A Scripture Catechism, Chapter 29
Chap. 29. Of ſundry Popiſh Errors.
Q. MAY we call thoſe of the Church of Rome, who ſubject themſelves to the Pope, and follow him, Papiſts?
A. Rev. 2.15. So haſt thou alſo them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Q. Are we to believe the Scriptures becauſe the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaks in them, or chiefly for the teſtimony and authority of the Church?
A. 2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God &c. 1 Joh. 5.9. If we receive the witneſſe of men, the witneſſe of God is greater.
Q. Are the Scriptures ſo hard and obſcure, that none but Miniſters may read them profitably, or to edification?
A. Deut. 6.6, 7. And theſe words which I command thee this day ſhall be in thine heart; And thou ſhalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and ſhalt talke of them when thou ſitteſt in thy houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, and when thou lyeſt down, and when thou riſeſt up. Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures &c. Pſal. 19.7. The law of the Lord is perfect converting the ſouls, the teſtimony of the Lord is ſure, making wiſe the ſimple.
Q. Are all things neceſſary to ſalvation contained in the Scriptures? or have wee need of unwritten traditions, that the man of God may be perfect?
A. 2 Tim. 3.15, 17. And that from a child thou haſt known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wiſe unto ſalvation through Faith, which is in Chriſt Jeſus &c. that the man of God may be perfect, thorowly furniſhed unto all good workes.
Q. How prove you that the books commō ly called Apocrypha, are no part of the Canonicall Scripture? is this an evidence, becauſe the Jewes did not receive them into the Canon?
A. Rom. 3.1, 2. What advantage then hath the Jew? — much every way: chiefly becauſe unto them were committed the Oracles of God. Luk. 16.29. And Abraham ſaith unto him, They have Moſes and the Prophets, let them heare them. Luk. 24.44. And he ſaid unto them, Theſe are the words which I ſpake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things muſt be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moſes, and in the Prophets, and in the Pſalmes, concerning me.
Q. Are the holy Scriptures to be laſtly appealed unto, as the Supreame Judge in controverſies of Religion?
A. Iſ. 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.
Q. Are we to believe them that ſit in Moſes chaire, or the Apoſtles Succeſſors, when they teach contrary to Moſes and the Prophets, or to the Doctrine of Chriſt and his Apoſtles?
A. Act. 4.19. Whether it be right in the ſight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Q. Ought people to try and examine by the holy Scriptures whether thoſe things be ſo, as the Church or Miniſters thereof teach?
A. Act. 17.11. Theſe were more noble than thoſe in Theſſalonica, in that they received the word with all readineſſe of mind, and ſearched the Scriptures dayly whether thoſe things were ſo.
Q. Where did our Lord Chriſt and the Apoſtles firſt preach the Goſpel? in Italy, or Judea? at Rome, or at Jeruſalem?
A. Luk. 23.5. He ſtirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jury, beginning from Galilee to this place. Act. 5.28. Did not we ſtraitly command you that you ſhould not teach in this name? and behold ye have filled Jeruſalem with your Doctrine, and intend to bring this man's bloud upon us.
Q. VVhere, at Antioch or at Rome, were the Diſciples firſt called Chriſtians?
A. Act. 11.26. And it came to paſſe that a whole yeere they aſſembled themſelves, with the Church, and taught much people, and the Diſciples were called Chriſtians firſt in Antioch.
Q. VVhat is that City which is called Myſticall Babylon in the Revelations?
A. Rev. 17.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18. The 7 heads are 7 mountaines, on which the woman ſitteth, and there are 7 Kings, 5 are fallen, & one is, & the other is not yet come &c. And the Beaſt that was, and is not, even he is the 8th, & is of the 7th, & goeth into perdition. And the 10 hornes which thou ſaweſt are 10 Kings, which have received no Kingdome as yet; but receive power as Kings one houre with the Beaſt. Theſe have one mind, and ſhall give their power and ſtrength unto the Beaſt. And the woman which thou ſaweſt is that great City, which raigneth over the Kings of the earth.
