SCRIPTURE SECURITY FOR CONSCIENCE.

A Scripture CATECHISME Very usefull in these Times. First Question.

Q. 1 WHat speaks the Scripture of the doctri­nall errors of these latter times?

A. The Spirit speaketh expresse­ly, that in the latter times some shal depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of Devils. 1 Tim. 4.1.

Q. 2 What think you of the ringleaders and teachers of such doctrines?

A. These resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, repro­bate concerning the faith. 2 Tim. 3.8.

Q. 3 But may we not think them sincere, seeing they pro­fesse much holinesse?

A. Having a form of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3.5.

Q. 4 But so far as we can judge, they are the redeemed of God: how then can you think so hardly of them, and their doctrines?

A. There shall be false teachers among you, who privi­ly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them. 2 Pet. 2.1.

Q. 5 But if they, and their opinions were so grosse, would they be followed by so many professors?

A. Many shall follow their pernicious wayes, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of. 2. Pet. 2.2.

Q. 6 But the teachers are some of them knowing men; and would they, think you, teach notorious falsehoods?

A. Speaking lies in hypocrisie, having their conscience scared with a hot iron. 1 Tim. 4.2.

Q. 7 Those which you count the seducers amongst us, cry out upon Antichrist; and do not they then stand for the truth?

A. It is the last time: and as ye have heard that Anti­christ shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time. 1 John 2.18.

Q. 8 But is it not strange that you should count these An­tichrists, who seeme rather Angels of light, and Apostles?

A. Such are false Apostles, deceitfull workers, trans­forming themselves into the Apostles of Christ; and no marvell, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light: therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse, 2 Cor. 11.13, 14, 15.

Q. 9 But these men alledge Scripture for what they urge; and can you say then that they follow the Devill as his mini­sters?

A. Then the Devill taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinacle of the Temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thy self down, for it is written He shall give his Angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Mat. 4.5, 6.

Q. 10 Those whom you count the ministers of Satan, do they not serve God according to their light?

A. They that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly. Rom. 16.18.

Q. 11 You seem to imply, that their hearts are corrupt, as well as their judgements: what corruption makes them seducers?

A. Through covetousnesse shall they with feighned [Page 3] words make merchandise of you. 2 Pet. 2, 3.

Q. 12 But all of them seeme not to be covetous: what corruption then sways the rest?

A. If any 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, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof commeth envy, strife, railings, evill surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth. 1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5.

Q. 13 What is one maine part of their ambition?

A. Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking per­verse things, to draw away disciples after them. Act 20.30.

Q. 14 Is the want of Learning in some of their teachers any cause of wresting the Scriptures?

A. In which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable, wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures. 2 Pet. 3.16.

Q. 15 Do not the affecting of new notions, and other lusts in the hearers, make them ready to embrace seducing teachers?

A. The time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Tim. 4, 3.4.

Q. 16 Do not also the weaknesse, and shallownesse of the bearers, together with other corruptions, make them apt to be seduced by such men?

A. Of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim. 3.6, 7.

Q. 17 Do the false teachers use sleights to inveigle such persons?

A. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftinesse whereby [Page 4] they lie in wait to deceive. Ephes. 4.14.

Q. 18 Are not some honest-meaning persons seduced by their craft?

A. They deceive the hearts of the simple. Rom. 16.18.

Q. 19 How come they to seduce them?

A. By good words and fair speeches. Rom. 16.18.

Q. 20 If those whom you call seducers use such good language, is there not good hopes of them?

A. Evill men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim. 3.13.

Q. 21 How ought we to carry our selves towards the maintainers of heresie? and how may we esteeme of them?

A. A man that is an Heretick, after the first and se­cond admonition reject: knowing that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Tit. 3 10, 11.

