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
their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his image c. Mr Baxter saith if a Papist be saved it must be as a Christian and not as a Papist as if a lyar might be saved it must not be by lying but by Faith and Repentance he thinks it not impossible for some one or more to be saved as 't is possible for here and there one to escape of a raging pestilence but if so it is not by his disease or plague of Popery but by the wholsome remedy of Faith and Repentance Vid. Baxt. Oh that God would perswade your hearts to come to hast out of Romish Babylon that ye partake not of her sins and of her plagues at the last Depart depart from the tents of these men come over I beseech you unto us and be safe if you believe and obey Be not deceived be not blindfolded search and try whether the holy Scriptures whether the Lord Christ the Apostle Paul to the Romans or the Apostle Peter in his Epistles to the Hebrewes ever made the Church of Rome the mother and mistresse of all Churches and to whom we must come and whom we must believe even without the word or we cannot possibly be saved See whether it be expresly laid down in Scripture that ever Peter was at Rome but judge in your selves if he sate Bishop there 25 yeers whether or no it was not very probable that Paul would in some of his Epistles which he wrote thence have made mention of him and what did the Apostle Peter forsake Paul when he was at Rome and stood for the defence of the Gospell if Peter was there at that time for Paul complaines saying All men forsook me 1 Tim. 4.16 Or if Peter was Bishop of Rome what then could none be saved for 3 or 4 or 600 yeers after Christ because the Pope was not 'till then owned as the Universall Pastor of the Church no nor did 'till then claime the title of Oecumenicall Bishop Were there not three Popes at a time and all three deposed by the Council of Constance yea 't is a commonly cited saying of Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome that he that had that title was praecursor Antichristi or forerunner of Antichrist Yea how came the Bishop of Rome to claime a power over other Bishops more than Peter did over the other Apostles or how come Peter's successors suppose the Bishop of Rome be so to succeed Peter in his power priviledges not other Bishops who succeeded the other Apostles in their Churches to have the power and priviledges which those Apostles had whom they succeeded yea how came the Church at Jerusalem where Christ himselfe preached in person where Peter had a speciall hand in laying as it were the foundation or planting of the Christian Church after Christ was ascended Act. 2.37 38 41. how comes that Church to erre to fall away and yet the Church of Rome to be infallible Shew us if you can either plain Scripture or Father or Council for 4 or 500 yeers that interpreted Scripture so that Rome was infallible and all were for ever to receive their faith from her mouth under paine of a curse and damnation and that too when she commands contrary to the Institutions of Christ and to the Doctrine contained in the Scriptures as she doth in her denying the cup to the people in latine service where the people doe not understand it in forbidding Priests marriage c. Oh that ye would lay aside prejudice and disaffection and apply your selves to the study of the holy Scriptures think never the better of Mahumetanisme because it must not be questioned nor of Popery because 't is death in Italy or Spaine without recantation to read a Spanish or Italian Bible without a license how absurd are these men to hinder children from looking into their Fathers Testament or to forbid men to obey God except they have first got mens leave so to doe Let not your Priests perswade you to lay out of your hands the holy Scripture and to fill them with Legends and Fables to put out the Sun in the firmament that you may see with their candles or glow-wormes Oh! doe not throw away the light of the Word nor put out your own Reason that candle of the Lord to follow your blind guides in the darknesse of error as ye would not fall into the ditch and into the pit Oh! that you would not despise the day of small things that you would please to read and consider this plain Catechisticall confutation of your errors I hope by pat and pertinent Scriptures I have read how a plain country-man with one text of Scripture convinced an erroneous Person when great Schollars and much disputing and reasoning could not doe My desire and prayer is that this Treatise may have the like effect that the Scriptures here cited may convince those who have erred from the truth and may turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan and of Error unto God Oh! how glad should I be if I could but undeceive and save some of you by this meanes if I could pluck you as fire-brands out of the fire Truly my desire and prayer is and shall be if the will of God be so that ye may be in God's way i. e. read his word believe and obey it that ye may be saved And one thing let me say think to be saved by your own Faith and not meerly by believing as the Church believes doe not trust in God for salvation by an Atturney as ye would not be contented to be saved only by a Proxey And be not amused with a great noise and great names of Fathers and Councils which they that boast doe it saith one because they know you cannot or have not leisure either to read or understand and so cannot disprove them see Moulin but to the Law and to the Testimony and