in his Body A. Because he was to redeem our Bodies and our Souls it was also needful that he should suffer in his Body and his Soul from thence comes what he said in the place that was called â—ethsemane My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Matth. 26. and on the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27 Of Jesus Christ's Death Quest HOW did Jesus Christ die A. He did not die as God for the Godhead is Immortal but he died as Man his Soul having been separated from his Body Q. Why did he die A. Because he had made himself our security and that the wages of Sin is Death Heb. 7. Rom. 6. Q. What is Sin A. Sin is the Transgression of the Law Joh. 3. Q. What fruit have we of the Death of Christ A. First by his Death he hath fully satisfied unto the Justice of God for our Sins and hath obtained for us Eternal Redemption Heb. 9. Secondly he hath swallowed up Death in victory and destroyed him who had the Empire of Death that is the Devil and delivered them who through force of Death were all their life-time subject to Bondage 1 Cor. 15. Heb. 2. Q. Since Jesus Christ underwent the pain that was due to our sins whence comes it that we are still subject to afflictions A. The afflictions wherewith God visits us are not the punishments of a Judge but the Chastisements of a Father and salutary Tryals and signs of his Love For whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Heb. 12. Q. Why do we die since Jesus Christ died for us A. The Death that God sends us is not a satisfaction to his Justice and we ought not to have it in horror it is not so much a Death as a passage to the Blessful life according to the saying of our Lord St. John 5. he that believes oâ— me shall not come into Condemnation but to pass from death to life Q. But how do we hope in dying to go to Heaven since no impure thing can enter into the heavenly Jerusalem A. Our hope is grounded upon the Blood of Jesus Christ who cleansed us from all Sin as St. John teaches us in the first Chapt. of his 1. Epistle Q. After our Soul is separated from the Body is it not to suffer in a Purgatory before it enters into Eternal glory and felicity A. By no means for there is no Condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. The Blood of Jesus Christ washes us from all Sins 1 John c. 1. Blessed are those which die in the Lord for they rest from their labours and their works follow them Revel 14. Therefore our Souls desire to leave this Body to be with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5. Q. Were all the Sufferings of Jesus Christ ended at his Death A. Yes Wherefore before he gave up the Ghost he cried out with aloud voice all is finished John 19. Of the Burial of Jesus Christ Quest WHY was Jesus Christ buried A. First to shew that he was really Dead Secondly to teach us not to have an horror of our Graves Thirdly to make us die unto Sin and to bury all Carnal Lusts Rom. 6. Of Descending into Hell Quest WHAT do you mean by Jesus Christs descending into Hell A. This Article doth not differ much from the preceeding and signifies nothing else but that Jesus having been laid in his Sepulchre he remained there for a time in the state and condition of the Dead wherefore in some antient Creeds where mention is made of the Burial of Jesus Christ they speak not of his Descent into Hell Q. But can the word Hell signifie the Sepulchre A. It is the ordinary stile of Scripture and namely Ps 141. Our Bones are scattered at the mouth of Hell that is to say at the Graves mouth Q. And may descending into Hell be taken for descending into the Sepulchre and to be laid in the state and condition of the Dead A. It is also the stile of the holy Languages as in Gen. 37. where Jacob crying for his Son Joseph said to his other Children I will go down into Hell unto my Son mourning chap. 42. you shall bring down my Grey-hairs with sorrow into Hell Q. How do you prove that this Article of the Creed must be thus understood A. By St. Peter who makes appear visibly in Acts the 2. That the words of the Kingly Prophet David Ps 16. Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see Corruption cannot properly be applied to David whose Body remained in the Sepulchre but belongs to our Saviour Jesus Christ who did not see Corruption and who did not remain in the Sepulchre Q. What became of our Lord Jesus Christs Soul when he died A. He commended it into his Fathers hands as he said himself Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and it was received into Paradice according to what he said untâ—â—he converted Thief Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradice Luke Chap. 23. Q. But went he not into the Limboes of the Faâ—hers A. In all the Scripture it is not spoken of this pretended Limboes and it is a meer Invention of Man's Of the Resurrection of Christ Quest HOW long was the Body of Christ in the Sepulchre A. He was buried on Friday Night and Sunday Morning next he rose from the Dead Q. Why did he rise again from the Dead A. Because he had fully satisfied the Justice of God his Father and that being the Prince of his Life he could not be detained by the bonds of Death Acts. 2. Q. Did the Body of our Saviour Jesus Christ receive any change by his Resurrection A. The Resurrection gave it a glory that it had not before but did not take away the Truth of his Nature wherefore he said to his Apostles Behold my Hands and my Feet handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as you see me to have Luke 24. Q. What Fruit have we of our Lord Jesus Christ's Resurrection A. First God having opened to him the Gates of Death hath made known that he was absolved from all the Sins for which he passed thro them and that we were absolved in him as the Apostle says That he was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our Justification Rom. 4. Secondly the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is to us an assurance that one day we shall rise again in Glory as the Apostle teaches 1 Cor. 15. Lastly by Jesus Christ's Resurrection we rise again in Newness of Life Rom. 6. which makes us say with St. Peter in the first Chapt. of his first Epistle Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead Of the Ascension of Jesus Christ
