or both Doctrinall and foretelling things to come as the Psalmes Q. What are they that are written in Prose A. They are either Historicall or Doctrinall and foretelling things to come called the Prophets Q. What are the Historicall A. Iosuah Iudges Ruth the 2. bookes of Samuel the 2. bookes of the Kings Ezra Nehemiah Hester and the 2. bookes of Chronicles Q. What are the Doctrinall and which foretell things to come A. They are called either the greater Prophets as Esay Ieremie Ezechiel and Daniel Or the smaller as Hoseas Ioel Amos Abdias Ionas Micheas Nahum Habakkuk Zephanie Aggei Zacharie and Malachy Q What are the bookes of the New Testament A. They are Historicall or Doctrinall Q. VVhat are the Historicall A. Either such as write of Christ as Matthew Marke Luke and Iohn or of the Apostles as the History of the Acts. Q. What are the Doctrinall A. They are such as are either only Doctrinall or Propheticall also Q. What are they that are Doctrinall onely A. The Epistles of Paul to the Romans the 1. and 2. to the Corinthians to the Galathians Ephesians Philippians Colossians the 1. and 2. to the Thessalonians the 1. and 2. to Timothie to Titus Philemon the Hebrewes the Epistle of Iames the 2. Epistles of Peter the 3. Epistles of Iohn the Epistle of Iude. Q. VVhat is that which is Propheticall also A. The booke of the Apocalyps or Reuelation Q. How may these bookes bee discerned to bee the word of God A. By these considerations following First they Prou. 8. 8. 30. 5. Psalm 12. 7. 19. 8. are perfectly holy in themselues and by themselues whereas all other writings are prophane further then they draw holinesse from these which yet is neuer such but that their holinesse is imperfect and defectiue Secondly they are perfectly profitable in themselues Jam. 1. 21. to instruct to saluation and all other are vtterly vnprofitable thereunto any further then they draw from them Thirdly there is a perfect concord and harmonie Act. 26. 22. in all these Bookes notwithstanding the diuersity of persons by whom places where and times when and matters whereof they haue been written Fourthly there is an admirable a Psalm 19. 7. Heb. 4. 12. force in them to incline mens hearts from vice to vertue Fifthly in great b 1. Cor. 1. 17. 18. 21. 24. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 5. 21. plainenesse and easinesse of stile there shineth a great Maiesty and authority Sixthly there is such a gracious simplicity in the writers of these Bookes that they neither spare their friends nor themselues but most freely and impartially set downe their owne faults and infirmities as well as others Lastly Gods owne Spirit working in the harts of his children doth assure them that these Scriptures are the word of God Q. Is it agreed vpon that these Bookes are alone in account of the Bookes of Scripture A. Concerning the Bookes of the New Testament it is generally agreed that all they and that they alone are of that account But the Church of Rome holdeth that diuers other books called Apocrypha doe belong to the Old Testament and are of the same authority with the other that haue been named Q. By what reasons may this errour of theirs bee ouerthrowen A. By these First they were not written at the first in the Hebrew tongue in which all the authenticall Bookes of the Old Testament were originally written Secondly the Iewes to whom the Oracles of God Rom. 3. were committed vnder the Old Testament haue acknowledged and kept these onely as Canonicall and the Oracles of God and not the other Thirdly these onely were read and expounded in Act. 13. 15. their Synagogues and not the other Fourthly the Primitiue Churches after the Apostles both Greek and Latine did receiue these Books onely for Canonicall Scripture Q. VVhat worthie vse and effect of these bookes of holy Scripture doth the Apostle set forth in this place A. This that they are able to make a man wise to 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Saluation through faith in Iesus Christ Q. How doth that appeare A. First for that God is the Author of them who is for his wisdome able for his loue to his Church willing to set downe such a Rule as may guide them fully and perfectly to eternall Life Secondly for that it is profitable to teach all true doctrine and to confute the false to correct all disorder priuate and publike and to informe men throughly in the way of righteousnesse Thirdly for that the Minister of the Word is said thereby to be made compleat and perfect to euery dutie of the Ministerie Q. How doth this last reason hold A. Very strongly for more being required of a Minister that is to bee the eye and mouth of the people then of the people themselues if it be sufficient to make him perfect it is much more able to giue them sufficient Instruction And seeing the Minister is Act. 20. 27. bound to disclose the whole Counsell of God to his people may be therunto fully furnished out of the treasurie of the Word of God it followeth that they also out of the Scriptures may be abundātly taught to Saluation need not elsewher to seek for any supply Q. VVhat other things doe you gather from these causes properties and effects of Scripture A. First that it alone being able and sufficient to Mat. 23. 8. Ioh. 5. 39. Matth. 15. 9. make vs wise to Saluation we need no vnwritten Verities no Traditions of men no Canons of Councels or Sentences of Fathers much lesse Decrees of Popes to supply any supposed defect of the written Word of God or to giue vs a more perfect direction in the way of life then is already set downe expressely in the Canonicall Scriptures Q. VVhat else learne you from thence A. I learne further especially from this that they Iohn 12. 48. Galath 1. 9. they are inspired of God 1. That they are of diuine authority 2. That they are the rule the line the squyre and light wherby to examine and trie all iudgements and sayings of men and of Angels whether they bee such as God approueth yea or no that they are not to be iudged or sentenced by any And therfore that the Church of Rome who hangeth the credit and authority of the Scriptures on the Churches sentence doth therein offer horrible iniurie and indignity vnto God making thereby the Churches word of greater credit and authority then the Word of God Q. What further doe you learne from hence A. I learne from hence and especially in that it is Matth. 5. 18. Psalm 19 9. said to be a rule and a line that it is firme and stable and changeth not and therefore is as a rule of steele and not as the Church of Rome blasphemously affirmeth like a rule of lead which may be bowed euery way at mens pleasures Q. But it seemeth the Scriptures are darke
