Medulla Novi Testamenti THE SUBSTANCE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT MORE ESPECIALLY Of the HISTORICAL WITH A brief Account of the Doctrinal Part in each Book by way of Dialogue between a Divine and his Parishioner Designed for the benefit of Private Families By THOMAS STANHOPE Preacher at the Fleet. IMPRIMATUR W. Jane London Printed by A.G. and J. P. and are sold by Nath. Rolles at the Golden Key in St. Paul's Church-yard 1680. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Mrs FANSHAW MADAM I Know not what excuse to make for offering so poor a Present to your Ladiship and under your Name to the World My performance must needs make it mean though the Design is Great it being a familiar Introduction to the understanding of the New Testament But when I consider what a Misfortune in your Education did cast you into a Religion that can never hope to support it self but by Ignorance of the Scriptures from which your Ladiship is now so happily delivered through the assistance of that Eminent and Worthy Dean of Canterbury to the Great Joy of your most Illustrious Brother the ever Renowned DUKE of Monmouth his Grace and to the Infinite satisfaction of your Husband who never thought himself completely Happy in you till Religion had united your Souls as well as Wedlock had done your Persons When I reflect on these things I hope that without accusing you I may fear that till of late you have been too much a Stranger to those Holy Writings or rather they have been to you as a Sealed Book And at the same time I may assure my self that being brought into that Church which hath no other Rule or Standard of Faith but the Holy Scriptures you will now Redeem the time of your Former Ignorance by a stricter Application to that blessed Study and therefore will not despise the meanest help which can be offered to you I now present your Ladiship with my Endeavours about the New Testament and hope shortly to give you an account of what I have already finished concerning the Old I have so perfect an assurance of your Ladiships Goodness that I am confident you will easily pardon this Presumption and accept of my Faithful Zeal and Hearty Prayers to God to bestow upon you all those Blessings which either your High Blood or more excellent Qualities may render you Capable of and that you will permit me to assume the Honour with the hearty wish of this and many prosperous New Years to own my self MADAM Jan. 1. 1679 80. Your Ladiships most humble Servant THO. STANHOPE THE PREFACE THis poor Book long strugling under Difficulties would willingly have shewed it self to the World in a larger Volume and have given an account of the whole Scripture in one piece but through several failures it comes out but in part i. e. the New Testament which is now sent forth to try how it will be Enterâ—ained As to the promises of those that are Dead I have nothing to mention the feigned Endeavours of some now Living have sufficiently hindred even this part of it One Person assured me it should be extant the latter end of Michaelmas Term after that some time towards New-years tide though nothing of that promise was kept However it is now got abroad and if it takes as I hope it will I shall be Encouraged to follow it with the other of the Old Testament in a short time Which done I shall have my End proposed which is to be God's and his Church's Servant as an helper to the Common Salvation of Mankind It may be necessary for Private Families And some Judicious Persons particularly a most Learned Bishop have approved it Young People may hereby be acquainted with the Holy Gospel and instructed in the Book and Chapter which they would have recourse unto In case it be frowned upon I have the Confidence to believe none can blame me for my Design of doing Good And I thank God for that universal Charity which he hath given me that I heartily desire the Temporal Spiritual and Eternal welfare of every Man in the World whereunto I would contribute the utmost of my Endeavours and for which I would spend my Dearest Blood I have no more to add but that I am not an Enemy to any one upon Earth I heartily wish the Peace and Prosperity of all true Protestants as the Friends of those who love our Lord Jesus and to them I subscribe my self an hearty Servant for his blessed Name 's sake THO. STANHOPE THE NEW TESTAMENT P. WHy do you call this the New Testament D. Not only with respect to the Old which preceded it both in Order of Nature and Time but also in regard that it declares God's gracious fulfilling the Conditions of the New Covenant the Covenant of Grace as the other was of Works so far as concerned him P. It seems then there were Two Covenants made with man D. There were so The first the Covenant of Works before the Fall the Condition whereof was Perfect Obedience the Second