the word is neer thee and of the Bible I am sure I may say Blessed is he that readeth and that understandeth the sayings of this Book I seek not yours but you and oh that you could or would away with your dungie and drossy errors and that you might keep your gold and silver and on condition you would part with two parts of your errors I hope I should not envy you your whole estates Yet say not that our Religion is cruel and that you are Martyrs for yours because 't is the cause not the punishment or suffering makes a Martyr and you suffer in your purses for the Error of your Consciences I hope we Protestants shall never be put to try yet we could have no such bargaine if the law was in your hands although the truth is you pay too deare for a false Religion for I may say of Religion as of the Prophet Jeremys figs the good is very good and the bad very bad if it be true
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
Q. What doe the Scriptures say concerning God's Omniscience or Knowledge of all things past present and to come how contingent soever they are in their own nature or wrought by Agents free in working A. Act. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Psal 139.2 3 4. Thou knowest my down sitting mine uprising thou understandest my thought afar off thou compassest my path my lying down art acquainted with all my wayes For there is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Ps 147.5 Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Is 40.28 There is no searching of his understanding Q. How are those Scriptures to be expounded which speake of God's proving and trying men that he may know what is in their hearts c. such as Deut. 8.2 and 13.3 2 Chr. 32.31 And what meanes that other place Philip. 4.6 Let your request be made known unto God A. These things are ascribed to God figuratively discovering the kind of his works dispensations not his own nature and properties so they must have a figurative interpretation D. Ow. God deales with men much like or proportionably to what we would doe when we would really find out what we doe not know Q. Doth the Scripture teach that there is but one only true God A. Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things we in him c. Q. What saith the Scripture concerning the Trinity or the three Persons in the God-head A. 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.29 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. Are we by the Word to understand Christ the Son of God A. Joh. 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Q. Is Christ God A. Rom. 9.5 Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 20.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my Ood Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 8. Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himselfe purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high But unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy Kingdome 1 Tim. 3.16 Q. Is he equall with the Father A. Phil. 2.6 Who being in the forme of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God Q. Is he one with his Father A. Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Q. How doe you prove that the Holy Ghost is God A. Act. 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land while it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you So chap. 6.19 What know you not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own 2 Cor. 6.16 and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Is 6.1 9. In the yeer that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his traine filled the Temple And he said Goe and tell this people Heare ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not Compared with Acts 28.25 26. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed after that Paul had spoken one word well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Go unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive Q. Is the holy Ghost a distinct person or subsistence in the God-head A. Joh. 16.7 8. For if I goe not away the comforter will not come unto you c. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sinne and of righteousnesse and of Judgment Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him Act. 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them Q. Are we baptized into the faith and worship of one God in three Persons A. Mat. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Q. Is not God the Father cal'd the only true God in Joh. 17.3 How then is Christ God A. Christ and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God with the Father and some expound this text by 1 Joh. 5.20 where of Jesus Christ it is said D. Ch. Beza in loc D. Ch. This is the true God and Eternall life These termes one and only exclude all Idols not the Son and the Holy Ghost no more than in Jude v. 4. According to our Translation the word only Lord God being applyed to Christ doth exclude God the Father from being God Q. Doth not Christ say Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater than I. And again Joh. 10.29 My Father is greater than all A. Presently after Christ had said My Father is greater than all he addes I and my Father are one i.e. one in
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
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
