for man and not man for the Sabbath so were the other dayes Q. 17. May not Rich men that have no need forbear the six dayes Labour A. No if they are able It is part of Gods Service and Riches are his gift And to whom he giveth much from them he expecteth not less but more Shall servants work less because they have more wages It is not only for their own supplyes that God commandeth men to Labour but also for the publick good and the benefit or relief of others and the health of their Bodies and the suitable employment of their minds and that none of their short precious time be lost in sinful idleness Q. 18. But it will seem sordid for Lords and Knights and Ladies to labour A. It is swinish and sinful not to Labour But they must do it in works that are suitable to their places As Physicians School-masters and Church-Ministers labour not in the same kind of imployment as Plow-men and Tradesmen do so Magistrates have their proper Labour in Government and Rich Persons have Families Children and Servants to oversee their poor Neighbours and Tenants to visit encourage and relieve and their equals so to converse with as tendeth to the greatest good But none must live idly Q. 19. Was Rest on the Sabbath absolutely commanded A. It was alwayes a duty to break it when a greater duty came in which required it As Christ hath told the Pharisees in the Case of feeding Man or Beast healing the sick and doing such necessary good For God preferreth Morals before Rituals and his rule is I will have mercy and not Sacrifice Q. 20. Why then was bodily Rest Commanded A. That body and mind might be free from diversion weariness and distraction and fit with pleasure wholly to serve God in the religious dutyes of his Worship Q. 21. Why doth God mention not only Servants but Beasts A. As he would not have Servants enslaved and abused by such Labour as should unfit them for Sabbath-work and Comfort so he would have man exercise the clemency of his Nature even towards the Brutes and Beasts cannot labour but man will be put to some Labour or diversion by it And God would have the whole place where we dwell and all that we have to do with to bear an open signification of our obedience to his Command and our reverence to his sanctified Day and Worship Q. 22. Is this Commandement now in force to Christians A. So much of it materially is in force as is of the Law of Nature or of Christ by supernatural Revelation and no more Therefore the Seventh day Sabbath of Corporal Rest is changed by Christ into the Lords day appointed for Christian Worship Q. 23. Was not all that was written in stone of perpetual obligation A. No Nor any as such For as it was written on those stones it was the Law of Moses for the Iews and bound no other Nations and is done away by the dissolving of their Republick and by Christ. Q 24. How prove you all this A. 1. As Moses was Ruler or Mediator to none but the Iews and the words of the Decalogue are appropriate to them as redeemed from Egyptian bondage so the Tables were delivered to no other and a Law cannot bind any without promulgation All the world was not bound to send to the Iews for Revelation nor to be their Proselytes 2. The Scripture expresly affirmeth the change 2 Cor. 3. 3 7 11. If the ministration of death written and engraven in stones was glorious so that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance which was to be or is done away c. For if that which is done away was Glorious or By Glory much more that which remaineth is Glorious or In glory Here it is evident that it is the Law written on Stone that is mentioned and that it is not as some say the Glory only of Moses Face or the flaming mount which is done away for that was done away in a few dayes But it is the Law which is called Glorious that is said to be done away The words can bear no other sence It 's too tedious to cite all The Texts following fully prove it Heb. 7. 11 12. 18. 9. 18 19. Eph. 2. 15. Ioh. 1. 17. Luk. 16. 16. Rom. 2. 12 14 15 16. 3. 19 20 21 27 28 31. 4. 13 14 15 16. 5. 13 20. 7. 4 5 6 7 8 16. 9. 4 31 32. 10. 5. Gal. 2. 15 16 19 21. 3. 2 10 11 12 13 19 21 24. 4. 21. 5. 3 4 14 23. 6. 13. Phil. 3. 6 9. 1 Cor. 9. 21. 3. And the Sabbath it self is expresly said to be â—eased with the rest Col. 2. 16. Let no man judge â—ou in meat or in drink or in respect of an Holy day or Feast or of the New Moon or of the Sabbaths which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ. It was the weekly Sabbath that was the thief of Sabbaths and therefore included in the pluâ—…al name there being no exception of it 4. And to put all out of doubt Christ who commandeth not two weekly Sabbaths hath appointed and sanctified the First day of the week instead of â—he Seventh-day Sabbath not calling it The Sabbath but the Lords day Q. 25. How prove you that A. If you will search the Scripture you shall see â—â—proved by these degrees I. Christ commissioned â—is Apostles to teach the Churches all his Doctrines Commands and Orders and so to settle and guide them Luk. 6. 13. Mat. 28. 18 19 20. Ioh. 20. 21. Luk. 10. 16. Mat. 10. 40. Act. 26. 17. 1 Cor. 15. â— 11. 23. 4. 1 2. Gal. 1. 11 12. Ioh. 21. 5 16 17. Mat. 16. 19. Ioh. 17. 18. 13. 16 â—0 Act. 1. 2 24 25. 2. 42. 10. 5. Gal. â— 1. Eph. 4. 11 to 16. 1 Cor. 12. 28 29. Eph. â— 20. 2 Pet. 3. 2. II. Christ promised his Spirit to them to enable them to perform their Commission and lead them into all truth and to bring all to their remembrance and to Guide them as his Churches Guides and so as the promulgators of his Commands For this see Ier. 3. 15. Isa. 44. 3. Ioel 2. 28 29 c. And Luk. 24. 49. Ioh. 15. 26 27. 16. 7 12 13 14 15 17. 18. Mat. 28. 20. Act. 1. 4 8. III. Christ performed this promise and gave them the infallible Spirit accordingly to perform their Commissioned work See Heb. 10. 23. Tit. 1. 2. 1 Ioh. 5. 10. Ioh. 20. 22. Act. 2. 15. 28. Heb. 2. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Rom. 15. 19 20 c. IV. Christ himself laid the Foundation by Rising that day as God did of the Sabbath by ceasing from his Work He appeared to his disciples Congregate on that day He sent down the Holy Ghosâ— his Agent
