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
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
is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of the truth Joh. 8.13 If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed Joh. 10.27 My sheep heare my voice Q. Doe the Papists abstaining from flesh 40 dayes every Lent fast as Christ for 40 dayes in the wildernesse or did our Saviour fast from all manner of food during that time A. Mat. 4.2 And when he had fasted 40 dayes and 40 nights he was afterward an hungred Q Did our Saviour and his disciples keep any set weeks of fast yeerly or any set dayes of fasting weekly in remembrance of this all the while Christ was with them A. No. Mar. 2.18 Why doe the Disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast but thy Disciples fast not Q. Is it lawfull for Christians to fast upon extraordinary occasions A. Mar. 2.20 But the dayes will come when the Bridegroome shall be taken away from them and then shall they fast in those dayes 1 Corinth 7.5 that ye may give your selves to fasting and prayer c. Q. Is every Christian a vessell fit for his Masters use as to this duty of fasting are ordinary servants fit for extraordinary service A. Mar. 2.22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles else the new wine doth burst the bottles and the wine is spilled and the bottles will be marred But new wine must be put into new bottles Q. Is fish holier than flesh because these perished not by water when the old world was drowned A. Exod. 7.20 21. And he lift up the rod and smote the waters that were in the river in the sight of Pharaoh and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood And the fish that was in the river dyed and the river stunck and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river Q. Were fish or the beasts and fowles preserved in a more wonderfull manner in Noah's Arke at the floud A. Gen. 8.17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee of of all flesh both of fowle and of cattell and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth that they may breed abundantly Q. Were there any kinds of fish reckoned uncleane according to the Law A. Yes Lev. 11.10 And all that have not finnes nor scales in the Seas and in the rivers of all that move in the waters and of any living thing which is in the waters they shall be an abomination unto you Q. Is it a duty then in imitation of Christ's 40 dayes fast to abstaine from flesh 40 dayes in a yeere A. No. Mat. 15.9 But in vaine they doe worship me teaching for Doctrines the commandements of men Q. Is it a Doctrine of Apostates to command to abstaine from some sort of meats A. Yes 1 Tim. 4.1 3. Now the spirit speaketh expressely that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith forbidding to marry and commanding to abstaine from meates which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth Q. Doe the Saints departed know our wants should we pray to them or to God for supply A. Is 63.16 Doubtlesse thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer Job 14.20 21. Thou changest his countenance and sendest him away his Sonnes come to honour and he knoweth it not and they are brought low but he perceiveth it not of them Q. Ought we to pray for the dead since we must not pray to them A. 2 Sam. 12.22 23. And he said while the child was yet alive I fasted and wept for I said who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live But now he is dead wherefore should I fast Can I bring him back againe I shall goe to him but he shall not returne to me Q. Are all damned who dye without Baptisme A. No. Luk. 23.42 43. And he said unto Jesus Lord remember me when thou commest into thy kingdome And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Q. May Women without scruple or feare administer the Sacrament of Baptisme A. 1 Tim. 2.12 But I suffer not a woman to teach but to be in silence compared with Math. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Q. Will full Assurance of life cause Christians to neglect the use of all good means A. Act. 23.11 16 17. Be of good cheer Paul for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem so must thou beare witnesse also at Rome And when Paul's Sisters Son heard of their laying in wait he went and entred into the Castle and told Paul Then Paul called one of the Centurions unto him and said Bring this young man unto the chiefe Captaine for he hath a certaine thing to tell him Act. 27.24 31. Feare not Paul thou must be brought before Caesar and loe God hath given thee all them that saile with thee Paul said to the Centurion and to the Souldiers except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved Q. Were any of the Apostles married especially was the Apostle Simon Peter ever married A. Yes 1 Cor. 9.5 Have we not power to lead about a Sister a Wife as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas Mar. 1.30 But Simon 's Wives mother lay sick of a fever Q. Did our Saviour Christ command that the Apostles should forsake their VVives and that other Ministers their successours should not marry A. No. 1 Cor. 9.5 Have we not power to lead about a Sister a Wife as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord Cephas 1 Tim. 3.2 4. A Bishop then must be blamelesse the husband of one wife one that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity Heb. 13.4 Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Q. Is it necessary that those who live a long time in their sins repent late and doe not suffer much in this world should suffer in purgatory after death to expiate their sinnes A. Lu. 23.43 And Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Q. Is Heaven cal'd Paradise A. Yes 2 Cor. 12.2 3 4. I knew a man in Christ such a one caught up to the third Heaven and I knew such a man how that he was caught up into Paradise c. Q. Can any mere man by his own good workes merit heaven or eternall life A. Lu. 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things that are commanded you say we are unprofitable Servants Rom. 6. ult For the wages of Sinne is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
