them is most true A. Yes all these sayings are faithful and true for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Rev. 22.6 2 Pet. 1.21 Q. Do you then believe that the commands contained in the Scripture are most just A. Yes I esteem all these precepts concerning all things to be right Ps 119.128 Q. But will that belief save us if we do not what we are commanded A. No if we would enter into life we must keep the Commandments and if we do this we shall live For not the hearers of the Law are just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified Mat. 19.17 Luke 10.28 Rom. 2.13 Q. Do you also believe that all those severe threatnings in the word will certainly be executed upon every impenitent sinner A. Yes but the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and forcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone these words are true and faithful Rev. 21.8.5 Q. Do you also believe that the promises of God are sure A. Yes I am fully perswaded that what he hath promised he is able to perform and faithful is he that hath promised Râ—m 4.21 Heb. 11.11 Q. But is it not a folly to believe that the promises belong to you how wickedly soever ye live A. Yes having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. And was it not to plant a good life among men that Christ who is the foundation of all the promises came into the World A. Yes for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 12. Q. Our Faith in the promises then can never profit us if we perform not the conditions of the promises A. No as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith if it have not works is dead also Jam. 2.26 Q. But is there no pleasing of God without Faith A. No without Faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 Q. Is it not every mans duty to hope in God A. Yes it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption Jam. 3.26 Psal 130.7 Q. But is it not presumption to hope for mercy while we continue in our sins A. Yes every man that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Q. What then will become of the hope of the hypocrite and the wicked A. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness but the expectation of the wicked shall perish and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost Prov. 10.28 Job 11.20 Q. But may not all that perform the conditions of the promises and who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them be certain that their hope shall not be in vain A. Yes which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vail Heb. 6.19 Q. Is it not every man's duty to love God and Christ A. Yes thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind this is the first and great Commandment and if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be anathema maranatha Mat. 22.37 38. 1 Cor. 16.22 Q. Can we have true love to God when we keep not his Commandments A. No for this is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and he that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him 1 Joh. 5.3 and 2.4 Q. And will not those who have any true love to God desire to enjoy him in his Ordinances A. Yes how amiable are thy tabernacles O Lord of hosts my soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the Living God for a day in thy Courts is better than a thousand Psal 84.1 2 10. Q. Will it serve our turn to say we love God A. No let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Joh. 3.18 Q. Is it the duty of every man to fear God A. Yes I will forewarn ye whom you shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell yea I say unto you fear him Luke 12.5 Q. Can any be said truly to fear God that is not thereby with-held from sin A. No the fear of the Lord is to hate evil and he that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord Prov. 8.13 14.2 Q. Is it not a folly to fear men more than God A. Yes In God have I put my trust I will not be affraid what man can do unto me Psal 56.11 Q. And is not their state of life secure who have God on their side A. Yes The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be affraid Psal 27.1 Q. And will not God even restrain the wrath of their enemies A. Yes when a mans ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him Prov. 16.7 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to trust in God A. Yes Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your heart before him God is a refuge for us Psal 62.8 Q. Is it not our wisdom then in all dangers to trust in God A. Yes What time I am affraid I will trust in God for the Lord delivereth the souls of his servants and none of them that put their trust in him shall be destitute Psal 34.22 Q. But may none expect to meet with deliverance from God in trouble but those that fear him A. No the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil Psal 34.7 16. Q. May we not rely on the creatures for help A. No cursed is the man that trusteth in man and placeth his confidence in the arm of flesh Q. But may not a man commit the least sin for the saving of his possessions or his life A. No for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 17.29 Q. Is it not our duty to trust God for a supply of our wants also A. Yes behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in
his mercy to deliver their souls from death and to feed them in time of famine Psal 33.18 19. Q. Should we then give up our selves to idleness and expect to be fed by miracles A. Upon no means for the command is If any will not work neither shall he eat 2 Thes 3.10 Q. But what if our condition be such that we are not able to work may we then cast our burden upon God A. Yes cast all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5.7 Q. But if we use the means and yet cannot have whereupon to live may we in this case trust in God A. Yes when the poor and needy seek for water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water Isa 41.17 18. Q. Is it not then an extraordinary folly to distrust God A. Yes therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life what you shall eat or what you shall drink neither for your body what you shall put on behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feedeth them are ye not much better than they c. Mat. 6.25 26 Q. But I want grace and will God give me this if I ask it A. Yes if ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him the Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Luke 11.13 Psal 74.11 Sect. 2. Of submission to God's will in respect of obedience of patience in suffering and of honour due to God in his house possessions his day and word Q. IS it not the duty of every man to give chearful obedience to the will of God A. Yes behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams therefore I will hear what God the Lord will speak and I will say the will of the Lord be done 1 Sam. 15.22 Psal 85.8 Acts 21.14 Q. What is that obedience that God requires of man A. He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Miâ— 6.8 Q. Doth not God give up men to walk in their own counsel when they refuse to hearken to his will A. Yes but my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me so I gave them up unto their hearts lust and they walked in their own counsels Psal 81.11 12. Q. Is not a proud person very unfit to obey A. Yes the wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God Psal 10.4 Q. But may not men have high conceits of their obedience to God's will A. No when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 Q. Is it not the duty of every Christian to be patient under affliction A. Yes take my brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience behold we count them happy which endure ye have heard of the patience of Job be also patient Jam. 5.10 11.8 Q. We should not then murmur or grudg at whatever he does A. No it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it 1 Sam. 3.18 Psal 39.9 Q. Is it not very unlike the act of a child to oppose his Fathers will A. Yes furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh that corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live Heb. 12.9 Q. Is it not sin that bringeth affliction upon people A. Yes fools because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Psal 107.17 Q. God doth not then willingly send afflictions A. No he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3.13 Q. Is it not a mercy to many that they have been corrected A. Yes it was good for me that I have been afflicted before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy words Ps 119.71.67 Q. Should we not study fruitfulness under corrections A. Yes the Lord's voice cryeth unto the City and the man of wisdom shall see thy name hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it Mic. 6.9 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to honour God A. Yes a Son honoureth his Father and a Servant his Master if then I be a Father where is mine honour and if I be a Master where is my fear saith the Lord of Hosts unto you Mal. 1.6 Q. Should we not then have the highest and most excellent esteem of him in our hearts A. Yes O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth thy righteousness O God is very high who hast done great things O God who is like unto thee Psal 8.9.71.19 Q. And should we not so far honour his house as to set it a-part wholly for his use A. Yes and Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the Temple those that sold Oxen and Sheep and Doves and the Changers of money sitting and he said unto them take these things hence make not my Fathers house an house of merchandize Joh. 2.14 16. Q. Should we not also be glad when we have the opportunity of going thither A. Yes I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord Psal 122.1 Q. But should we not be very careful over our hearts and all our senses when we go to the house of God A. Yes keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools Eccl. 5.1 Q. Is it not our duty also to have such a respect to his peculiar possessions which are set a-part for the maintenance of those that attend his service as not to turn it to any other use A. Yes will a man rob God yet he have robbed me yet ye say wherein have we robbed thee in Tithes and Offerings ye are cursed with a curse Mal. 3.8 9. Q. Is it not just and necessary that something be allotted for the support and maintenance of those that attend the service of God A. Yes the labourer is worthy of his reward and if we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things 1 Cor. 9.11 1 Tim. 5.18 Q. But should the Ministers of the Gospel have support and maintenance as well as those who did wait at the Altar were partakers with the Altar A. Yes Do
But must we not be sure to be at peace with God by doing his will since God heareth not sinners A. Yes can two walk together except they be agreed therefore wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings learn to do well elsâ— I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear Amos 3.3 Isa 1.16 15. Q. Is repentance so necessary a duty that without it we certainly perish A Yes except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Turn ye turn ye why will ye die Luke 13.5 Q. Is this repentance any other thing but a turning from sin to God A. No repent and turn your selves from your idols and turn your faces from all your abominations and it is the design of the Gospel to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins Ezek. 14.6 Acts 26.18 Q. But will God forgive men their iniquities if they forsake their sins and amend their lives A. Yes repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed and doth that which is lawful and right he shall save his soul alive Ezek. 18.30 26. Q. Is it not our duty to repent of our sins although we had only some probability that God will forgive A. Yes repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee who can tell if God will turn and repent and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not Act. 8.22 Jon. 3.9 Q. But have we any instance of God's with-holding of the threatned judgment upon repentance A. Yes and God saw their works that they turned from their evil way and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them and he did it not Jon. 3.10 Q. May men defer their repentance till death-bed A. No to day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not Psal 95.7 8. Eccl. 12.1 Q. Is it not our duty to joyn fasting with prayer and repentance A. Yes therefore also now saith the Lord turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning and rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Joel 2.12 13 Q. What is that fast that God calleth for and is acceptable to him A. Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him then shall thy light break forth as the morning and thine health shall spring forth speedily then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer Isa 58 5.6 7 8. Q. Is not fasting very seasonable when we have any extraordinary thing to request from God A. Yes go gather together all the Jews that are present in Sushan and fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three days night nor day I also and my maidens will fast likewise and so will I go in unto the King which is not according to the Law and if I perish I perish Esth 4.16 Q. Should we not avoid vain-glory in fasting A. Yes moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast But thou when thou fastest anoint thine head and wash thy feet that thou appear not unto men to fast but unto thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly Mat. 6.16 17 18. CHAP. II. Containing our Duty to our selves Sect. 1. Of those vertues which respect our souls where first of Humility as it is opposed to Pride and Vain-glory of Meekness and of consideration where an enquiry is made after the safe rule of trying our own state and condition Q. IS not humility a duty absolutely necessary to Christians A. Yes he hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6.8 Q. Is it not a great sin to have an high and great opinion of our selves A. Yes every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord for he hates a proud look God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble Prov. 16.5 6.16 Jam. 4.7 Q. Is it not a very dangerous sin A. Yes the wicked through his pride doth persecute the poor and through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God Psal 10.2 4. Q. Is not pride the cause of anger and wrath A. Yes proud and haughty scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath Prov. 21.24 Q. Is it not also the cause of strife and contention A. Yes only by pride cometh contention Prov. 13.10 Q. And will this sin which is in it self so heinous and the root of all other vices go unpunished A. No pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord though hand joyn in hand he shall not be unpunished Prov. 16.18 5. Q. Is it not a great folly for a man to be proud of beauty strength or wit of riches honours or preferments or of any vertue or grace though of themselves desirable A. Yes I said unto the fools deal not foolishly and to the wicked lift not up the horn lift not up your horn on high speak not with a stiff neck for promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south but God is the Judg he putteth down one and setteth up another Man that is in honour and understandeth not is like the beasts that perish It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory therefore lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations there was given to me a thorn in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet me Be not wise in your own conceits Psal 75.4 5 6. 49.20 2 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 12.16 Q. Is it not a great sin to thirst after the praise and applause of men A. Yes let us not be desirous of vain-glory How can ye believe that receive honour one of another Joh. 5.44 Gal. 5.26 Q. Does not this destroy the fâ—uit of the best actiâ—â—â— A. Yes but all their works they do to be seen of men And when they give alms they sound the trumpet that they may have glory of men Mat. 23.5 6.2 Q. Is not vain-glory a very dangerous siâ— A. Yes nevertheless among the
