That he had said no other things than these which the Prophets and Moses did say should come and to Teach us that these things did contain all that is Necessary to Salvation he assures the Ephesians Act. 20 27. That he had declared unto them all the Counsel of God Q. Yet the Church believes many Doctrines which are not contained in the Scripture as the perpetual Virginity of the Holy Virgin the Baptism of Children the translation of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday the number of the Sacraments to be but two A. For the perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin the Church receives it not as an Article of Faith necessary to Salvation but as an Article becoming the honour they think themselves obliged to render to this Sacred Vessel But for the other points they are taught in Scripture if not in formal terms at least by necessary consequences St. Peter Acts 2.38.39 would have all the Jews Baptized because the Promise was to them and to their Children and we see that in the time of the Apostles Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 Rev. 1.10 Believers Assembled themselves for Prayer and to make Collection the first Day of the Week which St. John calls The Lord's Day And the Church may well conclude there are but two Sacraments since they see not in the Scripture that Jesus Christ hath instituted any more SECT V. Of Reading the Holy Scripture Q. IS it Lawful for all Persons to Read the Scripture A. Jesus Christ Recommends the Reading of it indifferently to all John 5.39 Search the Scriptures and Deut. 17.18 19. God Commandeth Kings to have the Book of the Law and to read therein every day and the Apostle St. Paul 1 Thess 5.27 Charges that his Epistle be read to all the holy Brethren and 2 Tim. 3.15 he praises Timothy because from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures And the Eunuch of Queen Candace did Read in the Chariot Esaias the Prophet Acts 8.28 And in all the Synagogues the Law and the Prophets were read every Sabbath-day Acts 15.21 17. The believing Bereans having heard the Doctrine of St. Paul compared it with the Scriptures to know if it was as he had said And tho' the Revelations be the most obscure Book in the Scripture yet the reading of it is recommended to all Rev. 1.3 Blessed be he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie Q. It seems notwithstanding that it would be expedient to hinder the simple People from the reading thereof St. Peter tells us that there are in the Epistles of St. Paul things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction A. Upon the contrary the simple and ignorant are to read the Scriptures that they may become wise to Salvation and Jesus Christ tells us that the ignorance of the Scriptures is cause of Errors You Err not knowing the Scriptures said he to the Sadduces Mat. 22.29 And David Psal 19. says That the Law enlightens the Eyes and maketh wise the simple And tho' there be some ignorant and unstable that wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction yet it hinders not St. Peter from recommending in the same place to Believers the Epistles of St. Paul And in the first Chapter of the same Epistle he tells us That we have a sure word of Prophesie whereunto we do well to take heed as to a Light that shineth in a dark place For because those that are Prophane abuse the Word of God and his Graces the Children of God must not be forbidden the Use thereof Q. What Profit then do Believers receive from the Reading of the Scriptures A. By them they are instructed in the Knowledg of God fortified in the Faith and Expectation of their Salvation comforted in their Afflictions furnished against Temptations of Satan the World and the Flesh For whatsoever things were written afore-time they were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Rom. 15.4 SECT VI. Of the Church Quest WHat signifies this word Church A. An Assembly Q. How many ways is the name of Church taken in the Scripture A. Four ways principally 1. For the Church of the Elect. 2. Generally for the Universal Visible Church and they that make profession of Faith in Jesus Christ And it is this Church St. Paul speaks of when he says That in a great house there are not only vessels of Gold and of Silver but also of Wood and of Earth because that this Church is composed of good and of evil ones 2 Tim. 2.20 3. The Church signifies an Assembly of the Leaders of the Church which Jesus Christ speaks of Matth. 18.17 When there is a quarrel between two Brethren he will have the party offended tell it to the Church 4. The name Church is given to each particular Christian Assembly which is a part of the Universal Visible Church such in the time of the Apostles was the Churches of Corinth of Ephesus of Rome c. to whom St. Paul directs his Epistles Q. What is meant by the Church of the Elect A. It is the Assembly of all Believers that Goth hath Elected in Jesus Christ of which some are Glorified in Heaven others are yet Combating on the Earth others are not yet born or called to the Faith but must be in their time and subsist already in the Counsel of God of these Jesus Christ speaks John 10.16 saying Other sheep have I which are not of this fold they also I must bring and they shall hear my voice Q. Where doth the Word of God speak of this Church of the Elect A. The Apostle Hebrews 12.23 calls it the Heavenly Jerusalem the General Assembly and Church of the first born It is this Church which St. Paul calls the Body of Christ for Christ cannot have dead Members 1 Cor. 12.27 Ephes 4.12 Colos 1.24 and the Spouse of Christ Ephes 5.32 for Christ cannot have an Adulteress for his Spouse St. Peter 1 Epist 2.9 call this Church A chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People Q. Which Church is spoken of in this Article of the Apostles Creed I believe the Holy Catholick Church A. Of the Church of the Elect for we believe things that are not seen as the Apostle Heb. 11.1 says Faith is the Evidence of things not seen And after those words I believe the Holy Catholick Church is put the Communion of Saints in this Church that the Profane may be excluded Q. Why is this Church of the Elect said to be invisible since it is composed of men who are Visisible A. Not only because the Glorified Saints are out of our sight and that those who belong to the Election of God and are not yet born cannot be seen but also because that though the Elect that live upon the Eatth are visible men yet it is not visible that they are
