re-admitted to fellowship both in civil and sacred things at our own tables and at the Lords table A. 2 Corinth 2.6 7 8. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment which was inflicted of many So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him and consider him lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with over much sorrow wherefore I beseech you that you would confirme your love towards him Luk. 17.3 4. If thy brother trespasse against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him And if he trespasse against thee 7 times in a day and 7 times in a day turn againe to thee saying I repent thou shalt forgive him Q. Hath the Church or her Officers power to admonish and censure and stop the mouths of false teachers A. Rev. 2.20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth her selfe a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eate things sacrificed unto Idols Tit. 1.10 11 13. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers specially they of the Circumcision whose mouthes must be stopped wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith Tit. 3.10 A man that is an Heretick after the first and second admonition reject Q. Was Excommunication or any thing like it used in the Church of the Jewes A. Joh. 9.22 These words spake his Parents because they feared the Jewes for the Jewes had agreed already that if any man did confesse that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue And 12.42 Neverthelesse among the chiefe Rulers also many beleived on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue Q. Was Excommunication or casting out of the Church used in the Christian Church in the Apostles dayes A. 1 Cor. 5.4 5 13. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person 3 Joh. 10. Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth neither doth he himselfe receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the Church Q. If the Church neglect to do her duty is it lawfull for a Christian Magistrate to punish false teachers by silencing or suspending them from their office or ejecting them out of their places A. Is 49.23 And Kings shall be thy nursing fathers their Queens thy nursing Mothers they shall bow down to thee with their faces toward the earth and lick up the dust of thy feet and thou shalt know that I am the Lord for they shall not be ashamed that waite for me Ro. 13.4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good but if thou do that which is evill 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 evill Compared with Phil. 3.2 Beware of dogs beware of evill workers beware of the concision Gal. 5.19 20. Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these wrath strife seditions heresies CHAP. 26. Of Civil Magistrates and the Common-wealth Q. IS the title of King lawfull for a supreame Magistrate or Governour A. Deut. 33.5 And he was King in Jesurun when the heads of the people and the Tribes of Israel were gathered together Math. 1.6 and Jesse begat David the King and David the King begat Solomon 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supreme Q. May a lawfull Soveraigne call the land over which he is head and governour his land A. Judg. 11.12 And Jephthah sent messengers unto the King of the children of Ammon saying what hast thou to do with me that thou art come against me to fight in my land Q. Have Subjects a property in their lands and goods A. 1 King 21.1 2. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel hard by the Palace of Ahab King of Samaria And Ahab spake unto Naboth saying Give me thy vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is near unto my house and I will give thee a better vineyard for it than it or if it seem good to thee I will give thee the worth of it in money Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and unto God the things which are Gods Q. May the King take away the subjects lands to bestow them on his owne children A. Ezek. 46.18 Moreover the Prince shall not take of the peoples inheritance by oppression to thrust them out of their possession but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession that my people be not scattered every man from his possession Q. Ought Kings or other supreme magistrates to set bounds to their desires of greatnesse state and riches A. Deut. 17.17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himselfe that his heart turne not away neither shall he greatly multiply to himselfe silver and gold Q. Are Kings and supream Governours so high that Ministers may not reprove them A. 2 Chr. 25.16 And it came to passe as he talked with him that the King said unto him Art thou made of the King's counsel forbeare why shouldest thou be smitten then the Prophet forbare and said I know that God hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this and hast not hearkened unto my counsell Q. May Ministers admonish or reprove Kings by letters or writings A. 2 Chr. 21.12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the Prophet saying Thus saith the Lord God of David thy Father Because thou hast not walked in the wayes of Jehoshaphat thy Father c. vers 14. Behold with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people and thy children and thy wives and all thy goods Q. Are Ministers more than others exempted from subjection to civill Governours A. Rom. 13.1 Let every soule be subject to the higher powers For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Q. Ought all without exception to obey and submit themselves to be guided by Ministers in the things of God according to the word of the Lord A. Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may doe it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Q. To whom did Christ promise power to forgive sins to his Apostles or civill Rulers A. Joh. 20.22 23. He breathed on them and sayth unto them Receive ye the Holy Ghost whosesoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whosesoever sins ye retain they are retained Q Hath Christ promised his more especiall presence with
