heathens or Infidels A. See 1 Cor. 7.14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children unclean but now are they holy see Galath 2.15 See Rom. 11.16 Q. Hath God any praise or glory from babes and sucklings A. Psal 8.2 compared with Math. 21.15 16. Out of the mouth of Babes sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger And when the chief Priests and Scribes saw the wonderfull things that he did and the children crying in the Temple and saying Hosanna to the Son of David they were sore displeased And said unto him Hearest thou what these say And Jesus sayth unto them yea have ye never read Out of the mouth of Babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise Q. Was it ever the custome of the Jewes according to Gods own command to present Infants to the Lord at his Temple or place of publique worship A. Luk. 2.22 23. And when the daye of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the Law of the Lord every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Chap. 18. Of time for publique worship Q. DID ever God require any set day weekly for his worship service A. Exod. 20.8 9 10. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Q. Had our Lord Christ power to alter the weekly Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first A. Luk. 6.5 And he said unto them That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath Q. Was the first day of the week observed a day of meeting of Christians for the worship of God by the primitive Christians A. Joh. 20.19 26. Then the same day at evening being the first day of the week when the doores were shut where the disciples were assembled for feare of the Jewes came Jesus c. And after eight dayes again his disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus c. Act. 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them 1 Cor. 16.2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Q. VVhat day was it when the Apostle John was in the spirit A. Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet Q. VVere the Jewish Sabbaths shadowes of things to come and to end in Christ A. Col. 2.16 17. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new moon or of the Sabbath dayes which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Q. Are the prayers and Administrations of the Elders of the Church more desirable than of others A. Jam. 5.14 Is any sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with the oyle in the name of the Lord. Q. Is it lawfull for Christians delivered from the Jewish observation of dayes to have a set day or time appointed for any duty A. 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Q. Should Christians Assemble themselves together to worship God A. Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves togeither as the manner of some is but exhorting one another c. 1 Cor. 11.20 33 34. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lord's supper Wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eate tarry one for another And if any man hunger let him eat at home that ye come not together unto condemnation Q. Is there to be teaching in the Church when the Church meets A. 1 Cor. 14.19 28. Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue But if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speak to himselfe and to God Q. Are women to be publique teachers in the Church A. 1 Tim. 2.11 12. Let the women learne in silence with all subjection But I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence 1 Cor. 14.34 35. Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak And if they will learne any thing let them aske their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church Q. Doth 1 Cor. 11.5 Philip. 4.2 3. Joel 2.28 Doe all these together authorize Women to be publique teachers in the Church of the Saints A. Prophesying may perhaps be found taken three wayes in Scripture first for foretelling things to come by an extraordinary spirit and so we read of Huldah a Prophetesse and Deborah in the Old Testament and of Anna in the New 2ly For singing or framing or both of Psalmes Hymnes or spirituall songs and so I suppose the word is taken 1 Chron. 25.1 2. And so both Miriam and Deborah prophecyed and perhaps Women did so too in the Church of Corinth whilst they had the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost 3ly For teaching and instructing by expounding and applying some part or portion of God's word and I dare not say because of those Scriptures above named that it was never lawfull for Women to teach in the Christian Church namely whilst those extraordinary gifts lasted and they were not prohibited by the Apostle Paul but I dare not embolden a Woman to be a publique teacher in the Church Q. Do we read of a Woman who pretēded her selfe a Prophetesse would have this preheminence to be a teacher of others in the Church who did really seduce Christians A. Revelat. 2.20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel which calleth herselfe a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication Q. May a Woman teach her children at home the Principles or mysteries of religion A. Prov. 31.1 c. The words of King Lemuel the prophecy that his mother taught him Prov. 1.8 My Son forsake not the law of thy Mother So chap. 6.20 Q. May not Women as well teach authoritatively in the Church as Governe in a Common-wealth A. See Isa 49.23 And Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers c. Q. If a crown be her Patrimony descending to her
Ministers of Christ or of the State A. 2 Cor. 11.23 Are they Ministers of Christ I speake as a fool I am more 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the mysteries of God Col. 4.17 Q. But ought not Ministers to be of some other calling beside must not they necessarily worke at some trade on the week dayes and preach on the Lord's day A. No. 1 Cor. 9.6 Or I only and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working Matth. 4.20 And they straight way left their nets and so followed him So vers 22. And they immediatly left the ship and their father and followed him Q. If Ministers doe not work c. How shall they live or be maintained A. 1 Cor. 9.13 14. 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 Gospell should live of the Gospel 1 Tim. 5.17 18. 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 Oxe that treadeth out the corne and the Labourer is worthy of his reward Q. What may ministers take wages or hire for their preaching A. Mat. Yes 10.9 10. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brasse in your purses nor skrip for your journey neither two coates neither shooes nor yet staves for the workman is worthy of his meat 2 Cor. 11.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to doe you service 2 King 8.9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him even of every good thing of Damascus fourty Camels burden came stood before him c. 1 Cor. 9.7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock Q. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever receive any thing while he went up and down preaching A. Yes Luk. 8.3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's Steward and many others which ministred unto him of their substance Q. Did the Church of old ordaine officers with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of hands A. Yes Act. 6.3 5 6. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisedome whom we may appoint over this businesse And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost and Philip c. whom they set before the Apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them 1 Tim. 4.14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery So chap. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sinnes 2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands Q. Did the Apostle Paul labour in his calling alwaies and in all places preach gratis or did he take hire or wages of some Churches although he preached freely among the Corinthians A. 2 Cor. 11.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to doe you service Q. Was that commandement of Christ to the Apostles Mat. 10.9 10. only temporary or perpetuall was it only for the first expedition and afterwards reversed by the same power that made it A. Yea. Lu. 22.35 36. And he said unto them when I sent you without purse skrip shooes lacked ye any thing And they said Nothing Then said he unto them But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one Q. How did godly ones of old carry themselves to the Prophets of the Lord A. 1 King 18.3 4. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly For it was so when Jezebel cut off the Prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took an 100 Prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave and fed them with bread and water Q. How did Idolaters carry themselves to their Priests A. 1 King 18.19 Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel and the Prophets of Baal 450 and the Prophets of the groves 400 which eate at Jezebels table Q. Did God provide for those that fed any of his Prophets A. Yes 1 King 17.15 16. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah and she and he and her house did eat many dayes and the barrel of meale wasted not neither did the cruse of oyle faile according to the word of the Lord which he spake by Elijah Q. Was it the custome of the Nations in extremity to sell the Priest's portion A No. Gen. 47.22 Only the land of the Priests bought he not for the Priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them wherefore they sold not their lands Q. How did the Saints of the new Testamēt entertaine the Preachers of the Gosple A. Gal. 4.14 15. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus I beare you record that if it had been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes have given them unto me Q. Were tithes ever given or received any other way then by vertue of the Leviticall law A. Yes He. 7.1 2 9. For this Melcheisedeck King of Salem Priest of the most high God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all And as I may so say Levi also who receiveth tithes payd tithes in Abraham Q. May a Son or Daughter of Abraham without sinne pay tithes or shall not a man subject his neck to the yoke of legal ceremonies in case he pay tithes A. Heb. 7.1 2. For this Melchisedeck c. Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Q. Were tithes first paid to the Priesthood of Aaron or to him of whose order Christ was a Priest A. Heb. 7.1 2. For this Melchisedeck King of Salem Priest of the most high God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all Heb. 5.5 6. Q. Suppose a man think himselfe not bound by the law of God or man may a man lawfully pay that from which he is free by right provided that he be not bound by oath to the contrary A. Mat. 17.25 26 27. What thinkest thou Simon of whom doe the Kings of the earth take custome or tribute of their own
