Winter-evenings communication with young novices in religion. Or Questions and answers about certaine chiefe grounds of Christian religion wherein every answer, rightly understood, hath the force of an oracle of God. By Iohn Carter, preacher of Gods Word.

Winter-Evenings COMMVNICATION with Young Novices in RELIGION.

Of the true Feare of God.

QVESTION. OF what Religion are you?

Answer. I feare the Lord, the God of heaven, who hath made the sea, and the drie land, Ionah 1. 9.

Quest. Many professe as much as you doe, but who feare God in deed, and in truth?

Ans. He that walketh in his uprightnesse feareth the Lord, Prov. 14. 2.

Q. What is it to walk in uprightnesse?

A. To doe justly, and to love mercy, and

to walk humbly with thy God, Mich. 6. 8.

Q. And who doe not feare the Lord, but despise him?

A. He that is lewd in his waies, despiseth him, Prov. 14. 2.

Q. Who is lewd in his waies?

A. Whosoever hateth to be reformed, and casteth the words of God behinde him, Psal. 50. 17.

Q. What reasons have you to moove you to the effectuall study and practise of the true feare of God?

A. God hath made all things for him∣selfe, Prov 16. 4.

Q. What other?

A. In his hand is my breath, and all my waies, Dan. 5. 23.

Q. What other?

A. God is of purer eies then to behold iniquity, Habac. 1. 13.

Q. What other reasons have you?

A. God will bring every worke to judge∣ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evill, Eccles. 12. 14.

The Nature and Properties of GOD.

Question. OF what nature or substance is the Lord?

Ans. He is a Spirit, and must be wor∣shiped in spirit and in truth, Ioh. 4. 24.

Q. What manner of spirit is God?

A. He is from everlasting, to everlasting; be filleth heaven and earth, Psal. 90. 2. Ier. 23. 24.

Q. What properties or vertues in God, are chiefly to be considered of us?

A. That power belongeth unto God, and to thee O Lord mercy, that thou reward∣est every man according to his workes, Psal. 62. 11. 12. Exod. 34. 67.

Q. God is indeed most mighty, mercifull and just; What use is to be made thereof?

A. Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after have no more that they can doe, Luk. 12. 4.

Q. Whom then shall we feare?

A. Feare him which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell, Luk. 12. 5.

Q. What other use is to be made?

A. To trust in him at all times, to poure out our hearts before him, Psal. 62. 8.

Creation.

Question. HOw did God make all things at the begin∣ing?

A. Exceeding good, Gen. 1. 31.

Q. Whereof were all things made?

A. The worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen, were not made of things which doe appeare, Heb. 11. 3.

Q. How made he man?

A. In his owne Image, Gen. 1. 26.

Q. Wherein stood that Image?

A. In knowledge, righteousnesse, and true holinesse, Col. 1. 10. Ephes. 4. 24.

Q. Whereof was the body of man framed?

A. Of the dust of the ground, Gen. 2. 7.

Q. What instruction ariseth from thence?

A. Why is earth and ashes proud? Eccle∣siastic. 10. 9. Gen. 18. 25.

The Providence of GOD.

Question. VVHat have you learned concerning the divine Providence?

A. God worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will, Ephes. 1. 11.

Q Worketh he so in the Church onely, and not in the rest of the world?

A. The Lord looketh downe from heaven, and beholdeth all the sonnes of men, Psal. 33. 13.

Q. What manner of beholding is there spoken of?

A. He fashioneth their hearts every one, and considereth all their workes, Psal. 33. 15.

Q. God is in all mens bosomes, and maketh their wretched inclinations and devises to serve his most holy ends: But doth this providence reach no further then the children of God, and the children of men?

A Yes; one Sparrow, whereof two are sold for a farthing, shal not fall on the ground without your Father, Mat. 10. 29.

Q. And what saith the Lord yet further of those sparrows?

A. Not one of them is forgotten before God, Luk. 12. 6.

Q. What use is to be made hereof?

A. Even the very haires of your head are all numbred: Feare not, ye are of more value then many Sparrowes, Luk. 12. 7.

Q. Feare not any want of provision or pro∣tection. But in a prosperous and wealthy estate, what use is to be made of it?

A. Beware lest thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, saying, My power, and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth, Deut. 8. 11. 14. 17.

