of their Salvation but it follows not that other Believers must have such Assurance A. It doth follow since that these Saints had not this Assurance by an extraordinary Revelation of their Salvation but that it was built upon the goodness of God the stability of his Promises and upon the efficacy of the death and intercession of Jesus Christ which are Motives and Considerations common to all Believers Q. Have Believers always this Assurance A. No For Faith hath its weaknesses and distempers and according as Sin and the Flesh predominates Faith and Assurance diminishes but at last Faith becomes victorious Q. But may not one be deceived in this Assurance and take carnal Security for true Faith and Assurance A. I grant some may deceive themselves but from thence it follows not but that true Believers may know they have a true Faith otherwise S. Paul's Exhortation was in vain 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether you be in the faith if it cannot be known by Examination Q. By what marks do you certainly know true Faith A. By its effects as a Tree by its Fruits Matth. 7.16 If it worketh by love Gal. 5.6 If it produces in us the love of God and disesteem of the World Ardour and pleasure in praying to God and Zeal for his Glory And besides these Testimonies a Believer hath The spirit of God which beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 Which sealeth us unto the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 and Who is the Earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased Possession unto the praise of his Glory Ephes 1.14 Q. This Doctrine seems to incline men to be licentious for every one may say If I have assurance of Salvation what need I employ my self in good works A. This is the thought of a prophane person and not of a child of God for none can promise themselves Salvation without good works We know not our Election by Election but by the examination of our Consciences therefore S. Peter 2 Epist 1.10 compared with vers 5 6 7 8. would have us give diligence to make our Calling and Election sure by good works And the Holy Ghost who is the Spirit of Adoption in the hearts of Believers is also the spirit of Holiness And in witnessing to them that they are the children of God he giveth to them also such holy Motions and Affections Q. Yet in the Scripture we are often exhorted to fear and trembling Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling And Phil. 2.12 S. Paul would have us to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling And 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall A. By these words we are not exhorted to distrust but to a reverend fear and to walk before God with an holy care and fear lest we should offend him And this fear of God is so far from being prejudicial to the Confidence we ought to have in the goodness of God and to the assurance of Salvation that on the contrary it is an effect of Faith and a most assured indication that our Assurance is not a carnal Security but sincere and right and in this fear Believers walk on to the Salvation that they wait for Jer. 32.40 Acts 9.31 SECT XXXIII Of Sin and if all Men are Sinners Quest WHat is Sin A. Whatsoever is contrary to the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Q. Are all Men defiled therewith A. Yes except only Jesus Christ who is the Lamb without blemish 1 Pet. 1.19 For if we say we have no sin we are Lyers and the truth is not in us 1 Joh. 1.8 In many things we offend all James 3.2 Q. Yet the Scripture gives testimony to many Believers that they have walked without reproach in the Commandments of God that they have been holy and righteous and have loved God with all their heart as David Job Zacharia and Elizabeth A. These things are not said of them because they were without sin for the Scripture it self gives us an account of great sins committed by them as of David's Adultery Zacharia's Distrust Job's Murmuring but because they walked in the integrity of Conscience and gave themselves with all their heart and power to serve God Q. In what sense then are Believers called just and holy A. They are called just and righteous because the Righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to them Rom. 1.17 and they are accepted of God as righteous themselves Secondly They are called righteous in opposition to the wicked which the Word of God calls Workers of iniquity Thirdly They are particularly called holy because God sanctifies them by his Spirit and consecrates them to his Service and calls them to be Saints Rom. 5.17 and 6.17 Q. Why doth David say then Psal 18.24 that God hath recompensed him according to his Righteousness and according to the cleanness of his hands A. He speaks so to maintain the innocence of his Carriage in respect of Saul and his other Enemies which persecuted him without cause but when he speaks of his Righteousness before God he prays that He would not enter into Judgment with his Servant for in thy sight says he shall no man living be justified Psal 143.2 and Psal 130.3 4. If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquity O Lord who shall stand But there is forgiveness with thee that thou maist be feared Q. Notwithstanding S. Paul speaks of perfect men Phil. 3.15 Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded A. S. Paul calls not them perfect in respect of their fulfilling of the Law but in respect of the perfection of their growth and Advancement