immortall c. be honour and glory for ever Q. Where is it proved that his greatnesse is Incomprehensible or unsearchable A. Psal 145.3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatnesse is unsearchable Q. What text have we that God is Almighty or Omnipotent A. Gen. 17.1 And when Abraham was ninety yeers old and nine the Lord appeared to him and said I am the Almighty God walke before me and be thou perfect Rev. 4.8 And they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. How doe you prove God is only wise A. Rom. 16.27 To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever 1 Tim. 1.17 To the King eternall c. the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Q. How doe you prove God is most holy A. Isai 6.3 And one cryed unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Rev. 4.8 And they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. How doe you prove that God is most free in all he doth A. Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the Seas and all deep places Q. How prove you that God is absolute A. Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I Am hath sent me unto you Q. How prove you that God Works all according to the counsill of his own will A. Eph. 1.11 In wom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsill of his own will Q. What text of Scripture proves God doth all for his own glory A. Prov 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himselfe yea even the wicked for the day of evill Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Q. Is the Atheist or he that denyes there is a God cal'd a Fool in Scripture A. Psal 14.1 The Fool haith said in his heart there is no God Q. Where have we ground in Scripture for such expressions as these the nature of God the God-head the Essence of God the Person of the Father A. Gal. 4.8 Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them which by nature are no Gods Exod 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I am hath sent me unto you Rev. 1.4 Grace be to you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power c. Q. What say you to those many Scriptures which say that God is in heaven A. The Reason why God is said to be in Heaven is not because his Essence is included in a certaine place cal'd Heaven but he may be said to be in Heaven in regard of the more eminent manifestation of his glory there to Saints and Angels in respect of some more eminent dispensations and workes of his manifested from thence Q. What say you to those Scriptures that testify that God came down from heaven or appeared on Mount Sinai c. A. The Scripture speaks of God after the manner of men condescending to our capacity God is or may be said to be or appeare or come to such a place when either some glorious appearances are seen there or some more glorious dispensations are there M. Mede or when the Angels or Courtiers of Heaven are there or when there are some eminent signes of his favour there God who in his own being and Essence is infinite and immense D. Ow. is by reason thereof present in and to the whole creation equally not by a diffusion of his Substance or mixture with other things heaven or earth in or upon them but by an inconceivable indistancy of Essence to all things though he exert his power and manifest his glory in one place more than another as in Heaven in Sion at the Arke c. Q. How prove you that God hath no corporeall visible figure and shape or similitude A. Is 40.25 To whom then will ye liken me or shall I be equall sayth the Holy one Q. When the Scripture saith that man is made after the image and likenesse of God doth it intend that God hath a bodily figure or shape like a man A. Col. 3.9 10. Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him Q. What meanes the Scripture by attributing unto God parts like a man eyes cares nostrils armes hands fingers are we to understand that God hath a body of flesh and parts fleshly like us A. No but they are spoken of him after the manner of men for it is written 2 Chr. 32.8 With him is an Arme of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to helpe us and to fight our battels Jer. 17.5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his Arme and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Job 10.4 Hast thou eyes of flesh or seest thou as man seeth Q. How must those Scriptures be understood which attribute Affections and Passions to God as Anger Fury Zeale Wrath Love Hatred Jealousy Repentance Griefe Joy c A. They are Metaphorically assigned unto him spoken of him only in reference to his outward workes and dispensations correspondent and answering to the actings of men D. Ow. in whom such affections are and under the power whereof they are in those actings Q. How prove you that these are spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 metaphorically A. Mal. 3.6 For I am the Lord I change not Is 27.4 Fury is not in me 1 Sam. 15.29 And the strength of Israel will not lye nor repent for he is not a man that he should repent To instance in Anger that may denote either God's vindictive justice whence punishments flow or else the effects of it in the punishments themselves either threatned or inflicted Q. What is meant when 't is said that Moses should see the Similitude of the Lord c. Exod. 34. Num. 12.8 Doth it mean that God hath any reall visible shape A. No but it may be possibly he shall see an Angel or some glorious light 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Joh. 4.12 No man hath seen God at any time
