the Lords body 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Q. How shall a man behave himself that he may be a worthy communicant at the Lords table A. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. 1 Cor. 11. 28. Qu. What examination is it on which Christians should put themselves What saith the same Apostle concerning this point A. Examine your selves whether you be in the faith prove your own selves 2 Cor. 13. 5. CHAP. XXIV Of the Resurrection of the dead and the last Judgement and what shall be the final condition of the righteous and the wicked thereupon Qu. WHat do you believe concerning the resurrection of the dead A. That there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Acts 24. 15. Qu. By whom shall the dead be raised A. By Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 22. Q. Why are the dead raised by Christ rather then by God himself A. Since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 21. Qu. How came Christ by this power A. As the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 5. 26. The last Adam was made a quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. Qu. By whom shall God judge mankinde A. God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Rom. 2. 16. He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. Qu. What assurance hath God given that he will judge the world by this man A. In that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 31. Q. What shall be the different issue of the good from that of the bad at the resurrection A. All that are in the graves shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. Qu. Shall not the wicked and unbelieving live for ever though in torments as well as the godly and the faithful or is eternal life peculiar to the faithful A. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the warth of God abideth on him John 3. 36. Qu. Though this passage which you have cited seem clearly to prove that eternal life agreeth unto no other men but the faithful yet since the contrary opinion is generally held amongst Christians I would fain know farther of you whether you have any other places that directly affirm that the wicked dye and that a second death are destroyed and punished with everlasting destruction are corrupted burnt-up devoured slain pass away and perish A. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life Rom. 6. 23. If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Rom. 8. 13. I will give unto him that is athrist of the fountain of the water of life freely But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all lyars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 6 8. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2. 10 11. When they shall say Peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travel upon a woman with child and they shall not escape 1 Thess 5. 3. The day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 8. These as natural bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things that they understand not and shall utterly perish in their corruption 2 Pet. 2. 12. If any man defile the temple of God him shall God destroy Gr. corrupt 1 Cor. 3. 17. We are not of them that draw back to perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 39. Which the unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire Mat. 3. 12. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation Gr. fervor of fire which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10. 26 27. But those mine enemies which would not that I should raign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luke 19. 27. The world passeth away and the lusts thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2. 17. We are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish To the one we are the savor of death unto death and to the other the savor of life unto life 2 Cor. 2. 15 16. Qu. What is the use that our Saviour himself would have us make of this doctrine touching the destruction of men in hell-fire A. Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Mat. 10. 28. Qu. In what maner shall Christ come and administer judgement at the last day A. When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee thristy and gave thee drink When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the divel and his angels For I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not Then shall they also answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred or athirst or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister unto thee Then shall he answer them saying Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal Mat. 25. 31 32 c. Qu. Is there not another resurrection and judgement that shall precede this last and general one and peculiarly belongeth unto the saints that have been slain for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God what saith John the Divine concerning this matter A. I saw thrones and they sate upon them and judgement was given to them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the Beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 4 5 6. FINIS
bow of things in heaven and things in earth Phil. 2. 9 10. Qu. Did men worship Jesus Christ before his death and resurrection what examples thereof have you A. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him saying Of a truth thou art the Son of God Matth. 14. 33. Jesus said unto him Dost thou believe on the Son of God He answered and said Who is he Lord that I may believe on him And Jesus said unto him Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee And he said Lord I believe and he worshipped him Joh. 9. 35 36. 37 38. Qu. Did men worship Christ after his resurrection and ascension And what example thereof have you A. It came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy Luke 24. 51 52. Qu. When men ascribe glory and dominion to Christ Jesus in the Scripture and withal intimate the ground thereof is it because they conceive him to be very God of very God and to have been eternally begotten out of the Divine essence or because he gave himself to death Let me hear how they explain themselves A. Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Qu. Are the Angels of the same opinion with the Saints when they also ascribe glory and dominion to him let me hear how they also explain themselves A. I beheld and heard the voice of many angels saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Rev. 5. 11 12. Qu. May men call upon the name of Jesus Christ and have you examples of such as have prayed to him A. Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem And here he hath authority from the chief priests to binde all that call upon thy name Acts 9. 13 13. With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours 1 Cor. 1. 2. And they stoned Stephen saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit Acts 7. 59. Even so come Lord Jesus Rev. 22. 20. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thes 2. 16 17. Now God himself even our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you 1 Thess 3. 11. CHAP. XI Of Christs Priestly Office Qu. IS not Christ Jesus a Priest A. We have a great high-priest Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 14. Qu. Did not Christ take this honour to himself A. Christ glorified not himself to become an high-priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee Heb. 5. 5. Qu. What maner of high-priest is Christ A. Such an high-priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majestie in the heavens A minister of the sanctuary and of the tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 8. 