immortall c. be honour and glory for ever Q. Where is it proved that his greatnesse is Incomprehensible or unsearchable A. Psal 145.3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatnesse is unsearchable Q. What text have we that God is Almighty or Omnipotent A. Gen. 17.1 And when Abraham was ninety yeers old and nine the Lord appeared to him and said I am the Almighty God walke before me and be thou perfect Rev. 4.8 And they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. How doe you prove God is only wise A. Rom. 16.27 To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever 1 Tim. 1.17 To the King eternall c. the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Q. How doe you prove God is most holy A. Isai 6.3 And one cryed unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Rev. 4.8 And they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. How doe you prove that God is most free in all he doth A. Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the Seas and all deep places Q. How prove you that God is absolute A. Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I Am hath sent me unto you Q. How prove you that God Works all according to the counsill of his own will A. Eph. 1.11 In wom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsill of his own will Q. What text of Scripture proves God doth all for his own glory A. Prov 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himselfe yea even the wicked for the day of evill Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Q. Is the Atheist or he that denyes there is a God cal'd a Fool in Scripture A. Psal 14.1 The Fool haith said in his heart there is no God Q. Where have we ground in Scripture for such expressions as these the nature of God the God-head the Essence of God the Person of the Father A. Gal. 4.8 Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them which by nature are no Gods Exod 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I am hath sent me unto you Rev. 1.4 Grace be to you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power c. Q. What say you to those many Scriptures which say that God is in heaven A. The Reason why God is said to be in Heaven is not because his Essence is included in a certaine place cal'd Heaven but he may be said to be in Heaven in regard of the more eminent manifestation of his glory there to Saints and Angels in respect of some more eminent dispensations and workes of his manifested from thence Q. What say you to those Scriptures that testify that God came down from heaven or appeared on Mount Sinai c. A. The Scripture speaks of God after the manner of men condescending to our capacity God is or may be said to be or appeare or come to such a place when either some glorious appearances are seen there or some more glorious dispensations are there M. Mede or when the Angels or Courtiers of Heaven are there or when there are some eminent signes of his favour there God who in his own being and Essence is infinite and immense D. Ow. is by reason thereof present in and to the whole creation equally not by a diffusion of his Substance or mixture with other things heaven or earth in or upon them but by an inconceivable indistancy of Essence to all things though he exert his power and manifest his glory in one place more than another as in Heaven in Sion at the Arke c. Q. How prove you that God hath no corporeall visible figure and shape or similitude A. Is 40.25 To whom then will ye liken me or shall I be equall sayth the Holy one Q. When the Scripture saith that man is made after the image and likenesse of God doth it intend that God hath a bodily figure or shape like a man A. Col. 3.9 10. Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him Q. What meanes the Scripture by attributing unto God parts like a man eyes cares nostrils armes hands fingers are we to understand that God hath a body of flesh and parts fleshly like us A. No but they are spoken of him after the manner of men for it is written 2 Chr. 32.8 With him is an Arme of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to helpe us and to fight our battels Jer. 17.5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his Arme and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Job 10.4 Hast thou eyes of flesh or seest thou as man seeth Q. How must those Scriptures be understood which attribute Affections and Passions to God as Anger Fury Zeale Wrath Love Hatred Jealousy Repentance Griefe Joy c A. They are Metaphorically assigned unto him spoken of him only in reference to his outward workes and dispensations correspondent and answering to the actings of men D. Ow. in whom such affections are and under the power whereof they are in those actings Q. How prove you that these are spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 metaphorically A. Mal. 3.6 For I am the Lord I change not Is 27.4 Fury is not in me 1 Sam. 15.29 And the strength of Israel will not lye nor repent for he is not a man that he should repent To instance in Anger that may denote either God's vindictive justice whence punishments flow or else the effects of it in the punishments themselves either threatned or inflicted Q. What is meant when 't is said that Moses should see the Similitude of the Lord c. Exod. 34. Num. 12.8 Doth it mean that God hath any reall visible shape A. No but it may be possibly he shall see an Angel or some glorious light 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Joh. 4.12 No man hath seen God at any time
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
we receive erroneous teachers into our houses or must we avoid them A. 2 Joh. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Q. What 's the cause of Error A. Matth. 22.29 Jesus answered and said unto them ye doe erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Chap. 3. Of the Holy Scriptures Q. BY What Rule must we judge of the Doctrines we heare we must we judge by the Scriptures A. Yes Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye thinke ye have eternall life and they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 12. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so therefore many of them believed Q. Are we to believe God speaking to us in the Scriptures as if he spake to us audibly by a voice from heaven A. 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day-dawn the daystar arise in your hearts Q. Are we to believe even an Angel from heaven contrary to the Scriptures A. Galat. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Q. Ought we to believe the Scriptures rather than one who should come from the dead A. Luk. 16.27 28 29. I pray thee Father that thou wouldest send him to my Fathers house that he may testify unto them Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Q. Would it be more effectuall to have our friends rise from the dead and warne us lest we come to the place of torment than to have the Scriptures read and applyed A. Luk. 16. last And he said unto him If they heare not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Q Did the Prophets of old speak and write the Holy Scriptures by any private motion or by the incitation or inspiration of the holy Ghost A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine c. 2 Pet. 1.20.21 Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Did the Apostles of Christ preach the word of God or the word of man A. 1 The. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Q. Did our Saviour Christ and the Apostles allow their Hearers no try their Doctrine by the Holy Scriptures A. Yea. Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readines of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Q. Did Christ and the Apostles who had the greatest measure and who were full of the Holy Ghost cite Scripture and prove by Scripture or appeal constantly to private Revelations or to a light or word within them or say alway Thus sayth the Spirit within us A. Luk. 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Mar. 12.29 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 Q. Are the Scriptures and the Spirit joyned together and doth the Spirit of God goe along with the Scriptures A. Isai 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them sayth the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy feeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I spake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. But are the Scriptures able to make us perfect and wise unto Salvation without attending to visions and Revelations A. 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good workes Q. Are the Scriptures of the old Testament of use unto us now in the dayes of the Gospell A. Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 1 Cor. 10.1 to the 6th Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea c. Now these things were our Examples to the intent we should not lust after evill things as they also lusted c. So. v. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come Q. May the common people read the Scriptures A. Yea Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 8.30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the Prophet Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures Isai 34.16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to doe them Q. May the Scriptures be translated out of the Originall languages into those tongues
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
For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Q. Are we become now children of wrath by nature and in that state shall we never except we be borne againe see the Kingdome of God A. Eph. 2.3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others Joh. 3.3 last Except a man be borne again he cannot see the Kingdome of God And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. Are sinners or those that transgresse the Law accursed A. Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to doe them Deut. 28.15 16 c. But if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to doe all his commandements his Statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee Cursed shalt thou be in the City c. Q. Doth the soul outlive the body and is it immortall A. Luk. 23.43 And Jesus said unto him To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Phil. 1.23 For I am in a straight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Ecl. 12.7 Then shall the dust returne to the Earth as it was and the Spirit shall returne unto God that gave it Matth. 10.28 And feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule Q. Shall the body rise again from the dead A. 1 Cor. 15.13 14. But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vaine and your faith is also vaine Mark 12.25 26 27. Joh. 11.24 Q. Shall the condition of the Devils and wicked men be cursed and miserable at and after the day of Judgment A. Mat. 25.41 46. Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Cap. 8. Of Redemption by Christ Q. DOTH God leave all mankind in a sinfull cursed and miserable condition to perish therein everlastingly A. 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine Salvation by Christ Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Rom. 3.21 22. But now the Righteousnesse of God without the Law is manifested even the Righteousnesse of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe c. Q. Will God acquit and justify the ungodly and unrighteous for the righteousnesse of Christ if they believe and repent of their sins A. Ro. 5.19 21. So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous That as sinne bath reigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 3.24 25 26. Being justified freely by his grace thorow the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse for the remission of sinnes that are past c. That he might be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus Q. Did God lay our sinnes upon Christ and did he beare them on the Crosse A. Is 53.5 6. But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed Q. Did Christ dye only to leave us an Example or to confirme his Doctrine or to be a Sacrifice or Offering for sin A. Eph. 5.2 As Christ also hath loved us and hath given himselfe for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Is 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to griefe when thou shalt make his soule an Offering for sinne he shall see his seed he shall prolong his dayes and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Chap. 9. Of Predestination Q. HOW prove you that it was not the foresight of faith good workes or perseverance or of something else in the creature which were either as causes or conditions moving God to ordaine some men unto eternall life A. Eph. 1.9 11. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himselfe In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Rom. 9.11 16. For the children being not yet borne neither having done good or evill that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of workes but of him that calleth As it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Q. How prove you that God who hath ordained them to the End eternall life hath also ordained them to the meanes to attaine thereunto Faith and good works A. 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love chap. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Q. How prove you that all God's Elect children being fallen in Adam were redeemed by Christ A. 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ Tit. 2.14 Who gave himselfe for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. How prove you that the Elect are in due time justified adopted sanctified have their sins pardoned are made the children of God and made holy A. Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom
he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and beliefe of the truth Q. How prove you such shall be certainly kept and preserved unto Salvation A. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time John 10.27 28 29. Chap. 10. Of God's Providence Q. HOW prove you that God's Providence reacheth over all things Creatures and their actions from the greatest to the least A. Dan. 4.35 And all the Inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the Inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him what dost thou Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the seas and all deep places Act. 17.25 28. Seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things For in him we live and move and have our being Mat. 10.30 But the very haires of your head are all numbred Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Psal 94.11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity Q. How prove you that God orders the actions of men and the events of all their actions beyond whatever came into their hearts A. Deut. 19.5 compared with Exod. 21.13 And if a man lye not in waite but God deliver him into his hand c. As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree the head slippeth from the helve and lighteth upon his neighbour that he dye c. 1 Kin. 22.34 compared with vers 28. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture and smote the King of Israel between the joynts of the harnesse Isai 10.6 7. I will send him against an hypocriticall nation and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoyle and to take the prey and to tread them down like the mire of the streets Howbeit he meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few Q. Can you prove that God who is omnipotent and can worke without meanes that he useth meanes to bring about his purpose A. Act. 27.31 44. Paul said unto the Centurion and to the Souldiers Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved And the rest some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship and so it came to passe that they escaped all safe to land Isa 55.11 For as the raine cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not returne unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it Hos 2.21 22. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the heavens and they shall heare the earth and the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oyle and they shall heare Jezreel Q. What Scriptures teach that God doth not only barely permit but most wisely and powerfully bound and order sinfull actions to his own holy ends and yet neither is nor can be the Author or approver of sin A. 1 King 22.22 23. And he said I will goe forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets And he saidt thou shalt perswade him and prevaile also goe forth and doe so Now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying Spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets Psal 76.10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Gen. 50.20 But as for you ye thought evill against me but God meant it unto good to bring to passe as it is this day to save much people alive Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and commeth down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning 1 Joh. 2.16 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life is not of the Father Psal 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Q. What Scriptures prove that God blinds and hardens some mens hearts for former sins A. Rom. 11.8 God hath given them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not heare unto this day Ro. 1.28 And as they did not like to retaine God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind to doe those things which are not convenient Q. How may God be said to harden mens hearts for former sinnes A. Rom. 1.24 Wherefore God gave them up unto uncleannesse through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves Ps 106.15 And he gave them their request but sent leannesse into their soul 2 Thes 2.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye Exod. 7.3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart compared with chap. 8.32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart c. Q. How is it proved that God doth blind and harden men by withholding his grace to enlighten their understandings and to worke upon their hearts A. Mat. 13.13 Therefore speake I to them in Parables because they seeing see not and hearing they heare not neither doe they understand Q. Doth God sometimes withdraw the gifts which men have had for their not using or abusing of them A. Math. 25.29 From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath Q. Is it a meanes of blindnesse and hardnesse that sometimes they are exposed to such objects as their corruption will make occasion of Sinne A. 2 King 8.12 And Hazael said why weepeth my Lord and he answered because I know the evill that thou wilt doe unto the children of Israel their strong holds wilt thou set on fire and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword and