thou sluggard consider her ways and be wise He commands the Fathers to make provision for their Children if any provides not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denied the Faith and he is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5. but he condemns the care of mistrust such as that of the Heathens who say what shall we eat what shall we drink or what shall we put on Mat. 6. Q. But rich men who have riches ready heaped for many years ought they to beg that of God A. Yes for it is not enough to have riches in abundance if God gives us not the use thereof and man liveth not of bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Mat. 4. Of the Fifth Petition Q. SAY the Fifth Petition A. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us Q. Are all the faithful obliged to beg that A. Yes during their abode in this vale of tears for there is not a just man upon Earth that doth good and sinneth not and if we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us Eccles 7. 1 John 1. Q. Is there none but God that can forgive sins A. Who can forgive sins but God only Mark 2. I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake and will not remember thy sins Isa 45. Q. How is it then that the Pastors of the Chruch forgive sins A. They forgive them not as Judges and by form of Jurisdiction but as Ministers and Ambassadours who declare the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ we are Ambassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. Q. How is it that God forgiveth us our sins A. He forgives us all our offences * Of his free will is in the French version tho not in the English of his free grace Col. 2. Q. But can he show mercy without wronging his Justice A. Yes For Jesus Christ bore our sins in his own body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2. we have redemption through his blood for the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Ephes 1. Q. Do you mean that those to whom God hath forgiven their sins for Jesus Christ's sake have no more need to satisfie his Justice A Yes For there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. he that believeth on him shall not come unto condemnation but is passed from death to life John 5. Q. From whence comes then that the most regenerated and the best of people are subject to so many afflictions A As Christ ought to have suffered and so to enter into his glory Luke 24. likewise we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14. but all those afflictions are ended with our life Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord yea saith the spirit â—or from this time forward they rest from their â—abours and their works do follow them Rev. 14 Q. When you add forgive us our trespasses as â—e forgive them that trespass a ainst us do you â—ean that in forgiving men their offences you deâ—erve that God forgive you yours A. By no means it is as of similitude and not of equality for when we forgive our Neighbours we do nothing but what we ought to do and there is no proportion between the trespasses we forgive and those that God forgives us O Lord righteousness belongs unto thee but unto us confusion of face Dan. 9. Q. What do you think of those who say this Prayer every day and notwithstanding are possessed with a spirit of revenge A. To speak properly they don't pray to God but they make an imprecation against themselves For if we forgive not them their trespasses our heavenly Father shall not forgive us ours and there shall be judgment without mercy on him that hath shewed us mercy Mat. 6. Jam. 2. Of the sixth Petition Q. HOW may sorts of temptations are there A. Two sorts one which is nothing else but a profitable tryal and of that it is spoken Gen. 22. where it is said that God did tempt or tried Abraham the other is a solicitation to Evil of which St James speaks in the first Chapter of his Epistle let no man say wheâ— he is tempted I am tempted of God for Goâ— cannot be tempted with Evil neither temptetâ— he any man but every man is tempted wheâ— he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed then when lust hath conceived it bringeth fort sin and sin when it is finished bringeth fort Death Q. Of what temptation do we speak here whâ— we say to God lead us not into temptation but dâ—liver us from Evil A. Of both but with very great diversity Q. â—ow do you understand it of the first A. That we pray to God not to afflict us beyond what we can bear and that our temptation be but such as is common to man and that he will with the temptation also make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10. Q. How can this be understood of the second sort of temptation since God never leads and induces men to do evil A. It is that we pray to God not to leave us to our selves nor permit that sin overcome us but to arm us with the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Ephes 6. Q. Who is that wicked one you pray God to deliver you from A. It is the Devil that is so called because of his deep wickedness thus the Apostle St Paul calls him in the second to the Thessalonians ch 3. the Lord is fatihful who shall establish you and keep you from * The wicked one so theâ—e is in the Fr. Version and not from evil as the English but in Dr. Hammonds Paraphrase on this ch there is noted in the margin the evil one the wicked one Of the Conclusion Q. WHAT contains the Conclusion of this admirable Prayer A. As many arguments as there be words to incite our good God to grant us our requests for since that to him belongs the kingdom the power and glory it is just and reasonable that he be worshipped served and obeyed all over the Universe and consequently that his name be hallowed that his kingdom come and that his will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Q. What signifies this word Amen A. It signifies so be it or it shall be so so that it is aâ— vow that we make to God with assurance that he shall hear it from his heavenly sanctuary End of the third Part. PART IV. Of Recognition or Acknowledgment Q. WHAT is the Recognition that we owe to God A. It is to acknowledge with our heart and to confess with our mouth that we enjoy no good but what proceeds