cloud and in the Sea compared with Exod. 10.24 Let your little ones also goe with you Num. 14.31 But your little ones which ye said should be a prey them will I bring in c. Q. Did God enter into a Covenant not only with grown men and women but with little ones also A. Deut. 29.10 11 12. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God your captaines of your tribes your Elders and your officers with all the men of Israell your little ones your wives c. That thou shouldest enter into Covenant with the Lord thy God and into his oath which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day Q. May we lawfully ingage children with us in holy duties A. Joel 2.16 Gather the people sanctify the congregation assemble the Elders gather the children and those that suck the brests c. Q. May we teach or instruct children in the meaning of holy ordinances or Institutions A. Exod. 12.26 27. When your children shall say unto you what mean you by this service ye shall say It is the sacrifice of the Lord 's Passeover who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt c. Josh 4.6 7. That when your children aske their Fathers in time to come saying what mean you by these stones Then ye shall answer them that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the Arke of the Covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan the waters of Jordan were cut off Q. Did our Lord Christ ever make use of any significant rite or ceremony to or upon children and accompany the same with Prayer A Mark 10.13 16. And they brought young children to him that he should touch them and his disciples rebuked those that brought them And he took them up in his Armes put his hands upon them and blessed them Q. Were ever any children dedicated or consecrated unto God from the womb A. 1 Sam. 1.27 28. For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him Therefore also have I lent him to the Lord as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. Chap. 3.1 And the child Samuel ministred unto the Lord before Eli. Judg. 13.5 For lo thou shalt conceive and bear a Son and no rasour shall come on his head for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb Q. Did the Holy Ghost ever sanctify any child from the womb or did ever any Infant receive the Holy Ghost A. Luk. 1.15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his Mothers womb Chap. 17. Of Baptisme Q. IS Baptisme with water to be used as an ordinary meanes of Salvation A. Matth. 28.19 20. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And loe I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Tit. 3.5 According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost 1 Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto even Baptisme doth also now save us c. Act. 2.38 41. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Then they that gladly received his word were baptized the same day there were added unto thē about 3000 soules Act. 22.16 And now why tarriest thou arise and be baptized and wash away thy sinnes calling on the name of the Lord. Q. What if a man believe and have the spirit is it to any end to baptize him A. Act. 8.36 37 38. And the Eunuch said See here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized And Philip said if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest And he answered and said I believe that Jesus is the Son of God And they went down both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him Act. 10.47 48. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Q. May those whom Christ sends forth to preach also Baptize A. Math. 28.19 20. Goe ye 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 loe I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Q. Did John Baptist baptize of his own head or the baptisme of John was it from heaven did God send him to baptize with water A. Joh. 1.33 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost Q. Did John baptize in his own name or in the name of Christ the Messiah A. Act. 19.4 Then said Paul John verily baptized with the baptisme of repentance saying unto the people that they should believe on him which should come after him that is on Christ Jesus Q. Is preaching or baptizing the chief worke to be attended A. 1 Cor. 1.14 17. I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospell Q. Is Baptisme a way and mean of admitting disciples or schollars to Christ A. Math. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Act. 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto thē about 3000 souls Joh. 4.1 2. When the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made baptized mo disciples than John though Jesus himselfe baptized not but his disciples Act. 19.4 John verily baptized with the baptisme of Repentance saying unto the people that they should believe on him which should come after him that is on Christ Jesus Q. Is it a Scripture argument or motive to be Baptized because the promise belongs to us A. Act. 2.39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. Doth the promise belong to the children of believing parents A. Gal. 3.16 Now to Abraham his seed were the promises made He saith not And to seeds as of many but as of one And to thy seed which is Christ Q. Are those who have received the Holy Ghost capable of Baptisme A. See Act. 10.47 Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we Q. Is there any difference 'twixt the children of believing parents and of
unto them Againe I say Christians must obey God rather than men the servants of God may serve the persons of men but must not serve mens lusts contrary to the Law of God Q. Must Mr and Servant sit down to meat together or may one sit and the other stand and serve A. Luk. 17.7 8. Which of you having a Servant will say to him goe and sit down to meat and not rather make ready wherewith I may sup and gird thy selfe and serve me c. Q. Doth not the scripture condemne Respect of persons Deut. 16.19 Jam. 2.1 3 9. Prov. 24.23 and 28.21 A. It is written also in the Scripture and the Scripture cannot be broken Render honour to whom honour is due Rom. 13.7 And againe Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man I am the Lord Lev. 19.32 We must not so expound one place of Scripture as to make it clash with another The holy spirit of truth doth not crosse and contradict himselfe We must necessarily therefore distinguish of Respect of Persons and shew what manner of honour or respect is sinfull and condemned and what is warrantable and allowed we acknowledge that the Scripture forbids to respect persons in judgment whether rich or poor Lev. 19.15 The Judge must not pervert judgment for feare of the rich man or out of pitty to the poor man but must judge righteous judgment every man's cause not according to the person that mannages it and whom it concernes but according to the merit of it Againe Christians must not as in the administration of justice so neither of Ordinances admit rich men because they are rich however unbelieving unworthy and altogether unqualified and exclude or refuse the poor how rich soever in Faith prepared and fitted merely because they are poor It seemes when James wrote his Epistle there were some in the Church who were to be blamed because they did preferre and honour rich men though unbelievers and oppressros and in the mean time did contemne and despise poor believing Christians for their poverty Though we may honour men for those outward excellencies which God hath bestowed or put upon them yet we must never so honour the rich as to slight and despise the poor especially the poor Believer Q. May we take these words Respect and Honour the one for the other A. Lev. 19.15 Ye shall doe no unrighteousnesse in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty but in Righteousnesse shalt thou judge thy Neighbour To conclude this matter that it is absolutely necessary to distinguish of respect of persons will appeare by comparing amongst others these two places of Scripture Eph. 6.9 knowing that your Mr also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him with Gen. 4.4 5. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect To reconcile thē these Scriptures that seem thus to crosse one another I say God doth not regard men more for their beauty place estate or such outward things nor will he for any such by-respect goe a haires breadth from justice and in this sence there is no respect of persons with God And yet God doth righteously and holily accept the faces of his people that feare and serve and call upon him Lev. 26.9 For I will have respect unto you and make you fruitfull and multiply you and establish my Covenant with you Q. May Christians when they are asked where they dwell give any other answer than this they dwell in God A. Yes Joh. 1.38 39. They said unto him Rabbi where dwellest thou he sayth to them come and see They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day Act. 28.30 And Paul dwelt two whole yeers in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him Q. May a Christian without sin call persons or things by the names which Heathens or Idolaters have given them especially if they have been the names of Idols A. Act. 28.11 we departed in a ship whose signe was Castor and Pollux Rom. 16.1 I commend unto you Phebe vers 14. Salute Hermas c. 1 Cor. 16.12 Brother Apollos Act. 17.1 When they had passed through Apollonia Q. Is it lawfull to call the dayes of the week and the months of the yeer by any other names then the 1st 2d 3d c. A. Est 9.17 On the 13th day of the moneth Adar c. Luk. 23.54 And that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on Rev. 1.10 I was in the spirit on the Lord's day Deut. 16.1 1 King 6.37 38. 1 King 8.2 Ezr. 6.15 Neh. 1.1 and 2.1 6.15 Q. May we interpret the word of God A. Math. 1.23 They shall call his name Emanuel which being interpreted is God with us Q. May we not only translate but also give the sence or meaning A. Joh. 7.37 38. If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water this spake he of the spirit which they that believe on him should receive c. Neh. 8.8 Q. May one man be helpfull to another towards the understanding of the Scriptures or must we depend upon and waite for the immediate teachings of the Holy Ghost A. Act. 8.30 31. And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the Prophet Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest And he sayd How can I except some man should guide me And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him Q. Is that said to be in the Scripture which is no where word for word now to be found but only in the sence and scope A. Jam. 4.5 Doe ye think that the scripture sayth in vaine the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy Joh. 7.38 He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Q. May that be said to be grounded on Scripture which is founded on Scripture consequences A. Mar. 12.26 27. And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaack and the God of Jacob He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living Q. May those who have the Spirit and are guided by the Spirit yet attend unto the Scripture or the outward writing A. 1 Chr. 28.11 12 19. Then David gave to Solomon the son his patterne of the porch And the patterne of all that he had by the Spirit of the courts of the house of the Lord All this said David the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me even all the workes of this patterne Q. Did our Lord Christ give the Apostles any
a man cannot pay too deare for it if false he cannot buy it too cheap Now who would be of such a Religion which may cost him the certaine losse of a temporall and much hazard his eternall estate that will ruine his estate and endanger his soule Now consider what I have said in this preface and what I say in the following Treatise and the Lord give you understanding in all things So prayeth really desirous of your conversion and salvation THO HODGES Chap. 1. Of this way or Method of proceeding by such Questions and Answers or The Introduction Q. MAY we say yes to a Question that is asked us when we answer it Affirmatively or must we necessarily say yea Ans Math. 17.24.25 They that received the Tribute money came to Peter and said Doth not your Mr pay tribute He sayth yes Q. When we answer a Question Negatively must we alwayes say Nay or may we say No A. Joh. 21.5 Then Jesus sayth unto them children have you any meat they answered him No. Q. Doth that place Jam. 5.12 forbid the saying Yes and No when it sayes Let your Yea be Yea and your Nay be Nay A. The Apostle dehorts from customary swearing and adviseth them to be true and faithfull in performing their word and promise he would not have men be I Sr no Sr as we say not yea and nay but one and the same in word and deed in our promises and performances and if we would doe so there would be no need of such common oaths to gaine credit or beliefe And farther I say that the Translators if they had pleased might have rendred the Originall thus Let your Yes be Yes and your No No as in the places above cited Q. Is it lawfull to set down or aske questions about points or matters of Religion and give answers thereunto for the instruction of the ignorant or teaching of those who are as yet babes in knowledge A. Yes Luk. 7.19 20 22. And John calling unto him two of his Disciples sent them to Jesus saying Art thou he that should come or look we for another when the men were come unto him they said John Baptist hath sent us unto thee saying Art thou he that should come or look we for another Then Jesus answering said unto them Goe your way and tell John what things you have seen and heard how that the blind see the lame walke the lepers are cleansed the dead are raised the deafe heare to the poor the Gospell is preached So Mat. 11.2 3 4 5. Hag. 2.11 12 13. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts Aske now the Priests concerning the Law saying If one beare holy flesh in the skirt of his garment and with his skirt doe touch bread or pottage or wine or oyle or any meat shall it be holy And the Priests answered and said No. Then said Haggai If one that is uncleane by a dead body touch any of these shall it be unclean And the Priests answered and said It shall be unclean Mat. 13.51 Q. May a man aske or propound a Question about that which he knowes himselfe and make an objection which he can answer himselfe A. Yes Mark 12.35 36 37. And Jesus answered and said while he taught in the Temple How say the Scribes that Christ is the Son of David for David himselfe said by the holy Ghost The Lord said to my Lord sit thou on my right hand 'till I make thine enemies thy footstool David therefore himselfe calleth him Lord and whence is he then his Son So Matth. 22.41 c. Rom. 6.1 what shall we say then shall we continue in sinne that grace may abound God forbid And verse 15. what then shall we sinne because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid So chap. 7.7 what shall we say then is the Law sinne God forbid and chap. 9.14 what shall we say then is there unrighteousnesse with God God forbid Q. May we aske what are the opinions of men concerning Christ or Christianity and give answers to them A. Yes Matth. 16.13 14. when Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi he asked his Disciples saying whom doe men say that I the Son of man am And they said some say that thou art John the Baptist some Elias and others Jeremias or one of the Prophets But whom say ye that I am v. 15th c. Q. Is it lawfull to propound objections for the clearing of the truth A. Yes Luk. 20.41 42 43 44. And he said unto them How say they that Christ is David's Son And David himselfe sayth in the Book of Psalmes The Lord said to my Lord sit thou on my right hand 'till I make thine enemies thy footstool David therefore calleth him Lord how is he then his Son So Mat. 22.41 c. Mar. 12.35 36 37. Q. May a man repeat and answer the objection of adversaries made against the truth or propound such as he thinks the wisdome of the flesh will or may possibly make against the truth A. Yes Rom. 9.19 20. Nay but O man who art thou that replyest against God shall the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou made me thus in v. 19. thou wilt say then unto me why doth he yet find fault for who hath resisted his will Q. Is it in any case lawfull to set down the objection or Argument of erroneous or hereticall Persons A. Yes Luk. 20. from 27th to 33. Then came to him certaine of the Sadduces which deny that there is any Resurrection and they asked him saying Master Moses wrote unto us if any man's Brother dye having a wife and he dye without children that his Brother should take his wife and raise up seed unto his Brother there were therefore seven brethren and the first took a wife and dyed without children c. therefore in the Resurrection whose wife of them is she for seven had her to wife So Mat. 22.23 c. Cap. 2. Of Errour Q. ARE there any Errors and Heresies destructive to the faith and damnable A. Yes 2 Pet. 2.1 But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Tim. 2.17 18. of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying that the Resurrection is past already and overthrow the Faith of some Q. Are there any blasphemous opinions A. Yes 2 Tim. 2.16.17 18. But shun profane and vain bablings for they will encrease unto more ungodlinesse and their word will eate as doth a canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred c. 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made ship-wrack of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learne not to blaspheme Q. May