dwell in us by the same reason Jesus Christ should eat us and we should enter into his body that we might dwell in him Q. How is it then that Jesus Christ dwelleth in us and we in him A. Jesus Christ dwelleth in us by his Spirit and we receive him by faith Ephes 3 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith and John 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe in his Name To believe in Jesus Christ then is to receive him and 1 Joh. 3.24 And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us Q. If you take only the figure and not the true body of Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper what advantage have you more than the wicked and prophane who often take the figure as well as you A. Very much for the wicked only eat the exterior part of the Sacrament with their bodily mouth but Believers together with the Sacrament and Sign eat the thing signified by faith which is the mouth of the Soul viz. the body of Jesus Christ which was crucified for us and drink his blood which was shed for the Redemption of our Souls Q. This eating with the mouth of the Soul seems to be an imaginary thing A. Not at all for as the Soul is as real a thing as the Body so the Operations thereof are as certain and real as those of the Body or rather more certain and if the Body is really nourished by Bread and Wine in the Sacrament the soul is not less nourished and strengthned by imbracing by Faith Jesus Christ our Saviour who died for our sins and rose again for our justification Q. Do you not believe that the eating of the Sacrament of Christs Body doth put into the Body a Seed of immortality as Jesus Christ says John 6.54 Whoso cateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day A. This saving effect doth not accompany the corporal eating of the Sacrament but the effectual working of the Holy Ghost which by Faith produceth a new life in the Elect giveth them an assurance and even beginning of a glorious immortality as we are taught by St. Paul Rom. 8.11 If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you SECT LII Of Communion under both Kinds Quest MAY one lawfully partake of the Sacrament under the sign of Bread only as it is practised in the Church of Rome at this time A. No For Jesus Christ hath said Matth. 26.27 Drink ye all of it Q. But he speaks to his Disciples who were Priests and not to others A. The Apostles did not appear there as Pastors but as the Lords Disciples obliged to obey his Commands and if this Command Drink ye all of it oblige none but Pastours no more doth the other take eat both commands being made to the same persons and consequently then the people must be deprived of the whole Sacrament Q. Have ye no other passage where the people are commanded expresly to partake of the Cup A. St. Paul 1 Cor. 11.28 commandeth all without exception to examine themselves and so Eat of that Bread and Drink of that Cup whoever then are obliged to examine themselves are also obliged to drink of this Cup and since they of the Church of Rome understand the words of Jesus Christ John 6. to be spoken of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper what can they answer to words so express verse 53. Verily verily I say unto you except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you Q. But what need is there of drinking since under the Species of Bread or of Wine Jesus Christ is wh lly contained A. This evasion comes from a false Supposition that Jesus Christ is corporally and wholly contained in each Crum of Bread even as it is usual for one error to produce more whereas we should mark this that since Jesus Christ hath commanded the Cup to be taken as well as Bread he would not have us believe this pretended Concomitance and Real Corporal substantial presence of his Body but would have us believe that the participation of the Cup is as necessary as the the partaking of the Bread Q. Notwithstanding there are examples of Believers in the Scripture who have taken Bread only in this Sacrament Acts 2.46 It is said that the Lords Disciples continued in the breaking of Bread A. The consequence is most absurd that the Disciples broke Bread therefore consequently they did not partake of the Cup as if we should say there they have eaten consequently they have not drunk but were not the Lords Disciples Priests and Pastours They were certainly obliged then to drink the Cup as well as to break the Bread according to the Opinion of these of the Roman Church that it was to Pastors that Jesus Christ gave this command Drink ye all of it THE END
119. l. 1. r. offers ibid. l. 5. r. many p. 122. l. 11. r. Gratulatory A CATECHISM AGAINST POPERY SECT I. Of the Scripture Quest WHat Religion are you of Answ Of the Reformed Christian Religion Q. Why call you your Religion the Christian Religion A. To distinguish it from the Religion of the Jews Turks and Pagans Q. Why call you it the Reformed Religion A. To distinguish it from the Religion of the Church of Rome Q. Why are you not of the Romish Religion A. Because in and by that Religion none can be Saved Q. Why so A. Because the Roman Church hath perverted the Doctrine of the Gospel and established Idolatry and hath taken Antichrist for her head Q. Vpon what is the true Christian Religion Founded A. Upon the Word of God Q. What mean you by the Word of God A. The Holy Scripture contained in the Old and new Testament written by the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles which St. Paul calls Scripture divinely inspired 2 Tim. 3.16 And St. Peter 2d Epist 1.21 speaking of the Scripture says Prophesies came not by the will of men but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Why call you the Scripture the Bible that is the Book or Writing A. Because it is the Book and Writing which ought to be most highly esteemed by us and wherein we may be instructed of the Will of God for our Salvation Q. How divide you the Scripture A. Into two Parts the