7. And from whence proceeds what is evil in them A From the residue of our Corruption Section 5. Q. 1. ARe our good works agreeable to God A. Yes Q. 2. How is that since you say that they are imperfect A. Because God in his mercy bears with the infirmities of his Children Q. 3. Of what use are good works A. To glorify God to edify our Neighbours and to let us know that we are the Children of God Q. 4. Are our good works any thing deserving toward God A. By no means for when we shall have done all what God commands we are obliged so to do Q. 5. How then do you hope for Life everlastg A. As the heritage of my heavenly Father that hath been acquired for me by Jesus Christ Q. 6. But it is written that nothing defiled shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven A. It is true Q. 7. By what means then shall ye be purged of your sins A. Through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ Section 6. Q. 1 How do you apply to your self the merit of the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ A. Through Repentance and Faith Q. 2. How many sorts of deaths are there A. Two Temporal death and Eternal death Q. 3. What is Temporal death A. It is the separation of the Soul from the Body Q. 4. What becomes of the souls of the wicked in the hour of this separation A. They are cast into Hell Q. 5. And those of Gods Children A. They go into Paradice Q. 6. And what becomes of the Bodies A. They die to rise again in the last day Q 7. What is the death of the faithful then A. It it is a pass-over to the blissful life Section 7. Q. 1. WHom do you direct your Prayers to A. I direct them to God Q. 2. In whose name do you pray to him A. In Jesus Christ's name Q. 3. Do you not call upon the Angels nor the Saints A. No. Q. 4 Why A. Because God did not command it and that in all his word there is no example thereof Q. 5. Must Images be used in the worship of God A. No. Q 6. Why A. Because God forbids it in the second Commandment Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing c. Q. 7. How must we worship God then A. In Spirit and in truth Section 8. Q. 1. WHich is the rule of Gods service A. It is the holy and divine word Q. 2. Where do you find that word of God A. In the holy Scripture of the old and new Testament Q 3. Is it lawful for Children to read the Scripture A. Yes to follow the example of Timothy who from his Infancy learnt the holy Scriptures Q. 4. What doth this word of God teach us A. It makes us wise to Salvation through the Faith which is in Jesus Christ Q. 5. Hath God added nothing to his word to strengthen our Faith A. He added thereunto his Sacraments Q 6. What is a Sacrament A. It is a visible sign which seals an invisible Grace Q. 7. How many Sacraments are there in the Christian Church A. There are two Baptism which is the Sacrament of our Regeneration and the Lords Supper which is the Sacrament of our spiritual nourishment Section 9. Q. 1. IN the name of whom have you been baptized A. In the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. 2. Why are little Children baptized A. Because the Kingdom of God belongs to them and that under the old Testament little Children were circumcised Q. 3. What does the water of Baptism represent A. It represents the blood of Jesus Christ who redeems us and the Holy Ghost who sanctifies us Q. 4. Are the bread and the wine transubstantiated in the Lord's Supper into the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ A. No for it is not said in Scripture and it is repugnant to sense and reason Q. 5. Are the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with the bread and in the cup A. No for our Lord Jesus Christ did not teach it and that doth not agree with the truth of his humane Nature Q. 6. Why is it then that the bread is called the body of Jesus Christ broken for us and that it is said of the wine that it is his blood which was shed for the remission of our sins A. Because it is the memorial thereof Q 7. Where is our Lord Jesus Christ A. As God he is every where but as Man he is in heaven at the right hand of God his Father Section 10. Q. 1. HAve we not any communion with Jesus Christ himself A. Yâ—s bâ—â— it is a spiritual Communion Q. 2. How â—â—h he communicate himself to us A. By his Spirit Q. 3. And how do we unite our selves to him A. Through Faith Q. 4 Must Jesus Christ be offered in propitiaâ—ory sacrifices A. No. Q. 5. VVhy A Because he did sacrifice himself and did not command to sacrifice him and no body can Q. 6. VVhy is it that with the bread which is broken in the Lord's Supper the consecrated wine is distributed A. It 〈◊〉 to represent to us the precious blood of Jesus Christ which was shed for us on the Cross and to assure us that in him we have entire nourishment Q. 7. Ought the faithful people to participate of the cup as well as the Pastors A. Yes for Jesus Christ makes no distinction therein he redeemed us all by the same blood and commanded us all to drink of his cup and to shew forth his death till he come Section 11. Q. 1. WHat must we do before we come to the Lord's Table A. We must examin our selves Q. 2. What doth happen to those who do not examin themselves A. They communicate to their condemnation Q. 3. And what fruit received those who examined themselves A. As the bread and wine nourishes our Bodies in this temporal life the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ nourishes their Souls in hope of everlasting life Q. 4. In what consists the examination of those who desire to receive worthily A. They ought to examine themselves to know whether they have Faith Repentance and Charity Q. 5. What is Faith A. It is an holy confidence that God loves us and that for Jesus Christ's sake he will be merciful unto us and save us in his heavenly Kingdom Q. 6. How can true faith be discerned from carnal presumption and security A. It is known by its fruits for it produces good works and fructifies in Charity Q. 7. From whence can we have that Faith A. We must beg it of God who gives it of his pure Grace and Liberality Section 12. Q. 1. WHat is Repentance A. It is to sorrow for passed sins and living better for time to come Q. 2. By whâ—â— do we know that we truly repent A. If we abhor evil and take pleasure to do good Q. 3. Who is the Author of
