Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other oath Matt. 5.34 Jam. 5.12 Q. Should not men then pray earnestly that God will enable them to overcome this wicked custom A. Set a watch O Lord over my mouth and keep the door of my lips Psal 141.3 Sect. 5. Of Worship due to God's Name of Repentance and of Fasting Q. IS it not the duty of every man to worship his Maker A. O come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our maker for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture Psal 95.6 7. Q. Is religious worship to be given to God and to him alone A. Yes thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.10 Q. We must not then give this worship to any creature A. No and I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God and let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels and change not the truth of God into a lie in worshipping and serving the creature Rev. 19.10 Col. 2.18 Rom. 1.25 Q. Is not the only way of coming to the Father by the Son and to ask in his name A. Yes Jesus saith unto him I am the way and the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name that will I do for he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle-wall of partition between us and through him we both have an access by one spirit unto the Father Joh. 14.6.13 Eph. 2.14 18. Q. Are we not obliged to pray for all men A. Yes I exhort therefore that first of all prayers supplications intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority 1 Tim. 2.1 2. Q. Must we pray for our enemies A. Yes but I say unto you love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despightfully use you Mat. 5.44 Q. Must we pray for the dead A. No while the child was yet alive I fasted and wept for I said who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live but now he is dead wherefore should I fast can I bring him back again I shall go to him but he shall not return to me 2 Sam. 12.22 23. Q. Vpon the committing of sin is it not our duty to confess it if we would have the guilt removed A. Yes I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Psal 32.5 Q. Must we not also give thanks for the mercies we receive A. Yes what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116.12 13. Q. But will God hear our prayers if we ask any thing that is lawful A. Yes and this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us 1 Joh. 5.14 Q. But may we pray for wealth that we may live in riot and excess A. No ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts Jam. 4.3 Q. May we pray to gain the praise of devotion among men A. No and when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men Mat. 6.5 Q. Must we not take heed to what we say and not suffer our minds to wander A. Yes with their mouths they shew much love but their heart goeth after covetousness Ezek. 33.31 Q. Should we not be fervent and very zealous in prayer and not cold and faint A. Yes be fervent in spirit serving the Lord for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 Rom. 12.11 Q. May we expect the answer of that prayer that is not put up in Faith A. No ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed for let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. Q. Will God hear prayers offered up from an impure heart A. No I will therefore that men pray every-where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting for if they regard iniquity in their heart the Lord will not hear their prayers the sacrifice of the wicked being an abomination to the Lord 1 Tim. 2.8 Psal 16.18 Prov 15.8 Q. But will a prayer from an humble pure and upright heart be heard in the day of trouble A. Yes the prayer of the upright is his delight Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will answer you He will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer and the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much Prov. 15.8 Psal 50.15 Psal 102.17 Jam. 5.16 Q. May we go to work in our own strength without looking to God for his help A. No we are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 Q. But should we not then beg the aid of the spirit of God to assist us in prayer A. Yes he will give the holy spirit to them that ask it likewise the spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Luk. 11.15 Rom. 8.26 Q. May not these Families and Kingdoms that call not upon God be afraid of the divine wrath A. Yes pour out thy wrath upon the Heathen that have not known thee and upon the Kingdoms and Families that have not called upon thy name Psal 79.6 Jer. 10.25 Q. Is it not our duty to be present at the publick prayers of the Church A. Yes and my house is called the house of prayer therefore forsake not the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is but let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Mat. 21.12 Heb. 10.25 22. Q. Ought we not also to pray frequently in secret A. Yes when thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy door pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly Therefore pray always with all prayer and supplication of the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints Mat. 6.6 Eph. 6.18 Q.
