of God in vain A. Not always but only when we swear without just occasion Q. Is it ther lawful to swear A. Yes when we are lawfully called to it for so God himself teaches us and we have the example of Jesus Christ our Lord and of his Blessed Apostles Q. By whose name must we swear A. By Gods name according to what he himself teaches us Deut. 6. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shall swear by his name Q. Is it not lawful to swear by the Creatures as those of the Church of Rome who swear by the Saints by the word of the Cross and by Relicks A. No for that is putting the Creatures instead of the Creator as if they knew our heart and the truth of our Words and as if it belong d to them to take vengeance of our lies Q. How do you prove that it is not lawful to swear by any Creature A. By the formal words of God himself Jer. 5. How shall I pardon thee for this their Children have forsaken me and sworn by them that are not Gods Q For what is it lawful to swear A. For things grave and serious and which concern the glory of God and the edification of our Neighbour Q. When it it necessary to swear A. When it is commanded us by the Magistrate or when it is requisit to set peace and concord between our Neighbours according to that saying of the Apostles Heb. 6. That an oath for confirmation is an end to all strife Q Is it not lawful in swearing to use equivocation or mental reservation A. By no means for God hates the double of Heart and false Lips and for all Lyers is set apart the Lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. Q. What signifies these words that God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain A. The meaning is that he will rigorously punish him in this world by exemplary chastisements and in that which is to come by eternal punishments Q. But since there is a general threatning against all the transgressors of Gods Law why is there a particular one here A. It is to teach us how much God hath in horror the prophanation of his holy name and that he punishes none more rigorously than thâ— prophaners and blasphemers Q. What is then the design of this Commandment A. It is to direct our Tongue in the service of God and to teach us never to speak of God of his Justice of his Mercy of his Wisdom and of the effects of his Omnipotency without our heart be struck to the quick with the respect we owe to so high and so glorious a Divinity Of the fourth Commandment Q. SAy the fourth Commandment A. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou and thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-servant and thy Maid-servant thy Cattle and the Stranger that is within thy Gates for in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it Q. Why is it that God makes use of this way of speaking remember thou A. It is to teach us that this Commandment is of great importance and that there is nothing more ordinary to man than to forget what God commands him Of the Law Quest OF what day is it here spoken A. Of the seventh day of the week that we call Saturday Q. Why is it that God calls it a day of rest A. Because in that day he would that every one shou'd leave the work of his ordinary caling to attend his worship Q. How do we keep holy the Sabbath day A. In calling upon the name of God in readling and meditating upon his word in being present with Devotion in the assembly of Saints and in exercising the works of charity and beneficence Q. Is the Commandment of keeping holy the Sabbath day Political Ceremonial or Moral A. There is in it something Political something Ceremonial and something Moral Q. What is Political therein A. Gods commanding Masters to let their Man Servant and their Maid Servant to rest that day and even their Beasts Q. What is Ceremonial therein A. First the precise keeping holy the seventh day of the week Secondly the strict observation of not doing any corporal work that day Thirdly that this corporal rest is the figure and Image of the spiritual rest of our Souls and of the Celestial rest wherein we shall for ever rest from all our labours Q. What is Moral in it A That there may be a certain day consecrated for the publick worship of the Divinity Q. Doth this Commandment belong to Christians A. Yes in what it is Moral there must be then Pastors and an holy order established in the Church and that the faithful meet together to glorifie God with one accord to hear the preaching of his Word to participate of his Sacraments and to do Works of Mercy and therefore we are forbidden to forsake our mutual assemblies Heb. 10. Q. What day is now appointed for those publick exercises of Devotion and Piety A. It is the first day of the week that we call Sunday or the Lords day Q. Why was the day of rest changed from Saturday to Sunday A. To distinguish the Christians from the Jews and principally it is because in that day our Lord Jesus Christ rose again from the dead and ended the work of our Redemption Q. Who made that alteration A. The blessed Apostles of the Lord Jesus or rather the holy Ghost who inspired them Q. Where is it spoken of the abolishing of the Sabbath A. In the second Chapter of St. Paul's Epistles to the Colos Let no man judge in Meat or in Drink or in respect of a holy day or of the Sabbath day Q. Where is mention made of Sunday A. In the 20th Chapt. of the Book of Acts in the 16. of the first Epistle to the Corinth it is spoken of the first day of the week in which the faithful meet to participate of the exercises of Piety and twice that day Jesus Christ appeared to his Disciples after his Resurrection as it is written in his Gospel according to St John c. 20. Q. But even the word Sunday is it found in Scripture A. It is found in Rev. c. 1. where St John saith I was in the Spirit * So it is in the French Version on Sunday Q. Why is it that God gives himself for an example here A. To render the Commandments more venerable and to oblige us to obey thereunto so much more religiously Q. Will God be imitated in all things A. No but in those only wherein he gives himself for an example for there are things which he
the Devotions they profess for the Sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ hear his Voice and follow him but they hear not the Voice of Strangers contrarily they fly from him John 10. and those honour God in vain who teach for Doctrine the Commandment of Man Matthew 15. Q. Do you believe that the Church wherein you have been educated and bred up to be a true and pure Church A. Yes by the grace of God for the word of God is preached therein in all purity the Sacraments are administered in it according to the Institutions of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Divine Service established therein in the same simplicity as it was in the Apostles time Q. Why is the Church called â—oly A. Because God hath separated it from the rest of the World and hath consecrated it to his Service and because Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might Sanctifie and present it to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Ephes 5. Q. What is the sanctity of the Church A. The Sanctity of the Triumphant Church is perfect and accomplished but that of the Militant Church hath many Faults and Imperfections wherefore she is taught to say every day to God forgive us our Trespasses Q. How is it then that she is called Holy A. Because it gives and applies it self to sanctity that hath the beginning of it that it arrives to perfection and that one day it shall obtain it in the Kingdom of Heaven Of the Conmunion of Saints Quest IS it lawful to Trust in the Merit and in the satisfaction of Saints A. By no means for every one shall bear his own burthen Gal. 6. It belongs to Jesus Christ alone to bear our Iniquities and satisfie for us to the Justice of God 1 Pet. 2. There is no other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved Acts 4. Q. Of what Saints do you believe the Communion A. Of the Saints Triumphant in Heaven of the Faithful fighting on Earth and of the one with the other Q. In what consists the Communion of the Faithful on earth A. In that they have all the same God for Father the same Jesus Christ for a Saviour and the same Spirit for Comforter they obey the same Gospel and participate of the same Sacraments they have the same Faith and the same Hope they long for the same Inheritance and do communicate to one another the goods which God imparted them they feel the afflictions of one another and work together for their mutual Salvation Q In what consists the Communion of the glorified Saints A. In that they enjoy the same glory and felicity that they contemplate the fear of the same God and agree together to celebrate his praises Q. In what consists the Communion of the Militant Church with the Triumphant A. In that we have all the same God and the same Saviour that we are all moved by the same Spirit and inflamed with the same Charity and that we have the same desire to see Jesus Christ upon his Throne and the whole Church carried up in Body and Soul in the fulness of Glory which is prepared her from the foundation of the World Of the Remission of Sins Quest WHat signifies the article of Remission of sins A. We believe that God of his free Will for Jesus Christs sake forgave all poor repenting sinners their offences Q. Is there none but God that forgives sins A. There is none but God alone that forgives them with Authority and with absolute power Matt. 2. Q. And how is it that Pastors forgive sins A. As Ministers and Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Of the Resurrection of the Body Quest WHat do you mean by the Resurrection of the Body A. That in the last day God will command the Earth the Sea and the Sepulchre to deliver up the dead and then the just and the unjust shall rise again from the dead the one in Resurrection of Life and the other in Resurrection of Condemnation Rev. 20. Dan. 12. and John 5. Q. Do you believe that this same flesh which shall