not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a lie that they all might be damned who beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. Q. 27 What use must we make hereof A. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3.17 18. Q. 28 Is there any hope that the errors shall be crusht A. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16.20 Q. 29 How is that likely while they carry on their errors with such plausible pretences A But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest to all men 2 Tim. 3.9 Q. 30 In the meane while may not these men be connived at A. There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers whose mouths must bee stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not Tit. 1.10 11. Q. 31 May the civill Magistrate meddle with those that endeavour to seduce others into errors in matter of Religion A. If thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evill Rom. 13.4 Q 32 But though seducing be an evill work may it not be good Christian policy for those in authority to refrain from these men and let them alone A. I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel which calleth her self a prophetesse to teach and to reduce my servants Rev. 2.20 Q 33 Some would have a Toleration of all Religions What Scripture have you which shewes that this ought not to be in time of the Gospel A. It shall come to passe in that day saith the Lord of Hosts that I will cut off the names of the Idols out of the land and they shall no more be remembred and also I will cause the Prophets and the unclean spirit to passe out of the Land Zech. 13.2 Q. 34 In case the false Prophets will neither depart nor desist what course may be taken with them by the civill power A. It shall come to passe that when any shall yet prophecy then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him thou shalt not live for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophecyeth Zech. 13.3 Q. 35 Will not this way of suppressing false-teachers increase and harden them rather then remedy that evill A. And it shall come to passe in that day that the Prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision when he hath prophesied neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive Zech. 13.4 Q. 36 Is this restraining of false-teachers by civill punishment to be accounted persecution or friendship A. And one shall say unto him what are these wounds in thine hands then he shall answer those with which I was wounded in the house of my freinds Zech. 13.6 Q. 37 It seemes you would fain have some course taken to be rid of them what spirit doth that savour of A. I would they were even cut off which trouble you Gal. 5.12 Q. 38 Some will not be perswaded that the Magistrate may punish for sins against the first Table can you show that idolatrous practises are punishable by a civill power A. If I beheld the Sunne when it shined or the Moon walking in brightnesse and mine heart hath been secretly entised or my mouth hath kissed my hand this also were an iniquity to be punished by the Judge for I should have denied the God that is above Joh 31.26 27 28. Q. 39 What course is to be taken with blasphemers A. He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him as well the stranger as he that is born in the Land when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord shall be put to death Lev. 24.16 Q. 40 In these times wherein errours are so rise what is the Ministers charge A. Holding fast the faithfull word as he hath beene taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gain-sayers Tit. 1.9 Q. 41 Do Ministers well to stir up the people to withstand the errours of the times A. It was needfull for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints Jude 3. Q. 42 Is it warrantable publikely to brand the names of Hereticks and Seducers that so men may be shye of tehm A. Their word will eat as doth a Canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying that the Resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. Q. 43 Till some course be taken for their suppression what course must I take to keep out of the way of errour A. Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them Rom. 16.17 Q. 44 Besides shunning their company what else must we do A. Beloved beleeve not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world 1 John 4.1 Q. 45 You would have us very suspicious in these times what generall ground have you whom to suspect as unsound A. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2.19 Q. 46 Many which separate cry down your ministery for Antichristian and speak much of the spirit what can you say about them A. Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts these be they who separate themselves sensuall having not the spirit Jude 17 18 19. Q. 47 They have been very earnest with me to forsake your ministers what is their designe in that A. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them Gal. 4.17 Q. 48 How can you justifie against them your ministery of the Church of England A. The seal of my Apostleship are ye in the Lord. 1 Cor. 9.2 Q. 49 Is then the ordinary conversion of souls a demonstrative argument of a right ministery A How shall they beleeve in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher
to lye to the holy Ghost Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God Acts 5.3 4 Q. 18 Are the Scriptures the word of God A. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.16 Q. 19 Shall the bodies of men rise after they he dead A. I worship the God of my fathers beleeving all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets and have hope towards God which they themselves also alow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Acts 24.14 15. Q. 20 Is there a day of judgement after death A. I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works and the Sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged euery man according to their works Rev. 20.12 13. Deut. 13.6 8 9. If thy brother the sonne of thy mother or thy sonne or thy daughter or the wife of thy bosome or thy friend which is as thine owne soule entise thee secretly saying let us go and serve other gods neither shalt thou spare neither shalt thou conceale him but thou shalt surely kill him thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people 2 Chron. 15.12 13 15. They entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soule that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether small or great whether man or woman And all Judah rejoyced at the Oath for they had sworne with all their heart and sought him with their whole desire and he was found of them and the Lord gave them rest round about Concerning Blasphemy and impugning the Word of God EXod 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine Levit. 24.11.12 13 14. The Israelitish womans sonne blasphemed the Name of the Lord and cursed and they brought him unto Moses and they put him in Ward that the minde of the Lord might be shewed them And the Lord spake unto Moses saying bring forth him that hath cursed without the campe and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head and let all the Congregation stone him Dan. 3.29 Therefore I make a decree that every people Nation and Language which speak any thing amisse against the God of Shadrach Mishach and Abednego shall be cut in peeces and their houses shall be made a dunghill because there is no other God Job 2.9 Curse God and dye 1 Cor. 12.3 No man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed Acts 13.10 11. Thou enemy of all righteousnesse wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord and now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee and thou shalt be blind Heb. 10.28 29. He that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God c. Rev. 22.18 19. If any man shall adde unto these things God shal adde unto him the plagues that are written in this Book and if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of life The second ranke of Doctrines Q. 1 SHall all men be saved A. Then one said unto him Lord are there few that shall be saved and he said unto them strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shal not be able Luke 13.23 24. Q. 2 Hath a man by nature free will to turne to God A. The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are folishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 Q. 3 May God be worship'd by Pictures or Images A. Take ye good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire least ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image the similitude of any figure Deut. 4.15 16. Q. 4 Doth the soule of any man after death go to purgatory A. I heard a voyce from heaven saying unto me write blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 Q. 5 Do the souls of good men dye or sleep when their bodies are dead A. Ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the generall assembly and Church of the first borne which are written in Heaven and to God the judge of all and to the spirits of just men made parfect Heb 12.22 23. Q. 6 Do the soules of bad men dye or sleep when their bodies are dead A. Their worme dyeth not Mark 9.44 Q. 7 Are there revelations or workings of the spirit as a rule for a Christians life though divers from or contrary to the written word of God A. This voyce which came from Heaven wee heard and we were with him in the holy Mount We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto yee do well that yee take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawne and the day-starre arise in your hearts Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private inrerpretation 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 2. Pet. 1.18.19 20 21. Q. 8 Is a man bound to beleeve no more then by his reason he can comprehend A Bebold thou shalt be dumbe and not able to speak untill the day that these things shall bee performed because thou beleevest not my words which shall be fulfilled Luke 1.20 Q. 9 Is the morall Law contained in the ten Commandements a rule of a Christian life A. Owe no man any thing but to love one another for he that loveth an other hath fulfilled the law For this thou shalt not commit adultery thou shalt not kill thou shalt not steale thou shall not beare false witnesse thou shalt not covet and if there be any other Commandement it is breifly comprehended in this saying namely thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Rom. 13.8 9. Q. 10 Doth God see sinne in the justified A. Against thee
impugne the Word of God such offences shall be adjudged Felony and the offender committed without Bayl or Main-prize and the party being found guilty shall be branded in the left Cheek with the letter B. and upon the like offence the second time x Levit. 24 16. Job 2.9 Dan. 3.29 Heb. 10.28 29. shall suffer death The second ranke of Doctrines ANd be it further ordained that all persons who shall publish any of these severall Errors hereafter ensuing viz. y Matth. 25.41 That 1 all men shall be saved z Joh. 3.5 that a man by nature 2 hath free will to turne to God a Acts 17.25 That God 3 may be worshipt by Pictures or Images b Luke 16 22 23. or that the 4 soule of any man after death goes neither to Heaven nor Hell but to Purgatory c Acts 1.25 or that the soule 5 6 of man dies or sleepes when the body is dead d Ps 19.7 or that the 7 revelations or workings of the Spirit are a rule for a Christians life though divers from or contrary to the written Word of God e 1 Cor. 2.14 or that a man is 8 bound to beleeve no more then by his reason he can comprehend f Eph. 6.2 or that the 9 Morall Law contained in the Ten Commandements is no rule of a Christian life g 2 Sam. 12 9. or that God sees no 10 sinne in the justified or h Rev. 3.19 that a 11 Beleever need not repent i Ps 51.9 not pray for the pardon of sinne or that the two Sacraments of k John 4.1.2 12 Baptisme and the l Luke 22.19 20. 