have I begotten thee Q. How is Christ said to be our Lord Our Lord. A. 1. By Creation Job 1.3 All things were made by him Col. 1.15 16. 2. By Redemption and purchase 1 Pet. 1.18 Ye were not redeem'd with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the precious blood of Christ 1 Cor. 8.6 Q. What do you observe in Christ's Humiliation A. His Incarnation and Passion Q. How was Christ the Eternal Word made Man Article 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost A. By uniting the Humane Nature to the Divine in one Person Joh. 1.4 The Word was made flesh Heb. 2.14 16. Q. How was this accomplished A. By the powerful operation of the Holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee Q. Why was Christ thus formed and conceived and not by the ordinary way of generation A. That he might assume our Nature without the depravation of it Luk. 1.35 Therefore that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Heb. 10.5 Q. Whence was his Bodily substance derived Born of the Virgin Mary A. From the Body of the Virgin Mary therefore he is said to be the seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 and to be made of a woman Gal. 4.4 Q. Why was Christ born of a Virgin A. 1. For the Sacredness of it Luke 1.35 That holy thing which shall be born of thee 2. For the fulfilling of the Prophesy Isaiah 7.14 The Lord himself shall give you a sign behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son. Matth. 1.23 3. To shew the Power of God Luke 1.35 The power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Q. Why did Christ thus become Man A. To fit him for the full discharge of his Office as a Mediator so that he might dye and being one of the same Nature with those he died for might make an Atonement for Sin Heb. 2.9 17. Jesus was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of death Q. For what Reason did our Saviour suffer Death Article 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate A. That he might become a Sacrifice a and by the shedding of his Blood might make an Atonement for Sin b a Heb. 9.26 He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself b 1 Joh. 2.2 He is the propitiation for our sins Q. Why is Christ said to suffer under Pontius Pilate A. To signifie the time of his Death and therein the accomplishment of the Prophesies concerning it Acts 3.18 These things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his Prophets that Christ should suffer he hath so fulfilled Q. Who was Pontius Pilate A. The Governour of Judea under Tiberius the Roman Emperor Luke 3.1 Matth. 27.2 Q. What was the Death our Saviour suffer'd for us Was crucified A. It was the Death of the Cross Mat. 27.35 Q. What was the Death of the Cross A. 1. It was intolerable for the Pain Thence our Saviour is said to have endured the Cross Heb. 12.2 2. It was infamous and a Punishment of the vilest Malefactors Matth. 27.38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him Thence he is said to have despised the shame Heb. 12.2 3. It was accounted an accursed Death Gal. 3.13 Being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Deut. 21.23 Q. Why is it said our Saviour died after he was crucified Dead A. To shew that his Body when he was alive was vitally united to his Soul. Luke 23.46 He gave up the Ghost Q. Why is it said that our Saviour after he died was buried And buried A. 1. To shew the certainty of his Death John 19.40 41 42. In the place where he was crucified there was a Garden and in the Garden a Sepulchre c. there laid they Jesus 2. To shew that our Saviour's Body that holy Thing was not left upon the Cross as it was usual to perish but was decently interr'd 3. To testify the lowest act of abasement Isa 53.9 He made his Grave with the wicked 4. To give Testimony to the truth of his Resurrection Acts 13.29 30. They took him down from the Tree and laid him in a Sepulchre But God raised him from the dead Q. How was the Soul of Christ disposed of He descended into Hell after its separation from the Body A. He is said to be in Hell a to go to Paradise b or the highest Heaven c a Acts 2. 27 31. Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell. b Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise c 2 Cor. 12.2 3 4. Q. What is here meant by Hell A. It signifies a state of Separation Acts 2.27 Thou shalt not leave my Soul in Hell nor suffer thine holy one to see Corruption that is the Soul and Body of Christ should not be so long separated but that before the Body should corrupt both Soul and Body should be reunited Q. Why was not our Saviour to continue in that State A. Because Death was not to have Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 Q. But may not Hell be understood here of the state of the damned A. It has been an ancient Opinion that Christ did then locally descend into Hell to triumph over the Devil and his Angels Q. What do you observe in our Saviour's Exaltation A. 1. His Resurrrection 2. His Ascension 3. His glorification 4. His Coming to Judgment Q. What is the Resurrection of Christ Article 5. The third day he rose again from the Dead A. It 's the Reunion of the self-same Soul to the self-same Body Luke 24.39 Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self Q. When did our Lord rise A. On the third day after he died which was then the first day of the Week and was thence called the Lord's day Rev. 1.10 Q. Why did Christ rise the third Day A. 1. To fulfil what the Scriptures a and he himself had foretold b a Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not suffer thy holy One to see Corruption b Matth. 16.21 From that time forth Jesus began to shew unto his Disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem and be killed and be raised again the third day 2. It was that his Body might not corrupt a as in the course of Nature it would have done had it lay longer in the Grave b a Psal 16.10 b John 11.39 By this time he stinketh for he Lazarus hath been dead four days Q. Of what importance is this Article of Christ's Resurrection A. 1. It confirms whatever he said did or undertook for Rom. 8.34 Yea rather that is risen again 2. It 's a pledge and assurance of our Resurrection Rom. 8.11 He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies c. 3. It 's a full Demonstration