will suffer to preserue them and as occasion serueth to helpe to encrease them Q. What are the things forbidden in this Commandement and therein the duties required to our neighbours in respect of their goods A. They are either inward or outward Q. What are the inward A. When a mans eye is so set vpon his neighbours Mat. 15. 19. 1. Tim. 6. 9. 10. Ephes 5. 3. goods that hee desireth them with resolution to haue them if he can So that not onely mens hands but also their hearts are here bound to the good abearing not so to desire their neighbours goods as is aforesaid Q. What is contrary to this desire A. A minde contented with their owne and with Heb. 13. 5. 1. Tim. 6. 6. Phil. 4. 11. that which is present Q. So much of the inward things forbidden what are the outward A. First the instruments of theft secondly the theft it selfe in all kindes thereof Q. What are the instruments of theft here charged A. First the tongue that it professe not the desire Prou. 1. 11. 12. Prou. 20. 14. Iosh 7. 21. of our neighbours goods nor practice the diuerting thereof secondly the eye and hand Q. What kindes of theft are there A. Either priuate or publike Q. Wherein is priuate theft occupied A. It is either in abuse of our owne or in pursuit of our neighbours goods Q. How doe we abuse our owne goods A. Either in lauishing and lashing them out or in couetous holding of them Q. What is the abuse of our goods in lauishing them out A. When men in their diet apparell furniture of Deut. 12. 15. Prou. 11. 15. 21. 17. 2. Thess 3. houses building or otherwise exceed either their estate and ability or the vse and custome of their countrey whither refer suretiship vnnecessarie and causelesse also giuing reliefe to stout and lustie rogues Q. How are our goods abused by niggardly sparing of them A. When wee withhold those things from the Prou. 3. 28. poore which we ought in duty to bestow vpon them or delay to giue in due time Q. What is priuate theft in pursuit of our neighbours goods A. It is either with colour or without colour the first being oftentimes more hainous then the second Q. What is the theft with colour A. When in buying and selling battering chapping scorcing changing the buyer concealeth the goodnesse or the seller the faults and blindfoldeth the truth with coloured speeches Likewise when in borrowing Leuit. 25. 14. Prou. 20. 14. Luk. 19. 8. Exod. 22. 26. Deut. 24. 6. Deut. 25. 13. 14. Amos 8. 4. Prou 22. 18. Hos 4. 8. 1. Cor. 6. 7. and lending setting and taking gaging and waging men either make no conscience or haue no skill to doe that which is equall and profitable as well for others they trade with as for themselues where false measures come to bee considered Hitherto belongeth forestalling engrossing monopolies oppressing vsurie or encrease exacted meerely in respect of the loane bankerupts that to enrich themselues endamage others remouing of ancient bounds hitherto referre suits in Law for light matters Q. How is it without colour A. Theft is committed without colour either priuately Deut. 22. 1 Iam. 5. 4 Rom. 13. Luk. 3. 4. without the knowledge of the owner as by theeues and pickers whither referre the not restoring of things found or violently he knowing it and somtimes beholding it as by pyrats and robbers Hither is referred oppression as when the rich withhold the hire of the labourer or when due debt is withholden and when Souldiers are not content with their pay but goe a free-booting c. Q. What is contrary to this A. The right vse of that which is our owne Q. Wherein consists the right vse of our owne A. Frugality and good husbanding of it Prou. 21. 5. 17. 12. 27. 2. Cor. 8. 13. Prou. 13. 11. Q. What is further contrary A. Labour in some lawfull vocation Q. How may we know the bounds of a lawfull vocation A. When it is occupied either in the information 1. Cor. 7. 14. 1. Pet. 4. 10. Eccles 5. 8. and instruction of the minde with good knowledge which is the calling of them that teach and learne or in exercising ciuill gouernment and where it is needfull and iust in making warre or in the defence of the body which is the calling of the Magistrate both in peace and warre or in prouiding for the necessarie helpes of this life which is the calling of Merchants and Husbandmen c. Q. What manner of men are here condemned A. All idle persons or those which are occupied in hurtfull or vnprofitable trades as the Romish merchants Image-makers Bead-makers a Act. 19. 19. 24. 25. Reu. 18. 11. 12. and the sellers of such trash Iuglers wandring and roguing Minstrels Magicians Stage-players stewes common dicers and such like Q. Is there any thing else required to a lawfull Calling A. Yes verily as that it be lawfull to him that vseth it which is when he is able to discharge it secondly when being lawfully called thereunto hee diligently and duly exerciseth himselfe in it Q. Is there no intermission or recreation granted vnto a Christian man from his labours in the sixe daies A. There is to the end he may the better continue his labour 〈◊〉 same bee honest and profitable for the exercise of the mind or of the body but hurtfull and dangerous pastimes are to bee auoided for as recreation belongs to the sixth Commandement so far as health is maintained thereby so it belongeth to this Commandement so farre forth as we may be the better able to labour thereby Q. What sorts of publike theft are there A. Two either in Church or Common-wealth Q. VVhat is Church theft Malach. 2. A. It is called Sacriledge consisting partly in things spirituall and partly in things temporall Q. What is the sacriledge that consists in things spirituall A. When the Church is depriued of found doctrine Jer. 23. 30. through the insufficiency or negligence or corruption of he Pastors and Teachers Q. VVho are they that sinne in this kind of sacriledge A. Either Ministers or people Q. What Ministers doe sinne therein A. First the ignorant insufficient and dumb Ministers which take wages cannot do their dutie with the makers maintainers of them 2. The idle negligēt Ministers whither refer Monks Friers Nuns c. Q. How doe the people sinne herein A. When they not onely are content to bee vnder such Ministers as either cannot or will not reproue Ier. 5. 31. them of their sins but also desire and seeke for them Q. VVhat is that Sacriledge which consists in things temporall A. When the goods of the Church are taken from them to whom they belong or when men make sale or merchandize of Benefices and Church-liuings Q. What is the theft in the Common-wealth A. When the common goods are either taken away or applied to any priuate
