Christian Queries to Quaking Christians

To the Reader.

Christian-Queries to Quaking-Christians, &c.

Qu. 1.

HOw, and by what means may Salvation be attained? Whether by adhering to a Light within us, or by Faith in a Christ without us? (1.) If the latter be not the best way, why is it that the Scrip • ures do so often bid us to believe in Jesus Christ, and that by so doing we may be sa • ed? 3 John 15; 16. Acts 16.30, 31. (2.) Or • s the former the better way? If so, I would • hen ask further,

Q. 2.

Whether the Light within us be sufficient Guide to direct us unto true Hap • iness? And what this Light is? Whether 〈◊〉 every man? or how to be attained? 1. If his Light be sufficient to Salvation, of what • se are the Scriptures? and why are we at all • xhorted to Faith, which implies something • t a distance, & not yet enjoyed? Heb. 11.1.

Q. 2.

Whether is this Light the Conscience of every man? Or (3.) is it Christ in every man? If so, why then are not all men saved? For if he that has not this Light, be out of Christ, (as you say) then all that have this Light must of necessity be in Christ, and consequently saved? 2 Cor. 13.5. 2 Cor. 5.17.

Q. 3.

Whether that Way which you teach, & the Doctrines you maintain & propagate, be consonant to, & may be defended by the Word of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old & New Testament? 1. Whether it be not necessary to have some Rule of Trial by which we may try the Spirits whether they be of God or no? 1 John 4.1, 2, 3. And, (2.) Whether the Scriptures be not sufficient hereunto? Or is there any better way to be propounded for such a Trial? And, (3.) If there be any better way, why are we directed by the Prophet Isaiah, To the Law, and to the Testimony and if any man speak otherwise, it is because • there is no Light in him, Isa. 8.20. And (4. • Why were the Bereans commended fo • searching the Scriptures daily, whether thos • things were so, Acts 17.11. Lastly, If the • criptures are not to be the Rule of Trial •• r all Doctrines, why is it that the Apostle • oth so severely, and that over and over a •• in, pronounce a curse against all such as • old preach any other Gospel than what • e had already preached? which is only to • e found in the Scriptures, Gal. 1.7, 8, 9.

Q. 4.

Whether all men do or may attain • erfection in this life? And whether any that • ome short of this Perfection, may be saved? • r, (1.) Whether those Texts of Scripture •• at exhort us to be perfect, may not imply • ertain degrees of Perfection, rather than • erfection itself, as to the height of it? • nd, (2.) Whether there be not a Perfection 〈◊〉 Sincerity, as well as of degrees? And, •• .) Whether Believers may not be perfect • y imputation of his Righteousness, who know •• g no sin, yet was made sin for us, that we • ight be made the Righteousness of God in • im? 2 Cor 5.21.

Q. 5.

Whether Jesus Christ did not institute and appoint certain Ordinances under the Gospel for his Churches to observe and keep until his coming? 1. Did he not institute that Ordinance of his Supper, and enjoin his Disciples to observe it in remembrance of him? Luke 22.19, 20. And, (2.) Is it not recorded of the Primitive Church, how they continued this Ordinance? Acts 2.46. 3. Why doth the Apostle Paul commend the practice of it to the Church of Corinth, and tells them whence he had it? For (saith he) I have received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you: And so repeats the manner how it was first instituted, 1 Cor. 11.23, 26. Or, (4.) Are these Ordinances ceased, and now out of date? If so, Pray tell us when they first expired? Hath not himself told us, that they should last until his coming? Or is he already come, and we knew it not? If he be, it must be only by his spiritual presence, and so he was with the Primitive Church, and that in a greater measure than now-a-days, yet did they continue in all the Ordinances of the Gospel. Or, (5.) May we not rather understand his coming to be meant of his second coming, spoken of by the Angel at his Ascension, when he shall come in like manner as he was seen to go into Heaven? Acts 1.10, 11.

Q. 6.

Whether Christians are not bound • o the performance of such Religious du • ies as were practiced by the People of God • nder the Law, and not abrogated by the Gospel? 1. Whether Christians ought not • o pray morning and evening? as David very • requently did; Evening and morning, and •• t noon, will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall • ear my voice, Psal. 55.17. Or, (2.) Is it not • awful for Christians to appoint and set a • art a convenient time and season for the • erformance of Religious Exercises, as did Daniel? who notwithstanding the Kings Command, thought himself obliged not • o omit his duty once, but prayed three •• mes a day, Dan. 6.10, 13. Or, (3.) Are • re only to pray when our own Spirits move • s, and not at the motion of God's Spirit, which bids us to pray continually, or to be always in a frame, and frequent in the Duty of Prayer, 1 Thess. 5.17. Or, (4.) Whether it be not a duty incumbent upon all Christians to exercise Family-Duties, as the People of God in former times did? Whether Parents ought not to instruct their Children, and Masters their Servants, for which God so much commended Abraham, because he would command his Children and his Household after him, Gen. 18.17, 18.19.5. Whether it be the duty of all Christians frequently to read over, and confer about the holy Scriptures both in their Families, and with others? as the Lord commanded the children of Israel, Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, Deut. 6.7. Nay, (6,) Whether is it not necessary for all Christians to beg God's blessing with, and return him thanks for every Mercy they receive? according to the practice of our blessed Savior, who when he fed so many thousands, would first look up to Heaven for a blessing upon what they enjoyed on earth, Mar. 6.41, •• d after his Resurrection he practiced the •• me thing among his Disciples, Luke 24.30 Whose blessed Example the Apostle follow • d, taking bread, and giving thanks in the • resence of them all, Acts 27.35. further • ecommending it to the practice of others, •• at in everything they would give thanks, as • he will of God in Christ Jesus concerning them, 〈◊〉 Thess. 5.18.

