which the people understand A. 1 Cor. 14.18 19 27 28. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue If any man speak in an unknown tongue let one interpret but if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speake to himselfe and to God Q. May we quote a translation of Scripture A. Heb. 10.5 6 7. Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not c then said I Lo I come to doe thy will O God Which is a passage taken out of the 40th Psal verses 6.7 8. secundum Interpret 70 c. Q. Are the Scriptures to be read in the Church A. Luk. 4.16 And he came to Nazareth and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Act. 15.21 For Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Q. In which book that of the Creatures or that of the Scriptures may we learne to know God best A. Psal 138.2 I will worship towards thy Holy Temple and praise thy Name for thy loving kindnesse and for thy truth for thou hast magnifyed thy Word above all thy name Psal 19.1 7 11. The Heavens declare the glory of God the firmament sheweth his handy worke the Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Q. May Nations know any thing of God by his workes or Creatures A. Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are cleerly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternall power and God-head so that they are without excuse Q. Is it a speciall blessing to have the word of God A. Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as for his judgements they have not known them praise ye the Lord. Chap. 4. Of God and of the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead Q. ARE the Gentiles in an Errour who worship many Gods A. Yea. Deut. 6.4 Heave O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. We know that an Idol is nothing in the world that there is none other God but one for though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many and Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Q. How doth the Scripture set out converts from the worship of false Gods or dead Idols which the Gentiles worship A. 1 Thes 1.9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entring in we had unto you and how ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King c. Q. Is it possible for us to know God comprehensively or perfectly to comprehend his infinite being and perfection A. Job 11.7 8 9. Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection It is as high as heaven what canst thou doe Deeper than hell what canst thou know The measure thereof is longer than the earth and broader then the Sea So chap. 26.14 Lo these are parts of his waies but how little a portion is heard of him but the thunder of his power who can understand Q. To speak after the manner of men is God a Spirit A. Yea Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Q. What doth the Scripture teach us to conceive of the nature of a Spirit or how doth a Spirit differ from a body A. Luk. 24.39 Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my selfe handle me and see for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have Q. What Scripture have you to prove that God is invisible to corporeall eyes A. 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall immortall invisible the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Deut. 4.15 16 17. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fires lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likenesse of male or female c. compared with Rom. 1.21 23. Because that when they knew God they glorifyed him not as God neither were thankfull but became vaine in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened and they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and foure-footed beasts and creeping things Q. What proofe doe you bring that God is without Passion A. Act. 14.11 15. When the people saw what Paul had done they lift up their voices saying the Gods are come down to us in the likenesse of men c. Sirs why doe ye these things we also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that you should turne from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven and earth c. Q. Give us a text to shew the unchangeablenesse or Immutability of God A. Mal. 3.6 For I am the Lord I change not therefore the Sons of Jacob are not consumed Jam. 1.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh downe from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning Q. What text of Scripture is there to prove that God cannot be contained in any place or that he is Immense A. 1 King 8.27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the heaven and the Heaven of heavens cannot containe thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Jer. 23.23 24. Am I a God at hand sayth the Lord and not a God a far off Can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord Doe not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord Q. How doe you prove that he is Eternall A. Psal 90.2 Before the mountaines were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall
9.7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges Q. May they plunder and carve for themselves what they please A. No. Luk. 3.14 And he said unto them doe violence to no man and be content with your wages Q. When Abraham by God's blessing on his sword delivered the oppressed and them who were carried captive namely his Nephew Lot and the King of Sodome c. their persons and goods did he seise all for himselfe and Souldiers as their own by right of conquest A. No. Gen. 14.21 22 23 24. And the King of Sodome said to Abraham give me the persons and take the goods to thy selfe And Abram said to the King of Sodome I have lift up my hand unto the Lord the most high God the possessour of heaven and earth that I will not take from thee a thread even to a shoo-latchet that I will not take any thing that is thine lest thou shouldest say I have made Abram rich save only that which the young men have eaten and the portion of the men which went with me Aner Eshcol and Mamre let them take their portion Q. How did the people of God the Jewes when they stood for their lives and slew thousands of their enemies in the dayes of King Ahasuerus did they take all they could get for themselves A. No Esth 9.10 16. The ten sons of Haman the Son of Hammedatha the Jewes enemy slew they but on the spoile laid they not their hand But the other Jewes that were in the King's provinces gathered themselves together and stood for their lives and had rest from their enemies and slew of their foes 75 000 but they layd not their hands on the prey See also vers 15. but on the prey they laid not their hand Q. Ought not those whose lives and goods are saved to reward the instruments of their deliverance who have jeoparded their lives for them in the high places of the field A. Yes Gen. 14.21 24. And the King of Sodom said unto Abraham Give me the persons and take the goods to thy selfe Save only that which the young men have eaten and the portion of the men which went with me Aner Eshcol and Mamre let them take their portion Q. May we put all to the sword who shall be taken in war A. 2 King 6.22 And he answered thou shalt not smite them wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink Q. VVhat if the case be so that our brethren forsake the Lord and become Idolaters and fall out with us and there happen to be war betwixt us and we conquer how then how did the Lord's people demean themselves in such a case after a victory or when they had their brethren in their power A. 2 Chron. 28.9 10 15. But a Prophet of the Lord was there whose name was Oded and he went out before the host that came to Samaria and said unto them Behold because the Lord God of your Fathers was wroth with Judah he hath delivered them into your hand and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bond-men and bond-women unto you but are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord your God c. And the men which were expressed by name rose up and took the captives and with the spoile clothed all that were naked among them and arrayed them and shod them and gave them to eat and to drink and annointed them and carryed all the feeble of them upon Asses and brought them to Jericho the city of Palm-trees to their Brethren Q. What say we to the seventh of Deut. 2. and chap. 20.16 in relation to the Canaanites and to the 13 of Deut. 15. in reference to the Apostate Israelites A. These people were by God devoted to destruction the former expresly and the other upon evident proof of their breaking Articles with God the Lord of Hosts Q. VVhat means Jer. 48.10 concerning Moab A. In case God have a worke to doe suppose to destroy his implacable enemies the Moabites if God make known his mind by his Prophets as to Saul concerning the Amalekites 1 Sam. 15.3 It must be done if it be God will reward the executioner as he did Jehu if it be not done he will punish the negligent as he did Saul and that other mentioned 1 Kin. 20.25 26. Q. May a private man Souldier or other kill an Idolater a seducer to Idolatry or a false Prophet or other offender without being tryed according to law because of Deut. 13.9 and Zech. 13.3 A. Deut. 17.6 7. At the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall he that is worthy of death be put to death but at the mouth of one witnesse he shall not be put to death the hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterward the hands of all the people so thou shalt put the evill away from among you i. e. They may be witnesses against such offenders and be causers of their death in a legall way Q. Did not Phinehas out of zeale kill Zimri and Cosbi in