eyes walking and mincing as they go and making a tinkling with their feet therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughter of Zion and take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments Isa 3.16 17 18. Q. But may not those whom God hath placed in an higher condition than others wear gorgeous apparel A Yes behold they which are gorgeously apparelled and live delicately are in Kings Courts Luke 7.25 Q. Is not the distinguishing of persons in respect of sex another end of apparel A. Yes the woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man neither shall a man put on a womans garment for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God Deut. 22.5 Q. When men consider the original of cloaths have they any reason to be proud A. No and the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed sig-leaves together and made themselves aprons Gen. 3.7 Q. Are not Christian vertues the only rayment that will make men lovely in God's eyes A. Yes whose adorning let it not be that outward of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel but let it be in the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of ameek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3.3 4. CHAP. III. Concerning the duties we owe to our Neighbours Sect. 1. Of Iustice 1. To mens Souls 2. To their Bodies where the hazard of drawing men into sin and the heinousness of the sin of Murder is discovered Q. WHat is the sum of that duty we owe to our neighbours A. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Matt. 22.23 Q. Should we not then do to others what we would have them do to us A. Yes all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7.12 Q. Doth not the Lord require that every man do justly A. Yes what doth the Lord require of thee O man but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6.8 Q. And doth not God regard the perverting of justice in a Province A. Yes if thou seest the oppression of the poor and and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a Province marvel not at the matter for he that is higher than the highest regardeth and there be higher than they Eccl. 5.8 Q. Is it not a great act of injustice done to a mans soul to entice him to sin A. Yes wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye compass Sea and Land to make one proselyte and when he is made you make him twofold more the child of Hell than your selves Mat. 23.15 Q. Should we not studiously shun and wisely slight the wicked counsels of men A. Yes if sinners entice thee consent thou not if they say come with us let us lay wait for blood we shall find all precious substance walk thou not in the way with them refrain thy foot from their path Prov. 1.10 11 13 15. Q. Should we not be careful to do no wrong to the bodies of men A. Yes thou shalt not kill Exod. 20.13 Q. Is not the sin of murder a very heinous and crying sin A. Yes and the Lord said unto Cain what hast thou done the voice of thy brothers blood crieth unto me from the ground Gen. 4.10 Q. Is there any pity to be given to those who lye in wait to shed innocent blood A. No thine eye shall not pity him but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood Deut. 19.13 Q. Is not the guilt of this sin so great that it leaveth a stain upon the Land where it is committed if it pass unpunished A. Yes by swearing and killing they break out and blood toucheth blood therefore shall the Land mourn and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish Hos 4.2 3. Q. Doth it not then bring temporal judgments upon a Kingdom A. Yes then there was a famine in the days of David three years year after year and David enquired of the Lord and the Lord answered it is for Saul and for his bloody house because he slew the Gibeonites 2 Sam. 21.1 Q. Is not the sin of murder an high contempt and despite towards God himself and therefore deserving a severe punishment because it is the defacing of his image A. Yes whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man Gen. 9.6 Q. Will not this sin of murder be punished with everlasting torments also A. Yes but the fearful and abominable and murderers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21.8 Q. Is not maiming a great injury and deserving severe punishment A. Yes under the Law it was eye for eye tooth for tooth hand for hand foot for foot burning for burning wound for wound stripe for stripe Exod. 21.24 25. Q. Will it excuse a man to say that what he has done was only in return of some injury offered him by another A. No recompence no man evil for evil avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord Rom. 12.17 19. Sect. 2. Of Iustice about the possessions of our Neighbours against injuring him as to his Wife or his Goods of Oppression of paying of Debts and of Theft Q. SHould we not abstain from all covetous desires towards the possessions of our neighbours A. Yes thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours Exod. 20.17 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to be content with his own portion A. Yes let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 Q. Is not the enticing a mans wife the greatest injustice and the most irreparable and provoking injury A. Yes jealousy is the rage of a man therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance he will not regard any ransom neither will he rest content though thou givest many gifts Prov. 6.34 35. Q. Is not malicious injustice in wishing or doing mischief to our neighbour a very great sin A. Yes wo to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds and devise mischief therefore let all bitterness be put away from you with all malice Mic. 2.1 Psal 36.4 Eph. 4.31 Q. Are we not obliged to prevent the spoil destruction and damage of our neighbours goods although he were our enemy A. Yes if thou meet thine enemies ox or his asse going astray thou shalt surely bring it back to him again if thou see the asse of him that hateth thee lying under his burden and would'st
