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
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
transgression Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed Rom. 4. 14 15 16. In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but faith working by love God 5. 6. The just shall live by faith For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 17 18. Qu. What answer then would you give to a man who wresting the words of Paul in certain places of his Epistles to the Romans and the Galatians should bear you in hand that all good works whatsoever are excluded from justification and salvation and that it is enough onely to believe A. Wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith onely Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way For as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead Jam. 2. 20 22 23 24 25 26. Qu. What is the advice of Paul to Titus concerning the business of faith and works and the Law A. This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works these things are good and profitable unto men But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law for they are unprofitable and vain Tit. 3. 8 9. Qu. You shewed even now out of Paul that the faith of him that will be saved must be accompanied with justice or righteousness I would therefore know of you who is a just or righteous man is it not such a one as apprehendeth and applyeth Christs righteousness to himself or at most desireth to do righteously Is not he accepted of God A. Let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous He that committeth sin is of the Divel for the Divel sinneth from the beginning In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Divel whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God 1 John 3. 7 8 10. If we know that he is righteous know ye that every one that doth righteousness is born of God 1 John 2. 29 God is no respecter of persons But in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted of him Acts 10. 34 35. If a man be just and and do that which is lawful and right Hath not eaten upon the mountains neither hath lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel neither hath defiled his neighbours wife neither hath come near to a menstruous woman And hath not oppressed any but hath restored to the debtor his pledge hath spoiled none by violence hath given his bread to the hungry and hath covered the naked with a garment He hath not given forth upon usury neither hath taken any increase hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity hath executed true judgement between man and man Hath walked in my Statutes and hath kept my judgements to deal truly HE IS JUST he shall not dye Ezek. 18. 5 6 7 8 9. Qu. May not righteous men depart from their righteousness and believers from their faith and so perish And is it not false that once in Christ and ever in Christ A. When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness and committeth iniquity and doth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doth shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath sinned in them shall he dye Ezek. 18. 24. When I shall say unto the righteous that he shall surely live if he trust to his own righteousness and commit iniquity all his righteousness shall not be remembred but for his iniquity that he hath committed he shall dye for it Ezek. 33. 13. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Divels 1 Tim. 4. 1. This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy that thou war the good warfare Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. 18 19 20. The younger widows refuse for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ they will marry Having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith 1 Tim. 5. 11 12. The love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6. 10. Their word will eat as doth a canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus Who concerning the faith have erred saying that the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God But exhort one another daily lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 12 13. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief Heb. 4. 11. It is impossible for those who were once enlightned and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the holy Ghost And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come If they fall away to renew them again to repentance Heb. 6. 4 5 6. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the maner of some is but exhorting one another For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins 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 to the Spirit of grace Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward Now the just shall live by faith but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him But we are not of them that
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. Qu. But do the things recorded in the Word of God concern us A. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock Matth. 7. 24. Qu. Which are the most affectionate passages in all the Scripture flowing from the mouth of one enamoured on the Word of God A. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times O how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth I love thy commandments above gold yea above fine gold I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil Psal 119. 14 20 97 103 127 162. CHAP. II. Of God Qu. HOw many Gods of Christians are there A. One God Eph. 4. 6. Qu. Who is this one God A. The Father of whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Qu. What is this one God A. A spirit Joh. 4. 24. Qu. Have you more ample descriptions of God in the Scripture A. He is the blessed and onely Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion flow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. Qu. Is not God according to the current of the Scripture in a certain place namely heaven A. Our God is in the heavens Psal 115. 3. The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth Psal 33. 13 14. Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hastie to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth Eccles 5. 2. Look down from thy habitation from heaven and bless thy people Israel Deut. 26. 15. Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory Isa 63. 15. Hear thou from thy dwelling-place from heaven Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place 2 Chron. 6. 21 23 25 27 30 33 35 39. Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16 45 48. Your Father which is in heaven Our Father which art in heaven Mat. 6. 2 9. Your Father which is in heaven My Father which is in heaven Mat. 7. 11 21. In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Matth. 