days of our life anâ— that we may be to him a peculiar people zeaâ—lous of good Works Luke 1. Titus 2. Q. Of what use are good works A. To glorifie God and edifie our neighbouâ— let your lights so shine before men that theâ— may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5. Q. Are they of no other use A. They are also the marks and livery of God Children and the seal of our Adoption and 〈◊〉 our union with Jesus Christ wherefore thâ— Apostle St Peter exhorteth us to make our caâ—ling and election sure by good works 2 Pet. Q. Can man do good works in the state of 〈◊〉 corrupted nature A. No for all the imagination of the thoughâ— of Man's heart are nothing but evil continually and of our selves we are not able to think a gooâ— thought Gen. 6.8 1 Cor 3. Q. By what means then do we good works A. By the efficacy of the grace of God anâ— by the virtue of his spirit of adoption For as the Apostle saith in the second to the Phillip It is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure Q. After God hath made us partake of his grace and of his spirit of Regeneration and our good Works is there nothing more wanting is my Sanctification wholly perfect A. Who is he who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from sins Prov. 20. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us 1 Epistle of St John c. 1. Therefore the most forward in sanctification beg of God every day that he will forgive them their sins Q. But is it not to speak evil of the holy spirit to say the works that we do by his grace are full of defect and imperfection A. By no means for we give him all the praise and all the glory of what 's good in our works and we acknowledge these defects and imperfections came from the residue of our Corruption the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other so that we cannot do the things that we wou'd Gal. 5. Q. But if God wou'd cou'd he not sanctifie us perfectly in this life A. There is no doubt that he might make us as holy and as perfect as we shall be in Heaven but he will make us know more and more the greatness of our natural Corruption he will put some difference between the place of Combats and Victories and the place of Triumphs he will that we may work incessantly to put off the body of sin and that we may sigh after the glorious estate wherein we shall be undefiled and without spot saying with the Apostle Iâ— have not yet obtained and I am not yet perfect but this one thing I do forgetting thâ—se things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press forward the mark for the price of Heaven calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. Q. Since our best works bear always the mark of our infirmities are they agreeable to God A. Very agreeable because he holds them in his great mercy and that as a good Father he bears with their defects and our Lord Jesus Christ covers them with his infinite merit wherefore St Peter says that we offer up in spiritual Sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ iâ— his first Epistle Chap. 2. Q. Since our good works are agreeable to God can it be said that they are meritorious of everlasting life A. By no means for when we shall have done all that is commanded us we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. and the wages of sin is Death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6. we are saved bâ— grace through Faith and that nor oâ— our selves it is the gift of God not through works that none may glory in himself Eph. 1. Q. Whence comes then that it is often spoken of reward and that the Apostle says That Piety hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. A. Because in effect God rewards our good works both in this and in the eternal life but â—t is not with a deserved reward nor with the â—allary of a Servant but a reward from his free will and of such a sallary as a good Father gives â—is Children to encourage them to do well wherefore God speaks of shewing mercy even â—o those who obey his Commandments â—â—x 20. Q. May we not then trust upon our good works â—nd pray to God that in vertue of those works he â—ill receive us into his glory A. Contrarily we ought to say with the Proâ—het David Enter not into judgment with thy â—ervant for in thy sight shall no man living be â—ustified if thou Lord shouldst mark our iniâ—uities O Lord who shall stand but there is â—orgiveness with thee that thou mayest be â—eared Ps 143 and 130. Q. How do we dare then to approach the Throne â—f God and to appear before his face A. We approach with assurance thereunto â—ecause it is a Throne of grace and mercy and â—at the face of God is pacified towards us â—rough our Lord Jesus Christ who of God is â—ade unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and â—nctification and Redemption Heb. 4. and Cor. 1. Q. Which are the good works A. It is not those that men invent of themâ—lves what good intention soever they may â—ve in it but only those which God comâ—ands and which one conforms to his holy â—ord wherefore our Lord Jesus Christ saith