is there not a like manifestation of the universality of Gods love in the Old How speaketh the prophet Ezekiel A. Say unto them 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 O house of Israel Ezek. 33. 11. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O house of Israel For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the Lord God wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 31 32. Qu. What saith Jeremiah A. He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3. 33. Qu. What saith David A. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. CHAP. XIV Of Christs Resurrection Qu. Ought Christ as to suffer so also to rise from the dead the third day A. Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day Luke 24. 46. He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 4. Qu. Was there so great power and consequence in Christs resurrection How speaketh Paul A. I count all things but loss for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection Phil. 3. 8 10. If Christ be not risen your faith is vain ye are yet in your sins Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished 1 Cor. 15. 17 18. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again Rom. 8. 34. Qu. How speaketh Peter A. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Pet. 1. 3. Qu. Did Christ rise by his own power yea did he raise himself at all or was he raised by the power of another and did another raise him What is the perpetual tenour of the Scripture to this purpose A. Though he was crucified through weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father Rom. 6. 4. By Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead Gal. 1. 1. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8. 11. He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 14. Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 9 10. Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole Acts 4. 10. The God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Heb. 13. 20. But God raised him from the dead God hath fulfilled the same unto us in that he hath raised up Jesus again And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead He whom God raised again saw no corruption Acts 13. 30 33 34 37. Him God raised up the third day Act. 10. 40. God hath both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his own power 1 Cor. 6. 14. Who by him believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory 1 Pet. 1. 21. Qu. Were the Apostles and the Holy Spirit himself sent to bear witness that Christ raised himself or that God raised him How speaketh the Scripture A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Acts 2. 32. The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus whom ye delivered up and denied him in the presence of Pilate And killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Acts 3. 13 15. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to all them that obey him Acts 5. 30 31 32. We have testified of God that he raised up Christ 1 Cor. 15. 15. Qu. Of what consequence is it to believe that Christ was thus raised A. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was impured to him But for us to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4. 3 23 24. Qu. What is the prayer of the Apostle Paul to this purpose How speaketh be to the Ephesians A. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know What is the exceeding greatness of his power to â—s-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1. 17 18 19 20. CHAP. XV. Of Justification and Faith Qu. HOw many sorts of justification or righteousness are there A. The righteousness which is of the Law Rom. 10. 5. The righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 9. Qu. How is the righteousness which is of the Law described A. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Rom. 10. 5. Qu. How speaketh the righteousness which is of Faith A. The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead Rom. 10. 6 7. Qu. But what saith it Rom. 10. 8. A. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Qu. In the justification of a believer is the righteousness of Christ imputed to him or is his own faith counted
in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 Joh. 4. 8 16. Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity Psal 5. 4 5. Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort 2 Cor. 1. 3. God who is rich in mercy Eph. 2. 4. The God of all grace 1 Pet. 5. 10. The Lord God merciful and gracious Exod. 34. 6. I the Lord thy God am ajealous God Exod. 20. 5. They have moved me to jealousie with that which is not God Deut. 32. 21. The Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people Exod. 32. 14. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart And the Lord said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made them Gen. 6. 6 7. And they put away the strange Gods from among them and served the Lord and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel Judg. 10. 16. The Lord will again rejoyce over thee for good as he rejoyced over thy fathers Deut. 30. 9. I said I would scatter them into corners I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely and lest they should say Our hand is high and the Lord hath not done all this Deut. 32. 26 27. Qu. Doth not God know all our thoughts words and actions A. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising thou understandest my thought afar off Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways For there is not a word in my tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether Psal 139. 2 3 4. Qu. As for our free actions which are neither past nor present but may afterwards either be or not be what are the chief passages of the Scripture from whence it is wont to be gathered that God knoweth not such actions till they come to pass yea that there are such actions A. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them Gen. 2. 19. The Lord God said Behold the man is become as one of us to know good and evil and now lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live for ever Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden Gen. 3. 22 23. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evil continually And it repented the Lord that he had made man and it grieved him at his heart And the Lord said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made them Gen. 6. 5 6 7. And it came to pass that God did tempt Abraham and said unto him Take now thy son thine onely son Isaac and offer him for a burnt-offering And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son And the angel of the Lord called unto him and said Lay not thine hand upon the lad neither do thou any thing unto him for now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy son thine onely son from me Gen. 22. 1 2 10 11 12. And God said unto Moses Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say unto them The Lord God of your fathers appeared unto me And they shall hearken to thy voice And Moses answered and said But behold they will not believe me nor hearken to my voice And the Lord said unto him What is that in thy hand And he said A rod. And he said Cast it on the ground And he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent And the Lord said to Moses Put forth thine hand and take it by the tail And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers hath appeared to thee And the Lord said furthermore unto him Put now thine hand into thy bosome And he put his hand into his bosome and when he took it out behold his hand was leprous as snow And he said Put thine hand into thy bosome again And he put his hand into his bosome again and plucked it out of his bosome and behold it was turned again as his other flesh And it shall come to pass if they will not believe thee nor hearken to the voice of the first signe that they will believe the voice of the latter signe And it shall come to pass if they will not believe also these two signes neither hearken to thy voice that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry-land and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry-land Exod. 3. 15 16 18. Exod. 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go God led them not thorow the way of the land of the Philistims although that was neer for God said Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war and they return to Egypt Exod. 13. 17. Then said the Lord unto Moses Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no. Exod. 16. 4. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people Exod. 32. 14. I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel which they murmur against me Doubtless ye shall not come into the land concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein Num. 14. 27 30. Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these fourty yeers in the wilderness to humble thee and to prove thee to know what was in thy heart whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no. Deut. 8. 2. The Lord your God proveth you to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul Deut. 13. 3. I said I would scatter them into corners I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely lest they should say Our hand is high and the Lord hath not done all this Deut. 32. 26 27. Now these are the nations
