content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 Q. Must not he that sets his heart upon wealth necessarily take it off from God A. Yes ye cannot serve God and Mammon therefore if riches encrease set not your heart upon them Luke 16.13 Q. Is not covetousness a sin which betrayeth men to all other vices and which excludeth men from the Kingdom of Heaven A. Yes they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition for the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows And the covetous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Tim. 6.9 10. 1 Cor. 6.10 Q. Is it not a very unchristian sin to envy one another A. Yes if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not for where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work Jam. 3.14 16. Q. Since contentedness is so very lovely and desirable a vertue and so contrary to these vices which bring destruction upon men should we not study it in every condition A. Yes godliness with contentme is great gain for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out and having food and raiment let us be therewith content 1 Tim. 6.6 7 8. Q. Is it not every mans duty to be diligent and industrious both for his body and soul A. Yes be not sloathful in business be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. It is the hand of the diligent that maketh rich Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before Kings he shall not stand before mean men Rom. 12.11 Prov. 22.29 Q. Can the sloathful and careless man expect either a present or future happiness A. No I went by the field of the sloathful and lo it was all grown over with thorns Sloathfulness casteth into a dead sleep and an idle soul shall suffer hunger Prov. 24.30 31. 19.15 Q. But must we not especially be careful to husband and improve grace A. Yes giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledg and to knowledg temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly-kindness and to brotherly-kindness charity Grow in grace 2. Pet. 1.5 6 7. 3.18 Q. Will not God give more grace to him that improveth the little he hath A. Yes for unto every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance and if these things be in you and abound they make you that you neither shall be barren nor unfruitful Mat. 25.29 2 Pet. 1.8 Q. Are not the dangers that attend the neglect of grace very great A. Yes from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath Mat. 25.29 Q. Is it not an heinous crime to despise the offers of grace A. Yes he that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of God Heb. 10.28 29. Q. Should not we then hearken to the voice of the Gospel which is the glad tidings of peace A. Yes see that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 11.25 Q. Is not the unprofitable servant to have a sad portion of wretchedness at judgment A. Yes cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 25.30 Q. Is not the case of that man very sad who after he hath embraced the offers of grace falleth from his profession A. Yes if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him and if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledg of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins Heb. 10.38 26. Sect. 3. Of those vertues that concern our Bodies where 1. Of Chastity 2. Of Temperance in eating and drinking Q. IS not chastity a duty every man is bound to observe A. Yes for this is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour 1 Thess 4.3 4. Q. Is not fornication which is contrary to chastity a sin which defileth our bodies A. Yes he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body 1 Cor. 6.18 Q. Is not uncleanness forbidden in the very lowest degree A. Yes ye have heard that it was said by them of old time thou shalt not commit adultery but I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5.28 Q. And should we not guard our outward senses also A. Yes I made a covenant with mine eyes why then should I think upon a maid Job 31.1 Q. Should we not also shun all occasions of uncleanness A. Yes remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the door of her house Prov. 5.8 Q. Should we not also abstain from filthy communications and immodest speech A. Yes but fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints neither filthiness nor foolish talking Eph. 5.3 4. Q. Is it not a very ready means to yield to the temptation when men listen to such filthy discourse A. Yes with her much fair speech she caused him to yield with the flattering of her lips she forced him he goeth after her straight-way Prov. 21.22 Q. And should we not resist all temptations thereunto A. Yes and it came to pass as she spake to Joseph day by day that he hearkned not unto her to lie by her or to be with her saying how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39.10 9. Q. Is not uncleanness a sin that clowds the understanding and makes men become very bruitish A. Yes whoso committeth adultery with a woman Iacketh understanding for he goeth after her straightway as an oxe goeth to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks Prov. 6.32 7.22 Q. Is it not then a sin very huriful to the soul A. Yes he that doth it destroyeth his own soul Prov. 6.32 Q. Is it not very mischievous to the body also A. Yes go not astray after a strange woman for she hath cast down many wounded yea many strong men have been slain by her her house is the way to hell going down to the chambers of death Prov. 7.26 27. Q. And doth not this