14. Lord hath blessed him by his labour Q. Hitherto of Superiours in priuate as also of Inferiours what are they in publike A. Such as gouerne and are gouerned in Church and Common-wealth Lam. 4. 3. 4. Q. What is the dutie of all inferiours to their publike Superiours A. To minister charges and other things necessarie for the execution of their offices and to their power to defend them in the same Q. What is due from them to their Inferiours A. To procure their common good they hauing Exod. 18. 13. 2. Sam. 24. 17. Matth. 11. 2. 1. Thess 2. 7. 8. receiued the charge of them forgetting themselues and their owne priuate good so oft as need shall require Q. Who are Gouernours in the Church A. The Ministers of the Word especially Q. Who are they which are gouerned A. All Christians and professors of Religion Q. What is their principall dutie to the Ministers of the word A. To heare them willingly and to submit themselues to all that they shall plainly and directly teach Mal. 10. 14. Heb. 13. 17. them out of the word of God Q. What is the principall dutie of the Minister to them A. To bee faithfull and painfull in dispensing to 2. Tim. 4. 1. Act. 20. 26. them the will of God and not their owne fansies or the inuentions of men Q. Who are Gouernours in Common-weales A. Ciuill Magistrates Q. Who are vnder their gouernment A. All persons and subiects in the Realme Citie or Rom. 13. 1. State where they are Gouernours Q. VVhat is the speciall duty of such Subiects A. To obey their Lawes in the Lord and to pay willingly all Custome and Tribute due to them Rom. 13. 6. 7. Q. What are the duties of the Superiours in the Common-wealth as Kings and inferiour Magistrates A. They are twofold First in respect of Gods 1. Tim. 2. 2. matters Secondly in regard of ciuill affaires Q. What in respect of Gods matters A. To see that true Religion bee stablished reformed 2. Chron. 14. 3. 4. 15. 12-15 17. 6-9 and maintained after the example of Dauid Salomon Ezechiah Iosiah and other good Kings to see those ordinances of Religion which are grounded vpon the word of God duly established practised that so God may be truly serued and glorified and the Churches within their Realmes and vnder their gouernment may vnder them leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty For hee who neglecteth this duty to God shall neuer performe his dutie 1. Tim. 2. 2. to men how politicke soeuer he seeme to be Q. What is the Magistrate specially to performe in respect of ciuill affaires A. Hee must looke to the peace of the Common-wealth 1. Tim. 2. 1. ouer which he is set and that iustice therein be Dan. 4. 7. 8. 9. Rom. 13. 4. 5. Psalm 72. 2. 48. 7. duly executed that euery man may enioy his owne that the good may bee cherished and euill doers punished Q. So much of the duties betweene Superiours and Inferiours What is required of equals A. First that they liue together sociably and comfortably Philip. 2. 3. Rom. 12 10. 1. Pet. 2. 17. 5. 5. Ephes 5. 21. and not exalt themselues one aboue another but that they goe one before another in giuing honor Q. So much of the Commandement what is the reason of the Commandement A. That thy daies c. which is a promise of long Esay 65. 20. life to such as shall keepe this Commandement Q. Haue not the other Commandements this promise A. No not expresly which sheweth that a more plentiful blessing in this kind followeth from the obedience of this Commandement then of the other that follow Hence it is called by the Apostle the first Commandement with a Ephes 6. 1. 2. promise it being the first in order of the second Table and the onely Commandement of that Table that hath an expresse promise and the onely Commandement of the ten that hath a particular promise Hence it is that the Lord reuēgeth the breach of this Commandement so often in this life First vpon the parents-who haue been themselues vngracious in giuing vnto them vngracious and disobedient children and then vpon the children themselues who are somtimes immediately stricken from heauen and sometimes punished by the hand of the Magistrate Q. But how is this promise truly performed seeing some wicked men liue long and the godly are taken away euen in the middest of their time A. The godly liue so long as it shall serue for Gods glory and for their owne good but the wicked liue to their further condemnation And herein God doth Esay 65. 20. not a whit breake his promise for if he promise a man siluer and pay him with gold and that in greater weight and quantity he doth him no iniurie and the wicked gaine nothing by their long life receiuing by meanes thereof greater iudgement in hell CHAP. 21. Of the sixth Commandement Thus far of speciall duties to speciall persons seuerall follow concerning the Person of our neighbor Com. 6. which forbids Murther Inward outward against our neighbour Aliue in Gesture Act in Word Deed against his Body Soule Dead against Himselfe Them that belong to him Things belonging to him Chap. 22. EXOD. 20. vers 13. Thou shalt not kill Q. SO much of the fifth Commandement and therin of speciall duties to speciall persons the generall duties follow what are they A. They are either such as concerne the person it selfe of our neighbour in the sixth or such as concerne the things that belong to his person in the seuenth eighth and ninth Q. Rehearse the sixth Commandement A. Thou shalt not murther Q. What is the summe of this Commandement A. Not to hurt our owne person or the person of Gen. 9. 5. our neighbour but to procure safety and to do those a 1. Tim. 5. 23. things that lie in vs for the preseruation of his and our life and health Q. What are the sorts of duties which concerne the person of our neighbour A. They are to bee collected from the diuers breaches of this Commandement Q. What are the sorts of breaches of this Commandement A. Either inward or outward Q. What are the inward A. First anger either without cause or passing Mat. 5. 21. 1. Ioh. 5. 15. Iam. 3. 14. Amos 6. 5. 6. Rom. 1. 31. Psal 5. 6. measure when the cause is iust Secondly hatred Thirdly enuie Fourthly want of compassion Fifthly frowardnesse and vneasinesse to be entreated Sixthly desire of reuenge of all which that may be said which is spoken a Prou. 14. 30. of enuie that they make a man a murtherer of himselfe and of his neighbours Q. What be the contrary duties to these A. First slownesse to anger Secondly humanity Ephes 4. 26. c. and kindnesse because we are all the creatures of one God and the naturall children of Adam Thirdly a
