r k if 
 
 > MAR 21 1907 •; 
 
 ST 
 
 f+~r<~^ .j\\ 
 
 ^M'CAL SW^? 
 
 DivrskwL 
 
 Section 
 
 So* 
 
 It* 
 
 »v 
 
( 7 ) ' 
 THE V. 
 
 Confess! 
 
 . .' 
 
 O F Songs, 
 
 FAIT 
 
 
 i am thc 
 :acy ou^ 
 he Confe. c 
 
 Firft agreed upon ^y the^^oie, (which 
 of Divines at Weflmd^\* 
 
 J ~<'*tion,the 
 
 \ the 
 .<#*</ ww appointed by the General Afc 
 
 the Kirk of Scotland, to be a fart of 
 mity in Religion between the Kirks of C 
 the three Kingdoms. 
 
 A 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Of the Holy Scripture, 
 
 LTHO' the Light of Nature, and 
 the Works of Creation and Provi- 
 dence, do ib far manifeft the Good- 
 nefs, Wifdom, and Powir of God, 
 
 a 4 «m 
 
the Conftfion of Faith. ■ 
 
 * r - Men irvxcufablc a, yet are they not 
 
 /o give that Knowledge of God and 
 
 o^h-J w ^ cn * s neceffary unto Salvation b. 
 
 <y'&\ y t P^ ea ^ ed tne Lort ^» at Sundry times, 
 
 jr J *£ *?* ** s manners, to reveal himfelf, and to 
 
 ■ > * his Will unto his Church c, and af- 
 
 'he better preferring and propagat- 
 
 ruth, and for the more fure Eftabhfh- 
 
 Conafort of the Church againft the 
 
 an of the Flcfli, and the Malice of Sa- 
 
 of the World, to commit the f?me 
 
 *nto Writing d; which maketh trie holy 
 
 to be moll: neceflkry e; thofe former 
 
 'od's revealing his Will unto his Peo- 
 
 w ceafed /. 
 
 14, if. Rom. 1'. 19,10. Tfal. 1 19- 
 
 *. 32. toith ch. 2. 1. b \ Cor. i« 
 
 .2.15, 14. c Heb. 1. 1. dProv. n- 
 
 21. L«/re 1. 3, 4. Row. iy.4. Mdtf. 4- 
 
 o. I/a. 8. 19, 20. ez Tim.%. if. zP^. 
 
 . fHeb. 1. 1,2. 
 
 Under the name of the holy Scripture, or 
 ord of God written, are now contained ail 
 the Books of the Old and New Taftament, 
 which are thefe j 
 
 o F 
 
y%eConfe$onofFat * 
 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Old Teftament. 
 
 GEnefis, 
 Exodus, 
 Leviticus, 
 Numbers, 
 Dmteronotny, 
 Jofhua, 
 Judges, 
 Ruth, 
 
 I , Samuel, 
 
 II. Samuel, 
 
 I. Kings, 
 
 II. Ki»^, 
 
 J. Chronicles, 
 
 II. Chronicles, 
 
 Ezra, 
 
 Nehemiah, 
 
 Efther, 
 
 Job, 
 
 Ffalms, 
 
 Troverbs, 
 
 Ecclejiajles, 
 The Seng cf Songs, 
 Jfaiah, ft 
 
 Jeremiah, . '< W 
 Lamentat" > * N . the 
 ^*ft ]?£*$&• 
 
 Amos, 
 
 Obadiah, 
 
 Jonah, 
 
 Micah, 
 
 Nahum, 
 
 Habakkuk, 
 
 Zephamah, 
 
 Haggai, 
 
 Zechariah, 
 
 Malachi. 
 
 r *tion,the 
 the 
 
 Aj 
 
 O 
 
 UBt«P 
 

 O F T H E 
 
 New Teftamenf. 
 
 The Gospels according to 
 
 \\Atthexo, 
 
 II. Tijefj'alomans, 
 
 1V1 Mark, 
 
 I. To Timothy, 
 
 Luke, 
 
 II. Timothy, 
 
 Vol 
 
 To Titus, 
 
 "theApoJlles, To EhiUmm, 
 
 to the Ro- The Epijlle to the He- 
 
 
 brews, 
 
 ns, 
 
 The Epijlle of James. 
 
 W» 
 
 The firjl and fecond E- 
 
 s, 
 
 pifiles of 'Peter, 
 
 jjians, 
 
 Thefirjl, fecond, & third 
 
 hilippians, 
 
 Epijlles o/John, 
 
 Colojpans, 
 
 The Epijlle o/Jude, 
 
 I. Thejfaloniam, 
 
 The Revelation of John. 
 
 All which are given by Infpiration of God, 
 to be the Rules of Faith and Life^. 
 
 g Luke 16. 29, $\.Ephef. 2. 20. Rev. 22. 
 18, 19. iTim. 3. 16. 
 
 III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, 
 not being of Divine Infpiration, are no l-art of 
 the Cannon of the Scripture; and therefore are 
 of no Authority in the Church of God, nor to be 
 any otherwife approved or made ufe of, than 
 ^ther human Writings h. h Luke ia..i^_ 9 j^. 
 -n. 3.2, I ¥rt,l, zu ^" 
 
The Confeffion of Faith x 
 
 IV. The Authority of the holy Scripture, for 
 which it ought to be believed and obeyed, de- 
 pendeth not upon the Teftimony of any Man, 
 or Church j but wholly upon God (who is 
 Truth it felt) the Author 'hereof : and therefore 
 it is to be received, becauu it is the Word of 
 God i. 
 
 i a Tet i. 19, iv.^Tim. 3.16. \Jchnf, 
 9. iTheff. a. 13. 
 
 V. We may be moved and induc^ b« tne 
 Teftimony of the Church, to an high a^ reve . 
 rend Efteemof the holy Scripture £ j aw t ^ c 
 Heavenlinefs of the Matter, the Efficacy oWL e 
 Doctrine, the Majefty of the Stile, the Conifc. c 
 of all the Parts, the Scope of the whole,(which 
 is to give all glory to God) the futl.Difcovery it 
 makes of the only way of Man's Salvation, the 
 many othef incomparable Excellencies, and the 
 intire Perfe&ion thereof, arc Arguments, where- 
 by it doth abundantly evidence it felt to be the 
 Word of God 5 yet notwithstanding our full 
 Perfuafion and AiTuranceof the infallible Truth 
 and Divine Authority thereof, is from the in- 
 ward Work of the holy Spirit, bearing Witnefs 
 by and with the Word in our Hearts /. 
 
 k 1 Tim. 3. if. / 1 John z.zo, 17. John i6\ 
 13, 14. 1 Cor. i, io,a 1, iz. If*. 5*9. it . 
 
 VI. The whole Couniel of God, concerning 
 all things neceflfary for his own Glory, Man's 
 Salvation, Faith and Lite, is either exprefly fer. 
 down in Scripture, or by good and neceffary 
 Conference may be deduced from Scripture : 
 
 unta 
 n 
 
Ihe ConfeJJion of Fait hi 
 
 tipto which nothing at any time is to be added, 
 whether by new Revelations of the Spirit, or 
 Traditions of Men m : Neverthelefs We acknow- 
 ledge the inward Illumination of the Spirit of 
 God, to be necelTaryfor/hefaving undemanding 
 of fuch things as are revealed in the Word n : 
 And that there are 0me Circumftances concer- 
 ning the Worflv °f God, anci Government of 
 .the Church common to human Actions and 
 Societies, ^hich are to be ordered by the Light 
 of Natu-> anc * Chriftian Prudence, according to 
 the p-'ieral P.ules of the Word, which are al- 
 wa ^to beobferved o. 
 
 /» iTim. 5. iy, \6tif.Gal. 1. S, y.iTbeff. 
 .. 2. njohn 6". 4^. 1 Cor. 2.9, 10, 11, 12. 
 l Cor. 1 1. 15,, 14. 1 Cor: 14. 26, 40. 
 
 VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain 
 in themfelves, nor alike clear unto all^. yet thofe 
 Things which are neceiTary to be known, be- 
 lieved and obferved for Salvation, are fo clearly 
 propounded and opened in Tome place of Scrip- 
 ture or other, that not only the learned but the 
 unlearned, in a due ufeofthe ordinary Means, 
 may attain unto a fuiiicient understanding of 
 fthemg. • 
 
 j> zPet. 3. 1 6. qFfal 119. loy, 130. 
 
 VIII. The old Teftament in Hebrew (which 
 was the native Language of the People of God 
 or old )and the new Teftament in Greek (which 
 at the time of the writing of it was moll: ge- 
 nerally known to the Nations) being immedi- 
 acy infpired by God. and by his lingular Care 
 
 an4 
 
7 he Confeffion of Faith* 
 and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are there 
 fore Authenticalri fo -as in all Cjntroverfies or. 
 Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto 
 them/. . But becaufe thefe c lginal Tongues 
 are not known to all the People or God, who 
 have Right unto and Interest in the Scriptures, 
 and arc commanded in i he Fear of God, to read i 
 and fearchthemi, therefore tljm are to he tranf-. 
 lated into the vulga- L.-^uage of every Nation 
 unto which they conic «, that the word of God 
 dwelling plentifully in all, they may worPnip 
 him In an acceptable manner w, and through. • 
 Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures may' 
 have Hope'*.' 
 
 r Mat. f. i8.fl/a. 8. to.ABs if. \f.Jdhri 
 f. 39, 46 tjohnf. 39. u 1 Cor 14.6, 9, 11, iz, 
 24, 27, iS, j»CoL 3. \6 xRom. if. 4. 
 , IX. The infallible Rule of Interpretation of 
 Scripture is the Scripture it felfj and therefore 
 when there is a Queftion about the true and full 
 Scnfe of any Scripture ( which is not manifold, 
 but. one ) it mull be fearched and known by 
 other Places that fpeak more clearly y. 
 
 y \Tet. 1. 20, 21. Afts \f . if, 16. 
 
 X. The fupreme Judge by v/hom all Con- 
 troversies 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 whofe Sentence we 
 are to reft; can be no other but the Holy Spirit 
 fpeaking in the Scripture z. ' 
 &M4t,ii.iq, zi,Eth,z t z o, with Acts %$ 25-. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
A 1 he Confejfion of Faith, 14 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Of GOD, and of the holy Trinity. 
 
 I. *npHere is bat one only a living and true 
 JL God b, who is infinite in being and Per- 
 fe€tionc, a moft pure Spirit*/, in vilible e, with- 
 out Body, Parts /, or Paflions^, immutable h, 
 immenfei, eternal k, incornprehenfible/, almigh- 
 ty m, mod wife n, moftholy o, moll free^, moli 
 abfolute q, working all things according to the 
 Council of his own immutable and moft righte- 
 ous Willr, for his own Glory/, moft loving/, 
 gracious, merciful, long fuffering, abundant in 
 Goodneis, in Trurh, forgiving Iniquity, Tranf- 
 greflion and Sin «, the Rewarder of them that 
 diligently feek him w,and with a moft juft and 
 terrible in his Judgments x, hating all Siny, an4 
 Who will by no means clear the guilty z . 
 
 a Dent. 6.4. 1 Cor. 8.4, 6. b 1 Thejf. 1. 9. 
 Jer. 10. 10. cjob 11.7,8,9. 6c 26. 14 J John 
 4. 24. eiTom. 1. ij.fDeut. 4. if, \6.John%. 
 24. withZ,«&<?24. i$ r gAtisi+. 11, if.hfam. 
 1. \ j. Mai. 3.6.1 \Kin$f 8. 27.^.23.23, 24. 
 kPfal.yo.x. 1 Tim. 1 ij.lPfal. i/\.f. ^.mGen. 
 17. 1. Rev. 4.8. nRom. 16. 27. olfa. 6. 3. 
 Rev. 4. 8. pFfitl.iif.3. qExod. 3. 14. r Eph. 
 1. 11. fProv. 16-4.. Rom. 1 1.36. f ijohn^.%, 
 16. u Exod. 34. 6, 7 . ip H*£. 11. 6.x Neh. 9. 
 x *2^35-7^-.f- /><$• zN*k. ?• a, 3. £*^. 
 
 II. Cod 
 
 ,T 
 
1 5 The Confejpm of Faith y 
 
 II. Godhathall Life*, Glory b, Goodnct ^ 
 Bleirednefs d, in and of himfelf,and is alone i 
 and unto himfejf all -fufficient, not (landing 
 need of any Creatures which he hath made 
 nor deriving any Glory from them f, but onl) 
 manifefting his own Glory, in,- by, unto, and 
 upon them. He is the alone Fountain of all Be- 
 ing; of whom, through whom, and to whom 
 are allthingsj", and hath moll fovereign Domi- 
 nion over them ;-to do by them, for them, or up- 
 on them, whatfoever himfelf pleaferh h. In his 
 Sight all things are open and manifeft i, his 
 Knowledge is infinite, infallible, and indepen* 
 dent upon the Creature k, fo as nothing is to 
 him contingent or uncertain /. He is mott holy 
 in all his Counfels, in all his Works, and in all 
 his Commands m. To hira is due from Angels 
 and Men, and every other Crearure, whatfoever 
 Worfhip, Service or Obedience he- is pleafed to 
 require of them n. 
 
 a John $\ 26". b Afts j.z. c Pfel. 119. 68. 
 d 1 Tim. 6. 17. Rom. 9. 5-. e ABs 17. 24, 23-. 
 fjob 22. 2. 2. g Rom. 11. 36. h Rev. 411. 
 1 Tim. 6. 1 j\ Daw, 4.25-, if.iHeb.4. iz.kRom* 
 11.53, 34--PM l 47'T' lA&s \f. \%.Ezek. 11. 
 5*. mPfal. 147. 17. Rom. J, 11. nRev. $. 12, 
 13, 14. 
 
 III. In the Unity of the Godhead there be 
 three Perfons of one Subftance, Power, and 
 Eternity ; God eke Father, God the Son, to 
 
H The Confef/ion of Faith. 
 iod the holy Ghoft<?. The Father is of none, 
 neither begotten nor proceeding : The Son is 
 eternally begotten of the Father p: The Holy 
 Ghoft eternally proceeding from the Father and 
 the Son q. 
 
 o ijohny. j.Mat. 3. 16, 17.MfW6.28. ip. 
 2 Cor. 13. 14. \john\. 14, ij. qjohn if, 26. 
 Gal. 4.6. 
 
 A 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Of God's Eternal Decree. 
 
 I. (~^ OD from all Eternity did, by the rnoft 
 
 VJ wife and holy Counfel of his own 
 Will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatfoever 
 comes to pafs^j yet fo, 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 fecond Caufes taken away, 
 but rather eftablifhed c. 
 
 a Epb. 1 . 1 1 . Rom. 11. 33. Heb. 6.\y. Rom. 
 <o. 15-, 18. £ James 1. Igj 17. 1 John 1. f. 
 c Acts 1.1$. Mat. 17. i*. Acts\. 27,28. John 
 10. 11. Trov. 16. 33. 
 
 II. Altho God knows whatfoever may or can 
 come to pafs upon all fuppofed Conditions d y 
 yet hath he not decreed any thing, becaufe he 
 
 forefaw 
 
 ^ A3si$ % 18. 1 Sam. %$> n, 12, Ma;, 11. 
 
The Confejfion of Faith. 17 
 forefaw it as future, or as that which would 
 come to pafs upon fuch Conditions e. 
 e Ro?n.<). 11, 13, 16, 18. 
 
 III. By the Decree of God, for the Manifes- 
 tation of his Glory, fome Men and Angels / 
 arepredefKnated untoeveilafKng Life,and others 
 fore-ordained to everlafting Death g. 
 
 f\ Tim. 5*. 11. Mat. 15-. 41. g Rom. 9.22,23. 
 Ephef. 1.5*, 6. Prov. 16. 4. 
 
 IV. Thefe Angels and Men thus predefti- 
 nated and fore-ordained, areparticularly and un- 
 changeably defigned, and their Number fo cer- 
 tain and definite, that it cannot be either increafed 
 or diminifiied h. 
 
 hi Tim. 2. 19. John 12. 18. 
 
 V. Thofe or Mankind that are predeflinated 
 unto Life, God, before the Foundation .of the 
 World was laid, according to his eternal and 
 immutable Purpofe.and the fecret Counielund 
 good Pleafure of his Will, hath chofen in Chrift 
 unto everlafting Glory i, out of his mecr free 
 Grace, and Love, without any Forefight of 
 Faith or good Works 5 or perfeverance in either 
 of them i or any other thing in the Creature j 
 as Conditions or Caufes moving him thereun- 
 to £,and all to the Praife of his glorious'' Grace /. 
 
 iEphef. 1 . 4, 9, 1 1 . Ram. 8. 30. 2 Tim. 1.9. 
 1 Thejf. 7. 9. kRom. 9. 1 1, 13,16. Ephef. 1 4, 
 9. iEphef. 1.6, 12. 
 
 VI . As God hath appointed the Elecl: unto Glo- 
 ry, fo hath he, by the eternal and moft free Pur- 
 
 poic 
 
iS Tks Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 pofe of his Will, fore-ordained all the means 
 thereunto m. Wherefore they who were elected, 
 being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Chrift », 
 are efTe&ually called unto Faith in Chrift, by his 
 Spirit working in due Seafon, are juftified, adop- 
 ted, fan&ified 0, and kept by his Power through 
 Faith unto Salvation p. Neither areany other re- 
 deemed by Chrift,efre&ually called,juftified,adop- 
 *ed,fanclirled, and faved, but the Ele& only q. 
 
 m i Ret. i . 2. Rfh. 2. 4, ?■ Eph. 1 . 1 o . 2 Thejf. 
 2. 12. n 1 Thejf. c 9, 10. Tit. 2. 14. oRom.S. 
 $.EJ>h. 1. f. zTheJf. 2. 1 3 . /> I Ret . i.f. ({Job 
 17.9. Rom. 8. 2S to the end. John 6.64, 6j-. 
 John 10. i6\ 4«*/8. 47. 13^/? l. 19. 
 
 VII. The reft of Mankind God was pleaTed, 
 according to the unfearchable Counfel of his 
 own Will, whereby he extendeth, or withhold- 
 eth Mercy as he pleafeth, for the Glory of his 
 Sovereign Power over his Creatures, to pafs by, 
 and to ordain them to Difhonour and Wrath for 
 their Sin to the Praife of his glorious Juftice r. 
 
 r Mat. 11. 2j-, 16. Rom. 9. 17, iS, 21, 22.' 
 lTim.i. 19, 20. Jude 4. 1 Ret. 2. 8. 
 
 VIII. TheDo&rine of this high Myftery of 
 Predeftination is to be handled with fpecial Pru- 
 dence and Care /", that Men attending the Will 
 o,f God revealed in his Word, and yielding Obe- 
 dience thereunto, may from the Certainty of 
 their efTe&ual Vocation, be aflurcd of their eter- 
 nal Election t. So (hall this Doarine afford mat- 
 ter 
 
 {Rom. 9. 20. Rom. it. 33.DMtf.19. *9- 1 z 
 Vet. 1. 10, 
 
The Confeffion of Faith. 23 
 
 harden themfelves,even under thofe means which 
 God ufeth for thefoftning of others b. 
 
 b Exod. 7 . 5 . with Exod. 8. if, 52. 2 Cor. 2. 
 if, 16. Iftt.S. 14. 1 Vet. 2. 7, 8. Ifa. 6. 9, 10. 
 AftsiS. 26, 27. 
 
 VII. As the Providence of God doth in ge- 
 neral reach to all Creatures, fo,after a more fpecial 
 manner ittaketh Care of his Church, and difpof- 
 eth all things to the good thereof c. 
 
 c 1 Tim.$. 10. Amos o. S, o. Rom. 8.28. 
 Ifa. 43-3>4> ?> »4- 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Of the Tall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punifh- 
 
 ment thereof, 
 I. /^\Ur firft Parents being feduced by the 
 
 V^/ Subtilityand Temptation of Satan, fin- 
 ned in eating the forbidden Fruit a. This their 
 'Sin God was pkafed according to his wife and 
 holy Counfel, to permit, having purpofed to 
 order it to his own Glory b. 
 
 a Gen. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 11. 3. b Rom. 11. 32. 
 
 II. By this Sin they fell from their original 
 Righteoufnefs and Communion with God c t 
 and fo became dead in Sin d, and whollydefil- 
 ed in all the Faculties and Parts of Soul and 
 Body e. 
 
 c Gen. 3, 6, 7, S. Eccl. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 23, 
 4Ge». 2. ij.Eph. 2. 1. eTtt.i. i$-. Gen. 6. f. 
 ftr.ij. 5?. Rw.$. 10, to 1$. 
 
 Ill, They 
 
\ The Confejfion of Faith. 
 
 III. They being the Root of all Mankind, the 
 Guilt of this Sin was imputed/, and the fame 
 t)eathin Sin and corrupted Nature, conveyed 
 to all their Pofterity delcending from them by 
 ordinary Generation £. 
 
 f Gen i. 27, iS. Sc 2. 16, 17. Acts 17 .26. 
 Rom.$.n,iy, 16, 17, 18, 19. 1 Cor. 17. 21, 
 22, 4.7,40. gTfil.fi.f. Gcnj. ^.Job 14.4. 
 6c ch. 17. 14. 
 
 IV. From this original Corruption whereby 
 we arc utterly indifpoled, di fabled, and made 
 oppofue to all good h, and wholly inclined to 
 all evil/*, do proceed all actual Tranfgreflions k. 
 
 bRom.f.6.& 8. 7.&C7. iS. Col. \. 11. iGen. 
 6. j. 5c 8. 21. Rom. 1. 10, it, ii. k James 1. 
 14, if. Eph.i. 2, 2. Mtf£. if. 19. 
 
 V. This Corruption of Nature during this 
 Life, doth remain in thofe that are regenerated /j 
 and although it be through Chriit pardoned and 
 mortified, yet both it felf and aH the Motions 
 thereof are truly and properly Sin m. 
 
 I 1 John 1.8, 10. Rom. y. 14, 17, i$,iy Ja. 
 3. 2. Frov. 20. 9. Ecclef.j. iy.mRom.~ .f,~, 
 8, 2f. Ga/. 7. 17. 
 
 VI. Every Sin, both original and adtual, be- 
 ing a TranfgrelTion of the righteous Law of God, 
 and contrary thereunto n, doth in its own Na- 
 ture bring Guilt upon the Sinner 0, whereby he 
 is bound over to the Wrath of God p, and Curfe 
 of the Law q f and fo made fubject to Death r, 
 
 with 
 
 \r, 1 John 3.4.0 Rom. 2. if. pEpb.z.zciGftl, 
 . 1©. r Rom, 6. 23. 
 
T*ke Confefjion of Faith I 1 $ 
 
 With all Miferies fpiritual / temperalf, and e- 
 ternal u. 
 
 f Epbef. 4. i3. t. Rom. 8. 10. Lam. 3. 59. 
 n Mat. zf. 41. 2 Thef. 1. 9. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 0/ God's Covenant with Man. 
 
 I. T"* 1 H E Diftance between God and the Crea- 
 JL tuxes is fo great, that altho reafonable 
 Creatures do owe Obedience unto him as their 
 Creator, yet they could never have any Fruition 
 of him as their Bleffednefs and Reward, but by 
 fome voluntary Condefcenfion on God's part, 
 which he hath been pleafed to exprefs by way of 
 Covenant a. 
 
 alfa.40. 13, 17. Jobg. 32,53. 1 Sam.i* 25*.' 
 Tfal. 113.5-, 6. and 100. 2, 2. fob 22.2, 3. and 
 3/. 7,8. Luke 17. 10. Acts 1-j. 24, zf. 
 
 II. The flrft Covenant made with Man was 
 a Covenant of Works b, wherein Life was promt- 
 fed to Adam, and in him to his Pofterity c, upon 
 Condition of perfect and perfonal Obedience d. 
 
 b Gal 3. 1 z. c Rom. 10. f. and f. 12, to a a." 
 dGen. 2. 17. Gal. 3. 10. 
 
 III. Ma/i by his Fall having made himfelf ua-i 
 capable of Lite by that Covenant, the Lord was 
 pleafed to make a Second e, commonly called, 
 The Covenant ef Grace; wherein he freely offer- 
 
 B ed 
 
 tGal. 3.2 \,Rom,\.. iQ t zi.Gt»> 3. i$.Ifai&A. 
 
6 7 he (Jonfe/Jton cf Faith. 
 
 '' /i unto Sinners, Life and Salvation by jefus 
 Chrifc, requiring of theni Faith in him, that they 
 may be faved/, and promifmg to give unto all 
 thofe that are ordained unto Life, his holy Spi- 
 rit, to makftthem willing and able to believe £. 
 
 /Mark 1 6. i"r, \b.John 3. 16. Rom. 10.6, 9. 
 Gal. 3. 1 i.gEzek. 36. 26, 27. j^tftf. 44,45-. 
 
 IV. This Covenant of Grace is frequenrly fee 
 forth in the Scripture by the Name of 3 Tefh- 
 mentj in reference to the Death of Jefus Chriir. 
 the Teftator, and to the everlafting Inheritance, 
 with all things belonging to it, therein bequeath- 
 ed h. 
 
 hHeb.9. 15% i6,ij.He&. 7. 21. Ltiksiz. 20. 
 1 Cor. 11.25-. 
 
 V. This Covenant was differently adminiftred 
 in the time of the Law, and in the time of the 
 Gofpel i : Under the Law it was adminiflred 
 byPromifes,Prophelies,Sacritices,Circumcifion, 
 the Pafchal Lamb, and other Types and Ordi- 
 nances delivered to the People of the Jews, all 
 fore-lignifying Chrilt to come h, which were 
 for that time fufficient and efficacious, through 
 the Operation of the Spirit, to inftrudf. and build 
 up the Eie£f. in Faith in the promiied MeJJhh /, 
 by whom they had full Remiifionof Sins, and 
 eternal Salvation, and is called, The Old Tejl*~ 
 went m. 
 
 VI. Un- 
 
 1 2 Cor. 3. 6*,7,S,o./,:He£.8.o,io. ch. Rom. 
 
 4. 1 1. Col. 1. 11, 12. 1 Cor.f.7. 1 1 Cor. 10. 1, 
 
 2> 3,4. #e£. 1 1. 13. JohnS. $6. mGal, 3.7,8. 
 
The Confeffion of Faith. 27 
 
 VI. Under the Gofpel, 'when Chr'ift the Sub- 
 fiance » was exhibited, the Ordinances in which 
 his Covenant is difpenfed, are the preaching of 
 the Word, and the Adminiftration of the Sacra- 
 ments, Baptifmandthe Lord's-Suppero; which, 
 tho' fewer in Number., and adminiftred with 
 more Simplicity, and lefs outward Glory, yet in 
 them it is held forth in more Fulnefs, Evidence, 
 and fpiritual Efficacy p, to all Nations, both Jews 
 and Gentiles q, and is called, The New Ta fitment r. 
 There are not therefore two Covenants of Grace 
 differing in Subftance, but one and the fame, un- 
 der various Difpenfations/". 
 
 nCol. a. 17. Mat.iS. 19,20.1 Cor. it. 23^ 
 24, 2j\ p Heb. 12. 22, toiS.Jer. 31.33, 34. 
 q Mat. 28. 19. Ehpef. 2. ij*, 16, 17, 18, 19. 
 rLuke tr. 10. fG&l. 3. 14, 16. Rom.$. 21, 22, 
 23, 30.P/W. 32. 1. Hc£. 13.8..^ ij*. 11. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 0/ G&mj? /&<? Mediator: 
 
 1. TT pleafed God, in his eternal purpofe to 
 i- chufeand ordain the Lord Jefus, his only 
 
 begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God 
 and Man a, the Prophet 6, Priefl: c, and King d y 
 the Head and Saviour of hi-s Church e, the Heir: 
 B 2 of 
 
 a Ifa. 42. i. 1 'Pet. 1. 19, 20. John 3.16. 
 1 Tim. 2. 5-. bAcisi. r%.cHeb : j. ?, 6. <*P//*/. 
 
 2. 6. L»fo 1. H.eZph. c. 23.' 
 
? S 7 he Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 ©f all things f, and Judge ©f the World £, unto 
 whom he did from all Eternity give a People to 
 be his Seed h, and to be by him in time redeem- 
 ed, called, juftificd, fan&ified, and glorified i. 
 
 fHeb. i. z. g Acis ij. 31. h John 17. 6*. 
 Tfal. 22. 30. Ifa. 5-3. 10. i 1 Tim. 2. 6. #&*. 
 5j-. 4, 5*. 1 Cor. . 30. 
 
 II. The Son of God, thefecond Perfon in the 
 Trinity, being very and eternal God of one Sub- 
 stance, and equal with the Father, did, when 
 the fulnefs of time was come, tike upo-i him 
 lean's Nature k, with all the eflential Proper- 
 ties, and common Infirmities therepf, yet with- 
 out Sin /, being conceived by the Power of the 
 HolyGhoft, in the Womb of the Virgin Mary, 
 oi her Subftance m. So that two whole, per- 
 fect, and diftincl: Natures, the Godhead and the 
 Manhood, were infeparably joined together in 
 cne Perfon, without Convcrfion, Compoiiti- 
 ct\, or Confufion n. Which Perfon is very God 
 and very Man, yet one Chrift the only Mediator 
 between God and Man 0. 
 
 kjohn 1. 1, 14. 1 John 5. 20. Phil. z.6.Gal. 
 4.4. iHek. 2.14, \6, ij.He&.^.if.mLukei. 
 27, 31, 3j*. GxL 4.4. n Luke 1, If .Col. 2. 9. 
 'Rom. 9.5-. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Tim 3. 16. oRom. 
 1. 3,4. 1 Tim. 2. 5*. 
 
 III. The Lord Jefus, in his Humane Nature 
 thus united to the Divine, was fan&ified and 
 anointed with the holy Spirit above meafure p, 
 having in him all the Treafuces of Wifdom and 
 
 Know- 
 
 t 2f*l-4$- 7- John 1. 34. 
 
The Confejficn of Faith. ^9 
 
 Knowledge q : in whom it pleafed the Father 
 that all Fulnefs "mould dwell r, to the end, that 
 being holy, harmlefs,undefiled, and full ot Grace 
 r.nd Truth/, he might be throughly furniftied to 
 execute the Oflice ot a Mediator ana Surety t> 
 which Office he took not unto himfelf, but was 
 thereunto called by his Father u, who put all 
 Power and Judgment into his Hand, and gave 
 him Commandment to execute the fame w , 
 
 qCol. 2. 3. rCol. 1. ly.fHeb. 7.26. John 
 1. 14. Acts 10. 38.H^. i2.24.&7.22.«H^. 
 f.fyf. w John f. 22, 27. Mat. 28. 18. Acis 
 z. 36. 
 
 IV. This Office the Lord Jefus did moft wu- 
 lingly undertake x ; which that he might dil- 
 charge, he was made under the Law)', and did 
 perfectly fulfil it a, endured moft grievous Tor- 
 ments immediately in his Soul a, and mod: pain- 
 ful Sufferings in his Body h; was crucified, and 
 died c j was buried, and remained under the Pow- 
 er of Death, yet faw no Corruption d ; on the 
 third day he rofe from the dead e with the fame 
 Body in which he furTered /with which alfo he 
 afcended into Heaven, and there fitteth- at the 
 right hand of his Father g t making IntercciTi- 
 B 3 on h > 
 
 x Pfal. 40. 7, 8. Heb. 1 o. 5% to 1 o. John 1 o. 
 
 18.P/W. z.S.yGal.^.^.zMat. 3. ij-SC)**. 17. 
 
 a Mat. 26. 37, 38. Luke 22. 44. Mat. 27. ^6. 
 
 h Mat. i6.iy.c VhiL i.S.d Acis 2 . 2 3, 24, 27 . 
 
 &3- ij.Rom.6.9. e 1 Cor iy. 3, 4 f John 10. 
 
 *5> Z V gMark ljjL 19.J 
 
%o 1 "be Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 on hi and fhall return to judge Men and An- 
 gels at the end of the World i. 
 
 h Rom. 8.34. Heb.cf 24.8c 7.2$". i .Row. 14. 
 0,10. Afts i . 1 1 . Atts 10.42. Mat. 1 3 . 40, 4 1 , 
 4z. ^wtfe 6. 2 Pe*. 2.4. 
 
 V. The Lord Jefus, by his perfect Obedience, 
 and Sacrifice of himielf, which he, through the 
 eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath 
 fully fetisfied the Juftice of the Father h, and 
 purchased not only Reconciliation, but an ever- 
 lading Inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, 
 for all thofe whom the Father hath given unto 
 iiim /. 
 
 kKom.f. ig.Heb.f). 14, 16.8c KtA^.Epb.f. 
 i. Rom. 3. 25*, 16. I Dan. 0.14, 26. Col. 1. 19, 
 20. Iph. 1. 1 1, i\.John ii.z.Heb.y. 12,15". 
 
 VI* Although the work of Redemption was 
 not actually wrought by Chrift till after his In- 
 carnation, yet the Venue, Efficacy, and Benefits 
 thereof were communicated unto the ElecT: in all 
 Ages fuccemvely, from the beginning of the 
 "World, in and by thofe Promifes, Types, and 
 Sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and figni- 
 fled to be the Seed of the Woman, which fhould 
 fcruife the Serpents Head ; and the Lamb {bin 
 from the beginning of the World 3 being Yefter« 
 day, and to Day the fame ; and for ever m. 
 wGal.^.d,,y.Gsn.^.\^.E.ev. 1 3.8.ffe£.i2..8. 
 
 VII. Chrift in the Work of Mediation a&etri 
 according to both Natures, by each Nature do- 
 ing that which is proper to it ielf j yet by reafon 
 
 gf 
 n lief/, o, 14. 1 &t, $« i8« 
 
'fbe Confeffion of Faith. 3 1 
 
 ©f theUnity of the Perfon; that which is proper to 
 one Nature, isforoetimesin Scripture attributed 
 to the Perfon denominated by the other Nature 0. 
 
 Acis 20. r%.Jehn 3. 13. 1 John 3.16. 
 
 VIIT. To all thofe for whom Chrift hath pur- 
 chafed Redemption, he doth certainly and effect- 
 ually apply and communicate the fame/?, mak- 
 ing Interceflion for them q, and revealing unto 
 them, in and by the Word, the Myfteries of 
 Salvation r, effectually perfuading them by his 
 Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their 
 Hearts by his Word and Spirit f; overcoming 
 all their Enemies by his Almighty Power and 
 Wifdom, in fuch manner, and ways, as are 
 moil confbnant to his wonderful and unsearch- 
 able Difpenfation t. 
 
 pjohn 6. 37, 59. John 10. i_f, 16. q ijohn 
 
 2, 1, r.Rom. S.-^^.rJohn if. 13, \f. Eph: 1.7, 
 
 3, Q.John 17. 6, J 'John 14. \6.Heb. 12. 2. 
 zCor.^. 12. Rom. 8. 9, 14. Rom. if. 18, 19. 
 John 17. 17. tPfal. no. 1. 1 Cor. if. if, 26, 
 Mal.^. 2,3. Col. 1. if. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 Of Free Will. 
 
 O D feath indued the Will of Man with 
 that natural Liberty, that is neither for- 
 ced, nor by any obfolute Necefiity of Nature de-* 
 termined to do Good or Evil <f, 
 
 II. Man, 
 * Mat, 1 7. ia. James 1. 14. Dem. 30. 1$, j 
 
 L G 
 
3 2 The Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 II. Man, in his ftate of Innocency, had Free- 
 dom, and Power, to will and to do that which 
 was good 3nd well-pleaiing to God b\ but yet 
 mutably ■> fo that he might Fall from it c. 
 
 bEcclef. 7. 20. Gen. 1. 26. c Gen. 2. 16, 17. 
 Gen. 3. 6. 
 
 III. Man by his Fall into a ftate of Sin, hath 
 wholly loft all Ability of Will to any fpiritual 
 Good accompanying Salvation d, fo as a natu- 
 ral Man being altogether averfe from that Good e, 
 and dead in Sin/, is not able, by his own Strength, 
 to convert himfelf, or to prepare himfelf there- 
 unto g. 
 
 d Rom.f. 6. Rom.S. 7 .John if. f. eRom. 3. 
 10, 1 i.fEpb. 1. i,f.#ol. 2. 13. 'g John 6.44, 
 6$. Ephef. z. 2, 3, 4, 5-. 1 Cor. 2. i+.Tit. 3.3, 
 
 IV. When God converts a Sinner, and tran- 
 fiates him into the ftate of Grace, he freeth him 
 from his natural Bondage under Sin h\ and by 
 his Grace alone enables him freely to will and to 
 do that which is fpiritually good i ; yet fo as that 
 by reafon of his remaining Corruption, he doth 
 not perfe&ly, nor only, will that which is good, 
 but doth alio will that which is evil k. 
 
 hCol. 1. 13.^^8.34, 36.1 P&/.2. 13. R<wz. 
 6. 18, zi.kGal.f. i-]. Rom. 7. ij, 18, 19,21, 
 
 V. The Will of Man, is made perfectly and 
 immutably free to Good, alone, in the ftate of* 
 Glory only /. 
 
 CHAP. 
 t fyb t 4. 1 3 . Hek. 12.23 -fib* 3' V J H * e *+•- 
 
Ibe Conjefjion of Faith. 33 
 
 C H A P. X. 
 
 Of Effectual Calling. 
 
 I. A L L thofe whom God hath predeflinated 
 A unto Life, and thofe only he is pleafed 
 in his appointed and accepted time, effectually 
 to call a by his Word, and Spirit b, out of that 
 flate of Sin and Death, in which they are by Na- 
 ture, to Grace and Salvation by |efus Chrift c, in- 
 lightning their Minds fpivitually and fayingly to 
 underftand the things of God d, taking away 
 their Heart of Stone, and giving unto them am 
 Heart of Flefh e, renewing their Wills, and by 
 his Almighty Power determining them to that 
 which is good/, and effectually drawing them. 
 
 to Jefus Chrift £, yer fo, as they come moil free- 
 ly, being made willing by his Grace h. 
 
 a Rom. 8. 30.6c 11, j. Eph. 1. 10, 11. b z 
 
 Thejf. z. 1 3 , 14. 2 Cor. 3 . 3 , <5. £ Rom. 8. 2. Eph. 
 
 2. 1,2, 3,4, 5*. a Tim. 1. 9, to. d Acts 16. 18. 
 
 1 Cor.i. 10, 12. Eph. 1.17, 18. eEzek. 36. 26, 
 / Ez,$k. 1 1 . t 9. gc 3 6. 2 7 . phil. 2.13. Bent. 30. 
 
 6. gEph. 1. 19. j^» 6\ 44,45". & C##*. 1. 4* 
 
 Ffal 1 10. *.Jokn 6. 37. Rom. 6. 16, 17,18. 
 II. This effectual Call is of God's free and 
 
 fpecial Grace alone, not from any thing at all 
 
 forefeen in Man j, who is altogether paffive 
 
 therein, until being quickned and renewed by 
 
 the 
 i -i-Tim. t. g.Tit. 3.4, f.E^. 2.4,5-, 8,9. 
 
 Rom, 9. 11. 
 
3 4 *ihe Confejfiori of Faith. 
 
 the holy Spirit k, he is thereby inabled to an- 
 fwer this Call, and to imhrace the Grace offer- 
 ed and conveyed in it /. 
 
 h i Cor. 2. 14. Rom, 8. 7. Epb. 1. 5*. /joto 
 6. 57. JEz.ek. 36. 27. y<?^ 5-. if. 
 
 III. Elect Infants, dying in Infancy, are re- 
 generated and faved by Chrift, through the Spi- 
 rit w, who worketh when, and where, and 
 how he pleafeth n : So alio are all other elect 
 Perfons, whoareuncapableof being outwardly 
 called by the Miniftry of the Word 0. 
 
 mLuke 18. if, \6.Aei, 2. 38, ^g.John 3. 3, 
 f. 1 John f. 1 2. Rom.8.9. compared , n John 3. 
 1 . 1 Jf^» 5-. 1 2.. Acts 4. 1 2 . 
 
 IV. Others not elected, altho' they may be 
 called by the Minifters of the Word p> and may 
 have fome common Opperations of the Spirit <j, 
 yet they never truly come unto Chrift,and there- 
 fore cannot be faved r : much lefs can Men, not 
 proleffingthe Chriftian Religion, be faved in any 
 other way whatfoever,be they never fo diligent, 
 to frame their Lives according to the Light of 
 Nature, and the Law of that Religion they 
 do profefs /. And, to aiTert and maintain, that 
 they may, is very pernicious, and to be deteft- 
 ed t. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 p Mat. 22. 14. qMat. 7. 22. Sc 13. 20, 21. 
 Heb. 6. 4, f . rjohn 6.64, 6f, 66. & 8. i^.fABs 
 4, 12. John 14. 16. Sc4.22.Sc 17. i-Eph. 2.12. 
 tijokny. 10, 1 1. 1 Car. \6.ii.Cd. 1. 6, 7,8. 
 
^^jUjeVonJefjion of Faith. 3 5 ' 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 Of Justification. 
 
 THOSE whom God effectually caHeth, 
 he alio freely juftificth a ; not by in- 
 fuiing Righteoufnefs into them, but by pardon- 
 ing their Sins, and by accounting and accepting 
 their Perfons as righteous, not for any thing 
 wrought in them, or done by them, but for 
 Chrift's fake alone ; nor by imputing Faith it 
 ielf, the Act of Believing, or any other Evan- 
 gelical Obedience to them, as their Righteouf- 
 nefs ; but by imputing the Obedience and Sa- 
 tisfaction of Chri'ft unto them b, theyreceiv- 
 ng and refting on him and his Righteoufnefs 
 by Faith, which Faith they have not of them- 
 felves, it is the Gift of God c. 
 
 a Ro?n 8. 30.8c 3.14. bKom.if. f, 6, 7, 8. 2 
 Cor. f. 19, 11. Rom. 13. 22, to 28. Tit. 3 . y, 7 . 
 Eph. L-j.Jeri^.6. 1 Cor. r. 30,31 .jRtwz.j*. 17, 
 ig.Acis 10.44. G/*/. 2. i6.Fhil. l.g.Atts 
 13. 38, 39. Epb. 2. 7,3. 
 
 II. Faith, thus receiving and refting on Cfcrift 
 md his Righteoufnefs, is the alone Inflrument 
 )f Justification d ; yec it is not aione in the Per- 
 on juftified, but it is ever accompanied with all 
 )ther faving Graces and is no dead Faith, but 
 /vorketh by Love e. 
 
 III. drift 
 djohn 1. it. Rom. 3.18. & /. 1. tjamtsx* 
 7, xi t 26, GhI. f. £, 
 
j 6 4. he LojijejjTon of frattb. 
 
 III. Chrift by his Obedience and Death, did 
 fully difcharge the Debt of all thofe that are thus 
 juftified, and did make a proper, real, and full 
 Satisfaction /, to his Father's J uftice on their be- 
 half. Yet in as much as he was given by the Fa- 
 ther for them g, and his Obedience and Satis- 
 faction accepted in their ftead^, and both freely, 
 not for any thing in them ; their Jufcification is 
 only of free Grace i j that both the.exac't. Juftice, 
 and rich Grac« of God, might be glorified in the 
 Justification of Sinners k. 
 
 fRom. ?. 8,9, 10,19. 1 Tim. i.f,6.Heb. 10. 
 10, 14. Dan. 9 24, 26. Ifet. 5'3- 4, 5:, 6, 10, 1 1, 
 12. g Rom. 8. 32. hi Cor. f. 21. Mat. 3* 17. 
 Eph. f. 2. iRom.$.i$.Eph. 1. 7. k.Rom.$.i6. 
 Efh.i. 7. 
 
 IV. God did from all Eternity, decree to jufti- 
 fie all the Elect /, and Chrift did in the Fulnefs 
 ©f Time die for their Sins, and rife again for 
 their Juftifkation m; neverthelefs, they are not 
 juftified, until the Holy Spirit doth in due time 
 actually apply Chrift unto them n. 
 
 I Gal. 3. 8. 1 Vet. 1. i, 19, 20. Row. 8. 30. 
 mGal.^.^. iTtm 2. 6. Raw. 4. 25*. nCol. 17. 
 21, 21. Gal. 2. 16. Tit. 3.4, ^,6,7 
 
 V. God doth continue to forgive the Sins of 
 thofe that are juftified j and akho' chey can ne- 
 ver fall from the State of Juftifkation />, yet they 
 may by their Sins fall under God's fatherly Dii- 
 pleafure, and not have the Light of his Counten- 
 ance 
 
 $ Mat. 6.12. \John 1. 7, 9. 1 Jobni, r,2, 
 f Luke 11, ^.Jahn 1 0. 28, Heb. 10. 1 4 - 
 
Ihe ConfeJJton of Faith. 3 7 
 
 ance reftored unto them, until they humble 
 themfelves, confefs their Sins, beg Pardon, and 
 ;renew their Faith and Repentance q. 
 
 q PJal, 89. 51, 32, 33.P/W. fi. 7.8,9,10, 
 ii,ii. Pjal.^z. f. Mat. 26.75-. l Cor - ll - 3°* 
 132, Luke 1. 20. 
 
 VI. The Justification of Believers under the 
 Old Teftament, was in all thefe refpe&s one and 
 the fame with the Justification of Believers un- 
 der the New Teftament r. 
 
 r Gal. 3.9, 13, 14. Rom. 4.22,23,24. Meb. 
 ,3.8. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Of Adoption. 
 
 I. \ LLthofe that are jufh'fied, God vouchfaf- 
 x\ eth in and for his only Son JefusChrift, 
 to make Partakers of theGraceof Adoptions, by 
 which they are taken into the Number, and en- 
 j joy the Liberties and Privilcdges of the Children 
 of God b, have his Name put upon them e, re- 
 ceive the Spirit or Adoption d f have accefs to 
 the Throne of Grace with Boldnefs e, are enabled 
 to cry Abba Father f, are pitied £, protected h % 
 provided for t, and chaftned by him as by a Fa- 
 C ther, 
 
 a Fpb. i.f.bGal.^.^f.Rfim.S. 17 .John r. 
 12 *cjer, 14,9.2 Cor. 6. i$.Rev..$. h.Rq?k.$, 
 jy.eEph. 3. 1 r.Rom.f. 2. fGal.^.6.^Pf. 103. 
 J 3, h Prov. 14. x6. i Mar, 6. 30, 3 1, 1 Pet f. 7 
 
rrp. "Tnrcunjejjton oj taitb. 
 Jrther k, yet never caft off /, bat fealed to the Day 
 " of Redemption tn, and inherit the Promifes w, 
 
 as Heirs of everlafting Salvation o. 
 
 kHeb. 12. 6. 1 Lam. 5. 31. mEpb. 4.30.1* 
 
 Heb. 6.11.0 1 Vet. 1.3,4. Heb. 1. ^4. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 0/ Santtification. 
 
 I. "IT H E Y who are effectually called and re- 
 X generated, having a new Heart, and a 
 new Spirit created in them, are further dandifi- 
 ed really and personally through the Vertue of 
 drift's Death and Refurre&ion a, by his Word 
 and Spirit dwelling in them b ; the Dominion 
 of the whole Body of Sin is deftroyed c, and 
 the feveral Lufts thereof are more and more 
 weakned and mortified d y and they more and 
 more quickned and ftrengthned in all faving 
 Graces e, to the practice of true Holinefs, with- 
 out which no Man fhall fee the Lord f; 
 
 a 1 Cor. 6., 1 i.Atis lo.-ii. 2hil. 3. \o:Rom.6. 
 
 <f,6. b John 17. 17. Eph. f. 16. zTbeJf.z. 13. 
 
 cRosn.6. 6, \4.dGaL.5. x^.Rom. S. 1 3. eCoL 1. 
 
 ii.Ephef.z. 16, 17, 18, 19./ 2. Cer.j.i.Heb. 
 
 12. 14. 
 
 II. This San&ification is throughout, in the 
 
 \ whole Man g, yet imperfect in this Life 3 there 
 
 *\ abideth full ibme Remnants of Corruption in 
 
 \ ever/ 
 
 
7 he Confejpon of E- . ' 3 c 
 every part h j whence arifcth a continual and 
 irreconcileable War, the Fiefli lufting againft 
 the Spirit, and the Spirit againft the Fleflii. 
 
 b 1 John 1 . 1 o. Rom. 7.18,25. Fhil. 31. 12. 
 iGal.f. 17. 1 Vet. 2. 1 1. 
 
 III. In which War, altho' the remaining Cor- 
 ruption, for a time, may much prevail k, yet 
 through the continual Supply of Strength from, 
 the fan&ifying Spirit of Chrift, the regenerate 
 part doth overcome /, and fo the Saints grow in 
 Grace m> perfe6ting Holinefs in the Fear of 
 God ». 
 
 k Rom. 7.25. iRsm. 6. 14. 1 John f. 4. Eph. 
 4. if, \6.mzVet. 3. 1 8. 2 Cor. 3.18. nz Cor. 7. 1 . 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Of Saving Faith. 
 
 I.T'HE Grace of Faith, whereby the Elect 
 JL are enabled to believe to the faving of 
 their Souls a, is the Work of rJie Spirit of Chrift 
 in their Hearts b, and is ordinarily wrought by 
 the Miniftry of the Word c j by which alio, and 
 by the Adminiftration of the Sacrament's and 
 Prayer, it is encreafed and ftrengthened d. 
 
 aHeb. ro. 39. bzCor.^. 13. Eph.i. 17, 18, / 
 ig.Eph. 2. 8. cRom. 10. 14, 17. d 1 Vet. 2. 2 I 
 Aciszo.i$.Rom. 4. 11. Luke i-j.f.Rom. 1. 1/ i 
 
 II. By this Faith a Chriftian believeth t£ / 
 true, whatfoerer is revealed in the Word^ ,,e 
 
 ' ^ ' C a ^ e h, 
 
40 Ihe Confejficn of Faith. 
 
 the Authority of God himfelf fpeaking therein e , 
 and acting differently \ipon that which each par- 
 ticular PaiTage thereof contained^ yielding Obe- 
 dience to the commands f, trembling at the 
 Threatnings g, and embracing the Promifes of 
 God for this Life, and that which is to come £. 
 But the principal A&s of faving Faith are, Ac- 
 cepting, Receiving, and Refting upon Chrift. a- 
 lone for Juftification, Sanctification, and eternal 
 Life, by virtue of the Covenant of Grace/. 
 
 ejohn 4.42. 1 Tbejf. 3. i^.fohn f. \o.A8s 
 24. 14. f Rom. 16. 26. g Ifa. 66. 2. h Heb. 1 1. 
 13.1 Tim. 4. 8. * John 1 . 1 2. Acls 16. 3 1 . Gal. 
 220. ASts if. 11. 
 
 III. This Faith is different in degrees, weak 
 or ftrong k ; may be often and many ways &f- 
 failed and weakned,but gets the Victory / j grow- 
 ing up in many to the attainment ot a fullafm- 
 rance through Chrift, who is both the Author 
 and Finiflier of our Faith n. 
 
 h Heb. f. 1 3, 14. Rom. 4. 19, 20. Mat. 8. 10. 
 Mat. 6. 30. I Luke 22. 31, 32. Eph. 6. 16. 
 1 John f. 4, f. mHeb. 6. n, 12. Heb. 10. 22. 
 Col. 2. 2. n Heb. 12. 2. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 0/ Repentance unto Life. 
 
 Epentance unto Life, is an Evangelic*.? 
 Grace a, the Doctrine whereof is to be 
 preached 
 a Zech. 12, la, Aft? 11, 18, 
 
 R 
 
The Cmifejjion of Faith. qt 
 
 preached by every Minifter of the Gofpel, as 
 well as that of Faith in Chrift b. 
 
 bLuke 24. 47. Mark L.iy. ABs 20. 21. 
 
 II. By it a Sinner, out of the Sight and Senfe, 
 not only of the Danger, but alfo of the Filthi- 
 nefs and Odioufnefs of his Sins, as contrary to 
 the holy Nature, and righteous Law of God j ' 
 and, upon the Apprehenfion of his Mercy in 
 Chrift to fuch as are penitent, fo grieves for, 
 and hates his Sins, as to turn. from them all un- 
 t6 God c, purpofing and epdeaypuring to walk 
 tvith him in all the Ways of his Command- 
 ments d. n ° 
 
 cEzek. iS. 50, 31. 8c 36. %i.ya. 30. 22. 
 Tfal. fi. 4. Jer. 31. 18, 19. Joel 2. 12, 13. 
 Amos*;. if.Pfal. 1 19. 128.2 Cor. 7 .fi.dTfal. 
 119. 6,5-9, 106. Luke 1. 6. 2 Kings 1*3 . 25-. 
 
 III. Although Repentance be not to be refted 
 in, as any SatisfadHon for Sin, or any caufeof 
 the Pardon thereof e, which is the Act of God's 
 free Grace in Chrift/, yet is it of fuch neceftity 
 to all Sinners, that none may expect Pardoa 
 without it g . 
 
 e Ezek. 36.31,32. 8c 16.61,62,63. / #<?/. 
 14. 2,4. Rom. 3.24. Eph. I. 7. g Luke 13.3,^. 
 Acts 17. 30,31. 
 
 IV. As there is no Sin fo fmall, but it de- 
 ferves Damnation h, fo there is no Sin fo grear, 
 that it can bring Damnation upon thofe who 
 truly repent i. 
 
 C 3 V. Men 
 
 h Rom. 6. 23. Rom. f. 12. Mat. 12. 3^. 
 * Ifa. $$. 7. Rom.S. 1. Ifa. 1. 16, 18. 
 
42 The Conjeffion of Faith. 
 
 V. Men ought not to content themfelves 
 with a general Repentance, but it is every Man's 
 Duty to endeavour to repent of his particular 
 Sins particularly k. 
 
 k Vfal. 19. 13. Luke 19.8. 1 Tim. 1. 15, if. 
 
 VI. As every Man is bound to make private 
 Confeffion of his Sins to God, praying for the 
 Pardon thereof /, upon which, and theforfaking 
 of them, he fhaH &id Mercy m : So he that fcan- 
 dalizeth his Brother, or the Church' of Chrift, 
 ought to be willing by a private or publick Con- 
 feffion and Sorrow' for his Sins, to declare his 
 Repentance to thofe that are offended n, who 
 are thereupon to be reconciled to him', and ia 
 love to receive him 0. 
 
 I Tfal. jr. 4, 5-, 7, 9, 14. Sc 31. f,6.mFrov. 
 28 . 13. 1 John 1 . 9. n James 5. \6.Luke 173, 
 4. fop. 7. 19. Tfd j-i. throughout. z Cor. 
 2. 8. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 Of good V/orks. 
 
 I.pOOD Works are only fuch as God hath 
 VJ commanded in his holy Word a. j and 
 not fuch as without the Warrant thereof are de- 
 vifed by Men out of blind Zeal, or upon any Pre- 
 tence of good Intention b. 
 
 II. Thefe 
 * Mic.6.%. Rom. n.2. Heb. \%.z\.bMttt. 
 jy 9. Jfa. 29. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 18. Rom, 10. a. 
 John 6.i. 1 Sam. if .z\, 22, 23. 
 
The Confejjion of Faith. 4^ 
 
 II. Thefe good Works, done in Obedience to 
 ©od's Commandments, are the Fruits and Evi- 
 dences of a true and lively Faith c j and by them 
 Believers manifest their Thankfulnefs d, ftreng- 
 then their Aflurance e, edify their Brethren/, 
 adorn the Profefiion of the Gofpel g, ftop the 
 Mouths of the Adverfaries h, and glorify God i, 
 whofe wormanfhip they are, created in Chriil: 
 Jefus thereunto k ; that having their Fruit unto 
 Holinefs, they may have in the end, eternal 
 Life/. 
 
 c Jam. 2. 1 8, 12. dPfal.i\6. 12, 13. 1 Pet. 
 2.9. e 1 John 2. 2, f. 2 Pet. 1. y, to lo.f 2. 
 Cor.y.z. Mat. f. 16. g Tit. z,f, 9, 10, 1 1, 12. 
 1 Tim. 6. 1. b 1 Pet.z. lf.i 1 Pet. 2. iz. Phil. I. 
 11. John iy.^.8. kEph.z. 10/ Rom.6.zz. 
 
 III. Their Ability to do good "Works, is not 
 at all of themfelves, but wh6lly from the Spirit 
 of Chrift m. And that they may be enabled 
 thereunto, befides the Graces they have already- 
 received, there is required an actual Influence of 
 the fame holy Spirit, to work in them to will 
 and to do of his good Pleafure n : yet are they 
 not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they 
 were not bound to perform any Duty, unlefs 
 upon a fpecial Motion of the Spirit, but they 
 ought to be diligent in ftirring up the Grace of 1 
 God that is in them 0. 
 
 C 4 IV. They 
 
 m John if. 4, 6. Ezek. 16. 25-, z-j.nPhil. 2. 
 
 '3- e^4- ! 3« *Cor. 3. f.oPhsl. 2. \1.Heb.6, 
 
 11,12. iPet. 1. j, 10, n. 7/^64,7. zTtm.i* 
 
 6.43s 16. 6 : 7. Juilev. zi,zi. j 
 
44' ?/;<? Confejjton of Faith. 
 
 IV. They who in their Obedience attain to 
 thegreateft Height which is poflible in this Life, 
 are fo far from being able to fupererogate, and to 
 do more than God requires, as that they fall fhort 
 of much which in Duty they are bound to do/>. 
 
 p Luke ij.i o.Neh. 1 3 . 2 2 . Job 9. 2,3. Gal. 
 
 V. We cannot, by our bell: Works, merit Par- 
 don of Sin, or eternal Life at the Hand of God, 
 by reafon of the great Difproporrion that is be- 
 tween them and the Glory to come ; and the in- 
 finite Diftance that is between us and God ; 
 whom, by them,, we can neither profit nor fa- 
 tisfy for the Debt of our former Sins g,but when 
 we have done all we can, we have done but our 
 Duty, and are unprofitable Servants r\ and be- 
 caufe as they are good, they proceed from his 
 Spirit /, and as they are wrought by us, they are 
 defiled and mixed with fo much Weaknefs and 
 Imperfection, that they cannot endure the Seve- 
 rity of God's Judgment t. 
 
 q Rom. $.20. Rom. 4.2, 4, 6. Ephef. 1.8,9. 
 T/*. 3. j, 6,7. Rom. 8. iS.Ffal. 16. z. Job 22.2, 
 3* & 35"- 7» 3- r Luke 17. 10. f Gal. f. n, 23. 
 t Ify. 64. 6. Gal. 5-. i-j. Rom. -j. if, iS.Ffal. 
 143. i.Tfal. 130.3. 
 
 VI. Yet notwithstanding the Perfons of Be- 
 lievers being accepted through Chrift, their good 
 Works alfo are accepted in him w, not astho* 
 they were in this Life wholly unblameableand 
 
 unre- 
 st Ephef. 1. 6. 1 Vet. 1. f. Exod. 28. 38. Gw. 
 4.4. wtthHeb. 11. 4. 
 
7 he Confeffion of Faith. 45 
 
 unreproveable in God's Sight w j but that, Ji& 
 looking upon them in his Son, is pleafed to ac- 
 cept and reward that which is fincere., altho ac- 
 companied with many Weakneflfes and Imper- 
 fections x. 
 
 to Job 9. 20. Vfal. 143. 2. xHeb. 13.20,21. 
 1 Cor. 8. 12. Heb. 6. 10. Mat. if. 21, 23. 
 
 VIT. Works done by unregenerate Men altho 
 for the matter of them, they may be things 
 which God commands, and of good Ufe both 
 to themfelves and others y j yet becaufe they 
 proceed not from a Heart purified by Faith z, nor 
 are done in a right manner, according to the 
 Word a, nor to a right end, the Glory of God b t 
 they are therefore finful, and cannot pleafe God, 
 or make a Man meet to receive Grace from 
 God c. And yet their Neglect of them is more 
 finful and difpleafing unto God d. 
 
 y 2 Kings 10. $o, 3 1. 1 Kings 22. 22, i^.Thili. 
 iy, 16, 18. z, Gen. 4.5-. withHeb. 1 1.4.^ 1 1.6. 
 a 1 Cor. 13. i.Ifii. 1. 12. bMatth. 6. 2, f, 16. 
 cHag.i. 14. Tit. 1. iy. Amos f. 21, 11. Hof. 1. 
 4. Rom. 9. 16. Tit. 3. 5-. */P/a/. 14. 4. $» 36. j. 
 Jobi\. 14, if.Mfii. 2^.41, ^45- -6*23.23. 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Of /£* Perfeverance of the Saints. 
 
 I. '"I"" 1 HEY whom God hath accepted in hit 
 
 A Beloved, effe&ually called and fanctified 
 
 by his Spirit, can neither totally, nor finally fijjj 
 
 C ^ away 
 
^6 "The Confejpon of Faith. 
 away from the ftate of Grace : but fhall certain- 
 ly perfevere therein to the End, and be eternally 
 faved#. 
 
 aThiL 1.6. zTet. i.io. John 10.28,29. 
 1 John 3.9. 1 Fet. 1. 5-, 9. 
 
 II. This Perfeverance of the Saints depends 
 not upon their own free Will, but upon the Im- 
 mutability of the Decree of Election, flowing 
 from the free and unchangeable Love of God 
 the Father b j upon the Efficacy of the Merit 
 and Intercefiion of Jefus Chrift^; the abiding 
 of the Spirit j and of the Seed of God within 
 them d i and the Nature of the Covenant of 
 Grace e ; from all which arifeth alfo the Certain- 
 
 [ ty and Infallibility thereof/. 
 
 b 2 Tim. 2. 18, 19. Jer. 31. 3. c Heb. 10. 
 
 10, 14. $* 13. 20, n.0> 9. ii, to i$\ Rom. 8. 
 I 33, to the end. John 17. n, 24. Luke 22. 32. 
 
 Heb. j. if. djohni^. 16, 17. 1 Johni. 27. 
 
 1 John 3. 9. ejf*r. 32. 40. f 'John 10. 28. z 
 
 7#*?j//". 3-3.1 y^/;» 2.19. 
 
 III. Neverthelefs they may, through the 
 Temptations of Satan, and of the World, the 
 Prevalency of Corruption remaining in them, 
 
 \ and the neglect of the Means of their Preferva- 
 fj tion, fall into grievous Sins g ; and for a time 
 ' continue therein h; whereby they incur God's 
 £ Difpleafure i, and grieve his holy Spirit k, come 
 
 to be deprived of iome meafureof their Graces 
 
 and 
 I gMat. 16. 10,71.74. h?fal.$i.theTitle& 
 
 v. 14. % Ifa. 64. j-, 7, 9. 2 Sam. 11.27.* E ^ : 
 
7*he Confeffton of Faith. 47 
 
 and Comforts /, have their Hearts hardened m, 
 and their Confciences wounded n, hurt and fcan- 
 dalrze others 0, and bring temporal Judgments 
 upon themfelves/>. 
 
 IP/at. fi. -2, 10, ii.Rev.i.j,.Catit.f.i,i, 
 4. i 6.mTfa.6$.ij.Mark6.fz.& 16. i^.nTfal. 
 32. 3, 4, & 5*i. 8. Sam. 12. 14. pFfal. 89. 
 31, 32. 1 Or. 1 1.32. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Of the Ajfurance of Grace and Salvation'. 
 
 I. A LTHO Hypocrites, and other ut rege- 
 
 ii nerate Men, may vainly deceive -hem- 
 felves with falfe Hopes, and carnal Preempti- 
 ons; of being in the Favour of God, and Eitats 
 of Salvation a, which Hope of theirs fhall pe- 
 rifh£: Yet iuch as truly believe in the Lord Je- 
 fus-, and love him in Sincerity, endeavouring to 
 walk in all good Confcience before him, may, 
 in this Life be certainly afllired that they arc in 
 the ate of Grace c ; and may rejoice in the Hope 
 of the Glory of God, which Hope fhall never 
 make them afhamed d. 
 
 a Job 8. 13, 14. Mic. 3. it. Dmt. 29. 19. 
 John 8. 41. bMat. 7. 22. 23. c 1 John 2. 3. & 
 3. 14, 18, 19, 2i, 24.^ $. 13. d Rom. f. 2, f. 
 
 II. This certainly is not a bare conjectural 
 and probable Periuafion, grounded upon a fallible 
 Hope e, but an infallible Afiurance of Faith, ,. 
 
 ~ rounded j 
 
 e Heb. ^. n, m» ^ 
 
48 7 he ConfeQton of Faith. 
 
 founded upon the divine Truth of the Promifes 
 
 of Salvation f\ the inward. Evidence of thofe 
 
 Graces unto which thofe Pi omifes are made^, 
 
 f .the Teftimony of the Spirit of Adoption wic- 
 
 i nefTeth with our Spirits, that we are the Chil- 
 
 f dren of God h : which Spirit is the earncft of 
 
 \ our Inheritance, whereby we are fealed to the 
 
 , Day of Redemption i. 
 
 fHeb.6. 17, 18. gxVet. 1.4., J", 10, 11. 1 
 Johnz.i.<& 3. 14. iCor. 1. ix.bRom.S. if, 16. 
 , iEph. 3.13, 14.6*4. 30.x G?r. 1. 21,22. 
 
 III. This infallible Aflurance doth not fobe- 
 
 flong totheEiTenccof Faith, but that a true Be- 
 liever may wait long and conflict with many 
 ' DifTkukies, before he be. Partaker of it k: Yet 
 e beii:g inablsd by the Spirit to know the things 
 t which are freely given him of God, he may 
 h .without extraordinary Revelation, in the right 
 I Ufe of ordinary Means, attain thereunto/. And 
 I therefore it is the Duty of every one to give 
 !» all Diligence to make his Calling and Election 
 I fure m, that thereby his Heart may be enlarged 
 in Peace and joy in the holy Ghoft, in Love and 
 Thankfulneis to God, and in Strength and 
 Cheer fuinefs in the Duties of Obedience, the 
 .proper Fruits of his Aflurance 95 iofar is it from 
 inclining Men to. Loofnefso. IV. True 
 
 k 1 John 5. 1?. If a. 5°- *o. Mar\ 9. zA-Ffal 38. 
 throughout : ^r.77. 1.. to zz. 1 1 Cor. z. 1 z- ,1 John 4. 13. 
 tick. 6. n,jz.Eph. (.17, t8, 19. mzPet- i.ic.nRom. 
 I s- »,-ar, S- Rom. 14- 17- ^'1 S.i 5- Epb. 1.3,4.^.4. 
 */ <5, 7. 45* n9-?2. 1 7<?£« -• »? a- R° m - 6. 1, i. 7/f. = .' 
 1 11, ii, 14. zCofyy. 1. Rom. 8. i 5 k,. 1 Jtffcn 3. z, 3» 
 v F/aA 130. 4. 1 John i,6, 7. 
 
7 he ConfeffioH of Faith. 49 
 IV. True Believers may have the AfTurance of 
 their Salvation divers ways fhaken, diminifhed 
 and intermitted, as by Negligence in preferving 
 of it, by falling into Tome i'pecial Sin, which 
 woundeth the Confcience, and grieveththe Spi- 
 rit} by fomefudden or vehement Temptation 
 by God's withdrawing the Light of his Coun- 
 tenance, and fuffering even fuch as fear him to 
 walk in Darknefs, and to have no Light />; yet 
 are they never utterly deftitute of that Seed of 
 God, and Life of Faith, that Love of Chrift and 
 the Brethren i that Sincerity of Heart, and Con- 
 fcience of Duty, out of which by the Operation 
 of the Spirit, this AfTurance may in due time be 
 revived q, and by the which in the mean time 
 they are fupported from utter Defpair r. 
 
 pCant.f.z, 2,6. Tfil.fi.%, 12, 14. Eph.4.. 
 
 1 1 . 2 2 . & 88 . throughout, Ifa. f o . 1 o. q 1 John 
 $. 9. Luke zz.-iz. Job i*.if.Pfal.j2.if.$>f\. 
 S, 1 z.Ifa.fo. lo.rMich. 7. 7,8, 9. Jer. 32.40, 
 7/0.4$-. 7, 8, 9, 10. Ffal.zz.i.&iS. throughout. 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 Of the Law ef God. 
 
 I. JT~^ OD gave to Adam a Law, as a Cove- 
 VJ venant of Works, by which he bound 
 him, and all his Pofterity to perlbnal, entire, 
 exact, and perpetual Obedience ; promifed Life 
 upon the fulfilling, aiid threatned Death upon the 
 
 k breach 
 
$0 Ihe Confejjion of Faith. 
 
 breach of it; and endued him with Power and 
 Ability to keep it a. 
 
 a Gen. i. i6, 17. with Gen. 2. 17. Row.*. 14, 
 15-. & 10. f. & f. 12, 19. Gal. 3. 10, 12. EccL 
 7.29.^28.28. 
 
 II This Law, after his Fall, continued to be a 
 perfect Rule of Righteoufneis, and men as was 
 delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten Com- 
 mandments, and written in two Tables b, the 
 four firft Commandments containing our Duty 
 towards God, and the other fix, our Duty to 
 Man c. 
 
 bjam. 1.1.5.& 2. 8,10,1 i,i2.R(?w. 15.8, f. 
 Deut.f.3ii& 10. 4. Exod. $4. 1. c Mat.z. $j, 
 to 40. 
 
 III. Befidethis Law, commonly called Moral, 
 God was pleafed to give the People of Ifrael, as 
 a Church under Age ; Ceremonial Laws, con- 
 taining feveral typical Ordinances, partly of 
 Worfhip, prefiguring Chrift, his Graces, Acti- 
 ons, Sufferings and Benefits d, and partly holding 
 forth divers Inftructions of moral Duties e. All 
 which ceremonial Laws are now abrogated un- 
 der the New Teftament/. 
 
 dHeb. 9, chap.Heb. 10. 1 . Gal. 4. 1, 2, 3. 
 C0/.2. ij.eiCor.f.j. 2 Cor.6.\^.j-udev.ri. 
 fCol. 2. 14, 16, 17. Dan. 9. ij.Epb.z. if, 16. 
 
 IV. To them alfo, as a Body politick, he gave 
 fandry Judicial Laws, which expired together 
 with the ftate of that People not obliging any 
 
 other 
 
7 he Confeffion of Faith. 5 1 
 
 |©ther now, further than the general Equity 
 thereof m?y require^. 
 
 g Exod. 3 1 } chap. Exod. 3 3 . 1 , ft> 29 . Gen. 40. 
 ; 1 o. with 1 Ret . 2 . 13, 14. Mat. f. 17 . jw/& t> w. 
 ! 38, 39. 1 Cor. 9. 8, 9, 10. 
 
 V. The Moral Law doth for ever bind all, as 
 I well juftificd Perfons as others, to the Obedience 
 
 thereof h : and that not only in regard of the 
 Matter contained in it, but alfo in reipeflt of the 
 Authority of God the Creator, who gave it i. 
 Neither doth Chrift in the Gofpel any way diff- 
 olve, but much ftrengthen this Obligation k. 
 
 h Rom. 13. 8> 9, io.Eph.6. 2. \Johm. 3,4, 
 7,8. 1 James 2. 10, 11. kMat. f. 17, 18,19. 
 James 2.8. Rom. 3. 31. 
 
 VI. Altho true Believers be not under the 
 Law, as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby 
 juftifled or condemned /, yet it is of gre it ufe to 
 them, as well as to others, in that as a Rule of 
 Life informing them of the Will of God, and 
 their Duty, it directs and binds them to walk 
 accordingly m ; difcovering alfo the iinful Pollu- 
 tions of their Nature, Hearts and Lives n ; fo as 
 examining themfelves thereby, they may come 
 to further Conviction of, Humiliation for, and 
 Hatred againft Sin 0, together with a clear Sight 
 of the need they have of Chrift, and the Per- 
 fection 
 
 lRom.6. 14. Gal. 2. 16. Gal. 3. 13. G^.4.4, 
 f.A&s 13. 39. Rom. 8. i.mRom.j. 12, 22,25-. 
 ?fal. 119. 4, y y 6. 1 Cor, 7. 19. Gal. f. 14, to 
 {0**3. nR.am.-j. 7. Rom. 3.10. James l.i' 
 24, 2^*/ Row. 7. 9, 14, 24. A}' \d 
 
5 2 The Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 fection of his Obedience p. It is likewife of 
 Ufe to the Unregenerate, to reftrain their Cor- 
 ruptions, in that it forbids Sin q, and the Threat- 
 nings of it ferve to fhew what even their Sins 
 deferve ; and what Afflictions in this Life they 
 may expect for them i altho freed from the 
 Curfe thereof threatned in the Law r. The 
 Promifes of it in like manner (hew them God's 
 Approbation of Obedience, and what BleiTings 
 they may expect upon the Performance there- 
 of /, altho not as due to them by the Law, as a 
 Covenant of Works t. So as a Man's doing 
 Good, and refraining from Evil, becaufe the Law 
 encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the 
 other, is no Evidence of his being under the Law 
 and not under Grace u. 
 
 pGal. 3. 24. Rom. 7. 24, if. Rom. 8. 2,4. 
 q Jam. 2. 1 1 . Vfal. 1 19. 101, 104, 128. rEzra 
 9. 1 3, 14. Vfal. 89. 30, to 34. / Levit.6. 1, t» 
 14. withzCor.6. i6.Ephef.6.2,-}.Ffal. 37.11. 
 Mat. f.f.Tfil. 19. 1 1. tGai.z. 16. Luke 17.10. 
 uRom.6. 12,14. 1 Pet.$.8,to i2.wi/£.P/a/. 34. 
 12, to the 17.^^.12.28,29. 
 
 VII. Neither are the fore-mentioned Ufes of 
 the Law contrary to the Grace of the Gofpel, 
 but do fweetly comply with it », the Spirit of 
 Chriflrfubduing and enabling the Will of Man to 
 do that, freely and chearfully, which the Will 
 of God revealed in the Law requireth to be 
 done x. 
 
 to Gal. 3. 2i. jc Ezsk. 36. 27. Htb. 8. 10, 
 with fer. 31. 33. 
 
 J ** CHAP- 
 
The Confeffion of Faith. 5 3 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 Of ChriJliarT Liberty, and Liberty of Confcience. 
 
 I. •T 1 H E Liberty which Chrift hath purchaf- 
 X cd for Believers under the Gofpel coniifts 
 in their Freedom from the Guilt of Sin, the 
 condemning Wrath of God, the Curfe of the 
 Moral Law a, and in their being delivered h om 
 this prefent evil World, Bondage to Satan and 
 Dominion of Sin b > from the evil of Afflicti- 
 ons, the Sting of Death, the Victory of the Grave 
 and everlafting Damnation e ; as alfo, in their free 
 Accefs to God d, and their yielding Obedience 
 unto him, not out of flavifh Fear, but a child- 
 like Love, and willing Mind e. All which were 
 common alio to Believers under the Law f. But 
 under the New Teftament, the Liberty of 
 Chriftians is further enlarged, in their Freedom . 
 from the Yoke of the Ceremonial Law, to 
 which the Jewifli Church was fubje&ed^ , and 
 in great Boldnefs of Accck to the Throne of 
 Grace h, and in fuller Communication of the 
 
 free 
 aTit. 2. 14. 1 Thef. 1. lo.Gal. 5. i^.bGal 1. 
 4. Col. 1. i$.ABsz6. \%.Rom. 6. t^.cRcm.S. 
 zS.rfal. 119. 71. 1 Cor. if. 5-4, 57,^6, 57. 
 Rom. 8. 1. dRom. f.\ y 2. eRom. S. 14, if. 1 
 John %: 18. f 'Gal. 5.9, \^.gGal./^. i, 2, 3, 6, 
 7, &$. i.Acls 1 f. 10, 1 1. hH.eb.6f. 14, 10. & 
 1©. 10, 20, 21, 22. 
 
54 *ihe Confefflon of Faith. 
 
 free Spirit of God, than Believers under the Law 
 did ordinarily partake of i. 
 
 i John -j. 38, 39. iCor. 3. 13, 17, 18. 
 
 II. God alone is Lord of the Conference k t 
 and hath left it free from the Doctrines and 
 Commandments of Men, which are in any 
 thing contrary to his Word, or befideit, in Mat- 
 ters of Faith or Worfliip /. So that, to believe 
 fuch Doctrines, or to obey fuch Commands out 
 of Confcience, is to betray the Liberty of Con- 
 science m, and the requiring of an implicit Faith 
 and an abfolute and blind Obedience, is to deftroy 
 Liberty of Confcience, and Reafon alfo n. 
 
 k James 4. n. Rom. 14.4. lAfts^. 19.& f. 
 *o. 1 Cor. 7. 13. Mat. 23.8,9, 10. zCor. 1.24. 
 Mat. if.&y. m Col. 2.20,22,23. Gal. 1. 10. 
 *j4, $\'J&PIm nRom 10. 17.^ 14. 23.7/^.8. 
 lo.Acis 17. 1 \.John^. zi.Hof.f. 11. Rev. 13. 
 12, 16, ty.Jer. 8, 9. 
 
 III. They, who upon pretence of Chriftian 
 Liberty, do pradtife any Sin, or cherim any 
 Luft, do thereby deftroy the End of Chriftian 
 Liberty, which is, that being delivered out of 
 the Hand of our Enemies, we might ferve the 
 Lord without Fear, in Holinefs and RighteouP- 
 nefs before him all the Days of our Life 0. 
 
 Gxl.f. 13. 1 Pet. z. 16. 2 Vet. 2.19. John 
 8. 24.. Luke 1. 74, 7f. 
 
 IV. And becauie the Powers which God hath 
 ordained, and the Liberty which Chrift hath 
 purchafed, are not intended by God to deftroy, 
 but mutually to uphold and preierve one another : 
 
 They, 
 
"The Confeffion of Faith. 55 
 
 They, who upon pretence of Chriftian Liberty 
 fliall oppofe any lawful Power, or the lawful 
 Exerciie of it, whether it be Civil or Ecclefiafti- 
 cal,refift the Ordinance of God p. Andfortheir 
 publifhing of fuch Opinions, or maintaining of 
 fuch Practices, as are contrary to the Light of 
 Nature, or to the known Principles of Chrifli- 
 anity, whether concerning Faith, Worfhip, or 
 Converfation, or to the Power of Godlinefs, or 
 fuch erroneous Opinions or Practices, as either 
 in their own Nature, or in the'manner of pub- 
 lifhing or maintaining them, are deftruftive to 
 the eternal Peace and Order which Chrift hath 
 elhblifhed in the Church, they may lawfully be 
 called to account, and proceeded againft by the 
 Cenfuresof the Church q t and by the Power of 
 the Civil Magiftrate r. 
 
 pMat- 12. 25.1 Pet. 2. 13, 14,. 16. Rom. 13. i.to 8. 
 Beb. 13. 17- <{Rom. 1. 32. with 1 Cor. 5. 11, 13. zjohn 
 10. 11. z Theft. 3. 14. fa 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4, 5. to tit 1. 10, 
 ir, 13. to Tit. 1. ic.veitb Mat. 18. 15, 16. 17. 1 Tim 1. 
 19, 20. Rev. z. 2,14, 1 5» 20.^5- 3. 9. r Deut. 13- 6, t§ 
 12. Rom. 13. 3,4. with zjobnv. 10, 11. E%ra7..z$, 
 se, to 28. Rev. 17. i2, 16, 17. Neb. 13.15,17,2.1, 
 2.2, 2?, 30. 2 Kings 23. 5, <$. 91 20, ar. 2 ckrw?. 34. 33. 
 ^5* c^- 1?. 12, i3> ifi. ^d». 3- *?• > 7"iw. 2. 2. //*. 
 49. 25. Zecb.13. 2,3. 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 0/ V^eligiom Worfhip, and the Sabbath Dayl 
 I. '"IP HE Light of Nature flieweth that there 
 X is a God, who hath Lordlhip and So- 
 vereign tv 
 
 ■3k 
 
5 6 The tyrfeffion of Faith. 
 
 vcreignty over all, is good and doth good unto 
 all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praifed, 
 called upon, trufted in, and ferved with all the 
 Reart, and with all the Soul, and with all the 
 Might a. But the acceptable way of worfhip- 
 ping the true God, is inftituted by himlelf, and 
 iq limited by his own revealed Will, that he 
 may not he worlbipped according to the Imagi- 
 nation and Devices of Men, or the Suggeftions 
 of Satan ; under any vifible Rcprefentation or 
 any other way not prefcribed in the holy Scrip- 
 ture h. 
 
 a Rom. i.io. Acis 17. 24. Tfal. \ 10. CS.Jer. 
 10.7 .Pfal. 3.1. 23. & iS. 3. Rom. 10. 12. Pfal. 
 62.8. Jofh. 24. 14. Mark 12. 23. bDeut. 12. 
 32. Mat. if. 9. ABs 17. if. Mat. 4. 9, 10. 
 Deut. 15*. to 20. Exod. 20. 4,5*, 6.C0/.2.23. 
 
 II. Religious Worfhip is to be given toGcd 
 ,the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, and to him 
 alone c, not, to Angels Saints, or any other Crea- 
 ture d\ and fmce the Fall, not without a Media- 
 tor ; nor in the Mediation of any other but oi 
 Chrift alone e. 
 
 cMat.4.. \o .with John f . r^.&iCor. 13. 14. 
 d.Col. 2. 1 8. Rev. 19. lo.Rom. 1. 25*. e John 14. 
 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5*. Eph. 2. 18. Gol. 3. 17. 
 
 III. Prayer with Thanl:fgiving being one 
 fpecial part of Religious Worfhip f, is by God 
 required of all Men g; and, that it may be ac- 
 cepted, it is to be made in the Name of the 
 
 Sen 
 f Phil 4. d. gPfal. 6?. 2. 
 

 m tin t n.:i u\ i t ny/ 7TT / « t . i l/j. 
 
 Ike Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 Son h, by the help of his Spirit i, according to 
 his Will k, with Underftanding, Reverence, 
 Humility, Fervency, Faith, Love, and Perfeve- 
 rance /, and if vocal, in a known Tongue m. 
 
 h John 14. 13, 14. 1 Tet. 2. f. iRem.S.i6. 
 k 1 John $. 1 4. I Pfal. 47 . 7 .Ecclef. f. 1 , 2 . He£. 
 12. 21. Ge#. 18.27. Lam. f. 16. James 1.6,7. 
 M^trA 1 1. i4.M<»?.6. 12, 14, ij\ Col.^.z Eph. 
 6. 18. w* 1 Cor. 14. 14. 
 
 IV . Prayer is to be made for Thing? lawful », 
 and for all forts of Men living, or that fhall live 
 hereafter 0, but not for the dead p, nor for thofe 
 of whom it may be known, that they have fin- 
 ned the Sin unto Death q. 
 
 n 1 John f. 14.5 i Tim. 2.1,2. John 17. 20. 
 2 Sam, 7. 1 9. Ruth 4. 1 2. pi Sam. 1 2. 21, 22,23. 
 withLulce i6.if,i6.Rev.i^..i^.q 1 Joh.f. 10. 
 
 V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly 
 Fear r, the found preaching /i and confcion- 
 able hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, 
 with Underftanding, Faith and Reverence t, 
 linging of Pfalms with Grace in the Heart u, as 
 alfo the dueAdminiftration and worthy receiving 
 •of the Sacraments inftituted by Chriftj are all 
 Parts of the ordinary Religious Worfhip of 
 Godw; betides Religious Oaths x, Vows y, fo- 
 iemn Fallings z, and Thankfgivings upon fpe- 
 
 cial 
 
 t A3s 5.21. Rev. 1. 3. / a Tim. 4. 2. t James r. ;.;. 
 /Ms 10. $f. Mat. u. 19- Hei. 4. 2. Ifa. 66. 2. uCol. 
 3. \6.Epkef. 5. *9- y^wfi 5- 1?. n> Mat. 28. 19. ; Cor. 
 ir. s3j ftfzo. /4tfi 2. 42, .r i?^wt.- 6. 13. with Nehem. 
 jo. 19. > Ifa. 19 21. witb £cc&/. 5.4, $.ZJoelz,iz. 
 EftbsrA^ i^. Afaf, 9, 15- J C(?r*7. 5. 
 
\ir?~ '-ifievcnjejjion oj Faith. 
 ci .1 Occafionsa, which are in their feveral Times 
 and Seafons to be ufed, in an holy and religious 
 Manner b. 
 
 a Tfal. 1 07 . throughout, JEfiher 9. 1 2. £ Heb. 
 
 .2.38. 
 
 VI. Neither Prayer, nor any other Part of 
 Religious Worfhip, is now under the Gofpel, 
 either tied unto, or made more acceptable by a- 
 ny Place in which it is performed, or towards 
 which it is directed c ; but God is to be wor- 
 fhipped every where d, in Spirit and Truth e, 
 as in private Families/, daily g, and in fccret, 
 each one by himfelf h > To, more folemnly in the 
 publick AfTemblies, which are not careieily or 
 wilfully to be neglected or forfaken, when God 
 by his Word or Providence calleth thereunto *. 
 
 c John 4. 2 j . dMd. 1 . 1 1 . 1 Tim. 1 . 8 . 8 John 
 4. 23, i^.fjer. 10. 2 5* .Dent. 6.6,7. J ^ l 'f* 
 2 Sam. 6. 18, zo. 1 Vet. 2. 7. ABs lo.z.gMat. 
 '6. 11. h Mac 6. 6. Ephef. 6. 18. i I/a. f6.6,j. 
 Heb.io. 2 f. Prov. 1. 20. 2.1,14.. &$. 24.. A3i 
 13. 42. £«fo 4. 16. A&s 2. 42. 
 
 VII. As it is of the Law of Nature, that, in 
 general, a due Proportion of Time be fet apart 
 for the Worfhip of God, io, in his Word, by 
 apofitive, moral and perpetual Commandment, 
 binding ail Men, in all Ages, he hath particular 
 ly appointed one Day infevenfor a Sabbath, to- 
 be kept holy unto him k, which from the be- 
 ginning of the World to the Refurcection ot 
 Chrift, was the laft Day of the Week 5 and from 
 
 the 
 k Exod, zo, 8, io, 11. Ifa. ^6.2,4,6,, 7. 
 
lM Loajtywrt bj jl u 
 he Refurre&ion of Chrift, was changed into 
 he firft Day of the Week /, which in Scripture 
 s called the Lord's Day tn, and is to be continu- 
 ed to the End of the World, as the Ckrijlian 
 Sabbath n. 
 
 I Gen. 2. 2, 2. i Cor. t6. i, 2. ABs 20. 7. 
 \\mRev. 1 . 1 o. n Exod. 8. 1 ©. vith Mat. j*. 1 7, 1 8. 
 VIIL This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the 
 i'Lord, when Men, after a due preparing of their 
 Hearts, and ordering of their common Affairs 
 before hand, do not only obferve a holy Reft all 
 the Day from their own Works, Words, and 
 Thoughts, about thejr worldly Employments 
 and Recreations 0, but alfo are taken up the whole 
 Time, in the publick and private Exercifcs of his 
 Wormip, and in the Duties of Neceflity and 
 Mercy p. 
 
 oExod. 10. 8. $> 16. 23, 25*, 16, 29, £0. $» 
 ji. i>-, \6 y 17. Ifa. f$. i$.Nek 13. \$>to 23. 
 /8. 1 5. Mat. 12. 1, to 13. 
 
 CHAP. XXII. 
 
 Of lawful Oaths and Vows. 
 
 I. A Lawful Oath is a Part of Religious Wor- 
 
 xL fhip *, wherein, upon juft Occafion, 
 
 the Perfon {'wearing £>lemniy, calleth God to 
 
 witneis what he aflerteth, or promileth, and to 
 
 judge 
 a Dent. 10, 20, 
 
60 The Confefjton of Faith. 
 
 judge him according to the Truth or Fallhood 
 
 of what he fweareth b. 
 
 b Exod. 20. j. Lev. ip. 12. iCor. 1. 23. 
 2 Chron. 6. 22, 22, 
 
 II. The Name of God only, is that by which 
 Men ought to fwear, and therein it is to be 
 ufed with all holy Fear and Reverence c. There- 
 fore to fwear vainly or raftily, by that glorious 
 and dreadful Name, or to fwear at all by any o- 
 ther Thing, is finful and to be abhor'd d. Yet, 
 as in Matters of Weight and Moment an Oath 
 is warranted by the Word of God under the 
 New Teftament, as well as under the Old e ; 
 fo a lawful Oath, being impofed by lawfui Au- 
 thority, in fuch Matters ought to be taken /. 
 
 cDeut.6. i$.dExod. 20. j.Jer.f.y.Mat.f. 
 54, %•}. Jam.f. 12. eHeb.6. 16. iCor. 1.25. 
 Ifa.6f.i6.f 1 Kings S.^i.Neh. 1 5.25- .Ezra io.j\ 
 
 III. Whofoever taketh an Oath, ought duly 
 to confider the Weightinefs of fo folemn an A£t ; 
 and therein to avouch nothing, but what he is 
 fully perfuaded is the Truth^: Neither may any 
 Man bind himfelf by Oath to any thing but 
 what is good and juft, and what he believeth fo 
 to be, and what he is able and reiolved to per- 
 form h. Yet it is a Sin to refufe an Oath, touch^ 
 ing any thing that/is good and juft, being impo- 
 fed by lawful Authority 1. 
 
 gExod. 20. 7, — Jer. 4. 2. h Cm. 24.2,2, 
 5, 6, 8, 9. i Numb. j'. iq 2 21, Neb, f. 12. 
 Exod. 22. 7, t» 11, 
 
 IV. An 
 
7 he Confeffion of Faith. 61 
 
 IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and 
 ommon Senfe of the Words ; without Equi- 
 vocation, or mental Refervation k. It cannot 
 ;)blige to Sin : But, in any thing not finful, be- 
 ng taken, it binds to Performance, akho to a 
 jvlan's own Hurt / ; nor is it to be violated, al- 
 
 ho made to Hereticks, or Infidels m. 
 
 kjer.^.i. Tfstl. 24.4. Ji&iw. if. 22, 32, 
 J53, i^.Tfal. if. 4. m Ezek. 17. 16, iG, 19. 
 ofb. 9. 18, 19. with 2 Sam. 22. 1. 
 
 V. A Vow is of the like Nature with a pro- 
 TtifTory Oath, and ought to be made with the 
 ike religious Care, and to be performed with 
 :he like Faithfulnefs n< 
 
 f%Ifa.i^.xi.Ecd.f.^,f > 6.TfaL6i.2.&66.\j\,. 
 
 VI. It is not to be made to any Creature, but 
 to God alone : And, that it may be accepted, it 
 Is to be made voluntarily, out of Faith and Con- 
 science of Duty, in way of Thankfulnefs for 
 Mercy received, or for the obtaining of whac 
 live want, whereby we more ftrickly bind our 
 felves, to neceflfary Duties, or to other Things, 
 
 fo far, andfo long, as they may fitly conduce 
 
 hereunto f. 
 
 oTfaLj6. n.Jer. 44. if, 16.pDeHt.z3.il, 
 n^i^.Tfal. 5-0. 14. Gen. 28. 20, to zi. 1 Sam. 
 [.11. Tfal. 66. 13, 14. & 132. x t to6. 
 
 VIL No Man may vow to do any thing for- 
 bidden in the Word of God, or what would 
 binder any Duty therein commanded, or which 
 s not in his own Power, and for the Perfor- 
 
 riance whereof he hath noPromifcof Ability 
 D from 
 
 
6z The Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 from God q. In which refpect, popifh monafti- 
 cal Vows of perpetual fmgle Life, profefTed 
 Poverty, and regular Obedience, are fo far from 
 being degrees of higher Perfe&ion, that they 
 are fuperftitious and linful Snares, in which no 
 Chriftian may intangle himfelf r. 
 
 qAfis 13.11, 14. Mark 6. 16. Numb. 50.5-, 
 8, ii, 13. rMat. 19. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 7. 2, 9. 
 Eph. 4. iS. iP^.4.2. iCor.7.22. 
 
 CHAP. XXIII. 
 
 Of the Civil Magijirate. 
 
 I. /^ OD, the fupreme Lord and King of all 
 vJ the World, hath ordained Civil Magift- 
 rates to be under him over the 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 Punifhment of 
 evil Doers a. 
 
 a Rom. 13. 1, to 5-. 1 Vet. 2. 13, 14. 
 II. It is lawful for Chriftians ro accept and 
 execute the Office of a Magiftrate when called 
 thereunto b ; in the managing whereof, as they 
 ought especially to maintain Piety, Jufticeand 
 Peace, according to the who'efom Laws of each 
 Commonwealth c j fo, for that end they may 
 
 lawfully 
 
 b Vrsv. 8. 15,16. Rom. 1 3. 1, a", 4. cffal. :, 10, ir, 
 
 sz.x Tim. z.z,ffai. 8;. 3,4. 2 Sam. 25.5. 1 Pet.z.i$* 
 
Ike ConfeJJton of Faith. 6$ 
 
 1 iwfully now, under the New Teftament wage 
 War upon juft and necefiary Occaiion d. 
 
 dLuke 5. 14. Rom. 13.4. Mat. 8. 9, 10. 
 Acts 10. 1, 2. Rev. 17. 14, 16. 
 
 III. The Civil Magiftrate may notaflumeto 
 himfelf the Adminiftration of the Word and 
 Sacraments or the Power of the Keys of the 
 Kingdom 4f Heaven e j yet he hath Authori- 
 ty, and it i, his Duty to take order, that Unity 
 and Peace j* preferved in the Church, that the 
 Truth of God be kept pure and intire, that all 
 Blafphemief and Heretics be fupprefTed, all Cor- 
 ruptions aril Abufes in Worfliip and Difcipline 
 prevented, or reformed ; and all the Ordinances 
 of God duly fettled, adminiftred and obferved/I 
 For thebeter effecting whereof, he hath Power 
 to call Syiods, to be prefent at them, and to 
 provide, tlat whatsoever is tranfacted in them. 
 be according to the Mind of God^ . 
 
 e2Cbronk6. 18. with Mat. 18 17. fa 16. 19.^ 
 j Cor. 12. 21, 29. Epbef. 4. n, 12. 1 Cor. 4. 1, 2. Rom, 
 30. 15. HeB$. 4- / Ifa-49- -?• Pfal- "« 9- Ezra 7. 
 2.3, 25, to p. Rev. 24. 16. Deut. 13. 5, 6, 12. 1 Kings 
 18.4. 1 Ction. 13. 1, to 9. z Kings 23. i,to i.6. zCbr. 
 ?4- 33- te^s- u, 13- gzCbron. 19. 8, totz. fcr ~9* 
 
 zo Chapter Mat. 2.4, 5. 
 
 IV. It is the Duty of People to pray for Ma- 
 gistrates >, to honour their Perfbns ;, to pay 
 them Tuute and other Dues It $ to obey their 
 lawful <dommands ; and to be fubjedt to their 
 Authority , for Conscience fake /. Infidelity, or 
 D i Differ ence 
 
 7 ri'W'}.}:r^ p ; f - 2 - l 7- kKom - *3- 6 » 
 
6\ 1 he ConfefJiOK of Faith. 
 Difference in Religion, doth not make void the 
 Magiftrate's juft and legal Authori'.y, nor free 
 the People from their, due Obedience to him m, 
 from which Ecclefiaftical Perfons are not ex- 
 empted n, much lefs hath the Pope any Power 
 or Jurifdidion over them in their Dominions, 
 or over any of their People j and laft of all to de- 
 prive them of their Dominions, 01 Lives, if 
 he fhall judge them to be Hereticks, or upon a- 
 ny other Pretence whatsoever o. 
 
 m i Pet . 2.13, 14, 16. » Rom. 1 3 r . 1 Kings 
 a. if.Atis if, 9, 1 0,1 1. rTet.i. r, io, t \.Jude 
 8, to 1 1. 2 Thejf. 2.4. Rev. 13. 15**0 17. 
 
 CHAP. XXIVjf 
 O/ Marriage and Divorce. 
 
 I. \ T A R R I A o E is between on Man and 
 JlVJL one Woman, neither s it uvful for 
 any Man to have more than one Wb, nor for 
 any Woman to have more than one l-osband at 
 the fame time a. 
 
 Gen, 2. 24. Mat. 19. f,6.Vrov. 2. 7. 
 II. Marriage was ordained for th mutual 
 Help of Husband and Wife£, for the icreafe of 
 Mankind with a legitimate lime, ari of the 
 Church with an holy Seed c , and for psventing 
 of Uncleannefs d. 
 
 , 7 TT - it 
 
 bGen.z. 18. cMtl.i.if. * ^ ' 9 ' 
 
The Coufeffion of Faith. ' 6$ 
 
 III . It is lawful for all forts of People to mar- 
 ry, who are able with judgment to give their 
 Confent e. Yet it is the Duty of Chriftians to 
 marry only in the Lord /; and therefore fuch, as 
 profefs the true reformed Religion, mould not 
 marry with Infidels, Papifts or other Idolaters. 
 Neither fhould fuch as are godly be unequally 
 yoked, by marrying with luch as are notori- 
 oufiy wicked in their Life, or maintain dam- 
 nable Herelies g. 
 
 cife^.13.4. 1 Tlm.if. 3. 1 Cor. 7.36,37,38. 
 Gen. 2.4.57, J"8,/ 1 Cor. 7. 39. gGen. 34. 14. 
 1.x od. 34. 16. Deut. 7. 3,4. 1 Kings 1 1 . j\ Neb, 
 j 3.15", 26, 17. Mai. 1. 1 1, 1 1. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 
 
 IV. Marriage ought not to be within the De- 
 grees of Confanguiriity or Affinity forbidden in 
 the Word h. Nor can fuch inceftuous Marri- 
 ages ever be made lawful by any Law of Man, 
 or "Confent of Parties, fo as thofe Perfons may 
 live together as Man and Wife 1. The Man 
 may not marry any of his Wife's Kindred^ nea- 
 rer in Blood than he may of his own; nor the 
 Woman of her Husband's Kindred, nearer in 
 Blood than of her own k. 
 
 h Lev. * S.Cb. 1 Cor.f. 1 . Amos 1.7. Mark 6. 
 lS.Lev. 18. 18, 24,70*9. k Lev. 20. 19,20,21. 
 
 V. Adultery, or Fornication committed after 
 a Contract:, being detected before Marriage, giv- 
 eth juft Occalion to the innocent Party to diff 
 olve that Contract /. In the Cafe of Adultery af- 
 ter Marriage, it is lawful for the innocent Parry 
 
 D 5 to 
 
 Mm. ik 18, 19, iQ. 
 

 66 The Confeficn of Faith, 
 
 to fue put a Divorce m, and after a Divorce to 
 
 marry another, ds if the offending Party were 
 
 deadtf. 
 
 mMtttf. 2,1, lju nMxt. 19. y. Rom. j. t,$. 
 
 VI Althc the Corruption of Man be fuch 
 as is apt to ftujiy Arguments, unduly to put 
 aiundct note whom God hath joined together 
 in tywi age, yet nothing but Adultery, or fuch 
 wilful Desertion, as can no way be remidied by 
 the Church or Civil Magiftrate, is Caufe fuffU- 
 cient of diriblving the Bond of Marriage o, 
 wherein a publickand orderly Courie of Pro- 
 ceeding is to be obferved j and the Perfons con- 
 cerned in it, not left to their own Wills and 
 Difcretion in their own Cafe p. 
 
 Mat. 19. 8, 9. 1 Cor. 7. ijs Mat. 19. 6. 
 p Dent, 24. 1 , ft? 4. 
 
 CHAP. XXV. 
 
 Of the Church. 
 
 I.T'HE Catholick or Univerfal Church 
 -8- which is inviiible, coniifts of the whole 
 Number of the Ele&, that have been, are, or 
 ••nail be gathered into one, under Chrift the 
 Head thereof i and is the Spoufe, the Body, the 
 Fulnefs of him that filleth all in all a. 
 
 II. The 
 aEpkf. 1. 10, 22, 2.3. & Ephef 5. 23, 27, 
 2.2. CoL 1. -1 8. 
 
The Confefjlon of Faith. 6j 
 
 II. The vifible Church, which is alfo Catho- 
 lick or Univerfal, under the Gofpel ( not con- 
 fined to one Nation, as before under the Law ) 
 confifts of all thofe, throughout the Wftrld, that 
 profefs the true Religion b ; together with their 
 Children c, and is the Kingdom of the Lord 
 Jefus Chrift d, the Houfeand Family of God e, 
 out of which there is no ordinary Poflibility of 
 Salvation /. 
 
 b 1 Cor. i.i.'$»n. ii, i^.Tfal. 2. 8. Rev. 7. 
 9. Raw. if .9, to 12. c 1 Cor. 7. 14. ABs 2. 39, 
 Ezek. 16.20, n.Rom.i 1. i^.Gen.^.if.^r if . 
 d Mat. 13.47.7/4.9. j.eEpb. 2. 19, Epb. 3. 
 ij\ /^?.$ 2. 47. 
 
 III. Unto this Catholick vifible Church Chrift 
 hath given the Miniftry, Oracles, and Ordinances 
 of God, for thegathsring and perfecting of the' 
 Saints in this Life to the end of the World : 
 And doth by his own Prefence and Spirit, ac- 
 cording to his Prom He, make them effectual 
 thereunto g. 
 
 g 1 Cor. 1 2. 28. Epb. 4. 1 1, to 14. Mat. 28. 
 19, 20. Ifa. J9. 2 1 . 
 
 IV. This Catholick Church hath been fome- 
 times more, fometimes lefs vifible h. And par- 
 ticular Churches, which are Members thereof, 
 are more or Ids pure, according as the Do&rine 
 of the Gofpel is taught and embraced, Ordi- 
 nances adminiftred, and publick Worfhip per- 
 formed more or lefs purely in them i. 
 
 V. The 
 h Rom. 1 1, 3, 4. Rev. 11, 6, 14,1 Rev. 2, 
 3, Chap. 1 Cor. ?, 6, 7. 
 
 7 
 
6% Ihe Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 V. The pureft Churches under Heaven are 
 fubject !>mh to Mixture and Error k j and fome 
 have fo degenerated, as to become no Churches 
 of Chrift, but Synagogues of Satan /. Never- 
 thelefs there fliall be always a Church on Earth 
 to worfhip God according to his Will m. 
 
 k i Cor. 13. iz.Rev. 2, 3, Chap. Mat. 13.14, 
 to i_o. 4,7. iRev. 18. i.Rom.ii.z$,to zz.mMat. 
 16. iS.Pfal. 1.6. & ioz. 28. Mat. 28. 19,20. 
 
 VI. There is no other Head of the Church, 
 but the Lord Jefus Chrift w, nor can the Pope of 
 Rome, in any Senfe, be Head thereof, but is that 
 Antichrift, that Man of Sin, and Son of Perdi- 
 tion, that exalteth himfelf in the Church, a- 
 gainft Chrift, and all that is called God 0. 
 
 nCol. 1. iS.Eph. 1. 22. Mat. 23. 8,9, 10. 
 2X^.2.3,4,8,9.1^.13.6. 
 
 CHAP. XXVI, 
 Of the Communion of Saints. 
 
 I. A LL Saints that are united to Jefus Chrift 
 -£*• their Head, by His Spirit, and by Faith, 
 have Feilowihip with him in his Graces, Suffe- 
 rings, Death, Refurrection, and Glory a\ And, 
 being united to one another in Love, they have 
 Communion in each others Gifts and Graces £, 
 
 and 
 
 a 1 John 1.3. Epb. 2. 16, tffip- John 1. iC.Eph.z. 
 c, y 6.fhil.z. 10. Rom. 6.5,6. a Tim. z. sz.hEpb.d, 
 IS, 16. iCor. ia. 7.^3, si, ss, S3'. CqU z. 19' 
 
7 be Confejjton of Faith. 69V 
 
 and are obliged to the Performance of fuch Du- 
 ties, publick and private, as do conduce to their 
 mutual Good, both in the inward and outward 
 Man*:. 
 
 c iTbeff.f.itti^.Rom.i. ti, 12, 14. \Joh. 
 3. 1 6, to 19. Gal. 6. jo. 
 
 II. Saints by Profeffion are bound to main- 
 tain an holy Fellow fhip and Communion in the 
 Worfhip of God 5 and in performing fuch other 
 fpiritual Services as tend to their mutual Edifi- 
 cation*/, as alfo, in relieving each other in out- 
 ward things, according to their feveral Abilities 
 and Neceflities. Which Communion, as God 
 offereth Opportunity, is to be extended to all 
 thcfe, who in every Place call upon the Name 
 of the Lord Jefus e. 
 
 dHeb. 10.24, if. Acls 2.41, 46. Ifa. 2. 3. 
 1 Cor. f j. 20. e AEis z. 44, 45-. 1 John 3.17* 
 2CV.8, 9 Chapters. Acis 1 1.29, 20. 
 
 III. This Communion which the Saints have 
 with Chrift, doth not make them in any wife 
 Partakers of the Subftance of his God-head, or 
 to be equal with Chrift many refpecl, either of 
 which to affirm,. is impious and blafphemous/. 
 Nor doth their Communion one with another 
 as Saints, take away, or infringe the Tftle or 
 Propriety which each Man hath in his Goods 
 and PoneiTions^. , 
 
 fCoi t.18,19. 1 Cor. $.6. Ifa.^i.K.iTim. 
 6. ijVi6\ Pfal: ^t.j.rrithHeb. 1.8,9. £^xod, 
 20, ijv Eph. 4. 28. Acts 5-. 4. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
70 The Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 CHAP. XXVII. 
 
 Of the Sacraments. 
 
 I. O Acraments are holy Signs and Seals of the 
 *3 Covenants of Grace a, immediately in- 
 ftituted by God b, to reprefent Chrift and his Be- 
 nefits 5 and to confirm our Intereft in him c y 
 as alfo to put a vifible Difference between thofe __ 
 that belong unto the Church, and the reft of the , 
 World d : And fo'emnly to engage them to the 
 Service of God in Chrift, according to his 
 Word e. 
 
 a Rom. 4. 1 1. Gen. 17. 7, 10. bMat. 28. 10. 
 1 Cor. n.ij.n Cor. 1 o. 1 6. .& 11.25-, z ^- Ga ^- 
 3. 17. </ Rom. if.S.Exed. n. 48. Gen. 34, 14. 
 eRom. 6. 3,4. 1 Cor. 10. 16,21. 
 
 II. There is in every Sacrament a Spiritual 
 Relation, or Sacramental Union between the 
 Sign and the Thing fignified, whence it comes 
 topafs,that the Names and Efte&s of the one, 
 are attributed to the other /. 
 
 / Gen. if. 10. Mat. 26. 27,28. Tit. 3.5-. 
 
 III. The Grace which is exhibited in, or by 
 the Sacraments rightly ufed, is not conferred by 
 any Power in them, neither doth the Efficacy of 
 a Sacrament depend upon the Piety, or Intenti- 
 on of him that doth administer it g\ but upon 
 the Work of the Spirit h, and the Word of In- 
 
 ftitution, 
 gRom. 2.28,29. zFet.$.n.bMat. 3. ii. 
 Cor. 12. 13. 
 
7 be Confeflion of Faith. 7 1 
 ftitution, which contains, together with a pre- 
 cept authorizing the Ufe thereof, a Promiie of 
 Benefit to worthy Receivers i. 
 
 i Mat. 26. 27, 28. & 28. 19, 20. 
 
 IV. There be only two Sacraments ordained 
 by Chrift our Lord, in theGofpel, that is to fay, 
 Baptifm and the Supper of our Lord ; neither of 
 which may be difpenfed by any, but by a Mini- 
 fter of the Word lawfully ordained k. 
 
 kMat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11.20,23.^4. l.Heb. 
 
 V. The Sacraments of the Old Teftarnent, 
 in regard of the Spiritual Things thereby iigni- 
 ried, and exhibited, were for Subftance the fame 
 with thofeof the New /. 
 
 / 1 Cor. 10. 1, 2, 3, 4. 
 
 CHAP. XXVIII. 
 
 Of Baptifm. 
 
 I. T>APTISMisa Sacrament of the New 
 JD Teltament, ordained by Jefus Chrift a, 
 not only for the folemn Admiflion of the Party 
 baptized into the vifible Church b ; but alfo to 
 be unto him a Sign and Seal of the Covenant of 
 Grace c, of his ingrafting into Chrift J, of Re- 
 generation e, of Remiflion of Sins /, and of his 
 giving up unto God through Jefus Chrift to 
 
 walk 
 a Mat. 28, 19. b 1 Cor. 12. 13. c Rom. 4, 1 1. 
 vith Col. 2. 1 1. 12. d Gal. 3, 2j<£ tm t $, /, 
 \eTit.$.f.fMarki. 4. 
 
7 2 7 he Conjejjion of Faith. 
 
 walk in Newnefs of Li&g ; Which Sacrament! 
 is, by Chrift's own Appointment to be continu- 
 ed in his Church until the End of the World h. 
 g Rom. 6. 3, 4. hMat. 28. 19, 20.. 
 
 II. The outward Element to beufed in this 
 Sacrament is Water, wherewith the Party is 
 to be baptized, in the Name of the Father, and 
 of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft, by a Mini- 
 fler of the Gofpel, lawfully called thereunto i. 
 
 iMat. 2. 1 \.John 1.25. Mat. 28. 19, 20. 
 
 III. Dipping of the Perfon into the Water, 
 is not neceflary ; but Baptifm is rightly admini- 
 ftred, by pouring, or. fprinkling Water upon 
 the Perfon k. 
 
 k Hob. 9. 10, 19, to n.Affs l. ^i.& 16. 
 33. Mark 7. 4. . 
 
 IV. Not only thofe that do actually profefs 
 Faith in, and Obedience unto Chrift/; but alfo 
 the Infants of one, or both believing Parents, 
 are to be baptized m. 
 
 iMark 16. 15-, 16.^^8.37, %%.mGm. 17. 
 y, 9. with Gal. 3.9, i+.&Col.z.n, \i.& ABs 
 2. 38. ly.&Rom, 4. 11, 12. 1 Cor. j. 14. Mat. 
 28. 19. Mark 10. 13, to 16. Luke 18. 15*. 
 
 V. Altho it be a great Sin, to contemn or 
 neglett this Ordinance n, yet Grace and Salva- 
 tion are not fo infeperably annexed unto it, as 
 that no Perfon can be regenerated or faved with- 
 out it j or, that all that are baptized, are un- 
 doubtedly regenerated p. 
 
 n Luke 7 . 30. with" Exod. 4. 24, 25-, 26. Rom. 
 4,w, A8s 10. 2,4.22,3 1,45*747 -M^' 8 - l *' * 3 ' 
 
TJieConfeffibn of Faith. 73 
 
 VI. The Efficacy of Biptifm is not tied to 
 that Moment of Time, wherein k is aJinint- 
 ftred $ yet notwithstanding by the right Ufe 
 of this Ordinance, the Grace promifed is not 
 only offered, but really exhibitedVand confer- 
 red by the Holy- Ghoft, to fuch (whether of 
 Age, or Infants) as that Grace belongcth unto, 
 accordingto the Counfel of God's own Will, 
 in his appointed Time r. " : '. : 
 
 1 John 3 . c, 8 . r Gal 3 . 17 . Ttt. 3 f . Zfhef. 
 if, 16. ABs 1. 38,41. 
 
 VII. The Sacrament of Biptifm is but ones 
 to be adminiftred unto any Perfon / 
 
 ■ ' . ' " ' ' ' ' ' ■■ '' ■ ' r ^~" 
 
 CHA P. 'XXIX, 
 Of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 I. /^U R Lord Jefus, in the Nighe wherein 
 \J he was betrayed, inftitutcd the Sacra- 
 ment of his Body and Blood, called the Lord's 
 Supper, to be obferved in his Church, unto 
 the End of rhe World, for the perpetual Re- 
 membrance of the Sacrifice of himfelf, in his 
 Death : The fealing all Benefits thereof un- 
 to true Believers, their fpiritual Mourifhment, 
 and Growth in him ? their further tngagement 
 in, and to all Duties which they owe unto him, 
 and to be a Bond and Pledge of their Commu- 
 " *E nion 
 
 ■<■/ 
 
74 The CottfeQim of Faith. 
 nion with him, and with each other, as Mem- 
 bers of his myftical Body a. 
 
 a i Cor. 1 1. 23, to x6.& jo. 16, 17, %u 
 1 Cor. ii. i}. 
 
 II. In this Sacrament, Chrift is not offered 
 up to his Father, nor any real Sacrifice made at 
 all for RemiiTion of Sins of the Quick or Dead, 
 b but only a Commemoration of that one offer- 
 ing up of himfelf, by himielf, upon the Croii, 
 once for ail, and a fpiritual Oblation of all poi- 
 iible Praife unto God for the fame c : So that 
 the Popifh Sacrifice of the Mafs (as they call 
 it ) is moft abominably injurious to Chrift's one - 
 only Sacrifice, the alone Propitiation for all the 
 Sins of the E!e& d. 
 
 b Hub. 9. 21, 25-, 26, 28. c 1 Cor.ri.m 
 24,, if, 26. Mat. 26.26,27.. dHeb.-j.i}, 24., 
 27. $» io- »*> 12, 14, iS. 
 
 Ill* The Lord Jems hath in this Ordinance 
 appointed his Minifters to declare his Word of 
 Institution to the People, to .-pray ardblcfsthe 
 Elements of Bread and Wine, and thereby to ' 
 fet them apart from' a common, to an holy Ufe, 
 and to take, and break the Bf'ead, to take the 
 CJup, and (they communicating" alio them- 
 felves) to give both' to the Communicants e, 
 but to none who are not then prefent in the 
 Congregation /'. 
 
 ^ TV. Private 
 
 e Mat. 16.16, to 19. '&Mark.\\. \i* *3. 
 &Luke 22. 19, 20. mi!) 1 Cor. 1 U ^r*ft 
 Aftsxo. 7, 1 Qor;ii, to. 
 
1*1 
 
 7 he €onfejJlon of Faith: 7 y 
 
 IV. Private Maffes, or receiving this Sacra- 
 ment by a Pried* or any other alone £v as like- 
 wife the Denial of the Cap to the People h, wor- 
 shipping the Elements, the liking them up, or 
 carrying them about for Adoration, and there- 
 ferving them for any pretended Religious Uie, 
 are all contrary to the Nature of this Sacrament, 
 and to the fnftimtion of Chriftt. 
 
 g iCor. 10.6. h Mark 4. 2$. 1 Cor. 11.1/, 
 to 30. i Mat. if. 9. 
 
 V. The outward Elements in this Sacrament, 
 duly fet apart to the Ufes ordained by. Chrift, 
 have fuch relation to him crucified, as that! truly, 
 yet facramentally onlv, they are fomet-imes cal- 
 led by th<, Names of the Things they reprefent, 
 to wit, the Body and Blood of Chrift k, albeit iu 
 Subftance and Nature they (till remain truly and 
 only Bread and Wine, as they were before /. 
 
 kMat. a6.z&.taio. I iCor. 11. rS. 27, iS. 
 Mat. 26. 29. 
 
 VI. That Doctrine which maintainsa Change 
 of the Subftance of Bread and Wine into the Sub- 
 ftaneeof Chrift'sBody and Blood (commonly 
 called Tranfubftan'tiation ) by Confecrationof a 
 Pdeft, ok by any other way, is repugnant, not to 
 Scripture aione, but even to common Senfeand 
 Reafon ; overthroweth the Nature of the Sacra- 
 ment, and hath been, and is the caufe of mani- 
 fold Superftitions 5 yea, of grofs Idolatries m. 
 
 m Acis 3. 21. rrith 1 Cor. 11. 24, to 27. 
 Luke %-$. 6, 39. 
 
 £2 VII. Worthy 
 
 i 
 
J 6 77je Confefpon of Faith. 
 
 VII. Worthy Receivers outwardly partaking 
 of the vifible Elements, in this Sacrament », 
 do then alfo, inwardly by Faith really and indeed, 
 yet not carnally and corporally, but fpiritually 
 receive and feed upon Chrift crucified, 1 and all 
 Benefits of his Death j the Body and Blood of 
 Chrift being then, not corporally, or carnally, 
 in, with, or under the Bread and Wine, yet, as 
 really, but fpiritually, prefent to the Faith of Be- 
 lievers in that Ordinance, as the Elements them- 
 fclves are to their outward Senfes o. 
 
 nCor. 1 1. 18. o i Cor. 10. \6. 
 
 VIII. Airho ignorant and w icked Men rece: ve 
 the outward Elements in this Sacrament, yet, 
 they receive not the Thing fignirted thereby -, 
 but by their unworthy coming thereunto, arc 
 guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, to 
 their own Damnation. Wherefore al) ignorant 
 and ungodly Perfons, as they are unfit to enjoy 
 Communion with him, fo are they unworthy 
 of the Lord's Table j and cannot, without great 
 Sin againft Chrift ; while they remain fuch, pir- 
 take of thefe holy Myfteries p, or be admitted 
 thereunto q. 
 
 f i Cor. 11.17,18,19. iCor.6. 14, if, 16: 
 4 1 Cor.f. 6, 7, 1 5. i Thejf. 3. 6, 14, if. M*r, 
 7 *• 
 
 CHA?„ 
 
7 be Conjejjion of Faith. 77 
 
 G H A P. XXX. 
 O/ Church Ctnfures. 
 
 I. 'T* H E Lord Jefus, as King and Head of 
 JL his Church, hath therein appointed a 
 Government in the Hand of Church Officers, 
 diftincl: from the Civil Magiftrate a. 
 
 a I/a. 9. 6, 7. 1 Tim. 5". 17. 1 Thejf. y. it. 
 jittsio. 17, 18. Heb. 13. 7, 17, 14. 1 Cor. 12. 
 28 M*;. 28. 18, 19, 20. 
 
 II. To thefe Officers the Keys of the King- 
 dom of Heaven are committed, by virtue where- 
 of, they have Power refpeclively to retain and 
 remit Sins, to fhut that Kingdom againft the 
 Impenitent, both by the Word, and Cenfures ; 
 and to open it unto penitent Sinners, by the Mi- 
 ni dry of the Gofpel, and by Abfolution from 
 Cenfures, as Occalion (hall required. 
 
 hMat, 16. 19. 8c 18. tfy.iS.John 10. 21, to 
 25. xCor. 2.6, 7,8. 
 
 III. Church Cenfures are neceflary for the 
 reclaiming and gaining of offending Brethren, 
 for deterring of others from the like Offences, 
 for purging out of that Leaven which might in- 
 fect the whole Lump, for vindicating the Hon- 
 our of Chrift, and the Holy Profcffion of the 
 Gofpel, and for preventing the Wrath of God, 
 which might juftly fall upon the Church if they 
 (hould fufTer his Covenant, and the Seals thereof 
 
 E 3 to 
 
 / 
 
75 Ttie ■tonfejfion Qj Faith v 
 to be profaned by notorious and obftinate Offen- 
 ders c. 
 
 c i Cor s c^4p. i Tim. 5. 2.©. /Vfdt.- 7.6. 1 Tim. r. 
 so. t Cor 11.27. rotheend. with jfofe. 7>rr. 23. 
 
 IV. For the better attaining of thefe ends, 
 the Officers of the Church are to proceed by Ad- 
 monition, Sufpenfion from the Sacrament of 
 the Lord's Supper for a Seafon ; and by Excom- 
 municatjon from the Church, according to the 
 Nature of the Crime, and Demerit of thePer- 
 £ond. 
 
 d 1 Tbcff 5. \i. 7 Theft. 3. 6, 14, 15. I Cor. 5.4, 
 5, .^. Mat. iB. \j. Tit. 3. 10. 
 
 CHAP. XXXI. 
 
 Of Synods and Councils. 
 
 I. T7 OR the better Government, and further 
 JL Edification of the Church, there ou^ht 
 to be fuch Aflemblies as are commonly called 
 Synods or Councils a . 
 t a 4cls.\.f. 1,4., 6. 
 
 II. 'As' Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod 
 of Minifters, apd other fit Perfons to confult 
 and advife with, about Matters of Religion £; 
 So, if Mogifiratcs be open Enemies to the 
 Church, the Minifters of Chr-ift, of themfelve?, 
 by virtue of their Qffice, or, they, v/ith other 
 fit Perfons, upon Delegation from their Church- 
 es "j-Bwy me et together in fuch Aflemblies c. 
 
 III. It 
 h Jfa. 49. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 1, z. 2 Cbrcn. 19. 8, tow, 
 \^o Chapters. Mat. 2.4,5. Ptov. 11.14. C ABs 
 '^22,23,25. 
 
The Coftfeffton of Faith. 79 
 
 I II . It belongeth to Synods and Councils, mi- 
 nisterially to determine Controverfies of Faith, 
 and Cafes of Confcience, to fdt down Rules and 
 Directions for the better ordering of the pub- 
 lick Worfliip of God, and Government of hip 
 Church 5 to receive Complaints in Cafes of 
 Mal-adminiftratipn. and authoratively to deter- 
 mine the fame ; which Decrees and Determina- 
 tions, if confonant to the Word of God, are to 
 be received with Reverence and SubmilTion s 
 not only for their Agreement with' the Word, 
 but alio for the Power whereby they are made, 
 as being the Ordinance of God ; appointed there- 
 unto in his Word d. 
 
 d ABs 1 $'. if, 19,14,17, fo 31. Afts 16". 4. 
 Mat. 18. 17, to 2d. 
 
 IV. All Synods and Councils fince the Apoftles 
 Times, whether general or particular, may err, 
 and many have erred. Therefore they are. not 
 to be made the Rule of Faith or Practice : but 
 to be ufed as an Help in both e. 
 
 eEph. a. io. Acis 17. 1 1. 1 Cor. 1. f. 1 Cor. 
 1. 24. 
 
 V. Synods and Councils arc to handle or con- 
 clud nothing but that which is Eccleiiaftical ; 
 and are not to intermeddle with Civil Affairs 
 which concern the Commonwealth, unlefs by 
 way of humble Petition in Cafes extraordina- 
 ry, or by way of Advice, for Satisfaction of 
 Confcience, if they be thereunto required by the 
 Civil Magiftrate /. 
 
 fluke ii. 13, 14. John 18.. 36. 
 
 E 4 CHAP. J 
 
 A 
 
8o 7fo Confefiton of Faith. 
 
 — 
 
 • - 
 
 CHAP. XXXII. 
 
 Of the State of Men after Death ; and of the 
 Refurre&ien of the Deaa'. 
 
 I. "T 1 HE Bodies of Men after Death return 
 X to Duft, and fee Corruption a, but their 
 Souls (which neither die nor fleep) having an 
 immortal Sublicence, immediately return to 
 God, who gave them b ; the Souls of the Righ- 
 teous being then made perfect in Hoiinefs, are 
 received into the higheft Heavens, where they 
 behold the Face of God in Light and Glory, 
 waiting for the full Redemption of their Bo- 
 dies c . And the Souls of the Wicked are caft in- 
 to Hell, where they remain in Torments and 
 utter Darknefs, referved to the Judgment of the 
 great Day d. , BeGdes theft two Places for Souls 
 feparated from their Bodies, the Scripture ac- 
 knowledged? none ?, 
 
 aGitt. .19.^113,36. bLuke^^.^. Ecd 12.7. 
 c Heb. 12.23. 2Cor - *>' i»^> 8. Tkti. 1. 23. with ASs 
 3.21. Epb, 4. 10. dLu^e 16. 23, 24. ASs 1.25. Juie 
 v.6,7. 1 Ptt. 3. 19; 
 
 II. At the laftDay, fuch as are found alive, 
 fhallnotdie, but be changed e, and all the Dead 
 (hall be railed up with the felt- fame Bodies and 
 none other, altho with different Qualities,which 
 fhall be united again to their Souls for ever /.' 
 
 III. The 
 
 e t Tbef 4. 17, 1 Ccr. 15. $r, ; 5$ / J& » 9- A &7» 
 ? Cor. 1 5. 4t } 43) 44- 
 
The Confefjion of Faith. Si 
 
 ITT. The Bodies of the Unjuft (hall, by the 
 Power of Chrtft, be raifed to Diihonour: The 
 Bodies of the juft, by his Spirit, unto Honour j 
 and be made conformable to his own glorious 
 Body g. 
 
 gAcis 24. \f.John f. 28, 29. 1 Cor, 15^41. 
 Phil. 3. ii. 
 
 CHAP. XXXIII. 
 
 Of the Ufi Judgment. 
 
 I. /"""* OD hath appointed a Day, wherein he 
 Vj will judge the World in Righteoufnefs, 
 by Jefus Chritl a, to whom all Power and Judg- 
 ment is given of the Father b. In which Day 
 not only the apoftate Angels (hall be judged c, 
 but likewile all Perfons that have lived upon 
 Earth, (hall appear before the Tribunal of Chrift, 
 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. 
 
 a Acis 17. 51. bfohn $\22, 17. e 1 Cor. 6. 5: 
 Judev.6. iFet. 2.4. d iCor. y. 10. Ecclef. 12. 
 14. Rom.i. \6. & 14. 10, 12. Mat. 12.56, 37. 
 II. The End of God's appointing this Day, is 
 for the Manifeftation of the Glory of his Mer- 
 cy, in the eternal Salvation of the Elecl: ; and of 
 his Juftice in the Damnation of the Reprobate, 
 3vho are wicked and difobedint. For then (hall 
 E / the 
 
82 7 he Confejfion of Faith. 
 the Righteous go into everlafting Life, and re- 
 ceive that Fulnefs or Joy and refreshing, which 
 (Hal) ceme from the Prefence of the Lord : Bur 
 the Wfcked, who know not God, and obey not 
 the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift, (nail be cafl: into eter- 
 nal Torments, and be punilhed witheverlafting 
 Deftruction from the Prefence of the Lord, and 
 from the Glory of his Power e. 
 
 e Mat. i f. 3 1 , to the end, Rom. i.f : 6. ^» 9. 
 2.x, 23. Mat. if, 21. Acis 3. 10. xTheJf. 1. 7, 
 
 tO lO. 
 
 III. As Chriil would have us to be certainly 
 perfuaded, That there fhall be "a Day of Judg- 
 ment, both to deter all Men from Sin, and tor 
 the greater Coniolation of the Godly in their 
 Adveriity /j fo will he have that Day unknown 
 to Men, that they may fhake off all carnal Secu^ 
 rity, and be always watchful, becaufe they know 
 not at what Hour the Lord will come, and may 
 be ever prepared to fay, Come Lordjefw, come 
 quickly. Amen g. 
 
 f % Pet. 3. 11, 14. 2 Cor.f. 10, 11. ilhejf. 
 1. f> 6, 7. Luke 21.27, 28. Rom. 8. 23, 24. 
 % Mat. is. 36,42,43. Mark 13. 3f,-$6.Luke 
 iz. 3j, 36. Riv. 22. 20.. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
THE 
 
 Larger Catechism; 
 
 Firft Agreed upon by the 
 
 Aflembly of Divines 
 
 A T 
 
 WESTMINSTER. 
 
 And now Approved by the 
 
 General AiTembly 
 
 O F THE 
 
 Kirk of Scotland, 
 
 To be a Part of Uniformity in Religion between 
 
 the Kirks of Chrift in the three 
 
 Kingdoms. 
 
 Printed Jnno Dom. M,dcc,xxix. 
 
8j 
 
 _ — ; c 1 ; 
 
 — — ! — 
 
 THE 
 
 A C T 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ■ 
 
 General Affembly 
 
 Approving of the 
 
 LARGER-CATECHISM. 
 
 THE General Aflembly, having exactly 
 examined and ferioujly considered the 
 Larger Catechifm, agreed upon by the 
 Affembly of Divines fitting at Weftminftcr, with 
 Ajjiflance of Commtjfioners, from this Kirk, Co- 
 pies thereof being printed, andfent to Presbyteries 
 ffr the more exaft Trtal thereof and publick In- 
 timation being frequently made in this Affembly >, 
 that every one that had any doubts er Objections 
 aton it t might put them in : Do find upon due 
 
 jLxami- 
 
( 8* ) 
 
 Examination thereof. That the faid Catechifm 
 ii agreeable to the Word of God, and in nothing 
 contrary to the received DoBrine, Worfnip, T>i[- 
 cipline, and Government of this Kirk, a neceffary 
 Part of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and 
 * rich Treafurefor increafmg of Knowledge arrong 
 the People of God: And therefore the AffemMy, a* 
 they blefs the Lord, that jo excellent a Catechifm 
 is prepared, fo they apfrovf the fame as 4 Part of 
 Uniformity; agreeing for their Pari, that it be a 
 common Catechifm for the three Kingdoms, and 
 a Directory for catechifing fitch as have made 
 fome Proficiency in the Knowledge of the Grounds 
 of Religion. 
 
 , A. Ker, 
 
 THE 
 
 \ 
 
*7 
 
 T H E 
 
 Larger Catechism, 
 
 FirJI agreed upon by the Ajjembly 
 of Divines at Weftminfter. 
 
 And now approved by the General AJfem- 
 bly of the Kirk of Scotland, to be a 
 part of Uniformity in Religion between 
 the Kirks o/Chrift in the three King-* 
 doms. 
 
 Queftion. 
 
 YT/HATis the chief and highejt End ef 
 Vr Manf 
 
 Anfwer. 
 
 Man's chief and higheft End, is to glorify 
 God *, and fully to enjoy him for ever b. 
 
 a Rom. 11.^6. i Cor. 10.31. bFf*l.71-*b 
 totheZnd. John 17. n, iz, 13. ' 
 
 Q. How doth it appear that there is a God. 
 
 A. The very Light of Nature in Man, and 
 the Works of God, declare plainly that there is 
 
88 The Larger Catechifm. 
 
 a God c , but his Word and Spirit only, do fuffi- 
 ciently, and efFe&ually reveal him unto Men tor 
 their Salvation d. 
 
 cRofn. i. 19,20. Vjal. 19. 1, 2, 3. Afts 17. 
 zS.diCor. 1.9, 10. 2 2iw. 3. Ij, 16, 17. If*. 
 
 S9- *"- 
 
 Q. Wto m fj&<? #W a/Go*/ ? 
 
 ^. The holy Scriptures of the Old and New 
 Teftamcnt are the Word of God e, the only 
 Rule of Faith and Obedience/. 
 
 e iTim.$. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 19, 20, i\. fEph. i. 
 io.Rft;.22. 18, !9.7/^.8.*o.L«J5re 16.29, 31. 
 G/*/. 1. 8,9. iD'ot, 3. ij*, 16. 
 
 Q^. How doth it appear that the Scriptures are 
 the Word of God ? 
 
 A. The Scriptures manifeft themfelvestobe 
 the Word of God, by their Majefty g y and Pu- 
 rity h, by the Confent of all the Parts i, and 
 
 c '-oce of the whole, which is to give all Glo- 
 ry to Uoci ,., v r .u„; r T i2ht and p ower to con . 
 
 vince and convert Sinners, to comfort and build 
 
 up Believers unto Salvation /. But the Spirit of 
 
 God bearing Witnefs by and with the Scriptures, 
 
 m the Heart of Man, is alone able fully to per- 
 
 iuade it that they are the very Word of God m. 
 
 g Hof 8. r 2. 1 Cor. 2. 6, 7, 1 3. Vfal 1 19. 18. 
 
 129-29-^P/a/. 12. 6.& 1 19. l+e.iActs 10.43. 
 
 & 26. xx.kRom. 3. io,i 7 . lAcrs 18.28.^.4. 
 
 12. James 1. 18. pfal. 10. 7, 8, 9. Row. if. 
 
 Af.Aas 20. 32. wi^b 16. 13, 14. ijo£» 2. 
 
 20, 27. John 20. 31. 
 Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach ? 
 
 A. The 
 
Tlje Larger Catechifm. Sp 
 
 A. The Scriptures principally teach, what 
 Man is to believe concerning God, and what 
 Duty God requires of Man n. 
 
 n iTtm. i. 13. 
 
 Q. What do the Scriptures make known of Go J? 
 
 A. The Scriptures make known what God 
 is 0, the Perfons in the God-head p, his Decrees a, 
 and the Execution of his Pecrees r. 
 
 oHeb. 11. 6. pi John, y. 7. qAcis i/. 14., 
 1 j, 18. r Acis^.zy.zS. 
 
 Q. What ii God? 
 
 A. God is a Spirit/, in, and of himfelf In- 
 finite in Being t , Glory «, Bleflfednefs v>, and 
 Perfection x, All-fufficient. y, Eternal z, .Un- 
 changeable a, Incompreheniible 6, every where 
 prefent c, Almighty iL knowing all Things e, 
 moft wife /, mod holy g, moft juft h, moft 
 merciful, gracious, lbng-fuffering, and abundant 
 in Goodnefs and Truth i. 
 
 f Jcbn 4. 14. t Exod. 3. 14. Job. 11. 7, 8, 9. 
 u Acts 7. t. t». 1 Tim. 6. i>. a Afar 5. 48. j» Gf/7. 
 17- i. %?{a\. 90. i. rfMa/: $.6: James i. 17. £ 1 
 Kmgi 8. 2,7. c Pfa/. 1 £9. t, fa 13. <i Rfv. 4. 8. i> fcfef. 
 4. is- fi'at. 147-. 5- f Kom. 16. -7. g //«. 6. .3. ***. 
 15. 4. b Deui. ?^.,4- i Exod. 54. 6. 
 
 Q. ^fr« */*re jwr* Go<// than one ? 
 
 uf. There is but one only the living and the 
 true God k. 
 
 k Deut. 9.4. 1 Cor. $. 4,6. Jer. 10. to. 
 
 Q. How many Verjons are there in the God- 
 bead? 
 
 A. There be three Perfons in the God-head, 
 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghpft, and 
 
 thefe 
 
po "fhe Larger Catechifm. 
 
 thefe three are one, true, eternal God, the fame 
 in Subftance, equal in Power and Glory ; ahho 
 diftinguifhed by their perfonal Properties /. 
 
 / i John?. 7. Mat. 3. i<5, 17. '<£» 28. 10. z 
 Cor. 15. 14. John 10. 30. 
 
 Q. Wnatare the perfonal Properties of the three 
 Terfons of the Godhead ? 
 
 A. It is proper to the Father to beget the 
 Son m, and to the Son to be begotten of the Fa- 
 ther n, and to the Holy Ghoft to proceed From 
 the Father and the Son from all Eternity 0. 
 
 mHeb. i;£, 6, 8. njohn 1.14, 18. o-jfojfo 
 ij*. 16. Ga/. 4. 6. 
 
 Q. How doth it appear that the Son ami the 
 Holy Ghoft are God equal with the Father} 
 
 A. The Scriptures manifeft, that the Son and 
 the Holy Ghoft are God equal with the Father, 
 afcribing unto them fuch Names p, Attri- 
 butes q, Works r, and Wormip, as are proper 
 to God only/. 
 
 plfa.6.i, y f, 8. with John 1 2 . 41 . 8c Acis 28. 
 25-. 1 John f.io.A&s f. 3,4. gj^ *• I '^' 
 9. 6. jfa/w 2. 24, 25-. 1 Cor. 2. !♦, 1 1. rCo/. 
 1. 16. Ge>*. i.i. / Mat. 2S.19. 2 Or. 13. 14. 
 
 Q^ What are the Decrees of God ? 
 
 A. God's Decrees are the wife, free, and ho- 
 ly Acis of the Counfel of his Will f, whereby 
 from all Eternity he hath for his own Glory un- 
 changeably foreordained whatlbever comes to 
 pafs in time «, efpecially concerning Angels and 
 Men. Q. What 
 
 tEph. 1. 11. Rom. 11. 33. 6*9- T 4> l f> »8. 
 uEpb. 1.4, 11. Row. 9.12,23.?/*/. 33. 11. 
 
l*he Larger Cateehifm. 9 1 
 
 (^ What hath God effect ally decreed concerning 
 Angels and Men} 
 
 A. God by an eternal and immutable Decree, 
 out of his meer Love, for the Praife of his glo- 
 rious Grace to be manifefted in due time, hath 
 elected fome Angels to Glory w, and in Chrift 
 hath chofen fome Men to eternal Life, and 
 the Means thereof x: and alfo according to his 
 fovereign Power, and the unfearchable Coun- 
 sel of his own Will, ( whereby he extendeth or 
 withholdeth Favour as he pleafeth ) hath pafTed 
 by and foreordained the reft to Difhonour and 
 Wrath j to be for their Sin inflicted, to the 
 Praife or the Glory of his Jufticey. 
 
 to 1 Tim. $. n. xEph. 1.4,5,6*. a T&e/. l£ 
 
 15, 14. yRom. 9. 17, 18,11, rr.Mat. \ 1.25, 
 
 16. r Tim. x.io.Judev.^. 1 Vet. i.S. 
 Q. How doth God execute hk Decrees ? 
 
 A. God executeth his Decrees in the Works 
 of Creation and Providence, according to his 
 infallible Fore-knowledge, and the free and im- 
 mutable Counlcl of his own Will z,. 
 
 z, Eph. 1 . J 1 . 
 
 Q. What U 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 himfelf, within the Space 
 of fix Days, and all very good a. 
 
 a Gen. 1 chap. Heb. 11. 5. Vrov. 16. 4. 
 
 Q. How did God create the Angels? 
 
 A. God 
 
$i The Larger Catecbifm. 
 
 A. God created all the Angels b, Spirits c, im- 
 mortal d, holy e, excelling in Knowledge /, 
 mighty in Power g, to execute his Command- 
 ments, and to praile his Name b> yet fubjed to 
 Change i. 
 
 b Col. I. 16. cTfal. 104. 4. dMatth. 22. 30. 
 e M*f. ijT- 5 X -/ 2S/W1. 14. 17. Ma*. 24. 36* 
 £ i T/;e//'. 1 . 7 . £ Tfal. 1 03 . 10, 1 1 . i 2 Pef . 1.4. 
 
 Q_. How did God create Man ? 
 
 X After God had made all other Creatures he 
 created Man Male and Female *, formed the 
 Body cf the Man of theDuft of the Ground /, 
 and the Woman of the Rib of the Man m\ in- 
 dued them with living, reafonable, and immor- 
 tal Souls n t made them after his own Image 0, 
 in Knowledge/*, Righteoufnefs and Holinelsqr; 
 having the Law of God written in their Hearts r, 
 and Power to fulfil it/, with Dominion over 
 the Creatures f, yet fubjeS ro fall a. 
 
 kGen.x. 27./GM. 2.7. mGen.x.xx.nGen. 
 2.7. with Job Zf.ii.Eccl. 12.7. &Mat. 10. 
 28. Luke ftp 45. oGen. 1. 27. p CoL 3. 10. 
 <j Eph. 4. 24. rRom. 2. 14, if./Eccl. 7. 29. 
 t Gen. 1. ig. « Gen. 3.6. Eire/. 7. 29. 
 
 Q. PT/mi* art God' s Works of frovidence} 
 
 A. God's Works of Providence are, his moft 
 holy w, wife x, and powerful preferving^, and 
 governing all his Creatures*, ordering them and 
 all their Actions a, to his own Glory b. 
 
 wPfal.i+f. 17. x Ffal. 104. 24. Ifa. 28. 29. 
 yHeb. 1. 3. z,P/4/. 103. 19. a Mat. 10.29,30, 
 AJ. Gm. 45-.7.^Ro»3. 11. 36. J/k.63. » 4. 
 \ Q. What 
 
7 he Larger Catechifm. 93 
 
 Q. What U GoeCi Providence toward the An- 
 gels} 
 
 A. God by his Providence permitted fome 
 
 of the Angels wilfully, and irrecoverably to tall 
 
 I into Sin and Damnation r, limitting and order- 
 
 I ing that, and all their Sins to his own Glory d\ 
 
 ! and eftablifhcd the reft in Holinefs and Happi- 
 
 ' nefs e, imploying them all /, at his Pleafure ; 
 
 in the Adminiftrations of his Power i Mercy 
 
 and Juftice g. 
 
 cjtih v.6. % Pet. 2.4., Heb, 1. 16. John 8. 
 44. d fob 1 . 1 2. Mat. 8. 3 1 . e 1 Tim. 5-. 2 1 . 
 MarkB. 38. Heb. 12. 22. fPfal. 104. 4. g 2. 
 Kis^ 19. 3f. Heb. 1. 14. 
 
 Q. JfW Wfl* • the Providence of God toward 
 Man in the "Eft ate in which he was created} 
 
 A. The Providence of God toward Man in 
 the State in which he was created, was the pla- 
 cing him in Paradife, appointed him to drefs 
 it, giving him Liberty to eat of the Fruit of the 
 Earth h, putting the Creatures under hie Domi- 
 nion i, and ordaining Marriage for his Help k, 
 affording him Communion with hirnfclf /, v in- 
 ftituting the Sabbath m> entering into a Cove- 
 nant of Life with him, upon condition of per- 
 gonal, perfect and perpetual Obedience », of 
 which the Tree of Life was a Pledge o, and for- 
 bidding to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of 
 Good and Evil upon pain of Death p. 
 
 h Gen. 2.8,15-, l< *. iGen. 1. 18. kGen.i. 18. 
 iGen. 1. 16, to 30. & x..%.mGen. 2.3. nGal. 
 5, ti.RoTriiiQ.f.oGen. z.y.pGcn.i. 17. 
 
 Q. Did 
 
/ 94 ^he larger Catechifm. 
 
 Q. Bid Man contmue in that Efiate tfhertin 
 God at firfi created him ? . . 
 
 A. Our Firft Parents bemg left to the Free- 
 dom of their own will, through the Temptati- 
 on of Satan tranfgrefled the Commandment or* 
 God, in eating the forbidden Fruit, and thereby 
 fell horn the Eftate of Innocence, wherein they 
 were created q. 
 
 qGen.%.,6,1,%, i $.Ecc!ef. 7. 29.2 Cor. 1K3. 
 
 Q. Did all Mankind fall in that firfi Tra»f- 
 greffion ? 
 
 A. The Covenant being made with Adam as 
 a publick Perfon, not for himteif only, but for 
 hisPofterity, all Mankind defending from hint 
 by ordinary Generation r, finned in him, and fell 
 with him in that firft Tranfgretfion f 
 
 r Ads 17. z6. {Gen. 2. 16, 17. with Rom. f. 
 
 Q. Into what Ejiate did the Tall bring M*r.~ 
 , kind? 
 
 A. The Fall brought • Mankind, into an E- 
 ftate of Sin and Mifery t. . 
 
 tRom. f. 12. & 3. 25. 
 
 Q. What is Sin ? 
 
 A. Sin is any want of Conformity unto, or, 
 Tranfgrefiion of any Law of God, given as a- 
 Rule to the reasonable Creatures u. 
 
 u 1 John 5. 4.. Gal. 5. 10, 12. 
 
 Q. Wherein confifteth the Sinfulmfs of that E^ 
 Jiate ivhereinto Man {ell} 
 
 A. The Sinfulnefs of that Eftate wherein to 
 Min feii. confifteth in the Guilt of Ad&n's firft 
 
"the Larger Catechifm. 9 5 
 
 iin to, the want of that Righteoufnefs where- 
 n he was created, ^nd the Corruption of his 
 Mature, whereby he is utterly indifpofed, dif- 
 bled, and made oppofite unto all that is fpi- 
 itually good, and wjiolly inclined to all Evil -, 
 md that continually x, which is commonly cal- 
 ed Original Sin, and from which do proceed all. 
 i&ual TranfgrelTionsj/. 
 
 voRom.f. 12, 19. x Rom. 3. 10, to 10. Eph. 
 f. -1,1,1. Rom.? 6.&$.'] } S.Gen*6.f.yJam. 
 
 14, ij\ Mat. \f. 19. 
 
 Q. How is Original Sin conveyed from our Tirfl 
 
 I'arents unto their Fcfterity ? 
 A. Orignal Sin is conveyed from our Firft 
 'arents unto their Pofterity by natural Genera- 
 ian, fo as all that proceed from them in that' 
 way, are conceived and born in Sin z.. 
 z.Vfal. fi.f. Jo!j\\,4 i '.& 15-. 1 4. John 5.6, 
 Q. Whstt Mifery. did the Fall bring upon Man^ 
 ftinji" 
 
 A. The Fall bipught upon Mankind Lofs of 
 Communion with God a, his Difpleafure and 
 jCurfe, fo as we. are by Nature Children of 
 Wrath b, Bond- Haves to Satan c, and juftly liable 
 to all PunifnmeiKf in this World and that which 
 is to corned. 
 
 &Gsn. 3. 8, iq, 24. bEph. 2. 2, 3. cl Tim, 
 2. %€. dGzn, 2. 17. Lam. 3. 39. Rom. 6. 23. 
 Mat. if. 41, 46. Jude y. 7. 
 
 Q.. tVh*t Are the funijfmnnts of Sin in this 
 
9 6 7 he Larger Catechifm. 
 
 A. The Punifhments of Sin in this World are 
 either inward, as Blindnefsof Mind e, a repro- 
 bate Senfe /, ftrong Delufions g y hardnefs of 
 Heart h, horror of Conference i and vile Affecti- 
 ons k, or Outward as the Curfe of God upon 
 the Creatures for our fakes 7, and all other Evils 
 that befals us in our Bodies, Names,. Eftates Re- 
 lations, and Imployments m, together with 
 Death it felf ». 
 
 e Eph. 4. iS.fRorh. 1. 2S. g'lTheff. 1. 1 r. 
 hRom. l.f.ilfa. 33. 1 4. Gen. 4. 13. J£«*. 17.4V 
 kRom. 1. 26. iGen., 3. 17. m Deut. 28. 1 f.to 
 the End. n Rom, 6.21,13. 
 
 Q. What are the Vmifljments of Sin in the 
 World to come ? 
 
 A. The Punifhments of Sin in the World to 
 come, are everlafting Separation from the com- 
 fortable Prefencc of God, and moft grievous 
 Torments in Soul arid Body without Intermifli- 
 on, in Hell-fire for ever 0. 
 
 iThtJf. 1.9. Mark 9. 44, 46, 48 . Luke 1 6. 
 14. 
 
 Q. Doth Cod leave all Mankind to perift in the 
 St ate of Sin And Mifery ? 
 
 A. God doth not leave all Mankind to perifti 
 in the State of Sin and Mifery p, into which they 
 fell by the breach of the firft Covenant, com- 
 monly called the Covenant of Works q, but of his' 
 rneqr Love and Mercy delivered his Elect out of 
 if, and'bfingeth them into an Eftate of Salvation 
 
 *y 
 
 , p a Treff. f, 9. g Gal. x. 10. 1 % . 
 
*The Larger Catec hi/ml 9 J 
 
 the fecond Covenant; commonly called thd 
 ovenant of Grace r. 
 
 rtit.^.^jo 8. Gal.- 3.21. Ro#z, 3.*o,*a 23. 
 
 Q. With nhom was the Covenant of Grace 
 made ? 
 
 A. The Covenant of Grare was made with 
 Chrift, as the fecond Adam- y and in him with 
 all the Eleft, as his Seed ft 
 
 /Gal. 3. 16. Rom.?. if.totheEnd. ifa.fp 
 10, II. 
 
 • Q. How is the Grace of God manifefied in the 
 fec$nd Covenant f 
 
 A. The Grace of God is manifefted hatha 
 fecond Covenant, in that he freely pravideth 
 and dffereth to Sinners a Mediator t, and Life 
 and Salvation by him u ; and requiring Faith as 
 the Condition to intereff. thern-inhirriw; pro- 
 mifeth and giveth his Holy Spirit x, to all his 
 Elec-1, to work -in them that Faith y, with all 
 other faving Graces z, and to enable them unto 
 an holy Obedience a, as the Evidence of the 
 Truth of their Faith b, and Thankfulnefs tif 
 God c, and as the Way which he hath appoin- 
 ' ted to Salvation d. 
 
 t Gen. 3. « ?. Ifa. 42. 6. John 6. 27. u 1 John 
 5". ? 1, ia. wjohn 3. 16. & 1. 12. tfProz/. «. 23, 
 yrCor.^t^.z Gal. ?. 21,23. a E ~^' ?6. 27, 
 bjamesz. tS, 22. c 2 Cor. 5*. 14, xf.dEphA.io. 
 
 Q_. Wo* the Covenant of Grace always admi~ 
 r.ijlred after one and the fame Manner ? 
 
 A. The Covenant of Grace was not always 
 adminiflred after the fame Manner > but the Ad- 
 
 miuiilra- 
 
9 8 Tie Larger Catechifm. ' 
 
 miniftf at ions of it under the Old Teftament were 
 diffei ent from thofe under the New e. 
 e iCor. 3, ,<*, 7, 8, 9. 
 Q. How was -the Covenant of Grace admini- 
 Jlred under th e Old Teflament ? 
 
