and Noah walked with God Ger. 6. 9. And the Lord said unto Satan Hast thou considered my Servant Job that there is none like him in the Earth a Perfect and an Upright Man that feareth God and escheweth Evil Job 1. 8. There was in the dayes of Herod King of Judea a certain Priest named Zacharias of the Course of Abja and his Wife was of the Daughters of Aaron and her Name was Elizabeth and they were both Righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1. 1 2. Q. That proves sufficiently as to particular Persons But what doth the Scripture intimate of this nature even of considerable Numbers A. But God who is rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he hath loved us even when we were dead in Sins hath quickened us together with Christ and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Ephes. 2. 4 5 6. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an Innumerable Company of Angels to the General Assembly Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect Hebr. 12. 22 23. And I Looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred Forty and Four Thousand having his Father's Name written in their Fore-heads These are they which were not defiled with Women for they are Virgins These are they which follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth These were redeemed from among men being the First Fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their Mouth was found no Guile for they are without Fault before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 1 4. CHAP. VIII Concerning Perseverance Falling from GRACE Question IS it enough for a Believer to be sure that he hath once received true Grace or is there any further Certainty requisite A. Wherefore the rather Brethren give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1. 10. Q. May one that hath received true Grace have Ground to fear or suppose he can fall A. But I keep under my Body and bring it into Subjection lest that by any Means when I have preached to others I my self should become a Cast away 1 Cor. 9. 27. Q. That greatly contradicteth the Doctrine of such as say Once in â—race ever in Grace But doth the Apostle Paul express this only oâ—t of an Humble Esteem of himself or doth he judg or suppose the like of other Saints A. Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an Evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the Living God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the Deceitfulness of Sin Hebr. 4. 12 13. Let us labour therefore to enter into that Rest lest any man fall after the same Example of Unbelief Hebr. 4. 11. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the Good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open Shame Hebr. 6. 4 5 6. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the Grace of God lest any Root of Bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Hebr. 12. 15. Q. Doth he speak this only by Supposition or doth he assert it not only Possible but Certain A. For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears and they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. 3. Q. Doth the Apostle even judge it necessary to guard such a one as his beloved Son Timothy against this Hazard A. This Charge I commit unto thee Son Timothy according to the Prophecies which went before on thee that thou by them might war the good Warfare Holding Faith in a good Conscience which some having put away concerning Faith have made Shipwrack 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. For the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows 2 Tim. 4. 10. And their Word will eat as doth a Canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetâ—â— who concerning the true Faith have erred saying That the Resurrection is past already and overthrown the Faith of some 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. Q. Doth the Apostle any where express his Fears of this as a thing that may happen to any number of People who once truly received the Faith of Christ A. Well because of Unbelief they were broaken off and thou standest by Faith be not High-minded but fear Rom. 11 20. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the Latter times some shall depart from the Faith c. 1 Tim. 4. 1. For this Cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your Faith lest by some means the Tempter have tempted you and our Labour be in vain 1 Thess. 3. 5. Q. What is the Apostle Peter's Mind does he judge that such as have known the right Way may forsake it A. Cursed Children which have forsaken the Righteous Way and are gone astray following the Way of Balaam the Son of Bezâ—r who loved the Wages of Unrighteousness but was rebuked for his Iniquity the dumb Ass speaking with Man's Voice forbad the Madness of the Prophet These are Wells without Water Clouds that are carried with a Tempest to whom the Mist of Darkness is reserved forever For when they speak great swelling Words of Vanity they allure through the Lusts of the Flesh through much Wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in Error For if after they have escaped the Pollutions of the World through the Knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the Latter-end is worse with them then the Beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them But it is happened to them according to the true Proverb The Dog is turned to his Vomit again and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire 2 Pet. 2. 14 15 18 20 21 22. Q. Gives he any Cautions to them that stand as supposing they may also fall A. Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these Things before beware lest ye also being led away with the Error of the Wicked fall from your own Stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. Q. May a man be truly a Branch in Christ or