those which haue a Gouernour aboue them to whom they shall giue an account and as those which rule ouer such as haue a title vnto and shall bee partakers Ephes 6. 9. 1. Pet. 3. 7. of the same glory which themselues looke for Q. In what things doth this Gouernment consist A. In two direction and recompence or reward Q. VVherein consisteth direction A. In word and in worke Q. What must be done by word A. They must instruct and command them in the Gen. 18. 19. things which pertaine to God and to their speciall callings and heerein God hath declared his singular care of the euerlasting good of men who hath therefore commended the care of Religion to so many to the end they might be so much more assuredly kept in the feare of God Q. What is direction in worke A. Good example of life whereby they are to go before their Inferiours Q. Hitherto of Direction What is Recompence A. It is either a cheerefull reward for well doing or a iust chastisement for euill which both should be answerable to the deed done Q. How many kindes of Superiours are there with authority A. Two priuate and publike and consequently so many Inferiours Q. VVho are priuate Superiours and Inferiours A. Such as are Masters of a familie whether naturall as husband and wife parents and children or otherwise as Masters and seruants where first the husbands are Superiours to their wiues then Parents to their children and lastly Masters to their seruants Q. VVhat is the generall duty of Inferiours in a Family A. According to their places and gifts to performe Gen. 39. 2. 3. 4. that which is commanded by the gouernours therof for the good of the houshold Gen. 18. 8. Q. What is the duty of the Superiours in the houshold A. Prouision of food and raiment both sufficient Prou. 27. 23. 24. 25. Prou. 31 15. Gen. â—8 6. 7. 8. 1. Tim. â— 8. and agreeable to euery ones estate with conuenient gouernment after familiarly to teach them and to goe before them in prayer accordingly Q. VVhat are the common duties of the husband and wife each to other A. Mutuall and coniugall loue one towards another declared by mutuall helpe and a 1. Cor. 7. 3. due beneuolence except by consent for a time that b 1. Cor. 7. 5. 2. Sam. 11. 11. they may giue themselues to fasting and prayer Q. What is the duty of wiues to their husbands A. First subiection in a gentle and moderate kinde Ephes 5 22. and manner for albeit it bee made heauier then it was from the beginning through the transgression of the woman yet that yoke is easier then any other domesticall subiection Secondly in subiection they are to performe obedience wherein wiues are oft short Ephes 5. 33. 1. Pet. 3. 1-6 as husbands in loue Secondly she must represent in all godly and commendable matters his image in her behauiour that 1. Cor. 11. 7. in her a man may see the wisedome and vprightnesse of her husband Thirdly she must bee an helper vnto him as otherwise Gen. 2. 18. Prou. 31. 12. 1. Tim. 3. 11. so by sauing that which he bringeth in Q. What is the husbands dutie to his wife A. In an entire loue vnto her to defend her from Ephes 5. all euill and cherish her as he would cherish his owne flesh and as Christ doth his Church Q. What is the dutie of children to their Parents A. It is either generall or speciall viz. in the case of mariage Q. What is the generall A. So to carrie themselues whiles they are vnder Prou. 10. 1. and 17. 25. 31. 28. their parents tuition and after they are departed from them as they may cause their parents in their good bringing vp to be commended Q. What is the speciall dutie in case of marriage A. That they ought not so much as attempt to bestow themselues in marriage without their Parents Gen. 24. Iudg. 14. 2. Gen. 21. 21. and 27. 46. 28. 9. 1. Cor. 7. 36. 37. 38. direction and consent especially daughters Q. What reason haue you to perswade children vnto this dutie A. That seeing their Parents haue taken such great paines and trauell in bringing them vp they should reape some fruits of their labours in bestowing of them beside they should giue them this honour to esteeme them better able and more wise to prouide for their comfortable marriage then themselues are Q. Is this dutie required onely of children to their naturall parents that begat them A. No it is also in some degree required of children to their Vnkles and Aunts or to any other vnder Hest 2. 10. 20. Ruth 2. 18. 23. whom they are and that be in stead of Parents when Parents are dead Q. VVhat is the second dutie of children to their Parents A. That if their Parents stand in need of reliefe 1. Tim. 5. 4. Gen. 45. 11. 47. 62. they being able are to helpe them Q. So much of the duties of children to their Parents what are those of Parents towards their children A. They are either common to both Parents or particular to either of them Q. What are the common duties of both Parents A. They must marke the wits and inclinations of Prou. 20. 11. 22. 6. Gen. 4. 2. their children and as farre as their owne ability will reach they are accordingly to apply them to some honest calling in due time Q. What is the second common dutie A. To lay vp and prouide somwhat for their children 2. Cor. 12. 14. Prou. 19. 14. and what they haue receiued of their Ancestors to leaue the same where it may be done lawfully to their posterity Q. What speciall dutie is there of the Parents to the eldest sonne A. That sith the Lord hath honoured him with Gen. 49. 3. 4. that dignitie as to be their strength he should also be Deut. 21. 17. honoured of them at the least with a double portion as of the rest of the brethren with honour yet so as hee fall nor from his honour by some horrible sin Gen. 49. 4. Q. So much of the common duties to both what is required of the father especially A. To giue the name vnto the child For notwithstanding Gen. 35. 18. Luk. 1. 62. 63. that the mothers haue somtimes giuen the names yet that hath bin by permission of the fathers Q. What speciall dutie is laid vpon the mother A. a Gen. 21. 7. 1. â—am 1. 23. 1. Tim. 5. 10. 1. Tim. 2. 15. Gen. 24. 10. 1â— Ephes 6. 5. 6. To nurse the child if she be able Q. What is the duty of the seruant to the Master A. With care and faithfulnesse as in the presence of God to bestow himselfe wholly at the times appointed to his Masters businesse Q. What is the Masters dutie A. To recompence his seruice according as the Deut. 24. 14. 15. 15. 13.
