Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	doctrine_n	tradition_n	unwritten_a	3,444	5	12.5860	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35959	Truths victory over error, or, An abridgement of the chief controversies in religion which since the apostles days to this time, have been, and are in agitation, between those of the Orthodox faith, and all adversaries whatsoever, a list of whose names are set down after the epistle to the reader : wherein, by going through all the chapters of The confession of faith, one by one, and propounding out of them, by way of question, all the controverted assertions, and answering by yes, or no, there is a clear confirmation of the truth, and an evident confutation of what tenets and opinions, are maintain'd by the adversaries : a treatise, most useful for all persons, who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant religion, who would shun in these last days, and perillous times, the infection of errors and heresies, and all dangerous tenets and opinions, contrary to the word of God.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Sinclair, George, d. 1696.	1684 (1684)	Wing D1412; ESTC R3405	145,943	378

did Acts 17. 11 12. 3 Because unwritten Traditions are subject and lyable to many corruptions and are soon and quickly forgotten 4. Because we have Life Eternal in the Scriptures therefore they must be most necessary to the Church Iohn 5. 39. 5. Because the Scriptures are given that the Man of GOD may be perfect thorowly furnished to all good works 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. And the Scriptures are written that men may believe Iohn 20. 31. Quest III. ARE these former wayes of GODS revealing his will unto his People now ceased Yes Well then do not the Enthusiasts and Quakers err who maintain That the Lord hath not ceased yet to reveal his Will as he did of old Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because GOD who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son Heb. 1. 1 2. The Apostle calls the time of the New Testament the last days because under the same there is no more alteration to be expected but all things are to abide without adding or taking away as was taught and ordained by Christ until the last day See also Ioel 2. 28. Acts 2. 17. The Wayes and Manners of old was first by Inspiration 2 Chro. 15. 1. Isaiah 59. 21. 2 Pet. 1. 21. Secondly by Visions Numb 12. 6. 8. Thirdly by Dreams Ioh 33. 14 15. Gen. 40. 8. Fourthly by Urim and Thummim Numb 27. 21. 1 Sam. 30. 7 8. Fifthly by Signs Gen. 32. 24. Exod. 13. 21. Sixthly by audible Voice Exod. 20. 1. Gen. 22. 15. All which do end in Writing Exod. 17. 14. which is a most sure and infallible way of the Lords revealing his Will unto his People Quest. IV. DO the Books of the Old and New Testament come under the name of the holy Scripture and Word of GOD Yes Well then do not the Quakers err who maintain That the Scriptures ought not to be called the Word of GOD Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because Christ says if he called them Gods unto whom the Word of GOD came and the Scripture cannot be broken Ioh. 10. 35. Here it is evident that the Word of GOD and the Scripture are the same 2. Because the predictions of the Prophets are expresly called the Word of GOD. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia that the Word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Ieremiah might be accomplished 2 Chro. 36. 22. Here we see it is evident that the written Prophesies of Ieremiah which are a part of the holy Scripture are called the Word of GOD. 3. Because what Christ calls the commandement of GOD He calls the Word of GOD Mar. 7. 9 10. compared with v 13. 4. Because the Apostle calls the sword of the Spirit the Word of God This sword is the sword of the Holy Spirit which he doth as it were put into our hand to resist Satan against all his temptations Eph. 6. 17. Therefore by the sword of the Spirit must be understood the Scripture not the Spirit it self as some Quakers affirm It is evident also from the fourth chapter of Matthew where Christ being tempted by the Devil with three different temptations resists him with three different places of Scripture And being asked by the Pharisees why his Disciples did pluck the ears of Corn upon the Sabbath day answered by Scripture Mat. 12. 1 2 3 4. Teaching us that Satans temptations must be carefully answered and that by Scripture as the onely mean to overcome him and his Instruments 5. Because the Word of GOD is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword Heb. 4. 12. This cannot be understood of Christ because Paul in his other writings doth not call the Person of Christ by this name and therefore must be understood of the word of the Gospel the power whereof is described Rom. 1. 16. 