Q. 22 You seem to hate their wayes that hold out the er­rors of the times; doth such an affection become Christians?

A. This thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Ni­colaitans, which I also hate. Rev. 2.6.

Q. 23 You not only distaste the errours, but those also that teach them: where is your warrant for that?

A. I know thy works and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evill, & thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them lyars. Rev. 2.2.

Q. 24 Is it likely that if these courses were so dangerous, God would suffer so many teachers to stand for them, and prevail so?

A. There came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will perswade him: and the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? and he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets: and he said, Thou shalt perswade him, and prevail also; go forth and do so: now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a ly­ing spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets. 1 King. 22.21, 22, 23.

Q. 25 Seeing it appears that God gives Satan a power to prevail in the mouths of seducers: what doth God intend thereby towards such as walk closely with him? is it likely that they shall be seduced?

A. There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved, may be made manifest among you, 1 Cor. 11.19.

Q. 26 What is Gods aime therein towards false-hearted professors? are not they in great danger to miscarry?

A. Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they should beleeve a lie: that they all might be damned, who beleeved not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse. 2 Thes. 2.10, 11, 12.

Q. 27 What use must we make hereof?

A. 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 and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3.17, 18.

Q. 28 Is there any hope that the errors shall be crusht?

A. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Rom. 16.20.

Q. 29 How is that likely, while they carry on their errors with such plausible pretences?

A But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest to all men. 2 Tim. 3.9.

Q. 30 In the meane while may not these men be conni­ved at?

A. There are many unruly and vain talkers, and de­ceivers, whose mouths must bee stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, Tit. 1.10, 11.

Q. 31 May the civill Magistrate meddle with those that endeavour to seduce others into errors in matter of Religion?

A. If thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the Minister of God, a [Page 6] revenger, to execute wrath upon him that doth evill. Rom. 13.4.

Q 32 But though seducing be an evill work, may it not be good Christian policy for those in authority to refrain from these men, and let them alone?

A. I have a few things against thee, because thou suffe­rest that woman Jezabel, which calleth her self a prophe­tesse, to teach and to reduce my servants. Rev. 2.20.

Q 33 Some would have a Toleration of all Religions; What Scripture have you, which shewes that this ought not to be in time of the Gospel?

A. It shall come to passe in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I will cut off the names of the Idols out of the land: and they shall no more be remembred: and also I will cause the Prophets, and the unclean spirit to passe out of the Land. Zech. 13.2.

Q. 34 In case the false Prophets will neither depart, nor desist; what course may be taken with them by the civill power?

A. It shall come to passe that when any shall yet pro­phecy, then his father, and his mother that begat him, shall say unto him, thou shalt not live: for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him, shall thrust him through when he prophe­cyeth. Zech. 13.3.

Q. 35 Will not this way of suppressing false-teachers in­crease, and harden them, rather then remedy that evill?

A. And it shall come to passe in that day, that the Pro­phets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied: neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive. Zech. 13.4.

Q. 36 Is this restraining of false-teachers by civill pu­nishment, to be accounted persecution, or friendship?

A. And one shall say unto him, what are these wounds in thine hands? then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my freinds. Zech. 13.6.

Q. 37 It seemes you would fain have some course taken [Page 7] to be rid of them; what spirit doth that savour of?

A. I would they were even cut off which trouble you, Gal. 5.12.

Q. 38 Some will not be perswaded that the Magistrate may punish for sins against the first Table; can you show that idolatrous practises are punishable by a civill power?

A. If I beheld the Sunne when it shined, or the Moon walking in brightnesse and mine heart hath been secretly entised, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: this also were an iniquity to be punished by the Judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. Joh 31.26, 27, 28.

Q. 39 What course is to be taken with blasphemers?

A. He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall cer­tainly stone him; as well the stranger as he that is born in the Land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death. Lev. 24.16.

Q. 40 In these times, wherein errours are so rise, what is the Ministers charge?

A. Holding fast the faithfull word, as he hath beene taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convince the gain-sayers. Tit. 1.9.

