him in the World through the Ignorance that is in Man and through the Power of their Sins Ephes 4.18 19. Q. Wherein doth this alienation from God appear A. In the love they have to their sins in their being loth to come to him in their pleading idle excuses for their sins and in their ignorance of the excellent mysteries of his blessed Gospel Ephes 2.2 3 11 12. Rom. 1.28 Ephes 4.18 19. Q. What is temporal death A. To have Body and Soul separate asunder the Body returning to the Dust as it was and the Spirit to God that gave it Gen. 3.19 Eccles 12.7 Q. What is Everlasting Death A. For Body and Soul to be separate for ever from God and to be cast into Hell-fire Luk. 13. Q. Do Men go Body and Soul to Hell so soon as they die A. The Body abideth in the Grave till the sound of the last Trump but the Soul if the Man dies wicked goes presently from the face of God into Hell as into a Prison there to be kept till the day of Judgment 1 Cor. 15.52 Isa 24.22 Luke 12.20 Q. Do we come into the World as upright as did our first Parent A. No He came into the World sinless being made so of God Almighty but we came into the World sinners being made so by his Pollution Q. How doth it appear that we came into the World polluted A. We are the fruit of an unclean thing are defiled in our very conception and are by nature the Children of wrath Job 14.4 Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.3 Q. Can you make further proof of this A. Yes It is said that by one Man came Sin Death Judgment and Condemnation upon all Men Rom. 5.12 15 16 17 18 19. Q. Do we then come sinners into the World A. Yes we are Transgressors from the Womb and go astray as soon as we are born speaking lies Isa 48.8 Psal 58.3 Q. But as Adam fell with us in him so did he not by faith rise with us in him for he had no 〈…〉 A. He fell as a publick person but believed the Promise as a single person Adam's faith saved not the World though Adam's sin overthrew it Q. But do not some hold that we are sinners only by imitation A. Yes being themselves deceived But God's Word saith we are Children of Wrath by Nature that is by Birth and Generation Q. Can you bring further proof of this A. Yes In that day that we were born we were polluted in our own Blood and cast out to the loathing of our persons Again the Children of old that were dedicated unto the Lord a Sacrifice was offered for them at a month old which was before they were sinners by imitation Ezek. 16.4 5 6 7 8 9. Num. 18.14 15 16. Q. Can you make this appear by experience A. Yes The first things that bloom and put forth themselves in Children shew their Ignorance of God their disobedience to Parents and their innate enmity to Holiness of life their inclinations naturally run to vanity Besides little Children die but that they could not were they not of God counted sinners for death is the wages of sin Rom. 6.23 Q. What is sin A. It is a transgression of the Law 1 John 3.4 Q. A transgression of what Law A. Of the Law of our Nature and of the Law of the Ten Commandments as written in the holy Scriptures Rom. 2.12 14 15. Exod. 20. Q. When doth one sin against the Law of Nature A. When you do any thing that your Conscience tells you is a transgression against God or Man Rom. 2.14 15. Q. When do we sin against the Law as written in the ten Commandments A. When you do any thing that they forbid although you be ignorant of it Psal 19.12 Q. How many ways are there to sin against this Law A. Three By sinful thoughts by sinful words and also by sinful actions Rom. 7.7 Mat. 5.28 chap. 12.37 Rom. 2.6 Q. What if we sin against but one of the Ten Commandments A. Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all for he that said do not commit adultery said also do not kill now if thou commit no adultery yet if thou kill thou art a transgressor of the Law Jam. 2.10 11. Q. Where will God punish sinners for their sins A. Both in this World and in that which is to come Gen 3.24 chap. 4.10 11 12. Job 21.30 Q. How are Men punished in this World for sin A. Many ways as with sickness losses crosses disappointments and the like sometimes also God giveth them up to their own hearts lusts to blindness of mind also and hardness of heart yea and sometimes to strong delusions that they might believe lies and be damned Lev. 26.15 16. Amos. 4.7 10. Rom. 1.24 28. Exod. 4.21 chap. 9.12 13 14. Zeph. 1.17 Rom. 11.7 8. 2 Thes 2.11 12. Q How are sinners punished in the World to come A. With a Worm that never dies and with a Fire that never shall be quenched Mar. 9.44 Q. Whither do sinners go to receive this punishment A. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Psal 9.27 Q. What is Hell A. It is a place and a state most fearful Luk. 16.28 Act. 1.25 Luk. 16.21 Q. Why do you call it a place A. Because in Hell shall all the damned be confined as in a Prison in their chains of darkness for ever Luk. 12.5 58. chap. 16.26 Jud. 6. Q What a place is Hell A. It is a dark bottomless burning lake of Fire large enough to hold all that perish Mat. 22.13 Rev. 20.1 15. Isa 30.33 Pro. 27.20 Q. What do you mean when you say it is a fearful state A. I mean that it is the lot of those that are cast in thither to be tormented in most fearful manner to wit with wrath and fiery indignation Rom. 2.9 Heb. 10.26 27. Q. In what parts shall they be thus fearfully tormented A. In Body and Soul for Hell-fire shall kindle upon both beyond what now can be thought Mat. 10.28 Luk. 16.24 Jam. 5.3 Q. How long shall they be in this condition A. These shall go away into everlasting punishment and the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest day nor night for they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his Power Mat. 25.46 Rev. 14.11 2 Thes 1.9 Q. But why might not the ungodly be punished with this punishment in this world that we might have seen it and believe A. If the ungodly should with punishment have been rewarded in this World it would in all probability have overthrown the whole order that God hath settled here among Men. For who could have endured here to have seen the flames of Fire to have heard the groans and to have seen the tears perhaps of damned relations as Parents or Children Therefore as Tophet
be acceptable and to confess it with the mouth and to love it with the heart is a lying unto God and a provocation of the eyes of his Glory Q. What do you mean by feigning and dissembling in this work A. When men confess it yet know not what it is or if they think they know it do not conclude it so bad as it is or when men ask pardon of God but do not see their need of pardon this man must needs dissemble Q. What do you mean by doing it by the halves A. When men confess some but not all that they are convinced of or if they confess all yet labour in their Confession to lessen it or when in their Confession they turn not from all Sin to God but from one Sin to another They turned but not to the most high none of them did exalt him Prov. 28.13 Job 31.33 Jam Q. What is it to confess Sin without sence of Sin A. To do it through Custom or Tradition when there is not guilt upon the Conscience now this cannot be acceptable Q. What is it to confess it with the mouth and to love it with the heart A. When men condemn it with their mouth but refuse to let it go when with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their Covetousness Job 20.12 13. Jer. 8.5 Ezek. 33.31 Q. But I asked you what frame of heart I should be in in my Confessions A. I have shewed you how you should not be Well I will shew you now what frame of heart becomes you in your Confessions of Sin Labour by all means for a sence of the evil that is in Sin Q. What evil is there in Sin A. No man with Tongue can express what may by the Heart be felt of the evil of Sin but this know it dishonoureth God it provoketh him to wrath it damneth the Soul Rom. 2.23 Ephes 5.5 6. 2 Thes 2.12 Q. What else would you advise me to in this great work A. When we confess sin tears shame and brokenness of heart becomes us Jer. 50.4 Isa 22.12 Psal 51.17 Jer. 31.19 Q. What else becomes me in my Confessions of 〈…〉 A. Great detestation of sin with unfeigned Sighs and Groans that expresseth thou dost it heartily Job 42.5 6. Ezek. 9.4 Jer. 31.9 Q. Is here all A. No Tremble at the Word of God Tremble at every Judgment lest it overtake thee Tremble at every promise lest thou shouldest miss thereof for saith God To this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and that trembles at my Word Isa 66.2 Heb. 4.1 2. Q. What if I cannot thus confess my Sins A. Bewail the hardness of thy heart keep close to the best Preachers remember that thou hangest over Hell by the weak thread of an uncertain life And know God counts it a great evil not to be ashamed of not to blush at sin Isa 63.17 Jer. 6.15 Chap. 8.12 Q. Is there no thanks to be rendred to God in Confessions A. O Yes Thank him that he hath let thee see thy sins thank him that he hath given thee time to acknowledg thy sins thou mightest now have been confessing in Hell thank him also that he hath so far condescended as to hear the self-bemoaning sinner and that he hath promised Surely to have Mercy upon such Jer. 31.18 19 20. Of Faith in Christ. Quest I Am glad that you have instructed me into this part of the