children or of strangers Peter saith unto him Of strangers Jesus saith unto him thē are the children free notwithstanding lest we should offend them go thou to the Sea c. That give for thee and me Q. May a Minister lawfully have a set manitenance A. 1 Timothy 5.17 18. compared with Math. 20.1 2. Luk. 10.7 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine For the Scripture sayth thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and the Labourer is worthy of his reward For the Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a man that is an housholder which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day he sent them into his vineyard Q. Is it lawfull to preach in a Pulpit A. Neh. 8.4 And Ezra the Scribe stood upon a Pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose c. Q. Is it lawfull to read in the book of the Lord although no exposition immediatly follow A. Jer. 36.6 Therefore goe thou and read in the roll which thou hast written from my mouth the words of the Lord in the eares of the people in the Lord's house upon the fasting day and also thou shalt read them in the eares of all Judah that come out of their cities Q. Is it lawfull to read and expound in the Congregation or make them to understand what is read A. Neh. 8.8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sence and caused them to understand the reading Act. 28.23 to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdome of God perswading them concerning Jesus both out of the law of Moses and out of the Prophets Mark 4.34 Luk. 24.27 Act. 8.30.31 35. Q. Is there any warrant to pray before reading and expounding A. Neh. 8.6 And Ezra blessed the Lord the great God and all the people answered Amen Amen with lifting up their hands and they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground Q. What warrant is there for the people to say Amen at the end of the Ministers prayer A. Ne. 8.6 And all the people answered Amen Amen with lifting up their hands Psal 106.48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting and let all the people say Amen Q. May we pray the Lord's prayer A. Luk. 11.1 2. And it came to passe that as he was praying in a certaine place when he ceased one of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father c. Q. May we pray other prayers A. Act. 4.24 And when they heard that they lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Lord thou art God which hast made heaven and earth and the Sea and all that in them is c. Q. Is there any thing to be said for the lawfulnesse of writing of Sermons after the minister A. Jer. 36.4 And Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord which he had spoken unto him upon a roll of a book Q. May we preach upon a text A. Luk. 4.20 21. And he closed the book and he gave it againe to the Minister and sate down and the eyes of all them that were in the Synagogue were fastened on him And he began to say unto them This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your eares Q. May Ministers make use of books and give themselves to reading A. 2 Tim. 4.13 The cloak when thou comest bring with thee and the books but especially the parchments Q. Is it lawfull for a Minister to make use of humane learning A. Tit. 1.12 One of themselves even a Prophet of their own said the Cretians are alway lyars evill beasts slow bellyes 1 Cor. 15.33 Be not deceived evill communications corrupt good manners Act. 17.28 For in him we live and move and have our being as certaine also of your own Poets have said For we are also his off-spring Q. Had any of the Prophets or Apostles any humane learning A. Act. 7.22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds Act. 22.3 I am verily a man which am a Jew borne in Tarsus a city in Cilicia yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the Fathers c. Q. May a Minister marry and take care of wife and children A. 1 Tim. 3.4 One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity Q. May a Minister keep a Servant A. 2 King 5.20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said my Master hath spared Naaman this Syrian c. Q. Is it lawfull for a Minister to suffer himselfe to be called Sr or Mr A. 1 King 18.7 That my Lord Elijah Act. 16.30 Sirs what must I doe to be saved 1 Sam 1.16 And she said oh my Lord as thy soul liveth my Lord I am the woman that stood by thee here praying unto the Lord. Q. What say you unto Mat. 23.10 Neither be ye called Masters c A. i. c. Doe not ye ambitiously affect great titles of Fathers and Masters or Governours or Guides as the Pharisees doe but account God your Father in heaven and me your master on earth and be ye content with the title of my disciples Q. Doth the holy Scripture ever give any titles of respect unto the disciples or Ministers afterwards A. Yes Act. 20.28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine Eph. 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls c. Q. Is the title or office of a Preacher dishonourale for any A. No. Eccles 1.12 I the Preacher was King over Israel in Jerusalem Rom. 15.8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirme the promises made unto the Fathers Q. Was it a disparagement among the Jewes to match with a Priest A. 2 Chr. 22.11 So Jehoshabeath the Daughter of King Jehoram the wife of Jehoida the Priest for she was the Sister of Ahaziah hid him Q. May Preachers lawfully suffer themselves to be taken up into the coaches of Nobles did not Elijah gird himselfe and run by Ahab's chariot A. Act. 8.28 31. And sitting in his charet c. He desired Philip
