by which it is euident that that which was done was vpon the Lords day Q. Is the Lords day only to be separated to Gods seruice A. No for of this nature also are a Leuit. 23. 27. Ioel 2. 12. holy Fasts obserued for the auoiding of some great euill present or eminent and holy b Zach. 8. 19. Hest 9. 17. 18. 19. Feasts for the thankfull remembrance of some speciall memorable mercies obtained Q. How is the Commandement set forth A. First in a short summe and after declared by parts Q. What is the short summe A. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Q. What is to be obserued in the word Remember A. That although all the Commandements are needfull diligently to be remembred yet this more specially Q. Why so A. First because this Commandement hath least light of nature to direct vs to the obseruation of it Secondly for that we are naturally most negligent in the obseruation of this suffering our selues to bee withdrawne by our worldly businesse from Gods seruice vpon the Lords day and therfore such a speciall warning is needfull to be added Q. What is it that wee should heere remember for the better sanctifying of the Sabbath A. That we so compasse all our businesse within the sixe working daies that our worldly affaires enter not or incroch into the possession of the Lords day not onely willingly but not so much as by any forgetfulnesse as when through want of foresight or fore-casting the payment of money due by obligation or any such businesses that might bee preuented shall fall out on that day Q. What are the parts of the Commandement A. They are two the first sheweth what works we are to decline vpon this day the other what duties we are to performe Q. What are the workes that we must decline and leaue vndone on the Lords day A. Not onely the works of sinne which we ought Mark 3. 4. Ezech. 23. 37. 38. Numb 15. 32. 33. Exod. 31. 13. 14. 34. 21. Neh. 13 15. c. Esay 58. 13. to leaue vndone euery day but also the workes of our ordinarie callings concerning this life and all bodily exercises and labours which vpon other daies are lawfull and necessarie to be done Q. Is it vnlawfull to do any bodily worke or worldly businesse on the Lords day A. Yea excepting those workes which belong to Luk. 13. 15. 16. common honesty and are necessarie for the preseruation of life health and goods which otherwise would be in great danger to perish if they were not saued on that day or those which are requisite for the performance of Gods seruice Q. Are we as strictly bound to forbeare all worldly labour vpon this day as the Iewes A. Yes verily so far as the Commandement reacheth and more then they because of the greater measure of Gods graces vpon vs aboue that which was vpon them Q. What doe you say to the making of a fire and dressing Exod. 35. 3. 16. 23. of meate vpon the Lords day for neither of these were lawfull to the Iewes A. Not to make a fire or dresse meate on the Sabbath were proper to the Pedagogie or manner of gouernment of the children vnder the Law as may appeare by this that there was no such thing commanded before the Law was giuen by Moses and therefore it followeth that this was Ceremoniall and not Morall Q. Why is there so particular a rehearsall of the Persons in this Commandement are forbidden to worke A. To take away all excuses from all persons for the Lord did see that such was the corruption of men that if they themselues did rest vpon this day from lalour they would thinke it sufficient not caring how they toyled out and wearied their seruants at home with continuall labour as many doe so that it were better to bee such mens oxen then their seruants so small care they haue of their soules Q. VVhat is the speciall vse of this rehearsall A. To teach vs that all sorts and degrees of persons are bound to yeeld a duty vnto God in sanctifying the Sabbath Q. Was not this ordained to this end that beasts might sometime rest and that seruants especially might haue some time for honest recreation without which they could not otherwise continue A. Some thinke so but there is little or no ground for such an opinion for the wearying and toyling out of seruants and beasts is against the sixth Commandement And worke is here forbidden that men might be the more free for the worship of God and therefore though seruants had neuer so much rest and recreation vpon other daies yet they ought to rest vpon this day in that regard Q. Why doth hee then make mention of the Rest of the Beasts in this Commandement A. Because Beasts cannot bee trauelled or vsed in any worke vpon that day vnlesse man be withdrawne from Gods seruice yea though the beast could labour without mans attendance yet his minde would some way or other be so carried away and distracted thereby that it would not bee so fit as it ought to bee for Gods seruice Q. But to whom specially is the charge of this Commandement directed A. To House-holders and Magistrates Q. What is the charge of the Hous-holder A. That not onely himselfe keepe the Lords day but his wife children and seruants as much as may be for as they serue him in the weeke so must hee see that they serue God on the Sabbath Q. What gather you of this A. That a Housholder should at least bee as carefull of the Lords busines as of his owne and if he will not keepe such a seruant as is not faithfull in his ordinarie worke much lesse should he keepe any that will not be carefull in the Lords worke how skilfull soeuer hee be in his owne Q. What is the Magistrates part A. To see that all within his gates keepe the Lords Neh. 13. 15. c. Iosh 24. 15. day euen strangers though Turkes and Infidels causing them to cease from labour and restraining them from all open and publike Idolatrie or false worship of God much more all his owne subiects whom hee ought to force to heare the word 2. Chron. 34. 33. Q. So much of the first part of the Commandement what workes wee are to decline the second part followeth What workes are to be done on the Lords day A. We must wholly a Amos 8. 5. Mal. 1. 13. and without wearisomnes exercise our selues in the holy seruice of God partly publikely in the Church which is the speciall worke and proper vse of the Sabbath and partly priuately out of the Church and in the family both before the publike exercises in the Church the better to performe them and after the more to profit by them Q. What must we doe in the Church A. Heare the word preached pray with the congregation Luk. 4. 16. Act. 13. 14. 15. 15. 22. 1. Cor. 16. 2.
