and the naturall course of things a CHAP. 7. Of Angels Q. WHat are the Kindes of Gods providence A. It is either generall towards all Creatures or specially towards some Q. What are those speciall creatures which the providence of God doth extend unto A. Angels and men Q. VVhat is the nature of Angels A. They are Spirits b or spirituall substances and therefore invisible that they cannot be seene with bodily eyes no more then the wind that bloweth or the soules of men nor are they preserved by sleep and food raiment as living bodyes are c and yet they are immortall and cannot dye d Q. VVhat else are we to know concerning the nature of Angels A. That they are creatures of excellent strength e great acutenesse of understanding f very swift and speedy in their motion g and by creation very pure and holy h Q. What is the number of Angels A. Though they be not infinite yet their number is very great and to us they are innumerable Dan. 7. 10. Ps. 68. 17. Mat. 26. 53. Heb. 12. 22 Q. What end and office were they created for A. To celebrate the Lords praises and to execute his commands i specially towards the heirs of salvation k Q Do the Angels continue in that estate wherein they were first created A. Not all for a great many fell away from that happy condition who are now become devils Ioh. 8. 44. 2. Pet. 2. 4. Iude 6. Q. May the rest also fall away and perish with the devils A. No because they are elected of God and so for ever upholden in that good estate 1 Tim. 5. 27. CHAP. 8. Of the estate of man in Innocency by creation Q HOw doth the providence of God exercise it selfe towards man A. In a fourefold estate the state of Innocency by creation afore the fall the state of Corruption by and since the fall the state of grace in this world and the state of Glory in the world to come Q What was the state of man in Innocency by by creation afore the fall A. God did as it were deliberate with himselfe the father son and spirit consulting together about the making of man a and therefore it must needs be that the state of man at the first by Gods creating of him was very excellent Q. Wherein did his cheife excellency consist A. In that he was made in the Iikenesse and image of God Gen 1. 26. 27. Q. What was that image of God A. Principally it stood in knowledge righteousnesse and true holynesse Col. 3. 10. Eph. 4. 24. Eccles. 7. 29. Q. What was the knowledge that man was indued withall in that estate A. He did then truely and distinctly know God and the will of God b with the nature of the creatures c and his own present happinesse d Q. What was that holynesse and righteousnesse A. That his will and affections with his whole heart and soule was exactly conformable to the revealed will of God Q. Did not man in that state besides this conformty to God enjoy communion with God A. Yes at that time there was great amity and love betweene God and man e all the destance that is now being risen since as the effect and fruit of sinne Q Did not the place where man was then put something set forth his happinesse in that estate A. Yes for he was placed in Paradise which was an excellent garden planted by God himselfe and abounding with all delight and pleasures Gen. 2. 8 9 10 15. Q But seeing man was to worke and labour in the garden in dressing and keeping it how doth this agree with happinesse A. Yea very well because happinesse doth not consist in idlenesse and as for his labour it then was and alwayes should have bin without paine and wearinesse if man had continued in that estate Q. What was mans condition at that time in respect of food and raiment A. The earth at that time was furnished with plenty and variety of wholesome and delightsome fruits and he had liberty to eat of them all except onely of the tree of knowledge of good and evill Gen. 2. 16. Q. His food then was excellent but what was his apparrell A. Such was the strength and beauty of his body outwardly and the perfection of Gods image wherewith he was clothed inwardly that he had no neede of other bodily apparrell either in respect of shame or season of weather and therefore he lived naked Gen. 2. 25. Q. What was his condition in respect of other creatures A. All the fishes of the Sea all the birds of the ayre and beasts of the field were all of them subject to his dominion and rule Gen. 1. 20 28 and 2. 19 20. Q. But what helpe had he in his condition against solitarinesse A. The Lord saw it was not good for a man to be alone and that amongst all the other creatures there was not a meete helpe for him and therefore of a ribbe of his side he made a woman and brought her to the man to be his wife Gen. 2. 18. c. Q But why was man created last of all ceatures A. This also doth declare his excellency and happy estate by creation for being made last it appeareth thereby that he was under God the end for which the other creatures were made and so was more excellent then they as the end is more excellent then the meanes Q How else did the time of mans creation declare his happinesse A. It appeareth thereby that God would not make him before he had first provided for him but brought him into the world as into a great store-house already fully furnished with all variety of good things that might be for his service and comfort CHAP. 9. Of the fall of our first Parents Q. YOu have already shewed the state of man in Innocency by creation what things are to be dered concerning the state of corruption The beginning thereof which was the fall of our first parents and the consequents of that fall in respect of sinne and punnishment Q. What Scriptures do prove that Adam and Eve did fall from that state of innoceney and purity where in they were created A. Many but most especially the third chap. of Genes Eccles. 