and in breaking of bread and in prayers b 1 Cor. 12.26 27. Whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it c. Q. What is the second privilege belonging to the Church A. Artic. 10. Forgiveness of sin Forgiveness of sins Rom. 4.7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven Q. What is Sin A. It 's a transgression of the Law of God 1 Joh. 3.4 Q. What is the punishment due to sin A. Death temporal a and eternal b a Rom. 5.12 By one man Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death Mat. 25.46 Q. What is the forgiveness of sin A. It's God 's not imputing it in the punishment Rom. 4.7 8. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin Rom. 5.13 Q. Upon what terms is sin forgiven A. Upon our Faith and Repentance Act. 26.17 18. I send thee to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light c. that they may receive forgiveness of sins c. through faith that is in me Q. By what means is God thus reconciled to sinful man A. It 's through Christ Ephes 4.32 God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Q. Artic. 11. The Resurrection of the Body What is the third privilege A. The Resurrection of the Body Q. What do you understand by the Resurrection of the Body A. That the Body shall be raised out of the dust a and being again united to the soul shall be gloâ—â—ous b and immortal c. a 1 Cor. 15.36 That which thou sowest is not quickened except it die c. b Phil. 3.21 Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body c 1 Cor. 15.53 This mortal must put on immortality Q. What is the fourth privilege Artic. 12. The Life everlasting A. Everlasting Life Q. What is implied in that A. A state of most perfect happiness which consists in the perfection of our natures a and the enjoyment of God b a Mat. 22.30 In the Resurrection they are as the Angels of God in Heaven b Psal 16.11 In thy presence is fulness of joyâ— and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore PART III. Of the Decalogue or Ten Commandments Q. The Decalogue WHat was the third thing promised at your Baptism A. That I should keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of my life Q. What are the Characters of true Obedience that you collect from hence A. 1. It 's universal a keeping Gods holy Will and Commandments Psal 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy Commandments 2. It 's a course of Obedience a walking in the same 1 King. 6.12 If thou wilt keep all my Commandments to walk in them Rom. 6.4 3. A perseverance in that course it 's to be all the days of my life Luk. 1.74 75. That we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Q. You said that your God-Fathers and God-Mothers did promise for you that you should keep God's Commandments tell me how many there be A. Ten. Q. Which be they A. The same which God spake in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Q. What is there contained in this Preface A. It affords several Arguments to Obedience Q. What are they A. They are taken 1. From God's Authority God spake these words 2. From God's Soveraignty I am the Lord. 3. From God's propriety in them thy God Deut. 26.16 17. 4. From his goodness to them Who brought thee out of the land of Egypt Deut. 8.14 Q. â—â—â—â—hist Say the Commandments A. 1. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me c. Q. If the Commandments are Ten how are they said to be two by our Saviour Mat. 22.38 40 A. They are two as they are divided into Two Tables of love to God and our Neighbour Q. What dost thou chiefly learn by these Commandments contained in the Two Tables A. I learn two things my Duty towards God and my Duty towards my Neighbour Q. What is thy Duty towards God A. My Duty towards God is to believe in him to fear him and to love him c. Q. How many Commandments belong to the first Table A. The first four Q. What is the first Commandment A. Commandment 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods but me Q. What is forbidden in this Commandment A. I am forbidden hereby 1. to have or own any more than one God a 2. To give the honour due to God to any other object whatsoever b a 1 Cor. 8.4 6. There is none other God but one b Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Q. What is required in this Commandment A. To believe in him a to fear him b and to love him with all my heart with all my mind with all my soul and with all my strength c to worship him d to give him thanks e to put my whole trust in him f to call upon him g a Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is b Eccles 12.13 Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man. c Mat. 22.37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart c. d Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God. e Psal 92.1 2. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name O thou most high f Prov. 3.5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding g Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Q. Command 2. What is the second Commandment A. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in 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 fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments Q. What is forbidden in this Commandment A. All Religious Worship given to an Image Q. What is an Image the worship of which is here forbidden A. An Image is any external Representation of God set up for the receiving Divine Worship Levit. 26.1 Ye shall make you no Idols nor graven Image neither rear you up a standing Image neither shall ye set up a Image of Stone in your Land to bow down