God witnesseth of him that hee is a liar and that hee hateth God in that hee hateth the worship that hee commandeth in the loue whereof God will haue experience of his loue Q. So much of the threatning what is the summe of the promise A. That he will blesse the obedient vnto many generations both in themselues their children and posterity and in whatsoeuer belongeth vnto them CHAP. 17. Of the third Commandement The speciall vse of Gods name in this Cōmandemēt wherin consider the Precept and in it things Cōmanded in Generall Speciall the true vse of Oathes Vowes Forbidden in Generall Speciall the abuse of Oathes Vowes Reason EXOD. 20. 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine Q. WHat is the third Commandement A. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine c. Q. What is meant by the Name of God A. The titles a Exod. 6. 2. 3. 34. 14. Deut. 18. 19. 22. Attributes of God together with the b Matth. 28. 19. Act. 2. 38. Act. 21. 13. ordinances workes and the whole outward worship of God as that wherby God is made knowne vnto vs which is taken from the manner of men who are knowne by their names Q. What is meant by the taking thereof in vaine A. All abuse thereof where mentioning the smaller fault he declareth the hainousnesse of the greater for if the taking of his Name in vaine only be a sinne how hainous a sinne is it when it is blasphemed or vsed for the confirmation of a lie Q. VVhat requireth God of vs in generall in this Commandement A. The Maintenance of his Name and honour with our tongue which is performed by a carefull and heedie watch as to auoid the prophanation and abuse of the things aforesaid by our tongue so to apply them with all reuerence and circumspection to such vses as they are appointed vnto by God Q. VVhat necessity was there to haue a speciall Commandement for the direction of the tongue in this first part of the Law which concerneth the worship of God A. Because as the Apostle saith it is an vntamed Iam. 3. 8. euill and vnbridled and therfore a whole Commandement cannot bee employed amisse for the direction of it in the vse of the Name of God And seeing in the second Table there is a Commandement tending almost wholly to restraine the abuse of our tongues towards our neighbour there is much more need of a precept both for the direction and restraint of it in the matters concerning God and his most glorious Name Q. VVhat is here generally to be obserued A. The high honour that God sheweth vnto vs who being able either by himselfe or by his Angels to maintaine his owne Name and glory hath notwithstanding committed the maintenance therof vnto vs which should teach vs to bee very charie and carefull to discharge our duty faithfully and thereby to shew our selues worthie this honour Q. By what meanes are we to shew this carefulnesse A. By a diligent preparation before wee speake of any of these holy things by considering both of the cause that should moue vs to speake of them and of the reuerent manner of vsing them Q. What doth God require in this Commandement more specially A. The true vse of Oathes and Vowes Q. In the true vse of an oath what should wee chiefly regard A. First whether the matter be doubtfull whereof we speake Secondly whether it be weighty and worthie of an oath Q. Such persons then as haue no weighty matters to deale in may not take an oath at all A. No verily and therefore it is altogether vnlawfull for children to sweare because they cannot thinke sufficiently of the dignity of an oath and no Atheist or prophane men should sweare because either they beleeue not or they serue not God Q. What further must we regard in taking an oath A. First whether the question or doubt may bee ended by Verily or Truly or such like naked asseuerations Mat. 5. 37. for then by the example of Christ we ought to forbeare an oath Secondly whether hee for whose Heb. 6. 16. cause we giue the oath will rest in it and giue credit vnto it for otherwise the name of God is taken in vaine Thirdly if an oath be giuen wee must vse no other then Gods word alloweth although in lawfull Deut. 6. 13. Zeph. 1. 5. contracts with an Infidell or Idolater wee may admit of such oathes whereby they sweare by false gods Q. What are the things forbidden in this Commandement A. First in generall all vnreuerent sudden and causlesse speaking of the Titles Attributes Actions and Ordinances of God as when men crie O Lord O God Good God! c. in matters light and of no moment And therefore for restraining of this corruption we should seriously thinke how powerfull God is to punish such vnreuerent behauiour as also how able and ready to blesse them who shall reuerently behaue themselues in their tongues and words touching these matters for which cause wee are to remember that the Name Deut. 28. 58. Psal 99. 3. of God is fearfull as it is written Q. What is more specially forbidden A. First all abuse of oathes as 1. rash oathes 2. a Mark 5. 34. 35. 36. Iam. 5. 12. Mark 9. 25. superstitious oathes as by the Masse our Lady c. 3. blasphemous oathes 4. counterfeit and mockoathes 5. the errour of Anabaptists condemning all oathes Secondly here is forbidden the abuse of Vowes as the making of all vnlawfull Vowes the not paying or delaying of lawfull vowes and the performing of vnlawfull Eccles 5. 1-5 Psal 76. 11. Thirdly all abuses of the Word to magicall Spels and Charmes for the healing of diseases finding out of theft c. CHAP. 18. Of the fourth Commandement The speciall time of Gods worship in the 4. Commādement where note Circumstances touching the Necessity Perpetuitie or Morality Vnchangeablenesse Beginning and end Parts Preface Cōmandement in which the Things Forbidden 1. our owne workes Great Small Cōmanded in Gods seruice In the Church Out of it Reasons EXOD. 20. vers 8. 9. 10. 11. 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy 9. Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke 10. But the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man seruant nor thy maid seruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates 11. For in sixe daies the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Q. HItherto of the Commandement What is the summe of the reason A. A threatning of extreame miserie and iudgement to the transgressors of this Commandement For it being our
b Psal 32. 1. 2. happinesse to haue our sinnes couered and not imputed it must needs bee extreame miserie to haue them reckoned and imputed vnto vs. Therefore the transgressors of this Commandement the more free that vsually they are from the iudgements and punishments of men the more heauie plagues and vengeance will surely light vpon them from God except they repent Q. What is summarily required in this Commandement A. The setting apart of a speciall day euery weeke Neh. 13. 15. 23. Esay 58. 13. wherein we are to separate our selues from our worldly businesses and ordinarie callings concerning this life that we may wholly attend to the seruice and worship of God alone Q. What need is there of one whole day in a weeke to serue God in seeing we may serue him euery day A. To the end that wee should not plunge our selues so deepely into the affaires of the world as that we should not recouer our selues the wisdome of God hath thought it good that one day in seuen there should bee an intermission from them that wee might wholly separate our selues to the seruice of God and with the more freedome of spirit performe the same Secondly for that a whole day is needfull for the performance of all the parts of Gods worship as hearing of publike Prayer and the Word preached Catechizing administration of the Sacraments exercise of holy Discipline consideration of the glory of God in the creatures Thirdly If Adam in his perfection had need of this helpe much more haue we who are so grieuously corrupted Q. Is there any one speciall day of the weeke set apart by God himselfe A. Yea. Q. What day is that A. The first day in the week called the Lords day 1. Cor. 16. 2. Reuel 1. 10. Act. 20. 