their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his image c. Mr Baxter saith if a Papist be saved it must be as a Christian and not as a Papist as if a lyar might be saved it must not be by lying but by Faith and Repentance he thinks it not impossible for some one or more to be saved as 't is possible for here and there one to escape of a raging pestilence but if so it is not by his disease or plague of Popery but by the wholsome remedy of Faith and Repentance Vid. Baxt. Oh that God would perswade your hearts to come to hast out of Romish Babylon that ye partake not of her sins and of her plagues at the last Depart depart from the tents of these men come over I beseech you unto us and be safe if you believe and obey Be not deceived be not blindfolded search and try whether the holy Scriptures whether the Lord Christ the Apostle Paul to the Romans or the Apostle Peter in his Epistles to the Hebrewes ever made the Church of Rome the mother and mistresse of all Churches and to whom we must come and whom we must believe even without the word or we cannot possibly be saved See whether it be expresly laid down in Scripture that ever Peter was at Rome but judge in your selves if he sate Bishop there 25 yeers whether or no it was not very probable that Paul would in some of his Epistles which he wrote thence have made mention of him and what did the Apostle Peter forsake Paul when he was at Rome and stood for the defence of the Gospell if Peter was there at that time for Paul complaines saying All men forsook me 1 Tim. 4.16 Or if Peter was Bishop of Rome what then could none be saved for 3 or 4 or 600 yeers after Christ because the Pope was not 'till then owned as the Universall Pastor of the Church no nor did 'till then claime the title of Oecumenicall Bishop Were there not three Popes at a time and all three deposed by the Council of Constance yea 't is a commonly cited saying of Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome that he that had that title was praecursor Antichristi or forerunner of Antichrist Yea how came the Bishop of Rome to claime a power over other Bishops more than Peter did over the other Apostles or how come Peter's successors suppose the Bishop of Rome be so to succeed Peter in his power priviledges not other Bishops who succeeded the other Apostles in their Churches to have the power and priviledges which those Apostles had whom they succeeded yea how came the Church at Jerusalem where Christ himselfe preached in person where Peter had a speciall hand in laying as it were the foundation or planting of the Christian Church after Christ was ascended Act. 2.37 38 41. how comes that Church to erre to fall away and yet the Church of Rome to be infallible Shew us if you can either plain Scripture or Father or Council for 4 or 500 yeers that interpreted Scripture so that Rome was infallible and all were for ever to receive their faith from her mouth under paine of a curse and damnation and that too when she commands contrary to the Institutions of Christ and to the Doctrine contained in the Scriptures as she doth in her denying the cup to the people in latine service where the people doe not understand it in forbidding Priests marriage c. Oh that ye would lay aside prejudice and disaffection and apply your selves to the study of the holy Scriptures think never the better of Mahumetanisme because it must not be questioned nor of Popery because 't is death in Italy or Spaine without recantation to read a Spanish or Italian Bible without a license how absurd are these men to hinder children from looking into their Fathers Testament or to forbid men to obey God except they have first got mens leave so to doe Let not your Priests perswade you to lay out of your hands the holy Scripture and to fill them with Legends and Fables to put out the Sun in the firmament that you may see with their candles or glow-wormes Oh! doe not throw away the light of the Word nor put out your own Reason that candle of the Lord to follow your blind guides in the darknesse of error as ye would not fall into the ditch and into the pit Oh! that you would not despise the day of small things that you would please to read and consider this plain Catechisticall confutation of your errors I hope by pat and pertinent Scriptures I have read how a plain country-man with one text of Scripture convinced an erroneous Person when great Schollars and much disputing and reasoning could not doe My desire and prayer is that this Treatise may have the like effect that the Scriptures here cited may convince those who have erred from the truth and may turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan and of Error unto God Oh! how glad should I be if I could but undeceive and save some of you by this meanes if I could pluck you as fire-brands out of the fire Truly my desire and prayer is and shall be if the will of God be so that ye may be in God's way i. e. read his word believe and obey it that ye may be saved And one thing let me say think to be saved by your own Faith and not meerly by believing as the Church believes doe not trust in God for salvation by an Atturney as ye would not be contented to be saved only by a Proxey And be not amused with a great noise and great names of Fathers and Councils which they that boast doe it saith one because they know you cannot or have not leisure either to read or understand and so cannot disprove them see Moulin but to the Law and to the Testimony and the word is neer thee and of the Bible I am sure I may say Blessed is he that readeth and that understandeth the sayings of this Book I seek not yours but you and oh that you could or would away with your dungie and drossy errors and that you might keep your gold and silver and on condition you would part with two parts of your errors I hope I should not envy you your whole estates Yet say not that our Religion is cruel and that you are Martyrs for yours because 't is the cause not the punishment or suffering makes a Martyr and you suffer in your purses for the Error of your Consciences I hope we Protestants shall never be put to try yet we could have no such bargaine if the law was in your hands although the truth is you pay too deare for a false Religion for I may say of Religion as of the Prophet Jeremys figs the good is very good and the bad very bad if it be true
