Q. What doe the Scriptures say concerning God's Omniscience or Knowledge of all things past present and to come how contingent soever they are in their own nature or wrought by Agents free in working A. Act. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Psal 139.2 3 4. Thou knowest my down sitting mine uprising thou understandest my thought afar off thou compassest my path my lying down art acquainted with all my wayes For there is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Ps 147.5 Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Is 40.28 There is no searching of his understanding Q. How are those Scriptures to be expounded which speake of God's proving and trying men that he may know what is in their hearts c. such as Deut. 8.2 and 13.3 2 Chr. 32.31 And what meanes that other place Philip. 4.6 Let your request be made known unto God A. These things are ascribed to God figuratively discovering the kind of his works dispensations not his own nature and properties so they must have a figurative interpretation D. Ow. God deales with men much like or proportionably to what we would doe when we would really find out what we doe not know Q. Doth the Scripture teach that there is but one only true God A. Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things we in him c. Q. What saith the Scripture concerning the Trinity or the three Persons in the God-head A. 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.29 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. Are we by the Word to understand Christ the Son of God A. Joh. 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Q. Is Christ God A. Rom. 9.5 Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 20.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my Ood Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 8. Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himselfe purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high But unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy Kingdome 1 Tim. 3.16 Q. Is he equall with the Father A. Phil. 2.6 Who being in the forme of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God Q. Is he one with his Father A. Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Q. How doe you prove that the Holy Ghost is God A. Act. 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land while it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you So chap. 6.19 What know you not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own 2 Cor. 6.16 and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Is 6.1 9. In the yeer that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his traine filled the Temple And he said Goe and tell this people Heare ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not Compared with Acts 28.25 26. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed after that Paul had spoken one word well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Go unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive Q. Is the holy Ghost a distinct person or subsistence in the God-head A. Joh. 16.7 8. For if I goe not away the comforter will not come unto you c. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sinne and of righteousnesse and of Judgment Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him Act. 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them Q. Are we baptized into the faith and worship of one God in three Persons A. Mat. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Q. Is not God the Father cal'd the only true God in Joh. 17.3 How then is Christ God A. Christ and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God with the Father and some expound this text by 1 Joh. 5.20 where of Jesus Christ it is said D. Ch. Beza in loc D. Ch. This is the true God and Eternall life These termes one and only exclude all Idols not the Son and the Holy Ghost no more than in Jude v. 4. According to our Translation the word only Lord God being applyed to Christ doth exclude God the Father from being God Q. Doth not Christ say Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater than I. And again Joh. 10.29 My Father is greater than all A. Presently after Christ had said My Father is greater than all he addes I and my Father are one i.e. one in
nature and yet in regard of his manhood and in respect of his office of Mediator about which he was sent into the world his Father was greater than he Q. Are not God the Father and God the Son said to send the Holy Ghost And is not he that sendeth greater than he that is sent A. M. Perk. One Equall may send another by consent Q. Doth not Christ say concerning the Holy Ghost Joh. 16.13 14 15. he shall not speak of himselfe and he shall receive of mine c A. The Holy Ghost hath his subsistence from the Father and the Son but this by nature and he imparts to every one of us as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 and the Church is commanded to hearken unto him Rev 2. Yet the mercy grace D. Ow. his Ans to Bid. light guidance direction comfort peace gifts that he should communicate were no other but what were procured and purchased for them by Christ himselfe according to that dispensation that the Trinity is pleased to proceed in to accomplish the work of our Salvation Q. May we give prayse and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost A. Is 6.1 2 3. I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his train filled the Temple Above it stood the Seraphims And one cryed unto another and sayd Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory So vers 8.9 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying go and tell ye this people Heare ye indeed but understand not compared with Act. 28.25 26. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Goe unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand Rev. 7.9 10. After this I beheld and lo a great multitude And cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lambe Q. May we lawfully pray to any particular Person of the Holy Trinity And may we give glory to a particular Person A. Luk. 