witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins Acts 10. 43. Qu. Doth not Christ himself forgive sins What saith the Apostle Paul A. As Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 13. Qu. When Christ forgave sins on the earth did he forgive them as being God or as being a man impowered by God Likewise when he now forgiveth sins in heaven doth he forgive them as God or as one exalted by God to that end Cite the Scriptures pertinent hereunto A. Jesus seeing their faith saith to the sick of the palsey Son be of good chear thy sins be forgiven thee And behold certain of the Scribes said within themselves This man blasphemeth And Jesus knowing their thoughts said Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts For whether is easier to say Thy sins be forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins then speaketh he to the sick of the palsey Arise take up thy bed and go unto thine house And he arose and departed to his house And when the multitude saw it they marvelled and glorified God which had given such power to men Matth. 9. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel Act. 5. 31. CHAP. X. Of Christs Kingly Office Qu. WAs not Christ Jesus to be a King what saith the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary concerning this A. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father And he shall raign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1. 31 32 33. Qu. Is Christ Jesus already invested in his kingdom and did he after his ascension into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God exercise dominion and soveraignty over men and angels Rehearse some clear passages of the Scripture to this purpose A. That ye may know What is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places Far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 18 19 20 21 22 23. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first-begotten of the dead and Prince of the kings of the earth Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood And hath made us kings and priests unto God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 1. 5 6. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 5. 30 31. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I overcame and am set with my Father in his throne Rev. 3. 21. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testifie unto you these things in the Churches Rev. 22. 16. Brother Saul the Lord even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest hath sent me that thou mightst receive thy sight and be filled with the holy Ghost Act. 9. 17. These shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of lords and King of kings Rev. 17. 14. He was clothed with a vesture dipt in blood and his name is called The word of God And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of kings and Lord of lords Rev. 19. 13 16. All power is given unto me in heaven and earth Go ge therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world Matth. 28. 18 19 20. So then after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into heaven and sate on the right hand of God And they went forth and preached everywhere the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signes following Mark 16. 19 20. Qu. For what cause and to what ends was Christ Jesus exalted to his kingdom A. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2. 8 9 10 11. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 5. 31. Qu. How ought men to honour the Son of God Christ Jesus A. Even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 23. Qu. What danger is there in not honouring the Son A. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that sent him Joh. 5. 23. Qu. Ought men to honour the Son as they honour the Father because he hath the same essence with the Father or because he hath the same judiciary power What is the decision of the Son himself concerning this point A. The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement unto the Son That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. Qu. Did the Father give judiciary power to the Son because he had in him the divine nature personally united to the humane or because he was the Son of man What is the decision of the Son himself concerning this point also A. He hath given him authority to execute judgement because he is the Son of man Joh. 5. 27. Qu. Is it the will of God that Jesus Christ should be worshipped of angels and men A. When he bringeth the first-begotten into the world he saith And let all the angels of God worship him Heb. 1. 6. God hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name That at the name of Jesus every knee should
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. Qu. But do the things recorded in the Word of God concern us A. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock Matth. 7. 24. Qu. Which are the most affectionate passages in all the Scripture flowing from the mouth of one enamoured on the Word of God A. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times O how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth I love thy commandments above gold yea above fine gold I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil Psal 119. 14 20 97 103 127 162. CHAP. II. Of God Qu. HOw many Gods of Christians are there A. One God Eph. 4. 6. Qu. Who is this one God A. The Father of whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Qu. What is this one God A. A spirit Joh. 4. 24. Qu. Have you more ample descriptions of God in the Scripture A. He is the blessed and onely Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion flow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. Qu. Is not God according to the current of the Scripture in a certain place namely heaven A. Our God is in the heavens Psal 115. 3. The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth Psal 33. 13 14. Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hastie to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth Eccles 5. 2. Look down from thy habitation from heaven and bless thy people Israel Deut. 26. 15. Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory Isa 63. 15. Hear thou from thy dwelling-place from heaven Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place 2 Chron. 