worship of God pray tell me also how else I should worship him A. Thou must believe his Word Q. Is that worshipping of God A. Yes after the way which ye call heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets c. Acts 24.14 Q. Why should believing be counted a part of Gods worship A. Because without faith 't is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 Q. Why not impossible to please him without believing A. Because in all true Worship a man must believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Besides he that worships God must also of necessity believe his Word else he cannot worship with that reverence and fear that becomes him but will do it in a superstitious prophane manner for whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.23 Q. But do not all believe as you have said A. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit And again the Children of the flesh these are not the Children of God but the Children of the promise are counted for the Seed Joh. 3.6 Rom. 9.8 Q. What do you mean by that A. Thou must be born twice before thou canst truely believe once Joh. 3.3 5. Q. How do you prove that A. Because believing is a Christian act and none are true Christians but those that are born again But I mean by believing believing unto Salvation Q. Can you prove this A. Yes They that believe in the Name of Christ are such which are born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Joh. 1.12 13. Q. What is believing A. It is such an act of a gracious Soul as layeth hold on Gods Mercy through Christ Act. 15 11. Q. Why do you call it an act of a gracious Soul A. Because their minds are disposed that way by the Power of the Holy-Ghost Rom. 15.13 Q. If such a poor sinner as I am would be saved from the wrath to come how must I believe A. Thy first question should be on whom must I believe Joh. 9.35 36. Q. On whom then must I beleive A. On the Lord Jesus Christ Act. 16.31 32. Q. Who is Jesus Christ that I might believe on him A. He is the only begotten Son of God Joh. 3.16 Q. Why must I believe in him A. Because he is the Saviour of the World 2 Pet. 1.1 1 John 4.14 Q. How is he the Saviour of the World A. By the Fathers designation and sending for God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved John 3.13 Q. How did he come into the World A. In Mans flesh in which flesh he fulfilled the Law died for our sins conquered the Devil and Death and obtained Eternal Redemption for us Gal. 4.4 Rom. 10.3 4. chap. 8.3 Heb. 2.14 15. chap 6.20 chap 9.12 24. Q. But is there no other way to be saved but by believing in Jesus Christ A. There is no other name given under Heaven among men whereby we must be saved and therefore he that believeth not shall be damned Act. 4.12 Mar. 16.16 John 3.18.36 Q. What is believing on Jesus Christ A. It is a receiving of him with what is in him as the gift of God to thee a sinner Joh. 1. 12. Q What is in Jesus Christ to encourage me to 〈…〉 A. Infinite
INSTRUCTION FOR THE IGNORANT Being a Salve to cure that great want of Knowledg which so much reigns both in young and old Prepared and presented to them in a plain and easie Dialogue fitted to the Capacity of the weakest By JOHN BUNYAN Hos 4.6 My People perish for lack of Knowledg LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhil near the Royal-Exchange 1675. To the Church of Christ in and about Bedford walking in the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel your affectionate Brother and Companion in the Kingdom and Patience of JESUS CHRIST wisheth all Grace and Mercy by Jesus Christ Amen HOly and beloved Although I have designed this little Treatise for publick and common benefit yet considering that I am to you a debtor not only in common Charity but by reason of special Bonds which the Lord hath laid upon me to you-ward I could do no less being driven from you in presence not affection but first present you with this little Book not for that you are wanting in the things contained herein but to put you again in remembrance of first things and to give you occasion to present something to your carnal relations that may be if God will for their awakening and conversion accept it therefore as a token of my Christian Remembrance of you Next I present it to all those unconverted old and young who have been at any time under my Preaching and yet remain in their sins And I entreat them also that they receive it as a token of my love to their immortal Souls yea I charge them as they will answer it in the day of the terrible judgment that they read ponder and receive this wholsom Medicine prepared for them Now the God of