we receive erroneous teachers into our houses or must we avoid them A. 2 Joh. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Q. What 's the cause of Error A. Matth. 22.29 Jesus answered and said unto them ye doe erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Chap. 3. Of the Holy Scriptures Q. BY What Rule must we judge of the Doctrines we heare we must we judge by the Scriptures A. Yes Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye thinke ye have eternall life and they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 12. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so therefore many of them believed Q. Are we to believe God speaking to us in the Scriptures as if he spake to us audibly by a voice from heaven A. 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day-dawn the daystar arise in your hearts Q. Are we to believe even an Angel from heaven contrary to the Scriptures A. Galat. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Q. Ought we to believe the Scriptures rather than one who should come from the dead A. Luk. 16.27 28 29. I pray thee Father that thou wouldest send him to my Fathers house that he may testify unto them Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Q. Would it be more effectuall to have our friends rise from the dead and warne us lest we come to the place of torment than to have the Scriptures read and applyed A. Luk. 16. last And he said unto him If they heare not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Q Did the Prophets of old speak and write the Holy Scriptures by any private motion or by the incitation or inspiration of the holy Ghost A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine c. 2 Pet. 1.20.21 Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Did the Apostles of Christ preach the word of God or the word of man A. 1 The. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Q. Did our Saviour Christ and the Apostles allow their Hearers no try their Doctrine by the Holy Scriptures A. Yea. Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readines of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Q. Did Christ and the Apostles who had the greatest measure and who were full of the Holy Ghost cite Scripture and prove by Scripture or appeal constantly to private Revelations or to a light or word within them or say alway Thus sayth the Spirit within us A. Luk. 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Mar. 12.29 And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaack and the God of Jacob Q. Are the Scriptures and the Spirit joyned together and doth the Spirit of God goe along with the Scriptures A. Isai 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them sayth the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy feeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I spake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. But are the Scriptures able to make us perfect and wise unto Salvation without attending to visions and Revelations A. 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good workes Q. Are the Scriptures of the old Testament of use unto us now in the dayes of the Gospell A. Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 1 Cor. 10.1 to the 6th Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea c. Now these things were our Examples to the intent we should not lust after evill things as they also lusted c. So. v. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come Q. May the common people read the Scriptures A. Yea Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 8.30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the Prophet Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures Isai 34.16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to doe them Q. May the Scriptures be translated out of the Originall languages into those tongues
Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed For before that certaine came from James he did eate with the Gentiles but when they were come he withdrew and separated himselfe fearing them which were of the circumcision But when I saw that they walked not uprightly I said unto Peter before them all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles c. Q. Did the Apostle Peter quote and commend the Apostle Paul's Epistles notwithstanding he speakes nothing in them at all of Peter's supremacy or of his pretended Successor the Bishop of Rome A. 2 Pet. 3.15 16. And account that the long-suffering of the Lord is Salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdome given unto him hath written unto you As also in all his Epistles speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they doe also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction Q. Ought prayers for the congregation to be made in a knowne tongue in the Congregation A. Yea. 1 Cor. 14.9 14. Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood how shall it be known what is spoken For if I pray in an unknowne tongue my spirit prayeth but mine understanding is unfruitfull Q. Is it good to have Images in Churches as Lay-mens bookes A. Exod. 20.4 5. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image nor any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy selfe to them nor serve them 2 Cor. 6.16 And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols Q. May we pray to Images A. Hab. 2.18 19. What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it the molten image and a teacher of lyes that the maker of his work trusteth therein to make dumb Idols Woe to him that saith to the wood Awake to the dumbe stone Arise it shall teach behold it is layd over with gold and silver and there is no breath at all in the middest of it Q. May we make an Image of God and worship God in at or before such Images using these as helpes or meanes to worship him the better A. Is 40.18 To whom then will ye liken God or what likenesse will ye compare unto him Act. 17.29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to thinke that the God-head is like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and man's device Deut. 4.15 16. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the mid'st of the fire Lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likenesse of male or female c. Q. May Christians worship Images A. Exod. 20.5 Thou shalt not bow down thy selfe to them nor serve them Psal 97.7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of Idols 1 Joh. 5.21 Little children keep your selves from Idols Q. Were ever any so stupid as to worship Images or Idols A. Hab. 2.18 19. What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it the molten image and a teacher of lyes that the maker of his work trusteth therein to make dumb Idols Woe unto him that sayth to the wood Awake to the dumb stone Arise it shall teach there 's no breath at all in the middest of it Is 44.15 17 19. For he will take thereof and warme himselfe yea he kindleth it and baketh bread yea he maketh a God and worshippeth it he maketh it a graven image and falleth downe thereto And the residue thereof he maketh a God even his graven image he falleth down unto it and worshippeth it and prayeth unto it and sayth Deliver me for thou art my God And none considereth in his heart neither is there knowledge or understanding to say I have burnt part of it in the fire c. And shall I make the residue thereof an abomination Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree Q. Is Christ corporally present in the sacrament especially is the bread wine transubstantiated into the very body and bloud of Christ A. No. Act. 3.21 Whom the heaven must receive untill the times of restitution of all things Joh. 16.28 Againe I leave the world goe to the Father Q. Doe those words Mat. 26.26 this is my body prove that the bread is transubstantiated into the very body of Christ so that 't is no longer bread but that very same body which suffered upon the crosse and as truly really and substantially changed into his body as the water was into wine Joh. 2.9 A. No. Either as in 1 Cor. 10.4 That Rock was Christ that is did represent Christ or was a figure of Christ so This is my body that is this doth signify or represent my body or as circumcision which was a signe and seale of the Covenant is cal'd the Covenant Act. 7.8 Gen. 17.10 11. So these words This is my body signify that this bread doth seale the benefits of my broken body or of my death unto you Q. Is the body of Christ so in one place that it is not in another at the same time A. Math. 28.6 He is not here for he is risen as he said come see the place where the Lord lay Heb. 2.14 17. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe took part of the same c. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren c. Q. Ought not all the people as well as the Minister to drink of the cup at the Lord's table A. Yea. Mar. 14.23 And he took the cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they all drank of it Math. 26.27 drink ye all of it Q. If we have not the body of Christ corporally in the Sacrament have we then any spirituall communion with his body and blood in that Sacrament A. Yes 1 Cor. 10.16 17. The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Q. Did the Apostles receive the Sacrament Fasting or after Supper A. Mat. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eate this is my body Q. Did they receive the Sacrament in a table gesture or did they kneel A. Mar. 14.18 And as they sate and did eate c. vers 22. Jesus took bread and blessed and brake it and gave to them and said Take eate this
is my body Q. If the wine had been as really and truly turned or transubstantiated into blood as the water at the wedding was by Christ into wine is it not probable it would have tasted like blood A. Joh. 2.9 10. When the Ruler of the Feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was c. saith Every man at the begining doth set forth good wine and when men have well drunk then that which is worse but thou hast kept the good wine untill now Q. Is it the eating of or feeding on Christ by Faith in the Sacrament or is it the corporal eating or manducation of his very flesh which is available to feed the soule unto eternall life A. Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. May we lawfully say that the elements remaine untransubstantiated that they are really still and substantially bread and wine only changed as to the use after consecration because we see with our eyes handle them and tast them to be such A. Luk. 24.39 Behold my hands and my Feet that it is I my selfe handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have John 20.27 Then saith he to Thomas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not Faithlesse c. Q. Doth our Lord Christ use any other figurative expressions in the institution of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper A. Yes 1 Cor. 11.25 This Cup is the New Testament in my blood Q. But are unlearned people able to understand such figurative expressions A. Yes If a man was in a roome where are divers pictures or Images and should heare one say this is Peter and this is Paul he would understand his meaning to be this is the likenesse representation Picture or Image of Peter and Paul Q. Hath Christ given as much power to every true Church of God ordinarily to forgive sinnes as he did to Peter or the other Holy Apostles A. Mat. 18.18 Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Q. Is it more evident by Scripture that the Apostle Peter was the Apostle of the Jewes or circumcision than of the Gentiles A. Gal. 2.7 8. When they saw that the Gospell of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the Gospell of the Circumcision was unto Peter For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the Circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles Q. Suppose the Apostle Peter was Bishop of Rome doth that make it more impossible for the Church of Rome to erre or fall from the Faith once delivered to the Saints than for the Jewes A. Rom. 11.17 18 20 21. And if some of the branches be broken off and thou being a wild olive tree wert graffed in amongst them boast not against the branches because of unbeliefe they were broken off and thou standest by Faith be not high minded but feare Q. Did God promise his presence of old with the Church of the Jewes A. Rom. 9.4 Who are Israelites to whom pertaineth the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law the service of God the Promises Q. May those who are God's children and people be unchurched A. Act. 13.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you but seeing ye put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life loe we turne to the Gentiles Q. Was the true Church of God amongst the Jewes alwaies a congregation of true worshippers visibly and notoriously distinct from Idolaters or were the true worshippers sometimes hid amongst Idolaters as wheat in a heap of chaffe A. 1 King 19.18 Yet I have left me 7000 in Israel all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal and every mouth which hath not kissed him Q. Is it possible that the Protestants should be of the true Religion if they grant that their Church was in spirituall Babylon or Egypt that is in the Romish Church before the Reformation A. Yes Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues 2 Cor. 6.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the uncleane thing and I will receive you Q. Who is the chiefe rock and foundation upon whom the Church is built is not Christ A. 1 Cor. 10.4 For they drank of that spirituall rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is layd which is Jesus Christ Q. Are any of the Apostles cal'd foundations or especially any besides Peter A. Yes Re. 21.14 And the wall of the City had 12 foundations and in them the names of the 12 Apostles of the Lambe Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chief corner stone Q. Are any of the Apostles besides Peter accounted Pillars Columnes or supporters in the Christian Church that spirituall building A. Yes Gal. 2.9 And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. Q. May Soveraigne Princes with the Advice of the Ministers of the Gospel in the Churches within their dominions reforme abuses and errours crept into the Churches A. 2 Chr. 29.5 16. Heare me ye Levites sanctify now your selves and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your Fathers and carry forth the filthinesse out of the holy place And the Priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to clense it and brought out all the uncleannesse that they found in the Temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord and the Levites took it to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron 2 Chr. 34.30 31. And the King went up into the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Priests and the Levites and all the people great and small and he read in their eares all the words of the book of the Covenant that was found in the house of the Lord. And the King stood in his place and made a Covenant before the Lord to walke after the Lord and to keep his commandements and his Testimonies and his Statutes with all his heart and with all his soule c. Q. Is that a true Church where the word is truly and duely taught or is it the true marke of a sheep of Christ to heare the voice of him the great Shepheard A. Yes 1 Tim. 3.15 That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in the house of God which