Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	day_n	sabbath_n	see_v	14,010	5	5.1656	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91721	The Racovian catechisme vvherein you have the substance of the confession of those churches, which in the kingdom of Poland, and great dukedome of Lithuania, and other provinces appertaining to that kingdom, do affirm, that no other save the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is that one God of Israel, and that the man Jesus of Nazareth, who was born of the Virgin, and no other besides, or before him, is the onely begotten Sonne of God.; Racovian catechism. English. 1652.	Smalcius, Valentin, 1572-1622.; Socinus, Faustus, 1539-1604.	1652 (1652)	Wing R121; Thomason E1320_1; ESTC R200387	94,429	183

Ierusalem nor have rested in the worship of the calves had they not been perswaded that they worshipped God in them Q. What is added to this Precept in the new covenant A. That we do not onely abstain from adoring images but also utterly avoid them and fly from them See 1 Iohn 5. 21. Little children keep your selves from idols 1 Cor. 8. and chap. 10. 14. wherefore my beloved brethren fly from Idolatry Q. In what manner are idolls to be avoided A. By being absent from those places where images are worshipped and not partaking of those things that are consecrated to them as it doth clearly appear out of those places which was a little before quoted Q. what is the third Precept A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain Q. What is it to take name of God in vain A. To call God to record in false matters Q. What is added to this Precept under the new covenant A. First that we may call to record not onely God but also Christ inasmuch as the Lord Christ searcheth the hearts and reins Rev. 3 13. next that it is n●● only unlawfull for us to forswear our selves but to swear at all unlesse it be in most weighty matters and such wherein the glory of God is concerned and then it must not be done rashly but with great fear of God and singular caution Q. Where is is written concerning this matter A. Matt. 5. 33 34. And ye have heard that it was said to them of old thou shalt not forswear thy self but thou shalt pay thy vows to the Lord and concerning which matter see also what is written Iam. 5. 12. Q. Since the Lord forbiddeth to swear at all how prove you that it is lawfull to swear in most grave and weighty matters A. That word at all hath not such a sence as if it were not lawfull at all to swear in any case whatsoever for it is opposed to voluntary oaths and such as proceeded from lightnesse such as the law of Moses did not forbid if they were true whereas our Saviour Christ opposeth his doctrine to that of Moses in this point besides we read that the apostles have sworn as Rom. 1. 9. 2 Cor. 1. 23. and chap. 11. 31. Phil. 1. 8. 1 Thes 2. 5. 10. 1 Cor. 15. 31. but to take away all scruple concerning the forequoted place Mat. 5. 33. 34. c. let it be well considered whether it be not here spoken of such paths wherein a man promiseth that he will do something and are therefore called promissary oaths which though lawfull under the law do by these words of Christ seem to be altogether forbidden unto Christians under the Gospel see also the other forecited place Iames 5. 12. which giveth light hereunto Q. Why should the Lord Iesus forbid us to swear voluntarily and lightly even in the things that are true A. That the name of the most high God and of our Lord Jesus Christ should be in the greater veneration again lest by levity of swearing we should learn to forswear our selves Q. Is it lawfull to swear by others besides God and Christ A. At no hand for neither hath God given to any other besides Christ to search the heart and reins Q. What is the fourth Precept A. Remember to keep holy the Sabboth day c. Q. What think you of this Precept A. That it is taken away under the new covenant as well as other ceremoniall observations Q. Why was it inserted into the Decalogue A. That it might appear that the chiefest part of the Mosaicall Law was not perfect and a hint might thereby be given that a far perfecter Law should succeed in room of Moses Law namely the Law of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Did not Christ institute that we should celebrate the day commonly called the Lords day instead of a Sabboth A. By no means since the Christian Religion as it taketh away other ceremoniall observations so also the difference of dayes see Coll. 2. 16. but forasmuch as we see the Lords day to be of old celebrated by Christians we permit the same liberty to all Christians Q. What is the fifth Precept A. Honour thy Father and Mother c. Q. VVhat is it to honour our Parents A. To be obedient to them in all things which are not repugnant to the word of God and to shew all thankfullnesse to them for the benefits we have received from them Ephes 9. 1 2. 1 Tim. 5. 4. Q. But what is the duty of Parents A. That they do not provoke their children but educate them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. Coll. 3 21. Q. What is it to provoke children A. To chastise them without cause or exceed measure in chastising them or alwayes to pursue ones right and forgive nothing to them for by these means children are discouraged But the Apostle injoyneth that Parents provoke not their children lest they be discouraged Q. VVhat is it to educate them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord A. To introduce them into the wayes of the Lord and the obedience of his commandements both by pious conferences and exhortations and examples and example and conversation see Deut. 11. 19. where there is a singular Precept concerning this matter that parents talk with their children about the law of God at morning and at even and not onely at home but also when they are abroad when they are in their Journey Q. VVhat hath the Lord Iesus added this Precept A. There seemeth nothing added hereunto Neverthelesse whatsoever is delivered in the new covenant concerning Subjects and Magistrates wives and husbands servants and Masters seemeth referrible hereunto by reason of the mutuall duties that are between them as between parents and children Q. What is the duty of Subjects towards the Magistrate A. To obey the Magistrate not onely for fear but for conscience to pay him tribute and custome to honour and fear him Q. What is the Office of the Magistrate A. To acknowledge their power given them by God for the defence of good men and terrour of wicked men see Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. Q. What is the duty of wives toward their Husbands A. That they be obedient to their Husbands in all things as the Church is to Christ and that they fear their Husbands Ephe. 5. 24 33. 1 Pet. 3. 5. Col. 3. 18. Q. What is the duty of Husbands towards their Wives A. That they love them as Christ loved the Church and as their own bodies and give honour to them as to the weaker vessels and do not rage against them See Ephes 5. 25 28. Col. 3. 19. 1 Pet. 3. 7. Q. What is the duty of Servants towards their Masters A. To obey their Masters with fear and trembling and sincerity of heart as Christ not giving eye-service as Men-pleasers but as servants of Christ doing the will of God from their hearts with good-will serving the Lord and

THE Racovian Catechisme VVHEREIN You have the substance of the Confession of those Churches which in the Kingdom of Poland and Great Dukedome of Lithuania and other Provinces appertaining to that Kingdom do affirm That no other save the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is that one God of Israel and that the man Jesus of Nazareth who was born of the Virgin and no other besides or before him is the onely begotten Sonne of GOD. Printed at Amsterledam for Brooer Janz 1652. To the Christian READER SEeing it hath pleased Almighty God to bring this good discourse to thy sight We are certain wast thou sensible of thy benefit that might redound to thy soul upon the Imbracing of the Doctrine therein contained thou wouldst not look upon it as men now a dayes look upon most Books with a carelesse unresolved resolution to embrace what shall appear to them to be truth but rather to please their curious fancy then nourish and refresh their souls with good and wholsome Doctrine the effects whereof would bring them to happiness We wilt not here make it our work to plead for the excellency of this Discourse but leave that to the Book it self Only our advice to thee is that seeing the things that are therein asserted are built upon plain texts of Scripture without any consequencies and seeing its tendancy is so much to the propagating of holinesse without which no man shall see God and likewise that it is not the opinion of a particular man onely but of severall Churches of Jesus Christ thou wouldst give the more heed to what thou readest Obtain the honour to be like the Noble Bereans by searching in the Scripture whether the things contained therein be so or not beg of God that he would illuminate thy understanding in seaching after the truth and having sound it sear not to own it God will stand by those that stand for him and if he be on thy side it 's no matter who is against thee continually beg of God more and more to confirm thee in the truth and ingage him to make thee yet more wise by improving the wisdome thou hast already obtained Consider how all along the truth or at least that which was most true hath been cryed out against and persecuted under the notion of Error How was our Lord Jesus Christ himself lookt upon as a blaspheamer Yea and put to death on that accompt neither hath the malice of men rested in crucifying their Lord but hath extended much farther even to the killing his Apostles Prophets and Disciples and all upon the same score of blasphemy and Errour What is it that keeps Mahomets Religion in Turkey alive but that it is death to dispute it And what keeps the Popes interest up in Spain and other Countryes but inquisitians and Tortures which are executed on those who deny his supremacy and argue against his Religion And what is it that will keep England from ever having the knowledge of the truth flourish within its Dominion and Terri●ories but harkening to those that call themselves ministers who rather then they will part with their reputation in the world and their sat benefices will cry down the greatest truths for blasphemies as it is too apparently in these our dayes otherwise how is it that notwithstanding our Lord Jesus Christ saith He that will be my disciple must deny himself and take up his crosse daily c. and through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God they will rather alter their Religion from Episcopacy to Presbytery and to Episcopacy or any other Religion that the state and the generality of men are of again so they may live at ease and have their bodies well pampered then be a disciple of Jesus Christ upon such tearms yea and rather then they will enter into the kingdom of God through tribulation or persecution they will maintain such a Doctrine and stand up for such a Religion the profession whereof shall never expose them to sufferings for it Yea and if they cannot maintain it by Scripture or reason they will as much as in them lies procure the assistance of the civil Magistrate to enforce it upon the people though it be against their consciences Which if we did but well consider is a sufficient argument to evince the falsenesse of their Religion it being so unlike to the Religion of Jesus Christ and his Apostles of whom we never read that they desired the civill Magistrate