we receive erroneous teachers into our houses or must we avoid them A. 2 Joh. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Q. What 's the cause of Error A. Matth. 22.29 Jesus answered and said unto them ye doe erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Chap. 3. Of the Holy Scriptures Q. BY What Rule must we judge of the Doctrines we heare we must we judge by the Scriptures A. Yes Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye thinke ye have eternall life and they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 12. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so therefore many of them believed Q. Are we to believe God speaking to us in the Scriptures as if he spake to us audibly by a voice from heaven A. 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day-dawn the daystar arise in your hearts Q. Are we to believe even an Angel from heaven contrary to the Scriptures A. Galat. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Q. Ought we to believe the Scriptures rather than one who should come from the dead A. Luk. 16.27 28 29. I pray thee Father that thou wouldest send him to my Fathers house that he may testify unto them Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Q. Would it be more effectuall to have our friends rise from the dead and warne us lest we come to the place of torment than to have the Scriptures read and applyed A. Luk. 16. last And he said unto him If they heare not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Q Did the Prophets of old speak and write the Holy Scriptures by any private motion or by the incitation or inspiration of the holy Ghost A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine c. 2 Pet. 1.20.21 Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Did the Apostles of Christ preach the word of God or the word of man A. 1 The. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Q. Did our Saviour Christ and the Apostles allow their Hearers no try their Doctrine by the Holy Scriptures A. Yea. Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readines of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Q. Did Christ and the Apostles who had the greatest measure and who were full of the Holy Ghost cite Scripture and prove by Scripture or appeal constantly to private Revelations or to a light or word within them or say alway Thus sayth the Spirit within us A. Luk. 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Mar. 12.29 And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaack and the God of Jacob Q. Are the Scriptures and the Spirit joyned together and doth the Spirit of God goe along with the Scriptures A. Isai 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them sayth the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy feeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I spake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. But are the Scriptures able to make us perfect and wise unto Salvation without attending to visions and Revelations A. 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good workes Q. Are the Scriptures of the old Testament of use unto us now in the dayes of the Gospell A. Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 1 Cor. 10.1 to the 6th Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea c. Now these things were our Examples to the intent we should not lust after evill things as they also lusted c. So. v. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come Q. May the common people read the Scriptures A. Yea Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 8.30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the Prophet Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures Isai 34.16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to doe them Q. May the Scriptures be translated out of the Originall languages into those tongues
only but in power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance and ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost So v. 9. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entring in we had unto you and how ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God Q. Is the word a means to work Faith A. Rom. 10.17 So then Faith commeth by hearing hearing by the word of God Q. Is a man justified partly by Faith and partly by works A. Rom. 3.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the Law Q. How is that of James chap. 2.24 to be understood A. Jam. 2.17 18. Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead being alone yea a man may say Thou hast faith I have works shew me thy Faith without thy works I will shew thee my faith by my works i.e. Faith that doth not shew it selfe by good works to be alive is a dead faith Q. Shall any that are elected justified sanctified ever fall wholy and finally from Grace A. Math. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets c. and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Joh. 10.28 29. I give unto them eternall life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand Q. Shall any regenerate person any child of God continue in sin allow himselfe to goe on customarily in any way of sinne and wickednesse A. 1 Joh. 3.9 Whatsoever is borne of God doth not commit sinne for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God Psal 139.23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Q. Did our Lord Christ dye that sinners being justified might live as they list or that they should live holily c. A. 1 Joh. 3.8 He that committeth sinne is of the Divel for the Devill sinneth from the beginning For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Devil Act. 3.26 Unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Luk. 1.74 75. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Q. Is the Gospel or the Doctrine of salvation as 't is taught in the Scriptures a Doctrine according to Godlinesse A. 1 Tim. 6.3 If a man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godlinesse Tit. 2.11 12. For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Q. Is any man in this life so perfect that he is without all sin A. 1 Joh. 1.8 10. If we say that we have no sinne we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his word is not in us 1 Kin. 8.46 If they sinne against thee for there is no man that sinneth not c. Prov. 20.9 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sinne Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all Q. May we know that if a man prove an Apostate and fall wholy and for ever away that he was never truly justified and regenerated A. 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Mat. 7.24 25. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rocke and the raine descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock Q. Can any man come to Christ except the Father draw him A. Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the Last day Q. May we pray to God to draw us A. Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee the King hath brought me into his chambers Q. What Scripture grounds have men to listen after to prize to be in love with the Gospel and to esteem it as worthy of all acceptation and so to hunger and thirst after the good things contained in it A. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life 1 Tim. 1.15 16. This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a paterne to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting chap. 4.10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men specially of those that believe Joh. 6.37 And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out He. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth c. Q. If a man really hunger and thirst after Christ to be his Saviour and to be his Soveraigne is he then under any conditionall promise A. Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be filled Q. If any man hearing of the God of Israel that he is a mercifull God and that he will save some of the chiefest of sinners and all that being weary and heavy laden with the burden of their sins coming unto him doe thereupon come and lay himselfe as a beggar at a rich mans door and wait there as the Cripple at the Pool of Bethesda and aske and seek and knock for mercy and grace hath he then any promise of being heard A. Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all
they were not divided they were swifter than Eagles they were stronger than Lyons 2 Chr. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day c. Chap. 21. Of Angels and particularly of Evill Angels Q. VVERE the Angels the inhabitants of heaven created as well as men and things on earth A. Col. 1.16 For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him Q. Have Angels bodyes or are they Spirits A. Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire Q. Did some of the Angels sinne and so fall from their first happy state wherein God made them A. 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down into hell and delivered them into chaines of darkenesse to be reserved unto judgment Q. What is the present and what shall be the future state and condition of those Angels which fell A. Jude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chaines under darknesse unto the judgment of the great day Mat. 25.41 46. And these shall goe away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his Angels Q. If the Devill should appeare to a man in a visible shape would it be our wisdome to speak to him and confer with him if he speak to us A. Gen. 3.2 13. And the woman said unto the Serpent we may eate of the fruit of the trees of the garden The Serpent beguiled me Q. Are there Divels and Witches A. Luk. 8.30 And Jesus asked him saying what is thy name And he said Legion because many Divels were entred into him 1 Sam. 28.3 7. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land Then said Saul unto his Servants seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit that I may goe to her and enquire of her And his servants said to him Behold there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor Q. Is it possible that a godly man or woman should be possessed bodily of the Devill or obsessed that is have any part or member possessed by him A. Luk. 13.16 And ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound loe these 18 yeers be loosed c. Q. Is it possible there should be any places haunted with evill spirits A. Rev. 18.2 Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Devils and the hold of every foule spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird Q. What would you advise to doe to keep our houses from being so haunted A. Ps 30. Preface A psalme and song at the dedication of the house of David Compared with 1 Tim. 4.5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Q. What meanes would you have us use to expell or drive out the Devils out of our persons or houses possessed A. Mar. 9.29 This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting Q. May a man when he hath losses or is sick or hath his house haunted with evill spirits goe or send to wise men or Star-gazers wizards or Conjurers for helpe A. Deut. 18.10 11 12. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his Son or his Daughter passe through the fire or that useth divination or an observer of times or an Inchanter or a witch or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a Necromancer for all that doe these things are an abomination unto the Lord. Is 47.13 14. Let now the Astrologers the Star-gazers the monethly Prognosticators stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee Behold they shall be as stubble the fire shall burne them they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame Q. May we without a good call or necessity live or lodge in such places A. Psal 91.11 For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy waies Mat. 4.7 Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Chap. 22. Of Ministers Q DID ever God appoint men to minister to him in and about holy things A. Yes Ex. 28.1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother and his Sons with him from among the children of Israel that he may minister unto me in the Priest's office even Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar Aaron's Sons Q. Were the Priests of old cald God's Ministers A. Yes Jer. 33.21 Then may also my Covenant be broken with David my servant that he should not have a Son to raigne upon his throne and with the Levites the Priests my Ministers Joel 1.9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord the Priests the Lord's Ministers mourne Q. Did our Lord Jesus the high Priest of our profession the great or chief Shepherd and Bishop of our soules did he ordaine any men and send them forth to preach A. Yes Mar. 3.14 And he ordained twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to preach Q. Did he call these 12 Preachers Apostles A. Yea. Luk. 6.13 And when it was day he called unto him his Disciples and of them he chose twelve whom also he named Apostles Math. 10.2 And now the names of the twelve Apostles are these the first Simon who is called Peter c. Q. Did Christ never send any to preach but the twelve Apostles did not he also send 70 disciples A. Yes Luk. 10.1 9 16. After these things the Lord appointed other 70 also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himselfe would come And heal the sick that are therein and say unto them the Kingdome of God is come nigh unto you He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Q. But were not these all the followers of Christ had he any that believed on him besides thâ— 12. the 70 A. Yea. 1 Cor. 15.6 After that he was seen of above 500 brethren at once Q. Did the Apostles give power to others to ordaine Elders A. Yes Tit. 1.15 For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordaine Elders in every City as I had appointed thee 2 Tim. 2.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Q. Are Preachers of the Gospell to be called and accounted