them is most true A. Yes all these sayings are faithful and true for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Rev. 22.6 2 Pet. 1.21 Q. Do you then believe that the commands contained in the Scripture are most just A. Yes I esteem all these precepts concerning all things to be right Ps 119.128 Q. But will that belief save us if we do not what we are commanded A. No if we would enter into life we must keep the Commandments and if we do this we shall live For not the hearers of the Law are just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified Mat. 19.17 Luke 10.28 Rom. 2.13 Q. Do you also believe that all those severe threatnings in the word will certainly be executed upon every impenitent sinner A. Yes but the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and forcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone these words are true and faithful Rev. 21.8.5 Q. Do you also believe that the promises of God are sure A. Yes I am fully perswaded that what he hath promised he is able to perform and faithful is he that hath promised Râ—m 4.21 Heb. 11.11 Q. But is it not a folly to believe that the promises belong to you how wickedly soever ye live A. Yes having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. And was it not to plant a good life among men that Christ who is the foundation of all the promises came into the World A. Yes for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 12. Q. Our Faith in the promises then can never profit us if we perform not the conditions of the promises A. No as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith if it have not works is dead also Jam. 2.26 Q. But is there no pleasing of God without Faith A. No without Faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 Q. Is it not every mans duty to hope in God A. Yes it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption Jam. 3.26 Psal 130.7 Q. But is it not presumption to hope for mercy while we continue in our sins A. Yes every man that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Q. What then will become of the hope of the hypocrite and the wicked A. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness but the expectation of the wicked shall perish and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost Prov. 10.28 Job 11.20 Q. But may not all that perform the conditions of the promises and who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them be certain that their hope shall not be in vain A. Yes which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vail Heb. 6.19 Q. Is it not every man's duty to love God and Christ A. Yes thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind this is the first and great Commandment and if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be anathema maranatha Mat. 22.37 38. 1 Cor. 16.22 Q. Can we have true love to God when we keep not his Commandments A. No for this is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and he that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him 1 Joh. 5.3 and 2.4 Q. And will not those who have any true love to God desire to enjoy him in his Ordinances A. Yes how amiable are thy tabernacles O Lord of hosts my soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the Living God for a day in thy Courts is better than a thousand Psal 84.1 2 10. Q. Will it serve our turn to say we love God A. No let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Joh. 3.18 Q. Is it the duty of every man to fear God A. Yes I will forewarn ye whom you shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell yea I say unto you fear him Luke 12.5 Q. Can any be said truly to fear God that is not thereby with-held from sin A. No the fear of the Lord is to hate evil and he that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord Prov. 8.13 14.2 Q. Is it not a folly to fear men more than God A. Yes In God have I put my trust I will not be affraid what man can do unto me Psal 56.11 Q. And is not their state of life secure who have God on their side A. Yes The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be affraid Psal 27.1 Q. And will not God even restrain the wrath of their enemies A. Yes when a mans ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him Prov. 16.7 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to trust in God A. Yes Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your heart before him God is a refuge for us Psal 62.8 Q. Is it not our wisdom then in all dangers to trust in God A. Yes What time I am affraid I will trust in God for the Lord delivereth the souls of his servants and none of them that put their trust in him shall be destitute Psal 34.22 Q. But may none expect to meet with deliverance from God in trouble but those that fear him A. No the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil Psal 34.7 16. Q. May we not rely on the creatures for help A. No cursed is the man that trusteth in man and placeth his confidence in the arm of flesh Q. But may not a man commit the least sin for the saving of his possessions or his life A. No for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 17.29 Q. Is it not our duty to trust God for a supply of our wants also A. Yes behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in