in the knowledge of God and therefore he opposed 1 Cor. 14.20 perfect men to children Be not childrin in understanding but be ye children in malice but in understanding be ye men in the Original be ye perfect And the Apostle Heb. 5.14 says that Strong meat that is to say Solid Doctrine belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of their use have their Senses exercised to discern both good and bad SECT XXXIV Of Venial and Mortal Sins Quest WHat doth Sin deserve A. Death The soul that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.4 Q. Yes indeed for mortal sins but there are venial sins which are of so small importance that it would seem that they merited not to be punished with death A. The Word of God makes no such distinction it shews us indeed that some Sins are more grievous than others and that he who knoweth his Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes but it shews us likewise that all Sins without exception are by nature worthy of death Rom. 6.23 The wages of Sin is death And our Saviour tells us Matth. 12.36 That for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement and Matth. 5.22 That he who call'd his Brother Fool is
Sacrifice of the Mass that which is said Gen. 14.18 that Melchisedeck sacrificed Bread and Wine A. If it were so in this passage as it is alledged there could nothing be gathered from it but that the Priests according to the Order of Melchisedeck should offer Bread and Wine and not the Body of Jesus Christ But this passage is not well translated for in the Hebrew it is not that Melchisedeck sacrificed but that he brought forth or presented Bread and Wine and that to Abraham for to refresh him and his people and not to God in Sacrifice Q. They prove likewise the Sacrifice of the Mass by Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the Sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place Incense shall be offered unto my Name and a Pure-Offering A. In all this passage there is nothing spoke of the Sacrifice of the body of Christ but the Prophet speaking of the Calling of the Gentiles foretels that every where a pure Offering should be offered unto God for so the Word of God calls the preaching of the Gospel Prayers and Alms and such like good works which are spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Q. What answer you to that which the Apostle says H. 13.10 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle A. That by this Altar is meant the Sacrifice that is spoken of in all the Epistle viz. the death of Jesus Christ and not the Sacrifice of Mass of which there is no mention made Q. Of what Sacrifice then speaks the Apostle besides the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ when he says Heb. 9.23 That it was necessary that the Heavenly things should be purified with better Sacrifices than those naming more than one A. He speaks only of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ more excellent than all the Sacrifices of the Law names it Sacrifices putting it in the Plural 1. Because of his opposing it to the ancient Sacrifices of the Law 2. Because of its Excellency so David calls Repentance Psal 51.17 The Sacrifices of God and The most Holy Place in Greek is called Holy Places The Right Hand of God is called Right Hands Q. May not the Lord's Supper be called a Sacrifice A. Yes in the same sense that Alms and good Works are called Sacrifices not Propitiatory but Congratulatory or a Thanksgiving Sacrifice It may also be called a Sacrifice because it represents the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death even as the Sacraments take the name of the things they represent SECT XLVIII Of Baptism Quest WHat doth Baptism represent to you A. Two Washings 1. The Washing of our Justification which consists in the Forgiveness of our Sins 2. The Washing of Regeneration which consists in our being renewed spiritually by the Holy Ghost Q. Are those Graces communicated by Baptism Ex opere operato as they speak in the Schools by the thing done that is to say by the bare Action of the Sacrament wiihout the disposition of him that receives contributing thereunto A. No But by the power of the Holy Ghost in them who have Faith and Repentance for as it was not the blood of the Heifer that purified the Conscience neither is it the Water of Baptism but the Blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from Sin and therefore Baptism is called 1 Pet. 3.21 A figure which saves us not the putting away the filth of the flesh says the Apostle but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Q. Why then are Children baptized which are not capable of Faith and Repentance A. Because having an interest in the Covenant they ought also to receive the Sign thereof Acts 2.38 39. Be ye baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins for the promise is unto you and to your children But these Children when they come to Age must apply to themselves the Promise made to them in Baptism or else the Sacrament will serve only to aggravate their Condemnation SECT XLIX If Original Sin continues after Baptism Quest HAth Baptism that efficacy wholly to efface or abolish Original Sin so that after Baptism there remains in Man no sinful Corruption A. No For Experience shews that Children have perverse inclinations and are sinners after Baptism and if they were not sinners they would not die for says the Apostle The wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 And St. Paul who was circumcised and after that baptized grants that sin dwelt in him and that he was sold under sin Rom. 7.14 17. The Romanists themselves confess in the Council of Trent that Lust continueth after Baptism Now if we believe St. Paul Lust is Sin Rom. 7.7 I had not known Lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet Q. But how often doth the Scripture tell us that We are baptised to the Remission of Sins and that We are therein washed from our Sins Act. 22.16 A. We do receive Forgiveness of Sins therein and to those that believe in Jesus Christ their sin shall not be imputed but that doth not hinder but after Baptism our Corruption doth continue more or less even till death SECT L. Of the Necessity of Baptism Quest IS Baptism so necessary to Salvation that without it we cannot be saved A. Baptism is necessary to Salvation when it may be had and this holy Sacrament ought not to be neglected but to exclude from Salvation a person who could neither have the time nor the opportunity to be baptised or a Child whose sudden death hath prevented Baptism is a cruel Doctrine and contrary to the goodness of God who tieth not his Grace to exterior Elements and maketh not the Salvation of Children to depend upon the negligence of their Parents Q. Nevertheless Jesus Christ says to Nicodemus John 3.5 Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God A. Jesus Christ doth not mean the material Water of Baptism but the Grace of the Holy Ghost which is often both in the Old New Testament called water Is 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my spirit upon thy seed And Jesus Christ promised to give them that believe on him a well of water springing up into Everlasting Life John 4.14 By those words Jesus Christ doth not shew Nicodemus the Necessity of being Baptised since he was already Circumcised but the Necessity of being Regenerated that he might enter into the Kingdom of Heaven SECT LI. Of the Lords Supper Quest FOR what End did Jesus Christ institute the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A. That it might be a memorial of his death as Saint Paul teacheth us 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as you Eat this Bread and Drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords Death till he come And himself when he
Elected God only knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 Q. How understand you that out of the Church there is no Salvation A. First Out of the Church of the Elect none can be saved for they that have no Communion with the Members of the Body have none also With the Head which is Christ and which is the only name by which we can be saved Secondly Out of the Communion of the Catholick Visible Curch there is no Salvation if there be not an impossibility which cannot be overcome as suppose some among the Turks and Pagans Converted to Christ at the hour of death but it is altogether necessary to Salvation when it is possible to be joyned to some Assembly of Christians and make profession of the Faith of Christ for with the heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation Rom. 10.10 But this Maxim may not be understood of any particular Church much less of the Roman Church which is the most corrupted of all the Churches which call themselves Christian Churches SECT VII If the Church can err Quest IS there any particular Church in the world to whom God hath given this priviledge not to err but to be infallible A. There is none which hath this privilege The Church of Israel who before the coming of Jesus Christ was the only Visible Church of God hath erred and fell many times into Idolatry in the 2 Chron. 15. it is said that for a long season Israel had been without the true God and without a teaching Priest and without Law and the Prophets Isaiah 56.10 Reproaches the Church of Israel that their watchmen were all blind and ignoraant Ezek. 20.7 We may learn that the Church of Israel committed Idolatry in Egypt did she not err in making of the Golden Calf Exod. 32. And when Juda had as many gods as Cities Jerem. 2.28 And in the time of Jesus Christ the Church of the Jews was infected with many Heresies and with the evil Leven of the Pharisees and there is not to be found an example of any particular Church from the Apostles time till now that hath persisted in their purity and it was for good reason that St. Paul writing to the Church of Rome bids her take heed least she should be cut off for her incredulity Rom. 11.21 22. For she hath fallen the most heavily and gone the furthest astray from the truth of all others Q. But if it be so that every particular Church hath erred and may err then it follows that all the Church hath failed and then what will become of the promise Jesus Christ made to his Church that the Gates of Hell should never prevail again her Math. 16.18 A. Jesus Christ in that passage speaks not of any particular Church precisely but of the Church of the Elect and gives us assurance by these words that all the machinations of the World and Satan shall never be able to hinder the Church from subsisting in the Earth but that there shall be a company of Believers which shall confess his Name for the Foundation of the Lord standeth sure God knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 and notwithstanding the Corruption of the World there is all ways reserved some who boweth not the Knee before Baal 1 Kings 