have been eaten up by the worms and reduced into dust may and shall rise again A. Yes for nothing is impossible to God and he is true in his promises wherefore we may say with Job I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth and though after my skin worms devour this Body yet in my flesh shall I see God and my Eye shall behold him Job 19. Q. How shall our Bodies rise again A. They shall invest in corruption immortality light and glory 1 Cor. 15. And shall be rendred conform unto the glorious body of our Saviour according to the Apostles saying Phil. 3. we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorio us body Q. What shall become of those who at the Resurrection day shall be living on earth A. They shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last Trump and we shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thess 4. Of Life Everlasting Quest WHAT is the life everlasting that you believe A It is the spiritual and heavenly life which we shall for ever live in Paradice with Jesus Christ and his Triumphing Angels Q. How many different degrees hath that Life A. Three one in this life what it pleases God to give us the first fruit of his Spirit and the foretaste of the delight of Paradice The â—econd when our Soul leaves this Corporal Taâ—ernacle to put on the eternal dwelling which is â—n Heaven and the third after the Resurrection when in bodâ— and in soul we shall enjoy the good things which the eye did not see that ear did not hear and that entred not into the heart of Man Q What are the principal benefits we shall enjoy â—n that glorious life A. To know God perfectly and to contemâ—late him face to face to love him intirely â—nd to love nothing but in him and for the â—ove of him to have an accomplished sanctity â—ee from all defects to enjoy permanent joy â—hich may be felt through all the faculties of â—or souls and bodies and lastly to be rendred â—ike unto God himself for when we shall see â—im as he is we shall be like him 1 John 3. The End of the First Part. Of good WORKS PART II Quest BY what means do we hope to be saved A. Through the death and passioâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Since Jesus Christ redeemed us by his deaâ— and passion is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for that he hath redeemed us from the hands of our Enemies it is to the end that we may serve him without fear in holineâ— and righteousness all the
and who shed blood in a just War do they sin against this Commandment A. No for God himself taketh the name of God of hosts and when the Souldiers asked St John the Baptist what shall we do he did not bid them lay down their Arms and go ye no more in the War but do violence to no man neither accuse any falsly and be content with your wages Q. You have said what God forbids here but what is it that he commands us A. That we preserve the life of our Neighbour with all our power and that we forsake him not in his wants for whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him â—ow dwelleth the love of God in him 1 Joh. 3. Of the seventh Commandment Q. WHat is it that God forbids in the seventâ— Commandment A. Not only fornications adulteries and all the filthiness of the flesh but also all that makes way for such filthiness as gluttons drunkenness filthy thoughts obscene words all indecent gestures dissolute pictures and lascivious looks for whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Matt. 5. Q. And what doth God command here A. That we be chaste in our thoughts in our words and in our actions and as St Paul speaks 1 Thess cap. 4. that every one of us possess his vessel in sanctification and honour Q. Is plain fornication forbidden A. Yes most assuredly one may read the express prohibition thereof Deut. 23. there shall be no whore of the Daughters of Israel nor any * There is just the English Sodomite which includes here a Fornicator as may appear by the fore going and my Ld Bishop of Bath and Wells in his Note on this place observes that the word in the Hebrew Text may be rendered Whore-monger prostitute to fornication of the Sons of Israel and to shut up the mouth to all gain-sayers the Apostle St Paul 1 Cor. 6. expresly distinguishes fornication from adultery in saying that neither fornicators nor adulterers shall inherit the Kingdom of God and our Lord himself saith Rev. 21. that the Whore-mongers shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Of the eighth Commandment Q WHat is it that God forbids us in the Eighth Commandment A. Not only robbery and theft but generally all unlawful means to enrich our selves by another's goods and to take possession thereof by cheat or by extortion by force or by violence One must remember what St Paul saith Eph. 4. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour with his hands that he may have to give to him that needeth and what the same Apostle saith 1 Cor. 6. thieves shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Q. What is it then that God commands in this eighth Commandment A To have nothing that is not lawfully made our own and to preserve our Neighbour's good as well as our own Of the ninth Commandment Q. WHat is it that God forbiddeth in the ninth Commandment A. Not onlâ—â—â—se witness before the Magistrate and to the prejudice and ruin of our Neighbour but generally all sort of calumny and â—lander Q What difference do you put between calumny and slander A. It is a calumny when we invent something against our Neighbour's good name and when we raâ—se a false reâ—â—rt against him Exod. 23. Q. And whaâ— is plain slandering A. Wâ—â—â—â—he thing one speaks of is true but instead of speaking of it to him who is gui ty thereof that he may correct himself or to his superiours that they may see to it one makes a particular discourse thereof against what is said in the 19. of Levit. thou shalt not go as a tale-bearer among thy people thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer sin in him Q. What is it that God commands here A. That instead of giving our mouths or our ears to slander we preserve with all our power the good name of our Neighbour and that our charity hide his faults Of the tenth Commandment Q. WHat is the sense of the tenth Commandment A. That we submit to the providence of God and unto the dispensation he hath made of his Graces that our Eye be not evil because he is good that we do not wish for the good he hath bestowed on others and that we be not envious but that we be contented with our condition according to what the Apostle saith Heb. 13. Let your Conversation be without covetousness and be contented with such things as you have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Q. Is all sort of covetousness forbidden by God A. Covetousness of itself is a thing indifferent but it becomes good or evil according to the object it embraces wherefore the Apostle exhorteth us to covet spiritual gifts 1 Cor. 12. and 14. Q. And to covet things that God forbiddeth us is it not a sin A. Yes most certainly for what is against the Law of God is sin 1 John 3. and St. Paul several times calls it a sin Rom. 7. Of the summary of the first Table Q. WHat is the summary of the first Table A. That we love God above all things and that we love nothing but in him and that we serve him with all our might and for his sake and even that we hate all that opposes the love and obedience we owe him Of the summary of the second Table Q. WHat is the summary of the second Table A. That our love be without dissimulation Rom. 12. that we do for others as we would be done by for it is the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7. End of the second part PART III. Of Prayer Q. WHat are the works wherein the faithfu man ought principally to exercise himself during this life A. Towards his Neighbour it is charity for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.11 towards God it is Prayer for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Joel 2. Q. Why do you direct your prayer to God A. Because God hath commanded it and that he promises to hear us call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me Ps 50. Q. To whom did the faithful of the old Testament direct their Prayer A. They directed them all to God as it appears every where in holy writ and especially in the Book of Psalms which contains an infinite number of Prayers not one being directed to any but God Q. In the name of whom and through whose merits do you pray to God A. In the name and through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ as himself teaches it in St. John 16. verily verily I say unto you whatsoever you shall ask the father in my name he will give it you We are an holy Priest-hood to offer spiritual
spheres of the Planets and of the Stars and it is in that Heaven that God hath placed the Tabernacle of the Sun as it is said Ps 19. The third is the heavenly Paradice where St. Paul saith he was caught up and heard unspeakable words 2 Cor. 12. of this third heaven it is here spoken Q Is God contained in that Heaven A. The heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him The heaven is his Throne and the Earth is his Footstool 1 King 8. Isaiah 8.66 Q. Why do you say then that God is in Heaven A. Because it is there where he makes manifest his Glory in a particular manner and where the triumphant Saints and the Angels of Light praise and worship him without ceasing There thousand thousands minister to him and ten thousand times ten thousand stand continually before him Dan. 7. Of the first Petition Q. IN how many ways is the name of God taken A. In three principally first for his fame as it said Ps 8. O Lord our God how excellent is thy name in all the Earth Secondly for the names God makes himself known by as the Prophet Jeremiah saâ—s cap. 28. the name whereby he shall be called is the Lord our Righteousness Thirdly for God himself as it is said Joel 2. whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Q. In