also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15. 24 28. I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God 1 Cor. 11. 3. All are yours And ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. Qu. Howbeit is not Christ dignified as with the title of Lord so also with that of God in the Scripture A. Thomas answered and said unto him My Lord and my God John 20. 28. Qu. Was he so the God of Thomas as that he himself in the mean time did not acknowledge another to be his God A. Jesus saith unto her Go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Joh. 20. 17. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God Rev. 3. 12. Qu. Have you any passage of the Scripture where Christ at the same time that he hath the appellation of God given to him is said to have a God A. But unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity wherefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows Heb. 1. 8 9. CHAP. V. Of the Holy Ghost Qu. HOw many Holy Spirits of Christians are there A. One Spirit Eph. 4. 4. Qu. Wherein consists the prerogative of the Holy Spirit above other spirits A. The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For who of men knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth none save the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. Qu. Whence is the Holy Ghost sent A. Down from heaven 1 Pet. 1. 12. Qu. By whom A. God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts Gal. 4. 6. Qu. Doth not Christ affirm that he also sends him how speaketh he A. If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him Joh. 16. 7. Qu. Had Jesus Christ always the power to send the Holy Ghost or did he obtain it at a certain time A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear Act. 2. 32 33. This spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified Joh. 7. 39. Qu. What were the general benefits accruing to Christians by the Holy Ghost A. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 13. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8. 16 26 27. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto us Rom. 5. 5. Your love in the Spirit Col. 1. 8. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him Eph. 1. 17. The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost Rom. 15. 13. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Then had the Churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the holy Ghost were multiplied Acts 9. 31. The he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inner man Eph. 3. 16. Qu. What are the special benefits accruing to the apostles by the holy Ghost what saith Christ to them hereof A. The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Joh. 15. 26. When he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth Joh. 16. 13. Qu. Should the holy Ghost lead them into all truth as speaking of himself and imparting of his own fulness What saith Christ concerning him A. He shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you Joh. 16. 13 14. Qu. Do men receive the holy Ghost while they are of the world and in their natural condition to the end that they may become the children of God may receive the word may believe may repent may obey Christ or after they are become the children of God have received the word do believe do repent do obey Christ A. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Joh. 14. 16 17. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. When the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the holy Ghost For as yet he was fallen upon none of them onely they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 8. 14 15 16. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water But this he spake of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet
glorified Joh. 7. 38 39. Paul having passed thorow the upper coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain disciples He said unto them Have ye received the holy Ghost since ye believed and they said unto him We have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost Act. 19. 1 2. In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Eph. 1. 13. That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Gal. 3. 14. God made choice among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel and believe And God which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us Acts 15. 7 8. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Acts 2. 38. And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him Acts 5. 32. CHAP. VI. Of Salvation by Christ Qu. IS not Christ in Scripture called a Saviour A. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. Q. Is Christ our Saviour originally and of himself or because he was given exalted and raised up by another to be a Saviour A. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour Acts 5. 31. Of this mans seed hath God accorcording to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Jesus Acts 13. 23. Q. How do the Saints expect to be saved by Christ A. We shall be saved by his life Rom. 5. 10. We look for a Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Phil. 3. 20 21. CHAP. VII Of Christs Mediation Q. IS not Christ called the Mediator between God and men A. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Is not Christ also called the Mediator of the New Covenant or of a better Covenant A. Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant Heb. 12. 24. He is the Mediator of a better covenant Heb. 8. 6. CHAP. VIII Of Christs Prophetick Office Q. IS not Christ dignified as with the title of Mediator so also with that of Prophet A. He shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you For Moses truly said unto the fathers A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me Acts 3. 20 22. Q. Forasmuch as Christ was to be a Prophet like unto Moses and Moses had this priviledge above other Prophets that God made not himself known to him in a vision nor spake to him in a dream but face to face as a man speaketh to a friend and shewed to him the similitude of the Lord Exod. 33. 11. Num. 12. 6 7 8. can you cite any passage of the Scripture which intimateth that Christ did see God before the discharge of his Prophetick Office A. Every man that hath heard and learned from the Father cometh to me Not that any man hath seen the Father save he which is from God he hath seen the Father Joh. 6. 45 46. Qu. From whence doth it appear that Christ like to Moses heard from God the things that he spake A. Ye seek to kill me a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard from God Joh. 8. 40. He that hath sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him As my Father hath taught me I speak these things Joh. 8. 