6. See these following places of Scripture Psalm 119. 172. 1 Kin. 16. 12. and 2 Kin. 9. 36. and 2 Kin. 23. 16. Isa. 28. 13. Hos. 1. 1 2. Isa. 37. 22. Prov. 30. 5. By the Scripture or Word of GOD we do not understand the bare letters or the several written words of the holy Scripture which the Adversaries may imagine we call the Word of GOD. These are only the Vessels which carry and convey that Heavenly Light unto us But we understand thereby the Doctrine or Will of GOD revealed unto reasonable creatures teaching them what to do believe or leave undone Deut. 29. 29. Quest. V. ARE the Scriptures given of GOD to be the Rule of Faith and Life Yes Luke 16. 29 31. Eph. 2. 20. Rev. 22. 18 19. 2 Tim. 3. 16. Well then doth not the Popish Church err who maintain their Unwritten Traditions to be the Rule of Faith Yes Do not likewise the Enthusiasts and the Quakers err who maintain the Spirit within that teaches the Elect to be the only Rule of Faith And that the Dictates of the Light within are of as great authority as the Scriptures Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Scriptures are called a Rule Gal. 6. 16. 2. Because nothing is to be added to the Scriptures Deut. 4. 2. and 12. 32. Prov. 30. 6. Rev. 22. 19 20. 3. Because we ought rather to follow the Scriptures in this Life than a voice spoken from Heaven 2 Pet. 1. 19 21. 4. Because the Scripture is written that we may believe Iohn 20. 31. 5. Because the Scripture is given for making the man of GOD perfect 2 Tim. 3. 17. 6. Because we must betake our selves in the whole of Religion to the Law and to the Testimony Isa. 8. 20. 7 Because Christ himself refers the greatest question that ever was whether he be the Son of GOD or not to the Scriptures Ioh. 5. 38 39. Search the Scriptures says he for they testify of me 8 Because the Holy Ghost did never give such a designation to his own Word as an Historical Rule and dead Letter or as some Quakers call them not the principal Fountain of Truth and knowledge nor the first rule of Faith and Manners but the Regula secundaria subordinate to the Spirit whence as they affirm the holy Scriptures have all their true worth excellency and certainty whereas Paul sayes expresly Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD Rom. 10. 14. 9. Because the spirits cannot be known by any other Rule than by the written Word It is certain that the Devil transforms himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. There is a spirit of the World 1 Cor. 2. 12. A spirit that rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience Eph. 2. 2. There is a lying spirit 1 Kin. 22. 22. And a Spirit of error and delusion 1 Iohn 4. 6. How shal these be known to be such or the Spirit which the Quakers obtrude upon us not to be one of them but by the Rule of the

because they think that all the Jewish ceremonies are still in force and binding us who live under the Gospel Page 141. Independents so called because they will have every particular Congregation to be ruled by their own laws without dependency upon any other Church Page 236 309 317. L. Libertines from the liberty and freedom they take and give to others to commit sin Their first Author was one Quintinus a Taylor in Picardy who taught that whatsoever good or evil we did was not done by us but by GODS Spirit in us and many other blasphemous opinions Page 44 106 114 155 175 189 245 246. Lutherians who so call themselves lyingly and falsely from Martin Luther that eminent Man of GOD. Page 43 65 69 86 112 139 157 244 265 269 271 280 298. M. Manicheans from one Manes a Persian by birth and a servant by condition The Manichean sect was the sink of all former Heresies p. 19 55 261 Macedonians so called from Macedonus Bishop of Constantinople 312. years after Christ. Their Heresie was condemned in the second general Council held at Constantinople by Gratian and Theodosius anno 380. His followers were called Pneumatomachians fighters against the holy Spirit from Pneuma a Spirit and Machesthai to fight Page 28. Marcionites from one Marcion a Paphlagonian near the Euxine Sea who was Cerdons scholar a grand Heretick He maintained Cerdons Heresies at Rome about 133. years after Christ. Page 55 283 334. N. Nestorians so called from Nestorius Patriarch of Constantinople who broached his errours under Theodosius the younger 400. years after Christ. They made Christ to have two Persons as he had two Natures This Heresie was condemned by the third general Council held at Ephesus under Theodosius the younger anno 431. Page 57. Novatians so called from Novatus who lived under Decius the Emperor 220. years after Christ. He was an African by birth P. 104 108 110 230. O. Origenists so called from famous Origen His errors began to spread about the year of Christ 247. under Aurelian the Emperour and continued above 334. years p. 332. P. Pneumatomachians See the letter