bow of things in heaven and things in earth Phil. 2. 9 10. Qu. Did men worship Jesus Christ before his death and resurrection what examples thereof have you A. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him saying Of a truth thou art the Son of God Matth. 14. 33. Jesus said unto him Dost thou believe on the Son of God He answered and said Who is he Lord that I may believe on him And Jesus said unto him Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee And he said Lord I believe and he worshipped him Joh. 9. 35 36. 37 38. Qu. Did men worship Christ after his resurrection and ascension And what example thereof have you A. It came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy Luke 24. 51 52. Qu. When men ascribe glory and dominion to Christ Jesus in the Scripture and withal intimate the ground thereof is it because they conceive him to be very God of very God and to have been eternally begotten out of the Divine essence or because he gave himself to death Let me hear how they explain themselves A. Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Qu. Are the Angels of the same opinion with the Saints when they also ascribe glory and dominion to him let me hear how they also explain themselves A. I beheld and heard the voice of many angels saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Rev. 5. 11 12. Qu. May men call upon the name of Jesus Christ and have you examples of such as have prayed to him A. Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem And here he hath authority from the chief priests to binde all that call upon thy name Acts 9. 13 13. With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours 1 Cor. 1. 2. And they stoned Stephen saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit Acts 7. 59. Even so come Lord Jesus Rev. 22. 20. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thes 2. 16 17. Now God himself even our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you 1 Thess 3. 11. CHAP. XI Of Christs Priestly Office Qu. IS not Christ Jesus a Priest A. We have a great high-priest Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 14. Qu. Did not Christ take this honour to himself A. Christ glorified not himself to become an high-priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee Heb. 5. 5. Qu. What maner of high-priest is Christ A. Such an high-priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majestie in the heavens A minister of the sanctuary and of the tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 8. 1 2. Qu. Was not Christ a priest whilst he was on earth namely when he died on he cross A. If he were on earth he should not be a priest seeing that there are priests who offer gifts according to the Law Heb. 8. 4. And it is yet far more evident for that after the similitude of Melchisedeck there ariseth another priest Who is made not after the law of a carnal commandment but after the power of an endless life Heb. 7. 15 16. Qu. What benefit happeneth by Christs priesthood A. He became the author of eternal salvation Called of God an high-priest after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5. 9 10. Qu. Unto whom is Christ as a Priest become the authour of eternal salvation A. Unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Qu. How can Christ save them by his priesthood A. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7. 25. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9. 28. Qu. Is not the sacrifice of Christ to be reiterated as that of the Levitical Priests if not what is the reason thereof A. Every priest standeth daily ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 11 12 13 14. Qu. How did Christ enter into the holy place to offer himself A. By his own blood Heb. 9. 12. Qu. Why would God have Christ come to his priestly office by sufferings A. It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings That he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 10 17 18. Q. What is the true and genuine use you would have us make of this doctrine A. Seeing that we have a great high-priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession For we have not an high-priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14 15 16. CHAP. XII Of Christs Death Qu. WAs it the will and purpose of God that Christ should suffer the death of the cross What saith the apostle Peter to the Jews concerning this A. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Act. 2. 22 23. Q. What say the disciples in general concerning the same They lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Of a truth against thy holy childe Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Acts 4. 24 27 28. Q. Did Christ die to reconcile and bring God to
for righteousness A. To him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 4. 5. Qu. Was Abraham the father of the faithful justified in this maner A. He believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness Gen. 15. 6. Qu. Was not this written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him for righteousness A. It was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him But for us also Rom. 4. 23 24. Qu. On what terms if we apprehend and apply Christs righteousness to our selves A. If we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4. 24. Qu. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Is it not sufficient for us if we believe as he did what saith Christ A. Ye believe in God believe also in me John 14. 1. Qu. What saith Peter A. Christ was manifested in these last times for you Who by or through him believe on God 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. Qu. Doth not God justifie men because of the full price that Christ paid to him in their stead so that he abated nothing of his right in that one drop of Christs blood was sufficient to satisfie for a thousand Worlds If not how are they saved A. Being justified FREELY by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Rom. 3. 24. Eph. 1. 7. Qu. Did not Christ merit eternal life and purchase the kingdom of heaven for us A. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6. 23. It is your Fathers good-pleasure to give you the Kingdom Luke 12. 32. CHAP. XVI Of keeping the Commandments and having an eye to the reward of perfection in vertue and godliness to be attained and of departing from righteousness and faith Qu. ARe the commandments possible to be kept A. His commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. My yoke is easie and my burthen light Mat. 11. 30. Qu. But though it be possible to keep the commandments yet is it not enough if we desire and endeavour to keep them although we actually keep them not And doth not God here accept the will for the deed A. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand Mat. 7. 21 24 26. Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work shall be blessed in his doing Jam. 1. 25. Glory honor and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2. 