how many ways is the word hallow taken A. In three first for rendring a thing holy that was not so before thus the Holy Ghost sanctifies us and makes us new Creatures Secondly for dedicating and consecrating for an holy use Thus Moses sanctified Aaron and his Sons and all the Utensils of the Tabernacle Lastly for acknowledging and making manifest the sanctity of a thing which in itself is holy And thus it must be taken here Q. What signifies then that the name of God be hallowed A. That God be acknowledged adored and glorified every where in the world Of the second Petition Q. HOw many sorts of Reigns or Kingdoms are there A Three the reign of Nature the reign of Grace and the reign of Glory Q. What do you mean by the reign of Nature A. That which God exercises generally over all creatures and of this reign it is spoken Psalms 93. the Lord reigneth he is cloathed with Majesty Q What do you mean by the reign of Grace A. That which Jesus Christ exercises on Earth by his Spirit in his Church and in the heart of his Elect. Our Lord speaks of it St. Luke 17. the Kingdom of God comes not with observation neither shall they say lo here or lo there for behold the Kingdom of God is with you Q. And what is the reign of glory A. It is the glorious felicity which waits for us in heaven where we shall reign with Jesus Christ for ever and ever Rev. 22. and it is in that respect that he will say to us in the last day come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World Mat. 25. Q What difference is there between the reign of grace and that of glory A. They do not differ in kind but only in degree for grace is glory begun and glory is grace compleated wherefore the one and the other is called the Kingdom of God Q. What reign is spoken of in this petition Thy Kingdom come A. It is not of the reign of nature but of the reign of grace and of that of glory Q. â—ow is that A. It is that we pray to God that he will lead all thoughts prisoners to his subjection and that he will hasten the vengeance of his Enemies â—nd the glorious deliverance and magnificent triumph of his Children according as the bride cries out Rev. 22. Come Lord Jesus come Of the third Petition Q. HATH God more than one will A. Properly speaking God being an Act most pure and most simple there can be â—n him but one only will but to make himâ—elf be understood by us and to suit himself to â—ur infirmities he speaks to us of two sorts of â—ills Q. Which be they A. The one is his eternal Councel touching â—hings that he is pleased to do or permit of the which the Apostle speaks Eph. 1. he preâ—estinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will The other is the Declaration what he will have us do wherefore the same Apostle speaks Thes 4. This is the will of God even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication Q. Of which of these two wills must this Petition be understood thy will be done A. Of both Q. How A. It is that we pray God to make us to be subject to the conduct of his providence in such manner that whatsoever befals us we may say as the faithful â—cts 21 the will of the Lord be done and on the other side that he will give us Grace to obey his holy commands and with David to say to him with all my heart Ps 143. teach me to do thâ— will for thou art my God Q What signifies what is added in Earth as iâ— is in Heaven A. That we may submit to all that God doth and that we may apply our selves to do all whaâ— he commands us with the same humility the same zeal and the same promptness as the Angels in heaven who admire all his works and who fly to the execution of all his Commandments Q May we hope for such perfection here A. Not absolutely but at least we ought to aspire to it and to apply our selves therein â—iâ— we come to Heaven where there shall be nâ— defect in our obedience and where we shall seâ— God face to face 1 Cor 13. Of the fourth Petition Q. WHat do you mean by the bread which you beg of God A. I mean all things necessary for the sustenance and maintenance of this temporal life and it is the ordinary stile of holy Scripture Q. Why is it that God comprehends all sorts of sustenance under the name of bread A. To teach us to be content with what is necessary without begging of him what is delightful or to use them soberly and with thanksgiving if through his liberality he gives them us Q. What do you mean by our bread A. That which is necessary for us which is our own and that we do eat in the sweat of our brows Q. Since it is ours why do we beg it of God A. Because all our labour is useless without the blessing of God who enriches or impoverishes when it pleases him Q. Why do we beg bread of God but for one day A. To teach us to rely on his providence and on his paternal care and to oblige us to call upon him every day Q. But doth God forbid us all sort of care A. He forbids not the care of an holy forecast Contrarily he sends us to the School of Ants Proverbs 6. Go to the Ant