 ' A* The Covenant of Grace was'adrniniftred 
 under trie Old Teflament by Promifes/, Prophe- 
 cies g> Sacrifices h> Circumcifion r, the PafT- 
 over k, and other Types and Ordinances, which 
 did all fore-iignifie Chrifl: then to come, and 
 were for that- time furrkient to build up the E- 
 left in Faith in the promifed MeJJiahl, by whom 
 they then had full RemiiTion of Sin and eternal 
 Salvation m. 
 
 f Rom. if.S.gAZlsi. *°' *4» hHeb. ro. r. 
 iRorn.^. 1 1. k 1 Cor.? 7. lHeb.8.9, 10. chap, 
 and 11. 13. m G^/. 3 . 7, Sj 9, 14. 
 
 Q. How « the Covenant of Grace adminijlred 
 wider the New Teflament t 
 
 A. Under the New Teftament, when Chrift 
 the Subftance was exhibited, the lame Covenant 
 of Grace was, and ftill is to be adminiftred in 
 the preaching of the Word 77, and the Ad mini-- 
 flrauon of the Sacrament of Baptifm 0, and the 
 Lord's Supper f>, in which Grace and Salvation 
 is held forth in more Fulnefs ; Evidence, and 
 Efficacy to all Nations 4. 
 
 nMark i6.if. oMat.iS. 19, 10. p \C»r.i 1. 
 15,24,15". qiCor.$.6. to the End. Heb. 8.6, 
 10, 11. Mat. 18. 19. 
 
 Q: Who it tkft Mediator of 4 he Covenant of 
 Gract I 
 
 The 
 
The Larger Catec hifnf. 99 
 
 A. The only Mediator of the Covenant of 
 Grace, is the Lord Jeius Chriit r, who being the 
 eternal Son of God, of one Subftance and equal 
 with the Father/, in the Fulne fs of Time be- 
 came Man r, and fo was, and continues to be 
 God and Man, in two intire diftinet Natures, 
 and one Perfon for ever ». 
 
 r 1 Tim. 2 . f. (John 1.1,14 & * °- >°* ^^il. 
 2 . 6. t Gal. 4. 4. n Lute 1 . 3/. Rom. 9. f. Col. 
 X. 9. H<?£.7.*4, i$\ 
 
 Q_ How didChirJi being God. become Man ? 
 A. Chrift the Son of God became Man by 
 taking to himfclf a true Body, and a reafonable 
 Soulw; being conceived by the Power of the 
 Holy Ghofl: in the Womb of the Virgin Mary, 
 of her Subftance, and born of her at, yet with- 
 out Sin v. 
 
 wjobn 1. 14. Mat. 26. 38. x Luke 1.17,31, 
 3^,41. G4/.4. 4. y Heb 4. if- 6* 7- *6\ 
 
 Q_. Why wo* it requifoe that the Mediator 
 fliould be God ? 
 
 A. It was rcquifite that the Mediator mould 
 be God, that he might fuftain and keep the hu- 
 man Nature from finking under the infinite 
 Wrath of God and the Power of Death z,, give 
 Worth and Efficacy to his Sufferings, Obedience, 
 and IntercefTion a ; and fo fatisfy God's Juftice b, 
 procure his Favour c, purehafea peculiar Peo- 
 F i pie, 
 
 zA&s 1.14, *f. Rom. 1,4. with Rom. ^..xf. 
 Heb. 9. 14. a ABs 20. tS.Heb. 9. 14. Heb. 7I 
 15-, ?0 2o.£Kjw?. 3.24 } 2j\,i6\ cEf>h. \.6.Mat. 
 3.17. 
 
loo ihe Larger Catechifm. 
 
 pie d, give his Spirit to tliem e, conquer all 
 their Enemies/, and bring them toeverlafting 
 Salvation g. 
 
 (lTtt.1. 12, 14. e Gal. 4. 6. f Luke 1.68,69, 
 .71, j^.gHeb.jM,^. Heb. 9. 1 1, to 16. 
 
 Q. Why teas it reqtiifite that the Mediator 
 JJjpuld be Man ? 
 
 A. It was requifite that the Mediator fliould 
 be Man, that he might advance our Nature /?, 
 perform Obedience to the Law r, fufier, and 
 make Intercefilon for us in our Nature h, have 
 a Fellow-feeling of our Infirmities /, that we 
 might receive the Adoption of Spnsw, and have 
 Comfort and Accefs with Boldnefs unto the 
 Throne of Graces. 
 
 h Heb. 2. (6. iGal.^.4. kHe&.i.i^.Heb.j. 
 24, if. I Heb. a,,, ij-. mGal.$.$. nHeb.4.. \6. 
 
 Q^Wty \ras it reqxijite that the Mediator 
 fljould be Gcd and Man in.one Verfou ? 
 
 A. It was requiiite that the Mediator, who 
 was to reconcile God and Mom fliould himfdf be 
 •both God end Nzn, and ttiis in one Perfon,that 
 the proper Works of each Nature might be acr 
 cepted of God for us 0, and relied on by us, as 
 the Works of the Whole Ferfon p. 
 
 oMat. 1. 2-r, 13.^3. iJ.Heb.9. 14. pi Vtt. 
 
 Q; Why wcistmr Mediator called Jefas > 
 A. Our Mediator was called Jefus, becaufe he 
 
 he faveth his People from their Sins q. 
 
 ' q Mat. 1 . 21. 
 
 Q. Why was cur Mediator called Chrifi ? 
 
 A. Our 
 
7 he Larger Catechifrn. 101 
 
 A. Our Mediator was called Chrift, becaufe 
 he was anointed with the Holy Ghoft above 
 meafure r, and fo fet apart, and fully furnifhed 
 ;with all Authority and Ability/, to execute the 
 Offices of Prophet f, Prieft «, and King of his 
 Church v>, in the Eftate both of his Humilia- 
 tion and Exaltation. 
 
 r Jebn 5. ?4- rjal. 45-7- f John 6,-vj. Mat. t8. 18, 
 39, pp. t ARs 3. zt r %% Lul^e 4.18,11 u H^. s- 5» 
 6. 7. is" 4- i4» *5« » ^- S* 6 « A^<»f. - 1 ' 5. #«. S>.' 
 6 7. Wif. a. 6, to 11. 
 
 Q. Jffrw </<>/£ C&nj? execute the Office ef a, 
 Prophet ? 
 
 A . Chrift executeth the Oifice of a Prophet, 
 in his revealing to the Church #, in all Ages, by 
 his Spirit and Word^, in divers Ways of Ad- 
 ministration z y the whqle Will of God a, in all 
 things concerning their Edification and Salva- 
 tion b. 
 
 x John 1.18.^ 1 ?et. 1. \o,to 15. * Heb. 
 1. 1 ,2. a John if. if. b Acfs 29, jz. Eph.$. 
 ii, to 14. /^w 20. 31. 
 
 Q. Haw </<>//> C/;r/tf Execute the Office of a 
 Trie/i ? 
 
 A. Chrift executeth the Office of a Prieft ir 
 his once offering himfelf a Sacrifice without 
 Spot to God r, to be a Reconciliation for the Sins 
 of his People </, and in making continual Intcr- 
 ccilion for them e. 
 
 cHeb. 9. 14, 28. dHeb. 2. 17. eHeb.-7.2p. 
 
 Q. How */or /; Chrift execute the Office of a King ? 
 
 A. Chrift executeth the Office of a King, 
 
 in calling out of the World a People to him- 
 
 F j felf 
 
10 2 T^be Larger Catechijm 
 
 felf /, giving them Officers g, Laws h, and 
 Cenfures, by which he vifibly governs them i, 
 in beftowing faving Grace upon his Eled k, 
 rewarding their Obedience /, and correcting 
 them for their Sins ;;;, prefer ving and fupport- 
 ing them under all their Temptations and Suf- 
 ferings n, reftraining and overcoming all their 
 Enemies o, and powerfully ordering all things 
 for his own Glory p, and their Good q, and alio 
 in taking Vengeance on the reft, who know not 
 God, and obey not the Gofpel r. 
 
 f acts ii, i - 4> i5) 16. Ija- cs. 4, 5. Gen. 49. jo, Tfal 
 ^ IO - 3- g Epk- 4- J i }-■ * Cox- 1 a. ^b. b Ija. 33. zt, 
 1 Mat if. 17.1 ffi. 1 0\ 5.-4' 5- ^i4flf 5- ,1- iRfti. 2a 
 1 a. Fw. t. 10. *r\ jfiaw. ?• 19- n //*• Gg- 9 01 Cor. r§. 
 c.5. F/i/. 1 10. throughout, p Rom. 14. 1 3, 1 1. qRom. $, 
 sb. r 2 7^.1.8, i,. /yi/. 2. 8, 9 
 
 Q. What was theEfiateofCbrijl's Eumiliati- 
 
 0*? 
 
 ^f. Trie. Eftate of Chrift's Humiliation wi.-, 
 that low Condition wherein he, for our fakes, 
 emptying himfelf of his Glory, took upon him 
 the Form of a Servant in his Conception and 
 Birth., Life, Death, and after his Death until the 
 P^efurredion /. 
 
 [Pbil.z.6,7, 8. Lukei^i. iCor.S.y.Atis 
 
 %. 14. 
 
 Q. How did Chrift bumble himfelf in his Conten- 
 tion and Birth ? 
 
 A. ChriO: humbled himfelf in his Concepti- 
 on and Birth, in that being from all Eternity 
 the Son of God j in the Bofam of the Father, he 
 y/as pleafed in the FuJnefs of Time to become 
 f "the 
 
7 be Larger Catecbifm. 103 
 
 the Son of Man, made of a Woman of alow 
 Eftate, and to be born of her, with divers Cir- 
 cumstances of more than ordinary Abafements t. 
 
 tfohn 1. 14, 18. Gal. 4. 4. Luke 2.7. 
 
 Q. Hoxo did Chrift bumble himfelfin hit Life ? 
 
 A. Chrift humbied himfelf in his Life, by 
 fubje&ing himfelf to the Law u, which he per- 
 fectly fulfilled v>, and by conflicting with the 
 Indignities of the World x y Temptations of Sa- 
 tan^, and Infirmities in his Flefh, whether 
 common ro the Nature of Man, or particular- 
 ly accompanying that his low Condition z.. 
 
 uGal.+.q. v> Mat.f. 17. Rom.f. 10. x Pfal. 
 %%.6,Heb. iz.x.i.y Mat. 4. 1, to 12. Luke 4. 
 12. zHeb.z. 17, 18. ^4. x S^f A 'S r ' x 3> , 4- 
 
 Q. How did Chrift bumble himfelfin hit Death ? 
 
 A. Chrift humbled himfelf in his Death in 
 that having been betrayed by Jtdas a y forfaken 
 by his Difciples by icorned and rejected by the 
 World c, condemned by Pilate, and tormented 
 by his Perfecutors d 5 having alfo conflicted 
 with the Terrors of Death, and the Powers 
 of Darknefs, felt and born the Weight of God's 
 Wrath e, he laid down his Life an Offering for 
 Sin, enduring the painful, fhameful, and curfed 
 Death of the Crois^. 
 
 a Mat. 17, 4. bMat. 16, f6. c Ifa. 5-2. 2, 5. 
 dMat.ij. z6* to fo. John 19.34. e Luke n. 
 4$,Mat. 27,46. / Ifa. $ 3. 10. gfhil.z,%.Htb, 
 12. 2. Gal. 3. 13. 
 
 Q. Wherein eonftfteth Chrift' s Humiliation after 
 hn Death ? 
 
 A. Chrift's 
 
104 Ike Larger Catechifm. 
 
 A. Chrift's Humiliation after his Death con- 
 firmed in his being buried b, and continuing in 
 the Srate of the Dead, and under the Power of 
 Death till the third Day i : which hath been o- 
 therwaysexprefled in thefe Words, Hedefcend- 
 ed into Hell. 
 
 h i Con \$. 3, 4. i Tfal. 16. 10. withAfts 1. 
 24,, to 18," 31. Rom. 6. 9. Mat. 12.40. 
 
 Q. What was the Eftatt of Chrift's Exaltation ? 
 
 A. The Eftate of Chrift's Exaltation compre- 
 hendeth his Rcfurrection k, Afcenfion /, lifting 
 at the right Hand of the Father m, and his com- 
 ing again to judge the World n. 
 
 k 1 Cor. 15-. 4. / Mark 16. 19. mfyb. 1. 20. 
 n Acfs 1. r i. ty> 17, 3 K 
 
 Q. How wasChrift exaltsdin his Refurrtclio n ? 
 
 A. Chrift was exalted in his Refurrection in 
 that, not having feen Corruption in Death, of 
 which it was impoflible for him to be held o, 
 and having the very fame Body in which he 
 fuffered, with the eflential Properties thereof/*, 
 but without Mortality, and other common In- 
 firmities belonging to this Life, really united 
 to his Soul q \ he rofe again from the Dead the 
 third Day by his own Power r, whereby he de- 
 clared himfelf to be the Son of God /, to have 
 Satisfied divine Juftice t y to have vanquifhed 
 Death and him that had the Power of it », 
 and to be Lord of Quick and Dead w. All 
 
 which 
 
 oABst. 24, 27. pLuke 24. 39. qRcm.6.9. 
 Rev. 1. 18. rjohn 10. iS./Rom. 1.4. tRom. 
 8. 34. uHeb. 2. 14. w Rom. 14. o. ~ / 
 
The Larger Catechifm. i o f 
 which he did as a publick Perfbn a;, the Head of 
 his Church y, for their Juftification z, quick- 
 ping in Grace a, Support againft Enemies b, and 
 to allure them of their Refurre&ion from the 
 De.;d at the laft Day c,. 
 
 i tk i Cor. 15.11,11. yEpkef. i.io,zi,i$.Col. 
 1. iS. £Rom. 4. if. aEpb.i. 1, f, 6.Col.%. 
 12. b 1 Cor. if. if, to 18. c 1 Cor. 1 f. 20. 
 
 Q. How w*w C^ri/? exalte J in his Afcenfion ? 
 
 «4; Chrift was exalted in his Afceniion, in that 
 having after his Refurreftion often appeared un- 
 to, and converfed with his Apoftles, fpeaking 
 to them of the Things pertaining to the King- 
 dom of God d, and giving them Commiilioh 
 to preach the Gofpel to all Nations e : Forty 
 Days arte: his Refurre&ion, he in our Nature > 
 andfi-s-Gur Head/, triumphing -over Enemies g, 
 vifihly went up into the higheft Heavens, there 
 to receive Gifts for Men h, to raifeup our Af- 
 fe£tions thither i, and to preparea Place for us k, 
 where himfelf is, and fhall continue till his fe- 
 cond coming at the End of the World I. 
 
 dABs 1.1,5. e Mat. 28. 19, 10. fHeb. 6. so, 
 gTLph.Af. S.hAffs 1.9, ro, ir.Eph.4.. 10. Pfal, 
 62. 18. iCol.'^.i, Lkfohni^.l Atis $.11. 
 
 Q. How is drift exalted m his fitting at the 
 T'ght Hand of God ? 
 
 A. Chrift is exalted ip his fittingat the right 
 Hand of God j in that as God-man he is advan- 
 ced to the highefl: Favour with God the Fa- 
 ther m, with all Fulnefs of Joy », Glory 0, and 
 
 Power 
 
 m Fbil 2. ?.n A8t z.zS.mtbPf. 16. u.ojcbn ty, $'. 
 
io6 Ike Larger. Cat echifm. 
 Power over all Things in Heaven and Earth p t 
 and doth gather and defend his Church, and 
 fubdue their Enemies, furnilieth his Minifters 
 and People with Girts and Graces q, and maketh 
 Interceifion for them r. - 
 
 pEph. 1. 22. i.Pf/. 3. 22. qEph;^. 10, 1 r, 
 12. Tfrl. 1 io; throughout. rRom.S. 34. 
 
 Q. How doth Chrift make Inter cejfton ? 
 
 A. Chrift maketh Interceffion by his appear- 
 ing in our Nature continually before the Fa- 
 ther in Heaven /, in the Merit of his Obedience 
 and Sacrifice on Earth t, declaring his Will to 
 have it applied to all Believers «, anfwering all 
 Accufations againft them tv, procuring for them 
 quiet of Conference, notwithftanding daily fail- 
 ings x, Accefs with Boldnefs to the Throne of 
 Grace y y and Acceptance of their Perfons z, 
 and Services a. 
 
 fHeb. 9. i'i, 24. tHeb. 1. 3. ujohn 3. 16. 
 & 17. 9,20, 24. tv Rom. 8.23, 34. xRom.f. 
 1, 2. \John 2. 1, 2. y Heb. 4. 16. z,Eph. \,6. 
 * 1 Pet.i. 5% 
 
 Q. How U Chrift to be exulted in hit coming 
 again to judge the World ? 
 
 A. Chrift is- to be exalted in his coming a- 
 gain to judge the World, in that he who was 
 unjuftiy judged and condemned by wicked 
 Men b y fhail come; again at the laft Day. in 
 great Power c, and in the full Manifeftation of 
 his own Glory and of his Father's, with all 
 
 his 
 
 b Acis 3, 14, iy. c Mat. 24. 30. 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 107 
 
 his holy Angels d, with a Shout, with the Voice 
 of the Arch-Angel, and with the Trumpet of 
 God e y to judge the World in Righteoumefs/. 
 
 dLuke 9. 26. Mat. if. 3 1. e 1 The([. 4. \6. 
 f A8s 17.51. 
 
 Q. Jjpfefr Benefits hath Chrift 'procured by his 
 Mediation > 
 
 A. Chrift by his Mediation hath procured 
 Redemption g, with all other Benefits of the 
 Covenant of Grace h. ' ' 
 
 g Heb. 9. 12. h z Cor. I. 20. 
 
 Q. iftny </owe comet* be made Partaken of 
 the Benefits which Chrift hath -procured* 
 
 A. V/e arc made Partakers of the Benefits 
 which Chrift hath procured by the Application 
 of them unto usi, which is the Work efpecially 
 of God the Holy Ghoft k. 
 
 i John i. 1 1, 12. k Tit 3. f y 6. 
 
 Q. Who are made Partakers of Redemption 
 through Chrift ? 
 
 A. Redemption is certainly applied, and ef- 
 fectually communicated to ail thole for whom 
 Chrift hath purchafed it /, who are in time 
 by the Holy Ghoft enabled to believe in Chrift, 
 according to the Gofpel m. 
 
 lEph. 1. ij, 14. John 6. 37, 39. & 10. 1/, 
 16. m Eph. 2. 8. 2 Cor. 4. 13. 
 
 Q. Can they who never heard the Gofpel, and 
 fo know net Jefus Chrift, nor believe in him, be 
 faved by thtir living according to the Light of 
 Nature ? 
 
 A. The; 
 
ioS The Larger Catechifm. 
 
 A. They who having never heard the Gos- 
 pel n, know not Jefus Chrift o, and believe^iot 
 in him, cannot be faved />, be they never fo 
 deligent to frame their lives according to the 
 Light of Nature q, or the Law of that Reli- 
 gion which they profefs r ; neither is there 
 Salvation in any other, but in Chriit alone /, 
 who is the Saviour only of his Body the 
 Church t. 
 
 nRom. 10. 14. otTksJf. ». S, 9. tph. 2. n. 
 John i. 10, to 1.3. pjohn S. 24. Mark 16. 16. 
 g 1 Cor, Uio.zi.rjohn^. 22. Rom. 2. 31,31. 
 P&Z. 3 . 4, /o 1 o.fUcts 4. 12./ £/£. y. 2 ;. 
 .-Qj .^rg a# they faved who hear the Geff el and 
 live in the Church ? 
 
 ^f. All that hear the Gofpel, and live in the 
 vifible Church, are not faved, but they only who 
 are true Members of the Church in vifible u . 
 
 tijohn 12.38,39,40. Rom. 9, 6. Mat. 22 
 14. & 7- -*• Rom. 11. 7. 
 
 Q. JFr£0* if the vifible Church ? 
 
 -rf. The vifible. Church is a Society madeup 
 of all fuch as in all Ages.and Places of the World 
 do profefs the true Religion ■», and of theiir 
 Children x. 
 
 vf> 1 Cor.i. 2, iffji. it. Horn. j\. 9. t» 1?. Rfv. 7. 
 *?. T/d/. z: 8. '15 22. t 7 , to ?2. ^ 45. 17- Mat. 28. 
 19, 20. //a. S9 . zr . xx Cot. 7. 14. A8s 2. 39. Rom. 1 r\ 
 16: Gen. i-7. y] 
 
 Q; What are the fpecial 'Privileges of *the vifible 
 Church ? 
 
 A. The vifible Church hath the Privilege of 
 being under God's fpecial Care and Govern- 
 ment 
 
7 he Larger Catechifm. 109 
 
 ment y, of being protected and preferved in all 
 Ages, notwithstanding the Oppofitionof all E- 
 nemies z,, and of enjoying the Communion - of 
 Saints, the ordinary Means of Salvation a, Offers 
 of Grace by Chrift to all the Members of it in the 
 Miniftryof the Gofpel, teftifying that whofoe- 
 ver believes in him fliall be faved£, andexclud* 
 ing none that will come unto him c. 
 
 yjfa.^..f y 6.\ Tim. 4.10. z,-Tfal.i if. through- 
 out. If*. 31. 4, f.Zech. 12. 2, 3,4,8, y.aAtfs 
 1. 39, \i.bEfal 147.19, 20. Rom. y.^.Epht 
 4. ii,i2. Mark \6.if t i6 t cjohn 6. 3 7. 
 
 Q. What is the invifible Church ? 
 
 A. The. vnvifible Church is the whole Num- 
 ber of the Eled, that have been, are or fhall be 
 gathered into one, under Chrift the Head </. 
 
 dEph. i.io,zi, 23. John 10. i6.&n.fz] 
 
 Q. What fpeciai Benefits do the Members of the 
 irrvifibUChurdh enjoy by Chrift ? ' 
 
 A. The Members of the invisible Church by 
 Chrift, enjoy Union and Communion with him 
 in Grace and Glory e. ... 
 
 e John 17.21. Ephef. 1 . f, 6. John 17.14, ' 
 
 Q What u, that Union which the Eieft.have 
 KPttb Chrift ? 
 
 A. The Union which the Ele£t have with 
 Chrift, is the Work of God's -Grace /", whereby 
 they are fpiritually and myfticalty; jet really and 
 infeparibly- joined to Chrift, as their Vl&d and 
 Husband £, which is done in -their "' effectual 
 
 Calling /•. ' G 'Q'What 
 
 . 
 
 f Epb.i.zi. & z.6, 7, 8; giCor. 6.17. John ic-1% 
 fyl' 5- ih to 30. b 1 Cor. 1. y, t Pet-. 5, 10. 
 
1 1 o Ihe Larger Caticbijm, 
 
 Q_. What is effectual calling ? 
 A. Efreftual Calling is the Work of God's 
 Almighty Power and Grace i, whereby, out of 
 his free and fpecial Love to his Elect, and from 
 nothing in ihem moving him thereunto k, he 
 doth in his accepted Time invite and draw them 
 to Jefus Chrift by his Word and Spirit /, favingly 
 enlightning their Minds w, renewing and pow- 
 erfully determining their Wills », fo as they al- 
 thoin themfclves dead in Sin, are hereby made 
 willing and able freely to anfwer his Call, and 
 to accept and embrace the Grace offered and con- 
 veyed therein <n 
 
 ijobn 5. 25. Epb. 1. 18, 19, 10. z Tim. 1. S, 9. £7V>. 
 3.4,?. Epb. z. 4*, 5, 7. 8, 9. Rom. 9- n. IzCor.s* 
 zo. mtbcbap.6. 1,2. John 6. 44. zTbeff. z. 13, 14. 
 to ABs 26.18. 1 Cor. 2.10,12. n Ezel^ 1 i*i9- f to 36. 
 26, zy . John*. 45. Epb. z. 5. Pbil.z. 13. Deut. 30. 6. 
 
 Q; ^rs /Ae £/<?# o«/y effectually called ? 
 
 -4. All the Elect, and they only, are effectu- 
 ally called />, altho others may be and often are ; 
 outwardly called by the Miniftry of the Word q-i 
 and have ibme common Operations of the Spi- 
 rit r, who for their wilful Neglect and Contempt 
 of the Grace offered to them, being juftly left 
 in their Unbelief, do never truly come to Jefus 
 Chrift/. 
 
 pAcis 13.4s. tjMat. 22. 14. r Mat. 7.11. 
 & 13. 10, i\.Heb. 6. ^5. (John 1:. 3S, 39, 
 40. Acls zS. 2/, 26, 27. John 6. 6^6j. Ffal. 
 81. 1.1, 11. 
 
 Q. What it the Communion in Grace which the 
 Members of the invisible Church have with Chrifl ? 
 
 A. The 
 
7 he Larger Catei ujm. 131 
 Q. What are the Duties required in the fecond 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Duties required in the fecond Com- 
 mandment, are the receiving, obferving, and 
 keeping pure and entire all fuch religious Wor- 
 ships and Ordinances as God hath inftitnted in 
 his Word 0, particularly Pra>er and Thankfgiv- 
 ing in the Name of Chnft p, the reading, preach- 
 ing, and hearing the Word q, the Adminiftration 
 and receiving of the Sacraments r, Church- 
 Government and Difcipline s, the Minifiryand 
 •Maintenance thereof t, religious Fallings u y 
 fwearing by the Name of God w, and vow- 
 ing unto him x, as alfo the dilapproving, de- 
 tefting, oppofing all falfe Worfhip_y, and accord- 
 ing to each ones Place and Calling, removing 
 it, and all-Monuments of Idolatry z. 
 
 oDeut. 32.46,47. Mat. 28.20. ABs z. 42. 1 Tim. 6. 
 13, 14, p Phil. 4. 6. Epb. 5. 20. qDeut. 17. 18, 19. 
 ABs 15. zi. 2 Tim 4*2, James i.zi, zz. ABs 10, 33* 
 rMat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. ij, 23, to ?o. sMat. j6. 15, »6, 
 *7> & 16.19. iCtr. ?. chap. }ff 12.26. tEph.q. n» 
 12. 1 imj.s. 17,18. j Car. 9. 7. .10 15. ujoeli. 12, 13* 
 1 Car. 7. 5. vDeut, 6. 13. * #2*. 19. 21. Pfal.76. Si. 
 y ABs 17 t i6ji7. Fjal. 16 4. zDeut. 7. $. Jfa. zc.zz* 
 
 Q_ JT/?#* * re th^Sins forbidden in the fecond 
 Commandment ? 
 
 ^. The Sins forbidden in the fecond Com- 
 mandment, are, all devifing a, counfelling b t 
 commanding c t ufing d, and any ways approv- 
 ing any religious Worlhip not inftituted by Goi 
 
 him- 
 
 a Kumb. 15. 39- BDei.. 13. 6, 7> 8. Cllof. 5., jt t 
 3flSti $. iS. df 1 K//7gj 11, 33. ^)T ia. 33. 
 
j I 7 fie Larger Catechifm. 
 himfelf e ; tolerating a falfe Religion /, the mak- 
 ing any Reprefentation of God, of all, or of any 
 of the three Perfons,either inwardly in our Mind, 
 or outwardly in any kind of Image, or likcwife 
 of any Creature whatfoever g, all worfhipping 
 of it h, or God in it, or by it i, the making 
 of feigned Deities k, and all Worfhip of them, 
 or Service belonging to them /, all fuperftiti- 
 ous Devices m, corrupting the Worfhip of God n, 
 adding to it, or taking from it o, whether inven- 
 ted and 'taken up of ourfelves p, or received by 
 Tradition from others q, tho under the Title of 
 Antiquity r, Cuftom s, Devotion t, good In* 
 tent,. or any other Pretence whatfoever u, Si- 
 mony re, Sacrilege x, all Neglect y, Contempt z, 
 hindering a, and oppoiing the Worfhip and Or- 
 dinances which God hath appointed b. 
 
 e Deut. iz. 3°> ?i, 32. fDeuc.iz,, 6, toiz. Zecb.*i, 
 z, $. Rev.z. z, T4,ix,,zo. fo ij. iz, 16, ij.gDeut. 
 4. 1?, to 19. ABs 17. 29. Kan. j. zi, 22, 23, zz.b Dan. 
 3. 1 8. Gal. 4. »• * £*«*• S-. 5; k Exed. 32. 8. 1 1 ti'rngs 
 18.26* 28. ]fa. 6s. 11. m ABs 17. 22. Coh <s. zv, zz>, 
 23- n Mai. 1.7, 8, 14. aDeut. 4. a. pPfali ic6. 39-. 
 ^ Mat. ic. 9. r 1 /><?«. i. 18. sjer. 44. 17. r Ifa. 6?. 
 3*4. $. Gd/. x. 1?, 14. u 1 Sdm. 13. 2i. xt> A$s 8. -18, 
 ^.2 Row. 2. ;i A1W.3. 8. y £^.4.24, - c i -6* £ Ma;, 
 22.5. A^/. 1. 7, 13. a Mat.zf.iz. b A8s'.$. 44,45-. 
 1 Theft, z. 1?, 1 6., 
 
 Q. What are the Reafons annexed te the fee on 4 
 Commandment, the more to enforce it ? 
 
 A. The Reafons annexed to the fecondCcjm- 
 Tnandrnent, the more to enforce it, contained in 
 ifftffe Words [ Tor I the Lord thy God apt a jeal- 
 ous God, vtftinrthetniqttitiesef the father /% 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 1.3 3. 
 
 on the Children, mto the third and fourth Gene- 
 ration y of them tbfikbtte me ; and f jewing Mercy, 
 unto thoufwds of them that love me, and keep 
 my Commandments c, j are beiides God's Spve- 
 reignty over us, and 'Property in us d, his fer- 
 vent Zeal for his own Worfhip e, and his re- 
 yengeful Indignation againft all talfe Worfhip, 
 as being a fpiritual Whoredom / ; accounting 
 the Breakers of this Commandment fuch as hate 
 him ; and threatning to punifh them unto di- 
 vers Generations g, and eftceming the Obfer- 
 vers of it, fuch as love him, and keep his Com- 
 mandments, and promihng Mercy to them un- 
 to many Generations /; : 
 
 c Exod^io.f y 6. dVfd.\<). I i.Rei/. if. 3,4. 
 eExod.^^'ri^, 14. f 1 Cor. 10. xo, to f$.fer..j. 
 iS, 19,20. Ezek. 16. 26, 27. Dem."$z. 16, to 
 20. £#0/2.2,2,4. £ Deut.f, 19. 
 
 Q. Which is the third Commandment t 
 
 A. The third Commandment is, Thou flialt 
 not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain : 
 For the Lord will not hold him guiltlefs that taketh 
 his Name in vain i. 
 
 i Exod. 20. 7. 
 
 Q. What is required in the third Command- 
 ment ? 
 
 A. The third Commandment requires, that 
 the Name of God, his Titles, Attributes /?, Or- 
 dinances /, the Word m, Sacraments n } Prayer o t 
 H Oaths, 
 
 k Mat. 6, 9. Dent. 28. 5-8. Vfal. 29,2.^68.4. 
 Rev. 1 f. 3,4. iMal. 1.14. Eccl. f.i.m Pftl. 138, 
 a.ni Cor, 1 1. 14, z/, 18,29, 9 iTiw.i,8. 
 
1 34 The Larger Catechifm. 
 Oaths p> Vows q, Lots r, his Works j, and what- 
 fbever elfe there is whereby he makes himfeltT 
 known, be h'olily and reverently ufed in Thought 
 t, Meditation «, Word tf, Writing x, by an ho- 
 ly Profemon y-, and anfwerable Converfation z, 
 to the Glory of God a, and the Good of* our 
 felves 6, and others <:. 
 
 p Jer. 4. a . fl Jftjfl! J\ 2, 4, f , 6. r Atts 1 . 24, 
 26*. sjob 36. 24. f Ma/. 5.16. « Pfal. 8, through- 
 out. WC0/.3. 17. Pfal. io£. 2,5-. #P/#/. i'oi. 18. 
 ^ 1 Pf/.$. 15-. Mic. 4. 5-. &PA/7. f .27. /* i Cor. 
 10. 31. bjer. 32. 39. c 1 Pee. 2. 17. 
 
 Q. JPfcaf are the Sins forbidden in the third 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Sins' forbidden in the third Command- 
 ment are, the not uiing of God's Nome as k 
 required d, and -the Abuie of it, in an ignorant e, 
 vain fy. irreverent'prophane £, iuperltitious hi 
 or wicked mentioning, or otherwife uiing his 
 Titles, Attributes 1, Ordinances k, or Works/, 
 by Blafphemy m, Perjury «, all iinful Curfings 0, 
 Oaths? f, Vows q, and Lots r, violating of our 
 Oaths and Vows, it' lawful s, and fulfilling of 
 # them, 
 
 A Hal. x.i.eActs ij.r^.fProv. 30. o. glial. 
 i. <5, 7, ia.^» 3. *4- ^ 1 Sam. 4,. 3,4, j.Jer.j. ' 
 4 9> 10, 14, 3 1. Col. a"; 20, /o 23. i 2 Knag; 18. 
 30. 35-. Exod.f.z. Pfal. 139. 20. kPfal.fo. 16, 
 1 7/1 2/4. y. 1 2. w 2 Kiwfj 19. 22. Lev. 24. 11. 
 » Zer/?. ^-.4. ^»8. 17. 1 5/jw. '7.43. 2 &»»« 
 ^•i*- Pf er T- 7. 6*23. 10. qDeut. 23. i'8..<#fc 
 25. 12, 14. rJEflhc'r 3.7. ^ 9. 24. P/4/. 2Z, 
 J 8. ;?/«/. 24.4. £**/;. 17.' 16, i&, 19. 
 
I he Larger Latecbijm. 135 
 them, if .qf Things unlawful t, murmuring and 
 quarrelling at», curious prying into to, and rnif- 
 applying of God's Decrees^, and Providences y, 
 mifinterpreting z,, mifapptying a, or anyway 
 perverting the Word, or any part of it b, to 
 prophane Jefts c, curious or unprofitable Quefti- 
 ons, vain Janglings, or the ma : ntaining of falie 
 Dodrjnes d, abufing it, the> Creatures, or any 
 Thing contained under the Name of God, to 
 Charms e y or finful Lufts and Practices f, the 
 maligning £, fcorning h, reviling/, or any ways 
 oppoiing of God's Truth, Grace and Ways k ; 
 making Profeflion of Religion in Hypocrify, 
 or for unifier Ends / ; being afhamed of it nt y 
 or Shame to it, by uncomfortable ?;, unwile 0, 
 unfruitful/), and offenfive walking q, or back- 
 Hiding from it r. H 2 Q. What 
 t Mark 6. 16, 1 Sam. 1?. 22, 32, 33, 34. » 
 Rom. 9. 14, 19, io. to Deut. 29.29. x Rom. 3, 
 S7-& 6. i.yZcclef. 8. 11. & 9. 3. T/al. 39, 
 throughout, z Mat. f.i\>to the erj. a Ezek. 1 3 . 
 22. b 2 Pet. 3. 16. Mat. 22. 24, to 3 1. clfa.iz. 
 '3. Jer. 23. 34, 36, 38. </ 1 Tim. 1. 4, 6", 7. 
 1 T;V».6.4,5*, 20. zTim.z. \\.T\t. 3.9. cDeut. 
 18. io,?o 14. ^#j 19. 13./1T/W.4. 3,4.. Rom. 
 13.13,14. 1 K/«f / 21.9,10. Jnilev. 4. £ v#?j 
 13. 4^. 1 John'%. 12. £P/k/. i. r. 2 P^.3.3. 
 i 1 Ptfr.4.4. /r^7j i 3. 4f ,46,^-0. $» 4. 18.^* 
 19.9. 1 T^jf. 2. 16. H*£. 10. 29. 1% Tim. 1. 
 5-. Af«/. 23. 14. ©» 6. 1, 2,5*, \6.mMark8. 38. 
 nTfal.fi. 14, 15*. iC9r'6.?,6.Eph f. if, 16, 
 17.pI/a. f.4. 2Pe*. 1.8,9. qRom.z. 23, 24. 
 r GnL-i.iy^.Heb.6.6. 
 
i$fe 'The Larger Catechifm. 
 
 Q. What are the Reafens annexed to the third 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Reafons annexed to the third Com- 
 mandment in thefe Words " The Lord thy God'] 
 and [ For the Lord will not hold him gu'dtlefs that 
 takeih his Name in vain s ~' are, becaufe he is 
 the Lord and our God, and therefore his Name is 
 not to be pvophaned, or any way abufed by us /, 
 especially becaufe he will be fo far from acquit- 
 ting and fparing the Tranfgreflbrs of this Com- 
 mandment, as that he will not fu'ffer them to ef- 
 eape his righteous Judgment//, albert 'many fuch 
 efcape the Cenfures and Ptfniftiments of $en tv. 
 
 sExod.io.y. t Lev. 19. 12. uEzek.$6.ii t 
 to 24- Deut. 28. 58, jo. Zech. f. 2, j, 4. w 1 
 Sam. z. ii, i7>"> 2 4- ^ith 3. 15. 
 
 Q. Which is the fourth Commandment t 
 
 A. The fourth Commandment is, Remember 
 the Sabbath day to keep it holy, fix Days /halt 
 thou, labour, and do all thy Work, but the feventb 
 Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: In it 
 thou fialt not do any Work, thou, nor thy Son, nor 
 thy DaugJ. ter, thy Man-fervant, nor thy Maid- 
 fervant, nor thy Cattel, nor the Stranger that is 
 within thy Gates •■, for in fix Days the Lord made 
 Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them 
 is, and refled the feventh Day, -wherefore the 
 Lord blejfed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it x. 
 
 X Exod. 20. 8, fo 1 1. 
 
 Q. What is required in the fourth Command- 
 ment ? 
 
 A. The 
 
The Larger Catechijm. 137 
 
 A . The fourth Commandment requii eth of 
 all Mcnthefanctifying, or keeping holy to God, 
 fuch fet times as he hath appointed in his Word, 
 exprefly one whole Day in feveh, which was 
 the feventh from the beginning of the World 
 to the Refurreclion of Chrift, and the firft Day 
 of the Week ever fince, and fo to continue to 
 the End of the World, which is the Chriftian 
 Sabbath ^y, and in the New Teftament called the 
 the Lord's Day z. 
 
 y Dfiit. f. 12, 13, 14. Gen. 2. 2, 3. 1 Cor. 
 16. 1, 2. A&s 20. 7. Mat. J. 17, 18. Jfa. f6. 
 2, 4,6, 7. zRev. 1. 10. 
 
 Q. How is the Sabbath* or Lord's-day to be 
 fanciified ? 
 
 A. The Sabbath or Lord's-day is to be fan- 
 ctified by an holy reftingall the Day a, not on- 
 ly from fuch Works as are at all times iinful, but 
 even from fuch worldly Employments and Re- 
 creations as are on o.her Days lawful b, and 
 making it our Delight to fpendthe whole Time 
 (except fo much of it as is to be taken up in 
 Works of Neceflity and Mercy c.) in the pub- 
 lick and private Exercife of God's Wormip*/: 
 And to that end we are to prepare our Heart?, 
 and with fuch Forefight, Diligence, and Mode- 
 ration to difpofe and feafonably to difpatch our 
 H 3 worldly 
 
 aUxod. 20. 8, lo.bExod. \6.zf,toiS. Neh. 
 13. 15-, to 22.fer. 17. 21,22. c Mat, 12. 1, 
 to 12. d Ifa. 5*8. 15. Luke 4. 16. Acts 20. 7. 
 1 Cor. 16. i, 2. Ffal, 92. Title. Jfa. 66. 23, 
 Lev. 23. 3. 
 
138 The Larger Catecbifm. 
 
 worldly Bunnefs, that we may be the more free jj 
 and fit for the Duties of that Day e. 
 
 e Exod. 20. 8. Luke 23, 5-4,5-6. Exod. 16". 
 22, 25-. 26, 29. Neb. 13. 19. 
 
 Q. J^fcy ft the Charge of keeping the Sabbath 
 •more efpecially dirtied to Governor s of Families 
 and other Superiors ? 
 
 A. The Charge of keeping the Sabbath is 
 more efpecially directed to Governors of Fami- 
 lies and other Seperiors, becaufe they are bound 
 not only to keep it thcmfelves, but to fee that 
 it be obferved by all thoie that are under their 
 Charge, and becaufe they are prone oft times 
 to hinder them with Employments of their 
 own/. 
 
 / Exod. 20. 10. Jofli. 24. 15-. Neh. 13. ifi 
 17. Jer. 17. 20, to 22. Exod. zj. «2. 
 
 Q. What are the Sins for bidden in the fourth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Sins forbidden in the fourth Com- 
 mandment, are, all Omiflions of the Duties re- 
 quired g, all carelefs, negligent and unprofit- 
 able performing of them, and being weary of 
 them h' 9 all prophaning the Day by Idlcnefs, and 
 doing that which is in itfelf finful i ; and by all 
 neediefs Works, Words, and -Thoughts about 
 our worldly Employments and Recreations k. 
 
 gEzeh. 11. 16. h Acts zo. j y 9. Ezek '.-$!. 30, 
 to 33. Amos 8. 5*. Mai. 1. 13. i Ezek. 23. |o. 
 kjer. 17. 24, i7 . jfa. 5-8. 13. 
 
 Q; What are the Reafons annexed to the fourth 
 Commandment, themort to enforce itl 
 
 A. The 
 
tfie Larger Catechifm. 1 39 
 
 A. The Reafons annexed to the fourth Com- 
 mandment, the more to enforce it, are taken 
 from the Equity of it, God allowing us fix Days 
 of feven for our own Affairs, and referving but 
 one for himfelf, in thefe Words [ Six Days /halt 
 thou labour and do all thy Work I ] from God's 
 challenging a fpecial Propriety in that Day, 
 £ The/eventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy 
 God m j from the Example of God, who in fix 
 Days made Heaven andEarthy theSeaandall that 
 in them is y and refted thefeventh Day : And from 
 thatBlefling which God put upon that Day, 
 not only in fan&ifying it to be a Day for his 
 Service, but in ordaining it to be a means of 
 Bleifing to us in our fanttifying it} [Where- 
 fore the Lord bleffed the Sabbath-day and hai- 
 letoed it n.] 
 
 / Exod. 10. 9. m Exod. 20. io.nExod.io.it, 
 
 Q. Why U the Word ( remember ) fet in the 
 beginning of the fourth Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Word {remember) is fet in the begin- 
 ning of the fourth Commandment 0, partly be- 
 eaufe of the great Benefit of remembring it; 
 we being thereby helped in our Preparation to 
 keep it p, and in keeping it, better to keep 
 all the reft of the Commandments <j, and to 
 con'inue a thankful Remembrance of the two 
 great Benefits of Creation, and Redemption, 
 which contain a fhort Abridgement of Religi- 
 on, 
 
 Exod. 20.8. pExod. 1 6*. 23. Luke 13. 74, 
 yCt. with Mark if. ^z. Neb. 13. 19. qTfal.0.1. 
 Title.Tvithv.il, 14. Ezck.xo. 12, 1-9, 20. 
 
140 The Larger Catechifm. 
 
 on r I and partly becaufe we are very ready to for- 
 get it s ; for that there is lefs Light of Nature 
 tor it t, and yet it reftraineth our natural Liberty 
 in Things at other times lawful », that itcom- 
 ethbut once in feven Days, and many worldly 
 BufinefTes come between, and too often take off 
 our Minds from thinking of it, either to prepare 
 for it, or to fanftify it w, and that Satan with 
 his Inftruments much labour toblotout the Glo- 
 ry, and even the Memory of it, to bring in all 
 Irrcligion and Impiety x. 
 
 rGw.i.i,j. Pfal. 118.12, 24. vithAtis \. 
 10,11. Rev. 1. to. s Ezek. 22. 26. tNeb.9 14. 
 uExod.i^.ri.vfBeut. y. 14, if. Amos 8. f. 
 x Lam. 1.7. Jer. 1 7 . 2 1 , to 24. Neh. 13. 1 y, 
 to 22. 
 
 Q. What is the [urn of the fix Commandments, 
 which contain our Duty to Man ? 
 
 A. The Sum of the fix Commandments, 
 which contain our Duty to Man, is, to love our 
 Neighbour as our felvcsj', and to do toothers 
 what we would have them to do to us z,. 
 
 y Mat. 22. 29. z. Mat. 7. 12. 
 
 Q. Which it the fifth Commandment ? 
 
 A. The fifth Commandment is, Honour thy 
 father and thy Mother •, that thy Days maybe 
 long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giv- 
 eth thee a. 
 
 a Exod. zo. 12. 
 
 ■ »Q Who are meant by Father and Mother in 
 
 ■ th fifth Commandment ? 
 
 A. By 
 
7 he Larger Catethifm. 141 
 
 A. By Father and Mother in the .fifth Com- 
 mandment, are meant not only natural Parents b, 
 but all Superiors in Age c, and Gifts d, and es- 
 pecially fuch as by God's Ordinance are over us 
 in Place of Authority, whether in Family e, 
 Church /, or Common-wealth g. 
 
 bFrov* 25.11, zf.Epb.6. f,2. c \7$m. f. J, 
 2. dGen. 4. 20, to 23. Gen. 45-. 8. e 2 Kings f. 
 i^fi Kings 2. 12. & 13. 14. Gal. 4. 19. 
 £l>. 49, 23 
 
 Q_. Why are Superiors fliled Father and Mother ? 
 
 A. Superiors are ftiled Father and Mother, 
 both to teach them in all Duties towards their 
 Inferiors, like natural Parents, to exprefs Love 
 and Tendernefs to them, according to their fe- 
 veral Relations h, and to work Inferiors to a 
 greater Willingnefsand Cheerfulnefs in perform- 
 ing their Duties to their Superiors as to their Pa- 
 rents i. 
 
 h Epk.6.4. 1 Cor. 12. 14. 1 Thejf. 1. 7, 8, 
 1 1. Numb. 11. 1 1, 12. 1 1 Cor. 4. 14, 1 j*, 16. 
 2 Kings?. 13. 
 
 Q. What is the general Scope of the. fifthCom-- 
 mandment ? 
 
 A The general Scope of the fifth Command- 
 ment, is, the Performance of thofe Dirties which 
 we mutually owe in our Several Relations, as 
 Inferiors, Superiors, Equals k. 
 
 k Eph. f . 2 1 . i Pet. 2. 1 7. Rom. r 2. 10. 
 
 Q. What is the Honour that Inferiors owe to 
 their Superiors* 
 
 A. The 
 
ij\.i 7 be Larger Catechifm. 
 
 A. The Honour which Inferiors owe to their 
 Superiors, is all due Reverence in Heart/, Word 
 m, and Behavior w, Prayer and Thankfgiving 
 for them o, Imitation of their Virtues and Gra- 
 ces p; willing Obedience to their lawful Com- 
 mands and Counfels q y due SubmiiTion to their 
 Corrections r, Fidelity to s, Defence?, and Main- 
 tenance of their Perfortsand Authority, accord- 
 ing to their feveral Ranks, and the Nature of 
 their Places u, bearing with their Infirmities, 
 and covering them in Love w>, thatfo they may 
 be an honour to them and to their Govern- 
 ment x. 
 
 1 Mat. j. 6. Lev. 19 3. m?r$v.n.z$. 1 Vtt. ?.A 
 nLev.'io. ?.. 1 Kings *. 19. 1 Tim. z. 1, -• pHcb. 
 1?. 7. Phil. ?. 17. q Epb, 6. 1, to 7. 1 Vet. z. is>J4- 
 Rom.-Ui. J, to s.htb is. 17. Vrov. 4. 3, 4. \$z$.zz. 
 Exbi. 18. 19, 24. rfitb. 12.9. 1 Pel. 2. Jb, T9, zc. 
 sTit. z. 9^ 10. 1 1 Stf*it'26.j5. zSam. 18. g. Ejlbert. 
 z. u Mat. 2;, 2i. Rtfm. 1?. 6, 7. 1 P?f. ?. 17* lt« 
 Gcj/. 6.-6.' G*n. 45. 11.^747. 12. j»i P<?r. 2. \b.Prov. 
 ^3.22. Gfn. 9 .z$.xPfal. 127. 3,4, 5. Fr*v. Si. 23. 
 
 Q. What are the Sins of Inferiors againfi their 
 Superiors ? 
 
 vf. The Sins of Inferiors againft their Supe- 
 riors, are, all negleft of the Duties required to- 
 ward them y, envying at x, Contempt of a, 
 and Rebellion b, againft their Perfons c, and Pla- 
 ces J, in their lawful Counfels e, Commands 
 
 and 
 
 yMat. if.^ y f f 6.zNum. 11.18,19.4 1 Sam. 
 S. 7 . 7/i*. 3 . 5-. 6 2 Sam. if.i,toii. c Exod. 2 1 . 
 I£* d 1 Sam. 10. 27. e 1 5/»w. 2. tf. 
 
7 he Larger Catecbifm. 143 
 and Corrections/, Gurfing, Mocking g, and all 
 itich refractory and fcandalousCarriage,as proves 
 a Shame and Difhonour to them and their Go- 
 vernment h, 
 
 f Deut. 2T. 18, to it. g Prov. 30. 1 1, 17- 
 h Prov. 10. 16. 
 
 Q. What is required of Superiors toward their 
 inferiors ? 
 
 A. It is required of Superiors, according to 
 that Power they receive from God, and that Re- 
 lation wherein they (land, to love 1, pray for k, 
 and blefs their Inferiors I, to inftruft m, counfel 
 and adrhonim them n, countenancing 0, com- 
 mending p, and -rewardiug fuch as do well c[, 
 difcountenaneing r, reproving and chaftiiing 
 fifen as do ill s, protecting t, and providing for. 
 them all Things neceffary for Soul «, and Bo- 
 dy w j and by grave, wife, holy and exemplary 
 Carriage, to procure Glory to God x, Honour 
 to themfelves y, and To to preferve that Autho- 
 rity which God hath put them in jt, 
 
 iCol. 3. ly.Tit.i.^.hiSam. 12. i^.Job i.f . 
 I 1 Kings 8. 5-5*, f(k Heb. 7.7, 8. Gen. 49. 28. 
 mDeut.-6.6 y 7. nEph.6.$. o\ Pet. 3.7^ 1 Pet. 
 i. 14. Rem. 1 3. 3. q Eflh. 6. 3 r Rom. 13. 3,4, 
 Prov. 29. 15*. 1 P e t- 1 J^.tjob 29. 12. Ifo. 
 1 . io, 17. uEph.6.4. w Ttm.f.8. x 1 Tim. 4. 
 12. Tit. 2.3,4', f y 1 Kings 3 18. zTit.z. if, 
 Q. PT^i/ «re *£»■ £/»;*? Superiors? 
 A. The Sins of up'eriors are, befide the ne- 
 glect of the Luues required of them a, an in- 
 ordinate ' 
 aEzek.uli,},^ 6 ' n ' 
 
144 Ihe Larger Catechifm. 
 
 ordinate feeking of themfelves b, their own 
 Glory c, Eafe, Profit or Pleafure d, command- 
 ing Things unlawful e, or not in the Power of 
 Inferiors to perform/, counfelling^, encourag- 
 ing/?, or favouring thera in that which iseviUj 
 diiwading, difcouraging, or difcountenancing 
 them in that which is good i ; correcting them 
 unduly /, carelefs expoimg, or leaving them to 
 Wrong, Temptation, and Danger m> provoking 
 them to Wrath », or any way dishonouring 
 themfelves or leflening their Authority, by any 
 unjuft, indifcreet, rigorous or remifs Behaviour o. 
 
 b Phil. i. 2 \.c Johnf./M&j. 18.dlfa.f6. 
 10, « i.Deut. 17. 17. eDan, 3.4, f f 6.Acls^. 
 17, \%.fExod. f. 10, to 1.8. Mat. 23. 1,4. 
 I Mat. 14.8. with Mark 6.24. hi Sam. 12^28. 
 i 1 Sam. 3 . 1 3 . k John 7. 46, to 49. Col. 3.21. 
 Exod.f. if. 1 1 Fet.x.iS, 19, 20. Heb. 12. 10. 
 Deut. 27. %.m Gen. 38. 11, 26. Afts 18. 17. 
 nEph. 6.4. oGen. 9. 21. 1 Ki^ 12. 13, to \6. 
 1 Kings 1 . 6". 1 Sam. a. 29, 30, 31. 
 
 Q. What are the Duties of Equals ? 
 
 A. The Duties of Equals are to regard the 
 Dignity and Worth of each other />, in giving 
 Honour to go one before another q 3 and to re- 
 joice in each others Gifts and Advancements as 
 in their own r. 
 
 p 1 Vet. 2. 17. qRom. 12. 10. r Rom. 12. 
 .iy, 16. Mil. 2. 3, 4. 
 
 Q. What are the Sins of Equals t 
 * > The Sins of Equals are beiide the neglect 
 duties required s, the undervaluing of the 
 15 \ 13. 8. Worth, 
 
TJoe Larger Catechifml 145 
 
 Worth *, envying the Gifts u, grieving at the 
 Advancement or Profperity one of another w % 
 and ufurping Pre-eminence one over another x. 
 
 tzTtm.$. ^.uABsj.<). Gd.?.z6.T»Nutn; 
 u. i.Efth. 6. 11, 12. x %Johnvy. Luke 22. 24." 
 
 Q_. What is the Reafon annexed to the fifth, 
 Commandment, the more to enforce it ? 
 
 A. The Reafon annexed to the fifth Com-' 
 mandment, in thefe Words, {That thy Days may 
 be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God 
 giveth thee y ) is an exprefs Promife of long Life 
 and Profperity, as far as it fhall ferve for God's 
 Glory, and their own Good, to all fuch as keer* 
 this Commandment *. 
 
 y Exod. 2©. !2. x Deut. f. 16. 1 Kings $1 
 if. Eph.6. 2,3. 
 
 Q. Which is the fixth Commnndmm ? 
 
 A. The iixth Commandment is, Thou fhdt 
 not hill a. 
 
 a Exok. 20. 12; 
 
 Q. What are the Duties required ht the fixth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Duties required in the fixth Com- 
 mandment, are, all careful Studies, and lawful 
 Endeavours to preferve the Life of ourfelves b± 
 and others c, by refitting all Thoughts and Pur- 
 pofes d, fubduing all Pafikms e, and avoiding^ 
 all Occafions f, Temptations g, and Practices, 
 which tend to the unjuft taking away of the 
 I Life 
 
 hEph. 5.-3, ^9. ci Kings iS. 4. d 7er. 16. x^ *£. 
 /.3s 23.1a, 16,17, ir, zy.'eEpb.^.zG, -.•..-. fiSam. z.- 
 
 5». Vsu;,i~ t 8, g Afar, 4. 6, r- from u 10, 11,15, »*. 
 
)i^6 7 he Larger Catechifm. 
 Life of any h : by juft Defence thereof againft: 
 Violence i, patient bearing of the Hand of God k, 
 Quietnefs of Mind /, Chearfulnefs of Spirit m, 
 a lbber Ufe of Meat », Drink o, Phyfick />, 
 Sleep q, Labour r, and Recreations s: by cha- 
 ritable Thoughts t, Love u, Compaffion w, 
 Meeknefs, Gentlenefs, Kindnefs x peaceable y, 
 inild and courteous Speeches and Behaviour z, 3 
 Forbearance, Readinefs to be reconciled $ patient 
 bearing and forgiving of Injuries, and requiting 
 Good tor Evil a : comforting and fuccouring 
 the DiftrefTed and prote&ing and defending the 
 Innocent b. 
 
 b t Sam. zft. 12. 1 Sam. z6. 9, to 12. Gen. 37. 21, 22. 
 iPful. 82.4. Prov. 24. 11, 12. 1 Sam. 14.45. \James 
 5. 7> to 11. Heb.yz. 9. / 1 Thejf. 4. ii* 1 Pet. $.'4* P/d* 
 37.8, to 11. mProv. 17. 22. nPro%. 25. 16, 27. 01 
 Tim.z. 23. p J/<j. 38. si. qpfal. 127. 2. rEccl.^.iz. 
 s TkflC 3. 10, 1 2. Prav. 16. stS. i Eccl. 3. 4, 1 1 . 1 1 &rw. 
 *9«4> 5« \st zz ' r 3> x 4* «R*«»« x 3' *o. vZfi^eio. s?, 
 34, 35. xCol. 3. is, 13. y James 3. 17. « 1 P*f. 3- 8, to 
 11. Prov. 15. 1. 7«4g. 8. i, a, ?. <3 Mat. «;. 24. Efibet 
 4. 2, 3a. Rem. 12. 17, 20, si. 6 i Tbejf. 5. 14. Jc5 
 31.19,20. Mrff.ss. 35, 36. Pr0*. 31. 8, 9. 
 
 Q. What are the Sins forbidden in the fixth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 JL. The Sins forbidden in the fixth Command- 
 ment, are.all taking away the Life of ourfelves c t 
 or of others d, except in cafe of publick Juf- 
 rice e, lawful War f, or neceflary Defence £, the 
 neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and ne- 
 
 celTary 
 
 cAttsi6.i§.dGen.c>.6.eNHmb.3r.3i,l3' 
 fjer. 48. i6.Dem. iQth Ghfifrz&tfA *?• h. 3 : 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 147 
 ceflary Means of Prefervation of Life h, finful 
 Anger i Hatred fc" Envy /, Defire of Revenge m, 
 all excefTive PafTions n, diftra&ing Cares 0, im- 
 moderate Ufe of Meat, Drink p, Labour q, and 
 Recreations r, provoking Words s, Opprefli- 
 on f, quarreling u, flriking, wounding w, and 
 whatfoever elie tends to the Deftruction of the 
 Life of any x. 
 
 h'Mat. 17.41, 4*. James 1. 15-, \6.Eccl.6. 
 1,2. »M^. 5*. 22. /? \ John 1. if .Lev. 19. 17. 
 IVrov. 14.30. mRom. 12. 19. nEpbef. 4. 31. 
 *Ma*. 6. 31, 34. />£«&* 21. 34. Row. 13. 13. 
 qEcclef. 11. n. &i. ii y i$. rlfa. f. 11. sTrov. 
 1 5-. i.$» t*. 1 8- * £*,*&. 18. 18. e#0//. 1. 14. 
 ttGal.f.if. Pr^.23.29. wNum. 35-. 16, 17, 
 18, ii. # £.roi. 21. 18. to the end. 
 
 (^ Which is the feventh Commandment? 
 
 A. The feventh Commandment is, Thou 
 JJjalt not commit Adultery y. 
 
 y Exod. 20. 14. 
 
 Q. What are the Duties required in the feventh 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Duties required in the feventh Com- 
 mandment, are, Chaftity in Body, Mind, Affecli- 
 on z, Words a, and Behaviour b> and the Prefer- 
 ration of it in ourfelves and others c, Watchful- 
 nefs over the Eyes, and all the Senfes d, Tempe- 
 rance e 3 keeping of chafie Company/, Mode- 
 % in Apparel^, Marriage by thole that have not 
 I 2 the 
 
 •t 1 Theff.\. 4. Job 31. 1, 1 C&r. 7. 34. aCol 4. ( 
 b\?et.%.i.c\ Cor.7.-2,y,,i6.dJobv. i.e d8s? 
 Hi 25- fProv. 2. 1 6, to 20, g I Tim. 3- 9. 
 
i 48 Ihe Layger Catechifm. 
 
 the Gift of Continency /?, conjugal Lovei, and 
 Cohabitation k : diligent Labour in our Callings /, 
 fhunning all Occafions o£ Uncleannefs, and re- 
 lifting Temptations thereunto m. 
 
 b 1 Cor.-;. l^.tFrov.?. 19, 20. k 1 P^.3.7. 
 lProv.31.il, i-j,i$.tnFrov.f. 8. Gen. 39. 8, 
 5?. 10. 
 
 Q. What are the Sins forbidden inthefeventh 
 Command??ient ? 
 
 'A. The Sins forbidden in the feventh Com- 
 mandment, beiides the negledb of the Duties re- 
 quired n 5 arc, Adultery, Fornication 0, Rape, 
 Iriceft p, Sodomy, and all unnatural Lulls u, all 
 unclean Imaginations, Thoughts, Purpofes and 
 AfFedlions r, all corrupt or filthy Communica- 
 tions, or liftening thereunto s : wanton Looks/-, 
 impudent or light Behaviour, immodeft- Appar- 
 el #, prohibiting of lawful b\ and difpenfing 
 with unlawful Marriages x, allowing, tolerat- 
 ing, keeping of Stews, and reforting to them^j 
 intangling Vows of fingle Life «, undue Delay 
 of Marriage a, having more Wires or Husbands 
 than one at the fame time b \ unjuft Divorce c, 
 ©r Defertion d : Idlenefs, Gluttony, Drunken- 
 
 nefs, 
 
 « Prev. 5. 7. 'i Hd\ 13. 4- Gal. «». 19* P 2 Sam.i^ 
 14- I Cor. 5. r. «? Raw. 1.24,26, 27. Lev. ',0 15,16- 
 v Afct. 5. ;S & 1 s. ip. C<?/. 3. 5. j £pk 5. 3,4. Prw~ 
 
 \2t, 22. f Jfiu 7. 16. 1 Tet. 2. t\. u?rov. 7. 10,. 
 
 T/w. 4.. 3. !z lev. i3. i, to 21. Afor£6. 18. 
 
 i-- y \ Ring 15. 12. 2 K/r/^J 23. 7. 2ta*f. 
 
 Lev. 19. 29. ^er. 5. 7. Pr<?v. 7- 2 4> W V- 
 
 lO, II. «i Ct?T. 7. 7, $> 9. Gf». 38. 26- 
 
 , 1 5-. /tor. ip *?iUd- & J 6. M#. 5.32.. 
 
 12, I}, 
 
The Larger Catechifm. , 149 
 
 nefs e, unchafte Company/^ lafcivious Songs, 
 Books, Pi&ures, Dancings, Stage- Plays g, and 
 all other Provocations to, or Adls of Unclean- 
 nefs, either in our felves or others h. 
 
 eEzek. i6.^.frov. 23. 20, ft? 33./ Gen. 39. 
 10. Trov.y. 8. g Eph. 5*. 4. Ezeh. 23. 14,^0 17. 
 Jfa. 23. 1 JV018. £5 3. 16. Mark 6. zz.Rom. 13. 
 13. 1 P^.4. 3. /; 2 Kings 9. 30. with Jer. 4.30. 
 Ez,ek. 23. 40. 
 ■ Q. Which is the eight Commandment ? 
 A. The eight Commandment is, Thou fialt 
 not fie, il i. 
 1 Exodv 20. if. 
 
 Q. What are the Duties required in f he eighth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 -^. The Duties required in the eighth Com- 
 mandment, are, Truth, Faithfulnefs, and Juftice 
 in Contracts, and Commerce between Man and 
 Man k, rendring to every one his Due/; Refti- 
 tution of Goods unlawfully detained from the 
 right Owners thereof m : giving and lending free- 
 ly, according to our Abilities, and the Neceili- 
 ties of others n : Moderation of our Judgments, 
 Wills, and Affections, concerning worldly 
 Goods o\ a provident Care and Study to get/?, 
 keep, ufe, and difpofe thofe things which are 
 f^-edary and convenient for the Suflentation of 
 t ■ ' I 3 our 
 
 * Pfal. rjr. t,4.Zech. 7.4, 10. & 8. 16, 17. 
 lRom.13, 7- mLev.6.i,td6.withLuke 19. S. 
 n Luke 6. 30,38. t John 3. 17. Eph. 4. 28. Gal. 
 6 - f o. 1 X/w. ^.6,fo 10. G#/. 6. 14. * 1 T/tfz. 
 f. 8. 
 
150 1 he Larger Catechifm* 
 
 our Nature, and fuitable to our Condition q ; a 
 lawful Calling r, and Diligence in it s j Fruga- 
 lity, avoiding unneffary Law-futes u, and Sure- 
 tifhip, or other like Ingagements w, and an En- 
 deavour by all juft and lawful Means to procure, 
 prefer ve and further the Wealth and outward E- 
 ftate of others as well as our own x. 
 
 q Trov. z-;. -3- to the end- EccL 2. 24. ^j" 3. 12, 13. 
 1 Tim. 6.1;, 18. Jfa. 58.1. Mat- it. B. riCor. 7.20. 
 Gen. z. 15. if 3. i> sEpb. 4. 28. Frov. 10. 4. t John 6. 
 lz. Frov. 2.8,2,0. « 1 Cor. 6. i, to 9. w Frov. 6. i,t*6. 
 Pro: 11. 15. xDeut. 22.1, to 5. Ecrod. 23.4, s.Cfoi. 
 47.14, 20. Pfo7. 2.4. Afctf.as.33. Xe^. 25.35. 
 
 Q. /#$#? are the -Sins forbidden in the eighth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Sins forbidden in the eighth Com- 
 mandment, befide the negle£fc of the Duties re- 
 quired y, are Theft z., Robbery a, Man- deal- 
 ing b, and receiving any Thing that is ftolen c, 
 fraudulent Dealing </, falfe Weights and. Mea- 
 fures e, removing Land-marks/, Injufticeand 
 Unfaithfulnefs in Contracts between Man and 
 Man g , or in Matters of Trufc h, OppreiTion »", 
 Extortion k, Ufury /, Bribery m, vexatious Law- 
 futes n, unjuft Inclofures and Depopulations 0, 
 
 in- 
 
 yjamesr. ij*, 16. ijohn$.i.j.zEph.4..iS\ 
 aTJal.Ci. 10. b 1 Tim. 1. 10. cFrov. 20. 2<« 
 T{ai.$o. 18. d 1 Thejf. 4. 6. ePrcv. * ». U & 
 20. 10. fDeut. 19. 14. Frov. 25. 10, g Amos 
 S.f.Pfal. 37.21. hLukei6.\o,to 13. 'ijjgftffc 
 22.29.1^.15-. ij.kMat.z$.*.f.'Ez.ek. 22.12. 
 /P/*/. if. y. ;» Jo^ 15-. 34. # 1 Cor. 6.6,7,8. 
 Prov. 5. 29, 30. oi/a. j\ S.MfV. 2.2. 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 151 
 
 ingrofling Commodities to enhance the Price p, 
 unlawful Callings q, and all other unjuft or iin- 
 ful Ways of taking or with-holding from our 
 Neighbour what belongs to him, or of enrich- 
 ing our ielves r, Covetoufnefs s, inordinate priz- 
 ing and affecting worldly Goods t, diftruftfuj 
 and diffracting Cares and Studies in getting, 
 keeping and uiing them «, envying the Prof- 
 perity of others tx> ; as likewifeldlenefsa;, Pro- 
 digality, wafteful Gaming, and all other Ways 
 whereby we do unduly Prejudice our own out- 
 ward Eftate^ \ and defrauding our felves of the 
 due Ufe and Comfort of that Eftate which God 
 hath given us z. 
 
 pVrov. 11. 16. q ASls 19. 19, 24,25*. rjob 
 20. 19. fames ^.4. Vrov. zi.6. sLuke n. iy. 
 / 1 Tim. 6. f.Col. 3. 2. Vrov. 25. f. Vfal. 6t. 
 10. uMat. 6.2^,31,34. Ecdef.f. 12. wVfal. 
 73. 3. 6*37- l > 7- xxTheJf. 3. 11. Vrov. 18. 
 9. y Vrov. 21. 17.$* 20. 21.^ 2S. 19. zEccl; 
 4.8. &6. 2. iTim.f.S. 
 
 Q. J^iV/? # *£* ninth Commandment ? 
 
 -^. The ninth Commandment is, Thou {halt 
 not bear falfe Witnefs again ft ihy Neighbours. 
 
 a Exod. 20. 16. 
 
 A. The Duties required in the ninth Com- 
 mandment, are, the preferving and promoting 
 of Truth between Man and Man b, and the good 
 Name of our Neighbour, aswellas our ownr, 
 appearing and (landing for J,and from the Heart e, 
 I 4 fincere- 
 
 b Zech. 8. \6. c % John v. 1 2. d Vrov. 3 1 . 
 B.eVfal. i?.i. 
 
15 & The Larger Catechifm. 
 
 fincerely/, freely £, clearly h, and fully *', fpeak- 
 ing the Truth, and only the Truth, in Matters 
 of Judgment and Juftice k, and in all other 
 Things whatfoever /, a charitable Efteem of 
 our Neighbour m, loving, deliring, and rejoicing 
 in their good Name n, forrowing for e, and co- 
 vering of their Infirmities p, freely acknow- 
 ledging their Gifts and Graces q> defending of 
 their Innocency r, a ready receiving of a good 
 Report*, and Unwiilingnefs to admit of ane- 
 vil Report concerning them t, difcouraging 
 Tale-bearers u, Flatterers w, and Slanderers x, 
 love and care of our own good Name, and de- 
 fending it when Need requireth y, keeping of 
 lawful Promifes z, ftudying and pra&iitng of 
 •whatfoever Things are true, honeft, lovingly, 
 and of good Report a. 
 
 f 2 Chren. 19. 9. g \Sam. 19.fyf.hJ0fh.yl 
 19. i iSam. 14. 18, 19, 10 kLev. 19.if.Frov. 
 ^4.5-, if. 1 2. Cor. 1. 17, 18. Eph.^.zf.mHeb. 
 6. 9. 1 Cor. 13. 7. n Rom. 1. 8, 24. John 3. 
 4. 1 Cor.r. 4. $» 12. n.pFrov.ij.9. iFet. 
 4. Z.q 1 Cor. 1.4, 5*7. 2 Tim. 1.4,5-. r J Sam - 
 22. 14. si Cor. 12. 6, 7. f P/a/. i|-. 5. # Pr<)i/. 
 2^. 25. «j Frov. 16. 24, 25". a: Ffal. 10 1. f. 
 ^ Pw, 2 2 . i jfy/.w 8 . 49. z, Ffal. 1 j. 4, f. a Phil. 
 4.8. 
 
 Q. What are the Sins forbidden in the ninth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Sins forbidden in the ninth Com- 
 mandment, are, all prejudicing the Truth and 
 the good Name of our Neighbours as well as 
 
 our 
 
Ihe Larger Catechifm, 153 
 our own b, efpecially in publick Judicature c ; 
 giving falfe Evidence d ; fuborning falfe Wit- 
 nefles e, wittingly appearing and pleading for an 
 evil Caufc, out- facing and over-bearing the 
 Truth i /pad ing u'njuft Sentence £ s calling Evil 
 Good, and Good Evil j rewarding the Wicked 
 according to the Work of the Righteous, and 
 the Righteous according to the Work of the 
 Wicked h j Forgery i, concealing the Truth, 
 undue Silence in a juft Caule k j and holding our 
 Peace when 1 niquity calleth for either a Reproof 
 from our felves /, or Complaint to others m, 
 fpeaking the Truth unfeafonably n, or malici- 
 oufiy to a wrong End 0, or perverting it to 
 wrong Meaning p, or in doubtful and equivocal 
 ExpreiTions, to the Prejudice of Truth or Juft- 
 ice q t fpeaking Untruth r, Lying s, Slandering t , 
 Back-biting «, detracting w, Tale-bearing x, 
 Whifpering y, fcoffing z, reviling a, rafla h, 
 harfh c, and partial cenfuring d, mifconftruing 
 I 5* Inten- 
 
 b 1 Sam. 17. 28. z Sam. r<S. ?. &f r. 9, to. ^ r: .16. 
 cJ.ev.19. 1?. Heh. 1. 4. dFroz: 19. 5. 1$ 6 »6 19. 
 e 48s 6. 1:.. fjet. 9. ?, ?• Atrs 14. -,5. ¥fal. I ."3,4 
 fcr =.2. i,-i, ?, 4. g?rov. 17. if. x liifloszi. 9, ?0 14. 
 <b //tf. 5. ;;. / p/^i. 1. 19. 69- i«4 e * ?• £ - ■£*% I6 - 5> 6 » 
 7.^ lev.:. i.Deut. 13. £. A*r.f <;. 3, 8, 9. 2 Titt. 4. 
 16. / 1 Kzi7£J 1. 6. Iw. 15. 17- ;n //2C'59- 4- nProx. 
 19. it. 1 i"am. 2?. 91 i°- *'£* Fp/. 5:. J, -, 3, 4. 
 ppfat. $6.6. John2. 19. mtbLMat.'ap.Ca,6i. qGen. 
 
 3. £;.fo" z6. 7, 9. r //2/. =9. IJ. >' 1^. !';. I f. Col. ?. 9. 
 
 f P/d/. ?o. 20. w F/rf/. f 5 . ? . w James 4. 1 1 . Je r. 
 
 x Lev. 19. \6. y Rom. r. 29, 50. z G«i. 2i. 9. Xf'r.b 
 
 G4I 4. -9. tf 1 C<?r. 6. 10. £ Mat. 7. 1. v Jfti 2 
 
 d G?n. 58. 2-1. Rtf.Ti. 2. i. • <w 
 
154 11™ L ar £ er Catechif?n. 
 
 Intentions, Words and A&ions e ; flattering/, 
 vain-glorious Boafting g j thinking or fpeaking 
 too highly or too meanly of ourfelves or others h, 
 denying the Gifts and Graces of God i, aggra- 
 vating lmaller Faults k, hiding, exculing or exte- 
 nuating of Sins when called to a free Confeflion /, 
 unneflfary difcovering of Infirmities m, railing 
 falfe Rumours n, receiving and countenancing 
 evil Reports 0, and flopping our Ears againft 
 juft Defence p j evil Sulpition q t envying or 
 grieving at the deferved Credit of any r, en- 
 deavouring or defiring to impair it s, rejoic- 
 ing in their Difgrace and Infamy t, fcornful 
 Contempt «, fond Admiration w, breach of 
 lawful Promifes x, neglecting fuch Things as are 
 of good Report y, and pra&iiing or not avoid- 
 ing ourfelves, or not hindring, what we can in 
 others, fuch Things as procure an ill Name z.. 
 
 e Neb. 6. 6,7, 8. Rom. 3. 8. Tfal 69. 10. 1 Sam. u 
 73, 14, 1$. 1 Sam. 10. 3.fPfal.iz. 2, 3. g 2 rim. 3.2. 
 hlu\e 18. 9, 11. Rom. 12. 16. 1 Cor. 4.6. A8s iz. 22. 
 Exod. 4. 10, to 14. i Job 27. 5> <$• £ Mat. 7. 3,4, 5. 
 / Prov. 28. 13. Trov. 30. 20. Gen. 3. 12, 1?. jer.z. 
 35. 2 Kings 5. 2 5. Gen. 4. 9. m Gen. 9. zz. Trov. 2?. 9, 
 jo. n Exod. 23. 1. Trov. 29. iz. p ASs 7. s6, 57* 7*6 
 *3- *4- ? 1 Cor. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 4. r Numb. 11. z^. Mat. 
 21.15. j£zr<*4. 12, 13- tJer.4b.z7.ttT/al. 35« i f » 
 ai. A&rt. 27.^8,29. vjudev.16. Ads iz. zz. x Rom. 
 j. 31. 2 7>'/7i. 3. 3. _y 1 &hh. 2. 24. x 2 &»n. 13. 12, 13. 
 Trov. s- 8, 9 . fcf 6. 33. 
 
