others for their Sins Q. What are the Works of God A. Acts or Doings of his Power Chap. 5. 6. whereby He createth sustaineth and governeth all things Q. What is required from us towards Chap. 7. Almighty God A. Holy and spiritual obedience according to his Law given unto us Q. Are me able to do this of our Chap. 8. selves A. No in no wise being by nature unto every good Work reprobate Q. How came we into this Estate being at the first created in the image of God in righteousness and innocency A. By the fall of our first Parents breaking the Covenant of God losing his Grace and deserving his Curse Q. By what way may we be delivered Chap. 9. from this miserable Estate A. Onely by Jesus Christ. Q. What is Jesus Christ Chap. 10. A. God and Man united in one Person to be a Mediator between God and Man Q. What is He unto us A. A King a Priest a Prophet Q. Wherein doth he exercise his Chap. 11. Kingly Power towards us A. In converting us unto God by his Spirit subduing us unto his obedience and ruling in us by his Grace Q. In what doth the exercise of his Priestly Office for us chiefly consist Chap. 12. A. In offering up himself an acceptable sacrifice on the cross so satisfying the justice of God for our Sins removing his curse from our Persons and bringing us unto him Q. Wherein doth Christ exercise his prophetical Office towards us Chap. 13. A. In revealing to our Hearts from the bosome of his Father the way and truth whereby we must come unto him Q. For whose sake doth Christ perform all these Chap. 14. A. Onely for his Elect. Q. In what condition doth Jesus Chap. 15. Christ exercise these Offices A. He did in a low Estate of humiliation on Earth but now in a glorious Estate of exaltation in Heaven Q. What is the Church of Christ Chap. 16. A. The universal company of God's Elect called to the adoption of Children Q. How come we to be Members Chap. 17. of this Church A. By a lively Faith Q. What is a lively Faith A. An assured resting of the Soul upon God's promises of mercy in Jesus Christ for pardon of Sins here and Glory hereafter Q. How come we to have this faith Chap. 18. A. By the effectual working of the Spirit of God in our hearts freely calling us from the state of Nature to the state of Grace Q. Are we accounted Righteous for our Faith Chap. 19. A. No but only for the righteousness of Christ freely imputed unto us and laid hold of by Faith Q. 1. Is there no more required of us but Faith onely Chap. 20. A. Yes Repentance also and Holiness Q. 2. What is Repentance A. A forsaking of all Sin with Godly sorrow for what we have committed Q. 3. What is that Holiness which is required of us A. Universal obedience to the will of God revealed unto us Q. What are the privileges of believers Chap. 21. A. First Union with Christ secondly Adoption of Children thirdly Communion of Saints fourthly right to the Seals of the new Covenant fifthly Christan liberty sixthly Resurrection of the body to Life eternal Q. 1. VVhat are the Sacraments Chap. 22. or Seals of the new Covenant A. Visible Seals of God's spiritual Promises made unto us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Q. 2. VVhich be they A. Baptism and the Lords Supper Q. What is Baptisme Chap. 23 A. An holy Ordinance whereby being sprinkled with Water according to Christs institution we are by his Grace made Children of God and have the promises of the Covenant sealed unto us Q. What is the Lord's Supper Chap. 24. A. An holy Ordinance of Christ appointed to communicate unto Believers his Body and Blood spiritually being represented by Bread and Wine blessed broken powred out and received of them Q. 2. Who have a right unto this Sacrament A. They only who have an interest in Jesus Christ by Faith Q. What is the Communion of Chap. 25. Saints A. An holy Conjunction between all Gods People Partakers of the same Spirit and Members of the same mystical Body Q. What is the end of all this Dispensation A. The Glory of God in our Salvation Glory be to God on high THE Greater Catechisme CHAP. I. Of the Scripture Question 1. WHat is Christian Religion A. The only a way of 1 Every one out of this way everlastingly damned 2 The Life of Religion is in the Life knowing God aright and b living unto him a Joh. 14. 5. ch 17. 3. Act. 4. 12. b Col. 1. 10. 2. Cor. 5. 15. Gal. 2. 19 20. Q. 2. Whence is it to be learned A. From the holy 3 Popish traditions are false Lights leading from God Scripture onely Isa. 8. 20. Joh. 5. 