Isa 49.23 Q. Do not all those who are under the civil magistrates authority owe him honour and reverence A. Yes fear God honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 Q. Should not men then beware of Speaking evil of the magistrate A. Yes thou shalt not revile the gods nor speak evil of the ruler of thy people curse not the king no not in thy thought Exod. 22.28 Act. 23.5 Eccl. 10.20 Q. Is not maintainance of their persons and authority a debt we owe to the Civil Magistrate A. Yes render therefore unto Cesar the things that are Cesars pay ye tribute for they are God's Ministers Mat. 22.21 Rom. 13.6 Q. Since the business of that calling is so weighty the dangers and hazards of it so great are we not obliged to pray earnestly to God for them A. Yes I exhort therefore that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for Kings and for all that are in authority that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2.1 2. Q. Do not subjects owe obedience to the commands of the Magistrate A. Yes let every soul be subject to the higher powers and submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as supreme or unto Governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.13 Q. But what if the Magistrate enjoyns any thing contrary to what God hath commanded A. We ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5.29 Q. But must we not in this case patiently suffer and not to secure our selves rise up against him A. Yes for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless They that resist shall receive to themselves damnation 1 San. 26.9 Rom. 13.2 Q. Are not the Ministers of the Word Parents also A. Yes though you have ten thousand instructers in Christ yet have ye not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4.15 Q. Since they do us the greatest benefits are we not obliged to honour and love them A. Yes and we beseech you brethren know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thess 5.12 13. Q. Is it not very dangerous to despise and deride the Ministers of the Gospel A. Yes he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10.16 Q. Do we not owe to Ministers maintenance and provision A. Yes the Lord hath ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel therefore let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things 1 Cor. 9.14 Gal. 6.6 Q. Are we not to give obedience to whatsoever they out of God's Word shall deelare to us to be our duty A. Yes obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief Heb. 13.17 Q. Are not they who never had the Gospel preached unto them much more innocent than they that have heard and resisted it A. Yes wo unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you Mat. 11.21 22. Q. Are we not also obliged to pray for Ministers A. Yes praying always with all prayer and supplication for all Saints and for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel Eph. 6.18 19. Q. Is it not the duty of children to honour and reverence their natural Parents A. Yes ye shall fear every man his Mother and his Father honour thy Father and thy Mother as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee Lev. 19.3 Deut. 5.16 Q. Should not this respect and reverence be given to Parents even when they are correcting their children A. Yes furthermore we had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence Heb. 12.9 Q. If Parents have any infirmities is it not the duty of children to cover and conceal them A. Yes and Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and went backward and covered the nakedness of their Father and their faces were backward and they saw not their Father's nakedness Gen. 9.23 Q. Is it not necessary for children to attend to the counsel their Fathers A. Yes my Son hear the instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Father Prov. 1.8 Q. Is it not an heinous sin to despise their counsel and for children to mock the persons of their Parents A. Yes hearken to thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old for the eye that mocketh his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Prov. 23.22 Prov. 30.17 Q. Is it not an horrid wickedness in children to curse their Parents and that which deserveth the severest punishment A. Yes every one that curseth his Father or his Mother shall surely be put to death he hath cursed his Father or his Mother his blood shall be upon him his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness Lev. 20.9 Prov. 20.20 Q. Is not the child bound to obey the command of his Parents when it hath nothing in it contrary to our duty to God A. Yes children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right and well-pleasing unto God Eph. 6.1 Col. 3.20 Q. Should not Parents be careful how they educate and bring up their children A. Yes train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Prov. 22.6 Q. Should not Parents encourage their children in the ways of God and not be harsh and unkind to them A. Yes Fathers provoke not your children to wrath lest they be discouraged but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Col. 3.21 Eph. 6.4 Q. Is it not a cruel fondness in Parents to spare the rod when childrens faults require it A. Yes he that spareth his rod hateth his son Prov. 13.24 Q. And must it not be given timely and not be delayed A. Yes he that loveth his son chasteneth him betimes and while there is hope Prov. 13.24 19.18 Q. Is not moderate correction given in meekness the best remedy to prevent the ruine of a wicked child A. Yes foolishness is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it from him Prov. 22.15 Sect. 5. Of duty to