Q. If the Apoſtle Peter was at Rome when he wrote his Epiſtle, doth he not call it Babylon?
A. Yes, 1 Pet. 5.13. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, ſaluteth you.
Q. Are there any prophecies in the new Teſtament of a great Apoſtacy or falling away from the Faith? Or was it ever prophecyed or foretold that there ſhould be a great defection or Apoſtacy in the Chriſtian Church?
A. 2 Pe. 2.1, 2. 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—And many ſhall follow their pernicious waies. Rev. 11.2. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out, and meaſure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city ſhall they tread under foot forty and two moneths. 2 Theſ. 2.3. For that day ſhall not come, except there come a falling away 1ſt, and that man of ſinne be revealed, the Son of perdition &c. 1 Tim. 4.1, 3. Now the ſpirit ſpeaketh expreſly that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the Faith, giving heed to ſeducing ſpirits, and Doctrines of Devills, forbidding to marry, and commanding to 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 'tis 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 Antioch, I withſtood him to the face, becauſe he was to be blamed. For before that certaine came from James, he did eate with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew, and ſeparated himſelfe, fearing them which were of the circumciſion. But when I ſaw that they walked not uprightly, — I ſaid unto Peter before them all, If thou being a Jew, liveſt after the manner of the Gentiles, &c.
Q. Did the Apoſtle Peter quote and commend the Apoſtle Paul's Epiſtles, notwithſtanding he ſpeakes nothing in them at all of Peter's ſupremacy, or of his pretended Succeſſor the Biſhop of Rome?
A. 2 Pet. 3.15, 16. And account that the long-ſuffering of the Lord is Salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul alſo, according to the wiſdome given unto him, hath written unto you. As alſo in all his Epiſtles, ſpeaking in them of theſe things; in which are ſome things hard to be underſtood, which they that are unlearned and unſtable wreſt, as they doe alſo the other Scriptures, unto their own deſtruction.
Q. Ought prayers for the congregation to be made in a knowne tongue in the Congregation?
A. Yea. 1 Cor. 14.9, 14. Except ye utter by the tongue words eaſy to be underſtood, how ſhall it be known what is ſpoken. For if I pray in an unknowne tongue, my ſpirit prayeth, but mine underſtanding is unfruitfull.
Q. Is it good to have Images in Churches, as Lay-mens bookes?
A. Exod. 20.4, 5. Thou ſhalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor any likeneſſe of any thing, that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, thou ſhalt not bow down thy ſelfe to them, nor ſerve them. 2 Cor. 6.16. And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols.
Q. May we pray to Images?
A. Hab. 2.18, 19. What profiteth the graven image, that the maker thereof hath graven it? the molten image, and a teacher of lyes, that the maker of his work truſteth therein, to make dumb Idols? Woe to him that ſaith to the wood, Awake: to the dumbe ſtone, Ariſe, it ſhall teach: behold, it is layd over with gold and ſilver, and there is no breath at all in the middeſt of it.
Q. May we make an Image of God, and worſhip God in, at, or before ſuch Images, uſing theſe as helpes or meanes to worſhip him the better?
A. Iſ. 40.18. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeneſſe will ye compare unto him? Act. 17.29. Foraſmuch then as we are the offſpring of God, we ought not to thinke that the God-head is like unto Gold, or Silver, or ſtone, graven by Art, and man's device. Deut. 4.15, 16. Take ye therefore good heed unto your ſelves (for ye ſaw no manner of ſimilitude on the day that the Lord ſpake unto you in Horeb, out of the mid'ſt of the fire) Leſt ye corrupt your ſelves, and make you a graven image, the ſimilitude of any figure, the likeneſſe of male or female &c.