Old and New Testament Q. What doth the Old Testament contain A. The five Books of Moses the Prophets and the Psalms Luke 24.44 Q. Why take you not in Tobit Susanna Judith and others which we call Apocripha A. Because the Jews to whom the Oracles of God were committed Rom. 3.2 never acknowledged these Books Jesus Christ nor his Apostles never cited them neither were they read in the Synagogue it is not reasonable then that these Books which were not received as Sacred and Canonical by the Jewish Church which then only was the Church of God should be received as such by the Christian Church Besides in these Books are found many Fables which are not agreeable to the Spirit of God who is Truth and Wisdom Q. What doth the New Testament contain A. The four Evangelists the Acts the Epistles of St. Paul of James of Peter of John of Jude the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Revelations Q. Why hath it pleased God that his Word should be put in Writing A. That men might not alter or change it and make their own imagination and inventions pass for Divine Inspirations and the Word of God Q. But why do you found your Religion on the Word of God A. That we may have solid and firm Comfort in Life and Death Rom. 15.4 Q. Wherein consists your Comfort in Life and Death A. In that Jesus Christ hath redeemed us from the power of the Devil so that living and dying we are his SECT II. How the Scripture may be known to be Divine Q. HOw know you the Scripture to be the word of God A. Three ways 1. By the Testimony of Believers under the Old and New Testament 2. By the Scripture it self for as the Sun makes it self to be seen by its own Light and the Fire makes it self to be felt by its Heat so the Scripture makes it self known to be Divine by the Majesty of its Stile and fullfilling of its Prophesies the excellency of its Doctrine and its efficacie to persuade and comfort Consciences as David Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple 3. By the Testimony of the Spirit of God such as Jesus Christ gave to the Consciences of the Disciples going to Emaus Did not our heart burn within us said they one to another while he talked with us by the way and opened to us the Scripture Luke 24.32 Q. How doth the Sprrit testifie the Scripture to be the Word of God A. Not by extraordinary Revelations as Prophesies were formerly made known to the Prophets which themselves often understood not but by Hearing and Meditating upon the Scripture instructing comforting and sanctifying the Heart he maketh known by these Divine effects to them that read and hearken thereunto with Humility Attention and Reverence that the Doctrine which is contained therein is truly Divine Q. Doth the Testimony of the Church give Authority to the Scripture A. No for seeing it is God that speaketh in the Scriptures its evident he cannot take his Authority from men John 5.34 I receive not testimony from man Q. Is then the Testimony that the Church gives to the Scripture unprofitable A. No for by it men are first brought to inquire after the Scripture and to read it and the Universal consent of the Church obliges them to an advantagious opinion of the Divinity of the Scripture which makes it be read with more Fear and Reverence Q. What is the difference between the testimony of the Church and that of the Scripture it self accompanied with the testimony of the Spirit of God A. The Testimony of the Church being only a Testimony from men can produce only an human Faith or an Opinion but the Testimony of the Scripture it self being the Testimony of God produces a Divine Faith The Testimony of the Church is like that which John Baptist gave to Jesus Christ John 5.33 and that of the Samaritan John 4. for as that woman brought those of Sychar to Jesus Christ so the Church brings us to the Word of God but the Scriptures Testimony of it self is like that of Christ himself by his Works which testifyed of him that the Father had sent him John 5.36 so that Believers knowing the Divinity of the Scripture by the reading of it may say as these of Sychar to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves The Testimony of the Church is only a simple Testimony but that of the Scripture is with Authority and from the Soveraign Judg. SECT III. Of the Authority of the Scripture Q. HAth God established in the Church a Soveraign Judg with full power to decide matters of Faith without Appeal A. None but the Word contained in the Holy Scriptures and it is by this Jesus Christ hath told us that men shall be judged at the last day John 12.48 He that rejecteth me hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall judg him at the last day And St. Paul Rom. 2.16 says That God will judg the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to his Gospel and Believers never acknowledged any other judg of their Controversies about matters of Faith but the Word of God by it the Priests determined about things difficult Deut. 17.9.11 By it Ezechias and Josaphat reformed the Church and re-established the pure service of God 2 Chron. 31. and 17.7.9 By the Scriptures Jesus Christ
combated Satan Matth. 4. He proved the Resurrection from the dead to the Saducees Matth. 22.23.29 31 32. And showed to his Disciples the necessity of his Death and of his Resurrection Luke 24.46 By them John Baptist proved his Mission Matth. 3.3 And by them the Apostles overcame the Jews and shewed powerfully that Jesus was the Christ Acts 9.22 and Acts 18.28 Q. Hath God commanded us to consult the Scriptures as our Judge A. The Prophet Esay 8.20 sends to the Law and to the Testimony and if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no Light in them And Jesus Christ commands the Jews to search the Scriptures because they testified of him John 5.39 and Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them And St. Peter after having mentioned the voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased adds We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed 2 Pet. 1.17 18.19 Q. But when there is a difference about the interpretation and sense of the Scripture is it not necessary to have a Judge who can judge Infallibly and with Authority of the meaning of the Scripture and declare it to us for our agreement A. God hath not given this power to any in the world but Scripture must Interpret Scripture one passage must be Interpreted by another as they did in the time of Esra who made them understand the Law by Reading of the Scripture Nehem. 