which the people understand A. 1 Cor. 14.18 19 27 28. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue If any man speak in an unknown tongue let one interpret but if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speake to himselfe and to God Q. May we quote a translation of Scripture A. Heb. 10.5 6 7. Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not c then said I Lo I come to doe thy will O God Which is a passage taken out of the 40th Psal verses 6.7 8. secundum Interpret 70 c. Q. Are the Scriptures to be read in the Church A. Luk. 4.16 And he came to Nazareth and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Act. 15.21 For Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Q. In which book that of the Creatures or that of the Scriptures may we learne to know God best A. Psal 138.2 I will worship towards thy Holy Temple and praise thy Name for thy loving kindnesse and for thy truth for thou hast magnifyed thy Word above all thy name Psal 19.1 7 11. The Heavens declare the glory of God the firmament sheweth his handy worke the Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Q. May Nations know any thing of God by his workes or Creatures A. Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternall power and God-head so that they are without excuse Q. Is it a speciall blessing to have the word of God A. Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as for his judgements they have not known them praise ye the Lord. Chap. 4. Of God and of the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead Q. ARE the Gentiles in an Errour who worship many Gods A. Yea. Deut. 6.4 Heave O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. We know that an Idol is nothing in the world that there is none other God but one for though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many and Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Q. How doth the Scripture set out converts from the worship of false Gods or dead Idols which the Gentiles worship A. 1 Thes 1.9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entring in we had unto you and how ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King c. Q. Is it possible for us to know God comprehensively or perfectly to comprehend his infinite being and perfection A. Job 11.7 8 9. Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection It is as high as heaven what canst thou doe Deeper than hell what canst thou know The measure thereof is longer than the earth and broader then the Sea So chap. 26.14 Lo these are parts of his waies but how little a portion is heard of him but the thunder of his power who can understand Q. To speak after the manner of men is God a Spirit A. Yea Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Q. What doth the Scripture teach us to conceive of the nature of a Spirit or how doth a Spirit differ from a body A. Luk. 24.39 Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my selfe handle me and see for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have Q. What Scripture have you to prove that God is invisible to corporeall eyes A. 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall immortall invisible the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Deut. 4.15 16 17. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fires lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likenesse of male or female c. compared with Rom. 1.21 23. Because that when they knew God they glorifyed him not as God neither were thankfull but became vaine in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened and they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and foure-footed beasts and creeping things Q. What proofe doe you bring that God is without Passion A. Act. 14.11 15. When the people saw what Paul had done they lift up their voices saying the Gods are come down to us in the likenesse of men c. Sirs why doe ye these things we also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that you should turne from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven and earth c. Q. Give us a text to shew the unchangeablenesse or Immutability of God A. Mal. 3.6 For I am the Lord I change not therefore the Sons of Jacob are not consumed Jam. 1.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh downe from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning Q. What text of Scripture is there to prove that God cannot be contained in any place or that he is Immense A. 1 King 8.27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the heaven and the Heaven of heavens cannot containe thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Jer. 23.23 24. Am I a God at hand sayth the Lord and not a God a far off Can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord Doe not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord Q. How doe you prove that he is Eternall A. Psal 90.2 Before the mountaines were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall
Q. What doe the Scriptures say concerning God's Omniscience or Knowledge of all things past present and to come how contingent soever they are in their own nature or wrought by Agents free in working A. Act. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Psal 139.2 3 4. Thou knowest my down sitting mine uprising thou understandest my thought afar off thou compassest my path my lying down art acquainted with all my wayes For there is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Ps 147.5 Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Is 40.28 There is no searching of his understanding Q. How are those Scriptures to be expounded which speake of God's proving and trying men that he may know what is in their hearts c. such as Deut. 8.2 and 13.3 2 Chr. 32.31 And what meanes that other place Philip. 4.6 Let your request be made known unto God A. These things are ascribed to God figuratively discovering the kind of his works dispensations not his own nature and properties so they must have a figurative interpretation D. Ow. God deales with men much like or proportionably to what we would doe when we would really find out what we doe not know Q. Doth the Scripture teach that there is but one only true God A. Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things we in him c. Q. What saith the Scripture concerning the Trinity or the three Persons in the God-head A. 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.29 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. Are we by the Word to understand Christ the Son of God A. Joh. 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Q. Is Christ God A. Rom. 9.5 Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 20.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my Ood Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 8. Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himselfe purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high But unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy Kingdome 1 Tim. 3.16 Q. Is he equall with the Father A. Phil. 2.6 Who being in the forme of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God Q. Is he one with his Father A. Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Q. How doe you prove that the Holy Ghost is God A. Act. 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land while it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you So chap. 6.19 What know you not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own 2 Cor. 6.16 and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Is 6.1 9. In the yeer that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his traine filled the Temple And he said Goe and tell this people Heare ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not Compared with Acts 28.25 26. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed after that Paul had spoken one word well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Go unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive Q. Is the holy Ghost a distinct person or subsistence in the God-head A. Joh. 16.7 8. For if I goe not away the comforter will not come unto you c. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sinne and of righteousnesse and of Judgment Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him Act. 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them Q. Are we baptized into the faith and worship of one God in three Persons A. Mat. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Q. Is not God the Father cal'd the only true God in Joh. 17.3 How then is Christ God A. Christ and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God with the Father and some expound this text by 1 Joh. 5.20 where of Jesus Christ it is said D. Ch. Beza in loc D. Ch. This is the true God and Eternall life These termes one and only exclude all Idols not the Son and the Holy Ghost no more than in Jude v. 4. According to our Translation the word only Lord God being applyed to Christ doth exclude God the Father from being God Q. Doth not Christ say Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater than I. And again Joh. 10.29 My Father is greater than all A. Presently after Christ had said My Father is greater than all he addes I and my Father are one i.e. one in