covetous A. Math. 23.1 2 3. Then spake Jesus to the multitude and to his disciples saying The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do but do not ye after their works for they say and do not Q. If Ministers have the spirit of God doth it follow therefore that they must know all things perfectly A. 1 Cor. 13.9 For we know in part and we prophesie in part Q. Were the Prophets and Apostles who had the spirit in an extraordinary māner beyond what ministers in these dayes pretend unto in every of their apprehensions and actions so guided that they were infallible and unblameable A. 1 Sam. 16.6 7. And it came to passe when they were come that he looked on Eliab and said surely the Lords anointed is before him But the Lord said unto Samuel Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature because I have refused him for the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart Gal. 2.11 14. But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospell I said unto Peter before thē all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles not as do the Jewes why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jewes Q. How may we prove that those motions which are contrary to the Doctrine of Christ are not from the holy spirit A. Joh. 16.13 14. Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himselfe He shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 1 Cor. 12.2 3. Q. How did Christ approve of Churches and Ministers their continuance after he was gone to heaven A. Rev. 1.4 5 20. John to the 7 Churches in Asia grace be unto you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come And from Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth The mystery of the 7 Stars which thou sawest in my right hand and the 7 golden Candlesticks The 7 Stars are the Angels of the 7 Churches and the 7 Candlesticks which thou sawest are the 7 Churches Q. How long are there to be Churches and Ministers and Ordinances A. Math. 28. last And loe I am with you alwaies even unto the end of the world 1 Cor. 11.22 despise ye the Church of God shall I praise you in this I praise you not v. 26. for as often as ye eate this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come Q. May men administer ordinances viz. Baptisme and the Lords supper who have not extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost A. Joh. 10.41 And many resorted unto him and said John did no miracle but all things that John spake of this man were true Q. Is the gift of tongues or miracles among the requisite qualifications of a Bishop or Minister A. No. 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. A Bishop then must be blamelesse the husband of one wife vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach not given to wine no striker not greedy of filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous one that ruleth well his owne house having his children in subjection with all gravity not a novice lest c. moreover he must have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devill Tit. 1.6 7 8 9. If any be blamelesse the husband of one wife having faithfull children not accused of riot or unruly for a Bishop must be blamelesse as the steward of God not selfe-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but a lover of hospitality a lover of good men sober just holy temperate holding fast the faithfull word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers Q. May a man receive the Sacraments who hath not the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost in abundance Ans Yes Act. 8.14 15 16 17. When the Apostles heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost for as yet he was fallen upon none of them only they were babtized in the name of the Lord Jesus Then laid they their hands on them and they received the H. Ghost Math. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the disciples c. compared with Act. 2.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Q. Is the word of God to be read in the Church A. Col. 4.16 And when this Epistle is read amongst you cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea Q. Is the Sacrament of the Lords supper yet to be administred in the Church A. 1 Cor 11.20 21 33 34. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eate the Lords supper for in eating every one taketh before other his own supper and one is hungry another is drunken Wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eate tarry one for another And if any man hunger let him eate at home that ye come not together unto condemnation Q. May the Church meet for holy conference A. 1 Cor. 14.31 34 35. For ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church Q. May the Church deny to have communion with brethren if they are scandalous persons A. 1 Cor. 5.11 12. But now I have written unto you not to keep company if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetous or an Idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such a one no not to eate do not ye judge them that are within Q. May particular congregations who ordinarily meet together for worship be called Churches A. Act. 14.23 And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord. 1 Cor. 4.17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus who shall bring you into remembrance of my waies which be in Christ as I teach every where in every Church ch 14.23 If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place and all speak with tongues c. Q. May the believers of