8.8 Q. How can you decide matters of Faith by the Scripture since it is obscure A. If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost of whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds even Unbelievers 2 Cor. 4.3.4 But it is not obscure to them who have received the Spirit of God that they might know the things that are freely given to us of God 1 Cor. 2.12 And to accuse the Scripture of obscurity is to accuse it falsely for David Psal 119.105 says Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths Q. Yet St. Peter says in the 2 Epistle 3.16 That in the Epistles of St. Paul there are some things hard to be understood A. I grant there are many obscure places in the Scripture to exercise the Faith of Believers and keep the most Learned humble but God hath so ordered that all things necessary to Salvation are clear and easie to be understood Q. But since St. Paul would have Believers to judge of his Doctrine 1 Cor. 10.15 I speak as to wise men judg ye what I say Why should not the Church assembled in Council hvve that Authority A. There are two kinds of judgment one is a judgment of Authority the other of discretion by which particular Believers ought to try the Spirits whether they be of God and discern the true Doctrine of Christ from lies and of this judgment Paul speaks when he says judge ye what I say but for the judgment of Authority God hath not given it to any Mortal man not to the Councils themselves which have no power to make any Canons or Decisions to oblige the Consciences of any but so far as they are conform to the word of God Jesus Christ only hath Soveraign Authority in the Church as the well beloved Son that the Father hath commanded us from Heaven to hear Matth. 3.17 and John 5.22 Jesus Christ says that the Father hath given all judgment to the Son SECT IV. Of the Perfection of the Scripture Q. IS the Scripture the perfect Rule of our Faith A. Yes Because all the Articles of Faith and Doctrines necessary to Salvation are contained therein and therefore St. Paul 2. Tim. 3.15 says That the Holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus Q. St. Paul speaks there only of the Books of the Old Testament for the New was not then writ so it follows by your reason that the New Testament is superfluous since the Old is sufficient for to instruct us to Salvation A. Upon the contrary St. Paul speaking of the Books of the Old Testament only fortifies strongly our reason for the sufficiency and perfection of the Scripture for if the Books of Moses and the Prophets were sufficient to make the Church wise unto Salvation Why may not the Scripture be sufficient now since to Moses and the Prophets God hath added the Evangelists and the Apostles Besides it follows not that because the Books of the Old Testament were sufficient for the Church then that the New is Superfluous since God hath pleased to give it us to manifest the Doctrine of Salvation more clearly and fully as 2 Tim. 1.10 Paul says That Jesus hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel Q. Is all Tradition to be Condemned A. No for this word Tradition signifies nothing but a Doctrine given from hand to hand the Scripture it self is a Tradition and the Doctrine of Salvation before it was written was a Tradition and hath been called Scripture since it was put into Writing and St. Paul calls the Doctrine of the Gospel Tradition which is written 1 Cor. 15.3 I have given unto you that which I have received viz. That Christ dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures Q. What Traditions then are to be condemned A. All Traditions of men wherewith they pretend to bind the Consciences of men and give them for Articles of Faith which S. Paul Colos 2.8 would that we should take heed of Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the Traditions of men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ Such were the Traditions that the Pharisees added to the Law which Christ condemns Matth. 15.3 Why do ye transgress the Commandement of God by your Tradition applying to them what God says of Hypocrites Esay 29.13 In vain they do Worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandements of men Such are the Traditions which the Roman Church hath added to the Gospel as Worshipping Images and Praying to Saints which tho' they have no foundation in the Scripture but are formally condemned therein yet the Council of Trent hath commanded them to be received with the same Devotion and Piety that the Scripture is Q. Nevertheless St. Paul 2 Thess 2.15 Commands the Thessalonians to hold the Traditions that they had been Taught by Word or Epistles and 2 Tim. 2.2 He recommends to Timothy to commit to faithful men the things which he had heard in presence of many Witnesses A. I Answer that those Traditions and Instructions of St. Paul are not Traditions of men but the Word of God as he himself says 1 Thess 2.13 And the Instructions he gave Believers by Word and Living Voice are the same he hath writ in his Epistles and that we may be assured that his Doctrine is not Traditions of men he protests to the Jews Acts 26.22