 Qi Which is the tenth Commandment ? ' 
 A. The tenth Commandment is, Thou jh alt 
 not covet thy Neighbour's Houfe, thou jhalt not 
 covet thy Neighbour's IVfo, nor hisMan-fervant y 
 
 nor 
 
Ihe Larger Catechifm. 155 
 
 nor his Maid-fervant, nor his Ox, nor his Afs y 
 nor any Thing that is thy Neighbour's a., 
 
 a Exod. 20. 17. 
 
 Q. What are the Duties required in the tenth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Duties required in the tenth Com- 
 mandment, are, fuch a full Contentment with 
 our own Condition b y and fuch a charitable 
 Frame of the whole Soul toward our Neigh- 
 bour, as that all our inward Motions and Affecti- 
 ons touching him tend unto, and further all that 
 Good which is his c . 
 
 b Heb. i$.f. 1 Tim. 6. 6. e Job 51.20. Row?: 
 12. ij-, P/al, 122. 7,8, 9. iTim, 1. y. Ejiher 
 10 ^. 1 Cor. iz.4,/0 8. 
 
 Q Wh&t are the Sins forbidden in the tenth 
 Commandment ? 
 
 A. The Sins forbidden in the tenth Com* 
 mandment, are Discontentment with our own 
 Eftate d, envying e, and grieving at the Good of 
 our Neighbours/, together with all inordinate 
 Motions and ArTedlions to any thing that ig hlsg . 
 
 d 1 Kings 21.4. Efiher f. 13. 1 Cor. 10. 10. 
 e Gal. z.i6, James $. 14, \6.fVfal. 1 12.9, 10. 
 Neh.i. 10. g Rom. 7.7, 8. ^> 13. 9. Col. 5.5*. 
 Deut. 5*. 2 1 . 
 
 Q. Is any Man able ferfettly to keep the Com- 
 mandments of God ? 
 
 A. No Man is able either of himfelf h, or 
 by any Grace received in this Life, perfectly to 
 
 keep 
 
 h James 3 . i.John 1 $•'. ji. Rom. S. 3 . i Ecd. 7. 
 zo, 1 John i.ZiiQ, Gal, $,\-[.RQm.l.i% t 19. 
 
i$6 e Ihe Larger Catiechifm. 
 
 keep the Commandments of God i,but doth dai- 
 ly break them in Thought k, Word and Deed/. 
 
 k Gen. 6. 5-. & 8. 21. / Rom. 3. 9, to 21. 
 James 3. 2, *o 13. 
 
 Q. Are all Tr.ro/greJJions of the Laroof Gode- 
 qually heinous in themfehes, and in the fight of 
 God ? • 
 
 ^f. AH TranfgrefliQns of the Law of God 
 are not equally heinous, but fome Sins inthem- 
 felves, and by reaibn of feverai Aggravations, are 
 more heinous in the fight of God than others m. 
 
 m John 19. 11. Ezek.S,6, 13, ij\ ijohnj. 
 [iC.PfaLjS. 17, 32,76. 
 
 Q. V/hat are thofe Aggravations that make 
 ■ fome Sins more heinous than others ? 
 
 A. Sins receive their Aggravations 1 . From 
 the Perfons offending », if they be of riper 
 Age o, greater Experience, or Grace p, eminent 
 tor Profeflion 3, Gifts r, Place s, Office t % 
 Guides to others *r,. and whofe Example is 
 likely to be followed by others w. 
 
 nJer.i.S. Job ^z. 7,9. EccL^.i^.p 1 Kings 
 1 1.4,9. $z&w». 12.14. 1 Cor.f. 1. r James 4. 
 ij .Luke 12.47,48. sjer.f .$,f. tiSam. 12. 
 7, 8,9. Ezek. 8. 11, 12. uRom.*> 17, *0 ^j*- 
 jpG/*/. 2. 1 1, fa 14. 
 
 2. From the Parties offended *, if immedi- 
 ately againfl Qod y> his Attributes z, and- Wor- 
 ship a> againft Chrift, and his Grace b, the holy 
 
 Spirit, 
 
 x Mat. zi. 38,39.7 1 £/*>». z. i.f.Aftsf.+. 
 TfaL 5- 1 . 4. 2: R<w«. 2. 4. ^ M,?/, 1 . 8, 14. b H?b. 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 157 
 Spirit c, his Witnefs;/, and Workings e, againft 
 Superiors, Men of Eminency /, and iuch as 
 we ftand efpecially related and engaged unto g, 
 againft any of the Saints h, particularly weak 
 Brethren i, the Souls of them, or any other k, 
 and the common Good of all or many /. 
 
 c Heb. 1 o. 29. Mat. 1 1 . 3 1, ji. d Ephef. 4. 
 50. Heb. 6.4,5*. ffudev.8. Numb. 12.8,9. 
 Ifa. 3.5*. gProv. 30. .17. zCor. 12. if. Pfal.ff. 
 12, *<> 15-. hZeph. 2. 8, 10, 11. Mat. 18. 6, 
 1 Cor. 6. 8. Re^. 17. 6. * 1 Cor. 8. 11, 12. 
 Row. 14. 13, iy, 21. kEzek. 13. 19. 1 Cor, 
 8. 12. Rev. 18. 13. Mdtf.23. 15*./ 1 Tbejf.i.if, 
 16. Joflj. 22. 20. 
 
 3. From the Nature and Quality of th® 
 Oflence m, if it be agaiafl the expreis Letter of 
 the Law n, break many Commandments, coir 
 tain in it many Sins ; if not only conceived in 
 the Heart, but breaks forth in Words and Acti- 
 ons/) ; fcandali^e others q> and admit of no Re- 
 paration r ; if againft Means s t Mercies t, Judg- 
 ments u, Light of Nature ip, Conviction of 
 Cenicience x, publick or private Admonition y, 
 
 Cen- 
 
 m Vrov. 6. 3 o, to the end. n Ezra 9. 1 o, to 1 3 . 
 1 Rings 1 1 . 9," 1 o . Col. 3 . f. 1 Tim. 6.10. Prov. 
 f.S,to 13. &6.$i,'$s*f0fh.j i .ii.pjfaines t, 
 14, if. Mat. f.n t Mich. 2. i.qMat. 18. j. Rom. 
 2. 23, 24.rl)e#f. 2 2.22. wirier. 2 8, 29. Prov. 
 6. 32, fo 36. ;M4f. 1 1 . 21, tt t^.fohn if. 22. 
 /I/?. i» }.Deut. 32.6. uAmos^.i.toii.Jer. 
 j. 3. wR$m. f. 26, 27. xRom. 1. 32. D#». y, 
 2.2. .2Vr. 3,10, u.y Prov. 19.1. 
 
158 l7je Larger Catechifm. 
 
 Ccnfures of the Church », civil Punifhments/?, 
 and our own Prayers, Purpofes, Promifes b, 
 Vows c, Covenants d, and Engagements to God 
 or IVJan e, it done deliberately /, wilfully g, pre- 
 fumptuoufly h, impudently j, boaftingly k, ma- 
 licioufly /, frequently m, obftinatcly n, with De- 
 light 0, Continuance p j or relapiing after Re- 
 pentance q. 
 
 z Tit. 3. 10. Mat. 18. 17. aTrav. 27. 22, 
 Trov. 23. 35-. bpfal. 78. 34, ?o 38. ^er. 2. 20. 
 ^er. 41. f, 6, 20, 11. cEcclef. $\ 4, 5-, 6. Prox*. 
 10. 25-.^ Im/. 26. 2$\* Pro^.2. 17. Ese/c. 17. 
 18, 19. fPfal. ^6.^.gjer.6. 16. h Numb. i$\ 
 30. Exod. 21.14. ijer. 3.3. Prox/. 7.13. jfeP/fc/. 
 ji. 1. fa John v. 10. mNumb. 14. 11. nZech. 
 7. 11, 12. oTrov. 2. 14. pjyk. 5-7. 17. ^f^r. 
 34. 8, fo 11., 2 P**. 2.20,21,21. 
 
 4. From Circumftances of Time r, and Place s, 
 if on the Lord's Day t, or other times of Di- 
 vine Worfliip u, or immediately before w, or 
 after thefe x, or other Helps to prevent or re- 
 medy fuch Mifcarriagesjf ; if in Publick,or in the 
 Prefence of others, who are thereby likely to 
 be provoked or defiled z. 
 
 r 2 Kings f. 26. s Jer. 7. 10. I/a. 26. 10. 
 tEzek. 23. 37, to^o. ulfa. 5 8.3,4.5-. Numb, 
 if. 6, 7. w 1 Cor. 1 1.20, 21. x Jer. 7.8.9, 
 10. Prov. 7. 14, 'i$\ Jo£# 13.2,7^ 30. y Ezra 
 9. 13, 14. z 2 Saw. 16. 22. 1 Sam. 2. 22,70 
 
 Q. What doth every Sift deferveat the Hands 
 ofQod> 
 
 A, Every 
 
The Larger Catechifm. i ^p 
 
 A. Every Sin, even the leaft, being againft the 
 Sovereignty a, Goodnefs b, and Holinefs of 
 God c, and againft his righteous Law d, deferv- 
 eth his Wrath and. Curie e, both in this Life /, 
 and that which is to come^j and cannot be ex- 
 piated, but by the Blood of Chrift h. 
 
 a James z.io, if .b Exod. ao. 1,1. cHab. i. 
 \r.Lcv. 10. 3. <£» n.44,4)-. d 1 John 2. 14 
 ~Rom. -j.\%. e Ephef.f. 6. Ga/. 3. 10. f Lam. 
 3.39. Jbe#f. 2.8. if,to the end. gMat.zp. 4.1, 
 hHeb.y.zi. 1 Pe?. 1. 18, 19. 
 
 Q. £?&*? doth God require of as that we may 
 efcape his Wrath and Curfe, due to us by reafoti 
 fif the TranfgreJJlon of the Law ? 
 
 A. That we may efcape the Wrath and Curfq 
 of God due to us by reafon of the Tranfgreffioii 
 of the Law, he requireth of us Repentance tf*>' V 
 wards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift i, and the diligent Ufe of the outward 
 Means whereby Chrift communicates to us the 
 Benefits of his Mediation k. 
 
 i Acts 20. XI,. Mat. 3. 7, 8. Luke 13. 3, ^. 
 A8s 16. 30, 31. Job 3.. 16, 18. kFrov. 2.1, 
 to 6. & 8. 33, to the end. 
 
 Q^. What are the outward Means whereby Chrifi 
 eommmucatesto us the Benefits of his Mediation ? 
 
 A. The outward and ordinary Means whereby 
 Chrift communicates to his Church the Benefits 
 of his Mediation, are, all his Ordinances : efpeci- 
 ally the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer, all which 
 are made effectual to theElecl: for their Salvation/. 
 
 lMxt.lt, / 9, 2.0, Acts z, 42,46,47. 
 
 Q.. How 
 
160 The Larger Catechifm.' 
 
 Q. How is theWord made effectual to Salvati- 
 on? 
 
 A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but 
 especially the preaching of the Word, an effectu- 
 al Means o+ enlightning m, convincing, and 
 humbling Sinners n, of driving them out of 
 themfelves, and drawing them unto Chrifto; of 
 conforming them to his Image f, and fubduing 
 them to his Will q, of ftrengthning them againft 
 Temptations and Corruptions r, of building 
 them up in Grace s, and eftabliiTiir.g their Hearts 
 in Holinefs and Comfort through Faith unto Sal- 
 vation t. 
 
 mNeb. 8. 8. ABs 26. 18. Tj'al. 19. 8. n 1 Ccr, id. 
 4, :.<. 2 Cbron. 34.. 18, 19, 26, 27, 2i>. /8s 2. 57, 
 \ ^j* 8. 27, to 39. p 2 Cor. 3. 1S. q 2 Cor. 10 4., s, '(. 
 
 m.6.\j, r Mat. 4. 4.7? 10. Epb.6. 16, \7.ffal. ic. 
 
 . 1 Cor. 10, 11. s Acts 20.31. 2 rira. 3. 15, 13', i : . 
 t Rotr. 16. 25. 1 7"i;JJ' 3. 2, 10, 11, 13, R<?;/2. 15. 4. 
 Rom. 10. 13, to is*. Kom. 1. 16. 
 
 Q_. 7i r£* Word of God to be read by all? 
 
 A. Altho all are not to be permitted to read 
 the Word publickly to the Congregation «, yet 
 all forts of People are bound to read it apart by 
 themfelves w, and with their Families at, to 
 which end the holy Scriptures are to be tran- 
 flated out of the Original into vulgar Lan- 
 guages y. 
 
 uDeut.7 ) \.^ ) 1 1,11,13.^. 8. 2, 5. 0*9. 3, 
 4,f.wZ>5w. 17. 1 9. Rev. 1.3. Jchnf.sy. lfa. 
 34. i6.z,Deut.6.6,to 10. Gen. iS. 17, 19.P/W. 
 ;8.f,6,7. y 1 Ccr. 14. 6,9,11,12, 1^, 16, 24, 
 27,2.8, 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 161 
 
 Q. Hov> is the Word of God to be read} 
 
 A. The holy Scriptures are to be read with an 
 high and reverend Eileem of them z, j with a 
 firm Pcrfuafion that they are the very Word of 
 God a, and that he only can enable us to under- 
 stand them b } wiih defire to know, believe, and 
 obey the Will of God revealed in them r; with 
 Diligence d, and Attention to the Matter and 
 Scope of theme ; with Meditation/, Applica- 
 tion g, Self-denial /;, and Prayer i. 
 
 z Ffal.ig. 10. Neb.$.$, to to.Exod. 24. 7. 
 zChron. 34. 27. ifa. 66. 2. a iPet. 1. 19, 2.0, 
 21. bLuke 24. 4$\ 2 Cor. 3. 13, to 16. cDeut. 
 17. 19,20. dActsi-j. 11. eActs 8.;o,2,4.L«fo! 
 10. z6,toig.fP/al. 1. 2.$> 1 xy.yf.gxChron. 1 
 34.21. hFrov.2.. f.Deut. 33. %.iProv, *•!**', 
 to6.Vfal. up. iS.N^. S. 6,3. 
 
 Q; £y w^w & ffo #W 0/ Go*/ /0 £<? preach* 
 ed? 
 
 A. The Word of God is to be preached only 
 by fuch as are fufficiently gifted &, and alfb du- 
 ly approved and called to that Office /. 
 
 k 1 Tim. 3. 2, 6.£^. 4. 8,?0 12. Hof. 4. 6, 
 JV/^/. 2. 7. 2 Cor. 3. 6.ljer. 14. if. &<wz. *°- 
 if.Heb.f.%. 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. 1 Tmw. 3.10. 
 1 2/>;.f 14. iT/ky.n. 
 
 Q. Hon' « the Word of God to be preached by 
 thofe that are called thereunto ? 
 
 A. They that are called to labour in the Mi- 
 ni dry of the Word, are to preach found Doct- 
 rine /«, diligently «, in Seafon, and out of 
 
 Sea- 
 
 tnTit.%, 1. 8. nAcis 18. if. 
 
' i6z The Larger Catechifm. 
 
 Seafon a, plainly />, not in the enticing Words 
 of Man's Wifdom, but in Demonftration of the 
 Spirit, and Power q : faithfully r i making 
 known the whole Counfel of God s , wifely t, 
 applying themfelves to the NecefTities and Ca- 
 pacities of the Hearers w, zealoufly w, with fer- 
 vent Love to God x, and the Souls of his Peo- 
 ple^ - y fmcerely z, aiming at his Glory a, and 
 their Converfion b, Edification c , and Salvation d. 
 o z Tim. $. z.p \ Cor. 14. 19. q 1 Cor. z. 4. 
 rjer. 25.28. i Cor. 4. t , 2 . s Acis 20. 27 . / Col. 
 
 1. 28. 2 Tim. z. 1 y. u 1 Cor. 2. 2. Heb. f, 12, 
 15, 14. Lukt 12.42. to Acis 18. zf. x 2 Cor. f. 
 15, kj.. Phil. 1. 15-, 1 6, 17. j Col. Of. 12. 2 Cor. 
 
 ,12. ij-. z, 2 Cor. 2. 17. 2 Cor. 4. 2. a 1 X/ke/7". 
 
 2. 4, y, 6. John 7. 18. £ 1 Cor. 9. 19, ft> 23. 
 r 2 Cor. 12.19. Eph.^.iz. d\ Tim. if. 16. Acis 
 26. 16, 17, 18. 
 
 Q. W&a* is required of thofe that hear the Word 
 preached ? 
 
 A. It is required of thofe that hear the Word 
 preached ; that they attend upon it with Dili- 
 gence e, Preparation/, and Prayer £, examine 
 what they hear by the Scriptures h ; receive the 
 Truth with Faith /*, Love k, Meeknefs /, and 
 Readinefs of Mind ?», as the Word of God n : 
 meditate 0, and confer of it />, hide it in their 
 
 Hearts, 
 
 eFrov. 8. 34. / 1 Tet. 2. 1,2. Luke 8. 18. 
 
 gVfal. 1 19. 18. Eph. 6. 18, 19. h Acis 17. 11. 
 
 i Heb. 4. 2. k 2 Theff. 2 . 1 o. / James i.zi.m ABs 
 
 17. 11. n 1 Theff. 2. 13. £#/:e 9. 44. He£. 
 
 i.pLukez^. 14. D«*/. 6.6,7. 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 16^ 
 
 Hearts q, and bring forth the Fruit of it in 
 their Lives r, 
 
 qTrov. 2. i. Tfal. no. n. r Luke S. if. 
 James 1. 2j*. 
 
 Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual 
 Means of Salvation ? 
 
 A. The Sacraments become effectual Means 
 of Salvation, not by any Power in themfelves, 
 or any Vertue derived from the Piety and In- 
 tention of him by whom they are adminiftred : 
 but only by the working of the holy Ghoft, and 
 the .Bleiling of Chrift, by whom they are insti- 
 tuted.?. 
 
 •t 1 ttt . 3. 2 1 . Acis 8.13. with v. 2 3 . 1 Cor. 
 3.6,7. & 12. 15. 
 . Q; What is a Sacrament ? 
 
 A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance infli- 
 tuted by Chrift in his Church t, to fignify, fea!, 
 and exhibit «, unto thofe that are within the Co- 
 venant of Grace w, the Benefits of his Media- 
 tion x, to flrengthen and increafe their Faith, 
 and all other Graces y, to oblige them to Obedi- 
 ence z j to teftify and cherim their Love and 
 Communion one with another a } and to diftin- 
 guifh them from thofe that are without b. 
 
 tGet2.ij.jy.io. Exod. nth Chap. Mat. 16. 
 26, to 29. & 28. 19. uRom. 4. n. 1 Cor. it. 
 24. 2)-. vf Rom. iy. 8. Exod. 12.. 48.*^c7* 
 a. 3 8. 1 Cor. 10. \6.yRom.$. 1 1. Gal. 3. 27. 
 *Row. 6.3,4. l C° r - 10.21. aEph. 4. 2,/<?6. 
 * Cor. 12.13. b'Eph.i. 11, 12.Gew.34. 14. 
 
 Q. #W are the Farts of a Sacrament? 
 
 A. The 
 
1^4 'ft' 8 Laygey Catechif?n. 
 
 A. The Parts of a Sacrament are two; the 
 one, an outward and ieniible Sign ufed accord- 
 ing to Chrift*s own Appointment; the other, 
 an inward and fpiriiual Grace, thereby fignifi- 
 ed c. 
 
 c Mat. 3. it. 1 Vet. 3.2.1. Ro/??. 2. 28, 29. 
 
 Q. How many Sacraments hath Chriji inftitu- 
 tetl in his Church under the New Teflament ? 
 
 A. Under the New Teilamenc Chrift hath 
 inflituted in his Ctrurch only two Sacraments, 
 Baptifm, and the Lord's Supper*/. 
 
 (I Mat. iS. 19. 1 Cor. 1 1. 20, 23. Mat. 16. 
 26, to ig. 
 
 Q. What is Baptifm ? 
 
 A. Baptifm is a Sacrament of the New Tefla- 
 ment, wherein Chrift hath ordained the warn- 
 ing with Water, in the Name of the Father, 
 and of the Son, and of the Koly Ghoft e, to be 
 a Sign and Seal of ingrafting into himfelf /, of 
 RemiiTion of Sins by his Blood g, and Regene- 
 ration by his Spirit /?, of Adoption i, and Re- 
 furreciion unto everlafting Life k > and whereby 
 the Parties Baptized are folemnly admitted into 
 the viiible Church /, and enter into an open and 
 profefTed Ingagement to be wholly and only the 
 Lord's ag. 
 
 e Mat. 18. 19. f Gal. 3. 27. g Mark 1.4. 
 Rev. x.j.h Tit. 3. y. Eph. y. 26. i Gal. 3. 26, 
 zj.k iCor. iy. 29. Rom. 6.y. I 1 Cor.n. 13. 
 m Rom. 6. 4. 
 
 Q; Unto whom is BaptifmtobeAdminifind 7 . 
 
 A. Bap- 
 
*ihe Larger Catechifm. 16$ 
 A. Baptifm is not to be adminiftred to any that 
 are out of the' viiible Church, and fo Strangers 
 from the Covenant of Promife 5 till they prof efs 
 their Faith in Chrift, and Obedience to him », 
 but Infants defending from Parents either both, 
 or but one of them profemng Faith in Chrift, 
 and Obedience to him, are in that refpeft with-, 
 in the Covenant, and to be baptized 0. 
 
 n ABs 8. 36, i 7 .& L3S. oGen. 17. 7,9- 
 withGd,i. 9> 14- & Colii*U\*. &<*#* i - 
 38,39. & RcOT.4.11, 11. * Cor. 7. i^.Mat. 
 aS. 19. Luke 18. if, 16. Rom. 1 1. 16. 
 
 Q. Hovt> it our Baptifm to be improved hfUA* 
 A. The needful, but much neglected Duty of 
 improving our Baptifm, is to be performed by us 
 all our Lifelong, efpecially in the time of Temp- 
 tation, and when we are prefent at the Admi- 
 niftration of it to others p, by ferious and thank- 
 ful Confideration of the Nature of it : and or. 
 the Ends for which Chrift inftituted it, the Pn- 
 viledgesand Benefits conferred and fealed there- 
 by, and our folemn Vow made therein q, by 
 being humbled for our finful Dehlement, our rai- 
 ling (hort of, and walking contrary to the Grace 
 of Baptifm, and our Engagements r, by grow- 
 in* up to AlTurance of Pardon of Sin, and of 
 sdfo<- her -Bleffings fealed to us in that Sacrament s, 
 by drawing Strength from the Death and Refur- 
 Te&ion of Chrift, into whom we are baptized 
 >% for 
 
 pCol.z.it,i*~'&>m-6-4> 6 > il - € L Rom ' 6 ''$ 9 
 4,f.r\Cor. 1. 1 W i^.Rom.6.1, 3. fRom,*. 
 
\66 "the Larger Catechifm. 
 
 for the mortifying of Sin, and quickning of 
 Grace t, and by endeavouring to live by Faith «, 
 to have our Converfation in Holinefs and Righ- 
 teoufncfs w, as thofe that have therein given up 
 their Names toChrift x and to walk in brother- 
 ly Love, as being baptized by the fame Spirit 
 into one Body y. 
 
 t Rom. 6. 3, 4, f. u Gal. 3. 26*, 27 .roRom, 
 6. 22. xAtts 1. 3S. y 1 Ccr. n. 13, if,toz$. 
 
 Q. What is the Lord's Supper} 
 
 A. The Lord's Supper is a Sacrament of the 
 NewTeftament z,, wherein, by giving and re- 
 ceiving Bread and Wine according to the Ap- 
 pointment of JefusChrift; his Death is mewed 
 forth, and they that worthily communicate, feed 
 upon his Body and Blood, to their Spiritual Nour- 
 ifhmentand Growth in Grace #, have their Uni- 
 on and Communion with him confirmed b y 
 teftify and renew their Thankfulnefe c, and In- 
 gagementto God </,and their mutual Love and 
 Fellowfhip each with other, as Members of the 
 fame myftica] Body e. 
 
 z,Lnhe n. io. a Mat. 16. 16 , to 28. 1 Cor, 
 11.23, to 16. b 1 Cor. 10, \6.c i Cor. » i.i$.t§ 
 ij.d 1 Cor. 10. 14, ij-, i<S, 21. e 1 Cor. 10. 17. 
 
 Q. Horn hath Chr'ifl appointed Bread and Wins 
 to be given and received in the Sacrament of the: 
 Lord's Supper ? 
 
 A. Chrift hath appointed the Ministers of his 
 Word, in the Adminiftration of this Sacrament 
 of the Lord's Surucr, to fet apart the Bread and 
 Wine from common Ufe, by the Word of Infti- 
 
 tutiori 
 
 V 
 
 
tjhe Larger L'atecbijm. i&j ~ 
 on, Thankfgiving and Prayer, to take and 
 'break the Bread, and to give both the Bread and 
 the Wine to the Communicants, who are, by 
 the fame Appointment, to take, and eat the 
 Bread, and to drink the Wine, in thankful Re- 
 membrance, that the Body of Chrift was brok- 
 en and given, and his Blood fhed for them /. 
 
 / 1 Cor. u.23, 24. Mat. z6.z6 } to 29. Mark 
 14. 22, to 25*. Luke 22. 19, 20. 
 
 Q. Horo do they that worthily communicate in 
 the Lord's Supper, feed upon the Body and Blood 
 of Chrift' therein ? 
 
 A. As the Body and Blood of Chrift are not 
 corporally or carnally prefent in, with or under 
 the Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper^-, and 
 yet are fpiritually prefent to the Faith of the Re- 
 ceiver, no lefs truly and really than the Elements 
 themfelves are to their outward Senfes h, fo they 
 that worthily communicate in the Sacrament 
 of the Lord's Supper, do therein feed upon the 
 Body and Blood of Chriit, not after a corporal 
 or carnal, but in a fpiritual Manner, yet truly and 
 really i, while by Faith they receive and apply 
 unto themfelves Chrift crucified, and all the Be- 
 nefits of his Death k. 
 
 gActs 3.21. hMat. 26.26, 28.1 1 Cor. 11. 
 24,^0 29. hi Cor. 10. 16. 
 
 Q. How are they that receive the Sacrament of 
 the Lord's Supper to prepare themfelves before they 
 come unto it ? 
 
 A. They that receive the Sacrament of the 
 Lord's Supper, are, before they come, to prc- 
 
 pars 
 
 e~ 
 
~T58 Ibe Larger Catechifm. 
 pare themfelves thereunto, by examining them- 
 felves I, of their being in Chrift m, of thei Sins 
 and Wants n ; of the Truth and Meafure of their 
 Knowledge o, Faith f, Repentance q, Love to 
 God and the Brethren r, Charity to all Men s, 
 forgiving thofe that have done them Wrong t, 
 of their Defires after Chrift u, and of their new 
 Obedience no ; and by renewing the Exercife of 
 thcfe Graces x, by ferious Meditation y, and 
 fervent Prayer z. 
 
 I i Cor. ii. -8. m zCor- 13. ?. n 1 Cor. 5. 7. mtb 
 Exod. is. 15- 01 Cor. 11. ȣ; p'2Cof. 13. 5. Afat.%6. 
 28. p Ztcifr. 12. ic. 1 Car. n. 31, ri Cor. 10, 16,17. 
 >4ffi ;. 46,47. •» 1 tar- ?. 8. 1 Cor. u. 18, 20. r Aftft. 5. 
 23, 24. « 7/J. 5?. 1. John 7. 37. n> 1 Cor. 5. 7, 8. a: 1 
 Cor. 11. 25, 26,28. /&>£. 10. ci, 22, z$.'?fal. 26.6. 
 y 1 Cor. 11. 24,2$. z 1 Cfcroff. 30. iS, 10. Afaf. 26.26. 
 
 Q. Af<ry one who doubt eth of his being in Chrifi, 
 or of hit due Preparation, come to the Lord's Suf- 
 fer} 
 
 A. One who doubteth of his being in Chrift, 
 or of his due Preparation to the Sacrament of 
 the Lord's Supper, may have true Intereft in 
 Chrift, thohebenot yet affined thereof a, and 
 in God's Account, Jiath it, if he be duly affected 
 with the Apprehenfion of the want of it b, 
 and unfeignedly defires to be found in Chrift c , 
 and to depart from Iniquity d, in which Cafe 
 
 (becaufe 
 
 alfa. 5-0.10, 1 John ?. i$.pfal.SS.through- 
 out.Tfal.jj.itto 12. Jonah z. 4, 7. blfa.^.j, 
 8,9, 10. Mat. f. 3,4. Pfal. 31.22.^73. ^3, 
 *i,2 5. eThil 3.8,9. P/a/. 10. 17. ^42.1,2, f. 
 .<Jz2Jw. 2.19,^.5-0. K?.P/5f/ f ^ t i8,i^20. 
 
The Larger Caiechifm. 169 
 
 (becaufe Promifes are made, and this Sacrament 
 is appointed for the Relief, even of weak and 
 doubting Chriftians e, ) he is to bewail his Un- 
 belief/, and labour to hare his Doubts refolv- 
 ed g, and fo doing he may and ought to 
 come to the Lord's Supper, that he may be fur- 
 ther ftrengthned h. 
 
 e Ifa.4.0. 11,29, 31. Mat. 11.28. & 12.20, 
 &16. 28. /Mark 9.24. g Acls 2.37. & 16. 30* 
 h Rom. 4. 11. iC0r.11.28- 
 
 Q. May any -who profefs the Faith, and de fire to 
 come to the Lord's Supper, be kept fromit ? 
 
 A. Such as are found to be ignorant, or fcan- 
 dalous> notwithstanding their Profeflion of the 
 Faith, and Defire to come to the Lord's Supper, 
 may and ought to be kept from that Sacrament 
 by the Powers which Chrift hath left in his 
 Church 1, until they receive Inftru&ion, and 
 manifeft their Reformation k. 
 *s i 1 Cor. 1 1. 17, to the end. with Mat. 7. 6} 
 and 1 Cor. f. chap, andjude v.z$.& 1 Tim.fi 
 22. kiCor. 2.7. 
 
 Q. What is required of them that receive the 
 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the time of Ad* 
 minijlration of it ? 
 
 A. It is required of them that receive the Sa-i 
 crament of the Lord's Supper, that during the 
 time of the Adminiftration of it, with all holy 
 Reverence and Attention they wait upon God 
 in that Ordinance /, diligently obferve the facra- 
 K mental 
 
 I Lev. 10*3. &£ 12, 38. tfai. 5*, 7, 1 Cor, 
 !•- 17, 26, 27. ' . 
 
170 Tfie Larger Catechtjm. 
 
 ' mental Elements and Actions m t needfully dif- 
 ' cern the Lord's Body n, and affectionately me- 
 ditate on his Death and Sufferings 0, and thereby 
 ftir up themfelves to a vigorous Exercife of their 
 Graces/*, in judging themfelves q, andforrow- 
 ing for Sin r, in earneft hungering andthirfting 
 after Chrifl: s, feeding on him by Faith t, receiv- 
 ing of his Fulnefs «, trailing in his Merits w, 
 rejoicing in his Love x y giving Thanks for his 
 Grace y, in renewing of their Covenant with 
 God a, and Love to all the Saints a. 
 
 m Exod. 24. 8. with Mat. 26. 28. n rCor. 1 r ^ 
 29.0 Luke 22. io./> 1 Cor. 11. 16. ^» 10.3,4, 
 f 9 1 1, 14. q t Cor. 11.3-1. rZech. 12. to.sRev. 
 22. 17. t John 6. 35-. tijobn 1. \6. rvFhil. 3. 9. 
 «P/a/. 63.4,5*. iChron. 30. 11 .y Pfal. zi. 26. 
 zjer.fo.f.Pfal.fo.f. a Acts z.^i. 
 
 Q^. WW « /£e JDw/y 0/ Chriftians /?//er f£fy 
 &we receive:! the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ? 
 
 ^f. The Duty of Chriftians after they bavere- 
 ceived the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, is, 
 fcrioufly to confider how they have behaved 
 themfelves therein, and with what fuccefs b\ 
 if they find Quickning and Comfort, to blefs 
 God for it c, beg the Continuance of it d, watch 
 jagainft Rdapfes e, fulfil their Vows/, and in- 
 .courage themfelves to a frequent Attendance on 
 ■ that Ordinance g, but if they find no prefent Be- 
 nefit, 
 
 ' 
 
 h Pfxl. c8. 7. ^05. s. 1 Car. it. 17* 3°i 3*- C2 
 Cferon. 30. zi, fg z t. A8$z. 42, 46, 47. dPJaL sS^c. 
 C^nr. ?. 4. 1 Cbron. 29. is. n Cor- i°- ?» 4> 5> *-• 
 Py2r/. 50. 14. £ * C<ir. jj. 15, s6. 4Qi u $~i 4*« 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 171 
 
 ncfit, more exactly to review their Preparation 
 to, and Carriage at the Sacrament h ; in both 
 which, if they can approve themfelves to God 
 and their own Confciences, they are to wait for 
 the Fruit of it in due time 1 ; but if they fee they 
 have failed in either, they are to be humbled/:, 
 and to attend upon it afterward with more Care- 
 and Diligence/. 
 
 h Cunt. $-. lytoC. ilfal. 123. 1, 2. 0*42. f,S. 
 Tfal. 43 . 3 . 4, f. k 2 Chron. 30. 1 8, j 9 . 2/*. 1 . 1 6~, 
 18. I z Cor. j. 11. 1 Chron. if. 12, 13, 14. 
 
 Q. Wherein do the Sacraments of Baptifm and 
 the Lord's Supper agree ? • 
 
 A. The Sacraments of Baptifm and the Lord's 
 Supper agree, in that the Author of both is 
 God #7, the fpiritual Part of, both is Chrift and 
 his Benefits », both are Seals of the fame Cove- 
 nant 0, are to be difpenfed by Minifters of the 
 Gofpel, and by none other p ; and to be continu- 
 ed in the Church of Chrift until his fecond com- 
 ing 9. 
 
 mMat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11.23. n ^om. 0.3,4. 
 1 Cor. 10. 1 6.0 Rom. 4. 1 1. with Col.i. 11,12, 
 Mat. 26. 27, 2S. p John 1.33. Afar. 28. 19. 
 1 Cor. 1 1.23. ($> 4. 1. Heb.f.^.qMat. 28. 19, 
 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25. 
 
 Q. Wherein do the Sacraments of Baptifm and 
 the Lord's Supper differ ? 
 
 A. The Sacraments of Baptifm and the Lord's 
 Supper differ, in that Baptifm is to be admini- 
 ftred but once, with Water, to be a Sign and 
 Seal of our Regeneration and ingrafting into 
 
 K 2 Chsift, J 
 
.'iji 7 he Larger Catechifm. 
 Chrift r, and that even to Infants s, whereas 
 the Lord's Supper is to be adminiftred often in 
 the Elements of Bread and Wine, to repreient 
 and exhibit Chrift as fpirkual Nouriftiment to 
 the Soul t y and to confirm our Continuance, 
 and Growth in him «, and that only to fuch as 
 are of Years and Ability to examine thcm- 
 ielves to. 
 
 r Mat. 1. 1 i.Ii'fcj, f. Gal. 5. 27. sGen. 17. 
 7,9. Acts 2. 38, 39. iCor.y. 14. t iCor. 1 1.23, 
 to 16. u 1 Cor. ro. 16. w 1 Cor. 1 1. 28, 29.' 
 
 Q. Jfto # Prayer? 
 
 A. Prayer is an offering up of our Defires un- 
 to God x, in the Name of Chrift. y, by the Help 
 of his Spirit z,, with Confeflion of our Sins a, 
 and thankful Acknowledgment of ijis Mercies b. 
 
 x Vjld. 8z. S.yjobn \6. z^.z-Rom. 2. 16. 
 fiPfal.$r. f,6. Dan.y.^.bPhil.^.6. 
 
 Q_. Are toe to fray unto God only > 
 
 A. God only being able to fearch the Hearts r, 
 hear the Requefts d, pardon the Sins e, and ful- 
 fil the Defires of all fi. and only to be believed 
 in g, and worfhipped with religious Worfhip k> 
 Prayer, which is a fpecial part thereof /', is to 
 be made by all to him alone k> and to noneo- 
 ther I. 
 
 c 1 Kings 8. 39. Acts r. 24. Rom.%. 27. dPful. 
 6f.*.eMu:h.-j. \S.fPfal. 145*. 18, 19. g Rom. 
 to. 14. bMat. 4. 10. 1 1 Cor. 1.2. fcp/fc/. jro. 
 ^ ij*. I Rom. 10. i. t f) 
 **%* Q^. Jffta* « it to pray in the Name of Chrift ? 
 
 \ 
 
 A. To 
 
1 he Larger Cat echifm. ij% 
 
 A. To pray in the Name of Chrift, is in O- 
 bedience to his Command, and in Confidence 
 on hisPromifes, to ask Mercy for his fke m % 
 not by bare mentioning of his Name n, but by 
 drawing our Incouragement to pray and our 
 Boldnefs, Strength and hope of Acceptance in 
 Prayer, from Chrifl and his Mediation o. 
 
 mjohn 14.13, \%.John \6. 14.. Dan. 9. 17; , 
 n Mat. -j .21.0 Heb.^. 1 4, 1 5-, 1 6. 1 Joh.f. i^jo\6. 
 Q. Why are we to pray in the Name of Chrift ? 
 A. The Sinfulnefs of Man, and his Dirtance 
 from God by reafon thereof ; being fo great, as 
 that we can have no Aecefs into his Prefence 
 without a Mediator p, and there being none in 
 Heaven or Earth appointed to, or fit for that 
 glorious Work but Chrifl: alone <j, we arc to pray 
 in no other Name but his only r. 
 
 p John 14. 6. If*. 5-9. 2 . Eph. 3.12. qjohn 6*.' 
 27. Heb. 7,15, to 28. 1 Tim.i.f.rCol,$. 17. 
 Hib. 13. \f. 
 
 Q. Hovo doth the Spirit help m to pray ? 
 A. We not knowing what to pray for as wa 
 ought, the Spirit helpeth our Infirmities, by 
 inabling us to underftand both for whom, and 
 what, and how Prayer is to be made, and by 
 working and quickningin our Hearts (altho not 
 in all Perfons, nor at all Times in the fame Mea- 
 furc) thofe Appreheniions, Af&dtions, and Gra- 
 ces which are requifite for the right Perfor- 
 mance of that Duty s. 
 
 s Rom.S. 26, zj.Pfal. 10. ij.Zech. 12. 10. 
 Q For whom are roe to pray? 
 
 K I 4. w* M 
 
174 '^ 3e Larger Catechifm; 
 
 A. We are to pray for the whole Church of 
 Chriflupon Earth t\ for Magiftrates^, and Mi- 
 nifters w, for ourfclves x, our Brethren y, yea 
 our Enemies £, and for' all Sorts of Men liv- 
 ings or that fhall live hereafter b ; but not for 
 the Dead r, nor for thofe that are known to have 
 iinned the Sin unto Death d. 
 
 t Bph. 6. 18. ffal. 28. 9. u 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. 
 yp Col. 4= 3.* Gen. 32.1 1. yjam.f. i6.z,Mat. 
 5-. 44. a l Tim.z. i,2. bjohn 17.20. xSam.j. 
 29. c iSam.iz.ziito 24. d \Johif. \6. 
 
 Q. For what Things are we ts pray ? 
 
 A. We are to pray for all Things tending to 
 the Glory of God *,the Welfare of the Church /, 
 our own g, or others Good b : But not for any 
 Thing that is unlawful i. 
 
 e Mat. 6. 9. f Tfal. fi. 18. &izi.6. gMat. 
 7.11.6 Ppil 1 *$- 4- * ' John f. 14. 
 
 Q. How are we to pray ? 
 
 A. We are to pray with an awful Apprehen- 
 sion of the Majefty of God fc, and deep Senfe of 
 our own Unwortliinefs /, Neceflities m y and 
 Sins n, with penitent 0, thankful />, and enlarg- 
 ed Hearts 3, with Understanding r, Faiths, Sin- 
 cerity t , Fervency », Love w, and Pcrfeverance x, 
 waiting upon him y s With humble Submifiioa 
 to his Will *, 
 
 Q; What 
 
 \Ecckf. 5. t. iGcn.iS. zj. fa '"• l0 * ; " L "H l5 * 
 37,18,19. nLul^e 18. 15, 14. /7Zd. Si- '7- pPbd. 4- 
 
 ^6. tf 1 Saw. 1. 15. ^ s. 1. r 1 C<?r. 14- 15. s Marian. 
 
 \a. James 1. 6. t />/<!/. 145. j8. <& 17- *• u James 5. 
 X b? 1 Tjwi. z.-8, x Epb. 6. 18. j Aflic. 7. 7- * Mar, 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 175 
 
 Q^ IVhatRule hath God given for our'Direfti- 
 an in the Duty of Frayer ? 
 
 A. The whole Word of God is of Ufe to di- 
 rect us in the Duty of praying a ; but the fpe- 
 cial Rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer 
 which our Saviour Chrift taught his Difciples, 
 commonly called;, The Lord 7 * Frayer. 
 
 a 1 John f. 14.6 Mat. 6. $,to 13. Luke n.t^ 
 
 3>4- 
 
 Q. Hoxo Is the Lord's Frayer to be ufed> 
 
 A. The Lord's Prayer is not only for Directi- 
 on, as a Pattern, according to which we are to 
 make other Prayers } but may be alfo ufed as a 
 Prayer, fo that it be done with Under (landing, 
 Faith, Reverence and other Graces neceflary to 
 the right Performance of the Duty of Prayer c* 
 
 cMat.6, 9. with Luke 1 1. 2. 
 
 Q. Of how many Farts doth the Lord's Frayer 
 confifi ? 
 
 A. The Lord's Prayer confifts of three Parts $ 
 a Preface, Petitions, and a Conclusion. 
 
 Q. What doth the Freface of the Lord's Frayer 
 teach m> 
 
 A. The Preface of the Lord's Prayer (^con- 
 tained in thefe Words ; Our Father which art in 
 Heaven d ? ] teacheth us when we pray, to draw 
 near to God with Confidence of his fatherly 
 Goodnefs, and our Intereft therein e j with Re- 
 verence and all other Child-like Difpofitions /, 
 heavenly Affections £, and due Apprehenfions 
 
 of 
 
 d Mat. 6. 9. e Luke u. 13. Rom. 8. if. flfa. 
 6<i-9-ZPfil' 1*3. i«£«jp. 3.41. 
 
1 76 7%e Larger Catechifin, 
 
 of his Sovereign Power, Majefty and gracious 
 Condefcenfion h, as alfo to pray with and for 
 others /. 
 
 blfa.63.\?> \6.Neh. i . 4, y, 6. i Acts 12. $. 
 
 Q. What do we pray for in thefirft Petition ? 
 
 A. In the firft Petition, [ which is, Hallowed 
 be thy Name k ~] acknowledging the utter In- 
 ability and Indifpoiition that is in ourfelves, and 
 all Men to honour God aright /, we pray that 
 God would by his Grace inable and incline us 
 and others to know, to acknowledge and highly 
 to efteem him m, his Titles », Attributes 0, Or- 
 dinances, Word />, Works and whatfoever he is 
 pleafed to make himfelf known by q, and to 
 glorify him in Thought, Word r, and Deed s, 
 that he would prevent and remove Atheifm t, 
 Ignorance u, Idolatry w, arid Prophannefs x, 
 Whatsoever is dilhonourable to him y\ and by 
 his over-ruling Providence direct and difpofe all 
 Things to his own Glory z, . 
 
 4 Mat. 6, 9. / 1 Co,'. ?. 5. PfaL 51. *$• mPfal.67. 
 2, ?. nFfal.Sz.r2. oPfal. 36. to, 11,1^,13,15. p2 
 Tbcfl.- 3. :. Pfil. 147. *9> io. & 158. t, 2, ?. zCOr. z. 
 14, is. q Pfal. 14?. throughout, fa 8. throughout. rPfat. 
 10;. t. y 19. 14. s Phil. 1.9*11. f PfaL 67. i> to 5. 
 » Epk 1. 17,18. t»f/rt/. 07.7- *?/<*(• ^4. 18.cz,' 23- 
 y ztiingsiy. :?, 16. % 2 Cbron. 20. 6, 10, u, 12. F/d/« 
 S3, throughout, fa 140. 4, 8. 
 
 Q. What do we pray for in the fecond Petition ? 
 
 A. In the fecond Petition { which is, Thy 
 Kingdom come a ~] acknowledging ourfelves and 
 all Mankind to be by Nature under the Domi- 
 nion 
 
The Larger Catechifm. 177 
 nion of Sin and Satan b i we pray that the King- 
 dom of Sin and Satan may bedeltroycd c, the 
 Gofpel propagated throughout the World d ; the 
 Jews called e, the Fulnefsof the Gentiles brought 
 in /, the Church furnifhed with all Gofpel Offi- 
 cers and Ordinances g, purged from Corrupti- 
 on b, countenanced and maintained by the Ci- 
 vil Magiftrate i, that the Ordinances of Chrift 
 may be purely difpenfed and made effectual to 
 the converting of thofethat are yet in their Sins, 
 and the confirming, comforting, and building up 
 of thofe that arealready converted k ; that Chriil 
 would rule in our Hearts here /, and haften the 
 Time of his fecond coming, and our reigning 
 with him forever m ; and that he would be plea- 
 fed fo to exerciie the Kingdom of his Power in 
 all the World,as may beft conduce to thefe Ends n, 
 a Mat. 6. 10. b Eph. 2. 2, 3. c Tfal. 68. 
 
 1, 18. Rev. 12. 10, 11. d 2 Tbejf.i. 1. eRom. 
 
 \o^\.fjohn 17. 9, 20. Rom. 11. \f, 26, 
 Ffal. 67. throughout, g Mat. 9. 38. 2 Thef. 3. 
 
 1 . h Md. 1 . 1 1 . Zeph. 3.9. i 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. 
 
 k Acts 4.19, 30. Eph. 6. 18, 19, to. Rom. if. 
 
 29,30, 32. zTbejf. 1. ix.e^t. 16, 17. lEph. 
 
 3. 14, to z\.m Rev. 22. 20. n If a. 64. 1, 2. 
 
 Rev. 4. 8, to 11. 
 
 Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition ? 
 A. In the third Petition {_ Thy Will be done in 
 
 Earth as it is in Heaven "] acknowledging that 
 
 by Nature we and all Men are not only utterly 
 
 unable and unwilling to know and to do the 
 
 Will 
 Mat, 6. 10. 
 
1 78 Ihe Larger Catechifm. 
 Will of God p, but prone to rebel againft Ins 
 Word q, to repine and murmur againfr his Pro- 
 vidence r, and wholly inclined to do the will 
 of the Flefh and of the Devil s 1 We pray, that 
 God would by his Spirit take away from our- 
 felves and others, all Blindnefs t, Weaknefs //, 
 Indifpofednefs no, and Perverfenefs of Heart x, 
 and by his Grace, make us able and willing to 
 know, do, and fubmit to his Will in all Things/, 
 with the like Humility z, Cheerfulnefs a, Faith- 
 fulnefs b, Diligence c, Zeal d y Sincerity e and 
 Conftancy / as the Angels do in Heaven £. 
 
 pRom. 7. iS.y^n. 14. 1 Cor.2.14. qMat. 
 8. 7.. rExod. 17. 7. Numb. 14. i.sEph. 'i. - i. 
 i ~Eph. :. 17, 18. « Eph.^. 16. roMat. 26.40, 
 41. xjer. 31.18, 1 9.^ P/fe/. 119.1,8, 2f,26. 
 Acts if. 14. zMic. 6. 8. a-Ffal. 100. i.Job 1. 
 ai. 2&*;». if. 25-, 26. £1/4.38. 3. rP/fe/. 1 19. 
 Ot^.dRom. 12. 11. eP/*/. 119.80. fvfal.i 19. 
 m.glfa.C. 2, $.Pfal. 103.20, 2i.Ma?.j8. 
 10. 
 
 Q.. £T^t? </o we pray for in the fourth fetition ? 
 
 -4. In the fourth Petition [ which is, Give us 
 this Day our daily Bread h, ] acknowledging 
 that in Adam, and by our own Sin : we have 
 forfeited our RiJ^te to all the outward Bleflfings 
 of this Life, and deferve to be wholly deprived 
 of them by God, and to have them curfed to 
 us in the Ufe of them i ; and that neither they of 
 
 them- 
 
 Mat 6. 1 f . i Gen. 2 . 17. <& 3 . 17. Rom. 
 
 .0, to 23. Jer. $. 2j\ Deut. 28. 15-, to the 
 
 A 
 
Uhe Larger Latecb/Jm. If? 
 
 themfelves are able to fuftain us k, nor we to 
 merit /, or by our own Induftry to procure 
 them m, but prone to defire n, get 0, and ufe 
 them unlawfully />, we pray for ourfelves and 
 others, that both they and we, waiting upon 
 the Providence of God from Day to Day in the 
 ufe of lawful Means, may, of his free Gift, and 
 as to his fatherly Wifdom fhall feem belt, enjoy 
 a competent Portion of them q, and have the 
 fame continued and bleffed unto us in out holy 
 and comfortable Ufe of them r, and Content- 
 ment in them s, and be kept from all things that 
 are contrary to our temporal Support and Com- 
 fort t. 
 
 kDeut.B.$.lGe».$2. 10. mDeut.8. 17, 18" 
 njcr. 6. 1 3 .Mark 7. 2 1, zt.oHof. 11. j.pjam. 
 4. 3. qGen.41. 12, r 3, 14. ©* z8. ao. Ephef.4.. 
 28. zT^/j. 1 1, ii.Phil.$.6.r 1 Tim.^.T,,^ 
 f. s 1 Tim. 6. 6, 7,8. t Prov. 30. 8, 9. 
 
 Q. What do ive pray for in the fifth Petition ? 
 A . In the fifth Petition [_ which is, Torgiie 
 va mr Debts ^ as voe forgive our Debtors u ~] ac- 
 knowledging that we and all others are guilty 
 both of original and actual Sin, and thereby be- 
 come Debtors to the Juftice of God, and that 
 neither we, nor any other Creature, can make 
 the leaft Satisfaction for the Debt w ; we pray 
 for cur felves and others, that God of his free 
 Grace would, through the Obedience and Satis- 
 faction of Chrift apprehended and applied by 
 
 Faith; 
 u Mat. 6. 11. wRom. 3. 0, to 21, Mat, 18% 
 2^1?. Pf*!, 130, 3, 4, 
 
i8o jT/;<? Larger Chtechijm. 
 
 Faith ; aquit us both from the Guilt and Punifli- 
 ment of Sin x, accept us in his Beloved y, con- 
 tinue his Favour and Grace to us z, pardon 
 our daily Failings a, and fill us with Peace and 
 Joy ; in giving us daily more and more AfTurance 
 of Forgivennefs b, which we are the rather im- 
 boldned to ask, and encouraged to expect when 
 we have this Teftimony in ourfelves, that we 
 from the Heart, forgive others their Offences c. 
 x Re*. ;. 24, is,26. tieb. <■). zz. y Epb. i. 6, 7. % z 
 Tet.i. z. aHof.i^.z.'Jer. 14.7. b Rom. 15. \'-.TfnL 
 51.7, to 1 r, 12. cLultfii.q. Mat. 6.14, 1$, fa s s. 3 §. 
 
 Q. What do toe pray for in the flxth Petition ? 
 
 A. In the fixth Petition {^which is, And lead 
 m not into Temptation, but deliver us from. E- 
 i>r/d j acknowledging that the moft wife, righ- 
 teous, and gracious God, for divers holy and juft 
 Ends, may fo order things, that we may bea- 
 ffaulted, foiled, and for a time led captive by 
 Temptations e, that Satan f, the World g, and 
 the Flefh are ready powerfully to draw us afide 
 and infhare us h, and that we, even after the 
 Pardon of our Sins, by reafon of our Corrupti- 
 on /*, Weaknefs, and want of Watch fulnefs k, 
 are not only fubjeel: to be tempted, and forward 
 to expofe ourfelves unto Temptations I, but3l- 
 £0 of ourfelves unable and unwilling to refift 
 them, to recover out of them, and to improve 
 
 them 
 
 d Mat. 6.13. e XtChron. 31.31./ 1 Chron. 
 21 . 1. g Luke % 1.1*4.. Mark 4.. 1 9. h James 1. 14. 
 iGal.f. 17. kMat. 26. 41, lM*P. 16. 60,7?, 
 1,71, 1 Chron, 19. a..- 
 
them m y and worthy to be left under the Power 
 of them n, we pray, that God would io over- 
 rule the World and all in it o, fubdue the Flefh />, 
 and reftram Satan a, order all Things, beftov/ 
 and bl«Ts all Means of Grace s, and quicken us to 
 Watchfulnefs in the Uie of them, that we and 
 all his People may by his Providence be kept 
 from being tempted to Sin t j or, if temprcd, 
 that by his Spirit we may be powerfully fup- 
 portcd and enabled to ftand in the hoar of Temp- 
 tation u ; or, when fallen, raifed again and re- 
 covered out of it w, and have a ianctjfied Uie 
 
 I and Improvement thereof x, that our San&i- 
 cation and Salvation may be perfected y, Satan 
 
 ! trodden under our Feet &, and we fully freed 
 from Sin, Temptation, and all Evil for ever /». 
 
 mRom. 7. 2.3, ~4« iCbron. 21. 2, 3, 4. (Sal, 2. 11, 
 to 15. z Cbrcn. 18. 3. vritb z. 3,4. zCbron. 16.7,8,9, 
 10. n r/al. 81. 11, 12. • z JohTir. 1$. pPfal. §?.; 10. 
 fo 119. 133. q zCor. 12.7, 8. 1 Cor- 10. 12, 13. j Heb 
 33. to. 21. rAfar. 26.41. Ffal.19 1?. uEpb. 3. 14, r« 
 17. 1 T^ 3. 13- Judev. 24. n? f/d/. 51. 12. 2: 1 P,e k \ 
 c. 8, 9, 10. yzCor. 137, 9. « Rem. 16. 20. Zecb. 3. 2. 
 Xw^e 22, 31, 32. ajobn 17. 15. 1 7bejf.s.zs. 
 
 Q_. £F3?#f dsth the Conclusion of tin Lord'r Pray- 
 er texch m ? 
 
 A. The .Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer 
 
 £ which is, Tor tbbie is the Kingdom, and the? jv*~ 
 
 er and the Glory for ever, Amen b, j teacheth 
 
 us to enforce our Petitions with Arguments <?, 
 
 which are to be taken not«&^i|any Worthinefs 
 
 in our felvesjor in anv othcrcBlyuire, but from 
 
 D God, 4g 
 
 &M*f. 6. 15. c Rs/». «J- 30. . aW " 
 
 ,<ct 
 
?8 2 % T1ie Larger Catechifm. 
 God d i and with our Prayers to join Praifes e» 
 afcribing to God alone eternal Sovereignty, Om- 
 nipctency, and Glorious Excellency/, in regard) 
 whereof, as he is able and willing to help u?g, 
 fo we by Faith are imboldned to plead with him, 
 that he would h, and quietly to rely upon him 
 that he will fulfil our Requefts i, and to teftify 
 this our Defire and Aflurance, we fay, Amen k. 
 4 Dan. 9.4, 7,8,9, 16, to ^o. e Vhil.^. 6. 
 f 1 \ Chron. xy. \o y to i^.g Eph. 3. 20, xi.Lukt/ 
 1 1 . 1 5. h x Chron. :o. 6, 1 1. * i Chron. 14. 1 1 f 
 k 1 Car. 14. 16. Rev. at. ao, a 1. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
The Shorter Catechifm. 205 
 
 diligent Ufe of all the outward Means whereby 
 Chrift communicateth to us the Benefits of Re- 
 demption d. 
 
 dProv.i. i,to6.&S. fiit&theettJ.Ifa.fj.:}. 
 
 Q. What U Faith in Jefws Chrift ? 
 
 A. Faith in Jefus Chrift is a faving Grace?, 
 whereby we receive and reft upon him alone for 
 Salvation, as he is offered to us in the Gofpel f. 
 
 eHeb. 10.39. f John 1. 1 2, jfi. 26. 3,4, Phil 
 3.0. Gal. 2. \6. 
 
 Q_ What is Repentance unto Life ? 
 ' A. Repentance unto Life is a faving Grace g, 
 whereby a Sinner out of a true Senfe of his Sin£, 
 and Appreheniion of the Mercy of God in 
 Chrift i, doth with Griff and Hatred of his Sin, 
 turn from it unto God k, with full Purpofe ol> 
 and Endeavour after new Obedience/. 
 
 g Acts 11. 18. hAfts 2. 57,38. ijoeli. ti^ 
 Jer. 3. 22. k Jer. 31. 18, 19. Ezik. 36. 3». 
 / 2 Car. 7. 1 1. Ifa. 1. 16, 174V 
 
 Q.. What are the oatvoard Means whertiy 
 Chrift communicateth to m the Benefits of Rcr 
 dtixption ? 
 
 A. The outward and ordinary Means where- 
 by Chrift communicateth to us the Benefits of 
 Redemption, are his Ordinances, '-especially the 
 Word, Sacraments and Prayer, a!! which a r e 
 made effectual to the Elect for Salvation m. 
 m Mat. 28. 19,20. AEts 2.42,46,^7. 
 Q. Hoto is the Word made effectual to Salvatoin } 
 A. The Spirit of God, maketh the reading 
 t?ut especially the preaching of the Word an 
 M efie&ual 
 

 io6 The Shorter Catechijm. 
 
 effectual Means of convincing and converting 
 Sinners, and of building them up in Hoiinefsand 
 Comfort through Faith unto Salvation n. 
 
 n Neh. 8. 8. i Cor. 14. 24, zj.Atls 26. 18. 
 Tfal. 19. 8. Acts 20. 32. Rom. ij\ 4. %Tim. 3. 
 j j, 16, 17. Rom. 10. 14. $* 1. 16. 
 
 Q. How is the Word to be read andhtard that it 
 may become effectual to Salvation ? 
 
 A. That the Word may become effectual to 
 Salvation, we muft attend thereunto with Dili- 
 gence 0, Preparation p, and Prayer q, receive 
 it wi th Faith and Love r, lay it up in our Hearts s, 
 and praclife it in our Lives t. 
 
 oProv. 8.34. p 1 Pet. 2. 1,2. q Pfal. 1 19. 18. 
 rHeb.\. 1. iTheff. 2. 10. 5 Pfal 1 19. 11. (Luke 
 8. 15. James 1. 25*. 
 
 Q. How do the Sacraments became effeStual 
 fdeans of Salvation ? 
 
 A. The Sacraments become effectual Means 
 of Salvation, not from any Virtue in them, or 
 in htm that doth adminfter them, but only by 
 the BleiTing of Chrift /*, and the working of his 
 Spirit in them that by Faith receive them w. 
 
 « 1 Pet. 3. 21. Mat. 3. 11, 1 Cor. 3. 6, 7. 
 » 1 Cor. it. 13. 
 
 Q. What is a Sacrament ? 
 
 A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance inftitut- 
 cd by Chrift, wherein by ienfibie Signs, Chrift 
 and the Benefits of the New Covenant are repre- 
 fented, pealed and applied to Believers x. 
 
 x Gen. 17.7,10, Ezod, 1 ith Chapter. 1 Cor. 
 1*. 23, 16. 
 
 Q. W 
 
The Shorter Catechifm.' 207 
 
 Q. Which are the Sacraments of the New Tefia- 
 tnent? 
 
 A. The Sacraments of the New Teftament 
 are, Baptifm y, and the Lord's Supper z.. 
 
 yMat. 28. 19. z,Mat.i6. 26, 27,28. 
 
 Q. What is Baptifm ? 
 
 A. Baptifm is a Sacrament, wherein the wafli- 
 ing with Water in the Name of the Father, and 
 of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft a, doth figni- 
 fy and Seal our ingrafting into Chrifl, and par- 
 taking of the Benefits of the Covenant of Grace, 
 and our Engagement to be the Lord's b. 
 
 a Mat. 28. 19. b Rom. 6. 4. Gal. 2. 27. 
 
 Q. To whom is Baptifm to beadminiftredt 
 
 A. Baptifm is not to be ad mini fired to any 
 that are out of the vifible Church till they pro- 
 fefs their Faith in Chrift, and Obedience to him e\. 
 but the Infants of fuch as are Members of the 
 vifible Church are to be baptised d. 
 
 c ABsB. 36, 37.0*2. 38. dA&s 2. 38, 39. 
 Gen. 17.10. with Col. 2. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 7. 14. 
 
 Q. What is the Lord's Supper ? 
 
 A. The Lord's Supper is a Sacrament where- 
 in by giving and receiving Bread and Wine ac- 
 cording to Chrift's Appointment, his Death is 
 fhewed forth ; and the worthy Receivers, are not 
 after a corporal and carnal Manner, but by Faith, 
 made Partakers of his Body and Blood, with all 
 his Benefits, to their fpiritualNouriihment, and 
 Growth in Graxe e. A 
 
 eiCor.w. 22, to 16. & 10. \6. t . 
 
 htm 
 
 M 2 Q. W^ 
 
 Re* 
 
m *o8 . 71)e Shorter Catechifm. 
 
 Q. What is required in the worthy receiving of 
 the Lord's Supper* 
 
 A. It is required of them that would wor- 
 thily partake of the Lord's Supper > that they 
 examine themfelves, of their Knowledge to dif- 
 cern the Lord's Body /, of their Faith to feed 
 upon himf, of their Repentance/?, Love i, and 
 new Obedience k, left coming unworthily they 
 eat and drink Judgment to themfelves/. 
 
 f i Cor. i x,i8, zo. g xCor. 13.5% An Cor. 
 11.51,1 1C0r.1o.16y ij.k 1 Cor. jr, 7, 8./ 1 Cor. 
 1 1.28, *o. 
 
 Q. What ii Prayer ? 
 
 A. Prayer is an offering up of our Defires to 
 God «*, for things agreeableto his Will », in the 
 Name of Chrilt 0, with Confeflion of our Sins/?, 
 and thankful Acknowledgment of his Mercies q. 
 
 mPftl.6t. 8. n \Jchn$. 14. ojolm 16. 23. 
 fPfal. 51.5-, 6. Dan. 9 4. q Phil. $.6. 
 
 Q. What Rule hath God given m for our Di- 
 rection in Prayer ? 
 
 A. The whole Word of God is of Ufe to di- 
 rect us in Prayer r, but the fpecial Rule of Di- 
 rection is that Form of Prayer which Chrift 
 taught his Difciples, commonly cz\\cd,The Lord's 
 Prayer s. 
 
 r 1 John 5". 15-. s Mat 6. 9, to 1 3. with Luke 
 
 11. 2, 3.4. 
 
 Q. What doth the Preface of the Lord's Prayer 
 tenh us ? 
 
 A. The Preface to the Lord's Prayer which 
 j s [ Our Father which art in Heaven 1 3 teacheth 
 *jMat.6.9. 
 
1 he Shorter Catechifm. 2 op 
 
 us to draw near to God with all holy Reverence 
 and Confidence, as Children to a Fathqfr'abie and 
 ready to help us #, and that we fhoul3 pray with 
 and for others to. 
 
 u Rom. 8. 15". Luke 1 r, 13, p Acls la. 5*. 
 
 ! TiW. 2. I, 2. 
 
 Q. flpto do pray for in the firfi Petition'? 
 
 A. In the firft Petition, which is, [Hallowed 
 be thy Name x\\ we pray, tKat God would ena- 
 ble us and others to glorify him in all things 
 whereby he maketh hi mfelf known y, and that 
 he would difpofe all -things to his own Glo- 
 ry z. 
 
 x Mat. 6. 9. y Pfal. 6j. 2, | f . p Pfal. 83, 
 throughout. 
 
 Q. What do we pray for in t.he fecond Petition t 
 
 A. In the fecond Petition, which is, [ Thy 
 Kingdom come a] we pray that Satan's Kingdom 
 may be deilroyed b \ and that the Kingdom of 
 Grace may be advanced c, ourfelves and others 
 brought into it, and kept in it d } and that the 
 Kingdom of Glory may behaftened e. 
 
 a Mat. 6. 10. b Pfal. 6%. 1, 18. e Rev. r.2. 10. 
 11. dxTheff. 3. 1. Rom. 10. x.John 17.9,20, 
 eRev. 22. 20. 
 
 Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition ? 
 
 A. In the third Petition, which is, [Thy 
 
 Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven f, j we 
 
 pray, that God by his Grace would make usrd 
 
 able and willing to know, obey and fubnvkhn 
 
 flUf: 6, 10. iY t Re* 
 
i m * 
 
 no The Shorter Catechifm. 
 
 to his Will in all Things g, as the Angels do in 
 Heaven h. 
 
 g Pfal. 67, throughout. Pfal 1 f 9. 36. Mat. 26. 
 39.2 Sam. 15*. zf.Job 1. xx.hPfal. 103.20,2 r. 
 
 Q. #$** <?0 ire pray for in the fourth Petition ? 
 
 -4. In the fourth Petition [ which is, Give 
 us this Bay our daily Bread i ] we pray that of 
 God's free Gift, we may receive a competent 
 Portion of the good Things of this Life and en- 
 joy his Blefling with them k. 
 
 i Mat. 6. 11. k Prev. 30. 8,9. Gen. zS. 20. 
 1 Tim. 1 . 4, y. 
 
 Q. What do roe pray for in the fifth Petition ? 
 
 A. In the fifth Petition, which is, {_ And for - 
 
 Cive u4 our Debts, as toe forgive our Debtors 1 J 
 i/epray, that God for Chriit's fake would free- 
 ly pardon all our Sins m, which we are the ra- 
 ther encouraged to. ask, becauie by his Grace we 
 are enahled from the Heart; to forgive others n. 
 
 I Mat. 6. 12. mPfal. f\.\i.$> J.^-Dan.^. 
 \-j : 18, 19. n fyke 11.4. Mat. 1$. jf„ 
 Q. What de roe pray for in the fixth Petition ? 
 A. In the fixth Petition, which is, {^Andlead 
 tti.not i'ito Temptation, but deliver us from Evitb J 
 we pray, that God would either keep us rrom 
 being tempted to fin p, or fupport and deliver 
 us when we are tempted q. 
 ' Mat. 6. 1 3 . p Mat. 26. 4 1 . q 2 Cor. 1 2 . S . 
 Q_ What doth the Conclufion ef the Lord's Pray* 
 er teach us? 
 
 A. The Conclufion of the Lord's Prayer, 
 which is, £ For thine ts the Kingdom the Power 
 
 and 
 
The Shorter Catechifm. 21 i 
 and the Glory, for ever, Amenr ~] teacheth us to 
 take our Encouragement in Prayer from God 
 only s, and in our Prayers to praifehim, afcrib- 
 ing Kingdom, Power, and Glory to him t, and 
 in Teftimony of our Defire and AfTurance to be 
 heard, we fay, Amen u. 
 
 r Mat. 6. 13. s JD^.9.4, 7,8,9, 16, to 19. 
 t 1 Cor. 29. 10, to 13. « 1 Cor. 14. 16. Rev. 
 
 22. 20, 2 1. 
 
 The Ten Commandments. 
 
 EXODUS xx. 
 
 GO D fpake all thefe Words, faying, I am the 
 the Lord thy God, which have brought thee 
 out of the Land of Egypt, out of the Houfe of 
 Bondage. 
 
 I. Thou ftalthave no other Gods before Me. 
 
 II. Thou {halt not make unto thee any gr**> 
 ven Image j or any Likenefs of any Thing that 
 is in Heaven above, or that is in the Earth be- 
 math, or that is in the Water under the Earth ; 
 thou [Jjalt not bow down thy felf to them, nor 
 
 ferve them: For I the Lord thy God am a jeal- 
 ous God, vifiting the Iniquities of the Fathers 
 upon the Children unto, the third and fourth Ge- 
 neration of them that hate me, and flawing Mer- 
 cy unto Thcufands ef them that love me, and 
 keebmy Commandments. 
 
 III. Thou fhaitnot take the Name of the Lord 
 thy^ God in vain j for the Lord will not hold him 
 guiUlefs that taktthhU Name in vain. 
 
 IV. Re- 
 
IV. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it ho- 
 ly : Six Days fljalt thou labour, and do all thy 
 Work ; but iM feventh Bay is the Sabbath of the 
 Lord thy God x in it thou /halt not do any Work, 
 thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, nor thy Man- 
 
 fervant, nor thy Maid-feavant, nor thy Cattel, 
 ncr the Stranger that is within thy Gates : For 
 in fix Days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, 
 the Sea, and all that in them is, and refted the 
 feventh Day; wherefore the Lord bkjfed the Sab- 
 bath-day, and hallowed it. 
 
 V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that. 
 thy Days may be long upon the Land which the 
 Lord thy Gqdgiveth thee. 
 
 VI. Thou fljalt not kill. 
 
 VII. Thou /halt not commit Adultery. 
 
 VIII. Thou fljalt not Steal. 
 
 IX. Thou fljalt not bear falfe Witnefs againfi 
 thy Neighbour. 
 
 X. Thou fljalt not covet thy Neighbour's Houfe, 
 thou fljalt not covet thy Neighbour's Wife, nor 
 his Man-fervant, nor his Maid fervant, nor his 
 Ox, nor his Afs, nor any Thing that U thy Neigh- 
 bour's. 
 
 The. Lord's Prayer, Mat. vi. 
 
 QUR Father, which art in Heaven, hollowed 
 be thy Name : Thy Kingdom come : Thy 
 Will be done on 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 
 
C "3 I 
 
 not into Temptation, but delievtr m 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 Jefos Chrifi 
 hu only Son our Lord, which was conceived by the 
 Holy Ghofi, born of the Virgin Mary, fujfered 
 under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and 
 buried : He defcended into Hell *, the third Bay 
 he aro/e again from the Dead; He afcended into 
 Heaven, and ptteth on the right Hand of God 
 the Father Almighty ; from thence he Jhallcome 
 to judge the jguick and the Dead. I believe in 
 the Holy Ghoft, the holy Catholick Church, the 
 Communion of Saints, the Forgivenefs of Sins, 
 the Refurreftion of the Body, and the Life ever' 
 lafting. Amen. 
 
 * /". e. Continued in the State of tl^e Dead, and 
 under the Power of Death, till the third Day. 
 
 SO much of every 6)ucftion, both in the Lar- 
 ger and Shorter Catechifm, is repeated in rhe 
 Anfwer, as maketh every Anfwer an entire Pro- 
 portion, or Sentence in it felf, to the end the 
 Learner may further improve it upon all Oc~ 
 cailons, for his Increafe in Knowledge and Pie- 
 ty, even out of the Courfe of Catechifing as 
 well as in it. 
 
 An4 
 
C »4J 
 
 And albeit the Subftance of the Do&rine 
 comprifed in that Abridgment commonly cab- 
 led, Jhe Apoflles Creed, he fully fet forth in each 
 ©f the C^techifms, ib as there is no Neceflity 
 ofinfertingtheCreedit felf, yet it ishereannex- 
 ed not as tho it were compoied by the Apoftlcs, 
 or ought to be efteemed Canonical Scripture, as 
 the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Vrayer, 
 ( much lefs a Prayer, as ignorant People have 
 been apt to make both it and the Decalogue) 
 but becaufe it is a brief Sum of the Chriftian 
 Faith agreeable to the Word of God, and ancient- 
 ly received in the Churches of Chrift. 
 
 FINIS, 
 
A Brief SUM of 
 
 Chriftian Do'&rine, 
 
 CONTAINED IN 
 
 HOLY SCRIPTURE, and 
 
 holden forth in the Confejjion of 
 Faith zsA.Catechifms : 
 
 Agreed uporrby the Aflembly of Di- 
 vines at Weflminfier, and received 
 by the General Aflembly of the 
 Kirk of Scotland : With the pratli- 
 cal Ufe thereof. 
 
 The Sum of Saving Knowledge may Be taken up 
 in thefe four Heads : i . The woful Condition 
 to herein all Men are by Nature, through break- 
 ing of the Covenant ef Works. 2 . The Remedy 
 provided for the Elect in Jefus Chrift, by the 
 Covenant of Grace. 3 . The Means appointed 
 to make them Partakers of his Covenant. 4. The 
 BleJJtngs which are effectually conveyed unto the 
 Elect by thefe Means. Which four Heads are 
 fet down each of them in fome few Tropofitions. 
 
 HEAD 
 
T 
 
 C 215] 
 
 HEAD I. 
 
 Our woful Condition by Nature, 
 through breaking the Covenant of 
 Works, Hof. xiii. p. O Ifrael, thou 
 haft deftroyed thy [elf. 
 
 I. I I "I H E Almighty and Eternal God, the 
 the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghoft, three diftinft Perfons in one 
 and the fame undivided God-head, 
 equally Infinite in all Perfections *, did before 
 Time mod wifely decree, for his own Glory, 
 whatsoever cometh to pafsinTimej and doth 
 mod holily and infallibly execute all his Decrees, 
 without being Pertaker of the Sin of any Crea- 
 ture. 
 
 II. This God in fix Days made all Things of 
 Nothing, very Good in their own kind, in fpe- 
 cial he made all the Angels holy ; and he madcour 
 firft Parents Adam and Eve, the Root of Man- 
 kind, 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 rheir Service, till 
 he entred in a Covenant or Contract with them 
 and their Pofterity in them, to give them eter- 
 nal Life upon Condition of perfect perfonal Obe- 
 dience, withal threatning Death in cafe they 
 feould fril : Thii is the Covenant of Works. 
 