to protect them or to establish their Religion by force upon the people for that indeed is but as best the way to make men hypocrites in that the most of men will rather imbrace a Religion against their consciences then suffer any thing for religion A. d therefore seeing the state of things lyes as we have before declared how happy will he be whose Religion is built upon the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone that hath the greatest reason of its side that possibly can be imagined doubtlesse it will carry him through all difficulties whatsoever That this discourse is so we leave to thy consideration upon thy weighing of what is contained therein withall seriousnesse and that the truth may never after so long waiting and looking for it be shut out from thee nor any of thy country men desire the Lord still to protect our Governours and put it into their hearts to continue that Liberty which of late through the mercy of Almighty God we have enjoyed That they may never harken so to our pretended Ministers as to suppresse the truth under the Notion of error and blasphemy especially since they and we have hitherto pretended to stand up for the truth and for liberty in practising thereof That the blessing of the Lord may continually attend thee in thy progresse upon this account is and shall be the continuall prayers of Thy friends to love and serve thee in the Lord Jesus Christ Of the holy Scriptures QUESTION I Would fain learn of you what the Christian Religion is ANSVVER The Christian Religion is the way of attaining eternall life discovered by God Q. But where is it discovered A. In the holy Scriptures especially that of the new Covenant Q. Is there then any other Holy Scripture besides that of the New Covenant A. Yes Q. What is it A. The Writings of the old Covenant CHAP. I. Touching the certainty of the Holy Scriptures Q. BUt whence appeareth it that the Holy Scriptures both of the Old and New Covenant are certain and not suspected A. Hence in that there is not onely no cause why it should be doubted of them but evident ground as far as the matter will bear why credence should be given to them Q. How will you make it good that there is no cause why it should be doubted of them especially as to the Scripture of the New Covenant A. There are apparently four causes for which the truth of books may be

eternity Christ is the Wisdome of God Therefore he was begotten from eternity That this argument is invalid appeareth hence First because Salomon speaketh of wisdome simply and absolutely considered without addition of the word God but Paul 1 Cor. 1. 24. whose words they are wont to confer with those of Salomon doth not speak of wisdome simply and absolutely but with addition of the word God 2 By wisdome sundry Expositors whom the Adversaries themselves account to be Orthodox do not conceive that a true and real person is meant but onely that a feigned person is here ascribed to Wisdome and it brought in speaking like a woman Thirdly though we should admit that by Wisdome is understood a person yet what hinders but that we may with far greater probability understand it of the holy Spirit who is called the Spirit of Wisdom and hath the same things attributed to him that are ascribed to Wisdome see Isaiah 11. 1 2 3. 4 5. Isaiah 4. 4. Exod. 31. 1 2 3 4 5 6. compared with Prov. 8. 12 14 15 16 20. and Gen. 1. 2. compared with Prov. 8. 22 29 30. Where it is observable that Moses describing the Creation of the world maketh mention of the holy Spirit but not of the Son of God who was as worthy to have been mentioned and would accordingly have been expressed had he been then present with God as well as the Spirit Neither will it be amisse to cite the concurrent suffrages of holy men under the Old Covenant whose writings though put out of the Canon as not found in the Hebrew are yet deservedly of great esteem among the people of God For it is apparent from sundry passages both of the book of Wisdome and that of Ecclesiasticus that these Writers as they by wisdome understood a creature so did they conceive that creature to be the Spirit of God See Wisdome 6. 24 chap. 1. 4 5 6 7. chap. 7. 27. chap. 9. 17 18 19. Ecclesiasticus 24. 12 13 14. chap. 1. 4 5 7 8 9. Fourthly those words Pro. 8. 23. which are rendred from everlasting are in the Hebrew à seculo from the age or from of old But it is one thing to be à seculo from the age or from of old and ab aeterno from everlasting See Isa 64. 4. Jer. 2. 20. Luke 1. 70. Q. What are those places of the Scripture that seem to attribute some things to Christ at a certain and determinate time A. They are of two sorts the one having respect to names the other to things which they imagine to be attributed unto Christ by the Scripture Q. What are they that have respect to the names of Christ A. Those wherein they think that Jesus is called Jehovah Lord of Hosts the true God the only Master the great God the Lord God Almighty who was is and is to come the God that purchased the Church with his own bloud the God that laid down his life for us See Jer. 23. 6. Zach. 2. 8. 1 John 5. 20. Jude 2. Tit. 2. 13. Rev. 1. 8. and Rev 4. 8. Act. 20. 28. 1 John 3. 16. Q. What answer give you to these places and first to the first A. It doth not of necessity follow that the name Jehovah is here attributed to Christ For those words And this is the name wherewith he shall be called JEHOVA-TZIDKENU or the Lord of Righteousnesse may be referred to Israel of whom the Prophet spake in the clause immediately going before Yea that it ought so to be will appear by comparing this place with that in the 33. chap. v. 15. 