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
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
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
Watson and Parsons here in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth and of latter times 'twixt the Jansenians and Jesuites abroad 2ly It may be said that for our present ruptures either you have made or else maintained and continued diverse of our breaches 3ly That when we come to heaven and not before we may expect that all men should be of the same opinion in every thing 4ly That the Protestant Churches doe agree in the maine and fundamentals of our Religion See the Harmony of Confess and wherein we differ I and 1000 s other Protestants desire to use Scripture Prayer and sound reason to convince those who are otherwise minded We desire to use soft words and hard reasons to draw men with cords of love and not to burne and consume them with coales of fire Yea I dare almost put it to your selves to be Judges whether there have not been in Queen Mary's daies in four yeers more Protestants put to death in England than there have been Papists in fourscore since And now if you object against the Protestant Churches for want of a right ministry pretending their want of succession or a right ordination or a right Government and jurisdiction to these it may be replyed 1 That succession in pure Doctrine is a better marke of a true Church than succession into the seats and places of former Orthodox Pastors 2ly That it is almost if not utterly impossible for you Papists to know who is the true Pastor the Bishop of Rome whom you pretend you must follow considering the many Schismes and the indirect corrupt waies whereby diverse have advanced themselves into the chaire 3ly Our first Reformers were ordained Ministers by your Church and Mr Mason shewes you a succession since To him you may adde a little piece of Sr John Harrington as a supplement to Mr Mason and Dr Ferne hath justified the consecrations of our first Bishops against those frivolous allegations made against them 4ly If you should quarrell with us now because Bishops are in a great measure laid aside as if no ordination could possibly be valid except by Bishops and therefore that if now we have true Ministers yet without Restauration of Bishops we can have none no Ministers long I answer that although I am not yet plerophorized that a Primitive Bishop or Episcopus praeses is utterly unlawfull yet I am not fully convinced that they are an Institution of Christ and essentiall or absolutely necessary to the very being of a Church or ministry I dare not so easily unchurch those of the Reformed Religion abroad who have no Bishops name or thing Bishops or Superintendents and in this I am not alone the late Reverend Dr Usher sometimes an Arch-Bishop himselfe was of the like judgment See his life and death by Dr Bernard Yea in the Church of Rome sometimes there hath been allowed Ordination by other hands than by Bishops if I mistake not And the Master of the Sentences holds but two orders jure divino Presbyters and Deacons See Pet Lumb And if I misremember not I have read that the Spaniards hindred it in the Council of Trent that it did not passe that all Bishops except the Bishop of Rome were jure humano or to that effect And Medina who disputed at the Councill of Trent touching the Superiority of a Bishop above a Priest affirms that Jerome was in this point of Aerius his opinion and that not only he but also Ambrose and Austin Sedulius Primasius Chrysostomus Theodoret Oecumenius and Theophylact maintained all of them the same Heresy So hee If the Charity so some Protestants be a stumbling block which lyes in your way to hinder you from leaving your Errors and professing the truth I shall endeavour briefly to remove that out of your way First Were I in your case and did not I resigne up my Judgment to the Scriptures according to that infallible rule to judge which is the true Church I would avoid that Church most where is professed and practised the greatest cruelty and joyne to that soonest where is professed and practised the greatest charity You professe at least many of you that 't is impossible for us to be saved that 't is absolutely necessary to salvation to be a member of the Roman Church to believe the Articles of the Trent faith and to live and dye in the communion of the Roman Church in subjection unto the Bishop of Rome whom you call Christ's Vicar and Peter's Successor Hear what a learned and religious Person saith to this point Must Paul be damned because he was not one of Peter's subjects doe not your consciences know he writes to the literate Romanists that swearing obedience to the Pope of Rome was a thing unknown for many hundred yeares yea that it is a novelty in the world Againe when I read so many plain promises in the Scriptures that whoever believeth in Christ shall not perish and that if by the Spirit we mortify the deeds of the body we shall live and that if we repent our sins shall be forgiven yea that Godlinesse hath the promise of this life and that to come and then when I find that the Papists for all these certain promises doe unchurch and damne us all because we believe not in the Pope of Rome as well as in Christ this satisfied me as fully that you are audacious Schismaticks as I am satisfied that you are Papists So hee Mr Baxter against popery The Papists will sometimes brag of their Charity they give perhaps a piece of bread to some of our poor and yet unchurch us poore and rich they would not stick I feare had they power in their hands to burne our bodies saying we are Hereticks and they doe as much as in them lyes to damne our soules and if this be their charity Oh my soule come not thou into their secrets And yet doe not the Papists lay too great a stresse on the charity of some Protestants considering the Assertion of Mr Perkins which saith that A Reprobate may in truth be made partaker of all that is contained in the Religion of the Church of Rome and a Papist by his Religion cannot goe beyond a Reprobate Perk. Vol. 1. p. 396. 404. And what Dr Usher said namely to this effect being asked by a Papist whether a Papist may be sav'd that one that holds all the Tenets of the Council of Trent and lives accordingly without Repentance cannot be saved he said there were two plaine places for it the places I did not heare but suppose them to be 2 Thes 2.11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believe not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse And Rev. 14.9 10 11. If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his marke in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God And the smoke of