and the perfecter of his work on that day The Apostles settled that day as the stated time for constant Church-Assemblies and Communion And all the Churches in the World have constantly called it The Lords day and kept it as thus appointeâ— and uâ—ed by the Apostles from their dayes till now with one consent And because I must not here writâ— a Volume on this point instead of a Catechismeâ— he that doubteth may see all this fully proved in mâ— book called The Divine appointment of the Lorâ— day and in Dr. Youngs book called The Lords dâ—â— vindicated Q. 26. Is Rest as necessary now as under Mosâ—â— Law A. It was then commanded both as a means tâ—â—â—he holy work of the day and also as a Ceremoâ—â— which was made a duty in it self as a Shadow â—â— â—â—â— Christian Rest. In the first respect we are as much â—â—â— more obliged to forbear Labour even so far â—â—it hindereth holy work as they were then But â—â— in the second respect Q. 27. When doth the Lords day begin and end A. It 's safest to judge of that according to the Comâ—… estimation of your Countrey of the measure of â—â— other dayes remembring that it is not now as â—â—â— Jewish Sabbath to be kept as a Ceremony but as â—â—â— season of Holy Works As therefore you allow â—â—â— other dayes a stated proportion of twenty four â—â—â—rs for Labour and the rest for sleep or rest do â—â— by the Lords day and you need not further be â—â—pulous as to the time But remember 1. That you â—â—id scandal â— That even the Sabbath and so â—â— Lords day was made for man and Christ is the â—â—d of it who will have the greatest works preâ—…ed Q. 28. Doth not Paul tell us that all dayes are alike â—â— we must not judge one another for dayes Why then â—â—d Christians make a difference and not serve God â—â—lly every day A. Paul tells you that Christ hath taken away the â—â—ish Ceremonial difference of dayes for neglect â—â— which none is to be judged But it followeth not â—â—â— Christ hath made no difference himself and hath â—â— stated a day for Christian Work in Communion â—â—ve the rest One hour of the day doth not in â—â—lf now differ from another And yet every wise â—â—ter of a Family will keep the Order of stated â—â—s for Dinner and for Prayer And so will a Congregation for Lectures and other ordinary ocâ—â—sions I told you in the beginning that the Light â—… Law of nature tells us that Gods publick Worsâ—â—â— should have a stated day in which as free from versions and distractions we should wholly apâ—… our selves thereto And that all the Christians in â—… world assemble for the same work on the same dâ—… hath much of laudable concord harmony and mâ—…al help And therefore it concerned him who oâ—… is the King and Law-giver to the universal Churâ—â— to make them a Law for the determination of â—â—â— day which he hath done Q. 29. But is it not more spiritual to make eâ—… day a Sabbath A. It is most Christian-like to obey Christ â—… King Thus the same men pretend to make evâ—… meal a Sacrament that they may break the Law Christ who instituted the Sacrament Satans way drawing men from Christs Laws is sometime by â—…tending to do more and better But to keep evâ—â—â— day a Sabbath is to keep none It is not lawful cast off our outward labour all the six dayes nor â—… mind or body bear it to do nothing but religious Wâ—â—sâ—ip These men mean no more but to follow thâ—… earthly business with a spiritual mind and at soâ—… seasons of the day to worship God solemnly And â—… is but what every good Christian should do every â—… But who knoweth not that the mind may with more advantage attend Gods instructions and be â—…ed to him in holy Worship when all worldly â—…verting businesses are laid by and the whole man â—â—ployed towards God alone If men will regard 1. The experience of their oâ—… Souls 2. And of all others in the World they miâ—… â—… be resolved how mischievous a thing the negâ—… of the Lords day is and how necessary its holy â—…rvation 1. That man never knew what it is â—…ttend Gods worship seriously and therein to reâ—…e his special blessing who hath not found the â—…t advantage of our separation from all common â—…ess to attend holy work only on the Lords day â—… that feeleth no miss or loss of it sure never knew â—…t Communion with God is 2. And Servants â—…d be left remediless under such Masters as would â—… oppress them with Labour and restrain them â—… Gods service It is therefore the great mercy the universal King to secure the Liberties of the â—…vants and to bind all men to the means of their â—… felicity 3. And common reason will tell us that a Law obâ—…ing all men to spend one day of seven in Learnâ—… Gods Word and offering him holy Worship â—…st needs tend abundantly more to the increase of â—â—owledge and Holiness than if all men were left â—…heir own or to their Rulers wills herein 4. And common experience puts the matter of fact â—… of doubt that where the Lords day is most conâ—…nably spent in holy exercises there Knowledge â—…ty Charity and all Virtue do most notably prosâ—… And where the sanctifying of the Lords day â—eglected Ignorance Sensuality and Worldliness â—…nd O how many millions of Souls hath Grace â—…erted and comforted and edified on the Lords â—…es When men are obliged to hear read pray â—… praise God and to Catechize their Children and â—…vants as that which God requireth is it not liker â—…e done than if they be left to their own erroneâ—… backward sluggish minds or to the Will of â—…ers perhaps worse than they Q. 30. How is it that the Lords day must be sâ—… and Sanctified A. Not in diverting worldly thoughts wordâ—â—… deeds Much less in idleness or vain pastimes â—… least of all in such sinful pleasures as corrupt â—… mind and unfit a man for holy Work such as gâ—…tony drunkenness lasciviousness Stage-playes â—…mances Gaming c. But the Lords day is â—…cially separated to Gods publick Worship in Châ—… Communion and the rest to private and secret â—… exercises The primitive Christians spent moâ—… the day together And the publick Worship shâ—… not be only preferred but also take up as much of day as we can well spend therein Q. 31. What are the parts of Church-Service be used on the Lords day A. 1. The Reading of the Sacred Scriptures the Teachers and expounding them to the Peoâ—… Their preaching the Doctrine of the Gospel applying it to the case and Consciences of the â—…ers Their guiding them in the solemn exercisâ—… Gods Praise special Worship celebrating the Sâ—…ments especially that of Communion of the Bâ—… and Blood of Christ and that with such conjuncâ—… of Praises to God as that it may be fitly called Eucharist speaking and singing joyfully of Gods
by the laying on of the Apostles Hands the Holy Ghost was given And this not only to the sincere Christians but to some unsound Ones that sell away All that did Miracles in Christ's Name were not saved 4. Yea those that accused Christ as casting out Devils by Devils might have seen their own Children cast them out Matt. 12. And those that were seduced and quarrelled with the Apostles could not deny but they themselves had received the Spirit by their Preaching Paul appealeth to themselves when the Galatians were perverted Gal. 3. 1 2 3. O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the Truth before whose Eyes Iesus Christ hath been evidently set forth Crucified among you This only would I learn of you Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Are ye so foolish having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect by the Flesh He that ministreth to you the Spirit and worketh Miracles among you doth he it by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith If these Galatians had not the Spirit and such as work't Miracles among them would not this Argument have turned to Paul's reproach rather than to their Conviction Even Simon Magus was so convinced by the Spirit falling on the Samaritans that he was Baptized and would have bought the Power of giving the Holy Ghost with Money Act. 8. Their Sense convinced them And they that had the Spirit themselves must needs be sure of it Q. 22. Now tell me how We may be certain that all this History is true and that these things are not misreported by the Scripture A. I will speak first of the Gospel as such and then of the Book I. You must first know that the Gospel in the strict â—eâ—ce is the History and Doctrine of Christ necessary to be believed to our Salvation which is summarily contained in the Baptismal Covenant For men were Christians when they were Baptized and they were not adult Christians till they believed the Gospel 2. You must know that this Gospel was long preached and believed before it was written St. Matthew began and wrote eight years after Christs Resurrection and the Revelation of St. Iohn was written about ninety four years after Christs Birth Luke's Gospel about fifty and Marks about fifty nine and St. Iohns about Ninety nine from the Birth of Christ. 3. You must know that all the foresaid Miracles were wrought to confirm this Gospel preached before it was written 4. And that while the Apostles lived their Preaching had as much Authority as their Writing But they being to die were moved by the Spirit to write that they had preached that it might be certainly without Change delivered to Posterity to the end of the World For had it been left only to the Memory of man it would soon have been variously reported and corrupted 5. And you must know that this Scripture is so far from being insufficient as to the Matter of our Faith as that it containeth not only the Essentials but the Integrals and useful Accidents of the Gospel as a compleat Body hath every part and the very Ornament of Hair and Colour So that a man may be a Christian that knoweth not many hundred words in the Scripture but not unless he know and believe the Essentials of the Gospel 6. And you must note therefore that the foresaid Miracles were wrought primarily to confirm the Gospel and that they do confirm all the Accidental passages in the Bible but by Consequence because the same Persons by the same Spirit wrote them Q. 23. Proceed now to shew me the Proof which you promised A. 1. That there have been from that time Christians in the World is past all doubt acknowledged by the History of their Enemies that persecuâ—ed them And all these Christians were Baptized for Baptism was their solemn Christening And every one that was Baptized at age did openly profess to receive this same Gospel even to Believe in God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost renouncing the Devil the Lusts of the Flesh and the Vanities of the World 2. Yea all that were Baptized were before taught this Gospel by Teachers or Catechizers who had all but one Gospel one Faith and Baptism 3. And they were all tryed how they understood the foresaid General words and therefore they were opened in more words which we call the CREED which in Substance and Sence was still the â—ame though two or three words be added since the first forming of it So that every Christian being instructed by the Gospel and professing the Essence of it in the Creed and Baptism we have as many Witnesses that this Gospel was then delivered as there have been Christians 4. And no man doubteth but there have been Ministers as long And what was a Minister but a Preacher of this same Gospel and a Baptizer and Guide of them that Believe it 5. And none can doubt but there have been Christian Assâ—mblies from that time And what were those Assemblies but for the preaching professing and practising this Gospel 6. And none doubteth but they celebrated the Lords Supper in those Assemblies And the Celebration of that Sacrament containeth practically the profession of all the Gospel of Christ. 7. And none can doubt but that the Lords day hath ever since been constantly kept by Christians in commemoration of Christs Resurrection and in the performance of the foresaid Exercises And therefore the very use of that day assureth us that the Gospel hath been certainly delivered us 8. And all grant that these Churches had still the use of Discipline which was the censuring of such as corrupted this Sacred Doctrine by Heresie or sinned against it by wicked Lives And this could not have been if the Gospel had not been then received by them 9. Yea the Numbers and Opinions of Hereticks then are left on Record And they tell us what the Gospel then was by telling us wherein they departed from it 10. Yea the History of the Persecutors and Enemies tell us that this Gospel was then extant which they persecuted 11. The Old Testament was long before in the common possess on and use of the Iews They read it every Sabbath day And in that we see Christ foretold and abundance of Prophecies which in him are since fulfilled 12. Lastly the Sacred Scriptures which contain all that God thought needfull to be transmitted to Posterity for History and Doctrine have been most certainly kept and delivered to us so sure and full is our Tradition Q. 24. That Christianity hath been propagated none can doubt But how are we sure that those Christians of the first age did indeed see or believe that they saw and heard those Miracles A. 1. To be a Christian was to be one that believed them It was half their belief in Christ and in the Holy Ghost and so the very Essence of Christianity to believe that