7. Q. VVas this day set apart thereunto from the beginning A. No for from the first Creation till the Resurrection of Christ the last day of the weeke commonly called Saturday was the day that was appointed thereunto and that which the people of God constantly obserued Q. And why so A. Because vpon that day God ceased from the Gen. 2. 2. worke of Creation Q. How came this day to be changed A. By Diuine Authority Q. How doth that appeare A. First by the a Ioh. 20. 19. 26. Act. 2. 1. 20. 7. practice of our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles which should be a sufficient rule vnto vs b 1. Cor. 16. 1. especially the Apostles hauing added a commandement thereunto Secondly there is no reason why it should bee called the Lords day but in regard c Reuel 1. 10. of the speciall dedication thereof to the Lords seruice For otherwise all the daies of the weeke are the Lords daies and hee is to bee serued and worshipped in them Q. What was the cause why the day was changed A. Because it might serue for a thankfull memoriall of Christs Resurrection for as God rested from his labour on the last day of the weeke so Christ ceased Mat. 28. 1. Gen. 2 1. 2. from his labour and Afflictions on this day as the one therefore was specially sanctified in regard of the Creation of the world so was the other in respect of the restauration and Redemption thereof which is a greater worke then the Creation it selfe Q. Cannot this day then be altered A. No not by the power of any creature in heauen or earth Q. But doth not this Commandement directly require the seuenth day from the Creation A. No but the seuenth day in generall Q. But doth not the reason annexed where the Lord is said in sixe daies to make heauen and earth and to rest the seuenth and therefore to hallow it confirme so much A. No not necessarily for it doth not thence follow that we should rest the same day the Lord rested but that wee should rest from our workes the seuenth day as he rested from his which seuenth as vnder the Law hee appointed to bee Saturday so nothing hindreth but that by his speciall appointment vnder the Gospell it may bee Sunday and yet the substance of the Commandement nothing altered Q. Why doth not the New Testament specially mention this change A. Because there was no question moued about the same in the Apostles times Q. Is not this Commandement Ceremoniall A. No First if it were so then the Morall Law should consist but of nine words or Commandements which is a Deut. 4. 13. contrarie to Gods word Secondly this Commandement amongst the rest b Exod. 31. 18. was written by the finger of God whereas no part of the Ceremoniall Law was Thirdly it as well as the other was written c Deut. 5. 22. in Tables of stone to signifie the continuance of this Commandement as well as the rest Fourthly d Gen. 2. 3. it was before any shadow or Ceremony of the Law yea before Christ was promised whom all Ceremonies of the Law haue respect vnto Q. But it sometime shadowed our a Coloss 2. 16. 17 Exod. 31. 13. Eternall Rest and is therefore Ceremoniall A. That followeth not for the ceremoniall representation of our Eternall Rest came after the Commandement of the Rest and therfore is accessorie and accidentall for which cause b Dan. 9. 27. Matth. 11. 13. Act. 15. 6. Coloss 2. 13. 14. Heb. 10. 14. Gal. 5. 2. the time of correction and of abolishment of ceremonies being come that vse may well fall away and yet the Commandement remaine it being not of the substance of the Commandement Q. Haue you yet any further reason to confirme the perpetuitie of the Rest of the seuenth day A. Our Sauiour Christ willing his followers which Matth. 24. 20. should liue about 40. yeeres after his ascension to pray that their flight might not be vpon the Sabbath to the end that they might not be hindred in the seruice of God doth thereby sufficiently declare that he held not this Commandement in the account of a ceremonie Q. When doth this our Sabbath begin A. At the dawning of the day for Christ rose in the dawning thereof whereby is put a difference betweene the Iewish and the true Christian Sabbath for as the Iewish Sabbath began in that part of the day in which the Creation of the world was ended and consequently in the euening so the celebration of the memorie of Christs Resurrection and therin of his Rest from his special labors being the ground of the change of that day into this it also by the same proportion of reason is to begin when the Resurrection began which was in the morning Q. Can you shew this by example A. Yea Paul being at Troas after hee had preached Act. 20. 7-10 a whole day vntill midnight celebrated the Supper of the Lord the same night which was a Sabbath daies exercise and therefore that night following the day was a part of the Sabbath for in the morning he departed hauing stayed there seuen daies
giuen him power ouer all flesh that hee should giue eternall life to as many as thou hast giuen him 3. And this is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Q. WHat principall matter doe you learne out of this Scripture Answ I learne what is the chiefest most necessary knowledge Q. What knowledge is that A. The Christian Religion heere called the Knowledge of God and in the Schooles commonly called Theologie or Diuinitie Q. What is the Christian Religion A. A holy doctrine concerning God reuealed and taught by Christ shewing the principal meanes to glorifie God and thereby to come to life euerlasting and true Blessednesse Q. What are the parts of this doctrine concerning God A. They are two the first treateth of the Nature of God the other of his Kingdome Q. What is the Nature of God A. An absolutenesse of perfection infinitely excelling all other things Consisting in vnity of Essence and Trinity of Persons Q. Is there then but one God A. No verily but one only true God As sufficiently Exod. 20. 2. Deut. 5. 4. Psal 18. 32. 1. Cor. 8. 4. 5. appeareth by the third verse of this Scripture This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God And wheras this title is giuen to more then to one it is either abusiuely to Idols or false gods which are no gods or tropically and by a grace of speech to Magistrates who are the speciall deputies and Lief-tenants of God here vpon earth Q. What are we more specially to consider concerning the Nature of this one only true God A. His Essence and Attributes CHAP. 2. Of the Essence of God Herein consider his Name Primitiue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I AM. Deriuatiue IAH IEHOVAH Speciall Essence expressed by that name EXOD. Chap. 3. vers 13. 14. 15. 13. And Moses said vnto God Behold when I come vnto the children of Israel and shall say vnto them The God of your fathers hath sent me vnto you and they shall say to me what is his Name what shall I say vnto them 14. And God said vnto Moses I AM THAT I AM and he said thus shalt thou say vnto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me vnto you 15. And God said more ouer vnto Moses Thus shalt thou say vnto the children of Israel The Lord God of your fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob hath sent me vnto you this is my Name for euer and this is my memoriall vnto all generations Q. VVHat learne you out of this Scripture principally A. I learne in the first place two generall duties which are to be obserued in the question of Moses vers 13. One that we be carefull to be instructed in all things concerning our calling thereby to be able to answere al doubts that may be moued the other that being desirous to learne any thing concerning God we enquire it of God himselfe And because now hee vseth not to speake but in the Scriptures 2. Cor. 5. 20. Hos 12. 