1 2. Qu. Was not Christ a priest whilst he was on earth namely when he died on he cross A. If he were on earth he should not be a priest seeing that there are priests who offer gifts according to the Law Heb. 8. 4. And it is yet far more evident for that after the similitude of Melchisedeck there ariseth another priest Who is made not after the law of a carnal commandment but after the power of an endless life Heb. 7. 15 16. Qu. What benefit happeneth by Christs priesthood A. He became the author of eternal salvation Called of God an high-priest after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5. 9 10. Qu. Unto whom is Christ as a Priest become the authour of eternal salvation A. Unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Qu. How can Christ save them by his priesthood A. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7. 25. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9. 28. Qu. Is not the sacrifice of Christ to be reiterated as that of the Levitical Priests if not what is the reason thereof A. Every priest standeth daily ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 11 12 13 14. Qu. How did Christ enter into the holy place to offer himself A. By his own blood Heb. 9. 12. Qu. Why would God have Christ come to his priestly office by sufferings A. It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings That he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 10 17 18. Q. What is the true and genuine use you would have us make of this doctrine A. Seeing that we have a great high-priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession For we have not an high-priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14 15 16. CHAP. XII Of Christs Death Qu. WAs it the will and purpose of God that Christ should suffer the death of the cross What saith the apostle Peter to the Jews concerning this A. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Act. 2. 22 23. Q. What say the disciples in general concerning the same They lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Of a truth against thy holy childe Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Acts 4. 24 27 28. Q. Did Christ die to reconcile and bring God to
us or on the contrary to reconcile and bring us to God A. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Rom. 5. 10. He is our peace who hath made both one That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 2. 14 16. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. Christ hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. Qu. For whom did Christ die A. We thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. There is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus Who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. We see Jesus who was made a little lower then the angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man Heb. 2. 9. I am the living bread which came down from heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Joh. 6. 51. Q. What was the procuring cause of Christs death A. He was delivered for our offences Rom. 4. 25. He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities Isai 53. 5. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. Qu. What are the ends of Christs suffering and death intimated by the Scripture A. He learned obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 8. Christ suffered for you leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Christ hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. This is my blood of the New Testament or New Covenant that is shed for many for the remission of sins Mat. 26. 28. That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject unto bondage Heb. 2. 14 15. That he might sanctifie the people with his own blood Heb. 13. 12. That whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him 1 Thess 4. 10. That they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him which died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 15. Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world Gal. 1. 4. Ye who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us Having abolished in his flesh the law of commandments in ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new man so making peace And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 2. 13 14 15 16. It pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself or rather for him by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minde by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death Col. 1. 20 21 22. CHAP. XIII Of the Universality of Gods love Qu. THose Scriptures which you have already alleadged when I enquired for whom Christ died intimate the universality of Gods love to men yet sorasmuch as this is a point of the greatest importance without the knowledge and belief whereof we cannot have any true and solid ground of coming unto God because if he from all eternity intended good onely to a few and those few are not set down in the Scriptures which were written that we through comfort of them might have hope Rom. 15. 4. no man can certainly yea probably infer that he is in the number of those few the contrary being ten thousand to one more likely what other clear tassages of Scripture have you which shew that God in sending Christ and proposing the Gospel aimed not at the salvation of a certain elect number but of men in general A. God so loved the world that he gave his onely-begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved Joh. 3. 16 17. The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world Joh. 6. 33. Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Joh. 4. 42. We have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world 1 Joh. 4. 14. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness And if any man hear my words and believe not I judge him not for I came not to judge the world but to save the world Joh. 12. 46 47. Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be condemned Mark 16. 15 16. If ye continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister Col. 1. 22. We preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. I exhort that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME UNTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH 1 Tim. 2. 1 3 4. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long-suffering to us-ward NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE 2 Pet. 3. 9. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them 2 Cor. 5. 19. We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours onely but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Qu. These texts which you have now cited are all taken out of the New Testament