39. Q. 3. What is the Scripture A. The books of the a Old b New 4 The Authority of the Scripture dependeth not on the Authority of the Church as the Papists blaspheme 5 All humane inventions unnecessary helps in the worship of God 6 The word thereof is the sole directory for Faith Worship and Life Testament c given by inspiration from God containing all things necessary to be believed and done that God may be worshipped and our Souls saved a Isa. 8. 20. Rom. 3. 2. b Rev. 22. 19 20. c 2 Tim. 2. 16 17. Psal. 19. 7 8. Jer. 7. 31. Joh. 20. 31. Q. 4. How know you them to be the word of God A. By the a testimony 7 This alone perswadeth inwardly convinceth the heart of the divine verity of the Scripture other Motives also there are from without and unanswerable Arguments to prove the Truth of them as 1. their antiquity 2 preservation from Fury 3 Prophecies in them 4 the Holiness and Majesty of their Doctrine agreeable to the Nature of God 5 Miracles 6 the Testimony of the Church of all Ages 7 the Blood of innumerable Martyrs c. of God's Spirit working Faith in my heart to close with that b heavenly Majesty and clear divine truth that shineth in them a Matth. 16 17. Joh. 16. 13. 1 Thess. 2. 13. 1 Joh. 2. 20. 1 Joh. 5 6. b Luk. 24. 32. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Heb. 4. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 19. CHAP. II. Of God Q. 1. What do the Scriptures teach concerning God A. First what he is or his Nature Secondly what he doth or his Works Exod. 3. 14. Isa. 45. 6. Heb. 1. 1 2 3. Heb. 11. 6. Q. 2. What is God in himself A. An a eternal b infinite c 1 The perfection of Gods Being is known of us chiefly by removing all imperfections 2 Hence the abominable vanity of Idolaters and of the Blasphemous Papists that picture God 3 Let us prostrate our selves in holy adoration of that which we cannot comprehend incomprehensible d spirit e giving
repent A. First Union with Christ secondly Adoption of Children thirdly Christian Liberty fourthly a Spiritual holy right to the Seals of the new Covenant fifthly communion with all Saints sixthly Resurrection of the Body unto Life Eternal Q. 2. What is our Union with Christ A. An a holy spiritual 1 By vertue of this Union Christ suffereth in our Afflictions and we fill up in our Bodies what remaineth as his 2 From Christ as head of the Church we have spiritual Life Sense and Motion or growth in Grace secondly as the Husband of the Church Love and Redemption thirdly as the Foundation thereof Stability and Perseverance Conjunction unto him as our b Head c Husband and d Foundation e whereby we are made Partakers of the same Spirit with him f and derive all good things from him a 1 Cor. 12. 12. Joh. 15 1 2. 5 6 7. 17. 23. b Ephes. 4. 15. 5. 23. Col. 1. 18. c 2 Cor. 11. 2. Ephes. 5. 25 26 27. Revel 21. 9. d Matth. 16. 18. Ephes. 2. 20 21 22. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6 7. e Rom. 8. 9. 11. Gal. 4. 6. Phil. 1. 19. f Joh. 1. 12. 16. Ephes. 1. 3. Q. 3. What is our adoption A. Our gracious Reception into the family of God as his Children and co heirs with Christ Joh. 1. 12. Rom. 8. 15. 17. Gal. 4. 5. Ephes. 1. 5. Q. 4. How came we to know this A. By the especial working of the holy 3 This is that great honour dignity of believers which exalts them to despising all earthly thrones Spirit in our hearts sealing unto us the promises of God and raising up our Souls to an assured expectation of the promised Inheritance Rom. 8. 15. 17. Ephes. 4. 30. 1 Joh. 3. 1. Rom. 8. 19. 23. Titus 2. 12. Q. 5. What is our Christian liberty A. An 4 Our liberty is our Inheritance here below which we ought to contend for against all opposers holy and spiritual a freedom from the b slavery of Sin the c bondage of Death and Hell the d curse of the Law e Jewish Ceremonies and f thraldom of Conscience purchased for us by Jesus Christ and g revealed to us by the holy Spirit a Gal. 5. 1. b Joh. 8. 32 34 36. Rom. 6. 17 18. Esa. 61. 1. 1 Joh. 1. 7. 2 Cor. 5. 21. c Rom. 8. 15. Heb. 2. 15. 1 Cor. 15. 55 57. d Gal. 3. 13. Ephes. 2. 15 16. Gal 4 5. Rom. 8. 1. e Act. 15. 10 11. Gal. 3. 4 5 Chapters f 2 Cor. 1. 24. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 1 Pet. 2. 16. g 1 Cor 2. 12. Q. 6. Are we then wholly freed from the Moral Law A. Yes as a a Covenant 5 Nothing makes men condemn the Law as a rule but hatred of that universal holiness which it doth require or as it hath any thing in it bringing into bondage as the curse power dominion and rigid exaction of obedience b but not as it is a rule of Life and Holiness a Jer. 31. 31 32 33. Rom. 7. 1 2 3. Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 3. 19. 24. Rom. 8. 2. Gal. 5. 18. b Mat. 5. 17. Rom. 3. 31. 7. 13. 