19.18 And if it happen that some Church fall from the Truth God raiseth up another in whom he manifests his Knowledg Q. What you say seems contrary to your received opinion that the state of the Church hath been interred A. We only understand by this the general condition of the Church in the West which by reason of the Dominion of the Pope and the Supperstitions in the Roman Church hath been interrupted or greatly Corrupted but it follows not that though there were not in the West pure particular Visible Churches that there was not in the East and other parts of the World Q. But though each particular Church may err yet General Councils assembled in the Name of Jesus Christ cannot err for Jesus Christ hath promised that when two or three are gathered together in his Name he will be in the midst of them Matth. 18.20 A. I answer it cannot be affirmed with any certainty of Faith that there hath been any Council that hath not erred in some kind except that of the Apostles Acts 15. because they were immediately and infalliably lead into all Truth as Jesus Christ promised John 14.26 The Church of Israel assemnled in Council erred having condemned Jesus Christ to death as a Blasphemer Many that have named themselves General Councils have manifestly erred as that of Nice 2. which commanded to Worship Images upon pain of Curse and Anathem and that of Constance which took away the Cup in the Sacrament from the people though they grant that Jesus Christ had Instituted it and the Primitive Church had practised otherwise such Councils though they say they are assembled in the Name of Jesus Christ are not so since they Combat his Doctrine Q. What call you then a Council assembled in the Name of Jesus Christ A. These who being assembled by his Authority submit their decisions to his Holy Word SECT VIII Of the marks of the True Church Quest BY what mark know you the True Church since there are so many and so different in their sentiments and each of them pretending to be the true one A. By that which Jesus Christ gives us John 10.27 My sheep hear my voice and they follow me and Chap. 8.31 If you continue in my word then are you my disciples indeed That is then the true Church which is Conform to the word of Jesus Christ and obeys his voice Q. But what say you to Antiquity A. That it is a deceitful mark untruth being little later then Truth An error is nor the truer because it is ancient Antiquity destitute of Truth is but an antient error as an Antient Elegantly spoke Jesus Christ said not I am Custom but I am the Truth John 14. The only Antiquity that we receive is the first Truth which we have in the Holy Scripture to the which we Appeal for the condemnation of all error saying with Jesus Christ In the beginning it was not so Matth. 19.8 Q. What juâ—gment make you of Succession in the Chair A. That is also a false mark for Hereticks may also make use of Antiquity and Succession in the Chair without Truth is void We are not to judg of the Truth of a Church by her Succession but upon the contrary of her Succession by the Truth she Teaches The Pharisees in Moses Chair corrupted the Law and at this time the Doctors of the Roman Church in the pretended Chair of St. Peter Combat his Doctrine Q. Visibility and splendor may not it be a mark of the True Church A. No for the Word of God upon the contrary foretels crosses and afflictions to befal the Church and there happens sometimes so much calamity to the Church that she
Schism but that which is the cause of Separation now our Separation being upon a just account cannot be called Schism for the Errors and Superstitions of the Roman Church made our Separation necessary for God having discovered them to us by his Word we could not without bringing guilt upon our selves neglect that Commandment of God Revel 18.4 to come out of Babylon that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues besides it doth not become them to reproach us with our Separation and to accuse us of Schism since they first thrust us from amongst them by their Excommunications and all sorts of violence and we may much more justly call them Schismaticks they having so unworthily separated from Jesus Christ and his Apostles and from the purity of his Doctrine by so many Heresies which they teach Q. Yet could you not for peace sake have dissembled and contented your selves with distasting them in your heart A. No For God vomits out of his Mouth those that are luke warm Revel 3.16 and would have us to glorifie him as well in our bodies as in our spirits which are his 1 Cor. 6.20 and that as we believe with the Heart unto Righteousness we should with our own mouth make Confession unto Salvation Rom. 10.10 SECT X. Of the Head of the Church Quest WHo is the Head of the Church A. Jesus Christ only for St. Paul says Ephes 4.5 There is one Lord and one Faith and Chap. 1.22 he says that God hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church which is his Body Now as Jesus Christ hath but one mystical Body viz. his Church also this Body can have but one Head Q. But hath not Jesus Christ established under him one here upon Earth to be the visible Head of the Church A. No for the Word of God hath made no mention thereof and Ephes 4.11 St. Paul rekoning up the Offices in the Church says He gave some Apostles and some Pastors and Teachers but says nothing of this pretended Head which should have been the first And Jesus Christ forbids all Superiority of Authority amongst his Disciples Luke 22.25 26. The Kings of the earth exercise Lordship over them but ye shall not be so and Matth. 