contrary to Scripture 10. Q. Hath every Christian liberty and power to examine and judge of things belonging to faith and salvation of the true sense of the Scripture or is he bound absolutely to submit his judgment to Ecclesiastical Judges and to receive their doctrine without Examination A. I speak as to wise men judge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10.15 Try the Spirits whether they be of God 1 John 4.1 The spiritual man judgeth all things 1 Cor 2.15 Take beed of false Prophets Matth. 7.15 Not that we have Dominion over your faith 2 Cor. 1.24 Try all things 1 Thes 5.21 Note The Church of Rome deals with people as the Philistins with Sampson when they put out his eyes they have no hope that Christian people will receive their doctrine if they be not first blinded and the light of their reason and judgment taken away they are not ashamed to affirm 1. That private Christians must receive the doctrine of the Church without examination 2. That they do not offend God nor are blameable for holding any errour or heresie or committing any sin if by so doing they follow the Doctrine of their Pastors and Spiritual Guides 11. Q. Are the Books commonly called Apocrypha any part of the holy Scripture or were all the Books of Divine Scripture written by the Prophets and Apostles or by other Apostolick men allowed by the Apostles and do the Divine Scripture contain nothing but truth by reason of the immediate assistance of the holy Ghost afforded to the Pen-men of them A. Thy word is truth John 17.17 The Scriptures of the Prophets Rom. 16.26 Ye are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Eph. 2.20 Note The Apocrypha may not be received as Scripture for 1. The Apochryphal books were not received by the Jewish Church as Divine Scripture yet to them were committed all the Scriptures of the Old Testament Rom. 3.2 2. The Apocrypha was written after Malachie the last Prophet so that they could not be written by any of the Prophets and it is evident they were not written by any of the Apostles the Prophet swrote in Hebrew and did prophesie of Christ but these books were not written in Hebrew nor do they propose any Testimony or prophesie of Christ whereas all the Prophets speak of Christ Luke 14.27 Act. 10.13 3. The Apocrypha Books were not received as Divine Scripture by the primitive Christian Church as the ancient Fathers plainly testifie 4. These books are not cited and quoted by Christ and the Apostles as the books of the Old Testament are frequently 5. These books contain some things erroneous false superstitious and contradictious both to the Scripture and to themselves see Tob. 5.12 Tob. 6.7 Tob. 9.2 judith 9.2 Bar. 6.3 Ecclesiast 46.20 2 Maccab. 14.42 c. 2 Maccab. 12.9 2 Maccab. 12.42 43. c. Note Some of the Apocrypha the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners but it doth not apply them to establish any Doctrine 12. Q. Is the corruption of nature it self and all the motions of it truly and properly sin even in those who are regenerated hath concupiscence and lust of it self the nature of sin though a man doth not consent to act and fulfill it A. I had not known sin but by the Law I had not known lust except the law had said thou shalt not Covet Rom. 7.7 With the mind I serve the Law of God with the flesh the law of sin Rom. 7.25 Lust is not of the Father 1 John 2.16 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit c. Gal. 5.17 Note The Apostle in Rom 7. more than once calls concupiscence or lust sin and that not only because it is from sin and inclines to it but also because it is contrary to the law of the mind and lusteth against the spirit in which thing the true nature of sin doth consist viz. in non-conformity to the Law of God Note If concupiscence were only the punishment of sin St. John would not have said that it is not of the Father for from him is the punishment of sin Note The motions of the mind to evil are of three sorts 1. Such as are rejected as soon as they arise 2. Such as remain a while and tickle and affect the Soul with some delight 3. Such as both tickle the mind with pleasure and a man doth resolve to put them into practise There is no controversie about the first or third sort but the dispute is about the second sort which indeed are forbidden in the tenth Commandement for what else can it forbid for motions of the first sort are not sinful and motions of the third cause are forbidden in the other Commandements as is evident by our Saviours exposition in Matt. 5. Note The Papists deny concupiscence and the lusts thereof to be sin because otherwise their other errours are not defensible their doctrines of merits of perfection of superrogation yea they are so blasphemous as to say that concupiscence and the lusts thereof are so far from defiling the Soul that they make the operations of it more meritorious and if so then our