed for confirming the bargain on the foresaid condition. By kirk-government, he will have them hedged in, and helped forward unto the keeping of the covenant. And by prayer, he will have his own glo- rious grace, promised in the covenant, to be daily drawn forth, acknowledged, and employed. All which means are followed either really, or in profession only, according to the quality of the covenanters, as they are true or counter- feit believers. II. The covenant of grace, set down in the Old Testa- ment before Christ came, and in the New since he came, is one and the same in substance, albeit different in outward administration : For the covenant in the Old Testament, being sealed with the sacraments of circumcision and the paschal lamb, did set forth Christ's death to come, and the benefits purchased thereby, under the shadow of bloody sacrifices, and sundry ceremonies : but since Christ came, the covenant being sealed by the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper, doth clearly hold forth Christ already crucified before our eyes, victorious over death, and the grave, and gloriously ruling heaven and earth, for the good of his own people. * F * HEAD The Sum of Saving Knoicledgc. 449 HEAD IV. The blessings which are effectually convey hcse means to the LorcVs elect , or chosen ones* Mat ixii. 1 k M I are called, but few arc chosen. [. "DY these outward ordinal* our Lord the -■-* reprobate inexcusable, so, by th< - rit, le applies unto the elect, effectually, all - et nur- shased to them in the covenant of redemption, and malceth i change in their persons. In particular. 1. He doth ( /ert or regenerate them, by giving spiritual life to them, in ipening their understandings, renewing their wills, afl ions, and faculties, for giving spiritual obedience to commands. 2. He gives them saving faith, by making th n the sense of deserved condemnation, I >ent heartily to the covenant ice, and to embrace J fus Christ unfeignedly. 8. II them r by naking them, with godly sorrow, in the hatred of an, and love of righteousness, turn from all iniquity to the i )f (iod. And, 1. He sanctifies them, by making them >n and persevere in faith and spiritual obedien the law >f God, manifested by fruitfulness in all duti . good works, as God offereth >n. II. Together with thi* inward thai changes also their , so soon as they are b ait h into the covenant of L. H sthetn, bj Kiting unto them that perfi ct obedience* huh ( *hi he law, and the satisfaction also which upon the croasCh untojustice in their name. 2. H< lies Um bakes them friend- to God, who were l> ( rod \. He adopts them, that they shall be no more chil n, hut children of God, enriched with all rs of his som I, last of all, after their wai I life isended, he perfectstheholinesaand blew t their soula at their death, and then both of their m heu bodies being joyfully join< ther a mrrection, at the da) of his glorious comi sluii all the wicked "shall \u II. with 2 shorn they ha\ 450 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. deemed ones, true believers, students of holiness, shall re- main with himself for ever, in the state of glorification. THE PRACTICAL USE OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE, Contained in Scripture, and holden forth briefly in the foresaid, Confession of Faith and Catechisms. HP HE chief general use of Christian doctrine is, to conn -*• vince a man of sin, and of righteousness, and of judg- ment, John xvi. 8. partly by the law or covenant of works, that he may be humbled and become penitent; and partly by the gospel or covenant of grace, that he may be- come an unfeigned believer in Jesus Christ, and be strength- ened in his faith upon solid grounds and warrants, and give evidence of the truth of his faith by good fruits, and so be saved. The sum of the covenant of works, or of the law, is this:1 " If thou do all that is commanded, and not fail in any " point, thou shalt be saved : but if thou fail, thou shall « die.* Rom. x. 5. Gal. iii. 10, 12. The sum of the gospel, or covenant of grace and recon- ciliation, is this : " If thou flee from deserved wrath to th( u true Redeemer Jesus Christ, (who is able to save to th " uttermost all that come to God through him,) thou shal " not perish, but have eternal life." Rom. x. 8, 9, 11. For convincing a man of sin, of righteousness, and o judgment by the law, or covenant of works, let these scrip tures, among many more, be made use of. I. For convincing a man of sin by the law, conside Jer. xvii. 9, 10. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately rvicl ed ; who can know it ? I the Lord search the hearty I try t) reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and accort ing to the fruit of his doings. Here the Lord teacheth these two things : 1. That the fountain of all our miscarriage, and actual si: ning against God, is in the heart, which comprehendeth tl min The Practical Use of Storing Knowledge. IH nind, will, affections, and all the po the soul, as they .re corrupted and defiled with original gin ; the nnrul l>eing tot only ignorant and incapable erf >a\ ing truth . h lull f error and enmity against God; and the will and affections being obstinately disobedient unto all (. tioai, i i»ent toward that only which i> evil : M The In art (saith he) r is deceitful above all things, and desperatelj rea, and unsearchably wicked, bo that no man cm bmi nd Gen. vi. 5. M Ever) imagination of the thought! • man's heart is only evil continually," saith tl 1 -rd, those testimony we must tru>t in this and all other ■ krs; and experience also may teach us, that, till (- make u> deny ourselves, we never 1<>oL to G I in wbj bing, but fleshly self-interest alone doth rule us, and m .11 the wheeK of our actions. 2. That the Lord bringeth our original tin, bed in- tonation, with all the actual fruits t: eckon- 4i^ before his judgment-sent ; u For be ssspchsth the art, and trieth the reins, to accord: P to his ways, and according to the fruit of hi Hence let every mall reason th What God and mv guilty conscience beareth witness '. I am eon\ inc< d that it is trip od and my guilt beareth witness, that my heart is deceitful above all things, and civ wicked ; and that all the imaj . by nature, are only evil continual] I am convinced that this i> tru I ins ,-i man may be convinced of sin l>\ the law. (1. ! evincing a man of righteoUflMM bv the law, eon Gal. in. 10. I mamy as nn <>/'the works nftlu law arc umler 'ten, ( which at 'ten in tin . Here the spostk tencheth us three things: 1 Tha^b) reason Of OUr natural sinfulness, iliellll|KMfe:- ity of an) man's being justified by lbs wofksof the law m 452 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. so certain, that whosoever do seek justification by the works of the law, are liable to the curse of God for breaking of the law ; " For as many as are of the works of the law " are under the curse," saith he. 2. That, unto the perfect fulfilling of the law, the keep- ing of one or two of the precepts, or doing of some, or of all duties (if it were possible) for a time, is not sufficient ; for the law requireth, that " a man continue in all things " which are written in the book of the law to do them." 3. That, because no man can come up to this perfection, every man by nature is under the curse ; for the law saith, " Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things " which are written in the book of the law to do them." Now, to be under the curse, comprehendeth all the dis- pleasure of God, with the danger of the breaking forth more and more of his wrath upon soul and body, both in this life, and after death perpetually, if grace do not prevent the full execution thereof. Hence let every man reason thus : u Whosoever, according to the covenant of works, is " liable to the curse of God for breaking the law, times and ways out of number, cannot be justified, or find righteousness by the works of the law : But I, (may every man say,) according to the covenant a of works, am liable to the curse of God, for breaking the " law times and ways without number : u Therefore I cannot be justified, or have righteousness " by the works of the law." Thus may a man be convinced of righteousness, that it is not to be had by his own works, or by the law. III. For convincing a man of judgment by the law, consider 2 Thess. i. 7. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, Ver. 8. In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not tlie gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 9. Who shall be punished with ever- lasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the 66 The Practical Use of Saving KnozcLdgt. the glory of his power ; Vcr. 10. When he .shall come to hi i rifled in his saints, and to be admired in all tin m that Wherein we are taught, that our Lord J offers to be Mediator for them who believe in him, -ha the last day, come armed with flaming tii demn, and destroy all them who have not have not received the offer of grace made in tb Lr«-; obeyed the doctrine thereof; but remain in th state, under the law or covenant of works. Hence let every man reason thus : " What the righteous Judge hath I dm shall " be done at the last day, I am sure isjust judgment : " But the righteous Judge hath forewarned me, tl. . I l " do not believe God in time, and obey not the doctrii " the gospel, I shall be secluded from his preseo | his . at the last day, and be tormented in tor i " Therefore I am convinced that this " And I have reason to thank God heartily, irho hath trewarned me to flee from the wrath which is to u>i Thus every man may be, by the law or e. .■ works convinced of judgment, if he shall continue undei (he covenant of works, ball not obey the gospel of our L I Jes IV. For convincing a man of sin, ri^lm jud , by the gOfpeL Aj for convincing amanofsin,and righteousness, and ju< t, by the gosjx I, or are. In- must und stand three things : 1. That not believing in Jesus Chi or refu oant of grace offered in him, is a greater and more dang* roua sin than all oth against law ; because the hearers of the gospel, do! 1 ist, do • I rod's n nst, the onlt dom from sin and wrath, and will not \i< Id t«> be rtooot V \t, he must understand, l in, and true right B, is to l>* God th no othi i s but faith; andtestifu i from h< av< d, that h< 454 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. ncrs upon this condition. 3. He must understand, that upon * righteousness received by faith, judgment shall follow, on the one hand, to the destroying of the works of the devil in the believer, and to the perfecting of the work of sanctification in him, with power: and that, upon refusing to take righte- ousness by faith in Jesus Christ, judgment shall follow, on the other hand, to the condemnation of the misbeliever, and destroying of him with Satan and his servants for ever. For this end, let these passages of scripture, among many, others, serve to make the greatness of the sin of not be- lieving in Christ appear ; or, to make the greatness of the sin of refusing of the covenant of grace offered to us, in the offering of Christ unto us appear, let the fair offer of grace be looked upon as it is made, Isa. lv. 3. Incline your ear9 and come unto me, (saith the Lord :) hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. That is, If ye will believe me, and be reconciled to me, I will, by covenant, give unto you Christ, and all saving graces in him : repeated Acts xiii. 34. Again, consider, that this general offer in substance is equi- valent to a special offer made to every one in particular ; as appeareth by the apostle's making use of it, Acts xvi. 31. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. The reason of which offer is given, John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, . that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Seeing then this great salvation is offered in the Lord Jesus, whosoever believeth not in him, but looks for happiness some other way, what doth he else but observe lying vanities, andforsake his own mercy, which he might have had in Christ ? Jonah ii. 8, 9. What doth he else but blaspheme God in his heart? as it is said, 1 John v. 10, 11. He that be- lieveth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life : and this life is in his Son. And that no sin against the law is like unto this sin, Christ testifies, John xv. 22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin : but now they have no cloak for their sin. This may convince a man of the greatness of this sin of not believing in Christ. For The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge For convincing a man of rightoouam to be had onl\ faith in Jestu Christ, consider hoi . S ;. \ It is said, that the Jen ousness, and going about to m righteous- ness, have not submitted tin U) the rig of God, (and so they perished.) J the Jamjar rigkteousn Acts xiii. 89« By Him all that In in from all Mings, from tchich ye could not I M u ■•>-. And 1 John i. 7. The bl J m$ Christ Son deanseih us from all sin. For convincing a man of judgment, if i man embrace righteousness, consider 1 Jonn iii. 8. For this purpose m Son ofGodwai manifested, that < Jit destt Works oj the devil. And Hub. i\. Ik 11 .. shidl the A I ? Christ , vd himself without spot to (iod% / i dead works i Hut if a man embrace not this right ironouDced, John iii. 18, 1!). //< thai be; not is con- demned ahead//, I), he hath not In \the onlif And M I '^ ffc i i \tion, that light is COmt into the :eorld, and mtn looed dark- ;(her than light. Hence lei the penitent, desiring to 1 What doth suffice to com ince all the elect in I -rid of the sin of Dot belie* ing in Ch fusing to flee to him for n lit f from »tie against u the law, and from wrath due thereto; and ifficeth u to com ince them that i 4% be had 1>\ faith in Jesus Christ, »>r l>\ • i n.int of -_i.il e in him J and w hat H them of judgment to be exercised 1>\ Chi M the works of thedei il in a man, a\u\ - I that believe in him, may Miffl inee me a! u Hut what the Spirit h»th laid, in (In -, SuflBcetfa world iid sin, and righteousness, at be Spirit hath uud, m these and <>r . serveth to oooi ii thereof W 456 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. _ Whereupon let the penitent desiring to believe take with him words, and say heartily to the Lord, seeing thou sayest, Seek ye my face; my sou] answereth unto thee, Thy face. Lord, will I seek. I have hearkened unto the offer of an everlasting covenant of all saving mercies to be had in Christ, and I do heartily embrace thy offer. Lord, let it be a bargain ; Lord, I believe; help my unbelief: Behold, I give myself to thee, to serve thee in all things for ever ; and I hope thy right hand shall save me : the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me : thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever; forsake not the works of thine oxvn hands. Thus may a man be made an unfeigned believer in Christ. For strengthening the man's faith who hath agreed unto the covenant of grace. Because many true believers are weak, and do much doubt if ever they shall be sure of the soundness of their i own faith and effectual calling, or made certain of their justification and salvation, when they see that many, who profess faith, are found to deceive themselves ; let us see how every believer may be made strong in the faith, and sure of his own election and salvation upon solid grounds, by sure warrants, and true evidences of faith. To this end, among many other scriptures, take these following. 1. For laying solid grounds of Faith, consider 2 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for f ye do these things ye shall never fall. In which words, the apostle teacheth us these four things, for help and direction how to be made strong in the faith. 1. That such as believe in Christ Jesus, and are fled to him for relief from sin and wrath, albeit they be weak in the faith, yet they are indeed children of the same Father with the apostles ; for so he accounteth of them, while he calleth them brethren. 2. That albeit we be not sure, for the time, of our effec- tual calling and election, yet we may be made sure of both, if we use diligence ; for this he presupposeth, saying, "Give " diligence to make your calling and election sure." 24l 3. That The Practical Use cj - g Knoickdge. 3. That we must not be discouraged, when we see many seeming believers prove rotten hr . tion ; but we must the rather take the batter bead to ourselves: "Wherefore the rather, btethra be,) fcA give all diligent 4. That the way to be sure both of our ing and election, is to make sure work of our faith, by la the grounds of it solidly, and bringing forth the fruits of our faith in new obedience constantly : M Par if Jt do " the>e things (saith he,) ye shall never fall ;~ U aid- ing by these things, what he had Mid of sound faith, \ 1, ^2, 3, 4, and what he had i the bringing out of the fruits of faith, Yer. 5, (i, 7, 8, !). To this same purpose, oooakfar Horn. viii. 1. / . therefore nmc no condemnation to them ich'uh arc in ( hriit 1 zcalk not after the fhsh.hut aft spirit. \ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ J( nu ftoM maa< from the laze of sin and death. X. ■> I r bAoJ the law could not do, in that it WOi weak through thtjh I ^ending his own Son inthclilcc ' in fu I flesh* ami for dtwmed sin in the fit $h; V.4 That the righteousness (jf'th I m wmgktbs fuifdled in us, who icalk not iif'o r the flesh* hut a I N Wherein the apostle teacheth iu these four things, for laving of the ground of faith Bolidly : 1. That l true believer, u ho, in the SettK -in, and fear of G Pfi wrath, doth t! lull reL I both unto Jesus Christ alone, as the only Midi a: sufficient Redeemer of men ; and, being fled t< I '. doth strive against hi< own il jh, or corrupt imlm.r and studieth to follow the rule Spirit) Kl down in irord : for the man, whom the apostle ooth h< n blest a* a true believer, is a man in th not alk after the flesh, but after t! - it* 2. That all §uch persons as are Hid to lime against sin, howsoever thej maj be \ • * Under the Bense of w rath, th. v are in no dangi r " there is no oondeii nth he) to them that are in I the fl< &h, but utter the - albeit th tU" himself, (brought in hi 458 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. .example's cause,) and all other true believers in Christ, be by nature under the law of sin and death, or under the cove- nant of works, (called the law of sin and death, because it bindeth sin and death upon us, till Christ set us free;) yet the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, or the cove- nant of grace, (so called, because it doth enable and quicken a man to a spiritual life through Christ,) doth set the apostle, and all true believers, free from the covenant of works, or the law of sin and death ; so that every man \ may say with him, " The law of the Spirit of life," or the covenant of grace, " hath made me free from the law of " sin and death," or covenant of works. 4. That the fountain and first ground, from whence our freedom from the curse of the law doth flow, is the cove- nant of redemption, passed betwixt God and God the Son as incarnate, wherein Christ takes the curse of the law upon him for sin* that the believer, who could not otherwise be delivered from the covenant of works, may be delivered from it. And this doctrine the apostle holdeth forth in these four branches : (1.) That it was utterly impossible for the law, or the covenant of works, to bring righteousness and life to a sinner, because it was weak. (2.) That this weakness and inability of the law, or covenant of works, is not the fault of the law, but the fault of sinful flesh, which is neither able to pay the penalty of sin, nor to give perfect obedience to the law, (presuppose bygone sins were forgiven :) " The law " was weak (saith he) through the flesh " (3.) That the righteousness and salvation of sinners, which was impossible to be brought about by the law, is brought to pass by send- ing God's own Son, Jesus Christ, in the flesh, in whose flesh sin is condemned and punished, for making satisfaction in the behalf of the elect, that they might be set free. (4.) That by his means the law loseth nothing, because the righteousness of the law is best fulfilled this way ; first, by Christ's giving perfect active obedience in our name unto it in all things ; next, by his paying in our name the penalty due to our sins in his death ; and, lastly, by his working of sanctification in us, who are true believers, who strive to give new obedience unto the law, and " walk not after the " flesh, but after the Spirit." WARRANTS The Practical Use of & Knowledge. M WARRANTS TO BELIEVE T^OR building our confidence ujkjii thii ground, -*- these four Warrants and special Mo Christ may serve. The first whereof is GocTs hearty invitation, holdeii forth, Isa. lv. 1, 2, S, 4, 5. Ho, every one that thlrstcth, c he waters, and he that fuith no money : come ye, buy and eat ; yea. come, buy and milk icitliout money, and Wherefore do ye spend money fhr that which i* not bread? and your labour for that which satixjieth nott II dUU Uyuntome, and eat ye that which & i.andt soul delight itself in fat ne.s.s. Yer. ii. I/idinc //our m > . amt mmio me : hear, and your soul shall live ; ami I will make am everlaxt >it with yuu. even the sure mercies of David. Ver. 4. Behold. I > the people, a leader and comma I the piopl . Here (after letting down the precious ran-uin of our redemption hv the Buffering! of Corist, aid tin- rieh Mess* ings purchased to Ul therein, in the two former chap:-, the Lord, in this chapter, 1. Maketh open offer of Christ and his grace, hv ; mation of a free and gracious market i salvation, to he had through Chart to SMVJ soul, without exception, that truly desires to he s;r in sin and wrath . k- Ho, every one that thirsted*,*1 mkh he. i2. He inviteth all sinners, that for anv reason stand w distance from Grod to come and t mi him riches of grace, running in Christ as i » wash away * ocken wrath: " Come he waters/* saith ha [.est anv should stand ahaek in the sense of his paf| sinfulness or unworthiiu-ss, and inahihts t" do an\ ^**\% ike Lord calleth upon such persons in special, saying. M II 11 that hath no mom 1 He cravcth no more of his merchant, hut that he I* pleased with the wares offend, w liich are grace, and more grace; and that he hcartilv consent unto, and cnihracr I V * 460 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. -offer of grace, that so he may close a bargain, and a formal covenant with God; " Come, buy without money, (saith he,) " come, eat :" that is, consent to have, and take unto you all saving graces ; make the wares your own, possess them, and make use of all blessings in Christ; whatsoever maketh for your spiritual life and comfort, use and enjoy it freely, without paying any thing for it : M Come, buy wine and " milk without money, and without price," saith he. 5. Because the Lord knoweth how much we are inclined to seek righteousness and life by our own performances and satisfaction, to have righteousness and life as it were by the way of works, and how loath we are to embrace Christ Jesusi and to take life by way of free grace through Jesus Christ, upon the terms whereupon it is offered to us; therefore the Lord lovingly calls us off this our crooked and unhappy way with a gentle and timeous admonition, giving us to under- stand, that we shall but lose our labour in this our way : " Wherefore do ye spend your money (saith he) for that " which is not bread ? and your labour for that which " satisfieth not ? 6. The Lord promiseth to us solid satisfaction in the way of betaking ourselves unto the grace of Christ, even true contentment, and fulness of spiritual pleasure, saying, " Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is " good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." 7. Because faith cometh by hearing, he calleth for audi- ence unto the explication of the offer, and calleth for be- lieving of, and listening unto the truth, which is able to beget the application of saving faith, and to draw the soul to trust in God: " Incline your ear, and come unto me," saith he. To which end, the Lord promises, that this offer, being received, shall quicken the dead sinner; and that, upon the welcoming of this offer, he will close the covenant of grace with the man that shall consent unto it, even an in- dissolvable covenant of perpetual reconciliation and peace: " Hearken, and your soul shall live: and I will make an " everlasting covenant with you." Which covenant, he declareth, shall be in substance the assignation, and the making over, of all the saving graces which David (who is Jesus Christ, Acts xiii. 34.) hath bought for us in the covenant The Practical Use of Saving Knozdedgt. 461 covenant of redemption : " I will make t with i " (saith he,) even the sure mercies of David." wre mercies, he means saving graces, such ipeace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, adoption, sancti: and glorification, and whatsoever b life eternal. 8. To confirm and assure us of the Peal gTMl of these* sav- ing mercies, and to persuade us of thcrealitv of tl iant vixt God and the believer of this word. I 1 made a fourfold mt, and hath gotten commission to reveal .. 11 began actually to reveal it in paradise, where he pr< that the seed of the woman iboold brake the head of the >ent 4//////. II set forth hi> own death and >uf and the great benefits that should come therel»\ t toe types and figures of Sacrifices and u-rin l i*n- 5M//y, 11- and more light about this cove* nam, Bpeaking by hit) Spirit, from age to ape, in t prophets. (>//////," 1 1 l ime h'm. and did bear witness <>f all tb and of God's willing mind to take U L. it . partly, hy uniting our nature in one person with the divine nalui rly, b\ preaching tlu- ^cmkI tidings of the covenant *s >wn mouth ; partlv, bj p lying the pi I i 462 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. on the cross ; and partly, by dealing still with the people* from the beginning to this day, to draw in, and to hold in the redeemed in this covenant. Thirdly, God hath made a gift of Christ, as a leader to the people, to bring us through all difficulties, all afflictions and temptations, unto life, by this covenant : and he it is, and no other, who doth indeed lead his own unto the cove- nant ; and, in the covenant, all the way on unto salvation : 1. By the direction of his word and Spirit. 2. By the ex- ample of his own life, in faith and obedience, even to the death of the cross. 3. By his powerful working, bearing his redeemed ones in his arms, and causing them to lean on him, while they go up through the wilderness. Fourthly r, God hath made a gift of Christ unto his people, as a commander : which office he faithfully exerciseth, by giving to his kirk and people laws and ordinances, pastors and governors, and all necessary officers ; by keeping courts and assemblies among them, to see that his laws be obeyed; subduing, by his word, Spirit, and discipline, his people's corruptions ; and, by his wisdom and power, guarding them against all their enemies whatsoever. Hence he who hath closed bargain with God may strength- en his faith, by reasoning after this manner: M Whosoever doth heartily receive the offer of free grace, u made here to sinners, thirsting for righteousness and sal- " vation ; unto him, by an everlasting covenant, belongeth " Christ, the true David, with all his sure and saving mercies: u But I (may the weak believer say) do heartily receive " the offer of free grace made here to sinners, thirsting for u righteousness and salvation : " Therefore unto me, by an everlasting covenant, belong- " eth Christ Jesus, with all his sure and saving mercies." The second Warrant and special Motive to embrace Christ, and believe in him, is the earnest request that God maketh to us to be reconciled to him in Christ ; holden forth, 2 Cor. v. 19, 20, 21. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ver. 20. Now then, we are am~ bassadors The Practical Use of > Kiundedf 4^3 bassadorsfor Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Chri For he hath made him to be rin /<»r tts, who knew no 1 tliat ice might be made the r threefold : (1) It serveth to make j of their BU1S, and of their enmity against God, and 1 ganger, if they should stand out, ami not fear I ^plea- sure. (8.) The word of G oaks men aoquaii with tin- course which God bath prepai ship with them through Christ, viz. Thai knowledge the enmity, ami iball Ik- content to enU 1 nant of friendship with God t; I « will he content to In ik d NNith them word oi 1 teach men hem to carrj themai I d, a^ friends, oonctk viz. to he loath to -in against him, and t" abey his commandments : and th. I here is call '.'•«"'. b us what need we ha\t on, and l:< and 264? The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. and how to keep the reconciliation of friendship, being made with God through Christ. 5. That albeit the hearing, believing, and obeying of this word, doth belong to all those to whom this gospel doth come ; yet the office of preaching of it with authority be- longeth to none, but to such only as God doth call to his ministry, and sendeth out with commission for this work. This the apostle holdeth forth, Ver. 19. in these words, *c He hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.'" 6. That the ministers of the gospel should behave them- selves as Christ's messengers, and should closely follow their commission set down in the word, Mat. xxviii. 19, 20. ; and when they do so, they should be received by the people as ambassadors from God ; for here the apostle, in all their names, saith, " We are ambassadors for Christ, as though " God did beseech you by us." 7. That ministers, in all earnestness of affections, should deal with people to acknowledge their sins, and their natu- ral enmity against God, more and more seriously ; and to consent to the covenant of grace and embassage of Christ more and more heartily ; and to evidence more and more clearly their reconciliation, by a holy carriage before God. This he holdeth forth, when he saith, " We pray you, be " ye reconciled to God." 8. That in the ministers'* affectionate dealing with the people, the people should consider that they have to do with God and Christ, requesting them, by the ministers, to be reconciled. Now, there cannot be a greater inducement to break a sinner's hard heart, than God's making a request to him for friendship; for when it became us, who have done so many wrongs to God, to seek friendship of God, he pre- venteth us : and (O wonder of wonders !) he requesteth us to be content to be reconciled to him ; and therefore most fearful wrath must abide them who do set light by this request, and do not yield when they hear ministers with commission, saying, " We are ambassadors for Christ, as " though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in " Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 9. To make it appear how it cometh to pass that the covenant of reconciliation should be so easily made up be- twixt The Practical Use of Sat g Knomi ;gt. twixt God and a humble sinner fcoK to Chfiet, the apostle leads us unto the cause of it, holdeii forth in thr covenant of redemption, the >um whereof id thifl " It i^ " agreed betwixt Bod and the Mediator Je the 8 "<>n of God, surety for the ivdei im d. m p ^un- " tractors, that the bum of the redeemed should be ii S to innocent Christ, and he both condemned and put to ? death for them, upon this very condition, that whom heartily con-ents unto the covenant Dnciliai through Christ, shall, by the imput I ; hifl o) unto them, be justified and holden rigbti (} for God hath made Chri>t, who A/ "for us> Kdlh the apostle, thai wc idgAi &€ Kadi <£4- 44 teoustiicsa (>f' God in him" u a Hence may a weak believer strengthen reasoning from this ground after thifl niainur : u He that, upon the loving request of God and I " made to him by the mouth of minis! " mission to that effect,) hath embraced tl %4 petual reconciliation through Christ, and doth \ u by God*s grace, as a reconciled per u sin, and to serve God to hifl power con 44 sure to have righteous! 44 for the obedience of ( )u>t imput d to bii " that Christ was condemned and put to death for tin l* of the redeemed imputed to him : u But I (may the weak belli the lot 14 request of God and ( brist, madi to m< bj tin mout * his ministers, have embraced the off " ciliation through Christ, and do purpo* , b I veiled person, to strive against 44 (i<>d to ii i v powi r ( onstantlj I maj be afl lure to I: n 44 eternal lil a to me, for tlu I 44 put to death for the iinfl ofth< l 466 Tlie Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. The third Warrant and special Motive to believe in Christ, is the strait and awful command of God, charging all the hearers of the gospel to approach to Christ in the order set down by him, and to believe in him ; holden forth, 1 John iii, 23. This is his commandment. That we slvould believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and lave one another, as he gave us commandment. Wherein the apostle giveth us to understand these five doctrines : 1. That if any man shall not be taken with the sweet in- vitation of God, nor with the humble and loving request of God, made to him to be reconciled, he shall find he hath to do with the sovereign authority of the highest Majesty; for " this is his commandment, that we believe in him," saith he. 2. That if any man look upon this commandment as he hath looked heretofore upon the neglected commandments of the law, he must consider that this is a command of the gospel, posterior to the law, given for making use of the remedy of all sins ; which, if it be disobeyed, there is no other command to follow but this, " Go, ye cursed, into " the everlasting fire of hell;" for a this is his command- " ment;" the obedience of which is most pleasant in hia sight, Ver. 22. and without which it is impossible to please him, Heb. xi. 6. 3. That every one who heareth the gospel, must make conscience of the duty of lively faith in Christ ; the weak believer must not think it presumption to do what is com- manded ; the person inclined to desperation must take upj himself, and think upon obedience unto this sweet and sav-> ing command ; the strong believer must dip yet more ia the sense of his need he hath of Jesus Christ, and more and more grow in the obedience of this command; yea, the most impenitent, profane, and wicked person must not thrust out himself, or be thrust out by others, from orderly aiming at this duty, how desperate soever his condition seem to be ; for he that commands all men to believe in Christ, doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned The Practical Use of & KnowUdg* . damned and lost without Christ: be tlu : imands all men to acknowledge their sins, and their n and in effect commands all men to repent, that th believe in him. And whosoever do rd their bygone sin-, are guilty of dfe tlns J mand given to all bearers, but especially to those t within the visible church : fat %* this P that we should believe oo the name u\ I " Christ," saith he. 4. That he who obeveth this coinmandnunt hath built hi- -alvation on a solid ground : f r, 1 '. Be bath promised Messiah, completely furnished with all | ions unto the perfect execution of tl. and King; for be is that Christ in whom the man d leve. 2a, He hath embraced a Saviour, who to the uttermo-t. yea, and who doth effectually sa\- one that eonieth to God through him ; fat be IS J< - true Saviour of his people from tlun . i: obeveth this command hath built his etlvation 00 tli R that is, on the Son of God, to whom it i> no poh called equal to the Father, and who is worth] object of saving faith, and of spiritual worship: his command, (saith he) U in the name - n Jesus Christ 5. That he who hath believed on J hrist, I be freed from the CUT the law. l- n< command and obedience of the law. but tied th. a new obligation, and a new command from Christ ; wh pew command from Christ importeth help mand : unto which comni >m ( 'hn . I \ and <•< tnmand s r M this is hi-* ecu 4" incut, (saith John.) that we b .! ( ind 1<»\ ■ . :i^ In- I 4% manded us* The first part h command, . mg beli( i m him, necei rmplietl ml obedience to th • first tal i • bring ( rod, are epai ud the h i tommand enjoined) love to our n household of faith,) and - le of the la' I 468 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. Hence may a weak believer strengthen himself, by reasoning from this ground after this manner: " Whosoever, in the sense of his own sinfulness, and fear of God's wrath, at the command of God, is fled to " Jesus Christ, the only remedy of sin and misery, and " hath engaged his heart to the obedience of the law of " love, his faith is not presumptuous or dead, but true and " saving faith : But I, (may the weak believer say,) in the sense of my own sinfulness, and fear of God's wrath, am fled to Jesus u Christ, the only remedy of sin and misery, and have en- gaged my heart to the obedience of the law of love : Therefore my faith is not a presumptuous and dead faith, but true and saving faith." holden fort; who 5hall heartily receive Christ, and the < t of grace and reconciliation through him : M II that b r on the Son (saith he) hath everlastu made fast unto him, 1*4, In God's purpose I decree, as the believer is a man elected to life lJ /, By ctual calling of him unto life by (io(\% who, as he it faithful, so will he do it. :W, By promise and everlast nant, sworn by God, to be beli lation in life and death, upon immutable gTOUIlda. 4M. a pawn and infeftment under tfa ' the sacran h the Lord's supper, bo oft ai ive the symbols and pK i I the fountain and head of life, who fa entered in possession, a* attornev for believers ; in whom our life is so laid i umot be taken away. (M, By begun )>oascasiOP of spiritual life and regeneration, and a I gin righteousness, peace, and joy in th 11 ly Ghost, within the believer, a^ earnest o( the full possession of t lasting lifi k A fearful a rtificatioo fa i: the doctrine conn i nil -ness ami l>e had by J< SU8 ( h: 1 I that lulh\. th hot tbs Son, u shall not lee life,1 thai I 10 much u^ undcr»tan(i what it meaneth. He further certi6eth, thai if a man the doctrine of I - I *l, he shall l>e f with the wrath of God , as a fa . he shall b ar th f the law, or ti work* ; and next, he shall endure a greater coodcn i 470 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. in respect that light being come into the world, and offered to him, he hath rejected it, and loveth darkness rather than light : and this double wrath shall be fastened and fixed immovably upon him, so long as he remaineth in the condition of misbelief: " The wrath of God abideth " on him," saith he. Hence may the weak believer strengthen his faith, by reasoning from this ground after this manner : " Whosoever believeth the doctrine delivered by the u Son of God, and findeth himself partly drawn power-' " fully to believe in him, by the sight of life in him, * and partly driven, by the fear of God's wrath, to adhere " unto him, may be sure of right and interest to life eternal " through him : " But sinful and unworthy I (may the weak believer say) " do believe the doctrine delivered by the Son of God, and c< do feel myself partly drawn powerfully to believe in him, " by the sight of life in him, and partly driven, by the fear " of God's wrath, to adhere unto him : " Therefore I may be sure of my right and interest unto " eternal life through him." THE EVIDENCES OF TRUE FAITH. QO much for the laying the grounds of faith, and war- ^ rants to believe. Now, for evidencing of true faith by fruits, these four things are requisite: 1. That the believer be soundly convinced, in his judgment, of his obligation to keep the whole moral law, all the days of his life ; and that not the lessj but so much the more, as he is delivered by Christ from the covenant of works, and curse of the law. 2. That he endeavour to grow in the exercise and daily practice of godliness and righteousness. 