wilt dash their children and rip up their women with child vers 15. And Hazael reigned Q. What Scriptures prove that God's Providence especially doth reach his Church and that he disposeth all things to the good thereof A. 1 Tim. 4.10 Who is the Saviour of all men especially of those that believe Amos. 9.9 I will sift the house of Israel among all nations c. Yet shall not the least graine fall upon the earth Is 43.3 4 5. I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy Saviour I gave Egypt for thy ransome Ethyopia and Seba for thee therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life Fear not for I am with thee I will bring thy seed from the East c. Chap. 11. Of Faith and Repentance a holy life and assurance of Salvation Q. IS faith in Christ required of those who shall be saved A. Act. 16.31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house Joh. 3.16 36. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Q. What is that great truth to which the Father Son and Holy Ghost bear witnesse A. 1 Joh. 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Q. Is it necessary that we should repent of our sinnes and reforme or amend our lives and forsake our sinnes if we will have mercy A. Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Q. Are any so predestinated or did our Lord Jesus Christ so lay down his life for any particular Persons that although they live and dye in impenitency and unbeliefe yet they shall surely be saved A. Rom. 8.1 13 30. There is therefore now no condemnation to thē which are in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit For if ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit doe mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified c. Q. Doth the Scriptures hold out any such preterition or Non-election or so hold forth the death of Christ that some persons although they believe with all their heart and repent and forsake all their sins yet shall not be saved A. Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Act. 10.34 35 43. Of a truth I perceive God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of Sinnes Q. May we be sure if we believe that we were ordained to eternall life A. Act. 13.48 And as many as were ordained to eternall life believed 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth Q. What manner of Persons are those living and dying who were of old ordained unto condemnation A. Jude 4. For there are certaine men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousnesse and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ Q. May our Election be known A. 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall 2 Thes 1.4 Knowing brethren beloved your election of God Q. Doth God elect or chuse men out of Grace and that they might he holy A. Rom. 11.4 5 6. There is a remnant according to the Election of Grace And if by Grace then is it no more of works otherwise grace is no more Grace Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 2 Thes 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth Q. Are we commanded to believe in the name of the Lord Christ A. 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandement that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ Joh. 6.29 Jesus answered and said unto them This is the word of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent Q. Have we power of our selves to believe and to doe good works A. Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Phil. 1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Q. Who is the Author and finisher of our Faith A. Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith c. Mar. 9.24 Lord I believe help thou mine unbeliefe Q. Seeing we cannot believe and doe good works by our own power may we be exhorted to both A. Phil. 2.12 13. Wherefore my beloved as you have alwaies obeyed c. Worke out your own Salvation with feare and trembling For it is God which worketh in you both to will to doe of his good pleasure Q. Is there an Almighty power put forth to make us believe A. Eph. 1.19 And what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Q. Is it our duty to convert and turne to God c. A. Isa 1.16 17. Wash ye make you cleane put away the evill of your doings from before mine eyes cease to doe evill learne to doe well seek judgment relieve the opressed judg the fatherlesse plead for the widdow Act. 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out Joel 2.12 Turne ye even to me saith the Lord with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning Q. Are we able of our selves to turne or must we pray unto God to turne us A. Psal 85.4 Turne us O God of our Salvation and cause thine anger towards us to cease Jer. 31.18 Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Q. Is the word of God a means or instrument which God useth to convert men A. 1 Thes 1.5 6. For our Gospel came not unto you in word
ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest chap. 7.7 Aske and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Is 55.1 3. Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eate yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price Incline your eare and come unto me hear and your soule shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Deut. 4.29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God thou shalt find him if thou seek him with all thine heart and with all thy soul Rev. 22.17 and the Spirit and the bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely Q. May we pore upon predestination and look to see our names written in the book of life before we set our faces and hearts to look after a Saviour the Lord Christ A. Deut. 29.29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever that we may doe all the words of this Law 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandement that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ Q. Is there any ground to stay the soul upon if it seek after the true knowledge and feare of God that it shall find it A. Prov. 2.3 4.5 Yea if thou cryest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures Then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and find the knowledge of God Q. If Judas had repented and believed should he have been saved A. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Q. If Peter had never repented and believed should he have been saved A. Joh. 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God vers 36. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. What if a man had a revelation from heaven that he should be saved might we say that Except he believed and repented and walked holily he could not be saved what saith the Scripture A. Act. 27.31 Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved compared with vers 23 24. There stood by me this night the Angell of God saying fear not Paul thou must be brought before Caesar and lo God hath given thee all them that sail with thee Q. What if a Prophet should come and tell thee yet 10 or 20 or 40 dayes and thou shouldest dye and be damned if thou shouldest thereupon turne unto the Lord with all thy heart and believe in the Lord Christ shouldest thou be saved A. Jer. 18.7 8. At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdome to pluck up and pull down and to destroy it If that nation against whom I have pronounced turne from their evill I will repent of the evill that I thought to doe unto them Matth. 11.23 If the mighty workes that have been done in thee had been done in Sodome it would have remained untill this day Is 38.1 2 5. Thus saith the Lord Set thine house in order for thou shalt dye and not live Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord Goe and say to Hezekiah thus saith the Lord the God of David thy Father I have heard thy prayer I have seen thy teares Behold I will adde unto thy dayes 15 yeers Jonah 3.4 10. Q. Shall any man be condemned at the last day because he could not or because he would not come unto Christ but put the Gospel away from him A. Mat. 23.37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Joh. 5.40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life Q. May a man be fully assured of his Salvation A. 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternall in the Heavens Q. Will Assurance make Saints Libertines in their lives A. Luk. 7.47 Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Q. Is Assurance inconsistent with a filiall reverentiall obedientiall feare of the divine majesty A. Phil. 2.12 Worke out your own salvation with feare and trembling Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling Q. What is the true meaning of that place 1 Joh. 4.18 A. Either perfect love casteth out all slavish base feare or if we love Christ in sincerity and with all our soules we shall not through feare deny him but confesse him before men although they persecute us for his names sake Q. May true Faith consist with some doubting A. Mat. 14.31 O thou of little Faith wherefore did'st thou doubt Q. Ought not Christians so to rejoyce alwaies in God as yet to be sorry for their sinnes and to weep with them that weep Are these things inconsistent Sorrow and Joy A. 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowfull yet alway rejoycing So chap. 7.9 Now I rejoyce not that ye were made sorry but that ye sorrowed to Repentance for ye were made sorry after a godly manner Rom. 12.15 Rejoyce with them that doe rejoyce and weep with them that weep Q. Shall men who live in grosse sins without Repentance Reformation ever come to heaven A. 1 Cor. 6.9 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous shal not inherit the Kingdome of God c. And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Q. Are we commanded to make us a new heart and a new Spirit A. Ezek. 18.31 32. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye dye O house of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth saith the Lord God wherefore turne your selves and live yee Q. Hath God any where promised that he will doe this for us A. Jer. 24.7 And I will give them an heart to know me that I am the Lord and they shall be my people and I will be their God For they shall returne unto me with their whole heart Ezek. 36.26 27. A new heart also will
For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Q. Are we become now children of wrath by nature and in that state shall we never except we be borne againe see the Kingdome of God A. Eph. 2.3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others Joh. 3.3 last Except a man be borne again he cannot see the Kingdome of God And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. Are sinners or those that transgresse the Law accursed A. Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to doe them Deut. 28.15 16 c. But if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to doe all his commandements his Statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee Cursed shalt thou be in the City c. Q. Doth the soul outlive the body and is it immortall A. Luk. 23.43 And Jesus said unto him To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Phil. 1.23 For I am in a straight betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Ecl. 12.7 Then shall the dust returne to the Earth as it was and the Spirit shall returne unto God that gave it Matth. 10.28 And feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule Q. Shall the body rise again from the dead A. 1 Cor. 15.13 14. But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vaine and your faith is also vaine Mark 12.25 26 27. Joh. 11.24 Q. Shall the condition of the Devils and wicked men be cursed and miserable at and after the day of Judgment A. Mat. 25.41 46. Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels And these shall go away into everlasting punishment Cap. 8. Of Redemption by Christ Q. DOTH God leave all mankind in a sinfull cursed and miserable condition to perish therein everlastingly A. 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine Salvation by Christ Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Rom. 3.21 22. But now the Righteousnesse of God without the Law is manifested even the Righteousnesse of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe c. Q. Will God acquit and justify the ungodly and unrighteous for the righteousnesse of Christ if they believe and repent of their sins A. Ro. 5.19 21. So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous That as sinne bath reigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 3.24 25 26. Being justified freely by his grace thorow the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse for the remission of sinnes that are past c. That he might be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus Q. Did God lay our sinnes upon Christ and did he beare them on the Crosse A. Is 53.5 6. But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his own selfe bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed Q. Did Christ dye only to leave us an Example or to confirme his Doctrine or to be a Sacrifice or Offering for sin A. Eph. 5.2 As Christ also hath loved us and hath given himselfe for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Is 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to griefe when thou shalt make his soule an Offering for sinne he shall see his seed he shall prolong his dayes and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Chap. 9. Of Predestination Q. HOW prove you that it was not the foresight of faith good workes or perseverance or of something else in the creature which were either as causes or conditions moving God to ordaine some men unto eternall life A. Eph. 1.9 11. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himselfe In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Rom. 9.11 16. For the children being not yet borne neither having done good or evill that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of workes but of him that calleth As it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Q. How prove you that God who hath ordained them to the End eternall life hath also ordained them to the meanes to attaine thereunto Faith and good works A. 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love chap. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Q. How prove you that all God's Elect children being fallen in Adam were redeemed by Christ A. 1 Thes 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtaine salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ Tit. 2.14 Who gave himselfe for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. How prove you that the Elect are in due time justified adopted sanctified have their sins pardoned are made the children of God and made holy A. Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom
only but in power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance and ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost So v. 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 Q. Is the word a means to work Faith A. Rom. 10.17 So then Faith commeth by hearing hearing by the word of God Q. Is a man justified partly by Faith and partly by works A. Rom. 3.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the Law Q. How is that of James chap. 2.24 to be understood A. Jam. 2.17 18. Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead being alone yea a man may say Thou hast faith I have works shew me thy Faith without thy works I will shew thee my faith by my works i.e. Faith that doth not shew it selfe by good works to be alive is a dead faith Q. Shall any that are elected justified sanctified ever fall wholy and finally from Grace A. Math. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets c. and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Joh. 10.28 29. I give unto them eternall life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand Q. Shall any regenerate person any child of God continue in sin allow himselfe to goe on customarily in any way of sinne and wickednesse A. 1 Joh. 3.9 Whatsoever is borne of God doth not commit sinne for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God Psal 139.23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Q. Did our Lord Christ dye that sinners being justified might live as they list or that they should live holily c. A. 1 Joh. 3.8 He that committeth sinne is of the Divel for the Devill sinneth from the beginning For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Devil Act. 3.26 Unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Luk. 1.74 75. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Q. Is the Gospel or the Doctrine of salvation as 't is taught in the Scriptures a Doctrine according to Godlinesse A. 1 Tim. 6.3 If a man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godlinesse Tit. 2.11 12. For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Q. Is any man in this life so perfect that he is without all sin A. 1 Joh. 1.8 10. If we say that we have no sinne we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his word is not in us 1 Kin. 8.46 If they sinne against thee for there is no man that sinneth not c. Prov. 20.9 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sinne Eccles 7.20 For there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all Q. May we know that if a man prove an Apostate and fall wholy and for ever away that he was never truly justified and regenerated A. 