only but in power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance and ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost So v. 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 Q. Is the word a means to work Faith A. Rom. 10.17 So then Faith commeth by hearing hearing by the word of God Q. Is a man justified partly by Faith and partly by works A. Rom. 3.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the Law Q. How is that of James chap. 2.24 to be understood A. Jam. 2.17 18. Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead being alone yea a man may say Thou hast faith I have works shew me thy Faith without thy works I will shew thee my faith by my works i.e. Faith that doth not shew it selfe by good works to be alive is a dead faith Q. Shall any that are elected justified sanctified ever fall wholy and finally from Grace A. Math. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets c. and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Joh. 10.28 29. I give unto them eternall life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand Q. Shall any regenerate person any child of God continue in sin allow himselfe to goe on customarily in any way of sinne and wickednesse A. 1 Joh. 3.9 Whatsoever is borne of God doth not commit sinne for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God Psal 139.23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Q. Did our Lord Christ dye that sinners being justified might live as they list or that they should live holily c. A. 1 Joh. 3.8 He that committeth sinne is of the Divel for the Devill sinneth from the beginning For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Devil Act. 3.26 Unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Luk. 1.74 75. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Q. Is the Gospel or the Doctrine of salvation as 't is taught in the Scriptures a Doctrine according to Godlinesse A. 1 Tim. 6.3 If a man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godlinesse Tit. 2.11 12. For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Q. Is any man in this life so perfect that he is without all sin A. 1 Joh. 1.8 10. If we say that we have no sinne we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his word is not in us 1 Kin. 8.46 If they sinne against thee for there is no man that sinneth not c. Prov. 20.9 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sinne Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all Q. May we know that if a man prove an Apostate and fall wholy and for ever away that he was never truly justified and regenerated A. 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Mat. 7.24 25. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rocke and the raine descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock Q. Can any man come to Christ except the Father draw him A. Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the Last day Q. May we pray to God to draw us A. Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee the King hath brought me into his chambers Q. What Scripture grounds have men to listen after to prize to be in love with the Gospel and to esteem it as worthy of all acceptation and so to hunger and thirst after the good things contained in it 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 1 Tim. 1.15 16. This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a paterne to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting chap. 4.10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men specially of those that believe Joh. 6.37 And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out He. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth c. Q. If a man really hunger and thirst after Christ to be his Saviour and to be his Soveraigne is he then under any conditionall promise A. Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be filled Q. If any man hearing of the God of Israel that he is a mercifull God and that he will save some of the chiefest of sinners and all that being weary and heavy laden with the burden of their sins coming unto him doe thereupon come and lay himselfe as a beggar at a rich mans door and wait there as the Cripple at the Pool of Bethesda and aske and seek and knock for mercy and grace hath he then any promise of being heard A. Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all
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
beautifull A. Gen. 6.2 The Sons of God saw the Daughters of men that they were faire and they took them wives c. Q. Were Job's three Daughters naturally faire or were they painted so A. Job 42.15 And in all the land were no women found so faire as the Daughters of Job Q. Was it usuall for the Blackamore to chang his skin by painting it white any more than for the Leopard to chang his spots or was it usuall for men to change their haire white or black from it's naturall colour A. Jerem. 13.23 Can the Ethyopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots Mat. 5.36 Neither shalt thou sweare by thy head because thou canst not make one haire white or black Q. Is it probable that Christ was naturally of a beautifull countenance that the Son of David was like David yea fairer then the children of men A. Psal 45.2 Thou art fairer than the children of men grace is powred into thy lips Cant. 5.10 My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand Q. Was our Saviour's countenance much marred by reason of sorrowes and sufferings that he seemed older than he was and not so lovely as he was before A. Isa 53.2 He hath no forme nor comelinesse and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him Q. When Christ's countenance was so marred did he recover his complexion and beauty by art or when our Saviour's countenance was transfigured and made outwardly glorious was it done by any art of man did that brightnesse of his countenance continue A. Mat. 17.1 2 9. And after six dayes Jesus taketh Peter James and John his brother and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart and was transfigured before them and his face did shine as the sun and his raiment was white as the light And as they came down from the mountaine Jesus charged them saying tell the vision to no man untill c. Q. Doe we find Vermilion or the paint amongst all the store and furniture for ornament and bravery which the delicate dames of Judah had in the dayes of the Prophet Isaiah A. No Isa 3.18 to the 24. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their trinckling ornaments about their feet and their cauls and their round tires like the moon the chaines and the bracelets and the mufflers the bonnets the ornaments of the legges and the head-bands and the tablets and the ear-rings the rings and nose-jewels the changeable suits of apparrel and the mantles and the wimples and the crisping pins the glasses and the fine linnen and the hoods and the vailes Q. How did religious women of old time adorne or beautify themselves did they paint to gaine or keep the affections of their husbands A. 1 Pet. 3.3 4 5. Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the haire and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparell but let it be the hidden man of the heart For after this manner in old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves Q. Is it probable that Christian women to whom the Apostle Peter wrote or concerning whom the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy did use painting as well as gold and silver and plaiting the haire A. 1 Pet. 3.3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the haire and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparrell 1 Timoth. 