to grow unto more communion with his n body and blood and spirituall strength of grace thereby Q. Who ought to receive the Lords Supper A. Such members of the Church as are endewed with knowledge o spirituall affections p faith q repentance r love s and thankfulnesse t CHAP. 27. Of prayer and some other means of increasing faith Q. WHat is the generall nature of prayer A. Not onely a wish or desire after this or that for a man may have so much and never pray Iam. 4. 2. Q. VVhat is it then A. Prayer is an opening of the desire of the heart before God a whether it be by ffighes and groanes b or by words c and other means d Q To whom must we pray A. To him that knoweth the heart e and is almighty and so able to help f to him that is to be worshipped g and believed in h which is none but God Q. Whether must we pray to God directly and immediately or through a Mediator A. Onely through the mediation of Jesus Christ Iohn 146. 16. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 25. Q. What are the parts of prayer A. Petition and Thanksgiving Phil. 4. 6. 1 Thess. 5. 17 11. Q. What is Petition A. A prayer wherein we aske the preventing or removing of things hurtfull and the bestowing of things needfull Mat 7. 7 8 9 10. Q What is Thanksgiving A. A prayer wherein we desire that honour and glory may be given to God for what we have received i or do believe we shall receive hereafter k Q. Whether is not confession of our sinnes and miseries and vows and promises unto God parts of prayer A. They may be called adjuncts of prayer because they are to be expressed or understood in every prayer Q. How may that appeare A. By this because to come to God for mercy without an acknowledgement of our unworthinesse and misery and to desire him to perform what he requires of us is little better then a mocking of God Q. Are there any for whom we must not pray A. Yes we must not pray for the dead because we cannot do it of faith as having neither precept nor example nor any good warrant for it in the world Rom. 14. 23. Q. VVhy else may we not pray for the dead A. Because such prayers cannot availe at all but are altogether vain 1 Pet. 3. 19. Heb. 9. 27. Q. For whom else must we not pray A. We must not pray for the salvation of all men living universally for that is contrary to the revealed will of God l nor for any in particular that have sinned the sinne against the Holy Ghost m Q. For whom then must we pray A. For all other sorts of men now living n both our selves and others o whether they be friends or enemies p and for some that shall live hereafter q Q. Is there any rule of direction according to which we ought to frame our prayers A. Yes the whole will of God revealed for this purpose in the word r and that pattern of prayer given by Christ unto his Disciples s Q. Seeing God knoweth all our wants afore we pray and hath determined with himselfe what he will doe for us wherefore then should we pray A. Not to inform him as if he were ignorant of our estates for he understandeth our thoughts afarre off t nor to change his minde for his purpose is unchangeable u Q. Why then A. We are therefore to pray because God hath appointed prayer to be the way and means w whereby he will accomplish that which he hath purposed to doe for us Q. How must we pray that we may be accepted A. The persons praying must be righteous x humble y and upright z and the matter of prayer must be something lawfull and promised a Q. And what must be the manner of praying and the end aymed at therein A. The manner must be in sense and feeling of our wants b with faith c fervency d and perseverance e and the end must not be that we may consume it upon our lusts but for the glory of God f Q. What other means are there for the increasing of faith A. Diligent reading of the holy Scriptures g and serious meditation therein h with frequent and holy conference with others i CHAP. 28. Of the Church Catholike or Mysticall and the Difference between it and particular instituted Churches Q. WHo is the subject of Redemption or of all that deliverance obtained by Christ A. Not the blessed Angels because having never fallen they needed no Redeemer nor all the race of mankind for Christ would not pray for the world Iohn 17. 9. Q. Who then were redeemed by Christ A. He gave himselfe for none others but only for his Church Eph. 5. 25. Acts 20. 28. Iohn 10. 15. 11. 52. Q. What is meant by the Church in the holy Scriptures A. It is usually taken in Scripture either for the Catholique Church a which is called the Church mysticall or else it is taken for the Church instituted or particular Churches b Q. What is the difference between the catholike universall and mysticall Church and the instituted or particular churches A. They differ in their number for the catholike Church is but one Church one body c but of the other sort in the dayes of the new Testament there are many Churches d Q Wherein do they differ in respect of the matter A. The Catholike Church hath none in it but Saints and all true beleevers are in it e but particular Churches have some times many wolves within f and many sheepe without g though it ought not so to be Eph. 5. 