Q. May Chriſtians worſhip Images?
A. Exod. 20.5. Thou ſhalt not bow down thy ſelfe to them, nor ſerve them. Pſal. 97.7. Confounded be all they that ſerve graven images, that boaſt themſelves of Idols. 1 Joh. 5.21. Little children, keep your ſelves from Idols.
Q. Were ever any ſo ſtupid, as to worſhip Images or Idols?
A. Hab. 2.18, 19. What profiteth the graven image, that the maker thereof hath graven it: the molten image, and a teacher of lyes, that the maker of his work truſteth therein, to make dumb Idols? Woe unto him that ſayth to the wood, Awake, to the dumb ſtone, Ariſe, it ſhall teach: there's no breath at all in the middeſt of it. Iſ. 44.15, 17, 19. For he will take thereof, and warme himſelfe; yea he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea he maketh a God, and worſhippeth it: he maketh it a graven image, and falleth downe thereto. And the reſidue thereof he maketh a God, even his graven image, he falleth down unto it, and worſhippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and ſayth, Deliver me, for thou art my God. And none conſidereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge or underſtanding to ſay, I have burnt part of it in the fire, &c. And ſhall I make the reſidue thereof an abomination? Shall I fall down to the ſtock of a tree?
Q. Is Chriſt corporally preſent in the ſacrament eſpecially is the bread & wine tranſubſtantiated into the very body and bloud of Chriſt?
A. No. Act. 3.21. Whom the heaven muſt receive, untill the times of reſtitution of all things. Joh. 16.28. Againe I leave the world, & goe to the Father.
Q. Doe thoſe words Mat. 26.26. this is my body, prove that the bread is tranſubſtantiated into the very body of Chriſt, ſo that 'tis no longer bread, but that very ſame body which ſuffered upon the croſse, and as truly, really, and ſubſtantially changed into his body, as the water was into wine. Joh. 2.9
A. No. Either as in 1 Cor. 10.4. That Rock was Chriſt, that is, did repreſent Chriſt, or was a figure of Chriſt: ſo, This is my body, that is, this doth ſignify, or repreſent my body: or as circumciſion which was a ſigne and ſeale of the Covenant, is cal'd the Covenant Act. 7.8. Gen. 17.10, 11. So theſe words, This is my body, ſignify, that this bread doth ſeale the benefits of my broken body, or of my death unto you.
Q. Is the body of Chriſt ſo in one place, that it is not in another at the ſame time?
A. Math. 28.6. He is not here, for he is riſen, as he ſaid, come ſee the place where the Lord lay. Heb. 2.14, 17. Foraſmuch then as the children are partakers of fleſh and blood, he alſo himſelfe took part of the ſame, &c. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. &c.
Q. Ought not all the people, as well as the Miniſter, to drink of the cup at the Lord's table?
A. Yea. Mar. 14.23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. Math. 26.27. — drink ye all of it.
Q. If we have not the body of Chriſt corporally in the Sacrament, have we then any ſpirituall communion with his body and blood in that Sacrament?
A. Yes, 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. The cup of bleſſing which we bleſſe, is it not the communion of the blood of Chriſt? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Chriſt? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Q. Did the Apoſtles receive the Sacrament Faſting, or after Supper?
A. Mat. 26.26. And as they were eating Jeſus took bread, and bleſſed it, and brake it, and gave it to the Diſciples, and ſaid, Take, eate; this is my body.
Q. Did they receive the Sacrament in a table geſture, or did they kneel?
A. Mar. 14.18. And as they ſate, and did eate &c. verſ. 22. Jeſus took bread, and bleſſed, and brake it, and gave to them, and ſaid, Take, eate; this is my body.
Q. If the wine had been as really and truly turned or tranſubſtantiated into blood, as the water at the wedding was by Chriſt into wine, is it not probable it would have taſted like blood?
A. Joh. 2.9, 10. When the Ruler of the Feaſt had taſted the water, that was made wine, and knew not whence it was, &c. ſaith, Every man at the begining doth ſet forth good wine, and when men have well drunk then that which is worſe; but thou haſt kept the good wine untill now.
