Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	apostle_n	church_n	pillar_n	3,742	5	10.1590	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35959	Truths victory over error, or, An abridgement of the chief controversies in religion which since the apostles days to this time, have been, and are in agitation, between those of the Orthodox faith, and all adversaries whatsoever, a list of whose names are set down after the epistle to the reader : wherein, by going through all the chapters of The confession of faith, one by one, and propounding out of them, by way of question, all the controverted assertions, and answering by yes, or no, there is a clear confirmation of the truth, and an evident confutation of what tenets and opinions, are maintain'd by the adversaries : a treatise, most useful for all persons, who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant religion, who would shun in these last days, and perillous times, the infection of errors and heresies, and all dangerous tenets and opinions, contrary to the word of God.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Sinclair, George, d. 1696.	1684 (1684)	Wing D1412; ESTC R3405	145,943	378

the great city and exercises dominion over the Kings of the earth 6 He deceiveth them that dwell on the earth with lying wonders and miracles 2 Thes. 2. 9. Rev. 13 14 15 7 He causeth all sorts of Persons to receive his mark on their right hand or on their forehead Rev 13 16 17 8 To him agrees what Paul sayes and now ye know what with-holdeth namely the Roman Emperour that he might be revealed in his time 2 Thes 2 6 7 CHAP. XXVI Of the Communion of Saints Question I. ARE the Saints bound by profession to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of GOD in performing such other spiritual duties as tend to their mutual edification Ye Heb. 10. 24 25. Acts 2. 42. 46. Isa. 2. 3. 1 Cor. 11. 20. Well then did not the Donatists of old and Separatists now err who maintain that Hypocrites and wicked men do pollute and defile the worship of God not only to themselves but also to others that worship with them and that therefore we must separate from Communion in the worship of God because of them Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Church of the Iews in Christs time was very corrupt Matth. 15. 7. Mark 6 7 8. And yet both by his practise and his command he would not have his hearers to separate from it For he both observed the feasts and preached in their Synagogues Iohn 8. 1. Luke 4. 15. Iohn 10. 22. And he commands his hearers to observe what the Scribes and Pharisees bad them do Matth. 23. 2 3. 2 Because the Apostle is so far from commanding separation from the Church of Corinth that he praises their meetings 1 Cor. 5. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 20. 1 Cor. 14. 23. notwithstanding of the many gross scandals which were among them 1 Cor. 1. 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 5. 1 2. And 1 Cor. 15. 12 13. 3 Because the Apostles calls the Galatians the Church of Christ brethren and the children of God who were yet in some measure removed from GOD to another Gospel Nay says Paul O foolish or senseless Galatians who hath bewitched you that is so blinded the eyes of your understanding that ye cannot see the right truth as the Iuglars bewitch the outward eyes that men think they see that which they see not that ye should not obey the truth Gal. 3. 1. And yet since it was a constitute true Church it was his judgement there should be no separation from it notwithstanding of all the foresaid faults 4 Because the Church of Ephesus was a true Church though they made defection from their first love So was the Church of Pergamus though there were in it who held the doctrine of Balaam So was the Church of Thyatira notwithstanding that they suffered Iesebel that called her self a prophetess and taught the servants of Christ to commit Fornication and to eat things sacrificed to Idols 5 If we must separate from the Communion of the Church in things lawful for the faults of others of for the faults of Ministers and if their sins pollute the worship of God to others than we must not keep communion with any Church seeing there can hardly be a Church where there are not some hidden Hypocrites Nay where there are not some who are known to be such by the Minister Yet such are not to be excluded as Christ himself teaches Matth. 13. 24. to 31. See the 47. and 48. verses of that same chapter 6 If the worship be polluted to some for the faults of others with whom they worship then must the Word and Sacraments have their efficacy and worth from the Persons that worship and from the dispensers of them which is absurd 7 Because wicked and evil men do not pollute the worship to others but to themselves only as it appears from the man that wanted the wedding Garment Matth. 22. 11. And from those who did eat and drink unworthily at the Lords Table Such do not eat and drink damnation to others but to themselves 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Quest. II. DOth this Communion which the Saints have with Christ make them in any wise partakers of the Substance of his God-head or equal with him in any respect No. Is there a mixture of the Divine Essence with the Substance of all the Creatures because the Divine Essence is infinite and every where present No. Doth every règenerate man that is united with God by vertue of this union become God the maker of Heaven and Earth No. Are all the Acts of a mans will and all his actions even his most cursed and wicked actions wholly Divine which to resist and contradict is rebellion against God No. Iohn 1. 14. Col. 1. 18 19. Well then do not the Familists err who teach that the Saints are made God and Christ by an Essential and Corporal Union with them Yes Do not likewise the Manicheans err who blasphemously taught that the Divine Essence was mingled with soul and body of every man and that therefore all his Actions were wholly Divine Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the personal union is given to none but to Christ only Iohn 1. 14. The Word was made Flesh that is a true man like unto us in all things yet without sin 2 Because in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-head bodily Namely by an essential inhabitation of the Son of God in the humane nature by the uniting of his Divine Nature with the Humane in the unity of his Person Bodily that is Personally Essentially and Truely 3 Because the union of the Saints with Christ is by Faith not indeed by a personal Union Eph. 3. 17. 4 Because there is no man that sinneth not 1 Iohn 1. 8 10. 5 Because Gods Essence is most simple and single and infinitely above and beyond all creatures Exod. 3. 