of our Saviour's Victory over Death Rom. 6 9. Christ being raised from the dead died no more death hath no more dominion over him Q. After what manner did our Saviour Ascend into Heaven Article 6. He ascended into Heaven A. He ascended Bodily Locally Visibly a and Triumphantly b a Acts 1.9 While they beheld he was taken up b Ephes 4.8 When he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive Q. Was Christ to abide Bodily in Heaven A. Yes till the end of the World Acts 3.21 Whom the Heavens must receive until the times of the Restitution of all things Q. How is this Phrase The right Hand of God And sitteth on the right band of God. to be understood A. Figuratively for God is a Spirit a and hath no Body nor parts of it b a Joh. 4.24 b Luke 24.39 A Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones Q. What doth the right Hand of God signify in a figurative Sence A. 1. It signifies Power Luke 22.69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 2. Dignity Heb. 1.3 4. He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high being made so much better than the Angels c. 3. Dominion Acts 2.34 35. The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool Q. What doth sitting at the right Hand of God signify A. It signifies the full Possession of that Power Dignity and Dominion Heb. 10.12 This man after he had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God. Q. What doth Christ do at the right hand of God A. He appears in the Presence of God for us a as our Mediator b Intercessor c and Advocate d a Heb. 9.24 Christ is entered into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us b 1 Tim. 2.5 c Rom. 8.34 d 1 John 2.1 Q. What is the ground of his Mediation A. 1. That he is God a Man b partaker of the nature of both a Heb. 4.14 A high Priest Jesus the Son of God. b 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 2. As he pleads for us in the Virtue and Merit of his own Blood. Heb. 9.12 By his own Blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternal Redemption for us Q. Is Christ the alone Mediator A. There is one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. Why is Christ the alone Mediator A. 1. Because he alone is partaker of both Natures God-Man 2. Because he only can plead for us that made an Atonement by his Blood 1 Tim. 2.5 6. There is one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all Rom. 8.34 Q. Why is the Phrase Father Almighty Father Almighty added to this Article A. It 's to signify that Christ as our Mediator is invested by the Father with a fulness of Authority Power and Dominion in recompence of that Humiliation he submitted to Acts 5.30 31. Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree him hath God exalted with to his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour Phil. 2.7 8 9. Q. What is the fourth Branch of Christ's Exaltation Article 7. From thence he shall come to judgthe Quick and the Dead A. His Coming to Judgement Acts 17.31 He will judge the World in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained c. Q. Whence shall he come A. From Heaven 1 Thes 4.16 The Lord himself shall descend from Heaven c. Matth. 25.31 Q. Whom shall he judge A. All Men the Quick who now are or hereafter shall be and the Dead Acts 10.42 It is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of Quick and Dead Q. For what shall he judge them A. For all things a whether Secret b or Open. a 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad b Eccles 12.14 God shall bring every work into Judgement with every secret thing Q. Article 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost What is the Holy Ghost A. The third Person in the sacred Trinity 1 Joh. 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost Q. Why is he call'd the Holy Ghost A. Because of his Office which is in Christ's stead to gather sanctify and govern the Church Eph. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word c. Tit. 3.4 5. The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Q. Article 9. The Holy Catholick Church What doth the word Catholick signify A. It signifies Vniversal Q. What is the Catholick Church A. It 's the whole Society of Christians dispersed over all the World as they are gathered under one Head Christ Jesus Col. 1.18 He is the head of the Body the Church Q. Why is the term Catholick applied to the Christian Church A. To distinguish it from the Jewish Church which was confined to one Nation a whereas the Christian Church is extended to all Nations b. a Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob c. he hath not dealt so with any nation b Matth. 28.19 Go ye teach all nations 1 Cor. 12.13 Q. Can any particular Church as that of Rome be called the Catholick Church A. No no more than the City of Rome is the whole World. Q. How is the Church said to be holy A. As the Jews were said to be a holy Nation a by being taken into Covenant with God and as we are under the obligation of being holy b a Exod. 19.6 b 1 Thes 4.7 God hath called us unto holiness Q. What are the privileges belonging to the Catholick Church A. They are four 1. The Communion of Saints 2. The forgiveness of sins 3. The Resurrection of the body 4. Life everlasting Communion of Saints Q. How is the word Saints to be understood A. It 's to be understood of all those that are visible members of Christ's Church Rom. 1.7 To all that be at Rome called to be Saints that is Christians Q. What is the first privilege A. Communion of Saints 1 Joh. 1.3 7. Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ V. 7. If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another Q. In what doth this Communion consist A. It consists in a fellowship in the Ordinances of Divine Worship a and of charity one towards another b a Act. 2.42 They continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship