did see me when I was without form for in thy book were all things written which in continuance were fashioned when there was none of them before Joh. 21.27 Peter said unto him Lord thou knowest all things and Jesus said when thou wast young thou girdedst thy self and walkedst wither thou pleasedst but when thou shalt be old another shall girde thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not and this he spake signifying by what death he should glorifie God Psal 147. Great is our Lord his wisdom is infinite Isa 40.28 there is no searching of his understanding Acts. 2.3 The determined counsel and fore knowledge of God 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore knowledge of God the Father Psal 94.9 10 11. He that planted the ear shall not he hear and the eye shall he not see he that teacheth men knowledge shall not he know the Lord knoweth the thoughts of a man Jer. 17.9 10. The heart is deceitful and wicked above all things who can know it I the Lord search the heart and try the reins Eph. 1. He hath chosen us in him ere the foundationn of the world that we should be holy that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things according to his purpose who ruleth all things after the counsel of his own will 2. Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God stands sure having this seal the Lord knows who are his James 1.17 With God is no variableness or shaddow of change Prov 19.21 Many devices are in mans heart but the Lords counsel shall stand CHAP. III. QVest Whereas we read in Gen. 3. the curse denounced by God upon our Parents first sin to be sorrow in conception a curse on the ground and mans labour in this life is that the full extent of the curse or in the question of Gods enemies did not their sin bring on them and us the guilt of hel-f re deface the Image of God in us darken our understandings enslave our wills deprive us of power to do good and cause mortality did it or did it not what saith the Scriptures Answ Gen. 2.17 in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt dying dye Rom. 5.12 By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death went over all men vers 14. but death raigned from Adam to Moses Verse 15. Through the offence of one many be dead 16. The fault came of one man to condemnation 17. By the offence of one death raigned 18. By the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation 21. Sin raigned unto death Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them Rom. 3.9 We have proved both Jews and Gentiles to be all under sin vers 12. They are altogether become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one Iohn 8.34 Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin Rom. 6.17.20 Servants to sin Rom. 7.14 Sold under sin 15. What I would that I do not but what I hate that I do 18. In me that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing 19. For the good that I would I do not but the evil which I would not that I do 23. But I see another Law in my members bringing me into captivity of the Law of sin which is in my members 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death 2 Pet. 2.19 While they promise liberty themselves are the servants of corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage Eph. 2.1 Dead in trespasses and sins Iohn 8.41 You do the deeds of your Father ye are of your Father the Devil and his deeds will ye do James 1.14 Every man is tempted of his own lust and enticed Rom. 8.7 They that are in the flesh cannot please God Gal. 3.22 The Scripture hath concluded all under sin unless ye be born from above you cannot enter into the kingdom of God Titus 3.5 He saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the holy Ghost Psal 54.5 Behold I was born in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceived me Gen. 6.5 The Lord faw all that all the imaginations of mans heart are evil continually Quest What saith the Scripture concerning the understanding 1 Cor. 2.4 For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Eph. 4.17 18. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind having their understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesss of their hearts Rom. 8 5 They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh 7. The carnal mind is enmity with God Luke 24.45 Then opened he their understandings that they might understand the Scripture Isaiah 44.18 They have not known nor understood God hath shut their eyes that they cannot see and their hearts that they cannot understand 19. None considereth in his heart neither is there knowledge nor understanding 10. A seduced heart hath deceived him Quest What of the Will Answ Phil. 2.18 It s said God worketh in us to will and to do Rom. 7.23 But I see another Law in my members bringing me into captivity into the Law of sin Rom. 6.20 Being servants to sin we are free from Righteousness Rom. 8.7 8. The carnal mind is enmity with God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God Eph. 4.19 Have given themselves over to lasciviousness CHAP. IV. QVest Whereas we find in the Catechism of Gods enemies and ours an endeavour to prove Christ the Lord by way of distinction from the one God as he blasphemes to that end several Scriptures quoted and many Questions stated as that Jesus is the Lord born of his Mother Mary that he dyed to be Lord over quick and dead that God raised him up from the dead that he was approved of God by miracles which God did by him that the Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do that he abode in his Fathers house because he abode in his Fathers commandments that he is the Son of God that the Father is greater then he that he shall deliver up his kingdom to his father that at the same time Thomas cals him and the Scriptures call him God himself and the Scripture confess him to have a god by these doth that wretched Creature prove what he intends to wit that the Lord Jesus Christ is so our Lord as not our God very God with the Father or doth he prove that which we shall never deny him the humanity of our