16. where the Prophet saith In those daies and in that time will I cause the branch of righteousnesse to grow up to David and he shall execute judgement and righteousnesse in the land In those daies shall Judah be saved and Jerusalem dwell safely and this is the name wherewith she shall be called JEHOVA-TZIDKENU that is the Lord our rigoteousnesse In this place the feminine Hebrew particle rendred She in English must of necessity be referred to Jerusalem and doth in this place answer to Israel which was put in the former place chap. 23. 6. and consequently those words And this is the name wherewith he shall be called are to be referred unto Israel But though we should grant that the word Jebovah may be referred to Christ yet is it apparent hat he is not simply called Iehovah so that it cannot thence be concluded that he is indeed Iehovah no more then the Altar which Moses erected and called Jehovah-Nissi Exod. 17. 15. was indeed Iehovah Or that which Gedeon erected Judg 6. 24. and called Iehova-Shalom Or the place which Abraham called Iehova-jireth Gen. 22. 14. whether therefore those words Ier. 23. 6. be spoken of Christ or of Israel the meaning of them is that God would justifie the Israelites which was then accomplished when he sent Christ amongst them Q. What say you to the second A The words of Zachary run thus chap. 2. 8. 9. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts After the glory hath he sent me unto the Nations that spoiled you for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye For behold I will shake my hand upon them and they shall be a spoil to their servants and ye shall know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me This passage is by the Adversaries wrested to Christ because they suppose it here to be said that the Lord of Hosts was sent by the Lord of Hosts Which exposition is so absurd that any other sense was rather to be put upon the words But it is evident that they were uttered by another then the Lord of Hosts namely by the Angell who talked with Zachary and the other Angell and is in the fourth verse first brought in speaking For he saith not He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye but of his eye meaning the Eye of the Lord of Hosts that sent him Q. What say you to the third A. In this passage 1 Iohn 5. 20 21. We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us understanding to know the true one and we are in the true one in or by his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternall life These words This is the true God cannot be referred unto Christ not as if he were not a true God but because he is not the true God that is here spoken of as the article added in the Greek doth intimate Neither doth it any whit advantage the adversaries cause who will have these words This is the true God referred unto Christ that Christ was mentioned immediately before For relatives are not alwaies referred to the antecedents immediately going before but oftentimes to that which is chiefly spoken of as appeareth from these places Act. 7. 18 19. Till another King arose which knew not Joseph The same or he dealt subtilly with with our kindred Act. 10. 6. He Peter lodgeth with one Simon a Tanner

one we must needs be distracted in mind not knowing who hath prescribed that way to us And therefore the Scripture frequently admonisheth us of this thing as you may see in Moses Deut. 6. 4. which passage is cited by Christ himself Mark 12. 29. Hearken Israel thy Lord the God is one Lord. And again in Moses Deut. 32. 39. See that I alone am He and there is no God besides me Esay 44. 6. 8. Esay 45. 5. 14. 21. Esay 46. 9. 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. Gal. 3. 20. Eph. 4. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. How the third A. Unlesse we believe God to be eternall how can we hope for eternall life from him and so attain the end to which this way doth lead Q. How the fourth A. To believe that God is perfectly just is necessary unto Salvation first that we may perswade our selves that God will make good his Promises to us though we be unworthy Next that we may acknowledge all those trialls to be just which being entred into this way we must of necessity undergo in that they are permitted by God Q. How the fifth A. This is therefore necessary to be known to the end we might not doubt that even our very heart then which nothing is harder to be searched out and from which the chiefest estimate of our obedience is taken lieth alwaies open unto God Q. How the sixth A. Because we could not expect eternall life from the hands of God as the prime Author were we not perswaded that his power is circumscribed with no bounds and limits Againe who would endure so many adversities as are incident to all those that make profession of the Christian Religion were not this perswasion deeply fastned in his heart that all things are in the hands of God and afflictions happen not without his will neither is any thing either in heaven or on earth able to hinder his divine power from accomplishing what he hath promised and we expect from him Q. You have unfolded what things are necessary to be known touching the Essence of God and therefore I pray you now discover what things are very conducible thereunto A. It is very conducible hereunto to know that in the essence of God there is but one Person Q. Demonstrate this I pray you A. Inasmuch as the Essence of God is but one in number there cannot be so many persons therein since a person is nothing but an individuall intelligent Essence Q. Who is this one divine Person A. That one God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. How prove you that A. By the most evident testimonies of the Scripture thus Christ himself Iohn 17. 3. saith This is life eternall that they may know thee Father the onely true God And the Apostle Paul 1 Corinth 8. 6. saith To us there is but one God the Father of whom are all the things we for him And Ephes 4. 