Sanctifier and giving up our selves to him accordingly renouncing the contrary and laying on this Covenant all our Hopes of Grace and Glory Pardon and Salvation what can be more hainous than to be false to such a Vow and Covenant 10. And Hypocrisie it self is a hainous taking Gods name in Vain When we offer God the dead Carkass of Religious acts without the Life and Soul and present him with Ceremony self-exalting Pomp meer heartless words an artificial Image of Religion that hath not the Spiritual Nature Life or serious desire of the Heart This is seeking to mock God or making him like an Idol that seeth not the Heart and knows not what is offered him Alas how much of the Preaching Hearing Praying and Sacraments of many is a taking God's Name in vain as if he did accept a Lye 11. Another way of this Prophanation is making Gods Name and acts of Religion an engagement to wickedness As when men bind themselves to Treason Murder or any sin by taking the Sacrament As many Alas which I unwillingly Name have done â—n a blind zeal for the Roman Usurpation being told â—hat it pleaseth God and Saint Peter and meriteth â—alvation to destroy the Enemies of the Church that â—s of the Pope and his Clergy And those that â—ound themselves with an Oath to kill Paul thought God accepted the Oath and deed And the General Council at Laterane under Innocent the 3. which bound Temporal Lords to take an Oath to Exterminate such as they called Hereticks fathered the work on God by that Oath And the Pope and Council of Trent which hath brought in on all the Clergy a new Oath to many new and sinful things by that Oath make God the approver of all And the Mahometans that give liberty of Religion yet think â—t pleaseth God and meriteth Heaven to kill the Enemies of Mahomet And Christ saith They that kill you shall think they do God good service And is â—t not prophaning the Name of God to make him the Author of the murder of his Servants 12. Another way of taking Gods Name prophaneâ— and pleading it for Vanity and Lyes is by making God the determining first Cause of all the acts of men in the World as â—pecified by their objects and circumstances that is of all the Lyes and all thâ—… other sins that are done in the World As if Goâ—… had given no such free-will to men or Devils bâ—… which they can Lye Murder hate God or commit any sin till God move their Wills Tongue and Hands to do it by an unavoidable predetermining Efficiency This is so much to prophane aâ—… take in vain Gods Name as that it maketh him â—… Chief cause of all the Devils Works 13 Another way of vain abuse and prophanatâ—… of Gods Name is by Blasphemy and contempt aâ—… scorn of God or of the Word or wayes of Goâ—… And Alas who would think that this should â—… so common among men when even the Devils bâ—lieve and tremble I hope Posterity will account so odious as hardly to believe that ever there weâ—… mâ—n and so many men even in England who â—… to deride the Name Word Providence and Worshâ—… of God and make serious regard of God and Reâ—â—gion the common scorn and familiarly to wish â—… way of Imprecation as a by-word God damn me and to swear by the Name the Wounds and Blooâ—… of God 14. Lastly another way of taking Gods Name vain is by an unholy unreverent tossing of it in coâ—…mon talk in jest and on every Ludicrous occasioâ—… Playes and Play-books use it It 's made an ordinaâ—… accident to all Common and Prophane discoursâ—… Beggers prophanely begg by it Children cry by â—… O God and O Lord is become an Interjection Q. 7. Why do we take ordinary light Swearing sâ—…cially by God or by Sacred things to be a sure sign a wicked man A. Because it sheweth a predominant habit Prophaneness that the man liveth without the reverence of Gods Holiness Majesty Knowledge and Presence and is hardened into a senselesness or contempt of God and of his dreadful judgment as if he derided God or dared him or as if he did believe that there is no God that heareth him To â—ive in the fear of God and Subjection to his Government is the property of every godly man Q. 8. What is meant by the words The Lord will not hold him guiltless A. God will not leave him unpunished nor account this as a small offence He himself will be â—…venged for this sin Q. 9. Why is this threatning annexed more to this Commandement than to others A. Because this sin is 1. An immediate injury to God while it expresly fathereth Lyes and other sin on him it doth as we may say engage him to vindicate himself When Rulers or Usurpers pretend that God authorizeth them to do mischief and fight against himself when Persecutors and Corrupters of Religion pretend Gods Interest and Will for all that it is for Order Unity Government and Obedience for the Church that they corrupt destroy silence and tyrannize they invite God to cast the Lye and Cruelty back on them which they would father upon him and to turn their Canons Prisons and â—…nquisitions and other devilish plagues of the world upon the Author in disowning them himself 2. And they that by Perjury Hypocrisie false Doctrine and the rest of the forementioned sins do Appeal to God and make him openly the Author of â—…ll do thereby as it were Summon God to revenge â—…s they said to Paul Hast thou appealed to Caesar To Caesar shalt thou go so it may be said to the Perjured the Hypocrite the Usurper the false Judge c. Hast you appealed to God and do yoâ— father on him your Lyes Cruelties Tyrannies and Usurpations and false Doctrines To God shall yoâ— go who will undertake the Cause which you caâ— upon him and will judge the secrets of mens Hearâ— as he did Ananias and Saphira's If men sin undeâ— the Laws of men God requireth Magistrates to judge them But if they appeal to God or by falshooâ— escape the judgment of man they more immediately cast themselves on the Justice of God And it â—… a fearful thing to fall into his hands who is a consâ—ming fire God is the avenger specially on such Q. 10. Is it meant of Gods vengeance in this Lifâ— or in the next A. In both Usually Prophanation of Gods Naâ—â— and Holy things especially by Perjury and by â—â—thering Cruelty and Wickedness on God is moâ—â— notably punished by him in this life Though sucâ— may seem to prosper for a while God usually overtâ—keth them here and their sins do find them out But â—… they escape such Bodily punishment here they are usually more dreadfully forsaken of Grace than other meâ— and heap up wrath against the day of wrath I will only adde in the conclusion that even trâ—â— Christians should take great care lest their vâ—… Thoughts of God and their Prayers and