only with the service of Latria but may we not serve the Saints with the service of Dulia A. The word of God admits not of this distinction and Gal. 4.8 St. Paul condemns the Pagans that they gave service of Dulia to those which by Nature were no Gods Now however excellent the Saints are yet they are not by Nature Gods Q. But why may we not as well pray to the Saints in Heaven as we desire the Prayers of Believers here on Earth A. Because we cannot Pray to Saints which are at such a great distance from us and have not Ears to hear our Voice but we must acknowledge them to be searchers of our Hearts and to know the intended thoughts of our Souls which is to attribute to the creature that which is only due to the Creator 2. Chron. 6.30 For thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men Q. It is true there is none but God that can immediately know the hearts of men but Saints may know them when God reveals them to them as he did to Elisha what his servant Gehazi did to Nahaman 2 Kings 5.26 A. I grant God can do it but it is not sufficient to Pray in Faith that we be assured of the power of God but likewise of his Will but we are so far from having ground to believe that God will reveal the Prayers of men here below to the Saints in Heaven that on the contrary the Scripture tells Eccles 9.5.6 That they have no more portion for ever in any thing that is done under the Sun and therefore Elijah bids Elisha ask what he would before he was taken away 2 Kings 2.9 Presupposing that it would be in vain to ask him any thing after and God having extraordinarily made a Revelation of this kind to one of his Prophets to give Authority to his Ministery cannot be drawn into a general consequence for all Saints Q. Nevertheless it would seem that seeing God who knoweth all things they should see all things in God as in a Glass A. That doth not follow for the Angels who see the Face of God know not the time of the day of Judgment Matth. 24.36 And if they who see God should see all that God seeth and knoweth they would become Gods seeing that they would have infinite knowledge Saints see nothing in God but what is necessary to make them happy Q. Yet Jesus Christ says Luke 15.7 That there is great joy in Heaven over a sinner that repenteth then Saints must know the repentance of sinners and consequently their thoughts and inclinations A. Jesus Christ speaks not of Saints but of Angels as he explains himself verse 10. saying There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteh Now we need not wonder that the Angels have some knowledge of mens repentance since they are sent hither for that end as the Apostle tells us Hebr. 1.14 Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Q. But what say you of the Letter Elija writ to Joram after he was taken up into Heaven 2 Chron. 21.12 A. That Elija writ not that Letter after he was taken up but before having writ it by a Spirit of Prophesie and left it on the Earth and so was given afterwards to Joram by some Prophets to whom Elijah had committed it Q. Nevertheless glorified Saints must have some knowlege of the condition af Believers here on Earth since they take care for their Salvation and St. Peter promises to Believers 2 Epist 1.15 That after his death he would endeavour that they might remember the things that he had taught them A. This passage is not well and rightly translated so for St. Peter says not that he will endeavour after his death that Believers should remember those things but that they should remember them after his death Q. At least it is lawful to Serve and Pray to Angels which assist us and are near to us A. Not at all for Revel 22.9 and 19.10 St. John was going to Worship the Angel and the Angel rebuked him and took him up saying See thou do it not I am thy fellow servant worship God and St. Paul rejects Worshipping of Angels as superstitions Col. 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of Angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen Q. Yet we see that under the Old Testament Believers have often worshipped Angels and Prayed to them Abraham bowed himself towards the ground before them and a little after Lott Gen. 18. and 19. A. I answer Abraham and Lott did not think they were Angels but men that were strangers for whom they make ready Meat therefore this homage was only Civil and acccording to the Eastern custom when they meet one another but when they knew one of them was the Lord they Worshipped him and Prayed to him likewise as God Q. What think you of this passage in Gen. 48.16 Where Jacob dying blesses after this manner the children of Joseph The Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the Lads and let my name be named on them and the names of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac for it would seem that in this passage Jacob prays to an Angel and that he would have the children of Joseph pray to Abraham and Isaac A. I answer this was no Created Angel but Jesus Christ whom Malachie calls the Angel of the Covenant Chap. 3.1 And one of those that appeared to Abraham and Lott who is oft times in the 18. and 19. Ch. of Genesis called the Lord and he with whom Jacob Wrestled Hosea 12.3 4. the Prophet says Jacob by his strength had power with God yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed and Jacob's desiring that his name and the names of his Fathers should be named on the Children of Joseph is not that he would have them to Pray to him and his Fathers but that the Children of Joseph to wit Ephraim and Manasseh should be called by his name as Children of Jacob and be partakers with them as two different Tribes which was observed when the Land of Canaan was divided but besides this it is in vain for the Doctors of the Roman Church to alledge passages out of the Old Testament for the Invocation of Saints since they think that the Saints were shut up in the Limboes of the Fathers and did not then see the Face of God which is the principal ground they have for their Invocation of Saints SECT XII Of the Intercession of Saints Quest WE being miserable sinners how can we draw near to the Divine Majesty if we do not imploy some of Gods friends for Mediators as when we will speak to the King we adress our selves to some of his Favorites A I grant we dare not approach to God but by a Mediator but we need not for that end employ Saints for if we have sinned