6. 21 23 25 27 30 33 35 39. Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16 45 48. Your Father which is in heaven Our Father which art in heaven Mat. 6. 2 9. Your Father which is in heaven My Father which is in heaven Mat. 7. 11 21. In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Matth. 18. 10. These words spake Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self Joh. 17. 1 4 5. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father Joh. 13. 1. And he being full of the holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God And said Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God Act. 7. 55 56. Qu. Is God in the Scripture said to have any likeness image similitude person and shape A. God said Let us make man in our image after our likeness So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him Gen. 1. 26 27. In the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him Gen. 5. 1. Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man Gen. 9. 6. My servant Moses is not so who is faithful in all my house With him will I speak mouth to mouth even apparently not in dark speeches and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold Num. 12. 7 8. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God Jam. 3. 9. Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him Will ye accept his person Job 13. 7 8. The Father himself which hath sent me hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape Joh. 5. 37. Qu. What passage of the Scripture intimates not onely that the Saints in the perfect state of the world to come shall see God face to face but also comprehend or fully know him A. When that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. Qu. Are there not according to the perpetual tenour of the Scripture affections or passions in God as anger fury zeal wrath love hatred mercy grace jealousie repentance grief joy fear A. Israel joyned himself to Baal-peor and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel And the Lord said unto Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away Num. 25. 3 4. Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be comforted and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Ezek. 5. 13. Moses besought the Lord his God and said Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people Turn from thy fierce wrath Exod. 32. 11 12. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. The God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth
which the Lord left to prove Israel by them and they were to prove Israel by them to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord. Judg. 3. 1 4. The Lord God of Israel saith I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever but now the Lord saith Be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel saying It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king for he is turned back from following me and hath not performed my commandments 1 Sam. 15. 10 11. Hezekiah prospered in all his works Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land God left him to try him that he might know what was in his heart 2 Chron. 32. 31. What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes brought it forth wilde grapes Isa 5. 4. Thus saith the Lord Stand in the court of the Lords house and speak unto all the cities of Judah If so be they will hearken and turn every man from his evil way that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them Jer. 26. 2 3. This word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord saying Take thee a roll of a book and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel and against Judah It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them that they may return every man from his evil way that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin Jer. 36. 1 2 3. The word of the Lord came to me saying Prepare thee stuff for removing and remove by day in their sight it may be they will consider though they be a rebellious house Ezek. 12. 1 3. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4. 6. As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel so we speak not as pleasing men but God which tryeth our hearts 1 Thess 2. 4. Qu. How must we worship God A. They that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Joh. 4. 24. Qu. How must one love him A. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might Deut. 6. 5. Qu. Could we love him with all the heart if he were three or is his oneness the cause hinted by Moses why we should love him thus How sound the words according to the * See Ainsworth's Translation truth of the Hebrew text A. Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one Deut. 6. 4. Qu. Wherein consisteth the love of God A. This is the love of God that we keep his commandments 1 Joh. 5. 3. Whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected 1 Joh. 2. 5. Qu. What if a man say he loveth God and in the mean time hateth his brother A. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a lyer for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4. 20. Qu. What advantage will it be to you to know the Father the onely true God How speaketh Christ in his prayer to the Father concerning this thing A. This is life eternal that they may know thee the onely true God Joh. 17. 3. CHAP. III. Of the Creation Qu. WEre the heaven and earth from all eternity or created at a certain time and by whom A. In the beginning God created heaven and earth Gen. 1. 1. Qu. How long was God a making them A. In six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is Exod. 20. 11. Qu. How did God create man A. The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul Gen. 2. 7. Qu. How did he create woman A. The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept and he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in stead thereof And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman and brought her unto the man Gen. 2. 21 22. Qu. Why was she called woman A. Because she was taken out of man Gen. 2. 23. Qu. What doth Moses infer from her being made a woman and brought unto the man A. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh Gen. 2. 24. Qu. Where did God put man after he was created A. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden and there he put the man whom he had formed Gen. 2. 8. Qu. What commandment gave he to the man when he put him into the garden A. The Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the garden thou maist freely eat But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Gen. 2. 16 17. Qu. Was the man deceived to eat of the forbidden fruit A. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression 1 Tim. 2. 14. Qu. By whom was the woman deceived A. The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty 2 Cor. 11. 3. Qu. How was the woman induced to eat of the forbidden fruit and how the man A. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband with her and he did eat Gen. 3. 6. Qu. What effect followed upon their eating A. The eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons Gen. 3. 7. Qu. Did the sin of our first parents in eating of the forbidden fruit bring both upon them and their posterity the guilt of hell-fire deface the image of God in them darken their understanding enslave their will deprive them of power to do good and cause mortality If not what are the true penalties that God denounced against them for the said offence A. Unto the woman he said I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children and thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee Unto Adam he said Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree of which I
32. Qu. You have already shewed that Christ was like unto Moses in seeing God and hearing from him the things which he spake But Moses exceeded all other Prophets likewise in that he onely was a law-giver Was Christ therefore like unto Moses in giving a law also and is there any mention of his law A. Bear ye one anothers burthens and so fulfil the law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. Where is boasting then It is excluded By what law Of works Nay but by the law of faith Rom. 3. 27. The law of liberty Iam. 2. 12. The perfect law of liberty Iam. 1. 25. Qu. Doth not Christ then partly perfect partly correct the law of Moses What is the determination of Christ himself concerning this matter A. Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgement But I say unto you That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement and whosoever shall say unto his brother Raka shall be in danger of the councel but whosoever shall say Thou fool shall be in danger of hell-fire Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not commit adultery But I say unto you That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart It hath been said Whosoever shall put away his wife let him give her a writing of divorcement But I say unto you That whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery Again ye have heard that it hath been said to them of old time Thou shalt not forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths But I say unto you Swear not at all neither by heaven for it is Gods 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 hair white or black But let your communication be Yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil Ye have heard that it hath been said An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth But I say unto you That ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also And if a man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat let him have thy cloke also And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile go with him twain Give to him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away Ye have heard that it hath been said Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hath thine enemy But I say unto you Love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust Matth. 5. 21 22 27 28 c. Qu. You have made it plainly to appear that the law of faith or the new covenant whereof Christ was the Mediator is better then the law of works or the old covenant whereof Moses was the Mediator in respect of precepts is it also better in respect of promises A. He hath obtained a more excellent ministry by how much he is the Mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises Heb. 8. 6. The law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did Heb. 7. 19. Qu. Were those better promises of God touching eternal life and immortality hidden in the dark and not brought to light under the law A. Christ Jesus hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. Qu. Though the promises of the Gospel be better then those of the law yet are they not as well as those of the law proposed under conditions of faith and perseverance therein of holiness and obedience of repentance of suffering for Christ and his truth c How speaketh the Scripture hereupon A. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life For God so loved the World that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the onely-begotten Son of God He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3. 14 15 16 18 36. Then said Jesus to the Jews that believed on him If ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed Joh. 8. 31. We are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end Heb. 2. 14. But Christ as a Son over his own house whose house we are If we hold fast the confidence and the rejoyoing of the hope firm unto the end Heb. 3. 6. If a man purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour 2 Tim. 2. 21. If ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Rom. 8. 13. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out Act. 3. 19. Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Rev. 2. 5. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth Rev. 2. 16. If ye know these things happie are ye if ye do them Joh. 13. 17. Whosoever cometh to me and heareth my sayings and doth them I will shew you to whom he is like He is like a man which built a house and digged deep and laid the foundation on a rock But he that heareth and doth not is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth Luk. 6. 47 48 49. If we suffer we shall also raign with him if we deny him he will also deny us 2 Tim. 2. 12. If children then heirs heirs of God and joynt-heirs of Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Rom. 8. 17. CHAP. IX Of Remission of sins by Christ. Qu. WHo shall have remission of sins by Christ What saith the Apostle Peter A. To him give all the prophets