10. and by his Ministers interpretors of the Scriptures we must haue our recourse vnto them Q. What learne you else A. I learne more specially what the proper name of God is Q. What is that A. I am that I am or as the Hebrew soundeth I will bee that I will bee sauing that the Hebrewes vse the future time for the present as that which noteth a continuance Q. What is meant by these words A. Hereby is set forth the manner of the Being and Essence of God farre otherwise then is vsuall in the proper names of men which declare either nothing or very little of their nature and being Q. Is there nothing of God to be knowne besides that which is signified by this Name A. Nothing as touching the speciall manner of his Being falling vnder our weake and shallow capacity Q. What Names of God in the Scripture are deriued from these words A. Two the name Iehouah and the name Iah both which being drawne from the description of God doe set forth the manner of his Essence and Being Q. Can you from hence define what God is A. Hee must haue the Art and Logicke of God himselfe that can giue a perfect definition of God but he may in such sort be described as hee may bee discerned from all false gods and all creatures whatsoeuer Q. What is that description A. God is a Spirit which hath his being of himselfe Q. What meane you by that addition of himselfe A. It hath a secret opposition to all creatures which hath a being but not of themselues wheras God alone is hee in whom wee liue and moue and Act. 17. 28. haue our being which proueth that hee alone hath his Being of himselfe and therefore all other things haue no being in comparison whence the Prophet saith that all nations before him are nothing Esa 40. 17. yea to him lesse then nothing and if men be nothing for whom the whole world was made how much more are all other creatures in heauen and earth nothing before him and to him lesse then nothing Hitherto of the Essence of God it followeth to treate of his Properties and Attributes CHAP. 3. Of the Attributes and Properties of God The Properties or Attributes of God are either First and they Principall as Simplenesse Infinitenesse in Quantity as Immensity c. Quality as Time Secondarie Life Knowledge Will. Power Goodnesse Iustice Graciousnesse Loue. Mercy Holinesse Arising from the first Perfection Happinesse PSAL. 145. 1. I will extoll thee my God O King and I will blesse thy Name for euer and euer 2. Euery day will I blesse thee and I will praise thy Name for euer and euer 3. Great is the Lord and greatly to bee praised and his greatnesse is vnsearchable 4. One generation shall praise thy workes to another and shall declare thy mighty acts 5. I will speake of the glorious honour of thy maiesty and of thy wondrous workes 6. And men shall speake of the might of thy terrible acts and I will declare thy greatnesse 7. They shall abundantly vtter the memory of thy great goodnesse and shall sing of thy righteousnesse 8. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy 9. The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes 10. All thy workes shall praise thee O Lord and thy Saints shall blesse thee 11. They shall speake of the glory of thy kingdome and talke of thy power 12. To make knowne to the sonnes of men his mighty acts and the glorious Maiesty of his kingdome 13. Thy kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations 14. The Lord vpholdeth all that fall and raiseth vp all those that be bowed downe 15. The eyes of all waite vpon thee and thou giuest them their meate in due season 16 Thou openest thine hand
then all the Starres besides and exercising more vertue vpon these terrestriall bodies Secondly for that they seeme so to vs it being the purpose of the holy Ghost by Moses to apply himselfe to the capacity of the vnlearned Q. VVhat is the vse of them A. First to distinguish the times as Spring Summer Gen. 1. 14. 18. 9. 1. Psal 136. 8. 9. Autumne and Winter from whence their work and naturall effect vpon the earthly creatures is gathered also to distinguish the night from the day the day from the moneth the moneth from the yeere last of all to giue light to the inhabitants of the earth Q. Haue they not operation also in the extraordinarie euents of singular things and persons for their good and euill estate A. No verily there is no such vse taught of them in Esay 47. 12. 13. Ierem. 10. 2. the Scriptures Q. VVhat was the worke of the fifth day and night A. The creation of the Fishes and Birds Q. What were the fishes made of A. Of all foure Elements but more as seemeth of the waters then other liuing things Q. What were the birds made of A. Of all foure Elements yet haue more of the Gen. 2. 19. earth and therefore that they are so light and that their delight is in the aire it is so much the more maruellous Q. What is the worke of the sixth night and day A. In the night thereof as is probable hee made the beasts of the earth both tame and wild going and creeping CHAP. 7. Of the Creation of Man Wherein note Generally of the image of God and therein the Parts Inward Outward Effect More specially the Creation of the Man his Body Soule Woman the Ende of her Creation Manner GENES Chap. 1. vers 26. 27. 26. And God said Let vs make man in our Image after our likenesse and let them haue dominion ouer the fish of the sea and ouer the foule of the aire and ouer the cattell and ouer all the earth and ouer euery creeping thing that creepeth vpon the earth 27. So God created man in his owne Image in the Image of God created he him male and female created he them GENES chap. 2. vers 7. and vers 18. to the end 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a liuing soule 18. And the Lord God said It is not good that the man should be alone I will make him an helpe meet for him 19. And out of the ground the Lord God formed euery beast of the field and euery foule of the aire and brought them vnto Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoeuer Adam called euery liuing creature that was the name thereof 20. And Adam gaue names to all cattell and to the foule of the aire and to euery beast of the field but for Adam there was not found an helpe meet for him 21. And the Lord God caused a deepe sleepe to fall vpon Adam and he slept and he tooke one of his ribs and closed vp the flesh in stead thereof 22. And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman and brought her vnto the man 23. And Adam said This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh she shall be called woman because shee was taken out of man 24. Therefore shall a man leaue his father and his mother and shall cleaue vnto his wife and they shall be one flesh 25. And they were both naked the man and his wife and were not ashamed Q. VVHat was made the sixth day A. Man in both sexes that is both man and woman Q. Why was he made last of all A. First because he is the end for whose vse vnreasonable creatures were made and therefore that he might glorifie God for all Secondly for that hee would haue him first prouided for ere hee brought him into the world whereby wee may gather that if he had such care of man before hee was made much more will he care for him being created Q. What is to be obserued in his Creation A. That heere in regard of the excellencie of the worke God is brought in as it were deliberating Gen. 1. 26. with himselfe the Father with the Sonne and the holy Ghost and they with him for where the other creatures were made suddenly man was as wee shall see not so but with some space of time Hitherto also belongeth that the holy Ghost standeth longer vpon his Creation then vpon the rest Q. What learne you from thence A. That wee should marke so much the more the wisedome and power of God in the Creation of him thereby to imitate God in vsing most diligence about those things which are most excellent Q. Wherein doth his excellency stand A. In the perfection of his nature indued with excellent gifts which is called the Image of God Q. Wherein doth that Image consist A. In that which is inward and that which is outward Q. Wherein standeth that part of the Image of God that is inward A. First in knowledge of all duties either concerning Coloss 3. 10. God his neighbour or himselfe vnto which knowledge may be referred wisedome to vse knowledge to discerne when where and how euery thing should be done conscience to accuse or excuse as his doings should be good or euill memorie to retaine prouidence to foresee what is good to doe it what is euill to auoid it Reason to discusse of the lawfulnesse or vnlawfulnesse of euery particular action of a mans owne selfe Hitherto referre the knowledge of the natures of the creatures whereby hee was able to name them according to their nature Secondly in holinesse of mind and will whereof it is that God saith Be ye holy as I am holy Thirdly in Iustice or vprightnesse of desires and affections Q. So much of the inward gifts what is the outward Image of God A. That God set such a grace and maiesty in the person especially in the face of man as all the creatures could not looke vpon without feare and trembling as appeareth when they all came before man to receiue their names From all which both inward and outward riseth the dominion that God gaue him ouer all the creatures of which dominion the authority to name them was a signe Q. Hauing heard before of Gods counsell and deliberation touching the making of man in that excellencie as wee haue heard let vs now consider of the execution of that counsell And therein first of the Creation of the Man and then of the woman therefore I aske you when was man made A. The sixth day howsoeuer the story of his creation more at large is placed after the Lords rest in the seuenth day Q. VVhat parts doth he consist of A. Of two parts of a body and of a soule Q. VVhereof was his body made A. Of the very dust of the earth in which respect