that he would come up and sit with him vers 38. And he commanded the charet to stand still and they went down both into the water Q. Might the Priests of old have any temporall estate in Lands of their owne A. Act. 4.36 37. And Joses a Levite and of the country of Cyprus having land sold it and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles feet Q. What may be done with Scandalous Ministers if they will not reforme A. Mat. 5.13 Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be troden under foot of men 1 Sam. 2.30 35. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel sayth I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy Father should walke before me for ever but now the Lord sayth be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed And I will raise me up a faithfull Priest that shall doe according to that which is in my heart and my mind and I will build him a sure house and he shall walke before mine anointed for ever 1 King 2.27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being Priest unto the Lord that he might fulfill the word of the Lord which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh Q. May we allow those who are deprived a fifth part to live on A. 2 King 23.9 Neverthelesse the Priests of the High places came not up to the Altar of the Lord in Jerusalem but they did eate of the unleavened bread among their brethren Q. May Another lawfully be put into the place of such as are lawfully thrust out A. 1 Kin. 2.35 And the King put Benaiah the Son of Jehojada in his room over the host and Zadok the Priest did the King put in the roome of Abiathar Act. 1.20 25. For it is written in the book of Psalmes Let his habitation be desolate and let no man dwell therein and his Bishoprick let another take That he may take part of this ministry and Apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell Q. Who did put in and put out under the old Testament A. 1 King 2.35 And the King put Zadok the Priest in the roome of Abiathar Chap. 23. Of publick worship Churches and Ordinances Q. HAD the Jewes Synagogues generally in their cities to worship God in and was there reading the Law in them constantly on the Sabbath day A. Act. 15.21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 13.14 15. Q. Was it the practise of Christ and his Disciples and followers the primitive Christians to worship God on the Sabbath daies at their owne home or in private houses or in the Synagogues 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 So Chap. 6.6 And it came to passe also on another Sabbath that he entred into the Synagogue and taught Joh. 18.20 Jesus answered I spake openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing Act. 9.20 And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogue that he is the Son of God Act. 13.5 And when they were at Salamis they preached the word of God in the Synagogues of the Jewes Q. Did the Apostles rob the Temples or Idols of the Heathens of their riches A. No Act. 19.37 For ye have brought hither these men which are neither robbers of Churches nor yet blasphemers of your Goddesse Q. Was it held lawfull in the Apostle's dayes to alienate that part of a man's estate which he had once vowed or dedicated unto God Ans No. Act. 5.3 But Peter sayd Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land Q. May we meet and preach in places commonly called Churches A. Yes Mar. 1.21 And they went into Capernaum and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the Synagogue and taught Luk. 4.15 16. And he taught in their Synagogue being glorified of all 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 Joh. 18.20 I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing Act. 13.14 15. They came to Antioch in Pisidia and went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and sate down and after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the Rulers of the Synagogue sent unto them saying ye men and brethren if ye have any word of Exhortation for the people say on Act. 18.4 And he reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath and perswaded the Jewes and the Greeks Act. 19.8 9. And he went into the Synagogue and spake boldly for the space of three moneths disputing and perswading the things concerning the Kingdome of God But when diverse were hardened c. he departed from them and separated the disciples disputing daily in the Schoole of one Tyrannus Q. Is it an evidence of right Zeale to pull down Churches A. No Psal 74.8 They said in their hearts Let us destroy them together they have burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the Land Luk. 7.5 For he loveth our nation and he hath built us a Synagogue Q. Have we any warrant for reading the Scriptures as it is used to be called first and second lesson before the minister begin his Sermon A. Act. 13.15 And after the reading of the Law the Prophets the Rulers of the Synagogue sent unto thē saying ye men and brethren if ye have any word of Exhortation for the people say on c. Q. Is the spirit given that we may live without or above Gods commandements and ordinances A. Ezek. 11.19 20. And I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit within them that they may walke in my statutes and keep mine Ordinances and do them Q. Are Gospell Ordinances and dispensations a ministration of the letter or of the Spirit A. 2 Cor. 3.6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the spirit Q. Is this ministry of the spirit to cōtinue Ans 2 Cor. 3.7 8 11. But if the ministration of death written and graven in stones was glorious which glory was to be done away how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious For if that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth is glorious Q. What if a man have the spirit be filled with the spirit be a strong Christian is he to cast off ordinances and offices in the Church A. Act. 6.5 And the saying pleased the whole