P. Pelagians from Pelagius a Britain as they say by birth A Monk at Rome afterward a Presbyter under Theodosius the younger p. 45 64 91 115. Puritans otherwise called Kathari because they esteemed themselves purer and holier than others p. 66 104 230 239. Photinians from Photinus born in the lesser Galatia He began to spread his Heresies about the year 323. at Syrmium where he was Bishop under Constantius the Emperour p. 334. Papists are too well known They are to be found in every other page almost of the book Q. Quakers so called because sometimes they use to Quake and Tremble when they prophesy or when they are in a rapture p. 4 5 12 18 23 c. S. Socinians so called from one Faustus Socinus an Italian of Siena place all Religion in the old condemned Heresies following their Master a most vile Heretick p. 1 12 13 21 23 28 31 c. Sabellians so called from Sabellus an African by birth His Heresies began anno Christi 224. Page 23. Separatists so called because they withdrew themselves from the Christian Communion and fellowship of others in the Worship of GOD. p. 257. Scepticks commonly called Seekers maintain that the whole universal Church hath perished a little after the Apostles times and are not to this day restored until Christ from Heaven shall send new Apostles for raising up again the Church Visible p. 247. Sabbatarians so called because they observe the Jewish Sabbath imagining there is no precept or example in the New Testament for observing the first day of the week p. 192. T. Tritheits or Tritheitae so called because they divided the indivisible Essence of the Godhead into three parts the one they called the Father the other the Son the third the Holy Ghost p. 19 23. Tertullianists were so called from that famous Lawyer and Divine Tertullian who lived under Severus the Emperour about 170. years after Christ. p. 230. V. Vorstians from one Vorstus an old Heretick who taught that GOD had a Body and was endued with parts as the Anthropomorphitans affirmed p. 21 22. Vaninians from one Vaninus a great promotter of Atheism He was publickly burned at Tholouse p. 163. CHAP. I. Of the Holy SCRIPTURE Question I. IS the Light of Nature and the works of Creation and Providence sufficient to give that knowledge of GOD and of his Will which is necessary to Salvation No. 1 Cor. 1. 21. and 1 Cor. 2. 13 14. Well then do not the Socinians err who mantain That Men living according to the Law and Light of Nature may be saved Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because none can be saved unless they be born again by the incorruptible seed of the Word 1 Pet. 1. 23. 2 Because Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and no man cometh to the Father but by the Son Iohn 14. 6. 3 Because there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved but by the Name of Jesus Acts 4. 12. 4 Because men cannot believe in Christ without supernatural revelation and therefore cannot be sanctified or justified because all Justification Sanctification and Remission of sins are by GODS Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 24 25. Acts. 26. 18. Neither can men be so saved viz. by living according to the light of Nature because Salvation is promised onely to Believers in Christ Acts 16. 31. Iohn 3. 16. 5. Because all that know not GOD will be punished eternally 2 Thes. 1. 8. But men without supernatural Revelation cannot savingly know GOD 1 Cor. 1. 21. Matth. 11. 27. 6. Men destitute of supernatural Revelation cannot know their own corruption and misery by the first Adam nor the remedy which is offered by Christ the second Adam They are without GOD without Hope without the Promises without the Church and covenant of God and the mysteries of Faith are hid and unknown to them allanerly that perish and are lost Eph. 2. 11 12. Rom. 9. 4. 2 Cor. 4. 3. Mat. 13. 11 12. Matth. 11. 25 26 27. Quest II. ARE the holy Scriptures most necessary to the Church Yes 2 Tim. 3. 15. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Well then doth not the Popish Church err that affirmes the true Church to be infallible in teaching and propounding Articles of Faith both without and against the Scripture and that their unwritten Traditions are of Divine and equal Authority with the Canon of the Scripture Yes Do not likewise the Libertines and Quakers err affirming that GOD doth teach and guide the Elect into all truth by the alone instinct and light of the Spirit without any written Word whatsoever Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Scriptures are the foundation upon which the Church is built Eph. 2. 20. 2. Because all things are to be examined by the Rule of the Word as the noble Bereans

