appeared to Joshuah as an armed man 5. The storming and taking of the Citty Jericho and the saving of Rahab the harlot 6. The trouble about the Citty Ai and Achan who was the cause of it 7. At Joshuas prayer the sunne stood still a whole day that Israell might have time to destroy the Kings of the Amorites in number 31. God throwing downe hailestons out of Heaven to destroy them 8. The land of Canaan is divided by Joshuah among Gods people 9. The two Tribes and halfe returne to their inheritance and the mistake about an Altar 10. Joshuahs farewell Oration or charge unto Israell to serve God according to his word and to beware of Idolatry 11. Ioshuas death and buriall JUDGES Q 1. WHy is this booke so called A Because it containeth the valiant Acts of the Judges of Israel whom God raised up after the death of Ioshuah to fight the Lords battells against the enemies of the Church Q 2. What are the names of those Iudges A 1 Othniel 2 Ehud 3 Shamgar 4 Doborah Barack 5 Gideon 6 Abimilech 7 Tola 8 Iair 9 Iephtha 10 Ibsan 11 Elon 12 Abdon 13 Sampson 14 Eli 15 Samuel Q 3. Which are the chiefe histories of this booke A 1 The history of Abdonibezek 2 Israels sad Apostasy from God to Idols 3 The memorable battle fought by Deborah and Barak against Sisera a heathen Generall who was slaine by Iael inher tent 4 The great deliverance given to Israel by Gideen 5 The wickednesse of Abimelech a Bastard 6 The history of Ieththa and his vow 7 Of Sampsons valour of his sinne and of his death 8 The sad history of the Benjamites about the Levites businesse RUTH WHAT is the summe and substance of this Booke 1 A. How Elimelech and his Wife Naomi with their two sonnes Malon and Chilion in a time of Famine left their own Country Canaan and sojourned in the land of Moab 2 Their two sonnes Married two Moabitish women Orpha and Ruth 3 Elimelech and his two sonnes dye in that Country 4 Naomi returnes to her own Country and Ruth will needs goe with her and did 5 They come to Bethlehem and Naomi so ordereth all things that Ruth is married to Boaz according to Moses Laws 6 Boaz hath a sonne by Ruth named Obed who was Grandfather to King David The First Book of SAMUEL The 1. Question VVHY are these Books called the Books of Samuel A. Not because Samuel wrote them but because it containeth the History of Samuels Life and Death who being an eminent Prophet and the last judge of Israel had done great service to Gods Church he by Gods appointment elected and Annointed the two first Kings of Israel These Books were written by some holy man who lived in those times Q. 2. What dost thou Read of Samuel 1 A. I read of his Birth and Education and of the care his good Mother Hannah took for him 2 Of his coming to the High-Priest Eli to serve under him 3 Of a sad Message Samuel brings to Eli from God for winking at his sonnes wickednesses 4 Of Samuels wisdome and care to judge Israel in his daies 5 Of his power with God in Prayer 6 Of his uncorrupt life death and buriall Q 3. What canst thou say of Eli the High Priest 1 A. How God punished him and his sonnes in one day 2 How in his daies the Arke of God was taken by the Philistins 3 The Philistins and others are terribly plagued for their curiosity in looking into the Ark. 4 God causes the very Enemies of the Church to restore the Arke with an Offering Q 4. What canst thou say of Saul 1 A. He was the first King over all Israell 2 He fought against the Ammonites and the Amalekites and had good successe but because he did not obey Gods command fully he was rejected 3 Israel in Sauls daies was much oppressed by the Philistins against whom God gave Jonathan a great victory 4 He takes David into his Court and giveeth him his Daughter Michall to Wife for killing Goliah 5 Saul wearieth himselfe in persecuting David 6 Saul being forsaken of God seeketh to a Wirch and presently upon that he and his sonnes are slaine in Battell by the Philistins upon Mount Gilboa The Second Book of SAMUEL Q. 1. WHat is chiefely set downe in this Book 1 A. That David was the Second King over Israel 2 His valiant Acts and household troubles 3 He endured much affliction which made him compose many sweet Psalmes 4 He lived among the Philistins in Ziglaik till the death of Saul 5 He is not pleased with the messengers oâ— Sauls death and the sad death of Isbboâ—…shet but makes a lamentation for Saâ—… and Ionathan 6 He is first made King