and to make them have a chearfull countenance they took oile perhaps inwardly and they used it outwardly anointing their heads and perhaps their faces too for the purposes aforesaid it may be too to perfume themselves and this was the practise of men and of good men too 2 Sam. 12.20 Of David And we read that one powred out a box of precious ointment on our Saviour and was commended for it This use of oile was common to men but who ever heard of a man's face laid in oile colours of such a picture of a man you may have heard The Picts I suppose painted their whole bodyes see Camdē If of naturall surely of auxiliary beauty we may take up that saying favour is deceitfull and beauty is vaine c. Prov. 31.30 Q. Should Christians doe well to conforme themselves to the modest fashions of good people where they dwell A. See 1 Cor. 11.16 But if any man seem to be contentious we haue no such custome neither the Churches of God 1 Pe. 3.3 4 5. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparrell But let it be the hidden man of the heart For after this manner in old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves Q. Is it not fitting by any art to paint or counterfeit the fruit of repentance or to hide or hinder the evidence of it in our countenance Is it then expedient to paint our faces A. Ezrah 9.5 6. And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heavinesse and having rent my garment and my mantle I fell upon my knees and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God and said O! my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God Jer. 6.15 and chap. 8.12 Q If a woman have no evill intention or designe in painting her face or in going with naked brests doth that certainly free her from all fault blame and punishment for her so doing in case this be an occasion of sin and fall to others that behold her A. 1 Cor. 8.13 If meat make my Brother to offend I will eate no flesh while the world standeth Exod. 21.33 Chap. 16. Of Children with respect to holy things Q. DID ever God make a Covenant with Parents and their children so as that the children being yet Infants were involved and interested in the covenant with their parents A. Gen. 17.7 8. And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God Q. Did God ever ordaine any seales of his Covenant and that the children so in Covenant whilst Infants should be sealed with the seale of the Covenant A. Gen. 17.10 11 12. This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee every man-child among you shall be circumcised And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin and it shall be a token of the Covenant betwixt me and you And he that is 8 dayes old shall be circumcised among you every man-child in your generations c. Q. Is there by Christ's appointment any other new seale now to be administred in place of the old And is Baptisme now to be administred in the room of circumcision A. Gal. 5.2 Behold I Paul say unto you that if ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing 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 Col. 2.11 12. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ Buried with him in Baptisme wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God Q. Are any now to be admitted to any seale of the Covenant who were formerly excluded A. Act. 8.12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdome of God and the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both men and women Q. Hath Christ any where excluded Infants under the Gospell either from the Covenant or the signs and seales of it or hath our Lord expressed good will and Affections to them declaring his will to have little ones brought to him A. Mat. 19.13 14 15. Then there were brought unto him little children that he should put his hands on them and pray and the disciples rebuked them But Jesus said suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the Kingdome of heaven And he layd his hands on them and departed thence Mar. 10.16 And he took them up in his armes put his hands upon them and blessed them Q. Are believing Gentiles concerned in the Covenant and promises made to the Patriarks Abraham Isaack and Jacob and David A. Gal. 3.7 8 9 13 14. Know ye therefore that they which are of Faith the same are the children of Abraham And the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith preached before the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all nations be blessed So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law c. that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the spirit through Faith Q. Doe Believers Jewes and Gentiles make up one Church and one body whereof Christ is Saviour and head A. Eph. 2.13 14. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken downe the middle wall of partition between us chap. 4.4 There is one body and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling Q. Are believing Gentiles ingrafted into the same olive out of which the unbelieving Jewes were cut off A. Rom. 11.17 18 24. And if some of the branches be broken off and thou being a wild olive tree wert grafted in amongst them and with them partakest of the root and fatnesse of the Olive tree Boast not against the branches For if thou wert cut out of the Olive tree which is wild by nature and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good Olive tree how much more shall these which be the naturall branches be grafted into their own Olive tree Q. Were Infants with their Parents ever so much as figuratively baptized A. 1 Cor. 10.1 2. All our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea And were all baptized unto Moses in the