And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any Thing according to his VVill he heareth us 1 Joh. 5. 14. Q. After whae Manner doth the Apostle then declare he will Pray A. What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with the Understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the Understanding also 1 Cor. 14. 15. Q. Must we then pray alwayes in the Spirit A. Praying alwayes with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and VVatching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints Ephes. 6. 18. Q. Since we are commanded to pray alwayes in it can we do it of our selves without the Help thereof A. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Rom. 8. 26 27. Q. I perceive that without the Leadings and Help of the Spirit Prayers are altogether unprofitable may not a Man truly utter these Things that are Spiritual without the Spirit 's Assistance A. VVherefore I give you to understand that no Man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus Accursed and that no Man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. Q. That is strange It seems the Spirit 〈◊〉 much more necessary then many called Christistians suppose it to be some of which can scarce give a good Account whether they have it or want it But if a Man speak Things true upon the Matter are they not true as from him if spoaken without the Spirit A. And though they say The Lord liveth surely they swear falsly Jer. 5. 2. Q. It is apparent from all these Scriptures that the true Worship of God is in Spirit and as it is not limitted to a certain Place neither to any certain Time what shall we think of them that plead for the Observation of certain Dayes A. But now after that ye have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly Elements whereunto ye desire again to be iâ— Bondage Ye observe Dayes and Months and Times and Years I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you Labour in vain Gal. 4. 9 10 11. Let no Man therefore judge you in Meat or Drink or in respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Day which are a Shadow of Things to come but the Body is of Christ Col. 2. 16 17. Q. Seeing it is so may not some Christians as lawfully esteem all Dayes alike as others may esteem some Dayes above another What Rule giveth the Apostle in this Case A. One Man esteemeth one Day above another another esteemeth every Day alike let every Man be fully perswaded in his own Mind He that regardeth a Day regardeth it unto the the Lord and he that regaâ—deth not the Day unto the Lord he doth not regard it He that eateth eateth to the Lord for he giveth God Thanks and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not and giveth God Thanks Rom. 14. 5 6. Q. But is it not convenient and necessary that there be a Day set apart to Meet and Worship God in Did not the Apostles aâ—d Primitive Christians use to meet upon the First Day of the Week to make their Collections and to Worship A. Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given Order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye upon the First Day of the Week Let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prosper'd him that there be no Gatherings when I come 1 Cor. 16. 1. CHAP. XI Concerning Baptism and Bread and VVine Question HOw many BAPTISMS are there A. One Lord One Faith One Baptism Ephes. 4 5. Q. What is the Baptism A. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us not the putting away the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. Q. What saith John the Baptist of Christ's Baptism how distinguisheth he it from his A. I indeed baptize you with Water unto Repentance but he that cometh after me is Mightier then I whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3. 11. Q. Doth not Christ so distinguish it also A. And being assembled together with them commanded them That they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me For John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many dayes hence Act. 1. 4. 5. Q. Doth not the Apostle Peter also observe this A. And as I begâ—n to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the Beginning Then remembred I the Word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with Water but ye shall be baptiz'd with the Holy Ghost Acts 11. 15 16. Q. Then it seems John's Baptism must pass away that Christ's may take place because John must decrease that Christ may increase A. He must increase but I must decrease John 30. 30. Q. I perceive then many may be sprinkled with 〈◊〉 dipped baptized in Water yet not truly baptized with the Baptism of Christ What are the Real Effects in such as are truly baptized with the Baptism of Christ A. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life Rom. 6. 3 4. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 2. 27. Buried with him in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him through the Faith of the Operation of God who hath raised him from the Dead Col. 2. 12. Q. I perceive there was a Baptism of Water which was John's Baptism and is therefore by John himself contra-distinguished from Christ's Was there not likewise something of the like Nature appointed by Christ to his Disciples of eating Bread and drinking Wine in Remembrance of him A. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread when he had given Thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me