nature and yet in regard of his manhood and in respect of his office of Mediator about which he was sent into the world his Father was greater than he Q. Are not God the Father and God the Son said to send the Holy Ghost And is not he that sendeth greater than he that is sent A. M. Perk. One Equall may send another by consent Q. Doth not Christ say concerning the Holy Ghost Joh. 16.13 14 15. he shall not speak of himselfe and he shall receive of mine c A. The Holy Ghost hath his subsistence from the Father and the Son but this by nature and he imparts to every one of us as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 and the Church is commanded to hearken unto him Rev 2. Yet the mercy grace D. Ow. his Ans to Bid. light guidance direction comfort peace gifts that he should communicate were no other but what were procured and purchased for them by Christ himselfe according to that dispensation that the Trinity is pleased to proceed in to accomplish the work of our Salvation Q. May we give prayse and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost A. Is 6.1 2 3. I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his train filled the Temple Above it stood the Seraphims And one cryed unto another and sayd Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory So vers 8.9 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying go and tell ye this people Heare ye indeed but understand not compared with Act. 28.25 26. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Goe unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand Rev. 7.9 10. After this I beheld and lo a great multitude And cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lambe Q. May we lawfully pray to any particular Person of the Holy Trinity And may we give glory to a particular Person A. Luk. 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they doe Act. 7.59 60. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit and he kneeled downe and cryed with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their charge 2 Cor. 13. last The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Rev. 5.13 And every creature heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Q. May we lawfully in a continued prayer wherein we have many petitions put up one to God the Father by name another to the Son and a 3d to the Holy Ghost A. 2 Cor. 13. last The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen 2 Thes 2.16 17. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe God even our Father comfort your hearts c. Q. Which Person of the Trinity is most frequently named in the prayers of holy men recorded in Scripture A. Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 3.14 21. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages world without end Amen Cap. 5. Of God's Decrees Q. HOW prove you that nothing can come to passe in time but what God did most wisely and freely decree and ordaine unchangably from all eternity A. Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Rom. 11.33 34. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his waies past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heires of promise the immutability of his Counsell confirmed it by an oath Rom. 9.15 18. For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Q. How prove you that for all this decree God is not the Author of sin A. Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot betēpted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darknesse at all Q. How prove you that God's Decrees or eternall predestination or foreordaining of all that comes to passe in time doth not take away man's liberty or offer violence to him and consequently free man from sinne A. Act. 2.23 Him being delivered by the determinate counsell and fore-knowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain So Chap. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered togeither for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Math. 17.10 11 12. Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come And Jesus answered and said unto them Elias truly shall first come and restore all things But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they listed likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of thē Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Joh. 19.11 Jesus answered thou could'st have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The power of the Magistrate being from God therefore the Jewes sin'd grievously in making use of the Magistrate to condemne the innocent and the Son of God Beza Q. How prove you that God knowes all that comes to passe A. Act. 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Q. How prove you he knowes what may or can come to passe upon such and such conditions A. 1. Sam. 23.11 12. Will Saul come down as thy Servant hath heard O Lord God of Israel I beseech thee tell thy Servant And the Lord said he will come down Then said David will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of
by inheritance in the want of sons querie why she may not inherit and whether the French Salique law forbidding women to inherit the Crown be contained in Scripture A. Jos 17.4 And they came neere before Eleazar the Priest and before Joshua the Son of Nun and before the Princes saying The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren therefore according to the commandement of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their Father Job 42.15 And their Father gave them an inheritance among their brethren Chap. 19. Of an Oath Q. MAY we sweare at all A. Heb. 6.16 For men verily sweare by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife 2 Cor. 1.23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth Q. Must we sweare by the Creator A. Is 65.16 He that sweareth in the earth shall sweare by the God of truth Jer. 4.2 And thou shalt sweare the Lord liveth in Truth in Judgment and in Righteousnesse Q. May we not sweare by our Lady our Faith or Troth and such like oathes A. Mat. 5.34 35 36. Swear not at all neither by heaven for it is God's throne nor by the earth for it is his footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King Neither shalt thou swear by thy head because thou canst not make one haire white or black Jam. 5.12 But above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath Q. What think you of that expression As I live is it God's oath should wee sweare As we live or As the Lord liveth A. Ezek. 17.19 Thus sayth the Lord As I live surely mine oath that he hath despised and my Covenant that he hath broken even it will I recompense upon his own head Rom. 14.11 For it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow downe and every tongue shall confesse to God Q. What ceremony is it fittest then to use in swearing Kissing the book or lifting the hand up to heaven A. Rev. 10.5 6. And the Angell which I saw stand upon the Sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to Heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever who created Heaven c. Q. Doth one maine end of an oath yet continue A. Yes Hebr. 6.16 For men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife Q. If a man sweare to bind his soule under a curse to sinne against God either by omitting what is his duty to doe or by committing or doing what God forbids is he bound to keep that oath A. No. 1 Sam. 25.22 compared with 32. and 33. So and more also doe God unto the enemies of David If I leave of all that pertaine to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall And David said to Abigail Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me And blessed be thy Advice and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood and from avenging my selfe with mine own hand Q. Doth Math. 5.34 35 36 37. James 5.12 Forbid and condemne as utterly unlawfull all oathes though in weighty matters and before a lawfull Magistrate A. No those Scriptures condemne rash customary swearing particularly by the Creatures and imply the one that in ordinary speech we should content our selves with simple affirmations and negations and the other perhaps may imply farther that our affirmations and negations should be plain and sure grounded on a mere truth that with us there should not be yea and nay but that as there is yea in our promise so there should be yea in our performance we should be as good as our word Consider first that the third commandement forbids taking God's name in vaine and not simply the taking up of his name 2ly That an oath is the end of strife 3ly That the Apostle Paul calls God to witnesse 2 Cor. 1.23 Chap. 20. Of buriall of the dead Q. WHERE did the Lord's people of old use to bury their dead did they bury sometimes in a cave in a field sometimes in a garden and sometimes in the city A. Gen. 25.9 And his Sonnes Isaack and Ishmael buried him in the Cave Machpelah in the field of Ephron Joh. 19.41 42. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a new sepulchre wherein was never man yet laid There laid they Jesus c. 1 King 2.10 So David slept with his Fathers and was buried in the City of David Q. Have godly people taken care of their buriall and especially to be buried in the sepulchres of their Fathers A. Gen. 49.29 31. I am to be gathered unto my people bury me with my Fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife there they buried Isaack Rebeckah his wife and there I buried Leah Q. Was it a part of the Priest's office under the Law to bury the dead A. Num. 19.11 He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be uncleane seven dayes Lev. 21.1 2 10 11. Speak unto the Priests the Sons of Aaron say unto theÌ„ There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people But for his kinne that is neer unto him c. And he that is the High Priest among his brethren shall not uncover his head nor rent his cloathes neither shall he goe in to any dead body nor defile himselfe for his Father or for his Mother Q. Hath Christ laid his commands on the Ministers of the Gospel to bury the dead A. Luk. 9.60 Jesus said unto him Let the dead bury their dead but goe thou and preach the Kingdome of God Q. Is it lawfull for a minister to take occasion from Providence the opportunity of the peoples meeting to preach or give a word of Exhortation preaching to their eares as God doth thâ—â— to their eyes A Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver 2 Tim. 4.2 Preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Luk. 14.15 16. And when one of them that sate at meat with him heard these things he said unto him Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdome of God Then said he unto him A certaine man made a great supper c. Q. Is it lawfull to make a funerall oration or Elegies for the dead A. 2 Sam. 1.71 19. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul over Jonathan his son The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places how are the mighty fallen c. So vers 23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely pleasant in their lives and in their death