 III. Bolk 
 
r»7 j 
 
 111. Both Angels and Men were fubjcd to the 
 Change of their own free Will as Experience 
 proved (God having referved to himfclf rhe in- 
 communicable Property of being naturally un- 
 changeable.) For many Angels of their own ac- 
 cord fell by Sin from their nrft Eftate, and be- 
 came Devils : Our fir ft Parents being enticed by 
 Satan one 1 of thefe Devils fpeaking in a Serpent, 
 did break the Covenant of Works, in eating the 
 forbidden Fruit, whereby they and their Pofteri- 
 ty being in their L'oyns, as Branches in the Root, 
 and comprehended in the fame Covenant with 
 them, became not only liable to eternal Death, 
 but alio loft all Ability to pleafe God : yea did be- 
 comeby Nature Enemies to God, and to allfpi- 
 ritu.il Good,and inclined only to Evil continually . 
 This is Original Sin, the bitter Root of our a&ual 
 Tranfgreflioiis, in Thought, Word, and Deed. 
 
 HEAD II. 
 
 The Remedy provided in Jefus Chrifl 
 for the Elecl by the Covenant of 
 Grace, Hop xiii. 9. Olfrael ! thou 
 h.ijl deflroyed thy Jelf ; hut in me is 
 thine Help. 
 
 I. A LBEIT Man having brought himfclf in- 
 
 aa to this woful Condition, being neither 
 
 able to help himfelf, nor willing to be helped by 
 
 God out of it, but rather inclined to lie ftill un- 
 
I- — J 
 fcnfible of hj till he perifli : Yet God, for the 
 Glory of his rich Grace, hath revealed in his 
 Word a Way to fave Sinners, to wit, by Faith in 
 Jefus Chrift, the eternal Son of God, by virtue 
 of, and according to the Tenor of the Covenant 
 of Redemption made and agreed upon, between 
 God the Father, and God the Son, in the Coun- 
 cil of the Trinity, before the World began. 
 
 II. The Sum of the Covenant of Redemption 
 is this, God having freely chofen unto Life a cer- 
 tain Number of loft Mankind, for the Glory of 
 his rich Grace, did give them, before the World 
 began, unto God the Son, appointed Redeemer, 
 that upon Condition he would humble himfelf 
 fo far as to alTume the Human Nature of a Soul 
 and a Body, unto perfonal Union with his Di- 
 vine Nature, and fubmit himfelf to the. Law as 
 Surety for them, and fatisfy juftke for them, 
 by giving Obedience in their Name, even unto 
 the luffering of the curfed Death of the Crofs, he 
 fhould ranfom and redeem them all from Sin and 
 Death, and purchafe unto them Rightcoufneis 
 and eternal Life with all faving Graces leading 
 thereunto, to be effectually by Means of his own 
 Appointment, applied in due time to everyone 
 of them. This Condition the Son of God (who 
 is Jefus Chrift our Lord ) did accept before the 
 World began, and in the Fulneis of Time came 
 into the World, was born of the Virgin Mary, 
 iubje£ted himfelf to the Law, and compleatly 
 payed the Ranfom on the Crofs : But by virtue 
 ©f the foresaid Bargain made before the World. 
 
 began, 
 
[ 2IP j 
 
 began, he h in all Ages, fince the Fall of Mam, 
 ititl upon the Work ol ; applying actually the pur- 
 chafed Benefits unto the Elect : And that he doth 
 by way oftnter taming a Covenant of free Grace 
 and Reconciliation with them, through Faith in 
 himfelf, bj which Covenant he makes over to 
 every Belie/er a Right and Intereft to himfelf, 
 and to all his Ble flings . 
 
 III. Foi the Accomplishment of this Cove- 
 nant of Redemption, and making the Elect Par- 
 takers of :he Benefits thereof in the Covenant of 
 Grace, drift Jefus was clad with the threefold 
 Office of 'rophet, Prieft, and King, made a Pro- 
 phet to re/eal allfaving Knowledge" td his Peo- 
 ple, and toyerfuade them to believe and obey the 
 fame : Made a Prieft to offer up himfelf a Sacri- 
 fice onceft/r them all, and to interceed continu- 
 ally with the Father for making their Perfons 
 and Serriices acceptable to him : And' made a 
 King, tofubdue them to himfelf, to feed and rule 
 them by his own appointed Ordinances^ and to 
 defend uem from their Enemies. 
 
 HEAD III. 
 
 The oujward Means appointed to 
 make; the Elect Partakers of this 
 Covenant, and all the reft that are 
 cai'edto be inexcufable, Mat. xxii. 
 14. Many are called ; , 
 
 N » THP- 
 
 > I fern; 
 
t «o ] 
 
 TH E outward Means and Ordnances for 
 making Men Partakers of the Covenant 
 ■Of Grace, are io wifely difpenfed, astheEledk 
 'mall be infallibly converted and favecjby them, 
 v and the Reprobate among whom thcr are not, 
 be juftly humbled. The Means aret fpecially 
 thefefour : r. The Word of God. z. ihe Sacra- 
 ments. $. Kirk Government. 4. Prayer. In the 
 Word of God preached by fen} Meffenvers, the 
 Lord makes Offer of Grace to all Sinners, upon 
 condition of Faith in JcfusChriit; andwhofo- 
 ever do confefs their Sin, accept of Chiift offer- 
 ed, and fubrrrit themfelves to his Ordinances, he 
 will have both them and their Children received 
 into the Honour and Priviiedges of^ the Cove- 
 nant of Grace. By the Sacraments, God will 
 have the Covenant fealed for 1 onfirmingthe Bar- 
 gain on the afarefaid Condition. By Kifk- Go- 
 vernment he will have them hedged in end help- 
 ed forward unto the keeping orthe- Covenant. 
 And by Praver he will have his own gorious 
 Grace promifed in the Covenant, to bp daily 
 dr.- wp forth, acknowledged and employed. All' 
 which Means are followed either really J or in 
 Profeflion only, acco. ding to the Quality of the 
 Covenanters, as they are true or counterfeit Be- 
 lievers. 
 
 II. The Covenant of Grace, fet down In the 
 
 Old Xeffament before Chrift came, and h the 
 
 j New lince ^e came, is one and the fame mSub- 
 
 R anc*,a Ibeit different in outward Ad m m ; l\ . ?.t i on . 
 
 For the Zovenmt in the Old Teftameat being 
 
 fealed 
 
{_ I'll J ^*v 
 
 ealed with the Sacrament of Circumcifion an< 
 :he Pafebtl fcamb, did fet forth Chrift's Death to 
 come and tbe Benefits purchafed thereby, under n X 
 the Shadow of bloody Sacrifices, and fundry Ce- 
 remonies : J3ut fince Chrift came, the Covenant 
 being felled, by the Sacraments of Baptifm and 
 the Lord's Supper, do clearly hod forth Chrift al- 
 ready crucified before our Eyes victorious over 
 Death and ihe Grave and gloriouily ruling Hea- 
 ven and Earth for the Good of his own People. 
 
 HEAD IV. 
 
 The Bieflitvgs which are effectually 
 conveyea by thefe Means to the 
 Lord's E!ect or chofen Ones, Mat. 
 xxii. 14. Many are called ; but jevi 
 are chafm, 
 
 Y theft outward Ordinances as our Lord 
 makes the Reprobate inexcuiable fo in the 
 Power of his Spirit, he applies unto the Elecl e- 
 rfeelually all faving Graces purchafed to them in 
 the Covenant of Redemption, and makcth j_ 
 Change in their Perfons. In particular, H ., ( 
 doth convert or regenerate them, by giving fp s , 
 ritual Life to them, in opening their Un 
 dings, renewing their Wills, Affe&ions, ana ^ 
 culries ; for giving fpiritual Obedience to'^ 
 Commands. 2. He gives unto them ^ ut if 
 Frith, by making them, in the fen'e of dtC T 2 ^ 
 
 N 3 a Grace j 
 
 from de- J 
 
 L B 
 

 Condemnation, to give their Confent heartily to 
 the Covenant of Grace, and to embrace Chrift 
 . Jefus unfeignedly. 3 . He gives them Repentance, 
 by making them wirh godly Sorrow in the Hat- 
 red of Sin, and Love of Righteoifnefs, turn 
 from ail Iniquity to the Service Of God . And, 
 4. He fan&incs them, by making them go on and 
 perfevere in Faith, and Spiritual Obedience of the' 
 Law of God,manifefted by Fruitfuhefsinall Du-i 
 ties, 2nd doing good Works, as Goc offereth Oc-i 
 cafion. I 
 
 II. Together with this inward Change of their 
 Perfons, God changes alfo their State. For £0 
 foon as they are brought by F.iith into the Co- 
 venant of Grace, 1. He juftines them, by im- 
 pu ; ing untdthem thatperfedr. Obedience which 
 Chr:il gave to the Law, and Satisfaction alfo 
 which upon the Crofs Chrift gave unto Juitice 
 in their Name. 2. He reconciles them, and makes 
 them Friends to God, who before were Ene- 
 mies to God. 3 . He adopts them 1 , that they fhall 
 % be no more Children of Satan, but Children of 
 \ God, enriched with all fpiritual Priviledges of 
 \his Sons. And hit. of all, after their Warfare 
 Ijn this Life is ended, he perfects the Holinefs, 
 'Wad BlefTednefs ; firft of their Souls at their Death, 
 tfcnd then both of their Souls, and their Bodies, 
 Shing joyfully joined together again in the Re- 
 Areciion at the Day of his glorious coming to 
 j augment, when all the Wicked fhall be fent a- 
 v . ' 1 'Jell with Satan whom they haveferved : 
 But Chi ill's own chofen and redeemed Ones, 
 
 true* 
 
[ "3 ] 
 
 true Believers, Students of Holinefs, fl : And 
 main with himfelf for ever, in the Sta o D 
 Glorification. < oc j 
 
 The Practical Ufe of 
 
 Saving Knowledge, 
 
 Contained in Scripture, and hold en 
 forth briefly in the forefaid Con- 
 feflion of Faith and Catechifms. 
 
 THE chief general Ufe of Chriftian 
 Do&rine is, to convince a Man of Sin ? 
 and of Righteoufnefs, and of Judg- 
 ment, John 1 6. 8. Partly by the Law 
 or Covenant of Works, that he may be humbled 
 and become penitent ; an& partly by the Gofpel 
 or Covenant of Grace, that he may become an 
 unfeigned Believer in Jefu s C hrift ; and be fh egth- 
 ned in his Faith upon folid Grounds and War- 
 rants, and give Evidence of the Truth of his 
 Faith by good Fruits, and fobefaved. 
 
 The Sum of the Covenant of Works, or of t!ic 
 Law, is this, If thou do all that u commanded and , 
 not fail in any Point, thou fralt be faved: But if 
 thou fail thouflmlt die, Rom . i o . $■ . Gal. 3 ."> o, 1 2. . 
 The Sum of the Gofpel or Covenant of Grace 
 .and Reconciliation is this: If thou flee from de- 
 
 . N 4. fervf/ /i 
 
Con C 224 ] 
 
 / the Wrath , to the true Redeemer, Jefm Chrift, 
 Je.fi is able to fave to the utmofr. all that come 
 ryod through him ) thou fialt not ferifl), but 
 ive eternal Life, Rom. 10. 8, 9, it. 
 For convincing a Man of Sin, of Righteouf- 
 nefs and of Judgment by the Law, or Covenant 
 of Works, let thefe Scriptures among many 
 more be made Ufe of. 
 
 I. For convincing a Man of Sin by 
 the Law, confider, Jer. xvii. 9, 10. 
 
 THE Heart is deceitful above all Things and 
 defperately wicked, who can know it ? I the 
 Lord Jearch the Heart, I try the Reins, even to 
 give every Man according to his Ways, and accord- 
 ing to the Fruit of his Doings. 
 
 Here the Lord teacheth thefe two Things ; 
 1 . That the Fountain of all our Mifcarriage and 
 actual finning againft God is in the Heart, which 
 I comprehended the Mind, Will, Atfe&ions, and 
 \ all the Power of the Soul, as they are corrupted 
 and defiled with Original Sin. The Mind being 
 not only ignorant and uncapnble of SavingTruth, 
 but alfo full of Error and Enmity againfl: God, 
 and the Will and Affections being obftinatelydif- 
 obedient unto all God's Directions, and bent to- 
 ward that only which is Evil: The Heart, faith 
 he, is deceitful above all Things, and defperately 
 •wicked; Yea and unfearchably wicked, that no 
 I Man can know it . And Gen. 6.5-. Every Imagina- 
 tion of the Thoughts of Man's Heart, ts only Evil 
 
 conti- 
 
continually (iaith the Lord) whofc Teftimony 
 we muft trufi: in this and all other. Matters : And 
 Experience alfo may teach us, that till GOD 
 make us deny ourfelves, we never look to God 
 in any thing, but flefhly Self-Intereft alone doth 
 rule us, and move all the Wheels of our Actions. 
 
 2. That the Lord bringeth our Original Sin, 
 or wicked Inclination, with all the aaual Fruits 
 thereof, unto reckoning before his Judgment- 
 feat: Tor he fearcheth the Heart, and trieth the 
 ■Reins, to give every Man according to bis Ways, 
 *nd according to the Fruit of his Doings. 
 
 Hence let every Man reafon thus > 
 
 What God and my guilty Conferee bear Wit- 
 nefs of, I am convinced that it is true. 
 
 But God and my guilty Conference bear Witnefs 
 that my Heart is deceitful above all Things anddef- 
 terately wicked, and that all the Imaginations of 
 my Heart fa Nature, are only Bvu continually. 
 
 Therefore I am convinced that this is true. 
 
 Thus a Man may be convinced of Sin by the 
 Law. 
 
 II. For convincing a Man of Righ- 
 tepufnefs by the Law, confider 
 Gal. iii. 10. 
 
 AS Many as are of the Works of the Law, are 
 under the Curfe. For it it written, CurfedU 
 everyone that couinueth not in all Things which 
 are written in the Book of the Law, to do them. 
 
 N r Here 
 
[ «j* 3 
 
 Here the Apoftle teacheth us three Things. 
 
 i . That by reafon of our natural Sinfumefs, 
 thelmpoiTibilityof any Man's being juftified by 
 'the Works of the Law is fo certain, that who- 
 soever do ieek Juftincationby the Works of the 
 ''Law, are liable to the Curfe of God, for break- 
 : ing of the L aw j Tor as many tvs are of the Works 
 ' of the Law are under the Curfe, faith he. 
 
 2 . That unto the perfecl fulfilling of the Law, 
 ' the keeping of one or two of the Precepts, or do- 
 ing of lome, or of all Duties ( if it were poiTible) 
 for a time, is not fufficient •■> for the Law requi- 
 reth, that** Man continue in allThings which are 
 
 'Written in the Book of the Law to do them. 
 
 3. That becaufe no Man can come up to this 
 Perfection, every Man bf Nature is under the 
 Curie, For the Law faith, Curfe d is every one that 
 contumeth not in all Things which are written in 
 the Book of the Law, to do them. 
 
 Now to be under the Curfe comprehendeth 
 'all Difpleafure of God, with the Danger of the 
 breaking forth more and more of his Wrath, up- 
 on Soul and Body, both in this Life, and after 
 Death, perpetually, if Grace do not prevent the 
 full Execution thereof. 
 
 Hence let every Man reafon thus ; 
 Whcfoever, according to the Covenant of Works, 
 is liable to the Curfe of God, for breaking the L&w, 
 times and ways out of Number, cannot be juftified, 
 er find Right eoafnefs by the Works of the Law. 
 
 But I (may every Man fay) according to the 
 Covenant of Works, am liable to the Curfe of 
 
 God 
 
f ~ ^ „ 1 .(1 
 
 c "7 y 
 
 Go^ /or Breaking the Law, time and ways out 
 of Number, 
 
 Therefore I cannot be juftifieJ or have Righte- 
 oufnefs by the Works of the Law. 
 
 Thus may a Man be convinced of Righte- 
 oufnefs, that it is not to be had by his own 
 Works, or by the Law. 
 
 III. For convincing a Man of Judg- 
 ment by theLaiVjConfider i Thef.i.j, 
 
 THE Lordfefus fliall be revealed front Heaven 
 with his mighzy Angels ; Ver . 8 . In flaming 
 Fire, taking Vengeance on them that know not God, 
 and that obey not the Gofpel of our Lord Jefm 
 Chrijl: Vcrfe 9. Who flj 'all be punifhed with ever- 
 lafling Deftrutlion from the Vrefence of the Lord, 
 and from the Glory of his Tower ; Verfe 10. When 
 he fhdll cvme to be glorified in his Saints, and to 
 be admired in all them that believe. 
 
 Wherein we are taught, that our Lord Jefus, 
 who now offers to be Mediator for them who 
 believe in him, (hall, at the laft Day, come, arm- 
 ed with flaming Fire, to judge, coi.demn, and 
 deftroy all them who have not. believed God, 
 have not received the Offer of Grace made in the 
 Gofpel, nor obeyed the Doctrine thereof; but re- 
 main in their natural State, under the Law or Co- 
 venant of Works. 
 
 Hence let every Man reafonthus; 
 
 TAfhat the YtnU+onuA ^fijJ- ■> Ua.tU fn^otnj-^ * t '-' t 
 
r - 
 
 3«f /A* righteous Judge hath forewarned me 
 that ;f I do net believe God in time, and obey not 
 the Doclrine of the G of pel, I flail be fecluded from 
 hk Frefence and his Glory at the laji Day, and be 
 tormented in Soul and Body for ever. 
 
 Therefor el am convinced that thU i& juft Judg- 
 ment. 
 
 And 1 have reafon to thank God heartily, who 
 i hath forewarned me ro flee. from the Wrath 
 which is to come.- 
 
 Thus every Man may be, by the Law or Cove- 
 nant of Works, convinced of Judgment, if he 
 {hall continue under the Covenant of Works, or 
 \ {hall not obey the Gofpel of our Lord Jefus . 
 
 { IV. For convincing a Man of Sin, 
 Righteoufnefs, and Judgment, by 
 the Gofpel. 
 
 S for convincing a Man of Sin, and Righte- 
 ouihefs, and Judgment by the Gofpel or Co- 
 I venant of Grace, he muft underftand threethings. 
 i . That not believing in Jefus Chrift. or retu- 
 ; fing of the Covenant of Grace, offered in him, 
 is a greater md more dangerous Sin, than all o- 
 ther Sins againft the Law - y becaufe the Hearers 
 jtof the Gofpel not believing in Chrift, do reject 
 VCod's Mercy in Chriil, the only way of Free- 
 dom from Sin and Wrath, and will not yield 
 to be reconciled to God. 
 
 i. Next, he muft underftand, that perfect Re- 
 mi 1T1 on of Sin and true Righteoufnefs, is to be 
 
 A 
 
C 2*9 3 
 
 had only Ky Faith in Jefus,becaufeGodiequireth 
 no other Conditions but Faith, and teftifies from 
 Heaven ; that he is well pleated to juftifie Sinners 
 upon this Condition. 
 
 3 . He muft understand, that upon Righteouf- 
 r.eis received by Faith, Judgment (hall follow 
 on the one hand, to the deftroying of the Works 
 of the Devil in the Believer, and to the perfect- 
 ing of the Work of Sanciification in him, with 
 Power :and that upon refufing to take Righte- 
 oufnefs, by Faith in Jefus Chrift, Judgment ihall 
 follow 3 on the other hand, to the Condemnati- 
 on of the Misbeliever, and deftroying of him 
 with Satan and his Servants for ever.. 
 
 For this end let thefe Paflages of Scripture, a- 
 mong many others, ferve to make the Greatnefs 
 of the Sin of not believing in Chrift appear, or to 
 make the Greatnefs of the Sin of refilling o'i the 
 Covenant of Grace offered to us, in the offering 
 of Chrift unto us : let the fair offer of Grace be 
 looked upon, as it is made, Ifa. lv. ^. Incline your 
 Ear, and come unto me, (faith the Lord ) hear, 
 and your Soul fljalllive, and I will make an ever- 
 hifting Covenant with you, even the fure Mercies 
 of David. That is, if you will believe me, and be 
 reconciled to me, I will by Covenant give unto 
 you. Chrift, and all laving Graces in him } repeat- 
 ed Acts xiii. 54. 
 
 Again, conlider that this general Offer in Sub- 
 ftance is equivalent to a ipecial Offer, madetoe- j 
 very one in particular, as c.ppeareth by the Apo-,. 
 ftk's making Ufe of it, 4#£xvl 5 1 . £?/" 
 
r 
 
 [ 2 3° ] 
 
 the Lord Jefus Chrifi, and thou fi alt be faved, 
 arid thy Houfe. The Reaibn of which Offer is 
 given, John \ii. \6. For Gcdfo loved the World, 
 that he gave his only begotten Son, that whofoever 
 believeth in him fljould not peri/Jj, but have ever- 
 lading Life. Seeing then this great Salvation is 
 ©fl'er'd in the Lord Jefus, whofoever believeth 
 not in him, but looks for Happinefsfonie other 
 way, what doth he elfebut obferve lying Vani- 
 ties, and forfake his own Mercy, which he might 
 have hadinChrift,y0»#/? ? ii.8,9. What doth he 
 elfebut blafpheme God in his Heart ? as it is laid, 
 1 John v. 10. He that believeth not God, hath 
 made him a Liar, becaufe he believeth not the Re- 
 cord that God gave of his Son 5 and this is the Re- 
 cord that God hath given to us eternal Life, and, 
 this Life is in his Son : And that no Sin againll the 
 Law is like unto this Sin, Chrift teftines, John 
 XV. ii. If I had not come andfpoken to them, they 
 had not had Sin ; but now they have no Cloak for 
 theirSin. Thismay convinceaManoftheGreat- 
 nefsof this Sin of not believing in Chri£. 
 
 For convincing Men of Righteonf- 
 nefs to be had only by Faith in 
 Chrift : Confider how, Rom.x. 3, 4. 
 
 ^ |T is faid, that the Jews being ignorant of God's 
 
 ° A Righteoufnefs, and going about to eflablifh their 
 
 .; ^ron Righteoufnefs have not fubmitted themfelves 
 
 nni "mo the Righteoufnef of God j (and fo they perifh- 
 
ft 
 C hi 3 
 
 nefs to every one that be/ieveth. And, AcJs xiii. 
 19- By Chnft Jefas, all that believe are juflified 
 from all Things, from which ye could not be jufii- 
 fied by the Lavs of Moles. And, i John i 7 . The Blood 
 of Jefm Chrifl his Son, cleanfeth us from all Sin. 
 
 For convincing a Man of Judgment, if a Man 
 embrace this Righieouihefs : Coniider, 1 John 
 iii. 8. Tor this purpofe the Son of God was mani- 
 fefled, that he might deftroy the Works of the De- 
 "vil: And, Heb. ix. 14. How much more fliall the 
 Blood of Chrifl who through the etemalSpirit offered 
 him fel\ without Spot to God, purge your Confcience 
 from Dead Works, to ferve the Living God. 
 
 But if a Man embrace not this Righteoufnefs, 
 his Doom is pronounced, Johniu. 18. He that 
 believeth not is condemned already, becaufc he hath 
 not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son 
 of God. And this is the Condemnation, that Light 
 is corns into the World, and Men love Darknefs ra- 
 ther than Light. 
 
 Hence let the Penitent, defiring to believe, rea- 
 fon thus : 
 
 What dothfuff.ee to convince all the TUB in the 
 World, of the Greatnefs of the Sin of not believing 
 in Chrifl, or refuflng to flee to him for Relief from 
 ' Sins done agcinfl the Law, and from Wrath due 
 thereto \ and what fiiffceth to convince them that 
 Righteoufnefs and eternal Life is to be had by Taith 
 injefus Chrifl, or by confenting to the Covenant of 
 ' Grace in him ; and what fujficeth to convince them 
 of judgment to be exercifedby Chrifl for deftroy- 
 ing the Works of the Devil in a Man, andfancti- 
 
/'* 
 
 i feek 
 
 C 232 ] 
 
 fyingandfavingall that believe in him, mayfu- 
 ffice to convince me alfo. 
 
 But what the Spirit hath (aid in thefe or other 
 like Scriptures fufficeth to convince the Ele& 
 World ot theforefaid Sin and Righteoufnefs, and 
 Judgment. 
 
 Therefore what the Spirit hath faid in thefe 
 and other like Scripture, ferveth to convince me 
 thereof alfo. 
 
 Whereupon let the Penitent defiring to believe, 
 take with him Words, and fay heartily to the 
 Lord, Seeing thou fayeft , Seek ye my Fa.ce, my 
 Soul anfwemh unto thee, Thy Face, Lord, will I 
 I have hearkned unto the Offer of an ever- 
 lafting Covenant of all faving Mercies to be had 
 in Chrift, and I do heartily embrace thy Offer. 
 Lord, let it be a Bargain ; Lord, I believe, help my 
 Unbelief: Behold I give my felf to thee, to ferve 
 thee in all Things for even and I hope, thy Right- 
 Hand flmllfave me 5 the Lord will perfecl that 
 which concerneth me, thy Mercy, O Lord,en- 
 dureth for ever, forfake not the Works of thine 
 own Hands. Thus may a Man be made an un- 
 feigned Believer in Chrift. 
 
 For ftrengthning the Man's Faith 
 who hath agreed unto the Cove- 
 nant of Grace. 
 
 ■• 
 
 BECAUSE many true Believers are weak, 
 and do much doubt if ever they lhall befufe 
 oi the Soundness of their own Faith and effectual 
 
 Calling, 
 
[ *13 ] 
 
 Calling, or made certain of their Justification and 
 Salvation, when they fee that many, who pro- 
 fefs Faith, are found to deceive themielves ; let us 
 fee how every Believer may be made ftrong in the 
 Faith, and fure of his own Election and Salvation 
 upon folid Grounds, by fure Warrants and rare 
 Evidences of Faith. To this End, among many 
 other Scriptures, take thefe following : 
 
 i . For laying folid Grounds of Faith, confider, 
 i Vet. i. io. Wherefore the rather Brethren, give 
 Diligence to make fure your Calling and Election \ 
 for if ye do thefe things, ye fh all never fall. 
 
 In which Words the Apoftle teacheth us thefe 
 four Things, for Help and Direction, how to be 
 made ftrong in the Faith. 
 
 i . That fuch as believe in Chrift Jefus, and 
 are fled to him for Relief from Sin and Wrath, 
 albeit they be weak in the Faith, yet they are in- 
 deed Children of the fame Father with ^he A- 
 poftles; for fo he accounteth of them, while 
 he calleth them Brethren. 
 
 2. That albeit we be not fure, for the Time, 
 of our effectual Calling and Election, yet we may 
 be made fure of both, if we life Diligence ; for 
 this he prefuppofeth, faying, Give Diligence to 
 make' your Calling and Election fure. 
 
 3.Thatwemultnotbedifcouraged,whenwe 
 fee many feeming Believers prove rotten Branch- 
 es, and make De faction, but we mult the rather 
 take the better Heed to our felves ; PVhe v efore 
 the rather, Brethren, faith he, give all Diligence. 
 
 4. That 
 
c4h 
 
 /4- That the way to be (lire both of our effeA'u' 
 It! Calling and Election, is to make fure Work o* 
 our Faith, by laying rhe Grounds ofitfolidly, and 
 bringing forth the Fruits of our Faith in new O- 
 bedience confbntiy. For if ye do thefe Things, 
 faith hcyeftaUnever fall ; understanding by thefe 
 Things what he hath faid of found Faith ; ver. 
 1,2,5,4. And what he had faid of the bringing 
 out of the Fruits of Faith, ver. f, 6,7,8,9. 
 
 To rhis fame Purpole, confider, Rom. viii. 1 . 
 There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that 
 are in Chrifi jfefm, who walk not after the Flefij> 
 but after the Spirit. Ver. i. For the Law of the 
 Spirit of Life in Chrifi Jefws, hath made me free 
 from the Law of Sin and Death. Ver. 3 . For what 
 the Law could not do, in that it was weak through 
 the FlefJj, God fending fa own Son, in the Likenefs 
 of finful Flefl), and for Sin condemned Sin in the 
 Flejh. Ver. 4. That the Right eoufnefs of the Law 
 might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the 
 Flefl), but after the Spirit. 
 
 Wherein the Apoftle teacheth us thefe four 
 Things for laying or the Ground of Faith folidly. 
 
 1. That every one is a true Bejiever, who in 
 the feufe of his Sin, and fear of God's Wrath doth 
 flee for full Relief from both, unto Jefus Chrifi 
 alone, as the only Mediator, and all-fufficient 
 Redeemer of Men: And being fled to Chrift, doth 
 ftriveagainft hisownFiefh, or corrupt Inclinati- 
 on of Nature, and fludieth to follow the Rule 
 of God's Spirit, fet down in his Word ; for the 
 Man whom the Apoftle doth hereblefs as a true 
 
1 
 
 C 2 35 ] * the firft 
 
 Believer, is a Man in Chrift Jefus : Who Jotfftbll 
 walk after the Flefh , but after the Spirit. 
 
 z. That all fuch Perfonsasare ried to Chrift, 
 and do drive againft Sin, howfoever they may 
 be poffibly exercifed under thei fenfe of Wrath, 
 and fear of Condemnation, yet they are in no 
 Danger j For there is no Condemnation (faith he) 
 to them that are in Chrift Jefus. -who walk not 
 after the Flefh, but after the Spirit. 
 
 3. That albeit the Apoftle himfelf (brought 
 in here for Example's Caufe) and all other true 
 Believers in Chrift, be by Nature, under the Law 
 of Sin and Death.or under - he Covenant of Works 
 (called the Law of Sin and Death, becaufe it bind- 
 eth Sin and Death upon us till Chrift let us free) 
 yet the Law of the Spirit of Life in Chrift Jefus, 
 or the Covenant of Grace (fo called, becaufe it 
 doth enable and quicken a Man to a fpiritual Life 
 through Chrift,) doth let the Apoftle and all true 
 Believers free from the Covenant of Works, or 
 the Law of Sin and Death $ fo that every Man 
 may fay with him, The Law of the Spirit of Life, er 
 the Covenant of Grace, hath made me free from 
 the Law of Sin and Death, or Covenant of Works. 
 
 4. That the Fountain and firft Ground from 
 whence our Freedom from the Cur fe of the Law 
 doth flow ; is the Covenant of Redemption, pad 
 betv ixt God, and-God the Son, as incarnate; 
 wherein Chrift takes the Curfeof the Lawupor J 
 hinvfor Sin, that the Believer who could not 
 therwife be delivered from the Covenan'" - - 
 Works, may be delivered from it. An '3* 
 
 r 
 
P? c ni ] 
 
 Do<3xine the Apoftle holdeth forth in thefe four- 
 Branches, (i.) That it was utterly impoflible 
 for the Law, or the Covenant of Works to bring 
 Righteoufnefs and Life to a Sinner, becaufe it 
 was weak. (2..) That this Weaknefs and Inabi- 
 lity of the Law or Covenant of Works, is not 
 the Fault of the Lavv, but the Fault of iinful 
 Fiefli, which is neither able to pay t^he Penalty 
 of Sin, nor to give perfect Obedience to the Law, 
 (prefuppofe by-gone Sins were forgiven) The 
 Law wcu weak ( fail h lie ) through the FlefJ). ( 3 .) 
 That the Righteoufnefs and Salvation of Sinners, 
 which was impofiible to be brought about by the 
 Law, is brought to pafs by fending God's own 
 Son, Jefus Chrift, in the Flefh, in whofe Flefh 
 Sin is condemned and punifhed, for making Sa- 
 tisfaction in the behalf of the Elect, that they 
 might be let free. (4.) That, by his Means, the 
 Law lofeth nothing, becaufe the Righteoufnefs 
 of the Law is beft fulfilled this Way ; Firft, by 
 Chrift's giving perfect active Obedience in our 
 Name unto it in all Things: Next by his pay- 
 ing, in our Name, the Penalry ( due to our Sins) 
 in his Death. And,laftly,by his working of San- 
 ctification in us, who are true Believers, who 
 ftrivetogive new Obedience unto the Law, and 
 walk not after theFlefi, but after the Spirit. 
 
 Wary ants to Believe. 
 
 FOR building our Confidence upon this folid 
 Ground, thefe four Warrants and fpecial Mo- 
 tives 
 
[ 2 37 1 
 
 tives to believe in Chrift .may ferve ; the firft 
 whereof is God's hearty Invitation, holden forth 
 Ifa. lv. i, 2, 3,4, f. 
 
 Ho ! eve^y one that thirfteth, come ye to the Wa- 
 ter S, and he that hath no Money, come and buy 
 without-i&oney , and without Trice. Ver. 1. Where- 
 fore do ye fpendyour Money for that which is not 
 Bread, and your Lvbour for that which fatisfieth 
 not ? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that 
 'which is good, and let your Soul delight it felf in F.it- 
 ■nefs. Ver . 3 . Incline your Ear and come to me, hear, 
 and your Soul fhall live, and 1 will make an ever- 
 lafting Covenant with you, even the Jure Mercies 
 of David. Ver. ^.Behold, 1 have given him for 
 a Witnefsto the People, a Leader and Commander 
 to the People, &c. 
 
 Here (after letting down the precious Ranfora 
 of our Redemption by the Sufferings of Chrift, 
 and the rich Bleflings purchafed to us thereby in 
 the two former Chapters) the Lord, in this 
 Chaper, 
 
 1 . Maketh open Offer of Chrift and his Grace, 
 t>y Proclamation of a free and gracious Market 
 of Righteoufnefs and. Salvation, to be had thro* 
 Chrift to every Soul without Exception, that 
 truly defires to be laved from Sin and Wrath > 
 Ho every one that thirfteth, faith he. 
 
 2. He inviteth all Sinners, that for any Rea- 
 jfon ftand at Diftance with God, to come and 
 take from him Riches of Grace, running in 
 Chrift as a River, to wafh away Sin, and to flack- 
 en Wrath : Come ye to the Wtters, faith he. 
 
 3. Left 
 
5 . Left any fhould ftand aback, in the Senfe of 
 his own Sinfulnefs or Unworthinefs, and Inabili- 
 ty to do any Good, the Lord calieth upon fuch 
 Perfons ia fpecial, faying, He that hath no Money , 
 come. 
 
 4. He craveth no more of his Merchant, but 
 that he be pleafed with the Wares offered, which 
 are Grace, and more Grace j and that he heartily 
 confent unro, and embrace this offer of Grace, 
 that fo he may clofe a Bargain and formal Cove- 
 nant with God, Come buy without Money f (faith 
 he) come eat ; that is, confent to have, and take 
 unto you all faving Graces, make the- Wares your, 
 own, poffeis them and make afe of all Bleffings 
 in Chrift, whatfoever makethfor your fpiritual 
 Life and Comfort, ufe and enjoy it freely ; with- 
 out paying any thing for it : Come, buy Wine and 
 Milk without Money, and without Price, faith he. 
 
 f. Becaufe the Lord, knoweth how much we 
 are inclined to feck Righteoufnefs and Life by our 
 •own Peiformances, and Satisfaction to have 
 Righteoufnefs 2nd Life, as it were by the way 
 of Works j and how loath we are to embrace 
 Chrift Jefus, and to take Life by way of free 
 Grace, through Jefus Chrift, upon the Terms 
 whereupon it is offered to us; therefore the Lord 
 lovingly calls us off this our crooked and unhappy 
 Way.wuh a gentle and timcous Admonition, gi- 
 ving us to underftand, that we (halibut lofe our 
 Labour in this our Way Wherefore do y el pendyour 
 Mciycy ( faith he) for that which « not Bread, and 
 your Labour for that which fatitfieth not ? 
 
 6. Th« 
 
6. The Lord promiieth to us folid Satisfa&ion 
 in the way of betaking ourfelves unto the Grace 
 of Chrift, even true Contentment, and Fulnefs 
 of fpiritual Pleafure, faying, Hearken diligently 
 unto me, and eat that which H good, and let your 
 Soul delight it/elf in Fainefs. 
 
 1 . Becaufe Faith cometh by hearing, he calleth 
 for Audience unto the Explication of the Offer ; 
 and calleth for believing of, and liftning unto the 
 Truth which is able to beget the Application of 
 faving Faith, and to draw the Soul to truft in God, 
 Incline your Far, and come unto me, (faith he). To 
 which'End the Lord promifes that his Offer, be- 
 ing received, Avail quicken the dead Sinner, and 
 that upon the welcoming of his Offer, he will 
 clofe the Covenant of Grace with the Man that 
 fhall confent unto it, even an indiffolvable Cove- 
 nant of perpetual Reconciliation of Peace : Hear- 
 ken and your Souljhali live, and I wiH make an 
 everU fling Covenant with you. Which Covenant, 
 he declareth fhall be in Sub/lance and Aflignation, 
 and the making over of all the faving Graces, 
 which David [[which is Jefus Chrift, Acls xiii. 
 34. ] hath 'bought for us in the Covenant of Re- 
 demption ; I vptU make a Covenant -with you ( faith. 
 he) even the fur e Mercies of David ; &yfure Mer- 
 cies, he means faving Graces, fuch as are Righte- 
 oufnefs, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft j A- 
 doption, Sanclification, and Glorification, and 
 whatfoever belongs to Godlinefs and Life eternal. 
 
 8. To confirm andaffureusof the real Grant 
 of thefe faving Mercies, and to perfuade us of the 
 
 Realit/ 
 
I 2 4° J 
 Reality of the Covenant betwixt God and the Be- 
 liever of this World, the Father hath made a four- 
 fold Gift of his eternal, and only begotten Son. 
 
 Firft, To be incarnate and born for our Sake, 
 of the Seed ofDavidhte Type, for which Caufe 
 he is called here, and Acts xiii. 34. David the true 
 and everlafting King of Ifrael. This is the great 
 Gift of God to Man, John iv. 10. And here, / 
 have given him to be David, or born of David, to 
 the People. 
 
 Secondly, He hath made a Gift of Chrift to be 
 a Witnefs to the People, both of the fure and fav- 
 ing Mercies granted to the Redeemed in the Co- 
 venant of Redemption, and alfoof the Father's 
 Wi!iingnefs, and purpofe to apply them, and to 
 make them faft in the Covenant of Reconciliati- 
 on made with fuch as embrace the Offer. I have 
 given him (faith the. Lord here) to be a Witnefs to 
 the People ; and truly he is a fufficient Witnefs in 
 this Matter in many refpeel:?. t. Becaufe he is 
 one of the Perfons of the Bleffed Trinity, and 
 Party-ContracTrer for us in the Covenant or Re- 
 demption, before the World was. 1: He is by 
 Office as Mediator, the Meflengcr of the Cove- 
 nant, and has gotten Com million to reveal it. 
 3 . He began actually to reveal it in Paradife,vvhere 
 he Promifes that the Seed of the Woman mould 
 bruife the Head of the Serpent. 4. He fet forth 
 his own Death and Sufferings, and the great Be- 
 nefitsthat (hould come thereby to us in the Types 
 and Figures of Sacrifices and Ceremonies before 
 his coming. ^ . He gave more and more Light 
 
 about 
 
C H' ] 
 
 about thisOovenant, fpeaking by his Spirit, from 
 f Age to Age, in the holy Prophets, 6. He came 
 himfelf, in the Fulne(s of Time, and did bear 
 Wirnefs of all Things belonging to this Cove- 
 nant, and of God's willing Mind to take Believers 
 unto it, partly by uniting our Nature in one Per- 
 fon with the Divine Nature ; partly by preach- 
 ing the good Tidings of the Covenant with his 
 own Mou'h, partly by paying the Price of Re- 
 demption on the Crofs, and partly by dealing {lili; 
 with his 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 Chrift, cud 
 Lender to the People, to bring; us through all Diffi- 
 culties, all Afflictions and Tentations, unto Lite 
 by this Covenant. And he it is. and no other, 
 who doth indeed lead his own unto the Covenant, 
 and in the Covenant all the way on unto Salvati- 
 on, i . By the Direction of his Word and Spirit.. 
 2. . By the Example or" his own Life, in Faith and 
 Obedience even to the Death ©f the Crofs. 3, 
 By his own powerful Working, bearing; his Re- 
 deemed Ones in his Arms, and caufing them to 
 lean on him, while they go through the Wildcr- 
 nefs. 
 
 _ Fcurthtyt God hath made a Gift of Chrift unto. 
 his People as a Commander, which Office he 
 faithfully exercifcth by giving to his Kirk and 
 People, Laws and Ordinances, Pallors and Go- 
 vernors, and all nccefiary Officers* by keeping 
 Court.-: and AfTcmMies among them to fee that 
 c ^> bis 
 
) [,242 ] 
 
 his Laws be obeyed ; fubduing by his Word, Spi- 
 rit and Discipline, his People's Corruption j and 
 by his Wifdom and Power guarding them againft 
 all their Enemies whatfocver. 
 
 Hence he, who hath clofed the Bargain with 
 God, may ftrengthen his Faith by reafoning after 
 this manner ; 
 
 Whofoever doth heartily receive the Offer of 
 free Grace made here to Sinners, tbirfting for 
 Righteoufnefs and Salvation, unto him by an e- 
 verlafting Covenant belongeth Chrift, the true 
 David, with all his fureand faving Mercies. 
 
 But 1 ( may the weak Believer lay ) do heartily 
 receive the Ojfer of free Grace, made here to Sin- 
 ners thirflingfor Righteoufnefs and Salvation. 
 
 Therefore unto me, by an everlafling Covenant 
 belongeth Chrifijefws, with all his fun and fav- 
 ing Mercies. 
 
 The fecond Warrant and fpecial Mo- 
 tive to embrace Chrift, and believe 
 in him, is the earned Requeft that 
 God maketh to us to be reconci- 
 led to him inChrirt : holden forth, 
 2 Cor. v. 14, 19, 20, 21. 
 
 GO D wai in Chrifl reconciling the World unto 
 himfelf, not imputing their Trefpaffes unto 
 them, and hath committed unto m the Word of 
 ReeoneiHation.Vcv. 20. Novo then we are Ambaffa- 
 dors for Chrifl j as though God did befeech you by 
 
 
C H3 1 
 
 us, we pray you in Chrifi*s flea J be ye reconciled 
 to God. Ver. 2, 1 . Tor he hath made him to be Sin 
 for us, tx>ho knew no Sin, that we might be made 
 the Right eoufnefs of God in him. 
 
 Whereupon the Apoftle teacheth thefe nine 
 Doctrines. 
 
 Firfl, That the Eleft World, or the World of 
 redeemed Souls, are by Nature in the Eftate of 
 Enmity againft: God ; This is purpofed in the 
 Word Reconciliation ; for Reconciliation, or re- 
 newing of Friendfhip, cannot be, except be- 
 twixt thofe that have been at Enrrtity. 
 
 Second, That in all the time by paft, fince 
 the Fall of Adam, Chrift Jefus,T:he eternal Son 
 of God, as Mediator, and the Father in him, hath 
 been about the making Friendfhip ( by his Word, 
 and Spii it) betwixt himfelf and the ElecT: World ; . 
 God ( faith he ) was in Chrifjt reconciling the World 
 to himfelf. 
 
 Third, That the Way of Reconciliation was 
 in all Ages one and the fame in Subftance, viz. 
 by forgiving the Sins of them who do acknow- 
 ledge their Sins and Enmity againft God, and 
 do feek Reconciliation and Remiflion of Sins in 
 Chrift ; For God ( faith he ) was in Chri/l, reconci- 
 ling the World to himfelf by Way of not imputing 
 their Trefpaffes unto them. 
 
 Tourth, That the End and Scope of the Gof- 
 pel and whole Word of God is threefold. 1 . It 
 ferveth to make People fenfible of their Sins and 
 of their Enmity againft God, and of their Dan- 
 ger* if they (bould ftand out and not fear God's 
 O 1 Dif- 
 
[ 2 44 3 
 
 ♦Difpleafure. i. The Word of God ferveth to 
 fnake Men acquainted with the Courfe which 
 God hath prepared for making Friendfhip with 
 him through Chrift. viz* That if Man (hall ac- 
 knowledge the Enmity, and fhall be content to 
 enter into a Covenant of Friend fhip with God 
 through Chrift, then God will be content to be 
 •reconciled with them freely. 3. The Word of 
 God ferveth to teach Men, how to carry them- 
 felves towards God as Friends after they are 
 reconciled to him, 'viz.. to be loath to fin againft 
 him, and to itrive heartily to obey his Com- 
 mandments: And therefore the WordofGodhtre is 
 ca\\cdtheW r ordofReconciliation,bccau(e it teacheth 
 us what need'wehaveof Reconciliation,and how 
 to make it, and how to keep the Reconciliation or 
 Friend fhipbeing made with God through Chrift. 
 
 Fifth, That albeit the hearing, believing, and 
 obeying of this Word, doth belong to all thofe 
 to whom this Gofpel doth come, yet the Office 
 of Preaching of it with Authority belongerh to 
 *none. burto fuch only as God doth call to this 
 Miniftry, and fendeth out with Com million for 
 this Work. This the Apoftle holdeth forth, 
 *Ver. ?8. in thefe Words, He hath committed to 
 id the Word of Reconciliation. 
 
 Sixthly, That the Minifters of the Gofpel 
 "fhduld behave themfelves as Chrift's MelTengers, 
 andftiould clofely follow their Commtflion let 
 down in the Word,M«*.xxviii. 1 9, lo.and when 
 they do fo, theyfhouldbereceived by the People, 
 as AmbafTadors from God : For here tie Apoftie 
 
[ *45 3 
 
 in ail their Names, faith, We are Ambajfadors 
 for Chrift, as though Goddidbefeechyou by us. 
 
 Seventh, That Minifters in ail Earneftneis of 
 Affection fhould deal with People to. acknow- 
 ledge their Sins, and their natural Enmity againft. 
 God, more and more i ei ioufly : and to conient to 
 the Covenant of Grace and Ernbaffage of Chrift 
 more and more heartily > and to evidence more 
 and more dearly fheir Reconciliation by a holy 
 Carriage before G6d . This he holdeth forth when 
 he faith, we pray you be reconciled to God. 
 
 Eight, That in the Minifter's affectionate Deal- 
 ing with his People, the People mould confider, 
 that they have to do with God and Chrift requeu- 
 ing them by the Minifters to be reconciled : Now 
 there cannot be a greater Inducement to break a 
 Sinner's hard Heart, than God's making Requeft 
 to him for Friendfliip : for when it became us, 
 who have done fo many Wrongs to Qod, to feek 
 Friendfhip of God, he preventcth us : And (O 
 Wonder of Wonders !) he requefteth us to be con- 
 tent to be reconciled with him j and therefore 
 mod fearful Wrath muft abide them who do fet 
 light by this Requeft, and do not yield when they 
 hear Minifters with Com million, faying, We are 
 ambajfadors forChrift as that Goddidbefeechyou by 
 ua, we pray you inChrijVsJiead beye reconciled toGod. 
 
 Ninth, To make it appear, how it cometh to 
 pafs that the Covenant of Reconciliation fhould 
 be fo eafily made up I etwixt God and a humble 
 Sinner fleeing to Chrift, the Apoftle leads us un- 
 to the Cajufe of it, holder* forth* in tkc Covenant 
 O 3 of 
 
{*¥ ] 
 
 of Redemption, the Sum whereof is this, Itk, 
 Agreed behvixt God znd the Mediator feftvs Ghrijl, 
 the Son of God, Surety for the Redeemed as Parties 
 Contraclers, that the Sins ef the Redeemed fljotdd- 
 be imputed to innocent Chrtfl, and he both condem- 
 ned and put to Death for them uponthii very Con- 
 diii<*n, that rrkofoever heartily tonfents unto the Co- 
 tenant of Reconciliation offered through Chrifi, 
 pall by the Imptitauov. of his Obedience unto them 
 be juf lifted- and holden righubits before God, for 
 God ha th made Chrifi, -who knew no Sin , to be Sin 
 for u4, (ia'th the Apoftle ) tharwe might be made 
 ~tht > Right eotifnefs of God in him. 
 
 Hence may a weak Believer ftrengthen his 
 Faith, by realbning from this Ground after this 
 Manner. 
 
 ' He that upon the loving Requeft of God and 
 
 * Chrift made tc him by the Mouth of his Mi- 
 
 * miters {having Commiffion to that Effect) hath 
 
 * imbraced the Offer of perpetual Reconciliation 
 
 * through Chrift, and do purpofe by God's Grace, 
 ' as a reconciled Perfon, to ftrive againft Sin, 
 
 * and to f-rveGod to his Power confhntly, may 
 
 * be as futc to have Righteoufnefs and eternal 
 ' Life given to him, for the Obedience of Chrfft 
 
 * imputed to him, as it is fure that Chrift was 
 '*. condemned and fut to Death for the Sins of 
 '« the Redeemed imputed to him. 
 
 < But I {may the weak Believer fay) upon the 
 « loving Requeft bf God andChriit, madeto me 
 « by the Mouth of his Minifters, have imbraced 
 ' the Offer of perpetual Reconciliation through 
 
 1 Chrift, 
 
[ 2 47 1 
 
 c Chrift, and do purpofe by God's Grace, <as ; a 
 « reconciled Perfon, to ftrive againft Sin, and to 
 
 * ierve God to my Power conftantly : 
 
 * •« Therefore I may be as fure to haveRighte- 
 « ouinels and eternal Lite given to me, for the O- 
 
 * bedience of Chrift imputed to me, as it is lure 
 « that Chrift was condemned and put to Death 
 1 for the Sins of the Redeem edjmputed to him . 
 
 The third Warrant and fpecial Mo- 
 tive to believe in Chrift, is the ftrait 
 and awful Command of God, charg- 
 ing all the Hearers of the Gofpel to 
 approach to Chrift, in the Order 
 fet down to him, and to believe in 
 him; holder* forth, i John iii. 23. 
 
 THIS is his Commandment, that voe fliould 
 believe on the Name of his Son Je(m Chrifi, 
 and love one another, as he gave us Commandment. 
 Wherein the Apoftle givcthus to underftand 
 theie five Do£frines. 
 
 1 . That if any Man frail not be taken with the 
 'fwect Invitation of God, nor 'with the humble 
 
 and loving Requeft of Goo. made to him to be 
 'reconciled, he mall find he bath to do with the 
 ; fovereign Authority of the hi^heft Majefty j for 
 
 this is his Commandment, ) hat we believe in 
 
 him, fairh he. 
 
 2 . That if any Man lock up6n this Command 
 as he hath looked heretofore upon the neglected 
 
 Com- 
 
[ 248 ] 
 
 Commandments of the Law, he muft confider 
 that this is a Command oftheGofpel, poller iour 
 to the Law, given for making Uie of the Re- 
 medy of all Sins : which if it be difobeyed, thwe 
 is no other Commandment to follow but this, Go 
 ye Cut -fed 'into the everlafting Fire of Hellj for thii 
 is his Commandment, the Obedience or which is 
 moftpleafant in his Sight. Ver. n. And without 
 which it is impoftible topleafe him, Heb. xi. 6. 
 
 5. That every one who heareth theGdfpel, 
 muft make Conference of the Duty of lively 
 Faith in Chrift, the weak Believer muft not think 
 it Preemption to do what h commanded: the 
 Terfon inclined to Defperation muft take up him- 
 felf, and think upon Obedience unto his fweet 
 andfaving Command ;The ftrong Believer muft 
 dip yet more in the Senfe of his Need he hath of 
 ]efus Chrift ; and more and more grow in the 
 Obedience of this Command, yea, the moftiw- 
 fenitent, prophane and wicked Per/on, muft not 
 .thruft out himfelf, or be thruft out by others 
 from orderly aiming at this Duty, how defperate 
 foever his Condition feem to be ; for he that 
 commands all Men to believe in Chrift, doth there- 
 by command all Men to believe that they are 
 damned and loft without Chrift : He thereby 
 communis all Men to acknowledge. their Sins; 
 and their N?ed of Chrift j and in effect commands 
 all Men to repent, that they may believe in him. 
 And whofoever do refufe to repent of their by- 
 gone Sins are guilty, of Difobedience to this 
 Command given to all Hearers, but efpecially to 
 
 thefe 
 
L 2 49 J 
 
 thefefhat are within the Vifible Church s For 
 this is his Commandment that roe jliould believe in 
 the Name of his Son Jefus Chrift, faith he. 
 
 4. That he who obeyeth this Commandment, 
 hath built his Salvation on a folid Ground j For, 
 Firft, he hath found the promifed Mefliah, rom- 
 pleatly furnifhed with all Perfections unto rhe 
 perfect Execution of the Offices of Trophet, 
 Frieft and King ; for he is that Gktjjlin whom 
 •the Man doth believe. 2. He hath embraced 
 a Saviour who is able to fave to theuttermoft j 
 yea, and who doth effectually fave every one 
 that cometh to God through him 3 For he is Je- 
 fus the true Saviour of his People from their 
 Sins. 3. Ke that obeyeth this Command hath 
 -built his Salvation on the Rock, .that is, on the 
 Son of God, to whom it is no Robbery to be 
 called equal to the Father, and who is worthy 
 to be the Object of faving Faith and of Spiritual 
 Worfhip ; for this is his Command ( faith he) that 
 we believe in the Name cf his Son Jefns Chrift. 
 
 f. That he who hath believed on Jefus Chrift, 
 ( though he be freed from the Curfe of the Law) 
 is not freed from the Command uid Obedience 
 of the Law, but tied thereunto by a new Obli- 
 gation, and a new Command from Chrift. 
 Which new Command from Chrift, importeth 
 Help to obey the Command ; unto which Com- 
 mand from Chrift, the Father addeth his Autho- 
 rity, and Command alfo, For this is his Com- 
 mandment ( faith John ) that roe believe on the 
 Name of his Son Jefut Chrift y and love one another, 
 
 M 
 
[ *$0 ] 
 
 tu he hath commanded us. The firft Part of 
 Which Commandment enjoining Belief in hjm,l 
 neceflarily implieth Love to God, and fo Obedi- 
 ence to the firft Table j for believing in God, and 
 loving God, are infeparable. And the fecond Part 
 of the Command injoineth Love to our Neigh- 
 bour, ( efpeciaily to the Houftiold of Faith ) and 
 fo Obedience to the fecond Table of the Law. 
 
 Hence may a weak Believer ftrengthen him- 
 felf, by reafoning from this Ground alter this 
 Manner j 
 
 Whofoever in the Scnfe of hU own Sinfulnefs, and 
 Fear of God's Wrath, at the Command of God is 
 fledtoJefmChrifi the only Remedy of Sin and Mife- 
 ry, and hath engaged hvs Heart to the Obedience of 
 the Law of Love, hit Faith is not prefumptuoM or 
 dead, bat true and faying Faith. 
 
 But I ( may the true Believer fay) in the Senfe 
 of my own Sinfulnefs and Fear of God's Wrath, 
 am fled to Jefm Chrift the only Remedy of Sin 
 and Mifery, and have engaged my Heart to the 
 Obedience of the Law of Love. 
 
 Therefore my Faith is not a prefumptuous 
 and dead Faith, but true and faving Faith. 
 
 The r ourth Warrant and fpecial Mo- 
 tive to believe in Chrift, is much 
 Aflurance of Life given, in cafe 
 Men (hall obey the- Command of 
 Relieving \ and a fearful Certificati- 
 on 
 
on of Deft ruction, in cafe they obey 
 not : Holdcn forth, John in. v. 35. 
 
 Hf* HE Father loveth the Son, andhath given all 
 A Things into h'u Hand ; Ver . 36. He t bat be- 
 
 lieveth on the Son, hath everlafiirig Life, and he 
 that believeth not the Son, flmll not fee Life, but 
 the Wrath of God abideth on him. 
 
 Wherein are hoken forth to us tkefe five 
 following Do&rines. 
 
 1 . That the Father is well fatisfied with the 
 Undertaking of the Son, entred Redeemer and 
 Surety to pay the Ranfom of Believers, and to 
 perfect them in Holinefs and Salvation. Tfo 
 Father loveth the Son, faith he, viz. As he ftand- 
 eth Mediator in our Name, undertaking to per- 
 fect our Redemption in all Points. The Father 
 loveth him, that is, doth heartily accept his Offer 
 to do the Work ; and is well pleated wi'h him, 
 his Souldelighteth in him, and reiteth upon him, 
 and maketh him in this his Office, the Recep- 
 tacle of Love, and Grace and good Will, to be 
 conveyed by him to Believers in him. 
 
 2. That for fuelling of the Covenant of Re- 
 demption, the Father hath givento the Son (as 
 he ftandeth in the Capacity of the Mediator, or 
 as he is God incarnate, the Word made FJefh ) all 
 Authority in Heaven and Earth; all Furniture of 
 the Riches of Grace, end of Spirit and Life, 
 with all Power and Ability, which the V\ -ion of 
 the Divine Nature with the Human, orwh : -h 
 the Fulnefs of the God-head, dwelling iubitanti- 
 
 ally 
 

 L *5* J 
 
 ally in his Human Nature, or which the indivi- 
 fible All-fufficiency and Omnipotency of the in- 
 feparable, every where prefent Trinity doth im- 
 port, or the Work of Redemption can require} 
 The Father (faith he) hath given all Things into 
 the Son's Handy to wit, for accomplifrung his 
 Work. 
 
 5 . Great Aflurance of his Life is holden forth 
 to all who fhall heartily receive Chrift, and the 
 Offer of the Covenant of Grace and Reconcilia- 
 tion through him 5 He that belicveth on the Son 
 ( faith he) hath evcrlafting- Life , for it is made 
 raft unto him ', 1 . In God's Purpofe, and irre- 
 vokable Decree, as the Believer is a Man eleBed to 
 Life. 1. By effectually calling of him unto Life 
 by God, who as he is faithful, fo will he doit. 
 5 . By Promife and everlafting Covenant fworn 
 by God, to give the Believer ftrong Confolation 
 in Life and Death upon immutable Grounds. 
 4. By a Pawn and Infeftment under the great 
 Seal of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, fo 
 oft as the Believer fhall come to receive the Sym- 
 bals and Pledges of Life. f. Tn Chrifr the Foun- 
 tain and Head of Life, who is emred in PofielTi- 
 on, as Attorney for Believers, in whom our Life 
 is fo laid up that it cannot be taken away. 6. 
 By begun PouelTion of fpiritual Life and Re- 
 generation, and a Kingdom confiding in Righ- 
 teoufnefs, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft, 
 ere&ed within the Believer as Heirs of the firil 
 Pofleflion of everlafting Life. 
 
 4. A 
 
 
4 A fearful Certification is given if a Man re- 
 ceive not the Doftrine concerning Righteouf- 
 nefsand eternal Lifeco.be had by JefusGhrift. He 
 that believer not the Son, /hall riot fee 'Life; that is 
 HOC fo much as under (land whaC it meaneth. 
 
 f. He further certifieth, that if a Man receive 
 not the Doctrine of the Son of God, he (hall be 
 burdened twice with the Wrath of. CJod'j once 
 as a born Rebel by Nature, he (hall bear the Carle 
 of the Law, or the Covenant of Works V and 
 next he fhall endure a greater Condemnation, in 
 refpedt that Light being come into the World 
 and offered to him, he hath rejected. it, and 
 loverh Darknefs rather than Light ; and this 
 double .Wrath fhall be fattened and fixed im- 
 moveably upon him, fo longashe'remainethin 
 the Condition of Misbelief > The Wrath of God a^ 
 bideth on him, faith he. 
 
 , Hence may the weak Believer ftrengthen his 
 Faith, by reafoning from this Ground after this 
 Manner ; 
 
 Whofoever believeth the Doctrine delivered by 
 the Son of God, and findeth himfelf 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, may be fare of Right and 14* 
 terefi to Life eternal through him. 
 
 But finful and unworthy I ( may the weak Be- 
 liever fay ) do believe the Doctrine delivered by tht t 
 Son of God, and do feel myfelf partly drawn P / .: 
 trfitUy to believe in him by the S'rght of J '-\. <? *:hat 
 
 tor 
 
1 *J4 J 
 
 him ; and fczrtly driven fy the Fear if God's 
 Wrath, to. adhere, unto him. 
 
 Therefore I -may be fure of my Right and In- 
 ter eft tmt& eternal Life through him. 
 
 The Evidences -of true Faith. 
 
 .. {?' 6 much for the laying the Grounds of Faith, 
 »J and. Warrants to believe : Now for evidenc- 
 ing of true Faith by Fruits, thefe four Things 
 are requiiite, i . That the Believer be foundly 
 convinced in his Judgment, of his Obligation, 
 to keep the whole Moral Law, all the Days of 
 his Life ; and that. not thelefs, but ft) mucfythe 
 more as he is delivered by Chrift from the Co- 
 venant of .Works, and Curfe of the Law. i. 
 That he endeavour to grow in the E^xercifc and 
 daily Practice of Gbdlinefs and Righteoufnei's. 
 3. That the Courfe of "his New Obedience run 
 in the right Channel, that is, .through Faith in 
 Chri (\ y and through a good Confciehce, to ail the 
 Duties of Love toward God and Man. 4. That 
 he keep ftrait Communion with the Fountain 
 Chrift Jcfus, from whom Grace mufr run along 
 for furnifhing of good Fruits. 
 
 8? 
 
C =55 ] 
 For the ffrft, Witi To eajfjrih& the 
 
 Believer, in his Judgment, of his 
 Obligation to keep the Moral 
 • Lew, among many Parages, take 
 Mattb. v. 16. 
 
 LET your Light fo fhine before Men, that they 
 may fee your good Works, and glorify "your 
 Father which is in Heaven. Vcr. 1 7 . Think, not 
 that I am come to deftroy the Lav? or the Prophets ; 
 I am not come to d'efiro^ but to fulfil. Ver. 18. 
 For verily I fay unto you, till Heaven and Earth 
 pafs, one Jot or one Tt tie fi all in no wife pafs from 
 the Law till all be fulfilled. Ver. j 9. Whofoever 
 therefore flo all break one of thefe leaf: Corftmandh 
 tnentsy and fh all teach Men fo, he (ljallbe called 
 leaf, in the Kingdom of Heaven 5 but whofoever 
 (hatt do, and teach them, the fame fliaU be called 
 great in the Kingdom &f Heaven. Ver. 20. Fair 
 Y[ay unto you, that except your Righteoufnejs 
 fiall exceed the Righteoufnefs of the StyVoes ami 
 Pharifees, ye flail in no Cafe enter tntefte King- 
 dom of Heaven. 
 "Wherein our Lord, 
 
 1 . Giveth Commandment to Believers, jufti^ 
 fled by Faith, togive Evidence of the Grace of 
 God in them : before Men, by doing good Works.* 
 Let your Light fo fhine before Men (faith he> thtot 
 they may fee your good Works. 
 
 2 . He induceth them fo to do, by fhewing that 
 albeit they be not juftified by Works, yet SpecTra- 
 
 F x tor 
 
[ **« ] 
 
 <ors of their good Works, may be converted or 
 edified, and ib Glory may redound to God, by 
 their good Works, when the Wrtnefles thereof 
 Jhall glorify your Father which is in Heaven. 
 
 3 . He gives them no other Rule for their new 
 Obedience than the Moral Law, let down, and 
 explicated by Mofes and the Prophets : Think 
 not (faith he) that I am come to deflroy the 
 Lav and the Prophets. 
 
 • 4 He gives them to underfland that the Do- 
 ctrine of Grace, and Freedom from the Curfe of 
 the Law, by Faith in him, is readily mirhken 
 by Mens corrupt Judgments, as if it didloie or 
 flacken the Obligation of Believers to obey the \ 
 Commands, and to be. fubject to the, Authority 
 of the Law } and that this Error is indeed a dc- 
 ftroying of the Law, and of the Prophets,, which 
 he will in no Cafe ever endure in any of his Dif- 
 ciples, it is fo contrary to the End of his Com- 
 ing j which is firft to fandify, and then to iave 
 Believers : Think not ( faith he ) that I*m como 
 to defirey the Law and the Prophets. 
 
 5". That the Obligation of the Moral Law, in 
 all Points, unto all holy Duties, is perpetual, and 
 (hall ftand to the World's End, that is, Till Hea- 
 ven and Earth pafs away. 
 ' 6. That as God hath had a Care of the Scrip- 
 tures from the Beginning, fo (hall he have a Care 
 of them dill to the World's End, that there fhaU 
 not one Jot or one Title of the Subftance thereof bt 
 taken away t fo faith the Text, Verfi-i 8. 
 
 7 . That as the breaking of the Moral f-aw, 
 
 and 
 
[ **7 J 
 
 and defending the Ti anfgreflxons thereof to ben6 
 Sin, doth exclade Men both from Heaven, and 
 juftly alfo from the Fellowftiip of the true Kirk ; 
 fo the Obedience of the Law, and teaching o- 
 thers to do the fame by Example, Counfel, and 
 Do&rine, according to every Man's Calling, pro- 
 vetha Man to be a true Believer, and in great E- 
 ftimation with God, and worthy to be muche- 
 fteemed of by the true Church, Verfe 19. 
 
 8. That the Righteoufnefs of every true Chri- 
 ftian, muft be more than the Righteoufnefs of 
 the Scribes and Pharifees,for the Scribes and Pha- 
 rifees, albeit they took great Pains to difcharge 
 fundry Duties of the Law, yet they cut (hort 
 the Expofition thereof, that it might the lefs con- 
 demn their Practice ; they ftudied the outward 
 Part of the Duty, but negle&ed the inward and 
 fpiritual Part ; they dif charged forac meaner Du- 
 ties carefully, but negledled Judgment, Mercy, 
 and the Love of God : In a Word, they went a- 
 bout to eftablifli their own Righteoufnefs, and 
 rejected the Righteoufnefs of God by Faith in 
 Jefus. But a true Chriftian muft have more than 
 all this, he muft acknowledge the full Extent of 
 the fpirirual Meaning of the Law, an4 have a Re- 
 fpecl: to all the Commandments, and labour to 
 cleanfe himfelf from all Filthinefs of Flem and 
 Spirit, 8c not lay Weight upon what Service he hath 
 doneor flmUdoy but clothe himfelf with the im- 
 puted Righteoufnefs of Chrift, which only can 
 hide his Nakednefs,or elfe he cannot be faved. So 
 faith the Text, Except your Righteoufnefs, Sac. 
 P 3 The 
 
[ ** 3 
 
 The fecond Thing requisite to evi- 
 dence true Faith, is, that the Be- 
 liever endeavour to put the Rule 
 of GodYiatofs and Righteoufnefs in 
 practice, and to grow in the daily 
 Exercife thereof • Holdeii forth,. 
 2 Pet. i. 5. 
 
 AND be fides this, giving all Diligence, add to 
 your Faith, Vertue; to Vert He, Knowledge; 
 Ver. 6. And to Knowledge, Temperance j and to 
 Temperance, Patience j and to Patience, Godlinefs •> 
 Ver. 7. And to Godlinefs, Brotherly-kindnefs; and 
 to Brotherly-kindnefs, Charity . Ver. 8. Forifthefe 
 Things be in you, and abound, they make you that 
 ye- frail neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the 
 Knowledge of our Lord Jefia Chriji. 
 
 Wherein, 1. The Apoille teacheth Believers, 
 for evidencing of precious Faith in themfelves, 
 tb endeavour to add to their Faith ieven other 
 Sifter-Graces ; The rirft is Vertue, or the a&ive 
 Exercife and Practice of all moral Duties, that fo 
 Faith may not be idle, but put forth itfelf in 
 Work. The fecond is Knowledge, which ferv- 
 eth to furry fh Faith with Information of the 
 Truth to bfe believed, and to fumifh Vertue with 
 Direction what Duties are to be done, and how 
 to go about them prudently. The third is Tem- 
 perance, which ferveth to moderate the Ufeof 
 all pleafant Things, that a Man be not clogged 
 
 there- 
 
2 5? ] 
 
 therewith, nor made unfit for any Duty whereto 
 he is called. The fourth is P;m'e»c<?, which ferveth 
 to moderate a Man's Affe&ipns when he meet- 
 eth any Difficulty or unpleafant Thing, that he 
 neither weary for Pains required in well-doing, 
 nor faint when the Lord chaftifeth him, nor 
 murmure when he crolTeth him. The fifth is 
 Godlinefs, which may keep him up in all the Exer- 
 cife of Religion, inward and ou; ward, whereby 
 he may be furnifhed from God, for all other Du- 
 ties which he hath to do. The fixth is Brotherly- 
 kindneft, which kecpeth Eftimation of, and Affe- 
 ction to all the Houfhold of Faith, and to the 
 Image of God in every one whercfoevejr it is feen. 
 The feventh is Love, which keepeth the Heart in 
 Readinefs to do good to all Men,whatfoever they 
 be, upon all Occafions which God {hall offer. 
 
 2. Albeit it be true, that there is much Cor- 
 ruption and Infimity in the Godly, yet the A- 
 poftle will have Men uprightly endeavouring* 
 and doing their beftj as they are able, to join all 
 thefe Graces one to another, and to grow in the 
 Meafure of exercifing of them, giving all Dili' 
 gence, ( faith he ) add to your Faith, 8cc. 
 
 3 . He aflfureth all profefled Believers, that as 
 they (hall profit in the Obedience of this Directi- 
 on, fo they {hall profitably prove the Soundnefs 
 of their own Faith; and if they want thefe Gra- 
 ces, that they (hall be blind Deceivers of them- 
 felves, Verfe o. 
 
 P 4 The 
 
[ ><tf ] 
 
 The third 1 Thing requifite to Evi- 
 dence true Faith, is, that Obedi- 
 ence to the Law run in the right 
 Channel, that is, through Faith in 
 ChrihVd?> holden forth, i 7im.i 5. 
 
 "^T O W the End of the Commandment U Love 
 x\ out of a pare Heart, and a good Confcience, 
 #nd of Faith unfeigned. 
 
 Wherein the Apoftle tcacheth thefe feven Do- 
 ctrines : 
 
 1 . That the Obedience of the Law muft flow 
 from Love, and Love from a pure Heart, and a 
 puie Heart from a good Confcience, and a good 
 Conscience from F/«>&#n/ei£?^: This hemak- 
 eth the only right Channel of good Works ; The 
 End of the Law U Love, &c. 
 
 2. That the End of the Law is not that Men 
 may be juftified by their Obedience of it, as the 
 Jewtf]) Doctors did falily teach ; for it is impo-. 
 ftiblethat Sinners can be juftified by the Law, 
 who tor every Tranfgreflion are condemned by 
 the Law j For the End of the Law U (notfuch 
 as the Jewifh Doctors taught, but ) Love out of 
 a pure Heart, &c. 
 
 3. That the true End of the Law, preached 
 unto the People, is, that they, by the Law, be- 
 ing made to fee their deferved Condemnation, 
 fhould fleetoChrift unfcignedly, to be juftified 
 by Faith in him : So faith the Text, while it 
 makcth Love to flow through Faith in Chriji. 
 
 4. That 
 
C »*i ] 
 
 4. That no Man can fet himfelf in Love to o- 
 bey the Law, except in as far as his Confeience :s | 
 quieted by Faith, or in feeking to be quieted in 
 Chrift i for the End of the Lav a Love, out of* 
 good Confeience, and Faith unfeigned. 
 
 f. rhat/W^e^F/wV^goeth to Chrift without 
 reckoning with rhe Law, and Co wants an Er- 
 rand : but unfeigned Faith reckoneth with the 
 Law, and is forced to flee for Refuge unto Chrift, 
 as the End of the Law for Righteoufnefs, fo often 
 as it finds itfelf guilty for breaking of the Law ; 
 Tor the End of the Lav is Faith unfeigned. 
 
 6. That the Fruits of Love may come forth 
 in A& particularly, it isnecejfary that the Heart 
 be brought to the Hatred of all Sin and Unclean- 
 nefs, and to a ftedfaft Purpofe to follow all 
 Holinefs univerfally : For the End of the Lav U 
 Love out of a pure Heart. 
 
 7. That unfeigned Faith is able to make the 
 Confeience good, and the Heart pure, and the 
 Maa lovingly obedient to the Law: For when 
 Chrift's Blood is Ceen by Faith to quiet juftice. 
 then the Confeience becometh quiet alfo, and 
 will not fuffer the Heart to entertain the Love 
 of Sin, but fets the Man on Work to fear God 
 for his Mercy, and to obey all his Command- 
 ments out of Love to God for his free Gift 
 of Juftirkarion by Grace beftowed on him : 
 For this is the End of the Lav indeed, where- 
 by it obtaineth of a Man more Obedience than 
 any other Way. • ^ 
 
 P 5 the 
 
C if* ] 
 
 /The fourth Thing require to Evi- 
 dence true Faith, is the keeping of 
 ft rait Communion with Chrift ^ the 
 Fountain of all Grace, and of all 
 good Works; holden forth, John 
 xv. 5- 
 
 I A M the true Vine, ye are the Branches ; he that 
 abidethin me, and I in him, the fame bringeth 
 forth much Fruit 5 for reithcut me ye can do no- 
 thing. 
 
 Wherein Chrift, in a Similitude from a Vine- 
 tree, teacheth us, 
 
 1 . That by Nature we are wild barren Briars, 
 till we be changed by coming unto Chrift, and 
 that Chrift is that noble Vine-tree, having all Life 
 and Sap of Grace in himfeif, and able to change 
 the Nature of every one that coineth to hinr, and 
 to communicate Spirit and Life to as many as 
 (hall believe in him. I am the true Vine (faith 
 he) and ye are the Branches. 
 
 2 . That Chrift loveth to have Believers fo unit- 
 ed unto him, as that they be not feparated at any 
 Time by Unbelief: And that there may be a mu- 
 tual Inhabitation of them in him by Faith and 
 Lave,; and of him in them, by his Word and Spi- 
 rit , for he joineth thefe together, If ye abide in 
 mt> and I in you, as Things infeparable. 
 
 2. That except a Man be ingrafted in Chrift, 
 and united to him by Faith, he cannot do any the 
 
 Icaft 
 
I i*3 ] 
 leaft good Works of his own Strength, yea, ex. 
 cept in as far as a Man doth draw Spirit and Life 
 from Chrift by Faith, the Work which he doth 
 ts naughty and null in the Voint of Goodnefs in 
 God's Estimation : For without me (faith he) 
 ye can do nothing. 
 
