especially with the l 2. Thes 4.16 voice shoute of an Archangell and the trumpet of God and so shall m Mat 25.31 Reu. 20.21 sit downe on the royall throne of Iudgement Q. What is the third thing A. The summoning and presenting of n Mat. 25.32 Luk. 17.37 all both dead and liuing men together with Diuels before the glorious throne of Christ the Iudge Q. How shall all men both dead and liuing be summoned A. By the a Ioh. 5 28 voice of Christ vttered by the ministerie of b Mat. 24.31 Angels namely by that shout and c 1. Cor. 15.52 trumpet of the Arch-angell whereto the Lord ioyning his diuine power as d Joh 5.25 vnto the word preached for the worke of the first resurrection shall in a moment both raise the dead with their owne bodies and euery part therof though neuer so dispersed and e 1. Cor. 15.52 change the liuing so that it shall bee with them as if they had beene a long time dead and were now raised to life againe Q. Shall there bee no difference betweene the resurrection of the Elect and of the Reprobate A. Yes For howsoeuer they shall f Act 24.15 Joh. 5.28 both rise by the same Almightie voice and power of Christ in the g 2. Cor. 5.10 Reu 20.13 same bodies wherein they liued vpon earth and those so altered in qualitie as that they shall bee able to abide for euer in that estate whereto they shall bee adiudged yet 1. The Elect shall be raised as a 1. Cor. 15. Ver. 20 22. 45. members of the bodie of Christ by vertue deriued from his resurrection the reprobate as malefactors shal be brought forth of the prison of the graue by vertue of the b Reu. 1.7 Iudiciarie power of Christ and of the curse of the Law 2. The Elect shal come forth to euerlasting life which is called the c Joh. 5.29 resurrection of life the reprobate to d Dan. 12.2 shame perpetuall contempt called the resurrection of condemnation 3. The bodies of the Elect shall be e 1 Cor. 15.42 4â— c. spirituall that is glorious powerful nimble and impatible like the bodie of the first Adam in innocency yea rather like the f Ver. 49 Phil. 3.21 body of Christ the second Adam but the bodies of the reprobate shal be full of vncomelines and horror agreeable to the g Reu. 1.7 guiltinesse terror of their consciences and liable to extreame torment Q. How shall all men be presented before the throne of Christ A. The Elect being gathered by the Angels shall with a Luk. 21.28 great ioy be b 1. Thes 4.17 caught vp into the aire to meet the Lord. The Reprobate together with the the Diuell and his Angels shall with c Reu. 6.15 16. extreame horror and confusion bee drawne into his presence Q. What is the fourth thing A. The separation of the Elect from the Reprobate For d Mat. 25.33 Christ the great Shepheard shall then place the Elect as his sheepe that haue heard his voice and followed him on his right hand the reprobate with the Diuels as straying goates on his left hand Q. What is the fift and last thing A. The opening of the e Reu. 20.12 bookâ—s of record by which the dead shall bee iudged Viz. 1. The seuerall bookes of all mens consciences which then by the glorious illumination of Christ the f Mal. 4.2 Sunne of righteousnes shining in his full strength shall be so enlightened that men shall perfectly remember whatsoeuer good or euil they did in the time of life the g Rom. 2.16 1. Cor 4 5 secrets of all hearts being then reueiled 2. The a Exo. 32.32 33. Ezek. 13.9 Reu. 3.5 21.27 book of life that is the eternall decree of GOD to saue his elect by Christ which decree shall then at length be b Mat. 25.34 made knowne to all SECT LI. Of the Act of the last Iudgement Q. THus farre of the preparation to Iudgement What are we to consider in the second place A. The Act of Iudgement wherein the Elect shall c Mat. â—5 34 first be acquitted that they may afterward as d Mat. 19.28 assistants ioine with Christ in the Iudgement of the reprobate both men and e 1. Cor. 6.2 3. Angels Q. How shall the Act of Iudgement be performed A. It hath two parts Viz. 1. Examination 2. Pronouncing of sentence Q. How shall the examination bee framed 1. According to that Law of God which hath beene reuealed vnto men whether it be the law of a Ro. 2.12 c nature only which is the remainder of the morall law written in the hearts of our first parents and conueied by the b Joh. 1.9 power of God vnto all mankindâ— to leaue them without excuse or that written word of God vouchsafed vnto the Church in the scriptures first of the old and after also of the new Testament as the rule of faith and life 2. By the euidence of euery mans conscience bringing all his works whether good or euill to light c Rom. 2.15 bearing witnesse with him or against him together with the d Mat. 12.27 ver 41 42. Heb. 11.7 testimonie of such who either by doctrine company or example haue in the time of this life approoued or condemned him Q. Shall there bee no difference in the examination of the Elect and of the Repr bate A. Yes For First the Elect shall not haue their c Ezek. 18 22 sinnes for which Christ hath satisfied but onely their f Reu. 14.13 good workes remembred Secondly being in Christ they and their workes shall not vndergoe the a Jam. 2.12 strict triall of the Law simply in it selfe but as the b 2. Pet. 1.10 11. obedience thereof proueth them to be true partakers of the grace of the Gospell Q. Shall there be any such reasoning at the last Iudgement as seemeth to be foretold in the 7. 