that callupon him to all that call upon him in Truth He is far from the VVicked but he heareth the Prayers of the Righteous And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his VVill he heareth us VVhat is it then We must pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding also we must sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh Intercession for us with Greanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Heart knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God ARTICLE XVIII Concerning Baptism AS there is One Lord One Faith so there is One Baptism Which doth also now save us not the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a Good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ For John indeed baptized with Water but Christ with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Therefore as many as are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into his Death and are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so they also should walk in Newness of Life Having put on Christ ARTICLE XIX Concerning Eating of Bread and Wine Washing of one anothers's Feet Abstaining from things Strangled and from Blood and Anointing of the Sick with Oyl THe Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given Thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in Remembrance of me for as oft as ye do eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lord's Death till he come Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his Hands and that he was come from God and went to God he ariseth from Supper and laid aside his Garments and took a Towel and girded himself after that he poureth VVater into a Bason and began to wash the Disciples Feet and to wipe them with the Towel where with he was girded So after he had washed their Feet and had taken his Garments and was sate down again he said unto them Know ye what I have done unto you Ye call me Master Lord and ye say well for so I am If then I your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye also ought to wash one another's Feet for I have given you Example that ye should do as I have done unto you For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater Burden then these Necessary Things That ye abstain from Meats offered to Idols from Blood and from things strangled and from Fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye do well Is any man sick amâ—ng you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oyl ARTICLE XX. Concerning the Liberty of such Christians as are come to know the Substance as to the Using or not Using of these Rites and of the Observation of Dayes THe Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Let no man therefore judge us in Meat or Drink or in Respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Days For if we be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are we subject to Ordinances Let us not touch or taste or handle which all are to perish with the Using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men For now after we have known God or rather are known of him why should we turn again unto the Weak and Beggarly Elements or desire again to be in Bondage to observe Dayes and Months and Times and Years lest Labour have been bestowed on us in vain If one man esteem a Day above another another esteems every Day alike let every man be fully perswaded in his own Mind He that regardeth a Day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the Day to the Lord he doth not regard it ARTICLE XXI Concerning Swearing Fighting and Persecution IT hath bin said by them of old Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oathes But Christ says unto us Swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's Throne nor by the Earth for it is his Footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King neither shalt thou swear by thy Head because thou canst not make one Hair white or black but let your Communication be Yea Yea Nay Nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of Evil And James chargeth us Above all things not to Swear neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and your Nay Nay lesâ— ye fall into Condemnation Though we walk in the Flesh we are not to war after the Flesh for the Weapons of our Warfare are not to be carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations and every High Thing that exalts it self against the Knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Christ For Wars and Fightings come of the Lusts that war in the Members Therefore Christ commands Not to resist Evil but whosoever will smite on the Right Cheek to turn the other also Because Christians are Lambs among Wolves Therefore are they hated of all men for Christ's sake And all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution Such are Blessed for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven For though they have lost their Lives yet shall they save them And because they have confessed Christ before men he will also confess them before the Angels of God We ought not then to 〈◊〉 them which kill the Body but are not able â—o the kill the Soul but rather him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body into Hell ARTICLE XXII Concerning Magistracy LET every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God VVhosoever therefore resists the Power resists the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation For Rulers are not a Terror to Good Works but to the Evil Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power do that which is Good and