a man cannot pay too deare for it if false he cannot buy it too cheap Now who would be of such a Religion which may cost him the certaine losse of a temporall and much hazard his eternall estate that will ruine his estate and endanger his soule Now consider what I have said in this preface and what I say in the following Treatise and the Lord give you understanding in all things So prayeth really desirous of your conversion and salvation THO HODGES Chap. 1. Of this way or Method of proceeding by such Questions and Answers or The Introduction Q. MAY we say yes to a Question that is asked us when we answer it Affirmatively or must we necessarily say yea Ans Math. 17.24.25 They that received the Tribute money came to Peter and said Doth not your Mr pay tribute He sayth yes Q. When we answer a Question Negatively must we alwayes say Nay or may we say No A. Joh. 21.5 Then Jesus sayth unto them children have you any meat they answered him No. Q. Doth that place Jam. 5.12 forbid the saying Yes and No when it sayes Let your Yea be Yea and your Nay be Nay A. The Apostle dehorts from customary swearing and adviseth them to be true and faithfull in performing their word and promise he would not have men be I Sr no Sr as we say not yea and nay but one and the same in word and deed in our promises and performances and if we would doe so there would be no need of such common oaths to gaine credit or beliefe And farther I say that the Translators if they had pleased might have rendred the Originall thus Let your Yes be Yes and your No No as in the places above cited Q. Is it lawfull to set down or aske questions about points or matters of Religion and give answers thereunto for the instruction of the ignorant or teaching of those who are as yet babes in knowledge A. Yes Luk. 7.19 20 22. And John calling unto him two of his Disciples sent them to Jesus saying Art thou he that should come or look we for another when the men were come unto him they said John Baptist hath sent us unto thee saying Art thou he that should come or look we for another Then Jesus answering said unto them Goe your way and tell John what things you have seen and heard how that the blind see the lame walke the lepers are cleansed the dead are raised the deafe heare to the poor the Gospell is preached So Mat. 11.2 3 4 5. Hag. 2.11 12 13. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts Aske now the Priests concerning the Law saying If one beare holy flesh in the skirt of his garment and with his skirt doe touch bread or pottage or wine or oyle or any meat shall it be holy And the Priests answered and said No. Then said Haggai If one that is uncleane by a dead body touch any of these shall it be unclean And the Priests answered and said It shall be unclean Mat. 13.51 Q. May a man aske or propound a Question about that which he knowes himselfe and make an objection which he can answer himselfe A. Yes Mark 12.35 36 37. And Jesus answered and said while he taught in the Temple How say the Scribes that Christ is the Son of David for David himselfe said by the holy Ghost The Lord said to my Lord sit thou on my right hand 'till I make thine enemies thy footstool David therefore himselfe calleth him Lord and whence is he then his Son So Matth. 22.41 c. Rom. 6.1 what shall we say then shall we continue in sinne that grace may abound God forbid And verse 15. what then shall we sinne because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid So chap. 7.7 what shall we say then is the Law sinne God forbid and chap. 9.14 what shall we say then is there unrighteousnesse with God God forbid Q. May we aske what are the opinions of men concerning Christ or Christianity and give answers to them A. Yes Matth. 16.13 14. when Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi he asked his Disciples saying whom doe men say that I the Son of man am And they said some say that thou art John the Baptist some Elias and others Jeremias or one of the Prophets But whom say ye that I am v. 15th c. Q. Is it lawfull to propound objections for the clearing of the truth A. Yes Luk. 20.41 42 43 44. And he said unto them How say they that Christ is David's Son And David himselfe sayth in the Book of Psalmes The Lord said to my Lord sit thou on my right hand 'till I make thine enemies thy footstool David therefore calleth him Lord how is he then his Son So Mat. 22.41 c. Mar. 12.35 36 37. Q. May a man repeat and answer the objection of adversaries made against the truth or propound such as he thinks the wisdome of the flesh will or may possibly make against the truth A. Yes Rom. 9.19 20. Nay but O man who art thou that replyest against God shall the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou made me thus in v. 19. thou wilt say then unto me why doth he yet find fault for who hath resisted his will Q. Is it in any case lawfull to set down the objection or Argument of erroneous or hereticall Persons A. Yes Luk. 20. from 27th to 33. Then came to him certaine of the Sadduces which deny that there