3. That the course of his new obedience run in the right channel, that is through faith in Christ, and through a good conscience, to all the duties of love towards God and man. 4. That he keep strait communion with the fountain Christ Jesus, from whom grace must run along, for furnishing of good fruits. For The Practical Use of Saving KnoicL:dgt. For the first, viz. To convince the h ment, of his obligation to keep the moral law, among many passages, take Mat. v. lu. Let your tight SO shim men, that they nu; >ur good works, and glorify yuu r Tat la \ 17. Think not that I am com to destroy tlu I r,ro_ pficts : I am not come to destroy, but ti fulfil. \ IN r'djf I say unto you, Till h ;;ass, on< one tittle shall in n from t : . till all be / li). Whosoever, the* hall in wmmamdmenttj and ghall teach nun so, he likoB be lulkdtfu - in the kingdom (fh< hosoevt do and dial! be ealled i ri the kingdom of wtlO. Tor I say unto yuiu TI ;>t your righte- I the righteousness of the a * 'tall in no CO* into the kingdom vcn. Wherein our Lord, 1. Grireth commandment to beli< th, •ve evidence of the grs in them I mi, by doing good work-: k Let your 1 i ^_r 1 1 1 so shine before i M (saith he.) that they may we your good wori %. He induceth them so to do, bj shewing, thai alb . be not justified 1>\ work-, yet spectators of then i^ood work- ma\ ' rverted md so glory i dound to God by their good works, when the witnesses ■hereof M shall glorify your Father which ii in I ! ! them DO ether rule for tlu ir DOW ob than the moral law, Kl down and explieatrd l»v M * . ! tlu- prophets: M Think not (saith be) thai I am ma the law <>!• the prophet 4. lie gives them to understand, that th ■race, and lre< dom from tin liim. is readily mistaken bj it did loose or slacken the obligation the bommands, and to be su to the suth f the law; and thai this error ii ind i d If the prophets, which he will ia aa case m any of hil CUSCipU >, it il 10 COfltfarj to the e: ** ing 472 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. ing, which is first to sanctify, and then to save believers I " Think not (saith he) that I am come to destroy the law " or the prophets." 5. He teacheth, that the end of the gospel and cove- nant of grace is to procure men's obedience unto the moral law : " I am come (saith he) to fulfil the law and the pro- " phets." 6. That the obligation of the moral law, in all points, unto all holy duties, is perpetual, and shall stand to the world's end, that is, " till heaven and earth pass away." 7. That as God hath had a care of the scriptures from the beginning, so shall he have a care of them still to the' world's end, that there shall not one jot or one tittle of the substance thereof be taken away ; so saith the text, Ver. 18. 8. That as the breaking of the moral law, and defend- ing the transgressions thereof to be no sin, doth exclude men both from heaven, and justly also from the fellow- ship of the true kirk ; so the obedience of the law, and teaching others to do the same, by example, counsel, and doctrine, according to every man's calling, proveth a man to be a true believer, and in great estimation with God, and worthy to be much esteemed of by the true church, Ver. 19. 9. That the righteousness of every true Christian must be more than the righteousness of the scribes and Phari- sees ; for the scribes and Pharisees, albeit they took great pains to discharge sundry duties of the law, yet they cutted short the exposition thereof, that it might the less con- demn their practice ; they studied the outward part of the duty, but neglected the inward and spiritual part ; they discharged some meaner duties carefully, but neglected judgment, mercy, and the love of God : in a word, they went about to establish their own righteousness, and re- jected the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus. But a true Christian must have more than all this ; he must acknowledge the full extent of the spiritual meaning of the law, and have a respect to all the commandments, and labour to cleanse himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and " not lay weight upon what service he hath 2* " done The Practical Use of Saving- Knowledge " done, or shall do,*' but clothe himself with the imputed righteousness of Christ, which only can hide Iris nakednees, or else he cannot be saved aith the text. -ept 44 your righteousness," be The second thing requisite to evidence true fa:* ihat the beUerer endeavour to put th- of godlineaa and right! 98 in practice, and to grow in tin- dailv r. cise thereof; holden forth, i !'■ I Am betides this, giving nil diligent to your f> virtue; and to virtue, knowledge ; \ • r" & And u> knozcL temperance; and to temperance^ pati . id to patience^ Knee*; Ver. 7. And to godliness^ . urui to brotherly-kindness, charity, Ver. & I lethimgsl youy and aljomuU they make you thai ye shall fw- rc/i nor unfruitful in tltc krum A *us Christ. Wherein, 1 . The apostle teachetb beBei era, : Of precious faith in them to endeavour to add to tl faith seven other The fir-' \ - the active exercise and practice of all moral duties, that n> f mav not be idle, but put forth itself in work. Thesecoi. Knowledge, whicl i furnish faith with ii of the truth to be believed, and to furnish i irtue \* ith ii. tion what duties are to be il I how to 00 about them prudently. The third is Tempera* ch auiieth t.» moderate the use of all pleasant tl : therewith, nor made unfit for an\ dut) win I s called. The fourth is P . whiofa serwih to modc- te a man's affections, when he meeteth With any dihVultv unpleasant thing ; thai be neither Hired in well-doing, nor faint when the I « th im, nor murmur when he CTOSseth him. The fifth »* odliness, which mav keep him up in all tin- . ligion, inward and outward; when . from God tor all other duties whieh he 1 sixth is Brotherlj-kindneas, wUefa keepeth astii and affection to, all the household - i, and ;e of(iod in « Hie w hefeaoe* « r It In Men nth is 1 rhich keepeth the hie do Mod 474 The Practical Use of Saving Knozdedge. good to all men, whatsoever they be, upon all occasions which God shall offer. 2. Albeit it be true, that there is much corruption and infirmity in the godly ; yet the apostle will have men up- rightly endeavouring, and doing their best, as they are able, to join all these graces one to another, and to grow in the measure of exercising them : " Giving all diligence, (saith " he,) add to your faith," fyc. 3. He assureth all professed believers, that as they shall profit in the obedience of this direction, so they shall pro- fitably prove the soundness of their own faith ; and, if they want these graces, that they shall be found blind' deceivers of themselves, Ver. 9. The third thing requisite to evidence true faith is, that obedience to the law run in the right channel, that is, through faith in Christ, #c. holden forth, 1 Tim. i. 5. Now the end of the commandment is love, out of a pure hearty and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. Wherein the apostle teacheth these seven doctrines : 1. That the obedience of the law must flow from love, and love from a pure heart, and a pure heart from a good conscience, and a good conscience from faith unfeigned : this he makes the only right channel of good works : " The " end of the law is love," Sec. % That the end of the law is not, that men may be justi- fied by their obedience of it, as the Jewish doctors did falsely teach ; for it is impossible that sinners can be justi- fied by the law, who, for every transgression, are con- demned by the law : " For the end of the law is (not " such as the Jewish doctors taught, but) love out of a " pure heart," Sfc. S. That the true end of the law, preached unto the people, is,, that they, by the law, being made to see their deserved condemnation, should flee to Christ unfeignedly, to be justified by faith in him ; so saith the text, while it maketh love to flow through faith in Christ. 4. That no man can set himself in love to obey the law, excepting as far as his conscience is quieted by faith, or is seeking The Practical Use qf 'Saving Knotdedgt. seeking to be quieted in Christ ; for " the end of the la^ " love, out of a ^ood consck .id faith unfeL 5. That feigned faith goeth to Christ without i me with the law, and so wants m errand; but uni :th reckoneth with the law, and is forced to flee for r Christ, as the end of the law for righteousness, so often as it finds itself guilty for breaking of the law » «* ] m of the law is faith unfeigned. 6\ That the fruits of love m iv o me forth in ad iwur- ticularlv, it is necessary that the heart I the hatred of all tin and uncleanness, and I it purpose to follow all holiness univcrsall'. f thfl end of the law %* ifl love, OUt of a pure heart."" 7. That unfeigned faith is able to make t1 science good, and the heart pure, and the man lovin^lv obedient (to the law; for when Christ's Mood is seen I guiet justice, then the conscience beoometh quiet also, and will not suffer the heart to entertain the 1< a, hut sets the man 00 work to fear God fa* hii nun v. and to obey all his commandments, out of love to G i »r In- f of justification, hv glOOe l> I 00 him: ' Pot A the end of the law indeed," uh« A ..htai'uth | man more obedience than anv other n\ The fourth thi qirisite to evidence true firitfc fping Strait comrnuu le fountain of all gnioeS) and of all good works; holden forth, ./oAh x I t* i mt, and I in him, tin same b th muchj out me ye can do nothing Wherein Christ, in a similitude fro: th us, 1. That by nature we are wild h till *< n gad by coining unto Christ; and that Chi that and vii id able to ch ingi the nal oomH him, and to communicate spirit am m him •• 1 mi tin the •• branche I The. 476 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. 2. That Christ loveth to have believers so united unto him, as that they be not separated at any time by unbelief: and that there may be a mutual inhabitation of them in him, by faith and love; and of him in them, by his word and Spirit ; for he joineth these together, " If ye abide in ine, " and I in you," as things inseparable. 3. That except a man be ingrafted into Christ, and united to him by faith, he cannot do any the least good works of his own strength ; yea, except in as far as a man doth draw spirit and life from Christ by faith, the work which he doth is naughty and null in point of goodness in God's estimation : " For without me (saith he) ye can do' u nothing." 4. That this mutual inhabitation is the fountain and in- fallible cause of constant continuing and abounding in well- doing: For " he that abideth in me, and I in him, (saith " he,) the same beareth much fruit." Now, as our abiding in Christ presupposeth three things; \st. That we have heard the joyful sound of the gospel, making offer of Christ to us, who are lost sinners by the law ; 2d, That we have hear- tily embraced the gracious offer of Christ ; 3d, That by re- ceiving of him we are become the sons of God, John i. 12. and are incorporated into his mystical body, that he may dwell in us, as his temple, and we dwell in him, as in the residence of righteousness and life : so our abiding in Christ importeth other three things, (1.) An employing of Christ in all our addresses to God, and in all our undertakings of whatsoever piece of service to him. (2.) A contentedness with his sufficiency, without going out from him to seek righteousness, or life, or furniture in any case, in our own or any of the creature's worthiness. (3.) A fixedness in our believing in him, a fixedness in our employing and making use of him, and a fixedness in our contentment in him, and adhering to him, so that no allurement, no temp- tation of Satan or the world, no terror nor trouble, may be able to drive our spirits from firm adherence to him, or from the constant avowing of his truth, and obeying his com- mands, who hath loved us, and given himself for us; and in whom not only our life is laid up, but also the ful- ness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily, by reason of the substantial The Practical Use of Saiing A'noarletlgr. 4~ ~ substantial and personal union of the divine and human nature in him. Hence let every watchful belie :ver, for strengthening him- self in faith and obedience, Kftaoti after this manner: " Whosoever doth daily employ Chri>t JeMl for clean- I sing his conscience and affections from the gviltfans and <; filthiness of sins against tli and for to W give obedience to the law in love, he liath the evidence " of true faith in himself: " But I (may every watchful believer | m- 9. ploy Jesus Christ for rl fanning mv eon- Rfec- " tions from theguiltiness and filtliim i\\c ¥ law, and for enabling of me to give obedience to the law " in love : 11 Therefore I have the evidence of true faith in mvRelf."* And hence also let the sleepy and sluggish believer reaa for his own upstirring, thus: " Whatsoever fa neeessary for gMl ienee of tr " faith, I study to do it, except I would d< mvK-lf " and perish : M But to employ Christ J< dly for cleani P conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filtln- elf hath pointfd thi* forth. i undoubted r\ idence of a man i ife, and riven to Jesus Christ to me * unto him/* that IS, doi immmion th him, as he teacheth us, John vi 87« ■ " Ml that ' the Father hath given me shall ooma I i md I k that cometh to me I will in i *on, who doth not in earnest make li.se ot i mission of sin, and amendment ol Vnin the whole premises, after this manner, ti e0»- leience may be awakened : 4- \Yi. r li neither by the law, nor by the , n 478 The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. " convinced of sin, righteousness, and judgment, as to make z' him come to Christ, and employ him daily for remission f* of sin, and amendment of life ; he wanteth not only all " evidence of saving faith, but also all appearance of hi* " election, so long as he remaineth in this condition : " But I (may every impenitent person say) am neither f? by the law nor gospel so convinced of sin, righteousness, " and judgment, as to make me come to Christ, and em- " ploy him daily for remission of sin, and amendment of "life: " Therefore I want not only all evidence of saving faith, " but also all appearance of my election, so long as I remain' " in this condition." FINIS, THI CONFESSION OF FAITH or TBI KIRK OF SCOTLAND OR, THE NATIONAL COVENANT, WITH A Designation of such Acts of Parliament as are ezptd for justifying the Union after mentioned. OSH. xxi\ / should I . Utmeen the alio anil tin . I am //«■ / mother shall call him- selfl l>'f t/n- n mil amatker shall su! i '>**d / /the name of J jr. [ «1 ] Assembly at Edis birch, Augu-- Act ordaining, by Ecclesiastical duiiorily, piiom of the Com i I utii and ( . nitk ti> \ ■ mvaa s Declaration. THE General Assembly considering t; How* from a full and perfect union of this kirk and i joining" of all in one and the - mt with 1 Majesty, and amongst ourseh our great oath, iprightness and loyalty of <»'ir intentions in all our ; and having withal supplicated his M : • -• his Majesty's honourable Privy ( 0111 i act il the heges in time coming to subset Confection of Faith and Covenant; which, as a I and ty to our K nigh Commissioner, and the Lords ot hi* M icil, have granted the desire of our supplh authority, all his Majesty's I foresaid Covenant: that our union may be thi by OUT act and constitution eeeh - nant in all the heads and clauses then That all the masters <»t uuivirv mil schools, all ichoJan il the pas- heir degrees, alt Papistry, or any otl members of this kirk and kingdom, subscribe the - efixed to thi ti :.. " 1 which was at the first subscription referred to mbly, being determined ; and there! Perth, th iment of the kiik I lower o( kirkmen, upon th«- r< nf the General Assembly, declared nibscribe according t<> the determination foremid I ordain t, w ith this dedaratiooj t<> be Inter! Assemblies of this kirk, general, pi fuam rei memoriam. And in all humility mij.; Commissioner, and tin- honnural authority y and enjoin th«* tame, BB t. kirk and kn |d [ 482 J Charles I. Pari. 2. Act. 5. Act anent the Ratification of the Covenant, and of the As~ sembly's Supplication, Act of Council, and Act of Assembly concerning the Covenant, At Edinburgh, June 11. 1640. HP HE Estates of Parliament, presently convened by his< -*- Majesty's special authority, considering the supplication of the General Assembly at Edinburgh, the 12th of August I 1639, to his Majesty's high Commissioner, and the Lords of his Majesty's honourable Privy Council ; and the act of coun- cil of the 30th of August 1639, containing the answer of the. said supplication ; and the act of the said General Assembly,, ordaining, by their ecclesiastical constitution, the subscription of the Confession of Faith and Covenant mentioned in their supplication : and withal, having supplicated his Majesty to- ratify and enjoin the same by his royal authority, under all civil pains, as tending to the glory of God, the preservation of religion, the King's Majesty's honour, and the perfect peace of this kirk and kingdom ; do ratify and approve the said supplication, act of council, and act of Assembly ; and, conform thereto, ordain and command the said Confession and Covenant to be subscribed by all his Majesty's subjects of what rank and quality soever, under all civil pains ; and ordain the said supplication, act of Council, and act of the Assembly, with the whole Confession and Covenant itself, to be insert and registrate in the acts and books of parlia- ment; and also ordain the samen to be presented at the entry of every parliament, and, before they proceed to any other act, that the same be publickly read, and sworn by the whole members of parliament claiming voice therein ; otherwise the refusers to subscribe and swear the same shall have no place nor voice in parliament : And sicklike, ordain all judges, magistrates, or other officers, of whatsoever place, rank, or quality, and ministers at their entry, to swear and subscribe the samen Covenant, whereof the tenor follows. The [ 483 ] THE > NATIONAL COVENANT; OK, THE CONFESSION OF FAITH: Subscribed at Jirst by the Ki> ,-, and his Iluuu-i in the Year [580; thereqfi f aB ranks in year 1581, by ordinance of th* I unci!, a tS of th I of persons in the at the desire of tl I ral Assembly : n ith fl mv3 :ors ; his manifold orders, auricular confession ; spe- rate and uncertain repentance; his general and doubt* ?aith; his satisfactions of men for their sins; hi- justiJ :ion by works, opus operatum, work cation, merits, pardons, peregrinations, and Btations \ h prater, baptizing of bells, conjuri sayning, anointing, conjuring, hallowing Gocfs l creatures, with the superstitions opinion joined therewith; worldly monarchy, and wicked hicrarchj \ \m t solemn vows, with all his shavelling nwdry lorf neous and Moody decrees made it Trent, with all the subscribers or approvers <>t' that cruel and bloody band, conjured against the kirk oi And finally, ue d all his vain alK is, and traditions brought in the kirk, without or against tne word of God, and docta of this true reformed kirk ; to the wlneh ire join OUne! willingly, in doctrine, faith, religion, discipline, and use of tlu- holy sacraments, as lively members of tin- - Christ our head: promising and . by the irreat name of the LORD our (iOl). that we shall cootinia the obedience of the doctrine and discipline of this kirk #, and >hall defend the same, aocoiding to i and all the dav- of our lives; under the pains contained in the law, and danger both of body and sOUi in tin Bod's fearfol judgment And Keing that many are itirred up bj S I that Roman Antichrist, to promise, 'or a i^e the holy sacraments in the kirk deceitfully, agii their own conscience; minding In >t, under the rnal cloak of religion, to corrupt and nibffl retlj God's true religion within the kirk; and lime may serve, to become opeo enemies and | tort of (he Mune, under rain hope of the Pope's disputation, d against the word of (i<» the maintainors thereof to Ik- punisl Pari 1. Act 51. ParL •). An 106. Pad I A • 11 \. Pari. 12. King James VI. do condemn the 1 i QUA doctrine, or anv Other tiro: it to any of the articles of the true and Christian religion, j |lickly preached and by law established in th Uprdains tin od makers of U^k-* or lil or writs of that nature to hi- punished, Pari. 3. Act 106. Pari. 7. Act. 24 Pari. 11. K VI. do condemn all baptism oooform to th. 1' and the idolatry of the ma—: and ordains all taj Iful . and conci akr- < f the mass, th. : the pries! lits, trafficking Pa| punished without anv exception or Pari. 1. Act 18). Pail. VI. A I. 14. Act 1. Pari. 1!). Act & ParL HX K WI. do condemn all erroneous books and writs oootain erroneous d ctrioe against the religion preseotl] professed, Ndtainiog BU] • and | Irhereby the people are great] bome-bringers oi them to be punish 11 King James \ 1 d o i ndemn the monuim me idolati . saint-, and such other super StltlQUS a i V to the dishonour of God, contempt of u and fosteril S among the people . ra of tii. n I i be punished h»r tin second built* a* idol Act 101. Pari - \ 1 1 ikeas man of Parliam icetved for nsa 1 Chrisi thereof, in doctrine and sacraments ^( tl in bar >»'• iblies, | s*em<**** \ 4 488 The Confession of Faith ; and jurisdiction thereof; as that purity of religion, and liberty of the church was used, professed, exercised, preach- ed, and confessed, according to the reformation of religion in this realm : As for instance, the 99th Act, Pari. 7. Act 25. Pari. 11. Act 114. Pari. 12. Act 160. Pari. 13. of King James VI. ratified by the 4th Act of King Charles. So that the 6th Act, Pari. 1. and 68th Act, Pari. 6. of) King James VI. in the year of God 1579, declare the ministers of the blessed evangel, whom God of his mercy had raised up, or hereafter should raise, agreeing with them that then lived, in doctrine and administration of the sacra- ments ; and the people that professed Christ, as he was then offered in the evangel, and doth communicate with the holy sacraments (as in the reformed kirks of this realm they were presently administrate) according to the Confession of Faith, to be the true and holy kirk of Christ Jesus within this realm. And decerns and declares all and sundry, who either gainsay the word of the evangel received and ap- proved as the heads of the Confession of Faith, professed in Parliament in the year of God 1560, specified also in the first Parliament of King James VI. and ratified in this present Parliament, more particularly do express ; or that refuse the administration of the holy sacraments, as they were then ministrated ; to be no members of the said kirk within this realm, and true religion presently professed, so long as they keep themselves so divided from the society of Christ's body. And the subsequent Act 69. Pari. 6. of King James VI. declares, that there is no other face of kirk, nor other face of religion, than was presently at that time, by the favour of God, established within this realm : " Which therefore is ever styled God's true religion, " Christ's true religion, the true and Christian religion, and " a perfect religion ;" which, by manifold Acts of Parlia- ment, all within this realm are bound to profess, to sub- scribe the articles thereof, the Confession of Faith, to recant all doctrine and errors repugnant to any of the said articles, Act 4. and 9. Pari. 1. Acts 45, 46, 47. Pari. 3. Act 71. Pari. 6. Act 106. Pari. 7. Act 24. Pari. 11. Act 123. Pari. 12. Act 194. and 197. Pari. 14. of King James VI. And all magistrates, sheriffs, &c. on the one part, are or- dained Or, National Covenant. 489 dained to search, apprehend, and punish all contraveners : For instance, Act 5. Pari. 1. Act 104. Pari. 7. Act 25. Pari. 11. King James VI.; and that notwithstanding of the King\s Majesty's licences on the contrary, which art discharged, and declared to be of no force, in so far ai tin v tend in any wise to the prejudice and hinder of the execu- tion of the Act- of Parliament against Papists and adver- saries of true religion, Act 106. Pari. 7. King James VI. On the other part, in the 47th Act. Pari. 15. King James \ I it is declared and ordained, Seeing the cause of & true religion and his Higfanes&'fl authority are so joined. the hurt of the one is common to both ; that none shall reputed a- loyal and faithful subject- to our sovereign Lord, or his authority, but be punishable as rebellers and gain- standers of the siiiir, who shall not give their confession, and make their profession of the said true religion : and that they who, after defection, shall give the Confession oft! faith of new, they shall promise to continue therein in time coming, to maintain our sovereign Lord's authority, an the uttermost of their ]>o\ver to fortify, assist, and maint the true preachers and |>r« ofChri-f- religion) against Whatsoever enemies and gainstaaderS <>f the same: and rtamelv, against all Mieh, of whatsoever nation. ee they be <»f, that have joined or bound them-i 1 1 or have assisted, or assist, to set forward and execute the cruel de 4 the council of Trent, contrary to t: ind professor* of the word of (tod: which is ited, word by word, in the article- of pacification at i. the 23d of February 157$, approved l>v Parliament the last of April \S\ ;tied in Parliament 1587, and Mated Act 18$, Pari. 12, of King-James \I.; with this addition, M That they are hound to resist all t: ibie k* uproars and hostilities raised against the true rt 4% th«- Kiml M id the true professi Likea*, all lieges are botmd Do m ' II person and authoritv, the authority of Parliament-, without the which neither any laVi or lawful judicatories can he established, A I I to. and 191 Phi K : James \ I. and the subjects' liberties, wl to live and be governed b\ tin King'i tart, the eomi \ law> 490 The Confession of Faith ; laws of this realm allenarly, Act 48. Pari. 3. King James I. Act 79. Pari. 6. King James IV. ; repeated in the Act 131. Pari. 8. King James VI. ; which if they be innovated and prejudged, " the commission anent the union of the two king- 44 doms of Scotland and England, which is the sole act of the 44 17th Pari, of King James VI. declares," such confusion would ensue as this realm could be no more a free mo- narchy : because, by the fundamental laws, ancient privileges, offices, and liberties of this kingdom, not only the princely authority of his Majesty's royal descent hath been these many ages maintained, but also the people's security of their, lands, livings, rights, offices, liberties, and dignities pre- served. And therefore, for the preservation of the said true religion, laws, and liberties of this kingdom, it is statute by the 8th Act, Pari. 1. repeated in the 99th Act, Pari. 7. ratified in the 23d Act, Pari. 11. and 114th Act, Pari. 12. of King James VI. and 4th Act, Pari. 1. of King Charles I. '4 That all Kings and Princes at their coronation, and re- 44 ception of their princely authority, shall make their faith- 44 ful promise by their solemn oath, in the presence of the 44 eternal God, that, enduring the whole time of their lives, 44 they shall serve the same eternal God, to the uttermost of 44 their power, according as he hath required in his most holy " word, contained in the Old and New Testament ; and ac~ 44 cording to the same word, shall maintain the true religion 44 of Christ Jesus, the preaching of his holy word, the due " and right ministration of the sacraments now received and " preached within this realm, (according to the Confession of 44 Faith immediately preceding,) and shall abolish and gain- 44 stand all false religion contrary to the same; and shall rule " the people committed to their charge, according to the will " and command of God revealed in his foresaid word, and 44 according to the laudable laws and constitutions received 44 in this realm, nowise repugnant to the said will of the " eternal God ; and shall procure, to the uttermost of their 44 power, to the kirk of God, and whole Christian people, " true and perfect peace in all time coming : and that they 44 shall be careful to root out of their empire all hereticks and " enemies to the true worship of God, who shall be convicted M by the true kirk of God of the foresaid crimes." Which was Or> National Covenant. 491 was also observed by his Majesty, at his coronation in Edinburgh 1633, as may be men in the order of the coronation. In obedience to the commandment of God, conform to the practice of the godly in former tines, and according to the laudable example of our worthy and religious pr nitor.s and of many yet living amongst us, which was war- ranted aKo by act 01 council, commanding a genera] band to be made and subscribed by his M;i subjects of all ranks; for two causes : one i ir defending the true ri- Kgion, as it was then reformed, and ressed in the ( ion of Faith above written, and a former large Co; sion established bv sundry acts of lawful General /Ww IhIJm'B and of Parliaments, unto which it hath relation, set d< in publiek Catechisms; and which hath been for i). year>, with a blessing from Heaven, preached and p; in this kirk and kingdom. - (. ; undoubted tr: grounded only upon his written word. The other e; . For maintaining tin K . _"- Majesty, his p e-tate ; the true worship of God and the King"^ authority being BO -traitly joined, a- that they had the same frit and common enemies and did stand and tall together. And finally, being convinced in our minds, and con! with our mouth-, that the present and Miceeediiig gnu DOBS in this land are bound to keep the foresaid i h and subscription inviolable. We Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Ministers, and Commons under-subscribing, considering divers tii before, and especially at t hi^ time, the dangi r of the true rmed religion, of the King's honour, and of the publiek peace of the kingdom, bv the manifold innovations and kvils, generally contained, and particularly mentioned in our late supplications, complaint-, and pcotestatioi . by profess, and before (iod, his angels, end the world, That irith our whole heart we usd resolve all the days of our life constantly to adhere ui and to defend t lu- foresaid true religion, and (forbearing tin bract dl innovation- alread\ introduced in the man of the worship d, or spprob ttioo «»t th of tin- publiek governs* the kirk, or civil placet and X poi 492 The Confession of Faith ; power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free Assemblies and in Parliament) to labour, by all means law- ful, to recover the purity and liberty of the Gospel, as it was established and professed before the foresaid novations. And because, after due examination, we plainly perceive, and undoubtedly believe, that the innovations and evils con- tained in our supplications, complaints, and protestations, have no warrant of the word of God, are contrary to the articles of the foresaid Confession, to the intention and meaning of the blessed reformers of religion in this land, to the above-written Acts of Parliament ; and do sensibly tend to the re-establishing of the Popish religion and tyranny, and to the subversion and ruin of the true reformed reli- gion, and of our liberties, laws, and estates ; we also de- clare, That the foresaid Confessions are to be interpreted, and ought to be understood of the foresaid novations and evils, no less than if every one of them had been expressed in the foresaid Confessions ; and that we are obliged to detest and abhor them, amongst other particular heads of Papistry abjured therein. And therefore, from the know- ledge and conscience of our duty to God, to our King and country, without any worldly respect or inducement, so far as human infirmity will suffer, wishing a further measure of the grace of God for this effect ; we promise and swear, by the GREAT NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD, to continue in the profession and obedience of the foresaid religion ; and that we shall defend the same, and resist all these contrary errors and corruptions, according to our vocation, and to the uttermost of that power that God hath put in our hands, all the days of our life. And in like manner, with the same heart, we declare be- fore God and men, That we have no intention nor desire to attempt any thing that may turn to the dishonour of God, or to the diminution of the King's greatness and authority ; but, on the contrary, we promise and swear, That we shall, to the uttermost of our power, with our means and lives, stand to the defence of our dread Sovereign the King's Ma- jesty, his person and authority, in the defence and preserva- tion of the foresaid true religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom ; as also to the mutual defence and assistance every one Or, National Cwenant. 493 one of us of another, in the same cause of maintaining the true religion, and his Majesty'! authority, with our \ counsel, our bodies, means, and whole jh>u< all sorts of persons whatsoever ; Ml that whatsoever ^hall be done to the least of us for that cause, -hall he taken a- d to us all in general, and to every one of in in partici And that we shall neither direetlv nor indirectly suffer l selves to he divided or withdrawn, by whatsoever BUgg* *>t combination, allurement, or terror, from this blessed and loyal conjunction; nor shall east in anv let or impediment that may stay or hinder anv Mich resolution a- by common coment shall be found to conduce for but, on the contrarv, shall bv all lawful means labour to fur and promote the same : and if anv such dangEWSIS divisive motion be made to us by word or writ. « e\ery one of us, shall either tuppfSSS it. or. if nerd !>■ incontinent make the same known, that it niav be tinuuusly obviated. Neither do we fear the foul aspersion! hellion, coml)ination, or what else our adversaries, from their craft ami malice, would put upon Uf do i- m well warranted, and ari-eth fmin an in desire to maintain the true worship of God, the majeel our King, and the peace of the kingdom, for the common happini ourselves and our posterity. And because we cannot look for a blessing from God up our proceedings, except with <>ur profession and lubeerip- tion we join such a life and conversation as beseemed) istians who have I their covenant with God \ then ton- Faithfilllv promi>e for our>d\c>, t > v i r follow all others under US, both in publick, and in our particular families, and personal carriage, to endeavour to k. selves within the hound- of ( hi Mian Libert] , and to he good imples to others of all godliness, - he! lie--, and iiL'lit. vs, ami of even dutj ire owe to G ind man. And, that this <>ur union and conjunction n ved without violation, wecaM the LI\ ING GOD, l HE \U( HER or OUB Hi: \i; i -. i . witness, uho knoweth this to In- our d unfeigned reso- lution, a. we si1;in answer to JES1 - * HRIST in tin- great day, ami under the pain ni (. wrath, I 494 The Confession of' Faith, &c. and of infamy and loss of all honour and respect in this world: most humbly beseeching the LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with a happy success ; that religion and righteousness may flourish in the land, to the glory of GOD, the honour of our King, and peace and comfort of us all. In witness whereof, we have subscribed with our hands all the premises. fT^HE article of this covenant, which was at the first -*- subscription referred to the determination of the General Assembly, being now determined ; and thereby the five articles of Perth, the government of the kirk by bishops, and the civil places and power of kirkmen, upon the reasons and grounds contained in the Acts of the General Assembly, declared to be unlawful within this kirk, we subscribe according to the determination aforesaid. FINIS THL SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVE NAN 1 FOR REFORMATION AND DEF1 H EU LIG1 HONOrK AND HAPPINESS OF Till KIN THE PEACE ANT) SAFETY OF THE THREE KING OF SCOTLAND. ENGLAND, AND IRELAND. TAKEN AND SUBSCRIIJKD -KYF.RAL TOIB HY KIN.- t 11 A RLE* II AM) UY ALL RANK- IN T1IK -AID THRO KIN WITH Vet of the General Assembly 1(3 13, and a- ioH ratifying and approving the >aul L elves to the Lord in a perpetual Ct Unit >ha(l not be J /»<• pubHck i nment and >o deep importan th require, unf • consideration, did, with all tluir h. the beginnings of the feelings of that joy, which tl find in so great measure upon the renovati the National Covenant of this kirk and kingdom, All with voice approve and embrace the Bai the most poi ful mean, hv the blessing of GOD, the true Protestant religion with I peso M ijesty\? dominions, and propagating the same I » i for establishing his Si tlmm. and generations. And therefore, with their h immend the same to the Honourafa I. es, that, beii imined and approved f>\ them, it . be sent with all dil;_ to the kingdom <»t" Engl that, being received and approves there, the -aim i with publick humiliation, and all - i> and an- solemnity, sworn and subscribed by all true }»• reformed religion, and all I. M i ty%i good Mibjacti in hoth kingdom \ JOIINSTOUN [ 498 ] Charles I. Pari. 3. Sess. 1. Act 5. Act anent the Ratification of the calling' of the Convention, Ratification of the League and Covenant, Articles of Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, and remanent Acts of the Convention of Estates^ and Committee thereof At Edinburgh, July 15. 