â—hat in vain they worship God who teacheth â—r Doctrines the Commandments of men â—at 15. Q. And which are the bad Works A. All those that are not conformable to his Divine Commandments therefore the Prophet sends us to the Law and the Testimony Isaiah 8. Of the Law of God Quest BY what rule then must we examine our good and our bad Works A. By the Law of God Q. How many sorts of Laws are there A. There are three the political or judiciary Law the ceremonial Law and the moral Law Q. What is Political Law A. It is that which contains all the Ordinances that God had made for the civil Government of the people of Israel Q. What is the ceremonial Law A. It is that which God hath given to rule the external works of his Worship Q. What is the Moral Law A. It is that which directs our Manners and which ought to be the pattern of our life Q. Ought we to keep the Political Law A. No not as to the particular Ordinances and several Circumstances that were concerning the state of the Commonwealth of Israel but as to the bottom and essence it teaches alâ— Lawgivers of the World wherein consists the true justice and true equity Q. Ought we to observe the ceremonial Law A. By
confession thereof as I will now do before thee saying with thy Church I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth and Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the Right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I believe in the holy Ghost the holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the forâ—â—veness of Sins the Resurrection of the body and the life everlasting Amen Lord who didst write thy Law on tables of Stone be pleased to engrave it in my heart with the finger of thy Spirit and give me grace to conform the course of my life thereunto The ten Commandmets of Gods Law Preface I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table I. THou shalt have none other God but me II. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God and visit the sins of the Father upon the Children â—â—to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. 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 V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt do no Murther VII Thou shalt not commit Adultery VIII Thou shalt not Steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Servant nor his Maid nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is his The Summary of all the Law Matt. 22. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind This is the first and great Commandment and the second is like unto it thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets Psalm 143. V. 8. Lord cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning for in thee do I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my Soul unto thee 9. Deliver me O Lord from my Enemies I fly unto thee to hide me 10. Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness 1 John 5.21 Little Children keep your selves from Idols Amen Epitome of the Catechism for the Little Children First Section First Question Q. WHY do you name your self a Christian A. Because through the grace of God I believe in Jesus Christ and I profess his truth Q. 2. Who is Jesus Christ A. He is the only Son of God Q. 3. Is he God or Man A. He is true God aâ—d true Man Q. 4. Why was it needful that he should be God and Man A. It was needful for him to be Man to die and God to overcome death Q. 5. How many Gods are there A. There is but one and it is he who made Heaven and Earth Q. 6. How many persons are there in that only Essence A. Three the Father the Son and the holy Ghost and these three are one Q. 7. How is it that this great God makes himself known A. By his works his word and his spirit Section 2. Q 1. WHat must one know in the Christian Religion A. Three things principally what we are of our nature what God makes us to be by his grace and what we ought to render him for all his benefits Q. 2. What were you of your nature A. I was a poor sinful Creature and Child of wrath as others Q. 3. And what did you deserve 〈◊〉 Eternal death and condemnation 〈◊〉 4. What hath God done for you A. He redeemed me from my Sins and adopted me for his Child Q 5. How did he redeem you A. Through the death and passion of his own Son our Lord Jesus Christ Q. 6. And by what means did he adopt you A. By his spirit who with assurance makes me cry Abba Father Q. 7. What is the mark of that adoption A. Regeneration and holiness of Life Section 3. Q. 1. WHat could oblige God to deliver you out of your misery and to give you the freedom of his Children A. Nothing but his great Mercy and his incomparable Charity Q. 2. What is it he promises you for his Sons sake and in the communion of his spirit A. He promises me his grace and protection here on Earth and the glory of his Paradice and his eternal felicity in Heaven Q. 3. And what do you owe to God for so many benefits as he bestowed on you and for so much glory that he prepares for you A. I owe my self to him with all the power of my body and soul Q. 4. But what doth he principally desire of you A. Love and Obedience Q. 5. How ought you to love God A. Above all things Q. 6. And how must you love your Neighâ—our A. As my self Q. 7. What Obedience doth God demand of you A. A filial Obedience Section 4. Q. 1. WHat is it principally that God will have us exercise our selves in during the the course of this life A. In good Works Q. 2. Which are the good Works A. Those that God commands Q. 3. And which are the evil ones A. Those that God forbids Q. 4. Is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for God commands it and it is the way to Heaven Q. 5. Are the good Works that we do during this life so perfect that there is no fault in them A. No for if we say that there is no sin in us we lye wherefore we pray to God every day that he will forgive us our sins Q. 6. From whence comes all the good there is in our Works A. From the grace of God Q.
