We must love our Enemies bless them that curse us do good to them that hate us and pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us Mat. 5.44 If our Enemy hunger we must feed him if he thirst we must give him drink Rom. 12.20 Q. May you not avenge your selves on your Enemies A. We must not avenge our selves but give place unto wrath Rom. 12.19 nor recompense to any man evil for evil v. 17. Prov. 20.22 1 Thes. 5.15 nor railing for railing but contrariwise blessing 1 Pet. 3.9 not being overcome of evil but overcoming evil with good Rom. 12.21 waiting on the Lord who will save â—â— Prov. 20.22 for vengeance is his and he will repay Rom. 12.19 Q What are the properties of true Christian Charity A. Charity suffereth long and is kind Charity envyeth not vaunteth not it self is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil rejoyceth not in Iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7. Q What is your duty when you have offended or wronged others A. If we remember that our Brother hath ought against us we must go and be reconciled to him Mat. 5.23 24. confâ—ssing our faults Iames 5.16 restoring that we have taken wrongfully Luke 19.18 Ezek. 33.15 owing no man any thing but to love one another Rom. 13.8 and as much as lyeth in us living peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 Q. What is the duty of VVives to their Husbands A. Wives must submit themselves unto their own Husbands as unto the Lord in every thing Eph. 5.22.24 Col. 3.18 with chaste conversation coupled with fear and the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit 1 Pet. 3.2 3 4. with shame-facedness and sobriety 1 Tim. 2.9 reverencing Eph. 5.33 and loving their Husbands and their Children being discreet chaste keepers at home good Tit. 2.4 5. guiding the House and giving none occasion to the Adversary to speak reproachfully 1 Tim. 5.14 Q. What is the duty of Husbands to their Wives A. Husbands ought to love their Wives even as their own Bodies and as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it Eph. 5.25 28. not being bitter against them Col. 3.19 but dwelling with them according to knowledge and giving honour unto them as unto the weaker vessel 1 Pet. 3.7 Q. May a man put away his wife for any cause A. What God hath joyned together let no man put asunder Mat. 19.6 whosoever shall put away his Wife except it be for Fornication and shall marry another commâ—tteth Adultery v. 9. Q. What Command hath God given to preserve the Chastity and Honour of the Marriage Bed A. God's Command is thou shalt not commit Adultery Exod. 20.14 Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but Whore-mongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Q. VVhat is the duty of Children to their Parents A. Children must honour their Father and Mother Mat. 15.4 Exod. 20.12 Eph. 6.2 obeying them in all things Col. 3.20 in the Lord Eph. 6.1 and labouring to requite their Parents 1 Tim. 5.4 Q. VVhat owe Parents to their Children A. Parents must bring up their Children in the Nurture and admonition of the Lord Eph. 6.4 chastening and correcting them Heb. 12.7.9 but not provoking them to Anger lest they be discouraged Col. 3.21 Q. VVhat is the duty of Servants to their Masters A. Let Servants count their own Masters wâ—â—thy of hâ—nour 1 Tim. 6.1 obeying them with fear and trembling in singleness of heart not with eye service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Eph. 6.5 6. pleasing them well in all things not answering them again not purloining but shewing all good fidelity Tit. 2.9 10. not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1 Pet. 2.18 Q. What is the Duty of Masters towards their Servants A. Masters must give unto their Servants that which is just and equal Col. 4.1 forbearing threatning knowing that their Master is also in Heaven neither is there respect of Persons with God Eph. 6.9 Q. What is the Duty of Subjects to Princes and Magistrates A. Let every Soul be Subject to the Higher Powers Rom. 13.1 not onely for wrath but for Conscience sake v. 5. submitting to every Ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether to the King as Supreme or unto Governors as unto them that are sent by him 1 Pet. 2.13 14. paying them Tribute Custome Fear and Honour Rom. 13.7 praying and giving thanks for them 1 Tim. 2.1 Q. What is the Duty of Magistrâ—tes A. Magistrates are the Ministers of God to their Subjects for good Rom. 13.4 for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of them that do well â— Pet. 2.14 and are to see that we lead quiet and peaceable lives under them in all godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2.2 Q. What if the Magistrate command things contrary to the Law of God A. We ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5.29 Q. What if the Magistrate persecute you for obeying God A. If when we do well and suffer for it we take it patiently this is acceptable with God 1 Pet. 2.20 blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake Mat. 5.10 1 Pet. 3.14 Q. But may we not rebell or take Arms against a wicked Prince A. Who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord 's Anointed and be guiltless 1 Sam. 26.9 whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13.2 Q. What is your duty to your