Q. What is then to be remembred of us?

A. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, Ʋers. 18.

Q. But when we are under many and grie∣vous temptations, and are much exercised with losses and crosses, what use are we then to make hereof?

A. I was dumb and opened not my mouth because thou didst it, Psal. 39. 10.

Q. What further use?

A. Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their soules to him, in well doing, as unto a faith∣full Creator, 1. Pet. 4. 19.

Of Sinne, and the bitter fruits of it.

Question. HAve our first parents Adam and Eve, with their posterity, continued in their inno∣cencie?

A. No; all have sinned, and are deprived of the glory of God, Rom. 3. 23.

Q. What is sinne?

A. The transgression of Gods Law, 1. Ioh. 3. 4.

Q. What was the first transgression?

A. The eating of the tree whereof God commanded them that they should not eate, Gen. 3. 11.

Q. How were they brought to that?

A. The Serpent beguiled Eve by his sub∣tilty, 2. Cor. 11. 3.

Q. Who put that into the Serpent?

A. The old Serpent the Devill, who was a murtherer from the beginning, Revel. 12. 9. Ioh. 8. 44.

Q. Was not he also made after Gods image at the first?

A. Yes; but he abode not in the truth, Ioh. 8. 44.

Q. VVhat effect followed that fearefull fall of our first parents Adam and Eve?

A. By sinne death entred into the world, and passed upon all men, Rom. 5. 12.

Q. What death?

A. They are dead in trespasses and sins, Ephes. 2. 1, 2, 3.

Q. This is called spirituall death, depriving men of the favour, image, and life of God. Did not corporall death also follow?

A. Yes; Dust thou art, saith the Lord, and to dust shalt thou returne, Gen. 3. 19.

Q. Is there not yet another death?

A. Yes; eternall death, to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, Mark. 9. 45.

Q. Doth not a naturall man, by living in sinne, make his state yet more grievous and in∣tolerable?

A. He treasureth up to himselfe wrath against the day of wrath, Rom. 2. 5.

Q. And is there no way or meanes left to man, whereby he may worke himselfe out of this wofull plight, and recover his lost dignity?

A. No; What can a man give in exchange of his soule? Matth. 16. 26▪

Of the holy Gospel, and of CHRIST IESVS.

Question. SHall we then utterly despaire?

A. God forbid; We have glad tidings from heaven, of great joy to all people, Luke 2. 10.

Q. What tidings are those?

A. That unto us is borne a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord, Luk. 2. 11.

Q. You have been taught, that by the Go∣spel is meant glad tydings, and here we have the summe of it. But who is this great Saviour? and how was he anointed to be the Christ, or Mes∣sias, which words, as we know, signifie An∣ointed?

A. God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost, and with power, Act. 10. 38.

Q. Why was he called Iesus?

A. Because he saveth his people from their sinnes, as spake the Angel, Matth. 1. 21.

Q. Of whom was he borne?

A. Of the Virgin Mary, espoused to Io∣seph

the sonne of David, Matth. 1. 18, 20.

Q. Why is David mentioned?

A. Because he was to be made of his seed according to the flesh, Rom. 1. 3. Matth. 1. 1.

Q. But how could a virgin conceive and beare a sonne?

A. The Holy Ghost came upon her, and the power of the highest did overshadow her, Luk. 1. 35.

Q. What came of that?

A. Therefore also that holy thing which was borne of her, was called the Sonne of God, Luk. 1. 35.

Q. What other name was to be given him?

A. They shall call his name Emmanuel, Matth. 1. 23. Esa. 7. 14.

Q. What is that being interpreted?

A. God with us, Matth. 1. 23.

Q. What reason is there of that name?

A. He is God manifested in the flesh, 1. Tim. 3. 16.

Q. What other reason is there of that name?

A. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himselfe, not imputing their sinnes unto them, 2. Cor. 5. 19.

Redemption.

Question. HOw did God reconcile the world to him∣selfe by Christ?