Q. Is it the eating of, or feeding on Chriſt by Faith in the Sacrament, or is it the corporal eating or manducation of his very fleſh, which is available to feed the ſoule unto eternall life?
A. Joh. 6.63. It is the Spirit that quickneth, the fleſh profiteth nothing: the words that I ſpeake unto you they are Spirit, and they are life.
Q. May we lawfully ſay that the elements remaine untranſubſtantiated, & that they are really ſtill and ſubſtantially bread and wine (only changed as to the uſe) after conſecration, becauſe we ſee with our eyes, handle them, and taſt them to be ſuch?
A. Luk. 24.39. Behold my hands and my Feet, that it is I my ſelfe: handle me and ſee, for a ſpirit hath not fleſh and bones, as ye ſee me have. John. 20.27. Then ſaith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thruſt it into my ſide, and be not Faithleſſe &c.
Q. Doth our Lord Chriſt uſe any other figurative expreſſions in the inſtitution of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper?
A. Yes. 1 Cor. 11.25. This Cup is the New Teſtament in my blood.
Q. But are unlearned people able to underſtand ſuch figurative expreſſions?
A. Yes. If a man was in a roome, where are divers pictures or Images, and ſhould heare one ſay, this is Peter, and this is Paul, he would underſtand his meaning to be, this is the likeneſſe, repreſentation, Picture, or Image of Peter and Paul.
Q. Hath Chriſt given as much power to every true Church of God ordinarily to forgive ſinnes, as he did to Peter, or the other Holy Apoſtles?
A. Mat. 18.18. Whatſoever ye ſhall bind on earth, ſhall be bound in heaven, and whatſoever ye ſhall looſe on earth, ſhall be looſed in heaven.
Q. Is it more evident by Scripture that the Apoſtle Peter was the Apoſtle of the Jewes or circumciſion, than of the Gentiles?
A. Gal. 2.7, 8. When they ſaw that the Goſpell of the uncircumciſion was committed unto me, as the Goſpell 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.
Q. Suppoſe the Apoſtle Peter was Biſhop of Rome, doth that make it more impoſſible for the Church of Rome to erre, or fall from the Faith once delivered to the Saints, than for the Jewes?
A. Rom. 11.17, 18, 20, 21. And if ſome of the branches be broken off, and thou being a wild olive tree wert graffed in amongſt them,—boaſt not againſt the branches,—becauſe of unbeliefe they were broken off, and thou ſtandeſt by Faith: be not high minded, but feare.
Q. Did God promiſe his preſence of old with the Church of the Jewes?
A. Rom. 9.4. Who are Iſraelites, to whom pertaineth the Adoption, and the Glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, & the ſervice of God, & the Promiſes.
Q. May thoſe who are God's children and people be unchurched?
A. Act. 13.46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and ſaid, It was neceſſary that the word of God ſhould firſt have been ſpoken to you, but ſeeing ye put it from you, and judge yourſelves unworthy of everlaſting life, loe! we turne to the Gentiles.
Q. Was the true Church of God amongſt the Jewes alwaies a congregation of true worſhippers viſibly and notoriouſly diſtinct from Idolaters? or were the true worſhippers ſometimes hid amongſt Idolaters, as wheat in a heap of chaffe?
A. 1 King. 19.18. Yet I have left me 7000 in Iſrael, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kiſſed him.
Q. Is it poſſible that the Proteſtants ſhould be of the true Religion, if they grant that their Church was in ſpirituall Babylon or Egypt, that is, in the Romiſh Church, before the Reformation?
A. Yes. Rev. 18.4. Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her ſinnes, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 2 Cor. 6.17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye ſeparate ſaith the Lord, and touch not the uncleane thing, and I will receive you.