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they doe Act. 7.59 60. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit and he kneeled downe and cryed with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their charge 2 Cor. 13. last The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Rev. 5.13 And every creature heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Q. May we lawfully in a continued prayer wherein we have many petitions put up one to God the Father by name another to the Son and a 3d to the Holy Ghost A. 2 Cor. 13. last The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen 2 Thes 2.16 17. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe God even our Father comfort your hearts c. Q. Which Person of the Trinity is most frequently named in the prayers of holy men recorded in Scripture A. Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 3.14 21. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages world without end Amen Cap. 5. Of God's Decrees Q. HOW prove you that nothing can come to passe in time but what God did most wisely and freely decree and ordaine unchangably from all eternity A. Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Rom. 11.33 34. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his waies past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heires of promise the immutability of his Counsell confirmed it by an oath Rom. 9.15 18. For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Q. How prove you that for all this decree God is not the Author of sin A. Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot betēpted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darknesse at all Q. How prove you that God's Decrees or eternall predestination or foreordaining of all that comes to passe in time doth not take away man's liberty or offer violence to him and consequently free man from sinne A. Act. 2.23 Him being delivered by the determinate counsell and fore-knowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain So Chap. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered togeither for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Math. 17.10 11 12. Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come And Jesus answered and said unto them Elias truly shall first come and restore all things But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they listed likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of thē Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Joh. 19.11 Jesus answered thou could'st have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The power of the Magistrate being from God therefore the Jewes sin'd grievously in making use of the Magistrate to condemne the innocent and the Son of God Beza Q. How prove you that God knowes all that comes to passe A. Act. 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Q. How prove you he knowes what may or can come to passe upon such and such conditions A. 1. Sam. 23.11 12. Will Saul come down as thy Servant hath heard O Lord God of Israel I beseech thee tell thy Servant And the Lord said he will come down Then said David will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of
we receive erroneous teachers into our houses or must we avoid them A. 2 Joh. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Q. What 's the cause of Error A. Matth. 22.29 Jesus answered and said unto them ye doe erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Chap. 3. Of the Holy Scriptures Q. BY What Rule must we judge of the Doctrines we heare we must we judge by the Scriptures A. Yes Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye thinke ye have eternall life and they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 12. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so therefore many of them believed Q. Are we to believe God speaking to us in the Scriptures as if he spake to us audibly by a voice from heaven A. 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day-dawn the daystar arise in your hearts Q. Are we to believe even an Angel from heaven contrary to the Scriptures A. Galat. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Q. Ought we to believe the Scriptures rather than one who should come from the dead A. Luk. 16.27 28 29. I pray thee Father that thou wouldest send him to my Fathers house that he may testify unto them Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Q. Would it be more effectuall to have our friends rise from the dead and warne us lest we come to the place of torment than to have the Scriptures read and applyed A. Luk. 16. last And he said unto him If they heare not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Q Did the Prophets of old speak and write the Holy Scriptures by any private motion or by the incitation or inspiration of the holy Ghost A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine c. 2 Pet. 1.20.21 Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Did the Apostles of Christ preach the word of God or the word of man A. 1 The. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Q. Did our Saviour Christ and the Apostles allow their Hearers no try their Doctrine by the Holy Scriptures A. Yea. Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readines of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Q. Did Christ and the Apostles who had the greatest measure and who were full of the Holy Ghost cite Scripture and prove by Scripture or appeal constantly to private Revelations or to a light or word within them or say alway Thus sayth the Spirit within us A. Luk. 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Mar. 12.29 And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaack and the God of Jacob Q. Are the Scriptures and the Spirit joyned together and doth the Spirit of God goe along with the Scriptures A. Isai 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them sayth the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy feeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I spake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. But are the Scriptures able to make us perfect and wise unto Salvation without attending to visions and Revelations A. 