Pastors and Teachers A. We must â—ccount of our Pastors and Teachers as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 esteeming them highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes. 5.13 obeying them that have the rule over us and submitting our selves for they watch for our Souls as they that must give account Heb. 13.17 communicating unto them in all good â—hâ—ngs Gal. 6.6 for so hath the Lord ordained that they which Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.14 Q. Wâ—at is the duty of Ministers A. â—â—nâ—sters must take heed to themselves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Gâ—ost hâ—th made them Overseers to fâ—â—d the Church of God which he hath purcâ—ased with his own Blood Acts 20.28 not by constraint but willingly not for filtâ—y lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but Ensamples to the Flock 1 Pet. 5.2 3. speaking exhorting rebuking with all Authority Tit. 2.15 Q. Having given me this account both of your Faith and Duty as a Christian now tell me in short what is the whole design of Preaching the Gospel of Christ A. The Gospel is preached to open our eyes and to turn us from dâ—â—kness to to light and from the
false way Psal. 119.104 and loath our selves for our Iniquities and be ashamed of our own ways Ezek. 36.31 32. Q. Must we not â—lso confess our sins A. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have Mercy Prov. 28.13 1 Iohn 1.9 Q. Is there any thing more required in repentance besides sorrow for sin hatred of sin confessing and forsaking sin A. We must also bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance Mat. 3.8 Q. VVhat are Fruits meet for Repentance A. Good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 2.10 so yielding our Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness Rom. 6.13 Q. Give me the substance of this Duty of Repentance A. Cease to do evil learn to do well Isa. 1.16 17. eschew evil and â—o good 1 Pet. â— 11 Q. Can we altogether cease from sin in this Life A. Who can say I have made my Heart clean I am pure from my sin Prov. 20.9 Q. VVhat mean you then by ceasing from sin A. Let not sin Reign in our mortal bodies that we should obey it in the Lusts thereof Rom. 6.12 Q. To what end must we repent A. We must Repent and be Converted that our sins may be blotted out Acts 3.19 VVhat mean you by Faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ A. By Faith I mean a believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God Iohn 6.69.11.27 1 Iohn 5.1 a coming unto him that we may have Life Iohn 5.40 a receiving him as he is come in his Fathers name Iohn 5.43.1.12 and abiding in him 1 Iohn 2.27 Q. VVhat is it to believe in Christ as a Prophet A. To believe in Christ as a Prophet is to come unto him for the words of Eternal life Iohn 6.68 and to hear him in all things that he saith unto us Acts 3.22 Q. VVhat is it to believe in Christ as a Priest A. To believe in Christ as a Priest is to believe that he by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified Heb. 10.14 and to look for Redemption through his Blood even the forgiveness of sins Eph. 1.7 Q. What is it to believe in Christ as King A. To believe in Christ as King is to take him for our Judge our Law-giver our King who will save us Isa. 33.22 and to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded us Mat. 28.20 Q. What are the Properties of true Faith A. By Faith God purifieth our hearts Act. 15.9 Faith worketh by love Gal. 5.6 is made perfect by works Iam. 2.22 overcometh the world 1 Iohn 5.4 and quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6.16 Q. What is the end of our Faith A. The end of our Faith is the Salvation of our Souls 1 Pet. 1.9 Heb. 10.39 Q. What hath God promised us in this New Covenant A. This is the Covenant saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 8.10 12.10.16 17. and this is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life 1 Iohn 2.25 Q. Tell me now what is the substance of the New Covenant A. The Substance of the New Covenant is this 1. He that believeth on the Son hath eveverlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Iohn 3.36 2. Repent and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out Act. 3.19 â—nd except ye repent ye shall perish Luk. 13.3 3. Christ is become the Author of Salvation to all them that obey him â— Heb. 5.9 and will take vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel 2 Thes. 1.8 Q What special benefits have they from Christ that keep this Covenant A. By Christ all that believe are justified from all things from which we could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.39 Q. Wâ—at mean you by Iustification A. There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 but their iniquities are forgiven their sins are covered the Lord will not impute sin to them but righteousness Rom. 4.6 7 8. and make them accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 Q. Can we not be justified by the works of the Law A. By thee deedâ— of the Law shall no fâ—â—â—â— be juâ—tified in God's sight Rom. 3.20 Q By what then are we justified A. We are justified freely by God's 〈◊〉 through the Redemption that is in 〈…〉 Rom. 3.24 Q What is the fruit of our Iustification A. â—eâ—â—g justified by Faith