substituted in the stead thereof in like maner there was so much of the primitive truth worn away by the corruption that did by little and little overspread the generality of Christians and so many errors in stead thereof tacked to our Religion at several times that one might justly question whether it were the same Religion with that which Christ and his Apostles taught and not another since devised by men and put in the room thereof But thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ who amidst the universal corruption of our Religion hath preserved his written Word entire for had men corrupted it they would have made it speak more favourably in behalf of their lusts and worldly interests then it doth which Word if we with diligence and sincerity pry into resolving to embrace the doctrine that is there plainly delivered though all the world should set it self against us for so doing we shall easily discern the Truth and so be enabled to reduce our Religion to its first principles For thus much I perceive by mine own experience who being otherwise of no great abilities yet setting my self with the aforesaid resolution for sundry yeers together upon an impartial search of the Scripture have not onely detected many errors but here presented the Readers with a body of Religion exactly transcribed out of the Word of God which body whosoever shall well ruminate and digest in his mind may by the same method wherein I have gond before him make a further enquiry into the Oracles of God and draw forth whatsoever yet lies hid and being brought to light will tend to the accomplishment of Godliness amongst us for at this only all the Scripture aimeth I say the Scripture which all men who have thorowly studied the same must of necessity be enamoured with as breathing-out the meer wisdom of God and being the exactest Rule of a holy life which all religions whatsoever confess to be the way unto Happiness that can be imagined and whose Divinity will never even to the worlds end be questioned by any but such as are unwilling to deny their worldly lusts and obey the pure and perfect precepts thereof Which obedience whosoever shall perform he shall not onely in the life to come but even in this life be equal unto Angels JOHN BIDDLE The Contents Chap. 1. OF the holy Scripture or Word of God Chap. 2. Of God Chap. 3. Of the Creation Chap. 4. Of Christ Jesus Chap. 5. Of the Holy Ghost Chap. 6. Of Salvation by Christ Chap. 7. Of Christs Mediation Chap. 8. Of Christs Prophetick Office Chap. 9. Of Remission of Sins by Christ Chap. 10. Of Christs Kingly Office Chap. 11. Of Christs Priestly Office Chap. 12. Of Christs death Chap. 13. Of the Universality of Gods love Chap. 14. Of Christs Resurection Chap. 15. Of Justification and Faith Chap. 16. Of keeping the Commandments and having an eye to the Reward of Perfection in vertue and godliness to be attained and of departing from righteousness and Faith Chap. 17. Of the duty of Subjects and Magistrates Wives and Husbands Children and Parents Servants and Masters Chap. 18. Of the behaviour of Men and Women in general and in special of Aged Men Aged Women Young Women and Young Men. Chap. 19. Of Prayer Chap. 20. Of the Church Chap. 21. Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Chap. 22. Of Baptism Chap. 23. Of the Lords Supper Chap. 24. Of the Resurrection of the dead and the last Judgement and what shall be the Final Condition of the Righteous and the Wicked thereupon A Scripture-Catechism CHAP. I. Of the holy Scripture or Word of God Question WHat doth the Scripture testifie concerning its own authority Answer All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. Qu. What concerning its own usefulness and excollencie A. All Scripture is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether More to be desired are they then gold yea then much finde gold sweeter also then honey and the honey-comb Moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psal 19. 7 8 9 10 11. The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times Psal 12. 6. Thy testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soul keep them Psal 119. 129. Qu. What doth the Scripture testifie concerning its own sufficiencie A. The holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Joh. 20. 31. Qu. How would you answer them who notwithstanding the testimony of the Scripture it self touching its own sufficiencie should bear you in hand that certain traditions and commandments of men are necessary to salvation A. Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Matth. 15. 6 9. Qu. What would you say to a man introducing a new form of words unheard-of in the Scripture and such a doctrine as tendeth not to godliness A. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 13. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness He is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Let that abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning 1 Joh. 2. 24. Qu. What benefit shall redound unto us thereby A. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2. 24. Qu. What would you say to such as should require you to follow the judgement of Fathers Councels and Learned Divines when you finde it not agreeable to the Scripture A. To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. Qu. Is the Scripture plain enough to be understood even by the simple A. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Psal 19. 7. The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119. 130. Qu. Is the Word of God a dead letter of it self A. The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing
A Twofold CATECHISM The One simply called A Scripture-Catechism The Other A brief Scripture-Catechism for Children Wherein the chiefest points of the Christian Religion being Question-wise proposed resolve themselves by pertinent Answers taken word for word out of the Scripture without either Consequences or Comments Composed for their sakes that would fain be Meer Christians and not of this or that Sect inasmuch as all the Sects of Christians by what names soever distinguished have either more or less departed from the simplicity and truth of the Scripture By John Biddle Master of Arts of the University of Oxford 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 LONDON Printed by J. Cottrel for Ri. Moone at the seven stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North-door 1654. The Preface I Have often wondered and complained that there was no Catechism yet extant that I could ever see or hear of from whence one might learn the true grounds of the Christian Religion as the same is delivered in the holy Scripture all Catechisms generally being so stuffed with the supposals and traditions of men that the least part of them is derived from the Word of God For when Councels Convocations Assemblies of Divines justling the Sacred Writers out of their place in the Church had once framed Articles Confessions of Faith according to their own fancies and interests and the Civil Magistrate had by his Authority ratified the same all Catechisms were afterwards fitted to those Articles Confessions the Scripture either wholly omitted or brought-in onely for a shew not one quotation amongst many being a whit to the purpose as will soon appear to any man of judgment who taking into his hand the said Catechisms shall examine the texts alleged in them for if he do this diligently impartially he will finde the Scripture and those Catechisms to be at so wide a distance one from another that he will begin to question whether the Catechists gave any heed at all to what they wrote and did not onely themselves refuse to make use of their Reason but presume that their Readers also would do the same In how miserable a condition then as to spiritual things must Christians generally needs be when thus trained up not as the Apostle adviseth in the nurture and admonition of the Lord but in the supposals traditions of men having little or no assurance touching the reality of their Religion Which some observing and not having the happiness to light upon the Truth have quite abandoned all Piety whatsoever thinking there is no firm ground whereon to build the same To prevent which mischief in time to come by bringing men to a certainty I mean such men as own the Divine Authority of the Scripture and withal to satisfie the just pious desires of many who would fain understand the truth of our religion to the end they might not onely be built-up themselvs but also instruct their children and families in the same I have here according to the understanding I have gotten by continual meditation on the word of God compiled a Scripture-Catechism wherein I bring the Reader to a sure and certain knowledg of the chiefest things pertaining both to belief and practice whilst I my self assert nothing as others have done before me but onely introduce the Scripture faithfully uttering its own assertions which all Christians confess to be of undoubted truth Take heed therefore whosoever thou art that lightest on this Book and there readest things quite contrary to the doctrines that pass currant amongst the generality of Christians for I confess most of the things here displayed have such a tendency that thou fall not foul upon them for thou canst not do so without falling foul upon the holy Scripture it self inasmuch as all the Answers throughout the whole Catechism are faithfully transcribed out of it and rightly applied to the Questions as thou thy self maist perceive if thou shalt make a diligent inspection into the several texts with all their circumstances Thou wilt perhaps here reply that the texts which I have cited do indeed in the letter hold forth such things as are contrary to the doctrines commonly received amongst Christians but they ought to have a mystical or figurative interpretation put upon them and then both the doctrines and the texts of Scripture will suit well enough To which I answer that if we once take this liberty to impose our mystical or figurative interpretations on the Scripture without express warrant of the Scripture it self we shall have no setled belief but be liable continually to be turned aside by any one that can invent a new mystical meaning of the Scripture there being no certain rule to judge of such meanings as there is of the literal ones nor is there any error how absurd and impious soever but may on such terms be accorded with the Scripture All the abominable Idolatries of the Papists all the superstitious Fopperies of the Turks all the licentious Opinions and Practices of the Ranters may by this means be not only palliated but defended by the Word of God Certainly might we of our own heads figuratively interpret the Scripture when the letter is neither repugnant to our senses nor to the scope of the respective texts nor to a greater number of plain texts to the contrary for in such cases we must of necessity admit figures in the sacred Volume as well as we do in profane ones otherwise both they and it will clash either with themselves or with our senses which the Scripture it self intimates to be of infallible certainty see 1 Joh. 1. 