14. 6 Because holy holy holy is the Lord God of Hosts Isaiah 6. 3. 7 Because Solomon in his prayer says behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee how much less this house which I have builded to thy Name 1 Kings 8. 27. 8 Because the Prophet Isaiah says behold the Nations are as a drop of a bucket and are as the smallest dust of the ballance estemed chap. 40. 15. 9 Because the Manichean error is the outmost stretch of Satans invention beyond which he is not able to go They deserve not confutation but to be looked upon as Devils incarnate Quest. III. DOth the Communion of Saints which they have one with another take away or infringe the Title or propriety which each man hath in his own goods and possessions No. Acts 5. 4. Exod. 25. 14. Eph. 5. 28. Well then do not the Anabaptists err who affirm that the goods and possessions of the Saints ought to be common Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because in the time of the primitive Church no man was obliged out of necessity to deliver his goods Neither did believers loss their right

TRUTHS VICTORY OVER ERROR OR An Abridgement of the Chief Controversies in Religion which since the Apostles days to this time have been and are in agitation between those of the Orthodox Faith and all Adversaries whatsoever a list of whose names are set down after the Epistle to the Reader Wherein by going through all the Chapters of the Confession of Faith one by one and propounding out of them by way of Question all the Controverted Assertions and answering by Yes or No there is a clear Confirmation of the Truth and an evident Confutation of what Tenets and Opinions are maintain'd by the Adversaries A TREATISE Most useful for all Persons who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant Religion who would shun in these last Days and perillous Times the Infection of Errors and Heresies and all dangerous Tenets and Opinions contrary to the Word of GOD. EDINBVRGH Printed by IOHN REID Anno DOM. 1684. To the Right Honourable GEORGE DRUMMOND Of Milnenab Lord Provost Iohn Iohnston Thomas Douglas Thomas Fairholm and Iohn Chanceler Bailiffs Charles Murray Dean of Gild Thomas Young Thesaurer and remanent Members of the Honourable Council of the Ancient City of Edinburgh May it please your Lordship And the Honourable Senate MY first Application is for Pardon that I should adventure to prefix your names to the Frontispice of this small Fabrick between which and your singular Merits there is no Proportion save what flows from the Uniformity and Delicacy of the Contrivance and sincerity of his Respects who presents it I have sometimes appeared in publick though not with the Gold of Ophir and Tyrian Purpure wherewith the Persians were accustomed to present their Princes and Benefactors in testimony of their Obeysance and Gratitude yet with Oblations sutable to my Ability as now though unsutable to your Honour and Dignity Your unstained Reputation Candour and Ingenuity by which you are guided in the Management of the weighty Affairs of the City Your encouraging by your Authority and good example the holy Ministry Vertue and Learning in Schooles and Universities within the Verge of your Iurisdiction The commemoration of Favours which I have received from the Council these many years bygone have had no small Influence upon me to make this publick yet humble Address And though I have done but little by way of Remuneration yet Somewhat to be a Remembrance of my hearty affection to the Good Town I have made some small attempts during the twelve years I taught Peripatetick and Experimental Philosophy and since for the Advancement of Learning among others which have not wanted success whereby the Author hath been encouraged especially by the kind acceptance his Writings have met with from the greatest Philosophers and Mathematicians in this Age in England Holland Germany and France It is yet recent in the minds of many Noble and worthy Persons what esteem His Royal Highness had of my Observations of the great Blazing Star which appeared in December 1680 which since have been published I do not mention this for applause or out of vanity but for some peculiar reasons hinted at below But these studies being only Hand-maids and Subservient to Divine Knowledge and not so generally useful I have now given them a Manumission unless I be animated by the benign and favourable aspect of those who may and can I move in a distinct Sphere from Masters of Universities They teach in Philosophy the Causes and Reasons of Things What I write is but Practical and Mechanical for the promoting of natural Knowledge and Learning as do the Virtuosi But in stead of such I present your Honours with a small bundle of Orthodox Truths confirmed by plain Scripture Testimonies wherewith the true Christian Church hath in all Ages scattered the swarms of dark Errors and damnable Heresies Locusts from the bottomless pit But least I seem too tedious upon one Subject I shall beg your Lordships liberty to interpose for your Divertisement this pleasant Interlude the contemplation whereof may recreate the mind and have its own usefulness That brave Athenian Orator Demosthenes writes that there was a standing Ordinance among the Locrians a people in Greece that whosoever desired a new Law to be made he should make an overture thereof to the whole Assembly with a rope about his neck If it was Judged profitable for the Publick-Good the Author was assoild and got the thanks of the house If not he was instantly strangled By this means for the space of 200 years and more no new Law was made save this only that follows It was a received custome there that if any man should strick out his neighbours eye his on the other part was to be stricken out likewise in imitation of Lex Talionis Neither was this crime to be expiated by any sacrifice nor redeemed by any summ of Money or Gold how great soever A certain man who had but one eye was threatned by his Adversary with the loss of it This man taking it grievously and judging the want of his sight more bitter than death adventur'd with a halter about his neck to offer this new Law to the Senate viz. that whosoever should strick out his neighbours eye who had but one he should be requited with the lose of both his as a just recompence that the one might share equally with the other in the same calamity The Law was approven and Ratified by the whole meeting Demosthenes relates this teaching that in a well ordered City Magistrates should take special care that new Laws be not rashly made or changed But I return thither whence the famous Orator hath led me aside by this digression I cannot but now after these wieghty perswasives