in Hebron over Iudah and afterwards over all Israell and carried himselfe wisely in the busiesse of Abner and Ioah Q. 2. What canst thou farther say of David 1 A. How he took Jerusalem from the Jâ—…busites and brought the Arke of God thether intending to build a Temple for Gods worship 2 He sinned grievosly against Vria for which he suffered much afterward of his own children Amon Thamar Absolom 3 He had many troubles besides with Sheâ—…ba Shimei and Ioab 4 His kindnesse to the Gibeonites in a fâ—râ—… famine as also to Mephiboshet and Hanâ—… King of Ammon 5 He is victorious every where all his enemies are subdued round about 6 He numbred the People and all Israel is plagued for it The First and Second Bookes of KINGS The 1. Question HOW many Kings raigned over all Israell A. Only three Saul David Solomon Q. 2. What is said in this Book of David 1 A. He commands his sonne Solomon to be made King and not Adoniah 2 He groweth weake in his old age giveeth his sonne Solomon most heavenly admonitions and directions dyeth and is royally buried Q 3. What is mentioned of Solomon 1 A. His behaviour towards Adoniah Ioab Abiathar and Shimei 2 His marriage with the Princesse of Egypt 3 His Prayer for Wisdome and the signes of his Wisdome Q 4. Wherein did Solomons Wisdome eminently appeare 1 A. In the judgement he gave 'twixt the dead and the living Child 2 In his Songs and Proverbs and Naturall Philosophy knowing the nature of most Creatures 3 In the government of his Court and Kingdome 4 In the building of Gods Temple in Jerusalem 5 By his prayer at the Dedication of the the Temple 6 By his entertainment of the Queene of Sheba Q 5. What evill dost thou read of Solomon 1 A. He had seaven hundred Wives and three hundred Concubines 2 He committed Idolatry by the inticement of his Idolatrous outlandish Wives 3 I read of Gods anger against Solomon testified by raising up Adversaries against him namely 1 Jeroboam his own servant 2 Hadad the King of Edom. 3 Rezon the King of Syria Q 6. What was done after Solomons death A. After that Solomon died and was buried the Kingdome was divided Ten Tribes adhered to
in Cattell and Goods and had much contention with the Philistims about digging of Wells 4 In his old Age he blessed Iacob and Esau he dyed and was buried by his Sonnes Q. 6. What canst thou say of Iacob 1 A. He fled into a strange land for feare of his brother Esan 2 In his Travells being once benighted and lodging all night in the field he had a sweet dreame wherein he saw a ladder that reached from Earth to Heaven the Angells of God descending and ascending 3 He vowed a vow and is entertained by his Unkle Laban to have the care and oversight of his Cattell 4 He had many troubles with his Unckle whose two Daughters Leah and Rachell he married 5 He had twelve Sonnes and one Daughter and grew rich by Gods blessing upon him 6 He returned to his Fathers house with all he had gotten at his Unckles and by the way in his returne he met with shrode troubles 1 His Unckle pursued after him and charged him with theft 2 His brother Esau came with an Army against him 3 His Wife Rachel died in Childbed 4 His Daughter Dinah is ravished 5 His Sonnes Simeon and Levi committed Murther 6 His eldest Sonne committed Incest and his sonne Iudas whoredome After he came home and was setled his troubles about Ioseph began In his Old Age he removed with all his Family into Egypt and died there and his body was brought back into the land of Canaan end buried Q 7. What canst thou say of Ioseph Ioseph is a worthy patterne of Piety and Holinesse he feared God and took great care for his old Father Iacob and for all his family He was sold into Egypt by his own brethren and was there wrongfully imprisoned but by Gods wonderfull providence he is advanced to great honour and became the Father and preserver of the Land in time of Famine 3 He was married in Egypt and had two Sonnes he dyed and is embalmed EXODUS Q. 1. WHY is this Book called Exodus A. Because it containeth the History of Israels going out of the Land of Egypt by the mighty hand of God Q. 2. What became of Iacobs posterity after the death of Ioseph 1 A. They were miserably oppressed by the Egyptians 2 By command from the King all the male children were drowned as soon as they were borne the Midwives shewed much pitty towards them 3 Moses an Infant is miraculously preserved and bred up by King