2.9 In like manner also that women adorne themselves in modest apparell with shamefastnesse and sobriety not with broided hair or gold or pearles or costly array If painting had been used then by Christian women that had been lyable to have been abused too and if so 't is not improbable that the Apostles would have mentioned it as well as other things wherein were excesse Q. Would it be better for a religious Woman to come into the Congregation vailed or painted A. 1 Corinth 11.5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head for that is even all one as if she were shaven Q. Is it expedient for a religious woman to paint A. Philip. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Q. Were common Harlots usually known or distinguished from sober and modest women by their cloathes or outward Garbe A. Prov. 7.10 And behold there met him a woman with the attire of an Harlot and subtill of heart Q. In case religious women should not be disswaded from painting would it not be expedient that they should doe it either with other colours or in some other manner then lewd women use to doe that so they might be known to be honest and modest women A. Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind c. Q. Will painting or auxiliary beauty certainly and continually win or conquer others affections A. See Jerem. 4.30 And when thou art spoiled what wilt thou doe though thou clothest thy selfe with crimson though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold though thou rentest thy face with painting in vaine shalt thou make thy selfe faire thy Lovers will despise thee they will seek thy life Q. What is the best meanes for a woman to have and hold her husbands affections is not the feare of God and meek discreet carriage towards her husband A. Prov. 31.30 Favour is deceitfull and beauty is vaine but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised 1 Pet. 3.1 3 4. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversatiō of the wives whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the haire of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparrell but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek quiet spirit Pr. 11.22 Q. Had the Virgins who were prepared for and presented to Ahasuerus any paint as well as perfumes allowed them A. Esther 2.12 Now when every Maids turne was come to goe into King Ahasuerus after that she had been 12 moneths 6 moneths with oyle of myrrhe and six moneths with sweet odours and with other things for the purifying of the women Q. But doth not the Scripture say Psal 104.15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man and oile to make his face to shine And Eccles 9.8 Let thy garments be alwaies white and let thy head lack no oyntment A. In those Easterne hot countryes they did use oile frequently to anoint themselves withall possibly to make their skin smooth and cleare free from beeing too much dried and parched and so wrinkled before ' its time
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
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
multitude they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the H. Ghost Act. 10.44 47 48. While Peter yet spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word Then answered Peter can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Q. What Answer shall we give to those Scriptures Heb. 8.10 11. 1 Joh. 2.27 2 Pet. 1.1 9 A. To that place in the Hebrewes I say 1 That it must not be interpreted to forbid the use of all ordinances and teaching by men for the Apostles themselves did notwithstanding this promise go on teaching and ordaining teachers in the Churches 2 That if this text of Scripture should be taken as it seems to sound in the expresse words and letter of it it will make void and needlesse not only publick teaching and by ministers or Church-officers but also private instruction and by private friends neighbours brethren not ministers 3ly I say that the sense and meaning may be that they shall have not only the outward teaching of men but the inward teaching of the spirit and this teaching of God by his spirit they shall have in such a manner and measure that the other outward shall be nothing or needlesse in comparison or 4thly They shall in Gospell times from the least to the greatest know God the Lord to be the Lord and they shall not teach them as if they were to teach a heathenish unknowing people but the ministers shall then teach a more knowing people as t is said the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea i. e. there shall be abundance of knowledge beyond what there is now generally To that in 1 Epistle of John the meaning is either this You are sufficiently already instructed in this that Jesus is the Christ you need not a farther proof in that matter the seducers Anti-Christs or false Christs shall not be able to draw you away from this great truth Or else ye that are the children of God have the gifts and graces of Gods spirit in such a measure that ye shall not be carried away from the Christian Religion or the truth as t is in Jesus but this Spirit shall teach you in all necessary saving truths And that notwithstanding this place this Apostle writes this Epistle to informe them to edify thē To that in 2 Ep. of Peter the sense and scope of the words may be this that you may find the knowledge of God and of his Christ if you will read and consider and compare the prophesies of the old Testament for those Scriptures testify of him The meaning is not that when you have got the knowledge of Christ you need not further to take heed to the Scriptures when the godly Ps 123.2 professe to look or waite on God untill he have mercy on them doe you think that they meant to look or waite on him just so long and no longer Q. May ministers presse Saints who live and dwell in God and who are taught of God to hearken to a word or commandement without them A. Yes 1 Thes 4.9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of of God to love one another compared with the 2d. For ye know what commandements we gave you by the Lord Jesus Eph. 6.1 2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father mother which is the first commandement with promise compared with ch 1.1 Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithfull in Christ Jesus Jam. 2.8 11. If ye fulfill the royall Law according to the Scripture Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy selfe ye do well For he that said do not commit Adultery said also do not kill Now if thou commit no Adultery yet if thou kill thou art become a transgressor of the Law Q. May a believer that is in God come himselfe to any Church do we read of a church in God and the Lord Christ A. 2 Thes 1.1 Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Q. Is there a Catholick or Universall Church and may a man be said to be a teacher or ruler in that A. 