Isa 49.23 Q. Do not all those who are under the civil magistrates authority owe him honour and reverence A. Yes fear God honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 Q. Should not men then beware of Speaking evil of the magistrate A. Yes thou shalt not revile the gods nor speak evil of the ruler of thy people curse not the king no not in thy thought Exod. 22.28 Act. 23.5 Eccl. 10.20 Q. Is not maintainance of their persons and authority a debt we owe to the Civil Magistrate A. Yes render therefore unto Cesar the things that are Cesars pay ye tribute for they are God's Ministers Mat. 22.21 Rom. 13.6 Q. Since the business of that calling is so weighty the dangers and hazards of it so great are we not obliged to pray earnestly to God for them A. Yes I exhort therefore that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for Kings and for all that are in authority that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2.1 2. Q. Do not subjects owe obedience to the commands of the Magistrate A. Yes let every soul be subject to the higher powers and submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as supreme or unto Governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.13 Q. But what if the Magistrate enjoyns any thing contrary to what God hath commanded A. We ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5.29 Q. But must we not in this case patiently suffer and not to secure our selves rise up against him A. Yes for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless They that resist shall receive to themselves damnation 1 San. 26.9 Rom. 13.2 Q. Are not the Ministers of the Word Parents also A. Yes though you have ten thousand instructers in Christ yet have ye not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4.15 Q. Since they do us the greatest benefits are we not obliged to honour and love them A. Yes and we beseech you brethren know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thess 5.12 13. Q. Is it not very dangerous to despise and deride the Ministers of the Gospel A. Yes he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10.16 Q. Do we not owe to Ministers maintenance and provision A. Yes the Lord hath ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel therefore let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things 1 Cor. 9.14 Gal. 6.6 Q. Are we not to give obedience to whatsoever they out of God's Word shall deelare to us to be our duty A. Yes obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief Heb. 13.17 Q. Are not they who never had the Gospel preached unto them much more innocent than they that have heard and resisted it A. Yes wo unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you Mat. 11.21 22. Q. Are we not also obliged to pray for Ministers A. Yes praying always with all prayer and supplication for all Saints and for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel Eph. 6.18 19. Q. Is it not the duty of children to honour and reverence their natural Parents A. Yes ye shall fear every man his Mother and his Father honour thy Father and thy Mother as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee Lev. 19.3 Deut. 5.16 Q. Should not this respect and reverence be given to Parents even when they are correcting their children A. Yes furthermore we had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence Heb. 12.9 Q. If Parents have any infirmities is it not the duty of children to cover and conceal them A. Yes and Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and went backward and covered the nakedness of their Father and their faces were backward and they saw not their Father's nakedness Gen. 9.23 Q. Is it not necessary for children to attend to the counsel their Fathers A. Yes my Son hear the instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Father Prov. 1.8 Q. Is it not an heinous sin to despise their counsel and for children to mock the persons of their Parents A. Yes hearken to thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old for the eye that mocketh his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Prov. 23.22 Prov. 30.17 Q. Is it not an horrid wickedness in children to curse their Parents and that which deserveth the severest punishment A. Yes every one that curseth his Father or his Mother shall surely be put to death he hath cursed his Father or his Mother his blood shall be upon him his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness Lev. 20.9 Prov. 20.20 Q. Is not the child bound to obey the command of his Parents when it hath nothing in it contrary to our duty to God A. Yes children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right and well-pleasing unto God Eph. 6.1 Col. 3.20 Q. Should not Parents be careful how they educate and bring up their children A. Yes train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Prov. 22.6 Q. Should not Parents encourage their children in the ways of God and not be harsh and unkind to them A. Yes Fathers provoke not your children to wrath lest they be discouraged but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Col. 3.21 Eph. 6.4 Q. Is it not a cruel fondness in Parents to spare the rod when childrens faults require it A. Yes he that spareth his rod hateth his son Prov. 13.24 Q. And must it not be given timely and not be delayed A. Yes he that loveth his son chasteneth him betimes and while there is hope Prov. 13.24 19.18 Q. Is not moderate correction given in meekness the best remedy to prevent the ruine of a wicked child A. Yes foolishness is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it from him Prov. 22.15 Sect. 5. Of duty to
our Brethren and stelations Husband Wife Friends Masters Servants c. Q. OVght not brethren to have the greatest tenderness and kindness each to other A. Yes and Abram said unto Lot let there be no strife I pray thee between me and thee for we are brethren Gen. 13.8 Q. Is it not a very pleasant thing to see brethren live together in love A. Yes behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Psal 133.1 Q. If this love be not fixed in the heart are not brethren in most danger of disagreeing upon the least ground A. Yes and when Joseph's brethren saw that their Father loved him more than all his brethren they hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him Gen. 37.4 Q. Is not love amongst those who profess the same Faith and are brethren of the same Church an unquestionable duty A. Yes but as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another Love the brotherhood 1. Thess 4.9 1 Pet. 2.17 Q. Are we not in an especial manner bound to do all good offices to this brotherhood A. Yes as we have opportunity let us do good to all men especially unto them that are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 Q. Is not this peculiar love to Christians as Christians especially of helping them in their needs very acceptable in the sight of God A. Yes whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10.42 Q. And is it not the duty of these brethren to continue in the belief of that same doctrine A. Yes earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. Q. And must they not hold fast the profession of that faith notwithstanding persecution attend it A. Yes let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering Heb. 10.23 Q. And are we not also as oportunity serves to communicate with them in all holy offices A. Yes they continued stead fastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Act. 2.42 Q. Is it not the duty of strong Christians to bear with the infirmities of the weaker A. Yes we that are strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak and not to please our selves Rom. 15.1 Q. Are we not obliged to endeavour in all meekness the restoring of any fallen brother A. Yes if a man be overtaken in a fault ye that are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6.1 Q. Are we not to have a sympathy and fellow-feeling with these brethren to be nearly toucht with whatever befals them A. Yes rejoyce with them that do rejoyce and weep with them that weep be of the same mind one towards another Rom. 12.15 16. Q. Is not this love that which Christ has made the badg of his disciples A. Yes by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love