the act of uncleanesse and is he not commended and rewarded for so doing A. Either Phinehas was an officer or had commission from Moses the chief Magistrate as the Levites had formerly in another case or he was moved and carried to this execution by a speciall motion and instinct of the spirit of God Exod. 32.26 27. Num. 25.4 5. Q. Did not Elijah slay the Priests of Baal 1 King 18.40 A. Elijah was an extraordinary Prophet wrought many miracles and at that time God had answered him by fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice and to confute the Idolatrous Priests of Baal and this in the sight of Israel gathered together by the command of King Ahab and possibly the King too might be present at this time because in the next verse immediately after mention is made of Elijah's slaying the Prophets of Baal it followes vers 41. Get thee up eat and drink for there is a sound of abundance of rain and who knowes but the King might tacitly consent if not expresly and openly to this execution of Justice and the people might be ayding thereunto having professedly acknowledged the Lord to be the God in v. 39. and if the King and people at least had not assented and some of them assisted how could one Elijah have slayn 400 Besides whether he or they they did but execute upon them the judgment written Deut. 13.5 and chap. 18.20 A like execution did Jehu by his Captaines and Guards upon the worshippers of Baal 2 Kin. 10.25 And now I desire all Quakers Antiministe rialists who account the Ministers of the Gospel as Priests of Baal would hold their hands from blood untill all the people be gathered together and
he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and beliefe of the truth Q. How prove you such shall be certainly kept and preserved unto Salvation A. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time John 10.27 28 29. Chap. 10. Of God's Providence Q. HOW prove you that God's Providence reacheth over all things Creatures and their actions from the greatest to the least A. Dan. 4.35 And all the Inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the Inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him what dost thou Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the seas and all deep places Act. 17.25 28. Seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things For in him we live and move and have our being Mat. 10.30 But the very haires of your head are all numbred Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Psal 94.11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity Q. How prove you that God orders the actions of men and the events of all their actions beyond whatever came into their hearts A. Deut. 19.5 compared with Exod. 21.13 And if a man lye not in waite but God deliver him into his hand c. As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree the head slippeth from the helve and lighteth upon his neighbour that he dye c. 1 Kin. 22.34 compared with vers 28. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture and smote the King of Israel between the joynts of the harnesse Isai 10.6 7. I will send him against an hypocriticall nation and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoyle and to take the prey and to tread them down like the mire of the streets Howbeit he meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few Q. Can you prove that God who is omnipotent and can worke without meanes that he useth meanes to bring about his purpose A. Act. 27.31 44. Paul said unto the Centurion and to the Souldiers Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved And the rest some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship and so it came to passe that they escaped all safe to land Isa 55.11 For as the raine cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not returne unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it Hos 2.21 22. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the heavens and they shall heare the earth and the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oyle and they shall heare Jezreel Q. What Scriptures teach that God doth not only barely permit but most wisely and powerfully bound and order sinfull actions to his own holy ends and yet neither is nor can be the Author or approver of sin A. 1 King 22.22 23. And he said I will goe forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets And he saidt thou shalt perswade him and prevaile also goe forth and doe so Now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying Spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets Psal 76.10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Gen. 50.20 But as for you ye thought evill against me but God meant it unto good to bring to passe as it is this day to save much people alive Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and commeth down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning 1 Joh. 2.16 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life is not of the Father Psal 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Q. What Scriptures prove that God blinds and hardens some mens hearts for former sins A. Rom. 11.8 God hath given them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not heare unto this day Ro. 1.28 And as they did not like to retaine God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind to doe those things which are not convenient Q. How may God be said to harden mens hearts for former sinnes A. Rom. 1.24 Wherefore God gave them up unto uncleannesse through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves Ps 106.15 And he gave them their request but sent leannesse into their soul 2 Thes 2.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye Exod. 7.3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart compared with chap. 8.32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart c. Q. How is it proved that God doth blind and harden men by withholding his grace to enlighten their understandings and to worke upon their hearts A. Mat. 13.13 Therefore speake I to them in Parables because they seeing see not and hearing they heare not neither doe they understand Q. Doth God sometimes withdraw the gifts which men have had for their not using or abusing of them A. Math. 25.29 From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath Q. Is it a meanes of blindnesse and hardnesse that sometimes they are exposed to such objects as their corruption will make occasion of Sinne A. 2 King 8.12 And Hazael said why weepeth my Lord and he answered because I know the evill that thou wilt doe unto the children of Israel their strong holds wilt thou set on fire and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword and
by inheritance in the want of sons querie why she may not inherit and whether the French Salique law forbidding women to inherit the Crown be contained in Scripture A. Jos 17.4 And they came neere before Eleazar the Priest and before Joshua the Son of Nun and before the Princes saying The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren therefore according to the commandement of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their Father Job 42.15 And their Father gave them an inheritance among their brethren Chap. 19. Of an Oath Q. MAY we sweare at all A. Heb. 6.16 For men verily sweare by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife 2 Cor. 1.23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth Q. Must we sweare by the Creator A. Is 65.16 He that sweareth in the earth shall sweare by the God of truth Jer. 4.2 And thou shalt sweare the Lord liveth in Truth in Judgment and in Righteousnesse Q. May we not sweare by our Lady our Faith or Troth and such like oathes A. Mat. 5.34 35 36. Swear not at all neither by heaven for it is God's throne nor by the earth for it is his footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King Neither shalt thou swear by thy head because thou canst not make one haire white or black Jam. 5.12 But above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath Q. What think you of that expression As I live is it God's oath should wee sweare As we live or As the Lord liveth A. Ezek. 17.19 Thus sayth the Lord As I live surely mine oath that he hath despised and my Covenant that he hath broken even it will I recompense upon his own head Rom. 14.11 For it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow downe and every tongue shall confesse to God Q. What ceremony is it fittest then to use in swearing Kissing the book or lifting the hand up to heaven A. Rev. 10.5 6. And the Angell which I saw stand upon the Sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to Heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever who created Heaven c. Q. Doth one maine end of an oath yet continue A. Yes Hebr. 6.16 For men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife Q. If a man sweare to bind his soule under a curse to sinne against God either by omitting what is his duty to doe or by committing or doing what God forbids is he bound to keep that oath A. No. 1 Sam. 25.22 compared with 32. and 33. So and more also doe God unto the enemies of David If I leave of all that pertaine to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall And David said to Abigail Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me And blessed be thy Advice and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood and from avenging my selfe with mine own hand Q. Doth Math. 5.34 35 36 37. James 5.12 Forbid and condemne as utterly unlawfull all oathes though in weighty matters and before a lawfull Magistrate A. No those Scriptures condemne rash customary swearing particularly by the Creatures and imply the one that in ordinary speech we should content our selves with simple affirmations and negations and the other perhaps may imply farther that our affirmations and negations should be plain and sure grounded on a mere truth that with us there should not be yea and nay but that as there is yea in our promise so there should be yea in our performance we should be as good as our word Consider first that the third commandement forbids taking God's name in vaine and not simply the taking up of his name 2ly That an oath is the end of strife 3ly That the Apostle Paul calls God to witnesse 2 Cor. 1.23 Chap. 20. Of buriall of the dead Q. WHERE did the Lord's people of old use to bury their dead did they bury sometimes in a cave in a field sometimes in a garden and sometimes in the city A. Gen. 25.9 And his Sonnes Isaack and Ishmael buried him in the Cave Machpelah in the field of Ephron Joh. 19.41 42. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a new sepulchre wherein was never man yet laid There laid they Jesus c. 1 King 2.10 So David slept with his Fathers and was buried in the City of David Q. Have godly people taken care of their buriall and especially to be buried in the sepulchres of their Fathers A. Gen. 49.29 31. I am to be gathered unto my people bury me with my Fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife there they buried Isaack Rebeckah his wife and there I buried Leah Q. Was it a part of the Priest's office under the Law to bury the dead A. Num. 19.11 He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be uncleane seven dayes Lev. 21.1 2 10 11. Speak unto the Priests the Sons of Aaron say unto theÌ„ There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people But for his kinne that is neer unto him c. And he that is the High Priest among his brethren shall not uncover his head nor rent his cloathes neither shall he goe in to any dead body nor defile himselfe for his Father or for his Mother Q. Hath Christ laid his commands on the Ministers of the Gospel to bury the dead A. Luk. 9.60 Jesus said unto him Let the dead bury their dead but goe thou and preach the Kingdome of God Q. Is it lawfull for a minister to take occasion from Providence the opportunity of the peoples meeting to preach or give a word of Exhortation preaching to their eares as God doth thâ—â— to their eyes A Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver 2 Tim. 4.2 Preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Luk. 14.15 16. And when one of them that sate at meat with him heard these things he said unto him Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdome of God Then said he unto him A certaine man made a great supper c. Q. Is it lawfull to make a funerall oration or Elegies for the dead A. 2 Sam. 1.71 19. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul over Jonathan his son The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places how are the mighty fallen c. So vers 23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely pleasant in their lives and in their death
immortall c. be honour and glory for ever Q. Where is it proved that his greatnesse is Incomprehensible or unsearchable A. Psal 145.3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatnesse is unsearchable Q. What text have we that God is Almighty or Omnipotent A. Gen. 17.1 And when Abraham was ninety yeers old and nine the Lord appeared to him and said I am the Almighty God walke before me and be thou perfect Rev. 4.8 And they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. How doe you prove God is only wise A. Rom. 16.27 To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever 1 Tim. 1.17 To the King eternall c. the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Q. How doe you prove God is most holy A. Isai 6.3 And one cryed unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Rev. 4.8 And they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. How doe you prove that God is most free in all he doth A. Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the Seas and all deep places Q. How prove you that God is absolute A. Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I Am hath sent me unto you Q. How prove you that God Works all according to the counsill of his own will A. Eph. 1.11 In wom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsill of his own will Q. What text of Scripture proves God doth all for his own glory A. Prov 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himselfe yea even the wicked for the day of evill Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Q. Is the Atheist or he that denyes there is a God cal'd a Fool in Scripture A. Psal 14.1 The Fool haith said in his heart there is no God Q. Where have we ground in Scripture for such expressions as these the nature of God the God-head the Essence of God the Person of the Father A. Gal. 4.8 Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them which by nature are no Gods Exod 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I am hath sent me unto you Rev. 1.4 Grace be to you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power c. Q. What say you to those many Scriptures which say that God is in heaven A. The Reason why God is said to be in Heaven is not because his Essence is included in a certaine place cal'd Heaven but he may be said to be in Heaven in regard of the more eminent manifestation of his glory there to Saints and Angels in respect of some more eminent dispensations and workes of his manifested from thence Q. What say you to those Scriptures that testify that God came down from heaven or appeared on Mount Sinai c. A. The Scripture speaks of God after the manner of men condescending to our capacity God is or may be said to be or appeare or come to such a place when either some glorious appearances are seen there or some more glorious dispensations are there M. Mede or when the Angels or Courtiers of Heaven are there or when there are some eminent signes of his favour there God who in his own being and Essence is infinite and immense D. Ow. is by reason thereof present in and to the whole creation equally not by a diffusion of his Substance or mixture with other things heaven or earth in or upon them but by an inconceivable indistancy of Essence to all things though he exert his power and manifest his glory in one place more than another as in Heaven in Sion at the Arke c. Q. How prove you that God hath no corporeall visible figure and shape or similitude A. Is 40.25 To whom then will ye liken me or shall I be equall sayth the Holy one Q. When the Scripture saith that man is made after the image and likenesse of God doth it intend that God hath a bodily figure or shape like a man A. Col. 3.9 10. Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him Q. What meanes the Scripture by attributing unto God parts like a man eyes cares nostrils armes hands fingers are we to understand that God hath a body of flesh and parts fleshly like us A. No but they are spoken of him after the manner of men for it is written 2 Chr. 32.8 With him is an Arme of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to helpe us and to fight our battels Jer. 17.5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his Arme and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Job 10.4 Hast thou eyes of flesh or seest thou as man seeth Q. How must those Scriptures be understood which attribute Affections and Passions to God as Anger Fury Zeale Wrath Love Hatred Jealousy Repentance Griefe Joy c A. They are Metaphorically assigned unto him spoken of him only in reference to his outward workes and dispensations correspondent and answering to the actings of men D. Ow. in whom such affections are and under the power whereof they are in those actings Q. How prove you that these are spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 metaphorically A. Mal. 3.6 For I am the Lord I change not Is 27.4 Fury is not in me 1 Sam. 15.29 And the strength of Israel will not lye nor repent for he is not a man that he should repent To instance in Anger that may denote either God's vindictive justice whence punishments flow or else the effects of it in the punishments themselves either threatned or inflicted Q. What is meant when 't is said that Moses should see the Similitude of the Lord c. Exod. 34. Num. 12.8 Doth it mean that God hath any reall visible shape A. No but it may be possibly he shall see an Angel or some glorious light 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Joh. 4.12 No man hath seen God at any time