we have pâ—â—â—â— wâ—th God through our Lord Jesus 〈◊〉 Rom. 5.1 and shall be saved from 〈…〉 â—im Rom. 5.10 Q What other special benefit receive we by this Covenant A. Christ is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Q. What mean you by Sanctification A. By Sanctification I mean a putting off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and a being renewed in the spirit of our mind putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4.22 23 24. Q. By whom are we Sanctified A. We are Sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15.16 1 Cor. 6.11 Q. Are we perfectly Sanctified in this life A. We are but growing in grace and in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3.18 Q. Of what necessity is Sanctification A. This is the Will of God even our Sanctification 1 Thes. 4.3 and without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Q. What is the fruit of Sanctification A. Being made free from sin and become servants to God we have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life Rom. 6.22 Q. Can we merit or deserve eternal life by our own righteousness or Faith A By Grace are we saved through Faith and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 for when we have done all those things that are commanded us we must say we are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 Q. Can we of our selves only believe repent and obey A. Without Christ we can do nothing Iohn 15.5 Q. Whence then have we strength to do all this A. All our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 his grace is sufficient for us and his strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 and we can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth us Phil. 4.13 Q. By what doth God ordinarily beget Faith in us A. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 and cometh by hearing and by the word of God Rom. 10.17 Q Is Preaching of the Word a means of begetting Faith A. How shall we hear without a Preacher and how shall men preach except they be sent Rom. 10.14 15. yea it pleaseth God by the
learn you from Gods infinite Knowledge A. We must walk before God and serve him in truth and with a perfect heart and a willing mind doing that which is good in his sight for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth aâ— the imaginations of the thoughts 1 Chron. 28.9 Isa. 38.3 Acts 1.24 all things are naked and opened unto his eyes with whom we have to do Hâ—b 4.13 Prov. 5.21 all our ways are before him Psal. 119.168 Q What sin are you here especially to avoid A We must lay aside all guile and hypocrisies 1. Pet. 2. â— and not draw nigh unto God with our mouth and honour him with our â—â—ps having our hearts far from him Mat. 15.7 for the hypocrites hope shall perish Iob 8.13 Q. What duty owe you to God as an Almighty God A. We must stand in aw of God and not sin Psal 4.4 and fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Mat. 10 28. by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil Prov. 16.6 Q. Doth not Gods Almightiness encourage you against other fears A. We must not fear what man can do unto us Heb. 13.6 if God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8.31 let us therefore be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph 6.10 not staggering at the Promises of God through unbelief Rom. 4.20 seeing we are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 See Gen. 15 1. Psal. 56.40 Prov. 3.25 26. Isa. 49.4 Q. What duty owe you to God as he is aholy God A. It is our Duty to be holy as God is holy Lev. 11 44. 1 Ioh. 3.3 in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet 1.15 2 Cor. 7.1 abhorring that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good Rom. 12.9 abstaining from all appearance of evil 1 Thes. â— 22 and worshipping him in the beauty of holiness 1 Chron. 16.22 Psal 29.2.69.9 Q. What is our Duty to God as he is just A. Because God doth justly we must bear the indignation of the Lord Mic. 7.9 and not despise his chastening Iob 5.17 nor faint when we are rebuked of him Heb. 12.5 nor complain for the punishment of our sins Lam. 3.39 but confess that he doth right and we do wickedly Neh. 9.33 Dan. 9.14 Q What special kind of sins doth God's Iustice warn you to avoid A. We must pray that God would keep us back from presumptuous sins Psal. 19.13 for the soul that doth presemptuosly reproacheth the Lord Num. 15.30 let us therefore work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Q. What doth the Goodness and Mercy of God chiefly teach you A. The goodness of God should lead us to Repentance Rom. 2.4 and to praise the Lord and give thanks unto him because his Mercy endureth for ever Ps. 106.1 and to love him who loved us first 1 Ioh. 14.19 Q. How ought you to love God A. We must love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength Mat. 22.38 Mark 12.30 having none in heaven but him and desiring none upon earth besides him Psal. 73. â—â— Q. How ought you to express your love to God A. This is the love of God that we keâ—p 〈◊〉 Commandments 1 Ioh. 5.3 Q. What love is inconsâ—stent with the love of God A. If any man love the world the love of the Fâ—â—her is not in him 1 Iohn 2.15 Q. Can a man love God and not love his Brother A. If any man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar 1 Ioh. 4.20 Q. What duty learn you from God's Truth and Faithfulness A. Because God is faithful let Patience have her perfect work Iam. 1.4 and let us hope to the end 1 Pet. 1.13 and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 and of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised before the world began Tit. 1.2 Q. What is the proâ—er effect of this hope A. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as God is pure 1 Iohn 3.3 having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. What doth God's faithfulness teach us in time of affliction and temptation A. When we suffer according to the Will of God let us commit the keeping of our souls in well-doing to him as unto a Faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4.19 for God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able but will with the Temptation make us a way to escape that we may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Thes. 3.3 Q What special Duties owe you to God as Governour of the World A. Our duty to God as our Governor is to fear him and keep his Commandments Eccl 12.14 to walk humbly with him Micah 6.8 to submit our selves to him Iames 4.7 saying it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam. 3.18 not our will but his be done Luke 22.42 assuring our selves that all things work together for good to them that love him Rom. 8.28 Q. What doth God's care and Providence teach you A. We must be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 casting all our care upon him who careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 Prov. 16.3.3.6 Q. May we run upon needless dangers trusting to God's Providence A. No it is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Mat. 4.7 Q. May we be idle neglecting the works of our Calling trusting in God's Providence A. If any man will not work neither let him eat 2 Thes. 3.10 we must not be slothful in business Rom. 12.11 but work with our own hands 1 Thes. 4.11 Q. Is all moderate care to provide for our selves and Families unlawful A. If any man provide not for his own especially for those of his own House he hath denyed the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 1.8 Q. In what sense then must we be careful for nothing A. We must not take thought for the Morrow Mat. 6.34 saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be cloathed v. 31. neither be of doubtful mind Luke 12.29 but praying God to establish the work of our hands upon us Psal. 90.17 commit our wayes unto the Lord trusting also in him and he will bring it to pass Psal. 37.5 Q. Must we not be content with the Portion which God gives us A. Our Conversation must be without Covetousness and we must be content with such things as we have for God hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Q. What is it to be content A. To be content is to know every where and in all things both to be full and to be
We must not be forgetful hearers but doers of the work Iam. 2.5 letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom Col 3.16 Q. What is it that chiefly hinders the effect of the Word A. Cares and Riches and pleasures of this Life choak the Word that it brings no Fruit to perfection Luke 8.14 Q. Where have you the Word of God A. We have the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures which are given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.15 10. for Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 Eph. 3.5 Q. Do the Scriptures contain all things necessary to Salvation A. The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith which is Christ Jesus being profitable for Doctrine for reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly â—â—â—nished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. â—â— 16 18. Q. What then is your Duty A. We must search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 and take heed lest any man spoil us through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the World and not after Christ Col. 2.8 Q What doth Christ in the first place require of all that will follow him A. If any man will come after Christ let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow him Mat. 16.24 Q. What mean you by denying our selves A. We must count those things which are gain to us but loss for Christ Phil. 3.7 forsake all that we have Luke 14.33 hate Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and our own Life also to be his Disciples Luke 14.26 Q. How are you to honour God with your Estates A. We must honour the Lord with our Substance and with the First Fruits of our Increase Prov. 3.9 Q. How must we honour God in our Bodies A. We must present our Bodies a Living Sacrifice Holy acceptable to God which is our reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Q. What Virtues must we especially practice in oâ—r Bodies A. We must be temperate in all things 1 Cor. 9.25 Gal. 5.23 2 Pet. 1.6 Q. Which is the first part of temperance A. Every one of us must know how to posses his Vessel in Sanctification and honour not in the lust of Concupiscence as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thes. 4.4 5. abstaining from Fornication v. 3. 