make my next application for Acceptance and seriously entreat that this little Book if not for the value of the thing offered yet for its design which is that Truth may have victory over Error and for the ingenuity and affection it flows from may be received into the tuition of your favour and get a full protection against the Champions of the uncircumcised Philistimes and being enlightned with the splendor of your Lordships name and receiving the impression of the Councils Authority upon it may by the Lords blessing be useful to young Students in Religion and others too For which singular Favour I shall fervently pray the Almighty God to bless you in your Persons and Government sub auspiciis Augustissimi regis Caroli a Carolo the Ancient City may flourish with Religion and Righteousness Peace and Truth that the Lord may be in it in the darkest night a pillar of fire to enlighten and direct in the hotest affliction a pillar of cloud to overshadow and protect and to us all both a Sun and a Shield And shall think my self very happy while I live to be under the Character of Your Lordships and the Councils much Obliged Servant Geo. Sinclar Edin January 2. 1684. TO THE HONEST HEARTED READER THE two great Pillars upon

such as by good and necessary consequence are drawn from the Scripture They pass reckoning for number Let no man blame me for speaking somewhat for the Truth because another man hath spoken better If I have said little in defence if it I am sure I have said nothing against it as the Apostle says We can do nothing against the truth but for it If I cannot please all men I shall endeavour at least to please some And if I can please none I shall not displease my self I hope my friends will censure favourably if my enemies censure maliciously I expect as many Adversaries of one sort and of another upon my top as a travelling man hath midges and wasps about his head in a warm summer evening There are escapes in Authors whose knowledge is far beyond any thing I can profess No marvel then if a malicious Critick like a viper from the fire of contention fasten upon a mans hand For the Author being intent upon all cannot lay out his whole industry upon every line which a snarling Cur will bark at I shal take it as a favour to have Learned and Iudicious men to censure me Reprove one says Solomon that hath understanding and he will understand knowledge Some perhaps may look awry upon me because I have medled with some ticklish Questions and been too positive in my Iudgement If any such Questions are they have occur'd to me in the Road which I could not pass by without a Salutation But as all of them have been weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary so these likewise which some may call ticklish I durst not for a world have been positive if I had not judged them consonant to Truth Therefore let all men whatever perswasions they be of judge charitably for I have said nothing upon the account of fead or favour nor any thing which may cause division or offence For they that are such serve not our Lord Iesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16. 18. But I wish all who profess themselves to own the true Protestant Religion were owning the sound principles of the Confession and were sutable and consequential to them in their opinions and practises and had not given too just cause and occasion to others to reproach all honest hearted men as being of seditions and disloyal principles It is probable I may be less noticed by the common Adversaries than by some who are so vain that they glory in injuring the Merit of a Book For as a Gentleman of great Parts and Learning says well in his reflections upon one of his late pieces the meanest Rogue may burn a City or kill an Hero whereas he could never have built the one or equaled the other As the method is plain and easy so is the stile I use only the common and plain Arguments Some perhaps might have expected a dilution or answering of the Adversaries Reasons It is hard to propose them to their Palate They complain their arguments are enervate and clipped Neither is it expedient to bring forth from the Devils Armory and Magazin his fiery darts In confuting the Adversaries I use no worse language than Do not they err Sometimes I treat the Quakers with such language as they use against others Though they look like Lambs yet gall them but a little and you will find them express the Matulent and Teen of their heart And as Cacus spouted fire against Hercules who persued him as a Theif so will they against all who persue them as Hereticks Anno 1662. I published a little Book intituled Tyrocinia Mathematica for the use of my Schollars and young Students which was dedicated to that great Hero John Duke of Lauderdail Anno 1669 I had a large Book printed in Holland dedicated to the Earle of Winton In the year 1672 a third was published intituled the Hydrostaticks Though some endeavoured to ruin the reputation of my Writings at home yet they were not able to do it abroad But least this peece may meet with the like welcome into the world I shall beg liberty to cite one passage of a letter from a most intelligent Gentleman in vindication of that Book intituled Ars Nova Magna against which so many flate contradictions were uttered which the other two likewise met with Ostend October 10. 1670. I must not forget to tell you a passage anent your late peece When we were at Breda we had occasion to see Collonel Lauther who fell in regrating that Scots Spirits were not encouraged And told he had seen a Book lately published by one Sinclar whereof he had a great esteem and that many others as well as he esteemed it highly For example he told of a Dutchman who is one of the French Virtuosi that said he had seen nothing on that subject comparable to it and it was esteemed so in France If you have any other thing to publish I pray you hasten it for it will not want acceptance This testimony was homologate afterwards by that famous Virtuoso and Mathematician Christopher Sturmius a German in his Book intituled Collegium Curiosum which some here have seen He hath gone thorow the Book diligently and gleaned the finest purposes in it and sent them abroad not as his own Inventions but as mine which he would never have done if the Experiments had been all of them either Untruths and Lies or not New and unheard off This testimony from a Stranger vindicates sufficiently The rest of my writings are likewise commended by Mr. Boile Sir Frances Hales Doct. Glanvil and others men of eminent skill and knowledge in such matters as I treat of In going thorow this Book you will find the Papists confuted upon threescore and fourteen several heads The Quakers upon thirty