Quest WHERE is our Lord Jesus Christ A. As God he is every where as he says himself in St. Matthew cap. 18. where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them and Chapt. 28. I am with you always even to the end of the World Q. And as Man where is he A. He left the World and is gone unto the Father and the Heavens must contain him until the time of Restitution of all things St John 16. and â—cts 3. Q. How did he ascend into Heaven A. He ascended visibly a Cloud received him out of the sight of the Apostles to whom two Angels said Ye men of Galilee Why stand ye gazing up into Heaven the same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts. 1. Q. What doth the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ profit us A. First he ascended into Heaven to appear for us in the presence of God and to make intercession for us Heb. 7. And secondly he is gone to prepare a place for us John 14. Lastly his ascension into Heaven is a pledge and assurance of our own John 17. and Heb. 6. Of Jesus Christ sitting on the Right Hand of God Q. WHat signifies the word to be sitting A. It signifies sometimes to Reign as in the 20th of Prov. A King that sitteth in the Throne of Judgment scattereth away all evil with his Eyes and Revel 18. I sit a Queen and am no Widdow and shall see no sorrow Q. What signifies the right hand of God A. To speak properly God being a Spirit hath no right hand but by his right hand is understood his power and his vertue and it is said Psalms 44. our Fathers got not the Land in possession by their own Sword neither did their own Arm save them but thy right Hand and thy Arm and the light of thy Countenance because thou hadst a favour unto them Q What is then the sense of this article that Jesus Christ is sitting on the right hand of God A. St. Paul gives us the explanation thereof Eph. 1. when he saith that God raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come and hath put all things under his Feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body The fulness of him that fill all in all and Phillip 2. he humbled himselâ— and became obedient unto Death even thâ— Death of the Cross wherefore God also hatâ— highly exalted him and given him a namâ— which is above every name That at the namâ— of Jesus every Knee shall bow â—f things in Heaven and things in Earth and things under thâ— Earth that every Tongue should confess thaâ— Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God thâ— Father Q. What fruits have we of Jesus Christ's sitting oâ— the right hand of God A. He being our Saviour and loving us witâ— an eternal love we are assured that he will usâ— his omnipotency to preserve us and to do uâ— good and to repress all the endeavours and thâ— violence of his Enemies and ours till he have laid them all under his feet and utterly destroy them Of the last Judgment Q. WHo are the Quick and the Dead whom Jesus Christ shall judge at the last day A. The Quick are those who shall then bâ— living on the Earth when Jesus Christ shalâ— come from Heaven and the Dead are thosâ— whose Souls shall have been separated froâ— their Bodies before that glorious coming Q. How must this be understood that Jesuâ— Christ shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead A. The meaning is That at the end of thâ— World Jesus Christ shall come with the Angelâ— of his power and that we shall all appear beforâ— his judgment Seat to receive in our Bodies according to what we shall have done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. Q. What difference shall be then between the good and the bad man A. Our Lord Jesus Christ shall set all the bad on his left hand and shall say to them Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels but unto the Elect and Faithful who walk here in his fear and have exercised themselves in works of mercy he shall set them at his right hand and shall say to them Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matt. 25. Of the third part of the Apostles Creed Q. WHy after having spoken of the Father and the Son do you make mention of the Holy Ghost A. Because it would be in vain and that the Father hath procured us Salvation and that the Son merited it for us if the Holy Ghost did not apply it unto us wherefore it is said that we are sealed with the spirit of promise Eph 1. Q. Why is it said I believe in the Holâ— Ghost A. To teach us to put our trust in him and to render him the same honours and the same adoration that we render the Father and the Son Q. Who is the Holy Ghost A. It is the third person of the most holy and most glorious Trinity who from all Eteâ—nity proceeds from the Father and the Son Q How do you prove that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father A. By the formal words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the 15th of St. John The Spirit of Truth which proceeds from the Father shall testifie of me Q. How do you prove that he proceeds from the Son A. Because 't is said in the 15th of the same Gospel I will send you the Comforter from the Father and in the 16th All things that the Father hath are mine and therefore said I that ye shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you from whence come that in Rom. 8. he is called the spirit of God and the spirit of Christ and that in Revel 22. he is represented by a River proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. Q. Is the Holy Ghost God A. Yes for to lye to the Holy Ghost is to lye to God Acts 5. And we are called the Temple of God because the Holy Ghost dwelleth in us 1 Cor. 3. Q. Why is the Spirit called holy A. It is not only because he is holy in himself for in that regard holiness belongs also to the Father and the Son but it is because he sanctifies us immediately and that he reforms in us the Image of God in Righteousness and Sanctity Q. Are the gifts of the Holy Ghost common to all men of the world or do they belong to the only Children of God A. There are some which he imparts indifferently as the Arts and Sciences and