1644 HE Estates of Parliament, presently convened by vir- tue of the last act of the last Parliament, holden by his Majesty, and the three Estates, in anno 1641, considering, that the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, and Com- missioners for conserving the articles of the treaty, having, according to their interests and trust committed to them by his Majesty and Estates of Parliament, used all means, by supplications, remonstrances, and sending of Commissioners, for securing the peace of this kingdom, and removing the unhappy distractions betwixt his Majesty and his subjects in England, in such a way as might serve most for his Majesty's honour, and good of both kingdoms; and their humble and dutiful endeavours for so good ends having proven ineffectual, and their offer of mediation and inter- cession being refused by his Majesty ; and thereby finding the weight and difficulty of affairs, and the charge lying on them to be greater than they could bear ; did therefore, in the month of May 1643, meet together with the Commis- sioners for the common burdens, that, by joint advice, some resolution might be taken therein ; and in respect of the danger imminent to the true Protestant religion, his Ma- jesty's honour, and peace of their kingdoms, by the multi- tude of Papists and their adherents in arms in England and Ireland, and of many other publick and important affairs, which could not admit delay, and did require the advice of the representative body of the kingdom ; appointed and caused indict a meeting of the Convention of Estates (his Majesty having formerly refused their humble desires for a Parliament) [ 499 ] Parliament) to be on the SSdofJtme folk diet being frequently kept by the Noblemen, ( mnissioners of shires and burghs, and the\ finding the - thi- kirk and state still increa r mt: deliberation and advice of the General Assembly, and j. coneurrenee of the Commissioners authorised by the Parlia- ment of England, that one of the chief venting of these and the like d r pew Religion, and both kingdoms from ruin and aestn procuring of peace, That both kingdoms should, these ends, enter in; ( eras m drawn up, and cheerfully embr a treaty eras agreed unto by both kin i Covenant, and a rom this k dom by the kingdom of England, iids expressed therein : — And th I tea In ing still i all good mean-, that, without the effusion of more blu there mav be such a blessed pacification betwixt 1 and hi> subjects, as may tend to tfu* ^hx\ <•: Majesty's truehonourand safetj ,andhappi did therefore give commission t<» John 1 I d Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord \v. u itoun, and .Air Robert Barclay, to repair to 1 ind endea\ the effectuating < I in the covei 'of treat inform to their instructions. — And the said Estates- having taken tlu pi written to their consideration, d I the Is of council, and toe, did {selves as faithful counsellors, loyal su . and l'^hI pa- ndering their humble cndeai zthe distractions betwixl his M ind hi~ 1 in ling the Commission rs foi th< co m b\ joint ad\ ice, appointing the bit. wh< n in thev haA i approver* tl i im l\e- the j of their places, and that trust commit ami thei andappi their whole prooeetl In, and d( id Conventioa "■■ i also full and fn i- in itself, ron»istii tin ) ( onvention hath be* n at anj time !•• s and appr.iM-s t1 in u [ 500 ] their committee, for enjoining the Covenant. And also, the said estates of Parliament (but prejudice of the pre- mises, and of the general ratification above mentioned) ra- tify, approve, and confirm the foresaid mutual League and Covenant, concerning the reformation and defence of reli- gion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland ; together with the acts of the Kirk and Estate authorizing the same League and Covenant ; together also with the foresaid articles of treaty agreed upon betwixt the said Commissioners of the Convention of Estates of Scot- land and the Commissioners of both the Houses of Parlia- ment of England, concerning the said Solemn League and Covenant. And the said Estates ordain the same acts, with the League and Covenant above specified, acts autho- rizing the same, and the articles of treaty foresaid, to have the full force and strength of perfect laws and acts of Par- liament, and to be observed by all his Majesty's lieges, conform to the tenors thereof respective. Of the which League and Covenant, the tenor follows: THE [ 501 ] THf SOLEMN LEAGUE AND CO\ I A \\ j F..R Reformation and Defence of Religion, ike Honour and H ness of the King, and tin 1 Ain^- doms of Scotland, England, anf Ireland; agreed mn m- viUs'umers from tie Parliament and Assembly England, nit It ('una and General Assembly in Scotland; approved Assembly of the Chan! \ . . II . Parliament and Assembly ' Divines in England, andU and subscribed by them, Anno I said authority, taken and subsi rib,,! by all /. v tmd and England the same Pi . and rati; Parliament of Scot/and, Anno 1644: rred in & tdland, with am I mdedgn to Di tss by all Ranks, Anno 1648, and < lament 1 649; llfl(l Gaie* and subscribed bg King 1 1 0 ; and at > l . V; rE Noblemen, Barons, Knights, (. , ( Burg Minister- of the Gospel, and Conini all sorts, in the kingdoms land, England, and Ireland, by the provideno GOD, living under one Ki: being of one reformed religion, having glory of GOD, and th< advancement of tin- kingdom I Lord and Saviour Ji the bom ; Lippiiiesa of the King's Majesty ami \n> post Bck liberty, safety, and peace of the kingdoms, n-hn ni^ private condition is included : And mind the treacherous and blood} pl< ies, ni pU, and pruclii cs of the cm • < > 1 K true religion and |h<>i : in all places, » *\ in these three kingdom >n ; and how mm ii tin \i rag of late, and at this time, increased and of thr deplorable state of the church and kingdom of I re la 502 The Solemn League and Covenant. the distressed estate of the church and kingdom of England,, and the dangerous estate of the church and kingdom of Scotland, are present and public testimonies ; we have now at last, (after other means of supplication, remonstrance, protestation, and sufferings,) for the preservation of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of GOD's people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most High GOD, do swear, I. rpHAT we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, -*- through the grace of GOD, endeavour, in our seve- ral places and callings, the preservation of the reformed re- ligion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, dis- cipline, and government, against our common enemies ; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the word of GOD, and the example of the best reformed Churches ; and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of church-government, directory for worship and catechising ; that we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us. II. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, church-government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chan- cellors, and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical Officers depending on that hierarchy,) superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound doc- trine and the power of godliness, lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues ; and that the Lord may be one, and his name one, in the three kingdoms. III. We The Solemn League and Covenant 000 III. We shall, with the same HBcerifty, rvaht\. .in- stancy, in our several vocation-, en p, with ites and lives, mutually to pi 1 |>ri\ : the Parliaments, and the liberties of t. serve and defend the King's \\ tho- rite, in the preservation and defer the true n and liberties of the kingdoms; thai ' witness with our consciences of our loyalty, and tl have no thoughts or intention- to diminish bis Majesl ju>t power an IV. We shall also, with all faithful discovery of all such as bav< J be im mali^nants. or evil instruments, by hi) ma- tion of religion, dividing the king from • of the kingdoms from another. < r makii panic- amongst the people, com i hi- I I enant ; that they may be 1> condign punishment, a- I tfi-noes shall require or d. iprem< ^doms respectively, or others b for that effect, shall judge com \ . And irhereas the haj i blessi these kingdoms, denied in I . is, by tl) 1 proi id ; hath been lately concluded i T liaments ; we shall each oni i place and int< joined in a firm peace and unioi justice may be done upon the w If il Banner expressed in the p \ 1. We shall also, accord in this common can-. 1 ;rdomi| assist and those thai i and ( ovenant, in the thereof; and shall no! suffer o combin dand withdraw n from I table ind ifl th 504 The Solemn League and Covenant. .the kingdom, and honour of the King; but shall, all the days of our lives, zealouslyand constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promote the same, according to our power, against all lets and impediments whatsoever ; and, what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall re- veal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed : All which we shall do as in the sight of God. And, because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against GOD, and his Son Jesus Christ, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we profess and declare, before GOD and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins,' . and for the sins of these kingdoms : especially, that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the gos- pel ; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts, nor to walk worthy of him in our lives ; which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us : and our true and unfeign- ed purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in publick and in private, in all duties we owe to GOD and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the ex- ample of a real reformation; that the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these churches and kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Covenant we make in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed ; most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spirit for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and en- couragement to other Christian churches, groaning under, or in danger of, the yoke of antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like association and covenant, to the glory of GOD, the enlargement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace and tranquillity of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths. FINIS. Ti SOLEMN A( KNOWLEDGM] or P U B L I C K SINS BREACHES OF THE COVEN W ! \ SOLI.MN AIJ. THE DUTIES I ONTAINED TH] UIK II 1)11 IN 'I < 1 M W ^ HI I THE D HI "i 1 IMI - rtl Atirti I A «fUC .1 1 [ 507 ] The Act of the Commission of He i Assembly fur renewing the Solemn League and ('oitn.. Edinburgh, ( rpHE Commission of the I J Ana -*- that a great part of ihifl land h themsel p many and groai breaches of tl nm 1. Covenant ; and that the hands of man j grown tladc in following and pursuing the duti that many, who not jtlicunt age wbeo it first sworn and subscribed, ha ccivcd into the same ; do, upon these, and other grave and >rtant considerations, Qjue and ( at to b r the renewing thereof with suitabh <>nt and dispositions* And, that these thin . we have thought it n d upon Acknowledgment of Pub S I Brea of the Covenant, and a Solemn Engagement t<> all Duties contained tin i urn 1\ . those which do in a more ial way relat • unto the da of these rinwa ! \ knoulcdiuiu nt and Engagement, sent lu rcwith, shall be made use of, and the League and I int shall be renewed in such manner as follows: Fit t. i an intimation i ublick humilu the >bath of l)i irinlx i , to be k* |>t upo Thursday, and the Lord tion, in i I dick At ki; rjiient ol and 1 .n _• a _ I 1 1 1< lit lintO 1 I Ik- publickly read by the minister, in t h the i j'le ; and the\ are to l> exhorti ; and tin hu- miliation and fast i- to l>e Lepf tl.' I i there- after, in r< I to th< aunt, con» \ lam J I 508 1 gained in the solemn publick acknowledgement, as the causes thereof; and the next Lord^s day thereafter, which is also to be spent in publick humiliation and fasting, immediately after the sermon, which is to be applied to the business of that day, the Publick Acknowledgment and Engagement is again to be publickly read ; and thereafter prayer is to be made, containing the confession of the breaches mentioned therein, and begging mercy for these sins, and strength of God for renewing the Covenant in sincerity and truth ; after which prayer the Solemn League and Covenant is to be read by the minister, and then to be sworn by him and all the people, who are to engage themselves for perform- ance of all the duties contained therein ; namely, these which are mentioned in the Publick Acknowledgment and •Engagement, and are opposite unto the sins therein con-; fessed : and the action is to be closed with prayer to God, that his people may be enabled, in the power of his strength, to do their duty, according to their oath, now re- newed in so solemn a way. It is also hereby provided, That all those who renew the League and Covenant, shall ' again subscribe the same ; and that none be admitted to the renewing or subscribing thereof, who are excluded by the other act and direction sent herewith. A. KER. The Act of the Committee of Estates of Parliament for renewing the Solemn League and Covenant. Edinburgh, October 14. 1648. HP HE Committee of Estates being very sensible of the -*- grievous backslidings of this land, in the manifold breaches of the Solemn League and Covenant, made and sworn to the most high God ; do therefore unanimously and heartily approve the seasonable and pious resolution of the Commission of the General Assembly for a solemn Acknow- ledgment of Publick Sins and Provocations, especially the breaches of the Covenant, and a solemn engagement to a more cpnscionable performance of the duties therein con- tained, and for renewing the Solemn League and Covenant; and [ 509 ] \nd do require and ordain, That v >aki Commission of Assembly, in their act of the < month, for a publick Acknowledgment ^agement to Duties, be carefully followed; that tin- fast and humiliation, appointed bv them, be religion- . served ; and that the Solemn L sincerely and cordial i. ian- ler they have prescribed in their -aid A rtractum. Mr. THO III. M>1 RS Y % A SOL] M\ [ 510 ] SOLEMN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PUBLICK SINS, AND BREACHES OF THE COVENANT ; AND A Solemn Engagement to all the Duties contained there- in, namely, those which do in a more special Way relate unto the Dangers of these Times. Yl^E Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Minis- " ters of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts within this kingdom, by the good hand of God upon us, taking into serious consideration the many sad afflictions and deep distresses wherewith we have been exercised for a long time past ; and that the land, after it hath been sore wasted with the sword and the pestilence, and threatened with famine ; and that shame and contempt hath been poured out from the Lord against many thousands of our nation, who did in a sinful way make war upon the kingdom of England, con- trary to the testimony of his servants, and desires of his people ; and that the remnants of that army, returning to this land, have spoiled and oppressed many of our brethren; and that the malignant party is still numerous, and, retain- ing their former principles, wait for an opportunity to raise a new and dangerous war, not only unto the rending of the bowels of this kingdom, but unto the dividing us from England, and overturning of the work of God in all the three kingdoms ; and considering also, that a cloud of ca- lamities doth still hang over our heads, and threaten us with sad things to come, we cannot but look upon these things as from the Lord, who is righteous in all his ways, feeding us with the bread of tears, and making us to drink the waters of afflictions, until we be taught to know how evil and bitter a thing it is to depart away from him, by breaking the Oath and Covenant which we have made with him ; and that we may be humbled before him, by confess- ing our sin, and forsaking the evil of our way. Therefore An Acknowledge Therefore being pressed with I straits and warranted by the word of ( tad ha\ example of God's people of old, who in tin I troubles, and when they were to leek delivery, and ■ right for themselves, that the Lord might be prosper them, did humble themselves before him, and make a free and particular oonfesskm of the their princes, their rulers, their captains, their pi their peoi and did engage then. . but to nt'orm j wavs, and be Bf ; and i Bering the practice of our pred( i the \ \h'k rein the General Assembly, and all the kirk-judu with the concurrence of nianv of the nobilit} bur_ did, with mam icknovsled. eh of tile National Co\enant. and engaged fhtffMflffl i reformation; even anew predecessors sod l •redone, in the ( > I Assembly and Couvei . in th 1567; and perceiving that tin when gone about out of id in siiRvntw hath alu ttended %% itli a reviving out of troub • irith a blei od success from I ; we d i hui and rincerely, as in h the Searcher of hi acknowledge the many -in- and great transgressi the land : we have done our kings, our princes, our nobles, our jud >ur officers, our teachers, and our people. All; Lord hath long and ciearU . we i nrkened to I. . dbeh be hath followed ut with . we tun been alkan d to wait i , him, ami walk in his way ; and though he hath stricken us, ved; nay, though he hath consui bin l'«»o<1- Uess, and aconrdin vaand promises, but I bon< backward 1>\ ■••urseof back and B Jam League and int, which we sw« « Albeit there be in the land man] ->s« who Ik- I y unto the truth, and I praise unto the 1 rd, bj living its pure, and ! ist in the i>\cnant and cau* 512 An Acknowledgment of Sins-, God ; yet we have reason to acknowledge, that most of us have not endeavoured, with that reality, sincerity, and con- stancy that did become us, to preserve the work of reforma- tion in the kirk of Scotland : many have satisfied themselves with the purity of the ordinances, neglecting the power thereof; yea, some have turned aside to crooked ways, de- structive to both. The profane, loose, and insolent carriage of many in our armies, who went to the assistance of our brethren in England, and the tamperings and un straight dealing of some of our commissioners, and others of our na- tion, in London, the Isle of Wight, and other places of that kingdom, have proved great lets to the work of reformation and settling of kirk-government there, whereby error and schism in that land have been increased, and sectaries har- dened in their way. We have been so far from endeavour- ing the extirpation of profaneness, and what is contrary to the power of godliness, that profanity hath been much winked at, and profane persons much countenanced, and many times employed, until iniquity and ungodliness hath gone over the face of the land as a flood ; nay, sufficient care hath not been had to separate betwixt the precious and the vile, by debarring from the sacrament all ignorant and scandalous persons, according to the ordinances of this kirk. Neither have the privileges of the Parliaments and liber- ties of the subject been duly tendered ; but some amongst ourselves have laboured to put into the hands of our King an arbitrary and unlimited power, destructive to both ; and many of us have been accessory of late to those means and ways, whereby the freedom and privileges of Parliaments have been encroached upon, and the subjects oppressed in their consciences, persons, and estates ; neither hath it been our care to avoid these things which might harden the King in his evil way ; but, upon the contrary, he hath not only been permitted, but many of us have been instrumental to make him exercise his power, in many things tending to the prejudice of religion, and of the Covenant, and of the peace and safety of these kingdoms ; which is so far from the right way of preserving his Majesty's person and authority, that it cannot but provoke the Lord against him, unto the hazard and Engagement to Duties hazard of both ; nay, under a pretence of rei: and doing for the Kin<£, whilst he do what ua> cessary for the house of God, some have ranversed and i lated most of all the articles of the < ovenant. Our own conscience within, and Gtitft jiid«nient<* ujiun us without, do convince u< of the manifold wilful r< breaches of that article which concern*, th the punishment of malignants, whoegcriin not onlv beea connived at, but dispensed with and pardooed, and th< selves received into intimate fellowship with ouradvea, i intrusted with our counts, admitted into our I it*, and put in places of power and authoritv, ! the publick affairs of the kingdom ; wherein, in i. .u^ tice, they got at la^t into their hand- the whole t strength of the kingdom, both in jud: and did employ the same unto the enacting and proaecut ingan unlawful engagement in war it the k England, notwithstanding of the dissent of man . able members of Parliament, wh«» had giveQ constant proof of their integrity in the cause from the faithful testimonies, and free wan (rod ; of the supplications of mai and vbire< ; and of the declarations of the (General tembly and their Commissioners to t In i ment, as it hath been th much d^> inch misery and calamity unto this land; and h< forth to us the of our sti unplyiii malignant^ in the greatt* our jud , that we may !t never to spHt Sgaill ii|hiii the ucL, U|m»ii which the Lord had ifkable abeam kad after ;il ! that i- come to paSS unto ih U-eau-r of l ii l - I tre>j r that h been *h from the Lord our d-d. bv I from off our tuck-, and pntl ai;am ,I,r° • cal*' act for the good of religion, our own and the lafetj of this kingdom, ihotM wm-mun break t commandment and c die people of these abominati iking ii boaooi those serpents, which had B J *""ff im *i"*>st " dratli ; tin-, as it would si letttmadneasamifaUv up Y 514 An Acknowledgment of Sins , our part, so, no doubt, if it be not avoided, will provoke the Lord against us, to consume us, until there be no rem- nant nor escaping in the land. And albeit the peace and union betwixt the kingdoms be a great blessing of God unto both, and a bond which we are obliged to preserve unviolated, and to endeavour that justice may be done upon the opposers thereof; yet some, in this land, who have come under the bond of the Cove- nant, have made it their great study how to dissolve this • union ; and few or no endeavours have been used by any of us for punishing of such. We have suffered many of our brethren, in several parts of the land, to be oppressed by the common enemy, without « compassion or relief. There hath been great murmuring, and repining, because of expence of means, and pains in doing of our duty. Many, by persuasion or terror, have, suffered themselves to be divided and withdrawn, to make defection to the contrary part : many have turned off* to a detestable indifferency and neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of God, and the good of these kingdoms ; nay, many have made it their study to walk so, as they might comply with all times, and all the revolutions thereof. It hath not been our care to countenance, encou- rage, intrust, and employ such only, as from their hearts did affect and mind God's work ; but the hearts of such many times have been discouraged, and their hands weakened, their sufferings neglected, and themselves slighted; and many, who were once open enemies, and always secret un- derminers, countenanced and employed: nay, even those who had been looked upon as incendiaries, and upon whom the Lord has set marks of desperate malignancy, falsehood, and deceit, were brought in, as fit to manage publick affairs: many have been the lets and impediments that have been cast in the way, to retard and obstruct the Lord's work ; and some have kept secret, what of themselves they were not able to suppress and overcome. Besides these, and many other breaches of the articles of the Covenant in the matter thereof, which it concerneth every one of us to search out and acknowledge before the Lord, as we would wish his wrath to be turned away from us; and Engagement to Duties. 515 us ; so have many of us failed exceedingly in the manner of our following and pursuing the duties contained therein ; not only seeking great things for ourselves* and mixing of our private interests and ends concerning ourselves, and friend-, and followers, with those things which concern the lick good ; but inanv times preferring >uch to the ho- nour of God, and good of his cause, and retarding Ciocls work, until we might carry along with us our own inter and designs. It hath been our way to trust in the means, and to relv upon the arm of flesh for MIC . ibeit the Lord hath many times made us meet with disappointment there- in, and stained the pride of all ourglorv. bv blasting every carnal confidence unto as : we have followed for the most part the counsels of flesh and blood, and walked more by the rules of" policy than pietv, and have hearkened more unto men than unto (loci. Albeit we made solemn publick profession before the world, of our unfeigned desires to be humbled before the Lord for our own sins, and the sins of these kingdoms, dally for our undervaluing of the inestimable benefit of the gospel, it we have not laboured for the power thereof, and received Christ into our hearts, and walked thy of him in our lives ; and of our true and unfeigned Ipurpose, d( nd endeavour, for ourselves, and all otli under our power and charge, both in publick and private, in all the duties which we owe to God and man. to amend our I another in the example of a real reformation, that the Lord might turn away his i and lni\\ indignation, and establish these kirks and kingdoms in truth and peace; vet we bave refused to be I. and have walked proudly and ol ly against the Lord, not valuini 1, nor submitting ourseh unto the ob e thereof; not seeking after Christ, not i hoi >ur 1m i in the exoellency of his persdn, him in the \ irtue of h nor making of publick ordin nor private nor luties; nor studying to edifj mother hi low I rno- NuiceofGod, tno A his Son Jesus Christ, prevails ei bigly in the la d ; th Btnoi >!' ( ». and 516 An Acknowledgment of Sing, Commons, neglect to seek God in their families, and to endeavour the reformation thereof; and albeit it hath been much pressed, yet few of our nobles and great ones, ever to this day, could be persuaded to perform family-duties themselves, and in their own persons ; which makes so ne- cessary and useful a duty to be misregarded by others of inferior rank ; nay, many of the Nobility, Gentry, and Burrows, who should have been examples of godliness and sober walking unto others, have been ringleaders of excess and rioting. Albeit we be the Lord's people, engaged to him in a solemn way ; yet to this day we have not made it our study, that judicatories and armies should consist of; and places of power and trust be filled with, men of a blameless and Christian conversation, and of known inte- grity, and approven fidelity, affection, and zeal, unto the cause of God ; but not only those who have been neutral | and indifferent, but disaffected and malignant, and others who have been profane and scandalous, have been intrusted : by which it hath come to pass, that judicatories have been the seats of injustice and iniquity ; and many in our armies, by their miscarriages, have become our plague, unto the great prejudice of the cause of God, the great scandal of the gospel, and the great increase of looseness and profanity throughout all the land. It were impossible to reckon up all the abominations that are in the land ; but the blaspheming of the name of God, swearing by the creatures, profanation of the Lord's day, uncleanness, drunkenness, excess and rioting, vanity of apparel, lying and deceit, railing and curs- ing, arbitrary and uncontrouled oppression, and grinding of the faces of the poor by landlords, and others in place and power, are become ordinary and common sins ; and besides all these things, there be many other transgressions, whereof the lands wherein we live are guilty. All which we desire to acknowledge and to be humbled for, that the world may bear witness with us, that righteousness belongeth unto God, and shame and confusion of face unto us, as appears this day. And because it is needful for those who find mercy, not only to confess, but also to forsake their sin ; therefore, that the reality and sincerity of our repentance may appear, we do resolve and solemnly engage ourselves, before the Lord* carefully and Engagement to Duties. 517 carefully to avoid for the time to come all these often whereof we have now made solemn publick acknowledges and all the snares and tentations which tend thereunt to testify the integrity of our resolution herein, and that we DM be the belter enabled in the power of the Lord's strength to perform the same, we do again renew our 9 leinn League and Covenant; pranking hereafter t<» ni;iki conscience of all the duties whereunto we are obliged, in all the heads and articles thereof, particularly of these that follow. 1. Hei ligion is of all things the most excellent and pr« -cious. the advancing and promoting the }>ower thereof ast all ungodline.-s and profanity, the securing and |>re- :n'jr the puiitv thereof against all error, heresy, ami >chiavh thercii|*on, umler an\ pretext whatsomewr. 3. W. shall vindicate and maintain the liberties of the mbjecto, in all these things which bob- n their consciences, b and esUtttft. fc We shall refullv maintain and defend the union betwixt the kmg- uns, and avoid e\er\ thing thai may weaken tli involve us in any nx on unto the guilt of those who have invaded the kingdom 'land. 5 A pe have been always l<»\al to our K i we shall still bpdeavour to give unto God thai which is <- . and to I ir the things which are (t-.u We shall be m> from connh mg g with, or ( ountenam jpalignancy, injustice, iniquity, profan thai pre -hall not only avoid and discountenance those thii and cherish ocourage ilusc j who are peal< the cause of God, and walk accowHng to the gone); hut abo shall take a more effectual i than her. in CU ea d< 518 An Acknowledgment of Sins y &c. in our respective places and callings, for punishing an suppressing these evils ; and faithfully endeavour, that the best and fittest remedies may be applied for taking away the causes thereof, and advancing the knowledge of God, and holiness and righteousness in the land. And therefore, in the last place, as we shall earnestly pray unto God, that he would give us able men^ fearing God, men of truth, and Jiating covetousness, to judge and bear charge among his people; so we shall, according to our places and callings, endeavour that judicatories, and all places of power and trust, both in kirk and state, may consist of, and be filled with, such men as are of known good affection to the cause' of God, and of a blameless and Christian conversation. And, because there be many, who heretofore have not made conscience of the oath of God, but some through fear, others by persuasion, and upon base ends and human in- terests, have entered thereinto, who have afterwards dis- covered themselves to have dealt deceitfully with the Lord, in swearing falsely by his name ; therefore we, who do now renew our Covenant, in reference to these duties, and all other duties contained therein, do, in the sight of him who is the Searcher of hearts, solemnly profess, that it is not upon any politick advantage, or private interest or by-end, or because of any terror or persuasion from men, or hypo- critically and deceitfully, that we do again take upon us the oath of God, but honestly and sincerely, and from the sense of our duty ; and that therefore, denying ourselves, and our own things, and laying aside all self-interest and ends, we shall above all things seek the honour of God, the good of his cause, and the wealth of his people ; and that forsaking the counsels of flesh and blood, and not leaning- upon carnal confidences, we shall depend upon the Lord, walk by the rule of his word, and hearken to the voice of his servants. In all which, professing our own weakness, we do earnestly pray to God, who is the Father of mercies, through his Son Jesus Christ, to be merciful unto us, and to enable us, by the power of his might, that we may do our duty, unto the praise of his grace in the churches. Amen. FINIS. rai DIRECTORY FOR THE PUBLICK WORSHIP OF GOD AGREED UPON THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH THE A- < OMMISSIONEBS HE CHUBCH 01 Si 01 LAND, AS A P^j t I Uniformity in BeUgtOD betwixt tlM k i, .mil Ireland | ... KITH sen] AbM-inMy, woi PJurtiaroent, both in 1 1 15, approving aiid estal)lij>hiiu,' the si'ul 1 1 17. it/if, and Vcr. 86.— -Li i all th ioMuq aril toAb ?I^9I I w™ A j£lJ b™ .,0jjf auonaa bflB §aibB3 afwollf IdareaaA lerairaO ^ » I ai bo3 \o qirl >bilduq arij 10 ) bas 'sugKfcl mrrelog aril yd telinu vbifi! a3 "to lasraailiBl adl to saasnibio ariJ d«w isriJs^ Ji ^ioi39*iia s'dJ bm bcra \ 3dj 'jjniwiqqii *<> ** f * °* 8nibnt ■«OV Y1B«U03 B JUOf IBlItB I to biA ba it bbB bns saoqi -cihsT. to )3B bns wbI b to soic id* an idt taoqu9iadJ esaq o; aibioDOB iUt l«I9i [ 521 ] Charles I. Pari. 3. Sess. An Act of the Parliament of the Kingdom of S( oti. • approving and establishing the Dili! Worship. At Edinburgh, February & 1646. f|MIK Estates of Parliament now convened) in tlu **- session of this first triennial Parliament, by virtu [the last act of the la>t Parliament hoick n by hli Ml and the Three Estates, in anno 1641 j after the puolick reading and serious consideration of the act under-wri of the Genera] Assembly, approving the following Direc- . for the publick worship of God in the three k doms, lately united by the Solemn League ami Coven together with the ordinance of the Parliament of Kngland blishing the said Directory, and the Directory itself. do heartily and cheerfully agree to the laid Directory] cording to the act of tlu- General Assembly approving the Which act, together with the Directors . the of Parliament do, without a contrary v< and approve in all the- Heads and Articles thereof; and do Wterpone and add the authority of Parliament to the act of the General Assembly. And do ordain th to have the Strength and force of a law and act of Parlia- mtnt. and execution to pass thereupon, for observing the : Directory, according to the -aid act of the Gel mhly in all point-. Al.l.X GIBSON, Ckr. ft bit L 522 ] Assembly at Edinburgh, February 3. 1645. Sess. 10. Act of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, for the establishing and putting in Execution of the Directory for the Publick Worship of God. Yf^THERE AS an happy unity, and uniformity in religiom * * amongst the kirks of Christ, in these three kingdoms, united under one Sovereign, having been long and earnestly wished for by the godly and well-affected amongst us, wa's propounded as a main article of the large treaty, without which band and bulwark, no safe, well-grounded, and last- ing peace could be expected; and afterward, with greater strength and maturity, revived in the Solemn League and Covenant of the three kingdoms; whereby they stand straitly obliged to endeavour the nearest uniformity in one form o Church-government, Directory of Worship, Confession o Faith, and Form of Catechising ; which hath also before, and since our entering into that Covenant, been the matter of many supplications and remonstrances, and sending Com- missioners to the King^s Majesty ; of declarations to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, and o: letters to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, and others o: the ministry of the kirk of England ; being also the end o our sending Commissioners, as was desired, from this kirk, with commission to treat of uniformity in the four par- ticulars afore-mentioned, with such committees as should be appointed by both Houses of Parliament of England, and by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster and beside all this, it being, in point of conscience, th( chief motive and end of our adventuring upon manifolc and great hazards, for quenching the devouring flame oi the present unnatural and bloody war in England, thougt to the weakening of this kingdom within itself, and the advantage of the enemy which have invaded it ; accounting nothing too dear to us, so that this our joy be fulfilled And now this great work being so far advanced, that Directory for the Publick Worship of God in all the thre< kingdom [ 523 ] 'kingdoms being agreed upon by the Honourable Houst \ the Parliament of England, after i with the Divines of both kingdoms then bled, and >ur approbation, that, being a! ed upon by this kirk and kingdom of Scotland, it may be in the name of x)th kingdoms presented to the King, for sent and ratification; the General Assembly, having most feriouslj considered, revised, and examined the 1) afore-mentioned, after several publick readings of it, much deliberation, both pubiickly and in pri ommit- , after full liberty given to all to object against it. earnest imitations of all who have any scruples about r make known the same, that they might be ftatisl i<'th unanimously, and without a contrary voice, agree to approve the following Directory, in all the beads the' together with the Preface set before it; and doth req.. rn, and ordain, That, according to the plain tenor :iing thereof, and the intent of the IV tre- fullv and uniformly observed and practised b\" all the minis- ter- and others within this kingdom whom it doth i cem ; which practice shall be begun, upon intimation given to the several presbyteries from the Commission this ral Assembly, who shall also take special printing of this Directory, that a printed ' be ided and kept for the use of e\ irv kirk in thi> kingdom ; also that each presbytery have a printed copy thereof tnd take special n< tion or v congregation witiiin their 1 End make known the same t<> the Provincial <>r (. iiibly, as there shall be cause. Provided always, '1 in the Directory, of tin administration of the '.Lord's Supper, which mentioned! the communicant! •boul the table, or at it, be not interpreted, as u\ in the judgment of tin- kirk, it were indifferent, and t. of the communicants not , and i the e did approve the distributi the ele- ments by the minister t»» each communicant, and not l»v imimicants among thenw -Im-v It Is also pn I this shall b. judice to the order and practii this kii ' icfc particular! a- nted b) the b< [ 524 ] of discipline, and acts of General Assemblies, and are riot otherwise ordered and appointed in the Directory. Finally, The Assembly doth, with much joy and thank- fulness, acknowledge the rich blessing and invaluable mercy of God, in bringing the so much wished for uniformity in religion to such a happy period, that these kingdoms, once at so great a distance in the form of worship, are now, by the blessing of God, brought to a nearer uniformity than any other reformed kirks ; which is unto us the return of our prayers, and a lightening of our eyes, and reviving of our hearts in the midst of our many sorrows and sufferings ; a taking away, in a great measure, the reproach of the people of God, to the stopping of the mouths of malig- nant and disaffected persons; and an opening unto us a door of hope, that God hath yet thoughts of peace towards us, and not of evil, to give us an expected end ; in the expectation and confidence whereof we do rejoice; be-^ seeching the Lord to preserve these kingdoms from heresies, schisms, offences, profaneness, and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of godliness; and to continue with us, and the generations following, these his pure and purged ordinances, together with an increase of the power and life thereof, to the glory of his great name, the enlargement of the kingdom of his Son, the corroboration of peace and love between the kingdoms,' the unity and comfort of all his people, and our edifying one another in love. THE THE CONTENTS. THE Preface. Of the Assembling of the Congre- gation. Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures. Of Publick Prayer before the mon. Of Preaching of the Word. Oi Praj Sermon. Of the Sacrament of Bapti Of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Of the Sanctifkation of the Lord J Day. Of the Solemnization rh . Of tlie Visitation of the Sick. Of the Burial of the Dead. Of Publick solemn 1 Of tl. vation of Days of Publick Thanksirh itiLr. Una. Appendix toucnii . s and Place> ot Publick Worship. TIIK DIRECTORY r<.K TIIK PUBL] C K WOlt < II IP o 1 GOD THE PREFA< I I N tin hi Igitming of the Meted Reformation, our « -* and pious ancestors took ciivc to srt forth an order (bl redress of many tl irhich they then, by the word. di> red to be vain, i rroneous, superstitious, and idolatrous, in the publick worship of God. This occasioned many god- rid learned men to rejoice much in the Hook of Common . at that time set forth; because the mass, and the of the* Latin - moved, the publick worship ited in our own tongue: manj of theoommon pie also received benefit 1>\ hearing tin- tcriptufl in their own language, which formerly wew unto then a hook that is M-aled. Howbeit, long and nd experience hath ms le it manifest, mat the Liturgy used in the Church oi I i . < otwith- ling all tin pains and n his 526 The Preface. lers of it,) hath proved an offence, not only to many of the godly at home, but also to the reformed Churches abroad. For, not to speak of urging the reading of all the prayers, which very greatly increased the burden of it, the many un- profitable and burdensome ceremonies contained in it have occasioned much mischief, as well by disquieting the con- sciences of many godly ministers and people, who could not: yield unto them, as by depriving them of the ordinances of God, which they might not enjoy without conforming or sub- scribing to those ceremonies. Sundry good Christians have: been, by means thereof, kept from the Lord's table; and divers able and faithful ministers debarred from the exercise of their ministry, (to the endangering of many thousand souls, in a time of such scarcity of faithful pastors,) and spoiled of their livelihood, to the undoing of them and their families. Prelates, and their faction, have laboured to raise the estimation of it to such a height, as if there were no other worship, or way of worship of God, amongst us, but only the Service-book ; to the great hinderance of the preach- ing of the word, and (in some places, especially of late) to the justling of it out as unnecessary, or at best, as far inferior to the reading of common prayer ; which was made no better than an idol by many ignorant and superstitious people, who, pleasing themselves in their presence at that service, and their lip-labour in bearing a part in it, have thereby hardened themselves in their ignorance and carelessness of saving knowledge and true piety. In the meantime, Papists boasted that the book was a compliance with them in a great part of their service ; and so were not a little confirmed in their superstition and ido- latry, expecting rather our return to them, than endeavour- ing the reformation of themselves : in which expectation they were of late very much encouraged, when, upon the pretended warrantableness of imposing of the former cere- monies, new ones were daily obtruded upon the Church. Add hereunto, (which was not foreseen, but si nee hath come to pass,) that the Liturgy hath been a great means, as on the one hand to make and increase an idle and unedifying mini- stry, which contented itself with setforms made to their hands by others, without putting forth themselves to exercise the gift The Preface. gift of prayer, with which our Lord i to furnish all his servants whom he calls to that oil. , on the other tide, it hath been (and ever would be, if continued) a matter of endless strife and contention in the Church, and a snare both to many godly and faithful minister!, whol. ;uted and silenced upon that< n, and toot! of hopeful part-, many of which have been, and more still would be, diverted from all thoughts of the ministry to other stud: ially in these latter times, wherein God vouch- safed) to his people more ami better means for thedisom of error and >uperstition, and for attaining of km ge in the mysteries of godfim Bs, ifta in preaching and prayer. Upon these, and many the like weighty considerations rence to the whole book ing • andbe* : tained in it; not from any love tOIKM intention todispar reformers, (of whom we are uaded, that, were they now alive, they would join with oik. ami whom we acknowledge as excellent in- ■trumen ed l>\ God, to begin the purging and build m hi (I de-ire they mav be bad of u> and posterity in everlasting remembrance, with thankfulness and honour,) Kit thai iv in aome measure answer the gracious prou i- . which at this time calleth Up fur- ther reformation, and mav satisfy our own consciences, and the expectation of other reformed churches, and the . ind withal y of <>ur endeavours for uniforu . in divine worship, which we have promised in our Solemn I I int; we have, affa and requ lling upon the name of God, and after much i wit. »t with flesh and blood, but with bisholj word, le the I I liturgy, with I ad i rmerly used in tl hip of ( rod ; (1 upon iIun iullow ing 1 tin ( toi I ship, a; ordinal \ limes, re hath been to hold forth »uch things ai •;ti( n in ei id other tli in d to i.stian prudi : tin* ord <>! > our i ng only, that 528 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. general heads, the sense and scope of the prayers, and other parts of publick worship, being known to all, there may be a consent of all the churches in those things that contain the substance of the service and worship of God ; and the ministers may be hereby directed, in their admini- strations, to keep like soundness in doctrine and prayer, and may, if need be, have some help and furniture, and yet so as they become not hereby slothful and negligent in stirring up the gifts of Christ in them ; but that each one, bv medita- tion, by taking heed to himself, and the flock of God com- mitted to him, and by wise observing the ways of divine providence, may be careful to furnish his heart and tongue with further or other materials of prayer and exhortation, as shall be needful upon all occasions. "W Of the Assembling of the Congregation^ and their Behaviour in the Publick Worship of God. T^HEN the congregation is to meet for publick worship, the people (having before prepared their hearts there^ unto) ought all to come and join therein ; not absenting themselves from the publick ordinances through negligence, or upon pretence of private meetings. Let all enter the assembly, not irreverently, but in a grave and seemly manner, taking their seats or places without ado- ration, or bowing themselves towards one place or other. The congregation being assembled, the minister, after solemn calling on them to the worshipping of the great name of God, is to begin with prayer, " In all reverence and humility acknowledging the in- 6i comprehensible greatness and majesty of the Lord, (in " whose presence they do then in a special manner appear,) " and their own vileness and un worthiness to approach s« " near him, with their utter inability of themselves to so " great a work ; and humbly beseeching him for pardon, " assistance, and acceptance, in the whole service then to be M performed ; and for a blessing on that particular portion " of his word then to be read : And all in the name and " mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ.v The publick worship being begun, the people are wholly to attend upon it, forbearing to read any thing, except what 23 the The Directory fur the Pablick Worship ofGai the minister is then reading or citing ; and abstaining much more from all private whisperings, conferences, salutati or doing reverence to any person present, or coming in . also from all gazing, sleeping, and other indecent behaviour, which mav disturb the minister or people, or hinder them- selves or others in the service of God. If anv, through necessity, be hindered from bei; ent at the beginning) tiu-v ought not, when they come into the gregation, to betake themselves to their private ci< tions, but reverentlv to compose themselves to join with the aiblv in that ordinance of God which is then in hand. Of Piiblick Reading of the Holy Scriptu READING of the word in the congregation, being part of the publick \vor>hip of God, (wherein we acknow- ir dependence upon him, and subjection to him.) and one mean sanctified by him for the edifying of hi* people, i- to I) performed bv the pastors and teach How In it, Mich a< intend the ministry, mav occasionally both read the word, and exercise their gift in preaching in the congregation, if allowed by the pre-l>\ terv thereuir All me canonical books of the Old and Net 1 Ptfntfnt (but none ot those which are commonly called Apoi shall be ])ul)Iicklv read in the vulgar tongue^ out m the • allowed translation, distinctly, that all may hear and understand. How large I portion shall lu lead at once, it left to the lorn of the minister ; but it i> MM, that ordina- rily one chapti n'li TeafUMri be read at tterjp Met- ing; and sometime* l rhere the chapter? iort, or the coherence of matter required) it. It is requisite that all tin- canonical book | | aMf in order, thai the people mav Ik* belief acquainted with the whole l f tin- scriptures^ and ordinarily, where the ling in either Testament endeth on oik 1 raft day, it i> to begin the m We commend also the m qifenl reading ah leriptures as he thai readeth ihall think be*l for turn of his h< as the book of Psalms, and such like* / When 530 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. When the minister who readeth shall judge it necessary *to expound any part of what is read, let it not be done until the whole chapter or psalm be ended ; and regard is always to be had unto the time, that neither preaching, nor other ordinances be straitened, or rendered tedious. Which rule is to be observed in all other publick performances. Beside publick reading of the holy scriptures, every per- son that can read, is to be exhorted to read the scriptures privately, (and all others that cannot read, if not disabled by age, or otherwise, are likewise to be exhorted to learn to read,) and to have a Bible. Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon. \ FTER reading of the word, (and singing of the psalm,) -^*- the minister who is to preach, is to endeavour to get his own and his hearers hearts to be rightly affected with their sins, that they may all mourn in sense thereof before the Lord, and hunger and thirst after the grace of God in Jesus Christ, by proceeding to a more full confession of sin, with shame and holy confusion of face, and to call upon the Lord to this effect : " To acknowledge our great sinfulness, First, by reason '* of original sin, which (beside the guilt that makes us liable. " to everlasting damnation) is the seed of all other sins, hath " depraved and poisoned all the faculties and powers of soul " and body, doth defile our best actions, and (were it not u restrained, or our hearts renewed by grace) would break 4; forth into innumerable transgressions, and greatest rebel- " lions against the Lord that ever were committed by the u vilest of the sons of men. And next, by reason of actual li sins, our own sins, the sins of magistrates, of ministers, u and of the whole nation, unto which we are many ways a accessory : which sins of ours receive many fearful aggra- " vations, we having broken all the commandments of the ,,? holy, just, and good law of God, doing that which is for- " bidden, and leaving undone what is enjoined ; and that " not only out of ignorance and infirmity, but also more ?? presumptuously, against the light of our minds, checks of " our consciences, and motions of his own Holy Spirit to the " contrary, The Directory for the Publkk Worship of God. 531 f contrary, so that we have no cloak for our >in- ; ft sa, not p only despising the ricbefl of God's goodness, forbes r and long-suffering, but standing out against main in- *4 vitation> and offers of grace in the gospel; not en V vourin^, as we ought, to receive Christ into our Ik " by faith, or to walk worthy of him in our li\ " To bewail our blind 1' mind, hardn heart) unbelief, impenitency, security, lukewarmm ne>s ; our not endeavouring after mortification and new* of life, nor after the exercise of godliness in the 1 power thereof; and that the best (^ U8 have D »tlv walked with God, kept our garments bo unc I nor been BO lealous <>f his glory, and the good of oth we ought: and to niouni over such other >in> a^ the 1 co ion is particularly guilty of, notwithstand I the manifold and great mercies of our Grodf the lov< 1 Christ, the light of the gospel^ and reformat] i own pui •; promises, vow-, solemn i 1 other special obligations, to the oontrar 11 To acknowledge and confess, that, as we I of our guilt, bo, out of a deep sense then 1 ourselves unworthy of the Bmallest benefits, thy ■ of God's fiercest wrath, and of all the curses of the I I and heaviest judgments inflicted upon th r belli 1 sinners; and that he might most justly t. loin 4 and gospel from u^. plague u^ * ith all n A i ritual and * temporal judgments in this life, and ai into u\ * darkness, in the lake that burneth \n ith fire and hr." | where is we* ping ai I gii eth for evermi \ thstanding all which, to draw near to the thro ' of with hop- of r of our prayei s, in the riches and all mi! that only one oblation, tin ction and intei I onl Jesus Chi ist, at the right hand «>t our Father ; and in confidence of th< i ious promises of mere) and t^race in the new covt i through the wrath and curse of ( rod, which • ii . and bumblyand i in the free and full i that - Z Cb 532 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. ** for the bitter sufferings and precious merits of that our " only Saviour Jesus Christ. " That the Lord would vouchsafe to shed abroad his love in our hearts by the Holy Ghost; seal unto us, by the same Spirit of adoption, the full assurance of our pardon " and reconciliation ; comfort all that mourn in Zion, speak " peace to the wounded and troubled spirit, and bind up " the broken-hearted : and as for secure and presumptuous " sinners, that he would open their eyes, convince their " consciences, and turn them from darkness unto light, and " from the power of Satan unto God, that they also may " receive forgiveness of sin, and an inheritance among thenl " that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus. " With remission of sins through the blood of Christ, to " pray for sanctification by his Spirit ; the mortification of " sin dwelling in and many times tyrannizing over us ; the " quickening of our dead spirits with the life of God in i; Christ; grace to fit and enable us for all duties of con versa- " tion and callings towards God and men ; strength against " temptations ; the sanctified use of blessings and crosses ; " and perseverance in faith and obedience unto the end. " To pray for the propagation of the gospel and kingdom a of Christ to all nations ; for the conversion of the Jews,' * the fulness of the Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the " hastening of the second coming of our Lord ; for the de- " liverance of the distressed churches abroad from the ty- << ranny of the antichristian faction, and from the cruel op- '* pressions and blasphemies of the Turk; for the blessing u of God upon the reformed churches, especially upon *; the churches and kingdoms of Scotland, England, and # Ireland, now more strictly and religiously united in the " Solemn National League and Covenant ; and for our " plantations in the remote parts of the world : more par- t; ticularly for that church and kingdom whereof we are " members, that therein God would establish peace and " truth, the purity of all his ordinances, and the power of " godliness ; prevent and remove heresy, schism, profane- " ness, superstition, security, and unfruitfulness under the f* means of grace ; heal all our rents and divisions, and u preserve us from breach of our Solemn Covenant. "To The Directory for the Publich Wor*h\p ofGoa " To pray for all in authority, especiallv for the Kit. f Majesty; that God would make b tin rich in hie— iui:-. both " in his person and government; establish his throne in re- " ligion and righteousness, save him from evil coun-el, and If make him a blessed and glorious instrument tor the & I servation and propagation of the gospel, for the encourage- " meat and protection of them that do uell, the U " all that do evil, and the great good of the whole church. " and of all his kingdoms; for the conversion of the <<)u " the religious education of the Prince, and the rest of the •% royal seed; for the comforting the afflicted Queen of Bo- ll hernia, sister to our sovereign; and for the restitution and rahlishment of the illustrious Prince ( 'harles. Elector P u latine of the Rhine, to all his dominions and digniti B blessing upon the High Court of Parliament, (uh n ting in any of these kingdom- respectively,) the nobility, H the subordinate judges and magistrate-, the gentry, and all the commonality J rot all pastors and teacher-, that (i<>d ** would fill them with hi- Spirit, make them e\cinplarilv r holv. sober, just, peaceable, and gracious iu their Ui md, faithful, al|d powerful iu their mini-try; and fol- N low all their labours with ahundance of -ucce-- and hle-s- ff ing; and (five unto all his people pastors according to bis •• own heart; for the universities, and all schools and reli- gious seminaries of church and commonwealth, that they * may flourish more and more in teaming and pie! • particular city or congregation, that God would pour out ■f a blessing upon the ministry of the jrord, sacraments, and k% discipline, upon the civil government, and all the i i If families and persons therein ; for mercj to the affli< to under any inward or outward di-t sble ¥ weather, and fruitful seasons, a- the time may require; for erting the judgments thai ire either feel are ible unl unine, pestilence, the sword] and -uch like. And, with confidence of his meiw to biai hole chinch, •- and the acceptance of our persoos, through the merits k* mediation oi our 1 ligh Priest, the 1 I J %k that it is the desire of our souls to have fellowship * uh M God m the reverend and oooscionable use of his boh ordU 14 nances ; and, to that purpo-* , to } his / ; u 534 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. " grace and effectual assistance to the sanctification of his H holy sabbath, the LorcTs day, in all the duties thereof, " publick and private, both to ourselves, and to all other " congregations of his people, according to the riches and " excellency of the gospel, this day celebrated and enjoyed. " And because we have been unprofitable hearers in times " past, and now cannot of ourselves receive, as we should, " the deep things of God, the mysteries of Jesus Christ, u which require a spiritual discerning ; to pray, that the i 81 Lord, who teacheth to profit, would graciously please to " pour out the Spirit of grace, together with the outward " means thereof, causing us to attain such a measure of the " excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, " and, in him, of the things which belong to our peace, " that we may account all things but as dross in compari- " son of him ; and that we, tasting the first-fruits of the " glory that is to be revealed, may long for a more full " and perfect communion with him, that where he is, we " may be also, and enjoy the fulness of those joys and plea- " sures which are at his right hand for evermore. " More particularly, that God would in a special man- " ner furnish his servant (now called to dispense the bread " of life unto his household) with wisdom, fidelity, zeal, and u utterance, that he may divide the word of God aright, performed, that the workman need not DC ashamed, but may save himself, and those that hear him. It is presupposed, (according to the rules for ordination.) th it the minister of Christ i*> in some good measure gifted br bo weighty a service, by his >kill in the original lan- and in such arts and >cienc re handmaid unto divinitv ; by hi> knowledge in the whole body oftheol but most of all in the holy scriptures, having bis senses and hurt exercised in them above toe common sort of beUev* and by the illumination of God's Spirit, and other gifts of edification, which (together with reading and studying of the word) he ought still to wek by praj er, and an humble heart, living to admit and receive anv truth not vet attained. whenever God shall make it known unto him. All which he is to make u>e of, and improve, in his private pre}. pons, before he deliver in publick what he hath provided* Ordinarily, the Bubject of his sermon is to be some text If scripture, holding forth lome principle or head of reli- gion, or suitable to some special occasion emergent ; or he mi \ go on in some chapter, psalm, or book of the holy tenpture, ;b he shall Nee fit. Let the introduction to his text be brief and perspicuous, drawn from the t»\t itself, Of OOttteXt, or BOOM par place, or g< neral sentence of Bcriptun If the text h^' long, (as ia histories or parable* it times musi be,) let him give a brief sum of it ; if short, s aphrase thereof, if need he: in both, looking diligently to th f the text) and pointing at the chief beads grounds of doctrine which he is < from it. In analysing and dividing his text* bs i ' order of matter than of words; and neither to bin the memory of the heavers in the beginning with too nsam / I nieml- 536 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God, members of division, nor to trouble their minds with ob- scure terms of art. In raising doctrines from the text, his care ought to be, First, That the matter be the truth of God. Secondly^ That it be a truth contained in or grounded on that text, that the hearers may discern how God teacheth it from thence. Thirdly, That he chiefly insist upon those doc- trines which are principally intended, and make most for the edification of the hearers. The doctrine is to be expressed in plain terms ; or, if any thing in it need explication, it is to be opened, and the con- sequence also from the text cleared. The parallel places' of scripture, confirming the doctrine, are rather to be plain and pertinent, than many, and (if need be) somewhat in- sisted upon, and applied to the purpose in hand. The arguments or reasons are to be solid, and, as much as may be, convincing. The illustrations, of what kind soever, ought to be full of light, and such as may convey the truth into the hearer's heart with spiritual delight. If any doubt obvious from scripture, reason, or prejudice of the hearers, seem to arise, it is very requisite to remove it, by reconciling the seeming differences, answering the reasons, and discovering and taking away the causes of pre- judice and mistake. Otherwise it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or answering vain or wicked ca- vils, which, as they are endless, so the propounding and an-, swering of them doth more hinder than promote edification. He is not to rest in general doctrine, although never so much cleared and confirmed, but to bring it home to special use, by application to his hearers : which albeit it prove a work of great difficulty to himself, requiring much prudence, zeal, and meditation, and to the natural and corrupt man will be very unpleasant; yet he is to endeavour to perform it in such a manner, that his auditors may feel the word of Gcd to be quick and powerful, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart ; and that, if any unbe- liever or ignorant person be present, he may have the se- crets of his heart made manifest, and give glory to God. In the use of instruction or information in the knowledge of some truth, which is a consequence from his doctrine, he may The Directory for the PuLlkk WorJiip of God, may (when convenient) confirm it by a few firm arguments from the text in hand, and other places of script ure. from the nature of that common-place in divinity, whereof that truth is a branch. In confutation of faUe doctrines, he is neither to raise an old hereby from the grave, nor to mention a blasphemous opinion unnecessarily : but, if the people he in danger of an error, he is to confute it soundly, and endeavour t.< ti-fv their judgments and conscietu Inst all objections. In exhorting to duties, he is, a> he >eeth eau-e, to teach llso the means that help to the performance of them. In dehortation, reprehension, and publick admonit; (which require special wisdom, ) let him, as there shall be cause, not only discover the nature and greatness of the sin. with the misery attending it, but also shew the danger his bearers are in to be overtaken and surprised bv it, together with the remedies and best way to avoid it. In applying comfort, whether general against all tempta- tions, or particular against some special troubles or Un he is can-fullv to answer such objections a> a troubled Im and afflicted spirit m;iv to the contrarv. It is also sometimes requisite to t draw their jKHlll to Christ, the fountain of light, holiness, and eomfort. Z This 538 The Directory for the Publiclc Worship of God. This method is not prescribed as necessary for every man, fix upon every text ; but only recommended, as being found by experience to be very much blessed of God, and very helpful for the people's understandings and memories. But the servant of Christ, whatever his method be, is to perform his whole ministry : 1. Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord negligently. L2. Plainly, that the meanest may understand ; delivering the truth not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect ; abstaining also from an unprofitable use of unknown tongues, strange phrases, and cadences of sounds and words; sparingly citing sen- tences of ecclesiastical or other human writers, ancient or modern, be they never so elegant. 3. Faithfully, looking at the honour of Christ, the con- version, edification, and salvation of the people, not at his own gain or glory ; keeping nothing back which may pro- mote those holy ends, giving to every one his own portion, and bearing indifferent respect unto all, without neglecting the meanest, or sparing the greatest, in their sins. 4. Wisely, framing all his doctrines, exhortations, and especially his reproofs, in such a manner as may be most like- ly to prevail ; shewing all due respect to each man's person and place, and not mixing his own passion or bitterness. 5. Gravely, as becometh the word of God ; shunning all such gesture, voice, and expressions, as may occasion the corruptions of men to despise him and his ministry. 6. With loving affection, that the people may see all coming from his godly zeal, and hearty desire to do them good. And, 7. As taught of God, and persuaded in his own heart, that all that he teacheth is the truth of Christ ; and walking before his flock, as an example to them in it ; earnestly, both in private and publick, recommending his labours to the blessing of God, and watchfully looking to himself, and the flock whereof the Lord hath made him overseer : So shall the doctrine of truth be preserved uncorrupt, many souls converted and built up, and himself receive manifold com- forts of his labours even in this life, and afterward the crown of glory laid up for him in the world to come. Where The Directory for tlie Publick Worship of God. 539 Where there are more ministers in a congregation than one, and they of different gifts, each may man ially apply himself to doctrine or exhortation, according to the gift wherein he most cxccllcth, and as they shall agree be- tween thenwl Of Prayer after >>i. fPHE sermon being ended, the minister is 44 'i -*- %i thanks for the great love of God, in sending hi 5 H Jesus Christ unto us : for the communication of bis i I * Spirit; for the li^iit and liberty of the glorious _ u and the rich and heavenly blessil Baled therein . " namely, election, vocation, adoption, justification. 4i fication, and hope of glorv ; for the admirable good' m of (i(xl in freeing the land from sntichristian dark: 4i and tyranny, and for all other national del: u the reformation of religion ; for the covenant ; and " manv temporal blessing 44 To pray for the continuance of the gospel, and all - 4k dinances thereof, in their purity, id liberty : *k turn the chief and most useful headt of the htiikhi into m some few petitions; and to pray that it may abide in the w- heart, Slid bring forth fruit. -% To pray for preparation for death and jo it, and 44 a watching for tin coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: to M entreat of God the forgiveness of the iniquities of i %% hoK things, and the acceptation of our spiritual sacrifi fcfc through the merit and mediation of our %i Priest snd Savi Lord Jesus Christ*" And because the pr tyer wfa i I Wples is not on! % a pattei n r, but Comprehensive prayer, we recommend it ;\\^> to I I in the prayers of the church. And whereas, al the administration of the sacraments, pe holding publick I - of than! rod other special OCCaSKHIS, uhieh in id mal petitions and thankagi\ ings, it is requisite to expn m in our publick praj :it this lime i( is our duty to pv,[\ for a I) upon the A^oulih ot Di\n armies bj lea sod land, for the defi / 6 lument. 540 TJie Directory for the Publkk Worship of God. liament, and Kingdom,) every minister is herein to apply Jiimself in his prayer, before or after sermon, to those oc- casions : but, for the manner, he is left to his liberty as God shall direct and enable him, in piety and wisdom to discharge his duty. The prayer ended, let a psalm be sung, if with con- veniency it may be done. After which (unless some other ordinance of Christ, that concerneth the congregation at that time, be to follow) let the minister dismiss the con- gregation with a solemn blessing. Of the Administration of the Sacraments : B And first. Of Baptism. APTISM, as it is not unnecessarily to be delayed, so it is not to be administered in any case by any private person, but by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries of God. Nor is it to be administered in private places, or private- ly, but in the place of publick worship, and in the face of the congregation, where the people may most conveniently see and hear ; and not in the places where fonts, in the time of Popery, were unfitly and superstitiously placed. The child to be baptized, after notice given to the minister the day before, is to be presented by the father, or (in case of his necessary absence) by some Christian friend in his place, professing his earnest desire that the child may be baptized. Before baptism, the minister is to use some words of in- struction, touching the institution, nature, use, and ends of this sacrament, shewing, " That it is instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ : That it " is a seal of the covenant of grace, of our ingrafting into u Christ, and of our union with him, of remission of sins, " regeneration, adoption, and life eternal : That the water, " in baptism, representeth and signifieth both the blood of " Christ, which taketh away all guilt of sin, original and ac- u tual ; and the sanctifying virtue of the Spirit of Christ " against the dominion of sin, and the corruption of our " sinful nature : That baptizing, or sprinkling and washing " with water, signifieth the cleansing from sin by the blood " and The Directory for the Public}: Worship of God. 541 " and for the merit of Christ, together with the mortitiea- M tion of sin, and rising from sin to newness of life, bv virtue M of the death and re-urrection of Christ: That the promise made to believers and their seed ; and that the seed and M posterity of the faithful, born within the church, ha\e, by " their birth, interest in the covenant, and right to the " of it, and to the outward privileges of the church, under " the go-pel. no less than the children of Abraham in the H time of the Old Testament ; the covenant of \ tor k* Mlbstance, being the same ; and the grace <>t ( iod. and the m consolation of believers, more plentiful than before: That kk the Sou of God admitted little children into his presence, " embracing and blosing them, saving. For nf'.stuh M the M kingdom of God: That children, by baptism, are -olemnlv 1 eived into thel)Osom of the visible church, distinguished f* from the world, and them that are w ithout, and united with * believer*; and that all who are baptised in the naim M CI list, do renounce, and bv their baptism are bound to '• fight against the devil, the world, and the Hesh : That i% the v are Christians, and federally holy before baptil W therefore are tluv bapti/ed : That the inward grace and " virtue of baptism is not tied to that verv moment of time i% wherein it is administered ; and that the fruit and power *• thereof reacheth to the whole course of our life; and that k* outward baptism is not m> necessary, that, through the H want thereof, the infant is in danger of damnation, or the ** parents guilty, if they do not contemn i the •• ordinance of Christ, when and where it may be bad.*1 In these or the like instructions, the minister i- to use hi^ own liberty and godly wisdom, a- the ignorance or errors in the doctrine of baptism, and the edification ^t' the people, shall pequii 1 le IS also to admonish all that are } • To look back to their baptism j to repent of their gainst their covenant with God ; to itu up their faith ; M to improve and make right use of their baptism, and of 11 the covenant Kaled thereby betwixt (i*»d and tl II is to exhort the parent, •• To consider the I to him ami Iik 4i child ; to bring up the child in the knowh f the inds 542 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. ** grounds of the Christian religion, and in the nurture and " admonition of the Lord; and to let him know the danger " of God's wrath to himself and child, if he be negligent: re- " quiring his solemn promise for the performance of his duty." This being done, prayer is also to be joined with the word of institution* for sanctifying the water to this spiritual use ; and the minister is to pray to this or the like effect : " That the Lord, who hath not left us as strangers with- " out the covenant of promise, but called us to the privi- w leges of his ordinances, would graciously vouchsafe to '•• sanctify and bless his own ordinance of baptism at this " time : That he would join the inward baptism of his Spi- " rit with the outward baptism of water ; make this bap- u tism to the infant a seal of adoption, remission of sin, re- " generation, and eternal life, and all other promises of the " covenant of grace : That the child may be planted into " the likeness of the death and resurrection of Christ; and " that, the body of sin being destroyed in him, he may " serve God in newness of life all his days." Then the minister is to demand the name of the child ; which being told him, he is to say, (calling the child by his name,) / baptize thee in the name of the Father ', and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. As he pronounceth these words, he is to baptize the child with water: which, for the manner of doing of it, is not only lawful but sufficient, and most expedient to be, by pouring or sprinkling of the water on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony. This done, he is to give thanks and pray, to this or the like purpose : " Acknowledging with all thankfulness, that the Lord is true and faithful in keeping covenant and mercy : That he is good and gracious, not only in that he numbereth us among his saints, but is pleased also to bestow upon our children this singular token and badge of his love in Christ: " That, in his truth and special providence, he daily bringeth " some into the bosom of his church, to be partakers of " his inestimable benefits, purchased by the blood of his H dear Son, for the continuance and increase of his church. " And The Directory for the Public* Worship of God E " And praying, That the Lord would still continue, and u daily confirm more and more this his unshakable favour: *• That he would receive the infant now baptized, and so- M lemnlv entered into the household of faith, into his father- * lv tuition and defence, and remember him with tfu 46 vour that he sbeireth to hi> people ; that, if he shall be * taken out of this life in his infancy, the Lord, who i> rich 44 in meivv. would he (Jessed to receive him op into glory; 44 and if he live, and attain the years of discretion, that the k Lord would bo teach him by hi> word and Spirit, and 11 make his baptism effectual to him, and bo uphold him M by his divine power and grace, that by faith be may 44 prevail against the devil, the world, and the flesh, till in '* the end he obtain a full and final victory, and x> be 4% kept by the power of Gkid through faith unto salvation. 4W through Jesus Christ our Lord " Qf the Celebration of the Communion, or Sacrament qf tin Lord?