18. 10. These words spake Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self Joh. 17. 1 4 5. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father Joh. 13. 1. And he being full of the holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God And said Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God Act. 7. 55 56. Qu. Is God in the Scripture said to have any likeness image similitude person and shape A. God said Let us make man in our image after our likeness So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him Gen. 1. 26 27. In the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him Gen. 5. 1. Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man Gen. 9. 6. My servant Moses is not so who is faithful in all my house With him will I speak mouth to mouth even apparently not in dark speeches and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold Num. 12. 7 8. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God Jam. 3. 9. Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him Will ye accept his person Job 13. 7 8. The Father himself which hath sent me hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape Joh. 5. 37. Qu. What passage of the Scripture intimates not onely that the Saints in the perfect state of the world to come shall see God face to face but also comprehend or fully know him A. When that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. Qu. Are there not according to the perpetual tenour of the Scripture affections or passions in God as anger fury zeal wrath love hatred mercy grace jealousie repentance grief joy fear A. Israel joyned himself to Baal-peor and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel And the Lord said unto Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away Num. 25. 3 4. Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be comforted and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Ezek. 5. 13. Moses besought the Lord his God and said Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people Turn from thy fierce wrath Exod. 32. 11 12. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. The God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth
which the Lord left to prove Israel by them and they were to prove Israel by them to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord. Judg. 3. 1 4. The Lord God of Israel saith I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever but now the Lord saith Be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel saying It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king for he is turned back from following me and hath not performed my commandments 1 Sam. 15. 10 11. Hezekiah prospered in all his works Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land God left him to try him that he might know what was in his heart 2 Chron. 32. 31. What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes brought it forth wilde grapes Isa 5. 4. Thus saith the Lord Stand in the court of the Lords house and speak unto all the cities of Judah If so be they will hearken and turn every man from his evil way that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them Jer. 26. 2 3. This word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord saying Take thee a roll of a book and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel and against Judah It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them that they may return every man from his evil way that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin Jer. 36. 1 2 3. The word of the Lord came to me saying Prepare thee stuff for removing and remove by day in their sight it may be they will consider though they be a rebellious house Ezek. 12. 1 3. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4. 6. As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel so we speak not as pleasing men but God which tryeth our hearts 1 Thess 2. 4. Qu. How must we worship God A. They that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Joh. 4. 24. Qu. How must one love him A. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might Deut. 6. 5. Qu. Could we love him with all the heart if he were three or is his oneness the cause hinted by Moses why we should love him thus How sound the words according to the * See Ainsworth's Translation truth of the Hebrew text A. Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one Deut. 6. 4. Qu. Wherein consisteth the love of God A. This is the love of God that we keep his commandments 1 Joh. 5. 3. Whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected 1 Joh. 2. 5. Qu. What if a man say he loveth God and in the mean time hateth his brother A. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a lyer for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4. 20. Qu. What advantage will it be to you to know the Father the onely true God How speaketh Christ in his prayer to the Father concerning this thing A. This is life eternal that they may know thee the onely true God Joh. 17. 3. CHAP. III. Of the Creation Qu. WEre the heaven and earth from all eternity or created at a certain time and by whom A. In the beginning God created heaven and earth Gen. 1. 1. Qu. How long was God a making them A. In six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is Exod. 20. 11. Qu. How did God create man A. The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul Gen. 2. 7. Qu. How did he create woman A. The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept and he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in stead thereof And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman and brought her unto the man Gen. 2. 21 22. Qu. Why was she called woman A. Because she was taken out of man Gen. 2. 23. Qu. What doth Moses infer from her being made a woman and brought unto the man A. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh Gen. 2. 24. Qu. Where did God put man after he was created A. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden and there he put the man whom he had formed Gen. 2. 8. Qu. What commandment gave he to the man when he put him into the garden A. The Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the garden thou maist freely eat But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Gen. 2. 16 17. Qu. Was the man deceived to eat of the forbidden fruit A. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression 1 Tim. 2. 14. Qu. By whom was the woman deceived A. The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty 2 Cor. 11. 3. Qu. How was the woman induced to eat of the forbidden fruit and how the man A. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband with her and he did eat Gen. 3. 6. Qu. What effect followed upon their eating A. The eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons Gen. 3. 7. Qu. Did the sin of our first parents in eating of the forbidden fruit bring both upon them and their posterity the guilt of hell-fire deface the image of God in them darken their understanding enslave their will deprive them of power to do good and cause mortality If not what are the true penalties that God denounced against them for the said offence A. Unto the woman he said I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children and thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee Unto Adam he said Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree of which I
bow of things in heaven and things in earth Phil. 2. 9 10. Qu. Did men worship Jesus Christ before his death and resurrection what examples thereof have you A. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him saying Of a truth thou art the Son of God Matth. 14. 33. Jesus said unto him Dost thou believe on the Son of God He answered and said Who is he Lord that I may believe on him And Jesus said unto him Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee And he said Lord I believe and he worshipped him Joh. 9. 35 36. 37 38. Qu. Did men worship Christ after his resurrection and ascension And what example thereof have you A. It came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy Luke 24. 51 52. Qu. When men ascribe glory and dominion to Christ Jesus in the Scripture and withal intimate the ground thereof is it because they conceive him to be very God of very God and to have been eternally begotten out of the Divine essence or because he gave himself to death Let me hear how they explain themselves A. Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Qu. Are the Angels of the same opinion with the Saints when they also ascribe glory and dominion to him let me hear how they also explain themselves A. I beheld and heard the voice of many angels saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Rev. 5. 11 12. Qu. May men call upon the name of Jesus Christ and have you examples of such as have prayed to him A. Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem And here he hath authority from the chief priests to binde all that call upon thy name Acts 9. 13 13. With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours 1 Cor. 1. 2. And they stoned Stephen saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit Acts 7. 59. Even so come Lord Jesus Rev. 22. 20. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thes 2. 16 17. Now God himself even our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you 1 Thess 3. 11. CHAP. XI Of Christs Priestly Office Qu. IS not Christ Jesus a Priest A. We have a great high-priest Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 14. Qu. Did not Christ take this honour to himself A. Christ glorified not himself to become an high-priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee Heb. 5. 5. Qu. What maner of high-priest is Christ A. Such an high-priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majestie in the heavens A minister of the sanctuary and of the tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 8. 1 2. Qu. Was not Christ a priest whilst he was on earth namely when he died on he cross A. If he were on earth he should not be a priest seeing that there are priests who offer gifts according to the Law Heb. 8. 4. And it is yet far more evident for that after the similitude of Melchisedeck there ariseth another priest Who is made not after the law of a carnal commandment but after the power of an endless life Heb. 7. 15 16. Qu. What benefit happeneth by Christs priesthood A. He became the author of eternal salvation Called of God an high-priest after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5. 9 10. Qu. Unto whom is Christ as a Priest become the authour of eternal salvation A. Unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Qu. How can Christ save them by his priesthood A. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7. 25. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9. 28. Qu. Is not the sacrifice of Christ to be reiterated as that of the Levitical Priests if not what is the reason thereof A. Every priest standeth daily ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 11 12 13 14. Qu. How did Christ enter into the holy place to offer himself A. By his own blood Heb. 9. 12. Qu. Why would God have Christ come to his priestly office by sufferings A. It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings That he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 10 17 18. Q. What is the true and genuine use you would have us make of this doctrine A. Seeing that we have a great high-priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession For we have not an high-priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14 15 16. CHAP. XII Of Christs Death Qu. WAs it the will and purpose of God that Christ should suffer the death of the cross What saith the apostle Peter to the Jews concerning this A. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Act. 2. 22 23. Q. What say the disciples in general concerning the same They lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Of a truth against thy holy childe Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Acts 4. 24 27 28. Q. Did Christ die to reconcile and bring God to
is there not a like manifestation of the universality of Gods love in the Old How speaketh the prophet Ezekiel A. Say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33. 11. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O house of Israel For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the Lord God wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 31 32. Qu. What saith Jeremiah A. He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3. 33. Qu. What saith David A. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. CHAP. XIV Of Christs Resurrection Qu. Ought Christ as to suffer so also to rise from the dead the third day A. Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day Luke 24. 46. He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 4. Qu. Was there so great power and consequence in Christs resurrection How speaketh Paul A. I count all things but loss for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection Phil. 3. 8 10. If Christ be not risen your faith is vain ye are yet in your sins Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished 1 Cor. 15. 17 18. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again Rom. 8. 34. Qu. How speaketh Peter A. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Pet. 1. 3. Qu. Did Christ rise by his own power yea did he raise himself at all or was he raised by the power of another and did another raise him What is the perpetual tenour of the Scripture to this purpose A. Though he was crucified through weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father Rom. 6. 4. By Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead Gal. 1. 1. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8. 11. He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 14. Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 9 10. Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole Acts 4. 10. The God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Heb. 13. 20. But God raised him from the dead God hath fulfilled the same unto us in that he hath raised up Jesus again And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead He whom God raised again saw no corruption Acts 13. 30 33 34 37. Him God raised up the third day Act. 10. 40. God hath both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his own power 1 Cor. 6. 14. Who by him believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory 1 Pet. 1. 21. Qu. Were the Apostles and the Holy Spirit himself sent to bear witness that Christ raised himself or that God raised him How speaketh the Scripture A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Acts 2. 32. The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus whom ye delivered up and denied him in the presence of Pilate And killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Acts 3. 13 15. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to all them that obey him Acts 5. 30 31 32. We have testified of God that he raised up Christ 1 Cor. 15. 15. Qu. Of what consequence is it to believe that Christ was thus raised A. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was impured to him But for us to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4. 3 23 24. Qu. What is the prayer of the Apostle Paul to this purpose How speaketh be to the Ephesians A. 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 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know What is the exceeding greatness of his power to â—s-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1. 17 18 19 20. CHAP. XV. Of Justification and Faith Qu. HOw many sorts of justification or righteousness are there A. The righteousness which is of the Law Rom. 10. 5. The righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 9. Qu. How is the righteousness which is of the Law described A. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Rom. 10. 5. Qu. How speaketh the righteousness which is of Faith A. The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead Rom. 10. 6 7. Qu. But what saith it Rom. 10. 8. A. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Qu. In the justification of a believer is the righteousness of
A. By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance obeved and he went out not knowing whither he went By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise For he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 8 9 10. By faith Moses when he was come to yeers refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures in Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 24 25 26. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Heb. 12. 1 2. Paul a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of Gods elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness In hope of eternal life Tit. 1. 1 2. Qu. Do not the Scriptures intimate that Christians may attain to perfection of vertue and godliness and that it is the intention of God and Christ and his ministers to bring them unto this pitch Rehearse the texts to this effect A. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and unblameable before him in love Eph. 1. 4. Christ 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 Eph. 5. 25 26 27. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Be ye perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect Matth. 5. 48. Finally brethren farewel be ye perfect 2 Cor. 13. 11. We preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. He gave some apostles some prophets some evangelists 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. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you always labouring fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God Col. 4. 12. The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5. 23. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints 1 Thess 3. 13. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thess 2. 16 17. Qu. Have you any example of perfection before the Law A. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God Gen. 6. 9. The Lord said unto Satan Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil Job 1. 8. Qu. Have you any example of perfection under the Law A. There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain priest named Zacharias of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth And they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless Luk. 1. 1 2. Qu. Have you any examples under the Gospel A. Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2. 21 22. I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred fourty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their foreheads These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God Rev. 14. 1 4 5. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Rev. 3. 4. Ye are witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe 1 Thess 2. 10. Qu. If works be so necessary to salvation as you have before shewn from the Scripture how cometh it to pass that Paul saith We are justified by faith without works Meant he to exclude all good works whatsoever or onely those of the Law How doth he explain himself A. We are justified by faith without the works of the Law Rom. 3. 28. Qu. Can you make it appear from elsewhere that Paul intended to exclude from justification onely the perfect works of the Law which leave no place for either grace or faith and not such works as include both and that by a justifying faith he meant a working faith and such a one as is accompanied with righteousness A. By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Not of works lest any man should boast For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 8. 9 10. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grase but of debt But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 3. 4 5. There is a remnant according to the election of grace And if by grace then it is no more of works otherwise grace is no more grace But if it be of works then it is no more grace otherwise work is no more work Rom. 11. 5 6. If they which are of the law be heirs faith is made void and the promise made of none effect Because the law worketh wrath for where no law is there is no