us and what have we more therein than when by Faith and Repentance we receive in our hearts Jesus Christ sanctified A. We recieve therein the external symbol and seal of our spiritual communion for to confirm our faith God useth to seal outwardly his Grace to us So after Abraham believed God and after it was counted unto him for righteousness he received the sign of Circumcision for a seal of the Righteousness of the Faith Rom. 4. So Cornelius was baptized after having received the Holy Ghost Act 10. All the Prophets give witness to Jesus Christ that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins Act. 10. but that hinders not of baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ in remission of sins because Baptism is the seal of that remission of sins Act. 2. Q. In the celebration of that Mystery must not one sacrifice Jesus really and properly A. No for he commanded us to eat his flesh and to drink his blood and not to offer him in sacrifice He through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God and by that sacrifice he acquired eternal Redemption for us and he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 9.10 Q. But is he not still offered every day in the Mass by the hands of the Priests in an unbloody manner in propiciatory sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the quick and the dead A. Quite contrary St Paul saith that without shedding of blood is no remission that Jesus Christ offered not himself several times for then must he have suffered several times since the foundation of the world and that where is remisssion of sins there is no offering for sin Heb. 9.10 Q. Must Sacraments be adored A. No for Jesus Christ did not command it and the Apostles have not shewed us the example thereof Our Lord doth not say do you behold and adore but take and eat and the Apostles did take and did eat what was given them but did not adore it Q. Ought the Pastors to administer the Cup to the people A. Yes for our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to his Apostles which represented his Church said to them drink ye all of it for this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Matt. 26. and St Paul let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup Cor. 11. Q. How ought we to examine our selves A. We must enter our Consciences and examine our selves to know if we have Faith Repentance and Charity Q. What is Faith A It is a recourse of the sinful and penitent Soul to the mercy of God in Christ Jesus and a sure trust that for this glorious Saviour's sake he will forgive us our sins and will receive us into his heavenly Kingdom Q. What is Repentance A. It is a sensible grief to have offended our heavenly Father and a fervent desire for time to come to glorify him in all our actions our words and our thoughts Q. How many parts are there in true repentance A. Two for we must cease to do evil and learn to do well depart from evil and do good to abhor that which is evil cleave to that which is good Is 1. Ps 3.4 Rom 12. Q. What is Charity A. It is to love God with all our heart and our Neighbour as our selves Q. How do we shew that we love our Neighbour A In bearing with his faults and being sensible of his misery and helping him in time of need according to our abilitâ— Q What are those to hope for who persevere in Faith who apply themselves to true piety and who from day to day go forward in sanctification A. God shall bless them in this life and shall crown them in the other according to our Lord Jesus Christ's promise be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Rev. 2. Amen End of the fourth and last part of the Catechism A Prayer for the faithful Children who desire to advance themselves in Piety MY Lord and my God! I give thee immortal praises and thanksgivings that it pleased thee to cause me to born in thy Church of faithful Parents by the means of whom I have been brought up in Piety and made to drink of the sincere milk of the word as others I was a Child of wrath but Lord thou hast taken pity on me and thou hast adopted me to make me thy Child and heir of thy kingdom O my God and my Father enable me to answer to so holy and so glorious a vocation engrave thine Image in my heart and form me to the obedience of thee teach me to do thy will since thou art my God and let thy good Spirit lead me in the way of righteousness give me the Ornaments of true humility and of Sanctification without which none shall see thy face O let not be useless the labour of those who work to instruct me open my eyes that I may behold the marvels of thy law and that with thy holy Angels I may take pleasure without ceasing to contemplate the mysteries of my Salvation give me an understanding to know thee and heart to love thee and affections to embrace thee Confirm my memory that I may never forget the Divine Instructions of thy word Give me grace to conform all my actions my words and my thoughts thereunto and let it not only be a light that casts forth beamâ— and shines in my understanding and that chaseâ— away the darkness of error and ignorance therefrom but let it be a sacred fire that purifies mâ— affections that inflames my heart with a divine love and with a holy zeal for thy glory That I do not rejoyce for a little while in that divine light but let me follow it all the time of this terrestrial Pilgrimage Let it lead me to thee Oâ— Father of Lights and let it introduce me into thy heavenly Canaan where I shall have no more need to learn because I shall perfectly know thee and shall see thee face to face Oâ— my God! give me all things thou knowest to be necessary for me forget the sins of my youth and impute not unto me my transgressions but wash me in the precious blood of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ who commanded me to pray to thee saying OUR Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us ouâ— trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is thy kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever Amen Lord increase in me the precious faith that of thy pure grace thou hast given me let it appear by a good and holy life and that to the last day of my life I make a free
