combated Satan Matth. 4. He proved the Resurrection from the dead to the Saducees Matth. 22.23.29 31 32. And showed to his Disciples the necessity of his Death and of his Resurrection Luke 24.46 By them John Baptist proved his Mission Matth. 3.3 And by them the Apostles overcame the Jews and shewed powerfully that Jesus was the Christ Acts 9.22 and Acts 18.28 Q. Hath God commanded us to consult the Scriptures as our Judge A. The Prophet Esay 8.20 sends to the Law and to the Testimony and if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no Light in them And Jesus Christ commands the Jews to search the Scriptures because they testified of him John 5.39 and Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them And St. Peter after having mentioned the voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased adds We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed 2 Pet. 1.17 18.19 Q. But when there is a difference about the interpretation and sense of the Scripture is it not necessary to have a Judge who can judge Infallibly and with Authority of the meaning of the Scripture and declare it to us for our agreement A. God hath not given this power to any in the world but Scripture must Interpret Scripture one passage must be Interpreted by another as they did in the time of Esra who made them understand the Law by Reading of the Scripture Nehem. 8.8 Q. How can you decide matters of Faith by the Scripture since it is obscure A. If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost of whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds even Unbelievers 2 Cor. 4.3.4 But it is not obscure to them who have received the Spirit of God that they might know the things that are freely given to us of God 1 Cor. 2.12 And to accuse the Scripture of obscurity is to accuse it falsely for David Psal 119.105 says Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths Q. Yet St. Peter says in the 2 Epistle 3.16 That in the Epistles of St. Paul there are some things hard to be understood A. I grant there are many obscure places in the Scripture to exercise the Faith of Believers and keep the most Learned humble but God hath so ordered that all things necessary to Salvation are clear and easie to be understood Q. But since St. Paul would have Believers to judge of his Doctrine 1 Cor. 10.15 I speak as to wise men judg ye what I say Why should not the Church assembled in Council hvve that Authority A. There are two kinds of judgment one is a judgment of Authority the other of discretion by which particular Believers ought to try the Spirits whether they be of God and discern the true Doctrine of Christ from lies and of this judgment Paul speaks when he says judge ye what I say but for the judgment of Authority God hath not given it to any Mortal man not to the Councils themselves which have no power to make any Canons or Decisions to oblige the Consciences of any but so far as they are conform to the word of God Jesus Christ only hath Soveraign Authority in the Church as the well beloved Son that the Father hath commanded us from Heaven to hear Matth. 3.17 and John 5.22 Jesus Christ says that the Father hath given all judgment to the Son SECT IV. Of the Perfection of the Scripture Q. IS the Scripture the perfect Rule of our Faith A. Yes Because all the Articles of Faith and Doctrines necessary to Salvation are contained therein and therefore St. Paul 2. Tim. 3.15 says That the Holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus Q. St. Paul speaks there only of the Books of the Old Testament for the New was not then writ so it follows by your reason that the New Testament is superfluous since the Old is sufficient for to instruct us to Salvation A. Upon the contrary St. Paul speaking of the Books of the Old Testament only fortifies strongly our reason for the sufficiency and perfection of the Scripture for if the Books of Moses and the Prophets were sufficient to make the Church wise unto Salvation Why may not the Scripture be sufficient now since to Moses and the Prophets God hath added the Evangelists and the Apostles Besides it follows not that because the Books of the Old Testament were sufficient for the Church then that the New is Superfluous since God hath pleased to give it us to manifest the Doctrine of Salvation more clearly and fully as 2 Tim. 1.10 Paul says That Jesus hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel Q. Is all Tradition to be Condemned A. No for this word Tradition signifies nothing but a Doctrine given from hand to hand the Scripture it self is a Tradition and the Doctrine of Salvation before it was written was a Tradition and hath been called Scripture since it was put into Writing and St. Paul calls the Doctrine of the Gospel Tradition which is written 1 Cor. 15.3 I have given unto you that which I have received viz. That Christ dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures Q. What Traditions then are to be condemned A. All Traditions of men wherewith they pretend to bind the Consciences of men and give them for Articles of Faith which S. Paul Colos 2.8 would that we should take heed of Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the Traditions of men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ Such were the Traditions that the Pharisees added to the Law which Christ condemns Matth. 