we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 John 2.1 And Jesus Christ says John 14.6 I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me Q. But may not Saints and Angels be also Mediators A. No For St. Paul says 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Jesus Christ Q. This passage seems to be altered for in the Greek it is There is one Mediator and not one only Mediator A. The Greek word as in this Context signifies one only as also Ephesians 4.4 5 6. And they of the Roman Church in the Louvain Version have turned it so in the next Chapter Verse 2. That a Bishop must be the Husband of one Wife they have it of one only and it is clear that in that place it should be taken so for the Apostle would have us to understand that there is one Mediator as there is one God now there is but one only God there is therefore also but one only Mediator Q. It is true there is but one Mediator for redemption but there may be more for Intercession A. Not as Intercessor is to be understood in this question for one who can procure us the favour of God by his own Merit and Intercession and so those of the Roman Church understand the word when they pray God in the Mass to hear them for the Merits of the Saints whose Relicks are under the Altar Now there can be no such Intercessor but Jesus Christ only who alone hath reconciled us to God by his blood and is the only Advocate and Propitiation for our sins 1 John 2.2 And it is in this beloved that God accepteth us Eph. 1.6 Q. Why may not glorified Saints Pray to God in Heaven for us as well as Believers Pray for one another on the Earth have they less Knowledge and Charity in Heaven then they had on Earth A. Glorified Saints may pray for the Church in general but not for particular Believers not for want of Charity but for want of knowledge of the persons and their necessities for though their knowledge be much more perfect because of their seeing God yet have they no more communication with Believers here on Earth as it hath been said before that they have no more portion for ever in any thing that is done under the Sun Q. But is it not expedient at least to make use of the Intercession of Saints to go to Jesus Christ for us A. No For he commands us to come to himself Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden SECT XIII Of Images Quest IS It not lawful to make Images of God A. No for the Prophet Isaiah sheweth us that God cannot be represented Chap. 40. Vers 18. To whom will ye liken God or what Likeness will ye compare unto him And Deut. 4.15 Moses speaketh to the Israelites saying Take ye 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 fire 16. Lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a Graven Image the similitude of any Figure the likeness of Male or Female Q. Nevertheless God hath often appeared to Believers under the Old Testament in humane shape as to Abraham and Lot Gen. 18. 19. A. Extraordinary Appearances of God are not to be the Rule of our Actions but his Commands and though God appeared in Humane Likeness yet the Church of Israel never made any such Representation of him Q. Is it lawful to make Images of Saints and give to them any Religious Worship or Honour A. No for God hath forbidden us to bow down before any Image whatsoever in his second Gommandment Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath Thou shalt not bow down to them nor serve them Q. This word should he translated Idol and not Image for God forbids there only the Pagan Idols which did represent false Gods and not Images of Saints A. Images both of Saints and Angels are forbidden for he forbiddeth to make any Likeness of any thing that is in Heaven Q. Why then did God command to put Cherubims upon the Ark and in the Tabernacle which did represent Angels A That was a Command of the Ceremonial Law which since hath been abolished by Jesus Christ but the forbidding to worship Images is a Command of the Moral Law which is eternal and indispensable Besides they were not put there to be worshipped by the people for there were two Veils between the people and them so that the people could not see them and there was moreover an express Command to make Cherubins whereas there is none to make Images of Saints and to put them into the Church Q. Is it lawful to worship the Relicks of Sainis A. No We should have a respect unto the Sepulchres of the Saints and Martyrs since their Bodies have been the Temples of the Holy Ghost but to give them any Religious Worship is to leave the living God to serve dead Idols And God hid the body of Moses lest the people of Israel should have committed Idolatry with it Deut. 34.6 SECT XIV Concerning Praying for the Dead Quest MVst we pray for the Dead A. No Because we have neither Command nor Example in the Word of God and since the Scripture speaks only of two places Heaven for the Righteous and Hell for the Wicked our Prayers cannot draw the Wicked out of Hell for their Torments are to be Eternal nor can they add to the Happiness of those in Heaven because it is already Compleat Q. Yet we have an Example in the 12th Chapter of the 2d Book of the Maccabees where Juda and his Men prayed for their Brethren which were slain and under whose Garmenâ—â— were found things consecrated to Idols that their sin might be pardoned A This Book is not Canonical nor was ever acknowledged as such by the Church of the Jews and there were many Superstitions sliden in among the Jews in the time of the Maccabees so their Practice cannot be an Example to be followed neither did they pray that they might be delivered out of Purgatory but that they might be happy at the Resurrection as it appears from Vers 44. SECT XV. Of Purgatory Quest DO You believe that after this Life the Souls of all Believers go to the fire of Purgatory for many years to be tormented that they may be purged and cleansed from their sins A. No For the Scripture speaking of the Condition of Believers after this Life tells us Isa 57.1 That the Righteous is taken away from the Evil to come and shell enter into Peace and Rev. 14.13 that Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord from henceforth yea said the Spirit that they may rest from their Labours and their Works do