Q. What doe the Scriptures say concerning God's Omniscience or Knowledge of all things past present and to come how contingent soever they are in their own nature or wrought by Agents free in working A. Act. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Heb. 4.13 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 doe Psal 139.2 3 4. Thou knowest my down sitting mine uprising thou understandest my thought afar off thou compassest my path my lying down art acquainted with all my wayes For there is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Ps 147.5 Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Is 40.28 There is no searching of his understanding Q. How are those Scriptures to be expounded which speake of God's proving and trying men that he may know what is in their hearts c. such as Deut. 8.2 and 13.3 2 Chr. 32.31 And what meanes that other place Philip. 4.6 Let your request be made known unto God A. These things are ascribed to God figuratively discovering the kind of his works dispensations not his own nature and properties so they must have a figurative interpretation D. Ow. God deales with men much like or proportionably to what we would doe when we would really find out what we doe not know Q. Doth the Scripture teach that there is but one only true God A. Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things we in him c. Q. What saith the Scripture concerning the Trinity or the three Persons in the God-head A. 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.29 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. Are we by the Word to understand Christ the Son of God A. Joh. 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Q. Is Christ God A. Rom. 9.5 Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 20.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my Ood Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 8. Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himselfe purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high But unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy Kingdome 1 Tim. 3.16 Q. Is he equall with the Father A. Phil. 2.6 Who being in the forme of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God Q. Is he one with his Father A. Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Q. How doe you prove that the Holy Ghost is God A. Act. 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land while it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you So chap. 6.19 What know you not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own 2 Cor. 6.16 and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Is 6.1 9. In the yeer that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his traine filled the Temple And he said Goe and tell this people Heare ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not Compared with Acts 28.25 26. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed after that Paul had spoken one word well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Go unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive Q. Is the holy Ghost a distinct person or subsistence in the God-head A. Joh. 16.7 8. For if I goe not away the comforter will not come unto you c. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sinne and of righteousnesse and of Judgment Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him Act. 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them Q. Are we baptized into the faith and worship of one God in three Persons A. Mat. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Q. Is not God the Father cal'd the only true God in Joh. 17.3 How then is Christ God A. Christ and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God with the Father and some expound this text by 1 Joh. 5.20 where of Jesus Christ it is said D. Ch. Beza in loc D. Ch. This is the true God and Eternall life These termes one and only exclude all Idols not the Son and the Holy Ghost no more than in Jude v. 4. According to our Translation the word only Lord God being applyed to Christ doth exclude God the Father from being God Q. Doth not Christ say Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater than I. And again Joh. 10.29 My Father is greater than all A. Presently after Christ had said My Father is greater than all he addes I and my Father are one i.e. one in
nature and yet in regard of his manhood and in respect of his office of Mediator about which he was sent into the world his Father was greater than he Q. Are not God the Father and God the Son said to send the Holy Ghost And is not he that sendeth greater than he that is sent A. M. Perk. One Equall may send another by consent Q. Doth not Christ say concerning the Holy Ghost Joh. 16.13 14 15. he shall not speak of himselfe and he shall receive of mine c A. The Holy Ghost hath his subsistence from the Father and the Son but this by nature and he imparts to every one of us as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 and the Church is commanded to hearken unto him Rev 2. Yet the mercy grace D. Ow. his Ans to Bid. light guidance direction comfort peace gifts that he should communicate were no other but what were procured and purchased for them by Christ himselfe according to that dispensation that the Trinity is pleased to proceed in to accomplish the work of our Salvation Q. May we give prayse and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost A. Is 6.1 2 3. I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his train filled the Temple Above it stood the Seraphims And one cryed unto another and sayd Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory So vers 8.9 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying go and tell ye this people Heare ye indeed but understand not compared with Act. 28.25 26. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Goe unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand Rev. 7.9 10. After this I beheld and lo a great multitude And cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lambe Q. May we lawfully pray to any particular Person of the Holy Trinity And may we give glory to a particular Person A. Luk. 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they doe Act. 7.59 60. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit and he kneeled downe and cryed with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their charge 2 Cor. 13. last The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Rev. 5.13 And every creature heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Q. May we lawfully in a continued prayer wherein we have many petitions put up one to God the Father by name another to the Son and a 3d to the Holy Ghost A. 2 Cor. 13. last The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen 2 Thes 2.16 17. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe God even our Father comfort your hearts c. Q. Which Person of the Trinity is most frequently named in the prayers of holy men recorded in Scripture A. Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 3.14 21. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages world without end Amen Cap. 5. Of God's Decrees Q. HOW prove you that nothing can come to passe in time but what God did most wisely and freely decree and ordaine unchangably from all eternity A. Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Rom. 11.33 34. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his waies past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heires of promise the immutability of his Counsell confirmed it by an oath Rom. 9.15 18. For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Q. How prove you that for all this decree God is not the Author of sin A. Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot betēpted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darknesse at all Q. How prove you that God's Decrees or eternall predestination or foreordaining of all that comes to passe in time doth not take away man's liberty or offer violence to him and consequently free man from sinne A. Act. 2.23 Him being delivered by the determinate counsell and fore-knowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain So Chap. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered togeither for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Math. 17.10 11 12. Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come And Jesus answered and said unto them Elias truly shall first come and restore all things But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they listed likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of thē Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Joh. 19.11 Jesus answered thou could'st have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The power of the Magistrate being from God therefore the Jewes sin'd grievously in making use of the Magistrate to condemne the innocent and the Son of God Beza Q. How prove you that God knowes all that comes to passe A. Act. 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Q. How prove you he knowes what may or can come to passe upon such and such conditions A. 1. Sam. 23.11 12. Will Saul come down as thy Servant hath heard O Lord God of Israel I beseech thee tell thy Servant And the Lord said he will come down Then said David will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of
wilt dash their children and rip up their women with child vers 15. And Hazael reigned Q. What Scriptures prove that God's Providence especially doth reach his Church and that he disposeth all things to the good thereof A. 1 Tim. 4.10 Who is the Saviour of all men especially of those that believe Amos. 9.9 I will sift the house of Israel among all nations c. Yet shall not the least graine fall upon the earth Is 43.3 4 5. I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy Saviour I gave Egypt for thy ransome Ethyopia and Seba for thee therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life Fear not for I am with thee I will bring thy seed from the East c. Chap. 11. Of Faith and Repentance a holy life and assurance of Salvation Q. IS faith in Christ required of those who shall be saved A. Act. 16.31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house Joh. 3.16 36. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Q. What is that great truth to which the Father Son and Holy Ghost bear witnesse A. 1 Joh. 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Q. Is it necessary that we should repent of our sinnes and reforme or amend our lives and forsake our sinnes if we will have mercy A. Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Q. Are any so predestinated or did our Lord Jesus Christ so lay down his life for any particular Persons that although they live and dye in impenitency and unbeliefe yet they shall surely be saved A. Rom. 8.1 13 30. There is therefore now no condemnation to thē which are in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit For if ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit doe mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified c. Q. Doth the Scriptures hold out any such preterition or Non-election or so hold forth the death of Christ that some persons although they believe with all their heart and repent and forsake all their sins yet shall not be saved A. Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Act. 10.34 35 43. Of a truth I perceive God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of Sinnes Q. May we be sure if we believe that we were ordained to eternall life A. Act. 13.48 And as many as were ordained to eternall life believed 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth Q. What manner of Persons are those living and dying who were of old ordained unto condemnation A. Jude 4. For there are certaine men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousnesse and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ Q. May our Election be known A. 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall 2 Thes 1.4 Knowing brethren beloved your election of God Q. Doth God elect or chuse men out of Grace and that they might he holy A. Rom. 11.4 5 6. There is a remnant according to the Election of Grace And if by Grace then is it no more of works otherwise grace is no more Grace Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 2 Thes 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth Q. Are we commanded to believe in the name of the Lord Christ A. 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandement that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ Joh. 6.29 Jesus answered and said unto them This is the word of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent Q. Have we power of our selves to believe and to doe good works A. Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Phil. 1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Q. Who is the Author and finisher of our Faith A. Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith c. Mar. 9.24 Lord I believe help thou mine unbeliefe Q. Seeing we cannot believe and doe good works by our own power may we be exhorted to both A. Phil. 2.12 13. Wherefore my beloved as you have alwaies obeyed c. Worke out your own Salvation with feare and trembling For it is God which worketh in you both to will to doe of his good pleasure Q. Is there an Almighty power put forth to make us believe A. Eph. 1.19 And what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Q. Is it our duty to convert and turne to God c. A. Isa 1.16 17. Wash ye make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seek judgment relieve the opressed judg the fatherlesse plead for the widdow Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out Joel 2.12 Turne ye even to me saith the Lord with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning Q. Are we able of our selves to turne or must we pray unto God to turne us A. Psal 85.4 Turne us O God of our Salvation and cause thine anger towards us to cease Jer. 31.18 Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Q. Is the word of God a means or instrument which God useth to convert men A. 1 Thes 1.5 6. For our Gospel came not unto you in word
children or of strangers Peter saith unto him Of strangers Jesus saith unto him thē are the children free notwithstanding lest we should offend them go thou to the Sea c. That give for thee and me Q. May a Minister lawfully have a set manitenance A. 1 Timothy 5.17 18. compared with Math. 20.1 2. Luk. 10.7 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine For the Scripture sayth thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and the Labourer is worthy of his reward For the Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a man that is an housholder which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day he sent them into his vineyard Q. Is it lawfull to preach in a Pulpit A. Neh. 8.4 And Ezra the Scribe stood upon a Pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose c. Q. Is it lawfull to read in the book of the Lord although no exposition immediatly follow A. Jer. 36.6 Therefore goe thou and read in the roll which thou hast written from my mouth the words of the Lord in the eares of the people in the Lord's house upon the fasting day and also thou shalt read them in the eares of all Judah that come out of their cities Q. Is it lawfull to read and expound in the Congregation or make them to understand what is read A. Neh. 8.8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sence and caused them to understand the reading Act. 28.23 to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdome of God perswading them concerning Jesus both out of the law of Moses and out of the Prophets Mark 4.34 Luk. 24.27 Act. 8.30.31 35. Q. Is there any warrant to pray before reading and expounding A. Neh. 8.6 And Ezra blessed the Lord the great God and all the people answered Amen Amen with lifting up their hands and they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground Q. What warrant is there for the people to say Amen at the end of the Ministers prayer A. Ne. 8.6 And all the people answered Amen Amen with lifting up their hands Psal 106.48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting and let all the people say Amen Q. May we pray the Lord's prayer A. Luk. 11.1 2. And it came to passe that as he was praying in a certaine place when he ceased one of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father c. Q. May we pray other prayers A. Act. 4.24 And when they heard that they lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Lord thou art God which hast made heaven and earth and the Sea and all that in them is c. Q. Is there any thing to be said for the lawfulnesse of writing of Sermons after the minister A. Jer. 36.4 And Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord which he had spoken unto him upon a roll of a book Q. May we preach upon a text A. Luk. 4.20 21. And he closed the book and he gave it againe to the Minister and sate down and the eyes of all them that were in the Synagogue were fastened on him And he began to say unto them This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your eares Q. May Ministers make use of books and give themselves to reading A. 2 Tim. 4.13 The cloak when thou comest bring with thee and the books but especially the parchments Q. Is it lawfull for a Minister to make use of humane learning A. Tit. 1.12 One of themselves even a Prophet of their own said the Cretians are alway lyars evill beasts slow bellyes 1 Cor. 15.33 Be not deceived evill communications corrupt good manners Act. 17.28 For in him we live and move and have our being as certaine also of your own Poets have said For we are also his off-spring Q. Had any of the Prophets or Apostles any humane learning A. Act. 7.22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds Act. 22.3 I am verily a man which am a Jew borne in Tarsus a city in Cilicia yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the Fathers c. Q. May a Minister marry and take care of wife and children A. 1 Tim. 3.4 One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity Q. May a Minister keep a Servant A. 2 King 5.20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said my Master hath spared Naaman this Syrian c. Q. Is it lawfull for a Minister to suffer himselfe to be called Sr or Mr A. 1 King 18.7 That my Lord Elijah Act. 16.30 Sirs what must I doe to be saved 1 Sam 1.16 And she said oh my Lord as thy soul liveth my Lord I am the woman that stood by thee here praying unto the Lord. Q. What say you unto Mat. 23.10 Neither be ye called Masters c A. i. c. Doe not ye ambitiously affect great titles of Fathers and Masters or Governours or Guides as the Pharisees doe but account God your Father in heaven and me your master on earth and be ye content with the title of my disciples Q. Doth the holy Scripture ever give any titles of respect unto the disciples or Ministers afterwards A. Yes Act. 20.28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine Eph. 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls c. Q. Is the title or office of a Preacher dishonourale for any A. No. Eccles 1.12 I the Preacher was King over Israel in Jerusalem Rom. 15.8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirme the promises made unto the Fathers Q. Was it a disparagement among the Jewes to match with a Priest A. 2 Chr. 22.11 So Jehoshabeath the Daughter of King Jehoram the wife of Jehoida the Priest for she was the Sister of Ahaziah hid him Q. May Preachers lawfully suffer themselves to be taken up into the coaches of Nobles did not Elijah gird himselfe and run by Ahab's chariot A. Act. 8.28 31. And sitting in his charet c. He desired Philip