7. 29. Isa. 43. 27. Rom. 5. 12 18 19. 1. Tim. 2 14. Q Who did fall A. First Eve a then Adam b and in him all man kind c that proceed from Adam after the ordinary way Q. How did man fall A. By transgression d and disobedience e to the commandement of God which was that they should not eate of the tree of knowledge of good and evill f Q Wherein was this such a great offence for it may seeme a small matter to eat an apple or other fruit forbidden A. This sinne was not small but very great as comprehending in it an heape and multitude of many other hainous evills Q What
is Christ a King A. Over all creatures in Generall h over the visible Church in speciall i and over the elect in a most speciall manner above all other k Q How is he King over all creatures A. In sustaining and disposing of them all by his providence as may be for his glory and the good of the elect Heb. 1. 3. Col. 1. 16. Pro. 8. 15 16. Isa. 43. 14 15. Q. And how is he King of the visible Church A. In that he gathereth men into it l appoints Ordinances and Officers unto it m and prescribeth laws n for the manner of carrying on all things therein Q How doth Christ all these things in the Church A. He doth them all by his word which is therefore called the word of the Kingdome Mat. 13. 19. Q. And how is Christ King of the Elect A. Not onely by his providence as over all creatures nor only by his Word and Ordinances as to the visible Church but also by the speciall working of the grace of his holy Spirit in their hearts Ezek. 36 26. Eph. 1 22. Col. 1 18. Q. Hath not the Kingly office of Christ some that are enemies unto it A. Yes sin and the world the divel and death Q. VVhat are the acts of Christs Kingly office in respect of those his enemies and the enemies of his Church and elect people A. To bridle o and subdue p them all Q. VVhat are the properties of Christs Kingdom A. It is lawfull q spirituall r powerfull s righteous t large u and everlasting w CHAP. 19. Of Christ his humiliation Q. HAving spoken of the person Offices of Christ how are we in the next place to consider of his actions A. In a twofold estate his state of humiliation and his state of exaltation Q VVhat are the generall acts of his humiliation A. Laying aside the full manifestation of his divine Majesty for a time a and assuming unto him the nature of man b Q. VVhat else A. It was a great act of his humiliation that he became subject to the law c and not onely a man but in the meanest condition of men d Q. VVhat may be evidences that he was a man of a very mean condition and state A. His poore birth his afflicted and poore life his shamefull and accursed death with the things that follow afterward do evidently shew the same Q. What was his poor birth A. He was born of a poor Virgin for his mother who was espoused to a Carpenter for her husband and when he was born was wrapped in swadling clothes and layd in a manger because there was no room for his poor mother in the Inne Luke 2. 7. Q. What else was the testimony of his poore birth A. When he was presented to the Lord in the temple with an offering the offering was but a paire of turtle doves or two yong pigeons which was an offering appointed at the birth of children of the poorest sort of people Luk. 2. 24. Levit. 12. 8. Q. What was his poore and afflicted life A. His fleeing into Aegypt from the rage of Herod e his poverty in outward estate f and his subjection to his parents g as any other child Q. VVhat else were testimonies of his afflicted life A. His temptations from the divell h his wearysome journeys from place to place i and his manifold persecutions from the hands and tongues k of wicked men Q. What was his shamefull painefull and accursed death A. It was his crucifying or death upon the Crosse l which was a death accursed by the Law m Q. Wherein was the shame of that death A. It was shamefull in that he was Crucified in the midst betwixt two theeves n and Barabbas a Murtherer counted more worthy then he o Q. What else was the shame and paine of that death A. He was Crowned with thornes and otherwayes derided by the people and priests his hands and feete were nailed to the Crosse and his side was pierced with a Speare to the effusion of water and blood Math. 27. 29. 30. 31. Iohn 19. 34. Q. What else was there in his death A That which was the greatest of all was that he endured a grievous agony with his fathers wrath Mat. 26 37. 38. and 27. 46. Q What followed after his death A. He was buried in the grave p and continued under the power and dominion of death for a time q Q. What was the end of all this Humilation of Christ Q. That he might make satisfaction to the justice and honour of God which had been wronged by our sinnes r and to procure for us reconciliation with God and eternall life s Q. How came Christ to be liable to make satisfaction for our sinnes A. Because he voluntarily became our Surety and so was to pay the debt that we were in unto God Heb. 7. 