Q. Who is the chiefe rock and foundation upon whom the Church is built, is not Chriſt?
A. 1 Cor. 10.4. For they drank of that ſpirituall rock that followed them, and that rock was Chriſt. 1 Cor. 3.11. For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is layd, which is Jeſus Chriſt.
Q. Are any of the Apoſtles cal'd foundations, or eſpecially any beſides Peter?
A. Yes. Re. 21.14. And the wall of the City had 12 foundations, and in them the names of the 12 Apoſtles of the Lambe. Eph. 2.20. And are built upon the foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe being the chief corner ſtone.
Q. Are any of the Apoſtles beſides Peter, accounted Pillars, Columnes, or ſupporters in the Chriſtian Church, that ſpirituall building?
A. Yes. Gal. 2.9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who ſeemed to be Pillars, &c.
Q. May Soveraigne Princes with the Advice of the Miniſters of the Goſpel in the Churches within their dominions reforme abuſes and errours crept into the Churches?
A. 2 Chr. 29.5, 16. Heare me ye Levites, ſanctify now your ſelves, and ſanctify the houſe of the Lord God of your Fathers, and carry forth the filthineſſe out of the holy place. And the Prieſts went into the inner part of the houſe of the Lord to clenſe it, and brought out all the uncleanneſſe that they found in the Temple of the Lord into the court of the houſe of the Lord; and the Levites took it to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. 2 Chr. 34.30, 31. And the King went up into the houſe of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, and the Prieſts, and the Levites, and all the people great and ſmall: and he read in their eares all the words of the book of the Covenant, that was found in the houſe of the Lord. And the King ſtood in his place, and made a Covenant before the Lord to walke after the Lord, and to keep his commandements, and his Teſtimonies, and his Statutes, with all his heart, and with all his ſoule &c.
Q. Is that a true Church where the word is truly and duely taught? or is it the true marke of a ſheep of Chriſt to heare the voice of him the great Shepheard?
A. Yes. 1 Tim. 3.15. That thou mayeſt know how thou oughteſt to behave thy ſelfe in the houſe of God, which 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.
Q. Is the Church of Rome or the Pope infalible, becauſe of the promiſes made to Peter, Mat. 16.18. Luk. 22.32.
A. As Herod might and did erre in cutting off John Baptiſts head, notwithſtanding that he ſucceeded into the place of David and Solomon, Kings of the Jewes, and notwithſtanding the ſaying that is written, Prov. 16.10. A divine ſentence is in the King's lips, his mouth tranſgreſſeth not in judgment. So the Biſhop of Rome, or the Church of Rome, or any other particular Church or perſon, may now erre, notwithſtanding what was once ſaid to Peter. Secondly, Jeſus Chriſt prayed that Peter might not fall from his Faith in Chriſt totally and finally, or that the Divel might not prevaile over him, notwithſtanding he foreſaw he would ſhake him and winnow him ſore: and this latter promiſe was made good to Peter in his own perſon; for although through temptation he denyed Chriſt outwardly, yet it came not from his heart, and he repented of his denyal, and profeſſed and preached Chriſt afterward. And if this promiſe ſhould reach or belong to the Biſhop of Rome, as Peter's Succeſſour, it ſhould only prove, that the Biſhop of Rome ſhould not fall away utterly from the Faith, although ſometimes he ſhould deny it outwardly: For nothing can reaſonably be thought to be obtained for Peter's pretended Succeſſour, which was not prayed for, and obtained for Peter himſelfe.