Q. 41 Do Ministers well to stir up the people, to with­stand the errours of the times?

A. It was needfull for me to write unto you, and ex­hort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. Jude 3.

Q. 42 Is it warrantable publikely to brand the names of Hereticks and Seducers, that so men may be shye of tehm?

A. Their word will eat as doth a Canker, 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. 2 Tim. 2.17, 18.

Q. 43 Till some course be taken for their suppression, what course must I take to keep out of the way of errour?

A. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine [Page 8] which ye have learned, and avoid them. Rom. 16.17.

Q. 44 Besides shunning their company, what else must we do?

A. Beloved, beleeve not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4.1.

Q. 45 You would have us very suspicious in these times; what generall ground have you, whom to suspect as un­sound?

A. 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. 1 John 2.19.

Q. 46 Many which separate, cry down your ministery for Antichristian, and speak much of the spirit; what can you say about them?

A. Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, how that they told you, there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts: these be they who separate themselves, sensuall, having not the spirit. Jude 17, 18, 19.

Q. 47 They have been very earnest with me to forsake your ministers: what is their designe in that?

A. They zealously affect you, but not well: yea, they would exclude you, that you might affect them. Gal. 4.17.

Q. 48 How can you justifie against them, your ministery of the Church of England?

A. The seal of my Apostleship are ye in the Lord. 1 Cor. 9.2.

Q. 49 Is then the ordinary conversion of souls a demon­strative argument of a right ministery?

A How shall they beleeve in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? Rom. 10.14, 15.

Q. 50 They deny your Church of England, and say [Page 9] there is no Church visible in the New Testament, but a par­ticular congregation; how prove you the contrary?

A. God hath set some in the Church, first Apostles, se­condarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps in governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Cor. 12.28.

Q. 51 Have you any further warrant to judge that there may be Nationall Churches in Gospel times?

A. In the last dayes it shall come to passe that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall bee exalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it, and many Nati­ons shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the moun­tain of the Lord, &c. Mich 4.1, 2.

Q. 52 Some distast your assemblies, because they are kept in those places which are set apart for publike worship. What warrant have you for preaching in such parish meeting houses as are commonly called Churches?

A. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world, I ever taught in the Synagogue, and in the Temple, whi­ther the Jewes alwayes resort; and in secret have I said nothing. John 18.20.

Q 53 Others dislike your Ministers, because they do not work for their livings, as Paul did; what say you to that?

A. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eat­eth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? say I these things as a man? or saith not the Law the same also? 1 Cor. 9.6, 7, 8.

Q 54 But your Ministers are maintained by Tyths: were not they proper to the Leviticall Priesthood, and therefore to be abolished with it?

A. He whose descent is not counted from them, recei­ved Tyths of Abraham, and blessed him that had the pro­mises, Heb. 7.6.

Q. 55 Others separate onely from the Communion, be­cause unworthy receivers are known to come to the Table: how may their consciences be satisfied, till discipline be resto­red more exactly?

A. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup: for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself. 1 Cor. 11.28, 29.

Q. 56 Others take exception chiefly at your administring of baptisme: can you shew them by Scripture the baptizing of infants; and that without dipping?

A. Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed thorow the Sea, and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud. &c. 1 Cor. 10.1, 2.

Q. 57 But you serve God according to a Directory: where is your warrant for that?

A. 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, &c. Luke 11.1, 2.

Q. 58 But where is your warrant for singing of Psalms together at your meetings?

A. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another, in Psalms, and Hymnes, and spirituall songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3.16.

Q. 59 Others dislike the matter of your preaching ge­nerally, as too legall for these Gospel-times: what generall answer will you give them?

A. Do we then make void the Law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the Law. Rom. 3.31.

Q. 60 Is it our duty then to keep the Law?

A. If you fulfill the royall law, according to the Scri­pture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self, ye do well. James 2.8.