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. Q. Had God a Church ordinances and ministers in the daies of Antichrist A. Rev. 13.11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two hornes like a lamb and he spake as a dragon c. compared with ch 14.1 3. And I looked and loe a lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and foure thousand having his fathers name written in their foreheads and they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the Elders and no man could learne that song but the hundred forty and foure thousand which were redeemed from the earth Q. When the glorious times of the Church spoken of by Isaiah ch last come will there be use of Ministers and Ordinances A. Isa 66.21 23. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. And it shall come to passe that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Q. If a Minister intending to be short in a point say to conclude this in a word and after doth use more words then one or one or more sentences doth he lye A. Galat. 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe Q. May Ministers be bred up in Colledges under Tutors in order to the Ministry or are Colledges to be Nurseries only for the Common-wealth and Schools and not for the Church A. 1 Sam. 19.19 20. And it was told Saul saying David is at Naioth in Ramah And Saul sent messengers to take David and when they saw the company of the Prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as appointed over them 1 Sam. 10.10 And when they came thither to the hill behold a company of Prophets met him the Spirit of God came upon him he prophesied among thē Q. Had the Apostle Paul Hebrew and Greek and did he ever make any use of it A. Acts 22.2 And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence And Acts 21.37 And as Paul was to be led into the Castle he said unto the chiefe Captaine may I speak unto thee who said canst thou speak Greek Q. May we heare Ministers if they be as they are charged proud and
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
one city or country although they have many severall Pastors or teachers over them be called a Church A. Act. 20.17 28. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the H. Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne bloud Q. Do all the Churches or believers in them make up one Church of Christ A. Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first borne from the dead Q. May the Elders and brethren of severall churches meet and conferre together about questions or matters of difference which may arise amongst them or any of them A. Act. 15.1 2 6 7. And certaine men which came down from Judea taught the brethren and said except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certaine others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this Question And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter And when there had been much disputing Peter rose up and said unto them c. Q. Are the multitude of believers to be satisfied if it may be in those matters in question Ans Act. 15.30 31. So when they were dismissed they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the multitude together they delivered the Epistle which when they had read they rejoyced for the consolation Q. May the multitude have a hand or voice in the choice of church officers A. Act. 6.2 3 5. Then the twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said c. wherefore brethren look ye out among you 7 men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdome 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 c. CHAP. 24. Of Singing of Psalmes Q. ARE we to sing with the voice or are we only to make melody in our hearts to the Lord A. Acts 16.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang prayses unto God and the prisoners heard them Q. Is it lawfull to sing a psalme which containes a history of others and whose case was not every way as mine is at this present or may Psalmes be sung as the Scriptures are read for instruction and comfort A. Colos 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spirituall songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 2 Chron. 29.30 Moreover Hezekiah the King and the Princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer and they sang praises with gladnesse Psal 22. Compare title and Psalme So Psal 51 52 54. titles and Psalmes compared 2 Chron. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day and made them an ordinance in Israel and behold they are written in the Lamentations Q. Were women allowed to sing A. Exod. 15.20 21. And Miriam the Prophetesse the sister of Aaron took a timbrell in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels with dances And Miriam answered them sing ye to the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously c. 2 Chr. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day Q. May an Unregenerate man sing a Psalme A. Exod. 15.1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord and spake saying I will sing unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the Sea Q. May many joine to sing a Psalme together and may a Godly man or woman joine with those who are not truly Godly in singing of a Psalme A. Exod. 15.1 20 21. Then sang Moses the children of Israel this song unto the Lord. And Miriam the Prophetesse the Sister of Aaron took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels c. Q. May we sing on a day of Humiliation or in a time of sadnesse Is it not said Jam. 5.13 If any be merry let him sing Psalmes A. See the title to the 102. Psal A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. Besides as we may pray when we are not afflicted so we may sing although we have no present extraordinary cause of mirth but whereas others ungodly men when they are filled with wine and carnall mirth burst out into singing vaine and oft times wild songs Christians when they are filled with the spirit with joy unspeakable and glorious may expresse their joy seasonably in Psalmes hymnes spirituall songs Eph. 5.18 19. Times of mirth are fit and seasonable times for this duty but not the only times Paul and Silas sang in prison and so our Saviour and his Apostles immediately after his last supper not long before he was betrayed into the hands of sinners as times of affliction are speciall times of prayer but not the only times Christ himselfe being in an Agony prayed the more earnestly so times of mirth or rejoicing are speciall but not the only seasons of singing of Psalms Q. Is singing of Psalms to be allowed in the Church A. 1 Cor. 14.26 How is it then brethren when ye come together every one of you hath a Psalme hath a Doctrine hath a tongue hath a revelation hath an Interpretation let all things be done unto edifying Psal 95.1 2. O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyfull noise to the rock of our Salvation Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyfull noise unto him with Psalms Mar. 14.26 And when they had sung an hymne they went out into the mount of Olives CHAP. 25. Of Church Discipline Q. OUght men first to be admonished once twice or thrice before they be cast out of the Church or that men are bound to separate from their society A. Math. 18.15 16 17. Moreover if thy brother shall trespasse against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone but if he will not heare thee then take with thee one or two more and if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the Church but if he neglect to heare the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathē man a Publican Tit. 3.10 A man that is an Heretick after the first second admonition reject Q. If a man that hath given offence professe true repentance may not he be
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
a common stocks must not Mine and Thine cease in the Church and Common-wealth A. Act. 5.4 Whiles it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints upon the first day of the weeek let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him Q. May a godly man he that is an heir of heaven purchase land upon earth A. Gen. 23.20 And the field and the cave that is therein were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Heth. Q. May a Christian buy or sell with or for money A. James 4.13 15. Goe to now ye that say To day or to morrow we will goe into such a city and continue there a yeer and buy and sell and get gain For that ye ought to say If the Lord will we shall live and doe this or that Luk. 22.36 John 4.8 compared with John 13.29 Q. May we say Sr or L d to any man and especially to a Minister A. Gen. 23.14 15. And Ephron answered Abraham saying unto him my Ld hearkē unto me Joh. 20.15 She supposing him to be the gardiner sayth unto him Sir if thou have born him hence tell me c. Act. 27 10. Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt c. Q. May Saints give the title of Sirs to Idolaters A. Act. 14.15 Sirs why doe ye these things we also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that ye should turne from these vanities unto the living God c. Q. May we say Honourable or write Most excellent to any A. 1 Sam. 9.6 And he said unto him Behold now there is in this city a man of God and he is an honourable man all that he sayth cometh surely to passe Act. 1.3 It seemed good to me also c. to write unto thee in order most excellent Theophilus Q. May a Minister or private Christian say or write to any man your servant in the Lord A. 2 Cor. 4.5 For we preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your servants for Jesus sake Q. May we say good morrow good even or I wish you good speed A. Ruth 2.4 And behold Boaz came from Bethlehem and said unto the Reapers the Lord be with you and they answered him the Lord blesse thee Psal 129.8 Neither doe they which goe by say The blessing of the Lord be upon you we blesse you in the name of the Lord. 2 Joh. 10 11. If there come any unto you bring not this Doctrin receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evill deeds Q. May we crave a blessing or as we call it give thanks for our meat and drink A. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. For every creature of God is Good nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Joh. 6.11 And Jesus took the loaves and when he had given thanks he distributed to the Disciples c. Q. May a Christian bear the office of a civill Magistrate A. Ro. 13.1 2 3 4. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers for there is no power but of God The powers that be are ordained of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation For Rulers are not a terrour to good works but to the evill c. For he is the minister of God to thee for good c. Q. May Christians lawfully live under any King but Christ A. Rom. 13.5 6 7. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake for for this cause pay you tribute also for they are God's ministers c. Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custome to whom custome fear to whom feare honour to whom honour 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as supreame or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evill doers and for the praise of them that doe well Q. Is it lawfull to pay tribute custom A. Rom. 13.7 Render therefore to all their dues Tribute to whom tribute is due Custome to whom custome Q. Is it lawfull to salute honour and bow down before men A. Gen. 23.12 And Abraham bowed down himselfe before the people of the land Mat. 5.47 And if ye salute your brethren only what doe you more than others doe not even the Publicans so c. 10.12 And when you come into an house salute it 1 Sam. 10.4 And they will salute thee and give thee c. Q. What say you to 2 King 4.29 salute him not And Luk. 10.4 salute no man by the way A. When the Prophet Elisha's servant Gehazi was sent upon life and death as we say it was no time then to stay or hinder his businesse in giving or taking courtesyes our Lord would not have his disciples distracted or hindered in their worke with civilities and besides the lesse they courted the world with comity and as we say complementing the more was God's power seen in making way yet for their entertainment and yet civility was not altogether forbidden them vers 5. Into whatsoever house ye enter first say peace be to this house Q. May we write books inscribing the name of any particular person especially in the beginning A. Luk. 1.3 It seemed good to me also having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in order most Excellent Theophilus Q. Are some persons honourable and more honourable than others A. Luk. 14.8 When thou art bidden of any Man to a wedding sit not down in the highest room lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him Q. May we call those Noble or most Noble of whose Religion or godlinesse we have small evidence A. Act. 26.25 I am not mad most Noble Festus Q. May Women be stiled Honourable A. Act. 17.12 Therefore many of them believed also of honourable Women which were Greeks and of men not a few Q. May a Christian be a servant to any man seeing he is the Lord's servant yea the Lord's free-man A. 1 Cor. 7.21 Art thou called being a Servant care not for it but if thou mayest be made free use it rather 1 Tim. 6.1 2. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour And they that have believing Masters let them not despise them because they are brethren c. Obj. 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be not ye the servants of men A. Christians should not when they are free chuse to serve Idolatrous Masters lest that should prove a snare