23 25 26 27. Heb. 12. 23. Q. What is a third defference betweene them A. The forme which constitutes the Catholike Church is their union which Christ by faith h but the forme of the other is the bond of an holy covenant i to walk together in all the waies of Christ Q. Is there not some difference between them in regard of place A. Yes for some parts and members of the Catholike Church are now in heaven and the rest shall all come thither in Gods appointed time k but the members of particular or instituted Churches are all of them upon the earth for the present and some of them must never come in heaven l Q. What may be a fifth difference A. Whereas particular churches are visible to themselves and others also especially in times of peare m the Catholike church is properly a Church invisible Q How is that proved that the Catholike Church is invisible A. Because some parts thereof are now in heaven and those that are on earth never were nor will be all together that they might be seen Q. What may be a further
true Religion or onely so far forth as the Princes of the earth shall give them leave A. Princes ought not to hinder these things but to be nursing fathers to the Church c and it is a great blessing of God when they are such d Q. But if Princes be not such what ought the Church to do in such case A. They must not neglect to observe the commandements of God for lack of the commandement of man e because Jesus Christ who giveth them commandement for these things is the King of Kings and the Prince of the Kings of the earth f Q. To whom belongeth the power of choosing Officers to the Church A. The Church is to choose her own Officers Acts 1. 23. 6. 3 5. 14. 23. Q. How may that be further cleared A. Either the Church must choose her own Officers or else men may intrude themselves or Officers must be called immediately of God or be appointed by some other men none of which may be affirmed Q. Why may not men intrude themselves A. No man must take this honour to himself to be an Officer in the Church but he that is called of God as was Aaron Heb. 5. 4. Q. And why may not a man be called of God immediately A. Such kind of callings are not to be expected in these daies as being particular to Apostles and other extraordinary Officers Gal. 1. 1. Q. But why may no other men appoint Officers to the Church A. Other men that are not of the Church have no such authority given them as to appoint Offices to the Church Q. If men must not be Officers without a calling and immediate callings be ceased and other men may not appoint Church Officers it remaineth then that the Church is to choose her own Officers but unto what Functions must the Church choose Officers A. Onely to such Functions as are appointed by Christ in his word g and are of ordinary and perpetuall use in the Church for otherwise they cannot expect that God will be with them in the choise or blesse the officers unto them Q. VVhat are the Officers appointed by Christ for ordinary and perpetuall use in the Church A. They are Bishops and Deacons h which Bishops are also called Elders i more particularly they are Pastors Teachers k ruling Elders l Deacons m and Widdows n Q. What are Pastors A. They are Elders of the Chuch who are to quicken the hearts of the people unto all faith and obedience and to reprove and comfort where there is need by attending upon Exhortation o with a word of wisdom Q. What are Teachers A. They are Elders of the Church who are to instruct the people in the good knowledge of the Lord and to refute errour p by attending upon teaching sound doctrine with a word of knowledge q Q. What are ruling Elders A. They are Elders of the Church who though they doe not labour in the word and doctrine r yet they are to guide the Church in comelinesse and order and peaceably attending upon ruling with diligence s Q. VVhat are Deacons A. They are Officers of the Church who are to retaine preserve and distribute t the outward Treasures of the Church for the reliefe of the poore and other outward affaires of the Church in simplicity and faithfulnesse u Q. VVhat are widows and their works A. They are godly and ancient women left desolate and destitute of outward succour who are to attend the sick and such like offices as are more suitable to be performed by women then by men 1 Tim. 5. 9 10. Rom. 16. 1. Q. What persons must the Church choose for these Offices A. Such members of the Church w as by sufficient experience time and triall x are known to be fitted with gifts y and graces from God for the places that the Church would put them in Q. How must Officers be put into their places A. All of them by solemn prayer unto God and with imposition of hands upon Elders and Deacons and in the ordaining of Elders with fasting also Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim. 4. 14. 5. 22. Heb. 6. 2. Acts 14. 