to one another John 13.35 Q. Is it not the duty of the wife to give obedience to the husband A. Yes wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord for the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing Col. 3.18 Eph. 5.22 23 24. Q. Do the faults of the husband justifie the frowardness of the wife A. No likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives 1 Pet. 3.1 Q. Did not holy women in old time obey their husbands A. Yes in the old time the holy women who also trusted in God were in subjection to their own husbands even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well 1 Pet. 3.5 6. Q. Is it not the duty of husbands to love their wives A. Yes husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them he that loveth his wife loveth himself for no man ever yet hated his own flesh Col 3.19 Eph. 5.25 28 29. Q. Should not the Husband also honour the wife A. Yes likewise ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledg giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel 1 Pet. 3.7 Q. Should not the vertue of the person be the chief consideration in mariage A. Yes who can find a vertuous woman for her price is far above rubies Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31.10 30. Q. Is it not the duty of friends to carry friendly and faithfully one to another A. Yes a man that hath friends must shew himself friendly Prov. 18.24 Q. Is not unfaithfulness in a friend a very great injustice A. Yes confidence in an unfaithful man in the day of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joynt Prov. 25.19 Q. Is it not our duty to be constant in friendship A. Yes a friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother Prov. 17.17 and 18.24 Q. Is it not great injustice and folly to cast off a faithful friend A. Yes thine own friend and thy fathers friend forsake not Prov. 27.10 Q. Should we be offended at the admonition and reproof of a friend A. No faithful are the wounds of a friend let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities Prov. 27.6 Psal 141.5 Q. And are we not then obliged to lament the death of a faithful friend A. Yes I am distressed for thee my brother Jonathan very unpleasant hast thou been unto me thy love to me was wonderful passing the love of women 2 Sam. 1.26 Q. Is it not the duty of Servants to be obedient to their Masters A. Yes servants obey your Masters in all things according to the flesh Col. 3.22 Q. Must not this obedience be without grumbling and murmuring A. Yes and whatsoever ye do do it heartily with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Col. 3.23 Eph. 6.7 Q. Is not the servant to be faithful and diligent as well when his Master is absent as when present A. Yes serving them not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God Col. 3.22 Q. And must he not also be honest to his Master A. Yes not purloining but shewing all good fidelity Tit. 2.10 Q. And must he not submit to rebuke A. Yes not
save Sinners p. 8. Sect. 6. Concerning Christ as Mediator between God and lapsed Man p. 10. Sect. 7. Concerning the Resurrection of our Bodies p. 14. Sect. 8. Concerning the judgment of the Great Day p. 15. Part. II. A particular account of those Duties men are obliged to perform Chap. I. Containing our duty to God Sect. 1. OF Faith Hope Love Fear and Trust p. 17. Sect. 2. Of submission to God's will in respect of Obedience of Patience in suffering and of Honour due to God in his House Possessions his Day and Word p. 21. Sect. 3. Of the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lord's Supper p. 26. Sect. 4. Honour due to God's Name Of Swearing p. 28. Sect. 5. Of worship due to God's Name Of Repentance and of Fasting p. 30. Chap. II. Containing our duty to our selves Sect. 1. OF those Vertues which respect our Souls where 1. Of Humility as it is opposed to Pride and Vain-Glory 2. Of Meekness and of Consideration where an enquiry is made after the safe rule of trying our state and condition p. 36. Sect. 2. Of Contentedness and the contraries to it viz. Murmuring Ambition Covetousness Envy and of Diligence with the danger of despising Grace p. 40. Sect. 3. Of those Vertues that concern our Bodies where 1. Of Chastity 2. Of Temperance in eating and drinking p. 43. Sect. 4. Of Temperance in Sleep in Recreation and in Apparel p. 46. Chap. III. Concerning the Duties we owe to our Neighbours Sect. 1. OF Justice 1. To mens Souls 2. To their Bodies where the hazard of drawing men into Sin and the heinousness of the sin of Murder is discovered p. 49. Sect. 2. Of Justice abâ—ut the possessions of our Neighbours against injuring him as to his Wife or his Goods of Oppression of paying of Debts and of Theft p. 51. Sect. 3. Of false Reports false Witness Slanders Whisperings of Scoffing of positive Justice Truth of Lying of Envy and Detraction of Gratitude p. 55. Sect. 4. Of Duty to Magistrates Pastors of the Duty of Parents to Children and of Childrens duty to Parents p. 58. Sect. 5. Of duty to our Brethren and Relations Husband Wife Friends Masters Servants c. p. 62. Sect. 6. Other Branches of our Duty to our Neighbour of Charity to mens Souls Bodies Goods and Credit of Alms-giving and of Peace-making p. 66. The Ten Commandment p. 71. The Lord's Prayer and the Belief p. 72. Private Devotions in Scripture-Expressiâ—ns p. 72. A Prayer for morning and evening p. 72. A Prayer for Children being a Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer p. 76. Collects for several occasions p 77. A Scriptural Catechism OR The Whole Duty of Man laid down by way of Question and Answer in express words of Scripture PART I. Concerning the Chief Principles of our Religion which we are to believe Sect. 1. Concerning the Being of God Of his Attributes and Perfections Quest VVHat is the whole Duty which God requires of man Answ He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man Mic. 6.8 Eccl. 12.13 Q. Do you then believe there is a God whom ye should fear A. Yes verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth Ps 38.11 Q. Do not the works of God declare the being of God A. Yes for the invisible things of him from the creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1.20 Q. Is he not a fool that denies this truth A. Yes the fool hath said in his heart there is no God Ps 14.1 Q. Is there no other God but one A. No we know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but one Q. There be none then who can compare with God A. No who is like unto the Lord amongst the Gods who is like him glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Exod. 15.11 Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit who dwelleth in light to which no man can approach whom no man hath seen or can see whose perfection cannot by searching be found out Joh. 4.24 1 Tim. 6.16 Job 11.7 Q. Do you believe that this incomprehensible God is of everlasting being A. Yes before the mountains were brought forth or ever he formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting he is God Ps 90.2 Q. Do you believe that this glorious God is every-where present A. Yes whither shall I go from his spirit or whither shall I flee from his presence If I ascend up into Heaven he is there if I make my bed in Hell behold he is there Psal 139.7 8. Q. And must he not then know all things A. Yes neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Q. Do you believe God is unchangable A. Yes with him is no variableness nor shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 Q. Do you believe God is Almighty and can do all things A. Yes with God all things are possible Mark 10.27 Q. Is