is any Resurrection and they asked him saying Master Moses wrote unto us if any man's Brother dye having a wife and he dye without children that his Brother should take his wife and raise up seed unto his Brother there were therefore seven brethren and the first took a wife and dyed without children c. therefore in the Resurrection whose wife of them is she for seven had her to wife So Mat. 22.23 c. Cap. 2. Of Errour Q. ARE there any Errors and Heresies destructive to the faith and damnable A. Yes 2 Pet. 2.1 But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Tim. 2.17 18. of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying that the Resurrection is past already and overthrow the Faith of some Q. Are there any blasphemous opinions A. Yes 2 Tim. 2.16.17 18. But shun profane and vain bablings for they will encrease unto more ungodlinesse and their word will eate as doth a canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred c. 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made ship-wrack of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learne not to blaspheme Q. May
Q. What doe the Scriptures say concerning God's Omniscience or Knowledge of all things past present and to come how contingent soever they are in their own nature or wrought by Agents free in working A. Act. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Psal 139.2 3 4. Thou knowest my down sitting mine uprising thou understandest my thought afar off thou compassest my path my lying down art acquainted with all my wayes For there is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Ps 147.5 Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Is 40.28 There is no searching of his understanding Q. How are those Scriptures to be expounded which speake of God's proving and trying men that he may know what is in their hearts c. such as Deut. 8.2 and 13.3 2 Chr. 32.31 And what meanes that other place Philip. 4.6 Let your request be made known unto God A. These things are ascribed to God figuratively discovering the kind of his works dispensations not his own nature and properties so they must have a figurative interpretation D. Ow. God deales with men much like or proportionably to what we would doe when we would really find out what we doe not know Q. Doth the Scripture teach that there is but one only true God A. Deut. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. 8.5 6. For though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be Gods many Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things we in him c. Q. What saith the Scripture concerning the Trinity or the three Persons in the God-head A. 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.29 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. Are we by the Word to understand Christ the Son of God A. Joh. 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Q. Is Christ God A. Rom. 9.5 Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 20.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my Ood Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Heb. 1.3 8. Who being the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himselfe purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high But unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of thy Kingdome 1 Tim. 3.16 Q. Is he equall with the Father A. Phil. 2.6 Who being in the forme of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God Q. Is he one with his Father A. Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Q. How doe you prove that the Holy Ghost is God A. Act. 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land while it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you So chap. 6.19 What know you not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own 2 Cor. 6.16 and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Is 6.1 9. In the yeer that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his traine filled the Temple And he said Goe and tell this people Heare ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not Compared with Acts 28.25 26. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed after that Paul had spoken one word well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Go unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive Q. Is the holy Ghost a distinct person or subsistence in the God-head A. Joh. 16.7 8. For if I goe not away the comforter will not come unto you c. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sinne and of righteousnesse and of Judgment Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him Act. 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them Q. Are we baptized into the faith and worship of one God in three Persons A. Mat. 28.19 Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Q. Is not God the Father cal'd the only true God in Joh. 17.3 How then is Christ God A. Christ and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God with the Father and some expound this text by 1 Joh. 5.20 where of Jesus Christ it is said D. Ch. Beza in loc D. Ch. This is the true God and Eternall life These termes one and only exclude all Idols not the Son and the Holy Ghost no more than in Jude v. 4. According to our Translation the word only Lord God being applyed to Christ doth exclude God the Father from being God Q. Doth not Christ say Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater than I. And again Joh. 10.29 My Father is greater than all A. Presently after Christ had said My Father is greater than all he addes I and my Father are one i.e. one in