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Mat. 7.24 25. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rocke and the raine descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock Q. Can any man come to Christ except the Father draw him A. Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the Last day Q. May we pray to God to draw us A. Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee the King hath brought me into his chambers Q. What Scripture grounds have men to listen after to prize to be in love with the Gospel and to esteem it as worthy of all acceptation and so to hunger and thirst after the good things contained in it A. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life 1 Tim. 1.15 16. This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a paterne to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting chap. 4.10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men specially of those that believe Joh. 6.37 And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out He. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth c. Q. If a man really hunger and thirst after Christ to be his Saviour and to be his Soveraigne is he then under any conditionall promise A. Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall be filled Q. If any man hearing of the God of Israel that he is a mercifull God and that he will save some of the chiefest of sinners and all that being weary and heavy laden with the burden of their sins coming unto him doe thereupon come and lay himselfe as a beggar at a rich mans door and wait there as the Cripple at the Pool of Bethesda and aske and seek and knock for mercy and grace hath he then any promise of being heard A. Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all
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
we receive erroneous teachers into our houses or must we avoid them A. 2 Joh. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Q. What 's the cause of Error A. Matth. 22.29 Jesus answered and said unto them ye doe erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Chap. 3. Of the Holy Scriptures Q. BY What Rule must we judge of the Doctrines we heare we must we judge by the Scriptures A. Yes Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye thinke ye have eternall life and they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 12. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so therefore many of them believed Q. Are we to believe God speaking to us in the Scriptures as if he spake to us audibly by a voice from heaven A. 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day-dawn the daystar arise in your hearts Q. Are we to believe even an Angel from heaven contrary to the Scriptures A. Galat. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Q. Ought we to believe the Scriptures rather than one who should come from the dead A. Luk. 16.27 28 29. I pray thee Father that thou wouldest send him to my Fathers house that he may testify unto them Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Q. Would it be more effectuall to have our friends rise from the dead and warne us lest we come to the place of torment than to have the Scriptures read and applyed A. Luk. 16. last And he said unto him If they heare not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Q Did the Prophets of old speak and write the Holy Scriptures by any private motion or by the incitation or inspiration of the holy Ghost A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine c. 2 Pet. 1.20.21 Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Did the Apostles of Christ preach the word of God or the word of man A. 1 The. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Q. Did our Saviour Christ and the Apostles allow their Hearers no try their Doctrine by the Holy Scriptures A. Yea. Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readines of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Q. Did Christ and the Apostles who had the greatest measure and who were full of the Holy Ghost cite Scripture and prove by Scripture or appeal constantly to private Revelations or to a light or word within them or say alway Thus sayth the Spirit within us A. Luk. 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Mar. 12.29 And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaack and the God of Jacob Q. Are the Scriptures and the Spirit joyned together and doth the Spirit of God goe along with the Scriptures A. Isai 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them sayth the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy feeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I spake unto you they are Spirit and they are life Q. But are the Scriptures able to make us perfect and wise unto Salvation without attending to visions and Revelations A. 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good workes Q. Are the Scriptures of the old Testament of use unto us now in the dayes of the Gospell A. Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 1 Cor. 10.1 to the 6th Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea c. Now these things were our Examples to the intent we should not lust after evill things as they also lusted c. So. v. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come Q. May the common people read the Scriptures A. Yea Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for they are they which testify of me Act. 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 8.30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the Prophet Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest 2 Tim. 3.15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures Isai 34.16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to doe them Q. May the Scriptures be translated out of the Originall languages into those tongues