15.3 Why do ye transgress the Commandement of God by your Tradition applying to them what God says of Hypocrites Esay 29.13 In vain they do Worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandements of men Such are the Traditions which the Roman Church hath added to the Gospel as Worshipping Images and Praying to Saints which tho' they have no foundation in the Scripture but are formally condemned therein yet the Council of Trent hath commanded them to be received with the same Devotion and Piety that the Scripture is Q. Nevertheless St. Paul 2 Thess 2.15 Commands the Thessalonians to hold the Traditions that they had been Taught by Word or Epistles and 2 Tim. 2.2 He recommends to Timothy to commit to faithful men the things which he had heard in presence of many Witnesses A. I Answer that those Traditions and Instructions of St. Paul are not Traditions of men but the Word of God as he himself says 1 Thess 2.13 And the Instructions he gave Believers by Word and Living Voice are the same he hath writ in his Epistles and that we may be assured that his Doctrine is not Traditions of men he protests to the Jews Acts 26.22
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
119. l. 1. r. offers ibid. l. 5. r. many p. 122. l. 11. r. Gratulatory A CATECHISM AGAINST POPERY SECT I. Of the Scripture Quest WHat Religion are you of Answ Of the Reformed Christian Religion Q. Why call you your Religion the Christian Religion A. To distinguish it from the Religion of the Jews Turks and Pagans Q. Why call you it the Reformed Religion A. To distinguish it from the Religion of the Church of Rome Q. Why are you not of the Romish Religion A. Because in and by that Religion none can be Saved Q. Why so A. Because the Roman Church hath perverted the Doctrine of the Gospel and established Idolatry and hath taken Antichrist for her head Q. Vpon what is the true Christian Religion Founded A. Upon the Word of God Q. What mean you by the Word of God A. The Holy Scripture contained in the Old and new Testament written by the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles which St. Paul calls Scripture divinely inspired 2 Tim. 3.16 And St. Peter 2d Epist 1.21 speaking of the Scripture says Prophesies came not by the will of men but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Why call you the Scripture the Bible that is the Book or Writing A. Because it is the Book and Writing which ought to be most highly esteemed by us and wherein we may be instructed of the Will of God for our Salvation Q. How divide you the Scripture A. Into two Parts the Old and New Testament Q. What doth the Old Testament contain A. The five Books of Moses the Prophets and the Psalms Luke 24.44 Q. Why take you not in Tobit Susanna Judith and others which we call Apocripha A. Because the Jews to whom the Oracles of God were committed Rom. 3.2 never acknowledged these Books Jesus Christ nor his Apostles never cited them neither were they read in the Synagogue it is not reasonable then that these Books which were not received as Sacred and Canonical by the Jewish Church which then only was the Church of God should be received as such by the Christian Church Besides in these Books are found many Fables which are not agreeable to the Spirit of God who is Truth and Wisdom Q. What doth the New Testament contain A. The four Evangelists the Acts the Epistles of St. Paul of James of Peter of John of Jude the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Revelations Q. Why hath it pleased God that his Word should be put in Writing A. That men might not alter or change it and make their own imagination and inventions pass for Divine Inspirations and the Word of God Q. But why do you found your Religion on the Word of God A. That we may have solid and firm Comfort in Life and Death Rom. 15.4 Q. Wherein consists your Comfort in Life and Death A. In that Jesus Christ hath redeemed us from the power of the Devil so that living and dying we are his SECT II. How the Scripture may be known to be Divine Q. HOw know you the Scripture to be the word of God A. Three ways 1. By the Testimony of Believers under the Old and New Testament 2. By the Scripture it self for as the Sun makes it self to be seen by its own Light and the Fire makes it self to be felt by its Heat so the Scripture makes it self known to be Divine by the Majesty of its Stile and fullfilling of its Prophesies the excellency of its Doctrine and its efficacie to persuade and comfort Consciences as David Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple 3. By the Testimony of the Spirit of God such as Jesus Christ gave to the Consciences of the Disciples going to Emaus Did not our heart burn within us said they one to another while he talked with us by the way and opened to us the Scripture Luke 24.32 Q. How doth the Sprrit testifie the Scripture to be the Word of God A. Not by extraordinary Revelations as Prophesies were formerly made known to the Prophets which themselves often understood not but by Hearing and Meditating upon the Scripture instructing comforting and sanctifying the Heart he maketh known by these Divine effects to them that read and hearken thereunto with Humility Attention and Reverence that the Doctrine which is contained therein is truly Divine Q. Doth the Testimony of the Church give Authority to the Scripture A. No for seeing it is God that speaketh in the Scriptures its evident he cannot take his Authority from men John 5.34 I receive not testimony from man Q. Is then the Testimony that the Church gives to the Scripture unprofitable A. No for by it men are first brought to inquire after the Scripture and to read it and the Universal consent of the Church obliges them to an advantagious opinion of the Divinity of the Scripture which makes it be read with more Fear and Reverence Q. What is the difference between the testimony of the Church and that of the Scripture it self accompanied with the testimony of the Spirit of God A. The Testimony of the Church being only a Testimony from men can produce only an human Faith or an Opinion but the Testimony of the Scripture it self being the Testimony of God produces a Divine Faith The Testimony of the Church is like that which John Baptist gave to Jesus Christ John 5.33 and that of the Samaritan John 4. for as that woman brought those of Sychar to Jesus Christ so the Church brings us to the Word of God but the Scriptures Testimony of it self is like that of Christ himself by his Works which testifyed of him that the Father had sent him John 5.36 so that Believers knowing the Divinity of the Scripture by the reading of it may say as these of Sychar to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves The Testimony of the Church is only a simple Testimony but that of the Scripture is with Authority and from the Soveraign Judg. SECT III. Of the Authority of the Scripture Q. HAth God established in the Church a Soveraign Judg with full power to decide matters of Faith without Appeal A. None but the Word contained in the Holy Scriptures and it is by this Jesus Christ hath told us that men shall be judged at the last day John 12.48 He that rejecteth me hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall judg him at the last day And St. Paul Rom. 2.16 says That God will judg the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to his Gospel and Believers never acknowledged any other judg of their Controversies about matters of Faith but the Word of God by it the Priests determined about things difficult Deut. 17.9.11 By it Ezechias and Josaphat reformed the Church and re-established the pure service of God 2 Chron. 31. and 17.7.9 By the Scriptures Jesus Christ
That he had said no other things than these which the Prophets and Moses did say should come and to Teach us that these things did contain all that is Necessary to Salvation he assures the Ephesians Act. 20 27. That he had declared unto them all the Counsel of God Q. Yet the Church believes many Doctrines which are not contained in the Scripture as the perpetual Virginity of the Holy Virgin the Baptism of Children the translation of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday the number of the Sacraments to be but two A. For the perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin the Church receives it not as an Article of Faith necessary to Salvation but as an Article becoming the honour they think themselves obliged to render to this Sacred Vessel But for the other points they are taught in Scripture if not in formal terms at least by necessary consequences St. Peter Acts 2.38.39 would have all the Jews Baptized because the Promise was to them and to their Children and we see that in the time of the Apostles Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 Rev. 1.10 Believers Assembled themselves for Prayer and to make Collection the first Day of the Week which St. John calls The Lord's Day And the Church may well conclude there are but two Sacraments since they see not in the Scripture that Jesus Christ hath instituted any more SECT V. Of Reading the Holy Scripture Q. IS it Lawful for all Persons to Read the Scripture A. Jesus Christ Recommends the Reading of it indifferently to all John 5.39 Search the Scriptures and Deut. 17.18 19. God Commandeth Kings to have the Book of the Law and to read therein every day and the Apostle St. Paul 1 Thess 5.27 Charges that his Epistle be read to all the holy Brethren and 2 Tim. 3.15 he praises Timothy because from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures And the Eunuch of Queen Candace did Read in the Chariot Esaias the Prophet Acts 8.28 And in all the Synagogues the Law and the Prophets were read every Sabbath-day Acts 15.21 17. The believing Bereans having heard the Doctrine of St. Paul compared it with the Scriptures to know if it was as he had said And tho' the Revelations be the most obscure Book in the Scripture yet the reading of it is recommended to all Rev. 1.3 Blessed be he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie Q. It seems notwithstanding that it would be expedient to hinder the simple People from the reading thereof St. Peter tells us that there are in the Epistles of St. Paul things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction A. Upon the contrary the simple and ignorant are to read the Scriptures that they may become wise to Salvation and Jesus Christ tells us that the ignorance of the Scriptures is cause of Errors You Err not knowing the Scriptures said he to the Sadduces Mat. 22.29 And David Psal 19. says That the Law enlightens the Eyes and maketh wise the simple And tho' there be some ignorant and unstable that wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction yet it hinders not St. Peter from recommending in the same place to Believers the Epistles of St. Paul And in the first Chapter of the same Epistle he tells us That we have a sure word of Prophesie whereunto we do well to take heed as to a Light that shineth in a dark place For because those that are Prophane abuse the Word of God and his Graces the Children of God must not be forbidden the Use thereof Q. What Profit then do Believers receive from the Reading of the Scriptures A. By them they are instructed in the Knowledg of God fortified in the Faith and Expectation of their Salvation comforted in their Afflictions furnished against Temptations of Satan the World and the Flesh For whatsoever things were written afore-time they were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Rom. 15.4 SECT VI. Of the Church Quest WHat signifies this word Church A. An Assembly Q. How many ways is the name of Church taken in the Scripture A. Four ways principally 1. For the Church of the Elect. 2. Generally for the Universal Visible Church and they that make profession of Faith in Jesus Christ And it is this Church St. Paul speaks of when he says That in a great house there are not only vessels of Gold and of Silver but also of Wood and of Earth because that this Church is composed of good and of evil ones 2 Tim. 2.20 3. The Church signifies an Assembly of the Leaders of the Church which Jesus Christ speaks of Matth. 18.17 When there is a quarrel between two Brethren he will have the party offended tell it to the Church 4. The name Church is given to each particular Christian Assembly which is a part of the Universal Visible Church such in the time of the Apostles was the Churches of Corinth of Ephesus of Rome c. to whom St. Paul directs his Epistles Q. What is meant by the Church of the Elect A. It is the Assembly of all Believers that Goth hath Elected in Jesus Christ of which some are Glorified in Heaven others are yet Combating on the Earth others are not yet born or called to the Faith but must be in their time and subsist already in the Counsel of God of these Jesus Christ speaks John 10.16 saying Other sheep have I which are not of this fold they also I must bring and they shall hear my voice Q. Where doth the Word of God speak of this Church of the Elect A. The Apostle Hebrews 12.23 calls it the Heavenly Jerusalem the General Assembly and Church of the first born It is this Church which St. Paul calls the Body of Christ for Christ cannot have dead Members 1 Cor. 12.27 Ephes 4.12 Colos 1.24 and the Spouse of Christ Ephes 5.32 for Christ cannot have an Adulteress for his Spouse St. Peter 1 Epist 2.9 call this Church A chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People Q. Which Church is spoken of in this Article of the Apostles Creed I believe the Holy Catholick Church A. Of the Church of the Elect for we believe things that are not seen as the Apostle Heb. 11.1 says Faith is the Evidence of things not seen And after those words I believe the Holy Catholick Church is put the Communion of Saints in this Church that the Profane may be excluded Q. Why is this Church of the Elect said to be invisible since it is composed of men who are Visisible A. Not only because the Glorified Saints are out of our sight and that those who belong to the Election of God and are not yet born cannot be seen but also because that though the Elect that live upon the Eatth are visible men yet it is not visible that they are
seems to be hidden or to be vanished from the Earth as when she was Captive in Egypt and in Babylon shut up in the Family of Abraham and when many days passed in Israel without the True God and without a Teachin Priest and without the Law 2. Chron. 15.3 and when Idolatry was publickly introduced into the Kingdom of Juda and into the Temple of Jerusalem Q. But the Christian Church having received more authentick promises for extention and splendor it is not likely to be invisible and that City set on a Hill cannot be hidden Matth. 5.14 A. It is true that by the calling of the Gentiles the Christian Church is more extended than that of the Jews was and there shall always be a Visible Christian Church in the World but it is not necessary to a particular Churches being pure that it be Splendent and Visible The seven thousand men that had not bowed their Knee to Baal were the true Church though they appeared not in Israel and since the Church of Jerusalem ceased not to be the True Church when Revelation 12. she was forced to fly into the Wilderness to shun the persecution of the Jews and Rev. 12. Wings are given to the Church that she might fly and hide her self in the Wilderness And Chap. 13. there is spoken of a time wherein all the Earth should Worship the Beast Jesus Christ says Luke 18.8 When he shall come he shall find no Faith in the Earth and they of the Church of Rome themselves say that Antichrist will make the Sacrifice of the Mass to cease for three years and a half Q. May not perpetual duration be a mark of the true Church A. No because perpetual duration is a thing not known but hoped for and there is no particular Church hath received any promise from God to endure for ever Q. But some will say we wonder not that you reject those precedent marks seeing it is two hundred years agoe only since you appeared in the World so that you cannot show your Succession nor where you were before Calvin and Luther A. We do not boast of our Succession but of our Truth yet we prove sufficiently that our Religion is not new but the first and most antient in making appear that we have the same Religion that Christ and his Apostles had and being truth it self by consequent it could not be interrupted Truth being Eternal and immutable and there must needs therefore always have been some Church in the World that hath made profession thereof for the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Church Those then that ask us where our Religion was before Luther and Calvin we will ask them where theirs was in the time of Christ and his Apostles both of us begin the History of our Religion at that time Q. May not multitude be a good mark of the True Church A. No more than the rest for it agrees better-with a false than with a True Church Jesus Christ commands us to enter in at the strait gate for broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in there at Matth. 