As for the former promiſe, Mat. 16.18. Thou art Peter &c. Underſtand it thus, that thou Peter ſhalt lay the firſt notable foundation of the Chriſtian Church amongſt Jewes and Gentiles, and this Chriſtian Church thus founded (by thee in a more eſpeciall manner) ſhall never be deſtroyed: and we read Act. 2. that Peter did moſt eminently and ſucceſſefully firſt preach to, and convert the Jewes to Chriſtianity: and we read againe Act. 10. that he did moſt eminently and ſucceſſefully firſt preach the Goſpell to, and convert the Gentiles to Chriſtianity: and accordingly there ſhall be a Chriſtian Church thus, and in this ſenſe begun to be founded by him, ſo long as the world endures; nor ſhall the gates of hell be ever able wholly to root out Chriſtianity: but it is not promiſed that any particular Church, whether amongſt Jewes or Gentiles, and whether that of Antioch or of Rome, founded by him under Chriſt, ſhall never wholly Apoſtatize from the Faith. This we Proteſtants confeſſe, that the Chriſtian faith or Doctrine was built or founded upon the preaching of the twelve Apoſtles of Chriſt, whereof Peter was one of the moſt eminent Pillars, or ſubordinate Founders or Foundations; and yet it muſt be remembred, that the reſt of the Apoſtles are called Foundations in Rev. 21. v. 14. And that our Lord Chriſt himſelfe is the chiefe Foundation, the Fundamentum fundamentorum, and other ſuch foundation can no man lay, 1 Corinth. 3.11.
Q. Was Peter's Succeſſour the Biſhop, or by any good conſequence, the Church of Rome, the Foundation ſtone to which all muſt be joyned and cemented, or elſe they will prove but looſe ſtones, or built on the ſand, or but fooliſh builders? or (to uſe the expreſsion of Mr Baxter) muſt Paul be damned, becauſe he was not one of Peter's ſubjects?
A. No. 1 Pet. 2.3, 4, 5, 6. If ſo be ye have taſted that the Lord is gratious, to whom comming as unto a living ſtone, diſallowed indeed of men, but choſen of God and precious, ye alſo as lively ſtones are built up a ſpirituall houſe, an holy Prieſthood, to offer up ſpirituall ſacrifice acceptable to God by Jeſus Chriſt: wherefore it is contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chiefe corner ſtone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him ſhall not be confounded.
Q. Did Chriſt make Peter King, or Lord, and Ruler over the reſt of the Apoſtles?
A. Lu. 22.24, 25, 26. And there was alſo a ſtrife amongſt them which of them ſhould be accounted the greateſt. And he ſaid unto them, the Kings of the Gentiles exerciſe Lordſhip over them, and they that exerciſe authority upon them are called Benefactors: But ye ſhall not be ſo; but he that is greateſt among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth ſerve. Joh. 21.21, 22. Peter ſeeing him ſaith to Jeſus, Lord, and what ſhall this man doe? Jeſus ſaith unto him, If I will that he tarry 'till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Gal. 2.6, 9. But of theſe who ſeemed to be ſomewhat (whatſoever they were it maketh no matter to me, God accepteth no man's perſon) for they who ſeemed to be ſomewhat, in conference added nothing to me. And when James, Cephas, and John, who ſeemed to be Pillars &c.
Q. Did not Chriſt ſay to Peter, feed my Lambes, and feed my ſheep, Joh. 21.15, 16. And doth not this give Peter the power and priviledge of Univerſall Paſtor, and conſequently give the Pope power of Univerſall Biſhop over the whole Church of God?
A. Mat. 28.16, 19, 20. Then the eleven Diſciples went away into Galilee, &c. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, teaching them to obſerve all things whatever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you alway. Act. 20.28. Take heed therefore unto your ſelves, & to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghoſt hath made you overſeers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his own blood. 1 Pet. 5.2, 3. 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 mind; neither as being Lords over God's heritage, but being enſamples to the flock.
Q. Was the Church of Rome appointed the Head and Miſtris of all Churches by Chriſt? And did the Apoſtle John, the laſt ſurviving Apoſtle, apply himſelfe to … and write Epiſtles to her, or to the 7 …urches in Aſia?
