possible endeavours for his dâ—liverance A. Yes if thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain if thou sayest behold we know it not doth not he that pondereth the heart consider and he that keepeth thy soul doth not he know it shall not he render to every man according to his deeds Prov. 24.11 12. Q. Is not the duty of Alms-giving perfectly necessary for the approving of our love to God A. Yes whoso hath this world's good and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 1 Joh. 3.17 Q. And is not the performance of this duty very acceptable unto God A. Yes but to do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 Q. Must not men beware that they prâ—pâ—se nâ—t tâ— themselves the praise of men as the motive of their charity A. Yes when thou doest thine alms do not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do in the Synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven Mat. 6.2 1. Q. And is it not a vain thing to give alms where love to God and men is not the motive A. Yes though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 Q. But must not men give cheerfully and without grudging A. Yes every man as he purposeth in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a chearful giver 1 Cor. 9.7 Q. Is it not vain and impious to think that the parting with any thing for Christ will impoverish men A. Yes every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Mat. 19.29 Q. And hath not God particularly promised that the charitable shall not want but shall have a recompense of reward A. Yes the Liberal soul shall be made far and he that watereth shall be watered also himself he that giveth to the poor shall not lack but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse Prov. 11.25 and 28.27 Q. Is not this a putting our wealth in his hands who hath made solemn promise of repayment A. Yes he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Prov. 19.17 Q. And will not the reward be more or less according to to the degrees of our alms A. Yes he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Q. Sh uld we not be very tender of the credit of our neighbour A. Y s a good name is better than precious ointment and rather to be chosen then great riches Eccel 7.1 Prov. 22.1 Q. Will not mens unmercifull judging of others be paid home to them in the strict and severe judgment of God A. Y s judg not that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again Mat. 7.1 2. Q. Is it not a christian duty to study to reconcile and make peace among brethren A. Yes blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 Q. If Christians will observe all those duties which they owe to God to themselves and to their neighbour may they not expect the reward of eternal life Q. Yes this do and thou shalt live Luke 10.28 Q. Are not Christian duties both profitable and pleasant even when they expose us to outward sufferings A. Yes Christ's yoke is easie and his burden is light and his commandements are not grievous therefore rejoyce that ye are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ Mat 11.30 1 John 5.3 Act. 5.41 Q. Since the danger of delaying our turning to God is so evident and certain should we not betimes set about it A. Yes whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledg nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Ecc. 9.10 The Ten Commandments 1. THou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Eâ—rth Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain 4. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it 5. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee 6. Thou shalt not kill 7. Thou shalt not commit Adultery 8. Thou shalt not steal 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbour's The Lord's Prayer OUr Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen The Belief I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilat was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell and rose again from the dead and ascended up into Heaven and fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judg the quick and the dead I believe in
all his works A. Yes O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psal 104.24 Q. Do you believe that the God who made you doth uphold you by his good providence A. Yes it is he that hath made us and not we our selves which holdeth our soul in life Psal 100.3 Psal 66.9 Q. Do you then hold your life and being from him A. Yes in him we live and move and have our being Acts 17.28 Q. Hath not God a dominion over his own works and may do with them according to his will A. Yes his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion and his Kingdom is from generation to generation and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doth according to his will in the army of Heaven and amongst the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him what dost thou Dan. 4.34 35. Q. And are not all Gods works and ways most holy and most wise A. Yes the Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal 145.17 Q. Doth not God regard mean and low things as well as great things A. Yes are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father but the very hairs of your head are all numbred fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows Mat. 10.29 30 31. Q. Doth not God's providence appear in the care he taketh for the opperessed for the poor for the strangers faherless and widow and for the hungry A. Yes he executeth judement for the oppressed he giveth food to the hungry and provideth for the young raven he looseth the prisoners he raiseth them that are bowed down the Lord preserveth the strangers relieveth the fatherless and widow Psal 146 7 8 9. Job 38.41 Q If God govern the World why is it that good men are often suffering and bad men prospering A. The prosperity of fools destroyeth them and they are set in slippery places for they are brought into destruction as in a moment but the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished Psal 73.18 19 20. 