1 Cor. 6.18 and all uncleanness filthiness Eph. 5.3 4. and lasciviousness Gal. 5.20 Q. What is the other part of temperance A. We must not walk in rioting and drunkenness Rom. 13.13 revellings Gal. 5.21 surfeitings and the cares of this Life Luke 21.34 nor make any provision for the Flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Q. How must we honour God in ordinary Discourse A. Our speech must be alwayes with Grace Col. 4.6 that no corrupt communication proceed out of our Mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Eph. 4.29 Q. What thoughts are we to have of our selves A. We must not think of our selves more highly than we ought to think but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Rom. 12.3 neither be wise in our own conceits v. â—6 Q. What is the danger of Pride A. God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 Q. How are you to carry your selves in reference to the Fashions and Customs of this World A. We must not be conformed to this World but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Gâ—â— Rom 12.2 Q. Where ought a Christians affections and treasure to be A. We must set our affections on things above not on things on the Earth Col 3.2 neither must we lay up for our selves Treasures upon Earth but in Heaven for where our Treasure is there will our Hearts be also Mat. 6.19 c. Q. What is your Duty to your Neighbour A. We must love our Neighbours as our selves Mark 12.31 Mat. 22.39 Q. What is the general rule of Iustice to our Neighbours A. Whatsoever we would that Men should do unto us we must do even so unto them Luke 6.31 Mat. 7.12 rendring unto all their dues Rom. 13.7 So loving not in word neither in Tongue but in deed and in Truth 1 Iohn 3.18 Q. How must you express your love to your Neighbours Soul A. We must exhort one another Heb. 10.25 daily lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3.13 teaching and admonishing one another Col. 3.16 provoking to love and to good works Heb 10.24 rebuking and not suffering sin upon our Neighbours Lev. 19.17 restoring those that are overtaken in a fault in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6.5 and putting no stumbling block or occasion to fall in our brothers way Rom. 14.13 Q. How must you shew your love to the body of your neighbour A. He that hath two coats let him impart to him that has none and he that hath meat let him do likewise Luke 3.11 giving him those things which be needful for the body Iam. 2.16 Mat 5.42 1 Iohn 3.17 Q. How must we behave our selves towards our neighbour in reference to his goods A. Let no man seek his own but every man anothers wealth 1 Cor. 10.34 coveting no mans Silver or Gold Acts 20.23 nor any thing that is our neighbours Ex. 20.17 Q. What sins of the heart are contrary to the love of our Neighbour A. Sins of the heart contrary to brotherly love are envy malice despite hatred wrath anger implacableness unmercifulness evil surmizings emulation covetousness Q. What sins of the tongue are contrary to brotherly love A. Sins of the tongue contrary to brotherly love are brawling railing whispering back-biting false-witness false-accusing reviling tale bearing tatling business in other mens matters dissimulation cursing slandering provoking clamour and evil-speaking Q. What are the sins in deed contrary to brotherly love A. Sins of deed against Brotherly love are Murders Warrs Fightings biting and devouring one another theft deceit doing wrong and defrauding Covenant breaking truce breaking extortion strife variance the scant measure wicked balances and bag of deceitful weights For all these sins see these following Texts Rom. 1.29.30 31.3.14.12.9.1 Tim. 3.3 11.5 13.6 4. Tit. 3.2 3. Gal. 5.19 26. 15. Col. 3.8 Mark 7.22.10.19 Mat. 15.19.2 Tim. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.8 10. Lev. 19.16 Prov. 11.13 1 Pet. 4.15 Iames 3.14 Eph. 4.31 1 Thes. 4.6 Mic. 6.10 11. Q. What is your duty when men trespass against you A. If our Brother trespass against us we must rebuke him and if he repent forgive him and if he trespass against us seven times in a day and seven times in a day turn again to us saying I repent we must forgive him Luke 17.3 4. Q What is your duty to your Enemies A.
he and not easie to be gulled out of their liberrty and the more simple are rather apt to suspect than believe all that Politicians commend unto them Lastly Did he pretend the universal good of all mankind and rationally convince men that the belief of a God that governeth and shall judge the world is the onely thing that preserves good order in the world if so then tell me did he say the truth or did he lie in saying there is a God If he said truly then is it a truth and to be believed If it was a lie then is it for the good of the whole world and therefore a duty to believe a lie rather than a truth For if it be a lie to say there is a God then is a lie the Foundation and Pillar of all goodness and virtue peace and order faithfulness and honesty among men And if it be true to say there is no God then is a truth the Foundation of all wickedness disorder and mischief And who but the Atheist who can believe any thing but a God will be perswaded to believe this 2. The very works of Nature give the world great reason to believe â—s it doth that there is a God Let a man thus again reason with himself 1. Suppose I were in