A. Rev. 1.4. John to the 7 Churches of Aſia, Grace be unto you &c.
Q. Should it ſcare a Proteſtant from his Religion, becauſe the Papiſts ſay it is hereſy?
A. Act. 24.14, 16. But this I confeſſe unto thee, that after the way which they call hereſy, ſo worſhip I the God of my Fathers.— And herein doe I exerciſe my ſelfe to have alwaies a conſcience void of offence towards God and towards men.
Q. Doth the Church of Rome at this day thwart the practiſe of the Primitive Church, recorded in Scripture?
A. Yes. In their ſervice in an unknown tongue they contradict the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 14.18, 19, 27, 28. I thank my God, I ſpeak with tongues more than you all; yet in the Church I had rather ſpeak five words with my underſtanding, that by my voice I might teach others alſo, than ten thouſand words in an unknown tongue. If any man ſpeak in an unknowne tongue — let one interpret: but if there be no Interpreter, let him keep ſilence in the Church, and let him ſpeak to himſelfe and to God.
In the peoples communicating in one kind only, namely, partaking of the bread, but not of the cup, 1 Cor. 11.25, 26. After the ſame manner alſo he took the cup, when he had ſupped, ſaying, This is the new teſtament in my blood, this doe ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eate this bread, and drink this cup, ye doe ſhew the Lord's death 'till he come.
In worſhipping of Angels, Col. 2.18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worſhipping of Angels &c. Rev. 22.8, 9. And I John ſaw theſe things, and heard them, and when I had heard and ſeen, I fell down to worſhip before the feet of the Angel, which ſhewed me theſe things. Then ſaith he unto me, ſee thou doe it not, for I am thy Fellow ſervant, and of thy brethren the Prophets, and of them which keep the ſayings of this book: worſhip God.
And in worſhipping of Images, Ex. 20.4, 5. Thou ſhalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeneſſe of any thing, that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou ſhalt not bow downe thy ſelfe to them,Robert Whitgift, Abbot of the Monaſtery of Wellow in Lincolneſhire, ſaid, that they and their Religion could not long continue, becauſe (ſaid he) I have read the whole Scripture over and over, and could never find therein, that our Religion was founded by God. Leigh out of the life of Arch-Biſhop Whitgift by Sr. George Paul. nor ſerve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, &c.
Q. Have the Antient Fathers, Councils, and Churches, held all points of beliefe, of ceremony, and of Diſcipline, as the Church of Rome now doth?
A. No. The preſent Chuch of Rome notwithſtanding their great boaſt of Antiquity, doth hold ſome points of Doctrine which the Antients did not, and doth not hold ſome which the Antients did. Again, they practiſe at this day diverſe ceremonies which the Antients did not, and have left off the uſe of diverſe Antient ceremonies. And laſtly, the preſent Church of Rome hath laid aſide the exerciſe of diverſe points or matters of Diſcipline which the Antients uſed. See all this proved by Mr Dallie's Treatiſe of the Fathers. l. 2. p. 143, 144.
Q. Were there any before Luther, who diſſented from the doctrine of the preſent Romiſh Church, and who would not ſubject their neckes to her yoke and government, or who thought her fallible?
A. Yes. Before Luther there were diverſe eminent and famous witneſſes to the truth of that Religion and Doctrine for the main, which the Proteſtants hold diverſe from the preſent Church of Rome. See for the profe of this in Scultetus his Medulla Patrum, of the judgment of the Fathers for the firſt 300 yeers. Dr Field of the Church. Birckbeck's Proteſtant Evidence. Mr Perkin's his Demonſtration of the Probleme: and concerning worſhipping of Images, See Dr Weſtfield's Sermons on the Calfe.
Q. Doe the Pagans and Papiſts agree in the manner of worſhipping Images?
A. See Bp Weſtfield's Sermons: where out of an Apocrypha book, yet ſuch as the Church of Rome accounts canonicall, he ſhewes, that there are diverſe things done to the Popiſh, that were by the old Babyloniſh Idolaters done to their Images: as before in the Preface.