2 Pet. 2.9 Q. Is there then a God who judgeth in the earth A. Yes verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth Psal 58.11 Sect. 5. Concerning the fall of man of Sin and of Gods willingness to save Sinners Q. DId man continue in that good estate in which he was created A. No God made man upright but they have sought out many inventions Eccl. 7.29 Q. How entred sin into the world A. By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin Rom. 5.12 Q. What is sin A. Sin is the transgression of the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Q. What was the Law given to our first Parents in Paradise A. Of the tree of the knowledg of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it Gen. 2.17 Q. What was the threatning of that Law A. For in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Gen. 2.17 Q. Did our first Parents break this Law A. Yes and the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof and did cat and gave also unto her husband with her and he did cat Gen. 3.6 Q. Was the punishment which that Law threatned inflicted upon the offender A. Yes by one mans offence death reigned by one and judgment came upon all men to condemnation Rom. 5.17 18. Q. And are all that descend from Adam by ordinary generation involved in that guilt and punishment A. Yes by one mans disobedience many were made sinners and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.19.12 Q. There is no man then without sin A. No if we say we have no sin we deceive our selves we make God a liar and the truth is not in us for there is not a just man upon earth that dooth good and sinneth not 1 Joh. 8.10 Eccl. 8.20 Q. Are all sins equally great A. No and he said unto me seest thou what they do even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here that I should go far on from my sanctuary but turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater abominations Ezek. 8.6.13 Q. Doth God by his decrees necessitate and tempt man to sin A. No no let no man say when he is tempted he is tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1.13 Q. Did God leave mankind in this lapsed stare without a remedy A. No God so loved the World that he gave his only begouen Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3.16 Q. Was this free gift bestowed upon all men A. Yes as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life Rom. 5.18 Q. God doth not then delight in the death of sinners A. No as I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die Ezek. 33.11 Q. And was it not for to save sinners that Christ came into the World A. Yes this is a faithfurl saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Q. What then is the reason that men continue in their sins A. They will not come to Christ that they might have life John 5.40 Q. Christ then is willing to save sinners and it is only mens unwillingness that is to blame A. Yes he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not 2 Pet. 3. Matt. 23.37 Q. Hath not God used all the methods of love to reclaim sinners that they perish not A. Yes what could have been done more to my Vineyard that I have not done in it Isa 5.4 Q. And is he not loath grieved and unwilling to give up with sinners A. Yes how shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah how shall I set thee as Zeboim mine heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together Hos 11.8 Sect. 6. Concerning Christ as Mediator between God and lapsed Man Q. DO you believe that God did send forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to
the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the Forgiveness of sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life everlasting Amen Private Devotions laid down in Scripture-Expressions A Prayer for Morning and Evening Our father which art in heaven who ruleth over all the kingdoms of the earth who searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts who art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity I which am but dust and ashes nor worthy of the least of all thy mercies being abominable and filthy and a transgressor from the womb do now come and kneel before thee O Lord my maker to offer to thee the Sacrifice of thanksgiving and to call upon thy name O let thy good spirit help my infirmities and make intercession for me for I know not what I should pray for as I ought I confess my transgressions unto thee O Lord I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son iniquities so prevail against me that when I would do good evil is present with me O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death here mention thy most prevailing corruptions O my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are increased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the heavens But Lord to whom shall I go thou hast the words of eternal life thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and thou hast said him that cometh to thee thou wilt in no wise cast out O stablish this word unto thy servant who is now devoted to thy fear Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions for thy names sake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it is great order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me create in me a clean heart O Lord â—â—d renew a right spirit within me that I may no longer live the rest of my time in the flesh to the lusts thereof but as he that hath called me is holy so I may be holy in all manner of conversation denying ungodliness and wordly lusts and living soberly righteously and godly in this present world Into thine hand I commit my spirit and body O lord God of truth o let integrity and uprightness preserve me instruct me and teach me in the way wherein I should go guide me with thine eye this day Lord preserve my going out and my coming in establish thou the work of my hands set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity but give thy Angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways at night say let the Angel of the Lord encamp round about me that I be not afraid for the terror by night the Lord that keepeth Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth be my keeper In confidence of this I will both lay me down in peace and sleep for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee that thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations add to the Church daily such as should be saved give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee and thy uprightness to the upright in heart Be a strength to the poor and a strength to the needy in his distress Abundantly bless our provision and satisfy our poor with bread make Wars to cease unto the end of the Earth break the bow and cut the spear in sunder let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end