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
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
in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 Joh. 4. 8 16. Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity Psal 5. 4 5. Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort 2 Cor. 1. 3. God who is rich in mercy Eph. 2. 4. The God of all grace 1 Pet. 5. 10. The Lord God merciful and gracious Exod. 34. 6. I the Lord thy God am ajealous God Exod. 20. 5. They have moved me to jealousie with that which is not God Deut. 32. 21. The Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people Exod. 32. 14. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart And the Lord said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made them Gen. 6. 6 7. And they put away the strange Gods from among them and served the Lord and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel Judg. 10. 16. The Lord will again rejoyce over thee for good as he rejoyced over thy fathers Deut. 30. 9. I said I would scatter them into corners I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely and lest they should say Our hand is high and the Lord hath not done all this Deut. 32. 26 27. Qu. Doth not God know all our thoughts words and actions A. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising thou understandest my thought afar off Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways For there is not a word in my tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether Psal 139. 2 3 4. Qu. As for our free actions which are neither past nor present but may afterwards either be or not be what are the chief passages of the Scripture from whence it is wont to be gathered that God knoweth not such actions till they come to pass yea that there are such actions A. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them Gen. 2. 19. The Lord God said Behold the man is become as one of us to know good and evil and now lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live for ever Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden Gen. 3. 22 23. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evil continually And it repented the Lord that he had made man and it grieved him at his heart And the Lord said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made them Gen. 6. 5 6 7. And it came to pass that God did tempt Abraham and said unto him Take now thy son thine onely son Isaac and offer him for a burnt-offering And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son And the angel of the Lord called unto him and said Lay not thine hand upon the lad neither do thou any thing unto him for now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy son thine onely son from me Gen. 22. 1 2 10 11 12. And God said unto Moses Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say unto them The Lord God of your fathers appeared unto me And they shall hearken to thy voice And Moses answered and said But behold they will not believe me nor hearken to my voice And the Lord said unto him What is that in thy hand And he said A rod. And he said Cast it on the ground And he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent And the Lord said to Moses Put forth thine hand and take it by the tail And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers hath appeared to thee And the Lord said furthermore unto him Put now thine hand into thy bosome And he put his hand into his bosome and when he took it out behold his hand was leprous as snow And he said Put thine hand into thy bosome again And he put his hand into his bosome again and plucked it out of his bosome and behold it was turned again as his other flesh And it shall come to pass if they will not believe thee nor hearken to the voice of the first signe that they will believe the voice of the latter signe And it shall come to pass if they will not believe also these two signes neither hearken to thy voice that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry-land and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry-land Exod. 3. 15 16 18. Exod. 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go God led them not thorow the way of the land of the Philistims although that was neer for God said Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war and they return to Egypt Exod. 13. 17. Then said the Lord unto Moses Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no. Exod. 16. 4. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people Exod. 32. 14. I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel which they murmur against me Doubtless ye shall not come into the land concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein Num. 14. 27 30. Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these fourty yeers in the wilderness to humble thee and to prove thee to know what was in thy heart whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no. Deut. 8. 2. The Lord your God proveth you to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul Deut. 13. 3. I said I would scatter them into corners I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely lest they should say Our hand is high and the Lord hath not done all this Deut. 32. 26 27. Now these are the nations
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
Christ imputed to him or is his own faith counted for righteousness A. To him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 4. 5. Qu. Was Abraham the father of the faithful justified in this maner A. He believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness Gen. 15. 6. Qu. Was not this written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him for righteousness A. It was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him But for us also Rom. 4. 23 24. Qu. On what terms if we apprehend and apply Christs righteousness to our selves A. If we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4. 24. Qu. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Is it not sufficient for us if we believe as he did what saith Christ A. Ye believe in God believe also in me John 14. 1. Qu. What saith Peter A. Christ was manifested in these last times for you Who by or through him believe on God 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. Qu. Doth not God justifie men because of the full price that Christ paid to him in their stead so that he abated nothing of his right in that one drop of Christs blood was sufficient to satisfie for a thousand Worlds If not how are they saved A. Being justified FREELY by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Rom. 3. 24. Eph. 1. 7. Qu. Did not Christ merit eternal life and purchase the kingdom of heaven for us A. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6. 23. It is your Fathers good-pleasure to give you the Kingdom Luke 12. 32. CHAP. XVI Of keeping the Commandments and having an eye to the reward of perfection in vertue and godliness to be attained and of departing from righteousness and faith Qu. ARe the commandments possible to be kept A. His commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. My yoke is easie and my burthen light Mat. 11. 30. Qu. But though it be possible to keep the commandments yet is it not enough if we desire and endeavour to keep them although we actually keep them not And doth not God here accept the will for the deed A. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand Mat. 7. 21 24 26. Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work shall be blessed in his doing Jam. 1. 25. Glory honor and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2. 10. If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Joh. 13. 17. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Luke 11. 