26 28. All things that I have heard from my Father have I made known unto you Joh. 15. 15. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them Joh. 17. 8. Qu. Can you further cite any passages to prove that Christ as a man ascended into heaven and was there and came from God out of heaven before he shewed himself to the world and discharged his Prophetick Office so that the talking of Moses with God in the person of an angel bearing the name of God was but a shadow of Christs talking with God A. No man hath ascended into heaven but he that came down from heaven the Son of man which is or rather was in heaven Joh. 3. 13. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascending up where he was before Joh. 6. 62. I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me Joh. 6. 38. I am the living bread which came down from heaven Joh. 6. 51. Moses gave you not that bread from heaven but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world The Jews then murmured at him because he said I am the bread which came down from heaven And they said Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph whose father and mother we know how is it then that he saith I came down from heaven Joh. 6. 32 33 41 42. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me shall live by me This is that bread which came down from heaven Joh. 6. 57 58. I proceeded forth and came from God Ioh. 8. 42. Ye are from beneath I am from above ye are of this world I am not of this world Ioh. 8. 29. Jesus knowing that he was come from God and goeth to God Ioh. 13. 1 3. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father His disciples said unto him Lo now thou speakest plainly and speakest no parable Now are we sure that thou knowest all things and needest not that any man should ask thee by this we believe that thou camest forth from God Ioh. 16. 28 29 30. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and known surely that I came out from thee Ioh. 17. 8. Qu. Of what consequence was it in the judgement of Christ himself that his disciples had believed that he came out from God what saith he A. The Father himself loveth you because ye have believed that I came out from God Ioh. 16. 27. Qu. Doth not Iohn the Baptist affirm that Christ surpassed all others because he came down from heaven above what saith he A. He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth or rather was from the earth is earthly or rather is of the earth and speaketh of the earth He that cometh from heaven is above all And what he hath seen and heard that he speaketh Ioh. 3. 30 31
draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 24 25 26 28 29 35 38 39. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God Heb. 12. 15. Cursed children Which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness When they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in error For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb The dog is turned to his vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. 14 15 18 20 21 22. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the er or of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. For this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the tempter had tempted you and our labour be in vain 1 Thess 3. 5. Because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith Be not highminded but fear For if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in goodness otherwise thou also shalt be cut off Rom. 11. 20 21 22. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat now walkest thou not charitably Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died Rom. 14. 25. Through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8. 11. I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 27. If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered Joh. 15. 6. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away Joh. 15. 2. CHAP. XVII Of the duty of Subjects and Magistrates Wives and Husbands Children and Parents Servants and Masters Qu. WHat is the duty of all them that are under authority A. Let every foul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13. 1. Q. Why must every soul be subject to them A. For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13. 1. Q. What doth he that resisteth the power and what shall they receive to themselves A. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13. 2. Qu. Why shall they that resist receive damnation A. For rulers are not a terrour to good works but to evil Rom. 13. 3. Qu. How shall a man behave himself that he need not fear the power and whence cometh it so to pass A. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he is the minister of God to thee for good but 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 evil Rom. 13. 3 4. Q. Is not the fear of wrath or punishment the onely motive to subjection A. Ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake Rom. 13. 5. Qu. Must we not also pay to the higher powers tribute and custom A. Render to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom Rom. 13. 7. Q. Why should we pay tribute to them A. For this cause pay you tribute also for they are Gods ministers attending continually upon this very thing Rom. 13. 6. Qu. Though what you have cited out of the apostle Paul doth intimate the duty of the Magistrate yet have you not some passage of Scripture that doth expresly set it down A. He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23. 3. Q. What benefit shall accrue to him that ruleth so A. He shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth even a morning without clouds as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain 2 Sam. 23. 4. Q. What is the duty of wives and husbands according to the doctrine of the two great apostles Paul and Peter Rehearse their words A. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the Saviour of the body Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so let wives be to their own husbands in every thing Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies he that loveth his wife loveth himself For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord doth the church For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself and the wife see that she reverence her husband Eph. 5. 22 23 c. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them Col. 3. 18 19. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing gold or of putting on of apparel But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price For after this maner in the old time the
holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in subjection unto their own husbands Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well and are not afraid with any amazement Likewise ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledge giving honor to the wife as unto the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindered 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 c. Qu. What is the duty of children and parents according to Paul A. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honor thy father and thy mother which is the first commandment with promise That it may be well with thee and thou maist live long on the earth And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6. 1 2 3 4. Children obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers provoke not your children lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 20 21. Qu. What is the duty of servants and masters according to the doctrine of the two aforesaid Apostles A. Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free And ye masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your master also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Eph. 6. 5 6 7 8 9. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed And they that have believing masters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit 1 Tim. 6. 1 2. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please them well in all things not answering again Not purloyning but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Tit. 2. 9 10. Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons Masters give to your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven Col. 3. 22 23 24 25. Col. 4. 1. Servants be subject to your masters with all fear not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward For this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully For what glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto are ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20 21. CHAP. XVIII Of the behaviour of men and women in general and in special of aged men aged women yong women and yong men Qu. WHat would the apostle Paul have men in general do How speaketh he A. I will that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting In like maner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefac'dness and sobriety not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly aray But which becometh women professing godliness with good works Let the women learn in silence with all subjection But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man but to be in silence 1 Tim. 2. 8 9 10 11 12. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine That the aged men be sober grave temperate sound in faith in charity in patience The aged women likewise that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness not false accusers not given to much wine teachers of good things That they may teach the yong women to be sober to love their husbands to love their children To be discreet chaste keepers at home good obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed Yong men likewise exhort to be sober-minded Tit. 2. 1 2 c. CHAP. XIX Of Prayer Qu. IS not Prayer a Christian duty A. Pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5. 17. And he spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint Luke 18. 1. Q. How ought men to pray A. Lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. Q. What if a man doubt or waver as he prayeth A. Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jam. 1. 7. Q. What if we pray in anger and do not forgive if we have ought against any A. If you do not forgive neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses Mark 11. 26. Qu. What then is the confidence that we have to God-ward in praying A. That if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us 1 Joh. 5. 14. Q. If a man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death what is his duty in relation to prayer A. He shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death 1 Joh. 5. 16. Qu. What if he sin a sin which is unto death A. I do not say that he shall pray for it 1 Joh. 5. 16. Qu. How are the persons that have sinned unpardonably and so unto death described in the Scripture A. He that shall blaspheme against the holy Ghost hath never forgiveness but is in danger of eternal damnation Because they said He hath an unclean spirit Mark 3. 29 30. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries 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 and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29. Qu. How stands the Lord affected to
them that call upon him A. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him Psal 145. 18. The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. Qu. Is he nigh unto all them that call upon him in whatsoever maner A. To all that call upon him in truth Psal 145. 18. The Lord is far from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous Prov. 15. 29. We know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth John 9. 31. Qu. Did not Christ himself prescribe a form of prayer to his disciples so that there remaineth no doubt touching the lawfulness of using a form A. It came to pass that as he was praying in a certain place when he ceased one of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth Give us day by day our daily bread And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Luke 11. 1 2 3 4. Qu. How must we make our addresses to the Father that we may receive whatsoever we pray for what saith Christ to his disciples A. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you John 16. 23. Qu. Was it the custome during the time that Christ conversed on the earth much less before he came into the world to pray unto God in the name of Christ or through Christ or did it begin to be used after the resurrection and exaltation of Christ what saith Christ himself concerning this A. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full The time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in parables but I shall shew you plainly of the Father At that day ye shall ask in my name John 16. 24 25 26. Qu. Have ye any example of praying to God through Christ after his resurrection and exaltation A. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. CHAP. XX. Of the Church Qu. WHat is Christ in relation to the Church and the Church in relation to him A. He is the head of the body the Church Col. 1. 18. Qu. How many such bodyes hath Christ A. One body Eph. 4. 4. Qu. What kind of head is Christ A. From which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. Qu. Who are the Church A. They that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Qu. Upon what foundation is the Church built A. Upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Eph. 2. 