10. If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Joh. 13. 17. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Luke 11. 27. We must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ that every man may receive the things done in his body according to what he hath done whether it be good or evil 2 Cor. 5. 10. The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels and then he shall reward every man according to his works Mat. 16. 27. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be Rev. 22. 12. If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments Mat. 19. 17. Qu. Which Mat. 19. 18. A. Thou shalt do no murther Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Honor thy father and thy mother and Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Mat. 19. 18 19. Qu. Though it be not onely possible but also necessary to keep the commandments yet is it lawful so to do that we may have a right to eternal life and the heavenly inheritance may we seek for honor end glory and immortality by well doing is it the tenor of the Gospel that we should live uprightly in expectation of the hope hereafter and finally ought we to suffer for the kingdom of God and not as sume are pleased to mince the matter from the kingdom of God Cite the testimonies of the Scripture to this purpose A. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city Rev. 22. 14. The revelation of the righteous judgement of God Who will render to every man accorto his deeds To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality eternal life Rom. 2. 6 7 8. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 11 12 13. That ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 2 Thess 1. 5. Qu. Have ye any Scripture that saith we must believe that God is a rewarder of them that seek him and that if we come not to him with such a faith it is impossible to please him A. Without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. Qu. Have you any example of keeping the commandments under the law what saith David of himself A. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness according to the cleanness of mine hands hath he recompensed me For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God For all his judgments were before me I did not put away his statutes from me I was also upright before him and I kept my self from mine iniquity Therefore hath the Lord recompenced me according to my righteousness according to the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight Psal 18. 20 21 22 23 24. Qu. Have you any example under the Gospel A. Whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight 1. Joh. 3. 22. Qu. Have you not examples of the choicest Saints who obeyed God in hope of the reward both before under and after the Law
substituted in the stead thereof in like maner there was so much of the primitive truth worn away by the corruption that did by little and little overspread the generality of Christians and so many errors in stead thereof tacked to our Religion at several times that one might justly question whether it were the same Religion with that which Christ and his Apostles taught and not another since devised by men and put in the room thereof But thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ who amidst the universal corruption of our Religion hath preserved his written Word entire for had men corrupted it they would have made it speak more favourably in behalf of their lusts and worldly interests then it doth which Word if we with diligence and sincerity pry into resolving to embrace the doctrine that is there plainly delivered though all the world should set it self against us for so doing we shall easily discern the Truth and so be enabled to reduce our Religion to its first principles For thus much I perceive by mine own experience who being otherwise of no great abilities yet setting my self with the aforesaid resolution for sundry yeers together upon an impartial search of the Scripture have not onely detected many errors but here presented the Readers with a body of Religion exactly transcribed out of the Word of God which body whosoever shall well ruminate and digest in his mind may by the same method wherein I have gond before him make a further enquiry into the Oracles of God and draw forth whatsoever yet lies hid and being brought to light will tend to the accomplishment of Godliness amongst us for at this only all the Scripture aimeth I say the Scripture which all men who have thorowly studied the same must of necessity be enamoured with as breathing-out the meer wisdom of God and being the exactest Rule of a holy life which all religions whatsoever confess to be the way unto Happiness that can be imagined and whose Divinity will never even to the worlds end be questioned by any but such as are unwilling to deny their worldly lusts and obey the pure and perfect precepts thereof Which obedience whosoever shall perform he shall not onely in the life to come but even in this life be equal unto Angels JOHN BIDDLE The Contents Chap. 1. OF the holy Scripture or Word of God Chap. 2. Of God Chap. 3. Of the Creation Chap. 4. Of Christ Jesus Chap. 5. Of the Holy Ghost Chap. 6. Of Salvation by Christ Chap. 7. Of Christs Mediation Chap. 8. Of Christs Prophetick Office Chap. 9. Of Remission of Sins by Christ Chap. 10. Of Christs Kingly Office Chap. 11. Of Christs Priestly Office Chap. 12. Of Christs death Chap. 13. Of the Universality of Gods love Chap. 14. Of Christs Resurection Chap. 15. Of Justification and Faith Chap. 16. Of keeping the Commandments and having an eye to the Reward of Perfection in vertue and godliness to be attained and of departing from righteousness and Faith Chap. 17. Of the duty of Subjects and Magistrates Wives and Husbands Children and Parents Servants and Masters Chap. 18. Of the behaviour of Men and Women in general and in special of Aged Men Aged Women Young Women and Young Men. Chap. 19. Of Prayer Chap. 20. Of the Church Chap. 21. Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Chap. 22. Of Baptism Chap. 23. Of the Lords Supper Chap. 24. Of the Resurrection of the dead and the last Judgement and what shall be the Final Condition of the Righteous and the Wicked thereupon A Scripture-Catechism CHAP. I. Of the holy Scripture or Word of God Question WHat doth the Scripture testifie concerning its own authority Answer All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. Qu. What concerning its own usefulness and excollencie A. All Scripture is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether More to be desired are they then gold yea then much finde gold sweeter also then honey and the honey-comb Moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psal 19. 7 8 9 10 11. The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times Psal 12. 6. Thy testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soul keep them Psal 119. 129. Qu. What doth the Scripture testifie concerning its own sufficiencie A. The holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Joh. 20. 31. Qu. How would you answer them who notwithstanding the testimony of the Scripture it self touching its own sufficiencie should bear you in hand that certain traditions and commandments of men are necessary to salvation A. Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Matth. 15. 6 9. Qu. What would you say to a man introducing a new form of words unheard-of in the Scripture and such a doctrine as tendeth not to godliness A. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 13. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness He is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Let that abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning 1 Joh. 2. 24. Qu. What benefit shall redound unto us thereby A. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2. 24. Qu. What would you say to such as should require you to follow the judgement of Fathers Councels and Learned Divines when you finde it not agreeable to the Scripture A. To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. Qu. Is the Scripture plain enough to be understood even by the simple A. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Psal 19. 7. The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119. 130. Qu. Is the Word of God a dead letter of it self A. The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing
commanded thee saying Thou shalt not eat of it cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee and thou shalt eat the herb of the field In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return Gen. 3. 16 17 18 19. CHAP. IV. Of Christ Jesus Qu. HOw many Lords of Christians are there by way of distinction from that one God A. One Lord. Eph. 4. 5. Qu. Who is that one Lord A. Jesus Christ by whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Qu. How was Jesus Christ born A. The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with childe of the holy Ghost Matth. 1. 18. The angel said unto her Fear not Mary Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest Then said Mary to the angel How shall this be seeing I know not a man And the angel answered and said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee Luke 1. 30 31 32 34 35. Qu. How came Jesus Christ to be Lord according to the opinion of the apostle Paul A. To this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be Lord of the dead and living Rom. 14. 9. Qu. What saith the apostle Peter also concerning the time and maner of his being made Lord A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 32 33 36. Qu. Did not Jesus approve himself to be God by his miracles and did he not those miracles by a Divine nature of his own and because he was God himself What is the determination of the Apostle Peter in this behalf A. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God by miracles wonders and signes which God did by him Acts 2. 22. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him Acts 10. 38. Qu. Could not Christ do all things of himself and was it not an eternal Son of God that took flesh upon him and to whom the humane nature of Christ was personally united that wrought all his works Answer me to these things in the words of the Son himself A. Verily verily I say unto you The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do for what things soever he doth these also doth the Son likewise For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that himself doth and he will shew him greater works then these that ye may marvel I can do nothing of my self Joh. 5. 19 20 30. The Father that dwelleth in me he doth the works Joh. 14. 10. Qu. What reason doth the Son render why the Father did not forsake him and cast him out of favour was it not because he was of the same essence with him so that it was impossible for the Father to forsake him or cease to love him A. He that hath sent me is with me the Father hath not left me alone for I do always those things that please him Joh. 8. 28 29. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue in my love If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love Joh. 15. 9 10. Qu. Doth the Scripture avouch Christ to be the Son of God because he was eternally begotten out of the Divine essence or for other reasons agreeing to him onely as a man Rehearse the passages to this purpose A. The angel said unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David Then said Mary unto the angel How shall this be seeing I know not a man And the angel answered and said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 1. 30 31 32 34 35. Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world Thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God Joh. 10. 36. We declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the fathers God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is also written in the second Psalm Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Act. 13. 32 33. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first-begotten of the dead Rev. 1. 5. He is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead Col. 1. 18. Being made so much better then the angels As he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they For unto which of the angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son Heb. 1. 4 5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high-priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee Heb. 5. 5. Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the first-born among many brethren Rom. 8. 29. Qu. What saith the Son himself concerning the prerogative of God the Father above him A. If ye loved me ye would rejoyce because I said I go unto the Father for my Father is greater then I. Joh. 14. 28. But of that day and that hour knoweth none no not the angels which are in heaven nor the Son but the Father Mark 13. 32. Of that day and hour knoweth none no not the angels of heaven but my Father onely Matth. 24. 36. Qu. What saith the Apostle Paul A. Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father And when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the Son
also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15. 24 28. I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God 1 Cor. 11. 3. All are yours And ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. Qu. Howbeit is not Christ dignified as with the title of Lord so also with that of God in the Scripture A. Thomas answered and said unto him My Lord and my God John 20. 28. Qu. Was he so the God of Thomas as that he himself in the mean time did not acknowledge another to be his God A. Jesus saith unto her Go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Joh. 20. 17. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God Rev. 3. 12. Qu. Have you any passage of the Scripture where Christ at the same time that he hath the appellation of God given to him is said to have a God A. But unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity wherefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows Heb. 1. 8 9. CHAP. V. Of the Holy Ghost Qu. HOw many Holy Spirits of Christians are there A. One Spirit Eph. 4. 4. Qu. Wherein consists the prerogative of the Holy Spirit above other spirits A. The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For who of men knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth none save the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. Qu. Whence is the Holy Ghost sent A. Down from heaven 1 Pet. 1. 12. Qu. By whom A. God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts Gal. 4. 6. Qu. Doth not Christ affirm that he also sends him how speaketh he A. If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him Joh. 16. 7. Qu. Had Jesus Christ always the power to send the Holy Ghost or did he obtain it at a certain time A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear Act. 2. 32 33. This spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified Joh. 7. 39. Qu. What were the general benefits accruing to Christians by the Holy Ghost A. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 13. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8. 16 26 27. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto us Rom. 5. 5. Your love in the Spirit Col. 1. 8. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him Eph. 1. 17. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost Rom. 15. 13. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Then had the Churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the holy Ghost were multiplied Acts 9. 31. The he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inner man Eph. 3. 16. Qu. What are the special benefits accruing to the apostles by the holy Ghost what saith Christ to them hereof A. The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Joh. 15. 26. When he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth Joh. 16. 13. Qu. Should the holy Ghost lead them into all truth as speaking of himself and imparting of his own fulness What saith Christ concerning him A. He shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you Joh. 16. 13 14. Qu. Do men receive the holy Ghost while they are of the world and in their natural condition to the end that they may become the children of God may receive the word may believe may repent may obey Christ or after they are become the children of God have received the word do believe do repent do obey Christ A. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Joh. 14. 16 17. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. When the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the holy Ghost For as yet he was fallen upon none of them onely they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 8. 14 15 16. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water But this he spake of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet
glorified Joh. 7. 38 39. Paul having passed thorow the upper coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain disciples He said unto them Have ye received the holy Ghost since ye believed and they said unto him We have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost Act. 19. 1 2. In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Eph. 1. 13. That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Gal. 3. 14. God made choice among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel and believe And God which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us Acts 15. 7 8. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Acts 2. 38. And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him Acts 5. 32. CHAP. VI. Of Salvation by Christ Qu. IS not Christ in Scripture called a Saviour A. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. Q. Is Christ our Saviour originally and of himself or because he was given exalted and raised up by another to be a Saviour A. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour Acts 5. 31. Of this mans seed hath God accorcording to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Jesus Acts 13. 23. Q. How do the Saints expect to be saved by Christ A. We shall be saved by his life Rom. 5. 10. We look for a Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Phil. 3. 20 21. CHAP. VII Of Christs Mediation Q. IS not Christ called the Mediator between God and men A. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Is not Christ also called the Mediator of the New Covenant or of a better Covenant A. Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant Heb. 12. 24. He is the Mediator of a better covenant Heb. 8. 6. CHAP. VIII Of Christs Prophetick Office Q. IS not Christ dignified as with the title of Mediator so also with that of Prophet A. He shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you For Moses truly said unto the fathers A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me Acts 3. 20 22. Q. Forasmuch as Christ was to be a Prophet like unto Moses and Moses had this priviledge above other Prophets that God made not himself known to him in a vision nor spake to him in a dream but face to face as a man speaketh to a friend and shewed to him the similitude of the Lord Exod. 33. 11. Num. 12. 6 7 8. can you cite any passage of the Scripture which intimateth that Christ did see God before the discharge of his Prophetick Office A. Every man that hath heard and learned from the Father cometh to me Not that any man hath seen the Father save he which is from God he hath seen the Father Joh. 6. 45 46. Qu. From whence doth it appear that Christ like to Moses heard from God the things that he spake A. Ye seek to kill me a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard from God Joh. 8. 40. He that hath sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him As my Father hath taught me I speak these things Joh. 8. 26 28. All things that I have heard from my Father have I made known unto you Joh. 15. 15. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them Joh. 17. 8. Qu. Can you further cite any passages to prove that Christ as a man ascended into heaven and was there and came from God out of heaven before he shewed himself to the world and discharged his Prophetick Office so that the talking of Moses with God in the person of an angel bearing the name of God was but a shadow of Christs talking with God A. No man hath ascended into heaven but he that came down from heaven the Son of man which is or rather was in heaven Joh. 3. 13. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascending up where he was before Joh. 6. 62. I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me Joh. 6. 38. I am the living bread which came down from heaven Joh. 6. 51. Moses gave you not that bread from heaven but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world The Jews then murmured at him because he said I am the bread which came down from heaven And they said Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph whose father and mother we know how is it then that he saith I came down from heaven Joh. 6. 32 33 41 42. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me shall live by me This is that bread which came down from heaven Joh. 6. 57 58. I proceeded forth and came from God Ioh. 8. 42. Ye are from beneath I am from above ye are of this world I am not of this world Ioh. 8. 29. Jesus knowing that he was come from God and goeth to God Ioh. 13. 1 3. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father His disciples said unto him Lo now thou speakest plainly and speakest no parable Now are we sure that thou knowest all things and needest not that any man should ask thee by this we believe that thou camest forth from God Ioh. 16. 28 29 30. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and known surely that I came out from thee Ioh. 17. 8. Qu. Of what consequence was it in the judgement of Christ himself that his disciples had believed that he came out from God what saith he A. The Father himself loveth you because ye have believed that I came out from God Ioh. 16. 27. Qu. Doth not Iohn the Baptist affirm that Christ surpassed all others because he came down from heaven above what saith he A. He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth or rather was from the earth is earthly or rather is of the earth and speaketh of the earth He that cometh from heaven is above all And what he hath seen and heard that he speaketh Ioh. 3. 30 31
witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Acts 10. 43. Qu. Doth not Christ himself forgive sins What saith the Apostle Paul A. As Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 13. Qu. When Christ forgave sins on the earth did he forgive them as being God or as being a man impowered by God Likewise when he now forgiveth sins in heaven doth he forgive them as God or as one exalted by God to that end Cite the Scriptures pertinent hereunto A. Jesus seeing their faith saith to the sick of the palsey Son be of good chear thy sins be forgiven thee And behold certain of the Scribes said within themselves This man blasphemeth And Jesus knowing their thoughts said Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts For whether is easier to say Thy sins be forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins then speaketh he to the sick of the palsey Arise take up thy bed and go unto thine house And he arose and departed to his house And when the multitude saw it they marvelled and glorified God which had given such power to men Matth. 9. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel Act. 5. 31. CHAP. X. Of Christs Kingly Office Qu. WAs not Christ Jesus to be a King what saith the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary concerning this A. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father And he shall raign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1. 31 32 33. Qu. Is Christ Jesus already invested in his kingdom and did he after his ascension into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God exercise dominion and soveraignty over men and angels Rehearse some clear passages of the Scripture to this purpose A. That ye may know What is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places Far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 18 19 20 21 22 23. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first-begotten of the dead and Prince of the kings of the earth Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood And hath made us kings and priests unto God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 1. 