and two The Socinians upon fourty and seven The Lutherians upon thirteen The Antinomians upon as many The Anabaptists upon thirty and two The Arminians upon twenty and seven The rest are confuted some upon fewer some upon more heads and that only according to their chief and grand Errors For a man to confute all and every one of their false and absurd Tenets would be a task like the cleanseing of Augeas King of Elis his Ox-stall which none but Hercules was able to do Neither would it be worth the while seeing by the confutation of those mentioned you may the more easily confute the rest If any be too curious to inquire why the Author hath touched so many controversies in Religion and yet hath medled nothing with the great controversie of the time I answer I had been both officious and impertinent to have touched matters which lay not in my way For in all the Confession which is the onlie Road I walk in there is not one Mum or Syllable of the one Government or of the other The Book for Paper and Character may compare with many from abroad The Printer a Person of special

skill hath done his dutie sufficientlie in correcting so that I find it needless to prefix or subjoyn Errata Corrigenda If there be any Literal faults which the most skilful Author and best of Printers cannot prevent let the Reader impute them only to invincible necessity Our good Lord whose Prerogative it is to teach to profit bless this little Book that it may be to thee as a light shining in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day star arise in thy heart that thereby thou mayest grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In Summarium hoc Theologieum Tetrastichon Quisquis aves Sophiam Coelestem noscere paucis Huc ades hic breviter namque Libellus habet Aureus est certè firmat quia Dogmata sana Codice Divino falsa refellititem Upon Truths victory over Error Doth thou desire this Treasure to be thine Of sacred Truths and Oracles Divine A fiery Pillar radiantly bright Come it will guide thee in the darkest night Through Seas and Rocks and Mountains on each hand Through Wildernesses to Canaan's land By Holy Writ the Truth it verifies By Holy Writ confutes all Heresies Though short yet clear for both do well agree To make thy path unerring unto thee As Ophirs Gold which from Malacca came Made Solomon on Earth the richest Man So will this Book make rich thy heart and mind With Divine Wisdom Knowledge of all kind Thee richer make than Croesus of great name Thee wiser make than Solon of great fame Than all the seven wise Sages Greeces Glory I do protest it 's true and is no Story An Alphabetical List of the Proper and Patronymick names of the Authors of the old and late Heresies confuted in the following Treatise A. ADamites so called from one Adam the Author of their Sect or from the first man Adam whose nakedness they imitate in their Stoves and Conventicles after the example of Adam and Eve in Paradise Page 172. Anthropomorphitans so called from two Greek words Anthropos a Man and Morphe a Form Figure or Shape because they maintain'd that GOD had a Body and was endued with Humane shape Page 21 22. Arians from Arius a Lybian by Birth and a Presbyter of Alexandria by profession This Heresie brake out under Constantine 290. years after Christ and overran a great part of the World It was condemned in the first famous Council of Nice gathered by Constantines appointment anno 325. page 23 28. Arminians so called from James Arminius Divinity Reader in Leyden who 1605. published and maintained five Articles which have occasioned great troubles to the Church of GOD being eagerly maintain'd by his followers called Remonstrantes The five Articles are concerning Predestination Redemption GODS Grace Free-will and Perseverance Page 12 13 31 36 40 41 42 43 47 65 69 70 72 74 76 79 81 86 93 115 125 130 157 228 334. Anabaptists so called from Re-baptising had for their Author one Nicholas Storck who pretended familiarity with GOD by an Angel promising him a kingdom if he would reform the Church and destroy the Princes that would hinder him Page 12 40 45 55 66 75 89 90 104 106 110 157 175 189 198 202 212 216 226 239 244 246 262 276 277 283 309 314 228 334. Antinomians so called from two Greek words Anti against and Nomos the Law They sprung up from one John Agricola who affirmed that the Moral Law was altogether needless and that Christians were not tyed to the observation thereof This Sect sprung up about the year 1535. Page 66 82 83 88 89 98 99 106 114 127 132 133 145. 155. Arabians so named from Arabia the Country where their Heresie was broached and maintained under Philip the Emperor 217. years after Christ. Page 40. B. Brounists so called from their Author Mr. Robert Broun of North-hampton-shire in England sometimes a School-master in Southwork hold there is no other pure Church in the World but among themselves as did the Donatists of old Page 317. D. Dominicans one of the Popish Orders so called from Dominicus a Spainard They were institute by Pope Innocent the third Anno 1205. This man with twelve Abbots were appointed to preach down the Doctrine of the Albigenses who by their preaching did so incense the Princes that they took Arms and killed 100000. of them They were of the same Religion with the old Non-conformists in England who were called Puritans Page 46. 257. Donatists from Donatus born in Numidia in Africk who because Cecilian was preferred Bishop before him to the Bishoprick of Carthage accused him and all the Bishops which had ordained him to be Traditores that is such as had delivered up their Bibles to be burned by Idolaters under the persecution of Maximius Page 239. E. Epicureans from one Epicurus an old Heathen Philosopher who placed mens chief happiness in the pleasure of the mind He denyed Providence and taught that the World was made by the concurse of Atoms Page 40 42. Eutychians so named from Eutyches an Abbot of Constantinople This mans Heresies were condemned by the fourth general Council held at Chalcedon under the Emperour Martianus anno 451. page 58. Erastians so called from Thomas Erastus a Physician in Heidelberg in Germany who following this mans footsteps have taken away from the Church all Discipline and Government and put it into the hands of the Civil Magistrate Page 214 254 315 324. Enthusiasts so called from the Greek word Enthusiadso or Enthusiao in Latine Fanatico I am inspired or acted with a Prophetical or Divine fury Page 4 175 232 245 305. F. Franciscans another Popish order so called from one Francis an Italian Merchant who before his Conversion as the Papists say lived a wicked and debauched life He gathered many disciples anno 1198. and appointed them to be obedient to Christ and the Pope Page 46. Familists or of the Family of Love whose Authour was one Henry Nicholas a Hollander Their first Founder was one David George of Delph who called himself the true David that would restore the kingdom to Israel They maintained many dangerous opinions Page 116 226 260. G. Greeks are these who inhabit Greece viz. Macedon Epirus Bulgaria Moldavia c. They place much of their Religion in the worship of the Virgin Mary and of painted but not of carved Images Pages 167 228 330. H. Hemerobaptists so called from two Greek words Hemera a day and Baptisdo to Baptise because they maintained that men and women according to their faults committed every day ought every day to be Baptised Page 283. I. Jesuites so called from our blessed Saviours name JESUS which they falsely assume to themselves They were instituted anno 1540. by Ignatius Loyala first a Souldier they are all well bred in Philosophy and School Divinity and in many other Arts and Sciences and therefore they are employed as Emissaries from the Pope and his Conclave to advance the Popish Religion Page 31 46. Judaisers so called

Pet. 1. 19. 3. Because the Scripture enlighteneth the eyes and maketh the simple wise Psal. 19. 7 8. Quest XII HAth the Lord by his singular providence and care keeped pure in all Ages the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek Yes Matthew 5. 18. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek which are the Fountains to be corrupted and that their common Latine Version is authentick Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because Christ sayes till Heaven and Earth pass one jot or one title shall in nowise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Matth. 5. 18. 2. Because there can be no urgent necessity shown why the Fountains are corrupted 3 If any such corruption had been in the Scripture Christ his Apostles and the Orthodox Fathers had declared so much 4 Because they never have nor can make out any manifest corruptions in the Fountains albeit most manifest and undenyable demonstrations are given of the corruptions of their Latine Version which they make authentick Quest XIII ARE the Original tongues viz. the Hebrew and the Greek to be translated into the Vulgar Language of every Nation into which they come Yes Are we commanded in the fear of GOD to read and search the Scriptures Yes Iohn 5. 39. 1 Cor. 14. 6 9 11 12 14 24 27 28. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain There is no necessity of translating the Original Tongues the Hebrew and the Greek into the vulgar Language of every Nation unto which they come but rather a very great hazard and danger of Errors and Heresies Yes Do not likewise the same Papists err who forbid the reading of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongues Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because the Scriptures were given long since to the Iews in their own vulgar Language that they might be read publickly and privately by all Deut. 31. 10 11 12. Deut. 11. 18 19 20. 2. Because the New Testament was written in the Greek Language which at that time was most generally known to all Nations 3. Because Christ bids all promiscuously search the Scriptures Ioh. 5. 29. 4. Because the Prophets and Apostles preached their Doctrines to the People and Nations in their known Languages Ier. 36 15 16. Act. 2. 6. 5. Because immediately after the Apostles times many Translations were extant 6. Because all things must be done in the Congregation unto edifying 1 Cor. 14. 26. but an unknown tongue doth not edify 7. Because all are commanded to try the Spirits 1 Thes. 5. 21. 1 Cor. 10. 15. 8. Because the Scriptures teach the way of Life Prov. 2. 9. Luke 16. 29. Acts 24. 14. 9. Because the Scriptures set forth the duties of every man in his place and estate of his life Deut. 17. 18 19 20. Iosh. 1. 8. Psal. 119. 24. 2 Chron. 23. 11. 10. Because they are the ground of Faith Rom. 4. 20. 2 Chron. 20. 20. 11. Because they are the Epistle of God sent to his Church Hos. 8. 12. Rev. 2. 1 8 12. 12 Because they are his Testament wherein we may find what legacies he hath bequeathed unto us 2 Cor. 3. 14 16. Heb. 10. 16. Ioh. 14. 16. 13 Because they are the sword of the Spirit Ephes. 6. 17. 14 Because being imbraced and known they make a man happy Psalm 119. 97 98. Luke 10. 42. Luke 16. 29. Psalm 1 2 Rev 1 3. 15 Because when the Scriptures are neglected or contemned they plunge men into all misery Heb 2 3 Matth 22 29 Psalm 50 16. Quest XIV WHen there is a Question about the true meaning and full sense of any Scripture must it be known and searched by other places which speak more clearly Yes 2 Peter 1 21 Acts 15 15 16. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain The Scriptures not to be a sufficient Interpreter of it self and that the sense of it cannot be gathered infallibly when the text is doubtfull from other places which speak more clearly but onely from the Magisterial Traditions and unwritten Opinions of the Church of Rome Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the noble Bereans compared Scripture with Scripture for finding out the true and sure sense of it Acts 17 11. 2 Because the Apostle Paul did the same Acts 28 23. 3 Because the same was done by the council of the Apostles and Elders Acts 15. 15 16 17. Quest. XV. IS the holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture the Supream Iudge by which all controversies of Religion are determined and all Decrees of Councils Opinions of Ancient Writers Doctrines of men and private Spirits are to be examined and in whose sentence we are to rest Yes Matth 22 29 31 Eph 2. 20 Acts 28. 25. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain That the Church of Rome and the Pope are the supream Iudges of all Controversies of Faith and that his Decrees and Determinations are to be believed without examination and implicitly to be believed by all Believers Yes Do not likewise the Quakers err who maintain that the Light within which teacheth the Elect is the only Iudge of all Controversies of Faith Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because God commands all men to go to the Law and to the Testimony in doubtful matters Isaiah 8 20 2 Because all doubts in Religion are to be examined by the Rule of the Word Acts 17. 11. Galatians 6. 16. 3 Because Christ and his Apostles did alwayes dispute and reason from the Scriptures against the enemies of the Truth Matth. 22 31. Gal. 3. 13. 4 Because the Church of GOD is founded upon the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles Eph. 2. 20. 5 Because we are commanded to prove all things and to try the Spirits 1 Thes. 5. 2. 1 Iohn 4. 