nature and yet in regard of his manhood and in respect of his office of Mediator about which he was sent into the world his Father was greater than he Q. Are not God the Father and God the Son said to send the Holy Ghost And is not he that sendeth greater than he that is sent A. M. Perk. One Equall may send another by consent Q. Doth not Christ say concerning the Holy Ghost Joh. 16.13 14 15. he shall not speak of himselfe and he shall receive of mine c A. The Holy Ghost hath his subsistence from the Father and the Son but this by nature and he imparts to every one of us as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 and the Church is commanded to hearken unto him Rev 2. Yet the mercy grace D. Ow. his Ans to Bid. light guidance direction comfort peace gifts that he should communicate were no other but what were procured and purchased for them by Christ himselfe according to that dispensation that the Trinity is pleased to proceed in to accomplish the work of our Salvation Q. May we give prayse and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost A. Is 6.1 2 3. I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and his train filled the Temple Above it stood the Seraphims And one cryed unto another and sayd Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory So vers 8.9 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying go and tell ye this people Heare ye indeed but understand not compared with Act. 28.25 26. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Goe unto this people and say Hearing ye shall heare and shall not understand Rev. 7.9 10. After this I beheld and lo a great multitude And cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lambe Q. May we lawfully pray to any particular Person of the Holy Trinity And may we give glory to a particular Person A. Luk. 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they doe Act. 7.59 60. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit and he kneeled downe and cryed with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their charge 2 Cor. 13. last The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Rev. 5.13 And every creature heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Q. May we lawfully in a continued prayer wherein we have many petitions put up one to God the Father by name another to the Son and a 3d to the Holy Ghost A. 2 Cor. 13. last The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen 2 Thes 2.16 17. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe God even our Father comfort your hearts c. Q. Which Person of the Trinity is most frequently named in the prayers of holy men recorded in Scripture A. Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 3.14 21. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages world without end Amen Cap. 5. Of God's Decrees Q. HOW prove you that nothing can come to passe in time but what God did most wisely and freely decree and ordaine unchangably from all eternity A. Eph. 1.11 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. 11.33 34. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his waies past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heires of promise the immutability of his Counsell confirmed it by an oath Rom. 9.15 18. For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Q. How prove you that for all this decree God is not the Author of sin A. Jam. 1.13 17. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot betēpted with evill neither tempteth he any man Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darknesse at all Q. How prove you that God's Decrees or eternall predestination or foreordaining of all that comes to passe in time doth not take away man's liberty or offer violence to him and consequently free man from sinne A. Act. 2.23 Him being delivered by the determinate counsell and fore-knowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain So Chap. 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered togeither for to doe whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done Math. 17.10 11 12. Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come And Jesus answered and said unto them Elias truly shall first come and restore all things But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they listed likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of thē Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Joh. 19.11 Jesus answered thou could'st have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The power of the Magistrate being from God therefore the Jewes sin'd grievously in making use of the Magistrate to condemne the innocent and the Son of God Beza Q. How prove you that God knowes all that comes to passe A. Act. 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Q. How prove you he knowes what may or can come to passe upon such and such conditions A. 1. Sam. 23.11 12. Will Saul come down as thy Servant hath heard O Lord God of Israel I beseech thee tell thy Servant And the Lord said he will come down Then said David will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of