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good workes Q. Are the Scriptures of the old Testament of use unto us now in the dayes of the Gospell A. Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 1 Cor. 10.1 to the 6th Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea c. Now these things were our Examples to the intent we should not lust after evill things as they also lusted c. So. v. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come Q. May the common people read the Scriptures A. Yea Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 8.30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the Prophet Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures Isai 34.16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to doe them Q. May the Scriptures be translated out of the Originall languages into those tongues
heathens or Infidels A. See 1 Cor. 7.14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children unclean but now are they holy see Galath 2.15 See Rom. 11.16 Q. Hath God any praise or glory from babes and sucklings A. Psal 8.2 compared with Math. 21.15 16. Out of the mouth of Babes sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger And when the chief Priests and Scribes saw the wonderfull things that he did and the children crying in the Temple and saying Hosanna to the Son of David they were sore displeased And said unto him Hearest thou what these say And Jesus sayth unto them yea have ye never read Out of the mouth of Babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise Q. Was it ever the custome of the Jewes according to Gods own command to present Infants to the Lord at his Temple or place of publique worship A. Luk. 2.22 23. And when the daye of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the Law of the Lord every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Chap. 18. Of time for publique worship Q. DID ever God require any set day weekly for his worship service A. Exod. 20.8 9 10. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Q. Had our Lord Christ power to alter the weekly Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first A. Luk. 6.5 And he said unto them That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath Q. Was the first day of the week observed a day of meeting of Christians for the worship of God by the primitive Christians A. Joh. 20.19 26. Then the same day at evening being the first day of the week when the doores were shut where the disciples were assembled for feare of the Jewes came Jesus c. And after eight dayes again his disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus c. Act. 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them 1 Cor. 16.2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Q. VVhat day was it when the Apostle John was in the spirit A. Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet Q. VVere the Jewish Sabbaths shadowes of things to come and to end in Christ A. Col. 2.16 17. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new moon or of the Sabbath dayes which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Q. Are the prayers and Administrations of the Elders of the Church more desirable than of others A. Jam. 5.14 Is any sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with the oyle in the name of the Lord. Q. Is it lawfull for Christians delivered from the Jewish observation of dayes to have a set day or time appointed for any duty A. 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Q. Should Christians Assemble themselves together to worship God A. Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves togeither as the manner of some is but exhorting one another c. 1 Cor. 11.20 33 34. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lord's supper Wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eate tarry one for another And if any man hunger let him eat at home that ye come not together unto condemnation Q. Is there to be teaching in the Church when the Church meets A. 1 Cor. 14.19 28. Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue But if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speak to himselfe and to God Q. Are women to be publique teachers in the Church A. 1 Tim. 2.11 12. Let the women learne in silence with all subjection But I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence 1 Cor. 14.34 35. Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak And if they will learne any thing let them aske their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church Q. Doth 1 Cor. 11.5 Philip. 4.2 3. Joel 2.28 Doe all these together authorize Women to be publique teachers in the Church of the Saints A. Prophesying may perhaps be found taken three wayes in Scripture first for foretelling things to come by an extraordinary spirit and so we read of Huldah a Prophetesse and Deborah in the Old Testament and of Anna in the New 2ly For singing or framing or both of Psalmes Hymnes or spirituall songs and so I suppose the word is taken 1 Chron. 25.1 2. And so both Miriam and Deborah prophecyed and perhaps Women did so too in the Church of Corinth whilst they had the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost 3ly For teaching and instructing by expounding and applying some part or portion of God's word and I dare not say because of those Scriptures above named that it was never lawfull for Women to teach in the Christian Church namely whilst those extraordinary gifts lasted and they were not prohibited by the Apostle Paul but I dare not embolden a Woman to be a publique teacher in the Church Q. Do we read of a Woman who pretēded her selfe a Prophetesse would have this preheminence to be a teacher of others in the Church who did really seduce Christians A. Revelat. 2.20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel which calleth herselfe a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication Q. May a Woman teach her children at home the Principles or mysteries of religion A. Prov. 31.1 c. The words of King Lemuel the prophecy that his mother taught him Prov. 1.8 My Son forsake not the law of thy Mother So chap. 6.20 Q. May not Women as well teach authoritatively in the Church as Governe in a Common-wealth A. See Isa 49.23 And Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers c. Q. If a crown be her Patrimony descending to her