wanton pictures and the like things that the heart is inflamed to lust thereby Q. What is contrary to this A. To make a couenant with our eyes and to pray Iob. 31. Psal 119. that the Lord would turne away our eyes from seeing vanitie Q. How doth a man sinne by his eares A. When he delighteth in hearing vnhonest and filthie words although for his credit hee will not speake them Q. VVhat further abuse of the parts is there this way A. By all light gesture behauiour of a mans body Esay 3. 16. in wanton dancing and other lasciuious motions Mark 6. 22. Q. VVhat is contrary to this A. That a man so carrie and direct these parts as Rom. 6. they be not weapons of vncleannesse Q. How is the whole body abused A. Either by himselfe or with others Q. How by himselfe A. In ceasing from doing any profitable thing as in 2. Sam. 11. 1. 2. 1. Tim. 5. 11. 13. Deut. 23. 10. Gen. 38. 9. Idlenesse Or by the horrible sinne of Onan and the like pollutions Q. How is it with others A. Either in vnlawfull coniunction of all which the vnlawfull vowes of continencie are nurses or vnlawfull separation Q. How doe men offend by vnlawfull coniunction A. When men do carnally companie with others out of marriage or otherwise then the holy lawes of marriage doe require Q. VVhat is common to those vnlawfull mixtures that are with others A. That they may be all either voluntarie in both Deut. 22. 25. or by force in the one in which case the partie forced is to be holden guiltlesse Q. Of how many sorts are they A. They are either naturall or vnnaturall Q. VVhat is the naturall coniunction forbidden by this Law A. Fornication and Adulterie Deut. 22. 28. Q. VVhat is Fornication A. When two single persons come together out of Leuit. 19. 29. Deut. 23. 17. 1. King 15. 12. 2. King 23. 7. the estate of Matrimonie where it is manifest that the stewes permitted yea authorized and defended in Poperie are vnlawfull and expressely forbidden in the Law and the Kings are commended in the Scripture who tooke away such filthinesse out of their land the rather considering that by them not Fornication only but Adulteries yea Incests also were committed when as both married and vnmarried came thither and oftentimes some of the same blood or affinitie Ezech. 22. 11. committed villanie with one whore so farre is it that they are remedies of vncleannesse Q. VVhat is Adulterie A. When at least one of the persons married or contracted in marriage companieth with another whither also may bee referred Polygamie and the hauing of many wiues at once which was euer vnlawfull Mal. 2. 15. 16. in conscience though it was not punished by the positiue Law Q. May not a man also sinne against this Commandement in abusing his body with his owne wife A. Yes verily when the honourable and chast estate 1. Thess 4. 4. of Matrimonie is vsed to wantonnesse and not with moderation and seemlinesse as a man may fault in excesse of wine although it be his owne Q. Hitherto of the vnlawfull coniunction which is naturall what is vnnaturall A. It is either with those of the same kind or with other and those of the same kind are either of both sexes or of some sexe with the same sexe Q. VVhat are those of both sexes A. First when a man doth keepe companie with a woman or with his owne wife or any other when it is with them according to the manner of women Secondly when there is a mixture of those bodies that Leuit. 18. 19. Ezech. 18. 6. 22. 10. are within the degrees of kindred or alliance forbidden by the Law of God although it bee in marriage Q. What is that of one sexe with the same sexe A. Buggerie when man with man or woman with Rom. 1. 26. 27. woman committeth filthinesse Q. Hitherto of vnnaturall mixture with their owne Leuit. 18. 22. kind What is that with another kind A. Of a man or woman with a beast Leuit. 18. 23. Q. Hitherto of the vnlawfull coniunction What is the vnlawfull separation A. It is either committed when the partie is present or when it is absent Q. How when the partie is present A. When due beneuolence is not yeelded although 1. Cor. 7. 3. 4. there bee aptnesse thereunto nor any hinderance by consent in respect of extraordinarie prayer Q. How when the partie is absent A. When the partie withdraweth it selfe in mislike or loathsomnesse or else by long and vnnecessary iourneyes of trauelling of merchandize warres c. Or when separation hath been made by the Magistrate without lawfull cause Q. So much of the Commandement What are the punishments of the breach A. First a Numb 5. 13. Prou. 5. 14. when many other sinnes are hid this is most commonly discouered Secondly b Prou. 2. 22. 14. Eccles 7. 27. 28. Rom. 1. 24. the sinne is a iudgement of it selfe Thirdly c Heb. 13. 4. 1. Cor. 6. 9. 10. God will iudge them oftentimes in this world alwaies in the world to come Fourthly d Leuit. 20. 10. more particularly whipping for fornication and death to other vnlawfull mixtures e Prou. 6. 26. Hos 4. 11. Iob. 31. 12. 9. 10 Deut. 23. 2. 2. Sam. 13. 14. 16. 21. Leuit. 20. 20. Fifthly it spendeth the goods as also hurteth the body and bereaueth a man of his vnderstanding and iudgement and not onely reacheth to the offenders themselues but also to their children for by Moses Law the bastard to the tenth generation might not enter into the Sanctuarie likewise hee sinneth against his wife and lawfull children whilest thereby he oftentimes maketh a stewes of his house as Dauid did by the adulterie he committed with the wife of Vrias And children begotten in horrible incest were to be burnt or slaine in their mothers wombe CHAP. 23. Of the eighth Commandement The duties to our neighbour in other regards viz. Of his goods The sin forbidding the hurt of our neighbour or his goods is theft Inward of the heart Outward the Instruments Kindes Priuate by abuse of our Owne by Prodigality Auarice Neighbors With colour Without colour Publike in Church sacriledge Temporall Spirituall Common-wealth Good name Command 9. Ch. 24. EXOD. 20. 15. Thou shalt not steale SO much of the seuenth Commandement and of those duties we owe to our neighbour in regard of his wife now follow those which we owe in other regards and that 1. of his goods 2. of his name The dutie we owe him in regard of his goods is contained in the eighth Commandement Q. What is that A. Thou shalt not steale Q. What is the summe of it A. To giue to euery one that which is his and not onely not to diminish by any meanes another mans goods but to doe our best as farre as our callings and meanes