he not also a most holy and glorious God A. Yes holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Isa 6.3 Q. And do you believe that he is a just God A. Yes he is a God of truth without iniquity just and right Deut. 32.4 Q. Is he not also a very merciful and gracious God A. Yes he is the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth Exod. 34.6 Ps 145.8 Q. Is not he then the only living and true God A. Yes the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King Jer. 10.10 Sect. 2. Concerning the Trinity that God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost are one God Q. DO you believe that the three persons in the Godhead God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost are one God A. Yes for there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. Doth not the truth of this appear from the form of Baptizing which Christ taught his Disciples A. Yes Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Matt. 28.19 Q. And is it not also very evidently confirmed from the manner of blessing the Apostles observe in the close of their Epistles A. Yes the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all 2 Cor. 13.14 Q. And must worship be given to any but God A. No thou shalt worship the Lord thy
content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 Q. Must not he that sets his heart upon wealth necessarily take it off from God A. Yes ye cannot serve God and Mammon therefore if riches encrease set not your heart upon them Luke 16.13 Q. Is not covetousness a sin which betrayeth men to all other vices and which excludeth men from the Kingdom of Heaven A. Yes they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition for the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows And the covetous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Tim. 6.9 10. 1 Cor. 6.10 Q. Is it not a very unchristian sin to envy one another A. Yes if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not for where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work Jam. 3.14 16. Q. Since contentedness is so very lovely and desirable a vertue and so contrary to these vices which bring destruction upon men should we not study it in every condition A. Yes godliness with contentme is great gain for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out and having food and raiment let us be therewith content 1 Tim. 6.6 7 8. Q. Is it not every mans duty to be diligent and industrious both for his body and soul A. Yes be not sloathful in business be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. It is the hand of the diligent that maketh rich Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before Kings he shall not stand before mean men Rom. 12.11 Prov. 22.29 Q. Can the sloathful and careless man expect either a present or future happiness A. No I went by the field of the sloathful and lo it was all grown over with thorns Sloathfulness casteth into a dead sleep and an idle soul shall suffer hunger Prov. 24.30 31. 19.15 Q. But must we not especially be careful to husband and improve grace A. Yes giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledg and to knowledg temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly-kindness and to brotherly-kindness charity Grow in grace 2. Pet. 1.5 6 7. 3.18 Q. Will not God give more grace to him that improveth the little he hath A. Yes for unto every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance and if these things be in you and abound they make you that you neither shall be barren nor unfruitful Mat. 25.29 2 Pet. 1.8 Q. Are not the dangers that attend the neglect of grace very great A. Yes from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath Mat. 25.29 Q. Is it not an heinous crime to despise the offers of grace A. Yes he that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of God Heb. 10.28 29. Q. Should not we then hearken to the voice of the Gospel which is the glad tidings of peace A. Yes see that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 11.25 Q. Is not the unprofitable servant to have a sad portion of wretchedness at judgment A. Yes cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 25.30 Q. Is not the case of that man very sad who after he hath embraced the offers of grace falleth from his profession A. Yes if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him and if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledg of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins Heb. 10.38 26. Sect. 3. Of those vertues that concern our Bodies where 1. Of Chastity 2. Of Temperance in eating and drinking Q. IS not chastity a duty every man is bound to observe A. Yes for this is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour 1 Thess 4.3 4. Q. Is not fornication which is contrary to chastity a sin which defileth our bodies A. Yes he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body 1 Cor. 6.18 Q. Is not uncleanness forbidden in the very lowest degree A. Yes ye have heard that it was said by them of old time thou shalt not commit adultery but I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5.28 Q. And should we not guard our outward senses also A. Yes I made a covenant with mine eyes why then should I think upon a maid Job 31.1 Q. Should we not also shun all occasions of uncleanness A. Yes remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the door of her house Prov. 5.8 Q. Should we not also abstain from filthy communications and immodest speech A. Yes but fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints neither filthiness nor foolish talking Eph. 5.3 4. Q. Is it not a very ready means to yield to the temptation when men listen to such filthy discourse A. Yes with her much fair speech she caused him to yield with the flattering of her lips she forced him he goeth after her straight-way Prov. 21.22 Q. And should we not resist all temptations thereunto A. Yes and it came to pass as she spake to Joseph day by day that he hearkned not unto her to lie by her or to be with her saying how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39.10 9. Q. Is not uncleanness a sin that clowds the understanding and makes men become very bruitish A. Yes whoso committeth adultery with a woman Iacketh understanding for he goeth after her straightway as an oxe goeth to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks Prov. 6.32 7.22 Q. Is it not then a sin very huriful to the soul A. Yes he that doth it destroyeth his own soul Prov. 6.32 Q. Is it not very mischievous to the body also A. Yes go not astray after a strange woman for she hath cast down many wounded yea many strong men have been slain by her her house is the way to hell going down to the chambers of death Prov. 7.26 27. Q. And doth not this