1 6. CHAP. II. Of GOD and of the Holy Trinity Question I. IS there but one onely the true and living GOD Yes Deut. 6. 4. 1 Corinth 8. 4. 6. 1 Thes. 1. 9. Well then do not the Tritheitae err who maintain three GODS numerically distinct the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Yes Do not likewise the Manicheans err who maintain That there are two Gods being diverse and opposite as to kind viz. One good the Author and cause of all good things and of things immaterial being the God of the New Testament The other evil to wit the Devil the Author and cause of all evil things and of things material being the God of the Old Testament Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because though there be a plurality of Persons mentioned in Scripture yet it is ever God as One as is evident from the first chapter of the Revelation and the last For if that one God have in himself all perfections there can be no perfection beside him and so no God but this one true God for if there were He should not be God because not infinite

could they be purged he being made a curse for them that he might liberate those from the curse of the Law which they had deserved for such sins as well as for others Lev 4. 2 3 14 15 20 22 24 31. Lev. 5. 17 18. Gal 3. 13. Heb 10. 10 12 14. Heb 9. 14 22. 1 Iohn 1. 7 9. Ephes 5. 25 26 27. 1 Peter 1. 18 19. 6 Because every sin is against the supreamest Law-giver against his Holiness and Goodness against his Infinite Majesty and floweth from a Formal or Virtual contempt of GOD and therefore the least sin cannot but deserve GODS wrath and curse eternally Iam 2. 10 11. Lev 10. 3. Lev 11. 44 45. 1 Iob 3. 4. Ephes 5 6. CHAP. VII Of GODS Covenant with Man Question I. DId all these Sacrifices and other Types and Ordinances by which the Covenant of Grace was administerd before our Saviours Incarnation adumbrate and foresignifie Christ to come Yes Heb 8 9 10 chapters Rom 4 11 Col 2 11 12 1 Cor 5 7 Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain that the Legal Sacrifices did not fore-signifie the expiatory Sacrifice of Christ neither were Types nor Figures of it but that those Sacrifices which the Jews offered for sin did really and in very deed purge away all the sins for which they were offered Yes By what reasons are they confuted There are here two parts to be considered First the Negative That the Legal Sacrifices did not foresignifie The second the Affirmative that they did truely make a real expiation and atonement The first is evidently confuted from Scripture Testimonies for the Law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the things can never with those Sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the Comers thereunto perfect Heb 10 4. The Apostle calls here these Legal Sacrifices a Shadow and Heb 9 9 he calls them a Figure and verse 24 he calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exemplaria verorum the Figures of the True and Col 2 17 he calls them a shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ which is nothing else but that the thing signified is of Christ that is to say fulfilled in Christ. For all the shadows of the Old Testament had a respect to Christ and his Benefits by whose coming they also have an end And Iohn 1. 17. it is said That the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Iesus Christ. By Grace understand the Grace of Redemption from the curse of the Law Gal 3. 13. and of Adoption for Children Iohn 1. 12. Rom 8. 15. By Truth understand the fulfilling both of the Promises 2 Cor 1. 20. and of the Ceremonies and Types Col 2. 17. For this cause the Apostles have alwayes pressed the Abrogation of the Legal Rites and Ceremonies because the Truth being exhibited by the coming of the Anti-type the shadows of the Type ought deservedly to cease and be no more according to that of Daniel 9. 27. The second part is likewise evidently confuted namely that the Legal Sacrifices did truely and really purge away all the sins for which they were offered 1 Because the Apostle sayes the blood of Bulls and Goats cannot take away sin Heb 10 4. 2 Because those Sacrifices were not able to make him that did the service perfect Heb 9 9. 3 Because these Legal Sacrifices did leave the sins of such as offered unexpiated until they were purged away by the death and blood of Christ Heb 9. 15. 4 Because the sins of Believers under the Old Testament were forgiven and pardoned after the same manner that our sins under the New Testament are pardoned Acts 15. 11. Quest II WAS the administration of the Covenant under the Old Testament sufficient for the time and efficacious through the operation of the Spirit to instruct and build up the Elect in the Faith of the promised Messiah by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal Salvation Yes 1 Cor 10 1 2 3 4 Heb 11 13 Iohn 8 56. Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain That life Eternal under the Old Testament was never promised to the Believers of that time neither had they any promise to expect it from GOD Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there are promises extant in the Old Testament of life eternal Isaiah 45 17 where it is said Israel shall be saved with an everlasting Salvation see Dan 12 2 2 Because the Fathers under the old Testament believed and expected life Eternal as Iob 19 25 26 27 David Psal 17 15 Abraham Isaac and Iacob all of these waited for eternal life Heb 11 9 10 3 Because some at that time were put into actual possession of it as Enoch Hebrews 11 5. So was Elias taken up into Heaven and put into actual possession likewise 2 Kings 2 11. 4 Because the Scripture of the Old Testament pointeth forth the way to Eternal life as Christ witnesseth Iohn 5 39 and Paul 2 Tim 3 15 5 Because Believers under the Old Testament were most happy Psalm 144 15. 6 Because Temporal good things were to them pledges of Spiritual good things and life eternal Heb 11 8 9. Quest III ARE there two Covenants of Grace differing in substance or but one and the same under various dispensations One onely Gal 3 14 16 Acts 15 11 Rom 3 21 22 23 30 Rom 4 3 6 16 17 23 24 Heb 13 8. Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain a Substantial and not an Accidental difference between the old Covenant and the new Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because in both the Covenants there is the same promise of Grace concerning remission of sins and life Eternal freely to be given to Believers for Christs sake Gen. 3. 15. where the seed of the Woman is promised to bruise the head of the Serpent and Gen. 17. 7. it is said I shall be thy GOD and the GOD of thy seed after thee and Gen. 22. 18. it is said in thy seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed and Iohn 3. 36. it is said he that believeth hath Everlasting life And Acts 15. 11. it is said but we believe that through the Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ we shall be saved even as they 2 Because one and the same Faith and Obedience on both sides is required walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17. 1. and Mark 1. 15. Christ sayes after he came to Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel CHAP. VIII Of CHRIT the Mediator Question I. DID the Son of GOD when the fulness of time was come take upon him Mans Nature with all the essential Properties and common Infirmities thereof yet without sin being conceived by the power of the holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin Mary of her