5 6. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 5. 30 31. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I overcame and am set with my Father in his throne Rev. 3. 21. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testifie unto you these things in the Churches Rev. 22. 16. Brother Saul the Lord even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest hath sent me that thou mightst receive thy sight and be filled with the holy Ghost Act. 9. 17. These shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of lords and King of kings Rev. 17. 14. He was clothed with a vesture dipt in blood and his name is called The word of God And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of kings and Lord of lords Rev. 19. 13 16. All power is given unto me in heaven and earth Go ge therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world Matth. 28. 18 19 20. So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into heaven and sate on the right hand of God And they went forth and preached everywhere the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signes following Mark 16. 19 20. Qu. For what cause and to what ends was Christ Jesus exalted to his kingdom A. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2. 8 9 10 11. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 5. 31. Qu. How ought men to honour the Son of God Christ Jesus A. Even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 23. Qu. What danger is there in not honouring the Son A. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that sent him Joh. 5. 23. Qu. Ought men to honour the Son as they honour the Father because he hath the same essence with the Father or because he hath the same judiciary power What is the decision of the Son himself concerning this point A. The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement unto the Son That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. Qu. Did the Father give judiciary power to the Son because he had in him the divine nature personally united to the humane or because he was the Son of man What is the decision of the Son himself concerning this point also A. He hath given him authority to execute judgement because he is the Son of man Joh. 5. 27. Qu. Is it the will of God that Jesus Christ should be worshipped of angels and men A. When he bringeth the first-begotten into the world he saith And let all the angels of God worship him Heb. 1. 6. God hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name That at the name of Jesus every knee should
A. By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance obeved and he went out not knowing whither he went By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise For he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 8 9 10. By faith Moses when he was come to yeers refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures in Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 24 25 26. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Heb. 12. 1 2. Paul a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of Gods elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness In hope of eternal life Tit. 1. 1 2. Qu. Do not the Scriptures intimate that Christians may attain to perfection of vertue and godliness and that it is the intention of God and Christ and his ministers to bring them unto this pitch Rehearse the texts to this effect A. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and unblameable before him in love Eph. 1. 4. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 25 26 27. 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. Be ye perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect Matth. 5. 48. Finally brethren farewel be ye perfect 2 Cor. 13. 11. We preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. He gave some apostles some prophets some evangelists some pastors and teachers For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you always labouring fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God Col. 4. 12. The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5. 23. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints 1 Thess 3. 13. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thess 2. 16 17. Qu. Have you any example of perfection before the Law A. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God Gen. 6. 9. The Lord said unto Satan Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil Job 1. 8. Qu. Have you any example of perfection under the Law A. There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain priest named Zacharias of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth And they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless Luk. 1. 1 2. Qu. Have you any examples under the Gospel A. Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2. 21 22. I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred fourty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their foreheads These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God Rev. 14. 1 4 5. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Rev. 3. 4. Ye are witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe 1 Thess 2. 10. Qu. If works be so necessary to salvation as you have before shewn from the Scripture how cometh it to pass that Paul saith We are justified by faith without works Meant he to exclude all good works whatsoever or onely those of the Law How doth he explain himself A. We are justified by faith without the works of the Law Rom. 3. 28. Qu. Can you make it appear from elsewhere that Paul intended to exclude from justification onely the perfect works of the Law which leave no place for either grace or faith and not such works as include both and that by a justifying faith he meant a working faith and such a one as is accompanied with righteousness A. By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Not of works lest any man should boast For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 8. 9 10. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grase but of debt But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 3. 4 5. There is a remnant according to the election of grace And if by grace then it is no more of works otherwise grace is no more grace But if it be of works then it is no more grace otherwise work is no more work Rom. 11. 5 6. If they which are of the law be heirs faith is made void and the promise made of none effect Because the law worketh wrath for where no law is there is no
draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 24 25 26 28 29 35 38 39. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God Heb. 12. 15. Cursed children Which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness When they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in error For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb The dog is turned to his vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. 14 15 18 20 21 22. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the er or of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. For this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the tempter had tempted you and our labour be in vain 1 Thess 3. 5. Because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith Be not highminded but fear For if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in goodness otherwise thou also shalt be cut off Rom. 11. 20 21 22. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat now walkest thou not charitably Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died Rom. 14. 25. Through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8. 11. I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 27. If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered Joh. 15. 6. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away Joh. 15. 2. CHAP. XVII Of the duty of Subjects and Magistrates Wives and Husbands Children and Parents Servants and Masters Qu. WHat is the duty of all them that are under authority A. Let every foul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13. 