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
not For what I would that doe I not but what I hate that doe I. He doth not willingly tug at the Divels oares Sinne remaines in him but doth not raign over him it may captivate him as a Tyrant he ownes it not as his lawfull King and Soveraigne Q. VVas it the practise of Christ the true Messiah and of his Apostles to teach publickly in usuall places of concourse and worship A. Joh. 18.20 Jesus answered him I spake openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing Act. 18.4 And he reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath and perswaded the Jewes and the Greeks Q. Doe false Christs and false teachers draw people away from the publick worship of God into chambers corners and deserts A. Math. 24.26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you Behold he is in the desert goe not forth behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not Q. Doe Ministers prove by Scripture when they prove by deductions and consequences and comparing one place with another although they doe not bring what they say in so many words out of the Scriptures A. Act. 18.28 For he mightily convinced the Jewes and that publickly shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ Chap. 29. Of sundry Popish Errors Q. MAY we call those of the Church of Rome who subject themselves to the Pope and follow him Papists A. Rev. 2.15 So hast thou also them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate Q. Are we to believe the Scriptures because the Holy Ghost speaks in them or chiefly for the testimony and authority of the Church A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God c. 1 Joh. 5.9 If we receive the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater Q. Are the Scriptures so hard and obscure that none but Ministers may read them profitably or to edification A. Deut. 6.6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures c. Psal 19.7 The law of the Lord is perfect converting the souls the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Q. Are all things necessary to salvation contained in the Scriptures or have wee need of unwritten traditions that the man of God may be perfect A. 2 Tim. 3.15 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 c. that the man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good workes Q. How prove you that the books commōly called Apocrypha are no part of the Canonicall Scripture is this an evidence because the Jewes did not receive them into the Canon A. Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage then hath the Jew much every way chiefly because unto them were committed the Oracles of God Luk. 16.29 And Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Luk. 24.44 And he said unto them These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalmes concerning me Q. Are the holy Scriptures to be lastly appealed unto as the Supreame Judge in controversies of Religion A. Is 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 Q. Are we to believe them that sit in Moses chaire or the Apostles Successors when they teach contrary to Moses and the Prophets or to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles A. Act. 4.19 Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye Q. Ought people to try and examine by the holy Scriptures whether those things be so as the Church or Ministers thereof teach A. 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 dayly whether those things were so Q. Where did our Lord Christ and the Apostles first preach the Gospel in Italy or Judea at Rome or at Jerusalem A. Luk. 23.5 He stirreth up the people teaching throughout all Jury beginning from Galilee to this place Act. 5.28 Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name and behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine and intend to bring this man's bloud upon us Q. VVhere at Antioch or at Rome were the Disciples first called Christians A. Act. 11.26 And it came to passe that a whole yeere they assembled themselves with the Church and taught much people and the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch Q. VVhat is that City which is called Mysticall Babylon in the Revelations A. Rev. 17.9 10 11 12 13 18. The 7 heads are 7 mountaines on which the woman sitteth and there are 7 Kings 5 are fallen one is the other is not yet come c. And the Beast that was and is not even he is the 8th is of the 7th goeth into perdition And the 10 hornes which thou sawest are 10 Kings which have received no Kingdome as yet but receive power as Kings one houre with the Beast These have one mind and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which raigneth over the Kings of the earth Q. If the Apostle Peter was at Rome when he wrote his Epistle doth he not call it Babylon A. Yes 1 Pet. 5.13 The church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you Q. Are there any prophecies in the new Testament of a great Apostacy or falling away from the Faith Or was it ever prophecyed or foretold that there should be a great defection or Apostacy in the Christian Church A. 2 Pe. 2.1 2. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies And many shall follow their pernicious waies Rev. 11.2 But the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two moneths 2 Thes 2.3 For that day shall not come except there come a falling away 1st and that man of sinne be revealed the Son of perdition c. 1 Tim. 4.1 3. Now the spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing spirits and Doctrines of Devills forbidding to marry and commanding to