forbear to help him thou shalt surely help with him Exod. 23.4 5. Q. Is not covetous injustice or the defrauding of our neighbour an heinous iniquity A. Yes wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house that he may set his nest on high thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour neither wrong him Lev. 19.13 Hab. 2.9 Q. Is not oppression or seizing upon the goods or possessions of our neighbours especially of the poor a very crying sin which God will punish A. Yes rob not the poor neither oppress the afflicted in the gate for the Lord will plead their cause and will spoil the soul of those that spoiled them Prov. 22.22 Q. And is not God's heavy vengeance threatned against it Q. Yes he that hath oppressed the poor hath spoiled by violence c. he shall surely die his blood shall be upon him Ezek. 18.12 13. Q. Hath not God particularly taken upon him the protection of the poor and of the oppressed A. Yes for the oppression of the poor for the fighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him Psal 12.5 Q. Is it not a great act of injustice for a man to defraud his neighbour A. Yes let no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter because that the Lord is the avenger of all such 1 Thess 4.6 Q. Should we not restore what we have taken from any man A. Yes if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him four-fold Luke 19.8 Q. Is it not the description of a wicked man to borrow and not to restore A. Yes the wicked borroweth and payeth not again Psal 37.21 Q. Doth not Justice tie every surety to pay those debts of others for which he stands bound A. Yes my son if thou be surety for thy friend if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger thou art snared with the words of thy mouth Prov. 6.1 Q. Is not the with-holding of the hire of the labourer a very great sin A. Yes behold the hire of the labourers which have reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud crieth and the cries of them that have reaped are entred into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth Jam. 5.4 Q. Should not Masters then be very ready to give servants their hire A. Yes thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy whether he be of thy brethren or of thy strangers at his day thou shalt give him his hire neither shall the Sun go down upon it for he is poor and setteth his heart upon it lest he cry against thee unto the Lord and it be sin unto thee Deut. 24.14 15. Q. Are we not prohibited to steal the goods of our neighbour A. Yes thou shalt not steal Exod. 20.15 Q. Should it be any excuse for a thief to say he hath accustomed himself to steal and he cannot leave it off A. No let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his own hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Eph. 4.28 Q. Is it not a great injustice to deal deceitfully with our neighbour or to deceive a man in any trust that is committed to him and is there not a necessity of restitution A. Yes if a soul sin and commit a trespass against the Lord and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep or in fellowship or in a thing taken away by violence or hath deceived his neighbour or have found that which was lost and lieth concerning it and sweareth falsly in any of all these that a man doth sinning therein then it shall be because he hath sinned and is guilty that he shall restore that which he took violently away or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten or that which was delivered him to keep or the lost thing which he found c. Lev. 6.2 3 4. Q. Is it not a great injustice for a man to steal his neighbour and to sell him A. Yes if a man be stealing any of his brethren and maketh merchandize of him or selleth him then that thief shall die Deut. 24.7 Q. Is it not a very great sin to be partner with a thief A. Yes whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul Prov. 29.24 Q. And is it not a small gain that men make when they lose their soul A. Yes what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mark 8.36 Q. Is not fraud in matters of traffick and bargain viz. in having false weights and measures a very great injustice A. Yes a false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment in mere-yard in weight or in measure Just balances and just weights shall ye have Prov. 11.1 Lev. 19.35 36. Q Is not extortion and an heightning of the price of a commodity beyond its value to the ignorant buyer great injustice A. Yes thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbour by extortion and hast forgotten me saith the Lord God Ezek. 22.12 Q. Since there are so many opportunities of deceit in the business of traffick had not a man need to sence himself with a love to justice A. Yes these are the things that ye shall do speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates and let none of you imagine evil in his heart against his neighbour and love no false oath for all these are things which I hate saith the Lord Zâ—e 8.16 17. Q. Is the oppressing of the poor the way to prosper and to become rich A. No he that oppresseth the poor to encrease his riches shall surely come to want Prov. 22.16 Q. Is it not commonly the fortune of those that spoil and deceive others that they meet with some that do the like to them A. Yes wo to him that encreaseth that which is not his how long and he that ladeth himself with thick clay shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bire thee and awake that shall vex thee and thou shalt be for booties to them Hab. 2.6 Q. Hath not God threatned an utter destruction of all that belongs to him that is guilty of theft A. Yes and the curse shall enter into the house of the thief and it shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof Zec. 5.4 Sect. 3. Of false Reports false Witness Slanders Whisperings of Scoffing Of positive Iustice Truth of Lying of Envy and Detraction of Gratitude Q. IS it not our duty to speak the truth of our neighbour A. Yes thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour Exod. 20.16 Q. Is there not a promise of peace made to these who do not by false reports lessen or impair the credit of their