multitude they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the H. Ghost Act. 10.44 47 48. While Peter yet spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word Then answered Peter can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Q. What Answer shall we give to those Scriptures Heb. 8.10 11. 1 Joh. 2.27 2 Pet. 1.1 9 A. To that place in the Hebrewes I say 1 That it must not be interpreted to forbid the use of all ordinances and teaching by men for the Apostles themselves did notwithstanding this promise go on teaching and ordaining teachers in the Churches 2 That if this text of Scripture should be taken as it seems to sound in the expresse words and letter of it it will make void and needlesse not only publick teaching and by ministers or Church-officers but also private instruction and by private friends neighbours brethren not ministers 3ly I say that the sense and meaning may be that they shall have not only the outward teaching of men but the inward teaching of the spirit and this teaching of God by his spirit they shall have in such a manner and measure that the other outward shall be nothing or needlesse in comparison or 4thly They shall in Gospell times from the least to the greatest know God the Lord to be the Lord and they shall not teach them as if they were to teach a heathenish unknowing people but the ministers shall then teach a more knowing people as t is said the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea i. e. there shall be abundance of knowledge beyond what there is now generally To that in 1 Epistle of John the meaning is either this You are sufficiently already instructed in this that Jesus is the Christ you need not a farther proof in that matter the seducers Anti-Christs or false Christs shall not be able to draw you away from this great truth Or else ye that are the children of God have the gifts and graces of Gods spirit in such a measure that ye shall not be carried away from the Christian Religion or the truth as t is in Jesus but this Spirit shall teach you in all necessary saving truths And that notwithstanding this place this Apostle writes this Epistle to informe them to edify thē To that in 2 Ep. of Peter the sense and scope of the words may be this that you may find the knowledge of God and of his Christ if you will read and consider and compare the prophesies of the old Testament for those Scriptures testify of him The meaning is not that when you have got the knowledge of Christ you need not further to take heed to the Scriptures when the godly Ps 123.2 professe to look or waite on God untill he have mercy on them doe you think that they meant to look or waite on him just so long and no longer Q. May ministers presse Saints who live and dwell in God and who are taught of God to hearken to a word or commandement without them A. Yes 1 Thes 4.9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of of God to love one another compared with the 2d. For ye know what commandements we gave you by the Lord Jesus Eph. 6.1 2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father mother which is the first commandement with promise compared with ch 1.1 Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithfull in Christ Jesus Jam. 2.8 11. If ye fulfill the royall Law according to the Scripture Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy selfe ye do well For he that said do not commit Adultery said also do not kill Now if thou commit no Adultery yet if thou kill thou art become a transgressor of the Law Q. May a believer that is in God come himselfe to any Church do we read of a church in God and the Lord Christ A. 2 Thes 1.1 Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Q. Is there a Catholick or Universall Church and may a man be said to be a teacher or ruler in that A. 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. Q. Had God a Church ordinances and ministers in the daies of Antichrist A. Rev. 13.11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two hornes like a lamb and he spake as a dragon c. compared with ch 14.1 3. And I looked and loe a lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and foure thousand having his fathers name written in their foreheads and they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the Elders and no man could learne that song but the hundred forty and foure thousand which were redeemed from the earth Q. When the glorious times of the Church spoken of by Isaiah ch last come will there be use of Ministers and Ordinances A. Isa 66.21 23. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. And it shall come to passe that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Q. If a Minister intending to be short in a point say to conclude this in a word and after doth use more words then one or one or more sentences doth he lye A. Galat. 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe Q. May Ministers be bred up in Colledges under Tutors in order to the Ministry or are Colledges to be Nurseries only for the Common-wealth and Schools and not for the Church A. 1 Sam. 19.19 20. And it was told Saul saying David is at Naioth in Ramah And Saul sent messengers to take David and when they saw the company of the Prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as appointed over them 1 Sam. 10.10 And when they came thither to the hill behold a company of Prophets met him the Spirit of God came upon him he prophesied among thē Q. Had the Apostle Paul Hebrew and Greek and did he ever make any use of it A. Acts 22.2 And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence And Acts 21.37 And as Paul was to be led into the Castle he said unto the chiefe Captaine may I speak unto thee who said canst thou speak Greek Q. May we heare Ministers if they be as they are charged proud and