sacrifice is of an eternal efficacy and that his intercession for us is for evermore and therefore the Apostle says that he may save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them Heb. 7. Q. In what consists his being a Prophet A. In that as during the course of his Ministry he revealed to us the Mysteries of his Kingdom and hath brought to light life and immortality by the Gospel and that it is he who teaches us within our selves by his Spirit and perswades us of his truth Q. In what nature was Jesus Christ anointed A. If by unction 't is understood the vocation to his Office he was anointed in his Divine Nature as well as in his Humane Nature for it is not only as Man but also as God-Man that he is the King the Priest and the Prophet of the Church But if by unction is meant the gift of Graces he was anointed only in his Humane Nature For as to the Divine Nature it confers but receives not the Graces for nothing can be added to what 's infinite Q. What difference is there betwixt the unction of the Ancient Kings Priests and Prophets and that of our Lord Jesus Christ A. First That was material and visible this is spiritual and invisible that was the shadow and figure and this is the body and truth Secondly God did give unto the ancient Kings Priests and Prophets but some measure of his Graces but to our Lord Jesus Christ God gives not the Spirit by measure And of his fulness have we all received Grace for Grace in St. John cap 3. and cap. 1. Of the Eternal Generation of Jesus Christ and of his Dominions over the Church Q. WHy is it that Jesus Christ is called the only Son of God A. Because him alone God begot in himself of his proper substance therefore he is called the Image of the Invisible God the brightness of the Glory of the Father and the express Imagâ— of his person Coll. 1. and Heb. 1. Q. When was the Son begotten of the Father A. He was begotten from all Eternity as he says himself Proverbs 8. The Lord possessed me iâ— the beginning of his way before his works of old and Micah 5. His going forth have been from oâ— old from everlasting Q. Why is he called our Lord since he is the Lorâ— of all the universe A. Because we belong to him in a particulaâ— manner not only because he created us buâ— also because he redeemed us by his Blood anâ— because he leads and governs us by the Sceptâ—â— of his word and by the efficacy and vertuâ— of his Spirit Of the Corporal Conception and Birth oâ— Jesus Christ Q. HOw do you understand that Jesus Christ wâ— Conceived by the Holy Ghost A. I mean that the Holy Ghost as efficienâ— cause interven'd in this Conception and by hâ— Divine Vertue formed the precious body of our Lord and inspired a perfect Soul therein Q. Why was it necessary that the Holy Ghost should intervene in his Conception A. That our Lord might have no original sin and might be in no sort defiled For all that is born of the flesh is flesh John 3. Q. How do you understand that he was born of the Virgin Mary A. I mean that he was formed of her proper substance that he might be of the Seed of David according to the Flesh and the Prophecy of Isaiah cap. 7. might be fulfilled Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel that is to say God with us Q. Since the Blessed Virgin is truly and properly the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ ought we to worship her and put our Trust in her A. By no means for in all the word of God there is not one Commandment or Example of it contrarily God declares to us that he gives not his Glory to another and he curses all those who put their trust in man Isaiah 48. Jerem 17. But we ought to honor her Memory to imitate her Vertues and publish her Happiness according to what she saâ—s her self in her Divine Song Behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed Luke 1. Of Jesus Christ's Passion under Pontius Pilate Q. WHo was Pontius Pilate of whom it is spoken in the Creed of the Apostles A. He was a Roman Judge who was under the Government of Syria s dependency Q. Why is mention made of him in the Creed of the Apostles A. To teach us the certainty of the History of the accomplishment of Jacobs Prophecy Gen. 49. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his Feet until Shilo come that is to say the Messiah and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Q. Why did Jesus Christ appear before the Tribunal of an earthly Judge A. Because he ought not to be put to death in a tumult but by the sentence of one of those whom God hath established to be his Lieutenant on Earth to the end that in this Condemnation might appear that which we had deserved from the Soveraign Judge and so that Jesus Christ having undergone the same with us we might with assurance approach the Heavenly Throne It is also to teach us to submit to the orders of justice and to acknowledge the Magistrates whom God established to govern humane kind Q. But why is it that Pontius Pilate pronounces him innocent and afterwards condemns him A. It is to teach us that he suffered not for his sins but for our own he was condemned to absolve us and as St. Peter speaks of it he suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 1 Peter 3. Of the cross of Jesus Christ Q. WHy was Jesus Christ crucified A To teach us that he is the Ensign of the people foretold by the Prophet Isaiah cap. 11. and that it is he who abolished our curse Q. How A The Apostle teaches it us Gal. 3 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law in being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree Q. Is there any Figure of that in the old Testament A. There are several and especially that of the Brazen Serpent as our Lord teaches it St. John 3. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believes on him should not perish but have everlasting life Q. But is it not to dishonour Jesus Christ to say that he has been subject to such a curse A. By no means First it was not for his sins he is holy and innocent separated from sinners but it is our sins which he bore in his own body on the Tree 1 Peter 2. Secondly he hath changed the Curse into a Blessing and in his Cross he spoiled principalities and powers and triumphed over them Coll. 2. Q. Did Jesus Christ suffer only