answering again and if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God 1 Pet. 2.20 Q. But should servants be also subject to wicked and froward Masters A. Yes servants be subject to your Masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1 Pet. 2.18 Q. Should not servants honour their Masters A. Yes let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour 1 Tim. 6.1 Q. May not such faithful servants expect a reward from God A. Yes knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance Col. 3.24 Q. Is not the Master obliged to be just to his servants A. Yes Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye have a Master in Heaven Col. 4.1 Q. Is it not a great sin in Masters to keep back their wages from them A. Yes behold the hire of the labourers which have reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud crieth and the cries of them which have reaped are entred into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth Jam. 5.4 Q. Should not Masters be gentle and meek to their servants A. Yes and ye Masters forbear threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Eph. 6.9 Q. Should not the Master of a Family admonish his servants if they commit iniquity against God and not suffer them if they continue so to remain in their house A. Yes he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight but he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me Psal 101.6 7. Sect. 6. Other Branches of our duty to our Neighbour of Charity to mens Souls Bodies Goods and Credie of Alms-giving and of Peace-making Q. IS not love the great Gospel-duty often enjoyned us by Christ A. Yes a new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 15.34 15.17 Q. If this charity be sincere will it not keep the mind in a meek and peaceable temper towards others A. Yes charity doth not behave it self unseemly is not easily provoked 1 Cor. 13.5 Q. Will it not also breed compassion towards all the miseries of others and make us rejoyce in their prosperity A. Yes rejoyce with them that rejoyce and weep with them that weep Râ—m 12.12 Q. And will it not guard us against envy A. Yes charity envyeth not 1 Cor. 13.4 Q. Does it not keep down pride and haughtiness A. Yes charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up pur on therefore bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind be kindly affectioned one towards another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another 1 Cor. 13 4. Col. 3.12 Rom. 12.10 Q. Doth it not cast out censoriousness and believeth and hopeth the best of all men A. Yes charity thinketh no evil but beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13.5.7 Q. Is it not of so noble and generous a temper as to cast out all mercinariness and self-seeking A. Yes love seeketh not her own 1 Cor. 13.5 Q. Does it not also cast out of the heart all malice and endure the greatest injuries A. Yes charity beareth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 Q. Should we not then endeavour that our love be without dissimulation A Yes let love be without dissimulation Rom. 12.9 Q. Is not this charity to be extendâ—d even to enemies A. Yes I say unto you love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and and persecute you Matt. 5.44 Q. Should not the command of Christ move us to the practice of this duty A. Yes be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another not rendring evil for evil nor railing for railing but contrariwise blessing Eph 4.32 1 Pet. 3.9 Q. Should not the example of God's love to us engage us to love him A. Yes beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another for he is kind to the unthankful and the evil 1 Joh. 4.11 Luke 6.35 Q. Are not malice and revenge the most restless tormenting passions that can possess the mind of man A. Yes it maketh men that they sleep not except they have done mischief and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall Prov. 4.16 Q. Can we reasonably expect that God will forgive us our sins if we do not forgive men that offend us A. No if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6.15 Q. But must not this inward love appear in our actions and good deeds done to our neighbour A. Yes let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Joh. 3.18 Q. Is it not our duty to câ—mfort our neighbours when we see them under any sadness or heaviness A. Yes the God of all comfort comforteth us in our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1.3 4. Q. Is it not a very 〈◊〉 thing not to câ—mfort the afflicâ—â—d A. Yes she weepeth sore in the night and her tears are on her cheeks among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her all her friends have dealt treacherously with her they are become her enemies for these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me Lam. 1.2 16. Q. Should it not be matter of grief to us that our neighbour will not hearken to reproof but will continue in his wickedness A. Yes but if ye will not hear reproof my soul shall weep in secret for your pride Rivers of waters run down mine eyes because men keep not thy Laws Jer. 13.17 Psal 119.136 Q. Are we not also to exercise this active charity toward the bodies of our neighbours and not only to wish but to do for their relief A. Yes if a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say unto them depart in peace be ye warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give him not those things that are needful for the body what doth it profit Jam. 2.15 16. Q. Is there not a sad threatning denounced against those who neglect these acts of charity towards their brethren A. Yes depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels for I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not Mat. 25.41 42 43. Q. If we find an innocent person condemned to death are we not to use all