that he would come up and sit with him vers 38. And he commanded the charet to stand still and they went down both into the water Q. Might the Priests of old have any temporall estate in Lands of their owne A. Act. 4.36 37. And Joses a Levite and of the country of Cyprus having land sold it and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles feet Q. What may be done with Scandalous Ministers if they will not reforme A. Mat. 5.13 Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be troden under foot of men 1 Sam. 2.30 35. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel sayth I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy Father should walke before me for ever but now the Lord sayth be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed And I will raise me up a faithfull Priest that shall doe according to that which is in my heart and my mind and I will build him a sure house and he shall walke before mine anointed for ever 1 King 2.27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being Priest unto the Lord that he might fulfill the word of the Lord which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh Q. May we allow those who are deprived a fifth part to live on A. 2 King 23.9 Neverthelesse the Priests of the High places came not up to the Altar of the Lord in Jerusalem but they did eate of the unleavened bread among their brethren Q. May Another lawfully be put into the place of such as are lawfully thrust out A. 1 Kin. 2.35 And the King put Benaiah the Son of Jehojada in his room over the host and Zadok the Priest did the King put in the roome of Abiathar Act. 1.20 25. For it is written in the book of Psalmes Let his habitation be desolate and let no man dwell therein and his Bishoprick let another take That he may take part of this ministry and Apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell Q. Who did put in and put out under the old Testament A. 1 King 2.35 And the King put Zadok the Priest in the roome of Abiathar Chap. 23. Of publick worship Churches and Ordinances Q. HAD the Jewes Synagogues generally in their cities to worship God in and was there reading the Law in them constantly on the Sabbath day A. Act. 15.21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 13.14 15. Q. Was it the practise of Christ and his Disciples and followers the primitive Christians to worship God on the Sabbath daies at their owne home or in private houses or in the Synagogues A. Luk. 4.16 And he came to Nazareth and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read So Chap. 6.6 And it came to passe also on another Sabbath that he entred into the Synagogue and taught Joh. 18.20 Jesus answered I spake openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing Act. 9.20 And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogue that he is the Son of God Act. 13.5 And when they were at Salamis they preached the word of God in the Synagogues of the Jewes Q. Did the Apostles rob the Temples or Idols of the Heathens of their riches A. No Act. 19.37 For ye have brought hither these men which are neither robbers of Churches nor yet blasphemers of your Goddesse Q. Was it held lawfull in the Apostle's dayes to alienate that part of a man's estate which he had once vowed or dedicated unto God Ans No. Act. 5.3 But Peter sayd Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land Q. May we meet and preach in places commonly called Churches A. Yes Mar. 1.21 And they went into Capernaum and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the Synagogue and taught Luk. 4.15 16. And he taught in their Synagogue being glorified of all And he came to Nazareth and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Joh. 18.20 I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwaies resort and in secret have I said nothing Act. 13.14 15. They came to Antioch in Pisidia and went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and sate down and after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the Rulers of the Synagogue sent unto them saying ye men and brethren if ye have any word of Exhortation for the people say on Act. 18.4 And he reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath and perswaded the Jewes and the Greeks Act. 19.8 9. And he went into the Synagogue and spake boldly for the space of three moneths disputing and perswading the things concerning the Kingdome of God But when diverse were hardened c. he departed from them and separated the disciples disputing daily in the Schoole of one Tyrannus Q. Is it an evidence of right Zeale to pull down Churches A. No Psal 74.8 They said in their hearts Let us destroy them together they have burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the Land Luk. 7.5 For he loveth our nation and he hath built us a Synagogue Q. Have we any warrant for reading the Scriptures as it is used to be called first and second lesson before the minister begin his Sermon A. Act. 13.15 And after the reading of the Law the Prophets the Rulers of the Synagogue sent unto thē saying ye men and brethren if ye have any word of Exhortation for the people say on c. Q. Is the spirit given that we may live without or above Gods commandements and ordinances A. Ezek. 11.19 20. And I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit within them that they may walke in my statutes and keep mine Ordinances and do them Q. Are Gospell Ordinances and dispensations a ministration of the letter or of the Spirit A. 2 Cor. 3.6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the spirit Q. Is this ministry of the spirit to cōtinue Ans 2 Cor. 3.7 8 11. But if the ministration of death written and graven in stones was glorious which glory was to be done away how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious For if that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth is glorious Q. What if a man have the spirit be filled with the spirit be a strong Christian is he to cast off ordinances and offices in the Church A. Act. 6.5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the H. Ghost Act. 10.44 47 48. While Peter yet spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word Then answered Peter can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Q. What Answer shall we give to those Scriptures Heb. 8.10 11. 1 Joh. 2.27 2 Pet. 1.1 9 A. To that place in the Hebrewes I say 1 That it must not be interpreted to forbid the use of all ordinances and teaching by men for the Apostles themselves did notwithstanding this promise go on teaching and ordaining teachers in the Churches 2 That if this text of Scripture should be taken as it seems to sound in the expresse words and letter of it it will make void and needlesse not only publick teaching and by ministers or Church-officers but also private instruction and by private friends neighbours brethren not ministers 3ly I say that the sense and meaning may be that they shall have not only the outward teaching of men but the inward teaching of the spirit and this teaching of God by his spirit they shall have in such a manner and measure that the other outward shall be nothing or needlesse in comparison or 4thly They shall in Gospell times from the least to the greatest know God the Lord to be the Lord and they shall not teach them as if they were to teach a heathenish unknowing people but the ministers shall then teach a more knowing people as t is said the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea i. e. there shall be abundance of knowledge beyond what there is now generally To that in 1 Epistle of John the meaning is either this You are sufficiently already instructed in this that Jesus is the Christ you need not a farther proof in that matter the seducers Anti-Christs or false Christs shall not be able to draw you away from this great truth Or else ye that are the children of God have the gifts and graces of Gods spirit in such a measure that ye shall not be carried away from the Christian Religion or the truth as t is in Jesus but this Spirit shall teach you in all necessary saving truths And that notwithstanding this place this Apostle writes this Epistle to informe them to edify thē To that in 2 Ep. of Peter the sense and scope of the words may be this that you may find the knowledge of God and of his Christ if you will read and consider and compare the prophesies of the old Testament for those Scriptures testify of him The meaning is not that when you have got the knowledge of Christ you need not further to take heed to the Scriptures when the godly Ps 123.2 professe to look or waite on God untill he have mercy on them doe you think that they meant to look or waite on him just so long and no longer Q. May ministers presse Saints who live and dwell in God and who are taught of God to hearken to a word or commandement without them A. Yes 1 Thes 4.9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of of God to love one another compared with the 2d. For ye know what commandements we gave you by the Lord Jesus Eph. 6.1 2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father mother which is the first commandement with promise compared with ch 1.1 Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithfull in Christ Jesus Jam. 2.8 11. If ye fulfill the royall Law according to the Scripture Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy selfe ye do well For he that said do not commit Adultery said also do not kill Now if thou commit no Adultery yet if thou kill thou art become a transgressor of the Law Q. May a believer that is in God come himselfe to any Church do we read of a church in God and the Lord Christ A. 2 Thes 1.1 Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Q. Is there a Catholick or Universall Church and may a man be said to be a teacher or ruler in that A. 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. Q. Had God a Church ordinances and ministers in the daies of Antichrist A. Rev. 13.11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two hornes like a lamb and he spake as a dragon c. compared with ch 14.1 3. And I looked and loe a lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and foure thousand having his fathers name written in their foreheads and they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the Elders and no man could learne that song but the hundred forty and foure thousand which were redeemed from the earth Q. When the glorious times of the Church spoken of by Isaiah ch last come will there be use of Ministers and Ordinances A. Isa 66.21 23. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. And it shall come to passe that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Q. If a Minister intending to be short in a point say to conclude this in a word and after doth use more words then one or one or more sentences doth he lye A. Galat. 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe Q. May Ministers be bred up in Colledges under Tutors in order to the Ministry or are Colledges to be Nurseries only for the Common-wealth and Schools and not for the Church A. 1 Sam. 19.19 20. And it was told Saul saying David is at Naioth in Ramah And Saul sent messengers to take David and when they saw the company of the Prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as appointed over them 1 Sam. 10.10 And when they came thither to the hill behold a company of Prophets met him the Spirit of God came upon him he prophesied among thē Q. Had the Apostle Paul Hebrew and Greek and did he ever make any use of it A. Acts 22.2 And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence And Acts 21.37 And as Paul was to be led into the Castle he said unto the chiefe Captaine may I speak unto thee who said canst thou speak Greek Q. May we heare Ministers if they be as they are charged proud and
re-admitted to fellowship both in civil and sacred things at our own tables and at the Lords table A. 2 Corinth 2.6 7 8. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment which was inflicted of many So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him and consider him lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with over much sorrow wherefore I beseech you that you would confirme your love towards him Luk. 17.3 4. If thy brother trespasse against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him And if he trespasse against thee 7 times in a day and 7 times in a day turn againe to thee saying I repent thou shalt forgive him Q. Hath the Church or her Officers power to admonish and censure and stop the mouths of false teachers A. Rev. 2.20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth her selfe a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eate things sacrificed unto Idols Tit. 1.10 11 13. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers specially they of the Circumcision whose mouthes must be stopped wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith Tit. 3.10 A man that is an Heretick after the first and second admonition reject Q. Was Excommunication or any thing like it used in the Church of the Jewes A. Joh. 9.22 These words spake his Parents because they feared the Jewes for the Jewes had agreed already that if any man did confesse that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue And 12.42 Neverthelesse among the chiefe Rulers also many beleived on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue Q. Was Excommunication or casting out of the Church used in the Christian Church in the Apostles dayes A. 1 Cor. 5.4 5 13. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person 3 Joh. 10. Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth neither doth he himselfe receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the Church Q. If the Church neglect to do her duty is it lawfull for a Christian Magistrate to punish false teachers by silencing or suspending them from their office or ejecting them out of their places A. Is 49.23 And Kings shall be thy nursing fathers their Queens thy nursing Mothers they shall bow down to thee with their faces toward the earth and lick up the dust of thy feet and thou shalt know that I am the Lord for they shall not be ashamed that waite for me Ro. 13.4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good but if thou do that which is evill be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evill Compared with Phil. 3.2 Beware of dogs beware of evill workers beware of the concision Gal. 5.19 20. Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these wrath strife seditions heresies CHAP. 26. Of Civil Magistrates and the Common-wealth Q. IS the title of King lawfull for a supreame Magistrate or Governour A. Deut. 33.5 And he was King in Jesurun when the heads of the people and the Tribes of Israel were gathered together Math. 1.6 and Jesse begat David the King and David the King begat Solomon 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supreme Q. May a lawfull Soveraigne call the land over which he is head and governour his land A. Judg. 11.12 And Jephthah sent messengers unto the King of the children of Ammon saying what hast thou to do with me that thou art come against me to fight in my land Q. Have Subjects a property in their lands and goods A. 1 King 21.1 2. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel hard by the Palace of Ahab King of Samaria And Ahab spake unto Naboth saying Give me thy vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is near unto my house and I will give thee a better vineyard for it than it or if it seem good to thee I will give thee the worth of it in money Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and unto God the things which are Gods Q. May the King take away the subjects lands to bestow them on his owne children A. Ezek. 46.18 Moreover the Prince shall not take of the peoples inheritance by oppression to thrust them out of their possession but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession that my people be not scattered every man from his possession Q. Ought Kings or other supreme magistrates to set bounds to their desires of greatnesse state and riches A. Deut. 17.17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himselfe that his heart turne not away neither shall he greatly multiply to himselfe silver and gold Q. Are Kings and supream Governours so high that Ministers may not reprove them A. 2 Chr. 25.16 And it came to passe as he talked with him that the King said unto him Art thou made of the King's counsel forbeare why shouldest thou be smitten then the Prophet forbare and said I know that God hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this and hast not hearkened unto my counsell Q. May Ministers admonish or reprove Kings by letters or writings A. 2 Chr. 21.12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the Prophet saying Thus saith the Lord God of David thy Father Because thou hast not walked in the wayes of Jehoshaphat thy Father c. vers 14. Behold with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people and thy children and thy wives and all thy goods Q. Are Ministers more than others exempted from subjection to civill Governours A. Rom. 13.1 Let every soule be subject to the higher powers For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Q. Ought all without exception to obey and submit themselves to be guided by Ministers in the things of God according to the word of the Lord A. Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may doe it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Q. To whom did Christ promise power to forgive sins to his Apostles or civill Rulers A. Joh. 20.22 23. He breathed on them and sayth unto them Receive ye the Holy Ghost whosesoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whosesoever sins ye retain they are retained Q Hath Christ promised his more especiall presence with
before them it be tryed whether they or we be in the right Besides Elijah the Prophet cal'd for fire from heaven to consume two Captaines and their fiftyes 2 King 1.10 11 12. Will any therefore conclude wildly that we may call for fire from heaven to consume all the Captaines and their companies when they come to apprehend us The Apostles were mistaken in misapplying this instance of Elijah Luk. 9.55 And therefore no so great marvel if light heads be soon on fire against us from their miscarrying such a sparke of truth as this and therewith if let alone hazard to burne to Ashes the present Churches and Ministers and think they doe God good service Q. Is it not said Rev. 16.6 For they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy A. This was a Propheticall vision of destruction to persecutors and possibly it might be in part fulfilled when Priests were adjudged to death either in Popish countryes for ill-living or else according to the Lawes made against them by the supreme powers amongst Protestants But what warrant is this for private persons that against Law to fall upon the persons or estates of the true Ministers of Christ Oh that men would consider that this Judgment is here denounced against men for shedding the blood of Prophets and of Saints and observe there is a distinction of Prophets and Saints and that Prophets are put in the first place Besides I say further that the precepts of holy Scripture not the Prophecies are to be our guide and if we follow this light it will guide our feet into the wayes of peace Q. Was it required by the Law of Moses that the Priests should be consulted withall or made any use of when they went forth to warre A. Numb 10.8 9. And the sonnes of Aaron the Priest shall blow with the trumpets c. And if ye goe to warre in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you then ye shall blow an alarum with the trumpets and ye shall be remembred before the Lord your God and ye shall be saved from your enemies Q. May Ministers goe along and