abstaine from meats c. Q. Can you give an instance of God's threatning to remove his Candlestick from any place or people where it was once set A. Yes Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and doe the first workes or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Q. VVas Timothy Bishop or Minister at Ephesus or at Rome when the Apostle Paul taught him how he ought to behave himselfe in the house of God the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth A. 1 Tim. 1.3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine Q. VVas it possible that when once Ephesus was called the house of the living God the pillar and ground of truth that ever Ephesus should be un-churched or that the Gospell should be removed from them A. Revel 2.1 5. Unto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write c. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and doe the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his Place except thou repent Q. What learne we from those words the pillar and ground of truth if applyed to the Church A. That 't is the duty priviledg of the Church to hold forth the Truth that men may know it and to uphold maintaine and defend it against those who oppose it Pillars doe hold forth and uphold the Orders and proclamations of Magistrates which are hanged on them or affixed to them If this Scripture had been of as much force signification applyed to Ephesus as the Romanists would have it to the Church of Rome Ephesus had remained to this day Q. Can any man really and properly by his own power and authority forgive sinnes A. Mark 2.7 Who can forgive sinnes but God only compared with Is 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sinnes Exod. 34.6 7. The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gracious keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sinne Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage Q. Had Christ God-man power on earth to forgive sinnes A. Mark 2.5 10. When Jesus saw their Faith he said unto the sick of the palsie Son thy sinnes be forgiven thee But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sinnes Q. Did our Lord Christ give power to his Apostles and their successors to declare forgivenesse of sinnes to penitent and believing sinners A. Joh. 20.23 Whose soever sinnes ye remit they are remitted unto them and whose soever sinnes ye retain they are retained Q. Had the other Apostles power and their successors as well as Peter and in the same sence and manner to forgive sinnes or to declare unto man remission Were the Keyes given to the other Apostles besides Peter A. Yes Joh. 20.23 Whose soever sins ye remit c. Q. Doth the Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans mention any such priviledg of the Roman Church that to her were committed the Holy Scriptures and the Interpretation of them or were the Holy Scriptures of old committed to the Jewish Church A. Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage hath the Jew Unto them were committed the oracles of God Q. VVhen the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians and charges them with schisme faction and division was it because they did not hold of Cephas or Peter or was it because some held of Paul and some of Apollo and some of Cephas and some of Christ that they cried up one to the decrying and undervaluing of another A. 1 Corinth 1.12 Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ Q. Did the Apostle Paul acknowledg Peter's Supremacy or did Peter challenge any Jurisdiction over Paul or was it agreed when there was a distribution of their Ministry that one should apply himselfe to the Jewes and the other to the Gentiles A. Galath 2.7 8 9. But contrariwise when they saw that the Gospell of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the Gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be pillars perceived the grace that was given unto me they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship that we should goe unto the Heathen and they unto the Circumcision Q. When the Apostle reckons up the severall Orders that God hath set in the Church doth he say first Peter then the Apostles after them Prophets then Peter's Successor the Bishop of Rome under Christ and the Apostle Peter the cheife Pastor and Teacher of the Church A. Ephes 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Q. When the Apostle Peter his death approacheth and he undertakes to mind those to whom he writes to make their calling and election sure and tels them if they doe those things which he exhorts unto they shall never fall but have an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord Christ And when he treats of the Holy Scriptures and foretels false Prophets to come who shall bring in damnable heresies doth he tell them they must follow the Bishop of Rome when he is gone and heare him that he must interpret Scripture be Christ's Vicar and oppose heretiques and seducers A. No. 2 Epist of Peter 1.10 11 13 15. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall For so an entrance shall be administred unto you into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things alwaies in Remembrance 2 Pet. 3.1 2 17 18. This second Epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance That ye may be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the commandement of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Did the Apostle Paul ever oppose and admonish the Apostle Peter A. Galath 2.11 12 14. But when Peter was come to