A. He made him to be sinne for us, who knew no sinne, 2. Cor. 5. 21.

Q. How did Christ become sinne for us?

A. He gave himselfe for us an offering, and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God, Eph. 5. 2

Q. When did he that?

A. When he bare our sinnes in his body on the tree, 1. Pet. 2. 24.

Q. Was the Sonne of God, the Lord of glory, hanged on the tree?

A. Yes; he humbled himself, and became obedient to the death, even the death of the crosse, Phil. 2. 8.

Q. To what end did he undergoe all this hard∣ship?

A. That we being delivered from sinne, should live in righteousnesse, 1. Pet. 2 24.

Q. Why suffered he that kinde of death, ra∣ther then any other?

A. To declare that he was made a curse for us, Gal. 3. 13.

Q. How doth that appeare?

A. It is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on tree, Gal. 3. 13.

Q. Why was he made a curse for us?

A. To redeeme us from the curse of the Law, Gal. 3. 13.

Q. What is that curse of the Law?

A. Cursed be he that continueth not in all the words of this Law to doe them, Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10.

Iustification.

Question. VVHo are they then that stand justified, or acquitted of all things from which they cannot be justified by the law of Moses?

A. By Iesus Christ every one that belee∣veth is justified, Act. 13. 39.

Q. What is it to beleeve in Christ Iesus?

A. To beleeve and know (with Peter) that he is the Christ, the Sonne of the living God, Iohn 6. 69.

Q. What more?

A. And that he hath loved me, and given himselfe for me, Gal. 2. 20.

Q. Wherein appeareth the excellencie and ne∣cessity of this faith?

A. He that hath received his testimony, hath put to his seale, that God is true, Iohn 3. 33.

Q. And what the unbeleever?

A. He maketh God a lyar, 1. Ioh. 5. 10.

Q. Why so?

A. Because he beleeveth not the record that God witnesseth of his Sonne, 1. Iohn 5. 11.

Q. What is that record?

A. That God hath given unto us eternall life, and this life is in his Sonne, 1. Ioh. 5. 11.

Q. Have workes of righteousnesse no place in our justification before God?

A. No, for even Abraham our father be∣leeved God, and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse, Rom. 4. 3.

Q. Why are workes excluded?

A. That no flesh should glory in Gods presence, 1. Cor. 1. 29.

Q. Vpon what condition shall our faith be im∣puted to us for righteousnesse, as Abrahams was to him?

A. If we beleeve in him that raised up Ie∣sus our Lord from the dead, Rom. 4. 24.

Q. Was Christ his raising from the dead a mat∣ter of so great moment?

A. Yes; he was delivered for our offences, and raised againe for our justification, Rom. 4. 25.

Q. Since he satisfied for our offences by his death, why is justification ascribed to his resur∣rection?

A. God raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that our faith and hope might be in God, 1. Pet. 1. 21.

Q. Can there be no faith nor hope in God, without Christ his raising up from the dead?

A. No; if Christ be not raised up, our faith is vaine, we are yet in our sinnes, 1. Cor. 15. 17.

Q. What obtaine we then at Gods hand by Christ his raising up from the dead?

A. The sure mercies of David, Esa. 55. 3. Act. 13. 34.

Q. VVhat are those sure mercies of David?

A. God maketh an everlasting covenant with us, Esa. 55. 3. as he did with David.

Q. What commeth to us by vertue of this everlasting Covenant?

A. We receive a kingdome which cannot be shaken or mooved, Heb. 12. 28.

Q. As David by promise received from God

an everlasting kingdome, 2. Sam. 7. 13. &c. which promise was made good in and by the resur∣rection of Christ; so we: But where is this pro∣mise of the kingdome, since they who most beleeve in him that raised up Iesus our Lord from the dead, seeme many times of all other most mise∣rable, and that even to their very dying day?

A. God, according to his abundant mer∣cy, hath begotten us againe unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead, 1. Pet. 1. 3.

Q. What hope is that?

A. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, 1. Pet. 1. 4.

Q. That is indeed reserved for us: But how are we (so fraile by nature, and so beset on every side with many sore temptations) reserved for it?

A. We are kept (as in a fort) by the pow∣er of God, through faith unto salvation, 1. Pet. 1. 5.

Q. This salvation is to be revealed in the last time, as it is there said: But how shall we possesse our soules in the meane season?

A. By our patience, Luk. 21. 19.

Q. Is there so great need of patience?

A. Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might re∣ceive

the promise, Heb. 10. 36.