â—…fections and his Mercyes to man but speciall the wonderful Work of our Redemption and tâ—… in chiefly of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. â—â—e day is to be spent as a Day of Thanksgiving in â—oyful and praising Commemoration of Christs Resurâ—ection Q. 32. On dayes of Thanksgiving men use to Feast May we labour on the Lords day in providing Feasts A. Needless cost and Labour and sensual excess â—ust be avoided as unsuitable to spiritual work and â—ejoicing But such provision as is suitable to a Festival â—or sober holy Persons is no more to be scrupled â—han the labour of going to the Church or the Miâ—isters preaching And it 's a Laudable use for men to â—ear their best Apparel on that day Q. 33. What are the private duties of the Lords â—ay A. Principally speaking and singing Gods Praises â—or our Redemption in our Families and calling â—o mind what we were publickly taught and Catechizing Children and Servants and praying to God â—nd meditating on Gods Word and Works of Nature Grace and Glory Q. 34. Seeing the Lords day is for the Commemoration of Christs Resurrection must we cease the Commemoration of the Works of Creation for which the seâ—enth day Sabbath was appointed A. No The appointing of the Lords day is acâ—umulative and not diminutive as to what we were â—â— do on the Sabbath God did not cease to be our Creator and the God of Nature by becoming our Redeemer and the God of Grace we owe more â—raise to our Creator and not less The Greater â—nd the subsequent and more perfect work comprehendeth the Lesser antecedent and imperfect The Lords day is to be spent in praising God both as our Creator and Redeemer The Creation it self being now delivered into the hands of Christ. Q. 35. But is it not then safest to keep two dayes the seventh to honour the Creator and the first to commemorate our Redemption A. No For when the world was made all very Good God delighted in Man and Man in God aâ—… his only Rest. But upon the sin of Man God is become a condemning Judge and displeased with Man and the Earth is Cursed so that God is so far from being now mans Rest that he is his greatest Terrour till he be reconciled by Christ No maâ— cometh to the Father but by the Son So that now the work of Creation must be commemorated with the work of Redemption which restoreth it to iâ—… proper use Q. 36. But what if a man cannot be satisfied that the seventh day is repealed is it not safest for him â—â— keep both A. God hath laid no such task on Man as to dedicate to Religious Duties two dayes in Seven And he that thinketh otherwise it is his culpable Errour But if he do it conscionably without contentious opposing the Truth and dividing the Church for it good Christians will not despise him but own him as a Brother Paul hath decided that Case Rom. 14. 15. Q. 37. Why is mention here made of all within ouâ— gates A. To shew that this Commandement is not only directed to private Persons but to Magistrates and Masters of Families as such who though they cannot compell men to believe may restrain them from violating the Rest of the Sabbath and compell them to such external Worship of God as all men are immediately obliged to even all within the gates of their Cities or Houses Q. 38. What if one live where are no Church-meetings or none that he can lawfully joyn with A. He must take it as his great loss and suffering and with the more diligence improve his time in private Q. 39. What Preparation is necessary for the keeping holy that day A. I. The chief part of our Preparation is the habitual Holiness of the Soul a Love to God and his Word and Grace and a sense of our Necessities and Heart full of thankfulness to Christ which relisheth Sweetness in his Gospel and in Gods Praise and the Communion of Saints II. And the other part is Our endeavour to prevent all distracting hinderances and to enjoy the greatest helps that we can in the most suitable Means and to meditate before of the great mercy of our Redemption of Christs Resurrection the giving of the Holy Ghost and the everlasting Heavenly Rest which this prepareth for And to pray for Gods assistance and blessing CHAP. XXXVIII Of the the Fifth Commandement Qu. 1. WHat are the Words of the fifth Commandement A. Honour thy Father and thy Moeher that thy dayes may be long on the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q. 2. Doth this Commandement belong to the first Table or the second A. No man knoweth which of the two Tables of Stone it was written in by God But if we may judge by the Subject it seemeth to be the Hinge of both or belong partly to each As Rulers are Gods Officers and we obey God in them it belongs to our duty to God But as they are Men it belongs to the second Q. 3. Why is Father and Mother named rather than Kings A. 1. Parents are our first Governours before Kings 2. Their Government is deeplyer founded even in Nature and not only in Contract 3. Parents give us our very being and we are more obliged to them than to any 4. They have a natural Love to us and we to them so that they are justly named first Q. 4. Is it only Parents that are here meant A. No All true Governours are included but so far as the Commandement is part of the Law of Nature it bindeth us but to natural Rulers antecedently to humane Contract and consent and to those that Rule us by Contract but consequently Q. 5. What is the Power of Parents and Rulers which we must obey A. They are of various ranks and Offices and every ones power in special is that which belongeth to his own place and Office But in general they have power first to command Inferiors to obey Gods Laws And 2. To command them such undetermined things in subordination to Gods Laws which God hath left to their Office to determine of As Corporations make By-Laws by Virtue of the Kings Law Q. 6. What if Parents or Princes command what God forbids A. We must obey God rather than men Q. 7. Are we not then guilty of disobedience A. No for God never gave them power to contradict his Laws Q. 8. But who shall be Iudge when mens Commands are contrary to Gods Must Subjects and Children judge A. While we are Infants naturally uncapable of judging we are ruled as Bruits by our Parents But when we grow up to the use of Reason our Obligation to Govern our selves is greater than to be governed by others Gods Government is the first in order of Nature Self-government is the next though we are not capable of it till we come to some ripeness A man is nearer to himself than his Parents are and his happiness or misery depends