But must we not be sure to be at peace with God by doing his will since God heareth not sinners A. Yes can two walk together except they be agreed therefore wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings learn to do well elsâ— I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear Amos 3.3 Isa 1.16 15. Q. Is repentance so necessary a duty that without it we certainly perish A Yes except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Turn ye turn ye why will ye die Luke 13.5 Q. Is this repentance any other thing but a turning from sin to God A. No repent and turn your selves from your idols and turn your faces from all your abominations and it is the design of the Gospel to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins Ezek. 14.6 Acts 26.18 Q. But will God forgive men their iniquities if they forsake their sins and amend their lives A. Yes repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed and doth that which is lawful and right he shall save his soul alive Ezek. 18.30 26. Q. Is it not our duty to repent of our sins although we had only some probability that God will forgive A. Yes repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee who can tell if God will turn and repent and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not Act. 8.22 Jon. 3.9 Q. But have we any instance of God's with-holding of the threatned judgment upon repentance A. Yes and God saw their works that they turned from their evil way and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them and he did it not Jon. 3.10 Q. May men defer their repentance till death-bed A. No to day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not Psal 95.7 8. Eccl. 12.1 Q. Is it not our duty to joyn fasting with prayer and repentance A. Yes therefore also now saith the Lord turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning and rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Joel 2.12 13 Q. What is that fast that God calleth for and is acceptable to him A. Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him then shall thy light break forth as the morning and thine health shall spring forth speedily then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer Isa 58 5.6 7 8. Q. Is not fasting very seasonable when we have any extraordinary thing to request from God A. Yes go gather together all the Jews that are present in Sushan and fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three days night nor day I also and my maidens will fast likewise and so will I go in unto the King which is not according to the Law and if I perish I perish Esth 4.16 Q. Should we not avoid vain-glory in fasting A. Yes moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast But thou when thou fastest anoint thine head and wash thy feet that thou appear not unto men to fast but unto thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly Mat. 6.16 17 18. CHAP. II. Containing our Duty to our selves Sect. 1. Of those vertues which respect our souls where first of Humility as it is opposed to Pride and Vain-glory of Meekness and of consideration where an enquiry is made after the safe rule of trying our own state and condition Q. IS not humility a duty absolutely necessary to Christians A. Yes he hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6.8 Q. Is it not a great sin to have an high and great opinion of our selves A. Yes every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord for he hates a proud look God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble Prov. 16.5 6.16 Jam. 4.7 Q. Is it not a very dangerous sin A. Yes the wicked through his pride doth persecute the poor and through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God Psal 10.2 4. Q. Is not pride the cause of anger and wrath A. Yes proud and haughty scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath Prov. 21.24 Q. Is it not also the cause of strife and contention A. Yes only by pride cometh contention Prov. 13.10 Q. And will this sin which is in it self so heinous and the root of all other vices go unpunished A. No pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord though hand joyn in hand he shall not be unpunished Prov. 16.18 5. Q. Is it not a great folly for a man to be proud of beauty strength or wit of riches honours or preferments or of any vertue or grace though of themselves desirable A. Yes I said unto the fools deal not foolishly and to the wicked lift not up the horn lift not up your horn on high speak not with a stiff neck for promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south but God is the Judg he putteth down one and setteth up another Man that is in honour and understandeth not is like the beasts that perish It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory therefore lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations there was given to me a thorn in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet me Be not wise in your own conceits Psal 75.4 5 6. 49.20 2 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 12.16 Q. Is it not a great sin to thirst after the praise and applause of men A. Yes let us not be desirous of vain-glory How can ye believe that receive honour one of another Joh. 5.44 Gal. 5.26 Q. Does not this destroy the fâ—uit of the best actiâ—â—â— A. Yes but all their works they do to be seen of men And when they give alms they sound the trumpet that they may have glory of men Mat. 23.5 6.2 Q. Is not vain-glory a very dangerous siâ— A. Yes nevertheless among the