thou shalt have Praise of the same for he is the Minister of God to thee for Good But 〈◊〉 thou do that which is Evil be afraid for he beareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil Wherefore we must needs be subject not only for VVrath but also for Conscience sake for for this Cause pay we also Tribute for they are God's Ministers attending continually upon this very thing Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Therefore are we to submit our selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the Punishment of Evil-Doers and for the Praise of them that do well for so is the Will of God that with Well-doing we may put to Silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men Yet it is right in the Sight of God to hearken unto him more then unto them And though they straighly command us not to teach in Christ's Name we ought to obey God rather then Men ARTICLE XXIII Concerning the Resurrection THere shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and Unjust They that have done Good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done Evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption Nor is that Body sown that shall be but God gives it a Body as it has pleased him and to every Seed his own Body It is sown in Corruption it is raised in Incorruption it is sown in Dishonour it is raised in Glory it is sown in Weakness it is raised in Power it is sown a Natural Body it is raised a Spiritual Body CHAP. XVII A Short Expostulation with and Appeal to all other Professors COme let us reason with you all ye Professors of Christianity of what sort or kind soever and bring forth your Catechisms and Confessions of Faith to that which by most of your selves is accounted the Touch-Stone or Rule And suffer your selves no more to be blinded and to Err through your Ignorance of the Scriptures and of the Power of God But freely acknowledg confess to that Glorious Gospel and Light which the Scriptures so clearly witness to and your Experience must needs answer as also to these other Doctrines which consequentially depend upon the Belief of that Noble and truly Catholick Principle wherein the Love of God is so mercifully exhibited to all men and his Justice and Mercy do like Twins so Harmonously concord his Mercy in the oft tendering of his Love through the Strivings and Wreslings of his Light during the Day of every man's Visitation and his Justice both in the destroying and cutting away of the Wicked Nature and Spirit in those that suffer themselves to be redeemed through his Judgments and in the utter Overthrow of such who rebelling against the Light and doing Despight to the Spirit of Grace hate to be reformed Now not only this Fundamental Principle is clearly held forth in this Treatise but all these that depend upon it as the real and inward Justification of the Saints through the Power and Life of Jesus revealed in them their full and Perfect Redemption from the Body of Death and Sin as they grow up by the Workings and Prevalency of his Grace and yet lest Security should enter there is great need of Watchfulness in that they may even depart after they have really witnessed a good Condition and make Ship-wrack of the Faith and of a good Conscience with all the Parts of the Doctrine of Christ as they lie lincked together like a Golden Chain which doth very much evidence the Certainty and Vertue of Truth above all Heresies Error and Deceit however so cunningly gilded with the specious Pretences thereof for Truth is intire in all its Parts and consonant to it self without the least Jar having a wonderful Coherence and notable Harmony answering together like the Strings of a well-tuned Instrument whereas the Principles of all other Professors though in some things most of them come near and divers acknowledge that which is Truth yet in most things they stray from it so that their Principles greatly contradict jar one against another and though they may alledge Scriptures for some of their Principles yet they are put strangely to wrest it and to deny it for others My Appeal then to and Expostulation with all sorts of professors is not to prove some one or two Points by the Scriptures for there be some general Notions of Truth which most if not all agree to but the whole Body of our Principles as they stand in relation to each other which none of them all is able to do for among the many Professors their Catechisms and Confessions of Faith I find none save the Dispensation of Truth now again revealed but such as in most of their substantial Principles differ greatly and in many contradict grosly the plain Text and Tenour of the Scripture I confess there be certain men in this Age who with some plausible Appearance of Reality undertake this Task These are they that joyn with and own not wholely any Imbodied People but while they pretend a general Love to all yet find Fault with some part of every sort while in the mean time they scarce can give any Account of their own Religion and most of them prove at bottom to have none at all These men I say may perhaps acknowledge some general Truths and also hold to the Letter of the Scripture in some other things so as thereby to take Occasion largly to judge others while themselves offer not to bring these good things to practise they blame others for the Want or Neglect of But such an Enterprize from these men will not when weighed prove a fulfilling of this Master seeing it is not enongh to acknowledge many Truths but also to deny and witness against all Error and likewise not to fall short of any Truth which ought to be acknowledged Whereas these sort of men for the most part cannot give account of their Faith in many things needful to be believed and whatever things they may acknowledge to be true they err most grievously and contradict a Truth most needful to be minded and answered as is proved hereto in that they stand not forth to appear for any of these Discoveries they pretend they have but make a shift to hide their Heads in Times of Tryal so as not to suffer for nor with any And through these fine Pretences above mentioned through their Scruples of joyning with any they can cunningly shun the Difficulties of Persecutions that attend the particular Sects of Christians and yet by their general Charity and Love to all claim a Share in any