with more liberty and less distraction but Jesus Christ himself says in the same place that all men cannot receive this saying Matth. 19.11 Q. Yet St. Paul Condemns widows who having consecrated themselves to the service of the Church would afterwards Marry 1 Tim. 5.12 Having damnation because they have cast off their first faith A. St. Paul condemns them because by Marrying they make themselves uncapable of fulfilling their promise to serve the Church and not for their Marrying and therefore least they should be obliged to quit their Office and so violate their Faith by Marrying he forbids to receive any into that number under threescore and commands young Widows to Marry saying I will therefore that the younger women marry 1 Tim. 5.14 Q. Is this command in the 1 Cor. 7.9 If they cannot contain let them Marry made to Ministers and Ecclesiastical persons as well as to other people A. Yes For Ministers are as much obliged to obey God as others and therefore Ecclesiastical persons under the Law did Marry both Priests and Prophets and under the Gospel St. Peter was Married and Philip the Evangelist St. Matth. 8.14 Acts 21.9 And St. Paul 1 Cor. 9.5 tells us that he had power to lead about a Sister a Wife as well as other Apostles and Brethren of the Lord and Cephas And 1 Tim. 3.2 he would have a Bishop to be the Husband of one Wife and therefore speaking of them who forbid Marriage he calls them seducing Spirits teaching Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. SECT XX. Of Vowing Poverty Quest IS it lawful to Vow Poverty to God and quit our Goods for to shut our selves up the rest of our days in a Cloister and beg our Bread from door to door A. No Jesus Christ indeed Commands us to quit joyfully our Goods Wives and Houses for to follow him when we cannot keep them without dissembling or abandoning the Truth but he commands us not to beg but on the contrary would have us Gen. 3.19 to eat our bread in the sweat of our faces and 1 Tim. 6.18 that the Rich should be rich in good Works ready to distribute willing to communicate and Ephes 4 28 the Apostle would have us labour working with our hands the things which are Good that we may have to give to him that needeth Q. Yet Jesus Christ commandeth the young men Matth. 19.21 to sell what he had and give it to the poor A. Jesus Christ commanded this young man to do it that he might make manifest his Covetousness and to show that he loved not God with all his heart as he had boasted Luke 14.26 but he commandeth not others to do it SECT XXI Of Vowing Obedience Quest IS it lawful to Vow a blind Obedience without contradiction to a Superiour A. No For God only hath Soveraign power over our Consciences 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be not ye the servants of men Q. What think you of the Vows of Children that without the consent and against the will of their Parents and Superiours put themselves into Monasteries A. That they are void for the Scripture tells us Numb 30.5 That if a Father disallow the Vows of a Child yet in his house they shall not stand and they that allow such Vows make void the Commandment of God Honour thy Father and thy Mother by their Tradition as Jesus Christ chargeth the Pharisees Matthew 15.6 SECT XXII Of Lawful Vows Quest WHat is requisite in lawful Vows A. First That they be made to God only and not to Creatures Psal 76.11 Psal 50.14 Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy Vows unto the most high Secondly That the things Vowed be lawful and good It was a wicked Vow of the Jews not to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul Acts 23.12 Thirdly That it be not rash as Jeptha's was to Sacrifice the first thing that should meet him after his Victory Judg. 11.31 and Herods Matth. 14.7 Fourthly That the thing Vowed be our own and that it be in our power to fulfil it Q. Are unlawful and wicked Vows to be kept A. No For a wicked and rash Vow ought not to make us violate our first Vow in Baptism to obey the Commandments of God and the keeping and fulfilling such Vows is as great or greater crime than the making of them SECT XXIII Concerning Fasts Quest WHat think you is to be blamed in the Romish Fasts A. Four things chiefly 1. Their making them consist in distinction of meats and not in abstinence from meats 2. Their ordering them precisely at a certain time of the year without respect to the fittest time in which we ought particularly to humble our selves before God 3. Their being become Superstitious and being imposed with as much or more rigour than the Commandments of God 4. And above all the believing that they merit Eternal Salvation in observing of them Q. Are such Fasts Condemned in the Word of God A. Yes for St. Paul forbids us to make any distinction of meats 1 Cor. 10.25 Whatsoever is Sold in the Shambles that Eat asking no question for Conscience sake And our Lord Jesus Christ tells us Matth. 15.11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man but that which cometh out of the mouth defileth a man And 1 Cor. 8.8 Meat commendeth us not to God for neither if we eat are we the better neither if we eat not are we the worse And Rom. 14.17 The Kingdom of God is not meat nor drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost And above all the Apostle speaks very expresly Col. 2.16 Let no man judge you in meat or in drink And 1 Tim. 4.3 he says that they are seducing Spirits teaching doctrins of devils who command to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth Q. It may be answered to these passages that in them St. Paul condemns two sorts of persons First Those who under the Gospel would oblige Christians to observe the Ordinances of the Law touching the distinction of meats which we ought not any more to observe because they were shadows of things to come but the body is of Christ Colos 2.17 And Secondly Those who looked on some meats to be polluted by Nature as some Hereticks have done but these passages do not seem to condemn those who in some certain times ordained abstinence from some sorts of meats to humble and subdue the flesh A. To the first I Answer That if S. Paul Colos 2.20 would not have us to Obey the Ordinances of the Law about the distinction of meat because we are dead with Christ though they were Ceremonies instituted of God much less are we obliged seeing we are dead with Christ to observe New Ordinances which are but inventions of men for we ought to stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and not be intangled again with the Yoke of