* Supper* npHE communion, or -upper of the Lord, is frequently to -*- l>e celebrated ; but how often, mav be considered anil determined by the ministers, and other church-governor each congregation, as they shall find most convenient for the eomtort and edification of the people committed t<> tluir charge. And, irhen it shall be administered, w( enienf to be done after the morning sermon. rant and the JoU8 are not fit to ruv this sacrament of the 1 Where this sacrament cannot with convenience I nuently administered, it is ite thai puUick iran be given the sabbath-day before the administration thei and that either then, or on somedaj of thai ireek, some* thing concerning thai ordinance, and the due preparal thereunto, and participation t: -lit ; that, bj the diligent use of all means sanctified of God t»> thai i both in publick and private, all tnaj come better pi to tl it When th for sdministi the mil having ended hit sermon and prayer, shall make i short exhortation : 544 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. " Expressing the inestimable benefit we have by this sa- " crament, together with the ends and use thereof: setting " forth the great necessity of having our comforts and " strength renewed thereby in this our pilgrimage and " warfare : how necessary it is that we come unto it with " knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and with hungering " and thirsting souls after Christ and his benefits: how " great the danger to eat and drink unworthily. " Next, he is, in the name of Christ, on the one part, " to warn all such as are ignorant, scandalous, profane, or " that live in any sin or offence against their knowledge or " conscience, that they presume not to come to that holy " table ; shewing them, that he that eateth and drinketh " unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself: " and, on the other part, he is in an especial manner to in- " vite and encourage all that labour under the sense of the " burden of their sins, and fear of wrath, and desire to " reach out unto a greater progress in grace than yet they " can attain unto, to come to the Lord's table; assuring " them, in the same name, of ease, refreshing, and strength " to their weak and wearied souls." After this exhortation, warning, and invitation, the table being before decently covered, and so conveniently placed, that the communicants may orderly sit about it, or at it, the minister is to begin the action with sanctifying and blessing the elements of bread and wine set before him, (the bread in comely and convenient vessels, so prepared, that, being broken by him, and given, it may be distribut- ed amongst the communicants; the wine also in large cups,) having first, in a few words, shewed that those elements, otherwise common, are now set apart and sanctified to this holy use, by the word of institution and prayer. Let the words of institution be read out of the Evangel- ists, or out of the first Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, Chap. xi. 23. / have received of' the Lord, &c. to the 27th Verse, which the minister may, when he seeth requisite, explain and apply* Let the prayer, thanksgiving, or blessing of the bread and wine, be to this effect : " With humble and hearty acknowledgment of the great- " ness of our misery, from which neither man nor angel was " able The Directory for the Pub&ek Worship qf Gai " able to deliver us, and of our great unworthh the " least of all God's mercies; to give thanks to Cicxl for all " his benefits, and especially tor that great benefit of our u redemption, the love of (roil the Father, the ftufl 44 and merits of the Lord JeMS Christ th - I 44 which we are delivered ; and for all means of grace, the 44 word and sacraments; and for t!. anient in pirticu- 44 Jar, by which Christ, and all his bem ippued and I up unto us, which, notwithstanding the denial of u them unto others, are in great mercv eontinued unto as, 44 after 96 much and long abuse of them all. 11 To prdfess, that there i- no other name under beaven 44 by Which we can be saved, hut the name of JeaOfl Christ, ik bv whom alone we receive liberty and life, have 44 to the throne of grace, are admitted to eat and drim M his own table, and are sealed up bv his Spirit to k* a-Miranee of happiness and everlasting 1: ** Earnestly to praj to God, the Father of all m k* and God <>f all consolation, to vouchsafe his gracious } . and the effectual working of his Spirit in ug- and to sanctify these elements both of bread and ■ N and to bleSS hi> own ordinance, that we may recriw b) kk faith the bodv and blood of JesUS ( Ihrist, CTUClfied for US, r4 and so to i\-vi\ upon him, that he may be one with US, and one irith him ; that he mav live in 118, and ire in I. * and to him who hath loved US, and given hlUlselffol US.11 All which he is to endeavour to perform with suitable affec able to such an holv action, and i up the like in the people. The el( ments being now sanctified bv the word arid the ill:: it tin- table, is to take the hi in his hand, and die like, usee! h\ Christ or his apostle upon this oeca>ion According to the holy institution, oomni f1 ample of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, 1 take this H bread, and, having given thank-, break it. and " unto you ; (tin re the minister, who is also bimi om- f* municate, i- t<> break the bread, and give it to the commtu " nil. nits; ) l 'mli oh n for //<>K : d I 54<6 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. . In like manner the minister is to take the cup, and say, in these expressions, (or other the like, used by Christ or the apostle upon the same occasion :) " According to the institution, command, and example " of our Lord Jesus Christ, I take this cup, and give it unto " you ; (here hegiveth it to the communicants;) This cup " is the new testament in the blood of Christ, which is shed "for the remission of the sins of many : drink ye all of it? After all have communicated, the minister may, in a few words, put them in mind, " Of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, held forth in this " sacrament ; and exhort them to walk worthy of it." The minister is to give solemn thanks to God, " For his rich mercy, and invaluable goodness, vouch- " safed to them in that sacrament ; and to entreat for par- " don for the defects of the whole service, and for the " gracious assistance of his good Spirit, whereby they may u be enabled to walk in the strength of that grace, as be- " cometh those who have received so great pledges of sal- " vation." The collection for the poor is so to be ordered, that no part of the publick worship be thereby hindered. Of the Sanctifcation of the Lord's Day. rpHE Lord^s day ought to be so remembered before-hand, -*- as that all worldly business of our ordinary callings may be so ordered, and so timely and seasonably laid aside, as they may not be impediments to the due sanctifying of the day when it comes. The wThole day is to be celebrated as holy to the Lord, both in publick and private, as being the Christian sabbath. To which end, it is requisite, that there be a holy cessation or resting all that day from all unnecessary labours ; and an abstaining, not only from all sports and pastimes, but also from all worldly words and thoughts. That the diet on that day be so ordered, as that neither servants be unnecessarily detained from the publick worship of God, nor any other person hindered from the sanctifying that day. That The Directory fur the PubVul: Wlonkip of Goxl That there be private preparations of even person and family, by prayer tor themselves, md far G I ince of the minister, and for a blessing upon his min and by such other holy exercw s, is may further dispose them to a more comfortable communion with God in htt DIlbBck ordinan That all the people hm timely for publick worship, that the frhole coi lion may be present at the beg nin^. and with one In emnlv joi: ther in all p of the publick worship, and not depart till after the I That what time i- vacant, between or after the solemn meetings of the i Ration in publick, be -pent in n fag, meditation, repetition ofsermo :>eciallv by calling their families to an account of what they have beard, and of them, holy conferences, prayer for a bless upon the publick ordinances, singing ofpsali . 2 the sick, relieving the poor, and such like duties of }»u I ritv, and men Minting the sabbath a delight. The Solemnization if Man g \ LTHOU6H marriage be no ncrament, nor peculiar r * to the church of God, but common to mankind, and of puhlick interest in even commonwealth; vet sueh a> many are to marry in the Lord, and bav< sp 1 of instruction, direction, and exhortation, from the woid of (■ their entering into such 1 new condition, and of the Messing of God upon them therein, wejudj dient that m be solemnized l>\ a lawful mini of the word, that he maj scoordingly cottosd them, pray i'<>v a blessing upon them. M to be betwixt one man and one woman on and they, such not within the degree* of jui- or affinity prohibited hv the word of (Jod ; and the | : ire to Ik- of years of ai «, lit to make their 1 choice, or, upoi tunds, to give tluir mutual cow Before the lofemnizing of mai j jnrsons, r purpose of man ill be publish* he mini three several sabbath-da ys, in th< regatkm,at tlnplaceor places of their most usual and ( 548 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. And of this publication the minister who is to join them in marriage shall have sufficient testimony, before he proceed to solemnize the marriage. Before that publication of such their purpose, (if the par- ties be under age,) the consent of the parents, or others under whose power they are, (in case the parents be dead,) is to be made known to the church officers of that congre- gation, to be recorded. The like is to be observed in the proceedings of all others, although of age, whose parents are living, for their first marriage. And, in after marriages of either of those parties, they ' shall be exhorted not to contract marriage without first acquainting their parents with it, (if with conveniency it may be done,) endeavouring to obtain their consent. Parents ought not to force their children to marry with- out their free consent, nor deny their own consent with- out just cause. After the purpose or contract of marriage hath been thus published, the marriage is not to be long deferred. There- fore the minister, having had convenient warning, and no- thing been objected to hinder it, is publickly to solemnize it in the place appointed by authority for publick worship, before a competent number of credible witnesses, at some convenient hour of the day, at any time of the year, except on a day of publick humiliation. And we advise that it be not on the Lord's day. And because all relations are sanctified by the word and prayer, the minister is to pray for a blessing upon them, to this effect : " Acknowledging our sins, whereby we have made our- •* selves less than the least of all the mercies of God, and 44 provoked him to embitter all our comforts ; earnestly, in 44 the name of Christ, to entreat the Lord (whose presence 44 and favour is the happiness of every condition, and " sweetens every relation) to be their portion, and to own 44 and accept them in Christ, who are now to be joined in %4 the honourable estate of marriage, the covenant of their 44 God : and that, as he hath brought them together by his 44 providence, he would sanctify them by his Spirit, giving 44 them The Directory for the Publuk Worship of God i; them a new frame of heart fit for their new « en- " riching them with all _ whereby they nay perform M the duties, enjoy the comfort-, und . and M resist the temptations which accompany tl dition, u as becomcth Chri>tiai.- The prayer bging ended, it is convenient that the mi: ter do briefly declare unto them, out of the -cripture, " The institution, use, and ends of marri ith the "conjugal duties, which, in all faithful icy ar 4* perform each to other; exhorting them fed >tud\ the '* holy word of God, that they mav 1. arn to li\ dtb, u and to be content in the midst of all marriage cares and M troubles sanctifying God's name, in a thankful. "and holv use of all conjugal comforts; praying much w with and for one another; watching o\er and pro\.,: "each other to love and gOod W6rks ; and to h\e ther as the heir> of the grade of lii After solemn Changing of the penoOS to be married, }*»- the invat God. who -earcheth all hearts, and to whom they must trict account at the laftt day, that if either of them know any eaiiM*, by precontract or Otherwise, why they may not lawfully proceed to marriage, that thej now r it; the minister (if no impediment be a kdged) shall cau-e first the man to take the In the right hand. - • hese word / N. do take /// e N. i i marri the i ' * < . tind h fore tin ami covenant to In- a laving and faithful h until Hod shall separati th. Then the uoman shall take the man b\ the right hand, and -a\ these words : / V do take thu V 1/ vim rod husband* mut 1 MB tin }>/t ■list- on Hint to (n a hvi*g< faithful^ ami abed unto thi v, until ( < ith. Then, without any further eeretuooy, the minister tha in t! of the nn e them tD ; I a: id cording to (i COO- clude the action with prayer to this ^ * That 550 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. " That the Lord would be pleased to accompany his " own ordinance with his blessing, beseeching him to en- " rich the persons now married, as with other pledges of w his love, so particularly with the comforts and fruits of " marriage, to the praise of his abundant mercy, in and " through Christ Jesus." A register is to be carefully kept, wherein the names of the parties so married, with the time of their marriage, are forthwith to be fairly recorded in a book, provided for that purpose for the perusal of all whom it may concern. Concerning Visitation of the Sick. T T is the duty of the minister not only to teach the people -*- committed to his charge in publick, but privately ; and particularly to admonish, exhort, reprove, and comfort them, upon all seasonable occasions, so far as his time, strength, and personal safety will permit. He is to admonish them, in time of health, to prepare for death ; and, for that purpose, they are often to confer with their minister about the estate of their souls ; and, in times of sickness, to desire his advice and help, timely and season- ably, before their strength and understanding fail them. Times of sickness and affliction are special opportunities put into his hand by God to minister a word in season to weary souls : because then the consciences of men are or should be more awakened to bethink themselves of their spi- ritual estate for eternity ; and Satan also takes advantage then to load them more with sore and heavy temptations : therefore the minister, being sent for, and repairing to the sick, is to apply himself, with all tenderness and love, to administer some spiritual good to his soul, to this effect. He may, from the consideration of the present sickness, in- struct him out of scripture, that diseases come not by chance, or by distempers of body only, but by the wise and orderly guidance of the good hand of God to every particular per- son smitten by them. And that, whether it be laid upon him out of displeasure for sin, for his correction and amendment, or for trial and exercise of his graces, or for other special and excellent ends, all his sufferings shall turn to his profit, and work The Directory for the Publi I WorMtp ofGoct work together for his good, it' be sincerely labour to make a sanctified use of God's visitation, neither despising chastening, nor waxing weary of hi> correction. If he suspect him of ignorance, he -hall examine him in the principles of religion, especially touchii mce and faith; and. as he seeth cause, instruct him in the nature, Uft • - and n . of t: also touching th lant of grace; and Christ the S of God, tl iator of it; and concerning remissioi sin- by faith in him. He -hall exhort the sick person to examine himi search and trv his former wa\ s, and hi> estate towards (> And if the sick person shall declare am scruple, doubt, or temptation that are upon him, instructions and resolutions iven to satisfy and settle him. If it appear that he hath not a due sense of his sins, i odea- pours ought to be used to convince him of his sins, of the guilt and desert of t! f the tilth and pollution which the soul contracts by them; and of the curse of the i and wrath of God, due to them ; that he ma\ be trull exl with and humbled for them: and withal make known nedang deferring repentance, and of neglecting salvs}- tion at any time offered ; to awaken bis conscience, and n him up out tupid and secure condition, to apprehend me justice and wn I, before whom none can stand, hut he that, lost in bin ryeth hold upon ( !hrist 1>\ faith. Ir* he hath endeavour d to walk in the waj - of holint and to serve God in upri| , although not without m failings and infirmiti< t be broken with t dow u through want « >t" the »ur ; then it will be lit to raise him up, I him the freeness and fulnesi the sufl of righteousm in the gos| all who repnit. and belli h all th through Christ, renouncing their own shall have lire and salvation in him. It ma) I il to \ him, thai death I: ith in it no spiritual e\ il '■ re in ( Christ, b hv Chi » hath delivered .ill ti From the bom : death, ti 552 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. given us victory, is himself entered into glory to prepare a place for his people : so that neither life nor death shall be able to separate them from God's love in Christ, in whom such are sure, though now they must be laid in the dust, to obtain a joyful and glorious resurrection to eternal life. Advice also may be given, as to beware of an ill- grounded persuasion on mercy, or on the goodness of his condition for heaven, so to disclaim all merit in himself, and to cast himself wholly upon God for mercy, in the sole merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, who hath engaged himself nevert to cast off them who in truth and sincerity come unto him. Care also must be taken, that the sick person be not cast down into despair, by such a severe representation of the wrath of God due to him for his sins, as is not mollified by a sensible propounding of Christ and his merit for a door of hope to every penitent believer. When the sick person is best composed, may be least disturbed, and other necessary offices about nim least hindered, the minister, if desired, shall pray with him, and for him, to this effect: " Confessing and bewailing of sin original and actual; u the miserable condition of all by nature, as being children " of wrath, and under the curse ; acknowledging that all " diseases, sicknesses, death, and hell itself, are the propel " issues and effects thereof; imploring God's mercy for the " sick person, through the blood of Christ ; beseeching that " God would open his eyes, discover unto him his sins I u cause him to see himself lost in himself, make known tc| " him the cause why God smiteth him, reveal Jesus Chris1 " to his soul for righteousness and life, give unto him hi) " Holy Spirit, to create and strengthen faith to lay hole " upon Christ, to work in him comfortable evidences of hi *' love, to arm him against temptations, to take off his hear " from the world, to sanctify his present visitation, to fur " nish him with patience and strength to bear it, and t " o-ive him perseverance in faith to the end. " That, if God shall please to add to his days, he woul " vouchsafe to bless and sanctify all means of his recovery " to remove the disease, renew his strength, and enable hir « to walk worthy of God, by a faithful remembrance, an 24. diliger The Direct, (fGoc « diligent observing of such and promises of holiness t and obedience, as men are apt to make in tin: rick- " ness, that he mav glorify God in the remaining par « his life. " And, if God have determined to finish his davs bj ¥ present visitation, he may find such evicK " of all his sins, of his interest in Christ, and eternal lift " Christ, as may cause his inward man " his outward man decayeth ; that h 1 death H without few, cast himself whollv ujk)ii Christ p fc* doubting, desire to be dissolved and to Ik- uith Christ . re the end of his faith, the salvation of hi H through the only merit- and intercession of the Lord Ji » •w Christ, our alone Saviour and all-siiiii The minister shall admonish him al- t his house in order, thereby to i ::. ven; to take care for payment ofhia debts, and to m Restitution or satisfaction where he hath done an v among; reconciled to those with whom he h.v varian nd fullv to forgive all men their trespass) isl him, e e\i itgivenesa at the hand of G LaMl}i, The minister may improve the present i urt those about the sick person to consider their, mortalitv. to return to the Lord, and make peace iritfa hi an health to pn >r sickness, death, andjudgnu at ; fill the days of their appointed tim that win u ( !hrist, -air life, -hall ... thev maj appear with him in w >v < Burial nfiht Dca I. HEN anj | teth this lit;-, let the dead body, upon t buna!. m the li i the pi * r puhlick 1 th» ic immediately inten And because the custom of kneelin i, and i >r towanii the i nsagi •, in the ce where it lies befon it be c i rod for that j th in Dg tO ' lovsly I A 554 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. way beneficial to the dead, and have proved many way^ hurtful to the living ; therefore let all such things be laid aside. Howbeit, we judge it very convenient, that the Christian friends, which accompany the dead body to the place ap- pointed for publick burial, do apply themselves to medita- tions and conferences suitable to the occasion ; and that the minister, as . upon other occasions, so at this time, if he be present, may put them in remembrance of their duty. That this shall not extend to deny any civil respects or ; deferences at the burial, suitable to the rank and condition of the party deceased, while he was living. Concerning Public solemn Fasting. WHEN some great and notable judgments are either inflicted upon a people, or apparently imminent, or by some extraordinary provocations notoriously deserved; as also when some special blessing is to be sought and obtained, pub- lick solemn fasting (which is to continue the whole day) is a duty that God expecteth from that nation or people. A religious fast requires total abstinence, not only from all food, (unless bodily weakness do manifestly disable from holding out till the fast be ended, in which case somewhat may be taken, yet very sparingly, to support nature, when ready to faint,) but also from all worldly labour, discourses,., and thoughts, and from all bodily delights, and such like, (although at other times lawful,) rich apparel, ornaments, and such like, during the fast ; and much more from what-, ever is in the nature or use scandalous and offensive, as o-audish attire, lascivious habits and gestures, and other vanities of either sex ; which we recommend to all minis- ters, in their places, diligently and zealously to reprove, aS at other times, so especially at a fast, without respect of persons, as there shall be occasion. Before the publick meeting, each family and person apart are privately to use all religious care to prepare their hearts to such a solemn work, and to be early at the congregation. So large a portion of the day as conveniently may be, is to be spent in publick reading and preaching of the word, with singing of psalms, fit to quicken affections suitable to such The Directory for the Puhllck Worship of God. 555 such a duty: but especially in pu i this or the like effect : " Giving glory to the great Majesty of God, the Cntf " Preserver, and supreme Ruler < 'i" all the world, tli H to affect us thereby with an holy reverence and l " acknowledging his manifold. and tender m ipgriallj to the church and nation, the m " to .soften and abase OUT heart- before him; humbly. " ing of sin- of all sorts, with th " justifying God's righteous judgment s. than " our sins do d . et humbly and earnestly imploi * his mercy and grace for o. burch and na( u for our king, and all in authority, and f >r al iw whom ire are bound to pray. rding a> the nt required^) with more special importunity and l- largement than at other ti: pplying bv both I landgoodn rodforparao^help^and deli " from the evils felt, feared, or deserved; and forobtaii " the ble»ings which we need and th a puf oui wholly and for ever unto the Lord." In all these, the ministers, who are the mouths of the people unto God, OUghl BO to -peak from their hearts, upon and thorough premeditation of them, thai both themselves and their people may be much . and i the i pi ( ially with K>m that it indeed a day of d« p humiliation and afflicting i^t' ti Special choice is to be made oi and of such of the hearers totl ial business of the day, and most di*- ' them to humiliation and repentance: ins those particulars which each min tells hin. ination of tli. i' egation to which In the dose <>f the publick duties, tl- j« \n his o\s n and the peopled nam ith pr< form what* markal uth- fullv with i than e\ \ 8 ii 1 1 556 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. m He is also to admonish the people, with all importunity, that the work of that day doth not end with the publick du- ties of it, but that they are so to improve the remainder of the day, and of their whole life, in reinforcing upon them- selves and their families in private all those godly affections and resolutions which they professed in publick, as that they may be settled in their hearts for ever, and themselves may more sensibly find that God hath smelt a sweet savour in Christ from their performances, and is pacified towards them, by answers of grace, in pardoning of sin, in removing of judgments, in averting or preventing of plagues, and in conferring of blessings, suitable to the conditions and' prayers of his people, by Jesus Christ. Besides solemn and general fasts enjoined by authority, we judge that, at other times, congregations may keep days of fasting, as divine Providence shall administer unto them special occasion ; and also that families may do the same, so it be not on days wherein the congregation to which they do belong is to meet for fasting, or other publick duties of worship. Concerning the Observation of days of Publick Thanksgiving. TI7HEN any such day is to be kept, let notice be given ^* of it, and of the occasion thereof, some convenient time before, that the people may the better prepare them- selves thereunto. The day being come, and the congregation (after private preparations) being assembled, the minister is to begin with a word of exhortation, to stir up the people to the duty for which they are met, and with a short prayer for God's assist- ance and blessing, (as at other conventions for publick wor- ship,) according to the particular occasion of their meeting. Let him then make some pithy narration of the deliverance obtained, or mercy received, or of whatever hath occasioned that assembling of the congregation, that all may better understand it, or be minded of it, and more affected with it. And, because singing of psalms is of all other the most proper ordinance for expressing of joy and thanksgiving, let some pertinent psalm or psalms be sung for that purpose, be- fore The Directory fur ilie Publick Worship of God. 6 fore or after the reading of tome portion of the* irocd Miit- able to the present biuun Then let the minister, who is to preach, proceed to fur- ther exhortation and prayer before hil reference to the present work: after which, let him pn Upon BOfne text of >eripture ]>ertinent to the occasion. The sermon ended, let him not only p it Other times after preaching is directed, with rememl :ties of the Church, King, and State, (if be! Dion thev wi re omittud,) but enlarge himself in due sod so- lemn thanksgiving for former mercies and del: but more especially for that which at the j rail- til gether to give thanks: with humble petition for the conti- nuance and renewing of God's wonted mercies a- -hail and for sanctifying grace to make a right Qse tha And so, having sunganother psalm, suitable t<> th( him dismi>s the congregation with a blessing, that the? may have some convenient time for their ivpa-t and refreshi Hut the minister (before their d lemnll I admonish them to beware of all ei . u-ndh-. gluttony or drunkenness, and much more of these sins th Selves, in their eating and refreshing; and to take- CS their mirth and rejoicing lx not carnal, but spiritual, srh may make God's praise to be glorious, and tin humble and sober; and that both their t mav render them more cheerful and enlarged, fur' vkbrate his praises in the midst of the i wlu-n they return unto it in the remaining part of t1 When the congregation shall be again assembled, the like course in pr a j and offering up of more praise and than ►re directed for the morning, is to be i tinned, so ; he time a ill l:^ i At 0118 or both of tl»e publick ineetin tion is to be made for the pa rf (and in the li! on the day of publick humili thai their loina maj blcis and rejoice the more with ua And the |M*opK Ik- exboi u d, ai the end of the latl I ihr residue of that day in holy duties, unci l : it v one toward! another, and i \ I I 558 The Directory for the Publick Worship of God. more and more in the Lord ; as becometh those who make the joy of the Lord their strength. Of Singing of Psalms. T is the duty of Christians to praise God publickly, by singing of psalms together in the congregation, and also privately in the family. In singing of psalms, the voice is to be tunably and gravely 1 ordered ; but the chief care must be to sing with under- standing, and with grace in the heart, making melody unto the Lord. That the whole congregation may join herein, every one \ that can read is to have a psalm book ; and all others, not disabled by age or otherwise, are to be exhorted to learn to read. But for the present, where many in the congregation cannot read, it is convenient that the minister, or some other fit person appointed by him and the other ruling officers, do read the psalm, line by line, before the singing thereof; AN APPENDIX, Touching Days and Places for Publick Worship* THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day, which is the Christian Sabbath. Festival-days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued. Nevertheless, it is lawful and necessary, upon special emergent oc- casions, to separate a day or days for publick fasting or thanksgiving, as the several eminent and extraordinary dispensations of God s pro- vidence shall administer cause and opportunity to his people. As no place is capable of any holiness, under pretence of whatso- ever dedication or consecration ; so neither is it subject to such pol- lution by any superstition formerly used, and now laid aside, as may render it unlawful or inconvenient for Christians to meet together therein for the publick worship of God. And therefore we hold it requisite, that the places of publick assembling for worship among us should be continued and employed to that use. FINIS. THE FORM OF PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH-GOVERNMENT, AMD OP ORDINATION OP MINISTERS AGK I BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, with Ti or COMMISSIO N ERS »KOM THE CHURCH OF BCOTL I nted Uniformity In Id « of Christ in t! .and. Willi An Act of I Ajtesnbl ring tin wm .1. ii. ./ ■ ; and urttt it in t> m. [ 561 1 Assembly at Edisburgh, February 10. 16 - is. 1& Act of the General Assembly of the Kirk qf & proviriis (he Propositions concerning Kirh-^jvcrnmtnt, Ordination of Mi nisi > 'T'HE General Assembly being most desirous and soli -*- ou.>, not only of the establishment ami j the Form of Kirk-^oyernment in this kingdom, BO to the word of God, books of Discipline, s A SET mill if H. and National Coyenant, but also of ai] UD tv in Kirk-government betwixt these kingdoms, mom m straitly and strongly united by the Late St .hum 1 reran t; and considering, that as in former dim did, so hereafter there may arise, through tl contagion, manifold mischiefs to this kirk (ram ■ corrupt form of government in the kirk of 1 cioui opp munity of bringing the kirk urist in all three kingdoms to an uniformity in Kirk-govern i the happiness of the present tin he former; wl may m >. by the blessing I I rod, proi and a good foundation to prepar ed pacification, by removing the cause from irhich the i sent on and bloody iran did originally proceed: and i be A s tnbly lia\ inur thrice i mined, the propositions (hereunto annexed) o officers, assemblies, and government of the kirk. perning the ordination or ministers, brought unto us, ;i> results of the long and learned debates <»t' 'die A Divines sitting at Westminster, and of the tn mity with the Commissioners of this kirk tl after mature delib t, and after tin and uarnin til, who hs i make them known, that the) might faction ; dotli agree to and approve th tioned, touching Kirk-government andOrdio doth berebj authorize the ( <»miiiiasioners of this A^ who an- to dm linburgh, to i 5 I [ 562 1 the name of this Assembly, an uniformity betwixt the kirks in both kingdoms, in the afore-mentioned particulars, so soon as the same shall be ratified, without any substantial alteration, by an ordinance of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England ; which ratification shall be timely intimate and made known by the Commissioners of this kirk residing at London. Provided always, That this act be no ways prejudicial to the further discussion and exami- nation of that article which holds forth, That the doctor or teacher hath power of the administration of the sacraments, as well as the pastor ; as also of the distinct rights and in- terests of presbyteries and people in the calling of ministers ; but that it shall be free to debate and discuss these points, as God shall be pleased to give further light, THE THE C0NT1 -:.\ The Preface. Of the Church. Of the Officers of the Church. Pastors. Other Church-go Deac :rticular Congregations. the Oflfc a particular E HI. Or riie Ordinances in a particular 1 hurch-government, and the several son wembHca for the same. Of the power in common of all these Assemblies. Of Congregational Assemblies' that is, t: ruling < >fficers of a partii ment thereof. I ■ 1 una- tion. I tion. 1 B ' I the Ordinal. The 1 Tllf ilM OK PRSSBYTERIAL < HUH S I 1 UK PRE! A< J CHRIST, opon wh '»ose name || tailed Wonderful, Thr ererlafdl The Prince i ncrease « kCC there -hail be throne of David, and upon i. it with judgment and 1 all p into him in heaven and in from the dead, and >et him a!)o\e all principalities and power, and mif I . name thai In t r ii ^ world, hut alto under K tl. ver all I of him that ftlleth all in all : _iit till all 1 Est. 'pil ERE i« oro il chu* * \ . •-. Testament. * * i » and V % 564 The Form of Churcli-Government. _The ministry, oracles, and ordinances of the New Testa- ment, are given by Jesus Christ to the general church visible, for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life, until his second coming b. Particular visible churches, members of the general church, are also held forth in the New Testament c. Par- ticular churches in the primitive times were made up of visible saints, viz. of such as, being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the rules of faith and life taught by Christ and his apostles ; and of their children d. Of to one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Ver. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; seconda- rily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, di- versities of tongues. [^Together with the rest of the Chapter.} b 1 Cor. xii.' 28. [^See before.*} Eph. iv. 4. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling ; Ver. 5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Compared with Ver. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangel- ists, and some pastors and teach- ers ; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the mi- nistry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ver. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Ver. 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ver. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joined toge- ther, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the mea- sure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. cGal. i. 2J. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Ci- licia ; Ver. 22. And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ. Rev. i. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come ; and from the seven Spi- rits which are before his throne. Ver. 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches ; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev. ii. 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write ; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. d Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be bap- tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the re- mission The Form of Church-GovernVi 56.5 Of the Officers of the Chur ^T^HE officers which Christ hath apj> tinted for the edifi- ■*- cation of his church, anil the perfecting of the Ba are, some extraordinary, as aposdes, eva ts, and pro- phets, which are ceased. Others ordinary and perpetual, as past and other church-governors, and deacon-. Pa r|MIE pastor is an ordinary and perpetual in the *- church e, prophesying of the time of th 1 f. 1 Ion of sins, and ve shall receive gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 11. Then they that gladly receiyed his word wen baptises: and the same day there were added unto tht'm about three thousand sou!-. Vet. ' I, and ha favour with all the people the Lord added to the church daily such as should he H kdS v. 1 V. bettei the more added to I onl, multitudes both o( and I'nto which Corinth, to then that are saned* led in Christ called to be saints, with all that in e\ i call upon the na. Bur Lordj both theirs and our*. / with I I a by t(. Iment ol ministration the] I t IT your lion unto the gospel of Christ, and I Bbe- I ral distribution unto them, and unto alJ men. A i the prom and to children, and to all that an liny as the Lord our II call. I I It. unbelieving husband i^ . the w.v. ami the unhelievi unclean, hut now art- they holy. Hon;. bumi || also ! and i hranahoa L Hut when I saw it. he was iniuh di>plee#> uud unto Suffer the little children and torhi . gdotn . < amparmi with Malth. • child] hands on thn . and the I les reb . I . . 1 t Hut .1 - : r little i them him •d touch 'us disciples taw It, they rebuki ! I thaas I Will . \(»u paaton aoi heart, which ahall i 566 The Form of ChurcluGovernment. - First, it belongs to his office, To pray for and with his flock, as the mouth of the people unto God g, Acts vi. 2, 3, 4, and xx- 36. where preaching and prayer are joined as several parts of the same office h. The office of the elder (that is, the pastor) is to pray for the sick, even in private, to which a blessing is especially promised ; much more therefore ought he to perform this in the publick execution of his office, as a part thereof1. To Ver. 16. And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increas- ed in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord ; neither shall it come to mind, neither shall they remember it, neither shall they visit it, neither shall that be done any more. Ver. 17. At that time they shall call Je- rusalem the throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gather- ed unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem : neither shall they walk any more after the imagina- tion of their evil heart. f 1 Pet. v. 2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by con- straint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Ver. 3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being en samples to the flock. Ver. 4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangel- ists, and some pastors and teach- ers; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the mi- nistry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Ver. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. s Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve call- ed the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not rea- son that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Ver. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts xx. 36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. h James v. 14. Is any man sick among you ? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord : Ver. 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ; and if he have committed sins, they shall be for- given him. *1 Cor. xiv. 15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the under- standing also. Ver. 16. Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he The Form of Chureli-Goi >.t. To read the scriptures publicklv; for the proof of which, 1. That the priests and Levites in the Jewish church w< trustee! with the publick leading of the uord i- proved 2. That the ministers of the gospel haw as ample a ch:t and coinnii»ion t<> dispense the word. ordinances as the ] I I rites had under the law, proved, Isa. lxvi. 21, Mat. wiii. :]k where OUT >a\iour entitletli the officers of the New TfTflfffit, whom be will >end forth, by the same names of the t< of the I1. Which propositions prove, that therefore (the d being of a moral nature) it followeth by just conseqm that the publick reading of the Kriptuies belonged) to the pastor^ office. To feed the fhx'k, bv preaching of the word, ace to which he H to teach, convince, repr short, and comfort M. tnderataodeth not what thou k Dent. 9. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests, the HOI ot I which hart- the ark of the t nant of the Lord, and unto all the Israel. Ver. 1<>. And Moses commanded them, saving. At the end ot every seven mity ot the year <»t ideal r. 11. bm to appear ' .ord thy ( iod in the which he rfnll choose, thou ihalt read this law before all Israel 0 their hearing. Nek \ iii i all the people gathered themselves together as one man, into the street that was the water-gate, and they spake in I I the bring tb I the la* <>t Moses, which I I nanded to I>rael. \nd Ezra the priest \ the law I ingregaticn, both ut men and women, and could h« npoa the first day of the seventh month. \ \: id he read there- in— \ ad on the second clay ot tii^ of all the peoph priests and the I • the law. . kvi. 1 uill also them tor piiesU, ati< tes, sait 1 uriiL ;i. Wherefore, behol t prophet-*, and wise Mien, and Id and some of them je shall kill and i >hali ye St synagogues, and perseeme l i be blameJe»* apt t proof, for currcctior 568 The Form of Church-Government. - To catechise, which is a plain laying down the first principles of the oracles of God n, or of the doctrine of Christ, and is a part of preaching. To dispense other divine mysteries0. To administer the sacraments p. To bless the people from God, Numb. vi. 23, 24, 25, 26, Compared with Rev. xiv. 5. (where the same blessings, and persons from whom they come, are expressly mentioned q,) Isa. structionin righteousness : Ver. 17. That the man of God may be per- fect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Tit. i. 9. Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. n Heb. v. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 0 1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so ac- count of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mys- teries of God. Ver. 2. Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. PMat. xxviii. 19. Go ye there- fore, and teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Fa- ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things what- soever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mark xvi. 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ver. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was be- trayed, took bread. Ver. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testa- ment in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Compared with 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we, bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the com- munion of the body of Christ ? i Numb. vi. 23. Speak unta Aaron, and unto his sons, saying. On this wise ye shall bless the chil- dren of Israel, saying unto them, Ver. 24*. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. Ver. 25. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee. — Ver. 26. The Lord lift up his counte- nance upon thee, and give thee peace. Compared with Rev. i. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come ; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne : Ver. 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faith- ful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Isa. lxvi. 21. And I will also take of them for priests, The Form of Church-Government. 569 Isa. lxvi. 21. where, under the DOOMl of Priesti and is to be continued under the gospel, are meant evan- gelical pastors, who therefore are by office to bless the people r. lake care of the poor 8. And he hath also a ruling power over the flock as a pastor l. TeocJur priests, and for Levites. saith the Loid r Deut. x. 8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of I ir the ark of the cov the Lord to minister unto him. bless m his name, unto xiii. 1 I. The LTacv of "the 1 I and the communion of the I Ghost, be with you all. Amen. I , from God our Father, the Lo; Christ 1 Acts xi. 80. Which ;: did, and MOt it to t the hands of Barnabas and S ither was there any among them that lacked : for as many M wi-re possess- lands or houses sold then _-ht the prices oi the tl ■at inane lold, \ them down at the apostles' I and distribution was made unto in, accord i n tr M h- IndJooet, m h<> by tiie ■poitlei was nirnamed H ir- nabas, (wbk !. ed, The son ot I ingland ght the it at th< multitude i iples unto thrni, ;iri(l said. It i reason that we should leav< word serve tablet. \\r. 3. Wherefore, b: look ve out arnor. honest report i wi^lo- But we will give < nrselves conti- nual: >e minis- the collection for ■ to t: even day of the week, let every one of lay hy him "hath e be d win i! J whomsoerer - them will 1 nod dity Wit also, • ■ John, liar*, perceived the gra< % a* given unto me, they gave and Barnabas the lows' >uld gQ unto heathen, I the I noted ■uhle h- Mi! Mm t: :n I 570 The Form of Church-Government. Teacher or Doctor. ri^HE scripture doth hold out the name and title of -*- teacher, as well as of the pastor v. Who is also a minister of the word, as well as the pastor, and hath power of administration of the sacraments. The Lord having given different gifts, and divers exer- cises according to these gifts, in the ministry of the wordw; though these different gifts may meet in, and accordingly be exercised by, one and the same ministerx ; yet, where be several ministers in the same congregation, they may be de- signed to several employments, according to the different gifts Ven 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. I Thess. v. 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and ad- monish you. Heb. xiii. 7. Re- member them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God : whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Ver. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. v 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church ; first, apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that mi- racles ; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some pro- phets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. w Rom. xii. 6. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whe- ther prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith ; Ver. 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; Ver. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhor- tation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth, with diligence ; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerful- ness. 1 Cor. xii. 1. Now con- cerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ver. 4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. Ver. 5. And there are differences of ad- ministrations, but the same Lord. Ver. 6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. Ver. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. * 1 Cor. xiv. 3. But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, ex- hort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. The Form of Churcf^Govenimcnt. 371 gifts in which each of them doth most excel y. And he that doth more excel in exposition of scripture, in teaching sound doctrine, and in convincing gainsayera, than he doth in ap- plication, and is accordingly employed therein, may be call- ed a teacher, or doctor, (the places alleged by the notation of the word do prove the proposition.) Nevertlule>-. where is hut one minister in a particular congregation, he i> to per- form, as far afl he i- able, the whole work of the mini>t -V teacher* or doctor, is of moat excellent u>c in ad* and universities a- of old in the schools of the prophet-, and at Jerusalem, where Gamaliel and other- taught a- den I Other C/turch-(i(j:\r)iors. A S there were in the Jewish church elders of the people ***- joined with the priests and Levites in the government of the church* ; BO Christ, who hath instituted government, and I i. 9. Holdup I faithful word, as lie hatli taught, that he may he able by sound doctrine both to exhort rnrinoe the gafim y CN immediately ■ Z I Pet iv. 10. As every hath IVeelVed the gift, n minister i; mo- ss good M the fold gnu G .11. ipeak man minis* r, let him do it i which (' eth: God in all thk^l m.r. ■orified through whom be praise and dominioi Amen. Tim. iv. :rh the aeon, out of paon ; i ike, exhort, til lollLr-sllliili|l:r ;U„J | fine- Tit i. !>. Holding fal the aitlitui word, sj he hath I he may !><• abl< WHind doctrine botn t<> exhort pd l 1 Tim. vi. ft And they that have belie? iug masters, let them not de- spise them, because they are bre- tnren : hut rather do them M l>eeau>e they are t'aithtul an d 1, partakers ot the benefit* These tnmgl teach and exhort. I Chron. xix. R, liOM in Jetfjealen did .lehoshaphat set Sjf the Levites, and of the priests, and of the ehiet ot the fath- I, for tiie judgment of the i :. and fi I they returned to .Iniisalem. tod he charg< d then Thus shall ye do in the u the Lord, faithfully* and \* • cause soever shaO a <>u of your brethren that dwell in * cities* between blood and Mi**!. bet w it'll 1 eoniinaiulinent, and statute* and ju Shall even warn them, t trespass not against tl.< I and so wrath conn u; thien : . and I trespass* 572 The Form of Church-Government. and governors ecclesiastical in the church, hath furnished some in his church, beside the ministers of the word, with gifts for government, and with commission to execute the same when called thereunto, who are to join with the mi- nister in the government of the church b. Which officers reformed churches commonly call Elders. Deacons. HP HE scripture doth hold out deacons as distinct officers •*- in the church c. Whose office is perpetual d. To whose office it belongs not to preach the word, or administer the sacraments, but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor . Of particular Congregations. TT is lawful and expedient that there be fixed congrega- •*- tions, that is, a certain company of Christians to meet in one assembly ordinarily for publick worship. When believers b Rom. xii. 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering ; or he that teacheth, on teaching ; Ver. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhor- tation : he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; second- arily, prophets ; thirdly, teach- ers; after that miracles ; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. c Phil. i. 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. 1 Tim. iii. 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre. d 1 Tim. iii. 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double- tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre. \^See in the Bible to Ver. 15.] Acts vL 1. And in those days, when the num- ber of the disciples was multi- plied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the He- brews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministra- tion. Ver. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the dis- ciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Ver. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. 4. But we will give ourselves conti- nually to prayer, and to the minis- try of the word. e Acts vi. 1 — 4«. £See before in, letter d.1 f 1 Cor. The Form of Church-Cirrcernment. believers multiply to such a Dumber, that they cannot i veniently meet in one place, it i^ lawful ami expedient that they should be divided into distinct and 6xed oongrea for the better administration of such ordinances as Ik long unto them, and the discharge of mutual duti The ordinarv way of dividing Christians into distinct congregations, and most expedient for edification, i^ by the tive bounds of their swelling / •. B they who dwell together, being bound all kind of moral duties one to another, have the !>< I opportunity therein- to discharge them ; which moral tual; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it*. Secondly, The communion of saints must cd, as may stand with the most convenient use of the ordi- nances and discbarge of moral duties, without - h. Thirdly, The pa : the aatembl tOgetht-r and so muofa the day H : Jeam ! prr^.-iis. \ « r . I . i if !I.eri « «>!!»« asarmblv a ma; Pi 574 The Form of Church-Government. Of the Officers of a particular Congregation. FOR officers in a single congregation, there ought to I be one at the least, both to labour in the word and j doctrine, and to rule \ It is also requisite that there should be others to join in ' government k. And likewise it is requisite that there be others to take special care for the relief of the poor l. The number of each of which is to be proportioned according to the condition of the congregation. These officers are to meet together at convenient and set'' times, for the well-ordering of the affairs of that congrega- I tion, each according to his office. It is most expedient that, in these meetings, one whose j office is to labour in the word and doctrine, do moderate in their proceedings m. Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation. THE ordinances in a single congregation are, prayer, thanksgiving, and singing of psalms n, the word read, j (although there follow no immediate explication of what is read,) the word expounded and applied, catechising, the sacraments administered, collection made for the poor, ] dismissing the people with a blessing. Qf 1 Prov. xxix. 18. Where there is helps, governments, diversities of no vision, the people perish : but tongues. he that keepeth the law, happy is l Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve he. 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders called the multitude of the dis- that rule well be counted wor- ciples unto them, and said, It is thy of double honour, especially not reason that we should leave they who labour in the word and the word of God, and serve tables, doctrine. Heb. xiii. 7. Remem- Ver. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ber them which have the rule ye out among you seven men of over you, who have spoken unto honest report, full of the Holy you the word of God ; whose Ghost and wisdom, whom we may faith follow, considering the end appoint over this business, of their conversation. ml Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that k 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath rule well be counted worthy of set some in the church ; first, double honour, especially they who apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; labour in the word and doctrine, thirdly, teachers; after that mi- nl Tim. ii. 1. I exhort there-' racles ; then gifts of healings, fore, that, first of all, supplica- tion s> The Form of Chunh-Gon rnment. Of Church-Government* and the several sorts of Assemblies fur the .same. /^HRIST hath instituted a government, and tors ^ ecclesiastical in the church : to that purpose, the apostles did immediately receive die keys from the I. of J brist, and did use and exercise then in all the churches of the world upon all occasions. And Christ hath since continuallv furnish in hil church with gifts of government, and with commission to ute the same, when called thereunto. It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that the church he governed by several of assemblies, which congregational, classical, and synodical. Of the Pu:ar in conn/ion of (ill these A TT i- lawful, and ible to the word of God, that | -*- several assemblies before mentioned have p imta to i vent, and call before them, any person within their several bounds, whom the eccl< il busi: them doth concern0. thr mouth of two or tin it fit' shall Mffll !1 it unto bat it )u- luvli i t to hc.tr ihurrh. let him DC UOtO an heatlien man, and a pul> 18. Vi lily I - j | shall ! shall Km bouad la heaven; and W |.M»M- (HI tilfth, ■hall bs loosed in heaven. I two -hall agree on * the mi itercesai giving ot thanks, f . made for all men. 1 Cor. xiv. 15. Wl it th« B ? 1 will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the ■nderttandina also ; i a 111 with the spirit, and I w ill with the imdt'rstandiiiLT aU«»: when thou ihah bless with the spirit, h<>\\ that ocenpieth tiie room ol the ill V ed H BO at thy j\\ it .. thanks, seehu? he uudi i not what thou aayi >\rr, it thy brothsf ihall n^naae against and ti-ll him hill between thee and him alum thee, thou hast u ed thy brother. V. r. 16. B will not b . then taki 576 The Form of Church-Government. - They have power to hear and determine such causes and I differences as do orderly come before them. It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that all the j said assemblies have some power to dispense church-censures. ] Of Congregational Assemblies, that is, the Meeting of the ruling Officers of a particular Congregation, for the Government thereof. HP HE ruling officers of a particular congregation have . -*- power, authoritatively, to call before them any mem- J ber of the congregation, as they shall see just occasion. To enquire into the knowledge and spiritual estate of the several members of the congregation. To admonish and rebuke. Which three branches are proved by Heb, xiii. 17. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. Ezek. xxxiv. 4. p. Authoritative suspension from theLord,s table, of a person not yet cast out of the church, is agreeable to the scripture: \ First, Because the ordinance itself must not be profaned, j Secondly, Because we are charged to withdraw from those that walk disorderly. Thirdly, Because of the great sin and danger, both to him that comes unworthily, and also to the whole church q. And i there j p Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that bound up that which was broken, 1 have the rule over you, and sub- neither have ye brought again that I mit yourselves : for they watch which was driven away, neither for your souls as they that must have ye sought that which was give account, that they may do lost ; but with force and with it with joy, and not with grief: cruelty have ye ruled them, for that is unprofitable for you. * Mat. vii. 6. Give not that 1 Thess. v. 12. And we beseech which is holy unto the dogs, nei- you, brethren, to know them ther cast ye your pearls before which labour among you, and are swine, lest they trample them un- over you in the Lord, and admo- der their feet, and turn again and msh you ; Ver. 13. And to esteem rend you. 2 Thess. iii. 6. Now them very highly in love for their we command you, brethren, in work's sake. And be at peace the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, among yourselves. Ezek. xxxiv. 4. that ye withdraw yourselves from The diseased have ye not strength- every brother that walketh disor- ened, neither have ye healed that derly, and not after the tradition which was sick, neither have ye which ve received of us. Ver. 14. 21 And The Form ()f Chuj\h-Gi)vcnii;i there was power and authority, under the Old Te<: to keep unclean | - from holy things The like power and authority, hv v. jn_ tinue^ under tl unent Tiie ruling officers of a particular c< -ion hi uithoritatively to suspend from t. m not yet cast out of the church : First, Because those who have authority to judi tad admit, such as are fit to receive th ritv to keep hack such as shall be found unworthy. r%. B( it is an narv practice belonging to that on. When congregations are divi d, they d all mutual help one from another, both in regard of their intrinsical weaknesses and mutual dependa mies from without OfCkusk al A$9i ml HE scripture doth hold out a presl A pn . consisteth of mj such other publicfe officers as ar I warrai Ami it any m 5y this epistle, note that n no company with him, ■ count him not Bi but admonish bin eat thu bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, thai! !>»* guilty <»t the b I blood - ( ha J ' . ( Jude, \nd othen lai e \\ ith pulling them nut of the fin ; ii.iti: hy the flesh. 1 Tim. i , handj suddenly «>:i no n len'a rini .- keep thyself j l I the i' and, the Numb, men i • him, W MQg the child I i m in UllV thee, " I anaU Utmm 578 The Form of Churcli-Governrnent. by the word of God to be church-governors, to join with the ministers in the government of the church *. The scripture doth hold forth, that many particular con- gregations may be under one presbyterial government. This proposition is proved by instances : I. First, Of the church of Jerusalem, which consisted of more congregations than one, and all these congregations were under one presbyterial government. This appeareth thus : Firsts The church of Jerusalem consisted of more con- gregations than one, as is manifest : \st, By the multitude of believers mentioned in divers ; both before the dispersion of the believers there, by means of the persecution v ; and also after the dispersion w. 2%, By sion and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them., should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Ver. 4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders; and they declared all things that God had done with them. Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders came toge- ther for to consider of this matter. 1 Rom. xii. 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering ; or he that teacheth, on teaching ; Ver. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhor- tation : he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; second- arily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers ; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, di- versities of tongues. v Acts viii. J . And Saul was con- senting unto his death. And at that time there was a great perse- cution against the church which was at Jerusalem ; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts i. 15. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty.) Acts ii. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized : and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Ver. 46. And they continuing daily with one ac- cord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Ver. 47. Prais- ing God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts iv. 4. How- beit, many of them which heard the word believed ; and the num- ber of the men was about five thousand. Acts v. 14. And believ- ers were the more added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Acts vi. 1. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose The Form of Church-Government. 9Aly, By the many apostles and other preach the church of Jerusalem. And if there were but om congre- gation there, then each apostle preached but eel which will not consist with A 3dly, The diversity of kingl -he believers, mentioned both in the second and sixth eh doth ar^ue more DOOgregatioafl than om '. ehureh. Secondly, All those 001 »>y- terial government ; became, lsr, The\ church'. &///y, The elders of the church an 'ioncd l. . The arose a munmiriiiir of the I i against the Hebrews, be- ■ their widows were Den in the daily ministration. \ - And the word of God U and the numher ot the di>eiples multiplied in itly: and of the i'. ledient to the faith. SL Then had the chun throughout all Judea, and GalQee, and Samaria, and . and, walking in the I .old, and in the com- fort of the Holy Ghost, were mul- tiplied. Acti sii. 24 Hot the w Hid multiplied. .'<>. And when they heard it, itied the Lord, and unto him, Thou brother, many tin which believe, and the> all / iw. ! lien the twelve called the mnltitnde of t h. aiplef onto them, id, It i* not reason tint are ihould the \\ and m-iw tallies. S ml was tenting onto hi> (hath. \ that time tin ie was a gl don against the church which Was at Ji id they nil scattered hoot the regions ot .ludea and - pt the ;n g faTOiir with all the people: and I added unt i burcfa daily *uch Acta v. 11. And Lrreat tear came upon all the ehnreii, and UpOQ as many as heard these I . in prison : hut j without cea> lurch unto God for U And when thc-y were «. m Jerusalem, t: the church, things t them. did. - it to the elder the I n they • i tied all thinf it pleased the apostle* S, w it li the wlu»i and J ■ men aaMMSJ the- lm tlot :i. A* t> i 8 B lu 580 The Form of ChurcJi-Government. - 3dly, The apostles did the ordinary acts of presbyters, as presbyters in that kirk ; which proveth a presbyterial church before the dispersion, Acts vi. 4tthly, The several congregations in Jerusalem being one church, the elders of that church are mentioned as meeting together for acts of government a ; which proves that those several congregations were under one presbyterial govern- ment. And whether these congregations were fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is also one as to the truth of the proposition. Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the several congregations in Jerusalem, and the many con- gregations now in the ordinary condition of the church, as to the point of fixedness required of officers or members. Thirdly, Therefore the scripture doth hold forth, that many congregations may be under one presbyterial govern- ment. II. Secondly, By theinstanceofthechurch of Ephesus; for, First, That there were more congregations than one in the church of Ephesus, appears by Acts xx. 81. b, where is mention of Paul's continuance at Ephesus in preaching for the space of three years ; and Acts xix. 18, 19, 20, where the special effect of the word is mentioned0 ; and ver. 10. and 17. of the same to Jerusalem, the brethren re- to send chosen men of their own ceived us gladly. Ver. 18. And company to Antioch, with Paul the day following Paul went in and Barnabas ; namely, Judas sur- with us unto James ; and all the named Barsabas, and Silas, chief elders were present. men among the brethren. Acts a Acts xi. 30. Which also they xxi. 17. And when we were come did, and sent it to the elders by to Jerusalem, the brethren re- the hands of Barnabas and Saul, ceived us gladly. Ver. 18. And the Acts xv. 4. And when they wTere day following Paul went in with come to Jerusalem, they were us unto James ; and all the elders received of the church, and of were present. And so forward. the apostles and elders; and they bActs xx. 31. Therefore watch, declared all things that God had and remember that, by the space done with them. Ver. 6. And the of three years, I ceased not to apostles and elders came together warn every one night and day for to consider of this matter. Ver. with tears. 22. Then it pleased the apostles cActs xix. 18. And many that and elders, with the whole church, believed came, and confessed, and shewed The Form of C A u n h - G same chapter, where is a distind in and (irevks : : and 1 Cor. xvi. 8, 9. where i- PauTs Ephesiia until Pentecost'; and ver. l!>. when a particular church in the house of Aquila and Pris ben at Ephesus', a> appears, Act- wiii. 19, laid together, doth prove that the multitude did make more col IOD8 than oik- in the chun S "%• That there were many eld Congregations, as one Hock, appeareth h. y'A/'/v////, That the>e nianv eoii_ :icchur« and that they were under one presbyterial appeareth K shewed their d I [any of them which used curious brought their bonk? ther, ami burned them before all : and they counted the price Of them, and "found it fifty thou- sand mightily pew the* word oi ( and prevailed. \i\. 10. And this conti- nued by the i f two y< io that all they which dwelt m ird the word ot the 1 til .Jews and ' 1 7. And this was known to all the JeWI and Ciret dwelling at Ephesui ; and G ar tell on them all, and the name of the I l .lesus was magnifl m i .[. p , & But i \mii i at Kphesus until lYnt< I | at dour and ellei tual U opened unto me, and there are many advei . i a, The chun of Asia white youi Aquila dii much in the Lord, with the church that their house. • Ad And he came to I | lu and left them there: but he himself entered Into the mill w ith the : named ApoUoSj ; diia. in th< i I'iifsut. '■ I he began to speak boldly in the synagogue when Aquila and Frist took him unto them, and e\p ainded unto him the way rod mm' lljr. • . I all, among whom 1 bare tfone hinc the k .shall see i to all th the which t . i hill. .A^d with >hall uh and i j all wep( I fell (.11 1 i;. . the chui 582 The Form of Church-Government. Of Synodical Assemblies. ^T^HE scripture doth hold out another sort of assemblies -*- for the government of the church, beside classical and congregational, all which we call Synodical k. Pastors and teachers, and other church-governors, (as also other fit persons, when it shall be deemed expedient,) are members of those assemblies which we call Synodical, where they have a lawful calling thereunto. Synodical assemblies may lawfully be of several sorts, as provincial, national, and oecumenical. It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that there be a subordination of congregational, classical, provincial, and national assemblies, for the government of the church. Of Ordination of Ministers. \ TNDER the head of Ordination of Ministers is to be *^ considered, either the doctrine of ordination, or the power of it. Touching' These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks ; Ver. 2. I know thy works, and thy la- bour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil : and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. Ver. 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Ver. 4. Nevertheless, I have some- what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Ver. 5. Re- member therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works ; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Ver. 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolai- tanes, which I also hate. Joined with Acts xx. 17, 28. \^See in letter h/] k Acts xv. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusa- lem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders came to- gether for to consider of this mat- ter. Ver. 22. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas ; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Si- las, chief men among the brethren : Ver. 23. And wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. iJohn Tlve Form of Chun1 HI Touching the Doctr'tnc of 'Ordinal T^O man ought to take uj>on him the office of a min. •^^ of the word witliout a lawful calling1. Ordination is alwajf to be continued in the church™. Ordination il the wlemn letting apart «>: . r>ou to ■ome publick church office-. 1. 1 John iii. L27. John ■ and said, A man can receiv.- thing, except it be given him from en. Kom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not bettered? and bow shall they believe in him of whom they haw not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher P 13. And how shall they preach Dt they be sent? Al il H writ- IIow heautifnl are the i them that preach t 1 oi peace, and bring clad tidings of good th :. \iv. 1 \. Then : untO nie, The Fl prophesy Bel iji my name: sent them not, neither have I Commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophet? imtO you a false fision, and divination, and a thine of nought, and the I . t. And no man taketh thi<* nOOOUf him>elf, hut he that ll calletl Oi God, as was Aaron. left I thee in I bet thou ahonld est set in onlri the things thai are wanting, and ordain oMafl in I thee. I I .1.1(1. I i >d, and the Lord •letUS ('hri>t, and tl th.it theee tl * ith- out preferring one ' ithing bj partiality. I I li suddenly a man. neith. r In- pait I ither men's sins: k< Xuml). viii. 10 brin. and the children oi Nrael shall put their hands upon th. Ver. LL And A : r the i nildren of Israel; that th. j of the thou separate the Levites I ie children of Israel: and ites shall be mine. from among the children of Israel, t<> do the a rad in the tab* i and to make an atonement tor Israel: l i plague among the childrei rael, when th< into the sa:. And after t! in to do their servh . the congregiit ■ Lord had < ses coocemii v. it among -even in toll l ' log pi. ised the \\ li.»h- moltitoiii full i i Panneuav 584 The Form of Church-Government. - Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposi- tion of hands, and prater, with fasting, by those preaching presbyters to whom it doth belong0. It is agreeable to the word of God, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge p. He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly quali- fied, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle q. He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained r. No Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch : Ver. 6. Whom they set before the apostles ; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 0 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands sud- denly on no man, neither be par- taker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Acts xiv. 23. And when they had ordained them el- ders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they com- mended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts xiii. 3. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. PActsxiv.23. £See before.^ Tit. i. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. Acts xx. 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Ver. 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you over- seers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. <» I Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach : Ver. 3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient; not a brawler; not covetous: Ver. 4. One that ruleth well his own house, hav- ing his children in subjection with all gravity : Ver. 5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Ver. 6. Not a no- vice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Tit. i. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. Ver. 6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful chil- dren, not accused ot riot, or unruly: Ver. 7. For a bishop must be blame- less, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; Ver. 8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Ver. 9. Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsay ers. r 1 Tim. iii. 7. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which The Form of Chun J I No man is to be ordained a mini urticul. gregation, if the? of that congregation am new just of exception against him1. Touching tJa ]> 1 1 r of 0 rd't nut 'tun. ptflDINATION J- the act of a presbyten ^^ The power of ordering the whole work lination is in the whole presbytery, which, when it congregations than one, whether tin i be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or me indifferent a> to the point of ordination \ It is • [uisite, that no single congregation, that conveniently associate, do assume to itseliall and soli in ordination : 1. Because then- is no example in -criptmv that anv !r congregation, which might convenicnth assume to itself all and sole pout r in ordination ; neithi there anv rule which mav \s arrant such a pra Because there is in Bcripture example of an ordinati in a pi. . over divers oongregal i in the church of Jerusalem, where were many coi lions: these mi congregations were under one presbytery, and t; \cv\ did ordain. The preaching presbyters orderly asso< ber in cities or neighbouring villages, are those to whom the position of hands doth appertain, for th< within their bounds respectively. < Which are without ; lest lie fill in- h, and the f the hehariour, riven t< !. devil. \.: n>. And let these also apt I first be proved ; then lit them baabof use the ciffie* le.ieon, being steward ofG loimd blameless l Tim. \. I I • I hands suddenly OH n<» m. in was neither be pftrtalu | >>' oUn I BM ' I Sjns: keep tliVM-lt pille. I.i\ ■ 1 Tin: A bishop then must be blameless, the hin * l 'rim. iv. n s . tirr*^ 586 The Form of Church-Government. Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Ministers. 1. "VTO man ought to take upon him the office of a minis- -*^ ter of the word without a lawful calling w. 2. Ordination is always to be continued in the church x. 3. Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some publick church office y. 4. Every minister of the word is to be ordained by im- position of hands, and prayer, with fasting, by these preach- ing presbyters to whom it doth belong z. 5. The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, which, when it is over more congregations than one, whether those congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is indifferent as to the point of ordination a. 6. It is agreeable to the word, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge b. 7. He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qua- lified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle c. 8. He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained d. 9. No man is to be ordained a minister for a particular congregation, if they of that congregation can shew just cause of exception against him e. 10. Preaching presbyters orderly associated, either in cities or neighbouring villages, are those to whom the im- position of hands doth appertain, for those congregations within their bounds respectively f. 11. In w See before in letter K d See before in letter r. x See before in letter m. e See before in letter s. y See before in letter11. f 1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the z See before in letter °. gift that is in thee, which was a See before in letter v. given thee by prophecy, with the b See before in letter p. laying on of the hands of the c See before in letter <*. presbytery. &2Chron. The Form of Church-Goirrnm 11. In extraordinai mething L xtraordinarv i: be done, until a settled order m t kcv] near a> possibly may be to the rule*. 12. There u at this tune (at ire humbly extraordinary i iraj ofordii rthe sent supply of minisfc The Directory for the Orili TT being manifest by the arord I, that no man -*- to take upon him th< office of a minis! the gosj until he be lawfully called and ordained theieunl that the work of ordination is to 1 fined with all due cut, wisdom, gravity, and solemnity, ire humbli l tin- - requisite to 1. He that is to be ordained, being either nominated the people, or otherwise commended to the presl any place, must address himself to the pn bring with him a testimonial of his t iking tb ( the three kingdoms; of his (!. studies ; a hat d< grees he hath tak< and what hatli been the time of his of hi> age, which is to be twenty-four of his life and conversation. iieh so that ' could not flay all the bui .- irhereiore th< it bretl n lid help them till • was iMidi-d, ami until tin- other I iid saurtifird tin lor tin* Lei itd w ere more up in Ik utt than the priests. \ hurnt-ofieringfl w with ill.- t.it i and the drink-ol hoi nt-oHi i ii i the hous< I \ 1. tiicl all th( ii the ■ tli it t in n ' ivmv !>• I 588 The Form of Church-Government. 2. Which being considered by the presbytery, they are to proceed to enquire touching the grace of God in him, and whether he be of such holiness of life as is requisite in a minister of the gospel ; and to examine him touching his learning and sufficiency, and touching the evidences of his calling to the holy ministry ; and, in particular, his fair and direct calling to that place. it The Rules for Examination are these : (1.) That the party examined be dealt withal in a bro- therly way, with mildness of spirit, and with special re- " spect to the gravity, modesty, and quality of every one. " (2.) He shall be examined touching his skill in the ori- " ginal tongues, and his trial to be made by reading the " Hebrew and Greek Testaments, and rendering some por- " tion of some into Latin ; and if he be defective in them, " enquiry shall be made more strictly after his other learn- " ing, and whether he hath skill in logick and philosophy. " (3.) What authors in divinity he hath read, and is best " acquainted with ; and trial shall be made in his knowledge " of the grounds of religion, and of his ability to defend " the orthodox doctrine contained in them against all un- u sound and erroneous opinions, especially these of the 64 present age ; of his skill in the sense and meaning of " such places of scripture as shall be proposed unto him, Cl in cases of conscience, and in the chronology of the scrip- " ture, and the ecclesiastical history. " (4.) If he hath not before preached in publick with " approbation of such as are able to judge, he shall, at a " competent time assigned him, expound before the pres- " bytery such a place of scripture as shall be given him. " (5.) He shall also, within a competent time, frame y a discourse in Latin, upon such a common-place or con- " troversy in divinity as shall be assigned to him, and ex- " hibit to the presbytery such theses as express the sum " thereof, and maintain a dispute upon them. " (6.) He shall preach before the people, the presbytery, 45 or some of the ministers of the word appointed by them, " being present. " (7.) The proportion of his gifts in relation to the place " unto which he is called shall be considered. " (8.) Beside The Form of Churrh-Governm (8.) Beside the trial of hi- gifts in pn undergo an examination in the premises two several da u and more, if the presbytery -hall judge it muasai M (9.) And as for him that hath fonmrlv I M a minister, and i> to be removed other charge, be " shall bring ■ testimonial of hi- ordination, and of hU M abilities and conver upon h " plact- -hall he tried by hi- preaching there, and (if tk be judged necessarj ) by a further examination of bn In all which he being approved, he i- to ; the chuich where he i- to to preach tl ral dav-, and to convene with ti. pie. that die) may have trial of hia gifts for their edification, and i have time and occasion to inquire into, and the 1> know, Li- life and conversation. I. In the la-t of these thru days appointed for ti. of hi- gifts in preaching, th. the to the e« _ _.itioii. a publiclfi int D in writing, which shall be publickly read 1 and tffixed to the church-door, I that Slid) a dav a competent numbt r of the members of i! gatkm, nominated by themselves, shall appear I give tin ii J and . man .to be their minister; or otherwise, it in, withal! Christian discretion and meekness, what have against him. And if, upon the da\ appointed, ti. do jn-t exception against bun, hut the peopl< consent, then the presbyter] shall n« 5. Upon tin- daj appointed for ordination, which performed in that church where he that i- enm fa-t -hall hr kept hv tlu OOngT that they may tlu- more earnest!) join in r a blessing upon the ordinances <■* ( hrist, and the lalxmraof hi- servant lor th d. The pn si shall com the place, or al 1< asl three or four mini shall be sent thither from tin- pn appointed hv the pi i|l preach concerning tin- office and dui and bon the people OUghl I ' their work's 590 The Form of Churclt-Government* 6. After the sermon, the minister who hath preached shall, in the face of the congregation, demand of him who is now to be ordained, concerning his faith in Christ Jesus, and his persuasion of the truth of the reformed religion, ac- cording to the scriptures ; his sincere intentions and ends in desiring to enter into this calling ; his diligence in praying, reading, meditation, preaching, ministering the sacraments, discipline, and doing all ministerial duties towards his charge ; his zeal and faithfulness in maintaining the truth of the gospel, and unity of the church, against error and schism ; his care that himself and his family may be un- blameable, and examples to the flock ; his willingness and humility, in meekness of spirit, to submit unto the admoni- tions of his brethren, and discipline of the church ; and his resolution to continue in his duty against all trouble and persecution. 7. In all which having declared himself, professed his will- ingness, and promised his endeavours, by the help of God ; the minister likewise shall demand of the people concerning their willingness to receive and acknowledge him as the minister of Christ; and to obey and submit unto him, as having rule over them in the Lord ; and to maintain, en- courage, and assist him in all the parts of his office. 8. Which being mutually promised by the people, the presbytery, or the ministers sent from them for ordination, shall solemnly set him apart to the office and work of the ministry, by laying their hands on him, which is to be ac- companied with a short prayer or blessing, to this effect : " Thankfully acknowledging the great mercy of God in 66 sending Jesus Christ for the redemption of his people ; " and for his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, " and thence pouring out his Spirit, and giving gifts to " men, apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers; " for the gathering and building up of his church ; and for " fitting and inclining this man to this great work * : to en- " treat him to fit him with his Holy Spirit, to give him (who " in his name we thus set apart to this holy service) to ful- " fil the work of his ministry in all things, that he may both " save himself, and his people committed to his charge." 9. This * Here let them impose hands on his head. The Form qfChurck-Gvueimm 9- This or the like form of pra dog bt ended, let the minister who preached, briefly exhort hi rider of til- - of hi- office ami work, the danger of negligence both to himself ami his people, the blessing which will accompany hi- faithfulness in this life, ami that to come; and withal exhort the people t<> tbemsel to him. as to their minister in the Lord. aco theii solemn promise made before. And so 1>\ both him and hi- flock to the I, after jing of a psalm, let the a^emblv be dismissed with a blessing:. 10. [f a minister be dec toacoi , who hath n formerly ordained presbyter according to the I ordination which hath been in the church I . mil. which we hold for substance to Ik \alul. and I be disclaimed by anv who have received it : then, there l> a caution- proceeding in matters of examination, let him be admitted without anv new ordination. 11. And in case any person ahead] ordained minister in Scotland, or in any Other rd 1 church, be designe another i in England, he i- to bi nn that church to the presbytery hire, within which that tion i-. a sufficient testimonial of his ordinal. In- life and conversation while he lived with them, and removal; and to undergo such a trial d -s and sufficiency, aiul to have dm with him in other particulars, as is set down in the rule immediately g touching examination and admission. 1 ! That records be carefully kept in the several pi byteries, of the names of tin- persons imonials, the time and place of tin who did impose hands upon I the charge to which the) are appointed 1 ■>. That no mom \ or gift, of what kind soevei 1 from the i i hi> behalf, for ordination, <>r ought of the presbj lerj , or anj app rt what pi 592 The Form of Church-Government. Tims Jar of ordinary Rules, and course of Ordination, in the ordinary way ; that which concerns the extraordinary way, requisite to be now practised, Jblhweth. 1. In these present exigencies, while we cannot have any presbyteries formed up to their whole power and work, and that many ministers are to be ordained for the service of the armies and navy, and to many congregations where there is no minister at all; and where (by reason of the publick trou- bles) the people cannot either themselves enquire and find out one who may be a faithful minister for them, or have any with safety sent unto them, for such a solemn trial as was be- fore mentioned in the ordinary rules; especially, when there can be no presbytery near unto them, to whom they may ad- dress themselves, or which may come or send to them a fit man to be ordained in that congregation, and for that people; and yet notwithstanding, it is requisite that ministers be or- dained for them by some, who, being set apart themselves for the work of the ministry, have power to join in the setting apart others, who are found fit and worthy. In those cases, until, by God^s blessing, the aforesaid difficulties may be in some good measure removed, let some godly ministers, in or about the city of London, be designed by publick authority, who, being associated, may ordain ministers for the city and the vicinity, keeping as near to the ordinary rules fore-men- tioned as possibly they may ; and let this association be for no other intent or purpose, but only for the work of ordination. 2. Let the like association be made by the same authority in great towns, and the neighbouring parishes in the several counties, which are at the present quiet and undisturbed, to do the like for the parts adjacent. 3. Let such as are chosen, or appointed for the service of the armies or navy, be ordained, as aforesaid, by the asso- ciated ministers of London, or some others in the country. 4. Let them do the like, when any man shall duly and law- fully be recommended to them for the ministry of any congre- gation, who cannot enjoy liberty to have a trial of his parts and abilities, and desire the help of such ministers so associated, for thebetterfurnishingof them with such a person as by them shall be judged fit for the service of that church and people, FINIS. THE DIRECTORY rum FAM I LY-WOR sil I p. . GENERAL ASSEMBLY OK 7HR tenring the nine. [ 594 ] Assembly at Edinburgh, August 24. 1647. Sess. 10. Act for observing the Directions of the General Assembly for secret and private Worship, and mutual Edification; and censuring such as neglect Family -worship, HPHE General Assembly, after mature deliberation, doth -*~ approve the following Rules and Directions for che- rishing piety, and preventing division and schism; and doth appoint ministers and ruling elders in each congregation to take special care that these Directions be observed and fol- lowed; as likewise, that presbyteries and provincial synods enquire and make trial whether the said Directions be duly observed in their bounds ; and to reprove or censure, (ac- cording to the quality of the offence) such as shall be found to be reprovable or censurable therein. And, to the end that these directions may not be rendered ineffectual and unprofitable among some, through the usual neglect of the very substance of the duty of Family- worship, the As- sembly doth further require and appoint ministers and ruling elders to make diligent search and enquiry, in the congregations committed to their charge respectively, whe- ther there be among them any family or families which use to neglect this necessary duty ; and if any such family be found, the head of the family is to be first admonished privately to amend his fault ; and, in case of his continu- ing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly reproved by the session ; after which reproof, if he be found still to neglect Family-worship, let him be, for his obstinacy in such an offence, suspended and debarred from the Lord's supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein, till he amend. ■ DIRECTIONS I 695 ] DIRECTIONS or i GEN E B A L A B S E M BLY, Concerning secret and private Worship, and mutu fication ; for cherishing P • . I Of Bntahnng ' i and avoiding Schism and l)ivi>ion. DESIDES the publick worship in i *-* fully established in this land in great parity, it m pedient and n - ry that secret worship of each pcrooo alone, and private worship of families, be pressed and set . that, with nation, d reformation, the profession godliness, both persona] and domestick, Ik- ad- vanced. I. And first, for secret worship, it i«> most necessary, that ry one apart, and by themselves. l>, and meditation, the unspeakable benefit when liest known to them wh<> are in; thi> !* the mean whereby, in a special commui ntertained, and right preparation 1 other dut obtained: and therefore u becometh not only past within t lie i i al charges, to i perform this dutj morning and ' other isions: hut also it is incumbent t«» tin* I f i\ri\ lily to havi . that both thcuiM l\ ,-, and all uithin tin ir charge, be daily diligent hen in. I I. The ordinary dutii of piety, which should be in families, whan tl | m ned to thai i flR i KiiM, V Formed with a spt rial i< I condition of the kirl I this kingdon the • ,nt case of the family, and i n _\. \t, lb ading of th< i, with i I , thai the und< rstanoings of tin sii the nabled to profit under the publick oi 596 Directions jbr Family-Worship. they made more capable to understand the scriptures when they are read ; together with godly conferences tending to the edification of all the members in the most holy faith : as also, admonition and rebuke, upon just reasons, from those who have authority in the family. III. As the charge and office of interpreting the holy scriptures, is a part of the ministerial calling, which none (however otherwise qualified) should take upon him in any place, but he that is duly called thereunto by God and his kirk ; so in every family where there is any that can read, the holy scriptures should be read ordinarily to the family ; and it is commendable, that thereafter they confer, and by way of conference make some good use of what hath been read and heard. As, for example, if any sin be reproved in the word read, use may be made thereof to make all the family circumspect and watchful against the same ; or if any judgment be threatened, or mentioned to have been in- flicted, in that portion of scripture which is read, use may be made to make all the family fear, lest the same or a worse judgment befall them, unless they beware of the sin that procured it: and, finally, if any duty be required, or comfort held forth in a promise, use may be made to stir up themselves to employ Christ for strength to enable them for doing the commanded duty, and to apply the offered comfort. In all which the master of the family is to have the chief hand ; and any member of the family may pro- pone a question or doubt for resolution. IV. The head of the family is to take care that none of the family withdraw himself from any part of family-worship: and, seeing the ordinary performance of all the parts of fa- mily-worship belongeth properly to the head of the family, the minister is to stir up such as are lazy, and train up such as are weak, to a fitness to these exercises ; it being always free to persons of quality to entertain one approved by the presbytery for performing family-exercise. And in other fa- milies, where the head of the family is unfit, that another, constantly residing in the family, approved by the minister and session, may be employed in that service, wherein the mi- nister and session are to be countable to the presbytery. And if a minister, by divine Providence, be brought to any family, it Directions for Family-W ■'..'ill v and unstable bouIs. VI At family-worship, a special each famil v keep by themsehn invit- . nor admitting persons from di\ -, unl< those who are lodged with them, or at meal-. ier- ith them upon some lawful o. \ II. Whatsoever h ive been the effects and fruit- of m, tags of | nilies in the t: i upturn rouble, (in which cases many thin_ which other* not tok rabl G US with ' and pur -pel, - ms of <1: i$es itioned in these Directions) are to he d wd, .in ling to the hinderance of tli Iv hv itself, to the prejudice of the publick m ling of the familit - of particul and (in pn of time) i f the whole kirk. Be*id< im 3 which may com the hat hearts of carnal men, am ilv. \ 1 1 1.( to the Lord's daj , after < and the whole family togeth ghl the I whose hands the preparati a of nan's i the publick worship, and to bless to them the publick dinances, the master < »l* th> i kit all within his diai publick worship, that he and they niiv join w i 1 1 1 the rest of tli publick : finish d, after p hould t 'ill what the) have heard ; an 1 th the rest of the time which th< in spirit ' apart ) the) ought >1) tin i 598 Directions for Family- Worship. tion, and secret prayer, that they may confirm and increase their communion with God : that so the profit which they found in the publick ordinances may be cherished and pro- moved, and they more edified unto eternal life. IX. So many as can conceive prayer, ought to make use of that gift of God ; albeit those who are rude and weaker may begin at a set form of prayer, but so as they be not sluggish in stirring up in themselves (according to their daily necessities) the spirit of prayer, which is given to all the children of God in some measure : to which effect, they ought to be more fervent and frequent in secret prayer to God, for enabling of their hearts to conceive, and their tongues to express, convenient desires to God for their family. And, in the mean time, for their greater encou- ragement, let these materials of prayer be meditated upon, and made use of, as folio weth. " Let them confess to God how unworthy they are to " come in his presence, and howunfit to worship his Majesty ; " and therefore earnestly ask of God the spirit of prayer. " They are to confess their sins, and the sins of the u family ; accusing, judging, and condemning themselves " for them, till they bring their souls to some measure of " true humiliation. " They are to pour out their souls to God, in the name " of Christ, by the Spirit for forgiveness of sins ; for grace to repent, to believe, and to live soberly, righteously, and ' godly ; and that they may serve God with joy and delight, walking before him. " They are to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his people, and to themselves, and especially for his " love in Christ, and for the light of the gospel. " They are to pray for such particular benefits, spiri- " tual and temporal, as they stand in need of for the time, " (whether it be morning or evening,) as anent health or " sickness, prosperity or adversity. " They ought to pray for the kirk of Christ in general, " for all the reformed kirks, and for this kirk in particular, " and for all that suffer for the name of Christ ; for all our " superiors, the king^s majesty, thequeen, and their children ; " for the magistrates, ministers, and whole body of the " congregation a (C a Directions for Family-Warship. 599 u congregation whereof they are m 11 for their " neighbours absent in their lawful affairs, as for ti M that are at home. " The prayer may be dosed frith an earnest desire that M God may be glorified in the coining of the kingdom of " his Son, and in doing of his will, and with B88WBII0S that " themselves are accepted, and what they h -keel " according to hi- will shall be done.'" X. These exercises ought to be performed in great am ritv, without delay, laving aside all e\erci>e> of worldly bu>i- OT hinderances,notwith>tandingthemockings of atheists and profane men ; in respect of the great mercie> of Grod to this land, and of his severe corrections wherewith lately he hath exercised us. And, to this effect, persons of eminency (and all elders of the kirk) not only ought to stir up them- selves and families to diligence herein, but also to concur effectually, that in all other families, where they have power and charge, the said exercises be consrionably performed* XI. Besides tin- ordinary duties in families, which are above mentioned, extraordinary duties, both of humiliation and thank-. . are to be carefully performed in families, when the Lord, bv e\traordinar\ SOUS, (private or publiek.) calleth for them. \1I. Seeing the word of (rod required), that we should Consider one another to provoke unto love and good work> , then it all times, and specially in tin** tune, wherein profanity abound-, and mocker-, walking after their own lusts, think it strange thai others run not with them to the same excess of riot; everj member of this kirk ought to stir up them-i Ives, and one another, to the duties o\' mutual edification, b\ instruction, admonition, rebuke, exhorting one another to manifest the grace of God, in denying un- godliness and worldly lu^ts, and in living godly, BOOerh . righteously, in this present world ; by comforting the ft i minded, and praying with or t'm one another. Which duties respectively are to be performed upon J occa- Isons offered by divine Providence; as namely, when under anv calamity, cross, « ri difficulty, oounscl or comfort is sought ; or when an offender is to be reclaimed b\ private admonition, and if that be n ctual, bj joining on< 600 Directions jvr Family- Worship* two more in the admonition, according to the rule of Christ; that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. XIII. And, because it is not given to every one to speak a word in season to a wearied or distressed conscience, it is expedient, that a person (in that case,) finding no ease, after the use of all ordinary means, private and publick, have their address to their own pastor, or some experienced Christian : but if the person troubled in conscience be of that condition, or of that sex, that discretion, modesty, or fear of scandal, requireth a godly, grave, and secret friend to be present with them in their said address, it is expe- dient that such a friend be present. XIV. When persons of divers families are brought toge- ther by divine Providence, being abroad upon their particu- lar vocations, or any necessary occasions; as they would have the Lord their God with them whithersoever they go, they ought to walk with God, and not neglect the duties of prayer and thanksgiving, but take care that the same be performed by such as the company shall judge fittest. And that they likewise take heed that no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouths, but that which is good, to the ruse of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. The drift and scope of all these Directions is no other, but that, upon the one part, the power and practice of godliness, amongst all the ministers and members of this kirk, according to their several places and vocations, may be cherished and advanced, and all impiety and mocking of religious exercises suppressed : and, upon the other part, that, under the name and pretext of religious exercises, no such meetings or practices be allowed, as are apt to breed error, scandal, schism, contempt, or misregard of the pub- lick ordinances and ministers, or neglect of the duties of particular callings, or such other evils as are the works not of the Spirit, but of the flesh, and are contrary to truth and peace. A. KER. F I N I S TABLE OF THE CHIEf HATTERS CONTAINED IN THE CONFESSION OF FAITH AND LARGER CATECHISM. fies tfu Confession, of I e first number denotes the Chapter, the folluwirg figures denote the Paragraph!. Cat. signifies Ihe Larger Catechism, and the figures denote the numbers of the V A I ( EPTANCE li:. per- i of believe; ipt- ed a> righteous in the sight of >r the obedience and satisfaction of Christ \i. I. cut. 70. Which is imputed to them bj God, and 1 by faith, COtL xi. 1. COL 70, 7 1 How their good \\ . b'. An in prayer through Chi I mediation, 180. !M unto the \ithout the |fe- itor Jesu cat. ith pin. c\i - unit •: gO> | cess to the thro than bdiereri undei the law did dinaiily paitak- I. A c t i - all OS of I I frits and holy |»n>- oording to his I lihle foreknowledge tnd Imnout- .'•!»! iv. / ' Btd from tht pinal corruption of nature, con. vi. 1 See £ Admonition of the church, con. \w. \. Adoption, the nature and privi- xii. eat. 7 L Adultery, a just ground of divorce, eon, xxiv. 6j t vat ions of sin, cat* 151. Amen, the meaning of it, cat. Angels, God i Deeming them, earn, iii. :*, 4. 11<>\\ created, cat, 16. c. piovideiiee towards them, cat. Li. T all em; ' e in the admini- tion> yA hi^ DOWSI . and justice, ib* Not t«. be worship- ped, com* X\i. 3, < ■■//. 105. Antichrist, a The Pops is Antichrist, ib. Antiquity, no prel in the An\ it the thin. lite nnful, cat. Ii The lily in the ehm. | Immodest Asrynssoti The TABLE. Ascension of Christ, con. viii. 4. cat. 53. Assembly. See Councils. Publick Assemblies for the worship of God not to be carelessly or wilfully neglected, con. xxi. 6. Assurance of grace and salvation attainable in this life, con. xviii. I, 2. cat. 80. Without extraor- dinary revelation, con. xviii. 3. cat. 80. Upon what it is founded, con. iii. 8. xviii. 2. cat. 80. It is strengthened by good works, con. xvi. 2. Believers may want it, con. xviii. 3. cat. 80, 172. They may have it diminished and intermitted ; and be depriv- ed of comfort, and the light of God's countenance, con. xi. 5. xvii. 3. xviii. 4. cat. 81. But they are never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith and love, §c. out of which assurance may, by the Spirit, be in due time revived, con. xviii. 4. cat. 81. And by which, in the mean time, they are sup- ported from utter despair, ib. It is the duty of all to endeavour after assurance, con. xviii. 3. And to pray for it, cat. 194. The fruits of it ; it inclines not to looseless, con. xviii. 3. Atheism, the denying or not having a God, cat. 105. Attributes of God, con. ii. 1, 2. cat. 7, 8, 101. B Baptism, what, con. xxviii. 1, 2. cat. 1£5. To continue to the end of the world, con. xxviii. 1. cat. 176. But once to be ad- ministered to any person, con. xxviii. 7. cat. 177. By whom, con. xxvii. 4. xxviii. 2. cat. 176. To whom, con. xxviii. 4. cat. 166. Dipping not necessary in baptism : But it may be rightly administered by sprinkling, con. xxviii. 3. Baptism not neces- sary to salvation, yet it is a sin to neglect it, con. xxviii. 5. The efficacy of it, con. xxviii. 6. How to be improved, cat. 167. Wherein it agrees with the Lord's supper, cat. 176. And wherein they differ, cat. 177. Believers. See Faith, Justifica- tion, Acceptance, Adoption, Sane- tification, Union, Communion, Liberty, Works, Perseverance, Assurance. Benefits which the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ, cat. 65. The benefits of Christ's mediation, cat. 57, 58. The Body of Christ, how present in the sacrament, con. xxix. 7. cat. 170. The mystical Body of Christ. True believers are members of Christ's mystical body, con. xxix. 1. cat. 168. Which is the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be united to Christ as their head, con. xxv. 1. What that union is, cat. 66. See Cpmmunion. The Bodies of the elect after death, and at the resurrection, con. xxxii. 2, 3. cat. 86, 87. Of the wicked, ib. Lascivious Books not to be read, cat. 139. Calling. See Effectual Calling-. To have a lawful calling, and to be diligent in it, is a dutv, cat. 141. Vows of Celebacy unlawful, con, xxii. 7. cat. 139. Censures of the church, what, con. xxx. 2, 4. Their use, con. xxx. 3. Who are to be proceed- ed against by the censures of the church, con. xx. 4. xxix. 8. xxx. 2. They are to be manag- ed according to the nature of the crime, and the demerit of the person, con. xxx. 4. Peni- tent sinners are to be absolved from censures, con. xxx. 2. Censuring. The TABLE. Censuring. Rash, harsh, and par- tial censuring sinful, cat. l4o. Ceremonial 1 e Lnu . Charity towards our neighbour, wherein it consists, cat 135, 141, 1U. 147. What contral- to it, cat. 136, 142, 145, 148. Giv'uur and lending freely ac- cording to our ability, and the necessities of others, is a duty, 'i. xxvi. c2. tiit. in. Charms unlawful, cat 113. dry, cat isa I 'hildren that die in infancy, how saved, con. x. 3. The children of such as profess the true reli- gion are members of the visible church. COM, XXV. L2. cut. And are to be baptized, xxviii. ft, cut. 1 Christ, why SO called, rut. 18. I> (he only Mediator between God 1 man, cam% viii. I. cat 96% Who being of one sul snd equal with the Fat -. cat 1 1, 36. In the fulness of thne became man, com, viii. 2. eat The necessity of bis ( rod and man. H was ordained by God from i be Medial viii. I. IK' was * inotrfied and anointed with the EfcJy Spirit to execute the i Ha- tor, tm. \ li lied by the I ther, ' ""• v: Lnd willinj undertook and discharged it, By his i dience and he purchase Illation and viii. Po whom, in all s, the be his media- tion viii. pro- phet n . J - i It D ..'/, of Chi I ia- I Judge, Merit, Messiah, ft of Christ, Personal i'nion.}J tiation, hXecomcUiaU R Horn, R leomsm ness, Sacrifice, Sail faction, Surttif. Christian liberty. - The Church is the object of ( special providence, cat. 63. Christ the only i. of it, emu viii. 1. ] The holiek church invisible, what, v. 1. cat §4 (liven to Christ from all eternity. viii. l. The benefits which the members of it enjoy by ('!. cat <>'>. W, S9, The catholics: church visible, what, a n. xxv. . of it no ordinary posstbilit] ration, c leges, i >>,. xxv . titular churches more or pur, . J. The p| subject to mixtun . x\\. ft. There shall all I church on earth to won d according to his will, il>. Church-censuresi Church-government appointi the Lord JesUI in the ehureh-otlieers, distim I the civil in.:. 1 "'. 108. But not noted from obediea maj , i. j have the power of the k imitted tO them What that p and it* i I i to be opp «sed in the lawful tence of Christian I church-governrrM nt, a I be oid. nature and I ig to the i the u,.i ( -ton, otn nan- ces by Whkh I 1 The TABLE. -grace was administered unto the law, con. vii. 5. cat. 34. Civil magistrate, or civil powers. See Magistrate. The Ten Commandments are the sum of the moral law, con, xix. 2. cat. 98. They are a per- fect rule of righteousness, con. xix. 2. Rules for understand- ing them, cat. 99. The preface explained, cat. 101. The first Commandment, cat. 103 — 106. The second, cat. 107—110. The third, cat. 111—114. The fourth, cat. 115—121. The fifth, cat. 123—133. The sixth, cat. 134—136. The seventh, cat. 137—139. The eighth, cat. 140—142. The ninth, cat. 143—145. The tenth, cat. 146—148. The sum of the first four com- mandments, which contain our duty to God, cat. 102. The sum of the other six, which contain our duty to man, cat. 122. No man is able to keep the com- mandments of God perfectly, cat. 149. The Communion. See The Lord's Supper. Communion of Saints, wherein it consists, con. xxvi. L, 2. The enjoyment of it is one of the privileges of the visible church, cat. 63. In the Lord's supper communicants testify their mu- tual love and fellowship each with other, cat. 168. That sa- crament being a bond and pledge of believers' communion with Christ, and with each Other, as members of his mystical body, con. xxix. 1. The communion of saints doth not infringe a man's property in his goods and possessions, con. xxvi. 3. Communion which the elect have with Christ, con. xxvi. 1. in this life, cat. 69, 83. Immedi- ately after death, cat. 86. At the resurrection and day of judg- ment, cat. 87, 90. It is a con- sequence of their union with him, con. xxvi. 1. It doth not make them partakers of his Godhead, nor equal with him, con. xxvi. 3. It is confirmed in the Lord's supper, cat. 168. Unchaste Company not to be kept, cat. 139. Nor corrupt commu- nications to be used or listened to, ib. Condition. Perfect, personal, and perpetual obedience, the con- dition of the covenant of works, con. vii. 2. xix. 1. cat. 20. God requires faith as the condition to interest sinners in the Mediator of the covenant of grace, cat. 32. Confession of sin always to be made in private to God, con. xv. 6. And is to be joined with prayer, cat. 178. When to be made to men, con. xv. 6. Upon con- fession the offending brother is to be received in love, ib. Conscience. See Liberty of Con- science. Peace of conscience a fruit of the sense of God's love, con. xviii. 1, 3. cat. 83. Believers may fall into sins which wound the conscience, con. xvh. 3. xviii. 4. The wicked are punished with horror of conscience, cat. 28, 83. Contentment. Submission to God is our duty, cat. 104. Discon- tent at his dispensations is sin- ful, cat. 105. A full content- ment with our condition is our duty, cat. 147. Discontent- ment with our own estate a sin, cat. 148. Controversies. It belongs to sy- nods and councils ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience, con. xxxi. 3. The Spirit speak- ing in the scriptures is the su- preme judge of all controversies in religion, con. i. 10. The ori- ginal text of the scriptures is that to which the church is finally to appeal, con. i. 8. Our The TABLE. Our Conversation ought to be in holiness and righteousness, an- swerable to an holv profession, cat. 1)2, 1' Corruption of nature, what, con. vi. . A consequence of the fall of man, ib. Actual sin a fruit of it, con, vi. 4-. cat. It u propagated, eon, vi. 3. cut. 26. It doth remain during this life in the regene- rate, and aJl its motions are truly sin, con, vi. 5. xiii. %, eat. But it is pardoned and mor- tified through Christ, eon, vi. 5. Nu enjoyi: I but by way of covenant, can. vii. 1. nant of works, what, and with whom made, con, IV, '2. vii. 2. xix. 1. cut. . personal, and perpetual obe- dience, the condition of it. vii. It is called a law, and a command, h - .ind a law given i eoant - I. and a f which the tree of life wm a pledge, cat, i hat, '•"//• vii. 3. cur It nrai made frith Christ I Adam, ! with all the elect in hill his seed, cut. 31. In it God re- ouireth of sinners faith in Christ, that tili bfl justified and sav. . ; i. Faith be. be condition ..(in in I Who W. called ■ testament, cm, | lletentlv d in the time of the I in the ti effospel, administered under the vii. '>. at 3 I How under the .in ih or S may be the civil in :. con When ministers may meet without the call of the civil magistrate. xxxi. 2. What power cotfl have, i .;. 3. \\ mission due to their dec Not infallible since the aposl tin::- xxxi. \. lint I determinations are to be tried by the scriptures, How far they ddle in civil aii airs, con. xxxi. :ion of the won :v. 1. cat. \o. Of man, eon, i eat, 17. Ot i» . Creature.-. Dominion ovei creatures giten to man. iv. 2, cat. 17. They are for our smkes eat, 528. Religious] worship tu be giren to no ereatu xxi. 2, cat. 105. Curiosity. Hold and curious se ins int '. Curious prying to ( ! bidden. l ISi Curious or unprofit qui i re to be avoided. The curse and wrath liable to it, both by original and actual sin, c //. vi. u. em How it may I vii. 3. cat I sinful, cat 1 1 1) sdriouf dan I minted for all m. the - ot b( lie\ ih imtm- I death, .. \w.i. 1. . . lt>. The Death o! ill 4. ■ •. In it he san ti..: I dii ine the human from sinking undei tile The TABLE. the power of death, cat. 38. By his obedience and death, he made a proper, real, and full satisfaction to the justice of the Father, con. xi. 3. cat. 71. Through the virtue of his death and resurrection, believers are sanctified, con. xiii. 1. Believers have fellowship with Christ in his death, con. xxv\. 1. And from his death and resurrection they draw strength for the mor- tifying of sin, and quickening of grace, cat. 167. The Lord's supper is a memorial of his death, con. xxix. 1. cat. 168. And in that sacrament worthy communicants meditate affec- tionately on his death and suf- ferings, cat. 174. And receive and feed upon all the benefits of his death, con. xxix. 7. The Decalogue. See Command- ments. The Decrees of God, the nature, end, extent, and properties of them, con. iii. 1, 2. cat. 12. The decree of predestination, con. iii. 3, 4. Of election and reprobation, con. iii. 5, 6, 7. cat. 13. How God executeth his decrees, cat. 14. How the doctrine of decrees is to be handled, and what use to be made of them, con. iii. 8. Cu- rious prying into God's decrees forbidden, cat. 113. Desertion. Wilful desertion un- lawful, cat. 139. Such as can- not be remedied by the church or civil magistrate, is cause suf- ficient of dissolving the bond of marriage, con. xxiv. 6. Despair sinful, cat. 105. Believers always supported from utter despair, con. xviii. 4. cat. 81. Devil, all compacts and consult- ing with him sinful, cat. 105. Diligence in our calling a duty, cat. 141. Dipping in baptism not necessary, con. xxviii. 3. Discontent at the dispensations of God's providence sinful cat. 105,113. Discontentment with our own estate sinful, cat. 148. Divorce, lawful in case of adul- tery after marriage, or of such wilful desertion as cannot be remedied, con. xxiv. 5, 6. A publick and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed in it, con. xxiv. 6 Dominion. See Sovereignty, Crea- tures, Sin. Doubting of being in Christ, may consist with a true interest in him, con. xvii.3. xviii. 4. ca^81, 172. And therefore should not hinder from partaking of the Lord's supper, cat. 172. Drunkenness forbidden, cat. 139. Duty to God by the light of na- ture, con. xxi. 1. Duties requir- ed in the first commandment, cat. 104. In the second, cat. 108. In the third, cat. 112, In the fourth, cat. 116. Duties of in- feriors to their superiors, con. xxiii. 4. cat. 127. What is re- quired of superiors, con. xxiii, 2. cat. 129. Duties of equals, cat. 131. Duties of the sixth com- mandment, cat. 135. Of the seventh, cat. 138. Of the eighth, cat. 141. Of the ninth, cat. 144. Of the tenth, cat. 147. Ecclesiastical powers not to be opposed upon pretence of Christian liberty, con. xx. 4. Ecclesiastical persons not ex- empted from obedience to the civil magistrate, con. xxiii. 