just we must defend them by all lawful means that is by Prayer to God by Argument by Petition to the King and by helping their Flight or hiding them And if a King would ravish or murder your Mother or Wife you may hold his hands while they escape as you may do if he would kill himself in Drunkenness or Passion But you may not on such private accounts raise a War against him because War is a publick action and under the Judgment of the publick Governour of the Common-wealth and not under the Judgment of your Parents or any private person Q. 13. But if the King Command me one thing and my Parents another which of them must I prefer in my obedience A. Each of them have their proper Office in which they must be preferred and obeyed Your Mother must be obeyed before the King in telling you when to Suck or Eat Your Parents must be obeyed before the King in matters proper to Family-Government as what daily Food you shall eat and what daily work for them you shall do and what Wife to choose c. But the King is to be obeyed before your Parents in all matters belonging to National Government Q. 14. But what if it be about Religious acts as what Pastor I shall choose What Church I shall joyn with how I shall spend the Lords day c. Must I prefer the King or my Parents in my Obedience A. While you are in your Minority and understand not the Kings Laws you must obey your Parents and if they command you any thing contrary to the Kings Commands they must be answerable for it as the Case shall prove some Commands about your Religion belong to your Parents and some to the King and they are accordingly to be obeyed It is not the Kings Office but your Parents to Catechize you to teach you to Read and Pray to choose your School-master or Tutor In these therefore your Parents are first to be obeyed And it is your Parents office to choose where you shall dwell and consequently to what Pastor you shall commit the conduct of your Soul And also how in the Family and in Private you shall spend the Lords day But the determination of all those publick Circumstances which are needful to be imposed on all Christians in the Land belongs not to your Parents but to the Supream Power Q. 15. But what if the King and the Bishops or Pastors differ about matters of Religion to be believed or done which of them must I obey A. If it be in things belonging to the Kings determination as what Translation shall be used in all the Churches when Synods shall meet who shall have the Tythes Glebe and Temples what National Fasts or Thanksgivings shall be kept and such like you must obey the King But if it be in things proper to the Pastoral Office as who shall be judged Capable of Raptisme or of the Lords Supper and Church-Communion Who shall be admonished â—xcommunicated or absolved by the Pastors what â—ext the Minister shall Preach on and on what â—ubject in what Method and in what Words what â—e shall say to troubled Consciences or to the sick â—r to others what words he shall use in Exhorâ—ation Prayer or Thanksgiving all these being part â—f the Pastors work you are to obey him in them all â—ut neither Prince nor Pastor have power against God Q. 16. But what if the Bishops or Pastors be diâ—â—ded which of them must we obey A. 1. Those that obey Gods Laws 2. Those â—hat impose the safest course where the matter on â—ne side is no sin when on the other we fear it is â— All other things being equal those that are most â—â—animous and concordant with the universality of Christians and the Primitive Church And our own Pastors rather than others And the Godly and â—minently wise before the ignorant and ungodâ—â— Q. 17. But what if the Bishop or Pastor who is â—â—er us differ from most in the Nation And if the National Bishops and Ministry differ from most other â—rreign Churches as England from France Spain â—â—aly Germany Moscovy the Greeks Armenians â—â—assines A. The things in which the difference is supposed must not be thus confounded either they are necessary points of Faith or Practice to all Christians in order to Salvation 2. Or else they are controverted Opinions not so necessary 3. Or else they are matters of local occasional mutable practice 1. As to the first All true Christians are agreed in all things necessary to our Common Salvation â—… any oppose these and draw men from the Church on that account he is a Heretick In this case Godâ— Law must be known to us all to which we must stick whoever gainsay it 2. In the second case of disputable less necessary Opinions we must suspend our judgements tiâ—… evidence determine them But judge them most probably to be in the right who are in those matter discerned commonly to have greatest skill and sincerity But the Ignorant cannot subscribe to any oâ— them in the dark 3. In the third case as what Time and Placâ—… we shall meet at what Subject we shall hear whaâ—… Catechism-questions we shall answer when we shaâ—… Communicate and with what individual Persons iâ—… what words the Assembly shall pray and praise Godâ—… c. we are to obey our own Pastors and noâ—… Strangers As every Wife is to be governed by heâ—… own Husband and every Child by his own Parentâ—… and every Servant by his own Master I scarce thinâ—… our Papists Monarchical or Aristocratical woulâ—… have an universal Husband Parent or Master or â—… Council of Husbands Parents or Masters of all thâ—… World or all the Kingdom set up for such acts â—… these Q. 18. But is there no Command to Parents Prinâ—… and Pastors for their duty as well as to Chilâ—…n and Subjects for theirs A. The Commandements written on stone were â—…cessarily brief and the duty of Rulers is here imâ—…yed and included Q. 19. What is the duty of Parents for their â—…ldren A. 1. To take due care of their Lives Health and â—…cessary Maintenance 2. To teach them when â—…ey are capable to know God and his Word his Doâ—…ine Laws Promises and Penalties to know â—…emselves their Souls their Relation to God their â—…ty to him their Original pravity and guilt and â—…nger To know Jesus Christ his Person Life â—…octrine Death Resurrection Ascension Glory â—…ngdom Intercession and Judgment To know â—…e Holy Ghost as sent by Christ to indite and â—…l the Scripture qualifie the Apostles and Evanâ—…lists to deliver infallibly Christs Commands and â—…ord them to all after Ages and accordingly setâ—… the Churches to confirm their Ministry by Miâ—…les and to sanctifie all true Christians to the end â—… the world To know the use of the ordinary â—…nistry and of the Communion of Saints To know â—… Covenant of Grace and the Grace of Pardon â—…option and Sanctification which we