13 Lords Supper are not Ordinances commanded by the Word of God or that 14 the m Math. 19.14 Baptizing of Infants is unlawfull n Rom. 3.3 4. or that such 15 Baptizing is void and of none effect o Mark 16 16. or that such persons are to bee 16 Baptized againe and in pursuance thereof shall baptize any person formerly baptized p Exod. 20.8 or that the observation of the Lords Day as it is injoyned by the Ordinances and Lawes of this Realme is not according or contrary to the Word of God q 1 Cor. 14 15 16. or that it is not lawfull to joyn in 17 publike r 1 Pet. 3.7 or Family Prayer Å¿ 2 Tim. 3.15 or to 18 teach children to pray t Rev. 1.20 Or that the Churches of England are not true Churches u Rom. 10 13 14 15. Or that the Ministers or Ordinances are not true Ministers or Ordinances w 1 Tim. 4.14 Or that the Church government by Presbytery is Antichristian or unlawfull x 1 Pet. 2.13 14. or that the Magistracy or 19 power of the Civill Magistrate by Law established in England is unlawfull y Nehem. 4.14 or that all the use of 20 Armes for Publike defence be the Cause never so just is unlawfull And in case the party so accused for any of the said Errors bee committed before two Justices the party so committed shall bee ordered to renounce his said Error in the publike Congregation of the Parish Church whence the complaint comes and in case hee refuses or neglects the same at or upon the day time and place appointed by the said Justices z Num. 15.34 Tit. 1.10 11. Rev. 2.14 2 Pet. 2.10 12. Gal. 5.12 that he shall bee committed to prison by the said Justices untill hee shall finde two Sureties of Subsidy men that hee shall not publish or maintain the said Error or Errors any more FINIS A Scripture CATECHISME Very usefull in these Times For Advancing Unity Suppressing Errour Stating present Controversies Vindicating the Covenanted Reformation 1 COR. 3 2 3. I have fed you with milke and not with meat for hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet now are ye able For ye are yet carnall for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions are ye not carnall 2 COR. 11.3 I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 2 TIM 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love c. LONDON Printed by T. R. and E. M. for John Bellamie at the three golden Lions in Cornhill neer the Royall Exchange 1646. To the teachable Reader HVmble Reader who art willing to stoop to the contemned Ordinance of Catechisme God hath promised to teach you and to that purpose all are yours all his Ordinances all his servants their gifts experiences labours the ablest the meanest all are yours amongst which my poore mite is accountable to you Some few yeers since when divers of the new Opinions that now have seized upon many were first represented to me and I saw them entertained by some persons that were precious in my thoughts and managed by such arguments as at the first sight seemed to carry strength with them I must confesse I beganne to stagger thereat whereupon for my own satisfaction I was inquisitive after such Treatises on all hands as wrote either for or against them which I therefore mention that I may give you an account of what experience hath taught me namely that there is more satisfaction to be gained by a diligent weighing of some one Scripture then by reading over many other books for indeed the Scripture is the supreme judge of controversies and all that the ablest men can speak for the opening of Scripture must be resolved into Scripture before it can ground faith and satisfie conscience which is the drift of this Catechisme wherewith thou mayest expect a blessing if thou shalt pray read and study the answers wherein I have not been so carefull to give you the forme of an answer as to referre you to such Scriptures as afford matter for the Answer which course I finde warranted by the like practice of our Saviour and I judge it the profitablest way in a Tractate in this nature for thereby the Reader will be constrained to study the Scriptures to understand the force of them before he can satisfie himselfe with an answer from them as for example in the question concerning Baptisme the Reader must weigh the circumstances of the text and compare it with the History in Exodus and so he may be enabled to satisfie himselfe in forming an Answer thus All the Israelites presently after their coming forth from Egypt when many of them were little children were Baptized by the cloud which hung over their heads Thus much Reader I thought good to intimate to thee that thou mightest not take offence at my method A Scripture CATECHISME Very usefull in these Times First Question Q. 1 WHat speaks the Scripture of the doctrinall errors of these latter times A. The Spirit speaketh expressely that in the latter times some shal depart from the faith giving heed
to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 Q. 2 What think you of the ringleaders and teachers of such doctrines A. These resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith 2 Tim. 3.8 Q. 3 But may we not think them sincere seeing they professe much holinesse A. Having a form of godlinesse but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.5 Q. 4 But so far as we can judge they are the redeemed of God how then can you think so hardly of them and their doctrines A. There shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 Q. 5 But if they and their opinions were so grosse would they be followed by so many professors A. Many shall follow their pernicious wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of 2. Pet. 2.2 Q. 6 But the teachers are some of them knowing men and would they think you teach notorious falsehoods A. Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience scared with a hot iron 1 Tim. 4.2 Q. 7 Those which you count the seducers amongst us cry out upon Antichrist and do not they then stand for the truth A. It is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time 1 John 2.18 Q. 8 But is it not strange that you should count these Antichrists who seeme rather Angels of light and Apostles A. Such are false Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvell for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. Q. 9 But these men alledge Scripture for what they urge and can you say then that they follow the Devill as his ministers A. Then the Devill taketh him up into the holy city and setteth him on a pinacle of the Temple and saith unto him If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down for it is written He shall give his Angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone Mat. 4.5 6. Q. 10 Those whom you count the ministers of Satan do they not serve God according to their light A. They that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly Rom. 16.18 Q. 11 You seem to imply that their hearts are corrupt as well as their judgements what corruption makes them seducers A. Through covetousnesse shall they with feighned words make merchandise of you 2 Pet. 2 3. Q. 12 But all of them seeme not to be covetous what corruption then sways the rest A. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words whereof commeth envy strife railings evill surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. Q. 13 What is one maine part of their ambition A. Of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them Act 20.30 Q. 14 Is the want of Learning in some of their teachers any cause of wresting the Scriptures A. In which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures 2 Pet. 3.16 Q. 15 Do not the affecting of new notions and other lusts in the hearers make them ready to embrace seducing teachers A. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables 2 Tim. 4 3.4 Q. 16 Do not also the weaknesse and shallownesse of the bearers together with other corruptions make them apt to be seduced by such men A. Of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth 2 Tim. 3.6 7. Q. 17 Do the false teachers use sleights to inveigle such persons A. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in wait to deceive Ephes 4.14 Q. 18 Are not some honest-meaning persons seduced by their craft A. They deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16.18 Q. 19 How come they to seduce them A. By good words and fair speeches Rom. 16.18 Q. 20 If those whom you call seducers use such good language is there not good hopes of them A. Evill men and seducers shall grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 3.13 Q. 21 How ought we to carry our selves towards the maintainers of heresie and how may we esteeme of them A. A man that is an Heretick after the first and second admonition reject knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3 10 11. Q. 22 You seem to hate their wayes that hold out the errors of the times doth such an affection become Christians A. This thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate Rev. 2.6 Q. 23 You not only distaste the errours but those also that teach them where is your warrant for that A. I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evill thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not and hast found them lyars Rev. 2.2 Q. 24 Is it likely that if these courses were so dangerous God would suffer so many teachers to stand for them and prevail so A. There came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord and said I will perswade him and the Lord said unto him Wherewith and he said I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets and he said Thou shalt perswade him and prevail also go forth and do so now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets 1 King 22.21 22 23. Q. 25 Seeing it appears that God gives Satan a power to prevail in the mouths of seducers what doth God intend thereby towards such as walk closely with him is it likely that they shall be seduced A. There must be also heresies among you that they which are approved may be made manifest among you 1 Cor. 11.19 Q. 26 What is Gods aime therein towards false-hearted professors are not they in great danger to miscarry A. Because they received
ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Q. 73 What evident mark can you instance in for a Christian to try himself by A. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren 1 John 3.14 Q. 74 Should we now have legall terrours prest A. Others save with fear pulling them out of the fire Jude 23. Q. 75 Are the threatnings usefull to the godly A. If I have lift up my hand against the fatherlesse when I saw my help in the gate then let my arme fall from my shoulder-blade and mine arme be broken from the bone for destruction from God was a terrour to me and by reason of his highnesse I could not endure Job 31.21 22 23. Q. 76 Is there any farther use of terrors to the godly besides for restraint from sin A. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Q. 77 Doth fear of Gods threatnings arise from the weaknesse of the godly or from their faith A. By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his house Heb. 11.7 Q 78 Some would have the Sabbath to be kept but as other dayes of the week What say you to them A. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work c. Exod. 20.8 9 10. Q. 79 They say this is Jewish and Ceremoniall show them a Sabbath instituted before there were either Jewes as any of their ceremonies A. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made and God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it c. Gen. 2.2 3. Q. 80 Should wicked men pray to God A. Pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee for I perceive thou art in the gall of bitternesse and in the bond of iniquity Acts 8.22 23. Q. 81 Is the usuall discourse of hard controversies among weak Christians to be approved A. Him that is weak in the faith receive you but not to doubtfull disputations Rom. 14.1 Q. 82 If I have a true opinion which cannot be vented without offence may I vent it A. Hast thou faith have it to thy selfe before God happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth Rom. 14.22 Q. 83 Some presse very much for Uniformity is that according to the Scriptures A. Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that yee all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement 1 Cor. 1.10 Q. 84 By what arguments doth the Scripture urge this A. If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies fulfill ye my joy that yee be like minded being of one accord of one mind Phil. 2.1 2. Q. 85 What directions must we follow that we may attain this Unity A. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better then themselves Phil. 2.3 Q. 86 What respect ought the strong Christian to bear towards the weak A. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not Rom. 14.3 Q. 87 What respect ought the weaker Christian to carry towards the stronger A. Let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth Rom. 14.3 Q. 88 Some question the lawfulnesse of keeping publike Fasts appointed by the Magistrate what have you in Scripture that might satisfie them A. Jehosaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a Fast throughout all Judah and Judah gathered themselves together to aske help of the Lord even out of all the Cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 2 Chron. 20.3.4 Q. 89 Hath the Magistrate power also to appoint a day to be kept yeerly to celebrate some nationall mercy A. Ester the Queen and Mordecai the Jew wrote with all authority to confirm these dayes of Purim in their times appointed according as Mordecai the Jew and Ester the Queen had enjoyned them and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed the matters of the fastings and their cry Est. 9 29.31 Q. 90 I perceive you grant much to the civill powers what if they should take upon them to do that which belongs properly to Church officers should that also be yeelded to them A. They withstood Vzziah the King and said unto him It pertaineth not unto thee Vzziah to burn Incense unto the Lord but to the Priests the sonnes of Aaron that were consecrated to burn Incense go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast trespassed neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God 1 Chron. 26.18 Q. 91 In these dayes many private men that are brought up to worldly callings take upon them to preach is this practise to be justified or disapproved A. He shall say I am no prophet I am an husbandman for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth Zech. 13.5 Q. 92 Those Ministers that have spent their estates and times to fit themselves for that calling have their maintenance with-held by many and divers have petitioned to have it taken away how will God take this at their hands A. Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me but ye say wherein have we robbed thee in Tythes and Offerings ye are cursed with a curse c. Mal. 3.8 9. Q. 93 You speak of Minister as separated from the ordinary ranke of Christians what is requisite for the making of a Minister besides gifts A. The holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and layed their hands on them they sent them away Acts 13.2 3. Q 94 By whom ought the Ministers to be ordained A. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4.14 Q. 95 Is the power of Church discipline in the people or in the Officers of the Church A. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophecy let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith or ministry let us wait on our ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation he that giveth let him do it with simplicity he that ruleth with diligence Rom. 12.6 7 8. Q. 96 Should the people attend upon the ministry of those whom God hath placed over them or may they go indifferently to any other profitable Minister A. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with greif for that is unprofitable to you Heb. 13.17 Q. 97 Have Synods or Elders of Churches assembled together power to determine differences and make decrees A. As they went thorough the Cities they delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem Acts 16.4 A. Q. 98 I have heard a book written to prove that the soule of man remains not after death how will you confute that A. He went and preached to the spirits in prison which sometimes were disobedient when once the long-suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah 1 Pet. 3.19 20. Q. 99 They say there is another book out to prove that a man may put away his wife if she be not a meet helper how may I answer all the arguments there alledged A. It hath been said whosoever shall put away his wife let him give her a writing of a divorcement but I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery Mat. 5.31 32. Q. 100 There are many other new opinions that men teach and write for with specious arguments I would fain be satisfied about them how shall I discern the truth A. If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shal be given him James 1.5 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God c. John 7.17 To the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 If they be ashamed of all that they have done show them the form of the house and the fashion thereof c. Ezech. 43.11 Postscript to the judicious Reader IF thou hast read over this Catechisme thou mayest easily perceive that it was penned for Christians of the lowest form to whom the Authour intended with briefnesse clearnesse and Scripture-language to give generall notes for caution against all the dangerous Doctrines of the times and speciall hints for satisfaction concerning some of the most obvious mistakes and errors If the sight of this may occasion from thee a fuller and exacter Treatise of this nature none shall be more willing to study such a Catechisme then my self Thine and the truths I. K. FINIS