25. of Mathew A. No but the consciences of men being then c 1. Cor. 4.5 enlightened by Christ shall cleare all those doubts and reiect those exceptions and excuses which they seeme now to apprehend Q. How shall the sentence bee pronounced A. By the Iudge himselfe Mat. 25. our Lord Iesus Christ who according to the euidence and verdict of conscience touthing workes shall adiudge the Elect vnto the blessing of the d Ver. 34. kingdome of God his Father the reprobate with the Diuell and his Angels vnto the e Ver. 41 curse of euerlasting fire Q. Shall men then be adiudged to saluation or damnation for their workes sake A. The case is different for 1. Wicked men shall be condemned for the merit of their works because being perfectly euill they deserue the a Rom. 6.23 wages of damnation 2. The Elect shall be pronounced iust because their good
happines in God A. By c Iob. 22.21 acquaintance and fellowship with him who is the fountaine of blessednesse d Joh. 17.3 Gal. 4.9 so knowing him or rather being knowne of him that hee may e Eccl 12.13 serue him and be f 2 Cor 5 9 accepted of g 1. Sam. 2.30 him honour him and be honoured by him Q. God being inuisible how may wee come to know him A. The inuisible things of God are reuealed vnto mankinde partly by his h Ps 19 1 c Rom. 1.20 workes to leaue all without excuse but chiefly by his i Psa 19.7 c. Iob 22.22 Ioh. 6 68 word to guide vs to saluation Q. Where is that sauing word of God to be had A. In the writings of the holy Prophets Apostles commonly called the k Joh. 5.39 2. Tim. 3.15 Scriptures of the old new Testament Q. Is there not also an vnwritten word of God A. No For howsoeuer a Heb. 1.1 Num. 12.6 at the first the whole word of God was deliuered without writing by immediate reuelation or tradition yet since that b Exo. 34.27 God commanded the Scriptures to be written the Church hath beene c Esay 8.20 Luc. 16.29 31 directed vnto the Scriptures onely for the sauing knowledge of God Q. By whom was this word written A. 1 The old Testament by Moses and the d Rom. 3.2 Prophets who deliuered the same vnto the Church of the Iewes 2 The new Testament by the Apostles Euangelist c Rom. 1.16 Reu. 1.11 by whom it was deliuered to the Church of the Gentiles Q. In what language did they write A. In the language best knowne vnto the Church the Prophets in Hebrew the Apostlos in Greeke In which tongues onely they are for the letter to be held authenticall Q. What shall we thinke of the bookes called Apocrypha A. That they are bookes of good vse and esteeme in the Church for direction of manners but not to be acknowledged as rules of faith since they were neither written in Hebrew the language of the Church before Christ nor euer receiued into the Canon of Scripture by them a Rom 3.2 to whom alone in those times the Oracles of God were committed Q. Seeing the Apostles and Prophets were men how can their writings be accounted the word of God A. Because they proceeded b 2. Pet. 1.20 21. not from the will or minde of man but holy men of God spake and wrote as they were moued by the holy Ghost in which regard the c 2. Tim. 3.16 whole Scripture is said to be by diuine inspiration Q. How may it appeare that the Scriptures were inspired by God A. 1 By the testimonie of the Church both before Christ and since 2 By arguments vn-answerable taken from the antiquitie the maiestie of the stile the truth of prophecies c. 3 And most effectually by the testimonie of the same holy spirit that inspired them a 1. Cor. 2 10 14.37 1. Ioh 2 20. who inclineth our hearts to beleeue what is reuealed in them Q. Are the Scriptures plaine and easie to be vnderstood A. 1 Vnto those b 2. Cor. 3.4 whose eyes the God of this world hath blinded c 2. Pet. 3.5 Ioh. 8.43 all things in Scripture belonging to the sauing knowledge of God are darke and difficult 2 But vnto such as are by grace d Ps 119.18 enlightened and made willing to vnderstand howsoeuer e 2. Pet. 3.16 some things remaine obscure to exercise their diligence yet the fundamentall doctrines of faith and precepts of life are all f Pro. 8.9 plaine and perspicuous Q. What need is there then of an interpreter A. 1 To g Acts 8.31 vnfold obscure places 2 To h 2 Pet. 1.12 1. Cor. 14.3 inculcate apply plaine texts Q. How are the Scriptures to bee interpreted A. By the a Nehem. 