23.8 Be not ye called Rabby for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are brethren Q. It would seem that Jesus Christ looked on St. Peter as a Head Ordinarily he is first named in the Gospel and Matth. 16.18 Jesus Christ says to him Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church A. His being named first doth not import any Superiority of Authority or Jurisdiction but of Honour and Order because of his Age or Gifts and when Jesus Christ says upon this Rock will I build my Church he had not regard to the person of St. Peter but to his Doctrine and the Confession he had made in the name of the other Apostles saying Thou art Christ the Son of the living God and on this consideration not only Peter but the rest of the Apostles are called the Foundation of the Church as we are taught by St. Paul Ephes 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself beeing the chief corner stone Q. But Jesus Christ in the same place promises to give him the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and that whosoever he shall bind on Earth shall he bound in Heaven A. In those words he gives no Authority to St. Peter which he gives not to the other Apostles to whom also he hath given the Keys and the power of binding and loosing and of remitting and retaining sins John 20.21 As my Father hath sent me so send I you verse 23. Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted But supposing it were as true as it is false that Jesus Christ did in this passage Establish Peter Visible Head of the Church it would not follow that the Bishops of Rome are his Successors in that Office since we see no warrant for it in the Scripture neither hath the other Apostles had any Successors in their Offices as Apostles Q. But since the death of Jesus Christ and his Ascension did not the Apostles acknowledge St. Peter for their Head A. No on the contrary Acts 8.14 the Apostles send him with John to Preach the Gospel in Samaria and St. Paul says 2 Cor. 11.5 That he esteemeth not himself a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles and Gal. 2.9 Naming James before Peter he says James Peter and John gave him the right hand of Fellowship and proves at length in the same place that he was not called to be an Apostle by any but by Jesus Christ alone and 1 Cor. 1.12.13 He reproves those amongst the Corinthians that did choose to themselves any other Head or Patron but Jesus Christ every one of you says I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ Is Christ divided Was Paul Crucified for you Or were you Baptized in the name of Paul To acknowlege then another Head than Christ is to divide Christ Neither can we acknowlege any other Head but he who was Crucified for us and in whose Name we are Baptized St. Peter himself takes no other Title in his Epistles but that of Apostle and Elder and speaks to the Pastors of the Church not as having Authority over them but as their comparison in service 1 Pet. 5.1 The Elders that are among you I exhort who am also an Elder SECT XI Of the Invocation of Saints Quest MVst we pray to Saints A. No Because we have neither Command nor Example in the Word of God for it and when the Apostles desired Jesus Christ to teach them to Pray he injoyns them to pray to God only Luke 11.2 When you Pray say Our Father which art in Heaven c. Now that which is without the Word of God is without Faith Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God It is then a sin to Pray unto Saints since it is to Pray without Faith which is required in Prayer James 1.6 Let him ask in Faith nothing wavering Q. But is not Praying to Saints expresly forbidden in the Word of God A. Yes For God hath commanded us to Adore and Serve him only Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve now praying is one of the chief and principal Acts of Religious Worship and Service and St. Paul teaches us that we cannot call on those we do not believe in Rom. 10.14 How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed then we are not to Pray to Saints since it is not lawful to put our confidence in them for God declares them cursed that put their trust in man Jerem. 17.5 Cursed be the the man that trusteth in man Q. It is true we are to serve God
a Sacrament of the New Testament since it was practised under the Old Num. 27.23 Deut. 34.9 Q. Do you believe that the conferring of Orders upon a man imprints such an indelible Character upon his Soul that the flames of Hell cannot efface it or raze it out A. I believe this Character is a vain imagination and I know no other Character that is printed upon the Soul but that of the Spirit of God whereby the Elect are sealed to the day of Redemption Ephes 1.13 and 4.30 SECT XLVI Of the Order of Priesthood Quest WHat think you of the Order of Priests A. If the name of Priest from Presbyter be taken as it was in the time of the Apostles for an Elder or Pastor whose Office is to instruct and lead the Flock of Jesus Christ as S. Peter exhorts the Elders in his first Epistle Chap. 5.1 This Order is very lawful and instituted by Jesus Christ But if by Priest they understand a Sacrificer of the Body of Jesus Christ I hold that Order to be unlawful and an invention of men Q. Why do ye esteem it such A. Because no man taketh this honour of Priesthood unto himself but he that