a Covenant of Grace after the Fall the Conditions whereof are Faith and Sincere Obedience the Mediator of which Covenant is Jesus Christ the Object of this New Testament P. How is this New Testament divided D. Into Four Parts 1. The Evangelists i. e. their Writings 2. The Acts of the Apostles 3. The Canonical Epistles 4. The Book of the Revelation P. How many are there of the Evangelists D. They and the Gospels written by them are Four Matthew Mark Luke and John P. Why call you those Books Gospels and those the Four Evangelists D. The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Good Message and so the Evangelists are Messengers of Good Tidings that Name suting best with these Writings which contain an History of what our Lord Christ did and suffered for the Salvation of Mankind And the English Gospel is thought to be quasi Gods Spell i.e. Gods Charm or Power whereby he draws men to Life Eternal so the Apostle explains it I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ Minshew for it is the power of God unto Salvation Rom. 1 16. P. Why were there several of them and the whole not contracted into one Book D. God in his infinite Wisdom did so order it and more especially for Two Reasons 1. To confirm the Truths contained in these Gospels delivered by so many persons 2. That what one was not so exact in relating the rest or at least some of them might supply P. How are these Evangelists Prophetically represented in the Old Testament D. Expositors do generally believe that they are shadowed out by the Four Living Creatures in Ezekiel's Prophesie Chap. 1.10 which had Four Faces one of a Man the Second of a Lion the Third of an Oxe and the Fourth of an Eagle P. Pray give me leave then to desire you would satisfie me why the several Evangelists were thus represented and how some small Differences in their Writings are to be reconciled and
the Persecution raised at Stephen's Death D. They travelled through several Countries setling at last at Antioch where many were converted P. What care was taken of these new Converts D. The Church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to strengthen them in the Faith who afterwards went to seek Saul at Tarsus and brought him thither P. Had the Disciples any particular Name given them in that place D. They were in that place first called Christians P. What particular Prophesie do we then meet with D. A Prophesie from Agabus concerning the Dearth which happened in the Dayes of Claudius Caesar whereupon the Disciples sent Relief into Judea by Barnabas and Saul P. How did King Herod behave himself all this while D. He being an enemy to the Church Chap. 12 killed James the Brother of John and put Peter in Prison designing his Death also P. By what means was Peter delivered D. By an Angel carrying him past several Watches through the Iron Gate into the Street where he was left and went to the House of John called Mark P. What Punishment afterwards befel Herod D. Making an eloquent Oration one day for which he was highly applauded the Angel of God smote him and he was eaten up of Worms because he gave not God the Glory P. Cornelius being converted was no care taken of the other Gentiles D. Yes Chap. 13 Barnabas and Saul afterwards called Paul were by God's command separated for the employment of converting them with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of Hands P. What was the first opposition these Two Apostles met with D. It was from a Jewish Sorcerer at Paphos Elymas by Name P. What Punishment befel him D. He was according to Paul's word struck blind for a certain time P. What influence had this Miracle upon others D. It particularly made the Deputy of that Countrey to Believe P. What else happened remarkable D. They Preaching Christ at Antioch some Jews and Gentiles also Believed and desired the same Discourse might be delivered to them the next abbath which the other Jews opposing the Apostles left them going among the Gentiles to Iconium P. What befel them there D. The unbelieving Jews stirred up the people against them Chap. 14 so that they were forced to flee to Lystra P. What happened there D. Paul healed a born-Cripple whereupon the People would have Sacrificed to him and Barnabas which they refused but afterwards by the instigation of the Jews who came thither Paul was stoned yet after his miraculous recovery they both returned to Antioch P. What other Troubles did they meet with at this time D. Some Teachers would have imposed upon the Disciples a necessity of Circumcision Chap. 15 in order to Salvation P. What was resolved upon when this Question was started D. That Paul and Barnabas with others should be sent to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem to have their Opinion about it P. What did those Elders declare upon the hearing it D. Being assembled