doctrine and practice of the Ministers of Christ teaching the people also so to do be not such persons as abide not in the doctrine of Christ but bring in another doctrine and are the Witches Magicians deceivers Antichrists and false teachers who are not to be received but denyed Answ. To this long quaery I give this short solution That they which are truly such in doctrine and life as this quaery describes may be truly termed spiritual Witches and Magicians and must be rejected as false teachers deceivers and Antichrists were it James Parnel himself or any other of his confederacy and crew yea though they used no outward sorcery in ribbands stones waters glasses powders charmes and other like enchantments as many of you are reported to do Thus have I by clear Scriptures and experience answered his bold Quaeries the common Interrogatories of his Ringleaders propounded to us of the Ministery of him who is known to the world to be but a boy or stripling and I think hath proved himself no other in these his quaeries if rightly examined and looked into But I know that Prophecie Isaiah 35. as well as others must be fulfilled in these last times The child shall behave himself proudly against the Ancients And now give me leave I pray you to propound some crosse Interrogatories or Counter-quaeries to you and your Allyes both those called Quakers and other Sectarians your foregoers in your new doctrines and practises Certain Counter-Quaeries propounded to James Parnel and his Associates the new and former Sectaries Concerning honour and respect to be given to men Quaery 1. VVHether there be not a civil worship allowed unto men by Christ himself seeing he saith Rev. 3. 9. I will make them to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee Q. 2. Whether there be not an honour due to all sort of men according to their places seeing the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 2 17. Honour all men love the brotherhood fear God honour the King Q. 3. Whether humanity and courtesie be not required in Christians seeing the same Apostle saith 1 Pet. 3. 8. Be pitiful be courteous Q 4. Whether Abraham the pattern of all true faith and obedience did not out of his respect to the children of Heth among whom he lived bow himself to them twice at the least at one meeting seeing Moses affirmeth it expresly Gen. 23. 7 12 Q. 5. Whether Joseph when he was made Governour over the whole Land of Egypt did not accept of that honour which Pharaoh injoyned unto his people in that behalf saying Gen. 41. 43. Bow the knee Q. 6. Whether Mordecai did not admit of that honour which Abashueresh had decreed and designed for him by Haman and others Hester 6. 9 10 11 Q. 7. Whether an outward reverence be not to be given by Gods Commandement to venerable old men and that in the fear of God also seeing Moses faith Levit. 19. 32. Thou shalt rise up before the heary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God I am the Lord And man especially when he is found in the way of righteousnesse Prov. 16. 31 Q. 8. Whether those that fear God of what Age and condition soever they be are not to be honoured of the Lords true servants seeing David saith of him that shall dwell in Gods holy hill Psal. 15. 4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned but he honoureth them that fear the Lord Quaery 9. Whether standing bare or with the head uncovered before the Magistrates whom God himself stiles gods upon earth as being his Vice-gerents be not a decent posture since it is a posture that the Apostle requires in the behalf of God and his Angels or Messengers in the time of praying and prophesying 1 Cor. 11. 4 5 6 7 8 c Q. 10. Whether it be not scandalous and a just reproach to the Gospel when the inseriours who professe obedience to it deny their superiours the honour and respect which is due to them seeing the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6. 1. 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 Q. 11. Whether in giving honour we should not strive to out-go one another seeing the Apostle saith Rom. 12. 10. In honour preferring each other Q. 12. Whether the pronoun of the second Person singular may not out of the Hebrew and Greek be as well rendred You as Thou especially since in the plural number it is alwayes rendred ye and not thee And the Dutch tongue whence we borrow much of our Language hath You Q. 13. Whether it hath not ever been accounted rude and rustical in this Nation for inferiour men to speak unto others their superiours by the word Thou and not You as also to stand with their hats on unlesse leave were given them so to do Q. 14. Whether ever Christ or his Apostles taught us to alter or violate the civil speeches and customes of the Nation where we live by which our reverence to others is expressed and accordingly expected if not commanded also especially since the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 10. 32. Give none offence to the Jew nor to the Greek nor to the Church of God Concerning salutations at our meetings with others or departings from others Q. 15. Whether such precatory salutations were not at their first meeting alwayes in use amongst Gods people seeing Boaz thus salutes his reapers Ruth 2. 4. saying The Lord be with you and they answered him saying The Lord blesse thee Quaery 16. Whether it were not the custome also in Israel of those that passed by workmen reaping or employed in any other necessary and lawful work to say The blessing of the Lord be upon you we blesse you in the Name of the Lord though to men engaged in evil works they said not so Psal. 129. 8 Q. 17. Whether the Ministers and Messengers of Christ ought not to salute every house where they come unlesse they expresly know that the Son of peace is not there seeing Christ saith Matth 10. 12. And when ye come into the house salute it and Luke 10. 5. And into whatsoever house ye enter first say Peace be to this house Q. 18. Whether Elisha forbids all salutations by the way or onely enjoynes Gehazi to make haste at that time to lay his staffe upon the face of the dead child lest he should by his delay come too late where he saith 2 Kings 4. 29. Gird up thy loynes and take my staffe in thine hands and go thy wayes If thou meet any man salute him not and if any salute thee answer him not again And lay my staffe upon the face of the child Q. 19 Whether the saying unto another God speed you well be not lawful to be used to any that are engaged in a lawful journey or employment though the Apostle John inhibits us so to speak to false teachers
of the Spirit is in all goodnesse and righteousnesse and truth Concerning Prophets and Prophetesses Q. 82. Whether some men may not be acted with a spirit of falshood and delusion even then when they think that they prophesie by the Spirit of God as Zedekiah was 1 King 22 Q 83. Whether the Lord did ever send forth Boyes or striplings to be his Prophets and publick Teachers seeing John the Baptist who was born to be a Prophet of the most high Luk. 1. 76. and was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mothers womb Luk. 1. 15. was not sent forth to preach and prophesie till he was thirty years old Q. 84. Whether there be the least probability that God will shew more favour power and wisdom upon any other then he did upon his own Son when he was upon the earth who was not sent forth to exercise his Prophetical office publickly till he was about thirty years old Luke 3. 23. that you should be sent out upon the same employment about half those years Q. 85. Whether the Lord will break his own orders and commands expresly set down in his Word where he saith as you already heard by Paul 1 Tim. 3. 6. that a Bishop or Elder must not be a stripling or novice lest he be lifted up with pride and fall into the condemnation of the devil Q. 86. Where did Christ or his Apostles send forth women to be publick Prophetesses as you have done many and some of them not long since infamous for lewdnesse of life 87. If you be extraordinary Prophets immediately inspired as many of you pretend to be where are the miracles which such inspired men wrought in times past Q. 88. What have you foretold by way of prediction which hath accordingly come to passe as the Prophets Apostles and inspired men were wont to do Q. 89. Why do you quarrel with us for being called by men Doctors and Masters when both names signifie but Teachers which office you take to your selves with authority more then enough in your writings Q. 90. Is it the receiving such names or the arrogant seeking of them and that in chief place which was Christs own priviledge that our Lord prohibits Matth. 23. 8. saying But be ye not called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all you are Brethren seeing the Apostle Paul Ephes. 4. 11. calls the ordinary Teachers of the Church Pastours and Doctours or Teachers as was said before Q. 91. When many of you meet at a feast or repast do not some of you sit in the uppermost rooms as some of necessity must do why then do you blame us or others for taking those rooms when they are assigned unto us by the Master or Ruler of the place Is it the taking of those after a modest refusal and offer of them to others or an arrogant affecting and seeking of them that Christ blames in the Pharisees Matth. 23. 6. saying They love the uppermost rooms at feasts Q. 92. Do not many of you stand up even upon tables stools forms and seats when you speak to a great multitude as we do in the reading-pues and pulpits prepared for that end Is it then the taking and using of such places to a right end or the pride and arrogance of the vain-glorious Pharisees in affecting and striving for the chief seats that our Saviour reproves Matth. 23. 6. saying They love the chief seats in the Synagogues Q. 93. Do not you receive greetings and salutations from your brethren and disciples where ever you meet them and even in the Market-place And why do you blame this thing in us or others which your selves omit Is it the giving or receiving of courteous greetings or a proud Itch after honour and applause that Christ condemns Matth. 23. 7. saying They love greetings in the Market-place Q. 94. Whether is a multitude of disciples and followerr a sure sign that his doctrine is from heaven who is so followed seeing the way is broad that leads to destruction and many there be that find it Matth. 7. 13. And the Apostle 2 Pet. 2. 2. speaking of the false teachers saith And many shall follow their pernicious way by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of Q. 95. Seeing this Age is earthly-minded and willing to serve God with that which costs them nothing contrary to the pious and noble spirit of David 2 Sam. 24. 24. is it any great wonder that your doctrine against Tythes should find so many willing yea greedy entertainers of it as it hath done since it was first broached Q. 96. Did ever Christ or the Apostles disturb the Priests and Ministers of their times while they were teaching the people as many of you and yours have done Q. 97. Doth the Gospel ordinarily call any man from his lawful calling whereby he should maintain himself and his family seeing the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called and Ephes. 4. 28. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Q. 98. Were any of the disciples of Christ or his Apostles so strangely and prodigiously yea so phanatically and diabolically acted in their first conversion or afterwards as Sir William Spencer John Gilpin and others sometimes our auditors and followers have been Q. 99. Can any man guided by the Spirit of God speak against Jesus of Nazareth as Robert Collinson and other of your Adherents have done Q. 100. Have so many fallen into distraction and madnesse in any sect or under any doctrine as there hath done among your hearers especially where the number of disciples was no greater Q. 101. Under what sort of Teachers have so many hearers and followers out of so small a number laid hands upon themselves as some of yours have done To say nothing of the Sorceries charged upon many of you nor of the familiar spirits with which some of yours are reported to deal can the best of you be so fully enlightened and so totally filled with and acted by the Holy Ghost as you pretend to be that are mistaken in so many things as your own books discover you to be But I will conclude with the words of the Apostle 2 Cor. 13. 7 8 9. Now I pray God that ye do no evil not that we should appear approved but that ye should do that which is honest though we be as reprobates For we can do nothing against the truth but for the truth For we are glad when we are weak and ye are strong And this also we wish even your perfection FINIS LONDON Printed in the Year 1655.
and much more to evil workers 2 Joh. 10 11. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds Q. 20. Whether to blesse others by wishing them well in the Lord be not a practice well becoming the people of God seeing the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 3. 9. But contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit the blessing Concerning meat drink and â—â—â—arel Q. 21. Whether any thing without a man as meat drink apparel being used soberly and moderately can defile a man seeing Christ saith Matth. 15. 18. That those things which proceed out of the mouth they come out of the heart and they defile the man Quaery 22. Where hath God injoyned men to drink water in any part of his Word Q. 23. Where hath the Lord Jesus forbidden us one kind of meat rather then another seeing the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 4. 4. For every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving Q. 24. Whether the Kingdom of God consists in the choice or refusal of some meats and drinks seeing Paul saith Rom. 14. 17. That the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Q. 25. Whether Bodily exercise in way of Religion and godlinesse it self be not two distinct and different things seeing it is written 1 Tim. 4. 8. That bodily exercise profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Q. 26. Whether one may not satisfie the flesh that is a carnal conceiving will and zeal even in over-fasting and over-watching the body seeing the Apostle saith Colos. 2. 23. Which things have a shew of wisdom in voluntary worship and neglecting the body not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh Q. 27. Whether are not the Saints to sanctifie their meats and drinks by prayer and thanksgiving before and after they eat and drink seeing the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 4. 5. that the creature is sanctified by the Word and prayer and Rom. 14. 16. He that eateth eateth to the Lord for he giveth God thanks Q. 28. Whether the Master of the house or the chief of the Saints when they are to eat together ought not to be the mouth of the rest in those prayers and thanksgivings and that with an audible voice seeing Christ was so usually among his disciples and guests Matth. 15. 36. and Paul among his fellow-travellers Acts 27. 35 Q. 29. Whether the Apostles interdiction be absolute against all ornaments or comparative onely 1 Pet. 3. 3 4. where he saith Whose adorning let it not be that outward of plaiting the hair and wearing of gold or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apparel But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is incorruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price Quaery 30. Whether may not Princes and greatâ—â—â—â—â—â—ages wear apparel suitable to their places and dignities and distinguishing ornaments also seeing our Saviour saith that they which wear soft rayment are in Kings houses Matth. 11. 8. and disallowes not of Solomons great royalty Matth. 6. 29. and the Psalmist compares the glory of Christs Spouse to Solomons Queen most richly adorned Psal. 45. 13 14 Q. 31. Whether Nobles and men of worth and wealth may not apparel their beloved and hopeful children accordingly provided that they disable not themselves for works of piety and charity thereby seeing Jacob made his son Joseph a coat of divers colours Gen. 37. 3. and Davids daughter Thamar had the like according to the custome of Princes daughters who were Virgins 2 Sam. 13. 18 Q. 32. May not the daughters of Israel wear rich colours gold lace and embroydered work if the times and their estates without let to good works will bear it seeing David saith 2 Sam. 1. 24. Ye daughters of Israel weep over Saul who clothed you in scarlet with other delights who did put ornaments of gold upon your apparel Concerning Pride Q. 33. Whether pride doth lye in apparel though there may be much vanity ostentation and wastfulnesse committed therein or inwardly in the heart and mind of the poor as well as of the rich seeing our Saviour saith Mark 7. 21 22 23. From within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts adulteries fornications murders thefts covetousnesse wickednesse deceits lasciviousnesse an evill eye blasphemy pride foolishnesse All these evill things come from within and defile the man Q. 34. Whether one of the greatest things that puffs up the hearts of men be not knowledge whether it be true or false and imagined onely seeing the Apostle saith expresly 1 Cor. 8. 1 2. We know that we all have knowledge Knowledge puffeth up but love edifieth And if any man think that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know Q. 35. Whether another thing that exalts a man in pride and makes him despise his brethren and perhaps those that are better then himself be not a conceited and self-chosen holinesse seeing such a proud Saint is brought in Isaiah 65. 5. saying Stand by thy self come not near to me for I am holier then thou Which thing also is verified in the Pharisee and Publican Luk. 18. 11 12 Quaery 36. Whether there be any prouder man to be found then some false teachers are upon their imagined knowledge seeing the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine which is according to godlinesse he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words c Q. 37. Whether a young man be not the pronest of all others to be thus seduced and puffed up seeing Paul saith 1 Tim. 3. 6. He must not be a novice or newly come to the faith lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil Concerning Oathes Q. 38. Whether it be not lawful now in the New Testament to take an oath before lawful authority to put an end to controversies seeing the Apostle saith Heb. 6. 16. For men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of ail strife Q. 39. Whether the Oathes which our Saviour and the Apostle James forbids are not first swearing by the creature secondly needlesse oathes and then perjury or false-swearing Matth. 5. 34 35 36 37. But I say unto you Swear not at all neither by heaven for it is Gods throne nor by the earth for it is Gods footstool neither by Hierusalem for it is the City of the great King Neither shalt thou swear by thine head for thou canst not make one hair white or black But
as thou dost who make a Trade of their words Ans. First I say that here you forget our order we do not first infer Uses and then Points but first Points Doctrines or Propositions and then Uses Secondly all that we do in this kind hath been the practice of the Church and her Teachers for many hundreds of years Thirdly none will deny but this is a profitable and useful way of teaching Fourthly it may be proved out of the Scriptures that all this hath been done by Christ and his Apostles For Christ preacheth to the Jews Luke 4. 18 c. out of Isaiah 61. 1 2 3 4. and to the Sadduces Matth. 22. 31. out of Exod. 3. 6. So doth Peter with his fellow-Apostles Act. 2. 16. out of Joel 2. 28. and Philip to the Eunuch Act. 8. 35. out of Isaiah 53. As for the Uses which we make of those Points we have our rule for them from the Apostles own mouth Rom. 15. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Nor did Christ leave us without marks of tryal Joh. 8. 31. 13. 35. Finally he useth many motives himself to keep us from the distracting cares of this world Matth. 6. 25 -34. Yet are we not so in love with this way of ours but that we would change it for a better if any can shew it us and make our hearers believe that it would be more advantagious for them Finally this trade of interpreting the Scriptures is an old and a good trade Job 32. 23. Psal. 78. 2 3. Prov. 1. 6. Acts 8. 