22 25. Q. 7. Are we not freed by Christ from the Magistrates Power and humane Authority A. No being ordained of 6 Rule and Authority are as necessary for humane society as Fire and Water for our Lives God and commanding for him we owe them all lawful obedience Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. CHAP. XXII Of the Sacraments of the new Covenant in particular a holy right whereunto is the fourth priviledge of Believers Q. 1. What are the Seals of the new Testament A. Sacraments instituted of Christ to be visible Seals and Pledges whereby God in him confirmeth the Promises of the Covenant to all Believers restipulating of them growth in Faith and Obedience Mark 16. 16. Joh. 3. 5. Act. 2. 38. 22. 16. Rom. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 11. 26 27 28 29. Q. 2. How doth God by these Sacraments bestow Grace upon us A. Not by any 1 This is one of the greatest mysteries of the Roman Magick and jugling that corporal elements should have a power to forgive sins and confer spiritual Grace real essential conveying of spiritual Grace by corporeal means but by the way of Promise Obsignation and Covenant confirming the Grace wrought in us by the Word and Spirit Heb. 4. 2. 1. Cor. 10. Rom. 4. 11. 1. 17. Mark 16. 16. Ephes. 5. 26. Q. 3. How do our Sacraments differ from the Sacraments of the Jews A. Accidentally onely in things concerning the outward matter and form as their number quality clearness of signification and the like not essentially in the things signified or Grace confirmed 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3. c. Joh. 6. 35. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Phil. 3. 3. Col. 2. 11. CHAP. XXIII Of Baptism Q. 1. Which are these Sacraments A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper Q. 2. What is Baptism A. An a holy action appointed 1 Not the want but the contempt of this Sacrament is damnable 2 It is hard to say whether the Errour of the Papists requiring Baptism of absolute indispensable necessity to the Salvation of every Infant or that of the Anabaptists debarring them from it altogether be the most uncharitable of Christ whereby being sprinkled with water in the Name of the whole Trinity by a lawful Minister of the Church b we are admitted into the Family of God c and have the benefits of the blood of Christ confirmed unto us a Matth. 28. 19. Mark 16. 15 16. b Act. 2. 41. 8. 37. c Act. 2. 38 39. Joh. 3. 5. Rom. 6. 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 13. Q. 3. To whom doth this Sacrament belong A. Unto all to whom the promise of the Covenant is made that is to Believers and to their Seed Act. 2. 39. Gen. 17. 11 12. Act. 16. 15. Rom. 4. 10 11. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Q. 4. How can Baptisme seal the pardon of all Sins to us all our personal Sins following it A. In as much as it is a Seal of that promise which gives pardon of all to Believers Act. 2. 39. Rom. 4. 11 12. CHAP. XXIV Of the Lords Supper Q 1. What is the Lord Supper A. An a holy action instituted and 1 Baptisme is the Sacrament of our new Birth this of our further growth in Christ. appointed by Christ b to set forth his Death c and communicate unto us spiritually his Body and Blood by Faith being d represented by Bread and Wine e blessed by his Word and Prayer f broken 2 No part of Christian Religion was ever so vilely contaminated and abused by profane wretches as this pure holy plain action and institution of our Saviour witness the Popish horrid monster of transubstantiation and their Idolatrous Mass. powred out and received of Believers a Mat. 26.
20 21. Luk. 22. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20. 1 Cor. 11. 23 24. b Luk. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 25 26. c Mark 14. 22 23 24. 1 Cor. 11. 24. 25. Joh. 6. 63. d 1 Cor. 11. 23. 25. e 1 Cor. 11. 24. Mat. 26. 26. f Mat. 26. 26. Mark 14. 22. Luk. 22. 19. Q 2. When did Christ appoint this Sacrament A. On the night wherein he was betrayed to suffer 1 Cor. 11. 23. Q 3. Whence is the right use of it to be learned A. From the Word 3 Whatever is more than these is of our own practice and actions of our Saviour as its institution Q. 4. What were the actions of our Saviour to be imitated by us A. First blessing the elements by Prayer secondly breaking the bread and powring out the Wine thirdly distributing them to the receivers sitting in a Table gesture Matth. 26. 26. Mark 14. 22. Luk. 22. 19 20. 1 Cor. 11. 23 24. Q. 5. What were the words of Christ A. First of command Take eat Secondly of Promise This is my Body Thirdly of Institution for perpetual use This do c. 1 Cor. 11. 