together in Council they declared that Circumcision was not necessary and only commanded an abstinence from certain things sending Letters to the same purpose throughout the Churches P. What were those things to be abstained from D. Four Meats offered to Idols Blood Things strangled and Fornication P. Did Paul and Barnabas continue together after this D. They did for some time but at length a Quarrel happening they parted P. Whither did Paul go then D. He was called into Macedonia by a Vision Chap. 16 and went to Philippi where he converted Lydia and cast a Spirit of Divination out of a Damosel upon which he and Silas his Companion were put into Prison P. What Miracle was wrought during their Imprisonment D. They singing Praises to God at Midnight there happened a great Earthquake which threw open the Prison-doors whereupon the Jaylor was affrighted and ready to kill himself fearing he had lost his Prisoners P. How was he hindred from that purpose D. By Paul's calling to him and preaching Faith in Christ whereupon he believed and himself with his whole Houshold was Baptized P. How long were these Persons kept in Prison D. The Magistrates of the Town entreated them the next day to depart P. To what place went Paul next that is of Note D. After some Journeys he came to Thessalonica Chap. 17 where he Preached and some persons Believed P. How was he entertained there D. The unbelieving Jews occasioning a Tumult assaulted Jason's House and alledging they were enemies to Caesar persecuted Paul till he went to Berea P. How did the Bereans carry themselves D. Hearing Paul preach in the Jewish Synagogue they searched the Scriptures to try the Agreement between them and his Doctrine P. Whither did Paul journey from Berea D. To Athens where he encountred with the Epicureans and Stoicks P. What observable thing did he there meet with D. The Inscription upon an Altar To the Vnknown God upon which occasion he Preached Christ and the Resurrection from the Dead P. How was this Doctrine entertained D. With Scoffes by some and with Faith by others P. Whither did Paul go from Athens D. To Corinth Chap. 18 where he met with Aquila a Jew banished by Claudius the Emperor from Rome and his Wife Priscilla lately come from Italy P. What Encouragement had Paul at Corinth D. God told him in a Vision that he should not be disheartned because there were many people belonging to God in that City P. What Troubles began then to fall upon him D. He was accused before Gallio the Deputy of Achaia but dismissed whereupon the Jews being enraged fell to beating Sosthenes the Ruler of the Synagogue P. Whither journeyed he from Corinth D. To Cenchrea for the paying his Vow and thence to Ephesus P. What Company did Paul meet with at Ephesus D. One Apollos a Jew eloquent and well read in the Scriptures who disputed with the Jews and being further instructed by Aquila and Priscilla strongly asserted that Jesus was the Christ P. What other Company did he meet with Chap. 19 D. Some Disciples about Twelve in Number who not knowing any thing of the Holy Ghost's being given were Baptized in the Name of Jesus and by the Imposition of Paul's hands had the Holy Ghost given unto them P. How did the Jews there entertain his Doctrine D. With ill words insomuch that he took his Disciples into the School of Tyrannus where he continued for Two years working several Miracles upon Sick Persons P. What particular opposition did he there meet with D. Certain Exorcists pretending in his Name to call upon Evil Spirits were assaulted by those Spirits and fled for their security whereupon followed a Confession from them and the burning their Conjuring Books to a great value P. Whom had he else to deal with there D. With Demetrius a Silver-Smith and several others who made an Vproar in the City finding their gains were gone their employment being to make Shrines for their Goddess Diana which Uproar by the perswasion of their
us and a sober vigilant Resisting the Devil P. How doth the Epistle End D. With an Holy Prayer for their being strengthened in Faith with some particular Salutations The End of the First Epistle of S. PETER II. S. PETER P. WHat is the beginning of this Epistle D. An exhortation to labour after the Increase of Grace P. With what Argument is that exhortation backed D. With an assertion of the Truth of the Christian Doctrine it being divinely inspired by the Holy Ghost to the Prophets P. Doth not speaking of the true Prophets give occasion to speak of the false ones D. Yes Chap. 2 the Apostle describes what they were by bringing in Damnable Heresies and several other Characters of them shewing the Danger of the adhering to their pernicious principles P. How doth this Epistle End D. With a Caution to Avoid their Tenets and in order thereunto to grow in Grace Chap. 3 and in the Knowledge