he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and beliefe of the truth Q. How prove you such shall be certainly kept and preserved unto Salvation A. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time John 10.27 28 29. Chap. 10. Of God's Providence Q. HOW prove you that God's Providence reacheth over all things Creatures and their actions from the greatest to the least A. Dan. 4.35 And all the Inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the Inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him what dost thou Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the seas and all deep places Act. 17.25 28. Seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things For in him we live and move and have our being Mat. 10.30 But the very haires of your head are all numbred Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Psal 94.11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity Q. How prove you that God orders the actions of men and the events of all their actions beyond whatever came into their hearts A. Deut. 19.5 compared with Exod. 21.13 And if a man lye not in waite but God deliver him into his hand c. As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree the head slippeth from the helve and lighteth upon his neighbour that he dye c. 1 Kin. 22.34 compared with vers 28. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture and smote the King of Israel between the joynts of the harnesse Isai 10.6 7. I will send him against an hypocriticall nation and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoyle and to take the prey and to tread them down like the mire of the streets Howbeit he meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few Q. Can you prove that God who is omnipotent and can worke without meanes that he useth meanes to bring about his purpose A. Act. 27.31 44. Paul said unto the Centurion and to the Souldiers Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved And the rest some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship and so it came to passe that they escaped all safe to land Isa 55.11 For as the raine cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not returne unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it Hos 2.21 22. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the heavens and they shall heare the earth and the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oyle and they shall heare Jezreel Q. What Scriptures teach that God doth not only barely permit but most wisely and powerfully bound and order sinfull actions to his own holy ends and yet neither is nor can be the Author or approver of sin A. 1 King 22.22 23. And he said I will goe forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets And he saidt thou shalt perswade him and prevaile also goe forth and doe so Now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying Spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets Psal 76.10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Gen. 50.20 But as for you ye thought evill against me but God meant it unto good to bring to passe as it is this day to save much people alive Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and commeth down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning 1 Joh. 2.16 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life is not of the Father Psal 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Q. What Scriptures prove that God blinds and hardens some mens hearts for former sins A. Rom. 11.8 God hath given them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not heare unto this day Ro. 1.28 And as they did not like to retaine God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind to doe those things which are not convenient Q. How may God be said to harden mens hearts for former sinnes A. Rom. 1.24 Wherefore God gave them up unto uncleannesse through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves Ps 106.15 And he gave them their request but sent leannesse into their soul 2 Thes 2.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye Exod. 7.3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart compared with chap. 8.32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart c. Q. How is it proved that God doth blind and harden men by withholding his grace to enlighten their understandings and to worke upon their hearts A. Mat. 13.13 Therefore speake I to them in Parables because they seeing see not and hearing they heare not neither doe they understand Q. Doth God sometimes withdraw the gifts which men have had for their not using or abusing of them A. Math. 25.29 From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath Q. Is it a meanes of blindnesse and hardnesse that sometimes they are exposed to such objects as their corruption will make occasion of Sinne A. 2 King 8.12 And Hazael said why weepeth my Lord and he answered because I know the evill that thou wilt doe unto the children of Israel their strong holds wilt thou set on fire and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword and
For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Q. Are we become now children of wrath by nature and in that state shall we never except we be borne againe see the Kingdome of God A. Eph. 2.3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others Joh. 3.3 last Except a man be borne again he cannot see the Kingdome of God And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. Are sinners or those that transgresse the Law accursed A. Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to doe them Deut. 28.15 16 c. But if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to doe all his commandements his Statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee Cursed shalt thou be in the City c. Q. Doth the soul outlive the body and is it immortall A. Luk. 23.43 And Jesus said unto him To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Phil. 1.23 For I am in a straight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Ecl. 12.7 Then shall the dust returne to the Earth as it was and the Spirit shall returne unto God that gave it Matth. 10.28 And feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule Q. Shall the body rise again from the dead A. 1 Cor. 15.13 14. But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vaine and your faith is also vaine Mark 12.25 26 27. Joh. 11.24 Q. Shall the condition of the Devils and wicked men be cursed and miserable at and after the day of Judgment A. Mat. 25.41 46. Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Cap. 8. Of Redemption by Christ Q. DOTH God leave all mankind in a sinfull cursed and miserable condition to perish therein everlastingly A. 