saith I will powre my spirite vpon all flesh and your sonnes and daughters shall prophecie Kings in that we shall raigne with him eternally and Priests for that true Christians do offer the spirituall sacrifice of prayer praise and asmes deedes Hebr. 13.15.16 Qu. Are then all Christian Priests alike An. They are as touching the sacrifice aboue saide but not as touching Church-gouernment for in this sense they are not called Priests but Elders or ministers Qu. How doth he describe Christ according as he law him in vision An. By certaine properties fit for the capacitie of men as that hee was in a long robe girt with a girdle of gold his hayre was white as snow his eyes as a flame of fire his feete like vnto fine brasse burning in a furnace his voyce to the sound of many waters in his right hand he had seauen starres out of his mouth went a sharpe two-edged sword and his face shone as the Sunne shineth in his strength Qu. What gather we by this description An. By his long robe girt vnto him wee gather the readinesse of Christ in his Kingly and Princely office to execute the worke of our saluation by his white hayre his fulnesse of knowledge wisedome by his fiery eies his deepe insight into the darkest corners of the earth deepest secrets of mens hearts by his feete of shining brasse the purity and brightnes of his wayes and the power which hee hath to tread downe his enemies and therefore are his feete rather compared to Brasse then vnto gold because gold is a softer mettal and not so sit to represent his inuincible strength By his voyce compared to the noyse of manie waters wee vnderstand the sounde of the Gospell humbling some to their saluation others to theyr confusion By the starres in his right hand his faithfull Ministers by whome hee worketh which as starres should giue light vnto men by their doctrine and conuersation By the two edged sword is vnderstood the powerfull word of God cutting and cleansing the hearts of his children and thrusting through the others to their destruction and by his face shining like the sunne at the highest the vnspeakeable brightnesse of his grace whereby the Church is comforted and lightened in all trueth and sincerity Qu. Why doth he resemble the Churches to golden candlesticks An. Because the Candlesticke doeth not giue the light but the light is put vpon it so the Church receiueth all her light put vpon her from Christ for the doctrine of the Church which is the light of the Church is from GOD and not of men Qu. Vnto how many points may vve draw the doctrine of this booke Ans Vnto foure Qu. VVhich be they An. Precepts prophecies promises and threatnings Qu. Wherein are the precepts seene An. In the instructions giuen to the seauen Churches Qu. Vpon how many generall points do these instructions consist An. Vpon three a commendation a reprehension and an exhortation Quest VVhat doth Christ commend in them An. Their vertues as patience labor zeale in the church of Ephesus ch 2 2. The workes of faith repentance charity together with constancie in affliction true humility in the Church of Smyrna chap 2.9 Fortitude and valiant perseuerāce in the church of Pergamus that notwithstanding the martyrdome of Antipas a man there put to death for Religion yet they were not terrified but held fast the faith of Iesus Christ neuer forsooke it chap. 2 13. Loue and seruice toward their brethren faith and assurance in the promises of God and increasing in pietie so that the end was better then the beginning in the church of Thyatira chap 2 19. A little increase of faith keeping of the word of God and a free confession of his name in the church of Philadelphia chap. 3.8 Quest What doth Christ reprehend in them An. Their vices as the lacke of loue in the Church of Ephesus cha 2 4. Hypocrisie in the Church of Smyrna of such as said they were Iewes but indeede were the Synagogue of Sathans that is they did professe themselues Christians in word but shewed it not in deed chap. 2.9 The bearing with false doctrine in the church of Pergamus for they suffered the Nicholaitans amongst thē that as Balaam didde taught the people of God to stumble in two things causing them to commit fornication both in body and soule in body by abandoning their wiues to common vse in soule by sacrificing to Idolles for superstitions sake chap. 1.14 The like vice is reprehended in the Church at Thyatira that suffered Iesahell a wicked womā to set abroach false and abhominable doctrine tending to fornication and idolatry amongst them chap. 2.20 At Sardis their workes were sayre in outward shew but inwardly nothing but filth and rottennesse chapter 3. verse 1. At Landicea they were time-seruers who halted betweene two opinions and were neither hote nor cold chapt 3.15 Qu. VVhat doth Christ exhorte them vnto An. Repentance and amendment of life Qu. To their repentance what is annexed An. A gracious promise to bee written in the booke of life Qu. To their wilfull perseuerance in their sins what is