Sacrifice of the Mass that which is said Gen. 14.18 that Melchisedeck sacrificed Bread and Wine A. If it were so in this passage as it is alledged there could nothing be gathered from it but that the Priests according to the Order of Melchisedeck should offer Bread and Wine and not the Body of Jesus Christ But this passage is not well translated for in the Hebrew it is not that Melchisedeck sacrificed but that he brought forth or presented Bread and Wine and that to Abraham for to refresh him and his people and not to God in Sacrifice Q. They prove likewise the Sacrifice of the Mass by Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the Sun even unto the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place Incense shall be offered unto my Name and a Pure-Offering A. In all this passage there is nothing spoke of the Sacrifice of the body of Christ but the Prophet speaking of the Calling of the Gentiles foretels that every where a pure Offering should be offered unto God for so the Word of God calls the preaching of the Gospel Prayers and Alms and such like good works which are spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Q. What answer you to that which the Apostle says H. 13.10 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle A. That by this Altar is meant the Sacrifice that is spoken of in all the Epistle viz. the death of Jesus Christ and not the Sacrifice of Mass of which there is no mention made Q. Of what Sacrifice then speaks the Apostle besides the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ when he says Heb. 9.23 That it was necessary that the Heavenly things should be purified with better Sacrifices than those naming more than one A. He speaks only of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ more excellent than all the Sacrifices of the Law names it Sacrifices putting it in the Plural 1. Because of his opposing it to the ancient Sacrifices of the Law 2. Because of its Excellency so David calls Repentance Psal 51.17 The Sacrifices of God and The most Holy Place in Greek is called Holy Places The Right Hand of God is called Right Hands Q. May not the Lord's Supper be called a Sacrifice A. Yes in the same sense that Alms and good Works are called Sacrifices not Propitiatory but Congratulatory or a Thanksgiving Sacrifice It may also be called a Sacrifice because it represents the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death even as the Sacraments take the name of the things they represent SECT XLVIII Of Baptism Quest WHat doth Baptism represent to you A. Two Washings 1. The Washing of our Justification which consists in the Forgiveness of our Sins 2. The Washing of Regeneration which consists in our being renewed spiritually by the Holy Ghost Q. Are those Graces communicated by Baptism Ex opere operato as they speak in the Schools by the thing done that is to say by the bare Action of the Sacrament wiihout the disposition of him that receives contributing thereunto A. No But by the power of the Holy Ghost in them who have Faith and Repentance for as it was not the blood of the Heifer that purified the Conscience neither is it the Water of Baptism but the Blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from Sin and therefore Baptism is called 1 Pet. 3.21 A figure which saves us not the putting away the filth of the flesh says the Apostle but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Q. Why then are Children baptized which are not capable of Faith and Repentance A. Because having an interest in the Covenant they ought also to receive the Sign thereof Acts 2.38 39. Be ye baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins for the promise is unto you and to your children But these Children when they come to Age must apply to themselves the Promise made to them in Baptism or else the Sacrament will serve only to aggravate their Condemnation SECT XLIX If Original Sin continues after Baptism Quest HAth Baptism that efficacy wholly to efface or abolish Original Sin so that after Baptism there remains in Man no sinful Corruption A. No For Experience shews that Children have perverse inclinations and are sinners after Baptism and if they were not sinners they would not die for says the Apostle The wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 And St. Paul who was circumcised and after that baptized grants that sin dwelt in him and that he was sold under sin Rom. 7.14 17. The Romanists themselves confess in the Council of Trent that Lust continueth after Baptism Now if we believe St. Paul Lust is Sin Rom. 7.7 I had not known Lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet Q. But how often doth the Scripture tell us that We are baptised to the Remission of Sins and that We are therein washed from our Sins Act. 22.16 A. We do receive Forgiveness of Sins therein and to those that believe in Jesus Christ their sin shall not be imputed but that doth not hinder but after Baptism our Corruption doth continue more or less even till death SECT L. Of the Necessity of Baptism Quest IS Baptism so necessary to Salvation that without it we cannot be saved A. Baptism is necessary to Salvation when it may be had and this holy Sacrament ought not to be neglected but to exclude from Salvation a person who could neither have the time nor the opportunity to be baptised or a Child whose sudden death hath prevented Baptism is a cruel Doctrine and contrary to the goodness of God who tieth not his Grace to exterior Elements and maketh not the Salvation of Children to depend upon the negligence of their Parents Q. Nevertheless Jesus Christ says to Nicodemus John 3.5 Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God A. Jesus Christ doth not mean the material Water of Baptism but the Grace of the Holy Ghost which is often both in the Old New Testament called water Is 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my spirit upon thy seed And Jesus Christ promised to give them that believe on him a well of water springing up into Everlasting Life John 4.14 By those words Jesus Christ doth not shew Nicodemus the Necessity of being Baptised since he was already Circumcised but the Necessity of being Regenerated that he might enter into the Kingdom of Heaven SECT LI. Of the Lords Supper Quest FOR what End did Jesus Christ institute the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A. That it might be a memorial of his death as Saint Paul teacheth us 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as you Eat this Bread and Drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords Death till he come And himself when he