is my body Q. If the wine had been as really and truly turned or transubstantiated into blood as the water at the wedding was by Christ into wine is it not probable it would have tasted like blood A. Joh. 2.9 10. When the Ruler of the Feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was c. saith Every man at the begining doth set forth good wine and when men have well drunk then that which is worse but thou hast kept the good wine untill now Q. Is it the eating of or feeding on Christ by Faith in the Sacrament or is it the corporal eating or manducation of his very flesh which is available to feed the soule unto eternall life A. Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. May we lawfully say that the elements remaine untransubstantiated that they are really still and substantially bread and wine only changed as to the use after consecration because we see with our eyes handle them and tast them to be such 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 John 20.27 Then saith he to Thomas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not Faithlesse c. Q. Doth our Lord Christ use any other figurative expressions in the institution of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper A. Yes 1 Cor. 11.25 This Cup is the New Testament in my blood Q. But are unlearned people able to understand such figurative expressions A. Yes If a man was in a roome where are divers pictures or Images and should heare one say this is Peter and this is Paul he would understand his meaning to be this is the likenesse representation Picture or Image of Peter and Paul Q. Hath Christ given as much power to every true Church of God ordinarily to forgive sinnes as he did to Peter or the other Holy Apostles A. Mat. 18.18 Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Q. Is it more evident by Scripture that the Apostle Peter was the Apostle of the Jewes or circumcision than of the Gentiles A. Gal. 2.7 8. When they saw that the Gospell of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the Gospell of the Circumcision was unto Peter For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the Circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles Q. Suppose the Apostle Peter was Bishop of Rome doth that make it more impossible for the Church of Rome to erre or fall from the Faith once delivered to the Saints than for the Jewes A. Rom. 11.17 18 20 21. And if some of the branches be broken off and thou being a wild olive tree wert graffed in amongst them boast not against the branches because of unbeliefe they were broken off and thou standest by Faith be not high minded but feare Q. Did God promise his presence of old with the Church of the Jewes A. Rom. 9.4 Who are Israelites to whom pertaineth the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law the service of God the Promises Q. May those who are God's children and people be unchurched A. Act. 13.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you but seeing ye put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life loe we turne to the Gentiles Q. Was the true Church of God amongst the Jewes alwaies a congregation of true worshippers visibly and notoriously distinct from Idolaters or were the true worshippers sometimes hid amongst Idolaters as wheat in a heap of chaffe A. 1 King 19.18 Yet I have left me 7000 in Israel all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal and every mouth which hath not kissed him Q. Is it possible that the Protestants should be of the true Religion if they grant that their Church was in spirituall Babylon or Egypt that is in the Romish Church before the Reformation A. Yes Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues 2 Cor. 6.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the uncleane thing and I will receive you Q. Who is the chiefe rock and foundation upon whom the Church is built is not Christ A. 1 Cor. 10.4 For they drank of that spirituall rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is layd which is Jesus Christ Q. Are any of the Apostles cal'd foundations or especially any besides Peter A. Yes Re. 21.14 And the wall of the City had 12 foundations and in them the names of the 12 Apostles of the Lambe Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chief corner stone Q. Are any of the Apostles besides Peter accounted Pillars Columnes or supporters in the Christian Church that spirituall building A. Yes Gal. 2.9 And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. Q. May Soveraigne Princes with the Advice of the Ministers of the Gospel in the Churches within their dominions reforme abuses and errours crept into the Churches A. 2 Chr. 29.5 16. Heare me ye Levites sanctify now your selves and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your Fathers and carry forth the filthinesse out of the holy place And the Priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to clense it and brought out all the uncleannesse that they found in the Temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord and the Levites took it to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron 2 Chr. 34.30 31. And the King went up into the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Priests and the Levites and all the people great and small and he read in their eares all the words of the book of the Covenant that was found in the house of the Lord. And the King stood in his place and made a Covenant before the Lord to walke after the Lord and to keep his commandements and his Testimonies and his Statutes with all his heart and with all his soule c. Q. Is that a true Church where the word is truly and duely taught or is it the true marke of a sheep of Christ to heare the voice of him the great Shepheard A. Yes 1 Tim. 3.15 That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in the house of God which