Q. 7.

Whether it be not lawful for Christians • o give a Civil Respect to the several degrees • nd relations in which persons may stand? As, (1.) Whether the younger ought not to • everence the elder? as saith the Scripture, Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and • onor the face of the old man, Lev. 19.32. And, (2.) Whether a Christian may not evidence • is respect by some outward action or gesture of his body, according to the custom of the Country he lives in? as Abraham bowed to the Sons of Heth, Gen. 23.12. so did Nathan a Prophet to King David, 1 King. • 1.23. And, (3.) Is it not lawful for Christians to express their respects by giving to every man the titles belonging to him, in reference to the several Dignities or Places they may be advanced to? As Luke doth Theophilus, calling him Most Excellent, Luk. 1.3. so • Paul to Felix, Most noble Felix, Acts 26.25. and John to the elect Lady, 2. John 1.

Q. 8.

Whether Christians may not make use of, and take delight in those creatures God affords us, either for Food or Cloathing? And, (1.) Whether at sometimes it be not lawful to feast and enjoy the creatures afforded for our use in a lawful mirth? provided it be done in its proper season, & with moderation, Eccles. 3.12, 13. And, (2) Whether it be lawful for Christians to wear what Apparel they shall think best in their own Christian Prudence to be apparel'd in, if without excess? Did not God command the children of Israel, that they should borrow Jewels of Silver, and Jewels of Gold of the Egyptians, Exod. 11.2. And Abraham's Servant gave unto Rebecca Bracelets for her hands, which she also wore. Gen. 24.22.30.

Q. 9.

Whether when Christians are met •• gether for the Worship and Service of God, •• ey may then be silent, and depart without •• ything don for the edification of one ano •• er? Or, (1.) Whether they ought not rather 〈◊〉 stir up & exhort one another to continue in the • aith and practice of the Gospel? As the Apo •• les of old did, who when they met toge ••• er, spent the time in praying with, and ex • orting of one another, Acts 1.13, 14. Acts • 2.12. 2. Whether to speak in a strange Tongue, or to be wholly silent when the People 〈◊〉 God are met together, be not one and the •• me thing? the former of which the Apo •• le forbids, as no way tending to edificati • n, 1 Cor. 14.4, to the 20.

Q. 10.

Whether Christians that do not pal • ably contradict the practice of Godliness, may not live with, and have charity towards • ne another, though different in judgments? And, (1.) Whether this hath not rendered • he Popish-Religion more odious, because they have so little charity for any that differ from them, who style all to be Heretics that are not of their way? Or, (2.) Whether any of the Apostles, or our Savior himself, did ever condemn others upon this account only, but on the contrary, when the Apostle told our Savior they had seen one casting out Devils in his Name, yet followed no • him, Christ bids them not forbid him, alleging, that he which is not against us, is with us, Luke 9.49, 50. And so the Apostle would have every man persuaded in his own mind, Rom. 14.5. And I know no reason why ye should condemn any man for being in the dark, because he fees not by your Light?

Q. 11.

Whether it be not the duty of Christians to observe & set apart one day in seven for the more solemn Service of God? And, (1.) Whether God himself did not appoint, and the People of God in all Ages keep such a day? Genesis 2.2, 3. Exodus 20.8. 2. Whether the Sabbath-day was ever abrogated by Jesus Christ, or only changed and another kept in the room of the first? And 3. Whether the first day of the Week be not the true Christian Sabbath? We read that it was the custom of the Apostles chiefly to meet on this day, John 20.19. Acts 20.7. and that they made collections for the poor on this Day, 1 Cor. 16.2. and John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, Rev. 1.10.

Q. 12.

Whether it be not lawful for Christians to Swear, if called thereunto, for the attestation of some Truth? And, 1. Whether Abraham did sin in making his Servant to swear unto him? Gen. 24.3. Or, (2.) Whether Swearing be not a ready way to put an end to all controversies? as the Apostle saith Heb. 6.16.

Q. 13.

Whether it be not the great duty and concernment of every true Christian to plead for, and vindicate all such Gospel-truths as he hath formerly received, and yet believeth? And, (1.) Whether a Christian may not earnestly contend for the Truth once delivered? Jude 3. And, (2.) Whether it be not the duty of all Christians, with readiness to render an account of his Faith to him that asketh him? 1 Pet. 3.15. And, (3.) Whether it b • not your Concernment to return some satisfactory Answer to the Author of these QUERIES?