20. Qu. What other honourable titles doth the Scripture give unto the Church besides that of the body of Christ A. The bride the Lambs wife Rev. 22. 17. Rev. 19. 7 8. Rev. 21. 9. The temple of God 1 Cor. 3. 16. The house of God the pillar and ground of the truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Q. What special promise hath Christ made to the Church A. the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 18. Qu. What doth Christ elsewhere say of himself that may give assurance to the Church that this promise shall be made good A. Behold I live for ever and ever amen and have the keys of hell and death Rev. 1. 18. CHAP. XXI Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Qu. WHen Christ was ascended up on high after his death and resurrection and so ceased to be personally present with his Church whom did he set apart for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of his body A. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Qu. What is the advice of the two great Apostles Paul and Peter to the elders and governors of the Church A. Take heed unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made your overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20. 28. The elders which are among you I exhort who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde Neither as being lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. What reward doth the apostle Peter tell them they shall have at the appearance of Christ if they do as he prescribeth A. When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 4. Qu. What is the duty of the yonger or private sort in relation to the elders or publike officers of the Church A. Likewise ye yongers submit your selves unto the elders 1 Pet. 5. 5. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13. 17. We beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thess 5. 12 13. Q. What saith the Scripture concorning the maintenance of them that instruct and oversee the Church A. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6 6 7 8. If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things Do ye
not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel 1 Cor. 9. 11 13 14. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine For the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn and The labourer is worthy of his reward 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. Qu. What saith the apostle Paul to Titus concerning the persons that are to be ordained Elders Bishops or Overseers of the Church A. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee If any be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre But a lover of hospitality a lover of good men sober just holy temperate Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince gainsayers Tit. 1. 5 6 7 8 9. Qu. What saith he to Timothy concerning the same subject A. This is a true saying If any man desire the office of a bishop he desireth a good work A bishop then must be blameless the husband of one wife vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach Not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity For if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the church of God Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil 1 Tim. 3. 1 2 c. Q. How ought those to be qualified that are to be ordained Deacons for the keeping and distributing the common stock of the Church A. Likewise must the deacons be grave not double-tongued not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience And let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well 1 Tim. 3. 8 9 10 12. Q. How ought their wives to be qualified A. Even so must their wives be grave not slanderers sober faithful in all things 1 Tim. 3. 11. Qu. What direction doth the Apostle give touching the casting of unworthy members out of the Church A. Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which ye received of us 1 Thess 5. 6. But now have I written unto you not to keep company if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetous or an idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such a one no not to eat For what have I to do to judge them also that are without do not ye judge them that are within But them that are without God judgeth Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person 1 Cor. 5. 11 12 13. CHAP. XXII Of Baptism Qu. WHat is the judgement of John the Baptist of Christ Jesus and of the Apostle Peter touching the doctrine of Baptisms How speak they A. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier then I whose shooes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire Mat. 3. 11. Wait for the promise of the Father which ye have heard of me For John verily baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many dayes hence Acts 1. 4 5. As I began to speak the holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning Then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost Acts 11. 15 16. Qu. Though the passages which you have alledged plainly intimate that the baptism of the Spirit was the baptism of Christ as that of water was Johns baptism yet did not the Apostles of Christ baptize with water what saith Paul of this also A. I baptized the house of Stephanas 1 Cor. 1. 16. Qu. But divers think the Apostles were sent to baptize as well as to preach What therefore saith the same Apostle concerning this also A. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. Qu. Howbeit when Paul himself and the believing Romans were baptized into what doth he say they were baptized and to what end A. So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walk in newness of life Rom. 6. 3 4. Qu. Forasmuch as so great stress is put by some upon water-baptism what baptism is it even in the judgement of the Apostle Peter whereby we are saved the said baptism of water whereby the filth of the body is washed off or the baptism of the heart whereby it is cleansed from an evil conscience A. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God 1 Pet. 3. 21. CHAP. XXIII Of the Lords Supper Qu. WHen was the Lords supper instituted and to what end A. The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betraid took bread And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me After the same maner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the new testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye shew forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26. Q. What hurt happeneth to him that receiveth the Lords supper unworthily A. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning