Ghost by externall ministerie and preaching of the word confirmed by sacraments and finally gouerned by the holie discipline of their head Christ Iohn 20.16 17.20 Col. 3.10 11. Gal. 3.26 27 28 29. Ephe 4.30 Rom. 10.17 Rom. 4.11 Math. 18.15 to 21. Question Thou saist that the church consisteth of the elect therefore tell me what is election Answere It is the euerlasting and vnchangeable Decree of the almightie wise and iust God who of his free and rich mercie through faith in the bloud of his onelie beloued Sonne hath chosen to life eternall such as it pleased himselfe Eph. 1.2 Tim. 1.9 1. Pet. 1.2 Question What learne you out of this article Answere First that there is an election belonging vnto all estates and that through Gods mercie and Christs merites apprehended by faith Rom. 9.24 25 26 27. Eph. 1.4 5 6 7. Secondly that there is a Church of Christ partly militarie and partly triumphant the which Church shall bee to the ende of the world and in the life to come shall be euer more without ende let the diuell and men rage and roare while they will Reuel 6.5.6 7. 2. Tim. 1.9 10 19 20 21 22. Matth. 16.12 Thirdly As their election is of God and their redemption in Christ so their vocation and sanctification is of the holy Ghost by the ministerie and preaching of the word and sacraments 1. cor 6.10 Rom. 10.17 Gal. 3.2 Tit. 3.5 Fourthly he gouerneth the flock of Christ by his effectuall working in their hearts and his word 1. Cor. 1.2 3 c. Fiftly that there must be an holy fellowship and a godly Communion of the saints of God in all holines and righteousnes psa 85.10 Heb. 12.14 Question As in the beginning of this Article thou didst set downe the doctrine of election and how onely it dooth belong to the faithfull mēbers thereof so tell me more plainlie thy meaning therein Answere I will and that is this although the faithfull are but few in number yet the greater part of them doo consist of the poore of the fooles of the weake ones of the worlde to whome although they be so accounted of among men the election through grace doth belong onely vnto them 1. cor 1.27 to the end Question If there be an election there is also a reprobation Answere It is most true there is also a reprobation Question What is reprobation Answere It is an vtter reiecting and hardening of the hearts of those who are ordeined to euerlasting destruction that they cannot repent beleeue the Gospell to saluation Roman 9.17 18 22. Iud. 3. Reuel 17.8 Question How are the wicked in fault if God appoint thē to destruction for who can resist his will Answere I answere you thus that First the counsell of God excuseth not the wickednes of the wicked for the reprobate committeth sinne most willingly without constraint on the Lords behalfe so that although his reprobation bee of the Lord his damnation is of himself as Pharoah Iudas Exod. 9 10 and 11. chap. Matth. 26. Secondly the Apostle teacheth vs to humble our selues and not to carpe at the déepe secrets of God when he saith Who art thou ô man that thou shouldest plead with God Ro. 9.20 21. Question But if it be so touching the life to come that God hath appointed alreadie the elect and reprobate and hath appointed all the meanes to bring his counsell to passe we may do what we list for if appointed to be saued we shall bee saued if appointed to be damned we shall be damned and therefore all labour lost Answere It is certeine that we cannot frustrate alter the counsel of God no not the least mean therevnto belonging for then there should be in God First darknesse Secondly ignorance Thirdly weaknesse If things coulde fall out otherwise than God saw should come to passe and as he before had appointed Iam. 1.17 2. Timoth. 2.19 Question Is it not then in vaine as I haue alreadie said to labor and to vse the meanes to enioy life to doo the workes commanded Answere No for God hath appointed the meanes how to come to saluation in his foreknowledge and vnchangable purpose namely the preaching of the word reading and meditating thereof also the sacraments praier these things must be vsed and those that are the sheepe of Christ shall and wil vse them And as for good works we are both commanded to do them to make our election sure by them Ioh. 10.26 27. 2. pet 1.8 10. Question Why dooth God saue some and damne other some Answere First that he might shew his mercie to his elect to the praise of his glorie Rom. 9.15 23. Secondly that he might shewe foorth his iustice vpon the reprobate to the praise therof and to be glorified to their condemnation Rom. 9.22 Question What fruits haue we of this doctrine of predestination Answere First it ministreth great strength vnto our faith against all temptation 1. cor 10.13 Secondly comfort in all our afflictions because we shall not bee ouercome by them nor perish in them Rom. 8.18 Thirdly thanksgiuing is thereby required Ephe. 1.8 Rom. 15.9 10 11. First for his vnchangeable truth Secondly his euerlasting mercies Thirdly his inuincible power Question Then you firmely beleeue that it is impossible for the elect of God to fall away Answere Yea verely for although it were possible that heauen earth men and angells should cōspire against them yet they cannot be lost no not the least nor the poorest of them for God is both vnchaungeable in his purpose and Almightinesse it selfe therefore his counsell shall stande for euer and that for his against the gates of hell Rom. 8.38 39. Matth. 16.18 Question But we see manie after they haue professed the truth haue fallen from the same Answere It is true but they neuer beléeued and acknowledged the truth in sincerity of hart wherfore the spirit of God casteth them out of the nūber of the sacred flocke of God as hypocrites to their shame for if they had bin of God althogh subiect to many infirmities they shuld not haue perished for God would haue put his hand vnder them and raised them vp and kept them to euerlasting life Psal 145.14 1. Ioh. 2.27 Question What are the meanes whereby he sanctifieth his people Answere First the ministerie of the word Iho. 17.17 Secondly Sacraments Titus 3.5 Thirdly discipline Matth. 18. Fourthly Praier Matth. 7.7 Question How dooth hee sanctifie his Church by his word Answere First in that he begetteth and connecteth his people by the word Psal 19.7 1. Pet. 3.23 Secondly in that hee worketh faith in the hearts of his people and so purifieth their hearts by faith Rom. 10.17 Thirdly by the word which is the two edged sworde hee with the one side killeth the reprobate and with the other cutteth off all the exile affections of his people and reneweth them dailie to holines Hebru 4.12 Question What learne you hereby Answere First the excellencie
they haue no being so many soules Question In the definition it is said that it neuer dieth but alwaies liueth and is immortall but there are some that affirme that it sleepeth other some that it dieth with the bodie Answere That it neither sleepeth nor yet dieth but that it alwaies liueth and is immortall and that either it goeth vnto blisse or miserie presentlie after the seperation of the body proued Eccl. 12.7 Mat. 22.31 Luk. 16.24 25. Reu. 6.9 10 11. Question Also it is said in the definition that it is created of God and by him infused into the bodie but there are some that hold that the soule begetteth the soule Answere First these testimonies of holy Scripture do sufficiently prooue that they are created of God and powred by him into the bodie Eccles 22.7 Psal 33.15 Iob. 10.9 10 11 12. Secondly it is against the nature of a being to be deuided and parted Thirdly to say that a soule hath seed generation is a hard and strange kind of diuinity Question The Apostle Paule diuideth man into three parts the spirit the soule and the bodie so that hee seemeth to make the spirit one thing and the soule another how is it then that you diuide man into two partes the soule and bodie 1. Thes 5.23 Answere The Apostle diuideth the soule into two partes the first is reason and vnderstanding which he calleth the spirit the second is wil and affection which he calleth the soule so that the spirit is not a seuerall substance but the soule spirit are one euen as the bodie and flesh are one Question Now let vs come vnto the third point as thou hast shewed that God made man so tel me did he make him perfect and free from all sinne Answere Yea for it is said that God did make him in the image of God Gene. 1.27 Eccles 7.31 Question In that Moses bringeth foorth God speaking after this manner let vs make man in our image did he speak vnto Angels or the earth Answere No verely neither to the one nor to the other for First what fit counseller is the earth which is a dead Element Secondly to ascribe such a notable worke as the creation of man or the least part therof vnto Angels is blasphemie against God Thirdly it is not said that man was created after the image of earth or Angels but in the image of God Question What is the true meaning of the words Answere God in that place speaketh vnto his wisdome and power shewing thereby what a notable creature man should bee also it is a notable place to proue the Trinitie of the persons Question Doth Moses make any difference betweene Image and likenes in that hee rehearseth them both Answere No verely for by it Moses repeateth one thing with many words to make the same more plaine and driue the same more deeply into our hearts Also in the 27. verse he nameth only the word Image finally in the fift chapter the word similitude he onely vseth and maketh no mention of the word Image Question Was that the image of God in respect of mans fourme or substance either in soule or bodie Answere No for God hath no such forme nor substance for he is neither flesh blood nor bone and although a spiritual essence yet infinite vncreated and incomprehensible 1. Reg. 8.27 Iob. 11.7 8. and 26.6 to the ende Esay 40.12 13. Rom. 11.33 Question Yea but the Scriptures doo attribute head eyes eares mouth armes and such like thinges vnto God Psalme 34.15 16. Luke 1.51 Answere It is true but these things are spoken for our weaknes not that God hath such things as are attributed vnto him but by these things God dooth teach vs and instruct vs further in his holie and vnsearchable mysteries and because we are too earthlie minded therefore hee by these things doth lift vs vp to more excellent things otherwise God is a spirite inuisible infinit and incomprehensible Question Also the Scriptures doo say that he breathed into him the breath of life and so made of him a liuing soule This breath was of the substance of God so the soule is a part of God and therefore his image Answere It is blasphemie so to affirme for the soule was created of God as the words maketh manifest if it had been part of the Creator then it could not haue been created and what is this but to make God subiect to errors sinne blasphemies afflictions and terrors yea hell it selfe and the diuell for the soule of man hath been subiect to these things euer since the fall of Adam Eua. Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 1. Sam. 15.29 Eph. 2.2 3. Question Is it said that man was created in the image of God because Christ should come who is the image of God Answere No for Moses speaketh of the present time when God made man Again what is this but to say that man is an image of his image and also that Christ should be an image of himselfe and of the holie spirite which thing is absurd a lying doctrine of diuels Gen. 1.26 27. Question How vnderstand you these words of the Apostle in Coloss 1.15 Who is the image of the inuisible God the first borne of euerie creature Answere Those words doo nothing belong to the prouing of the former absurdities but the Apostle telleth vs that God sheweth himselfe to be séene in his sonne Christ not in that he had flesh head armes eies c. but in his mercie wisedome goodnes and righteousnes for otherwise God in his naked Maiestie is inuisible incomprehensible and by these words is proued against Arms the coessence and consubstantialitie of the Sonne with the Father Question There are some that holde that the image of God was in man in respect of rule ouer the creatures Answere Their iudgement is not right for although the image of God did shine in some part yet this is not Moses meaning when he saith that man was created in the image of God if it were Adam should be created vnto one image and we restored into another Question There are others that doo affirme that the image of God is in the soule in respect of the immortalitie but as for true righteousnes holinesse wisedome c. they are but the properties of God and not his image and therefore man is not said to be the image of GOD herein Answere They herein are greatly deceiued for First if it be onely the immortalitie of the soule then Adam hath lost the same for he by his Apostacie lost the image of God Secondly if it be the onely image of God wherein Adam was created then is it not the same image wherein all true Christians are nowe created as the Apostle sheweth which is true righteousnesse and holinesse a thing too too absurd Eph. 4.24 Thirdly by this it should folow that God hath 2. images which wer great blasphemy Fourthly herein the lie is giuen to the holie Ghost for he plainly
as Loue is the fountain of al those things which belong vnto God comprehended in the first Table euen so the loue of our neighbor is the head of all those things which are due vnto our neighbor and is expressed in the second Table Mark 12.29 30 31. Question Wherfore is the second Table preferred before the first as appeareth by Hos 6.7 Mat. 9.13 12.13 if they be not equal in excellencie Answere First the Lord dooth thereby reproue hypocrites which especially busie themselues with the outward seruice of God but void of all pietie and their manners alienated from all integritie the fruites of charitie and true righteousnesse is farre from them Mich. 6.5 6 7 8. Hosea 6.6 Matth. 9.13 Secondly herein he noteth his great care vnto mutuall loue in vs one towardes another accounting it not to bee his seruice and worship although commanded if the dueties that we owe to our neighbors be neglected 1. Ioh. 3.15 17. 4.7 8 12. Esa 58.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Question May not the two Tables be seperated and plucked asunder Answere No verely for they were ioined of God together therefore not to be seperated Mat. 19.6 Question What gather you thereby Answere First that it is not sufficiēt for vs only to haue a ciuill honestie busie our selues in the second Table but also we must be religious exercise our selues in the first table Deut. 6.5 Eph. 4.24 Tit. 2.12 Secondly not onely religious vnto our God but also we must practise the second table that is to loue our neighbor vse honestie of life Eph. 4.24.25 Titus 2.11 12. Question What if we do the one neglect the other Answere If we doo the first and not the seconde it is but an outward holinesse which is hypocrisie And to doo the second and not the first is but ciuill honestie which is méere Atheisme therefore the one must goe with the other that is true godlinesse and righteousnesse and the second must proceed out of the first or els it is but a counterfet righteousnesse Iere. 7.4 5 6 9 10. Question Why did hee write them in stone and not in parchment or after some other manner Answere First to teach vs that it serueth for al ages as a doctrine of continuance to be a perfect rule of righteousnesse Psal 19.7 8 9. Secondly to shew vs that our heartes are stonie before they are softened by the Spirit of God Ezek. 35.26 27. Thirdly that we must write them in our harts to be our instructers and counsellers Psal 1.2 and 119.24 Fourthly it telleth vs that vnlesse the Lord write them in our harts by the finger of his hand all is but vaine 2. Cor. 3. Question Why was the Law giuen after so fearefull a manner as by thundrings lightnings darknes and shaking of heauen and earth Answere It was to driue not onely the Iewes but all other people of God vnto the end of the world to haue it first in great reuerence Psalm 19.9 Esay 66.2 Secondly to heare it with great attentiuenesse Eccl. 4.17 Matth 13.9 Thirdly to practise it in al obedience 1. Sa. 15. 22 23. Iere. 7.23 Question Why would not wee els regard the Lawe of God Answere No verelie for such is the corruption of our nature that those things which are first most easie secondlie familiar and thirdly not carrying with them a Maiestie and power are contemned in our eyes for which cause God séeing the crookednesse of our Nature did magnifie both his Lawe and Gospell with wonderfull miracles and fearefull signes hauing fixed in them great power and sharpnesse to terrifie and strike downe the froward and rebellious Mark 16.20 Heb. 2.4 2. Cor. 10.4 5 6. Actes 2.5 9 10. and 24.26 Question By whom was the Lawe giuen Answere By the Angels as the holie Apostle Saint Paule witnesseth wherein wee may see a notable commendation of the Lawe to teach vs al holy obedience Acts. 7.39 Gal. 3.19 Question Rehearse those commandements Answere God spake these words and said I am c. Question Is the first which is comprehended in these words God spake c. a commandement Answere No but a preface or introduction to the lawe of God Question What learne you out of the same Answere First that God is the author of the lawe and therefore the same to be obeyed and loued Ioh. 14.23 Psalm 119.97.103.136 Secondly how it is spirituall and therefore it teacheth vs to bee spirituallie minded Ro 7.7 14. Matth. 5.28 Iohn 4.24 Thirdly the might and maiestie of God is set foorth in the same to teach his children to reuerence him with feare and to terrifie the rebellious Actes 5.5 Iere. 10.6 10 to 14. Exod. 20.18 19. Deut. 4.10 Fourthly the goodnes of God is expressed in the children of Israell their and our deliuerance theirs temporal frō a fleshlie Pharao but ours a spiritual Pharao the diuel the eternal bondage of hell al which teach vs true thankfullnes Exod. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. cha Ephe. 4.8 Heb. 2.14 15. 1. Iohn 3.8 Question What learne you in the first commandement thou shalt haue no other Gods but me Answere First that there is but one onely true God to witt the father of our Lord Iesus Christ Deu. 6.4 1. Cor. 8.4 6. Ephe. 4.5 6. Secondly that I must worship him in spirit and trueth onely in the mediatour Iesus Christ Iohn 4.24 Iohn 17.3.1 Timo. 2.5 Thirdly wherein this worship of God doth consist that is to say First in louing him Deut. 6.5 and 30.16 Secondly in fearing him reuerently Psal 34.9 1. Pet. 1.17 Thirdly in calling on him and praising him continuallie Psal 50.14 15. Math. 6.9 Fourthly in yeelding him an holy obedience 1. Sam. 15.22 23. 1. Pet. 1.14 15 16. Fifthly in putting my whole trust in his iustice mercy and power Ieremy 17.7 8. Actes 17.25 26. Question What is loue towards God Answere It is a burning zeale proceeding from a pure heart in desire to aduance the glory of God in thought word and works according to his will commanded in his word Exod. 32.32 Psalm 69.9 Iohn 2.17 Deut. 6.4 5 6. Question What is reuerent feare Answere It is a sonnelike reuerence kindled in the harts of the faithfull consisting vpon the reuerence of God being most iust and the loue of him being most merciful which is lightned by faith Psal 130.4 Psalme 119.53 Iob. 1.2 Acts. 10.2 Question What is obedience Answere It is a faithfull submission of the minde whereby the word and will of the commander is obeyed without gainsaying according to the strength and ability both in wll in eare in word and deede 1. Sam. 15.22 23. Psal 40. Heb. 10. Ioh. 4. Matth. 7. Phil. 2. Question What is the end of this commandement Answere The Lorde sheweth vs how hee alone will haue the preheminence among his people Question Whie is it set in the first place Answere This precept is not by order onely the first but also such as
were renewed by the spirit vnto righteousnes Secondly we cannot reade in this chapter that Nicodemus was baptised the which if it had been of such a necessitie both he should and would haue béen presently baptised and the Euangelist would haue noted the same Thirdly admit that Christ did speake of Baptisme yet the worde must not bee so vrged that he includeth saluation in water but hee rather ioyneth water with the spirit because hee testifieth and sealeth vnto vs by that visible signe newnes of life which God alone doth work in vs by his holy spirit Question What gather you by this doctrine of the Papists Answere First they are most cruell against poore infants Secondly most wicked to tie God to externall meanes and denie his couenant Thirdly if all be damned that are not Baptised then all are saued if they be Baptised Fourthly by this doctrine although Baptised yet if children die before they eat the flesh and drinke the bloud of Christ they are damned Iohn 6.53 Question May priuate men and women minister the Sacrament of Baptisme Answere No surely for First the Lord hath tied the same vnto his lawfull ministers with the preaching of the word Matth. 28.19 20. 1. Cor. 14.34 35. Secondly if they may administer Baptisme they may as well administer the Sacrament of the Lordes supper and preach the word publiquelie which things are absurde and wicked Question God was pleased with Zipporah her acte in circumcising her sonne with a stone Answere First Almightie God did not approue her facte otherwise we might say that the worshipping which the Gentiles that were brought from Assiria raised vp did please God because the beasts did cease to afflict the people Exod. 4.24 25 26. 2. Reg. 17.41 Secondly that which is particuler ought not to be made a generall example Question Doo wee not sinne most heynouslie if wee walke not according to our promise made vnto God in Baptisme Answere Yes verelie for First we breake our promise with GOD and falsefie our faith with the holy Trinitie Matth. 28.19 Titu 3.4 5 6 7. Secondly wee crucifie a newe our sauiour Christ and tread the bloud of the holy couenant vnder foote Heb. 6.6 and 10.26 27 28 29. Thirdly wee grieue the holy Ghost by whome the elect are sealed vnto the euerlasting redemption Ephe. 4.29 30. Fourthly wee mock and grieue the holy Angels who reioyce at the repentance of a sinner and cause them to bee our enemies to destruction who are appointed of God to be the ministers of the elect vnto Saluation Matth. 18.10 Luke 15.10 Fiftly we giue offence vnto the Church but it had been better that a Milstone had been hanged about our necks and wee cast into the Sea Matth. 8.6 7. Sixtly wee doo not only bereaue our selues of all the spirituall gifts of Gods spirit but also we are murtherers of our owne soules in that we bereaue our selues of Christ who is the very life it selfe Iohn 14.6 Roma 8.9 10 c. Question The signe may not be neglected of Christians may it Answere No God forbid it should for if wee neglect and contemne the Sacrament it is an accursed and wicked kind of dealing in men as namelie the Anabaptists who deny the Sacrament of Baptisme to youg infants wherein they shew their ignorance For first they bee vnder the couenant Exod. 4.24 25 26. Gene. 17.9 10. Secondly the kingdome of God belongeth vnto them Matth. 18. Question Now let vs come vnto the Lords supper when did he institute the same Answere Presently after the eating of the passeouer and also a little before his death thereby First to shewe vnto vs that the Passeouer was ended in him 1. Cor. 5.7 Secondly to put vs alwaies in remembrance of his suffrings Matth. 26.26 27. Question What is the Lords supper Answere It is a holy banquet and a sacrament of publique eating and drinking of Bread and Wine to put in minde all beleeuing Christians which are of a good and a sound discretion how Christ was put to death and did shed his bloud for the remission of their sinnes and so is become their meate and drinke thorough faith to euerlasting life Mat. 29.26 27. 1. Cor. 10.16 1. Cor. 11.23 24 25. Question How many things are to bee considered of in this sacrament Answere Fouer as first Christ and his institution Math. 26.26 c. Secondly the externall signes Bread and Wine Math. 26. Thirdly the promise of redemption and remission of sinnes in Christ 1. Corinth 11.23 c. Fourthly faith in the promise to iustification and euerlasting life Iohn 66.54 c. Question How is our faith nourished and confirmed by the Lords supper Answere First in that our sauiour Christ giueth himselfe vnto vs therein assuring that his bodie was giuen vnto the death of the Crosse and his bloud shed for vs. Matth. 26.26 27 28. phil 2.8 1. pet 2.24 Secondly the bread and wine which wee take and eate and drinke according to his holy institution doo teach vs that by faith we doo eate and drinke the body and bloud of Iesus Christ as the onely comfort and nourishment of our soules Iohn 6.48 51. Question What is the Analogie betweene the signes and the things signified Answere It standeth in feeding nourishing comforting refreshing in vnion and in fellowship Question As how Shew me Answere First as the bread and wine doo feede nourish and refresh the naturall bodie of man euen so the bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauior Christ with the merits of his passion doo spirituallie feede nourish comfort and refresh our poore famished and thirstie soules Ioh. 6.32 33.35 1. Cor. 11.24 25 26. Secondly as many cornes and grapes are vnited into one loafe and one wine euen so are wee vnited into one mysticall bodie and haue vnion and fellowship with Christ and bee as members one with another 1. Corin. 10.16 17. Question Then we do not reallie and verelie eat and drinke the naturall flesh and bloud of Christ in the holy supper Answere No for first it fighteth against the nature of a Sacrament for how can it be a signe and the thing it selfe Secondy if we be fed with the accidents of Bread and Wine It should followe that our bodies should be accidentall bodies bodies in shewe and not bodies in deede and of substance Thirdly it were to deny that Christ tooke flesh of the Virgin Marie if the substance of Bread and Wine doo become his flesh or els to say he had a mixte bodie either of which is blasphemie Matth. 1.23 Rom. 1.3 Fourthly it were to make Christ to haue a fantasticall bodie if his naturall bodie bée in euerie place after the words of consecration Fiftly it were to deny Christs Ascension and his sitting at Gods right hand and asmuch as to say the resurrection is past Act. 1.9 10. and 3.21 Sixthly it were to make him subiect to corruption as the Bread and Wine is Phil. 3. 20 21. 1. Timo. 1.17 18. Seauenthly it were to make