7.13 and Luke 12.32 he calls his Church the little flock and Exodus 23.2 we are forbidden to follow a multitude to do evil in short multitude cannot be a good mark of the True Church since Pagans and Mahumetans are more in number than the Christians and amongst the Christian Churches the Hereticks are commonly more numerous than the Orthodox as Christian Catholicks were fewer than the Arians Q. What think you of Miracles A. That we have reason to suspect that Mark since Jesus Christ hath foretold us Matth. 24.24 That false Christs and false Prophets shall arise shewing great signs and wonders and St. Paul foretels us 2 Thess 2.9 That the son of perdition will come with signs and lying wonders Q. How know you that the Miracles of the Roman Church are lying wonders A. First Because they give Authority to lies as Worshiping of Images and Praying to Saints Secondly Because often they are not done in the Name of God and Jesus Christ as the Miracles of Jesus Christ and his Apostles but in the name of some Images or Saint Thirdly Because they are feigned inventions and contrivances to deceive the simple and credulous and to keep them in their Superstition therefore they do them not in publick before those they call Hereticks to Convert them but secretly without Witnesses Q. Hath the True Church no Miracles A. Yes Those of Jesus Christ and his Apostles which having sufficiently comfirmed the Doctrine declared to us we have no need of new Miracles to give Authority thereto an Evil and Adulterous Generation seeketh after a sign Matth. 12.39 16.4 Signs are not for them that believe but for them that believe not 1 Cor. 14.22 Q. May the titles of Catholick and Holy be marks of the True Church A. No Because names are not essential properties and an Heretical Church may as well assume these Titles as the True one besides the Title of Catholick or Universal can be no mark of any particular Church Q. What think you of Vnion A. That it is not an absolute mark of the Church for it is found in false and Heretical Churches which are well United but Union in Faith and Conformity to the Word of God is a true mark of a Church but if destitute of Truth it is only a conspiracy against God Q. What judgment make you of Holiness A. That is the only right mark of the True Church provided that Holyness in Doctrine be understood as well as in manners SECT IX Of our Separation from the Roman Church Quest WHy have you separated from the Church of Rome A. Because our Conscience would not suffer us to partake of her Errors and Superstitions since we find not in her the only mark of the True Church which is Conformity to the Word of God nor the pure Administration of the Sacraments Q. But ought not Christian Charity and the love of peace make us bear with their errors St. Paul tells us that Charity beareth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 and should the infirmities and faults of our brethren make us separate from them and break the Vnion of the Church by a Schism A. We must bear with our Neighbours faults but we must not consent to them now we cannot continue in Communion with an Heretical Church but we must consent to their Errors 2 Cor. 6.14 What Fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness and what Communion hath Light with Darkness and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols And it were not just that to please our Neighbours we should defile our selves with their Superstition St. Paul recommends Truth to us as well as Charity and Ephes 4.3 he would have us to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Q. But may not our separation be justly accused of Schesm A. No For it is not absolutely Separation which makes
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
the Church by some great sins to confess and testifie their Repentance before the assembly of Pastors and Elders 2. That a sinner who finds his conscience burdened with some great sin should confess it to his Pastour to ease his oppression and by this seek consolation and assurance of the forgiveness of his sins after this manner they came to John Baptist Matt. 3.6 confessing their sins Q. What do you blame then in the private Confession of the Church of Rome A. 1. That it is tyrannical and a torture to the consciences of the People obliging them upon pain of damnation to pour forth all their thoughts in the ear of a man and to discover unto him not only all their sins but likewise all the circumstances which vary the nature of sin of which if they omit any thing knowingly their Confession is without fruits and their Absolution void which obliges man to a thing impossible and which the word of God obliges him not to 2. That they Confess their sins to Saints 3. That by their Confession they pretend to merit Salvation Q. But S. James obliges us thereunto James 5.16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another A. He says Confess one to another and not to the Priest he speaks of a mutual Confession that Believers should make one to another of their reciprocal offences even as they ought to pray unto God one for another SECT XXXVIII Of Absolution Quest HAve Priests power to absolve from and to pardon Sins A. Priests being criminal themselves have no Authority to remit Crimes and to exempt those that are Criminals with them from punishment There is none but God to speak properly that can forgive sins for he only is the Party offended as David says Psal 51.4 Against thee only have I sinned It is God alone that is the Soveraign Law-giver to save or to kill according to his good pleasure and to inflict punishments upon the Transgressors of his Laws there being none but he only that knows the sincerity of the Sinner's Repentance so none but he can absolve the Penitent It is I says the Lord Isa 43.25 even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy Sins Therefore the Pharisees were in the right to conclude when Jesus Christ forgave the Sins of him that was sick of the Palsie Mark 2.7 That he did attribute to himself a Divine Power Q. Nevertheless Jesus Christ promised to his Apostles and in them to all Pastors that whosoever sins they remitted they should be remitted Joh. 20.23 A. Pastors remit and retain tie or untie not by Princely Authority of Jurisdiction but by Ministerial Declarative Authority as Heraulds and Ambassadors for Christ declaring from him forgiveness of sins to those that Repent and Believe in Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 And declaring on the contrary the wrath of God against the Unbelieving and Impenitent besides they pardon and remit sin with respect to Ecclesiastick Censure that they impose or mitigate as they find expedient for the humiliation or consolation of the sinner Q. When Jesus Christ says whose sins ye remit they are remitted doth he not give Pastors authority without limitation insomuch that God obliges himself to ratifie all kind of absolution or condemnation that they pronounce to sinners A. No for God obliges not himself to ratifie all sorts of Sentences and Judgments of Pastors which are very often rash and contrary to Justice and Charity but this general sentence must be understood with the same restriction that the general promise that Jesus Christ made us Joh. 16.23 That whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name he will give it you to wit when the things we ask are necessary to salvation and according to his will so God promises to ratifie the Absolution and Pardon that Pastors pronounce when it is done according to his word and when they assure penitent souls of the forgiveness of their sins SECT XXXIX Of Satisfactions and Indulgences Quest HAth a Pastor power when he giveth absolution to a sinner to impose any pennance upon him as Alms Deeds Fasting and such like things to make sarisfaction for his sins for which he hath received Absolution upon his Confession A. No for the word of God teaches us on the contrary that God pardons us all our sins only for Christs sake Colos 2.13 And our Saviour when he pardoned the Woman taken in Adultery did not inflict any punishment upon her but only said to her Go and sin no more Joh. 8.11 Besides it is a great abuse to impose alms praying and fasting as a punishment which are good works and ought to be done with pleasure and delight Q. What do you believe concerning the Indulgences of the Church of Rome and of the treasure of the Church from whence the Popes draw the superabundant Satisfactions of Jesus Christ and of the Saints for the comfort of Sinners in this life and the Dead in Purgatory A. That this Doctrine is nothing but a chimera and an invention of the covetousness and ambition of the Pope to rule over the Consciences and Purses of Christians those pretended favours not being communicated but to those that stretch forth their helping hand as they speak and I acknowledge no other satisfaction but the free Redemption of my Saviour nor any other Indulgences but the Mercy of God which pardons all our Offences freely for Jesus Christ's sake SECT XL. Of the Sacraments Quest WHat is a Sacrament in the Christian Church A. It is a visible Sign instituted by Jesus Christ in his Church for to represent his Person his Death and his Graces that he hath purchased for us by his death Q. How many such Sacraments do you acknowledge A. Two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Q. Why do you acknowledge no more A. Because that in reading of the Gospel I see only these two instituted in the Church Q. Yet the Church of Rome besides these two believes five others Confirmation Pennance Marriage Extream Vnction and the Sacrament of Orders A. I cannot acknowledge them for Sacraments because they have not the Conditions necessary to the lawful Sacraments of the Christian Church Q. What are the Conditions of a lawful Sacrament A. 1. That it be instituted by Jesus Christ 2. That it be a visible sign of an invisible Grace 3. That it represent Jesus Christ and his Graces 4. That they be common to all Believers 5. That it be conferred by a lawful Pastor SECT XLI Of Confirmation Quest WHat is the Sacrament of Confirmation A. It is a Sacrament of the Church of Rome which cannot be reiterated and is done by a Bishop which Bishop greases the face of a Child in form of a Cross saying in Latin I mark thee with the mark of the Cross and confirm thee with the Crisme of Salvation in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And the End of this Sacrament is