encourage their brethren when they are going to fight the Lord's battels to help the Lord against the mighty A. Deut. 20.2 3 4. And it shall be when ye are come nigh unto the Battell that the Priest shall approach and speak unto the people and shall say unto them Heare O Israel you approach this day unto battell against your enemies let not your hearts faint feare not and doe not tremble neither be ye terrified because of them For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you Q. Was that a Centurion or Captain of a 100 of whom the Jewes said unto Christ he hath loved our nation and built us a Synagogue A. Yes Luk. 7.2 And a certaine Centurions Servant who was deare unto him was sick and ready to dye c. he hath loved our nation and built us a Synagogue Q. Did there ever a Colledge or company of Prophets live quietly and peaceably by a Garrison of Souldiers A. Yes 1 Sam. 10.5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God where is the garrison of the Philistines and it shall come to passe when thou art come thither to the city that thou shalt meet a company of Prophets coming down from the high place with a Psaltery and a Tabret a Pipe and a Harp before them and they shall prophesie Q. What will make Souldiers fly before their enemies in a day of battell A. Psal 78.9 10 11. The children of Ephraim being armed and carrying bowes turned back in the day of battell They kept not the Covenant of God and refused to walke in his law and forgate his works and his wonders that he had shewed them Q. VVhat effect had John Baptists preaching upon the Souldiers A. Luk. 3.14 And the Souldiers likewise demanded of him saying And what shall we doe And he said unto them Doe violence to no man c. Q. Ought Souldiers to enquire of Ministers the way of Salvation A. Act. 10.22 23. Cornelius the Centurion a just man and one that feareth God and of good report among all the nation of the Jews was warned frō God by an holy Angell to send for thee into his house and to heare words of thee Then called he them in lodged them and on the morrow Peter went away with them Q. Doe we ever read that the Souldiers dedicated ought of their spoiles to Religious uses A. 1 Chr. 26.26 27. Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicate things which David the King and the chief Fathers the Captaines over thousands and hundreds and the Captaines of the host had dedicated Out of the spoiles won in battels did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord. Chap. 28. Of the Errours of Quakers Q. HOVV came man at first to have a right to the earth and the fruites thereof and creatures therein A. Psal 115.16 The Heaven even the Heavens are the Lord's but the earth hath he given to the children of men Q. Have particular nations or Families lawfully distinct lands and territories did they obtain it by order from the first borne or by choice in order begining at the first borne or by Lot did God allow of such distinction A. Act. 17.26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Deut. 32.8 When the most high divided to the nations their inheritance when he separated the sons of Adam he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel Q. Hath a man a right to that which is gotten from a common enemy in a lawfull war A. Gen. 48.22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow Judg. 11.24 wilt not thou possesse that which Chemosh thy God giveth thee to posses so whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out before us them will we possesse Q. Did Christ ever because he was Lord of all put any one man out of possession of any foot of ground A. Luk. 12.13 14. Mr speak to my Brother that he divide the inheritance with me And he said unto him Man who made me a judge or a divider over you Mar. 12.17 And Jesus answering said unto them Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's Q. Hath Christ given power to his Church or Saints to rule them that are without A. 1 Cor. 5.12 For what have I to doe to judge them also that are without vers 13. but them that are without God judgeth Q. Must not all ministers and Christians sell what they have and live upon
abstaine from meats c. Q. Can you give an instance of God's threatning to remove his Candlestick from any place or people where it was once set A. Yes Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and doe the first workes or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Q. VVas Timothy Bishop or Minister at Ephesus or at Rome when the Apostle Paul taught him how he ought to behave himselfe in the house of God the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth A. 1 Tim. 1.3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine Q. VVas it possible that when once Ephesus was called the house of the living God the pillar and ground of truth that ever Ephesus should be un-churched or that the Gospell should be removed from them A. Revel 2.1 5. Unto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write c. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and doe the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his Place except thou repent Q. What learne we from those words the pillar and ground of truth if applyed to the Church A. That 't is the duty priviledg of the Church to hold forth the Truth that men may know it and to uphold maintaine and defend it against those who oppose it Pillars doe hold forth and uphold the Orders and proclamations of Magistrates which are hanged on them or affixed to them If this Scripture had been of as much force signification applyed to Ephesus as the Romanists would have it to the Church of Rome Ephesus had remained to this day Q. Can any man really and properly by his own power and authority forgive sinnes A. Mark 2.7 Who can forgive sinnes but God only compared with Is 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sinnes Exod. 34.6 7. The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gracious keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sinne Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage Q. Had Christ God-man power on earth to forgive sinnes A. Mark 2.5 10. When Jesus saw their Faith he said unto the sick of the palsie Son thy sinnes be forgiven thee But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sinnes Q. Did our Lord Christ give power to his Apostles and their successors to declare forgivenesse of sinnes to penitent and believing sinners A. Joh. 20.23 Whose soever sinnes ye remit they are remitted unto them and whose soever sinnes ye retain they are retained Q. Had the other Apostles power and their successors as well as Peter and in the same sence and manner to forgive sinnes or to declare unto man remission Were the Keyes given to the other Apostles besides Peter A. Yes Joh. 20.23 Whose soever sins ye remit c. Q. Doth the Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans mention any such priviledg of the Roman Church that to her were committed the Holy Scriptures and the Interpretation of them or were the Holy Scriptures of old committed to the Jewish Church A. Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage hath the Jew Unto them were committed the oracles of God Q. VVhen the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians and charges them with schisme faction and division was it because they did not hold of Cephas or Peter or was it because some held of Paul and some of Apollo and some of Cephas and some of Christ that they cried up one to the decrying and undervaluing of another A. 1 Corinth 1.12 Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ Q. Did the Apostle Paul acknowledg Peter's Supremacy or did Peter challenge any Jurisdiction over Paul or was it agreed when there was a distribution of their Ministry that one should apply himselfe to the Jewes and the other to the Gentiles A. Galath 2.7 8 9. But contrariwise when they saw that the Gospell of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the Gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be pillars perceived the grace that was given unto me they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship that we should goe unto the Heathen and they unto the Circumcision Q. When the Apostle reckons up the severall Orders that God hath set in the Church doth he say first Peter then the Apostles after them Prophets then Peter's Successor the Bishop of Rome under Christ and the Apostle Peter the cheife Pastor and Teacher of the Church A. Ephes 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Q. When the Apostle Peter his death approacheth and he undertakes to mind those to whom he writes to make their calling and election sure and tels them if they doe those things which he exhorts unto they shall never fall but have an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord Christ And when he treats of the Holy Scriptures and foretels false Prophets to come who shall bring in damnable heresies doth he tell them they must follow the Bishop of Rome when he is gone and heare him that he must interpret Scripture be Christ's Vicar and oppose heretiques and seducers A. No. 2 Epist of Peter 1.10 11 13 15. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall For so an entrance shall be administred unto you into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things alwaies in Remembrance 2 Pet. 3.1 2 17 18. This second Epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance That ye may be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the commandement of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Did the Apostle Paul ever oppose and admonish the Apostle Peter A. Galath 2.11 12 14. But when Peter was come to