would impudently apply that Scripture Joh. 3.13 No man hath ascended into heaven but he that came down from heaven the Son of man which is in heaven and what other Scriptures speak him coming down from heaven coming forth from God and such like to this erroneous doctrine that Christ as man first ascended into heaven was there and came down thence ere he shewed himself to the world is that according to truth or doth he this meerly to avoid the force these Scriptures have in them to prove the Deity of the Son what Scriptures have you that will sufficiently prove he did not so ascend as man ere he was discovered to the world Answ Mat. 1.8 The birth of Jesus was on this wise when as his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost behold a Virgin shall be with child Luke 1 30,31 And the Angel said unto her Mary Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son Mat. 2.8 Search diligently for the young child ver 9. stood over where the young childe was vers 11. They saw the young child with Mary his Mother vers 13. Arise take the child and his Mother for Herod seeketh the child to destroy him vers 14 15. He arose and took the babe and his Mother and departed into Egypt and was there until the death of Herod that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying Out of Egypt have I called my son vers 19 20 21. And when Herod was dead behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Ioseph in Egypt saying Arise and take the babe and his Mother and go into the Land of Israel Then he rose up and took the babe and his Mother and came into the Land of Israel Vers 23. And went and dwelt in a City called Nazareth Luke 2.40 And the child grew and waxed strong in the Spirit 42. Now when he was twelve years old 43. The child Iesus remained in Jerusalem 51.52 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them and Iesus increased in wisdom and stature Joh. 20.17 Iesus said unto her Touch me not for I am not yet ascended unto my Father but I ascend unto my father and your father Quest These Scriptures prove indeed sufficiently that Jesus was conceived among us for she was with child born among us seen among us removing from place to place among us growing in years and stature and gifts among us and after all this his own testimony after his resurrection do sufficiently prove he ascended not as man before he descended what use then shall those Scriptures turn to which he abuses to that end Ioh. 3.13 No man hath ascended but he that hath descended the Son of man which is in heaven Iohn 8.42 I came from God Vers 29. I am from above Iohn 13.1.3 Jesus knowing that he came from God Ioh. 16.28 30. I came forth from the Father by this we believe that thou camest from God Answ Add them all to that Testimony afforded us by the Scripture Rom. 9.5 Who is God over all blessed for evermore Amen Quest Whereas our Catechist quotes several Scriptures importing that he that believes shall be saved if we hold fast our confidence to the end if a man purge himself if through the spirit we mortifie the deeds of the flesh we shall live if we repent our sins shall be blotted out if we do these things happy are we if we suffer with him we shall also raign and whereby he deducts that the promises of the Gospel are propounded conditionally to faith perseverance obedience doing and uttering which indeed is true but mean time conceals that Truth which ought to be considered herewith namely that we may perform these conditions we must have recourse to an absolute promise are there not therefore Scriptures that make all these first to be Gods gift ere they are our Act repeat some among many Answ Gal. 5.22 The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long suffering gentleness goodness faith c. Eph. 6.23 Peace be to the Brethren and love with faith from God the Father and from our Lord Iesus Christ Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith Eph. 2.8 By grace are ye saved through faith in Iesus and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Acts 26.22 I obtained help of God and continue unto this day 2 Tim. 2.14 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly Kingdom Heb. 13.20 21. The God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepheard of the Sheep thorough the blood of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in all good works to do his will working in you what is pleasing in his sight thorough Jesus Christ to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen Eze. 11.19 And I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit in their bowels and will take their stony heart out of their bodies and I will give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my Judgements and execute them Hosea 14.9 The wayes of the Lord are just and the r ghteous shall walk in them Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Acts 5.31 Him hath God raised up with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour to Israel to give repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts. 11.17 18. Forasmuch then as God gave them a like gift as he did unto us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ who was I that I could let God when they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life Rom. 2.4 Or despisest thou the riches of his bounty and patience and long-suffering not knowing that the bountifulness of God leadeth thee to repentance 2 Tim. 2.24 25. But the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle toward all men apt to teach suffering the evil men patiently instructing them with meekness that are contrary-minded proving if God at any time will give them repentance that they may acknowledge the Truth and come to amendment out of the snare of the Devil of whom they are taken prisoners to do his will Phil. 1.19 Vnto you it is given for Christ that not onely you should believe in him but also suffer for his sake CHAP. IX QVest Though the many Scriptures cited do prove the Divinity of the Son and we do in the main refer all other by strokes thereat one whereof we have in this Chapter to that distinct head yet whereas here is quoted Mat. 9.2 3 4 importing that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins and that the multitude glorified God which had given