22. Psal 40. 7. CHAP. 20. Of the exaltation of Christ and his Resurrection from the dead Q. HAving considered of Christs Humiliation how are wee in the next place to consider of his exaltation A. The exaltation of Christ is to be considered both in respect of his Godhead and his manhood and in the severall degrees thereof Q. What is his exaltation in respect of his Godhead A. It is nothing else but the manifestation of that divine power and glory of his which had beene so much concealed in all the time of his humiliation Iohn 175. Rom. 1. 4 Q And what is his exaltation in respect of his Manhood A. It consists partly in laying aside all those infirmities which it had beene subject unto in the time of Humiliation by hunger thirst wearinesse and the like which are all of them removed and done away 1 Cor. 15. 43. Q. Wherein else doth this exaltation consist A. In that the humane nature of Christ was filled with all the glorious excellencies that a creature is capable of and this both in respect of his soule a and in respect of his body b Q. Doth the bodie of Christ by meanes of his exultation or Glorification become infinite or Omnipresent or in many places at once A. As the soule of Christ being Glorified doth still retaine the nature of a soule so his bodie doth still retaine the essentiall properties of a bodie c and therefore is not infinite nor omnipresent for that were to destroy its essentiall properties Q. VVhat are the degrees of Christs exaltation A. His resurrection from the dead his ascention into heaven and his sitting at the right hand of God Q. VVhat meane you by his resurrection from the dead A. I meane that his body which was dead was quickned againe d by the uniting together of his soule and body againe which in death had been separated and also that being quickned he came forth again out of the grave e Q. VVhat certainty is
whereof is murder l fighting and quarrelling m rash anger n malice hatred o and envy p and such like Q. VVhat is the summe of the seventh commandement A. Due care of chastity and purity from all the lusts of uncleannesse Q. Instance in some of the sinnes here forbidden A. Here is forbidden all unchast thoughts and lust of the heart q filthy dreames r lookes s speeches t and apparrell u gestures of dalliance w actions of Sodomie x bestiality y selfe polution z adultery a fornication b and wantonnesse c Q. VVhat is the summe of the Eight commandement A. Due care of our neighbours outward estate whether it be lands houses cattell corne or ought else Q. Name some of the sins forbidden in this commandement A. Here is forbidden all neglect or hindrance of our neighbours outward estate whether it be by idlenesse d covetousnesse e non payment of debts f oppression g by excessive prices or wages Robbery h Theevery i or deceit k Q VVhat is the summe of the ninth commandement A. Truth in speeches promises and our dealings amongst men and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking Eph. 4. 25. Col. 3. 9 10 Psal. 15 2. Micah 6. 12. Psa. 12. 2. Q What is the summe of the tenth commandement A. Contentment with out owne outward estate l and not to covet that which is our neighbours m but hartily to desire and rejoyce in his good as well as in our own n CHAP 33. Of the Death and Resurrection of the body and the last judgement Q WHat is to be believed concerning death A. It is now appointed of God that Adam and all his children must die a except Enoch b and Elias c and such as shall be found alive at the comming of Christ to judgement d Q Why hath God so appointed A. Because of sinne e for if sinne had not entered into the world there had never been death Q. But why should believers die seeing Christ hath suffered death for them and so hath taken away all punishment of sinne A. They die not now in way of punishment for their sinne properly but for other ends and repects Q. For what ends doe they die A. That they may be freed from all the evils of this life f and be brought to rest and glory with Christ g Q. What is the state of the godly immediately upon their death A. Their bodies doe sleep in the grave as in the bed of spices h and their soules which are immortall are made glorious in the presence of God in Heaven i Q And what is the state of the wicked upon their death A. Their bodies lie rotting in the grave through the heavy curse of God k and their soules are tormented in hell in unspeakable woe and misery l Q. Shall the bodies of men lie for ever in the grave and never be united to their soules again A. Not so for there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust m and all that are in the graves shall come forth n Q. In what manner shall the bodies of the Saints arise A. For substance the same bodies that they were at death o but for quality greatly changed p insomuch that they shall be raised incorruptible glorious powerfull and spirituall q Q. VVhat great matter is it for godly men to rise again seeing wicked men shall rise also A. They shall not rise by vertue of any union with Christ as their head as the godly shall r but onely by the power of Christ as their Judge s Q. VVherein else doth the resurrection of the godly and wicked differ A. The wicked shall not rise in such a glorious and excellent manner nor unto the same end with the godly but to the resurrection of damnation Iohn 5. 