of Christ Jesus our Saviour The End of the Second Epistle of S. PETER I. S. JOHN P. WHat are the Contents of S. John's first Epistle D. The Apostles assuring believers of their Fellowship with God the Father and the Son Chap. 1.2 c. and the Exhortation he gives to Brotherly Love throughout the whole Epistle as the Argument of our Conversion the Assurance of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in us in opposition to the false Spirit of Error Reigning throughout the World The End of the First Epistle of S. JOHN II. S. JOHN P. WHat doth this Epistle Contain D. It being written to an Honourable Lady the Apostle exhorts her and her Children to continue stedfast in the Faith for fear of losing the good Work and the reward for them to all that are sound believers and gives a Caution to avoid all seducers The End of the Second Epistle of S. JOHN III. S. JOHN P. WHat are the Contents of this Third Epistle D. It is directed to Gaius an Holy and Hospitable Man for which Vertues he is Commended Diotrephes blamed for his Ambition in the Church and Demetrius Applauded for his kindness The End of the Third Epistle of S. JOHN S. JUDE P. WHat things doth this Epistle Treat of D. It begins with an Exhortation to continue Stedfast in the Faith argued from the entering in of several who endeavoured to Corrupt it by whose untoward Doctrine a great many were led aside whose wickedness the Apostle there Describes encouraging all the Disciples of Christ not to be moved and so concludes with a Thanksgiving to God for his Grace to all believers The End of the Epistle of S. JUDE REVELATION P. VVHat is the last Book of the New Testament D. The Revelation of S. John the Divine P. Why is it so called D. Because it Reveales what God had shewed by an Angel unto S. John concerning things which should come to pass P. To whom was this Book directed D. To the Seven Churches in Asia P. Where and when was this Revelation made to S. John D. It was made in the Isle of Patmos Chap. 1 whither he was Banished and he had it on the Lords Day P. How was it conveyed unto him D. He heard behind him a great Voice as of a Trumpet P. What did that Voice direct him to do D. To write what he should see in a Book and send it to the seven Churches of Asia viz. Ephesus Smirna Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea P. What was the first Vision D. The Vision of Seven Golden Candlesticks in the midst whereof walked One like the Son of Man who had in his Right hand Seven Stars P. What were those Golden Candlesticks and Stars D. The seven Golden Candlesticks Represented the seven Churches and the seven Stars the Angels of those Churches P. With which of these Churches doth S. John begin D. With the Church of Ephesus Chap. 2 P. Of what Nature is the Message sent to that Church D. It contains a Commendation for the sufferings she had endured a Reproof for the Abatement of her Zeal and an Exhortation to Repentance with a Promise of Reward to him that should overcome P. What is the Message to the Church of Smyrna D. That to Smyrna and most of the rest are of the same Nature with the former convincing the People of what was blame-worthy Commending them for what was good Exhorting them to Piety and Vertue P. In which Epistles is there a Difference from the rest D. In those two to Philadelphia Chap. 3 and to Laodicea P. What doth that to Philadelphia contain D. Only a Commendation of her Goodness with promises thereupon P. What doth that to Laodicea contain D. A Reproof of her Luke-warmness with a Threatening upon it and good Counsel to turn unto God by Zeal and Repentance P. What else doth this Book inform us of D. Certain Predictions concerning the State of the Church in this World Chap. 4.5 and in the World to come P. What are these concerning the Church in this World A Discovery of things to happen in the several Ages of the World together with the Conquest of the Churches Enemies but the way of this Discovery is very Abstruse and Mysterious P. What concerns the State of the Church in the World to come D. The full Description of the New Jerusalem Chap. 21 where the Saints shall be for ever happy set forth by some Mysterious Resemblances P. How doth this Book conclude D. With a Confirmation of the Truth of this Prophesy Chap. 22 and the Churches earnest desire of Christs second Coming to Judgment The End of the REVELATION FINIS ERRATA PAg. 15. line 7. read Cities P. 26. l. 18. r. of Religion to P. 41. l. 27. dele about P. 42. l. 13. r. he to be P. 64. Marg. add chap. 9. P. 68. l. ult Marg. add chap. 18. P. 69. l. 7. Marg. add chap. 19. P. 70. l. 17. Marg. add chap. 21. P. 74. l. 10. add chap. 3. l. 26. chap. 4. P. 77. l. 17. r. Parmemas P. 80. l. 15. r. Sau P. 122. l. 1. Marg. add chap. 3. l. 12. chap. 4. l. 21 chap. 5. l. 30. chap. 7. P. 126. l. 5. Marg. add chap. 4