receiue the Sacraments in the appointed time giue vnto the poore according to our wealth and the blessing of God vpon vs. Q. What if wee cannot bee suffered to vse these publike meanes A. We must then humble our selues before God mourning and sorrowing for this restraint and with so Matth. 24. 20. Psal 42. 6. Psal 63. 1. 2. much more care and earnestnesse vse the priuate meanes Q. VVhat is conuenient to bee done priuately out of the Church A. The examination of our selues and those that Luk. 14. 7. â—â— 16. belong vnto vs what we haue profited familiar conference of things belonging vnto the kingdome of heauen also meditation vpon the exercises of Religion Psal 80. and vpon the creatures vpon the prouidence Psal 92. of God especially that which he exerciseth in the gouernment of the Church also visiting the sicke and collecting for the poore a 1. Cor. 16. 2. Neh. 8. 12. for these also are workes of the Sabbath Q. What further proofe haue you of this continuall exercise A. In the Law euery euening and euery morning b Numb 28. 9. were sacrifices which a on the Sabbath were multiplied and the Psalme intituled A Psalme for the Sabbath Psal 92. appointed to be sung that day declareth that it is a good thing to begin the praises of God early in the morning and to continue the same till it be night Q. VVhat gather you of this A. That all exercises which serue not in some degree to make vs more fit to the Lords worke are vnlawfull vpon the Lords day Q. VVhat difference doe you make betweene Sabbath nights and other nights A. Great for wee should lay our selues downe to rest in greater quietnesse that night vpon the sense and feeling of the comforts of the former exercises So that our sleepe should bee the more quiet by how much the former exercises of the day haue been more holy otherwise we should declare wee haue not kept a day to the Lord so holy as we ought Q. So much of the Commandement VVhat are the reasons to inforce the Commandement A. The first is a secret reason of comparison of the lesse that for so much as God hath giuen vs six daies of seuen to do our owne businesse in whether it bee labour or honest Recreation when hee might haue giuen vs but one of seuen and haue taken sixe to himselfe wee ought not to thinke it much to spend the whole seuenth day in his seruice Q. VVhat learne you from thence A. The inequall and wretched dealing of most men with God who by the grant of this Commandement vrge vsually at their seruants hands the work of a whole day in euery of the sixe daies yet vpon the Lords day thinke it enough both for themselues and those vnder them to measure out vnto the Lord three or foure houres onely to his seruice vsing one measure to mete the seruice due vnto themselues and another to mete the seruice due vnto God which is a Prou. 11. 1. thing abominable before God so much the more as the things are greater and of more value which they mete with the lesser measure Q. VVhat is the other reason A. A reason expressed taken from the example of God that as God hauing made all things in the sixe daies rested the seuenth from creating any more so should we rest from all our owne workes Q. Did the Lord cease from all worke on the seuenth day A. No verily he did then and still continueth to do a great work in preseruing the things created And so must we learne not to bee idle vpon the Lords day but to attend vpon the Lords seruice and by his example wee may saue things on that day which otherwise would bee lost but wee may not get or gaine more Q. VVhat is meant by sanctifying it A. The setting it apart from worldly businesse to the seruice of God Q. VVhat by blessing A. Not that this day in it selfe is more blessed then other daies but that in setting it apart and separating it by this Commandement from other daies to bee kept holy by publike exercises of his holy worship and seruice he made it an effectuall meanes of blessing to them that shall sanctifie it as they ought Q. VVherein shall they be blessed that keepe the Sabbath day A. First in an encrease both of the knowledge and feare of God and all other spirituall and heauenly graces accompanying saluation Secondly in matters of this life we shall not onely not be hindred by keeping the Sabbath but more blessed then if wee did worke that day as of the other side the gaine on the Lords day shall by the curse of God melt and vanish away what shew of profit soeuer it haue and bring some curse or other vpon our labours in the weeke daies which in themselues are lawfull and honest So much of the first Table concerning our duties to God the due performance whereof is called Piety wherein God as a King or father of a houshold doth teach his subiects or familie their duties towards himselfe Now follow our duties to our selues and our neighbor taught in the second Table in the sixe other Commandements CHAP. 19. Of the duties to our Neighbour and of the second Table in generall Of the 2. Table First in generall Secondly in speciall the CommaÌ„demeÌ„ts wherof forbid All aduised consent to hurt our Neighbour where First of speciall duties coÌ„cerning special persons Com. 5. Chap. 20. Secondly of generall duties concerning all Com. 6. c. Chap. 21. All motions and thoughts of euill without consent Comman 10. Chap. 25. MATTH chap. 22. vers 36. to the 41. 36. Master which is the great Commandement in the Law 37 Iesus said vnto him Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soule and with all thy minde 38. This is the first and great Commandement 39. And the second is like vnto it Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe 40. On these two Commandements hang all the Law and the Prophets Q. WHat is the summe of the second Table A. The duties that one man oweth to another commonly called Iustice Q. What learne you out of the 39. verse where it is said that this second Table is like to the first A. First that according to our measure of profiting in the first Table we profit also in this In which respect we may trie our sinceritie and vprightnesse in the duties of the first Table by our forwardnesse in those which are required in the second Secondly that out of our loue to our neighbour 1. Thess 3. 12. 5. 15. we draw all our duties to all meÌ„ reaching theÌ„ euen to the wicked so farre forth as we hinder not Gods glory nor some great duty to other but especially to the houshold of faith for somtime it may so fall out that that which men require and that otherwise of right may not bee giuen