they were not divided they were swifter than Eagles they were stronger than Lyons 2 Chr. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day c. Chap. 21. Of Angels and particularly of Evill Angels Q. VVERE the Angels the inhabitants of heaven created as well as men and things on earth A. Col. 1.16 For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him Q. Have Angels bodyes or are they Spirits A. Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire Q. Did some of the Angels sinne and so fall from their first happy state wherein God made them A. 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down into hell and delivered them into chaines of darkenesse to be reserved unto judgment Q. What is the present and what shall be the future state and condition of those Angels which fell A. Jude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chaines under darknesse unto the judgment of the great day Mat. 25.41 46. And these shall goe away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his Angels Q. If the Devill should appeare to a man in a visible shape would it be our wisdome to speak to him and confer with him if he speak to us A. Gen. 3.2 13. And the woman said unto the Serpent we may eate of the fruit of the trees of the garden The Serpent beguiled me Q. Are there Divels and Witches A. Luk. 8.30 And Jesus asked him saying what is thy name And he said Legion because many Divels were entred into him 1 Sam. 28.3 7. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land Then said Saul unto his Servants seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit that I may goe to her and enquire of her And his servants said to him Behold there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor Q. Is it possible that a godly man or woman should be possessed bodily of the Devill or obsessed that is have any part or member possessed by him A. Luk. 13.16 And ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound loe these 18 yeers be loosed c. Q. Is it possible there should be any places haunted with evill spirits A. Rev. 18.2 Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Devils and the hold of every foule spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird Q. What would you advise to doe to keep our houses from being so haunted A. Ps 30. Preface A psalme and song at the dedication of the house of David Compared with 1 Tim. 4.5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Q. What meanes would you have us use to expell or drive out the Devils out of our persons or houses possessed A. Mar. 9.29 This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting Q. May a man when he hath losses or is sick or hath his house haunted with evill spirits goe or send to wise men or Star-gazers wizards or Conjurers for helpe A. Deut. 18.10 11 12. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his Son or his Daughter passe through the fire or that useth divination or an observer of times or an Inchanter or a witch or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a Necromancer for all that doe these things are an abomination unto the Lord. Is 47.13 14. Let now the Astrologers the Star-gazers the monethly Prognosticators stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee Behold they shall be as stubble the fire shall burne them they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame Q. May we without a good call or necessity live or lodge in such places A. Psal 91.11 For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy waies Mat. 4.7 Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Chap. 22. Of Ministers Q DID ever God appoint men to minister to him in and about holy things A. Yes Ex. 28.1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother and his Sons with him from among the children of Israel that he may minister unto me in the Priest's office even Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar Aaron's Sons Q. Were the Priests of old cald God's Ministers A. Yes Jer. 33.21 Then may also my Covenant be broken with David my servant that he should not have a Son to raigne upon his throne and with the Levites the Priests my Ministers Joel 1.9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord the Priests the Lord's Ministers mourne Q. Did our Lord Jesus the high Priest of our profession the great or chief Shepherd and Bishop of our soules did he ordaine any men and send them forth to preach A. Yes Mar. 3.14 And he ordained twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to preach Q. Did he call these 12 Preachers Apostles A. Yea. Luk. 6.13 And when it was day he called unto him his Disciples and of them he chose twelve whom also he named Apostles Math. 10.2 And now the names of the twelve Apostles are these the first Simon who is called Peter c. Q. Did Christ never send any to preach but the twelve Apostles did not he also send 70 disciples A. Yes Luk. 10.1 9 16. After these things the Lord appointed other 70 also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himselfe would come And heal the sick that are therein and say unto them the Kingdome of God is come nigh unto you He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Q. But were not these all the followers of Christ had he any that believed on him besides thâ— 12. the 70 A. Yea. 1 Cor. 15.6 After that he was seen of above 500 brethren at once Q. Did the Apostles give power to others to ordaine Elders A. Yes Tit. 1.15 For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordaine Elders in every City as I had appointed thee 2 Tim. 2.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Q. Are Preachers of the Gospell to be called and accounted
children or of strangers Peter saith unto him Of strangers Jesus saith unto him thē are the children free notwithstanding lest we should offend them go thou to the Sea c. That give for thee and me Q. May a Minister lawfully have a set manitenance A. 1 Timothy 5.17 18. compared with Math. 20.1 2. Luk. 10.7 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine For the Scripture sayth thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and the Labourer is worthy of his reward For the Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a man that is an housholder which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day he sent them into his vineyard Q. Is it lawfull to preach in a Pulpit A. Neh. 8.4 And Ezra the Scribe stood upon a Pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose c. Q. Is it lawfull to read in the book of the Lord although no exposition immediatly follow A. Jer. 36.6 Therefore goe thou and read in the roll which thou hast written from my mouth the words of the Lord in the eares of the people in the Lord's house upon the fasting day and also thou shalt read them in the eares of all Judah that come out of their cities Q. Is it lawfull to read and expound in the Congregation or make them to understand what is read A. Neh. 8.8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sence and caused them to understand the reading Act. 28.23 to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdome of God perswading them concerning Jesus both out of the law of Moses and out of the Prophets Mark 4.34 Luk. 24.27 Act. 8.30.31 35. Q. Is there any warrant to pray before reading and expounding A. Neh. 8.6 And Ezra blessed the Lord the great God and all the people answered Amen Amen with lifting up their hands and they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground Q. What warrant is there for the people to say Amen at the end of the Ministers prayer A. Ne. 8.6 And all the people answered Amen Amen with lifting up their hands Psal 106.48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting and let all the people say Amen Q. May we pray the Lord's prayer A. Luk. 11.1 2. And it came to passe that as he was praying in a certaine 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 c. Q. May we pray other prayers A. Act. 4.24 And when they heard that they lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Lord thou art God which hast made heaven and earth and the Sea and all that in them is c. Q. Is there any thing to be said for the lawfulnesse of writing of Sermons after the minister A. Jer. 36.4 And Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord which he had spoken unto him upon a roll of a book Q. May we preach upon a text A. Luk. 4.20 21. And he closed the book and he gave it againe to the Minister and sate down and the eyes of all them that were in the Synagogue were fastened on him And he began to say unto them This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your eares Q. May Ministers make use of books and give themselves to reading A. 2 Tim. 4.13 The cloak when thou comest bring with thee and the books but especially the parchments Q. Is it lawfull for a Minister to make use of humane learning A. Tit. 1.12 One of themselves even a Prophet of their own said the Cretians are alway lyars evill beasts slow bellyes 1 Cor. 15.33 Be not deceived evill communications corrupt good manners Act. 17.28 For in him we live and move and have our being as certaine also of your own Poets have said For we are also his off-spring Q. Had any of the Prophets or Apostles any humane learning A. Act. 7.22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds Act. 22.3 I am verily a man which am a Jew borne in Tarsus a city in Cilicia yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the Fathers c. Q. May a Minister marry and take care of wife and children A. 1 Tim. 3.4 One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity Q. May a Minister keep a Servant A. 2 King 5.20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said my Master hath spared Naaman this Syrian c. Q. Is it lawfull for a Minister to suffer himselfe to be called Sr or Mr A. 1 King 18.7 That my Lord Elijah Act. 16.30 Sirs what must I doe to be saved 1 Sam 1.16 And she said oh my Lord as thy soul liveth my Lord I am the woman that stood by thee here praying unto the Lord. Q. What say you unto Mat. 23.10 Neither be ye called Masters c A. i. c. Doe not ye ambitiously affect great titles of Fathers and Masters or Governours or Guides as the Pharisees doe but account God your Father in heaven and me your master on earth and be ye content with the title of my disciples Q. Doth the holy Scripture ever give any titles of respect unto the disciples or Ministers afterwards A. Yes Act. 20.28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine Eph. 