spirit applying vnto our soule the blood of Christ by a liuely faith worketh in vs newnesse of life whence this Sacrament is called the Baptisme of Repentance Mark 1. 4. Q. VVhat learne you hereby A. That although sinne doth dwell in our mortall bodies and many leaud motions rise and rebell in vs yet if we be the children of God we shall finde it mortified by the death of our Sauiour Christ and although we bee by nature sluggish to good things yet shall we find our selues quickened by him Q. VVhat persons are to receiue this Sacrament A. All that by the Lawes of Charity are to Act. 10. 47. be esteemed within the Couenant of grace of what nation sexe or age soeuer Q. VVho are to be esteemed to be within the couenant of grace A. First those which being of yeeres of discretion Mat. 3. 6. 28. 29. Act 2. 41. Mark 16. 10. Act. 8. 15. 37. 10. 46. 47. giue assent vnto the doctrine of the Gospell and professe faith and repentance Q. How are those that are at yeeres of discretion to prepare themselues to the receiuing of this Sacrament A. First they are to submit themselues to bee instructed in the a Heb. 6. 1. principles of religion commonly called the Catechisme Secondly they are to make solemne b Mat. 3. 6. Act. 2. 41. Mat. 3. 6. Act. 8. 37. profession of their faith confession of their sinnes with faithfull promise to forsake them Thirdly As a testimony of their faith vnfained repentance after this they are to desire Baptisme of them that haue the dispensation therof and to procure the same assoone as they can Q. Who else are to bee esteemed within the couenant of grace and consequently to haue a title to Baptisme A. The infants of those Parents that are themselues Act. 2. 39. Gen. 17. 7. Luk. 18. 16. within the Couenant and haue been baptized Q. Is it necessarie that both the Parents bee in the Couenant A. No it is sufficient for the intitling of the child 1. Cor. 7. 14. to baptisme if either of them be Q. How doe you proue that Infants are to be baptized A. There is the same vse of Baptisme vnder the Gospell that was of Circumcision vnder the Law and the Infants of Christians are vnder the Couenant as well as theirs and Baptisme is a signe of the Couenant as well as Circumcision if therefore a Gen. 17. 12. Col. 2. 11. 12. Infants were circumcised and Baptisme possesse the roome of Circumcision except there can bee shewed a speciall prohibition or restraint in Gods word it will follow that Infants also may be baptized Further the Apostles are said to baptize a Act. 16. 15. 18. 1. Cor. 1. 16. whole families amongst which it is ordinarie that there be some children and there is no reason to limit the words to them that are at yeeres And this vse hath continued in the Church since the Apostles times and was neuer gainsaid by any but those that by the vniuersal Church haue been iudged hereticks Q. Is Baptisme absolutely necessarie to the saluation of Infants or are we to iudge all those damned that die vnbaptized A. Such a conceit is both vnchristian and vncharitable and without all ground offering wrong to the grace of God and the vertue of his Couenant wherein he promiseth that he will be the God of the faithful and their seed And seeing this Sacrament is not the cause but a testimonie and seale onely of saluation and the fault is not in the Infant that hee is not baptized and seeing in cases of meere necessity where there is no contempt of the means but the party doth as much for the obtaining of them as he can doe God doth not tie himselfe to the meanes but can and often doth giue the thing without the meanes neither haue we herein more warrant to iudge the Infants of Christians damned that without any default of their owne die without Baptisme then the Infants of the Israelites that died before the eighth day or whilest they were in the wildernesse Q. What preparation is to bee required of Infants that are to be baptized A. None can be required of them who in regard of age are but meere patients but that which is to bee performed is to be done of them that bring the child to Baptisme and that are present at the baptizing thereof Q. Who are they A. The Parent or the rest of the Church Q. What is the Parent to performe A. First hee is to consider of the goodnesse of God that hath receiued not onely himselfe but his Gen. 11. 17. child and therefore to reioyce in this loue and fauour of God and then to confirme himselfe in this hope that as God hath quickened him after his Baptisme so will hee his child Secondly hee is to present 1. Sam. 1. 20. Luk. 1. 60. 63. the child Thirdly to giue or to take order for the giuing of some such name as may put the child in remembrance of some good dutie by the signification of it or by setting before him in it the example of some whose faith and vertues are commended in the Scriptures Fourthly after Baptisme when the child Ephes 6. 4. is capable he is to catechize and to bring it vp in the feare and information of the Lord or to procure it to bee done by others that are more able Q. What are the duties of the rest of the Church A. First to reioyce and to giue thankes to God for the encrease of his Church Secondly to giue attendance to the doctrine and to pray that the child may be made partaker of Christ and his benefits Thirdly when it commeth to age to doe such duties vnto it as one member oweth to another CHAP. 38. Of the Supper of the Lord. Wherein consider The parts Signes Elements Actions about them Things signified The circumstances Time Persons MATTH chap. 26. vers 26. 27. 28. 29. 26. And as they were eating Iesus tooke bread and blessed it and brake it and gaue it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my body 27. And he tooke the cup and gaue thankes and gaue it to them saying Drinke ye all of it 28. For this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sinnes 29. But I say vnto you I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine vntill that day when I drinke it new with you in my Fathers kingdome Q. SO much for Baptisme What is the Lords Supper A. It is the other Sacrament of the Gospell whereby is sealed vnto vs our continuance minishment 1. Cor. 11. 20. and growth in Christ and in his body which is his Church Q. What are the outward signes in this Sacrament A. Bread and wine and the sacramentall actions in and about the same Matth. 26. 26. c.. Q. VVhat manner of bread is fittest A. Ordinarie bread