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine Salvation by Christ Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Rom. 3.21 22. But now the Righteousnesse of God without the Law is manifested even the Righteousnesse of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe c. Q. Will God acquit and justify the ungodly and unrighteous for the righteousnesse of Christ if they believe and repent of their sins A. Ro. 5.19 21. So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous That as sinne bath reigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 3.24 25 26. Being justified freely by his grace thorow the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse for the remission of sinnes that are past c. That he might be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus Q. Did God lay our sinnes upon Christ and did he beare them on the Crosse A. Is 53.5 6. But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed Q. Did Christ dye only to leave us an Example or to confirme his Doctrine or to be a Sacrifice or Offering for sin A. Eph. 5.2 As Christ also hath loved us and hath given himselfe for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Is 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to griefe when thou shalt make his soule an Offering for sinne he shall see his seed he shall prolong his dayes and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Chap. 9. Of Predestination Q. HOW prove you that it was not the foresight of faith good workes or perseverance or of something else in the creature which were either as causes or conditions moving God to ordaine some men unto eternall life A. Eph. 1.9 11. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himselfe In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Rom. 9.11 16. For the children being not yet borne neither having done good or evill that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of workes but of him that calleth As it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Q. How prove you that God who hath ordained them to the End eternall life hath also ordained them to the meanes to attaine thereunto Faith and good works A. 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love chap. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Q. How prove you that all God's Elect children being fallen in Adam were redeemed by Christ A. 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ Tit. 2.14 Who gave himselfe for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. How prove you that the Elect are in due time justified adopted sanctified have their sins pardoned are made the children of God and made holy A. Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom
they were not divided they were swifter than Eagles they were stronger than Lyons 2 Chr. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day c. Chap. 21. Of Angels and particularly of Evill Angels Q. VVERE the Angels the inhabitants of heaven created as well as men and things on earth A. Col. 1.16 For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him Q. Have Angels bodyes or are they Spirits A. Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire Q. Did some of the Angels sinne and so fall from their first happy state wherein God made them A. 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down into hell and delivered them into chaines of darkenesse to be reserved unto judgment Q. What is the present and what shall be the future state and condition of those Angels which fell A. Jude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chaines under darknesse unto the judgment of the great day Mat. 25.41 46. And these shall goe away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his Angels Q. If the Devill should appeare to a man in a visible shape would it be our wisdome to speak to him and confer with him if he speak to us A. Gen. 3.2 13. And the woman said unto the Serpent we may eate of the fruit of the trees of the garden The Serpent beguiled me Q. Are there Divels and Witches A. Luk. 8.30 And Jesus asked him saying what is thy name And he said Legion because many Divels were entred into him 1 Sam. 28.3 7. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land Then said Saul unto his Servants seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit that I may goe to her and enquire of her And his servants said to him Behold there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor Q. Is it possible that a godly man or woman should be possessed bodily of the Devill or obsessed that is have any part or member possessed by him A. Luk. 13.16 And ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound loe these 18 yeers be loosed c. Q. Is it possible there should be any places haunted with evill spirits A. Rev. 18.2 Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Devils and the hold of every foule spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird Q. What would you advise to doe to keep our houses from being so haunted A. Ps 30. Preface A psalme and song at the dedication of the house of David Compared with 1 Tim. 4.5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Q. What meanes would you have us use to expell or drive out the Devils out of our persons or houses possessed A. Mar. 9.29 This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting Q. May a man when he hath losses or is sick or hath his house haunted with evill spirits goe or send to wise men or Star-gazers wizards or Conjurers for helpe A. Deut. 18.10 11 12. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his Son or his Daughter passe through the fire or that useth divination or an observer of times or an Inchanter or a witch or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a Necromancer for all that doe these things are an abomination unto the Lord. Is 47.13 14. Let now the Astrologers the Star-gazers the monethly Prognosticators stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee Behold they shall be as stubble the fire shall burne them they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame Q. May we without a good call or necessity live or lodge in such places A. Psal 91.11 For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy waies Mat. 4.7 Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Chap. 22. Of Ministers Q DID ever God appoint men to minister to him in and about holy things A. Yes Ex. 28.1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother and his Sons with him from among the children of Israel that he may minister unto me in the Priest's office even Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar Aaron's Sons Q. Were the Priests of old cald God's Ministers A. Yes Jer. 33.21 Then may also my Covenant be broken with David my servant that he should not have a Son to raigne upon his throne and with the Levites the Priests my Ministers Joel 1.9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord the Priests the Lord's Ministers mourne Q. Did our Lord Jesus the high Priest of our profession the great or chief Shepherd and Bishop of our soules did he ordaine any