No. Though your engagement and promise was then declared by others yet can you lay claim to the Benefits of the Covenant without standing to that engagement your selves No. And now you are come to Age do you not renew your Baptismal engagement and are you not desirous to be Confirmed therein by laying on of hands and Prayer Heb. 6.2 Yes Question Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper orâ—ain'd Answer For the continual remembrance of the Sacrifice of the Death of Christ and of the benefits which we receive thereby § IS not the Lords Supper the other Sacrament and was it not Ordained by Christ as well as Baptism 1 Cor. 11.23 Yes Was it Ordained to be an unbloody Sacrifice or propitiation for the Quick and the Dead Heb. 9.22 25. No. Yet is it not an Eucharist or Spiritual Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and Gospel Service Mala. 1.11 Yes * Was not the death of Christ such a Propitiatory Sacrifice Typifyed by all the bloody Sacrifices of Old Heb. 9.13 14. Yes Did He not bear the punishment of our iniquities Isa 53.6 and by shedding his blood make Atonement for them Rom. 3.23 Yes Are not reconciliation Rom. 5.1 Sanctification Heb. 10.10 and Salvation Rom. 5.9 the Benefits which Believers receive by his death Yes * Is it a small Mercy to have a memorial or remembrance of Christs death when we are so apt to forget it Luk. 22.19 No. Must we not remember his death as a History to improve our knowledge as a Gospel to increase our Faith and as an Example to promote our Patience Gal. 3.1 Yes Is a bare Remembrance sufficient that is not affectionate fiducial and operative 1 Cor. 10.16 17. No. * Is it sufficient that we Remember him in this Ordinance once in our Lives or once in the Year No. Must it not be a continual Remembrance as often as we have opportunity as we go often to our food 1 Cor. 11.25 26. Yes Is this Ordinance Temporary to give place to others as the Jewish Sacraments were Heb. 9.10 No. Will it be continual and remain in the Church till Christ comes to Judgment 1 Cor. 11.26 Yes Question What is the outward part or Sign in the Lords supper Answer Bread and Wine which the Lord hath Commanded to be received § CAN Bread be more necessary to the Body Levit. 26.26 than Christ is to the Life of the Soul Joh. 6.33.57 No. Can Wine be more suited to the thirst than Christ is to the desires of a Believer Joh. 4.14 No. * Are not Bread and Wine most perfect in their Kind Psal 104.15 and apt to signifie a perfect Saviour Yes * Was not our Lord set forth for our Redemption as the Elements are set apart for a Holy use Rom. 3.25 Yes * Doth not the breaking the bread and pouring out the Wine aptly Represent the torturing his body and shedding his bloud 1 Cor. 11.24 Yes * Can we have Life by Christ without Believing any more than our Natural Life can be maintained without Eating and Drinking Habak 2.4 No. § HATH Christ who Commanded us to receive the Elements bid us to lay them up carry them about in procession or to adore them No. Is it sufficient to receive one of these Elements without the other when Christ has Commanded both to be received Mat. 26.27 No. Question What is the imward part or thing signify'd Answer The Body and blood of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received by the Faithful in the Lords supper § WHEN we are pertakers of Christs bloody death and the Benefits thereby are we not said to receive his Body and Blood or to eat his Flesh and drink his Blood Joh. 6.56 Yes * Is this done after a Corporal or Carnal manner as the Jews of Old and Papists now understand it Joh. 6.52 No. Are we to believe that the Substance of the Bread and Wine is changed into the Substance of Christs Body and Blood No. Can we deny our Senses without destroying the Foundation of our Faith in Christ's Resurrection and miracles Luk. 24.39 No. Is it Rational to Believe that our Lord eat his Natural Body with his own mouth or that a true body can be whole in ten Thousand places at once Joh. 6.61 62. No. Is Not that which we eat and drink in the Sacrament called Bread and Wine after Consecration 1 Cor. 11.26 Yes * Is then the receiving Christs body and blood a Phantastical thing done only in Imagination and Pretence No. Do we verily and indeed pertake thereof in a Spiritual manner and by Faith Joh. 6.63 Yes * Is this done by wicked and