Some questions and answers concerning religion and the worship of God. Laythes, Thomas, d. 1701. 1691 Approx. 6 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A49838 Wing L753 ESTC R220074 99831503 99831503 35966 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A49838) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 35966) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2050:23) Some questions and answers concerning religion and the worship of God. Laythes, Thomas, d. 1701. 1 sheet ([1] p.) s.n., [London : 1691] Imprint from Wing. Signed and dated at end: Thomas Laythes. From Dailhead in Cumberland, 18th 11th mo. 1691. Reproduction of the original in the Friends' Library, London. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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THE only Living and Eternal God that made Heaven and Earth , and all Mankind , it is he that requireth Religion , Worship and Service , from all People , having given them a Gift and Understanding whereby to know and discern Good from Evil , and Right from Wrong : And seeing there are so many Religions , Professions and Worships in the World , it is very necessary to know which is that True Religion and Worship the Lord hath a Regard unto , and doth Accept of . Quest . 1. From whence comes , and what is , the true and sound Religion and Worship ? Answ . The true and right Root , from whence sound Religion springs and arises , is from that precious Incorruptible Seed , sowen by Christ the good Seeds-Man in the Hearts of the Children of Men , whereby they are Renewed and Born again unto a firm Faith , and sure stedfast Belief in God the Father , and in his Eternal Son Jesus Christ for Life and for Salvation ; and in this living and true Faith , we sincerly serve , honour and obey God , in a holy Living with him in his Fear , and a daily waiting upon him , and a humble Walking before him , and reverend Worshiping and Serving him in the Spirit and in the Truth , Jam. 1.27 . Joh. 4.24 . Pet. 1.23 . Quest . 2. What is the difference between the true Religion and the false ? Answ . The true and sound Religion having for its Ground and Foundation a pure Principle of Truth , which leads into all Truth in the Hearts and Consciences of the Children of God , whereby they are acted , led and guided in the things of God , and in all there religious Services to God : Then the fruits and effects therefrom , is Meekness , Patience , Temperance , Love , Peace and Good-will unto all : And such as are led and guided by this good Spirit , they are firm , and sure , and stedfast in their Religion and Worship , and cannot forsake the Assembling themselves together in the time of Persecution and Suffering , as the manner of some hath been . — And the Ground and Foundation of false Religion , is Darkness , Ignorance and Unbelief , Pride , Blind-zeal and Self-conceitedness , begotten by the Spirit of Enmity in the Hearts of the Children of Darkness and Disobedience to the Light and Grace of God ; and from this ground ariseth all that confusion in Religion and Worship , and those many Inventions and Traditions in pretence of the service of God : And from this vain Religion , and unbridled Tongue , ariseth much Discord , Strife and Contention , from such as conceit they know that which they rightly know not , and so are wise in their own Imaginations , and puft up with their own Conceivings , to contend and dispute in the Spirit of Enmity , and not of Love ; and when this doth not prevail , then sometimes they go on to Persecution , Imposition and other Cruelties , about Religion and Worship ; and such are not conscientious for any Religion at all , but can easily comply and conform to any Religion and Worship whatsoever , being from the meek and peaceable Spirit of Christ Jesus . Quest . 3. Among all sorts of People , who may be said to be likest the Ancient and Primitive Christians ? Answ . Those may be said to be likest the Ancient and Primitive Christians , who do believe in , and receive the Light and Spirit of Grace in their own Hearts , and are thereby taught in Doctrin and Practice , in Humility , Charity and Self-denial , being made willing patiently to suffer Reproach and Persecution for God and Christ's sake , and walk according to Christ's Example , who went about doing good , and when he was reviled , reviled not again , 1 Pet. 2.21 , 22 , 23 , Act. 10.38 . Quest . 4. Who are the best Ministers ? Answ . Those may be said to be the best Ministers that convert and turn most Souls unto God , according to that in James 5.20 . He that converteth a Sinner shall save a Soul : Then let us see who these are ; they are not the Proud and Lofty , they are not the Light and Airy , nor the Wild and Wanton , they are not the Hirelings , who seek their Gain from their Quarter , they are not the envious Persecutors , nor the vain and unprofitable Talkers . Quest . 5. Who are they then ? Answ . They are such as have freely received the Gifts of God's Grace , and according to the Ability thereof , do freely Minister unto others , what they have heard seen and handled of the Word of Life in themselves and live accordingly , whereby they are made Instrumental to turn many from Darkness to Light , and from Satan's Power to God : These are the best Ministers . Quest . 6. And who is the best Teacher ? Answ . The best Teacher is Christ Jesus , who by his Light and Grace teacheth to deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts . And who are they that are taught and guided by him ? Not the Prophane , Drunkards , Lyers , Swearers , Whore-mongers and Adulterers , nay these God will judge : It 's those that live Soberly , Righteously , and Godly in this present World , Tit. 2.11 , 12. Quest . 7. And which may be said to be the best Meetings in relation to the Worship of God ? Answ . Those may be said to be the best Meetings , wherein the Lord most appears by his Heavenly Power and Divine Presence to humble the Hearts , and mollifie and tender the Spirits of his Children , and enlarge them to run the way of his Commandments with great Delight : These are certainly his People , and these are the best Assemblies and Meetings . Let Truth and true Experience speak to these few Things . From Dailhead in Cumberland , 18 th 11 th Mo. 1691. Written by a Friend to Truth , and a Well-wisher to all People , Thomas Laythes .