The Lives of the Puritans

Q. 9. What is the fifth property of God's decrees? A. They are most pure, and altogether unspotted of sin; 1 John 1:5. This is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Q. 8. What is the fourth property of God's decrees? A. They are eternal, and before all time; Acts 15:18. Known unto God are all his works, from the beginning of the world.

Q. 7. What is the third property of God's decrees? A. They are most firm and stable; 2 Tim. 2:19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure; having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his; Zech. 6:1.

Q. 6. What is the second property of God's decrees? A. The decrees of God are most free, all flowing from the mere pleasure of his will; Rom. 9:18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Q. 5. What is the first property of God's decrees? A. That they are most wise acts of God, laid in the depth of wisdom and counsel; Rom. 11:33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out!

Q. 4. Who are the objects of God's special decrees? A. Angels and men are the objects of God's special decrees; 1 Tim. 5:21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, &c. Rom. 8:33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?

But there are some evil things done in the world; Do they fall under God's decree? A. Though God doth neither approve them, nor necessitate men to commit them, yet he doth permit and suffer them to be done, and will turn them to his own glory; Acts 4:27, 28. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel are gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Q. 2. What is the end of God's decrees? A. The glory of his own name; Eph. 1:11, 12. Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will, that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Jeremy Walker is a pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, England. He is the author of several books including The Brokenhearted Evangelist and The New Calvinism, A Personal and Pastoral Assessment. Sermon: https://youtu.be/EcRwXGtfffU Revival: https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/revival-documentary-dvd-streaming.html Through the eyes of Spurgeon: https://youtu.be/4a6R96XhPaA

Thomas Boston (17 March 1676 – 20 May 1732) was a Scottish Presbyterian church leader, theologian and philosopher. Boston was successively schoolmaster at Glencairn, and minister of Simprin in Berwickshire, and Ettrick in Selkirkshire. In addition to his best-known work, The Fourfold State, one of the religious classics of Scotland, he wrote an original little book, The Crook in the Lot, and a learned treatise on the Hebrew points. He also took a leading part in the Courts of the Church in what was known as the "Marrow Controversy," regarding the merits of an English work, The Marrow of Modern Divinity, which he defended against the attacks of the "Moderate" party in the Church. Boston, if unduly introspective, was a man of singular piety and amiability. His autobiography is an interesting record of Scottish life, full of sincerity and tenderness, and not devoid of humorous touches, intentional and otherwise

Q. 10. What is the fourth instruction from the trinity? A. That as it is the duty of all the saints to give distinct glory to the three persons in the Godhead; so it will be a special part of their blessedness in heaven, to contemplate the distinct benefits received from them all; Rev. 1:5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth; unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

Q. 9. What is the third instruction from the trinity? A. That the covenant of grace conveys a rich portion to believers in making over all three persons to them; Jer. 31:33. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my law into their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Q. 8. What is the second instruction from the trinity? A. Hence we learn the true order and manner of worshipping God, in the Son; John 16:23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he shall give it you. And by the Spirit; Eph. 6:18 Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.

What is the first instruction from the trinity? A. That the doctrine of the gospel concerning Christ, is fully confirmed and ratified by three witnesses from heaven, who are above all exceptions; 1 John 5:7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.

Q. 6. What farther evidence is there of it in scripture? A. From plain positive assertions of the scripture, asserting, First, A trinity of persons Secondly, A unity of essence? 1 John 5:7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.

Q. 5. What is the third proof from scripture? A. From the apostolical benediction; 2 Cor. 13:14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost, be with you all, Amen: Where the three distinct blessings are wished from the three divine persons in the godhead, grace from Christ, love from the Father, and communion with the Spirit.

Q. 4. How else in the second place, doth it appear? A. From the institution of our baptism; Mat. 28:19 Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Q. 3. How doth it appear there are three persons, and no more? A. First, From Christ's baptism; Mat. 3:16, 17. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and lighting upon him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

Q. 2. what is a person in the godhead? A. It is the godhead distinguished by personal properties; each person having his distinct personal properties; Heb. 1:3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, upholding all things by the word of his power.