annexed An. A heauy threatning that hee will come sodainely vpon them as a theefe and they shall not know the houre cha 3.3 Qu. Hauing learned the state of things as they stood for the present when this Reuelation was giuen what next succeedeth Ans The prophecie of things to come which is eyther generall as touching such thinges as shoulde happen to the whole world or particular but yet of more moment then the former as touching such things as should happen to the Church Qu What is the end of the prophecie of the Church Ans That the faithfull admonished before hand of the assaultes bloudy attempts which the Diuell and world should make vpon the Church might be confirmed in faith and patience to stand resolute in despite of both til the day of the comming of Christ Iesus Qu. What is the end of the prophecie of the world An. To shew the iudgements that God would execute vpon the enemies of his Church and the sealing vppe of the elect before the execution of those iudgements that they might bee kept from euill as appeareth by the 7 8 9 chapt Qu. If the elect were kept from euill to what end was this Reuelation giuen to forewarne them that they should suffer troble and persecution An. To be kept from euill is vnderstood that notwithstanding all the violence persecution offered them yet they were not ouercome or driuen from faith or the hope they had of eternall happinesse but therein they did ioye and triumphe howsoeuer the world thought them plunged in despaire and sorrow Qu. VVhat is the second vision that Iohn had Ans The vision wherein was reuealed vnto him the Maiesty of GOD the Father to giue the greater authoritie vnto this booke wherein his excellencie is likewise set foorth vnto vs aswell as the Sonnes in a description fitte
a physitian both of theyr bodies and soules whome they most cruelly put to death Qu. What did first make knowne the birth of Christ An. A starre Mat. 2.2 Qu. How did that starre differ from other starres An. In three respects first as touching the place being lower fixed then other starres Secondly as touching the motion moouing directly forward and not circularly and thirdly as touching the time it shone as well by day as by night Qu. To whom did the star appeare An. To the wise men of the East to conduct them where Christ was borne Qu. What is signified by that star An. The spirit of God which must illuminate our harts or we shall neuer find the way vnto Christ Qu. When the wise men found Christ what did they An. As all men must doe when they haue once got the knowledge of him Qu. VVhat is that An. Acknowledge our loue seruice to him by our externall oblations Qu. What was their oblations Ans Gold frankinsence and myrth gold as he was a King frankinsence as he was a Priest and myrrh as he was a Prophet Mat. 2.11 Qu. But in stead of these three things what do we Christians learn to offer vnto him Ans For gold purity of life for frankinsence praier and thanksgiuing and for myrrh patience in aduersity Qu. In the eleuenth chap. of this gospel Christ saith I thank thee Father that thou hast hidde the knowledge of thy will from the wise and prudent and hast shewed it vnto babes yet bere he saith the wise men came to worship him What difference is there betwixt the wise men he speaketh of there and those mentioned here Ans By the wisemen there he vnderstandeth such as arrogantly depend vpon their own knowledge and measure all things by humane reason By wisemen in this place he vnderstands such wise men as in things that belong to the honour of God and our iustification reiect the power and wisedome of man and cleaue onely to the grace of God through Christ and the sincerity of his word In which sence they are also called babes Matth. 11 verse 25. Qu. In professing of Christ what comfort haue we An. A threefould comfort first wee knowe he is our Lord and can and will defend vs from all our enemies Matth. 28 18.20 Secondly he is our teacher and wil instruct vs in all things necessary to saluation And thirdly our spirituall phisitian that calls vs vnto him to comfort and heale our afflicted consciences Math 11.28 Qu. Where is the end of the Old Testament and beginning of the new An. In the Baptisme of Christ for by that god doth as it were point vnto vs and shevv that hee is the true Messias and Sauiour of the world Qu. By what signe An. By the visible appearing of the holy ghost the voice that was heard This is my dearely beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Matthew 3.17 Qu. How many things are required in Baptisme An. Three the visible element which is water the worde and a promise of grace Que. What was the difference between the baptisme of Iohn and the baptisme of Christ. An. Iohn did baptise with water to repentance but Christ did baptise with fire that is by his holie Spirite wor. king in our hearts to the remission of sins Qu. Why is Iohn saide to prepare the way of the Lord An. Because his doctrine was repentance no man can come vnto Christ except hee first confesse the damnable state he is in through sinne be hartily sorie for the same faithfully beleeuing onelie by the merits of Christ to be deliuered from thence Qu. Whom did Christ first call to his seruice An. Poore fishermen Qu. VVhat doe we learne by their calling An. Two things Qu. Whch be they An. First an example of charity in Christ that of his meer mercy grace chose such poore simple men to bee the chiefe Pastors and pillars of his Church Secondly and example of faith and obedience in them who no sooner were called but straightway left al they had and followed Christ Matthew 4.22 Qu. How did they follow him An. Not as many Christians nowe adaies doe in outward shew and seeming holines but with that resolutiō that they willingly vnderwent pouerty scorn slander and death itselfe to shew themselues worthy schollers of so worthy a maister Besides they were but once called vpon and they came but we are many times exclaimed vpon yet we come not Qu. How led Christ his desciples An. Two manner of waies bodily spiritually Qu. How did he lead them bodily An. By iniuring his body to trauell by sea by land in citie field mountaine valley for the publishing of the gospell and worke of their saluation Qu. How did helead them spiritually An. By manifesting vnto them great signes and arguments of humility patience loue fortitude and all other vertues of the minde so that what hee was such he would haue them al that insist vpon his holy name to bee Qu. Why did not Christ choose his disciples amongst the mighty learned rich men of the world An. Because the mighty stand vpon their reputation the learned are obstinate in their opinions and the rich enthrald with couetousnesse Qu. Was there none of this sorte came when Christ cald them An. Yes but they were very few as of rich men Zacheus Mathew of gentlemen the Centurion Ioseph of Arimathea and of the learned Nichodemus Gamaliel Saul Qu. Did these men leaue all and follow Christ. An. They did Qu. How then had Mathew a house to banquet Christ in after ward Mat. 9.10 An. To forsake all is vnderstoode not cleane to depart from all which they had but to make no reckoning of their goods otherwise then they might serue to the glory of God and the reliefe of his poore distressed members Qu. VVhy doth Christ call his Apostles and Ministers the salt of the earth Mat. 5.15 An. Because as the property of salte is to bite purge and preserue so their doctrin ought to testifie reprooue and instruct Qu Why are they called the light of the world An. Because in doctrine and conuersation they must be as shining and glorious guides to the darke minds of the ignorant Qu. What is the end thereof An. The glory of God Qu. Is it not then inough for them to preach the Gospel openly and with boldnes of heart Ans No they must likewise bring forth fruits of good life hy their deedes of charity Mat. 5.16 Qu. In how many things consisteth the testimony of a good life An. In three things Qu. Which be they An. In holinesse which belongeth to God in righteousnes which belongeth to our neighbour and in sobernes that belongeth to our selues Qu. For how many causes are we boūd to serue God An. For three causes Iure creationis because he created vs Iure redemptionis because he redeemed vs and iure amoris because he loued vs. Doctrine out of the
their purpose An. The Towne Clarke pacified the people and the men were let goe cha 19.35 Qu. Who was the Diuels instrument to persecute the Apostles An. Herod in Iudea and the vnbeleeuing Iewes in Iconium Thessalonica and other places Qu. Whom did Herod persecute An. He killed Iames and put Peter in prison chap. 12.2.5 Qu. Who was Gods instrument to deliuer Peter Ans An Angell Qu. How was Herod punished for his cruelty An. he was eaten to death with worms chap. 12.13 Qu. Whom did the vnbeleeuing Iewes persecute at Iconium An. Paul and Barnabas Qu. How were they deliuered An. God gaue them knowledge of their dangers Qu. Whither went they for refuge An. To Listra and Derbe Citties of Licaonia chap. 14.6 Qu. Who were persecuted in Thessalonica An. Paul and Sylas Qu. How escaped they An. Their friends sent them away by night to Baerea chap. 17.10 Qu. Who are the Diuels instruments to slander the Apostles A. The Iewes Qu. Where Ans At Ierusalem Qu. In what manner An. By saying when they spoke all manner of languages that they were drunk with new wine chap. 2 13. Qu. How did God make them repent their slaunder An. By touching them with remorse of conscience Qu. Who vvere the Diuels instrumēts to imprison the Apostles An. King Herede the Iewes and the Romane substitute Qu. Who vvas Gods instrument to deliuer them An. An angell and such men as hee raised to be their friends chap 5.19 Qu. How did God comfort the Apostles when they were beaten An. By speaking to them in visions chap 23.11 Qu. To which of them did he giue life in death An. To Paule Qu. In vvhat manner Qu. When Paul was stoned by the men of Listra and caryed out of