wilt dash their children and rip up their women with child vers 15. And Hazael reigned Q. What Scriptures prove that God's Providence especially doth reach his Church and that he disposeth all things to the good thereof A. 1 Tim. 4.10 Who is the Saviour of all men especially of those that believe Amos. 9.9 I will sift the house of Israel among all nations c. Yet shall not the least graine fall upon the earth Is 43.3 4 5. I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy Saviour I gave Egypt for thy ransome Ethyopia and Seba for thee therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life Fear not for I am with thee I will bring thy seed from the East c. Chap. 11. Of Faith and Repentance a holy life and assurance of Salvation Q. IS faith in Christ required of those who shall be saved A. Act. 16.31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house Joh. 3.16 36. 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 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Q. What is that great truth to which the Father Son and Holy Ghost bear witnesse A. 1 Joh. 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Q. Is it necessary that we should repent of our sinnes and reforme or amend our lives and forsake our sinnes if we will have mercy A. Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Q. Are any so predestinated or did our Lord Jesus Christ so lay down his life for any particular Persons that although they live and dye in impenitency and unbeliefe yet they shall surely be saved A. Rom. 8.1 13 30. There is therefore now no condemnation to thē which are in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit For if ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit doe mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified c. Q. Doth the Scriptures hold out any such preterition or Non-election or so hold forth the death of Christ that some persons although they believe with all their heart and repent and forsake all their sins yet shall not be saved A. Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Act. 10.34 35 43. Of a truth I perceive God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of Sinnes Q. May we be sure if we believe that we were ordained to eternall life A. Act. 13.48 And as many as were ordained to eternall life believed 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth Q. What manner of Persons are those living and dying who were of old ordained unto condemnation A. Jude 4. For there are certaine men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousnesse and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ Q. May our Election be known A. 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall 2 Thes 1.4 Knowing brethren beloved your election of God Q. Doth God elect or chuse men out of Grace and that they might he holy A. Rom. 11.4 5 6. There is a remnant according to the Election of Grace And if by Grace then is it no more of works otherwise grace is no more Grace 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 2 Thes 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth Q. Are we commanded to believe in the name of the Lord Christ A. 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandement that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ Joh. 6.29 Jesus answered and said unto them This is the word of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent Q. Have we power of our selves to believe and to doe good works A. Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Phil. 1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Q. Who is the Author and finisher of our Faith A. Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith c. Mar. 9.24 Lord I believe help thou mine unbeliefe Q. Seeing we cannot believe and doe good works by our own power may we be exhorted to both A. Phil. 2.12 13. Wherefore my beloved as you have alwaies obeyed c. Worke out your own Salvation with feare and trembling For it is God which worketh in you both to will to doe of his good pleasure Q. Is there an Almighty power put forth to make us believe A. Eph. 1.19 And what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Q. Is it our duty to convert and turne to God c. A. Isa 1.16 17. Wash ye make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seek judgment relieve the opressed judg the fatherlesse plead for the widdow Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out Joel 2.12 Turne ye even to me saith the Lord with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning Q. Are we able of our selves to turne or must we pray unto God to turne us A. Psal 85.4 Turne us O God of our Salvation and cause thine anger towards us to cease Jer. 31.18 Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Q. Is the word of God a means or instrument which God useth to convert men A. 1 Thes 1.5 6. For our Gospel came not unto you in word