Church least I throw my self out of visible hopes of Salvation Q. What is the next Article A. The Communion of Saints Q. What is meant by the Saints A. The People of God and members of Christs Holy Catholick Church because 1. They are in part Holy here 2. shall be perfect Saints hereafter Q. What Communion is here believed A. 1. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. Their Communion with the ever Blessed Trinity as Sons of God Members of Christ Sanctified by the Holy Ghost 2. Their Communion of Gifts for each others edifying 3. Their praying with and for each other 4. Their relieving of each others wants to their powers Q. What improvement do you make of this Article A. 1. B. Pearson on Creed p. 359. It shews the priviledges of Gods people who have an interest in Gods mercies and in each others gifts 2. It may ingage us to communicate our gifts and to pray for each other 3. It should disengage us from all fellowship with sin and sinners as much as may be Be not with them here whose company you desire not hereafter 4. It should engage our labours after holiness that we may be Saints Q. What is it to believe the Remission of sins A. 1. That we are all sinners and every one is obliged to ask pardon in the Lords Prayer B. Pearson on Creed 370. Isa 64.6 and to believe it obtainable in the Creed 2. That as we are sinners every one needs Gods pardon because as such we deserve his anger and cannot satisfie it by the world or our Righteousness Ephes 2.2 2 Cor. 5.18 Psal 49.6 7. 3. That thro Christs merits and mediation Gods justice is satisfied and mercy obtained so that we may returning have a pardon Luke 24.47 1 â—ohn 1.8 9 10. 4. I in this Article declare I am obliged to return from sin by a true Repentance and through Christs merits I may obtain from God the Remission of sins Q. What is it to believe the Resurrection of the body A. That this flesh or body of ours which is or may be buried and turned to dust shall be raised again and live Q. How do you prove the Resurrection of the Body A. 1. Mat. 22.32 Christ pleads it from Gods being God of Abraham after he was dead and that he is God of the living 2. God can as easily unite our dust into our bodies as he did at first make our bodies of nothing 3. God is the God of the whole man Leigh 's Body of Divinity p. 1150. and will raise our bodies that as they have been Co-workers of sin or holiness here they may be Co-sufferers of punishment or Co-partakers of Glory hereafter 4. Mat. 28.14 Mat. 27.53 1 Cor. 15.19 1 Cor. 15.36 Several instances of dead bodies which have been raised prove it 5. If we rise not Christ is no compleat Saviour because then death and the grave are yet unconquered and we most miserable 6. The Resurrection is dayly manifested to us the day dyeth into night and riseth again in the morning Corn dyeth in the earth and riseth again to bring forth fruit Q. How prove you this body shall rise again A. This very body as to its substance shall be raised again tho it shall then have other qualifications 1. Calvin Instit lib. 3. Cap. 25. Sect. 4.8 Else it is no Resurrection but a new Creation 2. The word Resurrection or reviviscence signifies that very body which was dead shall live and which was buried shall arise 3. Gods justice pleads for it the same and not another body must be punished or glorisyed for the Evil or good done here 4. Christ and others prove it to be so B. Pearson on Creed p. 382. They arose with their same bodies they had when alive Christs body when raised had the print of the Nails and Spear which it had at its Crucifixion Q. What improvement do you make of this Article A. 1. Cor 6.18 1. Not to slight our bodies which with our Souls shall enjoy an Eternity 2. 