and came upon him and caught him and brought him to the Council Acts 6. 11 12. And when they found them not they drew Jason and certain Brethren unto the Rulers of the City crying These that have turn'd the World upside down are come hither also Acts 17. 6. But this I confess unto thee that after the Way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets Acts 24. 14. Being defamed we entreat we are made as the Filth of the World and are the Off-scouring of all things unto this Day 1 Cor. 4. 13. By Honour and Dishonour by Evil Report and Good Report as Deceivers and yet true 2 Cor. 6. 8. Q. It is easily apparent from what is mentioned that Christians are to expect Persecution and Tribulation and that they are always the Sheep and never the Wolves the Persecuted and never the Persecutors the Afflicted and not the Afflicters the Reproached and not the Reproachers Is it not fit then that Christians be so far from persecuting others that they ought to pray for the Persecutors is this Christ's Command A. But I say unto you Love your Enemies Bless them that Curse you do Good to them that hate you Pray for them which despightfully use you persecute you Ma. 5. 44. Q. Was this Christ's own Practice A. Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do c. Luk. 23. 24. Q. Is Christ herein to be our Example A. For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps who did no Sin neither was Guise found in his Mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffer'd he threatned not but committed himself unto him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2. 21 22 23. Q. Is there an Instance of any Saint in Scripture who follow'd his Example herein A. And he kneeled down and cryed with a loud Voice Lord Lay not this Sin to their Charge c. Acts 7. 60. Q. It appears by all these Scriptures that Christianity consisteth in the Exercise of Fear and Trembling Humility Patience and Self-Denyal What ought we then to think of such who place much of their Religion in abstaining from Marriage and certain Meats Worshipping of Angels and other such Acts of voluntary Humility A. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly That in the latter Times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Conscience â—eared as with a Hot Iron forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats which God hath created to be received with Thanksgiving of them which believe and know the Truth 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Let no man beguile you of your Reward in a voluntary Humility and worshipping of Angels intruding into these things which he hath not seen vainly puft up by his Fleshly Mind Col. 2. 18. CHAP. XIII Concerning Magistracy Question VVHat is the Duty of a Magistrate A. The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me he that Ruleth over men must be Just Ruling in the Fear of God 2 Sam. 23. 3. Q. What do the Scriptures speak of the Duty of such as are under Authority A. Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resists the Power resists the Ordinance of God they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation For Rulers are not a Terror to Good Works but to the Evil Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power Do that which is Good and thou shalt have Praise of the same for he is the Minister of God to thee for Good But if thou do that which is Evil be afraid for he beareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for Wrath but also for Conscience sake Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the Punishment of Evil-Doers and for the Praise of them that do well for so is the Will of God that with Well-doing ye may put to Silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. Q. Ought Tribute to be paid to them A. For for this Cause pay we Tribute also for they are God's Ministers attending continually upon this very thing Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Rom. 13. 6 7. Then saith he unto them Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's Mat. 22. 21. Q. Are we obliged to obey Magistrates in such things as we are perswaded in our Minds are contrary to the Commands of Christ A. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus But Peter and John answered and said unto them Whether it be right in the Sight of God to hearken unto you more then unto God judge ye for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen heard Acts 4. 18 19 20. And when they had brought them they set them before the Council and the High-Priest asked them saying Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this Name And behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine and intend to bring this Man's Blood upon us Then Peter and the other Apostles answer'd and said We ought to obey God rather then Men Act. 5. 27 28 29. Q. What ought to be Magistrates Behaviour in such Cases according to the Counsel of wise Gamaliel A. Then stood there up one in the Council a Pharisee named Gamaliel a Doctor of Law had in Reputation among the People and commanded to put the Apostles forth a little space and said unto them Ye men of Israel take heed to your selves what ye intend to do as touching these men And now I say unto you Refrain from these men and let them alone for if this Counsel or this Work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found even to fight against God Acts 5. 34 35 38 39. Q. What Command giveth Christ to his People under the Gospel in relation to this matter How doth he hold forth their Duty under the Parable of Tares A. So the Servants of the Houshold came and said unto him Sir Didst thou not sow good Seed in thy Field from whence then hath it Tares He said unto them An Enemy hath done this The Servant said unto him Wilt thou then that we