6. There is one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in you all Q. But Christians commonly hold that not onely the Father but also the Son and the Holy Spirit are persons in one and the same Deitie A. I know it well but they are grievously mistaken producing arguments for it out of the Scriptures ill understood Q. What are their arguments wherewith they endeavour to prove their opinion A. The chief are these First they say that the Scripture calleth not only the Father but also the Son and the Holy Spirit God And forasmuch as the same Scripture affirmeth that there is but one God hence they gather that these Three are that one God Q. How must this Argument be solved A. I will first make answer concerning the Son and then concerning the Holy Spirit Q. What answer will you make concerning the Son A. The word GOD is two wayes chiefly used in the Scripture The first is when it denoteth him who both in the heavens and on the earth doth so rule and exercise dominion over all that he acknowledgeth no superior and is so the Author and Principall of all things as that he dependeth on none The other is when it designeth him who hath some sublime dominion from that one God and so is in some sort partaker of his Deïty Hence is it that the Scripture calleth that one God the God of Gods or most high God Psal 50. 1. Heb. 7. 1. And in the latter signification the Son of God is in certain places of the Scripture dignified with the title of a God Q. How prove you that the Son of God is in this latter signification dignified with the title of a God A. From the very words of the Son himself John 10. 35. If he call them Gods to whom the Word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world Thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God By this speech Christ doth clearly intimate both that the word GOD is somtime attributed unto them in the Scripture who are far inferiour to that one God as also that he called himself the Son of God and consequently a God for no greater reason then because he had been sanctified by the Father and sent into the world Q. But what answer give you concerning the Holy Spirit A. The Holy Spirit is no where in the Scripture expresly called God and though in some places the things of God are attributed to him yet doth it not thereupon follow that he is either God or a person of the Deity since this happeneth for another cause as you shall hear in in its place Q. VVhat is the second argument wherewith they go about to prove the three Persons in one Deity A. It is taken from those places wherein mention is made of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Q. VVhich are those places A. The first is that where Jesus commandeth his Aposties to make all Nations Disciples baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Mat. 28. 19. The second is that where the Apostle writeth in this manner There are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit And diversities of Ministeries but the same Lord. And diversities of Operations but the same God that operateth all the things in all 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. And afterwards in the eleventh verse of the same chapter he saith But all these things operateth one and the same Spirit distributing to every one as he will The third is in John 1 Epist 5. 7. There are three that hear witnesse in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are one Q. What are we to think of these Quotations A. In generall I answer that these Quotations onely shew that there is a Father Sonne and Holy Spirit which we not only acknowledge but constantly assert so that we pronounce him to be no Christian who is either ignorant thereof or doth not

tempted From these words likewise it can not be shown that Christ was indeed tempted in the wildernesse For instance should any man say let us not be refractory to the Magistrate as some of our Ancestors were it could not thence be concluded that the same numericall Magistrate is in both places designed Now if there be found in the Scriptures such kinds of speaking wherein the like speech is referred to him whose name was a little before expressed without any repetition of the same person this hap'neth in such a place where no other besides him whose name was expressed can possibly be understood as Deut. 6. 16. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God as thou temptedst in Massah But in this speech of the Apostle whereof we speak another then Christ may be understood as Moses the Angel c. see Num. 21. 5. Q. From what place prove they that the glory of Christ was seen by Isaiah A. From Iohn 12. 41. These things spake Isaiah when he saw his glory and spake of him Q. What say you hereunto A. First that these words are not of necessity to be referred to Christ inasmuch as they may be referred to God the Father For the words that are set a little before are spoken of the same namely he hath blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts Again the glory which Isaiah saw might be yea was not a present but a future glory For it is proper to Prophets to see the things that are to come Whence likewise they were called Seers 1 Sam. 9. 9. Finally although you understand these words of that glory which was then present and seen by Isaiah yet is it one thing to see one's glory another thing to see himself for in the glory of that one God Isaiah likewise saw the glory of the Lord Christ for the Prophet there saith The earth is full of the glory of the Lord. Which thing was then accomplished when Jesus Christ first appeared to the people of the Jewes and afterwards was preached to the whole world Q. From what testimonies of Scripture do they endeavour to demonstrate that Christ was as they say incarnated A. From Iohn 1. 