ungodly men or by any but the Faithful or true Believers Joh. 6.54 56. No. Question What are the Benefits whereof we are made pertakers thereby Answer The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the Body and Blood of Christ as our Bodies are by the Bread and Wine § IS not the Lords Supper compar'd to a Feast 1 Cor. 5.7 8. wherein the Benefits of Christs Death are the dainties set forth by their excellency and variety Isa 25.6 Yes * Can the bodies of men be more Strengthned at a Feast than the Souls of Believers are Strengthned at the Lords Table Psal 138.3 No. Can there be a better means to Strengthen the habit of Grace in General to enable us to mortify Corruptions overcome Temptations bear our Burdens and improve our Talents No. And doth not every particular Grace therein acted receive Strength by exercise Isa 40.31 Yes * Can any Bodys be more refresh't with Wine at a Feast than the Souls of Believers are Comforted in the Lords Supper Cant. 1.2 and 2.3 4. No. Can any thing be more reviving to a Soul than to have Christ manifesting his Love and Loveliness in all the joys of his Salvation Joh. 14.21 22. No. Question What is required of them who come to the Lords Supper Answer To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former Sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new Life have a lively Faith in Gods mercy through Christ with a thankful remembrance of his death and be in Charity with all men § MAY any be admitted to the Lords Supper who have not a Competency of Knowledge to be ready for Confirmation or are Scandalous and notorious evil Livers Rubr. after Confirmation and before Confirmation No. Is it sufficient to have been approved and admitted by the Church if we do not examine our Selves 1 Cor. 11.28 No. Are not all Naturally unfit to discern the Lords Body or to delight in Communion with God 1 Cor. 2.14 Eph. 2.12 Yes Can any rush unprepared on this Ordinance without dishonour to God and Judgment on themselves 1 Cor. 11.27 29. No. Are there not certain Graces which accompany Salvation Heb. 6.9 which upon Examination may be known 1 Joh. 3.10 especially by the witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 Yes * Can we be worthy Communicants without Sincere Repentance for our Sins past 1 Cor. 11.31 No. Must we
Is it not evident that He had first descended thither Eph. 4.9 Yes * Is it any where certainly revealed that He went into the Hell of the damned amongst the Spirits there No. But did He not by his death vanquish the powers of Hell and darkness Col. 2.14 Yes * Is not the unseen State or condition of separation of Soul and Body call'd the Grave and Hell 1 Cor. 15.55 Yes And can it be deny'd that He so descended into Hell as to continue for a time under the dominion of Death in a separate State Rom. 6.9 No. Qu. What is the Fifth Article Answ The third day He arose again from the Dead § DID He always continue in that State of the dead or so long as to see corruption Psal 16.10 No. * Considering who He was and what was Prophecyed of Him was it possible for the bands of death to hold him Acts 2.24 No. Did He not rise again by his own power Joh. 10.17 18. to dye no more Rev. 1.18 Yes Did He not rise as an evidence of our discharge Rom. 4.25 and a pledge of our Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.20 Yes * Did He shew himself to all the people when risen or to his enemies that had so long dispised his miracles before Acts 10.41 No. Yet were they left altogether without convincing evidence of his Resurrection Mat. 28.2 3 c. No. * Was He not seen by a sufficient number of witnesses even 500 at once and that at divers places and times after He was risen from the Dead 1 Cor. 15.6 Yes * Could they be deceiv'd by a Phantasm or Apparition when they did both handle and see yea eat and drink with Him after his Resurrection Luk. 24.38 39. No. * Could so Miraculous a work as raising the Dead for a design so contrary to Satan's Kingdom be done by Magick or power of the Devil Eph. 1.19 20. Mat. 12.25 No. * Could the Disciples roll away the Stone from the Sepulchre Steal away his Body Strip it of the Grave-cloths and not awake the Watch or Guard of Souldiers No. * Is it likely that men noted for sincerity 1 Thes 2.10 would impose on the world in a matter of such consequence for which they expos'd themselves to all