all kind of delicates flesh and that which commeth of flesh only excepted so that the fastings of the one and the other is but a fulnesse and the latter may be more truly said to feast then to fast Q. Wherein else doth this outward abstinence consist A. In wearing of old homely and meaner apparell a Exod. 33. 4. 5. Ionas 3. 6. also in ceasing from labour on the day of the fast to the end we may the better attend vnto the holy exercises b Leuit. 23. 28. 30. 31. 32. Numb 29. 7. vsed in fasting and this abstinence is required of all that celebrate the fast but c Ioel 2. 16. 1. Cor. 7. 5. of married persons there is further required a forbearance also of the companie each of others Q. Is there any necessity of this outward abstinence A. Yea as the words of our Sauiour in this place do declare who saith that the time shall come when his Disciples shall fast For euen after the ascension of Christ when the graces of Gods spirit were most abundant vpon them they should need this exercise Q. What may be noted by the way from this that our Sauiour would not haue his Disciples fast till after his ascension A. His kindnesse and care ouer their weaknesse that would suffer no great trouble or cause of fasting to befall them before they had strength to vndergoe the same and to make a right vse thereof Q. They then that are sicke and weake are not tied to this strict abstinence A. No they may take somewhat for necessarie sustenance thereby to be better inabled to serue God in the day of the fast prouided that they doe not abuse this liberty to the satisfying of the flesh Q. What are the spirituall affections A. First a Leuit. 23. 27. 29. Iudg. 20. 26. Neh. 1. 4. Ioel. 2. 12. 13. Mat. 9. 15. speciall anguish and griefe of our harts conceiued for our sinnes and the iudgements of God due vnto them grounded vpon the meditation of the Law and threats of God secondly a speciall sorrow for those speciall iudgements of God that are vpon vs or are likely to fall vpon vs with a holy feare of the encrease or continuance of them without speciall humiliation and repentance Where we may by the way note the great abomination in Poperie for in stead of being truly humbled in soule the Papists in the day of their fast b Esay 58. 3. pride themselues and lift vp their hearts thinking they deserue some great matter at Gods hand for their very outward abstinence Q. VVhat are the spirituall exercises vpon this day A. First an acknowledgement and profession of our vnworthinesse of any blessing or benefit from God either concerning this life or the life to come and of our worthinesse of all iudgements and calamities euen death it selfe which by the abstinence aforesaid wee testifie and which the holy Fathers in times past did signifie by putting ashes or dust vpon their Iohn 3. 8. Esay 58. 4. heads Ester 4. 1. Lament 2. 10. Dan. 9. 3. The truth whereof remaineth still although the ceremonie bee not vsed Secondly earnest and strong crying and calling vpon the name of God for mercy grounded vpon the meditation of the promises of God touching the remouing of our sins that iudgement that is vpon vs for them and for the bestowing of such gifts and graces vpon vs as wee stand in need of Thirdly an humble carefull harkening vnto such parts of Gods word as may further vs in the affections and exercises Q. Thus much of the exrcise of fasting in generall What are the kinds thereof A. Two either publike or priuate Q. What is the publike A. It is when for a generall cause the Churches do fast and it is either more publike when all or many Churches fast generally or lesse publike when some Ionah 3. 7. Iudg. 20. 26. Ierem. 36. 9. Ioel 14. 2. 17. Dan. 9. 3. Neh. 1. 4. particular Church is humbled by fasting Q. What is the priuate fast A. It is either lesse priuate as when a particular house or more priuate when a particular person is humbled in fasting CHAP. 42. Of a holy Feast Where of The parts consisting in Certaine duties To God Man Friends Poore Liberall vse of food and apparell The sorts Publike Priuate ESTER chap. 9. vers 17. 18 c. 17. On the thirteenth day of the moneth Adar and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they and made it a day of feasting and gladnesse 18. But the Iewes that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof and on the fourteenth thereof and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladnesse 19. Therefore the Iewes of the villages that dwelt in the vnwalled townes made the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar a day of gladnesse and feasting and a good day and of sending portions one to another 20. And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters vnto all the Iewes that were in all the prouinces of the king Ahassuerus both nigh and farre 21. To stablish this among them that they should keepe the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar and the fifteenth day of the same yeerely 22. As the dayes wherein the Iewes rested from their enemies and the moneth which was turned vnto them from sorrow to ioy and from mourning into a good day that they should make them daies of feasting and ioy and of sending portions one to another and gifts to the poore 23. And the Iewes vndertooke to doe as they had begun and as Mordecai had written vnto them 24. Because Haman the sonne of Hammedatha the Agagite the enemie of all the Iewes had deuised against the Iewes to destroy them and had cast Pur that is the lot to consume them and to destroy them 25. But when Ester came before the King he commanded by letters that his wicked deuice which hee deuised against the Iewes should returne vpon his owne head and that hee and his sonnes should be hanged on the gallowes 26. Wherefore they called these dayes Purim after the name of Pur therfore for all the words of this letter of that which they had seene concerning this matter and which had come vnto them 27. The Iewes ordained and tooke vpon them and vpon their seed and vpon all such as ioyned themselues vnto them so as it should not faile that they would keepe these two daies according to their writing and according to their appointed time euery yeere 28. And that these daies should bee remembred and kept throughout euery genereation euery family euery prouince and euery city and that these daies of Purim should not faile from among the Iewes nor the memoriall of them perish from their seed 29. Then Ester the Queene the daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Iew wrote with all authority to confirme this second letter of Purim 30. And he sent the letters