men and send them forth to preach A. Yes Mar. 3.14 And he ordained twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to preach Q. Did he call these 12 Preachers Apostles A. Yea. Luk. 6.13 And when it was day he called unto him his Disciples and of them he chose twelve whom also he named Apostles Math. 10.2 And now the names of the twelve Apostles are these the first Simon who is called Peter c. Q. Did Christ never send any to preach but the twelve Apostles did not he also send 70 disciples A. Yes Luk. 10.1 9 16. After these things the Lord appointed other 70 also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himselfe would come And heal the sick that are therein and say unto them the Kingdome of God is come nigh unto you He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Q. But were not these all the followers of Christ had he any that believed on him besides thâ— 12. the 70 A. Yea. 1 Cor. 15.6 After that he was seen of above 500 brethren at once Q. Did the Apostles give power to others to ordaine Elders A. Yes Tit. 1.15 For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordaine Elders in every City as I had appointed thee 2 Tim. 2.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Q. Are Preachers of the Gospell to be called and accounted
multitude they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the H. Ghost Act. 10.44 47 48. While Peter yet spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word Then answered Peter can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Q. What Answer shall we give to those Scriptures Heb. 8.10 11. 1 Joh. 2.27 2 Pet. 1.1 9 A. To that place in the Hebrewes I say 1 That it must not be interpreted to forbid the use of all ordinances and teaching by men for the Apostles themselves did notwithstanding this promise go on teaching and ordaining teachers in the Churches 2 That if this text of Scripture should be taken as it seems to sound in the expresse words and letter of it it will make void and needlesse not only publick teaching and by ministers or Church-officers but also private instruction and by private friends neighbours brethren not ministers 3ly I say that the sense and meaning may be that they shall have not only the outward teaching of men but the inward teaching of the spirit and this teaching of God by his spirit they shall have in such a manner and measure that the other outward shall be nothing or needlesse in comparison or 4thly They shall in Gospell times from the least to the greatest know God the Lord to be the Lord and they shall not teach them as if they were to teach a heathenish unknowing people but the ministers shall then teach a more knowing people as t is said the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea i. e. there shall be abundance of knowledge beyond what there is now generally To that in 1 Epistle of John the meaning is either this You are sufficiently already instructed in this that Jesus is the Christ you need not a farther proof in that matter the seducers Anti-Christs or false Christs shall not be able to draw you away from this great truth Or else ye that are the children of God have the gifts and graces of Gods spirit in such a measure that ye shall not be carried away from the Christian Religion or the truth as t is in Jesus but this Spirit shall teach you in all necessary saving truths And that notwithstanding this place this Apostle writes this Epistle to informe them to edify thē To that in 2 Ep. of Peter the sense and scope of the words may be this that you may find the knowledge of God and of his Christ if you will read and consider and compare the prophesies of the old Testament for those Scriptures testify of him The meaning is not that when you have got the knowledge of Christ you need not further to take heed to the Scriptures when the godly Ps 123.2 professe to look or waite on God untill he have mercy on them doe you think that they meant to look or waite on him just so long and no longer Q. May ministers presse Saints who live and dwell in God and who are taught of God to hearken to a word or commandement without them A. Yes 1 Thes 4.9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of of God to love one another compared with the 2d. For ye know what commandements we gave you by the Lord Jesus Eph. 6.1 2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father mother which is the first commandement with promise compared with ch 1.1 Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithfull in Christ Jesus Jam. 2.8 11. If ye fulfill the royall Law according to the Scripture Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy selfe ye do well For he that said do not commit Adultery said also do not kill Now if thou commit no Adultery yet if thou kill thou art become a transgressor of the Law Q. May a believer that is in God come himselfe to any Church do we read of a church in God and the Lord Christ A. 2 Thes 1.1 Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Q. Is there a Catholick or Universall Church and may a man be said to be a teacher or ruler in that A. 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. Q. Had God a Church ordinances and ministers in the daies of Antichrist A. Rev. 13.11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two hornes like a lamb and he spake as a dragon c. compared with ch 14.1 3. And I looked and loe a lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and foure thousand having his fathers name written in their foreheads and they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the Elders and no man could learne that song but the hundred forty and foure thousand which were redeemed from the earth Q. When the glorious times of the Church spoken of by Isaiah ch last come will there be use of Ministers and Ordinances A. Isa 66.21 23. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. And it shall come to passe that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Q. If a Minister intending to be short in a point say to conclude this in a word and after doth use more words then one or one or more sentences doth he lye A. Galat. 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe Q. May Ministers be bred up in Colledges under Tutors in order to the Ministry or are Colledges to be Nurseries only for the Common-wealth and Schools and not for the Church A. 1 Sam. 19.19 20. And it was told Saul saying David is at Naioth in Ramah And Saul sent messengers to take David and when they saw the company of the Prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as appointed over them 1 Sam. 10.10 And when they came thither to the hill behold a company of Prophets met him the Spirit of God came upon him he prophesied among thē Q. Had the Apostle Paul Hebrew and Greek and did he ever make any use of it A. Acts 22.2 And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence And Acts 21.37 And as Paul was to be led into the Castle he said unto the chiefe Captaine may I speak unto thee who said canst thou speak Greek Q. May we heare Ministers if they be as they are charged proud and