3. And so often as you speak sense you do the same thing though ignorantly which you blame in us 20 Quaery Whether thou dost speak as thou art moved by the Holy Ghost as they did who spake forth the Scriptures Answ. I have answered to this already that I usually do speak at the motion or in the assistance of the Holy Ghost I praise God for it but dare not say that I do it in that degree that the Prophets and Apostles did who spake and wrote the holy Scriptures nor doth it yet appear to me that James Parnel or any of his fellow-prophets do speak or write in that high way of spiritual dictation and instinct in all things though I shall be ready to acknowledge Gods gift unto and working in the meanest of his servants without envy or disparagement yea with all humility and thankfulnesse to God for them 21 Quaery What Scripture hast thou for sprinckling Infants with water in the face and whether all are Christians and in the faith of Christ to whom it is so done or what doth it profit Answ. To the first demand in this quaery I say I hold not the Baptisme of Infants absolutely necessary but lawful onely It is sufficient that I have no command in Scripture against the sprinckling of Infants in the face with baptismal water but I have the commandment of Governours whether Civil or Ecclesiastical for it seeing I am commanded to be subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as those that are sent by him c. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. Yet have we an universal Promise that all Nations in the Earth should be blessed in the seed of promise Gen. 12. 5. 18. 18. 22. 18. which promise is made to us and our children Act. 2. 39. If children then be within the Covenant why may not they receive the seal of the Covenant Christ himself saith also that of such is the Kingdome of heaven Mark 10 14. why may not such then receive the badges of the children of the Kingdome Yea the Apostle affirms That all which came out of Egypt under Moses children as well as parents were baptized in the cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. which is no contemptible ground for Infant-Baptisme Christs inviting and encouraging those that brought little children his embracing them and praying for them discovers his affection to such and his rebuking of his Disciples who would have kept them back makes not for you and the Antipaedobaptists but against you all To the second demand I say That actual faith is required onely in men and women of some years and capacity to hear the Word But Infants may be in Christ and Christ in them if he lightens every one that comes into the world especially since some are sanctified from the womb as John the Baptist was Luk. 1. 13. And if Christ be in them then they are Christians indeed and not in profession onely To the third and last demand I say That the prayers of the Minister and the Saints in the Congregation who pray for the regeneration preservation and salvation of the child for the present may profit and benefit the Infant The Lord also may with the outward washing even then give his Spirit to the child And though he do not yet that washing may prove as good a document to the person baptized for the time to come as Circumcision did in times past to the Jews when they were grown up though administred in their Infancy To say nothing that it is a great satisfaction to the Christian parents that their children are admitted into the body of the visible Church and have received a distinguishing badge and cognizance of Christianity And the child it self hath from thence no small motive or instigation to be a follower of Christ in his death and resurrection 22. Quaery What is the estate and condition of a Christian Answ. As there are 3. ages steps and degrees of Christians according to their interest and progresse in the work of regeneration so their estate is various and different even in this world for the Babes in Christ are new begotten of the Father in the hatred of sin and love of righteousnesse and by him brought to the knowledge hope and love of redemption from all iniquity and renovation in all righteousnesse who also have their sins forgiven them which they have repented of and left 1 Joh. 2. 12. Their estate lyeth in a renewed understanding and will especially The young men in Christ are become strong in him and have the Word abiding in them through whom they overcome the wicked one 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. These differ from the former in stature and strength But the old or dayed men which are such in deed and growth and not in years only have attained to much more wisdome power and righteousnesse in the Spirit and know the Father and his counsels more intimately then either of the other 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. Now it is no small confusion to make these 3. one nor lesse presumption to take the first or second for the last as I fear many among you and the other Sectarians do 23 Quaery What doth the faith which thou professeth differ from the faith of the hypocrite and what is the faith of the hypocrite Answ. My faith which I professe is a trust in the Lord Jesus