2. after the few that were there being banished from thence what likelihood is there that hee would most reside there where he had least to doe And if he had been there yet there is no colourable probation that hee was Bishop there d 1. Cor. 12. 2◠Ephes 4. 11. the Bishopricke being farre vnder the Apostleship whereunto he was called Q. But grant he had been bishop of Rome doth it follow thereof that the Bishop of Rome must be his successor A. No for first it should haue been but a personal right And secondly if it belonged to his successors Antioch where he is said to haue sate before he is supposed to sit at Rome might challenge it as well Neither can his death which they suppose to haue been at Rome giue that priuiledge to Rome aboue Antioch or any other place more then the death of Christ priuiledged Ierusalem which by the iust iudgement of God for the same cause was made an heape of stones And thirdly if it did belong to his successors at Rome yet it belongeth to his successors in doctrine and not in place onely considering that if the Church were builded vpon Peter it was in respect of the doctrine he taught not in respect of his person Q. Hitherto of the Apostles Now what were the Prophets A. Such as besides an extraordinarie gift of preaching Act. 11. 28. 21. 10. 11. had a speciall gift of prophecying and foretelling things to come Q. Hitherto of those immediately called Who are those that were called also by the meanes of men A. The Euangelists Q. What were the Euangelists A. Such as were a 1. Tim. 1. 6. ordained and b Act. 17. 15. 19. 22. 1 Cor. 4. 17. directed by the Apostles for c ◠Cor. 3 6. watering those Churches which they had planted and confirming those whom they had conuerted Q. Hitherto we haue heard of the vniuersall Church What is a particular Church A. It is that which besides the fellowship in one Rom. 12. 3. 8. spirit hath some other outward knot wherein they are more neerely tyed then the rest of the vniuersall is and it is either of one nation or of a narrower compasse Q. What is a Church of one nation A. It is that which is gathered vnder one politicke or ciuill gouernment Q. What is that of a more narrow compasse A. It is such a particular Church or Parish that dwelling in one place may bee conueniently at one time taught by the mouth of one Minister Q. What is common to all the members of this Church A. That euery one be wife vnto sobriety behauing Rom. 12. 3. himselfe according to the measure of grace that is bestowed vpon him Q. What persons make default against this rule A. Two sorts especially the one such as ouerweene and thinke better of themselues then is fitting taking a greater state vpon them then they are worthy of The other of such as abasing themselues too much doe thinke themselues vnfit to such duties as they are called vnto Q. How is the truth of this doctrine cleared A. The Apostle declareth it by comparing the Rom. 12. 3-8 Church which is the mysticall body of Christ vnto the naturall body of a man Q. How many waies doth this comparison hold A. Sundry waies First as in the perfect body of a natural man there is ful furniture of al members needful to the discharge of their seuerall duties which are knowne both how many they are and what they are so it is in the Church of God Q. What gather you of this A. First that as a superfluous member in a mans body as two thumbs or a finger more then ordinarie in one hand is a blemish and deformity in the body euen so superfluous members must needs be accounted a blemish and deformity in the Church of Christ Q. What further A. As the want of any naturall member breeds griefe in the body so the want of any the appointed members in the Church must needs bee faultie and grieuous Q. Proceed to the other points of the comparison A. As in the body to haue a member misplaced as to haue an eye where the nose should be or a foot for the hand causeth both horror and griefe so the like disorder in the Church of Christ must needs bee grieuous and horrible Q. Wherein doth this comparison further hold A. That as in the body of a man euery member hath his owne seuerall function to discharge and no member can well and fitly discharge the dutie of another So it must be in the Church of God And as all the seuerall members of the body are knit and vnited to their head so are all the members of the Church vnto their head Christ Further as in the naturall body euery seuerall member is as it were the member of euery other in seruing to their good as the eye doth see the hand doth take the mouth doth speake for the good of any other member So it is in the Church of God Q. What are the parts of a particular Church A. Such as haue preeminence and such as are inferiour vnto them Q. Who are those that haue preeminence A. Those whom Christ hath appointed for the continuance of the Churches which were builded by the extraordinarie officers to the worlds end Q. What things are common to all these ordinarie officers A. First that they bee vnblameable of life which being required of all Christians is in greater measure required of them as being the lights of the Church Secondly examination whether they haue gifts for the discharge of that speciall office they are called vnto Thirdly a calling consisting partly in the election of the Church directed by the gouernours thereof and partly in ordination by the said gouernours which by prayer and laying on of hands are to consecrate and separate them to that function with assurance of the assistance of God in doing their dutie faithfully Q. What fourthly A. That euery one of these ordinarie officers are tied Act. 20. 28. 14. 23. Tit. 1. 5. to one flocke Q. So much of the generall properties of the ordinary officers what are the kinds of them A. They are either such as deale in the ministery of the word viz. Pastors and teachers or assistants vnto them Q. What is the ministery of the word A. A holy and spirituall calling wherein men are Rom. 12. 6. 1. Cor. 14. 3. set apart to the interpretatiō of the Scriptures of God for the edification of the Church which is called also by the Apostle Prophecie vnto which also belongeth the administration of the Sacraments Q. How proue you that by prophecy is meant there the office of interpreting the word rather then of foretelling things to come A. First because prophecy is set downe there as a perpetuall office in the Church wherof Salomon saith When prophecie faileth the people perish Secōdly the prophet Prou. 29. 18. is charged to continue
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