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. Not to prostitute them to sin and Satan which we hope ere long shall be glorifyed 3. It may comfort us under all troubles and natural infirmities or deformities when our bodies are raised again they shall all be done away Rev. 21.4 4. It may arm us against all trouble Phil. 3.20 ere long all sorrow shall cease 5. It may make us not fear death our bodys which suffer most gain by it and shall arise in glory fashioned like Christs glorious body 1 Thes 4.17 6. It may make us not too much mourn for our dead Friends they are but gone before and we in due time must follow 13 Q. What is meant by the life Everlasting in the Creed A. Luk. 16. Mat. 2â— 34 41 46. I believe that there is an everlasting Life of bliss or misery to be expected by us and every of us hereafter shall be stated in one of them and this the Heathen apprehended 11 Q. Why is the state of the damned called a Life A. 1. B. Pearson on Creed p. 389. There shall be a vital union between Soul and body of them which shall never be dissolved 2. They shall live for ever in torment Q. Why then is this state called a death A. 1. Death is more eligible then it 2. they are deprived of Gods gracious and glorious presence which is the life of the Soul 1 Tim. 5.6 without which Souls in Scripture are said to be dead 3. They are ever in killing Torments Q. Is it just that eternal torments should be inflicted on sinners A. 1. Yes They sinned their Eternity on Earth yea will continue sinning for ever in Hell and while they sin God may justly punish 2. They sinned against an infinite God and therefore deserve an infinite punishment Crimes are much agravated from the object against whom they are as a word against the King may by the Law of the Land deserve death which probably might be no great offence against a private man and consequently sin against God may reasonably deserve Eternal death He being an Eternal King 3. They refused an Eternal life offered them on Earth and therefore it is but just they should be punished to Eternity Q. How is this Eternal life ours A. 1. By Gods free gift thro Christ Rom. 1 Pet. 1.9 6.23 2. By our Faith laying hold on Christ and living to him Q. Is it not given as a reward to our merits as well as Hell is a punishment of our sins A. 1. No for we owe our obedience to God as Creatures 1 Cor. 6.19 Rom. 6.23 Isa 64.6 Phil. 2.13 2. If we perform it not we are by his law condemned as sinners 3. We cannot perform duties so perfectly as we ought and if we did yet we should but do our duty and could not merit Luke 17.18 4. nothing is our own properly but sin which deserves
of that dignity he is admitted to by being a Christian a Name in which the Primitive Christians Gloried And we still honour with precedence to our Sirname it being better not to have been born then not to be a Christian 4. This Teacheth him not to stain his Christian Name by sin we are careful to act without dishonour to our Sirname or Family and the Consideration of our Christian Name should engage us not to act any thing unbecoming our Religion This practice would best silence Disputes and gain most Proselytes whereas its neglect causeth Divisions amongst men and dishonours God How can either Jew or Gentile be encouraged to embrace our Religion when God â—y all manner of sin is dishonoured and Christs â—ospel scandalized Let not the Name be â—ithout the Life of a Christian 5. 2 Pet. 2.21 Heb. 10.38 It is a constant warning to continue Christians to our lives end we account it 〈◊〉 shame as men to disown our Names And as Christians should not be ashamed â—f our Profession 6. Gen. 13 8 1 John 4.7 11. John 13.35 The Remembrance of this Name enâ—ageth a mutual love among Christians who are fellow Brethren by Nature and â—ellow Christians by Grace and fellow Solâ—iers by Baptism Love was and is the true mark of Chriâ—â—ians Q. Who gave you this Name A. My Godfathers and my Godmothers in my Baptism wherein I was made a member of Christ a Child of God and an inheritor of the Kingâ—om of Heaven Q. What is in this Answer considerable A. Three things 1. The Givers of my Name My Godfathers and Godmothers 2. The time when it was given In my Baptism 3. The Priviledges I was by Baptism admitted to A Member of Christ c. Q. Who were the Givers of thy Name A. My Godfathers and Godmothers Q. Who are those A. Book of Common-Prayer in pub Bapt. Persons engaged to God and hâ— Church in the stead and behalf of me to gether with my Parents to see me broughâ— up to lead a Christian and a godly life Q. Have these Persons any other Title bâ— sides Godfathers and Godmothers A. Yes some who scruple the Name but own the thing call them Sureties anâ— Witnesses Q. Why are they called Sureties A. Because by them the Child is entreâ— into the Baptismal Covenant and theâ— are in the name of the Child engaged tâ— God and the Church Ch. Cat. in Dec. Sacram. as