bow of things in heaven and things in earth Phil. 2. 9 10. Qu. Did men worship Jesus Christ before his death and resurrection what examples thereof have you A. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him saying Of a truth thou art the Son of God Matth. 14. 33. Jesus said unto him Dost thou believe on the Son of God He answered and said Who is he Lord that I may believe on him And Jesus said unto him Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee And he said Lord I believe and he worshipped him Joh. 9. 35 36. 37 38. Qu. Did men worship Christ after his resurrection and ascension And what example thereof have you A. It came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy Luke 24. 51 52. Qu. When men ascribe glory and dominion to Christ Jesus in the Scripture and withal intimate the ground thereof is it because they conceive him to be very God of very God and to have been eternally begotten out of the Divine essence or because he gave himself to death Let me hear how they explain themselves A. Unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Qu. Are the Angels of the same opinion with the Saints when they also ascribe glory and dominion to him let me hear how they also explain themselves A. I beheld and heard the voice of many angels saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Rev. 5. 11 12. Qu. May men call upon the name of Jesus Christ and have you examples of such as have prayed to him A. Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem And here he hath authority from the chief priests to binde all that call upon thy name Acts 9. 13 13. With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours 1 Cor. 1. 2. And they stoned Stephen saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit Acts 7. 59. Even so come Lord Jesus Rev. 22. 20. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thes 2. 16 17. Now God himself even our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you 1 Thess 3. 11. CHAP. XI Of Christs Priestly Office Qu. IS not Christ Jesus a Priest A. We have a great high-priest Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 14. Qu. Did not Christ take this honour to himself A. Christ glorified not himself to become an high-priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee Heb. 5. 5. Qu. What maner of high-priest is Christ A. Such an high-priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majestie in the heavens A minister of the sanctuary and of the tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 8. 1 2. Qu. Was not Christ a priest whilst he was on earth namely when he died on he cross A. If he were on earth he should not be a priest seeing that there are priests who offer gifts according to the Law Heb. 8. 4. And it is yet far more evident for that after the similitude of Melchisedeck there ariseth another priest Who is made not after the law of a carnal commandment but after the power of an endless life Heb. 7. 15 16. Qu. What benefit happeneth by Christs priesthood A. He became the author of eternal salvation Called of God an high-priest after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5. 9 10. Qu. Unto whom is Christ as a Priest become the authour of eternal salvation A. Unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Qu. How can Christ save them by his priesthood A. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7. 25. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9. 28. Qu. Is not the sacrifice of Christ to be reiterated as that of the Levitical Priests if not what is the reason thereof A. Every priest standeth daily ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 11 12 13 14. Qu. How did Christ enter into the holy place to offer himself A. By his own blood Heb. 9. 12. Qu. Why would God have Christ come to his priestly office by sufferings A. It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings That he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 10 17 18. Q. What is the true and genuine use you would have us make of this doctrine A. Seeing that we have a great high-priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession For we have not an high-priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14 15 16. CHAP. XII Of Christs Death Qu. WAs it the will and purpose of God that Christ should suffer the death of the cross What saith the apostle Peter to the Jews concerning this A. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Act. 2. 22 23. Q. What say the disciples in general concerning the same They lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Of a truth against thy holy childe Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Acts 4. 24 27 28. Q. Did Christ die to reconcile and bring God to
draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 24 25 26 28 29 35 38 39. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God Heb. 12. 15. Cursed children Which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness When they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in error For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb The dog is turned to his vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. 14 15 18 20 21 22. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the er or of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. For this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the tempter had tempted you and our labour be in vain 1 Thess 3. 5. Because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith Be not highminded but fear For if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in goodness otherwise thou also shalt be cut off Rom. 11. 20 21 22. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat now walkest thou not charitably Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died Rom. 14. 25. Through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8. 11. I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 27. If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered Joh. 15. 6. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away Joh. 15. 