but establish the just and thou who hast commanded that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority I beseech thee be a sun and shield to our dread Soveraign Lord King Charles O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him prolong the King's life and his years as many generations that judgment may run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion let our Priests lips always keep knowledg that the people may only seek the Law at their mouths and many may be turned away from iniquity O let the work of the Lord prosper in their hands be gracious to my brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh here thou mayest name particular persons and grant that all men do the will of their Father which is in Heaven And now what shall I render unto thee O Lord for all thy benefits towards me Thou art he that took me out of the womb and hitherto hast made me dwell in safety Many O Lord my God are the wonderful works which thou hast done for me I will sing unto thee O Lord as long as I live I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being Blessed be the Lord God who only doth wondrous things and blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen Our Father which art c. Another O Blessed and Glorious God who art exalted above all blessing and praise Thou even thou art Lord alone and there is no Saviour beside thee Lord what is man that thou takest knowledg of him or the son of man that thou makest account of him I confess I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are encreased over my head and my trespass is grown up into the heavens I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men here mention thy particular sins if thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities o Lord who shâ—ll stand but there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared O Remember not against me former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent me Help me o God of my salvation for the glory of thy name purge away my sins for thy names sake cast down every imagination that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ O grâ—nt that I may be renewed in the spirit of my mind that I put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and that I no longer have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness And now what shall I render unto thee O Lord for all thy benefits towards me because thou hast commanded thy loving kindness in the day time therefore this night is my prayer unto thee O God of my life Lord be my keeper and
God and him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.10 Q. Is God the Son equal with the Father A. Yes who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.6 Q. Is not Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power ascribed to Christ as God A. Yes to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Jude 25. Q. Is not the Holy Ghost also God A. Yes Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost thou hast not lied unto men but unto God Acts 5.3.4 Q. Is God the Son eternal A. Yes in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God Joh. 1.1 Q. Were all things created by him A. Yes for by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible and without him was not any thing made that was made Col. 1.16 Joh. 1.3 Q. And is it not God alone who is maker of Heaven and Earth A. Yes I am the Lord that maketh all things that stretcheth forth the Heavens alone that spreadeth abroad the Earth by my self Is 44.24 Q. Doth not Christ know all things A. Yes but Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testify of man for he knew what was in man And Peter said unto him Lord thou knowest all things John 2.24 and 21.17 Q. Doth not the Holy Ghost also know all things A. Yes the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 Q. And is it not singly the property of God to know all things A. Yes produce your cause saith the Lord bring forth your strong reasons shew the former things what they be that we may consider them and know the latter end of them or shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know that ye are Gods Isa 41.21 22 23. Sect. 3. Concerning the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament Q. ARe these Books of the Old and New Testaments called by way of preheminency Scripture the Word of God A. Yes all Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.16 Q. But can we upon good grounds believe that the Prophets did reveal nothing but what they had from God A. Yes for the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 Q. And may we trust in this as a sure and certain rule A. Yes we have also a sure word of Prophecy whereunto we do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 Q. Would men who reject this revelation believe any other A. No if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luke 16.31 Q. Are not the Books of the Psalms of the Prophets and these of Moses mentioned in the New Testament a being from God A. Yes and Christ said unto his Disciples these are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things might be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Mâ—ses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me and he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself Luke 24.44.27 Q. Have we not as great certainty as can be that all that the Evangelists and Apostles wrote concerning Christ are most true A. Yes for those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word who had perfect understanding of all things from the very first have set forth in order a declaration of these things that we might know the certainty thereof for none of these things were done in a corner Luke 1.1 2 3 4. 