29. Q. What followeth after the Resurrection A. The eternall judgement Heb. 6. 2. 9. 27. Q. When will the day of judgement be A. It is certainly appointed and decreed of God when it shall be t but it is not known to us that we might alwaies live in watchfulnesse u Q. Who must be judge at that day A. Jesus Christ is appointed of God to be the Judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. 17. 31. Iohn 5. 22 27. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Q. Who must be judged A. All the world both living and dead and this of all things done in this life whether they be good or evil Acts 17 31. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 5. Q. In what manner will be come A. He will come suddenly w visibly x and in wonderfull Majesty and glory y in flaming fire z with the voyce of the Archangell a and thousand thousands of Angels b Q. What sentence will he give A. To them upon his right hand he will say come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the would Matth. 25. 34. Q. And what will be his sentence upon the wicked at his left hand A. To them upon his left hand he will say Goe ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels Matth. 25. 41. Q. What shall follow the pronouncing of the sentence A. The sentence pronounced shall presently be put in execution so that every man shall receive according to his works Matth. 25. 46. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Mat. 16. 27. Q. What shall the wicked receive A. They shall be punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power c with the divell and his Angels d in the lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second death e Q. And what shall the godly receive A. They shall have redemption and deliverance from all kind of evil f Q. And what good shall they enjoy A. Wonderfull g unspeakable and unconceivable h and everlasting i happinesse and glory in the highest heavens k in the presence of God l in whose presence is fulnesse of joy and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore m The CONTENTs of the severall CHAPTERS CHAP. page 1. OF Catechizing as an introduction to that which followeth 1 2. Of the Holy Scriptures 4 3. Of God 8 4. Of Gods decree 13 5. Of Creation 17 6. Of Gods providence 21 7. Of Angels 27 8. Of the estate of man in innocency by creation 28 9. Of the fall of our first Parents 31 10. Of Sinne the definition of it and the distribution into Originall and actuall 35 11. Of the punishment of Sinne 39 12. Of mans deliverance 42 13. Of the person of Christ his Godhead and his manhood 45 14. Of the Office of Christ as mediator between God and man 48 15. Of the
he would therefore it had been no unrighteous thing if God had left him in that misery whereinto he had brought himselfe Pro. 1. 31. Q. Did the Lord worke the deliverance of man because man did importunately seek and sue unto him for the same A. Man did not seek and sue unto God at all but fled from him Gen 3. 8. Rom. 3. 11. And if he had sought unto God for helpe God was not bound to afford it and how much lesse when he sought it not Q. If God did not worke the deliverance of man because himselfe had need of it or because man did desire it what then was the cause that moved him to it A. Onely his free grace mercy and love Iohn 3. 16. Eph. 2. 4 5. Titus 3. 4 5. Q. What is the true way and means of deliverance A. Onely the Lord Jesus Christ Genes 3. 15. Acts 4. 12. 1 Iohn 5. 12. CHAP. 13. Of the person of Christ and his divine and humane nature Q. WHat things are to be known and believed concerning Christ A. His Person his Office his Actions the benefits that come by him and the means how we are made partakers of him and all his benefits Q. What is his person A. It is God and man united together in one person Q. How may it be proved that Christ is God A. By sundry places of Scripture wherein he is expresly so called Isa. 9. 6. Iohn 1. 1. Rom. 9. 5. Phil. 2. 6. 1 Iohn 5. 2â— Q. How else A. Because Eternity a Omnipotency b Omniscience c and Omnipresence d which are properties peculiar to God are all of them ascribed unto Christ Q. How else may the Godhead of Christ be proved A. Because the creation of the world e the forgivenesse of sinnes f the working of miracles g which are workes that can be done by none but God are all of them ascribed to him as the authour of them and because he is made a lawfull object of divine worship h Q. Why was it requisite that Christ our Saviour should be God A. That he might beare the weight of Gods wrath without sinking under the same i that he might overcome death k and his sufferings might be of sufficient worth and value to satisfie the infinite justice of God l Q. Is Christ also truely partaker of the nature of man A. Yes for he is frequently called man and the sonne of man m and said to be made flesh n and partaker of flesh and blood o Q. Why was it requisite that he should be man A. That he might suffer death for us p sanctisie our nature q and that we might have accesse with boldnesse unto God r Q. But sith he was God from everlasting how came be to be man also A. When the fulnesse of time was come s he became man not after the ordinary and usuall way of generation by man and woman together but he was conceived by the holy Ghost in the womb of a Virgin without a father t Q. Sith there are two natures in Christ the Divine and humane whether is Christ then two persons A. By no means but one onely 1 Cor. 8. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. But is not Christ a person in respect of his Godhead A. Yes the second person in the blessed Trinity Q. Is not another man who hath the whole nature of man in him both body and soule a perfect person A. Yes it is even so Q. Why then is not the humane nature in Christ a distinct person A. Because it never had subsisting and being of it selfe but in the person of the Son of God being assumed unto it from the first moment of its being Heb. 2. 16. Q. If both the humane and divine nature be in Christ and yet Christ but one person is then the Godhead become the manhood and the manhood the Godhead A. Not so this Union of two natures in one person doth not confound the two natures nor destroy the properties of either but these still remain unconfounded and distinct in that one person CHAP. 14. Of the Office of Christ to be a Mediator Q. HAving spoken of the person of Christ tell in the next place what is Christs Office A. His Office in the generall is to be a Mediator between God and man to worke reconciliation betwixt them 1 Tim. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19. Q. What need was there of such a Mediator A. Very much need because by the sinne of man there was now grown enmity between them God being offended with man and man being enemy to God Rom. 5. 9 10. Col. 2. 21. Q. Is Christ the onely Mediator or are there not others that may be mediators also A. Properly there is no other mediator between God and man but Christ onely 1 Tim. 2. 5. Iohn 14. 6. Q. Who gave Christ a Commission or calling to the Office of a mediator A. As no man can lawfully intrude himselfe into any office without a lawfull calling no more did Christ intrude himselfe into the office of a Mediator but was lawfully called and authorized thereunto by the father Isa 42. 1 6. Iohn 6. 29. 10. 36. Heb. 5. 4 5. Q. How was he furnished with gifts and abilities for discharge of this office A. As God never calleth any to any office but he gives them gifts requisite thereto so Christ was furnished with all wisdom knowledge and other gifts of the spirit that might fully fit him for his office of Mediator Col. 2. 3. Isa. 11. 2. 61. 1. Heb. 1. 9. Iohn 3. 34. Q. Whether is Christ Mediator according to his humane nature or according to his divine A. The office of mediation belongeth to whole Christ as he is God and man and not in respect of either nature alone Q. How may that appeare A. A Mediator should be a fit and middle person to deale between two that are at variance but if our mediator be considered as God onely he should then be too high to treat with man and had he been man only he should have been too low for God Q. VVhat may be a further reason thereof A. If the acts of his mediation doe proceed from him being considered onely as God they then cannot be applicatory unto us and if they proceed from him onely as man they then cannot be of sufficient value to be satisfactory unto God Q. Doe you then think that in the execution of his office of mediator both the natures doe joyntly concurre A. It is even so indeed God-man whose Christ is our mediator Q. How long hath Christ had this office A. In respect of Gods decree he was appointed to it from eternity a in respect of vertue and efficacy he was mediator from the beginning of the world when need was b Q. But when was he manifested in the flesh A. In respect of his manifestation in the flesh he was given in the
proofe hereof A. Their union whith Christ wich is the form of that Church is knowne onely unto God Q Name a sixth difference A. The Catholike Church and all the members of it continue for ever n but particular churches by persecutions and corruptions may come to be utterly dissolved and extinct o Q. What is a last difference betweene them A. The ordinary ministery appointed by christ is for the instituted and particular churches but not for the church catholike as such because that church hath no Pastor nor Bishop but Christ Q. How may this appeare that ministers are not ministers of the universall Church but only of some particular congregation A. The church to whom the ministery belong is to chuse her owne ministers p but the unversall church never comes together to make any such choice Q. How else may this appeare A. There is no part of the church to which the ministery belongs but it stands in need of ministers q but a good part of the catholike Church is glorious in heaven with Christ and therefore hath no such need Q. What may be a third ground hereof A. The flock of God over which the Holy ghost doth make men overseers is such as may be attended and watched over even the whole flocke and ministers thereof r Q. And why may not the same be said of the Catholike Church A. Because that Church is so large that it is not possible for any man to attend it or watch over it Q. Is there any evill in it for one man to be a Bishop or minister to all Christians where ever they be disposed of and not onely to one congregation A. Besides that such a man must needs neglect the greatest part of his charge it is a great part of the usurpation of the Bishop of Rome for which he is truely called Antichrist that he will take upon him to be universall Bishop s over all the Christians in the world Q Who is the head of the catholike church A. Onely Iesus Christ t as giving influence of life sense and motion to the same as the head doth unto the body Q Who are the members of that church A. Only they and all they that are effectually called to be true beleevers in Christ Rev. 17. 14. Iohn 15. 19. Q. What are the parts of the Catholike church A. According to the degrees of communion which they have with Christ so that church may be distinguished into that which is militant and that which is triumphant Q. VVhat is the church militant A. It is that part of the catholike Church which is warring and fighting here on earth against spirituall enemies the divell the world and the flesh Eph. 6. 12. Phil. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 10. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 18. Q. And what is the Church Triumphant A. It is that part of the Catholike church which are now in heaven gloriously triumphing over all those enemies which in this world they did conflict and combate withall Eph. 4. 13. Heb. 12. 23. Eph. 5. 27. CHAP. 29. Of the instituted Church or perticular churches Q. WHat is the matter of particular or visible churches A. By the appointment of Christ all churches ought to consist onely of true beleevers a and all that are true beleevers ought to joyn themselves unto some church b Q. If the matter of particular churches for the quality of it ought to be true beleevers in Christ what ought to be the quantity thereof Q No more in number in the dayes of the new Testament but onely so many as may ordinarily meet together in one congregation Acts 2. 46. 5. 12. 3. 2. 14. 27. 15. 25. 1 Cor. 5. 4. and 11. 17 18. and 14. 23. Q. Is any thing else needfull to the being of a visible church but onely the matter above mentioned A. Timber and stones are not an house untill they be compacted and joyned together and as the humane soule and body are not man unlesse they be united so beleevers are not a visible church without some visible bond and union Q. And what is that bond that doth unite them A. An holy agreement and covenant c with God and one another to walke together in such duties of worship to God and edification of one another as the Gospell of Christ requireth of all Churches and the members thereof Q. How many kinds of Churches are there A. The visible Church if we speake of that which is truely so called is one and the same in essence from the beginning of the world to the end thereof namely a company of people united together in the profession of the true religion Q. But may not the true church be some way distinguished A Yes for there is the church of the old Testament and the churches of the new there are pure churches and churches that are corrupt and besides these that are true there are also some that are false Churches Q. What is the Church of the old Testament A A company of people united together in the profession of such a Religion or faith whereby men beleeved on Christ then to come Q. What is a Church of the new Testement A. A company of people united together in the profession of such a religion or faith whereby men beleeve on Christ already come Q What are pure churches and churches that are corrupt A. A pure Church is such a church whose matter forme doctrine worship and ministery is accordding to the appointment of Christ in the word Q. And what is a corrupt Church A. Such an one as in the things last mentioned or in some of them doth swerve from the appointment of Christ yet still holding the foundation of salvation Q. How if their swerving be such as overthroweth the foundation A. Then they cease to be a true church and become either no church or at the best a false church Q. What is a false church A. One that is so exceedingly corrupt in regard of their constitution doctrine worship ministery that if men beleeve and walke according thereunto they cannot be saved Q. And may not thus much befall a true church A. No a true Church is either pure in these things or if corrupt yet not so corrupt as to overthrow salvation CHAP. 30. Of the power or liberty of churches and of church officers Q. WHat is the power or liberty of particular Churches A. It is not civill or worldly for Christs kingdome is not of this world a neither is it independent and supreame for that belongs only to Christ b but their power is Spirituall and ministeriall Q. And wherein have they such power A. They have such power from Christ to exercise all the Ordinances of true Religion and to assemble together for the exercise thereof and in particular to choose Officers to themselves and to practice Discipline or censures Q. Whether have Churches absolute power from Christ to assemble together for the exercise of