is none were able perfectly to keep nor to be justified thereby Acts 15. 10 11. 14 Because whosoever transgresseth the Law in the least is under the curse of it Gal. 3. 10. Deut. 27. 26. And deserveth death and a curse Rom. 6. 23. Ezek. 18. 4 20. But all men even the Regenerate sin dayly and transgress the Law of God and so are guilty of all Iam. 1. 13 compared with Iames 2. 10 and with 1 Iohn 1. 8. 15 Because Good works do not go before justification but follow after it Titus 1. 15. Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 14. 23. Rom. 3. 9 10 23. 16 Because the righteousness of God which is by Faith in Jesus Christ is manifested unto all and upon all by Moses and the Prophets For all the Apostles do witness that whosover believeth in Jesus Christ shall have remission of sins Rom. 3. 21 24 25. Acts. 10. 43. 17 Because Justification is from the free Grace of God Rom. 3. 24. Not by the Works of the Law otherwise Grace should be no more Grace nor work any more work Rom. 11. 6. 18 Because the good works of Believers are unclean and defiled Isa. 64. 6. Gal. 5. 17. 19 Because it is said by the Spirit of God the just shall live by Faith Hab. 2. 4. Gal. 3. 11. 20 Because it is written that Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Gen. 15. 6. Rom. 4. 3. But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly his Faith is counted for Righteousness Rom. 4. 5. 21 Because believers must not glory in themselves but in God only Rom. 4. 2. Rom. 3. 27. 22 Because by the obedience of ONE many shall be made righteous as was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah 53. 11. And is asserted by Paul Rom. 5. 17. 23 Because Justification by Faith and not by Works is expresly taught at large by the Apostle in that third to the Romans and third to the Galatians CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience Question I. IS GOD alone Lord of the Conscience and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to to his Word or beside it in matters of Faith or worship Yes Iam. 4. 12. Acts 4. 19. Acts 5. 29. Matth. 23. 8 9 10. 2 Cor. 1. 24. Matth. 15. 9. Well then do not the Papists err who contradict this both in doctrine because they teach that the Pope of Rome and Bishops in their own Diocesses may by their own authority praeter Scripturam beside the Word make Laws which oblige and bind the Conscience under the pain of everlasting death and in practise because they have obtruded and do obtrude many Ecclesiastical Rites and Ceremonies as necessary in worship without any foundation in Scripture Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Iames 4. 12. Therefore no Pope no Prelate nor any meer man can be a Law-giver 2 Because Christ rejects the Commandments of men from the worship of God Matth. 15. 9. 3 Because the Apostles refused to obey the orders of the Council since they were contrary to the Commands of God Acts 4. 19. Acts 5. 29. 4 because the Lord threatens to do a marvellous work among his people because they drew near to him with their mouth as the most part of the Ceremonial service is but a drawing near to God with the mouth but had their hearts removed far from him Isaiah 29. 13 14. 5 Because Christ expresly forbids such subjection and obedience to the Commands of men Matth. 23. 9 10. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 6 because the Apostles themselves forbids all will-worship such as the Popish Ceremonies are Col. 2. 18 21 22 23. 8 Because the Apostle Paul withstood these false Brethren unawars brought in who came in privily to spie out his liberty which he had in Christ Jesus that they might bring him into bondage to whom he gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel might continue where he lays so much weight upon Christian liberty that if that were taken away the truth of the Gospel would perish likewise Gal. 2. 4 5. 9 Because the Apostle commands Believers to stand fast in their liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and not to be intangled again with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5. 1. 10 Because Ceremonies are superstitious being a vice opposite to Religion in the excess commanding more in the Worship of God than he requires in his Worship Quest. II. IS not the requiring of an implicit Faith and an absolute and blind obedience to the Church or any Man a destroying of liberty of Conscience and Reason also Yes Rom. 10. 17. Rom. 14. 23. Isaiah 8. 20. Acts 17. 11. Iohn 4. 22. Hos. 5. 11. Rev. 13. 12 16 17. Ier. 8. 9. Well then do not the Papists err who require an Implicit Faith to all the Decrees and Ordinances of their Church and Pope and a blind obedience to their commands without a previous judgement of discretion Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because no man performing any duty out of blind obedience can be perswaded in his mind of the will of God therein and so he that doubteth is damned because it is not of Faith Rom. 14. 23. 2 Because all things must be examined and proven by the Rule of the Word Isaiah 8. 20. 1 Iohn 4. 1 2. 3 Because the Apostle says prove all things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thes. 5. 21. 4 Because blind obedience makes us the servants of Men which is contrary to 1 Cor. 7. 23. And against the command of Christ forbidding us to call any man Father on earth Matth. 23. 9. 5 Because absolute obedience is only due to God whose commands are all most just himself being the alone Law-giver Iames 4. 12. 6 Because every man ought to be ready to render a reason of the hope which is in him 1 Peter 3. 15. This no man can do who receives the Commands of Superiors with an Implicit Faith Quest. III. DO they who upon pretence of Christian Liberty practise any sin or cherish any lust destroy thereby the end of Christian Liberty Yes Gal. 5. 13. 1 Peter 2. 16. 2 Peter 2. 19. Iohn 8. 34. Luke 1. 74 75. Well then do not the Libertines err who maintain that the true Christian Liberty which we ought to follow and use is to take away all difference between Good and Evil to esteem nothing of sin nor to be touched with any Conscience or sense of it that every man ought to follow the swing of his own lust Yes Do not likewise the Antinomians err who maintain almost the same very Tenet and opinion Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because we being called to liberty ought not to use our liberty for an occasion of the flesh Gal. 5. 13 And that with well