manner of persecutions and death it self Acts 5.41 No. * If there had been any deceit could it have been conceal'd from so many envious and watchful enemies in so publick a concern Acts 26.26 No. * Did not the witnesses of his Resurrection confirm their report by undoubted Miracles Heb. 2.4 Yes †Was not this Resurrection on the third day from his death and the first day of the Week which is our Christian Sabbath 1 Cor. 15.4 Joh. 20.1 Yes Qu. What is the Sixth Article Answ He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty § WHEN our Lord was risen Did He continue always on Earth in his bodily presence Joh. 16.16 No. Did He not according to Prophecy Psal 64.18 Forty days after his Resurrection Acts 1.3 Ascend up into Heaven in the sight of his Disciples Acts 1.9 11. Yes Was He not pleased to shew himself to some of his Disciples after his ascention Acts 7.55 1 Cor. 15.8 Yes †Did He not Ascend to prepare mansions for his people Joh. 14.2 and to send his Spirit to prepare them for the enjoyment thereof Joh. 16.7 Yes Are we to expect his bodily presence any more on Earth before the day of judgment Acts 3.21 No. § BEING ascended doth He not sit at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty Mark 16.19 Yes Doth the Right Hand denote any bodily parts in God or His sitting any one particular gesture there Acts 7.55 No. Doth not sitting down denote Rest and the Right Hand dignity and authority Psal 44.3 1 Kings 1.30 Yes * And did not Christ after all his sorrows on Earth rest in the unspeakable joy of his Father Heb. 4.10 Yes * Hath He not the highest dignity and authority Heb. 1.4 and 8.1 and shall He not have compleat victory over all his Enemies Psal 110.1 Yes Qu. What is the Seventh Article Answ From thence He shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead § BEING thus exalted Hath He for ever abandon'd this Earth and his people therein Joh. 14.3 No. Besides his Spiritual presence always with his Church will He not come again in the clouds as He was seen to go up Acts 1.11 Yes Is not this Second coming to judge the world in righteousness and is not the day set and appointed for it Acts 17.31 Yes Do we know the day and hour when this appointed judgment will be Mat. 24.36 No. § WILL He Judge them already Dead and those that are found Quick or alive at his coming Acts 10.42 Yes When all are gather'd before Him will He not Separate between the Godly and the wicked and give to every Man according to his Works Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes †Will it not be a day of refreshing to the people of God Acts. 3.19 and exceeding terrible to the wicked 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. Yes Shall any by power or policy be able to escape or hide themselves from the Judge Rev. 6.15 16. No. And must not all abide in that Condition to which they are adjudg'd for ever and ever Heb. 6.2 Yes Qu. What is the Eighth Article Answ I Believe in the Holy Ghost § IS not the Holy Ghost God Acts 5.3 4. Eternal before the World Gen. 1.2 Omnipresent Psal 139.7 and knowing all things 1 Cor. 2.10 Yes Is not He a person Acts 13.2 distinct from the Father and Son Joh. 14.26 Yes Is not He the Spirit of the Father Luk. 14.19 and of the Son Gal. 4.6 as proceeding from them both Yes Is He inferiour to the Father or Son in essence or nature or with respect to the worship and glory which is due to God alone Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 6.19 No. § IS He not Holy in himself and also as the Authour of Holiness and Sanctification in us Rom. 1.4 Yes †Must we not then believe in Him as a sanctifier by whom we may have an interest in what Christ has done and suffer'd Yes Are any partakers of saving Benefits by Christ to whom they are not effectually apply'd or communicated Joh. 1.11 12. No. Can Parents or Ministers apply them to your Heart or any but the Holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 6. No. Doth not the Spirit do this by working Faith in the Heart by the Ministry of the word Joh. 6.44 45. Yes Doth He not by the Law convince the Sinner Joh. 16.8 and by the Gospel subdue the will and perswade it to yeild to our Lord Jesus Christ Ezek. 36.26 27. Yes Can we then be sav'd by Christ without effectual calling and Regeneration by the Holy Ghost Joh. 3.5 No. Qu. What is the Ninth Article Answ I believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints § HATH not God a Church called out of the world to be his peculiar