4. Effectual calling, what, con. x. 1. cat. 67. It is of God's free grace, not from any thing fore- seen in man, con. x. 2. cat. 67. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called, con. x. 1, 4. cat. 68. The elect united to Christ in their effectual calling, cat. 66. Election, The TABLE. Election, out of God's mere free grace, con. iii. 5. cat. 13. From all eternity in Christ, ib. Elec- tion not only to eternal life and jflory, hut also to the means thereof, con. iii. 6. cat. 13. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called and saved, iii. d. x. 1, 4. cat. 69. Though others may be out- .rdly called by the word, and have some common OpeiatJOBS the Spirit, ib. Elect infant-, I other elect persons who are incapable of being called by the word, how saved, torn, x. 3. What use to be made of the doctrine of election, eon. iv. 8. I how men mnj be assured their eternal election, ib. Envv >intul, cat. 128, 136, U2. 1 I '.heir duties and sins, cat Equivocation. Speaking the truth in doubtful and equnrocal ex- to the prejudice of truth OT justice, sinful, ant 1 1 j. Suppei . n of Christ, com, viii. 4-. !. In his resurrection, In his sitting at the right hand >\. In his coming to judge the world. inatioii, cat. 17 1. • 'iimuuii <• moot be ezpiat- but bv the blood «>t Cnriat, ■ l requiretfa nothing of rin- aeri th justified, hut faith in Christ, • W. \i. 1. W h he n-ijuirr! the condition 1 >t them the Med the covenant It justifies a kinner in the I only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth Christ and his righ- teousness, con. xi. 2. cat. 73. Faith is the gift of God, con. xi. 1. cat. 71. It being the work of the Spirit, c ion. xiv. 1. eat. iinarilv I by the ministry of the word, con. xiv. 1. Increased and strength- ened by the word, sacrament^, and prayer, ib. Often we;, ed, but alu con. xiv. 3. Growing up in many to a full assurance, con. xiv. 3. fruit and evidence of true faith, con. xvi. ft -• Which is never alone, but always ac- companied with all other saving Races, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love, I "i. | cat. Fall of man, the nature and effect! of it, c<,n. vi. Why permitted, . vi. 1. How all mankind concerned in it, cun. vi. 3. cat. Fallinir away. S. /' Family worship daily, rcquin God] :uty, cat. - - no fasting a of religious Fellowship. S ( ■mmunian. l-oii sroowledge. All thing - to piss infallibly ace.! the for. • committed after • und foi ' i/. 105. S .'. Ml. Gamin WaataM gaming bidden, i i a The TABLE. Glory. The communion in glory with Christ, which believers en- joy in this life, con. xviii. 1, 2, 3. cat. 83. Immediately after death, con. xxxii. 1. cat. 86. At the resurrection and day of judgment, con. xxxii. 3. xxxiii. 2. cat. 87, 90. The Glory of God the end of his decrees, con. iii. 3. cat. 12. The glory of his grace the end of election, con. iii. 5. cat. 13. The glory of his justice the end of the decree of reprobation, con. iii, 7. cat. 13. The glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, the end of the crea- tion, con. iv. 1 . The manifesta- tion of the glory of his wis- dom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy, is the end of all God's works of providence, con. v. 1. cat. 18. The end of God's ap- pointing the last judgment is the manifestation of the glory of his mercy and justice, con. xxxii. 10. To glorify God is the chief end of man, cat. 1. God is glorified by good works, con. xv i. 2. Gluttony, a sin, cat. 139. God. The light of nature shew- eth that there is a God, con. xxi. 1 . cat. 2. What it declares concerning him, and of our duty to him, con. i. 1. xxi. 1. It is not sufficient to give that know- ledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salva- tion, con. i. 1. cat. 2. The attri- butes or perfections of God, con. ii. 1, 2. cat. 7, 101. There is but one only God, con. ii. 1, cat. 8. There are three persons in the Godhead, distinguished by personal properties, con. ii. 3. cat. 9, 10. The co-equality of the persons proved, cat. 11. To him is due from all his crea- tures, whatsoever worship, ser- vice, or obedience, he is pleased to require, con. ii. 2. Our duty to God, cat. 104, 108, 112, 116. What contrary to it, cat. 105, 109, 113, 119. Religious wor- ship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to him alone; and that only in the mediation of Christ, con. xxi. 2. cat. 179, 181. God is to be worshipped in that way only which he hath instituted in the scriptures, con. xxi. 1. cat. 109. To glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever, is the chief end of man, cat. 1 . Good works. See Works. Gospel. How the covenant of grace is administered under the gospel, con. vii. 6. cat. 35. Without the gospel no salva- tion, con. x. 4. cat. 60. In it Christ doth not dissolve but strengthen the obligation to the obedience of the moral law, con. xix. 5. Believers under the gospel have a greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of, con. xx. 1 . Government. See Church, Magis- trate. The Grace of God. Election is of God's mere free grace, con. iii. 5. cat. 13. How the grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, con. vii. 3. cat. 32. Effectual calling is of God's free and special grace, con. x. 2. cat. 67. Justification is only of free grace, con. xi. 3. cat. 70, 71. Adoption is an act of free grace, con. xii. cat. 74. The commu- nion in grace which believers have with Christ, cat. 69. All saving graces are the work of the Spirit, con. xiii, xiv, xv. cat. 32, 72, 75, 76, 77. And do al- ways accompany faith, con. xi. 2. cat. 73. Perseverance in grace, con. xvii. cat. 79. In- crease in grace, con. xiii. 1, 3. cat. 75, 77. Assurance of grace, con. xviii. cat. 80, 81. Hakden The TABLE. H Harden. Why and how sinners are hardened, con. v. 6. Believ- may have their hearts har- dened, com. xvii. 3. :. The elect are inseparably united tu I 6 their head, con. xxv. 1. xxv i. 1. cat He is the only head of the church, con. xxv. o'. tog. What is required of those that hear the word preach- ed, Heaven, the state of the hid com* xxxii. l. xxxiii. g. cot. Hell, the >tate of the damned, '. xxxii. J. xxxiii. 2. 86, B9. The meaning of t words in the Creed, He descend- ed into Ik //, oo/. be rejected, < most holy in all his counsel* ,d pom- man la. . Man fter the i at. 17. Hut by the tall he became wholly de- tiled, con. ri.3. Bel* , by the >pirit of Christ, Quickened ana strengthened to : holinef xiii. 1,3. Ci . id BK made - UJ IfJ with the CO*, ii. & i t to them, by his pu\ lid operation, tl. tnetified, con. xiii. i. oaf. 7 3. Ha repentance IVRJUght, ami other saving graces infused into their hearts, con. xiii. Ugh the continual supply of from him, be. grow in CO t. \;:i. i. i ft, : j. The outward means are by him made effectual to the I ation, COM. vii. .3, o*. x\. oat 15.3. loi. Prayer u to made by hi> help. COM, \\ cat. 1^2. Ability to do g works is from him, con. x\ nance ot faith is attaint witnessing with OU1 spirit* that we are the children of dod, con. xviii. 2. cat. 80. By his abiding within bd are secured from falling Id away from the itatC and are kept by the power of (iod through faith unto salva- tion, con. x\ ii. v>. cat* Hope of idory, < on. xviii. 1 . : bypoc COB. xviii. 1. Humiliation of Christ, cm. viii. J. 1. it. Id. In his Conce| and birth, cat. 4-7. In his life, 18. In bjl death, i at r death. Hyp M profesai religion in hypo* tei ends, unxuij if/. 1 1 hypocrite's hop I. HypostatkaJ I [dlbnesi u 1-i •] ..ti\ . all the klodl it f.rbiddci monumi .!< -!- 1' MMptUle to e jestl, Sinful Jesus, See Christ. The TABLE. Ignorant, not to be admitted to the Lord's table, con. xxix. 8. cat. 173. Image. Man made after the image of God, in knowledge, righte- ousness, and holiness, con. iv. 2. cat. 17. This image is renewed by sanctification, cat. 75. And fully perfected in heaven, con. xxxii. i. cat. 86, 90. Image- worship of all kinds dis- charged, cat. 109. Imputation, The guilt of Adam's first sin is imputed to all his pos- terity, con. vi. 3. The obedi- ence and satisfaction of Christ is imputed to believers, con. xi. 1. cat. 70. His righteousness is imputed to them, cat. 71, 77. Incarnation of Christ, con. viii. 2. cat. 37, 39. Incest discharged, cat. J 39. In- cestuous marriages, which are within the degrees of consan- guinity or affinity forbidden in the scriptures, can never be made lawful, con. xxiv. 4. Unjust Inclosures and depopula- tions forbidden, cat. 142. Increase of grace is from a con- tinual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, con. xiii. 1, 3. cat. 75, 77. Innocency. The state of man in innocency, con. iv. 2. cat. 17, 20. Infants, how saved, con. x. 3. Infants of one or both believ- ing parents are to be baptized, con. xxviii. 4. cat. 1 66. Ingrossing commodities to inhance their price, unlawful, cat. 142. Inspiration. The books of the Old and New Testament are given by inspiration of God, con. i. 2. But the Apocrypha is not of divine inspiration, con. i. 3. Intercession. How Christ makes intercession, cat. 55. It is a part of his priestly office, cat. 44. He makes intercession, that the redemption which he hath pur- chased may be applied to all believers, con. viii. 8. cat. 55, And their perseverance depends upon his continual intercession for them, con. xvii. 2. cat. 79. Joy in the Holy Ghost the fruit of assurance, con. xviii. 1, 2. cat. 83. Believers, by falling into some sins, may grieve the Spirit, and be deprived of some measure of their comfort, con. xvii. 3. xviii. 4. Judge. Christ the judge of the world, con. viii. 1, 4. xxxiii. 1. How he shall come at the last day, cat. 56. The Judgments of God upon sin- ners in this world, con. v. 6, cat. 28, 83. How believers may bring temporal judgments on themselves, con. xvii. 3. God is just and terrible in his judg- ments, con. ii. 1. The last judgment, what, con. xxxiii. 1. Appointed for angels and men, con. viii. 4. xxxiii. 1. cat. 88. The end of its appoint- ment is the manifestation of God's mercy and justice, con. xxxiii. 2. Christ shall be the judge, con. viii. 4. xxxiii. 1. How he shall come to judge the world, cat. 56. Why he would have us certainly persuaded of it, con. xxxiii. 3. Why the time of it is concealed, con. xxxiii. 3. cat. 88. The judgment of the righteous, con. xxxiii. 2. cat. 90. The judgment of the wicked, con. xxxiii. 2. cat. 89. Judicial law. See Law. The Justice of God fully satisfied by Christ's obedience and death, con. viii. 5. xi. 3. cat. 38, 71. It is manifested in the works of providence, con. v. 1. In the justification of sinners, con. xi. 3. In the last judgment, con. xxxiii. 2. Justice in contracts and commerce between man and man, cat. 141, 142. Justification The TABLE. Justification, what, con. xL 1. cat. 70. All the elect, and they only, are justified, con. ill- 0*. Wfiom God did from all eter- nity decree to justify, con. xi. 4. But they are not justified till the Holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Chri>t unto them, ib. How justification is ot God's free grace, SOB. xi. 3. cat. 71. Faith i> necessarily required for :itication, cat. 71. But it justifies a Aimer only as it is an • rumen t, l>y which he receiv- eth Christ and hi> right! ness, con. xi. 1, .*. The ICC justice, and rich irrace of KffC both L'lorified in the Htficatkw ot -iimer>. I <>u. I Justification the same under the Old tit M under the \i. <>. It if iu>epar- ably joined with >anctification, HOW they differ. Those that are justified are per- fectly freed in tins lite from the rev. th ot God, that they never tall into condemna- 'i. xvii. 1. rat. But corruption remaining in them, et«. vi. .). xi a Which I continues t<> forgive, upon their humbling themselves, conti>>- ith and re] I I T!i« pOUl i of the k wha tied hnrch-nlihvo, /A. vil in ui>trate may not assume .. A. • i i r i > t th. K his chin \\\. I. How he 191. i ; Infinitej hi: dent upon the creature, ii. L2. The knowledge which may be had of God and of our duty to him by the light of na- ture, con. i. L x .!. 1. The scriptures arc uffi- cieiit t _ God and of hi> will wh'u necessary unto salvation, L La no i ■ be moder :, cat. 1 | Land-marks not to be rem. cat. 1 1 Law. The Ceremonial Law. what, ;. It i now under the New I con. \\\. A. \x. 1. 11 covenant ot nrr.ee wa:> adu. tried under the bra viii. 0. rat. 34. The .Judicial Law expii the State ot the Jew - And obUgeS fio tnrther thai: ty of it The .Moral Law, wi vitain with a DOI to fulfil it, .•" The tan emu ... nu : 9l Though bellei not under it as sat, co«. And are not able I • keep it, eef. 1 U rule «»t , Binding all, ai irell justified | - a>otlu i in the ffOSpel, I tmt mm the obi Ami although no I- teas and life, M. \\ :, i«t alone liath purchased the ill -y great use to rsgenerate, « --*. xU, o. oat 1 1 The TABLE. The use of it to the unregene- rate, cat. 96. Not contrary to the grace of the gospel, but doth sweetly comply with it, con. xix. 7. The Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man unto a free and cheer- ful obedience to the will of God, con. xix. 7. cat. 32. Unnecessary Law- suits to be a- voided, cat. 141, 142. Liberty. Christian liberty, what, con. xx. 1. Wherein it is en- larged under the gospel, ib. The end of Christian liberty, con. xx. 3. Liberty to sin incon- sistent with it, ib. It is not in- tended to destroy ecclesiastical or civil powers, but to support and preserve them, con. xx. 4. Neither are men thereby allow- ed to publish opinions, or main- tain practices, that are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christian- ity, or such as are destructive of the peace and order of the church, ib. Liberty of conscience, what it is, and what repugnant to it, con. xx. 2. Making men the lords of our faith and conscience un- lawful, con. xx. 2. cat. 105. Life. Eternal life purchased by Christ's perfect obedience to the law, con. viii. 5. The tree of life was a pledge of the cove- nant of works, cat. 20. The life of any not to be taken away except in case of publick jus- tice, lawful war, or necessary defence, cat. 136. Light of nature, what may be known of God and of our duty to him by it, con. i. 1. xxi. 1. cat. 2. It is not sufficient to make us wise unto salvation, con. i. 1. x. 4. xxi. 1. cat. 2, 60. It is of the law of nature that a due portion of time be set apart for the worship of God, con. xxi. 7. Wanton Looks sinful, cat. 139. Lord's prayer. See Prayer. Lord's supper. The institution, nature, and ends of it, con. xxix. 1. cat. 168. Christ not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice for sin made in it, con. xxix. 2. The mass abo- minably injurious to Christ's one only sacrifice, ib. The out- ward elements in this sacra- ment are not to be adored, con. xxix. 4. They still remain truly bread and wine, con. xxix. 5. The doctrine of transubstantia- tion is repugnant not only to the scripture, but even to com- mon sense, and has been and is the cause of gross idolatries, con. xxix. 6. How Christ hath appointed bread and wine to be given and received in the sacra- ment, con. xxix. 3. cat. 169. It is only to be administered by a minister of the word lawfully ordained, con. xxvii. 4. cat. 176. It is not to be received by any one alone, con. xxix. 4. It is to be received in both kinds, ib. What relation the elements in this sacrament have to Christ crucified, con. xxix. 5. How Christ is present there, con. xxix 7. cat. 170. How believers feed on him therein, ib. What preparation is required for re- ceiving it, cat. 171. Doubting may consist with an interest in Christ, con. xvii. 3. xviii. 4. cat. 81. And therefore should not hinder from partaking of the Lord's supper, cat. 172. But the ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted, con. xxix. 8. cat. 173. What duties required in the time of receiving, cat. 174. What duties after receiv- ing, cat. 175. Frequent attend- ance on it a duty, cat. 175, 177. The agreement and difference between the Lord's supper and baptism, cat. 176, 177. Lots, The TABLE. Lots, cat. 112, 113. Love. Election is of God's free love, con. iii. 5. cat. 13. Which is unchangeable, con. xvi: cut. 79. And therefore true believers can neither totally nor finally fall away from the State | race, ib. The sense i love i» attainable in thi< life, cat. S3. 9 I a duty, cat. 104. Which the light of nature shewcth, con. xxi. I. To love the Lord our God with all our heart, Ae. BJ the >iun of our dlltf to him, cat. 168. I ft to : Ka necessary lo the right performance of the duty pra\ /. xxi. 3. cut. 195. (1 and the brethren li new wary to right communi- catini:. Ina- ne L utterly de- stitute of the love of Christ and the brethren, on. wiii. Y. Wherein love towards our neighbour consists, cat. I 141. 144, 1 17. What contrary to LS6, L48, l r>. i v^. It is the >ien of our duty to man, caL \>>. 1 lful, cat. 1 I u I rates appointed by . 1. I mi what :. U>. Lawful tor Christ The duty ot the cii il ! R id the .\crtj tu res li ttcr r. \ i^trate, I poll Il and n.ressary occasions, Hi- power in churrh sffi wiii. The duty <>t the people to- wards thru n 188. Bccle- pted from obedience to the civil magistrate, cotu xxiii. 4. The Pope hath no power or juris- diction over magistrates or their people, ih. not to be opposed in the lawful ext ! ower, upon pre- tence ot Christian liberty, *. Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magistrate's just and V authori* wiii. I. Man. how er cat. 17. His state the tall. con. iv. 9. cat. i: His tall, and the effects Of it, con. vi. by the covenant ot vii. 3 — 6. cat. 90 — J5. Mans ch'u eat l. Man-stealing discharged, at. 1 18. Marriaire. the v\u\ of rl \xiv. 50. Between more than man and one woman time, unlawful, run. DOT. 1. oar; ISf. Lawful for all people who are capable to G their consent, con. xxiv. A. And wlio are w ithout tl _uinity or alii: bidden in the sciiptures, i But marriages within th« s be made lawful, ib. Protestants should not marry with intidels, Papists, other idolat. : .eh as are godly with th« ire notoriously wick- ed, ib* A contract ot marriage may be di> adultery or fornication committed tin bond of marriage can only be ft* adultery m.i: i wilful sertion as cannot be remedied, 8. liuli. ot maniaae, prohil ful. and di- law- tul mania^es, are sinful, I emetual single hi.- The TABLE. life are sinful snares in which no Christian may entangle him- self, con. xxii. 7. cat. 139. Those who have not the gift of conti- nency ought to marry, cat. 138. The duties of married persons, tat 139, 141. The Mass abominably injurious to Christ's one only sacrifice, con. xxix. 2. Means. God in his ordinary pro- vidence maketh use of means ; yet is free to work without, above, and against them at his pleasure, con. v. 3. The out- ward and ordinary means of salvation under the law, con. vii. 5. cat. 3 1. Under the gos- pel, con. vii. 6. cat. 35, 154. The diligent use of them is required in order to escape the wrath of God, cat. 153. How they are made effectual, con. xxv. 3. cat. 155, 161, 182. Trusting in means sinful, cat. 105. Unlawful means not to be used, ib. False measures unlawful, cat. 142. Meat to be moderately used, cat. 135, 136. Mediator. See Christ. The Mercy of God, con. ii. 1. cat. 7. It is manifested in his works of providence, con. v. 1. It is of God's free love and mercy that the elect are deli- vered from sin and misery, and brought to an estate of salvation by the second covenant, cat. 30. God is merciful to penitent sin- ners in Christ, con. xv. 2. cat. 76. For whose sake mercy is to be prayed for, cat. 180. Works of mercy are to be done, even on the Lord's day, con. xxi. 8. cat. 117. Merit. No merit in good works for pardon of sin or eternal life; and why, con. xvi- 5. Nor can we merit the outward blessings of this life, cat. 193. But we are to trust in the merits of Christ, cat 174. Who appear- ing in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice, maketh interces- sion for his people, cat. 55. Messiah. The elect under the Old Testament believed in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation, con. vii. 5. viii. 6. cat. 34. The Ministry given by Christ to the visible church, con. xxv. 3. The maintenance thereof a duty, cat. 108. A minister of the gospel is one sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and lawfully called and ordained to that office, con. xxvii. 4. xxviii. 2. cat. 158. By such only the word is to be read publickly and preached, and the sacra- ments dispensed, con. xxvii. 4. xxviii. 2. cat. 156, 158, 159, 169. Moral law. See Law. Mortification. The regenerate have the corruption of nature mortified through Christ, con. vi. 5. And the several lusts of the body of sin, con. xiii. 1. Believers draw strength from the death and resurrection of Christ for the mortifying of sin, cat. 167. N The Name of Christ. That prayer be accepted, it is to be made in the name of Christ, con. xxi. 3. cat. 178. What it is to pray in the name of Christ, cat. 180. Why prayer is to be made in his name, cat. 181. The Name of God is only that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence, con. xxii. 2. How the name of God ought to be used, and how it is profaned, cat 112, 113, 114, 190. Nature. See Corruption, Original Sin, Light of Nature. The The TABLE. The two Natures of Chr Christ, Incarnation, Personal J/t. The New Testament in Greek is that to which the church is finally to appeal in controversies of religion, cob. i. B. Tue ad- ministration of the covenant of grace under the gospel M called it, cun. vii. o'. _hbour. See Charity, Love. •i irdliness sinful, <■ plaaa mand, I at. 104* Chiist hath performed pari i dienee to the law !«»r us in aaturej em rift. \. cat flfl I purchased an everlasting Inheritance m the kingdom ot brawn tor tin- < i, His obe- dience is imputed to belierers, con. xi. 1. cat. 70. He hath not abolished, but much strengthen- ed the obligation to the obe- dience ot the moral law, cun. xix. '). Good a >rks done in obedie: - comma are the fruits anil evidences of a true faith, efl How the sincere though imper- fect obedience of bei s ac- cepted and rewarded. 00*. SI Obedience is due to the 1 1 commands of a ina_ can. Qffia ator. Mediator. His prophetical offl : priestly, cat. \\. ; and kingly, cat. The old Testament in Hebti that to which the church is iinally to appeal in contn sies administration ot the covenant of grace under the law is called the Old Test . vii. 5. The Ordinances of God given by Christ to the \ isible church. xx\ he ordinances under the law, so*, vii. o. cat. Those under th Which ai and administered with more simplicity, and leal nut ward glory ; yet in I ace and salvation are held lorth in more fulness, evidence, and etlicacy, ail God's eiallv tin and DM aitward and or- dinary means ot salvation. I I. How they are madr . . rhe negi opposing them, sinful, eat See I tmm, n. P l'^ri^TS. Protestants should mat Papists, Pardon. The TABLE. Pardon. See Sin. Passions to be restrained, cat. 135. 136. Passover, one of the types and or- dinances by which the covenant of grace was administered under the law, con. vii. 5. cat. 34. Patience. Patient bearing of the hand of God a duty, cat. 135. Patient bearing and forgiving of injuries a duty, ib. Peace of conscience. See Con- science. Pedo-baptism. See Infants. Perseverance of saints. They whom God hath accepted in Christ can never totally or finally fall away from the estate of grace, con. xvii. 1. cat. 77, 79. Upon what their perseverance depends, con. xvii. 2. cat. 79. How far they may fall, con. vi. 5. xi. 5. xiii. 2. xvii. 3. xviii. 4. cat 78. They are always kept from utter de- spair, con. xviii. 4. cat. 81. How they are recovered when they fall under God's fatherly displeasure, con. xi. 5. xiii. 3. Three Persons in the Godhead dis- tinguished by personal proper- ties, con. ii. 3. cat. 9, 10. The equality of the persons proved, cat. 11. The personal union of the two natures in Christ, con. viii. 2. cat. 36, 37. By reason of this union, the proper works of each nature are accepted of God, and relied on by believers as the work of the whole per- son, con. viii. 7. cat. 40. Physick to be used moderately, cat. 135. Lascivious Pictures discharged, cat. 139. Polygamy unlawful, con. xxiv. 1. cat 139. The Pope has no power or juris- diction over civil magistrates, or their people, con. xxiii. 4. He is in no sense head of the church, but is Antichrist, con. xxv. 6. Powers ecclesiastical or civil, not to be opposed upon pretence of Christian liberty, con. xx. 4. Power of the keys. See Keys. Praises to befjoined with prayer, cat. 196. The Praise of any good we either are, have, or can do, not to be ascribed to fortune, idols, our- selves, or any other creature, cat 105. Prayer, what, cat. 178. The duty of all men, con. xxi. 3. To be made to God only, and why, con. xxi. 2. cat. 179. That it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of Christ, by the help of the Spirit, con. xxi. 3. cat. 178. What it is to pray in the name of Christ, cat. 180. Why prayer is to be made in his name, cat. 181. How the Spirit helps to pray, cat 182. How prayer is to be made, con. xxi. 3. cat. 185. For what and for whom we are to pray, con. xxi. 4. cat 183, 184. Prayer not to be made for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death, ib. Prayer, now under the gospel, is not made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, nor towards which it is directed^ con. xxi. 6. The rule of prayer, cat. 186. The Lord's prayer, how to be used, cat. 187. It is explained in the Catechism from Question 188, to the end. Preaching of the word is a part of the ordinary religious wor- ship of God, con. xxi. 5. And one of the ordinances in which the covenant of grace is admi- nistered under the New Testa- ment, con. vii. 6. cat. 35. None are to preach the word but mi- nisters of the gospel, cat 158. How they are to preach, cat. 159. How the preaching of the word The TADLK word is made effectual to salva- tion, cat. 1 \ Predestination, con. iii. 3, 4. cat. 13. The doctrine of predestination how to be handled, and what ■>. iii. 8. ciration required to the hear- the word, cat 10<>. What preparation requisite to the sab- bath^ cat. 117. What to the it. 171. / reknowUdge* ffice of Christ, h CUt H. \ip in families daily, a duty. . fj. rat. 156. Privileges of the invisible church, and of the visible. See Churc/t. ■ 1 i> adorned by good arorka, con. xvi. 2, And ought to be at- tended with a ation in hol d riirhti . cat. 1 1 . ! pDMCW .iiiii- nion of il by prophecies un- der the L '>. cat, prophetical DO* ion. ( hri>t'> one only sacrificr \\ for all the sin> tould DOt n.any with I mly. wi>e, and i directing, disposing, ami ir<<\ i and ..Il I it.il- lible foreknow ledgi , ami Iro- mul ; to the l g[Kxl i h \ . | . .ire Ord ording to the nature ol iii. I . \ d in bil maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, and against them at his pleasure, com v. 3. How providcij. •d about mi actual influence of the Holy >pirit i> required to do gOOd Con. XTi. 3. provide: an- Lrels, cat. ItX Toward man wh Ciod's providence is in a meet manner over BM church, v. 7. i Publick ne- glected, .i.6. Punishment Purgatory, the scrip: ledgeth ao such i. 1. Q decree* and providence> smtul. Quarrelling and pruvuki | sinful, Dai. 1 QueetJsjM profitable are to be . | . R ptures a pa relij lip, com. How made < ftectual to s i thai, cat. 155, It is the dul all t»> read them apart t and with their the I Uion, a I Reconciliation w purchas- eil by ( Idm- J t 110 to be u on UM ; . •option. I by Chi tli. elect, and them only, cvn. iii. < n it The TABLE. is certainly applied, con. viii. 8. cat. 59. Although it was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation ; yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits of it were communicated to the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, con. viii. 6. How it is applied to them, con. viii. 8. cat. 58, 59. Regeneration. See Effectual Call- ing. The Regenerate are all freely jus- tified, con. xi. 1 . See Justifica- tion. And sanctified, con. xiii. 1. See Sanctification. The corrup- tion of nature remains in them, and all the motions of it are sin, con. vi. 5. But it is pardoned and mortified through Christ, ib. The use of the moral law to them, con. xix. 6. cat. 97. Repentance, what, con. xv. 2. cat. 75. Although it be no satisfac- tion for sin, nor cause of pardon, yet no pardon without it, con. xv. 3. cat. 153. Nor condemna- tion where it is, con. xv. 4, 6. It is every man's duty to endea- vour to repent particularly of his particular sins, con. xv. 5. The doctrine of repentance to be preached by every minister, as well as that of faith in Christ, con. xv. 1. Repentance to be declared to those that are of- fended, who are thereupon to be reconciled, con. xv. 6. Reprobation, con. iii. 7. cat. 13. Resurrection of Christ, con. viii. 4. cat. 52. The effect of his own power, cat. 52. It is a proof of his being the Son of God, and of his satisfaction to divine jus- tice, S$c. ib. It is an assurance to believers of their resurrec- tion, ib. They have fellowship with him in his resurrection, con. xxvi. 1. He rose again for their justification, con. xi. 4. cat. 52. And through the virtue of his death and resurrection they are sanctified, con. xiii. 1. cat. 75. They draw strength from his death and resurrection for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace, cat. 52, 167. The Resurrection of the dead, of the just and unjust, con. xxxii. 2, 3. cat. 87. Revelation. The divers ways of God's revealing his will, con. i. 1. Righteousness. Man was created righteous after the image of God, con. iv. 2. cat. 17. But by sin he fell from that original righteousness, con. vi. 2. cat. 25. And since the fall no man can attain to righteousness by the moral law, cat. 94. Nor by hav- ing righteousness infused into them, con. xi. 1. cat. 70. But those whom God effectually calleth, he accepteth and ac- counted as righteous, by im- puting the obedience and satis- faction of Christ to them, they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness by faith, ib. See Faith, Imputation, Jus- tification. Why the righteous are not delivered from death, cat. 85. Their state immedi- ately after death, con. xxxii. 1. cat. 86. At the resurrection and day of judgment, con. xxxii. 3. xxxiii. 2. cat. 87, 90. Sabbath. By the law of nature, a due proportion of time ought to be set apart for the worship of God, con. xxi. 7. God hath in his word, by a positive and perpetual commandment, bind- ing all men in all ages, appoint- ed one day in seven for a sab- bath, to be kept holy to him- selfj con. xxi. 7. cat. 20, 116. Which was the last day of the week from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day ever since, The TABLE. since, and so to continue to the of the world, con. xxi. 7. cat. I1C How the sabbath H to be sanctified, con. xxi. 8. cat. 117. How it if profaned, cat. 119. Why we are commanded to remember it, cat. 121. day ii a memorial of our creation and redemption, which con t short abridir- •nt of religion, ib. What therea- irth nmandinent, the more to en- force it, i the charge of keeping the sabbath i> directed to governors of families, and other superiors, taL I I lent The institution, na- ture, and t \\ ii. i. at i'. j. 1 ... parti of .^ cram* i.: iily two sacrai] w\\. 4. i ;'. |#4h Which are only to dispensed by mi I the 'illy ordah* x.wii. i. How tl .. nade ctual to ash wii. The m i annul lament ir ere the - substance with those oi the . ii. o. \\ I,, Ihaaaa ipdanandof d's supper agree, cat* Wherein they differ, cat. 1 1 rvenant was administered under the law by saci - viii. »>. . Which arist V ith fully saushV<: Bering Mm- ai. 1 1 tl sac ri lice made for sin in g instituted bl il remembrance I lirist s one only sacrifice in his deal rjrix. i . IM is mott abo- minably injurious, cuu. \x\\ Saints. See Belurveri, Comtmmim. They are n< worshipped, • be attained by men who do not protess Christ: . n, be they Bl so diliiret.t ti» u\e an to the Kg] m of that religion which they pro- . here being BO salvation but alone, ib. W ho hath p;u based it by his perfect obedience and sacrifice ol hin - cat. B3. 1 -or all the elect, and them only. com. iii. I aom the nd means are made effectual far thek sahratioi. I 164, 165, Iii, 18ft Who worketh in their hearts faith in Which ssarily i of them tor t: and sit. . .!. I. r it also worketh n : < , and i: eth all other taring graces, easarflf accompany The Spirit 1 enables them un- to all obedience at vs, whii ' way that God bath B| them to salvation, rjfi* I. its dyii - int.: iterated I lit. . ition, \\ v, in the whole n i no: ceeds, earn. The TABLE. saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, con. xiii. 3. At death they are made perfect in holiness, con. xxxii. 1. cat. 86. And at the day of judgment they shall be fully and for ever freed from all sin, cat. 90. Satisfaction. Repentance is no satisfaction for sin, con. xv. 3. nor good works, and why, con. xvi. 5. Neither we nor any other creature can make the least satisfaction for sin, cat. 194. Christ alone hath made a pro- per, real, and full satisfaction to the justice of his Father by his obedience and sufferings, con. viii. 5. xi. 5. cat. 38, 71. Which satisfaction is imputed to believers, they receiving and resting on Christ and his righ- teousness by faith, con. xi. 1. cat. 70. Scandalous, not to be admitted to the Lord's table, con. xxix. 8. cat. 173. Scoffing and scorning sinful, cat. 113, 145. The Scripture, why necessary, con. i. 1. What books to be owned for scripture, con. i. 2, 3. cat. 3. How proved to be the word of God, con. i. 5. cat. 4. Upon what authority the scripture ought to be believed and obey- ed, con. i. 4. The sufficiency and perfection of the scripture, con. i. 6. cat. 2, 5. Its perspi- cuity, con. i. 7. The infallible rule of interpreting scripture is the scripture itself, con. i. 9. The scripture is the only rule of faith and practice, con. i. 2. cat. 3, 5. and of worship, con. xxi. 1. cat. 108, 109. The Spi- rit speaking in the scriptures is the supreme judge of all con- troversies in religion, con. i. 10. The original text of the scrip- tures is that to which the church is finally to appeal, con. i. 8. But they are to be translated into vulgar languages, con. i. 8. cat. 156. Because all sorts of people have an interest in them, and are commanded to read them, ib. How they are to be read, cat. 157. The illumina- tion of the Spirit of God is ne- cessary for the saving under- standing of the scriptures, con. i. 6. cat. 157. How the reading of the word is made effectual to salvation, cat. 155. Misinter- preting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it, to profane jests, is sinful, cat. 113. Sin, what, cat. 24. Original sin, what, cat. 25. The sin of our first parents, con. vi. 1. cat. 21. By it they fell from their origi- nal righteousness, and commu- nion with God, and had their natures wholly corrupted, con. vi. 2. cat. 25, 27. The guilt of this sin is imputed, and the corruption of nature conveyed to all their posterity, con. vi. 3. cat. 22, 26. Who are thereby bound over to the wrath of God and curse of the law, con. vi. 6. cat. 27, 194. From the original corruption of nature all actual sins proceed, con. vi. 4. cat. 25. Which are not all equally hei- nous, cat. 150. The aggrava- tions of sin, cat. 151. The de- merit of every sin, con. vi. 6. cat. 152. Punishments of sin in this world, con. v. 5, 6. xvii. 3. xviii. 4. cat. 28, 83. In the world to come, con. xxxii. 1. xxxiii. 2. cat. 29, 86, 89. Sin is pardoned for Christ's sake alone, con. xi. 1. xv. 3. cat. 70. See Justification, Satisfaction. Every man bound to pray for pardon of sin, con. xv. 6. God continues to pardon the sins of those that are justified, con. xi. 5. How pardon of sin is to be pray- ed for, cat. 194. The sin unto death The TABLE. death, cnn. xxi. 4. cat. 183. Be- lievers have the dominion of the whole body of sin destroy- ed, and the lu-ts thereof more and more weakened and morti- fied, con. vi. "). xiii. 1. cat. T5. M rtificatiun, Sanctificatiun. How providence il abo . i. Why God permitted the sin of our first pa- ii. vi. 1. Why he le his children to fall into sin, v. '). Why and how sinners are hardened, run. v. (]. cat. Sins against the first command- ment, rut. 105. v the sec -. }09. Against the third, cat. ItS. Against the fourth, cat, 1 H>. Sina of infe- rior Sins o rioi i \o. Sins of equals, cut. M.xth \_ linst linst the eighth, cat. 1 19. Against ninth, cat. l \ linst the tenth, taf. 1 US. Sincerity. Believers love Christ . xviii. 1. '1 itute of sincerity of heart, c >n. xviii. k Mil i to preach sin- to irith sincerity, tat* 185. cent and re- which Singn dma i reli- Songa that are arbid- The Soul ut man la immortal. 1 itate of •m their >l hath most 80- ninion oi rea- uu l,v thetn, fbf t; or upon them, n light of areth that God hath M lordship and sovereignty over all, con. xxi. 1. Eternal sove- jnty to be ascribed to * ie, cat \lJ6. We are topray with due apprehensions ot his Spirit. v st. forbidden, cat, J 39. Stews not to be tolerate;!, cat 139. Supererogation impossible, r are tin- fruits and evi- dences of a true and lively faith, nm. xvi. >. The use^ and ends of good work-, ib. Ability to do mod P wholly from the Spirit of Christ, con, xvi. 3. The actual influence of the Spi- rit is required for the perform- ance of them, ih. TTllS no plea for rice, ib. Supei ion impo»ible, COM. \vi. k W '•• tannot by our beat works merit pardon of rin Of eternal life at the hand of (iod, and wh . !. ";. Yet the gOOd woi lv- (»i befiererfl are accepted by (iod in Christ) and ivward- soik- of anregenerate men cannot please I, and why, 7. Hut to to do what God ii more sinful, ib. All personi -hall, in the da] judgment, \ iccording ha>?C done in tin- body, whether good or eril, I. ip, i i due fironi his creatures whatever worship he is pleased to require, con. ii. 2. The light of nature then that (rod is to be worshipped, con. xxi. 1. But th table worshipping God is in- stituted by him>elf in the scrip- tures, ib, lie may not be wor- shipped according: to the imagi- nations and devices of men. xxi. 1. cat. 109. False worship m to be opposed, cat. I0& AJ ■bo any worship not instituted by (iod himself, cat. I"1!'. But there are SOSJM circumstances concerning the worship of ( which are to be ordered by the light of nature and ( prudeoi iding to tlu neral rules of the word, i. a. J: worship ia t<> be ghren to (iod the Father, S and Holy Ghost, and to liim alone ; and that only in the diatiou of Chrk cat 179, 181. The parts ,,t re- ligious worship, com, w Religious prorship not tied to any place, but (iod i> to be wor- shipped every wh spirit and truth, as in private families daily, and in secret, each by hiu, more solemnly in the public blies, w :. are not t<» be negi eti .. / I. a duty. oaf. I; 1 .pt, blind, and iiii. sintul, cat* ! FINIS > £ ¥■: WBSxS Bk ■Efl >MmmmBBk ■I n» & Vw & ■£» I^M ■ JH^A ♦ gf'w ft Xtt