peoples communicating in one kind only namely partaking of the bread but not of the cup 1 Cor. 11.25 26. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This is the new testament in my blood this doe ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me For as often as ye eate this bread and drink this cup ye doe shew the Lord's death 'till he come In worshipping of Angels Col. 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels c. Rev. 22.8 9. And I John saw these things and heard them and when I had heard and seen I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed me these things Then saith he unto me see thou doe it not for I am thy Fellow servant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book worship God And in worshipping of Images Ex. 20.4 5. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them Robert Whitgift Abbot of the Monastery of Wellow in Lincolneshire said that they and their Religion could not long continue because said he I have read the whole Scripture over and over and could never find therein that our Religion was founded by God Leigh out of the life of Arch-Bishop Whitgift by Sr. George Paul nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God c. Q. Have the Antient Fathers Councils and Churches held all points of beliefe of ceremony and of Discipline as the Church of Rome now doth A. No. The present Chuch of Rome notwithstanding their great boast of Antiquity doth hold some points of Doctrine which the Antients did not and doth not hold some which the Antients did Again they practise at this day diverse ceremonies which the Antients did not and have left off the use of diverse Antient ceremonies And lastly the present Church of Rome hath laid aside the exercise of diverse points or matters of Discipline which the Antients used See all this proved by Mr Dallie's Treatise of the Fathers l. 2. p. 143 144. Q. Were there any before Luther who dissented from the doctrine of the present Romish Church and who would not subject their neckes to her yoke and government or who thought her fallible A. Yes Before Luther there were diverse eminent and famous witnesses to the truth of that Religion and Doctrine for the main which the Protestants hold diverse from the present Church of Rome See for the profe of this in Scultetus his Medulla Patrum of the judgment of the Fathers for the first 300 yeers Dr Field of the Church Birckbeck's Protestant Evidence Mr Perkin's his Demonstration of the Probleme and concerning worshipping of Images See Dr Westfield's Sermons on the Calfe Q. Doe the Pagans and Papists agree in the manner of worshipping Images A. See B p Westfield's Sermons where out of an Apocrypha book yet such as the Church of Rome accounts canonicall he shewes that there are diverse things done to the Popish that were by the old Babylonish Idolaters done to their Images as before in the Preface Q. May a man be surely saved if he exercise Repentance towards God and Faith in our Lord Christ although he be no member of the Romane Church or Disciple or subject of the Pope or Bishop of Rome A. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Gal. 6.15 16. For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new creature And as many as walke according to this Rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Q. Is it a safer way to come to the Church of Rome than to those commonly called Protestants or Reformed Churches A. No by no meanes 2 Thes 2.11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse Rev. 14.9 10 11. And the 3d Angel followed them saying with a loud voice If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his marke in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoake of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image whosoever receiveth the marke of his name Q. Is the Pope Church of Rome or any like them described there How can they be said to exalt themselves above all that is called God c. 2 Thes 2.4 c. A. Psal 82.1 6. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty he judgeth among the Gods I have said ye are Gods and all of you are children of the most High FINIS A Table shewing the contents of the severall Chapters in This Treatise Cap. 1 The Introduction Pag. 1 Cap. 2 Of Errour Pag. 7 Cap. 3 Of the holy Scriptures Pag. 9 Cap. 4 Of God and the Trinity Pag. 18 Cap. 5 Of God's Decrees Pag. 40 Cap. 6 Of the Creation and first estate of man Pag. 45 Cap. 7 Of sin and it 's bitter fruites Pag. 48 Cap. 8 Of Redemption by Christ Pag. 5◠Cap. 9 Of Predestination Pag. 56 Cap. 10 Of God's Providence Pag. 59 Cap. 11 Of Faith Repentance and Assurance of Salvation Pag. 66 Cap. 12 Of Prayer Pag. 87 Cap. 13 Of Marriage Pag. 90 Cap. 14 Of Mothers nursing their own children Pag. 91 Cap. 15 Of Womens painting themselves Pag. 93 Cap. 16 Of Children with respect to holy things Pag. 104 Cap. 17 Of Baptisme Pag. 111 Cap. 18 Of publick Worship Pag. 117 Cap. 19 Of an Oath Pag. 124 Cap. 20 Of Buriall of the dead Pag. 128 Cap. 21 Of Angels Pag. 131 Cap. 22 Of Ministers Pag. 135 Cap. 23 Of Churches Ordinances Pag. 155 Cap. 24 Of Singing of Psalmes Pag. 176 Cap. 25 Of Church-Discipline Pag. 180 Cap. 26 Of civil-Magistrates and the Common-wealth Pag. 185 Cap. 27 Of Souldiers Pag. 196 Cap. 28 Of Quakers Pag. 208 Cap. 29 Of Popish Erours Pag. 233 Errata PReface pag. 22. lin 2. for others r. flyes l 7. r. stollen l. 14. r. Featly p. 35. l. 10. r. subsistent p. 92. l. 12. r. yeerly p. 10 〈◊〉 last r. Sith it is not p. 122. l. 17. r. but now p. 79. l. 4. r. vild p. 181. l. 16. r. comfort p. 209. l. 1. r if they did