Word Quest. VI. ARE the Books commonly called Apocrypha of Divine Inspiration No. Luke 24. 27 44. Rom. 3. 2. and 2 Pet. 1. 21. Well then do not the Papists err who affirm That the books called Apocrypha are of divine Inspiration and of equal authority with the undoubted Word Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because they were never written in the Hebrew tongue nor by any of the Prophets 2. Because they are never cited in the New Testament by Christ or by any of the Apostles as the books of the Canonical Scriptures are 3. Because they contain many fabulous and impious Doctrines and Histories First in Tobit 5. 12. The Angel says he was Azariah the son of Ananias This was a manifest lie which cannot be attributed to a good Angel and therefore the Spirit of GOD hath not dictated this History 2. It is reported Tobit 6. 6 7 16 17. that the heart and liver of a Fish was good to make a perfume to drive away the Devil if any man was troubled with him or with any evil Spirit And it is said Tobit 12. 15. by the Angel I am Raphael one of the seven holy Angels that presents the prayers of the Saints This is only proper to Christ. 3. Because the fact of Simeon and Levi condemned by Iacob acted by the Spirit of GOD Gen. 34. 25. in killing the Shechemites is commended by Iudeth 9. 2 3. 4. Because you will read of an offering for the dead Prayers and Reconciliation for the dead that they might be delivered from sin 2 Maccab. 12. 43 44 45. See what contradictions are in comparing together 1 Maccab. 6. 8. 2 Maccab. 15. 16. 2 Maccab 9. 5. Quest. VII DOTH the Authority of the holy Scripture for which it ought to be believed and obeyed depend upon the testimony of any man or Church No. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 21. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Thes. 2. 13. Well then do not the Popish Writters err who maintain the Authority of the Scriptures to depend upon the testimony of the Church as to us Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Word is to be received by us not as the word of man but as the Word of GOD 1 Thes. 2. 13. 2. Because the Doctrine of Christ to be received by Belivers dependeth not upon mans testimony Ioh. 5. 34. 3. Because GOD only is true and infallible and all men are liars Rom. 3. 4. Heb. 6. 18. He is of incomprehensible wisdom Ps. 147. 5. Of great goodness Exod. 18. 9. Rom. 11. 12. Ps. 34. 8. Of absolute power and dominion Gen. 17. 1. Ps. 50. 1 2. Of infallible truth who can neither deceive nor can be deceived Ro. 3. 4. Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. Therefore ought he to be credited in all his Narrations Promises Threatnings and Prophesies and obeyed in all his Commandements allanerly because he himself hath said so Quest. VIII IS the whole counsel of GOD concerning all things necessary for his own Glory Mans Salvation Faith and Life either expresly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from it Yes 2 Tim. 3. 15. Gal. 1. 8 9. 2 Thes. 2. 2. Well then doth not the Popish Church err who maintain The Scripture to be an imperfect Rule and therefore to stand in need of a supply of unwritten Traditions Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because all Scripture is given that the Man of GOD may be perfect thorowly furnished to all good works 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. 2. Because the Psalmist sayes expresly the Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul Psal. 19. 7 8. 3. Because nothing is to be added to the Word of GOD Deut. 4. 2. Prov. 30. 6. Therefore the Scriptures must be a compleat and perfect Rule of Faith and not an imperfect Rule or but partly a Rule as they teach Quest. IX IS it warrantable to argue in Articles or Matters of Faith by Consequences natively deduced from Scripture Yes Well then do not the Socinians Quakers Anabaptists and Arminians err who maintain That all matters of Faith are set down expresly and in so many words in Scripture and that no matters of Faith at least necessary to Salvation can be built upon Consequences drawn from the Scripture Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because Christ himself proves that necessary point of Faith The Resurrection of the dead from the Scripture by a Consequence Matth. 23. 29 31 32. To be any one 's GOD is to give one eternal life Psal. 33. 12. Psal. 144. 15. Whence followeth that those Patriarchs lived still with God in respect of their Souls which these Sadducees also denyed Acts 23. 8. and should also rise in respect of their Bodies and live eternally seing he is called a God not of one part of them only but of their whole persons And in that same chapter verse 43 45. Christ proves his Deity by a consequence from Scripture against the Pharisees 2. So doth Apollos Acts 18. 28. and Paul Acts 19. 22. prove from the Old Testament Jesus to be the Christ but it is not expresly said in the Old Testament that he is Christ. Is not that which necessarly followes from Scripture contained in it implicitly and implicitly revealed by God and is infallibly true Quest. X. IS the inward Illumination of the Spirit of GOD necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word Yes Iohn 6. 