much as in them lie to see the Child brought up in the true Râ—ligion And as such our Church owns thâ— Q. Why are they called Witnesses A. 1. They are Witnesses that the Chiâ—â— by Baptism is received into Christ's Churcâ— 2. They are Witnesses to testifie to thâ— Child when grown up that it was Baptized and so may proceed to the partakinâ— of other Ordinances And this hath been a laudable Custom in thâ— Church above 1200 years saith * Leigh's Bâ—ly of Divinity l. 8. â— 8. p. 928. Mr. Perkin Q. Why are they called Godfathers anâ— Godmothers A. 1. They are engaged to God and hâ— Church as Spiritual Parents to see the Chilâ— Baptized brought up in the Principlâ— and Practices of the True Religion 2. They are engaged as in God's Cause so for his sake on the account of Religion to take care of God's Glory and the Childs welfare Q. What reasons are there for the use of Godfathers c. Buxtorf Syn. Jud. l. 1. c. 2. Isa 8.2 3 4. Jun. Tremel in loc Lu. 1.59 Plat ina in Vita Hâ—gini Hooker 's Polity l 5. s 64. A. 1. It was the practice of the Jews at the naming of their Children at their Circumcision to have those by called Sponsors by them by others Witnesses and Sureties and by us Godfathers 2. It was the practice of the Church under the New Testament 3. It was the practice of Christ's Church almost ever since as History manifests as an Expedient to propagate the Gospel and Christian Religion That if the Natural Parents were ignorant and could not or wicked and would not bring up their Children in the true Religion These Godfathers and Godmothers might Or if the Natural Parents were by Persecution taken away or otherwise dyed or Apostatized from the Faith Lest he Children should be brought up in Heathemsm The Church of Christ wisely and tenderly practiced what it had grounds for from all Antiquity the joyning of other persons with the natural Parents as Godfathers and Godmothers engaging them on Gods account to take care for the Child 's good Education Q. Though Godfathers and Godmother might have been necessary in those times 〈◊〉 Persecution yet why are they used now in oâ— times of Peace A. 1. They are as necessary now as everâ— if we consider that tho we have yet thrâ— God's mercies peace in the Church yet wâ— know not how soon Persecution may attend us Walker's Medest Plea c. 9. sec 7. 2 Tim. 3 1. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. p. 63 2 Tim. 3.4 5 6. 2 Pet. 2.1 2. And it may be reasonably feared the Child now Baptized may live to seâ— Troubles for Religions sake in these lasâ— daies and worst times 2. If God should be pleased to bless them with peace in Church and State yet the consideration of those Errors and Heresies that Schism and Division the Age too much abounds with will pload it necessary to have Godfathers c. to have the Child brought up in the principles of the true Religion 3. If to these we add the sad Prophaness Debauchery Atheism and Impiety of this Generation it will appear greatly necessary to engage persons to take care Children be brought up in the sear of God and the practice of Religion It is sad indeed the thing is so much abused which causeth it to be so slighted yet this pleads it not to be unlawful to be used let it be seriousâ—â— and Christianly undertaken faithfully and conscientiously discharged and then the benefit thence arising will demonstrate it convenient to be retained to prevent persons Shipwrack of Faith and Conscience Q. When was this Name given A. In my Baptism As agreeable 1. Gen. 21.3 4. Isa 8.3 4. Luk. 1.59 and 2.4 To the practice of God's people under the Law when the Children received their Names at their Circumcision 2. Agreeable to their practice under the Gospel 3. At Baptism the Children are received into Christ's visible Church and then as being owned visible Christians they receive their Christian Names 4. Sueton. Nero. Claud. Caes c. 6. Calvin Instit l. 4 c. 15. s 1 The Heathens had their days of washing and then they had their Names Q. What are the Priviledges the Child receives by Baptism A. Three 1. Membership with Christ I am made a Member of Christ 2. Adoption A Child of God 3. Heirship of Glory An inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven Q. What is meant by our being Members of Christ A. Members relate to a Body Col. 1.18 Eph. 4.16 and Christ calls