upon our own affairs on other days 3 Because the Lord says if thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own wayes nor finding thy own pleasure nor speaking thy own words then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the Earth and feed thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Isaiah 58. 13 14. See Ierem. 17. 22. Deut. 5. 12 13 15. Numb 15. 32 33 36. And Neh. 13. 15. to verse 23. In those dayes saw I in Iudah some treading Wine-presses on the sabbath and bringing in Sheaves and lading asses as also wine-grapes and figes and all manner of burdens which they brought into Ierusalem on the sabbath day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals CHAP. XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows Question I. IS the name of GOD that only by which men ought to swear Yes Deut. 6. 13. Well then do not the Papists err who in their swearing joyn with their calling upon the name of GOD the calling on Saints departed and their Reliques Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because swearing is a part of divine worship which is only due to God Deut. 6. 13. Deut. 10. 20. Isaiah 65. 16. 2 Because God only is the judge of hidden and secret truth and the Avenger to take vengence on them that do not swear in truth Therfore he only is to be called on as witness of those things which are asserted and promised which was the practise of the Apostle Paul Rom. 9. 1. Rom. 1. 9. Phil. 1. 8. 3 Because God condemns swearing by them that are no Gods Ier. 5. 7. Quest. II. IS an Oath warranted by the word of GOD under the New Testament as well as under the Old in matters of weight and moment Yes Heb. 6. 16. Isaiah 65. 16. Gal. 1. 20. Rom. 1. 9. Rom. 9. 1. 2 Cor. 1. 18. 23. and 2 Cor. 11. 31. with 2 Cor. 12 19. 1 Thes. 5. 27. Rev. 10. 6. Well then do not the Quakers and Anabaptists err who maintain that there is no lawful use of an Oath under the New Testament Yes Do not likewise the Papists err who make it a degree of perfection to abstain from all Oaths Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 From Isaiah 65. 16. where it is promised under the time of the Gospel that the Nations to be converted to Christ shall swear by the name of God as is clear also from Ierem. 4. 2. 2 Because the calling upon the name of God with due fear and reverence in swearing is commanded in the third Command as the profanation of his name is forbidden but Christ came not to abolish the moral Law 3 From the approven examples of the Saints which occurr in the New Testament Gal. 1. 20. Rom. 1. 9. and 2 Cor. 1. 13 18. Rev. 10. 6. 4 Because the end of an Oath is approven by God and is in all ages necessary to all men being the end of all controversie Heb. 6. 16. 5 Because an oath rightly taken is an Act of Religion whereby we glorifie God and adore his attributes We thereby first solemnly acknowledge his Beeing and Existence Secondly his Ubiquity that he is present in all places and at all times and within our hearing Psalm 139. 7. His Omniscience that he is the searcher of the heart The Apostle calls him Kardiognostes Acts 15. 8. We acknowledge fourthly his Truth and Veracity he is a witness brought into the Court that cannot lie nor be impos'd upon as saith the Apostle be not deceived God is not mocked Gal. 6. 7. Fifthly his Supremacy over all creatures for verily men swear by the greater Heb. 6. 16. We acknowledge sixthly his vindictive justice as he is a Revenger of Perjury Seventhly we acknowledge his Providence and Fatherly care of the concerns of mankind owning the cause of the Righteous 6 Because there being an express law for swearing to wit rightly Deut. 10 20. it must either belong to the Moral Law to the Judicial Law or Ceremonial Law The Adversaries will not call it a part of the Judicial Law which was given to the Iewes as a Body Politick which expired together with the state of that People It is no part of the Ceremonial Law for what was purely Ceremonial was purely Typical but the Law concerning an oath was not a Type of any thing to come And if it was a Type where will you find its Antitype in all the Gospel or the thing represented by it Therefore it must be a part of the Moral Law Deut. 6. 13. Ier. 4. 2 and consequently perpetual which Christ came not to destroy It is confirmed hence that it was of Authentick use and held sacred among the Patriarchs before the delivery of the Levitical Law as it is clear from Abraham the father of the faithful and Abimelech Gen. 21. 23 24 31. Consider also that other instance in Abraham Gen. 24. 2 3 9. who would not give his servant an oath rashly nor exercise his authority to impose on his conscience It is evident also from the example of Isaac who made a Covenant and swore to Abimelech Gen. 26. 28 31 And from the example of Iacob who made a Covenant with and swore to his Uncle Laban by the fear of his Father Isaac Gen. 31. 53. That is by God who is called our fear by reason of the filial awe and fear we ought to stand in before him Isaiah 8. 13. 7 Because the reasons and usefulness of Oaths are perpetual and the same to us under the Gospel as they were to them under the Law There is as much need of oaths for ending of strife in this litigious age as there could be in former times 8 Because oaths were once lawful therefore they are lawful still unless the Adversaries prove them repealled which they must do not by stealing out of the Scripture single words by themselves making one part contradict another 9 Because we need not fear to imitate any thing which is done in Heaven Our Lord has taught us to pray thy will be done in Earth as it is done in Heaven But the Angel says Iohn Rev. 10. 5 6. which I saw stand upon the Sea and upon the Earth lifted up his hand to Heaven and swore by him that liveth for ever and ever That Angel calls himself our fellow-servant and of our brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this Book Rev. 22. 9. And therefore the Angels being of the same fraternity with us do not act under different dispensations from us Quest. III. IS an Oath to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without Equivocation or Mental reservation Yes Psalm 24. 4. Exod. 20. 7. Lev. 19. 12. Ier. 4. 2.