 4. That this mutual Inhabitation is the Foun- 
 tain and infallible Caufe of conftant continuing 
 and abounding in Well-doing : For, hethttabid- 
 eth in me, and I in him ( faith he ) the fume bear- 
 ith much Fruit : Now as our abiding in Chrift 
 prefuppofeth three Things, 1. That We have 
 heard the joyful Sound of the Gofpel, making 
 Offer of Chrift to us, who are loft Sinners by the 
 Law. 2. That we have heartily embraced the 
 gracious Offer of Chrift. 2 . That by receiving 
 of him we are become the Sons of God : John 
 % 12. And are incorporated into his myftical Bo- 
 dy, that he might dwell in us as hk Temple, and 
 we dwell in him as in the Refidence of Right e- 
 oufnefs and Life, fo our abiding in Chrift import- 
 cth other three Things . 1 . An imploying of Chri ft 
 in all our Addreffes to God, and in all our Under- 
 takings of whatfoever Piece of Service to him. 
 2. A Contentednefs with his Sufficiency, with- 
 out going out from him to ftek Righteoufnefs, 
 or Life, or Furniture in any Cafe, in our own, or 
 any of the Creatures Worthinefs. 5. A Fixcd- 
 ncfs in our Believing in him, a Fixednefs in our 
 Imploying and making Ufe of him, and a Fixed- 
 nefsin our Contentment in him, and adhering to 
 him, fo that no Allurement, no Temptation of | 
 
C 2*4 1 
 
 atari or the World, no Terror nor Trouble may 
 e able to drive our Spirits from firm Adherence 
 fumo him i or from conftant avowing of his 
 Truth, and obeying his Commands ; who hath 
 I loved us, and given hi mfelf for us ; And in whom 
 ! not only our Life is laid up, but alfo the Fulnefs 
 of the God-head dwelleth bodily, by reafon o£ 
 the fubftantial and perfonal Union of the Divine 
 and FVman Nature in him. 
 
 Hence let every watchful Believer, 
 for {lengthening himfelf in Faith 
 and Obedience, reafon after thi$ 
 Manner ; 
 
 !C X T THofoever doth daily imploy Chrift Jefus 
 VV « forclcanfmghisConfcienceand AfTe- 
 l '*■ &ions from theGu'.ltinefsandFilthinefsof Sins 
 ■ againft the Law, and for inabling of him to 
 I f give Obedience to the Law in Love, he hath 
 , « the Evidence of true Faith in himfelf. 
 
 * But I ( may every watchful Believer fay) do 
 • daily imploy Jefus Chrift, for cleanfing my 
 « Confcience and AfYe&ions from the Guiltinefs 
 « and Filthinefs of Sins againft the Law: And 
 « for enabling of me to give Obedience to the 
 < Law, in Love. 
 
 * Therefore I huve the Evidence of true Faith 
 4 in my felf. 
 
 And hence alfo, let the fleepy and fluggiiri 
 Believer reafon for his own Up-ttirring, thus j 
 
 4 Whatib- 
 
t *** a 
 
 ' Whatfoever is neceflary for giving Evidence 
 « of true Faith, I muft ftudy to do it, except I 
 « would deceive myfelf and perifli. 
 
 * But, to imploy Chrift Jefus daily for clean- 
 
 * fing of my Confcience and Affections from 
 
 * the Guiltinefs and Filthinefs of Sins againft the 
 1 Law, and fer enabling of me to give Obedi- 
 ' cnce to the Law, in Love, is neceflary for evi- 
 
 * dencingof true Faith in me. 
 
 * Therefore, this I muft ftudy to <3o, except I 
 « would deceive my felt and perifli. 
 
 And Lafily, Seeing Chrift himfelf hath pointed 
 this forth, as an undoubted Evidence of a Man e- 
 le£led of God unto Life, and given to Jefus 
 Chrift to be redeemed, if he come unto him, that 
 is, clofe Covenant and keep Communion With 
 him, as heteacheth us, John vi. 37. faying, Ail 
 that the Father hath given tne, jJjall come to 
 me y and him that cometh to me, I will in no 
 wife cafl out : Let every Peribn who doth not 
 in Earneft make ufe of Chrift, for RemifTion 
 of Sin, and Amendment of Life, reafon hence, 
 and from the whole Premifles, after .this Man- 
 ner, that his Confcience may be awakened j 
 
 * Whofoever is neither by the Law, nor by 
 « the Gofpel, fo convinced of Sin, Righteouf- 
 « nefs and Judgment, as to make him come 
 
 * to Chrift, and imploy him daily for Remifii- 
 
 * oh of Sin, and Amendment of Life 3 he want- 
 
 * eth not only all Evidence of faving Faith, 
 
 * but alfo all Appearance of his Election, fo 
 « long as he remaineth in this Condition. 
 
 1 But 
 
• Bat I ( may «i/«ry impenitent Perfin fay ) 
 am neither by the Law nor Gofpel lb con- 
 vinced, of Sin, Righteoufnefs and Judgment, 
 as to make me come to Chrift, and imploy 
 him daily for Remimon of Sin, and Amend- 
 ment of Life. 
 
 * Therefore I want not only all Evidence of 
 faving Faith, but alfo all Appearance of my 
 Election, fo long as 1 remain in this Condi- 
 tion. 
 
 The 
 
I 26' 7 ] 
 
 The National Covenant;^ 
 ,or, 
 
 The Confeffion of Faith ; fubfcribed at firfl by the 
 King's Majejly and hi* Houfhold, in the Year of 
 God if 80 j thereafter by Perfons of all Ranks, 
 in the Tear \$%\,by Ordinances of the Lords of 
 the Secret Council, and Aft s of the General Af- 
 fembly j fubfcribed by all Sorts of Perfons in the 
 Tear if 90, by a new Ordinance of Council, at 
 the Defer e of the General Affembly j with a ge- 
 neral Band for Maintenance of the true Religi- 
 on, and the King's Perfon j and fubfcribed in the 
 lear 1638, by US, Noblemen, Barons, Gentle- 
 men, Burgeffes, Minifters, and Commons, then 
 under fubfcribing : Together with our Refolution 
 and Promifes for the Caufes after fpecified, to 
 maintain the faid true Religion, and the King's 
 Majejiy, according to the Confeffion for ef aid, and 
 Afts of Parliament, And now, upon the Suppli- 
 cation of the General Affembly to his Majejiy 's 
 high Commiffiomr., and the Loras of his Majejly* s 
 honourable Privy Council, fubfcribed again in 
 in the Tear 1639, by Ordinance of Council, and 
 Act of the General Affembly . 
 
 WE all, and every one of us under- writ- 
 ten, proteft, that after long and due 
 Examination of our own Confer- 
 ences in Matters of true and falfe Religion, we 
 ire now throughly refolved of the Truth, by the 
 
 < 
 
7 C a<# 3 
 
 Wor,d and Spirit of God : And therefore we be- 
 lieve with our Hearts, confefs with our Mouths, 
 fubfcribe with our Hands* and conftantly affirm 
 before God and the whole World, that this only 
 is the true Chriftian Faith and Religion, pleafing 
 God, and bringing Salvation to Man, which now 
 is by the Mercy of God revealed to the Wc rid, 
 by the Preaching of the blefled Evangel; and re- 
 ceived, believed, and defended by many and fun- 
 dry notable Kirks and Realms, but chiefly by the 
 Kirk of Scotland, and the King's Majefty, and 
 three Eft ate s of this Realm, as God's eternal 
 Truth, and only Ground of our Salvation, as 
 more particularly isexprefTed in the Gonfeflion of 
 our Faith.eftablifhed, and public kly confirmed l*y 
 iudry Acts of Parliaments, and now of a long 
 Time hath been openly profeiTed by the King's 
 Majefty, and whole Body of this Realm, both in 
 Burgh and Land. To the which ConfeiTion and 
 Form of Religion, we willingly agree in our 
 Confciences in all Points, as unto God's undoubt- 
 ed Truth and Verity, grounded only upon his 
 written Word: And therefore, we abhor and de- 
 teft all contrary Religion, and Doctrine : But 
 chiefly all Kind of Vapiftry in general and parti- 
 cular Heads, even as they are now damned and 
 confuted by the Word of God, and Kirk of Scot-, 
 land. But in fpecial we deteft and refufe the uf- 
 urped Authority of that Roman Antichrift upon 
 the Scriptures of God, upon the Kirk, the Civil 
 Magiftrate, and Conferences of Men : All his ty- 
 rannous Laws made upon indifferent Things a- 
 
 gainft. 
 
I 169 1 
 
 gainft our Chti ftian- Liberty : His erroneous Do- I 
 <&rine, agamft the Sufficiency of the written 
 Word, the Perfection of the Law, the Office of 
 Chrift, and his blefled Evangel : His corrupted 
 Doctrine concerning original Sin, Our natural In- 
 ability and Rebellion to God's Law, our J unifi- 
 cation- by Faith only, our imperfect San&itica- 
 f-ion and Obedience to the Law, the Nature, 
 Number and Ufe of the holy Sacraments, with 
 all his Rites, Ceremonies, and falfe Doctrine, ad- 
 ded to the Adminiftrationof the true Sacraments 
 without the Word of God : His cruel Judgment 
 againfl: Infants departing without the Sacrament : 
 his abfolute Neceflity of Baptifm > blafphemous 
 Opinion of Tranfubitaruiation, or real Prefence 
 of Chrifrs Body in^rhe Elements, and receiving 
 of the fame- by the Wicked, or Bodies of Men : 
 His Difpehfationswith folemn Oaths, Purjuries, 
 and Decrees of Marriage forbidden in the Word : 
 His Cruelty again ft the Innocent divorced : His 
 devilifh.Mafs: His blafphemous Priefthood : His 
 ]3rophanc Sacrifice for the Sins of the Dead and 
 the Quick: His Canonization of Men j calling 
 ppon Angels or Saints departed". Worfbipping of 
 Imagery, Relicks and Crofies j Dedicating of 
 Kirks, Altars, Days ; Vows to Creatures : His 
 Purgatory, Prayers for the. Dead ; Praying or 
 fpeaking in a ftrangc Languages with his Pro- 
 ceil'iops, blafphemous Letany, and multitude of 
 Advocates or Mediators : His manifold Orders >d 
 auricular Confeffion : His defperate and uncer- 
 tain Repentance : His general and doubtfolVice, 
 
 Fa and 
 
 - 
 
C 2 7 o 3 
 
 Faith : His Satisfactions of Men For their Sins : 
 His Juftification by Works, opus op er at urn. Works 
 of Supererogation, Merits, Pardons^ Peregrina- 
 tions, and Stations: His Holy- Water, Baptiimg 
 of Bells, Conjuring of Spirits, Crofiing, Sayn- 
 ing, Anointing, Conjuring, Hallowing of God's 
 good Creatures, with the fuperftitious Opinion 
 joined therewith : His worldiy Monarchy, and 
 wicked Hierarchy : His three folemn Vows, 
 with all his Shavelings of fundry Sorts: His er- 
 roneous and bloody Decrees made at Trent , with 
 all the Subfcribers and Approvers of that bloody 
 Bond, conjured againfl: the Kirk of God. And 
 finally, we detoft all his vain Allegories, Rites, 
 Sign and Traditions brought in the Kirk, with- 
 out or againfl: the Word of pod, and Do&rine 
 of this true reformed Kirk : To the which we 
 joinourfelves willingly, in Doftrine, Faith, Re- 
 ligion, Difcipline, and Ufe of the holy Sacra- 
 ments, as lively Members of the fame, in Chrift 
 our Head : promiling and fwearing by the Great 
 Name of the L O R D our G O D, That we (hall 
 continue in the Obedience of the Doctrine and 
 Difcipline of this Kirk, and fhall defend the fame, 
 according to our Vocation and Power, all the 
 Days of our Lives ; under the Pains contained in 
 the Law, and Danger both of Body and Soul in 
 the Day of God's fearful Judgment. 
 
 And feeing that many are ftirred up by Satan, 
 t^nd that Roman Antichrift, to promife. fwear, 
 M a tbfcribe, and for a Time ufe the holy Sacra- 
 raiincjts in the Kirk deceitfully, againfl: their own 
 
 Con- 
 
C 271 ] 
 
 Conferences ; minding thereby, Firfi:, und*r the 
 external Cloke of Religion, to corrupt and Sub- 
 vert fecretly God's -true Religion within t» e 
 Kirk; and afterward, when Time may ferve, 
 to become open Enemies and Perfecutors of the 
 fame, under vain Hopes of the Pope's Difpenfa- 
 tion, deviled againft the Word of God, to his 
 greater Confufion, and their double Condemna- 
 tion in the Day of the Lord Jefus : We therefore, 
 willing to take away all Sufpicion of Hypocrisy, 
 and of fuch Double-dealing with God 8c his Kirk, 
 proteft,and call the Searcher of all Hearts for Wit- 
 nefs, that our Minds and our Hearts do fully agree 
 with this our ConfeJJio?t, Promife, Oatb,in&Sttb~ 
 fcriptioni f o that we are not moved for any world- 
 ly Reipect, butareperfuaded only in our Confci- 
 ences, through the Knowledge and Love of God's 
 true Religion, printed in our Hearts, by the Ho- 
 ly Spirit, as we fhall anfwer to him in the Day 
 when the Secrets of all Hearts fhall be difclofed. 
 
 And becaufe we perceive, that the Quietoefs 
 and Stability of our. Religion and Kirk, doth de- 
 pend upon the Safety and good Behaviour of the 
 King's Majefty, as upon a comfortable Inftru- 
 ment of God's Mercy, granted to this Country 
 for the maintaining of his Kirk, and Mimftrati- 
 on of Juftice amongft us, we proteft and pro- 
 mife with our Hearts, under the fame Oath, 
 Hand-writ, and Pains, that we fhall defencl his 
 Perfon and Authority, with Goods, Bodies, and 
 Lives, in the Defence of Chrift, his Evangel, Li- 
 berties of our Country, Miniftration of Juftice, 
 
 and 
 
[ mil 
 
 and Punifhment or Iniquity, againft all Enemies 
 wit Mn this Realm, or without j as we defire our 
 C^rfttobeaitrong and merciful Defender to us, 
 the Day of our Death, and Coming of our Lord 
 [efus Chrift : To whom with the Father and the 
 Holy Spirit, be all Honour and Glory eternally. 
 
 LI K E as many A&s of Parliament, not only 
 in general do abrogate, anul, andrefcindall 
 Laws, Statutes, A£ts, Conftitutions, Canons, 
 civil or municipal, with all other Ordinances and 
 praclick Penalties whatfoever, made in Preju- 
 dice of the true Religion and Profeflbrs thereof, 
 or of the true Kirk, Difcipline, Jurifdi&ion, and 
 Freedom thereof: Or in Favour of Idolatry and 
 Superftition j Or of the papiftical Kirk, as Aft 
 3, Aft 3 1, Pari. 1, Pari. z^,Parl. 1 1, Aft 1 14, 
 Pari, iz of King James VI. That Papiftry 
 and Superftition may be utterly fuppreffed ac- 
 cording to the Intention of the A els of Parlia- 
 ment/ repeated in Aftf, Pari. 10, King James 
 VI. r! And to that End they, ordain all Papifo 
 and Priefts to be punifred by manifold Civil and 
 Ecdoliaitical Pains, as Adverfaries to God's true 
 Religion, preached, and by the Law eftablifhcd 
 within this Realm, Aft 24, Pari. 1 1, KingJ^. 
 VI. as common Enemies to all Chriliian Govern- 
 ment, A3 18. Pari. 16..K. Ja.VV as Rebels 
 and Gain-ftandcrs of ©ur Sovereign Lord's Au- 
 thority, Aft 47, Pari. 3, King Ja. VI. and as 
 Idolitors, Aft to4, Parl.j. King Ja.Vl. But 
 alio in particular ( by and at our Confeflion ot 
 
 Faith) 
 
Faith) do abolifh and condemn the Pope's Au- 
 thority and Jurifdiction out of this Land, and 
 ordain the Maintainers thereof to be punifhed, 
 Aft i,Parl. t. Aft fi, Pari. f a Aft io;6, Pari. 
 7, Aft 114, furl. iz. King fa. VI. do con- 
 demn the Pope's erroneous Doctrine, or any o- 
 Ither erroneous Doctrine repugnant to any of 
 the Articles of the true and Chriftian Religion 
 publickly preached, and by Law eftablilhed in 
 this Realm, and ordain the Spreaders and Makers 
 .of Books and Libels, or Letters, or Writs of that 
 Nature, to bepunifhed, Act 46, Pari. 3, Aft 1 oo\ 
 Pari. 7, AH 14, Pari. 1 1 , King J a. VI.*do con- 
 demn all Baptifm conform to the-Pope's Kirk, 
 and the Idolatry of the Mafs,and,ordainali Sayers, 
 wilful Hearers, and Concealers of the Mafs, the 
 Maintainers and Refettcrsof the Priefts, Jefuits, 
 traffiquing Papifts, to be punifhed without any 
 Exception or ReftricHon, Aft f\ Pari. 1, Aft 
 110, Pari. 12, Aft 164. Pari. 13, Aft 193, 
 Pari. 14, Aft 1, Pari. 19, Aft f,Parl. '20, King 
 Ja. VI. do condemn all erroneous Books and 
 Writs, containing erroneous Doctrine againii 
 the Religion prefently profefied, or containing 
 fuperftitious Rites and Ceremonies papift'fcal, 
 ■■whereby the People are greatly abufed; and or- 
 dain the Home-bringers of them to be punifhed, 
 Aft if, Pari. 11, King Ja. VI. Do condemn 
 the Monuments and Dregs of by-gone Idolatry, 
 as going to CrolTes, obierving feftival Days of 
 Saints,and fuch other fuperftitious and papiftical 
 Rite/j to the Difhenour of God, Contempt of 
 
 true 
 
• L ^74 J 
 
 tnic Religion, and foftering of great Errors a- 
 mongthe People; and ordains the Ufersof them 
 to be punifhed for the fecond Fault as Idolaters, 
 Actio^ Pari. 7, King^. VI. 
 
 Like cm many Acts of Parliament are conceived 
 for Maintenance of God's true and Chriftian Re- 
 ligion, and the Purity thereof in Dodrine and 
 Sacraments of the true Church of God, the Li- 
 berty and Freedom thereof, in her National and 
 Synod ical Affemblies, Presbyteries, SelTions, Po- 
 licy, Difcipline, and Juriidiclion thereof : As 
 that Purity' -of- Religion and Liberty of the 
 Church was ufed, profeffed, exercifed, preach- 
 ed and confefted, Recording to the- Reformation 
 of Religon in this Realm: As for Inffance, ASt 
 yy.Parl. y.Aci^^.Pari. 1 1. Act 11$. Pari iz. 
 AH 160. Part \+. of King Ja. VI. ratified by 
 the .4 Aft of King Charles. So that Ail 6. Pari 
 1 . and Aci tifc Pari. 6- of King Ja. VI. in the 
 Year of God i>"79, declares the Minifters of the 
 blciled Evangel, whom God of his Mercy had 
 railed up,' or hereafter mould raife, agreeing with 
 them that then lived in Doctrine and Adminiftra- 
 tion of the Sacrament* j and the People that pro- 
 feiTed Chriftas he was then offered in the Evan- 
 gel, and doth communicate with the holy Sacra- 
 ments, (as in the reformed Kirks of this Realm 
 they were publickiy adminiftred) according to 
 the Confeflion of Faith, to be the true and holy 
 Kirk of Chrift Jeius within this Realm.' And 
 difcerns and declares all and fundry, Who either 
 gainiay$ the Word of the Evangel, received and 
 
 approved -, 
 
L *75 J 
 
 Approved; ,4s the Heads of the Confeflion of 
 Faith profefTed in Parliament in the Year of God 
 -i 5-60, specified alfo in the firft Parliament of K. 
 Jam-. VI. and ratified in this prefent Parliament, 
 moreparticularly do exprefs ; or thatrefufeth the 
 Adminiftration of the holy Sacraments^ as they 
 were then miniftrated. to be no -Members of the 
 faid Kirk within this Realm, and true Religion,, 
 preiently profeffed, fo long as they keep them- 
 ielves ib divided from the Society of Chris's 
 Body: And the fubfequent^# 69. Farl. 6. of K. 
 Jam. VI. declares, that there is none other Face 
 of Kirk, .nor other Face of Religion, than was 
 prefently at that Time, -by the Favour of Go4 
 eftabli Hied within this Realm : Which therefore 
 is ever, ft i led, God's true Religion, Chrift's trueRe r 
 ifgiotj, the. true and Chriftian Religion, and* per- 
 feci-jRdfgtm j which, by manifold Acts of Par- 
 iwmejttvialLwitJnn this Realm are bound to.prx> 
 -refs, to lubfcribetheArticles^thereot^theConfe- 
 •fiiOft of Faith, to recant all Doctrine and Errors 
 repugnant to any of the faid Articles, Aft 4 and 
 ig.Parl.v.iAft 45% 46, 47. Pari. 1.AZI7I. Farl. 
 tir.AB'ioO. Farl. 7. A3 24. Farl. 11 . Aci iz$ , 
 .Pari, \r. Aft 194, 197. Far 1. 14. of K.Jam. VI. 
 And all Magistrates, Sheriffs, &c: on the. one 
 Part are ordained to fearch, apprehend, and pu^ 
 niflvali Contraveeners •. For Inftance,^ 5-. Fari. 
 1 . Att 1.04. Farl. j.Ati if. Farl. 1 1 . K.Jam. 
 VI. And that notwithstanding of the King's Ma» 
 jetty's Licences on the contrary, which are di£ 
 charged and decked to be of no Force, in Co 
 
 far 
 
L *7« J 
 
 far as they tend in any Ways to the Prejudice 
 and hinder the Execution of the Acts of Parlia- 
 ment againft Papiftsand Adverfaries of true Re- 
 ligion, Aft iofr.Tarl.j.K.Jam.Vl. On the o- 
 ther Part, in Act 47. Varl. 3. K. Jam. VI. It is 
 declared and ordained, feeing the Caufe of God's 
 true Religion, and his Highnefs Authority are 
 fo joined, as the Hurt of the one is common to 
 both i that none fhall be reputed as loyal and 
 faithful Subjects to our Sovereign Lord, or his 
 •Authority, but be puni fhed as Rebellers and Gain- 
 fhnders of the fame, who fhall not give their 
 Con fe (lion, and make their Profefilonofthe faid 
 true Religion j and that they who after Defecti- 
 on fhall give the ConfefTion of their Faith of new, 
 they fhall promife to continue therein in Time 
 coming, to maintain our Sovereign Lord's Au- 
 thority j And at the uttermoft of their Peuter to 
 fortify, afllft, and maintain the true Preachers 
 and Profeflbrs of Chrift's Evangel againft what- 
 Ibever Enemies-and Gain-danders of the fame: 
 and namely againft all fuch (of whatfoever Nati- 
 on/ Eftate or Degree they be of) that have joined 
 and bound themfelves", or have afiifted, orafiift 
 toYet forward, and execute the cruel Decrees of 
 •the Council of Trent contrary to the true Preach- 
 ers and Profeflbrsof the Word of God ; which 
 -is repeated Word by Wcrd, in the Articles of Pa- 
 cification at Perth, the 23d of February ffl*, 
 approved by Parliament the laft of April 1 57 3 » 
 raft fled in Parliament *f$f, and related, A3 
 U 3 . Pari 1 1 . of K. . Jam , V J . wit h this Ad- 
 
[*77] 
 
 jiition, That they are bound to refifl all treafonalh 
 Uproars and Hojiilitics, raided aiatnjl the true Re- 
 ligion, the Kings Majefy, and the true ProfejJbrJ. 
 Like as all Liedges are bound to maintain the 
 King's- Majefty'syjloyal Pe fon and Authority ; 
 the Authorhy,of ^Parliament, without the which 
 neither any Laws or lawful Judicatories can be 
 jeftablifhed, Act. 1 50, and 1 5 1 , Pari. 8. K.fa.Vl. 
 and the Siibjerts L\betties> who ought only to" live 
 8c be governed by the King's Laws,the common 
 Laws of this Realm allanerjy,^£7 j&.Parl, 3 . K. 
 Jam. \. Art 7 9. Pari 6.. l^.Jam. IV. repeated in 
 Act 131. p*r/,. 3. K. Jam- VI. Which, if they 
 be innovated, or prejudged* the GommitTion a- 
 nentthe U,nionof, the two. Kingdoms of Scd't- 
 laid and England, which is the iole Aft ctfiarl. 
 17. of K. jam. VI. declares, fucii. Confufion 
 wouldi' enfue, as this Realm could be no m or e a 
 free Monarchy, becauie by the found 2 mental 
 Laws, ant'ent Privileges, Offices, apd Liberties, 
 of this Kingdom, not only the prjpjtely Autho- / 
 rity of his-~iMajeft)< 3 s Royal Defeat, hath been' 
 Jrhefe many; Ages .'maintained,. bufalj.o,f he Peo- 
 ples Security of their Lands, Livings, 'Rights, 
 •.Offices, Liberties and Dignities prefer ved. And 
 therefore for the fyefervation of the laid true 
 Religion, Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom, 
 it is Statute \yy,4tt 8 . Pari 1 . repeated in 4899. 
 Pari. 7. repeated in Art 2^. Pari. 1 i . 3nd Ad 
 1 1-4. Pari. 1 2. of K. Jam. VI. and Act 4. of K. 
 Char. I. That ail Kings and Primes, at their Co- 
 reunion, and Reception of their princelv A a1 ~ 
 
 q. * id*.' 
 
 A 
 
[ >7% ] 
 
 thoi ity, fhall make their faithful Prorhife by their 
 foleinn Oath, in thePrefenceof the Eternal God, 
 That, enduring the whole Timeof their Lives-, 
 they fhall ferve the fame Eternal God to the ut- 
 ter moft of their Power, according: as he hath 
 requited in. his rnoft holy Word, contained in the 
 Did and NewTeftarneftfs. Andaceordingtothe 
 fame "Word, fhall maintain the true Religion of 
 Chi (ft Jefus, the preaching of his holy Word, the 
 due and right Miniftration of the Sacraments, 
 now received and preached within this Realm 
 (according tx> .the Confeflion of Faith immedi- 
 ately proceeding ) and fhall abolifhahd gain-ftand 
 ailfalfe Religion contrary to the lame, and ftlsll 
 rule the People committed to their -Charge, ac- 
 cording to the Will and Command of God,- re- 
 vealed in hi'sforefaid Word, and according to the 
 lauclable I. aws and Confirmations received in this 
 Realm, no way repugnant to the faid Will of the 
 ' Eternal OM : And fhall pror me; to' theuttermoft 
 of their rlfycr, to the Kirk of God, and whole i 
 Chviftian People, true and perfe& Peace in- all \ 
 "Time coming, and that they (hall be -careful to 
 ; root out of their Empire all Hereticfcs, and Ene- 
 ' niies td the true Worfhip of God, who fhall be 
 convicted by the true Kirk of God, of the 
 ' forefaid Crimes : Which was alfo cbferved by hi* 
 ' Majefiy at his Coronation in Edenburgh 1 6 33, 
 fH r/jay be feen in the Order of the Coronation. 
 In Obedience to the Commandment of God, 
 \ conform to the Practice of the Godly in former 
 Times,[snd according to the laudable Example 
 
 of 
 
L Z79 J 4 be 
 
 of our worthy and religious Progenitors, arid c 
 many yet living amongft us, which was war- 
 ranted alio by Aft of C °™ c ^ fTTfu.lu 
 acneral Bond to be made, and fufcnbed by his 
 Majefty's Subjeftsof all Ranks, for two Caufes : 
 I One was for defending the true Religions it 
 was then reformed, and isexpreiTedin the Con- 
 feffion of Faith, above written, and a former arge 
 Confellion eitablilhed by fundry AGs of law- 
 ful General* Afembliesmd of Parliaments, unto 
 which it hath Relation, fet down m publick ua- 
 techifms; and which had been for many Years 
 with a ffiejflTing from Heaven preached and pro- 
 fefTed in this Kirk and Kingdom, as God s un- 
 doubted Truth, grounded onlyupon his written 
 Word The other Caufe was for maintaining the 
 King's Majeftv, hisPerfon andEftate the true 
 Worfhipof God, and the King's Authority be- 
 ing fo ftraitly joined, as that they had the fame 
 Fnends, and common Enemies, and did ftand 
 and fall together. And finally, being convinced 
 in our MiSds, and confeffing with our Mouths, 
 that the prefent and fucceeding Generations in 
 this Land, arebound to keep the rorefaid Nation- 
 al Oath and Subfcription inviolable. We Noble- 
 men. Barons, Gentlemen, Burgefles, Mimfters 
 and Commons under fubferibing, confidering 
 divers Times before, and efpecially at this Time, 
 the Danger of the! true reformed Religion, ot 
 the Kin|s Honour i and of the pubhek Peace of 
 the Kingdom, -by the manifold Innovations and • 
 Evils generally contained, and particularly men- 
 to ' Qi tioned 
 
[ 280.] 
 
 foncd in our late Supplications, Complaints, ana 
 Voteftations : Do Hereby profefs, and before 
 Cod, his Angels, and the World, folemnly de- 
 clare, Yi~ at with our whole Hearts we agree and 
 refolve all the Days of our Life conftantly to ad- 
 here unto, and to defend the forefaid Religion, 
 and (forbearing the Practice of all Novations, 
 already introduced in the Matters of the Worihip 
 of God,. or Approbation of the Corruptions of 
 the pubiick Government of the Kirk; or civil Pla- 
 ces and Power of Kirkmen, till they be tried and 
 allowed in free AlTemblies, and in Parliament) to 
 labour by all Means lawful," to recover the Purity 
 and Liberty of the Gofpel, as it was eflablim- 
 ed and profelTed before the fo> efaid Novations 
 And beeauie after due Examination, we plainly 
 perceive, and undoubted 1 y believe, that the In- 
 novations and Evils contained in our Supp'icati- 
 ons, Complaints, and Prbteftations, have no 
 Warrant of the Word of God, are contrary to 
 the , Article cf the forefaid Cpnfeflions, to the 
 Intention ana Meaning of the bleiTed Reformers 
 of Religion in this Land, to thcabove-wri'ten 
 AcTtsof Parliament, and do fenfibly tend to the 
 re-efrablifhing of the P^/'V Religion and Ty- 
 ranny, and to the Subveriion and Ruin of the 
 true Reformed Religion, and of our Liberties, 
 Laws, and Eitates : We al'fp declare, ■ That the 
 forefaid ConfeiTions are to be interpreted, snd 
 ought to be underftood of the forefaid Novati- 
 ons and Evils, no left than ifeyeryoneof them, 
 had been exprefied in the forefaid Confefilons ; 
 
 and 
 
[ *8i J. 
 
 and that we are obliged to deteft and abhor tftem, 
 amongft other particular Heads of Fapi/lry abju- 
 red therein. And therefore, from the Know- 
 ledge and Confcience of our Duty to God, ro 
 our King and Country, without any worldly 
 Refpecl: or Inducement : fo far as human Infir- 
 mity will fuffer, wifhing a further Mea'fure of 
 the Grace of God for this ErTecl:: We promife 
 and fwear by the GREAT NAME OF THE 
 LORD OUR GOD, to continue in the Pro- 
 fefiion and Obedience of the fbreiaid Religion; 
 and that we mall defend the fame, and retifl all 
 theie contrary Errors and Corruptions, accord- 
 ing to our Vocation, and to the uttermoit of that 
 Power that God hath put in our Hands all the 
 Days of our Life. 
 
 And in like manner with the fame Heart, we 
 declare before God and Men, that we have no In- 
 tention nor Delire to attempt any thing that 
 may turn to the Difhonour of God, or to the 
 Diminution of the King's Greatnefs and Autho- 
 rity : But on the contrary, we promife and fwear, 
 that we lhall, to the uttermoit of our Power, 
 with our Means and Lives, Itand to the Defence 
 of our dread Sovereign the King's Majefty, his 
 Perfonand Authority, in the Defence, and Pre- 
 fervation of the forefaid true Religion, Liber- 
 ties, and Laws of the Kingdom : As alfo to the 
 mutual Defence and Affiftance, every one of us 
 of another, in the fame Caufe of maintaining the 
 true Religion, and his Majefty'x Authority, 
 with our beft Counfel, our Bodies, Means, and 
 whole Power, againft all forts of Perfons what- 
 Q. 5 ibever > 
 
i ,82 j 
 
 foefer ; So" that whatfcever lhall be done to the 
 leaitof us for that Cauie, mall be taken as done 
 to us all in general, and to every one .of us in 
 particular: And that we ihall neither directly nor 
 indirectly fufrer.ourfelves to be divided or with- 
 drawn by whatioever Suggeltion> Allurement, 
 or Terror, from this blcfied and loyal Conjuncti- 
 on, nor (hall ca# in any Lett or I mpediment.that 
 may fray or hinder any fuch Reiblution as by 
 common Conient ihall be found to conduce for 
 fo good Ends. But on the contrary, mall by all 
 lawful Means labour to further and promote the 
 fame. And if any fuch dangerous and diviiive 
 Motion be made to us by Word or Writ, we and 
 every one of us, {ball cither fupprefs it, or if 
 Need be, ihall incontinent make the fame 
 known, that it may be timeoufly obviated. 
 Neither do we fear the foul Afperfions of Re- 
 bellion, Combination, or what elfe our Adverfa- 
 rics from their Craft and Malice would put up- 
 on us ; feeing what we do is well warranted, and 
 arifeth from an unfeigned Deiireto maintain the 
 true Wor(hip of God, the Majefty of 1 our King, 
 and Peace of the Kingdom, for the common 
 Happinefs of ourfelves and Pofterity. 
 
 And becaufe we cannot look for a Blefling 
 from God upon our Proceedings, except with 
 our ProfeiTion and Subfcription, we join fuch 
 a Life and Converfation, as befeemeth ChrifH- 
 ans, who have renewed their Covenant with 
 God ; we therefore faithfully promife for our 
 felves, our Followers, and all others, under us j 
 both in publick, in our particular Families, and 
 
 perfonal 
 
C ^3 1 .£ 
 
 ! perfonal Carnage, to endeavour to keep oi?n 
 iclv.es within the Bounds of Chriftian Liberty,-, 
 
 j and to be good Examples to others of all Godli- 
 nefs, Sobernefs and Rightebufnefs, and of every 
 Duty we owe to God and Man. And that this 
 our Union and Conjunction may be obferved 
 without Violation, we call the LIVING- 
 GOD THE SEARCHER OF OUR HEARTS 
 to witnefs, who knoweth this to be our fin - 
 cere Defire and 'unfeigned Reiblution, as we 
 {hall anfwer to JESUS CHRIST in the 
 Great Day, and under the Pain of God's evcr- 
 lafting Wrath, and of Infamy, and Lofs of ail 
 Honour and refpeclt in this World, moit hum- 
 ble befeeching the Lord, to flrengthen us by his 
 holy Spirit for this End, and to blefs our De- 
 firesand Proceedings with a happy Succefs, that 
 Religion and Righted. fnefs may flouriih in the 
 band, to the Glory of God, the Honour of our 
 King, and Peace and Comfort of us all : In wit- 
 nefs whereof we have fubfcribed with our 
 Hands all the PiemifTes. 
 
 TH E Articles of this Covenant, which was at 
 4 the firfi Subfcription referred to the Deter- 
 mination of the General AiTembly, being deter mi- 
 ned; and thereby the five Articles of Yerth, the 
 Government of the Kirk by Bifhops, and the 
 civil Places and Power of Kirkmen, upon the 
 Rmfons and Grounds contained in the Acls of the 
 General AfTembly, declared to be unlawful with- 
 in this Kirk. We fubfcribe according to the De- 
 termination aforefaid, 
 
 A 
 
[ »«♦ ] 
 
 A Solemn League and Co- 
 venant, for Reformation, and 
 Defence of Religion, &c. 
 
 WE Noblemen, Barons, Knights, 
 Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgefles, 
 Minifters of the Gofpel, Com- 
 mons of all Sorts in the King- 
 doms of Scotland, England and Ireland, by the 
 Providence of God living under one King, and 
 being of one Reformed Religion, having before 
 our Eyes the Glory of God, and the Advance- 
 ment of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jefus Chrift, the Honour and H3ppinefs of the 
 King's Majefty, and his Pofterity, and the true 
 publick Liberty, Safety, and Peace of the King- 
 doms, wherein every ones private Condition is 
 included : And calling to mind the treacherous 
 and bloody Plots, Confpiracies, Attempts, and 
 Practices of the Enemies of God, againft the true 
 Religion, and Profeflbrs thereof in all Places, c£ 
 pecially in thefe three Kingdoms ever fince the 
 Reformation of Religion, and how much their 
 Rage, Power and Prefumption, are of late, and 
 at this Time increafed and excrcifed, whereof 
 the deplorable Eftate of /the Church and King- 
 dom otIreland,the difti-efled Eftate of the Church 
 & Kingdom of England, 8c the dangerous Eftate 
 of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, are pre- 
 sent & publick Teitimonies. We have now at laft 
 \ .'■• (after 
 
[ 285 ] v be 
 
 ("after other Means of Supplication, "Reraofg n 
 ftrance, Proteftations, and Sufferings) for thi !S 
 I Prefervationofourfelvesand our Religion from 
 utter Ruin and Destruction, according to- the 
 commendable Practice of theie Kingdoms in 
 former Times, and the Example of God's Peo- 
 ple in other Nations, after mature Deliberation* 
 refolved and determined to enter into a mutual 
 and lblemn League and Covenant ; wherein we 
 all fubferibej and each one of us, for himfelf, 
 with our Hands lifted up to the moft High 
 GOD, do fwear ; 
 
 I. Tp HAT wc mall fmcerely, really and con- 
 A flantly, through the Grace of God, en- 
 deavour in our feveral Places and Callings, the 
 Preservation of the Reformed Religion in the 
 Church of Scotland, in Doctrine, Worihip, Dif- 
 cipline and Government againft our common 
 Enemies; the Reformation of Religion in the 
 Kingdoms of England and Ireland, in Doftrine, 
 Worihip, Difcipline and Government, accord- 
 ing to the Word of God, and the Example of 
 the beft reformed Churches. And mall endea- 
 vour to bring the Churches of God in the three 
 Kingdoms to the nearefi: Conjunction and Uni- 
 formity in Religion, Confemon of Faith, Form 
 of Church-Government, directory for Wor- 
 fhip, and Catcchiiing: That we and our Pofte- 
 rity after us may as Brethren, live in Faithand 
 Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in 
 the midft of us. 
 
 II. That 
 
[ ,86 ] 
 
 II. That we fhall in like Manner, without Re- 
 aped of Perfons, endeavour the Extirpation of 
 Popery, Prelacy, ( that is, Church-Government;' 
 by Arch-Bifhops, their Chancellors and Coni- 
 miflaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-. 
 Deacons, and all other Eccleiiaftical Officers de- 
 pending on that Hierarchy,) Superftition, He- 
 refy, Schifm, Prophannefs, and whatfoevep fliall 
 be found to be contrary to found Doctrine, and 
 the Power of Godlinefs j left we partake in other 
 Mens 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 mall with the fame Sincerity, Reality, 
 and Conftancy, in our feveral Vocations, endea- 
 vour with our Eftates and Lives, mutually to 
 preferve the Rights and Privileges of the Parlia- 
 ment, and the Liberties of the Kingdoms, and 
 to preferve and defend the King's Maj c fry's Per- 
 fbn and Authority, in the Prefervation and De- 
 fence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the 
 Kingdoms ; that the World may bear Witnefs 
 with our Confciences of our Loyalty, and that; 
 we tave no Thoughts or Intentions to diminifh- 
 his Majefty's jufl: Power and Greatnefs. 
 
 IV. We fhall alfo with all Faithfulnefs endeav- 
 our the Difcovery of all fucfa as have been, or fliall 
 be Incendaries, Malignants, or evil Inftruments, 
 by hindering the Reformation of Religion, di- 
 viding the King from his People, or one of the 
 Kingdoms from another, or making any Facti- 
 on or Parties amongft thcPeople, contrary to. 
 
 this 
 
. I *8 7 J 
 
 ;this League and Covenant, that they may be 
 i brought to publick Trial and receive condign 
 Punifhment, as the Degree for their Offences 
 fhall require or deferve, or the fupreme Judica- 
 tories of both Kingdoms refpe&ively, or others 
 having Power from them for that Effect, mail 
 J judge convenient. 
 
 V. And whereas the Happinefs of a blefled 
 Peace between thefe Kingdoms, denied in for- 
 "mer Times to our frogenitors, is by the good 
 'Providence of God-granted untous,and hath been 
 'htely concluded and fettled by both Parliaments, 
 ■'we fhall each one of us, according to our Place 
 "and Interest, endeavour, that they may -remain, 
 -conjoined in -a firm Peace, and Union, to all 
 Poflerity : and that juftice may be done upon 
 the wilful Oppoiers thereof, in Manner exprdfc 
 ed in the precede%»&&rEide. , 
 
 •'• VI. U'e fhall aifo.according to our Places and 
 'Callings, in this common CauTe of Religion, 
 "Liberty y r : nd Peace of the Kingdoms, afiiftar*d 
 . defend all thofe that enter into this League and 
 'Covenant iuthe maintaining thereof •■, and (hall 
 not fufrer oUrfelv'es direcrlyi or indirectly by 
 * whatfoever Combination, Periuailon or .Terror, 
 to be divided and withdrawn, from this blefled 
 Union and Conjunction, whether to make De- 
 fedticn to the contrary Part, or to give oui felvcs 
 to a detefhble Indif&rency or Neutrality in this 
 Caule, which £o much concerneth the Glory 
 of God j the Good of the Kingdoms, and Ho- 
 nour of the King j but ihall all the Days of 
 
 our 
 
L 5 5SS J 
 
 oi:r Lives 'zealouily and conftantly continue 
 - therein againft all Lets and Impedients whatfo- 
 ever ; and what we are not able ourielves to fup- 
 prefs or overcome, we fha'i reveal and make 
 known, that it. may be timely prevented or re- 
 moved : All which we-fttaildo as in the Sight of 
 God. 
 
 And becaufe thefe Kingdoms arq guilty of 
 many Sins and Provocations againft God, and 
 ins Son Jefus Chrift, as k if too manifcft by our 
 prefent Dilrreflfesand Dangers, the Fruits where- 
 of, we profefs and declare before God and the 
 World our unfeigned Defireto be humbled for 
 our own Sins and for the Sins of thefe King- 
 doms s efpecially that we have got as we ough,r> 
 valued the ineftimable Benefit of the GofpeJ, that 
 we have not laboured for the Parity and Power 
 thereof, and that we have riot -endeavoured -to le- 
 cei veChrift in our Hearts-, nor to walk v^qrthy 
 of him in our Lives, which are the Caufes of o- 
 thcr Sins and Tranfgreffions fo much abound- 
 ing am ongft us, and our true and unfeigned Pur- 
 poie,. Deiire, and Endeavour, for ourfelvesand all 
 orher under our Power and Charge both in pub- 
 lick and in private, in all Duties we owe to God 
 and- Man, to amend our Lives, and each one to 
 go berore another in the Example of a real Re- 
 Formation ; that the Lord may turn away his 
 * Wraith and heavy Indignation, and eftablilh theie 
 ''X&iurches and Kingdoms- in Truth and Peace. 
 - And this Covenant we make in the Prefcnce of 
 Afoiigfoy God, the Searcher of all Hearts, with 
 
 a 
 
[ ,3 9 ] 
 
 a true Intention to perform the fame, as we fhall 
 anf wer at that Great Day, when he Secrets of all 
 Hearts fhall be difclofed, moft humbly befeech- 
 ing the Lord to ftrengthen us by his holy Spirit 
 for this End, and to blefs our Deiires and Pro- 
 ceedings with Succefs-, as may be Diliverancc 
 and Safety to his People, Encouragement to o- 
 ther Chriftian Churches groaning under or in 
 Danger of the Yoke of Antichriftian Tyranny, 
 to join in the fame or like Aflbciation and Co- 
 venant to the Glory of God, the Enlargement 
 of the Kingdom of Jefus Chrift, and the Peace 
 and Tranquility of Chriftian Kingdoms, and 
 Common-wealths. 
 
 A Solemn Acknowledgement of Publick 
 Sms y and Breaches of the Covenant: 
 And a Solemn Engagement to aU the 
 Duties contained therein, namely t ho fe 
 which in a move fpecial IVay relate 
 unto the Dangers oj thefe limes, 
 
 WE Noblemen, Barons,Gentlen\en,Bur- 
 gefTes, Minifters of the Gofpel, and 
 Commons of all Sorts within this 
 Kingdom, by the good Hand of God upon us, 
 taking into ferious Confideration the many fad 
 Afflictions and deep Diftreffes, wherewith we 
 KiU r c1^en sxcrcifed for a long time paff> and that 
 R th« 
 
the Land, after it hath been fore wafted with the 
 Sword, and the Peftilence, and threatned with 
 Famine, and that Shame and Contempt hath been 
 poured out from the Lord againft many Thou- 
 sands of our Nation, who did in a finful Way 
 make War upon the Kingdom of England, con- 
 trary to the Teftimony ot his Servants, and De- 
 fires of his People, and that the Remnants of that 
 Army returning to this Land, have ipoiled and 
 opprefTed many of our Brethren, and that the 
 malignant Party is ftill numerous and retaining 
 their former Principles, wait for an Opportuni- 
 ty to raife a new and dangerous War, not only 
 unto the rending of the Bowels of this Kingdom, 
 but unto the dividing us from England, and over- 
 turning of the Work of God in all the three King- 
 doms : And coniidcring alio that a Cloud of Cala- 
 mities doth ftill hang over our Heads, and threat- 
 en us with fad Things to come; we cannot but 
 look upon thefe 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 Wa- 
 ters of Affii&ion 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 confefling our 
 Sin, and forfaking the Evil of our Way. 
 
 Therefore being preffed with fo great Necefii- 
 ties and 'Straits, and warranted by the Word of 
 God, and having the Example of God's People 
 ©f ojd, who in the Time of their Troubles, and 
 
 when 
 
C 191 ] 
 
 when they were to feek Delivery and a right Way 
 for themfelves, that the Lord might be with 
 them to profper them, did humble themfelves 
 before him, and make a free, and particulir Con- 
 feflion of the Sins of their Princes, their Rulers, 
 their Captains, their Priefts and their People, and 
 did ingage themfelves to do no more fo, buttp 
 reform their Ways and be ftedfaft in his Cove- 
 nant : And remembring the Pra&ice of our Pre- 
 deceiTors in the Year 15-06, whereinthe General 
 Afifembly, and all the Kirk Judicatories, with the 
 Concurrence of many of the Nobility, Gentry, 
 and Burgefles.did with many Tears acknowledge 
 before God the Breach of the National Covenant, 
 and ingaged themfelves to a Reformation, even 
 as our Predeceflbrs and theirs had before done, in 
 the General Aflembly and Convcnfion of Eftates 
 in the Year 15*67, And perceiving that this Duty 
 when gone about out of Confcience, and in Sin- 
 cerity, hath always been attended with a reviving 
 out of Troubles, and with a Blefling and $uccefs 
 from Heaven, we do humbly and iincerely, as in 
 his Sight, who is the Searcher of Hearts, acknow- 
 ledge the many Sins and great Tranfgreflions of 
 the Land 5 we have done wickedly, our Kings, 
 our Princes, our Nobles, our Judges, our Offi- 
 cers, our Teachers, and our People : Albeit the 
 Lord hath long and clearly fpokcn unto us, we 
 have not hearkened to his Voice : Albeit he hath 
 followed us with tender Mercies, we have not 
 been allured to wait upon him, and walk in his 
 Way ; And tho' he hath ftricken us, yet we have 
 R 2 not 
 
[*9* 3 
 
 not grieved : Nay tho' he hath confumed us, w< 
 have refuted to receive Correction : We have no 
 remcmbred to render unto the Lord according t< 
 his Goodnefs and according to our ownVows anc 
 Promifes j but have gone away backward by : 
 continued Courfeofbackfliding, and' have broker 
 all the Articles of that folemn League and Cove- 
 nant, which we fwore before God, Angels, and 
 Men. 
 
 Albeit there be in the Lands many of all Ranks, 
 Who be for a Teftimony unto the Truth, and for 
 a Name of Joy and Praife unto the Lord, by liv 
 ing godly, itudying to keep their Garments pure, 
 and being fled raft in th« Covenant and Caufe of 
 God } yet v/e have reafon to acknowledge, that 
 moftof us have not endeavoured with that Re- 
 ality, Sincerity and Confhncy that did become 
 us, to preferve the Work of Reformation in the 
 Kirk of Scotland; many have fatisfied themfelves 
 with the Purity of the Ordinances, and neglect- 
 ing the Power thereof 5 yea, fome have turned a- 
 iide to crooked Ways deftrudtive to both. The 
 prophane, loofe and infolent Carriage of many in 
 our Armies, who went to the AtTiftanceof our 
 Brethren in England, and theTamperings and un- 
 ftraight Dealing of fome of our CommifTioners 
 and others of our Nation in London, the I fie of 
 Wight and other Places of that Kingdom, have 
 proved great Lets to the Work of Reformation, 
 and fettling of Kirk-Government there,whereby 
 Error and Schifm in that Land have been increaf- 
 ed, and Sc&ar ic* hardened in their Way. We 
 
 have 
 
[ *P3 ] 
 
 have been fo far from endeavouring the Extirpa- 
 tion of Prophannefs, and what is contrary to the 
 Power of Godlinefs, that Prophanity hath been 
 much winked at i and prophane Perfonsmuch 
 counrenanced, and many Times employed, un- 
 til Iniquity and Ungodiinefs hath gone over the 
 Face of the Land as a Flood : Nay fufficient Care 
 hath not been had to feparate betwixt the preci- 
 ©us and the vile, by debarring from the Sacra- 
 ment all ignorant and fcandalous Perfons, ac- 
 cording to. the Ordinances of this Kirk. 
 
 Neither have the Privileges of the Parliaments, 
 and Liberties of the Subject been duly tendered, 
 but fome among ourielves have laboured to put 
 into the Hands of our King an Arbitrary and un- 
 Kmitted Power, deftru&ive to both. And many 
 ©f us have been accefTary of late to thofe Means 
 and Ways whereby the Freedom and Privileges 
 of Parliaments have been encroached upon, and 
 the Subje&s oppreflfed in their Confciences, Per- 
 fons and Eftates: Neither hath it been our Care 
 to avoid thofe 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 inftrumenral to make him exercife his 
 Power in many Things tending to the Prejudice 
 of Religion ,and of the Covenanted of the Peace 
 and Safety of thefe Kingdoms j which is fofar 
 from the right Way of prcierving hisMajeft'y 
 Perfon and Authority,that it cannot but provoke 
 the Lord againft him unto the Hazard of both : 
 Nay under a Pretence of relieving and .doing 
 R 3 ^ 
 
C *94 1 
 
 for the King, whilft he.refufes to do what was 
 neceflary tor the Houfe of God, fome have ran- 
 verfed and violated moll of ALL the Articles 
 of the Covenant. 
 
 Our own Consciences withstand God's Judg- 
 ments upon us without, do convince us of the 
 manifold wilfulrenewed Breaches of that Article, 
 which conccrneththeDifcovery and Punifhment 
 ot Malignants, whofe Crimes have not only been 
 connived at, but difpenfed with, and pardoned, 
 and themfelves received unto intimate Fellow- 
 ship withourfeIves,and entrufted with our Coun- 
 sels, admitted into our Parliaments, and put in 
 Places of Power and Authority, for managing 
 the publick Affairs of the Kingdom j whereby 
 in God'y Juftice they got at bit into their Hands 
 thewholePower and Strength of the Kingdom, 
 both in Judicatories and Armies, and did' employ 
 the fame unto the enacting and profecuting an 
 unlawful Engagement in War againft the King- 
 dom of TLnglcmd, notwithstanding of theDiflent 
 ©r many considerable Members of Parliament, 
 who had given conftant Proof of their Integrity 
 in the Caufefrom the Beginning, of many faith- 
 ful Teflimonies and free Warnings of the Ser- 
 vants of God, of the Supplications of many Sy- 
 nods, Presbyteries and Shires, and of the Decla- 
 rations of the General Affembly and their Com- 
 miflioners to the contrary : Which Ingagement, 
 as it hath been the Caufe of much Sin, io al- 
 fo of much Mifery and Calamity unto this 
 Land, and holds forth to us the Grievoufnefs ot 
 
 our 
 
■_. C *?* ] 
 
 our. Sin, of complying with Malignants in the 
 Greatnefs of our Judgments, that we may be 
 taught never to fplit again upon the fame Rock, 
 upon vrtiich the Lord hath let fo remarkable a 
 Beacon. And after all that is come to pafs unto 
 us, becaufe of this our Trefpafs, and after that 
 Grace hath been (hewed unto us from the Lord 
 ©ur God, by breaking thefe Mens Yoke from off 
 our Necks, and putting us again into a Capacity 
 to act for the Good of Religion, our own Safe- 
 ty, and,the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom, 
 fhould we again break his Commandment and 
 Covenant, by joining once more with the Peo- 
 ple of thefe Abominations, and taking into our 
 Bofomthofe Serpents which had formerly flung 
 us almoft unto Death : This, as it would argue 
 great Madnefs and Folly upon our Part, fo, no 
 doubt if it be not avoided, will provoke the Lord 
 againft us to confume us until there be no Rem- 
 nant, nor efcaping in the Land. 
 
 And albeit the Peace and Union betwixt the 
 Kingdoms be a great Blefiingof God unto both, 
 and a Bond which we are obliged to preferve un- 
 violated, and to endeavour that Juftice may be 
 done upon the Oppofers thereof: Yet fome in this 
 Land, who have come under the Bond of the Co- 
 venant, have made it their great Study how to 
 difTalve this Union, and few or no Endeavours 
 have been ufed by any of us for punifhing of fuch . 
 
 We have fuffered many of our Brethren, in fe- 
 
 veral Parts of the Land to be opprefTed of the 
 
 common Enemy, without Compaflion or Relief; 
 
 R 4 There 
 
L 196 J 
 
 There hath been great murmuring and repining, 
 becaufe of Expence of Means, and Pains in doing 
 of our Duty : Many by Perfuafion or Terror have 
 fuffer ed themfelves to be divided and withdrawn, 
 to make Defection to the contrary Part*? Many 
 have turned off to a deteftablelndifferency and 
 Neutrality in this Caufe, which fo much con- 
 cerneth the Glory of God, and the Good of thefe 
 Kingdoms : Nay many have made it their Study 
 to walk fo as they might comply with all Times, 
 and ail the Revolutions thereof. It hath not been 
 our Care to countenance, encourage, intruft, and 
 imploy fuch only 3S from their Hearts did effect 
 and mind God's Work. But the Hearts of iuch 
 many times have been difcouraged, and their 
 Hands weakried, their Sufferings neglected, and 
 themfelves flighted : And many who were once 
 open Enemies, and always fecret Under miners, 
 countenanced and employed. Nay, eventhofe 
 who had been looked upon as Incendaries, and 
 upon whom the Land had fet Marks of defperate 
 Malignity, Falfhood and Deceit, were brought in 
 as fit to manage publick Affairs : Many have been 
 the Lets and Impediments that have been cafl in 
 the Way to retard and obftrudr. the Lord's Work, 
 and fome have kept fecret, what of themfelves 
 they were not abkJ to fuppreis and overcome. 
 
 Befidcs thefe and many other Breaches of the 
 Articles of the Covenant, in the Matter thereof, 
 which concerneth every one of us to fearch out 
 and acknowledge before the Lord, as we would 
 wifhhis Wrath to be turned away from us ; fo 
 
 have 
 
[ *91 ] 
 
 have many of us failed exceedingly in the Manner 
 of our following and^urfuing the Duties con- 
 tained therein, not only fee king great Things for 
 ourielves, and mixing of private Interefts and 
 Ends concerning ourielves, and Friends, and Fol- 
 lowers, with thofe Things which concern the 
 Pdblick Good, but many Times preferring fuch 
 to the Honour of God, and Good of His Caufe, 
 and retarding God's Work until we might carry 
 along with us our own Interefts and Derigns. It 
 hath been our Way to truft in the Means, and rely 
 upon the Arm of Flefli, for Succefs. Albeit the 
 Lord kath many Times made us meet with Dif- 
 appointment therein, and ftained the Pride of all 
 our Glory, by blafting every carnal Confidence 
 unto us: We have followed for the moll Part tke 
 Counfels of Flefh and Blood, and walked more 
 by the Rules of Policy than Piety, and have hear- 
 kened more unto Men than unto God. 
 
 Albeit vve made folemn publick Profcfllon be- 
 fore the World, of our unfeigned Defires to be 
 humbled before the Lord for our own Sins, and 
 the Sins of theie Kingdoms, efpecially for our 
 undervaluing of the inestimable Benefit of the 
 Gofpel, and that we have not laboured for the 
 Power thereof, and received Chrift into our 
 Hearts, and walked worthy of him in our Live?, 
 and of our true and unfeigned Purpofe, Deiire 
 and Endeavour forourfelvcs, and all others under 
 our Power and Charge, both in publick and pri- 
 vate, in all Duties which we owe to God and 
 Man, to amend our Lives, and each one to go he- 
 ft S for* 
 
1 
 
 [ =9S ] 
 
 f fore ajiether in the Example of a real Reformati- 
 on, that the Lord might^urn away his Wrath 
 aniieavy Indignation, andeftablifh thefe Kirks 
 aruUCingdoms in Truth and Peace. Yet we have 
 rifufed to be reformed, and have walked proudly 
 and obftinately againtl the Lord, not valuing his 
 Gofpel, nor Submitting ourfelves to theObedi- 
 I ence thereof, nor feeking after Chrift, nor ftudy- 
 
 f ingto. honour him in the Excellency of his Per- 
 fon, nor employ him in the Ver rue of his Offices, 
 nor miking Confcience of Publick Ordinances,- 
 nor private nor fecret Duties, nor ftudying to e- 
 cify one another in Love : The Ignorance of God 
 and of his Son Jefus Chrift prevails exceedingly 
 in the Land ; the greateft Part of Mailers of Fa- 
 il) ihesamongft Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, 
 Burgefles and Commons neglect to ieek God in 
 their Families, and to endeavour the Reformati- 
 on thereof: And albeit it hath been much preiT- 
 ed, yet few of our Nobles and Great Ones ever 
 to this Day could be perfuaded to perform Fami- 
 ly-Duties themfelves, and in theirown Perfons, 
 which makes fo neceffary and ufeful Duty to be 
 mifrcgarded by others of inferior Rank : Nay 
 marry of die Nobility, Gentry and Bsrons, who 
 fhould have been Examples of Godlinefs and fo- 
 ber Walking unto others, have been Ring- leaders 
 of Excefs and Rioting. Albeit we be.the Lord's 
 People, ingaged to him in a fciemn Way, yet to 
 this Day we have not made it our Study, that 
 Judicatories and Armies fhould confift of, and 
 Places of Power and Truft be filled with Men ot 
 
 a 
 
C 199 ] 
 
 a blamelefs and Chriftian Converfatfon, and of 
 known Integrity and approved Fidelity, Affecti- 
 on and Zeal unto the Caufe of God : But not 
 pnly, thofe who have been neutral and indifferent, 
 but difaffe&ed and malignant } and others who 
 riave been prophane and fcandalous, have been 
 intruded . By which it hath come to pafs that 
 Judicatories have been the Seats of Injufticeand 
 Iniquity : And many in our Armies, by their Mif- 
 carriages have become our Plague, unto the great 
 Prejudice of the Caufe of God, the great Scandal 
 of the Gofpel, and the great Increafe of Loofnefs 
 and Prophanity throughout all the Land. It were: 
 impoflible to reckon up all the Abominations that 
 areintheLand,buttheblafphemingoftheName 
 of God, i wearing by the Creatures, Frophanati- 
 on of the Lord's Day j Uncleannefs, Drunken- 
 nefs, Excefs and Rioting j Vanity of Apparel, 
 Lying and Deceit, Railing and Curfing, arbitra- 
 ry and uncontrouled Opprefiion, and grinding of 
 the Faces of the Poor by Landlords -and others 
 in Place and Power, are become ordinary and 
 common Sins. And befides all thefe Things, 
 there be many other Tranfgreffions, whereof the 
 Land wherein we live are guilty : All which we 
 deilre to acknowledge, and to be humbled for, 
 that the World may bear Witnefs with us, that 
 Righteoufnefs belongeth unto God, and Shame 
 and Confulion of Face unto us as appears this 
 Day. 
 
 And becaufe it is needful for thefe who find 
 Jylerc/j roc only to confefs, but alfo to forfake 
 
[ 3°° ] 
 
 their Sin, therefore that the Reality and Sincerity 
 of our Repentance rniy appear, We do reiolve 
 andiolemnly engage ourielves before the Lord, 
 carefully to avoid, for the Time to come, all thefe 
 Offences, whereof we have now madefolemn 
 publick Acknowledgment and all the Snares and 
 Tentations which tend thereunto : And to tcfti- 
 fy the Integrity of our Refolution herein, and 
 that we may be the better enabled in the Power 
 of the Lord's Strength to perform the fame : We 
 do again renew our Solemn League and Cove- 
 nant, promiling hereafter to make Confcience 
 of all the Duties, whereunto we are obliged in 
 ail the Heads and Articles thereof j particularly of 
 theie which follow. 
 
 i . Bccaufe Religion is of all Things the moft 
 excellent and precious, the advancing and pro- 
 moting the Power thereof againft all Ungodli- 
 nefs and Prophanity, the fecuring and preferving 
 the Pu'.ity thereof againftall Error, Hereiae 3nd 
 Schifm : And namely, Independency, Anabaptifm, 
 Anunomianifm y ArtniKia,nifm, Socinitmifm, Fami- 
 lij'm, Libert'mifm, Scepticifm, and Eraftianifm, and 
 the carrying on the Work of Uniformity (hall 
 be ftudied and endeavoured by us before all world- 
 ly Interefts, whether concerning the King or 
 ourfelves, or any other whatfoever. i. Becaufe 
 many have of late laboured to iupp'ant the Liber- 
 ties of the Kirk, we mall maintain and defend 
 the Kirk of Scotland, in all her Liberties and 
 Privileges, again!! all who (hall oppofc «r under- 
 mine the fame, or encroach thereupon under any 
 
 Pretext 
 \ 
 
C 301 ] 
 
 Pretext whatfoever. 3. We (hall vindicate and 
 maintain the Liberties of the Subjects, in all thefe 
 Things, which concern their Confciences, Per- 
 fons and Eftates. 4. We fliall carefully main- 
 tain and defend the Union betwixt the King- 
 doms, and avoid every Thing that may weaken 
 the fame, or involve us in any Meafure of Ac- 
 cefllon uiito the Guilt of thofe who have invad- 
 ed the Kingdom of England, f. As we have 
 bsen always loyal to our King, fo we fliall ftill 
 endeavour to give unto God that which is God's, 
 and to C&far the Things which arc C&far s. 6 . We 
 mall be fo far from conniving at, complying 
 with, or countenancing of Malignancy, Injuft- 
 ice, Iniquity, Prophanity and Impiety, that we 
 fliall not only avoid and difcountenance thole 
 Things, and cherifh and encourage thefe Prions, 
 who are zealous for the Caufe or' God, and walk 
 according to the Gofpel, but alfo fliall take a 
 more effectual Courfe than heretofore in our re- 
 ipettive Places and Callings for punifhing and 
 fupprefling thefe Evils, and faithfully endeavour 
 that the beft and fitted Remedies may be appli- 
 ed for taking away the Gaufe thereof, and advan- 
 cing the Knowledge of God, and Holinefs, and 
 Righteoufnefs in the Land. And therefore in 
 the laft Place, as we (hall earneftly pray unto 
 God that he would give us able Men fearing 
 God, Men of Truth and hating Covetoufnefs, to 
 judge and bear Charge among his People, fo we 
 fhall according to our Places and Callings endea- 
 vour that Judicatories, atid all Places of Power 
 
 and 
 
C i¥ ] 
 
 and Trufl, both in Kirk and State, may confift 
 of^and be filled with fuch Men as are of known 
 good Affedtion to the Caufe of God, and of a 
 blamelefsand ChrifHan Convcrfation. 
 
 And becaufe there be many, who heretofore 
 Ijave not made Confcience of the Oath of God, 
 byt fomc through Fear, others by Perfuafion, 
 and upon bafe Ends, and human Interefts have 
 qptred thereinto, who have afterwards difco- 
 vered themfelves, to have dealt deceitfully with 
 the Lord in fwearing falfly by his Name : There- 
 fore we, who do now renew our Covenant in 
 reference to thele Duties, and all other Duties 
 centained therein, do in the Sight of him who 
 1 <he Searcher of Hearts, folemnly profefs, That 
 it is »;ot upon any politick Advantage, or pri- 
 vate Itt'.ereit, or By-end, or becaufe ©f any Ter- 
 ror or Perfuafion from Men, or hypocritically, 
 and deceitfully, that we do again take upon us 
 the Oath of God, but honeftly and fincerely, and 
 from the Senfe of our Duty, and that therefore 
 denying ourfelves our own Things, and laying 
 ai'ide all Self-intereft and Ends, We (hall above 
 ill Things feek the Honour of God, the Good 
 of his Caufe, and the Wealth of his People ; and 
 that forfaking the Counfels of Flefh and Blood, 
 and not leaning upon Carnal Confidences, we 
 (hall depend upon the Lord, walk by the Rule 
 of his Word, and hearken to the Voice of his 
 Servants : In all which profeiling our own 
 Weaknefs, We do earneftly pray to God, who 
 is the Father of Mercies, through his Son Je- 
 
 fas 
 
C 303 ] 
 
 fos Chrift, to be.mercitul unto us,\A ^ r 
 us by the Power of his Might, thir\ 
 our Duty unto the Praiic of his G r 
 Churches. Amen. 
 
 Edinburgh O&ob. 6. 
 vidir 
 
 AB for renewing oj • 
 
 Lea gu e and CoWna, ,. 
 
 TH E CommifTion of the General AfTembty . 
 coniidering that a great part of this Land ' 
 have involved themfelves in many and grofs 
 Breaches of the Solemn League and Covenant, 
 and that the Hands of many are grown flack 
 in following-and purfuing the Duties contained 
 therein, and that many who not, being come to 
 fufficient Age, when it was firft fworn and 
 fubferibed, have not hitherto been received into 
 the fame: do upon thefe and other grave and 
 important Confederations, appoint and ordam 
 the Solemn League and Covenant to be renew- 
 ed throughout all the Congregations of this 
 Kingdom ■> and becaufe it is a Duty of great 
 Weight and Confequence, Minifters after the 
 Sight hereof fhould be careful to take Pains in 
 their Doctrine and other wife, that their People^ 
 may be made fenfibie of thofe Things wherein 
 they have broken the Covenant, and be prepa- 
 red for the renewing thereof with iiiitable A fife ■ 
 
 .§iyns 
 
[ 
 
 304 ] 
 
 and ifpofuions : And that thefe Things 
 -j. better performed, we have thought 
 ' to condefcend upon a folemn Ac- 
 tit of publick Sins and Breaches of 
 d a folemn Engagement to all 
 ed therein ; namely, thole 
 fecial Way relate unto the 
 * : And this folemn Ac- 
 cent fent herewith, 
 , ano-wle League and Cove- 
 . encwcd in fuch Manner as follows. 
 There /hall be Intimation of a folemn pub- 
 ,ick Humiliation and Faft the fecond Sabbath of 
 December, to be kept upon the next Thurfday 
 and Lord's Day thereafter. At which Intima- 
 tion the League and Covenant, and the publick 
 Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement un- 
 to Duties are to be publickly read by theMini- 
 fterin the Audience of all the People, and they 
 are to be exhorted to get Copies thereof, that 
 they may be made acquainted therewith. And 
 the Humiliation and Faft is to be kept the next 
 Thurfday thereafter, in reference to the Breaches 
 of the Covenant contained in the folemn pub- 
 lick Acknowledgment as the Caufes thereof: 
 And the next Lord's Day thereafter, which is al- 
 fo to be fpent in publick Humiliation and Faft- 
 ing. Immediately after the Sermon, which is 
 to be applied to the Bufinefs of that Day, the 
 publick Acknowledgment and Engagement \i 
 again to be publickly read ; and tkerefore Prayer 
 ifc to be made, containing the Confeflion of the 
 
 Breaches 
 
1 305 J 
 
 Breaches mentioned therein, and begging lv 
 cy for thefe Sins, and Strength of God for , 
 newing the Covenant in Sincerity and Trim 
 After which Prayer, the Solemn League and Co- 
 venant is to be read by the Minifter, and then to 
 be {Worn by him and all the People, who are 
 to engage themfelves for Performance of all the 
 Duties contained therein : Namely, Thefe which 
 are mentioned in the publick Acknowledgment 
 and Engagement, and are oppofite unto the Sins 
 therein confefled : And the AdHon is to be clofed 
 with Prayer to God, that his People may be 
 enabled in the Power of his Strength to do their 
 Duty according t© their Oath now renewed in 
 fofolemn a Way. It is alfo hereby provided, 
 That all thofewho renew the League and Co- 
 venant (hall again fubferibe the fame. And that 
 none be admitted to the renewing orfubferibing 
 thereof, who are excluded by the other Ad and 
 Direction fent herewith. 
 
 A. Ker. 
 
 Edinburgh, O&ober 14, 1648. 
 
 THE Committe of Eftate, being very fen- 
 fible of the grievous Backflidings of this 
 Land, in the manifold Breaches of the Solemn 
 League and Covenant, made and fworn to the 
 rnoft High GOD; do therefore unanimoufly 
 and heartily approve the ieafonable and pious 
 Refolution of the Commimon of the General 
 
 Affembly 
 
 /. 
 
C S°6 ] 
 
 ifttembly for a Solemn Acknowledgment of 
 pubiick Sins and Provocations, efpecially the 
 breaches of the Covenant, and a .Solemn En- 
 gagement to a more confcionable Performance 
 of the Duties therein contained, and for renew- 
 ing the Solemn League and Covenant : And do 
 require and ordain, that the Directions of the 
 faid Commifiion of Affembly, in their Act of 
 the {ixth of this Month for a publick Acknow- 
 ledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties, 
 be carefully followed, that the Faft and Humi- 
 liation appointed by them, be rcligioufly obfer- 
 ved, and that the Solemn League and Covenant 
 befincerely and cordially renewed and fubferib- 
 ed in the Manner they have prefcribed in their 
 faid Ad, Extrnttum. 
 
 Mr. Tho. Henderfon, 
 
 www 
 
»4?mi -A (A*t 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 For the Publicfc 
 
 Worfhip of God, 
 
 Throughout the three Kingdoms of 
 England, Scotland and Ireland. 
 
 < ■ ii i m i. i !■ m 
 
 WITH 
 
 PROPOSITIONS 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 Church-Government, 
 
 And Ordination of Minifters. 
 Printed Anno Dom. MjDec^xxu:. 
 
3°J. 
 
 THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IN the Beginning of the Bleffed 'Reformation, 
 our wife and pious Anceftors took Care to fet 
 forth an Order, for Redrefs of many Things 
 which they then by the Word difcovered to be vain, 
 erroneous, fuferftitiows, andidolatromin the Pub- 
 lick Wbrflnp of God. This cccajioned many godly 
 And learned Men to rejoice much in the Book of 
 Common- Prayer, at that Time fet forth ; be* 
 caufe the Mafs, and the reft of the Latin Service 
 •being removed, the Publick Worfhty was celebrated 
 in our own Tongue : Many of the common People 
 jstlfo received Benefit by hearing the Scriptures 
 read in their own Language, which formerly were 
 unto them at a Book that is fealed. 
 
 Howbeit, long and fad Experience hath made it 
 manifeft that the Liturgy ufed in the Church of 
 England (notwithfianding all the Pains and religi- 
 on* Intentions of the Compilers of it) hath proved 
 an Offence not only to many of the Godly at home, 
 hut P.lfo to the Reformed Churches abroad. Tor 
 net to rpztk of urging the Reading of aU the Pray 
 JZ en 
 
The PREFACE. 
 
 /which very greatly increafed the Burden of it* 
 Am any unprofitable and burdenfom Ceremonies 
 contained in it, have oc caponed much Mif chief, a* 
 well by dif quieting the Confidences of many godly 
 Minifiers and People, who could not yield unto 
 them, as by depriving them of the Ordinances of 
 Cod, which they might not enjoy without con- 
 forming or fubferibing to thefe Ceremonies . Sundry 
 good Chrijlians have been by Means thereof kept 
 from the Lord's Table, and divers able and faith- 
 ful Minifiers debarred from the Exercife of their 
 Mi'tiflry ( to the endangering of many thcufand 
 Souls, in a Time of fitch Scarcity of faithful Pa- 
 flors) and fpoiled of their Livelihood, to the un- 
 doing of them and their Families. Prelates and 
 their Fafiion have laboured to raifi the Efima- 
 tion of it to fuch an Height, as if there were no 
 other Worfinp or Way of Worfinp of God among fi 
 us, but only the Service Cook; to the great hin- 
 drance of the Preaching of the Word, and (in form 
 Place, efpe daily of latt) to the juftiing of it out, 
 at unneceffary, or (at befit) *at far inferior to the 
 reading of Common- Prayer, which was made 
 no better than an Idol by many ignorant and fu- 
 perflitiom People, who pUafing themfelve sin their 
 Prefence at that Service, and their Lip-laboufin 
 bearing a Part in it, havt thereby hardned them- 
 f elves in their Ignorance and Carelefnefs of Saving 
 Knowledge and true Piety. 
 
 In theme^n time Papifls boafied, that the Booh 
 
 ,u-^rt Compliance with them in a great Part of 
 
 frice : and fo were not a little confirmed in 
 
 th^t 
 
The PREFACE. 51 
 
 their Super fiition and Idolatry ; expecting rather 
 our Return to them-, than endeavouring the Refor- 
 mation of themfelvts : In which Expectation they 
 "were of late very much encouraged, when, upon 
 tlye pretended ' Warrant abknef of impofing of the 
 former Ceremonies, new ones were daily obtruded 
 upm the Church. 
 