26. CHAP. 31. Of Church Discipline or Censures Q. WHat is Church Discipline A. A personall application of the will of God by censures for the preventing and removing of scandals Q. What are the parts of it A. Binding and loosing a which may be also called retaining and remitting of sinnes b and the former is either Admonition c or Excommunication d Q. What persons are subject to Church-censures A. All and onely they that are member of the Church Mat. 18. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 12. Psa. 149. 4. Q. In what way and by what steps and degrees must an offending brother be dealt withall A. If the matter be private I must first reprove him privately if this doe not win him I must then take one or two more Matth. 18. 15. 16. Q. How if this also prevaile not A. Then the matter must be told unto the Church and the Church must publiquely admonish him and if he do not heare the Church he is to be excommunicated Mat. 18. 17. Q. In what manner must admonition or reproof whether private or publique be administred A. Sometimes with meeknesse e and sometimes with severity and sharpnesse f according to the condition of the person sinning the sinne committed and the manner of doing g Q. How else A. Alwaies with due solemnity as an ordinance of God h in the Name of Christ and so that the winning i of the party must be the thing that must be aymed at Q. VVhat is Excommunication A. A putting away or cutting off from the communion and fellowship of the Church 1 Cor. 5. 2 13. Gal. 5. 12. Mat. 18. 17. Q. For what sinnes must men be excommunicated A. For hainous and flagitious k offences being publiquely known and for other offences persisted in with obstinacy after due admonition l 1 Cor. 5. 1 4 5. Q. For what end should men be excommunicated A. For the healing of the offendor m and for the preserving others from sinne n and for the glory of the Name of God which is blasphemed because of the sinne of Church-members o Q. How should a man behave himselfe towards them that are excommunicated A. He must avoyd all Church-communion with them p and all voluntary civill fellowship q that may argue approbation or familiarity But not such duties as men are bound unto in naturall or civill respects r Q. When must a man under censure be loosed and forgiven A. When he gives such signes of repentance as may satisfie rationall charity that the sinne is truly subdued and mortified Luke 17. 3 4. 1 Cor. 5. 5. 2 Cor. 2. 6 7 8. CHAP. 32. Of the life that beievers ought to live in the world and of the Law of God Q.
as also by other titles importing the same thing Q. VVhat are those other titles A. He is called Counsellor b Messenger c Doctor or Master d Apostle e Speaker f the Shepheard and Bishop of our soules g the faithfull and true witnesse h Q VVhat is the work of Christ as a Prophet A. To reveale and make known to his people the counsell and will of God Deut. 18. 18. Iohn 1. 18. 4. 25. 15 15. Matth. 11. 27. Q How doth he this A. Outwardly by such means as he hath appointed and inwardly by the teaching and illumination of his holy Spirit Q. VVhat are the outward meanes A. They are divers and sundry according as it pleased him i but chiefly they are the holy Scriptures k and the ministery of men appointed to speak in his name l Q. What is the teaching of the holy Spirit A. It is that inward work of the holy Ghost upon the soule whereby the outward teaching is made efficacious and powerfull for opening the understanding and humbling the heart to embrace the truth and will of God Iohn 16. 13. 14. 26. 1 Iohn 2. 27 Q. When hath Christ performed his office and function of a Prophet unto his people A. Both when he was upon earth in his own person m and also in all times and ages of the Church both afore his incarnation n and since his Assention into heaven o Q. How much of the will of God doth this Prophet make known unto his people A. All that is requisite for our Salvation Iohn 15 15. 4. 25. 16. 13. Deut. 18. 18. Q. What then is to be thought of all Doctrines Traditions Revelations and Ordinances which he hath not appointed A. They are all to be rejected and accursed p as being injurious to the perfection and fulnesse of the Propheticall office of Christ CHAP. 17. Of the Priesthood of Christ Q. IS Christ also a Priest A. Yes and is frequently so called Psal. 110. 4. Heb. 2. 17. 3. 1. 4. 14 15. 5. 5 6 10. 8. 1. 9. 11. Q Was he a Priest after the order of Aaron A. No but after the order of Melchizedek Psa. 110. 4 Heb. 7. 11 21. Q. How may that appeare A. Aaron was of the Tribe of Levi but Christ was of the Tribe of Iudah a and whereas Aaron had father and mother Christ as he was man was without a father and as God without mother b Q. How else A. Aaron and his successors being sinners had need to offer sacrifice first for their owne sinnes and then for the peoples but Christ being altogether without sinne did offer sacrifice onely for the people Heb. 5. 3. 9. 7. 7. 