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls c. Q. Is the title or office of a Preacher dishonourale for any A. No. Eccles 1.12 I the Preacher was King over Israel in Jerusalem Rom. 15.8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirme the promises made unto the Fathers Q. Was it a disparagement among the Jewes to match with a Priest A. 2 Chr. 22.11 So Jehoshabeath the Daughter of King Jehoram the wife of Jehoida the Priest for she was the Sister of Ahaziah hid him Q. May Preachers lawfully suffer themselves to be taken up into the coaches of Nobles did not Elijah gird himselfe and run by Ahab's chariot A. Act. 8.28 31. And sitting in his charet c. He desired Philip
covetous A. Math. 23.1 2 3. Then spake Jesus to the multitude and to his disciples saying The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do but do not ye after their works for they say and do not Q. If Ministers have the spirit of God doth it follow therefore that they must know all things perfectly A. 1 Cor. 13.9 For we know in part and we prophesie in part Q. Were the Prophets and Apostles who had the spirit in an extraordinary māner beyond what ministers in these dayes pretend unto in every of their apprehensions and actions so guided that they were infallible and unblameable A. 1 Sam. 16.6 7. And it came to passe when they were come that he looked on Eliab and said surely the Lords anointed is before him But the Lord said unto Samuel Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature because I have refused him for the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart Gal. 2.11 14. But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospell I said unto Peter before thē all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles not as do the Jewes why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jewes Q. How may we prove that those motions which are contrary to the Doctrine of Christ are not from the holy spirit A. Joh. 16.13 14. Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himselfe He shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 1 Cor. 12.2 3. Q. How did Christ approve of Churches and Ministers their continuance after he was gone to heaven A. Rev. 1.4 5 20. John to the 7 Churches in Asia grace be unto you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come And from Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth The mystery of the 7 Stars which thou sawest in my right hand and the 7 golden Candlesticks The 7 Stars are the Angels of the 7 Churches and the 7 Candlesticks which thou sawest are the 7 Churches Q. How long are there to be Churches and Ministers and Ordinances A. Math. 28. last And loe I am with you alwaies even unto the end of the world 1 Cor. 11.22 despise ye the Church of God shall I praise you in this I praise you not v. 26. for as often as ye eate this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come Q. May men administer ordinances viz. Baptisme and the Lords supper who have not extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost A. Joh. 10.41 And many resorted unto him and said John did no miracle but all things that John spake of this man were true Q. Is the gift of tongues or miracles among the requisite qualifications of a Bishop or Minister A. No. 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. A Bishop then must be blamelesse the husband of one wife vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach not given to wine no striker not greedy of filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous one that ruleth well his owne house having his children in subjection with all gravity not a novice lest c. moreover he must have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devill Tit. 1.6 7 8 9. If any be blamelesse the husband of one wife having faithfull children not accused of riot or unruly for a Bishop must be blamelesse as the steward of God not selfe-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 faithfull word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers Q. May a man receive the Sacraments who hath not the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost in abundance Ans Yes Act. 8.14 15 16 17. When the Apostles 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 only they were babtized in the name of the Lord Jesus Then laid they their hands on them and they received the H. Ghost Math. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the disciples c. compared with Act. 2.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Q. Is the word of God to be read in the Church A. Col. 4.16 And when this Epistle is read amongst you cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea Q. Is the Sacrament of the Lords supper yet to be administred in the Church A. 1 Cor 11.20 21 33 34. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eate the Lords supper for in eating every one taketh before other his own supper and one is hungry another is drunken Wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eate tarry one for another And if any man hunger let him eate at home that ye come not together unto condemnation Q. May the Church meet for holy conference A. 1 Cor. 14.31 34 35. For ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church Q. May the Church deny to have communion with brethren if they are scandalous persons A. 1 Cor. 5.11 12. But now I have 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 eate do not ye judge them that are within Q. May particular congregations who ordinarily meet together for worship be called Churches A. Act. 14.23 And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord. 1 Cor. 4.17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus who shall bring you into remembrance of my waies which be in Christ as I teach every where in every Church ch 14.23 If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place and all speak with tongues c. Q. May the believers of
prohibitions which were but ny thing only for a time temporary or did he prohibite them a A. Mat. 10.5 These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them saying Goe not into the way of the Gentiles and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not Compared with Acts 8.14 When the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto him Peter and John Math. 10.9 10. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brasse in your purses nor scrip for your journey neither two coates neither shooes nor yet staves compared with Luk. 22.36 Then said he unto them But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one Q. May we without sinuse the singular number when we speak to or of many and the plurall when we speak to or of but one A. See Mat. 21.2 7. Go into the village over against you straight way ye shall find an Asse tyed a Colt with her loose them and bring them unto me And they brought the Asse and the Colt c. compared with Mar. 11.2 7. Goe your way into the village over against you and assoon as ye be entred into it ye shall find a Colt tyed whereon never man sate loose him and bring him And they brought the Colt to Jesus c. Tit. 2.7 8. In all things shewing thy selfe a patterne of good works that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evill thing to say of you See Luk. 22.31 32. Jud. 12.7 'T is said of Jephthah he was buried in the cities of Gilead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for in one of the cities of Gilead Med. Opusc Annot. in Apocal. p. 66. Q. May there be Land-Lords and those that hire houses or Lands A. Cant. 8.11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon he let out the vineyard unto keepers every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a 1000 pieces of silver Q. May there be buying and selling of houses and lands and conveyances and writings or evidences written and witnesses of purchases A. Gen. 23.15 16. The land is worth 400 shekels of silver what is that betwixt me and thee And Abraham weighed unto Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth. Act. 4.34 For as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold Jer. 32.44 Men shall buy fields for money and subscribe evidences and seale them and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin and in the places about Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah c. Q. Are wicked men true owners of their estates Or are all things so the Saints by a title founded in grace that they may without sin before God out mere naturall men of their possessions at pleasure if they had the power A. Psal 115.16 The heaven even the heavens are the Lords but the earth hath he given to the children of men Acts 20.33 I have coveted no man's silver or gold or apparrell Josh 24.4 Q. May we now call any man Good because it is said Mark 10.18 There is no man good but one that is God A. Act. 11.24 For he was a good man and full of the holy Ghost and of Faith Rom. 5.7 yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to dye Q. May we call the master of the house the Good-man of the House A. Mar. 14.13 14. Goe ye into the city and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water follow him And wheresoever he shall goe in say ye to the good man of the house The master sayth c. Q. May we say we will doe such and such things if God will A. Heb. 6.3 And this will we doe if God permit Act. 18.21 I must by all means keep this Feast that cometh in Jerusalem but I will returne againe unto you if God will Q. What if Christians who in the maine bent purpose and designe of their soules resigne and submit themselves and wayes wholly to the will of God doe sometimes omit those expressions doe they sin A. Rom. 15.24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain I will come to you for I trust to see you in my journey c. 3 Joh. 10. Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth prating against us with malitious words c. Q. What if Christians not through lightnesse or vanity but upon new emergencies accidents or occurrences and other weighty considerations happen to change their purpose and not to doe as they sayd doe they sinne A. 2 Cor. 1.15 17 23. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before c. When I therefore was thus minded did I use lightnesse or the thing that I purpose doe I purpose according to the flesh that with me there should be yea yea and nay nay I call God for a record upon my soule that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth Gen. 19.2 3. Behold now my Lords turne in I pray you into your servants house and tarry all night And they said Nay but we will abide in the street all night And he pressed upon them greatly and they turned in unto him and entred into his house Q. Is there any mere man that liveth who is perfectly holy without the least sinne A. 1 Joh. 1.8 If we say that we have no sinne we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us Math. 6.11 12. Give us this day our dayly bread and forgive us our trespasses Q. Doth not the Scripture speak of some that are perfect 1 Cor. 2.6 A. Some are said to be perfect in Scripture who are sincere whose hearts are right to follow God fully who take heed to observe and doe God's will though in some thing they are wanting for instance Noah Gen. 6.9 't is said was a just man and perfect or upright in his generation and yet we find in the 9th chap. that he was drunken And as for this place cited in the Question it must either be understood that they were sincere or else 't is spoken comparatively they were as strong men in Christ as old Disciples when others were but Babes in knowledge and had not their senses exercised to discerne 'twixt good and evill Q. VVhat shall I say to that which is written 1 Joh. 3.6 9 A. I answer with our Saviour it is written again and that too by a man after God's own heart Ps 19.12 Who can understand his Errors cleanse thou me from my secret faults A true child of God doth not dares not allow himselfe to goe on in a constant course or trade of any knowne sin he doth endeavour to keep himselfe from his iniquity he hates every false way you may hear the language of his soule in the complaint of Paul Rom. 7.15 For that which I doe I allow
Q. Is the Church of Rome or the Pope infalible because of the promises made to Peter Mat. 16.18 Luk. 22.32 A. As Herod might and did erre in cutting off John Baptists head notwithstanding that he succeeded into the place of David and Solomon Kings of the Jewes and notwithstanding the saying that is written Prov. 16.10 A divine sentence is in the King's lips his mouth transgresseth not in judgment So the Bishop of Rome or the Church of Rome or any other particular Church or person may now erre notwithstanding what was once said to Peter Secondly Jesus Christ prayed that Peter might not fall from his Faith in Christ totally and finally or that the Divel might not prevaile over him notwithstanding he foresaw he would shake him and winnow him sore and this latter promise was made good to Peter in his own person for although through temptation he denyed Christ outwardly yet it came not from his heart and he repented of his denyal and professed and preached Christ afterward And if this promise should reach or belong to the Bishop of Rome as Peter's Successour it should only prove that the Bishop of Rome should not fall away utterly from the Faith although sometimes he should deny it outwardly For nothing can reasonably be thought to be obtained for Peter's pretended Successour which was not prayed for and obtained for Peter himselfe As for the former promise Mat. 16.18 Thou art Peter c. Understand it thus that thou Peter shalt lay the first notable foundation of the Christian Church amongst Jewes and Gentiles and this Christian Church thus founded by thee in a more especiall manner shall never be destroyed and we read Act. 2. that Peter did most eminently and successefully first preach to and convert the Jewes to Christianity and we read againe Act. 10. that he did most eminently and successefully first preach the Gospell to and convert the Gentiles to Christianity and accordingly there shall be a Christian Church thus and in this sense begun to be founded by him so long as the world endures nor shall the gates of hell be ever able wholly to root out Christianity but it is not promised that any particular Church whether amongst Jewes or Gentiles and whether that of Antioch or of Rome founded by him under Christ shall never wholly Apostatize from the Faith This we Protestants confesse that the Christian faith or Doctrine was built or founded upon the preaching of the twelve Apostles of Christ whereof Peter was one of the most eminent Pillars or subordinate Founders or Foundations and yet it must be remembred that the rest of the Apostles are called Foundations in Rev. 21. v. 14. And that our Lord Christ himselfe is the chiefe Foundation the Fundamentum fundamentorum and other such foundation can no man lay 1 Corinth 3.11 Q. Was Peter's Successour the Bishop or by any good consequence the Church of Rome the Foundation stone to which all must be joyned and cemented or else they will prove but loose stones or built on the sand or but foolish builders or to use the expression of Mr Baxter must Paul be damned because he was not one of Peter's subjects A. No. 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5 6. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gratious to whom comming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chiefe corner stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Q. Did Christ make Peter King or Lord and Ruler over the rest of the Apostles A. Lu. 22.24 25 26. And there was also a strife amongst them which of them should be accounted the greatest And he said unto them the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and they that exercise authority upon them are called Benefactors But ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief as he that doth serve Joh. 21.21 22. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus Lord and what shall this man doe Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry 'till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me Gal. 2.6 9. But of these who seemed to be somewhat whatsoever they were it maketh no matter to me God accepteth no man's person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. Q. Did not Christ say to Peter feed my Lambes and feed my sheep Joh. 21.15 16. And doth not this give Peter the power and priviledge of Universall Pastor and consequently give the Pope power of Universall Bishop over the whole Church of God A. Mat. 28.16 19 20. Then the eleven Disciples went away into Galilee c. Goe ye 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 whatever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway Act. 20.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Pet. 5.2 3. 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 mind neither as being Lords over God's heritage but being ensamples to the flock Q. Was the Church of Rome appointed the Head and Mistris of all Churches by Christ And did the Apostle John the last surviving Apostle apply himselfe to 〈◊〉 and write Epistles to her or to the 7 â—â—urches in Asia A. Rev. 1.4 John to the 7 Churches of Asia Grace be unto you c. Q. Should it scare a Protestant from his Religion because the Papists say it is heresy A. Act. 24.14 16. But this I confesse unto thee that after the way which they call heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwaies a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men Q. Doth the Church of Rome at this day thwart the practise of the Primitive Church recorded in Scripture A. Yes In their service in an unknown tongue they contradict the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.18 19 27 28. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue If any man speak in an unknowne tongue let one interpret but if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speak to himselfe and to God In the