a common stocks must not Mine and Thine cease in the Church and Common-wealth A. Act. 5.4 Whiles it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints upon the first day of the weeek let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him Q. May a godly man he that is an heir of heaven purchase land upon earth A. Gen. 23.20 And the field and the cave that is therein were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Heth. Q. May a Christian buy or sell with or for money A. James 4.13 15. Goe to now ye that say To day or to morrow we will goe into such a city and continue there a yeer and buy and sell and get gain For that ye ought to say If the Lord will we shall live and doe this or that Luk. 22.36 John 4.8 compared with John 13.29 Q. May we say Sr or L d to any man and especially to a Minister A. Gen. 23.14 15. And Ephron answered Abraham saying unto him my Ld hearkē unto me Joh. 20.15 She supposing him to be the gardiner sayth unto him Sir if thou have born him hence tell me c. Act. 27 10. Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt c. Q. May Saints give the title of Sirs to Idolaters A. Act. 14.15 Sirs why doe ye these things we also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that ye should turne from these vanities unto the living God c. Q. May we say Honourable or write Most excellent to any A. 1 Sam. 9.6 And he said unto him Behold now there is in this city a man of God and he is an honourable man all that he sayth cometh surely to passe Act. 1.3 It seemed good to me also c. to write unto thee in order most excellent Theophilus Q. May a Minister or private Christian say or write to any man your servant in the Lord A. 2 Cor. 4.5 For we preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your servants for Jesus sake Q. May we say good morrow good even or I wish you good speed A. Ruth 2.4 And behold Boaz came from Bethlehem and said unto the Reapers the Lord be with you and they answered him the Lord blesse thee Psal 129.8 Neither doe they which goe by say The blessing of the Lord be upon you we blesse you in the name of the Lord. 2 Joh. 10 11. If there come any unto you bring not this Doctrin receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evill deeds Q. May we crave a blessing or as we call it give thanks for our meat and drink A. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. For every creature of God is Good nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Joh. 6.11 And Jesus took the loaves and when he had given thanks he distributed to the Disciples c. Q. May a Christian bear the office of a civill Magistrate A. Ro. 13.1 2 3 4. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers for there is no power but of God The powers that be are ordained of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation For Rulers are not a terrour to good works but to the evill c. For he is the minister of God to thee for good c. Q. May Christians lawfully live under any King but Christ A. Rom. 13.5 6 7. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake for for this cause pay you tribute also for they are God's ministers c. Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custome to whom custome fear to whom feare honour to whom honour 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as supreame or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evill doers and for the praise of them that doe well Q. Is it lawfull to pay tribute custom A. Rom. 13.7 Render therefore to all their dues Tribute to whom tribute is due Custome to whom custome Q. Is it lawfull to salute honour and bow down before men A. Gen. 23.12 And Abraham bowed down himselfe before the people of the land Mat. 5.47 And if ye salute your brethren only what doe you more than others doe not even the Publicans so c. 10.12 And when you come into an house salute it 1 Sam. 10.4 And they will salute thee and give thee c. Q. What say you to 2 King 4.29 salute him not And Luk. 10.4 salute no man by the way A. When the Prophet Elisha's servant Gehazi was sent upon life and death as we say it was no time then to stay or hinder his businesse in giving or taking courtesyes our Lord would not have his disciples distracted or hindered in their worke with civilities and besides the lesse they courted the world with comity and as we say complementing the more was God's power seen in making way yet for their entertainment and yet civility was not altogether forbidden them vers 5. Into whatsoever house ye enter first say peace be to this house Q. May we write books inscribing the name of any particular person especially in the beginning A. Luk. 1.3 It seemed good to me also having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in order most Excellent Theophilus Q. Are some persons honourable and more honourable than others A. Luk. 14.8 When thou art bidden of any Man to a wedding sit not down in the highest room lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him Q. May we call those Noble or most Noble of whose Religion or godlinesse we have small evidence A. Act. 26.25 I am not mad most Noble Festus Q. May Women be stiled Honourable A. Act. 17.12 Therefore many of them believed also of honourable Women which were Greeks and of men not a few Q. May a Christian be a servant to any man seeing he is the Lord's servant yea the Lord's free-man A. 1 Cor. 7.21 Art thou called being a Servant care not for it but if thou mayest be made free use it rather 1 Tim. 6.1 2. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour And they that have believing Masters let them not despise them because they are brethren c. Obj. 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be not ye the servants of men A. Christians should not when they are free chuse to serve Idolatrous Masters lest that should prove a snare