Mediator according to the Scriptures for such an high Priest it became us to have let us hear what testimony the Scripture gives to the Godhead of Christ and that he may see the wisdom of that God whom he hath blasphemed as a token of vengeance to him bring out one dart for the heart of him and his blasphemy out of his own quiver The two first Scriptures he quotes in this God defying Chapter what say they and other Scriptures Answ He begins with Ephes 4.5 and 1 Cor. 8.6 One Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things Col. 2.9 In him in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Isaiah 9.6 For unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given the Government is upon his shoulders he shall call his name wonderful Counsellour the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Jer. 23.5 Behold the days come saith the Lord I will raise unto David a righteous branch and this is the name whereby they shall call him the Lord our righteousness Mat. 16.16 Then Peter answered and said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God John 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and that word was God John 20.28 Then Thomas answered and said Thou art my Lord and my God Acts 15.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock whereof the holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Rom. 9.5 Of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God over all blessed for ever Amen 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the Mysterie of godliness God manifested in the flesh 1 John 5.20 But we know the Son of God is come Christ and we are in him that is true Christ that is his son Jesus Christ this same is very God and eternal life Ioh. 3.13 No man ascendeth up to heaven but he that descended from heaven the Son of man which is in heaven before Abraham was I am Phil. 2 6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robberie to be equal with God took on him the form of a servant Mat. 24.44 The Lord said to my Lord sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy footstool Joh. 5.17 18 My Father worketh hitherto and I work therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the Sabbath but said also that God was his Father and made himself equal with God Joh. 19.7 The Jews answered we have a Law by which he ought to dye because he made himself the Son of God Rom. 8.3 15 God sending his own son not sparing his own Son Isa 7.14 Behold the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son and she shall call his name Emanuel God with us John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son Ioh. 1.14 And the word was made flesh and we saw the glory thereof as the only begotten son of the father Col. 1.13 Giving thanks unto the Father who hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son who is the Image of the invisible God the first born of every creature for by him were all things created which are in heaven and which are in earth things visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or powers all things are created for him and by him and he is before all things and in him all things consist Heb. 1.6 Let all the Angels of God worship him vers 8. Vnto the Son he saith O God thy throne is for ever and ever vers 10. And thou Lord in the beginning hast established the earth and the heavens are the works of thy hands Heb. 3.3 Christ is worthy of more honour then Moses inasmuch as he that built the house hath more honour then the house and he that built all things is God Heb. 13.8 Jesus the same yesterday to day and for ever Isa 45.21 22 23. Who hath declared this from the beginning who hath told it of old have not I the Lord there is none other God beside me a just God and a Saviour look unto me and ye shall be saved all the ends of the earth for I am a God and there is none other I have sworn by my self every knee shall bow unto me and every tongue shall swear by me compared to Rom. 14.10 11 12. We shall appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ for it is written I live saith the Lord and every knee shall bow to me and all tongues shall confess unto God so then every one shall give account of himself to God Isa 44.4.44.6 Rev. 1.18 compared who hath wrought and done it he that calleth the generation from the beginning I the Lord am the first and with the last I am the same thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts I am the first and the last and without me there is no God And I saw seven Candlesticks and in the midest one like the Son of man and he said I am the first and the last Pro. 8.22 The Lord hath possessed me the beginning of his wayes I was before his works of old Mar 3.1 Behold I will send my Messenger and he shall prepare my way before me and the Lord whom ye seek shall speedily come to his Temple even the Messenger of the Covenant whom ye desire Psal 45.6 Vnto the Son he saith O God thy Throne is for ever and ever Esa 40.3 A voice cryeth in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desert a path for our God CHAP. V. QVest We find the Blasphemer pretending to the Letter of the Scripture without Consequent or Comment how then does Eph. 4.4 one Spirit resolve his Question how many holy Spirit 's of Christians are there Ans No ways Quest Whereas then he would ungod God the holy Ghost he makes a phrase and gives the holy Ghost a new name The holy spirit of Christians whereas we find no such thing in Scripture but the holy Spirit of God what shall we then say to such a Blasphemer who would under pretence of express Scripture put on us that for Scripture which we never find there that to so damned an end Answ The Lord rebuke thee Satan to the Law and to the Testimony Quest The Scriptures indeed are the rule of faith and no God ought we to worship but the God in the Scriptures What Scripture have we then that expresly proves the Deity of God the holy Ghost Answ The first Scripture being unhappily quoted by our Adversary being 1 Chron. 10.11 I shall therefore first give you The Spirit searcheth all things Esay 6.9 compared to Act. 28.25 and I heard the voice of Jehovah the Lord saying whom shall I send And I said here am I send me Then he said go and fay unto this people they shall