Pharao's own Daughter 4 Moses and Aaron are called and sent to the King to let Israel depart quietly out of the Land 5 Pharao hardned his heart and refused to let them goe for which he is punished with Nine plagues which are these 1 All the waters of the Land were turned into bloud God gave them bloud to drink for their cruelty towards the Israelitish Infants 2 God punished the land by Froggs 3 By Lice 4 By noysome Flyes 5 Murraine on Beasts and Boyles on Men. 6 By terrible haile thunder and lightning 7 By Locusts 8 By dreadfull darknesse 9 By killing the first Borne Q 3. What became of Israell 1 A. None of those Plagues touched them 2 They goe out of Egypt in hast 3 The Passeover is instituted 4 They come to the Red Sea Q. 4. What did God doe for them there and afterwords 1 He divided the Sea for them and they went on foot through it and the Egyptians following the waters returned and drowned them all 2 He led them by Moses into the Wildernesse and gave them the Law on Mount Sinai and there they having grievously finned by committing Idolatry at Moses his prayer for them are pardoned 3 He commanded them to set up the Tabernacle and gave them Lawes about Sacrifices Q. 5. How were they maintained in the Wildernesse 1 A. God gave them Manna from heaven and water out of a Rock 2 Their shooes add Garments did not weare out for Forty years Q. 6. How did Moses governe such a multitude in the Wildernesse 1 A. He appointed Magistrates and Officers under him by the counsell of his Father in Law 2 God usually appeared to Moses to direct him 3 He had the Oracle of Vrim and Thumim to ask counsell of God by 4 The Lord went along with his people and led them by a cloud by day and by a Pillar of Fire by night LEVITICUS The Question WHy is this booke called Leviticus A. Because it containeth the Lawes and dutyes of the Levites or Ministers of God under the Law before the comming of Christ in the flesh Read often the 26. chapter of this booke NUMBERS Q 1. WHy is this booke called Numbers A. 1. Because all the Males from 20. yeares and upward among the Israelites were numbred in the wildernesse by Moses at Gods command 2. Because Israels murmurings and punishments in the wildernesse are here set downe in order 3. Because their severall stations and removalls in the wildernesse are here numbred Q 2. Which were the great Rebellions of Israel in the wildernes A. Their Rebellions against God against Moses and Aron were many but three of them are most remarkable 1. That of Miriam for which she is punished with leprosy 2. That of all the people upon the returne of the spies out of the land of Canaan 3. That of Corah Dathan and Abiram whom the earth swallowed up and all their company Q 3. What became of Aaron the first high Priest under the Law A He dyed and was buried in the wildernesse and his Sonne Eleazar succeeded him Q 4. What warrs had Israel in the wildernesse A They had warres with the Amalekits and with the Midianites where we have the history of Balaam and of the zeale of Phineas and of a great plague among the Israelits for committing whoredome Q 5. What other memorable things have you in this booke A 1. The 72 Elders prophesyed 2. The brazen Serpent is set up 3. The Levits are numbered and divers cases in law determined as that of Zelophehads daughters 4. Moses is forewarned of his death and his successor is named to wit Ioshua 5. The two Tribes and a halfe obtaine the land on this side Jordan for an inheritance but with this condition to assist the other Tribes till they also could be setled in their inheritances DEUTERONOMY WHat canst thou say of this booke 1. This booke is called Deuteronomy that is to say a second law because it contains a repetition 1. Of lawes formerly given 2. Of mercyes formerly received 2. This booke is full of sweet admonitions and exhortations to Israel to be sincere and constant in Gods worship and service 3. This booke containeth Moses his swan-like song his blessing and prophecy his death and buriall and Iosbua's succession JOSHUAH The Question WHat readest thou in this booke A 1. The history of the warres of Canaan 2. The history of Israels going over Jordan as on dry land the waters giving way to them in a wonderfull manner 3. The Circumcision in Gilgall 4. Christ