borne of the seed of man Seuenthly of Nestorius who taught that as there was two natures in Christ so also there was two persons Eighthly of Eutiches that held that the humane nature after the vnion with the Diuine did partake of the properties of the Diuine Neare vnto which is the errour of the Vbiquitaries which attribute to the humanitie of Christ certaine essentiall properties of the Diuinitie viz. presence in all places c. CHAP. 29. Of the Office of Christ The Office of Christ is his mediatorship wherin is to be considered First That hee is the onely Mediatour Secōdly His Calling thereunto Faithfull discharge therof The parts thereof 1. TIM chap. 2. vers 5. For there is one God and one Mediator betweene God and men the man Christ Iesus Q. HItherto of the Person of our Sauiour Christ What is his office A. To be the onely Mediator betweene God and a sinner for the pardon of his sinne and life euerlasting 1. Tim. 2. 5. Q. Could not this be effected without Mediation A. No verily Q. Is Christ Iesus the onely Mediator betweene God and a sinner A. Yea verily as appeareth expressely by the text Q. How pooue you it otherwise A. First there is but one God and therefore but one Mediator as the text also affirmeth Secondly he onely is fit to be Mediator that partaketh of both their natures that are to bee reconciled and consequently hee onely that is both God and man Thirdly this was shadowed by the types of Moses who alone was in the mountaine and of Aaron or the high Priest who onely might enter in the holy of Holies Exod. 24. 2. Leuit. 16. 17. Heb. 9. 7. Fourthly this is set forth by diuers similitudes as where he saith a Ioh. 10. 9. 10. I am the way I am the doore Also hee is the b Gen. 28. 12. ladder whereby the Angels ascend and descend Fifthly hee onely c Heb. 7. 25. 9. 14. 1. Sam. 2. 25. is able to effect their saluation fully a that come vnto him Q. Then no man that is a man onely can bee Mediator betweene God and man Q. No verily for as Ely saith If one man sin against another the Iudge shall iudge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall entreat for him viz. when one man shall offend against another the matter may be accorded by Iudges which are but men but if a man offend against God there is no meere man can make his peace Q. Is Christ then Mediator in respect of both natures A. Yea in respect of both ioyntly first because though he consist of two distinct natures Diuine and Humane yet hee is God and man onely in one and the same person Secondly because he that is our Mediator is a priest after the order of Melchizedeck without father and without mother which could not bee said if he were Mediator either in respect of his Diuine nature alone or of his Humane Thirdly seeing hee is by his office to reconcile God to man and man to God both natures ioyntly are necessarie to this worke hee hauing by that meanes affinity to both Fourthly the workes of his Mediation being of such an infinite price and value as they are with God they must needs bee the workes both of God and man Fifthly none could satisfie God for the sins of men but God and none ought to satisfie for them but man Therefore Christ that hath by his Mediation effected this being both God and man in one person is in and according vnto both those natures conioyned a Mediator betweene God and man Q. VVas hee not then a Mediator before hee became man A. Yes for though at the first hee had not actually taken our nature vpon him yet with God things to come being as if they were present or past he was in Heb. 13. 8. 1. Pet. 1. 20. Apoc. 13. 8. the eye and knowledge of God and in his acceptance as if hee had been from the beginning both God and man actually Hence hee is said to be a Lambe slaine from the beginning of the world Q. Wherein consists the office of his mediation A. In the performance of those workes whereby Rom. 8. 33. 34. 5. 1. 10. God is reconciled to sinners Whereupon dependeth the whole merit of their saluation Q. What are we more specially to consider in the mediation of Christ A. First his calling thereunto and his faithfull discharge thereof Secondly the parts Q. Who called him vnto this office A. a Esay 42. 1. 6. Heb. 5. 4. 5. 6. God Q. What learne you from hence A. Matter of great comfort vnto vs in that hee thrust not himselfe into this office but entred vpon the same by the will and appointment of God wherby wee may bee the more assured of the good will of God to saue vs seeing his Sonne hath performed nothing herein but what hee did being called thereunto by him and therefore he will certainly accept of all that hee hath done for vs as that which himselfe hath ordained Q. How did God call him thereunto A. By annointing him with an especiall oyntment By meanes whereof he is called * Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to annoynt CHRIST which signifieth one annointed Which was a a 1. Sam. 24. 7. 2. Sam. 1. 14. Psal 105. 15. name also common to them that were types of any part of his Mediator-ship who also were annointed though not with the same oyntment Q. What was the oyntment wherewith hee was annointed A. The Spirit of God which was powred vpon Psal 45. 7. 8. Esay 61. 1. him without measure Q. VVherein consists his faithfull discharge of his calling A. In this that hee hath left nothing vndone that may be effectuall for our reconciliation with God in which respect he is compared with Moses who is said Heb 3. to be faithfull in all the house of God CHAP. 30. Of the parts of Christs mediation and in speciall of his Propheticall office The parts of Christs Mediation are First his Propheticall office Priesthood Chap. 29. Secondly his Kingdome HEBR. chap. 3. vers 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 7. Wherefore as the holy Ghost saith Today if ye will heare his voice 8. Harden not your hearts as in the prouocation in the day of tentation in the wildernesse 9. When your fathers tempted mee proued mee and saw my workes fortie yeeres 10. Wherfore I was griened with that generation and said They doe alway erre in their hearts they haue not knowne my waies 11. So I sware in my wrath they shall not enter into my rest 12. Take heede brethren lest there be in any of you an euill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the liuing God 13. But exhort one another daily while it is called To day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Q. HOw many parts are there of his Mediation A. Two first his Propheticall office and his
our vowes A. First those things or actions that are in our choyce and in our owne power to giue or performe it being a folly to promise that vnto God which wee are not able to performe as the Papists doe in vowing perpetuall abstinence from marriage c. Secondly things lawfull it being a double indignity to God to promise to doe that which he hateth and forbiddeth to be done as the Iewes did that vowed Matth. 14. 7. Act. 23. 14. to kill Paul Thirdly those things which are of some worth and acceptance and not base and vile or contemptible matters such as neither God nor man maketh any account of it argueth a base esteeme of God to promise vnto him by way of speciall thankfulnesse any vile or contemptible matter And what thankfulnesse can it bee vnto God to pay such a vow or what comfort in his trouble can any man take by a purpose of the performance thereof Such things as imply no contempt or light regard of any of those creatures of God which he hath made and appointed both in his wisedome and goodnesse for our vse as when the cause of such and such meats either alwaies or vpon such and such dayes are abiured in our vowes Fifthly those things which are either parts of Gods worship in themselues or furtherances thereof or of any part of his Law as founding of Lectures building of Colledges and Schooles for maintenance of true religion learning and building Almes-houses and such like workes of mercie and piety for the reliefe of the poore and that with some straine of our ability Q. What is the end of vowes A. First in generall the glory of God and the aduancement of his worship or the profit of our neighbour Secondly in speciall either to testifie our speciall thankfulnesse to God for blessings receiued Gen. 28. 20. Iosh 6. 10. or to chastise our selues to preuent Gods wrath 1. Cor. 11. 31. or to make vs more warie heedfull of those sins that we haue formerly fallen into or to bind our selues the more strongly to obedience or to strengthen the weaknesse of our faith and hope c. Q. What is the dutie of those that haue vowed A. First to haue a diligent care to performe their Eccles 5. 4. Psal 76. 11. vowes else wee deale worse with God then wee dare deale with many men Secondly not to delay the performance of them Gen. 35. 1. Deut. 22. 21. Eccles 5. 3. Q. Is the necessity of performing vowes so great that it may not be omitted or put off in no case A. No for to the end that a greater and more necessarie Ier. 35. 