not For what I would that doe I not but what I hate that doe I. He doth not willingly tug at the Divels oares Sinne remaines in him but doth not raign over him it may captivate him as a Tyrant he ownes it not as his lawfull King and Soveraigne Q. VVas it the practise of Christ the true Messiah and of his Apostles to teach publickly in usuall places of concourse and worship A. Joh. 18.20 Jesus answered him I spake openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing Act. 18.4 And he reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath and perswaded the Jewes and the Greeks Q. Doe false Christs and false teachers draw people away from the publick worship of God into chambers corners and deserts A. Math. 24.26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you Behold he is in the desert goe not forth behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not Q. Doe Ministers prove by Scripture when they prove by deductions and consequences and comparing one place with another although they doe not bring what they say in so many words out of the Scriptures A. Act. 18.28 For he mightily convinced the Jewes and that publickly shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ Chap. 29. Of sundry Popish Errors Q. MAY we call those of the Church of Rome who subject themselves to the Pope and follow him Papists A. Rev. 2.15 So hast thou also them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate Q. Are we to believe the Scriptures because the Holy Ghost speaks in them or chiefly for the testimony and authority of the Church A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God c. 1 Joh. 5.9 If we receive the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater Q. Are the Scriptures so hard and obscure that none but Ministers may read them profitably or to edification A. Deut. 6.6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures c. Psal 19.7 The law of the Lord is perfect converting the souls the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Q. Are all things necessary to salvation contained in the Scriptures or have wee need of unwritten traditions that the man of God may be perfect A. 2 Tim. 3.15 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus c. that the man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good workes Q. How prove you that the books commōly called Apocrypha are no part of the Canonicall Scripture is this an evidence because the Jewes did not receive them into the Canon A. Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage then hath the Jew much every way chiefly because unto them were committed the Oracles of God Luk. 16.29 And Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Luk. 24.44 And he said unto them These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalmes concerning me Q. Are the holy Scriptures to be lastly appealed unto as the Supreame Judge in controversies of Religion A. Is 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Q. Are we to believe them that sit in Moses chaire or the Apostles Successors when they teach contrary to Moses and the Prophets or to the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles A. Act. 4.19 Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye Q. Ought people to try and examine by the holy Scriptures whether those things be so as the Church or Ministers thereof teach A. Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures dayly whether those things were so Q. Where did our Lord Christ and the Apostles first preach the Gospel in Italy or Judea at Rome or at Jerusalem A. Luk. 23.5 He stirreth up the people teaching throughout all Jury beginning from Galilee to this place Act. 5.28 Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name and behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine and intend to bring this man's bloud upon us Q. VVhere at Antioch or at Rome were the Disciples first called Christians A. Act. 11.26 And it came to passe that a whole yeere they assembled themselves with the Church and taught much people and the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch Q. VVhat is that City which is called Mysticall Babylon in the Revelations A. Rev. 17.9 10 11 12 13 18. The 7 heads are 7 mountaines on which the woman sitteth and there are 7 Kings 5 are fallen one is the other is not yet come c. And the Beast that was and is not even he is the 8th is of the 7th goeth into perdition And the 10 hornes which thou sawest are 10 Kings which have received no Kingdome as yet but receive power as Kings one houre with the Beast These have one mind and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which raigneth over the Kings of the earth Q. If the Apostle Peter was at Rome when he wrote his Epistle doth he not call it Babylon A. Yes 1 Pet. 5.13 The church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you Q. Are there any prophecies in the new Testament of a great Apostacy or falling away from the Faith Or was it ever prophecyed or foretold that there should be a great defection or Apostacy in the Christian Church A. 2 Pe. 2.1 2. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies And many shall follow their pernicious waies Rev. 11.2 But the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two moneths 2 Thes 2.3 For that day shall not come except there come a falling away 1st and that man of sinne be revealed the Son of perdition c. 1 Tim. 4.1 3. Now the spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing spirits and Doctrines of Devills forbidding to marry and commanding to