1 Jeh 1.3 Acts 26.26 Q. What if men shâ—uld pretend the revelation of any other Doctrine should we believe them A. No but though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 Q. But how shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken A. When a Prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord if the thing follow not nor come to pass that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken Deut. 18.22 Q. Are not the Scriptures the only rule to try mens Doctrine by A. Yes to the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them and they do err not knowing the Scriptures Isa 8.20 Matt. 22.29 Q. Is there not an admirable consent between the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament A. Yes I continue witnessing both to small and great saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come Acts 26.22 Q. For what is the Scripture profitable A. The Scripture is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Q. Is not the way to everlasting life held forth in the Scriptures A. Yes search the Scriptures for in them ye have eternal life they are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus John 5.39 2 Tim. 3.15 Q. Should not the holiness and purity of the Doctrine contained in the Scriptures make us in love with it A. Yes thy Word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it Ps 119.140 Q. And are not the commands and precepts contained in Scripture unquestionably right and equitable A. Yes therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right Psal 119.128 Q. And what are those things the Scripture enjoyns us to think upon and practise A. Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue if there be any praise think on these things Phil. 4.8 Sect. 4. Concening Creation and Providence Q. DO you believe that in the beginning God made the Heaven and the Earth A. Yes in the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth Gen. 1.1 Q. Do you believe that of nothing God created all things by the word of his power A. Yes through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things that are seen were not made of things that do appear Heb. 11.3 Q. How did God create man A. God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them Gen. 1.27 Q. Was not every thing that God made very good A. Yes and God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Gen. 1.31 Q. And doth not the wisdom and goodness of God appear in
Q. Is it not very necessary for a man to examine himself well before he approach the Table of the Lord A. Yes let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. Is it not a dangerous thing to eat and drink unworthily and irreverently A. Yes for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's body 1 Cor. 11.29 Q. Must we not therefore purge our selves from sin and all uncleanness of flesh and spirit before we come to eat and drink A. Yes purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the feast not with old leaven neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Q. But must we let our soul be empty after it is thus purged from all manner of sins A. No as we must wash and make clean and put away the evil of our doings so we must learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judg the fatherless plead for the widow lest the unclean spirit return again and our last estate be worse than out first Isa 1.16 17. Luk. 11.26 Q. And will it not be dangerous to come to this feast if we want those spiritual graces which are the wedding-garment of the soul A. Yes and when the King came in to see the guests he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment and he said unto the servants bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matt. 22.11.13 Q. Should not that severe judgment make men afraid to approach without preparation A. Yes for who amongst us can dwell with everlasting burnings who amongst us can dwell with devouring sire Isa 33.14 Q. But is nâ—t life and happiness promised to the worthy Receivers A. Yes whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day for my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed John 6.54 Sect. 4. Honour due to God's name Of Swearing Q. IS it not the duty of every man to honour the excellent name of the great and glorious God A. Yes O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth take not the name of God in vain Ps 8.1 Exod. 20.7 Q. Is not blasphemy or the speaking evil of God the highest degree of which is cursing a very heinous crime deserving the severest punishment A. Yes and he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him Lev. 24.16 Q. Should not the Prefessors of the Gospel live up to the principles of their Religion that they may not give occasion to others to blaspheme the name of God A. Yes thou that sayest a man should not commit Adultery doest thou commit Adultery thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law dishonourest thou God for the name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles through you Rom. 2.22 23 24. Q. Is it net the name of God only by which men ought to swear and that with reverence and fear A. Yes how shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me and swore by them that are no Gods Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his name Jer. 5.7 Deut. 6.13 Q. When you swear to the truth of that you know is false or to the truth of that wherein you are doubtful do you not commit the sin of perjury which God hates and will punish A. Yes ye shall not swear by my name falsly neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God These are the things that ye shall do speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour and love no false oath for this is a thing that I do hate and the curse shall enter into the house of him that sweareth falsly by my name and it shall remain in the midst of his house and shall consume it Lev. 19.12 Zech. 8.17 5.4 Q. Must not an oath be taken in the plain and common sense of the words and doth not he who sweareth and hath no real purpose of making good his vow sin exceedingly A. Yes who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord he that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul to vanity nor sworn deceitfully When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools pay that which thou hast vowed better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay Ps 24.4 Eccl. 5.4 Q. Doth not an oath in any thing not sinful being taken oblige to performance A. Yes he that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not shall never be moved Ps 15.4 Q. Is it not then a great sin to violate oaths and vows if lawful A. Yes Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant when lo he had given his hand and hath done all these things he shall not escape therefore thus saith the Lord God As I live surely mine oath that he hath despised and my covenant that he hath broken even it I will recompence upon his own head Ezek. 17.18 19. Q. Is it not a very great sin for men to make a vow to God in their