14. where according to their Translation it is read The Word was made flesh And from Phil. 2. 6 7. Who Christ Jesus being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal to God But made himself of no reputation taking upon him the form of a servant being made in the likenesse of men And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself c. from 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the mystery of godliness God was manifested in flesh And frō Heb. 2. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham And from 1 Ioh. 4. 3. Every spirit that confesseth Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God And lastly from Heb. 10. 5. Wherfore entring into the world he saith Sacrifice offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared for me Q. What say you to the first testimony A. That it is not there said that God was incarnated or that the divine Nature assumed a humane For it is one thing to say The Word was made flesh another that God was incarnated as they say or that the divine Nature assumed a humane Besides these words The Word or rather the Speech was made flesh may and ought to be thus rendred The Word was flesh Thus the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendred verse 6. of this very chapter There was a man sent by God his name John And Luk. 24. 19. Who was a Prophet great in word and deed And these places with sundry others shew that it may be so rendred But that it ought to be so rendred the order of the Evangelists words sufficiently teacheth for it would have been incongruous to have said that the Word was made flesh that is as the adversaries would have it assumed a Humane Nature after he had already spoken those things of the Word which followed the Nativity of Jesus Christ as namely that John the Baptist gave testimony of him that he was in the world that his own received him not that to them who received him he gave power to become the Sons of God Q. How is that to be understood that the Word was flesh A. That he by whom God perfectly revealed his whole will and who had been therefore by John called the Word or Speech was a man of the same constitution with others and subject to the same infirmity afflictions and death For in this sense the Scripture useth the word flesh as appeareth from those places where God saith My spirit shall not alwaies strive with man for that he also is flesh Gen. 6. 3. And Peter out of Isaiah saith All flesh is grasse 1 Pet. 1. 24. Q. What say you to the third A. It is one thing to say that Jesus Christ being in the form of God took the form of a servant and that the Divine Nature assumed a Humane For here the form of God cannot design the Divine Nature in that the Apostle writeth that Christ emptied himself of that form But God can by no means empty himself of his nature Neither doth the form of a servant denote a humane nature since to be a servant is referred to the fortune and condition of a man But neither is it to be concealed that the writings of the New Covenant doth use the word form elswhere but once namely Mark 16. 12. and that in such a sense wherein not the nature but exteriour fashion is signified whilest it saith that Jesus appeared to two of his Disciples in another form Q. But from those words which the Apostle presently after subjoyns namely He was found in fashion of a man doth it not appear that he was as they say incarnated A. At no hand For it is said of Sampson Judg. 16. 7. 11. that if such and such a thing was done to him he should become as a man And Asaph Psa 82. denounceth to those whom he had called Gods Sons of the most high that they should die like men notwithstanding it is certain it cannot be said that they were as the adversaries say incarnated Q. But how do you understand this whole place A. Thus that Christ who conversed in the world as God doing the works of God and receiving divine worship did when God so willed and the salvation of man required become as a servant and vassall and as one of the vulgar men when he of his own accord suffered himself to be bound whipt and crucified Q. What say you to the third A. First that in many ancient copies and in the vulgar Translation the word God is not here found so that nothing certain can be concluded out of this place Again though we read the word God there yet is there no cause why it should not be referred to the Father

Lord lay not this sin to their charge Also 2 Cor. 12. 7 8. Lest I should be too much elevated with the excesse of Revelation there was given to me a prick in the flesh an Angell of Satan to buffet me that I might not be elevated whereupon I besought the Lord that he might depart from me also 1 Thes 3. 11. Now our very God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you besides this may be farther seen in all the Apostolick salutations wherein they wish Grace Mercy and Peace As from God the Father so also from his Son Jesus Christ unto the faithfull Quest But is not the first Commandment of the decalogue altogether changed by this addition namely that we ought to acknowledge Christ for a God and celebrate him with Divine honour Answ At no hand for the Commandment it self is not changed in as much as all the worship that is given to Christ redoundeth to the glory of that one God the Father but the reason and manner of worshipping is changed for before Christ God was worshipped immediately but under Christ mediately Besides that law forbiddeth us to have other Gods before the Lord God and Christ is not an other God but in that very worship which is given to him subordinate to that one God it is apparent that that law is no way changed since it is well known that subordinate things are not opposite to one another Quest Is Divine Honour and Worship so attributed to Christ that there is herein no difference between him and God Answ Yes very great