Q. It is true indeed. For we must needs drink of the cup which God reacheth unto us: neither can any be a true Christian which doth not pati∣ently offer himselfe in sacrifice to God.

Regeneration.

HOw doe men attaine to that high dignity of being beleevers in Christ Iesus?

A. They are borne of God, Ioh. 1. 13.

Q. Must there then be a new birth?

A. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

Q. By what meanes are they borne of God?

A. By the incorruptible seed of his word, 1. Pet. 1. 23.

Q. What word of God is that?

A. The word which by the Gospel is prea∣ched unto them, 1. Pet. 1. 25.

Q. What things are requisite and necessary to the effectuall hearing of the Gospel preached?

A. To have our hearts opened by God, to attend to it as Lydia, Act. 16. 14.

Q. What else?

A. To be taught and drawne of God, Ioh. 6. 44. 45.

Q. What else?

A. Beleeving to be sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, Eph. 1. 13.

Sanctification. Mortification.

Question. VVE heard before how Christ bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we being delivered from sin, should live in righteousnesse: What is it to live in righteousnesse?

A. To live henceforth not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God, 1. Pet. 4. 2.

Q. What is the will of God?

A. This is the will of God, even your Sanctification, 1. Thes. 4. 3.

Q. When is our sanctification according to the will of God?

A. When, as he that calleth us is holy, so we be holy in all manner of conversation, 1. Pet. 1. 15.

Q. What reason is given why it should be so?

A. Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy, Vers. 16.

Q. So we are commanded to be perfect, as our Father which is in heaven is perfect; not for the degree, for in that we come infinitely short of

Gods holinesse, or perfection; but for truth and universality of obedience to his lawes. This leaveth no liberty to men to live after the flesh in any thing?

A. No: For if you live after the flesh, you shall die▪ Rom. 8. 13.

Q. What course then is to be taken to save our lives?

A. If through the Spirit we doe mortifie the deeds of the body, we shall live, Rom 8. 13.

Q. By this it plainly appeareth, that a neces∣sity lieth upon us, of striving to enter in at the strait gate?

A Yes: Because, Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that finde it, Mat. 7. 14.

Of the holy Scriptures.

Question. VVHence is the will of God to be learned?

A. Out of the holy Scriptures, all given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. 3. 16.

Q. This is their excellency above all other writings, to be all given by inspiration of God. Wherein else doe they excell all other writings?

A. They are able to make us wise unto

salvation, through faith which is in Christ Iesus, 2. Tim. 3 15.

Q How are we to be affected towards them, in regard of these excellencies?

A. Not to let them depart out of our mouth, but to meditate therein day and night, Iosh. 1. 8.

Q. To what end?

A. That we may observe and doe accor∣ding to all that is written therein, ibid.

Q What good will come of that?

A. Then shall we make our way prospe∣rous, and then shall we have good successe, Iosh 1. 8.

Q. Doe not divers very studious of the holy Scriptures meet with many losses and crosses?

A. Yes; but marke the upright man, and behold the just, for the end of that man is peace, Psal. 37. 37.

Q. How commeth that to passe?

A. Many are the troubles of the righte∣ous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all, Psal. 34. 19.

Recovery and reconciliation after Offence.

Question. THe righteous are delivered at Gods appoint∣ed time, though no▪ alwaies corporally, yet most graciously and happily; their heavenly Fa∣ther making all things to worke for their good, and sending them, as he did his owne Sonne, and the holy Martyrs, by the chariot of the crosse, into their heavenly countrey. But, when we fall into sinne (as who liveth and sinneth not?) what is then our refuge?

A. We have an Advocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the righteous, and he is the pro∣pitiation for all our sinnes, 1. Ioh. 2. 1.

Q. Who maketh benefit hereof?

A. He that confesseth and forsaketh his sinne, shall have mercy, Prov. 28. 13. 1. Ioh. 1. 9. Psal. 32. 6.

Q. What is to be done then of every good man, when he hath offended God?

A. For this shall every one that is godly make his praier unto God in a time when he may be found, Psal. 32. 7.

Q. What speciall fruit commeth of that?

A. Surely in the flood of great waters, they shall not come nigh unto him, Psal. 32. 7.

Q. God will keep them from being swallowed up in the deepest gulfes of dangers, and even of death it selfe: Doth not this embolden men to sinne, seeing their pardon is so ready and cer∣taine?

A. He that is borne of God keepeth him∣selfe, that the wicked one toucheth him not, 1. Ioh. 5. 18.

Q. Satan toucheth him not with a mortall wound, but what course is to be taken in offences between man and man?

A. If thy brother trespasse against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him, Luk 17. 3.

Q. How farre must this readinesse to forgive extend?

A. And if he trespasse against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turne againe to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt for∣give him, Luk. 17. 4.

Q. And what is more to be done herein?

A. Confesse your faults one to another, and pray one for another that you may be healed, Iam. 5. 16.

Good Workes.

Question. SInce we are saved by grace through faith, Ephes. 2. 8. what such need is there of good workes?

A. They that have beleeved in God, must maintaine good workes for necessary uses, Tit. 3. 8. 14.

Q. What are those necessary uses?

A. That men seeing our good workes, may glorifie our heavenly Father, Matth. 5. 16. 1. Pet. 2. 12.

Q. What other?

A. That we may adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, Tit. 2. 10.

Q. What other?

A. Hereby the bowels of the Saints are refreshed, Philem. 7.

Q. What other?

A. That we may make our calling and ele∣ction sure, 2. Pet. 1. 10.

Q. The foundation of God standeth sure, having the seale, The Lord knoweth them that are his; but the meaning is, to make it sure to our owne soules and consciences: What other neces∣sary

use is there of good workes?

A. Our worke shall have a reward, 2. Chr. 15 7. Luk. 14. 14. Rev. 14. 13.

Q. Even to a cup of cold water given to a dis∣ciple in the name of a disciple; but of grace, not of merit: What other necessary use is there?

A. That if any obey not the word, they may without the word be won by our con∣versation, 1. Pet. 3. 1. 2.

Q. Be won to the love and admiration of the word, and so be prepared to their conversion. Is there any other use?

A. So is the will of God, that by well∣doing we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, 1. Pet. 2. 15.

Q. What speciall motive is there to stirre us up unto forwardnesse and fervency in the pra∣ctise of good workes?

A. Christ gave himselfe for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Tit. 2. 14.

Q. And what more?

A. And purifie to himselfe a peculiar people, zealous of good workes, ibid.

Q. What is the danger of not being zealous of good workes?

A. If we be luke-warme, and neither cold nor hot, the Lord will spew us out of his mouth, Rev. 3. 16.

Of the Law, or ten Com∣mandements.

Question. IN the performance of good workes, what guid are we to follow? Will not the light of rea∣son, the precepts and examples of men account∣ed wise, civill, and honest, serve the turne?

A. What is written in the Law, saith Christ, how readest thou? Luk. 10. 26.

Q. So indeed he answered a Lawyer, who would needs know of him what he should doe. And againe, Mat. 19. 17. to a young man enquiring of him, what good thing he should doe, his answer was, Keep the Commandements. Teaching us plainely, that a good worke, is some good thing, done in obedience to the Law, or Commande∣ments: Which are those Commandements?

A. The ten Commandements which the Lord spake in the mount, out of the mids of the fire, Deut. 10. 4.

Q. Why out of the mids of the fire, and with thunders and lightnings, &c.

A. That his feare may be before us that we sinne not, Exod. 20. 20.

Q. How came they to be written?

A. The Lord delivered them to Moses in two tables of stone, written with his owne finger, Deut. 9 10.

Q. They were written by the immediate pow∣er of God: What is the summe of the first Table, or foure first Commandements?

A. The Lord our God is one Lord; and, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soule, and with all thy minde, and with all thy strength, Mar. 12. 29. 30.

Q. What is the summe of the second Table, or six last Commandements?

A. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe, Mark. 1••. 31.

Q. Give me in like manner the short summe of every severall Commandement; What is it of the first, Thou shalt have none other Gods be∣fore mee?

A. Know God, serve him with a perfect heart and willing minde, cleave to him, 1. Chron. 28. 9. Deut. 10. 20.

Q. And they that know thy Name will trust in thee, saith David, Psal. 9. 10. What of the second, Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any gra∣ven image?