 And hereunto ( which was not forefeen, butfince 
 hath come to pafs) that the Liturgy hath been & 
 great Means, us on the one Hand to make and en- 
 creafe an idle and unedifying Minijlry, which con- 
 tented itfelf with fet Forms made to their Hands 
 by others, without putting forth themfelves to Ex- 
 ercife the Gift of Fray er, with which our Lordje- 
 fits Chrifi pleafeth to furnifi all his Servants whom 
 he calls to that Office : So on the other fide it hath 
 been ( and ever would be, if continued) a Mat- 
 ter of endkfs Strife and Contention in the Church, 
 and a Snare both to many godly and faithful Mi- 
 nijlers who have been perfecuted and filenced up- 
 on that Occafion j and to others of hopeful Farts, 
 many of which have been, and more ftill woud be 
 diverted from all thought of the M'mifiry, toother 
 Studies j efpecially in thtfe Utter Tunes, wherein 
 Cod vouchfafeth to hit Feople more and better 
 Means for the Difcovery of Error and Superfiition, 
 and for attaining of Knowledge in the Myfteries of 
 Godlinefs, an<l Gifts in Freaching and Frayer. 
 ^ Upon thefe and many 'the like weighty Confi dera- 
 tions in reference to the whole Book in general, and 
 becaufe of divers Particulars contained in it, not 
 from any Uve to Novelty, or Intention to djj parage 
 
 ear 
 
(ii The PREFACE. 
 
 - our firfl Reformers (of whom we are perfuaded, 
 ) that, were they now alive, they would jom with 
 us in this Work, and whom we acknowledge as 
 excellent Infiruments raifed by God to begin the 
 purging and building of his Houfe, and dejire they 
 may be had of us and Pofterity in everlafiing Re- 
 membrance, with Thankfulnefs and Honour ) but 
 that we may in fome Meafure anfwer the graci- 
 ous Providence of God, which at this time calleth 
 upon us for further Reformatian, and may fa- 
 tusfy our own Confcience, and anfwer the Expecta- 
 tion of other Reformed Churches, and the Defires 
 of many of the Godly among ourfelves, and withal 
 give fome publick Tefiimony of our Endeavours 
 for Uniformity in Divine Worfliip, which we have 
 promifedin our Solemn League and Covenant: 
 We have, after earn efi and frequent Calling up- 
 on the Name of God, and after much Confuta- 
 tion, not with FlefJj and Blood, but with his Holy 
 Word, refolved to lay afide the former Liturgy, 
 with the many Rites and Ceremonies formerly ufed 
 in the Wprftip of God, and have agreed upon 
 this Following Directory for all the Parts of Pub- 
 lick Worflnp at ordinary and extraordinary Times. 
 Wherein our Care hath been to hold forth fuch 
 Things as are of Divine Injlitution in every Or- 
 dinance, and other Things we have endeavoured 
 to fet forth according to the Rules of Chrifiian 
 Prudence, agreeable to the general Rules of the 
 "■■»W of God. Our Meaning therein being only, 
 \e general Heads, the Senft and Scope of the 
 \ md other Parts of Publick Worfhip being 
 \ known 
 
The PREFACE. 313 
 
 known to all, there may be a Cenfsnt of all the 
 Churches in thefe Things that contain the Sub- 
 fiance of the Service and Worflnp of God. And 
 the Minifiers may be hereby directed in their Ad- 
 minlfirations td keep like Soundnefs in DoftrineanJ 
 Trover , and may, if need be, have fame Help 
 
 vnd Furniture ; and yet fo, as tiny become not 
 
 fir: ' 
 
 at 
 
 hereby fisthful and negligent in fining up the 
 Gifts of Chrijl in them : But that each one, by 
 Meditation, by taking heed to himfelf, and the 
 Tlock of God committed to him, and by wife ob- 
 ferving the Ways of Divine Providence, may be 
 careful tofumifh his Heart and Tongue with fur- 
 ther or other Materials of Prayer and Exhortati* 
 on, -as jh all be needful upon all Occafions, 
 
 s a 
 
C iM ] 
 
 A 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR 
 
 Publick Prayer, Reading the ho- 
 ly Scriptures, Singing of Pfalms. 
 Preaching ol the Word, Admi- 
 niftrationof the Sacraments, and 
 other Parts of the Publick Wor- 
 fhip of God, ordinary and ex- 
 traordinary. 
 
 Of the AffembUng of the Congregation 
 and their Behaviour in the Publick 
 IVorfoip of God. 
 
 WHEN the Congregation is met ftx 
 Publick Worfhip,the People (having 
 before prepared their Hearts there 
 unto) ought all to come, and join therein; not 
 abfenting themfelvcs from, the publick Ordi 
 
 ' maces 
 
C 3i$ 1 
 
 nances, through Negligence, or upon Pretence 
 of Private-Meetings. Let all enter the AfTembly, 
 not irreverently, but in a grave and fecmly Man- 
 ner, take their Sears or Places,without Adoration, 
 or bowing themfelves toward s onePlace or other. 
 The Congregation being aflfembled. the Mmi- 
 fter , after fokmn calling on them to the wor fhip- 
 ping of the Great Name of God, is to begin 
 with Prayer. 
 
 In all Reverence and Humility acknowledg- 
 ing the incomprehenfible Greatnefs and Majelty 
 of the Lord, ( in whofe Prefence they dothen in 
 a fpecial Manner appear ) and their own Vilenefs 
 and Un'wor thlhefs to approach fo near him ; with 
 their utter Inability of themfelves for fo great a 
 Work : And humbly befeeching him for Pardon, 
 JAmftance and Acceptance in the whole Service 
 [then to be performed * and for a Blefling on that 
 ^particular Portion of his Word then to be read; 
 and all in the Name and Mediation of the Lord 
 JefusChrift. 
 
 The publick Worfhip being begun, the People 
 are wholly to attend upon it j forbearing to read 
 any Thing, except what the Minifter is then 
 reading or citing j and abftaining much more 
 from all private Whifperings, Conferences, Sa- 
 lutations, or doing Reverence to any Perfons 
 prefent, or coming in, as alfo from all gazing, 
 fleeping, and other undecent Behaviour, which 
 may difturb the Minifter or People, or hinder 
 themfelves or others in the Service of God. 
 
 S i If 
 
r 3"^ 3 
 
 If any through Neceflity be hindred from being - 
 prelent at the Beginning, they ought not when 
 they come into theCongregation,to betake them- • 
 felves to their private Devotions, but reverently 
 tocompofethemfelvesto join with the AilemMy 
 in that Ordinance of God which is then in hand. 
 
 Oj publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 RE A D I N G of the Word in the Congrega- 
 tion being Part of the publick Worfhip of 
 God (wherein we acknowledge our Dependance 
 upon him, and Subjection to him) and one Means 
 fan£ti£ed by him for the edifying of his People, 
 is to be performed by the Paftors and Teachers. 
 
 HowSeit, fuch as intend the Miniftry, may 
 occasionally both read the Word, and exerciie 
 their Gift in Preaching in the Congregation, if 
 allowed by the Presbytery thereunto. 
 
 All the Canonical Books of the Old and New 
 Teftament (but none of thofe which are Com- 
 monly called Apocrypha) fhall be-publickly read in 
 the Vulgar Tongue.out of the heft allowed Tran- 
 flation diftinclly, that all may hearand.undcrfr.and. 
 
 How large a Portion fhall be read at once, is 
 left To the Wifdom of the Miniiter ; but it incon- 
 venient, that ordinarily one Chaper of each Teita- , 
 rnentbe read. at every Meeting, andfometimes * 
 more where the Chapters be fhort, or the Cohe- u 
 rence of Matter rcquireth it. '■• j, H 
 
 It isrequifite that all the Canonical Books be t& 
 read over in Order, that the People may be better h 
 
 acquainted 
 
[ 3i7j 
 
 acquainted with the whole Body or the Scrip- 
 tures : And ordinarily where the Reading in ei- 
 ther Tcftament endeth on the Lord's Day, it is 
 to begin the next- 
 
 We commend alfo the more frequent Reading 
 of fuch Scriptures, as he that rcadeth fhall think 
 beft for Edification of his Hearers: as the Book 
 of Pfahns, and {uch like. 
 
 When the Minifter, who readeth, (hall judge 
 it neceflary to expound any Part of what is read, 
 let it not be done until the whole Chapter or 
 Pfalms be ended : And Regard is always to b« 
 had unro the Time, that neither Preaching or 
 orher Ordinances be ftraitned or rendred tedious: 
 Which Rule is to be obferved in all other pub- 
 lick Performances. 
 
 Befide publick Reading of the holy Scripture, 
 every PerfOn that can read, is to be exhorted to 
 read the Scriptures privately ( and all others that 
 cannot read, if not difabled by Age or otherwife, 
 are likewife to be exhorted to learn to read ) and 
 to have a Bible. 
 
 Of Pubhck Prayer before the Sermon. 
 
 AFTER Reading of the Word (and Tinging 
 of the Pfalm) the Minifter 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 Senfe thereof before the 
 Lord, and hunger and thirft after the Grace of 
 God in Jcfus Chrift, by proceeding to a more full 
 S 3 Ccn : 
 
C 318 1 
 
 ConfefTion of Sin with Shame and holy Confufi- 
 on of Face 3 and to call upon the Lord to this 
 
 effeft : 
 
 To acknowledge our great Sinrulnefs; Firft, 
 fey reaion of original Sin, which ( befides the 
 Guilt, that makes us liable to eveilafang Damna- 
 tion) is the Seed of all other Sins, hath4eprived 
 and poifoned all the Faculties and Powers or' Soul 
 and Body, doth defile our bell Actions, and (were 
 k not retrained or our Hearts renewed.by Grace) 
 would break forth into innumerable Tranfgrem- 
 ons, and greateit Rebellions againft the Lord, 
 that ever were committed by the vileft of the 
 Sons of Men. And next, by region of actual Sins, 
 our own Sins, the Sins of Magistrates, of Mini- 
 ftcrs, and of the whole Nation, unto which we 
 are many ways accelTary. Which Sins of ours 
 receive many fe irful Aggravations ; we having 
 broken all the Commandments of the holy, juft 
 and good Law of God, doing that which i - for- 
 bidden, and leaving undone what is enjoined, and 
 that not only out offgnorance and Infirmity, but 
 aifo more prefumptuoufly againft the Light of 
 our Minds, Checks of our Conferences, and Mo- 
 tions of his own holy Spirit to the contrary, fo 
 that we have no Cloak for our Sins : Yea, not 
 only defpifing the Riches of God's Goodnefs* 
 Forbearance, and Long-fuffering, but (landing j 
 out againft many Invitations a«d Offe s or Grace 
 in the Gofpel* not endeavouring as we ought, to 
 receive Chrift into our Hearts by Faith, or to 
 walk worthy of him in our Lives. 
 
 To 
 
[ 3 l 9 ] 
 
 To bewail our Blindnefs of Mind, Hardnefs of 
 Heart, Unbelief, Impenitency, Security, Luke- 
 warmnefs, Barrenneis, our not endeavouring af- 
 ter Mortification and Newnefs of Life, nor after 
 the Exerciie of Godlinefs in the Power thereof 5 
 and that the beft of us have not ftedfaftly walked 
 with God, kept our Garments fo unspotted, nor 
 been fo zealous of his Glory, and the good of o- 
 thers as we ought, and to mourn over luch other 
 Sine as the Congregation is particularly guilty 
 of, notwithftanding the manifold and great Mer- 
 cies of oirr God, the Love of Chrift, the Light 
 of thcGofpel, and Reformation of Religion, our 
 own Purpofes, Promifes, Vows, folemn Cove- 
 nant, and other Obligations to the contrary. 
 
 To acknowledge and confefs that as we are 
 convinced of our Guilt, fo out of a deep Senfe 
 thereof, we judge ourfelves unworthy of the 
 fmalleft Benefits, moil worthy God's fiercer! 
 Wrath, and of all the Curfes of the Law, and 
 heavieft judgments inflitled upon the moll re- 
 bellious Sinners \ and that he might mod juftly 
 take his Kingdom and Gofpel from us, plague us 
 with all Sorts of fpirkual and temporal Judg- 
 mens in this Life, and after caft us into utter 
 Daiknefs, in the Lake that burnetii with Fire and 
 Brimflone, where is weeping and gnafhing of 
 Teeth for evermore. 
 
 Notwithftanding all which, to draw near to 
 the Throne of Grace,ejncouraging ourfelves with 
 (Hope of a gracious Anfwer of our Prayers, in 
 the Riches and All-fufrkiency of that only one 
 
 Obla- 
 
r ro ] 
 
 ©blation, the Satisfaction and Interceflion of th« 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, at the right Hand of his Fa- 
 ther, and our Father j and in Confidence of the 
 exceeding great and precious Promifes of Mercy 
 and Grace in the new Covenant, through the 
 fame Mediator thereof, to deprecate the heavy 
 Wrath and Curfe of God, which we are not able 
 to avoid or bear j and humbly and earneftly to fup- 
 plicatefor Mercy, in the free and full Remifiicn 
 of all our Sins, and that only for the bitter Suffer- 
 ings and precious Merits of that only Saviour 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 That the Lord would vouchfafe to (bed abroad 
 his Love in our Hearts by the holy Ghoft,feal unto 
 us by the fame Spirit of Adoption, the full Aflfu- 
 rance of our Pardon and Reconciliation, comfc rt 
 all that mourn in Sion, fpeak Peace to the wound- 
 ed and troubled Spirit j and bind up the broken 
 hearted. And as for fecure and prefumptuous 
 Sinners, that he would open their Eyes, convince 
 their Confciences, and turn them from Darknefs 
 unto Light, and from the Power of Satan unto 
 God, that they may aHo receive Forgivenefs of 
 Sin, and an Inheritance among them that arefan- 
 Aified by Faith in Chrift Jefus. 
 
 With Remiftion of Sins through the Blood of 
 Chrift, to pray for Sandtification by his Spirit ; 
 the Mortification of Sin dwelling in, and many 
 times tyrannizing over us, thequickningof our 
 dead Spirits with the Lire of God in Chrift, 
 Grace to fit and enable us for all the Duties of 
 Converfation, and Callings towards God and 
 
 Men, 
 
Ci« ] 
 
 Men ; Strength againft Temptation, the ian&i- , 
 ficd Ufe of BleiTings and CrofFes, aud Perfeve- 
 ranee in Faith and Obedience unto the End. 
 
 To pray for the Propagation of the Gofpel and 
 Kingdom of Chrifl: to all Nations ; for the Con- 
 verfion of the Jews, the Fulnefs of the Gentiles, 
 Fall of Antichrifti and the hastening of the fecend 
 Coming of our LORD, for the Deliverance ot 
 diftrefled Churches abroad, from the Tyranny of 
 the Avtichriftian Faction, and from the cruel Op- 
 preflions and Blafphemies of the Turk : For the 
 Blefling of God upon all thereformcd Chruches 5 
 fpecially upon the Churches and Kingdoms of 
 England, Scatlandznd Ireland, now moreftri&ly 
 and righteoufly united in the Solemn National 
 League and Covenant j and for our Plantations in 
 the remote Parts of the World, more particular- 
 ly for that Church and Kingdom whereof we 
 are Members, that therein God would eftablifli 
 Peace and Truth; thePurity of all his Ordinances, 
 and the Power of Godlinefs ; prevent and remove 
 Herefy,Schifm,Prophannefs, Superftition, Secu- 
 rity and Unfruitfulnefs under the Means of Grace, 
 heal all our Rents and Di virions, and preferve us . 
 from Breach of our Solemn Covenant. 
 
 To pray for all in Authority, efpecially for the 
 King's Majefty, that God would make him rich 
 in BleiTings, both in his Perfon and Government; 
 eftablifh his Throne in Religion and Righteouf- 
 ne(s, fave him from evil Counlel, and make him 
 a blefTed and glorious Inftrument for the Confer- 
 vation and Propagation of the Gofpel ; for the 
 • En- 
 
[3" 3 
 
 Encouragement and Prote&ion of them that do 
 well, the Terror of all that do Evil, and the great 
 Good of the whole Church and of all his King- 
 doms : For the Converfion of the Queen, the re- 
 ligious Education of the Prince.and the reft of the 
 royal Seed $ For the Comforting of the Queen of 
 ~Bohemi y Sifter to our Sovereign, and for the Re- 
 ftitution 8c Eftablifhment of the illuftrious Prince 
 Charles, Elector Palatine of the Rhine, to all his 
 Dominions and Dignities: For a Blefling upon 
 the high Court of Parliament (when fitting in 
 any of thefe Kingdoms refpectively ) the Nobili- 
 ty, the fubordinate Judges and Magistrates, the 
 Gentry, and alkhc Commonality : ForallPaftors 
 and Teachers, that God would fill them with his 
 Spirir, make them exemplary, holy, fober, juft, 
 peaceable and gracious in their Lives, found, 
 faithful and powerful in their Miniftry; and fol- 
 low all their Labours with Abundance of Succefi 
 andBleflings: and give unto his People Paftors 
 according to his own Heart : For the Universi- 
 ties, and all Schools, and religious Seminaries of 
 the Church and Commonwealth, that they may 
 flourifh more and more in Learning and Piety : 
 For the particular City or Congregation, that God 
 would pour out a Blefling upon the Miniftry of 
 the Word, Sacraments and Difcipline, upon the 
 civil Government, and all the feveral Families and 
 Perions therein. For Mercy on the afflicted un- 
 der any inward or outward Diftrefs, for feafon- 
 able Weather and fruitful Seafons, as the Time 
 may require •> For averting the Judgments that 
 
 we 
 
[ 3*3 J 
 
 we cither feel or tear, or are liable unto ; as Fa 
 mine, Peftilence, the Sword, and fuch like. 
 
 And, with Confidence of his Mercy to his 
 whole Church, and the Acceptance of our Pcr- 
 fons through the Merits and Mediation of our 
 great high Prieft, the Lord Jefus ; toprofefs that 
 it is the Defire of our Souls to have Fellowfhip 
 with God, in the reverent and confcionable Ufc 
 of his holy Ordinances * and to that Purpofe to 
 pray earncftly for his Grace and erTeclual Aifill- 
 ance to the Sanctification of his holy Sabbath, 
 the Lord's Day, in all the Duties thereof publick 
 and private, both to ourfelves, and to all other 
 Congregations of his People, according to the 
 Riches and Excellency of the Gofpel this Day 
 celebrated and enjoyed. 
 
 And, becaufc we have been unprofitable Hea- 
 rers in times paft, and now cannot of ourfelves 
 receive as we lhould,the deep Things of God,the 
 Myfteries of Jefus Chrift, which require a fpiri- 
 tual Diicerning,to pray that the Lord who teach- 
 eth to profit, would gracioufly pleafe to pour out 
 the Spirit of Grace together with the outward 
 Means thereof,caufing us to attain fuch a Meaiure 
 of the Excellency of the Knowledge of Chrift Je- 
 fus our Lordland in him of the Things which be- 
 long to our Peace, that we may account all things 
 but asDrofs in Comparffon of him : And that we 
 tafting the firft Fruits of the Gloty that is tone 
 revealed, may long for a more full and perfect 
 Communion with him, that where he is we 
 aiay be alfo, and enjoy the Fulnefs of thole Joy* 
 
 and 
 
L SH J 
 
 Pleafures which arc at his right Hand for 
 
 l:rmore. 
 
 More particularly that God would in 2 fpecial 
 banner furnifh h;s Servant ( now called to dii- 
 penfe the Bread of Life unto his Houfhold ) with 
 Wifdom, Fidelity, Zeal and Utterance, that he 
 may divide the Word of God aright, to every one 
 his Portion, in Evidence and Demonftration of 
 the Spirit and Power 5 and that the Lord would 
 circumcife the Ears and Hearts of the Hearers, 
 to hear, love and receive with Meeknefs the in- 
 grafted Word, which is able to fave their Souls, 
 make them as good Ground to receive in the 
 good Seed of the Word, and ftrengthen them a- 
 gainfl: the Temptations of Satan, the Cares of 
 the World, the Hardnefs of their own Hearts, and 
 whatfoever elfe may hinder their profitable and 
 faving Hearing ; that fo Chrrfr may be formed in 
 them, and live in them, that all their Thoughts 
 may be brought into Captivity, to the Obedience 
 pf Chrift, and their Hearts eftablilhed in every 
 good Word and Work for ever. 
 
 We judge this to be a convenient Order, in the 
 ordinary Publick Prayers ; yet fo, as the Mirri- 
 iter may defer (as in Prudence he (hall think 
 meet) ibme Part of thefe Petitions, till after 
 his Sermon, or offer up to God fome of the 
 Thanksgivings, hereafter appointed in his Pray- 
 er before his Sermon, 
 
 of 
 
t r-> 1 
 
 Of the Preaching of the IVord. 
 
 P Reaching of the Word being the Power of 
 God unto Salvation, and one of thcgreateft 
 and moft excellent Works belonging to the Mi- 
 nistry of the Gofpel, fliould be lb pei formed, that 
 the Workman need not be afhamed,but may fave 
 himfelf and thole that hear him, 
 
 It is prefuppofed ( according to the Rules for* 
 Ordination) that the Minifter of (Thrift is in ibme 
 good Meafure gifted for ib weighty a Service, by 
 his Skill in the Original Languages, and in fuch 
 Arts and Sciences as are Hand- maids unto Divini-* 
 ty, by his Knowledge in the whole Body of The- 
 ology, but moft of all in the holy Scriptures, Hav- 
 ing his Senfes and Heart exercifed in them above 
 the Common Sort of Believers, and by the Illu- 
 mination of God's Spirit, and other Girts or E- 
 diiication, which (together with reading and 
 ftudying of the Word ) he ought ftili to ieek by 
 Prayer, and an humble Heart, refolving to admit 
 and receive any Truth not yet attained whenever 
 God fhall make it known unto him. All which 
 he is to make ufe of, and approve in his private 
 Preparations, before he deliver in Pubiick what 
 he hath provided. # 
 
 Ordinarily, the Subject of his Sermon is to be 
 fome Text of the Scripture, holding forth fome 
 Principle or Head of Religion * or iif table to ibme 
 fpecial Occaixon emergent, or he may go on in 
 lome Chapter; Pfglrri, or Book »f the Scripture, 
 as ke {hall fee fit. 
 
 T Lit 
 
L $<■" J 
 
 Let the Introduction to his Text be brief and , 
 per fpicuous, drawn from the Textitfelf, or Con- 
 text, or fome paielleU'd Place or general Seatencc 
 of Scripture. 
 
 If the Text be long (as in Hiftories and Parables 
 it fometimes muft be) let him give a brief Sum of 
 it i if fhort, a Paraphrafe thereof, if need be : in 
 both, looking diligently to the Scope of the Text, 
 and pointing at the chief Heads and Grounds of 
 Doctrine which he is to raife from it. 
 
 In analiling and dividing his Text, he is to re- 
 gard more the Order of Matter, than of Words, 
 and neither to burden the Memory of the Hearers 
 in the Beginning, with too many Members of 
 Diviiion, nor to trouble their Minds with ob« 
 fcure Terms of Art. 
 
 In railing Doctrines from the Text, his Care 
 ought to be, Firfr, 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 difcern how God teacheth it from thence. 
 Thirdly, That he chiefly iniift upon thofe Doct- 
 rines which are principally intended, and make 
 moft for the Edification of the Hearers. 
 
 The Doctrine is to be exprefled in plain 
 , Terms : or if any Thing in it need Explication, 
 it is to be opened, and the Confequence alio from | 
 the Text cleared. The parallel Places of Scrip- 
 lure confirming the Doctrine, are rather to be 
 Main and pertinent, than many, and ( if need be ) 
 
 Ynewhat infifted upon, and applied to the Pur- 
 
 \e in hand. 
 
 The 
 
I 3 1 ! ] 
 
 The Arguments or Reafons are to be folid, and 
 as much as may be convincing. The Uluftrati- 
 ons of what Kind Ibever, ought to be full of Light, 
 and fuch as may convey the Truth into the Hear- 
 ers Heart, with fpiritual Delight. 
 
 If any Doubt, obvious from Scripture, Rcafon 
 or Prejudice of the Hearers, feem to arife, it is 
 very requifite to remove it, by reconciling the 
 feeming Differences, anfwering the Reafons, and 
 discovering and taking away the Cauies of Preju- 
 dice and Miftake : Otherwise it is not fit to detain 
 the Hearers with propounding or anfweringvain 
 or wicked Cavils, which as they are endleis, Co 
 the propounding and anfwering of them doth 
 more hinder than promote Edification. 
 
 He is not to reft in general Doctrine, although 
 never fo much cleared and confirmed, but to 
 bring it home to fpecial Ufe, by Application to 
 his Hearers : Which albeit it prove a Work of 
 great Difficulty to himfelf, requiring much Pru- 
 dence, Zeal and Meditation, and to the natural 
 and corrupt Man will be very unpleafant, yet he 
 is to endeavour to perform it in fuch a Manner 
 that his Auditors may feel the Word of God to 
 be quick and powerful, and a Difcerner of the 
 Thoughts and intents of the Heart, and if that 
 any Unbeliever or ignorant Perfon be prefent. he 
 may have the Secrets of his Heart made mani- 
 feft, and give Glory to God. 
 
 In the Ufe, or Inftru&ion, or Information in 
 
 the Knowledge of fome Tf uth,which is a Confe- 
 
 quence from his Doctrine, he may ( when con- 
 
 T i venienr) 
 
C 3i8 3 
 
 venient) confirm it by a few firm Arguments 
 from the Text in Hand ; and other Places of Scrip- 
 ture, or from the Nature of that common Place 
 of Divinity, whereof that Truth is a Branch. 
 
 In Confutations of falfeDocTxines,he is neither 
 to raife an old Herefy from the Grave,nor to men- 
 tion a blafphemous Opinion unnecefTarily : But if 
 the People be in Danger of an Error, he is to con- 
 fute it ibundly ; and endeavour to fatisfy their 
 Judgments 8c Conlciencesagainft all Objections. 
 
 In exhorting to Duties, he is, as hefecth Caufe, 
 to teach alfo the Means that help to the Perfor- 
 mance of them. 
 
 In Dehortation, Repreheniion, and publick 
 Admonition ( which require fpecial Wifdom) let 
 him as there fhall be Caufe, not only difcover the 
 Nature and Greatnefs of the Sin,\vith the Mifery 
 attending it. but alfo fhew the Danger his Hearers 
 are in, to be overtaken and furprifed by it, toge- 
 ther with theRemedies and bed way to prevent it. 
 
 In applying Comfort, whether general agamft 
 all Tentations, or particularly againftfomc ipeci- 
 al Troubles and Terrors, he is carefully to aniwer 
 fuch Objections, as a troubled Heart and affiidtei 
 Spirit may fuggeft to the contrary. 
 
 It is alfo fbmetimes requifite to give Tome 
 Notes of Trial ; which is very profitable, efpe- 
 cially when performed by able and experienced 
 Minifters, with Circumfpeftton and Prudence, 
 and the Signs clearly grounded on the holy Scrip- 
 ture, whereby the Hearers may be able to exa- 
 mine themfelves, whether they have attained 
 
 thofe 
 
C r : ? 1 
 
 tliofe Graces, and performed thofe Duties to 
 which he exhorteth ; or be guilty of the Sin re- 
 prehended, and in Danger of the Judgments 
 threatncd : Or are luch to whom the Confolati- 
 ons propounded do belong, that accordingly they 
 may be quickened and excited to Duty, humbled 
 for their wants and Sins, affe&ed with their Dan- 
 ger, and flxengthned with Comfort, as their 
 Condition upon Examination {hall require. 
 
 And, as he needeth not always to profecute e- 
 very Doctrine which lies in his Text, fo is he 
 wifely to make choice of iuch Ufes,as by his Re- 
 fidcnceand Converfing with his Flock he findeth 
 moft needful and ieafonablej and, amongft thefe, 
 fuch as may moft draw their Souls to Chrifl, the 
 Fountain of Light, Holinefsand Comfort. 
 
 This Method is not prefcribed as neceflary for 
 every Man, or upon every Text i but only recom- 
 mended, as being found by Experience to be very 
 much blefTed of God, and very helpful for the 
 Peoples Understandings and Memories. 
 
 But the Servant of Chrifl:, whatever his Me- 
 Hod be, is to perform his whole Miniftry, 
 
 r . Painfully, not doing the Work of the Lord 
 negligently. 
 
 2. Plainly, that the meanefl: may underftand, 
 delivering the Truth, not in the enticing Words 
 of Man's Wifdom, but in Demon Axation of the 
 Spirit and Power, left the Croft of Chrifl: fhould 
 be made of none ef&ft : Abftaining alio from an 
 unprofitable Ule of unknown Tongues, ftrange 
 Phrafes, and Cadences of Sounds and Words, 
 T 3 fpa- 
 
C 530 ] 
 
 fpiringty, citing Sentences of Ecclefiaftical or ci- 
 ther human Writers, ancient or modern, be they 
 never \o elegant, 
 
 3 . Faithfully looking at the Honour of Chriir, 
 the Convention, Edification and Salvation of 
 the People, not at his own Gain or Glory : Keep- 
 ing nothing back which may promote thefe ho- 
 ly Ends, giving to every one his own Portion, 
 and bearing indifferent Refpect unto all, with- 
 out neglecting the Meaneft, or fparingtheGrea- 
 teil in their .Sins. 
 
 4, Wifely, framing all his Doctrines, Exhorta- 
 tions, and especially his Reproofs, in fuch a Man- 
 ner as may be moft likely to prevail, fhewing all 
 due Refpect to each Man's Perfon and Place, and 
 not mixing his own Paffion or Bitternefs. 
 
 f. Graveiy, as becomerh the Word of God, 
 fhunning all fuch Gefture, Voice and Exprefii- 
 or.s. as may Occalion the Corruption of Men to 
 delpife him and his Miniftry. 
 
 6 . With loving Affection, that the People may 
 fee all coming from his godly Zeal, and hearty 
 Defire to do them Good. And, 
 
 7*. As taught of God, and perfuaded in his own 
 Heart, that all that he teacheth is the Truth of 
 Chrift} and walking before his Flock as an Ex- 
 ample to them in it: Earneftly,both in Private 
 andPublick, recommending his Labours to the 
 Blcfling of God, and watchfully looking to him- 
 felf, and the Fiock, whereof the Lord hath made 
 him Overfeer. So fhall the Doctrine of Truth be 
 preferved incorrupt, many Souls converted and 
 
 buile 
 
[ 33i ] 
 
 built up, and himfelf receive manifold Comforts 
 of his Labours even in his Life, and afterward 
 the Crown of Glory laid up for him in the 
 World to come. 
 
 Where there are more Mini iters in a Congre- 
 gation than one, and they of different Gifts, each 
 may more fpecially apply himfelf to Do&rine 
 or Exhortation, according to the Gift wherein 
 he moft excelleth, and as they (ball agrcebetween 
 themfelves. 
 
 Of publkk Prayer after the Sermon. 
 
 THE Sermon being ended, the Minifter is, 
 To give Thanks for the great Love of God in 
 fending of hi* Son J-efwsChrift unto m\ Tor the Com- 
 munication of his holy Spirit \ Tor the Light and 
 Liberty of the glorious Gofpel, and the rich and hea- 
 venly Blejfings revealed therein, as namely Electi- 
 on, Vocation, Adoption, Juflification, Sanclifcati" 
 on and hope of Glory : Tor the admirable Goodnefs 
 cf God in freeing the Lund from Antichrijiifin 
 Darknef and Tyranny, and for all other National 
 Delivenances ; Tor the Reformation of Religion ; 
 Tor the Covenant, and for many temporal Blejfings. 
 
 To. pray for the Continuance of the Gofpel, and 
 all Ordinances thereof, in their Vurity, Power, and 
 Liberty. 
 
 To turn the chief and mofl ufeful Heads of the 
 Sermon into fome few Petitions, and to pray that 
 it may abide in the Heart and bring forth Truit. 
 
 T 4 To 
 
I ?3* J 
 
 To pray for Preparation for Death and Judg- 
 ment, and a watching for the Coming of our Lord 
 Jefus Chrijl. To intreat of God the Forgfaenefs 
 of the Iniquity of our holy Things, and the Accept 
 ; tation of our ffmtual Sacrifice though the Merit 
 find Mediation of our great high Vriefl and Savi- 
 our, the Lord Jefo Chrijl. 
 
 Andbecaufe the Prayer which Chrift taught his 
 Difciples, is not only a Pattern of Prayer, but is it 
 feif a molt comprehend ve Prayer ; we recom- 
 mend it alfo to be ufed in the Prayers of the 
 Church. 
 
 And whereas at the Adminiftration of the Sa- 
 craments, the holding publickFafts and Days of 
 Thankfgiving, and other fpecial Occaiions, 
 which may afford Matter of fpecial Petitions 
 and Thankigiving, it is requifite to exprefs i'ome- 
 Vv-hatinourpubliek Prayers (as at this Time it 
 is our Duty to pray for a BlefTing upon the Af- 
 fembly of Divines, the Armies by Sea and Land ; 
 tor the Defence of the King, Parliament and 
 Kingdom) every Minifler herein is to apply 
 himfelf in his Prayer before or after his Sermon, 
 to thofe Occafions ; but for the Manner, he is left 
 to his Liberty, as God fliall direct and enable him, 
 in Piety and 'Wiflom to difcharge his Duty. 
 
 The Prayer ended, let a Pfalm be fung, if with 
 Convenicncy it may be done, after which (un- 
 Iefs fome other Ordinance of Chrift that concer- 
 neth the Congregation at that Time be to fol- 
 low) let the Minifler difmifs the Congregation 
 with a folemn Blefling. 
 
 The 
 
C 333 3 
 
 'The Adininiflration of the Sacraments, 
 And fir ft of Baptifm. 
 
 BAPTISM, as it is not unnecefTary to 
 be delayed, io is it not to be adminiftred 
 in any Cafe by any private Perfon; but 
 by a Minifter of Chrift, called to be the Steward 
 of the Myfteries of God. 
 
 Nor is to be adminiftred in private Places, or 
 privately, but in the Place of publick Worfhip, 
 •and in the Face of the Congregation, where the 
 People may mod conveniently fee and hear ; and 
 not in the Places where Fonts in the Time of 
 Popery were unfitly and fupeiftitioufly placed. 
 
 The Child to be baptized, after Notice given to 
 the Minifter the Day before, is to be pi eiented by 
 the Father, or (in cafe of his neceiTary Abfence) 
 by fome Chriftian Friend in his Place, profefTing 
 his earned Defire that the Child may be baptized. 
 
 Before Baptiim, the Minifter is to ufe fome 
 Words of Inftruction, touching thelnftitution, 
 Nature, Ufe and Ends of the Sacrament : Shew- 
 ing' 
 
 That it k in ft tinted by our Lord J efts Chrift, 
 That it is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace, of our 
 ingrafting into Chrift, and of our Union -with him, 
 of RemiJJion of Sins, Regeneration, Adoption, and 
 Life eternal. That the Water in Baptifm repre- 
 fenteth andfignifieth both the Blood of Chrift, which 
 $akethaway all Guilt of Sin original and actual* 
 T; and 
 
[ 334 1 
 
 and the fanftifying Vert He of the Spirit of Chrifi a- 
 gainfi the Dominion of Sin and the Corruption of 
 our jinful Nature : That baptizing or fprinkltng 
 and waflnng with Water fighifieth the cleanfing 
 from Sin by the Blood and for the Merit of Chrifi , 
 together with the Mortification of Sin, and rifing 
 from Sin to Newnefs of Life by Virtue of the Death 
 and Kefurreciion of Chrifi : That the Promife is 
 made to Believers and their Seed, and that the Seed 
 and Pofterity of the Faithful bom within the Church 
 have by their Birth, Interefi in the Covenant, and 
 Right to the Seal of it, and to the outward Privi- 
 leges of the Church under the Go/pel, no lefs than 
 the Children of Abraham under the OldTefiament : 
 The Covenant of Grace for Subflance being the 
 fame, and the Grace of God and the Confutation of 
 Believers more plentiful than before : That the Sen 
 of God admitted little Children into his Prefence, 
 embracing and blefjtngthem. faying, For of fuch 
 is the Kingdom or God. That Children by Bap- 
 tifm are folemnly received into the Bofo'tn of the vi- 
 fible Church, difiinguifljed from the World and 
 them that are without, and united with Believers ; 
 and that allwho are babtizedin the Nameof Chrifi 
 do renounce, and by their Baptifm are bound to 
 fight againfl the Devil, the World, and the Flefij j 
 That they areChriflians, and federally holy before 
 Baptifm, and therefore are they baptifed; that the 
 inward Grace andVertueof Baptifm is not tied to 
 that very Moment of Time wherein it is admini- 
 ftred, and that the Fruit and Power t hereof reach- 
 eth to the whole Courfe of our Life, and that out- 
 ward 
 
C ??y 3 
 
 ward Baptifm is not fo necejjkry, that through the 
 want thereof the Infant is in Banger ef Damna- 
 tion, or the Parents guilty, if they do not contemn 
 or negleci the Ordinance ofChrift, when and where 
 it may be had. 
 
 In thefe or the like Inftru&ians the Minifter is 
 to life his own Liberty, and godly Wifdom , as the 
 Ignorance or Errors in the Doctrine of Baptifm, 
 and the Edification of the People fhall require. 
 
 He is alio to admonifh all that are preient : 
 
 To lookback to their Baptifra, to repent oi 
 their Sins againft their Covenant with GOD, to 
 ftir up their Faith, to improve and make the right 
 U(e of their Baptifm and of the Covenant fealed 
 thereby betwixt God and their Souls. 
 
 He is to exhort the Parent, 
 
 To confider the great Mercy of God to him 
 and his Child ; to bring up the Child in the Know- 
 ledge of the Grounds of the Chriftian Religion, 
 and in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord, 
 and to let him know the Danger of God's Wrath 
 to himfelf and Child, if he be negligent, requi- 
 ring his folemn Promife for the Performance of 
 his Duty. 
 
 This being done, Prayer is alfo to be joined with 
 the Word of Inflitution, for fanciifying the Water 
 to this fpiritual Ufe, and the Minifier is to pray to 
 to this or the like Ejfeci. 
 
 That the Lord, who hath not left us as Stran- 
 gers without the Covenant of Promife, but cal- 
 led us to the Privileges of his Ordinance, would 
 gracioufly vouchfafe to fan&ify and blefs his own 
 
 Ordi- 
 
n-3*l 
 
 Ordinance, of Baptifm at this time : that he 
 would join the inward Baptiim of his Spirit with 
 the outward Baptiim of Water, make this Bap- 
 tifm to the Infant a Seal of Adoption and Remi- 
 flion of Sin, Regeneration and eternal Life, and 
 of ali other Promifesof the Covenant of Grace, 
 that the Child may be planted into the Likneisof 
 the Death and Reliirredtion ohChrift; and that 
 the Body of Sin being deftroyed in him, he may 
 lerve G O D in Newnefs of Life ali his Days. 
 
 Then the Miniiter is to demand the Name of 
 the Child, which being told- him, he is to fay, 
 ( calling the Child by his Name) 
 
 7 baptize thee in the Name of the Father, of 
 the Son, and of the holy Ghofl. 
 
 As he pronounccth thefe Words, he is to bap- 
 tize the Child with Water ; which for the Man- 
 ner of doing, it is not only lawful hue fufticient, 
 and mod expedient to be, by pouring or fprink- 
 lingof the Water on the Face of the Child, with- 
 out adding any other Ceremony. 
 
 This done, he is to give Thanks, and pray, 
 to this or the like Purpoie. 
 
 ' Acknowledging with all Thankfulnefs,That 
 
 * the Lord is true and faithful in keeping Cove- . 
 
 * nam and Mercy : That he is good and gracious, 
 
 * not only in that he numbretn us among his 
 ' Saints, but is pleated alio to beftow upon our 
 
 * Children this lingular Token anc] Badg of his 
 
 * Love in Chrift : That in his Truth and fpecial 
 ' Providence, he daily bringetli fome into the 
 I Bo/bm. of his Church, to be Partakers of his 
 
 « inefii- 
 
C 337 ] 
 
 ineftimable Benefits, purchaled by the Blood of 
 his dear Son, for the Continuance and Incrcafe 
 of his Church. 
 
 * And praying, that the Lord would ftill con- 
 tinue, and daily confirm more and more this 
 his unfpcakable Favour : That he would receive 
 the Infant now baptized, and folemnly entred 
 into the Houlhold of Faith, into his fatherly 
 Tuition and Defence, and remember him with 
 the Favour that he (hewed to his People ; that 
 if he (hall be taken out of this Life in his Infan- 
 cy, the Lord who is rich in Mercy, would be 
 pleated to receive him up into Glory ; and if he 
 live and attain the Years of Diicretion,that the 
 Lord would fo teach him by his Wordand Spi- 
 rit, and make his Baptifm effectual to him , and 
 fo uphold him by his divine Power and Grace, 
 that by Faith he may prevail againfl: the Devil, 
 the World, and the Flefh, till in the End he ob- 
 tain a full and final Victory, and fo be kept by 
 the Power of God through Faith unto Salvati- 
 on, through Jems Chrilt our Lord. 
 
 Of the Celebration of the Communion^ or 
 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 Til E Communion or Supper of the Lord, 
 is frequently to be celebrated : But how oft - 
 en, may be confidered and determined by the Mi- 
 mfters and other Church-Governors of each 
 Congregation j as they (hall find moll convenient 
 
 for 
 
[ 338 ] 
 
 for the Comfort and Edification of the People 
 committed ro their Charge. And when it (hall 
 be adminiftred, we judge it convenient to be 
 done after the Morning Sermon. 
 
 The ignorant and the fcandalous are unfit to 
 receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 Where rhi,|Sicrament cannot with Con venien- 
 cy be frequently adminiftied, it is rcquiiite that 
 publick Warning be g; ven the Sabbath- day before 
 the Adminiftration thereof: And that either then, 
 oronfomeDay of that Week, fomething con- 
 cerning that Ordinance and the due Preparation 
 thereunto, and Participation thereof be taught} 
 that by the diligent Ufe of all Means fan&ified of 
 God to that End, both in Publick ana Private, all 
 may come better prepared to that heavenly Feaft. 
 
 When the Day is come for Adminiftration, the 
 Miniiter having ended his Setmon and Prayer, 
 (hall make a fhort Exhortation : 
 
 ' Exprefling the ineftimable Benefit we have 
 
 * by this Sacrament } together with the Ends and 
 
 * Ufe thereof : Setting forth the great Ncceflity 
 ' of having our Comforts and Strength renewed 
 
 * thereby in this our Pilgrimage and Warfare. 
 
 * How necefTary it is that we come unto it with 
 « Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, Love, and 
 
 * with hungring and thirfting Souls after Chrift 
 « and his Benefits. How great the Danger to eat 
 c and drink ua#rorthily. 
 
 « Next, he is in the Name of Chrift on the one 
 ' Part, to warn all fuch as are ignorant, fcandal- 
 ous, prophane, or that live in any SinorOfF- 
 
 « ence 
 
[ 339 ] 
 
 1 ence againft their Knowledge or Conference, 
 ' that they prefume not to come to that holy 
 » Table, fhewing them, That he that eateth and 
 ' drinkethunworthi'y.eatet.hand drinkerh Judg- 
 < ment unto himfelf : And on the other Part, he 
 « is in fpecial Manner to invite and encourage all 
 * that labour under the Senfe of the Burden of 
 1 their Sins, and Fear of Wrath, and Deiire to 
 « reach out unto a greater Progrefs in Grace, than 
 « yet they can attain unto, to come to the Lord's 
 « Table ; alluring them in the fame Name, of 
 « Eafe, Refrefhing and Strength to their weak 
 « and wearied Souls. 
 
 After this Exhortation, Warning and Invitati- 
 on, the Table being before decently covered, and 
 fo conveniently placed, that the Communicants 
 may orderly fit about it or at it : The Minifter is 
 to begin the Action with fan&ifying and bleffing 
 the Elements of Bread and Wine fet before him, 
 (the Bread in comly and convenient VefTels, fo 
 prepared, that being broken by him and given, it 
 may be distributed among the Communicants ; 
 the Winealfo in large Cups, having firft in a few 
 Words (hewed, That thole Elements, otherwife 
 common, are now fet apart and fandtified to this 
 holy Ufe,by the Word of Inftitution and Prayer- 
 Let the Words of Inftitution be read out of 
 the Evangelifts, or out of the firft Epiftle of the 
 ApoftleP#«/to the Corinthians, ch. i i.ver. 23. 
 1 Jyave received of the Lord, &c. to ver. 2- 
 which the Minifter may when he feeth requifi^ 
 explain and apply. ^ 
 
C 34° 3 
 
 Let the Prayer, Thanfgivingor Blefllr.g of the 
 Bread and Wine be to this Effedfc: 
 
 1 With humble and hearty Acknowledgment 
 
 * of the Greatnefs of our Mifery; from which 
 
 * neither Man nor Angel was able to deliver us ; 
 
 * and of our great Unworthinefsof theleaft of all 
 
 * God's Mercies, to give Thanks to God for all 
 « his Benefits, and efpecially for that great Benefit 
 
 * of our Redemption, the Love of God the Fa- 
 « ther, the Sufferings and Merits of the Lord Je- 
 « fus ChrifttheSonofGod,by which we are de- 
 < livered j and for all Means of Grace; the Word 
 
 * and Sacraments, and for this Sacrament in par- 
 
 * ticular, by which Chrift and all his Benefits are 
 « applied and fealed up unto us, which notwith- 
 ■ ftanding the Denial of them unto others, are 
 « in great Mercy continued unto us, after ib 
 « much and long Abufe of them all. 
 
 1 To profefs that there is noother Name under 
 
 * Heaven by which we can be faved, but the 
 
 * Name of Jefus Chrift, by whom alone we re- 
 « ceive Liberty and Life ; have Accefs to the- 
 « Throne of Grace, are admitted to eat and drink 
 
 * at his own Table, and are fealed up by his Spirit 
 
 * to an Afiurance of Happinefs and everlafting 
 ' Life. 
 
 « Earneftly to pray to God the Father of all 
 « Mercies, and God of all Coniolation , to vouch- 
 
 * fafe his gracious Preience, and the effedrual 
 « Working of his Spirit in us, and fo to ian&ify 
 « thefe Elements, both of Bread and Wine, and-to 
 4 blefs his own Ordinance, that we may receive 
 
 by 
 
C 54' 1 
 
 * by Faith the Body and Blood of Jefus Chrift cru- 
 ' cifiedfor us, and £0 to feed upon him, that he 
 ' may he one with us and we with him, that he 
 ' may live in us, and we in him, and to him, who 
 ' hath loved us, and given himfelf for us. 
 
 All which he is to endeavour to perform with 
 futable Affections, anfwerable to fuch an holy 
 Action, and to ftir up the like in the People. 
 
 The Elements being now fan&ified by the 
 Word and Prayer, the Minirter being at the Table, 
 is to take the Bread in his Hand, and lay in thefe 
 Expreflions ( or other the like, ufed by Chrift or 
 his Apoftles upon thisQccaiion. ) 
 
 According to the holy Inflitution, Command, and 
 Example of our blejfed Saviour Jefus Chrift, I take 
 this Bread, and having given Thanks, I break it, 
 and give it unto you ; ( There the Minifter, who 
 isalfo himfelf to communicate, is to break the 
 Bread, and give it to the Communicants) Take ye, 
 eat ye, this U the Body of Chrift -which is broken for 
 you; do this in Remembrance of him. 
 
 In like Manner, the Minifter is to take the 
 Cup, and fay in thefe ExpreiTions, (or other the 
 ike, ufed by Chrift or the Apoftle upon the 
 fame Occafion. ) 
 
 According to the Inflitution Command and 
 Example of our Lord Jefus Chrift, I take this Cup, 
 zndgive it unto you : ( Here he giveth it unto the 
 Communicants ) This Cup is the Neve Teftament in 
 the Blood of Chrift, -which is Jhed far the Remifii* 
 m of the Sins of many : Drink ye all of it. 
 
 After all have com municated,the Minifter may 
 n a few Words put them in mind Of 
 
C 34 2 U 
 
 Of the Grace of God in Jtfm Chrifi, held forth 
 in this Sacrament, and exhort them to walk worthy 
 efit. 
 
 The Mimfter is to give folemn Thanks to God, 
 
 For his rich Mercy and invaluable Goodnefs, 
 vouchsafed to them in that Sacrament, and to in- 
 treat for Pardon for the Detects of the whole Ser- 
 vice, and for the gracious Afiiftance of his good 
 Spirit whereby they may be enabled to v/alk in 
 the Strength of that Grace, as becometh thofe 
 who have received fo great Pledges of Salvation. 
 
 The Collection for the Poor is fo to be ordered, 
 that no Part of thepublick Worfhip be hindred. 
 
 Of the SanElification of the LorcCs-day. 
 
 TH E Lorc's-day ought to be fo remembred 
 before hand, as that all worldly Bufinefs of 
 our ordinary Callings may be fo ordered, and fo 
 timely and feafonably laid afide, as they may not 
 be impediments to the due fan&ifying of the 
 Day when it comes. 
 
 The whole Day is to be celebrated as holy to the 
 Lord, both inPublickand Private, as being the 
 Chriftian Sabbath. To which End it is requifie, 
 thatth^rebe a holy CefTation, or Reftingall the 
 Day f om nil unneceff -i-v Labours.and an a ! flam- 
 ing not only from all Sports andPaftimes; but 
 alfo from all worldly Words and Thoughts. 
 
 That the Diet on that Day be fo ordered, as 
 that neither Servants be unnecefTarily detained 
 from the publick Worfhip of God, nor any o- 
 
 ther 
 
[ 34? ] 
 
 ther Perfons hindrc^j from the fanftifying that- 
 Day. 
 
 That there be private Preparation of every Per- 
 fon or Family, by Prayer for themfelves, and for 
 God's AlManceof theMiniiter,andfora Blefling 
 upon ins Miniftry ; and by fuch holy Exercifes, 
 as may further diipofe them to a more comfort- 
 able Communion with God in his publick Ordi- 
 nances. 
 
 That all the People meet fo timely for publick 
 Worfhip, that the whole Congregation maybe 
 prefent at the Beginning, and with one Heart fo- 
 lemnly join together in all Parts of the publick 
 Worfhip ; and not depart till alter the Blefling. 
 
 That what Time is vacant, between or after 
 the folcmn Meeting of the Congregation in Pub- 
 lick, be fpentin Reading, Meditation, Repetition 
 of Sermons, ( efpecially by calling their Families 
 to an Account of what they have heard ) and Ca- 
 techifing of them ; holy Conferences, Prayer for 
 a BicfTingon the publick Ordinances, fingingof 
 Pfalms, vifiting the Sick, relieving the Poor, and 
 fuch like Duties of Piety, Charity and Mercy, ac- 
 counting the Sabbath a Delight. 
 
 The Solemnisation of Marriage. 
 
 ALthough Marriage be no Sacrament, nor pe- 
 culiar to the Church of God, but common 
 to Mankind, and of publick Intereft in every 
 Common- wealth ; yet, becaufe fuch as marry are 
 to marry in the Lord, and have fpecial need of In- 
 ftrudion, Direction and Exhortation from the 
 
 Word 
 
L 344 J 
 
 Word of God at their Entering into fuch a new 
 Condition j and of the Bleffing of God upon 
 them therein ; we judge it expedient, that Mar- 
 riage be folemnized by a lawful Minifter of the 
 Word, that he may accordingly counfel them, 
 and pray for a Bleffing upon them. 
 
 Marriage is to be betwixt one Man and one 
 Woman only j and they fuch as are not within 
 the Degrees of Confanguiniry or Affinity prohi- 
 bited by the Word of God. And the Parties are 
 to be of Years of Difcretion, fit to make their 
 own Choice, or upon good Ground to give their 
 mutual Confcnt. 
 
 Before the Solemnizing of Marriage between 
 any Perfons, their Purpole of Marriage mail be 
 publi flied by the Minifter three feveral Sabbath- 
 days in the Congregation, at the Place or Places 
 of their moll ufualand conftant Abode refpeclive- 
 ly . And of this Publication, the Minifter, who 
 is to join them in Marriage, (hall have fufficient 
 Teftimony, before he proceed to folemnize the 
 Marriage. 
 
 Before the Publication of fuch their Purpofe 
 ( i f the Parties be under Age ) the Confent of the 
 Parents, or others, under whole Power they are, 
 (in cafe 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 obferved in the Proceedings 
 of all others, although of Age, whofe Parents are 
 living, for their firft Marriage. And in after 
 Marriages of either of thefe Parties, they mail 
 
 be 
 
 
[ J4J ] 
 
 be exhorted not to contract Marriage without 
 firft acquainting their Parents with it, (if with 
 Conveniency it may Ledone) endeavouring to 
 obtain their Confent. 
 
 Parents ought not to force their Children to 
 j marry without their free Confent, nor deny their 
 I own Confent without juft Caufe. 
 
 After the Purpofe or Contract of Marriage 
 hath been thus publifbed, the Marriage is not to 
 be long deferred : Therefore the Minifter hav- 
 ing had convenient Warning 3 and nothing being 
 objected to hinder it, is publickly to folemnize 
 it in the Place appointed by Authority for publick 
 Worfhip,before a competent Number of credible 
 WitnelTes, at fome convenient Hour of the Day, 
 at any Time of the Year, except on a Day of 
 publick Humiliation : And we advife that it be 
 not on the Lord's Day. 
 
 And becaufe all Relations are fan&irlcd by the 
 Word and Prayer, the Minifter is to pray for a 
 Bleillng upon them to this Effect > 
 
 Acknowledging our Sins, whereby we have 
 made ourfelves lefs than the leaft of all the Mer- 
 cies of God, and provoked him to imbitter all our 
 Comforts ; earneftly, in the Name of Chrift, to 
 intreatthe Lord (whofe Prefenceand Favour is 
 the Happinefs of every Condition, and fweetens 
 every Relation) to be their Portion, tooWnand 
 accept them in Chrift, who are now to be joined 
 in the honourable Eftate of Marriage, the Cove- 
 nant of their God . And that as he hath brought 
 them together by his Providence, he would fan- 
 
 ctify 
 
 
L 1<\" J 
 &ify them. by his Spirit, giving them a new 
 Frame of Heart, fit for their new Eftate j enrich- 
 ing them with all Graces,whereby they may per- 
 form the Duties, enjoy the Comforts, undergo 
 the Cares, and refill: the Temptations which ac- 
 company tha: Condition, as becometftChriftians. 
 
 The Prayer being ended, it is convenient that the 
 Minifier do briefly declare unto them out of the 
 Scripture, 
 
 The InfHtution, Ufe and Ends of Marriage, 
 with the conjugal Duties, which in all Faithful- 
 r.efs they are to perform to each other, exhorting 
 them to ftudy the holy Word of God, that they 
 may learn to live by Faith, and to be content in 
 the midit of all Marriage, Cares and Troubles, 
 fan&irying God's Name in a thankful, fob cr and 
 holy U fe of all conjugal Comforts, praying much 
 with and for one anor her,watching o ver,and pro- 
 voking each other to Love and good Works, and 
 to live together as the Heirs of the Grace of Life. 
 
 After iblemn charging of the Perfons robe 
 married, before that great God, who iearcheth 
 all Hearts, and to whom they muft give a (brick 
 Account at the laft Day, that if either of them 
 know any Caufe by Precontract or otherwife, 
 why they may nor lawfully proceed to Marriage, 
 that they now diicover it: The Minifier ( if no 
 Impediment be acknowledged ) fhall caufe fir ft. 
 the Man to take the W'oman by the right Hand, , 
 faying thcfe Words, 
 
 /N Do take theeN. to be my married iVife, 
 r. hi do m the Prifence of God, and before this Con- 
 
 grega- 
 
L 347 J 
 
 gregation, promift and covenant to be a loving 
 land Faithful Husband unto thee, until God fljall 
 feparate us by Death. 
 
 Then the Woman fhall take the Man by his 
 right Hand, and fay thefe Words, 
 
 I N. Do take thee N. to be my married Hus- 
 band, and do in the ?re fence of God, and before this 
 Congregation, promip and covenant to be a loving, 
 faithful and obedient Wife unto thee, until God 
 fhall feparate us by Death. 
 
 Then without any further Ceremony, the Mi- 
 nifter fhall in the Face of the Congregation pro- 
 nounce them to be Husband and Wifeacco- iing 
 to God's Ordinance, and fo conclude the Action 
 with Prayer, to this Effect. 
 
 That the Lord would be pleafed to accompany his 
 oven Ordinance with hits BleJJi»g, befeeching him 
 to enrich the Perfons novo married, as with other 
 Pledges of his Love, fo particularly with the Com- 
 forts and Fruits of Marriage, to the Praife of his 
 abundant Mercy in and through Chrifl Jefus. 
 
 A Rsgifter is to be carefully kept, wherein the 
 Names of the Parties fo married, with the Time 
 of their Marriage, are forthwith to be fairly re- 
 corded in a Book provided for that Purpofe, for 
 the perufal of all whom it may concern. > 
 
 Concerning Vifitation oj the Sick. 
 
 IT is the Duty or the Minifter not only to teach 
 the People committed to his Charge in Pub- 
 lick, but, privately, and particularly toadmomlh, 
 
 exhort, 
 
1 343 J 
 
 jiort, reprove and comfort them upon all fea- 
 fonable Occafions, fo far as his Time, Strength 
 and perfonal Safety will permit. 
 
 He is to admonifh them, in the Time of 
 Health to prepare for Death j and for that Pur- 
 pofethey are often to confer with their Minifter 
 about the Eftate of their Souls; and in Times of 
 Sicknefs to deiire his Advice and Help, timely 
 and feafonably, before their Strength and Under- 
 ftanding fail them. 
 
 Times of Sicknefs and Affliction, are fpecial 
 Opportunities put into his Hand by God to mi- 
 nifter a Word in Seafon to weary Souls ; becaufe 
 then the Confciences of Men are, or mould be 
 more awakened, to bethink themfeives of their 
 Spiritual Eftates for Eternity : And Satan alio 
 takes Advantage then to load them more with 
 Sorrow and heavy Temptations. Therefore 
 the Minifter being fent for-, and repairing to the 
 Sick, is to apply himfelf with all Tendernefs 
 and Love, to ad minifter fome fpiritual Good to 
 hisSQul,,to this Effect: 
 
 He may, from the Confederation of theprefent 
 Sicknefs, inftrucl: him out of Scripture, that Dif- 
 eafes come not by Chance, or by Diftempersof 
 Body only, but by the wife and orderly Guidance 
 of the good Hand of God,, to every particular 
 Perlon fmittert by them. And that whether it 
 belaid upon him out of Difpleafure for Sin, for 
 his Correction and Amendment, or for Trial and 
 Exercife of his Grace*, or for other fpecial and 
 excellent En:-- all his Suffering'; fhall-rvtrnlto his 
 
 Preht" 
 
 \ 
 
[ 349 ] 
 
 J Profit and work together for his Good, if he fin- 
 jjcerely labour to make a {anclified Ufe of God's 
 | Vilitation, neither defpifing his Chaftening, nor 
 waxing weary of his Correction. 
 
 If he fufpedt him of Ignorance, he (hall exa- 
 
 |j mine him in the Principles of Religion, efpeci- 
 
 jally touching Repentance and Faith, and as he 
 
 i feeth Caufe, inftrudt him in the Nature, Ufe, Ex- 
 
 i cellency and Necemty of thofe Graces : Alfo 
 
 touching the Covenant of Grace, and Chrift the 
 
 Son of God, the Mediator of it, and concerning 
 
 ILcmilTion of Sins by Faith in him, 
 
 He (hall exhort the lick Perfon to examine 
 himfelf, to fearch and try his former Ways and 
 his Eftate towards God. 
 
 And if the fick Perfon (hall declare any Scru- 
 tele, Doubt or Temptation that is upon him, 
 Inftru&ions and Refolutions fhall be given to fa- 
 lisfy and fettle him. 
 
 If it appear that he hath not a due Senfe of his 
 *-Sins s ™ Endeavours ought to be ufed to convince 
 him of his Sins, ofthe Guilt and Defart of them, 
 of the Filth and Pollution which the Soul con» 
 traces by them, and of theCurfe of the Law and 
 Wrath of God due to them : That he may be tru- 
 ly afTe&ed with, and humbled for them : And 
 withal to make known the Danger of deferring 
 Repentance and of Salvation at any Time ofter=- 
 ed, to awaken his Confcience, and roufe him 
 out of a ftupid and fecure Condition, to ap- 
 prehend the Juftice and Wrath of God, be- 
 fore whom none cap ftand ; but he that be- 
 U in* 
 
L 35° J 
 
 ing loft in himfelf, layeth hold upon Chrift by 
 Faith. 
 
 If he hath endeavoured to walk in the Ways of 
 Holinefs, and to ferve God in Uprightnefs, altho 
 not without many Failings and Infirmities, or if 
 his Spirit be broken with the Senfe of- Sin, or caft 
 down through want of the Senfe of God's Fa- 
 vour, then it will be fit to raife him up, by fet- 
 ting before him the Freenefs and Fulnefs of God's 
 Grace,the Sufficiency of Righteoufnefs in Chrift, 
 the gracious Offers in the Gofpel, that all who re- 
 pent and believe with all their Heart in God's Mer- 
 cy through Chrift, renuoncing their own Righ- 
 teoufnefs, fliajl have Life and Salvation in him. 
 
 It may be alfo ufeful to fhew him that Death 
 hath in it no spiritual Evil to le feared by thofe 
 that are in Chi iff, 1 ecaufe Sin,the Sting ot Death, 
 is taken away by Chriif., who hath delivered ail 
 that are his from the Bondage of the Fear of 
 Death ; triu mphed over the Grave, given us Vict- 
 ory, is himfelf entered into Glory, to prepare a 
 Place for his People: So that neither Life nor 
 Death fhah be able to feparate them from God's 
 Love in Chrift, in whom luch are lure, tho' now 
 they mud be laid in the Dull, to obtain a joyful 
 and glorious Refurreftion to eternal Life. 
 
 Advice alio may be given, as to beware of an 
 ill grounded Perfuaiion on Mercy, or on the 
 Goodneis of his Condition for Heaven ; fo to 
 difclaim all Merit in himfelf, and to call himfelf 
 wholly upon God for Mercy, in thefole Merits 
 and Mediation of Jefus Chrift, who hath engag- 
 ed 
 
i m J 
 
 ed himfelf never to caft them off, who in Truth 
 and Sincerity come unto him : Care alio mull: he 
 taken, that the lick Perfon be not caftdown into 
 Defpair by iiich a fevere Reprefentation of the 
 Wrath of God due to him for his Sins, as is not 
 mollified, by a feafonable propounding of Chrift 
 and his Merit, for a Door of Hope to every pe- 
 nitent Believer. 
 
 When the fick Perfon is bed compofed, may 
 beleaft dillurbed, and other neccfiary Offices a- 
 bout him leaft hindred, the Minifter, if deiired, 
 fliall pray with him and for him to this EffecT: > 
 
 Conf effing and bewailing of Sin. original and aclu- 
 aUtbc miferabk Condition of all by Nature ; as being 
 Children of Wraths and under the Curfe 5 acknow- 
 ledging that all Difeafes,Sickneffes, Death and Hell 
 itfelf are the proper Iffues and Effects thereof im- 
 ploring God 3 s Mercy for the fick Perfon, through 
 the Blood of Chrift, befeeching that God would 0- 
 penhis Eyes, difcoverunto him his Sins, caufehim 
 to fee himfelf loft in himfelf, make known to him the 
 Caufe why God fmiteth him, reveal Jefus Chrift 
 to his Soul, for Righteoufnefs and Life, give unto 
 him his holy Spirit to create and ftrengthen Faith, 
 to lay hold upon Chrift, work in him Comfortable 
 Evidences of his Love, to arm him againft Temp- 
 tations, to take off hif Heart from the World, to 
 fanclifyhis prefeut Vifitation, tofumifli him with 
 Patience and Strength to bear it, and to give him 
 P er fever an cein Faith to the End. 
 
 That if God fhall pleafe to add to his Days, he 
 
 would vouch-fafe 10 blefs and fan&ify all Means 
 
 U 2 of 
 

 L 35* J 
 
 of his Recovery to remove the Difeafe, renew 
 his Strength, and enable him to walk worthy of 
 God, by a faithful Remembrance, and diligent 
 obferving of fuch Vows and Promifes of Holi- 
 nefs and Obedience as Men are apt to make in 
 1 imes of Sicknefs, that he may glorify God in 
 the remaining Part of his Life. 
 
 And if God have determined to finifh his Days 
 by the prefentVifitation, he may find fuch Evi- 
 denceof the Pardon of his Sins, of his Interefl 
 in Chrift, and eternal Life by Chrift, as may caufc 
 his inward Man to be renewed, while his out- 
 ward Man decayeth ; that he may behold Death 
 without Fear, cafthimfelf wholly upon Chrift:, 
 without doubting, defire to be difTolved and to 
 be with Chrift, and fo to receive the End of his 
 Faith, the Salvation of his Soul, through the only 
 Merits and IntercelTion of the Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 our alone Saviour and all- fufficicnt Redeemer. 
 
 The Mtnifter fhalladmonim him alfo (ast&ere 
 (hail be Caule) to fet his Houfe in Order, thereby 
 to prevent Inconveniencies, to take care for the 
 Payment of his Debts, and to make Reftitutiori 
 or Satisfaction where he hath done any Wrong. 
 to be reconciled to thole with whom he hath 
 been at Variance, and fully to forgive all Mer 
 their Trefpafies againft him, as he expects For- 
 givenefs at the Hand of God. 
 
 Laftly, The Minifter may improve the prefent 
 Occasion to exhort thofe about t he lick Per Ion, to 
 conlider their own Mortality, to return to the 
 Lord and make Peace with him, in Health to pre 
 
 pare 
 
[ 353 ] 
 
 pare for Sicknefs, Death and Judgment, and all 
 the Days of their appointed Time, Co to wait un- 
 til their Change come 5 that when Chrift who 
 is our Life fhail appear, they may appear with 
 him in Glory. 
 
 Concerning Burial of the Dead. 
 
 WHEN any Perfon departeth this Life, kt 
 the dead Body, upon the Day of Burial, 
 be decently attended from the Houie to the Place 
 appointed for publick Burial, and there immedi- 
 ately interr'd without any Ceremony. 
 
 Ar-A becaufe the Cuflom of kneeling down and 
 praying by or towards the dead Corps, and other 
 iuch Ufages in the Place where it lies, before it 
 be carried to Burial, are fuperilitious, and for that 
 praying, reading and ringing, both in going to 
 and at the Grave, have been groAy abufed, are no 
 way beneficial to the Dead, and have proved ma- 
 ny Ways hurtful to the Living, therefore let all 
 fuch Things be laid afide. 
 
 Howbeit, we judge it very convenient., that 
 the Chriftian Friends which accompany the dead 
 Body to the Place appointed for publick Burial, 
 do apply themfelvesto Meditations and Confer- 
 ence, futableto the Occaiion ; and that the Mini- 
 Iter, as upon other Occasions, ioatthis Time, if 
 he be prefent, may put them in Remembrance 
 of their Duty. 
 
 That this fhall not extend to deny any civil Re- 
 
 ipe&s or Deferences at the Burial, futable to the 
 
 V 3 Rank 
 
L.354 J 
 
 Rank and Condition of the Party deceafed, 
 whiift he was living. 
 
 Concerning publick folemn Fafting. 
 
 WHEN fome great and notable Judgments 
 are either inflicted upon a People, or ap- 
 parently imminent, or by fome extraordinary 
 Provocations notorioufly deferved j as alfo,when 
 fome fpecial Bletfing is to be fought and obtained, 
 publick folemn Fafting (which is to continue the 
 whole Day) is a Duty that God expecteth from 
 the Nation or People. 
 
 A religious Faft requires total Abftinence, not 
 only from all Food ( unlefs bodily Weaknefs do 
 manifestly difable from holding out till the Faft 
 be ended, in which Cafe fomewhat may be tak- 
 es, yet very fparingly, to fupport Nature when 
 ready to faint) but alio from all worldly Labour, 
 Difcourfes and Thoughts, and from all bodily 
 Delights, (altho at other Times lawful) rich Ap- 
 parel, Ornaments, and fuch like, during the Faft; 
 and much more from what-ever is, in the Na- 
 ture, or Ufe, fcandalous or offenfivei as gayilli 
 Attire, laicivious Habits and Geftures, and other 
 Vanities of either Sex; which we recommend 
 to all Minifters in their Places, diligently and zeal- 
 oufiy to reprove, as at other Times, fo efpecial- 
 ly at a Faft, without rdpeft of Perfons, as there 
 fhallbeOccafion. , ■ 
 
 Before the publick Meeting, each Family and 
 Perfon apart are privately to ufe all religious Care 
 
 to 
 
X 355 ] V 
 
 to prepare their Hearts to fuch a folemn y ^ 
 and to be early at the Congregation . / 
 
 So large a Portion of the Day, as convex 
 may be, is to be fpent in publick reading a. 
 preaching of the Word,with iinging of Pfalms fit 
 to quicken Affe&ions futable to fuch a Duty; but 
 efpecialiy in Prayer, to this or the like EfYec* : 
 
 k Giving Glory to the great Majefty of God, 
 c the Creator, Preferver, and fupreme Ruler of all 
 « the World, the better to arTecl us thereby with 
 « a holy Reverence and Awe of him ; acknow- 
 « ledging his manifold, great and tender Mercies, 
 « efpecialiy to the Church and Nation, the more 
 * effectually to foften and abafeour Hearts before 
 « him : Humbly confefTing of Sins of all Sorts, 
 « with their feveral Aggravations, juftifying 
 « God's righteous judgments, as being far lets 
 
 < than our Sinsdodeferve* yet humbly and ear- 
 « neftly imploring his Mercy and Grace for our 
 « felves, the Church and Nation, for our King 
 « and all in Authority,and for all others for whom 
 
 < we are bound to pray ( according as the prefent 
 « Exigent requireth ) with more fpeciallmpor- 
 
 < tunity and Enlargement than at other Times, 
 « applying by Faith the Fromifes and Goodnefs of 
 « God, for Pardon, Help and Deliverance from 
 « the Evils felt, feared, or deferved, and for ob- 
 « taining the BleiTings which we need and ex- 
 « pe&j together with a giving up of ourfelves 
 
 < wholly and forever unto the Lord. 
 
 In all thefe, the Minifters, who are the Mouths 
 of the People unto God, ought fo to fpeak from 
 
 their ' 
 
their Hearts, upon ferious and thorow Premedi- 
 tation of them; that both themielves and their 
 People may be muchafte&ed, and even melted 
 thereby j efpecially with Sorrow for their Sins, 
 that it may be indeed a Day of deep Humiliation 
 and afflicting of the Soul. 
 
 Special Choice is to be made of the Scriptures 
 to be read, and of fiich Texts for preaching, as 
 may beft work the Hearts of the Hearers to the 
 fpecial Bufmefs of the Day,and moftdifpofethem 
 to Humiliation and Repentance; infifting mofl 
 on thofe Particulars, which each Minister's Ob- 
 fervation and Experience tells him, are moil con- 
 ducing to the Edification and Reformation of 
 that Congregation to which he preacheth. 
 
 Before the clofe of the publick Duties, the Mi- 
 nifter is in his own and the Peoples Name to en- 
 gage his and their Hearts to be the Lord's, with 
 profefTed Purpofe and Refolution to reform 
 whatever is arnifs among them, and more parti- 
 cularly fuch Sins as they have been mere remark- 
 ably guilty of: and to draw nearer unto God, and 
 to walk moreclofely and faithfully with him in 
 new Obedience, than ever before. 
 
 He is alfo to admonifh the People with all Im- 
 portunity, that the Work of that Day doth not 
 end with the publick Duties of it, but that they 
 are fo to improve the Remainder of the Day, and 
 of their whole Life, in re-inforcingupon them- 
 felves and their Families in private.all thofe godly 
 AfTe&ionsand Refolutions which they prorefTed 
 in Publick, as that they may be fettled in their 
 
 Hearts 
 
[ 357 ] 
 
 Hearts for ever, and themfelves may more fen- 
 fibly find that God hath fmelt a fweet Savour in 
 Chrift from their Performances; and is pacified 
 towards them, by Anfwers of Grace in pardon- 
 ing of Sin, in removing of Judgments, in avert- 
 ing or preventing of Plagues, and in conferring 
 of Bleflings, ilitable to the Conditions and Pray- 
 ers of his People by Jefus Chrift. 
 
 Bende folemn and general Fafts enjoined by 
 Authority, we judge that at other Times, Con- 
 gregations may keep Days of Fafting, as divine 
 Providence fhall adminifter unto them fpecial 
 Occafions : And alfo that Families may do the 
 fame, fo it be not on Days wherein the Congre- 
 gation to which they do belong, is to meet for 
 Fafting, or other publick Duties of Worfhip. 
 
 Concerning the Obfervation of Days of 
 publick Tbankfgiving. 
 
 WHEN any fuch Day is to be kept, let No- 
 tice be given of it, and of the Occafion 
 thereof, fome convenient Time before, that the 
 People may the better prepare themfelves there- 
 unto. 
 
 The Day being come, and the Congregation 
 (after private Preparations) being affembled, the 
 Minifter is to begin with a Word of Exhortation, 
 to ftir up the People to the Duty for which rhey 
 are met, and with a fhort Prayer for God's Affi fi- 
 ance and Blc fling, as at other Conventions for 
 
 public! 
 
r 35s ] 
 
 publick Worfhip, according to the patticular 
 Occaiion of their Meeting. 
 
 Let him then make fome pithy Narration of 
 the Dcliverence obtained, or Mercy received, or 
 of whatever hith occasioned that affembling of 
 the Congregation, that all may better underftand 
 it, or be minded of ir, and more afTecled with it. 
 
 And becaufe tinging of Pfilmsisofallother the 
 moft proper Ordinance for exprefimg of Joy and 
 Thanklgiving, let fome pertinant Plalm or 
 Pfalms be fung for that Purpoie. before or after 
 the reading of fome Portion of the Word, fina- 
 ble to the prefent Bufinefs. 
 