9. 10. 11. duty may bee performed a man may omit his vow for a time and after returne to the obseruation thereof and yet be no vow-breaker as the Rechabites for safety of their liues came and dwelt in Ierusalem notwithstanding a former vow that they would not dwell in any house and yet God witnesseth that their vow was not broken therby so to help our neighbours in some present necessity wee may Mat. 12. 7. cease from any vowed duty at that time and not sin Wherein the Papists greatly faile who hauing vowed vnlawfully yet think they may not intermit the same Q. If a man in vowing doe not consider sufficiently of the greatnesse of the matter may be not breake that vow if he hath not so aduisedly made it A. No the vow being otherwise lawfull in this Psal 15. 4. case his rashnesse is to bee repented but the vow must be kept Q. What are we to learne of all this A. That we be aduised what we vow and not after we haue made them to find some starting hole where to get out but either let vs not vow at all or remember our vowes and diligently performe them in their due time CHAP. 52. Of the Church Militant The persons which are the second sort of outward meanes appertaining to the kingdome of Christ are the Church militant Before the comming of Christ After the comming of Christ Vniuersall Particular MATTH chap. 28. vers 15. to the end 15. So they tooke the money and did as they were taught And this saying is commonly reported among the Iewes vntill this day 16. Then the eleuen Disciples went away into Galilee into a mountaine where Iesus had appointed them 17. And when they saw him they worshipped him but some doubted 18. And Iesus came and spake vnto them saying all power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth 19. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 20. Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you and lo I am with you alway euen vnto the end of the world Amen 1. Cor. chap. 12. vers 6. to the 28. 6. And there are diuersities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 7. But the manifestation of the spirit is giuen to euery man to profit withall 8. For to one is giuen by the spirit the word of wisedome to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit 9. To another faith by the same spirit to another the gifts of healing by the same spirit 10. To another the working of miracles to another prophecie to another discerning of spirits to another diuers kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues 11. But all these worketh that one and the selfe same spirit diuiding to euery man seuerally as he will 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ 13. For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Iewes or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and haue been all made to drinke into one spirit 14. For the body is not one member but many 15. If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body 16. And if the eare shall say Because I am not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body 17. If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were hearing where were the smelling 18. But now hath God set the members euery one of them in the body as it hath pleased him 19. And if they were all one member where were the body 20. But now are they many members yet but one body 21. And the eye cannot say vnto the hand I haue no need of thee nor againe the head to the feet I haue no need of you 22. Nay much more those members of the body which seeme to be more feeble are necessarie 23. And those members of the body which we thinke to bee lesse honourable vpon these we bestow more abundant honour and our vncomely parts haue more abundant comelinesse 24. For our comely parts
in prophecying whereas no Prophet continued alwaies in foretelling Thirdly For that this prophecie consisteth in teaching and exhorting Q. Why is it added that he must doe it to the edification of the Church A. To teach that a Minister in his sermons should 1. Cor. 1. 4. 5. not vse profound speculations of Philosophie strange languages and such like ostentation of learning but that he should so labour to speake that as well hee that cleaueth wood as he that sitteth on the throne euen the simplest should vnderstand and learne what is the good will of God Q. Is it sufficient that the Minister of the word bee able to teach A. No there is further required of them that they 1. Tim. 3. 6. be no new and greene plants in the Church of God but such as by a long abode in the Church may bee as timber well seasoned and therefore fit to beare the stresse and waight of the ministerie in the Church of God Q. What further A. That as in other respects so in regard of the waight of their charge they are to be seuered as much as may bee from all other offices and charges in the Common-wealth And certainly if a man were neuer so well graced of God yet the ministery of the word d 2. Cor. 2. 16. alone if faithfully discharged would be imployment enough for him which requireth the whole strength of a man and if the e Act. 6. 2. 4. Apostles would not attend vpon the Deaconship being so neare to the ministery much lesse is it fitting for any other to intangle themselues with other offices Q. What other things are generall to them A. That as they are Gods mouth in preaching the word to the people so they are the peoples mouth to God in prayer Q. What is the Teachers dutie A. To interpret the Schriptures teaching the people Ephes 4. 14. Tit. 1. 9. 11. Neh. 4. 17. committed vnto him for the establishing of their mindes in the truth of the doctrine of God confuting the contrary errours like to them that reedified the walles of Ierusalem who wrought with one hand and held their swords in the other Q. What is the Pastors dutie A. Out of sound doctrine to exhort and feed his Tit. 1. 9. 2. Tim. 4. 2. people by applying the doctrine to the present vse and necessity of his flocke and so to bring them to the obedience of God Q. How is doctrine applied to the present vse and necessity of the flocke A. a Luk. 12. 42. 1. Cor. 12. 8. 14. 3. By applying it according to their seuerall estates and occasions present and this is that wisedome which ought to bee in the Pastor to comfort the afflicted strengthen the weake beat downe the proud lift vp the humbled heale the broken and b 1. Tim. 5. 1. to know that Magistrates must bee otherwise exhorted then the subiects masters otherwise then seruants and so of the rest Q. What are the other assistants A. Such as a 1. Tim. 5. 17. Act. 14. 23. 1 Cor. 12. 38. Rom. 12. 8. helpe the Ministers either in the ouersight of the behauiours of the seuerall members of the Church and in the administration of discipline or such b Rom. 12. 8. as attend vpon the poore collecting for them and distributing vnto them according to their seuerall conditions and necessities with simplicity of minde without partiall affection CHAP. 53. Of the day of Iudgement in generall 2. PET. chap. 3. vers 3. to the 12. 3. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last daies scoffers walking after their owne lusts 4. And saying Where is the promise of his comming For since the Fathers fell asleepe all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation 5. For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the word of God the heauens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water 6. Whereby the world that then was being ouerflowed with water perished 7. But the heauens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserued vnto fire against the day of iudgment and perdition of vngodly men 8. But beloued be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand yeeres and a thousand yeeres as one day 9. The Lord is not slacke concerning his promise as some men count slacknesse but is long-suffering to vs-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a theefe in the night in the which the heauens shall passe away with a great noyse and the elements shall melt with feruent heate the earth also and the workes that are therein shall be burnt vp 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolued What manner of persons ought yee to bee in all holy conuersation and godlinesse 12. Looking for and hasting vnto the comming of the day of God wherein the heauens being on fire shall bee dissolued and the elements shall melt with feruent heate Q. HAuing spoken at large of the gouernment of Christ in this world what followeth A. His gouernment in the day of Iudgement Q. What is the day of Iudgement A. It is the day appointed of God for the generall Act. 17. 