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
Ministers of Christ or of the State A. 2 Cor. 11.23 Are they Ministers of Christ I speake as a fool I am more 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the mysteries of God Col. 4.17 Q. But ought not Ministers to be of some other calling beside must not they necessarily worke at some trade on the week dayes and preach on the Lord's day A. No. 1 Cor. 9.6 Or I only and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working Matth. 4.20 And they straight way left their nets and so followed him So vers 22. And they immediatly left the ship and their father and followed him Q. If Ministers doe not work c. How shall they live or be maintained A. 1 Cor. 9.13 14. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospell should live of the Gospel 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine For the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and the Labourer is worthy of his reward Q. What may ministers take wages or hire for their preaching A. Mat. Yes 10.9 10. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brasse in your purses nor skrip for your journey neither two coates neither shooes nor yet staves for the workman is worthy of his meat 2 Cor. 11.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to doe you service 2 King 8.9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him even of every good thing of Damascus fourty Camels burden came stood before him c. 1 Cor. 9.7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock Q. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever receive any thing while he went up and down preaching A. Yes Luk. 8.3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's Steward and many others which ministred unto him of their substance Q. Did the Church of old ordaine officers with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of hands A. Yes Act. 6.3 5 6. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisedome whom we may appoint over this businesse And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost and Philip c. whom they set before the Apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them 1 Tim. 4.14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery So chap. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sinnes 2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands Q. Did the Apostle Paul labour in his calling alwaies and in all places preach gratis or did he take hire or wages of some Churches although he preached freely among the Corinthians A. 2 Cor. 11.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to doe you service Q. Was that commandement of Christ to the Apostles Mat. 10.9 10. only temporary or perpetuall was it only for the first expedition and afterwards reversed by the same power that made it A. Yea. Lu. 22.35 36. And he said unto them when I sent you without purse skrip shooes lacked ye any thing And they said Nothing Then said he unto them But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one Q. How did godly ones of old carry themselves to the Prophets of the Lord A. 1 King 18.3 4. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly For it was so when Jezebel cut off the Prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took an 100 Prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave and fed them with bread and water Q. How did Idolaters carry themselves to their Priests A. 1 King 18.19 Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel and the Prophets of Baal 450 and the Prophets of the groves 400 which eate at Jezebels table Q. Did God provide for those that fed any of his Prophets A. Yes 1 King 17.15 16. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah and she and he and her house did eat many dayes and the barrel of meale wasted not neither did the cruse of oyle faile according to the word of the Lord which he spake by Elijah Q. Was it the custome of the Nations in extremity to sell the Priest's portion A No. Gen. 47.22 Only the land of the Priests bought he not for the Priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them wherefore they sold not their lands Q. How did the Saints of the new Testamēt entertaine the Preachers of the Gosple A. Gal. 4.14 15. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus I beare you record that if it had been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes have given them unto me Q. Were tithes ever given or received any other way then by vertue of the Leviticall law A. Yes He. 7.1 2 9. For this Melcheisedeck King of Salem Priest of the most high God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all And as I may so say Levi also who receiveth tithes payd tithes in Abraham Q. May a Son or Daughter of Abraham without sinne pay tithes or shall not a man subject his neck to the yoke of legal ceremonies in case he pay tithes A. Heb. 7.1 2. For this Melchisedeck c. Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Q. Were tithes first paid to the Priesthood of Aaron or to him of whose order Christ was a Priest A. Heb. 7.1 2. For this Melchisedeck King of Salem Priest of the most high God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all Heb. 5.5 6. Q. Suppose a man think himselfe not bound by the law of God or man may a man lawfully pay that from which he is free by right provided that he be not bound by oath to the contrary A. Mat. 17.25 26 27. What thinkest thou Simon of whom doe the Kings of the earth take custome or tribute of their own