45. 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. Well then do not the Socinians and Armi●ians err who maintain That men without the revelation of the Spirit are able to understand the Scriptures for their Salvation Yes By what Reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Disciples of Christ were not able to understand the Scripture before he opened their eyes Luke 24. 45. 2. Because the Iews to this day cannot understand the Scriptures of the Old Testament until the Vail by the spirit of GOD be taken away 2 Cor. 3. 14 15 16 18. 3. Because the Psalmist David seeketh from God the opening of his eyes that he may behold wondrous things out of his Law Psal. 119. 18. Quest. XI ARE all these things which are necessary to be known believed and observed for salvation so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other that not only the Learned but the Unlearned in a due use of the ordinary means may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them for their salvation Yes Psal. 119. 105 130. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain That things necessary to salvation are obscurely and darkly set down in the Scripture and that without the help of unwritten Traditions and the infallible expounding of the Church the Scriptures cannot be understood Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths Psal. 119 105. 2. Because the Scripture is a light which shineth in a dark place 2

Pet. 1. 19. 3. Because the Scripture enlighteneth the eyes and maketh the simple wise Psal. 19. 7 8. Quest XII HAth the Lord by his singular providence and care keeped pure in all Ages the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek Yes Matthew 5. 18. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek which are the Fountains to be corrupted and that their common Latine Version is authentick Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because Christ sayes till Heaven and Earth pass one jot or one title shall in nowise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Matth. 5. 18. 2. Because there can be no urgent necessity shown why the Fountains are corrupted 3 If any such corruption had been in the Scripture Christ his Apostles and the Orthodox Fathers had declared so much 4 Because they never have nor can make out any manifest corruptions in the Fountains albeit most manifest and undenyable demonstrations are given of the corruptions of their Latine Version which they make authentick Quest XIII ARE the Original tongues viz. the Hebrew and the Greek to be translated into the Vulgar Language of every Nation into which they come Yes Are we commanded in the fear of GOD to read and search the Scriptures Yes Iohn 5. 39. 1 Cor. 14. 6 9 11 12 14 24 27 28. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain There is no necessity of translating the Original Tongues the Hebrew and the Greek into the vulgar Language of every Nation unto which they come but rather a very great hazard and danger of Errors and Heresies Yes Do not likewise the same Papists err who forbid the reading of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongues Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Scriptures were given long since to the Iews in their own vulgar Language that they might be read publickly and privately by all Deut. 31. 10 11 12. Deut. 11. 18 19 20. 2. Because the New Testament was written in the Greek Language which at that time was most generally known to all Nations 3. Because Christ bids all promiscuously search the Scriptures Ioh. 5. 29. 4. Because the Prophets and Apostles preached their Doctrines to the People and Nations in their known Languages Ier. 36 15 16. Act. 2. 6. 5. Because immediately after the Apostles times many Translations were extant 6. Because all things must be done in the Congregation unto edifying 1 Cor. 14. 26. but an unknown tongue doth not edify 7. Because all are commanded to try the Spirits 1 Thes. 5. 21. 1 Cor. 10. 15. 8. Because the Scriptures teach the way of Life Prov. 2. 9. Luke 16. 29. Acts 24. 14. 9. Because the Scriptures set forth the duties of every man in his place and estate of his life Deut. 17. 18 19 20. Iosh. 1. 8. Psal. 119. 24. 2 Chron. 23. 11. 10. Because they are the ground of Faith Rom. 4. 20. 2 Chron. 20. 20. 11. Because they are the Epistle of God sent to his Church Hos. 8. 12. Rev. 2. 1 8 12. 12 Because they are his Testament wherein we may find what legacies he hath bequeathed unto us 2 Cor. 3. 14 16. Heb. 10. 16. Ioh. 14. 16. 13 Because they are the sword of the Spirit Ephes. 6. 17. 14 Because being imbraced and known they make a man happy Psalm 119. 97 98. Luke 10. 42. Luke 16. 