1. Q. Why must every soul be subject to them A. For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13. 1. Q. What doth he that resisteth the power and what shall they receive to themselves A. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13. 2. Qu. Why shall they that resist receive damnation A. For rulers are not a terrour to good works but to evil Rom. 13. 3. Qu. How shall a man behave himself that he need not fear the power and whence cometh it so to pass A. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he is the minister of God to thee for good but if thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Rom. 13. 3 4. Q. Is not the fear of wrath or punishment the onely motive to subjection A. Ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake Rom. 13. 5. Qu. Must we not also pay to the higher powers tribute and custom A. Render to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom Rom. 13. 7. Q. Why should we pay tribute to them A. For this cause pay you tribute also for they are Gods ministers attending continually upon this very thing Rom. 13. 6. Qu. Though what you have cited out of the apostle Paul doth intimate the duty of the Magistrate yet have you not some passage of Scripture that doth expresly set it down A. He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23. 3. Q. What benefit shall accrue to him that ruleth so A. He shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth even a morning without clouds as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain 2 Sam. 23. 4. Q. What is the duty of wives and husbands according to the doctrine of the two great apostles Paul and Peter Rehearse their words A. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the Saviour of the body Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so let wives be to their own husbands in every thing Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies he that loveth his wife loveth himself For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord doth the church For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself and the wife see that she reverence her husband Eph. 5. 22 23 c. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them Col. 3. 18 19. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing gold or of putting on of apparel But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price For after this maner in the old time the
them that call upon him A. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him Psal 145. 18. The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. Qu. Is he nigh unto all them that call upon him in whatsoever maner A. To all that call upon him in truth Psal 145. 18. The Lord is far from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous Prov. 15. 29. We know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth John 9. 31. Qu. Did not Christ himself prescribe a form of prayer to his disciples so that there remaineth no doubt touching the lawfulness of using a form A. It came to pass that as he was praying in a certain place when he ceased one of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth Give us day by day our daily bread And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Luke 11. 1 2 3 4. Qu. How must we make our addresses to the Father that we may receive whatsoever we pray for what saith Christ to his disciples A. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you John 16. 23. Qu. Was it the custome during the time that Christ conversed on the earth much less before he came into the world to pray unto God in the name of Christ or through Christ or did it begin to be used after the resurrection and exaltation of Christ what saith Christ himself concerning this A. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full The time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in parables but I shall shew you plainly of the Father At that day ye shall ask in my name John 16. 24 25 26. Qu. Have ye any example of praying to God through Christ after his resurrection and exaltation A. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. CHAP. XX. Of the Church Qu. WHat is Christ in relation to the Church and the Church in relation to him A. He is the head of the body the Church Col. 1. 18. Qu. How many such bodyes hath Christ A. One body Eph. 4. 4. Qu. What kind of head is Christ A. From which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. Qu. Who are the Church A. They that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Qu. Upon what foundation is the Church built A. Upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Eph. 2. 20. Qu. What other honourable titles doth the Scripture give unto the Church besides that of the body of Christ A. The bride the Lambs wife Rev. 22. 17. Rev. 19. 7 8. Rev. 21. 9. The temple of God 1 Cor. 3. 16. The house of God the pillar and ground of the truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Q. What special promise hath Christ made to the Church A. the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 18. Qu. What doth Christ elsewhere say of himself that may give assurance to the Church that this promise shall be made good A. Behold I live for ever and ever amen and have the keys of hell and death Rev. 1. 18. CHAP. XXI Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Qu. WHen Christ was ascended up on high after his death and resurrection and so ceased to be personally present with his Church whom did he set apart for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of his body A. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Qu. What is the advice of the two great Apostles Paul and Peter to the elders and governors of the Church A. Take heed unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made your overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20. 28. The elders which are among you I exhort who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde Neither as being lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. What reward doth the apostle Peter tell them they shall have at the appearance of Christ if they do as he prescribeth A. When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 4. Qu. What is the duty of the yonger or private sort in relation to the elders or publike officers of the Church A. Likewise ye yongers submit your selves unto the elders 1 Pet. 5. 5. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13. 17. We beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thess 5. 12 13. Q. What saith the Scripture concorning the maintenance of them that instruct and oversee the Church A. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6 6 7 8. If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things Do ye
not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel 1 Cor. 9. 11 13 14. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine For the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn and The labourer is worthy of his reward 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. Qu. What saith the apostle Paul to Titus concerning the persons that are to be ordained Elders Bishops or Overseers of the Church A. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee If any be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre But a lover of hospitality a lover of good men sober just holy temperate Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince gainsayers Tit. 1. 5 6 7 8 9. Qu. What saith he to Timothy concerning the same subject A. This is a true saying If any man desire the office of a bishop he desireth a good work A bishop then must be blameless the husband of one wife vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach Not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity For if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the church of God Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil 1 Tim. 3. 1 2 c. Q. How ought those to be qualified that are to be ordained Deacons for the keeping and distributing the common stock of the Church A. Likewise must the deacons be grave not double-tongued not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience And let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well 1 Tim. 3. 