 Then let the Miniiter who is to preach, proceed 
 to further Exhortation and Prayer before his Ser- 
 mon,with fpecial Reference to the prefent Work: 
 After which let him preach upon fome Text of 
 Scripture pertinent to the Occalion/ 
 
 The Sermon ended, let him only pray, as at o- 
 ther Times after preaching is directed, with Re- 
 membrance of the Neceflities of the Church, 
 King and State ( if before the Sermon they were 
 omitted ) but enlarge himfeif in due and foTemn 
 Thankfgiving for former Mercies and Deliver- 
 ances, but more efpecially for that which at the 
 prefent calls them together to give Thanks j with 
 humble Petition for the Continuance and renew- 
 ing of God's wonted Mercies, as need fhall be, 
 and for faadlifyfrig Grace to make a right Ufe 
 thereof. And fo having fung another Pfalm futa- 
 ble to the Mercy, let him difmifs the Congrega- 
 tion with a BieiTing, that they may have fome 
 
 conve- 
 
C V9 ] 
 
 convenient Time for their Repaft and Remon 
 ing. jc 
 
 Butthe Minifter ( before their DifmifTion ) h 
 folemnly to admonifh them, to beware of all Ex- 
 ccfs and Riot, tending to Gluttony or Drunken- 
 ness, and much more of thefe Sins themfelvcs, in 
 their eating and refrefliing, and to take care that 
 their Mirth and Rejoicing be not carnal, but Spi- 
 ritual, which may make God's Praiie to be glo- 
 rious, and themfelves humble and fober, and that 
 both their Feeding and Rejoicing may render 
 them more Cheerful, and Enlarged further to ce- 
 lebrate his Praifes in the midft of the Congrega- 
 tion, when they return into it, in the remaining 
 Part of that Day. 
 
 When the Congregation (hall be again alTem- 
 bied, the like Courfcin praying, reading, preach- 
 ing, tinging of Pialms, and offering upof more 
 Praiie and Thankfgiving, that is before directed 
 for the Morning, is to be renewed and continued 
 fo far as the Time will give leave. 
 
 At one or both of the publick Meetings that 
 Day, a Colie&ion is to be made for the Poor, (and 
 in the like Manner upon the Day of publick Hu- 
 miliation ) that their Loyns may bleis us, and re- 
 joice the more with us : And the People are to 
 be exhorted, at the End of the latter Meeting, to 
 fpend the Refidue of that Day in holy Duties, and 
 Teftifications of Chriftian Love and Charity one 
 towards another ; and of rejoicing more and 
 more in the Lord, as becometh thofe who make 
 the Joy of the Lord their Strength, 
 
 ,1 
 
L 3*o ] 
 
 Of Singing of Pfahns. 
 
 IT is the Duty of Chriftians to praife God 
 publickly, by finging of Pfalms together in 
 the Congregation, and alfo privately in the Fa- 
 mily.' 
 
 In finging of Pfalms, the Voice is to be tune- 
 able and gravely ordered : But the chief Care muft 
 be to fing with Underftanding, and with Grace 
 in the Heart, making Melody to the Lord. 
 
 That the whole Congregation may join here- 
 in, every one that can read is to have a Pfalm 
 Cook j and all others, not difabled by Age or o- 
 therwife, are to be exhorted to learn to read : But 
 for the prefent, where many in the Congregati- 
 on cannot read, it is convenient that the Mini- 
 frer, or fome other fit Perfon appointed by him 
 and the other ruling Officers, do read the Pfalm 
 Line by Line before the finging thereof. 
 
 An Appendix touching Days 
 and Places forpublick Worihip. 
 
 THERE is no Day commanded in Scrip- 
 ture to be kept holy under the Gofpel, 
 but the Lord's Day, which is the Chriftian Sab- 
 bath. 
 
 Feftival Days, vulgarly called Holy Days, hav- 
 ing no Warrant in the Word of God, are not to 
 W continued. Never- 
 
1 3©i J 
 
 Neverthelefs, it is lawful and necefTary, upon 
 fpecial emergent Occafions, to feparatea Day or 
 Days for publick Failing or f hankfgiving , as thd 
 feveral eminent and extraordinary Difpenfations 
 of God's Providence (hall adminifter Caufe and 
 Opportunity to his People. 
 
 As no Place is capable of any Holinefs under 
 pretence of whatfoever Dedication or Confecra- 
 tion, fo neither is it fubjedr, to fuch Pollution by 
 any Superftition formerly ufed, and now laid a- 
 fide., as may fender it unlawful or inconvenient 
 for Chriltians to meet together therein for the 
 publick Worfhip of God : And therefore we' 
 hold it requifite that the Places for publick 
 aiTembling for Worfhip among us, ihould be 
 continued and employed to that Ufe. 
 
 X t0 
 
 
L 5oz j 
 To the Right Honourable the 
 
 Lords and Commons 
 
 Aflembled in Parliament ; 
 
 The humble Advice of the Aflem- 
 by of Divines, now fitting by 
 Ordinance of Parliament at Weft- 
 mhiftery 
 
 Con cerning Church-Government. 
 7he <P RE F A C E. 
 
 ^ITESUS CHRIST, upon whofe Shoulders 
 1 the Goverment is, whofe Name is called 
 -K* Wonderful Counfellor, the mighty God, 
 the everlafting Father, the Prince ot Peace, of 
 the Tncreafe of whofe Government and Peace 
 there (hall be no End, who fits upon the Throne 
 of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, 
 and to eftablifli it with Judgment and Juftice, 
 from henceforth, even for ever, having all Power 
 given unto him in Heaven and in Earth by the 
 Father, who raifed him from the dead, and fet 
 him on his own Right Hand, far shove all Pririci- 
 \ palitiefi 
 
 \ 
 
[ 36} ] \ 
 
 palities, and Power, and Might, and Dominion^ 
 and every Name that is named not only in this 
 World, but alfo in that which is to come, and 
 put all Things under his Feet, and gave him to be 
 the Head over all Things to the Church, which 
 is his Body, the Fulnefs of him that fillethallin 
 all : He being afcended up far above all Heavens, 
 that he might fill all Things, received Gifts for his 
 Church, and gave Officers necelTary for the Edi- 
 fication of his Church, and pcrfe&ing of his 
 Saints, Mat. 28. v. 18, 19, 20 Epb. 1. 20, to 
 it. compared with Eph. 4.. v. 8, \i,andFfxl.6S. 
 v. 18. 
 
 s Of the Chunk 
 
 THere is one general Church vifible, held forth 
 in the New Teftament, 1 Cor. 22. 12,13, 
 28. together with the reft of the Chapter. 
 
 The Miniftry, Oracles and Ordinances of the 
 New Teftament, are given by Jefus Chrift to the 
 general Church vifible, for the gathering and per- 
 fecting of it in this Life until his fecond coming, 
 1 Cor. 12. i$.Eph. 4. 4, $\ compared wither, 
 10, 1 1, 12, 1 3, 1 $•", 16, of the fame Chapter. 
 
 Particular vifible Churches, Members of the 
 general Church, are alfo held forth in the New 
 Teftament, Gal. 1. 21, 22. Rev. 1: 4, 20, 8c 
 'Rev. 2.1. Particular Churches in the Primitive 
 Times were made up of vifible Sainfs, viz,, of 
 fuch as being of Age, profeiTed Faith in Chrift, 
 aa<f Obedience unto Chrift.accou&ng to the Rule 
 X z Pi 
 
 > 
 
C ?*4 ] 
 
 f Faith and Life taught by Chrift'and his A- 
 foftles, and of their Children, Acts 2. 38, 41 . 
 A3s 2. laft, compared wkhABs y.v. 14. 1 Cor. 
 i.i. compared with 2 Cor. o.f. 13. Aflsz.v. 
 39. 1 Cor. j.v. 14. Rom. 11. 16. and fo for- 
 ward, Mark 10. 14. compared with Mat. 19. 
 ip. 13, 14. La/ce i3. <z;. 1 f, 16. 
 
 Of the Officers of the Church. 
 
 THE Officers which Chrift hath appointed 
 for the Edification of his Church, and the 
 perfecting of the Saints, are: 
 
 Some extraordinary j as ApoftIes,Evangelifh, 
 and Prophets j which are ceafed. 
 
 Others ordinary and perpetualas Pallors, teach- 
 ers, and other Church-Governors and Deacons. 
 
 Paflors. 
 
 THE Paftor is an ordinary and perpetual 
 Officer in the Church, Jer. 2. v. if. 16, 
 1 7 . prophefying of the Time of the Gofpel, 
 iPet.f.i, 2,4. Eph. 4. ii, 12, 13. 
 Firlt, It belongs to his Office 
 To pray for and with his Flock, as the Mouth 
 of the People, unto God, Acts 6. 1, 3,4. and 
 20. 26. where Preaching and Prayer are joined 
 as feveral Parts of the fame Office, Jam. $. v. 
 > 14, 1 $\ The Office of the Eider, that is, the Pa- 
 ils to pray for the fick, even in private, to 
 Yh a Staffing is efpecially promifed,. much' 
 \ move 
 
L 3*5 J ' w 
 
 more therefore ought he to perform this in the ^ 
 publick Execution of his Office, as a part thereof. 
 
 To read the Scripture publickly ; for the Proof 
 of which, 
 
 i . That the Priefts and Levites in the Jewim 
 Church were trufted with the publick Reading 
 of the Word, as is proved Dent. 3 1.^.9, 10, 1 1. 
 Nefiem. 8. 1, 2, & 13. 
 
 2. That the Ministers of the Gofpel have as 
 ample a Charge and Commiffion to difpenfe the 
 Word, as well as other Ordinances, as the Priefts 
 and Levites had under the.Law, proved, If a. 66. 
 v. 21. Mat.i^.v. 34. Where our Saviour en- 
 tituleth the Officers of the New Teftament, 
 whom he will fend forth, by the fame Names of 
 the Teachers of the Old. 
 
 Which Proportions prove, that therefore ( the 
 Duty being of a moral Nature) it followeth by 
 juft: Confequence, that the publick Reading of 
 the Scriptures belongeth to the Paftor's Office. 
 
 To feed the Flock by preaching of the Word, 
 according to which he is to teach, convince, re- 
 prove, exhort and comfort, 1 Tim. 3.2. 2 Tim. 
 3. 16, 17. Tit. 1. 9. 
 
 To catechife, which is a plain laying down 
 the Principles of the Oracles of God, Heb. f. 
 v. 1 2. or of the Doctrine of Chrift, and is a Part 
 of Preaching. 
 
 To difpenfe other civineMyfteries, 1 Cor. 4. 
 v. 1, 2. 
 
 To adminifter the Sacraments, Mat. 1 S.i 9, 20. 
 Mark 16. if, 16. 1 Cor. 1 1 .23, 24, 2 ?. compared 
 with 1 Cor. 10. 16. X3 
 
I 166 j 
 
 foblcfi the People from God, Num. 6. 23, 
 24, 15*, 26. compared with Rev. 14. 5*. (where 
 the fame Bleffings and Perfons from whom they 
 come, are exprefly mentioned ) Ifx.66. 2 j . Here 
 under the Name of Pr lefts and Levites, to be con- 
 tinued under the Gofpel, are meant Evangelical 
 Paftors, who therefore are by Office to blefs the 
 People, Deut. 10. 8. 2 Cor. 13. v. 14. Eph. 1. 
 i>. 2. 
 
 To take care of the Poor, Acts 11. 50. & 
 eh. 4. v. 54, if, 36, 37. 8c 6. 2, 3,4. 1 Cor. 
 to. 1,1,3,4. Gal. 2. 9, 10. 
 
 And he hath alfo a ruling Power over the 
 Flock as a Paftor, 1 Tim. f. xj.Afts 19. 17.8c 
 t$.x.i Thejf. f m 11. Hsb. 13.7, 17. 
 
 Teacher or DoEicr. 
 
 TH E Scriptures doth hold out the Name 
 and Title of a Teacher, as well as of a Pa- 
 iior, 1 Cor. 1 2. v. 28. Epb. 4. 1 1 . 
 
 Who is alfo a Minifter of the Word as well as 
 the Paftor, and hath Power of Adminiftration of 
 the Sacraments. 
 
 The Lord having given different Gifts, and di- 
 vers Exerciies according to thefe Gifts in the Mi- 
 niftry of the Word, Rom. 12.6,7,8. 1 Cor. 12. 
 1 , 4, f, 6, 7 . Though thefe different Gifts may 
 meet in, and accordingly be exercifed by one and 
 the fame Minifter, 1 Cor. 14. 3. 2 Tim.$. 2. Tit. 
 2 '.v'.f. yet where be feveral Minifters in the fame 
 Congregation, they may be deligned to feveral 
 
 Employ- 
 
5*7 ] ^\ 
 
 Employmcnts,according to the differe, ^ . 
 which each of them doth moll excel, : * ts fa 
 6, 7, 8. i Pet. 4. 10, 1 1 . and he that do * 'a. 
 excel in Expofitfon of Scripture, in t£or e 
 found Doctrine, and in convincing Gaining 
 than he doth in Application., and is accordi,, 
 employed therein, may be called a Teachei 
 Dodtor : the Places alledged by the Notation 
 the Word doth prove the Proportion ; Nevei 
 thelefs, where is but one Minifter in a particular/ 
 Congregation, he is to perform fo far as he is abia 
 the whole Work of the Mini-ftry, as appeareth in 
 %Tim.$.z.Tit. i. 9. before alledged, 1 Tim. 6.2. 
 A Teacher or Do&or is of molt excellent Vie 
 in Schools and Universities, as of old in the 
 Schools of tke Prophets, and at Jerufdem, where 
 Gamaliel and others taught as Doctors. 
 
 Othe* Church-Governors. 
 
 AS there were in xhtjerviflj Church Elders of 
 the People joined with the Priefts and Le- 
 vites in the Government of the Church, as ap- 
 pearethin tChvon. 19.^. 8,9,10.) SoChriir, 
 who hath inftituted a Government, and Gover- 
 nors Ecclefiafticalinthe Church, hath furnifhed 
 fome in his Church, befides the Miniftersof the 
 Word, with Gifts for Goyernment, and with 
 Commiffion to execute the fame when called 
 thereunto, who are to jo, with the Minifrer in .- 
 the Government of the Church, Rom. n.v.y^j, 
 1 Cor. 1 2 .v . 2 8 .which Officers refor medChurch 
 eg commonly call Elders. X 4 Dr p< 
 
/ [ 368 ] 
 
 Deacons. 
 
 THE Scripture doth hold out Deacons as di- 
 ning Officers in the Church, Fhtl. i . v. i . 
 i Tim. $. 8. whoie Office ir perpetual, i Tin:. 5. 
 8. to v. 1 5. Acts 6.1,2, 3 , 4. To whoie Office 
 it belongs not to preach trie Word, or adminifter 
 the Sacra meats, but to take ipecjal Care in diftri- 
 buting to tie Neceffities of the Poor, Acis 6. 
 i> I, 3, 4. and rhe Verfes following, 
 
 Of particular Congregations. 
 
 f T is lawful and expedient that there be fixed 
 •*• Congregations, that is, a ce cam Company 
 of Chrifuans ro meet in an Afiembly ordinarily 
 forpul- : ckWorihip. When Believers multiply to 
 fucha Number, tbat.thev cannot conveniently 
 meet, in one Place, it is lawful and expedient that 
 they fliould be divided into diftincl: and fixed 
 Cong for the better Adminiftration 
 
 of fuch Ovc. ai ce,s as belong unto them, and 
 the Difcharge or mutual Duties, 1 Cor. 14.26. 
 Let all Things be done unto Edifying ; and Verfes 
 33.40. 
 
 The ordinary way of dividing ChriiTians into 
 diftincl: Congregations, and moft expedient for 
 Edification, is by refpective Bounds of their 
 Dwellings 
 
 Firft, becaufe they who dwell together, being 
 bouiid to all kind of moral Duties one :o another, 
 
 have 
 
C 369 1 
 
 have the better Opportunity thereby to difcharge 
 them, which moral Tye is perpetual > for Chrift 
 came not to deflroy the Law, but to fulfil it, 
 Dent. \f.v 7, 1 1. Mat. a. v. ig.Mat.y.v.iy, 
 
 Secondly, The Communion of Saints muftbe 
 fb ordered, as may Hand with the mod conve- 
 nient Ufe of the Ordinances, and Difcharge of 
 moral Duties, without Reipetl: of Perfons, 
 1 Cor. 14. 16. Let all Things be done unto Edify- 
 ingy Heb. 10. 24,, if. Jam. 1. 1, 1. 
 
 Thirdly, The Paftor and People muft fo nearly 
 cohabit together, as that they may mutually per- 
 form their Duties each to other, with moft Con- 
 veniency. 
 
 In this Company fbme muftbe fet apart to 
 bear Office. 
 
 Of the Officers of a particular Congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 FOR Officers in a fingle Congregation, there 
 ought to be one at the leaft, both to labour in 
 the Word and Doctrine, and to rule, Prov. 20. 
 18. 1 Tim. f. 17. Heb. 13.7. 
 
 It is alfo requisite that there (hould be others 
 to join the Government, 1 Cor. \i. 28. 
 
 And likewife it is requiiite that there be o- 
 thers to take fpecial Care for the Relief of the 
 Poor, Acts 6. v. 2.3. 
 
 The Number of each of which is to be pro- 
 portioned according to the Condition of the 
 Congregation. . 
 
 X s Th*e 
 
I 37° J 
 
 Thefe Officers are to meet together at conve- 
 nient and fet Times, for the well ordering of the 
 Affairs of the Congregation, eich according to 
 his Office. 
 
 It is mod expedient, that in thefe Meetings, 
 one whofc Office is to -labour in the Word and 
 Doftrine do moderate in their Proceedings, 
 1 Tim.f.v. 17. 
 
 Of the Ordinances of particular Congre- 
 gations. 
 
 THE Ordinances in a fingle Congregation, 
 are Prayer, Thankfgiving, and finging of 
 Pfalms, 1 Tim. i. 1. 1 Cor. 14.x;. 15% 16. The 
 Word read, (although there follow no immedi- 
 ate Explication of what is read ) the Word ex- 
 pounded and applied, Catechifing, the Sacra- 
 ments adminiftred, Collection for the Poor, difc 
 miffing the People with a Bleffing. 
 
 Of Church-Government, and the fever at 
 Sorts of Ajfemblies for the fame. 
 
 CHRIST hath inftituted a Government, and 
 Governors EccleiiafTical in the Church, to 
 that Purpofe the Apoftles did immediately re- 
 ceive the Keys from the Hand of Jefus Chrift, . 
 and did ufe and exercife them in all the Churches 
 of the World upon all Occafions. 
 
 And Chrift hath fince continually furnimed 
 fomc in his Church with Gifts of Government, 
 
 and 
 
[371 ] 
 
 and with Cornmiffion to execute the fame when 
 called thereunto. . 
 
 It is lawful and agreableto the Word of God, 
 that the Church be governed by feveral Sorts of 
 Aftemblies, which are Congregational, Claflica!, 
 and Synodical. 
 
 Of the Power in common of all thefe 
 Affemblies, 
 
 IT is lawful and agreeable to the Word of God 
 that the feveral Affemblies before mentioned, 
 have Power to convene and call before them any 
 Perfon within their feveral Bounds, whom the 
 Ecclefiaftical Bufmefs which is before them doth 
 concern, proved by Mat. 18. if, to *i. 
 
 They have Power to hear and determine fuch 
 Caufes and Differences, as do orderly come be- 
 fore them. 
 
 It is lawful and agreeable to the Word of God 
 that all the faid Affemblies have fome Power to 
 difpenfe Church Cenfures. 
 
 Of Congregational Affemblies y that is] 
 the Meeting of the ruling Officers cf 
 a particular Congregation for the Go- 
 vernment thereof 
 
 TH E ruling Officers .of a particular Congre- 
 gation have Power authoratively to call be- 
 fore them any Member of the Congregation, as 
 they {hall fee juft Occafion. To 
 
[ m 3 
 
 To enquire into the Knowledge and fpiritual 
 Kit: :t of the ieveral Members of the Congrega- 
 tion . To ad monifh and rebuke. 
 
 Which three Branches arc proved by Htb. 1 3 . 
 17. I Ttikfflf. 12, 13. 2i*ffc. 34e-4t 
 
 Authoratativc Sufpenfion from the Lord's Ta- 
 ': of a Per on not yet eaU out of the Church, 
 i : agreeable to the Scripture. 
 
 Firfr. becaufe the Ordinance it felf mud not 
 bePrcpnaned. 
 
 Secondly, Becaufe we are charged to with- 
 drawfrom thofe that walk di {orderly 
 
 Thirdly, Becaufe of the great Sin and Danger 
 both to him that comes unworthily, and alio to 
 the whole Church, Mat. j.6.i Tbejf. 3.6, 14, 
 if. 1 Cor. jr. i 7. to the End of the Chapter ; 
 compared with Judc -v. 2 ?, . t Tim. f . ^^. And 
 there was Power and Authority under the Old 
 Teftament; to keep unclean Perfons from holy 
 Things, Lev. i$.f. Num. 9. 7* rChrdn.r$. \g. 
 
 The like Power and Authority by way of Ana- 
 logy continues under the New Teftament. 
 
 The ruling Officers of a particular Congrega- 
 tion have Power authoratatively to fufpend irom 
 the' Lord's Table a Perfon not yet cafl: out of 
 the Church. 
 
 Firft, Becaufe thofe who have Authority to 
 judge of, and admit fuch as are fit to receive the 
 Sacrament, have Authority to keep back fuch as 
 fhali be found unworthy. 
 
 Secondly, Becaufe it is an EcclefiaftLcal Buil- 
 nefs, of ordinary Practice belonging to that Con - 
 gregatiou. Wher: 
 
I 373 ] 
 
 "When Congregations are divided and fixed, t. r 
 need all mutual Help one from another, both 
 Regard of their intrinfical WeakneiTes, and mu 
 tualDependancej as alfo in Regard of Enemies 
 from without. 
 
 Of Clafjical Affemblies. 
 
 TH E Scripture doth hold out a Presbytery in 
 a Church, both in the firft. Epiftle to Timo- 
 tby, chap. 4. ver. 14. and in Acis 1^.2,4, 6. 
 
 A Presbytery confifteth of Minifters of the 
 Word, and'fucb other publick Officers as area- 
 ereeabie to, and warranied by the Word of God, 
 to be Church-Governors, to join with the Mini- 
 flers in the Government of the Church, as ap- 
 peareth, Rom. 12. 7,8. 1 Cor. 1 1.28. 
 
 The Scripture doth hold forth, that many par- 
 ticular Congregations maybe under onePresby- 
 teriaj Government, 
 
 This Propofition is proved by Inftances. 
 
 I. Firft, Of the Church of JtrufaUm, which 
 coniifted of more Congregations than one, and 
 all thefe Congregations were under onePresby- 
 terial G'ovei nment. 
 
 This appeareth thus j 
 
 \ . Fh ft, The Church of Jerufalem coniifted 
 of more Congregations than one, asismanireft, 
 
 Firft, By the Multitude of Believers, before 
 trie Difperiion of the Believers ther* by Means of 
 the Periecution mentioned in the Afls of the A- 
 •Roftles, chap. 1. in the Beginning thereof i wit- 
 
C ffi 3 
 
 nefs chap. i. ver. 1 1. and chap. 1. ver. 41, 46", 
 47. and chap. 4. ver. 4. and chap. f. ver. 11. 
 and chap. 6. of the lame Book of the Acts v.ij. 
 
 And alfo after the Difperiion, ABs 9. ver. 32. 
 and chap. 1 2 . ver. 14. and f£^. 2 1 . ver. 20. of 
 the fame Book. 
 
 Secondly, By the many Apoftles and other 
 Preachers in the Church of ferufalem; and if 
 there were but one Congregation there, then each 
 Apoftle preached but fcldom j which will not 
 confift with chap. 6. ver. 2. of the fame Book- 
 of the Afts of the Apoftles. 
 
 Thirdly, The Diveriity of Languages amongft 
 the Believers, mentioned both in the fecond and 
 forth Chapters of the Atis, doth argue more Con- 
 gregations than one in that Church. 
 
 2 . Secondly, All thofe Congregations were un- 
 der one Presbyterial Government j becaufe, 
 
 Firft, They were one Church, A&s 8. 1, and 
 2. ver. 47. compared with chap. f. 1 i.and 12* 
 f. and if. ver. 4. of the fame Book. 
 
 Secondly, The Elders of the Church are men- 
 tioned A&s 1 1. 50. and \f. 4, 6", 22. and 21. 
 17, 18. of the fame Book. 
 
 Thirdly, The Apoftles did the ordinary Ads 
 of Presbyters, as Presbyters in that Kirk, which 
 proveth a Presbyterial Church before the Difper- 
 iion AMs 6. 
 
 Fourthly, The feveral Congregations mjerti- 
 falem being one Church, the Elders of that 
 Church are mentioned as meeting together for 
 Adfc of Government, Afts 11. 30. and if- 4> 
 
 6* 
 
C 375 1 \ 
 
 6, ir. and n. ver. 17, 18. and fo forward, 
 Which proves that thofe feveral Congregations 
 Were under one Presbyterial Government. 
 
 And whether thefe Congregations were fixed 
 or not fixed, in Regard of Officers or Members, 
 it is all one as to the Truth of the Proportion . 
 
 Nor doth there appear any material Difference 
 betwixt the feveral Congregations in J-erufnlem, 
 and the many Congregations now in the ordina- 
 ry Condition of the Church, as to the Point of 
 Fixednefs required of Officers or Members. 
 
 3 . Thirdly, Therefore the Scripture doth hold 
 forth, that many Congregations may be under 
 one Presbyterial Government. 
 
 II. Secondly, By the Inftance of the Church 
 of Ephefas : For, 
 
 1 . That there were more Congregations than 
 one in the Church of Epkefut, appears by Acis 
 ao 3 1 . ivhere is mention of Paul's Continuance 
 vxEphefu* in preaching for the Space of three 
 Years j avAAcis 11. ver. 18, 19, io. where the 
 fpccial EffecT: of the Lord is mentioned j and ver. 
 1 o, and 1 7 . of the fame chap, where is a Di- 
 (tinclion of Jews and Greeks : And 1 Cor. 16. 
 ver. 8,9. where is a Reafon of Paul's Stay at 
 Ephefus until Pemicofi; and ver. it. where is 
 mention of a particular Church in the Houfe of 
 AquiU and Prifciila then at Ephefus ; as appears 
 AMs i 8. 19, 24, 16. All which laid together, 
 doth prove, that the Multitudes of Believers did 
 make more Congregations thai? one in the 
 Church of EpheCw, 
 
['37* ] 
 
 2. That there were many Elders over thefe 
 many Congregations, as one Fleck, appeareth 
 Atis 20. 17, 25-, 28, 50, 56, 57. 
 
 3 . That thefe many Congregations were one 
 Church, and that they were under one Presbyte- 
 rial Government, appeareth, Rev. 2. thefirftiix 
 Veries joined with Acis 20. 17, 18. 
 
 Of Synodic at Affemblies. 
 
 TH E Scripture doth hold out another Sort of 
 AiTembiies for the Government of the 
 Church, befides ClaiTical and Congregational, all 
 which we call Synodical, Acis if. Paftors and 
 Teachers, and other Church-Governors, (as alio 
 other fit Perfons, when it fhall be deemed expe- 
 dient) are Members of thofe AiTembiies which 
 we call Synodical, where they have a lawful Call- 
 ing thereunto. 
 
 Synodical AiTembiies may lawfully be of feva- 
 ral Sorts; as Provincial, National, and Oecume- 
 nical. 
 
 It is lawful and agreeable to the Word of God, 
 that there be a Subordination of congregational, 
 claiTical, provincial and national Afiemblies for 
 the Government of the Church. 
 
 Of Ordination of Minifters. 
 
 UN D E R the Head of Ordination of Mini-. 
 Iters, is to be conlidered either the Dod> 
 ; ne of Ordination, or the Power of it. 
 
 Tfuch- 
 
C 377 ] 
 
 Touching the DoBrine of Ordination. 
 
 NO Man ought to take upon him the Office 
 of a Minifterof the Word, without a law- 
 ful Calling, John 3. ver. 27. Rom. 10. 14, iy. 
 Jer. 14. 14. Heb.f.j.. 
 
 Ordination is lawful to be continued in the 
 Church, Tit. 1. f. 1 Tim. y. 11, 22. 
 
 Ordinatioa is the folemn fetting a-part of a 
 Perfon to fome publick Church-Office, Num. 8. 
 10, ( 1, 14, 19, zz. Arts 6. 3, j-, 6 f 
 
 Every Miniffer of the Word is to be ordained 
 by Impofition of Hands, and Prayer with Fail- 
 ing, by thofe preaching Presbyters to whom it 
 doth belong, 1 Tim.f .21. Acis 14.. 2;. 8c 13. 3. 
 
 Ir is agreeable to the Word of God, and very 
 expedient, that fuch as are to be ordained iMini- 
 fters, hedeiigned to fome particular Church, or 
 other minifterial Charge, ABs 14, 25. Tit. 1.5*. 
 Acts io.'ver. t 7, £c 28. 
 
 He that is to be ordained Minifter muff, be duly 
 qualified both for Life and minifterial Abilines, 
 according to the Rules of the Apoftle, 1 Tim. 3. 
 2, to 6. Tit. 1. -6, 7, 8, 9. 
 . He is to be examined and approved by thofe by 
 whom lie is to be ordained, 1 Tim. 3.7, 10. and 
 f.ver. 22. 
 
 No Man is to be ordained a Minifler for a par- 
 tieular Congregation, if they of that Congrega- 
 tion can fhew juft Caufe of Exception againft 
 hi.n\ 1 Tim. 3.2. Tit. 1.7. 
 
 Touch'm 
 
 \ 
 
C 378 ] 
 
 Touching the Power of Ordination. 
 
 ORDINATION is the Act of a Presbyte- 
 ry, i Tim.^.ver, 14.. 
 
 The Power of ordering the whole Work of 
 Ordination is in the whole Presbytery, which- 
 when it is over more Congregations than one, 
 whether thofeCongregations be fixed or not fixed 
 in Regard of Officers or Members,it is indifferent 
 as to the Point of Ordination, 1 Tim. 4.. 14. 
 
 It is very requisite that no fingle Congregation 
 that can conveniently afTociate, do afTume to itfelf 
 all and fole Power in Ordinatfon. 
 
 1 . Becaufe there is no Example in Scripture, 
 that any lingle Congregation, which might con- 
 veniently afTociate, did afTume to itfelf all and 
 fole Power in Ordination ; neither is there any 
 Rule which may warrant Tucha Practice. 
 
 2. Becaufe there is in Scripture, Example of 
 an Ordination in a Presbytery over divers Con- 
 gregations, as in the Church ofjferufakm y whcrc 
 were many Congregations, thefe many Congre- 
 gations were under one Presbytery, and this Pres- 
 bytery did ordain. 
 
 The preaching Presbyters, orderly aflociated 
 either in Cities or neighbouring Villages, are 
 thofe to whom the Impofition of Hands doth 
 appertain, for thofe Congregations within their 
 Bounds respectively. 
 
 Some 
 
[ 119 ] 
 
 Some other Particulars concerning Church- 
 Government^ do yet remain unfinifoed 9 
 which /ball be with all convenient 
 Speedy prepared and presented to this 
 honourable Houfe. 
 
 To the Right Honourable the 
 
 Lords and Commons 
 
 Affembled in Parliament ; 
 
 The humble Advice of the A£- 
 iembly of Divines, now fitting 
 at Weftminjfer ; 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 'The DoElrinal Part of Ordination of 
 
 Minifiers. . J 
 
 "% TO Man ought to take upon him theO- 
 l^k ffice of a Minifter of the Word, with- 
 -L ^ out a lawful Calling , J@hn 3.27. Rom. 
 10.14, \$.Jer. 14. i^.Heb.f. 4. 
 
 2. Ordination is always to be continued in 
 the Church ; Tit. 1 . f, 1 Tim. f.n^i. .1, 
 
 3 .Ord ; 
 
I 3S0 J 
 
 3 . Ordination is the folemn fetting apart of 
 a Perfon to ibme publick Church-Office: Num. 
 8. io,t*z%. A&slb ,\ 3, j", 6. 
 
 4. Every Minifter of the Word is to be ordain- 
 ed by Impofition of Hands and Prayer, with Fail- 
 ing, by theie preaching Presbyters to whom it 
 doth belong: 1 Tim. $. 21. ABs 1.4. 23. & 13.3. 
 
 f. The Power of ordering the whole Work of 
 Ordination is. in the whole Presbytery, which 
 when it is over more Congregations than one, 
 whether theie Cong! egations be fixed or not fix- 
 ed in regard of Officers or Members, it is indiff- 
 erent as to the Point of Ordination : 1 Tim. a,. 14. 
 
 6. It is agreeable to the Word of God, and 
 very expedient, that jfach as are to be ordained 
 Miniflers be defigned ro ibme particular Church, 
 or other minifterial Charge ; ABs 14. 23. Tit. 
 i.f. Acts 10. 17,6c 28. 
 
 7. He that is to be ordained Minifrer, muftbe 
 duly qualified both for Life and minifterial Abi- 
 lities, according to the Rules or' the Apoftle ; 
 1 Tim. 3. z, to 7. Tit. 1. f ro 9. 
 
 8. He is to :;>e axamined and approved by thofe 
 by whom he is to be ordained: 1 Tim. 3. 7, 10. 
 d?. a. 
 
 0. No Msn is to be ordained a Minifter for a 
 particular Congregation, it they of that Con- 
 gregation can iV.ew juft Cauie of Exception a- 
 gainfthim, j Tim. 3.2. Tit. 1.7. 
 
 10. Preaching Presbyters orderly aflbciated 
 Cither in Cities, or neighbouring Villages are 
 \thoie to whom the Imposition of Hands doth 
 \ apper- 
 
 \ 
 
[ 38i ] 
 
 appertain, for thofe Congregations within their 
 Bounds refpectively : i Tim. 4.17. 
 
 r 1. In extraordinajy Cafes, Something extra* 
 ordinary may be done, until a fettled Order may 
 be had : Yer keeping as near as paffible may be to 
 the Rule, 2 Chron. 19. ver. -$$.$$, "$6.i&>cbap. 
 30. ver. 1. 3,4,5-. 
 
 ia.ThereisatthisTime (as we humbly con- 
 ' ceive) an extraordinary Occafion for a way of 
 Ordination for theprefent Supply of Minifters. 
 
 7%e DireBory, for Ordination of Mini- 
 fters. 
 
 IT being manifeft by the Word of God, that no 
 Man ought to take upon him the Office of a 
 Minifter of the Gofpel, until he be lawfully call- 
 ed and ordained thereunto : And that the Work 
 of Ordination is to be performed with all due 
 Care, Wifdom, Gravity, and Solemnity : We 
 humbly render thefe Directions as requifite to be 
 obferved. 
 
 i. He that is to be ordained, being either no- 
 minated by the People ; or otherwife commend- 
 ed to the Presbytery , muft addrefs him (elf to the 
 Presbytery, and bring with him a Testimonial of 
 his taking the Covenant of. the three Kingdoms, 
 of his Diligence, and Proficiency in his Studies : 
 What Degrees he hath taken in the Univerii- 
 ty : and what hath been the Time of his Abode 
 there: And withal, of his Age, which is to be 
 twenty four Years : But especially of his Life and 
 Cpnverfation* 2. Which 
 
 
L 3«2 J 
 
 a . Which being coniidered by the Presbytery, 
 they are to proceed, to enquire touching the 
 Grace of God in him, and whether he be offuch 
 Holinefs of Life as is requiiite in a Minifter of the 
 Gofpel, and to examine him touching his Learn- 
 ing and Sufficiency, and touching the Evidences 
 of his Calling to the holy Miniftry, and in parti- 
 cular his fair and direct Calling to that Place. 
 
 Ihe Rules for Examination are thefe. 
 
 i. HT HAT the Party examined be dealt withal 
 JL in a brotherly Way, with Mildnefs of 
 Spirit, and with fpecial Refpect to the Gravity, 
 Modefty, and Quality of every one. 
 
 2. He (hall be examined touching his Skill in 
 the Original Tongues, and his Trial to bemide 
 by reading the Hebrew and Gr^fcTeftaments, 
 and rendering fome Portion of fome into Lm- 
 tin: If he be defective in them, Enquiry fhalL be 
 made the more ftri&ly after his other Learning, 
 and whether he hath Skill in Logick and fhilcfo- 
 phy. 
 
 2. What Authors in Divinity he hath read and 
 is beft acquainted with : And Trial fhall be made 
 in his Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion, 
 and Ability to defend the Orthodox Doctrine 
 contained in them againft all unfound erroneous 
 Opinions, efpecially thofe of the prefent Age : 
 Of his Skill in the Senfe and Meaning of fuch 
 Places of Scripture as (hall be propofed unto 
 kjru in, Cafes of Conscience, and in the Chro- 
 nology 
 
L 5*3 J 
 
 nology of the Scripture, and the Ecclefiaitical 
 Hiftory. 
 
 4. If he hath not before preached in Pubiick, 
 with Approbation of fuch as are able to judge, 
 he fhall, at a competent Time aligned him, ex- 
 pound before the Presbytery fuch a Place of 
 Scripture as fhall be given him. 
 
 f. He mall alfo, within a competent Time, 
 frame a Difcourfe in Latin, upon iuch a common 
 Place or Controverfy in Divinity as fhall be af- 
 figned him, and exhibit to the Presbytery fuch 
 Thefes as exprefs the Sum thereof, and maintain 
 a Difpute upon them. 
 
 6. He (hall pi each before the People, the Pres- 
 bytery, or fome of the Minifters of the Word 
 appointed by them being prefent. 
 , 7 . The Proportion of his Gifts in Relation to 
 the Place un.ta which he is called, (hall beconfi- 
 dered.* * 
 
 8 . Befide the Trial of Gifts in preaching, he 
 fhall undergo an Examination in the Premifes 
 two fever a! Days, and more if the Presbytery 
 dial! judge it r.eceflary. 
 
 9. And as for him that hath been formerly 
 ordained a Minifies and is to be removed to a- 
 nother Charge* he fhall bring a Teftimonial of 
 lis Ordination, and of his Abilitiesand Conver- 
 sation, whereupon his Fimefs for that Piace fhall 
 ?e tried by his Preaching there (if it fliall be 
 udged ncceffiry) by a further Examination of 
 urn. 
 
 3. la 
 
I 3*4- J 
 
 3 . In all which he being approved, he is to be 1 
 fent to the Church where he is to ferve, thereto 
 preach three feveral Days, and to converfe with 
 the People, that they may have Trial of his Gifts 
 for their Edification, and may have Time and 
 Occafion to enquire into, and the better to know 
 his Life and Converfation. 
 
 4 . In rhe laft of thefe three Days appointed for 
 the Trial of his Gifts in Preaching, there fhallbe 
 fent fom the Presbytery to the Congregation, a 
 publick Intimation in Writing,- which (hall be 
 publickly read beiore the People, and after affix- 
 ed to the Church-Door, to iignify that fuch a 
 Day a competent Number of the Members of 
 that Congregation, nominated by themfelves, 
 (hall appear before the Presbytery, to give their 
 Confent and Approbation to fuch a Man to be 
 their Minifter, or otherwife to put in with all 
 Chriftian Difcretion and Meeknefs, what Ex- 
 ceptions they have againft him ; and if upou the 
 Day appointed, there be no juft Exception againft 
 him, but the People give their Conient, then the 
 Presbytery fhall proceed to Ordination, 
 
 f. Upon the Day appointed for Ordination, 
 
 Which is to be performed in that Church where 
 
 \ he that is to be ordained is to ferve, a folemn Faft 
 
 mail be kept by the Congregation, that they may 
 
 \ the more earneftly join in'Prayer for a BlefTing 
 
 Won the Ordinance of Chrift, and the Labours 
 
 of his Servant for their Good . The Presbytery 
 
 fell come to the Piace ; or at leaft, three or fou* 
 
 Miiuft«rj 
 
 
[ 335 ] 
 
 Miniflers of the Word (hall be Cent thither froru 
 the Presbytery of which one appointed by the 
 Presbytery ftiall preach to the People, concern- 
 ing the Office arid Duty of Miniflers of Chrift, 
 | and how the People ought to receive them for 
 I their Work fake. 
 
 6. After the Sermon, the Minifter who hath 
 preached, (hall in the Face of the Congregation 
 demand of him who is now to be ordained, con- 
 cerning his Faith in Chrift jefus, and his Perfua- 
 fion of the Truth of the Reformed Religion, ac- 
 cording to the Scripture j His fincere Intentions 
 and Ends in defiring to enter into this Calling 3 
 His Diligence in Praying, Reading, Meditation,, 
 Preaching, Mimftring the Sacraments, Difcip- 
 line, and doing all ministerial Duties towards his 
 Charge ; His'Zealand Faithfulnefs in maintain- 
 ing the Truth of the Gofpel, and Unity of the 
 Church againft Error and Schifm ; His Care that 
 himfelf and his Family may beunblameable, and 
 Examples to the Flock $ His Willin^nefs and Hu- 
 mility, in Meeknefs of Spirit to fubmit unto ths 
 Admonition of his Brethren, and Difcipline of 
 the Church j and his Refo'ution to continue in 
 his Duty againft all Trouble and Perfecution. 
 
 7. In all which having declarecthtmfelfj pro- 
 felled his Wiilingnefs, and promi{ed his Endeav- , 
 ours by the Kelp of God : The Minifter likewife 
 fhall demand of the Peot>!e. concerning their 
 Wiftingnefi to receive and acknewiedge him as 
 the Minifter of Chrifl, and to obey and and fub- 
 mit unto him.- as having Rule over them in the 
 Y Lord 
 
[ 3 85 ] 
 
 Lord, and to maintain, encourage and ailiit him 
 in all the Parts of his Office. 
 
 Which, being mutually promifed by the Peo- 
 ple, the Presbytery, or theMrftifters lent from 
 them for Ordination, fhall folemnly fet him a^ 
 part to the Office and Work of the Miniftry, by 
 laying their Hands on him * which is to be ac- 
 companied with a fhort Prayer or Bleffing to 
 this ExtccT:: 
 
 8. Thankfully acknowledging the great Mer- 
 cy of God. in lending Jefus Chriftfor the Re- 
 demption or his Peop'e, and for his Afcenfion to 
 the Right Hand of God the Father, and thence 
 pouring out his Spirit and giving Gifcs to Men, 
 Apoffies, Evanreliils, Prophets, Pallors and 
 Tcicrers, for the gathering and building up of 
 his Church, and for fitting and inclining this Man 
 to this greaV Wo: k ; to intreat him to fit him 
 with his holy Spirit, to give him (who in his 
 Name we thus fet apart to his holy Service) to 
 fulfi 1 the Work of the Miniftry in all Things 
 that lie may both fave himielf and his. People 
 committed -o his Charge. 
 
 9. This or the like Form of Prayer and Bleff- 
 ing bbiryg ended,- let the Minifter who preachetH, 
 briefly exhort him to coniider of theGreatnefs 
 of his Office and Work, the Danger of hisNe- 
 
 otl: to himielf and his People, the] 
 'Bieiling which will accompany his Faithfulnefs.j 
 in this Lite and that to come: And withal, ex- 
 Jhori . to csrry thcir.felves to him as t< 
 
 their Miniver in the Lord, according to their fc 
 
 lerm 
 
C 387] 
 
 lemn,Promife made before: And fo by Prayer 
 commending both him and his Flock to the 
 Grace of God, after ringing of a Pfalm, let the 
 AflemWy be difmiiTed with a Blefling. 
 
 10. If a Minifter be defigned to a Congregati- 
 on who hath been formerly ordained Presbyter, 
 according to the Form of Ordination which hath 
 been in the Church of England, which we hold 
 for Subftance to be valid, and not to be difclaun- 
 ed by any who have received it, then there being 
 a cautious Proceeding in Matters of Examinati- 
 on, let him be admitted without any new Ordi- 
 nation. 
 
 1 1 . And in cafe any Perfon already o'dained 
 Minifter in Scotland, or in any other Reformed 
 Church, be defigned to a Congregation in Eng- 
 land, he is to bring from that Church to the Pres- 
 bytery here, within which rhat Congregation is, 
 
 fufficientTeftimonal of his Ordination, of his 
 'Lifeand Converfation while he lived with them, 
 and of the Caufes of his Removal, and to under- 
 go fuch a Trial of his Fitnefs a^d Sufficiency, 
 and to have the fame Courfe held with him in o- 
 :her Particulars, as is fet down in the Rule im- 
 mediately going before, touching Examination 
 md Ad million. 
 
 it. That Records be carefully kept inthefe- 
 (reral Presbyteries, of the Names of the Perlons 
 brdained,. with their Testimonials, the Time and 
 p lace of their Ordination, of the Presbyters who 
 lid impofe Hands upon them, and of the Charge 
 p which they are appointed. 
 
 Y2 13. Tha 
 
[ 3 88 ] 
 
 15. That no Money or Gift, of what Kind 
 foever, (hall be received from the Peribn to be 
 prdained, or from any on his behalf, for Ordina- 
 tion, or ought elfe belonging to it, by any of the 
 Presbytery, or any apptertaining to any o£them, 
 Upon what Pretence foever, 
 
 Jhw far of ordinary Rules and Courfe of Ordi- 
 nation in the ordinary Way : That which con- 
 cerns the extraordinary Way, reyuifte to be 
 7iet» praciijedy folicweth. 
 
 1 . In thefeprefent Exigencies, while we can- 
 not have any Presbyters formed up to their 
 whole Power and Work, and that many Mini- 
 iters are to be ordained for the Service of the Ar- 
 mies and Navy, and to many Congregations 
 where there is no Minifter at all, and where ( by 
 reafon of the publick Troubles ) the People can- 
 not either themfelves enquire, and find out one 
 who may be a faithful Minifter for them, or have 
 any with Safety fent unto them for fuch a fo- 
 lemn Trial as was before mentioned in the ordi- 
 nary Rules, efpecially when there can be no Pres- 
 bytery near unto them, to whom they may ad- 
 drefs themfelvei, or which may come or fend to 
 them a fit Man to be ordained in that Congrega- 
 tion, and for that People; 2nd yet notwithstand- 
 ing it is recjuifite that Miniftersbe ordained for 
 them by forne, who being fet apart themfelves 
 for the Work of the Miniftry, have Power to 
 join in the letting apart of others, who are found 
 lit and worthy. In thofe Cafes, until by God'a 
 
 Blefling 
 
C 389 ] 
 
 Blefling the aforefaid Difficulties may be in fome 
 good Meafure removed,let fome godly Minifters, 
 in or about the City of London, be defigned by 
 publick Authority, who being aflbciated, may 
 ordain Minifters for the City, and Vicinity, keep- 
 ing as near to the ordinary Rules forementioned, 
 as poflibly they may : And let this Afibciation be 
 for no other Intent or Purpofe, but only for the 
 Work of Ordination. 
 
 2. Let the like Afibciation be made by the 
 fame Authority in great Towns, and the neigh- 
 bouring Parifhes in the feveral Counties, which 
 are at the prefent quiet and undifturbed, to do the 
 like for the Parts adjacent. 
 
 3 . Let fuch as are chofen or appointed for the 
 Service of the Armies or Navy be ordained as a- 
 forefaid, by the aflbciated Minifters of Lendon, 
 or fome others in the Country. 
 
 4. Let them do the like, when any Man fhall 
 duly and lawfully be recommended to them for 
 the Miniftry of any Congregation, who cannot 
 enjoy Liberty to have a Trial of his Parts and 
 Abilities, and delire the Help of, fuch Miinifters 
 fb aflbciated, for the better furnifhingof them 
 with fuch a Perfon, as by them fhall be judged 
 fit for the Service of that Chucch and People. 
 
 THE 
 
[3?o] 
 
 ... r •■:.-< — — _ I .:-•... » .» 
 
 , J 
 
 THE 
 
 DIPvECTIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 General Affembly, 
 
 Concerning Secret and Qrivate, 
 Worfhip) and mutual Edificati- 
 on, for cherijhing c Piety, for 
 maintaining Unity, and avoid- 
 ing Schifip, and D'wifion. 
 
 BESIDES the publick Worlhip in Cpn* 
 gregations, mercifully eftablifhed in this 
 Land, in great Purity j it is expedient 
 and neceflary, that decree Worlhip of 
 each Perfon alone, and private Worlhip of Fama- 
 lies, be preflfed and fet up ; that with national Re- 
 formation, the Profeflion and Power of Godli- 
 ^4 botJi peribnal and domeftick, be advanced. 
 
 I. And 
 
E 391 3 
 
 . I. And firft for fecret Worfhip : It is moft ne- 
 ceflary that every one apart and by themfelves, 
 be given to Prayer and Meditation, the unipeak- 
 able Benefit whereof isbeft known to them who 
 are moft exercifed therein, this being the Mean 
 whereby in a fpecial Way Communion with 
 God is entertained, and right Preparation for all 
 other Duties obtained. 
 
 And therefore it becometh not only Paftors 
 within their feveral Charges, to prefs Perfons of 
 all Sores to perform this Duty Morning and Eve- 
 ning, and at other Occafions, but alfo it is. in- 
 cumbent to the Head of every Family, to have 
 a Care that both themfelves and all within their 
 Charge be diligent herein. 
 
 II. The ordinary Duties comprehended under 
 the exercife of Piety, which mould be in Fami- 
 lies when they are convecned to that Effect, are 
 thefe : Firft, Prayer and Praifes performed, with 
 a fpecial Reference, as well to the publick Con- 
 dition of the Kirk of God and this Kingdom, 
 as to the prefent Cafe of the Family, and every 
 Member thereof. Next, Reading of the Scrip- 
 tures, withCatechilingin a plain Way, that the 
 Underftandings of the fimpler may be the better 
 enabled to profit under the publick Ordinances, 
 3nd they made more capable to underftand the 
 Scriptures when they are read, together wirh 
 Godly Conferences, tending to the Edification of 
 all the Members in the moft holy Faith ; as alfo 
 Admonitionand Rebuke upon juft Reafons from 
 thofe who have Authority in the Family. 
 
 ni. As 
 
III. As the Charge and Office of interpreting 
 the holy Scriptures is a Part of the minifteriai 
 Calling, which none ( howfoever otherwife qua- 
 lified) fhould take upon him in any Place, but 
 he that is duly called thereunto by God and his 
 Kirk. So in every Family where there js any 
 that can read, the holy Scriptures fhould be read 
 ordinarily to the Family : And it is commend- 
 able that thereafter they confer, and by way of 
 Conference make fome good Ufe of what hath 
 been read and heard : As for Example, if any Sin 
 be reproved in the Word read, Ufe may be made 
 thereof, to make all the Family circumfpe£t and 
 watchful againft: the fame : Or if any Judgment 
 be threatned or mentioned to have been inflicted 
 in the Portion of Scripture which is read, Ufe 
 may be made to make all the Family fear, left the 
 fame or a worfe Judgment befal them, unlefs 
 they beware of the Sin that procured it. And 
 finally, if any Duty be required, or Comfort 
 held forth in a Promife, Ufe may be made to ftir 
 up themfelves to implore Chrift for Strength to 
 enable them for doing commanded Duty, and to 
 apply the offered Comfort : In all which the Ma- 
 tter of the Family is to have the chief Hand : And 
 any Member of the Family may propound a 
 Queftion or Doubt for Refolution. 
 
 IV. The Head of the Family is to take Care that 
 none of the Family withdraw himfelf from any 
 Partof Family Worfhip, and feeing the ordinary 
 Performance of all the Parts of Family Worfhip , 
 Mongeth properly to the Head of the Family, 
 
 chi 
 
L 393 J 
 
 the Minifter is to ftir up fuch as are lazy, and train 
 up iuch as are weak, to a Fitnefs for thefe Exer- 
 cifes j It being always free for Perfons of Quali- 
 ty ro entertain one approved by the Presbytery 
 ifor performing Family Exercife: And in other 
 Families, where the Head of the Family is unfit, 
 that another constantly reliding in the Family, 
 approved by the Minifter and Sefiion, may be 
 imployed in that Service i Wherein the Minifter 
 and Sefiion are to be countable to the Presbyte- 
 ry. And if a Minifter by divine Providence be 
 l brought to any Family, itisrequifitethatat no 
 Time he conveen a Part of the Family for Wor- 
 fliip, fecluding the reft $ except in Angular Cafes 
 fpecially, concerning thefe Parties, which (in 
 Chriftian Prudence) need not, or ought not to 
 be imparted to others. 
 
 V. Let no Idler, who hath no particular Call- 
 ing, or vagrant Per fon, under Pretence of a Call- 
 ing, be fuffered to perform Worihip in Families, 
 to, or for the fame ; feeing Perfons tainted with 
 Errors, or aiming atDivifion, may be ready (af- 
 ter that Manner) to creep into Houfes, and lead 
 captive filly and unliable Souls. 
 
 VI. At Family Worfhip a fpecial Care is to be 
 had that each Family keep by themfelves, neither 
 requiring, inviting, nor admittiug Perfons from 
 divers Families, unlefs it be thofe who are lodged 
 with rhem, or at Meal, or otherwife with them 
 upon fome lawful Occafion. 
 
 VII. Whatsoever hath been the Effe&s and 
 Fruits of Meetings of Perfons of divers Families, 
 
 in 
 
L 394 J 
 in the Times of Corruption or Trouble (in 
 which Caies many Things are commendable* 
 which otherwife are not tolerable) yet when 
 God hath blefled us with Peace and the Purity of 
 the Goipel, fuch Meetings of Perfons of .divers 
 Famil'es (except in the Cafes mentioned in thefe 
 Directions) are ro be disapproved, as tending to 
 the Hindrance cf the religious exercife of each 
 Family byitielf, to the Prejudice of thepublick 
 Miniiiry, to the renting of the Families of parti- 
 cular Congregations, and ( in Progreis of Time) 
 of the whole Kirk, beiides many Offences which 
 may come thereby, to the hardning of the Hearts 
 of carnal- Men, and Grief of the godly. 
 
 VIII. On the Lord's Day. after everyone of 
 the Family apart, and the whole Family toge- 
 ther, have fought the Lord ( in whofe Hands the 
 Preparation of Mens Hearts are ) to fit them for 
 the publick Worftiip, and to blefs to them the 
 publick Ordinances ; the Matter of the Family 
 ought to take Care that all within his Charge re- 
 pair to the publick Worfhip, that he and they 
 may join with the reft of the Congregation. 
 And, the publick Worfliip being finilhed, after 
 Prayer, he (hould take an Account what they 
 heard j And thereafter to fpend the reft of the 
 Time which they may fpare, in Catechiling, and 
 in fpiritual Conferences upon the Word of God , 
 Or elfe ( going apart ) they ought to apply them- 
 felves to Reading, Meditation, and fecret Prayer, 
 that they may cosfirm and increife their Com- - 
 munion with God , thatfo the profit which they 
 
 found 
 
L 395 J 
 
 bund in the publick Ordinances may be che- 
 ifhed and promoted, and they more edified un- 
 o eternal Life. 
 
 IX. So many as can conceive Prayer, ought to 
 make Ufeof that Gift or God : Albeit thofe who 
 ire rude and weaker, may begin at a let Forjm of 
 Prayer; but fo as they be not fluggifh in ftirring 
 bp in themfelves (according to their daily Ne- 
 jceffi'ies ) the Spirit of Prayer, which is given to 
 {all the Children of God in fome Meafure : To 
 [which EfTecT: they ought to be the more fervent 
 land frequent in fecret Prayer to God, for enabling 
 !of their Hearts to conceive, and their Tongues to 
 exprefs convenient Defires to God for their Fa*- 
 mily. And in the mean time, for their greater 
 Encouragement, let thefe Materials of Prayer 
 be meditated upon, and made Ufe of, as follow- 
 eth. 
 
 * Let them confefs to God how unworthy 
 they are to ccmein his Prefence, and how unfit 
 to worfhip his Majefty ; and therefore earnest- 
 ly ask of God the Spirit of Prayer. 
 
 * They are to confefs their Sins, and the Sins 
 of the Family, accufing, judging and condem- 
 ning themielves for them, till they bring their 
 Souls to fome Meafure of true Humiliation. 
 
 ' They are to pour out their Souls to God, in 
 the Name of Chriil , by the Spirit, for For- 
 givenefs of Sins, for Grace to repent, to be- 
 lieve 2nd to live foberly, righteoufly, and god- 
 { ly, and that they may ferve God with Joy and 
 ' Delight, walking before him . 
 
 < Th'n. 
 
1 39c J 
 
 ' They are to give Thanks to God for his ma- 
 
 * ny Mercies to his People, and to themfelves j 
 1 and efpecially for his Love in Chrift, and for 
 4 the Light of the Gofpel : 
 
 4 They are to pray for iiich particular Benefits, 
 
 * fpiritual and temporal, as they (land in need of 
 
 * for the Time ( whether it be Morning or Eve- 
 
 * ning ) as Health or Sicknefs, Profperity or Ad- 
 « verlity. 
 
 4 They ought to pray for the Kirk of Chrift 
 4 in general, for all the reformed Kirks, and for 
 ' this Kirk in particular, and for all rhat fuffer 
 
 * for the Name of Chrift:; for all our Superiors,! 
 4 the King's Majefty, the Queen, and their Chil*> 
 
 * dren. for the Magiftrates, Minifters, and whole.; 
 
 * Body of the Congregation, whereof they are 
 « Members, as well for their Neighbours abfent 
 « in their lawful Affairs, as for thofe that are at 
 < home. 
 
 4 The Prayer may be clofed with an earneft De- 
 4 fire, that God may be glorified in the Coming 
 4 of the Kingdom or. his Son, and in th* doing 
 « of his Will: And with Aflurance, that them- 
 4 felves are accepted, and what they have asked 
 « according to his Will (hail be done. 
 
 X. Thele Exercifes ought to be performed in 
 great Sincerity, without Delay, laying afide all 
 Exercifes of worldly Bufmefs or Hinderances, 
 netwithftandingthe Mockings of Atheifts, and 
 prophane Men ; in refpeft of the great Mercies 
 of God to this Land, and of his fevere Correcti- 
 on, wherewith lately hehathexerdtedur. An« 
 
 t< 
 
C 397 } 
 
 :o this EffecT:, Perfons of Eminency (and all EU 
 &ers of the Kirk ) not only ought to ftir upthem^ 
 felves and their Families to Diligence herein, but 
 ilfo to concur effeaually, that in all other Fami- 
 lies, where they have Power and Charge, the 
 jfaid Exercifes be confcionably performed. 
 I XI . Befides the ordinary Duties in Families, 
 jwhich are above-mentioned, extraordinary Du- 
 ties, both of Humiliation and Thankfgiving, are 
 to be carefully performed in Families, when the 
 Lord by extraordinary Occafions (private or 
 publick) calleth for them. 
 
 XII. Seeing the Word of God requireth, that 
 we fhould confider one another to provoke unto 
 Love and good Works j therefore, at all Times, 
 and efpecially in this time, wherein Prophanity 
 abounds, and Mockers, walking after their own 
 Lufts, think it ftrange that others run not with 
 them to the fame cxceCs of Riot j every Mem- 
 ber oT this Kirk ought to ftir up them felves and 
 one another to the Duties of mutual Edification, 
 by Inftru&ion, Admonition, Rebuke, exhort- 
 ing one another to manifeft the Grace of God in 
 denying Ungodlinefs and worldly Lufts, and in 
 living godly, foberly, and righteoufly in this pre- 
 sent World, by comforting the feeble minded, 
 and praying with or for one another : Which 
 Duties refpectively are to be performed upon fpe- 
 cial Occafions offered by divine Providence ; As 
 namely, when under any Calamity, Crofs or 
 Difficulty, Counfel or Comfort is fought, or 
 when any Offender is to be reclaimed by privtee 
 & Adnto- 
 
I 3PS ] 
 
 Admonition j and if that be not effectual, by join- 
 ing one or two more in the Admonition, accord- 
 ing to the Rule of Chrift, that in the Mouth of 
 two or three Witneffes every Word may be efta- 
 bli fried. 
 
 XIII. And becaufe it is not given to every one 
 to fpeak a Word in Seafon to a wearied or dift- 
 reffed Confcience, it is expedient, that a Perfon 
 (in that Cafe) finding no Eafe after the Ufe of 
 ordidary Means, paivate and publick,: have their 
 Addrefs to their own Paftor, or fome experien- 
 ced Chriflian : But if the Perfon troubled in Con- 
 fcience, be of that Condition or that Sex, that 
 Difcretion, Modefty or Fear of Scandal, require' 
 eth a godly grave and fecret Friend to be prefent, 
 with them in their laid Addrefs, it is expedien 
 thatfuch a Friend be prefent. 
 
 XIV. When Perfons of divers Families are 
 brought together by Divine Providence, being 
 abroad upon their particular Vocations, or any 
 necefiary Occafions, as they would have the Lord 
 their God with them whitherfoevcr they go, 
 they ought to walk with God, and not neglect I 
 the Duties of Prayer and Thankfgiving, but take 
 Care that the fame be performed by fuch as the] 
 Company fhall judge fitted ; and that they like J 
 wife take heed that no corrupt Communication 
 proceed out of their Mouth, but that which is 
 good, to the Ufe of edifying; that it may mini- 
 fter Grace to the Hearers. 
 
 The Drift and Scope of all thefe Dire&ions i 
 no other, but that upon the one Part, the Pow 
 
 an 
 
 - 
 
[ 399 J 
 
 land Pra&ice of Godlinefs among all the Minifters 
 and Members of this Kirk, according to their fe- 
 ver al Places and Vocations, may be cherifhed and 
 [advanced, and all Impiety and Mocking of reli- 
 gious Exercifes fuppreifed : And upon the other 
 Part, that under the Name and Pretext of religi- 
 ous Exercifes, no fuch Meetings or Practices be 
 tallowed, as are apt to breed Error, Scandal, 
 Schifm, Con fern pt, or Mifregard of thepublick 
 Ordinances and Minifters, or Neglect of the Du- 
 ties of particular Callings, or fuch other Evils as 
 are the Works not of the Spirit, but of the Fleih, 
 and are contrary to Truth and Peace. 
 
 A. Ker. 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 A Very learned and godly Divine having be* 
 loaded the great Di'ftractions, Corrup- 
 tions, and Diviiions, that are in th» 
 i Church , he thus reprefents the Caufe and Cure.: 
 ' Among others, a principal Caufe of thefe Mif- 
 chiefs, is the great and common Neglect of 
 the Governors of Families, in the Difchargc 
 of that Duty which they owe to God for the 
 Souls that are under their Charge, efpecially 
 in teaching them the Doctrine of Chriftianity, 
 Families are Societies that muft befan&ified to 
 God as well as Churches j and the Governors 
 Z z * o£ 
 
 
I 400 J 
 
 of them have as truly a Charge of the Souls 
 that are therein, as Paftors have of the Church- 
 es. But alas ! how little is this confidered or 
 regarded ? But while negligent Minlfters are 
 (defervedly) caft out of their Places, the ne- 
 gligent Matters of Families take themfelves to 
 be almoft blamelefs : They offer their Chil- 
 dren to God in Baptifm, and there they pro- 
 mife to teach them the Do&rine of the Gof- 
 pel, and bring them up in the Nurture of the 
 Lord, but they eafily promife, and eafily break 
 itj and educate their Children for the World 
 and the Flefh, and they have renounced thefe, 
 and dedicated them to God. This Covenant 
 breaking with God, and betraying the Souls of 
 their Children to the Devil, muft be heavy on 
 them here, or hereaftei . They beget Children.^ 
 and keep Families, meerly for the World and* 
 the Flefh j but little confider what a Charge is 
 committed to them, and what it is to bring up 
 a Child for God, and govern a Family as a fan- 
 ctified Society. O how fweetly and lucceflive- 
 ly would the Work of God go on, if we would 
 but all join together in our feveral Places to 
 promote it. Men need not then run without 
 fending, to be Preachers. But they might find 
 that Part of the Work that belongeth to them 
 to be enough for them, and to be the bed that 
 they can be imployed in . Efpecially Women 
 fhould be careful of this Duty, becaufeas they 
 are mod about their Children, and have early 
 and frequently Opportunities to inftrud them, 
 
 • £0 
 
 
C 401 ] 
 
 ' fo is this trTe principal Service they can do to 
 
 * God in this World, being reftrained from more 
 4 publick Work: And doubtlefs many an excel- 
 
 * lent Magift rate hath been fent unto the Com- 
 
 * monwealth, and many an excellent Paftor into 
 
 * the Church, and many a precious Saint to 
 « Heaven, through the happy Preparations of a 
 ■ holy Education, perhaps by a Woman, that 
 
 * thought her felf ufelefs and unferviceable to 
 
 * the Church. Would Parents; but begin be- 
 
 * times, and labour to affect the Hearts of their 
 
 * Children with the^reat Matters of everlafting 
 
 * Life, and to acquaint them with the Subftance 
 
 * of the Doctrine of Chrift, and wnen they find 
 
 * in them the Knowledge and Love of Chn#, 
 
 * would bring them then to the Paftors of the 
 
 * Church to be tried, confirmed, and admitted 
 
 * to the further Privileges of the Church, what 
 
 * happy well-ordered Churches might we have ? 
 4 Then one Pallor need not be put to do the 
 
 * Work of two or three hundred or thoufand 
 4 Governors of Families, even to teach their 
 
 * Children thofe Principles which they {hould 
 
 * have taught them long before : Nor mould 
 
 * we be put to preach to fo many miferable ig- 
 
 * norant Souls, that be not prepared by Educa- 
 
 * tion to underftand us : Nor (hould we have 
 
 * need to fhut out fo many from Holy Com mu- 
 
 * nion, upon the account of Ignorance, that 
 f yet have not the Grace to feel it, and lament 
 
 * it, nor the Wit and Patience to wait in alearn- 
 
 * ing Sta^e, till they are ready to be Fello a-ci- 
 
 % 3 l tizr 
 
C 4 02 ] ♦ 
 
 * tixens with the Saint?, and of the Houmold of 
 
 * God. But now they come to us with aged 
 ' Self-conceitednefs, being paft Children, and 
 ' yjt worfe than Children, ftill having the Ig- 
 
 * nor3nce of Children, but being overgrown the 
 
 * Teachablenefs of Children j and think them- 
 
 * felyes wife, yea, wife enough to quarrel with 
 « the wifeft of their Teachers, becaufe they have 
 
 * lived long enough to have been wife : And the 
 « Evidence of their Knowledge is their aged Ig- 
 ' norance j and they are readier to fly in our Faces 
 ' for Church Privileges, than to learn of us, 
 c and obey our Inftru&ions till they are prepared 
 ' for them, that they may do them good j like 
 ' fnappifh Currs, that will {hap us by the Fin- 
 ' gers for their Meat, and fnatch it out of our 
 
 * Hands i and not like Children, that ftay till we 
 
 * give it them. Parents have foufedthem to 
 
 * be unruly, that Minifters have to deal but with 
 « too few but the unruly. And it is for want 
 
 * of this laying the Foundation well at flrfi:, that 
 « Profeflbrs themfelves are Co ignorant as mofc 
 
 * are, and that fo many efpecially of the youngs 
 
 * er Sort, do fwallow down almoft any Error 
 
 * that is offered them, and follow any Sc& of 
 
 * Dividers that will entice them, fo it be but 
 « done with Earneflneis and Plaufibility. For 
 
 * alas ! tho' by the Grace of God, their Hearts 
 f may be changed in an Hour, ( whenever they 
 
 * underfband bat the EiTentials of the Faith) 
 
 * yet their Understandings muft have Time and 
 
 * Diligence to larnifh them with iuch Know- 
 
 : ledge 
 
[ 4°* 1 
 
 1 ledge, as muft ftablifh them and fortify "them 
 
 * againft Deceits. Upon thefe and many, the 
 ■' hke Consideration, we fhould intreat all Chri- 
 ' ftian Families to take more Pains in this ne- 
 ' cefTary Work, and to get better acquainted 
 f with theSubftances of Chriftianity : And to 
 ' that End ( taking along Tome moving Treatifes 
 ' to awake the Heart ) I know not what Work 
 ' fhould be fitter for their Ufe, than that com- 
 f piled by the Affembly at Wefiminjier : A Sy- 
 ' nod of as godly, judicious Divines (notwith- 
 ' Handing all the bitter Words which they have 
 
 * received from difcontented and felf-conceited 
 
 * Men) I verily think, as ever England faw, 
 1 tho 5 they had the Unhappinefs to be employed 
 c in calamitous Times, when the Noife of Wars 
 f did flop Mens Ears, and the Licentioufnefs of 
 
 * Wars did fet every wanton Tongue and Pen 
 ' at Liberty to reproach them : And the Profe- 
 
 cution and Event of thofe Wars did exafpe- 
 
 £ rate partial difcontented Men, to difhonour 
 
 ' themi'elves by feeking to difhonour them ; I 
 
 ' dare fay, if in the Days of Old, when Coun- 
 
 ' cils were in Power and Account, they had 
 
 had but fuch a Council of Bifhops, as this of 
 
 Presbyters was, the Fame of it for Learning 
 
 and Holinefs, and all Minifterial Abilities j 
 
 ' would with very great Honour have been 
 
 ' transmitted to Poflenty. 
 
 ■ I do therefore Defire, that all Matters of 
 « Families would firft ftudy well this Work 
 
 * themfclves, and then teach it their Children 
 
 ' ar>r ! 
 
t 4°4 1 
 
 and Servants, according to their feveral Ca- 
 pacities, and if they once underftand thefc 
 Grounds of Religion, they will be ahle to treat 
 other Books more underftandingly, and hear 
 Sermons more profitably, and confer more 
 judicioufly, and hold faft the Doctrine of 
 Chrift n^ore firmly, than em- you are like to 
 do, by any other Gourfe. Firft, let them read 
 and learn the Shorter Catechifm j and next, 
 the Larger : And, laftly, read the Confefiioh 
 of Faith. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Books fruited and fold by James 
 Blow, at his Shop in Belfaft. 
 
 THE Holy Bible in feveral Vofomes : Both 
 with Englifh and Scotch Pfalms : And 
 
 alfo bound with Prayer-books. 
 New Teftaments. 
 Tiftaments bound with Pfalms. 
 Pfalm Books in feveral Volumes. 
 Pfalters with the Addition of Morning and Eve- 
 ning Prayer. 
 Common-prayer Books, in feveral Volumes. 
 The whole Duty of Man. 
 The Practice of Piety. 
 Grammars, ConftruSions, and feveral School 
 
 Authors. 
 Chrift's Famous Titles; or, a Believer's Golden 
 
 Chain : By William Dyer. 
 Vincent upon Judgment. 
 Vincent's Explication of the Aflembly's Shorter 
 
 Catechifm. 
 Guthry's Trial of a faving Intereft in Chrift. 
 Allain's Explication of the AfTembly's Shorter 
 
 Catechifm. 
 The Pilgrim's Progrefs (adorn'd with Cuts) 
 
 by John Bunyan. 
 Doolittcl on the Sacrament. 
 Campbel's Sacramental Meditations. 
 Fiavel upon the Heart, or a Saint indeed. 
 
Hooks printed and fold 
 oighs from Hell, by John Bunyan. 
 The Barren Fi^-Tree, by John Bunyan. 
 The Heavenly Foot- Man, by John Bunyan. 
 Pearfe upon Death. 
 
 War with the De*il ; or the Young Man's Con- 
 flict with the Powers of Darknefs. 
 The Do&rint of the Bible. 
 Craighead's Walking with God. 
 Craighead's Advice to Communicants. 
 Craighead's Advice for AfTurance. 
 Al'lains Allarm to the Unconverted. 
 A Token for Children, in two Parts, 
 The Confeflioa of Faith, with the Larger and 
 Shorter Catechifm, and Directory, being as 
 full as any that ever was in Print. 
 The Confeflion of Faith bound with Pfalms. 
 Grace Abounding, or the Account of Mr. Bun- 
 
 yan's Converfion. 
 Divine Breathings : Or, a pious Soul thirfting 
 after Chrift, in an hundred pathetical Medi- 
 tations. 
 Officium Zuchariftium, a preparatory Service to 
 a devout and worthy Reception of the Lord's 
 Supper. 
 Time and the End of Time, by John Fox. 
 Memoirs of the Life of the Reverend Mr. Tho- 
 mas Halyburton. 
 The Teftaments-of the Twelve Patriarchs, the 
 
 Sons of Jacob, adorn'd with Cuts. 
 Flavel's Token for Mourners, 
 The Holy War, by John Bunyan. 
 The Young Secretaries Guide. 
 
b Jambs Blo 
 
 A New Accademy of Compliments. 
 
 Arts Mafter- Piece. 
 
 The Book of Knowledge, treating of the Wif- 
 
 dom of the Antients. j 
 
 Sir David Lindfay's Works. 
 Sir William Wallace. 
 
 The Experience Hunts-man, by Mr. Stringer. 
 Pocket Books and Letter Cafes i 
 The Primats Catechifm. 
 .Select Pfaims for theUfeof Parifh-Churches. 
 The Confeflion of Faith, reduced to Queftion 
 
 and AnTwer, by Mr. Mcc.Cracken. 
 The Religious Education of Children, by Mr, 
 
 Gowen. 
 The Proverbs of Solomon ftitcht by it felf. 
 The Larger Catechifm ftitcht by it felf. 
 Proofs Catechifm s. 
 The Affembly's Shorter Catechifm. 
 The Church Catechifm. ■ 
 
 Primars and Guides. 
 The Packman's Pater Nofter. 
 The Proprieties of Thomas the Rymer. 
 The Proteftants Refolution. 
 The Cherrie and the Slae. 
 The Seven Champions of Chriirendom.^ 
 The Hiftory of Parifmu?, the valiant PrinceoC 
 
 Bohemia. 
 The Famous Hiftory of Hector Prince of Troy : 
 
 Or, the Three Deftru&ions of Troy. 
 The Famous Hiftory ot the Seven Wife Ma- 
 
 fteis of Rome. 
 Squire Meldrum. 
 
 A!m3 
 
uooks printed r>n* fold, dec. 
 
 Almanacks of fev eral Sorts. 
 
 T s he neweft Exercife Books for Soldiers; •» . 
 
 The Life and Death of Mr. Alexander Pedan. 
 With above an hundred and eighty Sores of 
 fmall Pamphlets, Garlands and Ballads. 
 
 gt AH at reafinablc Rates, either by WhoUfale 
 or RetaiL 
 
 i<? 
 
 itivt 
 
 -rfS- ^ '& "T- 
 **-£• "f*f rhS"