31. Iudgement of all men concerning their euerlasting estate Q. Is there not iust cause giuen to doubt thereof seeing God hath delayed it so long A. No for to take away all doubt thereof out of Reuel 10. 6. our minds our Sauiour Christ hath not onely often told of it but hath also sworne it shall be Q. But if there bee an end of the world then it and the Gen. 8. 21. 2. Pet. 3. 4. things therein should by little and little weare away and consume but they doe not seeme so to decay for that they remaine as they were from the beginning of the Creation therefore it may seeme the world shall haue no end A. So indeed it seemed to some in the Apostles times and seemeth still to vaine and wicked men but we shall bee free from any such wicked and erroneous conceit if we take heed to the words of the Prophets and the commandement of the Apostles of the Lord our Sauiour as the Apostle Peter teacheth here Q. How doth he confute this godlesse conceit out of the Scripture A. First by affirming that the heauens and earth being created by the word and will of God in a small time may also in a small time be changed Secondly by denying that the world hath continued alwaies the same it was at the beginning of the creatiō in as much as the earth by water in the flood was couered in a short time and by the same reason may in a short time be consumed by fire Q. But it seemeth that this promise of his comming faileth for that he hath said he would come shortly when
the worke of God in making him is set forth by a similitude of the Potter which of the clay maketh his pots Rom. 9. 21. Q. VVhat learne you from hence A. That seeing it pleased God to make mans body Gen. 18. 27. Ier. 22. 29. more principally of the basest Element that therby hee would giue man to vnderstand of what base matter his body was framed that so hee might haue occasion to bee lowly and humble in his owne sight according as the Scripture it selfe directeth vs to this instruction Q. VVhat else learne you A. The absolute authority that God hath ouer man Rom. 9. 21. as the Potter hath ouer his pots and much more Q. How was the soule made A. His soule was made a spirituall substance which Gen. 2. 7. Mal. 2. 15. God breathed into that frame of the earth to giue it a life and such a life as had the excellency before spoken of Q. VVhy is it said that God breathed into his face the breath of life A. Because hee made it immediately not of any of the Elements as he did all other creatures that being a thing free from composition it might be immortall and free from the corruption decay and death that all earthly creatures are subiect vnto And therefore as it had life in it selfe when it was ioyned to the body so it retaineth life when it is separated from the body Q. Hitherto of the Creation of the Man now followeth the Creation of the woman How doth God say It is not good for man to be alone A. When hee saith It is not good for man that hee should be alone he meaneth that it is not conuenient and comfortable Q. VVhat is meant by these words as before him vers 18. A. That shee should bee like vnto him and of the same forme for the perfection of nature and gifts inward and outward Q. VVhat is the end why she was made A. To be a helpe vnto man Q. Wherein A. In the things of this life and of the life to come Q. How in the things of this life A. By continuall society 1. Pet. 3. 7. and for the procreation of children Gen. 1. 28. Q. How for the life to come A. Shee is to bee a companion with him in the seruice of God 1. Pet. 3. 7. And a remedie to him against sinne though this latter was not from the beginning but since the fall 1. Cor. 7. 2. Q. VVhat reason is brought to proue that God was to make a woman for a helpe vnto man A. Because as in euery other kind the male had his female to helpe him so it was most conuenient for Adam to haue a helpe of his owne nature for the propagation of mankind Q. What learne you from thence that the Lord would haue Adam see and consider that in euery other kind of creature there was male and female so raising in him a desire to haue a helper also in his kind and nature A. To teach vs that ere we enter into marriage we should haue feeling of our owne infirmity and neede of a wife whereby that benefit may become more sweet and we more thankfull vnto God Q. VVhat else A. That it is a peruerse thing to loue any creature so well as mankind against those men that make more of their horses and hounds then of their wiues and against those women which make more of a monkey or of a parot or of a spaniell then of their husbands Q. VVhat note you of that that when Adam was asleep his wife was made A. That the Lord is the giuer of the wife And that Prou. 19. 14. besides our prayers to God for one and other dutifull meanes the care is to be laid vpon the Lord and vpon our parents which vnder God are to direct vs therin Q. VVhy did the Lord make the woman of the man A. To note the neare coniunction that should bee Ephes 5. 28. 29. 1. Cor. 11. 8. 9. 1. Tim. 2. 13. betweene them and also the preheminence of the man aboue the woman as the Apostle obserueth hereupon Q. Wherefore doth God bring the woman A. To note that how fit soeuer a woman be yet shee should not bee receiued to wife vntill God giue her and when he giueth her by the ordinance he hath appointed that then he should receiue her Q. What learne you of that that Adam gaue her a name A. Her subiection to man Q. Whereof dependeth this that a man shall leaue father and mother and cleaue to his wife A. Of this that she was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone and that God did giue her vnto man and he accepted her CHAP. 8. Of Gods Gouernment in generall Hitherto of the Creation Chap. 5. 6. the Gouernment followeth which is Generally in all 1 Small Great 2 Necessarie Casuall 3 Good Euill Speciall in Angels and men ROM chap. 11. vers 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for euer Amen Q. THus much of the Creation being the first part of the execution of Gods Decree now followeth the Gouern ment for which consider Rom. 11. 36. Is then the gouernment of God as vniuersall as the Creation A. It is so for it is not with God in the gouernment of the world as it is with him that maketh a ship or buildeth a house which when he hath made he leaueth another to gouerne and inhabite for God gouerneth whatsoeuer he hath made Q. How may gouernment be defined from this place A. It is the execution of Gods eternall Decree of Zach. 4. 10. all creatures whereby he gouerneth them with al that Prou. 15. 3. Ierem. 23. 23. belongeth vnto them directly to their proper ends Q. Hath God then a hand in gouerning the smallest matters A. Yes euen the small as well as the great for not Mat. 10. 29. 30. one sparrow whereof two are sold for a farthing falleth without the prouidence of our heauenly Father not so much as a haire of our head no it may be truly said not the bristle of a swine falleth without the prouidence of God Q. But is it not a thing vnworthie of Gods infinite Maiesty to haue a hand in small matters as for a King to looke to the smallest matters of his household A. Nothing at all no more then it is a disgrace for the Sunne to shine in the fowlest places Q. How is that to bee vnderstood then that the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 9. 9. Hath God care for oxen A. It is spoken only by way of comparison hauing regard to the great care he hath of men for in respect he cōmanded that they should not muzzle the mouth of the oxe that did tread out the corne by the care he hath of oxen hee would shew that his care is much more for men especially for the Ministers of his Gospell Q. But it seemeth God hath no gouernment in things that come