26 27. Q. Is there not some difference between the Priesthood of Aaron and Christs Priesthood in respect of the manner of entrance in the same and continuance therein A. Yes for Aaron and his successors were ordained without an oath but Christ with an oath c And whereas the Priests of the law died and had successors Christ hath an unchangeable Priesthood continuing Priest for ever d Q. How doe these priesthoods differ in respect of the sacrifices offered thereby A. The one offered the bodyes and blood of beasts but Christ offered up himselfe and so was both Priest and Sacrifice Heb. 9. 12 14 26. Q. Is there not some difference in regard of the number of their Sacrifices A. The Sacrifices of the Law were many because of their imperfections but Christ hath offered up himselfe once for all Heb. 7. 27. 9. 25 26. 10. 12 14. Q. What are the workes performed by him as a Priest A. Oblation or offering a Sacrifice e and making request or intercession for his people f Q. What was the Sacrifice which he offered A. Himself as he is man g his humane soule h and body i Q. VVhat kind of Sacrifice was this A. It was bloody or by blood k it was spotlesse l and perfect m and most pleasing unto God n Q. VVhat Altar did he offer this Sacrifice upon A. The Altar must need be heavenly as the Priest and Sacrifice were and the use of an Altar being to sanctifie the gift and therefore greater then it w and therefore it was not the crosse of wood but the Godhead of Christ which was the Altar on which he sacrificed himselfe x Q. Whether is Christ the only Priest unto God in these daies or are there not others who are Priests also A. All Christians are called Priests to offer up unto God the spirituall Sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving and the like y but to be a Priest to offer up a Sacrifice propitiatory is proper and peculiar unto Christ onely z Q. What acts doth Christ perform in making intercession for his people A. He appeares in the presence of God for them a presenting before God the vertue and value of his death and bloodshedding b with some expression of his will before God for their good c Q. In what manner doth he make this intercession A. Not with teares and words and prostrating of his body as he did on earth but in such a manner as is suitable to his state of glory Q. What are the benefits of this intercession of Christ A. Forgivenesse of sinnes daily continued and applied d with continuance in Gods favour e and acceptance of our imperfect services f Q. What are the benefits of this intercession A. Hereby believers are defended and secured against the accusations of all their enemies g with certainty of salvation in Heaven h CHAP. 18. Of the Kingly office of Christ Q. HAth Christ also the office of a King A. Yes for he is often expresly so called a and hath the ornaments of a King Q. What are those ornaments A. To sit upon a Throne b to weare a Crown upon his head c and to have a Scepter in his hand d Q. How is he King of his people as God onely or as man also A. Not as God onely but as Mediator God and man in one person Q. How is that proved A. Because he that was born and given to us hath the government upon his shoulders e and he that was crucisied is made Lord and Christ f now to be born and given and crucified cannot be said of God onely Q. How else may it appeare that Christ is King not as God onely but as man also A. Because the time will come when he shall deliver up the Kingdome to the father g but as God he shall reign with the father unto all eternity Q. Is any work of Christ as King anywhere expresly ascribed unto him as man A. Yea authority to execute judgement as a Kingly work and this belongeth unto Christ as man Iohn 5. 27. Q. Over whom
proofe hereof A. Their union whith Christ wich is the form of that Church is knowne onely unto God Q Name a sixth difference A. The Catholike Church and all the members of it continue for ever n but particular churches by persecutions and corruptions may come to be utterly dissolved and extinct o Q. What is a last difference betweene them A. The ordinary ministery appointed by christ is for the instituted and particular churches but not for the church catholike as such because that church hath no Pastor nor Bishop but Christ Q. How may this appeare that ministers are not ministers of the universall Church but only of some particular congregation A. The church to whom the ministery belong is to chuse her owne ministers p but the unversall church never comes together to make any such choice Q. How else may this appeare A. There is no part of the church to which the ministery belongs but it stands in need of ministers q but a good part of the catholike Church is glorious in heaven with Christ and therefore hath no such need Q. What may be a third ground hereof A. The flock of God over which the Holy ghost doth make men overseers is such as may be attended and watched over even the whole flocke and ministers thereof r Q. And why may not the same be said of the Catholike Church A. Because that Church is so large that it is not possible for any man to attend it or watch over it Q. Is there any evill in it for one man to be a Bishop or minister to all Christians where ever they be disposed of and not onely to one congregation A. Besides that such a man must needs neglect the greatest part of his charge it is a great part of the usurpation of the Bishop of Rome for which he is truely called Antichrist that he will take upon him to be universall Bishop s over all the Christians in the world Q Who is the head of the catholike church A. Onely Iesus Christ t as giving influence of life sense and motion to the same as the head doth unto the body Q Who are the members of that church A. Only they and all they that are effectually called to be true beleevers in Christ Rev. 17. 