is there not a like manifestation of the universality of Gods love in the Old How speaketh the prophet Ezekiel A. Say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33. 11. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O house of Israel For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the Lord God wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 31 32. Qu. What saith Jeremiah A. He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3. 33. Qu. What saith David A. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. CHAP. XIV Of Christs Resurrection Qu. Ought Christ as to suffer so also to rise from the dead the third day A. Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day Luke 24. 46. He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 4. Qu. Was there so great power and consequence in Christs resurrection How speaketh Paul A. I count all things but loss for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection Phil. 3. 8 10. If Christ be not risen your faith is vain ye are yet in your sins Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished 1 Cor. 15. 17 18. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again Rom. 8. 34. Qu. How speaketh Peter A. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Pet. 1. 3. Qu. Did Christ rise by his own power yea did he raise himself at all or was he raised by the power of another and did another raise him What is the perpetual tenour of the Scripture to this purpose A. Though he was crucified through weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father Rom. 6. 4. By Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead Gal. 1. 1. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8. 11. He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 14. Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 9 10. Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole Acts 4. 10. The God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Heb. 13. 20. But God raised him from the dead God hath fulfilled the same unto us in that he hath raised up Jesus again And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead He whom God raised again saw no corruption Acts 13. 30 33 34 37. Him God raised up the third day Act. 10. 40. God hath both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his own power 1 Cor. 6. 14. Who by him believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory 1 Pet. 1. 21. Qu. Were the Apostles and the Holy Spirit himself sent to bear witness that Christ raised himself or that God raised him How speaketh the Scripture A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Acts 2. 32. The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus whom ye delivered up and denied him in the presence of Pilate And killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Acts 3. 13 15. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to all them that obey him Acts 5. 30 31 32. We have testified of God that he raised up Christ 1 Cor. 15. 15. Qu. Of what consequence is it to believe that Christ was thus raised A. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was impured to him But for us to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4. 3 23 24. Qu. What is the prayer of the Apostle Paul to this purpose How speaketh be to the Ephesians A. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know What is the exceeding greatness of his power to â—s-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1. 17 18 19 20. CHAP. XV. Of Justification and Faith Qu. HOw many sorts of justification or righteousness are there A. The righteousness which is of the Law Rom. 10. 5. The righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 9. Qu. How is the righteousness which is of the Law described A. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Rom. 10. 5. Qu. How speaketh the righteousness which is of Faith A. The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead Rom. 10. 6 7. Qu. But what saith it Rom. 10. 8. A. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Qu. In the justification of a believer is the righteousness of
holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in subjection unto their own husbands Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well and are not afraid with any amazement Likewise ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledge giving honor to the wife as unto the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindered 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 c. Qu. What is the duty of children and parents according to Paul A. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honor thy father and thy mother which is the first commandment with promise That it may be well with thee and thou maist live long on the earth And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6. 1 2 3 4. Children obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers provoke not your children lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 20 21. Qu. What is the duty of servants and masters according to the doctrine of the two aforesaid Apostles A. Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free And ye masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your master also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Eph. 6. 5 6 7 8 9. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed And they that have believing masters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit 1 Tim. 6. 1 2. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please them well in all things not answering again Not purloyning but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Tit. 2. 9 10. Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons Masters give to your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven Col. 3. 22 23 24 25. Col. 4. 1. Servants be subject to your masters with all fear not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward For this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully For what glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto are ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20 21. CHAP. XVIII Of the behaviour of men and women in general and in special of aged men aged women yong women and yong men Qu. WHat would the apostle Paul have men in general do How speaketh he A. I will that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting In like maner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefac'dness and sobriety not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly aray But which becometh women professing godliness with good works Let the women learn in silence with all subjection But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man but to be in silence 1 Tim. 2. 8 9 10 11 12. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine That the aged men be sober grave temperate sound in faith in charity in patience The aged women likewise that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness not false accusers not given to much wine teachers of good things That they may teach the yong women to be sober to love their husbands to love their children To be discreet chaste keepers at home good obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed Yong men likewise exhort to be sober-minded Tit. 2. 1 2 c. CHAP. XIX Of Prayer Qu. IS not Prayer a Christian duty A. Pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5. 17. And he spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint Luke 18. 1. Q. How ought men to pray A. Lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. Q. What if a man doubt or waver as he prayeth A. Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jam. 1. 7. Q. What if we pray in anger and do not forgive if we have ought against any A. If you do not forgive neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses Mark 11. 26. Qu. What then is the confidence that we have to God-ward in praying A. That if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us 1 Joh. 5. 14. Q. If a man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death what is his duty in relation to prayer A. He shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death 1 Joh. 5. 16. Qu. What if he sin a sin which is unto death A. I do not say that he shall pray for it 1 Joh. 5. 16. Qu. How are the persons that have sinned unpardonably and so unto death described in the Scripture A. He that shall blaspheme against the holy Ghost hath never forgiveness but is in danger of eternal damnation Because they said He hath an unclean spirit Mark 3. 29 30. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29. Qu. How stands the Lord affected to