before them it be tryed whether they or we be in the right Besides Elijah the Prophet cal'd for fire from heaven to consume two Captaines and their fiftyes 2 King 1.10 11 12. Will any therefore conclude wildly that we may call for fire from heaven to consume all the Captaines and their companies when they come to apprehend us The Apostles were mistaken in misapplying this instance of Elijah Luk. 9.55 And therefore no so great marvel if light heads be soon on fire against us from their miscarrying such a sparke of truth as this and therewith if let alone hazard to burne to Ashes the present Churches and Ministers and think they doe God good service Q. Is it not said Rev. 16.6 For they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy A. This was a Propheticall vision of destruction to persecutors and possibly it might be in part fulfilled when Priests were adjudged to death either in Popish countryes for ill-living or else according to the Lawes made against them by the supreme powers amongst Protestants But what warrant is this for private persons that against Law to fall upon the persons or estates of the true Ministers of Christ Oh that men would consider that this Judgment is here denounced against men for shedding the blood of Prophets and of Saints and observe there is a distinction of Prophets and Saints and that Prophets are put in the first place Besides I say further that the precepts of holy Scripture not the Prophecies are to be our guide and if we follow this light it will guide our feet into the wayes of peace Q. Was it required by the Law of Moses that the Priests should be consulted withall or made any use of when they went forth to warre A. Numb 10.8 9. And the sonnes of Aaron the Priest shall blow with the trumpets c. And if ye goe to warre in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you then ye shall blow an alarum with the trumpets and ye shall be remembred before the Lord your God and ye shall be saved from your enemies Q. May Ministers goe along and encourage their brethren when they are going to fight the Lord's battels to help the Lord against the mighty A. Deut. 20.2 3 4. And it shall be when ye are come nigh unto the Battell that the Priest shall approach and speak unto the people and shall say unto them Heare O Israel you approach this day unto battell against your enemies let not your hearts faint feare not and doe not tremble neither be ye terrified because of them For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you Q. Was that a Centurion or Captain of a 100 of whom the Jewes said unto Christ he hath loved our nation and built us a Synagogue A. Yes Luk. 7.2 And a certaine Centurions Servant who was deare unto him was sick and ready to dye c. he hath loved our nation and built us a Synagogue Q. Did there ever a Colledge or company of Prophets live quietly and peaceably by a Garrison of Souldiers A. Yes 1 Sam. 10.5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God where is the garrison of the Philistines and it shall come to passe when thou art come thither to the city that thou shalt meet a company of Prophets coming down from the high place with a Psaltery and a Tabret a Pipe and a Harp before them and they shall prophesie Q. What will make Souldiers fly before their enemies in a day of battell A. Psal 78.9 10 11. The children of Ephraim being armed and carrying bowes turned back in the day of battell They kept not the Covenant of God and refused to walke in his law and forgate his works and his wonders that he had shewed them Q. VVhat effect had John Baptists preaching upon the Souldiers A. Luk. 3.14 And the Souldiers likewise demanded of him saying And what shall we doe And he said unto them Doe violence to no man c. Q. Ought Souldiers to enquire of Ministers the way of Salvation A. Act. 10.22 23. Cornelius the Centurion a just man and one that feareth God and of good report among all the nation of the Jews was warned frō God by an holy Angell to send for thee into his house and to heare words of thee Then called he them in lodged them and on the morrow Peter went away with them Q. Doe we ever read that the Souldiers dedicated ought of their spoiles to Religious uses A. 1 Chr. 26.26 27. Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicate things which David the King and the chief Fathers the Captaines over thousands and hundreds and the Captaines of the host had dedicated Out of the spoiles won in battels did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord. Chap. 28. Of the Errours of Quakers Q. HOVV came man at first to have a right to the earth and the fruites thereof and creatures therein A. Psal 115.16 The Heaven even the Heavens are the Lord's but the earth hath he given to the children of men Q. Have particular nations or Families lawfully distinct lands and territories did they obtain it by order from the first borne or by choice in order begining at the first borne or by Lot did God allow of such distinction A. Act. 17.26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Deut. 32.8 When the most high divided to the nations their inheritance when he separated the sons of Adam he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel Q. Hath a man a right to that which is gotten from a common enemy in a lawfull war A. Gen. 48.22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow Judg. 11.24 wilt not thou possesse that which Chemosh thy God giveth thee to posses so whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out before us them will we possesse Q. Did Christ ever because he was Lord of all put any one man out of possession of any foot of ground A. Luk. 12.13 14. Mr speak to my Brother that he divide the inheritance with me And he said unto him Man who made me a judge or a divider over you Mar. 12.17 And Jesus answering said unto them Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's Q. Hath Christ given power to his Church or Saints to rule them that are without A. 1 Cor. 5.12 For what have I to doe to judge them also that are without vers 13. but them that are without God judgeth Q. Must not all ministers and Christians sell what they have and live upon