was called of God as was Aaron Heb 5.4 It is rashness then to look on themselves as Priests without producing any Authority from the Word of God for the institution of this Order St. Paul Ephes 4. and 1 Cor. 12.28 Rom. 12. where he reckons the Offices of the Church says not a word of this And to the Hebrews in all his Epistle in which he treats expresly and at length of the Priesthood of the Christian Church speaks not of any other Priest of the Body of Christ but Christ himself who offered himself to God by his Eternal Spirit Hebr. 19.14 It is also to be considered that the Apostle Hebr. 7. gives two reasons for abolishing the Priesthood of the Law which destroys also that which is now Established the one is that the Priests were subject to death the other that they were obliged to Sacrifice first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people Priests being then still Mortals and Sinners ought to be abolished Besides the Sacrificer being more excellent than the Sacrificed and he who Sacrifices more powerful and more excellent than the Victims it is too bold an enterprise to pretend to Sacrifice Jesus Christ for it is to make themselves greater and more excellent than Jesus Christ himself Q. They pretend notwithstanding to prove their Priesthood by these words of Jesus Christ Do this in remembrance of me A. But they do it without ground for First Since Jesus Christ by these words Instituted the Sacrament of the Lords Supper what appearance is there that by the same words he should Institute another Sacrament Secondly Jesus Christ in these words commands his Disciples to do afterwards that which he had ordered them to do then viz. to take and eat now to take and eat is not to sacrifice Thirdly Moreover he commands to do this in remembrance of him Now it is absurd to take and sacrifice a person in remembrance of him for we remember things absent Q. Yet the holy Scripture speaks of other Priests under the New Testament than Jesus Christ for St. John says Rev. 1.6 that Jesus Christ hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father And in 1 Pet. 2.9 St. Peter calls us a Royal Priesthood A. It is greatly to be observed that this Title is given indifferently to all Believers and never particularly to Priests and Believers are called Priests because as we are taught in 1 Pet. 2.5 They are an holy Priestood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Q. And what are these Sacrifices A. Good Works Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings Heb. 13.15 Alms and Repentance Psal 51.19 And Rom. 12.1 Present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable Service SECT XLVII Of the Sacrifice of the Mass Quest DDo you believe that in the Mass the Priests offer the Body of Jesus Christ a Propiciatory Sacrifice for the Living and the Dead A. As I acknowledge no other Priest in the Church but Jesus Christ who is a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedech Psal 110.4 Also I acknowledge no other Propitiatory Sacrifice for Sin but the death of Jesus Christ who hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Ephes 5.2 Q. Why do you not acknowledge any other A. Because the Word of God makes no mention of any other under the Gospel And the Apostle to the Hebrews who writes an Epistle expresly to teach us by what Sacrifice Sins are truly expiated and the Sacrifices of the Law fulfilled mentions no other but the Blood of Jesus Christ who by his Eternal Spirit offered himself to God to purchase for us an Eternal Redemption yea he tells us expresly that Jesus Christ offess not himself often Heb. 9.25 26. And that as It is appointed for men once to die and after this the judgment so Christ was once offered to bear the Sins of Man Heb. 9.27 28. That by one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified through the Offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb. 10.10 14. Q. It is true he offered himself but once a bloody Sacrifice but he offers himself an unbloody Sacrifice every day at the Mass A. This distinction is not found in the Word of God neither is there any propitiatory Sacrifice without shedding of Blood Heb. 9.22 Without shedding of blood is no Remission Q. It is only by the death of Jesus Christ that Forgiveness of Sins is purchased for us but by the Mass as by an Applicatory Sacrifice of the former is applied to us the Propitiation of Sins A. I answer to that That as it is not needful that Jesus Christ die again that his death may be applied to us neither is it needful that he be sacrificed again that his Sacrifice may be applied to us God hath appointed other means than the Mass to apply the death and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ unto us viz. the preaching of the Gospel Sacraments and Faith Q. But if Jesus Christ is not offered every day wherein consists his everlasting Priesthood after the Order of Melchisedeck A. The Apostle to the Hebrews makes it to consist in two things 1. In the perpetual Efficacy of his Blood once offered on the Cross and therefore it is said Heb. 12.24 that His blood speaketh better things than that of Abel 2. In that being entred into the holy Place according to the Office of the High Priest he interceeds continually for us Heb. 7.24.25 This Man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood wherefore he is able also to save them to the utmost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Q. They alledge for the