actions are more meritorious than the actions of our Saviour Christ who had no manner of corruption or lust in him to wrestle or strive against the will of God 13. Q. Are some sins Venial that is so small that they do not deserve or bind over to the wrath and curse of God and everlasting death A. Cursed is every one that doth not continue in all things written in the Law Gal. 3.10 Whosoever shall keep the whole law and offend in one point he is guilty of all Jam. 2.10 The wages of sin is death and the gift of God eternal life Rom. 6.23 so Rom. 6.16 Note The Apostle saith all sin deserveth death that is everlasting as appears by the opposition of life everlasting which the Apostle joyneth in the same verse Note without this filthy distinction of sins venial and mortal the Popish doctrine of a regenerate mans perfect keeping the whole law and so meriting a heaven falls to the ground and it is the less wonder that some debauched persons turn Papists when they precisely mention drunkenness as one in their Catalogue of veinal sins Note The ground of this Popish mistake about sins venial is that they take the measures of sin from the Act which is finite and not from the Object which is infinite so God offended by it Now this must needs be a false rule for so no sin would deserve infinite punishment but all sins would be venial for all sin is finite in it self and yet becomes infinite in merit because it is committed against an infinite God 14. Q. Must we disavow all communion with and separate from the Church of Rome in their Idolatrous worship or is Idolatry a sin not so heinous but that it may stand with the fellowship a Christian ought to have both with Christ the Head and with his
Triumph and Insultation as if they had wone Carthage 5. Q. Are all things necessary to salvation plainly and clearly propounded and opened in the Scripture so that even the unlearned in a due use of the ordinary means may understand them A. The entrance of thy word giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 The commandement is not hidden from thee neither is it far off it is nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy breast that thou mayest do it Deut. 30.13 Rom. 10.8 Thy word is a Light unto my feet and a Lanthern to my path Psal 119.105 We have a sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well to take heed as to a light shining in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 Note the Scripture is called a light and what is more clear and perspicuous than light Note the Papists deny the Scripture to be plain and intelligible by believers even in things necessary to salvation because 1. They would set the Authority of the Church of Rome above the Scripture 2. Bring all Christians to a blind belief of what ever they say 3. Discourage people from reading the Scripture 6. Q. What places of Scripture demonstrate the Pope of Rome to be the great Antichrist A. That day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed who exalteth himself above all that is called God sitteth in the Temple of God c. 2 Thes 2.3 c. I beheld another Beast and he had two horns like a Lamb he deceiveth them that dwell on Earth and exerciseth all the power of the first Beast Rev. 13.11 c. The great whore upon a scarlet coloured Beast having seven beads and ten horns upon her forehead was written mystery Babilon c. Rev. 17.1 2. see also 1 Tim. 4. 1. Dan. 7.20 Dan. 11.26 2 John 2.22 Note How could Daniel St. Paul St. John draw a Picture so like the Pope and never think upon him yea the Papists themselves and the ancient Fathers generally acknowledge that the great Antichrist is described in the forementioned places 2 Thes 2. Rev. 13. Dan. c. 7. c. 11. and it 's almost generally agreed by all that in Dan. c. 7. c. 11. Antiochus Epiphan is described as a Type and figure of Antichrist Note The Roman Empire when it was in four did hinder the Popes rising but the Empire decaying the Pope seized upon Rome and exalted himself upon the ruines of the Empire that this is the meaning of St. Paul in 2 Thes 2.7 He that letteth c. is generally granted by the ancient Fathers Note The seat of Antichrist is notably described Rev. 17.1.2 to be Popish Rome Note By the Dragon Rev. 12.3 understand the Devil as the Pagan and Heathen Roman Empire by the Beast with ten horns Rev. 13.1 understand the Christian Roman Empire corrupted with Popish Idolatry as the two horned Beast or false Prophet Rev. 13.11 is evidently the Pope Papists themselves grant this Beast to be Antichrist by the two witnesses Rev. 11.3 understand a succession of holy men testifying against Antichrist in the whole time of his Reign Antichrist shall Reign 1260. years as expositors generally agree and prove by Rev. 11.3 Rev. 13.5 Though there is difficulty when to begin his rise and Reign Prophetical dayes are years 1260 dayes are 1260 years Prophetical months