I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and doe them Cap. 12. Of Prayer Q. IS prayer a meanes to obtaine these spirituall blessings at God's hands A. Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Ezek. 36.37 Thus saith the Lord God I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them Q. May we call upon an unregenerate man to repent and pray A. Act. 8.22 23. Repent therefore of this thy wickednesse and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitternesse and in the bond of iniquity Q. Is there any hopes that God will heare the prayer of an unregenerate man can you give an instance in Scripture of God's hearing an unregenerate man's prayer A. 2 King 13.2 4. And he did that which was evill in the sight of the Lord and followed the sinnes of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat which made Israel to sin he departed not therefrom And Jehoahaz besought the Lord and the Lord hearkened unto him For he saw the oppression of Israel because the King of Syria oppressed them Q. What means then John 9.31 A. By a sinner may here be understood a grievous Sinner such as an Impostor and open Sabbath-breaker compare that text with Luk. 7.37 39. If a man be an Atheisticall notorious profane wretch or an Impostor and goe on to sinne presumtuously saying God is with him God useth not to heare such an one so as to worke miracles at his prayer or intreaty so as to cure one that was born blind But yet he that heareth the cry of the young Ravens is found of those men sometimes that seek him not may if he please and sometimes doth hear and answer the prayer of an unregenerate person I no where read that 't is an abominatioÌ„ to God for an unregenerate man to pray for Grace the sacrifice of the wicked is said indeed to be an abomination to the Lord as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but if God put it into a man's heart if he prepare his heart to pray for peace with God and sanctifying or regenerating grace from God I think 't is not impossible he should prepare his eare to heare he hath not said he would not heare 't is not necessary he should stop his eares to such prayers And as for Prov. 28.9 I say it proves God wil not ordinarily hear profane obstinate presumtuous Sinners when they are in necessity or distresse but yet he may notwithstanding heare the prayer of an Unregenerate Person when he prayes to have his law written in his heart he may not hear one that hath no grace when he prayes for gold but yet may heare him when he prayes for Grace Chap. 13. Of Marriage Q. ARE the Lawes formerly delivered by Moses concerning Marriage so abolished that now a man may marry to his neer kindred A. Mat. 14.3 4. For Herod had laid hold on John and bound him and put him in prison for Herodias sake his brother Philip's wife For John said unto him It is not lawfull for thee to have her Q. In what case is divorce lawfull A. Mat. 5.32 Whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of Fornication causeth her to commit Adultery Rom. 7.2 For the woman which hath an Husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth Q. Are second Marriages lawfull A. Rom. 7.3 But if her Husband be dead she is free from that Law so that she is no Adulteresse though she be married to another man Chap. 14. Of Mothers nursing their own children Q. DID good women of old time nurse their own children A. Psal 131.2 Surely I have behaved and quieted my selfe as a child that is weaned of his Mother Gen. 21.7 And he said who would have said unto Abraham that Sarah should have given children suck Q. Did ever any Queen or Noble person nurse her own child A. Can. 8.1 compared with chap. 1.1 The song of songs which is Solomons O that thou wert as my Brother â—â—â—at sucked the brests of my mother 1 Kin. 11.20 And the Sister of Tahpenes bare him Jenubath his Son whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house Gen. 23.6 compared with 21.7 Heare us my Lord thou art a mighty Prince amongst us And he said who would have said unto Abraham that Sarah should have given children suck Q. Was it reputed a curse or punishment for women to have dry brests A. Hosea 9.14 Give them O Lord what wilt thou give give them a miscarrying womb and dry brests Q. Shall a mother who is a nurse be dispensed with all from some outward acts of piety from doing of which she is hindred by that means or occasion A. 1 Sam. 1.21 22 23. And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer unto the Lord the early sacrifice and his vow But Hanah went not up for she said unto her husband I will not goe up untill the child be weaned and then I will bring him that he may appeare before the Lord and there abide for ever And Elkanah her husband said unto her Doe what seemeth thee good tarry untill thou have weaned him only the Lord establish his word so the woman abode and gave her Son suck untill she weaned him Chap. 15. Of Womens painting themselves Q. IS the face the cheif part by which we are commonly known one to another A. Galath 1.22 And was unknown by face unto the Churches of Judea which were in Christ Q. Is the face one of our comely parts which hath no need as others of any superadded honour A. 1 Cor. 12.23 24. And those members of the body which we think to be lesse honourable upon these we bestow more abundant honour our uncomely parts have more abundant comelinesse For our comely parts have no need but God hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked Q. Did lewd Women use to paint A. Ezek. 23.40 And furthermore that ye have sent for men to come from far unto whom a messenger was sent and loe they came for whom thou didst wash thy selfe paintedst thy eyes and deckedst thy selfe with ornaments Q. Was that Queen a good or a wicked Woman who stood in a window painting her selfe when Jehu came to Jezreel A. 2 Kings 9.30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel Jezebel heard of it and she painted her face and tired her head and looked out at a window Q. Were the daughters of men in the old world really faire that the Sons of God were so taken with their beauty or did they paint and so only seem