sin diminish a mans substance and help to impoverish men A. Yes for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life for it is a fire that consumeth to destruction and will root out all a mans inheritance Prov. 6.26 Job 31.12 Q. Doth it not cast an everlasting stain upon a man's good name also A. Yes a wound and dishonour shall he get and his reproach shall not be wiped away Prov. 6.33 Q. Ought not this sin to be severely punished A. Yes 't is an heinous crime yea it is an iniquity to be punished by the Judges Deut. 22.22 Job 31.11 Q. However the committers of this wickedness may escape punishment from men yet will not God's judgments be poured out upon them A. Yes whoremongers and adulterers God will judg and if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy Heb. 13.4 1 Cor. 3.17 Q. Is not this a sin which shuts out from the Kingdom of Heaven A. Yes and there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth be not therefore deceived neither fornicators nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind shall inherit the Kingdom of God Rev. 21.27 1 Cor. 6.9 Q. And should not this prevail with all men not to be partakers with these men in their sins A. Yes for this we know that no whoremonger nor unclean person hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience be not ye therefore partakers with them Eph. 5.5 6 7. Q. Is not moderation and temperance in eating and drinking a commanded duty A. Yes hast thou found honey eat so much as is sufficient for thee lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess Prov. 25.26 27. Eph. 5.18 Q. May not men lawfully pray for so much as sufficeth nature A. Yes two things have I required of thee deny me them not before I die give me neither poverty nor riches seed me with food convenient for me lest I be full and deny thee and say who is the Lord or lest I be poor and steal and take the name of my God in vain Prov. 30 7 8. Q. But is there not a special warning to abstain from excess in eating and drinking A. Yes take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be over-charged with surfeiting and drunkenness Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Luke 21.34 Rom. 13.13 14. Q. Should we not then abstain from the company of such persons A. Yes be not amongst wine-bibbers amongst riotous eaters of flesh Prov. 23.20 Q. Do not these sins bring poverty upon men A. Yes for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty Prov. 23.21 Q. Doth not these sins bring diseases and calamities upon mens bodies also A. Yes who hath woe who hath sorrow who hath contentions who hath bablings who hath wounds without cause they that tarry long at the wine Prov. 23.29 30. Q. Doth not the Word of God tell us that drunkards are of the number of those that shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven A. Yes be not deceived for neither the covetous nor drunkards shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.10 Q. Is it not a very great sin to make others drunk that they may sport with their ridiculous behaviour A. Yes wo unto him that giveth his neighbour drink that puttest thy bottel to him and makest him drunken also that thou mayest look on their nakedness Hab. 15. Q. Have they who are mighty to drink any reason to brag of this A. No wo unto them that are mighty to drink wine and men of strength to mingle strong drink Isa 5.22 Q. Are they not then very foolish who upon any pretence whatsoever do commit this sin A. Yes wine is a mocker strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise Prov. 20.1 Sect. 4. Of Temperance in Sleep in Reereation and in Apparel Q. Is it not a very foolish thing to give our selves to immoderate sleep A. Yes go to the ant thou sluggard consider her ways and be wise How long wilt thou sleep when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep yet a little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleep Prov. 6.6 10. Q. Is it not the high-way to bring poverty on men to spend their time in sleeping A. Yes love not sleep lest thou come to poverty open thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread but drowsiness shall cover a man with rags Prov. 20.13 23.21 Q. Should we not use lawful recreations with moderation and choose a seasonable time for them A. Yes to every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the Heaven a time to laugh and a time to dance he hath made every thing beautiful in his time Eccl. 3.1 4 11. Q. Doth not excess in recreations bring to poverty A. Yes he that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man Prov. 21.17 Q. Is not there a wo pronounced against those who use immoderate recreations A. Yes wo unto them that rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink that continue until night till wine inflame them and the harp and the viol the tabret and pipe and wine are in their feasts Isa 5.11 12. Q. And should we not be careful that our recreations have nothing of sin in them A. Yes let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness not in chambering and wantonness not in strife and envying Rom. 13.13 Q. Is not the reward of such who sport themselves with their own deceivings very sad A. Yes they shall receive the reward of unrighteousness as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time spots they are and blemishes sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you 2 Pet. 2 13. Q. Must not men give an account how they have spent their time in recreations A. Yes rejoyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy youth and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou for all these things God will bring thee into judgment Eccl. 11.9 Q. Is not temperance in apparel a commanded duty A. Yes I will therefore that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefac'dness and sobriety not with broidered-hair or gold or pearls or costly array but which becometh women professing godliness with good works 1 Tim. 2.9 10. Q. Will not God punish their vanity who observe every phantastick light fashion A. Yes because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with stretched-out necks and wanton
answering again and if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God 1 Pet. 2.20 Q. But should servants be also subject to wicked and froward Masters A. Yes servants be subject to your Masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1 Pet. 2.18 Q. Should not servants honour their Masters A. Yes let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour 1 Tim. 6.1 Q. May not such faithful servants expect a reward from God A. Yes knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance Col. 3.24 Q. Is not the Master obliged to be just to his servants A. Yes Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye have a Master in Heaven Col. 4.1 Q. Is it not a great sin in Masters to keep back their wages from them A. Yes behold the hire of the labourers which have reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud crieth and the cries of them which have reaped are entred into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth Jam. 5.4 Q. Should not Masters be gentle and meek to their servants A. Yes and ye Masters forbear threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Eph. 6.9 Q. Should not the Master of a Family admonish his servants if they commit iniquity against God and not suffer them if they continue so to remain in their house A. Yes he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight but he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me Psal 101.6 7. Sect. 6. Other Branches of our duty to our Neighbour of Charity to mens Souls Bodies Goods and Credie of Alms-giving and of Peace-making Q. IS not love the great Gospel-duty often enjoyned us by Christ A. Yes a new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 15.34 15.17 Q. If this charity be sincere will it not keep the mind in a meek and peaceable temper towards others A. Yes charity doth not behave it self unseemly is not easily provoked 1 Cor. 13.5 Q. Will it not also breed compassion towards all the miseries of others and make us rejoyce in their prosperity A. Yes rejoyce with them that rejoyce and weep with them that weep Râ—m 12.12 Q. And will it not guard us against envy A. Yes charity envyeth not 1 Cor. 13.4 Q. Does it not keep down pride and haughtiness A. Yes charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up pur on therefore bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind be kindly affectioned one towards another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another 1 Cor. 13 4. Col. 3.12 Rom. 12.10 Q. Doth it not cast out censoriousness and believeth and hopeth the best of all men A. Yes charity thinketh no evil but beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13.5.7 Q. Is it not of so noble and generous a temper as to cast out all mercinariness and self-seeking A. Yes love seeketh not her own 1 Cor. 13.5 Q. Does it not also cast out of the heart all malice and endure the greatest injuries A. Yes charity beareth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 Q. Should we not then endeavour that our love be without dissimulation A Yes let love be without dissimulation Rom. 12.9 Q. Is not this charity to be extendâ—d even to enemies A. Yes I say unto you love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and and persecute you Matt. 5.44 Q. Should not the command of Christ move us to the practice of this duty A. Yes be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another not rendring evil for evil nor railing for railing but contrariwise blessing Eph 4.32 1 Pet. 3.9 Q. Should not the example of God's love to us engage us to love him A. Yes beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another for he is kind to the unthankful and the evil 1 Joh. 4.11 Luke 6.35 Q. Are not malice and revenge the most restless tormenting passions that can possess the mind of man A. Yes it maketh men that they sleep not except they have done mischief and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall Prov. 4.16 Q. Can we reasonably expect that God will forgive us our sins if we do not forgive men that offend us A. No if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6.15 Q. But must not this inward love appear in our actions and good deeds done to our neighbour A. Yes let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Joh. 3.18 Q. Is it not our duty to câ—mfort our neighbours when we see them under any sadness or heaviness A. Yes the God of all comfort comforteth us in our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1.3 4. Q. Is it not a very 〈◊〉 thing not to câ—mfort the afflicâ—â—d A. Yes she weepeth sore in the night and her tears are on her cheeks among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her all her friends have dealt treacherously with her they are become her enemies for these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me Lam. 1.2 16. Q. Should it not be matter of grief to us that our neighbour will not hearken to reproof but will continue in his wickedness A. Yes but if ye will not hear reproof my soul shall weep in secret for your pride Rivers of waters run down mine eyes because men keep not thy Laws Jer. 13.17 Psal 119.136 Q. Are we not also to exercise this active charity toward the bodies of our neighbours and not only to wish but to do for their relief A. Yes if a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say unto them depart in peace be ye warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give him not those things that are needful for the body what doth it profit Jam. 2.15 16. Q. Is there not a sad threatning denounced against those who neglect these acts of charity towards their brethren A. Yes depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels for I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not Mat. 25.41 42 43. Q. If we find an innocent person condemned to death are we not to use all
possible endeavours for his dâ—liverance A. Yes if thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain if thou sayest behold we know it not doth not he that pondereth the heart consider and he that keepeth thy soul doth not he know it shall not he render to every man according to his deeds Prov. 24.11 12. Q. Is not the duty of Alms-giving perfectly necessary for the approving of our love to God A. Yes whoso hath this world's good and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 1 Joh. 3.17 Q. And is not the performance of this duty very acceptable unto God A. Yes but to do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 Q. Must not men beware that they prâ—pâ—se nâ—t tâ— themselves the praise of men as the motive of their charity A. Yes when thou doest thine alms do not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do in the Synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven Mat. 6.2 1. Q. And is it not a vain thing to give alms where love to God and men is not the motive A. Yes though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 Q. But must not men give cheerfully and without grudging A. Yes every man as he purposeth in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a chearful giver 1 Cor. 9.7 Q. Is it not vain and impious to think that the parting with any thing for Christ will impoverish men A. Yes every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Mat. 19.29 Q. And hath not God particularly promised that the charitable shall not want but shall have a recompense of reward A. Yes the Liberal soul shall be made far and he that watereth shall be watered also himself he that giveth to the poor shall not lack but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse Prov. 11.25 and 28.27 Q. Is not this a putting our wealth in his hands who hath made solemn promise of repayment A. Yes he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Prov. 19.17 Q. And will not the reward be more or less according to to the degrees of our alms A. Yes he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Q. Sh uld we not be very tender of the credit of our neighbour A. Y s a good name is better than precious ointment and rather to be chosen then great riches Eccel 7.1 Prov. 22.1 Q. Will not mens unmercifull judging of others be paid home to them in the strict and severe judgment of God A. Y s judg not that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again Mat. 7.1 2. Q. Is it not a christian duty to study to reconcile and make peace among brethren A. Yes blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 Q. If Christians will observe all those duties which they owe to God to themselves and to their neighbour may they not expect the reward of eternal life Q. Yes this do and thou shalt live Luke 10.28 Q. Are not Christian duties both profitable and pleasant even when they expose us to outward sufferings A. Yes Christ's yoke is easie and his burden is light and his commandements are not grievous therefore rejoyce that ye are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ Mat 11.30 1 John 5.3 Act. 5.41 Q. Since the danger of delaying our turning to God is so evident and certain should we not betimes set about it A. Yes whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledg nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Ecc. 9.10 The Ten Commandments 1. THou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Eâ—rth Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain 4. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it 5. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee 6. Thou shalt not kill 7. Thou shalt not commit Adultery 8. Thou shalt not steal 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbour's The Lord's Prayer OUr Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen The Belief I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilat was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell and rose again from the dead and ascended up into Heaven and fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judg the quick and the dead I believe in