ought to be the improvement of Christs Exaltation A. Col. 3.1.2 Heb. 4.16 Psal 2. last 2 Pet. 3.10 11. 1. To rise and ascend after him in affection and holiness of life 2. To pray with boldness to him who sits interceding for us 3. To close with and be at peace with him who shall judge us 4. To watch our thoughts words and actions 5. To judge our selves dayly 6. To be always ready to meet Christ at the judgment-seat Acts 24.15 since we know not how soon where how nor when he may call us who are alive as well as those who are dead to judgment The Creed being considered as to God the Father and Son Q. What is the third object of our faith A. The third person of the Trinity God the Holy Ghost Q. Why is he called Ghost A. Gen 1. 1. Because God is a Spirit 2. He is a Spirit Q. Why is he called Holy A. 1 John 5.7 1. Because he is Holy in himself 2. The author of all holiness in us Q. Acts 5.3 4. B. Pearson on Creed p. 220. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 How is the Holy Ghost proved to be God A. 1. By Scripture 2. The Attributes of God are given to him Psalm 139.3 The works of God as Creation Gen. 1. Sanctification John 16.4 He is the Author of the Scriptures but they were written by men inspired by God Q. What is it to believe in the Holy Ghost A. 1. To believe the Truth of the Article That there is an Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of God Which also the heathens seem to speak of 12 2. To attend to and obey his motions 3. To prize and improve his ordinances Q. What do the remaining Articles of the Creed concern A. The Consequences of the former the priviledges of a state of grace and glory belonging to Gods Creatures redeemed by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Ghost Q. Which are they Answ Five 1. Church-membership 2. Communion of Saints 3. Remission of sins 4. Resurrection of body 5. Life everlasting Q. Why is it not said I believe in the Holy Catholick Church A. 1. God is the only object of our Faith 2. Implicite Faith or to believe as the Church believes may be amiss Every one ought to believe for himself Q. What then is meant by the Church A. Hookers Polity lib. 3. sect 1. The Church of Christ is invisible of all true Christians and visible of all Christian professors Q. Why is the Church called Holy and Catholick A. They are the two marks of the true Church of Christ without which no Church is true Q. Ames Bel. Enervat Tom. 2. Cap. 3. Why is Christs Church called Holy A. 1. From the better part of the Church the true Christians 2. From the desires after holyness it's members true Christians have Homil. of Engl. on Whit-Sunday 3. From the commands of their God obliging to holiness 4. From the Holiness of it's ordinances Q. Why is it called Catholick A. Leigh 's body p. 623. 627. 1. It 's Doctrine ought to be the Catholick or universal rule of all Churches through the world and so in it's first institution it was Catholick 2. It is a Church continuing it's Doctrin through all ages since Christ Fox Acts vol. 1. p. 10. 887. vol. 3. p. 489. 576. 3. It 's called Catholick because it includes the whole world of Christians every Christian is part of some particular Church and all the particular Churches of Christ make one Catholic Church 4. It is called Catholick because it includes both Sexes and all sorts and degrees of Men and Women high and low rich and poor 5. It must be holy as well as Catholick B. Pearson on Creed p. 335. or else it is Satans Synagogue not Christs Church it's Doctrines must be pure nor must it tolerate any vice in practise Q. What do you believe in this Article A. 1. 1 Co◠12.20 27. Eph. 4.5 That Christ hath a People dispersed through the whole world whom he owns and who serve him in holiness 2. That tho in many places yet it is but one Church having one God one Christ one Faith one Baptism 3. It Shews Romes folly in confineing the Catholick Church to it's self as if Rome was the whole world Q. Is not the Church of Rome the Holy Catholick Church here meant A. No The Church of Rome as now it is in principle and practice is neither Catholick nor Holy 1. It is not Holy Dr. Brevints Samuel and Saul at Endor Dr. Lloyd on funeral of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey all sins are here tolerated Murder and Rebellion in some causes