for we adore and honour God as the first cause of our Salvation but Christ as the second or to speak with Paul God the Father as him of whom are all the things the Lord Christ as him by whom are all the things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Quest What think you of those men which doe not invocate Christ nor think that he must be adored Answ That they are no Christians since indeed they have not Christ for though in words they dare not deny him yet in reality they do Quest You have shewed that next to God Christ ought to be worshipped tell me whether any one else is to be worshipped Answ None for neither is there any Divine testimony from whence it may appear that to any other but Christ Divine soverainty over us is given and whereas at this day in the Church of Rome some divine Authority is attributed to the Virgin Mary and to the Saints that is wholly built upon their own opinion Quest Can they not justly be excused since they doe it to this end that they may thereby give worship to God Answ No for in the worship of God it is not enough to ground our selves upon opinion though never so specious but thereunto there is need of the very truth it self otherwise that worship ought justly to be accounted for Idolatry Quest I perceive that none but God and Christ is to be worshipped but may we not invocate the Virgin Mary and the Saints not that they themselves may bestow any thing upon us but impetrate it by their prayers unto God and Christ Answ It is no wayes lawfull for the reason a little before declared as also because in those things that concern the worship of God one ought to be most certainly perswaded that the things which are done may be done according to the will of God But no testimony can be produced out of the sacred Scriptures from whence it may appear that the Virgin Mary and the other Saints either have any care of those things that are done by us or any knowledge or at least are able to hear our Prayers of which things never the lesse he ought to be perswaded who would addresse his prayers to them Quest I suppose I now perceive what force this precept hath in the Christian Religion come therefore to the second Answ The second is this Thou shalt not make to thy self any Graven Image c. Quest What is the meaning of this precept Answ That no Image is to be made to the end it should be adored and worshipped nor any such Image as may occasion such adoration and worship Quest What are those Images which men make to the end they should be adored and worshipped Answ Such as are made out of an opinion and shadow of Religion Quest In what manner is such adoration performed Answ Not onely when Images themselves are worshipped but when the worship is performed before them and when they are religiously cloathed but much more when Tapers are lighted before them Incense burned Vowes made to them and Pilgrimages undertaken to them Quest But they say these things are not exhibited to the Images themselves nor the Images themselves adored but those whom they represent Answ This shift availeth them not for in that prohibition there is no mention of such a difference that this should be done for the Images sakes or not but the people are enjoyned not to do the thing at all But that this evasion is not to be admitted the example of the Calf which the Israelites made in the Wildernesse and of those Calves which Jeroboam made for the Israelites in the Land which the Lord had given them to possesse For it is certain that the worship that was given to those Calves was in the intention of the Israelites not given to Calves themselves but to the Lord God of Israel whom they thought to be represented by them neverthelesse that worship was repugnant to the will of God as appeareth sufficiently out of the sacred Story Quest How will you prove that the Israelites worshipped God in the Calf that was made in the Wildernesse Answ That appeareth from the fact of Araon and the People From the fact of Aaron because being inforced by the prayers of the people to make them a God that might goe before them he framed that Calf But it is certain that Aaron had no other God besides the Lord which is also apparent from hence namely in that Aaron when he was about to dedicate that Calf saith of him Tomorrow is a solemnity to the Lord Exod. 32. 5. From the fact of this people because they said of the Calf that he was the God which brought them out of the Land of Aegypt for this whole action of bringing them out of the land of Aegypt by the hand of Moses was performed under the expresse name of the Lord himself Quest How will you prove the same concerning those Calves that Jeroboam made for the People A. First because those calves were proposed to the people by Jeroboam to be worshipped with these words behold thy God O Israel that brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 1 Kings 12. 28. Besides it is evident from the very history yea therein expressed that those calves were therefore framed by Ieroboam lest the people should go to Ierusalem to worship the Lord for they would never have desisted to go to