which two General Councils have condemned his Body being a Spiritual Body now 4. They feign either himself to have eaten his own Flesh and Drunk his own Blood or at lest his Disciples to have done it while he was alive 5. They feign him to have been the Breaker of his own Flesh and Shedder of his own Blood and make him to do that which was done only by the Iews 6. They contradict the express words of the Scripture which three times together call it Bread after the Consecration in 1 Cor. 11. When yet they say It is not Bread 7. They condemn the belief of the soundest senses of all men in the World as if it were heresie All our Eyes Touch Tast c. tells us that there is Bread and Wine and they say there is none 8. Hereby they deny all certainty of Faith and all other certainty For if a man may not be certain of what he Seeth Feeleth and Tasteth he can be certain of no sensible thing For we have no Faculties but sence to perceive things sensible as such Nor any way to transmit them to the Intellect but by sense And we can no otherwise know that there is a Bible a Church a Council a Pope a Man or any thing in the World and therefore much less can believe any of them So that all Humane and Divine Faith are thus destroyed yea man is set below a Beast that hath the Benefit of sense 9. Hereby they feign God to be the grand deceiver of the World For things sensible are his Works and so is Sense And he makes us know no supernatural Revelation but by the intromission of some Sence And if God may deceive all men by the way of sense we can never be sure but he may do it otherwise 10. They set up Men who confess their own senses are not to be credited to be more credible than all our senses and to be the Lords of the understandings of all Princes and People in despight of sense And he that is to be believed before our senses is an absolute Lord. 11. They deny it to be a Sacrament For if there be no sign there is no Sacrament 12. They feign every ignorant drunken Priest every time he consecrateth to work greater Miracles than ever Christ wrought and so to make Miracles common and at the Wills of thousands of wicked men I must not here stay to handle all this But in a small Book call'd Full and Easie Satisfaction which is the true Religin I have shewed thirty one Miracles with twenty Aggravations which all Priests are feigned to work at every Sacrament Q. 10. What is it that is called the Mass which the Papists say that All the Fathers and Church used in every age and we renounce A. In the first Ages the Churches were gathered among Heathens and men were long Instructed and Catechized hearers before they were baptized Christians And the first part of the day was spent in publick in such Common Teaching and Prayer as belonged to all and then the Deacon cryed Missa â—est that is Dismist the unbaptized hearers and the rest that were Christians spent the rest of the time in such duties as are proper to themselves especially the Lords Supper and the Praises of God Hereupon all the Worship following the Dimission of the unchristened and suspended came to be called barbarously the Mass or Dismission And this Worship hath been quite changed from what it was in the beginning and the Papists by keeping the Name Mass or Dismission make the ignorant believe that the Worship it self is the same as of old Q. 11. What be the changes that have been made A. More than I may now stay to number Iustin Martyr and Tertullian describe it in their Time to be just such as the Scripture mentioneth and we now commonly perform that is In Reading the Scripture opening and applying it Praying as the Minister was able Praising God Baptizing and administring the Lords Supper After this Ministers grew less able and trusty and they decreed that they should pray and Officiate in set forms yet so that every Bishop might choose his own and every Presbyter must shew it to the Bishops and have their approbation The Creed Lords Prayer and Commandements and the Words of Baptism and Delivery of the Lords Supper were alwayes used in forms before After this they grew to use the same forms called a Liturgie in whole Provinces some Ceremonies were so Ancient that we cannot find their Original that is The Anointing of the baptized the giving them Milk and Honey to taste dipping them thrice cloathing them in a white Garment after to Worship with their faces toward the East and not to kneel in Prayer or Adoration any Lords day in the year nor any Week day between Easter and Whitsuntide and specially to observe those two yearly Festivals and Good Frydaies fast And quickly after the encouraging of persecuted Christians to suffer drew them to keep a yearly day at the place where a Martyr was kill'd or buryed to honour their memories and give God thanks for them After this they built Altars over them And they built their Churches where their graves or â—ome of their bones were laid and in honour of their memory called the Churches by their Names Next they brought their Names daily into the Church Liturgies And next they added to them the Names of such Bishops of those particular Churches as had left an honourable memorial behind them And the Lords Supper was celebrated much like as it is in our English Liturgy save these Names And thus far the changes were then accounted laudable and were not indeed such as should discourage any Christians from Communion Nor do we read of any that were against them Besides which they overvalued the use of Crossing But quickly though by degrees a Flood of Ceremonies came in and Popes and Prelates added at their Pleasure till Gods publick Worship was made quite another thing I. God who is a Spirit and will be Worshipped in Spirit and Truth is by Mass-Priests and Papists Worshipped by such a mass of Ceremonies as makes it like a Stage-play and representeth God so like the Heathens Idols delighted in Mummeries and toyish actions as is greatly to the dishonour of Religion and God II. They have brought in the Worshipping of God in a Language which the People understand not and praying for they know not what III. They have lockt up the very Scriptures from the people and forbid all to use it in their known Tongue translated but those that get a special License for it IV. They abolish all substantial Signs in the Sacrament as is aforesaid and say There is no Bread or Wine and so make it no Sacament V. They give the Laity the Bread only without the Cup. VI. They call the Consecrated Bread by the Name of their Lord God and taking it to be no Bread but Christs Body worship it with Divine