29. Psalm 1 2 Rev 1 3. 15 Because when the Scriptures are neglected or contemned they plunge men into all misery Heb 2 3 Matth 22 29 Psalm 50 16. Quest XIV WHen there is a Question about the true meaning and full sense of any Scripture must it be known and searched by other places which speak more clearly Yes 2 Peter 1 21 Acts 15 15 16. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain The Scriptures not to be a sufficient Interpreter of it self and that the sense of it cannot be gathered infallibly when the text is doubtfull from other places which speak more clearly but onely from the Magisterial Traditions and unwritten Opinions of the Church of Rome Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the noble Bereans compared Scripture with Scripture for finding out the true and sure sense of it Acts 17 11. 2 Because the Apostle Paul did the same Acts 28 23. 3 Because the same was done by the council of the Apostles and Elders Acts 15. 15 16 17. Quest. XV. IS the holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture the Supream Iudge by which all controversies of Religion are determined and all Decrees of Councils Opinions of Ancient Writers Doctrines of men and private Spirits are to be examined and in whose sentence we are to rest Yes Matth 22 29 31 Eph 2. 20 Acts 28. 25. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain That the Church of Rome and the Pope are the supream Iudges of all Controversies of Faith and that his Decrees and Determinations are to be believed without examination and implicitly to be believed by all Believers Yes Do not likewise the Quakers err who maintain that the Light within which teacheth the Elect is the only Iudge of all Controversies of Faith Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because God commands all men to go to the Law and to the Testimony in doubtful matters Isaiah 8 20 2 Because all doubts in Religion are to be examined by the Rule of the Word Acts 17. 11. Galatians 6. 16. 3 Because Christ and his Apostles did alwayes dispute and reason from the Scriptures against the enemies of the Truth Matth. 22 31. Gal. 3. 13. 4 Because the Church of GOD is founded upon the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles Eph. 2. 20. 5 Because we are commanded to prove all things and to try the Spirits 1 Thes. 5. 2. 1 Iohn 4. 1 6. CHAP. II. Of GOD and of the Holy Trinity Question I. IS there but one onely the true and living GOD Yes Deut. 6. 4. 1 Corinth 8. 4. 6. 1 Thes. 1. 9. Well then do not the Tritheitae err who maintain three GODS numerically distinct the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Yes Do not likewise the Manicheans err who maintain That there are two Gods being diverse and opposite as to kind viz. One good the Author and cause of all good things and of things immaterial being the God of the New Testament The other evil to wit the Devil the Author and cause of all evil things and of things material being the God of the Old Testament Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because though there be a plurality of Persons mentioned in Scripture yet it is ever God as One as is evident from the first chapter of the Revelation and the last For if that one God have in himself all perfections there can be no perfection beside him and so no God but this one true God for if there were He should not be God because not infinite

maintain that good works flow only from God as a Moral Cause Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ says ye can do nothing without me Iohn 15. 5. 2 Because of our selves we are not able to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3. 5. 3 Because it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Quest. IV. ARE they who are Regenerated to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless by a special motion of the spirit No. Ought they to stir up diligently the Grace of GOD which is in them Yes Phil. 2. 12. Heb. 6 11 12. 2 Peter 1. 3 5 10. Isa. 64. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Acts 26. 6 7. Iude verse 20. 21 22. Well then do not the Quakers Familists and other Giddy-headed Persons err who maintain that Believers ought not to perform any duties in Religion unless the Spirit within move and excite them to those duties and that we ought to forbear when this is wanting Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Holy Ghost forbiddeth us to be slow in performing such duties nay commands us to stir up the gift which is in us and use all diligence to perform duties commanded by himself Phil. 2. 12. Iude verse 20. 2 Because the Prophet confesseth that as the great sin of the Lords people that there is none that calleth upon his name that stirreth up himself to take hold of him Isaiah 64. 7. 3 Because to neglect the worshipping of GOD is an evident sign and token of an Atheist Ps 14. 