8 9 10 12. Q. How ought their wives to be qualified A. Even so must their wives be grave not slanderers sober faithful in all things 1 Tim. 3. 11. Qu. What direction doth the Apostle give touching the casting of unworthy members out of the Church A. Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which ye received of us 1 Thess 5. 6. But now have I written unto you not to keep company if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetous or an idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such a one no not to eat For what have I to do to judge them also that are without do not ye judge them that are within But them that are without God judgeth Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person 1 Cor. 5. 11 12 13. CHAP. XXII Of Baptism Qu. WHat is the judgement of John the Baptist of Christ Jesus and of the Apostle Peter touching the doctrine of Baptisms How speak they A. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier then I whose shooes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire Mat. 3. 11. Wait for the promise of the Father which ye have heard of me For John verily baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many dayes hence Acts 1. 4 5. As I began to speak the holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning Then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost Acts 11. 15 16. Qu. Though the passages which you have alledged plainly intimate that the baptism of the Spirit was the baptism of Christ as that of water was Johns baptism yet did not the Apostles of Christ baptize with water what saith Paul of this also A. I baptized the house of Stephanas 1 Cor. 1. 16. Qu. But divers think the Apostles were sent to baptize as well as to preach What therefore saith the same Apostle concerning this also A. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. Qu. Howbeit when Paul himself and the believing Romans were baptized into what doth he say they were baptized and to what end A. So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walk in newness of life Rom. 6. 3 4. Qu. Forasmuch as so great stress is put by some upon water-baptism what baptism is it even in the judgement of the Apostle Peter whereby we are saved the said baptism of water whereby the filth of the body is washed off or the baptism of the heart whereby it is cleansed from an evil conscience A. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God 1 Pet. 3. 21. CHAP. XXIII Of the Lords Supper Qu. WHen was the Lords supper instituted and to what end A. The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betraid took bread And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me After the same maner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the new testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye shew forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26. Q. What hurt happeneth to him that receiveth the Lords supper unworthily A. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning
the Lords body 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Q. How shall a man behave himself that he may be a worthy communicant at the Lords table A. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. 1 Cor. 11. 28. Qu. What examination is it on which Christians should put themselves What saith the same Apostle concerning this point A. Examine your selves whether you be in the faith prove your own selves 2 Cor. 13. 5. CHAP. XXIV Of the Resurrection of the dead and the last Judgement and what shall be the final condition of the righteous and the wicked thereupon Qu. WHat do you believe concerning the resurrection of the dead A. That there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Acts 24. 15. Qu. By whom shall the dead be raised A. By Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 22. Q. Why are the dead raised by Christ rather then by God himself A. Since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 21. Qu. How came Christ by this power A. As the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 5. 26. The last Adam was made a quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. Qu. By whom shall God judge mankinde A. God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Rom. 2. 16. He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. Qu. What assurance hath God given that he will judge the world by this man A. In that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 31. Q. What shall be the different issue of the good from that of the bad at the resurrection A. All that are in the graves shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. Qu. Shall not the wicked and unbelieving live for ever though in torments as well as the godly and the faithful or is eternal life peculiar to the faithful A. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the warth of God abideth on him John 3. 36. Qu. Though this passage which you have cited seem clearly to prove that eternal life agreeth unto no other men but the faithful yet since the contrary opinion is generally held amongst Christians I would fain know farther of you whether you have any other places that directly affirm that the wicked dye and that a second death are destroyed and punished with everlasting destruction are corrupted burnt-up devoured slain pass away and perish A. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life Rom. 6. 23. If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Rom. 8. 13. I will give unto him that is athrist of the fountain of the water of life freely But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all lyars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 6 8. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2. 10 11. When they shall say Peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travel upon a woman with child and they shall not escape 1 Thess 5. 3. The day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 8. These as natural bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things that they understand not and shall utterly perish in their corruption 2 Pet. 2. 12. If any man defile the temple of God him shall God destroy Gr. corrupt 1 Cor. 3. 17. We are not of them that draw back to perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 39. Which the unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire Mat. 3. 12. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation Gr. fervor of fire which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10. 26 27. But those mine enemies which would not that I should raign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luke 19. 27. The world passeth away and the lusts thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2. 17. We are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish To the one we are the savor of death unto death and to the other the savor of life unto life 2 Cor. 2. 15 16. Qu. What is the use that our Saviour himself would have us make of this doctrine touching the destruction of men in hell-fire A. Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Mat. 10. 28. Qu. In what maner shall Christ come and administer judgement at the last day A. When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee thristy and gave thee drink When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the divel and his angels For I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not Then shall they also answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred or athirst or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister unto thee Then shall he answer them saying Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal Mat. 25. 31 32 c. Qu. Is there not another resurrection and judgement that shall precede this last and general one and peculiarly belongeth unto the saints that have been slain for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God what saith John the Divine concerning this matter A. I saw thrones and they sate upon them and judgement was given to them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the Beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 4 5 6. FINIS