read of the other five being the last Kings of Israel 1 A. Shallum reigned one Month and is slaine by Menhaem 2 Menhaem reigned ten years and oppressed his Subjects by taxes 3 Pekaiah his sonne reigned two years and is killed by Pekah a Captaine of his Army 4 Pekah is killed by Hosheah 5 In Pekah and Hoshea's daies Israell is carried away captive to Babylon and thus ended the Kingdome of Israel The First and Second Bookes of CHRONICLES Q. 1. VVhy are these Books so called 1 A. Because in these are recorded many memorable things from Adam to those times 2 Because therein are contained some Histories of the Kings of Israel and Juda. EZRA Q. 1. WHat is the summe of this Book 1 A. How the Jewes after 70 yeares captivity returned by command from the Emperour Cyrus into Judea and set up againe the Temple and Worship of God in lerusalem and built the City 2 Ezra the High Priest being also returned taught the People the Law of Moses and caused all that had married outlandish woemen to send their Wives and Children away from them because Jesus Christ being to come of the Tribe of luda God would have a holy seed prelerved 3 Old people seeing the new Temple and City and remembring the Glory of the old wept because nor so glorious and sttately as was that built by Solomon but they are told by the Prophet that this latter Temple shall be far more glorious then the former because the Promised Messiah of the World should teach there in prison NEHEMIA Q WHAT is chiefly contained in this book A 1. Nehemiah a captive Jew and a great favorite of the Emperour Artaxerxes hath leave and meanes granted him to returne to his own Country and to set forward the building of the Citty and Temple in Jerusalem 2. Being returned he is much opposed in the worke by Tobia and Sanballat yet protected of God the people being constrained to worke with one hand and to hold a sword in the other 3 He did much for Gods worship and for his Countryes good HESTER Q WHAT is the summe of this book A 1 How Hester a poore jewish captive maid is preferred to be Queen and Empresse to the Emperour Ahashuexus after that the former Queene Vasthy was deposed for refusing to come to the King when he sent for her to shew her beauty to the Nobles being then assembled at a great feast the emperour had made for them which feast lasted 180 dayes where none was compelled to drinke but every man left to his freedome 2 Haman a Noble man and a great favorite at that Court obtained a decree from the Emperour to kill all the people of God the Jewes in one day because Mardochy the Jew would not bow the knee before him 3 How Gods wonderfull providence wrought for their deliverance and preservation by the care and prayer and fasting of Mardochy and of Queen Hester 4 How Hamans intended mischeife is discovered to the King at a feast and prevented and how Haman was hanged on the same Gallowes he had set up for Mardochy for which deliverance the lews kept a yearely feast called Purim or Lor. Q 2 Why would not Mardochy how to Haman A. Because Haman was by Nation an Amalekite which Nation was cursed of God and the Israelites were commanded to abhorre them Exod. 17.16 where Moses saith that God will have warre with Amalek from generation to generation JOB Q. 1. VVHat read we of Iob 1 A. That he was a very rich man and a very Godly man having seaven Sonnes and three Daughters and a very great houshold 2 God was pleased to give way to Satan to deprive him of all his Estate Children Friends and his health to trie his patience 3 Iobs behaviour under his wofull losse pain sorrow was exceeding comfortable full of Faith and patience blessing God for all 4 Some of his old friends came to visit and to comfort him in his distresse endeavouring to convince him that God plagued him for some notorious sinne as for hypocrisy or the like whereupon followeth a sharpe and a witty dispute between them The Question was whether Iob suffered for hypocrisy His friends affirme it and ordered all their discourses accordingly Iob denies it and maintaines his integrity At last God himselfe is the Moderator between them Iob is justified and his friends condemned and Iob must pray God to forgive their mistakes Q. 2. What was the event and issue of Iobs triells A. The issue was most comfortable for 1 He recovered his former health and strength 2 God blessed him with a greater worldly estate then he had at first 3 God gave him as many Children as he had before 4 He lived 140 yeares after his troubles dyed The Book of PSALMES The 