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
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
ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest chap. 7.7 Aske and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Is 55.1 3. Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eate yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price Incline your eare and come unto me hear and your soule shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Deut. 4.29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God thou shalt find him if thou seek him with all thine heart and with all thy soul Rev. 22.17 and the Spirit and the bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely Q. May we pore upon predestination and look to see our names written in the book of life before we set our faces and hearts to look after a Saviour the Lord Christ A. Deut. 29.29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever that we may doe all the words of this Law 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandement that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ Q. Is there any ground to stay the soul upon if it seek after the true knowledge and feare of God that it shall find it A. Prov. 2.3 4.5 Yea if thou cryest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures Then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and find the knowledge of God Q. If Judas had repented and believed should he have been saved A. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Q. If Peter had never repented and believed should he have been saved A. Joh. 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God vers 36. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. What if a man had a revelation from heaven that he should be saved might we say that Except he believed and repented and walked holily he could not be saved what saith the Scripture A. Act. 27.31 Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved compared with vers 23 24. There stood by me this night the Angell of God saying fear not Paul thou must be brought before Caesar and lo God hath given thee all them that sail with thee Q. What if a Prophet should come and tell thee yet 10 or 20 or 40 dayes and thou shouldest dye and be damned if thou shouldest thereupon turne unto the Lord with all thy heart and believe in the Lord Christ shouldest thou be saved A. Jer. 18.7 8. At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdome to pluck up and pull down and to destroy it If that nation against whom I have pronounced turne from their evill I will repent of the evill that I thought to doe unto them Matth. 11.23 If the mighty workes that have been done in thee had been done in Sodome it would have remained untill this day Is 38.1 2 5. Thus saith the Lord Set thine house in order for thou shalt dye and not live Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord Goe and say to Hezekiah thus saith the Lord the God of David thy Father I have heard thy prayer I have seen thy teares Behold I will adde unto thy dayes 15 yeers Jonah 3.4 10. Q. Shall any man be condemned at the last day because he could not or because he would not come unto Christ but put the Gospel away from him A. Mat. 23.37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Joh. 5.40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life Q. May a man be fully assured of his Salvation A. 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternall in the Heavens Q. Will Assurance make Saints Libertines in their lives A. Luk. 7.47 Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Q. Is Assurance inconsistent with a filiall reverentiall obedientiall feare of the divine majesty A. Phil. 2.12 Worke out your own salvation with feare and trembling Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling Q. What is the true meaning of that place 1 Joh. 4.18 A. Either perfect love casteth out all slavish base feare or if we love Christ in sincerity and with all our soules we shall not through feare deny him but confesse him before men although they persecute us for his names sake Q. May true Faith consist with some doubting A. Mat. 14.31 O thou of little Faith wherefore did'st thou doubt Q. Ought not Christians so to rejoyce alwaies in God as yet to be sorry for their sinnes and to weep with them that weep Are these things inconsistent Sorrow and Joy A. 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowfull yet alway rejoycing So chap. 7.9 Now I rejoyce not that ye were made sorry but that ye sorrowed to Repentance for ye were made sorry after a godly manner Rom. 12.15 Rejoyce with them that doe rejoyce and weep with them that weep Q. Shall men who live in grosse sins without Repentance Reformation ever come to heaven A. 1 Cor. 6.9 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous shal not inherit the Kingdome of God c. And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Q. Are we commanded to make us a new heart and a new Spirit A. Ezek. 18.31 32. 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 dye O house of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth saith the Lord God wherefore turne your selves and live yee Q. Hath God any where promised that he will doe this for us A. Jer. 24.7 And I will give them an heart to know me that I am the Lord and they shall be my people and I will be their God For they shall returne unto me with their whole heart Ezek. 36.26 27. A new heart also will