A. In Divine worship, observe to doe whatsoever God commandeth, adde nothing

there-to, nor diminish ought there-from, Deut. 12. 30. 31. 32.

Q. What of the third, Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord? &c.

A. Thou shalt sweare the Lord liveth in truth, in judgement, and in righteousnesse, and (every way else) knowing God, glorifie him as God, Ier. 4. 2. Rom. 1. 21.

Q. What of the fourth, Remember the Sab∣bath, to keep it holy?

A. Consecrate the Sabbath as glorious to the Lord, and honour him, not doing thine owne waies, nor seeking thine owne pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, Esa. 58. 13.

Q. What of the fifth, Honour thy father and thy mother?

A. Render to all their dues, giving honour to every one, as the Lord hath distributed to them, as the Lord hath called, Rom. 13. 7. 1. Cor. 7. 17.

Q. Render to all their dues; both to supe∣riours, as parents, magistrates, ministers, aged, &c. and to inferiours, according to their rank, and the trust and charge committed to us. What of the sixth Commandement, Thou shalt not kill.

A. Put on the bowels of mercy, kinde∣nesse humblenesse of minde, meeknesse, long∣suffering, forbearing and forgiving one ano∣ther, Col. 3. 12.

Q. What of the seventh Commandement, Thou shalt not commit adultery?

A. Possesse thy vessell in holinesse and ho∣nour, and not in lusts of concupiscence, 1. Thes. 4. 4.

Q. What of the eighth, Thou shalt not steale?

A. Let no man goe beyond, or defraud his brother in any matter, for God is an avenger of all such, 1. Thess. 4. 6.

Q. What of the ninth, Thou shalt not beare false witnesse?

A. Speake the truth in or from the heart, Psal. 15. 2.

Q What of the tenth, Thou shalt not covet?

A. In whatsoever state thou art, there∣with be thou content, Phil. 4. 11.

Q. Can you fulfill all these commandements?

A. No; In many things we offend all, Iam. 3. 2.

Q. Why can you not fulfill them?

A. Because the Law is spirituall, and I am carnall, sold under sinne, Rom. 7. 14.

Q. What use is there then of the Law?

A. By the Law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3. 20.

Q. To what end?

A. That it might be our School-master, to bring us to Christ, that we might be justi∣fied

by faith, Gal. 3. 24.

Q. When the Law hath humbled us, and brought us to Christ, what use hath it then?

A. To be a lampe unto our feet, and a light unto our paths. Psal. 119. 105.

Of Praier.

Question. BEsides the continuall exercise of the holy Scriptures, and practise of good workes, what speciall meanes have we to uphold our weak faith, and to enflame our cold hearts unto more fervent charity and zeale?

A. Aske and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall finde, knock and it shall be open∣ed unto you, Mat. 7. 7.

Q. What encouragement have we thereunto?

A For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh, &c. Vers. 8.

Q. Not onely the Apostles and the Saints that excell in vertue, but every penitent petitio∣ner, none excepted: What other encouragment have we?

A. Parents that are evill give good gifts unto their children, how much more shall our heavenly Father give good gifts, yea, even the holy Ghost, to us that desire him? Mat. 7. 11. Luk. 11. 13.

Q. How is praier limited?

A. If we aske any thing according to his will, he heareth us, 1. Ioh. 5. 14.

Q. In whose name or mediation are we to aske?

A. Whatsoever you shall aske the Father in my Name, saith Christ, he will give it you, Ioh. 16. 23.

Q. What things are absolutely necessary in praier to make it avaleable?

A. To abide in Christ, and to have his words abiding in us, Ioh. 15. 7.

Q. What else?

A. To aske in faith and waver not, Iam. 1. 6.

Q. What else?

A. To forgive if any offence be, or else our heavenly Father will not forgive us, Mark. 11. 25. 26.

Q. What else?

A. To be most humble with the poore Publicane, lest we take the repulse with the proud Pharisee, Luk. 18. 9.

Q. What else?

A. To be fervent in praier, and not faint, Iam. 5. 16. Luk. 18. 1.

Q. What say you of thankesgiving to God?

A. Pray continually: In all things give thankes, 1. Thess. 5. 17, 18.

Q. In all things small or great, prosperous, or adverse: But what reason is there for that?

A. This is the will of God in Christ Iesus towards you, 1. Thess. 5. 18.

Q. What other reason is there?

A. He that offereth praise shall glorifie me, saith the Lord, Psal. 50. 23.

Q. VVhat set forme of praier hath Christ left unto us, to pray, and to frame our praiers by?

A. After this manner pray ye; or when you pray, say, Our Father which art in hea∣ven, &c. Matth. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2.