27. We must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ that every man may receive the things done in his body according to what he hath done whether it be good or evil 2 Cor. 5. 10. The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels and then he shall reward every man according to his works Mat. 16. 27. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be Rev. 22. 12. If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments Mat. 19. 17. Qu. Which Mat. 19. 18. A. Thou shalt do no murther Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Honor thy father and thy mother and Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Mat. 19. 18 19. Qu. Though it be not onely possible but also necessary to keep the commandments yet is it lawful so to do that we may have a right to eternal life and the heavenly inheritance may we seek for honor end glory and immortality by well doing is it the tenor of the Gospel that we should live uprightly in expectation of the hope hereafter and finally ought we to suffer for the kingdom of God and not as sume are pleased to mince the matter from the kingdom of God Cite the testimonies of the Scripture to this purpose A. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city Rev. 22. 14. The revelation of the righteous judgement of God Who will render to every man accorto his deeds To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality eternal life Rom. 2. 6 7 8. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 11 12 13. That ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 2 Thess 1. 5. Qu. Have ye any Scripture that saith we must believe that God is a rewarder of them that seek him and that if we come not to him with such a faith it is impossible to please him A. Without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. Qu. Have you any example of keeping the commandments under the law what saith David of himself A. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness according to the cleanness of mine hands hath he recompensed me For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God For all his judgments were before me I did not put away his statutes from me I was also upright before him and I kept my self from mine iniquity Therefore hath the Lord recompenced me according to my righteousness according to the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight Psal 18. 20 21 22 23 24. Qu. Have you any example under the Gospel A. Whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight 1. Joh. 3. 22. Qu. Have you not examples of the choicest Saints who obeyed God in hope of the reward both before under and after the Law
the Lords body 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Q. How shall a man behave himself that he may be a worthy communicant at the Lords table A. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. 1 Cor. 11. 28. Qu. What examination is it on which Christians should put themselves What saith the same Apostle concerning this point A. Examine your selves whether you be in the faith prove your own selves 2 Cor. 13. 5. CHAP. XXIV Of the Resurrection of the dead and the last Judgement and what shall be the final condition of the righteous and the wicked thereupon Qu. WHat do you believe concerning the resurrection of the dead A. That there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Acts 24. 15. Qu. By whom shall the dead be raised A. By Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 22. Q. Why are the dead raised by Christ rather then by God himself A. Since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 21. Qu. How came Christ by this power A. As the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 5. 26. The last Adam was made a quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. Qu. By whom shall God judge mankinde A. God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Rom. 2. 16. He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. Qu. What assurance hath God given that he will judge the world by this man A. In that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 31. Q. What shall be the different issue of the good from that of the bad at the resurrection A. All that are in the graves shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. Qu. Shall not the wicked and unbelieving live for ever though in torments as well as the godly and the faithful or is eternal life peculiar to the faithful A. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the warth of God abideth on him John 3. 36. Qu. Though this passage which you have cited seem clearly to prove that eternal life agreeth unto no other men but the faithful yet since the contrary opinion is generally held amongst Christians I would fain know farther of you whether you have any other places that directly affirm that the wicked dye and that a second death are destroyed and punished with everlasting destruction are corrupted burnt-up devoured slain pass away and perish A. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life Rom. 6. 23. If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Rom. 8. 13. I will give unto him that is athrist of the fountain of the water of life freely But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all lyars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 6 8. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2. 10 11. When they shall say Peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travel upon a woman with child and they shall not escape 1 Thess 5. 3. The day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 8. These as natural bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things that they understand not and shall utterly perish in their corruption 2 Pet. 2. 12. If any man defile the temple of God him shall God destroy Gr. corrupt 1 Cor. 3. 17. We are not of them that draw back to perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 39. Which the unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire Mat. 3. 12. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation Gr. fervor of fire which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10. 26 27. But those mine enemies which would not that I should raign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luke 19. 27. The world passeth away and the lusts thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2. 17. We are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish To the one we are the savor of death unto death and to the other the savor of life unto life 2 Cor. 2. 15 16. Qu. What is the use that our Saviour himself would have us make of this doctrine touching the destruction of men in hell-fire A. Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Mat. 10. 28. Qu. In what maner shall Christ come and administer judgement at the last day A. When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee thristy and gave thee drink When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the divel and his angels For I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not Then shall they also answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred or athirst or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister unto thee Then shall he answer them saying Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal Mat. 25. 31 32 c. Qu. Is there not another resurrection and judgement that shall precede this last and general one and peculiarly belongeth unto the saints that have been slain for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God what saith John the Divine concerning this matter A. I saw thrones and they sate upon them and judgement was given to them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the Beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 4 5 6. FINIS