Q. 61 But what if we fail in any point of the Law?

A. Ye commit sin, and are convinced of the Law as transgressours, for whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2.9, 10.

Q. 62 Should then a child of God take notice of, and lay to heart the guilt of his sins?

A. Deliver me from blood-guiltinesse O God. Psalm 51.14.

Q. 63 Some say, David was under another dispensation then we are: can you show them the like precedent before the covenant from mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage?

A. I have sinned, what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden unto my selfe? and why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine i­niquity? Job 7.20, 21.

Q. 64 What should a child of God do then to get his sins pardoned?

A. Forgive us our sins. Luke 11.4.

Q. 65 What must he do besides praying for pardon?

A. If we confesse our sinnes, he is faithfull, and just to forgive us our sins. 1 John 1.9.

Q. 66 What further condition is there required of a child of God for the obtaining of pardon?

A. If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Fa­ther will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespas­ses. Mat. 6.14 15.

Q. 67 Your doctrine implies, that God observes the si [...] of his people: can you prove that?

A. Neverthelesse, I have somewhat against thee, be­cause thou hast left thy first love. Rev. 2.4.

Q. 68 Doth God also correct his children for their sins?

A. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep; for if we would judge our selves, we should not be judged; but when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condem­ned [Page 12] with the world. 1 Corinth. 11.30, 31, 32.

Q. 69 May then a child of God, when he is corrected, look upon God as angry, and upon sin as the procuring cause?

A. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, untill he plead my cause, and ex­ecute judgement for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousnesse, Mic. 7.9.

Q. 70 Why? must not a Christian look upon Gods love, and not upon his dreadfulnesse?

A. We receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a consuming fire. Heb. 12 28, 29.

Q 71 Would you have a child of God mourn for his sinnes?

A. I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of suppli­cations, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitternesse for him, as one that is in bitternesse for his first born. Zech. 12.10.

Q. 72 Would you have Christians to try the goodnesse of their estates by the work of grace in them?

A. Examine your selves, whether you be in the faith: prove your own selves; know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Cor. 13.5.

Q. 73 What evident mark can you instance in, for a Christian to try himself by?

A. We know that we have passed from death to life, be­cause we love the brethren. 1 John 3.14.

Q. 74 Should we now have legall terrours prest?

A. Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. Jude 23.

Q. 75 Are the threatnings usefull to the godly?

A. If I have lift up my hand against the fatherlesse, when I saw my help in the gate: then let my arme fall [Page 13] from my shoulder-blade, and mine arme be broken from the bone; for destruction from God was a terrour to me; and by reason of his highnesse, I could not endure. Job 31.21, 22, 23.

Q. 76 Is there any farther use of terrors to the godly, besides for restraint from sin?

A. Work out your own salvation with fear and trem­bling. Phil. 2.12.

Q. 77 Doth fear of Gods threatnings arise from the weak­nesse of the godly, or from their faith?

A. By faith Noah being warned of God, of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an Ark to the sa­ving of his house. Heb. 11.7.

Q 78 Some would have the Sabbath to be kept but as other dayes of the week; What say you to them?

A. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, six dayes shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work, &c. Exod. 20.8, 9, 10.

Q. 79 They say this is Jewish, and Ceremoniall; show them a Sabbath instituted before there were either Jewes as any of their ceremonies?

A. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made, and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, &c. Gen. 2.2, 3.

Q. 80 Should wicked men pray to God?

A. Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee; for I perceive thou art in the gall of bitternesse, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8.22, 23.

Q. 81 Is the usuall discourse of hard controversies among weak Christians to be approved?

A. Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, but not to doubtfull disputations. Rom. 14.1.

Q. 82 If I have a true opinion, which cannot be vented without offence, may I vent it?

A. Hast thou faith? have it to thy selfe before [Page 14] God: happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. Rom. 14.22.