one city or country although they have many severall Pastors or teachers over them be called a Church A. Act. 20.17 28. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the H. Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne bloud Q. Do all the Churches or believers in them make up one Church of Christ A. Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first borne from the dead Q. May the Elders and brethren of severall churches meet and conferre together about questions or matters of difference which may arise amongst them or any of them A. Act. 15.1 2 6 7. And certaine men which came down from Judea taught the brethren and said except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certaine others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this Question And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter And when there had been much disputing Peter rose up and said unto them c. Q. Are the multitude of believers to be satisfied if it may be in those matters in question Ans Act. 15.30 31. So when they were dismissed they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the multitude together they delivered the Epistle which when they had read they rejoyced for the consolation Q. May the multitude have a hand or voice in the choice of church officers A. Act. 6.2 3 5. Then the twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said c. wherefore brethren look ye out among you 7 men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdome whom we may appoint over this businesse And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost c. CHAP. 24. Of Singing of Psalmes Q. ARE we to sing with the voice or are we only to make melody in our hearts to the Lord A. Acts 16.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang prayses unto God and the prisoners heard them Q. Is it lawfull to sing a psalme which containes a history of others and whose case was not every way as mine is at this present or may Psalmes be sung as the Scriptures are read for instruction and comfort A. Colos 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spirituall songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 2 Chron. 29.30 Moreover Hezekiah the King and the Princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer and they sang praises with gladnesse Psal 22. Compare title and Psalme So Psal 51 52 54. titles and Psalmes compared 2 Chron. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day and made them an ordinance in Israel and behold they are written in the Lamentations Q. Were women allowed to sing A. Exod. 15.20 21. And Miriam the Prophetesse the sister of Aaron took a timbrell in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels with dances And Miriam answered them sing ye to the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously c. 2 Chr. 35.25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day Q. May an Unregenerate man sing a Psalme A. Exod. 15.1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord and spake saying I will sing unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the Sea Q. May many joine to sing a Psalme together and may a Godly man or woman joine with those who are not truly Godly in singing of a Psalme A. Exod. 15.1 20 21. Then sang Moses the children of Israel this song unto the Lord. And Miriam the Prophetesse the Sister of Aaron took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels c. Q. May we sing on a day of Humiliation or in a time of sadnesse Is it not said Jam. 5.13 If any be merry let him sing Psalmes A. See the title to the 102. Psal A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. Besides as we may pray when we are not afflicted so we may sing although we have no present extraordinary cause of mirth but whereas others ungodly men when they are filled with wine and carnall mirth burst out into singing vaine and oft times wild songs Christians when they are filled with the spirit with joy unspeakable and glorious may expresse their joy seasonably in Psalmes hymnes spirituall songs Eph. 5.18 19. Times of mirth are fit and seasonable times for this duty but not the only times Paul and Silas sang in prison and so our Saviour and his Apostles immediately after his last supper not long before he was betrayed into the hands of sinners as times of affliction are speciall times of prayer but not the only times Christ himselfe being in an Agony prayed the more earnestly so times of mirth or rejoicing are speciall but not the only seasons of singing of Psalms Q. Is singing of Psalms to be allowed in the Church A. 1 Cor. 14.26 How is it then brethren when ye come together every one of you hath a Psalme hath a Doctrine hath a tongue hath a revelation hath an Interpretation let all things be done unto edifying Psal 95.1 2. O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyfull noise to the rock of our Salvation Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyfull noise unto him with Psalms Mar. 14.26 And when they had sung an hymne they went out into the mount of Olives CHAP. 25. Of Church Discipline Q. OUght men first to be admonished once twice or thrice before they be cast out of the Church or that men are bound to separate from their society A. Math. 18.15 16 17. Moreover if thy brother shall trespasse against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone but if he will not heare thee then take with thee one or two more and if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the Church but if he neglect to heare the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathē man a Publican Tit. 3.10 A man that is an Heretick after the first second admonition reject Q. If a man that hath given offence professe true repentance may not he be