Blessing bless it to the awakening of many sinners and the salvation of their souls by faith in Jesus Christ Amen Yours to serve you by my Ministry when I can to your Edification and Consolation J. B. Instruction for the Ignorant c. Quest HOw many Gods are there Answ To the Christians there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we of him 1 Cor. 8.9 Q. Why is not the God of the Christians the God of them that are no Christians A. He is their Maker and Preserver but they have not chosen him to be their God Acts 17.24 Psal 36.6 Judg. 10.14 Q. Is there then other gods besides the God of the Christians A. There is none other true God but He but because they want the grace of Christians therefore they chuse not Him but such gods as will suit with and countenance their lusts Joh. 8.44 Q. What gods are they that countenance the lusts of wicked men A. The Devil who is the god of this World the Belly that god of Gluttons Drunkards and riotous persons and idle pleasures and vanities which are for the most part the gods of the youth Job 8.44 2 Cor. 4.4 Phil. 3.19 Exod. 32.6 1 Cor. 10.7 2 Tim. 2.22 1 John 5.21 Q. Who is a Christian A. One that is born again a new creature one that sits at Jesus feet to hear his Word one that hath his heart purified and sanctified by Faith which is in Christ John 3.3 5 7. Act. 11.26 Act. 15.9 chap. 26.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Q. How do you distinguish the God of the Christians from the gods of other people A. He is a Spirit John 4.24 Q. Is there no other Spirit but the true God A. Yes there are many spirits 1 John 4.1 Q. What spirits are they A. The good Angels are Spirits the bad Angels are Spirits and the Souls of Men are Spirits Heb. 1.7.14 1 King 22.21 22. Rev. 16.13 14. Act. 7.59 Heb. 12.23 Q. How then is the true God distinguished from other Spirits A. Thus No Spirit is Eternal but he no Spirit is Almighty but he no Spirit is Incomprehensible and Unsearchable but he He is also most Merciful most Just most Holy Deut. 33.27 Gen. 17.1 Psal 145.3 Mich. 7.18 Job 34.17 1 Sam. 2.2 Q. Is this God being a Spirit to be known A. Yes and that by his Works of Creation by his Providences by the Judgments that he executeth and by his Word Q. Do you understand him by the Works of Creation A. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work so that the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and Godhead Psal 19.1 2. Rom. 1.20 Q. Doth his Works of Providence also declare him A. They must needs do it since through his Providence the whole Creation is kept in such harmony as it is and that in despite of Sin and Devils also if you consider that from an Angel to a Sparrow nothing falls to the ground without the Providence of our Heavenly Father Mat. 10.29 Q. Is he known by his Judgments A. God is known by his Judgments which he executeth the wicked is shared in the work of his own hands Psal 9.16 Q. Is he known by his Word A. Yes most clearly for by that he revealeth his Attributes his Decrees his Promises his way of Worship and how he is to be pleased by us Q. Of what did God make the World A. Things that are seen were not made of things that do appear Heb. 11.3 Q. How long was he in making the World A. In six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that is in them and on the seventh day God ended all his works which he had made Exod. 20.11 Gen. 2.2 Q. Of what did God make Man A. The Lord God formed Man of the dust of the Ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life and Man became a living soul Gen. 2.7 Q. Why doth it say God breathed into him the breath of Life is Man's Soul of the very nature of the Godhead A. This doth not teach that the Soul is of the nature of the Godhead but sheweth that it is not of the same matter as his body which is dust Gen. 18.27 Q. Is not the Soul then of the nature of the Godhead A. No for God cannot sin but the Soul doth God cannot be destroyed in Hell but the Souls of the Impenitent shall Ezek. 18.4 Mat. 10.28 Q. How did God make man in the day of his first Creation A. God made Man upright In the Image of God created he him Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 1.27 Q. Did God when he made Man leave him withâ—◠〈…〉 A. No He gave him a Law in his nature and imposed upon him a positive Precept but he offered violence to them and brake them both Gen. 3.3 6. Q. What was the due desert of that Transgression A. Spiritual death in the day he did it Temporal Death afterwards and everlasting Death last of all Gen. 2.17 chap. 3.19 Mat. 25.46 Q What is it to be spiritually dead A. To be alienate from God and to live without