the citie for deade God raised him vp again cuē in the middest of the desciples that stoode about him chap. 14. vers 19.20 Quest What learne we by the sequele of this discourse An. That God by simple men in spite of all tyranny replenished the whole world with the sound of his gospell Qu. But Paul as we reade in the eight chap. persecuted the church consented to the death of Steauē how came he then to be an Apostle An. The spirit of God in whose handes are the hartes of all men converted him frō a persecuter to a preacher so that amongst all the Apostles none was more zealous nor added more Soules to the Church then hee did Qu. How doth that appeare An. By his painefull trauell through many countries his stripes imprisonment stoning danger by land and Sea which he ioyfully suffered for the loue of Christ Iesus Questi Why did God suffer his chosen seruant to be so iniuriously handled of the world Ans For three reasons Qu. Which be they An. That he himselfe might bee the more glorified by their deliuerance their enemies more iustly condemned and his seruants more worthy of their reward in heauen Qu. As they were painfull to teache were the people as ready to followe their doctrine An. Many were of those whose harts were prepared for that calling but otherwise they that were not refused Qu. It appeareth then that faith is the only gift of God Ans It is and increaseth in vs by hearing of his word as appeareth by Lydia the woman of the Thyatirians whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the doctrine of Paul chap. 16.14 Qu. What strange conuersions were there made by the Apostles An. The conuersion of the Aethiopian Eunuch of Cornelius of Eneas and Pauls Iaylor Qu. Why did the conuersion of these men seeme more strange then the rest An. Because in the eye of the world both for their Calling and quality they seemed more vnlikely to be conuerted then any other Qu. How An. The Eunuch was of the heathen that worshipped strange Gods ch 8.37 Cornelius a souldier whose stearne profession might seeme to harden his heart against the first impression of Christian faith chap. 10.5 Elymas a coniurer and one that practised with the diuell and the laylor a forward minister to execute the cruelty of such as persecuted Christ and his Church Qu. How did the conuerted shew themselues afterward to be Christians An. By their good works Qu. VVhat were they An. The Eunuch planted the Gospel in Ethiopia Cornelius vsed much praier and almes-deeds and the Iaylor drest the wounds of Paul and Sylas and refreshed them with meat Qu. It is not then inough for vs to be Christians in name but we must also be so in nature An. True for otherwise we shall be sure to vndergoe the wrath of God Qu. By what example An. By the example of Ananias and Saphyra and of Eutichus Qu. What were theyr faults An. Ananias and Saphira after they were receiued into the Church did not with their whole hart addict themselues to the seruice of God Qu. VVherein did they fayle An. In that whereas it was accustomed amongest them to imploy all their goods to the benefyt of theyr brethren they kept backe a parte to theyr owne priuate vse Qu. How were they punished Ansvv VVith sodaine death chap. 5 5 10. Qu. If God shewed such seuerity vppon them in that they distributed not they re whole substance to the maintenance of christian charity what ought they to feare that will bestow nothing not so much as the superfluity of thyer riches to the releeuing of theyr distressed brethren An. Not onelie death of body in this world but destruction of soule and body in the world to come vnlesse they amend Qu. Wherein did Eutichus offend A. Being of the congregation of the faithfull as he sate with others to heare Paule preache neglected his doctrine as at many Sermons with vs wee may see the like and fell into a sleep Qu. Hovv did God punish him An. He made him an example to the whole assembly by suffering him to fall from the third loft so that hee lay for dead till Paul reuiued him Qu. But our Christians sit low and in their Pewes and therefore need feare no such danger An. True they need not feare falling to the ground but they may fit in dread of a greater fall Qu. What is that An. From the top of heauen to the bottome of hell if when they shoulde heare the word of God they suffer sleep to stop their eares Saint Paules Epistle to the Romanes Question VVHat was the cause the Apostles writ Epistles An. The variety of nations whom they had converted with whom they could not alwaies in person be conuersant and therefore they sent their minds vnto them in writing Qu. To vvhat end Ansvv To cherish their yong faith which otherwise like a greene tree that hath not taken deep roote might bee shaken with contention and errour Quest VVas there any such thing in Rome at such time as he sent this Epistle thither An. Yes Qu. VVhat was it An. The Iewes began to despise the Gentiles and the Gentiles the Iewes Qu. Wherfore did the Iewes despise the Gentiles An.