Gentiles were wont to set up candles to them so doe the Papists The Gentiles were wont to burne incense to them so doe the Papists So he and I doe not know that there is any one who hath answered this charge since extant See Dr Westfields Serm p. 64. 65. Such like 't is not improbable is the moderne practise of the common people under the Papacy I have heard to this effect that when the late King was in Spain reasoning against worshipping of Images with a Priest who denying the charg it was agreed betwixt them to take the next Person they found at devotions in their Churches for an experiment The Priest bespake the Person a woman to this purpose Good Woman you doe not pray to this Image or Saint but to God in it I but I doe saith the woman and will doe till you shew me a better Till the yeer 788. Images were never appointed publickly to be worshipped in the Churches and this was done in the second Council of Nice Charles the Great sent this Act of the Counciil to the Bishops of England to know how they liked it they said Alas for woe we find in those acts many things against Christian Religion especially this that the worshipping of Images is decreed which the Church of God curseth Dr Westfeild pag. 60. 61. If you say then where was our Church or Religion before Luther and call us to give a catalogue in all ages of men professing our Faith and way of worship and that the Fathers and all Antiquity were yours Heare I pray you the saying of Mr Du Moulin This reproach of novelty ill becomes the mouthes of those persons which hide the true Antiquity from the people which is the word of God and which maintain that yet at this day the Church may and can make new ordinances touching Faith and which by the Church understand no other than the Romish Church that in the first ages after the Apostles cannot produce one man that was of their Religion and which know that in all Antiquity there is no mention made of excluding the people from the cup of prohibiting them the reading of the Holy Scriptures of reading the Scriptures to the people in a language they understand not of painting the Trinity of worshipping Images of adoring the hoast with the worship of Latria of private Masses of the Bishop of Romes Court c. If you will have us tell more particularly who were of our Religion before Luther know that Christ and the holy Apostles were and as for other names of particular persons who held with us in the Doctrines above named or diverse other materiall Doctrines the Protestants referre you to Dr Field of the Church Birckbeck's Protestant's Evidence and let me send you also to the Martyrologies in England and France c. and I shall adde one more and that is a testimony of your own which I find cited formerly and lately And that is of Raynerus the Monke concerning the Waldenses c. 4. where he saith that they have continued say some from the time of Sylvester others from the time of the Apostles that there 's scarce any land where they are not that they live righteously before all men bene omnia de Deo credunt omnes Articulos qui in Symbolo continentur solummodo Romanam Ecclesiam blasphemant clerum i.e. they believe althings well concerning God all the Articles that are contained in the Creed only they blaspheme the Romane Church and the Clergy And what if there were some 1000â— of true Worshippers in the Church of Rome before the Reformation as there were 7000 in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal or what if we be the same Church now that we were before only then Apostaticall Idolatrous Leprous as white as snow but now professors of the true Faith without corrupt mixtures and of the pure worship and so cured of our Leprosy If you aske what Authority we had to reforme our selves I referre you to Dr Bramhal for satisfaction who shewes it was done in England by King and Priest and that the Popish Princes upon occasion claime a right and power to doe what indeed we have done i. e. to reforme the Churches under them or to the like effect See Bramhal of Schisme There was a Reformation desired before Luther and the Princes of Germany represented their hundred grievances to the Emperour But what mighty men could not God hath brought about by mean men nor needed Martin Luther and the rest any Commissions extraordinary sealed with the broad seales of new miracles to authorize his or their proclaiming the laws and edicts of the great God the King of Heaven We judge it lawfull for men to obey the commands of God doing the duties of their places without a license from men so to doe Besides seeing that the Reformers did preach the same Doctrine which Christ and his Apostles did and set up the same way of worship which they did all which was formerly confirmed by miracles it is not reasonable to demand that they should shew by new miracles that they had Authority to reforme the Church of God And herein Luther and the rest shewed themselves to be of the truth because they went not about to deceive meÌ„ with lying wounders or miracles to get credit to their persons or Doctrine such as the Romish Legends have for the honour of their Saints and confirmation of their new Articles of Faith In my opinion he must have a monstrous Faith who believes but one halfe or the moiety of their miracles if the whole dose be like that tast of them Mr Baxter gives us out of Dr White and he out of Baronius as that Francis turned a capon into a fish and water into wine made the rock send forth water and anchors to swim converted a Lambe by preaching to him that he caused Swallows Grashoppers and a wild Falcon to joyne with him in the praises of God That Bernard by blessing their ale and giving it some lewd persons to drinke caused God's grace to enter into them that he killed 〈◊〉 by excommunication c. Baxter out of Francis Whites defence of his Brother pag. 147 148. And again that their Nicolas while he lay in his cradle fasted Wednesday and Friday that Patrick caused a â—â—ollen sheep to bleat in the belly of him that had eaten him that Fryar Andrew to correct his appetite of eating birds at the Table by the signe of the Crosse commanded them to fly away after they were roasted Mr Baxter pag. 167. 168. from Dr â—â—eatly If you object against us our differences and divisions Protestants may returne Are there not divisions in opinion even amongst you also and with you more intollerable because you pretend you have an infallible visible judge of all controversies How have you differed about the conception of the blessed Virgin about the supremacy of the Pope or a generall Councill c. What adoe was there 'twixt