trouble and when they are delivered to forget to pay it A. Yes when thou vowest a vow to God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools Better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay I will go into the house of God and pay my vows which my lips have uttered and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble Eccl. 5.4 5. Psal 66.13 14. Q. But does a vow upon the matter lawful cease to oblige to performance when the person himself is under subjection to another who protests against him when vowing A. Yes if a woman vow a vow unto the Lord and bind her self by a bond being in her Fathers house in her youth if her Father disallow her in the day that he heareth not any of her vows or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand and the Lord shall forgive her because her Father disallowed her Numb 30.3.5 Q. Since every oath we swear is the appealing to God to judg the truth of what we speak are not those vain and light oaths so usual in common discourse very sinful and a despising of God A. Yes I say unto you swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's throne nor by the Earth for it is his footstool therefore above all things my brethren swear not neither by
Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other oath Matt. 5.34 Jam. 5.12 Q. Should not men then pray earnestly that God will enable them to overcome this wicked custom A. Set a watch O Lord over my mouth and keep the door of my lips Psal 141.3 Sect. 5. Of Worship due to God's Name of Repentance and of Fasting Q. IS it not the duty of every man to worship his Maker A. O come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our maker for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture Psal 95.6 7. Q. Is religious worship to be given to God and to him alone A. Yes thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.10 Q. We must not then give this worship to any creature A. No and I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God and let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels and change not the truth of God into a lie in worshipping and serving the creature Rev. 19.10 Col. 2.18 Rom. 1.25 Q. Is not the only way of coming to the Father by the Son and to ask in his name A. Yes Jesus saith unto him I am the way and the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name that will I do for he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle-wall of partition between us and through him we both have an access by one spirit unto the Father Joh. 14.6.13 Eph. 2.14 18. Q. Are we not obliged to pray for all men A. Yes I exhort therefore that first of all prayers supplications intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority 1 Tim. 2.1 2. Q. Must we pray for our enemies A. Yes but I say unto you love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despightfully use you Mat. 5.44 Q. Must we pray for the dead A. No while the child was yet alive I fasted and wept for I said who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live but now he is dead wherefore should I fast can I bring him back again I shall go to him but he shall not return to me 2 Sam. 12.22 23. Q. Vpon the committing of sin is it not our duty to confess it if we would have the guilt removed A. Yes I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Psal 32.5 Q. Must we not also give thanks for the mercies we receive A. Yes what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116.12 13. Q. But will God hear our prayers if we ask any thing that is lawful A. Yes and this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us 1 Joh. 5.14 Q. But may we pray for wealth that we may live in riot and excess A. No ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts Jam. 4.3 Q. May we pray to gain the praise of devotion among men A. No and when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men Mat. 6.5 Q. Must we not take heed to what we say and not suffer our minds to wander A. Yes with their mouths they shew much love but their heart goeth after covetousness Ezek. 33.31 Q. Should we not be fervent and very zealous in prayer and not cold and faint A. Yes be fervent in spirit serving the Lord for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 Rom. 12.11 Q. May we expect the answer of that prayer that is not put up in Faith A. No ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed for let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. Q. Will God hear prayers offered up from an impure heart A. No I will therefore that men pray every-where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting for if they regard iniquity in their heart the Lord will not hear their prayers the sacrifice of the wicked being an abomination to the Lord 1 Tim. 2.8 Psal 16.18 Prov 15.8 Q. But will a prayer from an humble pure and upright heart be heard in the day of trouble A. Yes the prayer of the upright is his delight Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will answer you He will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer and the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much Prov. 15.8 Psal 50.15 Psal 102.17 Jam. 5.16 Q. May we go to work in our own strength without looking to God for his help A. No we are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 Q. But should we not then beg the aid of the spirit of God to assist us in prayer A. Yes he will give the holy spirit to them that ask it likewise the spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Luk. 11.15 Rom. 8.26 Q. May not these Families and Kingdoms that call not upon God be afraid of the divine wrath A. Yes pour out thy wrath upon the Heathen that have not known thee and upon the Kingdoms and Families that have not called upon thy name Psal 79.6 Jer. 10.25 Q. Is it not our duty to be present at the publick prayers of the Church A. Yes and my house is called the house of prayer therefore forsake not the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is but let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Mat. 21.12 Heb. 10.25 22. Q. Ought we not also to pray frequently in secret A. Yes when thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy door pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly Therefore pray always with all prayer and supplication of the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints Mat. 6.6 Eph. 6.18 Q.