abstaine from meats c. Q. Can you give an instance of God's threatning to remove his Candlestick from any place or people where it was once set A. Yes Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and doe the first workes or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Q. VVas Timothy Bishop or Minister at Ephesus or at Rome when the Apostle Paul taught him how he ought to behave himselfe in the house of God the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth A. 1 Tim. 1.3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine Q. VVas it possible that when once Ephesus was called the house of the living God the pillar and ground of truth that ever Ephesus should be un-churched or that the Gospell should be removed from them A. Revel 2.1 5. Unto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write c. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and doe the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his Place except thou repent Q. What learne we from those words the pillar and ground of truth if applyed to the Church A. That 't is the duty priviledg of the Church to hold forth the Truth that men may know it and to uphold maintaine and defend it against those who oppose it Pillars doe hold forth and uphold the Orders and proclamations of Magistrates which are hanged on them or affixed to them If this Scripture had been of as much force signification applyed to Ephesus as the Romanists would have it to the Church of Rome Ephesus had remained to this day Q. Can any man really and properly by his own power and authority forgive sinnes A. Mark 2.7 Who can forgive sinnes but God only compared with Is 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sinnes Exod. 34.6 7. The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gracious keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sinne Mic. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage Q. Had Christ God-man power on earth to forgive sinnes A. Mark 2.5 10. When Jesus saw their Faith he said unto the sick of the palsie Son thy sinnes be forgiven thee But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sinnes Q. Did our Lord Christ give power to his Apostles and their successors to declare forgivenesse of sinnes to penitent and believing sinners A. Joh. 20.23 Whose soever sinnes ye remit they are remitted unto them and whose soever sinnes ye retain they are retained Q. Had the other Apostles power and their successors as well as Peter and in the same sence and manner to forgive sinnes or to declare unto man remission Were the Keyes given to the other Apostles besides Peter A. Yes Joh. 20.23 Whose soever sins ye remit c. Q. Doth the Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans mention any such priviledg of the Roman Church that to her were committed the Holy Scriptures and the Interpretation of them or were the Holy Scriptures of old committed to the Jewish Church A. Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage hath the Jew Unto them were committed the oracles of God Q. VVhen the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians and charges them with schisme faction and division was it because they did not hold of Cephas or Peter or was it because some held of Paul and some of Apollo and some of Cephas and some of Christ that they cried up one to the decrying and undervaluing of another A. 1 Corinth 1.12 Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ Q. Did the Apostle Paul acknowledg Peter's Supremacy or did Peter challenge any Jurisdiction over Paul or was it agreed when there was a distribution of their Ministry that one should apply himselfe to the Jewes and the other to the Gentiles A. Galath 2.7 8 9. But contrariwise when they saw that the Gospell of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the Gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be pillars perceived the grace that was given unto me they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship that we should goe unto the Heathen and they unto the Circumcision Q. When the Apostle reckons up the severall Orders that God hath set in the Church doth he say first Peter then the Apostles after them Prophets then Peter's Successor the Bishop of Rome under Christ and the Apostle Peter the cheife Pastor and Teacher of the Church A. Ephes 4.11 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Q. When the Apostle Peter his death approacheth and he undertakes to mind those to whom he writes to make their calling and election sure and tels them if they doe those things which he exhorts unto they shall never fall but have an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord Christ And when he treats of the Holy Scriptures and foretels false Prophets to come who shall bring in damnable heresies doth he tell them they must follow the Bishop of Rome when he is gone and heare him that he must interpret Scripture be Christ's Vicar and oppose heretiques and seducers A. No. 2 Epist of Peter 1.10 11 13 15. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall For so an entrance shall be administred unto you into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things alwaies in Remembrance 2 Pet. 3.1 2 17 18. This second Epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance That ye may be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the commandement of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Did the Apostle Paul ever oppose and admonish the Apostle Peter A. Galath 2.11 12 14. But when Peter was come to