Q. Of this most holy praier I have briefly set downe my minde else where?

Sacraments.

ARe not Baptisme and the Lords Supper worthy meanes also to uphold our weake faith, and to further our zeale towards God, and charity one towards another?

A. Yes; For these Sacraments are seales of the righteousnesse of faith, Rom. 4. 11.

Q. They are indeed seales for confirmation of our most holy faith, which even our father A∣braham himselfe had need of: But are they not

in like manner seales for confirmation of Christi∣an unity and amity?

A. Yes; By one Spirit we are all baptised into one body, and have been all made to drinke into one spirit, 1. Cor. 12. 13.

Q. This is a marvellous mystery, by one spi∣rit to be all incorporate in our Baptisme, into me mysticall body of Christ, which is his holy Catholick Church; and to be all made to drinke in the Lords Supper into one Spirit, by partaking the mysticall Cup, or quickning blood of Christ Iesus, truely exhibited to all the faithfull therein. What doth this blessed Ʋnion and Communion with our Head Christ, and with his holy Body the Church, necessarily binde us unto?

A. To an endeavour of keeping the uni∣ty of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Ephes. 4. 3.

Q. When is that bond of peace kept unde∣filed?

A. When there be no dissentions among us, but we be knit together in one minde, and in one judgement, 1. Cor. 1. 10.

Q. What is Baptisme?

A. The washing of the new birth, Tit. 3. 5.

Q. Wherein consisteth this washing of the new birth?

A. Not in putting away the filth of the

flesh; but in the renewing of the holy Ghost 1. Pet. 3. 21. Tit. 3. 5.

Q. What is the manner and meanes of this renewing of us, who are so wholly polluted and uncleane by nature?

A. We are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified, in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by the Spirit of God, 1. Cor. 6. 11.

Q. We are washed in Baptisme, in token that we are sanctified and justified by the merit of Christ, in whose Name we are baptised, and by the efficacie of Gods Spirit given unto us there∣in: But why are we baptised in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost?

A. In token of the Covenant betwixt God the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, and us, Gen. 17. 11.

Q. As Circumcision was, so Baptisme is a signe of the Covenant between God and his peo∣ple: What is that Covenant on Gods part?

A. That he will be our God, and the God of our seed, Gen. 17. 11.

Q. What on our part?

A. We passe into the Covenant of God, to be his people, and so to observe all things, whatsoever Christ hath commanded us; Deut. 29. 12. Mat. 28. 20.

Q. Is not this to make three Gods?

A. No; These three, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost are one, 1. Ioh. 5. 7.

Q. They are one in substance and consent, yet three Persons, or distinct manners of being in the Godhead: What is proper to the person of the Father?

A. To be called one God, and the onely true God, of whom are all things, 1. Cor. 8. 6. Ioh. 17. 3.

Q. The Godhead is commonly ascribed to the Father, because in him is the beginning of it: who hath not onely his essence as God, but his personall being as Father of himselfe: he is also called the onely true God, not to exclude the Sonne, and the holy Ghost (who are of the same sub∣stance and glory with him) but all idols and creatures onely: What is proper to the person of the Sonne?

A. He is the onely begotten of the Fa∣ther, the power of God, and the wisdome of God, by whom are all things, Ioh. 1. 14. 1. Cor. 1. 24. and 8. 6.

Q. What is proper to the person of the holy Ghost?

A. He proceedeth and is sent of the Fa∣ther, and the Sonne, from whom he worketh all, in all things, Ioh. 14. 26. and 15. 26. 1. Cor. 12. 11.

Q. Set downe some few texts of holy Scrip∣tures, prooving this most high and incomprehen∣sible mysterie, the Trinity in Vnity, and the Vnity in Trinity.

A. Matth. 3. 16. 17. and 28. 19. 1. Cor. 13. 13. Ephes. 2. 18. 1. Ioh. 5. 7. Revel. 1. 4. 5. Let him that readeth understand, &c.