are so many years as there are dayes in a month 42 months reckoning for every month 30 dayes are 1260 years so long Antichrist shall Reign and the witnesses Prophesie Therefore when the Papists ask where was the Church before Luther's time we answer it was in and among them though it was not of them in the several ages under the Reign of Antichrist some still opposed his Errours 7. Q. What is the infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture A. No prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation 2 Pet. 1.20 Let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith Rom. 12.6 To this agree the words of the Prophets as it is written Acts 15.15 Note When there is a question about the true sense and meaning of any Scripture it must be known by comparing it with other places which speak more cleerly so that the Scripture it self is the only infallible rule of expounding the Scripture 8. Q. Who is the supreme Judge by whom all controversies in Religion are to be determined is it the holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture A. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Esa 8.20 They searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Acts 17.11 Search the Scriptures John 5.29 Note The Papists contend that the Church is the supreme and infallible judge of Controversies in Religion and interpreter of the Scripture but being asked what they mean by the Church they confess they mean not the people but the Pastors the Church representative that is Bishops and Prelates assembled in Counsel And being asked what they understand by Councils they are forced to answer that all Counsels may err and so are no infallible judges nor certain interpreters of Scripture unless they be allowed and approved by the Pope whom they would have to judge in and of Counsels and so they resolve all power of judging and interpreting into him who they say cannot err and thus the supream and infallible judge of the Scripture and all controversies in Religion according to the Papists is the Bishop of Rome But he cannot be the supreme and infallible judge because 1. Their own Histories confess that many Popes have been Hereticks 2. Many have set forth contrary Decrees 3. Many Popes have beengrosly ignorant of the Scripture and in their Decrees have ridiculously and absurdly misapplyed it 4. Many of them have been prophane impious wicked and addicted to Magick and Sorcery 9. Q. Ought not the Scripture to be set forth in the vulgar and common speech is it dangerous for people to read the Scripture will it make them fall into Heresie or ought all people to be diligent readers of the Scripture what saith our Saviour what say the Prophets and Apostles concerning this A. Search the Scripture John 5.39 Ye do err not knowing the Scriptures Matt. 22.29 Thy testimonies are my delight and my Councellers Psal 119.24 Seek ye the book of the Lord and read Esa 34.16 They were more noble in that they searched the Scriptures daily Act. 17.11 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Luke 16.29 From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 Let the word of God dwell richly in you Col. 3.16 Sitting in his Chariot he read Esaias the Prophet Acts 8.28 Take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6.17 Note The true reason why the Church of Rome forbids people to read the Scripture is because it would make people abhor the Popish Religion it being so plainly
of plain Sacriledge in robbing Gods people of the mystical Cup for whom Christ did shed his most precious blood 53. Q. Rehearse those Scriptures that mention the use of Oyle in the miraculous curing of Diseases A. They anointed with Oyle many that were sick and healed them Mark 16.13 Is any sick let the Elders of the Church pray over him and anoint him with Oyle in the name of the Lord Jam. 5.14 Note The Church of Rome without shame fain a Sacrament of a Ceremony used only for health of body whereas spiritual grace not bodily health is the proper effect of a Sacrament Why do they not also make Sacraments of Clay and Spittle Handkerchiefs and Aprons for these as well as Oyl were sometimes used as signs in miraculous healing of Diseases the gift of healing being ceased it is absurd to keep up the sign much more absurd to make it a Sacrament as the Papists do calling it extream unction to propose their hypocritical pageantry is enough to confute it the matter must be oile Olive consecrated by a Bishop He that Administers it must be a Priest the person receiving it must be one thought to be at the point of death The members anointed are the eyes cars nose mouth hands reins The form by this holy oile and his tender mercy God forgive thee the effects and vertue expulsion of the reliques of sin strengthning against Satan pardon of sin healing the body if it be for the good of the sick mans soul Oh abominable blind