Q. 83 Some presse very much for Uniformity; is that according to the Scriptures?

A. Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that yee all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind, and in the same judgement. 1 Cor. 1.10.

Q. 84 By what arguments doth the Scripture urge this?

A. If there be any consolation in Christ, if any com­fort of love; if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that yee be like minded, be­ing of one accord, of one mind. Phil. 2.1, 2.

Q. 85 What directions must we follow, that we may at­tain this Unity?

A. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory, but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better then themselves. Phil. 2.3.

Q. 86 What respect ought the strong Christian to bear towards the weak?

A. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not. Rom. 14.3.

Q. 87 What respect ought the weaker Christian to carry towards the stronger?

A. Let not him which eateth not, judge him that eat­eth. Rom. 14.3.

Q. 88 Some question the lawfulnesse of keeping publike Fasts appointed by the Magistrate; what have you in Scri­pture that might satisfie them?

A. Jehosaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a Fast throughout all Judah, and Judah gathered themselves together to aske help of the Lord, even out of all the Cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 2 Chron. 20.3.4.

Q. 89 Hath the Magistrate power also to appoint a day to be kept yeerly, to celebrate some nationall mercy?

A. Ester the Queen, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm these dayes of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Ester the Queen had enjoyned them, and as they had de­creed for themselves, and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. Est. 9 29.31.

Q. 90 I perceive you grant much to the civill powers, what if they should take upon them to do that which belongs properly to Church officers, should that also be yeelded to them?

A. They withstood Ʋzziah the King, and said unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Ʋzziah, to burn In­cense unto the Lord, but to the Priests, the sonnes of Aaron, that were consecrated to burn Incense; go out of the Sanctuary, for thou hast trespassed, neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. 1 Chron. 26.18.

Q. 91 In these dayes many private men that are brought up to worldly callings, take upon them to preach; is this pra­ctise to be justified, or disapproved?

A. He shall say I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. Zech. 13.5.

Q. 92 Those Ministers that have spent their estates and times to fit themselves for that calling, have their main­tenance with-held by many, and divers have petitioned to have it taken away; how will God take this at their hands?

A. Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me; but ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? in Tythes and Offerings: ye are cursed with a curse, &c. Mal. 3.8, 9.

Q. 93 You speak of Minister as separated from the or­dinary ranke of Christians; what is requisite for the making of a Minister besides gifts?

A. The holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them: and when they had fasted and prayed, and layed their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13.2, 3.

Q 94 By whom ought the Ministers to be ordained?

A. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. 1 Tim. 4.14.

Q. 95 Is the power of Church discipline in the people or in the Officers of the Church?

A. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy ac­cording to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministring; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence. Rom. 12.6, 7, 8.

Q. 96 Should the people attend upon the ministry of those whom God hath placed over them? or may they go in­differently to any other profitable Minister?

A. 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 greif, for that is unprofitable to you. Heb. 13.17.

Q. 97 Have Synods or Elders of Churches assembled together, power to determine differences, and make decrees?

A. As they went thorough the Cities they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem. Acts 16.4.

A. Q. 98 I have heard a book written to prove that the soule of man remains not after death; how will you con­fute that?

A. He went and preached to the spirits in prison; which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah. 1 Pet. 3.19, 20.

Q. 99 They say there is another book out, to prove that a man may put away his wife, if she be not a meet helper: how may I answer all the arguments there alledged?

A. It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of a divorcement: but I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, sa­ving [Page 17] for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced, committeth adultery. Mat. 5.31, 32.

Q. 100 There are many other new opinions, that men teach and write for, with specious arguments; I would fain be satisfied about them: how shall I discern the truth?

A. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shal be given him. James 1.5.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the do­ctrine whether it be of God, &c. John 7.17.

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.

The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth, for he is the messen­ger of the Lord of Hosts. Mal. 2.7.

If they be ashamed of all that they have done; show them the form of the house; and the fashion thereof, &c. Ezech. 43.11.