1. Question WHat say you of the Book of Psalmes 1 This Book of Psalmes is one of the most excellent Books of holy Scripture wonderfully fitted for all mens occations whether in adversity or in prosperity 2 It is thought by the Learned that Esdras collected these Psalmes and put them into this order we now read them in 3 Christians in former times were so in love with this Book that one while they would read it over every weeke another while every moneths 4 It is a Book full of prayers and thanksgivings seaven Psalmes are called penitentiall Psalmes because David composed them or some of them at a time when he repenced for his sinnes fit to be often read by us and they are these The 6 The 32 The 38 The 51 The 102 The 130 The 143 5 In times of sicknesse or other troubles read also The 25 Psalme The 39 The 88 The 22 The 44 with others 6 In times of prosperity when thou wouldest give God thankes for a blessing received read or ling The 19 Psalme The 65 The 103 The 104 The 107 with others 7 They are called the Psalmes of David because the Kingly Prophet David made most of them though not all for many Psalmes were made by other holy men after Davids death Christ and his Apostles doe often repeat things out of it This Book is very usefull for the weaker and more ignorant people PROVERBS ECCLESIASTES CANTICLES The 1. Question WHat say you of these three Bookes of Solomon 1 A. The Book of Proverbs containes much heavenly matter in few words every Chapter and sometimes every verse holding forth diverse Truths 2 In the Book of Ecclesiastes Solomon like a Preacher instructs us how to look after true blessednesse and convinces us that all things under the Sunne are vanity and vexation of Spirit and he is exceeding earnest with young folkes to serve God betimes 3 In the Canticles Solomon sets forth the mutuall and entire love betwixt Jesus Christ the Bridegroome and all Believers his spouse This Book is to be read with all Christian reverence and holy affections Wanton and filthy people are very unfit to Read this or any other part of holy writ
Of the Holy Prophets of the Old Testament Q. 1. HOw many Prophets have left us their Books in the Old Testament A. Sixteene whereof the foure first are called the greater Prophets and the other twelve are called the lesser Prophets because they have not written so largely as the foure greater have done Q 2. What saist thou of the Prophet Esay 1 He and Jeremy Preached before the Babylonian captivity Ezekiel and Daniel Prophecyed in the captivity 2 Esay speaks so sweetly and plainly of Christs Nativity and Passion as if he had seen it and is therefore called a Propheticall Evangelist JEREMY LAMENTATION Q. 1. WHat saist thou of Jeremy 1 A. He was called to be a Prophet when he was young 2 He Preached in Jerusalem when the City was besiedged and he often intreated King and People with much importunity to hearken to Gods word and to preserve the Citty and Temple from burning and themselves from bitter bondage For which good Counsell this Prophet is hated and continually kept in wofull prisons 3 At last Jerusalem is taken by the Galdeans and destroyed whereupon Jeremy hauing his liberty granted by the Caldean Generall laments over the sad ruine of his Country in the Booke of the Lamentations EZEKIEL Q WHat canst thou say of Ezechiel A He preached to the Jewes at Babylon in their captivity convinced them oâ— Gods just judgments upon them for their sinnes and assured them of future deliverance and of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and of the rebuilding of the Temple for which purpose he hath many visions DANIEL Q WHat is said of Daniel A 1 He for his singular wisdome and Faithfulnesse is prefered to very great honour under those three Emperours especially Nebucadnezar Beltshassar and Darius 2 Three of his fellow captives are throwne into a fiety Furnace and Daniel himselfe is cast into a Lyons den but are all preserved they trusting in God 3 God declared much of his minde to Daniel concerning things to come by visions Angells he speakes of the Resurrection and the day of Judgment in the last Chapter The twelve lesser PROPHETS Q. WHat saist thou of them A 1 Of the twelve lesser Prohets some preached before the Captivity some in and some after it 2 Their maine businesse was to perswade people to repentance and to threaten the impenitent with Gods wrath and to comfort