is my body Q. If the wine had been as really and truly turned or transubstantiated into blood as the water at the wedding was by Christ into wine is it not probable it would have tasted like blood A. Joh. 2.9 10. When the Ruler of the Feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was c. saith Every man at the begining doth set forth good wine and when men have well drunk then that which is worse but thou hast kept the good wine untill now Q. Is it the eating of or feeding on Christ by Faith in the Sacrament or is it the corporal eating or manducation of his very flesh which is available to feed the soule unto eternall life A. Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. May we lawfully say that the elements remaine untransubstantiated that they are really still and substantially bread and wine only changed as to the use after consecration because we see with our eyes handle them and tast them to be such 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 John 20.27 Then saith he to Thomas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not Faithlesse c. Q. Doth our Lord Christ use any other figurative expressions in the institution of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper A. Yes 1 Cor. 11.25 This Cup is the New Testament in my blood Q. But are unlearned people able to understand such figurative expressions A. Yes If a man was in a roome where are divers pictures or Images and should heare one say this is Peter and this is Paul he would understand his meaning to be this is the likenesse representation Picture or Image of Peter and Paul Q. Hath Christ given as much power to every true Church of God ordinarily to forgive sinnes as he did to Peter or the other Holy Apostles A. Mat. 18.18 Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Q. Is it more evident by Scripture that the Apostle Peter was the Apostle of the Jewes or circumcision than of the Gentiles A. Gal. 2.7 8. When they saw that the Gospell of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the Gospell 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 Q. Suppose the Apostle Peter was Bishop of Rome doth that make it more impossible for the Church of Rome to erre or fall from the Faith once delivered to the Saints than for the Jewes A. Rom. 11.17 18 20 21. And if some of the branches be broken off and thou being a wild olive tree wert graffed in amongst them boast not against the branches because of unbeliefe they were broken off and thou standest by Faith be not high minded but feare Q. Did God promise his presence of old with the Church of the Jewes A. Rom. 9.4 Who are Israelites to whom pertaineth the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law the service of God the Promises Q. May those who are God's children and people be unchurched A. Act. 13.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you but seeing ye put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life loe we turne to the Gentiles Q. Was the true Church of God amongst the Jewes alwaies a congregation of true worshippers visibly and notoriously distinct from Idolaters or were the true worshippers sometimes hid amongst Idolaters as wheat in a heap of chaffe A. 1 King 19.18 Yet I have left me 7000 in Israel all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal and every mouth which hath not kissed him Q. Is it possible that the Protestants should be of the true Religion if they grant that their Church was in spirituall Babylon or Egypt that is in the Romish Church before the Reformation A. Yes Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues 2 Cor. 6.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the uncleane thing and I will receive you Q. Who is the chiefe rock and foundation upon whom the Church is built is not Christ A. 1 Cor. 10.4 For they drank of that spirituall rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is layd which is Jesus Christ Q. Are any of the Apostles cal'd foundations or especially any besides Peter A. Yes Re. 21.14 And the wall of the City had 12 foundations and in them the names of the 12 Apostles of the Lambe Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chief corner stone Q. Are any of the Apostles besides Peter accounted Pillars Columnes or supporters in the Christian Church that spirituall building A. Yes Gal. 2.9 And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. Q. May Soveraigne Princes with the Advice of the Ministers of the Gospel in the Churches within their dominions reforme abuses and errours crept into the Churches A. 2 Chr. 29.5 16. Heare me ye Levites sanctify now your selves and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your Fathers and carry forth the filthinesse out of the holy place And the Priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to clense it and brought out all the uncleannesse that they found in the Temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord and the Levites took it to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron 2 Chr. 34.30 31. And the King went up into the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Priests and the Levites and all the people great and small and he read in their eares all the words of the book of the Covenant that was found in the house of the Lord. And the King stood in his place and made a Covenant before the Lord to walke after the Lord and to keep his commandements and his Testimonies and his Statutes with all his heart and with all his soule c. Q. Is that a true Church where the word is truly and duely taught or is it the true marke of a sheep of Christ to heare the voice of him the great Shepheard A. Yes 1 Tim. 3.15 That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in the house of God which