some unknown Island and there saw goodly Fields and Meadows of Corn and Grass Pastures full of all kind of Cattel stately Houses and the Rooms in them adorned with rich Furniture Tables furnished with variety of Victuals neat Gardens fruitful Orchards and Fishponds with many other curious works of Art and Skill though all this while I saw no man in that place yet surely I should think that these things were not thus of themselves or by chance but that some skilful and provident person had thus ordered them How can I then look upon this world and the numerous parts of it above and below the wonderful splendor and beauty the great variety the rare contrivance the comely and constant order of things the ample provision made for every thing the mutual service ableness and usefulness of them all and the like but I must needs believe that there is some infinitely powerful wise and good Maker and Governour of the world whom men call God 2. When I look upon my self and consider how wounderâ—â—lly I am made how I am furnished with all useful Instruments of Life and Sense and Motion how fitly every part and member of my body is placed and how wisely contrived and fashioned â—oth for the beauty of the whole and for the particular use and office to what it serves what strange powers and faculties of Soul I have and how wonderful are the workings of imagination phancy and reason within me and the like I must needs think whence I should have these things I am sure I did not thus order them my self and there was a time when I had none of them and when I was not what now I am and therefore I must needs have both my being and all that is in me from some others Who should this other be My Parents and theirs before them might say the very same of themselves that I now do and they could not make me what I am they could not certainly promise themselves a Child they knew not how I was formed in the Womb how my parts or members were set together nor took they any care to order them when I was conceived they could not tell whether I should be a Man or a Woman or Monster perfect or imperfect a Wise man or a Fool â—nor yet whether I should be born or live when born No Man understandeth half the wonders of himself how he is nourished and groweth and seeth and heareth and thinketh and dreameth no not so much as how his hairs and nails came to be what they are What then can I think but that I am the work of one who is wonderful in power and wisdom and goodness who made both me and all Men even God Thirdly Now that I am I find that I am not in my own power I cannot bring about all my own designs and purposes as I would I cannot supply my own wants and imperfections nor continue to my self all my enjoyments and comforts I cannot make my food nourish my Body nor keep my Body from Sickness or pain nor make that part straight which is crooked or beautiful which is deformed I cannot keep out fears nor rule my thoughts nor hinder casualties nor prolong my Life nor prevent my Death and Corruption I am therefore in the power at the disposal and under the Providence of another by whom I am preserved and governed that is God Fourthly For ought that I can perceive and we must reaâ—â—n from what we can perceive and not from what we cannot Man is the most perfect and Noble of all things here below Man hath Life and motion and sense and choice and understanding and reason and discourse whereas of other things some want all and all want some of these yea in all appearance all these things were designed for the use and benefit of Man for they are fitted for his use and he can and doth upon occasion use them and we see no other use of many of them I cannot therefore believe that Man was made by any of them and I am sure Man did not make them but both they and Man were made by some other for if Man be not of himself nor in his own power but governed by another much less are those things which appear subject and inferior to Man of themselves or in their own power but rather are all governed by God the Maker of all Lastly All things are and work for some end and purpose even things without understanding or sense or life work as it were by a certain Rule and that visibly for the preservation of themselves and the common good of the World and especially of Man The Heavenly Bodies orderly and duly shed abroad their influence of Light and heat to make the Earth fruitful and direct and cherish man and beast the Earth yields her Fruits in due season for the nourishment of her Inhabitants and without the Orderly motion either of the Earth or Heavenly bodies that Light and warmth would not be equally distributed to the several parts of the Earth and Summer and Winter and Spring and Harvest and day and night would not keep their right course If the Waters did not contentedly keep within their own banks and Channels the Earth would be drowned and except Vapours did go up and gather into Clouds and come down in seasonable showers the Earth would be barren and Man and Beast would perish We see how all living Creatures do propagate for the upholding of their kind and how Plants bring Seed to the same end and that Seed scattered in the Earth furnisheth us with a new stock of Plants We see how living Creatures are Armed with Natural weapons for their