Worship which seemeth to me flat Idolatry VII They reserve it as their God long after the Sacrament to adore and to work pretended Miracles by VIII They solemnly celebrate a Sacrament before the Congregation where none communicate but the Priests and the People look on IX They say these Masses by number to deliver Souls out of the Flames of Purgatory X. They have many Prayers for the Dead as in Purgatory for their ease and deliverance XI They Pray to the Dead Saints to intercede for them and help them and to the Virgin Mary for that which is proper to Christ. XII They worship God by Images and adore the Images as the representations of Saints and Angels Yea and of God and some profess that the Cross and the Images of the Father Son and Holy Ghost are to be worshipped with honour participatively Divine These with abundance more and many false Doctrines on which they depend are brought into Gods publick Worship and called The Mass and are added by degrees to that sounder Worship which was called the Mass at first Q. 12. You have spoken much about the Consecration in the Sacrament What is it which you call the Commemoration A. It containeth the signal representation of the Sacrificing of Christ as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the World Where the Signs are 1. The Materials the Bread and Wine 2. The Ministers Breaking the Bread and Pouring out the Wine 3. The Presenting them to God as the Commemoration of that Sacrifice in which we trust and declaring to the people that this is done to this Commemoration The things signified are 1. Christs Flesh and Blood when he was on Earth 2. The Crucifying of Christ the piercing of his Flesh and shedding his Blood 3. Christs Offering this to God as a Sacrifice for mans Sin And this Commemoration is a great part of the Sacrament Q. 13 What think you of the name Sacrifice Altar and Priest here A. The Ancient Churches used them all without exception from any Christian that ever I read of I. As the Bread is justly called Christs Body as Signifying it so the Action described was of old called a Sacrifice as representing and commemorating it And it 's no more improper than calling our Bodies and our Alms and our Prayers Sacrifices Rom. 12. 1. Eph. 5. 2. Phil. 2. 17. 4. 18. Heb. 13. 15 16. 1 Pet. 2. 5. II. And the naming of the Table an Altar as related to this representative Sacrifice is no more improper than that other Heb. 13. 10. We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat seems plainly to mean the Sacramental Communion And the Rev. 6. 9. 8. 3. 5. 16. 7. and oft useth that word III. And the word Priest being used of all Christians that offer praise to God 1 Pet. 2. 5. 9. Rev. 1. 6. 5. 10. 20. 6. It may sure as well be used of those whose Office is to be Subintercessors between the People and God and their mouth to God in Subordination to Christs Priesthood Causless scruples harden the Papists We are not offended that the Lords day is called the Sabbath though the Scripture doth never so call it and a Sabbath in Scripture sence was a day of Ceremonial rest and the ancient Church called it the Christian Sabbath but by such allusion as it more commonly used the word Sacrifice and Altar Q. 14. But we shall too much countenance the Papists Sacrifice by using the same Names A. We can sufficiently disclaim their turning a Commemoration of Christs Sacrifice into the feigned real Sacrificing of his Flesh and Blood without renouncing the names Else we must for mens abuse renounce the name of a Sabbath too and a Temple c. if not also of a Church and Bishop Q. 15. You have spoken of the Sacramental Consecration and Commemoration What is it which you call the Covenanting part and Communication A. It containeth the Signs and the things signified as Communicated The Signs are 1. The Actual delivering of the consecrated Bread and Wine first Broken and poured out to the Communicants with the Naming what it is that is given them 2. Bidding them Take Eat and Drink 3. Telling them the Benefits and Blessings given thereby And all this by a Minister of Christ authorized thus to act in his Name as Covenanting promising and giving what is offered And on the Receivers part the Signs are 1. Freely taking what is offered the Bread and Wine 2. Eating and Drinking 3. Vocal Praise and Thanksgiving to God and Professed Consent to the Covenant Q. 16. What are the things signified and given A. I. 1. On Gods part the renewed giving of a Sacrificed Saviour to the penitent Believer 2. The Will and Command of Christ that as Sacrificers feasted on the Sacrifice so the Soul by Faith should thankfully and joyfully feast on Christ by hearty Acceptance of the free Gift 3. The actual Applicatory Gift of the Benefits of Christs Sacrifice which are 1. Our confirmed Relation to Christ as our Head and Saviour and to God as our Father reconciled by him and to the Holy Ghost as our Sanctifier and to the Church as his Kingdom or Body 2. The Pardon of our Sins by his Blood 3. Our right confirmed to Everlasting Life 4. The strengthening of our Faith Hope Love Joy Patience and all Grace 4. Christs Promise and Covenant for all this Sealed to us II. On the Receivers part is signified 1. That in the sence of his own Sin Misery and Need he humbly and thankfully receiveth his part in Christ as Sacrificed 2. That he endeavoureth by Faith to feast on him 3. And that he thankfully receiveth the Blessings purchased to wit his Relation to Christ as his Head to God as his Father and to the Holy Ghost as his Sanctifier and Comforter with the Pardon of Sin the Sealed Promise and Right to Heaven and all the helps of his Faith and other Graces 4. That he resolvedly reneweth the Dedication of himself to God the Father Son and holy Ghost as thus related to these ends Covenanting Fidelity in these relations and renouncing the contraries 5. Doing all this as in Communion with all the Church of Christ as being united to them in the same Head the same Faith and Hope and Love 6. Thankfully praising God and our Redeemer for this Grace Q. 17. Should not one prepare for the Lords Supper by Fasting and Humiliation before or how should we prepare A. We must alwayes live in habitual Preparation and special Fasts are not ordinarily necessary thereto the Primitive Church did communicate not only every Lords day but on other dayes when they met to worship God and therefore used not every Week to spend a day in Fasting for Preparation But as Christians must use Fasting on just occasions so must they do before this Sacrament in case that any hainous Sin or heavy Judgment or danger call for it and preparing