14. Iohn 15. 19. Q. What are the parts of the Catholike church A. According to the degrees of communion which they have with Christ so that church may be distinguished into that which is militant and that which is triumphant Q. VVhat is the church militant A. It is that part of the catholike Church which is warring and fighting here on earth against spirituall enemies the divell the world and the flesh Eph. 6. 12. Phil. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 10. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 18. Q. And what is the Church Triumphant A. It is that part of the Catholike church which are now in heaven gloriously triumphing over all those enemies which in this world they did conflict and combate withall Eph. 4. 13. Heb. 12. 23. Eph. 5. 27. CHAP. 29. Of the instituted Church or perticular churches Q. WHat is the matter of particular or visible churches A. By the appointment of Christ all churches ought to consist onely of true beleevers a and all that are true beleevers ought to joyn themselves unto some church b Q. If the matter of particular churches for the quality of it ought to be true beleevers in Christ what ought to be the quantity thereof Q No more in number in the dayes of the new Testament but onely so many as may ordinarily meet together in one congregation Acts 2. 46. 5. 12. 3. 2. 14. 27. 15. 25. 1 Cor. 5. 4. and 11. 17 18. and 14. 23. Q. Is any thing else needfull to the being of a visible church but onely the matter above mentioned A. Timber and stones are not an house untill they be compacted and joyned together and as the humane soule and body are not man unlesse they be united so beleevers are not a visible church without some visible bond and union Q. And what is that bond that doth unite them A. An holy agreement and covenant c with God and one another to walke together in such duties of worship to God and edification of one another as the Gospell of Christ requireth of all Churches and the members thereof Q. How many kinds of Churches are there A. The visible Church if we speake of that which is truely so called is one and the same in essence from the beginning of the world to the end thereof namely a company of people united together in the profession of the true religion Q. But may not the true church be some way distinguished A Yes for there is the church of the old Testament and the churches of the new there are pure churches and churches that are corrupt and besides these that are true there are also some that are false Churches Q. What is the Church of the old Testament A A company of people united together in the profession of such a Religion or faith whereby men beleeved on Christ then to come Q. What is a Church of the new Testement A. A company of people united together in the profession of such a religion or faith whereby men beleeve on Christ already come Q What are pure churches and churches that are corrupt A. A pure Church is such a church whose matter forme doctrine worship and ministery is accordding to the appointment of Christ in the word Q. And what is a corrupt Church A. Such an one as in the things last mentioned or in some of them doth swerve from the appointment of Christ yet still holding the foundation of salvation Q. How if their swerving be such as overthroweth the foundation A. Then they cease to be a true church and become either no church or at the best a false church Q. What is a false church A. One that is so exceedingly corrupt in regard of their constitution doctrine worship ministery that if men beleeve and walke according thereunto they cannot be saved Q. And may not thus much befall a true church A. No a true Church is either pure in these things or if corrupt yet not so corrupt as to overthrow salvation CHAP. 30. Of the power or liberty of churches and of church officers Q. WHat is the power or liberty of particular Churches A. It is not civill or worldly for Christs kingdome is not of this world a neither is it independent and supreame for that belongs only to Christ b but their power is Spirituall and ministeriall Q. And wherein have they such power A. They have such power from Christ to exercise all the Ordinances of true Religion and to assemble together for the exercise thereof and in particular to choose Officers to themselves and to practice Discipline or censures Q. Whether have Churches absolute power from Christ to assemble together for the exercise of