4. Ps. 53. 4. 4 Because the Lord hath threatned to pour out his fury upon the Heathen that know him not and upon the Families that call not on his Name Ierem. 10. 25. 5 Because the twelve Tribes which hoped to come to the promise made to the Fathers instantly served GOD day and night Acts 26. 6 7. And the Apostles gave themselves continually to Prayer and to the Ministry of the Word Acts 6. 4. 6 Because Christ himself who had always the Spirit was very frequent in all those Exercises and Duties as all the Histories of the four Evangelists do testifie Those Fanatick Recusants either have the Spirit of God in them or they want it This last they will not grant If then they have it why do they refuse to perform duties of Religion more then our blessed Saviour did when opportunitie and occasion did call him They have the Spirit but want the Impulse But contrarywise this impulse is never wanting when there is a call But the Spirits call is never wanting when opportunity is offered 7 Because Christ will have the Gospel preached to every creature Mark 16. 15. And hath commanded the administration of the Lords Supper even to his second coming 1 Cor. 11. 26. And will have the work of the ministry to continue in his Church for the perfecting of the Saints for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith c. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. 8 Because we are commanded to pray without ceasing 1 Thes. 5. 17 That is upon all opportunities and in all our necessities 9 Because we are commanded to trust in him at all times Psalm 62. 8. 10 if we shall forbear outward duties as prayer and such like then ought we to forbear inward exercises as Acts of Faith Love and Fear till we be moved thereunto which is most absurd for we are commanded as was cited to trust in him alwayes 11 What assurance can men have the next hour or to morrow more than in the present time of the Spirits motion on their souls or that they shall be thus at a greater advantage by putting off the duty till they have some inward motion and impulse thereunto than by waiting on the ordinary call of the Word or of Providence Quest. V. ARE they who in their obedience attain to the greatest hight which is possible in this life so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do Yes Luke 17. 10. Neh. 13. 22. Gal. 15. 17. Iob 9. 2 3. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain That a man regenerated can not only fulfil the Law of God perfectly but may do also more good than the Law of God requires of him This is their mad fancy of the works of Supererogation Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because no man living is able to fulfil the Law of God Psalm 143. 2. Isaiah 64. 6. 1 Iohn 1. 8. Far less is any man able to do more than the Law requires 2 Because we are obliged to seek remission of sins every day Matth. 6. 12. But to seek pardon for sin every day and to perform works of Supererogation are inconsistent together 3 Because Christ says when you shall have done all things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. 10. 4 Because according to this Doctrine of works of Supererogation we must accuse the Scripture and Law of God of imperfection as if they were not a perfect Rule of life and manners which is contrary to the Psalmist 19. 8. And contrary to 2 Tim. 3. 15 17. Deut. 4. 2. 5 Because whatsoever things are true honest just pure lovely of good report these are commanded as things necessary to all men therefore either the Works which the Papists call works of Supererogation are true honest just and pure and if they be such they are commanded by God in Scripture and not works of Supererogation or they are unhonest impure unjust and if such then no man is so mad as to call them Good-works much less Works of Supererogation Phil. 4. 8. Quest. VI. CAN our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hands of God No. Rom. 3. 20. Rom. 4. 2 4 6. Eph. 2 8 9. Titus 3. 5 6 7. Rom. 8. 18. Psalm 16. 2. Iob 22. 2 3. Well then do not the Papists and some of the Quakers err who maintain that the Good works of Regenerate men do truely and properly Merit and deserve eternal life Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there is no proportion between our imperfect works and life eternal between the work and the Reward 2 Cor. 4. 17. For our light afflictions worketh for us that is brings forth not of any Merit but of meer Grace for Christs sake see Rom. 8. 18. Rom 3. 28. 2 If by our good Works we deserved the pardon of sin we might have whereof to boast for if Abraham were justified by works he hath whereof to glory but not before God Rom. 4. 2 But the Scripture saith he that glorieth let him glorie in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 31. 3 Because no creature performing the most excellent Works can deserve any favour from God