2 3. might we I say at our pleasure impose our Figures Allegories on the plain words of God the Scripture would in very deed be what some blasphemously affirm it to be a Nose of wax For instance it is frequently asserted in the Scripture that God hath a similitude or shape hath his place in the heavens hath also affections or passions as love hatred mercy anger and the like neither is any thing to the contrary delivered there unless seemingly in certain places which neither for number nor clearness are comparable unto those of the other side Why now should I depart from the letter of the Scripture in these particulars and boldly affirm with the generality of Christians or rather with the generality of such Christians only as being conversant with the false Philosophy that reigneth in the Schools have their understandings perverted with wrong notions that God is without a shape in no certain place and uncapable of affections Would not this be to use the Scripture like a nose of wax and when of it self it looketh any way to turn it aside at our pleasure And would not God be so far from speaking to our capacity in his Word which is the usual Refuge of the Adversaries when in these and the like
matters concerning God they are pressed with the plain words of the Scripture as that he would by so doing render us altogether uncapable of finding out his meaning whilst he spake one thing and understood the clean contrary Yea would he not have taken the direct course to make men substitute an Idol in his stead for the Adversaries hold that to conceive of God as having a shape or affections or being in a certain place is Idolatry if he described himself in the Scripture otherwise then indeed he is without telling us so much in plain terms that we might not conceive amiss of him Thus we see that when sleep which plainly argueth weakness and imperfection had been ascribed to God Psal 44. 23. the contrary is said of him Psal 121. 4. Again when weariness had been attributed to him Isa 1. 14. the same is expresly denied of him Isa 40. 28. And would not God think ye have done the like in those forementioned things were the case the same in them as in the others This consideration is so pressing that a certain Author otherwise a very learned and intelligent man perceiving the weight thereof and not knowing how to avoid the same took up though very unluckily one erroneous tenet to maintain another telling us in a late book of his intituled Conjectura Caballistica that for Moses by occasion of his writings to let the Jews entertain a conceit of God as in humane shape was not any more a way to bring them into Idolatry then by acknowledging man to be God as saith he our Religion does in Christ. How can this consist even with consonancy to his own Principles whilst he holds it to be false that God hath any shape but true that Christ is God For will a false opinion of God no sooner lead men into Idolatry then a true opinion of Christ But it is no marvel that this Author other learned men with him entertain such conceits of God and Christ as are repugnant to the current of the Scripture whilst they set so high a rate on the sublime indeed but uncertain notions of the Platonists and in the mean time slight the plain but certain letter of the sacred Writers as being far below the Divine Majesty and written only to comply with the rude apprehensions of the vulgar unless by a mystical Interpretation they be scrued up to Platonism This is the stone at which the Pride of learned men hath caused them continually to stumble namely to think that they can speak more wisely and worthily of God then he hath spoken of himself in his Word This hath brought that more-then-Babylonish confusion of language into the Christian Religion whilst men have framed those horrid and intricate expressions under the colour of detecting and excluding Heresies but in truth to put a baffle on the simplicity of the Scripture and usher-in Heresies that so they might the more easily carry on their worldly designes which could not be effected but through the ignorance of the people nor the people brought into ignorance but by wrapping up Religion in such monstrous terms as neither the people nor they themselves that invented them or at least took them from the invention of others did understand Wherefore there is no possibility to reduce the Christian Religion to its primitive integrity a thing though much pretended yea boasted-of in Reformed Churches yet never hitherto sincerely endeavoured much less effected in that men have by severe penalties been hindered to reform Religion beyond such a stint as that of Luther or at most that of Calvin but by cashiering those many intricate terms and devised forms of speaking imposed on our Religion and by wholly betaking our selvs to the plainness of the Scripture For I have long since observed and finde my observation to be true and certain that when to express matters of religion men make use of words and phrases unheard-of in the Scripture they slily under them couch false doctrines and obtrude them on us for without question the doctrines of the Scripture can be so aptly explained in no language as that of the Scripture it self Examine therefore the expressions of Gods being infinite and incomprehensible of his being a simple Act of his subsisting in three