people 1 Pet. 2.9 Yes Are not believers a distinct Body or Society joyn'd to Christ by Faith Eph. 5.23 and to each other by love Col. 2.2 Yes Can this Church be built on any other Head or foundation than our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 No. Is not part of this Church Triumphant in Heaven Heb. 12.23 and part Militant on Earth Col. 1 24. Yes Is the Church known by external Splendour Pomp or Secular Grandeur Acts 2.42 No. § IS not this Church Holy 1 Cor. 3.17 the Saints above perfectly and the effectually called really so Yes Are not all the visible Members thereof called to Holiness and Holy by profession and obligation 1 Thes 4.7 Yes § IS not the Church Catholick or Universal consisting of all Believers Jews and Gentiles Bond and Free Gal. 3.28 Yes Is the Church confin'd to any one place or Nation Acts 1.8 No. Shall the Gates of Hell ever prevail against it Mat. 16.18 No. †May any of the particular Societys of which it doth consist Rev. 1.20 claim the name Authority and priviledges of the Catholick Church Rom. 11.22 No. § AMONGST the many priviledges of the Church Psal 87.3 is not this one that there is the Communion of Saints Yes * Have not Belâ—â—vers Union and Communion with Christ their Head from whence they are called Saints 1 Joh. 1.3 Yes Do they not Communicate by Faith their wants to him 1 Pet. 5.7 and He by his Spirit Communicate his Merits and Grace to them Isa 53.4 1 Joh. 5.12 Yes And will he refuse to such Communion with himself in Glory hereafter Joh. 17.24 No. * Have not the Saints also Communion one with another 1 Joh. 1.7 1 Cor. 12.26 Yes Can they Communicate Merits to each other Mat. 25.8 9. No. * Have not the Saints above Communion with each other in the same Vision Employment and Glory Mat. 8.11 Yes * Have not the Saints below Communion in the same Gifts and Graces Eph. 4.5 Heb. 3.13 in the same Sufferings Heb. 13.3 and if need be in their Worldly goods Heb. 13.16 Yes Qu. What is the Tenth Article Answ The forgiveness of Sins § ARE there any Sins Original or Actual of Omission or Commission of Thought Word or Deed that do not deserve eternal Death Rom. 6.23 No. Yet are there any that are not Pardonable the Sin against the Holy Ghost only excepted Mat. 12.31 No. * Doth not forgiveness of Sins consist in releasing the Sinner from Guilt and Condemnation Psal 32.1 2. Yes Can any but God who is the party offended forgive Sins to Men Psal 51.4 Mark 2.7 No. Yet must not all forgive injuries done to themselves Mat. 18.21 and Ministers Pronounce forgivenese in Christ's name to the Penitent Mat. 18.18 2 Cor. 2.7 10. Yes * Is there any forgiveness but only through Christ and on the account of his Satisfaction Col. 1.14 No. * Doth the Satisfaction of Christ make forgiveness of Sins to be less Free and Gracious Eph. 1.7 No * Have any the actual forgiveness of their Sins before they Repent and Believe Joh. 3.18 No. †Must you not then have a deep sense of your Sins Acts 2.38 Confess them to God Psal 32.5 with a sincere Resolution of forsaking them Pro. 28.13 Yes Must you not earnestly make Supplication for Pardon with a Fiducial trust in the mercy of God through the Merits and Righteousness of Christ alone Acts 10.43 Yes Qu. What is the Eleventh Article Answ The Resurrection of the Body § DID not death come in by Sin as the Sentence of the Law for the Transgression of it Rom. 5.12 Yes * Can any of our Members when turn'd to dust and scatter'd be hid from God's all-seeing Eye Psal 137.15 16. No. Is it above the Almighty power that made the Body at first of dust to raise it out of it again Mark 12.24 No. * And as He is able to raise the Dead so are we to believe that He will do it Joh. 5.28 29. Yes Though all shall be rais'd the just and the unjust Acts 24.15 yet is not the Resurrection the special Priviledge of Believers Luk. 14.14 Yes * Shall the Wicked rise by vertue of an Union with Christ by his Spirit as the Godly shall Rom. 8.11 No. * And will there not be a vast difference between them in the ends for which they arise Dan. 12.2 Yes Is it not agreeable to Divine Justice that the same Bodies for substance which we had here should be raised then 1 Cor. 15.38 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes But will they be raised to the same dying and mortal State they were in before 1 Cor. 15.53 No. Will not the Bodies of the Saints be exceeding Glorious of which the Resurrection of Christ is both an assurance and a Pattern 1 Cor. 15.20 43 44. Yes †And shall not they who are found alive at the coming of Christ be also chang'd 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Yes Qu. What is the Twelfth Article Answ The life Everlasting § SHALL not Believers have a Life of Glory and happiness in the World to come Psal 16.11 Yes * Do their Souls then sleep with their Bodies in the Grave or go to Purgatory Rev. 14.13 No. Are we able to express the Glory of that State which God has prepared 1 Cor. 2.9 and they enter into immediately after Death Phil. 1.23 No. Shall they not enjoy a Beatifical vision and enjoyment of God with Saints and Angels in the highest employment of Praise without Sin or Suffering Psal 17.15 Yes * and shall not their Bodies also partake of this Life of Glory at last 1 Cor. 15.43 Yes § IS it not an everlasting Life in opposition to this fading Life on Earth 1 Thes 4.17 Yes Will the Life above be Subject to decays and changes and interruptions in the happiness of it 1 Pet. 1.4 No. Will they be in danger of forfeiting this happiness or any Enemy be admitted to dispossess them of it Rev. 3.12 No. †Is there not an everlasting Death contrary to this everlasting Life Rom. 6.23 Yes Is this for the Wicked to have their beings taken away and to remain no more Rev. 21.8 No. Is it not to be banished from the presence of God and to undergo the Torments of Hell for ever 2 Thes 1.9 Mat. 25.46 Yes †Do we not say Amen to testifie our firm Belief of these Articles Rev. 22.20 21. Yes Question What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy Belief Answer First I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the World Secondly in God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind Thirdly in God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the Elect people of God § IS there not manifested a Divine order in the Works of the Blessed Trinity towards Men Yes When Creation is ascribed to the Father doth it mean that it was not the Work of the Son and Holy Ghost Joh. 1.3 Gen. 1.2 No. Is it not that the Father did Create all things
hearts Acts 5.3 Yes * Must we not beg that if God please we may not fall into such Circumstances where we shall meet with occasions and provocations to sin Prov. 30 7-9 Yes * Must we not pray that if we are tempted He would not leave us to our Selves or withdraw his Grace 2 Chro. 32.31 Yes Can we have wisdom to know the Devils wiles or strength to withstand them without asking it of God 2 Cor. 12 7-9 No. * Must we not beg that if we fall by temptation we may rise again Psal 51.12 and that God woâ—â—d at last free us from all temptation Rom. 16.20 Yes § MUST we not desire to be delivered from this present evil world Gal. 1.4 and all the real evil of afflictions Joh. 17.19 Yes * Must we not pray to be delivered from evil men 2 Thes 3.2 3. and that the Church may be freed from its oppressours Luk. 18.7 8. Yes * But is there any greater evil than that of sin or any greater mercy to be beg'd than to be delivered from the guilt and power of it Psal 19.13 Rom. 7.24 No. * Must we not desire to be delivered from the evil one 2 Pet. 2.9 and from the wrath of God in the world to come 1 Thes 1.10 Yes Qu. What is the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer Answ For thine is the Kingdom c. § MAY we take arguments in Prayer from our own merits or from any thing but God his Name and Grace Psal 115.1 Dan. 9.18 No. * Is not He that hath the Kingdom ready to save his Subjects and He that hath the power able to do it especially when His Glory is also concern'd 2 Chro. 20.6 Yes * Is not this a Form of Thanksgiving 1 Chron. 