peoples communicating in one kind only namely partaking of the bread but not of the cup 1 Cor. 11.25 26. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This is the new testament in my blood this doe ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me For as often as ye eate this bread and drink this cup ye doe shew the Lord's death 'till he come In worshipping of Angels Col. 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels c. Rev. 22.8 9. And I John saw these things and heard them and when I had heard and seen I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed me these things Then saith he unto me see thou doe it not for I am thy Fellow servant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book worship God And in worshipping of Images Ex. 20.4 5. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them Robert Whitgift Abbot of the Monastery of Wellow in Lincolneshire said that they and their Religion could not long continue because said he I have read the whole Scripture over and over and could never find therein that our Religion was founded by God Leigh out of the life of Arch-Bishop Whitgift by Sr. George Paul nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God c. Q. Have the Antient Fathers Councils and Churches held all points of beliefe of ceremony and of Discipline as the Church of Rome now doth A. No. The present Chuch of Rome notwithstanding their great boast of Antiquity doth hold some points of Doctrine which the Antients did not and doth not hold some which the Antients did Again they practise at this day diverse ceremonies which the Antients did not and have left off the use of diverse Antient ceremonies And lastly the present Church of Rome hath laid aside the exercise of diverse points or matters of Discipline which the Antients used See all this proved by Mr Dallie's Treatise of the Fathers l. 2. p. 143 144. Q. Were there any before Luther who dissented from the doctrine of the present Romish Church and who would not subject their neckes to her yoke and government or who thought her fallible A. Yes Before Luther there were diverse eminent and famous witnesses to the truth of that Religion and Doctrine for the main which the Protestants hold diverse from the present Church of Rome See for the profe of this in Scultetus his Medulla Patrum of the judgment of the Fathers for the first 300 yeers Dr Field of the Church Birckbeck's Protestant Evidence Mr Perkin's his Demonstration of the Probleme and concerning worshipping of Images See Dr Westfield's Sermons on the Calfe Q. Doe the Pagans and Papists agree in the manner of worshipping Images A. See B p Westfield's Sermons where out of an Apocrypha book yet such as the Church of Rome accounts canonicall he shewes that there are diverse things done to the Popish that were by the old Babylonish Idolaters done to their Images as before in the Preface Q. May a man be surely saved if he exercise Repentance towards God and Faith in our Lord Christ although he be no member of the Romane Church or Disciple or subject of the Pope or Bishop of Rome A. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Gal. 6.15 16. For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new creature And as many as walke according to this Rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Q. Is it a safer way to come to the Church of Rome than to those commonly called Protestants or Reformed Churches A. No by no meanes 2 Thes 2.11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse Rev. 14.9 10 11. And the 3d Angel followed them saying with a loud voice If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his marke in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoake of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image whosoever receiveth the marke of his name Q. Is the Pope Church of Rome or any like them described there How can they be said to exalt themselves above all that is called God c. 2 Thes 2.4 c. A. Psal 82.1 6. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty he judgeth among the Gods I have said ye are Gods and all of you are children of the most High FINIS A Table shewing the contents of the severall Chapters in This Treatise Cap. 1 The Introduction Pag. 1 Cap. 2 Of Errour Pag. 7 Cap. 3 Of the holy Scriptures Pag. 9 Cap. 4 Of God and the Trinity Pag. 18 Cap. 5 Of God's Decrees Pag. 40 Cap. 6 Of the Creation and first estate of man Pag. 45 Cap. 7 Of sin and it 's bitter fruites Pag. 48 Cap. 8 Of Redemption by Christ Pag. 5◠Cap. 9 Of Predestination Pag. 56 Cap. 10 Of God's Providence Pag. 59 Cap. 11 Of Faith Repentance and Assurance of Salvation Pag. 66 Cap. 12 Of Prayer Pag. 87 Cap. 13 Of Marriage Pag. 90 Cap. 14 Of Mothers nursing their own children Pag. 91 Cap. 15 Of Womens painting themselves Pag. 93 Cap. 16 Of Children with respect to holy things Pag. 104 Cap. 17 Of Baptisme Pag. 111 Cap. 18 Of publick Worship Pag. 117 Cap. 19 Of an Oath Pag. 124 Cap. 20 Of Buriall of the dead Pag. 128 Cap. 21 Of Angels Pag. 131 Cap. 22 Of Ministers Pag. 135 Cap. 23 Of Churches Ordinances Pag. 155 Cap. 24 Of Singing of Psalmes Pag. 176 Cap. 25 Of Church-Discipline Pag. 180 Cap. 26 Of civil-Magistrates and the Common-wealth Pag. 185 Cap. 27 Of Souldiers Pag. 196 Cap. 28 Of Quakers Pag. 208 Cap. 29 Of Popish Erours Pag. 233 Errata PReface pag. 22. lin 2. for others r. flyes l 7. r. stollen l. 14. r. Featly p. 35. l. 10. r. subsistent p. 92. l. 12. r. yeerly p. 10 〈◊〉 last r. Sith it is not p. 122. l. 17. r. but now p. 79. l. 4. r. vild p. 181. l. 16. r. comfort p. 209. l. 1. r if they did