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
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
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
Saul and the Lord said they will deliver thee up Matth. 11.21 23. Woe unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty workes which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long agoe in sackcloth and ashes And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto heaven shalt be brought down unto hell for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodome it would have remained unto this day Q. How prove you that God did not decree such and such things because he foresaw they would come to passe or come to passe upon such conditions A. Rom. 9.11 13 18. For the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evill that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of works but of him that calleth As it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Chap. 6. Of the Creation and of the first estate of Man Q. VVAS the world Eternall or did God make heaven and earth and all things therein in the beginning A. Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Heb. 11.3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which doe appeare Q. In what state did God make man at first did he make him after his own image in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse upright having the law written in his heart induing him with power to fulfill the Law with dominion over the creatures A. Gen. 1.27 31. So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Eph. 4.24 and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Eccles 7.29 Loe this only have I found that God hath made man upright Rom. 2.14 15. These having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the worke of the Law written in their hearts Gen. 1.28 And God said unto them replenish the earth subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the Sea and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth Q. Did man continue in that state wherein God made him or did he hearken to the Divell that old Serpent and disobey God and so fell A. Gen. 3.6 13 23. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food she took of the fruit thereof did eate and gave also unto her husband with her and he did cate And the Lord God said unto the Woman what is this that thou hast done And the Woman said the Serpent beguiled me and I did eate Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken Eccl. 7.29 But they have sought out many inventions 2 Cor. 11.3 But I feare lest by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ Q. Was Adam the first man or were there any before him or was he a common Father from whom all Persons descended A. 1. Cor. 15.45 47. The first man Adam was made a living soule The first man is of the earth earthy Chap. 7. Of sin and of the bitter fruits of it Q. VHAT is sinne A. 1 Joh. 3.4 Sin is the transgression of the Law Q. Did all mankind sinne in and fall by the sinne or transgression of our first Parents A. 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all dye c. Act. 17.26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth Rom. 5.12 18 19. Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation c. For as by one man's disobedience all were made sinners c. Q. Can the Act or deed of the Father be imputed to the children is this as 't is the manner of men is it also agreeable to the Scriptures A. Heb. 7.9 10. Levi also who received tithes payed tithes in Abraham For he was yet in the loines of his Father when Melchisedec met him Q. Did Adam after the fall beget children after the image and likenesse of God in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse or after his own likenesse A. Gen. 5.3 And Adam begat a Son in his own liknesse after his image and called his name Seth. Job 14.4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one Job 15.14 Joh. 3.5 6. Q. Is man since the fall born pure righteous or is he conceived and borne in sin A. Psal 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sinne did my Mother conceive me Job 14.4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one chap. 15 14. What is man that he should be cleane and he which is borne of a Woman that he should be righteous Joh. 3.6 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the Spirit is Spirit Q. Can a man by nature now since the fall savingly know God without being spiritually inlightened A. 1 Cor. 2.14 But the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Joh. 5.20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Q. Can a man by the strength of nature now fulfill the Law of God A. Ro. 8.7 Because the carnall mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 7.18 For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing For to will is present with me but how to performe that which is good I find not Joh. 15.5 For without me ye can doe nothing 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Q. Should our first Parents have dyed if they had never sinned did actuall death come in by sin A. Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death Rom. 5.12 As by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Gen. 2.17