accounted meritorious B. Lincolns Popish principles pernicious to Protestant Princes p. 34 57 60 61 62 63 95 96 97 102 105 111. But Romes sense of its own impiety makes it seldom plead for it's holiness tho it cry aloud for its being Catholick which cannot be granted 1. For its present Doctrines and practices are not agreeable to the Catholick rule of the Scriptures She commands worshipping of Images Scripture forbids it She raceth out the second Commandment the Scripture contains it c. 2. It is not Catholick its Doctrines have not been received ever since the Apostles time most of their opinions differing from Scripture and us are proved not owned for 600 years after Christ 3. Nor are they Catholick as to the places receiving them Many Nations have thrown off the Popish Yoke and Antichristian tyranny 4. That can be no holy Catholick Church of Christ which opposeth Christ in his person and all his offices as the Church of Rome in principle and practice doth Deut. 4. Their Images or pictures of Christ oppose his Deity which cannot be pictured Their Transubstantiation destroy his humanity whereby they make him to be in many places at one time Their Purgatory merits works of Supererrogation worship and Prayer to Saints and Angels destroy his Priesthood and make him but half a Saviour their contempt of Scriptures and equalling Traditions with it owning it no further the word of God then their Church or Pope allow it opposeth his prophetic office together with their prohibiting Gods word or service to be in the common tongue of a Nation their blasphemous Titles of the Pope his usurped power of Heaven and Hell and obliging persons on pain of damnation to the observance of his pleasure Dr. Brevint Sam. and Saul at Endor Cap. 1.2 oppose his Kingly office But all these would be laid aside if Rome was reduced to primitive and Catholic purity Q. What do you learn further by this Article of the Catholick Church A. 1. That I ought not to rest in a bare profession of Religion only but to labour after it's practice also the Church of Christ is Holy as well as Catholick 2. Calvin Instit l. Cap. 1. sect 10. That I ought to take heed of rash Sects and divisions whereby I may forsake this Holy Catholick
day be changed to the first for the foregoing Reasons yet is a seventh day kept still The first day is observed because of Christs Resurrection for our Redemption and every first day which is every seventh day after Christs Resurrection is observed in memory of our Creation our Gracious Redeemer being also our Great Creator 7. Our Churches Service pleads its Divine Authority Communion Service in Command in that after the rehearsing this Fourth Commandment as well as after the other it puts us in mind to beg of God to incline our hearts to keep this Law which implies that our Church thinks our Christian Sabbath kept on our first day of the Week to be of Divine Authority and that in our due keeping of that we observe this Commandment Q. Is the Commandment Moral and Obliging us A. 1. Yes it had the same Author the other had Gen. 2.2 the Eternal God 2. It s Observation was Instituted before any Ceremony was before Christ was promised or any Type of him manifested 3. It was enjoyned to the stranger as well as the Jew 4. Ezek. 31 13.14 15 Num. 13.32 God usually accounts it as a sign between him and his People for ever 5. Examples of Gods Judgments on its Profaners Exod. 35.2 Jerem. 17.27 6. It is still a Command in force else there are but Nine Commandments and the Authority of the Law-maker God himself is opposed Q. What is in this Commandment disswaded from A. 1. All want of due Preparation for the Observance of our Sabbath 2. All Worldly Employs that might be done before Isa 58.13 Neh. 13.15.19 20. or safely may be omitted till the day after 3. All sins and sinful Pleasures and Pastimes 4. All neglect of Gods Ordinances in Publick and of Family Duties in Private Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. To rest from all unnecessary works of our Calling 2. To Dedicate that Rest to God and to spend every day as a rest from sin 3. To Sanctifie the Sabbaths rest 1 by publick and private Acts of Religion 2. By works of Mercy and Charity towards our Neighbours Q. What are the Motives to enforce the Observance of this Precept A. 1. It is introduced