2. CHAP. XVII Of the duty of Subjects and Magistrates Wives and Husbands Children and Parents Servants and Masters Qu. WHat is the duty of all them that are under authority A. Let every foul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13. 1. Q. Why must every soul be subject to them A. For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Rom. 13. 1. Q. What doth he that resisteth the power and what shall they receive to themselves A. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13. 2. Qu. Why shall they that resist receive damnation A. For rulers are not a terrour to good works but to evil Rom. 13. 3. Qu. How shall a man behave himself that he need not fear the power and whence cometh it so to pass A. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he is the minister of God to thee for good but if thou do that which is evil 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 evil Rom. 13. 3 4. Q. Is not the fear of wrath or punishment the onely motive to subjection A. Ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake Rom. 13. 5. Qu. Must we not also pay to the higher powers tribute and custom A. Render to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom Rom. 13. 7. Q. Why should we pay tribute to them A. For this cause pay you tribute also for they are Gods ministers attending continually upon this very thing Rom. 13. 6. Qu. Though what you have cited out of the apostle Paul doth intimate the duty of the Magistrate yet have you not some passage of Scripture that doth expresly set it down A. He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23. 3. Q. What benefit shall accrue to him that ruleth so A. He shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth even a morning without clouds as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain 2 Sam. 23. 4. Q. What is the duty of wives and husbands according to the doctrine of the two great apostles Paul and Peter Rehearse their words A. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the Saviour of the body Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so let wives be to their own husbands in every thing Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies he that loveth his wife loveth himself For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord doth the church For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself and the wife see that she reverence her husband Eph. 5. 22 23 c. Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them Col. 3. 18 19. 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 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing gold or of putting on of apparel But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price For after this maner in the old time the
them that call upon him A. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him Psal 145. 18. The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. Qu. Is he nigh unto all them that call upon him in whatsoever maner A. To all that call upon him in truth Psal 145. 18. The Lord is far from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous Prov. 15. 29. We know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth John 9. 31. Qu. Did not Christ himself prescribe a form of prayer to his disciples so that there remaineth no doubt touching the lawfulness of using a form A. It came to pass that as he was praying in a certain 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 which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth Give us day by day our daily bread And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Luke 11. 1 2 3 4. Qu. How must we make our addresses to the Father that we may receive whatsoever we pray for what saith Christ to his disciples A. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you John 16. 23. Qu. Was it the custome during the time that Christ conversed on the earth much less before he came into the world to pray unto God in the name of Christ or through Christ or did it begin to be used after the resurrection and exaltation of Christ what saith Christ himself concerning this A. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full The time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in parables but I shall shew you plainly of the Father At that day ye shall ask in my name John 16. 24 25 26. Qu. Have ye any example of praying to God through Christ after his resurrection and exaltation A. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. CHAP. XX. Of the Church Qu. WHat is Christ in relation to the Church and the Church in relation to him A. He is the head of the body the Church Col. 1. 18. Qu. How many such bodyes hath Christ A. One body Eph. 4. 4. Qu. What kind of head is Christ A. From which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. Qu. Who are the Church A. They that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Qu. Upon what foundation is the Church built A. Upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Eph. 2. 20. Qu. What other honourable titles doth the Scripture give unto the Church besides that of the body of Christ A. The bride the Lambs wife Rev. 22. 17. Rev. 19. 7 8. Rev. 21. 9. The temple of God 1 Cor. 3. 16. The house of God the pillar and ground of the truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Q. What special promise hath Christ made to the Church A. the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 18. Qu. What doth Christ elsewhere say of himself that may give assurance to the Church that this promise shall be made good A. Behold I live for ever and ever amen and have the keys of hell and death Rev. 1. 18. CHAP. XXI Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Qu. WHen Christ was ascended up on high after his death and resurrection and so ceased to be personally present with his Church whom did he set apart for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of his body A. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Qu. What is the advice of the two great Apostles Paul and Peter to the elders and governors of the Church A. Take heed unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made your overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20. 28. The elders which are among you I exhort who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde Neither as being lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. What reward doth the apostle Peter tell them they shall have at the appearance of Christ if they do as he prescribeth A. When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 4. Qu. What is the duty of the yonger or private sort in relation to the elders or publike officers of the Church A. Likewise ye yongers submit your selves unto the elders 1 Pet. 5. 5. 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 for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13. 17. We beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thess 5. 12 13. Q. What saith the Scripture concorning the maintenance of them that instruct and oversee the Church A. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6 6 7 8. If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things Do ye