the penitent 3 The last Prophet was Malachy who Prophecyed of John the Baptist and of the Comming of Jesus Christ the Sonne of Righteousnesse APOCRYPHA Q. 1. WHat saist thou of the Apocripha Books usually bound up with the Canonical Books of Scripture The Apocrypha Books are not the pure infallible word of God Because 1 They containe many fabulous things as the History of Susanna of Bel and the Draggon of Judith and the like 2 Because they were not written by Prophets immediately inspired by the Holy Ghost For the Author of the Books of the Maccabes in the latter end asketh pardon if he have not done well which aâ—… greeth not with the Majesty of holy Scripture 3 Because these Books containe many things contrary to the Truth as diverse passages in the Book of Tobit and the rest testify 4 Because they were not written in the Hebrew Language as the Canonicall books of the Old Testament were Neither is any of them mentioned by Christ or his Apostles in the New Testament We may read them and take notice of some passages concerning the people of God in those daies we may also see in the reading of them the difference twixt the writings of meere men and those that are written by holy Prophets inspired by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.19 The New TESTAMENT Q. 1. WHY is it called the New Testament A. Because it doth discover to us the free Grace and Mercies of God promised in the Covenant of Grace For God made two Covenants with the World 1 A Covenant of Workes which is Doe this and thou shalt live 2 A Covenant of Grace and that is Believe and thou shalt live as it is in the Gospell Q 2. What is the Gospell A. The Gospell declareth the glad tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ where â—…ote that The Old Testament speaks chiefely of the Acts of God the Father The foure Gospells set forth the workes of God the Sonne The Acts and Epistles of the Apostles shew forth the workes and wonders of God the Holy Ghost after Christs ascention into Heaven Q. 3. Which are the chiefe Sermons of Christ a Christian should often read and learne to understand A. There are foure especially First Christs Sermon upon the Mount iâ—… the 5 6 and 7. Chapters of S Matthew Secondly his Sermon to the Ministers of the Gospell in the 10. Chapter of S Matthew Thirdly his Sermon of the day of judgement and the end of the world in the 24 and 25. Chapter of S. Mathew Fourthly his farewell Sermon to his Disciples in the 14 15 and 16. Chapters of S Iohn To which Sermons adde Christs Heavenly Prayer for the Church the 17. Chapter of S. Iohn S. MATTHEW Q. WHat saist thou of S. Matthew 1 A. He was called by Christ from the receipt of custome to be an Apostle and he was willing to forsake all and to follow him 2 His Gospell containes Christ's Nativity his life death and Resurrection 3 S. Matthew writes some things which other Evangelists have not as 1 The genealogy of Christ from Abraham downeward to Joseph and Mary 2 The History of the Wise Men. 3 Josephs purpose to forsake his espoused Wife upon a mistake 4 Christs fleeing into Egypt from the fury of King Herod 5 The bloudy murther of the Infants of Bethlehem 6 Some Parables which the other Evangelists have not S. MARK Q WHat canst thou say of S. Mark 1 A. S. Mark was no Apostle but an Evangelist and a Disciple of S. Peter with whose help he wrote the History of Christs Life Death Resurrection and Ascension 2 This Evangelist is more large in the description of Christs Miracles then in other passages of Christs Life and Death S. LUKE Q. WHat say you of his Gospell and of him 1 A. S. Luke by profession a Physitian was one of the 70 Disciples employed by S. Paul in the planting of the Gospell 2 He observeth many things which other Evangelists have omitted as 1 The History of Zachary and Elizabeth and the Nativity of John the Baptist 2 The Angell Gabriells salutation to the blessed Virgin Mary 3 The History of old Simeon and of Anna the Prophetesse 4 Christs disputing with the Doctors when he was but twelve years old 5 The time of Christs Nativity namely in the Reigne of Augustus the Emperour of Rome 6 The manifestation of Christs Nativity by Angells to the Sheapheards 7 Christs Circumcision the eight day 8 The Genealogy of Christ upward to Adam 9 The Parable of Dives and Lazarus and of the Prodigall sonne c. 10 Christs praying whole nights in desert mountaines alone 11