Q. May a man be ſurely ſaved if he exerciſe Repentance towards God, and Faith in our Lord Chriſt, although he be no member of the Romane Church, or Diſciple, or ſubject of the Pope, or Biſhop of Rome?
A. Joh. 3.16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. Joh. 6.37. All that the Father giveth me ſhall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out. Gal. 6.15, 16. For in Chriſt Jeſus neither Circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but a new creature. And as many as walke according to this Rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God.
Q. Is it a ſafer way to come to the Church of Rome, than to thoſe commonly called Proteſtants, or Reformed Churches?
A. No, by no meanes. 2 Theſ. 2.11, 12. And for this cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſion, that they ſhould believe a lye, that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe. Rev. 14.9, 10, 11. And the 3d Angel followed them ſaying with a loud voice, If any man worſhip the Beaſt, and his Image, and receive his marke in his forehead, or in his hand, the ſame ſhall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, & he ſhall be tormented with fire and brimſtone in the preſence of the holy Angels, and in the preſence of the Lamb: and the ſmoake of their torment aſcendeth up for ever and ever. And they have no reſt day nor night, who worſhip the beaſt and his image, whoſoever receiveth the marke of his name.
Q. Is the Pope, Church of Rome, or any like them, deſcribed there? How can they be ſaid to exalt themſelves above all that is called God? &c. 2 Theſ. 2.4. &c.
A. Pſal. 82.1, 6. God ſtandeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the Gods. I have ſaid ye are Gods, and all of you are children of the moſt High.
FINIS.
A Table ſhewing the contents of the ſeverall Chapters in This Treatiſe.
Cap. 1 The Introduction. Pag. 1
Cap. 2 Of Errour. Pag. 7
Cap. 3 Of the holy Scriptures. Pag. 9
Cap. 4 Of God, and the Trinity. Pag. 18
Cap. 5 Of God's Decrees. Pag. 40
Cap. 6 Of the Creation, and firſt eſtate of man. Pag. 45
Cap. 7 Of ſin and it's bitter fruites. Pag. 48
Cap. 8 Of Redemption by Chriſt. Pag. 5…
Cap. 9 Of Predeſtination. Pag. 56
Cap. 10 Of God's Providence. Pag. 59
Cap. 11 Of Faith, Repentance, and Aſſurance of Salvation. Pag. 66
Cap. 12 Of Prayer. Pag. 87
Cap. 13 Of Marriage. Pag. 90
Cap. 14 Of Mothers nurſing their own children. Pag. 91
Cap. 15 Of Womens painting themſelves. Pag. 93
Cap. 16 Of Children with reſpect to holy things. Pag. 104
Cap. 17 Of Baptiſme. Pag. 111
Cap. 18 Of publick Worſhip. Pag. 117
Cap. 19 Of an Oath. Pag. 124
Cap. 20 Of Buriall of the dead. Pag. 128
Cap. 21 Of Angels. Pag. 131
Cap. 22 Of Miniſters. Pag. 135
Cap. 23 Of Churches & Ordinances. Pag. 155
Cap. 24 Of Singing of Pſalmes. Pag. 176
Cap. 25 Of Church-Diſcipline. Pag. 180
Cap. 26 Of civil-Magiſtrates, and the Common-wealth. Pag. 185
Cap. 27 Of Souldiers. Pag. 196
Cap. 28 Of Quakers. Pag. 208
Cap. 29 Of Popiſh Erours. Pag. 233
Errata.
PReface, pag. 22. lin. 2. for others r. flyes. l 7. r. ſtollen. l. 14. r. Featly. p. 35. l. 10. r. ſubſiſtent. p. 92. l. 12. r. yeerly. p. 10 …. laſt. r. Sith it is not. p. 122. l. 17. r. but now p. 79. l. 4. r. vild. p. 181. l. 16. r. comfort. p. 209. l. 1. r if they did.
End of the text · Thomas Hodges, A Scripture Catechism (1658)