glorified Joh. 7. 38 39. Paul having passed thorow the upper coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain disciples He said unto them Have ye received the holy Ghost since ye believed and they said unto him We have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost Act. 19. 1 2. In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Eph. 1. 13. That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Gal. 3. 14. God made choice among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel and believe And God which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us Acts 15. 7 8. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Acts 2. 38. And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him Acts 5. 32. CHAP. VI. Of Salvation by Christ Qu. IS not Christ in Scripture called a Saviour A. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. Q. Is Christ our Saviour originally and of himself or because he was given exalted and raised up by another to be a Saviour A. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour Acts 5. 31. Of this mans seed hath God accorcording to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Jesus Acts 13. 23. Q. How do the Saints expect to be saved by Christ A. We shall be saved by his life Rom. 5. 10. We look for a Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Phil. 3. 20 21. CHAP. VII Of Christs Mediation Q. IS not Christ called the Mediator between God and men A. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Is not Christ also called the Mediator of the New Covenant or of a better Covenant A. Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant Heb. 12. 24. He is the Mediator of a better covenant Heb. 8. 6. CHAP. VIII Of Christs Prophetick Office Q. IS not Christ dignified as with the title of Mediator so also with that of Prophet A. He shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you For Moses truly said unto the fathers A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me Acts 3. 20 22. Q. Forasmuch as Christ was to be a Prophet like unto Moses and Moses had this priviledge above other Prophets that God made not himself known to him in a vision nor spake to him in a dream but face to face as a man speaketh to a friend and shewed to him the similitude of the Lord Exod. 33. 11. Num. 12. 6 7 8. can you cite any passage of the Scripture which intimateth that Christ did see God before the discharge of his Prophetick Office A. Every man that hath heard and learned from the Father cometh to me Not that any man hath seen the Father save he which is from God he hath seen the Father Joh. 6. 45 46. Qu. From whence doth it appear that Christ like to Moses heard from God the things that he spake A. Ye seek to kill me a man that hath told you the truth which I have heard from God Joh. 8. 40. He that hath sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him As my Father hath taught me I speak these things Joh. 8. 26 28. All things that I have heard from my Father have I made known unto you Joh. 15. 15. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them Joh. 17. 8. Qu. Can you further cite any passages to prove that Christ as a man ascended into heaven and was there and came from God out of heaven before he shewed himself to the world and discharged his Prophetick Office so that the talking of Moses with God in the person of an angel bearing the name of God was but a shadow of Christs talking with God A. No man hath ascended into heaven but he that came down from heaven the Son of man which is or rather was in heaven Joh. 3. 13. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascending up where he was before Joh. 6. 62. I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me Joh. 6. 38. I am the living bread which came down from heaven Joh. 6. 51. Moses gave you not that bread from heaven but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world The Jews then murmured at him because he said I am the bread which came down from heaven And they said Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph whose father and mother we know how is it then that he saith I came down from heaven Joh. 6. 32 33 41 42. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me shall live by me This is that bread which came down from heaven Joh. 6. 57 58. I proceeded forth and came from God Ioh. 8. 42. Ye are from beneath I am from above ye are of this world I am not of this world Ioh. 8. 29. Jesus knowing that he was come from God and goeth to God Ioh. 13. 1 3. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father His disciples said unto him Lo now thou speakest plainly and speakest no parable Now are we sure that thou knowest all things and needest not that any man should ask thee by this we believe that thou camest forth from God Ioh. 16. 28 29 30. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and known surely that I came out from thee Ioh. 17. 8. Qu. Of what consequence was it in the judgement of Christ himself that his disciples had believed that he came out from God what saith he A. The Father himself loveth you because ye have believed that I came out from God Ioh. 16. 27. Qu. Doth not Iohn the Baptist affirm that Christ surpassed all others because he came down from heaven above what saith he A. He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth or rather was from the earth is earthly or rather is of the earth and speaketh of the earth He that cometh from heaven is above all And what he hath seen and heard that he speaketh Ioh. 3. 30 31