persons or after a threefold maner of a Divine Circumincession of an Eternal Generation of an Eternal Procession of an Incarnation of an Hypostatical Union of a Communication of Properties of the Mother of God of God dying of God made man of Transubstantiation of Consubstantiation of Original sin of Christs taking our nature on him of Christs making satisfaction to God for our sins both past present and to come of Christs fulfilling the Law for us of Christs being punished by God for us of Christs merits or his meritorious obedience both active and passive of Christs purchasing the kingdom of heaven for us of Christs enduring the wrath of God yea the pains of a damned man of Christs rising from the dead by his own power of the Ubiquity of Christs body of apprehending and applying Christs righteousness to our selves by faith of Christs being our Surety of Christs paying our debts of our sins imputed to Christ of Christs righteousness imputed to us of Christs dying to appease the wrath of God and reconcile him to us of infused grace of free grace of the the world of the elect of irresistable workings of the Spirit in bringing men to believe of carnal reason of spiritual desertions of spiritual incomes of the Outgoings of God of taking up the Ordinance c. and thou shalt finde that as these forms of speech are not owned by the Scripture so neither the things contained in them How excellent therefore was that advice of Paul to Timothy in his second Epistle to him chap. 1. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus for if we once let go those forms of sound words learned from the Apostles and take up such as have been coined by others in succeeding Ages we shall together part with the Apostles doctrine as woful experience hath taught us For after Constantine the Great together with the Councel of Nice had once deviated from the language of the Scripture in the business touching the Son of God calling him coessential with the Father this opened a gap for others afterwards under a pretence of guarding the Truth from Hereticks to devise new terms at pleasure which did by degrees so vitiate the chastity and simplicity of our Faith delivered in the Scripture that there hardly remained so much as one point thereof sound and entire So that as it was wont to be disputed in the Schools whether the old ship of Theseus which had in a maner been wholly altered at sundry times by the accession of new pieces of timber upon the decay of the old were the same ship it had been at first and not rather another by degrees
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. Qu. But do the things recorded in the Word of God concern us A. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock Matth. 7. 24. Qu. Which are the most affectionate passages in all the Scripture flowing from the mouth of one enamoured on the Word of God A. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times O how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth I love thy commandments above gold yea above fine gold I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil Psal 119. 14 20 97 103 127 162. CHAP. II. Of God Qu. HOw many Gods of Christians are there A. One God Eph. 4. 6. Qu. Who is this one God A. The Father of whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Qu. What is this one God A. A spirit Joh. 4. 24. Qu. Have you more ample descriptions of God in the Scripture A. He is the blessed and onely Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion flow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. Qu. Is not God according to the current of the Scripture in a certain place namely heaven A. Our God is in the heavens Psal 115. 3. The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth Psal 33. 13 14. Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hastie to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth Eccles 5. 2. Look down from thy habitation from heaven and bless thy people Israel Deut. 26. 15. Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory Isa 63. 15. Hear thou from thy dwelling-place from heaven Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place 2 Chron. 6. 21 23 25 27 30 33 35 39. Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16 45 48. Your Father which is in heaven Our Father which art in heaven Mat. 6. 2 9. Your Father which is in heaven My Father which is in heaven Mat. 7. 11 21. In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Matth. 18. 10. These words spake Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self Joh. 17. 1 4 5. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father Joh. 13. 1. And he being full of the holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God And said Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God Act. 7. 55 56. Qu. Is God in the Scripture said to have any likeness image similitude person and shape A. God said Let us make man in our image after our likeness So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him Gen. 1. 26 27. In the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him Gen. 5. 1. Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man Gen. 9. 6. My servant Moses is not so who is faithful in all my house With him will I speak mouth to mouth even apparently not in dark speeches and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold Num. 12. 7 8. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God Jam. 3. 9. Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him Will ye accept his person Job 13. 