24 25 26. Q. 6. Who are to be 4 Faith in Gods promises which it doth confirm union with Christ whereof it is a Seal and obedience to the right use of the Ordinance it self is required of all Receivers 5 There is not any one Action pertaining to the Spiritual Nature of this Sacrament not any end put upon it by Christ as first the partaking of his Body and Blood Secondly setting forth of his Death for us Thirdly declaring of our Union with him and his but require Faith Grace and Holiness in the Receivers receivers of this Sacrament A. Those onely have a true right to the Signs who by Faith have an holy interest in Christ the thing signified 1 Cor. 11. 27 28 29. Joh. 6. 63. Q. 7. Do the elements remain Bread and wine still after the blessing of them A. Yes all the spiritual change is wrought by the Faith of the Receiver not the words of the Giver to them that Believe they are the Body and Blood of Christ Joh. 6. 63. 1 Cor. 10. 4. and 11. 29. CHAP. XXV Of the Communion of Saints the fifth priviledge of Believers Q. 1. What is the Communion of Saints A. An holy conjunction 1 By Vertue of this we partake in all the good and evil of the People of God throout the World between all God's People wrought by their participation of the same Spirit whereby we are all made Members of that one Body whereof Christ is the head Cant. 6. 9. Jer. 32. 39. Joh. 17. 22. 1 Cor. 12. 12. Ephes. 4. 3 4 5 6. 13. 1 Joh. 1. 3. 6 7. Q. 2. Of what sort is this Union A. First a spiritual and internal in the injoyment of the same Spirit and Graces which is the union of the Church Catholick Secondly b external and ecclesiastical in the same outward Ordinances which is the Union of particular Congregations a 1 Cor. 12. 12 13. Ephes. 2. 16. 19 20 21 22. 1 Cor. 10. 17. Joh. 17. 11. 21 22. Joh. 10. 16. Heb. 2. 11. b 1 Cor. 1. 10 11. Rom. 12. 5. 1 Cor. 12. 27 28. Ephes. 4. 11 12 13. Phil. 2. 2. Col. 3. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 8. CHAP. XXVI Of particular Churches Q. 1. What are particular Churches A. Peculiar a Assemblies 1 Every corruption doth not presently unchurch a People 2 Unholiness of fellow worshippers defileth not Gods Ordinances of Professors in one Place b under Officers of Christs Institution c enjoying the Ordinances of God d and leading Lives beseeming their holy Calling a Act. 11. 26. 1 Cor. 4. 17 11. 22. 2 Cor. 1. 1. b Act. 20. 17. 28. 14. 23. 2 Cor. 8. 23. Heb. 13. 17. c 1 Cor. 1. 5. Revel 2. 1 2 3. d 2 Thess. 3. 5. 6. 11. Gal. 6. 16. Phil. 3. 18. 1 Thes. 2. 12. Q. 2. What are the ordinary Officers of such Churches A. First a Pastors or Doctors 3 Ministers are the Bishops of the Lord Lord-bishops came from Rome to teach and exhort secondly b Elders to assist in Rule and Government thirdly c Deacons to provide for the poor 4 Rom. 12. 7 8. Ephes. 4. 10. 1 Cor. 12. 28. b Rom. 12. 8. 1 Tim. 5. 17. c Act. 6. 2 3. Q. 3. What is required of these Officers especially the chiefest or Ministers A. a That they be faithful in the Ministry committed unto them b sedulous in dispensing the Word c watching for the good of the Souls committed to them d going before them in an Example of all godliness and holiness of Life a 1 Cor. 4. 2. Act. 20. 18 19 20. b 2 Tim. 2. 15. and 4. 1 2 3 4 5. c Tit. 1. 13. 1 Tim. 4. 15 16. d Tit. 2. 7. 1 Tim. 4. 12. Matth. 5. 16. Act. 25. Q. 4. What is required in the People unto them A. Obedience a to their Message and Ministery b honour and love to their Persons c maintenance to them and their Families a 2 Cor. 5. 20. Rom. 6. 17. Heb. 13. 17. 2 Thess. 3. 14. Rom. 16. 19. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5 6. b 1 Cor. 4. 1. Gal. 4. 14. 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. c Luk. 10. 7. Jam. 5. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. 1 Cor. 9. 9 10 11 12 13. CHAP. XXVII Of the last Priviledge of Believers being the Door of entrance into Glory Q. 1. What is the Resurrection of the Flesh A. An Act of the 1 The Resurrection of the Flesh hereafter is a powerful motive to live after the Spirit here mighty power of Gods holy Spirit applying unto us the vertue of Christs resurrection whereby at the last day he will raise our whole Bodies from the Dust to be united again into our Souls in everlasting Happiness Job 19. 25 26 27. Psal. 16. 9 10 11. Esa. 26. 19. Ezek. 37. 2 3. Dan. 12. 2. 1 Cor. 15 16. c. Revet 20. 12 13. Q. 2. What is the end of this whole Dispensation A. The Glory of God in our eternal Salvation To him be all Glory and Honour for evermore Amen FINIS Imprimatur John Downame