Q. What is the Lords Supper?

A. The Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, 1. Cor. 10. 16.

Q. What is the bread which is solemnely bles∣sed and broken?

A. The body of Christ broken for us, 1. Cor. 11. 24.

Q. And what is the Cup of blessing which we blesse?

A. The blood of Christ, or the New Te∣stament in his blood, Matth. 26. 28. 1. Cor. 11. 25.

Q. Doth not this make for Popish transub∣stantiation?

A. Nothing at all: It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteh nothing, Ioh. 6. 63.

Q. It is most true, that the spirit, or spiri∣tuall receiving of the flesh and blood of Christ crucified for us, by faith in him, giveth life to the receiver: the flesh, or bodily receiving with∣out

that, profiteth nothing: But why are we to eate this Bread, and drinke this Cup?

A. Doe this in remembrance of me, saith our blessed Saviour twice over, 1. Cor. 11. 24. 25.

Q. To what end are we so solemnely to be put in remembrance of him in this holy action?

A. That so often as we eate this bread and drink this cup, we may shew the Lords death till he come, 1. Cor. 11. 26.

Q. His most bitter and meritorious death, with the sweet fruits of it, are upon this occasion to be declared at all hands, both publickly, and privately, with the greatest alacrity, joy, thanke∣fulnesse, and zeal, that possibly can be: But how are we to prepare and addresse our selves to this holy banquet?

A. Let every man examine himselfe, and so let him eat of this bread, and drinke of this cup, 1. Cor 11. 28.

Q. What is the danger of the neglect hereof?

A. To be guilty of the body and blood of Christ, 1. Cor. 11. 27.

Q. No marvell, since abuse offered to the Sa∣crament, which is an holy instrument, seale, and image of the King of Kings, even by divine in∣stitution, must needs redound to the Lord him∣selfe: They must needs therefore eat and drinke

their owne damnation, that doe so requite the Lord for this inestimable mercy: But whereof must we chiefly examine our selves?

A. Whether we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the faith; whe∣ther Christ be in us or ••••. 2. Cor. 13. ••.

Q Whereby will it appeare that we be of sound religion, and have saving faith?

A. Saving faith purifieth the heart, Act. 15. 9.

Q. How else?

A. It worketh also by charity, Gal. 5. 6.

Q. How else?

A. It maketh us as new borne babes, de∣sire the sincere milke of the Word, that we may grow thereby, 1. Pet. 2. 2.

Q. Whereby shall we know that Christ is in us?

A. Hereby we know that Christ abideth in us, even by the Spirit that he hath given un∣to us, 1. Ioh. 3. 24

Q. And how may the Spirit of God be discer∣ned in us?

A. By his fruits; Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentlenesse, goodnesse, faith, meek∣nesse, temperance. Gal. 5. 22, 23.

Q. How may we be assured, that the fruits of the Spirit are in us in truth?

A. If we live in the Spirit, let us walke in the Spirit, Gal. 5. 25.

Q When, by living and walking in the Spirit, that is, by the habite or customary practise of his fruits, with a holy delight therein, we have found that Christ abideth in us: What remaineth further to be examined?

A. How we grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, 2. Pet. ••. 18.

Q. A very necessary point to be examined of us all; ••o••,: Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not to grow, is to goe downe the 〈…〉〈…〉: But when is this our solemne and serious examination of our selves throughly performed?

A. When having considered our waies, we turne our feet unto Gods testimonies, Psal. 119. 59.

Question. VVHat is constantly to be done of him that desireth a quiet life, and to see good daies in this world?

A. Keep thy tongue from evill, and thy lips from speaking guile: Depart from evill and doe good, seek peace and pursue it, Psal. 34. 13. 14.

Q. And what is to be done to escape the most desperate dangers that can befall men here, or hereafter?

A. Watch you, saith Christ, and pray continually, that you may be accounted wor∣thy to escape all these things, that shall come to passe, and to stand be∣fore the Sonne of man, Luk. 21. 36.

ACTS 24.

15. I have hope towards God, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just, and unjust.

16. And herein I exercise my selfe, to have alwaies a conscience void of offence, toward God, and toward men.

FINIS.