Superstition Q. 54. Have Monkish vowes any ground and warrant in Gods word or be they contrary to it A. Why are ye Subject to Ordinanc touch not tast not handle not after the Commandements and Doctrines of men which things indeed have a shew of wisdome in will-worship and humility in neglecting of the body Col 2.23 Better it is that thou shouldest not vow than that thou shouldest vow and not pay Eccl. 5.5 Stana fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free Gal. 5.1 Note The Papists place a great part of their Religion in Monkish vowes which are principally three 1. The vow of single life and Chastity 2. The vow of Poverty and Begging 3. The vow of regular Obedience to be governed by their Superiour or Abbot in all things All these vowes are sinful for 1. They are against Christian liberty 2. Some of them are out of the power and ability of him that voweth as the vow of perpetual chastity in single life 3. They abolish the Order which God hath set viz. That every one should have some particular calling whereby he may be profitable to humane Society 4. These vows are Idolatrous and Superstitious for they are made and observed with an opinion of Gods worship of merit and of the state of perfection 5. These vowes are made in meer fraud and hypocrisie Monks and Fryers pretend chastity and practice uncleanness pretend poverty and yet abound in wealth here in England they hadabove a third part of the Lands in this Kingdome and yet these are the men that make to God a solemn vow of poverty 6. These vowes are expresly against Gods word 1. The vow of single life is contrary to 1 Cor 7.9 Math. 19.11 Heb. 13.4 2. The vow of regular Obedience is contrary to 1 Cor. 7.23 3. The vow of poverty and begging is contrary to Deut. 15. 4. 2 Thes 3.10 1 Tim. 5.16 Act. 20.35 Note The first occasion of Monks was persecution Christians were forced to hide themselves in Woods and Caves these may be called Golden Monks that which brought the Monastick state into esteem was the severity and strictness of the beginners of it but this was of short continuance some of the ancient Fathers magnifie it highly because they lived not to see the bad effects of it when it came into a Settlement Note The difference between Monks and Fryers Monks have nothing in propriety but all in common these having lost their credit another order came up who would be called Fryers these pretend to strict poverty to have nothing in common nor propriety but are Mendicants begging their subsistance But after a little time these Fryers obtained leave from the Popes to have Houses Lands and Money and heaped up much wealth yet notwithstanding they pretend to keep their solemn vow of poverty because they have only the use possession and enjoyment of their Houses Goods and Estates but the property and Dominion of them is not in themselves but in the Pope all this pretence of poverty is a meer Juggle and fit only to deceive the simple for poverty cannot consist with a plentiful use of wealth supposing it could be without property or Dominion FINIS ERRATA PAge 7 l. 6. read Power p. 14. l. 16. r. sort p. 15. l. 23. r. venial l. 27. r. God offended by them p. 19 l. 23 r. he had made p. 22. l. 15. r. sitteth p. 26. l. 4. r civil p. 31 l. 3 after we add have p. 38. l. 16 r. Chimerical p. 62. add and. p. 63. l 6. r. brake A Catalogue of Books to be sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheap-side near Mercers-Chappel Quarto's THe Morning-Exercise against Popery or the principal Errours of the Church of Rome Detected and Confuted in a Morning-Lecture preached lately in Southwark By several Ministers of the Gospel in or near London Large Octavo Captives bound in Chains made free by Christ their Surety or the Misery of graceless Sinners and their Recovery by Christ their Saviour By Tho. Doolittle Speculum Sherlockianum or a Looking-Glass in which the Admirers of Mr. Sherlock may behold the Man as to his Accuracy Judgment Orthodoxy The Childs Delight together with an English Grammar An Exposition of the Assembly's-Catechism By Tho. Lye Small Octavo A Religious Family or a Treatise in which is 1. The Beauty and Excellency of a pious and well-ordered Family described 2. The single Mans family-Family-Book faithfully prescribed By Phil. Lamb. Index Biblicus Multijugus or a Table to the Holy Scripture wherein each of its Books Chapters and divers Matters are distinguished and Epitomized The almost-Christian Discovered or the False-Professor tryed and cast By Matth. Mead. The Godly Mans Ark or the City of Refuge in the Day of his Distress with Mrs. Moores Evidences for Heaven By Edm. Calamy The true Bounds of Christian-Freedom By S. Bolton The sinfulness of Sin and the Fulness of Christ By Will. Bridge A Discourse against Transubstantiation or an Answer to the ordinary Question whether a Man may be saved in the Roman-Catholick Religion By J. G. D. D.