more Solemnly than the rest with a Remember 2. It is placed between both Tables as if both depended on its Observance or if as the last of the first Table its Observance perfects our Duty towards God 3. It is highly reasonable God might have Commanded Six days for his own Service and have left us but one day for our Employs but he requires but one and leaveth us six 4. We have no reason to expect a Blessing on our days of Labour if we neglect our Duties to God in his day of Worship 5. It is delivered both Negatively and Affirmatively that we might no ways avoid its Obligation Gen. 2. John 20. Ezek. 20 6. God himself Christ himself and the Men of God in all Ages have been exemplary in its Observance 7. It is a great Priviledge to any People to be admitted to speak to God in making known their wants and to have God speaking to them in making known their Duties in the Ordinances of the Day Amos 8.11 A Famine of the Word is the worst of Punishments 8. Amos 8.5.8 11. Sabbath-breaking hath generally been a sin pulling down Vengeance on Nations And indeed God may justly remove means of Grace from those who so neglect and slight them and it may be feared Judgments may hang over us when mens Tongues cry buder to damn themselves than to obtain Mercy from God Q. What improvement ought to be made of this Commandment A. 1. Rev. 2. 3 Chap. To lament the slight and abuse Gods Ordinances have met with among us which may justly provoke God to remove his Gospel from us 2. Phil. 1.27 It may teach us for the future to prize and improve them better 3. Josh 24.15 To take care not only our selves but our Families also serve God our Children have God for their Father and our Servants have him for their Master both ought to serve him Q. What is the sum of the Commandments of the Second Table A. Church Cat. Duty to Neighbour That I love my Neighbour as my self and do to all Men as I would they should do to me Q. What do the Commandments of the Second Table respect A. The Duty to be performed to our selves and Neighbours in Relation to Soul and Body Life Estate and Reputation Q. What is the Fifth Commandment which is the first of this Second Table A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q What doth this Commandment engage A. 1. A laying aside all undue Thoughts unbecoming Speeches or unsuitable Actions in any of our Relations 2. A performing of all due Honour Love Fear Care Obedience and other Duties to all our Relations Q. What Relations may man herein be considered A. 1. Some more especially implyed As 1. The Relation of Nature as Parent and Child whereby we have Duty to pay to Natural Parents 2. That of Magistrate and Subject where our Civil Parent is considered 3. That of Minister and People where our Spiritual Parent is Observable 2. Some more remote Relations may yet be hence inferred as 1. Conjugal of Husband and Wife 2. That of Masters and Servants 3. Of Age and Youth 4. Of Rich and Poor In all these Relations and Conditions Man may be considered and every one of them commands Duty from him Q. What are the Duties of the Natural Relation of Parents and Children A. 1. The Parents Duties are 1. To Instruct their Children in the Fear of God Ephes 6.1 4. Colos 3.21 2. To provide for them 3. To Correct them for evil 4. To dispose of them to Callings and in Marriage 5. To be a good Example to them 6. To Pray for and Pray with them Ephes 6.2 3. Colos 3.20 2. Childrens Duty to their Parents are 1. Love 2. Honour to their Persons 3. Obedience to their Lawful Commands 4. Vindication of their Reputation 5. Relieving their wants to their Powers 6. Praying for them Q. What are the Duties of your Civil Relation of Magistrates and Subjects Rom. 13.3 Rom. 13.4 A. 1. The Duties of Magistrates are 1. To establish the True Religion 2. To Protect their People 3. To preserve Peace if it may be 4. To Punish Sin 5. To be a good Example in the Observance of the Laws 6. To promote the good of the Nation 7. To Pray for his People 2. The Duty of Subjects are 1. Honour Calvin Instit l. 1. Cap. 4. Homil. of Eng. on Obed. Rom. 13.1.2 5 6. 2. Obedience active to all Lawful Commands and passive to others suffering the Punishment of the Law not Rebelling against the Law-maker 3. To pay Tribute and Taxes 4. To Defend with Lives and Estates their Person and Kingdom 5.