29.11 and must not Honour and Glory and Power be ascribed to Him now and for ever 1 Tim. 1.17 Rev. 5.13 Yes § CAN we say Amen to Prayers which we do not understand or attend to 1 Cor. 14.15 16. No. Do we not by saying Amen testify our earnest desire of what we pray for and trust through Christ that we shall obtain it Neh. 8.6 Yes Question What desirest thou of God in this Prayer Answer I desire my Lord God our Heavenly Father who is the giver of all goodness to send his Grace unto me and to all People that we may Worship him serve him and obey him as we ought to do And I pray unto God that He will send us all things that be needful both for our Souls and Bodies and that He will be merciful unto us and forgive us our Sins and that it will please him to save and defend us in all dangers ghostly and Bodily and that He will keep us from all Sin and wickedness and from our Ghostly Enemy and from everlasting death And this I trust He will do of his mercy and goodness through our Lord Iesus Christ and therefore I say Amen So be it § CAN we aright Petition God for mercy without Confession of our vileness and unworthiness and Thanksgiving for what we have received Dan. 9.4 Col. 4.2 No. * Can we in Confession reckon up all the sins that ever we committed Psal 19.12 and 40.12 or if we could is it to inform God of what He knew not before 2 Kings 19.27 No. Is it not to unburden our loaded Consciences before the Lord Psal 32.4 5. to acknowledge his justice and to lay hold on his mercy 1 Joh. 1.9 Yes Must it not be sincere and full Prov. 28.13 with grief and confusion of Face Luk. 18.13 Yes * Is there any Condition that a Believer can be in in which Thanksgiving may not be joyn'd with his Prayer Eph. 5.20 No. Must we not value his mercys for their number greatness and freeness declare them to others and live suitable thereunto Psal 103.1 2. Psal 116.12 14. Yes Question How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church Answer Two only as generally necessary to Salvation that is to say Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. § IF we hope to obtain the mercy we pray for may we neglect the other means of Grace attending on his word and use of his Sacraments Acts 2.41 42. No. Are the two Sacraments of the old Testament Cir cumcision and the Passover to be used in the Church now Heb. 7.12 No Hath not Christ appointed two other Sacraments in their room answering to our necessity of a new birth and of Spiritual growth 1 Cor. 12.13 Yes § ARE Baptism and the Lords Supper civil appointments used without the Church as Marriage amongst Heathens or meer Ceremonies of indifferent and Arbitrary use Mark 16.16 No. * Are they only specially necessary to some one sort of Believers as Ordination is to Ministers to which others are not oblig'd No. * Are they so particularly necessary to every person under all Circumstances that no one can be saved that doth not pertake of them Mat. 9.13 No. Are they not then generally necessary where they may be had by vertue of Gods Command that no one upon peril of his Soul may wilfully contemn them Num. 9.13 Yes Question What meanest thou by this word Sacrament Answer I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward Spiritual Grace given unto us ordain'd by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof § DOTH not the word Sacrament fignify our engagement to Christ as the Roman Souldiers were to their Emperours by their military Oath Yes 1 Can it be a Sacrament where there is not some outward sign sensible and visible Rom. 4.11 No. Are not such signs of great use to inform our understandings quicken our memories and stir up our affections Gal. 3.1 Yes 2. Must there not be some inward and spiritual Grace that may answer to the outward sign Yes 3. Yet can it be a Sacrament unless this Grace be given to us viz. by offer and Promise made to us therein Acts 2.38 39. No. Are the Benefits of Christ's death though conditionally offer'd and promised in these rites Yes 4. Must not a Sacrament be Ordained by Christ himself 1 Cor. 11.23 and hath not He besides his appointing Sanctify'd these by his own pertaking of them Yes Can any meer man ordain a Sacrament or annex Grace or any promise thereof to their own inventions No. 5. Must not a Sacrament be a means to receive the Grace promised Tit. 3.5 and doth not God indeed conveigh Grace to the worthy receivers 1 Cor. 10.16 Yes Doth the efficacy of the Sacraments depend upon the intention or worthiness of the Person that administers them 1 Cor. 3.6 7. No. Do the Sacraments work of themselves by any Natural vertue in the outward rites 1 Pet. 3.21 No. Are they not means of Grace made effectual by the working of the Spirit to them that by Faith do pertake of them 1 Cor. 12.13 Yes 6. Can there be any Sacrament where there is not a Seat or pledge to assure this to us Rom. 4.11