8.8 Scriptures themselues according to the Analogie of faith and the scope and circumstances of the present place Q. What is the vse of Scripture A. It serueth and is b 2. Tim. 3.16 profitable To teach truth To conuince errour For correction of vice For direction to good life For c Rom. 15.4 comfort in affliction c. SECT II. Of the Doctrine of the Scriptures touching God himselfe Q. HOw do the Scriptures guide vs to the sauing knowledge of God A. By reuealing vnto vs all necessarie truthes concerning 1 God himselfe 2 His workes Q. What doe the Scriptures teach vs concerning God himselfe A. Foure things and first that a Heb. 11.6 there is a God Q. What proofes are there of this truth besides the testimonie of Scriptures A. Diuers taken from 1 Gods workes of b Zech. 12.1 creation especially the soule of man 2 His works of prouidence chiefly his c Psal 9.16 58.10 11. apparent iudgements on the wicked 3 The common consent of all Nations who rather worship any god or gods then none at all 4 The d Esa 31.14 terrors of conscience which make the most vngodly miscreants will they nill they to acknowledge and e Psal 53 5. 14.5 tremble at him c. Q. What is the second thing that the Scripture teacheth concerning God A. What God is viz. f Joh. 4.24 a Spirit 1 Most g 1. Joh. 1.5 simple without mixture or composition 2 h 1. Tim 1. â— 17. Eternall without beginning or end 3 i 1 Kings 8 2â— Infinite without comprehension of place or thought 4 a Iam. 1.17 Constant without shadowe of change 5 b Gen 17 1. Absolute in power holines and glorie Q. How then can he be knowne of vs being incomprehensible A. We onely see his c Exod. 33.23 34.5 backe parts not his face and conceiue of him by his names expressing what an one hee is to vs not in his d Iud. 13.18 glorious nature onely knowne vnto himselfe Q. What is the third thing which is taught vs concerning God A. That there is onely e Deut. 6.4 Esa 46.9 one God and no more as also both nature teacheth guiding all things to one principle and reason acknowledgeth admitting but one that is infinite and independant Q. How is it then that many in Scripture are called Gods A. The name Elohim or God is sometimes improperly giuen to other things either as they f Psal 82.6 Exod. 7.1 participate of God his communicable attributes or as they are g 1. Cor. 8.5 Phil. 3.19 abusiuely set vp by man in the place of God but a 1. Cor. 8.6 vnto vs there is but one God and Lord vnto whom therefore the name Iehouah is in scripture incommunicably appropriated Q. What is the fourth thing that we are taught concerning God A. That in this one simple and indiuided Godhead we must acknowledge and adore b Mat. 3.16 17. 28.19 1. Ioh. 5.7 three distinct persons
place as the Churches of Iudea Asia England France Germanie c. which all beeing b 1. Tim. 3.15 one yet as the sea receiue seuerall names from the countries where through they passe and are c Reu. 1.11 accounted as so many seuerall Churches Q. Must not then this one visible Church haue one visible head here on earth A. No For it is visible not in the whole but in the parts whereto the circumstances of time and place for opportunitie of visible profession do agree and therefore as Catholike or vniuersall the Church hath no head but d Ephes 1.22.23 Christ alone alwaies e Mat 28.20 present by his word and spirit to giue f Gal. 2.20 life sense and motion to euery member Q. Is the Church alwaies visible in her parts A. Christ hath and g Rom. 11.1 2 3 4. euer had from the beginning his Church visible vpon earth that is some companies of beleeuers making profession of the same common faith howbeit many times by persecution forced to a Reu. 12.14 hide themselues from the eye of the world happily by the rage of the enemie so scattered that as in the b 1. Kin. 19 10 daies of Elias they can hardly be knowne or haue entercourse betweene themselues Q. What are the infallible notes wherby to discerne a true visible Church with which we may safely ioyne A. The same and no other which are the onely outward meanes ordained by God for the calling and gathering of his Saints and which giue being to a Church prouing it to bee a c 1. Tim. 3.15 pillar of truth viz. the d Mat. 28.19 20. word preached and Sacraments administred according to the commandement of Christ our Sauiour as for other notes they are either 1. Accidentall and in great part