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
Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed For before that certaine came from James he did eate with the Gentiles but when they were come he withdrew and separated himselfe fearing them which were of the circumcision But when I saw that they walked not uprightly I said unto Peter before them all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles c. Q. Did the Apostle Peter quote and commend the Apostle Paul's Epistles notwithstanding he speakes nothing in them at all of Peter's supremacy or of his pretended Successor the Bishop of Rome A. 2 Pet. 3.15 16. And account that the long-suffering of the Lord is Salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdome given unto him hath written unto you As also in all his Epistles speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they doe also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction Q. Ought prayers for the congregation to be made in a knowne tongue in the Congregation A. Yea. 1 Cor. 14.9 14. Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood how shall it be known what is spoken For if I pray in an unknowne tongue my spirit prayeth but mine understanding is unfruitfull Q. Is it good to have Images in Churches as Lay-mens bookes A. Exod. 20.4 5. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image nor any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy selfe to them nor serve them 2 Cor. 6.16 And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols Q. May we pray to Images A. Hab. 2.18 19. What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it the molten image and a teacher of lyes that the maker of his work trusteth therein to make dumb Idols Woe to him that saith to the wood Awake to the dumbe stone Arise it shall teach behold it is layd over with gold and silver and there is no breath at all in the middest of it Q. May we make an Image of God and worship God in at or before such Images using these as helpes or meanes to worship him the better A. Is 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God or what likenesse will ye compare unto him Act. 17.29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to thinke that the God-head is like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and man's device Deut. 4.15 16. 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 mid'st of the fire Lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likenesse of male or female c. Q. May Christians worship Images A. Exod. 20.5 Thou shalt not bow down thy selfe to them nor serve them Psal 97.7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of Idols 1 Joh. 5.21 Little children keep your selves from Idols Q. Were ever any so stupid as to worship Images or Idols A. Hab. 2.18 19. What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it the molten image and a teacher of lyes that the maker of his work trusteth therein to make dumb Idols Woe unto him that sayth to the wood Awake to the dumb stone Arise it shall teach there 's no breath at all in the middest of it Is 44.15 17 19. For he will take thereof and warme himselfe yea he kindleth it and baketh bread yea he maketh a God and worshippeth it he maketh it a graven image and falleth downe thereto And the residue thereof he maketh a God even his graven image he falleth down unto it and worshippeth it and prayeth unto it and sayth Deliver me for thou art my God And none considereth in his heart neither is there knowledge or understanding to say I have burnt part of it in the fire c. And shall I make the residue thereof an abomination Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree Q. Is Christ corporally present in the sacrament especially is the bread wine transubstantiated into the very body and bloud of Christ A. No. Act. 3.21 Whom the heaven must receive untill the times of restitution of all things Joh. 16.28 Againe I leave the world goe to the Father Q. Doe those words Mat. 26.26 this is my body prove that the bread is transubstantiated into the very body of Christ so that 't is no longer bread but that very same body which suffered upon the crosse and as truly really and substantially changed into his body as the water was into wine Joh. 2.9 A. No. Either as in 1 Cor. 10.4 That Rock was Christ that is did represent Christ or was a figure of Christ so This is my body that is this doth signify or represent my body or as circumcision which was a signe and seale of the Covenant is cal'd the Covenant Act. 7.8 Gen. 17.10 11. So these words This is my body signify that this bread doth seale the benefits of my broken body or of my death unto you Q. Is the body of Christ so in one place that it is not in another at the same time A. Math. 28.6 He is not here for he is risen as he said come see the place where the Lord lay Heb. 2.14 17. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe took part of the same c. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren c. Q. Ought not all the people as well as the Minister to drink of the cup at the Lord's table A. Yea. Mar. 14.23 And he took the cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they all drank of it Math. 26.27 drink ye all of it Q. If we have not the body of Christ corporally in the Sacrament have we then any spirituall communion with his body and blood in that Sacrament A. Yes 1 Cor. 10.16 17. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Q. Did the Apostles receive the Sacrament Fasting or after Supper A. Mat. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eate this is my body Q. Did they receive the Sacrament in a table gesture or did they kneel A. Mar. 14.18 And as they sate and did eate c. vers 22. Jesus took bread and blessed and brake it and gave to them and said Take eate this