Q. What mean you by the word, godhead? A. It is the nature, essence, or being of God, as the apostle speaks, Acts 17:29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art, and man's device.

Quest. 6. HOW many persons are there in the godhead? A. There are three persons in the godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Thank you to all of you who listen to this podcast! I hope this season will be as enjoyable as last. This season is expected to end in April, and most likely will pick up with season four in August of this year 2023.

Reach out to me at the email below if interested in reading a Puritan biography or want to get in contact for speech therapy: israel.montano.slp@gmail.com Mr. Speechy YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCHsvVqcg9u3RAYf5GRDtv0Q I'll catch you all on February 1st!

Obadiah Sedgwick (1600?–1658) was an English clergyman of presbyterian convictions, and a member of the Westminster Assembly.

Q. 8. What is the third inference from it? A. That our supreme love is due to God only, and it is very sinful to place it in any other; Deut. 6:4, 5. Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Q. 7. What is the second inference from hence? A. That it is idolatry to perform worship to any other but God only; Psal 86:9, 10. All nations whom thou hast made, shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name, for thou art great, and dost wondrous things, thou art God alone.

Q. 6. What is the first instruction from hence? A. If but one God, then all his children should be of one heart, having one and the same Father; Eph. 4:5, 6. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Q. 5. Why is he called the living God? A. Because all life, natural, spiritual, and eternal, is in him, and from him only. First, Natural life; Acts 17:28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being. Secondly, Spiritual life; Eph. 2:1. You hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Thirdly, Eternal life in glory; Col. 3:4. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Q. 4. why is he called the true God? A. To distinguish him from the idols and false gods of the heathens; 1 Thes. 1:9. How ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. Acts 14:15. We preach unto you, that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.

Q. 3. But doth not the scriptures say, in 1 Cor. 8:5 that there are gods many, and lords many? A. Yes; there are many in title, and many in opinion, but one only in truth; Jer. 10:10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King.

Q. 2. Why will reason allow no more but one God? A. Because God is the first being; Rev. 1:11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and there can be but one first being, and God is the most perfect and excellent being; Psal. 71:19. Thy righteousness, also, O God, is very high, who hath done great things: O God, who is like unto thee? And there can be but one most perfect and excellent being.

Kevin DeYoung (PhD, University of Leicester) is senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina, Council member of The Gospel Coalition, and associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). He has written numerous books, including Just Do Something. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children: Ian, Jacob, Elizabeth, Paul, Mary, Benjamin, Tabitha, Andrew, and Susannah. Personal Site: https://kevindeyoung.org Podcast: https://lifeandbooksandeverything.sounder.fm Twitter: https://twitter.com/revkevdeyoung?s=21&t=3gORJibkGUAFKFclMFoLfg Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100057307584230/ Q. 1. How doth it appear that there is but one God? A. It is evident from scripture there is but one God; Deut. 6:4. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. 10:10 but the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: and as scripture reveals no more, so reason will allow no more.

Quest. 5. ARE there more gods than one? A. There is but one only, the living and true God.

William Gouge (1575–1653) was an English Puritan clergyman and author. He was a minister and preacher at St Ann Blackfriars for 45 years, from 1608, and a member of the Westminster Assembly from 1643.

Q. 9. What is the fifth lesson from God's truth? A. That falsehood in words and actions is contrary to God's nature, and abhorred by him; John 8:44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do; he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there was no truth in him; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own? for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Q. 8. What is the fourth lesson from God's truth? That whatever God hath threatened in his word against sinners shall surely come upon them except they repent; Zech. 1:6. But my word, and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned, and said, like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. Ezek. 12:27, 28. The word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.

Q. 7. What is the third lesson from the truth of God? A. That a promise from God is full security to the faith of his people, and they may look upon it as good as a mercy in hand; Heb. 10:23. For he is faithful that promised.

Q. 6. What is the second lesson from God's truth? A. That whatever God hath foretold shall assuredly come to pass, and be fulfilled in his time; Josh. 23:14. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord our God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Q. 5. What is the first lesson from God's truth to be learnt? A. That truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable and pleasing to God; Psal. 51:6. Behold thou desirest truth in the inward parts.

Q. 4. What is the third property of Divine truth? A. The third property is, that he is universally true in all his words and works. (1.) In all his words; John 17:17. Thy word is truth. (2.) In all his works; Psal. 25:10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant.

Q. 3. What is the second property of it? A. The second property is, That it is everlasting, and abiding to all generations, Psal. 100:5. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. Isa. 25:1. O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt thee——thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Q. 2. What is the first property of Divine truth? A. The first property of it is, That it is essential and necessary to God: He cannot lie, Titus 1:2.

Leland Ryken is professor of English emeritus at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He has contributed a number of works to the study of classic literature from the Christian perspective, including editing the comprehensive volume on Christian writing on literature The Christian Imagination. Quest. 1. WHAT is the truth of God? A. It is an essential property of his nature, whereby he is perfectly faithful in himself, and in all that he hath spoken; Deut. 32:4. He is the rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment; a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he, Psal. 119:142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Literary Forms in the Bible : https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Handbook-Literary-Forms-Bible-ebook/dp/B00O7UPE8M Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Literary-Introductions-Books-Bible-Leland-ebook/dp/B010R0KNQ8/ref=d_pd_sbs_sccl_2_4/134-1031156-6100218?pd_rd_w=JHvIr&content-id=amzn1.sym.2dc9b33d-bf98-4c85-be26-75af626c0551&pf_rd_p=2dc9b33d-bf98-4c85-be26-75af626c0551&pf_rd_r=5CWG74SMNNK177TV38S1&pd_rd_wg=ekCMK&pd_rd_r=56869639-a37d-4a5e-b12d-8eff1994a482&pd_rd_i=B010R0KNQ8&psc=1

“For the end of Christ's coming was " to seek and to save that "which was lost,"Lukexix.10. And can we imagine that Christ, who seeketh after those who go away from him, will reject any who do in truth seek after him ? What encouragement should this be unto all poor believers, how weak soever their faith is, to go unto Christ, as for the strengthening their weak faith, for so the subduing their strong lusts, and for the reviving their drooping souls ! For your further encouragement, you have Christ's gracious invitation, Mat. xi. 28. " Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Thomas Gouge Meet the Puritans book: https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/meet-the-puritans-ore-from-the-puritans-mine-and-a-puritan-theology-free-study-guide.html Revival Documentary Trailer: https://youtu.be/hGAkGvdoeIA

Q. 12. What is the last inference from God's goodness? A. That Christians have great encouragement to go to God for pardon in case of sin; Psal. 130:4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared; and for refuse in dangers. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; he knoweth them that trust in him, Nahum 1:7.

Q. 11. What is the third inference from God's goodness? A. That Christians should imitate God in his goodness, in love to our enemies; Matth. 5:44, 45. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. Alistair Begg: https://youtu.be/v7Ku6FzXdYg

Q. 10. What is the second inference from the goodness of God? A. That therefore God is the fittest object of our delight and love, and of our trust and confidence, (1.) Of our delight and love; Psal. 116:1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplications. (2.) Of our trust and confidence; Psal. 34:8. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Sinclair Ferguson: https://youtu.be/Ne2B6v6rzQc

Q. 9. What may we infer from the goodness of God? A. The first thing is, that sin hath made our natures base and disingenuous, in that we take no notice of his goodness; Isa. 1:3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider, and answer not the design of it; Rom. 2:4. Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Paul Washer https://youtu.be/NKaIFf_nhJc

Q. 8. But are not the judgments of God on the wicked, and his afflictions on the saints, impeachments of his goodness. A. No; it is the property of goodness to hate and punish evil in the impenitent; Exod. 34:7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, &c. And the affliction of the saints flow from his goodness, and end in their true and eternal good; Heb. 12:6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, Psal. 119:71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. Dr. Beeke on prayer: https://youtu.be/hwNPKhokr6U

Q. 7. What was the principal work in which God hath manifested his goodness to men. A. The principal manifestation of God's goodness was in the work of redemption by Christ; Rom. 5:8. God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us 1 John 4:9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Q. 6. In what acts hath God manifested his goodness? A. He hath manifested it in the creation and government of the world; Psal. 104:24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all.