is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of the truth Joh. 8.13 If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed Joh. 10.27 My sheep heare my voice Q. Doe the Papists abstaining from flesh 40 dayes every Lent fast as Christ for 40 dayes in the wildernesse or did our Saviour fast from all manner of food during that time A. Mat. 4.2 And when he had fasted 40 dayes and 40 nights he was afterward an hungred Q Did our Saviour and his disciples keep any set weeks of fast yeerly or any set dayes of fasting weekly in remembrance of this all the while Christ was with them A. No. Mar. 2.18 Why doe the Disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast but thy Disciples fast not Q. Is it lawfull for Christians to fast upon extraordinary occasions A. Mar. 2.20 But the dayes will come when the Bridegroome shall be taken away from them and then shall they fast in those dayes 1 Corinth 7.5 that ye may give your selves to fasting and prayer c. Q. Is every Christian a vessell fit for his Masters use as to this duty of fasting are ordinary servants fit for extraordinary service A. Mar. 2.22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles else the new wine doth burst the bottles and the wine is spilled and the bottles will be marred But new wine must be put into new bottles Q. Is fish holier than flesh because these perished not by water when the old world was drowned A. Exod. 7.20 21. And he lift up the rod and smote the waters that were in the river in the sight of Pharaoh and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood And the fish that was in the river dyed and the river stunck and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river Q. Were fish or the beasts and fowles preserved in a more wonderfull manner in Noah's Arke at the floud A. Gen. 8.17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee of of all flesh both of fowle and of cattell and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth that they may breed abundantly Q. Were there any kinds of fish reckoned uncleane according to the Law A. Yes Lev. 11.10 And all that have not finnes nor scales in the Seas and in the rivers of all that move in the waters and of any living thing which is in the waters they shall be an abomination unto you Q. Is it a duty then in imitation of Christ's 40 dayes fast to abstaine from flesh 40 dayes in a yeere A. No. Mat. 15.9 But in vaine they doe worship me teaching for Doctrines the commandements of men Q. Is it a Doctrine of Apostates to command to abstaine from some sort of meats A. Yes 1 Tim. 4.1 3. Now the spirit speaketh expressely that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith forbidding to marry and commanding to abstaine from meates which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth Q. Doe the Saints departed know our wants should we pray to them or to God for supply A. Is 63.16 Doubtlesse thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer Job 14.20 21. Thou changest his countenance and sendest him away his Sonnes come to honour and he knoweth it not and they are brought low but he perceiveth it not of them Q. Ought we to pray for the dead since we must not pray to them A. 2 Sam. 12.22 23. And he said while the child was yet alive I fasted and wept for I said who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live But now he is dead wherefore should I fast Can I bring him back againe I shall goe to him but he shall not returne to me Q. Are all damned who dye without Baptisme A. No. Luk. 23.42 43. And he said unto Jesus Lord remember me when thou commest into thy kingdome And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Q. May Women without scruple or feare administer the Sacrament of Baptisme A. 1 Tim. 2.12 But I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence compared with Math. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Q. Will full Assurance of life cause Christians to neglect the use of all good means A. Act. 23.11 16 17. Be of good cheer Paul for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem so must thou beare witnesse also at Rome And when Paul's Sisters Son heard of their laying in wait he went and entred into the Castle and told Paul Then Paul called one of the Centurions unto him and said Bring this young man unto the chiefe Captaine for he hath a certaine thing to tell him Act. 27.24 31. Feare not Paul thou must be brought before Caesar and loe God hath given thee all them that saile with thee Paul said to the Centurion and to the Souldiers except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved Q. Were any of the Apostles married especially was the Apostle Simon Peter ever married A. Yes 1 Cor. 9.5 Have we not power to lead about a Sister a Wife as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas Mar. 1.30 But Simon 's Wives mother lay sick of a fever Q. Did our Saviour Christ command that the Apostles should forsake their VVives and that other Ministers their successours should not marry A. No. 1 Cor. 9.5 Have we not power to lead about a Sister a Wife as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord Cephas 1 Tim. 3.2 4. A Bishop then must be blamelesse the husband of one wife one that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity Heb. 13.4 Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Q. Is it necessary that those who live a long time in their sins repent late and doe not suffer much in this world should suffer in purgatory after death to expiate their sinnes A. Lu. 23.43 And Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Q. Is Heaven cal'd Paradise A. Yes 2 Cor. 12.2 3 4. I knew a man in Christ such a one caught up to the third Heaven and I knew such a man how that he was caught up into Paradise c. Q. Can any mere man by his own good workes merit heaven or eternall life A. Lu. 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things that are commanded you say we are unprofitable Servants Rom. 6. ult For the wages of Sinne is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.