be taught what order is in the same Doctrine prescribed to that Church A. That order consisteth in the duties of those persons whereof the Church consisteth and the diligent and accurate care that all the persons perform their severall duties Q. What are the persons whereof the Church consisteth A. Of them some govern others obey Q. Who rule A. Apostles Prophets Evangelists Doctors Pastors Bishops Elders and Deacons Q. What is their duly or office whom you call Apostles A. To go out into all the world and preach the Gospell of Christ for which things sake they were both chosen first by Christ and by him sent forth from whence they had the denomination of Apostles whom Christ also endued with his holy Spirit sent in a visible manner and armed with great powers Mat. 28. 19. Mark 16. 5. Act. 2. 4. Q. What is the office of Prophets A. To foretell things to come and expound the things that are hard to be understood in the Christian Religion 1 Cor. 14. Q. What is the office of Evangelists A. To be assistant to the Apostles in preaching the Gospell and to disperse it through divers regions and plant it of which sort were Philrp Timotheus and others Act. 21. 8. 2 Tim. 4. 5. Q. What are the offices of Doctors Pastors Bishops and Elders A. To go before others in speaking to keep order in the Church of God and pour out prayers for the people of God 1 Tim. 5. 17. Acts 6. 4. Q. What is the office of Deacons A. To be serviceable to the necessities of the Church especially of the Poor therein Act. 6. 2 3. Q. Are all those persons which you said are to govern others and whose offices have you described at this day found in the Church of God A. As to the Apostles and Prophets it is certain that they have no more place in the Church of Christ For the cause for which they were chosen and sent forth by the Lord is now ceased which was that God by them would have the doctrine of his Son declared and confirmed to the world And therefore they were called the foundations of the Church of Christ by Paul Ephes 2. 20. Wherefore after that the Gospell of Christ had according to the counsell of God been abundantly discovered to the world and confirmed there is no more place left in the Church for such persons as should any further discover and confirm the same Q. Why call you the Apostles and Prophets the foundation of the Church when Christ himself is the foundation thereof 1 Cor. 3. 11. A. The Apostles and Prophets are called the foundation of the Church in one sense and Christ is in another the foundation thereof The one only in reference to other men who belong to the same Church of Christ and wholly ground themselves on the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets And then Christ is considered as something greater that is as the chief Corner-stone of that foundation see the forecited place Ephes 2. 20. The other not onely in reference to the rest of the Church but also the very Apostles themselves who are built upon Christ as well as other Believers Q. What say you concerning Evangelists A. That they ceased together with the Apostles For they did then with the Apostles preach a New doctrine which now accounted most Old Q. What think you of the other persons A. In as much as their Ministries doe even now continue the persons themselves must also needs continue as being constituted for the ministries sake Q. How are they constituted for the Ministry A. As we have it set down in the doctrine of the Apostles Q. How is that A. Concerning the offices of Doctors Pastors Bishops and Presbyters or Elders the Apostle Paul at large discovereth 1 Tim. 3. 2 3. c. A Bishop must be unblameable c. and Tit. 1. 6 7. c. A Bishop must be unreproveable c. Q. Have not those who teach in the Church and keep order therein need to be sent in some speciall manner A. By no means for they doe not now bring a new doctrine and such as was unheard of before but that of the Apostles received of old by all men exhorting men to lead their lives according to it Whence the Apostle expresly describing all things which belong to the constituting of such persons make no mention of any mission or sending Neverthelesse when such persons according to the prescript of the Apostolick Doctrine are constituted and are endued with those two properties namely innocency of life and aptnesse to teach they ought thereupon to have just authority amongst all Q. What say you to those words of the Apostle Rom. 10. 15. How shall they preach unlesse they be sent A. The Apostle doth not here speak of any preaching whatsoever but of the preaching of a new Doctrine and such as hath not formerly been heard of which sort was the preaching of the Apostles and their assistants who therefore had need of a mission or sending But in as much as at this day there is no such preaching there is also no need of such a mission Q. How ought Deacons to be ordained A. As the Apostles directed 1 Tim. 3. 8 9. Let the Deacons in like manner be grave c. Q. You have handled what pertained to those that govern now handle also that which pertaineth to those that are governed A. It is their duty to be obedient unto those that govern in all those things which they prescribe according to the Word of God Concerning which we read in the Epistle to the Hebrewes chap. 13. 17. Next that they communicate to them that teach in all good things Gal. 6. 6. yea that they allow them double honour or maintenance 1 Tim. 5. 17. Finally that an accusation against them be not admitted under two or three Witnesses 1 Tim. 5. 19. CHAP. III. Concerning the Discipline of the Church of Christ Q. YOu have shewn the Offices of the persons which constitute the Church of Christ now likewise shew the way how these Offices may be duly performed A. That way partly concerneth all partly those that govern Q How doth it concern all A. In that manner as it is written Heh 3. 12 13. Take heed brethren lest there shall be found in any of you an evill heart of unbelief c. and Heb. 12. 15. Taking care lest any man shall fall from the Grace of God and Paul saith 1 Thes 5. 11. Admonish one another and build up one another See also ver 14. of the same Chapter Q. How must ●hey be dealt withall who are despiseds of this order A. Two wayes for they are either privately to be corrected or publickly Q. 〈◊〉 to be privat●ly corrected A. As Christ hath taught Mat. 18. 15 16 c. If thy brother offend against thee c. Q. Why to be so corrected A. Because as it appeareth from this place they privately offend against us and therefore the same is to be