separable or 2. Vtterly impertinent forged for the vpholding of the Romish synagogue Q. May not such a Church erre and bee corrupted or fall and become no Church A. 1. The Church considered in her true members can a Mat. 16.18 Phil. 1.6 1. Thes 5.24 neuer vtterly fall howsoeuer b Cant. 1.4 no congregation bee so pure that it may be said at any time to be free from all corruption or so constant but that at times it may be shaken in the very foundation of truth as may appeare by the churches of c 1. Cor. 15.12.33 Corinth d Gal. 3.1 c Galatia c. 2. Being considered with respect to the place God doth not alwaies continue a succession of true beleeuers within the same limits and borders and hence we say that diuers Churches are fallen as those of Asia c. neither is any place so priuiledged but that for sinne the e Reu. 2.5 Candlesticke may in time bee thence remoued Q. How may wee iudge of a Church corrupt or ceasing to be a Church A. 1. Where God vtterly a Act. 13.46 taking away the meanes of his word and worship hath apparently giuen the * Esay 50.1 bill of diuorce there are wee not to acknowledge any Church at all as at this day in Ierusalem once the holy Citie 2. But where these meanes are yet continued wee are to acknowledge a b Reu. 2 1â— 13 Church of Christ howsoeuer more or lesse corrupt according to the greater or lesse abuse of Gods word and worship Q. Since Churches may be so diuersly corrupted from which and how farre are we to separate A. From Churches mortally sicke of c T it 3.10 11 heresie or d Reu. 18.4 idolatry as it were of a contagious plague or leprosie wee are to separate Howbeit whiles there is yet any life rather from the scab or sore then from the bodie that is from the preuailing faction maintaining fundamentall errours and forcing to idolatrous worship Such is our separation from the present Church of Rome not from such therein who either meaning well in generall are a Reu. 2.24 ignorant of the depth of Satan or b 1 â—â—n 19.18 secretly dissent from those damnable corruptions with whom as a bodie yet retaining life wee desire to c Phil. 1.18 ioyne so farre as wee may with safety from the foresaid contagion Q. Are wee to continue fellowship with all other Churches not so deadly and dangerously corrupt A. From Churches holding the foundation in substance of faith and worship though otherwise not free from blemish wee are d 1. Kâ—n. 15.14 2â— 43 not to separate farther then in dislike and refusall of that wherein they doe apparently separate from Christ in respect either of maners doctrine or forme of publique worship Q. To conclude touching the Church what distinction is there of the particular members A. 1. Generally they are all the e Ephes 3 15 familie of Christ and f Ioh. 10.2 3 4. sheepe of his flocke hearing his voice and following him 2. More specially out of these Christ the chiefe Prince and Shepheard hath instituted as guides vnto rest 1. a 1. Cor. 12 28 Ministers called Pastors b Joh. 21.15 1. Pet. 5.2 to feede his flocke with the wholesome foode of the word and Sacraments 2. Princes and Magistrates to see to the wayes of his houshold that all both c 2. Chro. 35.3 c. 34. ver 32 33 Ministers and people doe their office and dutie euen in things concerning God SECT XX. Of our Communion with Christ in regard of his Priestly office viz. our Justification Q. THus much of the benefit flowing vnto vs from the Propheticall Office of Christ what fruit haue we of his Priestly function A. Our a Rom. 3.25 2. Cor. 5.19 Reconciliation with GOD through him made vnto vs of God b 1. Cor. 1.30 righteousnesse whereby alone we are perfectly c Ro. 8.33 34 iustified i. acquitted accounted iust in the sight of God Q. How doth Christ become righteousnesse vnto vs for iustification in the sight of God A. Onely by Gods free and gracious d Ro. 5.18 19 imputation of the righteousnes of Christ vnto vs e Phil. 3.9 in which as in the garment of our elder Brother wee are accepted and obtaine the blessing from him our heauenly Father Q. What righteousnesse of Christ is it that God imputeth to vs A. Not the essentiall righteousnesse of his diuine nature but onely that perfect f Heb. 7.26 integritie of the humane nature which in him was without all guile and that absolute obedience whereby in that nature of ours hee 1. g Mat. 3.15 Fulfilled in act euery branch of the law of God 2. a Esay 53.5 1. Pet. 2.24 1. Joh. 2.2 Satisfied by his sufferings for the sinnes of the whole world of his Elect. Q. How can Christs righteousnesse be accounted ours A. Because it is in CHRIST not as in a person seuered from vs but as in the head of our common nature the second Adam b Rom. 5.19 from whom therefore it is