7 8. The Father himself which hath sent me hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape Joh. 5. 37. Qu. What passage of the Scripture intimates not onely that the Saints in the perfect state of the world to come shall see God face to face but also comprehend or fully know him A. When that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. Qu. Are there not according to the perpetual tenour of the Scripture affections or passions in God as anger fury zeal wrath love hatred mercy grace jealousie repentance grief joy fear A. Israel joyned himself to Baal-peor and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel And the Lord said unto Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away Num. 25. 3 4. Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be comforted and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Ezek. 5. 13. Moses besought the Lord his God and said Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people Turn from thy fierce wrath Exod. 32. 11 12. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. The God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth
them that call upon him A. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him Psal 145. 18. The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. Qu. Is he nigh unto all them that call upon him in whatsoever maner A. To all that call upon him in truth Psal 145. 18. The Lord is far from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous Prov. 15. 29. We know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth John 9. 31. Qu. Did not Christ himself prescribe a form of prayer to his disciples so that there remaineth no doubt touching the lawfulness of using a form A. It came to pass that as he was praying in a certain place when he ceased one of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth Give us day by day our daily bread And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Luke 11. 1 2 3 4. Qu. How must we make our addresses to the Father that we may receive whatsoever we pray for what saith Christ to his disciples A. Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you John 16. 23. Qu. Was it the custome during the time that Christ conversed on the earth much less before he came into the world to pray unto God in the name of Christ or through Christ or did it begin to be used after the resurrection and exaltation of Christ what saith Christ himself concerning this A. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full The time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in parables but I shall shew you plainly of the Father At that day ye shall ask in my name John 16. 24 25 26. Qu. Have ye any example of praying to God through Christ after his resurrection and exaltation A. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Heb. 13. 20 21. CHAP. XX. Of the Church Qu. WHat is Christ in relation to the Church and the Church in relation to him A. He is the head of the body the Church Col. 1. 18. Qu. How many such bodyes hath Christ A. One body Eph. 4. 4. Qu. What kind of head is Christ A. From which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. Qu. Who are the Church A. They that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Qu. Upon what foundation is the Church built A. Upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Eph. 2. 20. Qu. What other honourable titles doth the Scripture give unto the Church besides that of the body of Christ A. The bride the Lambs wife Rev. 22. 17. Rev. 19. 7 8. Rev. 21. 9. The temple of God 1 Cor. 3. 16. The house of God the pillar and ground of the truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Q. What special promise hath Christ made to the Church A. the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 18. Qu. What doth Christ elsewhere say of himself that may give assurance to the Church that this promise shall be made good A. Behold I live for ever and ever amen and have the keys of hell and death Rev. 1. 18. CHAP. XXI Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Qu. WHen Christ was ascended up on high after his death and resurrection and so ceased to be personally present with his Church whom did he set apart for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of his body A. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Qu. What is the advice of the two great Apostles Paul and Peter to the elders and governors of the Church A. Take heed unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made your overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20. 28. The elders which are among you I exhort who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde Neither as being lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. What reward doth the apostle Peter tell them they shall have at the appearance of Christ if they do as he prescribeth A. When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 4. Qu. What is the duty of the yonger or private sort in relation to the elders or publike officers of the Church A. Likewise ye yongers submit your selves unto the elders 1 Pet. 5. 5. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13. 17. We beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thess 5. 12 13. Q. What saith the Scripture concorning the maintenance of them that instruct and oversee the Church A. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6 6 7 8. If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things Do ye